# US RE49,689 E1 · Developing cartridge capable of releasing meshing between gear and rack gear

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- Number: US RE49,689 E1
- Document ID: USRE49689E1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: E1
- Application number: 16/988,029
- Filed: 2020-08-07
- Granted: 2023-10-10
- Earliest claimed: 2016-12-28
- Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Nao Itabashi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/USRE49689E1

## CPC

- G03G 15/0863: {provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. an electronic memory}
- G03G 21/1647: {Mechanical connection means}
- G03G 21/1652: {Electrical connection means}
- G03G 21/1867: {for electrically connecting the process cartridge to the apparatus, electrical connectors, power supply}
- G03G 21/1875: {provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. lifetime of the cartridge}
- G03G 21/1896: {mechanical or optical identification means, e.g. protrusions, bar codes}
- G03G 2215/0695: using identification means or means for storing process or use parameters
- G03G 2221/166: Electrical connectors
- G03G 2221/1657: transmitting mechanical drive power
- G03G 2221/1892: Presence detection
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a developing electrode; a gear; a rack gear including a protrusion; and a cam having first and second cam surfaces. The rack gear meshes with the gear and is movable in a direction from one end toward another end of the casing. The cam is movable from a first position to a second position. The first cam surface of the cam at the first position contacts the protrusion, and causes the cam to move to the second position as the rack gear moves in the direction in a state where the first cam surface is in contact with the protrusion. A second cam surface moves the developing electrode in a direction away from the cam different from moving directions of the rack gear and the cam while contacting the developing electrode as the cam moves to the second position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A developing cartridge comprising:
a casing configured to accommodate toner therein;
a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction, the developing roller being positioned at one end of the casing;
a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller;
a gear rotatable about a second axis parallel with the first axis;
a rack gear meshing with the gear, the rack gear being movable in a direction from the one end of the casing toward another end of the casing opposite to the one end of the casing, the rack gear including a protrusion; and
a cam movable from a first position to a second position, the second position being farther away from the casing than the first position is from the casing in the axial direction, the cam having:
a first cam surface contacting the protrusion in a case where the cam is at the first position, the first cam surface causing the cam to move from the first position to the second position in a case where the rack gear moves in the direction from the one end of the casing toward the another end of the casing in a state where the first cam surface is in contact with the protrusion; and
a second cam surface moving the developing electrode in a direction away from the cam while contacting the developing electrode in a case where the cam moves from the first position to the second position, the direction away from the cam being a direction different from a moving direction of the rack gear and a moving direction of the cam.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The developing cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a spring for electrically connecting the developing electrode to the developing roller.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The developing cartridge according to claim 2, further comprising a bearing for supporting the developing roller,
wherein the spring has:
one end in contact with the developing electrode; and
another end opposite to the one end of the spring, the another end being in contact with the bearing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The developing cartridge according to claim 3, wherein, in a state where the one end of the spring is in contact with the developing electrode and the another end of the spring is in contact with the bearing, the spring has a length smaller than a natural length of the spring.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The developing cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the bearing is made of an electrically-conductive resin.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developing electrode is made of an electrically-conductive resin.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first cam surface has:
a first edge; and
a second edge positioned farther away from the casing than the first edge is from the casing in the axial direction, and
wherein the first cam surface is inclined so that the first edge is positioned downstream relative to the second edge in the moving direction of the rack gear.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cam has a third cam surface positioned downstream relative to the first cam surface in the moving direction of the rack gear, the third cam surface contacting the protrusion in a case where the cam is at the second position, and
wherein the third cam surface causes the cam to move from the second position to the first position in a case where the rack gear moves in the direction from the one end of the casing toward the another end of the casing in a state where the third cam surface is in contact with the protrusion.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The developing cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the third cam surface has:
a third first edge; and
a fourth second edge positioned farther away from the casing than the third first edge is from the casing in the axial direction, and
wherein the third cam surface is inclined so that the fourth second edge of the third cam surface is positioned downstream relative to the third first edge of the third cam surface in the moving direction of the rack gear.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The developing cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the first cam surface is positioned at a position different from the third cam surface in the moving direction of the cam.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The developing cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising:
an agitator configured to agitate toner accommodated in the casing; and
an agitator gear mounted to an end portion of the agitator and rotatable together with the agitator,
wherein the agitator gear serves as the gear.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The developing cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a coupling positioned opposite to the developing electrode relative to the casing.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developing gear has a fourth further cam surface contacting the second cam surface and extending parallel with the second cam surface.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the rack gear includes:
a main body portion having a plate shape and extending in the moving direction of the rack gear; and
a plurality of gear teeth meshing with the gear, and
wherein the plurality of gear teeth and the protrusion protrude from the main body portion and are positioned at positions different from each other in the moving direction of the rack gear.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The developing cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the protrusion is positioned at a position different from the plurality of gear teeth in the axial direction.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second cam surface has:
a fifth first edge; and
a sixth second edge positioned farther away from the casing than the fifth first edge of the second cam surface is from the casing in the axial direction, and
wherein the second cam surface is inclined so as to protrude toward the developing electrode in a direction from the sixth second edge of the second cam surface toward the fifth first edge of the second cam surface.

### Claim 17

A developing cartridge comprising:
a casing configured to accommodate toner therein;
a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction, the developing roller being positioned at one end of the casing;
a gear rotatable about a second axis extending in the axial direction;
a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller;
a rack gear movable from the one end of the casing toward another end of the casing opposite to the one end of the casing, the rack gear being movable in a direction from the one end of the casing toward the another end of the casing in accordance with rotation of the gear by meshing with the gear, the rack gear including a protrusion;
a cover covering at least a portion of the rack gear, the cover having an opening through which the developing electrode is exposed to an outside; and
a cam movable from a first position to a second position, the second position being farther away from the casing than the first position is from the casing in the axial direction, the cam having:
a first cam surface having a first edge and a second edge, the second edge being positioned farther away from the casing than the first edge is from the casing in the axial direction, the first cam surface being inclined so that the first edge is positioned downstream relative to the second edge in a moving direction of the protrusion, the first cam surface causing the cam to move from the first position to the second position by engaging with the protrusion, the first cam surface being positioned outside of a movement locus of the protrusion in a case where the cam is at the second position; and
a second cam surface movable together with the first cam surface, the second cam surface being positioned farther away from the casing than the first cam surface is from the casing in the axial direction, the second cam surface being movable while contacting the developing electrode, the second cam surface having a fifth first edge and a sixth second edge, the sixth second edge of the second cam surface being positioned farther away from the casing than the fifth first edge of the second cam surface is from the casing in the axial direction, the second cam surface being inclined so as to protrude toward the opening in a direction from the sixth second edge of the second cam surface toward the fifth first edge of the second cam surface.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The developing cartridge according to claim 17, further comprising a spring for electrically connecting the developing electrode to the developing roller.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The developing cartridge according to claim 17, wherein the cam further includes a third cam surface positioned downstream relative to the first cam surface in a moving direction of the rack gear, the third cam surface being positioned within the movement locus of the protrusion in a case where the cam is at the second position,
wherein the third cam surface has:
a third first edge; and
a fourth second edge positioned farther away from the casing than the third first edge of the third cam surface is from the casing in the axial direction, and
wherein the third cam surface is inclined so that the fourth second edge of the third cam surface is positioned downstream relative to the third first edge of the third cam surface in the moving direction of the rack gear.

### Claim 20

A developing cartridge comprising:
a casing configured to accommodate toner therein;
a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction, the developing roller being positioned at one end of the casing;
a gear rotatable about a second axis parallel with the first axis;
a rack gear meshing with the gear, the rack gear being movable in a direction from the one end of the casing toward another end of the casing opposite to the one end of the casing;
a cam movable from a first position to a second position, the second position being farther away from the casing than the first position is from the casing in the axial direction, the cam including a protrusion;
a spring urging the cam from the first position toward the second position;
a cover having an opening; and
a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller, the developing electrode being movable together with the cam, the developing electrode having a second cam surface, the second cam surface having a fifth first edge and a sixth second edge, the sixth second edge being positioned farther away from the casing than the fifth first edge is from the casing in the axial direction, the second cam surface being inclined so as to protrude toward the opening in a direction from the sixth second edge toward the fifth first edge,
the rack gear having:
a first holding surface contacting the protrusion to hold the cam at the first position; and
a second holding surface contacting the protrusion to hold the cam at the second position.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The developing cartridge according to claim 20, wherein the developing electrode is formed integrally with the spring.

### Claim 22

A developing cartridge comprising:
a casing configured to accommodate toner therein;
a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction, the developing roller being positioned at a first end of the casing;
a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller;
a gear rotatable about a second axis parallel with the first axis;
a rack gear meshing with the gear, the rack gear being movable in a direction extending between the first end of the casing and a second end of the casing opposite to the first end of the casing, the rack gear including a protrusion; and
a cam movable between a first position and a second position, the cam having:
a first cam surface configured to engage the protrusion to selectively move the cam between the first and second positions in response to movement of the rack gear.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The developing cartridge according to claim 22, wherein the rack gear is movable in a direction extending from the first end of the casing to the second end of the casing to move the cam from the first position to the second position.

### Claim 24 (depends on 22)

The developing cartridge according to claim 22, wherein the cam further includes a second cam surface that moves the developing electrode in a direction away from the cam in response to the movement of the cam from the first position to the second position.

### Claim 25 (depends on 22)

The developing cartridge according to claim 22, wherein the second position is farther away from the casing than the first position is from the casing in the axial direction.

### Claim 26 (depends on 22)

The developing cartridge according to claim 22, wherein the cam is configured to move the developing electrode in a direction away from the cam in response to the movement of the cam from the first position to the second position, the direction away from the cam being a direction different from a moving direction of the rack gear and a moving direction of the cam.

### Claim 27

A developing cartridge comprising:
a casing configured to accommodate toner therein;
a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction, the developing roller being positioned at a first end of the casing;
a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller;
a gear rotatable about a second axis parallel with the first axis;
a rack gear meshing with the gear, the rack gear including a protrusion; and
a cam movable from a first position to a second position, the cam having a first cam surface contacting the protrusion in a case where the cam is at the first position, the first cam surface causing the cam to move from the first position to the second position in a case where the rack gear moves in a direction extending between the first end of the casing and a second end of the casing opposite to the first end of the casing.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The developing cartridge according to claim 27, wherein the protrusion contacts the first cam surface as the rack gear moves in the direction extending from the first end of the casing toward the second end of the casing.

### Claim 29 (depends on 27)

The developing cartridge according to claim 27, wherein the second position is farther away from the casing than the first position is from the casing in the axial direction.

### Claim 30 (depends on 27)

The developing cartridge according to claim 27, wherein the cam further includes a second cam surface moving the developing electrode in a direction away from the cam while contacting the developing electrode in a case where the cam moves from the first position to the second position, the direction away from the cam being a direction different from a moving direction of the rack gear and a moving direction of the cam.

### Claim 31

A developing cartridge comprising:
a casing configured to accommodate toner therein;
a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction, the developing roller being positioned at one end of the casing;
a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller;
a gear rotatable about a second axis parallel with the first axis;
a rack gear meshing with the gear and being movable in a direction extending between the one end of the casing and another end of the casing opposite the one end of the casing; and
a cam movable from a first position to a second position, the cam being movable from the first position to the second position to move the developing electrode in a case where the rack gear moves in the direction extending between the one end of the casing and the another end of the casing opposite to the one end of the casing.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The developing cartridge according to claim 31, wherein the rack gear includes a protrusion and the cam includes a cam surface, the cam surface being contacted by the protrusion to cause the cam to move from the first position to the second position in a case where the rack gear moves in the direction between the one end of the casing and the another end of the casing opposite to the one end of the casing.

### Claim 33 (depends on 32)

The developing cartridge according to claim 32, wherein the cam surface moves the developing electrode in a direction away from the cam in a case where the cam moves from the first position to the second position.

### Claim 34 (depends on 31)

The developing cartridge according to claim 31, wherein the second position is farther away from the casing than the first position is from the casing in the axial direction.

### Claim 35 (depends on 31)

The developing cartridge according to claim 31, wherein the cam further includes a cam surface configured to move the developing electrode in a direction away from the cam while contacting the developing electrode in a case where the cam moves from the first position to the second position, the direction away from the cam being a direction different from a moving direction of the rack gear and a moving direction of the cam.