# US 11,029,644 B2 · Drum unit, cartridge and coupling member > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,029,644 B2 - Document ID: US11029644B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/594,478 - Filed: 2019-10-07 - Published: 2020-01-30 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-27 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Tetsuo Uesugi; Makoto Hayashida; Koji Yamaguchi; Takashi Yano - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11029644B2 ## CPC - G03G 21/1853: {the process cartridge being mounted perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive member} - G03G 15/00: Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern (G03G16/00, G03G17/00 take precedence) - G03G 15/08: using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer - G03G 15/757: {Drive mechanisms for photosensitive medium, e.g. gears} - G03G 21/16: Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements - G03G 21/18: using a processing cartridge {, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit} - G03G 21/186: {Axial couplings} - G03G 21/1857: {for transmitting mechanical drive power to the process cartridge, drive mechanisms, gears, couplings, braking mechanisms} - G03G 21/1821: {means for connecting the different parts of the process cartridge, e.g. attachment, positioning of parts with each other, pressure/distance regulation (G03G21/1825 takes precedence)} - G03G 21/1842: {for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks (G03G21/1864 and G03G21/1871 take precedence)} - G03G 2215/0132: vertical medium transport path at the secondary transfer - G03G 2221/1657: transmitting mechanical drive power - Y10T 403/60: Biased catch or latch - Y10T 403/606: Leaf spring - Y10T 403/7026: Longitudinally splined or fluted rod - Y10T 403/7033: including a lock or retainer - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A drum unit for a cartridge includes a cylindrical photosensitive drum having an axis L1, and a coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum. The coupling member includes a drum flange provided at an end of the photosensitive drum with a part of the drum flange being positioned inside of the photosensitive drum. The drum unit also includes a connecting part operatively connected to the drum flange, with the connecting part including a cap positioned adjacent to the drum flange, an arm portion extending from the cap in a direction of the axis L1, and a projection projecting from the arm portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis L1. The arm and the projection are movable relative to the drum flange and the cap. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A drum unit for a cartridge, the drum unit comprising: a cylindrical photosensitive drum having an axis L1; and a coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, the coupling member including: (i) a drum flange provided at an end of the photosensitive drum, a part of the drum flange being positioned inside of the photosensitive drum, and (ii) a connecting part operatively connected to the drum flange, the connecting part including: (ii-i) a cap positioned adjacent to the drum flange, (ii-ii) an arm portion extending from the cap in a direction of the axis L1, and (ii-iii) a projection projecting from the arm portion in a direction perpendicular to and toward the axis L1 such that at least a part of the projection is closer to the axis L1 than the arm portion is to the axis L1, with at least a part of a surface of the projection facing the axis L1, wherein the arm and the projection are movable relative to the drum flange and the cap. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A drum unit according to claim 1, wherein the projection is movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein an end of the projection is closer to the axis L1 when the projection is in the first position than when the projection is in the second position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A drum unit according to claim 2, wherein the projection is biased towards the first position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A drum unit according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member includes a plurality of arm portions extending from the cap in the direction of the axis L1, with a projection projecting from each of the arm portions in the direction perpendicular to the axis L1. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A drum unit according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the projection is positioned inside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A drum unit according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member is positioned adjacent to an end of the photosensitive drum, and wherein an open space is formed in the coupling member between an inner surface of the drum flange and the axis L1. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A drum unit according to claim 1, wherein the drum flange includes a back-up portion configured to prevent movement of the projection relative to the drum flange. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A drum unit according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive drum includes a first end, with the drum flange being provided adjacent to the first end, and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the coupling member includes a recess, with the recess (i) extending about the axis L1, (ii) being positioned closer to the second end of the photosensitive drum than the projection is to the second end of the photosensitive drum, and (iii) being positioned such that a surface adjacent to the recess faces the projection. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A drum unit according to claim 1, wherein the drum flange is capable of transmitting a driving force from the connecting part toward the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A drum unit according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive drum has a first end, with the drum flange being provided adjacent to the first end, and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein a part of the projection is inclined relative to the axis L1, and, as measured in a direction perpendicular to the axis L1, a distance between the inclined part of the projection and the axis L1 increases as the distance in the direction of the axis L1 to the second end of the photosensitive drum decreases. ### Claim 11 A cartridge comprising: a casing; a cylindrical photosensitive drum having an axis L1, the photosensitive drum being rotatably supported by the casing; and a coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, the coupling member including: (i) a drum flange provided at an end of the photosensitive drum, a part of the drum flange being positioned inside of the photosensitive drum, and (ii) a connecting part operatively connected to the drum flange, the connecting part including: (ii-i) a cap positioned adjacent to the drum flange, (ii-ii) an arm portion extending from the cap in a direction of the axis L1, and (ii-iii) a projection projecting from the arm portion in a direction perpendicular to and toward the axis L1 such that at least a part of the projection is closer to the axis L1 than the arm portion is to the axis L1, with at least a part of a surface of the projection facing the axis L1, wherein the arm and the projection are movable relative to the drum flange and the cap. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the projection is movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein an end of the projection is closer to the axis L1 when the projection is in the first position than when the projection is in the second position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the projection is biased towards the first position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the coupling member includes a plurality of the arm portions extending from the cap in the direction of the axis L1, with a projection projecting from each of the arm portions in the direction perpendicular to the axis L1. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A cartridge according to claim 11, wherein at least a part of the projection is positioned inside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) A cartridge according to claim 11, wherein an open space is formed in the coupling member between an inner surface of the drum flange and the axis L1. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) A cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the drum flange includes a back-up portion configured to prevent movement of the projection relative to the drum flange. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) A cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the photosensitive drum has a first end, with the drum flange being provided adjacent to the first end, and a second end opposite to the first end, and wherein the coupling member includes a recess (i) extending about the axis L1, (ii) being positioned closer to the second end of the photosensitive drum than the projection is to the second end of the photosensitive drum, and (iii) being positioned such that a surface adjacent to the recess faces the projection. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) A cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the drum flange is capable of transmitting a driving force from the connecting part toward the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) A cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the photosensitive drum has a first end, with the drum flange being provided adjacent to the first end, and second end opposite to the first end, and wherein a part of the projection is inclined relative to the axis L1, and, as measured in a direction perpendicular to the axis L1, a distance between the inclined part of the projection and the axis L1 increases as the distance in the direction of the axis L1 to the second end of the photosensitive drum decreases. ### Claim 21 A process cartridge comprising: a casing; toner contained in the casing; a cylindrical photosensitive drum having an axis L1, the photosensitive drum being rotatably supported by the casing; a developing roller configured to develop a latent image formed on a surface the photosensitive drum with the toner; and a coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, the coupling member including: (i) a drum flange provided at an end of the photosensitive drum, a part of the drum flange being positioned inside of the photosensitive drum, and (ii) a connecting part operatively connected to the drum flange, the connecting part including: (ii-i) a cap positioned adjacent to the drum flange, (ii-ii) an arm portion extending from the cap in a direction of the axis L1, and (ii-iii) a projection projecting from the arm portion in a direction perpendicular to and toward the axis L1 such that at least a part of the projection is closer to the axis L1 than the arm portion is to the axis L1, with at least a part of a surface of the projection facing the axis L1 wherein the arm and the projection are movable relative to the drum flange and the cap. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A process cartridge according to claim 21, wherein the projection is movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein an end of the projection is closer to the axis L1 when the projection is in the first position than when the projection is in the second position. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A process cartridge according to claim 22, wherein the projection is biased towards the first position. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) A process cartridge according to claim 21, wherein the coupling member includes a plurality of arm portions extending from the cap in the direction of the axis L1, with a projection projecting from each of the arm portions in the direction perpendicular to the axis L1. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) A process cartridge according to claim 21, wherein at least a part of the projection is positioned inside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) A process cartridge according to claim 21, wherein an open space is formed in the coupling member between an inner surface of the drum flange and the axis L1. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) A process cartridge according to claim 21, wherein the drum flange includes a back-up portion configured to prevent movement of the projection relative to the drum flange. ### Claim 28 (depends on 21) A process cartridge according to claim 21, wherein the photosensitive drum has a first end, with the drum flange being provided adjacent to the first end, and second end opposite to the end, and wherein the coupling member includes a recess (i) extending about the axis L1, (ii) being positioned closer to the second end of the photosensitive drum than the projection is to the second end of the photosensitive drum, and (iii) being positioned such that a surface adjacent to the recess faces the projection. ### Claim 29 (depends on 21) A process cartridge according to claim 21, wherein the drum flange is capable of transmitting a driving force from the connecting part toward the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 30 (depends on 21) A process cartridge according to claim 21, wherein the photosensitive drum has a first end, with the drum flange being provided adjacent to the first end, and second end opposite to the end, and wherein a part of the projection is inclined relative to the axis L1, and, as measured in a direction perpendicular to the axis L1, a distance between the inclined part of the projection and the axis L1 increases as the distance in the direction of the axis L1 to the second end of the photosensitive drum decreases.