# US 12,007,714 B2 · Image forming apparatus including coupling member selectively coupled to photosensitive drum > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,007,714 B2 - Document ID: US12007714B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/752,219 - Filed: 2022-05-24 - Published: 2022-09-08 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2008-10-31 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Yasushi Okabe; Junichi Hashimoto - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12007714B2 ## CPC - G03G 21/1853: {the process cartridge being mounted perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive member} - G03G 15/0194: {primary transfer to the final recording medium (G03G15/0184 takes precedence)} - G03G 15/5008: {Driving control for rotary photosensitive medium, e.g. speed control, stop position control} - G03G 15/757: {Drive mechanisms for photosensitive medium, e.g. gears} - G03G 21/1647: {Mechanical connection means} - G03G 21/1652: {Electrical connection means} - G03G 21/1825: {Pivotable subunit connection} - G03G 21/1842: {for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks (G03G21/1864 and G03G21/1871 take precedence)} - G03G 21/1867: {for electrically connecting the process cartridge to the apparatus, electrical connectors, power supply} - G03G 15/0178: {using more than one reusable electrographic recording member, e.g. one for every monocolour image} - G03G 2221/166: Electrical connectors - G03G 2221/1684: using extractable subframes, e.g. on rails or hinges - G03G 2221/1869: Cartridge holders, e.g. intermediate frames for placing cartridge parts therein - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract In an image forming apparatus, a process frame is movable into and out of a main casing in a first direction. The process frame includes a first wall and a second wall spaced apart from the first wall in a second direction. A first cartridge is detachably mountable to the process frame in a third direction crossing the second direction. A first electrode protrudes from an outer surface of the first cartridge outwardly in the second direction. In a state where the first cartridge is mounted to the process frame, the first cartridge is positioned between the first wall and second wall of the process frame in the second direction and a portion of the first wall aligns with the first electrode in the third direction such that the portion of the first wall is overlapped with the first electrode as viewed in the third direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body; a process frame movable into and out of the main body, the process frame including: a first wall; and a second wall spaced apart from the first wall in a first direction, the first wall having a first surface and the second wall having a second surface, the first surface of the first wall facing the second surface of the second wall in the first direction; a first cartridge detachably mountable to the process frame, the first cartridge including: a photosensitive drum; a first developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction; a first developer frame accommodating toner therein; a first side wall positioned at one end of the first developer frame in the first direction; a second side wall positioned at another end of the first developer frame in the first direction; and a first electrode positioned at the first side wall, the first electrode being configured to supply power to the first cartridge, wherein in a state where the first cartridge is mounted to the process frame: the first side wall of the first cartridge faces the first surface of the first wall of the process frame in the first direction and the second side wall of the first cartridge faces the second surface of the second wall of the process frame in the first direction; and at least a part of the first electrode is positioned farther from the first side wall of the first cartridge than the first surface of the first wall of the process frame is from the first side wall of the first cartridge in the first direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first wall extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and wherein the second wall extends in the second direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a top edge of the first wall in a third direction perpendicular to both of the first direction and the second direction is lower than a lowest point of the first electrode in the third direction in the state where the first cartridge is mounted to the process frame. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first cartridge includes a plurality of the first electrodes, and wherein the top edge of the first wall in the third direction is lower than each of lowest points of the plurality of the first electrodes in the third direction in the state where the first cartridge is mounted to the process frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the process frame further includes a third wall extending in the first direction, the third wall connecting the first wall and the second wall, and wherein the process frame further includes a handle positioned at the third wall. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first cartridge further includes a developing coupling positioned at the second side wall, the developing coupling being configured to input a drive force from the main body to the first developing roller. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first cartridge further includes a drum coupling positioned at the second side wall, the drum coupling being configured to input a drive force from the main body to the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second cartridge including: a second developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction; a second developer frame accommodating toner therein; a second electrode positioned at one end of the second developer frame in the first direction, the second electrode being configured to supply power to the second cartridge, wherein in a state where the second cartridge is mounted to the process frame: the second developer frame is positioned between the first wall and the second wall in the first direction; the second electrode is positioned closer to the first wall than to the second wall; and at least a part of the second electrode is positioned farther from the second developer frame than the first surface of the first wall of the process frame is from the second developer frame in the first direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a third cartridge including: a third developing roller rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction; and a third electrode configured to supply power to the third cartridge, wherein the process frame further includes a first partitioning plate extending in the first direction, and wherein the first partitioning plate is positioned between the first wall and the second wall in the first direction, the first partitioning plate is positioned between the second cartridge and the third cartridge in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a top edge of the first partitioning plate in a third direction perpendicular to both of the first direction and the second direction is lower than a lowest point of the first electrode in the third direction in the state where the first cartridge is mounted in the process frame. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first developer frame accommodates black toner, and wherein the second developer frame accommodates at least one of yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process frame further includes another photosensitive drum such that the another photosensitive drum is movable with the first wall and the second wall in a case where the process frame moves into and out of the main body, the another photosensitive drum being non-detachably supported by the first wall and the second wall.