# US 11,442,405 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 11,442,405 B2 - Document ID: US11442405B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/594,506 - 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/US11442405B2 ## 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 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 first member having a cylindrical portion, a part of the first member being positioned inside of the photosensitive drum and a part of the first member being positioned outside of the photosensitive drum. The coupling member also includes a second member operatively connected to first member, the second member including a plurality of arm portions that are movable relative to the first member, with at least a part of each of the arm portions being positioned inside of the photosensitive drum and inside of the first member. ## 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: a first member including a cylindrical portion, a part of the first member being positioned inside of the photosensitive drum and a part of the first member being positioned outside of the photosensitive drum, and a second member operatively connected to first member, the second member including (i) a plurality of arm portions that are movable relative to the first member, and (ii) a projection projecting from each of the arm portions in a direction perpendicular to and toward the axis L1 such that at least a part of each projection is closer to the axis L1 than each of the arm portions is to the axis L1, with at least a part of a surface of each of projection facing the axis L1, and with at least a part of each of the arm portions being positioned inside of the photosensitive drum and inside of the first member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A drum unit according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of each of the projections is positioned inside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A drum unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the arm portions is movable between a first position and a second position, and each of the projections is closer to the axis L1 when the each of the arm portions is in the first position than when the each of the arm portions is the second position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A drum unit according to claim 3, wherein each of the arm portions is biased towards the first position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A drum unit according to claim 1, wherein the first member includes back-up portions configured to prevent movement of the projections relative to the first member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A drum unit according to claim 1, wherein an open space is formed in the coupling member between the axis L1 and each of the projections. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A drum unit according to claim 1, wherein the first member is capable of transmitting a driving force from the second member toward the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A drum unit according to claim 1, wherein a 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, the recess (i) extending about the axis L1 (ii) being positioned closer to the second end of the photosensitive drum than each of the arm portions 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 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: a first member including a cylindrical portion, a part of the first member being positioned inside of the photosensitive drum and a part first member being positioned outside of the photosensitive drum, and a second member operatively connected to first member, the second member including (i) a plurality of arm portions that are movable relative to the first member, and (ii) a projection projecting from each of the arm portions in a direction perpendicular to and toward the axis L1 such that at least a part of each projection is closer to the axis L1 than each of the arm portions is to the axis L1, with at least a part of a surface of each projection facing the axis L1, and with at least a part of each of the arm portions being positioned inside of the photosensitive drum and inside of the first member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A cartridge according to claim 9, wherein at least a part of each of the projections is positioned inside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A cartridge according to claim 9, wherein each of arm portions is movable between a first position and a second position, and each of the projections is closer to the axis L1 when each of the arm portions is in the first position than when each of the arm portions is the second position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A cartridge according to claim 11, wherein each of the arm portions is biased towards the first position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) A cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the first member includes back-up portions configured to prevent movement of the projections relative to the first member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) A cartridge according to claim 9, wherein an open space is formed in the coupling member between the axis L1 and each of the projections. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) A cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the first member is capable of transmitting a driving force from the second member toward the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) A cartridge according to claim 9, 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 coupling member, and 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 each of the arm portions 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 17 A process cartridge comprising: casing: toner contained in the casing; a cylindrical photosensitive drum having an axis L1; a developing roller configured to develop a latent image on a surface of the photosensitive drum with the toner; and a coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, the coupling member including: a first member including a cylindrical portion, a part of the first member being positioned inside of the photosensitive drum and a part first member being positioned outside of the photosensitive drum, and a second member operatively connected to first member, the second member including (i) a plurality of arm portions that are movable relative to the first member, and (ii) a projection projecting from each of the arm portions in a direction perpendicular to and toward the axis L1 such that at least a part of each projection is closer to the axis L1 than each of the arm portions is to the axis L1, with at least a part of a surface of each projection facing the axis L1, and with at least a part of each of the arm portions being positioned inside of the photosensitive drum and inside of the first member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A process cartridge according to claim 17, wherein at least a part of each of the projections is positioned inside of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) A process cartridge according to claim 17, wherein each of arm portions is movable between a first position and a second position, and each of the projections is closer to the axis L1 when the each of the arm portions is in the first position than when the each of the arm portions is the second position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A process cartridge according to claim 19, wherein each of the arm portions is biased towards the first position. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) A process cartridge according to claim 17, wherein the first member includes back-up portions configured to prevent movement of the projections relative to the first member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) A process cartridge according to claim 17, wherein an open space is formed in the coupling member between the axis L1 and each of the projections. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) A process cartridge according to claim 17, wherein the first member is capable of transmitting a driving force from the second member toward the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) A process cartridge according to claim 17, 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, 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.