# US 12,117,766 B2 · Process unit

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- Number: US 12,117,766 B2
- Document ID: US12117766B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/685,967
- Filed: 2022-03-03
- Published: 2022-06-16
- Granted: 2024-10-15
- Earliest claimed: 2008-03-07
- Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Masatoshi Shiraki; Hiroki Mori
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12117766B2

## CPC

- G03G 21/1817: {having a submodular arrangement}
- 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 21/1825: {Pivotable subunit connection}
- G03G 21/1857: {for transmitting mechanical drive power to the process cartridge, drive mechanisms, gears, couplings, braking mechanisms}
- G03G 21/1864: {associated with a positioning function}
- G03G 2221/1687: using opening shell type machines, e.g. pivoting assemblies
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cartridge comprising:
a drum frame extending in a first direction, the drum frame including a first side and a second side spaced away from the first side in the first direction, the drum frame including a photoconductor drum, the photoconductor drum being rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction;
a development frame including a third side and a fourth side spaced away from the third side in the first direction, the development frame including a development roller, the development roller being rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction, the development roller including a roller shaft extending in the first direction;
a coupling joint disposed at the third side of the development frame, the coupling joint being rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction;
a first support plate disposed at the first side of the drum frame and the third side of the development frame, the first support plate having a first hole;
a second support plate disposed at the second side of the drum frame and the fourth side of the development frame, the second support plate including a first engagement portion;
a first screw;
a second screw; and
a bearing disposed at the fourth side of the development frame, one end of the roller shaft being inserted in the bearing, the bearing including a second engagement portion,
wherein the development frame is swingable relative to the drum frame about the coupling joint in a state where the coupling joint is inserted in the first hole,
wherein the first support plate is fixed to the first side of the drum frame by the first screw, and not fixed to the third side of the development frame by the first screw,
wherein the second support plate is fixed to the second side of the drum frame by the second screw, and not fixed to the fourth side of the development frame by the second screw, and
wherein the development frame is swingable relative to the drum frame about the coupling joint in a state where the first engagement portion is engaged with the second engagement portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cartridge according to claim 1,
wherein the first support plate has a second hole, and
wherein the photoconductor drum includes a drum shaft extending in the first direction, the drum shaft being inserted in the second hole.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The cartridge according to claim 1,
wherein the development frame is swingable relative to the photoconductor drum about the third axis.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission gear disposed at the third side of the development frame, the transmission gear being configured to rotate about the third axis together with the coupling joint.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The cartridge according to claim 4,
wherein the development roller includes a development roller gear disposed at the third side of the development frame, the development roller gear being configured to rotate about the second axis together with the development roller, the development roller gear being disposed closer to the first support plate than to the second support plate in the first direction, and
wherein the transmission gear is disposed closer to the first support plate than to the second support plate in the first direction, and the development roller gear directly meshes with the transmission gear.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The cartridge according to claim 5,
wherein the development frame is swingable relative to the drum frame about the coupling joint in a state where the first support plate is fixed to the first side of the drum frame by the first screw, and the development roller gear directly meshes with the transmission gear.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The cartridge according to claim 6, further comprising a third screw,
wherein the first support plate is fixed to the first side of the drum frame by the third screw.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The cartridge according to claim 1,
wherein the roller shaft is configured to rotate about the second axis together with the development roller.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The cartridge according to claim 1,
wherein the first engagement portion of the second support plate is a protrusion, and
wherein the second engagement portion of the bearing is a hole.