# US 11,442,404 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 11,442,404 B2 - Document ID: US11442404B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/594,340 - Filed: 2019-10-07 - Published: 2020-01-30 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - 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/US11442404B2 ## 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 15/0872: {the developer cartridges being generally horizontally mounted parallel to its longitudinal rotational axis} - 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 21/1857: {for transmitting mechanical drive power to the process cartridge, drive mechanisms, gears, couplings, braking mechanisms} - G03G 21/186: {Axial couplings} - G03G 15/0808: {characterised by the developer supplying means, e.g. structure of developer supply roller} - G03G 21/1671: {for the photosensitive element} - 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 2215/1647: Cleaning of transfer member - 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 photosensitive drum and a coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, with the coupling member including an arm portion and a projection projecting from the arm portion. The arm portion of the coupling member extends from a point that is upstream in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum towards a point that is downstream in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cartridge comprising: a casing; a photosensitive drum rotatably supported by the casing about a rotational axis of the photosensitive drum; a coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, the coupling member including an arm portion and a projection projecting from the arm portion; a cleaning blade configured to remove toner from a surface of the photosensitive drum; and a charging roller configured to charge the photosensitive drum, wherein the photosensitive drum is rotatable such that a part of the surface of the photosensitive drum moves from an upstream position where the part of the photosensitive drum is exposed to outside of the casing to a downstream position where the part of surface of the photosensitive drum is adjacent to the charging roller via an intermediate position where the part of the surface of the photosensitive drum is adjacent to the cleaning blade, and wherein the arm portion of the coupling member extends (i) from a point that is upstream in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum towards a point that is downstream in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum, and (ii) such that an end of the arm portion that is downstream in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum is closer to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum than an end of the arm portion that is upstream in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the projection projects from the arm portion to an end of the projection such that the end of the projection is closer to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum than the arm portion is to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the arm portion is movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein the projection is closer to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum when the arm portion is in the first position than when the arm portion is in the second position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the arm portion is biased towards the first position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member includes a plurality of arm portions, with a projection projecting from each of the arm portions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the coupling member includes a cylindrical portion, and wherein a part of the cylindrical portion is positioned outside of the photosensitive drum, and a part of the cylindrical portion is positioned inside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the arm is positioned inside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the projection is positioned inside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the projection is projected from the arm portion such that an end of the projection is closer to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum than the arm portion is to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein an open space is formed in the coupling member between the arm portion and a rotational axis of the coupling member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member includes a cylindrical portion, a part of the cylindrical portion being positioned inside of the photosensitive drum, and a part of the cylindrical portion being positioned outside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive member includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and the coupling member is positioned adjacent to the first end of the photosensitive drum, and wherein the coupling member includes a recess, with the recess (i) being extending about a rotational axis of the coupling member, (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 13 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the arm portion extends from an inner surface of the coupling member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the arm portion is capable of transmitting a driving force from the projection to the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive drum has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and the coupling member is provided adjacent to the first end of the photosensitive drum, and wherein a part of the projection is inclined relative to a rotational axis of the coupling member, and, as measured in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the coupling member, a distance between the inclined part of the projection and the rotational axis of the coupling member increases as the distance in the direction of the rotational axis of the coupling member to the second end of the photosensitive drum decreases. ### Claim 16 A process cartridge comprising: a casing; toner contained in the casing; a photosensitive drum rotatably supported by the casing about a rotational axis of the photosensitive drum; a coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, the coupling member including an arm portion and a projection projecting from the arm portion; a developing roller configured to develop a latent image formed on a surface of the photosensitive drum with the toner; a cleaning blade configured to remove toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum; and a charging roller configured to charge the photosensitive drum, wherein the photosensitive drum is rotatable such that a part of the surface of the photosensitive drum moves from an upstream position where the part of the surface of the photosensitive drum is exposed to outside of the casing to a downstream position where the part of surface of the photosensitive drum is adjacent to the charging roller via an intermediate position where the part of the surface of the photosensitive drum is adjacent to the cleaning blade, and wherein the arm portion of the coupling member extends (i) from a point that is upstream in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum towards a point that is downstream in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum, and (ii) such that an end of the arm portion that is downstream in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum is closer to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum than an end of the arm portion that is upstream in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the projection projects from the arm portion to an end of the projection such that the end of the projection is closer to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum than the arm portion is to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) A process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the arm portion is movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein the projection is closer to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum when the arm portion is in the first position than when the arm portion is in the second position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A process cartridge according to claim 18, wherein the arm portion is biased towards the first position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) A process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the coupling member includes a plurality of arm portions, with a projection being projected from each of the arm portions. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) A process cartridge according to claim 20, wherein the coupling member includes a cylindrical portion, a part of the cylindrical portion being positioned outside of the photosensitive drum, and a part of the cylindrical portion being positioned inside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) A process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein at least a part of the arm portion is positioned inside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) A process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein at least a part of the projection is positioned inside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A process cartridge according to claim 23, wherein the projection is projected from the arm portion such that an end of the projection is closer to a rotational axis of the coupling member than the arm portion is to the rotational axis of the coupling member. ### Claim 25 (depends on 16) A process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein an open space is formed in the coupling member between the arm portion and a rotational axis of the coupling member. ### Claim 26 (depends on 16) A process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the coupling member includes a cylindrical portion, a part of the cylindrical portion being positioned inside of the photosensitive drum, and a part of the cylindrical portion being positioned outside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 27 (depends on 16) A process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the photosensitive drum has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and the coupling member is positioned adjacent to the first end of the photosensitive drum, and wherein the coupling member includes a recess, with the recess (i) extending about a rotational axis of the coupling member, (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 28 (depends on 16) A process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the arm portion is connected to an inner surface of the coupling member. ### Claim 29 (depends on 16) A process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the arm portion is capable of transmitting a driving force from the projection to the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 30 (depends on 16) A process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the photosensitive drum has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and the coupling member is provided adjacent to the first end of the photosensitive drum, and wherein a part of the projection is inclined relative to a rotational axis of the coupling member, and, as measured in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the coupling member, a distance between the inclined part of the projection and the rotational axis of the coupling member increases as the distance in the direction of the rotational axis of the coupling member to the second end of the photosensitive drum decreases.