TWI731320B - Cassette, member constituting cassette, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

High precision for pushing or moving the developer carrier.

The cassette is provided with: a developing roller; a frame supporting the aforementioned developing roller; a movable part, which is movably supported with respect to the aforementioned frame, and moves to a first position and a second position with respect to the aforementioned frame; And an elastic part, which is provided between the frame body and the movable part, and presses the movable part. The movable part is provided with: a first force receiving part which is received from the device body from the first position to The force in the direction in which the second position moves; and the second force receiving portion, which receives the force from the device body in the direction moving from the second position to the first position, when the movable portion receives the force in the first force When the movable portion receives a force from the device body and is in the second position, the movable portion receives an elastic force from the elastic portion in a direction that moves the movable portion from the second position to the first position.

Description

Cassette, member constituting cassette, and image forming device

The present invention relates to a cassette or a member constituting the cassette that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming device of the image forming device.

Here, the image forming device refers to a person who forms an image on a recording medium. Furthermore, as examples of the image forming apparatus, there are, for example, an electronic photo copier, an electronic photo printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, etc.), a facsimile device, a word processor, and the like.

In addition, the so-called cassette is an electrophotographic photoreceptor drum (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) that makes an image carrier, or a process means acting on this photosensitive drum (for example, a developer carrier (hereinafter referred to as a developing roller) )) at least one cassette. The cassette is attachable and detachable to the image forming device. The cartridge is a cartridge that integrates the photosensitive drum and the imaging roller, or a cartridge that separates the photosensitive drum and the imaging roller. In particular, the former with a photosensitive drum and a developing roller is called a process cassette. In addition, the latter one having a photosensitive drum is called a drum cartridge, and the one having a developing roller is called a developing cartridge.

In addition, the main body of the image forming apparatus refers to the remaining part of the image forming apparatus with the cassette removed.

In the past, in the image forming device, a cassette method was adopted in which the process cassette, the drum cassette, and the imaging cassette can be detached from the device body of the image forming device. According to these cassette methods, the user can repair the image forming device without relying on service personnel, so the operability can be greatly improved.

Therefore, the cassette method is widely used in image forming devices.

In addition, there is a contact developing method in which the photosensitive drum is brought into contact with the developing roller during image formation to develop the image. Furthermore, in order to bring the photosensitive drum into contact with the developing roller, a developing cartridge in which a pressing means is provided in the developing cartridge has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

Here, from the viewpoint of stabilizing the image quality or prolonging the life of the photosensitive drum and the developing roller, it is preferable that the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are separated when the non-image is formed in the contact development method.

[Advanced Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] JP 2011-39564 A

[Patent Document 2] JP 2010-26541 A

In Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the pressing means is constituted by the device body acting only in the direction in which the photosensitive drum and the developing roller approach. When separating the photosensitive drum and the developing roller, it is necessary to provide a separating means for moving the developing unit at a position different from the pressing means, so that the photosensitive drum and the developing roller can be separated. At this time, the developing unit moves against the pressing force that pushes the developing roller to the photosensitive drum.

In addition, in Patent Document 2, the pressing means is an integrated mechanism provided in the axial direction of the developing roller. At this time, in order to make the pressing state of the photosensitive drum and the developing roller uniform in the axial direction of the developing roller, it is necessary to increase the accuracy and rigidity of the pressing means. That is, in order to move the developing roller with respect to the photosensitive drum with high precision and press it to the photosensitive drum, the pressing means is complicated.

The object of the present invention is to perform the movement of the developer carrier with high accuracy in view of the problems of the conventional structure.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the representative structure of the present application is a cassette that can be installed in the device body of the image forming device, and it is characterized by: a developing roller; a frame supporting the aforementioned developing roller; a movable part , Which is movably supported with respect to the frame body, and moves to the first position and the second position with respect to the frame body; and an elastic part, which is arranged between the frame body and the movable part, and presses the movable part The movable portion includes: a first force receiving portion that receives force from the device body in a direction moving from the first position to the second position; and a second force receiving portion that is derived from the device body Receiving force in the direction moving from the second position to the first position, and when the movable portion is in the second position by receiving the force from the device body at the first force receiving portion, the movable portion is derived from the elastic portion The elastic force in the direction that moves the movable portion from the second position to the first position is received.

According to the present invention, it is possible to press or move the developer carrier with high accuracy.

13‧‧‧Developing roller

16‧‧‧Developing container

34‧‧‧Display side cover

36‧‧‧Drive side imaging bearing

46‧‧‧Non-drive side imaging bearing

70‧‧‧Drive side abutment lever

71‧‧‧Drive side imaging compression spring

72‧‧‧Non-driving side abutment lever

73‧‧‧Non-drive side imaging compression spring

A1‧‧‧Device body

B1‧‧‧Developing Cartridge

Figure 1 is a side view of the imaging cassette.

Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of the image forming apparatus.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a developing cartridge and a drum cartridge.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the drive side of the imaging cassette.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the non-driving side of the imaging cassette.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the driving side of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the non-driving side of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the drive input portion of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the periphery of the drive side cover.

Fig. 10 is an explanatory view of the periphery of the driving side cover.

Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the posture of the coupling member.

Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the posture of the coupling member.

Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the bearing member and the coupling member.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the drive input portion of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of the periphery of the coupling member.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a drum cassette.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the non-driving side of the device body and each cassette.

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the drive side of the device body and each cassette.

Figure 19 is a side view of the drive side of the developing cartridge.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a rocking guide on the driving side.

Figure 21 is a side view of the driving side of the process of installing the developing cartridge to the main body of the device.

Figure 22 is a side view of the drive side of the developing cartridge mounted toward the main body of the device.

Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view of the drive input portion of the developing cartridge.

Figure 24 is a front view of the imaging cassette.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a drive side side plate.

Fig. 26 is a perspective view of a non-driving side side plate.

Fig. 27 is a side view of the development cassette and the driving side rocking guide of the driving side.

Fig. 28 is a side view of the development cassette and the driving side rocking guide of the driving side.

Fig. 29 is a side view of the developing cassette and the non-driving side rocking guide of the non-driving side.

Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the coupling member.

Fig. 31 is a side view of the developing cartridge and the driving side rocking guide of the driving side.

Figure 32 is a side view of the drive side of the imaging cassette and the drive side rocking guide.

Fig. 33 is a perspective view of a non-driving side bearing.

Fig. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the coupling member.

Fig. 35 is a perspective view of the non-driving side of the main body of the device.

Fig. 36 is a side view of the non-driving side of the main body of the device and each cassette.

Figure 37 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the developing cassette.

Fig. 38 is a side view showing the non-driving side contact and separation lever and the memory substrate.

Fig. 39 is a side view showing the memory substrate.

Fig. 40 is a side view showing the non-driving side abutting and separating lever and the memory substrate.

Fig. 41 is a side view showing a driving side abutting and separating lever.

Figure 42 is a side view of the drive side of the developing cartridge mounted toward the main body of the device.

Figure 43 is a side view of the drive side of the developing cartridge mounted to the main body of the device.

Fig. 44 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of abutting the separation lever and the developing pressure spring.

Fig. 45 is a front view and a back view showing the display side cover.

Fig. 46 is a perspective view showing the display side cover.

Fig. 47 is a front view and a back view showing the drive side developing bearing.

Fig. 48 is a perspective view showing the drive-side developing bearing.

Figure 49 is a side view of the drive side of the developing cartridge mounted to the main body of the device.

Figure 50 is a perspective view of the imaging cassette.

Figure 51 is a side view of a driving side and a side view of a non-driving side of the imaging cassette mounted to the main body of the device.

Fig. 52 is a side view of the driving side and a side view of the non-driving side of the imaging cassette mounted to the main body of the device.

Figure 53 is a side view of the drive side of the developing cartridge.

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

Figure 55 is a perspective view of the drive side of the imaging cassette.

Figure 56 is a side view of the drive side of the imaging cassette, a cross-sectional view.

Fig. 57 is a side view of the driving side and a side view of the non-driving side of the developing cartridge mounted to the main body of the device.

The cassette and the electronic photo image forming device of the present invention will be described according to the drawings. In addition, the main body of the laser beam printer, the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the laser beam printer are illustrated as an electronic photo image forming device. In the following description, the long-side direction of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge is the direction approximately parallel to the rotational axis L1 of the photosensitive drum and the rotational axis L0 of the developing roller (photosensitive drum 10 or developing roller The direction of the axis of rotation). In addition, the rotation axis L1 of the photosensitive drum and the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller are directions crossing the conveying direction of the recording medium. In addition, the short-side direction of the drum cassette and the development cassette is a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis L1 of the photosensitive drum and the rotation axis L0 of the development roller. In this embodiment, the direction in which the drum cassette and the imaging cassette are mounted and unloaded to the main body of the laser beam printer is the short-side direction of each cassette. In addition, the symbols in the explanatory text are used to refer to the drawings and do not limit the constituents. In addition, in the description of the present embodiment, the side view is a diagram showing a state viewed from a direction parallel to the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller.

"Example 1"

(1) Overall description of the image forming device

First, the overall structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained using FIG. 2. Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional explanatory view of the image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 forms an image generated by the developer t on the recording medium (sheet) 2 in accordance with image information communicated from an external device such as a personal computer, through an electronic photo image forming process. In addition, the image forming device is the imaging cassette B1 and the drum cassette C, which are installed and detachably installed on the main body A1 of the device by the user. As an example of the recording medium 2, recording paper, label paper, OHP sheet, cloth, etc. can be cited. In addition, the developing cartridge B1 has a developing roller 13 as a developer carrier, and the like, and the drum cartridge C has a photosensitive drum 10 as an image carrier, a charging roller 11, and the like.

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

On the other hand, the recording medium 2 contained in the paper feed tray 4 is synchronized with the formation of the aforementioned developer image, and is regulated by the paper feed roller 3a and the separation pad 3b pressed thereon, and is fed separately one by one. . Then, the recording medium 2 is conveyed to the transfer roller 6 as a transfer means by the conveyance guide 3d. The transfer roller 6 is elastically pressed to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

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

The recording medium 2 to which the developer image is transferred is regulated by the conveyance guide 3f and is conveyed to the fixing means 5. The fixing means 5 is a fixing roller 5c provided with a driving roller 5a and a built-in heater 5b. Then, when the recording medium 2 passes through the nip 5d formed by the driving roller 5a and the fixing roller 5c, heat and pressure are applied, and the developer image transferred to the recording medium 2 is fixed to the recording medium 2. In this way, an image is formed on the recording medium 2.

After that, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the ejection roller pair 3g, and is ejected to the ejection section 3h.

(2) Description of the electronic photo portrait forming process

Next, FIG. 3 is used to illustrate the process of forming an electronic photo image according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the developing cartridge B1 and the drum cartridge C.

As shown in Fig. 3, the developing cassette B1 is provided with a developing container 16, a developing roller 13, a developing blade 15, and the like as a developing means. The development cassette B1 is a cassette-formed development device, which is attached to and detached from the device body of the image forming device.

In addition, the drum cartridge C includes a photoreceptor drum 10, a charging roller 11, and the like in a cleaning frame (photoreceptor support frame) 21. The drum cassette C is also attached to and detached from the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus.

The developer t stored in the developer storage portion 16a of the developer container 16 is developed by rotating the developer conveying member 17 rotatably supported by the developer container 16 in the arrow X17 direction. The opening 16b of the container 16 is sent out into the developing chamber 16c. The developing container 16 is provided with a developing roller 13 in which a magnet roller 12 is built-in. Specifically, the developing roller 13 is composed of a shaft portion 13e and a rubber portion 13d. The shaft portion 13e is a conductive elongated cylindrical shape such as aluminum, and the center portion is covered with a rubber portion 13d in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 6). Here, the rubber portion 13d is covered on the shaft portion 13e so that the outer shape and the shaft portion 13e form a coaxial line. The developing roller 13 attracts the developer t in the developing chamber 16 c to the surface of the developing roller 13 by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 12. In addition, the developing blade 15 is composed of a supporting member 15a (formed of sheet metal) and an elastic member 15b (formed of urethane rubber or SUS plate, etc.). The elastic member 15b is set to hold the developing roller 13 to a certain extent. Contact pressure comes in elastic contact. Then, when the developing roller 13 rotates in the rotation direction X5, the amount of the developer t adhering to the surface of the developing roller 13 is specified, and the developer t is given a triboelectric charge. Thereby, a developer layer is formed on the surface of the developing roller 13. Then, the developing roller 13 to which a voltage is applied from the main body A1 of the apparatus is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 10, is rotated in the rotation direction X5, whereby the developer t is supplied to the developing area of the photosensitive drum 10.

Here, in the case of the contact development method like this embodiment, if the development roller 13 is always kept in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 as shown in FIG. 3, the rubber portion 13b of the development roller 13 may be deformed. Yu. Therefore, it is ideal to keep the developing roller 13 away from the photosensitive drum 10 when it is not developing.

A charging roller 11 rotatably supported by the frame 21 and squeezed to the direction of the photosensitive drum 10 is provided in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 10. The detailed structure will be described later. The charging roller 11 is uniformly charged on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 by applying a voltage from the main body A1 of the device. The voltage applied to the charging roller 11 is set so that the potential difference between the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10 and the charging roller 11 becomes equal to or higher than the discharge start voltage. Specifically, a DC voltage of -1300V was applied as a charging bias. At this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is uniformly contacted and charged to a charging potential (dark portion potential) of -700V. In addition, in this example, the charging roller 11 is driven to rotate in response to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 10 (details will be described later). Then, the laser light L of the optical means 1 forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10. After that, the developer t is transferred in accordance with the electrostatic latent image of the photosensitive drum 10 to visualize the electrostatic latent image, and a developer image is formed on the photosensitive drum 10.

(3) Description of the structure of the system without a scavenger

Next, the following describes the scavengerless system of this example.

In this embodiment, a so-called cleanerless system is shown that does not provide a cleaning member that removes the transfer residual developer t2 remaining on the photoreceptor drum 10 without being transferred from the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the photoreceptor drum 10 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow C5. Viewed from the rotation direction C5 of the photoreceptor drum 10, there is a gap (upstream gap 11b) on the upstream side of the charging nip portion 11a of the contact portion between the charging roller 11 and the photoreceptor drum 10. The transfer residual developer t2 remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 10 after the transfer process is charged to the negative polarity like the photoreceptor drum by the discharge of the upstream gap portion 11b. At this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is charged to -700V. The transfer residual developer t2 charged to the negative polarity is caused by the potential difference in the charging nip 11a (the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 10 = -700V, the potential of the charged roller 11 = -1300V) and passes through the charging roller 11 without being attached.

The transfer residual developer t2 passing through the charging nip 11a reaches the laser irradiation position d. The transfer residual developer t2 does not so much shield the laser light L of the optical means. Therefore, the process of producing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10 is not affected. The transfer residual developer t2 that passes through the laser irradiation position d and is in the non-exposed part (the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 that is not irradiated by the laser) is the developing clamp at the abutting part of the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 The portion 13k is recovered to the developing roller 13 by electrostatic force. On the other hand, the transfer residual developer t2 of the exposure part (the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 that receives the laser irradiation) is not recovered by electrostatic force, and continues to exist on the photosensitive drum 10 as it is. However, a part of the transfer residual developer t2 may be recovered due to the physical force generated by the peripheral speed difference between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10.

In this way, the transfer residual developer t2 remaining on the photoreceptor drum 10 without being transferred to the paper is probably recovered in the developing container 16. The transfer residual developer t2 collected in the developing container 16 is mixed with the developer t remaining in the developing container 16 and used for development again.

In addition, in this embodiment, in order to prevent the transfer residual developer t2 from adhering to the charging roller 11 and to pass the charging nip portion 11a, the following two configurations are adopted.

The first is to provide an optical neutralization member 8 between the transfer roller 6 and the charging roller 11. The light neutralization member 8 is located on the upstream side of the rotation direction (arrow C5) of the photosensitive drum 10 of the charging nip portion 11a. Then, the optical neutralization member 8 photo neutralizes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 10 after passing through the transfer nip portion 6a in order to perform stable discharge in the upstream gap portion 11b. With this optical neutralization member 8, the potential of the photosensitive drum 10 before charging is set to about -150V on the entire long side, so that uniform discharge can be performed during charging, and the transfer residual developer t2 can be uniformly formed Negative polarity.

The second is to set a predetermined peripheral speed difference to drive the charging roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 10 to rotate. Through the above-mentioned discharge, most of the toner (toner) will form negative polarity, but some transfer residual developer t2 that fails to form negative polarity will remain, and this transfer residual developer t2 will be in the charging nip. 11a is attached to the charged roller 11. By setting a predetermined peripheral speed difference to drive the charging roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 10 to rotate, the friction between the photosensitive drum 10 and the charging roller 11 can be used to make the transfer residual developer t2 negative. This has the effect of suppressing the adhesion of the transfer residual developer t2 to the charging roller 13. In this embodiment, a charging roller gear 69 is provided at one end of the long side of the charging roller 11 (FIG. 16, which will be described in detail later). The charging roller gear 69 is the same as the driving side flange 24 (FIG. 16. Details will be described later) Snap. Therefore, as the photosensitive drum 10 is rotationally driven, the charging roller 11 is also rotationally driven. The peripheral speed of the surface of the charging roller 11 relative to the peripheral speed of the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is set to about 105 to 120%.

(4) Description of the composition of the imaging cassette B1

<The overall composition of the developing cassette B1>

Next, the structure of the developing cassette B1 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be explained with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the following description, regarding the longitudinal direction, the side that transmits the rotational force from the apparatus body A1 to the development cassette B1 is referred to as the "drive side", and is referred to as one end side of the development cassette B1. In addition, the opposite side is referred to as the "non-driving side" as the other end side of the developing cassette B1. Fig. 4 is a perspective explanatory view of the developing cartridge B1 as viewed from the driving side. Fig. 5 is a perspective explanatory view of the developing cartridge B1 as viewed from the non-driving side. Fig. 6 is a perspective explanatory view (a) viewed from the drive side with the drive side of the developing cartridge B1 disassembled, and a diagonal explanatory view (b) viewed from the non-drive side. Fig. 7 is a perspective explanatory diagram (a) viewed from the non-driving side, and a perspective explanatory diagram (b) viewed from the driving side, with the non-driving side of the developing cartridge B1 disassembled.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the developing cassette B1 is provided with a developing roller 13, a developing blade 15, and the like. The developing blade 15 is a drive-side end 15a1 and a non-drive-side end 15a2 in the longitudinal direction of the support member 15a, and is fixed to the developing container 16 with screws 51 and 52. A driving side development bearing 36 and a non-driving side development bearing 46 are respectively arranged at both ends of the long side of the development container 16. The development roller 13 has a drive-side end 13 a that fits into the hole 36 a of the drive-side development bearing 36. In addition, the non-driving side end 13c is fitted into the supporting portion 46f of the non-driving side bearing 46. As shown in FIG. With the above, the developing roller 13 is rotatably supported with respect to the developing container 16. In addition, at the drive side end 13a of the development roller 13, the development roller gear 29 is arranged coaxially with the development roller 13 on the outer side in the longer side direction than the drive side development bearing 36, and the development roller 13 and the development roller The gear 29 is engaged to be able to rotate integrally (refer to FIG. 4). The developing roller gear 29 is a helical gear wheel.

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

In addition, a coupling member 180 is provided coaxially with the drive input gear 27.

At the extreme end of the drive side of the development cassette B1, a development side cover 34 is provided to enable the drive input gear 27 and the like to be covered from the outside of the long side. Here, the frame of the development cassette composed of the development container 16, the non-driving side development bearing 46, the driving side development bearing 36, and the driving side cover 34 is referred to as a development frame. Moreover, the coupling member 180 protrudes to the outside of the long side through the hole 34 a of the display side cover 34. As described in detail later, the coupling member 180 as a drive input member is engaged with the main body side drive member 100 provided in the apparatus main body A1 to transmit (input) rotational force. In addition, the rotational force is transmitted to the rotational force transmitting portion 27d1 (see FIG. 8) of the drive input gear 27 via the rotational force transmitting portions 180c1 and 180C2 of the coupling member 180, and the rotation transmitted portion 27d2 (not shown) The composition. As a result, the rotational force input to the coupling member 180 is transmitted to the developing roller 13 as the rotating member via the drive input gear 27 and the developing roller gear 29.

In addition, the first movable member 120 is provided on the driving side developing bearing 36. In addition, the first movable member 120 is composed of a drive-side contact and release lever 70 as a first body portion, and a drive-side development pressurizing spring 71 as a first elastic portion (elastically deformed portion, member). The drive-side abutment and release lever 70 is a member that receives the elastic force of the drive-side development pressurizing spring 71.

Here, in this embodiment, the first body part and the first elastic part are constituted by separate bodies that are separable. However, the first movable member 120 may be formed integrally with the first body portion and the first elastic portion, and its structure is not limited. In addition, the second movable member 121 is provided on the non-driving side developing bearing 46. Furthermore, the second movable member 121 is composed of a non-driving side contacting and separating lever 72 as a second body portion, and a non-driving side developing pressurizing spring 73 as a second elastic portion (elastically deformed part, member). constitute. The non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 is a member that receives the elastic force from the non-driving side development pressurizing spring 73.

Here, in this embodiment, the second body part and the second elastic part are formed as separate bodies that are separable. However, the second movable member 121 may be formed integrally with the second main body portion and the second elastic portion, and its structure is not limited.

The details will be described later.

<Coupling member 180 and surrounding structure>

Hereinafter, the coupling member 180 and the surrounding structure will be described in detail.

As shown in Fig. 6, a coupling member 180, a driving input gear 27, and a coupling spring 185 are provided on the driving side of the developing cartridge B1. The coupling member 180 is engaged with the main body side drive member 100 provided in the apparatus main body A1, and transmits rotational force. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the coupling member 180 is mainly composed of rotational force receiving parts 180a1, 180a2, supported parts 180b, rotational force transmitting parts 180c1, 180c2, and guide parts 180d. The rotational force receiving portions 180a1 and 180a2 of the coupling member 180 are arranged on the outer side in the longitudinal direction than the drive side end portion 27a of the drive input gear 27 (see Fig. 8(a)(b)). Then, when the main body side drive member 100 rotates around the rotation axis L4 in the arrow X6 direction (hereinafter referred to as the forward rotation X direction), the rotation force applying portion 100a1 of the main body side drive member 100 abuts the rotation force receiving portion 180a1. In addition, the rotational force applying portion 100a2 of the main body-side drive member 100 abuts against the rotational force receiving portion 180a2. Thereby, the rotational force is transmitted from the main body-side driving member 100 to the coupling member 180. As shown in FIGS. 8( b) and 8 (e ), the supported portion 180 b of the coupling member 180 has a substantially spherical shape, and the supported portion 180 b is supported by the supporting portion 27 b on the inner peripheral surface of the drive input gear 27. The supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180 is provided with rotational force transmission portions 180c1 and 180c2. The rotational force transmitting portion 180c1 is in contact with the rotational force transmitting portion 27d1 of the drive input gear 27. Similarly, the rotational force transmitting portion 180c2 is in contact with the rotational force transmitting portion 27d2 of the drive input gear 27. Thereby, the drive input gear 27 is driven by the coupling member 180 that receives drive from the main body side drive member 100, and the drive input gear 27 rotates in the forward rotation direction X6 about the rotation axis L3.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8(c), the rotation axis L4 of the main body-side drive member 100 and the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 are arranged coaxially. However, due to the deviation of component dimensions, as shown in FIG. 8(d), the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100 and the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 may deviate slightly from the coaxial parallel. In this case, when the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is rotated in a state where the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 is inclined, the rotational force is transmitted from the main body-side drive member 100 to the coupling member 180. In addition, the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 may slightly deviate from the coaxial axis of the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100. In this case, in a state where the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined with respect to the rotation axis L4 of the main body-side drive member 100, the rotational force is transmitted from the main body-side drive member 100 to the coupling member 180.

Also, as shown in FIG. 8(a), in the drive input gear 27, coaxially with the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27, the gear portion 27c of the helical gear or the spur gear is integrally formed (in this embodiment) An example is the use of helical gears). Then, the gear portion 27c meshes with the gear portion 29a of the developing roller gear 29. The developing roller gear 29 rotates integrally with the developing roller 13, so the rotational force of the driving input gear 27 is transmitted to the developing roller 13 via the developing roller gear 29. Then, the developing roller 13 rotates in the rotation direction X5 around the rotation axis L9.

<Configuration of the non-driving side electrode of the imaging cassette>

Next, referring to Fig. 33, the memory substrate 47 as the contact part and the electrode part 47a as the exposed surface provided at the non-driving side end of the developing cassette B1 will be described. The memory substrate 47 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the non-driving side development bearing 46 and rotatably supports the support portion 46f side of the development roller 13 as viewed from the non-driving side development pressing rod 72. The memory substrate 47 records the manufacturing lot or characteristic information of the developing cartridge 13 and is used when the device body A1 is used for image formation. The memory substrate 47 is provided with an electrode portion 47a made of metal such as iron or copper, and is electrically connected to the device body A1 via the contact portion 47 during image formation to perform communication.

The two ends of the memory substrate 47 are inserted into the substrate first support portion 46m and the substrate second support portion 46n provided on the non-driving side development bearing 46, the memory substrate 47, the substrate first support portion 46m and the substrate second The support portion 46n is fixed by means such as press-fitting or bonding.

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

<Installation of drive side cover and peripheral parts>

Next, the configuration of the development side cover 34 and the coupling rod 55 provided at the end of the driving side of the development cassette B1 will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a perspective explanatory view and a side view showing a state in which the coupling rod 55 and the coupling rod spring 56 are attached to the developing side cover 34.

A coupling rod 55 and a coupling rod spring 56 are assembled on the inner side of the developing side cover 34 in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the cylindrical rod positioning boss 34m of the development side cover 34 and the hole 55c of the coupling rod 55 are fitted, and the coupling rod 55 is suitable for the development side cover 34 with the rotation axis L11 as the center. It is rotatably supported. In addition, the coupling rod spring 56 is a torsion coil spring, and one end is engaged with the coupling rod 55 and the other end is engaged with the display side cover 34. Specifically, the acting arm 56a of the coupling lever spring 56 will be engaged with the spring bolt portion 55b of the coupling lever 55, and the fixing arm 56c of the coupling lever spring 56 will be engaged with the spring bolt portion 34s of the display side cover 34 (Refer to Figure 9(c)).

A coupling spring 185 is mounted on the outer side of the developing side cover 34 in the longitudinal direction, which will be described in detail later.

The method of installing the coupling rod 55 and the coupling rod spring 56 on the display side cover 34 will be described in order. First, the cylindrical part 56d of the coupling rod spring 56 is attached to the cylindrical boss 55a of the coupling rod 55 (FIG. 9(a)). At this time, the action arm 56 a of the coupling lever spring 56 is engaged with the spring bolt portion 55 b of the coupling lever 55. In addition, first, the fixed arm 56c of the coupling lever spring 56 is deformed in the arrow X11 direction with the rotation axis L11 as the center. Next, the hole 55c of the coupling rod 55 is inserted into the rod positioning boss 34m of the developing side cover 34 (FIG. 9(a) to (b)). At the time of insertion, the pull-out prevention portion 55d of the coupling rod 55 and the pull-out prevention portion 34n of the developing side cover 34 are arranged so as not to interfere with each other. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9( b ), when viewed from the longitudinal direction, the pull-out prevention portion 55 d of the coupling rod 55 and the pull-out prevention portion 34 n of the development side cover 34 are arranged so as not to overlap.

In the state shown in FIG. 9(b), as described above, the fixed arm 56c of the coupling lever spring 56 is deformed in the arrow X11 direction. Once the deformation of the fixed arm 56c of the coupling lever spring 56 is released from the state shown in FIG. 9(b), the fixed arm 56c is a spring that is engaged with the display side cover 34 as shown in FIG. 9(c) The plug part 34s. Then, the spring bolt portion 34s that becomes the developing side cover 34 receives the elastic force of the fixed arm 56c of the coupling lever spring 56 after deformation. As a result, the fixed arm 56c of the coupling lever spring 56 receives a reaction force from the spring bolt portion 34s of the developing side cover 34 in the arrow X11 direction. In addition, the coupling rod 55 receives the elastic force of the coupling rod spring 56 at its spring bolt portion 55b. As a result, the coupling lever 55 rotates to the arrow X11 direction with the rotation axis L11 as the center, and the rotation regulating portion 55y of the coupling lever 55 regulates rotation at a position that abuts on the regulating surface 34y of the developing side cover 34 (refer to FIG. 9( a)~(c)). This completes the installation of the coupling rod 55 and the coupling rod spring 56 on the display side cover 34.

In addition, at this time, the pull-out prevention portion 55 d of the coupling rod 55 is in a state of overlapping with the pull-out prevention portion 34 n of the developing side cover 34 when viewed from the longitudinal direction. That is, the movement of the coupling rod 55 in the longitudinal direction is regulated, and it has a configuration capable of rotating only about the rotation axis X11. FIG. 9(d) shows a cross-sectional view of the pull-out preventing portion 55d of the coupling rod 55.

<Assembly of the developing side cover 34>

As shown in FIG. 10, the development side cover 34 in which the coupling rod 55 and the coupling rod spring 56 are integrated is fixed to the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the driving side development bearing 36. Specifically, the positioning portion 34r1 of the development side cover 34 and the positioned portion 36e1 of the drive side bearing 36 engage with each other. In addition, the positioning portion 34r2 engages with the positioned portion 36e2, so that the development side cover 34 is positioned with respect to the drive side development bearing 36.

In addition, the method of fixing the development side cover 34 to the drive side development bearing 36 is only to use screws, adhesives, or the like, and the structure is not limited.

Once the developing side cover 34 is installed, the rotational force receiving portions 180a1, 180a2, the guided portion 180d, etc. of the coupling member 180 pass through the hole 34a of the developing side cover 34. Then, the coupling member 180 is exposed to the outside in the longitudinal direction of the developing cassette B1 (refer to FIGS. 4 and 6). In addition, the guided portion 180 d (see FIG. 8) of the coupling member 180 is configured to abut the guide portion 55 e of the coupling rod 55.

As described above, the coupling rod 55 is configured to have the rotation axis L11 as the center, and the elastic force acts in the arrow X11 direction. Thereby, the coupling member 180 receives the elastic force F2 from the coupling rod 55 (refer to FIG. 10(b)).

Furthermore, a coupling spring 185 is provided on the developing side cover 34. The coupling spring 185 is a torsion coil spring, and one end abuts against the display side cover 36 and the other end abuts against the coupling member 180.

Specifically, the positioning portion 185 a of the coupling spring 185 is supported by the spring supporting portion 34 h of the developing side cover 34. In addition, the fixing arm 185b of the coupling spring 185 is fixed to the spring engaging portion 34j of the display side cover 34. In addition, the action arm 185c, which is the coupling spring 185, abuts against the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180. The action arm 185c of the coupling spring 185 constitutes an elastic force that acts in the direction of the arrow L12 centered on the rotation axis X12, and the rotation axis X12 is centered on the positioning portion 185a. Thereby, the coupling member 180 receives the elastic force F1b from the coupling spring 185 (refer to FIG. 10).

The coupling member 180 that receives the elastic force F2 from the coupling lever 55 and the elastic force F1b from the coupling spring 185 is held in an inclined posture (rotation axis L2) with respect to the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 (FIG. 10(b) ). The detailed configuration will be described later. It should be noted that the composition and the action of force for maintaining the inclined posture of the coupling member 180 at this time will be described in the following <Force relationship of the coupling member 180 when acting on the second inclined posture D2>.

<Basic operation of coupling member 180>

Next, the basic operation of the coupling member 180 in the state of the developing cartridge B1 will be explained using FIG. 15.

Fig. 15(a) is an enlarged view of the relationship among the coupling member 180, the drive input gear 27, and the drive side developing bearing 36 when viewed in a cross section in the longitudinal direction. FIG. 15(b) is a perspective view of the driving side developing bearing 36. FIG. 15(c) is a perspective view of the drive input gear 27.

The supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180 is provided in the inner portion 27t of the drive input gear 27, and is sandwiched by the regulation portion 27s of the drive input gear 27 and the coupling regulation portion 36s of the drive side development bearing 36. In addition, the diameter r180 of the supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180 is relative to the width r27 in the X180 direction of the regulation portion 27s of the drive input gear 27, and the width r36 of the coupling regulation portion 36s in the drive side development bearing 36 in the X180 direction. , Is to form the following relationship.

‧The diameter r180 of the supported part 180b>the width r27 in the X180 direction of the regulation part 27s of the drive input gear 27

‧The diameter r180 of the supported part 180b>the width r36 in the X180 direction of the coupling regulation part 36s of the driving side developing bearing 36

With this configuration, the longitudinal arrow Y180 of the coupling member 180 is regulated by the supported portion 180b abutting against the regulating portion 27s of the drive input gear 27 or the coupling regulating portion 36s of the drive side developing bearing 36. In addition, the cross-sectional direction arrow X180 of the coupling member 180 indicates that the supported portion 180b is regulated within the range of the inner portion 27t of the drive input gear 27. Therefore, the coupling member 180 has a structure in which the movement in the longitudinal direction Y180 and the cross-sectional direction X180 is regulated, but the inclination in the R180 direction with the center 180s of the supported portion 180 as the center is possible.

<About the tilting posture of the coupling member 180>

Next, the tilting operation of the coupling member 180 will be explained.

As described above, the coupling member 180 receives the driving force from the main body side driving member 100 of the apparatus main body A1, and is configured to be rotatable about the rotation axis L2. In addition, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 during drive transmission is basically set to be coaxial with the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27. In addition, due to the deviation of the size of the parts, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 and the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 may not be coaxial, and may deviate slightly.

In this structure, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is a structure which can incline to the following direction. These are three postures that can be roughly separated.

‧ Reference posture D0: posture in which the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 and the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 are coaxial or parallel

‧First oblique posture D1: The developing cartridge B1 is mounted on the main body A1 of the device, and the developing cartridge B1 moves from the spaced state of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 to the abutting state of abutment. The rotational force receiving portion 180a1180a2 (hereinafter referred to as the rotational force receiving portion 180a) of the coupling member 180 and the supported portion 180b face the orientation of the main body side driving member 100 of the apparatus main body A1. The details of the separated state, contact state, etc. will be described later.

‧Second oblique posture D2: A posture in which the rotational force receiving portion 180a and supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180 face the main body side driving member 100 of the main body A1 when the developing cartridge B1 is mounted on the main body A1. The details of the posture at the time of installation will be described later.

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

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the driving-side developing bearing 36 and the coupling member 180.

FIG. 13(a) is a perspective view showing the positions of the driving side developing bearing 36 and the coupling member 180. FIG. Fig. 13(b) is a view of the driving side developing bearing 36 viewed from the front of the driving side. Figure 13 (c) is in Figure 13 (b), the coupling member 180 is added to the figure viewed from the KA cross section, and Figure 13 (d) is in Figure 13 (b), viewed from the KB cross section The figure of the coupling member 180 is added to the figure of.

As shown in Fig. 13(a), the coupling member 180 is coaxial with the rotation axis L2, and a phase regulating boss 180e is provided on the inner side in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the driving side developing bearing 36 is provided with a concave phase regulating portion 36kb. In particular, the phase regulating portion 36kb is provided with a first tilt regulating portion 36kb1 recessed from the center of the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 to the arrow K1a direction, and a second tilt regulating portion 36kb2 recessed to the arrow K2a direction. The phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is configured to be arranged in the phase regulating portion 36kb of the drive side developing bearing 36. As shown in FIG. That is, the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is a regulated position at the phase regulating portion 36kb of the drive-side developing bearing 36. In other words, the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is movable within the phase regulating portion 36kb of the drive-side developing bearing 36, and is particularly configured to be movable to the first tilt regulating portion 36kb1 and the second tilt regulating portion 36kb2. When the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 moves to the first inclination regulating portion 36kb1, the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the guided portion 180d are inclined to the arrow K1b direction opposite to the arrow K1a. This is a state where the coupling member 180 is in the first inclined posture D1. In addition, when the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 moves to the second tilt regulating portion 36kb2, the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the guided portion 180d are inclined to the arrow K2b in the opposite direction to the arrow K2a direction. This is a state where the coupling member 180 is in the second inclined posture D2.

<The force relationship of the coupling member 180 when acting on the reference posture D0>

Hereinafter, with respect to the reference posture D0 of the coupling member 180, the posture of the coupling member 180 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the positions of the coupling rod 55 and the coupling member 180 when the imaging cartridge B1 is installed to the main body A of the apparatus. Figure 22 (a) is a side view from the driving side, Figure 22 (b) is a side view from the direction of arrow X20 in Figure 22 (a), Figure 22 (c) is in Figure 22 (b) It is cut by the cutting line X30 and viewed from the side of the non-driving side.

Once the imaging cassette B1 is installed to the main body A1 of the device, the coupling member 180 will engage with the main body side driving member 100. Then, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180, the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100, and the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 are coaxially arranged. In other words, the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the rotational force imparting portion 100a (the rotational force imparting portion 100a1 and the rotational force imparting portion 100a2) of the main body-side drive member 100 become engageable positions (see also FIG. 8).

Hereinafter, the operation of forming the coupling member 180 coaxial with the main body-side driving member 100 to the coupling member 180 will be described using FIG. 34. FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing the posture of the coupling member 180 to form a coupling member coaxial with the main body driving member 100. 34(a) is a cross-sectional view of a state where the coupling member 180 is not in contact with the main body drive member 100, and FIG. 34(b) is a cross-sectional view of a state at the moment when the coupling member 180 is in contact with the main body drive member 100. 34(c) is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the coupling member 180 is coaxial with the main body-side driving member 100.

As shown in FIG. 34(a), the coupling member 180 is in a state where it is not in contact with the main body driving member 100, and is inclined to the main body side driving member 100 with the center 180s of the supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180 as the center. The state of maintaining this posture does not change, and the coupling member 180 advances to the arrow X60 in the direction of the main body driving member 100. Then, the coupling member 180 is a concave-shaped conical portion 180g arranged on the inner side of the annular portion 180f and a convex portion 100g arranged on the shaft tip of the main body side drive member 100 abuts. Then, if the coupling member 180 advances further to the arrow X60, the coupling member 180 will move to the direction in which the inclination of the coupling member 180 will decrease with the center 180s of the supported portion 180b of the coupling member 180 as the center. As a result, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180, the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100, and the rotation axis L3 of the input gear 27 are coaxially arranged. The details of the force received by the coupling member 180 in this series of actions will be described later, so it is omitted here.

Then, the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 are coaxially arranged, and the posture of the coupling member 180 is the reference posture D0 (the inclination angle θ2 of the coupling member 180 = 0°). In addition, the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is separated from the second tilt regulating portion 36kb2 of the drive-side development bearing 36, and does not abut on the phase regulating portion 36b of the drive-side development bearing 36 (see Figure 22(c)). In addition, the guide portion 55e of the coupling rod 55 is held in a state completely retracted from the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 (FIG. 22(a)). That is, the coupling member 180 is two parts that abut the coupling spring 185 and the main body side driving member 100, and the inclination angle (θ2) of the coupling member 180 is determined. In such a case, even in the state where the imaging cassette B1 is completely mounted on the device body A1, the inclination angle (θ2) of the coupling member 180 may not become θ2=0°.

Hereinafter, the inclined posture (reference posture D0) of the development coupling member 180 when the development cassette B1 is installed in the main body A1 of the apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state when the coupling member 180 and the main body side drive member 100 are engaged. 14(a) and 14(b) show that the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100 are arranged coaxially, and the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 also becomes Side view and cross-sectional view when coaxial.

The guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 receives the elastic force in the direction of arrow F1 from the coupling spring 185 (refer to FIG. 22(d)), but the cone portion 180g abuts against the convex portion 100g at points 180g1 and 180g2 (FIG. 8( e)). As a result, the coupling member 180 has a regulated posture with respect to the main body side drive member 100 at two points, 180g1 and 180g2 of the cone portion 180g. That is, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is coaxial with the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100.

When the body-side driving member 100 of the device body A1 is rotationally driven in this state, the rotation force applying portion 100a of the device body A1 and the rotation force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 engage. Then, the drive is transmitted from the device main body A1 to the coupling member 180 (refer to FIG. 8).

The state shown in FIG. 14(c) is a state where the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100 are arranged coaxially, but the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined. Due to the deviation of the part size, although the cone portion 180g of the coupling member 180 abuts on the convex portion 100g of the main body side drive member 100 and the point 180g1 of the cone portion 180g, it does not abut on the point 180g2 of the cone portion 180g. At this time, as the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 receives the elastic force in the direction of the arrow F1 from the coupling spring 185, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined. Therefore, in FIG. 14(c), the posture of the coupling member 180 is regulated by the point 180g1 of the conical portion 180g of the coupling member 180 abutting the convex portion 100g of the main body-side driving member 100. That is, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined with respect to the rotation axis L4 of the body-side drive member 100. In other words, the inclination angle (θ2) of the coupling member 180 does not become θ2=0°.

14(d) shows a state where the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotation axis L4 of the main body side drive member 100 are not coaxial due to the deviation of the part size, and the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined (refer to Figure 8(d)). This situation is also like the state shown in FIG. 14(c), when the guide portion 180d of the coupling member 180 receives the elastic force from the coupling spring 185, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined. That is, the inclination angle (θ2) of the coupling member 180 does not become θ2=0°. However, as in FIG. 14(c), the posture of the coupling member 180 is regulated by the point 180g1 of the conical portion 180g of the coupling member 180 abutting the convex portion 100g of the main body-side driving member 100.

However, regardless of the state shown in FIG. 14(c) and FIG. 14(d), once the main body side driving member 100 of the main body A1 is rotationally driven, the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body A1 and the coupling member 180 The rotation force receiving portion 180a of the spool will engage. Then, the drive is transmitted from the device main body A1 to the coupling member 180.

As described above, in the state where the imaging cartridge B1 has been mounted to the main body A1 of the device, the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 may be coaxial with the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27, or may not be coaxial. Happening. However, in any of the above cases, when the main body side driving member 100 of the apparatus main body A1 is rotationally driven, the rotational force applying portion 100a of the apparatus main body A1 and the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 engage. Then, the drive is transmitted from the device main body A1 to the coupling member 180. The posture of the coupling member 180 in the state where the imaging cassette B1 is installed to the device body A1 and the coupling member 180 can receive the driving force from the rotation force applying portion 100a of the device body A1 is referred to as the reference posture D0 of the coupling member 180. In addition, the inclination angle is a range within which the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body-side drive member 100 and the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 can be retracted.

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

<The force relationship of the coupling member 180 when acting on the first inclined posture D1>

First, the force relationship of the coupling member 180 when it acts on the first inclined posture D1 will be explained using FIG. 11.

Fig. 11(a) is a side view of the developing cartridge B1 when the developing cartridge B1 is installed in the main body A1 of the apparatus and the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are in a separated state. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view of the position of the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 in the phase regulating portion 36kb of the driving side development bearing 36 as viewed from the non-driving side of the developing cartridge B1. 11(c) is a cross-sectional view when the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 is cut at the position of the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 in the longitudinal direction and viewed from the longitudinal drive side.

The coupling lever 55 receives an elastic force from the coupling lever spring 56 (refer to FIG. 9) that rotates to the arrow X11 direction about the rotation axis L11 as a center. On the other hand, when the developing cartridge B1 is installed in the main body A1 of the apparatus, the movement in the direction of the arrow X11 is regulated by the collision portion 80y provided in the main body A1 of the apparatus. Specifically, when the conflicting portion 80y abuts against the rotation regulating portion 55y of the coupling rod 55, the position of the coupling rod 55 is regulated against the elastic force of the coupling rod spring 56. In addition, the collision portion 80y is formed integrally with the driving side swing guide 80 (refer to FIG. 20). At this time, the guide portion 55e of the coupling rod 55 is in a state of being retracted from the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180. The contact between the coupling rod 55 and the conflicting portion 80y is described in detail in the process of attaching and detaching the developing cartridge B1, which will be described later.

On the other hand, at the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180, the guide portion 185d of the coupling spring 185 abuts, and the force F1a acts. That is, the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 receives a force inclined to the direction of the arrow F1a (refer to FIG. 11(c)). At this time, the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is regulated by the guide portion 36kb1a, the guide portion 36kb1b, and the guide portion 36kb1c of the drive-side developing bearing 36, and finally moves to the first tilt regulating portion 36kb1. That is, the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is inclined to the arrow K1a direction (FIG. 11(b)). On the other hand, the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the guided portion 180d are inclined to The composition in the direction of the arrow K1b (Figure 11(a)). The above-mentioned posture of the coupling member 180 is referred to as the first inclined posture D1 of the coupling member 180.

Here, the direction (arrow F1a direction) of the guide portion 185d of the coupling spring 185 is a direction orthogonal to the arrow K1b direction (see FIG. 11(a)) that may be formed with respect to the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180. This direction is the direction in which the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 collides with the first inclination regulating portion 36kb1. As a result, the elastic force of the coupling spring 185 for holding the coupling member 180 in the first inclined posture D1 can be reduced. . However, it is not limited to this, as long as the coupling member 180 is maintained in the first inclined posture D1 by adjusting the elastic force of the coupling spring 185 or the like.

<The force relationship of the coupling member 180 when acting on the second inclined posture D2>

Next, the force relationship of the coupling member 180 when it acts on the second inclined posture D2 will be explained using FIG. 12.

Fig. 12(a) is a side view of the development cassette B1 in a state before the development cassette B1 is attached to the main body A1 of the apparatus, that is, when the development cassette B1 is in a single product state (natural state). 12(b) is a cross-sectional view of the position of the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 in the phase regulating portion 36kb of the driving side development bearing 36 viewed from the non-driving side of the development cassette B1. 12(c) is a cross-sectional view of cutting the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 when viewed from the driving side in the longitudinal direction. FIG. 12 shows a state in which there is no conflicting portion 80y provided in the main body A1 of the apparatus with respect to FIG. 11. At this time, the coupling lever 55 receives the elastic force from the coupling lever spring 56 in the arrow X11 direction with the rotation axis L11 as the center, and rotates to a position where the guide portion 55e abuts the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180. That is, in the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180, the guide portion 55e of the coupling rod 55 and the guide portion 185d of the coupling spring 185 abut together.

Here, as described above, the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 receives a force inclined to the arrow F3 direction. At this time, the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is regulated by the guide portion 36kb2a, the guide portion 36kb2b, and the guide portion 36kb2c of the drive-side developing bearing 36, and finally moves to the second tilt regulating portion 36kb2. That is, the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is inclined to the arrow K2a direction (FIG. 12(b)). On the other hand, the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the guided portion 180d are inclined to The composition in the direction of the arrow K2b (Figure 12(a)). The above-mentioned posture of the coupling member 180 is referred to as the second inclined posture D2 of the coupling member.

(5) General description of drum cartridge C

Next, the structure of the drum cassette C will be explained using FIG. 16. Fig. 16(a) is a perspective explanatory view seen from the non-driving side of the drum cartridge C. Figs. In FIG. 16(b), in order to illustrate the peripheral parts of the photosensitive drum 10 and the charged roller 11, a perspective explanatory view of the cleaning frame 21, the drum bearing 30, the drum shaft 54 and the like is not shown.

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

At the drive-side end 10a of the photosensitive drum 10, the drive-side flange 24 is integrally fixed, and at the non-drive-side end 10b of the photosensitive drum 10, the non-drive-side flange 28 is integrally fixed. The driving side flange 24 or the non-driving side flange 28 is fixed to be coaxial with the photosensitive drum 10 by means such as riveting or bonding. At both ends of the long side of the drum frame 21, the drum bearing 30 will be fixed to the end of the drive side by means of screws, bonding, press-fitting, etc., and the drum shaft 54 will be fixed by means of screws, bonding, press-fitting, etc. At the end of the non-drive side. The driving side flange 24 integrally fixed with the photosensitive drum 10 is rotatably supported by the drum bearing 30, and the non-driving side flange 28 is rotatably supported by the drum shaft 54. In addition, a charged roller gear 69 is provided at one end of the long side of the charged roller 11, and the charged roller gear 69 meshes with the gear portion 24 g of the drive side flange 24. The drive-side end 24a of the drum flange 24 is configured to transmit rotational force from the apparatus main body A1 side (not shown). As a result, as the photoreceptor drum 10 is rotationally driven, the charging roller 11 is also rotationally driven. As described above, the peripheral speed of the surface of the charged roller 11 is set to about 105 to 120% with respect to the peripheral speed of the surface of the photosensitive drum 10.

(6) Description of the installation and removal structure of the imaging cassette B1 to the main body A1

Next, the method of installing the developing cartridge B1 to the main body A1 of the apparatus will be explained with reference to the figure.

FIG. 17 is a perspective explanatory view of the device main body A1 viewed from the non-driving side, and FIG. 18 is a perspective explanatory diagram of the device main body A1 viewed from the driving side. Fig. 19 is an explanatory view of the process in which the developing cartridge B1 is mounted on the main body A1 of the apparatus viewed from the driving side.

In the development cassette B1, as shown in FIG. 17, the non-driving side development bearing 46 is provided with a guided portion 46d having a positioning portion 46b and a rotation stop portion 46c. In addition, as shown in FIG. 18, the driving side cover 34 is provided with a guided portion 34d having a positioning portion 34b and a rotation stop portion 34c.

On the other hand, on the drive side of the device body A1, as shown in FIG. 17, a drive side guide member 92 is provided on the drive side side plate 90 constituting the frame of the device body A1, and a development card is provided in the device body A1. The drive side swing guide 80 that moves the cassette B1 as one unit. The details of the driving side rocking guide 80 will be described later. In addition, the driving-side guide member 92 is provided with a first guide portion 92a, a second guide portion 92b, and a third guide portion 92c. The first guide portion 92a of the driving side guide member 92 is formed with an attaching and detaching path X1a along the attaching and detaching path of the developing cartridge B1, and the second guiding portion 92b is formed with an attaching and detaching path along the developing cartridge B1 The groove shape of the loading and unloading path X1b. The third guide portion 92c of the driving-side guide member 92 has a groove shape in which an attachment/detachment path X3 along the attachment/detachment path of the drum cassette C is formed. In addition, the swing guide 80 on the driving side is provided with a first guide portion 80a and a second guide portion 80b. The first guide portion 80a of the driving side swing guide 80 has a groove shape along the attachment/detachment path X2a of the developing cartridge B1 formed on the extension of the first guide portion 92a of the driving side guide member 92. In addition, the second guide portion 80b of the driving side rocking guide 80 has a groove shape along the attachment/detachment path X2b of the developing cartridge B1 formed on the extension of the second guide portion 92b of the driving side guide member 92.

Similarly, on the non-driving side of the device body A1, as shown in FIG. 18, the non-driving side side plate 91 constituting the frame of the device body A1 is provided with a non-driving side guide member 93 and a driving side swing guide 80 that can move likewise. The non-driving side rocking guide 81. The non-driving side guide member 93 is provided with a first guide portion 93a and a second guide portion 93b.

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

The detailed configuration of the driving side rocking guide 80 and the non-driving side rocking guide 81 will be described later.

<Description of the non-drive side electrical contact part>

Next, the electrical contact portion of the main body A1 of the apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 35.

In the side plate 91 on the non-driving side, a power supply section 120 is provided at a position facing the electrode section 47a of the memory substrate 47 of the development cassette B1 when the image is formed. In the power feeding section 120, a spring-like power feeding contact 120A formed of a wire spring, a leaf spring, etc. protrudes from the power feeding section 120, and the power feeding contact 120A is connected to an electrical board not shown.

<Installation of imaging cassette B1 to main unit A1>

The following describes how to install the developing cassette B1 to the main body A1 of the device. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, by rotating the openable and closable main body cover 94 arranged on the upper part of the apparatus main body A1 in the opening direction D1, the inside of the apparatus main body A1 can be exposed.

After that, the guided portion 46d (FIG. 17) of the non-driving side bearing 46 of the developing cassette B1 is engaged with the first guide portion 93 a (FIG. 18) of the non-driving side guide member 93 of the apparatus main body A1. Then, the guided portion 34d (Fig. 18) of the development side cover 34 of the development cassette B1 is engaged with the first guide portion 92a (Fig. 17) of the drive side guide member 92 of the apparatus main body A1. Thereby, the developing cartridge B1 is inserted along the attachment/detachment path X1a and attachment/detachment path XH1a formed by the first guide portion 92a of the driving side guide member 92 and the first guide portion 93a of the non-driving side guide member 93 Inside the device body A1.

In addition, when the developing cartridge B1 is attached to the main body A1 of the apparatus, as described above, the coupling member 180 is in the state of the second inclined posture D2 described above. The coupling member 180 is inserted into the second guide portion 92b of the driving-side guide member 92 while keeping the second inclined posture D2 unchanged. To describe in more detail, there is a gap between the coupling member 180 and the second guide portion 92b of the driving-side guide member 92. Therefore, when the developing cartridge B1 is inserted into the apparatus body A1 along the attachment and detachment paths X1b and XH1a, the coupling member 180 remains in the state of maintaining the second inclined posture D2.

The imaging cassette B1 inserted into the device body A1 along the attachment and detachment paths X1a and XH1a is then inserted into the device body A1 along the attachment and detachment paths X2a and XH2a. The attachment and detachment paths X2a and XH2a are formed by the first guide portion 80a of the driving side rocking guide 80 and the guide portion 81a of the non-driving side rocking guide 81. To describe in more detail, the guided portion 34d provided on the development side cover 34 is first guided by the first guide portion 92a of the drive side guide member 92 of the apparatus main body A1. After that, following the installation process, the guided portion 34d becomes the first guide portion 80a that is transferred to the driving side swing guide 80 of the apparatus main body A1. Similarly, on the non-driving side, the guided portion 46d provided on the non-driving side developing bearing 46 is first guided by the first guide portion 93a of the non-driving side guide member 93 of the apparatus main body A1. After that, following the installation process, the guided portion 46d becomes the guide portion 81a that is transferred to the non-driving side swing guide 81 of the apparatus main body A1.

In addition, the coupling member 180 provided at the end of the drive side of the imaging cassette B1 is kept in the second inclined posture D2, and is transferred from the second guide portion 92b of the drive side guide member 92 of the main body A1 to the drive side. The second guide portion 80b of the guide 80 is shaken. In addition, as described above, there is a gap between the coupling member 180 and the second guide portion 80b of the driving side swing guide 80.

<Positioning the imaging cassette B1>

Next, it is obvious that the cassette B1 is positioned on the driving side rocking guide 80 and the non-driving side rocking guide 81 of the apparatus main body A1. In addition, the basic configuration is the same on the driving side and the non-driving side, so the driving side of the developing cassette B1 will be described as an example below. FIG. 19 shows the state of the development cassette B1 and the driving side rocking guide 80 showing a process in which the development cassette B1 is mounted on the main body A1 of the apparatus.

FIG. 19(a) shows that the guided portion 34d of the development side cover 34 provided on the development cassette B1 is guided to the first guide portion 80a of the driving side swing guide 80, and the development cassette B1 is in the attaching and detaching path X2a On the status.

Fig. 19(b) is a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is further mounted from the state of Fig. 19(a), and the positioning portion 34b of the guided portion 34d of the developing side cover 34 will interact with the rocking guide 80 provided on the drive side. The positioning portion 82a of the driving side pressing member 82 abuts on the point P1.

20 is a perspective explanatory view showing the peripheral shape of the driving side swing guide 80 and the driving side pressing member 82. As shown in FIG. Fig. 20(a) is a perspective view seen from the driving side in the longitudinal direction, and Fig. 20(b) is a perspective view seen from the non-driving side in the longitudinal direction. 20(c) is an exploded perspective view of the driving side swing guide 80, the driving side pressing member 82, and the driving side pressing spring 83. 20(d) and 20(e) are enlarged detailed views of the periphery of the driving-side pressing member 82.

Here, as shown in FIG. 20(a) and FIG. 20(b), the driving side pressing member 82 has a hole portion 82b, a seat surface 82c, and a regulating portion 82d in addition to the positioning portion 82a. As shown in FIG. 20(c), the hole portion 82b is engaged with the boss portion 80c of the driving side swing guide 80, and is rotatably supported around the boss portion 80c. In addition, one end 83c of the driving side pressing spring 83 of the compression spring abuts against the seat surface 82c. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 20( d ), the other end 83 d of the driving side pressing spring 83 is in contact with the seat surface 80 d of the driving side swing guide 80. Thereby, the driving side pressing member 82 is configured to receive the elastic force F82 that rotates in the direction of the arrow Ra1 with the boss portion 80c of the driving side swing guide 80 as the center. In addition, the driving-side pressing member 82 has its regulating portion 82d colliding with the rotation regulating portion 80e provided on the driving-side rocking guide 80, whereby the rotation in the direction of the arrow Ra1 is regulated and positioned. Here, as shown in FIG. 20(e), the driving side pressing member 82 rotatably supported by the driving side rocking guide 80 is rotatable by arrow Ra2 against the elastic force F82 of the driving side pressing spring 83 direction. In addition, the upper end 82e of the driving side pressing member 82 swings the guide surface 80w of the guide 80 from the driving side to a position where it does not protrude, and is rotatable in the arrow Ra2 direction.

Fig. 19(c) is a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is further installed from the state of Fig. 19(a). Then, it is shown that the guided portion 34d integrated with the positioning portion 34b and the rotation stop portion 34c of the developing side cover 34 abuts against the front inclined surface 82w of the driving side pressing member 82, and the driving side pressing member 82 is pushed down to The state of the arrow Ra2. In detail, the guided portion 34d of the developing side cover 34 will abut the front inclined surface 82w of the drive side pressing member 82, and press the drive side pressing member 82, whereby the drive side pressing member 82 will oppose the drive The urging force F82 of the side pressing spring 83 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow Ra2) with the boss portion 80c of the driving side rocking guide 80 as the center. FIG. 19(c) shows a state where the positioning portion 34b of the drive side cover 34 is in contact with the upper end portion 82e of the drive side pressing member 82. At this time, the regulation portion 82d of the drive side pressing member 82 is separated from the rotation regulation portion 80e of the drive side swing guide 80.

19(d) is a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is further mounted from the state of FIG. 20(c), and the positioning portion 34b of the driving side cover 34 is in contact with the positioning portion 80f of the driving side rocking guide 80. As described above, the driving side pressing member 82 is configured to receive the elastic force F82 rotating in the direction of the arrow Ra1 with the boss portion 80c of the driving side swing guide 80 as the center. Therefore, the inner inclined surface 82s of the driving side pressing member 82 urges the positioning portion 34b of the driving side cover 34 with the elastic force F4. As a result, the positioning portion 34b abuts against the positioning portion 80f of the driving side swing guide 80 at the point P3 without a gap. Thereby, the driving side of the imaging cassette B1 will be positioned and fixed to the driving side rocking guide 80.

The configuration of the non-driving side is the same as that of the driving side. As shown in FIG. 36, corresponding to the driving side rocking guide 80, the driving side pressing member 82, and the driving side pressing spring 83, the non-driving side rocking guide 81, The non-driving side pressing member 84 and the non-driving side pressing spring 85. Therefore, the positioning of the positioning portion 46b of the non-driving side development bearing 46 and the non-driving side rocking guide 81 are also the same as those of the driving side (the description is omitted). Thereby, the developing cassette B1 is positioned and fixed to the driving side rocking guide 80 and the non-driving side rocking guide 81.

<Operation of the coupling member 180 during the installation process of the developing cartridge B1>

Next, the operation of the coupling member 180 related to the installation process of the developing cartridge B1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 21, 22, and 23.

As described above, the coupling member 180 is in the second inclined posture D2 in the state before the developing cartridge B1 is mounted on the main body A1 of the apparatus. The coupling member 180 keeps the second inclined posture D2 unchanged, and is mounted on the device body A1. FIG. 21(a) shows a state in which the developing cassette B1 is mounted on the main body A1 of the apparatus and is located on the attachment and detachment path X2a formed by the driving side swing guide 80 and the non-driving side swing guide 81. Fig. 21(e) is a view seen from the direction of arrow X50 in Fig. 21(a) in the state of Fig. 21(a). The second inclined posture D2 of the coupling member 180 is when the developing cartridge B1 is on the attaching and detaching path X2a, the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 constitutes a direction toward the main body side driving member 100 of the apparatus main body A1. More specifically, in the vicinity of the contact between the coupling member 180 and the main body-side driving member 100 described later, the coupling member 180 is inclined to the direction of the main body-side driving member 100 with the center 180s of the supported portion 180b as the center. In this way, the coupling member 180 is inclined to form the second inclination regulating portion 36kb2 of the driving side developing bearing 36 (refer to FIG. 13, FIG. 15, and FIG. 12).

Fig. 21(b) shows a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is inserted into the attachment/detachment path X2a from the state shown in Fig. 21(a). Fig. 21(f) is a view seen from the direction of arrow X50 in Fig. 21(b). The ring portion 180f of the coupling member 180 is in a state in which it is in contact with the main body side drive member 100. From the state shown in FIG. 21(a) to the state shown in FIG. 21(b), since the coupling member 180 is inclined to the direction of the body-side drive member 100, the coupling member 180 and the body-side drive shaft 100 can be easily Snap. In addition, as described above, the coupling member 180 receives the resultant force F3 from the coupling rod 56 and the coupling spring 185 by the guided portion 180d to maintain the second inclined posture D2 (see FIG. 12). In addition, for the following description, the angle (inclination angle) formed by the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27 and the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 when the coupling member 180 is in the second inclined posture D2 is θ2a (refer to FIG. 21 (b)).

Fig. 21(c) shows a state in which the developing cassette B1 is inserted into the attaching and detaching path X2a from the state shown in Fig. 21(b). Fig. 21(g) is a view seen from the direction of arrow X50 in Fig. 21(c). 23 is a cross-sectional view of the force relationship around the coupling member 180 when the ring portion 180f of the coupling member 180 is in contact with the main body-side driving member 100.

The rotation regulating portion 55y of the coupling lever 55 is in a state where the collision portion 80y provided on the driving side rocking guide 80 is in contact with each other. From the state shown in FIG. 21(b) to the state shown in FIG. 21(c), the coupling member 180 abuts against the main body side drive member 100 by its annular portion 180f, and the inclination angle becomes θ2b (≦θ2a). To describe in more detail, the coupling member 180 receives the force F100 from the main body-side driving member 100 to the abutting portion. When the force F100 opposes the initially received force F3 in the direction of the coupling member 180 and is greater than F3, the inclination angle of the coupling member 180 becomes slower and relatively approaches the direction parallel to the rotation axis L3 of the drive input gear 27. That is, the coupling member 180 is centered on the center 180s of the supported portion 180b, and the inclination angle changes to θ2b<θ2a (refer to FIG. 15, FIG. 21(b), FIG. 21(c), and FIG. 23(a)) . In addition, at this time, the coupling member 180 is the four parts that abut the coupling rod 55, the coupling spring 185, the main body side drive member 100, and the phase regulating portion 36kb of the drive side development bearing 36 to determine its inclination angle (θ2b) .

Fig. 21(d) shows a state in which the developing cartridge B1 is inserted in the direction of the attaching and detaching path X2a from the state shown in Fig. 21(c). Fig. 21(h) is a view seen from the direction of arrow X50 in Fig. 21(d). The rotation regulating portion 55y of the coupling rod 55 is abutting against the collision portion 80y of the driving side rocking guide 80. Therefore, as the development cassette B1 is inserted in the direction of the attachment and detachment path X2a, the coupling rod 55 relatively rotates in the direction of the arrow X11b around the rotation axis L11 in the development cassette B1. At this time, the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 also rotates in the arrow X11b direction with the rotation axis L11 as the center. As a result, the coupling member 180 follows the guide portion 55e of the coupling rod 55 while receiving the urging force of the coupling spring 185, and its inclination angle θ2c decreases (θ2c<θ2b). In addition, the coupling member 180 is a three-part component that abuts against the coupling spring 185, the main body side driving member 100, and the phase regulating portion 36kb of the driving side development bearing 36, and determines the inclination angle (θ2c).

Fig. 22 is a state in which the development cassette B1 is inserted in the direction of the attachment/detachment path X2a from the state shown in Fig. 21(d), and shows a state where the development of the development cassette B1 to the main body A1 of the apparatus is completed.

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

In addition, at this time, the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is separated from the second inclination regulating portion 36kb2 of the driving side development bearing 36, and does not abut against any part of the phase regulating portion 36b of the driving side development bearing 36 (Refer to Figure 22(c)). In addition, the guide portion 55e of the coupling rod 55 is held in a state completely retracted from the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180. That is, the coupling member 180 is the two parts that abut the coupling spring 185 and the main body side drive member 100 to determine the inclination angle (θ2). (For details, refer to the aforementioned reference posture D0 of the coupling member 180).

<Operation of the coupling member 180 in the process of taking out the developing cartridge B1>

Next, the operation of the coupling member 108 in the process of removing the developing cartridge B1 from the main body A1 of the apparatus will be described.

The operation when the developing cassette B1 is taken out from the main unit A1 is the reverse operation of the installation described above.

First, the user rotates the main body cover 94 of the device main body A1 in the opening direction D1 (refer to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18) to expose the inside of the device main body A1, as in the case of installation. At this time, the development cassette B1 is maintained in the contact posture where the development roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 abut by a configuration not shown together with the driving side rocking guide 80 and the non-driving side rocking guide 81.

Then, the developing cassette B1 is moved in the removal direction along the attachment/detachment locus XH2 provided on the driving side rocking guide 80 and the non-driving side rocking guide 81.

With the movement of the developing cassette B1, the conflicting portion 80y of the driving side rocking guide 80 abutting on the rotation regulating portion 55y of the coupling lever 55 will move (the state shown in Figure 21(d) ~ Figure 21(c) status). Along with this, the coupling rod 55 rotates to the arrow X11 direction with the rotation axis L11 as the center. Moreover, once the developing cassette B1 is moved, the coupling lever 55 will rotate to the arrow X11 direction, and the guide portion 55e of the coupling lever 55 will abut the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 (as shown in FIG. 21(c)) status). The coupling member 180 receiving the elastic force from both the coupling rod 55 and the coupling spring 185 starts to move in the direction of the second inclined posture D2 as described above. Finally, the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is regulated by the guide portion 36kb2a or 36kb2b and the guide portion 36kb2c of the driving side developing bearing 36, and engages with the second tilt regulating portion 36kb2. In addition, the coupling member 180 is in a state where the second inclined posture D2 is maintained.

Then, the developing cassette B1 is moved in the removal direction along the attachment/detachment trajectory XH1 provided on the drive-side guide member 92 and the non-drive-side guide member 93, and is taken out of the main device A1.

As described above, in this embodiment, by providing the coupling rod 55 and the coupling spring 56 on the imaging cassette B1 that applies the elastic force to the coupling member 180, the coupling member 180 can be inclined to the second inclined posture D2. The inclination direction in which the coupling member 180 is inclined by the coupling lever 55 is set as the direction of the attaching and detaching path X2a of the imaging cartridge B1, and the rotation of the coupling lever 55 is linked with the attaching and detaching operation of the imaging cartridge B1 of the user The composition.

(7) About the abutment and release lever as a movable member

The driving-side abutment and separation lever 70 as a driving-side movable member will be described with reference to FIG. 1(a). Fig. 1(a) is an explanatory view of the drive side abutment and separation lever 70 and the peripheral shape, and a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge B1 when viewed from the drive side.

As shown in Fig. 1(a), the driving side abutting and separating lever 70 has a first abutting surface 70a, a second abutting surface 70b, a third abutting surface 70c, a supported portion 70d, and a driving-side regulating abutment The portion 70e and the first protruding portion (one-end side protruding portion) 70f. In addition, with regard to the driving-side developing bearing 36, the supported portion 70d of the driving-side abutting and separating lever 70 is rotatably supported by the supporting portion 36c of the driving-side developing bearing 36.

Specifically, the hole of the supported portion 70d of the driving side abutting and separating lever 70 fits with the boss of the supporting portion 36c of the driving-side developing bearing 36, whereby the driving side abutting and separating lever 70 is the supporting portion 36c. The boss is the center and is rotatably supported (arrows N9 and N10 directions). That is, the support portion 36c becomes the center of rotation of the drive side abutment and separation lever 70. In addition, in this embodiment, the support portion 36 c of the drive-side development bearing 36 is parallel to the rotation axis L0 of the development roller 13. That is, the drive-side development abutment and separation lever 70 is rotatable on a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis L0 of the development roller 13.

In addition, the drive-side contact and release lever 70 abuts on one end 71d of the drive-side development pressure spring 71 as the first elastic portion of the compression spring in the third contact surface 70c. The other end 71e of the drive-side development pressure spring 71 is in contact with the contact surface 36d of the drive-side development bearing 36. As a result, the driving-side abutting and separating lever 70 receives a force in the direction of the arrow N16 from the driving-side developing pressure spring 71 on the third abutting surface 70c. Then, the driving side development pressurizing spring 71 is urged to the direction in which the first contact surface 70a of the driving side abutment and separation lever 70 is away from the development roller 13 (N16). In the state of the development cassette B1 alone, that is, the state before the development cassette B1 is mounted on the main body A1 of the device, the drive side regulation abutment portion 70e abuts against the regulation provided on the drive side development bearing 36部36b.

Here, FIG. 37 is a diagram showing the projection drive side abutting the spacer 70 on the cross-sectional view of the developing cassette B1. In FIG. 37, the supported portion 70d (the center of rotation of the driving side abutment lever 70) is at a position overlapping with the developer accommodating portion 16a (that is, inside the developer accommodating portion 16a). That is, if the developing cartridge B1 is viewed in the direction of arrow N11 (see FIG. 4) parallel to the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13, the supported portion 70d of the driving side abutting and separating lever 70 is It is in a position overlapping with the developer accommodating portion 16a of the developing container 16. In addition, although not shown, the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 also has the same configuration.

Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of protrusion of the drive side abutment and release lever 70 and the non-drive side abutment and release lever 72 from the developer accommodating portion 16a, and the developing cartridge B1 can be viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13 Miniaturization in size.

The non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 as a non-driving side movable member will be described with reference to FIG. 1(b). In addition, the non-driving side is constructed similarly to the driving side.

Fig. 1(b) is a side view of the developing cassette B1 as viewed from the non-driving side. However, in order to explain the configuration of the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72, some parts are not shown.

As shown in Figure 1(b), the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 has a non-driving side first abutting surface 72a, a non-driving side second abutting surface 72b, a non-driving side third abutting surface 72c, The supported portion 72d, the non-driving side regulation abutting portion 72e, and the non-driving side first protruding portion (the other end side protruding portion) 72f. Furthermore, the supported portion 72d of the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 is supported by the supporting portion 46f of the non-driving side developing bearing 46. Specifically, by fitting the hole of the supported portion 72d of the non-driving side abutting and separating rod 72 with the boss of the supporting portion 46f of the non-driving-side developing bearing 46, the non-driving side abutting and separating rod 72 supports The boss of the portion 46f is rotatably supported at the center (arrows NH9, NH10 directions). In other words, the support portion 46f is the center of rotation of the non-driving side abutment lever 72. In addition, in this embodiment, the support portion 46f of the non-driving side development bearing 46 is parallel to the rotation axis L0 of the development roller 13. That is, the non-driving side development abutment and separation lever 72 is rotatable on a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis L0 of the development roller 13.

In addition, the non-driving-side abutting and separating lever 72 abuts on one end 73e of the non-driving-side development pressure spring 73 as the second elastic portion of the compression spring in the non-driving-side third abutting surface 72c. The other end 73 d of the non-driving side development pressurizing spring 73 is in contact with the contact surface 46 g of the non-driving side development bearing 46. As a result, the non-driving side contact and separation lever 72 receives the force FH10 in the arrow NH16 direction from the non-driving side development pressurizing spring 73 in the non-driving side third contact surface 72c. Then, the non-driving side development pressurizing spring 73 is urged to the direction in which the first contact surface 72a of the non-driving side abutment and separation lever 72 is away from the development roller 13 (arrow NH16). In the state of the developing cartridge B1 alone, that is, the state before the developing cartridge B1 is mounted on the main body A1 of the device, the non-driving side regulation abutting portion 72e abuts against the developing bearing 46 provided on the non-driving side The Regulation Department 46e.

As shown in FIG. 1, the regulating portion 36b and the regulating portion 46e constitute the biasing direction of the driving side development pressure spring 71 and the non-driving side development pressure spring 73, respectively, and the driving side development pressure spring 71 and The non-driving side development pressure spring 73 partially overlaps. In other words, the drive-side abutment and release lever 70 is sandwiched between the regulating portion 36b and the drive-side development pressurizing spring 71 to receive a compression force. That is, it is possible to accurately position the position of the separated portion 70g of the drive side abutment and separation lever 70 where the separated portion 70g abuts on the regulated portion 36b. The same applies to the non-driving side. As a result, the separation force of the separation mechanism of the device body described later can be received at a high-precision timing.

The regulating portion 36b and the regulating portion 46e respectively regulate the driving side abutting and separating rod 70 and the non-driving side abutting and separating rod 72 to move away from the developing roller 13. In other words, the regulating portion 36b and the regulating portion 46e are respectively provided at positions where the driving side abutting and separating rod 70 and the non-driving side abutting and separating rod 72 can move away from the developing roller 13 respectively. When the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10, the driving side abutting and separating lever 70 and the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 are rotated to the rotation directions N10 and NH10, respectively, so as to abut against the regulation portion 36b and the regulation部46e. As a result, the separating force of the separating mechanism as the main body of the device will travel from the driving side abutting and separating rod 70 and the non-driving side abutting and separating rod 72 to and from the driving side developing bearing 36 of the developing frame through the regulating portion 36b and the regulating portion 46e. And the state conveyed by the non-driving side developing bearing 46.

FIG. 44 shows the display of the regulation portion 36b, the regulation portion 46e, the drive side abutment and release lever 70, the non-drive side abutment and release lever 72, the drive side development pressure spring 71, and the non-drive side development pressure spring 73 It is a schematic diagram of the positional relationship in the longitudinal direction of the roller 13. FIG. 44 is a view viewed from a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (rotation axis L0 direction) of the developing roller 13. The regulation portion 36b is configured in the N11 direction parallel to the longitudinal direction (rotation axis L0 direction) of the developing roller 13, and at least a part thereof overlaps the drive-side developing pressure spring 71 and the drive-side third contact surface 70c. Similarly, the regulation portion 46e is configured to overlap with the non-driving side development pressurizing spring 73 and the non-driving side third abutting surface 72c at least in the N11 direction. Thereby, the separation force of the separation mechanism of the device body described later can be received at a high-precision timing.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the direction of the arrow M2 also includes at least a part of the regulation portion 36b that overlaps the drive-side development pressurizing spring 71 and the drive-side third contact surface 70c. Similarly, regarding the direction of the arrow M2, the regulation portion 46e is configured to overlap at least a part of the non-driving side development pressurizing spring 73 and the non-driving side third contact surface 72c. However, regarding either the direction of the N11 direction or the direction of the arrow M2, the above-mentioned arrangement relationship of the regulation portion 36b and the regulation portion 46e may be sufficient.

Here, the urging force F10 of the driving side development pressurizing spring 71 and the urging force FH10 of the non-driving side development pressurizing spring 73 are set to different settings. In addition, the driving-side third abutting surface 70c and the non-driving-side third abutting surface 72c are arranged at different angles. This may be appropriately selected in consideration of the characteristics of the peripheral structure in such a way that the pressing force of the developing roller 13 on the photosensitive drum 10 described later can be appropriately formed. In this embodiment, in order to rotate and drive the developing roller 13, the influence of the torque M6 (refer to FIG. 27(a)) generated in the developing cartridge 13 when the drive transmission is received from the main body A1 of the device is taken into consideration, and F10<FH10 Relationship to set.

That is, on the driving side, as shown in FIG. 8, the coupling member 180 rotates in the arrow X6 direction. The developing cartridge B1 receiving the rotational force is integrated with the drive-side rocking guide 80 and swung around the support portion 80g (refer to Fig. 27) in the direction of arrow N6 shown in Fig. 27. When the rotational force (torque) received by the coupling member 180 from the body-side drive member 100 is sufficient, only the torque of the coupling member 180 generates a torque in the arrow N6 direction, and generates a force for pressing the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10. Therefore, in comparison with the urging force FH10 of the non-driving side development pressurizing spring 73, the urging force F10 of the driving side development pressurizing spring 71 can also be reduced.

Here, as shown in Fig. 1(a), a straight line Z30 passing through the center 13z of the developing roller 13 and parallel to the mounting direction X2 (Fig. 17) of the developing cartridge B1 to the main body A1 of the developing device is defined. The drive-side abutment and separation lever 70 is arranged on the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 10 (the lower side in the direction of gravity in this embodiment) with respect to the straight line Z30. With this configuration, when the developing cartridge is attached and detached, the degree of freedom of arrangement with the drum cartridge C is increased. Specifically, by providing a configuration in which the drive side abutting and separating lever 70 does not protrude in the direction of the drum cassette C, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the drum cassette C is increased. It is not necessary to form a configuration that avoids interference with the protruding drive side abutment and separation lever 70 or the like.

Moreover, the first protrusion 70f of the drive-side abutment lever 70 is more developed than the developing container 16, the drive side when viewed from the drive side of the developing cartridge along the longitudinal direction (rotation axis direction). The bearing 36 and the developing side cover 34 (refer to FIG. 10) also protrude.

That is, when the imaging cartridge is viewed from the drive side (one end side) along the longitudinal direction (rotation axis L0 direction), as shown in FIG. 11, the drive side abuts against the first protrusion (one end of the spacer 70). The side protrusion) 70f is exposed from the development frame (16, 46, 36, 34).

However, when viewing the development cassette B1 along the longitudinal direction (the direction of the rotation axis L0), the drive-side separation lever 70 does not necessarily have to be exposed from the development frame (16, 46, 36, 34). When viewing the development cassette B1 from the driving side or the driven side, it is also conceivable that the driving side separation lever 70 is hidden behind the development frame and the first protrusion 70f is not exposed (invisible).

That is, the protruding portion 70f is a cross-section of the developing cartridge perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13) as long as it passes through the drive-side separating lever 70 (especially the protruding portion 70f) (see FIG. 1 In (a)), what is necessary is to protrude from the display frame (16, 46, 36, 34). According to such a structure, the drive-side device pressing member 150 (refer to FIG. 27) described later can be engaged with the protruding portion 70f.

In other words, as long as the position where the drive side separation lever 70 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the development roller 13, the protrusion 70f protrudes from the development frame to form the outer shape of the development cassette. In this embodiment, the protruding portion 70f protrudes from the driving side developing bearing 36 at a position where the driving side spacer 70 is arranged. The protruding portion 70f may also be covered and concealed by the development side cover 34 located on the longer side of the drive side separation lever 70, or can be hidden by the development container 16 located on the inner side of the drive side separation lever 70 in the longer side direction. Covered concealment and the like.

In conclusion, when viewed in a cross section of the position where the driving side abuts against the spacer 70 in the direction of the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13, the driving side abutting and spacer 70 protrudes into the outer shape of the developing cassette B1.

Furthermore, the projecting direction (arrow M2 direction) of the first projecting portion 70f is the movable direction (moving direction: arrow N9, N10 direction) of the drive side contact and separation lever 70 and the moving direction of the developing cartridge B1 ( Moving direction: The arrow N6 direction (refer to Figure 27(a))) intersects.

In addition, the first protruding portion 70 f is seen from the supported portion 70 d of the driving side abutting the spacer 70, and has a first abutting surface 70 a on the opposite side of the developing roller 13. As will be described in detail later, when the developing roller 13 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 10, the second contact surface 150b of the drive-side device pressing member 150 is in contact with the first contact surface 70a of the drive-side abutment and release lever 70. (Refer to Figure 27(a)). In addition, at the tip of the first protrusion 70f, a separated portion 70g that crosses the protrusion direction (arrow M2 direction) of the first protrusion 70f and protrudes to the developing roller 13 side is provided. The separated portion 70g has a second contact surface 70b. As will be described in detail later, when the developing roller 13 is spaced from the photosensitive drum 10 (see FIG. 28), the first contact surface 150a of the drive-side device pressing member 150 and the second contact surface 70b of the drive-side contact and separation lever 70 are formed. The composition of abutment.

Next, the shape of the non-driving side abutment and separation lever 72 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1(b). Similar to the aforementioned driving side, the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 passes through the center 13z of the developing roller 13, and is arranged on a straight line Z30 parallel to the mounting direction X2 of the developing cartridge B1 to the main body A1 of the imaging device. The opposite side of the drum 10 (in this embodiment, the lower side in the direction of gravity). With this configuration, when the developing cartridges are attached and detached, the degree of freedom of arrangement between the drum cartridges C is increased. Specifically, by setting the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 to not protrude in the direction of the drum cassette C, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the drum cassette C is increased. It is not necessary to form a configuration that avoids interference with the protruding non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 and the like.

In addition, the first protrusion 72f of the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 protrudes more than the developing container 16 and the non-driving side developing bearing 46 when viewed in the longitudinal direction. That is, when the developing cartridge is viewed from the non-driving side (the other end side) along the longitudinal direction (the rotation axis L0 direction), the non-driving side abuts on the first protrusion (the other end side protrusion) of the spacer 72 ) 72f is exposed from the development frame (16, 46, 36, 34) (refer to FIG. 5).

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

That is, the first protrusion 72f is also the same, as long as it passes through the drive-side separation lever 72 (especially the protrusion 72f), in the cross section of the imaging cassette perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (the rotation axis L0 of the imaging roller 13) In the display frame (16, 36, 34), what is necessary is just to protrude. According to such a structure, the non-driving side device pressing member 151 (refer to FIG. 29) described later can be engaged with the protrusion 72f.

In other words, as long as the position of the drive-side separation lever 70 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13, the protrusion 70f protrudes from the developing frame (in this embodiment, the non-driving side cover 46) to form the developing cassette B1 The shape can be. It may also be a structure in which the development frame covers the first protrusion 72f and hides it on the longer side or the longer side than the position where the drive-side separation lever 72 is arranged.

In conclusion, when viewed in a cross section of the position where the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 in the direction of the rotation axis L0 of the developing roller 13 is, the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 protrudes into the outer shape of the developing cassette B1.

Moreover, the protrusion direction of the first protrusion 72f (arrow MH2 direction) is the movable direction of the non-driving side abutment lever 72 (moving direction: arrow NH9, NH10 direction), and the movable direction of the developing cartridge B1 (Movement direction: arrow M1 direction (Figure 27(a))) cross. In addition, the first protruding portion 72f is viewed from the supported portion 72d of the non-driving side abutting the spacer 72, and has a first abutting surface 72a on the opposite side of the developing roller 13. As will be described in detail later, when the developing roller 13 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 10, the second contact surface 151b of the non-driving side device pressing member 151 abuts against the first contact surface 72a of the non-driving side abutment and release lever 72 The composition (Figure 29).

Furthermore, at the front end of the first protrusion 72f, there is provided a separated portion 72g intersecting the direction in which the first protrusion 72f protrudes from the developing container 16 (arrow MH2 direction) and protruding to the developing roller 13 side. The separated portion 72g has a second contact surface 72b. As described in detail later, when the developing roller 13 is spaced from the photosensitive drum 10 (see FIG. 29), the first contact surface 151a of the non-driving side device pressing member 151 and the second contact surface 151a of the non-driving side abutment and separation lever 72 The surface 72b is in contact with each other.

In addition, the driving side abutting and separating lever 70 and the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 are provided at both ends of the developing cassette with respect to the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the developing roller 13 as described above. In addition, the drive side abutment and release levers 70 and the non-drive side abutment and release levers 72 may be arranged outside the width of the medium used for image formation, such as recording paper, label paper, OHP sheet, and the like. In this case, when the device body is viewed in a plan view with the longitudinal direction as the normal line, the drive side abutting and separating lever 70 and the like and the medium, and the conveying member provided in the device body for conveying the medium may be arranged at the crossing position. As a result, miniaturization of the device body can also be achieved.

Next, the arrangement of the driving side abutting and separating rod 70 and the non-driving side abutting and separating rod 72 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 24. Fig. 24 is a front view of the developing cartridge B1 as viewed from the developing roller 13 side. However, the supporting part 36a of the driving side developing bearing 36 of the driving side supported part 13a that supports the developing roller 13 and the non-driving side supporting part 13c of the developing roller 13 are supported by the non-driving side developing bearing 46 of the supporting part 13c. The vicinity of the portion 46f is taken as a cross-sectional view.

As described above, the drive side abutment and release lever 70 is provided at the end of the drive side in the longitudinal direction of the developing cartridge B1. In addition, the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 is provided at the non-driving side end in the longitudinal direction of the developing cartridge B1. Moreover, the driving side abutting and separating lever 70 and the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 rotate in the direction (arrow N9, N10 direction of Fig. 1(a), and arrow NH9, NH10 direction of Fig. 1(b)) are different from each other. Influence, can rotate independently.

Here, in the longitudinal direction, the driving-side supported portion 13a of the developing roller 13 is on the longer side than the driving-side end L13bk of the image forming range L13b, and is supported by the supporting portion 36a of the driving-side developing bearing 36 . Furthermore, the non-driving side supported portion 13c of the developing roller 13 is on the longer side than the non-driving side end L13bh of the image forming range L13b, and is supported by the supporting portion 46f of the non-driving side developing bearing 46. Then, the driving-side abutting and disengaging lever 70 and the non-driving-side abutting and disengaging lever 72 are arranged to overlap at least a part of the entire length L13a of the developing roller 13. Moreover, it is arranged outside the image forming range L13b of the developing roller 13.

That is, the driving-side supported portion 13a, which abuts against the separating rod 70 and the developing roller 13 on the driving side, is arranged to be in contact with the driving-side end portion L13bk of the image forming area L13b and the driving-side end of the entire length L13a of the developing roller 13 At least a part of the area L14k sandwiched by the part L13ak overlaps. Therefore, the driving-side supported portion 13a where the driving-side contacting and separating lever 70 and the developing roller 13 are located is arranged at a position close to each other in the longitudinal direction.

In addition, the non-driving side supported portion 13c of the non-driving side abutting lever 72 and the developing roller 13 is arranged so as to be in contact with the non-driving side end portion L13bh of the image forming area L13b and the non-driving side end portion L13bh of the imaging roller 13 and the full length L13a of the developing roller 13. At least a part of the area L14h sandwiched by the driving end L13ah overlaps so as to be able to comply with this relationship, and the non-driving side supported portion 13c of the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 and the developing roller 13 is arranged. Therefore, the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 and the driving side supported portion 13 c of the developing roller 13 are arranged at a position close to the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13. (Description of the structure of abutment and separation)

(The device body's imaging pressure and imaging separation structure)

Next, the development pressure and development separation structure of the main body of the device will be explained.

Fig. 25(a) is an exploded perspective view of the driving side plate 90 of the device body A1 as viewed from the non-driving side, and Fig. 25(b) is a side view as viewed from the non-driving side. Fig. 26(a) is an exploded perspective view of the non-driving side side plate 91 of the device body A1 as viewed from the driving side, and Fig. 26(b) is a side view as viewed from the driving side.

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

As shown in FIG. 25(a), the driving side guide member 92 is a boss-shaped positioned portion 92d protruding from the driving side guide member 92, and the rotation regulating portion 92e is respectively provided on the driving side side plate 90 The hole-shaped positioning portion 90a and the rotation regulating portion 90b are supported. Then, the driving-side guide member 92 is positioned and fixed to the driving-side side plate 90 by fixing means such as screws (not shown). In addition, the driving-side rocking guide 80 is a cylindrical supported convex portion 80 g that is supported by fitting with a hole-shaped support portion 90 c provided in the driving-side side plate 90. Therefore, the driving side swing guide 80 is rotatably supported on the driving side side plate 90 in the arrow N5 direction and the arrow N6 direction.

In addition, in the above description, the supporting portion 90c provided on the driving side plate 90 is in the shape of a hole (concave shape). On the other hand, the supported convex portion 80g provided on the driving side rocking guide 80 has a convex shape. The concavo-convex relationship is not limited to this, and the concavo-convex relationship may be reversed.

Furthermore, between the protruding portion 80h of the driving-side rocking guide 80 and the protruding portion 90d of the driving-side side plate 90 is a driving-side urging means 76 provided with a tension spring. The driving side swing guide 80 is urged by the driving side urging means 76 to the arrow N6 direction in which the protrusion 80h of the driving side swing guide 80 and the protrusion 90d of the driving side plate 90 approach. In addition, the device body A1 is provided with a driving side device pressing member 150 for bringing the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 into contact with the developing roller 13 and separating the two. The drive-side device pressing member 150 is supported by a bottom plate (not shown) in a state of being movable in the arrow N7 direction and the arrow N8 direction.

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

As shown in FIG. 26(a), the non-driving-side guide member 93 is a positioned portion 93d having a boss shape protruding from the non-driving-side guide member 93, and a rotation-regulated portion 93e. The positioned portion 93d and the rotation regulated portion 93e are supported by the hole-shaped positioning portion 91a and the rotation regulating portion 91b provided in the non-driving side side plate 91, respectively. Then, the non-driving-side guide member 93 is positioned and fixed to the non-driving-side side plate 91 by fixing means such as screws (not shown). In addition, the non-driving side swing guide 81 is a cylindrical supported convex portion 81 g that is fitted and supported by a hole-shaped support portion 91 c provided in the non-driving side side plate 91. Therefore, the non-driving side rocking guide 81 is rotatably supported on the non-driving side side plate 91 in the arrow N5 direction and the arrow N6 direction.

In addition, in the above description, the supporting portion 91c provided on the non-driving side side plate 91 has a hole shape (concave shape), and the supported convex portion 81g provided on the non-driving side rocking guide 81 has a convex shape. However, the concavo-convex relationship is not limited to this, and the concavo-convex relationship may be reversed.

Furthermore, between the protrusion 81h of the non-driving side rocking guide 81 and the protrusion 91d of the non-driving side plate 91 is a non-driving side urging means 77 provided with a tension spring. The non-driving side rocking guide 81 is urged by the non-driving side urging means 77 to the arrow N6 direction in which the projection 81h of the non-driving side rocking guide 81 and the projection 91d of the non-driving side guide member 91 approach.

Also, similar to the driving side, a non-driving side device pressing member 151 for bringing the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 into contact with the developing roller 13 and separating the two is provided in the main body A1 of the device. The non-driving side device pressing member 151 is supported by the bottom plate (not shown) of the device body A in a state of being movable in the arrow N7 direction and the arrow N8 direction.

(Pressure and image separation of the photosensitive drum)

Next, the pressurization and separation of the photosensitive drum 10 by the developing roller 13 will be described.

<Pressure Mechanism>

Hereinafter, the structure of the developing roller 13 will be described.

FIG. 27(a) is a side view of a state in which the developing roller 13 provided in the developing cartridge B1 supported by the driving side swing guide 80 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. In addition, FIG. 27(c) is a detailed view of the driving side abutment and separation lever 70 in FIG. 27(a). For the sake of explanation, the driving side rocking guide 80 and the display side cover 34 are not shown.

In this embodiment, the so-called contact developing method is used to directly contact the developing roller 13 carrying the developer t on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 to thereby develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10.

The developing roller 13 is composed of a shaft portion 13e and a rubber portion 13d. The shaft portion 13e is a conductive elongated cylindrical shape such as aluminum, and the center portion is covered with a rubber portion 13d in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 6). Here, the rubber portion 13d is covered on the shaft portion 13e so that the outer shape and the shaft portion 13e form a coaxial line. Then, the magnet roller 12 is embedded in the cylinder of the shaft portion 13e. The rubber portion 13d supports the developer t on the peripheral surface and applies a bias to the shaft portion 13e. Then, the rubber portion 13d in the state of supporting the developer t is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 10, whereby the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 10 is developed.

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

As described above, the driving side swing guide 80 is supported in the direction of the arrow N5 and the arrow N6 so as to be movable with respect to the driving side plate 90. In addition, the non-driving side rocking guide 81 is supported in the direction of the arrow N5 and the arrow N6 so as to be movable with respect to the non-driving side side plate 91. Then, as described above, the imaging cassette B1 is positioned with respect to the driving side swing guide 80 and the non-driving side swing guide 81. Therefore, the development cassette B1 is in a state capable of swinging in the directions of arrows N5 and N6 in the main body A1 of the apparatus (refer to FIG. 29).

In this state, as shown in FIGS. 27(a) and 27(c), the second contact surface 150b of the drive side device pressing member 150 and the first contact surface 70a of the drive side abutment and release lever 70 Will meet. As a result, the drive side abutment and release lever 70 opposes the urging force of the drive side development pressurizing spring 71 and becomes a state rotated in the direction of the arrow N9 in FIG. 27(c). Then, the third abutting surface 70c of the driving side abutting and separating lever 70 compresses the driving side development pressure spring 71, and receives the elastic force F10a from the driving side development pressure spring 71. As a result, the moment M10 in the direction of the arrow N10 acts on the drive side abutment and separation lever 70. At this time, the second abutting surface 150 b of the driving-side device pressing member 150 abuts the first abutting surface 70 a of the driving-side abutment and separation lever 70. Therefore, the first abutment surface 70a of the drive-side abutment and release lever 70 receives the force F11 from the second abutment surface 150b of the drive-side device pressing member 150, so that a moment balanced with the moment M10 will act on the drive-side abutment From the rod 70. Therefore, the external force of the force F11 acts on the imaging cassette B1. In addition, as described above, between the protruding portion 80h of the driving side rocking guide 80 and the protruding portion 90d of the driving side side plate 90 is provided with the driving side biasing means 76 and is biased to the arrow N12 direction. Therefore, in the imaging cassette B1 positioned on the driving side rocking guide 80, the external force of the force F12 will act in the direction of the arrow N12.

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

Next, FIG. 29( a) is a side view showing a state in which the developing roller 13 provided in the developing cartridge B1 supported by the non-driving side swing guide 81 abuts the photosensitive drum 10. 29(c) is a detailed view of the driving side abutment and separation lever 72 and the surrounding area of FIG. 29(a). For the purpose of explanation, the non-driving side rocking guide 81 and a part of the non-driving side developing bearing 46 are not display.

The non-driving side also has the same structure as the driving side. As shown in Figure 29 (a) and Figure 29 (c), the non-driving side development pressure spring 73 and the non-driving side urging means 77 are used to control the development card Box B1 acts on external forces FH11 and FH12. Thereby, the developing cartridge B1 will receive the torque (M6) in the direction (arrow N6 direction) in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are approaching, so that the elastic layer 13d of the developing roller 13 can be pressed against each other with a predetermined pressure.于photosensitive drum 10.

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

Therefore, the third abutment surface 70c of the drive side abutment and release lever 70 that is in contact with the one end 71d of the drive side development pressurizing spring 71 is in the direction of the projecting direction M2, and is arranged on the drive side abutment and release lever 70. Between the support portion 70d and the first contact surface 70a. That is, the relationship between the distance W10 from the supported portion 70d to the third abutting surface 70c and the distance W11 from the supported portion 70d to the first abutting surface 70a is: W10<W11

Therefore, when the movement amount of the first abutting surface 70a is set to W12, the relationship of the movement amount W13 of the third abutting surface 70c is: W13<W12

Here, W13=W12×(W10/W11).

Therefore, even when an error occurs in the position accuracy of the driving side device pressing member 150, the change in the compression amount of the driving side development pressure spring 71 is smaller than the error in the position accuracy of the driving side device pressing member 150. As a result, the accuracy of the pressing force for pressing the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 can be improved. Since the non-driving side has the same structure, the same effect can be obtained.

In addition, as described above, in the longitudinal direction, the driving-side abutting and disengaging rods 70 and the non-driving-side abutting and disengaging rods 72 are arranged to overlap at least the entire length L13a of the developing roller 13 (see FIG. 24). Therefore, the long sides of the first contact surfaces 70a, 72a of the driving side abutting and separating lever 70 and the non-driving side separating lever 72 and the driving-side supported portion 13a and the non-driving-side supported portion 13c of the developing roller 13 can be reduced. The position of the direction is poor. The driving-side abutting and separating rod 70 receives an external force F11 (see FIG. 27(a)), and the non-driving-side contacting and separating rod 72 receives an external force FH11 (see FIG. 29). Then, as a result of reducing the position difference, the moment acting on the driving side development bearing 36 and the non-driving side development bearing 46 can be suppressed. Therefore, the developing roller 13 can be pressed against the photosensitive drum efficiently.

Also, as described above, the driving side abutting and separating lever 70 and the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 rotate (directions of arrows N9 and N10 in FIG. 27(a), and directions of arrows NH9 and NH10 in FIG. 29) They can rotate independently of each other. Therefore, for the photosensitive drum 10, when the developing roller 13 is in a pressure-contact state, the position of the drive-side device pressing member 150 in the arrow N7 and N8 directions (refer to FIG. 25) and the non-drive-side device pressing can be independently set. The position of the member 151 in the direction of the arrows NH7 and NH8 (refer to FIG. 26). Moreover, there is no need to make the rotation directions of the drive side abutment and release lever 70 and the non-drive side abutment and release lever 72 (the direction of arrows N9 and N10 in FIG. 27(a), and the directions of arrows NH9 and NH10 in FIG. 29) coincide. . As a result, the magnitudes and directions of the pressing forces F11 and FH11 for pressing the developing rollers 13 on the driving side and the non-driving side to the photosensitive drum 10 can be adjusted appropriately. Furthermore, even if there is a relative error in the positions of the driving-side device pressing member 150 and the non-driving-side device pressing member 151, the pressing forces F11 and FH11 do not affect each other. As a result, the contact pressure of the developing roller 13 to the photosensitive drum 10 can be made highly accurate.

In addition, the position of the development cassette B1 in a state where the photoreceptor drum 10 is in contact with the development roller 13 and the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 10 can be developed is referred to as a contact position. On the other hand, the position of the development cassette B1 in a state where the photoreceptor drum 10 and the development roller 13 are separated is called a separation position. The imaging cassette B1 is a structure in which the imaging cassette B1 can select the contact position and the separation position by the mechanism described later.

<Constitution of the electrical connection between the developing cartridge and the main body of the device using a pressurizing mechanism>

Next, the configuration related to the electrical connection between the developing cartridge B1 and the main body A1 of the apparatus will be explained with reference to FIG. 38. When the developing cartridge B1 is in the aforementioned abutting position, the electrode portion 47a of the memory substrate 47 of the developing cartridge B1 and the power supply contact 120A of the main body A1 of the device will be in contact. Here, since the power supply contact 120A is spring-like, as shown in FIG. 39, the electrode portion 47a advances a predetermined amount from the shape 120Aa before the imaging cartridge B1 is installed. Thereby, the power supply contact 120A causes the contact point FH13 in the direction away from the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 to reach the developing cassette B1. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 38, the force FH11 in the direction in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are brought close to each other acts on the developing cassette B1. At this time, as shown in FIG. 38(a), the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 is from the first position abutting on the abutting surface 46e of the non-driving side developing bearing 46, and the non-driving side device member 151 to push the protrusion 72f to the second position close to the developing roller 13. In addition, the electrode portion 47a is on the downstream side of the moving direction W from the first position to the second position, and the moving direction W intersects the surface (exposed surface) of the electrode portion 47a.

Therefore, the force FH11 that moves the non-driving side contact and separation lever 72 in the direction W and the contact pressure FH13 have opposing force components, respectively. Here, in order to stabilize the electrical connection between the electrode portion 47a and the power feeding contact 120A, a certain contact pressure FH13 or more is required. In this configuration, in addition to the force that makes the elastic layer of the developing roller 13 press-contact the photosensitive drum 10 stably, the force FH11 of the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 is set in consideration of the aforementioned contact pressure F13. the size of. That is, with the force FH11, both the securing of the contact pressure FH13 for stable electrical connection and the pressing of the developing roller 13 to the photosensitive drum 10 can be achieved. With the above, the electrode portion 47a and the power feeding contact 120A can be electrically connected, and communication between the electrical board (not shown) of the device body and the electrode portion 47a can be performed.

Here, it is also possible to consider increasing the external force FH12 of the non-driving side biasing means 77 to ensure the contact pressure FH13. However, in this case, it is necessary to increase the urging force of the non-driving side pressing spring 85 so that the developing cartridge B1 does not come out of the non-driving side rocking guide 81 (refer to FIG. 26). On the other hand, the non-driving side pressing spring 85 is pushed down by the operating force of the user when the developing cartridge B1 is mounted on the non-driving side rocking guide 81 as described above. Therefore, the user is required to install the imaging cassette B1 with greater force. As described above, if the force FH12 of the non-driving side urging means 77 is used to secure the contact pressure FH13, there is a possibility that the user's operability may deteriorate. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, by ensuring the contact pressure FH13 by the force FH11 of the non-driving side development pressurizing spring 73, it is possible to position the development cassette B1 without deteriorating the user's operability.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the relationship between the electrode portion 47a and the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 can be in other words the relationship described below. For example, as shown in FIG. 38(b), in the normal direction Z of the electrode portion 47a of the abutting portion of the power supply contact 120A, the distance between the electrode portion 47a and the non-driving side abutment and the intermediate rod 72 is set at the first position L1, set to L2 in the second position. At this time, the electrode portion 47a is arranged so that L2<L1 can be satisfied. Thereby, the force for moving the non-driving side abutment and separation lever 72 from the first position to the second position can be utilized to secure the contact pressure FH13.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 38, in this embodiment, the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72, the non-driving side development pressure spring 73, and the memory substrate 47 are all mounted on the non-driving side development bearing 46. That is, the position of the non-driving side abutment lever 72 of the electrode part 47a of the acting part of the contact pressure F13 and the acting part of the force FH11 will be arranged on the same plane orthogonal to the axis L0 of the developing roller 13 . In other words, regarding the direction of the axis L0 of the developing roller 13, the electrode portion 47a and the non-driving side abutment and separation lever 72 at least partially overlap. Therefore, between the contact pressure F13 and the force FH11, the generation of the moment of the rotation axis T having a direction orthogonal to the axis of the developing roller can be reduced, and therefore the posture of the developing cartridge B1 can be more stable.

In addition, the memory substrate 47 is not on the driving side, but is mounted on the bearing 46 on the non-driving side. If the memory substrate 47 is provided on the driving side, it may be affected by the driving force acting on the coupling member 180. However, since the present embodiment is provided with the memory substrate 47 on the non-driving side developing bearing 46, it is not easily affected by the driving force, and the contact pressure FH13 is stable.

<Separation Agency>

Fig. 28(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the developing cartridge B1 when the clear image roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 transition from the abutting state to the separated state. 28(c) is a detailed view of the periphery of the drive-side abutment and release lever 70 of FIG. 28(a). For the purpose of explanation, the drive-side rocking guide 80 and the display side cover 34 are not shown.

FIG. 28(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the separation state of the developing cartridge B1 in which the separation between the image roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 is evident. 28(d) is a detailed view of the driving side abutment and separation lever 70 and its surroundings in FIG. 28(b). For the purpose of explanation, the driving side rocking guide 80 and the display side cover 34 are not shown.

Here, in the case of the contact development method like this embodiment, if the development roller 13 is always kept in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 as shown in Figure 27(a), there is a risk of the rubber part of the development roller 13 13b Risk of deformation. Therefore, it is ideal to keep the developing roller 13 away from the photosensitive drum 10 when it is not developing. That is, as shown in FIG. 27(a), the state in which the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, and the state in which the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10 as shown in FIG. 28(b) is ideal . The abutment and separation lever 70 on the driving side is provided with a separated portion 70 g that protrudes in the direction of the developing roller 13. The separated portion 70g is configured to be engageable with the first contact surface 150a provided on the drive side device pressing member 150, which is provided on the device body A1. In addition, the drive-side device pressing member 150 receives a driving force from a motor not shown, and is configured to be movable in the directions of arrows N7 and N8.

Next, the operation of the state in which the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are moved away from each other will be described. In the contact state between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 shown in FIG. 27(a), the first contact surface 150a and the separated portion 70g are separated with a gap of a distance δ5.

On the other hand, Fig. 28(a) shows a state in which the drive side device pressing member 150 is moved by a distance δ6 in the direction of arrow N8, and the drive side abuts against the first contact surface 70a of the intermediate lever 70 and the drive side device presses The second contact surface 150b of the member 150 is in a separated state. At this time, the first abutment surface 70a of the driving side abutting and separating lever 70 receives the elastic force F10 of the driving side developing pressure spring 71, and rotates in the direction of the arrow N10 with the supported portion 70d as the center, and the driving side The regulation abutment portion 70e of the contact separation lever 70 and the regulation portion 36b of the drive-side bearing member 36 abut. Thereby, the position where the drive side abuts against the spacer 70 and the drive side bearing member 36 is determined.

Fig. 28(b) shows a state in which the drive-side device pressing member 150 is moved by a distance δ7 in the direction of the arrow N8. As the driving side device pressing member 150 moves in the direction of arrow N8, the separated surface 70g of the driving side abutting and separating lever 70 and the first abutting surface 150a of the driving side device pressing member 150 abut. At this time, since the regulation abutment portion 70e of the drive-side abutment and release lever 70 and the regulation portion 36b of the drive-side bearing member 36 abut, the developing cassette B1 moves in the direction of the arrow N8. Here, the details are described later with reference to FIG. 41. The imaging cassette B1 is positioned to be slidable with respect to the drive side plate 90 in the direction of arrow N3 and arrow N4, and is movably supported by arrow N5 and arrow N5. The driving side swing guide 80 in the direction of No. N6. Therefore, as the driving-side device pressing member 150 moves in the direction of the arrow N8, the developing cartridge B1 is moved in the direction of the arrow N5. At this time, the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in a state of being separated by a gap of only the distance δ8 from each other.

The non-driving side also has the same structure as the driving side, as shown in Figure 29 (b) and Figure 29 (d), in a state where the non-driving side abutting and separating rod 72 is in contact with the non-driving side device pressing member 151 , The non-driving side device pressing member 151 moves in the direction of the arrow NH8 by a distance δh7. Thereby, the developing cartridge B1 rotates to the direction of arrow N5 with the supported convex portion 81g of the rocking guide 81 as the center, and the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are configured to be separated by only a distance of δ8 from each other.

In this way, depending on the positions of the driving side device pressing member 150 and the non-driving side device pressing member 151 provided in the main body A1 of the apparatus, the contact state or the separated state of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can be selected as required.

Also, as shown in FIG. 27(a) and the like, the drive side abutment and separation lever 70 is viewed from the rotation axis direction L0 of the developing roller 13, and on the cross section where the drive side abutment and separation lever 70 is located, The way in which the external shape of the developing cartridge B1 can be formed protrudes from the developing container 16. Therefore, it is possible to easily engage the drive-side abutment and release lever 70 and the drive-side device pressing member 150. In addition, it becomes a structure that can move the developing cartridge B1 to the abutment position and the separation position by using a part of the driving-side abutment and separation lever 70. In addition, the same applies to the non-driving side.

And, when moving from the contact state between the developing roller 10 and the photosensitive drum 13 shown in Figure 27 (a) to the separated state between the developing roller 10 and the photosensitive drum 13 shown in Figure 28 (b), the driving side swings the guide 80 and the imaging cassette B1 rotate together. Therefore, the guide portion 55e of the coupling rod 55 is maintained in a retracted state from the guided portion 180d of the coupling member 180 (see Fig. 28(b)).

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 28( b ), when the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in a separated state, the guided portion 180 d of the coupling member 180 abuts the guide portion 185 d of the coupling spring 185. Thereby, the coupling member 180 receives the force F1 and takes the posture of the aforementioned first inclined posture D1.

As described above, the driving side abutting and separating rod 70 and the non-driving side abutting and separating rod 72 respectively have a pressurized surface (first contact surface 70a, 72a) and a separated surface (second contact surface 70g, 72g). The pressing surface (the second abutting surface 150b, 151b) and the separating surface (150a, 151a) act on the driving side device pressing member 150 and the non-driving side device pressing member 151, respectively. In this way, the individual parts of the driving side abutting and separating lever 70 and the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 can be selected according to the needs of the contact state or the separated state of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 (refer to FIG. 27 ( a) and Figure 28). As a result, it is possible to simplify the structure of the developing cassette B1. In addition, since the contact state or the separated state can be controlled by a single component, the timing when transitioning from the contact state to the separated state can also be made with high accuracy, for example.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 24, the driving-side abutting and separating lever 70 and the non-driving-side abutting and separating lever 72 are independently provided at both ends of the developing cassette B1 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an abutting and separating rod in the longitudinal direction, so that the developing cassette B1 can be miniaturized (area Y1 in FIG. 24). Along with this, the area Y1 space can be used for the component parts of the device body A1, and therefore the device body A1 can also be miniaturized.

<The action of the coupling member linked to the action from the abutting state to the separated state>

Next, the operation of the coupling member 180 related to the contact operation and the separation operation of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 30 and 31.

First, the disengagement operation of the coupling member 180 and the main body side driving member 100 when the developing cartridge B1 is moved from the separated state to the abutting state will be described.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing the engaged state of the coupling member 180 and the main body drive member 100 in a developing abutting state and a developing separated state.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory view showing the engaged state of the coupling member 180 and the main body drive member 100 in the developing abutting state and the developing separated state, as viewed from the side of the driving side.

In the image formation, as shown in FIG. 31(a), the drive-side abutment and release lever 70 is pressed by the drive-side device pressing member 150 with the elastic force F11. In addition, the developing roller 13 of the developing cartridge B1 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in a developing contact state in which they are in contact with each other at a predetermined pressure. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 30(a), the coupling member 180 is the posture of the reference posture D0. At this time, the developing cassette B1 is located at an engagement position where the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body side drive member 100 will engage. The imaging cassette B1 is in a state that can be driven and transmitted from the main body side driving member 100 to the coupling member 180 by the force of a rotating motor (not shown).

Furthermore, the guide portion 55e of the coupling rod 55 is held in a state completely retracted from the guided portion 180b of the coupling member 180 (refer to FIG. 11). This is because as described above, the rotation regulating portion 55y of the coupling lever 55 abuts against the conflicting portion 80y of the driving side rocking guide 80, and the rotation in the arrow X11 direction centered on the rotation axis L11 is regulated (see also the figure) 11).

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

Once the image formation is completed, as shown in FIG. 31(b), the driving side device pressing member 150 and the non-driving side device pressing member 151 (not shown) move in the direction of the arrow N8. Once the drive side device pressing member 150 moves in the direction of arrow N8, the drive side abutment and release lever 70 will be rotated in the direction of arrow N10 by the elastic force of the drive side developing pressure spring 71 (see Figure 28(b)) ). The driving-side device pressing member 150 moves further in the direction of the arrow N8 from the state where the abutment regulating portion 70e of the driving-side abutting and separating lever 70 is in contact with the positioning portion 36b of the driving-side developing bearing 36. Then, the developing cassette B1 and the driving-side rocking guide 80 are integrated, and are rotated to the arrow N5 direction with the supported convex portion 80g of the driving-side rocking guide 80 as the center. The same applies to the non-driving side, and the developing cassette B1 and the non-driving side rocking guide 81 are also integrated and pivoted in the arrow N5 direction (not shown) around the supported convex portion 81g of the driving side rocking guide 81 as the center. In this way, the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are separated from the developing state. Because the developing cassette B1 and the driving side rocking guide 80 are integrated to move, even in the state shown in FIG. 31(b), the guide portion 55e of the coupling rod 55 is still held completely from the coupling member 180 The state of being retracted by the guided portion 180b. This is because the collision portion 80y is formed integrally with the driving side swing guide 80 as described above (refer to FIG. 20). On the other hand, in the coupling member 180, the elastic force is acted on by the coupling spring 185. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 30(b), as the developing cartridge B1 moves from the abutted state to the separated state, the axis L2 of the coupling member 180 slows down from the state of the reference position D0 to the first inclined position D1 Tilt slowly. Then, the developing cassette B1 is further rotated to the direction of the arrow N5, and when the state shown in FIG. 31(c) is formed, the tilting movement of the coupling member 180 ends. At this time, as described above, the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180 is engaged with the first tilt regulating portion 36kb1 of the drive side developing bearing 36 (refer to FIG. 11), and the axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is held on the first An inclined posture D1. As described above, the first inclined posture D1 of the coupling member 180 is a posture in which the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 faces the main body side driving member 100 of the device main body A1. In the state shown in FIG. 31(c), the developing cassette B1 is located at a position to release the engagement between the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body drive member 100. Therefore, the force of the motor (not shown) is in a state of not being driven and transmitted from the main body driving member 100 to the coupling member.

In this embodiment, the developing cassette B1 is in the state shown in FIG. 31(a) when the image is formed. The coupling member 180 engages with the main body driving member 100 to input driving force from the device main body A1. Then, as described above, when the developing cartridge B1 moves from the state shown in FIG. 31(a) to the state shown in FIGS. 31(b) and 31(c), it becomes the coupling member 180 and the main body drive member 100. The structure that the card will be released. In other words, in the process of moving the developing cartridge B1 from the abutting state to the separated state, the drive input from the main body A1 of the apparatus to the developing cartridge B1 is cut off. Then, when the developing cartridge B1 is separated from the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10, the main body driving member 100 of the main body A1 of the apparatus is rotating. Therefore, the development roller 13 can be separated from the photosensitive drum 10 while rotating.

<The action of the coupling member linked to the action from the abutting state to the separated state>

Next, the engagement operation of the coupling member 180 and the main body-side driving member 100 when the developing cartridge B1 is moved from the abutted state to the separated state will be described.

The development contact action of the development cassette B1 is the opposite action to the aforementioned development separation action. In the state shown in FIG. 31(b), the developing cassette B1 is located at a position to release the engagement between the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body drive member 100. The state shown in FIG. 33(b) is a state in which the driving-side device pressing member 150 and the non-driving-side device pressing member 151 are moved in the direction of the arrow N7 from the state shown in FIG. 31(c). By the elastic force of the aforementioned driving-side elastic means 76 (refer to FIG. 25 and FIG. 27), the developing cassette B1 and the driving-side rocking guide 80 are integrated and rotated to the arrow N6 direction. The same applies to the non-driving side. Thereby, the developing cassette B1 is moved from the separated state to the abutted state. Fig. 30(b) is a stage in the process of moving the developing cartridge B1 from the separated state to the abutted state. In addition, the ring portion 180f of the coupling member 180 is in a contact state with the main body side drive member 100. Specifically, the conical portion 180g, which is a concave portion, which is arranged inside the annular portion 180f of the coupling member 180, and the convex portion 100g which is arranged on the shaft end of the main body-side drive member 100, come into contact with each other. From the state shown in FIG. 30(c) to the state shown in FIG. 30(b), the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 180 is inclined to the direction of the body-side drive member 100, so the coupling member 180 and the body-side drive shaft 100 can be Easy to click.

If the driving side device pressing member 150 and the non-driving side device pressing member 151 are moved from the state shown in FIG. 30(b) to the direction of arrow N7, the coupling member 180 is shown in FIG. 30(a). The engagement with the main body driving member 100 is complete.

At this time, the developing cassette B1 is located at an engagement position where the rotational force receiving portion 180a of the coupling member 180 and the rotational force applying portion 100a of the main body drive member 100 will engage, and the coupling member 180 is in the posture of the reference posture D0. The process of changing the posture of the coupling member 180 from the first inclined posture D1 to the reference posture D0 is the same as previously described. When the developing cartridge B1 is installed to the main body A1 of the device, the coupling member 180 changes from the second inclined posture D2 to the reference posture D0. The process is the same (refer to Figure 21).

In addition, in this embodiment, before the state shown in FIG. 31(b) when the coupling member 180 and the main body driving member 100 are engaged, the main body driving member 100 is rotated by the driving signal of the main body A1. Thereby, when the developing cartridge B1 moves from the state shown in FIG. 31(c) to the state shown in FIGS. 31(b) and 31(a), the coupling member 180 and the main body drive member 100 will engage , The drive is input to the developing cartridge B1. In other words, in the process of moving the developing cartridge B1 from the separated state to the abutting state, the drive is input from the main body A1 of the apparatus to the developing cartridge B1. This is because the coupling member 150 is configured to be movable in the N9 direction (refer to FIG. 27) of the moving direction of the driving side abutting and separating rod 70 and the non-driving side abutting and separating rod 72. Before the developing roller 13 abuts the photosensitive drum 10, the main body driving member 100 of the apparatus main body A1 is rotated. As a result, the development roller 13 can contact the photosensitive drum 10 while rotating. Thereby, when the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10, the speed difference between the respective peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can be reduced, so that the consumption of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 can be reduced.

Here, when the motor included in the apparatus body A1 is single, a clutch mechanism is required in order to transmit the rotational force to the photosensitive drum 10 while blocking the transmission of the rotational force to the developing roller 13. That is, it is necessary to provide a clutch mechanism capable of selectively blocking the drive transmission in the drive transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational force from the motor to the developing roller 13. However, in this embodiment, in the process of moving the developing cartridge B1 from the abutting state to the separated state, or the process of moving from the separated state to the abutting state, the coupling member 180 and the main body side driving member 100 are selected for engagement and engagement. Closed. Therefore, there is no need to provide a clutch mechanism in the device body A1 or the development cassette B1, and a cheaper and space-saving development cassette B1 and the device body A1 can be formed.

(The driving side abutting and separating rod is abutted by the separating surface)

As shown in FIG. 41(a), the drive-side abutment and separation lever 70 has a separated surface 70g that protrudes from the tip portion 70p in the protruding direction of the first protruding portion 70f to the developing roller 13 side. From another point of view, the first protrusion 70f has a shape with a front end curved to the side of the developing roller 13, and a separated surface 70g is provided at the curved front part.

Fig. 41 is an explanatory diagram of the presence or absence of protrusion of the separated surface 70g. FIG. 41(a) shows the present embodiment having a separated surface 70g protruding from the front end portion 70p on the protruding side of the first protruding portion 70f to the developing roller 13 side. FIG. 41(b) is an enlarged view of the periphery of the driving side abutment and separation lever 70 of FIG. 41(a). Fig. 41(c) is an example having a separated surface 470g that does not protrude from the tip portion 70p in the protruding direction of the first protruding portion 70f to the developing roller 13 side. Fig. 41(d) is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the driving side abutment and separation lever 470 of Fig. 41(c).

As shown in FIG. 41, the driving side device pressing member 150, the separated surface 70g of the driving side abutting and separating lever 70, and the first contact surface 150a of the driving side device pressing member 150 are in contact with each other, and the developing roller 13 It is separated from the photosensitive drum 10 with a gap of δ8.

Here, as shown in FIG. 41(a) and FIG. 41(b), the driving side abutting and separating lever 70 is at the point where the separated surface 70g contacts the first abutting surface 150a of the driving side device pressing member 150 Set as contact point 70q. The point where the drive-side device pressing member 150 contacts the separated surface 70g of the drive-side abutment and separation lever 70 on the first contact surface 150a is referred to as a contact point 150q.

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

The direction of the component force F19 is parallel to the first contact surface 150a of the drive side device pressing member 150. Therefore, the drive side abutment and separation lever 70 is pressed by the separation surface 70g while abutting against the drive side device. One side of the first contact surface 150a of the member 150 receives force in the direction of the component force 19.

Here, as shown in FIG. 41(a), the imaging cassette B1 is positioned on the drive side side plate (not shown) so that it can swing in the direction of arrow N5 and arrow N6 with the supported convex portion 80g as the center. The drive side of the rocking guide 80. Moreover, when the developing roller 13 abuts on the photosensitive drum 10, the driving side rocking guide 80 is slidably supported on the driving side side plate (not shown) in the arrow N3 direction and the arrow N4 direction, so that The axis of the developing roller 13 can be corrected in parallel with the axis of the photosensitive drum 10. Since the non-drive side is also the same, the developing cassette B1 is centered on the supported convex portion 80g, and can be rotated in the direction of arrow N6, and can be slid in the direction of arrow N3 and arrow N4.

Furthermore, as described above, the drive-side abutment and separation lever 70 is determined by which the regulated abutment portion 70e of the drive-side abutment and separation lever 70 and the regulation portion 36b of the drive-side bearing member 36 abut to determine the drive-side abutment and separation lever 70 position. Therefore, the imaging cassette B1 receives the component force F19 through the drive-side abutment and separation lever 70, with the supported convex portion 80g as the center, it wants to rotate in the direction of the arrow N5 and slide in the direction of the arrow 11.

Therefore, the drive-side abutment and separation lever 70 moves to the direction of the component force F19 as desired. This movement direction is the direction in which the drive-side abutment and separation lever 70 moves to the bottom side of the first abutment surface 150a with respect to the drive-side device pushing member 150, and becomes the drive-side abutment and separation lever 70 by the drive-side device pushing member 150 Come the direction of the snap.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 41(d), the first contact surface 450a of the drive side device pressing member 450 is a contact point 450q that imparts a separating force F21 to the separated surface 470g of the drive side contact and separation lever 470. Therefore, the contact point 470q of the separated surface 470g that abuts against the separation lever 470 on the driving side receives the reaction force F22. At this time, the reaction force F22 is divided into a component force F23 parallel to the separated surface 470g, and a component force F24 perpendicular to the separated surface 470g.

The drive-side abutment and separation lever 470 is determined by the regulation abutment portion 470e of the drive-side abutment and separation lever 470 and the regulation portion 436b of the drive-side bearing member 436 abutting to determine the drive-side abutment and separation lever 470 and the drive-side bearing member 436 position. Therefore, the imaging cassette B1 receives the component force F23 through the drive side abutting and separating lever 470, and centering on the supported convex portion 80g, it rotates in the direction of the arrow N5 and slides in the direction of the arrow N4.

Therefore, the drive-side abutment and separation lever 470 moves to the direction of the component force F23 as desired. For this reason, the drive side abutment and release lever 470 is on the front end 470p side of the first protrusion 470f in the protruding direction, abuts on the first abutment surface 450a of the drive side device pressing member 450, and the drive side abuts the release The engagement amount of 470 with the drive side device pressing member 450 is reduced.

Therefore, the drive-side abutment and separation lever 470 is only the amount of movement in the direction of the component force F23, and the protrusion amount of the first protrusion 470f needs to be enlarged, and space is necessary.

With this, when the tip portion 70p having the protruding direction of the first protruding portion 70f protrudes to the separated surface 70g on the side of the developing roller 13, the engagement amount can be reduced. That is, in this case, compared to the case where the protruding separated surface 70g is not provided, when the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10, the drive side abutment and separation lever 70 is clamped by the drive side device pressing member 150 Together. As a result, even if the engagement amount is set to be smaller, the drive-side abutment and release lever 70 maintains the engaged state with the drive-side device body member 150. If the amount of engagement between the drive-side abutment and separation lever 70 and the drive-side device pressing member 150 is reduced, the size of the developing cassette B1 will be reduced.

<Effects produced by the arrangement of the driving-side abutting and separating lever 70, the driving-side developing pressure spring 71, and the regulating portion 36b of the driving-side developing bearing 36>

As explained so far, the urging force F10 of the drive-side development pressurizing spring 71 is used by the drive-side development pressurizing spring 71 to contact the third contact surface 70c of the spacer 70 and the drive-side development bearing on the drive side. The structure produced by the compression between the contact surfaces 36d of 36 (refer to FIG. 1). The same applies to the non-driving side.

Especially when developing pressurization, the development roller 13 is contacted with the photosensitive drum 10 by the elastic force F10a (refer to FIG. 27). The elastic force F10a is caused by the drive side abutting against the separating rod 70. The support portion 36c of the drive-side developing bearing 36 is generated by rotating the center in the arrow N9 direction.

In addition, when developing the image separation, the elastic force F10 is used to make the drive side abutment and separation lever 70 rotate in the direction of arrow N10 with the boss of the support portion 36c of the drive side development bearing 36 as the center, so that the drive side abuts and separates the space. The regulation abutment portion 70 e of the rod 70 abuts the regulation portion 36 b of the drive-side development bearing 36. In this way, the position where the drive side abuts against the spacer 70 is regulated. Also, while the second abutting surface 70b of the drive-side abutment and separation lever 70 and the first abutment surface 150a of the drive-side device pressing member 150 abut, the drive-side device pressing member 150 moves in the direction of arrow N8. mobile. Thereby, the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 have a separate structure (refer to FIG. 28(b)). That is, the drive side development pressurizing spring 71 used during development pressure is used to regulate the position of the drive side abutment and separation lever 70 during development separation.

In particular, the imaging cassette B1 is detachable from the device body A1. In order to ensure that the drive-side abutment and release lever 70 engages with the drive-side device pressing member 150 (refer to FIG. 25), it is best to position the drive accurately. The side abuts against the position of the spacer 70. This is because when the position accuracy of the drive-side abutment and separation lever 70 is poor, for example, it is necessary to perform the following correspondence to engage the drive-side abutment and separation lever 70 and the drive-side device pressing member 150.

1. The distance (gap) between the first abutting surface 150a and the second abutting surface 150b of the drive-side device pressing member 150 is set to be larger.

2. Set the distance (thickness) between the first abutment surface 70a and the second abutment surface 70b of the drive side abutment and separation lever 70 to be smaller.

However, the correspondence is that the amount of movement of the drive-side device pressing member 150 of the device body A1 in the N8 and N9 directions will increase, resulting in an increase in the size of the device body A1.

According to this structure, the drive-side development pressurizing spring 71 used when developing pressurization is used to regulate the position of the drive-side abutment lever 70 when the developing cartridge B1 is mounted to the main body A1 of the device. . It can contribute to the miniaturization of the device body A1, and can also accurately control the timing of separating the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 or the amount of separation of the developing roller 13 from the photosensitive drum 10.

According to this structure, it is possible to accurately position the development gap by using the drive-side development pressure spring 71 used when the development pressure is applied during the development of the gap and when the development cartridge B1 is installed. The driving side abuts against the position of the separating rod 70. In addition, in order to regulate the position where the drive side abuts the spacer 70, the drive side development pressurizing spring 71 used for development press is used, so there is no need for particularly new parts.

In addition, both the first abutting surface 70a for receiving the force for contacting the developing roller 13 with the photosensitive drum 10 and the second abutting surface 70b for separating the force are provided as a driving side contacting and separating lever. A part of 70. With this centralized function, the number of parts of the imaging cassette B1 can also be reduced.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the driving side abutting and separating rod 70 and the non-driving side abutting and separating rod 72 receive force from the pressing member provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, thereby saving space for developing the image roller The abutment to the photosensitive drum is separated. Thereby, the image forming device or the developing cassette can be miniaturized. In addition, when the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum, it is possible to suppress the increase in the force applied to the electrode portion of the developing cartridge electrically connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Since the load applied to the electrode portion is reduced, the durability of the electrode portion is improved. Since the strength of the electrode portion is suppressed, it is possible to reduce the cost of the imaging cartridge having the electrode portion or the image forming apparatus having the imaging cartridge.

In addition, in this embodiment, it is obvious that the cassette B1 and the drum cassette C are separated. In other words, the developing device has a configuration in which the developing cartridge B1 and the photoreceptor drum 10 are each formed into a cartridge, and the image forming device is attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming device. However, the application of this embodiment is not limited to such a configuration.

For example, even if it is a configuration in which the developing cartridge B1 and the drum cartridge C are not separated, the configuration of this embodiment can be applied. It may also be a structure in which a process cassette formed by rotating the development cassette B1 (developing device) to the drum cassette C can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body of the image forming device. That is, it is also possible to think of a configuration in which the drive side abutment and release lever 70 and the non-drive side abutment and release lever 72 disclosed in this embodiment are provided in a cassette (process cassette) equipped with the photoreceptor drum 10 and the developing device. .

<Relationship between the coupling member 180 and the driving side abutting and separating rod 70 and the non-driving side abutting and separating rod 72>

The coupling member 180 is formed in the N9 direction that is movable at least in the moving direction of the driving-side abutting and separating rod 70 and the non-driving-side abutting and separating rod 72 (refer to FIG. 27). Therefore, when the drive side abutment and release lever 70 and the non-drive side abutment and release lever 72 move in the N9 and N10 directions, the engagement between the coupling member 150 and the main body side drive member 100 is not affected, and a smooth operation can be achieved .

Also, as shown in FIG. 27(a), the N6 direction of the direction in which the developing roller 13 abuts the photosensitive drum 10 and the N13 direction of the rotation direction of the coupling member 180 (the X6 direction in FIG. 8) form the same direction. According to this configuration, the coupling force received by the coupling member 180 from the main body-side drive member 100 acts as a moment for rotating the developing cartridge B1 in the N6 direction with the supported convex portion 80g as the center. Then, on the developing roller 13, a moment in the N6 direction that becomes the pressing force for pressing the developing roller 13 to the photoreceptor drum 10 acts.

If the rotation direction of the coupling member 180 is opposite to the direction N6, the torque in the direction in which the developing roller 13 escapes from the photoreceptor drum 10 by the rotation force of the coupling member 180 (the N5 direction in FIG. 27) will act. Pressure loss. However, this configuration does not easily cause such pressure loss.

In addition, the moment in the N6 direction generated by the rotational force of the coupling member 180 is generated from the necessary load torque in order to rotate the coupling member 180. Since the load torque of the cassette changes according to the size and durability of the parts, the torque in the N6 direction generated by the rotational force of the coupling member 180 also changes. On the other hand, the present embodiment also has a configuration in which the abutting and separating levers 70 and 72 are forced from the main body A1 of the apparatus to make the developing roller 13 abut against the photoreceptor drum 10. The pressing force in the N6 direction of the abutting and separating rods 70 and 72 is specified only by the size of the part, and no durability change occurs.

Therefore, in order to make the developing roller 13 abut the photoreceptor drum 10 more stably, it is best to do so. That is, it is better to reduce the moment in the N6 direction generated by the rotational force of the coupling member 180 compared to the moment in the N6 direction generated by the force of the abutting and separating rods 70 and 72 from the device body A1. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27, the distance between the supported convex portion 80g and the coupling member 180 is shorter than the distance between the supported convex portion 80g of the drive side rocking guide 80 and the drive side abutment from the intermediate rod 70. . With this configuration, the moment in the N6 direction generated by the rotational force of the coupling member 180 can be effectively used as the pressing force of the developing roller 13. Furthermore, with this configuration, the influence of the torque variation in the N6 direction caused by the rotational force of the coupling member 180 can be suppressed, and thereby the developing roller 13 can be brought into contact with the photoreceptor drum 10 more stably.

Also, as shown in FIG. 1, from the perspective of the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 13, the direction parallel to the straight line Z31 connecting the rotation center 13Z of the developing roller 13 and the rotation center of the coupling member 180 is regarded as N14 (first Direction) direction. When the development frame is viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the development roller 13, the development roller 13 is arranged on one end of the development frame in the direction N14, and the driving side abuts against the first protrusion 70f of the spacer 70 (In particular, the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b) are arranged on the other end side of the display frame. That is, the first protrusion 70f (especially, the first abutting surface 70a and the second abutting surface 70b) is arranged at a position away from the developing roller 13 to some extent.

As a result, it is possible to ensure a space for arranging members such as the coupling member 180 near the development roller 13, and the coupling member 180 and other members are appropriately arranged in the vicinity of the development roller 13 on one end side of the development frame. By. When the development roller 13 in the development cassette B1 is arranged in the vicinity of the development roller 13, the degree of freedom in the layout of the appropriate member is increased. Therefore, in this embodiment, when viewed from the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller 13, the coupling member 180 is arranged more than the first protrusion 70f (the first abutting surface 70a, the aforementioned second abutting surface) in the N14 direction. The surface 70b) is closer to the position of the developing roller 13.

In addition, the development bearing 36 on the drive side is provided with a recording medium abutment portion 36m that can abut against the recording medium 2. The recording medium 2 is mounted on the main body of the apparatus when the developing cartridge B1 is mounted on the main body A1 of the apparatus. The conveyance guide 3d inside A1 is conveyed toward the transfer nip part 6a.

Explain about this situation. As described above, regarding the N14 direction, the position of the first protrusion 70f (especially the first contact surface 70a and the second contact surface 70b) is set to a position away from the developing roller 13. Thereby, the drive-side device pressing member 150 can be arranged at a position away from the developing roller 13 of the device body A1, so that the portion of the developing cartridge B1 that abuts on the developing roller side of the photosensitive drum 10 can be arranged on the conveyance Guide the vicinity of 3d. Thereby, the dead space between the developing cassette B1 and the conveying guide 3d in the main body A1 of the apparatus can be reduced.

In this way, in this embodiment, the developing cassette B1 is arranged in the vicinity of the conveying guide 3d. Therefore, when viewed from the direction of the axis of rotation of the developing roller 13, the N14 direction of the drive-side developing bearing 36 is larger than the first protrusion 70f (the first contact surface 70a, the aforementioned second contact surface 70b). A recording medium abutting portion 36m is provided at a position close to the developing roller 13.

<Details of the developing side cover 34>

FIG. 45 and FIG. 46 are detailed views showing the display side cover 34. As shown in FIG. Fig. 45(a) is a front view of the development side cover 34 viewed from the outside, Fig. 45(b) is a back view of the development side cover 34 viewed from the inside, and Fig. 46 is a perspective view respectively viewed from the front and back .

The development side cover 34 is a frame member constituting one of the development frames of the cassette B1. The display side cover 34 is composed of a plate-shaped front surface portion 34e and a back surface portion 34f forming the back side. On the edge of the front part 34e, the edge part 34g is provided so that it may protrude from the front part 34e so that it can surround the back part 34f.

The hole 34a in which the coupling member 180 is arranged on the inner side is provided so as to penetrate the front portion 34e and the back portion 34f.

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

Between the first protrusion (positioning portion) 34b and the second protrusion (rotation stop portion) 34c, a connecting portion 34k is provided to connect the two, and a first groove portion 341 is provided between the connecting portion 34k and the front portion 34e.

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

With the hole 34a of the third protrusion (spring support portion) 34h as the center, a second groove portion (34o) having a groove extending in the circumferential direction is provided on the opposite side. The second groove (34o) is to guide the coupling spring 185.

Below the first protrusion (positioning portion) 34b is a fourth protrusion (34p) composed of ridge lines 34p1 and 34p2. The ridge lines 34p1 and 34p2 cross each other, and the crossing angle is an obtuse angle. The height of the fourth protrusion (34p) is lower than that of the first protrusion (positioning portion) 34b and the second protrusion (rotation stop portion) 34c.

Above the first protrusion (positioning portion) 34b and the second protrusion (rotation stop portion) 34c, an arc-shaped groove portion 34q penetrating the front portion 34e and the back portion 34f is provided. The arc-shaped groove portion 34q is provided to expose the rotation regulating portion 55y of the coupling rod 55 to the outside (see FIG. 12).

In addition, the developing side cover 34 has a cover portion 34t. The cover portion 34t covers at least a part of the drive side abutment and separation lever 70 and the spring 71 in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13 (the direction in which the drive side abuts the separation lever 70) so as not to be exposed from the outside. At least part of it. Thereby, the driving side abutting and separating rod 70 or the spring 71 can be protected from the external impact, and the driving side abutting and separating the rod 70 or the spring 71 can be prevented from falling off from the driving side developing bearing 36. In addition, the cover portion 34t only needs to cover at least a part of the drive side abutment and separation lever 70 or a spring in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13 (the direction in which the drive side abuts the separation lever 70) so as not to be exposed from the outside. At least a part of 71 is sufficient.

As described above, by integrating various functional parts in the display side cover 34, miniaturization can be achieved. In addition, the spacer 70 can be contacted from the external impact protection drive side.

<Details of drive side imaging bearing 36>

FIG. 47 and FIG. 48 are detailed views showing the driving side developing bearing 36. FIG. Fig. 47(a) is a front view of the driving side developing bearing 36 viewed from the outside, Fig. 47(b) is a back view of the driving side developing bearing 36 viewed from the inside, and Fig. 48 is viewed from the front and back respectively Perspective view.

The drive side development bearing 36 is a frame member separate from the development side cover 34 constituting the development frame of the cassette B1. The drive-side development bearing 36 is formed of a plate-shaped front surface portion 36f and a back surface portion 36g forming the back side. At the edge of the front portion 36f, the edge back portion 36h is provided so as to protrude from the front portion 36f so as to be able to surround the back portion 36g.

A hole 36a is provided so as to penetrate through the front portion 36f and the back portion 36g. Inside the hole 36a, a developing roller 13 is arranged, and the developing roller 13 is supported. It can also be directly supported in the hole 36a, or supported via a member.

A protrusion 36i is provided on the side of the hole 36a. The protrusion 36i has a cylindrical shape. Inside the protrusion 36i is a phase regulating portion 36kb that regulates the position of the phase regulating boss 180e of the coupling member 180. The phase regulating portion 36kb has a substantially triangular hole shape in which the coupling member 180 is arranged on the inner side. The phase regulation portion 36kb is formed by the first tilt regulation portion 36kb1 and the second tilt regulation portion 36kb2, and constitutes a part of each groove.

At a position facing the hole 36a across the protrusion 36i, there is provided a support portion 36c for supporting the drive side abutment and separation lever 70. The support portion 36c has a projecting cylindrical shape.

Below the support portion 36c is a regulating portion 36b provided with a driving side abutting and separating rod 70. The regulation portion 36b has a wall shape protruding from the front portion 36f, and is located at the edge of the drive side development bearing 36.

On the opposite side of the regulating portion 36b, below the protruding portion 36i, an abutting surface 36d for abutting against the driving-side development pressure spring 71 is provided. The contact surface 36d also has a wall shape protruding from the front portion 36f similarly to the regulation portion 36b.

When viewed from the front direction of FIG. 47, the arrangement direction of the regulation portion 36b and the contact surface 36d is provided with a hole 36j so as to be sandwiched between the regulation portion 36b and the contact surface 36d. The hole 36j is provided to expose the drive gear and the like.

As described above, the driving-side imaging bearing 36 can maintain the position of the coupling member 180 and the position of the driving-side abutment and separation lever 70 with high accuracy. In addition, the position of the developing roller 13 and the position of the driving side abutment lever 70 can be maintained with high accuracy.

"Example 2"

Next, the second embodiment will be explained using FIG. 32. Figure 32 is a side view of the developing cartridge B1 as viewed from the drive side.

In the first embodiment, a configuration in which the drive side abutment and release lever 70 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the drive side development bearing 36 will be described. However, as shown in FIG. 32, the drive-side abutment and release lever 702 may also be configured to be slidable with respect to the drive-side development bearing 362. Regarding the description that is not explained, the structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

32(a) is a side view of the state where the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10 and a cross-sectional view around the drive side abutment and separation lever 702 as viewed from the drive side. The convex portion 702b of the driving side abutting and separating lever 702 is engaged with the groove portion 362c of the driving side developing bearing 362. In addition, the convex portion 702j of the driving side abutting and separating lever 702 is engaged with the groove portion 342y of the developing side cover 342. Thereby, the driving side abutting and separating rod 702 is slidable (linearly movable) in the directions of arrows N72 and N82 with respect to the driving side development bearing 362 and the development side cover 342. In addition, the drive-side development pressurizing spring 712 is set so that one end 712d abuts against the third abutting surface 702c of the drive-side abutment and separation lever 702, and the other end 712e contacts the abutting surface 362d of the drive-side development bearing 362 Abut. In this structure, as shown in FIG. 32(b), similar to Example 1, the imaging cassette B1 is driven by the second contact surface 150b of the drive-side device pressing member 150 and the drive-side contact and release lever The first abutting surface 702a of 702 abuts to receive the external force F11. As a result, with respect to the photosensitive drum 10, the developing roller 13 is in contact with a predetermined pressure.

Next, the operation related to the state where the developing roller 13 is moved away from the photosensitive drum 10 will be described. Fig. 32(c) shows a state where the drive side device pressing member 150 is moved by a distance of δ6 in the direction of arrow N82, and the drive side abuts against the first contact surface 702a of the intermediate lever 702 and the first contact surface 702a of the drive side device pressing member 150 The two abutting surfaces 150b are in a separated state. At this time, the drive side abutment and release lever 702 receives the elastic force F10 of the drive side development pressurizing spring 71 and slides in the direction of the arrow N82, and the drive side abuts against the regulation abutment portion 702e of the separation bar 702 and the drive side bearing The regulation part 362b of the member 362 will abut. In this way, the driving side abuts against the intermediate lever 702 to determine the position.

Fig. 32(b) shows a state in which the drive-side device pressing member 150 is moved by a distance δ7 in the direction of the arrow N82. As the driving side device pressing member 150 moves further in the direction of arrow N82, the separated surface 702g of the driving side abutting and separating rod 702 and the first abutting surface 150a of the driving side device pressing member 150 will abut, further making The imaging cassette B1 moves in the direction of arrow N82. As a result, the developing cassette B1 is swung in the direction of the arrow N5 with the supported convex portion 80g of the rocking guide 80 as the center (not shown). At this time, the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 are in a state of being separated by a gap of only the distance δ8 from each other.

The non-driving side has the same structure as the driving side. In addition, the other configuration is the same as in Example 1, and the same effects as in Example 1 can be obtained (except for the position error of the drive side device pressing member 150 described in Example 1 and the drive side development pressurizing spring 71 Other than the relationship between the amount of compression).

"Example 3"

Next, the third embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be explained using FIG. 42. The unexplained description has the same structure as that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram in which the driving-side abutting and separating rod 201 is a leaf spring.

As shown in FIG. 42, the drive-side abutment and release lever 201 is an elastic body made of a material such as SUS. The driving side abutting and separating rod 201 has a first abutting surface 201a, a second abutting surface 201b, a supporting portion 201d, and an elastic deformation portion 201h, and the supporting portion 201d is supported by the supported portion 202b of the bearing 202.

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

In addition, the developing cassette B1 is positioned on the driving side side plate (not shown) on the driving side swing guide 210 that can swing in the arrow N5 and arrow N6 directions with the supported portion 210b as the center. The same applies to the non-driving side. Therefore, the developing cassette B1 is rotatable in the direction of the arrow N5 and the arrow N6 with the supported portion 210b as the center.

When the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are pressurized, as shown in FIG. 42(a), the driving-side device pressing member 203 moves in the direction of arrow N7. Then, the second abutting surface 203b of the driving-side device pressing member 203 abuts on the first abutting surface 201a of the driving-side abutment and separation lever 201.

Moreover, once the drive side device pressing member 203 moves in the direction of arrow N7, as shown in FIG. 42(b), the second contact surface 203b of the drive side device pressing member 203 makes the drive side abut against the intermediate lever The elastic deformation portion 201h of 201 deforms. In this state, the second contact surface 203b of the drive-side device pressing member 203 imparts a force F41 to the first contact surface 201a of the drive-side contact and separation lever 201. At this time, the second contact surface 203b of the drive-side device pressing member 203 receives the reaction force F42. Here, the development cassette B1 is rotatable in the arrow N5 and arrow N6 directions with the supported portion 201b as the center. Therefore, the development cassette B1 is moved in the arrow N5 direction by the external force of the force F41. Therefore, the developing roller 13 abuts against the photosensitive drum 10.

Moreover, once the drive side device pressing member 203 moves in the direction of arrow N7, as shown in FIG. 42(c), the second abutting surface 203b of the drive side device pressing member 203 is such that the drive side abuts against the intermediate lever The elastic deformation portion 201h of 201 deforms. In this state, the second contact surface 203b of the drive-side device pressing member 203 imparts a force F45 to the first contact surface 201a of the drive-side contact and separation lever 201. At this time, the second abutting surface 203b of the driving side device pressing member 203 receives the reaction force F46 by the driving side abutting the first abutting surface 201a of the spacer 201. The developing roller 13 abuts on the photosensitive drum 10 to determine the posture of the developing cartridge B1, so it becomes: F45>F41

As shown in FIG. 42(c), the developing roller 13 is pressurized on the photosensitive drum 10.

As shown in FIG. 42(d), when the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are separated, the driving side device pressing member 203 will move in the direction of the arrow N8. The first contact surface 203 a of the drive side device pressing member 203 is in contact with the second contact surface 201 b of the drive side abutment and release lever 201.

Moreover, once the drive side device pressing member 203 moves in the direction of arrow N8, the first contact surface 203a of the drive side device pressing member 203 deforms the elastic deformation portion 201h of the drive side abutment lever 201 while deforming A force F44 is applied to the second abutting surface 201b of the driving side abutting and separating lever 201.

At this time, the first abutting surface 203a of the driving-side device pressing member 203 receives the reaction force F43 by the second abutting surface 201b of the driving-side abutting lever 201.

Here, the developing cassette B1 is rotatable in the direction of arrow N5 and arrow N6 with the supported portion 210b as the center. Therefore, the developing cassette B1 moves in the direction of arrow N6 with the supported portion 210b as the center to display The image roller 13 will be separated from the photosensitive drum 10.

In this way, in this embodiment, the elastic deformation portion (elastic portion) 201h and the portion (movable portion) having the first contact surface 201a and the second contact surface 201b are integrally formed as part of one member. Specifically, the drive-side abutment and separation lever 201 is formed of a leaf spring. This eliminates the need for the drive-side development pressurizing spring 71 as the urging member of the compression spring shown in Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 41(a)). Therefore, the space can be secured, so the degree of freedom in design of the developing cassette B1 is increased or the size is reduced.

and. As shown in the first embodiment, the abutment and separation lever 201 on the driving side has a pressurized surface (first abutment surface 201a) and a separated surface (second abutment surface 201b). Among these, the pressing surface (the second abutting surface 203b) and the separation surface (the first abutting surface 203a) of the driving-side device pressing member 203 act separately. In this way, a single part of the driving side abutting and separating lever 201 can be used to select the abutting state or the separating state of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 according to requirements. As a result, it is possible to simplify the structure of the developing cassette B1.

In addition, although the foregoing description is representative of the driving side, the same configuration may be adopted on the non-driving side. In addition, the drive-side abutment and release lever 201 may be a member molded using an elastically deformable resin member or the like.

In addition, in any of the above-mentioned embodiments, the movable part and the elastic part of the embodiment can be applied as a part of one member.

"Example 4"

Next, the fourth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be explained using FIG. 43. In this embodiment, the configuration of the part that receives the elastic force by the spring abutting against the spacer is different from the above-mentioned embodiments. The unexplained description has the same structure as that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 43 shows that the drive-side development pressurizing spring 302 will be arranged on the line perpendicular to the direction of the arrow M1 of the first protrusion 301f through the center of the supported portion 301d of the drive-side abutment of the spacer 301. A schematic diagram of the side opposite to the direction of the arrow M1.

As shown in Figure 43(a), the drive-side abutment and release lever 301 has a first abutment surface 301a, a second abutment surface 301b, a third abutment surface 301c, a supported portion 301d, and a regulated abutment portion 301e 301m at the other end. In addition, the driving-side abutting and separating rod 301 is rotatably supported by the supporting portion 306b with respect to the driving-side developing bearing 306 by the supported portion 301d.

The drive-side development pressurizing spring 302 is a compression spring, and one end 302d abuts against the third contact surface 301c, and the other end 302e abuts against the contact surface 306d provided on the drive-side development bearing 306.

Here, in the state of the development cassette B1 alone, the driving side abutting and separating lever 301 is forced in the direction of the arrow F30 by the driving side development pressure spring 302 on the third abutting surface 301c. At this time, it rotates in the direction of arrow N10 with the support portion 306b as the center, and the regulation abutment portion 301e abuts against the regulation portion 306e of the drive-side developing bearing 306.

In addition, the developing cassette B1 is positioned at the center of the supported portion 310b of the driving side plate (not shown) to be swayably supported by the driving side rocking guide 310 in the directions of arrows N5 and N6. Since the non-driving side is the same, the developing cassette B1 is rotatable in the direction of the arrow N5 and the arrow N6 with the supported portion 310b as the center.

Here, the driving-side device pressing member 303 is provided with a first abutting surface 303a and a second abutting surface 303b, and is slidable in the arrow N7 direction and the arrow N8 direction.

When the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are pressurized, the driving-side device pressing member 303 moves in the direction of the arrow N7. Then, the second abutting surface 303b of the driving-side device pressing member 303 abuts on the first abutting surface 301a of the driving-side abutment and separation lever 301. The driving-side abutment and separation lever 301 is rotatable with the support portion 306b as the center. Therefore, the driving-side abutment and separation lever 301 rotates in the N20 direction, and the regulating abutting portion 301e will leave the regulating portion 302e.

At this time, the third abutting surface 301c of the driving side abutting and separating rod 301 receives the elastic force F30 of the driving side developing pressure spring 302, and the moment M10 in the direction of the arrow N10 will act on the driving side abutting and separating rod 301. At this time, the second abutting surface 303b of the driving-side device pressing member 303 and the first abutting surface 301a of the driving-side abutment and separation lever 301 abut. Therefore, the first abutment surface 301a of the drive-side abutment and release lever 301 receives the force F32 from the second abutment surface 303b of the drive-side device pressing member 303, so that a moment commensurate with the moment M10 will act on the drive-side abutment. Connect to the middle rod 301. Therefore, the external force of force F32 acts on the developing cassette B1.

Moreover, the development cassette B1 is rotatable in the arrow N5 and arrow N6 directions with the supported portion 310b as the center. Therefore, the development cassette B1 is moved in the arrow N5 direction by the external force of the force F32. At this time, the developing roller 13 abuts against the photosensitive drum 10. The developing cartridge B1 determines the rotation posture in the direction of arrow N5 when the developing roller 13 abuts on the photosensitive drum 10.

Moreover, once the drive-side device pressing member 303 moves in the direction of arrow N7, since the developing cartridge B1 cannot rotate in the direction of arrow N5, the drive-side abutment and separation lever 301 rotates around the support portion 306b. N20 direction. Then, the third abutting surface 301c of the driving side abutting and separating lever 301 receives the urging force F31 of the driving side development pressure spring 302 (see FIG. 43(b)).

Here, because the drive-side development pressure spring 302 is more compressed, it becomes: F31>F30.

Since the developing cartridge B1 has been unable to rotate in the direction of the arrow N5, the developing roller 13 will be pressurized on the photosensitive drum 10.

When the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 are separated, the driving side device pressing member 303 will move in the direction of arrow N8, and the first abutting surface 303a will abut the second abutting surface 301b. Since the drive side abutment and release lever 301 is centered on the support portion 306b and can be rotated in the direction of arrow N10, the regulation abutment portion 301e will abut against the regulation portion 306e of the bearing 306, and the drive side abutment and release lever 301 will determine the position .

Moreover, once the driving-side device pressing member 303 moves in the direction of arrow N8, the development cassette B1 is rotatable in the direction of arrows N5 and N6 with the supported portion 310b as the center, so the development cassette B1 is It moves in the arrow N6 direction with the supported portion 310b as the center. Then, the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum 10.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 43, viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13, the first contact surface (force receiving portion) 301a and the third contact surface (elastic force receiving portion) 301c The distance therebetween is longer than the distance between the first contact surface 301a and the supported portion 301d. As a result, the degree of freedom in the positional arrangement of the member corresponding to the driving side development pressure spring 71 as the urging member of the compression spring shown in the first embodiment is increased, and therefore the degree of design freedom is increased.

Furthermore, as shown in the first embodiment, on the driving side, the abutment and separation lever 301 has a pressed surface (first abutment surface 301a) and a separated surface (the second abutment surface 301g). Among these, the pressing surface (the second abutting surface 303b) and the separating surface (the first abutting surface 303a) of the driving-side device pressing member 303 act separately. In this way, a single part of the driving side abutting and separating lever 301 can be used to select the abutting state or the separating state of the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 13 according to requirements. As a result, it is possible to simplify the structure of the developing cassette B1.

Moreover, the modification of Example 4 can also be set as the following structure.

In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 54, a regulating portion 336 b is provided in the driving side development bearing 336. In this modification, the position of the pressurizing spring 71 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The protruding portion (regulated portion) 360b is provided in the opposite direction through the supporting portion 36c, and the protruding portion 360b is in contact with the regulated portion 336b. . In addition, the structure for receiving the urging force from the driving-side development pressurizing spring 71 at the urging force receiving portion 370c is the same as that of the first embodiment.

According to this modified example, the degree of freedom of arrangement in the driving side development bearing 336 of the regulation portion 336b is increased. In addition, by lengthening the distance from the supporting portion 36c, the force applied to the regulating portion 336b can also be reduced, and the deformation of the container can also be suppressed. That is, the relationship between the first abutting surface 370a, the supporting portion 36c, and the protruding portion 360b that are pressurized from the second abutting surface 150b of the driving-side device pressing member 150 is the following. Viewed from the axial direction of the developing roller 13, the distance between the first contact surface 370a and the protruding portion 360b is longer than the distance between the first contact surface 370a and the support portion 36c. In addition, although the foregoing description is representative of the driving side, the same configuration may be adopted on the non-driving side.

In addition, the arrangement of the third contact surface (elastic force receiving portion) 301c of this embodiment and the arrangement of the regulation portion 336b of this modification can also be applied to any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

"Example 5"

Next, the fifth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be explained using FIG. 50. The imaging cassette B1 of this embodiment is different from the foregoing embodiments only in that the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 is provided on the non-driving side. The unexplained description has the same structure as that of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 50, the development cassette B1 of this embodiment is not provided with the drive side abutment and release lever 70 and the drive side development pressure spring 71 (the dotted line) on the drive side. On the other hand, the non-driving side contact and separation lever 72 and the non-driving side development pressure spring 73 (not shown) are provided only on the non-driving side. That is, regarding the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13, only the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 or the non-driving side development pressing spring 73 is arranged on the side of the coupling member 180 where the development frame is not arranged. In addition, regarding the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13, the so-called side of the coupling member 180 where the developing frame is not arranged means the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13, which is less than the center of the cassette B1. The part of the side of the coupling member 180.

As shown in FIG. 8, on the driving side, the coupling member 180 rotates in the direction of arrow X6. The developing cartridge B1 receiving this rotational force is integrated with the driving side swing guide 80 and moved in the direction of arrow N6 shown in FIG. 27 around the support portion 90c (refer to FIG. 27). When the torque in the N6 direction generated by the driving force received by the coupling member 180 is sufficient, only the developing roller 13 can be pressed against the photoconductor drum 10 on the driving side.

On the other hand, on the non-driving side, the torque in the N6 direction generated by the driving force received by the coupling member 180 cannot be obtained as much as the driving side. Therefore, the driven side abutting and separating lever is used as in Example 1. The composition of 72.

In any of the above embodiments, the configuration in this embodiment that only the non-driving side abutting and separating rod 72 is provided on the non-driving side can be applied. Then, through the application of this embodiment, the cost reduction caused by the reduction in the number of parts with the reduction of the drive-side abutment and separation lever 70 can be achieved.

"Example 6"

The sixth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 51 and 52. In this embodiment, only one end of the cassette B1 is provided with a first force receiving portion for receiving the force when the developing roller 13 is in contact with each other, and only the other end is provided with a first force receiving portion for receiving the force when the developing roller 13 is separated. The point of the second force receiving portion is different from the above-mentioned respective embodiments. The unexplained description has the same structure as that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing when the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 10. Fig. 51(a) is a diagram showing the driving side abutting and separating rod 170 and the supporting driving side developing bearing 236, and Fig. 51(b) is a diagram showing the non-driving side abutting and separating rod 72 and the supported non-driving Figure of side imaging bearing 246.

As shown in FIG. 51, regarding the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13, on the driving side of the other end, the driving side abutting and separating rod 170 is rotatably supported by the driving side developing bearing 236. However, the drive-side development pressurizing spring 71 as shown in the first embodiment is not provided. Therefore, once the driving side device pressing member 150 moves in the arrow N7 direction, the driving side abutment and separation lever 170 rotates counterclockwise with the support portion 236c as the center. However, the force exerted by the developing roller 13 against the photosensitive drum 10 cannot be applied to the driving-side developing bearing 236 by the action of abutting the spacer 170 on the driving side. However, on the driving side, as in the fifth embodiment, the coupling member 180 receives the driving force to receive the torque in the direction in which the developing roller 13 abuts the photoreceptor drum 10. Therefore, the developing roller 13 can be pressed against the photoreceptor drum 10 by this torque.

On the other hand, regarding the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13, the non-driving side at the other end is provided with the same non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 as in the first embodiment. The first abutting surface 72a of the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 is pushed to the driving side device pressing member 151 moving in the N7 direction to rotate, thereby pushing the non-driving side developing pressure spring 73 to make The developing roller 13 pushes against the photosensitive drum 10.

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

As the driving side device pressing member 150 moves in the direction of the arrow N8, the driving side abutting and separating rod 170 comes into contact with the regulating portion 236b of the driving side bearing member 236. Furthermore, the driving side device pressing member 150 moves in the direction of the arrow N8 to push the separated portion 170g of the driving side abutment lever 170 to move the developing cartridge B1, and the developing roller 13 is moved from the photosensitive drum 10. Divorce.

In addition, it may be a structure in which the drive-side abutment and separation rod 170 is fixed to the drive-side bearing member 236, or the drive-side bearing member 236 may be integrally provided with a portion corresponding to the separated portion 170g.

On the other hand, on the non-driving side, the regulation portion 46e that does not have the non-driving side abutment and separation lever 72 shown in the first embodiment is not provided. Therefore, even if the non-driving side device pressing member 151 moves in the direction of arrow N8, the non-driving side abutting and separating lever 72 rotates clockwise only with the support portion 246f as the center, without separating the developing roller 13 from the photosensitive drum 10. effect. At this time, the non-driving side development pressure spring 73 is formed to be naturally long. At this time, the non-driving side development pressurizing spring 73 may also be separated from the non-driving side abutting the spacer 72.

However, since the force for separation is received on the drive side, the rigidity of the drive side bearing member 236 is set to a certain level or more, thereby enabling separation on the non-drive side. During this separation, the developing roller 13 can also be separated from the photosensitive drum 10 in an inclined manner. That is, the developing roller 13 on the driving side is largely separated from the photosensitive drum 10, but on the non-driving side, the amount of separation is smaller than that on the driving side. Therefore, the rigidity of the drive-side bearing member 236 is first increased, so that the separation amount between the developing roller 13 and the photosensitive drum 10 can be greater than the minimum value of the necessary separation amount. In this way, in the present embodiment, only one end of the cassette B1 is provided with the first force receiving portion (first contact surface 72a) that receives the force when the developing roller 13 is brought into contact. Furthermore, only the other end of the cassette B1 is provided with a second force receiving portion (170g of the separated portion) that receives the force when the developing roller 13 is separated. That is, the cassette B1 is provided with two parts (first force) that receive the force when the developing roller 13 is brought into contact with each other and the force when the developing roller 13 is spaced apart from the device body in a different direction (opposite direction). Bearing part, second force bearing part). Then, the two parts (the first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion) are provided in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13 at one end and the other end of the cassette B1.

The configuration of the first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion of this embodiment can be applied to any of the embodiments other than the above-mentioned embodiment 5.

According to this embodiment, compared to the first embodiment, the drive-side development pressure spring 71 is not required, and cost reduction can be achieved. In addition, since the amount of movement of the developing cartridge B1 following the separation on the non-driving side is small, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the non-driving side rocking guide 81 that movably supports the developing cartridge B1.

"Example 7"

The seventh embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be explained with reference to FIG. 53. Here, the unexplained description has the same structure as that of the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the driving-side abutting and disengaging rod 70 and the non-driving-side abutting and disengaging rod 72 are shown as a configuration in which the positions are determined in a state in which the regulating parts 36b and 46e and the pressure springs 71 and 73 are sandwiched. However, as shown in FIG. 53, the drive-side abutment and release lever 270 may have a configuration in which a position is not determined between the drive-side development pressurizing spring 171 and the regulation portion 36b (the same configuration may also be used on the non-drive side). This configuration is applicable when the free length of the development pressure spring 171 on the drive side is short.

The driving-side device pressing member 150 moves in the N7 direction (refer to FIG. 28), and the separating rod 270 is in contact with the regulating portion 36b. In addition, in order to move in the N8 direction, the separation lever 270 is a compression spring 171. Here, the regulating portion 36b is provided at a position that can regulate the movement of the driving side abutting and separating lever 70 in a direction away from the developing roller 13.

The configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

"Example 8"

The eighth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be explained with reference to Figs. 55 and 56. In this embodiment, the configuration of the coupling member is different from the foregoing embodiments. The unexplained description has the same structure as that of the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the clutch mechanism is not provided on the device body A1 side, the coupling member 180 is engaged with the rotating body drive member 100, and the coupling member 180 can be disengaged from the rotating body drive member 100. The specific structure is achieved by making the coupling member 180 tiltable.

This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment to describe the coupling structure in which the clutch mechanism is not provided on the side of the device body A1, is engaged with the rotating body drive member 100, and can be disengaged.

FIG. 55(a) is a perspective view showing the coupling member 280 provided in the developing cassette B2 of this embodiment. The developing side cover 34 is omitted. FIG. 55(b) is a perspective view showing a state in which the coupling member 280 is assembled.

The coupling member 280 is in the drive input gear 127 and is configured to move forward and backward in the direction of the rotation axis L2 of the coupling member 280. An elastic member 130 is provided between the coupling member 280 and the drive input gear 127, and the coupling member 280 is always elastically pressed to the outside in the direction of the axis L2. The rotational force receiving portions 280a1 and 280a2 provided in the coupling member 280 receive the driving force from the main body side driving member 100 (refer to FIG. 8). In addition, the rotational force transmitting portions 280c1 and 280c2 transmit the driving force to the rotational force transmitting portions 127d1, 127d2 of the drive input gear 127, thereby transmitting the drive to the developing roller 13.

On the front end side of the coupling member 280, an outer conical surface 280e is provided. This part abuts on the front end surface of the main body side drive member 100 (refer to FIG. 8), thereby retracting inward in the direction of the axis L2, and engages with the main body side drive member 100. In addition, the inner side of the outer conical surface 280e is provided with a conical portion 280g similar to the first embodiment, so it also abuts on the front end surface of the main body-side drive member 100, thereby retreating inwardly in the direction of the axis L2, and separates from the main body-side drive member 100 Take off.

With the above configuration, it is possible to engage and disengage the rotating body drive member 100 without providing the clutch mechanism on the side of the apparatus body A1.

In addition, as in the first embodiment, the drive side abutment and release lever 70 and the drive side development pressure spring 71 may also be provided.

Fig. 56(a) is a front view of this embodiment, and Fig. 56(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of Fig. 56(a).

The coupling member 280 is movably supported in the direction of the axis L2 by the elastic member 130. The cylindrical outer diameter portion 280h (sliding portion) provided in the coupling member 280 is slidably supported in the cylindrical inner diameter portion (slid portion) 136h of the drive-side developing bearing 136.

Here, as shown in FIG. 56(b), the cylindrical outer diameter portion 280h (sliding portion) and the cylindrical inner diameter portion (slidable portion) 127h are arranged so that at least a part of them will interact with the drive-side developing compression spring 71 overlaps the axis L2 direction. As a result, the force generated by the drive-side development pressurizing spring 71 generates a moment that twists the drive-side development bearing 136, and the influence on the deformation of the sliding parts 280h and 127h can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress hindering the advance and retreat movement in the direction of the axis L2 of the coupling member 280.

In addition, a plane L2X orthogonal to the biasing direction L2 of the biasing member 130 is defined. The angle θ formed by the urging direction L4 of the drive-side development pressure spring 71 and the plane L2X is preferably in the range of -45°≦θ≦+45° (-45° or more and +45° or less). More preferably, it is -10°≦θ≦+10° (-10° or more, +10° or less). The most ideal is θ≒0° (0° or substantially 0°). Thereby, it is possible to prevent the elastic member 130 from affecting the elastic force of the driving-side development pressure spring 71. That is, the elastic member 130 is always in an elastic state while the coupling member 280 transmits the drive from the main body side driving member 100. At this time, the direction in which the force component generated by the elastic member 130 is less applied to the drive-side development pressurizing spring 71 has less influence on the drive-side development pressurizing spring 71, and the accuracy of the pressing force is improved.

The configuration of the coupling member 280 of this embodiment can also be applied to any of the above-mentioned embodiments, and the relationship between the elastic pressing directions L4 and L2 as in this embodiment is set.

"Example 9"

The ninth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be explained with reference to FIG. 57. This embodiment is different from the above-mentioned embodiments in that it does not have a regulation unit. The unexplained description has the same structure as that of the first embodiment.

The cassette B1 of the present embodiment is a member that is not provided with the regulating portion 36b corresponding to the first embodiment in the driving-side developing bearing 436. Therefore, the elastic force of the spring 471 is used when separating the developing roller 13 from the photoreceptor drum 10.

As shown in FIG. 57, one end of the spring 471 of the torsion coil spring is sandwiched between the engaging portions 436d1 and 436d2 of the driving side development bearing 436 to engage with the driving side development bearing 436. On the other hand, the other end of the spring 471 is sandwiched between the engaging portions 470c1 and 470c2 of the driving side abutting and separating rod 470 to engage with the driving side abutting and separating rod 470.

FIG. 57(a) is a diagram showing a state in which the developing roller 13 is in contact with a photoreceptor drum (not shown). The first abutment surface 470a of the drive-side abutment and release lever 470 is pressed to the N7 direction by the drive-side device pressing member 150, whereby in the state of the spring 471, the developing roller 13 comes into contact with the photosensitive The state of the body drum. At this time, one end of the spring 471 collides with the engagement portion 436d1, and the other end of the spring 471 collides with the engagement portion 470c1. The drive side abutment and release lever 470 receives the elastic force from the spring 471 via the engagement portion 470c1. . Thereby, the proper contact pressure between the developing roller 13 and the photoreceptor drum can be maintained.

Fig. 57(b) is a diagram showing a state in which the developing roller 13 is separated from the photoreceptor drum. The separated portion 470g of the drive-side abutment and separation lever 470 is pushed to the N8 direction by the drive-side device pressing member 150, whereby one end of the spring 471 collides with the engaging portion 436d2, and the other end of the spring 471 It is in conflict with the engaging portion 470c2. Therefore, the spring 471 is in a state of being extended more than the free length. Thereby, the elastic force of the spring 471 can be used to move the drive-side developing bearing 436 to the direction in which the developing roller 13 is separated from the photosensitive drum.

By making the spring longer than the free length in this way, the elastic force of the spring can also be used to separate the developing roller from the photoreceptor drum.

In addition, the configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

<Other matters>

In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the developing cassettes B1 and B2 and the drum cassette C are separate structures. That is, the developing device is a structure that is separately cartridgeized as the developing cartridges B1, B2 and the photoreceptor drum 10, and is configured to be attached to and detached from the apparatus body of the image forming device. However, the above-mentioned embodiment is applicable to other than such a structure.

For example, even if the development cassettes B1 and B2 and the drum cassette C are not separated from each other, the configuration of any of the above-mentioned embodiments can be applied. That is, it may also be configured to attach and detach the process cassette to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the process cassette is configured by rotatably coupling the developing cassettes B1 and B2 (developing devices) to the drum cassette C . That is, the process cartridge is equipped with the photoreceptor drum 10 and the developing device. In addition, this process cassette is provided with the first movable member 120 and the second movable member 121 similarly to the respective embodiments.

Hereinafter, an example of the process cassette will be described. FIG. 49 is a view of the process cassette BC installed in the main body A2 of the apparatus viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13. FIG. 49(a) shows a state where the developing roller 13 is in contact with the photoreceptor drum 10, and FIG. 49(b) shows a state where the developing roller 13 is separated from the photoreceptor drum 10. As shown in FIG.

In FIG. 49, the drive side device pressing member 150 is described as a part of the device body A2. Here, the main body A2 of the apparatus is described with the above-mentioned embodiment except for the point of the guide member (not shown) that guides the attachment and detachment of the process cassette BC, and the non-driving side rocking guide 80 and the non-driving side rocking guide 81 The device body A1 has the same structure. Of course, on the non-driving side of the device body A2, a non-driving side device pressing member 151 similar to that of the device body A1 is provided.

The process cartridge BC mainly has: a driving side developing bearing 536 as a developing frame, a photoconductor supporting frame 521, and a coupling member 180. The driving side development bearing 536 supports the development roller 13, the driving side abutting and separating rod 70, and the driven side abutting and separating rod 72 (not shown). Except for the point of the boss 536a that is rotatably supported by the elongated hole 521a of the photoreceptor support frame 521, the drive side development bearing 536 has the same structure as the drive side development bearing 36 of the above-mentioned embodiment, so it is the same The details of the part are omitted. The photoreceptor support frame 521 supports the photoreceptor drum 10.

Under the support of the boss 536a by the long hole 521a, the driving side developing bearing 536 can rotate with the boss 536a as the center of rotation with respect to the photoconductor support frame 521. The drive-side development bearing 536 is urged by a spring (not shown) spanned between the photoreceptor support frame 521 to the direction in which the development roller 13 abuts the photoreceptor drum 10. In addition, the long hole 521a may be a circular hole.

The state where the process cassette BC is mounted on the main body A2 of the apparatus is that the photoconductor support frame 521 is positioned on a positioning portion not shown in the main body A2 of the apparatus and fixed to be immobile. Then, as shown in FIG. 49(a), on the drive side, the drive side device pressing member 150 presses the first contact surface 70a of the drive side abutment lever 70, thereby displaying the image on the drive side The bearing 536 rotates counterclockwise with the boss 536a as the center of rotation. Thereby, the developing roller 13 can be brought into contact with the photoreceptor drum 10.

Also, as shown in FIG. 49(b), on the drive side, the drive side device pressing member 150 presses the separated portion 70g of the drive side abutment and separation lever 70, thereby centering the boss 536a as the rotation center. , Make the driving side developing bearing 536 rotate clockwise. Thereby, the developing roller 13 can be separated from the photoreceptor drum 10.

In this way, in any of the above-mentioned embodiments, the imaging cassettes B1 and B2 may be replaced with process cassettes BC.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, in order to make the scope of the present invention public, the following claims are attached.

10‧‧‧Photosensitive drum

13‧‧‧Developing roller

13Z‧‧‧Rotation Center

16‧‧‧Developing container

36‧‧‧Drive side imaging bearing

36b‧‧‧Regulation Department

36c‧‧‧Support

36d‧‧‧Abutment surface

36m‧‧‧Recording media abutment

46‧‧‧Non-drive side imaging bearing

46e‧‧‧Regulation Department

46f‧‧‧Support

46g‧‧‧Abutment surface

70‧‧‧Drive side abutment lever

70a‧‧‧First abutment surface

70b‧‧‧Second abutment surface

70c‧‧‧Third abutment surface

70d‧‧‧Supported part

70e‧‧‧Regulation Relations Department

70f‧‧‧First protrusion

70g‧‧‧Be separated noodles

71‧‧‧Drive side imaging compression spring

71d‧‧‧One end

71e‧‧‧The other end

72‧‧‧Non-driving side abutment lever

72a‧‧‧First abutment surface of non-driving side

72b‧‧‧Second abutment surface of non-drive side

72c‧‧‧The third abutment surface on the non-driving side

72d‧‧‧Supported part

72e‧‧‧Non-drive side regulation abutment part

72f‧‧‧First protrusion

72g‧‧‧Departed

73‧‧‧Non-drive side imaging compression spring

73d‧‧‧the other end

73e‧‧‧One end

150‧‧‧Drive side device pushing member

B1‧‧‧Developing Cartridge

FH10‧‧‧Acceptance

F10‧‧‧Bouncing force

N9‧‧‧Arrow

N10‧‧‧direction

N14‧‧‧Arrow

N16‧‧‧direction

NH9‧‧‧Arrow

NH10‧‧‧direction

NH16‧‧‧Arrow

MH2‧‧‧Arrow

Z30‧‧‧Straight

Z31‧‧‧Straight

Claims (23)

A cassette, which can be installed in the main body of an image forming device, is characterized by: a developing roller; a frame body, which rotatably supports the aforementioned developing roller; a coupling member, which is used for input The rotational force of the developing roller can be rotated with the axis of rotation as the center; the first rod is movably supported with respect to the frame; and the second rod is movable with respect to the first movable member. The frame is movably supported. A first pressing member is in contact with the frame and the first rod to press the first rod; a second pressing member is in contact with the frame and the second rod, Pressing the second rod; regarding the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller, the first rod and the first pressing member are arranged at the first end of the frame, and the second rod and the second pressing member are arranged At the second end of the frame opposite to the first end, the elastic force of the first elastic member acts in the direction of the developing roller via the frame, so that the developing roller is opposite to the first end. The rod is moved to the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the development roller, and the elastic force of the second elastic member acts in the direction of the development roller via the frame, so that the development roller is opposed to the second The rod moves to the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the aforementioned developing roller, The coupling member is movable between a first position and a second position by moving the frame in a direction parallel to the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller, and the coupling member in the second position is greater than The coupling member at the first position is closer to the second end of the frame. For example, the cassette of the first item in the scope of patent application, wherein at least a part of the first rod and at least a part of the second rod are movable in a direction intersecting the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller. For example, the cassette of claim 1, wherein at least a part of the first rod is movable on a plane orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller, and at least a part of the second rod is movable on On another plane orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis of the development roller. For example, the cassette of item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the first rod and the second rod are respectively movable between the first position and the second position, and the first rod in the second position is The first lever in the first position is closer to the developing roller, and the second lever in the second position is closer to the developing roller than the second lever in the first position. Position, the first lever can be urged from the second position toward the first position by the elastic force of the first urging member, and the second lever can be urged by the elastic force of the second urging member The pressure is biased from the second position toward the first position. For example, the cassette of item 4 of the scope of patent application, wherein the aforementioned frame system has: a second regulation that abuts against the aforementioned second rod located in the aforementioned first position unit. For example, the cassette in the fifth scope of the patent application, wherein the first rod and the second rod are provided with a force-receiving portion, respectively, and when the force-receiving portion is not stressed by the first rod, the first rod is When the elastic force is received from the first elastic member and collides with the first regulatory portion at the first position, and the second rod is not subjected to force by the force receiving portion, the second rod system receives elastic force from the second elastic member. The pressure conflicts with the second regulatory part in the first position. For example, the first cassette in the scope of the patent application, wherein each of the first rod and the second rod has a force-receiving portion that bears the force, and when viewed along the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller, it is related and connected The first direction in which the rotation center of the developing roller is parallel to the line of the rotation center of the coupling member, the developing roller is arranged on one end side of the frame, and the force receiving portion of the first rod is arranged on the frame The other side of the body. For example, the cassette of claim 7 in which the frame system is provided with a recording medium abutment portion capable of contacting the recording medium conveyed inside the apparatus body, as viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller Regarding the first direction, the recording medium abutting portion is arranged closer to the developing roller than the force receiving portion of the first lever. For example, the cassette of the first item in the scope of the patent application, wherein the first rod and the second rod are rotatably supported by the frame. For example, the cassette of item 9 of the scope of patent application, wherein the rotation axis of the first rod and the rotation axis of the second rod are parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller. For example, the cassette of item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein each of the first rod and the second rod is provided with a supported portion that is rotatably supported to the frame body, and a force receiving portion that bears force, Viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller, the distance between the center of rotation of the first rod and the portion of the first rod that receives the elastic force from the first urging member is greater than that of the first rod. The distance between the center of rotation and the force receiving portion of the first rod is short. For example, the cartridge according to the scope of the patent application, wherein the frame system has a developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer, and when viewed along the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller, the rotation center of the first rod is arranged At a position overlapping with the aforementioned developer containing portion. For example, the cassette of the first item in the scope of the patent application has an electrode part electrically connected to the device body, the surface of the electrode part is exposed from the cassette, and the first rod moves from the first position to the first position. When the position is moved, it crosses the movement direction in which the first force receiving portion of the lever moves. For example, in the cassette of the first item of the scope of patent application, the coupling member is arranged at the first end of the frame with respect to the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller. Such as the cassette of item 14 of the scope of patent application, wherein the first rod system has a first protrusion that protrudes more than the frame. For example, the cassette of item 15 of the scope of patent application, in which, if viewed from the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller and from the one end to the other end, the first protrusion can be viewed from the The frame is exposed. As for the cassette of claim 1, wherein the first rod system includes a protruding portion that protrudes more than the frame, and the protruding portion includes a portion that is bent to the side of the developing roller. For example, in the cassette of item 1 of the scope of patent application, the first rod is slidably supported with respect to the frame. For example, the cassette of claim 18, wherein the frame system is provided with a groove, the first rod system is provided with a convex part that is engaged with the groove, and the groove and the convex part are engaged with each other, the first rod is It is slidable with respect to the aforementioned frame. For example, the cassette of the first item in the scope of the patent application, wherein, when viewed along the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller, the coupling member is arranged between the first rod and the developing roller. For example, in the cassette of the first item of the patent application, the coupling member is arranged between the first elastic member and the developing roller when viewed along the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller. The cassette described in any one of items 1 to 21 in the scope of the patent application, wherein a part of the first rod and a part of the second rod are relative to the axis of rotation of the coupling member and can move to be coupled to the aforementioned coupling member. The direction in which the axis of rotation of the component is orthogonal. For example, the cassette of item 22 of the scope of patent application, in which the first bullet mentioned above The pressing member flexes the first rod by expanding and contracting in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the developing roller, and the second urging member is expanding and contracting in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the developing roller Come and squeeze the aforementioned second rod.

Images