# US 12,602,006 B2 · Cartridge 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 12,602,006 B2 - Document ID: US12602006B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/895,625 - Filed: 2024-09-25 - Published: 2025-01-09 - Granted: 2026-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2022-04-28 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Isao Koishi; Shinjiro Toba; Takeo Kawanami; Shinichi Nishida; Yuichi Fukui; Yasuyuki Egami; Toshiki Fujino; Akinobu Hirayama; Teruhiko Sasaki; Tachio Kawai; Daisuke Abe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12602006B2 ## CPC - 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 21/1633: {using doors or covers (G03G21/1638 takes precedence)} - G03G 21/1814: {Details of parts of process cartridge, e.g. for charging, transfer, cleaning, developing (G03G21/1835 takes precedence)} - G03G 21/1842: {for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks (G03G21/1864 and G03G21/1871 take precedence)} - G03G 21/1825: {Pivotable subunit connection} - G03G 2221/1861: Rotational subunit connection - G03G 2221/1869: Cartridge holders, e.g. intermediate frames for placing cartridge parts therein - G03G 2221/1884: Projections on process cartridge for guiding mounting thereof in main machine - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract A cartridge includes a first unit including a photosensitive member and a first frame; a second unit including a developing member and a second frame; a holding portion movable between a first position for holding the second unit at the separated position and a second position for holding the second unit at the developing position; a movable member; and an urging portion. the movable member is movable to a contact force receiving position, a separating force receiving position separating force receiving portion, a first retracted position, and a second retracted position. The urging portion urges the movable member placed at the first retracted position in a direction of moving the movable member toward the contact force receiving position, and urges the movable member placed at the second retracted position in a direction of moving the movable member toward the separating force receiving position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cartridge comprising: a first unit including a photosensitive member, and a first frame rotatably supporting the photosensitive member; a second unit including a developing member for depositing toner onto the photosensitive member, and a second frame rotatably supporting the developing member, wherein the second unit is movable between a developing position in which toner can be deposited onto the photosensitive member from the developing member, and a separated position in which at least a part of the developing member is spaced from the photosensitive member; a holding portion, movably supported by the first unit or the second unit, for restricting a relative position between the first unit and the second unit, wherein the holding portion is movable between a first position for holding the second unit at the separated position by the first unit and a second position for holding the second unit at the developing position; a movable member movably supported by the first frame or the second frame and including a contact force receiving portion capable of receiving a contact force for moving the holding portion from the first position toward the second position to move the second unit to the developing position when the second unit is at the separated position, and a separating force receiving portion capable of receiving a separating force for moving the holding portion from the second position toward the first position to move the second unit to the separated position when the second unit is at the developing position; and an urging portion for urging the movable member, wherein the movable member is movable to a contact force receiving position for receiving the contact force by the contact force receiving portion, a separating force receiving position for receiving the separating force by the separating force receiving portion, a first retracted position away from the contact force receiving position in a direction of being away from the separating force receiving position, a second retracted position away from the separating force receiving position in a direction of being away from the contact force receiving position, and wherein the urging portion urges the movable member placed at the first retracted position in a direction of moving the movable member toward the contact force receiving position, and urges the movable member placed at the second retracted position in a direction of moving the movable member toward the separating force receiving position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion is capable of restricting, when it is at the first position, movement of the second unit from the separated position to the developing position, and permits, when the holding portion is at the second position, movement of the second unit from the separated position to the developing position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the holding portion restricts, when it is at the first position, movement of the second unit from the separated position to the developing position by contact with the first frame and with the second frame. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is provided with the holding portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is rotatably supported by a supporting portion provided on the first frame or the second frame, and moves between the first retracted position and the second retracted position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the movable member is rotatable by not less than 95° with respect to the supporting portion to move between the first retracted position and the second retracted position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the movable member is rotatable by not less than 100° with respect to the supporting portion to move between the first retracted position and the second retracted position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) A cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the supporting portion is provided on the second frame. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the holding portion is provided with a contact portion which contacts the first frame when the holding portion is at the first position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) A cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the supporting portion is provided on the first frame. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the urging portion includes an elastic member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the elastic member has one end portion connected with the first frame or the second frame and the other end portion connected with the movable member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the elastic member includes a spring. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is provided with a projected portion capable of projecting out beyond the first frame and the second frame at least in a direction away from a rotational axis of the developing member, and the contact force receiving portion and the separating force receiving portion are provided on the projected portion.