# US 2020/0401076 A1 · Developing cartridge including developing roller to contact photosensitive drum and image forming apparatus including the same

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- Number: US 2020/0401076 A1
- Document ID: US20200401076A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/891,533
- Filed: 2020-06-03
- Published: 2020-12-24
- Earliest claimed: 2019-06-20
- Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Yuwen WANG
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200401076A1

## CPC

- G03G 15/0863: {provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. an electronic memory}
- G03G 21/1676: {for the developer unit}
- G03G 15/0875: {cartridges having a box like shape}
- G03G 21/1647: {Mechanical connection means}
- G03G 21/1652: {Electrical connection means}
- 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 21/1871: {associated with a positioning function}
- G03G 21/1878: {Electronically readable memory}
- G03G 2221/1684: using extractable subframes, e.g. on rails or hinges
- G03G 2221/1869: Cartridge holders, e.g. intermediate frames for placing cartridge parts therein
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

A developing cartridge for use with a drawer including a photosensitive drum and an electric terminal. The developing cartridge includes a casing, a developing roller, a storage medium and a holder. The casing is configured to accommodate developing agent therein. The developing roller is rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction. The developing roller is movable with the casing. The storage medium has an electrical contact surface. The holder holds the electrical contact surface and is movable with the casing. The casing is movable relative to the drawer in accordance with movement of the drawer from a first position in which developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum and the electrical contact surface is separated from the electric terminal to a second position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and the electrical contact surface is in contact with the electric terminal.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A developing cartridge for use with a drawer including a photosensitive drum and an electric terminal, the developing cartridge comprising:
a casing configured to accommodate developing agent therein;
a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, the developing roller being movable with the casing;
a storage medium having an electrical contact surface; and
a holder holding the electrical contact surface, and movable with the casing;
wherein the casing is movable relative to the drawer in accordance with movement of the drawer from a first position in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum and the electrical contact surface is separated from the electric terminal to a second position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and the electrical contact surface is in contact with the electric terminal.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the drawer is for attaching the drawer to a housing of an image forming apparatus, and
wherein the casing is movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein a portion of the casing is in contact with the housing in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus, and
wherein the casing movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position after the portion of the casing is in contact with the housing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The developing cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the casing has a pressure receiving surface positioned at a position opposite to the developing roller in a second direction crossing the first direction, the pressure receiving surface being in contact with the housing in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The developing cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the pressure receiving surface comprises:
a first pressure receiving surface positioned closer to one side of the casing in the first direction than a center of the casing in the first direction; and
a second pressure receiving surface positioned closer to another side of the casing in the first direction than the center of the casing in the first direction.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The developing cartridge according to claim 5,
wherein the casing includes:
a first outer surface positioned at the one side of the casing in the first direction,
a second outer surface positioned at the another side of the casing in the first direction;
a first cover covering the first outer surface; and
a second cover covering the second outer surface,
wherein the first pressure receiving surface is an outer surface of the first cover, and
wherein the second pressure receiving surface is an outer surface of the second cover.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The developing cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the holder is positioned at the first outer surface of the casing.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the holder is movable relative to the casing in a direction crossing the electrical contact surface.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The developing cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a separation cam movable in the first direction relative to the casing, and movable together with the casing relative to the photosensitive drum in a direction crossing the first direction;
wherein the separation cam is in contact with a frame of the drawer in a case where the casing is at the first position, and
wherein the separation cam is separable from the frame in a case where the casing is at the second position.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The developing cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the developing roller is movable from a contact position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum to a separated position in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum in accordance with the movement of the separation cam to the first direction in a case where the casing is at the second position.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The developing cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a first boss extending in the first direction from the casing,
wherein the drawer has a support surface configured to allow the first boss to be seated and configure to receive a weight of the developing cartridge,
wherein the first boss is seated on the support surface in a case where the casing is at the first position, and
wherein the casing is pivotally movable from the first position to the second position about the first boss.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The developing cartridge according to claim 11,
wherein the drawer includes:
a lock lever pivotally movable about a third axis crossing the first direction between a lock position and a released position in which the lock lever is positioned outward of the frame in the first direction relative to the lock position of the lock lever,
wherein the developing cartridge further includes:
a second boss extending in the first direction, the second boss being positioned farther from the developing roller than the first boss is from the developing roller, the second boss being contactable with the lock lever,
wherein the second boss is in contact with the lock lever and the lock lever is at the lock position in a case where the casing is at the first position,
wherein the lock lever is pressed by the second boss to move the lock lever to the released position in a case where the casing is at an intermediate position between the first position and the second position, and
wherein the lock lever is at the lock position in a case where the casing is at the second position.

### Claim 13

A developing cartridge for use with a drawer including a frame and photosensitive drum, the developing cartridge comprising:
a casing configured to accommodate developing agent therein;
a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, the developing roller being movable with the casing; and
a separation cam movable in the first direction relative to the casing, and movable together with the casing relative to the photosensitive drum in a direction crossing the first direction;
wherein the casing is movable relative to the drawer in accordance with movement of the drawer from a first position in which developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum and the separation cam is in contact with a frame of the drawer to a second position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and the separation cam is separated from the frame of the drawer.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The developing cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the movement of the drawer is for attaching the drawer to a housing of an image forming apparatus, and
wherein the casing is movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The developing cartridge according to claim 14, wherein a portion of the casing is in contact with the housing in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus, and
wherein the casing movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position after the portion of the casing is in contact with the housing.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The developing cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the casing has a pressure receiving surface being positioned at a position opposite to the developing roller in a second direction crossing the first direction, the pressure receiving surface being in contact with the housing in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The developing cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the pressure receiving surface comprises:
a first pressure receiving surface positioned closer to one side of the casing in the first direction than a center of the casing in the first direction; and
a second pressure receiving surface positioned closer to another side of the casing in the first direction than the center of the casing in the first direction.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The developing cartridge according to claim 17,
wherein the casing includes:
a first outer surface positioned at the one side of the casing in the first direction,
a second outer surface positioned at the another side of the casing in the first direction;
a first cover covering the first outer surface; and
a second cover covering the second outer surface,
wherein the first pressure receiving surface is an outer surface of the first cover, and
wherein the second pressure receiving surface is an outer surface of the second cover.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The developing cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the developing roller is movable from a contact position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum to a separated position in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum in accordance with the movement of the separation cam to the first direction in a case where the casing is at the second position.

### Claim 20 (depends on 13)

The developing cartridge according to claim 13, further comprising a first boss extending in the first direction from the casing,
wherein the drawer has a support surface configured to allow the first boss to be seated and configure to receive a weight of the developing cartridge,
wherein the first boss is seated on the support surface in a case where the casing is at the first position, and
wherein the casing is pivotally movable from the first position to the second position about the first boss.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The developing cartridge according to claim 20,
wherein the drawer includes:
a lock lever pivotally movable about a third axis crossing the first direction between a lock position and a released position in which the lock lever is positioned outward of the frame in the first direction relative to the lock position of the lock lever,
wherein the developing cartridge further includes:
a second boss extending in the first direction, the second boss being positioned farther from the developing roller than the first boss is from the developing roller, the second boss being contactable with the lock lever,
wherein the second boss is in contact with the lock lever and the lock lever is at the lock position in a case where the casing is at the first position,
wherein the lock lever is pressed by the second boss to move the lock lever to the released position in a case where the casing is at an intermediate position between the first position and the second position, and
wherein the lock lever is at the lock position in a case where the casing is at the second position.

### Claim 22

A developing cartridge for use with a drawer including a photosensitive drum, the developing cartridge comprising:
a casing configured to accommodate developing agent therein;
a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, the developing roller being movable with the casing; and
a first boss extending in the first direction;
wherein the drawer has a support surface configured to allow the first boss to be seated and configure to receive a weight of the developing cartridge, and
wherein the casing is pivotally movable about the first boss relative to the drawer in accordance with movement of the drawer from a first position in which developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum and the first boss is in contact with the support surface to a second position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The developing cartridge according to claim 22, wherein the movement of the drawer is for attaching the drawer to a housing of an image forming apparatus, and
wherein the casing is movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The developing cartridge according to claim 23, wherein a portion of the casing is in contact with the housing in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus, and
wherein the casing movable relative to the drawer from the first position to the second position after the portion of the casing is in contact with the housing.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The developing cartridge according to claim 24, wherein the casing has a pressure receiving surface being positioned at a position opposite to the developing roller in a second direction crossing the first direction, the pressure receiving surface being in contact with the housing in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The developing cartridge according to claim 25, wherein the pressure receiving surface comprises:
a first pressure receiving surface positioned closer to one side of the casing in the first direction than a center of the casing in the first direction; and
a second pressure receiving surface positioned closer to another side of the casing in the first direction than the center of the casing in the first direction.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The developing cartridge according to claim 26,
wherein the casing includes:
a first outer surface positioned at the one side of the casing in the first direction,
a second outer surface positioned at the another side of the casing in the first direction;
a first cover covering the first outer surface; and
a second cover covering the second outer surface,
wherein the first pressure receiving surface is an outer surface of the first cover, and
wherein the second pressure receiving surface is an outer surface of the second cover.

### Claim 28 (depends on 22)

The developing cartridge according to claim 22,
wherein the drawer includes:
a lock lever pivotally movable about a third axis crossing the first direction between a lock position and a released position in which the lock lever is positioned outward of the frame in the first direction relative to the lock position of the lock lever,
wherein the developing cartridge further includes:
a second boss extending in the first direction, the second boss being positioned farther from the developing roller than the first boss is from the developing roller, the second boss being contactable with the lock lever,
wherein the second boss is in contact with the lock lever and the lock lever is at the lock position in a case where the casing is at the first position, and
wherein the lock lever is pressed by the second boss to move the lock lever to the released position in a case where the casing is at an intermediate position between the first position and the second position, and
wherein the lock lever is at the lock position in a case where the casing is at the second position.

### Claim 29 (depends on 1)

An image forming apparatus comprising:
the drawer according to claim 1; and
a housing to which the drawer is attachable.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the housing comprising a pressure portion, the pressure portion being contactable with the casing in accordance with the movement to the drawer.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the housing has an insertion opening through which the drawer passes in a case where the drawer is attached to the housing of the image forming apparatus;
wherein the pressure portion is positioned at an edge of the insertion opening.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The image forming apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the pressure portion protrudes outward of the housing from the edge of the insertion opening.

### Claim 33 (depends on 13)

An image forming apparatus comprising:
the drawer according to claim 13; and
a housing to which the drawer is attachable.

### Claim 34 (depends on 22)

An image forming apparatus comprising:
the drawer according to claim 22; and
a housing to which the drawer is attachable.