# US 11,029,645 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 11,029,645 B2 - Document ID: US11029645B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/679,774 - Filed: 2019-11-11 - Published: 2020-03-05 - 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/US11029645B2 ## 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 cartridge includes a casing and a photosensitive drum rotatably supported by the casing. A coupling member is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, with the coupling member being rotatable about a rotational axis thereof. The coupling member includes (i) a cylindrical portion, (ii) a first projection at least partially positioned inside of the cylindrical portion, (iii) a second projection at least partially positioned inside of the cylindrical portion, and (iv) an aligner at least partially positioned inside of the cylindrical portion, the aligner including a surface that faces the rotational axis. A distance between at least one of the first and second projections and the aligner is changeable. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cartridge comprising: a casing; a photosensitive drum rotatably supported by the casing; and a coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, the coupling member being rotatable about a rotational axis thereof, the coupling member including (i) a cylindrical portion, (ii) a first projection at least partially positioned inside of the cylindrical portion, (iii) a second projection at least partially positioned inside of the cylindrical portion, and (iv) an aligner at least partially positioned inside of the cylindrical portion, the aligner including a surface that faces the rotational axis of the coupling member, wherein a distance between at least one of the first and second projections and the aligner is changeable, wherein, along a line perpendicular to the rotational axis of the coupling member, the first projection is open to the rotational axis of the coupling member, and wherein, along a line perpendicular to the rotational axis of the coupling member, the second projection is open to the rotational axis of the coupling member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, as seen in a direction of the rotational axis of the coupling member, the first projection and second projection are separated by an angle of about 120 degrees. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, as seen in a direction of the rotational axis of the coupling member, (i) the first projection and the second projection are separated by an angle of about 120 degrees, (ii) the first projection and the aligner are separated by an angle of about 120 degrees, and (iii) the second projection and the aligner are separated by an angle of about 120 degrees. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the rotational axis of the coupling member and an end of the first projection is about equal to a distance between the rotational axis of the coupling member and an end of the second projection. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein as seen in a direction of the rotational axis of the coupling member, the first and second projections are positioned in one half section of the inside of the cylindrical portion and the aligner is positioned in a second half section of the inside of the cylindrical portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, along a line perpendicular to the rotational axis of the coupling member, the aligner is open to the rotational axis of the coupling member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first projection and the second projection are positioned at least partially inside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member includes (i) a first extending portion extending from an inside surface of the cylindrical portion, with the first projection projecting from the first extending portion, and (ii) a second extending portion extending from an inside surface of the cylindrical portion, with the second projection projecting from the second extending portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the first extending portion is movable relative to the cylindrical portion, and the second extending portion is movable relative to the cylindrical portion. ### Claim 10 A process cartridge comprising: a casing; a photosensitive drum rotatably supported by the casing; and toner contained in the casing; a developing roller configured to develop a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum with the toner; a coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, the coupling member being rotatable about a rotational axis thereof, the coupling member including (i) a cylindrical portion, (ii) a first projection at least partially positioned inside of the cylindrical portion, (iii) a second projection at least partially positioned inside of the cylindrical portion, and (iv) an aligner at least partially positioned inside of the cylindrical portion, the aligner including a surface that faces the rotational axis of the coupling member, wherein a distance between at least one of the first and second projections and the aligner is changeable, wherein, along a line perpendicular to the rotational axis of the coupling member, the first projection is open to the rotational axis of the coupling member, and wherein, along a line perpendicular to the rotational axis of the coupling member, the second projection is open to the rotational axis of the coupling member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein, as seen in a direction of the rotational axis of the coupling member, the first projection and second projection are separated by an angle of about 120 degrees. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein, as seen in a direction of the rotational axis of the coupling member, (i) the first projection and the second projection are separated by an angle of about 120 degrees, (ii) the first projection and the aligner are separated by an angle of about 120 degrees, and (iii) the second projection and the aligner are separated by an angle of about 120 degrees. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) A process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein a distance between the rotational axis of the coupling member and an end of the first projection is about equal to a distance between the rotational axis of the coupling member and an end of the second projection. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) A process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein as seen in a direction of the rotational axis of the coupling member, the first and second projections are positioned in one half section of the inside of the cylindrical portion and the aligner is positioned in a second half section of the inside of the cylindrical portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) A process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein, along a line perpendicular to the rotational axis of the coupling member, the aligner is open to the rotational axis of the coupling member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) A process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the first projection and the second projection are positioned at least partially inside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) A process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the coupling member includes (i) a first extending portion extending from an inside surface of the cylindrical portion, with the first projection projecting from the first extending portion, and (ii) a second extending portion extending from an inside surface of the cylindrical portion, with the second projection projecting from the second extending portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A process cartridge according to claim 17, wherein the first extending portion is movable relative to the cylindrical portion, and the second extending portion is movable relative to the cylindrical portion. ### Claim 19 A drum unit for a cartridge, the drum unit comprising: a photosensitive drum; and a coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, the coupling member being rotatable about a rotational axis thereof, the coupling member including (i) a cylindrical portion, (ii) a first projection at least partially positioned inside of the cylindrical portion, (iii) a second projection at least partially positioned inside of the cylindrical portion, and (iv) an aligner at least partially positioned inside of the cylindrical portion, the aligner including a surface that faces the rotational axis of the coupling member, wherein a distance between at least one of the first and second projections and the aligner is changeable, wherein, along a line perpendicular to the rotational axis of the coupling member, the first projection is open to the rotational axis of the coupling member, and wherein, along a line perpendicular to the rotational axis of the coupling member, the second projection is open to the rotational axis of the coupling member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A drum unit according to claim 19, wherein, as seen in a direction of the rotational axis of the coupling member, the first projection and second projection are separated by an angle of about 120 degrees. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) A drum unit according to claim 19, wherein, as seen in a direction of the rotational axis of the coupling member, (i) the first projection and the second projection are separated by an angle of about 120 degrees, (ii) the first projection and the aligner are separated by an angle of about 120 degrees, and (iii) the second projection and the aligner are separated by an angle of about 120 degrees. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) A drum unit according to claim 19, wherein a distance between the rotational axis of the coupling member and an end of the first projection is about equal to a distance between the rotational axis of the coupling member and an end of the second projection. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) A drum unit according to claim 19, wherein as seen in a direction of the rotational axis of the coupling member, the first and second projections are positioned in one half section of the inside of the cylindrical portion and the aligner is positioned in a second half section of the inside of the cylindrical portion. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) A drum unit according to claim 19, wherein along a line perpendicular to the rotational axis of the coupling member, the aligner is open to the rotational axis of the coupling member. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) A drum unit according to claim 19, wherein the first projection and the second projection are positioned at least partially inside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) A drum unit according to claim 19, wherein the coupling member includes (i) a first extending portion extending from an inside surface of the cylindrical portion, with the first projection projecting from the first extending portion, and (ii) a second extending portion extending from an inside surface of the cylindrical portion, with the second projection projecting from the second extending portion. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) A drum unit according to claim 26, wherein the first extending portion is movable relative to the cylindrical portion, and the second extending portion is movable relative to the cylindrical portion.