Cartridge, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To further develop a prior art.SOLUTION: A cartridge has a first unit, a second unit, a holding section, and a contact force receiving section. The contact force receiving section can take a standby position, a first operating position, and a second operating position. From a state where the second unit is at a separation position, the holding section is at a first position, and the contact force receiving section is at the first operating position, the contact force receiving section receives a contact force to move in a predetermined direction to the second operating position, and thereby the holding section moves from the first position to a second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 322

Description

Technical field

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

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

[0003] The cartridge is a unit that is removably attached to the image forming apparatus described above, and is a unit that includes a photoreceptor and / or a process means (for example, a charging member, a developing member, a cleaning member, etc.) that acts on the photoreceptor. [Background technology]

[0004] Image forming apparatuses that use an electrophotographic image forming method include image forming apparatuses that use a contact developing method to form images by performing a developing process with a developing member (developing roller) in contact with a photosensitive drum. be. In such an image forming apparatus, the developing roller is urged toward the photosensitive drum with a predetermined pressure and is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum with a predetermined pressure during a period when the developing process is performed.

[0005] When using a developing roller having an elastic layer on its surface, the following may be considered, for example. In other words, if the elastic layer is left in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum and no image formation is performed (the developing roller is not rotating) for a long period of time, the elastic layer of the developing roller will be damaged by contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum. It may become deformed. As a result, image defects such as unintended unevenness in developer images may occur during the development process.

[0006] In addition, as another example, if the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum during a period when the developing process is not performed, the developer carried on the developing roller will unnecessarily adhere to the photosensitive drum, and the developer will be transferred to the recording medium. Adhesion may stain the recording medium. This can occur regardless of the presence or absence of an elastic layer on the surface of the developing roller.

[0007] As another example, if the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are in contact with each other and rotating for a long period of time other than the period during which the developing process is performed, the sliding friction between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller may cause the photosensitive drum to Deterioration of the developing roller or developer may be accelerated. This can occur regardless of the presence or absence of an elastic layer on the surface of the developing roller.

[0008] In order to cope with the above-mentioned cases, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose that the image forming apparatus and the cartridge are provided with a structure for separating the developing roller from the surface of the photosensitive drum during periods when the developing process is not performed. A configuration is disclosed. [Prior art documents] [Patent document]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-213024 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-67005 [Summary of the invention] [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, the conventional techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 leave room for further improvement. Therefore, the present disclosure aims to further develop the conventional technology. [Means to solve the problem]

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the cartridge includes a first unit including a photoreceptor, a first frame rotatably supporting the photoreceptor, and a developer for attaching toner to the photoreceptor. and a second frame that rotatably supports the developing member, and is capable of attaching toner from the developing member to the photoreceptor by moving with respect to the first unit. a second unit movable between a position and a separate position where at least a portion of the developing member is disposed away from the photoreceptor; a second unit movably supported by the first unit or the second unit; A first position for regulating the relative position of the first unit and the second unit, and holding the second unit at the separated position by the first unit; a holding part movable between a second position for holding the developing position; and a contact force receiving part movably supported by the first frame or the second frame, the contact force receiving part being movably supported by the first frame or the second frame; receiving a contact force for moving the holding portion from the first position toward the second position in order to move the second unit to the developing position when the second unit is at the separated position; and a contact force receiving part capable of moving the contact force receiving part in a predetermined direction with respect to the second frame, the contact force receiving part moves to (i) a standby position and (ii) a position higher than the standby position. a first operating position protruding from the second frame; and (iii) a second operating position protruding from the second frame more than the standby position and being a different position from the first operating position with respect to the predetermined direction; The holding part can be moved from a state in which the second unit is in the separated position, the holding part is in the first position, and the contact force receiving part is in the first operating position. The contact force receiving portion receives the contact force and moves to the second operating position in the predetermined direction, thereby moving from the first position to the second position.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the cartridge includes a first unit including a photoconductor, a first frame rotatably supporting the photoconductor, and a developer for attaching toner to the photoconductor. and a second frame that rotatably supports the developing member, and is capable of attaching toner from the developing member to the photoreceptor by moving with respect to the first unit. a second unit movable between a position and a separate position where at least a portion of the developing member is disposed away from the photoreceptor; a second unit movably supported by the first unit or the second unit; A first position for regulating the relative position of the first unit and the second unit, and holding the second unit at the separated position by the first unit; a holding part movable between a second position for holding the developing position; and a separating force receiving part movably supported by the first frame or the second frame, When the second unit is at the developing position, receiving a separating force for moving the holding part from the second position toward the first position in order to move the second unit to the separating position. and a separating force receiving part that is capable of moving in a predetermined direction with respect to the second frame, the separating force receiving part moves from (i) a standby position to (ii) a position greater than the standby position. a first operating position protruding from the second frame; and (iii) a second operating position protruding from the second frame more than the standby position and being a different position from the first operating position with respect to the predetermined direction; The holding section can move the second unit to the developing position, the holding section to the second position, and the separating force receiving part to the second operating position. It is characterized in that the force receiving part moves from the second position to the first position by moving in the predetermined direction to the first operating position in response to a separation force.

Effect of the invention

[0013] According to the present disclosure, the conventional technology can be further developed. [Brief explanation of drawings]

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

[0015] In the following examples, embodiments of the present disclosure are illustratively described. However, the configurations disclosed in the following examples, such as the functions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of parts, are examples of forms related to the scope of the claims, and the scope of the claims should not be implemented by these examples. It is not intended to be limiting to the configurations disclosed in the examples. Further, the problems solved by the configurations disclosed in the following examples or the effects or effects obtained from the disclosed configurations are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0016] <Example 1> Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described below using figures. Note that in the following embodiments, a laser beam printer in which four process cartridges (cartridges) are removable is exemplified as an image forming apparatus. Further, the number of process cartridges installed in the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. You may set it appropriately as necessary.

[0017] [Schematic configuration of image forming device] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M. Further, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 100. This image forming apparatus M is a four-color full-color laser printer using an electrophotographic process, and forms a color image on a recording medium S. The image forming apparatus M is of a process cartridge type, and forms a color image on a recording medium S by attaching a process cartridge removably to an image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body) 170.

[0018] Here, regarding the image forming apparatus M, the side on which the front door 11 is provided is the front (front), and the surface opposite to the front is the back (rear). Furthermore, when viewing the image forming apparatus M from the front, the right side is called a drive side, and the left side is called a non-drive side. Further, when the image forming apparatus M is viewed from the front, the upper side is the upper surface, and the lower side is the lower surface. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M seen from the non-driving side, where the front side of the paper is the non-driving side of the image forming apparatus M, the right side of the paper is the front of the image forming apparatus M, and the back side of the paper is the driving side of the image forming apparatus M. Be on the side.

[0019] Further, the drive side of the process cartridge 100 is the side where a drum coupling member (photoreceptor coupling member), which will be described later, is arranged with respect to the photoreceptor drum axial direction (the axial direction of the rotational axis of the photoreceptor drum). Further, the drive side of the process cartridge 100 is the side where a developer coupling portion 132a, which will be described later, is arranged with respect to the axial direction of the developing roller (developing member) (the axial direction of the rotational axis of the developing roller). Note that the axial direction of the photosensitive drum and the axial direction of the developing roller are parallel, and the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100 is also parallel to these.

[0020] The image forming apparatus main body 170 includes four process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K): a first process cartridge 100Y, a second process cartridge 100M, a third process cartridge 100C, and a fourth process cartridge 100K. It is arranged approximately horizontally.

[0021] Each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) has a similar electrophotographic process mechanism, and each uses a different color of developer (hereinafter referred to as toner). . Rotational driving force is transmitted to the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) from a drive output section (details will be described later) of an image forming apparatus main body 170. Further, bias voltages (charging bias, developing bias, etc.) are supplied from the image forming apparatus main body 170 to each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K).

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) of this embodiment includes a photosensitive drum 104 and a charging means as a process means that acts on the photosensitive drum 104. It has a drum unit 108 equipped with. Here, the drum unit may have not only a charging means but also a cleaning means as a process means. Further, each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) includes a developing unit 109 equipped with a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 104. The layout of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a plurality of photosensitive drums 104 are arranged substantially in a line in this manner is sometimes called an in-line layout or a tandem layout.

[0023] In each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100, the drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 are coupled to each other. A more specific configuration of the process cartridge 100 will be described later.

[0024] The first process cartridge 100Y stores yellow (Y) toner in the developer container 125, and forms a yellow toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104. The second process cartridge 100M stores magenta (M) toner in the developer container 125, and forms a magenta toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104. The third process cartridge 100C contains cyan (C) toner in the developer container 125, and forms a cyan toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104. The fourth process cartridge 100K contains black (K) toner in the developer container 125, and forms a black toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, a laser scanner unit 14 as an exposure means is provided above the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K). This laser scanner unit 14 outputs laser light U in accordance with image information. Then, the laser light U passes through the exposure window 110 of the process cartridge 100 and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 104.

[0026] An intermediate transfer unit 12 as a transfer member is provided below the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K). This intermediate transfer unit 12 has a drive roller 12e, a turn roller 12c, and a tension roller 12b, and has a flexible transfer belt 12a wrapped around it. The lower surface of the photosensitive drum 104 of each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) is in contact with the upper surface of the transfer belt 12a. The contact portion is the primary transfer portion. A primary transfer roller 12d is provided inside the transfer belt 12a, facing the photosensitive drum 104. A secondary transfer roller 6 is brought into contact with the turn roller 12c via a transfer belt 12a. The contact portion between the transfer belt 12a and the secondary transfer roller 6 is the secondary transfer portion.

[0027] A feeding unit 4 is provided below the intermediate transfer unit 12. This feeding unit 4 includes a paper feeding tray 4a that accommodates a stack of recording media S, and a paper feeding roller 4b.

[0028] A fixing device 7 and a paper ejecting device 8 are provided in the upper left part of the image forming apparatus main body 170 in FIG. The upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 170 is a paper discharge tray 13. The recording medium S is heated and pressurized by a fixing means provided in the fixing device 7 to fix the toner image thereon, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 13.

[0029] [Image forming operation] The operations for forming a full color image are as follows. The photosensitive drums 104 of each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) are rotationally driven at a predetermined speed (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3). The transfer belt 12a is also rotationally driven in the forward direction of the rotation of the photosensitive drum (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 2) at a speed corresponding to the speed of the photosensitive drum 104.

[0030] Laser scanner unit 14 is also driven. In synchronization with the driving of the laser scanner unit 14, a charging roller 105 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 to a predetermined polarity and potential in each process cartridge. The laser scanner unit 14 scans and exposes the surface of each photosensitive drum 104 with laser light U according to the image signal of each color. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 104 in accordance with the image signal of the corresponding color. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing roller 106 that is rotated at a predetermined speed. Through the electrophotographic image forming process operations as described above, a yellow toner image corresponding to the yellow component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 104 of the first process cartridge 100Y. Then, the toner image is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 12a.

[0031] Similarly, a magenta toner image corresponding to the magenta component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 104 of the second process cartridge 100M. Then, the toner image is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 12a by being superimposed on the yellow toner image that has already been transferred. Similarly, a cyan toner image corresponding to the cyan component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 104 of the third process cartridge 100C. Then, the toner image is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 12a by being superimposed on the yellow and magenta toner images that have already been transferred. Similarly, a black toner image corresponding to the black component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 104 of the fourth process cartridge 100K. Then, the toner image is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 12a by being superimposed on the yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images that have already been transferred. In this way, an unfixed toner image in four full colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is formed on the transfer belt 12a.

[0032] On the other hand, the recording medium S is separated and fed one by one at predetermined control timing. The recording medium S is introduced into a secondary transfer section, which is a contact section between the secondary transfer roller 6 and the transfer belt 12a, at a predetermined control timing. As a result, the four-color superimposed toner image on the transfer belt 12a is sequentially transferred to the surface of the recording medium S in a batch while the recording medium S is being conveyed to the secondary transfer section. After that, the recording medium S is conveyed to the fixing device 7, the toner image is fixed on the recording medium S, and then the recording medium S is discharged to the paper discharge tray 13.

[0033] [Process cartridge installation / removal configuration overview] The tray (hereinafter referred to as tray) 171 that supports the process cartridge will be explained in more detail using FIG. 1 and FIGS. 4 to 7. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus M in which the tray 171 is located inside the image forming apparatus main body 170 with the front door 11 open. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M with the front door 11 open, the tray 171 located outside the image forming apparatus main body 170, and the process cartridge 100 housed inside the tray. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus M with the front door 11 open, the tray 171 located outside the image forming apparatus main body 170, and the process cartridge 100 removed from the tray. FIG. 7(a) is a partial detailed view of the tray 171 in the state shown in FIG. 4, viewed from the drive side. FIG. 7(b) is a partial detailed view of the tray 171 in the state shown in FIG. 4, viewed from the non-driving side.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tray 171 is movable relative to the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the direction of arrow X1 (pushing direction) and the direction of arrow X2 (pulling direction). That is, the tray 171 is provided so that it can be pulled out and pushed into the image forming apparatus main body 170, and the tray 171 is configured to be movable in a substantially horizontal direction when the image forming apparatus main body 170 is installed on a horizontal surface. . Here, the state where the tray 171 is located outside the image forming apparatus main body 170 (the state shown in FIG. 5) is referred to as the outside position. Further, a state where the tray 171 is located inside the image forming apparatus main body 170 with the front door 11 open and the photosensitive drum 104 and the transfer belt 12a are separated (the state shown in FIG. 4) is referred to as an inside position.

[0035] Further, the tray 171 has a mounting portion 171a at an outer position where the process cartridge 100 can be removably mounted, as shown in FIG. Each process cartridge 100 mounted on the mounting portion 171a at an outer position of the tray 171 is supported by the tray 171 by the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117, as shown in FIG. Then, the process cartridge 100 moves inside the image forming apparatus main body 170 as the tray 171 moves while being placed in the mounting section 171a. At this time, the transfer belt 12a and the photosensitive drum 104 move with a gap left between them. Therefore, the tray 171 can move the process cartridge 100 inside the image forming apparatus main body 170 without the photosensitive drum 104 coming into contact with the transfer belt 12a (details will be described later).

[0036] As described above, by using the tray 171, a plurality of process cartridges 100 can be collectively moved to a position where image formation is possible inside the image forming apparatus main body 170, and can also be collectively moved outside the image forming apparatus main body 170. It can be pulled out.

[0037] [Positioning of process cartridge] In more detail, positioning of the process cartridge 100 in the image forming apparatus main body 170 will be explained using FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the tray 171 is provided with positioning parts 171VR and 171VL for holding the cartridge 100, respectively. The positioning portion 171VR has linear portions 171VR1 and 171VR2, respectively. The center of the photosensitive drum is determined by the circular arc portions 116VR1 and 116VR2 of the cartridge cover member 116 shown in FIG. 7 coming into contact with the aforementioned straight portions 171VR1 and 171VR2. Furthermore, the tray 171 shown in FIG. 7 has a rotation determining convex portion 171KR. By fitting the rotation determining convex portion 171KR into the rotation determining recess 116KR of the cartridge cover member 116 shown in FIG. 7, the attitude of the process cartridge 100 is determined with respect to the apparatus main body 170.

[0038] Note that the positioning part 171VL and the rotation determining convex part 171KL are arranged at positions (on the non-driving side) that face the positioning part 171VR and the process cartridge 100 across the intermediate transfer belt 12a in the longitudinal direction. That is, on the non-drive side as well, the position of the process cartridge 100 is determined by engaging the arcuate portions 117VL1 and 117VL2 of the cartridge cover member 117 with the positioning portion 171VL, and by engaging the rotation determining recess 117KL with the rotation determining protrusion 171KL. By doing this, the position of the process cartridge 100 with respect to the tray 171 is determined correctly.

[0039] Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the process cartridge 100 integrated with the tray 171 is moved in the direction of arrow X1 and inserted to the position shown in FIG. Then, by closing the front door 11 in the direction of arrow R, the process cartridge 100 is pressed by a cartridge pressing mechanism (not shown), which will be described later, and is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 170 together with the tray 171. Furthermore, the transfer belt 12a comes into contact with the photoreceptor 4 in conjunction with the operation of the cartridge pressing mechanism. In this state, an image is formed (Figure 2).

[0040] Note that in this embodiment, the positioning part 171VR and the positioning part 171VL are made of metal sheet metal because they also serve as reinforcement to maintain rigidity during the pulling operation of the tray 171, but they are not limited to this. .

[0041] [Cartridge pressing mechanism] Next, details of the cartridge pressing mechanism will be explained using FIG. 8. FIG. 8(a) shows only the process cartridge 100, tray 171, cartridge pressing mechanisms 190, 191, and intermediate transfer unit 12 in the state shown in FIG. FIG. 8(b) shows only the process cartridge 100, tray 171, cartridge pressing mechanisms 190, 191, and intermediate transfer unit 12 in the state shown in FIG.

[0042] Here, while the process cartridge 100 receives a driving force during image formation, it also receives a reaction force from the primary transfer roller 12d (FIG. 2) in the direction of arrow Z1. Therefore, it is necessary to press the process cartridge in the Z2 direction in order to maintain a stable posture without floating the process cartridge from the positioning sections 171VR and 171VL during the image forming operation.

[0043] In order to achieve these, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus main body 170 is provided with cartridge pressing mechanisms (190, 191). The cartridge pressing mechanism (190, 191) has a storage element pressing unit 190 on the non-driving side and a cartridge pressing unit 191 on the driving side. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0044] By closing the front door 11 shown in FIG. 4, the memory element pressing unit 190 and cartridge pressing unit 191 shown in FIG. 8 descend in the direction of arrow Z2. The memory element pressing unit 190 mainly has a main body side electrical contact (not shown) that comes into contact with an electrical contact of a memory element (not shown) provided in the process cartridge 100. By interlocking with the front door 11 by a link mechanism (not shown), the storage element 140 and the electrical contacts on the main body side can be brought into contact with each other or not brought into contact with each other. In other words, when the front door 11 is closed, the contacts come into contact with each other, and when the front door 11 is opened, the contacts are separated.

[0045] By doing this, when the process cartridge 100 moves inside the image forming apparatus main body together with the tray 171, the electrical contacts are not rubbed, and the contacts are moved away from the insertion / extraction path of the process cartridge 100, so that the tray 171 can be inserted / extracted. The structure is such that it does not interfere with This memory element pressing unit 190 also plays the role of pressing the process cartridge 100 against the aforementioned positioning portion 171VR. Further, like the memory element pressing unit 190, the cartridge pressing unit 191 also moves down in the direction of arrow Z2 in conjunction with the operation of closing the front door 11, and plays the role of pressing the process cartridge 100 against the above-mentioned positioning portion 171VL. Furthermore, although the details will be described later, the cartridge pressing mechanisms (190, 191) also have the role of pressing down moving members 152L, 152R of the process cartridge 100, which will be described later.

[0046] [Drive transmission mechanism] Next, the drive transmission mechanism of the main body in this embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 9 and 10 (diagrams in which the tray 171 is omitted for convenience). FIG. 9(a) is a perspective view of the state shown in FIG. 4 or 5 with the process cartridge 100 and tray 171 omitted. FIG. 9(b) is a perspective view of the state shown in FIG. 1 with the process cartridge 100, front door 11, and tray 171 omitted. FIG. 10 is a side view of the process cartridge 100 viewed from the drive side.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 10, the process cartridge in this embodiment includes a developer coupling section (rotational driving force receiving section) 132a and a drum coupling member (photoreceptor coupling member) 143. When the front door 11 is closed (the state shown in FIG. 9(b)), the main body side drum drive coupling 180 and the main body side development drive coupling 185, which transmit drive to the process cartridge 100, are moved in the direction of arrow Y1 by a link mechanism (not shown). It has a structure that stands out. Furthermore, when the front door 11 is opened (the state shown in FIG. 9(a)), the drum drive coupling 180 and the developer drive coupling 185 are retracted in the direction of arrow Y2. By retracting each coupling from the process cartridge insertion / extraction locus (X1 direction, X2 direction), the configuration is such that insertion / extraction of the tray 171 is not obstructed.

[0048] Note that by closing the front door 11 and starting driving of the image forming apparatus main body 170, the drum drive coupling 180 described above engages with the drum coupling member 143. Furthermore, the main body side developer drive coupling 185 engages with the developer coupling portion 132a, and drive is transmitted to the process cartridge 100. Note that the drive transmission to the process cartridge 100 is not limited to two locations as described above, and a mechanism may be provided in which the drive is input only to the drum coupling and the drive is transmitted to the developing roller.

[0049] [Intermediate transfer unit configuration] Next, the intermediate transfer unit 12 of the image forming apparatus main body in this embodiment will be explained using FIG. 9. In this embodiment, when the front door 11 is closed, the intermediate transfer unit 12 is raised in the direction of arrow R2 by a link mechanism (not shown), and is moved to the position at the time of image formation (the position where the photosensitive drum 104 and the intermediate transfer belt 12a contact each other). ). Further, by opening the front door 11, the intermediate transfer unit 12 moves down in the direction of arrow R1, and the photosensitive drum 2 and the intermediate transfer belt 12a are separated. That is, when the process cartridge 100 is set on the tray 171, the photosensitive drum 104 and the intermediate transfer belt 12a come into contact with each other and separate from each other in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the front door 11.

[0050] Note that the contact-separation operation is such that the intermediate transfer unit 12 moves up and down while drawing a rotation locus centered on the center point PV1 shown in FIG. The intermediate transfer belt 12a is driven by receiving force from a gear (not shown) arranged coaxially with the PVI. Therefore, by setting the above-mentioned position PV1 as the center of rotation, the intermediate transfer unit 12 can be raised and lowered without moving the center of the gear. By doing this, there is no need to move the center of the gear, and the position of the gear can be maintained with high precision.

[0051] With the above configuration, when the process cartridge 100 is set on the tray 171 and the tray 11 is inserted or removed, the photosensitive drum 104 and the intermediate transfer belt 12a do not slide, and the photosensitive drum 104 may be damaged or the charged memory may be damaged. Prevents image deterioration.

[0052] [Developer separation control unit] Next, the separation mechanism of the image forming apparatus main body in this embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 8, 11, and 12. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M taken along the drive side end surface of the process cartridge 100. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the developer spacing control unit viewed diagonally from above. In this embodiment, the development separation control unit 195 controls the separation and contact operation of the development unit 109 with respect to the photosensitive drum 104 by engaging with a part of the development unit 109. The developer spacing control unit 195 is located below the image forming apparatus main body 170, as shown in FIG.

[0053] Specifically, the developer spacing control unit 195 is arranged vertically below the developer coupling section 132a and the drum coupling member 143 (downward in the direction of arrow Z2).

[0054] Further, the developer separation control unit 195 is arranged in the longitudinal direction (Y1, Y2 direction) of the photosensitive drum 104 of the intermediate transfer belt 12. In other words, the development separation control unit 195 has a development separation control unit 195R on the drive side and a development separation control unit 195L on the non-drive side. By arranging the development spacing control unit 195 in the dead space of the image forming apparatus main body 170 as described above, the main body can be downsized.

[0055] The development separation control unit 195R has four separation control members (force applying members) 196R corresponding to the process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K). The four separation control members have substantially the same shape. The developer spacing control unit 195R is always fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus. However, by a control mechanism (not shown), the separation control member 196R is configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions. The W41 and W42 directions are substantially parallel to the arrangement direction of the process cartridges 100 installed in the image forming apparatus main body 170. The detailed configuration will be described later.

[0056] The development separation control unit 195L has four separation control members (force applying members) 196L corresponding to the process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K). The four separation control members have substantially the same shape. The developer spacing control unit 195L is always fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus. However, by a control mechanism (not shown), the separation control member 196L is configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions. The detailed configuration will be described later.

[0057] Further, in order for the development separation control unit 195 to engage with a part of the development unit 109 to control the separation and abutment operation of the development unit 109, a part of the development control unit 196 and a part of the development unit 109 must be engaged with each other. They must overlap in the vertical direction (Z1 and Z2 directions). Therefore, after the process cartridge 100 is inserted in the X1 direction, in order to overlap in the vertical direction (Z1, Z2 direction) as described above, a part of the developing unit (in the case of this embodiment, the moving member 152) It is necessary to make it stand out (details will be explained later). Incidentally, when the developer spacing control unit 195 itself is raised in the same way as the intermediate transfer unit 12 described above in order to engage it, there are problems such as an increase in the operating force of the interlocking front door 11 and a complicated drive train.

[0058] In this embodiment, a method is adopted in which the developing separation control unit 195 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 170, and a part of the developing unit 109 (moving member 152) protrudes downward (Z2) within the image forming apparatus main body 170. One of the reasons is to respond to this issue. Further, since the mechanism for protruding the moving member 152 uses the mechanisms of the memory element pressing unit 190 and the cartridge pressing unit 191 described above as they are, there is no problem as described above, and an increase in the cost of the apparatus body can be suppressed.

[0059] Note that the entire development separation control unit 195 is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 170. However, in order to engage with the movable member 152 and provide a motion so that the developing unit 109 is in a separated state (separated position, retracted position) and in a contact state (contact position) with respect to the photosensitive drum 104, , a part of the development separation control unit 195 is movable. Details will be described later.

[0060] [Overall configuration of process cartridge] The structure of the process cartridge will be explained using FIGS. 3, 13, and 14. FIG. 13 is an assembled perspective view of the process cartridge 100 viewed from the drive side, which is one end of the photosensitive drum 104 in the axial direction. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 100 viewed from the drive side.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) may differ in the color of the toner contained therein, the amount of toner filled, and the control by the image forming apparatus main body 170. . However, although these four process cartridges may have differences in dimensions, etc., they have the same basic structure and the same functions, and can perform the same functions. Therefore, hereinafter, one process cartridge 100 will be explained as a representative.

[0062] Each of the process cartridges 100 includes a photosensitive drum (photosensitive member) 104 and a process means that acts on the photosensitive drum 104. Here, the process means includes a charging roller 105 as a charging means (charging member) that charges the photosensitive drum 104, and a developing means (developing member) that attaches toner to the photosensitive drum 104 and develops a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 104. ) is the developing roller 106. The developing roller 106 carries toner on its surface. Note that the process cartridge 100 includes a cleaning blade, a brush, etc. that comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 104 as a cleaning means (cleaning member) for removing residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 as an additional process means. It's okay. Further, as a further process means, a light guide member such as a light guide or a lens, a light source, etc. for irradiating light onto the photosensitive drum 104 may be provided as a static eliminating means for eliminating static electricity from the surface of the photosensitive drum 104. The process cartridge 100 is divided into a drum unit (first unit) 108 (108Y, 108M, 108C, 108K) and a developing unit (second unit) 109 (109Y, 109M, 109C, 109K).

[0063] [Drum unit configuration] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 13, the drum unit 108 includes a photosensitive drum 104, a charging roller 105, a first drum frame 115, and a second drum frame attached and fixed to the first drum frame 115. It has a driving side cartridge cover member 116 and a non-driving side cartridge cover member 117 as parts. The photosensitive drum 104 is rotatably supported about a rotation axis (rotation center) M1 by a drive side cartridge cover member 116 and a non-drive side cartridge cover member 117, which are arranged at both ends of the process cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction. These first drum frame body part 115, a driving side cartridge cover member 116 and a non-driving side cartridge cover member 117 as a second drum frame body part are connected to a drum frame body (first frame body) that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 104. (or photoconductor frame).

[0064] The driving side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-driving side cartridge cover member 117 will be described later. Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a coupling member 143 for transmitting driving force to the photosensitive drum 104 is provided at one end of the photosensitive drum 104 in the longitudinal direction. As described above, the coupling member 143 engages with the main body side drum drive coupling 180 (see FIG. 9) serving as a drum drive output section of the image forming apparatus main body 170. Then, the driving force of a drive motor (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 170 is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 104, and the photosensitive drum 104 is rotated in the direction of arrow A. Further, the photosensitive drum 104 has a drum flange 142 at the other end in the longitudinal direction. The charging roller 105 is supported by a drum frame 115 so as to be able to contact the photosensitive drum 104 and rotate as a result of the rotation. Note that the rotation axis M1 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100 and the longitudinal direction of the drum unit 108.

[0065] [Development unit configuration] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 13, the developing unit 109 includes a developing roller 106, a toner transport roller (developer supply member) 107, a developing blade 130, a developing container 125, and the like. The developer container 125 is composed of a lower frame body 125a and a lid member 125b. The lower frame body 125a and the lid member 125b are joined by ultrasonic welding or the like. The developing container 125, which is the second frame, has a toner storage section 129 that stores toner to be supplied to the developing roller 106. A driving side bearing 126 and a non-driving side bearing 127 are respectively attached and fixed to both ends of the developer container 125 in the longitudinal direction. The developing container 125 rotatably supports the developing roller 106, the toner conveying roller 107, and the stirring member 129a via a driving side bearing 126 and a non-driving side bearing 127, and holds the developing blade 130. In this way, the developer container 125, the driving side bearing 126, and the non-driving side bearing 127 constitute a developing frame (second frame) that rotatably supports the developing roller 106 around the rotation axis (rotation center) M2. are doing.

[0066] The stirring member 129a stirs the toner in the toner storage section 129 by rotating. The toner transport roller (developer supply member) 107 comes into contact with the developing roller 106, supplies toner to the surface of the developing roller 106, and also strips the toner from the surface of the developing roller 106. The developing blade 130 is constructed by attaching an elastic member 130b made of sheet metal with a thickness of about 0.1 mm to a support member 130a made of a metal material having an L-shaped cross section by welding or the like. The developing blade 130 regulates the toner layer thickness (toner layer thickness) on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 106, and forms a toner layer with a predetermined thickness between the elastic member 130b and the developing roller 106. The developing blade 130 is attached to the developing container 125 at two locations, one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction, with fixing screws 130c. The developing roller 106 is composed of a metal core 106c and a rubber portion 106d.

[0067] Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a developer coupling portion 132a for transmitting driving force to the developer unit 109 is provided at one end of the developer unit 109 in the longitudinal direction. The development coupling section 132a engages with a main body side development drive coupling 185 (see FIG. 9) serving as a development drive output section of the image forming apparatus main body 170, and rotates a drive motor (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 170. It is a member that rotates in response to driving force. The driving force received by the developer coupling portion 132a is transmitted by a drive train (not shown) provided in the developer unit 109, thereby making it possible to rotate the developer roller 106 in the direction of arrow D in FIG. be. A developer cover member 128 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer unit 109 to support and cover the developer coupling portion 132a and a drive train (not shown). Note that the outer diameter of the developing roller 106 is set smaller than the outer diameter of the photosensitive drum 104. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the photosensitive drum 104 is set within the range of Φ18 to Φ22, and the outer diameter of the developing roller 106 is set within the range of Φ8 to Φ14. By setting the outer diameter to this value, efficient arrangement becomes possible. Note that the rotation axis M2 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100 and the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 109.

[0068] [Assembling the drum unit and developing unit] The assembly of the drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 will be explained using FIG. 13. The drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 are coupled by a driving side cartridge cover member 116 and a non-driving side cartridge cover member 117 provided at both ends of the process cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction. The drive-side cartridge cover member 116 provided at one longitudinal end of the process cartridge 100 is provided with a developing unit support hole 116a for swingably (moveably) supporting the developing unit 109. Similarly, a non-drive side cartridge cover member 117 provided at the other longitudinal end of the process cartridge 100 is provided with a developing unit support hole 117a for swingably supporting the developing unit 109. Further, the drive side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117 are provided with drum support holes 116b and 117b for rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum 104. Here, on one end side, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 128b of the developer cover member 128 is fitted into the developer unit support hole 116a of the drive side cartridge cover member 116. On the other end side, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion (not shown) of the non-drive side bearing 127 is fitted into the developing unit support hole 117a of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117. Further, both ends of the photosensitive drum 104 in the longitudinal direction are fitted into the drum support hole 116b of the drive side cartridge cover member 116 and the drum support hole 117b of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117. The driving side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-driving side cartridge cover member 117 are fixed to the drum unit 108 using screws, adhesives, etc. (not shown). Thereby, the developing unit 109 is rotatably supported by the driving side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-driving side cartridge cover member 117 with respect to the drum unit 108 (photosensitive drum 104). In such a configuration, the developing roller 106 can be positioned at a position where it acts on the photosensitive drum 104 during image formation.

[0069] FIG. 14 shows a state in which the drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 are assembled through the above steps and integrated as a process cartridge 100.

[0070] Note that the axis connecting the center of the developing unit support hole 116a of the driving side cartridge cover member 116 and the center of the developing unit supporting hole 117a of the non-driving side cartridge cover member 117 is the swing axis (rotation axis, rotation center) K. It is called. Here, the cylindrical portion 128b of the developer cover member 128 on one end side is coaxial with the developer coupling portion 132a. That is, the rotational axis of the developer coupling portion 132a is coaxial with the swing axis K. That is, the swing axis K is also the rotation axis K of the developer coupling section 132a. Further, the developing unit 109 is rotatably supported around the swing axis K. When the drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 are assembled and integrated as the process cartridge 100, the rotational axis M1, the rotational axis M2, and the swing axis K are substantially parallel to each other. Further, in this state, the rotational axis M1, the rotational axis M2, and the swing axis K are each substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100.

[0071] [Configuration of separation contact mechanism 150] A configuration in which the photosensitive drum 104 of the process cartridge 100 and the developing roller 106 of the developing unit 109 are separated from each other and brought into contact with each other in this embodiment will be described in detail. The process cartridge has a separation contact mechanism 150R on the drive side and a separation contact mechanism 150L on the non-drive side. FIG. 15 shows an assembled perspective view of the drive side of the developing unit 109 including the separation and contact mechanism 150R. FIG. 16 shows an assembled perspective view of the non-drive side of the developing unit 109 including the separation and contact mechanism 150L. Regarding the spacing and contact mechanisms, first the details of the drive side spacing and abutment mechanism 150R will be explained, and then the non-drive side spacing and abutment mechanism 150L will be explained. Note that since the separation and contact mechanism has almost the same function on the driving side and the non-driving side, R is added to the reference numeral of each member on the driving side. On the non-drive side, the symbols of each member are the same as those on the drive side, and L is added.

[0072] The separation and contact mechanism 150R includes a spacer 151R that is a regulating member (holding member), a moving member 152R that is a pressing member (force applying member), and a tension spring 153. The separation and contact mechanism 150L includes a spacer 151L that is a regulating member, a moving member 152L that is a pressing member (force applying member), and a tension spring 153.

[0073] [Detailed explanation of spacer 151R] Here, the spacer (holding member) 151R will be explained in detail using FIG. 17. FIG. 17(a) is a front view of the spacer 151R as viewed from the longitudinal direction of the drive side of the process cartridge 100. 17(b) and 17(c) are individual perspective views of the spacer 151R, and FIG. 17(d) shows the spacer 151R in the direction of arrow Z2 in FIG. 17(a) (vertically upward in the image forming state). This is a view. The spacer 151R has an annular supported portion 151Ra, and has a separation holding portion (holding portion) 151Rb that protrudes from the supported portion 151Ra in the radial direction of the supported portion 151Ra. The tip of the spacer 151Rb has a contact surface (contact part) with 151Rc. Note that the angle θ1 is set to satisfy equation (1).

[0074] 0°≦θ1≦45° (1) The separation holding part (holding part) 151Rb is a part that connects the supported part 151Ra and the contact surface 151Rc, and has enough rigidity to maintain the separation position of the development unit 109 when it is sandwiched between the drum unit 108 and the development unit 109. are doing.

[0075] Further, the spacer 151R has a regulated surface (regulated portion) 151Rk adjacent to the contact surface 151Rc. Furthermore, the spacer 151R has a regulated surface (regulated portion) 151Rd that protrudes in the Z2 direction from the supported portion 151Ra, and has an arc shape that protrudes from the regulated surface 151Rd in the direction of the swing axis H of the supported portion 151Ra. It has a pressed surface (pressed part at the time of contact) 151Re.

[0076] Further, the spacer 151R has a main body part 151Rf that is connected to the supported part 151Ra, and the main body part 151Rf has a spring hook part 151Rg that projects in the direction of the swing axis H of the supported part 151Ra. Further, the main body portion 151Rf has an anti-rotation portion 151Rm protruding in the Z2 direction, and an anti-rotation surface 151Rn is provided in a direction facing the pressed surface 151Re.

[0077] [Detailed explanation of moving member 152R] Here, the moving member 152R will be explained in detail using FIG. 18. FIG. 18(a) is a front view of the moving member 152R viewed from the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100, and FIGS. 18(b) and 18(c) are perspective views of the moving member 152R.

[0078] The moving member 152R has an oblong supported portion 152Ra having an oblong shape. Here, the longitudinal direction of the oblong shape of the oblong supported portion 152Ra is indicated by an arrow LH, the upper direction is indicated by an arrow LH1, and the lower direction is indicated by an arrow LH2. Furthermore, the direction in which the oblong supported portion 152Ra is formed is defined as HB. The moving member 152R has a protruding portion (force receiving portion) 152Rh formed on the downstream side of the oblong supported portion 152Ra in the direction of arrow LH2. Note that the oblong supported portion 152Ra and the protruding portion 152Rh are connected by a main body portion 152Rb. On the other hand, the movable member 152R has a pushed part 152Re protruding in the arrow LH1 direction and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the arrow LH1 direction, and has an arc-shaped pushed face (moving force receiving part, operating force receiving part) on the downstream side in the arrow LH1 direction. part) 152Rf, and has a push-in restriction surface 152Rg on the upstream side. Furthermore, the moving member 152R has a first regulated surface (first regulated portion) 152Rv extending from the main body portion 152Rb on the upstream side in the direction of arrow LH2 than the protruding portion 152Rh. Furthermore, the moving member 152R has a second regulated surface 152Rw adjacent to the first regulated surface 152Rv and substantially parallel to the developing frame pressing surface (developing frame pressing portion, second frame pressing portion) 152Rq.

[0079] The protruding part 152Rh has a first force receiving part (retreat force receiving part, separation force receiving part) 152Rk and a second force receiving part (receiving force receiving part) 152Rk, which are disposed at the end in the arrow LH2 direction and facing each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the arrow LH2 direction. Contact force receiving part) 152Rn. The first force receiving part 152Rk and the second force receiving part 152Rn are a first force receiving surface (retraction force receiving surface, separation force receiving surface) 152Rm and a second force receiving surface (contact force receiving surface) 152Rm extending in the HB direction and having an arc shape. (receiving surface) has a price of 152Rp. Furthermore, the protruding portion 152Rh has a spring hanging portion 152Rs that protrudes in the H direction and a locking portion 152Rt, and the locking portion 152Rt has a locking surface 152Ru that faces in the same direction as the second force receiving surface 152Rp.

[0080] Further, the moving member 152R is a part of the main body portion 152Rb, is disposed upstream of the second force receiving portion 152Rn in the direction of arrow LH2, and has a developing frame pressing surface 152Rq facing in the same direction as the second force receiving surface 152Rp. Furthermore, the moving member 152R has a spacer pressing surface (pressing portion) 152Rr that is orthogonal to the first regulated surface 152Rv and is arranged to face the developing frame pressing surface 152Rq.

[0081] Note that when the process cartridge 100 is installed in the image forming apparatus main body 170, the LH1 direction is substantially the same direction as the Z1 direction, and the LH2 direction is substantially the same direction as the Z2 direction. Further, the HB direction is substantially the same as the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100.

[0082] [Assembling the separation and contact mechanism 150R] Next, the assembly of the separation and contact mechanism 150R will be explained using FIGS. 10 and 15 to 19. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 100 after the spacer 151R is assembled, viewed from the drive side.

[0083] As described above, as shown in FIG. 15, in the developing unit 109, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 128b of the developing cover member 128 fits into the developing unit support hole 116a of the drive side cartridge cover member 116. Thereby, the developing unit 109 is rotatably supported with respect to the photosensitive drum 104 about the swing axis K. Further, the developing cover member 128 has a cylindrical first support portion 128c and a second support portion 128k that protrude in the direction of the swing axis K.

[0084] The outer diameter of the first support portion 128c fits into the inner diameter of the supported portion 151Ra of the spacer 151R, and rotatably supports the spacer 151R. Here, the center of swing of the spacer 151R assembled to the developing cover member 128 is defined as the swing axis H. The developing cover member 128 has a first retaining portion 128d that projects in the direction of the swing axis H. As shown in FIG. 15, movement of the spacer 151R assembled to the developer cover member 128 in the direction of the swing axis H is regulated by the first retaining portion 128d coming into contact with the spacer 151R.

[0085] Further, the outer diameter of the second support portion 128k fits into the inner wall of the oblong supported portion 152Ra of the movable member 152R, and supports the movable member 152R so as to be rotatable and movable in the oblong direction. Here, the center of swing of the movable member 152R assembled to the developing cover member 128 is defined as the movable member swing axis HC. As shown in FIG. 15, movement of the movable member 152R assembled to the developer cover member 128 in the movable member swing axis HC direction is regulated by the second retaining portion 128m coming into contact with the spacer 151R.

[0086] In FIG. 10, a part of the drive side cartridge cover member 116 and a part of the developer cover member 128 are partially shown so that the fitting part between the movable member 152R supported part 151Ra and the cylindrical part 128b of the developer cover member 128 can be seen. It is a sectional view partially omitted along the section line CS. The separation and abutment mechanism 150R includes a spacer part biasing part (holding part biasing part) that urges the spacer 151R to rotate in the direction of the arrow B1 in the figure around the swing axis H, and the moving member 152R in the direction of the arrow B1. A tension spring 153 is provided as a biasing member (holding part biasing member) including a force receiving part biasing part (projection part biasing part) that biases in the B3 direction. The tension spring 153 is a coil spring and is an elastic member. Note that the arrow B3 direction is a direction substantially parallel to the oblong longitudinal direction LH2 direction (see FIG. 18) of the oblong supported portion 152Ra of the movable member 152R. The tension spring 153 is engaged with and connected to a spring hook 151Rg provided on the spacer 151R and a spring hook 152Rs provided on the moving member 152R, and is assembled between them. The tension spring 153 applies a force to the spring hanging portion 151Rg of the spacer 151R in the direction of the arrow F2 in FIG. 10, thereby applying a biasing force to rotate the spacer 151R in the direction of the arrow B1. Furthermore, the tension spring 153 applies a force to the spring hook 152Rs of the movable member 152R in the direction of arrow F1, thereby providing a biasing force that moves the movable member 152R in the direction of arrow B3 (direction toward the storage position (reference position, standby position)). is giving.

[0087] Note that a line GS connects the spring hanging part 151Rg of the spacer 151R and the spring hanging part 152Rs of the force holding member 152R, and a line HS connects the spring hanging part 152Rs of the moving member 152R and the moving member swing axis HC. The angle θ2 formed by the line GS and the line HS is set so as to satisfy the following equation (2), with the clockwise direction centered on the spring hanging portion 152Rs of the moving member 152R being positive. As a result, the moving member 152R is urged to rotate in the direction of the arrow BA about the moving member swing axis HC.

[0088] 0°≦θ2≦90° (2) As shown in FIG. 15, the developer drive input gear (developer coupling member) 132 provided with the developer coupling portion 132a has the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 128b of the developer cover member 128 and the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 32b of the developer drive input gear 132. The surfaces fit together, and in addition, the support portion 126a of the drive-side bearing 126 and the cylindrical portion (not shown) of the development drive input gear 132 fit together. Thereby, the development drive input gear 132 is supported rotatably about the rotation axis K. A developing roller gear 131 is fixed to the driving side end of the developing roller 106, and a toner transporting roller gear 133 is fixed to the driving side end of the toner transporting roller (developer supply member) 107. The developing drive input gear (developing coupling member) 132 has a gear portion on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder, and this gear portion meshes with the developing roller gear 131, the toner conveying roller gear 133, and other gears, and the developing coupling portion 132a engages with these gears. Transmits the received rotational driving force.

[0089] In this embodiment, the arrangement of the spacer 151R and the moving member 152R in the direction of the swing axis K will be explained. As shown in FIG. 15, in the direction of the swing axis K, the spacer 151R and the development drive input gear 132 are arranged on the side where the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 is arranged (outside in the longitudinal direction) with the development cover member 128 in between. A moving member 152R is arranged on the side (inner side in the longitudinal direction). However, the placement position is not limited to this, and the placement positions of the spacer 151R and the moving member 152R may be exchanged, and the spacer 151R and the moving member 151R and the moving member may be moved to one side in the direction of the swing axis K with respect to the developing cover member 128. 152R may also be placed. Furthermore, the arrangement order of the spacer 151R and the moving member 152R may be reversed.

[0090] The developer cover member 128 is fixed to the developer container 125 via the drive-side bearing 126, thereby forming the developer unit 109. The fixing method in this embodiment is to use a fixing screw 145 and an adhesive (not shown) as shown in FIG. 15, but the fixing method is not limited to this, and bonding such as welding by heating or pouring resin and hardening is also possible. It may be a method.

[0091] Here, for explanation purposes, FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the separation holding portion 151R in FIG. 10, with a portion of the tension spring 153 and the spacer 151R partially omitted along the partial cross-sectional line CS4. In the movable member 152R, the first regulated surface 152Rv of the movable member 152R contacts the first regulated surface 128h of the developing cover member 128 due to the biasing force of the tension spring 153 in the F1 direction in the drawing. Further, the second regulated surface 152Rw of the moving member 152R comes into contact with the second regulated surface 128q of the developing cover member 128 and is positioned. This position is referred to as the storage position of the moving member 152R and the protrusion 152Rh. Note that the storage position can also be referred to as a reference position or a standby position. Further, the spacer 151R rotates in the B1 direction around the swing axis H by the biasing force of the tension spring 153 in the F2 direction, and the regulated surface 151Rd of the spacer 151R contacts the spacer pressing surface 152Rr of the moving member 152R, and the rotation is stopped. This position is referred to as the separation holding position (regulating position, first position) of the spacer 151R.

[0092] Furthermore, for the sake of explanation, FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the area around the separation holding portion 151R in FIG. 10, and the tension spring 153 is omitted. Here, we will consider a case where the process cartridge 100 having the separation and contact mechanism 150R described in this embodiment is dropped in the JA direction in FIG. 21 during distribution. At this time, the spacer 151R receives a force to rotate in the direction of arrow B2 due to its own weight about the separation holding swing axis H. For the above reason, when the spacer 151R starts to rotate in the B2 direction, the rotation prevention surface 151Rn of the spacer 151R comes into contact with the locking surface 152Ru of the moving member 152R, and the spacer 151R receives a force in the F3 direction in the figure to suppress the rotation in the B2 direction. As a result, rotation of the spacer 151R in the B2 direction during distribution can be suppressed, and the separation between the photosensitive drum 104 and the developing unit 109 can be prevented from being impaired.

[0093] In this embodiment, the tension spring 153 is used as a biasing means for biasing the spacer 151R to the separated holding position and the moving member 152R to the storage position, but the biasing means is not limited to this. . For example, a torsion coil spring, a leaf spring, or the like may be used as a biasing means to bias the moving member 152R to the storage position and the spacer 151R to the spaced-apart position. Further, the material of the biasing means may be metal, mold, or the like, as long as it has elasticity and can bias the spacer 151R and the moving member 152R.

[0094] As described above, the developing unit 109 equipped with the separating and contacting mechanism 150R is integrally coupled to the drum unit 108 by the drive side cartridge cover member 116 as described above (state in FIG. 19).

[0095] FIG. 22 shows a view seen from the direction of arrow J in FIG. 19. As shown in FIG. 15, the drive-side cartridge cover 116 of this embodiment has an abutted surface (abutted portion) 116c. The abutted surface 116c is formed with an inclination of an angle θ3 with respect to the swing axis K, as shown in FIG. Note that the angle θ3 is desirably the same as the angle θ1 forming the contact surface 151Rc of the spacer 151R, but is not limited to this. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 19, the abutted surface 116c is the abutment surface of the spacer 151R located at the separated holding position when the drive side cartridge cover member 116 is assembled to the developing unit 109 and the drum unit 108. Opposing 151Rc. Further, the abutting surface 116c comes into contact with the abutting surface 151Rc due to the biasing force of a developing pressure spring 134, which will be described later. When the engaging surface 116Rc and the contact surface 151Rc come into contact with each other, the developing unit 109 is positioned with a gap P1 between the developing roller 106 of the developing unit 109 and the photosensitive drum 104. configured. The state in which the developing roller 106 (developing member) is separated from the photosensitive drum 104 by the gap P1 by the spacer 151R is referred to as the separated position (retracted position) of the developing unit 109 (see FIG. 1(a)).

[0096] [Separated state and contact state of process cartridge 100 (drive side)] Here, the separated state and the abutted state of the process cartridge 100 will be explained in detail using FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a side view of the process cartridge 100 installed inside the image forming apparatus main body 170, viewed from the drive side. FIG. 1(a) shows a state in which the developing unit 109 is spaced apart from the photosensitive drum 104. FIG. 1(b) shows a state in which the developing unit 109 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 104.

[0097] First, a state in which the spacer 151R is located at the separated holding position (first position) and the developing unit 109 is located at the separated position (retracted position) will be described. In this state, the supported part 151Ra, which is one end of the separation holding part 151Rb, contacts the first support part 128c of the developing cover member 128, and the contact part 151Rc, which is the other end, is brought into contact with the driven cartridge cover member 116. It is in contact with surface 116c. Further, the first support portion 128c is pressed toward the supported portion 151Ra by the action of the development pressure spring 134, and the contact portion 151Rc is pressed toward the contact surface 116c. Therefore, this state can be said to be a state in which the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 positions and stably holds the developing cover member 128 via (sandwiching) the separation holding portion 151Rb of the spacer 151R. In other words, it can be said that the drum unit 108 positions and stably holds the developing unit 109 via the spacer 151R.

[0098] From this state, the pushed portion 152Re of the moving member 152R is pushed in the ZA direction. As a result, the moving member 152R and the protruding portion 152Rh move linearly from the standby position in the ZA direction (operating direction, predetermined direction) and reach the protruding position. The ZA direction is a direction parallel to a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis M2 of the developing roller 106 or the rotational axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 108. Therefore, the protrusion 152Rh in the protrusion position is located downstream in the ZA direction than the protrusion 152Rh in the standby position. Therefore, the protrusion 152Rh in the protrusion position is located further from the swing axis K than the protrusion 152Rh in the standby position. Furthermore, the protruding portion 152Rh at the protruding position protrudes in the ZA direction (disposed downstream in the ZA direction) than the drum frame and the developing frame. In this embodiment, as described above, the drum frame includes the first drum frame 115, the drive side cartridge cover member 116, and the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117, and the developing frame includes the developer container 125, the drive side cartridge cover member 116, and the drive side cartridge cover member 117. They are a side bearing 126 and a non-drive side bearing 127. Note that the ZA direction is a direction that intersects the arrangement direction of the four process cartridges 100, the W41 direction, and the W42 direction.

[0099] The attitude shown in FIG. 1 is also an attitude in which the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 104 is horizontal and the photosensitive drum 104 is disposed at the bottom in the process cartridge 100, when the vertical direction in the figure is taken as the vertical direction. I can say it. In this attitude, the protrusion 152Rh can be said to protrude downward by protruding in the ZA direction.

[0100] 26 and 38 show the attitude of the process cartridge 100 installed in the image forming apparatus main body 170, and the vertical direction in the figures is the vertical direction when the image forming apparatus main body 170 is installed on a horizontal plane. (Z1 direction, Z2 direction). The ZA direction vector in this posture is a vector that includes at least a vertical component. Therefore, it can be said that even in this posture, the protruding portion 152Rh protrudes downward by protruding in the ZA direction.

[0101] The moving member 152R is movable in the ZA direction and the opposite direction while maintaining the spacer 151R at the separated holding position (first position). Therefore, even when the movable member 152R and the protrusion 152Rh are in the operating position, the spacer 151R is located in the separation holding position (first position). Further, at this time, the pressed surface 151Re of the spacer 151R is in contact with the spacer pressing surface 152Rr of the moving member 152R by the tension spring 153 as described above. Therefore, when the second force receiving part 152Rn is pressed in the direction of the arrow W42, the moving member 152R rotates in the direction of the arrow BB around the moving member swing axis HC, and the spacer pressing surface 152Rr presses the regulated part 151Rd. , rotate the spacer 151R in the direction of arrow B2. When the spacer 151R rotates in the direction of arrow B2, the abutting surface 151Rc separates from the abutted surface 116c, and the developing unit 109 becomes rotatable in the direction of arrow V2 about the swing axis K from the separated position. That is, the developing unit 109 rotates in the V2 direction from the separated position, and the developing roller 106 of the developing unit 109 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 104. More specifically, the developing roller 106 includes a metal shaft (core metal), a rubber layer covering the surrounding area, and a roller attached to the metal shaft at the end in the axial direction beyond the rubber layer, and the surface of the rubber layer and roller is Contact with the photosensitive drum 104. Since the rubber layer deforms, by determining the distance between the rotational axis M2 of the developing roller 106 and the rotational axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 104 using rollers, the distance between the rotational axis M2 and the rotational axis M1 can be maintained with high accuracy.

[0102] Here, the position of the developing unit 109 where the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 are in contact is referred to as a contact position (developing position) (the state shown in FIG. 1(b)). The contact position (development position) where the developing roller 106 contacts the photosensitive drum 104 is not only the position where the surface of the developing roller 106 contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 104, but also the position where the developing roller 106 contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 when the developing roller 106 rotates. It also includes a position where the toner carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 can come into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 104. That is, the contact position can be said to be a development position where the toner carried on the surface of the development roller 106 can be transferred (attached) to the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 when the development roller 106 rotates. Note that the position where the abutting surface 151Rc of the spacer 151R is separated from the abutted surface 116c is referred to as a separation release position (permissible position, second position). When the developing unit 109 is located at the contact position, the regulating surface 151Rk of the spacer 151R contacts the spacer regulating surface (spacer portion regulating portion) 116d of the drive-side cartridge cover 116. As a result, the spacer 151R is restricted from moving to the separation holding position and is maintained at the separation release position.

[0103] Further, the drive-side bearing 126 has a first pressed surface (pressed portion during separation) 126c that is a surface orthogonal to the swing axis K. The drive side bearing 126 is fixed to the developing unit 109. Therefore, when the first force receiving portion 152Rk of the movable member 152R is pressed in the direction of arrow 41 while the developing unit 109 is in the contact position, the developing frame pressing surface 152Rq comes into contact with the first pressed surface 126c. As a result, the developing unit 109 rotates about the swing axis K in the direction of the arrow V1 and moves to the separated position (retracted position) (the state shown in FIG. 1(a)). Here, when the developing unit 109 moves from the contact position to the separation position, the direction in which the first force receiving surface 126c moves is indicated by an arrow W41 in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b). Further, the opposite direction of arrow W41 is arrow W42, and arrow W41 and arrow W42 are approximately horizontal (X1, X2 directions). As described above, the second force receiving surface 152Rp of the moving member 152R assembled to the developing unit 109 is located upstream of the first force receiving surface 126c of the drive side bearing 126 in the direction of arrow W41. Furthermore, the first force receiving surface 126c and the pressed surface 151Re of the spacer 151R are arranged at a position where at least a portion thereof overlaps in the W1 and W2 directions. The detailed operation of the separation and contact mechanism 150R within the image forming apparatus main body 170 will be described next.

[0104] [Attachment of process cartridge 100 to image forming apparatus main body 170 (drive side)] Next, using FIG. 12, FIG. 23, and FIG. 24, when the process cartridge 100 is installed in the image forming apparatus main body 170, the separation contact mechanism 150R of the process cartridge 100 and the development separation control unit of the image forming apparatus main body 170 are shown. The engagement operation of 195 will be explained. Note that these figures are cross-sectional views in which a part of the developing cover member 128 and a part of the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 are partially omitted along partial cross-sectional lines CS1 and CS2, respectively, for the purpose of explanation.

[0105] FIG. 23 is a view of the process cartridge 100 seen from the driving side when the process cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge tray 171 (not shown) of the image forming apparatus M and the cartridge tray 171 is inserted into the first mounting position. In this figure, components other than the process cartridge 100, cartridge pressing unit 191, and separation control member 196R are omitted.

[0106] As described above, the image forming apparatus main body 170 of this embodiment includes the separation control member 196R corresponding to each process cartridge 100 as described above. The separation control member 196R is arranged closer to the lower surface of the image forming apparatus main body 170 than the spacer 151R when the process cartridge 100 is located at the first inner position and the second inner position. The separation control member 196R protrudes toward the process cartridge 100, and has a first force application surface (force application section, contact force application section) 196Ra and a second force application surface (retraction force application section, separation force application section) facing each other via a space 196Rd. Granted part) has 196Rb. The first force applying surface 196Ra and the second force applying surface 196Rb are connected to each other via a connecting portion 196Rc on the lower surface side of the image forming apparatus main body 170. Further, the separation control member 196R is rotatably supported by a control sheet metal 197 about a rotation center 196Re. The spacing member 196R is always biased in the E1 direction by a biasing spring. Further, the control sheet metal 197 is configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions by a control mechanism (not shown), so that the separation control member 196R is configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions.

[0107] As described above, in conjunction with the transition of the front door 11 of the image forming apparatus main body 170 from the open state to the closed state, the cartridge pressing unit 191 descends in the direction of arrow ZA, and the first force applying portion 191a moves toward the moving member 152R. comes into contact with the pushed surface 152Rf. Thereafter, when the cartridge pressing unit 191 descends to a predetermined position, which is the second mounting position, the protrusion 152Rh of the moving member 152R moves in the ZA direction (operating direction, predetermined direction), and protrudes downward in the Z2 direction of the process cartridge 100. (Situation in Figure 24). The ZA direction is a direction that intersects (orthogonally in this embodiment) the rotational axis M2 of the developing roller 106, the rotational axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 108, and the swing axis HC. This position is referred to as the protruding position of the moving member 152R and the protruding portion 152Rh. Note that the protruding position can also be referred to as a force receiving position or an operating position. When the protruding portion 152Rh is in the protruding position, it protrudes more from the developing frame than when it is in the standby position. When this operation is completed, as shown in FIG. 24, a gap T4 is created between the first force applying surface 196Ra of the separation control member 196R and the second force receiving surface 152Rp of the moving member 152R, and a gap T4 is created between the second force applying surface 196Rb and the second force applying surface 196Rb. A gap T3 is formed between the force receiving surface 152Rm and the force receiving surface 152Rm. Then, it is located at the second mounting position where the separation control member 196R does not act on the moving member 152R. Note that this position of the separation control member 196R can be said to be the home position. At this time, the second force receiving surface 152Rp of the moving member 152R and the first force applying surface 196Ra of the separation control member 196R are arranged so as to partially overlap in the W41 and W42 directions. Similarly, the first force receiving surface 152Rm of the moving member 152R and the second force applying surface 196Rb of the separation control member 196R are arranged so as to partially overlap in the W41 and W42 directions.

[0108] [Developing unit contact operation (drive side)] Next, the operation of bringing the photosensitive drum 104 into contact with the developing roller 106 by the separating and contacting mechanism 150R will be described in detail using FIGS. 24 to 26. Note that in these figures, a part of the developer cover member 128, a part of the drive-side cartridge cover member 116, and a part of the drive-side bearing 126 are partially shown at partial cross-sectional lines CS1, CS2, and CS3, respectively, for the purpose of explanation. It is an abbreviated sectional view.

[0109] In the configuration of this embodiment, the developing coupling 32 receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the direction of arrow V2 in FIG. 24, and the developing roller 106 rotates. That is, the developing unit 109 having the developing coupling 32 receives a torque (driving torque) in the direction of arrow V2 about the swing axis K from the image forming apparatus main body 170. A case will be described in which the developing unit 109 shown in FIG. 24 is in the separated position and the spacer 151R is in the separated holding position. At this time, even if the developing unit 109 receives this driving torque and the biasing force from the developing pressure spring 134, which will be described later, the contact surface 151Rc of the spacer 151R contacts the contact surface 116c of the drive side cartridge cover member 116, The attitude of the developing unit 109 is maintained at the separated position.

[0110] The separation control member 196R of this embodiment is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow W42 in FIG. 24 from the home position. When the separation control member 196R moves in the W42 direction, the second force applying surface 196Ra of the separation control member 196R and the second force receiving surface 152Rp of the second force receiving portion 152Rn of the moving member 152R come into contact, and the moving member 152R becomes the moving member. Rotates in the BB direction around the swing axis HC. Note that the contact between the first force applying surface 196Ra and the second force receiving surface 152Rp does not necessarily have to be surface contact, and may be line contact or point contact. In this way, the first force applying surface 196Ra applies a contact force to the second force receiving surface 152Rp. The moving direction of the protrusion 152Rh when the moving member 152R rotates in the BB direction is referred to as a first direction. Furthermore, as the moving member 152R rotates in the BB direction, the spacer pressing surface 152Rr of the moving member 152R contacts the pressed surface 151Re of the spacer 151R, while rotating the spacer 151R in the B2 direction. The spacer 151R is then rotated by the moving member 152R to a separation release position (second position) where the contact surface 151Rc and the contact surface 116c are separated. Here, the position of the separation control member 196R shown in FIG. 25 that moves the spacer 151R to the separation release position (second position) is referred to as a first position.

[0111] In this way, when the spacer 151R is moved to the separation release position (second position) by the separation control member 196R, the development unit 109 receives the driving torque from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the development pressure spring (biasing section) 134 described later. Rotates in the V2 direction by The developing unit 109 then moves to a contact position where the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 come into contact (the state shown in FIG. 25). At this time, the spacer 151R, which is biased in the direction of arrow B1 by the tension spring 153, is maintained at the separation release position (second position) by the regulated surface 151Rk coming into contact with the spacer regulating surface 116d of the drive side cartridge cover member 116. be done. Thereafter, the separation control member 196R moves in the W41 direction and returns to the home position. At this time, the moving member 152R is rotated in the BA direction by the tension spring 153, and the developing frame pressing surface 152Rq of the moving member 152R and the first pressed surface 126c of the drive-side bearing 126 are in contact with each other (FIG. 26 condition). At this time, it can be said that the moving member 152R and the protrusion 152Rh are in the operating position.

[0112] As a result, the above-described gaps T3 and T4 are formed again, and the separation control member 196R is located at a position where it does not act on the moving member 152R. Note that the transition from the state shown in FIG. 25 to the state shown in FIG. 26 is performed immediately.

[0113] As described above, in the configuration of this embodiment, by moving the separation control member 196R from the home position to the first position, it applies a contact force to the moving member 152R, rotates the moving member 152R, and moves the spacer 151R to the separation holding position. (first position) to the separation release position (second position). This allows the developing unit 109 to move from the separated position to the abutting position where the developing roller 9 and the photosensitive drum 104 abut. That is, the contact force applied from the separation control member 196R is transmitted to the spacer 151R via the moving member 152R to move the spacer 151R from the separation holding position (first position) to the separation release position (second position), This moves the developing unit 109 from the separated position (retreat position) to the contact position (developing position).

[0114] When the developing unit 109 is in the contact position (developing position), it is biased in the V2 direction by the driving torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the developing pressure spring 134, and the position of the developing unit 109 relative to the drum unit 108 is at the developing position. This is determined by the roller 106 coming into contact with the photosensitive drum 104. Therefore, the photosensitive drum 104 can be said to be a positioning section (second positioning section) that determines the position of the developing unit 109 at the developing position with respect to the drum unit 108. Furthermore, it can be said that the developing unit 109 is stably held by the drum unit 108 at this time. At this time, the spacer 151R at the release position is not directly involved in positioning the developing unit 109. However, by moving the spacer 151R from the separation holding position to the separation release position, the spacer 151R prevents the developing roller 106 from coming into contact with the photosensitive drum 104 and determining the position of the developing unit 109 relative to the drum unit 108 (permissible are doing). In other words, it can be said that the spacer 151R at the separation release position (second position) creates a situation in which the drum unit 108 can stably hold the developing unit 109 at the contact position (developing position).

[0115] Note that as long as the developing roller 106 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 104 when the spacer 151R is in the separation release position (second position), the position of the developing unit 109 relative to the drum unit 108 can be determined via the spacer 151R. It's okay to have one. In this case, for example, a surface of the spacer 151R that is different from the contact portion 151Rc is brought into contact with the drive-side cartridge cover member 116, and the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 holds the developing cover member 128 via (sandwiching) the spacer 151R. A configuration for positioning may also be used.

[0116] Note that the position of the separation control member 196R in FIG. 26 is the same as that in FIG. 24.

[0117] Further, when the front door 11 of the image forming apparatus main body 170 shifts from the closed state to the open state in this state, the first force applying portion 191a rises in the opposite direction to the arrow ZA direction. Along with this, the movable member 152R moves in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow ZA due to the action of the biasing member 153. However, the spacer 151R remains at the release position, and the developing unit 109 also remains at the developing position.

[0118] [Developing unit separation operation (drive side)] Next, the operation of moving the developing unit 109 from the contact position to the separation position by the separation and contact mechanism 150R will be described in detail using FIGS. 26 and 27. Note that these figures are cross-sectional views in which a part of the developing cover member 128, a part of the drive-side cartridge cover member 116, and a part of the drive-side bearing 126 are partially omitted at the partial cross-sectional line CS, respectively, for the purpose of explanation. It is.

[0119] As described above, in the state shown in FIG. 26, it can be said that the moving member 152R and the protrusion 152Rh are in the operating position. The separation control member 196R in this embodiment is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow W41 in FIG. 26 from the home position. When the separation control member 196R moves in the W41 direction, the second force applying surface 196Rb and the first force receiving surface 152Rm of the first force receiving portion 152Rk of the moving member 152R come into contact, and the moving member moves around the moving member swing axis HC. 152R rotates in the direction of arrow BA. Note that the contact between the second force applying surface 196Rb and the first force receiving surface 152Rm does not necessarily have to be surface contact, and may be line contact or point contact. In this way, the second force applying surface 196Rb applies a separation force (retreat force) to the first force receiving surface 152Rm. The moving direction of the protrusion 152Rh when the moving member 152R rotates in the BA direction is referred to as a second direction. Then, the developing frame pressing surface 152Rq of the movable member 152R comes into contact with the first pressed surface 126c of the drive side bearing 126, so that the developing unit 109 rotates from the contact position in the direction of arrow V1 about the swing axis K. (Situation in Figure 27). At this time, the pushed surface 152Rf of the moving member 152R has an arc shape, and the center of this arc is arranged to coincide with the swing axis K. As a result, when the developing unit 109 moves from the contact position to the separation position, the force that the pushed surface 152Rf of the moving member 152R receives from the cartridge cartridge pressing unit 191 is directed in the direction of the swing axis K. Therefore, it is possible to operate the developing unit 109 without hindering its rotation in the direction of arrow V1. In the spacer 151R, the regulated surface 151Rk of the spacer 151R and the spacer regulated surface 116d of the drive side cartridge cover member 116 are separated, and the spacer 151R is moved in the direction of arrow B1 (from the separation release position to the separation holding position) by the biasing force of the tension spring 153. ). As a result, the spacer 151R rotates until the pressed surface 151Re contacts the spacer pressing surface 152Rr of the movable member 152R, and upon contact, moves to the separation holding position (first position). When the developing unit 109 is moved from the contact position to the separation position by the separation control member 196R and the spacer 151R is located at the separation holding position (first position), the contact surface 151Rc and the abutted surface are moved as shown in FIG. A gap T5 is formed between the surfaces 116c. Here, the position shown in FIG. 27 where the developing unit 109 is rotated from the contact position toward the separation position and the spacer 151R can be moved to the separation holding position is referred to as the second position of the separation control member 196R.

[0120] After that, the separation control member 196R moves in the direction of arrow W42 and returns from the second position to the home position. Then, the developing unit 109 is rotated in the direction of arrow V2 by the driving torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the developing pressurizing spring 134, which will be described later, while the spacer 151R is maintained at the separated holding position, and the developing unit 109 is rotated in the direction of arrow V2, and is brought into contact with the contact surface 151Rc. The contact surface 116c abuts. That is, the developing unit 109 is kept in a separated position by the spacer 151R, and the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 are separated by the gap P1 (the state shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 1(a)). In other words, the spacer 151R prevents the developing unit 109 from moving to the contact position against the urging force in the direction of arrow V2 due to the driving torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the urging force of the developing pressure spring 134. , maintained in a spaced position. At this time, it can be said that the developing unit 109 is stably held at the separated position (retracted position) by the drum unit 108. Note that as a result, the above-described gaps T3 and T4 are formed again, and the separation control member 196R is located at a position where it does not act on the moving member 152R (the state shown in FIG. 24). Note that the transition from the state in FIG. 27 to the state in FIG. 24 is executed without any delay.

[0121] As described above, in this embodiment, when the separation control member 196R moves from the home position to the second position, the spacer 151R moves from the separation release position to the separation holding position. Then, when the separation control member 196R returns from the second position to the home position, the developing unit 109 is maintained at the separation position by the spacer 151R. In this way, the separation force applied from the separation control member 196R is transmitted to the first pressed surface 126c of the drive-side bearing (part of the developing frame) 126 via the moving member 152R, so that the developing unit 109 is moved from the contact position to the separation position (retreat position), and the spacer 151R is moved from the separation release position to the separation holding position.

[0122] When the developing unit 109 is in the separated position (retracted position), the position of the developing unit 109 relative to the drum unit 108 is biased in the V2 direction by the driving torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the developing pressure spring 134, as described above. It is determined that the supported portion 151Ra contacts the first support portion 128c, and the contact portion 151Rc contacts the contact surface 116c. Therefore, the abutted surface 116c can be said to be a positioning part (first positioning part) that positions the developing unit 109 at the separated position (retracted position). At this time, it can be said that the developing unit 109 is stably held by the drum unit 108. Furthermore, it can be said that the spacer 151R in the separated holding position (first position) creates a situation in which the drum unit 108 can stably hold the developing unit 109 in the separated position (retracted position).

[0123] Further, when the front door 11 of the image forming apparatus main body 170 shifts from the closed state to the open state in this state, the first force applying portion 191a rises in the opposite direction to the arrow ZA direction. Along with this, the movable member 152R moves in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow ZA due to the action of the biasing member 153. However, the spacer 151R remains in its separated position, and the developing unit 109 also remains in its separated position.

[0124] [Detailed explanation of spacer L] Here, the spacer 151L will be explained in detail using FIG. 28. FIG. 28(a) is a front view of the spacer 151L as viewed from the drive side longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100, and FIGS. 28(b) and 28(c) are perspective views of the spacer 151L as a single item. The spacer 151L has an annular supported portion 151La, and has a separation holding portion (holding portion) 151Lb that protrudes from the supported portion 151La in the radial direction of the supported portion 151La. The distal end of the separation holding portion 151Lb has an arcuate contact surface (contact portion) 151Lc centered on the swing axis H of the spacer 151L. Note that the swing axis H of the spacer 151L is the same as the swing axis H of the spacer 151R.

[0125] The separation holding part (holding part) 151Lb is a part that connects the supported part 151La and the contact surface 151Lc, and has enough rigidity to maintain the separation position of the development unit 109 when it is sandwiched between the drum unit 108 and the development unit 109. are doing.

[0126] Further, the spacer 151L has a regulated surface (regulated portion) 151Lk adjacent to the contact surface 151Lc. Furthermore, the spacer 151L has a regulated part 151Ld that protrudes in the Z2 direction beyond the supported part 151La, and an arc-shaped pressed part ( (Pressed part during contact) 151Le.

[0127] Furthermore, the spacer 151L has a main body part 151Lf that is connected to the supported part 151La, and the main body part 151Lf has a spring hook part 151Lg that projects in the direction of the swing axis H of the supported part 151La. Further, the main body portion 151Lf has an anti-rotation portion 151m protruding in the Z2 direction, and an anti-rotation surface 151Ln is provided in a direction facing the pressed portion 151Le.

[0128] [Detailed explanation of moving member L] Here, the moving member 152L will be explained in detail using FIG. 29. FIG. 29(a) is a front view of the moving member 152L viewed from the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100, and FIGS. 29(b) and 29(c) are perspective views of the moving member 152L.

[0129] The moving member 152L has an oblong supported portion 152La having an oblong shape. Here, the longitudinal direction of the oblong shape of the oblong supported portion 152La is indicated by an arrow LH, the upper direction is indicated by an arrow LH1, and the lower direction is indicated by an arrow LH2. Furthermore, the direction in which the oblong supported portion 152La is formed is defined as HD. The moving member 152L has a protruding portion (force receiving portion) 152Lh formed on the downstream side of the oblong supported portion 152La in the direction of arrow LH2. Note that the oblong supported portion 152La and the protruding portion 152Lh are connected by a main body portion 152Lb. On the other hand, the movable member 152L has a pushed part 152Le that protrudes in the arrow LH1 direction and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the arrow LH1 direction, and has an arcuate pushed face (moving force receiving part, operating force receiving part) on the downstream side in the arrow LH1 direction. part) 152Lf, and has a push-in regulation surface 152Lg on the upstream side. Further, the moving member 152L has a first regulated surface (first regulated part) 152Lv that is a part of the oblong supported part 152La and is located on the downstream side in the direction of arrow LH2.

[0130] The protruding portion 152Lh has a first force receiving portion (retreat force receiving portion, separation force receiving portion) 152Lk and a second force receiving portion (receiving force receiving portion) 152Lk, which are disposed opposite to each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the arrow LH2 direction at the terminal end in the arrow LH2 direction. Contact force receiving part) 152Ln. The first force receiving part 152Lk and the second force receiving part 152Ln are respectively a first force receiving surface (retreat force receiving surface, separation force receiving surface) 152Lm and a second force receiving surface (contact force receiving surface) extending in the HD direction and having an arc shape. (receiving surface) has 152Lp. Furthermore, the protruding portion 152Lh has a spring hanging portion 152Ls that protrudes in the HB direction and a locking portion 152Lt, and the locking portion 152Lt has a locking surface 152Lu facing in the same direction as the second force receiving surface 152Lp.

[0131] Further, the movable member 152L is a part of the main body 152Lb, is disposed upstream of the second force receiving part 152Ln in the direction of arrow LH2, and faces the same direction as the second force receiving surface 152Lp (developing frame pressing surface). Pressing part, pressing part when released) has 152Lq. In addition, the moving member 152L is a part of the main body 152Lb and is disposed upstream of the first force receiving part 152Lk in the direction of arrow LH2, and the spacer pressing surface (spacer pressing part , pressure part at the time of contact) 152Lr.

[0132] Note that when the process cartridge 100 is installed in the image forming apparatus main body 170, the LH1 direction is substantially the same direction as the Z1 direction, and the LH2 direction is substantially the same direction as the Z2 direction. Further, the HB direction is substantially the same as the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100.

[0133] [Assembling the separation and contact mechanism 150L] Next, the assembly of the spacing mechanism will be explained using FIGS. 16 and 29 to 35. FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 100 after the spacer 151L is assembled, viewed from the drive side. As mentioned above, as shown in FIG. 16, the developing unit 109 rotates relative to the photosensitive drum 104 about the swing axis K by fitting the outer diameter part of the cylindrical part 127a into the developing unit support hole 117a. Possibly supported. Further, the non-drive side bearing 127 has a cylindrical first support portion 127b and a second support portion 127e that protrude in the direction of the swing axis K.

[0134] The outer diameter of the first support portion 127b fits into the inner diameter of the supported portion 151La of the spacer 151L, and rotatably supports the spacer 151L. Here, the center of swing of the spacer 151L assembled to the non-drive side bearing 127 is the swing axis H. The non-drive side bearing 127 has a first retaining portion 127c that projects in the direction of the swing axis H. As shown in FIG. 16, movement of the spacer 151L assembled to the non-drive side bearing 127 in the direction of the swing axis H is restricted by the first retaining portion 127c coming into contact with the spacer 151L.

[0135] Further, the outer diameter of the second support portion 127e fits into the inner wall of the oblong supported portion 152La of the movable member 152L, and supports the movable member 152L so as to be rotatable and movable in the oblong direction. Here, the center of swing of the movable member 152L assembled to the non-drive side bearing 127 is defined as the movable member swing axis HC. As shown in FIG. 16, movement of the movable member 152L assembled to the non-drive side bearing 127 in the direction of the movable member swing axis HE is restricted by the second retaining portion 127f coming into contact with the spacer 151L.

[0136] FIG. 31 is a view of the process cartridge 100 after the spacer 151L has been assembled, viewed from the direction of the development unit swing axis H. A part of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117 is partially omitted along the partial cross-section line CS so that the fitting part between the oblong supported part 151La of the moving member 152L and the cylindrical part 127e of the non-drive side bearing 127 can be seen. FIG. Here, the separation and abutment mechanism 150L includes a spacer part biasing part (holding part biasing part) that urges the spacer 151L to rotate in the direction of arrow B1 about the swing axis H, and the moving member 152L is A tension spring 153 is provided as a biasing member (holding part biasing member) including a force receiving part biasing part (projection part biasing part) that biases in the B3 direction. The tension spring 153 is a coil spring and is an elastic member. Note that the arrow B3 direction is a direction substantially parallel to the oblong longitudinal direction LH2 direction (see FIG. 29) of the oblong supported portion 152La of the movable member 152L. The tension spring 153 is engaged with and connected to a spring hook 151Lg provided on the spacer 151L and a spring hook 152Ls provided on the moving member 152L, and is assembled between them. The tension spring 153 applies a force to the spring hanging portion 151Lg of the spacer 151L in the direction of the arrow F2 in FIG. 31, thereby applying a biasing force to rotate the spacer 151L in the direction of the arrow B1. Furthermore, the tension spring 153 exerts a biasing force to move the movable member 152L in the direction of arrow B3 (direction toward the storage position (reference position, standby position)) by applying force in the direction of arrow F1 to the spring hook 152Ls of the movable member 152L. is giving.

[0137] A line GS connects the spring hanging part 151Lg of the spacer 151L and the spring hanging part 152Ls of the force holding member 152L, and a line HS connects the spring hanging part 152Ls of the moving member 152L and the moving member swing axis HE. Then, the angle θ3 formed by the line GS and the line HS is set so as to satisfy the following equation (3), with the counterclockwise direction around the spring hanging portion 152Ls of the moving member 152L being positive. As a result, the moving member 152L is urged to rotate in the BA direction in the figure with the moving member swing axis HE as the rotation center.

[0138] 0°≦θ3≦90° (3) The mounting position of the spacer 151L and the moving member 152L is as shown in FIG. 151L and a moving member 152L are arranged. However, the positions are not limited to this, and they may be placed on the developer container 125 side (inside in the longitudinal direction) of the non-drive side bearing 127, or the spacer 151L and the moving member 152L with the non-drive side bearing 127 in between. You may also place Furthermore, the arrangement order of the spacer 151L and the moving member 152L may be reversed.

[0139] The non-drive side bearing 127 forms the developing unit 109 by being fixed to the developing container 125. The fixing method in this embodiment is to use a fixing screw 145 and an adhesive (not shown) as shown in FIG. 16, but the fixing method is not limited to this, and bonding such as welding by heating or pouring resin and hardening is also possible. It may be a method.

[0140] Here, FIGS. 32(a) and 32(b) are enlarged cross-sectional views of the movable member swing axis HE of the movable member 152L in FIG. 31 and the vicinity of the separation holding portion 151L, respectively, for explanation. Further, FIGS. 32(a) and 32(b) are cross-sectional views in which a portion of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117, the tension spring 153, and the spacer 151L are partially omitted along the partial cross-sectional line CS. In the movable member 152L, the first regulated surface 152Lv of the movable member 152L contacts the second support portion 127e of the non-drive side bearing 127 due to the biasing force of the tension spring 153 in the direction of arrow F1. Further, as shown in FIG. 32(b), the developing frame pressing surface 152Lq of the moving member 152L contacts the pressed surface 127h of the non-drive side bearing 127 and is positioned. This position is referred to as the storage position of the moving member 152L. Note that the storage position can also be referred to as a reference position or a standby position. Further, the spacer 151L is rotated in the direction of arrow B4 around the swing axis H by the biasing force of the tension spring 153 in the direction of arrow F2, and the contact surface 151Lp of the spacer 151L contacts the spacer pressing surface 152Lr of the moving member 152L, so that the spacer 151L is positioned. Ru. This position is referred to as the separation holding position (regulating position) of the spacer 151L. Note that when the movable member 152L moves to the protruding position described later, the pressed portion 151Le of the spacer 151L comes into contact with the spacer pressing surface 152Lr of the movable member 152L, so that it can be located at the separation holding position.

[0141] Further, FIG. 33 is an enlarged view of the area around the separation holding portion 151L in FIG. 31 for explanation, and the tension spring 153 is omitted. Here, we will consider a case where the process cartridge 100 having the separation and contact mechanism 150L is dropped in the direction of the arrow JA in FIG. 33 during transportation. At this time, the spacer 151L receives a force to rotate in the direction of arrow B2 due to its own weight around the separation holding swing axis H. When rotation starts in the direction of arrow B2 for the above reason, the rotation prevention surface 151Ln of the spacer 151L comes into contact with the locking surface 152Lu of the moving member 152L, and the spacer 151L receives a force in the direction of arrow F4 to suppress rotation in the direction of arrow B2. . As a result, rotation of the spacer 151L in the direction of arrow B2 during distribution can be suppressed, and the separation between the photosensitive drum 104 and the developing unit 109 can be prevented from being impaired.

[0142] In this embodiment, the tension spring 153 is used as a biasing means for biasing the spacer 151L to the separated holding position and the movable member 152L to the storage position, but the biasing means is not limited to this. . For example, a torsion coil spring, a leaf spring, or the like may be used as a biasing means to bias the moving member 152L to the storage position and the spacer 151L to the spaced-apart position. Further, the material of the biasing means may be metal, mold, or the like, as long as it has elasticity and can bias the spacer 151L and the moving member 152L.

[0143] As described above, the developing unit 109 equipped with the separation and abutment mechanism 150L is integrally coupled to the drum unit 108 by the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117 as described above (the state shown in FIG. 30). As shown in FIG. 16, the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117 of this embodiment has an abutted surface (abutted portion) 117c. The abutted surface 117c is a surface substantially parallel to the swing axis K. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 30, the abutted surface 117c comes into contact with the spacer 151L located at the separation holding position when the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117 is assembled to the developing unit 109 and the drum unit 108. Opposed to surface 151Lc. Here, the process cartridge 100 includes a developing unit urging member (a second unit attached A developing pressure spring 134 is provided as a biasing member). The development pressure spring 134 is a coil spring assembled between the spring hanging part 117e of the non-driving side cartridge cover member 117 and the spring hanging part 127k of the non-driving side bearing 127, and is an elastic member. Due to the biasing force of the developing pressure spring 134, the contact surface 151Lc of the spacer 151L and the contact surface 117c of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117 come into contact. Then, when the abutting surface 117cc and the abutting surface 151Lc come into contact, the attitude of the developing unit 109 is determined such that the developing roller 106 of the developing unit 109 and the photosensitive drum 104 are separated by a gap P1. It is composed of The state in which the developing roller 106 is separated from the photosensitive drum 104 by the gap P1 by the spacer 151L is referred to as the separated position (retracted position) of the developing unit 109 (see FIG. 35(a)).

[0144] [Separated state and contact state of process cartridge 100 (non-driving side)] Here, the separated state and the abutted state of the process cartridge 100 will be explained in detail using FIG. 34. FIG. 34 is a side view of the process cartridge 100 installed inside the image forming apparatus main body 170, viewed from the non-driving side. FIG. 34(a) shows a state in which the developing unit 109 is separated from the photosensitive drum 104. FIG. 34(b) shows a state in which the developing unit 109 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 104.

[0145] First, a state in which the spacer 151L is located at the separated holding position (first position) and the developing unit 109 is located at the separated position (retracted position) will be described. In this state, the supported part 151La, which is one end of the separation holding part 151Lb, contacts the first support part 127b of the non-driving side bearing 127, and the contact part 151Lc, which is the other end, is covered by the non-driving side cartridge cover member 117. It is in contact with the contact surface 117c. Further, the first support portion 127b is pressed toward the supported portion 151La by the action of the development pressure spring 134, and the contact portion 151Lc is pressed toward the contact surface 117c. Therefore, in this state, the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117 (forming part of the drum unit 108) is attached to the non-drive side bearing 127 (forming a part of the developing unit 109) via the spacer holding portion 151Lb of the spacer 151L. ) is positioned and stably held.

[0146] From this state, the pushed portion 152Le of the moving member 152L is pushed in the direction of arrow ZA. As a result, the moving member 152L and the protruding portion 152Lh move linearly from the standby position in the ZA direction (operating direction) and reach the protruding position. The ZA direction is a direction that intersects (orthogonally in this embodiment) the rotational axis M2 of the developing roller 106, the rotational axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 108, and the swing axis HE. Therefore, the protrusion 152Lh in the protrusion position is located downstream in the ZA direction than the protrusion 152Lh in the standby position. Therefore, the protrusion 152Lh in the protrusion position is located further from the swing axis K than the protrusion 152Lh in the standby position. Further, the protruding portion 152Lh in the protruding position protrudes in the ZA direction (disposed downstream in the ZA direction) than the drum frame and the developing frame. In this embodiment, the drum frame includes the first drum frame 115, the drive side cartridge cover member 116, and the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117, and the developing frame includes the developer container 125, the drive side bearing 126, and a non-drive side bearing 127. Note that the protruding position can also be referred to as a force receiving position or an operating position.

[0147] The moving member 152L is movable in the ZA direction and the opposite direction while maintaining the spacer 151L at the separated holding position (first position). Therefore, even when the movable member 152L and the protruding portion 152Lh are in the operating position, the spacer 151L is located in the separated holding position (first position). The pressed portion 151Le of the spacer 151L is brought into contact with the spacer pressing surface 152Lr of the moving member 152L by the tension spring 153 as described above. Therefore, when the second force receiving portion 152Ln (second force receiving surface 152Lp) is pressed in the direction of arrow W42, the moving member 152L rotates in the direction of arrow BD around the moving member swing axis HE, and the spacer pressing surface 152Lr is By pressing the pressing portion 151Le, the spacer 151L is rotated in the direction of arrow B5. When the spacer 151L rotates in the direction of arrow B5, the abutting surface 151Lc separates from the abutted surface 117c, and the developing unit 109 becomes rotatable in the direction of arrow V2 about the swing axis K from the separated position. That is, the developing unit 109 rotates in the V2 direction from the separated position, and the developing roller 106 of the developing unit 109 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 104. Here, the position of the developing unit 109 where the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 are in contact is referred to as a contact position (developing position) (the state shown in FIG. 34(b)). Note that the position where the abutting surface 151Lc of the spacer 151L is separated from the abutted surface 117c is referred to as a separation release position (permissible position, second position). When the developing unit 109 is located at the contact position, the regulating surface 151Lk of the spacer 151L comes into contact with the spacer regulating surface (spacer portion regulating portion) 117d of the drive-side cartridge cover 116, so that the spacer 151L is maintained at the release position. Ru.

[0148] Further, the non-drive side bearing 127 of this embodiment has a pressed surface (pressed portion during separation) 127h that is a surface orthogonal to the swing axis K. The non-drive side bearing 127 is fixed to the developing unit 109. Therefore, when the first force receiving portion 152Lk (first force receiving surface 152Lm) of the movable member 152L is pressed in the direction of arrow 41 while the developing unit 109 is in the contact position, the developing frame pressing surface 152Lq is pressed against the pressed surface. Contact with 127h. As a result, the developing unit 109 rotates about the swing axis K in the direction of the arrow V1 and moves to the separated position (the state shown in FIG. 34(a)). Here, when the developing unit 109 moves from the contact position to the separation position, the direction in which the pressed surface 127h moves is indicated by an arrow W41 in FIGS. 34(a) and 34(b). Further, the opposite direction of arrow W41 is arrow W42, and arrow W41 and arrow W42 are approximately horizontal (X1, X2 directions). As described above, the second force receiving surface 152Lp of the moving member 152L assembled to the developing unit 109 is located upstream of the pressed surface 127h of the non-drive side bearing 127 in the direction of arrow W41. Further, the pressed surface 127h and the pressed portion 151Le of the spacer 151L are arranged at a position where at least a portion thereof overlaps in the W1 and W2 directions. The operation of the separation and contact mechanism 150L within the image forming apparatus main body 170 will be described next.

[0149] [Attachment of process cartridge 100 to image forming apparatus main body 170 (non-drive side)] Next, referring to FIGS. 35 and 36, the relationship between the separation and contact mechanism 150L of the process cartridge 100 and the development separation control unit 196L of the image forming apparatus main body 170 when the process cartridge 100 is installed in the image forming apparatus main body 170 will be explained. The combined action will be explained. Note that these figures are cross-sectional views in which a part of the developing cover member 128 and a part of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117 are partially omitted along the partial cross-sectional line CS, respectively, for the purpose of explanation. FIG. 35 is a view of the process cartridge 100 seen from the drive side when the process cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge tray 171 (not shown) of the image forming apparatus M and the cartridge tray 171 is inserted into the first mounting position. In FIG. 35, components other than the process cartridge 100, cartridge pressing unit 190, and separation control member 196L are omitted.

[0150] As described above, the image forming apparatus main body 170 of this embodiment includes the separation control member 196L corresponding to each process cartridge 100 as described above. The separation control member 196L is arranged closer to the lower surface of the image forming apparatus main body 170 than the spacer 151L when the process cartridge 100 is located at the first inner position and the second inner position. The separation control member 196L protrudes toward the process cartridge 100 and has a first force applying surface (force applying section) 196La and a second force applying surface (retreating force applying section) 196Lb that face each other across a space 196Rd. The first force applying surface 196Ra and the second force applying surface 196Rb are connected to each other via a connecting portion 196Rc on the lower surface side of the image forming apparatus main body 170. Further, the separation control member 196R is rotatably supported by a control sheet metal 197 about a rotation center 196Re. The spacing member 196R is always biased in the E1 direction by a biasing spring. Further, the control sheet metal 197 is configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions by a control mechanism (not shown), so that the separation control member 196R is configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions.

[0151] As described above, in conjunction with the transition of the front door 11 of the image forming apparatus main body 170 from the open state to the closed state, the cartridge pressing unit 190 descends in the direction of arrow ZA, and the first force applying portion 190a moves toward the moving member 152L. comes into contact with the pushed surface 152Lf. Thereafter, when the cartridge pressing unit 190 descends to a predetermined position, which is the second mounting position, the protruding portion 152Lh of the moving member 152L moves to the protruding position in which the process cartridge 100 protrudes downward in the Z2 direction (state in FIG. 36). When this operation is completed, as shown in FIG. 36, a gap T4 is created between the first force applying surface 196La of the separation control member 196L and the second force receiving surface 152Lp of the moving member 152L, and a gap T4 is created between the second force applying surface 196Lb and the second force applying surface 196Lb. A gap T3 is formed between the force receiving surface 152Lm and the force receiving surface 152Lm. Then, it is located at the second mounting position where the separation control member 196L does not act on the moving member 152L. Note that this position of the separation control member 196L is referred to as the home position. At this time, the second force receiving surface 152Lp of the moving member 152L and the first force applying surface 196La of the separation control member 196L are arranged so as to partially overlap in the W1 and W2 directions. Similarly, the first force receiving surface 152Lm of the moving member 152L and the second force applying surface 196Lb of the separation control member 196L are arranged so as to partially overlap in the W1 and W2 directions.

[0152] [Developing unit contact operation (non-drive side)] Next, the operation of bringing the photosensitive drum 104 into contact with the developing roller 106 by the separation and contact mechanism 150L will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 36 to 38. Note that in these figures, for illustrative purposes, a part of the developing cover member 128, a part of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117, and a part of the non-drive side bearing 127 are partially omitted at the partial cross-sectional line CS. FIG.

[0153] As described above, the developing coupling 32 receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the direction of the arrow V2 in FIG. 24, and the developing roller 106 rotates. That is, the developing unit 109 having the developing coupling 32 receives a driving torque from the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the direction of the arrow V2 about the swing axis K. Furthermore, the developing unit 109 also receives a biasing force in the direction of arrow V2 due to the biasing force of the developer pressure spring 134 described above. As shown in FIG. 36, a state in which the developing unit 109 is in the separated position and the spacer 151L is in the separated holding position (first position) will be described. In this state, even if the developing unit 109 receives this driving torque and the biasing force from the developing pressure spring 134, the abutting surface 151Lc of the spacer 151L abuts the abutting surface 117c of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117. Therefore, the attitude of the developing unit 109 is maintained at the separated position.

[0154] The separation control member 196L of this embodiment is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow W41 in FIG. 36 from the home position. When the separation control member 196L moves in the W41 direction, the first force applying surface 196La of the separation control member 196L and the second force receiving surface 152Lp of the second force receiving portion 152Ln of the moving member 152L come into contact, and the moving member 152L becomes the moving member. Rotates in the BD direction with the swing axis HD as the rotation center. Note that the contact between the first force applying surface 196La and the second force receiving surface 152Lp does not necessarily have to be surface contact, and may be line contact or point contact. In this way, the first force applying surface 196La applies a contact force to the second force receiving surface 152Lp by moving in the W41 direction. The moving direction of the protrusion 152Lh when the moving member 152L rotates in the BD direction is referred to as a first direction. Furthermore, as the moving member 152L rotates, the spacer pressing surface 152Lr of the moving member 152L contacts the pressed portion 151Le of the spacer 151L, and rotates the spacer 151L in the B5 direction. The spacer 151L is then rotated by the moving member 152L to a separation release position (second position) where the contact surface 151Lc and the contact surface 117c are separated. Here, the position of the separation control member 196L shown in FIG. 37 that moves the spacer 151L to the separation release position (second position) is referred to as a first position.

[0155] When the spacer 151L is moved to the separation release position by the separation control member 196L in this manner, the development unit 109 is rotated in the V2 direction by the driving torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the biasing force of the development pressure spring 134. As a result, the developing unit 109 moves to the abutting position where the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 abut (the state shown in FIG. 37). At this time, the spacer 151L, which is biased in the direction of arrow B4 by the tension spring 153, is brought into the separation release position (second position) by the regulated surface 151Lk coming into contact with the spacer regulating surface 117d of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117. maintained. Thereafter, the separation control member 196L moves in the W42 direction and returns to the home position. At this time, the movable member 152L is rotated in the BC direction by the tension spring 153, and shifts to a state where the developing frame pressing surface 152Lq of the movable member 152L and the pressed surface 127h of the non-drive side bearing 127 are in contact (see FIG. 38). situation). At this time, it can be said that the moving member 152L and the protrusion 152Lh are in the operating position.

[0156] As a result, the above-described gaps T3 and T4 are formed again, and the separation control member 196L is located at a position where it does not act on the moving member 152L. Note that the transition from the state shown in FIG. 37 to the state shown in FIG. 38 is performed immediately. Note that the position of the separation control member 196L in FIG. 38 is the same as the state in FIG. 36.

[0157] Furthermore, in the above description, it is assumed that the second force receiving surface 152Lp receives the contact force from the first force applying surface 196La. In this regard, the contact force is a force applied from the first force application surface 196La that moves in the W41 direction, and is a force applied in a direction (contact direction, proximity direction, This is the force applied to the process cartridge 100 to move it in the V2 direction). Therefore, it is sufficient that the developing unit 109 moves from the retracted position to the developing position upon receiving the contact force, and the process cartridge 100 is moved by the contact force until the developing unit 109 reaches the developing position. There is no need to continue receiving it. Further, as described above, when the developing unit 109 moves from the retracted position to the developing position in response to the contact force, the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 do not necessarily need to be in contact with each other at the developing position.

[0158] As described above, in the configuration of this embodiment, by moving the separation control member 196L from the home position to the first position, it applies a contact force to the moving member 152L, rotates the moving member 152L, and moves the spacer 151L to the separation holding position. (first position) to the separation release position (second position). This allows the developing unit 109 to move from the separated position to the abutting position where the developing roller 9 and the photosensitive drum 104 abut. In other words, the contact force applied from the separation control member 196L is transmitted to the spacer 151L via the moving member 152L, thereby moving the developing unit 109 from the separation position (retracted position) to the contact position (development position). It can be said that it does.

[0159] When the developing unit 109 is in the contact position (developing position), the position of the developing unit 109 relative to the drum unit 108 is biased in the V2 direction by the driving torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the developing pressure spring 134, and the developing unit This is determined by the roller 106 coming into contact with the photosensitive drum 104. Therefore, the photosensitive drum 104 can be said to be a positioning section (second positioning section) that positions the developing roller 6 of the developing unit 109 at the developing position. At this time, it can be said that the developing unit 109 is stably held by the drum unit 108. At this time, the spacer 151L at the separation release position is not directly involved in positioning the developing unit 109. However, it can be said that the spacer 151L creates a situation in which the drum unit 108 can stably hold the developing unit 109 at the contact position (developing position) by moving from the separation holding position to the separation release position.

[0160] Furthermore, when the front door 11 of the image forming apparatus main body 170 shifts from the closed state to the open state in this state, the first force applying portion 190a rises in the opposite direction to the arrow ZA direction. Along with this, the movable member 152R moves in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow ZA due to the action of the biasing member 153. However, the spacer 151R remains at the release position, and the developing unit 109 also remains at the developing position.

[0161] [Separation operation of developing unit (non-drive side)] Next, the operation of moving the developing unit 109 from the contact position to the separation position will be described in detail using FIGS. 38 and 39. For the sake of explanation, FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view in which a part of the developing cover member 128, a part of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117, and a part of the non-drive side bearing 127 are partially omitted at the partial cross-section line CS. It is a diagram.

[0162] As described above, in the state shown in FIG. 38, it can be said that the moving member 152L and the protrusion 152Lh are in the operating position. The separation control member 196L in this embodiment is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow W42 in FIG. 38 from the home position. When the separation control member 196L moves in the W42 direction, the second force applying surface 196Lb and the first force receiving surface 152Lm of the first force receiving portion 152Lk of the moving member 152L come into contact, and the moving member moves around the moving member swing axis HD. 152L rotates in the direction of arrow BC. Note that the contact between the second force applying surface 196Lb and the first force receiving surface 152Lm does not necessarily have to be surface contact, and may be line contact or point contact. In this way, the second force applying surface 196Lb applies a separation force (retreat force) to the first force receiving surface 152Lm. The moving direction of the protrusion 152Lh when the moving member 152L rotates in the BC direction is referred to as a second direction. Since the developing frame pressing surface 152Lq of the movable member 152L is in contact with the pressed surface 127h of the non-drive side bearing 127, the developing unit 109 rotates from the contact position in the direction of arrow V1 about the pivot axis K. (Situation in Figure 39). At this time, the pushed surface 152Lf of the moving member 152L has an arc shape, and the center of this arc is arranged to coincide with the swing axis K.

[0163] As a result, when the developing unit 109 moves from the contact position to the separated position, the force that the pushed surface 152Lf of the moving member 152L receives from the cartridge pressing unit 190 is directed in the direction of the swing axis K. Therefore, it is possible to operate the developing unit 109 without hindering its rotation in the direction of arrow V1. In the spacer 151L, the regulated surface 151Lk of the spacer 151L and the spacer regulating surface 117d of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 117 are separated, and the spacer 151L moves in the direction of arrow B4 (from the separation release position to the separation holding position) by the biasing force of the tension spring 153. direction). As a result, the spacer 151L rotates until the pressed portion 151Le comes into contact with the spacer pressing surface 152LR of the moving member 152L, and upon contact, moves to the separation holding position (first position).

[0164] When the developing unit 109 is moved from the contact position to the separation position by the separation control member 196L and the spacer 151L is located at the separation holding position, as shown in FIG. A gap T5 is formed. Here, the position where the developing unit 109 is rotated from the contact position toward the separation position and the spacer 151L can move to the separation holding position is referred to as the second position of the separation control member 196L.

[0165] After that, the separation control member 196L moves in the direction of arrow W41 and returns from the second position to the home position. Then, the developing unit 109 rotates in the direction of arrow V2 due to the driving torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the biasing force of the developing pressurizing spring 134, while the spacer 151L is maintained in the separated holding position, and the developing unit 109 is rotated in the direction of arrow V2, and the developing unit 109 is rotated in the direction of arrow V2, and the contact surface 151L is The contact surface 117c makes contact. That is, the developing unit 109 is kept in a separated position by the spacer 151L, and the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 are separated by the gap P1 (states shown in FIGS. 36 and 34(a)). Note that as a result, the above-described gaps T3 and T4 are formed again, and the separation control member 196L is located at a position where it does not act on the moving member 152L (the state shown in FIG. 36). Note that the transition from the state in FIG. 39 to the state in FIG. 36 is executed without any delay.

[0166] Furthermore, in the above description, it is assumed that the first force receiving surface 152Lm receives a separation force (retreating force) from the second force applying surface 196Lb. In this regard, the separation force is a force applied from the second force applying surface 196Lb that moves in the W42 direction, and is used to move the developing roller 106 in the direction away from the photosensitive drum 104 (separation direction, retreat direction, or V1 direction). This is the force applied to the process cartridge 100. Therefore, it is sufficient that the developing unit 109 is configured to move from the developing position toward the retracted position upon receiving the separating force, and the process cartridge 100 is moved by the separating force until the developing unit 109 reaches the retracted position. There is no need to continue receiving it.

[0167] As described above, in the configuration of this embodiment, when the separation control member 196L moves from the home position to the second position, the spacer 151L moves from the separation release position to the separation holding position. Then, when the separation control member 196L returns from the second position to the home position, the developing unit 109 is maintained at the separation position by the spacer 151L. In other words, the spacer 151L prevents the developing unit 109 from moving to the contact position against the urging force in the direction of arrow V2 due to the driving torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the urging force of the developing pressure spring 134. , maintained in a spaced position.

[0168] In this way, the separation force applied from the separation control member 196L is transmitted to the pressed surface 127h of the non-drive side bearing (part of the developing frame) 127 via the moving member 152L, thereby controlling the developing unit 109. The spacer 151R is moved from the contact position to the separation position (retreat position), and the spacer 151R is moved from the separation release position to the separation holding position.

[0169] When the developing unit 109 is in the separated position (retracted position), the position of the developing unit 109 relative to the drum unit 108 is biased in the V2 direction by the driving torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the developing pressure spring 134, as described above. It is determined that the supported portion 151La contacts the first support portion 127b and the contact portion 151Lc contacts the contact surface 117c. Therefore, the abutted surface 117c can be said to be a positioning part (first positioning part) for positioning the developing unit 109 at the separated position (retracted position) from the photosensitive drum 104. At this time, it can be said that the developing unit 109 is stably held by the drum unit 108. Furthermore, it can be said that the spacer 151L in the separated holding position (first position) creates a situation in which the drum unit 108 can stably hold the developing unit 109 in the separated position (retracted position).

[0170] Furthermore, when the front door 11 of the image forming apparatus main body 170 shifts from the closed state to the open state in this state, the first force applying portion 190a rises in the opposite direction to the arrow ZA direction. Along with this, the movable member 152L moves in the opposite direction of the arrow ZA direction due to the action of the biasing member 153. However, the spacer 151L remains in its separated position, and the developing unit 109 also remains in its separated position.

[0171] Up to now, the operation of the separation mechanism located on the drive side of the process cartridge 100 and the operation of the separation mechanism located on the non-drive side have been explained separately, but in this embodiment, these operate in conjunction. In other words, when the developing unit 109 is positioned at the separated position by the spacer 151R, this occurs substantially simultaneously with the positioning of the developing unit 109 at the separated position due to the spacer 151L, and the same is true at the abutting position. Specifically, the separation control member 196R and the separation control member 196L explained in FIGS. 23 to 27 and 35 to 39 are moved integrally by a connection mechanism not shown. As a result, the timing at which the spacer 151R located on the driving side is located at the separation holding position and the timing at which the spacer 151L located at the non-driving side is located at the separation holding position are approximately the same. Further, the timing at which the spacer 151R is located at the separation release position and the timing at which the spacer 151L is located at the separation release position are approximately the same. Note that these timings may differ between the drive side and the non-drive side, but in order to shorten the time from when the user starts a print job until the printed matter is ejected, it is recommended that the timings be at least shifted to the separation release position. It is desirable that the positions be located at the same time. In this embodiment, the swing axes H of the spacer 151R and the spacer 151L are coaxial, but the timing is not limited to this, as long as the timings of the spacers 151R and 151L are at substantially the same time as described above. Similarly, the movable member swing axis HC of the movable member 152R and the movable member swing axis HE of the movable member 152L are not coincident axes, but it is sufficient if the timings of the moving member swinging axis HE of the moving member 152R and the moving member swinging axis HE of the moving member 152R are approximately the same as described above. , but is not limited to this.

[0172] In order to perform the above-mentioned contact operation and separation operation, the width of the protrusion 152Rh of the moving member 152R or the distance between the first force receiving surface 152Rm and the first force receiving surface 152Rp in the W41 direction or the W42 direction is It is preferably 10 mm or less, more preferably 6 mm or less. With such a dimensional relationship, it becomes possible to perform appropriate abutting and separating operations. The same applies to the non-drive side moving member 152L.

[0173] As described above, in this embodiment, the driving side and the non-driving side have similar separating and contacting mechanisms 150R and 150L, ​​which operate substantially simultaneously. Thereby, even if the process cartridge 100 is twisted or deformed in the longitudinal direction, the amount of separation between the photosensitive drum 104 and the developing roller 9 can be controlled at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, variations in the amount of separation in the longitudinal direction can be suppressed.

[0174] Further, according to this embodiment, by moving the separation control member 196R (196L) in one direction (in the direction of arrows W41 and W42) between the home position, the first position, and the second position, the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive The contact state and separation state of the drum 104 can be controlled. Therefore, the developing roller 106 can be brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 104 only when forming an image, and the developing roller 4 can be kept separated from the photosensitive drum 104 when not forming an image. Therefore, even if the image forming apparatus is left for a long period without image formation, the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 will not be deformed, and stable image formation can be performed.

[0175] Further, according to this embodiment, the moving member 152R (152L) that acts on the spacer 151R (151L) to rotate it can be positioned at the storage position by the biasing force of the tension spring 153 or the like. Therefore, when the process cartridge 100 exists outside the image forming apparatus main body 170, it does not protrude from the outermost shape of the process cartridge 100, and the process cartridge 100 can be miniaturized as a single unit.

[0176] Similarly, the moving member 152R (152L) can be positioned at the storage position by the biasing force of the tension spring 153 or the like. Therefore, when installing the process cartridge 100 into the image forming apparatus main body 170, the installation can be completed by moving the process cartridge 100 in only one direction. Therefore, there is no need to move the process cartridge 100 (tray 171) in the vertical direction. Therefore, no extra space is required in the image forming apparatus main body 170, and the main body can be made smaller.

[0177] Further, according to this embodiment, when the separation control member 196R (196L) is located at the home position, no load is applied to the separation control member 196R (196L) from the process cartridge 100. Therefore, the rigidity required for the separation control member 196R (196L) and the mechanism for operating the separation control member 196R (196L) can be reduced, and the size can be reduced. Further, since the load on the sliding portion of the mechanism for operating the separation control member 196R (196L) is reduced, wear of the sliding portion and generation of abnormal noise can be suppressed.

[0178] Further, according to this embodiment, the developing unit 109 can be maintained at a separated position only by the spacer 151R (151L) included in the process cartridge 100. Therefore, by reducing the number of parts that cause variations in the amount of separation between the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104, component tolerances can be reduced and the amount of separation can be minimized. Since the amount of separation can be reduced, when the process cartridge 100 is placed in the image forming apparatus main body 170, the area where the developing unit 109 exists when it moves to the contact position and the separated position becomes smaller, so that the image It is possible to downsize the forming device. In addition, since the space of the developer accommodating section 29 of the developing unit 109 that moves to the contact position and the separated position can be increased, it is possible to arrange a compact and large-capacity process cartridge 100 in the image forming apparatus main body 170. can.

[0179] Further, according to this embodiment, the moving member 152R (152L) is located at the storage position when the process cartridge 100 is installed, and the developing unit 109 can be maintained at the separated position by the spacer 151R (151L) included in the process cartridge 100. . Therefore, when installing the process cartridge 100 into the image forming apparatus main body 170, the installation can be completed by moving the process cartridge 100 in only one direction. Therefore, there is no need to move the process cartridge 100 (tray 171) in the vertical direction. Therefore, no extra space is required in the image forming apparatus main body 170, and the main body can be made smaller. Furthermore, since the amount of separation can be reduced, when the process cartridge 100 is placed in the image forming apparatus main body 170, the area where the developing unit 109 exists when it moves to the contact position and the separated position becomes smaller. This makes it possible to downsize the image forming apparatus. In addition, since the space of the developer accommodating section 29 of the developing unit 109 that moves to the contact position and the separated position can be increased, it is possible to arrange a compact and large-capacity process cartridge 100 in the image forming apparatus main body 170. can.

[0180] In this embodiment, the developing unit 109 is moved in the direction of arrow V2 (direction of movement from the separation position to the developing position) by the driving torque of the developing coupling portion 132a received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the biasing force of the developing pressure spring 134. It was configured to bias the However, as a configuration for urging the developing unit 109 in the V2 direction, it is also possible to utilize the gravity applied to the developing unit 109. That is, the configuration may be such that the gravity applied to the developing unit 109 generates a moment that rotates the developing unit 109 in the V2 direction. When adopting such a biasing configuration in the V2 direction due to its own weight, the biasing configuration using the developing pressure spring 134 may not be provided, or may be used in combination with the biasing configuration using the developing pressure spring 134. .

[0181] [Details of arrangement of separation and contact mechanism 150R and L] Next, the arrangement of the separation and contact mechanisms 150R and 150L in this embodiment will be explained in detail using FIGS. 40 and 41. FIG. 40 is an enlarged view of the area around the spacer 151R when the process cartridge 100 is viewed from the drive side along the swing axis K (photosensitive drum axis direction) of the developing unit 109. Additionally, for the sake of explanation, it is a cross-sectional view in which a part of the developing cover member 128 and a part of the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 are partially omitted along the partial cross-sectional line CS. FIG. 41 is an enlarged view of the area around the spacer 151R when the process cartridge 100 is viewed from the non-driving side along the swing axis K (photosensitive drum axis direction) of the developing unit 109. Additionally, for the sake of explanation, it is a cross-sectional view in which a part of the developing cover member 128 and a part of the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 are partially omitted along the partial cross-sectional line CS. Regarding the arrangement of spacers and moving members that will be explained later, there is no distinction between the driving side and the non-driving side, except for the parts that will be explained in detail later, and since they are common to both, the explanation will be on the driving side (Figure 40) Although the description of the non-drive side (FIG. 41) will be omitted, the non-drive side has a similar configuration.

[0182] As shown in FIG. 40, a line N is a straight line passing through the rotational axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 104 (point M1 in FIG. 40) and the rotational axis M2 of the developing roller 106 (point M2 in FIG. 40). Further, the contact area between the contact surface 151Rc of the spacer 151R and the contact surface 116c of the drive side cartridge cover member 116 is M3, and the contact area between the pressed surface 151Re of the spacer 151R and the spacer pressing surface 152Rr of the moving member 152R. Let be M4. Further, the distance between the swing axis K of the developing unit 109 and point M2 is defined as distance e1, the distance between swing axis K and area M3 is defined as distance e2, and the distance between swing axis K and point M4 is defined as distance e3. do.

[0183] In the configuration of this embodiment, when the developing unit 109 is in the separated position and the moving member 152R (152L) is in the protruding position, the developing unit 109 is viewed along the swing axis K (or the rotation axis M1 or the rotation axis M2). and have the following positional relationship. In other words, when viewed along the swing axis K as shown in FIG. It is placed in area AD1 opposite to area AU1 where is placed. In other words, the contact surface 151Rc of the spacer 151R is arranged such that the distance e2 is longer than the distance e1. Further, as shown in FIG. 40, when viewed along the swing axis K, at least a portion of the protruding portion 152Rh is located at the center of the developing coupling portion 132a (the swing It is placed in area AD1 on the opposite side to area AU1 where axis K) is placed. In FIG. 40 (FIG. 41), assuming that the vertical direction in the figure is the vertical direction, the attitude of the process cartridge 100 is the same as the attitude when it is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 170. This attitude can also be said to be an attitude in which the rotational axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 104 is horizontal and the photosensitive drum 104 is disposed at the lower part of the process cartridge 100. In this attitude, the area AD1 corresponds to the lower part of the process cartridge 100, and is also an area including the bottom of the process cartridge 100.

[0184] By arranging the spacer 151R and the contact surface 151Rc in this manner, even when the position of the contact surface 151Rc varies due to component tolerances, it is possible to suppress variations in the posture of the developing unit 109 at the separated position. In other words, the influence of variations in the contact surface 151Rc on the separation amount (gap) P1 (see FIG. 1(a)) between the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 can be minimized, and the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 can be accurately aligned. The photosensitive drum 104 can be separated. Furthermore, there is no need to provide an extra space for the developing unit 109 to retreat when the developing unit 109 is separated, leading to a reduction in the size of the image forming apparatus main body 170.

[0185] In addition, the first force receiving portion 152Rk (152Lk) and the second force receiving portion 152Rn (152Ln), which are the force receiving portions of the moving member 152R (152L), are connected to the rotation center (rotation axis) of the developing coupling portion 132a with the line N in between. )K is located on the opposite side. In other words, at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk (152Lk) and 152Rn (152Ln) is arranged in the area AD1 opposite to the area AU1 where the rotation center (rotation axis) K of the developing coupling 132a is arranged. ing.

[0186] As described above, the protruding portion (force receiving portion) 152Rh (152Lh) is arranged at the longitudinal end. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 15 (FIG. 16), a cylindrical portion 128b (127a), which is a support portion of the developing unit 109, is arranged at the longitudinal end. Therefore, the force receiving part 152Rh (152Lh) including the first force receiving part 152Rk (152Lk) and the second force receiving part 152Rn (152Ln) is the cylindrical part 128b (127a) (that is, the swing axis K) of the developing unit 109. By arranging it at a position opposite to line N, the functional section can be efficiently arranged. In other words, the process cartridge 100 and the image forming apparatus M can be made smaller. More specifically, when viewed from the direction along the rotational axis M2 and dividing the boundary by the straight line N, the developing unit 109 such as the cylindrical portion 128b (127a) is located in the area AU1 where the swing axis K is arranged. A structure for movably supporting the drum unit 108 is arranged. Therefore, at least a part of each of the force receiving parts 152Rk (152Lk) and 152Rn (152Ln) is arranged in the area AD1 where the developing coupling part 132a is not arranged than in the area AU1 where the swing axis K is arranged. This allows for a more efficient layout that avoids interference between members. This leads to miniaturization of the process cartridge 100 and the image forming apparatus M.

[0187] In addition, the force receiving portion 152Rh (152Lh) is arranged at the drive side end in the longitudinal direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, a development drive input gear 132 (or development coupling section 132a) that receives drive from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and drives the development roller 106 is provided at the longitudinal drive side end. ing. As shown in FIG. 40, the first force receiving portion 152Rk and the second force receiving portion 152Rn of the moving member are located at the center of rotation of the developer drive input gear 132 (developer coupling portion 132a) indicated by the broken line, across the extension line of line N. It is located on the opposite side of K. This arrangement makes it possible to efficiently arrange the functional parts. In other words, the process cartridge 100 and the image forming apparatus M can be made smaller. More specifically, when viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2 and dividing the boundary by the straight line N, there is no developing roller such as the developing drive input gear 132 in the area AU1 where the developing coupling portion 132a is arranged. A driving member for driving members such as 106 included in the developing unit 109 is arranged. Therefore, it is better to arrange at least a part of the force receiving part 152Rh in the area AD1 where the developing coupling part 132a is not arranged than in the area AU1 where the developing coupling part 132a is arranged to avoid interference between the members. This allows for an efficient layout. This leads to miniaturization of the process cartridge 100 and the image forming apparatus M.

[0188] In the above description, the area AU1 and the area AD1 are the area where the swing axis K or the developer coupling part 132a is arranged, when the boundary is divided by the straight line N when viewed from the direction along the rotational axis M2. defined as an area where there is no However, other definitions are also possible. Area AU1 and area AD1 are areas where charging roller 105 or its rotation axis (rotation center) M5 is arranged and areas where it is not arranged, when the boundaries are divided by straight line N when viewed from the direction along rotation axis M2. It may be defined as

[0189] Further, FIG. 236 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 100 in a separated state, viewed in a direction along the rotation axis M2. 3 and 236, as another definition, area AU1 and area AD1 are defined by the developing blade 130, the adjacent point 130d, the stirring The member 129a, the rotation axis M7 of the stirring member 129a, or the pushed surface 152Rf may be defined as a region where it is arranged and a region where it is not arranged. The proximity point 130d is the position of the developing blade 130 closest to the surface of the developing roller 106.

[0190] In a general electrophotographic cartridge, particularly in a cartridge used in an in-line layout image forming apparatus, other members of the cartridge are relatively difficult to arrange in the area AD1. Further, when at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk (152Lk) and 152Rn (152Ln) is arranged in the region AD1, the device main body 170 also has the following advantages. In other words, the separation control member 196R (196L) of the apparatus main body 170 is placed below the cartridge and moved in a substantially horizontal direction (in this embodiment, the W41 and W42 directions, and the arrangement direction of the photosensitive drum 104 or the cartridge 100). and press the force receiving part 152Rh (152Lh). With such a configuration, the separation control member 196R (196L) and its drive mechanism can be made relatively simple or compact. This is particularly noticeable in image forming apparatuses with an inline layout. In this way, arranging at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk (152Lk) and 152Rn (152Ln) in the region AD1 can also be expected to contribute to downsizing and cost reduction of the device main body 170.

[0191] Further, the contact portion between the spacer 151R and the moving member 152R is arranged such that the distance e3 is longer than the distance e1. Thereby, the spacer 151R and the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 can be brought into contact with each other with a lighter force. In other words, it becomes possible to stably separate the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104.

[0192] The above arrangement of the separation and contact mechanisms 150R and 150L has been explained using FIGS. 40 and 41 showing the process cartridge 100 in the separation state, but the same relationship exists in the process cartridge 100 in the contact state. This is clear from other figures as well. FIG. 235 is a side view (partially sectional view) of the process cartridge 100 in the abutting state as seen in the direction along the rotational axis M2. The arrangement of each force receiving part 152Rk (152Lk) and 152Rn (152Ln) is the same as that described above.

[0193] Also, the VD1 direction is perpendicular to the straight line N. On the drive side, the moving member 152R and the force receiving parts 152Rk and 152Rn move between the standby position and the operating position by moving in the ZA direction and the opposite direction with respect to the drum frame and the developing frame. It is the composition. By this movement in the ZA direction and the opposite direction, the moving member 152R and each force receiving part 152Rk, 152Rn are displaced at least in the VD1 direction. That is, the movable member 152R and each force receiving part 152Rk, 152Rn are displaced at least in the VD1 direction and move between the standby position and the operating position. According to this configuration, when the moving member 152R is in the operating position, the developing unit 109 is moved between the developing position and the retracted position by receiving force from the separation control member 196R at each of the force receiving parts 152Rk and 152Rn. be able to. When the movable member 152R is in the standby position, the movable member 152R and each force receiving portion 152Rk, 152Rn will interfere with the separation control member 196R, making it impossible to insert or remove the process cartridge 100 into the apparatus main body 170. It can be avoided. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side.

[0194] Further, when the movable member 152R is in the operating position, the protruding portion 152Rh provided with each of the force receiving portions 152Rk and 152Rn is arranged at a position protruding from the developing unit 109 at least in the VD1 direction. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the protrusion 152Rh in the space 196Rd between the first force applying surface 196Ra and the second force applying surface 196Rb of the separation control member 196R. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side.

[0195] [Details of arrangement of separation and contact mechanism 150R, L - Part 2] A concept similar to the concept of arranging at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk (152Lk) and 152Rn (152Ln) in the area AD1 as described above will be explained using FIGS. 236 and 237.

[0196] 236 and 237 are schematic sectional views of the process cartridge 100 viewed from the drive side along the rotational axis M1, rotational axis K, or rotational axis M2 of the developing unit 109, with FIG. 236 in the separated state and FIG. 237 in the Indicates connection status. Regarding the arrangement of the spacer 151 and the moving member 152, which will be explained later, there is no distinction between the driving side and the non-driving side, and they are common to both, and are almost the same in the contact state and the separated state, so the explanation will be as follows. Only the separated state on the drive side will be described using FIG. 236, and explanations on the non-drive side and the contact state will be omitted.

[0197] The rotation axis of the toner transport roller (developer supply member) 107 is defined as the rotation axis (rotation center) M6. Further, the process cartridge 100 includes an agitation member 108 that rotates and agitates the developer contained in the development unit 109, and its rotation axis is defined as a rotation axis (rotation center) M7.

[0198] In FIG. 236, among the intersections of the straight line N10 connecting the rotation axis M1 and the rotation axis M5 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 104, the intersection farther from the rotation axis M5 is defined as an intersection MX1. A tangent to the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 passing through the intersection MX1 is a tangent (predetermined tangent) N11. Divided into areas along tangent line N11, rotational axis M1, charging roller 105, rotational axis M5, developing roller 106, rotational axis M2, developer coupling section 132a, rotational axis K, developing blade 130, proximity point 130d, and toner transport. The area where the roller 107, the rotational axis M6, the stirring member 129a, the rotational axis M7, or the pushed surface 152Rf are arranged is an area AU2, and the area where they are not arranged is an area (predetermined area) AD2. Furthermore, the areas AU2 and AD2 may be defined in other ways as follows. That is, assuming that the VD10 direction is a direction that is parallel to and in the same direction as the direction from the rotational axis M5 to the rotational axis M1, the most downstream part of the photosensitive drum 104 in the VD10 direction is the intersection point MX1. Regarding the direction VD10, an area upstream of the most downstream portion MX1 is an area AU2, and an area downstream is an area (predetermined area) AD2. The defined areas AU2 and AD2 are the same in either expression.

[0199] At least a portion of each force receiving portion 152Rk, 152Rn is arranged in area AD2. In this manner, arranging at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk and 152Rn in the region AD2 can also be expected to contribute to downsizing and cost reduction of the process cartridge 100 and the apparatus main body 170. This is for the same reason as when at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk and 152Rn is arranged in the region AD1. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side.

[0200] Moreover, the moving member 152R and each force receiving part 152Rk, 152Rn are displaced at least in the VD10 direction by movement in the ZA direction and the opposite direction. In other words, the moving member 152R and each of the force receiving parts 152Rk and 152Rn are displaced at least in the VD10 direction and move between the standby position and the operating position. According to this configuration, when the moving member 152R is in the operating position, the developing unit 109 is moved between the developing position and the retracted position by receiving force from the separation control member 196R at each of the force receiving parts 152Rk and 152Rn. be able to. When the movable member 152R is in the standby position, the movable member 152R and each force receiving portion 152Rk, 152Rn will interfere with the separation control member 196R, making it impossible to insert or remove the process cartridge 100 into the apparatus main body 170. It can be avoided. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side.

[0201] Further, when the movable member 152R is in the operating position, the protruding portion 152Rh provided with each of the force receiving portions 152Rk and 152Rn is arranged at a position protruding from the developing unit 109 at least in the VD10 direction. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the protrusion 152Rh in the space 196Rd between the first force applying surface 196Ra and the second force applying surface 196Rb of the separation control member 196R. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side.

[0202] [Details of arrangement of separation and contact mechanism 150R, L - Part 3] A concept similar to the above-mentioned concept of arranging at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk (152Lk) and 152Rn (152Ln) in the area AD1 will be explained using FIG. 238.

[0203] FIG. 238 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 100 in a separated state viewed from the drive side along the rotational axis M1, rotational axis K, or rotational axis M2 of the developing unit 109. Regarding the arrangement of the spacer 151 and the moving member 152, which will be explained later, there is no distinction between the driving side and the non-driving side, and they are the same on both sides, and are also substantially the same in the contact state and the separated state. The explanation will be made only regarding the separated state on the driving side using FIG. 238, and the explanation on the non-driving side and the contact state will be omitted.

[0204] In FIG. 238, of the intersections between the straight line N12 connecting the rotational axis K and the rotational axis M2 and the surface of the developing roller 106, the intersection farther from the rotational axis K is defined as an intersection MX2. A tangent to the surface of the developing roller 106 passing through the intersection MX2 is a tangent (predetermined tangent) N13. Divide into areas along tangent line N13, developing coupling portion 132a, rotational axis K, rotational axis M2, charging roller 105, rotational axis M5, developing blade 130, proximity point 130d, toner transport roller 107, rotational axis M6, and stirring. The area where the member 129a, the rotation axis M7, or the pushed surface 152Rf are arranged is defined as an area AU3, and the area where the member 129a, the rotational axis M7, or the pushed surface 152Rf is not arranged is defined as an area (predetermined area) AD3. Furthermore, the areas AU3 and AD3 may be defined in another way as follows. That is, if the VD12 direction is a direction parallel to and in the same direction as the direction from the rotational axis K to the rotational axis M2, the most downstream part of the developing roller 106 in the VD12 direction is the intersection point MX2. In the VD12 direction, an area upstream of the most downstream portion MX2 is defined as an area AU3, and an area downstream thereof is defined as an area (predetermined area) AD3. The defined areas AU3 and AD3 are the same in either expression.

[0205] At least a portion of each force receiving portion 152Rk, 152Rn is arranged in area AD3. In this way, arranging at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk and 152Rn in the region AD3 can also be expected to contribute to downsizing and cost reduction of the process cartridge 100 and the apparatus main body 170. This is for the same reason as when at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk and 152Rn is arranged in the region AD1. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side.

[0206] Moreover, the moving member 152R and each force receiving part 152Rk, 152Rn are displaced at least in the VD12 direction by movement in the ZA direction and the opposite direction. In other words, the moving member 152R and each of the force receiving parts 152Rk and 152Rn are displaced at least in the VD12 direction and move between the standby position and the operating position. According to this configuration, when the moving member 152R is in the operating position, the developing unit 109 is moved between the developing position and the retracted position by receiving force from the separation control member 196R at each force receiving part 152Rk, 152Rn. be able to. When the movable member 152R is in the standby position, the movable member 152R and each force receiving portion 152Rk, 152Rn will interfere with the separation control member 196R, making it impossible to insert or remove the process cartridge 100 into the apparatus main body 170. It can be avoided. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side.

[0207] Furthermore, when the movable member 152R is in the operating position, the protruding portion 152Rh provided with each of the force receiving portions 152Rk and 152Rn is arranged at a position protruding from the developing unit 109 at least in the VD12 direction. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the protrusion 152Rh in the space 196Rd between the first force applying surface 196Ra and the second force applying surface 196Rb of the separation control member 196R. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side.

[0208] [Details of arrangement of separation contact mechanism 150R, L - Part 4] A concept similar to the above-mentioned concept of arranging at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk (152Lk) and 152Rn (152Ln) in the area AD1 will be explained using FIG. 239.

[0209] FIG. 239 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 100 in a separated state viewed from the drive side along the rotational axis M1, rotational axis K, or rotational axis M2 of the developing unit 109. Regarding the arrangement of the spacer 151 and the moving member 152, which will be explained later, there is no distinction between the driving side and the non-driving side, and they are the same on both sides, and are also substantially the same in the contact state and the separated state, so The description will be made only regarding the separated state on the driving side using FIG. 239, and the explanation on the non-driving side and the contact state will be omitted.

[0210] In FIG. 239, among the intersections of the straight line N14 connecting the rotational axis M2 and the rotational axis M6 and the surface of the developing roller 106, the intersection farther from the rotational axis K is defined as an intersection MX2. A tangent to the surface of the developing roller 106 passing through the intersection MX2 is a tangent (predetermined tangent) N14. When the areas are divided along the tangent line N14, the developing coupling portion 132a, the rotational axis K, the charging roller 105, the rotational axis M5, the developing blade 130, the proximity point 130d, the stirring member 129a, the rotational axis M7, or the pressed surface The area where 152Rf is placed is area AU4, and the area where it is not placed is area (predetermined area) AD4.

[0211] At least a portion of each force receiving portion 152Rk, 152Rn is arranged in area AD4. In this manner, arranging at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk and 152Rn in the area AD4 can be expected to contribute to downsizing and cost reduction of the process cartridge 100 and the apparatus main body 170. This is for the same reason as when at least a portion of each of the force receiving portions 152Rk and 152Rn is arranged in the region AD1. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side.

[0212] Moreover, the moving member 152R and each force receiving part 152Rk, 152Rn are displaced at least in the VD14 direction perpendicular to the straight line N14 by movement in the ZA direction and the opposite direction. That is, the moving member 152R and each force receiving part 152Rk, 152Rn are displaced at least in the VD14 direction and move between the standby position and the operating position. According to this configuration, when the moving member 152R is in the operating position, the developing unit 109 is moved between the developing position and the retracted position by receiving force from the separation control member 196R at each force receiving part 152Rk, 152Rn. be able to. When the movable member 152R is in the standby position, the movable member 152R and each force receiving portion 152Rk, 152Rn will interfere with the separation control member 196R, making it impossible to insert or remove the process cartridge 100 into the apparatus main body 170. It can be avoided. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side.

[0213] Furthermore, when the movable member 152R is in the operating position, the protruding portion 152Rh provided with each of the force receiving portions 152Rk and 152Rn is arranged at a position protruding from the developing unit 109 at least in the VD14 direction. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the protrusion 152Rh in the space 196Rd between the first force applying surface 196Ra and the second force applying surface 196Rb of the separation control member 196R. The same applies to the configuration on the non-drive side.

[0214] The arrangement relationship of the force receiving portions described above is the same in all the embodiments described below.

[0215] [Retention mechanism] In the embodiment described above, the configuration for the drum unit 108 to stably hold the developing unit 109 in the retracted position and the developing position respectively includes the spacer 151R that can take the first position and the second position as a holding member. The explanation has been made assuming that the spacer holding section 151Rb, which is a part of the holding section 151Rb, is a holding section. However, the configuration of this embodiment can also be viewed as follows. That is, at least the spacer 151R, the first support portion 128c of the developer cover member 128, and the cover of the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 serve as a holding mechanism in which the drum unit 108 stably holds the developer unit 109 at the retracted position and the development position. It is also possible to include the contact surface 116c and the developing pressure spring 134. In this case, when the spacer 151R is in the first position and the developing unit 109 is in the retracted position, the holding mechanism is in the first state, and when the spacer 151R is in the second position and the developing unit 109 is in the developing position, the holding mechanism is in the first state. can be said to be in the second state.

[0216] <Example 2> Next, Example 2 will be described using FIGS. 42 to 46. In this embodiment, configurations and operations different from those of the previously described embodiments will be explained, and members having similar configurations and functions will be given the same reference numerals and explanations will be omitted. In the first embodiment, a separation contact mechanism 150R and a separation contact mechanism 150L were provided as separation contact mechanisms on the drive side and the non-drive side, respectively. On the other hand, in the embodiment, a configuration in which a separation and contact mechanism is provided only on one side of the process cartridge will be described.

[0217] 42 to 46 are diagrams showing the state when the developing unit 109 is at the separated position and the moving member of the separating and abutting mechanism is at the protruding position. FIG. 42(a) is a perspective view of the process cartridge 100 of Example 1 viewed from below on the drive side. FIG. 42(b) is a schematic diagram showing the amount of separation of the developing roller 106 from the photosensitive drum 104 of the process cartridge 100 of the first embodiment.

[0218] As shown in FIG. 42, the separation amount P1 in Example 1 is set to be the same amount on the drive side and the non-drive side. The separation amount P1 can be changed by changing the distance n1 from the swing axis H of the spacer 151 to the contact surface 151Rc. In this embodiment, which will be described below, the spacing amount is changed using a similar configuration.

[0219] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 43, the separation and contact mechanism 250-1 of the process cartridge 200-1 is arranged only on the drive side, and there is no separation and contact mechanism on the non-drive side. FIG. 43(a) is a perspective view of the process cartridge 200-1 viewed from below on the drive side. FIG. 43(b) is a schematic diagram showing the amount of separation of the developing roller 106 from the photosensitive drum 104 of the process cartridge 200-1.

[0220] As shown in FIG. 43, since the separation abutment mechanism 250-1 is arranged only on the drive side, the separation on the drive side is caused by the influence of the developing pressure spring (not shown in FIG. 43, see 134 in FIG. 34). The separation amount P2-1L on the non-drive side is smaller than the amount P2-1R. Here, the separation amount P2-1R on the drive side is changed to the separation amount P2-1R on the drive side so that the separation amount P2-1L on the non-drive side does not become 0, that is, so that the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 do not come into contact with each other on the non-drive side. It is set larger than P1 (see Figure 42(b)).

[0221] As a result, the same effect as in Example 1 can be obtained. Furthermore, since there is no separation and contact mechanism on the non-drive side, the size and cost of the process cartridge and the main body of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

[0222] FIG. 44 shows another form 1 of this example. In this embodiment, the separation and contact mechanism 250-2 of the process cartridge 200-2 is arranged only on the drive side, and there is no separation and contact mechanism on the non-drive side. In this embodiment, when the developing unit 109 is in the separated position, the non-drive side end of the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 are in contact with each other. FIG. 44(a) is a perspective view of the process cartridge 200-2 viewed from below on the drive side. FIG. 44(b) is a schematic diagram showing the amount of separation of the developing roller 106 from the photosensitive drum 104 of the process cartridge 200-2.

[0223] Unlike the embodiment of FIG. 43, in the embodiment of FIG. 44, the drive-side separation amount P2-2R is set to be equal to or smaller than the separation amount P1 of the first embodiment. In this case, the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 come into contact on the non-drive side due to the biasing force of the developing pressure spring (not shown in FIG. 43, see 134 in FIG. 34). However, if the contact range m2 on the non-drive side is set to a range that does not fall within the image forming area m4, it will not affect the image. However, if the effect on the image is so small that it can be ignored, or if the application is intended for use where the effect on the image can be ignored, the contact area m2 is not necessarily the same as the image forming area. There is no need to set it within the range of m4. That is, in such a case, the contact range m2 may be set to a range that falls within the image forming area m4.

[0224] As described above, in this embodiment, by making the separation amount smaller than in the embodiment shown in FIG. 43, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus as described in the first embodiment. Furthermore, since there is no separation and abutment mechanism on the non-drive side, it is possible to downsize and reduce the cost of the process cartridge and image forming apparatus main body.

[0225] FIG. 45 shows another form 2 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the spacing abutment mechanism 250-1 of the process cartridge 200-3 is arranged only on the non-driving side, and there is no spacing abutting mechanism on the driving side. FIG. 45(a) is a perspective view of the process cartridge 200-3 viewed from below on the non-driving side. FIG. 45(b) is a schematic diagram showing the amount of separation of the developing roller 106 from the photosensitive drum 104 of the process cartridge 200-3.

[0226] As shown in Fig. 45, since the spacing abutment mechanism 250-3 is arranged only on the non-drive side, due to the influence of the drive input gear (not shown in Fig. 45, see 132a in Fig. 1), the non-drive side The separation amount P2-3R on the drive side is smaller than the separation amount P2-3L. Here, the separation amount P2-3L on the non-drive side is changed to the separation amount P1 of Example 1 so that the separation amount P2-3R on the drive side does not become 0, that is, so that the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 do not come into contact with each other on the drive side. It is set larger.

[0227] As a result, the same effect as in Example 1 can be obtained. Furthermore, since there is no separation and abutment mechanism on the drive side, the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus main body can be downsized and cost reduced.

[0228] FIG. 46 shows three other forms of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the separation and contact mechanism 250-4 of the process cartridge 200-4 is arranged only on the non-drive side, and there is no separation and contact mechanism on the drive side. Further, when the developing unit 109 is in the separated position, the driving side end of the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 are connected. FIG. 46(a) is a perspective view of the process cartridge 200-4 viewed from below on the drive side. FIG. 46(b) is a schematic diagram showing the amount of separation of the developing roller 106 from the photosensitive drum 104 of the process cartridge 200-4.

[0229] Unlike the embodiment of FIG. 45, in the embodiment of FIG. 46, the spacing amount P2-4L on the non-drive side is set to a spacing amount that is equal to or smaller than the spacing amount P1 of the first embodiment. In this case, due to the influence of the drive input gear (not shown in FIG. 46, see 132a in FIG. 1), the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 come into contact on the drive side. However, if the contact range m5 on the driving side is set to a range that does not enter the image forming area m4, it will not affect the image. Note that the amount of separation between the driving side and the non-driving side can be set arbitrarily within a range that does not affect the image.

[0230] As explained above, by reducing the separation amount compared to the configuration shown in FIG. 45, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus as described in Example 1, and it is also possible to reduce the cost of the process cartridge. .

[0231] As described above, four embodiments have been described in this embodiment, but in these embodiments, the amount of separation between the driving side and the non-driving side can be arbitrarily set within a range that does not affect the image.

[0232] <Example 3> Next, Example 3 of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 47 to 55.

[0233] In this embodiment, configurations and operations that are different from those of the previously described embodiments will be mainly described, and descriptions of similar configurations and operations will be omitted. In addition, structures corresponding to the embodiments described above are given the same reference numerals or the numbers in the first half are changed so that the numbers and letters in the second half are the same. This example differs from Example 1 mainly in the configuration and operation of the moving member. Note that the spacer 351L has the same configuration as the spacer 151L.

[0234] [Configuration of moving parts] First, the configuration of the moving member will be explained using the non-drive side as an example. FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating the disassembly and assembly of the non-drive side moving member 352L. In the third embodiment, a movable member corresponding to the movable member 152L in the first embodiment is divided into two parts and connected. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 47, the moving member 352L is divided into two parts: an upper moving member 352L1 and a lower moving member 352L2. The lower moving member 352L2 is provided with a shaft 352L2a. Further, as shown in FIG. 48(a), the lower moving member 352L2 includes a protruding part 352Lh that can protrude from the developing unit in the ZA direction, and the protruding part 352Lh has a first force receiving part (retraction force receiving part, separation force receiving part). ) 352Lk and a second force receiving part (contact force receiving part) 352Ln are provided. The upper moving member 352L1 has an open portion 352L1d on the surface facing the lower moving member 352L2. Further, the upper moving member 352L1 has a separation pressing portion 352L1q that presses the non-drive side bearing 327.

[0235] Further, a pair of elongated round holes 352L1h are provided in the upper moving member 352L1 with an open portion 352L1d in between. The lower moving member 352L2 is provided with a spring holding portion 352L2b. Fit one end of the compression spring 352Lsp into the spring holding part 352L2b, insert the other end through the open part 352L1d, support it in the holding part (not shown) in the back, and then insert each shaft 352L2a into each oblong hole 352L1h. Assemble so that they fit together. At that time, 352L is preferably made of plastic as it will be assembled while expanding the tip 352L1a. Note that if 352L is made of a hard material, the shafts 352L2a and 352L2 may be constructed separately. For example, the shaft 352L2a may be press-fitted into 352L2 last.

[0236] By doing this, the upper moving member 352L1 and the lower moving member 352L2 are connected by the oblong hole 352L1h and the pair of shafts 352L2a, and the upper moving member 352L1 is urged away from the lower moving member 352L2 by the compression spring 352Lsp. The structure is as follows. Further, the lower moving member 352L2 is configured to be rotatable about the shaft 352L2a with respect to the upper moving member 352L1. Further, it is configured to be movable relative to the upper moving member 352L1 in a direction along the oblong hole 352L1h2.

[0237] [Operation explanation of moving parts] Next, the operation of the moving member 352L will be explained using FIGS. 48(a) to 48(d). As described in the first embodiment, after the process cartridge 300 is completely inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170, the moving member 352L is pressed by the cartridge pressing unit 190 in conjunction with the operation of closing the front door 11. The operation of the moving member 352L at that time will be explained.

[0238] 48(a) and (b) show a state in which the moving member 352L is not pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 (free state), and FIGS. 48(c) and (d) show that the moving member 352L is not pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190. Indicates a state in which it is pressed (locked state).

[0239] First, a state in which the moving member 352L is not pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 (free state) will be described using FIGS. 48(a) and 48(b). As shown in FIG. 48(b), the lower moving member 352L2 has a groove formed between the arcuate guide ribs 327g1 and 327g2, which are provided on the non-drive side bearing 327 and are centered on the swing axis HE. 352L2a will fit.

[0240] By fitting the elongated round hole 352L1h2 into the axis HE of the bearing 327, the upper moving member 352L1 can move in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole and in the ZA direction, and can swing about the axis HE. As described above, the lower moving member 352L2 is swingable about the shaft portion 352L2a with respect to the upper moving member 352L1. When the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 pushes the upper moving member 352L1, the upper moving member 352L1 can approach the lower moving member 352L2.

[0241] With the above configuration, when the moving member 352L is not pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 (free state), the lower moving member 352L2 rotates about the shaft portion 352L2a as shown in FIG. 48(a). It can swing in the directions of arrows θu and θu' with radius Rx. Therefore, the first force receiving part (retreat force receiving part, separation force receiving part) 352Lk and the second force receiving part (contact force receiving part) 352Ln of the lower moving member 352L2 receive the force and swing in the directions of the arrows θu and θu'. Even if the upper moving member 352L1 moves, no force is transmitted to the separation pressing portion 352L1q that presses the non-drive side bearing 327 of the upper moving member 352L1.

[0242] Next, the operation when the moving member 352L is pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 (locked state) will be described using FIGS. 48(c) and 48(d). By pushing down the upper moving member 352L1 with the cartridge pressing mechanism 190, the upper moving member 352L1 moves toward the lower moving member 352L2 against the biasing force of the spring 352Lsp, and as shown in FIGS. As shown at 57, the engaging portion (square shaft portion) 352L1a fits into the engaged portion (square hole portion) 352L2h, and the upper moving member 352L1 and the lower moving member 352L2 become integrated. In other words, the lower moving member 352L2 is in a state in which swinging about the shaft portion 352L2a is restricted relative to the upper moving member 352L1. In this state, the integrated moving member 352L rotates around the moving member swing axis HE as shown in FIG. 48(c), and between the arc-shaped guide ribs 327g1 and 327g2 as shown in FIG. While the shaft 352L2a moves through the formed groove, it can swing in the directions of the arrows θw and θw' with a radius of rotation Ry shown in FIG. 48(c). Although details will be described later, when pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190, the movable member 352L can take the same movement as the movable member 152L in the first embodiment.

[0243] Further, in a state where it is not pressed by the pressing mechanism 190, the lower moving member 352L2 can swing with a rotation radius Rx (see FIG. 48(a)) smaller than the rotation radius Ry described above.

[0244] Note that the spacer (holding member) 351L has the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and is biased to rotate clockwise at the portion 351Lf by a biasing member 153 (not shown for simplicity in this embodiment).

[0245] [Installing the process cartridge into the image forming apparatus main body] Next, the operation of the moving member 352L when inserting the process cartridge in Example 3 will be explained using FIGS. 49(a) to 49(d). FIG. 49(a) shows a state in which the process cartridge 300 is being inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170. FIG. 49(b) shows a state in which the process cartridge 300 is being taken out from the image forming apparatus main body 170. FIG. 49(c) shows the state immediately after the process cartridge 300 has been inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170.

[0246] Now, as described above, when the upper moving member 352L1 is not pressed (free state), the lower moving member 352L2 can swing around the shaft portion 352L2a as the rotation center, as shown in FIG. 49(e). In this embodiment, the lower moving member 352L2 is at the same position as the normally protruding position of the moving member 152 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 35). Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, when the process cartridge 300 mounted on the cartridge tray 171 (not shown) is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the direction of arrow X1, the separation control member 196L and the lower moving member 352L2 interfere with each other. .

[0247] However, due to the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 49(a), the lower moving member 352L2 swings in the direction of arrow θu' with the shaft portion 352L2a as the center of rotation, and the separation control member 196L and the lower moving member 352L2 interfere with each other. It is possible to avoid the situation where the device cannot be inserted into the device main body 170 due to the

[0248] At this time, the lower moving member 352L2 presses the spacer 351L by swinging in the direction of the arrow θu′, moves it from the separation holding position to the separation release position, and the developing unit 109 moves to the developing position (contact position). . However, after that, when the image forming apparatus main body 170 is powered on, the separation control member 196L performs reciprocating motion in the W42 direction and the W41 direction, so the developing unit 109 returns to the separation position (retracted position) again when image formation preparation is completed. .

[0249] Further, as shown in FIG. 50(a), when the insertion of the cartridge tray 171 into the apparatus main body 170 is completed, the lower moving member 352L2 contacts the separation control member 196L, and the state shown in FIG. 50(b) is reached. In some cases, the vehicle may not reach this point and may stop somewhere in the middle. A method for reliably avoiding this situation will be explained using FIGS. 50 and 51.

[0250] First, as shown in FIG. 51(a), the upper moving member 352L1 is provided with a convex portion 352L1p that becomes a rotation assisting portion. Further, the lower moving member 352L2 is provided with a slope 352L2s. This convex portion 352L1p contacts the slope 352L2s when the upper moving member 352L1 descends, and rotates the lower moving member 352L2 in the direction of the arrow θu. By doing this, as shown in FIG. 50(a), the lower moving member 352L2 rotates in the direction of the arrow θu, and rotates to the position shown in FIG. 50(b) while pushing down the separation control member 196L in the direction of the arrow θu.

[0251] Next, when the process cartridge 300 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the front door 11 is closed, the moving member 352L is moved by the arrow shown in FIG. 52(a) by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 (see FIG. 37, etc.) as described above. The direction is pushed down by ZA. Then, as shown in FIG. 52(b), the engaging portion (square shaft portion) 352L1a fits into the engaged portion (square hole portion) 352L2h. In other words, the upper moving member 352L1 and the lower moving member 352L2 are integrated and play substantially the same role as the moving member 152L of the first embodiment.

[0252] [Removing the process cartridge from the image forming apparatus main body] Further, on the contrary, as shown in FIG. 49(b), when the process cartridge 300 is taken out in the direction of the arrow X2 outside the main body of the image forming apparatus, the separation control member 196L and the lower moving member 352L2 interfere with each other.

[0253] However, as mentioned above, since the moving member 352L1 is in a free state, when the lower moving member 352L2 receives a force from the first force receiving part (retreat force receiving part, separation force receiving part) 352Lk, the shaft It swings in the direction of arrow θu with part 352L2a as the center of rotation. However, the force received by the first force receiving part (retreat force receiving part, separation force receiving part) 352Lk is transmitted to the separation pressing part 352L1q which presses the non-drive side bearing 327 of the developing unit 109 of the upper moving member 352L1. Not done. In other words, the moving member 352L1 cannot move the developing unit 109. This state is a transmission release state in which the transmission of the pressing force is released. Therefore, it is possible to avoid interference between the separation control member 196L and the lower moving member 352L2, which makes it impossible to remove them from the apparatus main body 170. In this embodiment, a process cartridge used in a color image forming apparatus will be described. Therefore, there are four process cartridges and four separation control members. Therefore, depending on the station, the operation shown in FIG. 49 may be repeated up to four times.

[0254] Note that the lower moving member 352L2 moves from the position shown in FIG. 49(c) to the neutral position shown in FIG. 49(d) (the position between the upper moving member 352L1 and the lower moving member 352L2 shown in FIG. It is configured to return to the position where the angle θt=0°).

[0255] [Developing unit contact / separation operation] 53(a) is a diagram showing the moment when the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 come into contact, FIG. 53(b) is a diagram showing the separating operation of the developing unit 109, and FIG. It is a diagram showing details. The moving member 352L is in a locked state and is in a state where it can play substantially the same role as the moving member 152L shown in the first embodiment. Therefore, the moving member 352L receives force from the separation control member 196L and acts on the spacer 351L to release the separation. Note that the member brought into contact with the spacer 351L may be either the upper moving member 352L1 or the lower moving member 352L2. In other words, the contact pressing portion that presses the spacer 351L during the contact operation may be provided on at least one of the upper moving member 352L1 and the lower moving member 352L2. Further, when separating, the entire developing frame 325 is moved by receiving a force from the separation control member 196L, and the separation pressing portion 352L1q of the upper moving member 352L1 integrated with the lower moving member 352L2 comes into contact with the shaft portion 327a. oscillate. In this state, the force received by the first force receiving portion 352Lk is transmitted to the separation pressing portion 352L1q, and the non-drive side bearing 237 is moved so as to move the developing unit 109 from the developing position to the retracted position. is a possible transmission state. Then, the spacer 351L moves by the same operation as in the first embodiment and maintains the spaced state.

[0256] [Configuration of drive side separation and contact mechanism] FIG. 54 is an external view showing the configuration of the drive side of the developing unit portion of the process cartridge 300. In this embodiment, the configuration has been explained using the separation and contact mechanism on the non-drive side, but since the configuration on the drive side is also the same, detailed explanation will be omitted. The driving side moving member 352R is a member corresponding to the moving member 152R in Example 1, and has a structure in which an upper moving member 352R1 and a lower moving member 352R2 are connected, like the non-driving side moving member 352L.

[0257] [Driving side and non-driving side separation contact mechanism] FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 300 viewed from the developing device side. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 55(a), a moving member 352L is arranged on the non-driving side and a moving member 352R is arranged on the driving side. As another form, as shown in FIG. 55(b), a configuration in which the moving member 352L is provided only on the non-drive side may be used. Further, as shown in FIG. 55(c), a configuration may be adopted in which the moving member 352R is provided only on the drive side.

[0258] According to the configuration of the present embodiment described above, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0259] Further, in this embodiment, the lower moving member 352L2 including the first force receiving part (retreat force receiving part, separation force receiving part) 352Lk and the second force receiving part (contact force receiving part) 352Ln is replaced with the upper moving member 352L1 and It is made movable relative to other parts of the process cartridge 300. In this embodiment, due to the movement, the first force receiving part 352Lk and the second force receiving part 352Ln are displaced in the ZA direction. (Fig. 238), and is displaced at least in direction VD14 (Fig. 239). The movable member 352L2 can be switched between a movable state (free state) and a state fixed to the upper movable member 352L1 (locked state) depending on the position of the upper movable member 352L1. As a result, when the process cartridge 300 is inserted into or removed from the apparatus main body 170, by taking the above-mentioned free state, the lower moving member 352L2 and the apparatus main body 170, especially the separation control member 196L, interfere with each other and the process cartridge 300 is inserted or removed. It is possible to avoid being unable to do so.

[0260] <Example 4> Next, Example 4 will be described using FIGS. 58 to 66.

[0261] In this embodiment, configurations and operations that are different from those of the previously described embodiments will be mainly described, and descriptions of similar configurations and operations will be omitted. In addition, structures corresponding to the embodiments described above are given the same reference numerals or the numbers in the first half are changed so that the numbers and letters in the second half are the same. Note that the spacer 651L has the same configuration as the spacer 151L.

[0262] [Configuration of moving parts] First, the configuration of the moving member will be explained using the non-drive side as an example. FIG. 58 is a diagram illustrating the disassembly and assembly of the non-drive side moving member 652L described in the sixth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 62, the moving member corresponding to the moving member 152L in the first embodiment interacts with the separation control member 196L in the longitudinal direction (Y1, Y2 The structure is such that it can be avoided in this direction. The Y1 and Y2 directions are directions parallel to the rotational axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 104 and the rotational axis M2 of the developing roller 106 in the first embodiment. The insertion and removal of the moving member while avoiding the separation control member 196L will be described later.

[0263] The specific configuration of the moving member 652L is a two-part structure including an upper moving member 652L1 and a lower moving member 652L2, as shown in FIG. FIG. 58(a) shows the state before the upper moving member 652L1 and lower moving member 652L2 are assembled. FIGS. 58(b) and 58(c) show the upper moving member 652L1 and lower moving member 652L2 in a state after they are assembled. The upper moving member 652L1 has a pair of elongated round holes 652L1h that overlap in the direction in which the lower moving member 652L2 and the process cartridge are inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus main body (X1 and X2 directions, see Figure 62), and facing each other in the X1 and X2 directions. is provided. The lower moving member 652L2 is provided with a shaft 652L2a. Further, as shown in FIG. 48(a), the lower moving member 652L2 includes a protrusion 652Lh that can protrude from the developing unit in the ZA direction, and the protrusion 652Lh has a first force receiving part (retraction force receiving part, separation force receiving part). ) 652Lk and a second force receiving part (contact force receiving part) 652Ln are provided. A compression spring 652Lsp is provided between the upper moving member 652L1 and the lower moving member 652L2. The compression spring 652Lsp has one end supported by the upper holding part 652L1d of the upper moving member 652L1, the other end seated on the seating surface 652L2c of the lower holding part 652L2b, and then assembled so that the shaft 652L2a fits into the oblong hole 652L1h.

[0264] The movable member 652L to be assembled in this manner is preferably made of plastic material because when the movable member 652L is assembled so that the shaft 652L2a fits into the oblong hole 652L1h, the distal end portion 652L1a of the upper movable member 652L1 is expanded. Note that when the moving member 652L is made of a hard material, the shaft 652L2a and the lower moving member 652L2 may be constructed separately. For example, the shaft 652L2a may be press-fitted and assembled into the lower moving member 652L2 last.

[0265] FIG. 59 is a perspective view of a two-part structure of an upper moving member 652L1 and a lower moving member 652L2 (compression spring 652Lsp is not shown). The upper moving member 652L1 and lower moving member 652L2 of the assembled moving member 652L can take the following two states. One is a state in which the shaft 652L2a of the lower moving member 652L2 is located away from the upper holding part 652L1d with respect to the center of the elongated round hole 652L1h of the upper holding part 652L1d, as shown in FIGS. 58(b) and 59(a). The other is when the shaft 652L2a of the lower moving member 652L2 is located close to the upper holding part 652L1d with respect to the center of the elongated round hole 652L1h of the upper holding part 652L1d, as shown in FIGS. 58(c) and 59(b). be.

[0266] When the shaft 652L2a shown in FIG. 58(b) and FIG. 59(a) is in a position away from the upper holding part 652L1d with respect to the center of the oblong hole 652L1h, the lower moving member 652L2 is in a position relative to the upper moving member 652L1. It supports only 652L2a and can swing in the directions of arrows Y3 and Y4 around the shaft 652L2a (free state). This free state is caused, for example, by the force of the compression spring 652Lsp provided between the upper holding part 652L1d of the upper moving member 652L1 and the seating surface 652L2c of the lower holding part 652L2b. supports only the shaft 652L2a and is kept swingable.

[0267] When the shaft 652L2a shown in FIGS. 58(c) and 59(b) is located close to the upper holding part 652L1d with respect to the center of the oblong hole 652L1h, the tip 652L1a of the upper moving member 652L1 is in the square hole 652L2h. The lower moving member 652L2 is restricted from swinging about the shaft 652L2a (locked state). This locked state is a configuration when an upper moving member 652L1, which will be described later, is pressed from the image forming apparatus main body, and the upper moving member 652L1 and the lower moving member 652L2 are integrated.

[0268] [Operation explanation of moving parts] Next, the operation of the moving member 652L will be explained using FIGS. 60(a) to (d). As described in the first embodiment, after the process cartridge 600 is completely inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170, the moving member 652L is pressed by the cartridge pressing unit 190 in conjunction with the operation of closing the front door 11. The operation of the moving member 652L at that time will be explained. 60(a), (b) and 61(a) are in the free state described in FIGS. 58(b) and 59(a), and the moving member 652L is in the cartridge pressing mechanism in the image forming apparatus main body. 190 indicates the state is not pressed. 60(c), (d) and FIG. 61(b) show the locked state shown in FIG. 58(c) and FIG. 59(b), with the moving member 652L pressing the cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main body. A state in which it is pressed by mechanism 190 is shown.

[0269] First, a state in which the applying member 652L is not pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 (free state) will be described using FIGS. 60(a) and (b). In the process cartridge 600, the upper moving member 652L1 is movable in the longitudinal direction of the oblong hole and in the ZA direction by fitting the oblong hole 652L1h2 to the swing axis HE of the bearing 627, and can also swing around the axis HE. It is. At this time, the lower moving member 652L2 is in a state where it can swing about the shaft portion 652L2a relative to the upper moving member 652L1, as described above.

[0270] In this swingable state (free state), the lower moving member 652L2 prevents engagement with the separation control member 196L that engages with the moving member described in Embodiment 1 when it is inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus main body, which will be described later. To avoid. For example, as shown in FIG. 63, which is an enlarged view of the seating surface 652L2c shown in FIG. 60(b) and FIG. Avoid by maintaining the swinging state in the Y3 direction. For this purpose, the seating surface 652L2c of the lower moving member 652L2 is set to be a surface that directly faces the lower moving member 652L2 when the lower moving member 652L2 is swung in the Y3 direction with respect to the upper holding portion 652L1d of the upper moving member 652L1. Thereby, the elastic force of the compression spring 652Lsp provided between the upper moving member 652L1 and the lower moving member 652L2 causes the seating surface 652L2c to be centered with respect to the lower moving member 652L2 with respect to the shaft portion 652L2a so that it directly faces the upper holding portion 652L1d. The oscillating state is maintained by applying a moment in the Y3 direction.

[0271] Next, the operation when the moving member 652L is pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 (locked state) will be described using FIGS. 60(c) and (d).

[0272] By pushing down the cartridge pressing mechanism 190, the upper moving member 652L1 moves toward the lower moving member 652L2 against the spring 652Lsp. The shaft 652L2a of the lower moving member 652L2 comes into contact with the arc-shaped guide rib 627g of the bearing 627, so that the lower moving member 652L2 is biased in the direction in which the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 is pushed down. As shown in FIGS. 60(c)(d) and 61(b), the tip portion 652L1a of the upper moving member 652L1 that has moved toward the lower moving member 652L2 enters the square hole portion 652L2h, thereby lowering the lower moving member. The moving member 652L2 swings around the shaft 652L2a, and the upper moving member 652L1 and the lower moving member 652L2 are integrated as described above. In this state, as shown in FIG. 60(c), the integrated moving member 652L pivots around the moving member swing axis HE in the X4 direction and the X5 direction with a rotation radius Rx. In this state, when a force is received by the first force receiving part (retreat force receiving part, separation force receiving part) 652Lk, the moving member 652L rotates in the X4 direction and the separation pressing part 652Lq is The arc-shaped guide rib 627g, which is the pressing part, is pressed. This allows the developing unit 109 to be moved from the developing position toward the retracted position. In this state, when a force is received by the second force receiving part (contact force receiving part) 652Ln, the movable member 652L rotates in the X5 direction, and the pressing part 652Lr when in contact with the spacer 651L is pressed in the part 621Le when in contact with the spacer 651L. Press. Thereby, the spacer 651L can be moved from the restriction position (first position) to the permissible position (second position). When the moving member 652L is in the locked state, it means that the force received by the first force receiving part (retreat force receiving part, separation force receiving part) 652Lk and the second force receiving part (contact force receiving part) 652Ln is separated. It is in a state where it can transmit information to the pressing part 652Lq and the pressing part 652Lr when in contact.

[0273] Although details will be described later, when pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190, the movable member 652L can take the same movement as the movable member 152L in the first embodiment. Note that the spacer (holding member) 651L has the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and is urged to rotate clockwise at the 651Lf portion by a biasing member 153 (not shown for simplicity in this embodiment).

[0274] [Installing the process cartridge into the image forming apparatus main body] Next, the operation of the moving member 652L when inserting the process cartridge in the sixth embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 62(a) to 62(d). FIG. 62(a) is a longitudinal view showing a state in which the process cartridge 600 is being inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus main body 170. FIG. 62(b) is a diagram showing a state in which the process cartridge 600 is being inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus main body 170 from the insertion direction. FIG. 62(c) is a longitudinal view showing a state in which the process cartridge 600 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the front door 11 is closed. FIG. 62(d) is a diagram showing a state in which the process cartridge 600 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the front door 11 is closed, viewed from the insertion direction. As described above, when the upper moving member 652L1 is not pressed (free state), the lower moving member 652L2 can swing around the shaft portion 652L2a as the center of rotation, as shown in FIG. 58(b).

[0275] As shown in FIGS. 62(a) and 62(b), when a cartridge tray 171 (not shown) with a process cartridge 600 attached thereto is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the direction of arrow X1 or extracted in the direction of arrow X2, The lower moving member 652L2 is inserted into and removed from the control member 196L while being retracted in the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction). This is because the lower moving member 652L2 is held in the state shown in FIGS. 58(b) and 59(a) by the action of the compression spring 652Lsp.

[0276] However, it is not necessary that the lower moving member 652L2 has a configuration in which the distal end side portion is held in a retracted state in the longitudinal direction (Y1 direction). Another configuration is shown in FIG. FIG. 64(a) is a longitudinal view showing a state in which the process cartridge 600 is being inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus main body 170. FIG. 64(b) is a diagram showing a state in which the process cartridge 600 is being inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus main body 170 from the insertion direction. FIG. 64(c) is a Q-Q cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 64(b). FIG. 64(d) is a Q-Q sectional view of the state in which the process cartridge 600 is further inserted in the X1 direction from the state shown in FIG. 64(c).

[0277] In the configuration shown in FIG. 64, the slope 653L2d of the lower moving member 653L2 collides with the separation control member 196L, and the force in the insertion / extraction direction (X1, X2 direction) moves the separation control member 196L and lower part as shown in FIG. 64(c). When the member 653L2 overlaps in the Y1 and Y2 directions, the lower moving member 653L2 comes into contact with the separation control member 196L shown in FIG. ) may be configured. In this way, when the process cartridge 600 is inserted into or removed from the image forming apparatus main body 170, the moving member 652L is in a free state.

[0278] In this embodiment, a process cartridge used in a color image forming apparatus will be described. Therefore, there are four process cartridges and four separation control members. Therefore, depending on the station, the operation shown in FIG. 62 may be repeated up to four times.

[0279] Next, as shown in FIGS. 62(c) and 62(d), when the process cartridge 600 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the front door 11 is closed, the moving member 652L is moved by the cartridge pressing mechanism 190 as described above. Pushed down in the direction of arrow Z2. As a result, the lower moving member 652L2, which had been able to swing, becomes unable to swing relative to the upper moving member 652L1, and becomes in an integrated state (locked state). The moving member in this state plays substantially the same role as the moving member 152 shown in the first embodiment.

[0280] [Configuration of drive side separation and contact mechanism] FIG. 65 is an external view showing the configuration of the drive side of the developing unit portion of the process cartridge 600. FIG. 66 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 600. In this embodiment, the configuration has been explained using the separation and contact mechanism on the non-drive side, but since the configuration on the drive side is also the same, detailed explanation will be omitted. The driving side moving member 652R is a member corresponding to the moving member 152R in Example 1, and has a structure in which an upper moving member 652R1 and a lower moving member 652R2 are connected, like the non-driving side moving member 652L.

[0281] [Driving side and non-driving side separation contact mechanism] In this embodiment, a moving member 652L is arranged on the non-driving side, and a moving member 652R is arranged on the driving side. As another form, the moving member 652L may be provided only on the non-drive side. Alternatively, the moving member 652R may be provided only on the drive side.

[0282] According to the configuration of the present embodiment described above, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0283] Further, in this embodiment, the lower moving member 652L2 including the first force receiving part (retreat force receiving part, separation force receiving part) 652Lk and the second force receiving part (contact force receiving part) 652Ln is replaced with the upper moving member 652L1 and It is made movable relative to other parts of the process cartridge 600. In this embodiment, due to the movement, the first force receiving part 652Lk and the second force receiving part 652Ln are displaced at least in the Y1 direction (direction parallel to the rotational axis M1 and the rotational axis M2 in the first embodiment). The partial moving member 652L2 can be switched between a movable state (free state) and a state fixed to the upper moving member 652L1 (locked state) depending on the position of the upper moving member 652L1. As a result, when the process cartridge 600 is inserted into or removed from the apparatus main body 170, the lower moving member 652L2 interferes with the apparatus main body 170, especially the separation control member 196L, due to the above-mentioned free state. You can avoid being unable to do so.

[0284] <Example 5> Next, Example 5 of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 67 to 72.

[0285] In this embodiment, configurations and operations that are different from those of the previously described embodiments will be mainly described, and descriptions of similar configurations and operations will be omitted. In addition, structures corresponding to the embodiments described above are given the same reference numerals or the numbers in the first half are changed so that the numbers and letters in the second half are the same.

[0286] In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the moving member 452 of the separating and contacting mechanism of the process cartridge 400 operates without moving from the storage position to the protruding position in the developing unit 109. Although the moving member does not move from the storage position to the protruding position, it performs the same action by moving the developing unit 109 or the process cartridge 400 up and down. Note that when the image forming apparatus main body 170 is installed on a horizontal plane, the vertical directions are the Z1 direction and the Z2 direction.

[0287] [Process cartridge 400 configuration] The process cartridge 400 has a separation contact mechanism 450R on the drive side and a separation contact mechanism 450L on the non-drive side. Regarding the spacing and abutment mechanisms, first the details of the drive side spacing and abutment mechanism 450R will be explained, and then the non-drive side spacing and abutment mechanism 450L will be explained. Furthermore, since the separation and contact mechanism has almost the same function on the driving side and the non-driving side, R is added to the end of the reference numeral of each member on the driving side. On the non-drive side, the symbols of each member are the same as those on the drive side, and L is added to the end.

[0288] FIG. 67 shows an assembled perspective view of the drive side of the process cartridge 400 including the separation and contact mechanism 450R. The separation and contact mechanism 450R includes a spacer 151R that is a regulating member (holding member), a moving member 452R that is a pressing member, and a tension spring 153. The moving member 452R is provided with a support receiving portion 452Ra that is a round through hole. Further, as shown in FIG. 69, the moving member 452R includes a protruding part 452Rh that can protrude from the developing unit in the ZA direction, and the protruding part 452Rh has a first force receiving part (retraction force receiving part, separation force receiving part) 452Rk and a first force receiving part (retraction force receiving part, separation force receiving part) 452Rk. A dual force receiving part (contact force receiving part) 452Rn is provided. The moving member 452R is swingably attached to the second retaining portion 428m of the developing cover member 428.

[0289] The developer support member 401R is attached to the end surface of the developer cover member 428. The development support member 401R is provided with a support cylinder 410Ra, a support spring receiving portion 401b, and a positioning receiving portion 401Rc. The developer support member 401R is attached so that the inner surface of the support cylinder 401Ra fits into the cylindrical portion 428b of the developer cover member 428. Further, the outer surface of the support cylinder 401Ra is supported movably in the ZA direction by a developing unit support hole 416a of a drive side cartridge cover member 416 that constitutes a part of the drum frame of the drum unit 408. Further, the developer support member 401R is provided with a slide guide 401Re. The slide guide 401Re fits into a guide protrusion 416e provided on the drive side cartridge cover member 416, and its movement is restricted so that it can move in the direction of the groove, thereby being positioned in the correct posture. The slide guide 401Re is a groove parallel to the ZA direction in which a developing unit 409, which will be described later, moves up and down. The supporting method will be described further below.

[0290] One end of the developer support spring 402 is attached to the drive side cartridge cover member 416. The other end side of this developer support spring 402 is arranged at a position in contact with the support spring receiving portion 401Rb of the assembled developer support member 401R. As a result, the developer support spring 402 applies a force to the drive side cartridge cover member 416 to lift the developer support member 401R in the direction opposite to the ZA direction.

[0291] FIG. 68 shows an assembled perspective view of the non-drive side of the process cartridge 400 including the separation and contact mechanism 450L. The assembled state of the spacing abutment mechanism 450L will be explained.

[0292] The non-drive side bearing member 427 is fixed to the developing frame 125 and rotatably supports the developing roller 106 and the toner transport roller 107. The non-drive side bearing member 427 has a support cylindrical portion 427a for supporting the developer support member 401L, a support portion 427b for supporting the spacer 151L, and a support portion 427f for supporting the moving member 452L. Further, as shown in FIG. 70, the moving member 452R includes a protruding part 452Lh that can protrude from the developing unit in the ZA direction, and the protruding part 452Rh has a first force receiving part (retraction force receiving part, separation force receiving part) 452Lk and a first force receiving part (retraction force receiving part, separation force receiving part) 452Lk. A dual force receiving part (contact force receiving part) 452Ln is provided.

[0293] The developer support member 401L is supported by fitting the oblong hole 401Lb into the support cylindrical portion 427a of the non-drive side bearing member 427. This oblong hole is provided in the support portion 401Lb on the non-drive side in order to allow for misalignment due to manufacturing errors between the drive side and the non-drive side of the portion that supports the developing unit 409.

[0294] The development support member 401L is provided with a cylindrical portion 401La so as to cover the oblong hole 401Lb. The cylindrical portion 401La is supported in the developing unit support hole 417a of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 417.

[0295] Further, the development support member 401L is provided with a guide protrusion 401Le. The guide protrusion 401Le fits into the groove-shaped slide guide 417e provided on the non-drive side cartridge cover member 417, and its movement is restricted so that it can move in the longitudinal direction of the groove (ZA direction), thereby maintaining the correct posture. Positioned. The slide guide 417e is a groove parallel to the ZA direction in which a developing unit 409, which will be described later, moves up and down. The supporting method will be described further below.

[0296] The developer support member 401L receives a force from the developer support spring 402 to lift it upward in the direction of arrow Z1 relative to the non-drive side cartridge cover member 417.

[0297] FIG. 69 shows a side view of the process cartridge 400 as seen from the driving side, and FIG. 70 shows a side view as seen from the non-driving side.

[0298] The drive-side mechanism in the fully assembled state will be described using FIG. 69.

[0299] In the developing unit 409, the supporting cylinder 401Ra of the developing supporting member 401R is supported by the developing unit supporting hole 416a of the drive side cartridge cover member 416. The developing unit support hole 416a is an elongated round hole in the direction of arrow ZA. Thereby, the developer support member 401R is movable in the ZA direction and the opposite direction within the developer unit support hole 416a. The development support spring 402 is shown in a perspective view with a broken line. The developer support spring 402 pushes up the support spring receiving portion 401b of the developer support member 401R in the direction opposite to the ZA direction. Since the developer supporting member 401R supporting the developing unit 409 is pushed up in the direction opposite to the ZA direction, the developing unit 409 is lifted up in the direction opposite to the ZA direction within the drive side cartridge cover member 416.

[0300] In this figure, the process cartridge 400 is outside the apparatus main body 170, and the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are separated. As in the other embodiments, the spacer 151R contacts the contact surface 416c of the drive side cartridge cover member 416 to prevent the developing unit 109 from approaching the photosensitive drum.

[0301] The non-drive side mechanism in the fully assembled state will be explained using FIG. 70. The support cylinder 401La of the developer support member 401L is supported by the developer unit support hole 417a of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 417. The developing unit support hole 417a movably supports the support cylinder 402La by two surfaces 417a1 and 417a2 parallel to the ZA direction, which is the same as the long hole direction of the drive side support hole 416a. Furthermore, the amount of movement of the developer support member 401L is regulated by the lower regulating surface 417a3. The non-drive side cartridge cover member 417 supports the developer support member 410L movably in the ZA direction and the opposite direction through the developer unit support hole 417a.

[0302] The developer support spring 402L pushes up the developer support member 401L in a direction opposite to the support spring receiving portion 401LbZA direction. Since the developer supporting member 401L supporting the developing unit 409 is pushed up in the opposite direction to the ZA direction, the developing unit 409 is lifted up in the opposite direction to the ZA direction within the non-drive side cartridge cover member 417.

[0303] [Operation when installing the process cartridge into the device body] Next, the operation when installing the process cartridge 400 into the apparatus main body 170 will be described using FIG. 71. FIG. 71 is a side view of the process cartridge 400 and parts of the apparatus main body 170 that are involved in mounting, viewed from the drive side. FIG. 71(a) shows the process cartridge 400 being installed while moving in the direction of arrow X1 between the pressing mechanism 191 of the apparatus main body 170 located above and the developer spacing control unit 195 located below. . Note that the operating mechanism of the pressing mechanism 191 (a mechanism that moves in the Z1 and Z2 directions in conjunction with the opening and closing of the front door 11) is the same as in Example 1, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. The moving member 452R is in a state in which it has advanced to the front of the separation control member 196R. The process cartridge 400 moves while being placed on the tray 171 shown in FIG. 5, but in order to simplify the diagram, the entire tray 171 is not shown, and only the portion that supports the drive-side cartridge cover member 416 is shown with broken lines. It was shown in

[0304] FIG. 71(b) shows a state in which the process cartridge 400 moves in the X1 direction and the moving member 452R is above the separation control member 196. In the process from FIG. 71(a) to FIG. 71(b), the moving member 452R is lifted together with the developing unit 409 in the direction of arrow Z1 and is in the storage position (standby position), so it does not collide with the separation control member 196R.

[0305] FIG. 71(c) shows a state in which the process cartridge 400 has advanced to the mounting position with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the X1 direction. A state is shown in which the pressing mechanism 191 has begun to press the pressed portion 401Rc of the developer support member 401 in the direction of arrow Z2. By pushing the developing support member 401 in at least the Z2 direction by the pressing mechanism 191, the entire developing unit 409 moves in the ZA direction (predetermined direction), and the moving member 452R also moves in the ZA direction (predetermined direction), thereby performing separation control. The member 196 reaches the protruding position (operating position) where it enters the space 196Rd. At this time, the developer support spring 402 described with reference to FIG. 69 is compressed by the force from the pressing mechanism 191. Then, the developer support member 401 moves in the ZA direction along the elongated round hole of the developer unit support hole 416a. The ZA direction is a direction perpendicular to the X1 direction.

[0306] FIG. 71(d) shows the state after the pressing mechanism 191 has further moved in the direction of arrow Z2 from the state of FIG. 71(c). The pressing mechanism 191 presses the positioning receiving portion 410Rc of the developer support member 401 in the direction of arrow Z2 and pushes it down. As a result, the entire developing unit 409 is pushed down in the direction of arrow ZA, and the moving member 452R enters the space 196Rd of the separation control member 196. In this state, the installation of the process cartridge 400 into the apparatus main body 170 is completed.

[0307] At this time, the spring force of the developer support spring 402 in the direction opposite to the ZA direction is set lower than the pressing force of the pressing mechanism 191. Furthermore, it is desirable to arrange the development support spring 402 so that it expands and contracts in the ZA direction, but if the spring force is set appropriately, it is also possible to select an arrangement that allows it to expand and contract in other directions including the ZA direction component. can.

[0308] The operation for removing the process cartridge 400 from the apparatus main body 170 is the reverse of the operation for attaching the process cartridge 400 described above, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0309] [Developing unit contact and separation operations] The operation of the developing unit 109 of the installed process cartridge 400 coming into contact with and separating from the photosensitive drum will be explained using FIG. 72.

[0310] FIG. 72 is a side view seen from the drive side, with the pressing mechanism 191 not shown in FIG. 71.

[0311] FIG. 72(a) is a diagram illustrating an operation for bringing the developing unit 109 into contact with the photosensitive drum. When the separation control member 196R moves in the direction of arrow W42, the moving member 452R is pushed and moved. At this time, the moving member 452R swings in the direction of arrow BC around the support receiving part 452Ra, which is a round hole. The spacer 151R is pushed by the swinging moving member 452R and swings in the direction of arrow B2. The spacer 151R moves from the abutting surface 416c and enters the second regulating surface 416d, thereby removing the distance regulation between the photosensitive drum and the developing unit 109 and bringing the developing unit 409 into contact.

[0312] FIG. 72(b) is a diagram in which the developing unit 109 is maintained in contact with the photosensitive drum. The separation control member 196R that moved in the W42 direction in FIG. 72(a) has returned to the W41 direction again. Since the space 196Rd is set wide, the separation control member 196R and the moving member 452R do not come into contact with each other. The moving member 452R maintains the above-mentioned abutting state.

[0313] FIG. 72(c) is a diagram illustrating the operation when separating the developing unit 109 again. When the separation control member 196R further moves in the W41 direction from the state shown in FIG. 72(b), the separation control member 196R and the moving member 452R come into contact. The moving member 452R then swings in the direction of the arrow BD and comes into contact with the developing cover member 428. When the moving member 452R contacts the developing cover member 428 and is further rotated in the BD direction, the entire developing unit 109 swings and becomes separated. At this time, the moving member 452R and the spacer 151R are connected by a tension spring 153 and rotate in the direction of arrow B1. The rotated spacer 151R makes contact with the contact surface 416c, thereby regulating the developing unit 109 in a separated state. Thereafter, when the separation control member 196R moves in the W42 direction and returns to FIG. 71(d), the developing unit 109 maintains the separation state without being subjected to the force of the separation control member 196R.

[0314] According to the configuration of the present embodiment described above, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0315] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the movable member 425 including the first force receiving portions 452Rk, 452Lk and the second force receiving portions 452Rn, 452Ln is integrated with the developing unit 409 in the storage position (standby position) and the protruding position (operating position). It is configured to move between the two. Due to this movement, the first force receiving parts 452Rk and 452Lk are displaced at least in the direction VD1 (FIG. 40, etc.), the direction VD10 (FIG. 236, etc.), the direction VD12 (FIG. 238), and the direction VD14 (FIG. 239). Such a configuration also makes it possible to prevent the moving member 42 from interfering with the apparatus main body 170, particularly the separation control member 196L, when the process cartridge 400 is inserted into or removed from the apparatus main body 170.

[0316] <Another form of Example 5> Furthermore, by using another configuration, the moving member that is the pressing member in the separation and contact mechanism of the process cartridge 430 operates without moving from the storage position (standby position) to the protrusion position (operating position) in the developing unit 109. The configuration will be explained using FIGS. 73 to 78.

[0317] The configuration described here is such that when the process cartridge 430 is installed in the apparatus main body 170, the process cartridge 430 is retracted in a direction perpendicular to the installation direction and finally engages with the separation control member 196.

[0318] The characteristic configuration will be explained using FIG. 73. FIG. 73(a) shows a side view of the process cartridge 430 in this configuration as viewed from the drive side. The supporting structure of the developing unit 439 is the same as that described in the first embodiment. That is, the cylindrical portion 428b of the developing cover member 428 is rotatably supported by the developing unit support hole 431Ra of the drive side cartridge cover member 431R. Here, the developing unit support hole 431Ra has a cylindrical shape. Therefore, in this alternative embodiment, unlike the configuration of Embodiment 5, the developing unit 439 cannot move in the Z2 direction with respect to the drive side cartridge cover member (drum frame body) 431R and the drum unit 438, except for movement due to backlash. I can't.

[0319] Compression coil springs (elastic members) are attached to the drive side cartridge cover member 431R at two locations. One is a first drive-side support spring 435R provided in the rotation determining recess 431KR of the drive-side cartridge cover member 431R. The spring 435R includes a tip portion 435Ra on its lower end side. The other is the second drive side support spring 434R attached to the drive side support spring attachment part 431MR. The spring 434R includes a tip portion 434Ra on its lower end side.

[0320] FIG. 73(b) shows a side view of the process cartridge 430 seen from the non-driving side. The cartridge cover member 431L on the non-driving side rotatably supports the developing unit 409 as in FIG. 13 of the first embodiment. Compression coil springs (elastic members) are attached to the non-drive side cartridge cover member 431L at two locations. One is a first non-drive side support spring 435L provided in the rotation determining recess 431KL of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 431L. The spring 435L includes a tip portion 435La on its lower end side. The other is a second non-drive side support spring 434L attached to the non-drive side support spring attachment portion 431ML. The spring 434L includes a tip portion 434La on its lower end side.

[0321] These tip portions 434Ra, 435Ra, 434La, and 435La are supported portions that contact and are supported by the tray 171. In addition, these tip parts 434Ra, 435Ra, 434La, and 435La can move the driving side cartridge cover member 431R and the non-driving side cartridge cover member 431L, which constitute a part of the drum frame (first frame), in the Z2 direction. It is also a supporting part. Here, the developing unit 409 (or developing frame) (second frame) is supported by the drum frame. Therefore, it can be said that these tip portions 434Ra, 435Ra, 434La, and 435La support the developing unit 409 (or developing frame) movably in the Z2 direction via the drum frame.

[0322] Next, the relative positions of the first drive-side support spring 435R, the second drive-side support spring 434R, and the tray 171 when the process cartridge 430 is mounted on the tray 171 will be explained using FIG. In FIG. 74, the process cartridge 430 is being moved in the direction of arrow Z2 in order to be mounted on the tray 171. In this state, the process cartridge 430 is still movable in the Z2 direction and is not positioned on the tray 171.

[0323] When the process cartridge 430 is further advanced in the Z2 direction, the first drive side support spring 435R provided on the drive side cartridge cover member 431R has a tip end 435Ra that is attached to the rotation determining convex portion (first spring support portion) 171KR of the tray 171. It is supported by contacting with. Furthermore, when the process cartridge 430 is advanced in the Z2 direction, the second driving side support spring 434R is supported by the tip portion 434Ra coming into contact with the spring receiving portion (second spring supporting portion) 471MR of the tray 171.

[0324] On the other hand, on the non-drive side as well, the tip portion 435La of the first non-drive side support spring 435L is supported by contacting a not-illustrated rotation determining convex portion (third spring support portion) of the tray 17. Further, the tip portion 434La of the second non-drive side support spring 434L is supported by coming into contact with a spring receiving portion (fourth spring supporting portion) (not shown) of the tray 17.

[0325] [Operation when installing the process cartridge into the device body] Next, with reference to FIGS. 75 to 78, the steps from when the process cartridge 430 is placed on the tray 171 until it is positioned in the image forming apparatus main body 170 at a position where image formation is performed will be described. 75 to 78 show side views seen from the drive side. In these figures, for the sake of simplicity, components other than those related to the state are not shown. The non-drive side has the same configuration as the drive side and operates in the same way, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0326] FIG. 75 shows a state in which the process cartridge 430 placed on the tray 171 has moved along with the tray 171 in the direction of arrow X1. As described with reference to FIG. 74, the tip portion 435Ra of the first drive side support spring 435R is in contact with the rotation determining convex portion 171KR of the tray 171. Further, the tip portion 434Ra of the second drive side support spring 434R is in contact with the spring receiving portion 471MR of the tray 171.

[0327] The first drive-side support spring 435R and the second drive-side support spring 434R are supported by the tray 171 to support the drum frame and developing frame portions of the process cartridge 430 against gravity. As a result, the circular arc 431VR, which is the positioning portion provided on the drive-side cartridge cover member 431R of the process cartridge 430, does not contact the linear portions 171VR1 and 171VR2, which are the positioning portions of the tray 171, leaving a gap G4. That is, the process cartridge 430 is supported in the Z1 direction with respect to the positioning portion of the tray 171 by the first drive-side support spring 435R and the second drive-side support spring 434R. Therefore, when the process cartridge 430 moves in the direction of arrow X1 when inserting the tray 171 into the apparatus main body 170, the moving member 452R can pass without colliding with the separation control member 196R. It can be said that the moving member 452R is in the storage position (standby position). At this time, the cartridge pressing mechanism 191 is in a standby state with a gap G5 between it and the top surface 431Rc of the drive side cartridge cover member 431R.

[0328] FIG. 76 shows a state in which the cartridge pressing mechanism 191 moves in the direction of arrow Z2 in conjunction with closing the front door 11 and comes into contact with the top surface 431Rc of the drive side cartridge cover member 431R. The first drive-side support spring 435R and the second drive-side support spring 434R have not yet received any force from the cartridge pressing mechanism 191, and the process cartridge 430 has not moved. FIG. 77 shows a state in which the cartridge pressing mechanism 191 further moves in the direction of arrow Z2 and begins to press the top surface 431Rc of the drive side cartridge cover member 431R in the Z2 direction. The process cartridge 430 moves in the ZA direction, and the first drive-side support spring 435R and the second drive-side support spring 434R are compressed. The arc 431VR, which is the positioning portion of the process cartridge 430 with the tray 171, approaches, but does not make contact with the straight portions 171VR1 and 171VR2 of the tray, leaving a gap G6. The moving member 452R enters the space 196Rd of the separation control member 196R due to the process cartridge 430 moving in the ZA direction.

[0329] FIG. 78 shows a state in which the cartridge pressing mechanism 191 has further moved in the direction of arrow Z2 and the process cartridge 430 has been positioned on the tray 171.

[0330] As the cartridge pressing mechanism 191 moves in the Z2 direction, the process cartridge 430 moves in the ZA direction, and finally the arc 431VR comes into contact with the straight portions 171VR1 and 171VR2 of the tray 171. This determines the position of the process cartridge 430 with respect to the tray 171 in the Z2 direction. The moving member 452R has entered the space 196Rd of the separation control member 196R to its final position due to the movement of the process cartridge 430 in the Z2 direction. At this time, it can be said that the moving member 425R is in the protruding position (operating position). Therefore, by moving the separation control member 196R, the moving member 452R can be moved, and the contact state and the separation state of the process cartridge 430 can be switched.

[0331] The ZA direction (the direction in which the moving member 425R moves from the standby position to the operating position) in which the process cartridge 430 moves by being pressed by the cartridge pressing mechanism 191 moving in the arrow Z2 direction does not have to be parallel to the arrow Z2 direction. That is, the ZA direction only needs to include at least a component in a direction perpendicular to the X1 direction.

[0332] The spring force (biasing force) of the first drive-side support spring 435R and the second drive-side support spring 434R is set to be smaller than the force of the cartridge pressing mechanism 191 when the arc 431VR is in contact with the straight parts 171VR1 and 171VR2. There is. Therefore, the process cartridge 430 can be reliably positioned with respect to the tray 171.

[0333] After the installation is completed, the operation is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 72, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0334] The operation for removing the process cartridge 430 from the apparatus main body 170 is the reverse of the operation for attaching the process cartridge 430, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0335] According to the configuration of this alternative embodiment described above, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0336] In addition, in this alternative embodiment, the movable member 425 including the first force receiving portions 452Rk, 452Lk and the second force receiving portions 452Rn, 452Ln is placed in the storage position integrally with the drum unit 438 and the developing unit 439 (drum frame body and developing frame body). It is configured to move between the (standby position) and the protruding position (operating position). By this movement, the first force receiving parts 452Rk, 452Lk and the second force receiving parts 452Rn, 452Ln are moved in the direction VD1 (Fig. 40, etc.), the direction VD10 (Fig. 236, etc.), the direction VD12 (Fig. 238), and the direction VD14 (Fig. 239). ) at least. Such a configuration also makes it possible to prevent the moving member 42 from interfering with the apparatus main body 170, particularly the separation control member 196L, when the process cartridge 430 is inserted into or removed from the apparatus main body 170.

[0337] <Example 6> In this embodiment, configurations and operations that are different from those of the above-described embodiments will be mainly described, and descriptions of similar configurations and operations will be omitted. In addition, structures corresponding to the embodiments described above are given the same reference numerals or the numbers in the first half are changed so that the numbers and letters in the second half are the same. In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which a movable member applies force to a spacer without being pressed by components on the main body side in a separation and abutment mechanism for a process cartridge.

[0338] [Configuration of the separating and contacting mechanism], [Developing unit contacting operation], [Developing unit separating operation], and [Attachment / detaching of the process cartridge to the main body of the image forming apparatus] of this embodiment will be specifically explained. The rest of the structure of the process cartridge is the same as that of the embodiment described above, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0339] [Configuration of separation abutment mechanism] A configuration in which the photosensitive drum 104 of the process cartridge 1400 and the developing roller 106 of the developing unit 1409 are separated from each other and brought into contact with each other in this embodiment will be described in detail. The process cartridge has a separation abutment mechanism 1450R on the drive side and a separation abutment mechanism 1450L on the non-drive side (FIG. 79). FIG. 80 shows an assembled perspective view of the drive side of the developing unit 1409 including the separation and contact mechanism 1450R. FIG. 81 shows an assembled perspective view of the non-drive side of the developing unit 1409 including the separation and contact mechanism 550L. Here, details of the drive-side separation and contact mechanism 1450R will be explained. As for the spacing and abutment mechanism, since the driving side and the non-driving side have almost the same functions, R is written in the reference numeral of each member on the driving side. On the non-drive side, the symbols of each member are the same as those on the drive side, and L is written instead of R. The structure and operation of the drive side will be explained as a representative, and the explanation of the structure and operation of the non-drive side will be omitted.

[0340] The separation and contact mechanism 1450R includes a spacer 1451R that is a regulating member (holding member), a moving member 1452R that is a pressing member, and a tension spring 1453.

[0341] The spacer 1451R includes an annular supported portion 1451Ra, a contact surface (contact portion) 1451Rc that contacts the abutted surface (contacted portion) 1416c of the cartridge cover 1416, and a spring hook portion 1451Rg that engages with the tension spring 1453. , has a second pressed surface 1451Re that engages with the moving member 1452R. Further, it is rotatably held by a first support portion 1428c of the developer cover member 1428. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0342] The movable member 1452R is rotatably held by a support receiving portion 1452Ra of the movable member 1452R engaged with a third support portion 1428m of the developing cover member 1428. Furthermore, the moving member 1452R has a first force receiving surface 1452Rm and a second force receiving surface 1452Rp that can be engaged with the separation control member 196R installed in the device main body 170, and a spring hanging portion 1452Rs that engages with the tension spring 1453. , has a second pressing surface 1452Rr that engages with the spacer 1451R. Note that the first force receiving surface 1452Rm and the second force receiving surface 1452Rp are the first force receiving part (retreat force receiving part, separation force receiving part) and the second force receiving part (applying force receiving part), respectively, as in Example 1. (contact force applying section).

[0343] Further, as shown in FIG. 82, similarly to the first embodiment described above, the tension spring 1453 urges the spacer 1451R in the B1 direction with the first support portion 1428c of the developer cover member 1428 as the center of rotation. Further, the moving member 1452R is urged in the CA direction with the third support portion 1428m of the developing cover member 1428 as the center of rotation.

[0344] [Developing unit contact operation] Next, the operation of contacting the photosensitive drum 104 and the developing roller 106 by the separating and contacting mechanism 1450R will be described in detail using FIGS. 82 to 85. Note that these figures are cross-sectional views in which a part of the developing cover member 1428 is partially omitted for explanation.

[0345] In the configuration of this embodiment, the development input coupling 132 receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body 170 in the direction of arrow V2 in FIG. 82, and the development roller 106 rotates. That is, the developing unit 1409 having the developing input coupling 132 receives torque in the direction of arrow V2 from the image forming apparatus main body 170. As shown in FIG. 82, when the developing unit 1409 is in the separated position and the spacer 1451R is in the separated holding position (regulating position, first position), the developing unit 1409 receives this torque and the urging force by the developing pressure spring 134, which will be described later. Also, the contact surface 1451Rc of the spacer 1451R contacts the contact surface 1416c of the drive-side cartridge cover member 1416, and the attitude of the developing unit 1409 is maintained at the separated position.

[0346] Similar to the first embodiment described above, the image forming apparatus main body 170 in this embodiment also includes a separation control member 196R corresponding to each process cartridge 1400 as described above. The separation control member 196R protrudes toward the process cartridge 1400 and has a first force-applying surface 196Ra and a second force-applying surface 196Rb that face each other with a space 196Rd in between. The first force applying surface 196Ra and the second force applying surface 196Rb are connected to each other via a connecting portion 196Rc on the lower surface side of the image forming apparatus main body 170. Further, the separation control member 196R is rotatably supported by a control sheet metal (not shown) about a rotation center 196Re. The separation control member 196R is always urged in the E1 direction by an urging spring (not shown), and its rotational direction is regulated by a holder (not shown). Furthermore, the control sheet metal (not shown) is configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions from the home position by a control mechanism (not shown), so that the separation control member 196R is configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions.

[0347] When the separation control member 196R moves in the W42 direction, the second force-applying surface 196Ra of the separation control member 196R and the second force-receiving surface 1452Rp of the moving member 1452R come into contact, and the moving member 1452R rotates CB about the support receiving part 1452Ra. Rotate in the direction. Further, as the moving member 1452R rotates, the second pressing surface 1452Rr of the moving member 1452R contacts the second pressed surface 1451Re of the spacer 1451R, and rotates the spacer 1451R in the B2 direction. Then, the spacer 1451R is rotated by the moving member 1452R to a separation release position (permissible position, second position) where the contact surface 1451Rc and the contact surface 1416c are separated, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 83. Here, the position of the separation control member 196R shown in FIG. 83 that moves the spacer 1451R to the separation release position is referred to as a first position.

[0348] When the spacer 1451R is moved to the separation release position by the separation control member 196R in this way, the development unit 1409 is rotated in the V2 direction by the torque received from the image forming apparatus main body 170 and the development pressure spring 134, and the development roller 106 and photosensitive drum 104 are rotated in the V2 direction. moves to the abutting position where it abuts (state in Figure 83). At this time, the spacer 1451R, which is biased in the direction of arrow B1 by the tension spring 1453, is maintained at the separation release position as the second restricted surface 1451Rk contacts the second restricted surface 1416d of the drive side cartridge cover member 1416. . Thereafter, the separation control member 196R moves in the W41 direction and returns to the home position. At this time, the moving member 1452R is rotated in the CB direction by the tension spring 1453, and as shown in FIG. (See also Figure 80).

[0349] As a result, gaps T3 and T4 are formed, and the separation control member 196R is located at a position where it does not act on the moving member 1452R. Note that the transition from the state shown in FIG. 83 to the state shown in FIG. 84 is performed immediately.

[0350] As described above, in the configuration of this embodiment, by moving the separation control member 196R from the home position to the first position, it is possible to rotate the moving member 1452R and move the spacer 1451R from the separation holding position to the separation release position. This allows the developing unit 1409 to move from the separated position to the abutting position where the developing roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 abut. Note that the position of the separation control member 196R in FIG. 84 is the same as in the state in FIG. 82.

[0351] [Separation operation of developing unit] Next, the operation of moving the developing unit 1409 from the contact position to the separation position by the separation and contact mechanism 1450R will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 84 and 85. Note that these figures are cross-sectional views in which a part of the developing cover member 1428 is partially omitted for explanation.

[0352] The separation control member 196R in this embodiment is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow W41 in FIG. 84 from the home position. When the separation control member 196R moves in the W41 direction, the first force applying surface 196Rb and the first force receiving surf...

Claims

1. A cartridge, comprising: a first unit including a photoreceptor and a first frame rotatably supporting the photoreceptor; a developing member for attaching toner to the photoreceptor and a second frame rotatably supporting the developing member, and a second unit movable relative to the first unit to move between a developing position where toner can be attached from the developing member to the photoreceptor and a separation position where at least a part of the developing member is disposed away from the photoreceptor; a holding portion movably supported by the first unit or the second unit, regulating a relative position between the first unit and the second unit, and movable between a first position for holding the second unit at the separation position by the first unit and a second position for holding the second unit at the developing position by the first unit; a contact force receiving portion movably supported by the first frame or the second frame, capable of receiving a contact force for moving the holding portion from the first position to the second position to move the second unit to the developing position when the second unit is at the separation position; having: the contact force receiving portion can take (i) a standby position, (ii) a first operating position protruding from the second frame more than the standby position, and (iii) a second operating position protruding from the second frame more than the standby position and having a different position with respect to the second frame in the predetermined direction by moving in the predetermined direction with respect to the second frame; the holding portion moves from the first position to the second position when the contact force receiving portion receives a contact force and moves in the predetermined direction to the second operating position from a state where the second unit is at the separation position, the holding portion is at the first position, and the contact force receiving portion is at the first operating position; The cartridge is characterized by the above.

2. The contact force receiving portion is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the predetermined direction, and when viewed along the rotation axis of the photoreceptor, it is inclined so as to move away from the rotation axis in the predetermined direction as it approaches the rotation axis in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. The cartridge according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. When in the first position, the holding portion can restrict the second unit from moving from the separated position to the developing position, and when in the second position, the holding portion allows the second unit to move from the separated position to the developing position. The cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that.

4. When in the first position, the holding portion restricts the second unit from moving from the separated position to the developing position by contacting the first frame body and the second frame body. The cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that.

5. The cartridge further includes a biasing portion that biases the second unit toward the developing position. The cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that.

6. The cartridge further includes a holding member that includes the holding portion and the contact force receiving portion and is movably supported in the predetermined direction by the second frame body. The cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that.

7. The holding member includes a separation force receiving portion that can receive a separation force for moving the holding portion from the second position to the first position in order to move the second unit to the separated position. The cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that.

8. The holding member includes a protruding portion that can protrude from the first frame body and the second frame body at least in a direction away from the rotation axis of the developing member. The contact force receiving portion and the separation force receiving portion are provided on the protruding portion. The cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that.

9. The second unit includes a first restricting surface that restricts the holding portion from moving in a direction opposite to the first position from the second position with respect to the predetermined direction when the separation force receiving portion receives the separation force. The cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that.

10. The second unit includes a moving member that is movably supported in the predetermined direction by the second frame body, and a holding member biasing portion that biases the holding member with respect to the moving member so that the contact force receiving portion faces away from the rotation axis of the developing member in the predetermined direction. The cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that.

11. The first frame body includes a second restricting surface that restricts the holding portion from moving from the second position to the first position with respect to the predetermined direction when the holding portion is located in the second position. The cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that...

12. A cartridge comprising: a first unit including a photoreceptor and a first frame body that rotatably supports the photoreceptor; a developing member that attaches toner to the photoreceptor, and a second frame body that rotatably supports the developing member, wherein the second unit is movable relative to the first unit to move between a developing position where toner can be attached from the developing member to the photoreceptor and a separation position where at least a part of the developing member is disposed away from the photoreceptor; a holding portion movably supported by the first unit or the second unit, regulating the relative position between the first unit and the second unit, and movable between a first position for holding the second unit at the separation position by the first unit and a second position for holding the second unit at the developing position by the first unit; a separation force receiving portion movably supported by the first frame body or the second frame body, capable of receiving a separation force for moving the holding portion from the second position to the first position in order to move the second unit to the separation position when the second unit is at the developing position; having the separation force receiving portion is capable of taking (i) a standby position, (ii) a first operating position protruding from the second frame body more than the standby position, and (iii) a second operating position protruding from the second frame body more than the standby position and having a different position with respect to the second frame body in the predetermined direction, by moving in the predetermined direction with respect to the second frame body; the holding portion moves from the second position to the first position when the separation force receiving portion receives a separation force and moves in the predetermined direction to the first operating position from a state where the second unit is at the developing position, the holding portion is at the second position, and the separation force receiving portion is at the second operating position; A cartridge, characterized in that...

13. The separation force receiving portion is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the predetermined direction, and when viewed along the rotation axis of the photoreceptor, it is inclined so as to approach the rotation axis in the predetermined direction as it approaches the rotation axis in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. The cartridge according to claim 12, characterized in that...

14. Further comprising a biasing portion that biases the second unit toward the separated position The cartridge according to claim 12, characterized in that

15. The first frame or the second frame includes a developing biasing portion that can bias the second unit toward the developing position by pressing the holding portion The cartridge according to claim 12, characterized in that

16. When the holding portion moves from the first position to the second position, the developing biasing portion elastically deforms to press the holding portion so that the second unit moves toward the developing position The cartridge according to claim 15, characterized in that

17. The holding portion includes a contact portion that is pressed by the developing biasing portion when located at the second position The cartridge according to claim 15, characterized in that

18. The holding portion is supported by the second frame so as to be movable in the predetermined direction The developing biasing portion is provided on the first frame The cartridge according to claim 15, characterized in that

19. The first frame includes a support portion that restricts elastic deformation of the developing biasing portion by more than a predetermined amount by receiving a force from the holding portion The cartridge according to claim 18, characterized in that

20. Further comprising a holding member that includes the holding portion and the separation force receiving portion and is supported by the second frame so as to be movable in the predetermined direction The cartridge according to claim 12, characterized in that

21. The holding member includes a contact force receiving portion that can receive a contact force for moving the holding portion from the first position to the second position in order to move the second unit to the developing position The cartridge according to claim 20, characterized in that

22. The holding member includes a protruding portion that can protrude from the first frame and the second frame at least in a direction away from the rotation axis of the developing member The contact force receiving portion and the separation force receiving portion are provided on the protruding portion The cartridge according to claim 21, characterized in that

23. The second unit includes a moving member that is supported by the second frame so as to be movable in the predetermined direction, and a holding member biasing portion that biases the holding member with respect to the moving member so that the separation force receiving portion moves in a direction away from the rotation axis of the developing member with respect to the predetermined direction The cartridge according to claim 20, characterized in that...

24. When the holding part is located at the first position, the first frame body includes a restricting surface that restricts the holding part from moving from the first position to the second position with respect to the predetermined direction. The cartridge according to claim 12, characterized in that...

25. A cartridge according to claim 1, and a device main body capable of mounting the cartridge. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that...

Images