Cartridge, attachment, and mounting kit

Abstract

To develop a drive transmission method from a device body to a cartridge.SOLUTION: The cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus including a drive output member configured to output a driving force and a main assembly side urging member configured to incline the drive output member by urging the drive output member. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a cartridge side pressing member. The cartridge side pressing member is configured to change an inclination angle of the drive output member by pressing the apparatus main body side pressing member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 23

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge, an attachment, an installation kit, and an image forming apparatus.

[0002] The cartridge is detachably mountable to the main body of an image forming apparatus (electrophotographic image forming apparatus).

[0003] The attachment can be attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus separately from the cartridge.

[0004] The attachment and cartridge are collectively called an attachment kit.

[0005] An image forming apparatus is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming process, and examples thereof include electrophotographic copying machines, electrophotographic printers (LED printers, laser beam printers, etc.), facsimile machines, and word processors. [Background technology]

[0006] In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as an "image forming apparatus"), an electrophotographic photosensitive member, generally drum-shaped, serving as an image carrier, i.e., a photosensitive drum (electrophotographic photosensitive drum), is uniformly charged. Next, an electrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) is formed on the photosensitive drum by selectively exposing the charged photosensitive drum to light. Next, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed into a toner image using toner as a developer. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is then transferred to a recording material such as recording paper or a plastic sheet, and the toner image transferred to the recording material is fixed to the recording material by applying heat and pressure, thereby recording an image.

[0007] Such image forming apparatuses generally require toner replenishment and maintenance of various process means. To facilitate this toner replenishment and maintenance, cartridges have been put into practical use, in which the photosensitive drum, charging means, developing means, cleaning means, etc. are all housed within a frame, and the cartridge is detachably mountable on the image forming apparatus main body.

[0008] This cartridge system allows users to perform some of the maintenance of the device themselves, without relying on service personnel in charge of after-sales service. This significantly improves the operability of the device, making it possible to provide an image forming device with excellent usability. For this reason, this cartridge system is widely used in image forming devices.

[0009] An example of a cartridge is a process cartridge, which is a cartridge that integrates an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a process means that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and is removably mounted in the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0010] In the process cartridges described above, a configuration in which a coupling member is provided at the tip of the photosensitive drum to transmit driving force from the main body of the apparatus to the photosensitive drum is widely used. Patent Document 1 proposes a configuration in which the coupling member is configured to be able to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction, and the coupling member is triggered to move back and forth by operating a push rod disposed in the process cartridge. It also proposes a configuration in which the coupling member is moved back and forth by operating a tension cord fixed to the coupling member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-40625 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] The present invention aims to further develop the above-mentioned conventional techniques. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] A typical configuration according to the present application is: A cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body includes a drive output member configured to output a drive force, and a main body side pressing member configured to incline the drive output member by pressing the drive output member, A photosensitive drum; a movable cartridge-side pressing member configured to change the inclination angle of the drive output member by pressing the apparatus-main-body-side pressing member; It is a cartridge having the above.

[0014] Another representative configuration according to the present application is: In the cartridge, a photosensitive drum disposed in front of the cartridge; a pressing member disposed in front of the cartridge on one side of the cartridge in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the pressing member being movable; and The pressing member is configured to perform at least (a) a first action of moving in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum toward the outside of the cartridge, and (b) a second action of moving in a direction different from the first action.

[0015] Another representative configuration according to the present application is: In the cartridge, a photosensitive drum disposed in front of the cartridge; a first movable member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum and movable in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum; a second movable member disposed on the same side as the first movable member in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the second movable member configured to perform at least (a) a first movement of moving in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum toward the outside of the cartridge, and (b) a second movement of moving in a direction different from the first movement; It is a cartridge having the above.

[0016] Another representative configuration according to the present application is: An attachment that can be attached to an image forming apparatus main body to which a cartridge is detachably attached, the attachment comprising: a drive output member configured to output a drive force; and an apparatus main body side pressing member configured to bias the drive output member to incline the drive output member, In order to connect the drive output member to the cartridge, the attachment has a contact portion configured to contact the device body side pressing member and move the device body side pressing member, thereby changing the inclination angle of the drive output member.

[0017] Another representative configuration according to the present application is: A cartridge detachably attached to an apparatus main body includes a drive output member capable of outputting a driving force and tilting, A photosensitive drum; an engaging member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum, movable in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, and engageable with the drive output member; a movable positioning member configured to position the cartridge within the device body; and the engagement member is configured to move toward the drive output member to contact the drive output member; When the positioning member moves while the engaging member is in contact with the drive output member, the cartridge is configured to (a) change the inclination angle of the drive output member, and (b) move to an installation position inside the device main body.

[0018] Another typical configuration is: In the cartridge, a photosensitive drum disposed in front of the cartridge; an engaging member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum and movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum; an operating member configured to move the engaging member in the axial direction toward the outside of the cartridge by receiving an external force from the outside of the cartridge; a positioning member disposed in front of the cartridge and on the opposite side of the cartridge from the engaging member in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the positioning member protruding toward the front of the cartridge and movable toward the rear; It is a cartridge having the above.

[0019] Another typical configuration is: In the cartridge, a photosensitive drum disposed in front of the cartridge; an engaging member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum and movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum; a movable positioning member disposed in front of the cartridge and on the same side as the engaging member in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum; an operating member configured to move the positioning member away from the axis of the photosensitive drum by receiving an external force from outside the cartridge; It is a cartridge having the above.

[0020] Another typical configuration is: In the cartridge, a photosensitive drum disposed in front of the cartridge; a first movable member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum and movable in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum; a second movable member disposed at the front of the cartridge, on the same side as the first movable member in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, and outside the photosensitive drum; an operating member configured to move a second movable member forward by receiving an external force from outside the cartridge; It is a cartridge having the above.

[0021] Another typical configuration is: An attachment that can be attached to an image forming apparatus main body that is equipped with a drive output member that is capable of outputting a drive force and is tiltable, and to which a cartridge is detachably attached, a movable positioning member configured to determine the position of the cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main body; The attachment is configured such that, when an engaging member provided on the cartridge is in contact with the drive output member, the positioning member, by its movement, (a) changes the inclination angle of the drive output member, and (b) moves the cartridge to an installation position inside the device main body.

[0022] Another typical configuration is: A cartridge detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus main body includes a drive output member capable of outputting a driving force and tilting, A photosensitive drum; a pressing member disposed outside the photosensitive drum, movable in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, and configured to change the inclination angle of the drive output member by pressing the drive output member; an engaging member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum and movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the engaging member being engageable with the drive output member by moving toward the drive output member pressed by the pressing member; It is a cartridge having the above.

[0023] Another typical configuration is: In the cartridge, a photosensitive drum disposed in front of the cartridge; an engaging member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum and movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum; a pressing member disposed in front of the cartridge, on the same side as the engaging member in the axial direction, and outside the photosensitive drum, the pressing member being movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum; an operating member configured to receive an external force from outside the cartridge and move the engaging member in the axial direction toward the outside of the cartridge; A cartridge having

[0024] Another typical configuration is: A cartridge detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus main body includes a drive output member capable of outputting a driving force and tilting, A photosensitive drum; a gear member configured to rotate while meshing with a gear portion provided on the drive output member, thereby moving the drive output member closer to the cartridge; a contact portion configured to change an inclination angle of the drive output member by contacting the drive output member brought close to the cartridge by the gear member, the contact portion being disposed outside the photosensitive drum; It is a cartridge having the above.

[0025] Another typical configuration is: In the cartridge, A photosensitive drum; A developing roller; a gear member disposed on a first side of the cartridge in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum; a ramp portion disposed outside the photosensitive drum and on the first side of the cartridge; and In the axial direction, the side opposite to the first side is referred to as the second side of the cartridge. At least a portion of the teeth of the gear member is positioned farther away from the second side than the inclined portion in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a distance measured from the axis of the photosensitive drum to the inclined portion along a direction perpendicular to the axis increases with increasing distance from the second side of the cartridge in the axial direction; When viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, the center of the gear member is located within a range of more than 60° and less than 120° upstream in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum with respect to a line extending from the center of the photosensitive drum to pass through the center of the developing roller.

[0026] Another typical configuration is: An attachment for mounting to an image forming apparatus main body that is equipped with a drive output member capable of outputting a drive force, and to which a cartridge is detachably attached, comprising: The attachment has a gear member configured to rotate while meshing with a gear portion provided on the drive output member, thereby bringing the drive output member closer to the cartridge and connecting the drive output member to the cartridge.

[0027] Another typical configuration is: In the cartridge, A photosensitive drum; a gear member disposed on a first side of the cartridge in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum; a ramp disposed on a first side of the cartridge; and In the axial direction, the side opposite to the first side is referred to as the second side of the cartridge. At least a portion of the teeth of the gear member is located farther from the second side of the cartridge than the inclined portion in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a distance measured from the axis of the photosensitive drum to the inclined portion along a direction perpendicular to the axis increases with increasing distance from the second side in the axial direction; The gear member is a cartridge that is movable so that the distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum to the axis of the gear member is changed.

[0028] Another typical configuration is: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprising a tiltable drive output member capable of outputting a drive force, A photosensitive drum; a coupling member located near an end of the photosensitive drum, capable of transmitting a driving force toward the photosensitive drum and movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the coupling member having a driving force receiving portion capable of receiving a driving force from a drive output member, and (a) an inclined portion movable in the axial direction together with the driving force receiving portion and (b) rotatable together with the driving force receiving portion; and the inclined portion is located farther from the axis of the photosensitive drum than the driving force receiving portion, The cartridge is configured so that when the coupling member moves toward the drive output member, the inclined portion comes into contact with the drive output member, thereby reducing the inclination angle of the drive output member so that the drive output member and the drive force receiving portion can engage with each other.

[0029] Another typical configuration is: In a cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus body, a photoreceptor drum having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a coupling member located near the first end of the photosensitive drum, capable of transmitting a driving force to the photosensitive drum, and movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the coupling member having a protruding driving force receiving portion and an inclined portion that can advance and retreat together with the driving force receiving portion; and the inclined portion is disposed farther from the axis of the photosensitive drum than the driving force receiving portion, This is a cartridge in which the distance measured from the axis of the photosensitive drum to the inclined portion along a direction perpendicular to the axis increases as the distance increases from the second end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] Conventional configurations can be developed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] 1A is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge, FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the cartridge, and FIG. 1C is an enlarged view of the periphery of the coupling member. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drive transmission member and related members. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a drive transmission member. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a drive transmission member. [Figure 7] 1A is a side view of the cartridge, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a drive transmission member. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a drive transmission member. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a drive transmission member. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a drive transmission member. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a driving force transmission member. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the cartridge. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the photosensitive drum and the coupling member. [Figure 17]FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the cartridge. [Figure 19] FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a drive transmission member 81. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 22] FIG. [Figure 23] 1A is a perspective view of the cartridge, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the cartridge. [Figure 24] FIG. [Figure 25] FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission member and the cartridge. [Figure 29] FIG. [Figure 30] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of an action member. [Figure 31] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the push-down member. [Figure 32] FIG. [Figure 33] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a drive transmission member and an attachment. [Figure 34] FIG. [Figure 35] FIG. [Figure 36] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an attachment and a drive transmission member. [Figure 37] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an attachment and a drive transmission member. [Figure 38] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an attachment and a drive transmission member. [Figure 39] A perspective view of a process cartridge [Figure 40]Cross section of drum drive transmission part [Figure 41] Perspective view of the side member and its surroundings [Figure 42] Perspective view of the side member and its surroundings [Figure 43] Perspective view of the side member and its surroundings [Figure 44] Perspective view of the side member and its surroundings [Figure 45] A perspective view of the periphery of a second lever member. [Figure 46] A perspective view of the periphery of a second lever member. [Figure 47] A perspective view of the apparatus main body and the process cartridge [Figure 48] A perspective view of the apparatus main body and the process cartridge [Figure 49] A perspective view of the drive transmission member and its surroundings [Figure 50] A perspective view of the periphery of a second lever member. [Figure 51] Top view of the device body and process cartridge [Figure 52] A perspective view of the drive transmission member and its surroundings [Figure 53] A perspective view of the apparatus main body and the process cartridge [Figure 54] A perspective view of the drive transmission member and its surroundings [Figure 55] A perspective view of the apparatus main body and the process cartridge [Figure 56] A perspective view of the periphery of a second lever member. [Figure 57] Top view of the device body and process cartridge [Figure 58] A perspective view of the drive transmission member and its surroundings [Figure 59] A perspective view of a coupling member [Figure 60] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples of the lever member. [Figure 61] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples of the lever member. [Figure 62] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples of the lever member. [Figure 63] A perspective view of a process cartridge [Figure 64] Perspective view of the advancing / retracting member and its surroundings [Figure 65] Perspective view of the advancing / retracting member and its surroundings [Figure 66] A perspective view of the structure of the advancing and retreating member [Figure 67] A perspective view of the advancing and retreating member configuration [Figure 68] Top view of the drive transmission member and its surroundings [Figure 69] A perspective view of the apparatus main body and the process cartridge [Figure 70] Perspective view of the advancing / retracting member and its surroundings [Figure 71] Top view of the drive transmission member and its surroundings [Figure 72] Top view of the drive transmission member and its surroundings [Figure 73] A perspective view of the apparatus main body and the process cartridge [Figure 74] Top view of the drive transmission member and its surroundings [Figure 75] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples in which the configuration of the lever member is partially changed. [Figure 76] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples in which the configuration of the lever member is partially changed. [Figure 77] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples in which the configuration of the lever member is partially changed. [Figure 78] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning unit. [Figure 79] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the orientation of the cartridge in the main body of the apparatus. [Figure 80] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the positioning member. [Figure 81] 5A to 5C are schematic cross-sectional views showing the process of mounting the cartridge into the main assembly of the apparatus. [Figure 82] FIG. 82 shows a modified example of the positioning member. [Figure 83] FIG. [Figure 84] FIG. [Figure 85] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a drive transmission member and a cover member. [Figure 86] FIG. [Figure 87] FIG. [Figure 88] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a drive transmission member and a push-down member. [Figure 89] FIG. [Figure 90] FIG. [Figure 91] FIG. [Figure 92] A perspective view of a process cartridge [Figure 93] A perspective view of the advancing / retreating member and the coupling member and its surroundings. [Figure 94] A perspective view of the advancing / retreating member and the coupling member and its surroundings. [Figure 95] A perspective view of the advancing / retreating member and the coupling member and its surroundings. [Figure 96] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the advancing and retreating member, the coupling member, and the third lever member. [Figure 97] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the advancing and retreating member, the coupling member, and the third lever member. [Figure 98] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the advancing and retreating member, the coupling member, and the third lever member. [Figure 99] Process cartridge installation illustration [Figure 100] A perspective view of a process cartridge [Figure 101] A perspective view of the advancing / retreating member and the coupling member and its surroundings. [Figure 102] A perspective view of the advancing / retreating member and the coupling member and its surroundings. [Figure 103] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the advancing and retreating member, the coupling member, and the third lever member. [Figure 104] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the advancing and retreating member, the coupling member, and the third lever member. [Figure 105] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the advancing and retreating member, the coupling member, and the third lever member. [Figure 106] Process cartridge installation illustration [Figure 107] A perspective view of a process cartridge [Figure 108] A perspective view of the advancing / retreating member and the coupling member and its surroundings. [Figure 109] A perspective view of the advancing / retreating member and the coupling member and its surroundings. [Figure 110] A perspective view of the advancing / retreating member and the coupling member and its surroundings. [Figure 111] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the advancing and retreating member, the coupling member, and the third lever member. [Figure 112] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the advancing and retreating member, the coupling member, and the third lever member. [Figure 113] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the advancing and retreating member, the coupling member, and the third lever member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Example 1 Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0033] Unless otherwise specified, the direction of the rotation axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is simply referred to as the longitudinal direction.

[0034] In addition, in the longitudinal direction, the side where the electrophotographic photosensitive drum receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body is referred to as a driving side, and the opposite side is referred to as a non-driving side.

[0035] The overall configuration and image formation process will be explained using FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2(a) and (b).

[0036] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus main body A of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, image forming apparatus main body) and a process cartridge (hereinafter referred to as cartridge B). 2(a) is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge B. Here, the main assembly A of the apparatus is the portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus excluding the cartridge B. The cartridge B is detachably mountable to the main assembly A of the apparatus.

[0037] 2(b) is a perspective view of the cartridge. As shown in this figure, cartridge B has a photosensitive drum 62 and a coupling member 64 that receives a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum 62 and is capable of transmitting the driving force toward the photosensitive drum 62. In the axial direction Z parallel to the rotation axis Q2 of the photosensitive drum 62, the side indicated by arrow z1 on which the coupling member 64 is provided is the driving side (first side) Bz1 of cartridge B. The side indicated by arrow z2 is the non-driving side (second side) Bz2 of cartridge B, which is opposite to the driving side Bz1.

[0038] Unless otherwise specified, the side of the cartridge where the photosensitive drum is located is considered to be the front of the cartridge. In other words, the left side in Figure 2(a) is the front of the cartridge, and the right side is the rear.

[0039] The configuration of the cartridge B will be described in detail later.

[0040] <Overall configuration of electrophotographic image forming apparatus> The electrophotographic image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus) shown in Figure 1 is a laser beam printer that uses electrophotographic technology and in which a cartridge B is detachably mounted in an apparatus main body A. When the cartridge B is mounted in the apparatus main body A, an exposure device 3 (laser scanner unit) is disposed for forming a latent image on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 62 serving as an image carrier of the cartridge B. Also disposed below the cartridge B is a sheet tray 4 that stores a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as sheet material PA) on which an image is to be formed. The electrophotographic photosensitive drum 62 is a photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member) used for forming an electrophotographic image.

[0041] Furthermore, in the apparatus main body A, a pickup roller 5a, a pair of feeding rollers 5b, a pair of conveying rollers 5c, a transfer guide 6, a transfer roller 7, a conveying guide 8, a fixing device 9, a pair of discharge rollers 10, and a discharge tray 11 are arranged in this order along the conveying direction D of the sheet material PA. The fixing device 9 is composed of a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b.

[0042] <Image formation process> Next, an outline of the image forming process will be described. Based on a print start signal, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as the photosensitive drum 62, or simply the drum 62) is rotated in the direction of arrow R at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed).

[0043] A charging roller (charging member) 66 to which a bias voltage is applied contacts the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 and uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. The charging roller 66 is a rotating body (roller) that can rotate while in contact with the drum 62. Note that the charging member is not limited to this type of rotatable contact roller configuration, and it is also possible to use a charging member (charger) that is fixed at a distance from the drum 62, such as a corona charger.

[0044] The exposure device 3 outputs laser light L corresponding to the image information. The laser light L passes through a laser opening 71h provided in the cleaning frame 71 of the cartridge B and scans and exposes the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

[0045] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2(a), in the developing unit 20 as a developing device, the toner T in the toner chamber 29 is stirred and transported by the rotation of the transport member (stirring member) 43, and sent out to the toner supply chamber .

[0046] The toner T is carried on the surface of the developing roller 32 by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 34 (fixed magnet). The developing roller 32 is a developer carrier that carries developer (toner T) on its surface in order to develop the latent image (electrostatic latent image) formed on the drum 62 using the developer. In this embodiment, a non-contact development method is used in which the latent image is developed with a small gap between the developing roller 32 and the drum 62. It is also possible to adopt a contact development method in which the latent image is developed with the developing roller 32 in contact with the drum 62.

[0047] The toner T is frictionally charged by the developing blade 42, and the thickness of the layer on the circumferential surface of the developing roller 32 as a developer carrier is regulated.

[0048] The toner T is supplied to the drum 62 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image, and develops the latent image. This makes the latent image visible as a toner image. The drum 62 is an image carrier that carries on its surface the latent image and an image (toner image, developer image) formed with toner (developer).

[0049] The drum 62 and the developing roller 32 are rotating bodies (rotating members) that can rotate while carrying developer (toner) on their surfaces.

[0050] 1, in synchronization with the output timing of the laser beam L, a sheet material PA stored in the lower part of the apparatus main body A is sent out from the sheet tray 4 by a pickup roller 5a, a feeding roller pair 5b, and a conveying roller pair 5c. Then, the sheet material PA is conveyed via a transfer guide 6 to a transfer position between a drum 62 and a transfer roller 7. At this transfer position, the toner image is sequentially transferred from the drum 62 to the sheet material PA.

[0051] The sheet material PA onto which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the drum 62 and transported along a transport guide 8 to a fixing device 9. The sheet material PA then passes through a nip between a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b that constitute the fixing device 9. A pressure and heat fixing process is carried out at this nip, and the toner image is fixed to the sheet material PA. The sheet material PA, which has undergone the toner image fixing process, is transported to a pair of discharge rollers 10 and discharged onto a discharge tray 11.

[0052] 2(a), after transfer, the drum 62 has residual toner removed from its outer peripheral surface by a cleaning blade 77, and is then used again in the image formation process. The toner removed from the drum 62 is stored in a waste toner chamber 71b of the cleaning unit 60. The cleaning unit 60 is a unit that includes the photosensitive drum 62.

[0053] In the above, the charging roller 66, the developing roller 32, the transfer roller 7, and the cleaning blade 77 are process means (process members, acting members) that act on the drum 62.

[0054] <Overall cartridge configuration> Next, the overall structure of the cartridge B will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2(a) is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge. Figure 2(b) is a perspective view of the cartridge. Figure 2(c) is an enlarged view of the periphery of the coupling member 64.

[0055] The cartridge B has a cleaning unit (photosensitive member holding unit, drum holding unit, image carrier holding unit, first unit) 60 and a developing unit (developer carrier holding unit, second unit) 20.

[0056] Incidentally, cartridge B in this embodiment is a process cartridge. A process cartridge generally refers to a cartridge in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated into one cartridge, and which is detachably mountable to the main body (main body) of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Examples of the process means include a charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning means.

[0057] 2(a), the cleaning unit 60 has a drum 62, a charging roller 66, a cleaning member 77, and a cleaning frame 71 that supports these. The drum 62 is rotatably supported by the cleaning frame 71. The cleaning frame 77 is part of the frame (casing) of the cartridge, and supports the various members arranged in the cleaning unit, as well as forming a waste toner chamber 71b, which will be described later.

[0058] In the cleaning unit 60, the charging roller 66 and the cleaning member 77 are each disposed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. The cleaning member 77 has a rubber blade 77a, which is a blade-shaped elastic member made of rubber as an elastic material, and a support member 77b that supports the rubber blade. The rubber blade 77a abuts against the drum 62 in a counter direction to the rotation direction of the drum 62. In other words, the rubber blade 77a abuts against the drum 62 with its tip facing upstream in the rotation direction of the drum 62. Waste toner removed from the surface of the drum 62 by the cleaning member 77 is collected in a waste toner chamber 71b formed by the cleaning frame 71 and the cleaning member 77.

[0059] A collecting sheet 65 for preventing waste toner from leaking from the cleaning frame 71 is provided on the edge of the cleaning frame 71 so as to come into contact with the drum 62 .

[0060] The charging roller 66 is rotatably attached to the cleaning unit 60 via charging roller bearings (not shown) at both ends of the cleaning frame 71 in the longitudinal direction.

[0061] The longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 71 (the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B) is approximately parallel to the direction in which the rotation axis of the drum 62 extends (axial direction). Hereinafter, when the term "longitudinal direction" or "axial direction" is used without any particular specification, it refers to the axial direction of the drum 62. The axial direction is the direction in which the axis or a line parallel to the axis extends.

[0062] The charging roller 66 is pressed against the drum 62 by a charging roller bearing 68 being pressed against the drum 62 by a biasing member (not shown). The charging roller 66 rotates as the drum 62 rotates.

[0063] The developing unit 20 has a developing roller 32, a developing container 23 that supports the developing roller 32, a developing blade 42, etc. The developing roller 32 is rotatably attached to the developing container 23 by bearing members (not shown) provided on both ends. The developing container 23 and the bearing members attached thereto are part of the frame (casing) of the cartridge, similar to the cleaning frame 77 described above. One of the frame of the cleaning unit (cleaning frame 77, etc.) and the frame of the developing unit 20 (developing container 23, etc.) may be called the first frame (first casing), and the other may be called the second frame (second casing).

[0064] A magnet roller 34 is provided within the developing roller 32. A developing blade 42 is disposed in the developing unit 20 to regulate the toner layer on the developing roller 32. Spacing members 38 are attached to both ends of the developing roller 32 (not shown), and the developing roller 32 is held with a small gap between it and the drum 62 as the spacing members 38 abut against the drum 62. A blowout prevention sheet 33 for preventing toner leakage from the developing unit 20 is provided on the edge of the bottom member 22 so as to abut against the developing roller 32. A transport member 43 is provided in the toner chamber 29 formed by the developer container 23 and the bottom member 22. The transport member 43 agitates the toner contained in the toner chamber 29 and transports the toner to the toner supply chamber 28.

[0065] <Drive transmission member tilting mechanism> Next, the tilting mechanism of the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main assembly A will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6. The drive transmission member 81 is a drive output member that outputs a driving force. It engages with a coupling member (see Figure 7) provided on the cartridge B by a mechanism described later, and transmits the driving force to the cartridge. The drive transmission member 81 is supported so as to be tiltable, as will be described in detail later.

[0066] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the support structure of the drive transmission member 81. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drive transmission member 81. FIG. 5(a) is a side view of FIG. 3(b) seen from the direction of arrow P1 with the opening / closing door 13 (see FIG. 1) closed. FIG. 5(b) is a cross section taken along X1-X1 in FIG. 5(a). FIG. 6(a) is a side view of FIG. 3(b) seen from the direction of arrow P1 with the opening / closing door 13 open. FIG. 6(b) is a cross section taken along X2-X2 in FIG. 6(a), and FIG. 6(c) is a cross section taken along X3-X3 in FIG. 6(a).

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the drive transmission member 81 has a sliding portion 81a rotatably supported by a support hole 82a in a support side plate 82 provided in the apparatus main body A. The support side plate 82 has protrusions 82b and 82c. The cylindrical portion 81b of the drive transmission member 81 is inserted into a hole 85a provided in a frame 85 via a cylindrical cam 83. The inner peripheral surface 83a of the cylindrical cam 83 is slidably supported by an annular rib 85c of the frame 85. The cylindrical cam 83 can move in the directions of arrows H1 and H2 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the opening / closing door 13 by a mechanism (not shown). The frame 85 has a boss 85b that rotatably supports a hole 84a in the pressing member 84. As shown in FIG. 4, the drive transmission member 81 has a gear portion (output gear portion) 81f, which is a right-hand helical gear. In this embodiment, the tooth tip diameter φD3, module D4, helix angle D5, and tooth root diameter φD6 of the gear portion 81f are φD3=φ25.5 D4 =0.7 D5 =20° φD6=φ22.35 The units of module and diameter are mm (millimeters) (the same applies below). A circumferential slit 81g is provided at the tip of the drive transmission member 81, and the outer diameter φD7 and inner diameter φD8 of the slit 81g are φD7=φ20 φD8=φ15.8 The drive transmission member 81 has a slope 81h at its tip. As shown in FIG. 5A, the pressing member 84 is biased in the direction of arrow E1 around the boss 85b by a spring (not shown). As a result, the contact portion 84b of the pressing member 84 presses the cylindrical portion 81b of the drive transmission member 81 with a pressing force F1. As shown in FIG. 5B, the drive transmission member 81 can freely tilt around the edge 82a1 of the support hole 82a as a fulcrum due to the play between the diameter φD1 of the sliding portion 81a and the diameter φD2 of the support hole 82a of the support side plate 82. At the same time, the drive transmission member 81 can freely advance and retreat along the axis Q1 of the sliding portion 81a. Therefore, the pressing force F1 causes the drive transmission member 81 to tilt in the direction of arrow N1.

[0068] When the door 13 is opened, the cylindrical cam 83 moves in the direction of arrow H1 in conjunction with the movement. As a result, the abutting surface 83b of the cylindrical cam 83 abuts against the abutted surface 81c of the drive transmission member 81, and the drive transmission member 81 moves in the direction of arrow H1 together with the cylindrical cam 83, as shown in FIG. 6(b). Then, the abutting surface 81d of the drive transmission member 81 comes into contact with at least one of the protrusions 82b and 82c of the support side plate 82. As a result, the drive transmission member 81 tilts in the direction of arrow N2, as shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(c).

[0069] The reasons for tilting the drive transmission member 81 as described above include, for example, the following: Cartridge B is detachable from the apparatus main body A. Depending on the configuration of the cartridge and the apparatus main body, tilting the drive transmission member 81 may make it easier to remove or install cartridge B when attaching or detaching the cartridge. In other words, tilting the drive transmission member 81 may make it easier to avoid interference between cartridge B and the drive transmission member 81 when attaching or detaching cartridge B.

[0070] Therefore, in this embodiment, the drive transmission member 81 is provided to be tiltable, and the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 is made larger, particularly when the opening and closing door 13 for attaching and detaching the cartridge B is opened.

[0071] Even if the drive transmission member 81 is made largely inclinable, it is desirable to reduce the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 when connecting the drive transmission member 81 to the cartridge B. Means for reducing the inclination of the drive transmission member 81 will be described next.

[0072] <Coupling member engagement mechanism> Next, the coupling member 64 and the configuration required for engagement between the coupling member 64 and the drive transmission member 81 will be described with reference to Figures 2, 4, and 7 to 11. The coupling member 64 is a member (drive input member, input coupling) that receives a drive force (rotational force) for rotating the drum 62 and the developing roller 32 from the outside of the cartridge B (i.e., the image forming apparatus main body). Figure 7(a) is a side view of the drive side of the cartridge B, and Figure 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the X4-X4 line in Figure 7(a). Figures 8(a), 9(a), 10(a), and 11(a) are side views of the cartridge B inserted. Figures 8(b), 9(b), 10(b), and 11(b) are cross-sectional views taken along the X5-X5 line, the X6-X6 line, the X7-X7 line, and the X8-X8 line in Figures 8(a), 9(a), 10(a), and 11(a), respectively.

[0073] As shown in Figure 4, the drive transmission member 81 has a recess (drive transmission portion 81e) having a substantially triangular shape. The coupling member 64 receives the driving force when the driven transmission receiving portion 64a of the coupling member 64 shown in Figure 7(a) engages with this recess (drive transmission portion 81e). The coupling member 64 is an engaging member that engages with the drive transmission member 81. The non-drive transmission portion 64a is disposed on the axis of the photosensitive drum 62.

[0074] As mentioned above, the side of the cartridge on which the coupling member 64 is provided in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 62 is called the drive side, and the side opposite the drive side is called the non-drive side. Figure 7(a) is a side view of the drive side. Also, the side of the cartridge on which the photosensitive drum 62 is located will be called the front, so the right side in Figure 7(a) is the front and the left side is the rear. The front of the cartridge corresponds to the downstream side in the cartridge installation direction, and the rear corresponds to the upstream side in the cartridge installation direction. Unless otherwise specified, the top and bottom of the cartridge will be defined based on the orientation in Figure 7(a). In Figure 7(a), a cleaning unit having a photosensitive drum is positioned above a development unit having a development roller.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 7(b), the coupling member 64 is fixed to the end of the photosensitive drum 62 by means of press-fitting, caulking, or the like.

[0076] Therefore, when the coupling member 64 rotates, the photosensitive drum 62 also rotates. The photosensitive drum 62 and the members that rotate integrally with the photosensitive drum 62 are collectively called a drum unit. The coupling member 64 is a part of the drum unit.

[0077] The sliding portion 64c of the coupling member 64 is rotatably supported by a bearing portion 76a of a side member 76 that is integrally fixed to the cleaning frame 71. The side member 76 forms part of the side surface of the cartridge on the driving side, and is part of the cartridge frame (casing).

[0078] The coupling member 64 also has a gear portion 64b. A developing roller gear 36 is provided at the end of the developing roller 32, and the gear portion 64b of the coupling member 64 meshes with the developing roller gear 36. As a result, the driving force (rotational force) received by the coupling member 64 from the drive transmission member 81 is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 62 and the developing roller 32. In this embodiment, the drive-transmitted portion 64a of the coupling member 64 has a substantially triangular convex cross section (convex portion). Specifically, the substantially triangular cross section is twisted counterclockwise around the axis of the photosensitive drum from the drive side to the non-drive side. However, the drive-transmitted portion 64a is not limited to this shape and may be any shape that can engage with the drive transmission member 81 (see FIG. 4) to receive the driving force. In this embodiment, the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main body A has a substantially triangular recess (drive transmission portion, output coupling portion) 81e that can engage with the drive-transmitted portion 64a. Therefore, the driven portion 64a has a convex shape that engages with this concave portion. This convex shape may be multiple instead of one, and the shape is not limited to a triangle. Also, although the convex shape is a twisted triangle in the above example, it does not necessarily have to be twisted.

[0079] Meanwhile, a damper gear 87 is rotatably supported on the side member 76. The damper gear 87 has a predetermined rotational resistance due to a mechanism such as a rotary damper with a built-in oil damper. The damper gear 87 has a gear portion 87a which is a left-handed helical gear. As shown in FIG. 7(a), in this embodiment, the distance D9 between the tip circle of the gear portion 87a and the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62, the tip circle diameter φD10 of the gear portion 87a, the module D11, the helix angle D12, the root circle diameter φD13, and the distance D14 between the root circle and the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62 are D9 =11.3 φD10=φ10 D11 =0.7 D12 =20° φD13=φ6.85 D14 =12.875 That is, with respect to the tooth tip diameter φD3, module D4, helix angle D5, and tooth root diameter φD6 of the gear portion 81f of the drive transmission member 81 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 11(a)), D6 / 2 <D9<D3 / 2<D14 D4=D10=0.7 D5=D11=20° In this embodiment, the damper gear 87 is located on a straight line K2 that is substantially perpendicular to the line K1 connecting the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62 and the rotation axis Q3 of the developing roller 32. In other words, the damper gear 87 is located at a position 90° upstream of the developing roller 32 in the rotation direction R of the drum 62.

[0080] Furthermore, the side member 76 is provided with an arc-shaped inclined rib (protruding portion) 86 so as to protrude from the side member 76. In this embodiment, the range S1 in which the inclined rib 86 is provided is set to ±45° on the opposite side of the rotation axis Q3 of the developing roller 32 with respect to the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62. The inner diameter RD15 and the outer diameter RD16 of the inclined rib 86 are RD15=R8.1 RD16=R9.8 That is, with respect to the outer diameter φD7 and the inner diameter φD8 of the slit 81g of the drive transmission member 81 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 11(a)), D8<2×D15<2×D16 <D7 2(c), 7(b), and 84, the inclined rib 86 is provided with an inclined surface (inclined portion, contact portion) 86a.

[0081] Next, the engagement of the coupling member 64 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 11. Figure 8 shows a state in which the opening / closing door 13 is open, i.e., a state in which cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main assembly A in the state shown in Figure 6. Figure 9 shows a state in which the opening / closing door 13 is closed from the state shown in Figure 8. Figure 10 shows a state in which the apparatus main assembly A is driven from the state shown in Figure 9, causing the drive transmission member 81 to rotate. Figure 11 shows a state in which the drive transmission member 81 is further rotated from the state shown in Figure 10, causing the drive transmission member 81 to engage with the coupling member 64. Note that, for the sake of explanation, only three parts of cartridge B are shown in Figures 8 to 11: the coupling member 64, the damper gear 87, and the side member 76.

[0082] When the cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main assembly A with the door 13 open, i.e., in the state shown in FIG. 6, the damper gear 87 is positioned near the gear portion 81f of the drive transmission member 81, which is inclined in the direction of arrow N2, as shown in FIG. 8(a). The gear portion 81f of the drive transmission member 81 and the gear portion 87a of the damper gear 87 are separated by a gap D17. At this time, the drive transmission portion 81e of the drive transmission member 81 is misaligned with the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62 by a misalignment amount D18. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the drive transmission portion 81e of the drive transmission member 81 and the driven portion 64a of the coupling member 64 are separated by a gap D19 in the longitudinal direction.

[0083] When the door 13 is closed, the cylindrical cam 83 moves in the direction of arrow H2 shown in FIG. 8(b), and the abutting surface 83b of the cylindrical cam 83 and the abutted surface 81c of the drive transmission member 81 move away from each other. As described above, the drive transmission member 81 is pressed by the pressing member 84 with a pressing force F1, so that the drive transmission member 81 tilts in the direction of arrow N3 as shown in FIG. 9(a). As a result, the gear portion 81f of the drive transmission member 81 and the gear portion 87a of the damper gear 87 mesh in region S2. The drive transmission portion 81e of the drive transmission member 81 is misaligned with respect to the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62 by a misalignment amount D20.

[0084] In this state, the apparatus main body A is driven to rotate the drive transmission member 81 in the direction of arrow G1 around the rotation axis Q1. As described above, the damper gear 87 has a predetermined rotational resistance. Therefore, a meshing force F2 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum and a meshing force F3 in the thrust direction shown in FIG. 9(b) are generated between the gear portion 81f of the drive transmission member 81, which is a helical gear, and the gear portion 87a of the damper gear 87. As a result, the drive transmission member 81 moves in the direction of arrow H3 along the rotation axis Q1. Then, as shown in FIG. 84, the inclined surface 81h is guided by the inclined surface 86a of the inclined rib 86. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), the drive transmission member 81 comes into contact with the tip end 64d of the coupling member 64 with a misalignment amount D21 in the direction of arrow N4. At this time, the relationship between the misalignment amount D20 and the misalignment amount D21 is D20>D21 It is as follows.

[0085] When the drive transmission member 81 rotates further in the direction of arrow G1 from this state, the phase of the approximately triangular drive transmission portion 81e of the drive transmission member 81 matches with the phase of the drive transmitted portion 64a of the coupling member 64. The drive transmission member 81 then moves further in the direction of arrow H3, and the drive transmission portion 81e of the drive transmission member 81 engages with the drive transmitted portion 64a of the coupling member 64, as shown in Figure 11.

[0086] In this embodiment, the damper gear 87 is an independent gear having a predetermined rotational resistance, but this is not necessarily the case. For example, it may be part of a drive train connected to the charging roller 66 or the conveying member 43. In that case, by utilizing the rotational resistance of the drive train, it is not necessary to incorporate an oil damper or the like as described above into the damper gear 87.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the center (rotational axis) of the damper gear 87 is disposed at a position shifted by 90° from the center (rotational axis) of the developing roller 32 toward the upstream side in the rotation direction R of the drum 62, but it is not necessary to dispose the damper gear 87 at this exact position. It is sufficient if the damper gear 87 is disposed at a position where it can mesh with the gear portion 81f of the drive transmission member 81 inclined in the direction of arrow N3 as shown in FIG. 9(a). For example, the damper gear 87 may be disposed at an angle ranging from 60° to 120° from the drum 62 toward the upstream side in the drum rotation direction R of the developing roller 32.

[0088] Although the damper gear 87 is a helical gear, this is not essential and it is sufficient that it meshes with the gear portion 81 f of the drive transmission member 81 .

[0089] For example, a spur gear 230 with a narrow tooth width as shown in Fig. 12(a) or a configuration with protrusions arranged in a spiral as shown in Fig. 12(b) may be used. A thin spur gear 230 as shown in Fig. 12(a) can be engaged with the helical gear of the drive transmission member 81. It is possible to make the width of the spur gear 230 1 mm or less.

[0090] 12(b), four protrusions 232a are arranged obliquely relative to the gear axis. These four protrusions 232a are considered to divide the teeth 232b of the helical gear into four. In other words, gear 232 can be considered to be one form of helical gear. In this application, when referring to a helical gear of a cartridge, this also includes forms such as gear 232.

[0091] In this configuration, the inclined rib 86 is provided in the region S1, which is within a range of ±45° from the position facing the developing roller across the axis of the photosensitive drum. However, this is not necessarily required, and it is sufficient if the inclined rib 86 is located in a position that can guide the inclined surface 81h of the drive transmission member 81, which is inclined in the directions of arrows N3 and N4. For example, the inclined rib 86 may be provided within a range of ±10° on the side facing the developing roller, or over the entire 360° circumference.

[0092] The configuration of the above cartridge can be summarized as follows.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 2(b), a coupling member (input coupling member, drum coupling, engaging member, drive input member) 64 is provided near the drive-side end (first end) 62z1 of the photosensitive drum 62. The coupling member 64 has a protruding drive-receiving portion (drive input portion, drive force receiving portion, input coupling portion) 64a, which is configured to receive drive force from the drive transmission portion 81e of the drive force transmission member 1 (see FIG. 11). In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the drive-receiving portion 64a is substantially triangular, but is not necessarily limited to this.

[0094] Furthermore, the cartridge B has a gear member (damper gear) 87 and an inclined rib 86 (inclined portion 86a). The gear member 64 and inclined portion 86a are disposed on the driving side Bz1 of the cartridge B, similar to the coupling member 64. That is, the coupling member 64, inclined portion 86a, and gear member 64 are disposed near the side member 76. The side member 76 is a part of the frame of the cartridge, and is a member that constitutes one side (driving side, first side) of the frame in the axial direction Z.

[0095] At least a portion of the inclined portion 86a is located outward (on the side indicated by arrow z1) in the axial direction Z than the non-drive transmission portion 64a (see FIGS. 2(b) and 11(b)). In other words, in the axial direction Z, at least a portion of the inclined portion 86a is located farther (away) from the non-drive side 71z2 of the frame body of the cartridge B than the drive transmission receiving portion 64a. In yet another way, in the axial direction Z, at least a portion of the inclined portion 86a is located farther from the end (second end) 62z2 of the non-drive side of the photosensitive drum than the drive transmission receiving portion 64a.

[0096] At least some of the teeth of the gear member 87 are disposed outward (on the side indicated by the arrow z1) in the axial direction Z relative to the drive transmission portion 64a (see FIGS. 2(b) and 7(b)). In other words, in the axial direction Z, at least some of the teeth of the gear member 87 are located farther from the non-drive side (second side) 71z2 of the frame body of the cartridge B than the drive transmission portion 64a. In yet another way, in the axial direction Z, at least some of the teeth of the gear member 87 are located farther from the end (second end) 62z2 of the non-drive side of the photosensitive drum than the non-drive transmission portion 64a.

[0097] When cartridge B is viewed along the axis of photosensitive drum 62 as shown in FIG. 7(a), the teeth of gear member 87 are located near the outer circumferential surface of photosensitive drum 62. The center of gear member 87 is located in a range greater than 60 degrees and less than 120 degrees upstream in the rotation direction R of drum 62 with respect to a line extending from the center of photosensitive drum 62 toward the center of the developing roller. When drive transmission member 1 rotates with output gear portion 81f (see FIG. 4(a)) of drive transmission member 81 engaged with damper gear (gear member) 87, force generated by the meshing of the gears moves drive transmission member 1 closer to cartridge B. At this time, inclined rib (inclined portion) 86a comes into contact with (slope 81h of) drive transmission member 81 (see FIG. 10(b)). As a result, the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 with respect to the drum 62 becomes smaller, and the recess (output coupling portion) 81e of the drive transmission member 81 becomes engageable with the drive-receiving portion 64a of the cartridge B (see FIG. 11(b)). With this configuration, the inclined drive transmission member 81 can be coupled to the cartridge B, allowing the driving force to be transmitted from the drive transmission member 81 to the cartridge B.

[0098] In this embodiment, the coupling member 64 is used as a drive input member that receives the drive force from the drive transmission member 81 .

[0099] However, the drive input member that is coupled to the drive transmission member 81 to receive the drive force is not limited to the coupling member 64. A gear member that can mesh with the gear portion 81f of the drive transmission member 81 to receive the drive force may be provided on the cartridge separately from the damper gear 87.

[0100] For example, in this embodiment, the developing roller gear 36 connected to the developing roller 32 is configured to receive a driving force via the coupling member 64 (see FIG. 7(b)). However, this developing roller gear 36 may be exposed to the outside of the cartridge and directly meshed with the gear portion 81f of the drive transmission member 81. In other words, the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 may be reduced by the inclined rib 86a, and then the gear portion 81f of the drive transmission member 81 may be meshed with the developing roller gear 36 to couple the drive transmission member 81 and the cartridge so as to be able to transmit drive.

[0101] An example of a gear member of a cartridge that can mesh with the gear portion 81f of the drive transmission member 81 and receive the driving force for rotating the developing roller 32 is a gear member 187 shown in Figure 15(a). The gear member 187 is connected to the developing roller 32 so as to be able to transmit driving force. Although the damper gear 87 is not shown in Figure 15, it can be considered that the damper gear 87 is disposed in the same position as in Figure 1. A configuration of a cartridge in which a drive input member that receives driving force is provided separately from the ring member 64 will be described further in Example 2.

[0102] If the developing roller gear 36 (187) connected to the developing roller is configured to be able to receive driving force by directly meshing with the drive transmission member 81, it is also possible to transmit driving force from this gear 36 (187) to the photosensitive drum 62. For example, as shown in Figure 22, it is conceivable to connect the photosensitive drum 62 and the developing roller 32 using gears 39 and 63, and transmit driving force from the drive transmission member 81 to the photosensitive drum 62 via the developing roller 32.

[0103] In other words, the gear member 36 (187) as the drive input member can be connected to the photosensitive drum 62 via the developing roller 32 or other gears 39 and 63 so that drive can be transmitted thereto. In such a case, the photosensitive drum 62 does not need to receive drive force from the coupling member 64. The coupling member 64 may simply be an engaging member that engages with the drive transmission member 81, and drive force may not be transmitted from the coupling member 64 to the photosensitive drum 62. Alternatively, the coupling member 64 as an engaging member can be removed from the cartridge.

[0104] However, the coupling member 64 as an engaging member positions the drive transmission member 81 relative to the cartridge by engaging with the recess 81e of the drive transmission member 81. From this point of view, it is more preferable to leave the engaging member that engages with the drive transmission member 81 on the cartridge.

[0105] The coupling member 64 has a drive-receiving portion 64a as an engaging portion (protrusion) that can engage with the recess 81e (see FIG. 2(c)). If the coupling member 64 is to be a simple engaging member that does not transmit driving force toward the photosensitive drum 62, the shape of the drive-receiving portion 64a can be changed. For example, the shape of the drive-receiving portion 64a can be a cylindrical protrusion that can engage with the recess 81e of the drive transmission member 81. The cylindrical engaging portion cannot receive driving force from the drive transmission member 81 even when engaged with the recess 81e. Therefore, the coupling member 64 does not transmit driving force toward the photosensitive drum 62 and serves as a simple engaging member.

[0106] The configuration of this embodiment can be summarized as follows.

[0107] The image forming apparatus main body A includes a drive transmission member (drive output member) 81 that is capable of outputting a drive force and is tiltable.

[0108] On the other hand, the cartridge has a photosensitive drum 62 and a damper gear (gear member) 87. The damper gear 87 is arranged on the drive side of the cartridge. The damper gear 87 rotates while meshing with a gear portion 81f provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drive transmission member 81, thereby bringing the drive transmission member closer to the cartridge (see Figures 9(b), 10(b), and 11(b)). This is because the damper gear 87 is rotationally driven by the drive transmission member 81, generating a force F3 (see Figure 9(b)) that pulls the drive transmission member 81 toward the cartridge.

[0109] Furthermore, an inclined rib (inclined portion) 86 for contacting the drive transmission member 81 approaching the cartridge is arranged on the drive side of the cartridge by a damper gear 87 (see Figure 9(b) and Figure 84). The drive transmission member 81 moves along the inclination of this inclined rib 86, changing the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81. In other words, the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 relative to the photosensitive drum 62 becomes smaller. This causes the drive transmission member 81 to be connected to the cartridge so that it can transmit drive force. In this embodiment, a coupling member 64 is provided as a drive input member that receives drive force from the drive transmission member 81 (see Figure 7(a)).

[0110] In addition, in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, at least a part of the damper gear 87 is disposed relatively closer to the driving side than the inclined rib 86 (see FIG. 7(b)). In other words, at least a part of the damper gear 87 is located on the side indicated by arrow Z1 than the inclined rib 86.

[0111] In other words, at least a portion of the damper gear 87 is located farther from the non-drive side of the cartridge than the inclined rib 86 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum.

[0112] In addition, in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, at least a portion of the damper gear 87 is arranged relatively closer to the driving side than the drive transmitted portion (driving force receiving portion) 64a of the coupling member 64 (see FIG. 7(b)). In other words, in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, at least a portion of the damper gear 87 is arranged farther away from the non-driving side than the drive transmitted portion (driving force receiving portion) 64a of the coupling member 64. The damper gear 87 is arranged on the arrow Z1 side than the drive transmitted portion 64a.

[0113] Furthermore, when the cartridge is viewed along its axis, the axis (center) of the damper gear 87 is positioned within an angle range of 60° to 120° from the axis (center) of the drum 62, with the axis (center) of the drum 62 as the origin, toward the upstream side of the axis (center) of the developing roller 32 in the drum rotation direction R. In other words, when a line extending from the center of the photosensitive drum through the center of the developing roller is compared with a line extending from the center of the photosensitive drum through the center of the damper gear 87, the latter line is located upstream of the former line in the rotation direction R, and the angle between the two lines is greater than 60° and less than 120°. In this embodiment, when the former line is rotated 90° upstream in the rotation direction R, it overlaps with the latter line.

[0114] The damper gear 87 can mesh with the gear portion 81f (see FIG. 4), which is a helical gear. In this embodiment, the damper gear 87 is also a helical gear (see FIG. 2(c)).

[0115] The inclined rib 86, which changes the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81, is configured so that its drive side is farther from the axis Q2 of the photosensitive drum than its non-drive side (see FIG. 7(b)). In other words, when the distance from the axis Q2 of the photosensitive drum to the inclined rib 86 is measured in a direction perpendicular to the axis Q2, the distance increases as the distance from the non-drive side of the cartridge increases in the axial direction. In FIG. 7(b), the distance between the inclined rib 86 and the axis Q2 increases in the direction of arrow z1.

[0116] <Example 2> Next, Example 2 will be described. Note that explanations of the same points as in the previous examples will be omitted. In particular, among the elements disclosed in this example, those corresponding to the members explained in Example 1 will be given the same names as the members in Example 1, and only the points different from those in Example 1 will be explained.

[0117] In the first embodiment, the position of the damper gear 87 is fixed relative to the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62, but in this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the axis of the damper gear 87 is movable relative to the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62.

[0118] FIG. 13 is a side view of the cartridge B in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, a gear holder 88 is attached to the side member 76 so as to be swingable about a rotation axis Q3. A damper gear 87 is attached to the gear holder 88 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis Q4. As in the first embodiment, the damper gear 87 has a predetermined rotation resistance. A biasing spring 89 is attached to the side member 76 and biases the gear holder 88 with a biasing force F21. As a result, the gear holder 88 abuts against the abutment portion 76b of the side member 76. The side member 76 is also provided with an inclined rib 86 in a range S3 of ±45° from the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62, which is approximately opposite the position of the damper gear 87.

[0119] When cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main assembly A, as shown in Fig. 14, the gear portion 81f of the drive transmission member 81 and the gear portion 87a of the damper gear 87 mesh in region S4. The drive transmission member 81 tilts in the direction of arrow N5, and the gear holder 88 swings in the direction of arrow V1 about the rotation axis Q3 against the biasing force F21 of the biasing spring 89 due to the contact force F22 between the gear portion 81f and the gear portion 87a. In this embodiment, the movement direction of the gear 87 is a direction intersecting the axis of the gear 87. More specifically, the gear 87 is movable in a direction perpendicular to its own axis.

[0120] Here, when the door 13 is closed and the drive transmission member 81 is driven in the direction of arrow G1, the drive transmission member 81 moves in the direction of arrow H4 due to a thrust-direction meshing force F23 between the gear portion 81f of the drive transmission member 81 and the gear portion 87a of the damper gear 87. As a result, similar to the first embodiment, the inclined surface 81h of the drive transmission member 81 is guided by the inclined surface 86a of the inclined rib 86, and the drive transmission portion 81e of the drive transmission member 81 and the non-drive transmission portion 64c of the coupling member 64 engage with each other.

[0121] In this embodiment, the swing center Q3 of the gear holder 88 supporting the damper gear 87 is provided on the side member 76, but this is not essential as long as it can move relative to the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, a gear 187 whose driving force is coupled to the developing roller 32 by an Oldham coupling may be used. With this configuration, the damper gear 87 can move in a direction intersecting its axis, as shown in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b). Furthermore, rotation of the gear 187 can transmit driving force to the developing roller 32. This eliminates the need to transmit driving force to the developing roller 32 via the gear portion 64b of the coupling member 64 (see FIG. 7(b)).

[0122] It is also possible to transmit the driving force received from the gear 187 to the photosensitive drum 62. In the case where the driving force is transmitted from the gear 187 to the photosensitive drum 62, the coupling member 64 does not need to receive the driving force from the drive transmission member 81. In other words, the coupling member 64 can be an engaging member that simply engages with the drive transmission member 81, and this engaging member does not need to have a driving force transmitting function. Alternatively, the coupling member 64 may be completely removed from the cartridge.

[0123] As an example of a configuration in which a gear (gear member) 187 is used instead of the coupling member 64 to receive driving force from the power transmission member 81, a modified example in which the drive train is partially different from this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0124] 22 is a perspective view of the non-drive side of the cartridge B. As shown in the figure, a drum drive gear 39 is provided at the non-drive side end of the developing roller 32. In addition, a drum driven gear 63 is provided at the end 62z2 of the drum 62 on the non-drive side.

[0125] When the developing roller 32 is rotationally driven from the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main body A via the gear 187, the drive is transmitted from the drum drive gear 39 to the drum driven gear 63, thereby rotating the drum 62. In this configuration, it is not necessary to provide the drive transmission portion 364a of the coupling member 64, and the configuration of the cartridge B can be simplified.

[0126] In any case, the gear members 87, 187 in this embodiment are movable relative to the frame of the cartridge B and the photosensitive drum in a direction intersecting with their own rotational axis. Even if the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 changes, the gear member 87 (187) can move accordingly. Compared to the first embodiment, this embodiment allows for greater freedom in the arrangement of the gear members.

[0127] 13 and the gear 187 shown in FIG. 15 may be provided in the same cartridge. That is, the gear 87 for moving the drive transmission member 81 toward the inclined rib 86 of the cartridge and the gear 187 for receiving the drive force from the drive transmission member 81 for rotating the developing roller 32 and the like may be provided separately. In this case, while the gear 87 is movable in a direction intersecting its axis, the gear 187 does not have to be configured to move. This is because the gear 187 only needs to be fixed in a position where it can mesh with the drive transmission member 81 whose inclination angle has been reduced by contact with the inclined rib 86.

[0128] Example 3 In the above-described embodiment, a configuration was described in which the drive transmission member 81 is moved in the direction of arrow H2 (see FIG. 8) by the meshing force with the damper gear 87 in the thrust direction, and is engaged with the coupling member 64. In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the drive transmission member 81 is engaged with the coupling member 64 without being moved in the direction of the arrow. Note that, in this embodiment, a description of the same points as in the above-described embodiment will be omitted. Of the elements disclosed in this embodiment, those that correspond to the members described in the above-described embodiment will be given the same names as the members in the above-described embodiment, and only the points that are different from those in the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0129] First, the driving side flange unit 369 will be described with reference to Figures 16 and 17. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the driving side flange unit 369. Figure 17 is an exploded perspective view of the driving side flange unit 369.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 16, the drive-side end of the drum 62 is provided with a drive-side flange member 75, a coupling member 364, and a first pressing member 59. The drive-side flange member 75 is fixed to the drum 62 by means of press-fitting, caulking, or other means. The supported portion 364b of the coupling member 364 is fitted and supported by the coupling support portion 75b of the drive-side flange member 75, allowing it to move in the direction of the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62. The first pressing member 59 is provided between the drive-side flange member 75 and the coupling member 364 and presses the coupling member 364 in the direction of arrow H301 with a pressing force F301. The coupling member 364 is provided with a drive-received portion (input coupling portion) 364a that engages with the drive transmission portion (output coupling portion) 81e (see FIG. 4) of the drive transmission member 81. The coupling member 364 also has a cylindrical portion 364g that surrounds the non-drive-side transmission portion 364a. The tip of the cylindrical portion is an inclined surface (inclined portion) 364g1. The inclined surface 364g1 is located farther from the axis Q2 than the drive transmitted portion 364a, and has a tapered shape that opens outward in the longitudinal direction.

[0131] The coupling member 364 is provided with a groove-shaped drive transmission portion pair 364c recessed from the supported portion 364b. Meanwhile, the coupling support portion 75b of the driving side flange member 75 is provided with a convex drive transmission portion pair 75c that intrudes into the drive transmission portion pair 364c. As a result, the drive transmission portion pair 364c comes into contact with the drive transmission portion pair 75c, thereby transmitting driving force from the coupling member 364 to the driving side flange member 75.

[0132] Next, the cleaning unit 60 including the driving side flange unit 369 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0133] FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view for explaining the configuration of the drive side of the cleaning unit 60 according to this embodiment.

[0134] 18, the side member 376 is provided with a cylindrical inner peripheral surface 376a that supports the coupling member 364, a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 376b that supports the cam member 70 (described later), and a protrusion 376c that protrudes outward from the cylindrical outer peripheral surface. In addition, a lever member (operating member) 12 and a cam member 70 are provided between the driving side flange unit 369 and the side member 376.

[0135] The lever member 12 is composed of an abutting portion 12a provided on one end, an engaged portion 12b provided on the other end, and a sliding portion 12c connecting the abutting portion 12a and the engaged portion 12b. The cam member 70 is a ring-shaped member having a supported portion 70e which is a cylindrical inner peripheral surface. The cam member 70 is also provided with an inner end surface 70c on the inside in the longitudinal direction, a first surface 70a on the outside in the longitudinal direction, a second surface 70d which is parallel to the first surface 70a and recessed longitudinally inward relative to the first surface 70a, and an inclined surface 70b which smoothly connects the first surface 70a and the second surface 70d.

[0136] The lever member 12 is disposed so that the slidable portion 12c is positioned between slide ribs 371g provided on the cleaning frame 371, and is supported so as to be movable in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2 relative to the cleaning frame 371. One of the advancing and retracting cam members 70 has a supported portion 70e fitted into a cylindrical outer circumferential portion 376b of the side member 376, and is supported so as to be rotatable and movable in the direction of axis Q2 relative to the side member 376.

[0137] Next, the coupled operation of the lever member 12, the cam member 70, and the coupling member 376 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0138] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of the coupled operation of the lever member 12 and the coupling member 364.

[0139] First, the engaged portion 12b provided on one end of the lever member 12 engages with the lever member engaging portion 70a of the advancing / retreating cam member 70. This connects the movement of the lever member 12 in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2 with the rotation of the cam member 70. The lever member 12 is an operating member that is operated to move the coupling member 364 forward and backward in the axial direction.

[0140] When the user moves the lever member 12 in the direction of arrow Y1, the following occurs. As a result of the movement of the lever member 12 in the direction of arrow Y1, the cam member 70 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 18(a) (clockwise in FIG. 18(b)). As a result, the portion of the cam member that abuts against the protrusion 376c of the side member 376 moves from the first surface 70a to the second surface 70d via the inclined surface 70b. Accordingly, the cam member 70 moves in the direction of arrow Z1 together with the coupling member 364 while utilizing the biasing force of the first pressing member 59 (see FIG. 16).

[0141] Conversely, when the user moves the lever member 12 in the direction of arrow Y2, which is opposite to the direction of arrow Y1, the cam member 70 rotates in the opposite direction to the above, and the coupling member 364 moves in the direction of arrow Z2 against the biasing force of the first pressing member. In other words, the coupling member 364 moves toward the outside of the photosensitive drum, i.e., in the direction in which the tip of the coupling member 364 moves away from the photosensitive drum.

[0142] As described above, the movement of the lever member 12 in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2 and the movement of the coupling member 364 in the directions of the arrows Z1 and Z2 are linked via the cam member 70.

[0143] The cleaning unit 60 including the above-described configuration is mounted in the main assembly A of the apparatus, and the configuration for coupling the drive transmission member 81 and the coupling member 364 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0144] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing how the coupling member 364 is connected to the drive transmission member 81. As shown in FIG.

[0145] First, before mounting the cartridge B in the apparatus main assembly A, the lever member 12 is moved in the direction of arrow Y2. Then, as described above, the coupling member 364 moves in the direction of arrow Z2. When the cartridge B is mounted in the apparatus main assembly A in this state, the coupling member 364 takes a position spaced apart from the drive transmission member 81 in the longitudinal direction, as shown in FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b). At this time, the large gear is inclined in the direction of arrow N1, as in the previous embodiment. When the lever member 12 is moved in the direction of arrow Y1 from this state, the coupling member 364 moves in the direction of arrow Z1 shown in FIG. 18. As a result, the inclined surface 364 approaches the inclined surface 81h of the drive transmission member 81, as shown in FIGS. 20(c) and 20(d). Then, the inclined surface 364 of the coupling member 364 comes into contact with the inclined surface 81h of the drive transmission member 81, thereby reducing the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81. 20(e) and (f), the inclined surface 364g1 enters the slit portion 81g of the drive transmission member 81 while decreasing the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81. Eventually, the recess 81e of the drive transmission member 81 and the drive transmitted portion 364a engage with each other (see FIGS. 20(e) and (f)).

[0146] Conversely, when removing the cartridge B from the main assembly A of the apparatus, the lever member 12 is moved in the direction of the arrow Y2. This causes the coupling member 364 to move in the direction of the arrow Z2, disengaging from the drive transmission unit and ultimately returning to the state shown in Figures 20(a) and 20(b). This allows the cartridge B to be removed from the main assembly A of the apparatus.

[0147] As described above, according to this embodiment, by moving the coupling member 364 in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) via the lever member 12, the engagement between the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main body A and the coupling member 364 can be freely connected and disconnected.

[0148] In this embodiment, the lever member 12 is moved by a user's operation, but a biasing member such as a spring may be provided to bias the lever member 12 so that it moves in the direction of the arrow Y2. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 21, the opening and closing door 13 of the apparatus main body A may be provided with a portion (cartridge pressing member 1) that moves the lever member 12 in the direction of the arrow Y1.

[0149] In Figure 21, the cartridge pressing member 1, which moves in conjunction with the opening / closing door 13, presses not only the cartridge but also the lever member 12 as the opening / closing door 13 closes. Accordingly, the lever member 12 moves in the direction of arrow Y2 relative to the cartridge frame. With this configuration, the user does not need to operate the lever member 12 when installing or removing the cartridge B, thereby improving usability.

[0150] The configuration of the cartridge B of this embodiment can be summarized as follows.

[0151] In this embodiment, a coupling member (engagement member, movable member, advancing / retreating member) 364 that can be coupled to the drive transmission member 81 can move back and forth in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. That is, as shown in FIG. 20 , the coupling member 364 can move between a position where it is retracted toward the inside of the photosensitive drum 62 and a position where it is advanced toward the outside of the photosensitive drum 62. Note that in this embodiment, the coupling member 364 moves linearly parallel to the axis of the photosensitive drum, but this is not necessarily the case. If the direction of movement of the coupling member 364 has an axial component, the coupling member 364 can be considered to move in the axial direction.

[0152] The coupling member 364 and the photosensitive drum 62 are each part of a drum unit.

[0153] The coupling member 364 has a cylindrical portion 364g in addition to the protrusion serving as the drive transmission portion (input coupling portion) 364a, and has an inclined surface (inclined portion) 364g1 near the tip of the cylindrical portion 364g (see FIG. 17(a)). When the coupling member 364 moves back and forth, this inclined portion 364g1 moves in the axial direction (the directions of arrows z1 and z2 in FIG. 17(a)) together with the drive transmission portion 364a. In other words, the inclined portion 364g1 and the drive transmission portion 364a move integrally.

[0154] Therefore, when the coupling member 364 moves from the retracted position to the advanced position, the inclined portion 364g1 advances together with the drive transmitted portion 364a toward the outside of the photosensitive drum, that is, in a direction approaching the drive transmission member 81. As this movement occurs, the inclined portion 364g1 comes into contact with the drive transmission member 81, reducing the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 (see Figures 20(c), (d), (e), and (f)). This allows the recess 81e of the drive transmission member 81 to reliably engage with the drive transmitted portion 364a of the coupling member 364.

[0155] In this embodiment, the inclined portion 364g1 for reducing the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 is arranged circumferentially so as to surround the entire periphery of the drive transmitted portion 364a (see FIG. 17(a)). In other words, the coupling member 364 has a cylindrical portion 364g that surrounds the drive transmitted portion (drive input portion, driving force receiving portion), and has the inclined portion 364g1 near the tip of this cylindrical portion 364g. Therefore, the inclined portion 364g1 always comes into contact with the drive transmission member 81 regardless of the phase of the coupling member 364.

[0156] However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and a configuration in which the inclined portion 364g1 is disposed only in a specific portion is also possible. For example, if the coupling member 364 is held at a predetermined phase when the coupling member 364 is stopped, the inclined portion 364g1 can be disposed at a specific position where it can come into contact with the drive transmission member 81.

[0157] In this embodiment, the inclined portion 364g1 is positioned so as to overlap the drive transmission portion 364a in the axial direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 16A, when the inclined portion 364g1 and the drive transmission portion 364a are projected onto a line parallel to the axis Q2, a projection area U1 of the inclined portion 364g1 and a projection area U2 of the drive transmission portion 364a at least partially overlap. However, as in the first embodiment, the inclined portion 364a1 of this embodiment may be positioned further outward in the axial direction than the drive transmission portion 364a (toward the arrow z1 shown in FIG. 16A). That is, the inclined portion 364g1 may be positioned farther from the non-drive-side end 62z2 of the photosensitive drum 62 than the drive transmission portion 364a.

[0158] The cartridge B further has a lever member as an operating member for moving the coupling member 364. The end of the lever member 12 protrudes toward the rear of the cartridge (FIG. 21). When the lever member 12 receives an external force at the rear of the cartridge B, the lever member 12 moves toward the front of the cartridge. As a result of this movement, the coupling member 364 moves from the retracted position to the advanced position.

[0159] The configuration of this embodiment can be summarized as follows.

[0160] The image forming apparatus main body A includes a drive transmission member (drive output member) 81 that is tiltable and capable of outputting a drive force (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0161] On the other hand, the cartridge has a photosensitive drum 62 and a coupling member 364 (see FIGS. 3 and 18).

[0162] The coupling member 364 is a drive input member located near the drive-side end (first end) of the photosensitive drum and connected to the photosensitive drum so as to be able to transmit a drive force to the photosensitive drum. The coupling member 364 is also a movable member that is movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum (see FIG. 19).

[0163] The coupling member 364 has a drive transmitted portion (driving force receiving portion, engaging portion) 364e (FIG. 17(a)) that receives the driving force by engaging with a recess (output coupling portion) 81e (FIG. 4) provided at the tip of the drive transmission member 81. The coupling member 364 is an engaging member that can engage with the drive transmission member 81.

[0164] The drive transmitted portion 364e is a protrusion having a shape corresponding to the recess 81e (FIG. 17(a)). The drive transmitted portion 364e is disposed along the axis Q2 of the coupling member 364 and the photosensitive drum 62. In other words, the drive transmitted portion 364e is located on the axis Q2.

[0165] The coupling member 364 also has an inclined portion 364g1. The inclined portion 364g1 is a member that can move integrally with the drive transmitted portion 364e. That is, when the coupling member 364 moves in the axial directions Z1 and Z2, the drive transmitted portion 364e and the inclined portion 364e move together in the axial directions Z1 and Z2 (see FIG. 19). Similarly, when the coupling member 364 is driven to rotate, the inclined portion 364g1 and the drive transmitted portion 364e rotate together.

[0166] In this embodiment, the inclined portion 364g1 is disposed on the edge of the cylindrical portion 364g.

[0167] The inclined portion 364e is positioned farther away from the axis of the coupling member 364 than the drive-receiving portion 364e (FIGS. 16 and 17(a)).

[0168] When the coupling member 364 moves toward the drive transmission member 81, the inclined portion 364g1 comes into contact with the drive transmission member 81, thereby reducing the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81. This allows the drive transmitted portion 364e to enter the recess 81e of the drive transmission member 81 (see FIG. 20). In other words, the coupling member 364 of the cartridge is now connectable to the drive transmission member 81.

[0169] In order to change the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81, the inclined portion 364g of the coupling member 364 is configured as follows. When the distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum to the inclined portion 364g is measured in a direction perpendicular to the axis, the distance increases (becomes longer) as the distance increases from the non-drive side. As shown in FIG. 16, the left side of the inclined portion 364g1 is located farther from the axis Q2 than the right side of the inclined portion 364g1. Here, the left side of FIG. 16 is the drive side of the cartridge, and the right side is the non-drive side of the cartridge.

[0170] That is, the inclined portion 364g1 becomes farther from the axis Q2 as it becomes farther from the end (second end) 62z2 on the non-drive side of the photosensitive drum 62 (see FIG. 16).

[0171] In this embodiment, the coupling member 364 can also be considered as a pressing member (biasing member) on the cartridge side that presses and biases the drive transmission member 81 with the inclined portion 364g1, thereby reducing the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81.

[0172] The coupling member 364 previously served two roles: as a drive input member that receives driving force from the drive output member 81, and as a pressing member that presses the drive output member 81. However, the coupling member 364 does not necessarily have to serve these two roles; for example, it may be configured so that it only serves as a pressing member. In that case, a separate drive input member may be provided in the cartridge. That is, as described above with reference to Figure 15 and other figures, the cartridge B may have a gear member 187 that can mesh with the gear portion 81f (see Figure 4) provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drive output member 81. The method of connecting this gear member 187 to the photosensitive drum 62 so as to be able to transmit drive power is as described above with reference to Figure 22 and other figures.

[0173] In this embodiment, when the cartridge is provided with the gear member 187, the gear member 187 does not need to be movable in a direction perpendicular to its axis. This is because the drive output member 81 reduces its inclination angle by coming into contact with the inclined portion 364g1, and it is sufficient to position the gear member 187 at a position where it can mesh with the drive output member 81 in that state.

[0174] In addition, when the photosensitive drum 62 is rotated by the driving force received by the gear member 187, the drive transmitted portion 364e of the coupling member 364 does not need to receive the driving force from the drive transmission member 81. In other words, it is possible to eliminate the drive transmitted portion 364e from the coupling member 364 serving as a pressing member. However, the drive transmitted portion 364e also serves as an engaging portion that positions the drive transmission member 81 relative to the cartridge by engaging with a recess 81e (see FIG. 4) of the drive transmission member 81. Therefore, it is preferable that the coupling member 364 serving as a pressing member has the drive transmitted portion 364e as an engaging portion. In order to make the drive transmitted portion 364e a simple engaging portion that engages with the drive transmission member 81 but does not receive the driving force, it is preferable to change the shape of the driven engaging portion 364e. For example, if the shape of the drive transmitted portion 364e is changed to a cylindrical protrusion, the drive transmitted portion 364e becomes merely an engaging portion that does not receive the driving force even when engaged with the recess 81e of the drive transmission member 81.

[0175] It is also possible to consider a configuration in which the cartridge has both the coupling member 364 and the gear member 187 as the drive input member.

[0176] Example 4 In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the drive transmission member (drive output member) 481 and the coupling member 464 are engaged by pressing down a pressing member (main body side pressing member, main body side biasing member) 402, which is a member that tilts the drive transmission member (drive output member) 481.

[0177] Figure 23(a) is a perspective view of the cartridge in this embodiment. Figures 23(b) and 24 are enlarged views of the vicinity of the coupling member 464 in Figure 23. Figure 24(a) shows a state in which the lever member 412 has been moved to the maximum in the direction of arrow Y2. Figure 24(b) shows the position of the lever member 412 when it is moved in the direction of arrow Y1 from this position, and Figure 24(c) shows the position of the lever member 412 when it is moved further in the direction of arrow Y1 until it hits the wall.

[0178] 18 in the previously described embodiment, the movements of the lever member 412 and the coupling member 464 are linked. In other words, when the lever member 412 is moved in the direction of arrow Y1, the coupling member 464 moves in the direction of arrow Z1, and when the lever member 412 is moved in the direction of arrow Y2, the coupling member 464 moves in the direction of arrow Z2. In addition, a chamfered portion (inclined portion) 464a is provided at the tip of the coupling member 464.

[0179] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lever member 412 and the push-down member (cartridge-side pushing member, cartridge-side biasing member) 402 also operate in conjunction with each other. As shown in FIG. 23(b), a circumferential slit 476a is formed in the side member 476, centered on the rotation axis Q2 of the drum, and the push-down member 402 is attached therein so as to be rotatable along the slit 476a. The push-down member 402 is biased in the direction of arrow G4 by a spring (not shown). Meanwhile, the lever member 412 is provided with a guide portion 412a, which abuts against a first guided portion 402a of the push-down member 402.

[0180] Here, the lever member 412 is moved in the direction of arrow Y1 from the state shown in FIG. 24(a). Because the push-down member 402 is biased in the direction of arrow G4, the first guided portion 402a receives a contact force F41. Because the first guided portion 402a has a tapered surface, the contact force F41 has a component force F41a in the direction of arrow Z1. As a result, the push-down member 402 moves in the direction of arrow Z1 with the first guided portion 402a guided by the guiding portion 412a of the lever member 412. As a result, the state shown in FIG. 24(b) is reached. At this timing, the coupling member 464 has not moved from the position shown in FIG. 24(a).

[0181] When the lever member 412 is further moved in the direction of arrow Y1, the second guided portion 402b receives a contact force F42. Unlike the first guided portion 402a, the second guided portion 402b does not have a tapered surface, and therefore the contact force F42 does not have a component in the direction of arrow Z1. As a result, the guiding portion 412a of the lever member 412 guides the second guided portion 402b of the push-down member 402, and the push-down member 402 rotates in the direction of arrow C40 around the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62 along the slit 476a.

[0182] Simultaneously with or after the movement of push-down member 402 in the C40 direction, coupling member 464 moves in the direction of arrow Z1 by a mechanism similar to that of the previously described embodiment, resulting in the state shown in Figure 24(c). As in this embodiment, by guiding coupling member 464 with cam member 70 (see Figure 18) and guiding push-down member 402 with lever member 412, coupling member 464 and push-down member 402 can each be operated at any desired timing.

[0183] Next, the configuration of the drive transmission member 481 according to this embodiment will be described. Figures 85 and 25(a) are side views showing the external appearance of the drive transmission section of the apparatus main body A in this embodiment, and Figure 25(c) is a cross-sectional view showing the support configuration of the drive transmission member 481 inside the cover member 401. As shown in Figure 85, in this embodiment, the drive transmission member 481 is partially covered with the cover member 401. This is to protect the drive transmission member 481 by preventing the user from touching it.

[0184] As shown in FIG. 25(c), similar to the previous embodiment, the pressing member 484 is biased in the direction of arrow E40 around the rotation axis 484a by a biasing spring (not shown). Therefore, the drive transmission member 481 is pressed by the pressing member 484 with a contact force F40 and is tilted in the direction of arrow B40. As shown in FIG. 25(a), in this embodiment, the drive transmission member 481 is covered by a cover member 401. The cover member 401 has three cutouts: 401a, 401b, and 401c. This is to expose a portion of the drive transmission member 481 from the cover member 401. In other words, the portion of the drive transmission member 481 necessary for the drive transmission member 481 to function is exposed from the cover member 401.

[0185] Next, the engagement operation between the drive transmission member 481 and the coupling member 464 will be described. Figure 25 shows the state immediately after cartridge B is mounted in the main assembly A of the apparatus. For simplicity, Figures 25(a) and 25(c) show only the push-down member 412 of cartridge B. Also, Figure 25(b) shows only the push-down member 402 and the pressing member 484. In this state, as described above, the drive transmission member 481 is inclined in the direction of arrow B40, and the drive transmission portion 481e, which is a recessed shape provided at the tip, is misaligned by the amount of misalignment W41 with respect to the axis Q2 of the drum 62. In this embodiment, as described in the previous embodiment, the door 13 is equipped with a mechanism for pressing the lever member 412. In FIG. 21, the lever member 12 pressed by the pressing member 1 of the door 13 corresponds to the lever member 412 in this embodiment. When the door 13 is operated and the lever member 412 of the cartridge B is moved in the direction of arrow Y1 as described with reference to FIG. 24, the push-down member 402 moves in the direction of arrow Z1. As shown in FIG. 25(b), when the push-down member 402 moves in the direction of arrow Z1, the tip 402c comes into contact with the end 484b of the pressing member 484. Because the tip 402c of the push-down member 402 has a tapered shape, the pressing member 484 rotates around the axis 484a in the direction of arrow E41 shown in FIG. 25(c), reaching the state shown in FIG. 26(b). As a result, the drive transmission member 481 is tilted in the direction of arrow B41 by a misalignment amount W42 as shown in FIG. 26(a).

[0186] When the door 13 is further closed, the lever member 412 moves further in the direction of arrow Y1 (see FIG. 24), and the push-down member 402 rotates in the direction of arrow C40 around the drum axis Q2. Therefore, the pressing member 484 further rotates in the direction of arrow E41, reaching the state shown in FIG. 27(b). As a result, the drive transmission member 481 is tilted in the direction of arrow B42 by a misalignment amount W43, as shown in FIG. 27. At this time, the coupling member simultaneously moves in the direction of arrow Z1 (see FIG. 24) and comes into contact with the chamfered portion 464a, as shown in FIG. 28(a). When the coupling member 464 moves further in the direction of arrow Z1, the coupling member 464 is inserted into and engaged with the drive transmission portion (output coupling portion, recess) 481e of the drive transmission member 481, as shown in FIG. 28(b).

[0187] In this embodiment, the press-down member 402 performs a combination of a linear movement as a first movement and a rotational movement as a second movement. However, these movements are not limited to the configuration described in this embodiment, and may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, it is not necessary to perform both linear and rotational movements. It is sufficient to be able to press down the pressing member 484 (rotate in the direction of arrow E41). For example, by making the tapered shape 402c large as shown in FIG. 29, the pressing member 484 can be pressed down by just the back-and-forth movement in the Z1 direction.

[0188] For example, by adopting a configuration as shown in FIG. 30, an acting member 404 can be advanced (moved in the Z41 direction), elevated (moved in the X41 direction), and descended (moved in the X42 direction) relative to a guide rail 403, which is a fixed member. In this example, a slit portion 404a of the acting member 404 is guided by a rail portion 403 of the guide rail 403. A guided boss 404b of the acting member 404 is guided by a cam groove 405a of a slide guide 405. A bottom portion 404c of the acting member 404 is guided by a top surface 405b of the slide guide 405. By freely combining this mechanism, the push-down member 402 can be made to move in a crank-like manner, such as advanced, elevated, advanced, and descended, as shown in FIG. 31. This allows the pressing member 404 to be depressed while avoiding the cover member 401, even without providing a tapered shape at the tip.

[0189] Below, we will explain an example of a cartridge that can press down the pressing member 484 using the configuration shown in Figure 30 with only a linear movement. Figure 86(a) is a perspective view of a cartridge having this mechanism, and Figure 86(b) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the coupling member 464. As shown in Figure 86(b), a side member 476 is provided with a retaining hole 476b, within which a pressing member 414 is supported so as to be movable in the directions of arrows X41, X42, Z1, and Z2. The pressing member 414 is biased in the direction of arrow Z2 by a spring (not shown). Meanwhile, a lever member 413 is attached to the cartridge B so as to be slidable in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2. The lever member 413 is provided with a guide rib 413a, which is a cam for moving the pressing member 414 in the directions of arrows Z1 and Z2, and a guide slit 413b, which is a cam for moving the pressing member 414 in the directions of arrows X41 and X42. Next, using Figures 87 and 88, we will explain how the push-down member 414 operates to push down the pressing member 484. Figures 87(a) to 87(e) show the movement of the push-down member 414 over time as the lever member 413 is gradually slid in the direction of arrow Y1. Figures 88(a) to 88(e) are cross-sectional views corresponding to Figures 87(a) to 87(e), respectively. When the lever member 413 is slid in the direction of arrow Y1 from the state shown in Figures 87(a) and 88(a), the push-down member 414 is guided by the guide rib 413a and moves in the direction of arrow Z1, passing under the cover member 401. This then leads to the state shown in Figures 87(b) and 88(b). When lever member 413 is further slid in the direction of arrow Y1 from here, push-down member 414 is guided by guide slit 413b and moves in the direction of arrow X41, reaching the state shown in Figures 87(c) and 88(c). When lever member 413 is further slid in the direction of arrow Y1, push-down member 414 is guided by guide rib 413a and moves in the direction of arrow Z1, climbing onto pressing member 484, and reaching the state shown in Figures 87(d) and 88(d).When lever member 413 is further slid in the direction of arrow Y1, push-down member 414 is guided by guide slit 413b and moves in the direction of arrow X42, pushing down pressing member 484 and reaching the state shown in Figure 87(e) and Figure 88(e).

[0190] Finally, the present embodiment can be summarized as follows.

[0191] The image forming apparatus main body includes a drive transmission member (drive output member) 481 configured to output a driving force, and a pressing member (biasing member, main body side pressing member) 484 that biases the drive transmission member to incline the drive transmission member (Figure 25(a)).

[0192] Cartridge B has a photosensitive drum 62 and a pressing member (biasing member) 402, which is a cartridge-side pressing member configured to press the apparatus main body-side pressing member (see FIGS. 2(a) and 23). The photosensitive drum 62 is disposed at the front of the cartridge, and a portion of it is exposed. The front of cartridge B is the left side in FIG. 2(a) and the right side in FIG. 23(a).

[0193] The push-down member 402 is disposed in front of the cartridge together with the photosensitive drum 62 (see FIG. 23(a)). The push-down member 402 is disposed on the drive side of the cartridge in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 62. The drive side of the cartridge is the side indicated by arrow Z1 in FIG. 23, which is the side on which the coupling member 464 is disposed on the cartridge. In other words, the coupling member 464 and the push-down member 402 are disposed on the same side.

[0194] The cartridge-side push-down member 402 is configured to change the inclination angle of the drive transmission member by pressing and urging the apparatus body-side pressing member 484 (see FIGS. 27(a) and 28(b)).

[0195] That is, when the push-down member 402 acts on the pressing member 484 on the main body side of the apparatus, the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 481 relative to the photosensitive drum 62 becomes smaller (see FIG. 28(b)).

[0196] As the inclination angle decreases, the drive transmission member 481 becomes connectable to the cartridge. In this embodiment, a coupling member (engagement member) 464 is disposed near the end of the photosensitive drum (see FIG. 23). When this coupling member 464 advances toward the drive transmission member 481 in the axial direction of the cartridge, it engages with and connects to a recess (output coupling portion) 481e provided at the tip of the drive transmission member (see FIG. 28(b)). This connects the drive transmission member and the cartridge so that drive can be transmitted.

[0197] More specifically, the coupling member 464 moves in the axial direction from a retracted position (FIG. 28(a)) where it is retracted toward the inside of the photosensitive drum to an advanced position (FIG. 28(b)) where it advances toward the outside of the photosensitive drum. Note that the coupling member 464 does not necessarily have to move parallel to the axis of the photosensitive drum, nor does it necessarily have to move linearly. If the direction of movement of the coupling member 464 has an axial component, it can engage with the drive transmission member 481.

[0198] The means for connecting the drive transmission member 481 and the cartridge 60 so as to transmit drive power is not limited to the reciprocating coupling member 464. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, instead of the coupling member 464, a gear member 187 may be connected to the developing roller, and this gear member 187 may be connected to the drive transmission member 481 whose inclination angle is reduced by the push-down member 402. That is, the drive transmission member and cartridge B may also be connected so as to transmit drive power by providing a gear member on the cartridge that meshes with a gear portion provided on the outer periphery of the drive transmission member 481. The driving force received by this gear member 187 may be transmitted to the photosensitive drum 62 via other gears 39, 63 (see FIG. 22) provided inside the cartridge. In this case, the gear member of the cartridge serves as the drive input member. Furthermore, in this case, the gear member 187 (FIG. 15) does not need to be movable in a direction intersecting its axis. This is because the gear member 187 may be positioned so as to mesh with the drive transmission member 481 whose inclination angle is reduced.

[0199] If the cartridge has a gear member as a drive input member, the coupling member 464 does not need to receive drive force from the drive transmission member. The coupling member 464 may simply be an engaging member that engages with the drive transmission member 481, and this engaging member may not transmit drive force to the photosensitive drum 62. Alternatively, the coupling member 464 may be removed from the cartridge. However, it is preferable to have an engaging member that can engage with the drive transmission member 481 near the end of the photosensitive drum 62, because the drive transmission member can be positioned by the engaging member.

[0200] The cartridge may also have two drive input members, a gear member and a coupling member.

[0201] In this embodiment, the push-down member 402 is actuated when the lever member (operating member) 412 (FIG. 23(a)) receives an external force from outside the cartridge. That is, the lever member 412 protrudes from the frame (casing) of the cartridge at the rear of the cartridge (left side in FIG. 23). Therefore, like the lever member 12 shown in FIG. 21, the lever member 412 can come into contact with the pressing member 1 provided on the door 13 of the apparatus main body and receive an external force. This external force moves the end of the lever member 412 toward the front of the cartridge. As the lever member 412 moves, the push-down member 402 is actuated.

[0202] Furthermore, the lever member (operating member) 412 is an operating member for operating not only the push-down member 412 but also the coupling member 464.

[0203] Lever member 412 is configured to cause push-down member 402 to start operating before coupling member 464. After push-down member 402 reduces the inclination angle of drive transmission member 481, coupling member 464 can be coupled to drive transmission member 481.

[0204] In this embodiment, one lever member 412 operates both push-down member 402 and coupling member 464, but a lever member (operating member) may be provided for each of push-down member 412 and coupling member 464. For example, in an embodiment described later (see FIG. 63), a cartridge configuration having two operating members (lever members) 905, 812 is disclosed. Two operating members can be arranged in this manner.

[0205] It is desirable that the pressing member 402 performs a plurality of operations, including the following operations, so as to be able to press the pressing member of the device main body.

[0206] It is desirable that the push-down member 402 performs a first operation in which it moves in the axial direction Z1 (see FIG. 25(a)) of the photosensitive drum 62 and approaches the pressing member. In this case, the push-down member does not necessarily have to move parallel to the axial direction, nor does it necessarily have to move linearly. It is sufficient that the direction in which the push-down member 402 moves in the first operation has an axial component.

[0207] After this first operation, it is desirable for the push-down member 402 to perform a second operation in which it moves in a direction different from the direction Z1 (FIG. 25(a)) of the first operation. FIG. 26(b) shows an example in which the push-down member moves in the direction C40 that intersects with the axial direction. By combining multiple operations, the push-down member 402 can more easily move the pressing member 484 on the device main body side appropriately.

[0208] The push-down member 402, lever member 412, and the like shown in the embodiment of this publication may be separated from the cartridge and used as an attachment that can be attached to the image forming apparatus main body separately from the cartridge. An example of such an attachment will be described in the following embodiment 5.

[0209] <Example 5> Next, a configuration in which a removable attachment is used for the apparatus main body A to press down the pressing member 484 as in the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0210] The attachment is a unit that can be attached separately from the cartridge B. In this embodiment, the attachment is a member that acts on a drive transmission member provided in the main assembly A of the apparatus, and is attached to the main assembly A of the apparatus by the user.

[0211] 32 is a perspective view of the attachment member 502 in this embodiment. The attachment member 502 has a pressing surface 502a, and a damper gear 587 is rotatably attached to the attachment member 502. As in the first embodiment, the damper gear 587 has a predetermined rotation resistance.

[0212] 89 is a perspective view of the cartridge B in this embodiment. A protruding portion 504 is provided in the vicinity of the coupling member 464 of the cover member 576.

[0213] FIG. 33 shows a state in which the access door 13 of the apparatus main assembly A is open and the attachment member 502 is attached to the notch 401a of the cover member 401. As in FIG. 27(b) in the fourth embodiment, the pressing surface 502a of the attachment member 502 presses down the pressing member 484. In this state, because the access door 13 is open, the drive transmission member 481 maintains its tilted state in the direction of arrow B40 regardless of the position of the pressing member 484, as described above in the first embodiment. When cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main assembly A and the access door 13 is closed, the tilt of the drive transmission member 481 is released, and the gear portion 481f meshes with the gear portion 587a of the damper gear 587, as shown in FIG. 34. Furthermore, the protruding portion 504 provided on the cartridge B is disposed inside the notch 401c of the cover member 401.

[0214] Here, when drive is applied and the drive transmission member 481 rotates in the direction of arrow R, the meshing force F50 between the gear portions in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum causes the drive transmission member 481 to come into contact with the protruding portion 504 and assume a position approximately coaxial with the rotation axis Q2 of the drum. In other words, like the inclined rib 86 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 84), the protruding portion 504 is an inclined portion (contact portion) that is inclined so as to reduce the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 481 when it comes into contact with the drive transmission member 481.

[0215] As the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 481 decreases, the drive transmission member moves in the longitudinal direction, i.e., toward the front of the paper in Fig. 34, due to the thrust force (F3 in Fig. 9) generated by the meshing of the gears, as described in the first embodiment. As a result, the drive transmission portion 481e of the drive transmission member 481 and the coupling member 464 engage with each other.

[0216] In this embodiment, the protruding portion (inclined portion) 504 is provided in the cutout portion 401c of the cover member 401 to make the drive transmission member 481 substantially coaxial with the drum axis Q2, but this is not necessarily required. For example, as described in the fourth embodiment, a chamfered portion 464a (FIG. 28(a)) may be provided at the tip of the coupling member 464.

[0217] In this embodiment, the damper gear 587 is provided on the attachment member 502 to pull the drive transmission member 481 in the longitudinal direction relative to the coupling member 464, but this is not essential. It may also be provided on the cartridge B as shown in the first embodiment. Also, it may be located at the position of the notch 401c rather than the notch 401a of the cover member 401. In this case, the damper gear 587 may also be provided on the cartridge B, or the damper gear 587 may be provided on a new attachment separate from the attachment member 502.

[0218] When the damper gear 587 is provided on the cartridge B, it is not necessary to engage the drive transmission member 481 with the coupling member 464. It is also possible to drive the cartridge B by directly utilizing the driving force received by the damper gear 587. Alternatively, instead of providing a damper gear, a lever member 412 may be provided on the cartridge to move the coupling member 464 back and forth, as in the previous embodiment.

[0219] In this embodiment, the pressing surface 502a of the attachment corresponds to the pressing member 402 (see FIGS. 23 and 24) of the cartridge of the fourth embodiment. The pressing surface 502a is a contact portion configured to come into contact with the pressing member 484 and move the pressing member 484. The pressing surface 502a moves the pressing member 484 away from the drive transmission member 481 and fixes it in that position. As a result, the drive transmission member 481 is no longer pressed by the pressing member 484, or the pressing force is reduced, so the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 481 decreases. As a result, the drive transmission member 481 can be coupled to the cartridge so as to transmit drive force. In this embodiment, the pressing surface 502a is a fixed portion of the attachment; however, it is also possible to make the pressing surface 502a movable as long as it can come into contact with the pressing member 484 and move the pressing member 484.

[0220] It is also possible to configure the push-down surface 502a to move in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door 13 of the apparatus main body A, like the push-down member 402 of the fourth embodiment. In this case, it is preferable to change the push-down surface 502a to the push-down member 402 of the fourth embodiment, and to provide the lever member 412 and slit 476a described in the fourth embodiment on the attachment. In other words, the side member 476 (FIG. 23(b)) described in the fourth embodiment and the members supported thereby may be separated from the other parts of the cartridge and used as an attachment.

[0221] The following is one possible reason for changing the inclination of the drive transmission member using an attachment, as in this embodiment. As described above, depending on the cartridge configuration, inclining the drive transmission member when installing or removing the cartridge may make the cartridge installation or removal smoother. Therefore, the image forming apparatus main body employs a configuration that intentionally inclins the drive transmission member. In each of the above-described embodiments, the inclination of the drive transmission member is reduced as the cartridge is installed.

[0222] However, when cartridges of different configurations can be selectively installed in the image forming apparatus, tilting the drive transmission member when installing or removing the cartridge may not be necessary depending on the type of cartridge. Therefore, when only cartridges that do not particularly require tilting the drive transmission member are used, it may be desirable to eliminate the tilt of the drive transmission member or reduce the tilt angle. In such cases, the user can change the tilt angle of the drive transmission member by attaching an attachment such as that described in this embodiment to the image forming apparatus. After installing the attachment to the image forming apparatus, the user can then install the cartridge into the image forming apparatus.

[0223] It is preferable that the attachment be detachable from the device main body A. In other words, if the situation arises where tilting of the drive transmission member is required again, the user can simply detach the attachment and tilt the drive transmission member back to its original position.

[0224] The attachment shown in Fig. 32 and the cartridge shown in Fig. 89 are both mounting units that can be mounted to the apparatus main body. The attachment and cartridge are collectively called a mounting kit (mounting unit kit). The mounting kit is a kit consisting of multiple units that can be mounted to the image forming apparatus main body.

[0225] Example 6 Next, we will explain another embodiment in which a coupling is engaged using a removable attachment to the device main body A. In the above-mentioned embodiment 5, we introduced an attachment that acts on a pressing member on the main body side that presses the drive transmission member, but in this embodiment, we will introduce an attachment that acts directly on the drive transmission member.

[0226] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of an attachment member 602 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 35(a), the attachment member 602 is provided with a movable arm 603 that can rotate around an axis 602a, and a damper gear 687 is attached to the tip of the movable arm 603. As in the previously described embodiments, the damper gear 687 has a predetermined rotational resistance. A torsion coil spring 604 is attached to the axis 602a and biases the movable arm 603 in the direction of arrow A60. As shown in FIG. 35(c), the position of the movable arm 603 is determined by abutting against abutment portion 602b of the attachment member 602. As shown in FIG. 35(b), the movable arm 603, together with the damper gear 687 provided at the tip, can rotate in the direction of arrow A61 against the biasing force of the biasing spring 604.

[0227] That is, the damper gear 687 is supported by the movable arm 606 in an attachment so as to be movable, and the position of the axis of the damper gear 687 is configured to be movable.

[0228] 90 is a perspective view of the cartridge B in this embodiment. A protruding portion 605 is provided in the vicinity of the coupling member 464 of the cover member 676.

[0229] 36 shows a state in which the access door 13 is open and the attachment member 602 is attached to the apparatus main body A. As described above, when the access door 13 is open, the drive transmission member 481 maintains a state inclined in the direction of arrow B40. Therefore, when the attachment member 602 is attached, the damper gear 687 abuts against the gear portion 481f of the drive transmission member 481, and the movable arm 603 of the attachment member 602 is rotated in the direction of arrow A61. Meanwhile, the drive transmission member 481 receives a contact force F60 from the damper gear 687 due to the biasing force of the biasing spring 604. The biasing spring 604 is selected so that this contact force F60 is sufficiently greater than the contact force F61 that the drive transmission member receives from the pressing member 484.

[0230] Now, cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main body A, and the opening / closing door 13 is closed. In FIG. 36, the contact force F60 that the drive transmission member 481 receives from the damper gear 687 is greater than the contact force F61 that the drive transmission member 481 receives from the pressing member 484. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 37, the movable arm 603 rotates in the direction of arrow A60 until it abuts against the abutment portion 602b. As a result, the inclination of the drive transmission member 481 is released. That is, the damper gear 687 presses and biases the drive transmission member 481, thereby reducing the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 481. In this embodiment, the damper gear 687 is a pressing member (biasing member) that applies a force to the drive transmission member 481 to change the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 481. More specifically, the damper gear 687 reduces the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 481 relative to the photosensitive drum of the cartridge when the cartridge is installed.

[0231] Further, the protruding portion (inclined portion) 605 provided on the cartridge B is disposed inside the notch portion 401a of the cover member 401.

[0232] When drive is applied and drive transmission member 481 rotates in the direction of arrow R, meshing force F62 between the gear portions in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum causes drive transmission member 481 to come into contact with protruding portion 605 and assume a position approximately coaxial with drum rotation axis Q2. At the same time, as described in the first embodiment, meshing thrust force (F3 in FIG. 9) between the gears causes the drive transmission member to move in the longitudinal direction, i.e., toward the front of the page in FIG. 37. As a result, drive transmission portion 481e of drive transmission member 481 engages with coupling member 464.

[0233] In this embodiment, the protruding portion 605 is provided in the cutout portion 401a of the cover member 401 to make the drive transmission member 481 substantially coaxial with the drum axis Q2, but this is not necessarily required. For example, as described in the fourth embodiment, a chamfered portion 464a (FIG. 28(a)) may be provided at the tip of the coupling member 464.

[0234] In this embodiment, the damper gear 687 is provided on the attachment member 602 to pull the drive transmission member 481 in the longitudinal direction relative to the coupling member 464, but this is not necessarily required. As shown in Figure 38, the action portion 606a of the movable arm 606 may be brought into direct contact with the drive transmission member 481. In this case, the movable arm 606 serves as a pressing member that presses the drive transmission member 481.

[0235] This allows the drive transmission member 481 and the coupling member 464 to be engaged with each other by providing the damper gear 687 at another location or by moving the coupling member 464 back and forth, as explained in the previous embodiment.

[0236] For example, cartridge B shown in Figure 91 has a damper gear 687 and a protruding portion (inclined portion) 605 near the coupling member 464. Here, the damper gear 687 and the protruding portion 505 are provided at positions that are the same as the damper gear 587 and the protruding portion 504 shown in Figure 34 in the previously described embodiment when cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body A. Therefore, as in the previously described embodiment (see Figure 34), the meshing force F50 causes the drive transmission member 481 to come into contact with the protruding portion 605, and the drive transmission member 481 assumes a position that is approximately coaxial with the rotation axis Q2 of the drum.

[0237] At the same time, as described in the first embodiment, the meshing thrust force between the gears (F3 in FIG. 9) moves the drive transmission member in the longitudinal direction, i.e., toward the front side of the paper in FIG. 34. This allows the drive transmission member 481 to engage with the coupling member 464. Note that, although the acting portion 606a of the movable arm 606 is in contact with the gear portion 481f of the drive transmission member 481 in FIG. 38, the same effect can be obtained by abutting it against the cylindrical portion 481g.

[0238] As described above, in this embodiment, the user of the image forming apparatus first attaches the attachment member to the apparatus main body A, and then mounts the cartridge B in the apparatus main body A. This allows the attachment to assist in connecting the drive transmission member and the cartridge.

[0239] That is, the attachment can be used to change the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 481, or to move the drive transmission member 481 closer to the cartridge, thereby connecting the drive transmission member 481 to a coupling member or gear member provided on the cartridge, thereby transmitting drive force.

[0240] As shown in this embodiment, the structure used to connect the drive transmission member to the cartridge may be provided in the attachment rather than in the cartridge.

[0241] Example 7 A seventh embodiment will now be described. Note that in this embodiment, explanations of the same points as in the previous embodiments will be omitted. Among the elements disclosed in this embodiment, those corresponding to the members described in the previous embodiments will be given the same names as the members in the previous embodiments, and only the points that differ from those in the previous embodiments will be explained.

[0242] Figure 39 is a perspective view of the process cartridge B of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, a side member 801 is provided on the drive side of the cleaning unit 60, and the side member 801 is provided with a drive-side first positioning projection 801a and a drive-side second positioning projection 801b. Furthermore, a lever member 812 is provided as an operating member. A coupling member 864 is provided at one end of the drum 62 as a reciprocating member (movable member), and the end of the coupling member 864 is provided with a projection (drive-receiving portion 864a) that enters a recess in the drive transmission member 81 of the main assembly A of the apparatus to receive drive force.

[0243] On the other hand, a second lever member 825 is provided as a movable member on the non-drive side.

[0244] Figure 40 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the drive transmission part of the drum 62. As shown in the figure, the drive-side end is provided with a drive-side flange member 75, a coupling member 864, and a first pressing member 59. With this configuration, the coupling member 864 is pressed in the direction of the arrow H80 in the figure, and is movable in the direction opposite to the arrow H80 in the figure (see also Figures 16 and 17). 41 to 43, the structure for advancing and retreating the coupling member 864 will be described. Figures 41 to 43 are perspective views of the periphery of the side member 801. For ease of explanation, some parts are omitted from the drawings.

[0245] As shown in the figure, a lever member (operating member) 812 is attached to a rail portion 801k of a side member 801. A coil portion 820c of a first biasing member 820 is inserted into a fixed projection 801c of the side member 801, and a first biasing end 820a thereof abuts against a biased projection 812b of the lever member 812. A second biasing end 820b of the first biasing member 820 abuts against a wall surface 801m of the side member 801. With this configuration, the side member 801 is biased in the direction of arrow H81 shown in FIG. 43, and is supported so as to be movable in the direction of arrow H81 and the opposite direction.

[0246] Cam member 70 has its inner peripheral surface 70k slidably inserted into cylindrical outer peripheral surface 801d of side member 801. Lever member engaging portion 70a of cam member 70 engages with engaging hole 812c of lever member 812 and guide hole 801f of side member 801. With this configuration, cam member 70 is capable of rotational movement relative to cylindrical outer peripheral surface 801d in accordance with the movement of lever member 812.

[0247] The sliding cylindrical portion 864b of the coupling member 864 is slidably inserted into the sliding portion 801g of the side member 801.

[0248] The operation of the cam member 70 will be described with reference to Figures 43 and 44. A protrusion 801e is provided on the side member 801 (see Figure 41). The cam member 70 is also provided with first surfaces 70e (three locations) on the outer side in the longitudinal direction, second surfaces 70d (three locations) that are parallel to the first surfaces 70e and recessed more inward in the longitudinal direction than the first surfaces 70e, and inclined surfaces 70b (three locations) that smoothly connect the first surfaces 70e and the second surfaces 70d (see Figure 42).

[0249] Figure 43 shows the lever member 812 in its natural state (free state) when no external force is acting on it. The lever member 812 is biased in the direction of arrow H81 in the figure by the force of the first biasing member 820. At this time, the cam member 70 is in the phase shown in the figure. Because the coupling member 864 is biased in the direction of arrow H87 in the figure (see Figure 40), the first surface 70e of the cam member 70 is in contact with the protrusion 801e of the side member 801 while receiving a biasing force in the direction of arrow H87.

[0250] Figure 44 shows the state after lever member 812 has been pressed. As shown in the figure, when a force is applied to abutment portion 812a (see Figure 43) of lever member 812 in the direction of arrow H82 in the figure, lever member 812 moves in the direction of arrow H82 in the figure. In conjunction with this movement, cam member 70 rotates and changes phase, and second surface 70d abuts against protrusion 801e of side member 801. Therefore, cam member 70 moves in the direction of arrow H83 in the figure relative to its natural state (the state in Figure 43). As a result, coupling member 864 protrudes toward the drive side (the direction of arrow H83 in the figure).

[0251] When the external force acting on the lever member 812 is removed, the lever member 812 moves in the direction of arrow H81 in Figure 43 due to the biasing force of the first biasing member 820. As a result, the lever member 812 returns to its natural state, and the coupling member 864 moves to the non-drive side.

[0252] The configuration around second lever member 825 will be described with reference to Figures 45 and 46. Figures 45 and 46 are perspective views of the area around second lever member 825. Some parts have been omitted from the figures for ease of explanation.

[0253] As shown in the figure, second lever member 825 is provided with a contact portion 825a, a locking portion 825b, and a protrusion 825c. Cleaning frame 830, which serves as a first frame and rotatably supports drum 62, is provided with a frame protrusion 830c, a locking surface 830d, and a lever opening 830e.

[0254] As shown in Figure 46, second lever member 825 is attached in the direction of arrow H84 in the figure from lever opening 830e of cleaning frame 830. After attachment, as shown in Figure 45, locking portion 825b of second lever member 825 abuts on locking surface 830d of cleaning frame 830, preventing second lever member 825 from coming off. A second pressing member 831 is provided on protrusion 825c of second lever member 825 and frame protrusion 830c of cleaning frame 830. As a result, second lever member 825 is biased in the direction of arrow H88 in Figure 45, and is supported so as to be movable in the direction of arrow H88 and the opposite direction.

[0255] 47 to 58 will be used to explain how cartridge B is mounted in the apparatus main assembly A. Figures 47 to 58 are perspective views for explaining the mounting of cartridge B into the apparatus main assembly A. For ease of explanation, some parts have been omitted from the figures.

[0256] The structure for mounting the cartridge B to the apparatus main assembly A will be described with reference to Figures 47 and 48. Figures 47 and 48 are perspective views of the apparatus main assembly A with the opening and closing door 13 open.

[0257] 47, a drive-side side plate 850 is provided on the drive side of the apparatus main assembly A. The drive-side side plate 850 is provided with a drive-side first guide portion 850a and a drive-side second guide portion 850b, a drive-side first positioning portion 850c at the end of the drive-side first guide portion 850a, and a drive-side second positioning portion 850d at the end of the drive-side second guide portion 850b. On the other hand, a non-drive-side first positioning protrusion 830a and a non-drive-side second positioning protrusion 830b are provided on the non-drive side of the cartridge B.

[0258] As shown in Figure 48, a non-drive-side side plate 851 is provided on the non-drive side of the apparatus main assembly A. The non-drive-side side plate 851 is provided with a non-drive-side first guide portion 851a and a non-drive-side second guide portion 851b. A non-drive-side first positioning portion 851c is provided at the end of the non-drive-side first guide portion 851a, and a non-drive-side second positioning portion 851d is provided at the end of the non-drive-side second guide portion 851b. Meanwhile, a drive-side first positioning protrusion 801a and a drive-side second positioning protrusion 801b are provided on the drive side of the cartridge B.

[0259] The cartridge B is mounted in the apparatus main body A so that the drive-side first positioning protrusion 801a and the drive-side second positioning protrusion 801b of the cartridge B are aligned with the drive-side first guide portion 850a and the drive-side second guide portion 850b of the apparatus main body A. Similarly, the cartridge B is mounted so that the non-drive-side first positioning protrusion 830a and the non-drive-side second positioning protrusion 830b are aligned with the non-drive-side first guide portion 851a and the non-drive-side second guide portion 851b of the apparatus main body A, respectively.

[0260] When the cartridge B is mounted at a position for imaging (image formation) (see FIG. 57), the drive-side first positioning protrusion 801a and the drive-side second positioning protrusion 801b of the cartridge B are respectively positioned in the drive-side first positioning portion 850c and the drive-side second positioning portion 850d of the apparatus main body A. Similarly, the non-drive-side first positioning protrusion 830a and the non-drive-side second positioning protrusion 830b of the cartridge B are respectively positioned in the non-drive-side first positioning portion 851c and the non-drive-side second positioning portion 851d of the apparatus main body A.

[0261] Figure 49 shows the vicinity of the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main assembly A with the cartridge B attached. The positioned contact portion 801h of the cartridge B contacts the positioning contact portion 850e of the drive-side side plate 850, and the positions of the apparatus main assembly A and the cartridge B are determined.

[0262] Figure 50 shows the non-drive side of the apparatus main assembly A with cartridge B attached. As shown in the figure, the abutting portion 825a of the second lever member 825 of cartridge B abuts against the abutted portion 851e of the non-drive-side side plate 851. Therefore, the non-drive-side first positioning protrusion 830a and the non-drive-side second positioning protrusion 830b of cartridge B are not attached to the non-drive-side first positioning portion 851c and the non-drive-side second positioning portion 851d of the apparatus main assembly A, respectively.

[0263] This state, as viewed from above the main assembly A of the apparatus, is shown in Figure 51. As shown in the figure, the drive side of cartridge B has almost reached the rear side of the main assembly A of the apparatus. On the other hand, the non-drive side has not yet reached the rear side of the main assembly A of the apparatus. Therefore, the cartridge B is mounted in a state in which the rotation axis of the drum 62 is inclined with respect to the rotation axis of the drum 62 when cartridge B is mounted in the mounting position for image creation (image formation) in the main assembly A of the apparatus (see Figure 57).

[0264] The state around the drive transmission member 81 at this time is shown in Figure 52. In the figure, dashed line L80 indicates the direction of the rotation axis of the drum 62 when the cartridge B is mounted in the apparatus main body A at the position for image creation (image formation) (see Figure 57).

[0265] As shown in the figure, the drive transmission member 81 is inclined at an angle of Θ81° with respect to the dashed line L80 in the figure, and its tip end surface 81k (see also FIG. 4) is shifted in the direction of the arrow H89 in the figure. On the other hand, cartridge B is inclined at an angle of Θ82° with respect to the dashed line L80 in the figure, and the drive transmitted portion tip end surface 864c of its coupling member 864 is also shifted in the direction of the arrow H89 in the figure (see FIG. 39).

[0266] Figure 53 shows how the door 13 of the apparatus main assembly A is closed in this state. When the door 13 is closed in the direction of arrow H86 in the figure, the driving side cartridge pressing member 1 provided on the door abuts against the abutment portion 812a of the lever member 812. When the door 13 is further closed, the driving side cartridge pressing member 1 presses in the lever member 812. At this time, as described above, the coupling member 864 of cartridge B jumps out toward the driving side.

[0267] Figure 54 shows the state in which coupling member 864 protrudes toward the driving side. As described above, both tip surface 81k of drive transmission member 81 and tip surface 864c of the drive-received portion of coupling member 864 are misaligned in the direction of arrow H89 in the figure. This reduces the misalignment between drive-received portion 864a of coupling member 864 and drive transmission portion 81e of drive transmission member 81 (see also Figure 4) in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum (direction perpendicular to L80). As a result, protruding tip surface 864c of the drive-received portion enters drive transmission portion 81e.

[0268] The further closing of the opening / closing door 13 in this state will be described with reference to Figures 55 and 56. As shown in the figures, the cartridge pressing member 1 on the drive side fully presses the lever member 812. Meanwhile, the cartridge pressing member 1 on the non-drive side begins to press the pressing portion 830d of the cleaning member 830. When the opening / closing door 13 is further closed, the cartridge pressing member 1 on the drive side presses the non-drive side of the cartridge B. Figure 56 shows the state of the apparatus main body A and the non-drive side of the cartridge B at this time. When the cartridge B is pressed, a pressing force acts on the second lever member 825, which is in contact with the abutment portion 851e of the non-drive side side plate 851, causing the second pressing member 831 (see Figure 45) to contract, and the second lever member 825 to enter the cleaning frame 830. As a result, the non-drive side of the cartridge B is being attached to the apparatus main body A.

[0269] When the opening / closing door 13 is completely closed, the non-drive side first positioning protrusion 830a and the non-drive side second positioning protrusion 830b of the cartridge B are positioned at the non-drive side first positioning portion 851c and the non-drive side second positioning portion 851d of the apparatus main body A, respectively.

[0270] Meanwhile, as the door 13 is further closed from the state shown in Figure 55, the drive side end of the cartridge B is influenced by the operation of the non-drive side of the cartridge B and tilts in the direction of the arrow H90 shown in Figure 54. At this time, because the protruding drive transmitted portion tip surface 864c is in a state of entering the drive transmitting portion 81e, the drive transmitting member 81 also tilts in the direction of the arrow H90 together with the drive transmitting portion tip surface 864c.

[0271] In this way, when the door 13 is completely closed, the cartridge B is positioned at a position for image creation (image formation) relative to the apparatus main body A (see FIG. 57). When the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main body A is rotationally driven in this state, the drive transmission portion 81e of the drive transmission member 81 and the drive-received portion 864a of the coupling member 864 engage with each other, and the drive is transmitted to the cartridge B.

[0272] In this embodiment, the cartridge pressing member 1 of the device main body A is configured to press the cartridge B against the device main body A by receiving the pressing force of the pressing spring 19 of the device main body A when the opening / closing door 13 is closed, but the configuration is not necessarily limited to this.

[0273] At this time, if the drive transmitting portion 81e and the drive receiving portion 864a have the twisted uneven shape described above, the drive transmitting portion 81e and the drive receiving portion 864a will attract each other, thereby realizing stable drive transmission.

[0274] When removing cartridge B from the apparatus main body A, the above-mentioned operations are reversed. When the access door 13 is opened, the non-drive side of cartridge B is shifted from the image formation position by the action of the second lever member 825, resulting in the state shown in Figure 54. When the access door 13 is opened further, the lever member 812 returns, and the coupling member 864 is pulled toward cartridge B (the state shown in Figure 52). After the access door 13 is completely opened, cartridge B is removed.

[0275] 59, if a guide protrusion 864d having an outer shape smaller than that of the drive transmitted portion 864a is provided at the tip of the drive transmitted portion 864a of the coupling member 864, when the coupling member 864 is ejected, it will easily enter the drive transmitting portion 81e of the drive transmitting member 81. Furthermore, if an inclined portion 864e is provided at the tip of the guide protrusion 864d, it will become even easier to enter.

[0276] 60 to 62, a modified example in which the configuration of the lever member is partially changed will be described. As shown in the figures, a third lever member 813 and a fourth lever member 814 are provided on side member 801 so as to be movable in the direction of arrow H82 in the figures and in the opposite direction. Third lever member 813 and fourth lever member 814 correspond to a configuration in which first lever member 812 (see FIG. 41) is divided into two.

[0277] First biasing end 820a of first biasing member 820 abuts against biased protrusion 814b of fourth lever member 814. Second biasing member 815 is provided between third lever member 813 and fourth lever member 814, and both ends thereof abut against pressure receiving portion 813a of third lever member 813 and pressure receiving portion 814a of fourth lever member 814, respectively. Figure 60 shows third lever member 813 in its natural state where no external force is acting on it.

[0278] In this configuration, when the opening / closing door 13 of the apparatus main body A is closed, the third lever member 813 is pushed in by the cartridge pressing member 1 as described above.

[0279] When the third lever member 813 is pushed in the direction of the arrow H82 in the figure, the second biasing member 815 is compressed and the fourth lever member 814 is pushed in the direction of H82. Figure 61 shows the state in which the fourth lever member 814 is pushed in all the way and the cam member 70 has rotated all the way.

[0280] When the opening and closing door 13 is further closed from this state, the second biasing member (elastic member, spring) 815 is compressed by the amount that the third lever member 813 is pushed in, so that the movement of the opening and closing door 13 is not impeded.

[0281] This configuration increases the degree of freedom in designing the position of the third lever member 813 and the position of the cartridge pressing member 1 of the apparatus main body A. In other words, because the second urging member 815, which is an elastic member, is deformable, even if the relative positions or dimensions of the third lever member 813 and the apparatus main body A change, the change can be absorbed by the deformation of the second urging member 815.

[0282] In this way, it is also preferable to dispose an elastic member (second biasing member 815) between the operating member (lever member 813) for operating the coupling member (engagement member) 864 and the coupling member 864. The configuration in which an elastic member is disposed between the operating member and the object operated by the operating member can also be employed in the other embodiments described above and below.

[0283] In the above, the multiple lever members 812, 825, 813, and 314 are referred to as the first, second, third, and fourth lever members, respectively. When multiple lever members are referred to separately in this manner, they may be referred to as the first, second, third, and fourth lever members, for convenience, in no particular order. The same applies to the descriptions of other embodiments.

[0284] In this embodiment, the cartridge B is configured to receive a driving force by engaging the reciprocating coupling member 864 with the drive transmission member 81 of the main assembly A of the apparatus. However, as described above, the drive transmission member 81 has a gear portion (output gear portion) 81f (see FIG. 4). Therefore, if the cartridge B has a gear member that can engage with this gear portion 81f to receive the driving force, the cartridge B can also receive the driving force from the gear portion 81f provided on the outer periphery of the drive transmission member 81. An example of a gear that the cartridge B has is the gear 187 shown in FIG. 15, as described above. For example, the gear 187 is connected to the developing roller 32 so as to be capable of transmitting driving force. In addition, if the developing roller 32 and the photosensitive drum 62 are connected to each other by a gear train so as to be capable of transmitting driving force, as shown in FIG. 22, both the developing roller 32 and the photosensitive drum 62 can be driven by the driving force input from the gear portion 81f.

[0285] That is, in this embodiment, the coupling member 864 plays two roles by engaging with the drive transmission member 81: (1) reducing the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81, and (2) receiving the driving force from the drive transmission member 81. However, the former and latter roles do not necessarily have to be performed by a single member. The coupling member 864 may be changed to a configuration that is simply a reciprocating member or a simple engaging member that engages with the drive transmission member 81 but does not receive the driving force from the drive transmission member 81.

[0286] The configuration of this embodiment can be summarized as follows.

[0287] The apparatus main body A includes a drive transmission member (drive output member) 81 that is capable of outputting a driving force and is tiltable.

[0288] The cartridge includes the photosensitive drum 62, a coupling member (engagement member) 864, and a second lever member 825.

[0289] The second lever member 825 is a movable member movably supported on the frame (casing) of the cartridge, and acts as a positioning member for determining the position of the cartridge B inside the main assembly A of the apparatus by coming into contact with the main assembly A of the apparatus. The second lever member 825 is disposed in front of the cartridge B and on the non-drive side of the cartridge B. The second lever 825 protrudes toward the front of the cartridge and is movable so as to retract toward the rear of the cartridge. The second lever member is urged toward the protruding position (see Figure 39) by a second pressing member 831 (Figure 45), which is an elastic member (spring).

[0290] In Figure 51, the second lever member 825 determines the position of the cartridge B in a state in which the cartridge B is tilted relative to the apparatus main body A. On the other hand, in Figure 57, the second lever member 825 determines the position of the cartridge in a state in which the tilt angle of the cartridge B is reduced by retreating to the rear of the cartridge.

[0291] One of the positions of the cartridge B in Figures 51 and 57 may be referred to as the first cartridge position, and the other as the second cartridge position. Similarly, one of the positions of the second lever member in Figures 51 and 57 may be referred to as the first positioning member position, and the other as the second positioning member position.

[0292] The cartridge position shown in Figure 57 is the normal mounting position for image formation. Figure 51 shows cartridge B in a tilted position relative to the mounting position. That is, as second lever member 825 moves, cartridge B changes its tilt angle relative to the apparatus main body A.

[0293] The coupling member 864 is an engaging member that engages with the drive transmission member 81. The coupling member 864 is a movable member that is arranged in the vicinity of the end of the photosensitive drum, and together with the photosensitive drum 62, constitutes a drum unit.

[0294] 51, the coupling member 864 advances axially toward the drive transmission member 81, thereby contacting the drive transmission member 81 (see FIG. 54). In this state, when the second lever member 825 retreats to the rear of the cartridge, the cartridge B moves to the mounting position shown in FIG. 57. Accordingly, the drive transmission member 81 is moved by the coupling member 864 so as to change its inclination angle (see FIG. 58).

[0295] As a result, the drive transmission member 81 and the cartridge B reach the normal posture and position for image formation, and the two are coupled to each other so as to be able to transmit drive force.

[0296] The second lever member 825 protrudes forward of the cartridge and downstream in the cartridge mounting direction (see FIG. 39). In addition, the second lever member 825 can be retracted backward of the cartridge and upstream in the cartridge mounting direction by coming into contact with the apparatus main body A (see FIG. 57).

[0297] The cartridge B also has a first lever member 812 as an operating member for moving the coupling 864 forward and backward. Similar to the operating member of the other embodiments described above, a portion of the first lever member 812 protrudes from the rear of the cartridge (see FIG. 39). Therefore, when the door 13 (see FIG. 21) of the apparatus main body is closed, the first lever member 812 receives an external force from the door 13 and moves the coupling member 864 to the advanced position. The lever member 21 shown in FIG. 21 corresponds to the first lever member 812 in this embodiment.

[0298] As described above, the second lever member 825 is disposed on the non-driving side opposite to the driving side on which the coupling member 864 is disposed. However, it is also possible to dispose a movable positioning member for determining the position of the cartridge on the driving side. Such an example will be described later in Example 9.

[0299] In this embodiment, the cartridge is provided with a movable positioning member (second lever member 825) for determining the position of the cartridge inside the main assembly of the apparatus. However, the positioning member (second lever member 825) may be separated from the cartridge and used as an attachment that can be attached to the main assembly of the apparatus A separately from the cartridge. In this case, cartridge B is positioned by the positioning member of the attachment attached to the main assembly of the apparatus A. Furthermore, the position of the cartridge inside the main assembly of the apparatus A changes as the positioning member of the attachment moves.

[0300] Example 8 An eighth embodiment will now be described. Note that in this embodiment, explanations of the same points as in the previous embodiments will be omitted. Among the elements disclosed in this embodiment, those corresponding to the elements described in the previous embodiments will be given the same names as the members of the previous embodiments, and only the points that differ from those in the previous embodiments will be explained.

[0301] Figure 63 is a perspective view of the process cartridge B of this embodiment. A side member 901 is provided on the driving side of the cleaning unit 60, and the side member 901 is provided with a driving-side first positioning protrusion 901a and a driving-side second positioning protrusion 901b. Furthermore, a lever member 812, a third lever member 905, and an advancing / retracting member 920 are provided. The third lever member 905 is an operating member that is operated to operate the advancing / retracting member 920, as will be described in detail later.

[0302] A coupling member 864 is provided at the end of the drum 62, and a driven portion 864a is provided at the end of the coupling member 864, which receives drive from the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main body A. The configuration relating to the lever member 812 and the coupling member 864 is the same as in the seventh embodiment.

[0303] The configuration around the advancing / retreating member 920 will be described with reference to Figures 64 and 65. Figures 64 and 65 are perspective views of the area around the advancing / retreating member 920. For ease of explanation, some parts have been omitted from the figures.

[0304] As shown in the figure, sliding portion 915a of cam member 915 is slidably inserted into first slide portion 901f of side member 901. Third lever member 905 is slidably inserted into second slide portion 901c of side member 901. Engagement protrusion 905c of third lever member 905 engages with engagement hole 915d of cam member 915.

[0305] The advancing / retracting member 920 is slidably inserted into the third slide portion 901d of the side member 901 from the left side of the side member 901 in Figure 64. Furthermore, a cam pin 921 is press-fitted into a fixing hole 920a of the advancing / retracting member 920 and fixed via a through-hole 901h of the side member 901. The rear end of the cam pin 921 slidably fits into a cam groove 915b of the cam member 915 (see Figure 66).

[0306] A third biasing member 906 is mounted on a biasing member mounting portion 901e of the side member 901, and both ends thereof abut against an abutting wall 901g of the side member 901 and a biasing wall 905b of the third lever member 905, respectively.

[0307] With this configuration, third lever member 905 is supported so as to be movable in the direction of arrow H92 and the opposite direction while being biased in the direction of arrow H92 in Fig. 65. Furthermore, with this configuration, cam member 915 is supported so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow H91 in Fig. 65 in accordance with the movement of third lever member 905 in the direction of arrow H92 and the opposite direction.

[0308] 66 and 67, the operation of advancing / retreating member 920 and third lever member 905 will be described. Figures 66 and 67 are perspective views of advancing / retreating member 920 and third lever member 905. For ease of explanation, some parts are omitted from the figures.

[0309] 66 shows the third lever member 905 in its natural state (free state) when no external force is acting on it. The third lever member 905 is biased in the direction of arrow H92 in the figure by the force of the third biasing member 906. At this time, the cam member 915 and the advancing / retracting member 920 are in the phase shown in the figure, and the advancing / retracting member 920 is in the retracted position.

[0310] Figure 67 shows the state after third lever member 905 has been pressed. As shown in the figure, when a force is applied to abutment portion 905a of third lever member 905 in the direction of arrow H93, third lever member 905 moves in the direction of arrow H93. In conjunction with this movement, cam member 915 rotates and moves in the direction of arrow H94.

[0311] The advancing / retreating member 920 is engaged with the cam member 915 via the cam pin 921, but as shown in Figures 64 and 65, it cannot move in the direction of the arrow H91 in Figure 65. Therefore, as shown in Figure 67, as the cam member 915 rotates and moves in the direction of the arrow H94 in the figure, the cam pin 921 slides in the cam groove 915b, and the advancing / retreating member 920 moves in the direction of the arrow H95 in the figure, and then moves to the advanced position.

[0312] Figure 68 shows the state in which the door 13 of the apparatus main body A is opened and the cartridge B is attached to the position for image formation. In the figure, L91 is the direction of the rotation axis of the drum 62 of the cartridge B when it is in the position for image formation.

[0313] As shown in the figure, the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main body A is inclined at Θ91° with respect to L9.

[0314] Figure 69 shows how the door 13 of the apparatus main body A is closed in this state. When the door 13 is closed in the direction of arrow H96 in the figure, the cartridge pressing portion 13a provided on the door 13 comes into contact with the abutment portion 905a of the third lever member 905. When the door 13 is further closed, the cartridge pressing portion 13a presses the third lever member 905. At this time, as described above, the advancing / retracting member 920 of the cartridge B moves to the advanced position and jumps out to the drive side (see Figure 70).

[0315] Figure 71 shows the state in which the coupling member 864 moves toward the drive side. As the opening / closing door 13 is closed, the third lever member 905 is pressed, and the advancing / retracting member 920 moves in the direction of arrow H97 as shown in the figure. At this time, the inclined portion 920b of the advancing / retracting member 920 abuts against the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main body A. As the advancing / retracting member 920 moves further, the inclined portion 920b presses against the drive transmission member 81, and the drive transmission member 81 moves inclined in the direction of arrow H98 in the figure, decreasing Θ91. Then, as shown in Figure 72, the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81 becomes nearly coaxial with L91.

[0316] 73 shows how the door 13 is further closed. As shown in the figure, when the third lever member 905 is pressed and the drive transmission member 81 approaches the same axis as the rotation axis L91, the cartridge pressing member 1 provided on the door 13 begins to press the lever member 812. When the lever member 812 is pressed, the coupling member 864 of the cartridge B jumps out to the drive side as described in the seventh embodiment.

[0317] FIG. 74 shows the vicinity of the drive transmission member 81 when the door 13 is completely closed.

[0318] As shown in the figure, the driven transmission portion 864a of the coupling member 864 projects toward the drive transmission member 81, which is substantially coaxial with L91, and the driven transmission portion tip surface 864c (FIG. 40) enters the drive transmission portion 81e (see FIG. 4). Alternatively, the driven transmission portion tip surface 864c comes into contact with the tip surface 81k (see FIG. 4).

[0319] When the drive transmission member 81 of the main body A of the apparatus is driven to rotate with the tip surface 864c of the driven transmission portion inserted into the drive transmission portion 81e, the drive transmission portion 81e of the drive transmission member 81 engages with the driven transmission portion 864a of the coupling member 864, and the drive is transmitted to the cartridge B.

[0320] First, the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main assembly A is driven to rotate with the drive transmitted portion tip surface 864c in contact with the tip surface 81k. When the engagement phase of the drive transmission portion 81e of the drive transmission member 81 and the drive transmitted portion 864a of the coupling member 864 is aligned, the drive transmitted portion tip surface 864c enters the drive transmission portion 81e. When the drive transmission member 81 is driven to rotate further, the drive transmission portion 81e and the drive transmitted portion 864a engage with each other, and the drive is transmitted to the cartridge B.

[0321] At this time, if the drive transmitting portion 81a and the driven transmitted portion 864a have the twisted uneven shape described above, the drive transmitting portion 81a and the driven transmitted portion 864a will attract each other, thereby realizing stable drive transmission.

[0322] When cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body A, the above-described operations are reversed. When the access door 13 is opened, the lever member 812 returns, and the coupling member 864 is retracted toward cartridge B (the state shown in Figure 72). When the access door 13 is opened further, the third lever member 905 returns, and the advancing / retracting member 920 is retracted toward cartridge B and takes up the retracted position (the state shown in Figure 68). After the access door 13 is completely opened, cartridge B is removed.

[0323] In this embodiment, the cartridge pressing member 1 of the device main body A is configured to press the cartridge B against the device main body A by receiving the pressing force of the pressing spring 19 of the device main body A when the opening / closing door 13 is closed, but the configuration is not necessarily limited to this.

[0324] 75 to 77 illustrate a modified example in which the configuration of the third lever member 905 is partially changed. This modified example is effective when the movement of the aforementioned cylindrical cam 83 (see FIGS. 5(b) and 6(b)) in the direction of arrow H2 shown in FIG. 5(b) is performed immediately before the opening / closing door 13 of the apparatus main body A is completely closed.

[0325] 75, a fourth lever member 907 and a fifth lever member 908 are provided on a side member 901 so as to be movable in the direction of arrow H93 in the figure and in the opposite direction. The fourth lever member 907 and the fifth lever member 908 correspond to a configuration in which the third lever member 905 is separated into two.

[0326] A fourth biasing member 909 is provided between the fourth lever member 907 and the fifth lever member 908, and its ends abut against a pressure receiving portion 907a of the fourth lever member 907 and a pressure receiving portion 908a of the fifth lever member 908, respectively. Figure 75 shows the fourth lever member 907 in its natural state where no external force is acting on it. The third biasing member 906 abuts against a biasing wall 908b of the fifth lever member 908.

[0327] In this configuration, when the opening / closing door 13 of the apparatus main body A is closed, the fourth lever member 907 is pushed in by the cartridge pressing member 1 as described above.

[0328] When the fourth lever member 907 is pushed in the direction of the arrow H93 in the figure, the fourth biasing member 909 is compressed and pushes the fifth lever member 908 in the direction H93.

[0329] Figure 76 shows the state in which the advancing / retreating member 920 moves toward the driving side and abuts against the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main body A as the fifth lever member 908 is being pushed in (the state shown in Figure 71). The cylindrical cam 83 has not yet moved in the direction of arrow H2 shown in Figure 5(b), and the drive transmission member 81 cannot perform tilting motion. Therefore, the advancing / retreating member 920 cannot move toward the driving side further than the state shown in Figure 71. Therefore, the fifth lever member 908 cannot move either.

[0330] When the opening / closing door 13 is further closed from this state, the fourth biasing member 909 is compressed by the amount that the fourth lever member 907 is pushed in (see FIG. 77). Therefore, the movement of the opening / closing door 13 is not impeded.

[0331] When the door 13 is completely closed, the cylindrical cam 83 moves in the direction of the arrow H2 shown in Figure 5(b), and the drive transmission member 81 becomes able to tilt. At this time, the pressing force of the compressed fourth biasing member 909 causes the cam member 915 to rotate, and the advancing / retreating member 920 moves toward the driving side. The drive transmission member 81 is tilted by the advancing / retreating member 920, and the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81 becomes nearly coaxial with L91 (the state shown in Figure 72).

[0332] The advancement and retreat of the coupling member 864 will now be described. While the cylindrical cam 83 is not moving in the direction of arrow H2 shown in Figure 5(b), even if the cam member 70 is in the phase shown in Figure 44, the drive-received portion tip surface 864c of the coupling member 864 abuts against the tip surface 81k of the inclined drive transmission member 81. Therefore, the coupling member 864 does not pop out.

[0333] When the door 13 is completely closed, the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81 becomes nearly coaxial with L91 due to the action of the advancing / retracting member 920. At this time, the pressing force of the compressed first biasing member 59 (see FIG. 40) causes the drive transmitted portion tip surface 864c of the coupling member 864 to enter the drive transmission portion 81e. Alternatively, the drive transmitted portion tip surface 864c comes into contact with the tip surface 81k.

[0334] The operation when the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main body A is rotationally driven is as described above.

[0335] In this embodiment, a configuration has been described in which two lever members (lever member 812, third lever member 905) drive two cam members (cam member 70, cam member 915). The two lever members and two cam members are sometimes collectively referred to as the operation mechanism. The two cams are operatively connected to coupling member 364 and advancing / retracting member 920, respectively, so that by operating each lever member, the operation mechanism can operate coupling member 864 and advancing / retracting member 920 separately at appropriate timing.

[0336] Note that the operating mechanism does not necessarily have two levers and two cam members. For example, the operating mechanism may be configured to drive two cam members with one lever. In this case, the one lever and the two cams can be appropriately connected so that the operation of the one lever causes the two cams to operate at appropriate times. Alternatively, the operating mechanism may be configured to have one cam member that acts on both the coupling member and the advancing / retracting member, and one lever that acts on this cam member. In this case, the cam member can be configured so that the coupling member and the advancing / retracting member are linked at appropriate times when the cam member operates. In any case, it is sufficient that the operating mechanism is configured to move the coupling member 864 and the advancing / retracting member 920 at appropriate times. Examples of this type will be described later.

[0337] The present embodiment can be summarized as follows.

[0338] The apparatus main assembly A has a drive transmission member (drive output member) 81. On the other hand, the cartridge B has a coupling member (engagement member) 864 and a reciprocating member 920.

[0339] Both the advancing and retracting member 920 and the coupling member 864 are movable members that can move in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The coupling member 864 is provided at the end of the photosensitive drum 62 and constitutes a drum unit together with the photosensitive drum 62. In contrast, the advancing and retracting member 920 is movably supported by a side member 901 that is the frame (casing) of the cartridge (see Figure 64). The advancing and retracting member 920 is a movable member that is disposed outside the photosensitive drum 62 (outside the drum unit).

[0340] The retractable member 920 and the coupling member 864 are both located in front of the cartridge and on the drive side of the cartridge.

[0341] The advancing / retreating member 920 is configured to move toward the drive transmission member 81 and change the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 by coming into contact with the drive transmission member 81. In other words, the advancing / retreating member 920 is a pressing member that presses the drive transmission member 81 so as to reduce its inclination angle (see Figures 71 and 72). The coupling member 864 engages with the drive transmission member 81 whose inclination angle has been reduced, thereby enabling the two to engage with each other (see Figure 74).

[0342] In this embodiment, the advancing / retreating member 920 moves linearly parallel to the axis of the photosensitive drum, but the direction of movement is not limited to this. If the direction of movement of the advancing / retreating member 920 has an axial component, the advancing / retreating member 920 can be considered to be moving in the axial direction. A modified example in which the advancing / retreating member 920 moves in the axial direction accompanied by rotational motion will be described later using Example 8-4.

[0343] In this embodiment, a coupling member 864 is used as the driving force receiving member (drive input member) that receives the driving force. However, as in the previous embodiment, the cartridge may have a gear member that can mesh with the drive transmission member 81 with a reduced inclination angle. In other words, the drive input member is not limited to a coupling, but may also be a gear. As in the gear member 187 in Figure 15(a), a gear member 187 exposed to the cartridge may be provided and meshed with a gear portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drive transmission member 81.

[0344] In this embodiment, the cartridge has lever member 812 as an operating member for moving coupling member 864, and lever member 905 as an operating member for moving advancing / retreating member 920. One of these operating members may be called the first operating member, and the other may be called the second operating member.

[0345] Each of the operating members is configured to move toward the front of the cartridge when it receives an external force from outside the cartridge. Specifically, when the door 13 of the apparatus main body A is closed, these operating members move in response to a force from the apparatus main body, thereby actuating the coupling member 864 and the advancing / retreating member 920.

[0346] Furthermore, a part of the configuration of this embodiment can be separated from the cartridge to form an attachment like in Embodiments 5 and 6. For example, the advancing / retreating member 920, the lever member 905 and cam member 915 for operating it, and the side member 901 that supports these members (920, 905, 915) can be separated from the cartridge to form an attachment that can be attached to the apparatus main body A separately from the cartridge.

[0347] The drive transmission member, whose inclination angle is reduced by the advancing and retreating member 920 of the attachment, may be connected to a coupling member or gear member of the cartridge, so that drive transmission can be performed.

[0348] <Example 8-2> In this Example 8-2, a configuration will be described in which an advancing / retreating member 920 and a coupling member 864 advance and retreat by the action of one lever (operating member). Note that in this Example, explanations of the same points as in the previous Example will be omitted. Of the elements disclosed in this Example, those that correspond to the elements explained in the previous Example will be given the same names as the members in the previous Example, and only the points that differ from those in the previous Example will be explained.

[0349] FIG. 92 is a perspective view of the process cartridge B of this embodiment.

[0350] A coupling member 864 is provided at one end of the drum 62, and a drive-receiving portion 864a that receives drive from the drive transmission member 81 of the main assembly A of the apparatus is provided at the other end of the coupling member 864.

[0351] A side member 901 is provided on the drive side of the cleaning unit 60. The side member 901 is provided with a third lever member 905 and an advancing / retreating member 920. The third lever member 905 is an operating member that is operated to operate the advancing / retreating member 920 and the coupling member 864, as will be described in detail later.

[0352] 93, 94, and 95, the configuration of the advancing / retreating member 920 and the coupling member 864 will be described. Figures 93, 94, and 95 are perspective views of the advancing / retreating member 920 and the coupling member 864. For the sake of explanation, some parts have been omitted from the figures.

[0353] As shown in Figures 93 and 94, an engagement protrusion 70m is provided on the outer periphery of cam member 70. Cam member 915 is also provided with cam groove 915b, second cam groove 915c, and engagement hole 915e. Engagement protrusion 70m of cam member 70 is rotatably inserted into engagement hole 915e of cam member 915 (see also Figure 95). Assembly of other members is as described in Examples 8 and 7.

[0354] With these configurations, third lever member 905 is biased in the direction of arrow H92 in Fig. 95, and is supported so as to be movable in the direction of arrow H92 and the opposite direction. Furthermore, with these configurations, cam member 915 is supported so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow H91 in Fig. 95 in accordance with the movement of third lever member 905 in the direction of arrow H92 and the opposite direction. Furthermore, cam member 70 is supported so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow H91 in Fig. 95 in accordance with the rotation of cam member 915, due to the engagement between engagement protrusion 70m and engagement hole 915e.

[0355] 96 to 98, the operations of the advancing / retreating member 920, the coupling member 864, and the third lever member 905 will be described. Figures 96 to 98 are perspective views of the advancing / retreating member 920, the coupling member 864, and the third lever member 905. For the sake of explanation, some parts have been omitted from the figures.

[0356] 96(a) and (b) show the third lever member 905 in its natural state (free state) when no external force is acting on it. The third lever member 905 is biased in the direction of arrow H92 in the figure by the force of the third biasing member 906. At this time, the cam member 915 and the advancing / retracting member 920 are in the retracted positions shown in the figure. Also, as shown in Y5(b), the coupling member 864 has moved to the non-drive side because the first surface 70e of the cam member 70 is in contact with the protrusion 901k of the side member 901 (see also Figure 43).

[0357] 97(a) and (b) show the state when third lever member 905 is pressed. As shown in the figures, when a force is applied to contact portion 905a of third lever member 905 in the direction of arrow H93 in the figures, third lever member 905 moves in the direction of arrow H93 in the figures. In accordance with this movement, cam member 915 rotates and moves in the direction of arrow H94 in the figures.

[0358] The advancing / retreating member 920 engages with a cam groove 915b of the cam member 915 via a cam pin 921. As the cam member 915 rotates and moves in the direction of the arrow H94 in the figure, the cam pin 921 slides within the cam groove 915b, and the advancing / retreating member 920 moves in the direction of the arrow H95 in the figure. When the cam pin 921 has completely slid within the cam groove 915b, the advancing / retreating member 920 moves to the advanced position (the position in Figure 98(a)).

[0359] The state of coupling member 864 at this time will be described. Because engagement projection 70m of cam member 70 and engagement hole 915e of cam member 915 are engaged, cam member 70 also rotates in the direction of arrow H94 in the figure as cam member 915 rotates as described above. At this time, as shown in Figure 97(b), first surface 70e of cam member 70 continues to abut against projection 901k of side member 901, and so remains in a state moved to the non-drive side.

[0360] 98(a) and (b) show the state when third lever member 905 is further pushed in. As shown in the figures, when third lever member 905 is further pushed in, cam member 915 further rotates in the direction of arrow H94 in FIG. 98(a). At this time, cam pin 921 slides within second cam groove 915c of cam member 915. As shown in FIG. 98(a), second cam groove 915c is not inclined in the direction of arrow H95 in the figure, so even if cam member 915 rotates, advancing / retreating member 920 remains in the advanced position.

[0361] The state of the coupling member 864 at this time will be described. As the cam member 915 continues to rotate, the cam member 70 also continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow H94 in the figure. At this time, as shown in Figure 98(b), the surface of the cam member 70 that abuts against the protrusion 901k of the side member 901 changes from the first surface 70e to the second surface 70d via the inclined surface 70b. During this process, the coupling member 864 moves from a state in which it has moved to the non-drive side to a state in which it protrudes to the drive side (see also Figure 44). As described above, when the third lever member 905 is pushed in, first the advancing / retreating member 920 moves to the advanced position, and then the coupling member 864 protrudes to the driving side.

[0362] Figure 99 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the process cartridge B of this embodiment is mounted in the apparatus main body. As shown in the figure, when the process cartridge B is mounted in the apparatus main body and the opening / closing door 13 is closed, the cartridge pressing portion 13a provided on the opening / closing door 13 comes into contact with the abutment portion 905a of the third lever member 905. When the opening / closing door 13 is further closed, the cartridge pressing portion 13a presses the third lever member 905.

[0363] Thereafter, the advancing / retreating member 920 moves to the advanced position as described above. At this time, as described in the eighth embodiment, the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81 and the rotation axis of the drum 62 become nearly coaxial (see FIGS. 71 and 72).

[0364] When the door 13 is further closed, the coupling member 864 protrudes toward the driving side as described above. At this time, as described in the eighth embodiment (see FIG. 74), the driven transmission portion 864a of the coupling member 864 protrudes toward the drive transmission member 81, and the driven transmission portion tip surface 864c (see FIG. 40) enters the drive transmission portion 81e (see FIG. 4). Alternatively, the driven transmission portion tip surface 864c abuts against the tip surface 81k (see FIG. 4).

[0365] After the opening / closing door 13 is closed, the operation when the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main body A is rotationally driven is as described above.

[0366] In this embodiment, when third lever member 905, which is an operating member, receives an external force, advancing and retreating member 920 moves first, and then coupling member 864 starts to move.

[0367] <Example 8-3> In this Example 8-3, another configuration will be described in which the advancing / retreating member 920 and the coupling member 864 advance and retreat with the action of one lever. Note that in this Example, explanations of the same points as in the previous Example will be omitted. Of the elements disclosed in this Example, those that correspond to the elements explained in the previous Example will be given the same names as the members in the previous Example, and only the points that differ from those in the previous Example will be explained.

[0368] FIG. 100 is a perspective view of the process cartridge B of this embodiment.

[0369] A coupling member 864 is provided at the end of the drum 62, and a protrusion is provided at the end of the coupling member 864 as a driven portion 864a that receives drive from the drive transmission member 81 of the main assembly A of the apparatus.

[0370] A side member 901 is provided on the drive side of the cleaning unit 60. The side member 901 is provided with a third lever member 905 and an advancing / retreating member 920. The third lever member 905 is an operating member that is operated to operate the advancing / retreating member 920 and the coupling member 864, as will be described in detail later.

[0371] 101 and 102, the configuration of the advancing / retreating member 920 and the coupling member 864 will be described. Figures 101 and 102 are perspective views of the advancing / retreating member 920 and the coupling member 864. For the sake of explanation, some parts have been omitted from the figures.

[0372] As shown in FIG. 101, lever member 812 is assembled through slit portion 901m of side member 901. Furthermore, coil portion 820c of first biasing member 820 is inserted into fixed projection 901n of side member 901, and first biasing end 820a thereof abuts biased projection 812b of lever member 812. With this configuration, lever member 812 is biased in the direction of arrow H100 in the figure, while being slidable in the direction of arrow H100 and the opposite direction. Furthermore, lever member engaging portion 70a of cam member 70 is engaged with engaging hole 812c of lever member 812. With this configuration, cam member 70 is rotatable in accordance with movement of lever member 812 in the direction of arrow H100 in the figure.

[0373] Cartridge B of this embodiment adds a lever member 812 to the cartridge described in embodiment 8-2. The third lever member 905 can operate the coupling member via this lever member 812. Therefore, unlike the previously described embodiment 8, in this embodiment, the lever member 812 is not exposed to the outside of the cartridge and is not subjected to a direct external force from the apparatus main body A. Instead, the force is applied from the third lever member 905 inside the cartridge.

[0374] After assembling lever member 812 and cam member 70, third lever member 905, cam member 915 having cam groove 915b and second cam groove 915c, and the like are assembled as shown in Fig. 102. The configuration is the same as that of Example 8. Also, as shown in Fig. 102, third lever member 905 of this example is provided with lever contact portion 905d.

[0375] 103 to 105, the operations of the advancing / retreating member 920, the coupling member 864, and the third lever member 905 will be described. Figures 103 to 105 are perspective views of the advancing / retreating member 920, the coupling member 864, and the third lever member 905. For the sake of explanation, some parts have been omitted from the figures.

[0376] 103(a) and (b) show the third lever member 905 in its natural state (free state) when no external force is acting on it. The third lever member 905 is biased in the direction of arrow H92 in the figure by the force of the third biasing member 906. At this time, the cam member 915 and the advancing / retreating member 920 are in their retracted positions. Also, as shown in FIG. 103(a), the lever member 812 is biased in the direction of arrow H101 in the figure by the force of the first biasing member 820. At this time, the coupling member 864 has moved to the non-drive side because the first surface 70e of the cam member 70 is in contact with the protrusion 901k of the side member 901 (see also FIG. 43).

[0377] 104(a) and (b) show the state when third lever member 905 is pressed. As shown in the figures, when a force is applied to abutment portion 905a of third lever member 905 in the direction of arrow H93 in the figures, third lever member 905 moves in the direction of arrow H93 in the figures. In accordance with this movement, cam member 915 rotates and moves in the direction of arrow H94 in the figures.

[0378] As described above, the advancing / retreating member 920 moves in the direction of arrow H95 in Figure 104(a) due to the engagement between the cam pin 921 and the cam groove 915b. When the cam pin 921 completely slides within the cam groove 915b, the advancing / retreating member 920 moves to the advanced position (see Figure 97(a)).

[0379] Meanwhile, during the movement of the third lever member 905, the lever abutment portion 905d of the third lever member 905 abuts against the biased projection 812b of the lever member 812. This abutment causes the lever member 812 to move in the direction of arrow H102 in Figures 104(a) and 104(b). In accordance with this movement, the cam member 70 rotates and moves in the direction of arrow H103 in Figure 104(b). As shown in Figure 104(b), the first surface 70e of the cam member 70 and the projection 901k of the side member 901 are abutting against each other, so the coupling member 864 is still moving to the non-drive side.

[0380] As described above, in the state shown in Figures 104(a) and 104(b), the advancing and retreating member 920 is in the advanced position, and the coupling member 864 is in the non-driving position.

[0381] 105(a) and (b) show the state when third lever member 905 is further pushed in. As shown in the figures, when third lever member 905 is further pushed in, cam pin 921 slides within second cam groove 915c of cam member 915, as described above, and so advancing / retreating member 920 remains in the advanced position (see Figure 98(a)).

[0382] The state of the coupling member 864 at this time will be described. As the third lever member 905 is further pushed in, the lever member 812 further moves in the direction of the arrow H102 in the figure. In accordance with this movement, the cam member 70 also rotates and moves in the direction of the arrow H103 in Figure 105(b). At this time, as shown in Figure 105(b), the surface of the cam member 70 that abuts against the protrusion 901k of the side member 901 changes from the first surface 70e to the second surface 70d via the inclined surface 70b. During this process, the coupling member 864 moves from a state in which it has moved to the non-drive side to a state in which it protrudes to the drive side (see also Figure 44). As described above, when the third lever member 905 is pushed in, first the advancing / retreating member 920 moves to the advanced position, and then the coupling member 864 protrudes to the driving side.

[0383] Figure 106 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the process cartridge B of this embodiment is mounted in the apparatus main body. As shown in the figure, when the process cartridge B is mounted in the apparatus main body and the opening / closing door 13 is closed, the cartridge pressing portion 13a provided on the opening / closing door 13 comes into contact with the contact portion 905a of the third lever member 905. When the opening / closing door 13 is further closed, the cartridge pressing portion 13a presses the third lever member 905.

[0384] Thereafter, the advancing / retreating member 920 moves to the advanced position as described above. At this time, as described in the eighth embodiment, the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81 and the rotation axis of the drum 62 become nearly coaxial (see FIGS. 71 and 72).

[0385] Furthermore, when the opening / closing door 13 is closed, the coupling member 864 protrudes toward the driving side as described above. At this time, as described in the eighth embodiment (see FIG. 74), the drive transmitted portion 864a of the coupling member 864 projects toward the drive transmission member 81, and the drive transmitted portion tip surface 864c (see FIG. 40) enters the drive transmission portion 81e (see FIG. 4). Alternatively, the drive transmitted portion tip surface 864c comes into contact with the tip surface 81k (see FIG. 4).

[0386] After the opening / closing door 13 is closed, the operation when the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main body A is rotationally driven is as described above.

[0387] <Example 8-4> Example 8-4 will be described. This example is another embodiment (modified example) in which the configuration of Example 8 is partially modified.

[0388] In this embodiment, the same points as those in the previous embodiment will not be described. Elements disclosed in this embodiment that correspond to those described in the previous embodiment will be given the same names as those in the previous embodiment, and only the points that are different from those in the previous embodiment will be described.

[0389] Figure 107 is a perspective view of the process cartridge B of this embodiment. A side member 901 is provided on the driving side of the cleaning unit 60, and the side member 901 is provided with a driving-side first positioning protrusion 901a and a driving-side second positioning protrusion 901b. Furthermore, a lever member 812, a third lever member 905, and a rotating member 930 are provided.

[0390] The configuration around the rotating member 930 will be described with reference to Figures 108, 109, 110(a) and (b). Figures 108 and 109 are exploded perspective views of the rotating member 930 and its periphery. Figures 110(a) and (b) are perspective views of the rotating member 930 and third lever member 905. For the sake of explanation, some parts have been omitted from the figures.

[0391] 109 and 107, the rotating member 930 is provided with a support hole 930a, a cam pin 930b, and an abutment portion 930c. As shown in the figures, the support hole 930a of the rotating member 930 is slidably and rotatably inserted into a rotation shaft 901r of the side member 901. After the rotating member 930 is attached, a retaining member 931 is fixed to the tip of the rotation shaft 901r by adhesive or other means to prevent the rotating member 930 from coming off the rotation shaft 901r.

[0392] 110(a) and (b), a cam groove 905e is provided at the end of the third lever member 905. A cam pin 930b of the rotation member 930 is slidably engaged with this cam groove 905e. Further, a third biasing member 906 is installed in a biasing member installation portion 901e of the side member 901, and both ends thereof abut against an abutment wall 901g of the side member 901 and a biasing wall 905b of the third lever member 905, respectively.

[0393] With this configuration, the third lever member 905 is biased in the direction of the arrow H92 in FIG. 110(a), and is supported so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow H92 and in the opposite direction.

[0394] 110(a) and (b) to 112(a) and (b) will be used to explain the operation of the rotating member 930 and the third lever member 905. Figures 110 to 112 are perspective views of the rotating member 930 and the third lever member 905. For the sake of explanation, some parts have been omitted from the figures.

[0395] 110(a) and (b) show the third lever member 905 in its natural state (free state) when no external force is acting on it. The third lever member 905 is biased in the direction of arrow H92 by the force of the third biasing member 906. At this time, the rotating member 930 is in the retracted position shown in the figures.

[0396] 111(a) and (b) show the state when the third lever member 905 begins to be pushed. As shown in the figures, when a force is applied to the contact portion 905a of the third lever member 905 in the direction of the arrow H93 in the figures, the third lever member 905 moves in the direction of the arrow H93 in the figures.

[0397] Because the cam pin 930b of the rotating member 930 is engaged with the cam groove 905e of the third lever member 905, as the third lever member 905 moves in the direction of the arrow H93, the cam pin 930b receives a force from the cam groove 905e in the direction of the arrow H105 in the figure. This force causes the rotating member 930 to rotate in the direction of the arrow H104 in the figure.

[0398] 112(a) and (b) show the state after the third lever member 905 has been further pushed. As shown in the figures, the third lever member 905 moves in the direction of the arrow H93 in the figures, and the rotation member 930 rotates further.

[0399] 113(a) and (b) will be used to explain the action of the rotating member 930 on the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main body A. Figures 113(a) and (b) are perspective views of the periphery of the rotating member 930 and the drive transmission member 81. For the sake of explanation, some parts have been omitted from the figures.

[0400] The drive transmission member 81 in Figure 113(a) is in a state where the door 13 of the apparatus main body A is open and the cartridge B is attached to the position for image formation, as described in Figure 68. In Figure 113(a), L91 is the direction of the rotation axis of the drum 62 (not shown) of the cartridge B when it is in the position for image formation. As shown in the figure, the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main body A is inclined by Θ91° with respect to L91.

[0401] In this state, when the opening / closing door 13 of the apparatus main body A is closed (see Figure 69), the cartridge pressing portion 13a provided on the opening / closing door 13 presses the abutment portion 905a of the third lever member 905. At this time, as described above, the rotation member 930 of the cartridge B rotates.

[0402] Figure 113(a) shows a state in which, during the process of closing the door 13, the inclined surface 930d of the rotational member 930, which has rotated in the direction of arrow H107 in the figure, abuts against the drive transmission member 81. When the rotational member 930 further rotates in the direction of arrow H107 in the figure, the abutment surface 930e of the rotational member 930 presses against the drive transmission member 81, causing the drive transmission member 81 to move inclinedly in the direction of arrow H106 in the figure (the state shown in Figure 113(b)). In this way, Θ91 decreases, and as shown in Figure 113(b), the rotational axis of the drive transmission member 81 becomes nearly coaxial with the rotational axis direction L91 of the drum 62 (not shown) of the cartridge B.

[0403] Furthermore, the operation of the coupling member 864 of cartridge B jumping out to the drive side during the process of closing the opening / closing door 13, and the operation of the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main body A engaging with the coupling member 864 after the opening / closing door 13 is closed are as described above.

[0404] The rotating member 930 in this embodiment corresponds to the advancing / retreating member 920 in the eighth embodiment (see FIG. 70). The advancing / retreating member 920 in the eighth embodiment is a pressing member that moves linearly in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. In contrast, the rotating member 930 is a pressing member that moves in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum while rotating.

[0405] That is, as the lever member 905 receives an external force, the tip end (contact portion 930c) of the rotation member 930 moves in the axial direction away from the cartridge. That is, the contact portion 930c of the rotation member 930 moves in a direction approaching the drive transmission member 81, that is, to the right in FIG.

[0406] Example 9 In the above-described third embodiment, the coupling member 364 is moved back and forth in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 62 by the lever member 12. This embodiment is a further development of the third embodiment. Components equivalent to those used in the previous embodiment are given the same names, and only differences from the previous embodiment will be described. Details will be described later, but the cartridge B can be mounted further back in the apparatus main body A than at the time of image formation in substantially the same direction as the inclined direction N1 of the drive transmission member 81. This reduces the amount of movement of the coupling member 1064 compared to the third embodiment.

[0407] FIG. 78 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the configuration of the driving side of the cleaning unit 1060 according to this embodiment.

[0408] FIG. 79 is an explanatory diagram showing the posture of the cartridge B in the apparatus main assembly A at the time of image formation according to this embodiment.

[0409] FIG. 80 is a side view illustrating the operation of the positioning member according to this embodiment.

[0410] FIG. 81 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the mounting order of the cartridge B to the apparatus main assembly A according to this embodiment.

[0411] FIG. 83 is a perspective view of the cartridge B. FIG.

[0412] 79, when the cartridge B is completely mounted in the apparatus main assembly A, cartridge positioning members (hereinafter referred to as positioning members) 1091, 1092 provided on the side member 1076 come into contact with main assembly side positioning portions 1080a, 1080b provided on the apparatus main assembly A. As a result, the positioning members 1091, 1092 can determine the position of the cartridge B with the photosensitive drum 62 in close proximity to the drive transmission member 81.

[0413] The photosensitive drum 62 has an exposed portion that is not covered by the cleaning frame 1071 and the developing device unit 1020 at a position facing the transfer roller 7. The main body side positioning portions 1080a and 1080b are arranged to sandwich the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 62.

[0414] The configuration of the cleaning unit 1060 used in the cartridge B will be described using Figure 78. Figures 78(a) and (b) are exploded perspective views of the cleaning unit 1060 including the advancing and retracting mechanism of the coupling member 1064. Figure 78(c) is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the positioning members 1091 and 1092 and the positioning lever 1093 of the side member 1076.

[0415] 78(a) and 78(b), the side member 1076 has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface 1076a, a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 1076b, a protrusion 1076c, etc. The cylindrical inner peripheral surface 1076a supports the coupling member 1064. The cylindrical outer peripheral surface 1076b supports the cam member 1070. The protrusion 1076c protrudes outward from the cylindrical outer peripheral surface.

[0416] Furthermore, a lever member (operating member) 1012 and a cam member 1070 are provided between the drive-side flange unit 1069 and the side member 1076. The lever member 1012 also has a biasing means 1012d that biases the lever member 1012 in the Y2 direction. This allows the coupling member 1064 to be held in the retracted position until the abutting portion 1012a of the lever member 1012 abuts against the opening / closing door 1013 (not shown) of the apparatus main body A. With this configuration, the coupling member 1064 can be moved forward and backward in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 62 in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the opening / closing door 1013.

[0417] 78(c), the side member 1076 has positioning members 1091 and 1092, a positioning member lever (hereinafter referred to as lever member) 1093, and a pressing member 1076d that presses down the lever member 1093. The positioning member 1091 has an acting portion 1091a that contacts the main body side positioning member 1080a, a rotation center 1091b about which the acting portion 1091a rotates, and a connecting boss 1091c that is connected to the lever member 1093 to control the rotation angle. Similarly, the positioning member 1092 has an acting portion 1092a, a rotation center 1091b, and a connecting boss 1092c. The connecting bosses 1091c and 1092c are located closer to the acting portions 1091a and 1092a than the rotation centers 1091b and 1092b.

[0418] The lever member 1093 has a pressing portion 1093a that presses the opening / closing door 1013, connecting holes 1093b and 1093e that assemble connecting bosses 1091c and 1092c, and a connecting portion 1093c that connects the pressing portion 1093a and connecting holes 1093b and 1093e. It also has a biasing means 1093d that biases the pressing portion 1093a in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 62.

[0419] As shown in FIG. 80, the connecting holes 1093b and 1093e have hole shapes corresponding to the movement trajectories of the connecting bosses 1091c and 1092c so that the action portions 1091a and 1092a move between the first position (first positioning member position) and the second position (second positioning member position). The lever member 1093 has a pressing portion 1093a that is pressed by the door 1013, and the lever member 1093 moves in the direction of arrow Y101. When the door 1013 is released from the pressure, the lever member 1093 moves in the direction of arrow Y102 due to the biasing force of the biasing means 1093d. With this configuration, in conjunction with the opening and closing movement of the door 1013, the movement of Y101 and Y102 causes the action portion 1091a to rotate along R101 and R102, and the action portion 1092a to rotate along R103 and R104. This allows the positioning members 1091 and 1092 to move between a first position (first positioning member position) and a second position (second positioning member position).

[0420] The angles of movement of the positioning members 1091, 1092 from the first position to the second position do not need to be the same. It is desirable to specify the rotational amount of each positioning member 1091, 1092 so that the first position relative to the second position allows the cartridge B to be mounted in the direction N1 in which the drive transmission member 81 is tilted.

[0421] (Installation of cartridge B into device main body A) Using Figure 81, the installation of cartridge B into the main assembly A of the apparatus will be described. As shown in Figure 81(a), cartridge B is inserted into apparatus main assembly A in a direction approximately perpendicular to the axis of photosensitive drum 62 until positioning portion 1094 on the non-drive side of photosensitive drum 62 abuts apparatus main assembly side positioning portion 1080c. This insertion operation is performed by the user. At this time, drive transmission member 81 is inclined in the N2 direction with respect to the image forming position. Also, at this time, positioning members 1091 and 1092 are in the first position (first positioning member position). Because positioning members 1091 and 1092 are in the first position, there is clearance between main assembly side positioning portions 1080a and 1080b and positioning members 1091 and 1092 at the image forming position.

[0422] Next, as shown in Figure 81(b), with the positioning members 1091 and 1092 in the first position (first positioning member position), the cartridge is installed until it abuts against the main assembly side positioning members 1080a and 1080b. As described above, the rotational amount of each positioning member 1091 and 1092 is determined so that cartridge B can be installed in the inclined direction N1 of the drive transmission member 81. As a result, the user installs the drive side of cartridge B to the N1 side of the image formation position in the main assembly A of the apparatus. At this time, the photosensitive drum 62 will be inserted into the transfer roller 7 before the image formation begins, but the transfer roller 7 has sufficient elasticity to allow installation without any problems. In this state, cartridge B is in a position (first cartridge position) that is further inserted downstream in the installation direction than its original installation position in the main assembly A of the apparatus.

[0423] Thereafter, in conjunction with the closing operation of the opening / closing door 1012, the cylindrical cam 83 (shown in FIG. 5) moves, and the inclination direction of the drive transmission member 81 changes in the N1 direction.

[0424] Furthermore, when the door 1012 is closed, as shown in Figure 81(c), in conjunction with the closing operation of the door 1013 of the apparatus main body A, the abutment portion 1012a of the lever member 1012 abuts against the door 1013, and the coupling 1064 protrudes outside (towards Z1) the axis of the photosensitive drum 62. At this time, as in the third embodiment, the inclined surface 1064g1 of the coupling member 1064 enters the slit portion 81g of the drive transmission member 81. The coupling member 1064 and the drive transmission member 81 come into contact with each other and are engaged with each other.

[0425] When the door 1013 is further closed, the pressing portion 1013a of the lever member 1093 is pressed by the door 1013, and the positioning members 1091 and 1092 rotate together with the lever member to the second position (second positioning member). This rotation causes the cartridge B to move to its original installation position (image forming position, second cartridge position) within the main assembly A of the apparatus, as shown in Figure 81(d). During this movement of the cartridge B, the coupling member 1064 contacts and engages with the drive transmission member 81, so the drive transmission member 81 reduces its inclination angle in accordance with the movement of the cartridge B. As a result, the axis of the drive transmission member 81 and the axis of the photosensitive drum 62 become substantially aligned, and the drive transmission member 81 is connected to the cartridge B so as to be able to transmit drive force. This enables the cartridge B to form images.

[0426] (Modification of this embodiment) In this embodiment, the positioning members 1091 and 1092 are configured to be rotated to take the first position and the second position, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in Fig. 82, a configuration may be adopted in which a linear cam is used to linearly move the positioning members 1091 and 1092, which take the first position and the second position by the operation of a lever member 1093.

[0427] In this embodiment, the lever member 1012 and the lever member 1093 are separate members. However, if the coupling member 1064 and the positioning members 1091 and 1092 can perform the operations shown in Figures 81(a) to 81(d), a single operating member may be used to operate them.

[0428] For example, lever member 1012 and lever member 1093 may be linked inside the cartridge, so that the movement of one is linked to the other. When one lever member receives an external force from outside the cartridge, the other lever member can also be moved. In this way, the operating members that are operated from outside the cartridge can be unified into one. An example of such a configuration was described above using lever member 812 and lever member 905 in Example 8-3 (see Figure 103, etc.).

[0429] The configuration of this embodiment can be summarized as follows.

[0430] The apparatus main assembly A includes a tiltable drive transmission member (drive output member) 81 that can output a drive force. The cartridge B includes a photosensitive drum 62, a coupling member 1064, positioning members 1091 and 1092, and the like.

[0431] The coupling member 1064 is an engaging member for engaging with the drive transmission member 81, and is a movable member disposed near the end of the photosensitive drum 62. The coupling member 1064 is movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum.

[0432] The positioning members 1091 and 1092 are movable members for determining the position of the cartridge B inside the apparatus main body A. While the above-mentioned coupling member 1064 is attached to the photosensitive drum, the positioning members 1091 and 1092 are arranged outside the photosensitive drum (outside the drum unit).

[0433] More specifically, the positioning members 1091 and 1092 are disposed on the front and driving side of the cartridge. The right side in Figure 79 corresponds to the front of the cartridge, and the front side of the page corresponds to the driving side. In other words, the positioning members 1091 and 1092 and the coupling member 1064 are disposed on the same side of the cartridge in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum.

[0434] In this embodiment, the positioning member is disposed only on the drive side of the cartridge, but it is also possible to dispose a positioning member on the non-drive side as well. An example of a positioning member on the non-drive side is the lever member 825 (see Figure 50) described in the seventh embodiment.

[0435] When viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, the positioning members 1091 and 1092 are disposed near the exposed portions of the photosensitive drum.

[0436] The cartridge of this embodiment has two positioning members 1091 and 1092, one of which is sometimes referred to as the first positioning member and the other as the second positioning member. In this embodiment, both positioning members are movable, but it is also possible to make only one of them movable. The positioning members 1091 and 1092 are movable so as to change their distance relative to the axis of the photosensitive drum (see Figure 80).

[0437] In Figure 80, dotted lines indicate a state in which the positioning members 1091 and 1092 are in a first positioning member position, approaching the axis of the photosensitive drum. Solid lines indicate a state in which the positioning members 1091 and 1092 are in a second positioning member position, away from the axis of the photosensitive drum. The first positioning member position (dotted lines in Figure 80) is the position before cartridge B is mounted in the main body of the apparatus, in other words, the position of the positioning members 1091 and 1092 when no external force is applied to cartridge B. The second positioning member position (solid lines in Figure 80) is the position of the positioning members when cartridge B is mounted inside the main body of the apparatus A, and is the position of the positioning members when an external force is applied to cartridge B from the main body of the apparatus A.

[0438] When the two positioning members 1091 and 1092 move to the second positioning member position, the distance between the action portions provided at the respective tips of the positioning members 1091 and 1092 increases. In other words, the longest distance (maximum distance) between the positioning members 1091 and 1092 increases.

[0439] The positioning members 1091 and 1092 can be moved to change the position of the cartridge B relative to the main assembly A of the apparatus. This will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0440] When the positioning members 1091, 1092 are in the first positioning member position (Fig. 79), cartridge B is in the first cartridge position shown in Fig. 81(b). When the positioning members 1091, 1092 move to the second positioning member position (Fig. 82), cartridge B moves to the second cartridge position shown in Fig. 81(d). This is the normal cartridge mounting position for image formation.

[0441] From the first cartridge position (Figure 81(b)) toward the second cartridge position (Figure 81(d)), the drive side of cartridge B moves upstream in the cartridge insertion direction. Here, the cartridge insertion direction refers to the direction in which cartridge B is inserted into the main assembly A of the apparatus. In Figure 81, cartridge B is inserted by moving upward relative to the main assembly A of the apparatus. In other words, upstream in the insertion direction means downward in Figure 81.

[0442] In the process of the change from FIG. 81(b) to FIG. 81(d), the left side of the cartridge (ie, the driving side) and the coupling member 1064 move downward inside the main assembly A of the apparatus.

[0443] In this embodiment, the movement of the positioning members 1091 and 1092 changes the inclination angle of the cartridge B relative to the apparatus main body A. That is, when the cartridge B is in the first cartridge position (FIG. 81(b)), it is inclined relative to when it is in the second cartridge position (FIG. 81(d)).

[0444] The installation process for cartridge B is as follows.

[0445] When cartridge B is in the position shown in FIG. 81(b) (first cartridge position), the coupling member 1064 advances axially toward the drive transmission member 81, whereby the coupling member 1064 comes into contact with the drive transmission member 81 (see FIG. 81(d)). In this state, the positioning members 1091 and 1092 move away from the axis of the photosensitive drum. That is, the positioning members 1091 and 1092 move downstream in the insertion direction of cartridge B and toward the front of the cartridge. Accordingly, cartridge B moves inside the apparatus main body A to the position shown in FIG. 81(d) (mounted position, second cartridge position). Furthermore, in accordance with the movement of cartridge B, the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 is changed by the coupling member 1064.

[0446] As a result, the drive transmission member 81 and the cartridge B reach the normal posture and position for image formation, and both are in a state where they can be coupled to each other so as to transmit drive force.

[0447] The process of mounting the cartridge B in this embodiment is similar to the process of mounting the cartridge B in the seventh embodiment (see Figures 51 and 57).

[0448] Unlike the seventh embodiment, the cartridge B in this embodiment has a lever member 1093 as an operating member that is operated to activate the positioning members 1091 and 1092. The lever member 1093 has the same configuration as the operating member (lever member) in the previous embodiment. That is, the lever member 1093 also receives an external force from the apparatus main body A in response to the closing operation of the door 13 (see FIG. 21). When the lever member 1093 receives the external force, it moves to the front of the cartridge, thereby operating the positioning members 1091 and 1092. That is, the lever member 1093 moves the positioning members 1091 and 1092 toward the front of the cartridge so as to move them away from the axes of the photosensitive drums, and moves them to the second positioning member position (see the solid line in FIG. 80).

[0449] In this embodiment, a coupling member 1064 is used as an engaging member that engages with the drive transmission member 81 to change the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81. However, the engaging member does not necessarily have to be a coupling member for transmitting driving force to the photosensitive drum 62. If a configuration is adopted in which the engaging member does not transmit driving force to the photosensitive drum 62, a separate gear member that can mesh with the gear portion of the drive transmission member 81 to receive the driving force may be provided in the cartridge B. See gear member 187 shown in Figure 15(a).

[0450] <Summary of all Examples> In Examples 1 to 9, various configurations were employed to transmit the drive force by engaging the drive transmission member 81 with the cartridge. That is, the cartridges or attachments shown in the respective embodiments each have various configurations for reducing the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81. For example, a configuration was described in which the inclination of the drive transmission member is reduced by contacting an inclined portion of the cartridge or attachment with the drive transmission member. As another means, a configuration was described in which the drive transmission member is pressed by a pressing member provided on the cartridge or attachment. As still another means, a configuration was described in which a pressing member on the cartridge side or attachment side presses a pressing member on the device main body side that inclins the drive transmission member.

[0451] Furthermore, the cartridge or attachment in each embodiment has various configurations for shortening the distance between the drive transmission member 81 and the cartridge in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum.

[0452] For example, a configuration has been described in which the drive transmission member 81 is attracted to the cartridge by a gear member provided on the cartridge or the attachment. As another method, a configuration has also been described in which a coupling member provided on the cartridge is advanced toward the drive transmission member.

[0453] The cartridge or attachment may have different combinations of the configurations introduced in each embodiment. Cartridge B may be configured to receive driving force from a gear portion provided on the drive transmission member, or from a coupling portion provided on the drive transmission member, or from both a gear portion and a coupling portion provided on the drive transmission member. Part of the configuration provided on the cartridge may be provided on the attachment, or part of the configuration provided on the attachment may be provided on the cartridge. [Explanation of symbols]

[0454] 1 Cartridge pressing member 30 Developing roller gear 32 Developing roller (developer carrier) 62 Drum (electrophotographic photosensitive drum) 64 Coupling member A Image forming device main body (device main body) B Process cartridge (cartridge) 812 Lever member 813 Third lever member 814 Fourth lever member 825 Second lever member 905 Third lever member 907 Fourth lever member 908 Fifth lever member

Claims

1. A cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body includes a drive output member configured to output a drive force, and a main body side pressing member configured to incline the drive output member by pressing the drive output member, A photosensitive drum; a movable cartridge-side pressing member configured to change the inclination angle of the drive output member by pressing the apparatus-main-body-side pressing member; A cartridge having

2. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising an operating member configured to cause the cartridge-side pressing member to press against the cartridge-side pressing member when an external force is applied from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

3. an engaging member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum, movable in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, and engageable with the drive output member; 3. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, when the cartridge-side pressing member presses the main body-side pressing member, the engaging member moves toward the drive output member to be engageable with the drive output member.

4. 4. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the engaging member is a coupling member configured to be able to transmit a driving force to the photosensitive drum.

5. 5. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member is configured to perform at least (a) a first movement in which the pressing member moves in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum toward the outside of the cartridge, and (b) a second movement in which the pressing member moves in a direction different from the first movement.

6. 6. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge has a gear member meshable with the drive output member.

7. In the cartridge, a photosensitive drum disposed in front of the cartridge; a pressing member disposed in front of the cartridge on one side of the cartridge in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the pressing member being movable; and The pressing member is configured to perform at least (a) a first movement in which it moves in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum toward the outside of the cartridge, and (b) a second movement in which it moves in a direction different from the first movement.

8. 8. The cartridge according to claim 7, further comprising an operating member configured to actuate the pressing member by receiving an external force from outside the cartridge.

9. an engaging member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum and movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum; and 9. A cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the pressing member and the engaging member are disposed on the same side of the cartridge in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum.

10. 10. The cartridge according to claim 7, further comprising an operating member configured to move the engaging member in the axial direction toward the outside of the cartridge by receiving an external force from outside the cartridge.

11. 11. A cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the operating member is configured to cause the pressing member to perform the first operation and the second operation by receiving the external force.

12. The operating member is a first operating member, The cartridge according to claim 10 , further comprising a second operating member configured to cause the pressing member to perform the first operation and the second operation in response to an external force applied from outside the cartridge.

13. 13. A cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the engaging member is a coupling member capable of transmitting a driving force to the photosensitive drum.

14. 13. The cartridge according to claim 7, further comprising a gear member at least a part of which is exposed to the outside of the cartridge and which is capable of transmitting a driving force to the photosensitive drum.

15. In the cartridge, a photosensitive drum disposed in front of the cartridge; a first movable member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum and movable in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum; a second movable member disposed on the same side as the first movable member in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the second movable member configured to perform at least (a) a first movement of moving in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum toward the outside of the cartridge, and (b) a second movement of moving in a direction different from the first movement; A cartridge having

16. An attachment that can be attached to an image forming apparatus main body to which a cartridge is detachably attached, the attachment comprising: a drive output member configured to output a drive force; and an apparatus main body side pressing member configured to bias the drive output member to incline the drive output member, an attachment having a contact portion configured to change the inclination angle of the drive output member by contacting the device body side pressing member and moving the device body side pressing member in order to connect the drive output member to the cartridge.

17. An installation kit for use with an image forming apparatus body, a cartridge including a photosensitive drum and a drive input member; An attachment according to claim 16; and an attachment kit in which the drive input member is connectable to the drive output member of the image forming apparatus main body, the inclination angle of which is changed by the attachment;

18. A cartridge detachably attached to an apparatus main body includes a drive output member capable of outputting a driving force and tilting, A photosensitive drum; an engaging member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum, movable in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, and engageable with the drive output member; a movable positioning member configured to position the cartridge within the device body; and the engagement member is configured to move toward the drive output member to contact the drive output member; The cartridge is configured such that, when the positioning member moves while the engaging member is in contact with the drive output member, the cartridge (a) changes the inclination angle of the drive output member, and (b) moves to an installation position inside the device main body.

19. 19. A cartridge according to claim 18, wherein the engaging member is a coupling member capable of transmitting a driving force toward the photosensitive drum.

20. 20. The cartridge according to claim 18, further comprising an operating member configured to move the engaging member toward the drive output member by receiving an external force from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

21. 21. The cartridge according to claim 18, wherein the positioning member is configured to change the inclination angle of the cartridge relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus by moving.

22. the cartridge is configured to be inserted into the image forming apparatus main body, 22. A cartridge according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the positioning member is configured to move the cartridge to the mounting position while moving the engaging member upstream in the insertion direction of the cartridge by moving the positioning member.

23. In the cartridge, a photosensitive drum disposed in front of the cartridge; an engaging member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum and movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum; an operating member configured to move the engaging member in the axial direction toward the outside of the cartridge by receiving an external force from the outside of the cartridge; a positioning member disposed in front of the cartridge and on the opposite side of the cartridge from the engaging member in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the positioning member protruding toward the front of the cartridge and movable toward the rear; A cartridge having

24. 24. A cartridge according to claim 23, wherein the engaging member is a coupling member capable of transmitting a driving force toward the photosensitive drum.

25. 25. The cartridge according to claim 23, further comprising a gear member at least a part of which is exposed to the outside of the cartridge and which is capable of transmitting a driving force to the photosensitive drum.

26. In the cartridge, a photosensitive drum disposed in front of the cartridge; an engaging member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum and movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum; a movable positioning member disposed in front of the cartridge and on the same side as the engaging member in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum; an operating member configured to move the positioning member away from the axis of the photosensitive drum by receiving an external force from outside the cartridge; A cartridge having

27. 27. The cartridge according to claim 26, wherein the positioning member is configured to move forward when the operating member receives the external force.

28. the positioning member includes a first positioning member and a second positioning member, 28. A cartridge according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the first positioning member and the second positioning member are configured so that the maximum distance between them increases when the operating member receives an external force.

29. 29. A cartridge according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the operating member is configured to move the engaging member in the axial direction toward the outside of the cartridge when subjected to the external force.

30. The operating member is a first operating member, 29. A cartridge according to any one of claims 26 to 28, further comprising a second operating member configured to move the engagement member toward the outside of the photosensitive drum by receiving an external force from outside the cartridge.

31. 31. A cartridge according to any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein the engaging member is a coupling member capable of transmitting a driving force toward the photosensitive drum.

32. 31. The cartridge according to any one of claims 26 to 30, further comprising a gear member at least a part of which is exposed to the outside of the cartridge and which is capable of transmitting a driving force to the photosensitive drum.

33. In the cartridge, a photosensitive drum disposed in front of the cartridge; a first movable member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum and movable in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum; a second movable member disposed at the front of the cartridge, on the same side as the first movable member in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, and outside the photosensitive drum; an operating member configured to move a second movable member forward when receiving an external force from outside the cartridge; A cartridge having

34. An attachment that can be attached to an image forming apparatus main body that is equipped with a drive output member that is capable of outputting a drive force and is tiltable, and to which a cartridge is detachably attached, a movable positioning member configured to determine the position of the cartridge inside the image forming apparatus main body; When an engaging member provided on the cartridge is in contact with the drive output member, the positioning member moves to (a) change the inclination angle of the drive output member, and (b) an attachment configured to move the cartridge to a mounting position inside the apparatus body.

35. An installation kit for use with an image forming apparatus body, a cartridge including: (i) a photosensitive drum; and (ii) an engaging member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum, movable in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, and engageable with the drive output member; An attachment according to claim 34; A mounting kit having:

36. A cartridge detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus main body includes a drive output member capable of outputting a driving force and tilting, A photosensitive drum; a pressing member disposed outside the photosensitive drum, movable in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, and configured to change the inclination angle of the drive output member by pressing the drive output member; an engaging member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum and movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the engaging member being engageable with the drive output member by moving toward the drive output member pressed by the pressing member; A cartridge having

37. 37. The cartridge according to claim 36, further comprising an operation member configured to cause the pressing member to press the drive output member by receiving an external force from the image forming apparatus main body.

38. 38. A cartridge according to claim 37, wherein the operating member is configured to move the engaging member toward the drive output member when subjected to the external force.

39. a first operating member configured to cause the pressing member to press the drive output member by receiving an external force from the image forming apparatus main body; a second operating member configured to move the engaging member toward the drive output member by receiving an external force from the image forming apparatus main body; 37. The cartridge of claim 36, comprising:

40. 37. A cartridge according to claim 36, wherein the engaging member is a coupling member capable of transmitting a driving force toward the photosensitive drum.

41. In the cartridge, a photosensitive drum disposed in front of the cartridge; an engaging member disposed near an end of the photosensitive drum and movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum; a pressing member disposed in front of the cartridge, on the same side as the engaging member in the axial direction, and outside the photosensitive drum, the pressing member being movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum; an operating member configured to receive an external force from outside the cartridge and move the engaging member in the axial direction toward the outside of the cartridge; A cartridge having

42. 42. The cartridge according to claim 41, wherein the operating member is configured to move the pressing member in the axial direction toward the outside of the cartridge when subjected to the external force.

43. The operating member is a first operating member, The cartridge comprises:

42. The cartridge according to claim 41, further comprising a second operating member configured to move the pressing member in the axial direction toward the outside of the cartridge by receiving an external force from the outside of the cartridge.

44. An attachment for mounting a cartridge to an image forming apparatus main body that is detachably mounted and that includes a drive output member that is capable of outputting a driving force and is tiltable, the attachment having a movable pressing member that is configured to press the drive output member, and that is configured to change the inclination angle of the drive output member so that the drive output member can be connected to the cartridge.

45. The pressing member has a gear member, 45. An attachment according to claim 44, wherein the gear member is configured to rotate while meshing with a gear portion provided on the drive output member, thereby moving the drive output member toward the cartridge.

46. An installation kit for use with an image forming apparatus body, a cartridge including a photosensitive drum and a drive input member; An attachment according to claim 44 or 45; and The drive input member is configured to be connected to a drive output member of the image forming apparatus main body, the tilt angle of which is changed by the attachment, and to receive a drive force from the drive input member.

47. A cartridge detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus main body includes a drive output member capable of outputting a driving force and tilting, A photosensitive drum; a gear member configured to rotate while meshing with a gear portion provided on the drive output member, thereby moving the drive output member closer to the cartridge; a contact portion configured to change an inclination angle of the drive output member by coming into contact with the drive output member brought close to the cartridge by the gear member, a contact portion disposed on the exterior of the photosensitive drum; A cartridge having

48. 48. The cartridge of claim 47, wherein the gear member is a helical gear.

49. 49. A cartridge according to claim 47 or 48, wherein the gear member is movable so that the distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum to the axis of the gear member is variable.

50. 50. A cartridge according to any one of claims 47 to 49, further comprising a coupling member arranged in the vicinity of an end of said photosensitive drum, said coupling member being capable of transmitting driving force to said photosensitive drum.

51. the cartridge has a first side in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, on which the gear member and the contact portion are arranged, and a second side opposite to the first side; A cartridge as described in any one of claims 47 to 50, wherein the contact portion is an inclined portion, and the distance measured from the axis of the photosensitive drum to the inclined portion along a direction perpendicular to the axis increases as the distance increases from the second side of the cartridge in the axial direction.

52. In the cartridge, A photosensitive drum; A developing roller; a gear member disposed on a first side of the cartridge in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum; a ramp portion disposed outside the photosensitive drum and on the first side of the cartridge; and In the axial direction, the side opposite to the first side is referred to as the second side of the cartridge. At least a portion of the teeth of the gear member is positioned farther away from the second side than the inclined portion in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a distance measured from the axis of the photosensitive drum to the inclined portion along a direction perpendicular to the axis increases with increasing distance from the second side of the cartridge in the axial direction; When viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, the center of the gear member is located in a range greater than 60° and less than 120° upstream in the direction of rotation of the photosensitive drum with respect to a line extending from the center of the photosensitive drum to pass through the center of the developing roller.

53. 53. The cartridge of claim 52, wherein the gear member is a helical gear.

54. 54. A cartridge according to claim 52 or 53, wherein the gear member is connected to the photosensitive drum so as to be capable of transmitting driving force.

55. 54. A cartridge according to claim 52 or 53, further comprising a coupling member arranged in the vicinity of an end of said photosensitive drum, said coupling member being capable of transmitting driving force to said photosensitive drum.

56. An attachment for mounting to an image forming apparatus main body that is equipped with a drive output member capable of outputting a drive force, and to which a cartridge is detachably attached, An attachment having a gear member configured to rotate while meshing with a gear portion provided on the drive output member, thereby bringing the drive output member closer to the cartridge and connecting the drive output member to the cartridge.

57. An installation kit for use with an image forming apparatus body, a cartridge including a photosensitive drum and a drive input member; 57. An attachment according to claim 56; and An installation kit configured so that the drive input member is connected to the drive output member brought close to the cartridge by the attachment and receives a drive force.

58. In the cartridge, A photosensitive drum; a gear member disposed on a first side of the cartridge in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum; a ramp disposed on a first side of the cartridge; and In the axial direction, the side opposite to the first side is referred to as the second side of the cartridge. At least a portion of the teeth of the gear member is located farther from the second side of the cartridge than the inclined portion in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a distance measured from the axis of the photosensitive drum to the inclined portion along a direction perpendicular to the axis increases with increasing distance from the second side in the axial direction; A cartridge in which the gear member is movable so that the distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum to the axis of the gear member changes.

59. 59. The cartridge of claim 58, wherein the gear member is a helical gear.

60. 60. A cartridge according to claim 58 or 59, wherein the gear member is configured to be able to transmit driving force to the photosensitive drum.

61. 61. A cartridge according to any one of claims 58 to 60, further comprising a coupling member arranged in the vicinity of an end of said photosensitive drum, said coupling member being capable of transmitting driving force to said photosensitive drum.

62. A cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprising a tiltable drive output member capable of outputting a drive force, A photosensitive drum; a driving force transmitting mechanism for transmitting a driving force to the photosensitive drum; a coupling member movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the coupling member having a driving force receiving portion capable of receiving a driving force from a driving output member, and (a) an inclined portion movable in the axial direction together with the driving force receiving portion, and (b) rotatable together with the driving force receiving portion; and the inclined portion is located farther from the axis of the photosensitive drum than the driving force receiving portion, A cartridge configured such that, when the coupling member moves toward the drive output member, the inclined portion comes into contact with the drive output member, thereby reducing the inclination angle of the drive output member so that the drive output member and the drive force receiving portion can engage with each other.

63. the coupling member has a cylindrical portion disposed so as to surround the driving force receiving portion, 63. The cartridge of claim 62, wherein the inclined portion is located near the tip of the cylindrical portion.

64. 63. A cartridge according to claim 62, wherein the coupling member is held at a predetermined phase so that the ramp is located at a predetermined position.

65. 65. A cartridge according to any one of claims 62 to 64, further comprising an operating member configured to move the coupling member toward the drive output member by receiving an external force from the image forming apparatus main body.

66. In a cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus body, a photoreceptor drum having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a coupling member located near the first end of the photosensitive drum, capable of transmitting a driving force to the photosensitive drum, and movable in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the coupling member having a protruding driving force receiving portion and an inclined portion that can advance and retreat together with the driving force receiving portion; and the inclined portion is disposed farther from the axis of the photosensitive drum than the driving force receiving portion, A cartridge in which the distance measured from the axis of the photosensitive drum to the inclined portion along a direction perpendicular to the axis increases as the distance increases from the second end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction.

67. the coupling member has a cylindrical portion disposed so as to surround the driving force receiving portion, 67. The cartridge of claim 66, wherein the inclined portion is located near the tip of the cylindrical portion.

68. 67. A cartridge according to claim 66, wherein the coupling member is held at a predetermined phase so that the ramp is located at a predetermined position.

69. A cartridge described in any one of claims 66 to 68, wherein at least a portion of the inclined portion is located farther from the second end of the photosensitive drum than the driving force receiving portion in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum.

70. 70. A cartridge according to any one of claims 66 to 69, further comprising an operating member configured to move the coupling member in the axial direction toward the outside of the cartridge when subjected to an external force from outside the cartridge.

Images