# US 12,111,604 B2 · Structure for mounting development cartridge in 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 12,111,604 B2 - Document ID: US12111604B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/031,223 - Filed: 2021-04-12 - Published: 2023-11-23 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2020-10-14 - Assignees: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Applicants: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Inventors: Younghoon Kim; Wontaek Kim; Hohyun Hwang; Hwanghee Ryu; Saehoon Han; Seongho Park; Seunggweon Lee; Woongyong Choi; Sungjin Kim; Junhui Kim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12111604B2 ## CPC - G03G 21/1633: {using doors or covers (G03G21/1638 takes precedence)} - G03G 21/1647: {Mechanical connection means} - G03G 21/1676: {for the developer unit} - G03G 21/1842: {for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks (G03G21/1864 and G03G21/1871 take precedence)} - G03G 2221/1684: using extractable subframes, e.g. on rails or hinges - G03G 2221/183: Process cartridge - G03G 2221/1869: Cartridge holders, e.g. intermediate frames for placing cartridge parts therein - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract An example image forming apparatus includes a main body including an opening and an accommodation portion, a development cartridge detachable from the main body, a tray on which to mount the development cartridge, the tray being movable between a mounting position inserted into the main body through the opening, a withdrawal position extracted from the main body, and an accommodation position at which the development cartridge is accommodated in the accommodation portion, and an elastic support member to elastically support the development cartridge with respect to the tray while the tray moves between the mounting position, the withdrawal position, and the accommodation position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body comprising an opening, a door to open and close the opening, and an accommodation portion; a tray on which to mount a development cartridge, the tray being movable between a mounting position and a withdrawal position through the opening; an elevating guide member to be elevated to a first position, at which the tray is supported to slide between the mounting position and the withdrawal position, and a second position, at which the development cartridge is accommodated in the accommodation portion, in conjunction with an opening and closing operation of the door; and an elastic support member to prevent the development cartridge from being displaced due to an impact applied to the tray when the tray slides into the mounting position, wherein the elastic support member is elastically deformed in a detachment direction and an elevating direction to absorb the impact. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the development cartridge comprises a support protrusion protruding from a side wall, and wherein the elastic support member is further to elastically support the support protrusion with respect to the tray. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein the elastic support member comprises an elastic wire comprising a V-shaped support portion on which the support protrusion is accommodated and a coupling portion extending from both ends of the support portion and coupled to the tray. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein the elastic support member comprises a torsion coil spring comprising a winding portion inserted into a protrusion of the tray, a first arm extending from the winding portion and engaged with a first stopper provided on the tray, and a second arm extending from the winding portion to elastically support the support protrusion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein the elastic support member comprises a plate spring comprising a first portion supported by the tray and a second portion bent from the first portion to elastically support the support protrusion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein a first guide groove facing the support protrusion and extending in the elevating direction of the tray is provided in the tray, and wherein the elastic support member comprises a support member installed in the guide groove to be elevated with respect to the support protrusion, and an elastic member to apply an elastic force to the support member in a direction in contact with the support protrusion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein a second guide groove facing the support protrusion and extending in the detachment direction of the tray is provided in the tray, and wherein the elastic support member comprises: a support member comprising a first portion extending in the detachment direction and a second portion extending obliquely in the elevating direction of the tray from the first portion, and supported in the second guide groove to move in the detachment direction; and an elastic member to apply an elastic force in the detachment direction to the support member such that the second portion contacts the support member. ### Claim 8 An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body comprising an opening, a door to open and close the opening, and an accommodation portion; a development cartridge comprising a driving end and a non-driving end; a tray on which to mount a development cartridge, the tray being movable between a mounting position and a withdrawal position through the opening; an elevating guide member to be elevated to a first position at which the tray is supported to slide between the mounting position and the withdrawal position, and a second position at which the development cartridge is accommodated in the accommodation portion, in conjunction with an opening and closing operation of the door; a non-elastic support member to non-elastically support the driving end of the development cartridge with respect to the tray; and an elastic support member to prevent the development cartridge from being displaced due to an impact applied to the tray when the tray slides into the mounting position, wherein the elastic support member is elastically deformed in a detachment direction and an elevating direction to absorb the impact. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The image forming apparatus of claim 8, wherein the elastic support member is to elastically support the non-driving end of the development cartridge with respect to the tray. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The image forming apparatus of claim 8, wherein the non-elastic support member comprises: a first contact member provided on the tray; and a second contact member provided on the non-driving end of the development cartridge in contact with the first contact member to be elevated as the elevating guide member is elevated. ### Claim 11 An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body comprising an opening and an accommodation portion; a development cartridge detachable from the main body; a tray on which to mount the development cartridge, the tray being movable between a mounting position inserted into the main body through the opening, a withdrawal position extracted from the main body, and an accommodation position at which the development cartridge is accommodated in the accommodation portion; and an elastic support member to prevent the development cartridge from being displaced due to an impact applied to the tray when the tray slides into the mounting position, wherein the elastic support member is elastically deformed in a detachment direction and an elevating direction to absorb the impact. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The image forming apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a door to open and close the opening, wherein the tray is to moves between the mounting position and the accommodation position in conjunction with an opening and closing operation of the door. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The image forming apparatus of claim 11, wherein the development cartridge comprises a driving end and a non-driving end, and wherein the elastic support member is to elastically support the non-driving end with respect to the tray. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The image forming apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a non-elastic support member to non-elastically support the driving end of the development cartridge with respect to the tray while the tray moves between the mounting position, the withdrawal position, and the accommodation position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The image forming apparatus of claim 14, wherein the non-elastic support member comprises: a first contact member provided on the tray; and a second contact member provided on the non-driving end of the development cartridge in contact with the first contact member to be elevated as the tray is elevated to the mounting position and the accommodation position.