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

DESCRIPTIONTITLE OF INVENTION:  ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CARTRIDGE [TECHNICAL FIELD]

[0001]    The disclosure relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer which uses an electrophotographic process, and a cartridge which can be mounted to or dismounted from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 

[0002]    Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, also referred to as “image forming apparatus”) is an apparatus which forms an image on a sheet-like recording material such as paper using an electrophotographic image forming process.  Examples of the image forming apparatus include a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer (laser beam printer, LED printer, and so on, a multifunction printer thereof, and the like). 

[0003]    The cartridge is a unit which can be mounted to and dismounted from the image forming apparatus described above, and is a unit including a photosensitive member and / or a process means (a charging member, a developing member, a cleaning member, and so on, for example) which is actable on the photosensitive member.   [BACKGROUND OF INVENTION]

[0004]    An image forming apparatus which uses an electrophotographic image forming process includes an image forming apparatus which forms an image by a contact developing method which forms an image by performing a developing process in a state in which a developing member (developing roller) is in contact with a photosensitive drum.  In such an image forming apparatus, the developing roller is urged toward the photosensitive drum at a predetermined pressure, and is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum at a predetermined pressure, during the development process. 

[0005]    In the case that a developing roller including an elastic layer on the surface is used, the following can be considered, for example.  That is, if the period during which the image is not formed (the developing roller is not rotating) with the elastic layer kept in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum is long, the elastic layer of the developing roller is may be deformed by the contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum.  By this, image defects such as unintended unevenness of the developer image may occur when the developing process is performed. 

[0006]    Further, as another example, when the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum during the period when the developing process is not performed, the developer carried on the developing roller is unnecessarily deposited to the photosensitive drum, and such a developer is deposited on the recording material with the result of contamination of the recording material.  This problem may occur irrespective of the provision of an elastic layer on the surface of the developing roller. 

[0007]    Further, as another example, when the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are in contact with each other for a long period of time other than the period during which the developing process is performed, the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are rubbed against each other for a long period of time.  Deterioration of the developing roller or the developer may be accelerated.  This may occur with or without an elastic layer on the surface of the developing roller. 

[0008]    In order to avoid the above-mentioned problem, JP-A-2007-213024 and JP-A-2014-67005 discloses an image forming apparatus and a cartridge having a structure for spacing a developing roller from a surface of a photosensitive drum during a period in which developing process is not performed.   [SUMMARY OF INVENTION][PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED]

[0009]    However, there is still room for further improvement in the conventional techniques described in JP-A-2007-213024 and JP-A-2014-67005.  Therefore, it is an object of the present disclosure to further develop the conventional technique.  [MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM]

[0010]    In order to achieve the above object, a typical structure of the invention according to the present application is a cartridge comprising 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 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; 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.  [EFFECT OF THE INVENTION]

[0011]    According to the present disclosure, the prior art cartridge and so on can be further developed.   [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS]

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

[0013]    Figure 2 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus. 

[0014]    Figure 3 is a sectional view of the process cartridge. 

[0015]    Figure 4 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus. 

[0016]    Figure 5 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus. 

[0017]    Figure 6 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus. 

[0018]    Figure 7 is a partially enlarged view of a tray. 

[0019]    Figure 8 is a perspective view of a storing element pressing unit and a cartridge pressing unit. 

[0020]    Figure 9 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus. 

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

[0022]    Figure 11 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus. 

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

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

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

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

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

[0028]    Figure 17 illustrates a spacer. 

[0029]    Figure 18 is an illustration of a movable member. 

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

[0031]    Figure 20 is a partially enlarged view of a side surface of the process cartridge. 

[0032]    Figure 21 is a partially enlarged view of the side surface of the process cartridge. 

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

[0034]    Figure 23 is a side view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0035]    Figure 24 is a side view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0036]    Figure 25 is a side view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

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

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

[0039]    Figure 28 is an illustration of a spacer. 

[0040]    Figure 29 is an illustration of a movable member. 

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

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

[0043]    Figure 32 is a partially enlarged view of the side surface of the process cartridge. 

[0044]    Figure 33 is a partially enlarged view of the side surface of the process cartridge. 

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

[0046]    Figure 35 is a side view (partial sectional view) of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0047]    Figure 36 is a side view (partial sectional view) of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0048]    Figure 37 is a side view (partial sectional view) of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0049]    Figure 38 is a side view (partial sectional view) of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0050]    Figure 39 is a side view (partial sectional view) of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0051]    Figure 40 is a partially enlarged view of the side surface of the process cartridge. 

[0052]    Figure 41 is a partially enlarged view of the side surface of the process cartridge. 

[0053]    Figure 42 is a perspective view of a process cartridge and a schematic view illustrating an amount of spacing of a developing roller from a photosensitive drum. 

[0054]    Figure 43 is a perspective view of the process cartridge and a schematic view illustrating the amount of spacing of the developing roller from the photosensitive drum. 

[0055]    Figure 44 is a perspective view of the process cartridge and a schematic view illustrating the amount of spacing of the developing roller from the photosensitive drum. 

[0056]    Figure 45 is a perspective view of the process cartridge and a schematic view illustrating the amount of spacing of the developing roller from the photosensitive drum. 

[0057]    Figure 46 is a perspective view of the process cartridge and a schematic view illustrating the amount of spacing of the developing roller from the photosensitive drum. 

[0058]    Figure 47 is an illustration of a movable member. 

[0059]    Figure 48 is an illustration showing a relationship between a movable member, a spacer, and a non-drive-side bearing. 

[0060]    Figure 49 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main assembly of the image forming apparatus and a view illustrating the relationship between the movable member and the spacer. 

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

[0062]    Figure 51 is a partial perspective view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

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

[0064]    Figure 53 is a side view of the process cartridge in the main assembly of the image forming apparatus and a view illustrating the relationship between the movable member and the spacer. 

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

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

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

[0068]    Figure 57 is an illustration showing the relationship between the movable member and the non-drive-side bearing.

[0069]    Figure 58 is an illustration of a movable member. 

[0070]    Figure 59 is an illustration of a movable member. 

[0071]    Figure 60 is an illustration of operation of the movable member. 

[0072]    Figure 61 is an illustration of the operation of the movable member. 

[0073]    Figure 62 is an illustration of the operation of the movable member. 

[0074]    Figure 63 is an illustration of the operation of the movable member. 

[0075]    Figure 64 is an illustration of the operation of the movable member. 

[0076]    Figure 65 is a perspective view of a 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 a 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]    Figure 70 is a side view of the process cartridge. 

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

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

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

[0085]    Figure 74 is an illustration of mounting of the process cartridge onto a tray. 

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

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

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

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

[0090]    Figure 79 is a side view of a 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]    Figure 82 is a side view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0107]    Figure 96 is a side view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0108]    Figure 97 is a side view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0109]    Figure 98 is a side view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

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

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

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

[0113]    Figure 102 is an exploded perspective view of a process cartridge. 

[0114]    Figure 103 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside an image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0115]    Figure 104 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0116]    Figure 105 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0117]    Figure 106 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0118]    Figure 107 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0119]    Figure 108 is an exploded perspective view of a development drive input gear unit. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0127]    Figure 116 is an exploded perspective view of a process cartridge. 

[0128]    Figure 117 is an illustration showing a movable member. 

[0129]    Figure 118 is a perspective view of a development cover member and the movable member. 

[0130]    Figure 119 is an illustration of the development cover member and a separation / contact mechanism. 

[0131]    Figure 120 is a side view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly and a side view as seen along the lateral direction. 

[0132]    Figure 121 is a side view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly and a side view as seen along the lateral direction. 

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

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

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

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

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

[0138]    Figure 127 is a side view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly as viewed along the lateral direction. 

[0139]    Figure 128 is a side view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly as viewed along the lateral direction. 

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

[0141]    Figure 130 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus. 

[0142]    Figure 131 is a schematic sectional view of the process cartridge. 

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

[0144]    Figure 133 is a schematic sectional view of the image forming apparatus. 

[0145]    Figure 134 is a schematic sectional view of the image forming apparatus. 

[0146]    Figure 135 illustrates a spacer. 

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

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

[0149]    Figure 138 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0150]    Figure 139 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0151]    Figure 140 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0152]    Figure 141 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0153]    Figure 142 is an illustration of an arrangement of a separation control member. 

[0154]    Figure 143 is a sectional view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0155]    Figure 144 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0156]    Figure 145 is an illustration of a drive-side cartridge cover member and a spacer. 

[0157]    Figure 146 is an illustration of a positional relationship between a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. 

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

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

[0160]    Figure 149 is a sectional view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0161]    Figure 150 is an illustration of a driving relationship between a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. 

[0162]    Figure 151 is an illustration showing a driving relationship between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller. 

[0163]    Figure 152 is a sectional view of a process cartridge inside an image forming apparatus main assembly. 

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

[0165]    Figure 154 is a sectional view of a process cartridge inside an image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0166]    Figure 155 is a sectional view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0167]    Figure 156 is a sectional view of a process cartridge inside an image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0168]    Figure 157 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0169]    Figure 158 is a perspective view illustrating a drive-side cartridge cover member and a spacer. 

[0170]    Figure 159 is a sectional view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0171]    Figure 160 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0172]    Figure 161 is an illustration of a relationship between a movable member and a spacer. 

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

[0174]    Figure 163 is an illustration of the relationship between the movable member and the spacer. 

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

[0176]    Figure 165 is a side view of a 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]    Figure 168 is a perspective view of a developing side engaging portion. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0190]    Figure 179 is a sectional view of a process cartridge inside an image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0191]    Figure 180 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0192]    Figure 181 is a perspective view of a drive-side cartridge cover. 

[0193]    Figure 182 is a sectional view of a process cartridge in an image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0194]    Figure 183 is a sectional view of a process cartridge inside an image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0195]    Figure 184 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0196]    Figure 185 is a sectional view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0197]    Figure 186 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

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

[0199]    Figure 188 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0200]    Figure 189 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0201]    Figure 190 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0202]    Figure 191 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0203]    Figure 192 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0204]    Figure 193 is an illustration of an operation of an urging member. 

[0205]    Figure 194 is a sectional view of a process cartridge inside an image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0206]    Figure 195 is a sectional view of a process cartridge inside an image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0207]    Figure 196 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0208]    Figure 197 is a sectional view of a process cartridge inside an image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0209]    Figure 198 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0210]    Figure 199 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0211]    Figure 200 is a sectional view of the process cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

[0212]    Figure 201 is an illustration of an operation of a holding member. 

[0213]    Figure 202 is an illustration of the operation of the holding member. 

[0214]    Figure 203 is an illustration showing the operation of the holding member. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0222]    Figure 211 is a sectional view of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 

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

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

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

[0226]    Figure 215 is a perspective view of a tray. 

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

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

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

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

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

[0232]    Figure 221 is an illustration of an operation of mounting the developing cartridge on the tray. 

[0233]    Figure 222 is an illustration of an operation of mounting the developing cartridge on the tray. 

[0234]    Figure 223 is a perspective view of the tray on which the developing cartridge is mounted. 

[0235]    Figure 224 is a perspective view of the tray on which the developing cartridge is mounted. 

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

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

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

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

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

[0241]    Figure 230 is an illustration of an operation of mounting a drum cartridge and the developing cartridge on the tray. 

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

[0243]    Figure 232 is an illustration showing an operation of mounting the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge on the tray. 

[0244]    Figure 233 is a side view of the tray on which the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are mounted. 

[0245]    Figure 234 is a side view of a tray on which the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are mounted. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claims

1.    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 coupling member for receiving a driving force for rotationally driving the developing 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; and a contact force receiving portion capable of receiving a contact force for moving the second unit from the spaced position to the developing position when the second unit is in the spaced position, wherein the contact force receiving portion is movable relative to the second unit between a stand-by position and  an operating position, the contact force receiving portion in the stand-by position being  closer to a rotational axis of the coupling member  than the contact force receiving portion in the operating 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 axis of the charging member, of intersections between a line connecting the rotational axis of the charging member and a rotational axis 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 axis of the charging member does not exist, and wherein as viewed along the direction of the rotational axis of the developing member when the second unit is in the spaced position, the contact force receiving portion is disposed in the predetermined section, and wherein the contact force receiving portion is movable between the stand-by position and the operating position while maintaining a state that the second unit is in the spaced position.

2. The cartridge according to Claim 1, further comprising a movable member including the contact force receiving portion, the contact force receiving portion being movable between the stand-by position and the operating position by movement of the movable member relative to the second unit.

3. The cartridge according to Claim 2, wherein the contact force receiving portion is movable between the stand-by position and the operating position in a predetermined direction that includes a component of a direction parallel with the line connecting the rotational axis of the charging member and a rotational axis of the photosensitive member.

4. The cartridge according to Claim 3, wherein when the second unit is in the spaced position and the contact force receiving portion is in the operating position, the contact force receiving portion is movable in a first direction crossing with the predetermined direction by receiving the contact force.

5. The cartridge according to Claim 4, wherein by rotation of the movable member about a predetermined rotational axis, the contact force receiving portion is moved in the first direction, and by movement of the movable member in a direction crossing with the predetermined rotational axis, the contact force receiving portion is moved in the predetermined direction.   6. The cartridge according to Claim 2, 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, and wherein the movable member is supported by the second frame, and the contact force receiving portion is moved in the predetermined direction when the movable member moves relative to the second frame.   7. The cartridge according to Claim 2, further comprising a spacing force receiving portion for receiving a spacing force for moving the second unit from the developing position to the spaced position when the second unit is in the developing position, wherein the spacing force receiving portion is provided on the movable member.

8. The cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein by movement of the contact force receiving portion in the predetermined direction, the contact force receiving portion is displaced in a direction parallel with a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the developing member.   9. The cartridge according to Claim 1, 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.   10. The cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein the contact force receiving portion is movable between the stand-by position and the operating position while maintaining a state that the second unit is in the developing position.

11. The cartridge according to any one of Claims 1 - 10, further comprising a second unit urging member for urging the second unit from the spaced position toward the developing position.

12. The cartridge according to Claim 11, wherein the second unit urging member includes an elastic member.

13. The cartridge according to Claim 12, wherein the elastic member includes a spring.   14. The cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein the contact force receiving portion is disposed on one  side portion of the cartridge in which the coupling member is provided with respect to the direction of the rotational axis of the developing member.   15. The cartridge according to any one of Claims 1 - 10, further comprising a holding portion movably supported by the first unit or the second unit and movable 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, wherein when the second unit is 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.

16. The cartridge according to Claim 15, wherein the contact force receiving portion is in the operating position, the contact force receiving portion is capable of moving the second unit from the developing position toward the spaced position.

17. The cartridge according to any one of Claims 1 - 10, further comprising a first engaging portion included in the first unit and a second engaging portion included in the second unit and engagable with the first engaging portion to hold the second unit in the spaced position by the first unit, wherein, when the contact force receiving portion receives the contact force, the second engaging portion disengages from the first engaging portion so that the second unit is permitted to move from the spaced position to the developing position.

18. The cartridge according to Claim 17, wherein the second engaging portion disengages from the first engaging portion by deformation of the first engaging portion or the second engaging portion or the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion.

19. The cartridge according to Claim 18, wherein the second engaging portion engages with the first engaging portion by deformation of the first engaging portion or the second engaging portion or the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion .

20. The cartridge according to any one of Claims 2-6, further comprising a movable member urging member capable of urging the movable member so that the contact force receiving portion is moved toward the stand-by position.

21. The cartridge according to Claim 20, wherein the movable member urging member includes an elastic member.

22. The cartridge according to Claim 21, wherein the elastic member includes a spring.

Images