Electrophotographic image forming apparatus, developing apparatus, and coupling member

An image forming apparatus cartridge, comprising:

• a casing;
• a rotatable structure having a longitudinal axis L1, the rotatable structure being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1;
• and
• a coupling member having a longitudinal axis L2 and having (i) a rotational force for transmitting a rotational force to the rotatable structure, (ii) a rotational force receiving portion, and (iii) a connecting portion that connects the rotational force receiving portion to the rotational force transmitting portion,
• wherein the coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis L1 of the rotatable structure so that the axis L2 does not pass through the rotatable structure when the coupling member in the first position, (ii) a second position in which the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position, (iii) and a third position in which the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position and in a direction opposite to the direction the coupling member is inclined when in the second position.

A developing cartridge comprising:

• a casing;
• a developer roller having a longitudinal axis L1, the developer roller being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1;
• and
• a coupling member having (i) a rotational force transmitting portion for transmitting a rotational force to the developer roller, (ii) a rotational force receiving portion, and (iii) a connecting portion that connects the rotational force receiving portion to the rotational force transmitting portion,
• wherein the rotational force receiving portion comprises (i) a surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis L2 of the coupling member, (ii) an opening in the surface to a recess, and (iii) two projections extending from the surface in a direction substantially parallel to the axis L2, with the projections extending from opposed positions on the surface, and
• wherein the recess includes a surface that is slanted with respect to the axis L2.

A developing cartridge comprising:

• a casing;
• a developer roller having a longitudinal axis L1, the developer roller being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1;
• a coupling member having (i) a rotational force transmitting portion for transmitting a rotational force to the developer roller, (ii) a rotational force receiving portion, and (iii) a connecting portion that connects the rotational force receiving portion to the rotational force transmitting portion;
• and
• an urging member that contacts the coupling member,
• wherein the coupling member is movable between a first position, and a second position in which the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position, and
• wherein the urging member biases the coupling member to the second position.

A developing cartridge comprising:

• a casing;
• a developer roller having a longitudinal axis L1, the developer roller being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1;
• a coupling member having a longitudinal axis L2 and having (i) a rotational force transmitting portion for transmitting a rotational force to the developer roller, (ii) a rotational force receiving portion, and (iii) a connecting portion that connects the rotational force receiving portion to the rotational force transmitting portion;
• and
• a force transmitting structure, having an axis L3, connected to the developer roller and to the coupling member,
• wherein the coupling member can be inclined in any direction relative to the axis L3, and the coupling member can partially rotate about the axis L2 without transmitting a force to the force transmitting structure.

A developing cartridge comprising:

• a casing;
• a developer roller having a longitudinal axis L1 and a shaft with an end extending from the developer roller, the developer roller being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1;
• and
• a coupling member having (i) a rotational force transmitting portion for transmitting a rotational force to the developer roller via the shaft, (ii) a rotational force receiving portion, and (iii) a connecting portion that connects the rotational force receiving portion to the rotational force transmitting portion;
• wherein the coupling member is movable between (i) a first position, (ii) a second position in which the axis L2 is inclined from the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position, (iii) and a third position in which the coupling member is inclined from position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position and in a direction opposite to the direction the coupling member is inclined in the second position,
• wherein the coupling member is linearly movable in the direction of axis L2,
• wherein the force receiving portion comprises one pair of projections extending substantially in the same direction as the axis L2 away from the connecting portion, each projection having the same length L and having a tip,
• wherein, when the coupling member moves from the first position to either the second position or the third position, the tip of one projection moves at least about the distance L in the direction of axis L2 through the combination of linear movement and inclining of the coupling member, and
• wherein, when the coupling member is in the second position or third position, at least one of the projections is farther from the developer roller than the end of the shaft is from the developer roller.

A developing cartridge comprising:

• a casing,
• a developer roller having a longitudinal axis L1, the developer roller being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1;
• and
• a coupling member having (i) a rotational force transmitting portion associated with the developer roller so as to transmit a rotational force to the developer roller, (ii) a rotational force receiving portion, and (iii) a connecting portion that connects the rotational force receiving portion to the rotational force transmitting portion,
• wherein the coupling member is movable between a first position, and a second position in which the axis L2 is inclined from the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position,
• wherein the rotational force receiving portion comprises two projections extending away from the connecting portion in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L2, each projection having a tip defined by at least one surface slanted with respect to the longitudinal axis L2 and being a part of the projection farthest from the developer roller when the coupling member is in the first position, and
• wherein, when the coupling member is in the first position, the tip of each projection is the same distance from the casing.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a developing cartridge including
• a casing;
• a developer roller having a longitudinal axis L1, the developer roller being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1;
• and
• a coupling member having a longitudinal axis L2 and having (i) a rotational force transmitting portion for transmitting a rotational force to the developer roller, (ii) a rotational force receiving portion, and (iii) a connecting portion that connects the rotational force receiving portion to the rotational force transmitting portion,
• wherein the coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis L1 of the developer roller so that the axis L2 does not pass through developer roller, (ii) a second position in which the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position, (iii) and a third position in which the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position and in a direction opposite to the direction the coupling member is inclined when in the second position;
• a driving motor;
• and
• a driving shaft engageable with the rotational force receiving portion of the coupling member of the developing cartridge.

A developing cartridge comprising:

• a casing;
• a developer roller having a longitudinal axis L1, the developer roller being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1;
• and
• a coupling member having (i) a rotational force transmitting portion for transmitting a rotational force to the developer roller, (ii) a rotational force receiving portion, and (iii) a connecting portion that connects the rotational force receiving portion to the rotational force transmitting portion,
• wherein the rotational force receiving portion comprises (i) a surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis L2 of the coupling member, (ii) an opening in the surface to a recess, and (iii) two projections extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L2 away from the surface, with the projections extending from opposed positions on the surface,
• wherein the recess includes a surface that expands in size as the distance from the developer roller increases.

A developing cartridge comprising:

• a casing,
• a developer roller having a longitudinal axis L1, the developer roller being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1;
• and
• a coupling member having (i) a rotational force transmitting portion associated with the developer roller so as to transmit a rotational force to the developer roller, (ii) a rotational force receiving portion, and (iii) a connecting portion that connects the rotational force receiving portion to the rotational force transmitting portion,
• wherein the coupling member is movable between a first position, and a second position in which the axis L2 is inclined from the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position,
• wherein the rotational force receiving portion comprises two projections extending away from the connecting portion in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L2, each projection having a tip that is narrower than a portion of the projection closer to the developer roller when the coupling member is in the first position;
• and
• wherein, when the coupling member is in the first position, the tip of each projection is the same distance from the casing.

A developing cartridge comprising:

• a casing;
• a developer roller having an axis L1, the developer roller being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1;
• and
• a coupling member having an axis L2, the coupling member having (i) a first end portion operatively connected with the developer roller, (ii) a second end portion, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion,
• wherein the coupling member is movable between a first position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis L1 of the developer roller, and a second position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position, and
• wherein a maximum angle of inclination of the axis L2 with respect to the axis L1 is about 20 degrees to about 60 degrees.

A developing cartridge comprising:

• a developer roller having an axis L1, the developer roller being rotatable about the axis L1;
• and
• a coupling member having an axis L2, the coupling member having (i) a first end portion operatively connected with the developer roller, (ii) a second end portion, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion,
• wherein the coupling member is movable between a first position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis L1 of the developer roller, and a second position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position, and
• wherein when the coupling member is in the second position, the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined from about 20 degrees to about 60 degrees with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position.

A developing cartridge comprising:

• a developer roller having an axis L1, the developer roller being rotatable about the axis L1;
• and
• a coupling member having an axis L2, the coupling member having (i) a first end portion operatively connected with the developer roller, (ii) a second end portion, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion,
• wherein the coupling member is movable between a first position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis L1 of the developer roller, and a second position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position, and
• wherein when the coupling member is in the second position, the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined at least about 20 degrees with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position.

A developing cartridge comprising:

• a casing;
• a developer roller having an axis L1, the developer roller being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1;
• and
• a coupling member having an axis L2, the coupling member having (i) a first end portion operatively connected with the developer roller, (ii) a second end portion, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion,
• wherein the coupling member is movable between a first position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis L1 of the developer roller, and a second position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position, and
• wherein the maximum angle of inclination of the axis L2 with respect to the axis L1 is limited by contact between the coupling member and the casing.

A developing cartridge comprising:

• a developer roller having an axis L1, the developer roller being rotatable about the axis L1;
• and
• a coupling member having an axis L2, the coupling member having (i) a first end portion operatively connected with the developer roller, (ii) a second end portion, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion,
• wherein the coupling member is movable between a first position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis L1 of the developer roller, and a second position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position and in which a portion of the axis L2 at the second end portion side of the coupling member is nearer to the axis L1 than a portion of the axis L2 at the first end portion side of the coupling member,
• wherein the second end portion comprises a pair of projections, each projection including a tip and each projection being projected away from the first end portion, and
• wherein, if a first plane is defined as a plane that includes both the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position and the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the second position, and a second plane is defined as a plane that includes the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position and is perpendicular to the first plane,
• then when the coupling member is in the first position and the tips of the projections are in the first plane, the projections are positioned on opposite sides of the second plane, and when the coupling member is in the second position and the tips of the projections are in the first plane, the projections are on the same side of the second plane.

A developing cartridge comprising:

• a developer roller having an axis L1, the developer roller being rotatable about the axis L1;
• and
• a coupling member having an axis L2, the coupling member having (i) a first end portion operatively connected with the developer roller, (ii) a second end portion, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion,
• wherein the coupling member is movable between a first position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis L1 of the developer roller, and a second position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position and in which a portion of the axis L2 at the first end portion side of the coupling member is nearer to the axis L1 than a portion of the axis L2 at the second end portion side of the coupling member,
• wherein the second end portion comprises a pair of projections, each projection including a tip and each projection being projected away from the first end portion, and
• wherein, if a first plane is defined as a plane that includes both the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position and the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the second position, and a second plane is defined as a plane that includes the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position and is perpendicular to the first plane,
• then when the coupling member is in the first position and the tips of the projections are in the first plane, the projections are positioned on opposite sides of the second plane, and when the coupling member is in the second position and the tips of the projections are in the first plane, the projections are on the same side of the second plane.

A developing cartridge comprising:

• a developer roller having an axis L1, the developer roller being rotatable about the axis L1;
• and
• a coupling member having an axis L2, the coupling member having (i) a first end portion operatively connected with the developer roller, (ii) a second end portion, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion,
• wherein the coupling member is movable between a first position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis L1 of the developer roller, and a second position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position,
• wherein when the coupling member is in the second position, a portion of the axis L2 at the second end portion side of the coupling member is nearer to the axis L1 than a portion of the axis L2 at the first end portion side of the coupling member,
• wherein the second end portion comprises a pair of projections, each projection including a tip and each projection being projected away from the first end portion, and
• wherein, if a first plane is defined as a plane in which the tips of the projections move when the coupling member moves between the first position and the second position, and a second plane is defined as a plane that is perpendicular to the first plane and contains the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position, then the projections are positioned on opposite sides of the second plane when the coupling member is in the first position, and the projections are positioned on the same side of the second plane when the coupling member is in the second position.

A developing cartridge comprising:

• a developer roller having an axis L1, the developer roller being rotatable about the axis L1;
• and
• a coupling member having an axis L2, the coupling member having (i) a first end portion operatively connected with the developer roller, (ii) a second end portion, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion,
• wherein the coupling member is movable between a first position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis L1 of the developer roller, and a second position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position,
• wherein when the coupling member is in the second position, a portion of the axis L2 at the first end portion side of the coupling member is nearer to the axis L1 than a portion of the axis L2 at the second end portion side of the coupling member,
• wherein the second end portion comprises a pair of projections, each projection including a tip and each projection being projected away from the first end portion, and
• wherein, if a first plane is defined as a plane in which the tips of the projections move when the coupling member moves between the first position and the second position, and a second plane is defined as a plane that is perpendicular to the first plane and contains the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position, then the projections are positioned on opposite sides of the second plane when the coupling member is in the first position, and the projections are positioned on the same side of the second plane when the coupling member is in the second position.