# US 2020/0401079 A1 · Cartridge, photosensitive member unit and electrophotographic 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 2020/0401079 A1 - Document ID: US20200401079A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/931,481 - Filed: 2020-07-17 - Published: 2020-12-24 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-05 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Shigemi Kamoshida; Takuya Kawakami; Hiroki Ogino; Kazuhiko Kanno - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200401079A1 ## CPC - G03G 21/1842: {for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks (G03G21/1864 and G03G21/1871 take precedence)} - G03G 15/751: {relating to drum (G03G15/757 takes precedence)} - G03G 15/757: {Drive mechanisms for photosensitive medium, e.g. gears} - G03G 21/16: Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements - G03G 21/18: using a processing cartridge {, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit} - 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 21/1853: {the process cartridge being mounted perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive member} - G03G 21/1857: {for transmitting mechanical drive power to the process cartridge, drive mechanisms, gears, couplings, braking mechanisms} - G03G 21/186: {Axial couplings} - G03G 21/1864: {associated with a positioning function} - G03G 21/1647: {Mechanical connection means} - G03G 2221/1657: transmitting mechanical drive power - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract A cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes a rotatable member capable of carrying developer, the rotatable member being rotatable about a rotational axis thereof. The cartridge also includes a coupling member provided at one end portion of the cartridge with respect to a rotational axis direction of the rotatable member, the coupling member including at least one projection and being configured to transmit a rotational force to the rotatable member. A holding member holds the coupling member, and two pins support the holding member, with each of the two pins including a shaft portion elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotatable member and the two pins being disposed substantially parallel to each other. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-239. (canceled) ### Claim 240 A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprising: i) a rotatable member capable of carrying developer, the rotatable member being rotatable about a rotational axis thereof; and ii) a coupling member provided at one end portion of the cartridge with respect to a rotational axis direction of the rotatable member, the coupling member including at least one projection and being configured to transmit a rotational force to the rotatable member; iii) a rotational force transmission member for transmitting the rotational force from the coupling member toward the rotatable member, the rotational force transmission member including a hollow portion; iv) a holding member holding the coupling member; and v) two pins supporting the holding member, each of the two pins including a shaft portion elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotatable member and the two pins being disposed substantially parallel to each other, wherein the coupling member is movable between a first position in which a rotational axis of the coupling member is substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the rotatable member, and a second position in which a tip of the projection of the coupling member is displaced from the first position at least in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotatable member toward the other end portion of the cartridge. ### Claim 241 (depends on 240) A cartridge according to claim 240, wherein the holding member includes holes in which the shaft portions of the two pins are inserted. ### Claim 242 (depends on 241) A cartridge according to claim 241, wherein the two pins support the holding member such that the coupling member is movable at least in a direction substantially perpendicular to the elongated direction of the shaft portions of the two pins relative to the rotational force transmission member. ### Claim 243 (depends on 242) A cartridge according to claim 242, wherein the two pins support the holding member such that the holding member is movable at least in a direction substantially perpendicular to the elongated direction relative to the rotational force transmission member. ### Claim 244 (depends on 240) A cartridge according to claim 240, wherein with movement of the coupling member from the first position to the second position, the coupling member moves toward the other end portion of the cartridge in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotatable member. ### Claim 245 (depends on 240) A cartridge according to claim 240, wherein the rotational force transmission member is provided at the one end portion of the cartridge with respect to the direction of the rotational axis of the rotatable member. ### Claim 246 (depends on 240) A cartridge according to according to claim 240, wherein the holding member holds the coupling member so as to be movable integrally with the holding member in the direction substantially perpendicular to the elongated direction. ### Claim 247 (depends on 246) A cartridge according to claim 246, wherein the coupling member is movable relative to the holding member substantially in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotational force transmission member. ### Claim 248 (depends on 240) A cartridge according to claim 240, further comprising an urging member urging the coupling member in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotatable member. ### Claim 249 (depends on 248) A cartridge according to claim 248, wherein the urging member includes an elastic member. ### Claim 250 (depends on 249) A cartridge according to claim 249, wherein the elastic member is a spring. ### Claim 251 (depends on 240) A cartridge according to claim 240, wherein the rotatable member is a photosensitive member capable of forming a latent image thereon. ### Claim 252 (depends on 251) A cartridge according to claim 251, wherein the rotational force transmission member is a flange mounted to the photosensitive member. ### Claim 253 (depends on 252) A cartridge according to claim 252, further comprising a developing roller for developing the latent image, wherein the flange is provided with a gear for transmitting the rotational force to the developing roller. ### Claim 254 (depends on 240) A cartridge according to claim 240, wherein the rotatable member is a developing roller. ### Claim 255 (depends on 254) A cartridge according to claim 254, wherein the rotational force transmission member is provided with a gear for transmitting the rotational force to the developing roller. ### Claim 256 (depends on 255) A cartridge according to claim 255, further comprising an additional rotational force transmission member mounted to the developing roller, wherein the rotational force is transmitted to the developing roller from the rotational force transmission member and the additional rotational force transmission member. ### Claim 257 (depends on 240) A cartridge according to according to claim 240, wherein the coupling member includes one end portion provided with the at least one projection, an opposite end portion, and a connecting portion connecting the one end portion and the opposite end portion to each other. ### Claim 258 (depends on 257) A cartridge according to according to claim 257, wherein a rotational force receiving portion for receiving the rotational force is provided on the at least one projection. ### Claim 259 (depends on 258) A cartridge according to claim 258, wherein a predetermined section of the connecting portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the coupling member has a maximum radius that is less than a distance between the rotational force receiving portion and the rotational axis of the coupling member. ### Claim 260 (depends on 240) A cartridge according to claim 240, wherein the two pins are rotatable integrally with the coupling member. ### Claim 261 (depends on 240) A cartridge according to claim 240, wherein the rotational force transmission member includes a hollow portion in which a part of the coupling member is inserted, and wherein the coupling member moves between the first position and the second position with the part of the coupling member in the hollow portion. ### Claim 262 (depends on 240) A cartridge according to claim 240, wherein each of the two pins extend straight. ### Claim 263 A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprising: i) a rotatable member capable of carrying developer, the rotatable member being rotatable about a rotational axis thereof; and ii) a coupling member provided at one end portion of the cartridge with respect to a rotational axis direction of the rotatable member, the coupling member including at least one projection and being configured to transmit a rotational force to the rotatable member; iii) a rotational force transmission member for transmitting the rotational force from the coupling member toward the rotatable member, the rotational force transmission member including a hollow portion, iv) a holding member holding the coupling member; and v) two pins supporting the holding member, each of the two pins including a shaft portion elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotatable member and the two pins being disposed substantially parallel to each other, wherein the coupling member is movable between a first position in which a rotational axis of the coupling member is substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the rotatable member, and a second position in which the coupling member is displaced from the first position in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotatable member toward an other end portion of the cartridge, and wherein, in the second position the rotational axis of the coupling member is substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the rotatable member and the coupling member is displaced from the first position in the direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotatable member. ### Claim 264 (depends on 263) A cartridge according to claim 263, wherein the holding member includes holes in which the shaft portions of the two pins are inserted. ### Claim 265 (depends on 264) A cartridge according to claim 264, wherein the two pins support the holding member such that the coupling member is movable at least in a direction substantially perpendicular to the elongated direction of the shaft portions of the two pins relative to the rotational force transmission member. ### Claim 266 (depends on 265) A cartridge according to claim 265, wherein the two pins support the holding member such that the holding member is movable at least in a direction substantially perpendicular to the elongated direction relative to the rotational force transmission member. ### Claim 267 (depends on 263) A cartridge according to claim 263, wherein the rotational force transmission member is provided at the one end portion of the cartridge with respect to the direction of the rotational axis of the rotatable member. ### Claim 268 (depends on 263) A cartridge according to according to claim 263, wherein the holding member holds the coupling member so as to be movable integrally with the holding member in the direction substantially perpendicular to the elongated direction. ### Claim 269 (depends on 268) A cartridge according to claim 268, wherein the coupling member is movable relative to the holding member substantially in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotational force transmission member. ### Claim 270 (depends on 268) A cartridge according to claim 268, further comprising an urging member urging the coupling member in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotatable member. ### Claim 271 (depends on 270) A cartridge according to claim 270, wherein the urging member includes an elastic member. ### Claim 272 (depends on 271) A cartridge according to claim 271, wherein the elastic member is a spring. ### Claim 273 (depends on 263) A cartridge according to claim 263, wherein the rotatable member is a photosensitive member capable of forming a latent image thereon. ### Claim 274 (depends on 273) A cartridge according to claim 273, wherein the rotational force transmission member is a flange mounted to the photosensitive member. ### Claim 275 (depends on 274) A cartridge according to claim 274, further comprising a developing roller for developing the latent image, wherein the flange is provided with a gear for transmitting the rotational force to the developing roller. ### Claim 276 (depends on 263) A cartridge according to claim 263, wherein the rotatable member is a developing roller. ### Claim 277 (depends on 276) A cartridge according to claim 276, wherein the rotational force transmission member is provided with a gear for transmitting the rotational force to the developing roller. ### Claim 278 (depends on 277) A cartridge according to claim 277, further comprising an additional rotational force transmission member mounted to the developing roller, wherein the rotational force is transmitted to the developing roller from the rotational force transmission member and the additional rotational force transmission member. ### Claim 279 (depends on 263) A cartridge according to according to claim 263, wherein the coupling member includes one end portion provided with the at least one projection, an opposite end portion, and a connecting portion connecting the one end portion and the opposite end portion to each other. ### Claim 280 (depends on 279) A cartridge according to according to claim 279, wherein a rotational force receiving portion for receiving the rotational force is provided on the at least one projection. ### Claim 281 (depends on 279) A cartridge according to claim 279, wherein a predetermined section of the connecting portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the coupling member has a maximum radius that is less than a distance between the rotational force receiving portion and the rotational axis of the coupling member. ### Claim 282 (depends on 263) A cartridge according to claim 263, wherein the two pins are rotatable integrally with the coupling member. ### Claim 283 (depends on 263) A cartridge according to claim 263, wherein the rotational force transmission member includes a hollow portion in which a part of the coupling member is inserted, and Wherein the coupling member moves between the first position and the second position with the part of the coupling member in the hollow portion. ### Claim 284 (depends on 263) A cartridge according to claim 263, wherein each of the two pins extend straight. ### Claim 285 A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprising: i) a roller capable of carrying developer, the roller being rotatable about a rotational axis thereof; and ii) a coupling member provided at one end portion of the cartridge with respect to a rotational axis direction of the roller, the coupling member including at least one projection and being configured to transmit a rotational force to the roller; iii) a gear for transmitting the rotational force from the coupling member toward the roller, the gear including a hollow portion; iv) a holder holding the coupling member; and v) two pins supporting the holder, each of the two pins including a shaft portion elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the roller and the two pins being disposed substantially parallel to each other, wherein the coupling member is movable between a first position in which a rotational axis of the coupling member is substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the roller, and a second position in which a tip of the projection of the coupling member is displaced from the first position at least in the direction of the rotational axis of the roller toward the other end portion of the cartridge. ### Claim 286 (depends on 285) A cartridge according to claim 285, wherein the holder includes holes in which the shaft portions of the two pins are inserted. ### Claim 287 (depends on 286) A cartridge according to claim 286, wherein the two pins support the holder such that the coupling member is movable at least in a direction substantially perpendicular to an elongated direction of the shaft portions of the two pins relative to the gear. ### Claim 288 (depends on 287) A cartridge according to claim 287, wherein the two pins support the holder such that the holder is movable at least in a direction substantially perpendicular to the elongated direction relative to the gear. ### Claim 289 (depends on 285) A cartridge according to claim 285, wherein with movement of the coupling member from the first position to the second position, the coupling member moves toward the other end portion of the cartridge in the direction of the rotational axis of the roller. ### Claim 290 (depends on 285) A cartridge according to claim 285, wherein the gear is provided at the one end portion of the cartridge with respect to the direction of the rotational axis of the roller. ### Claim 291 (depends on 285) A cartridge according to according to claim 285, wherein the holder holds the coupling member movable integrally with the holder in the direction substantially perpendicular to the elongated direction. ### Claim 292 (depends on 291) A cartridge according to claim 291, wherein the coupling member is movable relative to the holder substantially in the direction of the rotational axis of the gear. ### Claim 293 (depends on 285) A cartridge according to claim 285, further comprising an urging member urging the coupling member in the direction of the rotational axis of the roller. ### Claim 294 (depends on 293) A cartridge according to claim 293, wherein the urging member includes an elastic member. ### Claim 295 (depends on 294) A cartridge according to claim 294, wherein the elastic member is a spring. ### Claim 296 (depends on 285) A cartridge according to claim 285, wherein the roller is a photosensitive member capable of forming a latent image thereon. ### Claim 297 (depends on 296) A cartridge according to claim 296, wherein the gear is a flange mounted to the photosensitive member. ### Claim 298 (depends on 297) A cartridge according to claim 297, further comprising a developing roller for developing the latent image, wherein the gear transmits the rotational force to the developing roller. ### Claim 299 (depends on 285) A cartridge according to claim 285, wherein the roller is a developing roller. ### Claim 300 (depends on 299) A cartridge according to claim 299, further comprising an additional gear mounted to the developing roller, wherein the rotational force is transmitted to the developing roller from the gear to the additional gear. ### Claim 301 (depends on 285) A cartridge according to according to claim 285, wherein the coupling member includes one end portion provided with the at least one projection, an opposite end portion, and a connecting portion connecting the one end portion and the opposite end portion to each other. ### Claim 302 (depends on 301) A cartridge according to according to claim 301, wherein a rotational force receiving portion for receiving the rotational force is provided on the at least one projection. ### Claim 303 (depends on 301) A cartridge according to claim 301, wherein a predetermined section of the connecting portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the coupling member has a maximum radius that is less than a distance between the rotational force receiving portion and the rotational axis of the coupling member. ### Claim 304 (depends on 285) A cartridge according to claim 285, wherein the two pins are rotatable integrally with the coupling member. ### Claim 305 (depends on 285) A cartridge according to claim 285, wherein the gear includes a hollow portion in which a part of the coupling member is inserted, and wherein the coupling member moves between the first position and the second position with the part of the coupling member in the hollow portion. ### Claim 306 (depends on 285) A cartridge according to claim 285, wherein each of the two pins extend straight. ### Claim 307 A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprising: i) a roller capable of carrying developer, the roller being rotatable about a rotational axis thereof; ii) a coupling member provided at one end portion of the cartridge with respect to a rotational axis direction of the roller, the coupling member including at least one projection and being configured to transmit a rotational force to the roller; iii) a gear for transmitting the rotational force from the coupling member toward the roller, the gear including a hollow portion, iv) a holder holding the coupling member; and v) two pins supporting the holder, each of the two pins including a shaft portion elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the roller and the two pins being disposed substantially parallel to each other, wherein the coupling member is movable between a first position in which a rotational axis of the coupling member is substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the roller, and a second position in which the coupling member is displaced from the first position in the direction of the rotational axis of the roller toward an other end portion of the cartridge, and wherein, in the second position, the rotational axis of the coupling member is substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the roller and the coupling member is displaced from the first position in the direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the roller. ### Claim 308 (depends on 307) A cartridge according to claim 307, wherein the holder includes holes in which the shaft portions of the two pins are inserted. ### Claim 309 (depends on 308) A cartridge according to claim 308, wherein the two pins support the holder such that the coupling member is movable at least in a direction substantially perpendicular to an elongated direction of the shaft portions of the two pins relative to the gear. ### Claim 310 (depends on 309) A cartridge according to claim 309, wherein the two pins support the holder such that the holder is movable at least in a direction substantially perpendicular to the elongated direction relative to the gear. ### Claim 311 (depends on 307) A cartridge according to claim 307, wherein the gear is provided at the one end portion of the cartridge with respect to the direction of the rotational axis of the roller. ### Claim 312 (depends on 307) A cartridge according to according to claim 307, wherein the holder holds the coupling member movable integrally with the holder in the direction substantially perpendicular to the elongated direction. ### Claim 313 (depends on 312) A cartridge according to claim 312, wherein the coupling member is movable relative to the holder substantially in the direction of the rotational axis of the gear. ### Claim 314 (depends on 307) A cartridge according to claim 307, further comprising an urging member urging the coupling member in the direction of the rotational axis of the roller. ### Claim 315 (depends on 314) A cartridge according to claim 314, wherein the urging member includes an elastic member. ### Claim 316 (depends on 315) A cartridge according to claim 315, wherein the elastic member is a spring. ### Claim 317 (depends on 307) A cartridge according to claim 307, wherein the roller is a photosensitive member capable of forming a latent image thereon. ### Claim 318 (depends on 317) A cartridge according to claim 317, wherein the gear is a flange mounted to the photosensitive member. ### Claim 319 (depends on 318) A cartridge according to claim 318, further comprising a developing roller for developing the latent image, wherein the gear transmits the rotational force to the developing roller. ### Claim 320 (depends on 307) A cartridge according to claim 307, wherein the roller is a developing roller. ### Claim 321 (depends on 320) A cartridge according to claim 320, further comprising an additional gear mounted to the developing roller, wherein the rotational force is transmitted to the developing roller from the gear and the additional gear. ### Claim 322 (depends on 307) A cartridge according to according to claim 307, wherein the coupling member includes one end portion provided with the at least one projection, an opposite end portion, and a connecting portion connecting the one end portion and the opposite end portion t each other. ### Claim 323 (depends on 322) A cartridge according to according to claim 322, wherein a rotational force receiving portion for receiving the rotational force is provided on the at least one projection. ### Claim 324 (depends on 322) A cartridge according to claim 322, wherein a predetermined section of the connecting portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the coupling member has a maximum radius that is less than a distance between the rotational force receiving portion and the rotational axis of the coupling member. ### Claim 325 (depends on 307) A cartridge according to claim 307, wherein the two pins are rotatable integrally with the coupling member. ### Claim 326 (depends on 307) A cartridge according to claim 307, wherein the gear includes a hollow portion in which a part of the coupling member is inserted, and wherein the coupling member moves between the first position and the second position with the part of the coupling member in the hollow portion. ### Claim 327 (depends on 307) A cartridge according to claim 307, wherein each of the two pins extend straight.