# US 2021/0240100 A1 · Image Forming Apparatus and Process Cartridge

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2021/0240100 A1
- Document ID: US20210240100A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/236,637
- Filed: 2021-04-21
- Published: 2021-08-05
- Earliest claimed: 2007-12-28
- Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Naoya Kamimura; Atsuhisa Nakashima
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210240100A1

## CPC

- G03G 15/081: {characterised by the developer handling means after the supply and before the regulating, e.g. means for preventing developer blocking}
- G03G 15/0808: {characterised by the developer supplying means, e.g. structure of developer supply roller}
- G03G 15/0822: {Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer}
- G03G 15/757: {Drive mechanisms for photosensitive medium, e.g. gears}
- G03G 21/1647: {Mechanical connection means}
- G03G 21/1814: {Details of parts of process cartridge, e.g. for charging, transfer, cleaning, developing (G03G21/1835 takes precedence)}
- G03G 21/1864: {associated with a positioning function}
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

The image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a drum drive input member; a developing cartridge configured to be movably mounted to the drum cartridge, the developing cartridge comprising a developing roller disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum and a developing drive input member; a drum drive transmission member configured to engage with the drum drive input member and configured to transmit drum driving force to the drum drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the drum drive input member within a predetermined range; and a developing drive transmission member configured to engage with the developing drive input member and configured to transmit developing driving force to the developing drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the developing drive input member within a predetermined range.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process cartridge comprising:
a frame including:
a photosensitive drum; and
a drum coupling configured to rotate the photosensitive drum; and
a housing configured to accommodate toner therein, the housing including:
a developing roller; and
a developing coupling configured to rotate the developing roller,
wherein the housing is movable relative to the frame between a first position and a second position,
wherein a first distance between a surface of the developing roller and a surface of the photosensitive drum in a case where the housing is at the first position is closer to a second distance between the surface of the developing roller and the surface of the photosensitive drum in a case where the housing is at the second position, and
wherein at least one of the developing coupling and the drum coupling is configured to permit a positional gap within a predetermined range.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developing coupling is configured to permit a positional gap within a predetermined range.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the drum coupling is configured to permit a positional gap within a predetermined range.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein both of the developing coupling and the drum coupling are configured to permit a positional gap within a predetermined range.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The process cartridge according to claim 1,
wherein the surface of the developing roller is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum in a case where the housing is at the first position, and
wherein the surface of the developing roller is spaced apart from the surface of the photosensitive drum in a case where the housing is at the second position.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developing coupling is an Oldham coupling.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the drum coupling is an Oldham coupling.