WO2022059805A1 - カートリッジ及び画像形成装置 - Google Patents
カートリッジ及び画像形成装置 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2022059805A1 WO2022059805A1 PCT/JP2021/035216 JP2021035216W WO2022059805A1 WO 2022059805 A1 WO2022059805 A1 WO 2022059805A1 JP 2021035216 W JP2021035216 W JP 2021035216W WO 2022059805 A1 WO2022059805 A1 WO 2022059805A1
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
- G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
- G03G21/1839—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body
- G03G21/1857—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body for transmitting mechanical drive power to the process cartridge, drive mechanisms, gears, couplings, braking mechanisms
- G03G21/186—Axial couplings
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- G—PHYSICS
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- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
- G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
- G03G21/1839—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body
- G03G21/1857—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body for transmitting mechanical drive power to the process cartridge, drive mechanisms, gears, couplings, braking mechanisms
- G03G21/1864—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body for transmitting mechanical drive power to the process cartridge, drive mechanisms, gears, couplings, braking mechanisms associated with a positioning function
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- G—PHYSICS
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- G—PHYSICS
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- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
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- G—PHYSICS
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- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
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- G—PHYSICS
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- G03G2221/1654—Locks and means for positioning or alignment
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- G—PHYSICS
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- G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
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- G03G2221/1651—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts for connecting the different parts
- G03G2221/1657—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts for connecting the different parts transmitting mechanical drive power
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copier or a printer that employs an electrophotographic method, and a cartridge that can be attached to or removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
- the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, also referred to as “image forming apparatus”) is an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet-shaped recording medium such as paper by using an electrophotographic image forming method.
- Examples of the image forming apparatus include a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, a printer (laser beam printer, LED printer, etc.), a multifunction printer thereof, and the like.
- the cartridge is a unit that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus described above, and is a unit having a photoconductor and / or a process means (for example, a charging member, a developing member, a cleaning member, etc.) that acts on the photoconductor.
- a process means for example, a charging member, a developing member, a cleaning member, etc.
- a process cartridge method in which a drum and a process means acting on the drum are integrally made into a cartridge, and this cartridge can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus.
- this process cartridge method the maintenance of the image forming apparatus can be performed by the user himself / herself regardless of the service person, so that the operability can be significantly improved. Therefore, this process cartridge method is widely used in an image forming apparatus.
- Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-337511 proposes a process cartridge provided with a clutch for driving a developing roller at the time of image formation and cutting off the drive to the developing roller at the time of non-image formation.
- Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-11221 discloses a configuration for switching between transmission and interruption of drive to the developing roller while the surface of the photosensitive drum is in contact with the developing roller.
- a clutch for driving switching is provided at the end of the developing roller, and a rotating shaft is provided to switch the driving in conjunction with the contact / separation operation of the photoconductor drum and the developing roller.
- a crank mechanism consisting of a handle connecting the rotating shaft and the shaft whose core is off is used.
- the cartridges of the present disclosure are Photoreceptor and A developing member that adheres toner to the photoconductor and A coupling member capable of receiving a driving force for rotationally driving the developing member, and It moves between the driving force transmission position that allows the transmission of the driving force from the coupling member to the developing member and the driving force blocking position that blocks the transmission of the driving force from the coupling member to the developing member.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a drive cutoff operation according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 4 is an assembly perspective view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the drive connecting portion according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an engaging portion of the coupling according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the drive connecting portion according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of each component of the drive connecting portion at the time of drive transmission according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 12 is a single perspective view of the regulatory member 510 according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a positional relationship at the time of drive connection and disconnection of the regulation member 510 according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a mounting operation of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment to the device main body.
- FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the regulatory member 510 according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a drive connection operation according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the drive connecting portion according to the second embodiment.
- FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the clutch component according to the second embodiment.
- FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an engaging portion between the clutch component and the coupling according to the second embodiment.
- FIG. 20 is a single perspective view of the regulatory member 1510 according to the second embodiment.
- FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a positional relationship at the time of drive connection and disconnection of the regulation member 1510 according to the second embodiment.
- FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a drive cutoff operation according to the second embodiment.
- FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a drive connection operation according to the second embodiment.
- FIG. 24 is an exploded view of the urging member 1511 according to the second embodiment.
- FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a drive connection and drive cutoff operation when the urging member according to the second embodiment is used.
- FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the drive connecting portion according to the third embodiment.
- FIG. 27 is an exploded view of the lock member 550 according to the third embodiment.
- FIG. 28 is a single perspective view of the regulatory member 3510 according to the third embodiment.
- FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a drive cutoff operation according to the third embodiment.
- FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a drive connection operation according to the third embodiment.
- FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the drive connecting portion according to the fourth embodiment.
- FIG. 32 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the drive connecting portion at the time of drive transmission according to the fourth embodiment.
- FIG. 33 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the drive connecting portion when the drive is shut off according to the fourth embodiment.
- FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a drive cutoff operation according to the fourth embodiment.
- FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a drive connection operation according to the fourth embodiment.
- FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the drive connecting portion according to the fifth embodiment.
- FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a positional relationship at the time of drive connection and drive cutoff of the drive connection unit according to the fifth embodiment.
- FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a drive cutoff operation according to the fifth embodiment.
- FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a drive connection operation according to the fifth embodiment.
- FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the drive connecting portion according to the sixth embodiment.
- FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a positional relationship at the time of drive connection and drive cutoff of the drive connection unit according to the sixth embodiment.
- FIG. 42 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge according to the sixth embodiment.
- FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a drive cutoff operation according to the sixth embodiment.
- FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a drive connection operation according to the sixth embodiment.
- FIG. 45 is a positional relationship diagram at the time of drive connection and disconnection of the shutter position regulation pin according to the sixth embodiment.
- FIG. 46 is a diagram showing a drive cutoff operation according to the seventh embodiment.
- FIG. 47 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship at the time of drive connection and disconnection of the drive connection unit according to the seventh embodiment.
- FIG. 48 is a diagram showing a drive cutoff operation according to the seventh embodiment.
- FIG. 49 is a diagram showing a drive connection operation according to the seventh embodiment.
- FIG. 50 is an exploded assembly view of the process cartridge according to the eighth embodiment.
- FIG. 51 is an operation explanatory diagram of the regulatory member according to the eighth embodiment.
- FIG. 52 is a side view of the process cartridge according to the eighth embodiment.
- FIG. 53 is a side view of the process cartridge according to the eighth embodiment.
- FIG. 54 is a side view of the process cartridge according to the eighth embodiment.
- FIG. 55 is an exploded assembly view of the regulatory member according to the ninth embodiment.
- FIG. 56 is a diagram showing the operation of the regulatory member according to the ninth embodiment.
- FIG. 57 is an operation explanatory diagram of the regulatory member according to the ninth embodiment.
- FIG. 58 is an operation explanatory diagram of the regulatory member according to the ninth embodiment.
- FIG. 59 is an exploded assembly view of the regulatory member according to the tenth embodiment.
- FIG. 60 is an operation explanatory diagram of the regulatory member according to the tenth embodiment.
- FIG. 61 is an operation explanatory diagram of the regulatory member according to the tenth embodiment.
- FIG. 62 is an operation explanatory diagram of the regulatory member according to the tenth embodiment.
- FIG. 63 is an operation explanatory diagram of the regulatory member according to the tenth embodiment.
- FIG. 64 is a side view of the process cartridge according to the eleventh embodiment.
- FIG. 65 is an exploded view of the process cartridge according to the eleventh embodiment.
- FIG. 66 is a diagram showing a mounting operation of the process cartridge according to the eleventh embodiment to the device main body.
- FIG. 67 is an exploded assembly view of the process cartridge according to the twelfth embodiment.
- FIG. 68 is an operation explanatory diagram of the regulatory member according to the twelfth embodiment.
- FIG. 69 is an operation explanatory diagram of the regulatory member according to the twelfth embodiment.
- FIG. 70 is an operation explanatory diagram of the regulatory member according to the twelfth embodiment.
- FIG. 71 is an operation explanatory diagram of the regulatory member according to the twelfth embodiment.
- FIG. 72 is an operation explanatory diagram of the regulatory member according to the twelfth embodiment.
- FIGS. 1 to 16 The first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16.
- process cartridges an image forming apparatus in which four cartridges (hereinafter referred to as process cartridges) can be attached and detached is exemplified.
- the number of process cartridges mounted on the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. It is set as needed.
- a laser beam printer is exemplified as one aspect of the image forming apparatus. [Rough configuration of image forming apparatus]
- FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 500 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge P according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge P in the first embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from the drive side, which is one end side in the axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the longitudinal direction) of the photoconductor (hereinafter referred to as the photosensitive drum 4). be.
- the image forming apparatus 500 is a four-color full-color laser printer using an electrophotographic process, and forms a color image on the recording medium S.
- the image forming apparatus 500 is a process cartridge type, and the process cartridge P is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body 502 to form a color image on the recording medium S.
- the side provided with the front door 111 is referred to as a front surface (front surface), and the surface opposite to the front surface is referred to as a back surface (rear surface).
- the right side of the image forming apparatus 500 when viewed from the front is referred to as a driving side
- the left side is referred to as a non-driving side.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 500 as viewed from the non-driving side.
- the front of the page is the non-driving side of the image forming apparatus 500
- the right side of the page is the front of the image forming apparatus 500
- the back of the page is the driving of the image forming apparatus 500. Be on the side.
- the image forming apparatus main body 502 has four process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) of a first process cartridge PY, a second process cartridge PM, a third process cartridge PC, and a fourth process cartridge PK. It is arranged almost horizontally.
- Each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) has the same electrophotographic process mechanism, and the color of the developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) is different. ..
- Rotational driving force is transmitted from the drive output unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 502 to the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK). Further, a bias voltage (charging bias, development bias, etc.) is supplied from the image forming apparatus main body 502 to each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) (not shown).
- each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) of this embodiment rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 4, and acts on the photosensitive drum 4. It has a drum unit 8 provided with charging means and cleaning means as means. Further, each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) shown in FIG. 2 has a developing unit 9 provided with a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 4. The drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 are coupled to each other. A more specific configuration of the process cartridge P will be described later.
- the first process cartridge PY contains yellow (Y) toner in the developing container 25, and forms a yellow toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4.
- the second process cartridge PM contains magenta (M) toner in the developing container 25, and forms a magenta-colored toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4.
- the third process cartridge PC contains the cyan (C) toner in the developing container 25, and forms a cyan toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4.
- the fourth process cartridge PK contains black (K) toner in the developing container 25, and forms a black toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4.
- a laser scanner unit 114 as an exposure means is provided above the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK).
- the laser scanner unit 114 outputs the laser beam U corresponding to the image information. Then, the laser beam U passes through the exposure window 10 of the process cartridge P and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 4.
- An intermediate transfer belt unit 112 as a transfer member is provided below the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK).
- the intermediate transfer belt unit 112 has a drive roller 112e, a turn roller 112c, and a tension roller 112b, and a flexible transfer belt 112a is hung on the intermediate transfer belt unit 112.
- the lower surface of the photosensitive drum 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) of each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) is in contact with the upper surface of the transfer belt 112a.
- the contact part is the primary transfer part.
- a primary transfer roller 112d is provided so as to face the photosensitive drum 4.
- the secondary transfer roller 106a is brought into contact with the turn roller 112c via the transfer belt 112a.
- the contact portion between the transfer belt 112a and the secondary transfer roller 106a is the secondary transfer portion.
- a feeding unit 104 is provided below the intermediate transfer belt unit 112.
- the feeding unit 104 has a paper feed tray 104a and a paper feed roller 104b on which the recording medium S is loaded and accommodated.
- a fixing device 107 and a paper ejection device 108 are provided on the upper left side of the image forming apparatus main body 502 in FIG. 2.
- the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 502 is a paper ejection tray 113.
- the toner image of the recording medium S is fixed by the fixing means provided in the fixing device 107, and the toner image is discharged to the paper ejection tray 113. [Image formation operation]
- the operation for forming a full-color image is as follows.
- the photosensitive drum 4 of each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) is rotationally driven at a predetermined speed (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3).
- the transfer belt 112a is also rotationally driven in the forward direction (direction of arrow C in FIG. 2) with respect to the rotation of the photosensitive drum at a speed corresponding to the speed of the photosensitive drum 4.
- the laser scanner unit 114 is also driven. In synchronization with the drive of the laser scanner unit 114, the charging roller 5 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 to a predetermined polarity and potential in each process cartridge.
- the laser scanner unit 114 scans and exposes the surface of each photosensitive drum 4 with laser light U according to the image signals of each color. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal of the corresponding color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 4.
- the formed electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing roller 6 (6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K) that is rotationally driven (direction of arrow D in FIG. 3) at a predetermined speed.
- a yellow toner image corresponding to the yellow component of the full color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 (4Y) of the first process cartridge PY. Then, the toner image is primaryly transferred onto the transfer belt 112a. Similarly, a magenta color toner image corresponding to the magenta component of the full color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 (4M) of the second process cartridge PM. Then, the toner image is superimposed on the yellow toner image already transferred on the transfer belt 112a and primary transfer is performed. Similarly, a cyan toner image corresponding to the cyan component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 (4C) of the third process cartridge PC.
- the toner image is superimposed on the yellow-colored and magenta-colored toner images already transferred on the transfer belt 112a and primaryly transferred.
- a black toner image corresponding to the black component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 (4K) of the fourth process cartridge PK.
- the toner image is superimposed on the yellow-colored, magenta-colored, and cyan-colored toner images already transferred onto the transfer belt 112a, and the toner image is first transferred. In this way, a four-color full-color unfixed toner image of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is formed on the transfer belt 112a.
- the recording media S are separated and fed one by one at a predetermined control timing.
- the recording medium S is introduced into the secondary transfer portion, which is the contact portion between the secondary transfer roller 106a and the transfer belt 112a, at a predetermined control timing.
- the four-color superimposed toner image on the transfer belt 112a is collectively transferred to the surface of the recording medium S.
- the first to fourth process cartridges P have the same electrophotographic process mechanism, and the color of the contained toner and the filling amount of the toner are different from each other. It is a thing.
- the process cartridge P shown in FIG. 3 includes a photosensitive drum 4 and a process means for acting on the photosensitive drum 4.
- the process means is on the surface of the charging roller 5 as a charging means for charging the photosensitive drum 4, the developing roller 6 as a developing member for developing a latent image formed by adhering toner to the photosensitive drum 4, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 4.
- the process cartridge P is divided into a drum unit 8 and a developing unit 9.
- the form of the cartridge that can be used together with the image forming apparatus main body is not limited to the form shown here.
- the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 may be independently attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body, or the drum unit 8 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body and only the developing unit 9 is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. It may be a possible configuration. [Drum unit configuration]
- the drum unit 8 includes a photosensitive drum 4, a charging roller 5, a cleaning blade 7, a drum frame 15, a waste toner storage portion 15a, a drive-side cartridge cover member 520, and a non-drive-side cartridge cover. It is composed of a member 521.
- the photosensitive drum 4 is rotatably supported by a drive-side cartridge cover member 520 and a non-drive-side cartridge cover member 521 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P.
- a photoconductor coupling member 43 to which a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum 4 is input is provided on one end side of the photosensitive drum 4 in the longitudinal direction.
- the photoconductor coupling member 43 engages with a coupling (not shown) as a drum drive output unit of the image forming apparatus main body 502, and the driving force of the driving motor (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 502 is the photosensitive drum 4. Is transmitted to.
- the charging roller 5 is supported by the drum frame 15 so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drum 4 and to be driven to rotate.
- the cleaning blade 7 is supported by the drum frame 15 so as to come into contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 4 at a predetermined pressure.
- the transfer residual toner removed from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 4 by the cleaning blade 7 is stored in the waste toner storage portion 15a in the drum frame 15.
- the developing unit 9 includes a developing roller 6, a developing blade 30, a developing container 25, and the like.
- the developing container 25 has a toner accommodating portion 29 for storing the toner supplied to the developing roller 6, and a developing blade 30 for regulating the layer thickness of the toner on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 6.
- the developing blade 30 is formed by attaching an elastic member 30b, which is a sheet-like metal having a thickness of about 0.1 mm, to a support member 30a, which is a metal material having an L-shaped cross section, by welding or the like.
- the developing blade 30 is attached to the developing container 25 with fixing screws 30c at two locations, one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction.
- the developing roller 6 is composed of a core metal 6c made of a metal material and a rubber portion 6d.
- the developing roller 6 is rotatably supported by a driving side bearing 526 and a non-driving side bearing 27 attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 25.
- a development coupling member 74 to which a driving force for rotating the development roller 6 is input is provided on one end side of the development unit 9 in the longitudinal direction.
- the development coupling member 74 engages with a coupling (not shown) as a development drive output unit of the image forming apparatus main body 502, and the driving force of the drive motor (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 502 is applied to the developing unit 9. Entered.
- the driving force input to the developing unit 9 is transmitted by a driving train (not shown) provided in the developing unit 9, so that the developing roller 6 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow D in FIG.
- a development cover member 533 that supports and covers a development coupling member 74 and a drive train (not shown) is provided on one end side of the development unit 9 in the longitudinal direction.
- the assembly of the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 will be described with reference to FIG.
- the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 are coupled by a drive-side cartridge cover member 520 and a non-drive-side cartridge cover member 521 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P.
- the drive-side cartridge cover member 520 provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P is provided with a support hole 520a for swinging (moving) the developing unit 9.
- the non-driving side cartridge cover member 521 provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P is provided with a cylindrical support portion 521a for swingably supporting the developing unit 9.
- the drive-side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 521 are provided with support holes 520b and 521b for rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum 4.
- the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 533b of the developing cover member 533 is fitted into the support hole 520a of the drive side cartridge cover member 520.
- the support portion 521a of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 521 is fitted into the hole of the non-drive side bearing 27.
- both ends of the photosensitive drum 4 in the longitudinal direction are fitted into the support holes 520b of the drive side cartridge cover member 520 and the support holes 521b of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 521.
- the drive-side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 521 are fixed to the drum frame 15 by screws (not shown), adhesion, or the like. That is, the drive-side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 521 are integrated with the drum frame body 15 to form the drum unit 8.
- the developing unit 9 is swingably (movably) supported by the drive-side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 521 with respect to the drum unit 8 (photosensitive drum 4).
- the rotation center of the developing unit 9 is referred to as a swing shaft K.
- the cylindrical portion 533b of the developing cover member 533 is coaxial with the developing coupling member 74, and the developing unit 9 receives driving force from the image forming apparatus main body 502 via the developing coupling member 74 on the swing axis K. It is a composition.
- the developing unit 9 rotates slightly around the swing axis K toward the side away from the drum unit 8 due to the repulsive force of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6. As a result, the contact pressure between the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 can be reduced.
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 500 in which the tray 110 is located inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 with the front door 111 open.
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 500 in which the tray 110 is located outside the image forming apparatus main body 502 with the front door 111 open.
- the tray 110 can move in the arrow X1 direction (pushing direction) and the arrow X2 direction (pulling direction) with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 502. That is, the tray 110 is provided so as to be retractable and pushable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 502, and the tray 110 is configured to be movable in a substantially horizontal direction when the image forming apparatus main body 502 is installed on a horizontal plane. ..
- the state in which the tray 110 is located outside the image forming apparatus main body 502 (state in FIG. 6) is referred to as an outside position.
- the tray 110 is located inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 with the front door open, and the photosensitive drum 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) and the transfer belt 112a are separated by the gap T1 (FIG. 5).
- the state) is called the first inner position.
- the tray 110 has a mounting portion 110a to which the process cartridge P (PY, PM, PC, PK) can be detachably mounted at the outer position shown in FIG.
- Each process cartridge P (PY, PM, PC, PK) mounted on the mounting portion 110a at the outer position of the tray 110 includes a drive-side cartridge cover member 520 and a non-drive-side cartridge cover member 521 shown in FIG. It is supported by the tray 110 by coming into contact with the mounting portion 110a. Then, in the state where each process cartridge P is arranged in the mounting portion 110a, the tray 110 moves to the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 502 as the tray 110 moves from the outer position to the first inner position. At this time, as shown in FIG.
- each process cartridge P moves while maintaining a gap T1 between the transfer belt 112a and the photosensitive drum 4. Therefore, the tray 110 can move the process cartridge P inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 without the photosensitive drum 4 coming into contact with the transfer belt 112a.
- the photosensitive drum 4 and the transfer belt 112a maintain a gap T1.
- the direction perpendicular to the arrow X direction (X1, X2) in FIG. 5 and perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum 4 is referred to as the Z direction (arrows Z1 and Z2 in FIG. 5).
- the tray 110 can be moved from the first inner position in the direction of arrow Z2 in FIG. 5 to the second inner position (state in FIG. 2) where the photosensitive drum 4 and the transfer belt 112a come into contact with each other and an image can be formed. ..
- the tray 110 located at the first inner position moves in the direction of the arrow Z2 in FIG. 5 in conjunction with the operation of closing the front door 111 in the direction of the arrow R in FIG. 5 from the state where the front door 111 is open. It is configured to move to the second inner position.
- the tray 110 allows a plurality of process cartridges P to be collectively installed at a position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 where image formation is possible.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P as viewed from the drive side, and shows a state in which the drive side cartridge cover member 520 and the development cover member 533 are removed.
- the drive side cartridge cover member 520 is provided with openings 520a and 520b.
- the development coupling member 74 is exposed from the opening 520a.
- the development coupling member 74 engages with the development drive output member 62 (62Y, 62M, 62C, 62K) of the image forming apparatus main body 502 shown in FIG. 7B, and the drive motor provided in the image forming apparatus main body 502. The drive force from (not shown) is transmitted.
- a developing coupling member 74 and a rotating member 75 capable of transmitting a driving force via the developing coupling member 74 are rotatably provided. Further, as will be described in detail later, the developing coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75 can be coaxially engaged in the longitudinal direction, and when engaged, the drive is transmitted from the developing coupling member 74 to the rotating member 75. It is configured to be able to.
- the rotating member 75 is engaged with the gear 801 and the gear 801 is also engaged with the developing roller gear 802.
- gear teeth are formed on the gear 801 and the developing roller gear 802, and the gear teeth are engaged with each other. As a result, the drive transmitted to the rotating member 75 is transmitted to the developing roller 6 via the developing roller gear 802.
- a gear 801, a spring 70, a rotating member 75, a slide member 80, a developing coupling member 74, and a developing cover member 533 are provided between the driving side bearing 526 and the driving side cartridge cover member 520 in this order from the driving side bearing 526.
- the slide member 80 is a part of the drive switching mechanism and is a coupling disengagement member. These members are provided on the same straight line as the developing coupling member 74.
- the drive-side bearing 526 has a cylindrical support portion 526c protruding in the longitudinal direction parallel to the swing shaft K
- the developing cover member 533 has a fitting hole 533c that fits with the support portion 526c.
- the support portion 526c is a part of the drive switching mechanism, and the regulation member 510 as a movable member that regulates the slide member and can move between the first position and the second position, which will be described later, swings around the support portion 526c. Can be installed. Details will be described later.
- the regulation member 510 is attached to the support portion 526c of the drive side bearing 526, but it is also possible to attach the regulation member 510 to other members such as the developing cover member 533 and the drive side cartridge cover member 520.
- the drive connecting portion includes a gear 801, a developing roller gear 802, a spring 70, a rotating member 75, a slide member 80, a developing coupling member 74, and a developing cover member 533.
- FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an engaging portion between the developing coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75.
- the developing coupling member 74 has a claw portion 74a as an engaging portion (coupling portion), and the rotating member 75 has a claw portion 75a as an engaging portion (coupling portion).
- the developing coupling member 74 has a surface 74b that comes into contact with the slide member 80, which will be described later, and the rotating member 75 has a surface 75d that comes into contact with the slide member 80, which will also be described later.
- the claw portion 74 and the claw portion 75 are a plurality of claw portions arranged radially at equal intervals from the respective rotation centers.
- the claw portion 74a and the claw portion 75a are configured to be engageable with each other. That is, the developing coupling member 74 is configured to be connectable to the rotating member 75. As a result, the developing coupling member 74 that receives the driving force by engaging with the developing drive output member 62 of the image forming apparatus main body 502 rotates, so that the rotating member 75 in the engaged state rotates.
- the claw portion 74a and the claw portion 75a each have nine claws, but the number is not limited to this.
- a hole portion 75 m is provided in the center of the rotating member 75.
- the hole portion 75m fits into and penetrates the small-diameter cylindrical portion 74m of the developing coupling member 74.
- the developing coupling member 74 is rotatably supported with respect to the rotating member 75 and slidably along the respective axis lines.
- FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the drive connecting portion.
- 11 (a) is a view of the gear 801 and the rotating member 75 at the time of drive transmission as viewed from the drive side
- FIG. 11 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the AA position shown in FIG. 11 (a). be.
- the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80 are not shown in FIG. 11A.
- the gear 801 has a pillar portion 801a that fits with the rotating member 75 and the slide member 80, and a support portion 801b that is a support portion of the spring 70.
- the pillar portion 801a is formed radially from the rotation center of the gear 801 and extends in the F2 direction.
- four pillar portions 801a are illustrated as an example, but the number is not limited to this.
- the pillar portion 801a penetrates the fitting hole 75n which is a drive transmission portion of the rotating member 75, and the surface 801c of the pillar portion 801a and the cylindrical inner surface 80c of the slide member 80 are fitted on the longitudinally outer side of the fitting hole 75.
- one end of the spring 70 is attached to the support portion 801b of the gear 801 and the other end is attached to the support portion 75b of the rotating member 75, so that the rotating member 75 is longitudinally outward in the swing axis K direction. It is urged toward the F1 direction.
- the support portion 801b is provided coaxially with the rotation center of the gear 801 and is extended in the F2 direction and fitted to one end of the spring 70 to support the spring 70 so as not to fall off.
- the outer peripheral surface 75c of the rotating member 75 is located inside the inner peripheral surface 801e of the gear 801 and the rotating member 75 can slide and move in the swing axis K direction inside the gear 801.
- the slide member 80 In the slide member 80, the inner surface 80c of the cylinder is supported by the surface 801c of the column portion 801a so as to be rotatable about the center of the swing axis K and slidable in the direction of the swing axis K, and the end surface 80d is in contact with the surface 75d of the rotating member 75. is doing. As a result, the slide member 80 receives the urging force from the spring 70 and is always urged in the F1 direction.
- the slide member 80 has a cam surface 80a and a surface 80b facing the surface 74b of the developing coupling member 74, and in the drive transmission state shown in FIG. 11B, the distance H from the end surface 80d to the facing surface 80b is determined.
- FIG. 11A a drive transmission state when the claw portion 74a and the claw portion 75a are engaged and a drive is input from the development drive output member 62 of the image forming apparatus main body 502 to rotate the development coupling member.
- the rotating member 75 rotates in the V2 direction
- the drive transmission surface 75e at the upstream end of the fitting hole 75n in the rotation direction comes into contact with the drive transmission surface 801d of the pillar portion 801a of the gear 801.
- the gear 801 that receives the rotational force in the V2 direction on the drive transmission surface 801d rotates in the V2 direction and transmits the rotation to the engaged developing roller gear 802 to drive the developing roller 6.
- FIG. 12 shows a regulating member 510 that regulates the position of the slide member 80 in the longitudinal direction in order to release the drive connection
- FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b) are from opposite sides for the sake of explanation.
- a perspective view is shown.
- 13 (a) shows the positional relationship between the regulation member 510 and the above-mentioned drive connecting portion in each of the drive connection state and the drive connection release state in FIG. 13 (b).
- the regulating member 510 has a supported hole 510a, a regulating lever portion 510b, a foot portion 510c, and a foot portion 510d.
- the regulating lever portion 510b has a cam surface 510g and a slope 510h, and the foot portion 510c and the foot portion 510d each have surfaces 510e and 510f which are surfaces that receive a force from a drive control member 540 described later.
- the supported hole 510a of the regulating member 510 is fitted with the support portion 526c of the drive side bearing 526 described above, and can swing about the axis of the support portion 526c.
- FIG. 13A shows the positional relationship between the regulation lever portion 510b and the drive connection portion in the drive transmission state.
- the regulation lever portion 510b is at a position where the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80 do not come into contact with each other. It is in.
- the position of the regulating member 510 is referred to as the first position of the regulating member 510. This position is a driving force transmission position that allows transmission of the driving force from the developing coupling member 74 to the developing roller 6.
- the regulation member 510 swings around the support portion 526c (FIG. 8) of the drive side bearing 526, and the regulation lever portion 510b of the regulation member 510 is developed and coupled. It is located between the slope 74c of the member 74 and the cam surface 80a of the slide member 80.
- the position of the regulating member 510 is referred to as a regulating member 510 second position. This position is a driving force cutoff position that cuts off the transmission of the driving force from the developing coupling member 74 to the developing roller 6.
- the cam surface 510g of the regulation lever portion 510b comes into contact with the cam surface 80a of the slide member 80, and the slide member is caused by the component force JK of the force J applied from the regulation lever portion 510b to the slide member 80 in the swing axis K direction.
- 80 is moved in the F2 direction.
- the rotating member 75 also moves in the F2 direction, and the claw portions 75a and 74a of the rotating member 75 and the developing coupling member 74 are disengaged, so that the drive connection is released. Will be done.
- the regulating lever portion 510b receives the reaction force JS of the spring 70 as an urging means from the surface 80b of the slide member 80 in the F1 direction.
- the regulating lever portion 510b abuts on the surface 74b of the developing coupling member 74 and tries to move in the F1 direction, but the surface 74d of the developing coupling member 74 abuts on the surface 533d of the developing cover member 533 and stops.
- the regulation lever portion 510b is sandwiched between the slide member 80 and the developing coupling member 74, and receives resistance by being sandwiched by receiving the reaction force of the spring 70 at the engaging portion, and in a state where it does not receive an external force.
- the position is regulated. That is, the regulation lever portion 510b as the moving portion is sandwiched between the slide member 80 and the developing coupling member 74, and is held at the driving force cutoff position.
- FIG. 14 will explain the operation when the process cartridge P is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 502.
- FIG. 14A is a view from the drive side of a state in which the process cartridge P is located at the first inner position and the photosensitive drum 4 and the transfer belt 112a are separated from each other.
- FIG. 14B is a view from the drive side of a state in which the process cartridge P is located at the second inner position and the photosensitive drum 4 and the transfer belt 112a are in contact with each other.
- 14 (a) and 14 (b) show the drive-side cartridge cover member 520 omitted for the sake of explanation.
- the image forming apparatus main body 502 has a drive control member 540 corresponding to each process cartridge P (PY, PM, PC, PK).
- the drive control member 540 is arranged below the regulation member 510 (in the Z2 direction in FIG. 14) of the process cartridge P located at the first inner position and the second inner position.
- the drive control member 540 has a control unit 540a projecting toward the process cartridge P as a main body force applying unit, and the control unit 540a has a first force applying surface 540b as a first main body force applying unit and a second. It has a second force applying surface 540c as a main body force applying portion.
- the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is below the lower surface of the space Q1 sandwiched between the surfaces 510e and 510f described with reference to FIG. 12 of the process cartridge P located at the first inner position (in the Z2 direction in FIG. 14). Is placed in. Further, the drive control member 540 is arranged so that a gap T5 is opened between the process cartridge P and the restricting member 510 when the process cartridge P is located at the first inner position (FIG. 14A). That is, the restricting member 510 of the process cartridge P inserted into the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 502 by the tray 110 moving from the outer position to the first inner position as described above forms an image without contacting the drive control member 540. It is inserted into the device body 502. Then, when the process cartridge P moves from the first inner position to the second inner position by closing the front door 111 as described above, the control unit 540a invades the space Q1 as shown in FIG. 14B.
- FIG. 15 shows a view of the process cartridge P installed in the image forming apparatus main body 502 as viewed from the direction of the arrow VW in FIG. 14 (b).
- the drive control member 540 is shown by omitting parts other than the control unit 540a. Further, some of the parts constituting the process cartridge P are omitted.
- the foot portion 510c which is the retracting force receiving portion and the foot portion 510d which is the inserting force receiving portion of the regulating member 510 partially overlap each other in the direction along the swing axis K of the developing unit 9. It is arranged so as to form a space Q1.
- control unit 540a when the process cartridge P is installed at the second inner position (image formable position) and the control unit 540a invades the space Q1, the control unit 540a has the foot portion 510c and the foot portion 510c in the direction along the swing axis K. It is arranged so as to overlap with the portion 510d.
- the control unit 540a has the foot portion 510c and the foot portion 510c in the direction along the swing axis K. It is arranged so as to overlap with the portion 510d.
- FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the movement operation of the restricting member 510 from the first position to the second position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, that is, the operation of releasing the drive connection described above.
- FIG. 1 is a view of the process cartridge P located at the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 as viewed from the drive side.
- the drive side cartridge cover member 520 is omitted.
- FIG. 1A shows a state in which the regulation member 510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position (first main body position).
- the foot portion which is the retracting force receiving portion of the process cartridge P mounted on the first force applying surface 540b and the second inner position.
- the drive control member 540 of this embodiment is configured to be movable from the home position toward the second main body position in the direction of the middle arrow W51 in FIG. 1 (a).
- the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of W51 from the state of FIG. 1A, the first force applying surface 540b and the surface 510f on the foot portion 510d of the regulation member 510 come into contact with each other, and the regulation member 510 is the drive side bearing 526.
- the support portion 526c of FIG. 1 (b) it swings in the direction of the middle arrow B1.
- the support portion 526c of the drive side bearing 526 is coaxially fitted into the fitting hole 533c of the developing cover member 533, and its axis is an axis parallel to the swing axis K.
- the regulating member 510 moves from the first position to the second position direction.
- the regulation lever portion 510b of the regulation member 510 is inserted between the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80, so that the slide member 80 moves in the F2 direction.
- the drive connection is released when the claw portion 75a and the claw portion 74a are disengaged.
- the control unit 540a keeps the surface 510e and the gap T6 on the foot portion 510c of the regulation member 510. Has and does not abut. That is, the regulating member 510 does not receive an external force from the drive control member 540.
- FIG. 16 is a view of the process cartridge P located at the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 as viewed from the drive side.
- the drive side cartridge cover member 520 is omitted.
- FIG. 16A shows a state in which the regulation member 510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position.
- the drive control member 540 of this embodiment is configured to be movable from the home position toward the third main body position in the direction of the middle arrow W52 in FIG. 16 (a). From the state of FIG. 16A, when the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction and the second force applying surface 540c and the surface 510e on the foot portion 510c of the regulation member 510 come into contact with each other, the regulation member 510 is subjected to the drive side bearing. It swings in the direction of arrow B2 in FIG. 16B at the center of the support portion 526c of 526.
- the support portion 526c is fitted with the fitting hole 533c of the developing cover member 533, and the rotation axis of the regulation member 510 is parallel to the swing axis K.
- the regulating member 510 swings in the direction of arrow B2
- the regulating member 510 moves from the second position to the first position direction.
- the regulating lever portion 510b of the regulating member 510 described with reference to FIG. 13 is pulled out from between the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80, so that the rotating member 75 receiving the urging force of the spring 70 described with reference to FIG. It moves in the F1 direction and the drives are connected. Further, as shown in FIG.
- the control unit 540a still has a gap T9 with the surface 510f on the foot portion 510d of the regulation member 510. Has and does not abut. Further, at this time, since the control unit 540a has a gap T8 between the control unit 510a and the surface 510e on the foot portion 510c of the regulation member 510, the state in which the control unit 540a and the regulation member 510 do not come into contact with each other is maintained. Therefore, the drive connection state of the regulating member 510 is maintained while the first position is maintained.
- the first rotating member and the second rotating member which are coaxial with each other and are engaged with each other, transmit and cut off the driving force.
- the rotating member the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80 have been exemplified.
- the engaging position where the driving force can be transmitted by engaging with each other around the rotation axis and the non-engaging position where the driving force is not transmitted apart from each other in the rotation axis direction. It may be two members at other points of the transmission path that can take a position. That is, it is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment.
- the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 25.
- the process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the configuration of the regulating member and its surroundings is different. Therefore, members having the same function and configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. [Structure of drive connection part]
- FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P as viewed from the drive side, and shows a state in which the drive side cartridge cover member 520 and the development cover member 533 are removed.
- a gear 1801, a clutch 180 which is a drive transmission switching device having a transmission release mechanism, a development coupling member 174, and a development cover member 533 are provided.
- the regulation member 1510 is swingably attached to the support portion 526c of the drive side bearing 526.
- the drive connecting portion includes a gear 1801, a clutch 180, a developing coupling member 174, and a developing cover member 533.
- the drive transmission switching device 180 will be described by taking a spring clutch as an example, and will be hereinafter referred to as a spring clutch 180.
- the outline of the spring clutch 180 will be described with reference to FIG.
- the spring clutch 180 in this embodiment includes a control ring 180a, an output member 180b, an input inner ring 180c, a transmission inner ring 180d, and a transmission spring 180e.
- the input inner ring 180c as an input member engages with the developing coupling member 174 and rotates by receiving a driving force from the upstream side of the transmission path.
- the input inner ring 180c and the transmission spring 180e wound around the outer circumference thereof are restricted from rotating relative to each other due to the tightening force (friction) of the transmission spring 180e as a transmission member.
- the driving force is transmitted to the transmission spring 180e.
- the inner ring 180c of the input and the transmission spring 180e are also restricted from rotating relative to each other due to the tightening force (friction) of the transmission spring 180e. Therefore, the rotation transmitted to the transmission spring 180e is transmitted to the transmission inner ring 180d by the tightening force of the transmission spring 180e.
- the transmission inner ring 180d is engaged with the output member 180b, and the output member 180b transmits the drive at the engaging portion with the gear 1801 described later in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
- the control ring 180a as a control member is engaged with one end of the transmission spring 180e, and by rotating the control ring 180a in the direction opposite to the spring tightening direction, the spring tightening (contact with each inner ring) is loosened.
- the configuration of the spring clutch 180 is not limited to this, and one inner ring may be used. In that case, the end opposite to the one end that engages with the control ring 180a of the transmission spring 180e may directly engage with the output member 180b to transmit the rotation.
- the drive transmission switching device may be a device other than the spring clutch form, and may be a device having a configuration in which the rotation transmission portion expands in the radial direction or moves in the circumferential direction to cut off the drive by stopping a part of the rotation. ..
- the configuration is such that the transmission state in which the driving force is transmitted can be formed by the regulation of the relative rotation between the members that transmit the driving force, and the non-transmission state in which the driving force is not transmitted can be formed by the allowance of the relative rotation.
- various conventionally known configurations may be adopted.
- FIG. 19A shows the assembly of the spring clutch 180 and the developed coupling member 174
- FIG. 19B shows the assembly of the spring clutch 180 and the gear 1801.
- the input inner ring 180c of the spring clutch 180 has an input groove 180f
- the developing coupling member 174 has a claw portion 174a.
- the output member 180b of the spring clutch 180 has an output claw 180g
- the gear 1801 has a transmission groove 1801a.
- FIG. 20 shows a regulating member 1510 for stopping the rotation of the control ring 180a of the spring clutch 180 in order to shut off the drive
- FIG. 21 is a view seen from the drive side, and is a drive transmission state and a drive cutoff state. The positional relationship between the regulating member 1510 and the spring clutch 180 is shown.
- the regulating member 1510 has a supported hole 1510a, a regulating lever portion 1510b, a foot portion 1510c, and a foot portion 1510d.
- the regulation lever portion 1510b has a regulation surface 1510g for stopping the control ring 180a of the spring clutch 180, and a contact surface 1510h that abuts on the outer peripheral surface 180j of the spring clutch 180.
- the foot portion 1510c and the foot portion 1510d have surfaces 1510e and 1510f, which are surfaces that receive a force from the drive control member 540, respectively.
- the supported hole 1510a is fitted with the support portion 526c of the drive side bearing 526 and can swing about the axis of the support portion 526c.
- the control ring 180a of the spring clutch 180 has a control unit 180h as an engaged portion that engages with the regulation member 1510.
- the control unit 180h is a claw-shaped portion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the control ring 180a.
- r b be the locus in which the radial tip portion of the control unit 180h moves when the spring clutch 180 receives a driving force and rotates in the V2 direction.
- the restricting member 1510 is located outside rb when viewed from the center of the spring clutch 180 (swing axis K)
- the control ring 180a can rotate in the V2 direction, and the drive is transmitted.
- the position of the regulating member 1510 is set as the first position of the regulating member 1510 as the non-engaging position.
- the positional relationship between the restricting member 1510 in the drive cutoff state and the spring clutch 180 will be described with reference to FIG. 21 (b).
- the restricting member 1510 swings in the B1 direction around the support portion 526c (FIG. 17) of the drive side bearing 526 as a movement around the rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the control ring 180a, and the regulation surface 1510 g is in the locus r b .
- the control unit 180h which was rotating in the V2 direction under the driving force, hits the regulation surface 1510g.
- the force received by the regulation surface 1510g from the control unit 180h is defined as the rotational force JB .
- the rotational force JB acting in the V2 rotation direction is generated within the range Q2 perpendicular to the virtual line connecting the axis center N of the supported hole 1510a and the swing axis K which is also the rotation center of the spring clutch 180. It is desirable to adjust the length of the regulation lever portion 1510b and the length of the control portion 180h. By making such adjustments, the control unit 180h that hits the regulation surface 1510g pulls the regulation lever unit 1510b in the V2 rotation direction, and rotates the regulation member 1510 in the B1 direction.
- the contact surface 1510h provided on the regulation lever portion 1510b of the regulation member 1510 rotated in the B1 direction can be abutted against the outer peripheral surface 180j of the spring clutch 180, and the position in the B1 direction can be regulated.
- the regulating member 1510 has a contact surface 1510h, an outer peripheral surface 180j of the spring clutch 180 as a second engaged portion, and a regulating surface 1510g, a control unit 180h as a first engaged portion. , Each hits.
- the first engaged portion in the range Q2 which is the region sandwiched between the first virtual line passing through the swing axis K of the spring clutch 180 and the second virtual line passing through the axis center N of the regulating member 1510.
- the movement locus of the control unit 180h and the movement locus of the regulation member 1510 as the movement unit intersect.
- the position of the regulating member 1510 is fixed while receiving the rotational force JB unless an external force is received from others.
- the position of the regulating member 1510 is defined as the second position of the regulating member 1510 as the engaging position. [Drive disconnection operation]
- FIG. 22 is a view of the process cartridge P located at the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 as viewed from the drive side.
- the drive side cartridge cover member 520 is omitted.
- the control ring 180a can rotate in the V2 direction, and the drive is transmitted.
- the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of W51, and when the first force applying surface 540b and the surface 1510f on the foot portion 1510d of the regulating member 1510 come into contact with each other, the regulating member 1510 is shown in FIG. 22.
- the second position as shown in FIG.
- the regulation lever portion 1510b of the regulation member 1510 is inserted into the locus rb at the tip of the control unit 180h of the spring clutch 180, so that the control unit is controlled by the regulation surface 1510g.
- the rotation for 180 hours is stopped.
- the rotation of the control ring 180a is stopped, and the spring 180e of the spring clutch 180 is loosened, so that the drive is released.
- the control unit 540a keeps the surface 1510e and the gap T6 on the foot portion 1510c of the regulation member 1510. Has and does not abut. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, the regulation lever portion 1510b of the regulation member 1510 is pulled in the V2 direction by the control unit 180h, so that the second position is maintained and the drive release state is maintained.
- FIG. 23 is a view of the process cartridge P located at the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 as viewed from the drive side.
- the drive side cartridge cover member 520 is omitted.
- FIG. 23A shows a state in which the regulation member 1510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. From the state of FIG. 23A, the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of W52, and when the second force applying surface 540c and the surface 1510e on the foot portion 1510c of the regulating member 1510 come into contact with each other, the regulating member 1510 is shown in FIG. 23. (B) Rotate in the middle arrow B2 direction. That is, the regulating member 1510 moves from the second position to the first position direction. At this time, as shown in FIG.
- the rotational force JB is applied to the drive control member 540 as a load.
- the rotational force JB which is a load, is a force that stops (pushes back) the control ring 180a of the spring clutch 180, so that the elasticity of the spring of the spring 180e that tries to return the control ring 180a to its original position. It is the same as force. Therefore, if it is desired to reduce the rotational force JB , it is advisable to change the spring constant, but it is desirable to make a determination in balance with the required transmission performance of the clutch itself. In the state of FIG.
- the regulation lever portion 1510b is removed from the locus rb, and the drive is transmitted. Further, as shown in FIG. 23C, even if the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of W51 and returns to the home position, the control unit 540a keeps the surface 1510f and the gap T9 on the foot portion 1510d of the regulation member 1510. Has and does not abut. Therefore, the drive transmission state of the regulating member 1510 is maintained while the first position is maintained. [Other configurations]
- the position of the drive control member 540 when there is a gap between it and the regulating member 1510 is referred to as a home position, but it is not necessarily limited to the configuration having a gap.
- a home position As an example of the configuration in which the regulating member 1510 and the drive control member 540 are in contact with each other at the home position, there is a configuration in which the urging member 1511 is attached to the regulating member 1510.
- a configuration in which the urging member 1511 is attached to the regulating member 1510 will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25.
- the outline of the urging member 1511 will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 (a) and 24 (b).
- the urging member 1511 is composed of a tip portion 1511a and a spring 1511b which is a compression coil spring.
- FIG. 24 shows a state in which the spring 1511b of the urging member 1511 is removed from the tip portion 1511a and the support portion 1510i provided on the surface 1510e of the regulation member 1510.
- the spring 1511b of the urging member 1511 is provided with a countersunk portion at both ends, and is fixed by press-fitting the support portion 1510i of the regulating member 1510 into the inner diameter of the countersunk portion at one end.
- the end winding portion at the other end is fixed to the tip portion 1511a of the urging member 1511. Further, a protruding portion 1510j having a diameter smaller than that of the support portion 1510i of the regulating member 1510 passes through the inner diameter of the elastic portion of the spring 1511b of the urging member 1511, and the contraction direction of the spring 1511b is restricted in the S1 direction or the S2 direction.
- FIG. 25A shows a state in which the regulation member 1510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position.
- the spring 1511b of the urging member 1511 is slightly compressed, and the regulation lever portion 1510k of the regulation member 1510 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 533f of the development cover member 533. .. Therefore, the regulation member 1510 is fixed at a position where the regulation lever portion 1510k is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 533f of the development cover member 533, and the drive transmission state is surely maintained.
- the tip portion 1511a of the urging member 1511 is configured to lightly contact the second force applying surface 540c of the drive control member 540. You may. That is, the configuration may be such that the contact between the urging member 1511 and the drive control member 540 is maintained even at the second position.
- the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 to 30.
- the process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, and only the configuration of the lock member 550 described later and its surroundings is different. Therefore, members having the same function and configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. [Structure of drive connection part]
- FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P as viewed from the drive side, and shows a state in which the drive side cartridge cover member 520, the developing cover member 3533, and the lock member 550 are removed.
- a gear 1801, a spring clutch 180 which is a drive transmission switching device having a transmission release mechanism, a development coupling member 174, and a development cover member 533 are provided. ..
- a regulation member 3510 (an example of a moving member) is swingably attached to the support portion 526c of the drive side bearing 526.
- the drive connecting portion includes a gear 1801, a spring clutch 180, a developing coupling member 174, a developing cover member 3533, a regulating member 3510, and a lock member 550.
- the lock member 550 is composed of a tip portion 550a and a spring 550b which is a compression coil spring.
- FIG. 27 shows a state in which the spring 550b of the lock member 550 is removed from the tip portion 550a and the support portion 3533d of the developing cover member 3533.
- the spring 550b of the lock member 550 is provided with a countersunk portion at both ends, and is fixed by press-fitting the support portion 3533d of the developing cover member 3533 into the inner diameter of the countersunk portion at one end. The end winding portion at the other end is fixed to the tip portion 550a of the lock member 550.
- a protruding portion 3533e having a diameter smaller than that of the support portion 3533d of the developing cover member 3533 passes through the inner diameter of the elastic portion of the spring 550b of the lock member 550, and restricts the contraction direction of the spring 550b in the S1 direction or the S2 direction.
- the regulating member 3510 has a supported hole 3510a, a regulating lever portion 3510b, a foot portion 3510c, and a foot portion 3510d.
- the regulation lever portion 3510b has a regulation surface 3510g for stopping the control ring 180a of the spring clutch 180.
- the foot portion 3510c and the foot portion 3510d have surfaces 3510e and 3510f, which are surfaces that receive a force from the drive control member 540, respectively.
- the supported hole 3510a is fitted with the support portion 526c of the drive side bearing 526, and can swing around the axis of the support portion 526c (FIG. 26).
- r b be the locus in which the radial tip portion of the control unit 180h moves when the spring clutch 180 receives a driving force and rotates in the V2 direction.
- the control ring 180a rotates in the V2 direction. Can be and the drive is transmitted.
- the restricting member 3510 is located at a position where the restricting lever portion 3510b comes into contact with the tip portion 550a when the restricting member 3510 swings in the B1 direction about the axis of the support portion 526c of the drive side bearing 526.
- the position of the regulating member 3510 is referred to as a first position of the regulating member 3510.
- FIG. 29A shows a state in which the regulation member 3510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. From the state of FIG. 29A, when the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of W51 and the first force applying surface 540b and the surface 3510f on the foot portion 3510d of the regulation member 3510 come into contact with each other, the regulation member 3510 is on the drive side. It swings in the B1 direction from the first position at the center of the support portion 526c of the bearing 526, and the regulation surface 3510 g comes into contact with the tip portion 550a of the lock member 550. At this time, as shown in FIG.
- the spring 550b of the lock member 550 is compressed by the component force of the force Jc acting in the B1 direction from the regulating member 3510 in the S1 direction, and the tip portion 550a moves in the S1 direction. do.
- the restricting member 3510 can further swing in the B1 direction, and as shown in FIG. 29 (c), the restricting surface 3510 g abuts on the outer peripheral surface 180j of the spring clutch 180.
- the tip portion 550a of the lock member 550 is moving in the S2 direction in contact with the regulation surface 3510g of the regulation member 3510 due to the restoring force of the spring 550b.
- the regulation surface 3510g receives a force JB from the tip portion 550a as an urging force.
- the direction of the force JB received by the regulation surface 3510 g from the tip portion 550a is the direction in which the moment acts in the B1 direction centered on the support portion 526c of the drive side bearing 526. Therefore, the position of the regulating member 3510 is fixed in a state where the regulating surface 3510g abuts on the outer peripheral surface 180j of the spring clutch 180.
- the regulating member 3510 stops the control unit 180h, that is, stops the rotation of the control ring 180a, so that the driving force input from the image forming apparatus main body 502 to the developing coupling member 174 is cut off.
- the position of the regulating member 3510 is referred to as a second position of the regulating member 3510.
- FIG. 30A shows a state in which the regulation member 3510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position.
- the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of W52 from the state of FIG. 30A, the second force applying surface 540c and the surface 3510e on the foot portion 3510c of the regulation member 3510 come into contact with each other. At this time, as shown in FIG .
- the spring 550b of the lock member 550 is compressed by the component force of the force Jc acting in the B2 direction from the regulating member 3510 in the S1 direction, and the tip portion 550a moves in the S1 direction. do.
- the regulating member 3510 can further swing in the B2 direction and moves to the first position, the regulating member 3510 is pulled out from the locus rb , and the control unit of the spring clutch 180. 180h and the regulation surface 3510g of the regulation member 3510 are separated from each other. That is, the control ring 180a can rotate, and the drive is transmitted. Further, as shown in FIG.
- the control unit 540a has a gap between the surface 3510e and the surface 3510f of the regulation member 3510. And do not abut. Therefore, the restricting member 3510 in which no rotational force is generated cannot move the tip portion 550a urged in the S2 direction by the spring of the lock member 550 in the S1 direction, so that the restricting member 3510 may swing in the B1 direction. Can not. That is, the regulating member 3510 remains in the first position and the drive transmission state is maintained.
- FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge P as viewed from the drive side.
- a gear 1801, a spring clutch 180, a developing coupling member 174, and a developing cover member 4533 are provided between the driving side bearing 526 and the driving side cartridge cover member 520.
- the regulation member 4510 is swingably attached to the support portion 526c of the drive side bearing 526.
- One end 4601c of the toggle spring 4601, which is a tension spring, is engaged with the boss 4533d of the developing cover member 4533, and the other end 4601d of the toggle spring 4601 is engaged with the boss 4510d of the regulating member 4510.
- the toggle mechanism of this embodiment will be described later.
- the drive connecting portion is composed of a gear 1801, a spring clutch 180, a developing coupling member 174, a developing cover member 4533, and a toggle spring 4601. Since the configuration of the spring clutch 180 is the same as that of the second embodiment in this embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the assembly of the gear 1801, the spring clutch 180, and the developing coupling member 174 is the same as in the second embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. [Toggle mechanism of this embodiment]
- FIG. 32 (a) is a diagram showing a state in which the regulating member 4510 is not in contact with the spring clutch 180
- FIG. 32 (b) is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 32 (a).
- the line M2 connecting the center of the boss 4533d of the developing cover member 4533 and the center of the boss 4510d of the regulating member 4510 connects the center of the developing cover member boss 4533d and the center of the support portion 526c of the drive side bearing 526. Since it is on the left side of the figure with respect to the parallel line M1, the restricting member 4510 that rotates at the center of the support portion 526c rotates in the L1 direction.
- the regulating member 4510 moves away from the spring clutch 180, so that the drive transmission is cut off as described in the second embodiment. Further, the posture of the regulating member 4510 is maintained by the surface 4510m of the regulating member 4510 coming into contact with the boss 4533m of the developing cover member 4533.
- FIG. 34 will explain the operation of the process cartridge P from the state in which the drive from the main body is cut off to the connection by the operation of the drive control member 540 inside the image forming apparatus main body 502.
- 34 (a) shows a state in which the drive of the drive control member 540 is cut off and is in the home position
- FIG. 34 (b) shows the drive control member 540 moved in the w51 direction from FIG. 34 (a) and is in the first position
- FIG. 34 (c) shows a state in which the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of w52 from FIG. 34 (b), and the drives are connected to be in the home position.
- the same details and symbols as in the first embodiment will be omitted.
- the drive control member 540 when the drive of the drive control member 540 is cut off and the drive control member 540 is in the home position, the drive control member 540 has a gap between the regulation member 4510 and the T43 and T44 and is not in contact with the control member 4510.
- the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction from this state, the first force applying surface 540b and the surface 4510f on the foot portion 4510d of the regulation member 4510 come into contact with each other, and the regulation member 4510 is in the L2 direction shown in FIG. 34 (b). Rotate to. When rotated, the surface 4510 g of the regulating member 4510 and the control unit 180h of the spring clutch 180 come into contact with each other.
- the clutch is engaged and the drive on the main body side can be transmitted.
- the regulating member 4510 abuts the surface 4510n of the regulating member 4510 on the surface 4533n of the developing cover member 4533 due to the action of the toggle spring 4601 as the third urging means. Posture is maintained.
- the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction as shown in FIG. 34 (c), and the drive control member 540 returns to the home position.
- the drive control member 540 since the drive control member 540 has a gap between the regulation member 4510 and the T46, the drive control member 540 does not exert a force on the regulation member 4510. Therefore, the regulating member 4510 remains in the posture shown in FIG. 33, and the drive is stably connected. [Cut off operation of drive connection part]
- 35 (a) shows a state in which the drive control member 540 is connected to the drive and is in the home position
- FIG. 35 (b) shows the drive control member 540 moved in the w52 direction from FIG. 35 (a) to the second position
- FIG. 35 (c) shows a state in which the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of w51 from FIG. 35 (b), the drive is cut off, and the user is in the home position.
- the same details and symbols as in the first embodiment will be omitted.
- the posture of the regulating member 4510 is maintained by the action of the toggle spring 4601 so that the surface 4510m of the regulating member 4510 abuts on the boss 4533m of the developing cover member 4533.
- the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of W51, and the drive control member 540 returns to the home position.
- the drive control member 540 since the drive control member 540 has a gap between the regulation member 4510 and the T47, the drive control member 540 does not exert a force on the regulation member 4510. Therefore, the regulating member 4510 remains in the posture shown in FIG. 32, and the drive is stably cut off.
- the toggle mechanism stably switches the contact / separation of the regulating member 4510 in conjunction with the operation of the drive control member 540. Therefore, the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller are used. Stable drive switching is possible without depending on the contact / detachment operation of 6.
- This configuration is a configuration in which the engaging portion is engaged with the gear.
- the process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the configuration of the regulating member and its surroundings is different. Therefore, members having the same function and configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. [Structure of drive connection part]
- FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P as viewed from the drive side, and shows a state in which the drive side cartridge cover member 6520 and the development cover member 6533 are removed.
- a developing coupling gear 6801 and a developing cover member 6533 are provided between the driving side bearing 526 and the driving side cartridge cover member 6520.
- a coupling portion 6801a is provided at the end of the developing coupling gear 6801 so as to be exposed from the drive-side cartridge cover member 6520 and receive the driving force from the image forming apparatus main body 502.
- the idler gear 6803 is provided at a position where it meshes with the developing coupling gear 6801 and the distance between the shafts is kept constant.
- the idler gear 6803 is connected to the idler gear 6804 that transmits the drive to the developing roller gear 802 by a regulation member 6510 as a support member.
- the regulating member 6510 has 6510a and 6510b, which are the rotation axes of the idler gear 6803 and the idler gear 6804, respectively. That is, the idler gear 6803 is rotatably held by the rotary shaft 6510a, and the idler gear 6504 is rotatably held by the rotary shaft 6510b. Then, it is sandwiched between the plate material 6511 and the regulation member 6510 as a retaining mechanism.
- the restricting member 6510 is rotatably held by the holding portion 6520a of the drive-side cartridge cover member 6520 with the rotating shaft 6510a of the idler gear 6803. That is, the restricting member 6510 is configured to be swingable with respect to the drive-side cartridge cover member 6520 with the rotation shaft 6510a of the idler gear 6803 as the rotation center.
- the idler gear 6804 has a configuration capable of swinging around the idler gear 6803 with respect to the drive side cartridge cover member 6520.
- the regulating member 6510 may be held by another component, for example, the drum unit 8. In that case, the idler gear 6804 can swing about the idler gear 6803 with respect to the drum unit 8. [Drive cutoff operation]
- FIG. 37 (a) shows only the state of the gear and the restricting member when the drive is transmitted to the developing roller gear 802
- FIG. 37 (b) shows only the state of the gear and the regulating member when the drive is cut off to the developing roller gear 802. Shows.
- the coupling portion 6801a receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body 502 and rotates in the V2 direction.
- the driving force is transmitted to the developing roller gear 802 via the idler gears 6803 and 6804.
- the restricting member 6510 generates a moment in the arrow V3 direction about the rotation shaft 6510a due to the engagement between the idler gear 6803 and the idler gear 6804.
- the idler gear 6804 receives a force in the pressure angle direction F6 due to meshing with the developing roller gear 802, it is pulled in the arrow V3 direction.
- the drive transmission is cut off by moving the regulating member 6510 in the W52 direction to move the idler gear 6804 in the arrow V4 direction and shut off the drive between the idler gear 6804 and the developing roller gear 802.
- the position of the regulation member 6510 at this time is referred to as a second position.
- FIG. 38 is a view of the process cartridge P located at the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 as viewed from the drive side.
- the drive side cartridge cover member 6520 is omitted.
- FIG. 38A shows a state in which the regulation member 6510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position.
- FIG. 38 (b) shows a state in which the regulating member 6510 has moved from the first position to the second position.
- FIG. 38 (c) shows a state in which the regulation member 6510 is located in the second position and the drive control member 540 is located in the home position.
- the same details and symbols as in the first embodiment will be omitted.
- the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of the arrow W51 in FIG. 38 (b) and returns to the home position.
- the regulating member 6510 receives a moment in the V3 direction from the idler gear 6803 as the third gear and tries to return to the first position, but is urged in the V4 direction by the tension spring 6530.
- the spring pressure of the tension spring 6530 as the fourth urging means is set so that the regulating member 6510 is maintained in the second position and the regulating member 6510 is not moved to the second position when in the first position. ..
- the moment due to the meshing force of the idler gears 6803 and 6804 is defined as the moment M1
- the moment due to the meshing force between the idler gear 6804 and the developing roller gear 802 is defined as the moment M2
- the moment due to the tension spring 6530 is defined as the moment M3.
- the moment around the axis of rotation 6510a is M3> M1 Will be.
- the drive connection state is maintained at "M3 ⁇ M1 + M2".
- the moment generated by the force applied from the drive control member 540 is the moment M4 (the moment required for switching the regulating member 6510)
- the moment M4 0, and “M3> M1”.
- the regulating member 6510 is urged in the V4 direction to maintain the second position.
- the second force applying surface 540c of the control unit 540a has a gap T60 with the surface 6510e on the foot portion 6510c of the regulating member 6510 and does not abut (FIG. 38 (c)).
- the first force applying surface 540b has a surface 6510f on the foot portion 6510d of the regulating member 6510 and a gap T61. Therefore, the regulating member 6510 is positioned at the second position in a state where it does not come into contact with the drive control member 540, and the drive release state is maintained (FIG. 37 (b)).
- FIG. 39 is a view of the process cartridge P located at the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 as viewed from the drive side.
- the drive side cartridge cover member 6520 is omitted.
- FIG. 39 shows a state in which the regulatory member 6510 has moved from the second position to the first position.
- the control unit 540a has a surface 6510f and a gap T62 on the foot 6510d of the regulation member 6510. Do not touch.
- the second force applying surface 540c has a surface 6510e on the foot portion 6510c of the regulating member 6510 and a gap T63. Therefore, the regulating member 6510 is positioned at the first position in a state where it does not come into contact with the drive control member 540, and the drive connected state is maintained (FIG. 37 (a)).
- the moment around the axis of rotation 6510a at the first position is M1 + M2> M3 Will be.
- the regulating member 6510 is urged in the V3 direction and maintains the first position.
- the drive control member 540 can switch the drive transmission state of the idler gear 6804 and the developing roller gear 802 by moving the regulation member 6510 to the first position and the second position. As a result, the drive can be switched without depending on the contact / separation operation between the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.
- the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 40 to 45.
- a moving member and an engaging portion are provided in the laser shutter unit (or shutter unit).
- the process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the configuration of the regulating member as a moving member and its surroundings is different. Therefore, members having the same function and configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
- the laser shutter unit in the process cartridge, the laser light emitted from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the image signal is transmitted to the photoconductor drum as the above-mentioned electrophotographic image forming process operation. It is possible to switch between reachable (the laser shutter unit does not block the laser beam) and unreachable (the laser shutter unit blocks the laser beam). Thereby, it is possible to switch between possible and impossible image formation regardless of the configuration such as the contact / detachment operation of the photosensitive drum and the developing roller shown in the other embodiment and the connection / disconnection operation of the drive connecting portion.
- FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P as viewed from the drive side.
- the process cartridge P has a configuration in which the drum unit 8, the developing unit 9, and the laser shutter unit 77 are fixedly held by being sandwiched between the drive side cartridge cover member 7520 and the non-drive side cartridge cover member 7521.
- FIG. 41 is a view of the process cartridge P as viewed from the drive side, and is a diagram in which the drive side cartridge cover member 7520 shown in FIG. 40 is not displayed for the sake of configuration explanation. Further, FIG.
- the developing unit 9 shows a state in which the laser shutter unit 77 as a shielding member is attached.
- the laser shutter unit 77 is composed of a shutter moving member 7510 (or a moving member) and a laser shutter 7511 as a shielding portion.
- the shutter-side rotation support portion 7510a of the shutter moving member 7510 is rotatably supported by the cover-side rotation support portion 7533a of the development cover member 7533 provided in the developing unit 9.
- the rotation center of the shutter side rotation support portion 7510a and the cover side rotation support portion 7533a is the same as the swing shaft K which is the rotation center of the developing unit 9 and the developing coupling gear 7801. That is, the laser shutter unit 77 is rotatably supported in the shutter opening direction K71 and the shutter closing direction K72 around the swing axis K.
- 40 (a) and 41 (a) show a state in which the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed at a position that blocks the laser beam U.
- 40 (b) and 41 (b) show a state in which the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed at a position where the laser beam U is not blocked and is open.
- the detailed configuration in which the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed at each position will be described later.
- the shutter moving member 7510 has a closed phase hole 7510c and an open phase hole 7510d as two phase fixing holes for fixing the position of the laser shutter unit 77.
- the laser shutter unit 77 can be fixed in any phase by inserting and removing the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 provided in the developing unit 9 into the two phase fixing holes.
- the closed phase hole 7510c and the open phase hole 7510d are arranged on the same circumference Kr around the swing shaft K.
- the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 can be inserted into and removed from each hole.
- FIG. 41A shows a state in which the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed at a position that blocks the laser beam U, that is, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is inserted into the closed phase hole 7510c, and the position of the shutter moving member 7510 is determined. It is in a fixed state. The position of the moving member at this time is referred to as a first position.
- FIG. 41B shows a state in which the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed at a position where the laser beam U is not blocked and is open, that is, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is inserted into the open phase hole 7510d and the shutter is moved.
- the position of the member 7510 is fixed.
- the position of the moving member at this time is referred to as a second position.
- the shutter moving member 7510 has an open direction pressed surface 7510f and a closed direction pressed surface 7510e as an external force receiving surface for rotating around the swing shaft K.
- the laser shutter unit 77 rotates in the shutter opening direction K71 by receiving a rotational force on the pressed surface 7510f in the opening direction, and rotates in the shutter closing direction K72 by receiving a rotational force on the pressed surface 7510e in the closing direction. Can be done.
- the laser beam U can switch between reachable and unreachable to the photoconductor drum even when the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 are in constant contact with each other, regardless of the contact and separation operation between the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6. Therefore, it is possible to switch between possible and impossible image formation as an operation of the electrophotographic image forming process.
- the first position is not limited to the position where the laser shutter unit 77 covers the photosensitive drum 4 so as to substantially completely block the exposure of the photosensitive drum 4 to the outside of the cartridge.
- the position may be such that the photosensitive drum 4 is partially covered with respect to the outside of the cartridge to the extent that the exposure of the laser beam U can be sufficiently blocked (the exposed portion may remain to some extent).
- the second position if the laser shutter unit 77 is at a position where the photosensitive drum 4 is exposed more than the first position so that the laser beam U can be exposed to the photosensitive drum 4, the exposure is The degree is arbitrary. [Detailed configuration of process cartridge with laser shutter unit]
- FIG. 42 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge P as viewed from the drive side. It shows a state in which the drive side cartridge cover member 7520, the non-drive side cartridge cover member 7521, the drum unit 8, the developing unit 9, and the laser shutter unit 77 are removed.
- the drum frame 7015 provided in the drum unit 8 is configured so as not to interfere with the laser shutter 7511 without hindering the movement of the laser shutter unit 77 when the laser shutter unit 77 rotates.
- the shape of the laser shutter 7511 provided in the laser shutter unit 77 and the shape of the drum frame 7015 may be changed according to the incident angle of the laser beam U and the width of the incident light.
- the developing container 7025 provided in the developing unit 9 is configured so as not to interfere with the laser shutter 7511 without hindering the movement of the laser shutter unit 77 when the laser shutter unit 77 rotates.
- the developing coupling gear 7801 is rotatably held by the drive-side bearing 7526 and the developing cover member 7533 attached to the developing container 7025, and the shutter position limiting pin 7512 and the shutter position limiting spring 7513 are also held. Details of the holding configuration of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 and the shutter position regulating spring 7513 will be described later.
- the laser shutter unit 77 is composed of a shutter moving member 7510 and a laser shutter 7511. The laser shutter unit 77 is integrated by fastening the shutter moving member screw hole 7510b and the laser shutter screw hole 7511a with the screw B71.
- the shutter-side rotation support portion 7510a is rotatably supported by the cover-side rotation support portion 7533a of the development cover member 7533 provided in the development unit 9.
- the bearing side rotation support portion 7527a of the non-drive side bearing 7527 provided on the non-drive side of the developing unit 9 is the laser shutter rotation support portion 7511b and the non-drive side cartridge cover member 7521. It is fitted and supported in the rotation support hole 7521a of the non-drive side cartridge cover member.
- the laser shutter rotation support portion 7511b is rotatably supported.
- FIG. 43 shows the operation of the laser shutter unit 77 from the laser light cutoff state to the laser light open state.
- FIG. 44 shows the operation of the laser shutter unit 77 from the laser light open state to the laser light cutoff state.
- FIG. 45 shows the operation of the shutter moving member 7510 and the shutter position restricting pin 7512 from the laser light blocking state to the laser light opening state.
- 43 and 44 are views of the process cartridge P viewed from the drive side, and are views in which the drive side cartridge cover member 7520 shown in FIG. 40 is not displayed for configuration explanation, and the image forming apparatus main body. It is a figure which displays the drive control member 540.
- the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 is in the first position to block the laser beam U, and shows a state in which the photoconductor drum cannot be irradiated, that is, a laser light blocking state.
- the drive control member 540 is located at the home position, and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 does not come into contact with the shutter moving member 7510. That is, the first force applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510 have a gap T71, and the second force applying surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f have a gap T72. Is in a state of having.
- FIG. 45 (a) is a cross-sectional view of DA-DA passing through the closed phase hole 7510c and the open phase hole 7510d of FIG. 43 (a).
- both ends of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 and the shutter position regulating spring 7513 which is a compression coil spring as an urging means, are held by the developing cover member 7533 and the drive side bearing 7526.
- the shutter position regulation pin 7512 is fitted and supported in the cover side regulation pin support hole 7533b and the regulation pin support hole 7526c.
- the shutter position regulating spring 7513 is a compression coil spring, and both ends thereof are held in the pin side regulating spring support portion 7512a and the bearing side regulating spring support portion 7526b.
- the shutter position regulating pin 7512 can be moved in the S71 direction and the S72 direction (parallel to the swing axis K).
- the shutter position regulating spring 7513 is in contact with the bearing side regulating spring force receiving surface 7526a and the pin side regulating spring force receiving surface 7512b, and urges the shutter position regulating pin 7512 in the S71 direction.
- the regulation pin abutting surface 7512c of the shutter position regulation pin 7512 abuts against the developing cover member 7533, and movement in the S71 direction is restricted.
- the tip of the shutter position restricting pin 7512 is in a state of being inserted into the closed phase hole 7510c of the shutter moving member 7510, and it is possible to regulate and fix the rotational movement of the shutter moving member 7510.
- the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed at the first position that blocks the laser beam U.
- FIG. 43B shows a state in which the laser shutter unit 77 is rotated in the shutter opening direction K71 and is moved from the first position that blocks the laser beam U to the second position that does not block the laser beam U.
- the drive control member 540 is in a state of moving in the W52 direction from the home position, and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 pushes the shutter moving member 7510 in the W52 direction. That is, the first force applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510 have a gap T73, and the second force applying surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f have a gap T73. There is no gap.
- FIG. 45 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the DB-DB passing through the closed phase hole 7510c and the open phase hole 7510d of FIG. 43 (b).
- the shutter position restricting pin 7512 is in the process of moving from the state of being in the closed phase hole 7510c to the open phase hole 7510d, and is in the state of moving in the F72 direction with respect to FIG. 45 (a). be.
- the shutter position limiting pin 7512 receives an external force in the F71 direction as the shutter moving member 7510 rotates, as shown in FIG. 43 (a).
- the tip shape of the shutter position control pin 7512 is such that a component force is generated in the F72 direction and the F73 direction.
- the shutter position regulating pin 7512 moves in the S72 direction by receiving a force in the F71 direction, and is in the state shown in FIGS. 45 (a) to 45 (b). At this time, the shutter position regulating spring 7513 is in a compressed state.
- the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 is in a second position that does not block the laser beam U, and shows a state in which the photoconductor drum can be irradiated, that is, a state in which the laser beam is open.
- the drive control member 540 is in a state of being further moved in the W52 direction from FIG. 43 (b), and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is stopped in a state of being in contact with the shutter moving member 7510. .
- FIG. 45 (c) is a DC-DC cross-sectional view passing through the closed phase hole 7510c and the open phase hole 7510d of FIG. 43 (c).
- the tip of the shutter position restricting pin 7512 is in a state of being inserted into the open phase hole 7510d of the shutter moving member 7510, and the rotational movement of the shutter moving member 7510 can be restricted and fixed. be.
- the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed at a second position that does not block the laser beam U.
- FIG. 44A shows the position of the process cartridge P in a state where the image forming operation is performed.
- the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 is in the second position as in FIG. 45 (c).
- the drive control member 540 is moving from the position shown in FIG. 43 (c) to the home position.
- the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 does not come into contact with the shutter moving member 7510. That is, the first force applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510 have a gap T75, and the second force applying surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f have a gap T76. Is in a state of having. Further, the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is in the state shown in FIG. 45 (c) described above.
- FIG. 44B shows a state in which the laser shutter unit 77 is rotated in the shutter closing direction K72 after the image forming operation is completed, and is moved from the second position where the laser beam U is not blocked to the first position where the laser beam U is blocked. Shows. As shown in FIG. 44 (b), the shutter moving member 7510 and the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 are in the second position as in FIG. 43 (b). At this time, the drive control member 540 is in a state of moving in the direction of W51 from the home position, and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 pushes the shutter movement member 7510 in the direction of W51.
- FIG. 44 (c) shows a state in which the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 is moved to the first position for blocking the laser beam U again after the image forming operation is completed. As shown in FIG. 44 (c), the shutter moving member 7510 and the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 are in the first position to block the laser beam U, as in FIG. 43 (a).
- the drive control member 540 is in a state of being further moved in the direction of W51 from FIG. 44 (b), and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is stopped in a state of being in contact with the shutter moving member 7510. .. That is, there is no gap between the first force applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closed direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is a gap T78 between the second force applying surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. Is in a state of having. Further, the shutter position restricting pin 7512 is in the state of FIG. 45A described above.
- the laser shutter unit 77 can be fixed to the first position and the second position in any phase. As a result, the laser beam U can be reached or unreachable to the photoconductor drum even when the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 are in constant contact with each other, regardless of the contact / separation operation between the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6. By doing so, it is possible to switch between possible and impossible image formation as an operation of the electrophotographic image formation process.
- the laser shutter unit 77 is configured to switch between reachable and unreachable laser light U by rotating around the swing axis K, but the movement of opening and closing the shutter is not limited to rotation. For example, it may be a sliding configuration or a foldable configuration. Further, in this configuration, the components constituting the shutter and the like are supported on the developing unit side, but may be supported on the drum unit side.
- the closed phase hole 7510c is recessed as the first recess in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the shutter moving member 7510, and the open phase hole 7510d is also recessed as the second recess in the shutter moving member 7510. It is dented in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of.
- the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is configured as a first convex portion or a second convex portion so as to be able to advance and retreat in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the shutter moving member 7510.
- the shutter position limiting pin 7512 is fitted into either the closed phase hole 7510c or the open phase hole 7510d to serve as an engaging portion for holding the shutter moving member 7510 in a predetermined position.
- the outer peripheral edge of the tip surface of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is a tapered surface, and the closed phase hole 7510c and the open phase hole 7510d each have a mortar-shaped concave portion whose diameter increases as the diameter approaches the opening. is doing.
- the contact surface between the shutter position regulating pin 7512, the closed phase hole 7510c, and the open phase hole 7510d is inclined with respect to the moving direction of the shutter moving member 7510 and the advancing / retreating direction of the shutter position regulating pin 7512. .
- a force applying force for moving the shutter position regulating pin 7512 in the retracting direction is applied to the shutter position regulating pin 7512 (first force applying unit, second force applying unit). ) Functions.
- the configurations of the shutter position regulating pin 7512, the closed phase hole 7510c, and the open phase hole 7510d are not limited to the configurations described in this embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, one convex portion and two concave portions are combined, but various combinations can be considered.
- the number of convex portions is also two, and one convex portion is a first convex portion that fits into the first concave portion when the moving member (shielding member) is in the first position, and the other convex portion is a moving member.
- An example is a combination configuration in which the second convex portion is fitted to the second concave portion when the second concave portion is in the second position.
- one concave portion is provided for the two convex portions, one convex portion fits into the common concave portion when the moving member is in the first position, and the other is fitted when the moving member is in the second position.
- the convex portion may be fitted in the common concave portion.
- the shutter position regulating pin 7512 as a convex portion is provided on the cartridge frame side, and the closed phase hole 7510c and the open phase hole 7510d as the concave portion are provided on the moving member side.
- the convex portion may be provided on the moving member side and the concave portion may be provided on the cartridge frame body side.
- a second convex portion to be fitted when the moving member is in the first position is provided on the cartridge frame side and a first concave portion is provided on the moving member side, respectively, and the moving member is fitted when the moving member is in the second position.
- the convex portion may be provided on the moving member side and the second concave portion may be provided on the cartridge frame side. Alternatively, the reverse combination may be used.
- the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 46 to 49.
- the process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the sixth embodiment, and is different only in the configuration of the contact shutter unit 87 described later and its surroundings. Therefore, members having the same function and configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
- the contact shutter unit 87 by providing the contact shutter unit 87 in the process cartridge, the bias voltage applied from the contact 503 (described later) of the image forming apparatus main body 502 can be supplied to the process cartridge P (the contact shutter unit is biased). It is possible to switch between not blocking the voltage) or being unable to supply (the contact shutter unit blocks the bias voltage). Thereby, it is possible to switch between possible and impossible image formation regardless of the configuration such as the contact / detachment operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 shown in the other embodiment and the connection / disconnection operation of the drive connecting portion.
- the laser shutter unit 77 is provided as in the sixth embodiment, but it is not necessary to have a configuration in which the laser beam can be switched between reachable and unreachable to the photosensitive drum 4. [Overall configuration of process cartridge with contact shutter unit]
- FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P and the contact 503 as viewed from the non-driving side.
- the contact shutter unit 87 is sandwiched between the non-drive side cartridge cover member 8521 and the non-drive side bearing 7527 and is fixedly held.
- the contact 503 as the main body electrode portion is a compression coil spring and can be contracted in the longitudinal direction S81 or S82. Since the contact 503 is constantly compressed with the end in the S82 direction fixed, the process cartridge P is urged in the S81 direction.
- FIG. 46A shows a state in which the contact shutter unit 87 blocks the bias voltage supplied from the contact 503.
- FIG. 46B shows a position where the contact shutter unit 87 is open without blocking the bias voltage supplied from the contact 503.
- the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527 are in contact with each other, a bias voltage is supplied to the process cartridge P and an image can be formed.
- FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P as viewed from the drive side, and shows only a part of the contact shutter unit 87, the non-drive side cartridge cover member 8521, the contact 503, and the laser shutter 7511 for configuration explanation. .. Further, the contact fixing pin 8512 (described later) of the contact shutter unit 87 is shown in a state of being removed from the support hole 8521c of the non-driving side cartridge cover member 8521.
- the contact shutter unit 87 is composed of a spring 8510 which is a torsion coil spring, a contact shutter 8511 (an example of a moving member), and a contact fixing pin 8512.
- the spring 8510 is fixed to the support portion 8521a of the non-driving side cartridge cover member 8521. Further, the position of the end portion 8510a of the spring 8510 in the clockwise direction when viewed from the drive side is restricted by the regulation surface 8521b of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 8521.
- the contact shutter 8511 has a fixing hole 8511a for fixing the position of the contact shutter unit 87.
- a contact fixing pin 8512 is inserted through the fixing hole 8511a of the contact shutter 8511, and the tip of the contact fixing pin 8512 is inserted and fixed in the support hole 8521c of the non-driving side cartridge cover member 8521.
- the contact shutter 8511 is rotatably supported in the shutter opening direction K81 and the shutter closing direction K82 around the swing axis L, which is the axis of the contact fixing pin 8512.
- the contact shutter unit 87 is fixed at a position where it blocks the bias voltage supplied from the contact 503. That is, the contact shutter 8511 is fixed between the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-driving side bearing 7527. The position of the contact shutter 8511 at this time is referred to as a first position.
- FIG. 47B is fixed at a position where the contact shutter unit 87 is open without blocking the bias voltage supplied from the contact 503. That is, the contact shutter 8511 is fixed in a state where it is not located between the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-driving side bearing 7527. The position of the contact shutter 8511 at this time is referred to as a second position.
- the contact shutter 8511 has an arm portion 8511b as an external force receiving surface for rotating in the K81 direction about the swing shaft L. Further, the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 is in contact with the end portion 8510b of the spring 8510.
- the laser shutter 7511 as a movable member rotates in the K81 direction
- the arm portion 8511b receives a rotational force from the force applying surface 7511c to rotate in the shutter opening direction K81, and becomes the second position.
- the position of the laser shutter 7511 as a movable member at this time is the second holding position.
- the spring 8510 receives a force in the coil winding direction.
- the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 from the laser shutter 7511 disappears, the arm portion 8511b is urged by the urging force in the direction in which the torsion angle of the spring 8510 increases. Receives a rotational force, and the contact shutter 8511 rotates in the shutter closing direction K82 to reach the first position. Further, the position of the laser shutter 7511 as a movable member at this time is the first holding position.
- the holding of the contact shutter 8511 at each of the first position and the second position by the engagement of the laser shutter 751 is realized by the engagement mechanism of the shutter moving member 7510 described in the sixth embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. do.
- the bias voltage can be supplied to the process cartridge P and cannot be supplied even when the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 are in constant contact with each other, regardless of the contact / separation operation between the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6. It is possible to switch between possible and impossible image formation as an electrophotographic image formation process operation. [Laser light opening / blocking switching operation]
- FIG. 48 shows the operation of the contact shutter unit 87 from the bias voltage cutoff state to the bias voltage supply state.
- FIG. 49 shows the operation of the contact shutter unit 87 from the bias voltage supply state to the bias voltage cutoff state.
- 48 and 49 are views of the process cartridge P viewed from the non-drive side, and are views in which the non-drive side cartridge cover member 8521 shown in FIG. 46 is not displayed for configuration explanation, and is an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which displays the drive control member 540 of a main body.
- the contact shutter 8511 of the contact shutter unit 87 is located at the first position fixed between the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527, and the contact 503 to the non-drive side bearing 7527. It shows a state in which a bias voltage cannot be supplied to the electrode portion 7527b of the above.
- the drive control member 540 is located at the home position, and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 does not come into contact with the shutter moving member 7510.
- the first force applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510 have a gap T71
- the second force applying surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f have a gap T72. Is in a state of having. Further, as described above in the sixth embodiment, the tip of the shutter position restricting pin 7512 is in a state of being inserted into the closed phase hole 7510c of the shutter moving member 7510, and the rotational movement of the shutter moving member 7510 is restricted and fixed.
- FIG. 48B shows a state in which the contact shutter 8511 is moving from the first position that blocks the bias voltage to the second position that does not block the bias voltage.
- the drive control member 540 is in a state of moving in the W52 direction from the home position, and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 pushes the shutter moving member 7510 in the W52 direction. .. That is, there is a gap T73 between the first force applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is no gap between the second force applying surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. It is a state.
- the force applying surface 7511c of the laser shutter 7511 and the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 come into contact with each other. From this state, the laser shutter unit 77 further rotates in the K81 direction, so that the contact shutter 8511 receives a rotational force from the laser shutter 7511 and rotates in the shutter opening direction K81. Further, as described above in the sixth embodiment, the shutter position regulating pin 7512 receives an external force in the F71 direction (FIG. 45) as the shutter moving member 7510 rotates. At this time, the shutter position regulating spring 7513 is in a compressed state.
- FIG. 48 (c) shows the second position where the contact shutter 8511 of the contact shutter unit 87 is fixed so as not to be located between the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-driving side bearing 7527.
- the contact 503 which is a compression coil spring, extends from the state of FIG. 48 (b) in the S81 direction (FIG. 46), and the contact 503 and the non-drive side bearing 7527.
- the electrode portion 7527b of the above comes into contact with each other.
- a bias voltage can be supplied from the contact 503 to the electrode portion 7527b of the non-driving side bearing 7527, that is, image formation as an electrophotographic image formation process operation becomes possible.
- the drive control member 540 is in a state of being further moved in the W52 direction from FIG. 48 (b), and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is stopped in a state of being in contact with the shutter moving member 7510. .. That is, there is a gap T74 between the first force applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is no gap between the second force applying surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. It is a state. Further, as described above in the sixth embodiment, the tip of the shutter position restricting pin 7512 is in a state of being inserted into the open phase hole 7510d of the shutter moving member 7510, and the rotational movement of the shutter moving member 7510 is restricted and fixed.
- FIG. 49A shows the position of the process cartridge P in a state where the image forming operation is performed.
- the drive control member 540 has moved from the position of FIG. 48 (c) to the home position, and the control unit 540a is in a position where it does not come into contact with the shutter moving member 7510. That is, the first force applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510 have a gap T75, and the second force applying surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f have a gap T76. Is in a state of having. Even in the state of FIG.
- the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is in the open phase hole 7510d of the shutter moving member 7510, so that the laser shutter 7511 can be used. It is fixed at the same position as in FIG. 48 (c). That is, the contact shutter 8511 is in the second position as in FIG. 48 (c).
- FIG. 49B shows a state in which the contact shutter 8511 is moving from the second position that does not block the bias voltage to the first position that blocks the bias voltage after the image forming operation is completed.
- the drive control member 540 is in a state of moving in the W51 direction from the home position, and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 pushes the shutter moving member 7510 in the W51 direction. That is, there is no gap between the first force applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closed direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is a gap T77 between the second force applying surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. Is in a state of having.
- the force applying surface 7511c of the laser shutter 7511 and the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 are separated from each other.
- the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 receives a rotational force due to the urging force in the direction in which the twist angle of the spring 8510 increases, and the contact shutter 8511 rotates in the shutter closing direction K82.
- the shutter position regulating pin 7512 receives an external force in the reverse direction of F71 (FIG. 45) as the shutter moving member 7510 rotates. At this time, the shutter position regulating spring 7513 is in a compressed state.
- FIG. 49 (c) shows a first position in which the contact shutter 8511 of the contact shutter unit 87 is located and fixed between the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527 after the image forming operation is completed. Is shown.
- the contact 503 which is a compression coil spring, contracts in the S82 direction (FIG. 46) from the state shown in FIG. 48 (b), and the tip of the contact 503 is the contact shutter 8511. Ride on. That is, the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-driving side bearing 7527 are separated from each other.
- the drive control member 540 is in a state of being further moved in the direction of W51 from FIG. 49 (b), and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is stopped in a state of being in contact with the shutter moving member 7510. .. That is, there is no gap between the first force applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closed direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is a gap T78 between the second force applying surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f.
- the tip of the shutter position restricting pin 7512 is in a state of being inserted into the closed phase hole 7510c of the shutter moving member 7510, and the rotational movement of the shutter moving member 7510 is restricted and fixed.
- the drive control member 540 can be moved from the home position to switch between the first position and the second position of the contact shutter 8511 in an arbitrary phase.
- the bias voltage can be supplied or not supplied even when the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 are in constant contact with each other, regardless of the contact / separation operation between the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6. It is possible to switch between possible and impossible image formation as an image formation process operation.
- the contact shutter 8511 is configured to cover the electrode portion 7527b as the electrode cover member, but the configuration is not limited to this.
- the contact shutter 8511 may be configured to move (retract) the electrode portion 7527b in the normal direction of the electrode surface. That is, a retractable mechanism that can move the electrode portion 7527b between a predetermined position that is electrically connected to the contact 503 of the image forming apparatus main body 502 and a retracted position that is separated from the contact 503 and retracted from the predetermined position.
- a shelter is provided.
- the contact shutter 8511 as a moving member is configured to be movable to a second position where the electrode portion 7527b is positioned at the predetermined position and a first position where the electrode portion 7527b is positioned at the retracted position.
- the configuration in which the contact shutter 8511 is held in the first position and the second position, respectively, may be the same as in the above embodiment.
- the contact 503 as the main body electrode portion and the electrode portion 7527b as the cartridge side electrode portion may be configured to be movable back and forth.
- the configuration for blocking the electrical connection path is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment described above.
- the present invention is not limited to the contact between the contact of the image forming apparatus main body and the contact of the cartridge, and for example, a path blocking configuration similar to that of the present embodiment may be provided in the middle of the electric path inside the cartridge.
- the retracted configuration of the electrode portion described above is not limited to the configuration in which the electrode portion on the cartridge side can be moved forward and backward, and the electrode portion on the image forming apparatus main body side may be configured to be able to move forward and backward, and both can be moved forward and backward. It may be configured as possible.
- the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus according to the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 50 to 54.
- the process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the configuration of the regulating member and its surroundings is different. Therefore, members having the same function and configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. [Structure of regulatory members]
- FIG. 50 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P as viewed from the drive side.
- FIG. 51A is a side view of the process cartridge with the front door 111 open.
- FIG. 51B shows a state in which the regulation member 9510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position.
- FIG. 51 (c) shows a state in which the regulation member 9510 is located in the second position and the drive control member 540 is located in the home position.
- the drive side cartridge cover 9520 and the development cover member 9533 are omitted.
- the drive coupling operation of the developing coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75, the drive coupling release operation, and the operation of the drive control member 540 are the same as those in the first embodiment and are omitted.
- the supported hole 9510a is fitted with the support portion 9526a of the drive side bearing 9526, and can swing around the support portion 9526a.
- the tension spring 9511 fits into the support portion 9526a of the drive side bearing 9526 and the support portion 9510b of the regulation member 9510.
- the tension spring 9511 urges the regulating member 9510 in the Z1 direction in FIG. 51 (a).
- the regulating member 9510 has foot portions 9510e and 9510g that can project from the developing unit 9 in the Z2 direction.
- the foot portion 9510e has a first force receiving portion (insertion force receiving portion) 9510f that receives force from the drive control member 540, and the foot portion 9510 g has a second force receiving portion (retracting force receiving portion) that receives force from the drive control member 540. ) 9510h is provided.
- the regulation lever portion 9510d is located at a position where the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80 do not come into contact with each other.
- the position of this regulating member 9510 is referred to as the first position. At this time, the drive connection state of the regulating member 9510 is maintained while the first position is maintained.
- the second force applying surface 540c comes into contact with the first force receiving portion 9510f of the regulating member 9510, and the regulating member 9510 is centered on the support portion 9526a in the direction of the middle arrow V91 in FIG. 51 (b). Rotate to. Then, the regulation lever portion 9510d of the regulation member 9510 is positioned between the surface 74b of the developing coupling member 74 and the surface 80b of the slide member 80. The position of the regulating member 9510 is referred to as a second position. Therefore, the drive connection is maintained in the disconnected state.
- the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of W51, the first force applying surface 540b abuts on the second force receiving portion 9510h of the regulating member 9510, and the regulating member 9510 is centered on the support portion 9526a in the direction of the middle arrow V92 in FIG. 51 (b). Rotate to. Then, the regulation lever portion 9510d is separated from the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80, and is driven and connected.
- FIG. 52 is a view of the process cartridge P as viewed from the drive side along the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 4.
- the regulating member 9510 is located at the first position.
- the drive side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing cover member 9533 are omitted.
- the rotation axis (rotation center) of the photosensitive drum 4 is M1
- the rotation axis (rotation center) of the developing roller 6 is M2
- the straight line connecting the axis (center of rotation) K is defined as the line N1.
- the rotation axis of the photoconductor coupling member 43 is coaxial with the rotation axis M1.
- the distance between the rotating axis K of the developing coupling member 74 and the rotating axis M2 of the developing roller 6 is set to the distance e1
- the distance between the rotating axis K of the developing coupling member 74 and the first force receiving portion 9510f is set to the distance e2 and the rotating axis.
- the distance between K and the second force receiving portion 9510h is set to the distance e3.
- the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h are arranged so that the distances e2 and e3 are larger than the distance e1.
- FIG. 53 is a view of the process cartridge P viewed from the drive side along the direction of the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 4 or the rotation axis M2 of the developing roller.
- the regulating member 9510 is located at the first position.
- the drive side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing cover member 9533 are omitted.
- the virtual straight line connecting the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 4 and the rotation axis M2 of the developing roller 6 is defined as a virtual line N2.
- the area is divided by the virtual line N2 (the upper side is the area AU1 and the lower side is the area AD1), at least a part of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h is bounded by the virtual line N2.
- a driving member for driving the member included in the developing unit 9 is arranged in the region AU1.
- a contact point between the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 (in a configuration in which the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are not in contact with each other, a gap between the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4) is set.
- the virtual straight line passing through be the virtual line N3.
- the region is divided by the virtual line N3
- at least a part of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h is arranged in the region opposite to the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 4 with the virtual line N3 as the boundary. Will be done.
- the region AU1 and the region AD1 are arranged as regions where the rotation axis K or the development coupling member 74 is arranged when the boundaries are divided by the virtual line N2 when viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2. Defined as no area. However, as another definition, the region AU1 and the region AD1 are arranged with the rotation axis M5 of the charging roller 5 or the charging roller 5 when the boundary is divided by the virtual line N2 when viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2. It may be defined as an area and an unarranged area.
- the region AU1 and the region AD1 are the developing blade 30, the proximity point 30d (see FIG. 54), and the stirring member 31 (see FIG. 54) when the boundaries are divided by the virtual line N2 when viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2.
- the rotation axis M7 (see FIG. 54) of FIG. 54) may be defined as an arranged region and a non-arranged region.
- the proximity point 30d is the position closest to the surface of the developing roller 6 of the developing blade 30. In a general electrophotographic cartridge, particularly a process cartridge used in an in-line layout image forming apparatus, it is relatively difficult to arrange other members of the process cartridge in the region AD1.
- the image forming apparatus main body 502 also has the following merits. That is, the drive control member 540 of the image forming apparatus main body 502 is arranged under the process cartridge P in a substantially horizontal direction (in this embodiment, the directions are W51 and W52, and the direction in which the photosensitive drum 4 or the process cartridge P is arranged). The first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h are pressed. With such a configuration, the drive control member 540 and its drive mechanism can be made into a relatively simple configuration or a compact configuration. This is especially noticeable in an inline layout image forming apparatus. As described above, arranging the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in the region AD1 can be expected to contribute to the miniaturization and cost reduction of the image forming apparatus main body 502.
- first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h have been described above with reference to FIG. 53 in which the regulatory member 9510 shows the process cartridge P in the first position, but in the process cartridge P in the second position. It is clear from other figures that the relationship is similar. Further, assuming that the direction orthogonal to the virtual line N2 is the VD1 direction, the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h are arranged at positions protruding from the developing unit 9 at least in the VD1 direction. Therefore, the first force applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 can be brought into contact with the second force receiving portion 9510h, and the second force applying surface 540c can be brought into contact with the first force receiving portion 9510f.
- the second force receiving portion 9510h can be arranged.
- the diameter of the developing roller 6 having this configuration is smaller than the diameter of the photosensitive drum 4.
- FIG. 54 will explain a concept similar to the above-mentioned concept of arranging at least a part of each of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in the region AD1.
- FIG. 54 is a view of the process cartridge P as viewed from the drive side along the rotation axis M1, the rotation axis K, or the rotation axis M2 of the developing unit 9. Since the arrangement of the regulating member 9510 described below is almost the same in the first position and the second position, only the first position will be described and the description in the second position will be omitted.
- the rotation axis of the toner supply roller (developer material supply member) 32 is defined as the rotation axis (rotation center) M6.
- the process cartridge P has a stirring member 31 that rotates and stirs the developer contained in the developing unit 9, and the rotation axis thereof is the rotation axis (rotation center) M7.
- the virtual straight line connecting the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 4 and the rotation axis M5 of the charging roller 5 as a charging member is defined as a virtual line N10.
- the intersection farther from the rotation axis M5 is defined as the intersection MX1.
- the virtual tangent to the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 passing through the intersection MX1 is defined as a tangent (predetermined tangent) N11.
- the area is divided with the tangent line N11 as a boundary, and the rotation axis M1, the charging roller 5, the rotation axis M5, the development coupling member 74, the rotation axis K, the development blade 30, the proximity point 30d, the toner supply roller 32, the rotation axis M6, and stirring.
- the area where the member 31, the rotation axis M7, or the pressed portion 9510c is arranged is referred to as a region AU2, and the region where the pressed portion 9510c is not arranged is referred to as a region (predetermined region) AD2.
- the regions AU2 and AD2 may be defined in another way as follows.
- the most downstream portion of the photosensitive drum 4 with respect to the direction VD10 is the intersection MX1.
- the region AU2 the region on the upstream side of the most downstream portion MX1
- the region (predetermined region) AD2 the region on the downstream side
- the defined regions AU2 and AD2 are the same.
- At least a part of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h is arranged in the region AD2.
- arranging at least a part of each of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in the region AD2 contributes to the miniaturization and cost reduction of the process cartridge P and the image forming apparatus main body 502. You can also expect to do it. This is for the same reason as in the case where at least a part of each of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h is arranged in the region AD1.
- the regulating member 9510, the first force receiving portion 9510f, and the second force receiving portion 9510h are displaced at least in the VD10 direction due to the movement in the Z1 and Z2 directions. Due to such displacement in the VD10 direction, when the process cartridge P is inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus main body 502, the regulating member 9510, the first force receiving portion 9510f, and the second force receiving portion 9510h interfere with the drive control member 540. It is possible to avoid being unable to insert and remove.
- the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h project from the developing unit 9 in at least the VD10 direction. Placed in position. Therefore, the first force applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 can be brought into contact with the second force receiving portion 9510h, and the second force applying surface 540c can be brought into contact with the first force receiving portion 9510f.
- the second force receiving portion 9510h can be arranged. The arrangement relationship of each force receiving portion described above has the same relationship in all the embodiments described below.
- the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus according to the ninth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 55 to 58.
- the process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the configuration of the regulating member and its surroundings is different. Therefore, members having the same function and configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. [Structure of regulatory members]
- FIG. 55 is a diagram illustrating disassembly and assembly of the regulatory member 10510.
- FIG. 56A is a perspective view of only the regulation member 10510 and the drive side bearing 10526.
- FIG. 56B is a side view of only the regulation member 10510 and the drive side bearing 10526.
- FIG. 56 (c) is a side view of a state in which the regulator member 10510 and the drive side bearing 10526 are pressed against the cartridge pressing member only.
- the regulation member 10510 in the eighth embodiment is divided into two parts and connected to each other. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 55, the regulation member 10510 is divided into two parts, an upper regulation member 10510U and a lower regulation member 10510D.
- the lower regulating member 10510D is provided with a shaft 10510Da.
- the lower regulation member 10510D includes a foot portion 10510De, 10510 g that can project from the developing unit in the Z2 direction.
- the foot portion 10510De is provided with a first force receiving portion (insertion force receiving portion) 10510Df, and the foot portion 10510Dg is provided with a second force receiving portion (retracting force receiving portion) 10510Dh, and receives force from the drive control member 540.
- the upper regulating member 10510U has an opening portion 10510Uj on a surface facing the lower regulating member 10510D.
- a pair of oblong holes 10510Uk are provided across the opening portion 10510Uj.
- the lower restricting member 10510D is provided with a spring holding portion 10510Dj.
- One end of the compression spring 10512 is fitted to the spring holding portion 0510Dj, the other end is inserted from the opening portion 10510Uj, supported by the holding portion (not shown) at the back thereof, and then each shaft is inserted into each oblong hole 10510Uk. Assemble so that 10510Da fits.
- the regulating member 10510 is preferably made of a plastic material. If the material is hard, the shaft 10510Da may be formed as a separate body.
- the shaft 10510Da may be a parallel pin and may be press-fitted for assembly.
- the upper regulating member 10510U and the lower regulating member 10510D are connected to the elongated hole 10510Uk by a pair of shafts 10510Da, and the upper regulating member 10510U is urged away from the lower regulating member 10510D by the compression spring 10512. ing. Further, the lower regulating member 10510D is rotatably configured around the shaft 10510Da with respect to the upper regulating member 10510U. Further, the upper restricting member 10510U is configured to be relatively movable in the direction along the oblong hole 10510Uk.
- the connecting portion connecting the upper regulating member 10510U and the lower regulating member 10510D configured as described above takes a first state in which elastic deformation is permitted and a second state in which elastic deformation is restricted. It is configured to be. Details will be described later. [Explanation of operation of regulatory members]
- the regulating member 10510 is pressed by the cartridge pressing member (not shown) in conjunction with the operation of closing the front door 111.
- 56 (a) and 56 (b) show a state in which the regulating member 10510 is not pushed by the cartridge pressing member (free state)
- FIG. 56 (c) shows the regulating member 10510 being pushed by the cartridge pressing member. Indicates the state (locked state).
- the lower restricting member 10510D is formed with an arcuate guide groove 10526b centered on the support portion 10526a provided on the drive side bearing 10526, and the shaft 10510Da is fitted.
- the lower regulation member 10510D can swing about the support portion 10526a with respect to the upper regulation member 10510U.
- the upper restricting member 10510U can swing around the support portion 10526a of the drive side bearing 10526 and can move in the Z1 and Z2 directions.
- the lower regulating member 10510D rotates with the shaft portion 10510Da as the rotation center. It is possible. Therefore, even if the lower regulation member 10510D receives a force from the drive control member 540 and rotates, the force is not transmitted to the upper regulation member 10510U.
- FIG. 56 (c) will be used to describe the operation of the regulating member 10510 in a state of being pressed by the cartridge pressing member (locked state).
- the upper restricting member 10510U moves in the Z2 direction against the urging force of the spring 10512 by pushing down with the cartridge pressing member.
- the engaging portion (square shaft portion) 10510Dk is fitted to the engaged portion (square hole portion) 10510Um, and the upper regulating member 10510U and the lower regulating member 10510D are integrated. That is, the lower restricting member 10510D is in a state where the swing around the shaft portion 10510Da is regulated with respect to the upper regulating member 10510U.
- the integrated restricting member 10510 can swing around the support portion 10526a as the center of rotation and while the shaft 10510Da moves along the arcuate guide groove 10526b shown in FIG. 56A. Therefore, in the state of being pushed in the Z2 direction by the cartridge pressing member, the regulating member 10510 can take the same movement as the regulating member 9510 in the eighth embodiment.
- FIG. 57A shows a state in which the process cartridge P is being inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502.
- FIG. 57B shows a state in which the process cartridge P is being taken out from the image forming apparatus main body 502.
- the drive side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing cover member 9533 are omitted.
- the lower regulating member 10510D is in the same position as the first position (see FIG. 51 (b)) of the regulating member 9510 in the eighth embodiment. Therefore, when the process cartridge P mounted on the tray 110 (not shown) is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502 in the direction of the arrow X1 as in the eighth embodiment, the drive control member 540 and the lower regulation member 10510D interfere with each other. However, due to the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 57 (a), the lower regulation member 10510D rotates about the shaft portion 10510Da as the rotation center, and the drive control member 540 and the lower regulation member 10510D interfere with each other in the image forming apparatus main body. It is possible to avoid being unable to insert into the 502.
- the drive control member 540 and the lower regulation member 10510D interfere with each other when the process cartridge P is taken out from the image forming apparatus main body 502 (in the X2 direction).
- the lower restricting member 10510D since the lower restricting member 10510D is in a free state, it is not integrated with the upper restricting member 10510U, and therefore rotates about the shaft portion 10510Da as the rotation center. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the drive control member 540 and the lower regulation member 10510D from interfering with each other and being unable to be removed from the image forming apparatus main body 502.
- the process cartridge used in the color image forming apparatus will be described. Therefore, there are four process cartridges and four drive control members. Therefore, depending on the station, the operation shown in FIG. 57 may be repeated up to four times.
- FIG. 58A shows a state in which the regulation member 10510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position.
- FIG. 58B shows a state in which the regulation member 10510 is located in the second position and the drive control member 540 is located in the home position.
- the drive side cartridge cover 9520 and the development cover member 9533 are omitted.
- the drive coupling operation of the developing coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75, the drive coupling release operation, and the operation of the drive control member 540 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus are omitted.
- the upper restricting member 10510U is pushed down in the Z2 direction by the cartridge pressing member. Then, the upper regulation member 10510U and the lower regulation member 10510D are integrated.
- the regulation lever portion 10510Ud as a moving portion is located at a position where the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80 do not come into contact with each other.
- the position of the regulating member 10510 is referred to as a first position. At this time, the drive connection state of the regulating member 10510 is maintained while the first position is maintained.
- the second force applying surface 540c comes into contact with the first force receiving portion 10510Df of the lower regulating member 10510D, and the regulating member 10510 is centered on the support portion 10526a in FIG. 58 (a). Rotate in the direction of arrow V101. Then, the regulation lever portion 10510Ud of the upper regulation member 10510U is located between the surface 74b of the developing coupling member 74 and the surface 80b of the slide member 80. Therefore, the drive connection is maintained in the disconnected state.
- the position of the regulating member 10510 is referred to as a second position.
- the lower regulating member 10510D has a gap T104 between the first force receiving portion 10510Df and the second force applying surface 540c, and the second force receiving portion 10510Dh and the first force applying surface 540b of the foot portion 10510Dg. It has a gap T105 between them.
- the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of W51
- the first force applying surface 540b abuts on the second force receiving portion 10510Dh of the lower regulating member 10510D
- the regulating member 10510 is centered on the support portion 10526a with the middle arrow V102 in FIG. 58 (b). Rotate in the direction.
- the regulation lever portion 10510Ud is separated from the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80, and is driven and connected.
- the lower regulating member 10510D provided with the first force receiving portion 10510Df and the second force receiving portion 10510Dh is movable with respect to the upper regulating member 10510U and other parts of the process cartridge P.
- the first force receiving portion 10510Df and the second force receiving portion 10510Dh are displaced in the Z2 direction, thereby moving to the direction VD1 (FIG. 53, etc.) and the direction VD10 (FIG. 54, etc.). At least displace.
- the state in which the lower regulating member 10510D can move independently (free state) and the state in which the lower regulating member 10510D is fixed to the upper regulating member 10510U (locked state) can be switched depending on the position of the upper regulating member 10510U.
- the lower regulation member 10510D and the image forming apparatus main body 502, particularly the drive control member 540 interfere with each other and cannot be inserted or removed. It can be avoided.
- FIG. 59 (a) shows the state before assembling the upper regulation member 11510U and the lower regulation member 11510D.
- FIG. 59B shows the state after assembling the upper regulating member 11510U and the lower regulating member 11510D.
- the regulatory member corresponding to the regulatory member 9510 in the eighth embodiment inserts and removes the process cartridge P from the image forming apparatus main body 502 with the drive control member 540 in the longitudinal direction (FIG. 60 (FIG. 60).
- the Y1 and Y2 directions are parallel to the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 4 and the rotation axis M2 of the developing roller 6 of the first embodiment.
- the insertion / removal while the regulating member 11510 avoids the drive control member 540 will be described later.
- the specific configuration of the regulating member 11510 is a two-divided configuration of the upper regulating member 11510U and the lower regulating member 11510D.
- the upper regulating member 11510U has a pair of oblong holes facing each other in the X1 and X2 directions at the portion where the lower regulating member 11510D and the process cartridge overlap in the direction of inserting and removing the process cartridge into the image forming apparatus body (X1, X2 directions, see FIG. 57).
- 11510 Uk is provided.
- the lower regulating member 11510D is provided with a shaft 11510Da. Further, as shown in FIG.
- the lower regulation member 11510D includes foot portions 11510De and 11510Dg that can project from the developing unit 9 in the Z2 direction.
- the foot portion 11510De is provided with a first force receiving portion (insertion force receiving portion) 11510Df
- the foot portion 11510Dg is provided with a second force receiving portion (retracting force receiving portion) 11510Dh, and receives force from the drive control member 540.
- a compression spring 11512 is provided between the upper regulating member 11510U and the lower regulating member 11510D.
- One end of the compression spring 11512 is supported by the holding portion (not shown) of the upper regulating member 11510U, the other end is fitted to the holding portion 11510Dj of the lower regulating member 11510D, and then the shaft 11510Da is fitted to the oblong hole 11510Uk. (Fig. 59 (b)).
- the restricting member 11510 to be assembled in this way is preferably made of a plastic material because it is assembled while expanding the tip portion 11510Uj of the upper restricting member 11510U when the shaft 11510Da is assembled so as to fit into the oblong hole 11510Uk.
- the shaft 11510Da and the lower regulating member 11510D may be formed separately.
- the shaft 11510Da may be finally press-fitted into the lower regulating member 11510D for assembly.
- FIG. 60A shows a state (free state) in which the upper restricting member 11510U is not pushed by the cartridge pressing member in the image forming apparatus main body.
- FIG. 60 (b) shows only the restricting member 11510 when FIG. 60 (a) is viewed from the drum unit side.
- FIG. 60 (c) shows an enlarged view showing the lower regulation member 11510D of FIG. 60 (b).
- FIG. 60D shows a state (locked state) in which the upper restricting member 11510U is pressed by the cartridge pressing member in the image forming apparatus main body.
- FIG. 60 (e) shows only the restricting member 11510 when FIG. 60 (d) is viewed from the drum unit side.
- the upper restricting member 11510U can move in the longitudinal direction of the oblong hole 11510Ua and in the Z1 and Z2 directions by fitting the oblong hole 11510Ua in the support portion 11526Ua of the drive side bearing 11526, and swings around the support portion 11510Ua. It is possible to move.
- the lower regulating member 11510D is supported by the shaft 11510Da with respect to the upper regulating member 11510U, and can swing in the directions of arrows Y3 and Y4 about the shaft 11510Da (free).
- the lower regulating member 11510D supports the shaft 11510Da and is kept swingable with respect to the upper regulating member 11510U by the force of the compression spring 11512 described above.
- the free state it is necessary to avoid interference with the drive control member 540 when the lower regulation member 11510D is inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus main body described later.
- the spring seating surface 11510Dn of the lower restricting member 11510D is subjected to the urging force of the compression spring 11512 to maintain a state of swinging in the Y4 direction with respect to the upper restricting member 11510U. To avoid it.
- the seating surface 11510Dn of the lower regulating member 11510D faces the seating surface 11510Uq of the upper regulating member 11510U in a state where the lower regulating member 11510D swings in the Y4 direction.
- the lower restricting member 11510D swings due to the moment acting in the Y4 direction around the shaft portion 11510Da due to the elastic force of the compression spring 11512 provided between the upper regulating member 11510U and the lower regulating member 11510D. Maintain the state.
- the operation of the regulation member 11510 in a state of being pressed by the cartridge pressing member (locked state) will be described with reference to FIGS. 59 (b), 60 (d), and (e).
- the upper restricting member 11510U moves in the Z2 direction against the urging force of the spring 11512 by pushing down with the cartridge pressing member.
- the tip portion 11510Up of the upper regulating member 11510U shown in FIG. 59B fits into the square hole portion 11510Dm of the lower regulating member 11510D.
- the upper regulation member 11510U and the lower regulation member 11510D are integrated, and the lower regulation member 10510D is in a state where the swing around the shaft portion 10510Da is restricted with respect to the upper regulation member 10510U (locked state). .. In this state, the integrated restricting member 11510 can swing in the V111 and V112 directions with the support portion 11526a as the center of rotation. Therefore, in the state of being pushed in the Z2 direction by the cartridge pressing member, the regulating member 11510 can take the same movement as the regulating member 9510 in the eighth embodiment. [Mounting the process cartridge on the image forming device body]
- FIG. 61A shows a state in which the process cartridge P is being inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502.
- FIG. 61 (b) shows a state in which FIG. 61 (a) is viewed from the developing unit side.
- FIG. 61 (c) shows a state in which a process cartridge is further inserted from FIG. 61 (a).
- the drive side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing cover member 9533 are omitted.
- the lower regulating member 11510D rotates about the shaft portion 11510Da as the rotation center. It is possible.
- the process cartridge P mounted on the cartridge tray (not shown) is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502 in the direction of arrow X1 or taken out in the direction of arrow X2, the lower restricting member 11510D is referred to the drive control member 540. It is inserted in a state of being further retracted in the longitudinal direction (Y2 direction). This is because the lower regulating member 11510D is held in the state shown in FIG. 60 (b) by the action of the compression spring 11512 described above.
- the lower regulation member 11510D is provided with a slope 11510Dp, and when the lower regulation member 11510D collides with the drive control member 540, the lower regulation member 11510D retracts in the Y2 direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the drive control member 540 and the lower regulation member 11510D from interfering with each other and being unable to be inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502.
- FIG. 62A shows a state in which the process cartridge P is being taken out to the image forming apparatus main body 502.
- FIG. 62 (b) shows a state in which FIG. 62 (a) is viewed from the drum unit side.
- FIG. 62 (c) shows a state in which the process cartridge is further taken out from FIGS. 62 (a) and 62 (b).
- the drive side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing cover member 9533 are omitted.
- the lower regulation member 10510D is taken out in a state of being retracted in the longitudinal direction (Y2 direction). Further, the lower regulation member 11510D is provided with a slope 11510Dq, and when the lower regulation member 11510D collides with the drive control member 540, the lower regulation member 11510D is further retracted in the Y2 direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the drive control member 540 and the lower regulation member 11510D from interfering with each other and being unable to be taken out from the image forming apparatus main body 502. In this embodiment, the process cartridge used in the color image forming apparatus will be described.
- FIG. 63A shows a state in which the regulation member 11510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position.
- FIG. 63 (b) shows a state in which the regulation member 11510 is located at the second position and the drive control member 540 is located at the home position.
- the drive side cartridge cover 9520 and the development cover member 9533 are omitted.
- the drive coupling operation of the developing coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75, the drive coupling release operation, and the operation of the drive control member 540 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus are omitted.
- the regulation lever portion 11510Ud is located at a position where the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80 do not come into contact with each other.
- the position of the regulating member 11510 is referred to as a first position. At this time, the drive connection state of the regulating member 11510 is maintained while the first position is maintained.
- the second force applying surface 540c comes into contact with the first force receiving portion 11510Df of the lower regulating member 11510D, and the regulating member 11510 is centered on the support portion 11526a (a). It rotates in the direction of the middle arrow V111. Then, the regulation lever portion 11510Ud of the upper regulation member 11510U is located between the surface 74b of the developing coupling member 74 and the surface 80b of the slide member 80. Therefore, the drive connection is maintained in the disconnected state.
- the position of the regulating member 10510 is referred to as a second position.
- the lower regulation member 11510D has a gap T115 between the first force receiving portion 11510Df and the second force applying surface 540c, and the second force receiving portion 11510Dh of the foot portion 11510Dg and the first force applying surface 540b. There is a gap T114 in between.
- the lower regulation member 11510D provided with the first force receiving portion (insertion force receiving portion) 11510Df and the second force receiving portion (retracting force receiving portion) 11510Dh is used in addition to the upper regulating member 11510U and the process cartridge P. It was made movable with respect to the part of. In this embodiment, the movement causes the first force receiving portion 11510f and the second force receiving portion 11510h to be at least displaced in the Y2 direction (direction parallel to the rotation axis M1 and the rotation axis M2 of the eighth embodiment).
- the lower restricting member 11510D can be switched between a state in which it can move independently (a free state) and a state in which it is fixed to the upper restricting member 11510U (locked state) depending on the position of the upper restricting member 11510U.
- the lower restricting member 11510D and the image forming apparatus main body 502, particularly the drive control member 540 interfere with each other by taking a free state. It is possible to avoid being unable to insert or remove.
- the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 64 to 66.
- the process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the configuration of the cartridge cover member described later and its surroundings is different. Therefore, members having the same function and configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
- the drive can be switched without depending on the contact / detachment operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6, and the drive control member 540 provided in the image forming apparatus main body.
- the component configuration and operation of the regulating member 510 provided on the process cartridge are the same as those in the first embodiment. According to the configuration of this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.
- a configuration is provided in which the process cartridge or the developing unit further moves in the vertical direction until the image is formed.
- the vertical direction of this embodiment is the direction perpendicular to the arrow X direction (X1, X2) in FIG. 5 and the direction perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum 4 in the Z direction (arrow Z1 in FIG. 5). , Z2). That is, in the process cartridge according to the present embodiment, the drum unit as the first unit and the developing unit as the second unit are configured to be relatively movable in the vertical direction.
- the directions of such relative movement (Z1, Z2) are directions that intersect with the virtual line N2 shown in FIG. 53.
- FIG. 64 is a side view of the process cartridge as seen from the drive side.
- the developing unit 9 is held at a position raised in the arrow Z1 direction with respect to the first embodiment. That is, the drive control member 540 described above in the first embodiment has a positional relationship in which it does not operate with respect to the regulation member 510.
- the vertical position of the developing unit 9 is the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, the drive control member 540 described above in the first embodiment has an operable positional relationship with respect to the regulation member 510.
- a detailed configuration (configuration of the developing unit moving member) in which the developing unit 9 is movably held in the vertical direction by the developing unit moving member which is a vertical moving member provided in the process cartridge will be described later.
- FIG. 65 is a perspective view of the process cartridge as viewed from the non-driving side, and is an exploded assembly view of the developing unit moving member.
- the drum unit is hidden for the sake of explanation.
- the developing unit moving member which is a vertical moving member, is integrally composed of a driving side developing unit moving bearing 1250, a driving side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B, and a driving side cartridge cover member 1252. It is a unit member.
- the drive-side developing unit moving bearing 1250 has a drive-side developing unit cylindrical receiving portion 1250b that pivotally supports the cylindrical portion 533b of the developing cover member, and enables fitting support. Further, the drive-side outer cylindrical portion 1250a of the drive-side developing unit moving bearing 1250 is mutably supported by the drive-side cartridge cover member sliding portion 1252a of the drive-side cartridge cover member.
- the shape of the driving side cartridge cover member sliding portion 1252a is an oblong hole shape parallel to the vertical direction (arrows Z1 and Z2 directions), whereby the driving side developing unit moving bearing 1250 and the developing unit 9 are in the vertical direction. It becomes possible to move to.
- the driving side developing unit moving bearing 1250 and the developing unit 9 are attached to the upper side (Z1 direction) of the oblong hole of the driving side cartridge cover member sliding portion 1252a. It is held in a hit state.
- the drive-side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B are attached to the driving-side moving spring fixing boss portions 1250c and 1250e of the driving-side developing unit moving bearing 1250.
- the drive side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B are push springs, and the moving spring contact surfaces (moving bearing side) 1251c and 1251e abut against the driving side moving spring fixing boss portions 1250c and 1250e, and the moving spring contact surfaces (cover side).
- the drive-side developing unit moving bearing 1250 and the developing unit 9 are held in a state of being in contact with the lower side (Z2 direction) of the oblong hole of the driving-side cartridge cover member sliding portion 1252a.
- the vertical positions of the drum unit 8 having the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing unit 9 are the same as those in the first embodiment. That is, the development coupling member 74 of the development unit 9 is located on the axis of the swing axis K.
- the drive control member 540 and the regulation member 510 are in a position where they can operate with each other and are in a position where an image can be formed. In order to move from FIG.
- the developing unit moving pressing force HF also referred to as a vertical urging force
- the developing unit moving pressing force HF also referred to as a vertical urging force
- the main body side vertical moving member (not shown) contacts and presses against the driving side developing unit moving bearing 1250, so that the vertical direction (Z2 direction) It is possible to generate the urging force of.
- the urging force by the main body side vertical moving member> the urging force of the driving side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B the force can be moved in the Z2 direction, and the development in FIG. 64 (b) is performed. Move to the unit 9 position.
- FIG. 66 shows a process in which a drum unit 8 and a developing unit 9 are integrally held by a cartridge cover member to be made into a process cartridge, and are mounted in a tray and an image forming apparatus main body.
- FIG. 66 is a view seen from the side surface of the drive side.
- FIG. 66A is a state before the tray and the drive-side tray member 1211 provided on the tray are pulled out of the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge is mounted.
- the process cartridge in which the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 are integrally held by the side cover member is removable from the drive side tray member 1211 provided on the tray, and is Z2. It can be removed by mounting it in the direction and lifting it in the Z1 direction.
- the drive-side cartridge moving springs 1270A and 1270B are attached to the drive-side cartridge cover member 1262, and are fixed to the cartridge moving spring contact surfaces (cartridge side) 1262d and 1262e.
- the drive side cartridge moving springs 1270A and 1270B are push springs.
- the drive-side cartridge moving springs 1270A and 1270B are fixed by a method of press-fitting or adhering to a boss provided on the drive-side cartridge cover member 1262.
- FIG. 66B shows a state in which the process cartridge is attached to the drive-side tray member 1211 provided on the tray, the tray is inserted into the image forming apparatus, and the front door of the image forming apparatus is opened.
- the drive-side cartridge moving springs 1270A and 1270B provided on the drive-side cartridge cover member 1262 have the drive-side cartridge moving spring contact surface (tray side). ) It is held in contact with 1211d and 1211e.
- the drive control member 540 provided in the image forming apparatus and the restricting member 510 provided in the process cartridge are located at distant positions in the vertical direction so as not to interact with each other.
- the drive control member 540 is arranged so as to be displaced to the back side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the drive side tray member 1211, and has a positional relationship that does not interfere with the insertion / removal.
- the drive control member is controlled. It is necessary to design the spring force of the drive-side cartridge moving springs 1270A and 1270B described above so that the member 540 and the regulating member 510 are located at distant positions where they cannot act on each other in the vertical direction.
- FIG. 66 (c) shows a state in which the front door of the image forming apparatus is closed and the process cartridge is vertically moved to the image forming position, and the process cartridge is further moved in the Z2 direction from the state of FIG. 66 (b). It is a state.
- the process cartridge is urged in the Z2 direction by the main body side vertical moving member (not shown) with the operation of closing the front door.
- the drive-side cartridge positioning portions (cartridge side) 1262a and 1262b of the drive-side cartridge cover member 1262 provided in the process cartridge and the drive-side cartridge positioning portions provided in the drive-side tray member 1211.
- the drive-side cartridge rotation stop portion (cartridge side) 1262c of the drive-side cartridge cover member 1262 has a cut-out concave shape, and the drive-side cartridge rotation stop portion (tray side) provided on the drive-side tray member 1211.
- the drive-side cartridge positioning unit (drive-side cartridge positioning unit) provided on the drive-side tray member 1211 so that the drive control member 540 and the regulation member 510 are positioned so as to be able to act on each other in the vertical direction.
- the positions 1211a and 1211b are designed, which enables the image formation described in the first embodiment to operate stably.
- the drive-side cartridge moving springs 1270A and 1270B are in a state of being further compressed as compared with FIG. By designing it to be an urging force, it can be moved as shown in FIG. 66 (c).
- the vertical moving member is provided on the driving side, but by providing the same configuration on the non-driving side, the developing unit can be vertically moved horizontally.
- the development unit moving member may be provided only on the drive side. In that case, the developing unit or the process cartridge is in a state of being lifted in the Z1 direction only on the driving side, and is in a tilted state. Even in a configuration in which only the drive side is provided, the vertical distance between the drive control member 540 provided on the drive side of the image forming apparatus and the regulation member 510 can be separated, so that when inserting the process cartridge into the apparatus main body, or When taking out, it becomes easy to avoid the possibility that the drive control member may interfere with the insertion or removal. Further, although the configuration in which the process cartridge or the developing unit further performs the moving operation in addition to the operation at the time of image formation of the first embodiment has been described, the configuration of another embodiment and the vertical moving member configuration of the present embodiment are combined. May be.
- the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 67 to 72.
- the process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and is different only in the configuration of the regulating member 13510 and its surroundings. Therefore, members having the same function and configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
- the drive connection operation, the drive connection release operation, and the operation of the drive control member 540 are the same as those in the first embodiment and are omitted. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
- the restricting member 13510 is in the longitudinal direction (arrow Y2 direction) with respect to the drive control member 540 in the process of inserting and removing the process cartridge P into the image forming apparatus main body 502. It is a configuration to avoid. Further, when the mounting is completed, the regulating member 13510 is in the same longitudinal position as the drive control member 540, and the drive connection release operation can be performed as in the first embodiment. [Drive side process cartridge configuration]
- FIG. 67 shows a perspective view of the process cartridge P as viewed from the drive side.
- the regulating member 13510 has a first elongated round hole 13510x and a second elongated round hole 13510y (see FIG. 68 (c)), and has an outer diameter and a second support portion 13533k of the developing cover member 13533. It assembles with the inner wall of the first oval hole 13510x and the second oval hole 13510y, and is swingably supported with respect to two swing shafts described later. Further, the tension spring 13511 urges the regulating member 13510 and the developing cover member 13533 to attract each other. Further, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 13533b of the developing cover member 13533 is fitted into the support hole 520a of the drive-side cartridge cover member 520. [Structure and operation explanation of regulatory members]
- FIGS. 68 to 70 The configuration of the drive-side regulatory member 13510 in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 68 to 70.
- 68 (a) is a front view of a single item as seen from the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P (in the direction of arrow Y1 in FIG. 67), and FIGS. 68 (b) and 68 (c) are view of the restricting member 13510. It is a single item perspective view of.
- the restricting member 13510 has a pressed portion 13510c, a restricting lever portion 13510d, a foot portion 13510e, a foot portion 13510 g, a first oblong round hole 13510x having an oblong hole shape, and a second oblong round hole 13510y.
- the foot portions 13510e and 13510g have surfaces 13510f and 13510h, which are surfaces that receive force from the drive control member 540, respectively.
- the longitudinal direction LH of the oblong hole shape of the first oblong hole 13510x and the second oblong hole 13510y is the same, with the arrow LH1 in the upward direction (approximately Z1 direction) and the arrow LH2 in the downward direction (approximately Z2 direction). do.
- the axis orthogonal to the LH direction and orthogonal to the depth direction (Y1 direction) of the oblong hole forming the first oblong hole 13510x is defined as the axis HX.
- the regulating member 13510 has a cylindrical surface 13510z about the axis HX.
- the Y1 direction is parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 described in the first embodiment.
- the first elongated round hole 13510x and the second elongated round hole 13510y are arranged with the same apex in the direction of arrow LH1. Further, the first long round hole 13510x and the second long round hole 13510y communicate with each other, and the diameter of the first long round hole 13510x is set larger than that of the second long round hole 13510y.
- the length of the first elongated round hole 13510x is set longer than the length of the second elongated round hole 13510y.
- FIG. 69 (a) is a perspective view showing only the development cover member 13533, and FIG. 69 (b) is a perspective view showing the development cover member 13533 and the regulation member 13510.
- the second support portion 13533k of the developing cover member 13533 is formed by a first cylinder portion 13533 kb, a second swing portion 13533 ka formed of a spherical surface, and a second cylinder portion 13533 kc having a diameter smaller than that of the first cylinder portion 13533 kb. ..
- the axis passing through the center of the first cylinder portion 1923 kb and the second cylinder portion 13533 kc is defined as HY.
- the axis orthogonal to this HY and passing through the center of the spherical surface of the second swinging portion 13533ka is the same as the above-mentioned HX.
- the second swinging portion 13533ka is a spherical surface, but swinging in the arrow YA and YB directions (see FIG. 70) and swinging in the arrow BA and BB directions (see FIG. 70) of the restricting member 13510 described later. It is not limited to this as long as it is a surface that is set within a range that does not interfere with movement.
- first elliptical hole 13510x and the second elliptical hole 13510y of the regulating member 13510 are similarly directed to the arrows YA and YB and the arrows BA and BB with respect to the first cylinder portion 13533 kb and the second cylinder portion 13533 kk. It may be set within a range that does not interfere with the swing of (see FIG. 70), and the diameter of the oblong hole and the positional relationship in the LH direction are not limited to this.
- FIG. 70 shows a state in which the restricting member 13510 and the tension spring 13511 are assembled to the developing cover member 13533.
- FIG. 70A is a view seen from the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P (in the direction of arrow Y2 in FIG. 67).
- the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P is a direction parallel to the swing axis K described in the first embodiment.
- the regulating member 13510 is supported by the second support portion 13533k of the developing cover member 13533 so as to be swingably supported in the directions of arrows BA and BB around HY.
- a cross section cut out by a straight line passing through the center (HY) of the second support portion 13533k and parallel to the above-mentioned LH direction is shown in FIG.
- the regulating member 13510 receives a force in the F1 direction by the tension spring 13511 in a state where the second swinging portion 13533ka and the inner wall of the first elongated round hole 13510x are in contact with each other.
- the spring hooking portion 13510s of the restricting member 13510 is located in the Y2 direction from the contact point between the second swinging portion 13533ka and the first elongated round hole 13510x, the arrow YA direction centered on the axis HX due to the spring force. Moment is generated and swings around the axis HX.
- the posture of the restricting member 13510 swinging in the arrow YA direction is determined by contacting the moving member restricting portion 13533s of the developing cover member 13533, and the foot portions 13510e and 13510g project in the Y2 direction. This position is set as the standby position of the regulation member 13510.
- the cylindrical surface 13510z is arranged so as to be in contact with the drive side bearing 526 (see FIG. 67) in order to restrict the restricting member 13510 from rotating around the axis HZ orthogonal to the axis HY and the axis HX.
- the contact between the second cylindrical portion 13533kc and the second elongated round hole 13510y also has the same rotation restricting effect.
- FIG. 71A is a view of the state before the process cartridge P is mounted on the tray 110 (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 502 and the front door 111 is closed, as viewed from the front door side.
- the process cartridge P, the pressing member 130, and the drive control member 540 are omitted for the sake of configuration description. In the state of FIG.
- the foot portions 13510e and 13510 g of the restricting member 13510 are located at the standby position swinging in the YA direction as described above when they are mounted on the tray 110. Further, the foot portions 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 are located at positions avoiding the drive control member 540 in the direction of arrow Y2.
- FIG. 71 (b) shows a state in which the front door 111 is closed from the state of FIG. 71 (a). Similar to the ninth embodiment, closing the front door 111 causes the pressing member 130 in the image forming apparatus main body 502 to descend in the ZA direction, and the force applying portion 130a comes into contact with the pressed portion 13510c of the regulating member 13510. As a result, the foot portions 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 swing in the YB direction by the above-mentioned swing mechanism and reach the operating position. When this operation is completed, the first force applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the surface 13510h (see FIG.
- the foot portions 13510e and 13510 g of the regulation member 13510 and the control portion 540a of the drive control member 540 are arranged so as to overlap each other.
- 72 (a) is a view of the state of FIG. 71 (b) as viewed from the drive side, and the drive side cartridge cover member 520 and the development cover member 13533 are hidden for the purpose of explaining the configuration.
- the regulation lever portion 13510d is located at a position where the development coupling member 74 (not shown) and the slide member 80 do not come into contact with each other.
- the position of the regulating member 13510 is referred to as a first position. At this time, the drive connection state of the regulating member 13510 is maintained while the first position is maintained.
- the second force applying surface 540c comes into contact with the surface 13510f of the regulating member 13510, and the regulating member 13510 swings in the BA direction around the HY as the center of rotation.
- the regulation lever portion 13510d of the regulation member 13510 is located between the slope 74c of the developing coupling member 74 (not shown) and the cam surface 80a of the slide member 80 (FIG. 72 (b)).
- the position of the regulating member 13510 is referred to as a second position. Therefore, the drive connection is maintained in the disconnected state.
- the first force applying surface 540b abuts on the surface 13510h of the regulating member 13510, and the regulating member 13510 moves in the BB direction with HY as the center of rotation. Swing. Then, the regulation lever portion 13510d is separated from the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80, and is driven and connected.
- the foot portions 13510e and 13510 g of the regulating member 13510 are made movable in the YA direction.
- the foot portions 13510e and 13510g interfere with the image forming apparatus main body 502, particularly the drive control member 540, and cannot be inserted or removed. I tried to avoid it.
- the foot portions 13510e and 13510 g of the regulating member 13510 move from the standby position to the operating position, the amount of movement of the foot portions 13510e and 13510 g in the pressing direction (ZA direction) of the pressing member 130 is small. ..
- a cartridge for transmitting a driving force from a coupling member to a developing member and an image forming apparatus including the cartridge are provided.
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Abstract
Description
感光体と、
前記感光体にトナーを付着させる現像部材と、
前記現像部材を回転駆動するための駆動力を受けることが可能なカップリング部材と、
前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達を許容する駆動力伝達位置と前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達を遮断する駆動力遮断位置との間を移動可能な移動部と、
前記移動部が前記駆動力遮断位置にある時に、前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置で保持する保持部と、
を有し、
前記現像部材が前記感光体にトナーを付着させることが可能な位置にある状態で、前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置と前記駆動力遮断位置とをとることが可能である。
[画像形成装置の概略構成]
[画像形成動作]
[プロセスカートリッジの全体構成]
[ドラムユニットの構成]
[現像ユニットの構成]
[ドラムユニットと現像ユニットの組立]
[プロセスカートリッジ着脱構成]
[駆動連結部の構成]
[駆動連結解除構成]
[本体装着]
[駆動連結解除動作]
[駆動連結動作]
[駆動連結部の構成]
[駆動遮断構成]
[駆動連結解除動作]
[駆動連結動作]
[その他の構成]
[駆動連結部の構成]
[駆動連結解除動作]
[駆動連結動作]
[駆動連結部の構成]
[本実施例のトグル機構]
[駆動連結部の連結動作]
[駆動連結部の遮断動作]
[駆動連結部の構成]
[駆動遮断動作]
[駆動連結遮断動作]
M3>M1
となる。
[駆動連結動作]
M1+M2>M3
となる。つまり、第一位置において、アイドラギア6803、6804の噛み合い力と、アイドラギア6804と現像ローラギア802の噛み合い力によるV3方向のモーメントは引っ張りバネ6530のバネ圧によるV4方向のモーメントよりも大きい。したがって、規制部材6510は、V3方向に付勢され、第一位置を維持する。
[レーザシャッターユニットを有するプロセスカートリッジの全体構成]
[レーザシャッターユニットを有するプロセスカートリッジ詳細の構成]
[レーザ光開放および遮断の切換え動作]
[接点シャッターユニットを有するプロセスカートリッジの全体構成]
[レーザ光開放および遮断の切換え動作]
[規制部材の構成]
[配置詳細−その1]
[配置詳細−その2]
[配置詳細−その3]
[規制部材の構成]
[規制部材の動作説明]
[プロセスカートリッジの画像形成装置本体への装着]
[プロセスカートリッジの画像形成装置本体からの取り外し]
[駆動連結、連結解除の規制部材の動作]
[規制部材の構成]
[規制部材の動作説明]
[プロセスカートリッジの画像形成装置本体への装着]
[プロセスカートリッジの画像形成装置本体からの取り外し]
[駆動連結、連結解除の規制部材の動作]
[現像ユニット移動部材を有するプロセスカートリッジ構成]
[カートリッジ移動部材を有するプロセスカートリッジ構成]
[駆動側プロセスカートリッジ構成]
[規制部材の構成及び動作説明]
[プロセスカートリッジの画像形成装置本体への装着]
[駆動連結および解除の切替え動作]
Claims (147)
- カートリッジであって、
感光体と、
前記感光体にトナーを付着させる現像部材と、
前記現像部材を回転駆動するための駆動力を受けることが可能なカップリング部材と、
前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達を許容する駆動力伝達位置と前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達を遮断する駆動力遮断位置との間を移動可能な移動部と、
前記移動部が前記駆動力遮断位置にある時に、前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置で保持する保持部と、
を有し、
前記現像部材が前記感光体にトナーを付着させることが可能な位置にある状態で、前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置と前記駆動力遮断位置とをとることが可能であるカートリッジ。 - 前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達経路に設けられる互いに同軸の回転軸をそれぞれ有する第1の回転部材及び第2の回転部材であって、互いに係合して前記駆動力を伝達可能な係合位置と、互いに離間して前記駆動力が伝達されない非係合位置とをとりえるように構成された第1の回転部材及び第2の回転部材
をさらに有し、
前記移動部は、前記駆動力遮断位置において、前記係合位置に位置する前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材の少なくともいずれかに対して、前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材との間の係合が解除される力を付与することで、前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材を離間させる
請求項1に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材が前記係合位置に位置するように、前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材の少なくともいずれかを付勢する付勢手段をさらに有し、
前記駆動力遮断位置において前記移動部が前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材の少なくともいずれかに付与する力は、前記付勢手段の付勢力に抗するように作用することを特徴する請求項2に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記駆動力遮断位置は、前記移動部が前記係合位置にある前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材の間に前記付勢手段の付勢力に抗して差し込まれることで、前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材を前記非係合位置に位置させる位置であり、
前記駆動力伝達位置は、前記移動部が前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材の間から退いて、前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材を前記係合位置に位置させる位置であり、
前記移動部は、前記付勢手段の付勢力によって前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材の間で挟持された状態となることで、前記駆動力遮断位置に保持される請求項3に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第2の回転部材は、前記第1の回転部材と前記回転軸回りに係合することで、前記第1の回転部材から前記駆動力を受けるとともに、前記回転軸の方向に前記第1の回転部材と係合する係合位置と係合しない非係合位置とに移動可能に構成されており、
前記付勢手段は、前記第2の回転部材を前記係合位置に位置させるように付勢し、
前記保持部は、前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材である請求項3又は4に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記駆動力遮断位置にある前記移動部に対して、前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置に位置させる方向に作用する分力を含む付勢力を付与する第2の付勢手段をさらに有する請求項3~5のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記第2の付勢手段は、前記駆動力伝達位置にある前記移動部に対して、前記移動部を前記駆動力伝達位置に位置させる方向に作用する分力を含む付勢力を付与する請求項6に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記保持部は、前記第2の付勢手段を含む請求項6又は7に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記駆動力伝達位置から前記駆動力遮断位置に移動する前記移動部に対し、前記駆動力伝達位置から所定の位置に至るまでは前記移動部を前記駆動力伝達位置に位置させるように作用する付勢力を付与し、前記所定の位置を越えると前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置に位置させるように作用する付勢力を付与する第3の付勢手段をさらに有する請求項3~5のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記第3の付勢手段は、一端がカートリッジの枠体に固定され、他端が前記移動部に固定されたトグルバネである請求項9に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記保持部は、前記第3の付勢手段を含む請求項9又は10に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達経路に設けられるクラッチであって、
前記伝達経路の上流側から前記駆動力を受けて回転する入力部材と、
前記入力部材から前記駆動力を受けて前記入力部材と同軸で回転する出力部材と、
前記入力部材及び前記出力部材に対する相対回転が規制され、前記入力部材と前記出力部材と共に回転することで、前記入力部材から前記出力部材へ駆動力を伝達する伝達状態と、前記相対回転を許容し、前記入力部材から前記出力部材へ駆動力を伝達しない非伝達状態と、をとりえる伝達部材と、
前記伝達部材の前記伝達状態と前記非伝達状態を切り替えるための制御部材と、
を含むクラッチをさらに有し、
前記移動部は、前記駆動力遮断位置において、前記伝達部材を前記伝達状態にするように前記制御部材に対して作用することで、前記入力部材から前記出力部材への前記駆動力の伝達を遮断する請求項1に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記伝達部材は、前記伝達状態において、前記入力部材と接触し前記入力部材との間の摩擦により前記相対回転が規制されることで前記入力部材と一体となって回転し、
前記制御部材は、前記入力部材と前記伝達部材との接触具合を制御することで前記相対回転を制御するものであり、
前記移動部は、前記駆動力遮断位置において、前記入力部材と前記伝達部材との間の摩擦力を低下させるように前記制御部材に対して作用することで、前記入力部材から前記出力部材への前記駆動力の伝達を遮断する請求項12に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記クラッチは、バネクラッチであり、
前記伝達部材は、前記入力部材の外周に巻き付けられるバネであり、
前記制御部材は、前記バネの一端と係合し、
前記クラッチは、前記入力部材と前記バネと前記出力部材と前記制御部材とが一体となって回転することで前記駆動力を伝達し、前記移動部が前記駆動力遮断位置において前記制御部材の回転を規制して前記入力部材に対する前記バネの締め付けを緩ませることで、前記入力部材から前記出力部材への前記駆動力の伝達が遮断される請求項13に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記制御部材は、被係合部を有し、
前記移動部は、前記制御部材の回転軸線と平行な回転軸線を有し、該回転軸線回りの移動によって、前記被係合部に係合する係合位置と、前記被係合部に係合しない非係合位置と、をとることが可能である請求項14に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記制御部材の回転方向と、前記移動部の前記非係合位置から前記係合位置への移動方向と、は互いに逆方向であり、
前記被係合部は、
前記係合位置にある前記移動部に対して、前記制御部材の回転方向に対向して、前記移動部と係合する第1の被係合部と、
前記係合位置にある前記移動部に対して、前記移動部の前記非係合位置から前記係合位置への移動方向とは逆方向に対向して、前記移動部に係合と係合する第2の被係合部と、
を含む請求項15に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第2の被係合部は、前記制御部材の外周面であり、
前記第1の被係合部は、前記外周面から突出した爪形状部である請求項16に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記制御部材の回転軸線又は前記移動部の回転軸線の方向に沿って見たときに、
前記制御部材の回転中心と前記移動部の回転中心とを結ぶ仮想線に垂直な仮想線であって、前記制御部材の回転中心を通る第1の仮想線と、前記移動部の回転中心を通る第2の仮想線と、で挟まれる領域において、
前記第1の被係合部の移動軌跡と、前記移動部の移動軌跡とが、交差する請求項16又は17に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記保持部は、前記第1の被係合部と前記第2の被係合部である請求項16~18のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記移動部の前記係合位置から前記非係合位置へ向かう移動を規制する規制部をさらに有する請求項15~19のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記係合位置にある前記移動部に対して、前記移動部を前記係合位置に位置させる方向に作用する分力を含む付勢力を付与する第2の付勢手段をさらに有する請求項15~19のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記第2の付勢手段は、前記非係合位置にある前記移動部に対して、前記移動部を前記非係合位置に位置させる方向に作用する分力を含む付勢力を付与する請求項21に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記保持部は、前記第2の付勢手段を含む請求項21又は22に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記非係合位置から前記係合位置に移動する前記移動部に対し、前記非係合位置から所定の位置に至るまでは前記移動部を前記非係合位置に位置させるように作用する付勢力を付与し、前記所定の位置を越えると前記移動部を前記係合位置に位置させるように作用する付勢力を付与する第3の付勢手段をさらに有する請求項15~19のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記第3の付勢手段は、一端がカートリッジの枠体に固定され、他端が前記移動部に固定されたトグルバネである請求項24に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記保持部は、前記第3の付勢手段を含む請求項24又は25に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達経路において互いに噛み合う第1のギア及び第2のギアをさらに有し、
前記移動部は、前記第1のギアと前記第2のギアのうちの一方のギアを支持し、前記駆動力伝達位置において前記一方のギアを前記第1のギアと前記第2のギアのうちの他方のギアと噛み合う噛合位置に位置させ、前記駆動力遮断位置において前記一方のギアを前記他方のギアと噛み合わない非噛合位置に位置させる請求項1に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記伝達経路において前記第1のギアと前記第2のギアのうちの前記他方のギアと噛み合う第3のギアと、
前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置に位置させるように作用する付勢力を付与する第4の付勢手段と、
をさらに有し、
前記第4の付勢手段の前記付勢力によって発生する、前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置に位置させるように作用するモーメントM3は、
前記移動部が前記駆動力遮断位置にあるときに、前記他方のギアと前記第3のギアとの噛み合いによって発生する、前記移動部を前記駆動力伝達位置に位置させるように作用するモーメントM1より大きく、
前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置にあるときに、前記モーメントM1と、前記第1のギアと前記第2のギアとの噛み合いによって発生する、前記移動部を前記駆動力伝達位置に位置させるように作用するモーメントM2と、を合わせたモーメントよりも小さい請求項27に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第4の付勢手段は、一端がカートリッジの枠体に固定され、他端が前記移動部に固定された引っ張りバネである請求項28に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記保持部は、前記移動部が前記駆動力遮断位置にあるときに互いに噛み合う前記第1のギアと前記第2のギアである請求項28又は29に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記移動部を移動させるための力を受ける力受け部をさらに有し、
前記感光体の回転軸線M1又は前記現像部材の回転軸線M2の方向に沿って見たときに、
前記力受け部は、前記回転軸線M1と前記回転軸線M2とを結ぶ仮想線N2と交わる方向に移動可能に構成されている請求項1~20、27~30のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記力受け部の少なくとも一部は、前記仮想線N2を境に分けられた領域のうち、前記カップリング部材の回転軸線Kが含まれない領域に含まれる請求項31に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記力受け部の少なくとも一部は、前記仮想線N2と直交し前記感光体と前記現像部材との間を通る仮想線N3を境に分けられた領域のうち、前記回転軸線M1が含まれない領域に含まれる請求項31に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記移動部を移動させるための力を受ける力受け部と、
前記感光体を帯電する帯電部材と、
をさらに有し、
前記感光体の回転軸線M1又は前記現像部材の回転軸線M2の方向に沿って見たときに、
前記力受け部は、前記回転軸線M1と前記帯電部材の回転軸線M5とを結ぶ仮想線N10と交わる方向に移動可能に構成されている請求項1~20、27~30のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記力受け部の少なくとも一部は、前記仮想線N10の前記感光体の表面との交点のうち前記回転軸線M5から遠い方の交点MX1を通る前記感光体の表面の接線N11を境に分けられた領域のうち、前記回転軸線M1、前記回転軸線M2、前記回転軸線M5が含まれない領域に含まれる請求項34に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記移動部と前記力受け部は、一体に構成されている請求項31~35のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記移動部と前記力受け部は、互いに連結されており、前記移動部に対して前記力受け部が移動することができる第1の状態と、互いに一体となって移動することができる第2の状態と、をとりえるように構成されている請求項31~35のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記移動部と前記力受け部とを連結する連結部は、弾性を有し、
前記連結部は、前記第1の状態において弾性変形が許容され、前記第2の状態において弾性変形が規制される請求項37に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記感光体と、前記感光体を支持する第1の枠体と、を有する第1のユニットと、
前記現像部材と、前記現像部材と前記カップリング部材を支持する第2の枠体と、を有する第2のユニットと、
をさらに有し、
前記感光体の回転軸線M1又は前記現像部材の回転軸線M2の方向に沿って見たときに、
前記第1のユニットと前記第2のユニットは、前記回転軸線M1と前記回転軸線M2とを結ぶ仮想線N2と交わる方向に互いに相対移動可能に構成されている請求項1~20、27~30のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記移動部は、前記第2のユニットに設けられている請求項39に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記移動部を移動させるための力を受ける力受け部をさらに有し、
前記力受け部は、前記感光体の回転軸線又は前記現像部材の回転軸線の方向に移動可能に構成されている請求項1~20、27~30のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記力受け部は、前記感光体の回転軸線又は前記現像部材の回転軸線と直交する軸に平行な軸回りに揺動可能に構成されている請求項41に記載のカートリッジ。
- カートリッジであって、
感光体を覆うことが可能な遮蔽部を備え、前記遮蔽部が前記感光体を覆う第1位置と前記第1位置よりも前記遮蔽部が前記感光体を露出させた第2位置との間を移動可能な遮蔽部材と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置にある時に、前記遮蔽部材と係合して前記遮蔽部材を前記第1位置で保持する第1係合部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置にある時に、前記遮蔽部材と係合して前記遮蔽部材を前記第2位置で保持する第2係合部と、
を有するカートリッジ。 - 前記遮蔽部材と前記第1係合部のいずれか一方に設けられた、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む第1凹部と、
前記遮蔽部材と前記第1係合部のいずれか他方に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第1凸部であって、前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置にある時に前記第1凹部に嵌る第1凸部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置から前記第2位置へ移動する時に、前記第1凸部を前記第1凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第1凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項43に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第1力付与部は、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と前記第1凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記第1凹部と前記第1凸部との間の当接面である請求項44に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記遮蔽部材と前記第2係合部のいずれか一方に設けられた、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む第2凹部と、
前記遮蔽部材と前記第2係合部のいずれか他方に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第2凸部であって、前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置にある時に前記第2凹部に嵌る第2凸部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置から前記第1位置へ移動する時に、前記第2凸部を前記第2凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第2凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項43~45のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第2力付与部は、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と前記第2凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記第2凹部と前記第2凸部との間の当接面である請求項46に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記遮蔽部材に設けられた、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む第1凹部及び第2凹部と、
前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な凸部であって、前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置にある時に前記第1凹部に嵌り、前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置にある時に前記第2凹部に嵌る凸部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置から前記第2位置へ移動する時に、前記凸部を前記第1凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置から前記第1位置へ移動する時に、前記凸部を前記第2凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項43に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む第1凹部及び第2凹部と、
前記遮蔽部材に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な凸部であって、前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置にある時に前記第1凹部に嵌り、前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置にある時に前記第2凹部に嵌る凸部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置から前記第2位置へ移動する時に、前記凸部を前記第1凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置から前記第1位置へ移動する時に、前記凸部を前記第2凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項43に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第1力付与部は、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と前記凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記第1凹部と前記凸部との間の当接面であり、
前記第2力付与部は、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と前記凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記第2凹部と前記凸部との間の当接面である請求項48又は49に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記遮蔽部材に設けられた、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む凹部と、
前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第1凸部であって、前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置にある時に前記凹部に嵌る第1凸部と、
前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第2凸部であって、前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置にある時に前記凹部に嵌る第2凸部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置から前記第2位置へ移動する時に、前記第1凸部を前記凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第1凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置から前記第1位置へ移動する時に、前記第2凸部を前記凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第2凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項43に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む凹部と、
前記遮蔽部材に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第1凸部であって、前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置にある時に前記凹部に嵌る第1凸部と、
前記遮蔽部材に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第2凸部であって、前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置にある時に前記凹部に嵌る第2凸部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置から前記第2位置へ移動する時に、前記第1凸部を前記凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第1凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置から前記第1位置へ移動する時に、前記第2凸部を前記凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第2凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項43に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第1力付与部は、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と前記第1凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記凹部と前記第1凸部との間の当接面であり、
前記第2力付与部は、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と前記第2凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記凹部と前記第2凸部との間の当接面である請求項51又は52に記載のカートリッジ。 - カートリッジであって、
現像部材と、
前記現像部材と電気的に接続された電極部と、
前記電極部を覆うことが可能な電極カバー部を備え、前記電極カバー部が前記電極部を覆う第1位置と前記第1位置よりも前記電極カバー部が前記電極部を露出させた第2位置との間を移動可能な電極カバー部材と、
前記電極カバー部材が前記第1位置にある時に、前記電極カバー部材と係合して前記電極カバー部材を前記第1位置で保持する第1係合部と、
前記電極カバー部材が前記第2位置にある時に、前記電極カバー部材と係合して前記電極カバー部材を前記第2位置で保持する第2係合部と、
を有するカートリッジ。 - 前記電極カバー部材に対して、前記電極カバー部材の前記第1位置と前記第2位置との間の移動方向における第1方向に係合する可動部材と、
前記電極カバー部材に対して、前記移動方向における前記第1方向と逆の第2方向に係合して付勢力を付与する付勢部材と、
前記可動部材が前記付勢部材との間で前記電極カバー部材を前記第1位置で保持する第1保持位置にある時に、前記可動部材と係合して前記可動部材を前記第1保持位置で保持する第3係合部と、
前記可動部材が前記付勢部材との間で前記電極カバー部材を前記第2位置で保持する第2保持位置にある時に、前記可動部材と係合して前記可動部材を前記第2保持位置で保持する第4係合部と、
をさらに有する請求項54に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記可動部材と前記第3係合部のいずれか一方に設けられた、前記可動部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む第1凹部と、
前記可動部材と前記第3係合部のいずれか他方に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第1凸部であって、前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置にある時に前記第1凹部に嵌る第1凸部と、
前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置から前記第2保持位置へ移動する時に、前記第1凸部を前記第1凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第1凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項55に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第1力付与部は、前記可動部材の移動方向と前記第1凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記第1凹部と前記第1凸部との間の当接面である請求項56に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記可動部材と前記第4係合部のいずれか一方に設けられた、前記可動部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む第2凹部と、
前記可動部材と前記第4係合部のいずれか他方に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第2凸部であって、前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置にある時に前記第2凹部に嵌る第2凸部と、
前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置から前記第1保持位置へ移動する時に、前記第2凸部を前記第2凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第2凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項55~57のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第2力付与部は、前記可動部材の移動方向と前記第2凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記第2凹部と前記第2凸部との間の当接面である請求項58に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記可動部材に設けられた、前記可動部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む第1凹部及び第2凹部と、
前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な凸部であって、前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置にある時に前記第1凹部に嵌り、前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置にある時に前記第2凹部に嵌る凸部と、
前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置から前記第2保持位置へ移動する時に、前記凸部を前記第1凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置から前記第1保持位置へ移動する時に、前記凸部を前記第2凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項55に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記可動部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む第1凹部及び第2凹部と、
前記可動部材に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な凸部であって、前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置にある時に前記第1凹部に嵌り、前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置にある時に前記第2凹部に嵌る凸部と、
前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置から前記第2保持位置へ移動する時に、前記凸部を前記第1凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置から前記第1保持位置へ移動する時に、前記凸部を前記第2凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項55に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第1力付与部は、前記可動部材の移動方向と前記凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記第1凹部と前記凸部との間の当接面であり、
前記第2力付与部は、前記可動部材の移動方向と前記凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記第2凹部と前記凸部との間の当接面である請求項60又は61に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記可動部材に設けられた、前記可動部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む凹部と、
前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第1凸部であって、前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置にある時に前記凹部に嵌る第1凸部と、
前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第2凸部であって、前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置にある時に前記凹部に嵌る第2凸部と、
前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置から前記第2保持位置へ移動する時に、前記第1凸部を前記凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第1凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置から前記第1保持位置へ移動する時に、前記第2凸部を前記凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第2凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項55に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記可動部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む凹部と、
前記可動部材に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第1凸部であって、前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置にある時に前記凹部に嵌る第1凸部と、
前記可動部材に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第2凸部であって、前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置にある時に前記凹部に嵌る第2凸部と、
前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置から前記第2保持位置へ移動する時に、前記第1凸部を前記凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第1凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置から前記第1保持位置へ移動する時に、前記第2凸部を前記凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第2凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項55に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第1力付与部は、前記可動部材の移動方向と前記第1凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記凹部と前記第1凸部との間の当接面であり、
前記第2力付与部は、前記可動部材の移動方向と前記第2凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記凹部と前記第2凸部との間の当接面である請求項63又は64に記載のカートリッジ。 - カートリッジであって、
現像部材と、
前記現像部材と電気的に接続され、所定位置と前記所定位置よりも退避した退避位置との間を移動可能な電極部と、
前記電極部を前記退避位置に位置させるための第1位置と前記電極部を前記所定位置に位置させるための第2位置との間を移動可能な移動部材と、
前記移動部材が前記第1位置にある時に、前記移動部材と係合して前記移動部材を前記第1位置で保持する第1係合部と、
前記移動部材が前記第2位置にある時に、前記移動部材と係合して前記移動部材を前記第2位置で保持する第2係合部と、
を有するカートリッジ。 - 本体力付与部を有する画像形成装置本体と共に使用可能なカートリッジであって、
現像部材と、
前記現像部材を回転駆動するための駆動力を受けることが可能なカップリング部材と、
前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達を許容する駆動力伝達位置と前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達を遮断する駆動力遮断位置との間を移動可能な移動部と、
前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置へ移動することを規制して前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置に保持する保持部と、
前記移動部を前記駆動力伝達位置から前記駆動力遮断位置へ移動させる力を前記本体力付与部から受けることが可能な力受け部と、
を有し、
前記力受け部が前記本体力付与部から力を受けることで、前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置から前記駆動力遮断位置へ移動した後、前記力受け部から前記本体力付与部が離間した際、前記移動部は前記保持部によって前記駆動力遮断位置で保持されるように構成されているカートリッジ。 - 前記力受け部は、前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置から前記駆動力伝達位置へ移動させる力も前記本体力付与部から受けることが可能である請求項67に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記力受け部は、
前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置から前記駆動力遮断位置へ移動する際、及び前記移動部が前記駆動力遮断位置から前記駆動力伝達位置へ移動する際にのみ、前記本体力付与部と接触し、
前記移動部が前記駆動力遮断位置に保持されている間、及び前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置に保持されている間は、前記本体力付与部から離間している請求項67又は68に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記力受け部は、
前記移動部を前記駆動力伝達位置から前記駆動力遮断位置へ移動させる力を前記本体力付与部から受ける第1力受け部と、
前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置から前記駆動力伝達位置へ移動させる力を前記本体力付与部から受ける第2力受け部と、
を有し、
前記第1力受け部は、
前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置から前記駆動力遮断位置へ移動する際にのみ、前記本体力付与部と接触し、
前記移動部が前記駆動力遮断位置から前記駆動力伝達位置へ移動する際、前記移動部が前記駆動力遮断位置に保持されている間、及び前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置に保持されている間は、前記本体力付与部から離間し、
前記第2力受け部は、
少なくとも、前記移動部が前記駆動力遮断位置から前記駆動力伝達位置へ移動する際、前記移動部が前記駆動力遮断位置に保持されている間、及び前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置に保持されている間は、前記本体力付与部と接触している請求項67又は68に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第2力受け部は、
前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置から前記駆動力遮断位置へ移動する際にのみ、前記本体力付与部から離間する請求項70に記載のカートリッジ。 - 第1本体位置と第2本体位置との間を移動可能な本体力付与部を有する画像形成装置本体と共に使用可能なカートリッジであって
現像部材と、
前記現像部材を回転駆動するための駆動力を受けることが可能なカップリング部材と、
前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達を許容する駆動力伝達位置と前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達を遮断する駆動力遮断位置との間を移動可能な移動部と、
前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置へ移動することを規制して前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置に保持する保持部と、
前記移動部を前記駆動力伝達位置から前記駆動力遮断位置へ移動させる力を前記第1本体位置から前記第2本体位置へ移動している前記本体力付与部から受けることが可能な力受け部と、
を有し、
前記力受け部が前記第1本体位置から前記第2本体位置へ移動する前記本体力付与部から力を受けることで、前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置から前記駆動力遮断位置へ移動した後、前記本体力付与部が前記第2本体位置から前記第1本体位置へ移動した際、前記移動部は前記保持部によって前記駆動力遮断位置で保持されるように構成されているカートリッジ。 - 前記力受け部は、前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置から前記駆動力伝達位置へ移動させる力を、前記第2本体位置から前記第1本体位置に対して前記第2本体位置とは反対側の第3本体位置へ移動している前記本体力付与部から受けることが可能である請求項72に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記力受け部は、
前記本体力付与部が前記第1本体位置と前記第2本体位置との間を移動する際、及び前記本体力付与部が前記第1本体位置と前記第3本体位置との間を移動する際にのみ、前記本体力付与部と接触し、
前記本体力付与部が前記第1本体位置に位置している間は、前記本体力付与部から離間している請求項73に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記力受け部は、
前記移動部を前記駆動力伝達位置から前記駆動力遮断位置へ移動させる力を前記本体力付与部から受ける第1力受け部と、
前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置から前記駆動力伝達位置へ移動させる力を前記本体力付与部から受ける第2力受け部と、
を有し、
前記第1力受け部は、
前記本体力付与部が前記第1本体位置と記第2本体位置との間を移動する際にのみ、前記本体力付与部と接触し、
前記本体力付与部が前記第1本体位置に位置している間、及び前記本体力付与部が前記第1本体位置と前記第3本体位置との間を移動する際は、前記本体力付与部から離間する請求項73に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第2力受け部は、
前記本体力付与部が前記第1本体位置と記第2本体位置との間を移動する際にのみ、前記本体力付与部から離間する請求項75に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達経路に設けられる互いに同軸の回転軸をそれぞれ有する第1の回転部材及び第2の回転部材であって、互いに係合して前記駆動力を伝達可能な係合位置と、互いに離間して前記駆動力が伝達されない非係合位置とをとりえるように構成された第1の回転部材及び第2の回転部材
をさらに有し、
前記移動部は、前記駆動力遮断位置において、前記係合位置に位置する前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材の少なくともいずれかに対して、前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材との間の係合が解除される力を付与することで、前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材を離間させる
請求項67~76のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材が前記係合位置に位置するように、前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材の少なくともいずれかを付勢する付勢手段をさらに有し、
前記駆動力遮断位置において前記移動部が前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材の少なくともいずれかに付与する力は、前記付勢手段の付勢力に抗するように作用することを特徴する請求項77に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記駆動力遮断位置は、前記移動部が前記係合位置にある前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材の間に前記付勢手段の付勢力に抗して差し込まれることで、前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材を前記非係合位置に位置させる位置であり、
前記駆動力伝達位置は、前記移動部が前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材の間から退いて、前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材を前記係合位置に位置させる位置であり、
前記移動部は、前記付勢手段の付勢力によって前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材の間で挟持された状態となることで、前記駆動力遮断位置に保持される
請求項78に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第2の回転部材は、前記第1の回転部材と前記回転軸回りに係合することで、前記第1の回転部材から前記駆動力を受けるとともに、前記回転軸の方向に前記第1の回転部材と係合する係合位置と係合しない非係合位置とに移動可能に構成されており、
前記付勢手段は、前記第2の回転部材を前記係合位置に位置させるように付勢し、
前記保持部は、前記第1の回転部材と前記第2の回転部材である請求項78又は79に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記駆動力遮断位置にある前記移動部に対して、前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置に位置させる方向に作用する分力を含む付勢力を付与する第2の付勢手段をさらに有する請求項78~80のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記第2の付勢手段は、前記駆動力伝達位置にある前記移動部に対して、前記移動部を前記駆動力伝達位置に位置させる方向に作用する分力を含む付勢力を付与する請求項81に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記保持部は、前記第2の付勢手段を含む請求項81又は82に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記駆動力伝達位置から前記駆動力遮断位置に移動する前記移動部に対し、前記駆動力伝達位置から所定の位置に至るまでは前記移動部を前記駆動力伝達位置に位置させるように作用する付勢力を付与し、前記所定の位置を越えると前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置に位置させるように作用する付勢力を付与する第3の付勢手段をさらに有する請求項78~80のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記第3の付勢手段は、一端がカートリッジの枠体に固定され、他端が前記移動部に固定されたトグルバネである請求項84に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記保持部は、前記第3の付勢手段を含む請求項84又は85に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達経路に設けられるクラッチであって、
前記伝達経路の上流側から前記駆動力を受けて回転する入力部材と、
前記入力部材から前記駆動力を受けて前記入力部材と同軸で回転する出力部材と、
前記入力部材及び前記出力部材に対する相対回転が規制され、前記入力部材と前記出力部材と共に回転することで、前記入力部材から前記出力部材へ駆動力を伝達する伝達状態と、前記相対回転を許容し、前記入力部材から前記出力部材へ駆動力を伝達しない非伝達状態と、をとりえる伝達部材と、
前記伝達部材の前記伝達状態と前記非伝達状態を切り替えるための制御部材と、
を含むクラッチをさらに有し、
前記移動部は、前記駆動力遮断位置において、前記伝達部材を前記伝達状態にするように前記制御部材に対して作用することで、前記入力部材から前記出力部材への前記駆動力の伝達を遮断する請求項77に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記伝達部材は、前記伝達状態において、前記入力部材と接触し前記入力部材との間の摩擦により前記相対回転が規制されることで前記入力部材と一体となって回転し、
前記制御部材は、前記入力部材と前記伝達部材との接触具合を制御することで前記相対回転を制御するものであり、
前記移動部は、前記駆動力遮断位置において、前記入力部材と前記伝達部材との間の摩擦力を低下させるように前記制御部材に対して作用することで、前記入力部材から前記出力部材への前記駆動力の伝達を遮断する請求項87に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記クラッチは、バネクラッチであり、
前記伝達部材は、前記入力部材の外周に巻き付けられるバネであり、
前記制御部材は、前記バネの一端と係合し、
前記クラッチは、前記入力部材と前記バネと前記出力部材と前記制御部材とが一体となって回転することで前記駆動力を伝達し、前記移動部が前記駆動力遮断位置において前記制御部材の回転を規制して前記入力部材に対する前記バネの締め付けを緩ませることで、前記入力部材から前記出力部材への前記駆動力の伝達が遮断される請求項88に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記制御部材は、被係合部を有し、
前記移動部は、前記制御部材の回転軸線と平行な回転軸線を有し、該回転軸線回りの移動によって、前記被係合部に係合する係合位置と、前記被係合部に係合しない非係合位置と、をとることが可能である請求項89に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記制御部材の回転方向と、前記移動部の前記非係合位置から前記係合位置への移動方向と、は互いに逆方向であり、
前記被係合部は、
前記係合位置にある前記移動部に対して、前記制御部材の回転方向に対向して、前記移動部と係合する第1の被係合部と、
前記係合位置にある前記移動部に対して、前記移動部の前記非係合位置から前記係合位置への移動方向とは逆方向に対向して、前記移動部に係合と係合する第2の被係合部と、
を含む請求項90に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第2の被係合部は、前記制御部材の外周面であり、
前記第1の被係合部は、前記外周面から突出した爪形状部である請求項91に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記制御部材の回転軸線又は前記移動部の回転軸線の方向に沿って見たときに、
前記制御部材の回転中心と前記移動部の回転中心とを結ぶ仮想線に垂直な仮想線であって、前記制御部材の回転中心を通る第1の仮想線と、前記移動部の回転中心を通る第2の仮想線と、で挟まれる領域において、
前記第1の被係合部の移動軌跡と、前記移動部の移動軌跡とが、交差する請求項91又は92に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記保持部は、前記第1の被係合部と前記第2の被係合部である請求項91~93のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記移動部の前記係合位置から前記非係合位置へ向かう移動を規制する規制部をさらに有する請求項90~94のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記係合位置にある前記移動部に対して、前記移動部を前記係合位置に位置させる方向に作用する分力を含む付勢力を付与する第2の付勢手段をさらに有する請求項90~94のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記第2の付勢手段は、前記非係合位置にある前記移動部に対して、前記移動部を前記非係合位置に位置させる方向に作用する分力を含む付勢力を付与する請求項96に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記保持部は、前記第2の付勢手段を含む請求項96又は97に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記非係合位置から前記係合位置に移動する前記移動部に対し、前記非係合位置から所定の位置に至るまでは前記移動部を前記非係合位置に位置させるように作用する付勢力を付与し、前記所定の位置を越えると前記移動部を前記係合位置に位置させるように作用する付勢力を付与する第3の付勢手段をさらに有する請求項87~94のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記第3の付勢手段は、一端がカートリッジの枠体に固定され、他端が前記移動部に固定されたトグルバネである請求項99に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記保持部は、前記第3の付勢手段を含む請求項99又は100に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達経路において互いに噛み合う第1のギア及び第2のギアをさらに有し、
前記移動部は、前記第1のギアと前記第2のギアのうちの一方のギアを支持し、前記駆動力伝達位置において前記一方のギアを前記第1のギアと前記第2のギアのうちの他方のギアと噛み合う噛合位置に位置させ、前記駆動力遮断位置において前記一方のギアを前記他方のギアと噛み合わない非噛合位置に位置させる請求項67~76のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記伝達経路において前記第1のギアと前記第2のギアのうちの前記他方のギアと噛み合う第3のギアと、
前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置に位置させるように作用する付勢力を付与する第4の付勢手段と、
をさらに有し、
前記第4の付勢手段の前記付勢力によって発生する、前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置に位置させるように作用するモーメントM3は、
前記移動部が前記駆動力遮断位置にあるときに、前記他方のギアと前記第3のギアとの噛み合いによって発生する、前記移動部を前記駆動力伝達位置に位置させるように作用するモーメントM1より大きく、
前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置にあるときに、前記モーメントM1と、前記第1のギアと前記第2のギアとの噛み合いによって発生する、前記移動部を前記駆動力伝達位置に位置させるように作用するモーメントM2と、を合わせたモーメントよりも小さい請求項102に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第4の付勢手段は、一端がカートリッジの枠体に固定され、他端が前記移動部に固定された引っ張りバネである請求項103に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記保持部は、前記移動部が前記駆動力遮断位置にあるときに互いに噛み合う前記第1のギアと前記第2のギアである請求項103又は104に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記現像部材の回転軸線M2の方向に沿って見たときに、
前記力受け部は、前記回転軸線M1と前記回転軸線M2とを結ぶ仮想線N2と交わる方向に移動可能に構成されている請求項67~95、102~105のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記力受け部の少なくとも一部は、前記仮想線N2を境に分けられた領域のうち、前記カップリング部材の回転軸線Kが含まれない領域に含まれる請求項106に記載のカートリッジ。
- 感光体をさらに有し、
前記力受け部の少なくとも一部は、前記仮想線N2と直交し前記感光体と前記現像部材との間を通る仮想線N3を境に分けられた領域のうち、前記回転軸線M1が含まれない領域に含まれる請求項106に記載のカートリッジ。 - 感光体と、
前記感光体を帯電する帯電部材をさらに有し、
前記感光体の回転軸線M1又は前記現像部材の回転軸線M2の方向に沿って見たときに、
前記力受け部は、前記回転軸線M1と前記帯電部材の回転軸線M5とを結ぶ仮想線N10と交わる方向に移動可能に構成されている請求項67~95、102~105のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記力受け部の少なくとも一部は、前記仮想線N10の前記感光体の表面との交点のうち前記回転軸線M5から遠い方の交点MX1を通る前記感光体の表面の接線N11を境に分けられた領域のうち、前記回転軸線M1、前記回転軸線M2、前記回転軸線M5が含まれない領域に含まれる請求項109に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記移動部と前記力受け部は、一体に構成されている請求項106~110のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記移動部と前記力受け部は、互いに連結されており、前記移動部に対して前記力受け部が移動することができる第1の状態と、互いに一体となって移動することができる第2の状態と、をとりえるように構成されている請求項106~110のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記移動部と前記力受け部とを連結する連結部は、弾性を有し、
前記連結部は、前記第1の状態において弾性変形が許容され、前記第2の状態において弾性変形が規制される請求項112に記載のカートリッジ。 - 感光体と、前記感光体を支持する第1の枠体と、を有する第1のユニットと、
前記現像部材と、前記現像部材と前記カップリング部材を支持する第2の枠体と、を有する第2のユニットと、
をさらに有し、
前記感光体の回転軸線M1又は前記現像部材の回転軸線M2の方向に沿って見たときに、
前記第1のユニットと前記第2のユニットは、前記回転軸線M1と前記回転軸線M2とを結ぶ仮想線N2と交わる方向に互いに相対移動可能に構成されている請求項67~95、102~105のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記移動部は、前記第2のユニットに設けられている請求項114に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記力受け部は、前記現像部材の回転軸線の方向に移動可能に構成されている請求項67~95、102~105のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記力受け部は、前記現像部材の回転軸線と直交する軸に平行な軸回りに揺動可能に構成されている請求項116に記載のカートリッジ。
- 第1本体力付与部と第2本体力付与部を有する画像形成装置本体と共に使用可能なカートリッジであって、
感光体を覆うことが可能な遮蔽部を備え、前記遮蔽部が前記感光体を覆う第1位置と前記第1位置よりも前記遮蔽部が前記感光体を露出させた第2位置との間を移動可能な遮蔽部材と、
前記遮蔽部材を前記第2位置から前記第1位置へ移動させる力を前記第1本体力付与部から力を受ける第1力受け部と、
前記遮蔽部材を前記第1位置から前記第2位置へ移動させる力を前記第2本体力付与部から力を受ける第2力受け部と、
を有し、
前記第1力受け部が前記第1本体力付与部から離間し且つ前記第2力受け部が前記第2本体力付与部から離間した状態で前記遮蔽部材を前記第1位置に保持することが可能で、
前記第1力受け部が前記第1本体力付与部から離間し且つ前記第2力受け部が前記第2本体力付与部から離間した状態で前記遮蔽部材を前記第2位置に保持することが可能であるカートリッジ。 - 前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置にある時に、前記遮蔽部材と係合して前記遮蔽部材を前記第1位置で保持する第1係合部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置にある時に、前記遮蔽部材と係合して前記遮蔽部材を前記第2位置で保持する第2係合部と、
前記遮蔽部材と前記第1係合部のいずれか一方に設けられた、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む第1凹部と、
前記遮蔽部材と前記第1係合部のいずれか他方に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第1凸部であって、前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置にある時に前記第1凹部に嵌る第1凸部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置から前記第2位置へ移動する時に、前記第1凸部を前記第1凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第1凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項118に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第1力付与部は、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と前記第1凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記第1凹部と前記第1凸部との間の当接面である請求項119に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記遮蔽部材と前記第2係合部のいずれか一方に設けられた、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む第2凹部と、
前記遮蔽部材と前記第2係合部のいずれか他方に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第2凸部であって、前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置にある時に前記第2凹部に嵌る第2凸部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置から前記第1位置へ移動する時に、前記第2凸部を前記第2凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第2凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項119又は120に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第2力付与部は、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と前記第2凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記第2凹部と前記第2凸部との間の当接面である請求項121に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記遮蔽部材に設けられた、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む第1凹部及び第2凹部と、
前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な凸部であって、前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置にある時に前記第1凹部に嵌り、前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置にある時に前記第2凹部に嵌る凸部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置から前記第2位置へ移動する時に、前記凸部を前記第1凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置から前記第1位置へ移動する時に、前記凸部を前記第2凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項118に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む第1凹部及び第2凹部と、
前記遮蔽部材に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な凸部であって、前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置にある時に前記第1凹部に嵌り、前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置にある時に前記第2凹部に嵌る凸部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置から前記第2位置へ移動する時に、前記凸部を前記第1凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置から前記第1位置へ移動する時に、前記凸部を前記第2凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項118に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第1力付与部は、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と前記凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記第1凹部と前記凸部との間の当接面であり、
前記第2力付与部は、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と前記凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記第2凹部と前記凸部との間の当接面である請求項123又は124に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記遮蔽部材に設けられた、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む凹部と、
前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第1凸部であって、前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置にある時に前記凹部に嵌る第1凸部と、
前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第2凸部であって、前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置にある時に前記凹部に嵌る第2凸部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置から前記第2位置へ移動する時に、前記第1凸部を前記凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第1凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置から前記第1位置へ移動する時に、前記第2凸部を前記凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第2凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項118に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む凹部と、
前記遮蔽部材に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第1凸部であって、前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置にある時に前記凹部に嵌る第1凸部と、
前記遮蔽部材に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第2凸部であって、前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置にある時に前記凹部に嵌る第2凸部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第1位置から前記第2位置へ移動する時に、前記第1凸部を前記凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第1凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
前記遮蔽部材が前記第2位置から前記第1位置へ移動する時に、前記第2凸部を前記凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第2凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項118に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第1力付与部は、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と前記第1凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記凹部と前記第1凸部との間の当接面であり、
前記第2力付与部は、前記遮蔽部材の移動方向と前記第2凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記凹部と前記第2凸部との間の当接面である請求項126又は127に記載のカートリッジ。 - 本体電極部と、第1本体力付与部と、第2本体力付与部と、を有する画像形成装置本体と共に使用可能なカートリッジであって、
現像部材と、
前記現像部材と電気的に接続された電極部であって、前記電極部と前記本体電極部とが電気的に接続した状態で、前記本体電極部と前記現像部材とが電気的に接続された状態となる電極部と、
前記本体電極部と前記現像部材とが電気的に接続されていない状態にするための第1位置と前記本体電極部と前記現像部材とが電気的に接続された状態にするための第2位置との間を移動可能な移動部材と、
前記移動部材を前記第2位置から前記第1位置へ移動させる力を前記第1本体力付与部から力を受ける第1力受け部と、
前記移動部材を前記第1位置から前記第2位置へ移動させる力を前記第2本体力付与部から力を受ける第2力受け部と、
を有し、
前記第1力受け部が前記第1本体力付与部から離間し且つ前記第2力受け部が前記第2本体力付与部から離間した状態で前記移動部材を前記第1位置に保持することが可能で、
前記第1力受け部が前記第1本体力付与部から離間し且つ前記第2力受け部が前記第2本体力付与部から離間した状態で前記移動部材を前記第2位置に保持することが可能であるカートリッジ。 - 前記移動部材が前記第1位置にある時に、前記移動部材と係合して前記移動部材を前記第1位置で保持する第1係合部と、
前記移動部材が前記第2位置にある時に、前記移動部材と係合して前記移動部材を前記第2位置で保持する第2係合部と、
をさらに有する請求項129に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記移動部材に対して、前記移動部材の前記第1位置と前記第2位置との間の移動方向における第1方向に係合する可動部材と、
前記移動部材に対して、前記移動方向における前記第1方向と逆の第2方向に係合して付勢力を付与する付勢部材と、
前記可動部材が前記付勢部材との間で前記移動部材を前記第1位置で保持する第1保持位置にある時に、前記可動部材と係合して前記可動部材を前記第1保持位置で保持する第3係合部と、
前記可動部材が前記付勢部材との間で前記移動部材を前記第2位置で保持する第2保持位置にある時に、前記可動部材と係合して前記可動部材を前記第2保持位置で保持する第4係合部と、
をさらに有する請求項129に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記可動部材と前記第3係合部のいずれか一方に設けられた、前記可動部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む第1凹部と、
前記可動部材と前記第3係合部のいずれか他方に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第1凸部であって、前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置にある時に前記第1凹部に嵌る第1凸部と、
前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置から前記第2保持位置へ移動する時に、前記第1凸部を前記第1凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第1凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項131に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第1力付与部は、前記可動部材の移動方向と前記第1凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記第1凹部と前記第1凸部との間の当接面である請求項132に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記可動部材と前記第4係合部のいずれか一方に設けられた、前記可動部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む第2凹部と、
前記可動部材と前記第4係合部のいずれか他方に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第2凸部であって、前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置にある時に前記第2凹部に嵌る第2凸部と、
前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置から前記第1保持位置へ移動する時に、前記第2凸部を前記第2凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第2凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項131~133のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第2力付与部は、前記可動部材の移動方向と前記第2凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記第2凹部と前記第2凸部との間の当接面である請求項134に記載のカートリッジ。
- 前記可動部材に設けられた、前記可動部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む第1凹部及び第2凹部と、
前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な凸部であって、前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置にある時に前記第1凹部に嵌り、前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置にある時に前記第2凹部に嵌る凸部と、
前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置から前記第2保持位置へ移動する時に、前記凸部を前記第1凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置から前記第1保持位置へ移動する時に、前記凸部を前記第2凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項131に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記可動部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む第1凹部及び第2凹部と、
前記可動部材に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な凸部であって、前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置にある時に前記第1凹部に嵌り、前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置にある時に前記第2凹部に嵌る凸部と、
前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置から前記第2保持位置へ移動する時に、前記凸部を前記第1凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置から前記第1保持位置へ移動する時に、前記凸部を前記第2凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項131に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第1力付与部は、前記可動部材の移動方向と前記凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記第1凹部と前記凸部との間の当接面であり、
前記第2力付与部は、前記可動部材の移動方向と前記凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記第2凹部と前記凸部との間の当接面である請求項136又は137に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記可動部材に設けられた、前記可動部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む凹部と、
前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第1凸部であって、前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置にある時に前記凹部に嵌る第1凸部と、
前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第2凸部であって、前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置にある時に前記凹部に嵌る第2凸部と、
前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置から前記第2保持位置へ移動する時に、前記第1凸部を前記凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第1凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置から前記第1保持位置へ移動する時に、前記第2凸部を前記凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第2凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項131に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記可動部材の移動方向と直交する方向に凹む凹部と、
前記可動部材に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第1凸部であって、前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置にある時に前記凹部に嵌る第1凸部と、
前記可動部材に設けられた、前記移動方向と直交する方向に進退可能な第2凸部であって、前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置にある時に前記凹部に嵌る第2凸部と、
前記可動部材が前記第1保持位置から前記第2保持位置へ移動する時に、前記第1凸部を前記凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第1凸部に付与する第1力付与部と、
前記可動部材が前記第2保持位置から前記第1保持位置へ移動する時に、前記第2凸部を前記凹部から退避する方向に移動させる力を前記第2凸部に付与する第2力付与部と、
をさらに有する請求項131に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記第1力付与部は、前記可動部材の移動方向と前記第1凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記凹部と前記第1凸部との間の当接面であり、
前記第2力付与部は、前記可動部材の移動方向と前記第2凸部の進退方向のそれぞれに対して傾斜した、前記凹部と前記第2凸部との間の当接面である請求項139又は140に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記移動部材は前記電極部を覆うことが可能な電極カバー部を備え、
前記移動部材が前記第1位置にある時、前記電極カバー部は、前記電極部を覆い、前記移動部材が前記第2位置にある時、前記電極カバー部は、前記移動部材が前記第1位置にある時よりも前記電極部を露出させ、前記電極部と前記本体電極部とが電気的に接続することが許容された状態となっている請求項129~141のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。 - 前記移動部材は前記電極部と前記本体電極部の少なくとも一方を他方に対して退避させる退避部を備え、
前記移動部材が前記第1位置にある時、前記退避部は、前記移動部材が前記第2位置にある時よりも前記電極部と前記本体電極部の少なくとも一方を他方に対して退避させ、前記移動部材が前記第2位置にある時、前記電極部と前記本体電極部とが電気的に接続することが許容された状態となっている請求項129~141のいずれか1項に記載のカートリッジ。 - 本体力付与部を有する画像形成装置本体と、
前記画像形成装置本体に対して着脱可能なカートリッジであって、
現像部材と、
前記現像部材を回転駆動するための駆動力を受けることが可能なカップリング部材と、
前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達を許容する駆動力伝達位置と前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達を遮断する駆動力遮断位置との間を移動可能な移動部と、
前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置へ移動することを規制して前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置に保持する保持部と、
前記移動部を前記駆動力伝達位置から前記駆動力遮断位置へ移動させる力を前記本体力付与部から受けることが可能な力受け部と、
を有するカートリッジと、
を備えた画像形成装置において、
前記力受け部が前記本体力付与部から力を受けることで、前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置から前記駆動力遮断位置へ移動した後、前記力受け部から前記本体力付与部が離間した際、前記移動部は前記保持部によって前記駆動力遮断位置で保持されるように構成されている画像形成装置。 - 第1本体位置と第2本体位置との間を移動可能な本体力付与部を有する画像形成装置本体と、
前記画像形成装置本体に対して着脱可能なカートリッジであって
現像部材と、
前記現像部材を回転駆動するための駆動力を受けることが可能なカップリング部材と、
前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達を許容する駆動力伝達位置と前記カップリング部材から前記現像部材への前記駆動力の伝達を遮断する駆動力遮断位置との間を移動可能な移動部と、
前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置へ移動することを規制して前記移動部を前記駆動力遮断位置に保持する保持部と、
前記移動部を前記駆動力伝達位置から前記駆動力遮断位置へ移動させる力を前記第1本体位置から前記第2本体位置へ移動している前記本体力付与部から受けることが可能な力受け部と、
を有するカートリッジと、
を備えた画像形成装置において、
前記力受け部が前記第1本体位置から前記第2本体位置へ移動する前記本体力付与部から力を受けることで、前記移動部が前記駆動力伝達位置から前記駆動力遮断位置へ移動した後、前記本体力付与部が前記第2本体位置から前記第1本体位置へ移動した際、前記移動部は前記保持部によって前記駆動力遮断位置で保持されるように構成されている画像形成装置。 - 第1本体力付与部と第2本体力付与部を有する画像形成装置本体と、
前記画像形成装置本体に対して着脱可能なカートリッジであって、
感光体と、
前記感光体を覆うことが可能な遮蔽部を備え、前記遮蔽部が前記感光体を覆う第1位置と前記第1位置よりも前記遮蔽部が前記感光体を露出させた第2位置との間を移動可能な遮蔽部材と、
前記遮蔽部材を前記第2位置から前記第1位置へ移動させる力を前記第1本体力付与部から力を受ける第1力受け部と、
前記遮蔽部材を前記第1位置から前記第2位置へ移動させる力を前記第2本体力付与部から力を受ける第2力受け部と、
を有するカートリッジと、
を備えた画像形成装置において、
前記第1力受け部が前記第1本体力付与部から離間し且つ前記第2力受け部が前記第2本体力付与部から離間した状態で前記遮蔽部材を前記第1位置に保持することが可能で、
前記第1力受け部が前記第1本体力付与部から離間し且つ前記第2力受け部が前記第2本体力付与部から離間した状態で前記遮蔽部材を前記第2位置に保持することが可能である画像形成装置。 - 本体電極部と、第1本体力付与部と、第2本体力付与部と、を有する画像形成装置本体と、
前記画像形成装置本体に対して着脱可能なカートリッジであって、
現像部材と、
前記現像部材と電気的に接続された電極部であって、前記電極部と前記本体電極部とが電気的に接続した状態で、前記本体電極部と前記現像部材とが電気的に接続された状態となる電極部と、
前記本体電極部と前記現像部材とが電気的に接続されていない状態にするための第1位置と前記本体電極部と前記現像部材とが電気的に接続された状態にするための第2位置との間を移動可能な移動部材と、
前記移動部材を前記第2位置から前記第1位置へ移動させる力を前記第1本体力付与部から力を受ける第1力受け部と、
前記移動部材を前記第1位置から前記第2位置へ移動させる力を前記第2本体力付与部から力を受ける第2力受け部と、
を有するカートリッジと、
を備えた画像形成装置において、
前記第1力受け部が前記第1本体力付与部から離間し且つ前記第2力受け部が前記第2本体力付与部から離間した状態で前記移動部材を前記第1位置に保持することが可能で、
前記第1力受け部が前記第1本体力付与部から離間し且つ前記第2力受け部が前記第2本体力付与部から離間した状態で前記移動部材を前記第2位置に保持することが可能である画像形成装置。
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WO2024037566A1 (zh) * | 2022-08-19 | 2024-02-22 | 珠海纳思达信息技术有限公司 | 一种处理盒 |
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EP4215997A1 (en) | 2023-07-26 |
US20230205128A1 (en) | 2023-06-29 |
AU2021343023A1 (en) | 2023-03-30 |
CN116171408A (zh) | 2023-05-26 |
JP2022050266A (ja) | 2022-03-30 |
AU2021343023A9 (en) | 2024-02-08 |
BR112023004765A2 (pt) | 2023-04-11 |
KR20230069205A (ko) | 2023-05-18 |
TW202215173A (zh) | 2022-04-16 |
MX2023003110A (es) | 2023-04-19 |
CA3192956A1 (en) | 2022-03-24 |
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