# US 2016/0259290 A1 · Processing cartridge, photoreceptor drum unit, and end member pair > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0259290 A1 - Document ID: US20160259290A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/157,860 - Filed: 2016-05-18 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2013-11-19 - Assignees: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation - Applicants: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation - Inventors: SHUICHI IKEDA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160259290A1 ## CPC - G03G 15/751: {relating to drum (G03G15/757 takes precedence)} - G03G 15/757: {Drive mechanisms for photosensitive medium, e.g. gears} - G03G 21/18: using a processing cartridge {, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit} - G03G 21/1864: {associated with a positioning function} - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract A photoreceptor drum unit is provided with a cylindrical photoreceptor drum, and two end members which are respectively disposed at both ends of the photoreceptor drum in an axial direction. One of the end members is provided with an elastic member, is biased in the axial direction, and is extendable and contractable. The other of the end members is provided with a cylindrical bearing member and a shaft member held in the bearing member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A processing cartridge to be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus main body, the processing cartridge comprising: a housing; and a photoreceptor drum unit which is disposed in the housing and held in the housing, wherein the photoreceptor drum unit includes: a cylindrical photoreceptor drum; and two end members which are respectively disposed at both ends of the photoreceptor drum in an axial direction, wherein one of the end members is provided with an elastic member, is biased in the axial direction, and is extendable and contractable, wherein the other of the end members is provided with a cylindrical bearing member and a shaft member held in the bearing member, and wherein the one of the end members and the other of the end members come into contact with the housing on surfaces opposite to the photoreceptor drum, and do not come into contact with the housing on surfaces facing the photoreceptor drum side. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The processing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the other of the end members is held so that the shaft member swings with respect to the bearing member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The processing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the shaft member of the other of the end members includes: a rotating shaft which moves in an axial direction of the bearing member, and a rotating force receiving member which is disposed in one end portion of the rotating shaft, swings with respect to an axis of the rotating shaft, and is provided with an engagement claw which is to be engaged with a driving shaft of the image forming apparatus main body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The processing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the shaft member of the other of the end members includes: a rotating shaft, a rotating force receiving member which is disposed in one end portion of the rotating shaft, and is provided with an engaging member to be engaged with a driving shaft of the image forming apparatus main body, and a regulating member which is engaged with or disengaged from the rotating shaft or the rotating force receiving member by pressing, and configured to switch a posture in which the engaging member is engaged with the driving shaft and a posture of not being engaged. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The processing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the shaft member of the other of the end members includes: a shaft-shape rotating shaft which is disposed coaxially to the bearing member, and moves in the axial direction according to a rotation around an axis with respect to the bearing member, and a tip end member which is disposed coaxially to the rotating shaft, and in which a rotating force receiving member provided with an engaging member to be engaged with a driving shaft of the image forming apparatus main body is disposed at a tip end, and wherein a rotating force around the axis is transmitted to the rotating force receiving member, the rotating shaft, and the bearing member, in order. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The processing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the shaft member of the other of the end members includes: a shaft-shape rotating shaft which is disposed coaxially to the bearing member, and moves in the axial direction according to a rotation around an axis with respect to the bearing member, and a tip end member which is disposed coaxially to the rotating shaft, and in which a rotating force receiving member provided with an engaging member to be engaged with a driving shaft of the image forming apparatus main body is disposed at a tip end, and wherein a rotating force around the axis is transmitted to the rotating force receiving member, the rotating shaft, and the bearing member, in order, and the rotating force receiving member moves to be inclined with respect to the axis. ### Claim 7 A photoreceptor drum unit comprising: a cylindrical photoreceptor drum; and two end members which are respectively disposed at both ends of the photoreceptor drum in an axial direction, wherein one of the end members is provided with an elastic member, is biased in the axial direction, and is extendable and contractable, wherein the other of the end members is provided with a cylindrical bearing member and a shaft member held in the bearing member, and wherein a gear is formed in an outer circumferential portion of the bearing member of the other of the end members, and wherein an outer diameter of the bearing member is equal to or smaller than an outer diameter of the photoreceptor drum except a part at which the gear is formed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The photoreceptor drum unit according to claim 7, wherein the other of the end members is held so that the shaft member swings with respect to the bearing member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The photoreceptor drum unit according to claim 7, wherein the shaft member of the other of the end members includes: a rotating shaft which moves in the axial direction of the bearing member, and a rotating force receiving member which is disposed in one end portion of the rotating shaft, swings with respect to the axis of the rotating shaft, and is provided with an engagement claw which is to be engaged with a driving shaft of the image forming apparatus main body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The photoreceptor drum unit according to claim 7, wherein the shaft member of the other of the end members includes: a rotating shaft; a rotating force receiving member which is disposed in one end portion of the rotating shaft, and is provided with an engaging member which is to be engaged with a driving shaft of the image forming apparatus main body; and a regulating member which is engaged with or disengaged from the rotating shaft or the rotating force receiving member by pressing, and switches a posture in which the engaging member is engaged with the driving shaft, and a posture of not being engaged. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The photoreceptor drum unit according to claim 7, wherein the shaft member of the other of the end members includes: a shaft-shape rotating shaft which is disposed coaxially to the bearing member, and moves in the axial direction according to a rotation around an axis with respect to the bearing member; and a tip end member which is disposed coaxially to the rotating shaft, and in which a rotating force receiving member provided with an engaging member to be engaged with a driving shaft of the image forming apparatus main body is disposed at a tip end, and wherein a rotating force around the axis is transmitted to the rotating force receiving member, the rotating shaft, and the bearing member, in order. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The photoreceptor drum unit according to claim 7, wherein the shaft member of the other of the end members includes: a shaft-shape rotating shaft which is disposed coaxially to the bearing member, and moves in the axial direction according to a rotation around an axis with respect to the bearing member; and a tip end member which is disposed coaxially to the rotating shaft, and in which a rotating force receiving member provided with an engaging member to be engaged with a driving shaft of the image forming apparatus main body is disposed at a tip end, and wherein a rotating force around the axis is transmitted to the rotating force receiving member, the rotating shaft, and the bearing member, in order, and the rotating force receiving member moves to be inclined with respect to the axis. ### Claim 13 An end member pair which is disposed in an end portion of a photoreceptor drum, wherein one end member is provided with an elastic member, is biased, and is extendable and contractable, wherein the other end member is provided with a cylindrical bearing member and a shaft member held in the bearing member, and wherein a gear is formed in an outer circumferential portion of the bearing member, and an outer diameter of the bearing member is formed to be the largest at a part where the gear is formed. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The end member pair according to claim 13, wherein the other end member is held so that the shaft member swings with respect to the bearing member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The end member pair according to claim 13, wherein the shaft member of the other end member includes: a rotating shaft which moves in the axial direction of the bearing member; and a rotating force receiving member which is disposed in one end portion of the rotating shaft, swings with respect to an axis of the rotating shaft, and is provided with an engagement claw which is to be engaged with a driving shaft of the image forming apparatus main body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The end member pair according to claim 13, wherein the shaft member of the other end member includes: a rotating shaft; a rotating force receiving member which is disposed in one end portion of the rotating shaft, and is provided with an engaging member which is to be engaged with a driving shaft of the image forming apparatus main body; and a regulating member which is engaged with or disengaged from the rotating shaft or the rotating force receiving member by pressing, and switches a posture in which the engaging member is engaged with the driving shaft, and a posture of not being engaged. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The end member pair according to claim 13, wherein the shaft member of the other end member includes: a shaft-shape rotating shaft which is disposed coaxially to the bearing member, and moves in the axial direction according to a rotation around an axis with respect to the bearing member; and a tip end member which is disposed coaxially to the rotating shaft, and in which a rotating force receiving member provided with an engaging member to be engaged with a driving shaft of the image forming apparatus main body is disposed at a tip end, and wherein a rotating force around the axis is transmitted to the rotating force receiving member, the rotating shaft, and the bearing member, in order. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The end member pair according to claim 13, wherein the shaft member of the other end member includes: a shaft-shape rotating shaft which is disposed coaxially to the bearing member, and moves in the axial direction according to a rotation around an axis with respect to the bearing member; and a tip end member which is disposed coaxially to the rotating shaft, and in which a rotating force receiving member provided with an engaging member to be engaged with a driving shaft of the image forming apparatus main body is disposed at a tip end, and wherein a rotating force around the axis is transmitted to the rotating force receiving member, the rotating shaft, and the bearing member, in order, and the rotating force receiving member moves to be inclined with respect to the axis.