RU2663248C1 - Cartridge, item forming the cartridge and the image formating device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: image forming devices.SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, to a cartridge, with the possibility of detachment installed on the main body of the device for the image forming apparatus, and to the elements constituting the cartridge. Claimed group of inventions includes variants of cartridges that can be installed in the image forming apparatus into the main unit of the device, and variants of the frame members constituting the cartridge frame that can be mounted in the image forming apparatus to the main assembly of the device. In this case, the cartridge comprises: a developing roller, a frame supporting the development roller, a movable part supported for movement by a frame and moved to a first position and a second position with respect to the frame, and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part with the possibility of pressing the moving part, the movable part including the first force receiving part, which takes force from the main unit of the device, in the direction of travel from the first position to the second position, and a second force receiving part that receives force from the main unit of the device, in the direction of travel from the second position to the first position, and when the movable part receives the force from the main assembly of the device in the first force receiving part and is in the second position, movable part receives the urging force from the elastic part in the moving direction of the moving part from the second position to the first position.EFFECT: technical result is to ensure an accurate movement of the developer bearing member.182 cl, 57 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, to a cartridge detachably mounted on a main body of an apparatus for an image forming apparatus, and to elements constituting a cartridge.

[0002] An image forming apparatus generates images on a recording medium. Examples of imaging devices include electronic photocopiers, electrophotographic printers (e.g., laser printers, LED printers, etc.), fax machines, word processors, etc.

[0003] The cartridge is at least one of an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, which is an image bearing member (hereinafter referred to as a “photosensitive drum”), and a processing unit acting on the photosensitive drum (for example, a developer bearing member (hereinafter called the "developing roller")), which is formed in the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus. Cartridges include cartridges in which the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are integrally formed in the cartridge, and cartridges in which the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are formed in separate cartridges. In particular, the first of these cartridges having a photosensitive drum and a developing roller is called a “process cartridge”. Additionally, in the second arrangement, a cartridge having a photosensitive drum is called a “drum cartridge”, and a cartridge having a developing roller is called a “developing cartridge”.

[0004] The main body of the image forming apparatus is part of the image forming apparatus remaining after removing the cartridge (s).

State of the art

[0005] Conventionally, a cartridge system has been used in image forming apparatuses in which process cartridges, drum cartridges, and developing cartridges are detachably mounted in a main body of an apparatus for an image forming apparatus. The system of these cartridges allows the user to independently carry out maintenance of imaging devices regardless of the maintenance technician, which significantly improves usability.

[0006] Accordingly, a cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

[0007] Further, a contact developing system is provided in which the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are brought into contact with the developing to be performed during image formation. A developing cartridge having a pressure unit in a developing cartridge is provided for bringing a photosensitive drum and a developing roller into contact (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2011-39564 and Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2010-26541).

[0008] Now, the photosensitive drum and the developing roller in the contact developing system are preferably spaced apart when images are not formed, in terms of image quality stability and durability of the photosensitive drum and developing roller.

List of cited documents

Patent documents

[0009] PTL 1. Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2011-39564

PTL 2. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-26541

[0010] In Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2011-39564 and Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2010-26541, the presser assembly is a configuration controlled from the main body of the device only in the direction of approach of the photosensitive drum and the developing roller. In the event that the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are spaced apart from each other, there is a need to provide a diversity assembly to move the developing roller so that the photosensitive drum and the developing module are spaced apart from each other in a different position relative to the pressure unit. The developing module moves at this time against the pressing pressure pressing the developing roller against the photosensitive drum.

[0011] In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2010-26541 provides a configuration in which the pressing unit is integrated in the axial direction of the developing roller. In this case, the clamping unit must be highly accurate and very rigid in order to ensure uniformity of the pressing state between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller in the axial direction of the developing roller. In other words, the clamping unit becomes more complex to move the developing roller in relation to the photosensitive drum and to press against the photosensitive drum with high accuracy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide accurate movement of a developer bearing member.

The solution of the problem

[0013] To achieve this, the present invention provides a cartridge that can be installed in a main assembly of an apparatus for an image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprising a developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part supported to be movable by the frame and moved to the first position and to the second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part with the ability to compress the movable part, while the movable part includes a first force receiving part that receives force from the main assembly of the device, in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position, and the second receiving force the part that receives force from the main unit of the device, in the direction of movement from the second position to the first position, and when the movable part receives force from the main unit of the device in the first the force of the part and is in the second position, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part in the direction of movement of the movable part from the second position to the first position.

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an exact movement of the developer bearing member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] Figure 1 includes side views of a developing cartridge.

Figure 2 is a side view in cross section of an image forming apparatus.

Figure 3 is a view in cross section of a developing cartridge and a drum cartridge.

4 is a perspective view of the driving side of the developing cartridge.

5 is a perspective view of the non-drive side of a developing cartridge.

6 includes exploded perspective views of a driving side of a developing cartridge.

7 includes exploded perspective views of the non-drive side of a developing cartridge.

Fig. 8 includes perspective views of a drive input portion of a developing cartridge.

9 includes explanatory diagrams of the periphery of the side cover on the drive side.

Figure 10 includes explanatory diagrams of the periphery of the side cover on the drive side.

11 includes explanatory diagrams of orientation in space of the connecting element.

12 includes explanatory diagrams of orientation in space of the connecting element.

13 includes exploded perspective views of a carrier and a connecting member.

Fig. 14 includes perspective views of a drive input portion of a developing cartridge.

Fig. 15 includes a cross-sectional view and perspective views of the periphery of the connecting element.

Fig. 16 includes perspective views of a drum cartridge.

Fig is a perspective view of the non-drive side of the main body of the device and cartridges.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a driving side of a device main body and cartridges.

Fig. 19 includes side views on the drive side of the developing cartridge.

FIG. 20 includes perspective views of a tilting guide on the drive side.

21 includes side views of a driving side illustrating a process of installing a developing cartridge in a main body of the device.

FIG. 22 includes side views of a driving side of a developing cartridge mounted in a main body of the device.

23 includes cross-sectional views of a drive input portion of a developing cartridge.

24 is a front view of a developing cartridge.

Fig. 25 includes perspective views of a side plate on a drive side.

26 includes perspective views of a side plate on a non-drive side.

Fig. 27 includes side views on the drive side of the developing cartridge and the swing guide on the drive side.

FIG. 28 includes side views on the drive side of the developing cartridge and the swing guide on the drive side.

Fig. 29 includes side views on the non-drive side of the developing cartridge and the swinging guide on the non-drive side.

30 includes cross-sectional views of a periphery of a connecting member.

Fig includes side views on the drive side of the developing cartridge and the swinging guide on the drive side.

32 includes side views on the drive side of the developing cartridge and the swing guide on the drive side.

Fig. 33 includes perspective views of a holder on the non-drive side.

Fig. 34 includes diagrams in cross section of the periphery of the connecting element.

Fig. 35 includes perspective views on the non-drive side of the main body of the device.

Fig is a side view on the non-drive side of the main body of the device and cartridges.

Fig. 37 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a developing cartridge.

Fig. 38 includes side views illustrating a contact / release lever on the non-drive side and a memory card.

Fig. 39 is a side view illustrating a memory card.

40 is a side view illustrating a contact / release lever on the non-drive side and a memory board.

Fig. 41 includes side views illustrating a contact / release lever on the drive side.

Fig. 42 includes side views on the drive side of a developing cartridge mounted in the main body of the device.

Fig includes side views on the drive side of the developing cartridge installed in the main body of the device.

Fig. 44 is a schematic view illustrating the position of the contact / separation lever and the pressure spring of the developing unit.

Fig. 45 includes a front view and a rear view illustrating a side cover of the developing unit.

Fig. 46 includes perspective views illustrating a side cover of a developing unit.

47 includes a front view and a rear view illustrating a holder of a developing unit on the drive side.

48 includes perspective views illustrating a holder of a developing unit on a drive side.

Fig. 49 includes side views on the drive side of a developing cartridge mounted in the main body of the device.

Fig. 50 is a perspective view of a developing cartridge.

51 includes a side view on the drive side and a side view on the non-drive side of the developing cartridge mounted in the main body of the device.

Fig. 52 includes a side view on the drive side and a side view on the non-drive side of the developing cartridge mounted in the main body of the device.

Fig. 53 is a side view on the drive side of the developing cartridge.

54 is a side view on the drive side of the developing cartridge.

55 includes perspective views of a drive side of a developing cartridge.

56 includes a side view and a cross-sectional view on the drive side of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 57 includes a side view on the drive side and a side view on the non-drive side of the developing cartridge mounted in the main body of the device.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0016] A cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention are described below by way of drawings. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is described by way of example of a main body of a laser printer, as well as a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge, with the possibility of disconnecting the laser printer installed in the main body. In the description below, the longitudinal direction of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge is a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis L1 of the photosensitive drum and the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller (direction of rotation of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller). It should be noted that the rotation axis L1 of the photosensitive drum and the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller are a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium. The transverse 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. The mounting / detaching direction of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge in the main body / from the main body of the laser printer is the transverse direction of each cartridge. It should be noted that the symbols in the description are used to refer to the drawings and do not limit the configuration. A side view in the description of the present embodiment is a diagram illustrating a state when viewed from a direction parallel to the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller.

First Embodiment

(1) General Description of an Imaging Device

[0017] First, a general configuration of an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied is described with reference to FIG. 2. Figure 2 is a side view in cross section of an image forming apparatus.

[0018] The image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 generates images on a recording medium 2 (sheet) by processing electrophotographic image formation using a developer t, in accordance with image information transmitted from an external device, such as a personal computer, etc. P. The imaging device has a developing cartridge B1 and a drum cartridge C provided in the main body A1 of the device so as to allow installation and disconnection by the user. Examples of recording medium 2 include recording paper, label sheets, OHP sheets, fabric, etc. The developing cartridge B1 has a developing roller 13, etc. as a developer bearing member and the drum cartridge C has a photosensitive drum 10 and a charge roller 11, etc. as an element carrying an image.

[0019] Regarding the photosensitive drum 10, the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 11 by applying voltage from the main body A1 of the device. The charged photosensitive drum 10 is then irradiated by laser radiation L in accordance with the image information from the optical unit 1, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10 in accordance with the image information. This electrostatic latent image is developed by the developer t, by the developing module described below, thereby forming a developed image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

[0020] On the other hand, the recording medium 2 located in the sheet feeding tray 4 is separated and fed one sheet at a time, controlled by the sheet feeding roller 3a and the separating pad 3b in pressure contact with it, in synchronization with the formation of the developed image . The recording medium 2 is then transported by the transport guide 3d to the transfer roller 6, which serves as the transfer. The transfer roller 6 is biased so that it comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

[0021] Then, the recording medium 2 passes through the transfer transfer portion 6a formed by the photosensitive drum 10 and the transfer roller 6. A voltage with a polarity opposite the polarity of the developer is applied to the transfer roller 6 at this time, whereby the developed image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred to the recording medium 2.

[0022] The recording medium 2 onto which the developed image is transferred is transported to the fusing unit 5 limited by the transport guide 3f. The fixing unit 5 includes a drive roller 5a and a fixing roller 5c in which a heater 5b is integrated. Thermal force fixing is applied to the recording medium 2 as it passes through the gripping portion 5d formed by the drive roller 5a and the fixing roller 5c, thereby fixing the developed image transferred onto the recording medium 2 to the recording medium 2. Thus, an image is formed on the recording medium 2.

[0023] After that, the recording medium 2 is transported by a pair 3g of rollers for dispensing and issued to part 3h for issuing.

(2) Description of the process of forming electrophotographic images

[0024] Next, an electrophotographic image forming process to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied is described with reference to FIG. 3. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram in cross section of a developing cartridge B1 and drum cartridge C.

[0025] The developing cartridge B1 has a developing roller 13 serving as a developing module, a developing blade 15, etc., in the developing container 16, as illustrated in FIG. The developing cartridge B1 is a developing device that is formed in the cartridge and is detachably mounted in the main body of the device for the image forming apparatus.

[0026] The drum cartridge C also has a photosensitive drum 10, a charge roller 11, etc. in the cleaning frame 21 (supporting frame of the photosensitive member). The drum cartridge C is also detachably mounted in the main body of the device for the image forming apparatus.

[0027] The developer t stored in the developer holding portion 16a of the developing container 16 is supplied from the opening 16b of the developing container 16 to the developing chamber 16c by the developer conveying member 17 rotatably supported by the developing container 16 rotating in the direction of arrow X17. A developing roller 13 having an integrated magnetic roller 12 is provided in the developing container 16. In particular, the developing roller 13 is configured from the shaft portion 13 e and the rubber portion 13 d. The shaft portion 13e is a thin electrically conductive cylindrical object made of aluminum and the like, and the middle portion in the longitudinal direction is closed by the rubber portion 13d (see FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b)). Now, the rubber portion 13d covers the shaft portion 13e, so that its outer shape is concentric with the shaft portion 13e. The developing roller 13 attracts the developer t in the developing chamber 16c to the surface of the developing roller 13 by the magnetism of the magnetic roller 12. The developing blade 15 is configured of a support member 15a consisting of a metal plate and an elastic member 15b made of urethane rubber, a SUS plate and t ..., and the elastic element 15b is positioned so that it has elastic contact with the developing roller 13 at a certain contact pressure. The developing roller 13 rotates in the rotation direction X5, which controls the amount of developer t adhering to the surface of the developing roller 13, and a friction charge is applied to the developer t. This forms a developer layer on the surface of the developing roller 13. Thus, the developing roller 13, which receives the application of voltage from the device main body A1, then rotates in the rotation direction X5 in the contact state with the photosensitive drum 10, whereby the developer t can be supplied to the region Developments on the photosensitive drum 10.

[0028] In the case of a contact developing system, similar to the present embodiment, such a problem arises that deformation of the rubber portion 13b of the developing roller 13 can occur if the state in which the developing roller 13, for example, illustrated in FIG. 3, is constantly located in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. Accordingly, the developing roller 13 is preferably spaced from the photosensitive drum 10 when development is not performed.

[0029] A charging roller 11 rotatably supported by the cleaning frame 21 and biased towards the photosensitive drum 10 is provided in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10. A detailed configuration will be described below. The charging roller 11 evenly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 by applying voltage from the main body A1 of the device. The voltage applied to the charging roller 11 is set to a value at which the potential difference between the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 and the charging roller 11 is equal to or higher than the charging voltage for the discharge, and, in particular, a DC voltage of -1300 V is applied as the charging bias. At this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is uniformly charged by contact with a charging potential (dark potential) of −700 V. The charging roller 11 is driven and rotated in accordance with the rotations of the photosensitive drum 10 in the present example (described in detail below). An electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is formed by laser radiation L from the optical node 1. After this, the developer t is transferred in accordance with the electrostatic latent image to the photosensitive drum 10, visualizing the electrostatic latent image, thereby forming a developed image on the photosensitive drum 10.

(3) Description of system configuration without cleaning

[0030] The following describes a system without purification according to the present example.

[0031] The so-called non-cleaning system in which no cleaning element is provided in order to remove the residual toner t2 during transfer remaining on the photosensitive drum 10 without transfer is approximately illustrated in the present embodiment.

[0032] The photosensitive drum 10 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow C5, as illustrated in FIG. A gap portion is provided on the upstream side of the charge gripping portion 11a in which the charge roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 10 come into contact (the upstream gap portion 11b) when viewed from the rotation direction C5 of the photosensitive drum 10. Residual toner t2 remaining on the photosensitive surface during transfer drum 10 after the transfer process, is charged to a negative polarity identical to the negative polarity of the photosensitive drum, by discharging above nnom clearance portion 11b. At this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is charged to -700 V. A negatively charged residual toner t2 during transfer passes through the charging gripping portion 11a without sticking to the charging roller 11 due to the potential difference (surface potential of the photosensitive drum 10 = -700 V, charging potential roller 11 = -1300 V).

[0033] The transfer toner t2, which passes through the charge capture portion 11a, reaches the laser irradiation position d. The residual toner t2 during transfer is not provided in an amount sufficient to shield the laser radiation L from the optical node, and, accordingly, does not affect the process of creating an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10. The residual toner t2 during transfer, which passes through position d laser irradiation and is also located in inaccessible areas (on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10, on which laser irradiation has not been performed), is disposed of by electrostatic forces into the developing roller 13, in the gripping portion 13k of the developing unit, which is located at a place where the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 come into contact. On the other hand, the residual toner t2 during transfer in accessible areas (on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 on which the laser irradiation is performed) is not disposed of by electrostatic force, but continues to exist on the photosensitive drum 10. However, part of the residual toner t2 during transfer may disposed of due to physical force due to the difference in speed along the circumference between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10.

[0034] The residual toner t2 during transfer, which does not transfer onto paper but remains on the photosensitive drum 10, is generally disposed of in the developing container 16. The residual toner t2 during transfer, disposed of in the developing container 16, is mixed with the developer t remaining in developing container 16, and used.

[0035] The following two configurations are used in the present embodiment in order to allow the residual toner t2 to pass through the transfer grip portion 11a without adhering to the charge roller 11. First of all, the optical static-removing member 8 is provided between the transfer roller 6 and charging roller 11. An optical static-picking element 8 is located on the upstream side of the charging gripping portion 11a in the direction of rotation of the photosensitive drum and 10 (arrow C5). Optical removal of static charges from the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 that passes through the transfer capture portion 6a is performed in order to discharge stably in the upstream clearance portion 11b. By setting the potential of the photosensitive drum 10 to a charge of approximately -150 V in the entire longitudinal region by means of this optical static-picking element 8, uniform discharge can be performed, and the residual toner t2 during transfer can be uniformly negatively charged when charged.

[0036] The second is that the charge roller 11 is rotationally driven so as to have a predetermined circumferential difference with respect to the photosensitive drum 10. Although almost all of the toner is negatively charged due to the discharge, as described above, residual toner t2 remains at transfer, which is not completely negatively charged, and this residual toner t2 during transfer can adhere to the charge roller 11 in the charge gripping portion 11a. The rotational actuation of the charge roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 10 constitutes a predetermined speed difference along the circumference between them, which makes it possible to negatively change such residual toner t2 during friction transfer between the photosensitive drum 10 and the charge roller 11. This is effective in suppressing the sticking of the residual toner t2 when transferred to the charge roller 11. The gear 69 of the charge roller (FIG. 16 (b), details are explained below) provides at one end of the charge roller 11 in the longitudinal direction, with the charge roll gear 69 engaging a flange 24 on the drive side (FIG. 16 (b), details are explained below) provided at one end of the photosensitive drum 10 in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the charging roller 11 is also rotationally driven in combination with the rotational actuation of the photosensitive drum 10. The speed along the circumference of the surface of the charging roller 11 is set to approximately 105-120% with respect to the speed along the circumference of the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

(4) Description of the configuration of the developing cartridge B1

General configuration of the developing cartridge B1

[0037] The following describes the configuration of the developing cartridge B1 to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied. It should be noted that in the description below, one end side of the developing cartridge B1 in the longitudinal direction in which the rotational force is transmitted from the main body A1 of the device to the developing cartridge B1 is called the “leading side”. Its other side is the other end of the developing cartridge B1, which is called the "non-drive side". 4 is a perspective explanatory view of a developing cartridge B1 when viewed from the leading side. 5 is a perspective explanatory view of a developing cartridge B1 when viewed from the non-drive side. 6 (a) and 6 (b) are explanatory diagrams in perspective from the driving side (FIG. 6 (a)) and an explanatory diagram in perspective from the non-driving side (FIG. 6 (b)), wherein the driving side of the developing cartridge B1 disassembled. FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) are explanatory diagrams in perspective from a non-drive side (FIG. 7 (a)) and an explanatory diagram in perspective from a drive side (FIG. 7 (b)), wherein the non-drive side of a developing cartridge B1 disassembled.

[0038] The developing cartridge B1 has a developing roller 13, a developing blade 15, etc., as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The developing blade 15 has an end portion 15a1 on the drive side and an end portion 15a2 on the non-drive side in the longitudinal direction of the support an element 15a attached to the developing container 16 by a screw 51 and a screw 52. The developing unit holder 36 on the drive side and the developing unit holder 46 on the non-drive side are disposed at respective ends in a longitudinal direction of the developing container pa 16. The developing roller 13 has an end portion 13a on the driven side, belongs to the opening 36a of the developing unit holder 36 on the driven side. The end portion 13c on the non-drive side is included in the support portion 46f of the holder 46 of the developing unit on the non-drive side. Thus, the developing roller 13 is rotatably supported by the developing container 16. The developing roller gear 29 is concentrically disposed with the developing roller 13 at an end portion 13a on the driving side of the developing roller 13, further on the outer side in the longitudinal direction from the holder 36 of the developing node on the driving side, so that the developing roller 13 and the gear 29 of the developing roller are rotating as a whole (see figure 4). The gear 29 of the developing roller is a helical spur gear.

[0039] The holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side rotatably supports the drive input gear 27 on the outer side in the longitudinal direction. The driving input gear 27 and the developing roller gear 29 are engaged. The driving input gear 27 is also a helical spur gear. The driving input gear 27 has more teeth than the developing roller gear 29 has teeth.

[0040] A connecting member 180 is also provided concentrically with a drive input gear 27.

[0041] A side cover 34 of the developing unit is provided at the farthest end of the developing cartridge B1 on the drive side, closing the driving input gear 27, etc. from the external environment in the longitudinal direction. A developing cartridge frame consisting of a developing container 16, a developing unit holder 46 on the non-drive side, a developing unit holder 36 on the drive side, and a developing unit side cover 34 is called a "developing unit frame". Additionally, the connecting element 180 protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction through the hole 34a in the side cover 34 of the developing unit. The connecting element 180, serving as a drive input element, is configured to engage the drive element 100 on the side of the main body provided in the main body A1 of the device, while transmitting the rotational force (input), which is described in detail below. Such a configuration is provided in which the rotational force is transmitted to the rotational force receiving part 27d1 (see FIG. 8 (b)) and the rotational force receiving part 27d2 (omitted from the illustration) of the input drive gear 27 through the rotational force transmitting parts 180c1 and 180c2 of the connecting element 180. Consequently, a configuration is provided in which a rotational force introduced into the connecting element 180 is transmitted to the developing roller 13 serving as the rotating element through the driving input gear 27 and the developing roller gear 29.

[0042] A first movable member 120 is provided in the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side. The first movable member 120 is configured to include a contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side serving as the first main part, and a developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side serving as the first elastic part (part or element that is elastically deformed) . The contact / release lever 70 on the drive side is an element that receives the elastic force of the developing spring of the developing unit assembly on the drive side.

[0043] It should be noted that the first main part and the first elastic part are configured as separate elements in the present embodiment. However, the first main part and the first elastic part can be formed as a single unit in the first movable element 120, and their configuration is not limited. Additionally, a second movable member 121 is provided in the holder 46 of the developing unit on the non-drive side. The second movable member 121 is configured to include a contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side serving as the second main part, and a pressure spring 73 of the developing unit on the non-drive side serving as the second elastic part (part or element that is elastically deformed) . The contact / release lever 72 on the non-drive side is an element that receives the elastic force of the pressure spring 73 of the developing unit on the non-drive side.

[0044] It should be noted that the second main part and the second elastic part are configured as separate elements in the present embodiment. However, the second main part and the second elastic part can be formed as a single unit in the second movable element 121, and their configuration is not limited.

[0045] Details are described below.

Connector 180 and peripheral configurations

[0046] Connector 180 and peripheral configurations are described in detail below.

[0047] A connecting member 180, a driving input gear 27, and a connecting spring 185 are provided on the drive side of the developing cartridge B1, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). The connecting element 180 engages the drive element 100 on the side of the main body provided in the main body A1 of the device, and the rotational force is transmitted. In particular, the connecting member 180 is configured mainly to include the rotational force receiving parts 180a1 and 180a2, the supported part 180b, the rotational force transmitting parts 180c1 and 180c2, and the guided part 180d, as illustrated in FIG. 8 (b). The rotational force receiving portions 180a1 and 180a2 of the connecting member 180 are located further externally in the longitudinal direction from the end portion 27a on the drive side of the driving input gear 27 (see FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b)). When the drive element 100 on the side of the main body rotates in the direction of the arrow X6 (hereinafter, in the forward direction of rotation on the X axis) about the rotation axis L4, the rotational force applying portion 100a1 of the drive element 100 on the side of the main body comes into contact with 180a1 receiving rotational force. In addition, the rotational force applying portion 100a2 of the drive element 100 on the side of the main body comes into contact with the rotational force receiving portion 180a2. Thus, the rotational force is transmitted from the drive element 100 on the side of the main body to the connecting element 180. The supported portion 180b of the connecting element 180 is generally spherical in shape, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 (b) and 8 (e), and the supported a portion 180b is supported by a supporting portion 27b on an inner peripheral surface of the driving input gear 27. Rotational force transmission parts 180c1 and 180c2 are provided on the supported portion 180b of the connecting member 180. Rotational force transmission part 180c1 contacts the rotational force receiving part 27d1 of the driving input gear 27. Similarly, the rotational force transmission part 180c2 contacts the rotational force receiving part 27d2 of the driving input gear 27. Accordingly, the driving input gear 27 is driven by the connecting member 180, which is driven by the drive element 100 on the side of the main body, so that the driving input gear 27 rotates in the forward direction X6 of rotation about the axis L3 of rotation.

[0048] Now, the rotation axis L4 of the drive element 100 on the side of the main body and the rotation axis L3 of the driving input gear 27 are set so that they are concentric, as illustrated in Fig. 8 (c). However, there are cases when the rotation axis L4 of the drive element 100 on the side of the main body and the rotation axis L3 of the driving input gear 27 are slightly shifted in parallel from concentricity due to variation in the sizes of the parts, etc., as illustrated in Fig. 8 (d ) In such a case, the rotation axis L2 of the connecting member 180 rotates in an inclined state relative to the rotation axis L3 of the driving input gear 27, and a rotating force is transmitted from the driving element 100 on the side of the main body to the connecting member 180. Additionally, there are also cases in which the axis L3 rotation of the input drive gear 27 is shifted from concentricity with respect to the axis L4 of rotation of the drive element 100 on the side of the main body with an angle between them. In this case, the rotational force is transmitted from the drive member 100 on the side of the main body to the connecting member 180 in a state in which the rotation axis L2 of the connecting member 180 is inclined with respect to the rotation axis L4 of the drive member 100 on the side of the main body.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 8 (a), the gear portion 27c, which is a helical spur gear or a spur gear, is integrally formed with the input gear 27, concentrically with the rotation axis L3 of the gear input gear 27 (helical gear used in the present embodiment). The gear portion 27c is engaged with the gear portion 29a for the developing roller gear 29. The gear 29 of the developing roller rotates as a unit with the developing roller 13, and accordingly, the rotational force of the driving input gear 27 is transmitted to the developing roller 13 through the gear 29 of the developing roller. The developing roller 13 rotates in the rotation direction X5 about the rotation axis L9.

The configuration of the electrode portion on the non-drive side of the developing cartridge

[0050] Next, a memory board 47 serving as a contact portion and an electrode portion 47a serving as an accessible surface that are provided at an end portion on a non-drive side of a developing cartridge B1 are described with reference to FIGS. 33 (a) and 33 (b). A memory board 47 is provided on the outer circumference of the developing unit holder 46 on the non-drive side and on the side of the supporting portion 46f that rotates the developing roller 13 when viewed from the contact / dividing arm 72 on the non-drive side. The memory card 47 stores the production lot information and the properties of the developing cartridge B1, which is used to form images by the main body A1 of the device. An electrode portion 47a made of metal, such as iron, copper, and the like, is provided on the memory board 47 and, when imaging is performed, is electrically connected to the main body A1 of the device via the memory board 47 to communicate.

[0051] Both ends of the memory board 47 are inserted into the first substrate supporting portion 46m and the second substrate supporting portion 46n provided on the non-drive side holder 46 of the developing unit. The memory board 47 and the first substrate supporting portion 46m and the second substrate supporting portion 46n are fixed by pressing, gluing, or the like.

[0052] The memory card 47 comprises several electrode portions 47a. The direction in which these several electrode portions 47a are aligned and the insertion direction of the memory board 47 into the first substrate supporting portion 46m and the second substrate supporting portion 46n are the same direction.

Assembly of the side cover on the drive side and peripheral parts

[0053] The following describes in detail the configuration of a side cover 34 of the developing unit provided in the end portion on the driving side of the developing cartridge B1 and the connecting lever 55. Fig. 9 (a) -9 (d) is an explanatory diagram in perspective and side views illustrating the method by which the connecting lever 55 and the spring 56 of the connecting lever are assembled in the side cover 34 of the developing unit.

[0054] The connecting lever 55 and the connecting lever spring 56 are assembled on the inner side of the side cover 34 of the developing unit in the longitudinal direction. In particular, the cylindrical-shaped lever positioning sleeve 34m of the developing unit side cover 34 and the connecting lever 55 hole 55c are aligned, and the connecting lever 55 is rotatably supported by the developing unit side cover 34 with centering on the rotation axis L11. The link arm spring 56 is a torsion spring with one end engaging the link arm 55 and the other end engaging the side cover 34 of the developing unit. In particular, the operating arm 56a of the connecting lever spring 56 engages the spring hook portion 55b of the connecting arm 55, and the fixed connecting arm spring 56c of the connecting lever spring 56 engages the spring hook portion 34s of the developing unit side cover 34 (see Fig. 9 (c)).

[0055] The connecting spring 185 is assembled on the outer side of the side cover 34 of the developing unit in the longitudinal direction, which is described in detail below.

[0056] A method for assembling the connecting lever 55 and the connecting lever spring 56 in the side cover 34 of the developing unit is described below in order. First, the cylindrical portion 56d of the connecting lever spring 56 is attached to the cylindrical sleeve 55a of the connecting lever 55 (Fig. 9 (a)). The operating arm 56a of the connecting lever spring 56 engages the spring hook portion 55b of the connecting lever 55 at this time. The fixed shoulder 56c of the connecting lever spring 56 is deformed in the direction of the arrow X11 with centering on the axis of rotation L11. Then, the hole 55c of the connecting lever 55 is inserted into the sleeve positioning sleeve 34m of the side cover 34 of the developing unit (Figs. 9 (a) and 9 (b)). The locking portion 55d of the connecting arm 55 is positioned so as not to interfere with the locked portion 34n of the side cover 34 of the developing unit. In particular, the locking portion 55d of the connecting arm 55 and the locked portion 34n of the side cover 34 of the developing unit are positioned so as not to overlap when viewed from the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in FIG. 9 (b).

[0057] In the state illustrated in FIG. 9 (b), the fixed shoulder 56c of the connecting lever spring 56 is deformed in the direction of arrow X11, as described above. When the deformation of the fixed shoulder 56c of the connecting lever spring 56 ceases from the state illustrated in FIG. 9 (b), the fixed shoulder 56c engages the spring hook portion 34s of the side cover 34 of the developing unit. A configuration is provided in which the spring hook portion 34s of the developing unit side cover 34 receives a bias force of the deformed fixed shoulder 56c of the connecting lever spring 56. Therefore, the fixed shoulder 56c of the connecting lever spring 56 receives a reaction force from the spring hook portion 34s of the developing unit side cover 34 in the direction of the arrow X11. Additionally, the connecting lever 55 receives a biasing force from the spring 56 of the connecting lever in the spring hook portion 55b. As a result, the connecting lever 55 rotates with centering on the axis of rotation L11 in the direction of the arrow X11, and the rotation is limited to the position where the limiting portion 55y is adjacent to the limiting surface 34y of the side cover 34 of the developing unit (see Fig. 9 (a) -9 (c)). Thus, the assembly of the connecting lever 55 and the spring 56 of the connecting lever in the side cover 34 of the developing unit ends.

[0058] It should be noted that at this time, the locking portion 55d of the connecting arm 55 is in a state of overlapping the locked portion 34n of the side cover 34 of the developing unit when viewed in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the connecting lever 55 has a configuration in which movement in the longitudinal direction is limited, and only rotation is provided with centering on the axis of rotation X11. Fig. 9 (d) is a cross-sectional view of the locking portion 55d of the connecting arm 55.

Assembly of the side cover 34 of the developing unit

[0059] The side cover 34 of the developing unit, in which the connecting lever 55 and the spring 56 of the connecting lever are integral, is fixed on the outside of the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side in the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in FIG. 10. In particular, the positioning portion 34r1 of the developing unit side cover 34 and the positioning portion 36e1 of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side are engaged. A configuration is provided in which the side cover 34 of the developing unit is positioned relative to the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side by engaging the positioning portion 34r2 and the positioned portion 36e2.

[0060] It should be noted that the method of attaching to the holder of the developing unit on the drive side 36 of the side cover 34 of the developing unit may consist in screwing, an adhesive agent and the like, and this configuration is not limited.

[0061] When the side cover 34 of the developing unit is assembled, the rotational force receiving parts 180a1 and 180a2 of the connecting member 180, the guided part 180d, etc. pass through the hole 34a of the side cover 34 of the developing unit. The connecting element 180 has a configuration that is accessible on the other side of the developing cartridge B1 in the longitudinal direction (see FIGS. 4, 6 (a) and 6 (b)). Additionally, the guide portion 180d of the coupling member 180 (see FIGS. 8 (a) -8 (e)) has a configuration that is adjacent to the guide portion 55e of the coupling arm 55.

[0062] As described above, the connecting lever 55 has a configuration in which a biasing force acts in the direction of the arrow X11 with centering on the axis of rotation L11. Accordingly, the connecting member 180 receives the biasing force F2 from the connecting arm 55 (see FIG. 10 (b)).

[0063] Additionally, the connecting spring 185 is located in the side cover 34 of the developing unit. The connecting spring 185 is a spiral torsion spring with one end adjacent to the side cover 34 of the developing unit and the other end adjacent to the connecting element 180. In particular, the positioning portion 185a of the connecting spring 185 is supported by the supporting portion 34h of the spring of the side cover 34 of the developing unit . The fixed shoulder 185b of the connecting spring 185 is attached to the spring engaging portion 34j of the side cover 34 of the developing unit. In addition, a configuration is provided in which the working arm 185c of the connecting spring 185 is adjacent to the directional element 180d of the connecting element 180. The working arm 185c of the connecting spring 185 has a configuration in which the biasing force acts in the direction of the arrow L12 with centering on the axis of rotation X12, which is centered on the positioning portion 185a. Accordingly, the connecting member 180 receives a biasing force F1b from the connecting spring 185 (see FIG. 10 (c)).

[0064] The connecting member 180, which receives the biasing force F2 from the connecting lever 55 and the biasing force F1b from the connecting spring 185, is held with a spatial orientation (rotation axis L2) included with respect to the rotation axis L3 of the driving input gear 27 (FIG. 10 (b)). The detailed configuration is described below. The configuration of holding the inclined orientation in the space of the connecting element 180 at this time and the operation of the forces is described below in the section "Relationship of forces acting on the connecting element 180 of the second inclined orientation D2 in space", described later.

Basic operations of the connecting element 180

[0065] The following describes the basic operations of the connecting element 180 in the state of the developing cartridge B1 with reference to Fig.15 (a) -15 (c).

[0066] FIG. 15 (a) is an enlarged diagram illustrating a relationship between a connecting member 180, a drive input gear 27, and a developer assembly holder 36 on the drive side, in a longitudinal section. Fig. 15 (b) is a perspective view of a holder 36 of a developing unit on the drive side. Fig. 15 (c) is a perspective view of a driving input gear 27.

[0067] The supported portion 180b of the connecting member 180 is located on the inner portion 27t of the driving input gear 27 and is additionally jammed between the restricting portion 27s of the driving input gear 27 and the coupling limiting portion 36s of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side. The diameter r180 of the supported part 180b of the connecting member 180 is in such a relationship that it is equal to or less than the width r27 of the limiting part 27s of the input drive gear 27 in the direction X180 and the width r36 of the connecting part 36s of the holder of the developing unit 36 on the drive side in the direction X180:

diameter r180 of the supported part 180b> width r27 of the limiting part 27s of the driving input gear 27 in the direction X180

diameter r180 of the supported part 180b> width r36 of the bounding part 36s of the connection of the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side in the direction X180

[0068] According to this configuration, the movement of the connecting member 180 in the direction of the arrow Y180 in the longitudinal direction is limited by restricting the supported portion 180b by the restricting portion 27s of the driving input gear 27 of the connecting limiting portion 36s of the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side. Additionally, the supported portion 180b is limited to a range of the inner portion 27t of the driving input gear 27 with respect to the cross-sectional direction X180 of the connecting member 180. Accordingly, the connecting member 180 is configured to be inclined in the direction R180 with centering on the supported center 180s of the supported portion 180b, even if moving the longitudinal direction Y180 and the cross-section direction X180 are limited.

Regarding the inclined orientation in space of the connecting element 180

[0069] The following describes the operation of tilting the connecting element 180.

[0070] The connecting element 180 has a configuration that receives a driving force from the drive element 100 on the side of the main body for the main body A1 of the device and allows rotation on the axis L2 of rotation, as described above. Essentially, the rotation axis L2 of the connecting member 180 is set in such a way that it is concentric with the rotation axis L3 of the driving input gear 27 when transmitting the driving force. An additional description is given that cases arise in which the rotation axis L2 of the connecting member 180 and the rotation axis L3 of the driving input gear 27 are not concentric, but slightly shifted due to the variation in the sizes of the parts, etc.

[0071] The present configuration allows the rotation axis L2 of the connector 180 to be tilted in the following directions. They, in general, can be classified into the following three orientations in space.

The reference orientation D0 in space: the axis of rotation L2 of the connecting element 180 is concentric or parallel in orientation in space relative to the axis L3 of rotation of the input drive gear 27.

First oblique spatial orientation D1: a spatial orientation in which the developing cartridge B1 is installed in the main body A1 of the device and the developing cartridge B1 is moved from the state in which the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are spaced apart to the contact state in which they are in contact with. The rotational force receiving portions 180a1, 180a2 (hereinafter referred to as the "rotational force receiving portion 180a") of the connecting member 180 and the supported portion 180b are facing towards the drive element 100 on the side of the main body for the main body A1 of the device. Details of exploded state, contact state, etc. are described below.

Second inclined spatial orientation D2: a spatial orientation in which the rotational force receiving portion 180a and the supported portion 180b of the connecting member 180 are opposed in the direction of the driving member 100 on the side of the main body for the main body A1 of the device when the developing cartridge B1 is installed in the main body A1 devices. Details of spatial orientation during installation, etc., are described below.

[0072] An engagement relationship between the connecting member 180 and the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side is now described.

[0073] FIG. 13 are diagrams illustrating a relationship between a holder 36 of a developing unit on the drive side and a connecting member 180.

[0074] FIG. 13 (a) is a perspective view illustrating the positions of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side and the connecting member 180. FIG. 13 (b) is a diagram of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side when viewed from the front on the drive side. FIG. 13 (c) is a diagram in which a connecting member 180 is added to a view along the XIIIC cross section in FIG. 13 (b), and FIG. 13 (d) is a diagram in which a connecting member 180 is added to a view along a cross section XIIID in FIG. 13 (b).

[0075] A phase limiting sleeve 180e is provided on the connecting member 180, concentrically with the axis of rotation L2 and on the inside in the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in FIG. 13 (a). On the other hand, the recessed phase-limiting portion 36kb is provided in the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side. The phase confining portion 36kb, in particular, comprises a first inclined confining portion 36kb1 that is recessed in the direction of the arrow K1a, and a second inclined confining portion 36kb2 that is recessed in the direction of the arrow K2a from the center of the rotation axis L3 of the input drive gear 27. The phase limiting bushing 180e of the connecting element 180 is located in the phase-limiting portion 36kb of the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side. In other words, the phase-limiting sleeve 180e of the connecting member 180 is positionally limited by the phase-limiting portion 36kb of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side. In other words, the phase-limiting sleeve 180e of the connecting member 180 allows movement of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side in the phase-limiting portion 36kb and, in particular, can move to the first inclination-limiting portion 36kb1 and the second inclination-limiting portion 36kb2. When the phase-limiting sleeve 180e of the connecting member 180 moves to the first inclined bounding portion 36kb1, the rotational force receiving portion 180a and the guiding portion 180d of the connecting member 180 are tilted in the direction of arrow K1b, which is the opposite direction with respect to arrow K1a. It is a state in which the connecting element 180 allows a first inclined orientation D1 in space. When the phase-limiting sleeve 180e of the connecting member 180 moves into the second inclined bounding portion 36kb2, the rotational force receiving portion 180a and the guiding portion 180d of the connecting member 180 are tilted in the direction of the arrow K2b, which is the opposite direction with respect to the arrow K2a. It is a state in which the connecting member 180 allows a second inclined orientation D2 in the space of the connecting member 180.

The relationship of forces acting on the connecting element 180 in the reference orientation D0 in space

[0076] The spatial orientation of the connecting member 180 is described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 21 (a) -22 (d), with respect to the reference orientation D0 in the space of the connecting member 180.

[0077] Fig.22 are diagrams illustrating the position of the connecting lever 55 and the connecting element 180 at the point at which the installation of the developing cartridge B1 in the main body A1 of the device is completed. Fig. 22 (a) is a side view when viewed from the leading side, Fig. 22 (b) is a side view when viewed from the direction of the arrow XXIIB in Fig. 22 (a), Fig. 22 (c) is a side view when viewed from non-drive side with a cut along the secant line XXIIC in Fig.22 (b).

[0078] When the installation of the developing cartridge B1 in the main body A1 of the device is completed, the connecting member 180 engages the drive element 100 on the side of the main body. The rotation axis L2 of the connecting element 180, the rotation axis L4 of the drive element 100 on the side of the main body and the rotation axis L3 of the driving input gear 27 are arranged concentrically. In other words, the rotational force receiving part 180a of the connecting member 180 and the rotational force applying part 100a (the rotational force applying part 100a1 and the rotational force applying part 100a2) of the drive element 100 on the side of the main body are in positions that engage each other (see also FIG. .8 (b)).

[0079] The movement of the connecting member 180 is described below until the connecting member 180 becomes concentric with the driving member 100 on the side of the main body, with reference to FIGS. 34 (a) to 34 (c). Fig. 34 (a) -34 (c) are cross-sectional views illustrating the spatial orientation of the connecting element until the connecting element 180 becomes concentric with the driving element 100 on the side of the main body. Fig. 34 (a) is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a state in which the connecting member 180 is not in contact with the drive element 100 on the side of the main body, and Fig. 34 (b) is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state of the contact moment the connecting element 180 with the drive element 100 on the side of the main body. Additionally, FIG. 34 (c) is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the connecting member 180 is concentric with the driving member 100 on the side of the main body.

[0080] In a state in which the connecting member 180 is not in contact with the driving member 100 on the side of the main body, the connecting member 180 is tilted towards the driving member 100 on the side of the main body, the tilt being centered on the center 180s of the supported connecting part 180b element 180, as illustrated in FIG. 34 (a). The connecting element 180 advances in the direction of the arrow X60, which is the direction in which the drive element 100 exists on the side of the main body, while maintaining this orientation in space. The recessed conical portion 180g located on the inner side of the circular portion 180f of the connecting member 180 and the protrusion 100g located on the axial top of the drive element 100 on the side of the main body come into contact. As the connecting member 180 moves further in the direction of the arrow X60, the connecting member 180 moves in a direction in which the inclination of the connecting member 180 decreases, the inclination being centered on the center 180s of the supported portion 180b of the connecting member 180. As a result, the rotation axis L2 of the connecting element 180, the axis L4 of rotation of the drive element 100 on the side of the main body and the axis L3 of rotation of the drive input gear 27 are placed concentrically. The following describes in detail the forces to which the connecting member 180 is subjected in this process, so that the description is omitted here.

[0081] A state in which the rotation axis L3 of the driving input gear 27 and the rotation axis L2 of the connecting member 180 are arranged concentrically represents a spatial reference orientation D0 for spatial orientation of the connecting member 180 (inclination angle of the connecting member 180 θ2 = 0 °). The phase-limiting sleeve 180e of the connecting member 180 is disconnected from the second inclination-limiting portion 36kb2 of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side and is not in contact with any phase-limiting portion 36b of the developing unit holder on the driving side (see FIG. 22 (c) ) The guide portion 55e of the connecting arm 55 is held in a fully retracted state from the guided portion 180d of the connecting member 180 (FIG. 22 (a)). In other words, the connecting element 180 comes into contact with two parts, which are the connecting spring 185 and the drive element 100 on the side of the main body, which determine its angle (θ2) of inclination. In this case, the inclination angle (θ2) of the connecting member 180 cannot be θ2 = 0 ° even in a state in which the installation of the developing cartridge B1 in the main body A1 of the device is completed.

[0082] The following describes the orientation in space of the tilt (reference orientation D0 in space) of the connecting element 180, in case the installation of the developing cartridge B1 in the main body A1 of the device is completed, with reference to Fig.

[0083] FIG. 14 are diagrams illustrating a method by which a connecting member 180 and a driving member 100 are engaged on the side of the main body. The states illustrated in FIGS. 14 (a) and FIG. 14 (b) are a side view and a cross-sectional view of a case in which the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotation axis L4 of the drive element 100 on the side of the main body are concentrically, and in addition, the axis of rotation L2 of the connecting element 180 is also concentric.

[0084] The guided portion 180d of the connecting member 180 receives bias from the connecting spring 185 in the direction of the arrow F1 (see FIG. 22 (d)), while the conical portion 180g is adjacent to the protrusion 100g at points 180g1 and 180g2 (FIG. 8 ( e)). Therefore, the spatial orientation of the connecting element 180 relative to the drive element 100 on the side of the main body is limited by two points 180g1 and 180g2 of the conical portion 180g. In other words, the rotation axis L2 of the connecting member 180 is concentric with the rotation axis L4 of the driving element 100 on the side of the main body.

[0085] When the drive element 100 on the side of the main body for the main body A1 of the device rotates from this state, the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body A1 of the device and the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the connecting member 180 are engaged. A configuration is provided in which actuation is transmitted from the apparatus main body A1 to the connecting member 180 (see FIG. 8 (a) -8 (e)).

[0086] The state illustrated in FIG. 14 (c) is a state in which the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotation axis L4 of the drive member 100 are concentrically on the side of the main body, but the rotation axis L2 of the connecting member 180 is inclined . Due to the variation in the sizes of the parts, the conical part 180g of the connecting element 180 is adjacent to the protrusion 100g of the drive element 100 on the side of the main body and to the point 180g1 of the conical part 180g, but not to the point 180g2 of the conical part 180g. The rotation axis L2 of the connecting member 180 is tilted at this time by the guided part 180d receiving the biasing force of the connecting member 180 from the connecting spring 185 in the direction of the arrow F1. Accordingly, the spatial orientation of the connecting member 180 is limited in FIG. 14 (c) by a point 180g1 of the conical portion 180g of the connecting member 180 coming into contact with the protrusion 100g of the driving member 100 on the side of the main body. In other words, the rotation axis L2 of the connecting member 180 is inclined with respect to the rotation axis L4 of the driving element 100 on the side of the main body. In other words, the inclination angle (θ2) of the connecting member 180 is not θ2 = 0 °.

[0087] Additionally, FIG. 14 (d) illustrates a state in which the rotation axis L2 of the connecting member 180 is turned on if the rotation axis L3 of the driving input gear 27 and the rotation axis L4 of the driving element 100 on the side of the main body are not concentric due to the variation in part sizes (see Fig. 8 (d)). Also in this case, the rotation axis L2 of the connecting member 180 includes by means of a guided part 180d receiving a biasing force of the connecting member 180 from the connecting spring 185, similar to the state illustrated in FIG. 14 (c). In other words, the inclination angle (θ2) of the connecting member 180 is not θ2 = 0 °. However, the spatial orientation of the connecting member 180 is limited by the point 180g1 of the conical portion 180g of the connecting member 180 coming into contact with the protrusion 100g of the driving member 100 on the side of the main body, identical to FIG. 14 (c).

[0088] However, in any state of FIGS. 14 (c) and FIG. 14 (d), when the drive element 100 on the side of the main body for the main body A1 of the device rotates, the main force applying portion 100a of the main the device bodies A1 and the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the connecting member 180 are engaged. A configuration is provided in which actuation is transmitted from the apparatus main body A1 to the connecting member 180.

[0089] As described above, in a state in which the installation of the developing cartridge B1 in the main body A1 of the device is completed, there are cases when the rotation axis L2 of the connecting member 180 is concentric with the rotation axis L3 of the input drive gear 27, and cases in which it not concentric. However, in any case, when the drive element 100 on the side of the main body for the main body A1 of the device rotates, the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body A1 of the device and the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the connecting member 180 are engaged. A configuration is provided in which actuation is transferred from the main body A1 of the device to the connecting member 180. The spatial orientation of the connecting member 180 in a state in which the installation of the developing cartridge B1 in the main body A1 of the device is completed and the connecting member 180 can receive a driving force from the rotational force application portion 100a of the apparatus main body A1, is referred to as a “support orientation D0” in the space of the connecting member 180. It should be noted that such a configuration in which the angle of inclination is within the range in which the rotational force application portion 100a of the drive member 100 on the side of the main body and the rotational force reception portion 180a of the connecting member 180 are not released from each other.

[0090] The first oblique orientation D1 in space and the second oblique orientation D2 in space of the connecting member 180 are described in detail below.

The relationship of the forces acting on the connecting element 180 in the first inclined orientation D1 in space

[0091] First, the relationship of the forces acting on the connecting member 180 in the first inclined orientation D1 in space is described with reference to FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (c).

[0092] FIG. 11 (a) is a side view of a developing cartridge B1 in a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is mounted in the apparatus main body A1, and in an exploded state in which the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are spaced. 11 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the phase-limiting sleeve 180e of the connecting member 180 in the phase-limiting portion 36kb of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side, when viewed from the non-drive side of the developing cartridge B1. Further, FIG. 11 (c) is a cross-sectional view of the guide portion 180d of the connecting member 180 with a cut in position of the guide portion 180d of the connecting member 180 and when viewed from the driving side in the longitudinal direction.

[0093] The connecting lever 55 receives a biasing force from the spring 56 of the connecting lever (see Fig. 9 (a)) so that it rotates in the direction of arrow X11 with centering on the axis of rotation L11. On the other hand, in the state in which the developing cartridge B1 is mounted in the main body A1 of the device, movement in the direction of the arrow X11 is limited by the adjoining portion 80y provided in the main body A1 of the device. In particular, the position of the connecting lever 55 is limited against the biasing force of the connecting lever spring 56 by contacting the adjacent portion 80y and the restricting portion 55y when the connecting lever 55 is rotated. It should be noted that the adjacent portion 80y is integral with the swinging guide 80 on the drive side (see FIG. 20 (b)). The guide portion 55e of the connecting arm 55 is retracted from the guiding portion 180d of the connecting member 180. The contact between the connecting arm 55 and the adjacent portion 80y is described in detail in the process of detaching the developing cartridge B1, described later.

[0094] On the other hand, the force F1a acts on the guide portion 180d of the coupling member 180 due to the contact of the guide portion 185d of the coupling spring 185 in contact with it. In other words, the guide portion 180d of the coupling member 180 receives force with an inclination in the direction of the arrow F1a (see 11 (c)). The phase-limiting sleeve 180e of the connecting member 180 is configured to be limited by the guide portion 36kb1a, the guide portion 36kb1b, and the guide portion 36kb1c of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side at this time, and is finally configured to move to the first inclined bounding portion 36kb1. In other words, a configuration is provided in which the phase-limiting sleeve 180e of the coupling member 180 is tilted in the direction of the arrow K1a (FIG. 11 (b)), while on the other side, the rotational force receiving portion 180a and the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 are tilted in direction of arrow K1b (FIG. 11 (a)). The above-described spatial orientation of the connecting member 180 is called the “first inclined spatial orientation D1” of the connecting member 180.

[0095] The orientation of the guide portion 185d of the connecting spring 185 (arrow direction F1a) may be orthogonal in the direction relative to the direction of the arrow K1b (see FIG. 11 (a)), relative to the guided portion 180d of the connecting member 180. This direction is a phase bounding direction the sleeves 180e of the connecting element 180 adjacent to the first inclined limiting portion 36kb1, thereby reducing the biasing force of the connecting spring 185 so as to maintain the first inclined orientation D1 in simple the connecting member 180. However, this is not limiting provided that the connecting member 180 can be supported in a first inclined orientation D1 in space by adjusting the biasing force of the connecting spring 185 and the like.

The relationship of the forces acting on the connecting element 180 in the second inclined orientation D2 in space

[0096] The following describes the relationship of the forces acting on the connecting element 180 in the second inclined orientation D2 in space, with reference to Fig.12.

[0097] FIG. 12 (a) is a side view of a developing cartridge B1 illustrating a state of the developing cartridge B1 before being installed in the apparatus main body A1, i.e. in an isolated state (natural state) of the developing cartridge B1. 12 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the position of the phase-limiting sleeve 180e of the connecting member 180 in the phase-limiting portion 36kb of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side, when viewed from the non-drive side of the developing cartridge B1. Further, FIG. 12 (c) is a cross-sectional view in which the guided portion 180d of the connecting member 180 is defined in section and when viewed from the driving side in the longitudinal direction. Fig. 12 (a) illustrates a state in which the abutting portion 80y in the main body A1 of the device of Fig. 11 (a) is not provided. At this time, the connecting lever 55 receives a biasing force from the connecting lever spring 56 in the direction of the arrow X11, centered on the axis of rotation L11 and rotates to a position where its guide portion 55e comes into contact with the guide portion 180d of the connecting member 180. In other words, the guide lever portion 55e of the connecting lever 55 and the guide portion 185d of the connecting spring 185 come into contact with the guided portion 180d of the connecting member 180.

[0098] Now, the guided portion 180d of the connecting member 180 receives force with an inclination in the direction of the arrow F3, as described above. At this time, the phase-limiting sleeve 180e of the connecting member 180 is configured to be limited by the guide portion 36kb2a, the guide portion 36kb2b and the guide portion 36kb2c of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side, and is finally configured to move to the second tilt-limiting portion 36kb2. In other words, a configuration is provided in which the phase-limiting sleeve 180e of the connecting member 180 tilts in the direction of the arrow K2a (FIG. 12 (b)), while on the other side, the rotational force receiving portion 180a and the guided portion 180d of the connecting member 180 are tilted in arrow direction K2b (FIG. 12 (a)). The above-described spatial orientation of the connecting member 180 is called the “second inclined spatial orientation D2” of the connecting member.

(5) General description of the drum cartridge C

[0099] The following describes the configuration of the drum cartridge C with reference to FIGS. 16 (a) and 16 (b). Fig. 16 (a) is an explanatory diagram in perspective of the drum cartridge C when viewed from the non-drive side. Fig. 16 (b) is an explanatory diagram in perspective in which the cleaning frame 21, the drum holder 30, the drum shaft 54, etc., are omitted from the illustration in order to describe the periphery of the photosensitive drum 10 and the charging roller 11.

[00100] The drum cartridge C has a photosensitive drum 10, a charge roller 11, etc., as illustrated in FIG. The charging roller 11 is rotatably supported by the charging roller holder 67a and the charging roller holder 67b and is biased in relation to the photosensitive drum 10 by the charging roller biasing element 68a and the charging roller biasing element 68b.

[00101] The flange 24 on the drive side is attached integrally to the end portion 10a on the drive side of the photosensitive drum 10, and the flange 28 on the non-drive side is attached integrally to the end portion 10b on the non-drive side of the photosensitive drum 10. The flange 24 on the drive side and the flange 28 on the non-drive side is concentrically attached to the photosensitive drum 10 by stamping, gluing, etc. Tools such as screwing, gluing, pressing, and the like are used to attach the drum holder 30 to the end portion on the drive side, and the drum shaft 54 to the end portion on the non-drive side, at both ends of the cleaning frame 21 in longitudinal direction. The flange 24 on the drive side attached as a unit to the photosensitive drum 10 is rotatably supported by the drum holder 30, and the flange 28 on the non-drive side is rotatably supported by the drum shaft 54.

[00102] The charging roller gear 69 is provided at one end of the charging roller 11 in the longitudinal direction, while the charging roller gear 69 is engaged with the gear portion 24g of the flange 24 on the drive side. A configuration is provided in which a rotational force from the side of the apparatus main body A1 is transmitted to the end portion 24a on the drive side of the flange 24 on the drive side (omitted from the illustration). As a result, as the photosensitive drum 10 is rotationally driven, the charge roller 11 is also rotationally driven. The speed along the circumference of the surface of the charging roller 11 is set to approximately 105-120% with respect to the speed along the circumference of the surface of the photosensitive drum 10, as described above.

(6) Description of the installation / detachment of the developing cartridge B1 relative to the apparatus main body A1

[00103] The following describes a method for installing / disconnecting a developing cartridge B1 to / from the apparatus main body A1 with reference to the drawings.

[00104] Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram in perspective when viewing the main body A1 of the device from the non-drive side, and Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram in perspective when viewing the main body A1 of the device from the drive side. FIGS. 19 (a) to 19 (d) are explanatory diagrams of a process of installing the developing cartridge B1 in the apparatus main body A1 when viewed from the driving side.

[00105] A guided portion 46d having a positioning portion 46b and a rotation stopper 46c is provided in the developing unit holder 46 on the non-drive side in the developing cartridge B1, as illustrated in FIG. A guided portion 34d having a positioning portion 34b and a rotation stop 34c is provided in a side cover 34 of the developing unit, as illustrated in FIG.

[00106] On the other hand, a guide member 92 on the drive side and an additional swinging guide 80 on the drive side, which moves as a unit with the developing cartridge B1 in the device main body A1, are provided in a side plate 90 on the drive side configuring the main body casing A1 of the device on the drive side in the main body A1 of the device, as illustrated in FIG. The following describes the details of the swinging guide 80 on the drive side. The guide member 92 on the drive side comprises a first guide portion 92a, a second guide portion 92b and a third guide portion 92c. A groove for the mounting / disconnecting path X1a of the developing cartridge B1 being held in the first guide portion 92a of the drive member 92 on the drive side, and a groove for the installing / disconnecting path X1b of the developing cartridge B1 is provided in the second guide parts 92b. A groove for the install / detach path X3, while adhering to the install / detach path of the drum cartridge C, is provided in the third guide portion 92c of the guide member 92 on the drive side. The first guide portion 80a and the second guide portion 80b are provided in the swing guide 80 on the drive side. The first guide portion 80a of the swinging guide 80 on the drive side forms a groove shape while adhering to the mounting / detaching path X2a of the developing cartridge B1 as an extension of the first guide portion 92a of the guide member 92 on the drive side. The second guide portion 80b of the swinging guide 80 on the drive side forms a groove shape while adhering to the developing / detaching path X2b of the developing cartridge B1 as an extension of the second guide portion 92b of the guide member 92 on the drive side.

[00107] Similarly, the non-drive side guide member 93 and the non-drive side guide rail 81, which moves in the same way as the swing guide 80 on the drive side, are provided in the side plate 91 on the non-drive side, configuring the casing of the device main body A1 on the non-drive side mainly housing A1 of the device, as illustrated in FIG. The first guide portion 93a and the second guide portion 93b are provided in the guide member 93 on the non-drive side.

[00108] A groove shape of the install / detach path XH1a with holding the install / detach path of the developing cartridge B1 is formed in the first guide portion 93a of the guide member 93 on the non-drive side. The groove shape of the install / detach path XH3 while adhering to the install / detach path of the drum cartridge C is formed in the second guide portion 93b of the guide member 93 on the non-drive side. The guide portion 81a is provided in the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side. The groove shape of the install / detach path XH2a of the developing cartridge detachment path B1 is provided in the guide portion of the guide portion 81a of the non-drive rail 81 as an extension of the first guide portion 93a of the guide member 93 on the non-drive side.

[00109] The following describes detailed configurations of the swing guide 80 on the drive side and the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side.

Description of electrical contacts on the non-drive side

[00110] Next, an electrical contact portion of a apparatus main body A1 is described with reference to FIG. 35.

[00111] The side plate 91 on the non-drive side comprises a power supply assembly 120 at a position that faces the electrode portions 47a of the developing cartridge cartridge memory board 47 B1 during imaging. The power supply unit 120 has a power contact 120A formed from a wire spring or leaf spring or the like. and having spring properties protruding from the power supply assembly 120, the power contact 120A being connected to an electric circuit board, which is omitted from the illustration.

Installing the developing cartridge B1 in the main body A1 of the device

[00112] The following describes a method of installing the developing cartridge B1 in the main body A1 of the device. The rotation of the cover 94 of the main body, which is located in the upper part of the main body A1 of the device and can be opened and closed in the direction D1 of opening, provides accessibility to the inner part of the main body A1 of the device, as illustrated in Fig.17 and Fig.18.

[00113] Thereafter, the guide portion 46d of the developing unit holder 46 on the non-drive side of the developing cartridge B1 (FIG. 17) and the first guide portion 93a of the guide member 93 on the non-drive side of the apparatus main body A1 (FIG. 18) are engaged. Additionally, the guide portion 34d of the developing cartridge side portion 34 of the developing cartridge B1 (FIG. 18) and the first guide portion 92a of the guide member 92 on the drive side of the apparatus main body A1 (FIG. 17) are engaged. Accordingly, the developing cartridge B1 is inserted into the apparatus main body A1 while adhering to the install / detach path X1a and the install / detach path XH1a formed by the first guide portion 92a of the guide member 92 on the drive side and the first guide portion 93a of the guide member 93 on the non-drive side.

[00114] When installing the developing cartridge B1 in the main body A1 of the device, the connecting member 180 is in the state of the above-described second inclined orientation D2 in space, as described above. The connecting element 180 is inserted into the second guide portion 92b of the guide element 92 on the drive side while maintaining the second inclined orientation D2 in space. In more detail, there is a gap between the connecting member 180 and the second guide portion 92b of the guide member 92 on the drive side. Accordingly, while the developing cartridge B1 is inserted into the apparatus main body A1 while adhering to the install / detach paths X1b and XH1a, the connecting member 180 maintains the state of the second inclined orientation D2 in space.

[00115] The developing cartridge B1, which is inserted into the main body A1 of the device while adhering to the install / disconnect paths X1a and XH1a, is further inserted into the main body A1 of the apparatus while adhering the mount / disconnect paths X2a and XH2a. The install / disconnect paths X2a and XH2a are formed by the first guide portion 80a of the swing guide 80 on the drive side and the guide portion 81a of the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side. If in more detail, firstly, the guide portion 34d provided in the side cover 34 of the developing unit is guided by the first guide portion 92a of the guide member 92 on the drive side of the apparatus main body A1. A configuration is provided in which thereafter, as the installation process continues, the guide portion 34d is transmitted to the first guide portion 80a of the swing guide 80 on the drive side of the apparatus main body A1. Similarly, on the non-drive side, the guide portion 46d provided in the holder 46 of the developing unit on the non-drive side is guided by the first guide portion 93a of the guide member 93 on the non-drive side of the apparatus main body A1. A configuration is provided in which thereafter, as the installation process continues, the guided portion 46d is transmitted to the guiding portion 81a of the swinging guide 81 on the non-drive side of the apparatus main body A1.

[00116] The connecting member 180 provided at the end on the drive side of the developing cartridge B1 is transferred from the second guide portion 92b of the guide member 92 on the drive side of the apparatus main body A1 to the second guide portion 80b of the swing guide 80 on the drive side while maintaining the second inclined orientation D2 in space. It should be noted that there is a gap between the connecting member 180 and the second guide portion 80b of the swinging guide 80 on the drive side, similar to that described above.

Development Cartridge Positioning B1

[00117] The following describes the configuration by which the developing cartridge B1 is positioned by the swing guide 80 on the drive side and the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side of the apparatus main body A1. It should be noted that the basic design is identical for the driving side and non-driving side, so that hereinafter, a description will be given as an example of the driving side of the developing cartridge B1. 19 (a) -19 (d) illustrate the state of the developing cartridge B1 and the swinging guide 80 on the drive side during the installation process of the developing cartridge B1 in the main body A1 of the device.

[00118] FIG. 19 (a) illustrates a state in which the guide portion 34d provided in the side cover 34 of the developing unit of the developing cartridge B1 is guided by the first guide portion 80a of the swinging guide 80 on the drive side, and the developing cartridge B1 is in the path X2a install / disconnect.

[00119] FIG. 19 (b) illustrates a state in which the installation of the developing cartridge B1 is performed more in relation to the state of FIG. 19 (a). The positioning portion 34b of the guide portion 34d of the developing unit side cover 34 is adjacent to the positioning portion 82a of the presser member 82 on the drive side provided on the swing guide 80 on the drive side at a point P1.

[00120] Additionally, FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagrams in perspective illustrating peripheral forms of a swing guide 80 on a drive side and a pressure member 82 on a drive side. Fig. 20 (a) is a perspective view when viewed from the driving side in the longitudinal direction, and Fig. 20 (b) is a perspective view when viewed from the non-drive side in the longitudinal direction. FIG. 20 (c) is an exploded perspective view of a swinging guide 80 on the drive side, a pressure member 82 on the drive side and a pressure spring 83 on the drive side. Fig. 20 (d) and Fig. 20 (e) are enlarged detailed diagrams around the pressure member 82 on the drive side.

[00121] Now, the pressure member 82 on the drive side has, in addition to the positioning portion 82a, an opening 82b, a seating surface 82c and a limiting portion 82d, as illustrated in FIG. 20 (a) and FIG. 20 (b). The hole 82b engages with the sleeve 80c of the swinging guide 80 on the drive side and is rotatably supported with centering on the sleeve 80c, as illustrated in FIG. 20 (c). Additionally, one end portion 83c of the compression spring 83 on the drive side is in contact with the seating surface 82c. In addition, the other end portion 83d of the pressure spring 83 on the drive side is in contact with the seating surface 80d of the swing guide 80 on the drive side, as illustrated in FIG. 20 (d). Accordingly, the pressure member 82 on the drive side is configured to receive a biasing force F82 in the direction of rotation in the direction of the arrow Ra1 with centering on the sleeve 80c of the swing guide 80 on the drive side. It should be noted that the rotation of the pressure member 82 on the drive side in the direction of the arrow Ra1 is limited by its restricting portion 82d adjacent to the restrictive portion 80e provided in rotation provided in the swing guide 80 on the drive side, thereby positioning the pressure member 82 on the drive side. It should be noted that the pressure member 82 on the drive side, rotatably supported by the swinging guide 80 on the drive side, allows rotation in the direction of arrow Ra2 against the biasing force F82 of the pressure spring 83 on the drive side, as illustrated in FIG. 20 (e). Additionally, the upper end 82e of the pressure member 82 on the drive side allows rotation in the direction of arrow Ra2 to a position where it does not protrude from the guide surface 80w of the swing guide 80 on the drive side.

[00122] FIG. 19 (c) is a state in which the installation of the developing cartridge B1 is performed more in relation to the state in FIG. 19 (b). A state is illustrated in which the guided portion 34d in which the positioning portion 34b and the rotation stopper 34c of the developing unit side cover 34 are integrally formed adjacent to the inclined surface 82w on the proximal side of the pressing member 82 on the driving side, thereby pressing the pressing member 82 on the drive side down in the direction of arrow Ra2. If in detail, the guide portion 34d of the side cover 34 of the developing unit is adjacent to an inclined surface 82w on the proximal side of the pressing member 82 on the driving side and pressing the pressing member 82 on the driving side. This causes the pressure member 82 on the drive side to rotate counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow Ra2) with the swing guide 80 on the drive side centered on the sleeve 80c against the biasing force F82 of the pressure spring 83 on the drive side. 19 (c) is a state in which the positioning portion 34b of the side cover 34 of the developing unit and the upper end 82e of the pressing member 82 on the drive side are in contact. At this time, the bounding portion 82d of the pressure member 82 on the drive side is separated from the bounding portion 80e when the swing guide 80 is rotated on the drive side.

[00123] FIG. 19 (d) is a state in which the installation of the developing cartridge B1 is made more in relation to the state of FIG. 19 (c) illustrating a state in which the positioning portion 34d of the side cover 34 of the developing assembly and the positioning portion 80f are swing the guide 80 on the drive side are in contact. The drive-side pressing member 82 has a configuration that adopts a biasing force F82 in the direction of rotation in the direction of the arrow Ra1 with centering on the sleeve 80c of the swing guide 80 on the drive side, as described above. Accordingly, the inclined surface 82s on the far side of the pressing member 82 on the drive side biases the positioning portion 34b of the side cover 34 of the developing unit by the biasing force F4. Therefore, the positioning portion 34b comes into contact with the positioning portion 80f of the swing guide 80 on the drive side at a point P3 without a gap therebetween. Thus, the drive side of the developing cartridge B1 is positioned and secured in the swing guide 80 on the drive side.

[00124] The configuration of the non-drive side is identical to the drive side, with the swing guide 81 on the drive side, the pressure member on the drive side 84 and the pressure spring 85 on the drive side are provided according to the swing guide 80 on the drive side, the pressure member 82 on the drive side and the push a spring 83 on the drive side, as illustrated in FIG. Accordingly, the positioning of the positioning portion 46b of the developing unit holder 46 on the non-drive side and the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side is also identical on the drive side (description omitted). Accordingly, the developing cartridge B1 is positioned and secured in the swing guide 80 on the drive side and the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side.

Operations of the connecting member 180 during the installation process of the developing cartridge B1

[00125] Next, operations of the connecting member 180 during the installation of the developing cartridge B1 are described with reference to FIGS. 21, 22 and 23.

[00126] In the state prior to installing the developing cartridge B1 in the apparatus main body A1, the connecting member 180 allows a second inclined spatial orientation D2, as described above. The connecting element 180 is inserted into the main body A1 of the device while maintaining the second inclined orientation D2 in space. 21 (a) illustrates the installation state of the developing cartridge B1 in the apparatus main body A1 and being in the installation / disconnection path X2a formed in the swing guide 80 on the drive side and the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side. Fig. 21 (e) is a state diagram of Fig. 21 (a) when viewed from the direction of the arrow XXIE in Fig. 21 (a). A configuration is provided in which, with respect to the second inclined orientation D2 in the space of the connecting member 180, the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the connecting member 180 faces the drive element 100 on the side of the main body for the main body A1 of the device, while the developing cartridge B1 is in path X2a installation / disconnection. More specifically, the connecting member 180 is tilted towards the driving member 100 on the side of the main body, centered on the center 180s of the supported portion 180b, near the point where the connecting member 180 and the driving member 100 on the side of the main body come into contact, as described below. The second tilt-limiting portion 36kb2 of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side is formed so as to tilt the connecting element 180 in this manner (see FIGS. 12 (b), 13 (a) -13 (d) and FIG. 15 (a)) .

[00127] FIG. 21 (b) illustrates a state in which a developing cartridge B1 is further inserted into the install / disconnect path X2a from the state illustrated in FIG. 21 (a). Fig. 21 (f) is a diagram when viewed from the direction of the arrow XXIF in Fig. 21 (b). A condition is provided in which the circular portion 180f of the connecting member 180 and the driving member 100 on the side of the main body are in contact. The connecting member 180 is inclined in the direction of the driving member 100 on the side of the main body from the state illustrated in FIG. 21 (a) to the state illustrated in FIG. 21 (b), so that the connecting member 180 and the driving member 100 on the side of the main housings can easily engage. It should be noted that the connecting member 180 maintains a second inclined orientation D2 in space by means of its guided part 180d receiving the full force F3 from the connecting lever spring 56 and the connecting spring 185, as described above (see Fig. 12 (a) -12 (c )). In the description below, the angle formed between the rotation axis L3 of the driving input gear 27 and the rotation axis L2 of the connecting member 180 (tilt angle) when the connecting member 180 in the second inclined orientation D2 in space is θ2a (see FIG. 21 (b) )

[00128] FIG. 21 (c) illustrates a state in which a developing cartridge B1 is further inserted into the install / disconnect path X2a from the state illustrated in FIG. 21 (b). Fig. 21 (g) is a diagram when viewed from the direction of the arrow XXIG in Fig. 21 (c). 23 (a) and 23 (b) are cross-sectional diagrams illustrating a relationship of force at the periphery of the connecting member 180 when the circular portion 180f of the connecting member 180 comes into contact with the driving member 100 on the side of the main body.

[00129] The limiting portion 55y upon rotation of the connecting arm 55 and the abutting portion 80y located on the swinging rail 80 on the drive side are in a contact state. The angle of inclination of the connecting member 180 becomes θ2b (≤ θ2a) from the state illustrated in FIG. 21 (b) to the state illustrated in FIG. 21 (c) by means of a circular portion 180f contacting the drive element 100 on the main side corps. In more detail, the connecting element 180 receives the force F100 in the contact portion of the drive element 100 on the side of the main body. If the force F100 is applied in the opposite direction to the force F3, which the coupling element 180 initially accepts, and also exceeds F3, the angle of inclination of the coupling element 180 becomes smaller and approaches the direction of relative parallelism of the rotation axis L3 of the input drive gear 27. In other words, the angle the tilt changes with centering at the center 180s of the supported portion 180b and becomes θ2b <θ2a (see FIGS. 15 (a), 21 (b), 21 (c) and 23 (a)). The connecting element 180 comes into contact with four parts, which are the connecting lever 55, the connecting spring 185, the drive element 100 on the side of the main body and the phase-limiting portion 36kb of the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side, which determine its inclination angle (θ2b).

[00130] FIG. 21 (d) illustrates a state in which a developing cartridge B1 is further inserted into the install / disconnect path X2a from the state illustrated in FIG. 21 (c). Fig. 21 (h) is a diagram when viewed from the direction of the arrow XXIH in Fig. 21 (d). The limiting portion 55y rotates the connecting arm 55 in contact with the adjacent portion 80y of the swing guide 80 on the drive side. Accordingly, the connecting lever 55 rotates in the direction of the arrow X11b, centered on the axis of rotation L11 relative to the developing cartridge B1, in combination with the insertion of the developing cartridge B1 in the direction of the installation / disconnection path X2a. At this time, the guide portion 55e of the connecting lever 55 also rotates in the direction of the arrow X11b, with centering on the axis of rotation L11. As a result, for the connecting member 180, the inclination angle θ2c of the connecting member 180 decreases (θ2c <θ2b) along the guide portion 55e of the connecting arm 55 as the biasing force is received from the connecting spring 185. The connecting member 180 comes into contact with three parts, which are the connecting spring 185, the drive element 100 on the side of the main body and the phase-limiting portion 36kb of the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side, which determine its inclination angle (θ2c).

[00131] FIGS. 22 (a) -22 (d) illustrate a state in which a developing cartridge B1 is inserted further in the direction of the install / detach path X2a from the state illustrated in FIG. 21 (d), and also illustrates a state in which The installation of the developing cartridge B1 in the main body A1 of the device is completed.

[00132] The connecting element 180 engages the drive element 100 on the side of the main body and allows a support orientation D0 in space (angle of inclination of the connecting element 180 θ2 = 0 °).

[00133] The phase limiting sleeve 180e of the connecting member 180 is separated from the second inclining limiting portion 36kb2 of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side at this time and is not in contact with any phase limiting portion 36b of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side (see Fig. 22 (c)). The guide portion 55e of the connecting arm 55 is held fully retracted from the guided portion 180d of the connecting member 180. In other words, the connecting member 180 is in contact with two parts, which are the connecting spring 185 and the drive member 100 on the side of the main body that define it tilt angle (θ2) (see the above-described reference orientation D0 in the space of the connecting element 180 for details).

The operation of the connecting element 180 during the process of removing the developing cartridge B1

[00134] The following describes the operation of the connecting element 180 in the process of removing the developing cartridge B1 from the main body A1 of the device.

[00135] The operations of removing the developing cartridge B1 from the apparatus main body A1 are inverse operations with respect to the above-described installation.

[00136] First, the user rotates the main body cover 94 for the main body A1 of the device in the opening direction D1 (see FIG. 17 and FIG. 18), identical to the installation, and makes the interior of the main body A1 of the device accessible. The developing cartridge B1 is held in a contact orientation in a space in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in contact by the swinging guide 80 on the drive side, the swinging guide 81 on the non-drive side, as well as the configuration omitted from the illustration.

[00137] The developing cartridge B1 is then moved in the ejection direction while adhering to the install / detach path XH2 provided in the swing guide 80 on the drive side and the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side.

[00138] As the developing cartridge B1 moves, the adjacent portion 80y of the swinging guide 80 on the drive side, which is in contact with the restricting portion 55y when the connecting arm 55 rotates, moves (from the state illustrated in FIG. 21 (d) , to the state illustrated in FIG. 21 (c)). In this regard, the connecting lever 55 rotates in the direction of the arrow X11 with centering on the axis of rotation L11. Further, the movement of the developing cartridge B1 causes the connecting lever 55 to rotate in the direction of the arrow X11, and the guide portion 55e of the connecting lever 55 makes contact with the guided portion 180d of the connecting member 180 (state illustrated in FIG. 21 (c)). The connecting member 180, which receives biasing force from both the connecting lever 55 and the connecting spring 185, begins to move in the direction of the second inclined orientation D2 in space, as described above. Finally, the phase-limiting sleeve 180e of the connecting member 180 is limited by the guide portion 36kb2a, the guide portion 36kb2b, and the guide portion 36kb2c of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side, and engages the second tilt-limiting portion 36kb2. The connecting element 180 maintains the state of the second inclined orientation D2 in space.

[00139] After that, the developing cartridge B1 is removed outside the apparatus main body A1 by moving in the extraction direction while holding the install / detach path XH1 provided in the guide member 92 on the drive side and the guide member 93 on the non-drive side.

[00140] As described above, the developing cartridge B1, which exerts a biasing force on the connecting member 180, comprises a connecting lever 55 and a connecting lever spring 56 that enable the connecting member 180 to be tilted in the second inclined orientation D2 in space. The tilting direction in which the connecting member 180 is tilted by the connecting lever 55 is the direction of the developing cartridge detachment path X2a of the developing cartridge B1, and further, a configuration is provided in which the rotation operation of the connecting lever 55 occurs in combination with the mounting / detaching of the developing cartridge B1 by the user.

(7) Regarding the contact / release arm as a movable member

[00141] The following describes the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side, serving as a movable member on the drive side, with reference to FIG. 1 (a) is an explanatory diagram of a contact / separation arm 70 on a drive side and a peripheral shape, and is a cross-sectional view of a developing cartridge B1 when viewed from the drive side.

[00142] The contact / release lever 70 on the drive side includes a first contact surface 70a, a second contact surface 70b, a third contact surface 70c, a supported portion 70d defining a contact portion 70e on the drive side and a first protrusion 70f (protrusion on one end side ) The supported portion 70d of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side is rotatably supported by the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side by the supporting portion 36c of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side. In particular, the sleeve of the supporting portion 36c of the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side enters an opening in the supported portion 70d of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side, whereby the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side is rotatably supported (in the direction of arrows N9 and N10) with centering on the sleeve of the supporting part 36c. In other words, the supporting portion 36c serves as the center of rotation of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side. The supporting portion 36c of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side is parallel to the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13. In other words, the contact / dividing lever 70 on the driving side can rotate in a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13.

[00143] Further, in the third contact surface 70c, the contact / release lever 70 on the drive side is in contact with one end 71d of the developing unit pressure spring 71 on the drive side, which is a compression spring serving as the first elastic portion. The other end 71e of the developing unit press spring 71 on the drive side is in contact with the contact surface 36d of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side. Therefore, the contact / release lever 70 on the drive side receives force in the direction of the arrow N16 in the third contact surface 70c from the pressure spring 71 of the developing unit on the drive side. The pressure spring 71 of the developing unit on the drive side biases (presses) the first contact surface 70a of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side in the direction of removal from the developing roller 13 (N16). In a separate state of the developing cartridge B1, i.e. in a state before the developing cartridge B1 is installed in the apparatus main body A1, the limiting contact portion 70e on the drive side is in contact with the limiting portion 36b provided in the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side.

[00144] Now, FIG. 37 is a diagram in which the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side is projected in cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge B1. The supported portion 70d (the center of rotation of the contact / dividing arm 70 on the drive side) is in a position overlapping the developer accommodating portion 16a (i.e., the developer accommodating portion 16a) in FIG. 37. In other words, when the developing cartridge B1 is viewed according to the direction of the arrow N11 (see FIG. 4), which is a direction parallel to the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13, the supported portion 70d of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side is in a position overlapping the portion 16a for receiving the developer of the developing container 16. The contact / release lever 72 on the non-drive side has an identical configuration, although omitted from the illustration.

[00145] Accordingly, the protrusion value of the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side of the developer accommodating portion 16a may be reduced, and the size of the developing cartridge B1 when viewed from the direction of rotation of the developing roller 13 may be compact .

[00146] The following describes a contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side, serving as a moveable member on the non-drive side, with reference to FIG. 1 (b). It should be noted that the non-drive side has a similar configuration with the driving side.

[00147] Figure 1 (b) is a side view of the developing cartridge B1 from the non-drive side. However, it should be noted that some parts are omitted from the illustration to describe the configuration of the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side.

[00148] As illustrated in FIG. 1 (b), the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side has a first contact surface 72a on the non-drive side, a second contact surface 72b on the non-drive side, a third contact surface 72c on the non-drive side, a supported portion 72d, the bounding contact portion 72e on the non-drive side and the first protrusion 72f on the non-drive side (protrusion on the other end side). The supported portion 72d of the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side is supported by the support portion 46f of the holder 46 of the developing unit on the non-drive side. In particular, the sleeve of the support portion 46f of the non-drive side developer holder 46 is included in the hole of the support / 72 support portion of the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side, whereby the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side can rotate (arrow directions NH9 and NH10) with centering on the sleeve of the supporting part 46f. In other words, the supporting portion 46f is the center of rotation of the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side. The supporting portion 46f of the developing unit holder 46 on the non-drive side is also parallel to the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13 in the present embodiment. In other words, the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side allows rotation on a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation L0 of the developing roller 13.

[00149] Further, the non-drive contact / release lever 72 contacts one end 73e of the developing unit compression spring 73 on the non-drive side, which is a compression spring serving as the second elastic portion, in the third non-drive side contact surface 72c . The other end 73d of the pressure spring 73 of the developing unit on the non-drive side is in contact with the contact surface 46g of the holder 46 of the developing unit on the non-drive side. Therefore, the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side receives a force FH10 in the direction of the arrow NH16 from the pressure spring 73 of the developing unit on the non-drive side, in the third contact surface 72c on the non-drive side. The pressure spring 73 of the developing unit on the non-drive side biases (presses) the first contact surface 72a on the non-drive side of the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side in the direction away from the developing roller 13 (arrow NH16). In a separate state of the developing cartridge B1, i.e. in a state before the developing cartridge B1 is installed in the apparatus main body A1, the limiting contact portion 72e on the non-drive side is in contact with the limiting portion 46e provided in the holder 46 of the developing unit on the non-drive side.

[00150] The bounding portion 36b and the bounding portion 46e are configured to partially overlap the developing unit pressure spring 71 on the drive side and the developing unit pressure spring 73 on the non-drive side in a direction of displacement of the developing unit pressure spring 71 on the driving side and the developing unit pressure spring 73 non-drive side, as illustrated in FIG. In other words, the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side is located in the middle between the limiting part 36b and the pressure spring 71 of the developing unit on the drive side and is configured to receive compressive force. In other words, the position of the divided portion 70g after the divided portion 70g of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side comes into contact with the limiting portion 36b can be accurately positioned. This is also true for the non-power side. As a result, the separation force by the separation mechanism of the main body of the device, which is described below, can be received with a high-precision time distribution.

[00151] The restriction portion 36b and the restriction portion 46e restrict the movement of the respective contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / isolation lever 72 on the non-drive side away from the developing roller 13. In other words, the restriction portion 36b and the restriction portion 46e are provided in positions in which they can limit the movement of the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side in the direction from the main roller 13. When the developing roller 13 is spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 10, the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side are set in rotation directions N10 and NH10, respectively, so that they come into contact with the limiting part 36b and the bounding portion 46e. Accordingly, a condition is provided in which a separation force is transmitted from the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side to the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side and the developing unit holder 46 on the non-drive via the separation mechanism of the device main body 70 side of the frame of the developing unit through the bounding portion 36b and the bounding portion 46e.

[00152] FIG. 44 is a circuit diagram illustrating a positional relationship of a limiting portion 36b, a limiting portion 46e, a contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side, a contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side, a developing spring of the developing unit on the driving side and a pressure spring 73 of the developing unit on the non-drive side, in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13. FIG. 44 is a diagram when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13 (direction eniyu rotation axis L0). The restriction portion 36b is configured to overlap at least partially the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side and the third contact surface 70c on the driving side with respect to the direction N11, which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13 (direction of the axis of rotation L0). Similarly, the bounding portion 46e is configured to overlap at least partially the developing spring of the developing unit on the non-drive side and the third contact surface 72c on the non-drive side with respect to direction N11. Accordingly, the separation force by the separation mechanism of the apparatus main body described below can be received with a high-precision time distribution.

[00153] Furthermore, the limiting portion 36b is also configured to at least partially overlap the developing unit compression spring 71 on the drive side and the third contact surface 70c on the drive side with respect to the direction of arrow M2, as illustrated in FIG. Similarly, the bounding portion 46e is also configured to at least partially overlap the developing spring of the developing unit on the non-drive side and the third contact surface 72c on the non-drive side with respect to the direction of arrow M2. However, it should be noted that it is sufficient that the above-described relationship of the containment of the bounding portion 36b and the bounding portion 46e is realized with respect to one or the other direction from among the direction N11 and the direction of the arrow M2.

[00154] Now, the bias force F10 of the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side and the biasing force FH10 of the developing spring of the developing unit 73 on the non-drive side are set differently. In addition, the third contact surface 70c on the drive side and the third contact surface 72c on the non-drive side are at different angles. They can be appropriately selected, taking into account the properties of the peripheral configuration, so that the pressing force of the developing roller 13 with respect to the photosensitive drum 10 described below is appropriate. A relationship in which:

F10 <FH10,

is set in the present embodiment, taking into account the moment M6 (see FIG. 27 (a)) occurring in the developing cartridge B1 upon receiving the transmission of driving from the apparatus main body A1 to rotationally drive the developing roller 13.

[00155] In other words, on the drive side, the connecting member 180 rotates in the direction of arrow X6, as illustrated in FIG. 8 (b). The developing cartridge B1, which receives this rotational force, swings in the direction of the arrow N6 illustrated in FIG. 27 (a) as a unit with the swinging guide 80 on the drive side, centered on the supporting part 80g (see FIG. 27 (a) ) In the event that the rotational force (torque) that the connecting member 180 receives from the driving member 100 on the side of the main body is sufficient, the moment in the direction of arrow N6 is generated by the torque of only the connecting member 180, forming a force compressing the developing roller under pressure 13 to the photosensitive drum 10. Accordingly, the bias force F10 of the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side can be set less than the biasing force FH10 of the developing spring of the developing unit 73 and the non-power side.

[00156] Now, a straight line Z30 is defined that extends through the center 13z of the developing roller 13 and is parallel to the mounting / disconnecting direction X2 (FIG. 17) of the developing cartridge B1 to / from the apparatus main body A1, as illustrated in FIG. 1 (a ) The contact / release lever 70 on the drive side is located on the opposite side of the straight line Z30 relative to the photosensitive drum 10 (lower side in the direction of gravity in the present embodiment). The degree of freedom of enclosure with respect to the drum cartridge C is increased due to this configuration for installing / disconnecting the developing cartridge. In particular, a configuration in which the contact / release lever 70 on the drive side does not protrude in the direction of the drum cartridge C increases the degree of freedom of movement of the drum cartridge C. There is no need to accommodate interference from the protruding contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side etc.

[00157] The first protrusion 70f of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side extends further than the developing container 16, the holder 36 of the developing unit on the driving side and the side cover 34 of the developing unit (see FIG. 10 (a)) when viewed from the leading side of the developing cartridge in the longitudinal direction (direction of the axis of rotation).

[00158] In other words, the first protrusion 70f (protrusion on one end side) of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side is accessible from the frame of the developing unit (16, 46, 36, 34) when viewing the developing cartridge from the driving side (one end side) ) in the longitudinal direction (direction of the axis of rotation L0), as illustrated in FIG. 11 (a).

[00159] However, the contact / release lever 70 on the drive side does not have to be accessible from the frame of the developing unit (16, 46, 36, 34) when viewing the developing cartridge B1 in the longitudinal direction (direction of the rotation axis L0). A configuration is possible in which the first protrusion 70f is inaccessible (cannot be seen), wherein the contact / release lever 70 on the drive side is hidden behind the frame of the developing unit when the developing cartridge B1 is viewed from the driving side or the non-driving side.

[00160] In other words, it is sufficient if the first protrusion 70f protrudes from the frame of the developing unit (16, 46, 36, 34) in cross section (see FIG. 1 (a)) of the developing cartridge, which extends through the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side (in particular, the first protrusion 70f) and is orthogonal to the direction of development (axis L0 of rotation of the developing roller 13). According to this configuration, the drive-side device clamping member 150 described below (see FIGS. 27 (a) -27 (c)) can engage the first protrusion 70f.

[00161] In other words, it is sufficient to define the external shape of the developing cartridge so that the first protrusion 70f protrudes from the frame of the developing assembly at a position where the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side is located in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13. In the present embodiment, the first protrusion 70f protrudes relative to the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side in a position in which the contact / dividing arm 70 on the drive side is located. A configuration may also be specified in which the first protrusion 70f is closed by means of a side cover 34 of the developing unit located further externally in the longitudinal direction than the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side, or closed by the developing container 16 located further further inward in the longitudinal direction than contact / isolating lever 70 on the drive side.

[00162] In summary, the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side protrudes so as to define the external shape of the developing cartridge B1 when viewed in cross section at the position of the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side in the direction of the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13.

[00163] Further, the protruding direction of the first protrusion 70f (arrow direction M2) intersects the directions in which the contact / dividing lever 70 on the drive side can move (directions of movement: directions of arrows N9 and N10), and the direction in which the developing cartridge can move B1 (direction of movement: arrow direction N6 (see FIG. 27 (a)).

[00164] The first protrusion 70f has a first contact surface 70a in the direction away from the developing roller 13 when viewed from the supported portion 70d of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side. A configuration is provided in which the second contact surface 150b of the drive-side pressure member 150 of the device contacts the first contact surface 70a of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side when the developing roller 13 is pressed under pressure against the photosensitive drum 10 (see FIG. 27 (a)), which is described in detail below. Additionally, an exploded portion 70g that intersects the protrusion direction of the first protrusion 70f (arrow direction M2) and protrudes on the side to the developing roller 13 is provided at the top of the first protrusion 70f. The spaced portion 70g has a second contact surface 70b. A configuration is provided in which the first contact surface 150a of the drive-side pressing member 150 of the device contacts the second contact surface 70b of the contact / separation arm 70 on the driving side when the developing roller 13 is spaced from the photosensitive drum 10 (see FIG. 28 ( a) -28 (d)), which is described in detail below.

[00165] The following describes in detail the shape of the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side with reference to FIG. 1 (b). The contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side is located on the opposite side relative to the photosensitive drum 10 through a straight line Z30, which passes through the center 13z of the developing roller 13 and is parallel to the installation direction X2 of the developing cartridge B1 to / from the device main body A1 (lower side in the direction of gravity in the present embodiment), similarly to the driving side described above. The degree of freedom of enclosure with respect to the drum cartridge C is increased due to this configuration for installing / disconnecting the developing cartridge. In particular, a configuration in which the contact / release lever 72 on the non-drive side does not protrude in the direction of the drum cartridge C increases the degree of freedom of movement of the drum cartridge C. There is no need for placement to prevent interference with the protruding contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side etc.

[00166] The first protrusion 72f of the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side extends beyond the developing container 16 and the holder 46 of the developing unit on the non-drive side when viewed from a longitudinal direction. The first protrusion 72f (protrusion on the other end side) of the non-drive contact / separation arm 72 is accessible from the frame of the developing unit (16, 46, 36, 34) when viewing the developing cartridge in the longitudinal direction (rotation axis direction L0) from the non-drive side ( other end side) (see figure 5).

[00167] However, it should be noted that, similarly to the first protrusion 70f, the first protrusion 72f should not be accessible when viewing the developing cartridge B1 in the longitudinal direction (direction of the axis of rotation L0).

[00168] In other words, it is sufficient if the first protrusion 72f protrudes from the frame of the developing unit (16, 36, 34) in a cross section of the developing cartridge, which passes through the contact / dividing lever 72 on the non-drive side (in particular, the protrusion 72f) and is orthogonal to the developing direction (rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13), similar to the first protrusion 70f. According to this configuration, the non-drive side device pressure member 151 described below (see FIG. 29 (a)) may engage the protrusion 72f.

[00169] In other words, it is sufficient to define the external shape of the developing cartridge B1 so that the protrusion 72f protrudes from the frame of the developing unit (side cover on the non-drive side 46 in the present embodiment) at a position in which the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side is in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13. A configuration may also be specified in which the frame of the developing unit covers the first protrusion 72f on the outer side in the longitudinal direction or the inner side in the longitudinal direction phenomenon in which the contact / separation lever 72 is located on the non-drive side.

[00170] In summary, the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side protrudes so as to define the appearance of the developing cartridge B1 when viewed in cross section at the position of the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side in the direction of the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13.

[00171] Further, the protruding direction of the first protrusion 72f (arrow direction MH2) intersects the directions in which the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side can move (directions of movement: directions of the arrows NH9 and NH10), and the direction in which the developing cartridge can move B1 (direction of movement: arrow direction M1 (see FIG. 27 (a)). The first protrusion 72f has a first contact surface 72a away from the developing roller 13 when viewed from the supported portion 72d of the contact / release p the lever 72 on the non-drive side. A configuration is provided in which the second contact surface 151b of the pressure member 151 of the device on the non-drive side comes into contact with the first contact surface 72a of the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side when the developing roller 13 is pressed under pressure to the photosensitive drum 10 (see FIG. 29), which is described in detail below.

[00172] Further, a dividing portion 72g that intersects the protrusion direction of the first protrusion 72f from the developing container 16 (arrow direction MH2) and protrudes on the side to the developing roller 13 is provided at the top of the first protrusion 72f. The separation portion 72g has a second contact surface 72b. A configuration is provided in which the first contact surface 151a of the non-drive side device pressing member 151 contacts the second contact surface 72b of the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side when the developing roller 13 is spaced from the photosensitive drum 10 (see FIG. 29 ( b)), which is described in detail below.

[00173] A contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and a contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side are provided at both ends of the developing cartridge relative to the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the developing roller 13, as described above. The contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side may be further outside than the width of the media used to form images such as recording paper, label sheets, OHP sheets and etc. In this case, the contact / dividing lever 70 on the drive side, etc., the carrier and the transport elements and the like provided in the main body of the device in order to transport the media can be located in an intersecting position when viewing the main body of the device along a plate whose longitudinal direction is a normal line. As a result, the size of the main body of the device may be reduced.

[00174] The following describes the placement of the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side with reference to Fig.24. 24 is a front view in which the developing cartridge B1 is viewed from the side of the developing roller 13. However, it should be noted that the cross-sectional view is seen around the supporting portion 36a of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side, which supports the supported portion 13a on the driving side of the developing roller 13, and the supporting portion 46f of the developing unit holder 46 on the non-driving side, which supports the supported portion 13c on the non-driving side of the developing roller 13.

[00175] A contact / release lever 70 on the drive side is provided at an end on the drive side of the developing cartridge B1 in the longitudinal direction, as described above. In addition, the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side is provided at the end on the non-drive side of the developing cartridge B1 in the longitudinal direction. The rotation operations of the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side (directions of arrows N9 and N10 in FIG. 1 (a) and directions of arrows NH9 and NH10 in FIG. 1 (b)) can be carried out independently without influence on each other.

[00176] Now, the supported portion 13a on the driving side of the developing roller 13 is supported by the supporting portion 36a of the developing unit holder 36 on the driving side further outwardly longitudinally with respect to an end L13bk on the driving side of the imaging range L13b. Further, the supported portion 13c on the non-drive side of the developing roller 13 is supported by the supporting portion 46f of the holder of the developer assembly 46 on the non-drive side further outwardly longitudinally with respect to an end L13bh on the non-drive side of the image forming range L13b. The contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side overlap at least partially with the total length range L13a of the developing roller 13. Additionally, the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side are further beyond the imaging range L13b of the developing roller 13.

[00177] In other words, the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the supported portion 13a on the drive side of the developing roller 13 are arranged so that they at least partially overlap the region L14k located in the middle between the end L13bk on the drive side of the range L13b imaging and the end on the drive side L13ak of the total length L13a of the developing roller 13. Accordingly, the contact / separation arm 70 on the driving side and the supported portion 13a on the driving side of the developing roller 13 n are in close positions in the longitudinal direction.

[00178] In addition, the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side and the supported portion 13c on the non-drive side of the developing roller 13 are arranged so that they at least partially overlap the region L14h located in the middle between the end L13bh on the non-drive side of the range L13b imaging and the end L13ah on the non-drive side of the total length L13a of the developing roller 13. The contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side and the supported portion 13c on the non-drive side of the developing roller 13 are disposed are designed to satisfy this relationship. Accordingly, the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side and the supported portion on the drive side 13c of the developing roller 13 are in close positions in the longitudinal direction.

Description of contact / release mechanism

Pressure grip configurations for developing the main body of the device and development spacing

The following describes the configuration of the pressure pressing for developing the main body of the device and explode for development.

[00179] FIG. 25 (a) is an exploded perspective view of a side plate 90 on the drive side of the apparatus main body A1 when viewed from the non-drive side, and FIG. 25 (b) is a side view when viewed from the non-drive side. FIG. 26 (a) is an exploded perspective view of a side plate 91 on the non-drive side of the apparatus main body A1 when viewed from the driving side, and FIG. 26 (b) is a side view when viewed from the driving side.

[00180] A guide member 92 on the drive side and a swing guide 80 on the drive side for mounting / disconnecting the developing cartridge B1 to / from the apparatus main body A1 are provided in the apparatus main body A1, as illustrated in FIG. 25. The guide member 92 on the drive side and the swing guide 80 on the drive side guide the guide portion 34d on the drive side of the developing cartridge B1 during installation of the developing cartridge B1 in the main body of the device (see FIG. 18).

[00181] The drive side guide member 92 has a sleeve-shaped positioned portion 92d protruding from the drive side of the guide member 92 and a rotation limited portion 92e supported by a hole-shaped positioning portion 90a provided in the side plate 90 on the drive side , and the rotation restricting portion 90b, as illustrated in FIG. 25 (a). The guide member 92 on the drive side is then positioned and attached to the side plate 90 on the drive side by means of fasteners such as screws (omitted from the illustration). The swing guide 80 on the drive side is supported by a cylindrical supported protrusion 80g included in the hole-shaped support portion 90c provided in the side plate 90 on the drive side. Accordingly, the swing guide 80 on the drive side is supported by the side plate 90 on the drive side so that it allows rotation in the direction of arrow N5 and the direction of arrow N6.

[00182] It should be noted that although the above is a description in which the supporting portion 90c provided in the side plate 90 on the drive side has a hole shape (groove shape), and the supported protrusion 80g provided in the swing guide 80 on the drive side has the shape of the protrusion, their recessed / protruding relationship is not limited to this, and the recessed / protruding relationship can be reversed.

[00183] Further, a drive-side bias assembly 76, which is a tension spring, is provided between the protrusion 80h of the swing guide 80 on the drive side and the protrusion 90d of the side plate 90 on the drive side. The swing guide 80 on the drive side is biased by the biasing member 76 on the drive side in the direction of arrow N6, which brings the protrusion 80h of the swing guide 80 on the drive side and the protrusion 90d of the side plate 90 on the drive side to each other. The main body A1 of the device contains the clamping element 150 of the device on the drive side, which brings the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 into contact and carries them. The clamping member 150 of the device on the drive side is supported by the base plate (omitted from the illustration) in a movable state in the direction of arrow N7 and the direction of arrow N8.

[00184] On the other hand, the guide member 93 on the non-drive side and the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side for mounting / disconnecting the developing cartridge B1 to / from the apparatus main body A1 are provided in the apparatus main body A1, as illustrated in FIG. 26 (a) and 26 (b). The guide element 93 on the non-drive side and the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side guide the guide portion 46d on the non-drive side of the developing cartridge B1 during installation of the developing cartridge B1 in the main body of the device (see FIG. 18).

[00185] The guide member 93 on the non-drive side has a sleeve-shaped positioned portion 93d protruding from the guide member 93 on the non-drive side, and a limited rotation portion 93e, as illustrated in FIG. 26 (a). The positioned portion 93d and the restricted portion 93e are rotationally supported by the hole-shaped positioning portion 91a provided in the side plate 91 on the non-drive side and the rotation limiting portion 91b. The guide member 93 on the non-drive side is then positioned and attached to the side plate 91 on the non-drive side by fastening devices such as screws (omitted from the illustration). The swing guide 81 on the non-drive side is supported by a cylindrical supported protrusion 81g included in the hole-shaped support portion 91c provided in the side plate 91 on the non-drive side. Accordingly, the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side is supported by the side plate 91 on the non-drive side so that it allows rotation in the direction of arrow N5 and the direction of arrow N6.

[00186] It should be noted that although the above is a description in which the supporting portion 91c provided in the side plate 91 on the non-drive side has a hole shape (groove shape), and the supported protrusion 81g provided in the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side has the shape of the protrusion, their recessed / protruding relationship is not limited to this, and the recessed / protruding relationship can be reversed.

[00187] Further, a non-drive-side biasing unit 77, which is a tension spring, is provided between the protrusion 81h of the tilting guide 81 on the non-drive side and the protrusion 91d of the side plate 91 on the non-drive side. The swinging guide 81 on the non-drive side is displaced by the shift unit 77 on the non-drive side in the direction of arrow N6, which brings the protrusion 81h of the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side and the protrusion 91d of the plate 91 on the non-drive side to each other.

[00188] The main body A1 of the device comprises a pressure member 151 of the device on the non-drive side, which brings the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 into contact and carries them, similarly to the driving side. The pressure member 151 of the device on the non-drive side is supported by the base plate (omitted from the illustration) in a movable state in the direction of arrow N7 and the direction of arrow N8.

Developed pressure pressing and developing spacing relative to the photosensitive drum

[00189] Next, pressure pressing and spacing of the developing roller 13 with respect to the photosensitive drum 10 are described.

Pressure mechanism

[00190] The following describes the configuration of the developing roller 13.

[00191] FIG. 27 (a) is a side view illustrating a state in which the developing roller 13, which has the developing cartridge B1 supported by the swinging guide 80 on the drive side, is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. FIG. 27 ( c) is a detailed diagram of the periphery of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side in FIG. 27 (a), wherein the swing guide 80 on the drive side and the side cover 34 of the developing unit are omitted from the illustration for description purposes.

[00192] A so-called contact developing system in which the developing roller 13 carrying the developer t is brought into direct contact with the photosensitive drum 10 to exhibit an electrostatic latent image in the photosensitive drum 10, is used in the present embodiment.

[00193] The developing roller 13 is configured from the shaft portion 13e and the rubber portion 13d. The shaft portion 13e is a thin electrically conductive cylindrical object made of aluminum and the like, and its middle portion is closed by the rubber portion 13d in the longitudinal direction (see FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b)). Now, the rubber portion 13d covers the shaft portion 13e, so that its outer shape is concentric with the shaft portion 13e. A magnetic roller 12 is integrated in the cylinder of the shaft portion 13e. The rubber portion 13d transfers the developer t under pressure to its peripheral surface, and an offset is applied to the shaft portion 13e. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10 is then manifested by bringing the rubber part 13d in a state of transfer under pressure of the developer t into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

[00194] The following describes the configuration of bringing into contact the developing roller 13 with the photosensitive drum 10 at a predetermined contact pressure.

[00195] As described above, the swing guide 80 on the drive side is supported by the side plate 90 on the drive side so that it swings in the directions of arrow N5 and arrow N6. In addition, the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side is supported by the side plate 91 on the non-drive side so that it swings in the directions of arrow N5 and arrow N6. The developing cartridge B1 is positioned in the swing guide 80 on the drive side and the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side, as described above. Accordingly, the developing cartridge B1 is in a state of allowing sway in the directions of the arrow N5 and arrow N6 in the main body A1 of the device (see FIGS. 29 (a) and 29 (b)).

[00196] In this state, the second contact surface 150b of the drive pressure member 150 on the drive side and the first contact surface 70a of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side come into contact, as illustrated in FIG. 27 (a) and FIG. 27 (c ) Accordingly, the contact / release lever 70 on the drive side is rotated in the direction of arrow N9 in FIG. 27 (c) against the biasing force of the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side. The third contact surface 70c of the contact / dividing arm 70 on the drive side then compresses the developing spring of the developing unit on the driving side and adopts a biasing force F10a from the developing spring of the developing unit on the driving side. As a result, the moment M10 in the direction of the arrow N10 acts on the contact / isolating lever 70 on the drive side. At this time, the second contact surface 150b of the drive pressure member 150 on the drive side and the first contact surface 70a of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side are in contact. Accordingly, the first contact surface 70a of the contact / dividing arm 70 on the drive side receives a force F11 from the second contact surface 150b of the presser member 150 of the device on the drive side, so that a moment that is balanced with the moment M10 acts on the contact / dividing arm 70 on the drive side . Thus, the external force force F11 acts on the developing cartridge B1. In addition, the drive-side offset assembly 76 is provided between the protrusion 80h of the swing guide 80 on the drive side and the protrusion 90d of the side plate 90 on the drive side, as described above, performing the offset in the direction of arrow N12. Accordingly, an external force force F12 in the direction of the arrow N12 acts on the developing cartridge B1 positioned by the swinging guide 80 on the drive side.

[00197] In other words, the developing cartridge B1 receives the moment M6 in the approximate direction of the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 (in the direction of arrow N6) by a force F11 from the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side and a force F12 from the offset unit 76 on the drive side . The elastic layer 13d of the developing roller 13 can be pressed under pressure to the photosensitive drum 10 at a predetermined pressure by this moment M6.

[00198] Next, FIG. 29 (a) is a side view illustrating a state in which the developing roller 13, which has the developing cartridge B1 supported by the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side, is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. FIG. 29 (c) is a detailed diagram of the periphery of the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side in Fig. 29 (a), the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side and the holder 46 of the developing unit on the non-drive side are partially omitted from the illustration for purposes described i.

[00199] The non-drive side has a configuration identical to that of the drive side, and external forces FH11 and FH12 on the drive side act on the developing cartridge B1 by the developing spring of the developing unit on the non-driving side and the biasing unit 77 on the non-driving side, as illustrated in FIG. 29 (a) and FIG. 29 (c). Accordingly, the developing cartridge B1 takes a moment (M6) in the approximate direction of the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 (in the direction of arrow N6), and the elastic layer 13d of the developing roller 13 can be pressed under pressure to the photosensitive drum 10 at a predetermined pressure.

[00200] Now, the distance from the center of the supported portion 70d to the center of the third contact surface 70c when viewed from the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 13 is indicated by D10, as illustrated in FIG. 27 (b). 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 pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side is D11. The relationship between the distance D10 and the distance D11 is as follows:

D10 <D11.

[00201] Accordingly, a third contact surface 70c of the contact / release lever 70 on the drive side, which is in contact with one end 71d of the developing unit pressure spring 71 on the drive side, is located between the supported portion 70d and the first contact surface 70a of the contact / release lever 70 on the drive side in the direction of the protruding direction M2. In other words, 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 as follows:

W10 <W11.

[00202] Thus, the relationship between W12, which is the displacement amount of the first contact surface 70a, and the displacement amount W13 of the third contact surface 70c is as follows:

W13 <W12,

Where:

W13 = W12 * (W10 / W11).

[00203] Accordingly, even if there is an error in the positional accuracy of the presser member 150 of the device on the drive side, the change in the compression amount of the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side is less than a positional error of the pressure element 150 of the device on the drive side. Therefore, the accuracy of the pressing force can be improved in order to press the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 under pressure. The non-drive side has an identical configuration, and accordingly, identical advantages can be provided.

[00204] Furthermore, the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side are overlapped at least partially with the total length range L13a of the developing roller 13 in the longitudinal direction, as described above (see Fig.24). Accordingly, the positional difference in the longitudinal direction of the first contact surfaces 70a and 72a of the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side and the supported portion 13a on the drive side and the supported portion 13c on the non-drive side of the developing roller 13 can be reduced. The contact / release lever 70 on the drive side receives the force F11 (see FIG. 27 (a)), and the contact / release lever 72 on the non-drive side receives the external force FH11 (see FIG. 29 (c)). By reducing the above positional difference, the moment acting on the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side and the developing unit holder 46 on the non-drive side can be suppressed. Thus, the developing roller 13 can be effectively pressed against contact with the photosensitive drum.

[00205] In addition, as described above, the rotation operations of the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side (directions of arrows N9 and N10 in FIG. 27 (a) and directions of arrows NH9 and NH10 in FIG. .29 (c) and 29 (d)) can be implemented independently without affecting each other. Thus, when the developing roller 13 is under pressure under pressure to the photosensitive drum 10, the position of the device pressing member 150 on the drive side can be independently set in the direction of arrows N7 and N8 (see FIGS. 25 (a) and 25 (b)) and the position of the pressure member 151 of the device on the non-drive side in the direction of arrows N7 and N8 (see FIG. 26 (b)). Additionally, there is no need to match the rotation direction of the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side (directions of arrows N9 and N10 in FIG. 27 (a) and directions of arrows NH9 and NH10 in FIG. 29 (c ) and 29 (d)). As a result, the absolute values and directions of the pressing forces F11 and FH11 to press the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 on the drive side and non-drive side under pressure can be optimized. Additionally, even if there is a relative error in the positions of the device pressing member 150 on the drive side and the device pressing element 151 on the non-drive side, this does not affect the pressing forces F11 and FH11 relative to each other. Therefore, the contact pressure of the developing roller 13 with respect to the photosensitive drum 10 can be set to high precision.

[00206] It should be noted that the position of the developing cartridge B1, in which the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can come into contact to exhibit an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10, is called a “contact position”. On the other hand, the position of the developing cartridge B1, in which the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are spaced, is called a “spaced position”. The developing cartridge B1 has a configuration whereby the developing cartridge B1 can choose between a contact position and an exploded position by a mechanism defined below.

Configuration of the electrical connection between the developing cartridge and the main body of the device by means of a pressure pressing mechanism

[00207] The following describes the configuration of the electrical connection between the developing cartridge B1 and the main body A1 of the device with reference to Fig. 38 (a) and 38 (b). When the developing cartridge B1 is in the above contact position, the electrode portions 47a of the developing board B1 of the memory card 47 of the developing cartridge B1 are in contact with a power contact 120A of the apparatus main body A1. The power contact 120A has spring properties and, accordingly, is pressed inwardly by the electrode portions 47a by a predetermined amount from the mold 120Aa before installing the developing cartridge B1, as illustrated in FIG. 39. Accordingly, the power contact 120A applies contact pressure FH13 to the developing cartridge B1 in the direction of moving the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 away from each other. On the other hand, a force FH11 that brings together the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 acts on the developing cartridge B1, as illustrated in FIG. 38 (a). At this time, the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side is pressed from the first position in contact with the contact surface 46e of the holder 46 of the developing unit on the non-drive side to the second position in which the protrusion 72f is brought closer to the developing roller 13 by the pressure member 151 of the device on the non-drive side as illustrated in FIG. 38 (a). The electrode portions 47a are located on the downstream side of the direction of movement W from the first position to the second position, wherein the direction of movement W and the surface (accessible surface) of the electrode sections 47a intersect.

[00208] Accordingly, a force FH11 that moves the contact / release lever 72 on the non-drive side in the direction W and contact pressure FH13 have opposed force components. Now, a certain level of contact pressure FH13 or higher is needed in order to stabilize the electrical contact between the electrode portions 47a and the power contact 120A. The present configuration has an absolute value of the force FH11 of the pressure spring 73 of the developing unit on the non-drive side, set taking into account the contact pressure F13, in addition to the stable pressure pressing of the elastic layer of the developing roller 13 to the photosensitive drum 10. In other words, as providing contact pressure FH13, at which the electric the contact is stable, and the pressure pressing of the developing roller 13 to the photosensitive drum 10 can be realized by force FH11. Accordingly, the electrode portions 47a and the power contact 120A are electrically connected, so that a connection is made between the circuit board (omitted from the illustration) of the apparatus main body and the electrode portion 47a.

[00209] A case may further be contemplated in which the external force FH12 of the non-drive side bias unit 77 is increased to provide contact pressure FH13. However, in this case, there is a need to increase the bias force of the compression spring 85 on the non-drive side so that the developing cartridge B1 is not released from the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side (see FIGS. 26 (a) and 26 (b)). On the other hand, the pressure spring 85 on the non-drive side is pressed down by the user force when the developing cartridge B1 is installed in the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side, as described above. Accordingly, the user must install the developing cartridge B1 using greater force. As described above, an attempt to provide contact pressure FH13 by the force FH12 of the non-drive side bias unit 77 may result in lesser usability. Accordingly, providing the contact pressure FH13 by the force FH11 of the developing spring of the developing unit on the non-drive side, similarly to the present embodiment, allows the developing cartridge B1 to be positioned without compromising usability.

[00210] Furthermore, the relationship between the electrode portion 47a and the contact / isolating lever 72 on the non-drive side in the present embodiment can be rephrased as follows. For example, the distance between the electrode portion 47a and the contact / dividing arm 72 on the non-drive side is called “L1” in the first position and “L2” in the second position, in the Z direction of the normal line of the electrode portion 47a in the contact portion of the power contact 120A, as illustrated in FIG. .38 (b). The electrode portion 47a at this time is positioned such that L2 <L1 is valid. Accordingly, the force to move the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side from the first position to the second position can be used to provide contact pressure FH13.

[00211] Additionally, the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side, the compression spring of the developing unit on the non-driving side, and the memory board 47 are connected to the developing unit holder 46 on the non-driving side in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 38 (a) . In other words, the positions of the electrode portion 47a, which is the functional part for the contact pressure F13, and the contact / release arm 72 on the non-drive side, which is the functional part for the force FH11, are located on an identical plane orthogonal to the axis L0 of the developing roller 13. In other words, the electrode portion 47a and the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side at least partially overlap with respect to the direction of the axis L0 of the developing roller 13. Correspondingly Orientation in space of the developing cartridge B1 can be stabilized to an even greater degree, because it can decrease the time between the occurrence of contact pressure force F13 and FH11, having an axis of rotation T in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the developing roller.

[00212] Furthermore, the memory card 47 is not connected to the drive side, but to the holder 46 on the non-drive side. If the memory card 47 is to be provided on the drive side, the memory card 47 may be affected by a driving force acting on the connecting member 180. However, the memory card 47 is provided in the holder 46 of the developing unit on the non-drive side in the present embodiment and the strength of this is not easily affected by the driving force, thereby stabilizing the contact pressure FH13.

Separation mechanism

[00213] FIG. 28 (a) is an explanatory diagram for describing a state of a developing cartridge B1 in a transition from a contact state between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 to an exploded state. FIG. 28 (c) is a detailed diagram of the periphery of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side in FIG. 28 (a), wherein the swing guide 80 on the drive side and the side cover 34 of the developing unit are omitted from the illustration for description purposes.

[00214] FIG. 28 (b) is an explanatory diagram explaining an exploded state of a developing cartridge B1 in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are spaced. FIG. 28 (d) is a detailed diagram of the periphery of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side in FIG. 28 (b), wherein the swing guide 80 on the drive side and the side cover 34 of the developing unit are omitted from the illustration for purposes of description.

[00215] Now, in the case of the contact developing system similar to the present embodiment, there is such a problem that the rubber portion 13b of the developing roller 13 can become deformed if the state in which the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, as shown in FIG. .27 (a), constantly maintained. Accordingly, the developing roller 13 is preferably spaced from the photosensitive drum 10 when development is not performed. In other words, a state in which the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, as illustrated in FIG. 27 (a), and a state in which the developing roller 13 is spaced from the photosensitive drum 10, as illustrated in FIG. 28 (b ) are preferred.

[00216] An spaced portion 70g protruding in the direction of the developing roller 13 is provided in the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side. The spaced portion 70g is configured to engage the first contact surface 150a provided in the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side provided in the main body A1 of the device. Additionally, the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side has a configuration that can move in the directions of arrow N7 and arrow N8 under the action of a driving force from an electric motor omitted from the illustration.

[00217] The following describes the exploded operation of the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10. In the contact state between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 illustrated in FIG. 27 (a), the first contact surface 150a and the spaced portion 70g are spaced apart in a state , in which there is a gap at a distance δ5 between them.

[00218] On the other hand, FIG. 28 (a) illustrates a state in which the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side is moved in the direction of arrow N8 by a distance δ6, which is a state in which the contact between the first contact / release contact surface 70a the lever 70 on the drive side and the second contact surface 150b of the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side is divided. At this time, the first contact surface 70a of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side rotates in the direction of the arrow N10 with centering on the supported part 70d by the biasing force F10 of the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side, and the limiting contact part 70e on the drive side of the contact / of the separation arm 70 on the drive side comes into contact with the limiting portion 36b of the carrier 36 on the drive side. Accordingly, the contact / release lever 70 on the drive side and the carrier 36 on the drive side are positioned. 28 (b) illustrates a state in which the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side is moved in the direction of arrow N8 by a distance δ7. The drive side pressure member 150 moved in the direction of arrow N8 brings the divided surface 70g of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side and the first contact surface 150a of the pressure side device member 150 on the drive side. At this time, the bounding contact portion 70e on the drive side of the contact / dividing arm 70 on the drive side and the bounding portion 36b of the carrier 36 on the drive side are in contact, so that the developing cartridge B1 moves in the direction of arrow N8. Now, the developing cartridge B1 is positioned in the swing guide 80 on the drive side, which is supported by the side plate 90 on the drive side so that it can move smoothly in the direction of arrow N3 and in the direction of arrow N4 and allows swaying in the directions of arrow N5 and arrow N6 as described below with reference to Fig. 41 (a) -41 (d). Accordingly, moving the device pressing member 150 on the drive side in the direction of arrow N8 swings the developing cartridge B1 in the direction of arrow N5. At this time, the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are spaced apart by a gap of a distance δ8 between them.

[00219] The non-drive side also has a configuration identical to that of the drive side, with the device pressing member 151 on the non-drive side moving in the direction of arrow NH8 by a distance δh7 in a state in which the contact / isolating lever 72 is on the non-drive side and are in contact, as illustrated in Fig.29 (b) and Fig.29 (d). Accordingly, the developing cartridge B1 has a configuration in which it rotates in the direction of the arrow N5 with centering on the supported protrusion 81g of the swing guide 81, while the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are spaced apart by a distance δ8.

[00220] Thus, the contact state and the exploded state of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are selected as necessary by the position of the device pressing member 150 on the drive side and the device pressing member 151 on the non-drive side provided in the main body A1 of the device.

[00221] The contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side protrudes from the developing container 16 so as to define the external shape of the developing cartridge B1 when viewed in cross section at the position of the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and when viewed from the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13, which is illustrated in FIG. 27 (a). Accordingly, engagement of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side and the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side is simplified. A configuration is also provided in which a portion of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side can be used to move the developing cartridge B1 between the contact position and the spaced position. This is also true for the non-power side.

[00222] Upon transition from the contact state of the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 illustrated in FIG. 27 (a) to the exploded state of the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 illustrated in FIG. 28 (b), the swinging rail 80 on the drive side and the developing cartridge B1 rotate as a unit. Accordingly, the retracting state of the guide portion 55e of the connecting lever 55 from the guide portion 180d of the connecting member 180 is maintained (FIG. 28 (b)).

[00223] Further, when the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in the diversity state illustrated in FIG. 28 (b), the guided portion 180d of the connecting member 180 and the guiding portion 185d of the connecting spring 185 come into contact. Accordingly, the connecting member 180 receives the force F1 and allows the above-described first inclined orientation D1 in space.

[00224] As described above, the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side have a pressure-pressed surface (first contact surfaces 70a and 72a) and a divided surface (second contact surfaces 70g and 72g). The pressure-pressing surfaces (second contact surfaces 150b and 151b) and the dividing surfaces (150a and 151a) of the actuator pressing member 150 and the non-driving pressing member 151 act on them, respectively. Accordingly, the contact state and the exploded state of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can be selected as necessary (see Fig. 27 (a), 28 (a) and 28 (b)) by means of separate parts of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side. As a result, the configuration of the developing cartridge B1 can be simplified. In addition, the contact state and the exploded state can be controlled by separate parts, so that the time distribution of the transition from the contact state to the exploded state, for example, can be set to be highly accurate.

[00225] A contact / release lever 70 on the drive side and a contact / release lever 72 on the non-drive side are provided independently at the ends of the developing cartridge B1 in the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in FIG. 24. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a contact / release arm in the entire longitudinal direction, so that the size of the developing cartridge B1 can be reduced (region Y1 in FIG. 24). Accordingly, the region Y1 can be used for space for the components of the apparatus main body A1, so that the size of the apparatus main body A1 can also be reduced.

Moving a connecting element in combination with an operation from a split state to a contact state

[00226] The following describes the movement of the connecting member 180 in combination with the contact operation and the explode operation of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 with reference to FIGS. 30 and 31.

[00227] First, an uncoupling operation of the connecting member 180 and the driving member 100 on the side of the main body is described when the developing cartridge B1 is moved from the diversity state to the contact state.

[00228] Fig. 30 is an explanatory diagrams illustrating an engagement state of the connecting member 180 and the driving member 100 on the side of the main body in the contact state in the developing and the exploded state in the developing.

[00229] Fig. 31 is an explanatory diagrams illustrating an engagement state of the connecting member 180 and the driving member 100 on the side of the main body in the contact state in the developing and the exploded state in the developing when viewed from the side on the driving side.

[00230] When imaging, the contact / release lever 70 on the drive side is pressed by the biasing force F11 by the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side, as illustrated in FIG. 31 (a). The developing roller 13 of the developing cartridge B1 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in a state of contact during development, in contact at a predetermined pressure. The connecting element 180 is in the reference orientation D0 in space, as illustrated in FIG. 30 (a). The developing cartridge B1 at this time is located in the engaged position, in which the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the connecting member 180 and the rotational force applying part 100a of the drive element 100 on the main body side are engaged. The developing cartridge B1 is in a state in which actuation can be transmitted from the driving element 100 on the side of the main body to the connecting element 180, by means of a force from a rotating electric motor (omitted from the illustration).

[00231] Further, the guide portion 55e of the connecting arm 55 is held in a fully retracted state from the guiding portion 180b of the connecting member 180 (see FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (c)). The reason is that when the rotation portion 55y is rotated by the connecting arm 55 and adjoins the adjacent portion 80y of the swing guide 80 on the drive side, and rotation in the direction of the arrow X11 with centering on the rotation axis L11 is limited, as described above (see also 11 (a) to 11 (c)).

[00232] The following describes the spatial orientation of the connecting element 180 in the process of moving the developing cartridge B1 from the contact state during development to the exploded state during development.

[00233] As illustrated in FIG. 31 (b), when the image formation is completed, the device pressing member 150 on the drive side and the device pressing member 151 on the non-drive side (omitted from the illustration) are moved in the direction of arrow N8. When the drive-side pressure member 150 on the drive side moves in the direction of arrow N8, the contact / release lever 70 on the drive side rotates in the direction of arrow N10 by the bias force of the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side (see FIG. 28 (b)). From this state, in which the limiting contact portion 70e on the drive side of the contact / dividing arm 70 on the drive side and the positioning portion 36b of the developer unit holder 36 on the drive side are in contact, the pressure member 150 on the drive side further moves in the direction of arrow N8. The developing cartridge B1 then integrates with the swinging guide 80 on the drive side, rotates in the direction of arrow N5, with the swinging guide 80 on the drive side centered on the supported protrusion 80g. This is also true for the non-drive side, wherein the developing cartridge B1 rotates as a unit with the tilt guide 81 on the non-drive side in the direction of arrow N5, and the tilt guide 81 on the non-drive side is centered on the supported protrusion 81g (omitted from the illustration). This condition is an exploded development state in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are exploded. The developing cartridge B1 and the swinging guide 80 on the drive side are moved integrally, so that the guide portion 55e of the connecting arm 55 is also held in a fully retracted state from the guiding portion 180b of the connecting member 180 in the state illustrated in FIG. 31 (b). This is because the abutting portion 80y is integrally formed with the swinging guide 80 on the drive side, as described above (see FIG. 20 (b)). On the other hand, the bias force of the connecting spring 185 acts on the connecting element 180. Accordingly, in combination with the moving of the developing cartridge B1 from the contact state to the exploded state, the axis L2 of the connecting element 180 gradually includes from the state of the reference orientation D0 in space in the direction of the first oblique orientation of D1 in space, as illustrated in FIG. 30 (b). The developing cartridge B1 is then further rotated in the direction of the arrow N5, and when the state of FIG. 31 (c) is reached, the oblique movement of the connecting member 180 ends. At this time, the phase-limiting sleeve 180e of the connecting member 180 engages the first inclined bounding portion 36kb1 of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side (see FIG. 11 (b)), and the axis L2 of the connecting member 180 is held in the first inclined orientation D1 in space. As described above, the first oblique orientation D1 in the space of the connecting element 180 is the spatial orientation in which the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the connecting element 180 is opposed in the direction of the driving element 100 on the side of the main body for the main body A1 of the device. In the state illustrated in FIG. 31 (c), the developing cartridge B1 is located in the disengaged position in which the engagement of the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the connecting member 180 and the rotational force applying portion 100a of the drive element 100 on the main body side is stopped. Accordingly, a condition is provided in which there is no transmission of the driving force of the electric motor (omitted from the illustration) from the drive element 100 on the side of the main body to the connecting element.

[00234] The state illustrated in FIG. 31 (a) is the spatial orientation of the developing cartridge B1 during imaging in the present embodiment. The connecting element 180 and the driving element 100 on the side of the main body are engaged, and a driving force is inputted from the main body A1 of the device. A configuration is provided in which when the developing cartridge B1 is moved from the state illustrated in FIG. 31 (a), in FIG. 31 (b), and in FIG. 31 (c), the engagement between the connecting member 180 and the drive element 100 on the side main body is terminated. In other words, a configuration is provided in which, in the process of moving the developing cartridge B1 from the contact state to the diversity state, the actuating input from the main body A1 of the device to the developing cartridge B1 is cut off. The drive element 100 on the side of the main body for the main body A1 of the device rotates, while the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are spaced relative to the developing cartridge B1. This means that a configuration is provided in which the developing roller 13 can be spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 10 during rotation.

Moving a connector in conjunction with an operation from a contact state to a split state

[00235] The following describes the engagement operations of the connecting member 180 and the driving member 100 on the side of the main body while the developing cartridge B1 is moved from the contact state to the diversity state.

[00236] The contact operations for developing the developing cartridge B1 are opposite with respect to the above described explode operations for developing. In the state illustrated in FIG. 31 (b), the developing cartridge B1 is located in the disengaged position whether or not the engagement between the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the rotational force applying portion 100a of the driving member 100 on the side of the main body is stopped. The state illustrated in FIG. 31 (b) is a state in which the drive-side pressure member 150 and the non-drive side pressure member 151 are moved in the direction of arrow N7 from the state illustrated in FIG. 31 (c). The developing cartridge B1 and the swinging guide 80 on the drive side rotate as a whole in the direction of the arrow N6 by the bias force of the bias assembly 76 described above on the drive side (see FIGS. 25 (a), 25 (b) 27 (a) and 27 (c )). This is also true for the non-power side. Accordingly, the developing cartridge B1 moves from the diversity state to the contact state. Fig. 30 (b) is a partial step of the transition of the developing cartridge B1 from the diversity state to the contact state. It is also a state in which the circular portion 180f of the connecting member 180 and the driving member 100 on the side of the main body are in contact. In particular, the recessed conical portion 180g located on the inner side of the circular portion 180f of the connecting member 180 and the protrusion 100g located on the axial top of the drive element 100 on the side of the main body are in contact. The rotation axis L2 of the connecting member 180 is inclined in the direction of the driving member 100 on the side of the main body from the state illustrated in FIG. 30 (c) to the state illustrated in FIG. 30 (b), so that the connecting member 180 and the driving member 100 on the side of the main body can easily engage.

[00237] The additional movement of the device pressing member 150 on the drive side and the pressing member 151 of the device on the non-drive side in the direction of arrow N7 from the state illustrated in FIG. 30 (b) completes engagement of the connecting member 180 and the driving member 100 on the side of the main body, as illustrated in FIG. 30 (a). At this time, the developing cartridge B1 is located in the engaged position in which the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the connecting member 180 and the rotational force applying part 100a of the drive element 100 on the side of the main body are engaged, and the connecting member 180 allows a spatial orientation D0. The transition of the connecting element 180 from the first inclined orientation D1 in space to the supporting orientation D0 in space is identical to the process of the transition of the connecting element 180 from the second inclined orientation D2 in space to the supporting orientation D0 in space during installation of the developing cartridge B1 in the main body A1 of the device ( see Fig.21 (a) -21 (h)).

[00238] In the present embodiment, the drive element 100 on the side of the main body is set to rotate by means of actuation signals from the main body A1 of the device before the engagement of the connecting element 180 and the drive element 100 on the side of the main body begins in the state illustrated in Fig. 31 (b). Accordingly, such a configuration is provided in which the connecting member 180 and the driving member 100 on the side of the main body are partially engaged by moving the developing cartridge B1 from the state illustrated in FIG. 31 (c) to the state in FIG. 31 (b) and in FIG. .31 (a), whereby the actuation is introduced into the developing cartridge B1. In other words, a configuration is provided in which, in the process of moving the developing cartridge B1 from the diversity state to the contact state, actuation is inputted from the main body A1 of the device into the developing cartridge B1. This is because a configuration is provided in which the connecting member 180 can move in the N9 direction, which is the direction of movement of the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side (see Fig. 27 (a ) -27 (c)). The drive element 100 on the side of the main body for the main body A1 of the device rotates before the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 come into contact. As a result, such a configuration is provided in which the developing roller 13 can be brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 10 during rotation. Thus, the speed difference between the peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can decrease when the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 come into contact, so that the wear of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can be reduced.

[00239] In the event that the electric motor, which has the main body A1 of the device, is isolated, the clutch mechanism is necessary in order to cut off the transmission of the rotational force to the developing roller 13 when transmitting the rotational force to the photosensitive drum 10. In other words, there is a need in order to provide a clutch mechanism that can selectively cut off the drive transmission in the drive transmission mechanism, which transfers rotational force from the electric motor to the developing roller 13. However, in the present In the present embodiment, the engagement and disengagement of the connecting member 180 and the driving member 100 on the side of the main body are selected in the process of moving the developing cartridge B1 from the contact state to the diversity state or moving from the diversity state to the contact state. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a clutch mechanism in the main body A1 of the device or in the developing cartridge B1, so that the developing cartridge B1 and the main body A1 of the device can be realized, which are less expensive and take up less space.

Contact of the split surface of the contact / separation arm on the drive side

[00240] The contact / release lever 70 on the drive side has a divided surface 70g protruding to the side of the developing roller 13 from the top portion 70p in the direction of the protrusion of the first protrusion 70f, as illustrated in Fig. 41 (a). From another perspective, the apex of the first protrusion 70f has a shape curved to the side of the developing roller 13, and a divided surface 70g is formed on this curved portion of the apex.

[00241] Figs. 41 (a) to 41 (d) are explanatory diagrams as to whether or not a protruding divided surface 70g exists. Fig. 41 (a) illustrates the present embodiment having a divided surface 70g protruding to the side of the developing roller 13 from the top portion 70p in the direction of the protrusion of the first protrusion 70f. Fig. 41 (b) is an enlarged diagram of the periphery of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side in Fig. 41 (a). Fig. 41 (c) illustrates an example of a divided surface 470g not protruding to the side of the developing roller 13 from the top portion 70p in the protrusion direction of the first protrusion 70f. Fig. 41 (d) is an enlarged diagram of the periphery of the contact / separation arm 470 on the drive side in Fig. 41 (c).

[00242] The divided surface 70g of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side and the first contact surface 150a of the pressure element 150 of the device on the drive side come into contact, and the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are separated by a gap δ8, as illustrated in FIG. 41.

[00243] The point at which the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side comes into contact with the first contact surface 150a of the device pressure member 150 on the drive side on the divided surface 70g is the contact point 70q, as illustrated in FIG. 41 (a) and FIG. 41 (b). The point at which the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side comes into contact with the divided surface 70g of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side in the first contact surface 150a is the contact point 150q.

[00244] The first contact surface 150a of the drive-side device pressing member 150 applies a separation force F17 to the divided surface 70g of the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side by the contact point 150q, as illustrated in FIG. 41 (b). Accordingly, the divided surface 70g of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side receives a reaction force F18 at the contact point 70q. At this time, the reaction force F18 is divided into a force component F19, which is parallel to the first contact surface 150a, and a force component F20, which is perpendicular to the first contact surface 150a.

[00245] The direction of the force component F19 is in a direction parallel to the first contact surface 150a of the device pressing member 150 on the drive side, so that the divided surface 70g of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side receives force in the direction of the force component F19 when in contact with the first the contact surface 150a of the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side.

[00246] As illustrated in FIG. 41 (a), the developing cartridge B1 is positioned in the swing guide 80 on the drive side, which can swing in the directions of arrow N5 and arrow N6 with centering on the supported protrusion 80g in the side plate on the drive side (omitted from illustrations). Additionally, the swinging guide 80 on the drive side is supported by a side plate on the drive side (omitted from the illustration) so that it allows smooth movement in the direction of arrow N3 and in the direction of arrow N4 when the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, so that the axis of the developing roller 13 can be adjusted so that it is parallel to the axis of the photosensitive drum 10. This is also true for the non-drive side, so that the developing to the cartridge B1 allows rotation in the directions of arrow N5 and arrow N6 with centering on the supported protrusion 80g and allows smooth movement in the direction of arrow N3 and in the direction of arrow N4.

[00247] Further, the position of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side is determined by contacting the limiting contact portion 70e on the drive side of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side and the limiting portion 36b of the carrier 36 on the drive side, as described above. Accordingly, the contact / release lever 70 on the drive side receives the force component F19, causing the developing cartridge B1 to try to rotate in the direction of arrow N5 with centering on the supported protrusion 80g and move smoothly in the direction of arrow N11.

[00248] Accordingly, the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side attempts to move in the direction of the force component F19. This direction of movement is the direction of movement of the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side to the base side of the first contact surface 150a of the pressure element 150 of the device on the drive side and represents the direction in which the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side engages by the pressure element 150 devices on the drive side.

[00249] On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 41 (d), the first contact surface 450a of the device pressing member 450 on the drive side applies a separation force F21 to the divided surface 470g of the contact / separation arm 470 on the drive side via the contact point 450q. Accordingly, the divided surface 470g of the contact / separation arm 470 on the drive side receives a reaction force F22 at the contact point 470q. At this time, the reaction force F22 is divided into a force component F23, which is parallel to the divided surface 470g, and a force component F24, which is perpendicular to the divided surface 470g.

[00250] The positions of the contact / release arm 470 on the drive side and the carrier 436 on the drive side are determined by contacting the restrictive contact portion 470e on the drive side of the contact / separation arm 470 on the drive side and the limit portion 436b of the drive element 436 on the drive side. Accordingly, the contact / release lever 470 on the drive side receives a force component F23, causing the developing cartridge B1 to try to rotate in the direction of arrow N5 with centering on the supported protrusion 80g and move smoothly in the direction of arrow N4.

[00251] Accordingly, the contact / release lever 470 on the drive side attempts to move in the direction of the force component F23. Thus, the contact / separation lever 470 on the drive side comes into contact with the first contact surface 450a of the pressure element 450 of the device on the drive side on the side of the tip portion 470p in the protruding direction of the first protrusion 470f, and the engagement amount of the contact / separation lever 470 on the drive side is relatively the pressure member 450 of the device on the drive side is reduced.

[00252] Thus, the protrusion value for the first protrusion 470f of the contact / separation arm 470 on the drive side should increase by an amount equivalent to the amount of displacement in the direction of the force component F23, which requires space.

[00253] From the above, the engagement amount may be set smaller if the divided surface 70g protrudes to the side of the developing roller 13 from the top portion 70p in the protrusion direction of the first protrusion 70f. In other words, in this case, the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side engages the pressure element 150 of the device on the drive side more during the spacing of the developing roller 13 from the photosensitive drum 10, compared with the case in which the protruding divided surface 70g is not provided. As a result, the engaged state of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side to the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side can be maintained even if the engagement amount is set small. The reduction in engagement of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side and the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side leads to a decrease in the size of the developing cartridge B1.

Effects of accommodating the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side, the developing spring of the developing unit on the driving side and the restricting portion 36b of the developing unit holder 36 on the driving side

[00254] A configuration is provided in which a biasing force F10 of the developing unit pressure spring 71 on the drive side is generated by compressing the developing unit pressure spring 71 on the drive side between the third contact surface 70c of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side and the contact surface 36d of the holder 36 a developing unit on the drive side as described above (see FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b)). This is also true for the non-power side.

[00255] In particular, such compression is provided that, when performing pressure pressing for developing, the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 come into contact using the biasing force F10a generated by the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side rotating in the direction arrows N9 centered on the supporting portion 36c of the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side (see Fig. 27 (c)).

[00256] Further, when performing explode spacing, the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side rotates in the direction of arrow N10, centering on the sleeve of the support portion 36c of the developer assembly holder 36 on the drive side using the biasing force F10, causing the contact limiting contact portion 70e of the contact / a release lever 70 on the drive side in contact with a restriction portion 36b of the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side. This limits the position of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side. Further, the drive side pressure member 150 is moved in the direction of arrow N8, while the second contact surface 70b of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side and the first contact surface 150a of the drive side pressure member 150 are in contact. Such a configuration is provided in which it carries apart the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 (see FIG. 28 (b)). In other words, when performing explode diversity, a configuration is provided in which the position of the contact / dividing lever 70 on the drive side is limited using a developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side used to pressurize the developer.

[00257] In particular, the developing cartridge B1 is detachably mounted in the apparatus main body A1, so that the position of the contact / release lever 70 on the drive side is preferably accurately positioned to precisely engage the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the pressure member 150 devices on the drive side (see FIG. 25 (b)). The reason is that if the positioning accuracy of the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side is poor, for example, measures should be taken as described below to engage the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the pressure member 150 of the device on drive side.

1. Providing a greater distance (gap) between the first contact surface 150a and the second contact surface 150b of the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side.

2. Providing a smaller distance (thickness) between the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side.

[00258] However, these measures increase the amount of movement of the device pressing member 150 on the drive side of the device main body A1 in the directions N8 and N9, resulting in a larger size of the device main body A1.

[00259] According to the present configuration, a configuration is provided in which the position of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side when installing the developing cartridge B1 in the main body A1 of the device is limited using the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side used when performing pressure pressing for developing. This helps to reduce the size of the main body A1 of the device, and also provides the ability to control the temporal distribution of the spacing of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 and the spacing of the developing roller 13 from the photosensitive drum 10 with good accuracy.

[00260] Furthermore, according to the present configuration, a configuration is provided in which the position of the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side when performing the development for developing can also be positioned with good accuracy using the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side used for pressing under pressure for developing when installing the developing cartridge B1, when performing explode for developing. In addition, a press spring 71 of the developing unit on the drive side used to perform pressure pressing for developing is used to limit the position of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side, so that no specific new parts are required.

[00261] As the first contact surface 70a for receiving force to bring the developing roller 13 into contact with the photosensitive drum 10, the second contact surface 70b for receiving force for diversity is provided on a separate part, which is a contact / release lever 70 on the drive side. The combination of functions in this way makes it possible to reduce the number of parts of the developing cartridge B1.

[00262] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side receive force from the pressing members provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, thereby enabling contact and spacing the developing roller to / from the photosensitive drum while saving space. This reduces the size of the image forming apparatus and the developing cartridge. In addition, the increase in pressure applied to the electrode portion of the developing cartridge, which is electrically connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus, can be suppressed when the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum. Reducing the load applied to the electrode portion increases the wear resistance of the electrode portion. The strength of the electrode portion can be suppressed, whereby reduced costs can be achieved for a developing cartridge having an electrode portion and an image forming apparatus having a developing cartridge.

[00263] In the present embodiment, a description is described in which the developing cartridge B1 and the drum cartridge C are separated. In other words, a configuration is provided in which in the developing device, the photosensitive drum 10 is formed as a cartridge separate from the developing cartridge B1, and is mounted / disconnected to / from the main body of the device for the image forming apparatus. However, the application of the present embodiment is not limited to such configurations.

[00264] The configuration of the present embodiment is applicable, for example, to configurations in which the developing cartridge B1 and the drum cartridge C are not separated. A configuration may be specified in which a process cartridge configured by rotatingly attaching a developing cartridge B1 (developing device) to the drum cartridge C is mounted / disconnected to / from the main body of the device for the image forming apparatus. In other words, a configuration is possible in which a cartridge having a photosensitive drum 10 and a developing device (process cartridge) has a contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and a contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side disclosed in the present embodiment.

The relationship between the connecting element 180, the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side

[00265] The connecting element 180 has a configuration in which it is possible to move at least in the N9 direction (see Fig. 27 (c)), which is the direction of movement of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side and the contact / release arm lever 72 on the non-drive side. Accordingly, when the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side are moved in the directions N9 and N10, smooth operation can be realized without affecting the engagement between the connecting member 180 and the driving element 100 on the side of the main body.

[00266] Furthermore, an arrangement is made in which the direction N6, which is the direction in which the developing roller 13 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 10, and N13, which is the rotation direction of the connecting member 180 (direction X6 in FIG. 8 (b)) are an identical direction, as illustrated in FIG. 27 (a). According to this configuration, the pair of forces that the coupling member 180 receives from the drive member 100 on the side of the main body acts as a moment rotating the developing cartridge B1 in the direction N6 with centering on the supported protrusion 80g. The moment in the N6 direction, which is the pressing force under pressure, pressing the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 under pressure, therefore acts on the developing roller 13.

[00267] Provided that the rotation direction of the connecting member 180 is the opposite direction with respect to the direction N6, the moment should act in the direction of the developing roller 13 emerging from the photosensitive drum 10 (in the direction N5 in Fig. 27 (a)) due to the rotational the force of the connecting element 180, so that there should be a loss of compressive force under pressure. However, such pressure loss under pressure does not easily occur in the present configuration.

[00268] In addition, the moment in the N6 direction generated by the rotational force of the connecting member 180 is formed from the negative torque necessary to rotate the connecting member 180. The cartridge loading torque is varied according to the size of the parts and the wear resistance, so that the moment at direction N6 formed by the rotational force of the connecting member 180 also changes. On the other hand, the present embodiment is also a configuration in which the contact / separation arms 70 and 72 receive force from the device main body A1 and bring the developing roller 13 into contact with the photosensitive drum 10. The pressure force under pressure in the N6 direction due to the contact / the separation levers 70 and 72 are due only to the size of the parts, and there is no change in wear resistance.

[00269] Accordingly, the following arrangement is preferable in order to bring the developing roller 13 into more stable contact with the photosensitive drum 10. In other words, the moment in the N6 direction that occurs due to the rotational force of the connecting member 180 is preferably less than the moment in the N6 direction, formed due to the contact / dividing levers 70 and 72, receiving power from the main body A1 of the device. To this end, the distance connecting the supported protrusion 80g and the connecting member 180 is less than the distance between the supported protrusion 80g of the swinging guide 80 on the drive side and the contact / dividing lever 70 on the drive side in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 27 (a) . According to this configuration, the moment in the N6 direction resulting from the rotational force of the connecting member 180 can be effectively used as the compressive force under pressure of the developing roller 13. Additionally, this configuration suppresses the effects of the torque fluctuation in the N6 direction due to the rotational force of the connecting member 180, so that the developing roller 13 can be brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 10 in a more stable manner.

[00270] Further, a direction parallel to a straight line Z31 connecting the center of rotation 13Z of the developing roller 13 and the center of rotation of the connecting member 180 when viewed from the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller 13 is a direction N14 (first direction), as illustrated in FIG. 1 (a) and 1 (b). When viewing the frame of the developing unit from the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller 13, the developing roller 13 is located on one end side of the frame of the developing unit relative to the direction N14, and the first protrusion 70f of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side (the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b in particular) is located on the other end side of the frame of the developing unit. In other words, the first protrusion 70f (the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b in particular) is positioned at a certain distance from the developing roller 13.

[00271] Thus, a space for arranging elements, such as the connecting element 180, etc., which should be appropriately located near the developing roller 13, can be provided on one end side of the frame of the developing unit. This increases the degree of freedom of the arrangement of the elements, which should be properly located near the developing roller 13 in the developing cartridge B1. Accordingly, the connecting member 180 is positioned closer to the developing roller 13 compared to the first protrusion 70f (the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b) with respect to the direction N14 in the present embodiment, when viewed from the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 13.

[00272] The holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side also has a contact portion 36m of the recording medium that allows it to come into contact with the recording medium 2 transported to the transfer gripping portion 6a in the transport guide 3d in the device main body A1, in a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is installed in the main body A1 of the device.

[00273] This is described below. As described above, the position of the first protrusion 70f (the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b in particular) is located at a position at a large distance from the developing roller 13 relative to the direction N14. Accordingly, the presser member 150 of the device on the drive side can be positioned in the main body A1 of the device at a large distance from the developing roller 13, so that the part on the side of the developing roller of the developing cartridge B1, which comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 10, can be located near the transport guide rail 3d. This makes it possible to reduce the dead space between the developing cartridge B1 and the transport guide 3d in the main body A1 of the device.

[00274] Thus, the developing cartridge B1 is located near the transport guide 3d in the present embodiment. Accordingly, the contact portion 36m of the recording medium is located at a position on the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side closer to the developing roller 13 than the first protrusion 70f (the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b) relative to the direction N14, when viewed from the direction of rotation of the developer roller 13.

Details of the side cover 34 of the developing unit

[00275] Figs. 45 (a) to 46 (b) are diagrams illustrating a side cover 34 of a developing unit in detail. Fig. 45 (a) is a front view of the side cover 34 of the developing unit from the outside, Fig. 45 (b) is a rear view of the side cover 34 of the developing unit from the inside, and Fig. 46 (a) and 46 (b) are views in perspective when viewed from the front and rear, respectively.

[00276] The side cover 34 of the developing unit is one frame member constituting the developing unit frame of the developing cartridge B1. The side cover 34 of the developing unit consists of a front plate-shaped part 34e and a rear part 34f, which is its rear side. The edge of the front portion 34e has an end portion 34g surrounding the rear portion 34f provided with a protrusion from the front portion 34e.

[00277] A hole 34a in which the connecting member 180 is located on the inside is provided passing through the front portion 34e and the rear portion 34f.

[00278] A first protrusion 34b (positioning portion) is provided on the side of the hole 34a extending beyond the front portion 34e. The second protrusion 34c (rotation stop), which is larger in the radial direction than the first protrusion 34b (the positioning part), and also extends beyond the front part 34e, is likewise provided on the side of the first protrusion 34b (the positioning part). The second protrusion 34c (rotation stop) is in a position farther from the hole 34a compared to the first protrusion 34b (positioning part).

[00279] Between the first protrusion 34b (the positioning part) and the second protrusion 34c (the rotation stop), a connecting part 34k is provided to connect them, the first groove 34l being provided between the connecting part 34k and the front part 34e.

[00280] A third protrusion 34h (spring supporting part) is provided between the hole 34a and the first protrusion 34b (positioning part). The height of the third protrusion 34h (the supporting part of the spring) is lower than the first protrusion 34b (the positioning part) and the second protrusion 34c (rotation stop).

[00281] The opposite side of the third protrusion 34h (the supporting part of the spring) through the hole 34a is a second groove (34o), the groove extending in a circumferential direction. A second groove (34 °) guides the connecting spring 185.

[00282] A fourth protrusion (34p), consisting of ridges 34p1 and 34p2, is provided below the first protrusion 34b (positioning part). The ridges 34p1 and 34p2 intersect each other, and the angle of intersection forms an obtuse angle. The height of the fourth protrusion (34p) is lower than the first protrusion 34b (positioning part) and the second protrusion 34c (rotation stop).

[00283] An arcuate groove 34q that extends through the front portion 34e and the rear portion 34f is provided above the first protrusion 34b (positioning portion) and the second protrusion 34c (rotation stop). An arcuate groove 34q is provided in order to provide external accessibility of the bounding portion 55y when the connecting arm 55 is rotated (see FIG. 12 (a)).

[00284] The side cover 34 of the developing unit also has a cover part 34t. The cap portion 34t covers at least one of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side and at least a portion of the spring 71, so that it is not externally accessible in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13 (in the direction of the axis of rotation of the contact / dividing lever 70 on the drive side). Accordingly, the contact / release lever 70 on the drive side and the spring 71 can be protected from external impact, and it is also possible to prevent the release of the contact / release lever 70 on the drive side and the spring 71 from the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side. It should be noted that it is sufficient if the cap portion 34t covers at least a portion of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side or at least a portion of the spring 71 so that it is not externally accessible in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13 ( in the direction of the axis of rotation of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side).

[00285] Thus, combining the various functional parts in the side cover 34 of the developing unit provides the possibility of reducing size. The contact / release lever 70 on the drive side can also be protected against external impact.

Details of the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side

[00286] FIGS. 47 and 48 are diagrams illustrating in detail a developing unit holder 36 on a drive side. Fig. 47 (a) is a front view of the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side from the outside, Fig. 47 (b) is a rear view of the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side from the inside, and Fig. 48 (a) and 48 ( b) are perspective views when viewed from the front and rear, respectively.

[00287] The holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side is one frame member that is separate from the side cover 34 of the developing unit constituting the developing unit frame of the developing cartridge B1. The holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side consists of a front plate-shaped portion 36f and a rear portion 36g on the rear side. The edge of the front portion 36f has an extreme rear portion 36h surrounding the rear portion 36g provided with a protrusion from the front portion 36f.

[00288] An opening 36a is provided through a front portion 36f and a rear portion 36g. The developing roller 13 is located on the inside of the opening 36a supporting the developing roller 13. Support can be provided directly through the opening 36a, or support can be provided through the element.

[00289] The protrusion 36i is provided on the side of the hole 36a. The protrusion 36i has a cylindrical shape. A phase confining portion 36kb that limits the position of the phase confining sleeve 180e of the connecting member 180 is provided on the inside of the protrusion 36i. The phase confining portion 36kb has a hole-shaped portion, which generally has a triangular shape in which the connecting element 180 is located. The phase confining portion 36kb consists of a first inclined bounding portion 36kb1 and a second inclined bounding portion 36kb2, each of which constitutes a portion grooves.

[00290] A support portion 36c for supporting the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side is provided at a position facing the hole 36a through the protrusion 36i. The supporting portion 36c has a protruding cylindrical shape.

[00291] The limiting portion 36b of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side is provided below the supporting portion 36c. The bounding portion 36b is in the form of a wall protruding from the front portion 36f and is located on the edge of the developing unit holder 36 on the drive side.

[00292] A contact surface 36d for coming into contact with a pressure spring 71 of the developing unit on the drive side is provided below the protrusion 36i through the bounding portion 36b. The contact surface 36d also has the shape of a wall protruding from the front portion 36f, similarly to the bounding portion 36b.

[00293] A hole 36j is provided midway between the bounding part 36b and the contact surface 36d when viewed from the front direction in FIG. 47 (a), relative to the direction in which the bounding part 36b and the contact surface 36d are aligned. A hole 36j is provided in order to ensure the availability of the pinion gear, etc.

[00294] Thus, the position of the connecting member 180 and the position of the contact / dividing arm 70 on the drive side can be supported with high precision by the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side. The position of the developing roller 13 and the position of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side can also be maintained with high precision.

Second Embodiment

[00295] Next, a second embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 32. Fig. 32 are side views when viewing the developing cartridge B1 from the driving side.

[00296] In a first embodiment, a description is provided regarding a configuration in which the contact / release lever 70 on the drive side is rotatably provided with respect to the holder 36 of the developing unit on the drive side. However, a configuration may be specified in which the contact / release lever 702 on the drive side is provided to move smoothly with respect to the holder 36 of the developing unit 2 on the drive side, as illustrated in FIGS. 32 (a) to 32 (d). Descriptions that are not explained have a configuration identical to that of the first embodiment.

[00297] FIG. 32 (a) is a side view when viewing a state in which the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 from the drive side and a cross-sectional view around the contact / dividing arm 702 on the drive side. The protrusion 702b of the contact / separation arm 702 on the drive side further engages the groove 362c of the holder 36 of the developing unit 2 on the drive side. The protrusion 702j of the contact / separation arm 702 on the drive side engages a groove 342y of the side cover 34 of the developing unit 2. Accordingly, the contact / release lever 702 on the drive side allows smooth movement (rectilinear movement) in the directions of the arrows N72 and N82 relative to the holder 36 of the developing unit 2 on the driving side and the side cover 34 of the developing unit 2. The pressure spring 71 of the developing unit 2 on the drive side comprises one end 712d in contact with the third contact surface 702c of the contact / separation arm 702 on the drive side and the other end 712e in contact with the contact surface 362d of the holder 36 of the developing unit 2 on the drive side. In this configuration, the developing cartridge B1 receives an external force F11 by contacting the second contact surface 150b of the device pressing member 150 on the drive side and the first contact surface 702a of the contact / release arm 702 on the drive side, identical to the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 32 (b). As a result, the developing roller 13 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 10 at a predetermined pressure.

[00298] Next, transition operations to a state in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are spaced are described. 32 (c) illustrates the state in which the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side is moved in the direction of arrow N82 by a distance δ6, and the first contact surface 702a of the contact / release arm 702 on the drive side and the second contact surface 150b of the pressure member 150 of the device drive side separated. At this time, the contact / dividing lever 702 on the drive side receives the biasing force F10 of the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side, smoothly moves in the direction of arrow N82, and the limiting contact portion 702e of the contact / dividing lever 702 on the drive side comes into contact with the limiting part 362b of the holder 36 of the developing unit 2 on the drive side. Thus, the contact / separation lever 702 on the drive side is positioned.

[00299] Fig. 32 (d) illustrates a state in which the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side is moved in the direction of arrow N82 by a distance δ7. Due to the additional movement of the device pressing member 150 on the drive side in the direction of the arrow N82, the divided surface 702g of the contact / dividing lever 702 on the driving side comes into contact with the first contact surface 150a of the device pressing member 150 on the drive side, further moving the developing cartridge B1 in the direction of the arrow N82. As a result, the developing cartridge B1 swings in the direction of arrow N5 with centering on the supported protrusion 80g of the swinging guide 80 (omitted from the illustration). At this time, the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in an exploded state with a gap of a distance δ8 between them.

[00300] The non-drive side has a configuration identical to that of the drive side. Other configurations are identical to the configurations of the first embodiment, and as a result, benefits identical to those of the first embodiment can be provided (nevertheless, with the exception of the relationship between the positional error of the device pressing member 150 on the drive side and the compression ratio of the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side described in the first embodiment).

Third Embodiment

[00301] Next, a third embodiment is described to which the present invention is applied, with reference to FIGS. 42 (a) to 42 (d). Descriptions that are not explained have a configuration identical to that of the first embodiment.

[00302] Fig. 42 are circuit diagrams in which the contact / release lever 201 on the drive side is a leaf spring.

[00303] The contact / release arm 201 on the drive side illustrated in Figs. 42 (a) to 42 (d) is an elastic portion formed of a material such as stainless steel and the like. The contact / release arm 201 on the drive side has a first contact surface 201a, a second contact surface 201b, a supporting part 201d and an elastically deformed part 201h, the supporting part 201d being supported by the supported part 202b of the holder 202.

[00304] The pressure member 203 of the device on the drive side comprises a first contact surface 203a and a second contact surface 203b and allows smooth movement in the direction of arrow N7 and in the direction of arrow N8.

[00305] The developing cartridge B1 is positioned by the swinging guide 210 on the drive side supported in the side plate on the drive side (omitted from the illustration) so that it can swing in the directions of arrow N5 and arrow N6 with centering on the supported portion 210b. The non-drive side is identical, so that the developing cartridge B1 can rotate in the directions of arrow N5 and arrow N6 with centering on the supported portion 210b.

[00306] When the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are pressed against each other, the pressing member 203 of the device on the drive side moves in the direction of arrow N7, as illustrated in Fig. 42 (a). The second contact surface 203b of the drive-side pressing member 203 is in contact with the first contact surface 201a of the contact / release arm 201 on the drive side.

[00307] Further, when the drive-side device pressing member 203 moves in the direction of the arrow N7, the second contact surface 203b of the device pressing member 203 on the drive side deforms the elastically deformed portion 201h of the contact / release arm 201 on the drive side, as illustrated in FIG. 42 ( b) In this state, the second contact surface 203b of the drive-side pressing member 203 applies a force F41 to the first contact surface 201a of the contact / release arm 201 on the driving side. At this time, the second contact surface 203b of the device pressing member 203 on the drive side receives a reaction force F42. Now, the developing cartridge B1 is allowed to rotate in the directions of the arrow N5 and the arrow N6 with centering on the supported portion 201b, so that the developing cartridge B1 is moved by an external force for the force F41 in the direction of the arrow N5. Accordingly, the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10.

[00308] Further, when the drive-side presser member 203 moves in the direction of the arrow N7, the second contact surface 203b of the drive-side device presser 203 deforms the elastically deformed portion 201h of the contact / release arm 201 on the drive side, as illustrated in FIG. 42 ( c) In this state, the second contact surface 203b of the drive-side pressing member 203 applies a force F45 to the first contact surface 201a of the contact / release arm 201 on the driving side. At this time, the second contact surface 203b of the drive-side pressing member 203 receives the reaction force F46 from the first contact surface 201a of the contact / release arm 201 on the driving side. Since the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, and the spatial orientation of the developing cartridge B1 is set,

F45> F41

is fair, and the developing roller 13 is pressed under pressure to the photosensitive drum 10, as illustrated in FIG. 42 (c).

[00309] In the case of a separation of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13, the pressure member 203 of the device on the drive side moves in the direction of arrow N8, as illustrated in Fig. 42 (d). The first contact surface 203a of the actuator-side pressure member 203 is in contact with the second contact surface 201b of the contact / release arm 201 on the drive side.

[00310] Further, when the drive-side device pressing member 203 moves in the direction of the arrow N8, the first contact surface 203a of the drive-side device pressing member 203 applies a force F44 to the second contact surface 201b of the contact / separation arm 201 on the driving side when the elastically deformed part is deformed 201h of the contact / separation arm 201 on the drive side.

[00311] At this time, the first contact surface 203a of the drive-side pressing member 203 receives the reaction force F43 from the second contact surface 201b of the contact / release arm 201 on the driving side.

[00312] Now, the developing cartridge B1 is allowed to rotate in the directions of the arrow N5 and the arrow N6 with centering on the supported part 210b, so that the developing cartridge B1 is moved in the direction of the arrow N6 with centering on the supported part 210b, and the developing roller 13 is spaced from the photosensitive drum 10 .

[00313] Thus, the resiliently deformed portion 201h (resilient portion) and the portion (movable portion) having the first contact surface 201a and the second contact surface 201b are integrally formed as part of one element in the present embodiment. In particular, the contact / release lever 201 on the drive side is formed of a leaf spring. Accordingly, there is no need for a pressure spring 71 of the developing unit on the drive side (see FIG. 41 (a)) serving as a biasing member, which is a compression spring illustrated in the first embodiment. In this way, space can be provided so that the degree of freedom of constructive holding of the developing cartridge B1 is increased, or this leads to a reduction in size.

[00314] Additionally, the contact / release lever 201 on the drive side has a pressure-pressed surface (first contact surface 201a) and a divided surface (second contact surface 201b), as indicated in the first embodiment. The pressure-pressing surface (second contact surface 203b) and the separation surface (first contact surface 203a) of the pressure element 203 of the device on the drive side act on them, respectively. Accordingly, the contact state and the exploded state of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can be selected as necessary through one part, which is the contact / dividing lever 201 on the drive side. As a result, the configuration of the developing cartridge B1 can be simplified.

[00315] Although the drive side is typically described in the above description, the non-drive side may also have an identical configuration. In addition, the contact / release arm 201 on the drive side may be an element formed of an elastically deformed polymer material or the like.

[00316] In any of the above embodiments, a configuration can be applied in which the movable part and the elastic part of the present embodiment are integrally formed as one part of one element.

Fourth Embodiment

[00317] Next, a fourth embodiment to which the present invention is applied is described with reference to FIGS. 43 (a) and 43 (b). The placement of a portion of the contact / release arm that receives biasing force from the spring according to the present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiments. Descriptions that are not explained have a configuration identical to that of the first embodiment.

[00318] FIG. 43 are schematic diagrams in which a developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side is located on the opposite side of the line that passes through the center of the supported portion 301d of the contact / separation arm 301 on the drive side and is perpendicular to the direction of the arrow M1, which represents the protrusion direction of the first protrusion 301f, in the direction of the arrow M1.

[00319] As illustrated in FIG. 43 (a), the contact / separation lever 301 on the drive side has a first contact surface 301a, a second contact surface 301b, a third contact surface 301c, a supported portion 301d defining the contact portion 301e and the other end portion 301m . The contact / release lever 301 on the drive side is rotatably supported by the supporting portion 306b relative to the developing unit holder 306 on the drive side by the supported portion 301d.

[00320] The developing unit pressure spring 302 on the drive side is a compression spring in which one end portion 302d is in contact with the third contact surface 301c, while the other end portion 302e is in contact with the contact surface 306d provided in the holder 306 of the developing unit on the drive side.

[00321] Now, in a separate state of the developing cartridge B1, the contact / separation lever 301 on the drive side receives force in the third contact surface 301c, in the direction of arrow F30, from the pressure spring 302 of the developing unit on the drive side. At this time, rotation occurs in the direction of arrow N10 with centering on the supporting portion 306b, and the bounding contact portion 301e contacts the bounding portion 306e of the developing unit holder 306 on the drive side.

[00322] In addition, the developing cartridge B1 is positioned by the swinging guide 310 on the drive side, which is supported so that it swings in the directions of arrow N5 and arrow N6 with centering on the supported side plate portion 310b on the drive side (omitted from the illustration) . The non-drive side is also identical, so that the developing cartridge B1 can rotate in the directions of arrow N5 and arrow N6 with centering on the supported portion 310b.

[00323] The first contact surface 303a and the second contact surface 303b are provided in the pressure member 303 of the device on the drive side, allowing smooth movement in the directions of arrow N7 and arrow N8.

[00324] In the case of pressure pressing of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13, the pressure member 303 of the device on the drive side moves in the direction of arrow N7. The second contact surface 303b of the drive-side pressing member 303 then comes into contact with the first contact surface 301a of the contact / release arm 301 on the drive side. The contact / separation lever 301 on the drive side can rotate with centering on the supporting part 306b, so that the contact / separation lever 301 on the drive side rotates in the direction N20, and the bounding contact part 301e is separated from the bounding part 306e.

[00325] At this time, the third contact surface 301c of the contact / separation lever 301 on the drive side receives the biasing force F30 of the developing unit compression spring 302 on the drive side, and a torque M10 in the direction of the arrow N10 acts on the contact / separation lever 301 on the drive side. At this time, the second contact surface 303b of the device pressure member 303 on the drive side and the first contact surface 301a of the contact / release arm 301 on the drive side are in contact. Accordingly, the first contact surface 301a of the contact / release lever 301 on the drive side receives a force F32 from the second contact surface 303b of the pressure element 303 of the device on the drive side, so that the moment balanced with the moment M10 must act on the contact / release lever 301 on the drive side . Accordingly, this means that an external force force F32 acts on the developing cartridge B1.

[00326] Further, the developing cartridge B1 is allowed to rotate in the directions of the arrow N5 and the arrow N6 with centering on the supported portion 310b, so that the developing cartridge B1 moves in the direction of the arrow N5 due to an external force for the force F32. At this time, the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. The rotational orientation in space in the direction of the arrow N5 of the developing cartridge B1 is determined by the developing roller 13 in contact with the photosensitive drum 10.

[00327] Further, when the drive side pressure member 303 moves in the direction of the arrow N7, the contact / release lever 301 on the drive side rotates in the direction N20 with centering on the supporting portion 306b, since the developing cartridge B1 cannot rotate in the direction of the arrow N5. The third contact surface 301c of the contact / separation arm 301 on the drive side then receives the biasing force F31 of the developing unit compression spring 302 on the drive side (see FIG. 43 (b)).

[00328] Now, the pressure spring 302 of the developing unit on the drive side is further compressed, so that:

F31> F30

is fair. The developing cartridge B1 no longer allows rotation in the direction of the arrow N5, so that the developing roller 13 is pressed under pressure to the photosensitive drum 10.

[00329] If the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are separated, the pressure member 303 of the device on the drive side moves in the direction of arrow N8, and the first contact surface 303a comes into contact with the second contact surface 301b. The contact / release lever 301 on the drive side is allowed to rotate in the direction of arrow N10, centered on the support portion 306b, so that the limit contact portion 301e is in contact with the limit portion 306e of the holder 306, and the contact / release lever 301 on the drive side is positioned.

[00330] When the drive-side pressing member 303 moves further in the direction of arrow N8, the developing cartridge B1 can rotate in the directions of arrow N5 and arrows N6 with centering on the supported portion 310b, so that the developing cartridge B1 moves in the direction of arrow N6 with centering on supported part 310b. The developing roller 13 is then spaced from the photosensitive drum 10.

[00331] In the present embodiment, the distance between the first contact surface 301a (force receiving part) and the third contact surface 301c (force receiving displacement part) exceeds the distance between the first contact surface 301a and the supported part 301d when viewed from the direction of rotation of the developing roller 13, as illustrated in FIGS. 43 (a) and 43 (b). Accordingly, the degree of freedom for accommodating the positioning of an element equivalent to the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side serving as the biasing element, which is the compression spring described in the first embodiment, is increased, so that the freedom of structural accommodation is also increased.

[00332] Additionally, the contact / release lever 301 on the drive side has a pressure-pressed surface (first contact surface 301a) and a divided surface (second contact surface 301g), as described in the first embodiment. The pressure-pressing surface (second contact surface 303b) and the separation surface (first contact surface 303a) of the pressure element 303 of the device on the drive side act on them, respectively. Accordingly, the contact state and the exploded state of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can be selected as necessary through one part, which is a contact / dividing lever 301 on the drive side. As a result, the configuration of the developing cartridge B1 can be simplified.

[00333] The following configuration may be specified as a modification of the fourth embodiment. In the present modification, the bounding portion 336b is provided in the developing unit holder 336 on the drive side, as illustrated in FIG. 54. The position of the compression spring 71 is identical to the first embodiment in the present embodiment, with the configuration in which the protrusion 360b (the limited part) is provided opposite the supporting part 36c so that the protrusion 360b comes into contact with the limiting part 336b. The configuration in which the bias force from the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side is received in the biasing force receiving portion 370c is identical to the configuration in the first embodiment.

[00334] According to the present embodiment, the freedom of accommodating the bounding portion 336b in the developing unit holder 336 on the drive side is increased. Increasing the distance from the supporting portion 36c provides the ability to reduce the force exerted on the bounding portion 336b, suppressing container deformation. In other words, the relationship between the first contact surface 370a pressed under pressure from the second contact surface 150b of the device pressing member 150 on the drive side, the supporting part 36c and the protrusion 360b is as follows. The distance between the first contact surface 370a and the protrusion 360b is greater than the distance between the first contact surface 370a and the supporting portion 36c when viewed from the axial direction of the developing roller 13. Although the drive side is typically described in the above description, the non-drive side may also have the same configuration.

[00335] Furthermore, the placement of the third contact surface 301c (force receiving part) according to the present embodiment and / or the limiting part 336b according to the present modification can be applied to any of the above embodiments.

Fifth Embodiment

[00336] Next, a fifth embodiment to which the present invention is applied is described with reference to FIG. 50. Such an aspect of the present embodiment that the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side is located on the non-drive side of only the developing cartridge B1 is different from the above embodiments. Descriptions that are not explained have a configuration identical to that of the first embodiment.

[00337] The contact / release lever 70 on the drive side and the pressure spring 71 of the developing unit on the driving side are not provided on the driving side of the developing cartridge B1 according to the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 50 (dashed line portion). On the other hand, the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side and the pressure spring 73 of the developing unit on the non-drive side (omitted from the illustration) are provided only on the non-drive side. In other words, the contact / dividing lever 72 on the non-drive side and the pressure spring 73 of the developing unit on the non-driving side are located only on the side on which the connecting member 180 of the frame of the developing unit is not located relative to the direction of rotation of the developing roller 13. It should be noted that the side on which the connecting element 180 of the frame of the developing unit is not located relative to the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller 13, means the side from the middle of the cartridge B1, on which the connecting the element 180 is not located relative to the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller 13.

[00338] The connecting member 180 rotates in the direction of the arrow X6 on the drive side, as illustrated in FIG. The developing cartridge B1, which receives its rotational force, swings centered on the supporting part 90c (see FIG. 27 (a)) in the direction of the arrow N6 illustrated in FIG. 27 (a) as a unit with the swinging guide 80 on the drive side. When there is sufficient moment in direction N6 generated by the driving force received by the connecting member 180, this is only enough to press the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 on the drive side under pressure.

[00339] On the other hand, the moment in the N6 direction generated by the driving force received by the connecting member 180 obtained on the non-drive side is not as large as the moment on the drive side, so that the configuration uses the contact / isolating lever 72 on the non-drive side identical to the first embodiment.

[00340] A configuration according to the present embodiment in which the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side is provided only on the non-drive side can be applied to any of the above embodiments. The use of the present embodiment makes it possible to realize reduced costs by reducing the number of parts by lowering the contact / dividing arm 70 on the drive side.

Sixth Embodiment

[00341] Next, a sixth embodiment to which the present invention is applied is described with reference to FIGS. 51 (a) -52 (b). An aspect of the present embodiment is that a first power receiving part that receives force when the developer roller 13 is brought into contact is provided at only one end of the cartridge B1, and a second force receiving part that receives force when the developer roller 13 is spaced apart is provided only at the other end, different from the above embodiments. Descriptions that are not explained have a configuration identical to that of the first embodiment.

[00342] FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating a developing roller 13 in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. FIG. 51 (a) is a diagram illustrating a contact / separation lever 170 on the drive side and a holder 236 on the drive side that supports it and FIG. 51 (b) is a diagram illustrating a contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side and a holder 246 of a developing unit on the non-drive side that supports it.

[00343] The contact / release lever 170 on the drive side is rotatably supported by a holder 236 on the drive side, which is the other end relative to the direction of rotation of the developing roller 13, as illustrated in FIG. However, a pressure spring 71 of the developing unit on the drive side, for example, illustrated in the first embodiment, is not provided. Accordingly, when the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side moves in the direction of arrow N7, the contact / release lever 170 on the drive side rotates in a counterclockwise direction with centering on the supporting portion 236c. However, the force pressing the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 cannot be applied to the developing unit holder 236 on the drive side to operate the contact / separation arm 170 on the drive side. However, the drive side takes the moment in the direction that brings the developing roller 13 into contact with the photosensitive drum 10 due to the reception of the driving force by the connecting member 180, similarly to the fifth embodiment. Accordingly, the developing roller 13 can be pressed under pressure to the photosensitive drum 10 by this moment.

[00344] On the other hand, the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side, identical to the first embodiment, is provided on the non-drive side, which is the other end relative to the direction of rotation of the developing roller 13. The first contact surface 72a of the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive the side is pressed by the compression spring 73 of the developing unit on the non-drive side by pressing by the pressing member 151 of the device on the non-drive side, which moves Xia towards N7, and rotation, due to this pressing pressure of the developing roller 13 to the photosensitive drum 10.

[00345] FIG. 52 is diagrams illustrating a developing roller 13 spaced from the photosensitive drum 10.

[00346] The drive side pressure member 150 moving in the direction of arrow N8 brings the contact / release lever 170 on the drive side into contact with a restriction portion 236b of the developing unit holder 236 on the drive side. The drive-side pressure member 150, further moving in the direction of arrow N8, presses the divided portion 170g of the contact / separation arm 170 on the drive side, which moves the developing cartridge B1 and spacing the developing roller 13 from the photosensitive drum 10.

[00347] It should be noted that a configuration may be defined in which the contact / separation lever 170 on the drive side is attached to the holder 236 on the drive side, or a part equivalent to the divided part 170g may be integral with the holder 236 of the developing unit on the drive side .

[00348] On the other hand, the non-drive side does not have a limiting portion 46e for the contact / dividing arm 72 on the non-drive side, illustrated in the first embodiment. Accordingly, moving the device pressure member 151 on the non-drive side in the direction of arrow N8 only rotates the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side in a clockwise direction with centering on the supporting portion 246f, and does not act to span the developing roller 13 from the photosensitive drum 10 The compression spring 73 of the developing unit on the non-drive side has a natural length at this time. The pressure spring 73 of the developing unit on the non-drive side can be separated from the contact / separation arm 72 on the non-drive side at this time.

[00349] However, a spacing force is received on the drive side, so that spacing can also be performed on the non-drive side by setting the rigidity of the holder 236 on the drive side to a certain level or higher. During this spacing, the developing roller 13 may be spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 10 in an inclined manner. In other words, the developing roller 13 is significantly spaced from the photosensitive drum 10 on the drive side, but the spacing value on the non-drive side is less than on the drive side. Accordingly, the stiffness of the holder 236 on the drive side is increased so that the spacing value is equal to or higher than the minimum value for the spacing amount required between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10. Thus, the first force receiving portion (first contact surface 72a) that receives force during contacting of the developing roller 13 is provided at only one end of the cartridge B1 in the present embodiment. Further, the reception force of the second force receiving part (divided part 170 g) when the developing roller 13 is spaced apart is provided only at the other end of the cartridge B1. In other words, two parts (the first power receiving part and the second power receiving part) that receive power from different directions (opposite directions) from the main body of the device, which are the force when the developing roller 13 is brought into contact and the force during the development of the developing roller 13 are provided in the developing cartridge B1. Additionally, these two parts (the first power receiving part and the second power receiving part) are provided at one end and the other end of the developing cartridge B1, with respect to the direction of rotation axis of the developing roller 13.

[00350] The configuration of the first power receiving part and the second power receiving part according to the present embodiment can also be applied to any of the above embodiments, except for the fifth embodiment.

[00351] According to the present embodiment, the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side becomes optional, so that reduced costs can be realized in comparison with the first embodiment. In addition, the magnitude of the movement of the developing cartridge B1 upon spacing may be smaller on the non-drive side, so that wear on the swing guide 81 on the non-drive side supporting movable development of the developing cartridge B1 can be suppressed.

Seventh Embodiment

[00352] Next, a seventh embodiment to which the present invention is applied is described with reference to FIG. Descriptions that are not explained have a configuration identical to that of the first embodiment.

[00353] In the first embodiment, a configuration is described in which the contact / separation lever 70 on the drive side and the contact / separation lever 72 on the non-drive side are held in a holding state between the limiting portions 36b and 46e and the pressure springs 71 and 73. However, a configuration may be specified in which the contact / separation arm 270 on the drive side is not positioned between the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side and the restriction portion 36b (can also be set identically normal configuration on the non-drive side), as illustrated in FIG. According to this configuration, the application can be specified for a case in which the mean free path of the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side is small.

[00354] The separation arm 270 comes into contact with the restriction portion 36b due to the action of moving the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side in the N7 direction (see FIG. 28). The release lever 270 also compresses the compression spring 171 due to the movement in the N8 direction. Now, the restriction portion 36b is provided at a position in which it can restrict the movement of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side away from the developing roller 13.

[00355] The configuration of the present embodiment can be applied to any of the above embodiments.

Eighth Embodiment

[00356] The eighth embodiment to which the present invention is applied is described below with reference to FIGS. 55 (a) to 56 (b). The configuration of the connector according to the present embodiment is different from the configuration in the above embodiments. Descriptions that are not explained have a configuration identical to that of the first embodiment.

[00357] In the first embodiment, the connecting member 180 may engage with the main body drive member 100 that rotates, and the connecting member 180 may be engaged from the main body drive member 100 that rotates without providing a clutch mechanism on the side of the apparatus main body A1. With regard to a specific configuration for this purpose, it is achieved by means of a configuration in which the connecting element 180 can be inclined.

[00358] The present embodiment describes a connection configuration that can engage and disengage the main body drive element 100 that rotates without providing a clutch mechanism on the side of the main body A1 of the device, similar to the first embodiment.

[00359] FIG. 55 (a) is a perspective view illustrating a connecting member 280 provided in a developing cartridge B2 according to the present embodiment. The side cover 34 of the developing unit is omitted from the illustration. 55 (b) is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a connecting member 280 is assembled.

[00360] The connecting member 280 is configured to allow extension and retraction in the direction of the rotation axis L2 of the connecting member 280 in the driving input gear 127. The biasing member 130 is located between the connecting member 280 and the driving input gear 127, and the connecting member 280 is constantly shifted to the outside in the direction of the axis L2. The rotational force receiving portions 280a1 and 280a2 provided in the connecting member 280 receive the driving force from the drive element 100 on the side of the main body (see FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (e)). Additionally, the rotational force transmitting parts 280c1 and 280c2 transmit the driving to the developing roller 13 by transmitting the driving force to the rotational force transmitting parts 127d1 and 127d2 of the driving input gear 127.

[00361] An outer conical surface 280e is provided on the top side of the connecting member 280. This part coming into contact with the end face of the top of the drive element 100 on the side of the main body (see Fig. 8 (a) -8 (e)) leads to retracting inwardly in the direction of the axis L2 and engaging with the drive element 100 on the side of the main body. The conical portion 280g is provided on the inner side of the outer conical surface 280e, identical to the first embodiment, so that coming into contact with the end surface of the top of the drive element 100 on the side of the main body causes it to be pulled inward in the direction of the axis L2 and disengaged from the drive element 100 by side of the main body, in a similar way.

[00362] According to the above configuration, engagement and disengagement with / from the drive element 100 of the main body, which rotates, is provided without providing a clutch mechanism to the side of the main body A1 of the device.

[00363] A contact / release lever 70 on the drive side and a pressure spring 71 of the developing unit on the drive side are also provided identically to the first embodiment.

[00364] FIG. 56 (a) is a front view of the present embodiment, and FIG. 56 (b) is a cross-sectional view along A-A in FIG. 56 (a).

[00365] The connecting element 280 is supported by the biasing element 130 so that it can move in the direction of the axis L2. The cylindrical outer diameter portion 280h (smoothly moving portion) provided in the connecting member 280 is supported to smoothly move in the cylindrical portion 136h along the inner diameter (smoothly moving portion) in the holder 136 of the developing unit on the drive side.

[00366] As illustrated in FIG. 56 (b), the outer diameter cylindrical part 280h (the infinitely moving part) and the inner diameter cylindrical part 136h (the infinitely moving part) overlap at least partially with the developing spring 71 node on the drive side in the direction of the axis L2. Accordingly, a moment can be suppressed which twists the holder of the developing unit on the drive side, formed by the force generated by the pressure spring 71 of the developing unit on the drive side, and which affects the deformation of the relatively smoothly moving parts 280h and 136h. Thus, it is possible to prevent the extension and retraction of the connecting element 280 in the direction of the axis L2.

[00367] In addition, a plane L2X orthogonal to the bias direction L2 of the biasing member 130 must be defined. Thus, the angle θ formed by the biasing direction L4 of the developing spring of the developing unit on the drive side and the plane L2X is preferably in a range of −45 ° ≤θ≤ + 45 ° (-45 ° or more, but + 45 ° or less). Additionally, it is preferably −10 ° ≤θ≤ + 10 ° (-10 ° or more, but + 10 ° or less). Most preferably, it is θ≈0 ° (0 ° or practically 0 °). Thus, the influence that the biasing member 130 has on the biasing force of the developing spring 71 of the developing unit on the drive side can be suppressed. In other words, while the connecting member 280 receives the drive transmission from the driving member 100 on the side of the main body, the biasing member 130 is constantly in a biased state. At this time, the effect on the developing spring pressure spring 71 on the drive side is reduced if the force component formed by the biasing member 130 does not act very strongly in the direction of the developing spring pressure spring 71 on the drive side, and the accuracy of the compression force under pressure is improved.

[00368] The configuration of the connecting member 280 according to the present embodiment can be applied to any of the above embodiments, and the relationship between the biasing directions L4 and L2 can be implemented similarly to the present embodiment.

Ninth Embodiment

[00369] The ninth embodiment to which the present invention is applied is described below with reference to FIGS. 57 (a) and 57 (b). The present embodiment differs from the above embodiments with respect to such an aspect that it does not have a limiting part. Descriptions that are not explained have a configuration identical to that of the first embodiment.

[00370] The cartridge B1 according to the present embodiment does not have an equivalent restricting portion 36b in the first embodiment provided in the developing unit holder 436 on the drive side. Accordingly, the spring force 471 is used in the case of a spacing of the developing roller 13 from the photosensitive drum 10.

[00371] One end of the spring 471, which is a spiral torsion spring, engages the developer assembly holder 436 on the drive side by holding the developer assembly holder 436 between the engaging portions 436d1 and 436d2 on the drive side, as illustrated in FIGS. 57 (a) and 57 (b). On the other hand, the other end of the spring 471 engages the contact / release lever 470 on the drive side by holding the contact / release lever 470 on the drive side between the engaging portions 470c1 and 470c2.

[00372] Fig. 57 (a) is a diagram illustrating a state in which a developing roller 13 is in contact with a photosensitive drum omitted from the illustration. The first contact surface 470a of the contact / release arm 470 on the drive side is pressed in the N7 direction by the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side, so that the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum in a state in which the spring 471 is compressed. At this time, one end of the spring 471 is adjacent to the engaging portion 436d1, and the other end of the spring 471 is adjacent to the engaging portion 470c1, so that the contact / release lever 470 on the drive side receives biasing force from the spring 471 through the engaging portion 470c1. Accordingly, proper contact pressure can be maintained between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum.

[00373] Fig. 57 (b) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the developing roller 13 is spaced apart from the photosensitive drum. The pressing of the divided part 470g of the contact / separation arm 470 on the drive side by means of the clamping member 150 of the device on the drive side in the N8 direction causes one end of the spring 471 to adjoin the engaging part 436d2 and the other end of the spring 471 to adjoin the engaging part 470c2. Accordingly, the spring 471 is in a state of stretching beyond its natural length.

[00374] Thus, the resilience of the spring 471 can be used to move the developing unit holder 436 on the drive side, which moves in the separation direction of the developing roller 13 from the photosensitive drum. Thus, the developing roller can be spaced apart from the photosensitive drum by using the spring force of the spring by stretching the spring beyond its natural length.

[00375] The configuration of the present embodiment can be applied to any of the above embodiments.

Other questions

[00376] It should be noted that in the above embodiments, a configuration is provided in which the developing cartridge B1 or B2 and the drum cartridge C are separated. In other words, a configuration is provided in which a developing device is formed as a cartridge, as a developing cartridge B1 or B2, spaced from the photosensitive drum 10 and mounted / disconnected to / from the main body of the device for the image forming apparatus. However, the above-described embodiments are applicable to configurations other than those indicated.

[00377] For example, each configuration of the above embodiments is applicable to a configuration in which the developing cartridge B1 or B2 and the drum cartridge C are not separated. In other words, it may be a configuration in which a process cartridge configured by rotatingly attaching a developing cartridge B1 or B2 (developing device) to the drum cartridge C is mounted / disconnected to / from the main body of the image forming apparatus. In other words, the process cartridge has a photosensitive drum 10 and a developing device. This process cartridge has a first movable member 120 and a second movable member 121, identical to each of the embodiments.

[00378] An example of a process cartridge is described below. 49 (a) and 49 (b) are diagrams of a process cartridge BC installed in the apparatus main body A2 when viewed from the rotation axis of the developing roller 13. FIG. 49 (a) illustrates a state in which the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, and FIG. 49 (b) illustrates a state in which the developing roller 13 is spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 10.

[00379] Fig. 49 illustrates a pressure member 150 of a device on the drive side as part of a device main body A2. The main body A2 of the device has a configuration identical to the configuration of the main body A1 of the device described in the above embodiments, except for the aspect of having a guiding element (omitted from the illustration) to guide the installation / detachment of the process cartridge BC, and such that there is no swinging rail 80 on the drive side or rocker rail 81 on the non-drive side. The non-drive side device pressing member 151 identical to the non-driving side device pressing member 151 in the device main body A1 is provided on the non-drive side of the device main body A2, as would be expected.

[00380] The BC process cartridge mainly has a developing unit holder 536 on the drive side, serving as a developing unit frame, supporting a photosensitive member frame 521 and a connecting element 180. The developing unit holder 536 on the driving side supports the developing roller 13, a contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side and contact / isolating lever 72 on the non-drive side (omitted from the illustration). The configuration of the developer-side holder 536 on the drive side is identical to the developer-holder 36 on the drive side in the embodiments described above, except that it has a sleeve 536a rotatably supported by a slot 521a of the photosensitive member support frame 521, so that details of identical parts should be omitted. The photosensitive member support frame 521 supports the photosensitive drum 10.

[00381] The developer-side holder 536 on the drive side can rotate relative to the photosensitive member support frame 521, with the sleeve 536a as the center of rotation, due to the support of the sleeve 536a through the slot 521a. The holder 536 of the developing unit on the drive side is biased in the direction in which the developing roller 13 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 10 by means of a spring not shown connected from it to the supporting frame 521 of the photosensitive element. It should be noted that the slot 521a may be a circular hole.

[00382] In a state in which the process cartridge BC is installed in the apparatus main body A2, the photosensitive member supporting frame 521 is positioned by the positioning portion of the apparatus main body A2 not shown and secured so that it does not move. The first contact surface 70a of the contact / release arm 70 on the drive side is pressed by the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side on the drive side, whereby the developer holder 536 on the drive side rotates counterclockwise, with the sleeve 536a as the center of rotation, as illustrated in Fig. 49 (a). Accordingly, the developing roller 13 may be brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 10.

[00383] Furthermore, the divided portion 70g of the contact / separation arm 70 on the drive side is pressed by the pressure member 150 of the device on the drive side on the drive side, whereby the developer holder 536 on the drive side rotates clockwise, with the sleeve 536a as the center of rotation, as illustrated in FIG. 49 (b). Accordingly, the developing roller 13 can be spaced from the photosensitive drum 10.

[00384] Thus, in any of the above embodiments, a configuration can be specified in which the developing cartridge B1 or B2 is replaced by the process cartridge BC.

[00385] The invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made thereto. Therefore, to publish the scope of the invention, the following claims are appended.

[00386] This application claims the priority of Japanese patent applications No. 2014-242577, filed November 28, 2014, 2014-242602, filed November 28, 2014, 2014-242578, filed November 28, 2014, 2014-242601, filed November 28, 2014 years, and 2015-231356, filed November 27, 2015, which are hereby fully contained in this document by reference.

Reference Positions

[00387] 13 - development roller

16 - developing container

34 - side cover of the developing site

36 - holder of the developing unit on the drive side

46 - holder of the developing unit on the non-drive side

70 - contact / separation lever on the drive side

71 - spring of the developing unit on the drive side

72 - contact / separation lever on the non-drive side

73 - pressure spring of the developing unit on the non-drive side

A1 - the main unit of the device

B1 - developing cartridge

Claims (382)

1. The cartridge, which can be installed in the image forming device in the main node of the device, and the cartridge contains: developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part supported to be movable by the frame and moved to the first position and to the second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part with the ability to compress the movable part, wherein the movable part includes a first force receiving part that receives force from the main assembly of the device in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position, and a second power receiving part that receives force from the main assembly of the device in the direction of travel from the second position in the first position, and when the movable part receives force from the main assembly of the device in the first power receiving part and is in the second position, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part in the direction of movement of the movable part from the second position to the first position. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, in which the frame has a limiting part, which is in contact with the movable part in the first position. 3. The cartridge according to claim 2, in which, when the movable part does not accept force in the first part receiving the force, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part and adjoins the bounding part in the first position. 4. The cartridge according to claim 1, additionally containing: a drive input element for receiving a rotational force input in order to rotate the developing roller, wherein the developing roller is located on one end side of the frame and the first power-receiving part of the movable part is located on the other end side of the frame, relative to the first direction parallel to the straight line connecting the center of rotation of the developing roller and the center of rotation of the drive input element when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis developing roller. 5. The cartridge according to claim 4, in which the frame has a contact part of the recording medium that can be contacted with it through the recording medium transported through the inside of the main assembly of the device, the contact part of the recording medium being closer to the developing roller than the first receiving part parts, relative to the first direction, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the movable portion includes a supported portion rotatably supported by a frame. 7. The cartridge according to claim 6, in which the distance between the supported part and the part for receiving the compressive force from the elastic part of the movable part is less than the distance between the supported part and the first part receiving force when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 8. The cartridge according to claim 6, in which the frame has a part for containing the developer, which holds the developer, and wherein the center of rotation of the movable part is located in a position overlapping the part for accommodating the developer when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 9. The cartridge according to claim 1, additionally containing: electrode section for electrical connection with the main node of the device, wherein the surface of the electrode portion is accessible from the cartridge and intersects the direction of movement in which the first force-receiving portion of the movable portion moves when the movable portion moves from the first position to the second position. 10. The cartridge according to claim 1, additionally containing: another movable part supported by the frame in such a way that it can be moved independently of the above movable part; and another elastic part provided between the frame and another movable part with the ability to compress another movable part. 11. The cartridge of claim 10, further comprising: a drive input element for receiving a rotational force input in order to rotate the developing roller, while the movable part is supported on the side of the frame on which the drive input element is located, and the above other movable part is supported on the side of the frame on which the drive input element is not located, relative to the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller, moreover, the compressive force of the elastic part is less than the compressive force of the other elastic part. 12. The cartridge of claim 10, in which the movable part has a first protrusion protruding outside the frame, and the above other movable part has a second protrusion protruding outside the frame. 13. The cartridge according to item 12, in which the first protrusion is accessible from the frame when viewed from one end side along the direction of rotation of the developing roller and the second protrusion is accessible from the frame when viewed from the other end side along the direction of rotation of the developer roller. 14. The cartridge of claim 10, in which the movable part moves in a plane orthogonal to the direction of the axis of rotation, and the above other movable part moves in another plane orthogonal to the direction of the axis of rotation. 15. The cartridge according to claim 1, in which the movable part has a protrusion protruding beyond the frame, and the protrusion has a section that is curved to the side of the developing roller, and a second force-receiving part provided in the curved section. 16. The cartridge according to claim 1, in which in the state in which the cartridge is installed in the main assembly of the device, the developing roller is in a contact position in contact with the photosensitive member when the movable part receives force from the main assembly of the device in the first power receiving part and is in the second position, and the developing roller is in an exploded position spaced from the photosensitive member when the movable part is in the first position and receives force from the main assembly of the device in the second receiving strength parts. 17. The cartridge according to claim 1, in which the movable part and the elastic part are formed as a single unit. 18. The cartridge, which can be installed in the image forming device in the main node of the device, and the cartridge contains: developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part supported to be movable by the frame in such a way that it can move to the first position and to the second position relative to the frame; an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part and configured to compress the movable part; and electrode section for electrical connection with the main node of the device, wherein the movable part includes a force receiving part that receives force in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position, and when the movable part receives force in the force receiving part and is in the second position, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part in the direction of movement of the movable part from the second position to the first position, moreover, the surface of the electrode portion is accessible from the cartridge and intersects the direction of movement in which the receiving part of the movable part moves when the movable part moves from the first position to the second position. 19. The cartridge of claim 18, wherein the frame has a bounding portion that contacts the movable portion in a first position. 20. The cartridge according to claim 19, in which, when the movable part does not accept force in the receiving part, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part and adjoins the bounding part in the first position. 21. The cartridge of claim 18, further comprising: a drive input element for receiving a rotational force input in order to rotate the developing roller, wherein the developing roller is located on one end side of the frame and the receiving part of the movable part is located on the other end side of the frame, relative to the first direction parallel to the straight line connecting the center of rotation of the developing roller and the center of rotation of the drive input element, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 22. The cartridge according to item 21, in which the frame has a contact part of the recording medium, allowing contact with it through the recording medium transported through the inner part of the main node of the device, and the contact part of the recording medium is closer to the developing roller than the receiving part of the movable part , relative to the first direction, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 23. The cartridge of claim 18, wherein the movable portion includes a supported portion rotatably supported by a frame. 24. The cartridge according to item 23, in which the distance between the supported part and the part receiving the compressive force from the elastic part of the movable part is less than the distance between the supported part and the force receiving part when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 25. The cartridge of claim 23, wherein the frame has a developer accommodating portion that accommodates the developer, and wherein the center of rotation of the movable part is located in a position overlapping the part for accommodating the developer when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 26. The cartridge of claim 18, further comprising: another movable part supported by the frame in such a way that it can be moved independently of the above movable part; and another resilient part provided between the frame and the aforementioned other movable part and compressing the aforementioned other movable part. 27. The cartridge of claim 26, further comprising: a drive input element for receiving a rotational force input in order to rotate the developing roller, while the movable part is supported on the side of the frame on which the drive input element is located, and the above other movable part is supported on the side of the frame on which the drive input element is not located, relative to the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller, moreover, the compressive force of the elastic part is less than the compressive force of the aforementioned other elastic part. 28. The cartridge according to p. 26, in which the movable part has a first protrusion protruding outside the frame, and the above other movable part has a second protrusion protruding outside the frame. 29. The cartridge of claim 28, wherein the first protrusion is accessible from the frame when viewed from one end side along the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller and the second protrusion is accessible from the frame when viewed from the other end side along the direction of rotation of the axis of the developing roller. 30. The cartridge according to p, in which the movable part moves in a plane orthogonal to the direction of the axis of rotation, and the above other movable part moves in another plane orthogonal to the direction of the axis of rotation. 31. The cartridge of claim 18, wherein the movable portion has a protrusion protruding beyond the frame, the protrusion having a portion curved to a side of the developing roller. 32. The cartridge of claim 18, further comprising: another force receiving part for receiving force in the direction of movement from the second position to the first position, wherein in the state in which the cartridge is installed in the main assembly of the device, the developing roller is in a contact position in contact with the photosensitive member when the movable part receives force from the main assembly of the device in the receiving part and is in the second position, and the developing roller is in an exploded position spaced apart from the photosensitive member when the movable part is in the first position and receives power from the main assembly of the device in the aforementioned other power receiving part. 33. The cartridge of claim 18, wherein the movable portion and the elastic portion are formed as a unit. 34. A cartridge that can be installed in the imaging device in the main node of the device, and the cartridge contains: developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a first movable part and a second movable part supported to be movable by the frame and independently movable to the first position and the second position relative to the frame; and the first elastic part provided between the frame and the first movable part with the ability to compress the first movable part, and the second elastic part provided between the frame and the second movable part with the ability to compress the second movable part, wherein the first and second movable parts, each, include a force receiving part that receives force in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position, moreover, when the first and second movable parts take force in the power receiving part and are in the second positions, the first and second movable parts respectively receive the compressive forces from the first and second elastic parts in the direction of movement of the first and second movable parts from the second position to the first position, and wherein the first movable part has a first protrusion protruding beyond the frame, and the second movable part has a second protrusion protruding beyond the frame. 35. The cartridge according to clause 34, in which the frame has first and second limiting parts that are in contact with the first and second movable parts in the first position. 36. The cartridge according to clause 35, in which, when the movable parts do not take force in the receiving parts, the first and second movable parts respectively receive the compressive force from the first and second elastic parts and are adjacent to the first and second limiting parts in the first position. 37. The cartridge of claim 34, further comprising: a drive input element for receiving a rotational force input in order to rotate the developing roller, wherein the developing roller is located on one end side of the frame and the power-receiving parts of the first and second movable parts are located on the other end side of the frame, relative to the first direction parallel to the straight line connecting the center of rotation of the developing roller and the center of rotation of the drive input element, when viewed in the direction axis of rotation of the developing roller. 38. The cartridge according to clause 37, in which the frame has a contact part of the recording medium, allowing contact with it through the recording medium transported through the inner part of the main node of the device, and the contact part of the recording medium is closer to the developing roller than the receiving parts of the first and the second movable parts, relative to the first direction, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 39. The cartridge of claim 34, wherein the first and second moveable parts each include a supported part rotatably supported by a frame. 40. The cartridge of claim 39, wherein the distance between the supported parts of the first and second movable parts and the parts receiving the compressive force from the first and second elastic parts of the first and second movable parts is less than the distance between the supported parts of the first and second movable parts and receiving parts of the first and second movable parts, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 41. The cartridge of claim 39, wherein the frame has a developer accommodating portion that accommodates the developer, and wherein the centers of rotation of the first and second movable parts are located in positions overlapping the part for accommodating the developer when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 42. The cartridge of claim 34, further comprising: a drive input element for receiving a rotational force input in order to rotate the developing roller, wherein the first movable part is supported on the side of the frame on which the drive input element is located, and the second movable part is supported on the side of the frame on which the drive input element is not located, relative to the direction of rotation axis of the developing roller, moreover, the compressive force of the first elastic part is less than the compressive force of the second elastic part. 43. The cartridge according to clause 34, in which the first protrusion is accessible from the frame when viewed from one end side along the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller and the second protrusion is accessible from the frame when viewed from the other end side along the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 44. The cartridge of claim 34, wherein the first movable portion moves in a plane orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis, and the second movable portion moves in another plane orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis. 45. The cartridge according to clause 34, in which the first and second protrusions have a section curved to the side of the developing roller. 46. The cartridge of claim 34, wherein the first and second movable parts include another force receiving part that receives force in the direction of travel from the second position to the first position, and however, in the state in which the cartridge is installed in the main assembly of the device, the developing roller is in a contact position in contact with the photosensitive member when the first and second movable parts receive force from the main assembly of the device in the receiving parts and are in the second position, and the developing the roller is in an exploded position spaced from the photosensitive member from the contact position when the first and second movable parts are in the first position and receive force from the main unit Other parts of the aforementioned force. 47. The cartridge according to clause 34, in which the first movable part and the first elastic part are formed as a whole and the second movable part and the second elastic part are formed as a whole. 48. A cartridge that can be installed in the imaging device in the main node of the device, and the cartridge contains: developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; the first movable part and the second movable part supported by the frame so that they can independently move to the first position and the second position relative to the frame; a first elastic part provided between the frame and the first movable part with the ability to compress the first movable part, and a second elastic part provided between the frame and the second movable part with the ability to compress the second movable part; and a drive input element for receiving a rotational force input in order to rotate the developing roller, wherein the first and second movable parts, each, include a force receiving part that receives force in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position, and, when the first and second movable parts take the force in the power receiving part and are in the second position, the first and second movable parts take the compressive force from the first and second elastic parts in the direction of movement of the first and second movable parts from the second position to the first position, moreover, the first movable part is supported on the side of the frame on which the drive input element is located, and the second movable part is supported on the side of the frame on which the drive input element is not located, relative to the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller, and wherein the compressive force of the first elastic part is less than the compressive force of the second elastic part. 49. The cartridge of claim 48, wherein the frame has first and second limiting portions that are in contact with the first and second movable portions in a first position. 50. The cartridge of claim 49, wherein when the movable parts do not receive force in the force receiving parts, the first and second movable parts respectively receive the compressive force from the first and second elastic parts and are adjacent to the first and second limiting parts in the first position. 51. The cartridge of claim 48, further comprising: a drive input element for receiving a rotational force input in order to rotate the developing roller, wherein the developing roller is located on one end side of the frame and the power-receiving parts of the first and second movable parts are located on the other end side of the frame, relative to the first direction parallel to the straight line connecting the center of rotation of the developing roller and the center of rotation of the drive input element, when viewed in the direction axis of rotation of the developing roller. 52. The cartridge of claim 51, wherein the frame has a contact portion of the recording medium capable of being contacted therethrough by the recording medium transported through the interior of the main assembly of the device, the contact portion of the recording medium being closer to the developing roller than the force-receiving portions of the first and the second movable parts, relative to the first direction, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 53. The cartridge of claim 48, wherein the first and second movable parts include a supported part rotatably supported by a frame. 54. The cartridge according to claim 53, wherein the distance between the supported parts of the first and second movable parts and the parts receiving the compressive force from the first and second elastic parts of the first and second movable parts is less than the distance between the supported parts of the first and second movable parts and receiving force parts of the first and second movable parts, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 55. The cartridge of claim 53, wherein the frame has a developer accommodating portion that accommodates the developer, and wherein the centers of rotation of the first and second movable parts are located in positions overlapping the part for accommodating the developer when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 56. The cartridge of claim 48, wherein the first movable part moves in a plane orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis, and the second movable part moves in another plane orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis. 57. The cartridge of claim 48, wherein the first movable portion has a first protrusion protruding outside the frame, and the second movable portion has a second protrusion protruding outside the frame, the first and second protrusions having a portion curved to a side of the developing roller. 58. The cartridge of claim 48, wherein the first and second movable parts include another force receiving part that receives force in the direction of travel from the second position to the first position, and wherein in the state in which the cartridge is installed in the main assembly of the device, the developing roller is in a contact position in contact with the photosensitive member when the first and second movable parts receive forces from the main assembly of the device in the receiving parts and are in the second position, and the developing the roller is in an exploded position spaced from the photosensitive member from the contact position when the first and second movable parts are in the first position and receive force from the main unit Devices in the aforementioned other valid parts. 59. The cartridge of claim 48, wherein the first movable part and the first elastic part are formed as a unit and the second movable part and the second elastic part are formed as a unit. 60. The cartridge, which can be installed in the image forming device in the main node of the device, and the cartridge contains: developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part supported to be movable by the frame so that it is movable to the first position and to the second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part with the ability to compress the movable part, wherein the frame has a developer accommodating portion that accommodates the developer, and the movable part is rotatably supported by the frame and includes a force receiving part that receives force in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position, moreover, when the movable part receives force in the force receiving part and is in the second position, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part in the direction of movement of the movable part from the second position to the first position, and wherein the center of rotation of the movable part is located in a position overlapping the part for accommodating the developer when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 61. The cartridge of claim 60, wherein the frame has a bounding portion that contacts the movable portion in a first position. 62. The cartridge of claim 61, wherein when the movable part does not receive force in the force receiving part, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part and adjoins the bounding part in the first position. 63. The cartridge of claim 60, further comprising: a drive input element for receiving a rotational force input in order to rotate the developing roller, wherein the developing roller is located on one end side of the frame and the receiving part of the movable part is located on the other end side of the frame, relative to the first direction parallel to the straight line connecting the center of rotation of the developing roller and the center of rotation of the drive input element, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 64. The cartridge according to item 63, in which the frame has a contact part of the recording medium, allowing contact with it through the recording medium transported through the inner part of the main node of the device, and the contact part of the recording medium is closer to the developing roller than the receiving part of the movable part , relative to the first direction, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 65. The cartridge of claim 60, wherein the movable portion includes a supported portion rotatably supported by a frame, and the distance between the supported portion and the portion receiving the compressive force from the resilient portion of the movable portion is less than the distance between the supported portion and the receiving force part, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 66. The cartridge of claim 60, wherein the movable portion has a protrusion protruding outside the frame, the protrusion having a portion curved to a side of the developing roller. 67. The cartridge of claim 60, further comprising: another force receiving part for receiving force in the direction of movement from the second position to the first position, wherein in the state in which the cartridge is installed in the main assembly of the device, the developing roller is in a contact position in contact with the photosensitive member when the movable part receives force from the main assembly of the device in the receiving part and is in the second position, and the developing roller is in spaced position spaced from the photosensitive member from the contact position when the movable part is in the first position and receives force from the main assembly of the device in the above other force-taking part. 68. The cartridge of claim 60, wherein the movable portion and the elastic portion are formed as a unit. 69. A cartridge that can be installed in the imaging device in the main node of the device, and the cartridge contains: developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part which is supported by the frame in such a way that it can be moved to the first position and to the second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part with the ability to compress the movable part, wherein the movable part includes a force receiving part that receives force in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position, and a supported part rotatably supported by the frame, and when the movable part receives force in the force receiving part and is in the second position, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part in the direction of movement of the movable part from the second position to the first position, the distance between the supported part and the part receiving the compressive force from the elastic part of the movable part is less than the distance between the supported part and the force receiving part when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 70. The cartridge according to p, in which the frame has a limiting part, which is in contact with the movable part in the first position. 71. The cartridge of claim 70, wherein when the movable part does not receive force in the force receiving part, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part and adjoins the bounding part in the first position. 72. The cartridge of claim 69, further comprising: a drive input element for receiving a rotational force input in order to rotate the developing roller, wherein the developing roller is located on one end side of the frame and the receiving part of the movable part is located on the other end side of the frame, relative to the first direction parallel to the straight line connecting the center of rotation of the developing roller and the center of rotation of the drive input element, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 73. The cartridge of claim 72, wherein the frame has a contact portion of the recording medium capable of being contacted therethrough by the recording medium transported through the interior of the main assembly of the device, the contact portion of the recording medium being closer to the developing roller than the power-receiving portion of the movable portion , relative to the first direction, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 74. The cartridge according to p, in which the movable part has a protrusion protruding outside the frame, and the protrusion has a section that is curved to the side of the developing roller. 75. The cartridge of claim 69, wherein the movable portion includes another force receiving portion that receives force in the direction of travel from the second position to the first position, and wherein in the state in which the cartridge is installed in the main assembly of the device, the developing roller is in a contact position in contact with the photosensitive member when the movable part receives force from the main assembly of the device in the receiving part and is in the second position, and the developing roller is in spaced position spaced from the photosensitive member from the contact position when the movable part is in the first position and receives force from the main assembly of the device in the above other force-taking part. 76. The cartridge of claim 69, wherein the movable portion and the elastic portion are formed as a unit. 77. A cartridge that can be installed in the imaging device in the main node of the device, and the cartridge contains: developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part supported to be movable by the frame in such a way that it can move to the first position and to the second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part with the ability to compress the movable part, while the movable part includes a receiving part, which receives force in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position, and a protrusion that extends beyond the frame, moreover, when the movable part receives force in the force receiving part and is in the second position, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part in the direction of movement of the movable part from the second position to the first position, and however, the protrusion has a section curved to the side of the developing roller. 78. The cartridge of claim 77, wherein the frame has a bounding portion that contacts the movable portion in a first position. 79. The cartridge of claim 78, wherein when the movable part does not receive force in the force receiving part, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part and adjoins the bounding part in the first position. 80. The cartridge of claim 77, further comprising: a drive input element for receiving a rotational force input in order to rotate the developing roller, wherein the developing roller is located on one end side of the frame and the receiving part of the movable part is located on the other end side of the frame, relative to the first direction parallel to the straight line connecting the center of rotation of the developing roller and the center of rotation of the drive input element, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 81. The cartridge of claim 80, wherein the frame has a contact portion of the recording medium capable of being contacted therethrough by the recording medium transported through the interior of the main assembly of the device, the contact portion of the recording medium being closer to the developing roller than the power-receiving portion of the movable portion , relative to the first direction, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 82. The cartridge of claim 77, wherein the movable portion includes another force receiving portion that receives force in the direction of travel from the second position to the first position, and wherein in the state in which the cartridge is installed in the main assembly of the device, the developing roller is in a contact position in contact with the photosensitive member when the movable part receives force from the main assembly of the device in the receiving part and is in the second position, and the developing roller is in spaced position spaced from the photosensitive member from the contact position when the movable part is in the first position and receives force from the main assembly of the device in the above other force-taking part. 83. The cartridge of claim 77, wherein the movable portion and the elastic portion are formed as a unit. 84. The cartridge, which can be installed in the image forming device in the main node of the device, and the cartridge contains: developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part supported to be movable by the frame in such a way that it can move to the first position and to the second position relative to the frame; an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part with the ability to compress the movable part; and a drive input element for receiving a rotational force input in order to rotate the developing roller, the frame has a contact part of the recording medium, allowing contact with it through the recording medium transported through the inner part of the main node of the device, and the movable part includes a force receiving part that receives force in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position, moreover, when the movable part receives force in the power receiving part and is in the second position, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part in the direction of movement of the movable part from the second position to the first position, wherein the developing roller is located on one end side of the frame and the first power-receiving part of the movable part is located on the other end side of the frame, relative to the first direction parallel to the straight line connecting the center of rotation of the developing roller and the center of rotation of the drive input element when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis development roller, and the contact portion of the recording medium is closer to the developing roller than the first receiving part of the movable portion relative to the first direction when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 85. The cartridge of claim 84, wherein the frame has a bounding portion that contacts the movable portion in a first position. 86. The cartridge of claim 85, wherein when the movable part does not receive force in the force receiving part, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part and adjoins the bounding part in the first position. 87. The cartridge of claim 84, wherein the movable portion includes another force receiving portion that receives force in the direction of travel from the second position to the first position, and wherein in the state in which the cartridge is installed in the main assembly of the device, the developing roller is in a contact position in contact with the photosensitive member when the movable part receives force from the main assembly of the device in the receiving part and is in the second position, and the developing roller is in spaced position spaced from the photosensitive member from the contact position when the movable part is in the first position and receives force from the main assembly of the device in the above other force-taking part. 88. The cartridge of claim 84, wherein the movable portion and the elastic portion are formed as a unit. 89. A cartridge that can be installed in the imaging device in the main node of the device, and the cartridge contains: photosensitive element; developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part supported to be movable by the frame in such a way that it can move to the first position and to the second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part with the ability to compress the movable part, moreover, the movable part includes a first force-receiving part, which receives force in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position, and a second force-receiving part, which receives force in the direction of movement from the second position to the first position, the developing roller is brought into contact with the photosensitive member by means of a movable part receiving force in the first power receiving part and moving to the second position, and the movable part receives compressive force from the elastic part in the direction of movement of the movable part from the second position to the first position, and wherein the developing roller is spaced apart from the photosensitive member by means of a movable part receiving force, and in a second part receiving force, and by means of moving to the first position. 90. The cartridge of claim 89, wherein the frame has a bounding portion that contacts the movable portion in a first position. 91. The cartridge of claim 90, wherein when the movable portion does not receive force in the first receiving force portion, the movable portion receives the compressive force from the elastic portion and adjoins the bounding portion in the first position. 92. The cartridge of claim 89, further comprising: a drive input element for receiving a rotational force input in order to rotate the developing roller, wherein the developing roller is located on one end side of the frame and the first power-receiving part of the movable part is located on the other end side of the frame, relative to the first direction parallel to the straight line connecting the center of rotation of the developing roller and the center of rotation of the drive input element when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis developing roller. 93. The cartridge according to paragraph 92, in which the frame has a contact part of the recording medium, allowing contact with it through the recording medium transported through the inner part of the main node of the device, and the contact part of the recording medium is closer to the developing roller than the receiving part of the movable part , relative to the first direction, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 94. The cartridge of claim 89, wherein the movable portion includes a supported portion rotatably supported by a frame. 95. The cartridge of claim 94, wherein the distance between the supported part and the part receiving the compressive force from the elastic part of the movable part is less than the distance between the supported part and the first part receiving force when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller. 96. The cartridge of claim 94, wherein the frame has a developer accommodating portion that accommodates the developer, and wherein the center of rotation of the movable part is located in a position overlapping the part for accommodating the developer when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 97. The cartridge of claim 89, further comprising: another movable part supported to be movable by the frame so that it can move independently of the above movable part; and another resilient part provided between the frame and the aforementioned other movable part and compressing the aforementioned other movable part. 98. The cartridge of claim 97, wherein the movable portion has a first protrusion protruding outside the frame, and the aforementioned other movable portion has a second protrusion protruding beyond the frame. 99. The cartridge of claim 98, wherein the first protrusion is accessible from the frame when viewed from one end side along the direction of rotation of the developing roller and the second protrusion is accessible from the frame when viewed from the other end side along the direction of rotation of the developer roller. 100. The cartridge of claim 97, wherein the movable portion moves in a plane orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis, and the above-mentioned other movable portion moves in another plane orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis. 101. The cartridge of claim 89, wherein the movable portion has a protrusion protruding beyond the frame, the protrusion having a portion curved to a side of the developing roller and a second receiving portion provided in the curved portion. 102. The cartridge of claim 89, wherein the movable portion and the elastic portion are formed as a unit. 103. A cartridge that can be installed in the imaging device in the main node of the device, and the cartridge contains: developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a first force receiving portion provided at only one end of the cartridge with respect to a direction of rotation axis of the developing roller to receive force; and a second receiving part, provided only at the other end of the cartridge relative to the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller, to receive the force, wherein the direction in which the first power receiving part receives force and the direction in which the second power receiving part receives force are different. 104. The cartridge of claim 103, further comprising: a movable part on which a first power-receiving part is provided and which is supported to be movable by the frame so that it can move to the first position and to the second position relative to the frame. 105. The cartridge of claim 104, further comprising: an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part with the possibility of pressing the movable part. 106. The cartridge of claim 104, wherein the movable portion includes a supported portion rotatably supported by a frame. 107. The cartridge according to p, in which the distance between the supported part and the part receiving the compressive force from the elastic part of the movable part is less than the distance between the supported part and the first receiving part, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 108. The cartridge of claim 106, wherein the frame has a developer accommodating portion that accommodates the developer, and wherein the center of rotation of the movable part is located in a position overlapping the part for accommodating the developer when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 109. The cartridge of claim 104, wherein the first power receiving portion is provided on a first protrusion of the movable portion protruding outside the frame, and however, the second receiving part is provided on the second protrusion protruding outside the frame. 110. The cartridge of claim 109, wherein the first protrusion is accessible from the frame when viewed from one end side along the direction of rotation of the developing roller and the second protrusion is accessible from the frame when viewed from the other end side along the direction of rotation of the developer roller. 111. The cartridge of claim 104, wherein the movable portion moves in a plane orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis. 112. The cartridge of claim 104, wherein the first power receiving portion is located in a first protrusion of the movable portion protruding beyond the frame, the aforementioned protrusion having a portion curved to a side of the developing roller. 113. The cartridge of claim 104, further comprising: a drive input element for receiving a rotational force input in order to rotate the developing roller, wherein the developing roller is located on one end side of the frame and the first power-receiving part of the movable part is located on the other end side of the frame, relative to the first direction parallel to the straight line connecting the center of rotation of the developing roller and the center of rotation of the drive input element when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis developing roller. 114. The cartridge according to p. 113, in which the frame has a contact part of the recording medium, allowing contact with it through the recording medium transported through the inner part of the main node of the device, and the contact part of the recording medium is closer to the developing roller than the first receiving part of the movable parts, relative to the first direction, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 115. The cartridge of claim 104, further comprising: electrode section for connection with the main node of the device, wherein the surface of the electrode portion is accessible from the cartridge and intersects the direction of movement in which the first force-receiving portion of the movable portion moves when the movable portion moves from the first position to the second position. 116. The cartridge of claim 104, wherein the movable portion and the elastic portion are formed as a unit. 117. The cartridge of claim 104, wherein in the state in which the cartridge is installed in the main assembly of the device, the developing roller is in a contact position in contact with the photosensitive member when the movable part receives force from the main assembly of the device in the first power receiving part and is in the second position, and the developing roller is in an exploded position spaced from the photosensitive member when the movable part is in the first position and receives power from the main assembly of the device in the second receiving her strength part. 118. The cartridge, which can be installed in the image forming device in the main node of the device, and the cartridge contains: developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part supported to be movable by the frame in such a way that it can move to the first position and to the second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part with the ability to compress the movable part, wherein the movable part includes a force receiving part which receives force in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position, and a supported part, which is rotatably supported by the frame, moreover, when the movable part receives force in the force receiving part and is in the second position, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part in the receiving force portion, in the direction of movement of the movable part from the second position to the first position, and the distance between the force receiving part and the pressing force receiving part exceeds the distance between the force receiving part and the supported part when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller. 119. The cartridge of claim 118, wherein the frame has a limiting portion that is in contact with the movable portion in the first position. 120. The cartridge of claim 119, wherein when the movable part does not receive force in the force receiving part, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part and adjoins the bounding part in the first position. 121. The cartridge of claim 118, further comprising: a drive input element for receiving a rotational force input in order to rotate the developing roller, wherein the developing roller is located on one end side of the frame and the receiving part of the movable part is located on the other end side of the frame, relative to the first direction parallel to the straight line connecting the center of rotation of the developing roller and the center of rotation of the drive input element, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 122. The cartridge according to p. 121, in which the frame has a contact part of the recording medium, allowing contact with it through the recording medium transported through the inner part of the main node of the device, and the contact part of the recording medium is closer to the developing roller than the receiving part of the movable part , relative to the first direction, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 123. The cartridge of claim 118, wherein the frame has a developer accommodating portion that accommodates the developer, and wherein the center of rotation of the movable part is located in a position overlapping the part for accommodating the developer when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 124. The cartridge of claim 118, further comprising: electrode section for electrical connection with the main node of the device, wherein the surface of the electrode portion is accessible from the cartridge and intersects the direction of movement in which the first force-receiving portion of the movable portion moves when the movable portion moves from the first position to the second position. 125. The cartridge of claim 118, wherein the movable portion has a first protrusion protruding beyond the frame. 126. The cartridge according to p, in which the first protrusion is accessible from the frame when viewed from one end side along the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 127. The cartridge of claim 118, wherein the movable portion moves in a plane orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis. 128. The cartridge of claim 118, wherein the movable portion has a protrusion protruding beyond the frame, the protrusion having a portion curved to the side of the developing roller. 129. The cartridge of claim 118, wherein the movable portion has another force receiving portion that receives force in the direction of travel from the second position to the first position, and wherein in the state in which the cartridge is installed in the main assembly of the device, the developing roller is in a contact position in contact with the photosensitive member when the movable part receives force from the main assembly of the device in the receiving part and is in the second position, and the developing roller is in spaced position spaced from the photosensitive member from the contact position when the movable part is in the first position and receives force from the main assembly of the device in the above other force-taking part. 130. The cartridge of claim 118, wherein the movable portion and the elastic portion are formed as a unit. 131. A cartridge that can be installed in the imaging device in the main node of the device, and the cartridge contains: developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part supported to be movable by the frame in such a way that it can move to the first position and to the second position relative to the frame; an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part with the ability to compress the movable part; a drive input element for receiving input of a rotational force in order to rotate the developing roller; and a pressing element for pressing the drive input element, wherein the movable part includes a force receiving part that receives force in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position, moreover, when the movable part receives force in the power receiving part and is in the second position, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part, in the direction of movement of the movable part from the second position to the first position, and wherein the angle formed by the pressing direction of the movable part by means of the elastic part and the plane orthogonal to the pressing direction of the drive input element by the pressing element is -45 degrees or more and +45 degrees or less. 132. The cartridge according to p, in which the frame has a limiting part, which is in contact with the movable part, located in the first position. 133. The cartridge of claim 132, wherein when the movable portion does not receive force in the force receiving portion, the movable portion receives the compressive force from the elastic portion and abuts the bounding portion in the first position. 134. The cartridge according to p, in which the developing roller is located on one end side of the frame and the receiving part of the movable part is located on the other end side of the frame, relative to the first direction parallel to the straight line connecting the center of rotation of the developing roller and the center of rotation of the drive input element when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 135. The cartridge according to p. 134, in which the frame has a contact part of the recording medium, allowing contact with it through the recording medium transported through the inner part of the main node of the device, and the contact part of the recording medium is closer to the developing roller than the receiving part of the movable part , relative to the first direction, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 136. The cartridge of claim 131, wherein the movable portion includes a supported portion rotatably supported by a frame. 137. The cartridge according to p, in which the distance between the supported part and the part receiving the compressive force from the elastic part of the movable part is less than the distance between the supported part and the force receiving part when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 138. The cartridge of claim 136, wherein the frame has a developer accommodating portion that accommodates the developer, and wherein the center of rotation of the movable part is located in a position overlapping the part for accommodating the developer when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 139. The cartridge of claim 131, further comprising: electrode section for electrical connection with the main node of the device, the surface of the electrode portion is accessible from the cartridge and intersects the direction of movement in which the receiving part of the movable part moves when the movable part moves from the first position to the second position. 140. The cartridge of claim 131, further comprising: another movable part supported to be movable by the frame so that it can move independently of the above movable part; and another resilient part provided between the frame and the aforementioned other movable part and compressing the aforementioned other movable part. 141. The cartridge according to p, in which the movable part is supported on the side of the frame on which the drive input element of the frame, and the above other movable part is located on the side of the frame on which the drive input element of the frame is not located relative to the direction of rotation of the developing roller, wherein the compressive force of the elastic part is less than the compressive force of the above other elastic part. 142. The cartridge according to p, in which the movable part has a first protrusion protruding outside the frame, and the above other movable part has a second protrusion protruding outside the frame. 143. The cartridge of claim 142, wherein the first protrusion is accessible from the frame when viewed from one end side along the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller and the second protrusion is accessible from the frame when viewed from the other end side along the direction of rotation of the axis of the developing roller. 144. The cartridge of claim 140, wherein the movable portion moves in a plane orthogonal to the direction of the axis of rotation, and the aforementioned other movable portion moves in another plane orthogonal to the direction of the axis of rotation. 145. The cartridge according to p, in which the movable part has a protrusion protruding beyond the frame, and the protrusion has a section that is curved to the side of the developing roller. 146. The cartridge according to p, in which the movable part has a different receiving force part, which receives force in the direction of movement from the second position to the first position, and wherein in the state in which the cartridge is installed in the main assembly of the device, the developing roller is in a contact position in contact with the photosensitive member when the movable part receives force from the main assembly of the device in the receiving part and is in the second position, and the developing roller is in spaced position spaced from the photosensitive member from the contact position when the movable part is in the first position and receives force from the main assembly of the device in the above other force-taking part. 147. The cartridge according to p, in which the movable part and the elastic part are formed as a single unit. 148. The cartridge according to p, in which the angle formed by the direction of pressing the movable part by the elastic part and the plane orthogonal to the direction of pressing the drive input element by the pressing element is -10 degrees or more and +10 degrees or less. 149. The cartridge according to p, in which the angle formed by the direction of pressing the movable part through the elastic part and the plane orthogonal to the direction of pressing the drive input element by the pressing element is 0 degrees or essentially 0 degrees. 150. A cartridge that can be installed in the image forming apparatus in the main assembly of the device, the cartridge comprising developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part supported to be movable by the frame in such a way that it can move to the first position and to the second position relative to the frame; an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part with the ability to compress the movable part; and a drive input element for receiving input of a rotational force in order to rotate the developing roller; wherein the movable part includes a force receiving part that receives force in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position, moreover, when the movable part receives force in the power receiving part and is in the second position, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part, in the direction of movement of the movable part from the second position to the first position, and however, the movable part is provided only on the side of the frame on which the drive input element is not provided with respect to the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 151. The cartridge according to p. 150, in which the frame has a limiting part, which is in contact with the movable part, located in the first position. 152. The cartridge of claim 151, wherein when the movable part does not receive force in the force receiving part, the movable part receives compressive force from the elastic part and adjoins the bounding part in the first position. 153. The cartridge according to p. 150, in which the developing roller is located on one end side of the frame and the receiving part of the movable part is located on the other end side of the frame, relative to the first direction parallel to the straight line connecting the center of rotation of the developing roller and the center of rotation of the drive input element when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 154. The cartridge of claim 153, wherein the frame has a contact portion of the recording medium capable of being contacted by the recording medium transported through the interior of the main assembly of the device, the contact portion of the recording medium being closer to the developing roller than the force-receiving portion of the movable portion , relative to the first direction, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 155. The cartridge of claim 150, wherein the movable portion includes a supported portion rotatably supported by a frame. 156. The cartridge according to p, in which the distance between the supported part and the part receiving the compressive force from the elastic part of the movable part is less than the distance between the supported part and the force receiving part when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 157. The cartridge of claim 155, wherein the frame has a developer accommodating portion that accommodates the developer, and wherein the center of rotation of the movable part is located in a position overlapping the part for accommodating the developer when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 158. The cartridge of claim 150, further comprising: electrode section for electrical connection with the main node of the device, the surface of the electrode portion is accessible from the cartridge and intersects the direction of movement in which the receiving part of the movable part moves when the movable part moves from the first position to the second position. 159. The cartridge according to p. 150, in which the movable part has a protrusion protruding outside the frame. 160. The cartridge of claim 159, wherein the protrusion is accessible from the frame when viewed from one end side along the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 161. The cartridge of claim 150, wherein the movable portion moves in a plane orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis. 162. The cartridge according to p. 150, in which the movable part has a protrusion protruding beyond the frame, and the protrusion has a section that is curved to the side of the developing roller. 163. The cartridge of claim 150, wherein the movable portion has another force receiving portion that receives force in the direction of travel from the second position to the first position, and wherein in the state in which the cartridge is installed in the main assembly of the device, the developing roller is in a contact position in contact with the photosensitive member when the movable part receives force from the main assembly of the device in the receiving part and is in the second position, and the developing roller is in spaced position spaced from the photosensitive member from the contact position when the movable part is in the first position and receives force from the main assembly of the device in the above other force-taking part. 164. The cartridge of claim 150, wherein the movable portion and the elastic portion are formed as a unit. 165. A cartridge that can be installed in the imaging device in the main node of the device, and the cartridge contains: developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part supported by the frame so that it can move to the first position and to the second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part with the ability to compress the movable part; wherein the movable part includes a force receiving part that receives force in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position, and, when the movable part receives force in the force receiving part and is in the second position, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part, in the direction of movement of the movable part from the second position to the first position. 166. The cartridge according to p, in which the frame has a limiting part, which is in contact with the movable part located in the first position. 167. The cartridge of claim 166, wherein, when the movable part does not receive force in the force receiving part, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part and adjoins the bounding part in the first position. 168. The cartridge of claim 165, further comprising: a drive input element for receiving a rotational force input in order to rotate the developing roller, wherein the developing roller is located on one end side of the frame and the receiving part of the movable part is located on the other end side of the frame, relative to the first direction parallel to the straight line connecting the center of rotation of the developing roller and the center of rotation of the drive input element, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 169. The cartridge according to p, in which the frame has a contact part of the recording medium, allowing contact with it through the recording medium transported through the inner part of the main node of the device, and the contact part of the recording medium is closer to the developing roller than the receiving part of the movable part , relative to the first direction, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller. 170. The cartridge of claim 165, further comprising: electrode section for electrical connection with the main node of the device, the surface of the electrode portion is accessible from the cartridge and intersects the direction of movement in which the receiving part of the movable part moves when the movable part moves from the first position and the second position. 171. The cartridge of claim 165, further comprising: another movable part supported to be movable by the frame so that it can move independently of the above movable part; and another elastic part provided between the frame and the other movable part and pressing the above other movable part. 172. The cartridge according to Claim 171, further comprising: a drive input element for receiving input of a rotational force in order to rotate the developing roller, and while the movable part is supported on the side of the frame on which the drive input element is located, and the above other movable part is located on the side of the frame on which the drive input element is not provided relative to the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller, moreover, the compressive force of the elastic part is less than the compressive force of the aforementioned other elastic part. 173. The cartridge of claim 171, wherein the movable portion has a first protrusion protruding outside the frame, and the above other movable portion has a second protrusion protruding beyond the frame. 174. The cartridge according to Claim 173, wherein the first protrusion is accessible from the frame when viewed from one end side along the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller and the second protrusion is accessible from the frame when viewed from the other end side along the direction of rotation of the axis of the developing roller. 175. The cartridge according to Claim 171, wherein the movable part moves in a plane orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis, and the above-mentioned other movable part moves in another plane orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis. 176. The cartridge according to p, in which the movable part has a protrusion protruding beyond the frame, and the protrusion has a section that is curved to the side of the developing roller. 177. The cartridge of claim 165, wherein the movable portion has another force receiving portion that receives force in the direction of travel from the second position to the first position, and wherein in the state in which the cartridge is installed in the main assembly of the device, the developing roller is in a contact position in contact with the photosensitive member when the movable part receives force from the main assembly of the device in the receiving part and is in the second position, and the developing roller is in spaced position spaced from the photosensitive member from the contact position when the movable part is in the first position and receives force from the main assembly of the device in the above other force-taking part. 178. The cartridge according to p, in which the movable part and the elastic part are formed as a single unit. 179. A cartridge that can be installed in the imaging device in the main node of the device, and the cartridge contains: developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part supported to be movable by the frame in such a way that it can move to the first position and to the second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part with the ability to compress the movable part, wherein the frame includes a limiting part that is in contact with the movable part in the first position, and the movable part includes a force receiving part that receives force in the direction of movement from the first position to the second position, the supporting part rotatably supporting by the frame, and the limited part that contacts the bounding part, moreover, when the movable part receives force in the force receiving part and is in the second position, the movable part receives the compressive force from the elastic part in the direction of movement of the movable part from the second position to the first position, and wherein the distance between the power receiving part and the limited part exceeds the distance between the power receiving part and the supporting part when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller. 180. The cartridge of claim 179, wherein the movable portion and the elastic portion are formed as a unit. 181. The frame element that makes up the cartridge frame, which can be installed in the image forming device in the main node of the device and has a developing roller and a connecting element, and the frame element contains: hole for the location of the developing roller, hole for the location of the connecting element, a supporting part, a rotatable supporting part, and the contact part, which should come into contact with the elastic part, pressing the movable part. 182. The frame element that makes up the cartridge frame, which can be installed in the image forming device in the main unit of the device and has a developing roller, a connecting element, a movable part and an elastic part, which compresses the movable part, wherein the frame element has a lid part for covering at least part of the movable part and / or at least part of the elastic part so that it is not accessible to the outside in the direction of the axis of rotation of the movable part.

Images