# US 2018/0321635 A1 · Process Unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0321635 A1 - Document ID: US20180321635A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/035,890 - Filed: 2018-07-16 - Published: 2018-11-08 - 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/US20180321635A1 ## 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 process cartridge comprising: a photoconductor drum being rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction; a development frame including a first side and a second side spaced away from the first side of the development frame in the first direction; a development roller being rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction, the development roller being positioned between the first side of the development frame and the second side of the development frame in the first direction, the development roller including a roller shaft extending in the first direction; a coupling joint disposed at the first side of the development frame, the coupling joint being rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction; and a first cylindrical part disposed at the first side of the development frame, the first cylindrical part being disposed at one end of the roller shaft in the first direction, wherein the development frame is swingable relative to the photoconductor drum about the third axis between a first position and a second position, wherein the first cylindrical part contacts an outer surface of the photoconductor drum in a state where the development frame is in the first position, and wherein the first cylindrical part is spaced apart from the outer surface of the photoconductor drum in a state where the development frame is in the second position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first cylindrical part is attached to the one end of the roller shaft. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first cylindrical part has a third hole, and wherein the one end of the roller shaft is inserted in the third hole. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising: a first support plate disposed at one end of the photoconductor drum, the first support plate being disposed at the first side of the development frame; and a first bearing disposed at the first side of the development frame, wherein the first bearing is disposed at the one end of the roller shaft, the first bearing being disposed between the first support plate and the first cylindrical part in the first direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The process cartridge according to claim 4, further comprising: a development gear disposed at the first side of the development frame and at the one end of the roller shaft; and a first bearing disposed at the first side of the development frame and at the one end of the roller shaft, wherein the first bearing is disposed between the first cylindrical part and the development gear in the first direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The process cartridge according to claim 5, further comprising a coupling gear disposed at the first side of the development frame, wherein the coupling gear is disposed at one end of the coupling joint in the first direction and configured to rotate together with the coupling joint, the coupling gear meshing with the development gear. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising: a first support plate disposed at one end of the photoconductor drum, the first support plate being disposed at the first side of the development frame, and having a first hole; and a second support plate disposed at another end of the photoconductor drum, the second support plate being disposed at the second side of the development frame, and including a first protrusion, wherein the development frame has a second hole disposed at the second side of the development frame, and wherein the development frame is swingable relative to the photoconductor drum about the third axis between the first position and the second position in a state where the coupling joint is inserted in the first hole and the first protrusion is inserted in the second hole. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The process cartridge according to claim 7, further comprising a drum frame including a first side and a second side spaced away from the first side of the drum frame in the first direction, wherein the photoconductor drum is positioned between the first side of the drum frame and the second side of the drum frame in the first direction, and wherein the drum frame is positioned between the first support plate and the second support plate in the first direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a second cylindrical part disposed at the second side of the development frame, the second cylindrical part being disposed at another end of the roller shaft in the first direction, wherein the second cylindrical part contacts the outer surface of the photoconductor drum in the state where the development frame is in the first position, and wherein the second cylindrical part is spaced apart from the outer surface of the photoconductor drum in the state where the development frame is in the second position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second cylindrical part is attached to another end of the roller shaft in the first direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second cylindrical part has a fourth hole, and wherein the other end of the roller shaft is inserted in the fourth hole. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The process cartridge according to claim 11, further comprising: a second support plate disposed at another end of the photoconductor drum, the second support plate being disposed at the second side of the development frame; and a second bearing disposed at the second side of the development frame, the second bearing being disposed at the other end of the roller shaft, wherein the second bearing is disposed between the second support plate and the second cylindrical part in the first direction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the development roller contacts the photoconductor drum in the state where the development frame is in the first position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein an outside diameter of the first cylindrical part is smaller than an outside diameter of the development roller.