Process cartridge and developing cartridge

Abstract

To provide a process cartridge capable of moving a developing roller to a contact position and a separate position with respect to a photoconductor drum, in which a contact member is located in a reduced space.SOLUTION: A process cartridge comprises: a drum unit having a swinging support part; and a developing unit having a swinging supported part which is supported by the swinging support part of the drum unit so as to enable the developing roller to swing between a first position and a second position more apart from the photoconductor drum than the first position. A first contact and a second contact for the developing roller and a process member to receive electric power supply from the outside are provided on an edge face of the process cartridge in the direction of the axis of rotation. When seen in the direction of the axis of rotation, one of the swinging support part and the swinging supported part is a long hole the longer direction of which is a first direction, and the other of these is a protrusion engaging with the long hole. The first and the second contacts are arranged so as to lie on a virtual line extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction when seen in the direction of the axis of rotation, the first direction having a larger width than the second direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a process cartridge and a developing cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] There are image forming devices in which cartridges such as process cartridges and developer cartridges can be detachably mounted to the device main body. In addition to a developing roller, the cartridge includes process components such as a supply roller and a developing blade that act on the developing roller. When the cartridge is mounted in the device main body, contact members on the cartridge contact electrodes on the device main body, thereby supplying electricity (bias) from the device main body to the developing roller and process components. Patent Document 1 describes a cartridge in which a developing roller contact member, a supply roller contact member, and a developing blade contact member are arranged at intervals in the direction in which the photosensitive drum and the developing roller face each other. Patent Document 2 describes a process cartridge in which a developing unit is configured to be rotatable relative to a drum unit and includes a biasing member that biases the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum and a developing roller contact member. In this configuration, a technology is described in which the distance between the rotation center and the developing roller contact member is shorter than the distance between the rotation center and the biasing member, thereby miniaturizing the contact members. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-181703 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6950147 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention is a further development of the above-mentioned conventional configuration. More specifically, the object of the present invention is to arrange the developing roller contact member and the process member contact member in a space-saving manner in a process cartridge or a developing cartridge in which the developing roller can be moved between a contact position and a separation position with respect to the photosensitive drum. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention is a process cartridge, a drum unit including a photosensitive drum, a drum frame that supports the photosensitive drum rotatably around a rotation axis, and a swing support portion; a developing unit having a developing roller, a process member configured to act on the developing roller, and a developing frame that rotatably supports the developing roller, the developing unit having a swing supported portion supported by the swing support portion of the drum unit so that the developing roller can swing between a first position and a second position that is farther from the photosensitive drum than the first position; Equipped with a first contact and a second contact are provided on an end surface of the process cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis, for allowing the developing roller and the process member to receive power supply from outside the process cartridge, respectively; When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, one of the swing support portion and the swing supported portion is an elongated hole whose longitudinal direction is a first direction, and the other is a protruding portion that protrudes so as to engage with the elongated hole, The first contact point and the second contact point are arranged on an imaginary line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, and the width in the first direction is wider than the width in the second direction, The process cartridge is characterized by:

[0006] The present invention also provides a developing cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus having a photosensitive drum and a swing support portion, comprising: a developing unit including a developing roller, a process member configured to act on the developing roller, and a developing frame that rotatably supports the developing roller, the developing unit having a swing supported portion supported by the swing supporting portion of the device main body so that the developing roller can swing between a first position and a second position that is farther from the photosensitive drum than the first position; a first contact and a second contact are provided on an end surface of the developing cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum, for allowing the developing roller and the process member to receive power supply from outside the developing cartridge, respectively; When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, one of the swing support portion and the swing supported portion is an elongated hole whose longitudinal direction is a first direction, and the other is a protruding portion that protrudes so as to engage with the elongated hole, When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the first contact point and the second contact point are arranged on a virtual line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the width in the first direction is wider than the width in the second direction. The developing cartridge is characterized by the above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, in a process cartridge or a developer cartridge in which the development roller can be moved between a contact position and a separation position relative to the photosensitive drum, the development roller contact member and the process member contact member can be arranged in a space-saving manner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of the process cartridge of the embodiment as viewed from the non-drive side. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the drum unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a development unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the process cartridge according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the process cartridge according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a side view of the non-drive side bearing of the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a power supply path of the developing blade according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a contact member and a power supply path of a remaining toner amount detecting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a side view of the process cartridge of the embodiment as viewed from the drive side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings and examples. However, the functions, materials, shapes, dimensions, relative positions, etc. of the components described in the examples may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions, and unless otherwise specified, the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to these.

[0010] Example 1 A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment, an image forming apparatus to which four process cartridges are detachably attached is exemplified as the image forming apparatus. However, the number of process cartridges attached to the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. It can be set appropriately as needed. In the embodiment described below, a laser beam printer is exemplified as one aspect of the image forming apparatus.

[0011] <General configuration of image forming apparatus> The overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The image forming apparatus 1 is composed of an apparatus main body 2 and a process cartridge 100. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 100.

[0012] This image forming apparatus 1 is a four-color full-color laser beam printer that uses an electrophotographic process. The image forming apparatus 1 that forms a color image on a recording medium 3 is of a process cartridge type, and a process cartridge 100 is removably attached to the apparatus main body 2 to form a color image on the recording medium 3.

[0013] Here, with respect to the image forming apparatus 1, the side where the front door 10 is provided is referred to as the front (front face), and the side opposite the front is referred to as the back (rear face). When viewing the image forming apparatus 1 from the front, the right side is referred to as the drive side, the left side is referred to as the non-drive side, the upper side is referred to as the top face, and the lower side is referred to as the bottom face. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 viewed from the non-drive side, with the front side of the page being the non-drive side of the image forming apparatus 1, the right side of the page being the front of the image forming apparatus 1, and the back side of the page being the drive side of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0014] The drive side of the process cartridge 100 is the side where a drum coupling member (photosensitive member coupling member) described later is arranged when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 101. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 103 (developing member), it is the side where a developing coupling member described later is arranged.

[0015] The apparatus main body 2 has a first process cartridge 100Y, a second process cartridge 100M, a third process cartridge 100C, and a fourth process cartridge 100K arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. The first process cartridge 100Y to the fourth process cartridge 100K each have a similar electrophotographic process mechanism, but differ in the color and amount of developer (hereinafter referred to as toner). Therefore, in the following, unless a distinction is particularly necessary, the suffixes Y, M, C, and K will be omitted and the process cartridges will be described generally. A rotational driving force is transmitted to the process cartridge 100 from a drive output unit (details of which will be described later) of the apparatus main body 2, and bias voltages (charging bias, supply bias, development bias, remaining toner detection bias, etc.) are supplied from contacts of the apparatus main body 2 (not shown).

[0016] 3, the process cartridge 100 of this embodiment has a photosensitive drum 101 and a drum unit 120 equipped with charging means as process means (process member) acting on the photosensitive drum 101. Here, the drum unit 120 may have not only the charging means but also cleaning means as process means.

[0017] The process cartridge 100 also has a developing unit 150, which is provided with developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 101, as a process means (process member) acting on the photosensitive drum 101. The drum unit 120 and the developing unit 150 are coupled to each other. A more specific configuration of the process cartridge 100 will be described later.

[0018] The first process cartridge 100Y accommodates yellow (Y) toner in the developing frame, and forms a yellow toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. The cartridge 100M contains magenta (M) toner in its developing frame and forms a magenta toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. The third process cartridge 100C contains cyan (C) toner in its developing frame and forms a cyan toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. The fourth process cartridge 100K contains black (K) toner in its developing frame and forms a black toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101.

[0019] A laser scanner unit 11 serving as an exposure means is provided above the process cartridge 100. This laser scanner unit 11 outputs a laser beam 12 corresponding to image information. The laser beam 12 passes through an exposure window 128 of the process cartridge 100 and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 101.

[0020] An intermediate transfer unit 5 serving as a transfer member is provided below the process cartridge 100. This intermediate transfer unit 5 has a drive roller 5e and a tension roller 5b, and a flexible transfer belt 5a is stretched over it. The lower surface of the photosensitive drum 101 of the process cartridge 100 contacts the upper surface of the transfer belt 5a. This contact area is the primary transfer portion. A primary transfer roller 5d is provided inside the transfer belt 5a, facing the photosensitive drum 101.

[0021] A secondary transfer roller 6 is in contact with the drive roller 5e via a transfer belt 5a. The contact point between the transfer belt 5a and the secondary transfer roller 6 is the secondary transfer portion. A feeding unit 4 is provided below the intermediate transfer unit 5. This feeding unit 4 has a paper feed tray 4a that holds a stack of recording media 3, and a paper feed roller 4b. A fixing device 7 and a paper discharge device 8 are provided in the upper right corner of the device main body 2 in Figure 2, and the top surface of the device main body 2 is a paper discharge tray 9. The toner image on the recording medium 3 is fixed by a fixing means provided in the fixing device 7, and the recording medium is discharged to the paper discharge tray 9.

[0022] <Image formation operation> The operation for forming a full-color image is as follows: The photosensitive drum 101 of the process cartridge 100 is rotated at a predetermined speed (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3). The transfer belt 5a is also rotated in the forward direction (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2) relative to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 101 at a speed corresponding to the speed of the photosensitive drum 101.

[0023] The laser scanner unit 11 is also driven. In synchronization with the driving of the laser scanner unit 11, the charging roller 102 in each process cartridge 100 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 to a predetermined polarity and potential. The laser scanner unit 11 scans and exposes the surface of each photosensitive drum 101 with a laser beam 12 in accordance with an image signal for each color.

[0024] As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal for the corresponding color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 101. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 103, which is rotated at a predetermined speed in the forward direction (the direction of arrow C in FIG. 3) relative to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 101.

[0025] By such electrophotographic image forming process operation, a yellow toner image corresponding to the yellow component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 of the first process cartridge 100Y. Then, this toner image is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 5a. Similarly, a magenta toner image corresponding to the magenta component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 of the second process cartridge 100M. Then, this toner image is primarily transferred, superimposed on the yellow toner image already transferred onto the transfer belt 5a. Similarly, a cyan toner image corresponding to the cyan component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 of the third process cartridge 100C. Then, this toner image is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 5a. The fourth process cartridge 100K has a photosensitive drum 101 for forming a black toner image corresponding to the black component of the full-color image. The toner image is then primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 5a, superimposed on the yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images that have already been transferred onto the transfer belt 5a. In this way, a full-color unfixed toner image of four colors, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, is formed on the transfer belt 5a.

[0026] Meanwhile, the recording media 3 are separated and fed one by one at a predetermined control timing. The recording media 3 are introduced into the secondary transfer section, which is the contact point between the secondary transfer roller 6 and the transfer belt 5a, at a predetermined control timing. As a result, the four-color superimposed toner image on the transfer belt 5a is transferred sequentially onto the surface of the recording media 3 all at once as the recording media 3 is transported to the secondary transfer section.

[0027] <Process cartridge installation / removal configuration overview> The configuration of the apparatus main body will be described in more detail below. The cartridge tray (hereinafter referred to as the tray) 20 that supports the process cartridge 100 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 with the front door 10 open and the tray 20 positioned inside the apparatus main body 2. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 with the front door 10 open and the tray 20 positioned outside the apparatus main body 2, and the process cartridge 100 housed inside the tray 20. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 with the front door 10 open and the tray 20 positioned outside the apparatus main body 2, and the process cartridge 100 removed from the tray 20.

[0028] 4 and 5, the tray 20 is movable in the direction of arrow X1 (pushing direction) and the direction of arrow X2 (pulling out direction), which are substantially horizontal directions, relative to the apparatus main body 2. That is, the tray 20 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out and pushed into the apparatus main body 2, and is configured so as to be movable in a substantially horizontal direction when the apparatus main body 2 is installed on a horizontal surface. Here, the state in which the tray 20 is positioned inside the apparatus main body 2 with the front door 10 open (the state in FIG. 4) is referred to as the inside position. Also, the state in which the tray 20 is positioned outside the apparatus main body 2 (the state in FIG. 5) is referred to as the outside position. In these inside and outside positions, the photosensitive drum 101 and the transfer belt 5a are spaced apart.

[0029] The tray 20 also has a mounting portion 20a at its outer position, into which the first process cartridge 100Y can be removably mounted, as shown in FIG. 6. The tray 20 also has mounting portions 20a into which the second process cartridge 100M, the third process cartridge 100C, and the fourth process cartridge 100K can be removably mounted. The process cartridge 100, while positioned in the mounting portion 20a, moves toward the inside of the apparatus main body 2 as the tray 20 moves. In this embodiment, when the front door 10 is closed, the intermediate transfer unit 5 is raised in the direction of arrow Z1 by a link mechanism (not shown) and moves to a position for image formation (a position where the photosensitive drum 101 and the transfer belt 5a come into contact with each other). When the front door 10 is opened, the intermediate transfer unit 5 is lowered in the direction of arrow Z2, separating the photosensitive drum 101 and the transfer belt 5a.

[0030] As described above, the tray 20 allows a plurality of process cartridges 100 to be moved together to a position inside the apparatus main body 2 where image formation is possible, and also allows the process cartridges 100 to be pulled out together to the outside of the apparatus main body 2.

[0031] <Overall structure of the process cartridge> The configuration of the process cartridge will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 10. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the drum unit 120. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the developing unit 150. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge 100 from the driving side, which is one end side of the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 101. 10 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 100 as seen from the drive side.

[0032] The process cartridge 100 includes a photosensitive drum 101 and a process member (process component) that acts on the photosensitive drum 101. The process member includes a charging roller 102 as charging means that charges the photosensitive drum 101, a developing roller 103 as developing means that develops a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 101, and the like. The process cartridge 100 is divided into a drum unit 120 and a developing unit 150. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the drum unit 120 and the process cartridge 100 is assumed to be substantially parallel to the rotation axis a of the photosensitive drum 101, and the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 150 is assumed to be substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 103 (FIG. 9).

[0033] <Drum unit configuration> As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the drum unit 120 is composed of a photosensitive drum 101, a charge roller 102, a drum frame 121, and the like. The drum unit 120 includes a drive-side charge roller bearing unit 126 disposed at the drive-side end of the charge roller 102 and a non-drive-side charge roller bearing unit 127 disposed at the non-drive-side end. The charge roller 102 is rotatably supported by a drive-side charge roller bearing 126a and a non-drive-side charge roller bearing 127a and is biased toward the photosensitive drum 101 (in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 3) by springs 126b and 127b. A drive-side charge roller spacing member 129 and a non-drive-side charge roller spacing member 130 are attached to both longitudinal ends of the drum 102, respectively. In the initial shipping state, the charge roller 102 and the photosensitive drum 101 are spaced apart. During use, the photosensitive drum 101 rotates, releasing the spaced-apart state. The drum frame 121 supports the photosensitive drum 101 so that the photosensitive drum 101 can rotate about its axis of rotation.

[0034] The photosensitive drum 101 is rotatably supported by a drive-side cover member 122 and a non-drive-side cover member 123, which are provided at both longitudinal ends of the process cartridge 100. As shown in FIG. 9, a coupling member 125 for transmitting a driving force to the photosensitive drum 101 is provided at one longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum 101. The coupling member 125 engages with a main body-side drum drive coupling 30 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) serving as a drum drive output unit of the apparatus main body 2, and the driving force of a drive motor (not shown) of the apparatus main body 2 is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 101, causing it to rotate in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3. The photosensitive drum 101 also has a drum flange 124 at the other longitudinal end. A drive-side charge roller bearing 126a and a non-drive-side charge roller bearing 127a, which support the charge roller 102, are supported by the drum frame 121 so that the charge roller 102 can contact the photosensitive drum 101 and rotate (in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 3) in response to the photosensitive drum 101.

[0035] <Configuration of the development unit> As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the developing unit 150 is made up of a developing roller 103, a supply roller 104, a developing blade 156, a developing frame, etc. The supply roller 104 supplies developer to the developing roller 103. The developing frame is made up of a first developing frame 151 and a second developing frame 152. The first developing frame 151 and the second developing frame 152 are joined by ultrasonic welding or the like. The developing frame has a toner storage portion 162 that stores toner to be supplied to the developing roller 103. In addition, the developing frame rotatably supports the core metal portions of the developing roller 103 and the supply roller 104 via a drive-side bearing 153 and a non-drive-side bearing 154, and holds a developing blade 156 that regulates the thickness of the toner layer on the surface of the developing roller 103. The first developing frame 151, the second developing frame 152, the drive-side bearing 153, and the non-drive-side bearing 154 can be collectively regarded as a developing frame that rotatably supports the developing roller 103 and the supply roller 104, and also supports the developing blade 156. The supply roller 104 and the developing blade 156 are examples of process members configured to act on the developing roller.

[0036] The developing blade 156 is made by attaching an elastic member 156b, which is a sheet metal with a thickness of about 0.1 mm, to a supporting member 156a, which is a metal material with an L-shaped cross section, by welding, etc. The developing blade 156 is attached to the developing frame body at two points, one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction, with fixing screws 156c.

[0037] A development drive input gear 159 for transmitting a driving force to the development unit 150 is provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the development unit 150. The development drive input gear 159 is provided with a development input coupling portion 159a that receives driving force from a main body side development drive coupling 40 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) of the apparatus main body 2, and the driving force of a drive motor (not shown) of the apparatus main body 2 is input to the development unit 150.

[0038] The driving force input to the developing unit 150 is transmitted to the developing roller gear 157 and the supply roller gear 158, thereby rotating the developing roller 103 and the supply roller 104 in the directions of arrows C and D in FIG. 3, respectively. The driving force is also transmitted to the agitating gear 160, causing the agitating member 161 to rotate in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 3, thereby agitating the toner in the toner storage section 162. The agitating member 161 has a rotating shaft 161a parallel to the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 103, and first agitating sheet 161b and second agitating sheet 161c as flexible conveying members. As the rotating shaft 161a rotates, the first agitating sheet 161b and second agitating sheet 161c also rotate, and the toner is agitated by the first agitating sheet 161b and second agitating sheet 161c.

[0039] The second developing frame 152 is provided with a toner remaining amount detection portion 152a for detecting the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage portion 162 (inside the storage portion). In the toner remaining amount detection portion 152a, a conductive sheet 164, which is a first flexible conductor, and a conductive sheet 165, which is a second conductor, are fixed to the inside of the toner storage portion 162 by insert molding.

[0040] The stirring member 161 transports toner to the remaining toner amount detection section 152a in an amount corresponding to the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage section 162. A remaining detection bias is applied to the conductive sheets 164, 164 from the apparatus main body 2, and the remaining toner amount can be detected by detecting the electrostatic capacitance corresponding to the amount of toner transported into the remaining toner amount detection section 152a. In addition, a developing unit cover member 155 that supports and covers a developing drive input gear 159 is provided at one longitudinal end of the developing unit 150.

[0041] <Assembling the drum unit and developing unit> 9, the assembly of the drum unit 120 and the developing unit 150 will be described. The drum unit 120 and the developing unit 150 are connected by a drive-side cover member 122 and a non-drive-side cover member 123 provided at both ends of the process cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction.

[0042] The drive-side cover member 122 provided at one longitudinal end of the process cartridge 100 is provided with a developing unit support hole 122b for movably supporting the developing unit 150. As will be described later, the developing unit support hole 122b supports the developing unit 150 so that it can rotate about a rotation axis represented by axis b. The non-drive-side cover member 123 provided at the other longitudinal end of the process cartridge 100 is provided with a developing unit support hole 123b for movably supporting the developing unit 150. As will be described later, the developing unit support hole 123b supports the developing unit 150 so that it can rotate about axis b and move linearly (linearly) in the first direction (direction P). At one end, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 155a of the developing cover member 155 is fitted into the developing unit support hole 122b of the drive-side cover member 122. On the other end side, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 154g (see FIG. 14) of the non-drive side bearing 154 is fitted into the developing unit support hole 123b of the non-drive side cover member 123. The imaging unit support hole 122b and the developing unit support hole 123b are swing support portions that swingably support the developing unit 150 of the drum unit 120. The cylindrical portions 155a and 154g are swing supported portions that are swingably supported by the swing support portions of the drum unit 120.

[0043] The drive-side cover member 122 and the non-drive-side cover member 123 are provided with drum support holes 122a and 123a, respectively, for rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum 101. Both longitudinal ends of the photosensitive drum 101 are fitted into the drum support holes 122a of the drive-side cover member 122 and the drum support holes 123a of the non-drive-side cover member 123.

[0044] The drive-side cover member 122 and the non-drive-side cover member 123 are fixed to the drum frame 121 of the drum unit 120 with screws, adhesive, or the like (not shown). As a result, the development unit 150 is supported by the drive-side cover member 122 and the non-drive-side cover member 123 so that it can move relative to the drum unit 120 (photosensitive drum 101). As will be described later, the development unit 150 moves relative to the drum unit 120 by rotation about the axis b and linear movement in the first direction (direction P). The drum frame 121, drive-side cover member 122, and non-drive-side cover member 123 can be collectively considered to be a drum frame that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 101.

[0045] <Explanation of contact member configuration and power supply path of process components> Next, the configuration of the contact member of the process component of this embodiment will be described. First, the non-drive-side bearing 154 having the contact member will be described using Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11(a) is a view of the non-drive-side bearing 154 from the non-drive side, and Figure 11(b) is a view from the drive side. Figure 11(c) is a cross-sectional view parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sliding portion of the developing roller 103, supply roller 104, and the non-drive-side bearing 154 that rotatably supports them. Figure 12 is a perspective view illustrating the power supply path of the developing blade 156.

[0046] The non-drive-side bearing 154 includes a base member 154a made of PC+ABS or the like and a contact member made of conductive resin fixed to the base member 154a by two-color molding. The contact member is provided on the non-drive-side bearing 154, which constitutes the end surface of the process cartridge 100 in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 101. The contact member includes a first contact, a second contact, and a third contact, through which the developing roller 103 and the process member configured to act on the developing roller 103 receive power from outside the process cartridge 100. The developing blade 156 configured to regulate the thickness of the developer layer carried on the surface of the developing roller 103 and the supply roller 104 configured to supply developer to the developing roller 103 are examples of process members. In this embodiment, the contact members include a developing roller contact member 154b, a supply roller contact member 154c, a developing blade contact member 154d, a first detection contact member 154e, and a second detection contact member 154f. The developing roller contact member 154b is an example of a first contact, the developing blade contact member 154d is an example of a second contact, and the supply roller contact member 154c is an example of a third contact. The supply roller contact member 154c and the developing blade contact member 154d can each come into contact with an electrode of the apparatus main body 2 when the process cartridge 100 is attached to the apparatus main body 2.

[0047] The developing roller contact member 154b is electrically connected to the developing roller 103, and can come into contact with an electrode of the apparatus main body 2 corresponding to the developing roller contact member 154b when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the apparatus main body 2. The supply roller contact member 154c is electrically connected to the supply roller 104, and can come into contact with an electrode of the apparatus main body 2 corresponding to the supply roller contact member 154c when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the apparatus main body 2. The developing blade contact member 154d is electrically connected to the developing blade 156, and can come into contact with an electrode of the apparatus main body 2 corresponding to the developing blade contact member 154d when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the apparatus main body 2. The first detecting contact member 154e (fourth contact) is electrically connected to the conductive sheet 164, which is a first conductor, and is capable of contacting an electrode of the apparatus main body 2 corresponding to the first detecting contact member 154e when the process cartridge 100 is attached to the apparatus main body 2. The second detecting contact member 154f (fifth contact) is electrically connected to the conductive sheet 165, which is a second conductor, and is capable of contacting an electrode of the apparatus main body 2 corresponding to the second detecting contact member 154f when the process cartridge 100 is attached to the apparatus main body 2.

[0048] The developing roller contact member 154b has a developing roller support portion 154b1, a contact portion 154b2, and a flow path portion 154b3 connecting them. The developing roller support portion 154b1 supports the developing roller core portion 103a (FIG. 11(c)) at the longitudinal end of the developing roller 103. The contact portion 154b2 abuts against an electrode (e.g., a contact spring) corresponding to the developing roller contact member 154b for applying a developing roller bias from the apparatus main body 2 to the developing roller 103. The developing bias applied via the electrode of the apparatus main body 2 is supplied to the developing roller 103 via the contact portion 154b2, the flow path portion 154b3, and the developing roller support portion 154b1.

[0049] The supply roller contact member 154c has a supply roller support portion 154c1, a supply roller contact portion 154c2, and a flow path portion 154c3 connecting them. The supply roller support portion 154c1 supports the supply roller core portion 104a (FIG. 11(c)) at the longitudinal end of the supply roller 104. The supply roller contact portion 154c2 abuts against an electrode (e.g., a contact spring) corresponding to the supply roller contact member 154c, which applies a supply roller bias from the device main body 2 to the supply roller 104. The supply roller bias applied via the electrode of the device main body 2 is supplied to the supply roller 104 via the supply roller contact portion 154c2, the flow path portion 154c3, and the supply roller support portion 154c1.

[0050] To enhance the stability of the electrical contact path, a conductive lubricant is applied to the developing roller support portion 154b1 and the developing roller core portion 103a, and to the supply roller support portion 154c1 and the supply roller core portion 104a.

[0051] The developing blade contact member 154d has a developing blade contact spring support portion 154d1, a developing blade contact portion 154d2, and a flow path portion 154d3 connecting them. The developing blade contact spring support portion 154d1 supports a developing blade contact spring 166, which will be described later. The developing blade contact portion 154d2 abuts against an electrode (e.g., a contact spring) corresponding to the developing blade contact member 154d, which is used to apply a developing blade bias from the apparatus main body 2 to the developing blade 156.

[0052] The developing blade contact spring 166 has one end press-fitted and supported in the developing blade contact spring support portion 154d1, and the other end abuts against the non-drive side end 156a1 of the support member 156a with a predetermined pressure (FIG. 12). Here, the non-drive side end 156a1 of the support member 156a is the cutting surface when the support member 156a is manufactured, so a conductive lubricant is applied to the contact portion between the developing blade contact spring 166 and the support member 156a to increase the stability of the electrical contact path.

[0053] The developing blade bias applied via an electrode (for example, a contact spring) for applying the developing blade bias in the main body 2 of the apparatus is supplied to the developing blade 156 via the developing blade contact portion 154d2, the flow path portion 154d3, and the developing blade contact spring 166.

[0054] Next, the contact structure and power supply path of the remaining toner amount detection unit 152a will be described with reference to Figure 13. Figure 13(a) is a side view of the developing unit 150 as seen from the non-drive side. For the sake of convenience, only parts related to the contact structure of the remaining toner amount detection unit 152a are shown. Figure 13(b) is a cross section taken along the FA-FA line in Figure 13(a), showing the remaining toner amount detection unit 152a. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a power supply path.

[0055] First detecting contact member 154e and second detecting contact member 154f have remaining toner detection contact spring support portions 154e1 and 154f1, remaining toner detection contact portions 154e2 and 154f2, and flow path portions 154e3 and 154f3 connecting them (FIG. 11). Remaining toner detection contact spring support portions 154e1 and 154f1 support remaining toner detection contact springs 167 and 168, which will be described later. Remaining toner detection contact portions 154e2 and 154f2 abut against electrodes (e.g., contact springs) corresponding to first detecting contact member 154e and second detecting contact member 154f, which are used to apply a remaining toner detection bias from device main body 2 to remaining toner amount detection unit 152a.

[0056] 13(b), one end of the remaining detection contact springs 167, 168 is press-fitted and supported by the remaining detection contact spring supporting portions 154e1, 154f1, and the other end is arranged to abut with a predetermined pressure against the conductive member 152b provided on the second developing frame 152. Here, the conductive member 152b is molded in the second developing frame 152 by two-color molding, and is configured to have connection portions 152b1, 152b2 to be electrically connected to the conductive sheets 164, 165.

[0057] The remaining toner detection bias applied from the electrode of the apparatus main body 2 is supplied to the conductive sheets 164 and 165 via the remaining toner detection contact portions 154e2 and 154f2, the flow paths 154e3 and 154f3, the remaining toner detection contact springs 167 and 168, the conductive member 152b, and the connecting portions 152b1 and 152b2.

[0058] Each electrode (contact spring, not shown) provided in the main body 2 of the apparatus is configured to contact and separate from each contact member provided on the cartridge side in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the front door 10 when the process cartridge 100 mounted on the tray 20 is mounted in the main body 2 of the apparatus (FIG. 4).

[0059] <Developing unit movement direction and contact point arrangement> Next, the movement direction of the developing unit 150 and the arrangement of the contact members will be described with reference to Figures 1, 14, and 15. Figure 1 is a side view of the process cartridge 100 as seen from the non-drive side, and Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 100 at a longitudinal position where the non-drive side bearing 154 of the developing unit 150 is supported by the non-drive side cover member 123. Also, Figure 15 is a side view of the process cartridge 100 as seen from the drive side.

[0060] In the process cartridge 100 of this embodiment, the drum unit 120 (drum frame) supports one longitudinal end of the developing unit 150 (developing frame) so that it can swing about an axis b parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 103. The drum unit 120 (drum frame) also supports the other longitudinal end of the developing unit 150 (developing frame) so that it can swing about the axis b parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 103 and move in a first direction (direction P in FIGS. 1 and 14 ) perpendicular to the axis b. The developing roller 103 can move between a first position and a second position by the drum unit 120 (drum frame) swinging about the axis b relative to the developing unit 150 (developing frame) and moving in the first direction (direction P). When the developing roller 103 is in the second position, it is farther from the photosensitive drum 101 than when it is in the first position. At the first position, the photosensitive drum 101 and the developing roller 103 are in contact with each other with the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 101 and the rotation axis of the developing roller 103 parallel to each other. At the second position, the photosensitive drum 101 and the developing roller 103 are separated from each other. Here, the state in which the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 101 and the rotation axis of the developing roller 103 are parallel to each other and the photosensitive drum 101 and the developing roller 103 are in contact with each other is referred to as the contact state. The first direction (direction P) is a direction parallel to the straight line connecting the rotation axis (center of rotation) a of the photosensitive drum 101 and the rotation axis (center of rotation) of the developing roller 103 in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotation axes of the photosensitive drum 101 and the developing roller 103 in the contact state (see FIG. 14). This will be described in detail below.

[0061] As described above, the developing unit cover member 155 is provided with the developing unit 122 on the driving side. A cylindrical portion 155a (swinging supported portion) supported in the support hole 122b is provided (FIGS. 9 and 15). On the other hand, the non-drive-side bearing 154 is provided with a cylindrical portion 154g (swinging supported portion) supported in the developing unit support hole 123b of the non-drive-side cover member 123 (FIG. 14). The cylindrical portion 155a of the developing unit cover member 155 and the cylindrical portion 154g provided on the non-drive-side bearing 154 are provided coaxially.

[0062] The cross-sectional shape of the developing unit support hole 122b (swing support portion) of the drive-side cover member 122 taken in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 101 is circular. The cross-sectional shape of the developing unit support hole 123b (swing support portion) of the non-drive-side cover member 123 taken in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 101 is an elongated hole. This elongated hole is made up of two straight lines extending parallel to the first direction, a semicircle connecting one end of each line, and a semicircle connecting the other end of each line. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 101, the developing unit support hole 123b (one of the swing support portion and the swing supported portion) is an elongated hole with the first direction as its longitudinal direction, and the cylindrical portion 154g (the other of the swing support portion and the swing supported portion) is a protruding portion that protrudes so as to engage with the elongated hole.

[0063] The cylindrical portion 155a is a cylindrical first protrusion that protrudes from one end of the developing frame in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 103, and the cylindrical portion 155a constitutes a first supported portion. The cylindrical portion 154g is a cylindrical second protrusion that protrudes from the other end of the developing frame in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 103, and the cylindrical portion 154g constitutes a second supported portion. The developing unit support hole 122b is a first support hole into which the cylindrical portion 155a can be fitted. The developing unit support hole 122b constitutes a first support portion that supports the cylindrical portion 155a rotatably about axis b parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 103 when the cylindrical portion 155a is fitted in the developing unit support hole 122b. The developing unit support hole 123b is a second support hole into which the cylindrical portion 154g can be fitted. The developing unit support hole 123b forms a second support portion that supports the cylindrical portion 154g so that it can rotate around an axis b parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 103 and move in the first direction (direction P) when the cylindrical portion 154g is engaged with the developing unit support hole 123b.

[0064] As a result, the developing frame (first developing frame 151, second developing frame 152) and the drum frame 121 are connected so that the developing frame can rotate relative to the drum frame 121 and move in the first direction (direction P) when the process cartridge 100 is attached to the apparatus main body 2. In other words, the developing unit 150 and the drum unit 120 are connected so that the developing unit 150 can rotate relative to the drum unit 120 and move in the first direction when the process cartridge 100 is attached to the apparatus main body 2. The developing roller 103 can move between a first position and a second position by rotating the developing frame (developing unit 150) relative to the drum frame 121 (drum unit 120) and moving in the first direction (direction P). At the first position, the developing roller 103 abuts against the photosensitive drum 101, and at the second position, the developing roller 103 is separated from the photosensitive drum 101.

[0065] Here, if the developing unit support holes 122b and 123b both have circular cross sections, there is a possibility that the rotational axes of the developing roller 103 and the photosensitive drum 101 will not be parallel if there is variation in the dimensions of the cylindrical portion 155a and the cylindrical portion 154g in the P direction. In this case, the developing roller 103 will not be in uniform contact with the photosensitive drum 101 over the entire area in the rotational axis direction at the first position, which may result in a decrease in the quality of image formation. Also, a biasing member may be provided that biases the developing roller 103 toward the photosensitive drum 101. In this case, if the rotational axis of the developing roller 103 is not parallel to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum 101, the biasing force may deform the developing unit 150, and the drum unit 120 may not be able to stably support the developing unit 150.

[0066] In this embodiment, the developing unit support hole 123b is an elongated hole that is long in the P direction. This allows for dimensional variations in the P direction between the cylindrical portion 155a of the image cover member 155 and the cylindrical portion 154g provided on the non-drive-side bearing 154. Specifically, even if there is dimensional variation in the P direction between the cylindrical portion 155a and the cylindrical portion 154g, when the cylindrical portion 154g is at a predetermined position in the first direction in the developing unit support hole 123b, the rotational axis of the developing roller 103 and the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum 101 become parallel. In other words, the length in the first direction of the elongated hole in the developing unit support hole 123b is determined so that the rotational axes of the developing roller 103 and the photosensitive drum 101 become parallel when the cylindrical portion 154g is at any position in the first direction in the developing unit support hole 123b. At this time, the length in the first direction of the elongated hole can be determined taking into account manufacturing tolerances of parts, etc. This prevents deformation of the developing unit 150 in the P direction and allows for stable support of the developing unit 150.

[0067] The position of the developing unit 150 relative to the drum unit 120 when the developing roller 103 and the photosensitive drum 101 are in the first position is referred to as the contact position. The position of the developing unit 150 relative to the drum unit 120 when the developing roller 103 and the photosensitive drum 101 are in the second position is referred to as the separation position. When the developing unit 150 is moved between the contact position and the separation position, the cylindrical portion 154g moves in the first direction inside the developing unit support hole 123b, causing a movement in which the cylindrical portion 154g comes into contact with one of the ends of the developing unit support hole 123b in the first direction. In addition, the cylindrical portion 154g rotates inside the developing unit support hole 123b, and the cylindrical portion 155a rotates inside the developing unit support hole 123b. These rotational movements and the linear movement in the first direction cause the developing unit 150 to move relative to the drum unit 120. Furthermore, since the developing unit 150 is movable in the P direction relative to the drum unit 120, the developing roller 103 can be brought into contact with and separated from the photosensitive drum 101 with good movement efficiency.

[0068] Furthermore, the non-drive-side cover member 123 and the non-drive-side bearing 154 are provided with spring hook boss portions 123c and 154h, and a spring 169 is provided to stably press the developing roller 103 against the photosensitive drum 101. The spring 169 is an example of a biasing member having one end connected to the drum frame and the other end connected to the developing frame. The spring 169 applies force to the drum frame and the developing frame so as to bias the developing roller 103 toward the photosensitive drum 101.

[0069] Next, the contact member arrangement of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The developing roller contact member 154b (first contact), the developing blade contact member 154d (second contact), and the supply roller contact member 154c (third contact) are arranged on an imaginary line extending in a second direction (S direction) perpendicular to the first direction (P direction). In FIG. 1, the imaginary line is indicated by the symbol SL. The developing roller contact member 154b, the developing blade contact member 154d, and the supply roller contact member 154c have a wider width in the first direction than in the second direction. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 101, the developing blade contact member 154d (second contact) is located farther from the cylindrical portion 154g (oscillation supported portion) than the developing roller contact member 154b (first contact). The first direction width of the developing blade contact member 154d (second contact) is wider than the first direction width of the developing roller contact member 154b (first contact). The first direction (P direction) is the direction in which the elongated hole of the developing unit support hole 123b extends. As shown in Fig. 1, at least a part of the developing blade contact member 154d and the supply roller contact member 154c is included in an area (shown by diagonal lines) sandwiched between lines S1 and S2 that extend in the S direction and pass through the outermost point of the developing roller contact member 154b in the P direction.

[0070] In this embodiment, the size of each contact member is set to satisfy the following. Width in the P direction > P direction dimension of the electrode of the device body + component tolerance variation + movement amount of the development unit 150 Width in S direction > S direction dimension of device body electrode + component tolerance variation

[0071] Here, the movement amount of the developing unit 150 refers to the amount of movement of the developing unit 150 due to linear movement in the first direction (direction P) and rotation about axis b when the position of the developing unit 150 relative to the drum unit 120 moves between the abutment position and the separation position. As described above, the developing unit 150 moves relative to the drum unit 120 by linear movement along the first direction (direction P) and rotation about axis b. The length of the contact member in the first direction is the sum of the length of the electrode in the main body of the apparatus corresponding to the contact member in the first direction, the length movable in the first direction by linear movement, and the length rotatable about axis b, plus a length taking into account variations due to component tolerances. The electrode in the main body of the apparatus corresponding to the contact member is an electrode provided in the main body of the apparatus 2 so as to be able to come into contact with the contact member when the process cartridge 100 is installed in the main body of the apparatus 2. The electrode is biased toward the process cartridge 100 by, for example, a spring, and comes into contact with the contact member when the process cartridge 100 is installed. For example, when the process cartridge 100 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, the electrode of the apparatus main body 2 corresponding to the developing roller contact member 154b comes into contact with the developing roller contact member 154b, thereby supplying electricity to the developing roller 103 via the developing roller contact member 154b. By setting the contact member to the above size, it is possible to prevent the electrode of the apparatus main body 2 (for example, a contact spring) from falling off the contact member on the process cartridge side, even if the developing unit 150 moves relative to the drum unit 120. This allows for stable power supply from the apparatus main body 2 to the process cartridge 100.

[0072] Furthermore, by arranging multiple contact members whose width in the S direction is narrower than their width in the P direction so that the virtual line SL1 parallel to the second direction passes through them, it is possible to reduce the space required to arrange the multiple contact members. According to this embodiment, it is possible to arrange the contact members in a space-saving manner while ensuring that the contact members have sufficient dimensions to prevent the electrodes of the apparatus main body 2 from falling off the contact members when the developing unit 150 moves relative to the drum unit 120.

[0073] In this embodiment, the three contact members, the supply roller contact member 154c, the development blade contact member 154d, and the development roller contact member 154b, are arranged so that the imaginary line SL1 parallel to the second direction passes through them, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The same effect can be obtained by arranging at least two of the supply roller contact member 154c, the development blade contact member 154d, and the development roller contact member 154b so that the imaginary line SL1 parallel to the second direction passes through them.

[0074] In this embodiment, the first detecting contact member 154e and the second detecting contact member 154f are arranged so that an imaginary line SL2 parallel to the second direction passes through them (FIG. 1). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, at least a portion of the first detecting contact member 154e is included in an area (shown by diagonal lines in FIG. 1) between lines S3 and S4 extending in the S direction and passing through the outermost point of the second detecting contact member 154f in the P direction. This makes it possible to reduce the installation space for the first detecting contact member 154e and the second detecting contact member 154f in the developing unit 150. However, the arrangement of the first detecting contact member 154e and the second detecting contact member 154f is not limited to this.

[0075] 1, the spring 169, the supply roller contact member 154c, the developing blade contact member 154d, and the developing roller contact member 154b are arranged so that an imaginary line SL1 parallel to the second direction passes through them. This makes it possible to reduce the installation space for the spring 169, the supply roller contact member 154c, the developing blade contact member 154d, and the developing roller contact member 154b in the developing unit 150. However, the arrangement of the spring 169 is not limited to this.

[0076] In addition, when the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the main assembly 2 of the apparatus, the direction of the rotation axis When viewed from the top, the developing roller contact member 154b, the developing blade contact member 154d, and the supply roller contact member 154c are arranged in this order from the side closest to the developing roller 103. As described above, the developing roller contact member 154b is connected to the developing roller support member 154b1 via the flow path portion 154b3. The supply roller contact member 154c is connected to the supply roller support member 154c1 via the flow path portion 154c3. The developing blade contact member 154d is connected to the developing blade contact spring support member 154d1 via the flow path portion 154d3. Because the supply roller contact member 154c, the developing blade contact member 154d, and the developing roller contact member 154b are formed by two-color molding, it is preferable that the total length of the flow path portions 154b3, 154c3, and 154d3 be short. It is preferable to arrange the contact members so that the total length of the flow path portions 154b3, 154c3, and 154d3 is as short as possible, depending on the layout of the developing roller 103, supply roller 104, developing blade 156, and electrodes of the apparatus main body 2. In this embodiment, by arranging the contact members in the vertical direction in the order of supply roller contact member 154c, developing blade contact member 154d, and developing roller contact member 154b, it was possible to shorten the total length of the flow path portions 154b3, 154c3, and 154d3.

[0077] According to this embodiment, when viewed in the axial direction of the developing roller 103, the multiple contact members are arranged so that a virtual line SL1 parallel to the direction (S direction) perpendicular to the movement direction (P direction) of the developing unit 150 passes through them, thereby making it possible to arrange the contact members in a space-saving manner.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a process cartridge that is detachably mounted to the main body of the apparatus via a cartridge tray that is movable between an outer position pulled out from the main body of the apparatus and an inner position housed in the main body of the apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a process cartridge that is detachably mounted directly to the main body of an image forming apparatus that does not have a cartridge tray.

[0079] Although the present invention has been described as being applied to a process cartridge having a developing unit and a drum unit, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a developing cartridge detachably mounted to the main body of an image forming apparatus having a photosensitive drum. In this case, the main body of the apparatus includes a photosensitive drum and a swingable support portion. The swingable support portion has the same configuration as the developing unit support holes 122b and 123b in the above-described embodiment, but differs from the above-described embodiment in that the main body of the apparatus includes these swingable support portions. The developing cartridge includes a developing roller, a process member configured to act on the developing roller, and a developing frame that rotatably supports the developing roller. The developing cartridge includes a swingable support portion supported by the swingable support portion of the main body of the apparatus so that the developing roller can swing between a first position and a second position farther from the photosensitive drum than the first position. The configuration of the developing cartridge is similar to that of the developing unit 150 in the above-described embodiment, but differs from the above-described embodiment in that it is swingably supported by the main body of the apparatus. The end faces of the developer cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum are provided with first and second contacts for the developer roller and process member, respectively, to receive power from outside the developer cartridge. The first contact is similar to the developer roller contact member 154b in the above embodiment, and the second contact is similar to the developer blade contact member 154d and supply roller contact member 154c. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, one of the swing support portion and the swing supported portion (developer unit support hole 123b) is an elongated hole with the first direction as the longitudinal direction, and the other (cylindrical portion 154g) is a protruding portion that protrudes to engage with the elongated hole. These configurations are similar to those in the above embodiment. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the first and second contacts are arranged so as to lie on an imaginary line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Alternatively, the first contact (developer roller contact member 154b), the second contact (developer blade contact member 154d), and the third contact (supply roller contact member 154c) may be arranged so as to lie on an imaginary line extending in the second direction. The width of the contact member in the first direction is wider than the width in the second direction. These configurations are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, from the side closest to the developing roller, there are a first contact (developing roller contact member 154b), a second contact (developing blade contact member 154d), and a third contact (developing roller contact member 154c). The contacts (supply roller contact member 154c) may be arranged in the order of the contacts. The swing support portion and the swing supported portion may be provided on the end face on the side where the first and second contacts are provided in the direction of the rotation axis. The present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which the first and second conductors constituting the remaining amount detection unit are provided inside the developer storage compartment of the developing frame. In this case, the first and second conductors have fourth and fifth contacts for receiving power supply from outside the process cartridge, respectively. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the fourth and fifth contacts may be arranged on an imaginary line extending in the second direction. With this configuration, the developing roller contact member, supply roller contact member, and developing blade contact member can be arranged in a space-saving manner in a configuration in which the photosensitive drum can be moved between the first position and the second position by moving the developing cartridge relative to the main body of the device.

[0080] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) A process cartridge, a drum unit including a photosensitive drum, a drum frame that supports the photosensitive drum rotatably around a rotation axis, and a swing support portion; a developing unit having a developing roller, a process member configured to act on the developing roller, and a developing frame that rotatably supports the developing roller, the developing unit having a swing supported portion supported by the swing support portion of the drum unit so that the developing roller can swing between a first position and a second position that is farther from the photosensitive drum than the first position; Equipped with a first contact and a second contact are provided on an end surface of the process cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis, for allowing the developing roller and the process member to receive power supply from outside the process cartridge, respectively; When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, one of the swing support portion and the swing supported portion is an elongated hole whose longitudinal direction is a first direction, and the other is a protruding portion that protrudes so as to engage with the elongated hole, When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the first contact point and the second contact point are arranged so as to be on a virtual line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the width in the first direction is wider than the width in the second direction. A process cartridge characterized by: (Configuration 2) 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process member is a developing blade configured to regulate the thickness of a layer of developer carried on the surface of the developing roller. (Configuration 3) 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process member is a supply roller configured to supply developer to the developing roller. (Configuration 4) the developing unit has a supply roller configured to supply developer to the developing roller; a third contact point is provided on the end surface of the process cartridge for receiving power from an external source to the supply roller; The third contact point is disposed on the virtual line when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, and has a width in the first direction greater than a width in the second direction. 3. The process cartridge according to configuration 2. (Configuration 5) The process cartridge according to configuration 4, wherein the first contact point, the second contact point, and the third contact point are arranged in this order from the side closest to the developing roller when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. J. (Configuration 6) the swing support portion and the swing supported portion are provided at an end portion of the process cartridge on the side of the end face in the direction of the rotation axis; 6. The process cartridge according to any one of Configurations 1 to 5. (Configuration 7) When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the second contact point is located farther from the swinging supported portion than the first contact point, 7. The process cartridge according to any one of Configurations 1 to 6, wherein the width of the second contact point in the first direction is greater than the width of the first contact point in the first direction. (Configuration 8) The first contact and the second contact are formed of a conductive resin. 8. A process cartridge according to any one of items 1 to 7. (Configuration 9) The swing support portion is a first support hole provided on one end side in the direction of the rotation axis and having a circular cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis; a second support hole provided on the other end side in the direction of the rotation axis, the second support hole having a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis that is elongated in the first direction; and The swing supported portion is a first supported portion provided on the one end side in the direction of the rotation axis and supported by the first support hole so as to be swingable; a second supported portion provided on the other end side in the direction of the rotation axis and supported by the second support hole so as to be swingable and movable in the first direction; and The process cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the length in the first direction of the first contact and the second contact is longer than the combined length of the length in the first direction of the electrode of the main body of the apparatus, the length in the first direction of the elongated hole of the second support hole, and the length by which the developing frame can swing relative to the drum frame. (Configuration 10) A process cartridge according to configuration 9, wherein when the second supported portion is at any position in the first direction in the second support hole, the rotational axis of the developing roller and the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum are parallel. (Configuration 11) A process cartridge described in any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the first direction is parallel to the rotational axis of the developing roller and the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum, and is parallel to a straight line connecting the rotational axis of the developing roller and the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotational axis when the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are in contact. (Configuration 12) The developing unit comprises: a container for containing a developer; a detection unit that detects the remaining amount of developer in the container, the detection unit having a first conductor and a second conductor provided inside the container; a fourth contact and a fifth contact are provided on end surfaces of the process cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis, for allowing the first conductor and the second conductor to receive power from outside the process cartridge, respectively; A process cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the fourth contact point and the fifth contact point are arranged on an imaginary line extending in the second direction when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. (Configuration 13) The process cartridge is an urging member having one end connected to the drum frame and the other end connected to the developing frame, the urging member applying a force to the drum frame and the developing frame so as to urge the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum; 13. The process cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the urging member, the first contact point, and the second contact point are arranged on an imaginary line extending in the second direction. (Configuration 14) A developing cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, the developing cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a swing support portion, a developing unit including a developing roller, a process member configured to act on the developing roller, and a developing frame that rotatably supports the developing roller, the developing unit having a swing supported portion supported by the swing supporting portion of the device main body so that the developing roller can swing between a first position and a second position that is farther from the photosensitive drum than the first position; a first contact and a second contact are provided on an end surface of the developing cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum, for allowing the developing roller and the process member to receive power supply from outside the developing cartridge, respectively; When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, one of the swing support portion and the swing supported portion is an elongated hole whose longitudinal direction is a first direction, and the other is a protruding portion that protrudes so as to engage with the elongated hole, When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the first contact point and the second contact point are arranged on a virtual line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the width in the first direction is wider than the width in the second direction. A developing cartridge characterized by: [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1: image forming apparatus, 2: apparatus main body, 100: process cartridge, 101: photosensitive drum, 103: developing roller, 104: supply roller, 120: drum unit, 121: drum frame, 122: drive side cover member, 123: non-drive side cover member, 150: developing unit, 151: first developing frame, 152: second developing frame, 153: drive side bearing, 154: non-drive side bearing, 154b: developing roller contact member, 154c: supply roller contact member, 154d: developing blade contact member, 156: developing blade

Claims

1. A process cartridge, a drum unit including a photosensitive drum, a drum frame that supports the photosensitive drum rotatably around a rotation axis, and a swing support portion; a developing unit having a developing roller, a process member configured to act on the developing roller, and a developing frame body rotatably supporting the developing roller, the developing unit having a swing supported portion supported by the swing supporting portion of the drum unit so that the developing roller can swing between a first position and a second position that is farther from the photosensitive drum than the first position; Equipped with a first contact and a second contact are provided on an end surface of the process cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis, for receiving a supply of electric power from the outside of the process cartridge to the developing roller and the process member, respectively; When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, one of the swing support portion and the swing supported portion is an elongated hole whose longitudinal direction is a first direction, and the other is a protruding portion that protrudes so as to engage with the elongated hole, When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the first contact point and the second contact point are disposed on a virtual line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a width in the first direction is larger than a width in the second direction. A process cartridge characterized by:

2. 2. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said process member is a developing blade configured to regulate the thickness of a layer of developer carried on the surface of said developing roller.

3. 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process member is a supply roller configured to supply developer to the developing roller.

4. the developing unit has a supply roller configured to supply developer to the developing roller; a third contact point is provided on the end surface of the process cartridge for receiving power from an external source to the supply roller; the third contact point is disposed on the virtual line when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, and has a width in the first direction greater than a width in the second direction; 3. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the ink is a resin.

5. 5. A process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the first contact point, the second contact point, and the third contact point are arranged in this order from the side closest to the developing roller.

6. the swing support portion and the swing supported portion are provided at an end portion of the process cartridge on the side of the end face in the direction of the rotation axis; 6. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink is transferred to the ink tank.

7. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the second contact point is located farther from the swinging supported portion than the first contact point, 6. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the width of the second contact point in the first direction is greater than the width of the first contact point in the first direction.

8. 6. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first contact and the second contact are made of a conductive resin.

9. The swing support portion is a first support hole provided on one end side in the direction of the rotation axis and having a circular cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis; a second support hole provided on the other end side in the direction of the rotation axis, the second support hole being an elongated hole whose cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis is long in the first direction; and The swing supported portion is a first supported portion provided on the one end side in the direction of the rotation axis and supported by the first support hole so as to be swingable; a second supported portion provided on the other end side in the direction of the rotation axis and supported by the second support hole so as to be swingable and movable in the first direction; and A process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the length in the first direction of the first contact and the second contact is longer than the combined length of the length in the first direction of the electrode of the main body of the apparatus, the length in the first direction of the elongated hole of the second support hole, and the length by which the developing frame can swing relative to the drum frame.

10. 10. A process cartridge according to claim 9, wherein when the second supported portion is at any position in the second support hole in the first direction, the rotational axis of the developing roller and the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum are parallel to each other.

11. A process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first direction is parallel to the rotational axis of the developing roller and the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum, and is parallel to a straight line connecting the rotational axis of the developing roller and the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotational axis when the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are in contact with each other.

12. The developing unit comprises: a container for containing a developer; a detection unit that detects the remaining amount of developer in the container, the detection unit having a first conductor and a second conductor provided inside the container; a fourth contact and a fifth contact are provided on end surfaces of the process cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis, for allowing the first conductor and the second conductor to receive power from outside the process cartridge, respectively; 6. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the fourth contact point and the fifth contact point are arranged on an imaginary line extending in the second direction when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis.

13. The process cartridge is an urging member having one end connected to the drum frame and the other end connected to the developing frame, the urging member applying a force to the drum frame and the developing frame so as to urge the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum; 6. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the urging member, the first contact point, and the second contact point are arranged on an imaginary line extending in the second direction.

14. A developing cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, the developing cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a swing support portion, a developing roller; a process member configured to act on said developing roller; a developing unit having a developing frame that rotatably supports a roller, the developing roller having a swing supported portion supported by the swing supporting portion of the device main body so as to be swingable between a first position and a second position that is farther from the photosensitive drum than the first position; a first contact and a second contact are provided on an end surface of the developing cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum, for allowing the developing roller and the process member to receive power supply from outside the developing cartridge, respectively; When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, one of the swing support portion and the swing supported portion is an elongated hole whose longitudinal direction is a first direction, and the other is a protruding portion that protrudes so as to engage with the elongated hole, When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the first contact point and the second contact point are disposed on a virtual line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the width in the first direction is wider than the width in the second direction. A developing cartridge characterized by:

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