# US 8,787,786 B2 · Developing cartridge > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,787,786 B2 - Document ID: US8787786B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/057,762 - Filed: 2013-10-18 - Published: 2014-02-13 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2005-07-08 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Shougo Sato; Takeyuki Takagi; Naoya Kamimura - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8787786B2 ## CPC - G03G 15/065: {Arrangements for controlling the potential of the developing electrode} - G03B 21/18: Fire preventing or extinguishing - G03G 15/0865: {Arrangements for supplying new developer} - G03G 21/1647: {Mechanical connection means} - G03G 21/1652: {Electrical connection means} - G03G 21/1676: {for the developer unit} - G03G 21/18: using a processing cartridge {, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit} - G03G 21/1807: {colour} - G03G 21/1814: {Details of parts of process cartridge, e.g. for charging, transfer, cleaning, developing (G03G21/1835 takes precedence)} - G03G 2221/1657: transmitting mechanical drive power - G03G 2221/166: Electrical connectors - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A developing cartridge includes a case having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and a developing roller disposed between the first sidewall and second sidewall. The developing roller can include a developing roller shaft and a developing roller member configured to carry a developing agent thereon, the developing roller member disposed around the developing roller shaft. Also, the developing cartridge can include an electrode disposed on the first sidewall adjacent to the developing roller shaft, the electrode electrically connected to the developing roller member, and a driven coupling disposed on the second sidewall. The electrode can include, an extending portion extending in a direction away from the first sidewall. An outermost periphery of the driven coupling defines a projection plane projecting in a direction towards the electrode, wherein at least a part of the extending portion is disposed within the projection plane. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A developing cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus having a drive coupling and a feeding member for supplying developing bias, the developing cartridge comprising: a case including a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall; a developing roller disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the developing roller including a developing roller shaft configured to rotate about a first axis line and a developing roller member configured to carry a developing agent thereon, the developing roller member disposed around the developing roller shaft; an electrode disposed on the first sidewall adjacent to the developing roller shaft, the electrode electrically connected to the developing roller member; and a driven coupling disposed on the second sidewall and configured to be engaged with the drive coupling and to rotate with the drive coupling about a second axis line, wherein the electrode includes a contact point disposed within a plane of projection when the driven coupling is projected in a direction parallel to the second axis line towards the electrode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second axis line is parallel to the first axis line and positioned a prescribed distance from the first axis line. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the electrode includes portions disposed outside the plane of projection when the driven coupling is projected in the direction parallel to the second axis line towards the electrode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the driven coupling includes a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion concentrically disposed with the first cylindrical portion, wherein the first cylindrical portion is substantially hollow and provided with an inner peripheral surface, wherein the first cylindrical portion includes a driven part which extends radially inward from the inner peripheral surface and which is configured to be engaged with the drive coupling, wherein the second cylindrical portion includes a gear, and wherein the plane of projection is defined by projecting the first cylindrical portion in the direction parallel to the second axis line towards the electrode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The developing cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the developing roller includes a developing roller gear that is configured to rotate together with the developing roller shaft, and the second cylindrical portion engages with the developing roller gear. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The developing cartridge according to claim 4, wherein a radius of the first cylindrical portion is smaller than a radius of the second cylindrical portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The developing cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the first cylindrical portion includes a second driven part which extends radially inward from the inner peripheral surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the contact point is configured to be contacted by the feeding member on the second axis line. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The developing cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a supporting shaft that supports the driven coupling. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The developing cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the second sidewall includes the supporting shaft. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The developing cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a bearing member that receives the electrode, the bearing member being disposed between the electrode and the first sidewall. ### Claim 12 A developing cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus having a drive coupling and a feeding member for supplying developing bias, the developing cartridge comprising: a case including a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall; a developing roller disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the developing roller including a developing roller shaft configured to rotate about a first axis line and a developing roller member configured to carry a developing agent thereon, the developing roller member disposed around the developing roller shaft; an electrode disposed on the first sidewall adjacent to the developing roller shaft, the electrode electrically connected to the developing roller member; and a driven coupling disposed on the second sidewall and configured to be engaged with the drive coupling and to rotate with the drive coupling about a second axis line, wherein the electrode is disposed to contact the feeding member within a virtual plane of projection defined when the driven coupling is projected in a direction parallel to the second axis line towards the electrode. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The developing cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the second axis line is parallel to the first axis line and positioned a prescribed distance from the first axis line. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The developing cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the electrode includes portions disposed outside the plane of projection when the driven coupling is projected in the direction parallel to the second axis line towards the electrode. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The developing cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the driven coupling includes a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion concentrically disposed with the first cylindrical portion, wherein the first cylindrical portion is substantially hollow and provided with an inner peripheral surface, wherein the first cylindrical portion includes a driven part which extends radially inward from the inner peripheral surface and which is configured to be engaged with the drive coupling, wherein the second cylindrical portion includes a gear, and wherein the plane of projection is defined by projecting the first cylindrical portion in the direction parallel to the second axis line towards the electrode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The developing cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the developing roller includes a developing roller gear that is configured to rotate together with the developing roller shaft, and the second cylindrical portion engages with the developing roller gear. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The developing cartridge according to claim 15, wherein a radius of the first cylindrical portion is smaller than a radius of the second cylindrical portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The developing cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the first cylindrical portion includes a second driven part which extends radially inward from the inner peripheral surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The developing cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the electrode is configured to be contacted by the feeding member on the second axis line. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The developing cartridge according to claim 12, further comprising a supporting shaft that supports the driven coupling. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The developing cartridge according to claim 20, wherein the second sidewall includes the supporting shaft. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The developing cartridge according to claim 12, further comprising a bearing member that receives the electrode, the bearing member being disposed between the electrode and the first sidewall.