Electrophotographic image forming device and cartridge

Abstract

[Problem] To further develop the prior art. [Solution] This cartridge comprises: a holding part for stably holding a second unit at a separation position and a development position by a first unit, the holding part being movable between a first position and a second position; and a contact force receiving part capable of receiving contact force for moving the holding part from the first position to the second position in order to move the second unit to the development position when the second unit is located at the separation position. When a tangent to the surface of a photoreceptor at an intersection point farther away from the rotation center of a charging member out of intersection points of a straight line connecting the rotation center of the charging member and the rotation center of the photoreceptor and the surface of the photoreceptor when viewed along the direction of the rotation axis of a development member is defined as a predetermined tangent, and a region where the rotation center of the charging member is not disposed when a region is divided with the predetermined tangent as a boundary is defined as a predetermined region, the contact force receiving part is disposed in the predetermined region when viewed along the direction of the rotation axis of the development member when the second unit is located at the separation position.

Description

Electrophotographic image forming apparatus and cartridge

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer that employs an electrophotographic system, and to a cartridge that can be attached to or detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0002] Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as an "image forming apparatus") is an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet-like recording medium such as paper using an electrophotographic image forming method. Examples of image forming apparatuses include copying machines, facsimile machines, printers (laser beam printers, LED printers, etc.), and combination machines (multifunction printers) of these.

[0003] The cartridge is a unit that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus described above, and includes a photosensitive member and / or process means that act on the photosensitive member (for example, a charging member, a developing member, a cleaning member, etc.).

[0004] Among image forming apparatuses using electrophotographic image formation, there are those that form images by a contact development method, in which a developing member (developing roller) is in contact with a photosensitive drum to perform a developing process. In such image forming apparatuses, during the developing process, the developing roller is urged toward the photosensitive drum with a predetermined pressure, and is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum with a predetermined pressure.

[0005] When using a developing roller having an elastic layer on its surface, the following problem may occur: If the elastic layer is left in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum for a long period of time without image formation (the developing roller is not rotating), the elastic layer of the developing roller may be deformed by contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum. This may result in image defects such as unintended unevenness in the developer image during the development process.

[0006] As another example, if the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum during a period when the development process is not being performed, the developer carried by the developing roller may unnecessarily adhere to the photosensitive drum, and the developer may then adhere to the recording medium, thereby contaminating the recording medium. This can occur regardless of whether or not the developing roller has an elastic layer on its surface.

[0007] As another example, if the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are in contact and rotating for a long period of time outside of the period when the development process is being performed, the photosensitive drum, the developing roller, or the developer may deteriorate due to friction between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller. This can occur regardless of whether or not the developing roller has an elastic layer on its surface.

[0008] In order to deal with the above-mentioned cases, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-213024 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-67005 disclose configurations in which an image forming device and a cartridge are provided with a structure for separating a developing roller from the surface of a photosensitive drum during periods when a development process is not being performed.

[0009] However, there is still room for further improvement in the conventional technology described in JP 2007-213024 A, paragraph 2. Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to further develop the conventional technology.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, a representative configuration of the invention of the present application is a cartridge including: a photosensitive member, a charging member that charges the photosensitive member, a first unit including the photosensitive member and the charging member, a developing member that attaches toner to the photosensitive member, a second unit including the developing member and that is movable relative to the first unit between a developing position where toner can be attached from the developing member to the photosensitive member and a spaced position where at least a part of the developing member is disposed away from the photosensitive member, a holding section that is movably supported by the first unit or the second unit and is movable between a first position for stably holding the second unit at the spaced position by the first unit and a second position for stably holding the second unit at the developing position by the first unit, and a second unit including a holding section that is movably supported by the first unit or the second unit and that is movable between a first position for stably holding the second unit at the spaced position by the first unit and a second position for stably holding the second unit at the developing position by the first unit. a contact force receiving portion capable of receiving a contact force for moving the holding portion from the first position to the second position in order to move the second unit to the developing position when the cartridge is at the separated position, wherein, when viewed along the direction of the rotation axis of the developing member, a tangent to the surface of the photosensitive member at one of the intersections of a line connecting the rotation center of the charging member and the rotation center of the photosensitive member and the surface of the photosensitive member that is farther from the rotation center of the charging member is defined as a predetermined tangent, and an area where the rotation center of the charging member is not located is defined as a predetermined area when areas are divided using the predetermined tangent as a boundary,

[0011] The present disclosure allows further development of the prior art.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of the process cartridge.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus.

[0018] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the tray.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a storage element pressing unit and a cartridge pressing unit.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus.

[0021] FIG. 10 is a side view (partial cross-sectional view) of the process cartridge.

[0022] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus.

[0023] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the development separation control unit.

[0024] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0025] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0026] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0027] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0028] FIG. 17 shows a spacer.

[0029] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a moving member.

[0030] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0031] FIG. 20 is a partial enlarged view of the side of the process cartridge.

[0032] FIG. 21 is a partial enlarged view of the side of the process cartridge.

[0033] FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the drive side of the process cartridge.

[0034] FIG. 23 is a side view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0035] FIG. 24 is a side view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0036] FIG. 25 is a side view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0037] FIG. 26 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0038] FIG. 27 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0039] FIG. 28 shows a spacer.

[0040] FIG. 29 shows a moving member.

[0041] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0042] FIG. 31 is a side view (partial cross-sectional view) of the process cartridge.

[0043] FIG. 32 is a partial enlarged view of the side of the process cartridge.

[0044] FIG. 33 is a partial enlarged view of the side of the process cartridge.

[0045] FIG. 34 is a side view (partial cross-sectional view) of the process cartridge.

[0046] FIG. 35 is a side view (partial cross-sectional view) of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0047] FIG. 36 is a side view (partial cross-sectional view) of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0048] FIG. 37 is a side view (partial cross-sectional view) of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0049] FIG. 38 is a side view (partial cross-sectional view) of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0050] FIG. 39 is a side view (partial cross-sectional view) of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0051] FIG. 40 is a partial enlarged view of the side of the process cartridge.

[0052] FIG. 41 is a partial enlarged view of the side of the process cartridge.

[0053] FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a process cartridge and a schematic diagram showing the amount of separation of a developing roller from a photosensitive drum.

[0054] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the process cartridge and a schematic diagram showing the distance between the developing roller and the photosensitive drum.

[0055] FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a process cartridge and a schematic diagram showing the amount of separation of a developing roller from a photosensitive drum.

[0056] FIG. 45 is a perspective view of the process cartridge and a schematic diagram showing the amount of separation of the developing roller from the photosensitive drum.

[0057] FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a process cartridge and a schematic diagram showing the amount of separation of a developing roller from a photosensitive drum.

[0058] FIG. 47 shows a moving member.

[0059] FIG. 48 is a diagram showing the relationship between the moving member, the spacer, and the non-drive side bearing.

[0060] FIG. 49 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus and a diagram showing the relationship between the moving member and the spacer.

[0061] FIG. 50 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0062] FIG. 51 is a partial perspective view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0063] FIG. 52 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0064] FIG. 53 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus and a diagram showing the relationship between the moving member and the spacer.

[0065] FIG. 54 is a perspective view of the developing unit.

[0066] FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0067] Figure 56 is a partial enlarged view of the side of the process cartridge.

[0068] FIG. 57 is a diagram showing the relationship between the moving member and the non-drive side bearing.

[0069] FIG. 58 shows a moving member.

[0070] FIG. 59 shows a moving member.

[0071] FIG. 60 is a diagram showing the operation of the moving member.

[0072] FIG. 61 shows the operation of the moving member.

[0073] FIG. 62 shows the operation of the moving member.

[0074] FIG. 63 is a diagram showing the operation of the moving member.

[0075] FIG. 64 is a diagram showing the operation of the moving member.

[0076] Figure 65 is a perspective view of the developing unit portion of the process cartridge.

[0077] Figure 66 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0078] Figure 67 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0079] Figure 68 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0080] Figure 69 is a side view of the process cartridge.

[0081] FIG. 70 is a side view of the process cartridge.

[0082] FIG. 71 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0083] FIG. 72 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0084] Figure 73 is a side view of the process cartridge.

[0085] Figure 74 shows the process cartridge being mounted on the tray.

[0086] FIG. 75 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0087] FIG. 76 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0088] FIG. 77 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0089] FIG. 78 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0090] Figure 79 is a side view of the process cartridge.

[0091] Figure 80 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0092] Figure 81 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0093] FIG. 82 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0094] FIG. 83 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0095] FIG. 84 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0096] FIG. 85 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0097] FIG. 86 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0098] FIG. 87 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0099] FIG. 88 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0100] FIG. 89 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0101] FIG. 90 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0102] FIG. 91 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0103] FIG. 92 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0104] FIG. 93 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0105] FIG. 94 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0106] FIG. 95 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0107] FIG. 96 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0108] FIG. 97 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0109] FIG. 98 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0110] FIG. 99 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0111] FIG. 100 is a side view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main body.

[0112] FIG. 101 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0113] FIG. 102 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0114] Figure 103 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0115] Figure 104 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0116] Figure 105 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0117] FIG. 106 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0118] Figure 107 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0119] FIG. 108 is an exploded perspective view of the developing drive input gear unit.

[0120] Figure 109 is a cross-sectional view of the development drive input gear unit.

[0121] Figure 110 is a cross-sectional view of the development drive input gear unit.

[0122] Figure 111 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge.

[0123] FIG. 112 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0124] Figure 113 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge.

[0125] FIG. 114 is a side view of the process cartridge as seen along the lateral direction.

[0126] FIG. 115 is a side view of the process cartridge as seen along the lateral direction.

[0127] FIG. 116 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0128] FIG. 117 shows a moving member.

[0129] FIG. 118 is a perspective view of the developing device cover member and the moving member.

[0130] FIG. 119 is a diagram showing the developing device cover member and the separation / contact mechanism.

[0131] FIG. 120 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus and a side view taken along the short side direction.

[0132] FIG. 121 is a side view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main body and a side view along the short side direction.

[0133] FIG. 122 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0134] FIG. 123 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0135] FIG. 124 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0136] FIG. 125 is a side view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main body.

[0137] FIG. 126 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0138] FIG. 127 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus as seen along the lateral direction.

[0139] FIG. 128 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus as seen along the lateral direction.

[0140] Figure 129 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge.

[0141] FIG. 130 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus.

[0142] FIG. 131 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a process cartridge.

[0143] FIG. 132 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0144] FIG. 133 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus.

[0145] FIG. 134 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus.

[0146] FIG. 135 shows a spacer.

[0147] Figure 136 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0148] FIG. 137 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0149] Figure 138 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0150] Figure 139 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0151] Figure 140 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0152] Figure 141 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0153] FIG. 142 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the separation control member.

[0154] Figure 143 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0155] Figure 144 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0156] Figure 145 shows the driving side cartridge cover member and the spacer.

[0157] FIG. 146 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller.

[0158] Figure 147 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge.

[0159] Figure 148 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge.

[0160] Figure 149 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0161] FIG. 150 is a diagram showing the driving relationship between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller.

[0162] FIG. 151 is a diagram showing the driving relationship between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller.

[0163] FIG. 152 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0164] Figure 153 is a cross-sectional view (X-X cross section) of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0165] Figure 154 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0166] Figure 155 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0167] Figure 156 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0168] Figure 157 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0169] Figure 158 is a perspective view showing the driving side cartridge cover member and the spacer.

[0170] Figure 159 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0171] Figure 160 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0172] FIG. 161 shows the relationship between the moving member and the spacer.

[0173] Figure 162 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge.

[0174] FIG. 163 shows the relationship between the moving member and the spacer.

[0175] Figure 164 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge.

[0176] FIG. 165 is a side view of the process cartridge.

[0177] Figure 166 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0178] Figure 167 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0179] FIG. 168 is a perspective view of the developing side engaging portion.

[0180] Figure 169 is a perspective view of the drum side engagement portion.

[0181] FIG. 170 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0182] FIG. 171 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0183] FIG. 172 is a partial top view of the process cartridge.

[0184] FIG. 173 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0185] FIG. 174 is a side view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main body.

[0186] FIG. 175 is a side view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main body.

[0187] Figure 176 is a partial top view of the process cartridge.

[0188] FIG. 177 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0189] FIG. 178 is a side view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main body.

[0190] Figure 179 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0191] FIG. 180 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0192] Figure 181 is a perspective view of the driving side cartridge cover.

[0193] Figure 182 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0194] Figure 183 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0195] Figure 184 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0196] Figure 185 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0197] Figure 186 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0198] Figure 187 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0199] Figure 188 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0200] FIG. 189 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0201] FIG. 190 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0202] FIG. 191 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0203] FIG. 192 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0204] FIG. 193 is a diagram showing the operation of the biasing member.

[0205] Figure 194 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0206] Figure 195 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0207] Figure 196 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0208] Figure 197 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0209] FIG. 198 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0210] FIG. 199 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0211] FIG. 200 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0212] FIG. 201 shows the operation of the holding member.

[0213] FIG. 202 shows the operation of the holding member.

[0214] FIG. 203 shows the operation of the holding member.

[0215] FIG. 204 is a partial perspective view of the process cartridge and the tray.

[0216] FIG. 205 is a partial perspective view of the process cartridge and the tray.

[0217] FIG. 206 is a perspective view of the tray.

[0218] Figure 207 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge.

[0219] Figure 208 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0220] Figure 209 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0221] FIG. 210 is a diagram showing the relationship between the force receiving portion of the process cartridge and the separation control member.

[0222] Figure 211 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0223] FIG. 212 is a diagram showing the relationship between the force receiving portion of the process cartridge and the separation control member.

[0224] Figure 213 is a diagram showing the relationship between the force receiving portion of the process cartridge and the separation control member.

[0225] Figure 214 is a diagram showing the relationship between the force receiving portion of the process cartridge and the separation control member.

[0226] FIG. 215 is a perspective view of the tray.

[0227] FIG. 216 is a perspective view of the tray.

[0228] Figure 217 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0229] Figure 218 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0230] FIG. 219 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0231] FIG. 220 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

[0232] Figure 221 shows the operation of mounting the developing cartridge on the tray.

[0233] Figure 222 shows the operation of mounting the developing cartridge on the tray.

[0234] FIG. 223 is a perspective view of the tray with the developing cartridge attached.

[0235] FIG. 224 is a perspective view of the tray with the developing cartridge attached.

[0236] FIG. 225 is a side view of the tray and the developing cartridge in the image forming apparatus main body.

[0237] FIG. 226 is a side view of the developing cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0238] FIG. 227 is a side view of the developing cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0239] FIG. 228 is a side view of the developing cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0240] FIG. 229 is a side view of the developing cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0241] Figure 230 shows the operation of mounting the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge on the tray.

[0242] Figure 231 shows the operation of mounting the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge on the tray.

[0243] Figure 232 shows the operation of mounting the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge on the tray.

[0244] Figure 233 is a side view of the tray with the drum cartridge and developing cartridge attached.

[0245] Figure 234 is a side view of the tray with the drum cartridge and developing cartridge attached.

[0246] Figure 235 is a side view (partial cross-sectional view) of the process cartridge.

[0247] Figure 236 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge.

[0248] Figure 237 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge.

[0249] Figure 238 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge.

[0250] Figure 239 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge.

[0251] Figure 240 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge.

[0252] Figure 241 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge.

[0253] FIG. 242 is a side view of the developing cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0254] FIG. 243 is a side view of the developing cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0255] FIG. 244 is a side view of the developing cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0256] FIG. 245 is a side view of the developing cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0257] The following examples will exemplarily illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the configurations disclosed in the following examples, such as the functions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of components, are merely examples of embodiments related to the claims, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims to the configurations disclosed in these examples. Furthermore, the problems solved by the configurations disclosed in the following examples or the actions or effects obtained from the disclosed configurations are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0258] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, a laser beam printer to which four process cartridges (cartridges) can be detachably attached is exemplified as the image forming apparatus. The number of process cartridges attached to the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. It may be set appropriately as needed. [General Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus]

[0259] Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 100. This image forming apparatus M is a four-color full-color laser printer using an electrophotographic process, and forms a color image on a recording medium S. The image forming apparatus M is of a process cartridge type, and a process cartridge is removably mounted in an image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body) 170, and a color image is formed on the recording medium S.

[0260] Here, with respect to the image forming apparatus M, the side where the front door 11 is provided is referred to as the front (front face), and the side opposite the front is referred to as the back (rear face). Furthermore, when looking at the image forming apparatus M from the front, the right side is referred to as the drive side, and the left side is referred to as the non-drive side. Furthermore, when looking at the image forming apparatus M from the front, the upper side is referred to as the top face, and the lower side is referred to as the bottom face. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M as seen from the non-drive side, with the front side of the page being the non-drive side of the image forming apparatus M, the right side of the page being the front of the image forming apparatus M, and the back side of the page being the drive side of the image forming apparatus M.

[0261] The drive side of the process cartridge 100 is the side on which a drum coupling member (photosensitive member coupling member) described later is arranged with respect to the photosensitive drum axial direction (the axial direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum). The drive side of the process cartridge 100 is the side on which a developer coupling portion 132a described later is arranged with respect to the developing roller (developing member) axial direction (the axial direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller). The photosensitive drum axial direction and the developing roller axial direction are parallel, and the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100 is also parallel to these directions.

[0262] In the image forming apparatus main body 170, four process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) including a first process cartridge 100Y, a second process cartridge 100M, a third process cartridge 100C, and a fourth process cartridge 100K are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0263] The first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) each have the same electrophotographic process mechanism, but each uses a different color developer (hereinafter referred to as toner). A rotational driving force is transmitted to the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) from a drive output unit (details of which will be described later) of the image forming apparatus main body 170. In addition, a bias voltage (charging bias, developing bias, etc.) is supplied to each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) from the image forming apparatus main body 170.

[0264] As shown in FIG. 3 , each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K) of this embodiment includes a photosensitive drum 104 and a drum unit 108 equipped with a charging means as a process means acting on the photosensitive drum 104. Here, the drum unit may include not only a charging means but also a cleaning means as a process means. Each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K) also includes a developing unit 109 equipped with a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 104. A layout of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which multiple photosensitive drums 104 are arranged in a substantially straight line like this is sometimes called an inline layout or a tandem layout.

[0265] In each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100, the drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 are coupled to each other. A more specific configuration of the process cartridge 100 will be described later.

[0266] The first process cartridge 100Y contains yellow (Y) toner in the developer container 125 and forms a yellow toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104. The second process cartridge 100M contains magenta (M) toner in the developer container 125 and forms a magenta toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104. The third process cartridge 100C contains cyan (C) toner in the developer container 125 and forms a cyan toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104. The fourth process cartridge 100K contains black (K) toner in the developer container 125 and forms a black toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104.

[0267] 1, a laser scanner unit 14 serving as an exposure means is provided above the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K). The laser scanner unit 14 outputs a laser beam U corresponding to image information. The laser beam U passes through an exposure window 110 of the process cartridge 100 and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 104.

[0268] An intermediate transfer unit 12 serving as a transfer member is provided below the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K). This intermediate transfer unit 12 has a drive roller 12e, a turn roller 12c, and a tension roller 12b, around which a flexible transfer belt 12a is stretched. The lower surface of the photosensitive drum 104 of each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K) contacts the upper surface of the transfer belt 12a. This contact area is the primary transfer area. A primary transfer roller 12d is provided inside the transfer belt 12a, facing the photosensitive drum 104. A secondary transfer roller 6 is in contact with the turn roller 12c via the transfer belt 12a. The contact area between the transfer belt 12a and the secondary transfer roller 6 is the secondary transfer area.

[0269] A feeding unit 4 is provided below the intermediate transfer unit 12. The feeding unit 4 has a paper feed tray 4a that accommodates a stack of recording media S, and a paper feed roller 4b.

[0270] 2, a fixing device 7 and a paper discharge device 8 are provided in the upper left of the image forming apparatus main body 170. The top surface of the image forming apparatus main body 170 serves as a paper discharge tray 13. The recording medium S is heated and pressurized by a fixing means provided in the fixing device 7, so that the toner image is fixed, and the recording medium S is discharged to the paper discharge tray 13. [Image Forming Operation]

[0271] The operation for forming a full-color image is as follows: The photosensitive drums 104 of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K) are rotated at a predetermined speed (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3). The transfer belt 12a is also rotated in the same direction as the rotation of the photosensitive drums (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 2) at a speed corresponding to the speed of the photosensitive drums 104.

[0272] The laser scanner unit 14 is also driven. In synchronization with the driving of the laser scanner unit 14, the charging roller 105 in each process cartridge uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 to a predetermined polarity and potential. The laser scanner unit 14 scans and exposes the surface of each photosensitive drum 104 with laser light U in accordance with the image signal for each color. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal for the corresponding color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 104. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 106, which is rotated at a predetermined speed. Through the electrophotographic image forming process operation described above, a yellow toner image corresponding to the yellow component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 104 of the first process cartridge 100Y. Then, the toner image is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 12a.

[0273] Similarly, a magenta toner image corresponding to the magenta component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 104 of the second process cartridge 100M. This toner image is then primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow toner image already transferred to the transfer belt 12a. Similarly, a cyan toner image corresponding to the cyan component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 104 of the third process cartridge 100C. This toner image is then primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow and magenta toner images already transferred to the transfer belt 12a. Similarly, a black toner image corresponding to the black component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 104 of the fourth process cartridge 100K. This toner image is then primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images already transferred to the transfer belt 12a. In this way, a four-color unfixed toner image of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is formed on the transfer belt 12a.

[0274] Meanwhile, recording media S are separated and fed one by one at a predetermined control timing. The recording media S are introduced into a secondary transfer section, which is the contact point between the secondary transfer roller 6 and the transfer belt 12a, at a predetermined control timing. As a result, while the recording media S is being transported to the secondary transfer section, the four-color superimposed toner image on the transfer belt 12a is sequentially transferred all at once onto the surface of the recording media S. Thereafter, the recording media S is transported to the fixing device 7, where the toner image is fixed to the recording media S, and then the recording media S is discharged to the paper discharge tray 13. [Outline of the Process Cartridge Attachment / Detachment Configuration]

[0275] The tray (hereinafter referred to as the tray) 171 that supports the process cartridges will be described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 to 7. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M with the front door 11 open and the tray 171 positioned inside the image forming apparatus main body 170. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M with the front door 11 open and the tray 171 positioned outside the image forming apparatus main body 170, and the process cartridge 100 housed inside the tray. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M with the front door 11 open and the tray 171 positioned outside the image forming apparatus main body 170, and the process cartridge 100 removed from the tray. FIG. 7(a) is a partial detailed view of the tray 171 as seen from the drive side in the state shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 7(b) is a partial detailed view of the tray 171 as seen from the non-drive side in the state shown in FIG. 4.

[0276] 4 and 5, the tray 171 is movable relative to the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the direction of arrow X1 (pushing direction) and the direction of arrow X2 (pulling out direction). That is, the tray 171 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out and pushed into the image forming apparatus main body 170, and is configured so as to be able to move in a substantially horizontal direction when the image forming apparatus main body 170 is installed on a horizontal surface. Here, the state in which the tray 171 is located outside the image forming apparatus main body 170 (the state in FIG. 5) is referred to as the "outside position." Furthermore, the state in which the tray 171 is located inside the image forming apparatus main body 170 with the front door 11 open and the photosensitive drum 104 and the transfer belt 12a separated (the state in FIG. 4) is referred to as the "inside position."

[0277] The tray 171 also has an attachment portion 171a at its outer position, into which the process cartridge 100 can be removably attached, as shown in FIG. 6 . Each process cartridge 100 attached to the attachment portion 171a at the outer position of the tray 171 is supported on the tray 171 by a drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and a non-moving-side cartridge cover member 117, as shown in FIG. 7 . The process cartridge 100, while positioned in the attachment portion 171a, moves toward the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 170 as the tray 171 moves. At this time, the process cartridge 100 moves with a gap between the transfer belt 12a and the photosensitive drum 104. Therefore, the tray 171 can move the process cartridge 100 toward the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 170 without the photosensitive drum 104 coming into contact with the transfer belt 12a (details will be described later).

[0278] As described above, the tray 171 allows a plurality of process cartridges 100 to be moved together to a position inside the image forming apparatus main body 170 where image formation is possible, and also allows the process cartridges 100 to be pulled out together to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 170. [Positioning the Process Cartridges]

[0279] The positioning of the process cartridge 100 in the image forming apparatus main body 170 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the tray 171 is provided with positioning portions 171VR and 171VL for holding the cartridge 100. The positioning portions 171VR have linear portions 171VR1 and 171VR2, respectively. The arc portions 116VR1 and 116VR2 of the cartridge cover member 116 shown in FIG. 7 come into contact with the linear portions 171VR1 and 171VR2, thereby determining the center of the photosensitive drum. The tray 171 shown in FIG. 7 also has a rotation-determining protrusion 171KR. By fitting the rotation-determining protrusion 171KR into the position of the rotation-determining recess 116KR of the cartridge cover member 116 shown in FIG. 7, the orientation of the process cartridge 100 relative to the apparatus main body 170 is determined.

[0280] A positioning portion 171VL and a rotation determining protrusion 171KL are disposed at a position (non-drive side) opposite the positioning portion 171VR across the intermediate transfer belt 12a in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100. In other words, even on the non-drive side, the position of the process cartridge 100 is determined by the engagement of the arc portions 117VL1 and 117VL2 of the cartridge cover member 117 with the positioning portion 171VL and the engagement of the rotation determining recess 117KL with the rotation determining protrusion 171KL. In this way, the position of the process cartridge 100 is correctly determined with respect to the tray 171.

[0281] Then, as shown in Fig. 5, the process cartridge 100 integrated with the tray 171 is moved in the direction of arrow X1 and inserted to the position shown in Fig. 4. Then, by closing the front door 11 in the direction of arrow R, the process cartridge 100 is pressed by a cartridge pressing mechanism (not shown) described later, and is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 170 together with the tray 171. In addition, in conjunction with the operation of the cartridge pressing mechanism, the transfer belt 12a comes into contact with the photosensitive member 4. This state enables an image to be formed (Fig. 2).

[0282] In this embodiment, the positioning portions 171VR and 171V are made of metal sheet metal because they also serve as reinforcement to maintain rigidity during the tray 171 extraction operation, but the present invention is not limited to this. [Cartridge Pressing Mechanism]

[0283] Next, the cartridge pressing mechanism will be described in detail with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8(a) shows only the process cartridge 100, tray 171, cartridge pressing mechanisms 190 and 191, and intermediate transfer unit 12 in the state shown in Figure 4. Figure 8(b) shows only the process cartridge 100, tray 171, cartridge pressing mechanisms 190 and 191, and intermediate transfer unit 12 in the state shown in Figure 2.

[0284] Here, the process cartridge 100 receives a driving force during image formation, and also receives a reaction force in the direction of arrow Z1 from the primary transfer roller 12d (FIG. 2). Therefore, in order to maintain a stable position of the process cartridge without lifting from the positioning portions 171VR and 171VL during image formation, it is necessary to press the process cartridge in the direction Z2.

[0285] To achieve this, in this embodiment, cartridge pressing mechanisms (190, 191) are provided in the image forming apparatus main body 170. The non-drive side of the cartridge pressing mechanisms (190, 191) is handled by the storage element pressing unit 190, and the drive side is handled by the cartridge pressing unit 191. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0286] By closing the front door 11 shown in Fig. 4, the memory element pressing unit 190 and cartridge pressing unit 191 shown in Fig. 8 are lowered in the direction of arrow Z2. The memory element pressing unit 190 has a main body side electrical contact (not shown) that mainly comes into contact with the electrical contact of a memory element (not shown) provided in the process cartridge 100. By linking with the front door 11 via a link mechanism (not shown), the memory element 140 and the main body side electrical contact can be brought into contact or not into contact with each other. In other words, the contacts come into contact when the front door 11 is closed, and the contacts are separated when the front door 11 is opened.

[0287] By doing so, when the process cartridge 100 moves inside the image forming apparatus main body together with the tray 171, the electrical contacts do not rub against each other, and by retracting the contacts from the insertion / removal path of the process cartridge 100, the insertion / removal of the tray 171 is not hindered. This memory element pressing unit 190 also plays a role in pressing the process cartridge 100 against the positioning portion 171VR described above. Like the memory element pressing unit 190, the cartridge pressing unit 191 also descends in the direction of arrow Z2 in conjunction with the operation of closing the front door 11, and plays a role in pressing the process cartridge 100 against the positioning portion 171VL described above. Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, the cartridge pressing mechanisms (190, 191) also simultaneously play a role in pressing down the moving members 152L, 152R of the process cartridge 100 described below. [Drive Transmission Mechanism]

[0288] Next, the drive transmission mechanism of the main body in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10 (with the tray 171 omitted for convenience). Figure 9(a) is a perspective view of the state shown in Figure 4 or 5, with the process cartridge 100 and tray 171 omitted. Figure 9(b) is a perspective view of the state shown in Figure 1, with the process cartridge 100, front door 11, and tray 171 omitted. Figure 10 is a side view of the process cartridge 100 as seen from the drive side.

[0289] As shown in FIG. 10 , the process cartridge in this embodiment has a developer coupling portion (rotational drive force receiving portion) 132a and a drum coupling member (photosensitive member coupling member) 143. When the front door 11 is closed (the state shown in FIG. 9B ), a main body-side drum drive coupling 180 and a main body-side developer drive coupling 185, which transmit drive force to the process cartridge 100, are configured to protrude in the direction of arrow Y1 by a link mechanism (not shown). When the front door 11 is opened (the state shown in FIG. 9A ), the drum drive coupling 180 and the developer drive coupling 185 are configured to retract in the direction of arrow Y2. By retracting the respective couplings from the insertion and removal loci (X1 and X2 directions) of the process cartridge, insertion and removal of the tray 171 is not hindered.

[0290] When the front door 11 is closed and the image forming apparatus main body 170 starts to operate, the drum drive coupling 180 described above engages with the drum coupling member 143. Furthermore, the main body side developing drive coupling 185 engages with the developing coupling portion 132a, and the driving force is transmitted to the process cartridge 100. The transmission of the driving force to the process cartridge 100 is not limited to two points as described above, and a mechanism may be provided in which the driving force is input only to the drum coupling and transmitted to the developing roller. [Configuration of the Intermediate Transfer Unit]

[0291] Next, the intermediate transfer unit 12 of the image forming apparatus main body in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9 . In this embodiment, when the front door 11 is closed, the intermediate transfer unit 12 is raised in the direction of arrow R2 by a link mechanism (not shown) and moves to a position during image formation (a position where the photosensitive drum 104 and the intermediate transfer belt 12a contact each other). When the front door 11 is opened, the intermediate transfer unit 12 descends in the direction of arrow R1, separating the photosensitive drum 104 and the intermediate transfer belt 12a. In other words, when the process cartridge 100 is set in the tray 171, the photosensitive drum 104 and the intermediate transfer belt 12a contact and separate in response to the opening and closing of the front door 11.

[0292] The contact / separation operation is configured so that the intermediate transfer unit 12 moves up and down along a rotational path centered on the center point PV1 shown in FIG. 4. The intermediate transfer belt 12a is driven by a force from a gear (not shown) arranged coaxially with PVI. Therefore, by using the aforementioned position PV1 as the rotation center, the intermediate transfer unit 12 can be raised and lowered without moving the gear center. This eliminates the need to move the gear center, making it possible to maintain the gear position with high precision.

[0293] With the above-described configuration, when the process cartridge 100 is set in the tray 171 and the tray 11 is inserted or removed, the photosensitive drum 104 and the intermediate transfer belt 12a do not slide against each other, preventing damage to the photosensitive drum 104 and image degradation due to charge memory.

[0294] Next, the separation mechanism of the image forming apparatus main body in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8, 11, and 12. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M taken along the drive side end surface of the process cartridge 100. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the developer separation control unit as seen obliquely from above. In this embodiment, the developer separation control unit 195 engages with a part of the developing unit 109 to control the separation and contact operation of the developing unit 109 with respect to the photosensitive drum 104. The developer separation control unit 195 is located below the image forming apparatus main body 170 as shown in Figure 8.

[0295] Specifically, the developer separation control unit 195 is disposed vertically below (below in the direction of arrow Z2) the developer coupling portion 132a and the drum coupling member 143. The developer separation control unit 195 is also disposed in the longitudinal direction (Y1-Y2 direction) of the photosensitive drum 104 of the intermediate transfer belt 12. In other words, the developer separation control unit 195 is disposed such that the developer separation control unit 195R is on the drive side and the developer separation control unit 195L is on the non-drive side. By disposing the developer separation control unit 195 in a dead space in the image forming apparatus main body 170 as described above, the main body can be made smaller.

[0296] The developer separation control unit 195R has four separation control members (force application members) 196R corresponding to the process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K). The four separation control members have approximately the same shape. The developer separation control unit 195R is always fixed relative to the image forming apparatus main body. However, a control mechanism (not shown) allows the separation control members 196R to move in the W41 and W42 directions. The W41 and W42 directions are substantially parallel to the arrangement direction of the process cartridges 100 attached to the image forming apparatus main body 170. A detailed configuration will be described later.

[0297] The developer separation control unit 195L has four separation control members (force application members) 196L corresponding to the process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K). The four separation control members have approximately the same shape. The developer separation control unit 195L is always fixed to the image forming apparatus main body. However, the separation control members 196L are configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions by a control mechanism (not shown). The detailed configuration will be described later.

[0298] Furthermore, in order for the developer separation control unit 195 to engage with a portion of the developing unit 109 and control the separation and contact operation of the developing unit 109, a portion of the developing control unit 196 and a portion of the developing unit 109 must overlap in the vertical direction (Z1, Z2 directions). Therefore, after the process cartridge 100 is inserted in the X1 direction, a portion of the developing unit (moving member 152 in this embodiment) must protrude in order to overlap in the vertical direction (Z1, Z2 directions) as described above (details will be described later). Note that if the developer separation control unit 195 itself is raised to engage the developer separation control unit 195, as with the intermediate transfer unit 12 described above, problems arise, such as an increased operating force for the associated front door 11 and a more complicated drive train.

[0299] Addressing this issue is one of the reasons why this embodiment employs a system in which the developer separation control unit 195 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 170 and a part of the developing unit 109 (movable member 152) protrudes downward (Z2) within the image forming apparatus main body 170. In addition, the mechanism for protruding the movable member 152 utilizes the mechanisms of the memory element pressing unit 190 and the cartridge pressing unit 191 described above as they are, so there are no issues as described above and an increase in the cost of the apparatus main body can be suppressed.

[0300] The entire developer separation control unit 195 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 170. However, a part of the developer separation control unit 195 is movable so as to engage with the moving member 152 and apply an operation so that the developing unit 109 is in a separated state (separated position, retracted position) or in a contact state (contact position) with respect to the photosensitive drum 104. Details will be described later. [Overall Configuration of Process Cartridge]

[0301] The structure of the process cartridge will be described with reference to Figures 3, 13, and 14. Figure 13 is an assembled perspective view of the process cartridge 100 as seen from the drive side, which is one end side of the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 104. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 100 as seen from the drive side.

[0302] In this embodiment, the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) may differ in the color of toner contained therein, the amount of toner filled therein, and the control by the image forming apparatus main body 170. However, although these four process cartridges may differ in dimensions, etc., they have the same basic structure and functions, and are capable of performing the same functions. For this reason, the following description will be given using one process cartridge 100 as a representative.

[0303] Each process cartridge 100 includes a photosensitive drum (photoconductor) 104 and process means acting on the photosensitive drum 104. The process means include a charging roller 105 as charging means (charging member) that charges the photosensitive drum 104, and a developing roller 106 as developing means (developing member) that deposits toner on the photosensitive drum 104 to develop a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 104. The developing roller 106 carries toner on its surface. The process cartridge 100 may further include a cleaning blade or brush that contacts the photosensitive drum 104 as cleaning means (cleaning member) for removing residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104. Furthermore, the process cartridge 100 may further include a light guide member such as a light guide or lens for irradiating light onto the photosensitive drum 104 as discharging means for discharging the surface of the photosensitive drum 104, or a light source. The process cartridge 100 is divided into a drum unit (first unit) 108 (108Y, 108M, 108C, 108K) and a developing unit (second unit) 109 (109Y, 109M, 109C, 109K). [Configuration of the Drum Unit]

[0304] 3 and 13 , the drum unit 108 includes the photosensitive drum 104, the charging roller 105, a first drum frame 115, and a drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and a non-moving-side cartridge cover member 117 as second drum frame members attached and fixed to the first drum frame 115. The photosensitive drum 104 is supported rotatably about a rotation axis (rotation center) M1 by the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 117, which are disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100. The first drum frame 115 and the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 117 as second drum frame members constitute a drum frame (first frame or photosensitive frame) that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 104.

[0305] The drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 117 will be described later. Also, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , a coupling member 143 for transmitting a driving force to the photosensitive drum 104 is provided at one longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum 104. As previously described, the coupling member 143 engages with a main-body-side drum drive coupling 180 (see FIG. 9 ) serving as a drum drive output unit of the image forming apparatus main body 170. The driving force of a drive motor (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 170 is then transmitted to the photosensitive drum 104, causing it to rotate in the direction of arrow A. The photosensitive drum 104 also has a drum flange 142 at the other longitudinal end. The charging roller 105 is supported by the drum frame 115 so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drum 104 and be capable of rotating in response to the photosensitive drum 104. The rotation axis M1 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100 and the longitudinal direction of the drum unit 108. [Configuration of the Development Unit]

[0306] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 13 , the developing unit 109 is composed of the developing roller 106, the toner transport roller (developer supply member) 107, the developing blade 130, and the developing container 125. The developing container 125 is composed of a lower frame 125a and a lid member 125b. The lower frame 125a and the lid member 125b are joined by ultrasonic welding or the like. The developing container 125, which is the second frame, has a toner storage section 129 that stores toner to be supplied to the developing roller 106. A drive-side bearing 126 and a non-drive-side bearing 127 are attached and fixed to both ends of the developing container 125 in the longitudinal direction. The developing container 125 rotatably supports the developing roller 106, the toner transport roller 107, and the agitating member 129a via the drive-side bearing 126 and the non-drive-side bearing 127, and holds the developing blade 130. In this manner, the developing container 125, the drive side bearing 126, and the non-drive side bearing 127 constitute a developing frame (second frame) that supports the developing roller 106 rotatably around the rotation axis (rotation center) M2.

[0307] The agitating member 129a rotates to agitate the toner in the toner storage section 129. The toner transport roller (developer supply member) 107 contacts the developing roller 106 and supplies toner to the surface of the developing roller 106 while also scraping the toner off the surface of the developing roller 106. The developing blade 130 is formed by attaching an elastic member 130b, a sheet metal approximately 0.1 mm thick, to a support member 130a, a metal material with an L-shaped cross section, by welding or other means. The developing blade 130 regulates the thickness of the toner layer on the circumferential surface of the developing roller 106, forming a toner layer of a predetermined thickness between the elastic member 130b and the developing roller 106. The developing blade 130 is attached to the developing container 125 at two locations, one end and the other end, in the longitudinal direction, with fixing screws 130c. The developing roller 106 is composed of a metal core 106c and a rubber portion 106d.

[0308] 13 and 14 , a developer coupling 132a for transmitting a driving force to the developer unit 109 is provided at one longitudinal end of the developer unit 109. The developer coupling 132a is a member that engages with a main body-side developer drive coupling 185 (see FIG. 9 ) that serves as a developer drive output unit of the image forming apparatus main body 170 and rotates upon receiving a rotational driving force from a drive motor (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 170. The driving force received by the developer coupling 132a is transmitted via a drive train (not shown) provided in the developer unit 109, thereby rotating the developer roller 106 in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 3 . A developer cover member 128 that supports and covers the developer coupling 132a and the drive train (not shown) is provided at one longitudinal end of the developer unit 109. The outer diameter of the developer roller 106 is set smaller than the outer diameter of the photosensitive drum 104. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the photosensitive drum 104 is set in the range of Φ18 to Φ22, and the outer diameter of the developing roller 106 is set in the range of Φ8 to Φ14. Setting these outer diameters allows for efficient arrangement. The rotation axis M2 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100 and the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 109. [Assembly of the Drum Unit and the Developing Unit]

[0309] The assembly of the drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 will be described using Figure 13. The drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 are connected by a drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and a non-moving-side cartridge cover member 117, which are provided at both longitudinal ends of the process cartridge 100. The drive-side cartridge cover member 116, which is provided at one longitudinal end of the process cartridge 100, is provided with a developing unit support hole 116a for supporting the developing unit 109 so that it can swing (move). Similarly, the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117, which is provided at the other longitudinal end of the process cartridge 100, is provided with a developing unit support hole 117a for supporting the developing unit 109 so that it can swing. Furthermore, the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 117 are provided with drum support holes 116b, 117b for rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum 104. Here, at one end, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 128b of the developing unit cover member 128 is fitted into the developing unit support hole 116a of the driving side cartridge cover member 116. At the other end, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion (not shown) of the non-driving side bearing 127 is fitted into the developing unit support hole 117a of the non-moving side cartridge cover member 117. Furthermore, both longitudinal ends of the photosensitive drum 104 are fitted into the drum support hole 116b of the driving side cartridge cover member 116 and the drum support hole 117b of the non-moving side cartridge cover member 117. Then, the driving side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-moving side cartridge cover member 117 are fixed to the drum unit 108 with screws, adhesive, or the like (not shown). As a result, the developing unit 109 is rotatably supported by the driving side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-moving side cartridge cover member 117 relative to the drum unit 108 (photosensitive drum 104). In this configuration, the developing roller 106 can be positioned at a position where it acts on the photosensitive drum 104 during image formation.

[0310] The drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 are assembled through the above steps and integrated into the process cartridge 100, as shown in FIG.

[0311] The axis connecting the center of the developing unit support hole 116a of the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and the center of the developing unit support hole 117a of the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 117 is referred to as the pivot axis (rotation axis, rotation center) K. Here, the cylindrical portion 128b of the developing unit cover member 128 on one end side is coaxial with the developing coupling portion 132a. That is, the rotation axis of the developing coupling portion 132a is coaxial with the pivot axis K. That is, the pivot axis K is also the rotation axis K of the developing coupling portion 132a. The developing unit 109 is supported so as to be rotatable about the pivot axis K. When the drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 are assembled and integrated into the process cartridge 100, the rotation axis M1, the rotation axis M2, and the pivot axis K are substantially parallel to one another. In this state, the rotation axis M1, the rotation axis M2, and the swing axis K are also substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100. [Configuration of the Separation and Contact Mechanism 150]

[0312] The structure for separating and contacting the photosensitive drum 104 of the process cartridge 100 and the developing roller 106 of the developing unit 109 in this embodiment will be described in detail. The process cartridge has a separation and contact mechanism 150R on the drive side and a separation and contact mechanism 150L on the non-drive side. FIG. 15 shows an assembled perspective view of the drive side of the developing unit 109, including the separation and contact mechanism 150R. FIG. 16 shows an assembled perspective view of the non-drive side of the developing unit 109, including the separation and contact mechanism 150L. Regarding the separation and contact mechanisms, we will first explain the details of the drive-side separation and contact mechanism 150R, and then explain the non-drive-side separation and contact mechanism 150L. Because the separation and contact mechanisms on the drive and non-drive sides have substantially the same functions, the reference numerals of the drive-side components are followed by an R. On the non-drive side, the reference numerals of the components are the same as those on the drive side, but with an L added.

[0313] The separating and contacting mechanism 150R has a spacer R (spacer 151R) which is a regulating member (holding member), a moving member 152R which is a pressing member (force applying member), and a tension spring 153. The separating and contacting mechanism 150L has a spacer L (spacer 151L) which is a regulating member, a moving member 152L which is a pressing member (force applying member), and a tension spring 153. [Detailed Description of Spacer 151R]

[0314] The spacer (holding member) 151R will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 17 . FIG. 17(a) is a front view of the spacer 151R as viewed from the longitudinal direction of the drive side of the process cartridge 100. FIGS. 17(b) and 17(c) are perspective views of the spacer 151R, and FIG. 17(d) is a view of the spacer 151R as viewed in the direction of arrow Z2 in FIG. 17(a) (vertically upward in an image-forming state). The spacer 151R has an annular supported portion 151Ra and a spacing retaining portion (retaining portion) 151Rb that protrudes from the supported portion 151Ra in the radial direction of the supported portion 151Ra. The tip of the spacing retaining portion 151Rb has an abutting surface (abutting portion) 151Rc that is arc-shaped about the pivot axis H of the spacer 151R and inclined at an angle θ1 with respect to a line HA substantially parallel to the pivot axis H. The angle θ1 is set to satisfy equation (1). 0°≦θ1≦45° (1)

[0315] The separation holding portion (holding portion) 151Rb is a portion that connects the supported portion 151Ra and the abutment surface 151Rc, and has enough rigidity to be sandwiched between the drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 so that the developing unit 109 can maintain the separation position.

[0316] The spacer 151R also has a regulated surface (regulated portion) 151Rk adjacent to the abutment surface 151Rc. Furthermore, the spacer 151R has a regulated surface (regulated portion) 151Rd that protrudes in the Z2 direction beyond the supported portion 151Ra, and has an arc-shaped pressed surface (portion that is pressed when abutted) 151Re that protrudes from the regulated surface 151Rd in the direction of the oscillation axis H of the supported portion 151Ra. Furthermore, the spacer 151R has a main body portion 151Rf that is connected to the supported portion 151Ra, and the main body portion 151Rf has a spring hook portion 151Rg that protrudes in the direction of the oscillation axis H of the supported portion 151Ra. Furthermore, the main body portion 151Rf has a rotation prevention portion 151Rm that protrudes in the Z2 direction, and a rotation prevention surface 151Rn is provided facing the pressed surface 151Re. [Detailed Description of Moving Member R]

[0317] The moving member 152R will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 18. Figure 18(a) is a front view of the moving member 152R as viewed from the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100, and Figures 18(b) and 18(c) are perspective views of the moving member 152R as viewed from the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100.

[0318] The moving member 152R has an oval-shaped supported portion 152Ra. Here, the longitudinal direction of the oval shape of the supported portion 152Ra is indicated by arrow LH, with arrow LH1 pointing upward and arrow LH2 pointing downward. Furthermore, the direction in which the supported portion 152Ra is formed is indicated by arrow HB. The moving member 152R has a protruding portion (force receiving portion) 152Rh formed downstream of the supported portion 152Ra in the direction of arrow LH2. The supported portion 152Ra and the protruding portion 152Rh are connected by a main body portion 152Rb. Meanwhile, the moving member 152R has a pushed portion 152Re protruding in the direction of arrow LH1 and substantially perpendicular to the direction of arrow LH1. The pushed portion 152Re has an arc-shaped pushed surface (moving force receiving portion, operating force receiving portion) 152Rf downstream in the direction of arrow LH1, and a push-in restricting surface 152Rg upstream. Furthermore, the moving member 152R has a first regulated surface (first regulated portion) 152Rv extending from the main body portion 152Rb upstream in the direction of arrow LH2 from the protruding portion 152. The moving member 152R also has a second regulated surface 152Rw adjacent to the first regulated surface 152Rv and substantially parallel to the developing device frame pressing surface (developing device frame pressing portion, second frame pressing portion) 152Rq.

[0319] The protrusion 152Rh has a first force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion, separating force receiving portion) 152Rk and a second force receiving portion (contact force receiving portion) 152Rn that are disposed at the end of the protrusion 152Rh in the direction of arrow LH2 and face each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of arrow LH2. The first force receiving portion 152Rk and the second force receiving portion 152Rn each have a first force receiving surface (retraction force receiving surface, separating force receiving surface) 152Rm and a second force receiving surface (contact force receiving surface) 152Rp that extend in the HB direction and have an arc-shaped shape. The protrusion 152Rh also has a spring hook portion 152Rs and a locking portion 152Rt that protrude in the HL direction, and the locking portion 152Rt has a locking surface 152Ru that faces the same direction as the second force receiving surface 152Rp.

[0320] The moving member 152R is a part of the main body 152Rb, and is disposed upstream of the second force receiving portion 152Rn in the direction of arrow LH2. The moving member 152R has a developing device frame pressing surface 152Rq facing the second force receiving surface 152Rp. The moving member 152R also has a spacer pressing surface (pressing portion) 152Rr that is perpendicular to the first regulated surface 152Rv and disposed opposite the developing device frame pressing surface 152Rq.

[0321] When the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the image forming apparatus main body 170, the LH1 direction is substantially the same as the Z1 direction, and the LH2 direction is substantially the same as the Z2 direction. The HB direction is substantially the same as the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100. [Assembly of the Separation and Contact Mechanism 150R]

[0322] Next, the assembly of the separating / contacting mechanism 150R will be described with reference to Figures 10, 15 to 19. Figure 19 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 100 after the spacer 151R has been assembled, as seen from the drive side.

[0323] 15 , the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 128b of the developing unit cover member 128 of the developing unit 109 is fitted into the developing unit support hole portion 116a of the drive-side cartridge cover member 116. This allows the developing unit 109 to be supported rotatably with respect to the photosensitive drum 104 about the pivot axis K. The developing unit cover member 128 also has cylindrical first and second support portions 128c and 128k that protrude in the direction of the pivot axis K.

[0324] The outer diameter of the first supporting portion 128c fits into the inner diameter of the supported portion 151Ra of the spacer 151R to rotatably support the spacer 151R. Here, the center of oscillation of the spacer 151R assembled to the developing device covering member 128 is defined as an oscillation axis H. The developing device covering member 128 has a first retaining portion 128d that protrudes in the direction of the oscillation axis H. As shown in Figure 15, the movement of the spacer 151R assembled to the developing device covering member 128 in the direction of the oscillation axis H is restricted by the first retaining portion 128d coming into contact with the spacer 151R.

[0325] The outer diameter of the second support portion 128k fits into the inner wall of the elongated supported portion 152Ra of the moving member 152R, supporting the moving member 152R rotatably and movably in the elongated direction. The center of oscillation of the moving member 152R assembled to the developing device covering member 128 is defined as a moving-member oscillation axis HC. As shown in FIG. 15 , movement of the moving member 152R assembled to the developing device covering member 128 in the direction of the moving-member oscillation axis HC is restricted by the second retaining portion 128m coming into contact with the spacer 151R.

[0326] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view partially illustrating the driving-side cartridge cover member 116 and the developing device cover member 128, taken along a partial cross-sectional line CS, to show the fitting portion between the elongated supported portion 151Ra of the moving member 152R and the cylindrical portion 128b of the developing device cover member 128. The separation / contact mechanism 150R includes a spacer portion biasing portion (holding portion biasing portion) that biases the spacer 151R to rotate in the direction of arrow B1 around the pivot axis H, and a tension spring 153 as a biasing member (holding portion biasing member) that includes a force-receiving portion biasing portion (protrusion portion biasing portion) that biases the moving member 152R in the direction of arrow B3. The tension spring 153 is a coil spring and is an elastic member. The direction of arrow B3 is substantially parallel to the elongated longitudinal direction LH2 (see FIG. 18 ) of the elongated supported portion 152Ra of the moving member 152R. The tension spring 153 is engaged with and connected to a spring hook 151Rg provided on the spacer 151R and a spring hook 152Rs provided on the moving member 152R, and is assembled between them. The tension spring 153 applies a force to the spring hook 151Rg of the spacer 151R in the direction of arrow F2 in Figure 10, thereby applying a biasing force that rotates the spacer 151R in the direction of arrow B1. Furthermore, the tension spring 153 applies a force to the spring hook 152Rs of the moving member 152R in the direction of arrow F1, thereby applying a biasing force that moves the moving member 152R in the direction of arrow B3 (towards the storage position (reference position, standby position)).

[0327] Note that a line GS connects the spring hook portion 151Rg of the spacer 151R and the spring hook portion 152Rs of the force retaining member 152R, and a line HS connects the spring hook portion 152Rs of the moving member 152R and the moving member oscillation axis HC. The angle θ2 formed by the line GS and the line HS is set to satisfy the following equation (2), with the clockwise direction about the spring hook portion 152Rs of the moving member 152R as the center being positive. As a result, the moving member 152R is biased to rotate in the direction of the arrow BA around the moving member oscillation axis HC as the rotation center. 0°≦θ2≦90°... (2)

[0328] As shown in FIG. 15 , the developer drive input gear (developer coupling member) 132 provided with the developer coupling portion 132a is fitted with the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 128b of the developer cover member 128 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 128b of the developer drive input gear 132, and further, the support portion 126a of the drive-side bearing 126 is fitted with the cylindrical portion (not shown) of the developer drive input gear 132. As a result, the developer drive input gear 132 is supported rotatably about the rotation axis K. A developer roller gear 131 is fixed to the drive-side end of the developer roller 106, and a toner transport roller gear 133 is fixed to the drive-side end of the toner transport roller (developer supply member) 107. The developer drive input gear (developer coupling member) 132 has a gear portion on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder, which gear portion meshes with the developer roller gear 131, the toner transport roller gear 133, and other gears, and transmits the rotational drive force received by the developer coupling portion 132a to them.

[0329] In this embodiment, the arrangement of the spacer 151R and the moving member 152R in the direction of the swing axis K will be described. As shown in FIG. 15 , in the direction of the swing axis K, the spacer 151R is arranged on the side (outer side in the longitudinal direction) where the driving side cartridge cover member 116 is arranged across the developing device cover member 128, and the moving member 152R is arranged on the side (inner side in the longitudinal direction) where the developing device drive input gear 132 is arranged. However, the arrangement positions are not limited to this, and the arrangement positions of the spacer 151R and the moving member 152R may be interchanged, or the spacer 151R and the moving member 152R may be arranged on one side in the direction of the swing axis K with the developing device cover member 128 as the reference. Furthermore, the arrangement order of the spacer 151R and the moving member 152R may be interchanged.

[0330] The developing unit cover member 128 is fixed to the developing container 125 via the drive-side bearing 126 to form the developing unit 109. Note that the fixing method in this embodiment is by fixing screws 145 and an adhesive (not shown) as shown in Fig. 15, but the fixing method is not limited to this and may be a joining method such as welding by heat or pouring in and hardening a resin.

[0331] For the sake of explanation, Figure 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the separation retaining portion 151R in Figure 10, with the tension spring 153 and part of the spacer 151R partially omitted along the partial cross-sectional line CS4. The first regulated surface 152Rv of the moving member 152R contacts the first regulated surface 128h of the developing device covering member 128 due to the biasing force of the tension spring 153 in the direction F1 in the figure. The second regulated surface 152Rw of the moving member 152R contacts the second regulated surface 128q of the developing device covering member 128, thereby positioning the moving member 152R. This position is referred to as the storage position of the moving member 152R and the protrusion 152Rh. The storage position can also be referred to as the reference position or the standby position. Furthermore, the spacer 151R rotates in the direction B1 around the pivot axis H due to the biasing force in the direction F2 of the tension spring 153, and the restricted surface 151Rd of the spacer 151R comes into contact with the spacer pressing surface 152Rr of the moving member 152R, thereby stopping the rotation. This position is called the separation holding position (restriction position, first position) of the spacer 151R.

[0332] Furthermore, for the sake of explanation, Figure 21 is an enlarged view of the area around the spacing retaining portion 151R in Figure 10, with the tension spring 153 omitted. Consider the case where a process cartridge 100 having the spacing contact mechanism 150R described in this embodiment is dropped in the direction JA in Figure 21 during transportation. At this time, the spacer 151R is subjected to a force due to its own weight that rotates it in the direction of arrow B2 around the spacing retaining pivot axis H. When the spacer 151R begins to rotate in the B2 direction for the above-mentioned reasons, the rotation prevention surface 151Rn of the spacer 151R abuts against the locking surface 152Ru of the movable member 152R, and the spacer 151R is subjected to a force in the direction F3 in the figure that prevents rotation in the B2 direction. This prevents the spacer 151R from rotating in the B2 direction during transportation, preventing the photosensitive drum 104 and the developing unit 109 from being separated from each other.

[0333] In this embodiment, the tension spring 153 is used as the biasing means for biasing the spacer 151R to the spaced position and the moving member 152R to the retracted position, but the biasing means is not limited to this. For example, a torsion coil spring, a leaf spring, or the like may be used as the biasing means for biasing the moving member 152R to the retracted position and the spacer 151R to the spaced position. The biasing means may be made of any material, such as metal or mold, that has elasticity and is capable of biasing the spacer 151R and the moving member 152R.

[0334] As described above, the developing unit 109 equipped with the separation / contact mechanism 150R is integrally connected to the drum unit 108 by the drive side cartridge cover member 116 as described above (the state shown in FIG. 19).

[0335] FIG. 22 shows a view from the direction of arrow J in FIG. 19. As shown in FIG. 15, the drive-side cartridge cover 116 of this embodiment has a contact surface (contact portion) 116c. As shown in FIG. 22, the contact surface 116c is inclined at an angle θ3 with respect to the pivot axis K. Note that, while the angle θ3 is preferably the same as the angle θ1 forming the contact surface 151Rc of the spacer 151R described above, this is not a limitation. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 19, when the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 is assembled to the development unit 109 and drum unit 108, the contact surface 116c faces the contact surface 151Rc of the spacer 151R positioned in the separation position. The contact surface 116c comes into contact with the contact surface 151Rc due to the biasing force of a development pressure spring 134, which will be described later. When the engagement surface 116Rc and the abutment surface 151Rc abut, the developing unit 109 is positioned with a gap P1 between the developing roller 106 of the developing unit 109 and the photosensitive drum 104. This state in which the developing roller 106 (developing member) is spaced from the photosensitive drum 104 by the gap P1 due to the spacer 151R is referred to as the separated position (retracted position) of the developing unit 109 (see FIG. 1A). [Separated and abutting states (drive side) of the process cartridge 100]

[0336] The separated state and contact state of the process cartridge 100 will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a side view of the process cartridge 100 as seen from the drive side when it is installed inside the image forming apparatus main body 170. Figure 1(a) shows a state in which the developing unit 109 is separated from the photosensitive drum 104. Figure 1(b) shows a state in which the developing unit 109 is contacted against the photosensitive drum 104.

[0337] First, we will describe a state in which the spacer 151R is located in the separation holding position (first position) and the developing unit 109 is located in the separation position (retracted position). In this state, the supported portion 151Ra, which is one end of the separation holding portion 151Rb, is in contact with the first support portion 128c of the developing device cover member 128, and the abutting portion 151Rc, which is the other end, is in contact with the abutting surface 116c of the driving-side cartridge cover member 116. Furthermore, the first support portion 128c is pressed toward the supported portion 151Ra by the action of the developing device pressure spring 134, and the abutting portion 151Rc is pressed toward the abutting surface 116c. Therefore, this state can be said to be a state in which the driving-side cartridge cover member 116 positions and stably holds the developing device cover member 128 via (sandwiching) the separation holding portion 151Rb of the spacer 151R. In other words, the drum unit 108 positions the developing unit 109 via the spacer 151R and stably holds it.

[0338] From this state, the pushed portion 152Re of the moving member 152R is pushed in the ZA direction. As a result, the moving member 152R and the protruding portion 152Rh move linearly in the ZA direction (operating direction, predetermined direction) from the standby position to the protruding position. The ZA direction is parallel to a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis M2 of the developing roller 109 or the rotational axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 108. Therefore, the protruding portion 152Rh at the protruding position is positioned downstream in the ZA direction from the protruding portion 152Rh at the standby position. Therefore, the protruding portion 152Rh at the protruding position is positioned farther from the swing axis K than the protruding portion 152Rh at the standby position. Furthermore, the protruding portion 152Rh at the protruding position protrudes in the ZA direction from the drum frame and the developing frame (is positioned downstream in the ZA direction). In this embodiment, as described above, the drum frame includes the first drum frame portion 115, the drive-side cartridge cover member 116, and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117, and the developing frame includes the developing container 125, the drive-side bearing 126, and the non-drive-side bearing 127. The ZA direction is a direction that intersects with the arrangement direction of the four process cartridges 100, the W41 direction, and the W42 direction.

[0339] 1 can be said to be a state in which, when the up-down direction in the figure is defined as the vertical direction, the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 104 is horizontal and the photosensitive drum 104 is disposed at the bottom inside the process cartridge 100. In this state, the protrusion 152Rh protrudes in the ZA direction, and therefore protrudes downward.

[0340] 26 and 38 show the posture of the process cartridge 100 when mounted in the image forming apparatus main body 170, with the up and down directions in the figures corresponding to the vertical directions (Z1 and Z2 directions) when the image forming apparatus main body 170 is placed on a horizontal plane. The ZA direction vector in this posture is a vector that includes at least a vertical component. Therefore, even in this posture, the protrusion 152Rh protrudes downward by protruding in the ZA direction.

[0341] The movable member 152R can move in the ZA direction and the opposite direction while the spacer 151R remains in the separation-holding position (first position). Therefore, even when the movable member 152R and the protrusion 152Rh are in the operating position, the spacer 151R remains in the separation-holding position (first position). At this time, the pressed surface 151Re of the spacer 151R abuts against the spacer pressing surface 152Rr of the movable member 152R by the tension spring 153, as described above. Therefore, when the second force receiving portion 152Rn is pressed in the direction of arrow W42, the movable member 152R rotates in the direction of arrow BB around the movable member pivot axis HC, and the spacer pressing surface 152Rr presses the regulated portion 151Rd, causing the spacer 151R to rotate in the direction of arrow B2. When the spacer 151R rotates in the direction of arrow B2, the contact surface 151Rc separates from the contacted surface 116c, allowing the developing unit 109 to rotate from the separated position in the direction of arrow V2 around the pivot axis K. That is, the developing unit 109 rotates in the direction of arrow V2 from the separated position, and the developing roller 106 of the developing unit 109 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 104. More specifically, the developing roller 109 includes a metal shaft (cored bar) and a rubber layer covering the metal shaft, and rollers attached to the metal shaft at the axial end of the rubber layer, and the surfaces of the rubber layer and the rollers contact the photosensitive drum 104. Because the rubber layer deforms, the rollers determine the distance between the rotation axis M2 of the developing roller 109 and the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 104, thereby accurately maintaining the distance between the rotation axis M2 and the rotation axis M1.

[0342] Here, the position of the developing unit 109 where the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 are in contact is referred to as the contact position (developing position) (the state shown in FIG. 1B). The contact position (developing position) where the developing roller 106 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 104 includes not only the position where the surface of the developing roller 106 contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 104, but also the position where the toner carried on the surface of the developing roller 106 can contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 when the developing roller 106 rotates. In other words, the contact position can be said to be a developing position where the toner carried on the surface of the developing roller 106 can be transferred (adhered) to the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 when the developing roller 106 rotates. Note that the position where the contact surface 151Rc of the spacer 151R separates from the contacted surface 116c is referred to as the separation release position (permissible position, second position). When the developing unit 109 is located at the abutment position, the regulating surface 151Rk of the spacer 151R abuts against the spacer regulating surface (spacer portion regulating portion) 116d of the driving side cartridge cover 116. This restricts the spacer 151R from moving to the separation maintaining position, and the spacer 151R is maintained at the separation release position.

[0343] The drive-side bearing 126 also has a first pressure-receiving surface (pressed portion during separation) 126c, which is a surface perpendicular to the pivot axis K. The drive-side bearing 126 is fixed to the developing unit 109. Therefore, when the developing unit 109 presses the first force receiving portion 152Rk of the moving member 152R in the direction of arrow V41 while in the abutting position, the developing unit frame pressing surface 152Rq abuts against the first pressure-receiving surface 126c. This causes the developing unit 109 to rotate around the pivot axis K in the direction of arrow V1 and move to the separation position (retracted position) (the state shown in FIG. 1A). When the developing unit 109 moves from the abutting position to the separation position, the direction in which the first force receiving surface 126c moves is indicated by arrow W41 in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The opposite direction to arrow W41 is arrow W42, and both arrows W41 and W42 are substantially horizontal (the X1-X2 directions). As described above, the second force receiving surface 152Rp of the moving member 152R assembled to the developing unit 109 is located upstream of the first force receiving surface 126c of the drive-side bearing 126 in the direction of arrow W41. Furthermore, the first force receiving surface 126c and the pressed surface 151Re of the spacer 151R are positioned so as to at least partially overlap in the W1 and W2 directions. The detailed operation of the separation and contact mechanism 150R within the image forming apparatus main body 170 will be described next. [Installation of the process cartridge 100 into the image forming apparatus main body 170 (drive side)]

[0344] 12, 23, and 24, an explanation will be given of the engagement operation between the separation and contact mechanism 150R of the process cartridge 100 and the developer separation control unit 195 of the image forming apparatus main body 170 when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the image forming apparatus main body 170. For the purpose of explanation, these figures are cross-sectional views in which part of the developing device cover member 128 and part of the driving side cartridge cover member 116 are partially omitted along partial cross-sectional lines CS1 and CS2, respectively.

[0345] 23 is a view seen from the drive side of the process cartridge 100 when the process cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge tray 171 (not shown) of the image forming apparatus M and the cartridge tray 171 is inserted into the first mounting position. In this figure, only the process cartridge 100, the cartridge pressing unit 191, and the separation control member 196R are shown.

[0346] As described above, the image forming apparatus main body 170 of this embodiment includes a separation control member 196R corresponding to each process cartridge 100. When the process cartridge 100 is positioned at the first inner position or the second inner position, the separation control member 196R is positioned below the image forming apparatus main body 170 relative to the spacer 151R. The separation control member 196R protrudes toward the process cartridge 100 and has a first force application surface (force application portion, abutment force application portion) 196Ra and a second force application surface (retraction force application portion, separation force application portion) 196Rb that face each other across a space 196Rd. The first force application surface 196Ra and the second force application surface 196Rb are connected via a connecting portion 196Rc on the underside of the image forming apparatus main body 170. The separation control member 196R is rotatably supported by the control metal plate 197 around a rotation center 196Re. The spacing member 196R is constantly biased in the E1 direction by a biasing spring. In addition, the control metal plate 197 is configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions by a control mechanism (not shown), so that the spacing control member 196R is configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions.

[0347] As described above, in conjunction with the transition of the front door 11 of the image forming apparatus main body 170 from the open state to the closed state, the cartridge pressing unit 191 descends in the direction of arrow ZA, and the first force application portion 191a abuts against the pressed surface 152Rf of the movable member 152R. When the cartridge pressing unit 191 subsequently descends to a predetermined position, which is the second mounting position, the protruding portion 152Rh of the movable member 152R moves in the ZA direction (operating direction, predetermined direction) and protrudes downward in the Z2 direction of the process cartridge 100 (the state shown in FIG. 24 ). The ZA direction intersects (orthogonal in this embodiment) with the rotational axis M2 of the developing roller 109, the rotational axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 108, and the pivot axis HC. This position is referred to as the protruding position of the movable member 152R and the protruding portion 152Rh. The protruding position can also be referred to as the force-receiving position or the operating position. When in the protruding position, the protruding portion 152Rh protrudes further from the developing device frame than when in the standby position. When this operation is complete, as shown in FIG. 24 , a gap T4 is formed between the first force application surface 196Ra of the separation control member 196R and the second force receiving surface 152Rp of the movable member 152R, and a gap T3 is formed between the second force application surface 196Rb and the first force receiving surface 152Rm. The separation control member 196R is then positioned in the second mounting position where it does not act on the movable member 152R. This position of the separation control member 196R can be considered to be the home position. At this time, the second force receiving surface 152Rp of the movable member 152R and the first force application surface 196Ra of the separation control member 196R are positioned so as to partially overlap in the W1 and W2 directions. Similarly, the first force receiving surface 152Rm of the moving member 152R and the second force applying surface 196Rb of the separation control member 196R are disposed so as to partially overlap in the W1 and W2 directions.

[0348] Next, the operation of the separation / contact mechanism 150R to bring the photosensitive drum 104 and the developing roller 106 into contact with each other will be described in detail with reference to Figures 24 to 26. For the purpose of explanation, these figures are cross-sectional views in which a part of the developing device cover member 128, a part of the driving-side cartridge cover member 116, and a part of the driving-side bearing 126 are partially omitted along the partial cross-sectional lines CS1, CS2, and CS3, respectively.

[0349] In this embodiment, the developing coupling 32 receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the direction of arrow V2 in FIG. 24, causing the developing roller 106 to rotate. In other words, the developing unit 109 having the developing coupling 32 receives a torque (driving torque) from the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the direction of arrow V2 about the pivot axis K. A description will be given of the case where the developing unit 109 shown in FIG. 24 is in the separated position and the spacer 151R is in the separated position. At this time, even if the developing unit 109 receives this driving torque and the biasing force of the developing pressure spring 134 (described later), the abutting surface 151Rc of the spacer 151R abuts against the abutted surface 116c of the driving-side cartridge cover member 116, and the attitude of the developing unit 109 is maintained in the separated position.

[0350] In this embodiment, the separation control member 196R is configured to be movable from its home position in the direction of arrow W42 in FIG. 24 . When the separation control member 196R moves in the W42 direction, the second force application surface 196Ra of the separation control member 196R abuts against the second force receiving surface 152Rp of the second force receiving portion 152Rn of the movable member 152R, causing the movable member 152R to rotate in the direction BB around the movable member pivot axis HC. Note that the contact between the first force application surface 196Ra and the second force receiving surface 152Rp does not necessarily have to be surface contact; line contact or point contact is also acceptable. In this manner, the first force application surface 196Ra applies a contact force to the second force receiving surface 152Rp. The movement direction of the protrusion 152Rh during the rotation of the movable member 152R in the direction BB is referred to as the first direction. Furthermore, as the movable member 152R rotates in the BB direction, the spacer pressing surface 152Rr of the movable member 152R abuts against the pressed surface 151Re of the spacer 151R, causing the spacer 151R to rotate in the B2 direction. The spacer 151R is then rotated by the movable member 152R to a separation release position (second position) where the abutting surface 151Rc and the abutted surface 116c are separated. Here, the position of the separation control member 196R that moves the spacer 151R to the separation release position (second position) shown in FIG. 25 is referred to as the first position.

[0351] When the spacer 151R is moved to the separation release position (second position) by the separation control member 196R, the developing unit 109 rotates in the V2 direction due to the drive torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the developing pressure spring (biasing member) 134 (described later). The developing unit 109 then moves to the contact position where the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 contact each other (the state shown in FIG. 25). At this time, the spacer 151R, which is biased in the direction of arrow B1 by the tension spring 153, is maintained in the separation release position (second position) by the contact surface 151Rk of the spacer regulating surface 116d of the drive-side cartridge cover member 116. The separation control member 196R then moves in the W41 direction to return to the home position. At this time, the moving member 152R rotates in the direction BA by the tension spring 153, and the developing device frame pressing surface 152Rq of the moving member 152R comes into contact with the first pressing surface 126c of the drive-side bearing 126 (the state shown in FIG. 26). At this time, it can be said that the moving member 152R and the protrusion 152Rh are in the operating position.

[0352] As a result, the gaps T3 and T4 are formed again, and the separation control member 196R is positioned so that it does not act on the moving member 152R. The transition from the state shown in FIG. 25 to the state shown in FIG. 26 occurs without any time lag.

[0353] As described above, in the configuration of this embodiment, the separation control member 196R moves from the home position to the first position, thereby applying a contact force to the movable member 152R, causing the movable member 152R to rotate and move the spacer 151R from the separation maintaining position (first position) to the separation release position (second position). This allows the development unit 109 to move from the separation position to the contact position where the development roller 9 and the photosensitive drum 104 contact each other. In other words, the contact force applied by the separation control member 196R is transmitted to the spacer 151R via the movable member 152R, causing the spacer 151R to move from the separation maintaining position (first position) to the separation release position (second position), thereby moving the development unit 109 from the separation position (retracted position) to the contact position (developing position).

[0354] When the developing unit 109 is in the contact position (developing position), it is biased in the V2 direction by the driving torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the developing pressure spring 134, and the position of the developing unit 109 relative to the drum unit 108 is determined by the contact of the developing roller 106 with the photosensitive drum 104. Therefore, the photosensitive drum 104 can be considered a positioning portion (second positioning portion) that determines the position of the developing unit 109 relative to the drum unit 108 when it is in the developing position. It can also be said that the developing unit 109 is stably held by the drum unit 108 at this time. At this time, the spacer 151R, which is in the separation release position, is not directly involved in positioning the developing unit 109. However, by moving from the separation hold position to the separation release position, the spacer 151R does not prevent (allows) the developing roller 106 from contacting the photosensitive drum 104 and determining the position of the developing unit 109 relative to the drum unit 108. In other words, it can be said that the spacer 151R in the separation release position (second position) creates a situation in which the drum unit 108 can stably hold the developing unit 109 in the contact position (developing position).

[0355] Note that, as long as the developing roller 106 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 104 when the spacer 151R is in the separation release position (second position), the position of the developing unit 109 relative to the drum unit 108 may be determined via the spacer 151R. In this case, for example, a surface of the spacer 151R other than the contact portion 151Rc may be brought into contact with the driving side cartridge cover member 116, and the driving side cartridge cover member 116 may position the developing unit cover member 128 via (sandwiching) the spacer 151R. Note that the position of the separation control member 196R in Figure 26 is the same as that in Figure 24.

[0356] Furthermore, in this state, when the front door 11 of the image forming apparatus main body 170 transitions from the closed state to the open state, the first force application portion 191a rises in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow ZA. Accordingly, the biasing member 153 acts to move the moving member 152R in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow ZA. However, the spacer 151R remains in the separation release position, and the developing unit 109 also remains in the developing position. [Separating Operation of the Developing Unit (Drive Side)]

[0357] Next, the operation of moving the developing unit 109 from the contact position to the separated position by the separation contact mechanism 150R will be described in detail with reference to Figures 26 and 27. For the purpose of explanation, these figures are cross-sectional views in which part of the developing unit cover member 128, part of the driving side cartridge cover member 116, and part of the driving side bearing 126 are partially omitted along the partial cross-sectional line CS.

[0358] As previously mentioned, in the state shown in FIG. 26 , the movable member 152R and the protrusion 152Rh are in the operating position. In this embodiment, the separation control member 196R is configured to be movable from the home position in the direction of arrow W41 in FIG. 26 . When the separation control member 196R moves in the direction W41, the second force application surface 196Rb abuts against the first force receiving surface 152Rm of the first force receiving portion 152Rk of the movable member 152R, causing the movable member 152R to rotate in the direction of arrow BA around the movable member pivot axis HC. Note that the contact between the second force application surface 196Rb and the first force receiving surface 152Rm does not necessarily have to be surface contact; line contact or point contact is also acceptable. In this way, the second force application surface 196Rb applies a separation force (retraction force) to the first force receiving surface 152Rm. The movement direction of the protrusion 152Rh when the moving member 152R rotates in the BA direction is referred to as the second direction. When the developing device frame pressing surface 152Rq of the moving member 152R abuts against the first pressed surface 126c of the drive-side bearing 126, the developing unit 109 rotates from the abutment position in the direction of arrow V1 around the pivot axis K (the state shown in FIG. 27 ). At this time, the pressed surface 152Rf of the moving member 152R has an arc shape, and the center of this arc is positioned to coincide with the pivot axis K. As a result, when the developing unit 109 moves from the abutment position to the separated position, the force that the pressed surface 152Rf of the moving member 152R receives from the cartridge pressing unit 191 is directed toward the pivot axis K. This allows the developing unit 109 to operate without interfering with its rotation in the direction of arrow V1. The spacer 151R rotates in the direction of arrow B1 (from the separation release position toward the separation maintaining position) due to the biasing force of the tension spring 153, as the spacer 151R's restricted surface 151Rk separates from the spacer restricting surface 116d of the drive-side cartridge cover member 116. This causes the spacer 151R to rotate until the pressed surface 151Re abuts against the spacer pressing surface 152Rr of the moving member 152R, and upon this abutment, the spacer 151R moves to the separation maintaining position (first position). When the developing unit 109 is moved from the abutment position toward the separation position by the separation control member 196R, and the spacer 151R is positioned at the separation maintaining position (first position), a gap T5 is formed between the abutting surface 151Rc and the abutted surface 116c, as shown in FIG. 27 .Here, the position shown in FIG. 27 where the developing unit 109 is rotated from the contact position toward the separated position and the spacer 151R can move to the separation maintaining position is referred to as the second position of the separation control member 196R.

[0359] Thereafter, the separation control member 196R moves in the direction of arrow W42, returning from the second position to the home position. Then, while the spacer 151R remains in the separation position, the developing unit 109 rotates in the direction of arrow V2 due to the drive torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the developing pressure spring 134 (described later), and the contact surface 151Rc and the contacted surface 116c come into contact. In other words, the developing unit 109 is maintained in the separation position by the spacer 151R, and the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 are separated by the gap P1 (the state shown in FIGS. 24 and 1A). In other words, the spacer 151R prevents the developing unit 109 from moving toward the contact position against the drive torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the biasing force in the direction of arrow V2 due to the biasing force of the developing pressure spring 134, and the developing unit 109 is maintained in the separation position. At this time, the developing unit 109 can be said to be stably held at the separated position (retracted position) by the drum unit 108. As a result, the aforementioned gaps T3 and T4 are formed again, and the moving member 152R is positioned so that the separation control member 196R does not act on the moving member 152R (the state shown in FIG. 24). The transition from the state shown in FIG. 27 to the state shown in FIG. 24 is made without any time lag.

[0360] As described above, in this embodiment, when the separation control member 196R moves from the home position to the second position, the spacer 151R moves from the separation release position to the separation maintaining position. When the separation control member 196R returns from the second position to the home position, the developing unit 109 is maintained in the separation position by the spacer 151R. In this manner, the separation force applied by the separation control member 196R is transmitted to the first pressed surface 126c of the drive-side bearing (part of the developing frame) 126 via the moving member 152R, thereby moving the developing unit 109 from the abutment position to the separation position (retracted position) and moving the spacer 151R from the separation release position to the separation maintaining position.

[0361] When the developing unit 109 is in the separated position (retracted position), the position of the developing unit 109 relative to the drum unit 108 is determined by the driving torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the developing pressure spring 134 in the V2 direction, with the supported portion 151Ra contacting the first support portion 128c and the abutting portion 151Rc contacting the abutting surface 116c, as described above. Therefore, the abutting surface 116c can be considered a positioning portion (first positioning portion) that positions the developing unit 109 in the separated position (retracted position) relative to the photosensitive drum 104. At this time, the developing unit 109 can be considered stably held by the drum unit 108. Furthermore, the spacer 151R in the separated holding position (first position) can be considered to create a situation in which the drum unit 108 can stably hold the developing unit 109 in the separated position (retracted position).

[0362] Furthermore, in this state, when the front door 11 of the image forming apparatus main body 170 transitions from the closed state to the open state, the first force application portion 191a rises in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow ZA. Accordingly, the biasing member 153 acts to move the moving member 152R in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow ZA. However, the spacer 151R remains in the spaced position, and the developing unit 109 also remains in the spaced position. [Detailed Description of Spacer L]

[0363] The spacer 151L will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 28. Figure 28(a) is a front view of the spacer 151L as viewed from the longitudinal direction of the drive side of the process cartridge 100, and Figures 28(b) and 28(c) are perspective views of the spacer 151L. The spacer 151L has an annular supported portion 151La and a spacing retaining portion (retaining portion) 151Lb that protrudes from the supported portion 151La in the radial direction of the supported portion 151La. The tip of the spacing retaining portion 151Lb has an arc-shaped abutment surface (abutment portion) 151Lc centered on the pivot axis H of the spacer 151L. The pivot axis H of the spacer 151L is the same as the pivot axis H of the spacer 151R.

[0364] The separation holding portion (holding portion) 151Lb is a portion that connects the supported portion 151La and the contact surface 151Lc, and has enough rigidity to be sandwiched between the drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 so that the developing unit 109 can maintain the separation position.

[0365] The spacer 151L also has a regulated surface (regulated portion) 151Lk adjacent to the abutment surface 151Lc. The spacer 151L also has a regulated portion 151Ld that protrudes in the Z2 direction beyond the supported portion 151La, and an arc-shaped pressed portion (portion pressed upon abutment) 151Le that protrudes from the regulated portion 151Ld in the direction of the oscillation axis H of the supported portion 151La.

[0366] Furthermore, the spacer 151L has a main body 151Lf connected to the supported portion 151La, and the main body 151Lf has a spring hook 151Lg that protrudes in the direction of the oscillation axis H of the supported portion 151La. The main body 151Lf also has a rotation prevention portion 151m that protrudes in the Z2 direction, and a rotation prevention surface 151Ln is provided in a direction facing the pressed portion 151Le. [Detailed Description of the Moving Member L]

[0367] The moving member 152L will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 29. Figure 29(a) is a front view of the moving member 152L as viewed from the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100, and Figures 29(b) and 29(c) are perspective views of the moving member 152L as viewed from the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100.

[0368] The moving member 152L has an oval-shaped supported portion 152La. Here, the longitudinal direction of the oval shape of the supported portion 152La is indicated by arrow LH, with arrow LH1 pointing upward and arrow LH2 pointing downward. Furthermore, the direction in which the supported portion 152La is formed is indicated by HD. The moving member 152L has a protrusion (force receiving portion) 152Lh formed downstream of the supported portion 152La in the direction of arrow LH2. The supported portion 152La and the protrusion 152Lh are connected by a main body 152Lb. Meanwhile, the moving member 152L has a pushed portion 152Le protruding in the direction of arrow LH1 and substantially perpendicular to the direction of arrow LH1. The pushed portion 152Le has an arc-shaped pushed surface (moving force receiving portion, operating force receiving portion) 152Lf downstream in the direction of arrow LH1, and a push-in restriction surface 152Lg upstream. Furthermore, the moving member 152L has a first restricted surface (first restricted portion) 152Lv that is part of the elongated round supported portion 152La and is located downstream in the direction of arrow LH2.

[0369] The protrusion 152Lh has a first force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion, separating force receiving portion) 152Lk and a second force receiving portion (contact force receiving portion) 152Ln that are disposed at the end of the protrusion 152Lh in the direction of arrow LH2 and face each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of arrow LH2. The first force receiving portion 152Lk and the second force receiving portion 152Ln each have a first force receiving surface (retraction force receiving surface, separating force receiving surface) 152Lm and a second force receiving surface (contact force receiving surface) 152Lp that extend in the HD direction and have an arc shape. The protrusion 152Lh also has a spring hook portion 152Ls and a locking portion 152Lt that protrude in the HB direction, and the locking portion 152Lt has a locking surface 152Lu that faces the same direction as the second force receiving surface 152Lp.

[0370] The moving member 152L is part of the main body 152Lb, is arranged upstream of the second force receiving portion 152Ln in the direction of arrow LH2, and has a developing device frame pressing surface (developing device frame pressing portion, pressing portion during separation) 152Lq facing the same direction as the second force receiving surface 152Lp. The moving member 152L is also part of the main body 152Lb, is arranged upstream of the first force receiving portion 152Lk in the direction of arrow LH2, and has a spacer pressing surface (spacer portion pressing portion, pressing portion during contact) 152Lr facing the same direction as the first force receiving surface 152Lm.

[0371] When the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the image forming apparatus main body 170, the LH1 direction is substantially the same as the Z1 direction, and the LH2 direction is substantially the same as the Z2 direction. The HB direction is substantially the same as the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100. [Assembly of the Separation and Contact Mechanism 150L]

[0372] Next, the assembly of the spacing mechanism will be described with reference to Figures 16 and 29 to 35. Figure 30 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 100 after the spacer 151L has been assembled, as seen from the drive side. As mentioned above, as shown in Figure 16, the developing unit 109 is supported rotatably with respect to the photosensitive drum 104 about the pivot axis K by fitting the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 127a into the developing unit support hole 117a. In addition, the non-drive-side bearing 127 has a cylindrical first support portion 127b and a second support portion 127e that protrude in the direction of the pivot axis K.

[0373] The outer diameter of the first support portion 127b fits into the inner diameter of the supported portion 151La of the spacer 151L to rotatably support the spacer 151L. Here, the center of oscillation of the spacer 151L assembled to the non-drive-side bearing 127 is the oscillation axis H. The non-drive-side bearing 127 has a first retaining portion 127c that protrudes in the direction of the oscillation axis H. As shown in Figure 16, movement of the spacer 151L assembled to the non-drive-side bearing 127 in the direction of the oscillation axis H is restricted by the first retaining portion 127c coming into contact with the spacer 151L.

[0374] The outer diameter of the second support portion 127e fits into the inner wall of the oval supported portion 152La of the moving member 152L, supporting the moving member 152L rotatably and movably in the oval direction. The center of oscillation of the moving member 152L assembled to the non-drive-side bearing 127 is defined as the moving-member oscillation axis HC. As shown in Figure 16, movement of the moving member 152L assembled to the non-drive-side bearing 127 in the direction of the moving-member oscillation axis HE is restricted by the second retaining portion 127f coming into contact with the spacer 151L.

[0375] Figure 31 is a view of the process cartridge 100 after the spacer 151L is installed, as viewed from the direction of the developing unit pivot axis H. This is a cross-sectional view, with a portion of the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117 partially omitted along the partial cross-sectional line CS, so that the engagement portion between the oblong supported portion 151La of the moving member 152L and the cylindrical portion 127e of the non-drive-side bearing 127 can be seen. The separation and abutment mechanism 150L includes a spacer portion biasing portion (holding portion biasing portion) that biases the spacer 151L to rotate in the direction of arrow B1 around the pivot axis H, and a tension spring 153 as a biasing member (holding portion biasing member) that includes a force-receiving portion biasing portion (protrusion portion biasing portion) that biases the moving member 152L in the direction of arrow B3. The tension spring 153 is a coil spring and is an elastic member. The direction of arrow B3 is substantially parallel to the elongated longitudinal direction LH2 (see FIG. 29 ) of the elongated supported portion 152La of the moving member 152L. The tension spring 153 is engaged with and connected to the spring hook 151Lg of the spacer 151L and the spring hook 152Ls of the moving member 152L, and is assembled between them. The tension spring 153 applies a force to the spring hook 151Lg of the spacer 151L in the direction of arrow F2 in FIG. 31 , thereby applying a biasing force that rotates the spacer 151L in the direction of arrow B1. Furthermore, the tension spring 153 applies a force to the spring hook 152Ls of the moving member 152L in the direction of arrow F1, thereby applying a biasing force that moves the moving member 152L in the direction of arrow B3 (toward the storage position (reference position, standby position)).

[0376] Let GS be the line connecting the spring hook 151Lg of the spacer 151L and the spring hook 152Ls of the force retaining member 152L, and let HS be the line connecting the spring hook 152Ls of the moving member 152L and the moving member oscillation axis HE. Then, the angle θ3 formed by the line GS and the line HS is set to satisfy the following equation (3), with the counterclockwise direction around the spring hook 152Ls of the moving member 152L as the center being positive. As a result, the moving member 152L is biased to rotate in the direction BA in the figure with the moving member oscillation axis HE as the rotation center. 0°≦θ3≦90°... (3)

[0377] 29, the spacer 151L and the moving member 152L are attached in the direction of the swing axis K on the side of the non-drive-side bearing 127 where the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117 is arranged (outside in the longitudinal direction). However, the positions at which they are arranged are not limited to this, and they may be arranged on the developing container 125 side of the non-drive-side bearing 127 (inside in the longitudinal direction), or the spacer 151L and the moving member 152L may be arranged with the non-drive-side bearing 127 sandwiched between them. Furthermore, the order in which the spacer 151L and the moving member 152L are arranged may be reversed.

[0378] The non-drive side bearing 127 is fixed to the developing container 125 to form the developing unit 109. Note that the fixing method in this embodiment is by fixing with a fixing screw 145 and an adhesive (not shown) as shown in Fig. 16, but the fixing method is not limited to this and may be a joining method such as welding by heat or pouring in and hardening a resin.

[0379] For ease of explanation, Figures 32(a) and 32(b) are enlarged cross-sectional views of the moving member pivot shaft HE and the spacing retainer 151L of the moving member 152L in Figure 31. Furthermore, Figures 32(a) and 32(b) are cross-sectional views in which the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117, the tension spring 153, and a portion of the spacer 151L are partially omitted along the partial cross-sectional line CS. The first regulated surface 152Lv of the moving member 152L contacts the second support portion 127e of the non-drive-side bearing 127 due to the biasing force of the tension spring 153 in the direction of arrow F1. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 32(b), the developing device frame pressing surface 152Lq of the moving member 152L contacts the pressed surface 127h of the non-drive-side bearing 127, thereby positioning the moving member 152L. This position is referred to as the stored position of the moving member 152L. The stored position may also be referred to as the reference position or standby position. Furthermore, the spacer 151L rotates in the direction of arrow B4 around the pivot axis H due to the biasing force of the tension spring 153 in the direction of arrow F2, and is positioned by the contact surface 151Lp of the spacer 151L coming into contact with the spacer pressing surface 152Lr of the moving member 152L. This position is referred to as the separation-retention position (restriction position) of the spacer 151L. Note that when the moving member 152L moves to the protruding position described below, the pressed portion 151Le of the spacer 151L comes into contact with the spacer pressing surface 152Lr of the moving member 152L, thereby positioning the spacer 151L at the separation-retention position.

[0380] Furthermore, for the sake of explanation, Figure 33 is an enlarged view of the area around the spacing retaining portion 151L in Figure 31, with the tension spring 153 omitted. Consider the case where a process cartridge 100 having a spacing abutment mechanism 150L is dropped in the direction of arrow JA in Figure 33 during transportation. At this time, the spacer 151L is subjected to a force due to its own weight that rotates it in the direction of arrow B2 around the spacing retaining pivot axis H. When the spacer 151L begins to rotate in the direction of arrow B2 for the reasons described above, the rotation prevention surface 151Ln of the spacer 151L abuts against the locking surface 152Lu of the moving member 152L, and the spacer 151L is subjected to a force in the direction of arrow F4 that prevents rotation in the direction of arrow B2. This prevents the spacer 151L from rotating in the direction of arrow B2 during transportation, preventing the photosensitive drum 104 and the developing unit 109 from being separated from each other.

[0381] In this embodiment, the tension spring 153 is used as the biasing means for biasing the spacer 151L to the spaced position and the moving member 152L to the retracted position, but the biasing means is not limited to this. For example, a torsion coil spring, a leaf spring, or the like may be used as the biasing means for biasing the moving member 152L to the retracted position and the spacer 151L to the spaced position. Furthermore, the biasing means may be made of any material, such as metal or mold, that has elasticity and is capable of biasing the spacer 151L and the moving member 152L.

[0382] As described above, the developing unit 109 equipped with the separation and contact mechanism 150L is integrally coupled to the drum unit 108 by the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117 as described above (the state shown in FIG. 30 ). As shown in FIG. 16 , the non-drive-side cartridge cover 117 in this embodiment has a contact surface (contact portion) 117c. The contact surface 117c is a surface that is substantially parallel to the pivot axis K. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 30 , when the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117 is assembled to the developing unit 109 and the drum unit 108, the contact surface 117c faces the contact surface 151Lc of the spacer 151L that is positioned in the separation position. Here, the process cartridge 100 has a developing unit pressure spring 134 as a developing unit urging member (second unit urging member) that urges the developing unit 109 from the separation position toward the contact position to contact the developing roller 106 against the photosensitive drum 104. The developer pressure spring 134 is a coil spring and an elastic member assembled between the spring hook portion 117e of the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117 and the spring hook portion 127k of the non-drive-side bearing 127. The biasing force of the developer pressure spring 134 brings the abutting surface 151Lc of the spacer 151L into contact with the abutted surface 117c of the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117. When the abutted surface 117cc and the abutting surface 151Lc come into contact with each other, the developing unit 109 is positioned with a gap P1 between the developing roller 106 of the developing unit 109 and the photosensitive drum 104. This state in which the developing roller 106 is separated from the photosensitive drum 104 by the gap P1 due to the spacer 151L is referred to as the separated position (retracted position) of the developing unit 109 (see FIG. 35A). [Separated State and Contact State of Process Cartridge 100 (Non-Drive Side)]

[0383] The separated state and contact state of the process cartridge 100 will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 34. Figure 34 is a side view of the process cartridge 100 mounted inside the image forming apparatus main body 170, as viewed from the non-drive side. Figure 34(a) shows a state in which the developing unit 109 is separated from the photosensitive drum 104. Figure 34(b) shows a state in which the developing unit 109 is contacted against the photosensitive drum 104.

[0384] First, we will describe a state in which the spacer 151L is located in the separation position (first position) and the developing unit 109 is located in the separation position (retracted position). In this state, the supported portion 151La, which is one end of the separation portion 151Lb, is in contact with the first support portion 127b of the non-drive-side bearing 127, and the abutting portion 151Lc, which is the other end, is in contact with the abutting surface 117c of the non-drive-side cartridge cover 117. Furthermore, due to the action of the developer pressure spring 134, the first support portion 127b is pressed toward the supported portion 151La, and the abutting portion 151Lc is pressed toward the abutting surface 117c. Therefore, this state can be said to be a state in which the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117 (which constitutes a part of the drum unit 108) positions and stably holds the non-drive-side bearing 127 (which constitutes a part of the developing unit 109) via the separation portion 151Lb of the spacer 151L.

[0385] From this state, the pressed portion 152Le of the moving member 152L is pushed in the direction of the arrow ZA. As a result, the moving member 152L and the protruding portion 152Lh move linearly in the ZA direction (operating direction) from the standby position to the protruding position. The ZA direction intersects (orthogonal in this embodiment) the rotational axis M2 of the developing roller 109, the rotational axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 108, and the oscillation axis HE. Therefore, the protruding portion 152Lh at the protruding position is located downstream in the ZA direction from the protruding portion 152Lh at the standby position. Therefore, the protruding portion 152Lh at the protruding position is located farther from the oscillation axis K than the protruding portion 152Lh at the standby position. Furthermore, the protruding portion 152Lh at the protruding position protrudes in the ZA direction from the drum frame and the developing frame (is located downstream in the ZA direction). In this embodiment, the drum frame includes the first drum frame portion 115, the drive-side cartridge cover member 116, and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117, and the developing frame includes the developing container 125, the drive-side bearing 126, and the non-drive-side bearing 127. The protruding position can also be called a force-receiving position or an operating position.

[0386] The movable member 152L can move in the ZA direction and the opposite direction while the spacer 151L remains in the separation-holding position (first position). Therefore, even when the movable member 152L and the protrusion 152Lh are in the operating position, the spacer 151L remains in the separation-holding position (first position). The pressed portion 151Le of the spacer 151L abuts against the spacer pressing surface 152Lr of the movable member 152L by the tension spring 153, as described above. Therefore, when the second force receiving portion 152Ln (second force receiving surface 152Lp) is pressed in the direction of arrow W42, the movable member 152L rotates in the direction of arrow BD around the movable member pivot axis HE, and the spacer pressing surface 152Lr presses the pressed portion 151Le, causing the spacer 151L to rotate in the direction of arrow B5. When the spacer 151L rotates in the direction of arrow B5, the contact surface 151Lc separates from the contacted surface 117c, and the developing unit 109 becomes rotatable from the separated position in the direction of arrow V2 around the swing axis K. In other words, the developing unit 109 rotates in the direction V2 from the separated position, and the developing roller 106 of the developing unit 109 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 104. Here, the position of the developing unit 109 where the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 come into contact is referred to as the contact position (developing position) (the state shown in FIG. 34(b)). Note that the position where the contact surface 151Lc of the spacer 151L separates from the contacted surface 117c is referred to as the separation release position (permissible position, second position). When the developing unit 109 is located at the contact position, the regulating surface 151Lk of the spacer 151L contacts the spacer regulating surface (spacer portion regulating portion) 117d of the driving side cartridge cover 116, thereby maintaining the spacer 151L at the separation release position.

[0387] In this embodiment, the non-drive-side bearing 127 has a pressure-receiving surface (pressed portion during separation) 127h, which is a surface perpendicular to the pivot axis K. The non-drive-side bearing 127 is fixed to the developing unit 109. Therefore, when the first force receiving portion 152Lk (first force receiving surface 152Lm) of the moving member 152L is pressed in the direction of arrow 41 while the developing unit 109 is in the abutting position, the developing unit frame pressing surface 152Lq abuts against the pressure-receiving surface 127h. This causes the developing unit 109 to rotate in the direction of arrow V1 around the pivot axis K and move to the separation position (the state shown in FIG. 34A). Here, the direction in which the pressure-receiving surface 127h moves when the developing unit 109 moves from the abutting position to the separation position is indicated by arrow W41 in FIGS. 34A and 34B. Furthermore, the opposite direction to arrow W41 is arrow W42, and arrows W41 and W42 are approximately horizontal (X1, X2 directions). As described above, the second force receiving surface 152Lp of the moving member 152L assembled to the developing unit 109 is located upstream of the pressed surface 127h of the non-drive side bearing 127 in the direction of arrow W41. Furthermore, the pressed surface 127h and the pressed portion 151Le of the spacer 151L are positioned so that they at least partially overlap in the W1, W2 directions. The operation of the separation and contact mechanism 150L within the image forming apparatus main body 170 will be described next. [Installation of the process cartridge 100 into the image forming apparatus main body 170 (non-drive side)]

[0388] Next, referring to Figures 35 and 36, the engagement operation between the separation and abutment mechanism 150L of the process cartridge 100 and the developer separation control unit 196L of the image forming apparatus main body 170 when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the image forming apparatus main body 170 will be described. For the sake of explanation, these figures are cross-sectional views in which a portion of the developer cover member 128 and a portion of the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117 are partially omitted along the partial cross-sectional line CS. Figure 35 is a view seen from the drive side of the process cartridge 100 when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in a cartridge tray 171 (not shown) of the image forming apparatus M and the cartridge tray 171 is inserted to the first mounting position. Figure 35 omits all components except the process cartridge 100, the cartridge pressing unit 190, and the separation control member 196L.

[0389] As previously described, the image forming apparatus main body 170 of this embodiment includes a separation control member 196L corresponding to each process cartridge 100. When the process cartridge 100 is positioned at the first inner position or the second inner position, the separation control member 196L is positioned below the image forming apparatus main body 170 relative to the spacer 151L. The separation control member 196L protrudes toward the process cartridge 100 and has a first force application surface (force application portion) 196La and a second force application surface (retraction force application portion) 196Lb that face each other across a space 196Rd. The first force application surface 196Ra and the second force application surface 196Rb are connected via a connecting portion 196Rc on the underside of the image forming apparatus main body 170. The separation control member 196R is rotatably supported by the control plate 197 around a rotation center 196Re. The separation control member 196R is constantly biased in the E1 direction by a biasing spring. Furthermore, the control metal plate 197 is configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions by a control mechanism (not shown), so that the separation control member 196R is configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions.

[0390] As described above, in conjunction with the transition of the front door 11 of the image forming apparatus main body 170 from the open state to the closed state, the cartridge pressing unit 191 descends in the direction of arrow ZA, and the first force application portion 191a abuts against the pressed surface 152Lf of the movable member 152L. When the cartridge pressing unit 191 subsequently descends to a predetermined position, which is the second installation position, the 152Lh of the movable member 152L moves to a protruding position protruding downward in the Z2 direction of the process cartridge 100 (the state shown in FIG. 36 ). Upon completion of this operation, as shown in FIG. 36 , a gap T4 is formed between the first force application surface 196La of the separation control member 196L and the second force receiving surface 152Lp of the movable member 152L, and a gap T3 is formed between the second force application surface 196Lb and the first force receiving surface 152Lm. The separation control member 196L is then positioned at the second installation position, where it does not act on the movable member 152L. This position of the separation control member 196L is referred to as the home position. At this time, the second force receiving surface 152Lp of the movable member 152L and the first force applying surface 196La of the separation control member 196L are arranged to partially overlap in the W1-W2 direction. Similarly, the first force receiving surface 152Lm of the movable member 152L and the second force applying surface 196Lb of the separation control member 196L are arranged to partially overlap in the W1-W2 direction. [Contact Operation of the Development Unit (Non-Driven Side)]

[0391] Next, the operation of the separation / contact mechanism 150L to bring the photosensitive drum 104 and the developing roller 106 into contact with each other will be described in detail with reference to Figures 36 to 38. For the purpose of explanation, these figures are cross-sectional views in which part of the developing device cover member 128, part of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117, and part of the non-drive side bearing 127 are partially omitted along the partial cross-sectional line CS.

[0392] As previously explained, the developing coupling 32 receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the direction of arrow V2 in FIG. 24, causing the developing roller 106 to rotate. In other words, the developing unit 109, which has the developing coupling 32, receives a driving torque from the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the direction of arrow V2, centered on the pivot axis K. Furthermore, the developing unit 109 also receives a biasing force in the direction of arrow V2 from the biasing force of the aforementioned developing pressure spring 134. As shown in FIG. 36, the developing unit 109 is in the separated position and the spacer 151L is in the separated position (first position). In this state, even if the developing unit 109 receives this driving torque and the biasing force of the developing pressure spring 134, the abutting surface 151Lc of the spacer 151L abuts against the abutted surface 117c of the non-driven-side cartridge cover member 117. Therefore, the orientation of the developing unit 109 is maintained in the separated position.

[0393] In this embodiment, the separation control member 196L is configured to be movable from its home position in the direction of arrow W41 in FIG. 36 . When the separation control member 196L moves in the W41 direction, the first force application surface 196La of the separation control member 196L abuts against the second force receiving surface 152Lp of the second force receiving portion 152Ln of the movable member 152L, causing the movable member 152L to rotate in the BD direction around the movable member pivot axis HD. Note that the abutment between the first force application surface 196La and the second force receiving surface 152Lp does not necessarily have to be surface contact; line contact or point contact is also acceptable. In this way, the first force application surface 196La applies a contact force to the second force receiving surface 152Lp by moving in the W41 direction. The movement direction of the protrusion 152Lh when the movable member 152L rotates in the BD direction is referred to as the first direction. Furthermore, as the movable member 152L rotates, the spacer pressing surface 152Lr of the movable member 152L abuts against the pressed portion 151Le of the spacer 151L, causing the spacer 151L to rotate in the B5 direction. The spacer 151L is then rotated by the movable member 152L to a separation release position (second position) where the abutting surface 151Lc and the abutted surface 117c are separated. Here, the position of the separation control member 196L that moves the spacer 151L to the separation release position (second position) shown in FIG. 37 is referred to as the first position.

[0394] When the spacer 151L is moved to the separation release position by the separation control member 196L in this manner, the developing unit 109 rotates in the V2 direction due to the driving torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the biasing force of the developing pressure spring 134. As a result, the developing unit 109 moves to the contact position where the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 contact each other (the state shown in FIG. 37 ). At this time, the spacer 151L, which is biased in the direction of arrow B4 by the tension spring 153, is maintained in the separation release position (second position) by the regulated surface 151Lk contacting the spacer regulating surface 117d of the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117. The separation control member 196L then moves in the W42 direction to return to the home position. At this time, the moving member 152L rotates in the BC direction due to the tension spring 153, and the developing device frame pressing surface 152Lq of the moving member 152L comes into contact with the pressed surface 127h of the non-drive-side bearing 127 (the state shown in FIG. 38). At this time, it can be said that the moving member 152L and the protrusion 152Lh are in the operating position.

[0395] As a result, the gaps T3 and T4 described above are formed again, and the separation control member 196L is positioned so that it does not act on the movable member 152L. The transition from the state shown in Figure 37 to the state shown in Figure 38 occurs without any time lag. The position of the separation control member 196L in Figure 38 is the same as that in the state shown in Figure 36.

[0396] In the above description, the second force receiving surface 152Lp is subjected to a contact force from the first force applying surface 196La. In this regard, the contact force is applied from the first force applying surface 196La moving in the W41 direction and is applied to the process cartridge 100 to move the developing roller 106 in a direction (contact direction, approach direction, or V2 direction) that brings the developing roller 106 closer to the photosensitive drum 104 and into contact with it. Therefore, it is sufficient that the developing unit 109 is configured to move from the retracted position toward the developing position in response to the contact force; it is not necessary for the process cartridge 100 to continue receiving the contact force until the developing unit 109 reaches the developing position. Furthermore, as described above, when the developing unit 109 receives the contact force and moves from the retracted position to the developing position, the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 do not necessarily need to be in contact with each other at the developing position.

[0397] As described above, in the configuration of this embodiment, the separation control member 196L moves from the home position to the first position, thereby applying a contact force to the movable member 152L, which rotates the movable member 152L and moves the spacer 151L from the separation maintaining position (first position) to the separation releasing position (second position). This allows the development unit 109 to move from the separation position to the contact position where the development roller 9 and the photosensitive drum 104 contact each other. In other words, the contact force applied by the separation control member 196L is transmitted to the spacer 151L via the movable member 152L, thereby moving the development unit 109 from the separation position (retracted position) to the contact position (developing position).

[0398] When the developing unit 109 is in the contact position (developing position), the position of the developing unit 109 relative to the drum unit 108 is determined by the driving torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the developing pressure spring 134 biasing the developing roller 106 in the V2 direction, causing the developing roller 106 to contact the photosensitive drum 104. Therefore, the photosensitive drum 104 can be considered a positioning portion (second positioning portion) that positions the developing roller 6 of the developing unit 109 in the developing position. At this time, the developing unit 109 can be considered stably held by the drum unit 108. At this time, the spacer 151L in the separation release position is not directly involved in positioning the developing unit 109. However, by moving from the separation hold position to the separation release position, the spacer 151L can be considered to create a situation in which the drum unit 108 can stably hold the developing unit 109 in the contact position (developing position).

[0399] Furthermore, in this state, when the front door 11 of the image forming apparatus main body 170 transitions from the closed state to the open state, the first force application portion 190a rises in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow ZA. Accordingly, the biasing member 153 acts to move the moving member 152R in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow ZA. However, the spacer 151R remains in the separation release position, and the developing unit 109 also remains in the developing position. [Separating Operation of the Developing Unit (Non-Drive Side)]

[0400] Next, the operation of moving the developing unit 109 from the contact position to the separated position will be described in detail with reference to Figures 38 and 39. For the purpose of explanation, Figure 39 is a cross-sectional view in which part of the developing unit cover member 128, part of the non-driven side cartridge cover member 117, and part of the non-driven side bearing 127 are partially omitted along the partial cross-sectional line CS.

[0401] As previously described, in the state shown in FIG. 38 , the movable member 152L and the protrusion 152Lh are in the operating position. In this embodiment, the separation control member 196L is configured to be movable from the home position in the direction of arrow W42 in FIG. 38 . When the separation control member 196L moves in the direction of W42, the second force application surface 196Lb abuts against the first force receiving surface 152Lm of the first force receiving portion 152Lk of the movable member 152L, causing the movable member 152L to rotate in the direction of arrow BC around the movable member pivot axis HD. Note that the contact between the second force application surface 196Lb and the first force receiving surface 152Lm does not necessarily have to be surface contact; line contact or point contact is also acceptable. In this manner, the second force application surface 196Lb applies a separation force (retraction force) to the first force receiving surface 152Lm. The moving direction of the protrusion 152Lh when the moving member 152L rotates in the BC direction is referred to as the second direction. Because the developing device frame pressing surface 152Lq of the moving member 152L abuts against the pressed surface 127h of the non-drive-side bearing 127, the developing unit 109 rotates from the abutment position in the direction of arrow V1 around the pivot axis K (the state shown in FIG. 39 ). At this time, the pressed surface 152Lf of the moving member 152L is arc-shaped, and the center of this arc is positioned to coincide with the pivot axis K.

[0402] As a result, when the developing unit 109 moves from the abutment position to the separation position, the force that the pressed surface 152Lf of the moving member 152L receives from the cartridge pressing unit 191 is directed toward the pivot axis K. This allows the developing unit 109 to operate without interfering with rotation in the direction of arrow V1. The spacer 151L separates the regulated surface 151Lk of the spacer 151L from the spacer regulating surface 117d of the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117, and the spacer 151L rotates in the direction of arrow B4 (from the separation release position toward the separation maintaining position) due to the biasing force of the tension spring 153. As a result, the spacer 151L rotates until the pressed portion 151Le abuts against the spacer pressing surface 152LR of the moving member 152L, and upon abutment, the spacer 151L moves to the separation maintaining position (first position).

[0403] When the developing unit 109 is moved from the abutment position toward the separated position by the separation control member 196L and the spacer 151L is positioned at the separation maintaining position, a gap T5 is formed between the abutting surface 151Lc and the abutted surface 117c as shown in Figure 39. Here, the position at which the developing unit 109 is rotated from the abutment position toward the separated position and the spacer 151L can be moved to the separation maintaining position is referred to as the second position of the separation control member 196L.

[0404] Thereafter, the separation control member 196L moves in the direction of arrow W41, returning from the second position to the home position. Then, while the spacer 151L remains in the separation position, the developing unit 109 rotates in the direction of arrow V2 due to the driving torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the biasing force of the developing pressure spring 134, causing the contact surface 151Lc to contact the contacted surface 117c. In other words, the developing unit 109 maintains the separation position due to the spacer 151L, and the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 are separated by the gap P1 (the state shown in FIGS. 36 and 34(a)). This re-establishes the aforementioned gaps T3 and T4, and the moving member 152L is positioned in a position where the separation control member 196L does not act on it (the state shown in FIG. 36). The transition from the state shown in FIG. 39 to the state shown in FIG. 36 occurs immediately.

[0405] In the above description, the first force receiving surface 152Lm is subjected to a separating force (retraction force) from the second force applying surface 196Lb. In this regard, the separating force is applied from the second force applying surface 196Lb moving in the W42 direction, and is a force applied to the process cartridge 100 to move the developing roller 106 in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 104 (the separating direction, retraction direction, or V1 direction). Therefore, it is sufficient that the developing unit 109 is configured to move from the development position toward the retraction position in response to the separation force, and it is not necessary for the process cartridge 100 to continue receiving the separating force until the developing unit 109 reaches the retraction position.

[0406] As described above, in the configuration of this embodiment, when the separation control member 196L moves from the home position to the second position, the spacer 151L moves from the separation release position to the separation maintenance position. Then, when the separation control member 196L returns from the second position to the home position, the developing unit 109 is maintained in the separation position by the spacer 151L. In other words, the spacer 151L prevents the developing unit 109 from moving to the abutment position against the driving torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the biasing force in the direction of arrow V2 due to the biasing force of the development pressure spring 134, and the developing unit 109 is maintained in the separation position.

[0407] In this way, the separation force applied by the separation control member 196L is transmitted to the pressed surface 127h of the non-drive side bearing (part of the developing frame body) 127 via the moving member 152L, thereby moving the developing unit 109 from the abutment position to the separation position (retracted position) and moving the spacer 151R from the separation release position to the separation maintenance position.

[0408] When the developing unit 109 is in the separated position (retracted position), the position of the developing unit 109 relative to the drum unit 108 is determined by the driving torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the developing pressure spring 134 in the V2 direction, with the supported portion 151La contacting the first support portion 127b and the abutting portion 151Lc contacting the abutting surface 117c, as described above. Therefore, the abutting surface 117c can be considered a positioning portion (first positioning portion) that positions the developing unit 109 in the separated position (retracted position) relative to the photosensitive drum 104. At this time, the developing unit 109 can be considered stably held by the drum unit 108. Furthermore, the spacer 151L in the separated holding position (first position) can be considered to create a situation in which the drum unit 108 can stably hold the developing unit 109 in the separated position (retracted position).

[0409] Furthermore, when the front door 11 of the image forming apparatus main body 170 transitions from the closed state to the open state in this state, the first force application portion 190a rises in the direction opposite to the arrow ZA. Accordingly, the biasing member 153 acts to move the movable member 152L in the direction opposite to the arrow ZA. However, the spacer 151L remains in the separation position, and the developing unit 109 also remains in the separation position. Up to this point, the operation of the separation mechanism located on the drive side of the process cartridge 100 and the operation of the separation mechanism located on the non-drive side have been described separately, but in this embodiment, these operate in conjunction with each other. That is, when the developing unit 109 is positioned in the separation position by the spacer 151R, this occurs substantially simultaneously with the developing unit 109 being positioned in the separation position by the spacer 151L. The same is true for the abutment position. Specifically, the separation control member 196R and the separation control member 196L described in Figures 23 to 27 and Figures 35 to 39 move together as a unit via a connecting mechanism (not shown). As a result, the timing at which the spacer 151R located on the drive side reaches the separation holding position and the timing at which the spacer 151L located on the non-drive side reaches the separation holding position are substantially simultaneous. Furthermore, the timing at which the spacer 151R reaches the separation release position and the timing at which the spacer 151L reaches the separation release position are substantially simultaneous. While these timings may differ between the drive side and the non-drive side, it is desirable that the timing at which they reach the separation release position be simultaneous in order to shorten the time from when the user starts a print job to when the printed material is ejected. In this embodiment, the pivot axes H of the spacers 151R and 151L are coaxial, but as described above, it is sufficient that they reach the separation release position substantially simultaneously, and this is not a limitation. Similarly, the pivot axis HC of the movable member 152R and the pivot axis HE of the movable member 152L are not coaxial, but as described above, it is sufficient that they reach the separation release position substantially simultaneously, and this is not a limitation.

[0410] To perform the contact and separation operations described above, the width of the protrusion 152Rh of the movable member 152R in the W41 direction or the W42 direction, or the distance between the first force receiving surface 152Rm and the first force receiving surface 152Rp, is preferably 10 mm or less, more preferably 6 mm or less. By achieving such a dimensional relationship, appropriate contact and separation operations can be performed. The same applies to the non-drive-side movable member 152L.

[0411] As described above, in this embodiment, the drive side and non-drive side have similar separation and contact mechanisms 150R and 150L, ​​which operate approximately simultaneously. This makes it possible to control the amount of separation between the photosensitive drum 104 and the developing roller 9 at both ends in the longitudinal direction, even if the process cartridge 100 is twisted or deformed in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, it is possible to suppress variation in the amount of separation in the longitudinal direction.

[0412] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the contact and separation states of the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 can be controlled by moving the separation control member 196R (196L) in one direction (the direction of arrows W41 and W42) between the home position, the first position, and the second position. Therefore, the developing roller 106 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 104 only when image formation is being performed, and the developing roller 106 can be maintained separated from the photosensitive drum 104 when image formation is not being performed. Therefore, even if the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 are left unused for a long period of time without image formation, stable image formation can be performed without deformation of the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104.

[0413] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the moving member 152R (152L) that acts on the spacer 151R (151L) to rotate it can be positioned in the storage position by the biasing force of the tension spring 153 or the like. Therefore, when the process cartridge 100 is present outside the image forming apparatus main body 170, the moving member 152R (152L) does not protrude from the outermost shape of the process cartridge 100, and the process cartridge 100 itself can be made compact.

[0414] Similarly, the movable member 152R (152L) can be positioned in the storage position by the biasing force of the tension spring 153 or the like. Therefore, when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the image forming apparatus main body 170, the mounting can be completed by moving the process cartridge 100 in only one direction. This eliminates the need to move the process cartridge 100 (tray 171) up and down. Therefore, no extra space is required in the image forming apparatus main body 170, and the main body can be made more compact.

[0415] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the separation control member 196R (196L) is located at the home position, no load is applied to the separation control member 196R (196L) from the process cartridge 100. This reduces the rigidity required for the separation control member 196R (196L) and the mechanism that operates the separation control member 196R (196L), allowing for miniaturization. Furthermore, the load on the sliding parts of the mechanism that operates the separation control member 196R (196L) is also reduced, thereby suppressing wear on the sliding parts and the generation of abnormal noise.

[0416] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the developing unit 109 can maintain the spaced apart position using only the spacer 151R (151L) of the process cartridge 100. Therefore, by reducing the number of parts that cause variations in the amount of separation between the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104, component tolerances can be reduced, and the amount of separation can be minimized. Because the amount of separation can be reduced, when the process cartridge 100 is installed in the image forming apparatus main body 170, the area in which the developing unit 109 exists as it moves between the contact position and the separated position is reduced, thereby realizing a more compact image forming apparatus. In addition, because the space for the developer accommodating portion 29 of the developing unit 109 that moves between the contact position and the separated position can be increased, a compact, high-capacity process cartridge 100 can be installed in the image forming apparatus main body 170.

[0417] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the movable member 152R (152L) is positioned in the storage position when the process cartridge 100 is installed, and the developing unit 109 can be maintained in the separated position by the spacer 151R (151L) of the process cartridge 100. Therefore, when the process cartridge 100 is installed in the image forming apparatus main body 170, installation can be completed by moving the process cartridge 100 in only one direction. Therefore, the process cartridge 100 (tray 171) does not need to be moved vertically. This eliminates the need for extra space in the image forming apparatus main body 170, allowing for a more compact body. Furthermore, because the amount of separation can be reduced, when the process cartridge 100 is installed in the image forming apparatus main body 170, the area in which the developing unit 109 exists is reduced when the developing unit 109 moves between the abutting position and the separated position, thereby allowing for a more compact image forming apparatus. In addition, since the space for the developer storage section 29 of the developing unit 109 that moves between the abutment position and the separation position can be increased, a compact, large-capacity process cartridge 100 can be placed in the image forming apparatus main body 170.

[0418] In this embodiment, the developing unit 109 is biased in the direction of arrow V2 (the direction of movement from the separated position to the developing position) by the driving torque of the developing coupling 132a received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the biasing force of the developing pressure spring 134. However, gravity acting on the developing unit 109 can also be used to bias the developing unit 109 in the V2 direction. That is, a configuration is provided in which gravity acting on the developing unit 109 generates a moment that rotates the developing unit 109 in the V2 direction. When such a biasing configuration in the V2 direction by its own weight is adopted, the biasing configuration by the developing pressure spring 134 may not be provided, or may be used in combination with the biasing configuration by the developing pressure spring 134. [Details of the Arrangement of the Separation and Contact Mechanisms 150R, L]

[0419] Next, the arrangement of the separation and contact mechanisms 150R, 150L in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 40 and 41. Figure 40 is an enlarged view of the spacer 151R and its vicinity when the process cartridge 100 is viewed from the drive side along the pivot axis K (photosensitive drum axis direction) of the development unit 109. Additionally, for the sake of explanation, a portion of the developing device cover member 128 and a portion of the drive side cartridge cover member 116 are partially omitted along the partial cross-sectional line CS. Figure 41 is an enlarged view of the spacer 151R and its vicinity when the process cartridge 100 is viewed from the non-drive side along the pivot axis K (photosensitive drum axis direction) of the development unit 109. Additionally, for the sake of explanation, a portion of the developing device cover member 128 and a portion of the drive side cartridge cover member 116 are partially omitted along the partial cross-sectional line CS. With regard to the arrangement of the spacers and moving members described below, except for the parts that will be described in detail later, there is no distinction between the drive side and the non-drive side, and both are common, so only the drive side (Figure 40) will be described, and the non-drive side (Figure 41) will not be described, but the non-drive side also has a similar configuration.

[0420] As shown in Figure 40, a line N is a straight line passing through the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 104 (point M1 in Figure 40) and the rotation axis M2 of the developing roller 106 (point M2 in Figure 40). Furthermore, a contact area between the abutting surface 151Rc of the spacer 151R and the abutted surface 116c of the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 is defined as M3, and a contact area between the pressed surface 151Re of the spacer 151R and the spacer pressing surface 152Rr of the moving member 152R is defined as M4. Furthermore, a distance e1 is a distance between the pivot axis K of the developing unit 109 and point M2, a distance e2 is a distance between the pivot axis K and region M3, and a distance e3 is a distance between the pivot axis K and point M4.

[0421] In this embodiment, when the developing unit 109 is in the separated position and the movable member 152R (152L) is in the protruding position, the developing unit 109 has the following positional relationship when viewed along the swing axis K (or the rotation axis M1 or M2). That is, as shown in FIG. 40 , when viewed along the swing axis K, at least a portion of the contact area M3 is located in an area AD1 opposite to the area AU1 where the center of the developing coupling 132a (the swing axis K) is located, when the areas are divided by the line N. That is, the abutment surface 151Rc of the spacer 151R is positioned such that the distance e2 is longer than the distance e1. Also, as shown in FIG. 40 , when viewed along the swing axis K, at least a portion of the protruding portion 152Rh is located in an area AD1 opposite to the area AU1 where the center of the developing coupling 132a (the swing axis K) is located, when the areas are divided by the line N. 40 (FIG. 41), if the up-down direction in the drawing is considered to be the vertical direction, the posture of the process cartridge 100 is the same as the posture when it is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 170. This posture can also be said to be the posture when the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 104 is horizontal and the photosensitive drum 104 is disposed at the bottom within the process cartridge 100. In this posture, area AD1 corresponds to the bottom of the process cartridge 100 and is also an area that includes the bottom of the process cartridge 100.

[0422] By arranging the spacer 151R and the contact surface 151Rc in this manner, it is possible to minimize variations in the attitude of the separation position of the developing unit 109 when the position of the contact surface 151Rc varies due to component tolerances, etc. In other words, it is possible to minimize the effect of variations in the contact surface 151Rc on the separation amount (gap) P1 (see FIG. 1A) between the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104, thereby enabling the developing roller 106 to be separated from the photosensitive drum 104 with high precision. In addition, there is no need to provide extra space for the developing unit 109 to retreat when it is separated, which leads to a more compact image forming apparatus main body 170.

[0423] Furthermore, the first force receiving portion 152Rk (152Lk) and the second force receiving portion 152Rn (152Ln), which are force receiving portions of the moving member 152R (152L), are arranged on the opposite side of the line N from the rotation center (rotation axis) K of the development coupling portion 132a. In other words, at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk (152Lk) and 152Rn (152Ln) is arranged in an area AD1 opposite to an area AU1 in which the rotation center (rotation axis) K of the development coupling 132a is arranged.

[0424] As explained above, the protrusions (force receiving portions) 152Rh (152Lh) are disposed at the longitudinal ends. Also, as shown in FIG. 15 (FIG. 16), the cylindrical portion 128b (127a), which serves as a support for the developing unit 109, is disposed at the longitudinal ends. Therefore, by disposing the force receiving portion 152Rh (152Lh), including the first force receiving portion 152Rk (152Lk) and the second force receiving portion 152Rn (152Ln), on the opposite side of the line N from the cylindrical portion 128b (127a) of the developing unit 109 (i.e., the pivot axis K), the functional portions can be disposed efficiently. This leads to a reduction in the size of the process cartridge 100 and the image forming apparatus M. More specifically, when viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2 and divided by the line N, structures such as the cylindrical portion 128b (127a) for supporting the developing unit 109 so that it can move relative to the drum unit 108 are located in the area AU1 where the pivot shaft K is located. For this reason, locating at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk (152Lk) and 152Rn (152Ln) in the area AD1 where the developing coupling portion 132a is not located, rather than in the area AU1 where the pivot shaft K is located, allows for a more efficient layout that avoids interference between components. This leads to a reduction in the size of the process cartridge 100 and the image forming apparatus M.

[0425] In addition, the force receiving portion 152Rh (152Lh) is disposed at the longitudinal drive side end. Also, as shown in FIG. 15 , the longitudinal drive side end is provided with a development drive input gear 132 (or development coupling 132a) that receives drive from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and drives the development roller 106. As shown in FIG. 40 , the first force receiving portion 152Rk and the second force receiving portion 152Rn of the moving member are disposed on the opposite side of the extension of line N from the center of rotation K of the development drive input gear 132 (development coupling 132a), indicated by the dashed line. This arrangement allows for efficient arrangement of functional components. This leads to a reduction in the size of the process cartridge 100 and the image forming apparatus M. More specifically, when viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2 and divided by the line N, the area AU1 in which the development coupling 132a is disposed contains driving members for driving the development drive input gear 132 and other components of the development unit 109, such as the development roller 106. Therefore, arranging at least a portion of the force receiving portion 152Rh in the area AD1 where the developing coupling portion 132a is not arranged rather than in the area AU1 where the developing coupling portion 132a is arranged provides an efficient layout that avoids interference between components, which leads to the miniaturization of the process cartridge 100 and the image forming apparatus M.

[0426] In the above description, the areas AU1 and AD1 are defined as areas where the pivot shaft K or the development coupling 132a is located and areas where it is not located when the boundary is divided by the line N as viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2. However, other definitions are also possible. The areas AU1 and AD1 may be defined as areas where the charge roller 105 or its rotation axis (center of rotation) M5 is located and areas where it is not located when the boundary is divided by the line N as viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2. Also, Figure 236 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 100 in the separated state as viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2. 3 and 236, as another definition, area AU1 and area AD1 may be defined as areas where developing blade 130, proximity point 130d, agitating member 129a, rotation axis M7 of agitating member 129a, or pressed surface 152Rf are located and areas where they are not located when viewed from the direction along rotation axis M2 and the boundary is divided by straight line N. Proximity point 130d is the position of developing blade 130 closest to the surface of developing roller 106.

[0427] In general electrophotographic cartridges, particularly those used in inline-layout image forming apparatuses, it is relatively difficult to arrange other cartridge components in area AD1. Furthermore, arranging at least a portion of each force receiving portion 152Rk (152Lk) and 152Rn (152Ln) in area AD1 also offers the following advantages for the device main body 170. Specifically, the separation control member 196R (196L) of the device main body 170 is arranged below the cartridge and moved in a substantially horizontal direction (in this embodiment, the W41-W42 direction, i.e., the direction of arrangement of the photosensitive drum 104 or cartridge 100) to press the force receiving portion 152Rh (152Lh). This configuration allows the separation control member 196R (196L) and its drive mechanism to have a relatively simple or compact configuration. This is particularly noticeable in inline-layout image forming apparatuses. In this way, arranging at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk (152Lk) and 152Rn (152Ln) in the area AD1 is expected to contribute to the miniaturization and cost reduction of the device main body 170, etc.

[0428] Furthermore, the contact portion between the spacer 151R and the movable member 152R is arranged so that the distance e3 is longer than the distance e1. This allows the spacer 151R and the driving-side cartridge cover member 116 to come into contact with each other with a lighter force. In other words, the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 can be stably separated from each other.

[0429] The arrangement of the separation and contact mechanisms 150R,L has been described above using Figures 40 and 41, which show the process cartridge 100 in the separated state, but it is clear from other figures that the same relationship exists for the process cartridge 100 in the contacted state. Figure 235 is a side view (partial cross-sectional view) of the process cartridge 100 in the contacted state, viewed in the direction along the rotation axis M2. The arrangement of the force receiving portions 152Rk (152Lk), 152Rn (152Ln) is the same as that described above.

[0430] The VD1 direction is also perpendicular to the line N. On the drive side, the movable member 152R and the force receiving portions 152Rk and 152Rn are configured to move in the ZA direction and the opposite direction relative to the drum frame and the developing frame, thereby moving between the standby position and the operating position. This movement in the ZA direction and the opposite direction displaces the movable member 152R and the force receiving portions 152Rk and 152Rn at least in the VD1 direction. In other words, the movable member 152R and the force receiving portions 152Rk and 152Rn displace at least in the VD1 direction to move between the standby position and the operating position. With this configuration, when the movable member 152R is in the operating position, the force receiving portions 152Rk and 152Rn receive a force from the separation control member 196R, thereby moving the developing unit 109 between the development position and the retracted position. When the movable member 152R is in the standby position, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the movable member 152R and the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn interfere with the separation control member 196R, making it impossible to insert or remove the process cartridge 100 into or from the apparatus main body 170. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side.

[0431] Furthermore, when the movable member 152R is in the operating position, the protruding portion 152Rh provided with the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn is positioned at a position protruding from the developing unit 109 at least in the VD1 direction. Therefore, it is possible to position the protruding portion 152Rh in the space 196Rd between the first force applying surface 196Ra and the second force applying surface 196Rb of the separation control member 196R. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side. [Details of the arrangement of the separation contact mechanism 150R, L - Part 2]

[0432] A concept similar to the concept of arranging at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk (152Lk) and 152Rn (152Ln) in the area AD1 as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 236 and 237. FIG.

[0433] 236 and 237 are schematic cross-sectional views of the process cartridge 100 as seen from the drive side along the rotation axis M1, rotation axis K or rotation axis M2 of the developing unit 109, with Fig. 236 showing the separated state and Fig. 237 showing the contacted state. Note that the arrangement of the spacer 151 and the moving member 152 described below is common to both the drive side and the non-drive side without any distinction and is also substantially the same in the contacted state and the separated state, so only the separated state on the drive side will be described using Fig. 236, and descriptions of the non-drive side and the contacted state will be omitted.

[0434] The rotation axis of the toner transport roller (developer supply member) 107 is defined as a rotation axis (rotation center) M6. The process cartridge 100 also has an agitating member 108 that rotates and agitates the developer contained in the developing unit 109, and the rotation axis of the agitating member 108 is defined as a rotation axis (rotation center) M7.

[0435] In FIG. 236, the intersection point between the line N10 connecting the rotation axis M1 and the rotation axis M5 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 104, and the line N10 farther from the rotation axis M5, is designated as intersection point MX1. The tangent to the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 that passes through intersection point MX1 is designated as tangent line (predetermined tangent line) N11. The tangent line N11 divides the area into two regions: the region where the rotation axis M1, the charge roller 105, the rotation axis M5, the development roller 106, the rotation axis M2, the development coupling portion 132a, the rotation axis K, the development blade 130, the proximity point 130d, the toner conveying roller 107, the rotation axis M6, the agitating member 129a, the rotation axis M7, or the pressed surface 152Rf are located is designated as region AU2, and the region where they are not located is designated as region (predetermined region) AD2. Regions AU2 and AD2 may also be defined in the following way. That is, if the direction parallel to and facing the direction from the rotation axis M5 toward the rotation axis M1 is defined as the VD10 direction, the most downstream part of the photosensitive drum 104 in the VD10 direction is the intersection point MX1. Then, in the direction VD10, the area upstream of the most downstream part MX1 is defined as area AU2, and the area downstream of the most downstream part MX1 is defined as area (predetermined area) AD2. Regardless of the expression, the defined areas AU2 and AD2 are the same.

[0436] At least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn is disposed in the region AD2. In this way, disposing at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn in the region AD2 is expected to contribute to the miniaturization and cost reduction of the process cartridge 100 and the apparatus main body 170. This is for the same reasons as when disposing at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn in the region AD1. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side.

[0437] Furthermore, the movable member 152R and the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn are displaced at least in the VD10 direction by movement in the ZA direction and the opposite direction. That is, the movable member 152R and the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn are displaced at least in the VD10 direction to move between the standby position and the operating position. With this configuration, when the movable member 152R is in the operating position, the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn receive a force from the separation control member 196R, thereby moving the developing unit 109 between the development position and the retracted position. When the movable member 152R is in the standby position, interference between the movable member 152R and the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn and the separation control member 196R can be avoided, preventing the process cartridge 100 from being inserted into or removed from the apparatus main body 170. The same applies to the non-drive side configuration.

[0438] Furthermore, when the movable member 152R is in the operating position, the protruding portion 152Rh provided with the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn is positioned at a position protruding from the developing unit 109 at least in the VD10 direction. Therefore, it is possible to position the protruding portion 152Rh in the space 196Rd between the first force applying surface 196Ra and the second force applying surface 196Rb of the separation control member 196R. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side. [Details of the arrangement of the separation contact mechanism 150R, L - Part 3]

[0439] A concept similar to the concept of arranging at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk (152Lk) and 152Rn (152Ln) in the area AD1 as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

[0440] Figure 238 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 100 in the separated state, as viewed from the drive side along the rotation axis M1, rotation axis K, or rotation axis M2 of the developing unit 109. Note that the arrangement of the spacer 151 and the moving member 152, which will be described below, is the same for both the drive side and the non-drive side, and is also substantially the same for the contact state and the separated state, so only the drive side separated state will be described using Figure 238, and descriptions of the non-drive side and the contact state will be omitted.

[0441] In FIG. 238, the intersection point between the line N12 connecting the rotation axis K and the rotation axis M2 and the surface of the developing roller 106, and the intersection point farther from the rotation axis K, is designated as intersection point MX2. The tangent to the surface of the developing roller 106 that passes through intersection point MX2 is designated as tangent line (predetermined tangent line) N13. The tangent line N13 is used to divide the area into regions, and the region where the development coupling portion 132a, the rotation axis K, the rotation axis M2, the charge roller 105, the rotation axis M5, the developing blade 130, the proximity point 130d, the toner conveying roller 107, the rotation axis M6, the agitating member 129a, the rotation axis M7, or the pressed surface 152Rf are located is designated as region AU3, and the region where they are not located is designated as region (predetermined region) AD3. Regions AU3 and AD3 may also be defined in the following way. That is, if the direction parallel to and facing the direction from the rotation axis K toward the rotation axis M2 is defined as the VD12 direction, the most downstream portion of the developing roller 106 in the VD12 direction is the intersection point MX2. Then, in the VD12 direction, the area upstream of the most downstream portion MX2 is defined as area AU3, and the area downstream of it is defined as area (predetermined area) AD3. Regardless of the expression, the defined areas AU3 and AD3 are the same.

[0442] At least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn is disposed in the region AD3. Disposing at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn in the region AD3 is expected to contribute to the miniaturization and cost reduction of the process cartridge 100 and the apparatus main body 170. This is for the same reasons as when disposing at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn in the region AD1. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side.

[0443] Furthermore, the movable member 152R and the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn are displaced at least in the VD12 direction by movement in the ZA direction and the opposite direction. That is, the movable member 152R and the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn are displaced at least in the VD12 direction to move between the standby position and the operating position. With this configuration, when the movable member 152R is in the operating position, the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn receive a force from the separation control member 196R, thereby moving the developing unit 109 between the development position and the retracted position. When the movable member 152R is in the standby position, interference between the movable member 152R and the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn and the separation control member 196R can be avoided, preventing the process cartridge 100 from being inserted into or removed from the apparatus main body 170. The same applies to the non-drive side configuration.

[0444] Furthermore, when the movable member 152R is in the operating position, the protruding portion 152Rh provided with the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn is positioned at a position protruding from the developing unit 109 at least in the VD12 direction. Therefore, it is possible to position the protruding portion 152Rh in the space 196Rd between the first force applying surface 196Ra and the second force applying surface 196Rb of the separation control member 196R. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side. [Details of the arrangement of the separation contact mechanism 150R, L - Part 4]

[0445] A concept similar to the concept of arranging at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk (152Lk) and 152Rn (152Ln) in the area AD1 as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

[0446] Figure 239 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 100 in the separated state, as viewed from the drive side along the rotation axis M1, rotation axis K, or rotation axis M2 of the developing unit 109. The arrangement of the spacer 151 and the moving member 152, which will be described below, is the same for both the drive side and the non-drive side, and is also substantially the same for the abutting state and the separated state. Therefore, only the drive side's separated state will be described using Figure 239, and descriptions of the non-drive side and the abutting state will be omitted. In Figure 239, the intersection point between the line N14 connecting the rotation axis M2 and the rotation axis M6 and the surface of the developing roller 106, which is farther from the rotation axis K, is designated as intersection point MX2. The tangent to the surface of the developing roller 106 that passes through intersection point MX2 is designated as tangent line (predetermined tangent line) N14. When the regions are divided by the tangent line N14, the region where the development coupling part 132a, the rotation axis K, the charging roller 105, the rotation axis M5, the development blade 130, the proximity point 130d, the stirring member 129a, the rotation axis M7, or the pressed surface 152Rf are located is region AU4, and the region where they are not located is region (predetermined region) AD4.

[0447] At least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn is disposed in the region AD4. In this way, disposing at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn in the region AD4 is expected to contribute to the miniaturization and cost reduction of the process cartridge 100 and the apparatus main body 170. This is for the same reasons as when disposing at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn in the region AD1. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side.

[0448] Furthermore, the movable member 152R and the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn are displaced at least in the VD14 direction, which is perpendicular to the line N14, by movement in the ZA direction and the opposite direction. That is, the movable member 152R and the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn are displaced at least in the VD14 direction to move between the standby position and the operating position. With this configuration, when the movable member 152R is in the operating position, the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn receive a force from the separation control member 196R, thereby moving the developing unit 109 between the development position and the retracted position. When the movable member 152R is in the standby position, interference between the movable member 152R and the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn and the separation control member 196R can be avoided, preventing the process cartridge 100 from being inserted into or removed from the apparatus main body 170. The same applies to the non-drive side configuration.

[0449] Furthermore, when the movable member 152R is in the operating position, the protruding portion 152Rh provided with the force receiving portions 152Rk, 152Rn is positioned at a position protruding from the developing unit 109 at least in the VD14 direction. Therefore, it is possible to position the protruding portion 152Rh in the space 196Rd between the first force applying surface 196Ra and the second force applying surface 196Rb of the separation control member 196R. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side.

[0450] The above-described arrangement relationship of the force receiving portions is the same in all the embodiments described below. [Retention Mechanism]

[0451] In the above-described embodiment, the structure by which the drum unit 108 stably holds the developing unit 109 at the retracted position and the developing position has been described as including the spacer 151R, which can assume a first position and a second position, as a holding member and the separation holding portion 151Rb, which is a part of the spacer 151R, as a holding portion. However, the structure of this embodiment can also be viewed as follows. That is, the holding mechanism by which the drum unit 108 stably holds the developing unit 109 at the retracted position and the developing position can also include at least the spacer 151R, the first support portion 128c of the developing unit cover member 128, the abutting surface 116c of the driving-side cartridge cover member 116, and the developing unit pressure spring 134. In this case, when the spacer 151R is in the first position and the developing unit 109 is in the retracted position, the holding mechanism is in a first state. When the spacer 151R is in the second position and the developing unit 109 is in the developing position, the holding mechanism is in a second state.

[0452] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 42 to 46. In this embodiment, configurations and operations different from those of the previously described embodiment will be described, and components having similar configurations and functions will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again. In the first embodiment, a separation and abutment mechanism 150R and a separation and abutment mechanism 150L were provided on the drive side and the non-drive side, respectively. In contrast, in this embodiment, a configuration in which a separation and abutment mechanism is provided on only one side of the process cartridge will be described.

[0453] 42 to 46 are diagrams showing the state when the developing unit 109 is in the separated position and the movable member of the separation and contact mechanism is in the protruding position. Fig. 42(a) is a perspective view of the process cartridge 100 of Example 1 as seen from below on the drive side. Fig. 42(b) is a schematic diagram showing the amount of separation of the developing roller 106 from the photosensitive drum 104 of the process cartridge 100 of Example 1.

[0454] As shown in Figure 42, the amount of separation P1 in Example 1 is set to be the same on the drive side and the non-drive side. The amount of separation P1 can be changed by changing the distance n1 from the oscillation axis H of the spacer 151 to the contact surface 151Rc. In the present example described below, the amount of separation is changed using a similar configuration.

[0455] In the embodiment shown in Figure 43, the separation and contact mechanism 250-1 of the process cartridge 200-1 is disposed only on the drive side, and no separation and contact mechanism is present on the non-drive side. Figure 43(a) is a perspective view of the process cartridge 200-1 as seen from below on the drive side. Figure 43(b) is a schematic diagram showing the amount of separation of the developing roller 106 from the photosensitive drum 104 of the process cartridge 200-1.

[0456] 43, since the separation and contact mechanism 250-1 is arranged only on the drive side, the separation amount P2-1L on the non-drive side is smaller than the separation amount P2-1R on the drive side due to the influence of the development pressure spring (not shown in FIG. 43, see 134 in FIG. 34). Here, the separation amount P2-1R on the drive side is set larger than the separation amount P1 in Example 1 (see FIG. 42(b)) so that the separation amount P2-1L on the non-drive side does not become 0, that is, so that the development roller 106 and photosensitive drum 104 do not come into contact on the non-drive side.

[0457] This provides the same effect as in Example 1. Furthermore, since there is no separation / contact mechanism on the non-drive side, the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus main body can be made smaller and less expensive.

[0458] Figure 44 shows another embodiment 1 of this invention. In this embodiment, the separation and contact mechanism 250-2 of the process cartridge 200-2 is disposed only on the drive side, and no separation and contact mechanism is present on the non-drive side. In this embodiment, when the development unit 109 is in the separation position, the end of the development roller 106 on the non-drive side comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 104. Figure 44(a) is a perspective view of the process cartridge 200-2 as seen from below on the drive side. Figure 44(b) is a schematic diagram showing the amount of separation of the development roller 106 from the photosensitive drum 104 of the process cartridge 200-2.

[0459] Unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 43 , in the embodiment shown in FIG. 44 , the driving-side separation amount P2-2R is set to be equal to or smaller than the separation amount P1 in the first embodiment. In this case, the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 contact each other on the non-driving side due to the biasing force of the developing pressure spring (not shown in FIG. 43 , see 134 in FIG. 34 ). However, if the contact range m2 on the non-driving side is set to a range that does not fall within the image forming area m4, the image will not be affected. However, if the impact on the image is negligible, or if the intended application is one in which any impact on the image can be ignored, it is not necessary to set the contact range m2 to a range that does not fall within the image forming area m4. That is, in such cases, the contact range m2 may be set to a range that falls within the image forming area m4.

[0460] As described above, in this embodiment, by reducing the amount of separation compared to the embodiment shown in Fig. 43, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus as described in embodiment 1. Furthermore, since there is no separation and contact mechanism on the non-drive side, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus main body.

[0461] Figure 45 shows Alternative Configuration 2 of this embodiment. In this configuration, the separation and contact mechanism 250-1 of the process cartridge 200-3 is disposed only on the non-drive side, and no separation and contact mechanism is present on the drive side. Figure 45(a) is a perspective view of the process cartridge 200-3 as seen from below on the non-drive side. Figure 45(b) is a schematic diagram showing the amount of separation of the developing roller 106 from the photosensitive drum 104 of the process cartridge 200-3.

[0462] 45, since the separation and contact mechanism 250-3 is arranged only on the non-drive side, the separation amount P2-3R on the drive side is smaller than the separation amount P2-3L on the non-drive side due to the influence of the drive input gear (not shown in FIG. 45, see 132a in FIG. 1). Here, the separation amount P2-3L on the non-drive side is set larger than the separation amount P1 in Example 1 so that the separation amount P2-3R on the drive side does not become 0, that is, so that the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 do not come into contact on the drive side.

[0463] This provides the same effect as in Example 1. Furthermore, since there is no separation / contact mechanism on the drive side, the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus main body can be made smaller and less expensive.

[0464] Figure 46 shows another embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, the separation and contact mechanism 250-4 of the process cartridge 200-4 is disposed only on the non-drive side, and no separation and contact mechanism is present on the drive side. When the developing unit 109 is in the separation position, the drive side end of the developing roller 106 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 104. Figure 46(a) is a perspective view of the process cartridge 200-4 as seen from below on the drive side. Figure 46(b) is a schematic diagram showing the amount of separation of the developing roller 106 from the photosensitive drum 104 of the process cartridge 200-4.

[0465] Unlike the embodiment in FIG. 45, in the embodiment in FIG. 46, the non-drive side separation amount P2-4L is set to be equal to or smaller than the separation amount P1 in Example 1. In this case, due to the influence of the drive input gear (not shown in FIG. 46, see 132a in FIG. 1), the developing roller 106 and photosensitive drum 104 come into contact on the drive side. However, if the contact range m5 on the drive side is set to a range that does not enter the image forming area m4, this does not affect the image. Note that the separation amounts on the drive side and non-drive side can be set arbitrarily as long as they do not affect the image.

[0466] As explained above, by reducing the amount of separation compared to the configuration of FIG. 45, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus as described in the first embodiment, and also to reduce the cost of the process cartridge.

[0467] Four embodiments have been described above in this embodiment, and in these embodiments, the amount of separation between the drive side and non-drive side can be set arbitrarily within a range that does not affect the image.

[0468] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0469] In this embodiment, the configuration and operation that differ from the previously described embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the similar configuration and operation will be omitted. Furthermore, the configuration corresponding to the previously described embodiment will be given the same reference numerals or the reference numerals will be given so that the first half of the numerals are changed and the second half of the numerals and letters are the same. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in the configuration and operation of the moving members. Note that the spacer 351L has the same configuration as the spacer 151L. [Configuration of the moving members]

[0470] First, the configuration of the movable member will be described using the non-drive side as an example. Figure 47 is a diagram illustrating disassembly and assembly of the non-drive side movable member 352L. In this embodiment, the movable member corresponding to the movable member 152L in embodiment 1 is divided into two parts and connected together. Specifically, as shown in Figure 47, the movable member 352L is divided into an upper movable member 352L1 and a lower movable member 352L2. The lower movable member 352L2 is provided with a shaft 352L2a. As shown in Figure 48(a), the lower movable member 352L2 has a protruding portion 352Lh that can protrude from the development unit in the ZA direction. The protruding portion 352Lh is provided with a first force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion, separation force receiving portion) 352Lk and a second force receiving portion (contact force receiving portion) 352Ln. The upper movable member 352L1 has an opening 352L1d on the surface facing the lower movable member 352L2. In addition, the upper moving member 352L1 has a separation time pressing portion 352L1q that presses the non-drive side bearing 327.

[0471] The upper moving member 352L1 has a pair of elongated holes 352L1h on either side of the open portion 352L1d. The lower moving member 352L2 has a spring holder 352L2b. One end of a compression spring 352Lsp is fitted into the spring holder 352L2b, and the other end is inserted through the open portion 352L1d and supported by a holder (not shown) at the back. The springs 352L2a are then assembled so that the shafts 352L2a fit into the elongated holes 352L1h. Since the tip end 352L1a must be expanded during assembly, plastic is preferred for the 352L. If the 352L is made of a hard material, the shafts 352L2a and 352L2 may be constructed separately. For example, the shaft 352L2a may be press-fitted into the 352L2 last.

[0472] In this way, the upper moving member 352L1 and the lower moving member 352L2 are connected by the oblong hole 352L1h and the pair of shafts 352L2a, and the upper moving member 352L1 is biased in a direction away from the lower moving member 352L2 by the compression spring 352Lsp. Furthermore, the lower moving member 352L2 is configured to be rotatable around the shaft 352L2a relative to the upper moving member 352L1. It is also configured to be movable relative to the upper moving member 352L1 in a direction along the oblong hole 352L1h2. [Explanation of the Operation of the Moving Members]

[0473] Next, the operation of the moving member 352L will be described with reference to Figures 48(a) to 48(d). As described in the first embodiment, after the process cartridge 300 has been completely inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170, the moving member 352L is pressed by the cartridge pressing unit 190 in conjunction with the operation of closing the front door 11. The operation of the moving member 352L at that time will be described.

[0474] Figures 48(a) and (b) show a state in which the movable member 352L is not pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 (free state), and Figures 48(c) and (d) show a state in which the movable member 352L is pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 (locked state).

[0475] 48(a) and (b) will be used to explain the state (free state) in which the moving member 352L is not pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190. As shown in Figure 48(b), the lower moving member 352L2 has a groove formed between arc-shaped guide ribs 327g1 and 327g2 that are provided on the non-drive-side bearing 327 and are centered on the swing shaft HE, and the shaft 352L2a fits into the groove.

[0476] The upper moving member 352L1 is movable in the longitudinal direction of the oblong hole 352L1h2 and in the ZA direction, and is also capable of swinging about the axis HE, by fitting the oblong hole 352L1h2 onto the axis HE of the bearing 327. As described above, the lower moving member 352L2 is capable of swinging about the axis 352L2a relative to the upper moving member 352L1. The cartridge pressing mechanism 190 presses the upper moving member 352L1, which allows the upper moving member 352L1 to approach the lower moving member 352L2.

[0477] 48A, when the moving member 352L is not pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 (free state), the lower moving member 352L2 can swing in the directions of the arrows θu and θu' at a rotation radius Rx about the shaft 352L2a. Therefore, even if the first force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion, separation force receiving portion) 352Lk and the second force receiving portion (contact force receiving portion) 352Ln of the lower moving member 352L2 receive a force and swing in the directions of the arrows θu and θu', the force is not transmitted to the separation pressing portion 352L1q that presses the non-drive-side bearing 327 of the upper moving member 352L1.

[0478] Next, with reference to Figures 48(c) and (d), the operation of the moving member 352L in a state (locked state) in which it is pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 will be described. When the upper moving member 352L1 is pressed down by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190, the upper moving member 352L1 moves toward the lower moving member 352L2 against the biasing force of the spring 352Lsp, and as shown in Figures 48(c), (d) and 57, the engaging portion (square shaft portion) 352L1a fits into the engaged portion (square hole portion) 352L2h, and the upper moving member 352L1 and the lower moving member 352L2 become one body. In other words, the lower moving member 352L2 is restricted from swinging about the shaft portion 352L2a relative to the upper moving member 352L1. In this state, the integrated moving member 352L can pivot in the directions of arrows θw and θw' with a rotation radius Ry shown in Fig. 48(c) around the moving member pivot axis HE as the center of rotation, while the axis 352L2a moves in the groove formed between the arc-shaped guide ribs 327g1 and 327g2 shown in Fig. 48(d). As will be described in detail later, when pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190, the moving member 352L can move in the same way as the moving member 152L in the first embodiment.

[0479] Furthermore, when not pressed by the pressing mechanism 190, the lower moving member 352L2 can swing at a rotation radius Rx (see FIG. 48(a)) that is smaller than the above-mentioned rotation radius Ry.

[0480] The spacer (holding member) 351L has the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and the 351Lf portion is biased by a biasing member 153 (not shown in the present embodiment for simplicity) so as to rotate clockwise. [Installation of the Process Cartridge into the Image Forming Apparatus Main Body]

[0481] Next, the operation of the movable member 352L when inserting the process cartridge in embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Figures 49(a) to (d). Figure 49(a) shows the state when the process cartridge 300 is being inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170. Figure 49(b) shows the state when the process cartridge 300 is being removed from the image forming apparatus main body 170. Figure 49(c) shows the state immediately after the process cartridge 300 has been completely inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170.

[0482] As described above, when the upper moving member 352L1 is not pressed (in a free state), the lower moving member 352L2 can swing about the shaft 352L2a as the center of rotation, as shown in Figure 49(e). In this embodiment, the lower moving member 352L2 is in the same position as the normally protruding position (see Figure 35) of the moving member 152 in Example 1. Therefore, as in Example 1, when the process cartridge 300 mounted on the cartridge tray 171 (not shown) is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the direction of arrow X1, the separation control member 196L and the lower moving member 352L2 interfere with each other.

[0483] However, with the above-described configuration, as shown in Figure 49 (a), the lower moving member 352L2 swings in the direction of the arrow θu' with the shaft portion 352L2a as the center of rotation, thereby preventing the separation control member 196L and the lower moving member 352L2 from interfering with each other and being unable to be inserted into the device main body 170.

[0484] At this time, the lower moving member 352L2 presses the spacer 351L by swinging in the direction of the arrow θu', moving it from the separation maintaining position to the separation releasing position, and the developing unit 109 moves to the developing position (abutment position). However, thereafter, when the image forming apparatus main body 170 is powered on, the separation control member 196L performs reciprocating motion in the W42 direction and the W41 direction, so that when preparations for image formation are completed, the developing unit 109 returns to the separation position (retracted position).

[0485] 50(a), when the cartridge tray 171 has been completely inserted into the apparatus main body 170, the lower moving member 352L2 may come into contact with the separation control member 196L and stop at an intermediate position without reaching the state shown in FIG. 50(b). A method for reliably avoiding this state will be described with reference to FIGS. 50 and 51.

[0486] First, as shown in FIG. 51(a), a convex portion 352L1p serving as a rotation assist portion is provided on the upper moving member 352L1. Furthermore, a sloped surface 352L2s is provided on the lower moving member 352L2. When the upper moving member 352L1 descends, this convex portion 352L1p comes into contact with the sloped surface 352L2s, causing the lower moving member 352L2 to rotate in the direction of arrow θu. As a result, as shown in FIG. 50(a), the lower moving member 352L2 rotates in the direction of arrow θu, pushing the separation control member 196L down in the direction of arrow θu while rotating to the position shown in FIG. 50(b).

[0487] Next, when the process cartridge 300 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the front door 11 is closed, the moving member 352L is pressed down in the direction of the arrow ZA shown in Figure 52(a) by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 (see Figure 37, etc.), as described above. Then, as shown in Figure 52(b), the engaging portion (square shaft portion) 352L1a fits into the engaged portion (square hole portion) 352L2h. In other words, the upper moving member 352L1 and the lower moving member 352L2 are integrated and play substantially the same role as the moving member 152L of Example 1. [Removing the Process Cartridge from the Image Forming Apparatus Main Body]

[0488] Conversely, as shown in Figure 49(b), when the process cartridge 300 is removed in the direction of the arrow X2 from the image forming apparatus main body, the separation control member 196L and the lower moving member 352L2 also interfere with each other.

[0489] However, as described above, since the moving member 352L1 is free, when the lower moving member 352L2 receives a force from the first force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion, separation force receiving portion) 352Lk, it swings in the direction of the arrow θu around the shaft portion 352L2a. However, the force received by the first force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion, separation force receiving portion) 352Lk is not transmitted to the separation pressing portion 352L1q of the upper moving member 352L1, which presses the non-drive-side bearing 327 of the development unit 109. In other words, the moving member 352L1 cannot move the development unit 109. This state is a transmission-released state in which the transmission of the pressing force is released. This prevents interference between the separation control member 196L and the lower moving member 352L2, preventing removal from the apparatus main body 170. Note that this embodiment describes a process cartridge used in a color image forming apparatus. Therefore, there are four process cartridges and four separation control members, and therefore, depending on the station, the operation shown in Figure 49 is repeated a maximum of four times.

[0490] The lower moving member 352L2 is configured to return, for example, from the position shown in Figure 49(c) to the neutral position shown in Figure 49(d) (the position where the angle θt formed between the upper moving member 352L1 and the lower moving member 352L2 shown in Figure 56 is 0°) by the restoring force of the compression spring 352Lsp.

[0491] FIG. 53(a) shows the moment when the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 contact each other, FIG. 53(b) shows the separation operation of the developing unit 109, and FIG. 53(c) shows the details of the moving member 352. The moving member 352L is in a locked state and can perform essentially the same function as the moving member 152L shown in Example 1. Therefore, the moving member 352L receives force from the separation control member 196L and acts on the spacer 351L to release the separation. Note that the member that contacts the spacer 351L may be either the upper moving member 352L1 or the lower moving member 352L2. In other words, the contact pressing portion that presses the spacer 351L during the contact operation may be provided on at least one of the upper moving member 352L1 and the lower moving member 352L2. Furthermore, during separation, the separation control member 196L receives a force, and the separation pressing portion 352L1q of the upper moving member 352L1, which is integral with the lower moving member 352L2, abuts against the shaft portion 327a, causing the entire developing frame 325 to swing. This state is a transmission state in which the force received by the first force receiving portion 352Lk is transmitted to the separation pressing portion 352L1q, allowing the non-drive-side bearing 237 to move so as to move the developing unit 109 in the direction from the development position toward the retracted position. Then, the spacer 351L moves by the same operation as in Example 1, maintaining the separation state. [Configuration of the Drive-Side Separation Abutment Mechanism]

[0492] Figure 54 is an external view showing the configuration of the drive side of the developing unit portion of the process cartridge 300. In this embodiment, the configuration has been described using the non-drive side separation and contact mechanism, but the configuration on the drive side is similar, so detailed description will be omitted. The drive side moving member 352R is a member equivalent to the moving member 152R in embodiment 1, and, like the non-drive side moving member 352L, is configured by connecting an upper moving member 352R1 and a lower moving member 352R2. [Drive Side and Non-Drive Side Separation and Contact Mechanisms]

[0493] Figure 55 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 300 as seen from the developing unit side. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 55(a), a moving member 352L is disposed on the non-drive side, and a moving member 352R is disposed on the drive side. As another configuration, as shown in Figure 55(b), a configuration in which a moving member 352L is provided only on the non-drive side may be used. Also, as shown in Figure 55(c), a configuration in which a moving member 352R is provided only on the drive side may be used.

[0494] According to the configuration of this embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0495] In this embodiment, the lower moving member 352L2, which includes a first force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion, separation force receiving portion) 352Lk and a second force receiving portion (contact force receiving portion) 352Ln, is movable relative to the upper moving member 352L1 and other portions of the process cartridge 300. In this embodiment, this movement causes the first force receiving portion 352Lk and the second force receiving portion 352Ln to be displaced in the ZA direction, thereby displacing them in at least the direction VD1 ( FIG. 40 , etc.), the direction VD10 ( FIG. 236 , etc.), the direction VD12 ( FIG. 238 ), and the direction VD14 ( FIG. 239 ). The moving member 352L2 can be switched between a movable state (free state) and a state fixed to the upper moving member 352L1 (locked state) depending on the position of the upper moving member 352L1. As a result, by adopting the above-mentioned free state when inserting or removing the process cartridge 300 into or from the device main body 170, it is possible to avoid interference between the lower moving member 352L2 and the device main body 170, particularly the separation control member 196L, which would prevent insertion or removal.

[0496] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0497] In this embodiment, the configuration and operation that differ from the previously described embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the similar configuration and operation will be omitted. Furthermore, the configuration corresponding to the previously described embodiment will be given the same reference numerals or the reference numerals will be given so that the first half of the numerals are changed and the second half of the numerals and letters are the same. The spacer 651L has the same configuration as the spacer 151L. [Configuration of the moving member]

[0498] First, the configuration of the movable member will be described using the non-drive side as an example. Figure 58 is a diagram illustrating disassembly and assembly of the movable member 652L on the non-drive side, which will be described in embodiment 6. In embodiment 6, a movable member corresponding to the movable member 152L in embodiment 1 is configured to avoid the separation control member 196L in the longitudinal direction (Y1-Y2 directions) during the insertion and removal of the process cartridge 600 into and from the image forming apparatus main body 170, as shown in Figure 62. The Y1-Y2 directions are directions parallel to the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 104 and the rotation axis M2 of the developing roller 106 in embodiment 1. The insertion and removal of the movable member while avoiding the separation control member 196L will be described later.

[0499] Specifically, the moving member 652L is configured as two separate parts, an upper moving member 652L1 and a lower moving member 652L2, as shown in Figure 58. Figure 58(a) shows the upper moving member 652L1 and the lower moving member 652L2 before assembly. Figures 58(b) and (c) show the upper moving member 652L1 and the lower moving member 652L2 after assembly. The upper moving member 652L1 has a pair of oblong holes 652L1h that face each other in the X1-X2 directions at a portion that overlaps with the lower moving member 652L2 in the direction in which the process cartridge is inserted into or removed from the image forming apparatus main body (X1-X2 direction, see Figure 62). The lower moving member 652L2 has a shaft 652L2a. 48(a), the lower moving member 652L2 has a protruding portion 652Lh that can protrude from the developing unit in the ZA direction, and the protruding portion 652Lh is provided with a first force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion, separation force receiving portion) 652Lk and a second force receiving portion (contact force receiving portion) 652Ln. A compression spring 652Lsp is provided between the upper moving member 652L1 and the lower moving member 652L2. One end of the compression spring 652Lsp is supported by the upper holding portion 652L1d of the upper moving member 652L1, and the other end is seated on the seating surface 652L2c of the lower holding portion 652L2b, and then the spring is assembled so that the shaft 652L2a fits into the oblong hole 652L1h.

[0500] The moving member 652L assembled in this manner is preferably made of a plastic material because the tip 652L1a of the upper moving member 652L1 is spread apart during assembly when the shaft 652L2a fits into the oblong hole 652L1h. If the moving member 652L is made of a hard material, the shaft 652L2a and the lower moving member 652L2 may be constructed separately. For example, the shaft 652L2a may be press-fitted into the lower moving member 652L2 last.

[0501] FIG. 59 is a perspective view of the two-piece structure of the upper moving member 652L1 and the lower moving member 652L2 (compression spring 652Lsp is not shown).

[0502] The upper moving member 652L1 and the lower moving member 652L2 of the assembled moving member 652L can be in the following two states. One is a state shown in Figures 58(b) and 59(a) in which the shaft 652L2a of the lower moving member 652L2 is positioned away from the upper holding portion 652L1d with respect to the center of the oblong hole 652L1h of the upper holding portion 652L1d. The other is a state shown in Figures 58(c) and 59(b) in which the shaft 652L2a of the lower moving member 652L2 is positioned closer to the upper holding portion 652L1d with respect to the center of the oblong hole 652L1h of the upper holding portion 652L1d.

[0503] 58(b) and 59(a), when the shaft 652L2a is positioned away from the upper holding portion 652L1d with respect to the center of the oblong hole 652L1h, the lower moving member 652L2 supports only the shaft 652L2a relative to the upper moving member 652L1 and is swingable around the shaft 652L2a in the directions of arrows Y3 and Y4 (free state). In this free state, the lower moving member 652L2 supports only the shaft 652L2a relative to the upper moving member 652L1 and is kept swingable around the shaft 652L2a by, for example, the force of a compression spring 652Lsp provided between the upper holding portion 652L1d of the upper moving member 652L1 and the seating surface 652L2c of the lower holding portion 652L2b.

[0504] 58(c) and 59(b), when the shaft 652L2a is positioned close to the upper holding portion 652L1d relative to the center of the oblong hole 652L1h, the tip 652L1a of the upper moving member 652L1 enters the rectangular hole 652L2h, and the lower moving member 652L2 is restricted from swinging about the shaft 652L2a (locked state). This locked state is the configuration when the upper moving member 652L1, which will be described later, is pressed by the image forming apparatus main body, and the upper moving member 652L1 and the lower moving member 652L2 become one unit. [Explanation of the Operation of the Moving Members]

[0505] Next, the operation of the movable member 652L will be described with reference to Figures 60(a) to 60(d). As described in the first embodiment, after the process cartridge 600 has been completely inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170, the movable member 652L is pressed by the cartridge pressing unit 190 in conjunction with the closing of the front door 11. The operation of the movable member 652L at this time will be described. Figures 60(a), 60(b), and 61(a) show the free state described in Figures 58(b) and 59(a), in which the movable member 652L is not pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 within the image forming apparatus main body. Figures 60(c), 60(d), and 61(b) show the locked state shown in Figures 58(c) and 59(b), in which the movable member 652L is pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 within the image forming apparatus main body.

[0506] 60(a) and (b), a description will be given of a state (free state) in which the applying member 652L is not pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190. In the process cartridge 600, the upper moving member 652L1 is movable in the longitudinal direction of the oblong hole and in the ZA direction and swingable about the axis HE by fitting the oblong hole 652L1h2 onto the swing axis HE of the bearing 627. At this time, the lower moving member 652L2 is swingable about the axis 652L2a relative to the upper moving member 652L1, as described above.

[0507] In this swingable state (free state), the lower moving member 652L2 avoids engagement with the separation control member 196L that engages with the moving member described in Example 1 when inserted into or removed from the image forming apparatus main body, which will be described later. For example, as shown in FIG. 60(b) and FIG. 63, which is an enlarged view of the seating surface 652L2c shown in FIG. 60(b), the lower moving member 652L2 receives the biasing force of the compression spring 652Lsp to maintain and avoid a state in which it has swung in the Y3 direction relative to the upper moving member 652L1. To achieve this, the seating surface 652L2c of the lower moving member 652L2 is set to be the surface that directly faces the upper holding portion 652L1d of the upper moving member 652L1 when the lower moving member 652L2 has swung in the Y3 direction relative to the upper holding portion 652L1d of the upper moving member 652L1. As a result, the elastic force of the compression spring 652Lsp provided between the upper moving member 652L1 and the lower moving member 652L2 causes a moment to act in the Y3 direction around the shaft portion 652L2a on the lower moving member 652L2 so that the seating surface 652L2c faces directly toward the upper holding portion 652L1d, maintaining the rocking state.

[0508] Next, the operation when the moving member 652L is pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 (locked state) will be described with reference to Figures 60(c) and (d).

[0509] The upper moving member 652L1 presses down on the cartridge pressing mechanism 190, thereby moving toward the lower moving member 652L2 against the spring 652Lsp. The lower moving member 652L2 is biased in the downward direction by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 when the shaft 652L2a abuts against the arc-shaped guide rib 627g of the bearing 627. Then, as shown in Figures 60(c), (d) and 61(b), the tip end 652L1a of the upper moving member 652L1 that has moved toward the lower moving member 652L2 enters the rectangular hole portion 652L2h, causing the lower moving member 652L2 to swing about the shaft 652L2a, and the upper moving member 652L1 and the lower moving member 652L2 become one unit as described above. In this state, the integral moving member 652L, as shown in FIG. 60( c), pivots around the moving member pivot axis HE at a rotational radius Rx in the X4 and X5 directions. In this state, when a force is received by the first force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion, separation force receiving portion) 652Lk, the moving member 652L rotates in the X4 direction, causing the separation pressing portion 652Lq to press the arc-shaped guide rib 627g, which is the separation-time pressed portion of the bearing 627. This allows the developing unit 109 to move from the development position toward the retracted position. In this state, when a force is received by the second force receiving portion (contact force receiving portion) 652Ln, the moving member 652L rotates in the X5 direction, causing the contact pressing portion 652Lr to press the contact-time pressed portion 621Le of the spacer 651L. This allows the spacer 651L to be moved from the restricted position (first position) to the permitted position (second position). When the movable member 652L is in the locked state, the force received by the first force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion, separation force receiving portion) 652Lk and the second force receiving portion (contact force receiving portion) 652Ln can be transmitted to the separation-time pressing portion 652Lq and the contact-time pressing portion 652Lr.

[0510] Although details will be described later, when pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190, the moving member 652L can move in the same manner as the moving member 152L in Example 1. The spacer (holding member) 651L has the same configuration as Example 1, and the 651Lf portion is biased by a biasing member 153 (not shown in this example for simplicity) so as to rotate clockwise. [Mounting of the Process Cartridge to the Image Forming Apparatus Main Body]

[0511] Next, the operation of the moving member 652L when inserting a process cartridge in the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 62(a) to 62(d). Figure 62(a) is a view showing the process cartridge 600 in the middle of being inserted or removed from the image forming apparatus main body 170, as viewed from the longitudinal direction. Figure 62(b) is a view showing the process cartridge 600 in the middle of being inserted or removed from the image forming apparatus main body 170, as viewed from the insertion direction. Figure 62(c) is a view showing the process cartridge 600 inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170 with the front door 11 closed, as viewed from the longitudinal direction. Figure 62(d) is a view showing the process cartridge 600 inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170 with the front door 11 closed, as viewed from the insertion direction. As described above, when the upper moving member 652L1 is not pressed (free state), the lower moving member 652L2 can swing about the shaft portion 652L2a as the center of rotation, as shown in Figure 58(b).

[0512] 62(a) and 62(b), when the cartridge tray 171 (not shown) with the process cartridge 600 attached thereto is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the direction of arrow X1 or removed in the direction of arrow X2, the tip end portion of the lower moving member 652L2 is inserted or removed in a state retracted in the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction) relative to the separation control member 196L. This is because the lower moving member 652L2 is held in the state shown in FIGS. 58(b) and 59(a) by the action of the compression spring 652Lsp.

[0513] However, it is not necessarily required that the distal end portion of the lower moving member 652L2 be held in a retracted state in the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction). Another configuration is shown in Figure 64. Figure 64(a) is a view showing the process cartridge 600 from the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the longitudinal direction, in the middle of being inserted or removed therefrom. Figure 64(b) is a view showing the process cartridge 600 from the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the middle of being inserted or removed therefrom, in the insertion direction. Figure 64(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line Q-Q of Figure 64(b). Figure 64(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line Q-Q of Figure 64(c) in the state where the process cartridge 600 has been further inserted in the X1 direction from the state shown in Figure 64(c). In the configuration shown in Figure 64, the slope 653L2d of the lower moving member 653L2 may be caused to collide with the separation control member 196L, and from a state in which the separation control member 196L and the lower moving member 653L2 overlap in the Y1-Y2 directions as shown in Figure 64(c) due to a force in the insertion / removal direction (X1-X2 directions), the lower moving member 653L2 may come into contact with the separation control member 196L as shown in Figure 64(d), thereby causing the tip portion of the lower moving member 652L2 to retract in the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction). In this way, when the process cartridge 600 is inserted into or removed from the image forming apparatus main body 170, the moving member 652L is in a free state.

[0514] In this embodiment, the process cartridge used in a color image forming apparatus is described. Therefore, there are four process cartridges and four separation control members. Therefore, depending on the station, the operation shown in Figure 62 is repeated a maximum of four times.

[0515] Next, as shown in Figures 62(c) and (d), when the process cartridge 600 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the front door 11 is closed, the moving member 652L is pressed down in the direction of arrow Z2 by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 as described above. As a result, the lower moving member 652L2, which was swingable, becomes unable to swing relative to the upper moving member 652L1, and they enter an integrated state (locked state). In this state, the moving member plays substantially the same role as the moving member 152 shown in Example 1. [Configuration of the drive-side separation abutment mechanism]

[0516] Figure 65 is an external view showing the configuration of the drive side of the developing unit portion of the process cartridge 600. Figure 66 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 600. In this embodiment, the configuration has been described using the non-drive side separation and contact mechanism, but the configuration on the drive side is similar, so a detailed description will be omitted. The drive side moving member 652R is a member equivalent to the moving member 152R in embodiment 1, and, like the non-drive side moving member 652L, is configured by connecting an upper moving member 652R1 and a lower moving member 652R2. [Drive Side and Non-Drive Side Separation and Contact Mechanisms]

[0517] In this embodiment, the moving member 652L is disposed on the non-drive side, and the moving member 652R is disposed on the drive side. Alternatively, the moving member 652L may be disposed only on the non-drive side. Alternatively, the moving member 652R may be disposed only on the drive side.

[0518] According to the configuration of this embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0519] In addition, in this embodiment, the lower moving member 652L2, which includes a first force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion, separation force receiving portion) 652Lk and a second force receiving portion (contact force receiving portion) 652Ln, is made movable relative to the upper moving member 652L1 and other portions of the process cartridge 600. In this embodiment, this movement displaces the first force receiving portion 652Lk and the second force receiving portion 652Ln at least in the Y1 direction (a direction parallel to the rotation axis M1 and rotation axis M2 in Example 1). The lower moving member 652L2 can be switched between a movable state (free state) and a state fixed to the upper moving member 652L1 (locked state) depending on the position of the upper moving member 652L1. As a result, by adopting the above-mentioned free state when inserting or removing the process cartridge 600 into or from the device main body 170, it is possible to avoid interference between the lower moving member 652L2 and the device main body 170, particularly the separation control member 196L, which would prevent insertion or removal.

[0520] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0521] In this embodiment, the configuration and operation that differ from the previously described embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the similar configuration and operation will be omitted. Furthermore, the configuration corresponding to the previously described embodiment will be given the same reference numerals or the reference numerals will be given so that the first half of the numerals are changed and the second half of the numerals and letters are the same.

[0522] In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the moving member 452 of the separation and contact mechanism of the process cartridge 400 operates without moving from the housed position to the protruding position inside the development unit 109. Although the moving member does not move from the housed position to the protruding position, it performs the same function by vertical movement of the development unit 109 or the process cartridge 400. Note that the vertical direction when the image forming apparatus main body 170 is installed on a horizontal plane is the Z1 direction and the Z2 direction. [Configuration of the process cartridge 400]

[0523] The process cartridge 400 has a separation and abutment mechanism 450R on the drive side and a separation and abutment mechanism 450L on the non-drive side. Regarding the separation and abutment mechanisms, the drive-side separation and abutment mechanism 450R will be described in detail first, followed by a description of the non-drive-side separation and abutment mechanism 450L. Since the separation and abutment mechanisms have substantially the same functions on the drive side and non-drive side, the reference numerals of the various components on the drive side have an R suffix. On the non-drive side, the reference numerals of the various components are the same as those on the drive side, with an L suffix.

[0524] Figure 67 is an assembled perspective view of the drive side of the process cartridge 400 including the separation and abutment mechanism 450R. The separation and abutment mechanism 450R includes a spacer 151R, which serves as a regulating member (holding member), a movable member 452R, which serves as a pressing member, and a tension spring 153. The movable member 452R is provided with a support receiving portion 452Ra, which is a round through-hole. As shown in Figure 69, the movable member 452R also includes a protruding portion 452Rh that can protrude from the developing unit in the ZA direction. The protruding portion 452Rh is provided with a first force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion, separation force receiving portion) 452Rk and a second force receiving portion (contact force receiving portion) 452Rn. The movable member 452R is swingably attached to the second retaining portion 428m of the developing device cover member 428.

[0525] The developing device support member 401R is attached to the end surface of the developing device cover member 428. The developing device support member 401R is provided with a support cylinder 410Ra, a support spring receiving portion 401b, and a positioning receiving portion 401Rc. The developing device support member 401R is attached by fitting the inner surface of the support cylinder 401Ra into the cylindrical portion 428b of the developing device cover member 428. The outer surface of the support cylinder 401Ra is supported in a developing unit support hole 416a of a driving side cartridge cover member 416 that constitutes part of the drum frame of the drum unit 408 so as to be movable in the ZA direction. The developing device support member 401R is also provided with a slide guide 401Re. The slide guide 401Re fits into a guide protrusion 416e provided on the driving side cartridge cover member 416, and is positioned in the correct orientation by being restricted from moving in the groove direction. The slide guide 401Re has a groove that is parallel to the ZA direction in which the developing unit 409 (described later) moves up and down. The support method is described further below.

[0526] One end of the developing device support spring 402 is attached to the driving side cartridge cover member 416. The other end of the developing device support spring 402 is disposed in a position where it contacts the support spring bearing portion 401Rb of the assembled developing device support member 401R. As a result, the developing device support spring 402 applies a force to the driving side cartridge cover member 416 to lift the developing device support member 401R in the direction opposite to the ZA direction.

[0527] 68 is an assembled perspective view of the non-drive side of the process cartridge 400 including the separating and contacting mechanism 450L. The assembled state of the separating and contacting mechanism 450L will be described below.

[0528] The non-drive-side bearing member 427 is fixed to the developing frame 125 and rotatably supports the developing roller 106 and the toner transport roller 107. The non-drive-side bearing member 427 has a support cylindrical portion 427a for supporting the developing device support member 401L, a support portion 427b for supporting the spacer 151L, and a support portion 427f for supporting the moving member 452L. As shown in FIG. 70 , the moving member 452R has a protruding portion 452Lh that can protrude in the ZA direction from the developing unit, and the protruding portion 452Rh is provided with a first force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion, separation force receiving portion) 452Lk and a second force receiving portion (contact force receiving portion) 452Ln.

[0529] The developing device support member 401L is supported by fitting an elongated hole 401Lb into a support cylindrical portion 427a of the non-drive-side bearing member 427. This elongated hole is provided in the non-drive-side support portion 401Lb to allow for misalignment due to manufacturing errors between the drive side and non-drive side of the portion that supports the developing unit 409.

[0530] The developing unit supporting member 401L is provided with a cylindrical portion 401La that covers the oblong hole 401Lb. The cylindrical portion 401La is supported by a developing unit supporting hole 417a of the non-moving cartridge cover member 417.

[0531] The developing device support member 401L is also provided with a guide protrusion 401Le. The guide protrusion 401Le fits into a groove-shaped slide guide 417e provided in the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 417, and is positioned in the correct posture by restricting movement of the guide protrusion 401Le in the longitudinal direction of the groove (ZA direction). The slide guide 417e is a groove that is parallel to the ZA direction in which the developing unit 409 (described later) moves up and down. The support method will be described in more detail below.

[0532] The developing device supporting member 401L receives a force from the developing device supporting spring 402 that lifts it in the direction of the arrow Z1, which is upward relative to the non-moving side cartridge cover member 417.

[0533] FIG. 69 is a side view of the process cartridge 400 as seen from the drive side, and FIG. 70 is a side view as seen from the non-drive side.

[0534] The drive side mechanism in the assembled state will be described with reference to Figure 69.

[0535] The developing unit 409 is supported by a support cylinder 401Ra of the developing support member 401R in a developing unit support hole 416a in the drive-side cartridge cover member 416. The developing unit support hole 416a is an elongated hole in the direction of the arrow ZA. This allows the developing unit support member 401R to move in the ZA direction and the opposite direction within the developing unit support hole 416a. The developing support spring 402 is shown in a perspective view with a dashed line. The developing support spring 402 pushes up the support spring bearing portion 401b of the developing support member 401R in the opposite direction to the ZA direction. Because the developing support member 401R, which supports the developing unit 409, is pushed up in the opposite direction to the ZA direction, the developing unit 409 is lifted up in the opposite direction to the ZA direction within the drive-side cartridge cover member 416.

[0536] In this figure, the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are spaced apart when the process cartridge 400 is outside the apparatus main body 170. As in the other embodiments, the spacer 151R abuts against the abutment surface 416c of the drive side cartridge cover member 416 to restrict the developing unit 109 from approaching the photosensitive drum.

[0537] The non-drive-side mechanism in the assembled state will be described using Figure 70. The support cylinder 401La of the developer support member 401L is supported in a developer unit support hole 417a in the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 417. The developer unit support hole 417a movably supports the support cylinder 402La by two surfaces 417a1 and 417a2 that are parallel to the ZA direction, the same as the elongated hole direction of the drive-side support hole 416a. In addition, the movement amount of the developer support member 401L is regulated by a lower regulating surface 417a3. The non-drive-side cartridge cover member 417 supports the developer support member 410L by the developer unit support hole 417a so that it can move in the ZA direction and the opposite direction.

[0538] The developing support spring 402L pushes up the support spring bearing portion 401Lb of the developing support member 401L in the opposite direction to the ZA direction. Since the developing support member 401L supporting the developing unit 409 is pushed up in the opposite direction to the ZA direction, the developing unit 409 is lifted up in the opposite direction to the ZA direction inside the non-drive side cartridge cover member 417. [Operation when mounting the process cartridge into the apparatus main body]

[0539] Next, the operation of mounting the process cartridge 400 into the apparatus main body 170 will be described using Figure 71. Figure 71 is a side view of the process cartridge 400 and components of the apparatus main body 170 involved in the mounting, as viewed from the drive side. Figure 71(a) shows the process cartridge 400 being mounted while moving in the direction of arrow X1 between the pressing mechanism 191 of the apparatus main body 170 above and the developer separation control unit 195 below. The operating mechanism of the pressing mechanism 191 (the mechanism that moves in the Z1 and Z2 directions in conjunction with the opening and closing of the front door 11) is the same as in Example 1, so a detailed description will be omitted. The moving member 452R has advanced to just before the separation control member 196R. The process cartridge 400 moves while placed on the tray 171 shown in Figure 5. However, for simplicity, the entire tray 171 is not shown; only the portion supporting the drive-side cartridge cover member 416 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0540] Figure 71(b) shows a state in which the process cartridge 400 has advanced in the X1 direction and the movable member 452R is located above the separation control member 196. In the process from Figure 71(a) to Figure 71(b), the movable member 452R is lifted in the direction of arrow Z1 together with the developing unit 409 and is in the storage position (standby position), so it does not collide with the separation control member 196R.

[0541] Figure 71(c) shows the process cartridge 400 in the X1 direction, having reached the installation position relative to the image forming apparatus main body 170. The pressing mechanism 191 then begins to press the pressed portion 401Rc of the developer support member 401 in the Z2 direction. As the developer support member 401 is pressed at least in the Z2 direction by the pressing mechanism 191, the entire developer unit 409 moves in the ZA direction (predetermined direction), and the movable member 452R also moves in the ZA direction (predetermined direction) until it reaches a protruding position (operating position) inserted into the space 196Rd of the separation control member 196. At this time, the developer support spring 402 described in Figure 69 is compressed by the force of the pressing mechanism 191. The developer support member 401 then moves in the ZA direction along the oval hole of the developer unit support hole 416a. The ZA direction is perpendicular to the X1 direction.

[0542] Figure 71(d) shows the state after the pressing mechanism 191 has further moved in the direction of arrow Z2 from the state shown in Figure 71(c). The pressing mechanism 191 presses and pushes down the positioning receiving portion 410Rc of the developer support member 401 in the direction of arrow Z2. This pushes down the entire developing unit 409 in the direction of arrow ZA, and the moving member 452R enters the space 196Rd of the separation control member 196. In this state, the installation of the process cartridge 400 into the apparatus main body 170 is completed.

[0543] At this time, the spring force of the developing support spring 402 in the direction opposite to the ZA direction is set to be lower than the pressing force of the pressing mechanism 191. Also, although it is desirable to arrange the developing support spring 402 so that it expands and contracts in the ZA direction, it is also possible to arrange it so that it expands and contracts in other directions including a ZA component by setting the spring force appropriately.

[0544] The operation for removing the process cartridge 400 from the apparatus main body 170 is the reverse of the above-described operation for mounting, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0545] The operation of the developing unit 109 of the mounted process cartridge 400 to come into contact with and separate from the photosensitive drum will be described with reference to FIG.

[0546] Figure 72 is a side view from the drive side, and is the same as Figure 71, with the pressing mechanism 191 not shown. Figure 72(a) is a diagram illustrating the operation for abutting the developing unit 109 against the photosensitive drum. When the separation control member 196R moves in the direction of arrow W42, the moving member 452R is pushed and moves. At this time, the moving member 452R swings in the direction of arrow BC around the circular support receiving portion 452Ra. The spacer 151R is pushed by the swinging moving member 452R and swings in the direction of arrow B2. The spacer 151R moves from the abutment surface 416c and enters the second regulating surface 416d, eliminating the distance regulation between the photosensitive drum and the developing unit 109 and bringing the developing unit 409 into abutment.

[0547] Figure 72(b) is a diagram showing the state in which the developing unit 109 remains in contact with the photosensitive drum. The separation control member 196R, which moved in the direction W42 in Figure 72(a), has returned to the direction W41. Because the space 196Rd is set wide, the separation control member 196R and the moving member 452R do not come into contact. The moving member 452R maintains the aforementioned contact state.

[0548] Figure 72(c) is a diagram illustrating the operation when the developing unit 109 is spaced apart again. When the separation control member 196R further moves in the direction W41 from the state shown in Figure 72(b), the separation control member 196R and the moving member 452R come into contact. The moving member 452R then swings in the direction of arrow BD and comes into contact with the developing unit covering member 428. When the moving member 452R comes into contact with the developing unit covering member 428 and is further rotated in the direction BD, the entire developing unit 109 swings and enters the separated state. At this time, the moving member 452R and the spacer 151R are connected by the tension spring 153 and rotate in the direction of arrow B1. The rotated spacer 151R abuts against the abutment surface 416c, thereby restricting the developing unit 109 to the separated state. Thereafter, when the separation control member 196R moves in the W42 direction and returns to the state shown in FIG. 71(d), the developing unit 109 maintains the separated state without receiving the force of the separation control member 196R.

[0549] According to the configuration of this embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0550] In this embodiment, the movable member 425, which includes the first force receiving portions 452Rk, 452Lk and the second force receiving portions 452Rn, 452Ln, is configured to move integrally with the developing unit 409 between the storage position (standby position) and the protruding position (operating position). This movement displaces the first force receiving portions 452Rk, 452Lk in at least the directions VD1 (e.g., FIG. 40), VD10 (e.g., FIG. 236), VD12 (e.g., FIG. 238), and VD14 (e.g., FIG. 239). This configuration also prevents the movable member 42 from interfering with the apparatus main body 170, particularly the separation control member 196L, when inserting or extracting the process cartridge 400 into or from the apparatus main body 170. <Alternative to Embodiment 5>

[0551] Using still another configuration, a moving member, which is a pressing member in the separation and abutment mechanism of the process cartridge 430, operates without moving from the storage position (standby position) to the protruding position (operating position) within the development unit 109 will be described using Figures 73 to 78.

[0552] The configuration described here is such that, when the process cartridge 430 is mounted to the apparatus main body 170 , the process cartridge 430 retreats in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction and finally engages with the separation control member 196 .

[0553] A characteristic configuration will be described using Figure 73. Figure 73(a) shows a side view of the process cartridge 430 in this configuration, as seen from the drive side. The support configuration for the developing unit 439 is the same as that described in Example 1. That is, the cylindrical portion 428b of the developing cover member 428 is rotatably supported by the developing unit support hole 431Ra of the drive side cartridge cover member 431R. Here, the developing unit support hole 431Ra has a cylindrical shape. Therefore, in this alternative embodiment, unlike the configuration of Example 5, the developing unit 439 cannot move in the Z2 direction relative to the drive side cartridge cover member (drum frame) 431R and the drum unit 438, except for movement due to backlash.

[0554] The driving side cartridge cover member 431R has compression coil springs (elastic members) attached to two locations. One is a first driving side support spring 435R provided in the rotation determination recess 431KR of the driving side cartridge cover member 431R. The spring 435R has a tip 435Ra at its lower end. The other is a second driving side support spring 434R attached to the driving side support spring attachment portion 431MR. The spring 434R has a tip 434Ra at its lower end.

[0555] Figure 73(b) shows a side view of the process cartridge 430 as seen from the non-drive side. The non-drive side cartridge cover member 431L rotatably supports the developing unit 409, similar to Figure 13 of Example 1. Compression coil springs (elastic members) are attached to the non-drive side cartridge cover member 431L in two locations. One is a first non-drive side support spring 435L provided in the rotation determination recess 431KL of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 431L. The spring 435L has a tip portion 435La at its lower end. The other is a second non-drive side support spring 434L attached to the non-drive side support spring attachment portion 431ML. The spring 434L has a tip portion 434La at its lower end.

[0556] These tip portions 434Ra, 435Ra, 434La, and 435La are supported portions that come into contact with and are supported by the tray 171. These tip portions 434Ra, 435Ra, 434La, and 435La also serve as support portions that support the drive-side cartridge cover member 431R and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 431L, which constitute part of the drum frame (first frame), so that they can move in the Z2 direction. Here, the developing unit 409 (or developing frame) (second frame) is supported by the drum frame. Therefore, it can be said that these tip portions 434Ra, 435Ra, 434La, and 435La support the developing unit 409 (or developing frame) via the drum frame so that it can move in the Z2 direction.

[0557] Next, the relative positions of the first drive-side support spring 435R, the second drive-side support spring 434R, and the tray 171 when the process cartridge 430 is mounted on the tray 171 will be described with reference to Figure 74. Figure 74 shows the process cartridge 430 being moved in the direction of arrow Z2 to be mounted on the tray 171. In this state, the process cartridge 430 is still movable in the Z2 direction and has not yet been positioned on the tray 171.

[0558] When the process cartridge 430 is further advanced in the Z2 direction, the tip 435Ra of the first drive-side support spring 435R provided on the drive-side cartridge cover member 431R comes into contact with and is supported by the rotation-determining protrusion (first spring support portion) 171KR of the tray 171. Furthermore, when the process cartridge 430 is advanced in the Z2 direction, the tip 434Ra of the second drive-side support spring 434R comes into contact with and is supported by the spring receiving portion (second spring support portion) 471MR of the tray 171.

[0559] On the other hand, on the non-drive side, the tip 435La of the first non-drive side support spring 435L is supported by abutting against a rotation determining protrusion (third spring support portion) (not shown) of the tray 17. Also, the tip 434La of the second non-drive side support spring 434L is supported by abutting against a spring receiving portion (fourth spring support portion) (not shown) of the tray 17. [Operation when mounting the process cartridge into the apparatus main body]

[0560] Next, using Figures 75 to 78, the steps from when the process cartridge 430 is placed on the tray 171 to when it is positioned in the image forming apparatus main body 170 at a position where image formation is performed will be described. Figures 75 to 78 show side views as seen from the drive side. For simplicity, these figures do not show components other than those relevant for explaining the state. The non-drive side has the same configuration as the drive side and operates in the same way, so its description will be omitted.

[0561] Figure 75 shows a state in which the process cartridge 430 placed on the tray 171 has advanced in the direction of arrow X1 together with the tray 171. As described in Figure 74, the tip 435Ra of the first drive-side support spring 435R abuts against the rotation-determining protrusion 171KR of the tray 171. In addition, the tip 434Ra of the second drive-side support spring 434R abuts against the spring bearing portion 471MR of the tray 171.

[0562] The first drive-side support spring 435R and the second drive-side support spring 434R are supported by the tray 171, thereby supporting the drum frame and developing frame of the process cartridge 430 against gravity. As a result, the arc 431VR, which is the positioned portion of the drive-side cartridge cover member 431R of the process cartridge 430, does not contact the linear portions 171VR1 and 171VR2, which are the positioning portions of the tray 171, leaving a gap G4. In other words, the process cartridge 430 is supported in the Z1 direction relative to the positioning portions of the tray 171 by the first drive-side support spring 435R and the second drive-side support spring 434R. Therefore, when the process cartridge 430 moves in the direction of arrow X1 during insertion of the tray 171 into the main assembly 170, the movable member 452R can pass without colliding with the separation control member 196R. It can be said that the movable member 452R is in the storage position (standby position). At this time, the cartridge pressing mechanism 191 is in a standby state with a gap G5 between it and the top surface 431Rc of the driving side cartridge cover member 431R.

[0563] Figure 76 shows the state in which, in conjunction with the closing of the front door 11, the cartridge pressing mechanism 191 moves in the direction of arrow Z2 and comes into contact with the top surface 431Rc of the drive-side cartridge cover member 431R. The first drive-side support spring 435R and the second drive-side support spring 434R are not yet subjected to force from the cartridge pressing mechanism 191, and the process cartridge 430 has not yet moved. Figure 77 shows the state in which the cartridge pressing mechanism 191 further moves in the direction of arrow Z2 and begins to press the top surface 431Rc of the drive-side cartridge cover member 431R in the Z2 direction. The process cartridge 430 moves in the ZA direction, and the first drive-side support spring 435R and the second drive-side support spring 434R are compressed. The arc 431VR, which is the positioning portion of the process cartridge 430 relative to the tray 171, approaches but does not come into contact with the straight portions 171VR1 and 171VR2 of the tray, leaving a gap G6. The moving member 452R is in the space 196Rd of the separation control member 196R as a result of the process cartridge 430 moving in the ZA direction.

[0564] 78 shows a state in which the cartridge pressing mechanism 191 has further moved in the direction of arrow Z2 and the process cartridge 430 has been positioned on the tray 171.

[0565] Movement of the cartridge pressing mechanism 191 in the Z2 direction causes the process cartridge 430 to move in the ZA direction, and the arc 431VR eventually contacts the linear portions 171VR1 and 171VR2 of the tray 171. This determines the position of the process cartridge 430 in the Z2 direction relative to the tray 171. As a result of the process cartridge 430 moving in the Z2 direction, the movable member 452R is inserted into the space 196Rd of the separation control member 196R to its final position. At this time, the movable member 425R can be said to be in the protruding position (operating position). Therefore, movement of the separation control member 196R moves the movable member 452R, thereby switching the process cartridge 430 between the abutting state and the separated state.

[0566] The ZA direction (the direction in which the movable member 425R moves from the standby position to the operating position) in which the process cartridge 430 moves as a result of being pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 191 moving in the direction of the arrow Z2 does not have to be parallel to the direction of the arrow Z2. In other words, the ZA direction only needs to include a component in a direction perpendicular to the X1 direction.

[0567] The spring force (biasing force) of the first drive-side support spring 435R and the second drive-side support spring 434R when the arc 431VR is in contact with the straight portions 171VR1 and 171VR2 is set to be smaller than the force of the cartridge pressing mechanism 191. Therefore, the process cartridge 430 can be reliably positioned with respect to the tray 171.

[0568] After the attachment is complete, the operation is the same as that explained in FIG. 72, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0569] The operation for removing the process cartridge 430 from the apparatus main body 170 is the reverse of the above-described operation for mounting, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0570] According to the configuration of this alternative embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0571] In this embodiment, the movable member 425, which includes the first force receiving portions 452Rk, 452Lk and the second force receiving portions 452Rn, 452Ln, moves integrally with the drum unit 438 and the developing unit 439 (the drum frame and the developing frame) between the storage position (standby position) and the protruding position (operating position). This movement displaces the first force receiving portions 452Rk, 452Lk and the second force receiving portions 452Rn, 452Ln in at least the directions VD1 (e.g., FIG. 40 ), VD10 (e.g., FIG. 236 ), VD12 (e.g., FIG. 238 ), and VD14 (e.g., FIG. 239 ). This configuration also prevents the movable member 42 from interfering with the apparatus main body 170, particularly the separation control member 196L, when the process cartridge 430 is inserted into or extracted from the apparatus main body 170.

[0572] In this embodiment, the configuration and operation that differ from the previously described embodiment will be mainly described, and a description of the similar configuration and operation will be omitted. Furthermore, the configuration that corresponds to the previously described embodiment will be given the same reference numerals or a reference numeral with the first half of the numeral changed and the second half of the numeral and letter the same. In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which a moving member applies force to a spacer in a process cartridge separation and contact mechanism without being pressed by a component on the main body side.

[0573] The following describes in detail the "Configuration of the Separation and Contact Mechanism," "Contact Operation of the Development Unit," "Separation Operation of the Development Unit," and "Attachment and Detachment of the Process Cartridge to and from the Image Forming Apparatus Main Body" of this embodiment. The rest of the configuration of the process cartridge is the same as in the previously described embodiment, so it will be omitted here. [Configuration of the Separation and Contact Mechanism]

[0574] The structure for separating and contacting the photosensitive drum 104 of the process cartridge 1400 and the developing roller 106 of the developing unit 1409 in this embodiment will be described in detail. The process cartridge has a separation and contact mechanism 1450R on the drive side and a separation and contact mechanism 1450L on the non-drive side (FIG. 79). FIG. 80 shows an assembled perspective view of the drive side of the developing unit 1409, including the separation and contact mechanism 1450R. FIG. 81 shows an assembled perspective view of the non-drive side of the developing unit 1409, including the separation and contact mechanism 1450L. Here, details of the drive-side separation and contact mechanism 1450R will be described. Note that the drive and non-drive sides of the separation and contact mechanism have almost identical functions, so the reference numerals for each component on the drive side will be marked with an R. On the non-drive side, the reference numerals for each component will be the same as those on the drive side, with an L substituted for the R. The structure and operation of the drive side will be described as a representative example, and a description of the structure and operation of the non-drive side will be omitted.

[0575] The separating / contacting mechanism 1450R includes a spacer 1451R which is a restricting member (holding member), a moving member 1452R which is a pressing member, and a tension spring 1453.

[0576] The spacer 1451R has an annular supported portion 1451Ra, an abutting surface (abutting portion) 1451Rc that comes into contact with an abutting surface (abutting portion) 1416c of the cartridge cover 1416, a spring hook portion 1451Rg that engages with the tension spring 1453, and a second pressed surface 1451Re that engages with the moving member 1452R. The spacer 1451R is also rotatably held by a first support portion 1428c of the developing device cover member 1428. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0577] The moving member 1452R is rotatably held by a support receiving portion 1452Ra of the moving member 1452R engaging with a third support portion 1428m of the developing device covering member 1428. The moving member 1452R has a first force receiving surface 1452Rm and a second force receiving surface 1452Rp engageable with a separation control member 196R installed in the apparatus main body 170, a spring hook portion 1452Rs engaging with the tension spring 1453, and a second pressing surface 1452Rr engaging with the spacer 1451R. The first force receiving surface 1452Rm and the second force receiving surface 1452Rp respectively constitute a first force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion, separation force receiving portion) and a second force receiving portion (contact force applying portion) as in the first embodiment.

[0578] 82, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the tension spring 1453 urges the spacer 1451R in the B1 direction around the first support portion 1428c of the developing device cover member 1428 as the center of rotation. Also, the tension spring 1453 urges the moving member 1452R in the CA direction around the third support portion 1428m of the developing device cover member 1428 as the center of rotation. [Contacting Operation of the Developing Unit]

[0579] Next, the operation of the separation / contact mechanism 1450R to bring the photosensitive drum 104 and the developing roller 106 into contact with each other will be described in detail with reference to Figures 82 to 85. Note that these figures are cross-sectional views in which part of the developing device cover member 1428 is omitted for the sake of explanation.

[0580] In the configuration of this embodiment, the development input coupling 132 receives a driving force in the direction of arrow V2 in Fig. 82 from the image forming apparatus main body 170, causing the development roller 106 to rotate. In other words, the development unit 1409 having the development input coupling 132 receives a torque in the direction of arrow V2 from the image forming apparatus main body 170. As shown in Fig. 82, when the development unit 1409 is in the separated position and the spacer 1451R is in the separated position (restricting position, first position), even if the development unit 1409 receives this torque and the biasing force of the development pressure spring 134 (described later), the abutting surface 1451Rc of the spacer 1451R abuts against the abutted surface 1416c of the drive-side cartridge cover member 1416, and the attitude of the development unit 1409 is maintained in the separated position.

[0581] As in the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus main body 170 in this embodiment also includes a separation control member 196R corresponding to each process cartridge 1400 as described above. The separation control member 196R protrudes toward the process cartridge 1400 and has a first force application surface 196Ra and a second force application surface 196Rb that face each other across a space 196Rd. The first force application surface 196Ra and the second force application surface 196Rb are connected via a connecting portion 196Rc on the underside of the image forming apparatus main body 170. The separation control member 196R is supported by a control plate (not shown) for rotation about a rotation center 196Re. The separation control member 196R is constantly biased in the E1 direction by a biasing spring (not shown), and its rotation direction is restricted by a holder (not shown). Furthermore, a control metal plate (not shown) is configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions from the home position by a control mechanism (not shown), so that the separation control member 196R is configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions.

[0582] When the separation control member 196R moves in the W42 direction, the second force applying surface 196Ra of the separation control member 196R comes into contact with the second force receiving surface 1452Rp of the movable member 1452R, causing the movable member 1452R to rotate in the CB direction around the support receiving portion 1452Ra as the rotation center. Furthermore, as the movable member 1452R rotates, the second pressing surface 1452Rr of the movable member 1452R comes into contact with the second pressed surface 1451Re of the spacer 1451R, causing the spacer 1451R to rotate in the B2 direction. The spacer 1451R is then rotated by the movable member 1452R to a separation release position (permissible position, second position) where the abutting surface 1451Rc and the abutted surface 1416c are separated, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 83 . Here, the position of the separation control member 196R shown in FIG. 83, which moves the spacer 1451R to the separation release position, is referred to as a first position.

[0583] When the spacer 1451R is moved to the separation release position by the separation control member 196R in this manner, the developing unit 1409 is rotated in the V2 direction by the torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the developing pressure spring 134, and moves to the abutment position where the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 abut (the state shown in FIG. 83 ). At this time, the spacer 1451R, which is biased in the direction of arrow B1 by the tension spring 1453, is maintained at the separation release position by the second regulated surface 1451Rk abutting against the second regulating surface 1416d of the driving-side cartridge cover member 1416. The separation control member 196R then moves in the W41 direction to return to the home position. At this time, the movable member 1452R rotates in the CB direction due to the tension spring 1453, and as shown in Figure 84, the first pressing surface 1452Rq of the movable member 1452R and the first pressing surface 1428k of the developing device covering member 1428 come into contact with each other (see also Figure 80).

[0584] As a result, gaps T3 and T4 are formed, and the moving member 1452R is positioned so that the separation control member 196R does not act on the moving member 1452R. The transition from the state in Figure 83 to the state in Figure 84 occurs without any time lapse.

[0585] As described above, in the configuration of this embodiment, the separation control member 196R moves from the home position to the first position, which rotates the movable member 1452R and moves the spacer 1451R from the separation maintaining position to the separation releasing position. This allows the developing unit 1409 to move from the separation position to the contact position where the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 contact each other. The position of the separation control member 196R in Figure 84 is the same as the state in Figure 82. [Separating Operation of the Developing Unit]

[0586] Next, the operation of moving the developing unit 1409 from the contact position to the separated position by the separation contact mechanism 1450R will be described in detail with reference to Figures 84 and 85. Note that these figures are cross-sectional views in which part of the developing device cover member 1428 is omitted for the sake of explanation.

[0587] In this embodiment, the separation control member 196R is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow W41 in Figure 84 from its home position. When the separation control member 196R moves in the W41 direction, the first force application surface 196Rb comes into contact with the first force receiving surface 1452Rm of the movable member 1452R, causing the movable member 1452R to rotate in the direction CA around the support receiving portion 1452Ra as the rotation center. Then, the first pressing surface 1452Rq of the movable member 1452R comes into contact with the first pressing surface 1428k of the developing device covering member 1428, causing the developing unit 1409 to rotate in the direction V1 from the contact position (the state in Figure 85).

[0588] The second regulated surface 1451Rk of the spacer 1451R separates from the second regulating surface 1416d of the driving-side cartridge cover member 1416, and the spacer 1451R rotates in the direction of arrow B1 due to the biasing force of the tension spring 1453. As a result, the spacer 1451R rotates until the second pressed surface 1451Re abuts the second pressing surface 1452Rr of the moving member 1452R, and upon abutment, moves to the separation holding position. When the developing unit 1409 is moved from the abutment position toward the separation position by the separation control member 196R and the spacer 1451R is positioned at the separation holding position, a gap T5 is formed between the abutment surface 1451Rc and the abutted surface 1416c, as shown in FIG. Here, the position shown in FIG. 85 where the developing unit 1409 is rotated from the contact position toward the separated position and the spacer 1451R can move to the separation holding position is referred to as the second position of the separation control member 196R.

[0589] Then, when the separation control member 196R moves in the direction of arrow W42 and returns from the second position to the home position, the developing unit 1409 rotates in the direction of arrow V2 due to the torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the developing pressure spring 134, while the spacer 1451R maintains the separation position, and the contact surface 1451Rc and the contacted surface 1416c come into contact. In other words, the developing unit 1409 maintains the separation position due to the spacer 1451R, and the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 are separated (the states shown in FIGS. 82 and 79 ). This creates gaps T3 and T4, and the moving member 1452R is positioned so that the separation control member 196R does not act on it (the state shown in FIG. 82 ). The transition from the state shown in FIG. 85 to the state shown in FIG. 82 occurs immediately.

[0590] As described above, in this embodiment, when the separation control member 196R moves from the home position to the second position, the spacer 1451R moves from the separation release position to the separation maintaining position. When the separation control member 196R returns from the second position to the home position, the developing unit 1409 is maintained in the separation position by the spacer 1451R. [Attaching and Detaching the Process Cartridge to and from the Image Forming Apparatus Main Body]

[0591] 86 to 101, an engagement operation between the separation and contact mechanism 1450R of the process cartridge 1400 and the developer separation control unit 196R of the image forming apparatus main body 170 when the process cartridge 1400 is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus main body 170 will be described. Note that these figures are cross-sectional views in which part of the developing device covering member 1428 is partially omitted for the sake of explanation.

[0592] Figures 86 to 89 are views of the process cartridge 1400 as seen from the drive side when the cartridge tray 171 is being inserted from the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 170 to the image formation position. Also, all parts other than the process cartridge 1400 and the separation control member 196R are omitted. Figures 94 to 97 are views of the process cartridge 1400 as seen from the non-drive side at the same times as in Figures 86 to 89.

[0593] Figures 90 to 92 are views showing the process cartridge 1400 being separated and held by an initial operation of the image forming apparatus, which will be described later, after the tray 171 has been inserted. Figure 93 is a view seen from the drive side of the process cartridge 1400, omitting only the process cartridge 1400 and the separation control member 196R, when the cartridge tray 171 is being pulled out from the image formable position to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 170. Figures 98 to 101 are views of the process cartridge 1400 seen from the non-drive side at the same times as Figures 90 to 92.

[0594] It should be noted that, since the image forming apparatus main body 170 is equipped with a plurality of process cartridges 1400 for image formation, there are a number of separation control members 196R corresponding to the number of process cartridges 1400. For this reason, in this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the plurality of separation control members 196R (196L) are distinguished from one another by adding a number to the end of the separation control member 196R (196L).

[0595] As shown in Figure 86 , when the process cartridge 1400 placed on the tray 171 (not shown) is inserted in the X2 direction, which is the direction toward the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 170, the second force receiving surface 1452Rp of the moving member 1452R comes into contact with the upstream side surface 196R-1p in the insertion direction of the separation control member 196R-1. With further insertion, as shown in Figure 87 , the cartridge is inserted while the second force receiving surface 1452Rp of the moving member 1452R comes into contact with the upstream side surface 196R-1q in the insertion direction of the separation control member. At this time, the force of the tension spring 1453 is set to be weaker than the force of the biasing spring (not shown) that biases the separation control member 196R in the E1 direction, so that when the moving member 1452R comes into contact with the separation control member 196R, the moving member 1452R rotates to move away. The moving member 1452R and the spacer 1451R are configured to rotate in the B2 direction (direction from the separation maintaining position to the separation releasing position) and the CB direction more than in the state of FIG.

[0596] As a result, the second force receiving surface 1452Rp of the movable member 1452R rests on the upper surface 196R-1q of the separation control member 196R-1. As a result, the movable member 1452R moves from the separation maintaining position to the separation releasing position, and the process cartridge 1400 transitions from the separated state to the abutting state.

[0597] If the tray 171 (not shown) is further inserted from this state, it will come into contact with the separation control member 196R-2 adjacent to the separation control member 196R-1, as shown in FIG. 88 . Like the separation control member 196R-1, it is inserted while contacting the upstream side surface 196R-1p and top surface 196R-2q of the separation control member 196R-2 in the insertion direction. Even at this time, the process cartridge 1400 maintains its contact state. The process cartridge 1400 maintains its contact state even after passing the separation control member 196R-1. Upon contacting the top surface 196R-2q, the movable member 1452R and the spacer 1451R rotate more in the B2 direction (direction from the separation maintaining position toward the separation release position) and the CB direction than before contacting the top surface 196R-2q, thereby passing the top surface 196R-2q. Therefore, after passing the upper surface 196R-2q, the movable member 1452R and the spacer 1451R rotate slightly in the B1 direction and the CA direction while maintaining the contact state of the process cartridge 1400. The same applies when passing the other two separation control members 196R-3 and 196R-4.

[0598] 89 shows the tray 171 (not shown) inserted to a position where an image can be formed. In this state, the second force receiving surface 1452Rp of the moving member 1452R is placed on the upper surface 196R-2s of the separation control member 196R.

[0599] In this state, the process cartridge 1400 cannot perform the contact and separation operations. However, after the front door is closed, the image forming apparatus main body 170 performs an initial operation before image formation (printing on a recording medium such as paper). During this initial operation, the separation control member 196R performs the contact and separation operations described above (operation in the W41 and W42 directions). As shown in FIG. 90, the separation control member 196R enters the contact operation (operation in the W42 direction), causing the second force receiving surface 1452Rp of the movable member 1452R to come into contact with the first force applying surface 196Ra of the separation control member 196R. Next, as shown in FIG. 91, the separation operation (operation in the W41 direction) causes the second force applying surface 196Rb of the separation control member 196R to come into contact with the first force receiving surface 1452Rm of the movable member 1452R, causing the process cartridge 1400 to rotate in the V1 direction until the spacer 1451R comes into contact with the movable member 1452R. In this state, when the separation control member 196R returns to the home position, it becomes possible to hold the process cartridge 1400 in a separated state as shown in FIG. 82, and image processing operations similar to those in the previously described embodiment become possible.

[0600] Next, the behavior of the process cartridge 1400 when the tray 171 (not shown) is pulled out from the image formation position to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 170 will be described. As shown in FIG. 93 , when the process cartridge 1400 is pulled out in the X1 direction, which is the direction toward the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 170, the first force receiving surface 1452Rm of the movable member 1452R contacts the separation control member 196R, and the first pressing surface 1452Rq of the movable member 1452R abuts against the first pressing surface 1428k of the developing unit cover member 1428, causing the developing unit 1409 to rotate in the V1 direction. When the tray 171 is pulled out, it further rotates in the V1 direction from the separated state shown in FIG. 85 , resulting in the state shown in FIG. 93 . In other words, the developing unit 1409 is configured so that the developing roller 106 is farther away from the photosensitive drum 104 than in the state shown in FIG. 85 . At this time, the process cartridge 1400 is pulled out while the first force receiving surface 1452Rm of the moving member 1452R contacts the upper surface 196R-2r of the separation control member 196R. In this way, when the process cartridge 1400 is pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body 170, the developing unit 1409 is pulled out while being separated. When the tray 171 (not shown) is pulled out to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 170, the process cartridge 1400 is in the same state as the process cartridge 1400 in the separated state shown in Figure 82. In this way, even if the developing unit 1409 rotates in the V1 direction due to contact with the separation control member 196R, the process cartridge 1400 remains in the separated state.

[0601] In the present embodiment, only the drive side has been described, and the non-drive side has the same configuration and operation as the drive side, so the description will be omitted in this embodiment.

[0602] According to the configuration of this embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0603] In this embodiment, the movable member 1452R, the first force receiving surface 1452Rm constituting the first force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion, separation force receiving portion), and the second force receiving surface 1452Rp constituting the second force receiving portion (contact force receiving portion) are movable relative to the drum unit. In this embodiment, this movement displaces the first force receiving surface 1452Rm and the second force receiving surface 1452Rp in at least the directions VD1 ( FIG. 40 , etc.), VD10 ( FIG. 236 , etc.), VD12 ( FIG. 238 ), and VD14 ( FIG. 239 ). In particular, when the tray 171 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170, the process cartridge 1400 is inserted, and the tray 171 passes the upper surface 196R-q of the separation control member 196R. The first force receiving surface 1452Rm and the second force receiving surface 1452Rp can be displaced in these directions while maintaining the contact state of the developing unit. Furthermore, when the tray 171 is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the process cartridge 1400 is taken out, the first force receiving surface 1452Rm and the second force receiving surface 1452Rp can be displaced in these directions while maintaining the separated state of the development unit....

Claims

A cartridge comprising: a photosensitive member; a charging member for charging the photosensitive member; a first unit including the photosensitive member and the charging member; a developing member for depositing toner onto the photosensitive member; a second unit including the developing member and movable between a developing position in which the toner is capable of being deposited onto the photosensitive member from the developing member and a spaced position in which at least a part of the developing member is spaced from the photosensitive member; a holding portion movably supported by the first unit or the second unit and movable relative to the first unit and the second unit between a first position for stably holding the second unit in the spaced position by the first unit and a second position for stably holding a second unit in the developing position by the first unit; a holding portion urging member for urging the holding portion from the second position toward the first position when the holding portion is in the second position; and a contact force receiving portion capable of receiving a contact force for moving the holding portion from the first position toward the second position to move the second unit to the developing position, when the second unit is in the spaced position, wherein when a predetermined tangential line is a tangential line of a surface of the photosensitive member at an intersection, which is more remote from a rotational center of the charging member, of intersections between a line connecting a rotational center of the charging member and a rotational center of the photosensitive member and the surface of the photosensitive member, as viewed along a direction of a rotational axis of the developing member, and the cartridge is divided by the predetermined tangential line into sections, a predetermined section is a section in which the rotational center of the charging member does not exist, and wherein as viewed along the rotational axis of the developing member when the second unit is in the spaced position, the contact force receiving portion is in the predetermined section. A cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein when the holding portion is in the first position, the holding portion is capable of restricting movement of the second unit from the spaced position to the developing position, and when the holding portion is in the second position, the holding portion permits movement of the second unit from the spaced position to the developing position. A cartridge according to Claim 2, wherein when the holding portion is in the first position, the holding portion restricts movement of the second unit from the space position to the developing position by contacting with the first unit and the second unit. A cartridge according to Claim 3, further comprising a holding member including the holding portion, wherein the second unit is provided with a second frame rotatably supporting the developing member. A cartridge according to Claim 4, wherein the contact force receiving portion is provided on the holding member. A cartridge according to Claim 5, further comprising a spacing force receiving portion for receiving a spacing force for moving the holding portion from the second position to the first position to move the second unit to the spaced position, when the second unit is in the developing position. A cartridge according to Claim 6, wherein the spacing force receiving portion is provided on the second frame. A cartridge according to Claim 6, wherein the spacing force receiving portion is provided on the holding member.  A cartridge according to Claim 4, wherein the contact force receiving portion is provided on the second frame. A cartridge according to Claim 9, further comprising a spacing force receiving portion for receiving a spacing force for moving the holding portion from the second position to the first position to move the second unit to the space position, when the second unit is in the developing position, wherein the spacing force receiving portion is provided on the second frame. A cartridge according to Claim 4, further comprising a movable member provided with a pressing portion and the contact force receiving portion, wherein the holding member is provided with a pressed portion, and wherein the holding portion is moved from the first position toward the second position by the pressing portion pressing the pressed portion as a result of movement of the movable member by a force received by the contact force receiving portion. A cartridge according to Claim 11, further comprising a spacing force receiving portion for receiving a spacing force for moving the holding portion from the second position toward the first position to move the second unit to the space position when the second unit is in the developing position, wherein the spacing force receiving portion is provided on the movable member. A cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein the holding portion urging member includes an elastic member. A cartridge according to Claim 13, wherein the elastic member includes a spring. A cartridge according to any one of Claims 4 -14, wherein the holding member is movably supported by the second frame. A cartridge according to Claim 15, wherein the holding member is rotatably supported by the second frame. A cartridge according to Claim 15, wherein the first unit includes a first frame rotatably supporting photosensitive member, and the second unit is movable between the spaced position and the developing position by rotation of the second frame relative to the first frame, wherein the holding member disposed on an opposite side of the contact force receiving portion with respect to a rotation axis of the second frame. A cartridge according to Claim 4, wherein the first unit includes a first frame rotatably supporting the photosensitive member, and the holding member is movably supported by the first frame. A cartridge according to Claim 4, wherein the first unit includes a first frame rotatably supporting the photosensitive member, and the holding member is integrally formed with one of the first frame and the second frame, and wherein the holding portion is movable between the first position and the second position by deformation of the holding member relative to the other one of the first frame andthe second frame. A cartridge according to any one of Claims 1 -14, further comprising a second unit urging member for urging the second unit in a direction from the spaced position toward the developing position. A cartridge according to Claim 20, wherein the second unit urging member includes an elastic member. A cartridge according to Claim 21, wherein the elastic member includes a spring. A cartridge according to Claim 20, wherein when the holding portion is in the first position, the holding portion is capable of restricting movement of the second unit from the spaced position to the developing position against an urging force of the second unit urging member. A cartridge according to Claims 2 -14, further comprising, a first positioning portion provided in the first unit position the second unit in the spaced position; a second positioning portion provided in the first unit to position the second unit in the developing position; and an urging portion for urging the second unit toward the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion, wherein when the holding portion is in the first position, the second unit is held in the spaced position in a state that the second unit is urged toward the first positioning portion by the urging portion, and when the holding portion is in the second position, the second unit is held in the developing position in the state that the second unit is urged toward the second positioning portion by the urging portion. A cartridge according to Claim 24, further comprising a holding member including the holding portion, wherein the second unit includes a second frame rotatably supporting the developing member. A cartridge according to Claims 2 - 14, further comprising a first positioning portion provided in the first unit position the second unit in the spaced position, and a second positioning portion provided in the first unit to position the second unit in the developing position, wherein in a state in which the cartridge is oriented such that the photosensitive member is in a lower position, when the holding portion is in the first position, the second unit is supported by the first unit in a state that the second unit is in the spaced position while being urged toward the first positioning portion by a weight thereof, when holding portion is in the second position, the second unit is supported by the first unit in a state that the second unit is in the developing position while being urged toward the second positioning portion by a weight thereof. A cartridge according to Claim 26, further comprising a holding member including the holding portion, wherein the second unit includes a second frame rotatably supporting the developing member. . A cartridge according to Claim 1, further comprising a spacing force receiving portion for receiving a spacing force for moving the holding portion from the second position toward the first position to move the second unit to the spaced position, when the second unit is in the developing position, wherein when the second unit is in the spaced position, a space is capable of being formed between the contact force receiving portion and the spacing force receiving portion, and wherein as seen in a direction along a rotational axis of the developing member in a state that the space is formed, the contact force receiving portion disposed at a position closer to the rotational axis of the photosensitive member than the spacing force receiving portion. A cartridge according to Claim 28, further comprising a holding member including the holding portion, wherein the second unit includes a second frame rotatably supporting the developing member, and wherein the contact force receiving portion is provided on the holding member, and the spacing force receiving portion is provided on the second frame.  A cartridge according to Claim 28, further comprising a holding member including the holding portion, wherein the contact force receiving portion is provided on the holding portion so as to be movable relative to the holding member. A cartridge according to Claim 30, wherein the spacing force receiving portion is provided on the holding portion so as to be movable relative to the holding member. A cartridge according to Claim 28, further comprising a holding member including the holding portion, wherein the spacing force receiving portion is provided on the holding portion so as to be movable relative to the holding member. A cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein the contact force receiving portion is capable of moving between a stand-by position and an operating position where the contact force receiving portion is projected more from the second unit than in the stand-by position, by movement thereof in a predetermined direction, wherein when the second unit in the spaced position and the contact force receiving portion is in the operating position, the contact force receiving portion is capable of moving the holding portion from the first position to the second position by moving in a first direction crossing with the predetermined direction by receiving a contact force.  . A cartridge according to Claim 33, further comprising a holding member including a pressed portion and the holding portion, and a movable member provided with the contact force receiving portion and a pressing portion, wherein by the contact force receiving portion receiving the contact force to move in the first direction, the pressing portion presses the pressed portion to move the holding portion from the first position to the second position.  A cartridge according to Claim 34, wherein the contact force receiving portion displaces in a direction parallel with a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the developing member. . A cartridge according to Claim 35, wherein the contact force receiving portion is moved in the first directions by rotation of the movable member about a predetermined rotational axis, and the contact force receiving portion is moved in the predetermined direction by movement of the movable member in the direction crossing with the predetermined rotational axis. A cartridge according to Claim 35, wherein the first unit includes a first frame rotatably supporting the photosensitive member, and the second unit includes a second frame rotatably supporting the developing member, wherein the movable member supported by the second frame, and the contact force receiving portion is moved in the predetermined direction the movement of the second frame relative to the first frame. A cartridge according to Claim 35, wherein the first unit includes a first frame rotatably supporting the photosensitive member, and a supported portion supported to support the first frame, wherein the second unit includes a second frame rotatably supporting the developing member, wherein the second frame supported by the first frame, and the movable member is supported by the second frame, and wherein the contact force receiving portion movable in the predetermined direction by movement of the first frame and the second frame relative to the first frame supporting portion.  A cartridge according to Claim 34, wherein holding portion urging member has one end portion connected with the holding member and another end portion connected with the movable member, wherein the holding portion urging member is capable of urging the movable member such that the contact force receiving portion moves from the operating position to the stand-by position.  A cartridge according to Claim 33, further comprising a spacing force receiving portion for receiving a spacing force for moving the holding portion from the second position toward the first position to move the second unit to the spaced position, when the second unit is in the developing position, wherein the spacing force receiving portion is movable between a stand-by position and an operating position where the spacing force receiving portion is projected more from the second unit than in the stand-by position, by movement thereof in the predetermined direction, and wherein when the second unit is in the developing position and the spacing force receiving portion in the operating position, the holding portion is capable of being moved from the second position toward the first position by the spacing force receiving portion receiving a spacing force to move in a second direction crossing with the predetermined direction.  A cartridge according to any one of Claims 33 -40, further comprising an operating force receiving portion for receiving an operating force for moving the contact force receiving portion from the stand-by position to the operating position. A cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein the contact force receiving portion is movable in a direction parallel with the line while maintaining a state in which at least a part of the developing member is spaced more from the photosensitive member than when the contact force receiving portion is in the developing position. A cartridge according to Claim 1, further comprising a spacing force receiving portion for receiving a spacing force for moving the holding portion from the second position to the first position to move the second unit to the spaced position, when the second unit is in the developing position, wherein the spacing force receiving portion is movable in a direction parallel with the line while maintaining a state in which at least a part of the developing member is spaced from the photosensitive member. A cartridge according to Claim 42, wherein the contact force receiving portion is movable in a direction parallel with the line, while maintaining a state in which the developing member is in contact with the photosensitive member. A cartridge according to any one of Claims 1 -14, wherein when the cartridge is divided into sections by a line connecting the rotational center of the photosensitive member and the rotational center of the developing member as seen in a direction of the rotational axis of the developing member in the state that the second unit is in the spaced position, at least a part of the contact force receiving portion is disposed in a section opposite from the section including the rotational center of the charging member. A cartridge according to any one of Claims 1 - 14, further comprising a coupling member for receiving a driving force for rotationally driving the developing member. A cartridge according to Claim 46, wherein as viewed along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive member in a state that the second unit is in the spaced position, when the cartridge is divided into sections by a line connecting the rotational center of the photosensitive member and the rotational center of the developing member, at least a part of the contact force receiving portion is disposed in a section opposite from a section including the coupling member. A cartridge according to Claim 46, wherein when another predetermined tangential line is a tangential line of a surface of the developing member at an intersection, which is more remote from a rotational center of the coupling member, of intersections between a line connecting a rotational center of the coupling member and a rotational center of the developing member and the surface of the developing member, as viewed along the direction of the rotational axis of the developing member, and another predetermined section is a section in which the rotational center of the coupling member does not exist when the cartridge is divided into sections by the another predetermined tangent line, and wherein when the second unit is in the spaced position, the contact force receiving portion is disposed in the another section, as viewed along the direction of the rotational axis of the developing member. A cartridge according to Claim 48, wherein as viewed in an axial direction of the developing member, the contact force receiving portion is provided on a projected portion projected from second unit in a direction parallel with a line connecting at least a rotational center of the coupling member and a rotational center of the developing member.  

Images