# US 11,906,927 B2 · Cartridge, drum unit and image forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,906,927 B2 - Document ID: US11906927B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/988,057 - Filed: 2022-11-16 - Published: 2023-06-08 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2020-09-17 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Toshiki Fujino; Akinobu Hirayama; Teruhiko Sasaki; Tachio Kawai; Daisuke Abe; Masanari Morioka; Takeo Kawanami; Yu Fukasawa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11906927B2 ## CPC - G03G 21/1814: {Details of parts of process cartridge, e.g. for charging, transfer, cleaning, developing (G03G21/1835 takes precedence)} - G03G 15/757: {Drive mechanisms for photosensitive medium, e.g. gears} - G03G 21/186: {Axial couplings} - G03G 21/1825: {Pivotable subunit connection} - G03G 2221/1657: transmitting mechanical drive power - G03G 2221/1869: Cartridge holders, e.g. intermediate frames for placing cartridge parts therein - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract [TASK] To further develop prior art technique. [SOLUTION] A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a coupling. the coupling includes a main body and a movable member movable relative to the main body. The movable member includes an engaging portion which is capable of entering between a driving force application member and a braking force application member by the movement relative to the main body. The movable member receives a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum, from the driving force application member and also receives a braking force applying a load against rotation of the photosensitive drum, from the braking force application member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cartridge comprising: a photosensitive drum; a casing having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the casing rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum; and a coupling positioned adjacent to the first end portion of the casing, the coupling being operatively connected to the photosensitive drum so as to be capable of transmitting a driving force toward the photosensitive drum, wherein the coupling includes: a main body, a movable portion movable relative to the main body of the coupling between a first position and a second position, with the movable portion being closer to the second end portion of the casing in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum when the movable portion is in the second position than when the movable portion is in the first position, and a projection configured to move away from an axis of the coupling and relative to the main body of the coupling in response to movement of the movable portion from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, when the movable portion is in the first position, the movable portion is positioned more remote from the axis of the coupling than the projection is from the axis of the coupling, and wherein, when the movable portion is in the first position, the movable portion is positioned closer to the second end portion of the casing in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum than the projection is to the second end portion of the casing in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member for urging the movable portion toward the first position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the projection is configured to receive the driving force from outside of the cartridge. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, when the movable portion is in the second position, the projection projects outwardly in a radial direction of the coupling. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, when the movable portion is in the first position, the movable portion projects away from the second end portion of the casing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the main body of the coupling has an end surface facing away from the second end portion of the casing, and, when the movable portion is in the first position, at least a part of the movable portion projects beyond the end surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the coupling includes two of the movable portions, the movable portions being provided at diametrically opposite positions with respect to the axis of the coupling. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the coupling includes a movable member having the movable portion and the projection, and the movable member is rotatable relative to the main body of the coupling. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A cartridge according to claim 9, wherein, when the movable portion is in the first position, the movable portion is more remote from the second end portion of the casing in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum than a rotational axis of the movable member is from the second end portion of the casing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A cartridge according to claim 9, wherein, in a rotational movement direction at the time when the coupling is rotated by the driving force received by coupling, at least part of the movable portion is upstream of the projection. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) A cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the main body of the coupling is provided with an opening on the axis of the coupling. ### Claim 13 A drum unit usable for a cartridge, the drum unit comprising: a photosensitive drum having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion; and a coupling positioned adjacent to the first end portion of the casing, the coupling being operatively connected to the photosensitive drum so as to be capable of transmitting a driving force toward the photosensitive drum, wherein the coupling includes: a main body, a movable portion movable relative to the main body of the coupling between a first position and a second position, with the movable portion being closer to the second end portion of the photosensitive drum in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum when the movable portion is in the second position than when the movable portion is in the first position, and a projection configured to move away from an axis of the coupling and relative to the main body of the coupling in response to movement of the movable portion from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A drum unit according to claim 13, wherein, when the movable portion is in the first position, the movable portion is positioned more remote from the axis of the coupling than the projection is from the axis of the coupling, and wherein, when the movable portion is in the first position, the movable portion is positioned closer to the second end portion of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum than the projection is from the second end portion of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A drum unit according to claim 13, further comprising an elastic member for urging the movable portion toward the first position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A drum unit according to claim 13, wherein the projection is configured to receive the driving force from outside of the cartridge. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) A drum unit according to claim 13, wherein, when the movable portion is in the second position, the projection projects outwardly in a radial direction of the coupling. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) A drum unit according to claim 13, wherein, when the movable portion is in the first position, the movable portion projects away from the second end portion of the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) A drum unit according to claim 13, wherein the main body of the coupling has an end surface facing away from the second end portion of the photosensitive drum, and, when the movable portion is in the first position, at least a part of the movable portion projects beyond the end surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) A drum unit according to claim 13, wherein the coupling includes two of the movable portions, the two movable portions being provided diametrically opposite positions with respect to the axis of the coupling. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) A drum unit according to claim 13, wherein the coupling includes a movable member having the movable portion and the projection, and the movable member is rotatable relative to the main body of the coupling. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A drum unit according to claim 21, wherein, when the movable portion is in the first position, the movable portion is more remote from the second end portion of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum than a rotational axis of the movable member is from the second end portion of photosensitive drum. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) A drum unit according to claim 21, wherein, in a rotational movement direction at the time when the coupling is rotated by the driving force received by the coupling, at least part of the movable portion is upstream of the projection. ### Claim 24 (depends on 13) A drum unit according to claim 13, wherein the main body of the coupling is provided with an opening on the axis of the coupling.