Cartridge and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A cartridge and an image forming apparatus. Including a photosensitive drum and a movable member, the movable member is movable relative to the photosensitive drum to control a tilt angle of a drive transmission member. The movable member is movable between a first position for reducing the tilt angle of the drive transmission member relative to the photosensitive drum and a second position that retreats from the first position. Thus, the drive connection can be smoothly performed.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application entitled "Box and Image Forming Apparatus", with an international application date of December 12, 2018, international application number PCT / JP2018 / 046670, and national application number 201880079414.4. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a box and an image forming apparatus.

[0003] The box can be installed into the main assembly of the image forming apparatus (electrophotographic image forming apparatus) and can be removed from the main assembly of the image forming apparatus (electrophotographic image forming apparatus).

[0004] In addition, image forming apparatuses use an electrophotographic image forming process to form images on recording materials. Examples include existing electrophotographic copiers, electrophotographic printers (LED printers, laser beam printers, etc.), fax machines, word processors, etc. Background Technology

[0005] In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as an "image forming apparatus"), an electrophotographic photosensitive component, typically drum-shaped, serving as an image carrier, is uniformly charged. The charged photosensitive drum is then selectively exposed to form an electrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) on the drum. Subsequently, using a toner as a developer, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed into a toner image. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is then transferred to a recording material, such as a recording sheet or plastic sheet, and heat or pressure is applied to the toner image carried on the recording material to form a toner image on the recording material, thereby performing an image recording operation.

[0006] Such image forming apparatuses typically require toner replenishment and maintenance of their various processing units. To facilitate toner replenishment and maintenance, the photosensitive drum, charging unit, developing unit, cleaning unit, etc., are constructed together in a housing. This housing can be detachably installed into the main components of the image forming apparatus, and such housings are already in practical use.

[0007] Using such a box system, users can perform partial maintenance on the device without relying on service personnel responsible for after-sales service. Therefore, the operability of the device can be significantly improved, and an image forming apparatus with excellent usability can be provided. Consequently, this box system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

[0008] A processing box is one example of such a box. A processing box is a box in which an electrophotographic drum and a processing unit capable of acting on the electrophotographic drum are integrally formed into a box, and the box can be detachably mounted to the main assembly of an image forming apparatus.

[0009] In the aforementioned processing box, a structure is widely used in which a connecting member is provided at the free end of the photosensitive drum, which serves as the photosensitive element, to transmit driving force from the main assembly of the device to the photosensitive drum, which serves as the photosensitive element. (JP2016-40625) Figure 22 In this paper, a connecting member is constructed to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction, and a push rod arranged in the processing box is operated to provide a trigger for moving the connecting member back and forth. Furthermore, a structure has been proposed in which a pull rope fixed to the connecting member passes through a drum to be exposed to the outside from the non-drive side, and the pull rope is fed in and out to achieve the back and forth movement of the connecting member. Summary of the Invention

[0010] [Issues to be resolved]

[0011] The objective of this invention is to further develop the aforementioned prior art.

[0012] [Methods used to solve problems]

[0013] A typical structure according to this application is a housing capable of being detachably mounted to a main component of an image forming apparatus, the main component including a tiltable drive transmission member for transmitting driving force within the housing, the housing including: a photosensitive drum; and a movable member capable of moving relative to the photosensitive drum to control the tilt angle of the drive transmission member, the movable member being movable between (a) a first position for reducing the tilt angle of the drive transmission member relative to the photosensitive drum and (b) a second position retracting from the first position.

[0014]

Effects of the Invention

[0015] It can further develop conventional technologies. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a side view of the processing box B.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the main components and processing box of the image forming apparatus.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the processing box.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the main components and processing box of the device with the opening and closing door open.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the processing box.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the drive side flange unit.

[0022] Figure 7 It is a partial perspective view of the cleaning unit, including the operating unit.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a longitudinal partial cross-sectional view of the end of the drive unit of the drum unit.

[0024] Figure 9 It is a partial perspective view of the cleaning unit, including the operating unit.

[0025] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus in the state before the opening / closing door 13 of the main component of the device is opened and the processing box B is installed into the main component of the device A.

[0026] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus with the processing box B fully installed in the main assembly A of the apparatus and the opening / closing door 13 not closed.

[0027] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, used to illustrate the process of the box pressing member contacting the rod member.

[0028] Figure 13 It is a perspective view of the outer cylindrical cam component, the inner cylindrical cam component, and the rod component.

[0029] Figure 14 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drive transmission component 81 and the connecting component 64 of the main component A of the device.

[0030] Figure 15 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inclined drive transmission component 81 and connecting component 64 of the main component A of the device.

[0031] Figure 16 This is a magnified view of the chamfered portion of the connecting parts.

[0032] Figure 17 This is a perspective view showing the chamfered portion 64e on the end face of the driven transmission portion 64a of the connecting member 64.

[0033] Figure 18 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drum unit according to Embodiment 2.

[0034] Figure 19 This is a view showing the assembly method of the drum unit according to Embodiment 2.

[0035] Figure 20 This is a partial perspective view showing the structure of the cleaning unit, including the operating unit.

[0036] Figure 21 This is a perspective view of the processing box in Example 2.

[0037] Figure 22 This is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2, used to illustrate the process of the box pressing member and the rod member forming contact.

[0038] Figure 23 This is a perspective view of the rod member 212, the outer cylindrical cam member 270, and the inner cylindrical cam member 274 according to Embodiment 2.

[0039] Figure 24 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drive transmission component 81 and the connecting component 64 of the main component A of the device according to Embodiment 2.

[0040] Figure 25 It is a perspective view of the main component driving the transmission components.

[0041] Figure 26 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the connecting component and the drive-side flange component.

[0042] Figure 27 This is an exploded perspective view of the box.

[0043] Figure 28 This is a schematic diagram of the side surface of the box and the contact parts of the main assembly of the device.

[0044] Figure 29 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical grounding of the photosensitive drum.

[0045] Figure 30 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drum unit in Example 3.

[0046] Figure 31 These are perspective views before and after assembly.

[0047] Figure 32 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drive side flange unit.

[0048] Figure 33 It is a perspective view showing the assembly method of the drum unit and a partial detailed view showing the locking portion for the coupling support component 552 and the drum bearing 573.

[0049] Figure 34 This is a side view of the processing box.

[0050] Figure 35 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main component of the device.

[0051] Figure 36 This is a partial detailed view of the main components of the device.

[0052] Figure 37 This is a perspective view of the processing box.

[0053] Figure 38 This is an exploded diagram of the connection unit.

[0054] Figure 39 It is an exploded view of the connecting shaft and connecting components.

[0055] Figure 40 This is an exploded view of the outer cylindrical cam and the inner cylindrical cam.

[0056] Figure 41 This is an exploded view of the outer cylindrical cam and the drum bearing.

[0057] Figure 42 This is an exploded view of the inner cylindrical cam and the drum bearing.

[0058] Figure 43 This is a cross-sectional view of the connection unit.

[0059] Figure 44 This is a cross-sectional view of the connection unit.

[0060] Figure 45 This is a schematic diagram of the connection unit viewed from the axial direction.

[0061] Figure 46 This is a schematic diagram of the connection section as viewed from the axial direction.

[0062] Figure 47 This is a perspective view of the processing box.

[0063] Figure 48 This is a perspective view of the coupling.

[0064] Figure 49 This is a perspective view of the coupling.

[0065] Figure 50 This is a cross-sectional view of the coupling.

[0066] Figure 51 This is a cross-sectional view of the coupling.

[0067] Figure 52 This is a perspective view of the drive transmission section.

[0068] Figure 53 This is a perspective view of the drive transmission section.

[0069] Figure 54 This is a perspective view of the drive transmission section.

[0070] Figure 55 This is a perspective view of the coupling.

[0071] Figure 56 This is a perspective view of the coupling.

[0072] Figure 57 This is a cross-sectional view of the coupling.

[0073] Figure 58 This is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission section.

[0074] Figure 59 This is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission section.

[0075] Figure 60 It is a perspective view of the aligned component.

[0076] Figure 61 This is a perspective view of the pin receiving component.

[0077] Figure 62 This is a perspective view of the drive input unit.

[0078] Figure 63 This is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drive input unit.

[0079] Figure 64 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drum unit and a magnified view of a portion thereof.

[0080] Figure 65 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly method for the drum unit.

[0081] Figure 66 This is a partial perspective view of the actuation unit and the drive input unit.

[0082] Figure 67 It is a partial perspective view of the operating unit.

[0083] Figure 68 This is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus as seen from the non-driven side of the box.

[0084] Figure 69 It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main components and the box of the device.

[0085] Figure 70 It is a magnified view of the alignment components and drive transmission components.

[0086] Figure 71 It is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission component and the drive input unit.

[0087] Figure 72 This is a perspective view of the drive input unit.

[0088] Figure 73 This is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drum unit and drum bearing.

[0089] Figure 74It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main components and the box of the device.

[0090] Figure 75 This is a partial enlarged view of the outer peripheral receiving alignment component and the drive transmission component 81.

[0091] Figure 76 This is a perspective view of the box.

[0092] Figure 77 This is a perspective view of the developing unit.

[0093] Figure 78 It is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission components and the processing box.

[0094] Figure 79 This is a perspective view of the developing unit.

[0095] Figure 80 It is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission components and the processing box.

[0096] Figure 81 It is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission components and the processing box.

[0097] Figure 82 It is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission components and the processing box.

[0098] Figure 83 This is a perspective view of the box.

[0099] Figure 84 It is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission components and the processing box.

[0100] Figure 85 This is a perspective view of the developing unit.

[0101] Figure 86 It is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission components and the processing box.

[0102] Figure 87 It is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission components and the processing box.

[0103] exist Figure 88 In the diagram, sub-view (a) is a perspective view of the box, and sub-view (b) is an exploded perspective view of the box.

[0104] exist Figure 89 In the figure, (a) is a side view of the box and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the box.

[0105] Figure 90 This is a schematic diagram of the drive transmission component.

[0106] Figure 91 This is a schematic diagram of the box and the drive transmission components.

[0107] Figure 92 This is a schematic diagram of the drive transmission component.

[0108] exist Figure 93 In the diagram, sub-figure (a) is a schematic diagram of the drive transmission component, and sub-figure (b) is a schematic diagram of the box and the drive transmission component.

[0109] exist Figure 94 In the diagram, sub-figure (a) is a schematic diagram of the drive transmission component, and sub-figure (b) is a schematic diagram of the box and the drive transmission component.

[0110] exist Figure 95 In the diagram, sub-figure (a) is a schematic diagram of the drive transmission component, and sub-figure (b) is a schematic diagram of the box and the drive transmission component.

[0111] exist Figure 96 In the diagram, sub-figure (a) is a schematic diagram of the drive transmission component, and sub-figure (b) is a schematic diagram of the box and the drive transmission component.

[0112] exist Figure 97 In the diagram, sub-figure (a) is a schematic diagram of the drive transmission component, and sub-figure (b) is a schematic diagram of the box and the drive transmission component.

[0113] exist Figure 98 In the diagram, (a) is a schematic diagram of the drive transmission component, and (b) is a side view of the box.

[0114] exist Figure 99 In the diagram, sub-view (a) is the perspective view of the box, and sub-view (b) is the side view of the box.

[0115] exist Figure 100 In the diagram, sub-image (a) is a perspective view of the box, and sub-image (b) is a perspective view of the box.

[0116] exist Figure 101 The control components are shown in Figures (a) and (b).

[0117] Figure 102 The sub-images (a) and (b) are side views of the box.

[0118] exist Figure 103 In the figure, sub-figure (a) is a cross-sectional view of the box, which shows the positional relationship of the control components, and sub-figure (b) is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the control components.

[0119] exist Figure 104 In the figure, sub-figure (a) is a side view of the box, and sub-figure (b) is a view showing the box and drive transmission components viewed from the front.

[0120] Figure 105 This is a side view of the box.

[0121] Figure 106 This is a side view of the box.

[0122] Figure 107This is a side view of the box.

[0123] Figure 108 This is a side view of the box.

[0124] Figure 109 This is a side view of the box.

[0125] exist Figure 110 In the diagram, sub-views (a) and (b) are side views of the box.

[0126] Figure 111 This is a side view of the box.

[0127] exist Figure 112 In the diagram, sub-image (a) is an exploded perspective view of the box, and sub-image (b) is a perspective view of the box.

[0128] exist Figure 113 In the diagram, sub-views (a) and (b) are side views of the box.

[0129] Figure 114 This is a side view of the box.

[0130] Figure 115 This is a side view of the box.

[0131] Figure 116 This is a side view of the box.

[0132] Figure 117 This is a side view of the box.

[0133] exist Figure 118 In the diagram, sub-views (a) and (b) are side views of the box.

[0134] Figure 119 This is a perspective view of the box.

[0135] Figure 120 This is a side view of the box.

[0136] Figure 121 This is a side view of the box.

[0137] Figure 122 This is a perspective view of the box.

[0138] Figure 123 This is an exploded perspective view of the connecting components.

[0139] Figure 124 This is an exploded perspective view of the connecting components. Detailed Implementation

[0140] <Example 1>

[0141] Embodiment 1 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0142] Unless otherwise stated, the direction of the rotation axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum (photosensitive element, photosensitive drum) is simply referred to as the longitudinal direction. The direction of the rotation axis (axial direction) is the direction parallel to the axis (rotation axis) of the photosensitive drum. The axis of the photosensitive drum is an imaginary straight line extending along the center of rotation of the photosensitive drum. The photosensitive drum, as the photosensitive element, rotates about its rotation axis.

[0143] In the longitudinal direction, the side of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum that receives driving force from the main component of the image forming apparatus is the driving side, and the opposite side is the non-driving side.

[0144] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 This will describe the overall structure and image formation process.

[0145] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the main assembly (main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, main assembly of the image forming apparatus) A and the processing box (hereinafter referred to as box B) of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0146] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of box B.

[0147] Here, the main component A is the part of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus other than the cartridge B. The cartridge B can be installed into and removed from the main component A.

[0148] <Overall Structure of Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus>

[0149] Figure 2 The electrophotographic image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus) shown is a laser beam printer using electrophotographic technology, wherein cartridge B is detachably mounted to the main assembly A. When cartridge B is mounted to the main assembly A, an exposure unit 3 (laser scanner unit) is arranged to form a latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 62 of cartridge B, which serves as the image-carrying component. Furthermore, a sheet tray 4 is arranged below cartridge B to hold recording material (hereinafter referred to as sheet PA) that is the object of image formation. The electrophotographic photosensitive drum 62 is a photosensitive component (electrophotographic photosensitive component) used for electrophotographic image formation.

[0150] In the main assembly A of the device, along the conveying direction D of the sheet PA, a pickup roller 5a, a feed roller pair 5b, a transfer roller pair 5c, a transfer guide 6, a transfer roller 7, a transfer guide 8, a fixing device 9, an exit roller pair 10, and an exit tray 11 are arranged in sequence. The fixing device 9 includes a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b.

[0151] <Image Formation Process>

[0152] An overview of the image formation process will be described. In response to the print start signal, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as photosensitive drum 62 or simply drum 62) is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R at a predetermined circumferential speed (processing speed).

[0153] A charging roller (charging component) 66, which is biased by a voltage, contacts the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 and charges the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 uniformly. The charging roller 66 is a rotatable component (roller) that can rotate while in contact with the drum 62. The charging component is not limited to such a rotatable contact roller structure, and a charging component (charging device) fixed to the drum 62 with a certain distance between them can be used, such as a corona charging device.

[0154] Exposure device 3 outputs a laser beam L based on image information. The laser beam L travels through the laser opening 71h provided in the cleaning frame 71 of the housing B, and scans and exposes the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

[0155] On the other hand, such as Figure 3 As shown, in the developing unit 20, which is a developing apparatus, the toner T in the toner chamber 29 is stirred and fed by the rotation of the feeding member (stirring member) 43, and is fed into the toner supply chamber 28.

[0156] The toner T is carried on the surface of the developing roller 32 by the magnetic force of the magnetic roller 34 (fixed magnet). The developing roller 32 is a developer-carrying component that carries developer (toner T) on its surface for developing the latent image (electrostatic latent image) formed on the drum 62. In this embodiment, a non-contact developing method is used, thereby developing the latent image by providing a small gap between the developing roller 32 and the drum 62. A contact developing system can also be used, in which the latent image is developed when the developing roller 32 comes into contact with the drum 62.

[0157] The toner T is tribocharged by the developing doctor blade 42 and controls the layer thickness on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 32, which serves as the developer carrier.

[0158] Toner T is supplied to drum 62 to develop the latent image based on the electrostatic latent image. Thus, the latent image is visualized as a toner image. Drum 62 is an image-bearing component that carries the latent image or an image (toner image, developer image) formed using toner (developer) on its surface.

[0159] Furthermore, the drum 62 and the developing roller 32 are rotatable components (rotating components) that can rotate while the developer (toner) is carried on their surfaces.

[0160] like Figure 2As shown, the sheet PA stored in the lower part of the main assembly A of the device is fed out from the sheet tray 4 by pick-up roller 5a, feed roller pair 5b, and feed roller pair 5c in a time-coordinated manner with the output of the emitted laser beam. Then, the sheet PA is fed to the transfer position between the drum 62 and the transfer roller 7 via the transfer guide 6. At this transfer position, the toner image is sequentially transferred from the drum 62 onto the sheet PA.

[0161] The sheet PA, on which the toner image has already been transferred, separates from the drum 62 and is fed along the conveyor guide 8 to the fixing unit 9. The sheet PA then passes through a clamping section between the heating roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b (which form the fixing unit 9). A pressure / heat fixing process is performed in this clamping section to fix the toner image onto the sheet PA. The sheet PA that has undergone the toner image fixing process is fed to the discharge roller pair 10 and discharged to the discharge tray 11.

[0162] On the other hand, such as Figure 3 As shown, residual toner on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 after transfer is removed by a cleaning blade 77 and reused in subsequent image formation processes. The residual toner removed from the drum 62 is stored in the waste toner chamber 71b of the toner cleaning unit 60. The cleaning unit 60 is a unit that includes the photosensitive drum 62.

[0163] In the above structure, the charging roller 66, the developing roller 32, the transfer roller 7, and the cleaning blade 77 are processing devices (processing components, acting components) that act on the drum 62.

[0164] <The overall structure of the box>

[0165] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 This will describe the overall structure of box B. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of box B. Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the structure of box B. In this embodiment, the description given omits the use of screws to connect the various parts.

[0166] The description of the actuation unit, which includes the lever component, will be omitted here, as it will be explained below.

[0167] Box B includes a cleaning unit (photosensitive component holding unit, drum holding unit, image carrier component holding unit, first unit) 60 and a developing unit (developer carrier component holding unit, second unit) 20.

[0168] In this embodiment, box B is a processing box. Typically, a processing box is one in which an electrophotographic photosensitive element and at least one processing device acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive element are integrally formed as a box, and the box is capable of being mounted to and removed from the main assembly (device main assembly) of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Examples of processing devices include charging devices, developing devices, and cleaning devices.

[0169] like Figure 3 As shown, the cleaning unit 60 includes a drum 62, a charging roller 66, a cleaning component 77, and a cleaning frame 71 supporting these components. On the drive side of the drum 62, a drive-side drum flange 63 disposed on the drive side is rotatably supported through a hole 73a in the drum bearing 73. In a broader sense, the drum bearing 73, the side component 76, and the cleaning frame 71 can be collectively referred to as the cleaning frame. The drum bearing 73, the side component 76, and the cleaning frame 71 are all part of the frame constituting the cartridge. The drum bearing 73, the side component 76, and the cleaning frame 71 are the frame used to support the photosensitive drum 62; therefore, they can be referred to as the drum frame.

[0170] On the non-driving side, such as Figure 5 As shown, this structure allows the hole (not shown) in the non-drive side drum flange to be rotatably supported by a drum shaft 78 provided in a hole 71c in the cleaning frame 71 by press fitting.

[0171] In the cleaning unit 60, the charging roller 66 and the cleaning component 77 are arranged to contact the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

[0172] The cleaning component 77 includes a rubber scraper 77a and a support component 77b. The rubber scraper 77a is a blade-shaped elastic component made of rubber as an elastic material, and the support component 77b supports the rubber scraper. The rubber scraper 77a contacts the drum 62 in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the drum 62. That is, the rubber scraper 77a contacts the drum 62 such that the surface of its free end faces the upstream side of the rotation direction of the drum 62.

[0173] like Figure 3 As shown, the waste toner removed from the surface of the drum 62 by the cleaning component 77 is stored in the waste toner chamber 71b formed by the cleaning frame 71 and the cleaning component 77.

[0174] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, the scooping sheet 65, used to prevent waste toner from leaking from the cleaning frame 71, is configured to contact the drum 62 at the edge of the cleaning frame 71.

[0175] The charging roller 66 is rotatably mounted in the cleaning unit 60 via charging roller bearings (not shown) at opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 71.

[0176] The longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 71 (the longitudinal direction of box B) is substantially parallel to the direction in which the axis of rotation of the drum 62 extends (axial direction). In the following text, unless otherwise stated, the longitudinal direction or axial direction refers to the axial direction of the drum 62 (the direction parallel to the axis of the drum).

[0177] The charging roller bearing 67 is pressed against the drum 62 by the pushing component 68, and the charging roller 66 is pressed against the drum 62. The charging roller 66 rotates by the rotation of the drum 62.

[0178] like Figure 3 As shown, the developing unit 20 includes a developing roller 32, a developing container 23 supporting the developing roller 32, a developing blade 42, etc. The developing roller 32 is supported by bearing components 27 located at its respective ends. Figure 5 ) and bearing component 37 ( Figure 4 It is rotatably mounted in the developing container 23. The developing container 23, bearing component 27, and bearing component 37 are all part of the frame of the cartridge. The developing container 23, bearing component 27, and bearing component 37 constitute the frame of the developing unit 20 (the frame that supports the developing roller 32), and therefore, they can be collectively referred to as the developing frame.

[0179] A magnetic roller 34 is disposed inside the developing roller 32. A developing doctor blade 42 is arranged in the developing unit 20 to control the toner layer on the developing roller 32. For example... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the spacer retaining member 38 is mounted to each of the opposite ends of the developing roller 32, and the developing roller 32 maintains a small gap with the drum 62 through the spacer retaining member 38 and the drum 62 contacting each other. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown, a blowout prevention sheet 33, used to prevent toner leakage from the developing unit 20, is positioned at the edge of the bottom component 22 to contact the developing roller 32. Furthermore, a feed component 43 is provided in the toner chamber 29 provided by the developing container 23 and the bottom component 22. The feed component 43 agitates the toner contained in the toner chamber 29 and delivers the toner to the toner supply chamber 28.

[0180] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, box B is composed of a cleaning unit (first unit) 60 and a developing unit (second unit) 20.

[0181] When the developing unit and the cleaning unit are connected to each other, firstly, the developing first support boss 26a of the developing container 23 is aligned with the center of the driving side first suspension hole 71i of the cleaning frame 71, and the developing second support boss 23b is aligned with the center of the non-driving side second suspension hole 71j. Specifically, by moving the developing unit 20 in the direction of arrow G, the developing first support boss 26a and the developing second support boss 23b are fitted into the first suspension hole 71i and the second suspension hole 71j. Thus, the developing unit 20 is movably connected to the cleaning unit 60. More specifically, the developing unit 20 is rotatably (pivotably) connected to the cleaning unit 60. Subsequently, the side component 76 is assembled to the cleaning unit 60, thereby forming cartridge B.

[0182] In this embodiment, the non-drive side push component 46L ( Figure 4 ) and non-drive side push-fit component 46R ( Figure 4 These are compression springs. Through the pushing force of these springs, the developing unit 20 is pushed by the cleaning unit 60, and the developing roller 32 is reliably pressed against the drum 62. The developing roller 32 is held at a predetermined distance from the drum 62 by spacer retaining members 38 mounted to opposite ends of the developing roller 32.

[0183] <Forward and backward movement mechanism for connecting components>

[0184] The connecting member 64 and the advancing / retreating mechanism for advancing / retreating the connecting member will be described. The connecting member 64 is a component (drive input component, input coupling) for receiving the driving force (rotational force) for rotating the drum 62 and developing roller 32 from outside the cartridge (i.e., the main assembly of the image forming apparatus).

[0185] Figure 25 This is a perspective view of the drive transmission member (drive output member) 81. As shown here, the drive transmission member 81 includes a recess (drive transmission portion 81a) having a generally triangular shape. The driven transmission portion 64a of the coupling member 64 engages with this recess (drive transmission portion 81a), and the coupling member 64 receives the driving force. (See reference...) Figure 6 The description will cover the drive side flange unit 69.

[0186] The connecting member 64 is located at the end of the photosensitive drum 62. That is, the connecting member 64 is movably supported by the flange member 75 fixed to the end of the photosensitive drum 62.

[0187] According to this embodiment, the drive-side flange unit 69 includes a connecting member 64, a drive-side flange member 75, a cover member 58, and a first pressing member 59. The connecting member 64 includes a driven transmission portion (drive force receiving portion) 64a and a drive transmission portion 64b. The drive force is transmitted from the drive transmission portion (drive output portion) 81 of the main assembly A. Figure 14 and 25 The drive is transmitted to the driven transmission section 64a. The drive transmission section 64b is supported by the drive-side flange member 75 and simultaneously transmits the drive to the drive-side flange member 75.

[0188] The drive-side flange component 75 includes a gear component 36 that transmits drive to the end of the developing roller. Figure 27 The gear part 75a and the coupling support part 75b () Figure 26 After the connecting member 64 is inserted into the inner periphery (coupling support portion 75b) of the drive-side flange member 75, a first pressing member 59 for pushing the connecting member 64 toward the drive side is inserted. Thereafter, the cover member 58 is fixed to the end 75c of the drive-side flange member 75 by welding or the like to form the drive-side flange unit 69.

[0189] Figure 26 A perspective view of the drive-side flange member 75 and the connecting member 64 is shown. The inner circumferential surface of the drive-side flange member 75 serves as a coupling support portion 75b. The drive-side flange member 75 supports the connecting member 64 by supporting the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 64 on its inner circumferential surface (coupling support portion 75b). Then, on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 64, two surfaces arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation are flat portions. These flat surface portions are the drive transmission portion 64b of the connecting member 64. The inner circumferential surface 75b of the flange member 75 also has two flat surface portions 75b1 corresponding to the drive transmission portion 64b. The flat surface portions of the flange member 75 serve as the driven transmission portion 75b1 of the flange member 75. That is, the driving force is transmitted from the connecting member 64 to the flange member 75 through contact between the drive transmission portion 64b of the connecting member 64 and the transmitted portion 75b1 of the flange member 75.

[0190] The drive-side flange 75 of the drive-side flange unit 69 is fixed to the end of the photosensitive drum 62 by, for example, press-fitting or clamping. Figure 8 Thus, the connecting component 64 receives power from the drive transmission component 81. Figure 14 and 25 The driving force (rotational force) received is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 62 via the drive-side flange 75. That is, the connecting member 64 is connected to the end of the photosensitive drum via the drive-side flange member 75, so the connecting member 64 can transmit the drive to the photosensitive drum 62.

[0191] Next, Figure 27 An exploded perspective view of the box is shown. (As shown) Figure 27As shown, the driving force (rotational force) is transmitted from the drive-side flange 75 to the developing roller 32 via gear 75a. That is, gear 75a meshes with the developing roller gear 36 and transmits the rotation of the drive-side flange 75 to the developing roller gear 36. The developing roller gear 36 is a gear disposed on the developing roller 32, and more specifically, it engages with the shaft portion of the developing roller flange 35 fixed to the end of the developing roller 32. Therefore, the rotation of the developing roller gear 36 is transmitted to the developing roller 32 via the developing roller flange 35. Furthermore, the developing roller gear 36 also transmits the drive force to the feed member gear 41 via idler gear 39. The feed member gear 41 is disposed on the feed member 43 (… Figure 3 The feed member 43 rotates when the feed member gear 41 rotates.

[0192] In other words, the drive-side flange 75 is a drive transmission member (cassette-side drive transmission member) used to transmit drive from the connecting member 64 to the drum 62, developing roller 32, feed member 43, etc. In this embodiment, the driven transmission portion 64a of the connecting member 64 has a generally triangular cross-section and a protruding shape (protrusion). Specifically, it adopts a generally triangular cross-section that is twisted counterclockwise from the drive side to the non-drive side relative to the axis of the photosensitive drum, which is a photosensitive member. However, the driven transmission portion 64a is not limited to this shape and can be engaged with the drive transmission member 81 ( Figure 25 It can receive any shape of driving force. In this embodiment, the drive transmission part 81 of the main component A of the device is provided with a generally triangular recess (drive transmission part 81a: see Figure 25 The recess can engage with the driven transmission portion 64a. Therefore, the driven transmission portion 64a has a protruding shape that engages with the recess. This protruding shape can be multiple rather than one, and it is not limited to a triangle. Furthermore, the protruding shape can have a twisted triangular shape, but it is not necessarily twisted.

[0193] like Figure 14 As shown, the connecting part 64 is configured to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction (axial direction). Figure 14 Schematic diagram (a) shows the state in which the connecting component retracts and disengages from the drive transmission component 81. Figure 14 In diagram (c), the connecting member 64 extends and engages with the drive transmission member 81. This diagram shows the mated state. Furthermore, Figure 14 The subplot (b) shows Figure 14 Subplot (a) and Figure 14 The state between the sub-graphs (c) (the process of moving back and forth).

[0194] Therefore, the following will refer to Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9Describes an operating unit (operating mechanism, forward / backward unit, forward / backward mechanism) capable of realizing such longitudinal movement of the connecting component 64.

[0195] Figure 7 This is a partial perspective view showing the structure of the operating unit disposed in the cleaning unit 60 according to this embodiment.

[0196] Figure 8 This is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drive unit end of the drum unit according to this embodiment.

[0197] Figure 9 It is similar to Figure 7 The diagram shows a partial perspective view of the operating unit according to this embodiment.

[0198] like Figures 7 to 9 As shown, the operating unit includes an outer cylindrical cam component 70, an inner cylindrical cam component 74, a rod component 12, a second pressing component (elastic component, pushing component) 14, etc. The operating unit is a control mechanism (control unit) connected to the connecting component 64 and controlling the movement (forward and backward movement) of the connecting component 64.

[0199] The outer cylindrical cam member 70 includes a cylindrical cam portion 70b and a rod member engagement portion 70a for engaging the rod member 12. Similar to the outer cylindrical cam member 70, the inner cylindrical cam member 74 is provided with a longitudinal position control surface 74d, which contacts the cylindrical cam portion 70b and the connecting member 64 to limit the longitudinal position of the connecting member 64.

[0200] like Figure 7 and 8 As shown, in this embodiment, the outer cylindrical cam member 70 and the inner cylindrical cam member 74 are configured to be supported by the outer peripheral portion 73a of the drum bearing member 73. The rod member engagement portion 70a of the outer cylindrical cam member 70 is configured to be exposed on the outside of the drum bearing member 73. Figure 9 ).

[0201] After the developing unit 20 is supported by the cleaning unit 60, the rod member 12 engages with the rod member engaging portion 70a of the outer cylindrical cam member 70 at the engaging portion 12b provided at one end of the rod member 12. Furthermore, the rod member 12 is arranged such that the sliding portion 12c at the other end is located between the sliding ribs 71g provided on the cleaning frame 71. That is, the convex engaging portion 70a enters the hole-shaped engaging portion 12b to engage with each other, and the rod member 12 is connected to the outer cylindrical cam member 70.

[0202] After the rod component 12 is arranged, a second pressing component 14 for pressing and pushing the rod component 12 is arranged between the cleaning frame 71 and the rod component 12. In this embodiment, a torsion coil spring is used as the second pressing component (pushing component) 14, but the invention is not limited to this example, and as another example, an elastic component (spring) with a different structure, such as a compression coil spring, may also be preferably used.

[0203] The processing box including the operating unit is provided according to this embodiment by fixing the side component 76 to the cleaning frame 71.

[0204] The operating unit is connected to the connecting member 64 at the inner cylindrical cam 74, and the connecting member 64 can move back and forth via the operating lever member 12. Although the detailed operating principle will be described below, the lever member 12 is connected to the outer cylindrical cam member 70, so when the lever member 12 moves substantially linearly, the outer cylindrical cam 70 rotates. The outer cylindrical cam 70 contacts the inner cylindrical cam 74, and the rotational movement of the outer cylindrical cam 70 causes the inner cylindrical cam 74 to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction. The inner cylindrical cam 74 contacts the connecting member 64, and the back-and-forth movement of the inner cylindrical cam 74 and the back-and-forth movement of the connecting member 64 are linked together.

[0205] In other words, the rod component 12 is functionally (indirectly and operatively) connected to the connecting component 64 through the outer cylindrical cam component 70 and the inner cylindrical cam component 74, so that the rod component 12 and the connecting component 64 move in conjunction with each other.

[0206] Reference Figure 1 and Figures 10 to 14 The description will focus on the linkage between the forward and backward movement of the connecting member 64 and the movement of the lever member 12. The lever member 12 is configured to move by abutting against and separating from a box pressing member (pressing force application member) provided in the main assembly A of the device.

[0207] Figure 1 This is a side view of the processing box B according to this embodiment.

[0208] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus after the opening / closing door 13 of the main assembly is opened and before the processing box B is installed into the main assembly A.

[0209] Figure 11 It is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus with the processing box B fully installed in the main assembly A of the apparatus and the opening / closing door 13 not closed.

[0210] Figure 12Figure (a) is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus. In the state shown in the figure, during the process of closing the opening and closing door 13 of the main component A of the apparatus in the direction H in the figure, the box pressing member 1 begins to contact the pressed portion 12a of the rod member 12.

[0211] Figure 12 Frame (b) is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus, in which the opening and closing door 13 of the main component A of the apparatus is completely closed.

[0212] Figure 13 This is a perspective view of the rod member 12, the outer cylindrical cam member 70, and the inner cylindrical cam member 74 according to this embodiment. Figure 13 The sub-figure (a) shows the state before the box pressing member 1 comes into contact with the pressed portion 12a of the rod member 12. Figure 10 , Figure 11 , Figure 12 The perspective view of the sub-plot (a)). Figure 13 The diagram (c) shows the state with the door 13 fully closed and a predetermined pressure applied from the box spring 19 to the contact portion 12a of the rod member 12. Figure 12 The perspective view under the sub-figure (b)). Figure 13 The subplot (b) is in Figure 13 (a) state and Figure 13 (c) state ( Figure 12 Subplot (a) and Figure 12 A perspective view between the states of the sub-figures (b)).

[0213] Figure 14 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drive transmission component 81 and the connecting component 64 of the main component A of the device according to the embodiment described above. Here, similar to Figure 13 , Figure 14 The sub-figure (a) shows the state before the box pressing member comes into contact with the pressed portion 12a of the rod member 12. Figure 10 , 11 and Figure 12 The longitudinal section view of (a)). Figure 14 Figure (c) shows the state where the door 13 is fully closed and the predetermined pressure of the spring 19 is applied to the contact portion 12a of the lever member 12. Figure 12 (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. Figure 14 The subplot (b) is in Figure 14 The states of subplots (a) and (c) Figure 12 Subplot (a) to Figure 12 The longitudinal cross-sectional view between the states in the sub-figure (b)). Figure 10As shown, after the opening / closing door 13 of the main assembly A is opened by rotating about the rotation center 13X, the processing box B is installed into the main assembly A. The opening / closing door 13 is an opening and closing component for opening and closing the box mounting portion (space for mounting the box) provided within the main assembly A. Guide rails (guide components) 15h and 15g for guiding the guided portions 76c and 76g of the processing box B are provided in the mounting portion, and the box B of the main assembly A is guided along the guide rails 15h and 15g so that it is inserted into the mounting portion (only the drive side is shown). Figure 11 As shown, the installation of the processing box B is completed when the positioned portions 73d and 73f provided on the drum bearing component 73 come into contact with or are inserted into the vicinity of the positioning portions 15a and 15b of the main component of the device.

[0214] Two box-pressing components 1 are installed axially to opposite ends of the opening / closing door 13. Figure 11 Each of the two box pressing components 1 can move relative to the opening / closing door 13 within a predetermined range.

[0215] Two box-pressing springs 19 are mounted at opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of the front plate 18, which is located in the main assembly A of the device. The cleaning frame 71 has box-pressed portions (the portions to be pressed in the box) 71e at opposite longitudinal ends, which serve as receiving portions for the pushing force of the box-pressing springs 19. As will be described below, when the opening and closing door 13 is fully closed, a predetermined pressure F2 is applied from the box-pressing springs 19 to the box-pressed portions 71e and the rod member-pressed portions 12a.

[0216] Next, the reciprocating movement of the connecting member 64 will be described. In the state before the box pressing member 1 contacts the rod member 12 ( Figure 10 , Figure 11 and Figure 12 In the sub-figure (a), the rod component 12 is pressed by the second pressing component 14. Figure 9 ) along Figure 13 The E direction is pushed in the sub-diagram (a).

[0217] The outer cylindrical cam component 70, which engages with the rod component 12 and is supported to be rotatable about the drum axis, runs along... Figure 13 In diagram (a), the G direction is pushed. The outer cylindrical cam component 70's protruding surface 70c closest to the non-drive side contacts the innermost protruding surface 74c of the inner cylindrical cam component 74.

[0218] like Figure 14As shown in Figure (a), the connecting member 64 is pushed towards the drive side by the first pressing member 59, and the connecting contact portion 64c is pressed against the longitudinal position limiting surface 74d of the inner cylindrical cam member 74. That is, the longitudinal position of the connecting member 64 depends on the longitudinal position (position in the longitudinal direction) of the inner cylindrical cam member 74. The first pressing member 59 is used to operate the connecting member 64 on the drive side; therefore, the first pressing member 59 can also be considered as part of the aforementioned operating unit. In this embodiment, a compression coil spring is used as the first pressing member 59, but the connecting member 64 can also be pressed by using an elastic member with a different shape.

[0219] When box B is not installed to the main assembly A, the inner cylindrical cam component 74 is arranged to resist the spring force of the first pressing component 59, causing the connecting component 64 to retract into the drum. That is, in the case of… Figure 10 and 11 With the main component door 13 released, or before the box pressing member 1 abuts against the rod member 12, the connecting member 64 is located in the position closest to the non-drive side. The position where the connecting member 64 is retracted to the non-drive side (i.e., the inside of box B) is referred to as the first position (retracted position, inside position, disengaged position, released position). Figure 14 As shown in Figure (a), this structure ensures that when the connecting member 64 is in the first position, the driven transmission portion 64a of the connecting member 64 and the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 do not overlap in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the processing box B can be smoothly installed onto and removed from the main device assembly A without interference between the connecting member 64 and the drive transmission member 81 of the main device assembly.

[0220] When the opening / closing door 13 is closed after the box B is installed to the main assembly A of the device, the box pressing member 1 provided on the opening / closing door 13 contacts the rod member 12. Pressed by the pressing member 1, the rod member 12 begins to move. The connecting member 64 moves from a first position (retracted position) to the drive side in conjunction with the movement of the rod member 12. This movement will be described below.

[0221] like Figure 12 As shown in Figure (a), when the installation of the processing box B is completed and the opening and closing door 13 is along... Figure 12 When direction H in sub-graph (a) is closed, contact begins between the box pressing member 1 and the lever member 12, causing the pressure of the box pressing spring 19 to act on the lever member 12. Due to this pressure, the lever member 12 begins to move in direction K in the figure, resisting the pushing force (spring force) of the second pressing member 14. Figure 13As shown in Figure (b), when the lever component 12 moves along the K direction, the outer cylindrical cam component 70, which engages with the lever component 12, begins to rotate along the M direction in the figure.

[0222] The inner cylindrical cam member 74 is adjacent to the outer cylindrical cam member 70. The inner cylindrical cam member 74 is configured to be non-rotatable and only movable in the axial direction. Through rotation of the outer cylindrical cam member 70 in the M direction, the cylindrical cam portion 70b of the outer cylindrical cam member 70 and the cylindrical cam portion 74b of the inner cylindrical cam member 74 come into contact with each other at their inclined surfaces. Then, the inner cylindrical cam member 74 begins to move longitudinally toward the drive side (N direction) by the pressing force of the first pressing spring member 59. When the inner cylindrical cam member 74 moves in the N direction, the connecting member 64, pressed by the first pressing spring member 59, is also allowed to move longitudinally. Through this movement of the connecting member 64, the connecting member 64 extends toward the drive side (i.e., the outside of box B). Then, the driven transmission portion 64a of the connecting member 64 is in a relationship where it can engage with the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission member of the main assembly of the device in the longitudinal direction. Figure 14 (Figure b)). When the opening / closing door 13 is fully closed ( Figure 12 In the state shown in Figure (b), the phases of the cylindrical cam portions of the outer cylindrical cam component 74 and the inner cylindrical cam component 70 are aligned with each other, as shown in Figure (b). Figure 13 As shown in Figure (c), this structure positions the inner cylindrical cam component 74 and the connecting component 64 closest to the drive side by the pushing force of the first pressing component 59. In this embodiment, the position where the connecting component 64 extends towards the drive side is referred to as the second position (extended position, outer position, engagement position, drive transmission position).

[0223] The connecting part 64 in the second position (extended position) can be considered to extend toward the outside of the photosensitive drum 62 (outside the box).

[0224] On the other hand, the connecting part 64 located in the first position (retracted position) can be considered to be retracted toward the interior of the photosensitive drum 62 (the interior of the box).

[0225] In this embodiment, the connecting member 64 moves substantially parallel to the axis of the photosensitive drum 62, which serves as a photosensitive element. However, the structure is not limited to this structure. For example, by moving the connecting member 64 in a direction inclined relative to the axis, the connecting member 64 can be moved to a first position (retracted position) and a second position (extended position).

[0226] like Figure 14As shown in Figure (c), this structure ensures the required longitudinal engagement when the connecting member 64 is in the second position, so that the driven transmission portion 64a of the connecting member 64 and the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 are in stable drive transmission.

[0227] When the connecting member 64 is held in the second position (extended position), the position of the rod member 12 can also be referred to as the second position (second position of the rod member). The second position of the rod member 12 is the position to which the rod member 12 moves when a force is applied to the rod member 12 from the outside of the box B (operating position or action position), and the action position for acting on the connecting member 64. In addition, it is the engagement holding position and the extended holding position, for maintaining the extended state of the connecting member 64 and for maintaining the engagement state of the connecting member 64 and the drive transmission member 81.

[0228] Furthermore, as described above, the driven transmission portion of the connecting member 64 according to this embodiment has a twisted triangular shape. Therefore, when the lever member 12 is operated to the second position, the triangular phases of the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 of the main assembly and the driven transmission portion 64a of the connecting member 64 may be misaligned. At this time, during the process of the connecting member 64 moving to the second position on the drive side, the driven transmission portion 64a contacts the end face 81c of the drive transmission member 81 and stops there. In other words, the driven transmission portion 64a cannot engage with the drive transmission portion 81a, therefore, the drive transmission member 81 and the connecting member 64 interfere with each other, and the connecting member 64 cannot move to the second position. In this state, the first pressing member 59 is partially compressed.

[0229] Even in this case, the drive is input to the main assembly A of the device, and the drive transmission member 81 rotates, causing the phase difference between the drive transmission part 81a and the driven transmission part 64a to fall within a specific range. Then, the drive transmission part 81a and the driven transmission part 64a become able to engage with each other. At this time, the elastic deformation of the first pressing member 59, which has been compressed, is partially released, allowing the connecting member 64 to move to the second position. As described above, when the drive transmission member 81 and the connecting member 64 interfere with each other, the first pressing member 59 is compressed, so that the interference effect is applied to the drive transmission member 81 and the connecting member 64. The first pressing member 59 is also a buffer member (buffer member, damper) for suppressing the interference effect. When the processing box is pulled out to the outside by opening the main assembly door 13, the main assembly pressing member 1 separates from the rod member 12 during the opening process of the opening and closing door 13. Thereafter, the rod member 12 is connected by the second pressing member 14 ( Figure 9 The pushing force from Figure 13The state of the sub-diagram (c) begins to move in the E direction. Consequently, the outer cylindrical cam member 70 rotates in the G direction, and the inner cylindrical cam member 74 and the connecting member 64 occupy a first position through the shapes 70b and 74b of the outer and inner cylindrical cam portions. That is, by moving the lever member 12 in the E direction, the connecting member 64 moves to the first position (retracted position). When the connecting member 64 is in the first position, the position of the lever member 12 can also be referred to as the first position. The first position of the lever member 12 is a position where no external force is applied to the lever member 12 from outside the box (normal position, non-operating position). Furthermore, the first position of the lever member 12 is a retracted holding position and a retracted position for maintaining and allowing the retracted state of the connecting member 64, and an installation-allowed position and a removal-allowed position for allowing the box B to be installed to and removed from the main assembly A of the device.

[0230] Figure 13 Subplot (a) and Figure 14 Schematic diagram (a) shows the state in which the rod component 12 and the connecting component 64 are in the first position. Figure 13 The subplot (c) and Figure 14 Schematic diagram (c) shows the state in which the rod component 12 and the connecting component 64 are in the second position. Figure 13 Subplot (b) and Figure 14 Figure (b) shows the positions (intermediate positions) of the rod component 12 and the connecting component 64 as they move from the first position to the second position.

[0231] The processing box B can be removed from the main assembly A of the device by moving the connecting part 64 to the first position (retracted position).

[0232] As described above, the lever member 12 is an operating member (moving member) that is operated and moved by a force from outside the housing (i.e., the main assembly A of the device). The movement of the lever member 12 is then transmitted to the connecting member 64 via two cam members 70 and 74, thereby moving the connecting member 64 between a first position (retracted position) and a second position (extended position). In other words, the lever member 12 is operated to move the connecting member 64.

[0233] Two cam components (outer cylindrical cam component 70 and inner cylindrical cam component 74) disposed in the actuation unit constitute a cam mechanism for linking the lever component 12 with the connecting component 64. The lever component 12 is configured to move in an intersecting direction (substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction). This intersecting direction movement is converted by the cam mechanism into movement of the connecting component 64 along the longitudinal direction.

[0234] The first pressing member 59 is a pressing member that pushes the connecting member 64 toward a predetermined position (second position / extended position). The second pressing member 14 is a pressing member that pushes the rod member 12 to a predetermined position (first position / normal position).

[0235] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 As shown, the contact surface 82a of the charging roller contact member 82 moves relative to the rod member 12 from the first position (normal position) to the second position (operating position) towards the downstream side (the side indicated by arrow K in the figure). That is, the contact surface 82a faces the direction of arrow J1 in the figure.

[0236] The charging roller contact member 82 is an electrical contact that is electrically connected to the charging roller 66 to supply voltage from the main assembly by applying a charging bias voltage to the contact member (main assembly side electrical contact) in the main assembly A of the device.

[0237] In other words, the contact surface (exposed surface, exposed portion) 82a of the charging roller contact component 82 contacts the surface with a predetermined charging contact pressure. Figure 28 The main component side contact member 101 is shown. As a result, a charging bias voltage is applied from the main component A of the device to the charging roller through the charging roller contact member 82. Figure 28 This is a schematic diagram showing the electrical contacts (contact components) of box B and main component A of the device.

[0238] like Figure 1 As shown, cartridge B is provided with a developing roller contact component 83 electrically connected to the developing roller 32. The developing bias voltage is applied to the contact component (electrical contact) by contacting the developing bias voltage provided in the main assembly A of the device. Figure 28 )102, the developing roller contact member 83 is supplied with voltage from the main assembly A of the apparatus. That is, the developing bias voltage is applied from the main assembly A to the developing roller 32 through the developing roller contact member 83, which contacts the contact member 102 on the main assembly side of the apparatus via the contact surface (exposed surface, exposed portion) 83a of the developing roller contact member 83.

[0239] The contact surface 83a of the developing roller contact component is also configured to face the downstream side (K direction in the figure) of the moving direction of the rod component 12. That is, the contact surface 83a faces Figure 28 The direction of arrow I1 in the diagram.

[0240] When the opening / closing door 13 is closed and the cartridge pressing member 1 presses the lever member 12, pressure is applied downstream (towards the side indicated by arrow K) in the direction of movement of the lever member 12. As described above, the charging roller contact member 82 (contact surface 82a) and the developing roller contact member 83 (contact surface 83a) also face downstream. Therefore, by utilizing the pressing force of the cartridge pressing member 1 (the force acting in the direction of arrow K), the charging roller contact member 82 (contact surface 82a) and the developing roller contact member 83 (contact surface 83a) can be pushed towards the corresponding main component contacts of the main assembly of the device. As a result, the contact state between the contact members (82, 83) on the cartridge side contact members and the main component contact members can be stabilized.

[0241] Furthermore, the positioned portions 73d and 73f of box B can be reliably pressed against the positioned portions 15a and 15b of the main assembly of the device by utilizing the pressure received by the rod member 12. Figure 12 In other words, typically, when the corresponding main component contact member is contacted on the main component side, each of the charging roller contact member 82 and the developing roller contact member 83 receives contact pressure (contact pressure) from the main component in a direction perpendicular to the charging contact surface 82a and the developing contact surface 83a, respectively. Figure 28 In this configuration, the charging contact surface 82a receives a force in the direction of arrow J2, while the developing contact surface 83a receives a force in the direction of arrow I2. However, when the cartridge pressing member 1 applies a pressing force to the cartridge B via the rod member 12 in the direction of arrow K, it counteracts these contact pressures. Therefore, even if the charging contact surface 82a and the developing contact surface 83a receive contact pressure (contact pressure), it is possible to prevent the orientation of the cartridge B from becoming unstable due to the contact pressure.

[0242] By applying force to the box pressing member 1, the positioned portions 73d and 73f of box B can be pressed more reliably against the positioned portions 15a and 15b of the main device assembly, and the box can be installed and positioned in the main device assembly A in a stable posture. As described above, the positioning accuracy of the box in the main device assembly is improved, and therefore, the connecting member 64 and the drive transmission member 81 of the main device assembly can be stably engaged.

[0243] When the electrical contacts (contacts) of components such as the charging roller contact 82 or the developing roller contact 83 face the downstream side (the side indicated by arrow K) of the moving direction of the rod component 12, the direction in which the electrical contacts face does not need to be parallel to arrow K. If the direction in which the electrical contacts face is less than 90 degrees relative to arrow K (i.e., an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees), then the electrical contacts are in the moving direction of the rod component 12 and can be considered to be facing the downstream side.

[0244] In other words, Figure 28In the diagram, the angle between arrow K and arrow J1 is less than 90 degrees, and the angle between arrow K and arrow I1 is also less than 90 degrees.

[0245] In this embodiment, the rod member 12 and each electrical contact (charging roller contact member 82 and developing roller contact member 83) are arranged longitudinally (axially) on the same side of the cartridge. That is, the rod member 12 and the electrical contacts 82 and 83 are arranged longitudinally on one end (one side) of the cartridge. The contact pressure received by each electrical contact 82 and 83 and the pressing force applied to the rod member 12 by the cartridge pressing member 1 both act on the same end side of the cartridge. Therefore, the cartridge pressing member 1 can easily resist the contact pressure by the pressing force of the rod member 12 to push and position the cartridge B.

[0246] When the box has multiple electrical contacts, each electrical contact can be arranged at one end of the box. If the number of electrical contacts is odd, the rod component 12 can be arranged on the side with more electrical contacts.

[0247] In this embodiment, the end of the box where the rod member 12 and electrical contacts 82 and 83 are provided is the side (drive side) where the connecting member 64 is provided. Even when the connecting member 64 receives rotational force and vibrations are transmitted to the drive side of the box B where the connecting member 64 is provided, the effects of vibrations can be suppressed because the rod member 12 is pressed against the drive side of the box B.

[0248] In this embodiment, by using the pressing force of the lever member 12, the two electrical contacts 82 and 83 disposed in the housing B are pushed toward the main assembly side contact members 102 and 103 disposed in the main assembly A of the device. However, it is not necessary to press all the plurality of electrical contacts by using the pressing force of the lever member 12. As long as at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts in the housing B faces downstream along the direction of movement of the lever, these electrical contacts can be pressed toward the electrical contacts disposed in the main assembly A by the pressing force received by the lever member 12.

[0249] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main component A of the device is provided with two box pressing members 1. One pressing member 1 presses the rod member 12 on the driving side of the box B, while the other pressing member 1 presses the frame of the box B on the other end side (the other side, the non-driving side). As described above, the posture of the box B is stabilized by receiving force at two points at its two ends, but the structure is not necessarily limited to such a structure, and the box B can be configured to receive force at only one point. That is, it is sufficient for at least the rod member 12 to receive force through the pressing member 1.

[0250] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rod member 12 is arranged on a plane perpendicular to the drum axis between the charging contact surface 82a and the developing contact surface 83a. That is, as... Figure 28As shown, when the rod component 12 is in the first position, the line segment L1 connecting both ends of the rod component 12 intersects the line segment L2 connecting the charging contact surface 82a and the developing contact surface 83a on the aforementioned plane.

[0251] With this arrangement, the pressing force received by the lever member 12 from the pressing member 1 can be distributed to the two electrical contacts 82 and 83 in a well-balanced manner. That is, during the installation of the box, when the force received by each electrical contact 82 and 83 and the force received by the lever member 12 are applied to the box B, the torque generated in the box B is stabilized by these forces. Even if the lever member 12 is subjected to pressure, the posture of the box B is not easily changed.

[0252] As a result, by utilizing the force received by the rod component 12 to resist the contact pressure received from multiple electrical contacts, the positioned portions 73d and 73f of box B are firmly pressed against the positioned portions 15a and 15b of the main assembly of the device. Figure 12 In other words, the connecting component 64 and the drive transmission component 81 of the main assembly of the device can stably engage with each other.

[0253] More specifically, the line segments of the contact portion 212a and the joined portion 212b of the connecting rod component 12 intersect with line segment L2.

[0254] The rod member 12 has a shape that extends along the direction of movement (K direction) of the rod member. Therefore, when the rod member 12 is pressed by the pressing member 1 of the main assembly A and moves in the K direction, the force of the pressing member 1 is smoothly transmitted to the box B via the rod member 12. Therefore, by utilizing the force of the pressing member 1, the contact members 82 and 83 on the box side can be easily and reliably brought into contact with the corresponding contact members on the main assembly side.

[0255] In addition, although the integrated rod component 12 is used as the operating component, the operating component can also be constructed by connecting multiple components.

[0256] The contact components (electrical contacts) may be referred to as first contact components (first electrical contacts), second contact components (second electrical contacts), etc. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the charging roller contact component 82 and the developing roller contact component 83 are connected to the charging roller 67 and the developing roller 30. That is, each electrical contact 82 and 83 is connected to the processing components 67 and 30 acting on the photosensitive component and is used to apply voltage from the device main assembly A to each of these processing components 67 and 30. However, the electrical contacts (contact components) are not limited to those used to apply voltage to such processing components. For example, in the case where a memory chip storing information about cartridge B is disposed in cartridge B, electrical contacts (contact components) electrically connected to the memory are disposed in cartridge B. This electrical contact is used to cause the device main assembly A to read information from the memory or write new information to the memory by contacting the electrical contacts of the device main assembly A. This embodiment can be preferably applied to such electrical contacts used for information communication.

[0257] As described above, in this embodiment, the cleaning frame 73 is provided with a pressed portion 71e, which is pressed by the box pressing member 1 in the main assembly of the device. More specifically, the pressing member 1 presses the rod member 12 to move it from a first position to a second position, thereby contacting the pressed portion 71e of the cleaning frame 73. Then, the pressing member 1 applies a pressing force to the box B through the rod member 12 and the pressed portion 71e. However, the pressing member 1 does not necessarily have to contact the cleaning frame 73, and the pressing member 1 may only contact the abutted portion 12a of the rod member, thereby applying a pressing force to the box B only through the rod member 12.

[0258] <Variant Example>

[0259] Additionally, in the description above ( Figure 14 In this context, it is assumed that before the drive transmission component 81 and the coupling component 64 engage ( Figure 14 In Figure (a), the rotation axes L2 and L1 are coaxial, but the structure is not limited to this. Before the drive transmission member 81 and the connecting member 64 engage with each other, the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81 may be tilted relative to the rotation axis of the connecting member 64. However, since the connecting member 64 is configured to move back and forth, the drive transmission member 81 and the connecting member 64 can be engaged even in this case. In the following, a variant of the drive transmission part 81 of Embodiment 1 will be described as being pivotable (tiltable).

[0260] Reference Figure 15 The following describes how the connecting member 64 and the drive transmission member 81 engage with each other, assuming that the rotation axis L3 of the drive transmission member 81 and the rotation axis L1 of the connecting member 64 are not on the same axis before the connecting member 64 engages.

[0261] here, Figure 15 Figure (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the device with the processing box inserted into the main assembly A and the opening / closing door 13 closed. Driving force is input to the main assembly A, the drive transmission member 81 begins to rotate, and the phase of the drive transmission part 81a and the phase of the driven transmission part 64a of the connecting member 64 fall within a predetermined range. Figure 15 The sub-plot (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken exactly after the above operation. Figure 15 Layout (c) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the fully engaged state of the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission component 81 and the driven transmission portion 64a of the coupling component 64. Figure 15 Figures (a), (b), and (c) show the process by which the connecting member 64 engages with the drive transmission member 81 while reducing the tilt angle when the connecting member 64 moves to the second position (extended position).

[0262] Figure 16 This is a partial detailed view, showing the... Figure 15 The magnified portion enclosed by circle J in sub-image (a), Figure 17 This is a perspective view showing the chamfered portion 64e on the end face of the driven transmission portion 64a of the connecting member 64.

[0263] like Figure 15 As shown in Figure (a), in this variant, the structure is such that the diameter of the supported portion 81b of the drive transmission component 81 is... The diameter of the support portion 85a of the drive transmission component support component 85 satisfy

[0264] Therefore, the drive transmission component 81 can move relative to the support component 85. When the drive transmission component 81 and the connecting component 64 are engaged with each other, the drive transmission component 81 can move to align its axis with the axis of the connecting component 64. That is, the rotation axis L3 of the drive transmission component 81 and the rotation axis L1 of the connecting component 64 can be precisely aligned.

[0265] More specifically, such as Figure 15 As shown in sub-diagram (c), the drive transmission component 81 is supported by the driven transmission portion 64a of the connecting component 64. At this time, due to... Therefore, a gap is provided between the supported portion 81b of the drive transmission member 81 and the supporting portion 85a of the drive transmission member support member 85. The drive transmission member 81 is able to move within this gap. By appropriately setting the size of this gap, when the drive transmission member 81 engages with the connecting member 64, the center position of the drive transmission member 81 on the free end side (the core position of the drive transmission member 81 on the free end side) can be aligned with the center position of the connecting member 64. As a result, the rotation axis L3 of the drive transmission member 81 can be precisely aligned with the rotation axis L1 of the connecting member 64.

[0266] On the other hand, such as Figure 15 As shown in sub-graph (a), due to Due to the relationship between the drive transmission member 81 and the connecting member 64, the drive transmission member 81 is tilted in the V direction in the figure by its own weight before engaging with the connecting member 64. As described above, when the rotatable door 13 of the main component A of the device is fully closed, the connecting member 64 should be able to move from the first position to the second position. However, in this variant, because the drive transmission member 81 is tilted in the V direction in the figure, the driven transmission portion 64a of the connecting member 64 cannot immediately engage with the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81.

[0267] In other words, the tilt angle of the drive transmission component 81 relative to the horizontal plane needs to be reduced to a degree that allows the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission component 81 to engage with the driven transmission portion 64a of the connecting component 64.

[0268] In this variant, the drive transmission member 81 is moved to reduce the tilt angle by applying a force from the connecting member 64 to the drive transmission member 81 during the process of moving the connecting member 64 to the second position. Therefore, as... Figure 16 and 17 As shown, a chamfered portion (inclined portion, tapered portion) 64e, inclined relative to the axis of the connecting member 64, is provided on the triangular ridge line of the drive side end of the connecting member 64. The chamfered portion 64e is an acting portion for acting on the drive transmission member 81, and the chamfered portion 64e can move by contacting the drive transmission member 81 under certain conditions.

[0269] like Figure 16 As shown, the chamfered portion 64e is configured such that when the drive transmission component 81 is tilted in the V direction ( Figure 15 In Figure (a), a portion of the chamfered portion 64e is located radially inside the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81. For detailed description, in... Figure 16 In the diagram, the position of the ridge line inside the chamfered portion 64e is indicated by L4, and the position of the edge (boundary line) of the recess used as the drive transmission portion 81a is indicated by L5. For example... Figure 16As shown, when the drive transmission component 81 rotates, if L5 is located radially outside L4, the inclined portion of the chamfered portion 64e contacts the edge (recess) of the drive transmission component 81a. Figure 16 In the middle, the edge (L5) of the drive transmission part 81a is located at a distance x radially outward relative to the ridge line (L4) inside the chamfered part 64e.

[0270] The inclined surface 64e applies a force to the drive transmission member 81 in a direction perpendicular to its surface. Therefore, when the chamfered portion 64e contacts the edge of the drive transmission member 81a, the chamfered portion 64e applies a force to the drive transmission member 81 in the upper left direction as shown in the figure. Thus, as... Figure 15 As shown in sub-figure (b), a torque is applied to the drive transmission component 81 in the direction of arrow W, with the fixed end of the drive transmission component 81 as the fulcrum. As a result, the drive transmission component 81 oscillates (pivots) in the direction of arrow W.

[0271] When the drive transmission member 81 swings in the direction of arrow W, the drive transmission portion 81a and the driven transmission portion 64a become able to engage with each other. Therefore, the connecting member 64 moves toward the second position on the drive side to perform driving, thereby completing the engagement between the drive transmission portion 81a and the driven transmission portion 64a. When the engagement between the connecting member 64 and the drive transmission member 81 is completed, the rotation axis L3 of the drive transmission member 81 is precisely aligned with the rotation axis L1 of the connecting member 64.

[0272] As described above, since the chamfered portion 64e is inclined relative to the forward and backward direction of the connecting member 64, the free end (free end side) of the drive transmission member 81 rises in tandem with the extension movement of the connecting member 64. This allows the angular difference (the angle formed by their axes of rotation) between the drive transmission member 81 and the connecting member 64 to be reduced, enabling the drive transmission member 81 and the connecting member 64 to engage with each other. The chamfered portion (inclined portion) 64e is both the pushing portion that pushes the drive transmission member 81 and the acting portion that acts on the drive transmission member 81. The chamfered portion (inclined portion) 64e is inclined so as to apply a force acting on the drive transmission member 81 in the direction that reduces the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81.

[0273] like Figure 16 As shown, the chamfered portion 64e is a bevel (surface portion) provided near the free end of the connecting member 64. The chamfered portion 64e is inclined such that its distance from the axis of the connecting member 64 decreases as it approaches the free end of the connecting member 64. In other words, the chamfered portion 64e is inclined such that its distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum, which is a photosensitive element, decreases as it approaches the free end of the connecting member 64.

[0274] As an example, a detailed description will be provided. Figure 16 The chamfered portion 64e is shown. The chamfered portion 64e is tilted to the left and downwards. The left end of the chamfered portion 64e is the free end of the connecting member 64. Furthermore, the axis of the connecting member 64 and the axis of the photosensitive drum are located below the chamfered portion 64e. That is, the chamfered portion 64e is closer to the axis of the connecting member 64 located below it as it approaches the free end of the connecting member located on the left.

[0275] The connecting member 64 is a movable member movably disposed in the housing B, used to push the drive transmission member 81 to reduce the tilt of the drive transmission member 81 relative to the connecting member 64. As a result, the drive transmission member 81 is aligned with the connecting member 64.

[0276] Furthermore, when the connecting member 64 moves to the second position, the phases of the drive transmission portion 81a and the driven transmission portion 64a may be significantly different from each other. In this case, the drive transmission portion 81a and the driven transmission portion 64a cannot engage with each other, so when the connecting member 64 moves to the second position, the connecting member 64 will abut against the drive transmission portion 81 and temporarily stop. Even in this case, when the drive is subsequently input to the main assembly of the device, the phase of the driven transmission portion 64a of the connecting member 64 changes relative to the phase of the drive transmission portion 81a due to the rotation of the drive transmission portion 81. As a result, the phase difference between the drive transmission portion 81a and the driven transmission portion 64a decreases, and the triangular orientations of the drive transmission portion 81a and the driven transmission portion 64a of the connecting member 64 become closer to each other. As a result, the connecting member 64 enters a state in which it can engage with the drive transmission portion 81. Figure 15 (b) of the subplot.

[0277] At this time, the connecting member 64 presses the drive transmission member 81 through the chamfered portion 64e, causing the drive transmission member 81, which is tilted in the V direction, to swing in the direction of decreasing tilt angle (W direction in the figure). That is, by bringing the chamfered portion 64e into contact with the drive transmission member 81, the center position of the free end of the drive transmission member 81 can be closer to the center position of the free end of the connecting member 64. In this state, the connecting member 64 itself moves to the drive side to complete the engagement with the drive transmission member 81. Figure 15 (c)).

[0278] In the above description, the tilting direction (V direction) of the drive transmission component 81 is the direction of gravity, but this tilting direction can be any direction.

[0279] Furthermore, even if the rotation axes of the connecting member 64 and the drive transmission member 81 are parallel and not aligned before engagement, the connecting member 64 can still engage with the drive transmission member 81. That is, when the chamfered portion 64a contacts the drive transmission member 81, the center position of the free end of the drive transmission member 81 moves to approach the center position of the free end of the connecting member 64, as described above. Similarly, even when the drive transmission member 81 is tilted, the drive transmission member 81 and the connecting member 64 can still engage with each other, even if the axis of the drive transmission member 81 deviates in any direction.

[0280] In this embodiment, the position of the connecting member 64 retracting towards the interior of the photosensitive drum 62 (retracted position) is referred to as the first position, and the position of the connecting member 64 extending towards the exterior of the photosensitive drum (extended position) is referred to as the second position. This is for convenience, and the retracted position can be referred to as the second position, and the extended position can be referred to as the first position. Similarly, in this embodiment, the normal position of the rod member 12 is referred to as the first position, and the active position of the rod member 12 is referred to as the second position. However, the normal position can be referred to as the second position of the rod member 12, and the active position can be referred to as the first position of the rod member. This also applies to the embodiments described below.

[0281] <Example 2>

[0282] Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. Descriptions of similarities to those in the above embodiments may be omitted. In particular, among the elements disclosed in this embodiment, components corresponding to those described in Embodiment 1 will be given the same names as those in Embodiment 1, and only the differences from Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0283] In Embodiment 1 described above, the operating component (lever component 12) is arranged on the drive side of box B (the side on which the connecting component is arranged). However, in this embodiment, the operating component is arranged on the side opposite to the drive side in the longitudinal direction. The differences in structure and operation caused by the different arrangement and operation of the operating component will be described in detail.

[0284] First refer to Figure 18 and 19 The drive-side flange unit 269 and the drum unit according to this embodiment will be described.

[0285] Figure 18 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drum unit according to Embodiment 2. Figure 19 This is a view showing the assembly method of the drum unit according to Embodiment 2.

[0286] like Figure 18 and 19As shown, the drive-side flange unit 269 according to this embodiment includes a connecting member 264, a drive-side flange member 275, a cover member 258, a first pressing member 259, etc. Furthermore, the drum unit includes the drive-side flange unit 269, a connecting member 261, a buffer member (buffering component, damper) 255, a non-drive-side flange member 254, and an inner cylindrical cam member 274. Similar to Embodiment 1, the connecting member 264 includes a driven transmission portion 264a, a drive transmission portion 264b that transmits driving force to the drive-side flange member 275, etc. The drive-side flange member 275 also has a gear portion 275a for transmitting drive force to a developing roller gear disposed at the end of the developing roller, as in Embodiment 1. The connecting member 261 includes a buffer member support portion 261a, a connecting portion 261b connecting the connecting member 264 and the inner cylindrical cam member 274, a supported portion 261c supported by the inner cylindrical cam member, etc. The inner cylindrical cam component 274 includes a cylindrical cam portion 274a. Figure 23 ), connecting component support portion 274b, supported portion 274c supported by drum shaft 278, and outer diameter portion 274d inserted into the inner peripheral portion 254b of non-drive side flange component 254.

[0287] A first pressing member 259, in the form of a compression spring, is provided on the first component contact surface 264d of the connecting member 264. Figure 24 ) and the first component contact surface 275d of the drive side flange component 275 Figure 24 )between.

[0288] Similarly, in this embodiment, the connecting member 264 is disposed at the end of the photosensitive drum 62, which serves as a photosensitive element. That is, the drive-side flange unit 269, including the connecting member 264, is fixed to the drive-side end of the photosensitive drum 62 by, for example, press-fitting or clamping as in Embodiment 1. Furthermore, as... Figure 19 As shown, the connecting member 261 of the supporting buffer member 255 is inserted into the drum from the non-drive side end 62b. The non-drive side flange member 254 is fixed to the non-drive side drum end 62b in the same manner as in Embodiment 1 by means such as clamping, wherein the inner cylindrical cam member 274 is fitted to the inner peripheral portion 254b. Figure 18 The structure of the drum unit in Embodiment 2 is as described above. The connecting member 264 is movably connected to the drive-side flange member 275.

[0289] Similarly, in this embodiment, the driven transmission portion 264a of the connecting member 264 adopts a protruding shape with a generally triangular cross-section. Specifically, it adopts a shape in which the generally triangular cross-section is twisted counterclockwise from the driving side to the non-driving side around the axis of the photosensitive drum.

[0290] Reference Figures 20 to 23 The operating unit that enables the connecting part 264 to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction will be described.

[0291] Figure 20 This is a partial perspective view showing the structure of the cleaning unit 260 including the operation unit according to this embodiment.

[0292] Figure 21 This is a perspective view of the processing box in this embodiment.

[0293] Figure 22 Figure (a) is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus in a state in which, during the process of closing the opening and closing door 13 of the main component A of the apparatus in the direction H in the figure, the box pressing member 1 has begun to abut against the pressed portion 212a of the rod member 212.

[0294] Figure 22 Frame (b) is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus, in which the opening and closing door 13 of the main component A of the apparatus is completely closed.

[0295] Figure 23 This is a perspective view of the rod member 212, the outer cylindrical cam member 270, and the inner cylindrical cam member 274 according to this embodiment. Figure 23 The sub-figure (a) is a perspective view of the state before the box pressing member 1 comes into contact with the pressed portion 212a of the rod member 212. Figure 23 Figure (c) shows the state where the door 13 is fully closed and the predetermined pressure of the box pressing spring 19 is applied to the contact portion 212a of the rod member 212. Figure 22 The perspective view of the sub-figure (b)). Figure 23 The subplot (b) is in Figure 23 The state of the subplot (a) and Figure 23 The state of the sub-graph (c) Figure 22 Subplot (a) to Figure 22 A perspective view between the states of the sub-figures (b)).

[0296] like Figure 23 As shown, the actuation unit includes an outer cylindrical cam component 270, an inner cylindrical cam component 274, a lever component (operating component) 212, and a second pressing component 214. Figure 21 The outer cylindrical cam component 270 includes a cylindrical cam portion 270a and a rod component engagement portion 270b of the rod component 212. The rod component 212 includes: an abutment portion 212a, and a box pressing component 1 of the main assembly A of the device. Figure 21 The outer cylindrical cam component 270 engages with the abutting portion 212a, and the engaged portion (part to be engaged) 212b, etc. Figure 20As shown, the outer cylindrical cam component 270, which engages with the rod component 212, is mounted to the cleaning frame 271 from top to bottom. Specifically, it is supported by the drum shaft 278 and is able to rotate relative to the cleaning frame 271 along with the drum unit via the supported portion 270c.

[0297] like Figure 21 As shown, the second pressing component 214 and the developing unit 20 are installed to the cleaning unit 260 to form the processing box of this embodiment.

[0298] Next, the reciprocating movement of the connecting member 264 via the movement of the rod member 212, and the movement of the rod member 212 being caused by the contact and separation of the box pressing member 1 provided in the main assembly A of the device with the rod member 212, will be described.

[0299] First refer to Figure 19 The longitudinal positioning structure of the connecting member 264 in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the position of the connecting member 264 in the longitudinal direction is determined by the outer cylindrical cam member 270, the inner cylindrical cam member 274, and the connecting member 261.

[0300] Specifically, the first pressing member 259 presses against the connecting member 264 on the non-driving side. Figure 23 As shown in Figure (a), the connecting member 261 is pushed in the s direction, and its end face 261d abuts against the longitudinal control surface 274d of the inner cylindrical cam member 274. This determines the longitudinal position of the connecting member. As will be described below, this structure causes the longitudinal position of the inner cylindrical cam member 274 to be determined by the phase of the cylindrical cam portion of the outer cylindrical cam member 270 and the inner cylindrical cam member 274, as... Figure 23 As shown.

[0301] Reference Figures 21 to 24 The movement of the rod component 212 and the back-and-forth movement of the connecting component 264 in the longitudinal direction will be described.

[0302] Figure 24 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drive transmission component 81 and the connecting component 264 of the main component A of the device according to this embodiment. Similar to... Figure 23 , Figure 24 Figure (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state before the pressed portion 212a of the box pressing member abuts the rod member 212. Figure 24 Figure (c) shows the state where the door 13 is fully closed and the predetermined pressure of the box pressing spring 19 is applied to the contact portion 12a of the rod member 212. Figure 22 (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. Figure 24 The subplot (b) is in Figure 24 The state of the subplot (a) and Figure 24 The state of the sub-graph (c) Figure 22 Subplot (a) to Figure 22 The longitudinal cross-sectional view between the states of the two parts (b)).

[0303] like Figure 23 As shown in Figure (a), before the box pressing member 1 comes into contact with the rod member 212, the rod member 212 is pressed by the second pressing member 214 ( Figure 21 )along Figure 21 and Figure 23 In the sub-diagram (a), the direction of arrow E is pushed. At this time, the cylindrical cam portions of the outer cylindrical cam component 270 and the inner cylindrical cam component 274 are configured to have Figure 23 As shown in the phase diagram (a), the inner cylindrical cam member 274 is positioned closest to the non-drive side (S in the figure). For this purpose, the structure allows the connecting member 264, whose longitudinal position is determined by the connecting member 261 and the buffer member 255, to be positioned closest to the non-drive side. In other words, the operating unit, including the connecting member 261, allows the connecting member 264 to retract to the non-drive side by the pushing force of the first pressing member 259 (…). Figure 19 Similar to Embodiment 1, in this embodiment, the position in which the connecting member 264 is retracted to the non-driving side is referred to as the first position. The first pressing member (pushing member, elastic member) 259 that pushes the connecting member 264 toward the non-driving side can be regarded as part of the operating unit.

[0304] like Figure 24 As shown in Figure (a), this structure ensures that when the connecting member 264 is in the first position, the driven transmission portion 264a of the connecting member 264 and the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 do not overlap each other in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the processing box B can be smoothly installed onto and removed from the main assembly A without any interference between the connecting member 264 and the drive transmission portion 81 of the main assembly.

[0305] Next, the action of the box pressing member 1 contacting the rod member 212, the rod member 212 starting to move, and the connecting member 264 moving from the first position to the drive side will be described.

[0306] like Figure 22 As shown in Figure (a), when the processing box B is installed and the opening / closing door 13 is closed in direction H, contact begins between the box pressing member 1 and the lever member 212, and the pressing force of the box pressing spring 19 begins to act on the lever member 212. The pressing force causes the lever member 212 to begin to... Figure 22 Subplot (a) and Figure 23As shown in Figure (b), it moves against the second pressing member 214 in the K direction. Figure 23 As shown in Figure (b), when the lever component 212 moves along the K direction, the outer cylindrical cam component 270, which engages with the lever component 212, begins to rotate along the M2 direction in the figure. When the outer cylindrical cam component 270 rotates along the M2 direction, the inner cylindrical cam component 274, through the cylindrical cam portions of the outer cylindrical cam component 270 and the inner cylindrical cam component 274, begins to rotate along... Figure 23 The movement is in the N direction (drive side) as shown in Figure (b). As in Embodiment 1, the inner cylindrical cam component 274 is supported so that it does not rotate but can only move in the longitudinal direction.

[0307] As the inner cylindrical cam component 274 moves in the longitudinal direction (N direction), the connecting component 261 connected to the inner cylindrical cam component 274 also begins to move against the pushing force of the first pressing portion 259. Figure 19 Then, the connecting member 264 also moves in the N direction due to the movement of the connecting member 261, and the driven transmission portion 264a of the connecting member 264 and the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 of the main assembly of the device become capable of engaging in the longitudinal direction. Figure 24 (See diagram (b)). The connecting member 261 is not directly connected to the connecting member 264, but as described above, the connecting member 261 is connected via the buffer member 255 (…). Figure 19 The buffer member 255 is a retractable elastic member, and when the connecting member 261 moves in the N direction, the buffer member 255 is compressed, and the elastic force generated by the compression is used to move the connecting member 264 in the N direction. That is, the elastic force (pushing force) through the buffer member 255 exceeds that of the first pressing member 259. Figure 19 The elastic force (pushing force) of the first pressing member 259 causes the connecting member 264 to move outward of the box, overcoming the pushing force of the first pressing member 259. The buffer member 255 can also be considered as part of the operating unit.

[0308] Furthermore, this structure allows the opening / closing door 13 to be closed and fully closed when ( Figure 22 In the state shown in Figure (b), the longitudinal end faces of the cylindrical cam portions of the outer cylindrical cam component 270 and the inner cylindrical cam component 274 are in contact with each other, as shown in Figure (b). Figure 23 As shown in Figure (c), the inner cylindrical cam component 274 is located at the position closest to the drive side. That is, the connecting component 264 is also configured to be located at the position closest to the drive side via the connecting component 261. In this embodiment, the position where the connecting component 264 protrudes towards the drive side is also referred to as the second position.

[0309] like Figure 24 As shown in Figure (c), this structure ensures the required longitudinal engagement between the driven transmission portion 264a of the connecting member 264 and the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 when the connecting member 264 is in the second position.

[0310] In this embodiment, similar to Embodiment 1, the positions of the rod component 212 corresponding to the first and second positions of the connecting component 264 are referred to as the first position and the second position, respectively. That is, Figure 23 Subplot (a) and Figure 24 Schematic diagram (a) shows the first positions of the rod component 212 and the connecting component 264, respectively. Figure 23 The subplot (c) and Figure 24 The sub-graph (c) shows the second positions of the rod component 212 and the connecting component 264, respectively. Figure 23 Subplot (b) and Figure 24 Figure (b) shows the intermediate positions during the process of moving the rod component 212 and the connecting component 264 from the first position to the second position.

[0311] Furthermore, as described above, in this embodiment, the driven transmission portion 264a of the connecting member 264 has a twisted triangular shape. Therefore, when the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 ( Figure 25 When the phases of the drive transmission portion 64 of the connecting member 264 and the drive transmission portion 81a are not aligned, the drive transmission portion 81a and the driven transmission portion 64a are not fully engaged, and therefore, the connecting member 264 and the drive transmission portion 81a interfere with each other. At this time, the connecting member 264 cannot move sufficiently to the second position (protruding position).

[0312] In other words, even if the lever component 212 moves to the second position via the pressing component 1 of the main assembly A of the device ( Figure 23 (See diagram (c)). The connecting component 264 cannot be moved to the second position. Figure 24 (See Figure (c)). At this time, the buffer member 255 is compressed significantly to absorb the positional deviation between the rod member 212 and the connecting member 264. That is, the buffer member 255 is a buffer member disposed between the rod member 212 and the connecting member 264, and is used to allow interference between the connecting member 264 and the drive transmission member 81.

[0313] Thus, the buffer member 255 is arranged between the connecting member 264 and the connecting member 261, and therefore, this structure allows the connecting member 264 to stop on the end face 81c of the drive transmission member 81 without strong resistance in the longitudinal direction.

[0314] When the drive is input to the main component A of the device in this state, the drive transmission member 81 rotates, causing the phase difference between the connecting member 264 and the drive transmission member 81 to fall within a predetermined range as in Embodiment 1. Accordingly, the connecting member 264 can move to a second position. That is, when the phase difference between the connecting member 264 and the drive transmission member 81 falls within the predetermined range, the elastic deformation of the buffer member 255 is partially relieved, and the elastic force of the buffer member 255 is used to move the connecting member 264 to the second position. Thus, the connecting member 264 and the drive transmission member 81 engage with each other. In this embodiment, a compression coil spring is used for the buffer member 255, but other elastic members such as rubber can also preferably be used. In addition, the buffer member 255 can be arranged somewhere between the rod member 212 and the connecting member 264, and the buffer member 255 does not necessarily have to be arranged between the connecting member 261 and the connecting member 264. For example, a portion of the resin forming the rod member 212 can be elastically deformed to serve as a buffer member. In this case, it can also be considered that there is a buffer member between the rod member 212 and the connecting member 264.

[0315] In this embodiment, the buffer member 255 is mounted to the protrusion of the connecting member 264 with a gap therebetween. Therefore, the buffer member 255 is rotatable relative to the connecting member 264. In other words, when receiving a rotational force, the connecting member 264 slides and rotates relative to the buffer member 255. When the connecting member 264 rotates, the buffer member 255 does not rotate, and the connecting member 261 connected to the buffer member 255 also does not rotate. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the drum shaft 278 and the inner cylindrical cam member 274 are configured not to rotate relative to each other. Specifically, the cross-section of the drum shaft 278 and the recess (support portion 274c) of the inner cylindrical cam member 274 have non-circular cross-sections, and the inner cylindrical cam member 274 does not rotate relative to the drum shaft 278 because the drum shaft 278 engages (fits) with the support portion 274c. That is, the inner cylindrical cam member 274 does not rotate, but can move back and forth along the drum shaft 278 in the axial direction (longitudinal direction). Furthermore, this structure allows the non-drive side flange component 254 to be fixed to the photosensitive drum 62, which serves as a photosensitive component, but it is possible to allow it to be positioned relative to the outer diameter portion 274d of the inner cylindrical cam component 274. Figure 19 Rotate.

[0316] When the drive is transmitted to the connecting member 264, the photosensitive drum 62, which is a photosensitive element, rotates. Then, the non-drive side flange member 254, arranged to rotate around the inner cylindrical cam member 274 and simultaneously slide on the inner cylindrical cam member 274, is supported by the drum shaft 278 via the inner cylindrical cam member 274.

[0317] In this embodiment, unlike Embodiment 1, the operating component (lever component 212) and the cam mechanism (inner cylindrical cam component 274 and outer cylindrical cam component 270) are located on the non-drive side. Therefore, the housing B is provided with a connecting component 261 to connect the operating component and cam mechanism on the non-drive side to the connecting component 264 on the drive side. This connecting component 261 can also be considered as part of the operating unit for moving the connecting component 264. The connecting component 261 is an extension component extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing B. In this embodiment, by arranging the connecting component 261 within the drum 62, the dead zone within the drum 62 is effectively utilized.

[0318] As described above, the first pressing member 259 is a pressing member used to push the connecting member 264 to a first position (retracted position). When the lever member 212 is in the first position (normal position), the operating unit allows the connecting member 264 to be in the retracted position by the force of the first pressing member 259.

[0319] On the other hand, when the lever member 212 moves to the second position (operating position), the cam mechanism (inner cylindrical cam member 274, outer cylindrical cam member 270) and the connecting member 261 move in conjunction with each other. This cam mechanism resists the pushing force of the first pressing member 259 to move the connecting member 264 to the second position (extended position). The connecting member 261 is not directly connected to the connecting member 264, but as described above, the connecting member 261 and the connecting member 264 are connected via a buffer member 255. In this embodiment, the drum shaft 278, the inner cylindrical cam member 274, and the non-drive side flange member 254 are made of conductive material. Thus, the drum 62 and the drum shaft 278 are electrically connected to each other. The drum shaft 278 is a contact member (electrical contact) electrically connected to the drum 62 and is used to electrically ground the drum 62. Figure 29 As shown, the drum shaft 278 is configured to be electrically connected to the metal sheet component of the main assembly A of the device via a contact member 103 provided in the main assembly A of the device. Figure 29 This is an explanatory diagram showing the grounding of the photosensitive drum 62. The contact component 103 is an electrical contact on the side of the main assembly A of the device, which is electrically connected to the metal sheet component (the plate-shaped metal frame of the main assembly A of the device) 104.

[0320] Because a portion of the operating unit is electrically connected to the drum 62 and the drum shaft 278, this structure allows the drum 62 and the metal sheet component of the main assembly A of the device to be electrically connected to the operating unit via the drum shaft 278.

[0321] Therefore, because the drum shaft 278, the inner cylindrical cam component 274, and the non-drive side flange component 254 are made of conductive material, the drum can be stably connected (grounded) to the ground.

[0322] Furthermore, similar to a variant of Embodiment 1, the connecting member 264 in this embodiment has a structure in which the drive transmission member 81 can be engaged even when the axis of rotation of the connecting member 264 is tilted relative to the axis of rotation of the drive transmission member 81 before engagement. That is, similar to a variant of Embodiment 1, as the connecting member 264 extends toward the drive transmission member 81, the tilt of the drive transmission member 81 can be reduced. Figure 15 (See Figures (a)-(c)). Thus, the drive transmission component 81 is aligned with the coupling component 264, enabling them to engage with each other.

[0323] Furthermore, even if the rotation axes of the connecting component 264 and the drive transmission component 81 are parallel and not aligned before engagement, the connecting component 264 can still engage with the drive transmission component 81.

[0324] As described above, in this embodiment, the lever member 212 (operating member) is arranged on the non-drive side opposite to the side with the connecting member 264. Compared to the driving side, the non-drive side of box B does not have drive transmission members such as gears (or has fewer members arranged on this side), thus easily ensuring space for accommodating the lever member 212. That is, by accommodating the lever member 212 on the non-drive side of box B, design freedom regarding the structure, shape, and arrangement of the lever member 212 can be enhanced. Furthermore, since a portion of the operating unit is arranged on the non-drive side, a portion of the operating unit can be effectively used as a path for electrically grounding the drum 62. Moreover, even though the lever member 212 is arranged on the non-drive side opposite to the side where the electrical contacts 82 and 83 are arranged, the electrical contacts 82 and 83 can be pressed against the main component side electrical contacts 102 and 103 by the pressure received by the lever member 212, although the degree of pressing is not as high as in embodiment 1.

[0325] In the above-described embodiment 1, the operating component 12 and the connecting component 64 are arranged on the same side of the cartridge in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. Figure 1 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 9 In other words, in embodiment 1, the operating component 12 is arranged near the drive-side end of the frame of the box, just like the connecting component 64. That is, both the operating component 12 and the connecting component 64 are arranged near the drum bearing 73 (which is arranged on the drive side).

[0326] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the operating component 212 and the box component 264 are arranged on opposite sides of the box. Figure 21 In other words, the operating component 212 is located near the non-drive side end of the cleaning frame 71.

[0327] Based on the descriptions already made using Embodiment 1 and this embodiment, the operating components can be appropriately selected to be arranged on the driving side or the non-driving side according to the required functions, structure, conditions, etc. of the box B and the main device component A. In each embodiment described below, the operating components can also be appropriately selected to be arranged on the driving side or the non-driving side of the box.

[0328] <Example 3>

[0329] Example 3 will be described. In Example 3, similar to the drive transmission member 81 shown in the variant example of Example 1, a drive transmission member 581 with an axis inclined relative to the axis of the photosensitive drum is shown.

[0330] A structure will be described in which the connecting component (drive input component) is positioned and oriented to follow the axis of the tilting drive transmission component 581, thereby engaging the tilting drive transmission component 581 (this will be discussed below). Figure 35 (As described in the text).

[0331] First refer to Figure 30 , Figure 31 and Figure 32 The following will describe the drive-side flange unit 569 and the drum unit including an Oldham coupling 549, which is the shaft coupling according to this embodiment.

[0332] Figure 30 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drum unit.

[0333] Figure 31 This is a perspective view showing the cross-slider coupling 549 used in this embodiment. Figure 31 Image (a) is a perspective view before assembly. Figure 31 The sub-image (b) is the assembled perspective view. Figure 32 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drive side flange unit 569.

[0334] like Figure 30 , Figure 31 and Figure 32 As shown, the drive-side flange unit 569 according to this embodiment includes a drive input component 564, an intermediate component 545, a drive force transmission pin 548, an output component 547, a cover component 558, and a first pressing component 559, etc. Furthermore, as... Figure 30As shown, the drum unit of this embodiment includes a drive-side flange unit 569, a connecting member 261, a buffer member 255, a non-drive-side flange member 254, and an inner cylindrical cam member 274. The connecting member 261, the buffer member 255, the non-drive-side flange member 254, and the inner cylindrical cam member 274 (which serve as operating member units for reciprocating movement of the drive input member 564) have the same structure as in Embodiment 2, therefore their detailed description is omitted.

[0335] like Figure 30 and Figure 31 As shown, the drive input component 564 in this embodiment includes a driven transmission portion (drive force receiving portion) 564a as described in the above embodiment. The drive input component 564 is part of the connecting component (cross-slider coupling 549), and the drive force is input to the drive input component 564 through the driven transmission portion 564a.

[0336] The driven transmission portion 564a is triangular in shape, as in the embodiment described above. Furthermore, the drive input portion 564 is provided with a guide rib 564b, which locks to the cross-slider coupling 549, which will be described below. Figure 31 As shown, the cross-slider coupling 549 includes a drive input component (input disc, input part, input section) 564, an intermediate component (intermediate member, intermediate disc, intermediate section) 545, and a drive output component (output component, output disc, output section) 547.

[0337] The intermediate component 545 has a guide groove 545a and a guided rib 545b. Similar to the intermediate component 545, the output component 547 is provided with a guided groove 547a and a hole portion 547b into which the drive transmission pin, described below, is inserted. Figure 31 As shown in Figure (a), the drive input component 564 is locked to the intermediate component 545 by engaging the guided rib 564b provided in the drive input component with the guide groove 545a of the intermediate component 545. This allows the drive input component 564 to be positioned relative to the intermediate component. Figure 31 The input component 564 moves in the x1 direction as shown in sub-figure (a). That is, the input component 564 is connected to the intermediate component 545 and can slide relative to the intermediate component 545 in the x1 direction.

[0338] By engaging the guided rib 545b provided in the intermediate component with the guided groove 547a of the output component 547, the intermediate component 545 is locked to the output component 547. Thus, the intermediate component 545 can be positioned relative to the output component 547. Figure 31It moves in the x2 direction in the sub - figure (a). That is, the intermediate member 545 is joined to the output member 547 so as to be able to slide relative to the output member 547 in the x2 direction.

[0339] The x1 direction and the x2 direction are different directions (i.e., directions orthogonal to each other). Therefore, the drive input member 564 is configured to be able to move relative to the output member 547 in either the x1 direction or the x2 direction. Additionally, as Figure 31 shown in the sub - figure (a), in this embodiment, the guided width d5 of the guided rib 564b of the drive input member, the width d6 of the guide groove of the intermediate member, the guided width d7 of the intermediate member and the output member, and the width d8 of the sliding groove of the output member are selected to satisfy d5 < d6 and d7 < d8. Although details will be described below, the axis of the drive input member 564 is configured to be able to be inclined relative to the axis of the photosensitive drum.

[0340] The drive transmission pin 548 for transmitting the driving force received by the drive input member 564 to the drive - side flange member 575 through the transmission surface 575d is inserted into the hole 547b of the output member 547. Thus, the cross - slide - type coupling 549 including the drive input member 564 is completely formed ( Figure 31 sub - figure (b)).

[0341] The input member 564 is a disk to which a driving force is input from the outside. The output member 547 is a disk for outputting the driving force from the cross - slide - type coupling 549 to the photosensitive drum. That is, the output member 547 has a drive transmission pin (drive transmission portion) 548 for outputting the driving force to the drive - side flange member 575. The driving force output from the output member 547 via the drive transmission pin 548 is transmitted to the photosensitive drum through the drive - side drum flange. The intermediate member (intermediate structure) 545 is a disk provided between the input member 564 and the output member 547 to transmit the driving force from the input member 564 to the output member 547, and this intermediate member is joined to the input member 564 and the output member 547.

[0342] Figure 32 It shows a cross - section of the drive - side drum flange unit 569 and is a view before assembling the cover member 558.

[0343] As Figure 32 shown, the cross - slide - type coupling 549 including the drive input member 564 is inserted into the drive - side flange member 575 together with the first pressing member 559, just as in Embodiment 2.

[0344] The first pressing member 559 is arranged between the contact surface 547c of the output member 547 and the contact surface 575c of the drive-side flange member 575. Thus, the cross-slider coupling 549, including the drive input member 564, is configured to be pushed to a first position, i.e., a retracted position, in the longitudinal direction. The axis x3 of the output member 547 and the axis x4 of the drive-side flange member 575 are configured to be coaxial. The cover member 558 is fixed to the drive-side flange member 575. The drive-side flange member 564, to which the cover member 558 is fixed, is fixed to the photosensitive drum 62. The connecting member 261, the buffer member 255, the non-drive-side flange member 254, and the inner cylindrical cam member 274 described in Embodiment 2 are also mounted to the drum unit ( Figure 30 ).

[0345] As described above, the drive input component 564 is configured relative to the output component 547 at... Figure 31 In Figure (a), the x1 and x2 directions can be positioned arbitrarily. Furthermore, since the axis x3 of the output component 547 and the axis x4 of the drive-side flange component are coaxial with the axis L1 of the photosensitive drum 62, which is a photosensitive component, the drive input component 564 in this embodiment can be positioned arbitrarily in the x1 and x2 directions relative to the axis of the photosensitive drum 62, which is a photosensitive component.

[0346] Next, refer to Figure 33 and 34 The following describes an assembly method for a drum unit according to this embodiment. Figure 33 Layout (a) is a perspective view showing the assembly method of the drum unit.

[0347] Figure 33 Partial view (b) is a detailed view showing the locking portion between the coupling support member 552 and the drum bearing 573.

[0348] Figure 34 This is a side view of the processing box according to this embodiment.

[0349] like Figure 33 As shown, in this embodiment, the drum unit is rotatably supported by a cleaning frame 571 via a drum bearing 573. In this embodiment, the coupling support member 552 and the coupling pushing member 553 are mounted to the drum bearing 573. Figure 33 As shown in Figure (a), the coupling support member 552 is configured such that the locked portion 552b of the coupling support member 552 is locked by the cutout portion 573a provided in the drum bearing 573. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the relationship between the width d3 of the locked portion 552b of the coupling support member 552 and the cutout width d4 of the cutout portion 573a of the drum bearing 573 is d4 > d3.

[0350] Thus, the axis of the coupling support member 552 is configured to tilt relative to the axis of the photosensitive drum, which is a photosensitive element. A torsion coil spring serves as the coupling push member 553 in this embodiment, and the torsion coil spring is held by the boss portions 573c and 573d of the drum bearing 573. One end of the torsion coil spring contacts the contacted portion 552d of the coupling support member 552, and the coupling support member 552 is configured to... Figure 34 The pushing motion is shown in the X5 direction in the sub-diagram (b).

[0351] like Figure 30 and Figure 34 As shown, the coupling support member 552 is configured to rotatably support the outer peripheral portion 564c of the drive input member via the inner peripheral portion 552a. Thus, the drive input member 564, supported by the coupling support member 552, is pushed in the x5 direction in the figure by the pushing force of the coupling pushing member 553. As will be described below, direction x5 is the direction in which the drive input member 564 engages with the drive transmission member 81, which has an axis inclined relative to the axis of the photosensitive drum.

[0352] Next, refer to Figure 34 Figure (a) will depict the tilting of the drive transmission member 581. Similar to the variant of Embodiment 1 described above, the drive transmission member 581 is also tiltable in this embodiment. That is, similar to the embodiments described above, there is a gap (clearance) between the bearing portion supporting the drive transmission member 581 and the drive transmission member 581. The drive transmission member 581 can tilt within this gap.

[0353] However, in this embodiment, the direction of inclination of the drive transmission component 581 is different from that in each of the above embodiments. That is, in the above embodiments, when the drive transmission component is not yet connected to box B, the drive transmission component tilts downward due to gravity. Figure 15 (etc.). However, in this embodiment, the drive transmission component 581 is tilted in a direction different from the direction of gravity (vertically downward). Specifically, as Figure 34 As shown in Figure (a), the drive transmission component 581 is tilted such that the free end of the drive transmission component 581 points downstream of the mounting direction KH of the box B. The reason for this will be described.

[0354] like Figure 34As shown in Figure (a), the box can be installed onto the main assembly of the device at a slightly tilted position relative to the main assembly. In this case, a portion of the box B slightly contacts and pushes against the free end of the drive transmission member 581, potentially causing the drive transmission member 581 to tilt downstream along the mounting direction KH. If the orientation and momentum of the box B during installation are different, the contact state between the box B and the drive transmission member 581 will also be different, and the tilt direction and tilt distance of the drive transmission member 581 may vary. In this situation, the orientation (tilt angle) of the drive transmission member 581 changes each time the box B is installed, potentially making it difficult to stably engage the drive transmission member 581 with the box B.

[0355] Therefore, in this embodiment, the drive transmission component 581 is pre-tilted downstream of the installation direction KH. That is, regardless of how the box B is installed, the drive transmission component 581 is always tilted in substantially the same direction, thus adopting substantially the same posture. As a result, the connection between the drive transmission component 581 and the box B remains stable each time.

[0356] With box B installed in the main assembly of the device, the free end of the drive transmission component 581 relative to box B is... Figure 34 The arrow x5 shown in sub-figure (b) is tilted in the direction of the arrow.

[0357] The direction of arrow x5 is the direction of extension of line x6 (a semi-straight line) when it is rotated 41 degrees counterclockwise from the center of the photosensitive drum to the center of the developing roller. Figure 34 The counterclockwise direction in sub-figure (b) is the direction in which the photosensitive drum rotates as a latent image and toner image are formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

[0358] In this embodiment, when the drive transmission member 581 is tilted along the x5 direction, the drive input member 564 moves relative to the photosensitive drum in the x5 direction. Thus, the drive transmission member 581 and the drive input member 564 engage (connect) with each other. (See reference) Figure 35 and 36 This will be described in detail.

[0359] Figure 35 The diagrams (a), (b), and (c) progressively illustrate how the drive input component 564 of this embodiment engages with the drive transmission component 581, which has an axis L6 that is inclined relative to the axis L1 of the photosensitive drum.

[0360] Similar to Example 2, Figure 35 Layout (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state in which the processing box is inserted into the main assembly A of the device and the opening / closing door 13 is closed. Figure 35Layout (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken exactly after the operation in which the driving force is input to the main component A of the device, the drive transmission component 581 begins to rotate, and the phase of the drive transmission portion 581a and the phase of the driven transmission portion 564a of the drive input component 564 are within a predetermined range. Figure 35 Partial view (c) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the drive transmission portion 581a of the drive transmission member 581 and the driven transmission portion 564a of the drive input member 564 fully engaged with each other.

[0361] Figure 36 yes Figure 35 A partial detailed view of the y-section of the subplot (a).

[0362] The connecting component (cross-slider coupling 549) in this embodiment has a structure capable of reciprocating movement similar to the connecting components in the first and second embodiments described above. The structure for longitudinally moving the cross-slider coupling 549 (drive input component 564, intermediate component 545, output component 547) is the same as in Embodiment 2. That is, the output component 547 moves along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 62, which serves as a photosensitive component, similar to... Figure 26 The connecting component 264 is shown. Through this movement of the output component 547, the entire connecting component (cross-slider coupling 549) is in the extended position (…). Figure 35 The sub-map (c) and the retreat position ( Figure 35 Move between the subplots (a) and (b).

[0363] As described above, in this embodiment, the drive input component 564 is in Figure 34 The part of the diagram (b) is pushed in the x5 direction, so that the drive input part 564 can engage with the drive transmission part 581 having the axis L6.

[0364] More specifically, the drive input component 564 is pushed in the x5 direction such that, with the opening / closing door 13 of the main assembly closed, a portion of the chamfered portion 564e is located radially inside the drive transmission portion 581a of the drive transmission component 581. As the drive transmission component 581 rotates further, the drive input component 564 moves longitudinally to a second position, completing the engagement between the input component 564 and the drive transmission component 581 of the cross-slider coupling. Figure 35 (c)).

[0365] As described above, in this embodiment, the axes of the drive input component (input component, input section) 564 and the coupling support component (connecting bearing) 552 are configured to be tilted relative to the axis of the photosensitive drum. Therefore, when the engagement between the drive input component 564 and the drive transmission component 581 is completed, the axes of the drive input component 564 and the coupling support component 552 are coaxial with the axis of the drive transmission component 581.

[0366] The drive transmission component of the main assembly of the device transmits the drive to the photosensitive drum through the drive input component 564, intermediate component (intermediate member, intermediate part) 545, output component (output part) 547, drive transmission pin 548 and drive side flange component 575.

[0367] As described above, in this embodiment, the drive input component 564 is pushed in the x5 direction ( Figure 34 Thus, the drive input component 564 can engage with the drive transmission component 81, which has an axis L6 inclined relative to the axis L1 of the photosensitive drum.

[0368] The cross-slider coupling 549 (drive input component 564, intermediate component 545, output component 547) is an axis misalignment allowance mechanism (misalignment adaptation mechanism) for allowing the axis of the drive transmission component 581 and the axis of the photosensitive drum to be misaligned with each other (axis misalignment state).

[0369] In other words, the connecting component (cross-slider coupling 549) has an input component 564 for inputting driving force from the main assembly of the device and an output component 547 for outputting driving force to the photosensitive drum. The axis of the output component 547 is substantially aligned with the axis L1 of the photosensitive drum, and the input component 564 is movable relative to the output component 547 in a direction intersecting the axis of the output component (a direction perpendicular to each other). That is, the axis (center of rotation) of the input component 564 can be displaced (offset or separated) from the axis (L1) of the output component 547. Thus, the input component 564 can accommodate the deviation that occurs between the axis of the drive transmission component 581 and the axis of the photosensitive drum. That is, because the input component 654 is displaced in the direction intersecting the axis L1, when the housing B is installed in the main assembly of the device, the free end of the drive transmission component 581 and the input component 654 approach each other. In this state, the input component 654 further approaches the drive transmission component 581 along the axis L1 and engages with the drive transmission component 581.

[0370] In this embodiment, the direction in which the center of the input component 654 is shifted relative to the output component 547 and the photosensitive drum, which is a photosensitive component, is... Figure 34The arrow X5 direction is shown in Figure (b). The X5 direction is the direction in which the free end of the drive transmission member 581 is tilted as described above. The X5 direction is the direction after rotating counterclockwise (i.e., rotating downstream of the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum) by an angle X5 from the line X6 extending from the center of the photosensitive drum to the center of the developing roller.

[0371] In this embodiment, the free end of the drive transmission member 581 is tilted at an angle of 41 degrees in direction X5. Therefore, the angle X7 of the shifting direction of the input member 654 is also 41 degrees. However, the angle of the shifting direction of the drive transmission member 581 does not have to be exactly 41 degrees, but can be in the range of 11 degrees to 71 degrees (i.e., within ±30 degrees of the angle of the drive transmission member 581). In other words, the shifting direction of the input member 654 relative to the photosensitive drum, which is a photosensitive element, is in the range of greater than 11 degrees and less than 71 degrees relative to X6.

[0372] Input component 654 is held in a state of movement along the X5 direction by being pushed by coupling push component 553 (see reference). Figure 33 (See Figure (a)). An elastic element (spring) is used as the coupling push member 553. Although the coupling push member 553 in this embodiment is a torsion coil spring, it is not limited to this example and may have other structures.

[0373] In this embodiment, the axis of the input component 654 can be tilted relative to the axis (L1) of the output component 547 and the photosensitive drum 62, which serves as a photosensitive component. The input component 654 is also tilted along the tilted drive transmission component 581 to stabilize the engagement state between the drive transmission component 581 and the input component 654. Figure 35 As shown in Figures (a), (b), and (c), the axis of the input component 654 is inclined toward the axis of the drum towards the free end (i.e., the left side) of the cross-slider coupling. Figure 35 In the sub-figures (a), (b) and (c), the axis of the input component 654 is tilted towards the upper left.

[0374] As described above, in this embodiment, the drive transmission component 581 is tilted in the KH direction (X5 direction). Figure 34 (See Figures (a) and (b)). The drive transmission components of Embodiments 1 and 2 can also be tilted in the same direction as in this embodiment. Similarly, in the embodiments described below, the drive transmission components can be tilted in the same direction as in this embodiment.

[0375] <Example 4>

[0376] Next, Embodiment 4 will be described. Descriptions of points that are the same as those in the above embodiments may be omitted. In particular, among the elements disclosed in this embodiment, components corresponding to the components described in Embodiment 1 will be given the same names as the components in Embodiment 1, and only the differences from Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0377] In a variation of Embodiment 1 described above, during the movement of the connecting member 64 toward the drive transmission member 81, the inclined surface of the free end of the connecting member 64 comes into contact with the drive transmission member 81. As a result, the connecting member 64 causes the drive transmission member 81 to tilt, thereby engaging the connecting member 64 with the drive transmission member 81.

[0378] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the drive transmission component 81 and the coupling component are engaged with each other by controlling the phase of the coupling component to a specific state according to the tilt of the drive transmission component 81. That is, the coupling component is held in a phase that is conducive to engagement with the tilted drive transmission component 81. The differences in structure and operation caused by the differences in the coupling engagement method will be described in detail.

[0379] (Instructions for installing / removing the processing box)

[0380] Figure 37 This is a perspective view of box B according to an embodiment of this application.

[0381] Figure 37 The sub-image (a) is the overall view of box B. Figure 37 Layout (b) is an exploded view of box B, showing the mechanism for operating the input component (drive input component, moving component) 764.

[0382] exist Figure 37 In Figure (a), the connecting unit U3, including the input component 764, is disposed on the side surface of the cleaning frame 771. Furthermore, on this side surface, a limiting component 790 and a drum bearing 773 that rotatably supports the drum unit U1 are provided. The limiting component 790 is fixed to the drum bearing 773 and controls the movement of the connecting unit U3 in the longitudinal outward direction LO.

[0383] Figure 37 Figure (b) is an exploded perspective view with the limiting member 790 and drum bearing 773 removed. The limiting member 790 is secured to the drum bearing 773 with screws 791. The end face 790a of the limiting member 790 can contact the end face 770a of the outer cylindrical cam 770 (which will be combined below). Figure 43 (Description) and restricts the outer cylindrical cam 770 to move in the longitudinal outward direction LO.

[0384] Next, refer to Figure 38The internal structure of the connecting unit U3, which receives rotational force from the drive transmission component 81 of the main component A of the device, will be described. Figure 38 Subplot (a) and Figure 38 Schematic (b) is an exploded perspective view of the connection unit U3. The outer side of the long side is LO, and the inner side of the long side is LI.

[0385] The connecting unit U3 includes a connecting shaft 793, a third pressing component 787, an input component 764, an outer cylindrical cam 770, an inner cylindrical cam 774, a first pressing spring 759, a drive side flange 775, a torsion spring 789, and a fixing screw 788.

[0386] A connecting shaft 793 is disposed on a drive-side flange 775. In this embodiment, a fixing screw 788 is used to fix the connecting shaft 793 to the drive-side flange 775. In this embodiment, the connecting shaft 793 is coaxially disposed with the rotation axis L1 of the drum 62. More specifically, the fixing screw 788 passes through a hole 775a in the drive-side flange 775, is inserted into a hole 793a1 in the connecting shaft 793, and is fixed by the screw. The connecting shaft 793 has a free end 793b (longitudinal outer end) that serves as a limiting portion in the longitudinal outward direction LO and a shaft 793a in the longitudinal inward direction LI. A engagement portion 793b1 is provided on the longitudinal inward direction LI of the free end 793b, which includes a plurality of recesses and protrusions and serves as a drive transmission portion. An end face 793b2 is disposed radially inside the engagement portion 793b1 (enlarged view shown below). Figure 43 (As shown).

[0387] In this embodiment, the input component 764 has a driven transmission portion 764a at one end, which is generally a triangular twisted prism, and a generally triangular prism 764e at the other end. The input component 764 has a connecting portion 764f at the center of the rotation axis L1, which serves as a driving force transmission portion. This connecting portion 764f includes a through hole 764c and a plurality of recesses and protrusions. Figure 39 (Figure (a) is an enlarged view). The engaging portion 764f is adjacent to the driven transmission portion 764a in the inward radial direction and to the through hole 764c in the longitudinal outward direction LO. The connecting shaft 793 is inserted into the through hole 764c of the input member 764. The third pressing member 787 is mounted around the shaft 793a of the connecting shaft 793 and is disposed between the input member 764 and the end face 793b2 of the free end 793b, which serves as the limiting portion of the connecting shaft 793. The engaging portion 793b1, which serves as the driving force receiving portion of the connecting shaft 793, and the engaged portion 764f, which serves as the driving force transmitting portion of the input member 764, are configured to engage and disengage from each other. Thus, the driving force is transmitted or interrupted between the input member 764 and the connecting shaft 793.

[0388] The connecting component in this embodiment includes an input component 764 and a connecting shaft 793. The input component 764 is a drive input component disposed on the connecting component for receiving drive force input from an external source. Although described in detail below, the input component 764 is a movable component (movable connecting component) capable of moving along the axis of the connecting component. On the other hand, the connecting shaft 793 is an output component (drive output component) for outputting drive force from the connecting component to the photosensitive drum. The connecting shaft 793 is a connecting component connected to the drive-side flange 775 to transmit drive force, and is a fixed component fixed to the drive-side flange 775 and the photosensitive drum.

[0389] Here, the engaging portion 793b1 serves as a limiting portion, and the engaging portion 764f serves as a controlled portion. The connecting shaft 793 can control the movement of the input component 764 through the contact between the limiting portion (engaging portion 793b1) and the controlled portion (engaging portion 764f). That is, the movement of the input component 764 in the direction away from the drive-side flange 775 (or drum 62) can be limited.

[0390] An outer cylindrical cam 770 is configured to surround the outer periphery of the input component 764. The outer cylindrical cam 770 has an end face 770a on its outer side relative to the longitudinal outward direction LO. The outer cylindrical cam 770 has an end face 770b on its inner side in the longitudinal inward direction LI, which has a cam 770e and a cylindrical portion 770c with a through hole 770d at its center.

[0391] The inner cylindrical cam 774 has a cylindrical portion 774a, a hole 774j, an outer end face 774b, a hole 774c, a cam 774d, a hole 774e, a shaft 774f, an inner end face 774g, a wall 774h, and a hole 774i. The hole 774j is located at the center of the cylindrical portion 774a. The cam 774d protrudes from the outer end face 774b in a longitudinally outward direction LO. The hole 774c is arranged around the cylindrical portion 774a. The hole 774e is at least located in the outer end face 774b. The hole 774e can pass through. The shaft 774f and the wall 774h are arranged to protrude from the inner end face 774g in a longitudinally inward direction LI. The hole 774i is located on the longitudinally inward direction LI side in the inner cylindrical cam 774. The shaft 793a of the connecting shaft 793 is located in the hole 774i.

[0392] The shaft 764d of the input component 764 is located in the hole 774j. The cylindrical portion 770c of the outer cylindrical cam 770 is located in the hole 774c. The cam 774d of the inner cylindrical cam 774 and the end face 770b of the outer cylindrical cam 770, including the inclined surface 770e, are configured to contact each other.

[0393] The torsion spring 789 has a hole 789a, an arm 789b, and an arm 789c. The torsion spring 789 is held in place by the shaft 774f by inserting the hole 789a into the shaft 774f. The arm 789c contacts the radially inner surface of the wall 774h of the inner cylindrical cam 774. The arm 789b contacts a generally triangular prism 786e disposed on the input component 764.

[0394] In this embodiment, two cams 774d and two holes 774e are provided, and three shafts 774f and three walls 774h are provided.

[0395] The drive-side flange 775 has a hole 775a on its inner side relative to the longitudinal inward direction LI. The drive-side flange 775 has a gear 775b, a hole 775c and an outer end face 775d relative to the longitudinal outward direction LO.

[0396] The first pressing spring 759, which serves as a pressing component, is housed in the hole 775c of the drive-side flange 775. The first pressing spring 759 contacts the end face 775d of the drive-side flange 775 in the longitudinally inward direction LI, and contacts the end face 774g of the inner cylindrical cam 774 in the longitudinally outward direction LO.

[0397] Figure 39 This is an enlarged perspective view of the connecting shaft 793, the third pressing member 787 which is a pressing member, and the input member 764. This is to illustrate the free end 793b, which is the limiting part of the connecting shaft 793.

[0398] A connecting portion 793b1, comprising a plurality of recesses and protrusions, is provided at the free end 793b, which is the controlled portion of the connecting shaft 793. Any protrusion of the free end 793b has a surface 793b3 on one side in the circumferential direction and a surface 793b4 on the opposite side in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, surface 793b3 is a drive transmission surface (either the shaft-side drive force receiving portion or the flange-side drive force receiving portion).

[0399] The third pressing member 787 is disposed around the shaft 793a. In the assembled state, the end face 787a of the third pressing member 787 contacts the end face 793b2 of the free end 793b.

[0400] Next, the input component 764 will be described.

[0401] Any protrusion of the engaging portion 764f has a surface 764j on one side in the circumferential direction and a surface 764k on the opposite side in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, surface 764j is a drive transmission surface (drive force transmission portion). When the connecting shaft 793 and the input member 764 are in the drive transmission state, surface 793b3, which is the drive force receiving portion of the connecting shaft 793, and surface 764j, which is the drive force transmission portion of the input member 764, are in contact with each other, and the input member 764 transmits the drive force to the connecting shaft 793. The input member 764 has an end face 764l. In the assembled state, the end face 764l is in contact with the end face 787b of the third pressing member 787. Figure 43 (They come into contact with each other.)

[0402] The input component 764 has a through hole 764c centered on the axis L1.

[0403] Figure 40 This is a schematic diagram of the contact portion between the outer cylindrical cam 770 and the inner cylindrical cam 774. The cylindrical portion 770c of the outer cylindrical cam 770 is received and supported in the hole 774c of the inner cylindrical cam 774. The end face 770b of the outer cylindrical cam 770 has an inclined surface 770e, an end face 770g, and an end face 770h. The cam 774d of the inner cylindrical cam 774 has an inclined surface 774k and an end face 774l.

[0404] When the input component 764 is retracted in the longitudinal inward direction LI (non-driving side) Figure 43 In the sub-figure (a), the end face 770g of the outer cylindrical cam 770 contacts the end face 774l of the inner cylindrical cam 774.

[0405] With the input component 764 protruding in the longitudinal outward direction LO (drive side) ( Figure 43 In Figure (b), the end face 770h of the outer cylindrical cam 770 contacts the end face 774l of the inner cylindrical cam 774.

[0406] When the input component 764 is in the retracted state ( Figure 43 The sub-image (a) moves to the salient state ( Figure 43 During the process of dividing the diagram (b), the inclined surface 770e of the outer cylindrical cam 770 and the inclined surface 774k of the inner cylindrical cam 774 come into contact with each other.

[0407] Figure 41 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the drum bearing 773 that accommodates the outer cylindrical cam 770.

[0408] The outer cylindrical cam 770 includes a cylindrical portion 770c, an outer cylindrical portion 770i, an engagement portion 770f, and an end face 770b. The drum bearing 773 includes a sector-shaped bore 773c accommodating the cylindrical portion 770c, a bore 773d accommodating the outer cylindrical portion 770i, an end face 773e contacting the end face 770b, and a slit 773f accommodating the engagement portion 770f. The outer cylindrical cam 770 is rotatably mounted to the drum bearing 773.

[0409] Figure 42 This is a schematic diagram of the inner cylindrical cam 774 and the drum bearing 773.

[0410] The inner cylindrical cam 774 includes a cam 774d, a bore 774e, and an outer end face 774b. The drum bearing 773 includes a rib 773f, a bore 773g, and an end face 773h. The rib 773f of the drum bearing 773 is received in the bore 774e of the inner cylindrical cam 774. Thus, the inner cylindrical cam 774 is configured to slide along the rotation axis L1 of the drum 62 while being prevented from rotating relative to the drum bearing 773. The cam 774d of the inner cylindrical cam 774 is received in the bore 773g of the drum bearing 773. The outer end face 774b of the inner cylindrical cam 774 is configured to contact the end face 773h of the drum bearing 773.

[0411] Figure 43 It is along Figure 37 The cross-sectional view of the connecting unit U3 and the drum bearing 773 is shown in the figure.

[0412] Figure 43 Figure (b) shows the state in which the input component 764 is retracted in the longitudinal inward direction LI (the state in which the input component 764 is in the retracted position).

[0413] The connecting shaft 793 is held on the drive-side flange 775 by a fixing screw 788.

[0414] The input component 764 is supported by a connecting shaft 793 and is rotatable about axis L1 and movable in the direction of axis L1. The engagement portion 793b1 of the connecting shaft 793 and the engagement portion 764f of the input component 764 do not engage with each other. A third pressing component 787, serving as a pushing component, is disposed between the connecting shaft 793 and the input component 764. The third pressing component 787 is used to move the input component 764 relative to the connecting shaft 793 in the longitudinally inward direction L1. The end face 787a of the third pressing component 787 contacts the end face 793b2 of the connecting shaft 793. The end face 787b of the third pressing component 787 contacts the end face 764l of the input component 764. An inner cylindrical cam 774 is disposed between the input component 764 and the drive-side flange 775. A first pressing spring 759 for pressing the inner cylindrical cam is disposed between the inner cylindrical cam 774 and the drive-side flange 775. A first pressing spring 759 is used to move the inner cylindrical cam 774 relative to the drive-side flange 775 in the longitudinal outward direction LO. The first pressing spring 759 is disposed inside the drive-side flange 775. An outer cylindrical cam 770 controls the movement of the inner cylindrical cam 774 in the longitudinal outward direction LO. A limiting member 790 controls the movement of the outer cylindrical cam 770 in the longitudinal outward direction LO. The limiting member 790 is fixed to a drum bearing 773. The drum bearing 773 rotatably supports the drive-side flange 775 and the outer cylindrical cam 770.

[0415] Figure 43 Figure (b) shows the input component 764 in a retracted state in the longitudinal inward direction LI (the input component 764 is in the retracted position). In this state, the inner cylindrical cam 774 receives a force in the longitudinal outward direction LO through the pushing force of the first pressing spring 759. As a result, the cam 774l of the inner cylindrical cam 774 contacts the end face 770g of the outer cylindrical cam 770. As a result, the outer cylindrical cam 770 receives a force in the longitudinal outward direction LO through the inner cylindrical cam 774. The end face 770a of the outer cylindrical cam 770 is restricted to move in the longitudinal outward direction LO by the end face 790a of the restricting member 790. The third pressing member 787 pushes the input component 764 in the longitudinal inward direction LI so that the end face 764n (in the longitudinal inward direction LI) and the end face 774m of the inner cylindrical cam 774 abut against each other. At this time, the connection between the engagement portion 793b1, which serves as the driving force receiving portion of the connecting shaft 793, and the engagement portion 764f, which serves as the driving force transmitting portion of the input component 764, is broken (in a disengaged state). Therefore, at this time, the rotational driving force of the input component 764 cannot be transmitted to the connecting shaft 793. In other words, the input component 764 is in a (driving force) non-transmission position. Therefore, the input component 764 and the connecting shaft 793 function as a clutch.

[0416] Figure 43 Figure (a) shows the state in which the input component 764 protrudes (in the protruding or extended position) in the longitudinal outward direction LO.

[0417] The lever component 712 rotates the outer cylindrical cam 770 to a predetermined phase. Figure 45 (See Figures (a) and (b)). Then, the end face 774l of the inner cylindrical cam 774 moves from the state of contacting the end face 770h of the outer cylindrical cam 770 to the state of contacting the end face 770n (see also...). Figure 14 Therefore, the inner cylindrical cam 774 moves longitudinally outward in the direction LO by the pushing force of the first pressing spring 759 of the translation cam. The end face 774m of the inner cylindrical cam 774 pushes the end face 764n (in the longitudinally inward direction LI) of the input member 764. The pushing force of the first pressing spring 759, which is a pushing member, is set to be greater than the pushing force of the third pressing member 787, which is a pushing member. Therefore, the input member 764 moves in the longitudinally outward direction LO. At this time, the engagement portion 793b1, which is the driving force receiving portion of the connecting shaft 793, engages (connects) with the engagement portion 764f, which is the driving force transmitting portion of the input member 764. As a result, the rotational driving force of the input member 764 becomes able to be transmitted to the connecting shaft 793. The input member 764 and the connecting shaft 793 constitute the connecting member of this embodiment.

[0418] The free end 793b of the connecting shaft 793 restricts the movement of the input component 764 in the longitudinal outward direction LO.

[0419] refer to Figure 44 The phase control mechanism of the input component 764 will be described below. The phase control mechanism is a mechanism that sets the input component 764 to a phase that facilitates engagement with the drive transmission component 81 of the main assembly of the device.

[0420] Figure 44 Figures (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the connecting unit U3. The torsion spring 789 is supported by inserting the shaft 774f of the inner cylindrical cam 774 into the hole 789a of the torsion spring 789. One of the two torsion springs 789 (arm 789c) is in contact with the wall 774h of the inner cylindrical cam 774.

[0421] Figure 44Partial diagram (a) shows the state of the input component 764 after image formation is complete, stopped at a certain phase. The arm 789b of the torsion spring 789 contacts the approximately triangular prism 764e of the input component 764. More specifically, the arm 789b contacts near the vertex 764h of the prism 764e. Here, the torsion spring 789 is configured such that the pushing force acts in the direction of the expansion of the arms 789b and 789c. Therefore, in Figure 44 In sub-figure (a), the pushing force of the torsion spring 789, received by the input component 764 through the arm 789b, acts in the direction of clockwise rotation of the input component 764.

[0422] In practice, when the input component 764 is connected (engaged) with the drive transmission component 81, the input component 764 does not rotate. However, when the user opens the opening / closing door 13 of the main component A of the device ( Figure 12 In the sub-figure (a), the input component 764 retracts in the longitudinal inward direction LI. That is, the input component 764 retracts from the extended position (drive transmission position, protruding position). Figure 43 The sub-graph (a) moves to the retreat position (non-drive transmission position: Figure 43 The input component 764 is disengaged from the drive transmission component 81, as shown in Figure (b). Furthermore, at this time, the input component 764 also disengages from the connecting shaft 793. That is, the engagement portion 793b1, which is the drive force receiving portion of the connecting shaft 793, and the engagement portion 764f, which is the drive force transmitting portion of the input component 764, disengage from each other. Then, the input component 764 becomes able to rotate freely relative to the connecting shaft 793.

[0423] Therefore, the input component 764 rotates under the pushing force of the torsion spring 789, and the phase changes from... Figure 44 The phase change shown in the sub-plot (a) is as follows: Figure 44 The phase shown in the sub-plot (b) is as follows. Figure 44 The phase of the input component 764 shown in Figure (b) is the phase when the arm 789b contacts the arcuate portion 764p of the input component 764. In this state, the rotational torque of the input component 764 received from the torsion spring 789 is balanced so that the input component 764 stops rotating. That is, the input component 764 is held by the torsion spring 789. Figure 44 The predetermined phase is shown in Figure (b). The torsion spring 789 is a phase determining component for determining the input component 764 at the predetermined phase.

[0424] The prism 764e of the input component 764 has a roughly triangular shape and is approximately rotationally symmetric (symmetrical) by 120 degrees. Therefore, when the input component 764 rotates one full revolution (360 degrees), it stops rotating every 120 degrees via a torsion spring. That is, assuming... Figure 44As shown in Figure (b), the input component 764 is in phase 0 degrees. When the input component 764 is at positions of 120 degrees and 240 degrees, the rotational torque received by the input component 764 is balanced, and the input component 764 stops rotating. In other words, the input component 764 is held (stopped from rotating) by the torsion spring 789 at any of the three different phases (0 degrees, 120 degrees, and 240 degrees in this embodiment).

[0425] The phase control device is not limited to the structure described above and may have other structures. For example, although three torsion springs 789 are provided in this embodiment, the number of torsion springs 789 is not limited to this number, and even if the number of torsion springs 789 is one or two, the phase of the input component 764 can be any of the three phases described above. The prism of the input component 764 has a rotational symmetry of 120 degrees, but strict symmetry is not required. That is, although the input component 764 is to be held at any of the three phases, these phases do not need to be exactly 0 degrees, 120 degrees, and 240 degrees.

[0426] refer to Figure 45 , 38 And 44 will be described further. Figure 45 This is a view of the drive transmission unit taken from the axial direction LO. In this embodiment, the input component 764a is approximately a triangular prism 764e with three vertices 764h ( Figure 38 , 44 The phase arrangement is substantially the same as the phase arrangement of the three vertices 764u of the roughly triangular driven transmission part 764a. In this case, the direction faced by each vertex 764u is substantially the same as the direction faced by each vertex 764h.

[0427] By performing phase control of the connection component (input component) as described above, the drive transmission component 81 of the main component A of the device is smoothly connected to the connection component (input component 764) of the box B as will be described below.

[0428] Similar to the drive transmission component 581 in Embodiment 3 above, in this embodiment, the drive transmission component 81 is held in a state inclined towards the downstream side in the box mounting direction. Figure 34 Specifically, when the opening / closing door 13 is opened ( Figure 12 (a) of the diagram shows the drive transmission component 81 moving towards Figure 45The direction of arrow AZ shown in sub-graph (a) is inclined. The direction of arrow AZ is the direction of the line drawn from the center of drum 62 to the developing roller 32 (i.e., the 0-degree reference line) inclined 41 degrees downstream of drum 62 in the rotational direction. The rotational direction of drum 62 is the direction in which drum 62 rotates during image formation (during toner image formation). Specifically, this rotational direction is the direction in which the surface of drum 62 sequentially contacts or approaches charging roller 66 ( Figure 3 And then contact or approach the developing roller 32 in the direction of arrow AX.

[0429] Because the drive transmission component 81 is tilted, when the box B is inserted into the main assembly A of the device, the center of the driven transmission portion 764a of the input component 764 and the center of the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission component 81 are not aligned. However, through the phase control described above, any one of the three triangular vertices 764u of the driven transmission portion 764a of the input component 764 is located in the AZ direction of the tilt of the drive transmission component 81. Figure 45 (See Figure (a)). In other words, in the driven transmission section 764a, the part that protrudes the most radially from the center of the drum 62 (apex 764u) is located in the AZ direction of the inclined drive transmission component 81. By keeping the input component 764 in such a phase, it is easy to engage them even if the input component 764 and the drive transmission component 81 are not aligned.

[0430] In other words, when the drive transmission component 81 is from Figure 45 When rotating as shown in Figure (a), the phase of the approximately triangular-shaped drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 is substantially aligned with the phase of the triangular-shaped driven transmission portion 764a of the input member 764 (see reference). Figure 45 (See diagram (b)). Then, the driven transmission portion 764a of the input component 764 enters the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission component 81, thereby establishing engagement.

[0431] The following will refer to Figure 46 The sub-graphs (a)-(f) illustrate why phase control makes it easier for input component 764 to engage with tilted drive transmission component 81. Figure 46 Subplot (a) Figure 46 Subplot (b) Figure 46 The subplot (d) Figure 46 The subplot (e) and Figure 46 The sub-figure (f) is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission unit viewed from the axial direction LO. Figure 46 Layout (c) is a cross-sectional view taken from a direction perpendicular to the axis of the drive transmission unit.

[0432] As described above, in this embodiment, the main component of the device is provided with a drive transmission component 81, and the housing is provided with a power input component 764, and these are connecting members that are connected to each other. Figure 46 As shown, these connectors (81, 764) have engaging portions, the engaging portions being generally triangular recesses 81a (see...). Figure 25 , Figure 46 (a) and convex part 764a Figure 38 Subplot (a) and Figure 46 (See Figure (a)). The ends (corners, vertices) of these triangular shapes (81a, 764a) are the parts used to transmit driving force; therefore, they are rounded to maintain the necessary strength. Figure 46 As shown in Figure (a), when the triangular shapes are joined together in a coaxial state and are in phase aligned with each other, the triangular gap is defined as follows. The gap between the ends of these triangular shapes (81a, 764a) (the distance between free end 81r and free end 764y) is LB, and the gap between these sides (the distance between side 81s and side 764x) is LA. Then the following relationship exists:

[0433] LA>LB (Formula A)

[0434] That is, in these triangular shapes (81a, 764a), the gap LA between the sides of the triangle (81a, 764a) is greater than the gap LB between the ends (gap LA has a margin greater than gap LB). In this case, as Figure 46 As shown in Figures (d), (e), and (f), preferably, the vertex 764y of the triangular shape (protrusion 764a) on the box side is inclined in the direction of the drive transmission member 81 (lower left AZ direction in the figure). This corresponds to pointing the side 764x of the protrusion 764a to the side opposite to the AZ direction of the inclination of the drive transmission member 81. By doing so, the protrusion 764a of the input member 764 can smoothly engage with the recess 81a of the inclined drive transmission member 81.

[0435] like Figure 46 As shown in Figure (d), when the recess 81a and the protrusion 764a are not engaged, their phases are misaligned. When the drive transmission component 81 in this state rotates clockwise from this state, the phases of the triangular shapes 81a and 764a are aligned, as shown in Figure (d). Figure 46As shown in Figure (d), the drive transmission member 81 is inclined in the AZ direction, therefore, the recess 81a is displaced in this inclined direction, and there is a region where the gap between the recess 81a and the protrusion 764a narrows. Nevertheless, in this embodiment, the side of the recess 81a and the side of the protrusion 764a are located in the region where the gap narrows (i.e., on the side opposite to the inclination direction of the drive transmission member 81). The gap between the side of the recess 81a and the side of the protrusion 764a is ensured to be relatively large (LA), as defined in Formula A. Figure 46 As shown in Figure (a). Therefore, even if the gap is shortened due to the tilt of the drive transmission member 81, the positional relationship required for engagement between the drive transmission member and the input member can be ensured. Therefore, when the recess 81a and the protrusion 764a are phase aligned, the protrusion 764a can enter the recess 81a by the force of the first pressing spring 759. Figure 38 (See Figures (a) and (b)). Furthermore, the drive transmission member 81 continues to rotate, and the recess 81a and the protrusion 764a engage with each other, as shown in the figures (a) and (b). Figure 46 As shown in Figure (d), the protrusion 764a receives the driving force from the recess 81a.

[0436] In summary, even if the gap between the drive transmission component 81 and the input component 764 decreases due to the tilt of the drive transmission component 81, the phase of the component 764 is set such that the gap between the drive transmission component 81 and the input component 764 is ensured to be at least a certain level. In this embodiment, this corresponds to pointing the side of the triangle (protrusion 764a) of the input component 764 to the side opposite to the tilting direction AZ of the drive transmission component 81 (i.e., Figure 46 (upper right side in diagram (d)). In other words, it corresponds to the tilting direction AZ (lower left) in which any one of the three vertices 764y of the triangular shape (protrusion 764a) of the input component 764 is pointed towards the drive transmission component 81. The three vertices (three circular arcs 764y) of the protrusion 764a correspond to the drive force receiving portion for receiving the drive force from the drive transmission component 81.

[0437] As shown in (Formula A) and Figure 46 As shown in sub-figure (a), the reason why the gap LA between the sides is set to be greater than the gap LB between the vertices will be described below.

[0438] The gaps LA and LB between the triangular shapes (convex part 81a and concave part 764a) are set taking into account the dimensional tolerances of the concave parts 81a and 764a. However, given that not only dimensional tolerances are taken into account, but also the fact that it is easier for the input part 764 to engage with the rotating drive transmission part 81, the gap LA between the sides is set to be larger.

[0439] When the drive transmission member 81 rotates and the phase difference between the triangular shape (recess 81a) of the drive transmission member 81 and the triangular shape (protrusion 764a) of the input member 764 is less than a specific angle, the drive transmission member 81 and the input member 764 are in an engageable state. Figure 46 As shown in Figure (b), when the protrusion 764a is between the phase indicated by the solid line and the phase indicated by the dashed line, the recess 81a and the protrusion 764a can engage with each other. The larger the gap LA between the side of the recess 81a and the side of the protrusion 764a, the greater the phase difference that allows engagement, making it easier for the recess 81a and the protrusion 764a to engage.

[0440] Here, when the drive transmission member 81 rotates, during the stage when the recess 81a and the protrusion 764a are not fully engaged, a force can act in a direction that moves the connecting member 764 away from the drive transmission member 81. That is, as... Figure 46 As shown in Figure (c), the input member 764 can contact the chamfer 81p of the recess 81a, resulting in the input member 764 receiving a force from the drive transmission member 81 in a direction that hinders engagement. The aforementioned gap LA is set to be large so that such a force is not generated. If the gap LA is large, the aforementioned force does not work when the drive transmission member 81 rotates, and therefore the state in which the recess 81a and the protrusion 764a can engage with each other can be maintained for a long time, thereby promoting engagement.

[0441] When the tilting direction AZ of the drive transmission component 81 and the direction of the triangular free end (arc portion 764y) of the input component 764 are perfectly aligned, they are most likely to engage with each other. However, the effect of promoting engagement between the connecting parts can be enhanced as long as the direction of the free end (arc portion 764y) of the triangular shape (protrusion 764a) relative to the tilting direction of the drive transmission component 81 is within ±30°.

[0442] As described above, the tilt direction of the drive transmission member 91 (the direction of arrow AZ) is a direction in which the line drawn from the center of the drum 62 to the center of the developing roller 32 tilts 41 degrees downstream of the rotation direction of the drum 62. Therefore, it is preferable that the apex of the protrusion (protrusion) 764 is within the range of 11 to 71 degrees tilted downstream of the rotation direction of the drum 62 from the line passing through the center of the drum 62 and the center of the developing roller 32.

[0443] Furthermore, in the above description, the joint portions (recess 81a and convex 764a) of the drive transmission component 81 and the input component 764 are similar to each other and are approximately equilateral triangles. That is, each of the recess 81a and the convex 764a has a rotational symmetry of 120 degrees.

[0444] However, even if the joining portion does not have such a shape, the basic idea is the same, and the same effect as in this embodiment can be obtained by controlling the phase of the input component 764. For example, the shape of the protrusion 764a can be a partially cut-off triangle, it can be a non-triangular shape, and it can be non-rotationally symmetric.

[0445] However, it is assumed that the shape of the recess 81a is an approximately equilateral triangle as described in this embodiment. Figure 25 Ideally, the protrusion 764a contacts the recess 81a at three points and receives the driving force. More ideally, these three points are evenly arranged. That is, even when the shape of the protrusion 764a differs from that of this embodiment, it is desirable that the protrusion 764a has a driving force receiving portion at the positions corresponding to the three vertices (arc portions 764y) of this embodiment. In other words, it is preferred that the distance between adjacent driving force receiving portions is approximately 120 degrees relative to the axis of the protrusion 764a (driving force receiving portion).

[0446] <Example 5>

[0447] Embodiment 5 will now be described. The connecting component 664 shown in this embodiment includes an input component (drive receiving part, drive input component, input unit) 610 that receives driving force from outside the box, a pushing component 620 (pushing member) that controls the attitude of the input component 610, and a moving component 630 that can move forward and backward in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum.

[0448] The three input components 610 and the three push components 620 are supported by the support component (support portion) 640 and are arranged along the circumferential direction (rotation direction) of the photosensitive drum.

[0449] Similarly, in this embodiment, the structure and operation for moving the connecting member 664 back and forth via the operating member (rod member 12) are the same as in Embodiment 1. Figure 7 , 9 10, 11, 12 and Figure 13 Explanations for them have been omitted.

[0450] First refer to Figure 49 The components of the connecting part 664 in this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0451] The cylindrical shape 611 of the input member 610 engages with the recessed shape 641 of the support member 640a and is rotatably (swingably) supported. The input member 610 can change its tilt angle about the axis of the cylindrical shape 611. The cylindrical shape 612 of the input member 610 engages with and is supported by one end 621 of the pushing member 620. The other end 622 of the pushing member 620 engages with and is supported by the cylindrical shape 642 of the support member 640a.

[0452] Support members 640a and 640b are connected to each other, and input member 610 and pushing member 620 are surrounded and supported between support members 640a and 640b so that the position of input member 610 and pushing member 620 is controlled.

[0453] The pushing component 620 is a tension spring, and the force of the tension spring controls the input component 610 in the direction of rotation about the cylindrical shape 611, which serves as the axis.

[0454] The retractable component 630 includes a retractable component 630a and a retractable component 630b. The retractable component 630a has a retractable contact portion 631, which is capable of contacting the input component 610 during retraction. The retractable component 630b receives the retractable drive of the lever component 12. These two components are joined together by welding or a similar method and are interlocked. As the retractable component 630 moves back and forth, the entire connecting component 664 also moves back and forth.

[0455] The input component 610 has a free end (drive receiving portion) 613 for engaging with the drive transmission component 81 of the main assembly A. The input component 610 receives rotational drive through the free end 613 and transmits the rotational drive to the support component 640a that supports it.

[0456] The surfaces 640c of the support member 640a and 640d of the support member 640b are joined by welding or other means and are connected to each other. The support members 640a and 640b rotate as a single unit as the support member 640.

[0457] The support member 640b has a first rotation receiving portion 643 and is capable of engaging with a second rotation receiving portion 632 of the advance / retract member 630b to transmit rotational drive. That is, the advance / retract member 630 and the support member 640 are configured to slide relative to each other in the drum axis direction LI while being able to rotate integrally.

[0458] Additionally, the forward / reverse member 630b has a third rotary receiving portion 633, and in this embodiment, a fourth rotary receiving portion (not shown) corresponding to the third rotary receiving portion 633 is provided in the drive-side flange 75, thereby engaging with it to transmit driving force.

[0459] Therefore, it has a component structure that can transmit rotational drive to the rotating body.

[0460] Reference Figure 50 The movement of the connecting component 664 and the rod component 12 in conjunction will be described with reference to the illustration.

[0461] Figure 50 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drive transmission component 81 and the connecting component 664, and shows a similar... Figure 14 The steps (a)-(f) are the extension action of the connecting component 664 in conjunction with the movement of the rod component 12.

[0462] Figure 50 Figure (a) shows the state of the retracted position, in which the connecting member 664 moves to the interior of the box in conjunction with the movement of the rod member 12.

[0463] Figure 50 Schematic diagram (d) shows the state in the extended position, where the connecting member 664 moves to the outside of the box in conjunction with the movement of the rod member 12.

[0464] Figure 50 (b) and 50(c) show the states of moving from the retracted position to the extended position and the states of moving from the extended position to the retracted position.

[0465] Figure 50 (e) and 50(f) show the state of movement from the extended position to the retracted position. Figure 50 In the diagram, the sequence of state changes of the connecting component 664 during one reciprocating motion is shown in the following figures: (a)→(b)→(c)→(d)→(e)→(f)→(a) or (a)→(b)→(c)→(d)→(c)→(b)→(a).

[0466] The behavior of the connecting component 664 when the above state changes will be described below.

[0467] First, an overview of the behavior will be given.

[0468] When the operating lever 12 ( Figure 12When the drum is in motion, the advancing / retracting component 630 can slide along the drum axis L1 by rotating the cylindrical cam 74. The sliding of the advancing / retracting component 630 changes the position of the support component 640 in the L1 direction on the drum axis and the opening amount (radial movement amount) of the free end 613 of the input component 610.

[0469] The details of the behavior will be explained next.

[0470] [1] First, the description Figure 50 The state change is shown in (a) to (b). The longitudinal limiting portion 74d of the cylindrical cam component 74 moves along the direction H in the figure, and the advancing and retracting components 630a and 630b, which have received the spring force of the first pressing component 59, extend, causing the advancing and retracting contact portion 631 to contact the input component 610, thereby pressing the input component 610 in the direction H in the figure. Until the stop shape 698 provided on the drum bearing component 73 contacts the support component 640a, the input component 610 will not open because it is pushed in the closing direction by the force of the tension spring of the pressing component 620. Then, the cylindrical shape 611 presses the recessed shape 641 of the support component 640a supporting it along the direction H in the figure, and the entire connecting component 664 extends along the direction H. In other words, until the free end 613 of the input component 610 is not open, and before the stop shape 698 and the support component 640a provided on the drum support component 73 come into contact with each other, the support component 640, the input component 610, and the advance / retract component 630 all move integrally in the direction H shown in the figure. As a result, the drive transmission component 81 enters the second extended position, wherein the free end 613 of the input component 610 can engage with the triangular recess (drive transmission portion) 81a. Figure 25 ).

[0471] [2] Next, we will describe Figure 50The state change is from (b) to (c). The cylindrical cam component 74 moves in direction H in the figure, and the advancing and retracting components 630a and 630b, which receive the spring force of the first pressing component 59, extend. Thus, during extension and retraction, the contact portion 631 contacts the input component 610 and presses it in direction H in the figure. At this time, the stop shape 698 and the support component 640a provided on the drum bearing component 73 contact each other, and the support component 640a no longer extends further in direction H in the figure. As a result, the input component 610 rotates because the force of rotation about the cylindrical shape 611 in direction R in the figure becomes greater than the force of the tension spring of the pressing component 620, and the tilt angle in direction R in the figure changes. In other words, the free end 613 of the input component 610 begins to open radially outward in the second extended position. The radial direction is the radial direction of the connecting component 664 (rotational radial). That is, the free end of the input component 610 begins to move away from the axis of the connecting component 664.

[0472] [3] Next, we will describe Figure 50 The state change from (c) to (d). Figure 50 In the state shown in diagram (c), the advancing and retracting components 630a and 630b extend further, and the input component 610 changes its tilt angle in the R direction as shown in [2], reaching the extended position outside the box to the maximum extent. Figure 50 In the state shown in Figure (d), the free end 613 of the input component 610 opens outward in the radial direction, so that the free end 613 of the input component 610 engages with the triangular recess (drive transmission portion) 81a (drive transmission component 81). Figure 25 Thus, drive transmission is possible, and the drive transmission component 81 is rotated by a motor (not shown), so that the rotation drive is transmitted to the input component 610.

[0473] [4] Next, we will describe Figure 50 The state changes from (d)→(e)→(f)→(a). When moving from the extended position to the retracted position, after the entire connecting part 664 has retracted, the tilt angle of the input part 610 changes in the direction of L in the figure. First, from... Figure 50 The subplot (d) to Figure 50In the state change shown in Figure (e), the cylindrical cam component 74 moves in the G direction, the spring of the first pressing component 59 is compressed, and the advancing and retracting components 630a and 630b retract. At this time, when the spring force of the advancing component 620 is applied to the contact point 631 as a pressing force in the L direction during the advancing and retracting process, and when the frictional force between the input component 610 and the advancing and retracting component 630 at the contact point 631 is large during the advancing and retracting process, the overall connecting component 664 follows and retracts in the G direction. As a result, the free end 613 of the input component 610 and the triangular recess (drive transmission portion) 81a of the drive transmission component 81... Figure 25 The connection between them is released. Next, the process from... Figure 50 The state changes are shown in sub-graphs (e) to (f) to (a). Similar to the above, the retracting member 630 retracts, and the entire connecting member 664 tends to retract, but the support member 640b and the stop shape 699 provided on the drum bearing member 73 abut against each other, and therefore, the support member 640b does not retract further in the G direction shown in the figure. Subsequently, as the retracting member 630 retracts, the contact state between the input member 610 and the retracting member 630 changes, and the input member 610 rotates about the cylindrical shape 611, which is the axis, by the force of the tension spring of the pushing member 620, causing the tilt angle to change in the direction shown in the figure. As a result, the free end 613 of the input member 610 closes inward in the radial direction. That is, the free end 613 of the drive transmission member 610 approaches the axis of the connecting member 664.

[0474] [5] will describe from Figure 50 The state changes in the diagrams (d) → (c) → (b) → (a). When moving from the extended position to the retracted position, the advance / retractor 630 retracts first, and the tilt angle of the input component 610 changes in the direction of L in the diagram, then the support component 640 retracts. First, in the process of moving from... Figure 50 The subplot (d) to Figure 50 In the state change shown in sub-figure (c), the cylindrical cam component 74 moves in the direction G in the figure, and the spring of the first pressing component 59 is compressed, causing the advancing and retracting components 630a and 630b to retract. Then, the input component 610 rotates about the cylindrical shape 611, which is the axis, by the force of the tension spring of the pushing component 620, and the tilt angle changes in the direction L in the figure. As a result, the free end 613 of the input component 610 and the triangular recess (drive transmission portion) 81a of the drive transmission component 81... Figure 25 The connection between them is released. Next, from Figure 50 The subplot (c) to Figure 50In the state change of sub-graph (b), as described above, the tilt angle of the input component 610 changes in the direction L in the figure due to the retraction of the advance / retreat component 630. From... Figure 50 Subplot (b) to Figure 50 In the state change shown in sub-graph (a), when the retracting component 630 retracts, the retracting component 630b and the supporting component 640b abut at the abutment portion 697. Subsequently, when the retracting component 630 retracts, the supporting component 640b also follows and retracts. As a result, the entire connecting component 664 retracts in the G direction in the figure and reaches the first retracted position.

[0475] The structure of the entire connecting component 664, capable of reciprocating along the axial direction, has already been described. However, as... Figure 51 Subplot (a) and Figure 51 As shown in Figure (b), even in a structure in which the connecting member 664 does not move back and forth along the axial direction as a whole, the recess (drive transmission portion) 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the input member 610 can engage with each other.

[0476] Figure 51 Subplot (a) and Figure 51 Subplot (b) illustrates such an example. As shown in these figures, the change in the tilt angle of the input component 610 ( Figure 51 In the sub-diagram (a), P can be set to a larger value. Then, when the free end of the input component 610 moves outward in the radial direction, the amount of protrusion of the input component 610 outward from the box ( Figure 51 The X in sub-figure (b) is increased. The engagement width in the axial direction between the recess (drive transmission portion) 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the input member 610 can be increased. Then, even if the entire coupling member 664 does not slide along the axial direction, the drive transmission member 81 can be engaged simply by tilting the input member 610.

[0477] exist Figure 51 In diagrams (a) and (b), the connecting member 664 moves back and forth by moving (tilting) only a portion of it (i.e., only the input member 610). That is, by tilting (tilting) the input member 610 alone, the connecting member 664 can assume an extended position for engaging the drive transmission member 81. Figure 51 (b) of the diagram and the retraction position for disconnecting from the drive transmission component 81. Figure 51 (a) of the subplot.

[0478] However, in addition to the tilting of the input component 610, a more efficient approach is to employ a structure in which the entire connecting component 664 can extend and retract, as... Figure 50The state changes from diagram (a) to (b). That is, a larger engagement width can be ensured between the recess (drive transmission portion) 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the input member 610. Therefore, it is even more ideal that the connecting member 664 can move back and forth.

[0479] Next, refer to Figure 52 The conditions for engaging the drive transmission portion (recess) 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the free end (drive receiving portion) 613 of the input member 610 will be described. Figure 52 As shown, when the free ends 613 of the three input components 610 are brought as close as possible to the rotation axis of the connecting component 664 by the pushing component 620, the circle 688, drawn around the rotation axis and passing through the farthest point of the three ends 613, is closest to the rotation axis. Circle 688 is the circumcircle of the free ends 613. Next, a circle 686 is drawn around the rotation axis of the connecting component 664, passing through the point in the recess (drive transmission portion) 81a of the drive transmission component 81 that is closest to the rotation axis of the connecting component 664. Circle 686 is the incircle of the drive transmission portion 81a. Both circles 688 and 686 are perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0480] At this point, it is sufficient that the circle 688 formed by the free end 613 is smaller than the circle 686 formed by the drive transmission portion 81a. That is, in this case, regardless of the phase combination formed by the recess (drive transmission portion) 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the input member 610 of the connecting member 664, the input member 610 will enter the interior of the drive transmission portion 81a. Thereafter, by changing the tilt angle of the input member 610, the drive transmission member 81 and the input member 610 can reliably engage with each other.

[0481] However, in Figure 52 As an example, a case has been described where the rotation axes of the drive transmission component 81 and the connecting component 664 are aligned with each other. In fact, as... Figure 50 Subplot (a) and Figure 50 As shown in Figure (b), the drive transmission member 81 is inclined relative to the axis of the connecting member 664, just as the drive transmission member shown in the variant of Embodiment 1. Even in this case, the input member 610 can engage with the drive transmission member 81 as long as the following conditions are met.

[0482] To better understand, Figure 53 This illustrates a state where the tilt of the drive transmission component 81 is greater than the actual tilt. Figure 53In the diagram, a circle 687 is drawn, centered on the rotation axis of the connecting member 664, passing through the point in the recess (drive transmission portion) 81a of the drive transmission member 81 closest to the rotation axis of the connecting member 664. This circle 687 is perpendicular to the rotation axis. Because the drive transmission member 81 is inclined, circle 687 is smaller than the aforementioned circle 686. Figure 52 ).

[0483] At this point, it is sufficient that the circle 687 formed by the recess (drive transmission portion) 81a of the drive transmission member 81 is larger than the circle 688 formed by the free end 613 of the input member 610. That is, in this case, regardless of the phase combination formed by the recess (drive transmission portion) 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the input member 610 of the connecting member 664, the input member 610 of the connecting member 664 can enter the drive transmission portion 81a. In other words, after the connecting member 664 extends, the input member 610 engages with the drive transmission member 81 by changing the tilt angle of the input member 610. As the tilt angle of the input member 610 changes, by decreasing the tilt angle of the input member 610, the drive transmission member 81 becomes approximately coaxial with the connecting member 664. The drive transmission member 81 is aligned with the connecting member 664.

[0484] Furthermore, based on the phase combination of the recess (drive transmission portion) 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the input member 610 of the connecting member 664, the change in the tilt angle of the input member 610 can be stopped midway before the engagement of the drive transmission portion 81a and the input member 610 is completed. That is, as... Figure 54 As shown, when the tilt angle of the input component 610 changes, the input component 610 will only temporarily stop when the minimum inner diameter portion (circle 686) of the drive transmission portion 81a and the input component 610 come into contact with each other.

[0485] At this time, even if the lever member 12 is operated to hold the connecting member 664 in the extended position, the first pressing member 59 also acts as a damper, preventing the advancing / retracting member 630 from extending further. The first pressing member 59 maintains a compressive reaction force in the extending direction of the advancing / retracting member 630. Therefore, the drive transmission member 81 rotates by the drive of the main assembly of the device, and when the recess (drive transmission portion) 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the input member 610 of the connecting member 664 are in phase, the advancing / retracting member 630 extends, and the tilt angle of the input member 610 also changes. That is, the tilt angle of the input member 610 changes until the free end of the input member 610 is located at a position corresponding to the maximum inner diameter circle 685 of the recess (drive transmission portion) 81a of the drive transmission member 81. As a result, the drive transmission member 81 is pushed by the input member 610, and the drive transmission member 81 rotates (oscillates) thereby reducing its tilt angle. The drive transmission component 81 is aligned with the input component 610, and the drive transmission component 81 and the input component 610 can reliably engage with each other.

[0486] The input component (drive input component) 610 of this embodiment has a different direction of movement than the input component (connecting component 64) shown in the variant of Embodiment 1, and also moves in the radial direction. Even with this structure, the input component 610 moves toward the inner surface of the recess of the drive transmission component 81 to push the drive transmission component 81, thereby reducing the tilt angle of the drive transmission component 81. Thus, the input component 610 can engage with the tilted drive transmission component 81 in a manner similar to that of the connecting component 64 shown in the variant of Embodiment 1.

[0487] In this embodiment, although three input components 610 of the same shape and three pushing components 620 using tension springs are arranged circumferentially, the structure is not limited to this example. Furthermore, the shape of the advancing / retracting component 630 is not limited to that of this embodiment. Alternatively, a structure as in Embodiment 2 can be adopted, wherein the advancing / retracting mechanism for moving the connecting component is located on the non-driving side of the housing.

[0488] <Example 6>

[0489] Next, Embodiment 6 will be described. Descriptions of similarities to those in the above embodiments may be omitted. In particular, among the elements disclosed in this embodiment, components corresponding to those described in Embodiment 1 will be given the same names as those in Embodiment 1, and only the differences from Embodiment 1 may be described.

[0490] In the above-described embodiment 1, the driven transmission portion 64a of the connecting member 64 has a generally triangular cross-section and a protruding shape (protrusion) (see...). Figure 17 However, in this embodiment, the driven transmission section includes multiple components ( Figure 55 ).

[0491] The structural and operational differences resulting from this distinction will be described in detail.

[0492] First refer to Figure 55 , 56 Sections 57 and 58 will describe the connection component 864 according to this embodiment.

[0493] Figure 55 This is a perspective view showing the appearance of the connecting component 864 in Embodiment 6.

[0494] Figure 56 This is a partial perspective view showing the structure of the operating unit of Embodiment 6.

[0495] Figure 57 This is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drive unit end of the drum unit according to Embodiment 6.

[0496] Figure 58 This is a side view showing the operation of the connector in Embodiment 6.

[0497] Figure 59 This is a cross-sectional view of the joint portion, showing the operation of the connector according to Embodiment 6.

[0498] As in Embodiment 1, the drum bearing component 873 is supported by the cleaning unit 860. Figure 55 and 56 As shown, the connecting member 864 includes a plurality of protrusions 801, a protrusion support member (support member) 802, a protrusion pressing member 803, a cover member 858, etc. Although details will be described below, the protrusions 801 are input members (drive input members) to which driving force is input from the outside of the connecting member 864 (i.e., from the drive transmission member of the main assembly of the device).

[0499] like Figure 56 and 57 As shown, in this embodiment, the outer cylindrical cam component 870 and the inner cylindrical cam component 874 are configured to be supported by the outer peripheral portion 873b of the drum bearing component 873, as in Embodiment 1.

[0500] Furthermore, the inner cylindrical surface 802c of the support member 802 is configured to be supported by the bore portion 873a of the drum bearing member 873. For example... Figure 56 and 57 As shown, a plurality of protrusions 801 are provided on the inner peripheral portion of the support member 802. The support member 802 is a retaining member (support member) for holding and supporting the plurality of protrusions 801.

[0501] A drive receiving portion 801a, a longitudinal position control surface 801b, and a pressing cylindrical shaft 801c for receiving drive transmission force from the drive portion side are respectively provided on a plurality of protrusions 801.

[0502] A protruding pressing member 803 is provided on each of the plurality of protrusions 801 and each of the pressing cylindrical shafts 801c. The side of the protruding pressing member 803 opposite to the protrusion 801 is supported by a plurality of cylindrical shafts 858a provided on the cover member 858.

[0503] The cover component 858 is fixed to the end 875c of the drive-side flange component 875 by means of welding or the like.

[0504] The drive receiving portion 801a of the protrusion 801 engages with and is supported by the engagement hole 802a, thereby enabling it to move in the axial direction.

[0505] The pressing force of the protruding part 803 presses the protruding part 801 in the direction of arrow N, causing its longitudinal position control surface 801b to abut against the longitudinal control surface 802d of the support member 802, thereby restricting its movement in the direction of arrow N.

[0506] The outer cylindrical surface 802b of the support member 802 is supported by the inner peripheral surface 875b of the drive side flange 875, thereby enabling it to move in the direction of arrow N.

[0507] The plurality of protrusions 801, receiving the pressing force of the plurality of protruding pressing members 803, cause the support member 802 to press in the direction of arrow N. The support member 802 receives the pressing force in the direction of arrow N, and the longitudinal control surface 802e abuts against the longitudinal control surface 874d of the inner cylindrical cam member 874. The inner cylindrical cam member 874, receiving the pressing force in the direction of arrow N, abuts against the outer cylindrical cam member 870 and presses the outer cylindrical cam member 870 in the direction of arrow N.

[0508] The outer cylindrical cam component 870 abuts against the drum bearing component 873, which is fixed to the cleaning unit 860, in the direction of axis N, and its longitudinal position is restricted.

[0509] Similar to the connecting member 64 in Embodiment 1, the connecting member 864 in this embodiment can move back and forth between an extended position and a retracted position. Specifically, the support member 802 of the connecting member 864 moves back and forth in the same manner as in Embodiment 1, causing the connecting member 864 to move between the extended position and the retracted position. Figure 13 ).

[0510] In this embodiment, as Figure 57As shown, the support member 802 is pushed towards the drive side (arrow N side) by the protruding pressing member 803, and the longitudinal control surface 802e is pressed against the longitudinal control surface 874d of the inner cylindrical cam member 874.

[0511] When box B is not installed in the main assembly A of the device, the inner cylindrical cam member 874 is arranged to resist the spring force of the protruding pressing member 803, causing the support member 802 to retract into the drum. This is the state in which the support member 802 of the connecting member 864 is in the first position (retracted position).

[0512] When the opening / closing door 13 is closed after the box B is installed to the main assembly A of the device, the box pressing component 1 on the opening / closing door 13 contacts the rod component 12. Figure 12 (See Figures (a) and (b)). In conjunction with the movement of the rod member 12, the support member 802 of the connecting member 864 moves from the first position (retracted position) to the drive-side second position (extended position).

[0513] In other words, the longitudinal position of the support member 802 also depends on the longitudinal position (position in the longitudinal direction) of the inner cylindrical cam member 874. Since the convex pressing member 803 operates the support member 802 on the drive side, the convex pressing member 803 can be considered part of the aforementioned operating unit. In this embodiment, a compression coil spring is used as the convex pressing member 803, but elastic members with other shapes can also be used to press the support member 802.

[0514] The drive transmission member 881 in this embodiment is tilted as shown in the variant of embodiment 1. When the drive transmission member 881 is tilted, the drive transmission member 881 and the connecting member 864 are arranged off-axis. Then, it will be described how the connecting member 864 and the drive transmission member 881 engage with each other when the rotation axis L3 of the drive transmission member 881 and the rotation axis L1 of the connecting member 864 are off-axis before engagement.

[0515] Figure 58 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drive transmission component 881 and the coupling component 864 of the main component A of the device according to this example.

[0516] here, Figure 58 Layout (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state of the main component A of the processing box insertion device.

[0517] Figure 58 Layout (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the closed state of the opening / closing door 13 (not shown) after the processing box is inserted into the main assembly A of the device.

[0518] Figure 58Partial diagram (c) shows a state in which driving force is input to the main component A of the device, the drive transmission component 881 begins to rotate, and a portion of the protrusion 801 of the coupling component 864 begins to engage with a portion of the drive input coupling 881.

[0519] Figure 58 The diagram (d) is a schematic diagram after the phase of the drive transmission section 881a and the phase of the protrusion 801 of the connecting member 864 fall within a predetermined range.

[0520] Figure 58 Partial view (e) is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the drive transmission portion 881a of the drive transmission member 881 and the protrusion 801 of the connecting member 864 are fully engaged with each other.

[0521] exist Figure 58 In the sub-figures (c), (d) and (e), as the multiple protrusions 801 of the connecting member 864 engage with the drive transmission member 881 in sequence, the engagement operation is completed, and at the same time the tilt angle of the drive transmission member 881 decreases.

[0522] Figure 59 The subplots (a) to (e) are related to Figure 58 The timing corresponding drive transmission component 881 and connecting component 864 in the sub-figures (a) to (e) are cross-sectional views in the direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0523] Similar to Embodiment 1, the drive transmission component 881 is supported by the drive transmission component support component 85. At this time, because... Due to the relationship between the drive transmission member 881 and the drive transmission member support member 85, a gap is formed between the supported portion 881b and the support portion 85a. The drive transmission member 881 can move within this gap. By appropriately selecting the size of this gap, when the drive transmission member 881 and the connecting member 864 are engaged, the center position of the free end side of the drive transmission member 881 can be aligned with the center position of the connecting member 864. As a result, the rotation axis L3 of the drive transmission member 881 can be precisely aligned with the rotation axis L1 of the connecting member 864.

[0524] according to Relationships, such as Figure 58 As shown in Figure (a), the drive transmission component 881 tilts in the V direction by its own weight.

[0525] When the rotatable door 13 of the main assembly A is fully closed, the support member 802 of the connecting member 864 moves from the first position to the second position via the rod member 12, the outer cylindrical cam member 870, and the inner cylindrical cam member 874. At this time, the multiple protrusions 801 whose longitudinal position is controlled by the support member 802 also protrude in the direction of arrow N as the support member 802 moves.

[0526] In this variant, a portion of the plurality of protruding members 801 abuts against the drive transmission member 881 inclined in direction V in the figure at the drive transmission portion 881a by the pressing force of the protruding pressing member 803, and a portion of them abuts against the end face 881c. Figure 57 The subplot (b) Figure 58 (b) of the subplot.

[0527] Here, for ease of explanation, the multiple (six) protrusions 801 shown are 801A to 801F ( Figure 59 (See diagram (b)). Each of these protrusions 801 can move back and forth independently.

[0528] When the drive transmission component 881 is located Figure 58 Subplot (b) and Figure 59 When the position is shown in the sub-figure (b), the protrusions 801B, 801C and 801E in the protrusion 801 abut against the drive transmission portion 881a, and 801A, 801D and 801F abut against the end face 881C.

[0529] After that, as Figure 58 The subplot (c) and Figure 59 As shown in Figure (c), when the drive transmission member 881 rotates in the direction of arrow R, portions of protrusions 801D and 801F abut against the drive transmission portion 881a by the pressing force of the protrusion pressing member 803. When the drive transmission member 881 rotates further from this state, a portion of the surface of the drive transmission portion 881a (surface 881d) engages with protrusion 801F (f) in the rotational direction. At this time, surface 881d of the drive transmission member 881 receives a reaction force in the direction of arrow HA, and the drive transmission member 881 tends to move in the direction of arrow HA. Simultaneously, other surfaces 881g and 881i of the drive transmission member 881 abut against portions of protrusions 801C and 801D, and their movement outward in the alignment direction is restricted. Therefore, the drive transmission member 881 continues to rotate while moving in the direction of arrow HB, which is the alignment direction.

[0530] In addition, such as Figure 58 The subplot (d) and Figure 59As shown in sub-figure (d), the drive transmission component 881 rotates in the direction of arrow R and moves in the direction of arrow HB, such that all protrusions 801 abut against the drive transmission component.

[0531] Furthermore, when the drive transmission member 881 rotates, the surfaces 881d, 881e, and 881f, which are the drive transmission parts, abut against the protrusions 801A, 801D, and 801F, respectively.

[0532] At this time, since the protrusions 801A, 801D and 801F are arranged in the appropriate positions, the drive transmission component 881 engages while being aligned in the direction of arrow HB.

[0533] In other words, the protrusion 801 is arranged such that when the rotation axis L3 of the drive transmission component 881 and the rotation axis L1 of the connecting component 864 are arranged coaxially, the protrusion 801 simultaneously abuts against the surfaces 881d, 881e, and 881f of the drive transmission component 881. Thus, a centering effect can be obtained.

[0534] Therefore, the alignment of the drive transmission component 881 is accomplished by the protrusion 801, thereby realizing the drive transmission.

[0535] Since each of the plurality of protrusions 801 is pressed by a corresponding spring (protrusion pressing member 803), each protrusion 801 can move independently of each other. According to the rotation of the drive transmission member 881, each protrusion 801 moves back and forth and engages with the drive transmission member 881 in sequence. That is, the number of protrusions 801 engaging with the drive transmission member 881 gradually increases. As a result, the tilt angle of the drive transmission member 881 gradually decreases, and finally the engagement (connection, link) between the drive transmission member 881 and the connecting member 864 is completed. In this state, the tilt angle of the drive transmission member 881 relative to the photosensitive drum can be set to a value close to 0 degrees. That is, the drive transmission member 881 can be aligned with the photosensitive drum.

[0536] Furthermore, when box B is removed from the main component A of the device, the support member 802... Figure 58 The part moves in the direction of arrow S as shown in sub-graph (a). Then, the convex part 801 retracts to Figure 58 Subplot (a) and Figure 59 The position shown in Figure (a) is disengaged from the drive transmission component 881.

[0537] In the above description, the tilting direction (V direction) of the drive transmission member 881 is the direction of gravity, but this tilting direction can be any direction. For example, the drive transmission member 881 can tilt in the direction shown in Embodiment 3, etc.

[0538] In addition, in this embodiment, six protrusions (input components) 801 are used. However, as long as there are at least three protrusions 801, they can engage with the drive transmission component 881 while achieving a centering effect.

[0539] Furthermore, as described above, in order for the protrusions 801 to perform the function of centering the drive transmission member 881, the following relationship can preferably be satisfied. That is, preferably, when the drive transmission member 881 and the connecting member 864 are arranged coaxially, at least three of the plurality of protrusions 801 are provided at positions where they can simultaneously engage with the drive transmission member 881. If the plurality of protrusions 801 include protrusions other than engaging protrusions that engage with the rotational trajectories of the surfaces 881d, 881e, and 881f of the drive transmission member 881, the drive transmission member 881 may first engage the protrusions other than the engaging protrusions, making it difficult to achieve the centering effect. In this embodiment, the plurality of (six) protrusions 801 of the connecting member 864 are arranged in a generally triangular shape. Figure 59 (See diagram (e)). In this case, due to the recess 81a of the drive transmission member 881 ( Figure 59 The sub-figure (a) is roughly triangular, and therefore six protrusions 801 are arranged accordingly. By arranging the multiple protrusions 801 in a shape corresponding to the recess of the drive transmission member 881, the number of protrusions 801 engaging with the recess 81a increases with the rotation of the drive transmission member 881. Figure 59 (See diagrams (a)-(e)). As a result, the tilt of the drive transmission component 881 decreases, as shown in the diagrams (a)-(e). Figure 58 As shown in the sub-graphs (a)-(e), the connection between the drive transmission component 881 and the connecting component 864 can be realized.

[0540] <Example 7>

[0541] Next, Embodiment 7 will be described. Descriptions of points identical to those in the above embodiments may be omitted. Specifically, in the elements disclosed in this embodiment, components corresponding to those described in the first and second embodiments will be given the same names as those in Embodiments 1 and 2, and only the differences from the above will be described.

[0542] In this embodiment, as in the variant of Embodiment 1, the drive transmission portion 81 will be described as pivotable (tiltable). In Embodiment 1, the chamfered portion 64e is tilted relative to the forward and backward direction of the connecting member 64, thereby reducing the angular difference between the drive transmission portion 81 and the connecting member 64, and enabling the drive transmission portion 81 and the connecting member to engage with each other. Engagement with the connecting member 64 is now feasible. In this embodiment, as will be described in detail below, the drive input unit 300 including the alignment member 301 and the drive transmission portion 81 can engage with each other. In this embodiment, the drive input unit 300 corresponds to the connecting member.

[0543] Of course, according to this embodiment, even if the rotation axes of the drive transmission component 81 and the drive input unit 300 are coaxial before they are engaged with each other, they can still be engaged with each other.

[0544] In this embodiment, the operating component (lever component 12) as described in Embodiment 1 is arranged on the drive side of box B, and the operating component (lever component 212) as described in Embodiment 2 is arranged on the non-drive side of box B. As will be described below, lever component 12 causes pin receiving component 303 to extend and retract, and lever component 212 causes alignment component 301 to extend and retract. Pin receiving component 303 and alignment component 301 can move back and forth independently of each other.

[0545] refer to Figure 60 , 61 Sections 62 and 63 will describe a drive input unit 300 in this embodiment, which includes an alignment member 301, a pin (protrusion, drive input member, input portion) 302, and a pin receiving member (support portion, output portion) 303.

[0546] Figure 60 This is a perspective view of the alignment component 301 according to this embodiment.

[0547] Figure 61 This is a perspective view of the pin receiving component 303 according to this embodiment.

[0548] Figure 62 This is a perspective view of the drive input unit 300 according to this embodiment.

[0549] Figure 63 This is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drive input unit 300 according to this embodiment.

[0550] like Figure 60As shown, the alignment component 301 is provided with a bevel 301a, a cylindrical portion 301b, a cut portion 301c, a longitudinal control surface 301d, a connecting component receiving portion 301e, and an end face 301f. At this time, the three cut portions 301c are arranged at equal intervals along the cylindrical portion 301b.

[0551] In addition, such as Figure 61 As shown, the pin receiving component 303 is provided with a pin receiving portion 303a, a drive transmission portion 303b, a cylindrical receiving portion 303c, a hole portion 303d, a groove portion 303e, a spring seat surface 303f, and a longitudinal limiting surface 303h. At this time, the three pin receiving portions 303a are arranged at equal intervals along the cylindrical receiving portion 303c.

[0552] like Figure 62 and 63 As shown, the drive input unit 300 in this embodiment includes an alignment member 301, a pin 302, and a pin receiving member 303. The cylindrical portion 301b of the alignment member 301 is inserted into and engages with the cylindrical receiving portion 303c of the pin receiving member 303. Furthermore, the pin 302 engages with the pin receiving portion 303a of the pin receiving member 303. At this time, the pin 302 is inserted to a position contacting the longitudinal control surface 303h and can be securely fixed by applying adhesive or the like to the groove portion 303e from the spring seat surface 303f side. Furthermore, as a means of secure fixing, means such as press-fit or screws can be used. Here, the pin 302 is provided with a flange portion 302a, and the pin 302 engages with the cutout portion 301c of the alignment member 301 at the flange portion 302a. When the alignment member 301 is pushed in direction V by the drive input unit connecting member 304 (which will be described below), the longitudinal control surface 301d of the alignment member 301 and the flange portion 302a of the pin 302 contact each other, and the alignment member 301 is restricted in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, as... Figure 62 As shown, a pin is provided in each of the three cut-out portions of the alignment component 301.

[0553] Furthermore, as described above, the drive transmission portion 303b is provided on the pin receiving member 303. Similar to the case in Embodiment 1 where the drive transmission portion 64b of the connecting member 64 is supported by the drive-side flange member 75 and transmits drive to the drive-side flange member 75, the drive transmission portion 303b transmits drive to the drive-side flange member 75. The structure in which the drive transmission portion 303b is supported by the drive-side flange member 75 and the structure in which the drive-side flange member 75 is supported by the photosensitive drum 62, which serves as a photosensitive member, are the same as in Embodiment 1. Next, referring to... Figure 21 , 23Sections 64 and 65 will describe the drive-side flange unit 269 and the drum unit according to this embodiment, as well as the operating unit capable of longitudinally moving the alignment member 301.

[0554] Figure 64 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view and a partial enlarged view of the drum unit according to Embodiment 7. Figure 65 This is a view showing the assembly method of the drum unit according to Embodiment 7.

[0555] like Figure 64 and 65 As shown, the drive-side flange unit 269 according to this embodiment includes a drive input unit 300 (which includes an alignment member 301, a pin 302, and a pin receiving member 303), a drive-side flange member 275, a cover member 258, and a first pressing member 259, etc. The drive input unit 300 is provided to replace the connecting member 64 of Embodiment 1 and the connecting member 264 of Embodiment 2. Furthermore, the drum unit includes the drive-side flange unit 269, a drive input unit connecting member 304, a buffer member 255, a non-drive-side flange member 254, and an inner cylindrical cam member 274. The drive-side flange member 275 has the same structure as in Embodiment 1, and the inner cylindrical cam member 274, the non-drive-side flange member 254, and the cover member 258 have the same structure as in Embodiment 2.

[0556] The drive input unit connection component 304 includes an alignment component support portion 304a, a buffer component support portion 304b, a connection portion 304c connecting the drive input unit 300 and the inner cylindrical cam component 274, and a supported portion 304d supported by the inner cylindrical cam component 274.

[0557] A first pressing member 259, including a compression spring, is disposed between the spring seat surface 303f of the pin receiving member 303 and the cover member 258.

[0558] As in Embodiment 1, the drive-side flange unit 269 is fixed to the drive-side end of the photosensitive drum 62 by means such as press-fitting or clamping. Furthermore, as... Figure 65As shown, the drive input unit connecting member 304 (in which the buffer member 255 is supported by the buffer member support portion 304b) is inserted into the drum from the non-drive side end 62b. At this time, the buffer member 255 supported by the drive input unit connecting member 304 contacts the spring seat surface 303f of the pin receiving member 303, and the alignment member support portion 304a engages with the connecting member receiving portion 301e of the alignment member 301. Here, the alignment member support portion 304a of the drive input unit connecting member 304 and the connecting member receiving portion 301e of the alignment member 301 are firmly fixed by press fitting, screwing, bonding, or other means. Then, with the inner cylindrical cam member 274 assembled to the inner peripheral portion 254b, the non-drive side flange member 254 is fixed to the non-drive side drum end 62b by, for example, the clamping method in Embodiment 1. At this time, the drive input unit connecting member 304 is rotatably supported on the connecting member support portion 274b of the inner cylindrical cam member 274 by the supported portion 304d. The structure of the drum unit in Example 7 is as described above.

[0559] Furthermore, as in Embodiment 2, the operating unit on the non-drive side of the box includes an outer cylindrical cam component 270, an inner cylindrical cam component 274, a lever component (operating component) 212, a second pressing component 214, etc. Figure 21 , Figure 23 The operating unit on the non-drive side of the box will be referred to as the non-drive side operating unit. The structure and operation of this non-drive side operating unit are the same as those of the operating unit in Embodiment 2. The difference from Embodiment 2 is that, as described above, the buffer member 255 supported by the connecting member 261 contacts the pin receiving member 303 instead of the connecting member 264. The alignment member support portion 304a of the drive input unit connecting member 304 is securely fixed to the alignment member 301.

[0560] In embodiment 2, the outer cylindrical cam component 270, the inner cylindrical cam component 274, and the connecting component 261 are configured to determine the longitudinal position of the connecting component 264. Similarly, in this embodiment, the longitudinal position of the alignment component 301 is determined by the outer cylindrical cam component 270, the inner cylindrical cam component 274, and the drive input unit connecting component 304. At this time, as... Figure 64As shown, the alignment member 301 is configured to be in the position closest to the non-drive side before the box pressing member abuts against the lever member 212 of the non-drive side operating unit. The position where the alignment member 301 retracts to the non-drive side is referred to as the alignment member retracted position (alignment member retracted position, non-operating position). Furthermore, as will be described in detail below, when the opening / closing door 13 is fully closed, the box pressing member 1 contacts the lever member 212 of the non-drive side operating unit. Then, the inner cylindrical cam member 74, the drive input unit 300, and the alignment member 301 are configured to be in the position closest to the drive side by the pushing force of the buffer member 255. In this embodiment, the position where the alignment member 301 extends to the drive side is referred to as the alignment member extended position (alignment member extended position, operating position).

[0561] Reference Figure 64 , 66 Sections 67 and 68 will describe an operating unit that enables the pin receiving component 303 to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction.

[0562] Figure 66 This is a partial perspective view showing the structure of the operation unit and drive input unit 300 provided in the cleaning unit 60 according to this embodiment.

[0563] Figure 67 This is a partial perspective view showing the operating unit according to this embodiment.

[0564] like Figure 64 , 66 As shown in Figure 67, an operation unit similar to that in Embodiment 1 is connected to the pin receiving member 303 and controls the movement (forward and backward movement) of the pin receiving member 303 (control unit). Here, as in Embodiment 1, this operation unit is located on the drive side of the box. This drive-side operation unit of the box will be referred to as the drive-side operation unit. In addition, as in Embodiment 1, the drive-side operation unit includes an outer cylindrical cam member 70, an inner cylindrical cam member 74, a rod member 12, a second pressing member (elastic member, pushing member) 14, etc.

[0565] The inner cylindrical cam member 74 abuts against the cylindrical cam portion 70b and the drive input unit 300, such that in Embodiment 1, the longitudinal position of the connecting member 64 is limited by the longitudinal position control surface 74d of the connecting member. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the inner cylindrical cam member 74 limits the longitudinal position of the drive input unit 300 by the longitudinal position control surface 74d of the connecting member.

[0566] The drive-side operating unit is connected to the drive input unit 300 at the inner cylindrical cam 74, and the pin receiving member 303 can move back and forth via the operating lever member 12. As the pin receiving member 303 moves, the pin 302, which is securely fixed to the pin receiving member 303, also moves. This operation method is the same as that of the operating unit used for connecting member 64 in Embodiment 1.

[0567] In addition, such as Figure 64 As shown, when the box is not installed to the main assembly A, the inner cylindrical cam member 74 is arranged to resist the spring force of the first pressing member 259, causing the pin receiving member 303 to retract into the drum. That is, in the state where the door 13 of the main assembly is released, or before the box pressing member 1 abuts against the rod member 12, the pin receiving member 303 is configured to be in the position closest to the non-drive side. The position where the pin receiving member 303 retracts to the non-drive side is called the pin receiving member retraction position. Figure 64 As shown, when the pin receiving component 303 is in the pin receiving component retracted position, the pin 302 and the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission component 81 of the main component A of the device are configured not to overlap in the longitudinal direction. That is, when the alignment component 301 is also in the alignment component retracted position, the processing box B can be smoothly installed and removed without interference between the pin 302 and the drive transmission component 81 of the main component of the device. Furthermore, as will be described in detail below, when the opening / closing door 13 is fully closed, the box pressing component 1 contacts the lever component 12 of the drive-side operating unit. Then, this structure causes the inner cylindrical cam component 74, the pin receiving component 303, and the pin 302 to be positioned closest to the drive side by the pushing force of the first pressing component 259. In this embodiment, the position where the pin receiving component 303 extends to the drive side is referred to as the pin receiving component extended position. The pin receiving component 303 moves between the retracted position and the extended position along the axis of the photosensitive drum 62, which is a photosensitive component.

[0568] Reference Figure 68 This will describe the positional relationship between the lever component 12 of the drive-side operating unit and the lever component 212 of the non-drive-side operating unit.

[0569] Figure 68 This is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus from the non-drive side of the box, showing the box pressing member 1 approaching the lever member 12 and lever member 212 during the closing of the opening / closing door 13 of the main assembly A of the device along direction H in the figure. In the figure, the lever member 12 located on the drive side is indicated by a dashed line.

[0570] The two box pressing members 1 are positioned such that they can contact the rod member 12 and the rod member 212 respectively. That is, one box pressing member 1 is configured as the driving side of pressing the box, while the other box pressing member 1 is configured as the driven side of pressing the box.

[0571] The two cartridge pressing components 1, arranged in this manner on the driving side and the non-driving side, are positioned to overlap each other when viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum. For example... Figure 68 As shown, during the closing of the opening / closing door 13 in direction H, this arrangement ensures that the pressed portion 212a of the lever member 212 contacts the box pressing member 1 before the pressed portion 12a of the lever member 12 contacts the box pressing member 1. Therefore, during the closing of the opening / closing door 13, the non-drive side operating unit operates before the drive side operating unit operates. Thus, as will be described below, the alignment member 301 is extended / retracted by the non-drive side operating unit before the pin receiving member 303 is extended / retracted by the drive side operating unit.

[0572] refer to Figure 69 , 70 Sections 71 and 71 will describe how the drive input unit 300 and the drive transmission unit 81 engage with each other when the rotation axes L3 and L1 of the drive transmission unit 81 and the drive input unit 300 are not aligned before they engage with each other.

[0573] here, Figure 69 Figure (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main assembly A of the device and the box when the box is inserted into the main assembly A of the device and the opening / closing door 13 is fully open. Figure 69 Figure (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the non-drive side operating unit's lever component 212 being pushed by the box pressing component 1 during the process of closing the opening and closing door 13 after the box is inserted into the main component A of the device. Figure 69 Figure (c) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view when the opening and closing door 13 is further closed, the rod member 212 is pushed by the box pressing member 1, and the alignment member 301 reaches the alignment member extension position.

[0574] Figure 69 Layout (d) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the fully engaged state of the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission component 81 and the pin 302 of the drive input unit 300. Figure 69 Figure (d) shows the state where the opening / closing door 13 is fully closed, the lever component 12 of the drive-side operating unit is pushed by the box pressing component 1, the driving force is further input to the main assembly A of the device, and the drive transmission component 81 has rotated. Thus, the drive transmission component 81a and the pin 302 engage with each other.

[0575] exist Figure 69 In Figures (a), (b), (c), and (d), the tilt angle of the drive transmission member 81 decreases as the alignment member 301 of the drive input unit 300 moves toward the alignment member extension position. However, the process of engaging the drive transmission member 81 is shown.

[0576] Figure 70 This is a partial enlarged view of the portion where the inclined surface 301a of the alignment component 301 contacts the end face 81c of the drive transmission component 81 just before the alignment component 301 and the drive transmission component 81 come into contact with each other.

[0577] Figure 71 The drive transmission component 81 and the drive input unit 300 are in the engaged state along Figure 69 The cross-sectional view taken from the cross-section Z in the sub-figure (d) is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the box.

[0578] like Figure 69 As shown in Figure (a), similar to the first embodiment, the drive transmission member 81 tilts in the V direction in the figure by its own weight before engaging with the pin 302. At this time, the alignment member 301 and the pin 302 are in a retracted position and neither is in contact with the drive transmission member 81. Next, during the closing of the opening / closing door 13, the pressed portions 212a of the box pressing member 1 and the rod member 212 come into contact with each other. Then, the outer cylindrical cam member 270 rides on the inner cylindrical cam member 274, causing the inner cylindrical cam member 274, the drive input unit connecting member 304, and the alignment member 301 to begin moving towards the drive side of the box.

[0579] At this time, as Figure 70 As shown, the inclined surface 301a of the alignment member 301 contacts the ridge 81d of the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81. Then, the alignment member 301 moves towards the drive side, simultaneously displacing the drive transmission member 81. Here, by providing sufficiently large pressure to the buffer member 255, the alignment member 301 is able to move to the drive side against the torque acting in the direction in which the drive transmission member 81 is tilted due to its own weight. Then, as... Figure 69 As shown in Figure (b), the alignment member 301 rotates the drive transmission member 81 in the W direction, i.e., moves towards the drive side, while simultaneously reducing the tilt angle of the drive transmission member 81. Then, after the inclined plane 301a passes the ridge line 81d of the drive transmission member 81, the cylindrical portion 301b of the alignment member 301 and the ridge line of the drive transmission portion 81a abut against each other. Here, the rotation axis L3 of the drive transmission member 81 and the rotation axis L1 of the drive input unit 300 are aligned with each other through the engagement of the cylindrical portion 301b and the drive transmission portion 81a. Thereafter, as... Figure 69 As shown in Figure (c), the alignment member 301 moves to the drive side, that is, to the alignment member extension position, until its end face 301f contacts the drive transmission member 81.

[0580] Next, as the door 13 closes further, the pressed portion 12a of the box pressing component 1 and the lever component 12 of the drive-side operating unit comes into contact with each other. At this time, as... Figure 69 As shown in Figure (d), the outer cylindrical cam 70 and the inner cylindrical cam 74 operate as in Embodiment 1, and the pushing force of the first pressing member 259 causes the pin 302 and the pin receiving member 303 to move integrally from the retracted position to the drive side.

[0581] At this time, as Figure 71 As shown, if the phase of the drive transmission portion 81a matches the phase of the pin 302 of the drive input unit 300, then the pin 302 engages with the drive transmission portion 81a at that point in time. However, in the case of other phases, the pin 302 and the pin receiving member 303 do not move to the drive side until the pin 302 contacts the end face 81c of the drive transmission portion 81. However, even in this case, when the drive is input to the main assembly of the device, the drive transmission portion 81 rotates, and the phase difference between the pin 302 of the drive input unit 300 and the phase of the drive transmission unit 81a decreases. When the phases become matched, the pin 302 engages with the drive transmission portion 81a by the pushing force of the first pressing member 59.

[0582] Thus, pin 302 can receive driving force from drive transmission portion 81a. Pin 302 is an input component (drive input component) to which driving force is input. During driving, pin 302 and pin receiving component 303 rotate by the driving force from drive transmission portion 81, and at this time, alignment component 301 rotates by receiving driving force from flange portion 302a to cut portion 301c of pin 302. At this time, drive input unit connecting component 304 also rotates integrally with alignment component 301, while sliding on connecting component support portion 274b of inner cylindrical cam component 274.

[0583] As described above, the inclined surface 301a and the cylindrical portion 301b of the alignment member 301 engage with the drive transmission portion 81a. Thus, even when the rotation axes of the drive transmission member 81 and the drive input unit (connecting member) 300 are misaligned, the rotation axes of the drive transmission member 81 and the drive input unit (connecting member) 300 can be precisely aligned.

[0584] In this embodiment, three pins (input components, input portions) 302 and a pin receiving component (output component, output portion, support portion) 303 correspond to the connecting component. The driving force input to the pins 302 is transmitted to the pin receiving component 303 and output from the pin receiving component 303 to the photosensitive drum 62. Furthermore, the connecting component in this embodiment is also movably supported by a flange component 75 and is disposed at the end of the photosensitive drum.

[0585] In a broad sense, not only the three pins 202 and the pin receiving component 303, but also the alignment component 301 can be referred to as a connecting component. That is to say, the drive input unit 300, except for the alignment component 301, is already referred to as a connecting component, but the drive input unit 300 as a whole can be referred to as a connecting component in a broad sense.

[0586] In a variant of Embodiment 1, the connecting member 64 itself engages with the drive transmission member 81 by reducing the tilt of the drive transmission member 81.

[0587] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the movable part (alignment part) 301 arranged near the input part (pin 302) of the connecting part moves from the retracted position (non-operating position) toward the drive transmission part 81, that is, moves toward the extended position (operating position). This corresponds to Figure 69 The process is shown in Figures (a), (b), and (c). When the alignment member 301 moves in this manner, it pushes against the drive transmission member 81, thereby reducing the tilt angle of the drive transmission member 81. As a result, the drive input member (302) and the drive transmission member 81 enter an engaging state. This is precisely... Figure 69 The state is shown in sub-graph (c).

[0588] In other words, after the alignment member 301 moves from the retracted position to the extended position to reduce the tilt angle of the drive transmission member 81, the connecting members (pin 302 and pin receiving member 303) move from the retracted position to the extended position. Figure 69 (See diagram (d)). Thus, the connecting member engages with the drive transmission member 81. The alignment member 301 and the connecting members (pin 302 and pin receiving member 303) are configured to move back and forth at different times.

[0589] As in the variants of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, when the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81a is aligned with the rotation axis of the drum by the chamfered portion 64e of the connecting member 64, the engagement width between the drive transmission member 81 and the connecting member is reduced by the amount of the chamfered portion 64e. However, according to the method of this embodiment, the member that directly receives the driving force of the drive transmission member 81 is the pin 302, and the alignment member 301 aligns the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81 with the rotation axis of the drum. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a chamfer or the like on the pin 302 itself. Therefore, sufficient engagement width can be provided, and more reliable drive transmission can be performed.

[0590] <Variation of Example 7>

[0591] In the following text, variations of the structure of this embodiment will be described. In the preceding description ( Figure 69The inclined surface 301a and cylindrical portion 301b of the alignment component 301 engage with the ridge 81d of the drive transmission portion 81. This allows the drive transmission component 81 to be rotated (oscillated) and its rotation axis L3 to be aligned with the rotation axis L1 of the drive input unit 300. However, in order to rotate the drive transmission component 81 to align its rotation axis with the drive input unit 300, it is not necessary to use the ridge 81d of the recess 81a of the drive transmission portion 81; instead, the outer periphery 81e of the drive transmission portion can be used. Figure 25 In the following, a variation will be described in which an outer peripheral receiving alignment member 305 is provided instead of the alignment member 301 of embodiment 7, and the outer peripheral receiving alignment member 305 and the outer periphery 81e of the drive transmission unit are engaged with each other, and the rotation axis L3 of the drive transmission member 81 is aligned with the rotation axis L1 of the drive input unit 300.

[0592] First, refer to Figure 72 and 73 The description will cover the peripheral receiving alignment component 305 and the drum unit formed therefrom.

[0593] Figure 72 This is a perspective view of the drive input unit 300 according to this variant.

[0594] Figure 73 This is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drum unit and drum bearing 73 according to this variant example.

[0595] like Figure 72 and 73 As shown, the outer peripheral receiving alignment member 305 is provided with a bevel 305a, a cylindrical portion 305b, a base 304c, and a hole portion 305d. The hole portion 305d is located at the center of the base 304c on the disk. Furthermore, three cylindrical portions 305b are arranged radially outside the hole portion 305d and at equal intervals circumferentially on the base 304c. The bevel 305a is located at the end of the cylindrical portion 304b. The bevel 305a is inclined such that it approaches the base 304c radially towards the inside of the base 304c.

[0596] Furthermore, the differences from Embodiment 7 described above, except for the peripheral receiving alignment member 305, will be described, and a drum unit including the peripheral receiving alignment member 305 will be described. The drive input unit 300 is provided with a peripheral receiving alignment member 305 instead of the alignment member 301.

[0597] As described above, the portion of the drive input unit 300 other than the alignment member 305 corresponds to the connecting member in this embodiment, but in a broader sense, the entire drive input unit 300 can also be referred to as the connecting member.

[0598] like Figure 73 As shown, the drive input unit connecting component 304 is provided with a base support portion 304e. The hole 305d of the peripheral receiving alignment component 305 is inserted into the base support portion 304 and fixed with screws or adhesive. When assembling the drum unit, the peripheral receiving alignment component 305 is inserted into the drum in the state of being assembled to the drive input unit connecting component 304.

[0599] Furthermore, the pin receiving component 303 is provided with an outer cylindrical receiving portion 303i. This portion is positioned corresponding to the cylindrical portion 305b of the outer peripheral receiving alignment component 305, and can be engaged by aligning the phase when inserting the drive input unit connecting component 304. The cover component 258 also has a cylindrical receiving portion 258a positioned corresponding to the cylindrical portion 305b of the outer peripheral receiving alignment component 305. Therefore, the cylindrical portion 305b of the outer peripheral receiving alignment component 305 is configured to protrude from the inside of the drum to the outside of the drum through the cylindrical receiving portion 258a of the cover component 258 and the outer peripheral cylindrical receiving portion 303i of the pin receiving component 303. The drum bearing 73 supports the drive-side flange 275 instead of the pin receiving component 303.

[0600] Additionally, the first pressing member 259, the outer cylindrical cam 70, and the inner cylindrical cam 74 avoid the outer peripheral receiving alignment member 305 by increasing their inner diameter, but their basic structure remains the same as described above. The pin 302, the buffer member 255, and the non-drive side flange 254 also have the same structure as described above. Furthermore, similar to the alignment member 301 described above, the outer peripheral receiving alignment member 305 can move together with the drive input unit connecting member 304 in the longitudinal direction of the box as the non-drive side operating unit is operated. In this variant, the position where the outer peripheral receiving alignment member 305 extends to the drive side to its maximum extent will also be referred to as the alignment member extension position.

[0601] Next, refer to Figure 74 and 75 This will describe how the drive input unit 300 and the drive transmission unit 81 engage with each other when the rotation axis L3 of the drive transmission component 81 and the rotation axis L1 of the drive input unit 300 are not on the same axis before they engage with each other.

[0602] here, Figure 74 Figure (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main assembly A and the box when the box is inserted into the main assembly A of the device and the opening / closing door 13 is fully open. Figure 74 Figure (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the non-drive side operating unit's lever component 212 being pushed by the box pressing component 1 during the closing of the opening and closing door 13 after the box is inserted into the main assembly A of the device. Figure 74Figure (c) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view when the opening and closing door 13 is further closed, the lever member 212 is pushed by the box pressing member 1, and the outer peripheral receiving alignment member 305 reaches the alignment member extension position. Figure 74 Layout (d) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the fully engaged state of the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission component 81 and the pin 302 of the drive input unit 300. Figure 74 Figure (d) shows the state after the opening and closing door 13 is fully closed, the lever component 12 of the drive-side operating unit is pushed by the box pressing component 1, the driving force is input to the main component A of the device, and the drive transmission component 81 is rotated.

[0603] exist Figure 74 In the sub-figures (a), (b), (c) and (d), the outer periphery of the drive input unit 300 receives the alignment member 305 and engages with the drive transmission member 81. At this time, the tilt angle of the drive transmission member 81 is reduced, and it moves to the alignment member extension position.

[0604] Figure 75 This is a magnified view of the portion of the inclined surface 305a of the outer peripheral receiving alignment component 305 that abuts against the end face 81c of the drive transmission component 81, just before the outer peripheral receiving alignment component 305 and the drive transmission component 81 come into contact with each other.

[0605] like Figure 74 As shown in Figure (a), similar to Embodiment 1, the drive transmission member 81 tilts in the V direction in the figure by its own weight before engaging with the pin 302. At this time, the outer peripheral receiving alignment member 305 and the pin 302 are in a retracted position and neither is in contact with the drive transmission member 81. Next, during the closing of the opening and closing door 13, the pressed portions 212a of the box pressing member 1 and the rod member 212 come into contact with each other. Then, the outer cylindrical cam member 270 rides on the inner cylindrical cam member 274, causing the inner cylindrical cam member 274, the drive input unit connecting member 304, and the outer peripheral receiving alignment member 305 to begin moving the cylindrical cam towards the drive side of the box.

[0606] At this time, as Figure 75 As shown, the inclined surface 305a of the outer peripheral receiving alignment member 305 contacts the outer peripheral ridge 81f of the drive transmission portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81. Thereafter, the alignment member 301 moves towards the drive side, simultaneously moving the drive transmission member 81 away. Here, by providing sufficiently large pressure to the buffer member 255, the alignment member 301 is able to move towards the drive side against the torque acting in the direction in which the drive transmission member 81 is tilted due to its own weight. Then, as... Figure 69As shown in Figure (b), the drive transmission member 81 rotates along the direction W in the figure, that is, the drive transmission member 81 moves toward the drive side while the tilt angle of the drive transmission member 81 decreases. Thereafter, the inclined surface 305a passes through the outer peripheral ridge 81f of the drive transmission member 81, and then the cylindrical portion 305b of the alignment member 301 and the outer peripheral ridge 81f of the drive transmission member 81 come into contact with each other. Here, the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81 and the rotation axis of the drive input unit 300 pass through the three cylindrical portions 305b (… Figure 72 Alignment is achieved through the engagement between the ) and the drive transmission section 81a. Thereafter, as Figure 74 As shown in Figure (c), the peripheral receiving alignment member 305 moves toward the drive side until the end face of the peripheral receiving alignment member 305 contacts the drive transmission member 81, that is, it moves to the alignment member extension position.

[0607] The operation after the outer peripheral receiving alignment member 305 has moved to the alignment member extended position is the same as described above. When the opening / closing door 13 is further closed, the pin 302 and the pin receiving member 303 move integrally from the pin receiving member retracted position to the drive side through the action of the drive-side operating unit. When the drive input is further given to the main assembly A of the device, the drive transmission part 81 and the pin 302 engage with each other.

[0608] During the drive, pin 302 and pin receiving component 303 rotate under the driving force from drive transmission portion 81, and at this time, outer peripheral receiving alignment component 305 moves from outer cylindrical receiving portion 303i to cylindrical portion 305b by receiving driving force. At this time, drive input unit connecting component 304 also rotates integrally with outer peripheral receiving alignment component 305, while sliding relative to connecting component support portion 274b of inner cylindrical cam component 274.

[0609] In the manner described above, the inclined surface 301a and the cylindrical portion 301b of the alignment component 301 are engaged with the drive transmission portion 81a. Thus, even when the rotation axis of the drive transmission component 81 and the rotation axis of the drive input unit 300 are misaligned, the rotation axis of the drive transmission component 81 and the rotation axis of the drive input unit 300 can be precisely aligned.

[0610] In this variant, the shape of the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81 aligned with the rotation axis of the drum is positioned at a location different from that of the drive transmission portion 81a that transmits the driving force from the drive transmission member 81, i.e., at the outer peripheral ridge 81f. Therefore, the shape of the pin 302, which directly receives the driving force from the drive transmission member 81, is less restricted, and the diameter of the pin 302 can be increased or a shape matching that of the drive transmission portion 81a can be provided. Thus, according to this variant, it is feasible to perform more reliable drive transmission and increase the strength of the pin 302 based on its shape.

[0611] Furthermore, although the outer peripheral receiving alignment member 305 is aligned via three cylindrical portions, it can be, for example, in the shape of a cylindrical tube, and the shape is not limited as long as it can be aligned. Even in such a case, the same effect can be achieved.

[0612] <Example 8>

[0613] Next, Embodiment 8 will be described. As shown in the drive transmission section 81 in the variant of Embodiment 1, the drive transmission member in this embodiment is configured to be tiltable (capable of tilting).

[0614] Descriptions of points identical to those in the above embodiments may be omitted. Specifically, among the elements on the box side disclosed in this embodiment, components corresponding to those described in Embodiment 2 will be given the same names as in Embodiment 2, and only the parts that differ from those in Embodiment 2 may be described. Figure 76 and Figure 77 This is a perspective view of the processing box of Embodiment 1. Similarly, in this embodiment, the box is provided with a connecting member (drive input member) 264 for receiving driving force from the main assembly of the device. In this embodiment, similar to Embodiment 2, a rod 212 (…) is used to move the connecting member 264 back and forth. Figure 21 The connecting member 64 is located on the non-driving side of the box. Therefore, the connecting member 64 can move back and forth as described in embodiment 2, similar to the connecting member 264. Figure 24 Subplots (a) to (c)).

[0615] like Figure 76 As shown, the drive-side bearing component 401 is equipped with a control component 402. The drive-side bearing component 401 is part of the frame of the cartridge and is a component for rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum on the drive side of the cartridge. The bearing component 401 is also part of the side surface of the frame of the cartridge. In other words, the drive-side bearing component 401 is the part that forms the end of the frame in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum.

[0616] The control component 402 and the connecting component 64 are arranged on the same side (drive side) of the cartridge in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The control component 402 is arranged near the end of the cartridge frame (bearing component 401) in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum.

[0617] like Figure 77 As shown, the control component 402 is provided with a limiting portion 402a, a contact portion 402b, and an initial contact portion 402c. The control component 402 is mounted on the drive-side bearing component 401 so as to be rotatable about the axis MX, and is fixed by contact between the initial contact portion 402c and the control component contact portion 401a. The position of the control component 402 at this time is called the non-operating position (retracted position). Figure 76 As shown, the control component 402 is positioned on the outside of the free end of the connecting component 64 (arrow LO side) in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum.

[0618] Figure 78 This is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission components and the processing box when the processing box is installed in the main assembly of the device. (Example) Figure 78 As shown in Figure (a), the control component 402 is positioned downstream of line M1, which connects the rotation axis of the drum 62 and the rotation axis of the developing roller 32, in the direction of gravity. Furthermore, the control component 402 has a torque acting in the direction of arrow MA about the axis MX, which serves as the center of rotation, due to its own weight, and the initial contact portion 402c contacts the control component contact portion 401a of the drive-side bearing component 401.

[0619] Next, when the processing box is like Figure 78 As shown in Figure (b), when inserted, the contact portion (box-side guide portion) 402b of the control component 402 contacts the main component guide portion 403 provided in the main component A of the device. As the processing box is further inserted, the contact portion 402b moves along the main component guide portion 403, and the control component 402 rotates about the axis MX in the direction of arrow MB. As the processing box is further inserted, the limiting portion 402a contacts the side surface 81f of the drive transmission component 81, as shown in Figure (b). Figure 78 As shown in Figure (c). Then, the limiting part (pressing part, actuating part) 402a presses and pushes the side surface 81f of the drive transmission member in the direction of arrow MC.

[0620] Therefore, in the drive transmission component 81, along as... Figure 15 The torque in the direction of arrow W, as shown, is generated as in Embodiment 1, which reduces the tilt angle of the drive transmission component 81. At this time, the distance L2 between the drum rotation axis and the limiting portion 402a is greater than... Figure 78In sub-diagram (a), the distance L1 between the drum rotation axis and the limiting part 402a is short. At this time, the position of the control component 402 is called the operating position (contact position).

[0621] When the control component 402 is in the active position, the limiting portion 402a of the control component 402 is adjacent to the outer peripheral surface (outer peripheral surface) of the photosensitive drum 62 in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum 62. In other words, when the box is viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum 62, the limiting portion 402a of the control component 402 is adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 62.

[0622] The limiting portion 402a is a portion of the surface of the control member 402 that is at a variable distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum. When the control member 402 is in the active position, when viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum 62, which is the photosensitive element, the limiting portion 402a faces the side of the photosensitive drum, which is the photosensitive element.

[0623] Figure 79 This is a perspective view of the structure in Embodiment 8, showing the initialization spring 404 provided on the control component 402 and the drive-side bearing component 401. By providing the initialization spring 404, the initial contact portion 402c of the control component 402 can more reliably contact the control component contact portion 401a of the drive-side bearing component 401. Therefore, the tilt angle of the drive transmission component 81 can be reduced more stably.

[0624] By reducing the tilt angle of the drive transmission component 81, the angular difference between the axis of the drive transmission component 81 and the axis of the connecting component 64 is reduced. That is, the output connecting portion 81a (located at the free end of the drive transmission component 81) Figure 25 The center of the output connection portion 81a is close to the center of the connection component 264, so that the output connection portion 81a becomes able to engage with the connection component 264.

[0625] As described above, the connecting member 264 can move back and forth similarly to the connecting member 264 shown in Embodiment 2. Therefore, similar to... Figure 24 The connecting member 264 shown in Figures (a) to (c) can also be engaged with the drive transmission member 81 by approaching it in this embodiment. Figure 24 (c)).

[0626] The control component 402 is an alignment aid (assistance component, alignment component, movable component) used to assist in the alignment of the drive transmission component 81 relative to the coupling component 264. The limiting portion 402a is an actuating portion (contact portion) that contacts and acts on the drive transmission component 81. The limiting portion 402a is a pushing portion that pushes the drive transmission component 81 to reduce the tilt angle of the drive transmission component 81.

[0627] refer to Figure 78 This will describe the movement trajectory of the control unit 402. The control unit 402 is capable of moving between two positions. Figure 78 The position of the control component 402 shown by the solid line in sub-graph (d) is its position acting on the drive transmission component 81 (the aforementioned position of action: Figure 78 (See Figure (c)). The limiting portion 402a of the control member 402 is located near the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 62, which is a photosensitive member, on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum. On the other hand, by Figure 78 The position of control component 402, indicated by the dashed line in sub-diagram (d), is a position retracted from the operating position (as mentioned above for the non-operating position and the retracted position). Figure 78 (See Figure (a)). When the control component 402 is in the non-operating position, the control component 402 is further away from the center (axis) of the photosensitive drum 462, which is a photosensitive component, than when it is in the operating position.

[0628] The operating position of control component 402 ( Figure 78 The sub-graph (c) and the non-active location ( Figure 78 One of the sub-figures (a) can be referred to as the first position of the control component, and the other as the second position of the control component. The active position of the control component 402 is the position in which it acts on the drive transmission component 81 (more specifically, the position in which it pushes the drive transmission component 81 to reduce the tilt of the drive transmission component 81). The inactive position is the position away from the active position.

[0629] Regardless of the position of the control component 402, the control component 402 is located axially outward relative to the free end of the connecting component 264 in the retracted position. Figure 76 (The direction of arrow LO in the text). Although in the embodiment described herein, tension spring 404 ( Figure 79 The spring (elastic member) shown is used to hold the control member 402 in its initial position (non-active position, retracted position), but any structure can be used as long as it can be initialized. For example, in addition to a tension spring, a compression spring, a torsion coil spring, etc., can be provided as the spring (elastic member). That is, when the box is installed, the control member 402 is set to the predetermined initial position (non-active position, retracted position) by pushing the control member 402 in the direction of arrow MA by the elastic member (pushing member). Figure 78 (See Figure (a)). As an alternative approach, a structure can be considered in which a counterweight is mounted to the free end of the control component, and when the box is installed, the weight of the counterweight holds the control component in its initial position. This method is not limited.

[0630] Furthermore, to avoid interfering with the image formation process performed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 62, the control component 402 is arranged not to cover the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 and not to contact its surface. At least when the control component 402 is in the active position ( Figure 78 In the sub-image (c), the surface of the photosensitive drum 62 is not covered or contacted by the control component 402.

[0631] <Variation 1 of Example 8>

[0632] Next, a variant of this embodiment (Variation 1 of Embodiment 8) will be described, in which the above structure is partially modified. In Variation 1, the drive transmission section 81 is also constructed to be tiltable (able to tilt) in a similar manner to the structure described above.

[0633] Figure 80 This is a cross-sectional view of the processing box of this variant example.

[0634] like Figure 80 As shown, the control component 412 is positioned between the cleaning frame 71 and the drum bearing 73 so as to be able to slide in the directions MD and ME.

[0635] The control unit 412 is positioned downstream of the rotation axis of the connecting drum 62 and the rotation axis of the developing roller 32 in the direction of gravity.

[0636] The control component 412 is provided with a limiting part (acting part, pushing part) 412a, a contact part 412b, and an initial contact part 412c. The control component 412 is pushed in the direction of arrow ME by its own weight, and is fixed by contacting the contact part 73g of the drum bearing 73 through the initial contact part 412c. This is the state in which the control component 412 is in the non-acting position (retracted position).

[0637] Figure 81 This is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission components and the processing box when the processing box is installed into the main assembly of the device. For example... Figure 81 As shown in Figure (a), the initial contact portion 412c of the control component 412 contacts the contact portion 73g of the drum bearing 73 by its own weight.

[0638] The control unit 412 is positioned downstream of the line M1 that connects the rotation axes of the drum 62 and the developing roller 32 to each other in the direction of gravity.

[0639] When the processing box is inserted, the contact portion 412b contacts the main component guide portion 413, such as Figure 81 The subplot (b) is shown.

[0640] As the processing box is further inserted, the control unit 412 receives a reaction force from the main component guide portion 413 and moves in the direction of arrow MD, as shown. Figure 81As shown in Figure (c), this operation brings the limiting portion 412a into contact with the side surface 81g of the connecting portion of the drive transmission component 81. When the processing cartridge is further inserted, the limiting portion 412a presses against the side surface 81g of the connecting portion in the direction of arrow MD. Thus, in the drive transmission component 81, as in Embodiment 1, a situation similar to that described... Figure 15 The torque shown in the direction of arrow W reduces the tilt angle of the drive transmission component 81. This is the state where the control component 412 is in the active position. At this time, the distance L4 between the drum rotation axis and the limiting part 412a is greater than... Figure 81 In Figure (a), the distance L3 between the drum rotation axis and the limiting part 412a is short. At this time, the limiting part 412a of the control unit is located near the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum on a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum. Figure 82 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure in which an initialization spring 414 is disposed between the control member 412 and the cleaning frame 71. By providing the initialization spring 414, the control member 412 is pushed in the ME direction. As a result, the initial contact portion 412c of the control member 412 can make more reliable contact with the contact portion 73g of the drum bearing 73.

[0641] In embodiment 7, the alignment member 301 is disposed at the end of the photosensitive drum 62. That is, the alignment member 301 is arranged near the pin (drive input member) 301 of the connecting member. Figure 62 On the other hand, in this embodiment, the control component 412 is not located near the connecting component 264, but is located within the frame of the housing. Even though the control component (centering aid, movable component, alignment component) 412 is located away from the connecting component 264 in this way, it can still move toward the drive transmission component 81, and the tilt angle of the drive transmission component 81 can be reduced by pushing the drive transmission component 81. Thus, the control component 412 can engage and connect the drive transmission component 81 and the connecting component 264.

[0642] <Variation 2 of Example 8>

[0643] Next, another variant (Variation 2) that partially modifies the structure of this embodiment (Embodiment 8) will be described. Similarly, in this variant, the drive transmission portion 81 is configured to be pivotable (tiltable).

[0644] Figure 83 This is a perspective view of the processing box of this variant example. Furthermore, Figure 84 It is along when the processing box is installed to the main component of the device. Figure 83 The cross-sectional view taken from line AA in the diagram. Figure 87 yes Figure 83 Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the structure.

[0645] like Figure 87 As shown, the control unit 422 is positioned on the downstream side of the gravity direction relative to the rotation axis of the connecting drum 62 and the rotation axis of the developing roller 32.

[0646] like Figure 84 As shown in Figure (a), the cleaning frame 71 is provided with an initial limiting portion 711, a post-insertion limiting portion 771m, and a frame side push pressure receiving portion 71n. The control member 422 is rotatably supported on the cleaning frame 71 about axis MY. Furthermore, the control member 422 is provided with a limiting portion (acting portion, pushing portion) 422a, a contact portion 422b, an initial contact portion 422c, a post-insertion contact portion 422d, and a control member side push pressure receiving portion 422e. A tension spring 424, serving as a pushing member, is provided on the control member side push pressure receiving portion 422e and the frame side push pressure receiving portion 71n.

[0647] Before being inserted into the main assembly of the device, a force in the direction of arrow MF acts from the tension spring 424 on the control member 422. This results in a torque in the direction of MG acting on the control member 422, causing it to rotate about axis MY and come to rest by abutting against each other through the initial contact portion 422c and the initial limiting portion 71l of the cleaning frame 71. This is the state where the control member 422 is in the non-operating position (retracted position).

[0648] Next, when the processing box is inserted, the contact portion (box-side guide portion) 422b of the control component 422 contacts the main component frame (main component-side guide portion) 423, as... Figure 84 As shown in Figure (b), the control component 422 rotates about the rotation axis MY in the direction of arrow MH due to the reaction force received from the main component guide portion 423 via the contact portion 422b. When the processing box... Figure 84 When further inserted as shown in sub-graph (c), the control member 422 rotates in the MH direction by the force received from the tension spring 424 in the direction of arrow MF, contacts the side surface 81f of the drive transmission member 81, and pushes the drive transmission member 81 in the direction of arrow MI. Thus, as in Embodiment 1, a force is generated in the drive transmission member 81 such as... Figure 15 The torque shown in the direction of arrow W reduces the tilt angle of the drive transmission component 81. At this time, the control component 422 (control unit) is in the active position.

[0649] At this time, as Figure 87 As shown, Figure 87 The distance L6 between the drum rotation axis and the limiting part 422a in sub-figure (c) is... Figure 87 In diagram (a), the distance L5 between the drum's rotation axis and the limiting part 422a is short. For example... Figure 87 As shown in Figure (c), the limiting portion 422a is located near the outer peripheral surface of the drum in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum. When the control component 422 is in the active position ( Figure 84 The subplot (c) and Figure 87 In the diagram (c), at least a portion of the control component (i.e., the contact portion 422b) is located outside the free end of the connecting component 264 in the axial direction (LO direction).

[0650] The control component 402 described in Embodiment 8 and the first variant of Embodiment 8 ( Figure 77 ) and control unit 412 ( Figure 80 The control unit 402 moves along a direction perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum (see Figure (a)), but it cannot move along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. That is, the control unit 402 revolves around a axial portion MX parallel to the axis of the photosensitive drum, which is the photosensitive component (see Figure (a)). Figure 77 The control component 412 rotates and slides linearly in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum, which serves as the photosensitive component. Figure 80 (a) of the subplot.

[0651] On the other hand, in the second variant, when the control unit 442 is in the non-operating position ( Figure 84 The sub-image (a) is moved to the active position ( Figure 84 In the sub-figure (c), the limiting part (acting part, pushing part) 422a of the control unit 442 is displaced in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. That is, when the control unit 442 moves to the acting position, the limiting unit 422a is displaced outward in the axial direction, i.e., in Figure 84 Move to the left in subplot (c).

[0652] <Variation 3 of Example 8>

[0653] Furthermore, another variation (Variation 3) according to this embodiment will be described. Similarly, in this variation, the drive transmission portion 81 is configured to be pivotable (tiltable) as in the structure described above.

[0654] like Figure 85 As shown, the control component 432 is equipped with a compression spring 435 as a pressing unit.

[0655] Figure 86 This is a cross-sectional view when the processing box is installed into the main body of the device. For example... Figure 86 As shown in Figure (a), the drum bearing 73 has a contact portion 73g. When the processing box is inserted into the main assembly of the device, the compression spring 435 contacts the guide portion 433 of the main assembly, as shown in Figure (a). Figure 86As shown in Figure (b), the compression spring 435 pushes the control member 432 in the direction of arrow MJ. Consequently, the contact portion 432b of the control member 432 contacts the side surface 81f of the drive transmission member 81, and presses the drive transmission member 81 in the direction of arrow MJ. Thus, as in Embodiment 1, the drive transmission member 81... Figure 15 A torque is generated in the direction of arrow W shown, and the drive transmission member 81 contacts the limiting portion 73g provided on the drum bearing 73, so that the tilt angle of the drive transmission member 81 can be reduced.

[0656] When the processing box is installed on the main assembly of the device and the drive transmission component 81 and the connecting component 64 are engaged, the rotation axis of the drive transmission component 81 and the rotation axis of the connecting component 64 are aligned. At this time, the drive transmission component 81 moves in the direction of arrow MK, as shown. Figure 86 The subplot (c) is shown.

[0657] Furthermore, although the mechanism of Embodiment 1 or the mechanism disclosed in Embodiment 2 is used as the mechanism for the extension and retraction of the connecting member in Embodiments 3 to 8, the method of extension and retraction is not limited to this method, and other methods can be used.

[0658] <Example 9>

[0659] Next, Embodiment 9 will be described. Descriptions of points identical to those in the above embodiments may be omitted. In the elements disclosed in this embodiment, components corresponding to those described in Embodiment 8 will be given the same names as in Embodiment 8, and only the differences from Embodiment 8 may be described.

[0660] In the following embodiments, as in Embodiment 8, the drive transmission portion 1081 is configured to be pivotable (tiltable). Figure 92 In addition, control components (centering auxiliary components, movable components, pushing components, alignment components) 1001 ( Figure 88 It is set in the box.

[0661] In each of the above embodiments, including Embodiment 8, the driving force is transmitted to the developing roller 32 via the developing roller gear 36 that meshes with the gear portion 75a disposed on the driving side flange member 75. Figure 27 In other words, the driving force input from the main assembly of the device to the connecting part (drive input part) of the cartridge is transmitted not only to the photosensitive drum but also to the developing roller 32 through a branch within the cartridge. However, the cartridge and the main assembly of the image forming apparatus do not necessarily have to have such a structure. That is, it is also conceivable that the developing roller 32 receives the driving force directly from the main assembly of the image forming apparatus, independent of the photosensitive drum 62.

[0662] As an example, this embodiment has a structure in which the developing roller gear 36 is exposed outside the cartridge to directly engage with the drive transmission member 1081 of the main assembly A of the device and directly receive the driving force from the drive transmission member 1081.

[0663] Furthermore, although in the above-described embodiments, including embodiment 8, the connecting member 64 is configured to extend and retract relative to the drum 62 in the longitudinal direction ( Figure 6 and 8 However, this is not necessarily necessary. The connecting component can be fixed to the end of the photosensitive drum. Therefore, in this embodiment, a connecting component fixed to the photosensitive drum is introduced.

[0664] Furthermore, in embodiment 8, the drive transmission component 81 moves along its own weight. Figure 15 The arrow V shown is tilted in direction, but this is not necessarily required. As described in Embodiment 3, the drive transmission component can be tilted by forces other than gravity, and the drive transmission component can be tilted in a direction different from the direction of gravity. Therefore, in this embodiment, as... Figure 92 As shown, the drive transmission component 1081 is tilted in the direction of arrow VV by the elastic force F22. This reduces the resistance when installing the processing box B to and removing the processing box B from the main assembly A of the device (details will be described below).

[0665] (Structure of connecting and control components)

[0666] First refer to Figures 88 to 91 and Figure 98 The structure of the connecting component 1064 and the control component 1001 will be described.

[0667] Figure 88 The sub-image (a) is a perspective view of box B according to this embodiment. Figure 88 Layout (b) is an exploded perspective view of box B according to this embodiment. Figure 89 Figure (a) is a side view of box B according to this embodiment. Figure 89 The subplot (b) is along Figure 89 The cross-sectional view taken by line XX-XX at the drive side end of box B in Figure (a).

[0668] like Figure 88 As shown in Figures (a) and (b), the control unit 1001 (which is used to control the drive transmission unit 1081) Figure 92 The component that controls the orientation of the photosensitive drum 62 is arranged near the end of the frame of the box. The control component 1001 is a movable component that can move relative to the photosensitive drum 62.

[0669] The control component 1001 has a hole 1001c. The hole 1001c is supported by a support boss 1071a provided on the cleaning frame 1071. Additionally, the drum bearing 1073 is integrally fixed to the cleaning frame 1071. The drum bearing 1073 and the cleaning frame 1071 form part of the frame of the housing. Specifically, the drum bearing 1073 and the cleaning frame 1071 are the frame forming the cleaning unit 60 (see...). Figure 4 The control component 1001 is rotatably mounted to the drum bearing 1073 about the axis AA of the support boss 1071a.

[0670] A push spring 1002 (which is a torsion coil spring) is mounted to the support boss 1071a, and one end 1002a of the push spring 1002 contacts the pressed portion 1001d of the control member 1001. The other end 1002b of the push spring 1002 contacts the contacted portion 1073c of the drum bearing 1073. Therefore, the control member 1001 is pushed by the pushing force FF1 of the push spring 1002 in the direction of arrow BB.

[0671] On the other hand, the drum bearing 1073 is provided with a control member contact portion (stop portion) 1073a that limits the rotation range of the control member 1001. The control member 1001 is pushed by the push spring 1002 in the direction of arrow BB, so the contacted portion 1001b of the control member 1001 is in a position that contacts the control member contact portion 1073a. That is, the movement of the control member 1001 stops when it contacts the control member 1001 through the control member contact portion 1073a.

[0672] In addition, such as Figure 89 As shown in Figure (a), the limiting portion (pressing portion, actuating portion) 1001a of the control component 1001 is arranged adjacent to the surface 62a of the drum 62, that is, from the direction of arrow HH parallel to the axis of the drum 62 ( Figure 88 In Figure (a), the distance between the control component 1001 and the surface 62a of the drum 62 is DA. The position of the control component 1001 in this state is called the operating position of the control component.

[0673] In addition, such as Figure 89 As shown in Figure (b), the limiting portion 1001a of the control component 1001 is located at a distance DB from the outer side of the driven transmission portion 1064a of the connecting component 1064 in the longitudinal direction.

[0674] In addition, such as Figure 98 Subplot (a) and Figure 98As shown in Figure (b), when an external force is applied to the limiting portion 1001a of the control member 1001, the control member 1001 can rotate about axis AA in the BB2 direction. At this time, the control member 1001 rotates in the BB2 direction against the pushing force of the push spring 1002. In this state, the contacted portion 1001b of the control member 1001 does not contact the contact portion 1073a of the control member. The control member 1001 can rotate a predetermined angle in the direction of arrow BB2.

[0675] As described above, in embodiment 8, the connecting member 64 is mounted to the drum 62 via the drive-side flange member 75, thereby enabling it to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction (see [link]). Figure 6 and Figure 8 On the other hand, in this embodiment, such as Figure 89 As shown in Figure (b), the connecting member 1064 is integrally fixed to the drum 62. Therefore, the connecting member 1064 does not include a mechanism for reciprocating relative to the drum 62 in the longitudinal direction. In Embodiment 1, the connecting member 64 transmits drive to the developing roller gear 36 via the gear portion 75a of the drive side flange member 75. Figure 27 On the other hand, in this embodiment, the connecting member 1064 does not have a gear portion and does not transmit drive to the developing roller gear 36. Furthermore, the tooth surface 36a of the developing roller gear 36 is located outward in the longitudinal direction relative to the connecting member 1064, and the tooth surface 36a is exposed to the outer surface of the cartridge B, such as... Figure 88 As shown.

[0676] On the other hand, such as Figure 90 As shown, the drive transmission component 1081 of the main component A of the device has a drive transmission part (output connection part) 1081a and a gear part (output gear part) 1081b. Figure 91 The diagram illustrates the engagement state of the coupling member 1064 and the drive transmission member 1081 according to this embodiment. During imaging, as... Figure 91 As shown, the drive transmission member 1081 is coaxially arranged with the drum 62. The drive transmission portion 1081a then meshes with the driven transmission portion 1064a of the connecting member 1064, while the gear portion 1081b meshes with the tooth surface (drive input portion) 36a of the developing roller gear 36. Therefore, the drive transmission member 1081 can simultaneously transmit driving force to both the connecting member 1064 and the developing roller gear 36.

[0677] Similar to the connecting component 1064, the developing roller gear 36 is a drive input component (gear component) to which driving force is input from outside the cartridge B (i.e., the drive transmission component 1081 of the main assembly of the device). In particular, the developing roller gear 36 may be referred to as a drive input gear component.

[0678] (Structure of the drive transmission component)

[0679] Reference Figure 89 and Figure 92 The structure of the drive transmission component 1081 of the main component A of the device will be described.

[0680] Similar to Example 8, box B is positioned along guide rails 15h and 15g ( Figure 10 and Figure 11 Insert the main component A of the device into the mounting section. At this time, as Figure 89 As shown in Figure (a), the direction CC followed by which the cartridge B is finally installed to the main assembly A of the device is substantially perpendicular to the cutting line XX of the center PP of the connecting drum 62 and the center QQ of the developing roller 32.

[0681] on the other hand, Figure 92 This is a cross-sectional view showing the support structure of the drive transmission component 1081 according to this embodiment. Figure 92 This shows the state where box B is not installed to the main assembly A of the device and the opening / closing door 13 is open. (As shown) Figure 92 As shown, the supported portion 1081f of the cylindrical drive transmission member 1081 is supported by the supporting portion 1085a of the spherical drive transmission member support member 1085. Therefore, the drive transmission member 1081 can tilt at the center RR of the supporting portion 1085a, and at the same time, the drive transmission member 1081 can move along the cylindrical axis EE of the supported portion 1081f.

[0682] Furthermore, depending on the opening / closing operation of the door 13, the direction of arrow KK and the direction of arrow TT can be adjusted. Figure 96 The retractable member 1003, which moves on the sub-graph (a)), is mounted to the drive transmission member 1081 via a device not shown. The retractable member 1003 is provided with a tilting spring 1006 (which is a compression spring), and the drive transmission member 1081 is pushed by the pushing force FF2 in the pressed portion 1081c. By the pushing force FF2 of the tilting spring 1006, the contacted portion 1081d of the drive transmission member 1081 contacts the protrusion 1004 provided on the main assembly A of the device, while the contacted portion 1081e contacts the protrusion 1005. As a result, the drive transmission member 1081 adopts an inclined posture in the direction of arrow VV.

[0683] At this point, when viewed along the direction of arrow HH (which is parallel to the axis of drum 62), the tilt direction of the drive transmission component 1081 includes parallel to... Figure 89 The component of the cutting line XX in the direction of arrow GG in the diagram (a). Preferably, protrusions 1004 and 1005 are provided at positions where the tilt direction of the drive transmission member 1081 is within a 45° range relative to arrow GG. Figure 93Subplot (b) and Figure 94 (b) of the subplot.

[0684] (The process of installing / removing the main component box of the device)

[0685] refer to Figures 93 to 96 The figures describe the process of installing box B in the main assembly A of the device and the operation of control unit 1001. In these figures, control unit 1001 is shown in shaded areas.

[0686] Figure 93 Figures (a) and (b) show the state just before the control unit 1001a of the control unit 1001 contacts the gear unit 1081b of the drive transmission unit 1081 during the process of opening the opening and closing door 13 and installing the box B into the main assembly A of the device.

[0687] Figure 94 The subplots (a) and (b) show box B from... Figure 93 The states of diagrams (a) and (b) are inserted into the state of the mounting portion of the main component A of the device.

[0688] Figure 95 The subplots (a) and (b) show the distribution from... Figure 94 The states shown in diagrams (a) and (b) represent the state of the open / closed door 13.

[0689] Figure 96 The subplots (a) and (b) show the distribution from... Figure 95 The states of the subgraphs (a) and (b) after the driving force is applied.

[0690] like Figure 93 As shown in Figure (a), before the control portion 1001a of the control member 1001 contacts the gear portion 1081b of the drive transmission member 1081, the drive transmission member is the same as when the box B has not yet been installed to the main component A of the device, that is, the drive transmission member 1081 is inclined in the direction of arrow VV. Furthermore, as... Figure 93 As shown in...

Claims

1. A housing capable of being detachably mounted to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the main assembly including a drive transmission member for transmitting a driving force to the housing, the drive transmission member being tiltable between a first position and a second position, the housing comprising: Photosensitive drum; as well as A connecting component, disposed at the end of the photosensitive drum, includes multiple input portions for receiving rotational forces for rotating the photosensitive drum. The plurality of input portions of the connecting member can engage with the drive transmission member, and each of the plurality of input portions is movable relative to the axis of the connecting member. The input portion is movable such that the free end of each input portion is away from the axis of the connecting member.

2. The box according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the circumcircle of the free end of the input portion is changed by moving the input portion.

3. The box according to claim 1 or 2 further includes an operating component operable to move the input portion so that each of the free ends is away from the coupling component.

4. The cartridge of claim 3, wherein, when viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, the operating member extends away from the photosensitive drum, and one end of the operating member protrudes from the frame of the cartridge.

5. The box according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the input portion is tiltably supported.

6. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the connecting member is movable between a retracted position retracting into the photosensitive drum and an extended position extending outward from the photosensitive drum.

7. The box according to claim 6, wherein as the connecting member moves from the retracted position to the extended position, each of the free ends of the input portion moves away from the axis of the connecting member.

8. The cartridge according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the coupling member includes a support portion supporting the input portion, wherein the coupling member is movable between a retracted position and an extended position by movement of the support portion along the axis of the photosensitive drum.

9. An image forming apparatus comprising a main assembly and a cartridge according to any one of claims 1-8, the main assembly comprising a drive transmission member for transmitting a driving force to the cartridge.

Images