US 2012/0230726 A1 · PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

Abstract

A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion.

Claims39

Dependent claims

1-21. (canceled)

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising:

(i) a main assembly of said apparatus including:
(i-i) a driving member configured and positioned to apply a driving force;
and
(ii) a process cartridge detachably mountable to said main assembly of said apparatus, said process cartridge including:
(ii-i) a photosensitive drum;
(ii-ii) a developing roller configured and positioned (a) to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on said photosensitive drum and (b) to be rotatable about an axis thereof;
(ii-iii) a coupling member provided adjacent to one axial end of said developing roller, said coupling member including:
(ii-iii-i) a driving force receiving portion configured and positioned (a) to engage with said driving member to receive a driving force for rotating said developing roller and (b) to be movable relative to said developing roller in a direction crossing the axis of said developing roller;
and
(ii-iv) a holding portion configured and positioned (a) to rotatably hold said driving force receiving portion at a periphery of said driving force receiving portion in a side remote from said developing roller and (b) to be movable in a direction crossing the axis of said developing roller together with said driving force receiving portion.

7 more elements

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising:

(i) a main assembly of said apparatus including:
(i-i) a driving member configured and positioned to apply a driving force;
(ii) a process cartridge detachably mountable to said main assembly of said apparatus, said process cartridge including:
(ii-i) a photosensitive drum;
(ii-ii) a first frame configured and positioned to rotatably support said photosensitive drum;
(ii-iii) a developing roller configured and positioned to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
and
(ii-iv) a second frame configured and positioned (a) to rotatably support said developing roller and (b) to be connected to said first frame so as to be rotatable relative to said first frame about an axis thereof;
(ii-v) a coupling member provided adjacent to one axial end of said second frame, said coupling member including:
(ii-v-i) a driving force receiving portion configured and positioned (a) to engage with said driving member to receive a driving force for rotating said developing roller and (b) to be movable relative to said second frame in a direction crossing the axis of said second frame;
and
(ii-iv) a holding portion configured and positioned (a) to rotatably hold said driving force receiving portion at a periphery of said driving force receiving portion in an axially free end side of said driving force receiving portion and (b) to be movable in a direction crossing the axis of said second frame together with said driving force receiving portion.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

13/438,078Filed 3 Apr 2012

Priority

JP 2006-33283711 Dec 2006

Published

13 Sep 2012

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

G03G 21/1821
Having a submodular arrangement: means for connecting the different parts of the process cartridge, e.g. attachment, positioning of parts with…
G03G 21/1609
Arrangement or disposition of the entire apparatus: for space saving, e.g. structural arrangements
G03G 21/1839
Using a processing cartridge , whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit: means for handling…
G03G 21/186
For transmitting mechanical drive power to the process cartridge, drive mechanisms, gears, couplings, braking mechanisms: axial couplings

Family

Application11/869,382Division · filed 9 Oct 2007

Application13/012,181Division · filed 24 Jan 2011

Application13/438,078Division

US 2008/0138115 A1Published application

US 2011/0123224 A1Published application

US 7,899,364 B2Related patent

US 8,335,454 B2Related patent

US 8,588,647 B2Related patent

US 2012/0230726 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Process cartridge and image forming apparatus

Life of this patent

Process cartridge and image forming apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims39