Cartridge and method of manufacturing cartridge

Abstract

To suppress unstable molding of an electrode member in a configuration in which the electrode member of a cartridge is molded with a conductive resin.SOLUTION: The cartridge B includes a base 200 and electrode members 201 to 203 integrally molded with the base 200. Each of the electrodes 201 to 203 includes a power-receiving portion 201a to 203a, a supplying portion 201b to 203b, and a connecting portion 201c to 203c, and the connecting portion 201c to 203c is provided with an injection mark 201d to. 203d. In each of the electrodes 201 to 203, with respect to the imaginary planes D, E, and F passing through the centers of the injection traces 201d to 203d, the volume on the side of the power-receiving-portion 201a to 203a is smaller than the volume on the side of the supply-portion 201b to 203b, and the cross-sectional area S1 of the connecting portion 201c of the first electrodes 201 is larger than the cross-sectional area 202c of the connecting portion of the second electrodes 202 and 203 and the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion of the third electrodes and. 203c S2 S3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a printer, copier, facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine having two or more of these functions, and to a method for manufacturing the cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method (electrophotographic image forming apparatus), a cartridge system has been adopted in which a photosensitive member and a process means acting on the photosensitive member are integrated into a cartridge, and this cartridge is detachably mounted to the main body of the image forming apparatus. In some cases, the process means, such as a developing means, is detachably mounted to the main body of the image forming apparatus substantially independently.

[0003] In the cartridge system, when the cartridge is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the contacts on the main body come into contact with the electrode members on the cartridge, electrically connecting the members provided on the cartridge to the main body of the apparatus, which enables the grounding of the photosensitive member, process steps such as charging and developing, and detection of the remaining amount of developer using electrostatic capacitance measurement.

[0004] Here, a configuration has been proposed in which the electrode members of the cartridge are molded using a conductive resin (herein also referred to as "conductive resin") (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-101268 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When the electrode members of a cartridge are molded using conductive resin, it is desirable to stabilize the moldability of the electrode members to ensure conductivity. However, to achieve this, it is undesirable to increase the size of the electrode members (conductive resin parts) or the size of the molds used for manufacturing them.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to prevent unstable molding of electrode members in a configuration in which the electrode members of a cartridge are molded from conductive resin. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above object is achieved by the cartridge and the method for manufacturing the cartridge according to the present invention. In summary, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge having a first main body electrical contact portion and a second main body electrical contact portion, the cartridge comprising: a base formed of insulating resin; a first process member and a second process member; and a first electrode member and a second electrode member for receiving, from the main body of the apparatus, power to be supplied to the first process member and the second process member, the first electrode member and the second electrode member being integrally molded with the base using conductive resin, the first electrode member being integrally provided with: a first power receiving portion at an end portion on the side of the first main body electrical contact portion when the cartridge is attached to the main body of the apparatus, the first power receiving portion being supplied with power via the first main body electrical contact portion; a first supply portion at an end portion on the side of the first process member, the first supply portion supplying power to the first process member; and a first connection portion electrically connecting the first power receiving portion and the first supply portion, the first power receiving portion, the first connection portion, and the first supply portion forming a first conductive path, and the second electrode member being integrally formed with the base using conductive resin. When the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body, a second power receiving section, which is an end section on the side of the second main body electrical contact section and receives power supplied via the second main body electrical contact section, a second supply section, which is an end section on the side of the second process member and supplies power to the second process member, and a second connection section, which electrically connects the second power receiving section and the second supply section, are integrally provided, and a second conductive path, which is shorter than the first conductive path, is formed by the second power receiving section, the second connection section, and the second supply section, the first connection portion and the second connection portion are provided with a first injection mark and a second injection mark, respectively, which are marks where the conductive resin was injected when molding the first electrode member and the second electrode member, and when the first electrode member is divided into two parts, a first part on the side of the first power receiving portion and a second part on the side of the first supplying portion, with respect to an imaginary plane of the first connection portion that passes through the center of the first injection mark and is perpendicular to a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the first connection portion extends in the vicinity of where the first injection mark is provided, the first part has a smaller volume than the second part,When the second electrode member is divided into two parts, a third part on the second power receiving part side and a fourth part on the second supply part side, with respect to an imaginary plane of the second connection part that passes through the center of the second injection mark and is perpendicular to a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the second connection part extends in the vicinity of the second injection mark, the third part has a smaller volume than the fourth part, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the first connection part perpendicular to the direction in which the first connection part extends is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second connection part perpendicular to the direction in which the second connection part extends.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a manufacturing method for manufacturing a cartridge that is detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge including a base formed of insulating resin, first and second process members, and first and second electrode members for receiving electric power from the main body of the apparatus to be supplied to the first and second process members, respectively, the method comprising the steps of: injecting conductive resin into a sprue at one location of a mold that holds the base; injecting the conductive resin injected into the sprue into a first forming portion on the base that corresponds to the first electrode member from a first gate of the mold; and injecting the conductive resin into a second forming portion on the base that corresponds to the second electrode member from a second gate of the mold, thereby integrally molding the first electrode member and the second electrode member with the base, the first forming portion including a first power receiving portion region that is an end of the first electrode member that receives electric power from the main body of the apparatus; a first supply portion region that is an end of the first electrode member that corresponds to a first supply portion that supplies electric power to the first process member; and and a first connection portion region corresponding to a first connection portion connecting a first electrode member and the first supply portion, the conductive resin being injected from a first injection port of the first gate adjacent to the first connection portion region, the second forming portion comprising: a second power receiving portion region which is an end portion of the second electrode member corresponding to a second power receiving portion that receives power from the apparatus main body; a second supply portion region which is an end portion of the second electrode member corresponding to a second supply portion that supplies power to the second process member; and a second connection portion region corresponding to a second connection portion that connects the second power receiving portion of the second electrode member and the second supply portion, A method for manufacturing a cartridge is provided, characterized in that the conductive resin is injected from a second injection port of the second gate adjacent to the connection area, and in the molding process, the injection of the conductive resin into the first power receiving area in the first forming section is completed earlier than the injection of the conductive resin into the first supply area, and the injection of the conductive resin into the second power receiving area in the second forming section is completed earlier than the injection of the conductive resin into the second supply area, and the injection of the conductive resin into the first connection area is completed later than the injection of the conductive resin into the second connection area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, in a configuration in which the electrode members of the cartridge are molded from conductive resin, it is possible to prevent the molding of the electrode members from becoming unstable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the drive side of the process cartridge. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the non-drive side of the process cartridge. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the inside of the non-drive side bearing member. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the outside of the non-drive side bearing member. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrical connection between an electrode member and a process member. [Figure 8] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams for explaining a molding method for the non-drive-side bearing member. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of an electrode member. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion of an electrode member. [Figure 11] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams for explaining a molding method for the non-drive-side bearing member. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a voltage application configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 13] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a forming portion of an electrode member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The cartridge and method of manufacturing the cartridge according to the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the following embodiments should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0013] Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is one that forms an image on a recording material using an electrophotographic image forming process. Examples of electrophotographic image forming apparatuses include electrophotographic copiers, electrophotographic printers (LED printers, laser beam printers, etc.), facsimile machines, and word processors. A cartridge refers to a process cartridge that integrates a photosensitive member and a process means that acts on the photosensitive member, or a cartridge that contains the process means. Examples of the process means include a charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning means. For example, a developer cartridge is configured to include a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member with a developer, a developing frame that supports the developing means, and other parts related to development (for example, a supply member that supplies developer to a developer carrier and a means for detecting the remaining amount of developer).

[0014] [Example 1] <Overall configuration of image forming apparatus> First, the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is a laser beam printer, which is an example of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 100 is capable of forming and outputting an image on a sheet S, which is a sheet-like recording material (recording medium, transfer material), based on image information input from an external device such as an image reading device or a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus 100. The sheet S may be paper, a plastic sheet, or the like.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 100 is configured to have an apparatus main body A and a process cartridge B, and the process cartridge B is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body A. In this embodiment, the apparatus main body A corresponds to the part of the image forming apparatus 100 excluding the process cartridge B.

[0016] The apparatus main body A is provided with a sheet storage section 101, a sheet feeding section 102, a sheet conveying section 103, a transfer roller 104, a fixing section 105, a sheet discharging section 106, a laser scanner 110, etc. The apparatus main body A also has an opening / closing door 107 for opening and closing an opening provided for attaching and detaching the process cartridge B to the apparatus main body A. With the opening / closing door 107 open, the process cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body A from above as shown by arrow Z in FIG.

[0017] The cartridge B is provided with a photosensitive drum 11, a charging roller 12, a developing roller 21, a cleaning blade 17, and the like.

[0018] With respect to the image forming apparatus 100 and its components, the right side in FIG. 1 is the "front" side, the left side is the "rear" side, and the near side in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 is the "left" side, and the far side is the "right" side. The image forming apparatus 100 is used while being positioned so that the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions are substantially horizontal. The left-to-right direction is substantially parallel to the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 11, which will be described later. With respect to the image forming apparatus 100 and its components, "up" and "down" refer to the up and down in the direction of gravity (vertical direction), but do not necessarily mean directly above or directly below, but also include above and below a horizontal plane passing through a position or element of interest. With respect to the image forming apparatus 100 and its components, the right side, where drive input from the apparatus main body A to the process cartridge B is performed, is also referred to as the "drive side," and the opposite left side is also referred to as the "non-drive side."

[0019] <Image formation process> Next, a series of operations in the image forming process of the image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment will be described. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing the voltage application configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment.

[0020] Based on a print start signal input to a control unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 100, a sheet S stored in a sheet storage unit 101 is fed by a sheet feeding unit 102, and this sheet S is transported by a sheet conveying unit 103 along the dashed line C in FIG. 1.

[0021] When the sheet S is conveyed to a predetermined position on the conveying path, an image formation start signal is issued by the control unit, and the image formation process is started based on this signal. When the image formation process is started, the photosensitive drum 11, which is a rotatable drum-type (cylindrical) photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member) serving as an image carrier, is rotated in the direction of arrow R1 in FIG. 1 (clockwise direction) by a motor M1 (FIG. 12) serving as a drive source. The surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 11 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential of a predetermined polarity (negative polarity in this embodiment) by a charging roller 12, which is a roller-type charging member serving as charging means.

[0022] The surface of the charged photosensitive drum 11 is exposed to light based on image information by a laser scanner 110 serving as an exposure means, and the charge in the exposed area is removed, forming an electrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) on the photosensitive drum 11. Toner in the process cartridge B is carried by the developing roller 21 and supplied to the photosensitive drum 11 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image. This develops (visualizes) the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11, and a toner image (toner image, developer image) is formed on the photosensitive drum 11. In this embodiment, toner charged with the same polarity as the charge polarity of the photosensitive drum 11 (negative in this embodiment) adheres to the exposed area (image area) on the photosensitive drum 11, where the absolute value of the potential has been reduced by exposure after being uniformly charged. In this embodiment, the normal charge polarity of the toner, which is the main charge polarity of the toner during development, is negative.

[0023] A transfer roller 104, which is a roller-type transfer member serving as a transfer means, is disposed opposite the photosensitive drum 11. The transfer roller 104 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 11, forming a transfer portion (transfer nip) N, which is a contact portion between the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer roller 104. When the sheet S conveyed by the sheet conveying portion 103 passes through the transfer portion N, a transfer voltage (transfer bias) is applied to the transfer roller 104 from a transfer power source E5 (FIG. 12) provided in the apparatus main body A, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred onto the sheet S. In this embodiment, a DC voltage of a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner (positive polarity in this embodiment) is applied to the transfer roller 104 as the transfer voltage.

[0024] Thereafter, the sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing section (fixing device) 105 as a fixing means. The fixing section 105 applies heat and pressure to the sheet S bearing the unfixed toner image to fix (melt and adhere) the toner image to the surface of the sheet S. The sheet S onto which the toner image has been fixed is discharged by a sheet discharge section 106 onto a discharge tray 108 provided at the top of the apparatus main body A, and is stacked thereon.

[0025] Furthermore, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 after the toner image has been transferred onto the sheet S (transfer residual toner) is removed from the photosensitive drum 11 by the cleaning blade 17 and collected.

[0026] <Process cartridge configuration> Next, the structure of the process cartridge B in this embodiment will be further described below. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge B in this embodiment.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge B is configured to include a drum unit 10 having a photosensitive drum 11, and a developing unit (developing device) 20 having a developing roller 21 that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11.

[0028] The drum unit 10 includes a photosensitive drum 11, a charging roller 12, a charging roller cleaner 14, a cleaning blade 17, a waste toner storage section 18, and a drum unit frame 19 that forms the waste toner storage section 18.

[0029] The charging roller 12 is disposed so as to contact the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the photosensitive drum 11, and is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 11. A charging voltage (charging bias) is applied to the charging roller 12 from a charging power source E1 (FIG. 12) provided in the apparatus main body A, thereby charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. In this embodiment, a DC voltage of the same polarity as the charging polarity of the photosensitive drum 11 (negative polarity in this embodiment) is applied to the charging roller 12 as the charging voltage.

[0030] The charging roller cleaner 14, which is a roller-type cleaning member that serves as a cleaning means for the charging roller 12, is disposed so as to come into contact with the surface (outer circumferential surface) of the charging roller 12, and is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the charging roller 12. The charging roller cleaner 14 rubs against the surface of the charging roller 12 to clean it.

[0031] The cleaning blade 17, which is a cleaning member serving as cleaning means for the photosensitive drum 11, is disposed so as to come into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The cleaning blade 17 is made of an elastic plate-like member, and scrapes off the residual toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 as the photosensitive drum 11 rotates, thereby cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The toner (waste toner) removed from the photosensitive drum 11 by the cleaning blade 17 is stored in a waste toner storage unit 18.

[0032] The developing unit 20 has a developing roller 21, a supply roller 22, a developing blade 23, a developing chamber 25 in which the developing roller 21 and the supply roller 22 are disposed, a developer storage chamber 26 that stores toner to be supplied to the developing chamber 25, and a developing unit frame 29 that forms the developing chamber 25 and the developer storage chamber 26. The developing roller 21, the supply roller 22, and the developing blade 23 constitute developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11.

[0033] The developing roller 21, which serves as a developer carrier (developing member), is disposed so as to abut against the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The developing roller 21 carries toner supplied from the developer storage chamber 26 to the developing chamber 25 and transports the toner to a developing section where the photosensitive drum 11 and the developing roller 21 face each other (are in contact in this embodiment). The developing roller 21 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R2 (counterclockwise) in FIG. 2. During development, a developing voltage (developing bias) is applied to the developing roller 21 from a developing power source E2 (FIG. 12) provided in the apparatus main body A. In this embodiment, a DC voltage of the same polarity as the normal charging polarity of the toner (negative polarity in this embodiment) is applied to the developing roller 21 as the developing voltage.

[0034] The supply roller 22 as a supply member is disposed so as to contact the surface (outer circumferential surface) of the developing roller 21. The supply roller 22 supplies toner in the developing chamber 25 to the developing roller 21 and scrapes off toner remaining on the developing roller 21 after the toner has passed through the developing section. The supply roller 22 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R3 (counterclockwise) in FIG. 2. During development, a supply member voltage (supply member bias) is applied to the supply roller 22 from a supply member power supply E3 (FIG. 12) provided in the apparatus main body A. In this embodiment, a DC voltage having the same polarity as the normal charging polarity of the toner (negative polarity in this embodiment) is applied to the supply roller 22 as the supply member voltage.

[0035] The developing blade 23, which serves as a regulating member, is disposed in contact with the surface of the developing roller 21 so that its longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the direction of the rotational axis of the developing roller 21. The developing blade 23 regulates the amount (layer thickness) of toner adhering to the surface of the developing roller 21 and also imparts a frictional charge to the toner. During development, a regulating member voltage (regulating member bias) is applied to the developing blade 23 from a regulating member power supply E4 (FIG. 12) provided in the apparatus main body A. In this embodiment, the regulating member voltage applied to the developing blade 23 is a regulating member voltage of the same polarity (negative in this embodiment) as the normal charging polarity of the toner.

[0036] The developing roller 21, supply roller 22, and developing blade 23 are examples of process members that are electrically connected to main body electrical contact portions provided in the main body A of the apparatus. In this embodiment, the developing roller 21, supply roller 22, and developing blade 23 as process members are long in one direction. In this embodiment, the rotation axes of the photosensitive drum 11, developing roller 21, and supply roller 22 are approximately parallel to one another, and when the process cartridge B is mounted in the main body A of the apparatus, each of these rotation axes is disposed approximately horizontally.

[0037] Next, the support structure of the developing unit 20 by the drum unit 10 will be described. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the process cartridge B in this embodiment, showing the drive side having the drive unit. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the process cartridge B in this embodiment, showing the non-drive side not having the drive unit.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the developing unit 20 has a drive-side bearing member 54 and a non-drive-side bearing member 55 at one end and the other end in the direction of the rotational axis (longitudinal direction) of the developing roller 21 (not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). The drive-side bearing member 54 and the non-drive-side bearing member 55 are arranged along a plane that intersects (here, substantially perpendicular to) the rotational axis of the developing roller 21. The developing unit 20 is coupled to the drum unit 10 via the drive-side bearing member 54 and the non-drive-side bearing member 55 so as to be rotatable about an oscillation axis 8 defined by a straight line including support shafts 8a and 8b. The process cartridge B is also provided with a drive-side pressure spring 52 and a non-drive-side pressure spring 53, each of which is an elastic member. One end of the drive-side pressure spring 52 and the non-drive-side pressure spring 53 is attached to the developing unit 20, and the other end is attached to the drum unit 10.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, a cylindrical portion 54a of the drive-side bearing member 54 is supported in a cylindrical hole 57a formed in a side cover 57 of the drum unit 10. The support shaft 8a is defined by a common axis of the cylindrical hole 57a of the side cover 57 and the cylindrical portion 54a of the drive-side bearing member 54. A cartridge-side coupling 58 serving as a drive input member for receiving drive from the main assembly A of the apparatus is provided at the rotation center of the cylindrical portion 54a of the drive-side bearing member 54. When the process cartridge B is mounted in the main assembly A of the apparatus, a main assembly-side coupling (not shown) serving as a drive output member provided in the main assembly A of the apparatus is connected (engaged) to the cartridge-side coupling 58. The drive force input to the cartridge-side coupling 58 from a motor M1 (FIG. 12) provided in the main assembly A of the apparatus is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 11 and also to the developing roller 21 and the supply member 22 via gears (not shown) serving as drive transmission members supported by the drive-side bearing member 54.

[0040] 4, on the non-drive side, pin 56 is inserted so as to straddle hole 19a of drum unit frame 19 and a cylindrical hole (not shown) in non-drive-side bearing member 55. Support shaft 8b is defined by the common axis of pin 56 and the cylindrical hole in non-drive-side bearing member 55. Support shafts 8a and 8b are arranged approximately coaxially, and as described above, swing axis 8 is defined by a straight line including support shafts 8a and 8b.

[0041] With this configuration, the developing unit 20 is supported by the drum unit 10 so as to be rotatable around the swing axis 8. The developing unit 20 is also urged toward the drum unit 10 by the driving-side pressure spring 52 and the non-driving-side pressure spring 53, which are elastic members. This causes the developing roller 21 to come into contact with the photosensitive drum 11.

[0042] <Configuration of non-drive side bearing member> Next, the configuration of the non-drive-side bearing member 55 in this embodiment will be described. The non-drive-side bearing member 55 is an example of a resin-molded part having multiple electrode members. FIG. 5 is a side view of the non-drive-side bearing member 55 as seen from inside the developing unit 20 along the rotational axis of the developing roller 21. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the non-drive-side bearing member 55 as seen from outside the developing unit 20. FIG. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an electrical connection between the electrode member of the non-drive-side bearing member 55 and the developing roller 21 serving as a process member (power-receiving member) (the cross section passes through the rotational axis of the developing roller 21 and is generally parallel to the rotational axis). FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an electrical connection between the electrode member of the non-drive-side bearing member 55 and the supply roller 22 serving as a process member (the cross section passes through the rotational axis of the supply roller 22 and is generally parallel to the rotational axis). Also, Figure 7(c) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the electrical connection portion between the electrode member of the non-drive side bearing member 55 and the developing blade 23 as a process member (showing a cross section approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the developing blade 23).

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, the non-drive-side bearing member 55 includes a base (bearing frame) 200 and a first electrode member 201, a second electrode member 202, and a third electrode member 203. That is, the non-drive-side bearing member 55 includes three electrode members. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first electrode member 201 includes a first power receiving portion 201a, a first supply portion (first power feeding portion) 201b, and a first connection portion 201c connecting the first power receiving portion 201a and the first supply portion 201b. Similarly, the second electrode member 202 includes a second power receiving portion 202a, a second supply portion (second power feeding portion) 202b, and a second connection portion 202c connecting the second power receiving portion 202a and the second supply portion 202b. The third electrode member 203 has a third power receiving section 203a, a third supply section (third power feeding section) 203b, and a third connection section 203c that connects the third power receiving section 203a and the third supply section 203b. When the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203 are described collectively, the terms "first," "second," and "third" may be omitted. The same applies to each element of the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 6, the first power receiving portion 201a, the second power receiving portion 202a, and the third power receiving portion 203a come into contact with a first body electrical contact portion 111, a second body electrical contact portion 112, and a third body electrical contact portion 113, respectively, which are provided in the apparatus main body A. As a result, the first power receiving portion 201a, the second power receiving portion 202a, and the third power receiving portion 203a are electrically connected to the first body electrical contact portion 111, the second body electrical contact portion 112, and the third body electrical contact portion 113, respectively. A voltage is applied to the first power receiving portion 201a from a development power source E2 (Fig. 12) provided in the apparatus main body A via the first body electrical contact portion 111. In other words, the first power receiving portion 201a receives a supply of power via the first body electrical contact portion 111. Similarly, second power receiving unit 202a receives a voltage from supply member power source E3 (FIG. 12) provided in apparatus body A via second main body electrical contact 112. That is, second power receiving unit 202a receives a supply of power via second main body electrical contact 112. Furthermore, third power receiving unit 203a receives a voltage from restriction member power source E4 (FIG. 12) provided in apparatus body A via third main body electrical contact 113. That is, third power receiving unit 203a receives a supply of power via third main body electrical contact 113.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7A, the first power supply unit 201b rotatably supports the core 21a of the developing roller 21, which is an example of a process member serving as a power-receiving member. In this embodiment, the core 21a has a substantially cylindrical shape with a cross section substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the developing roller 21, and is fitted into a substantially cylindrical recess of the first power supply unit 201b. The first power supply unit 201b abuts against the end surface 21b and outer peripheral surface 21c of the core 21a of the developing roller 21. As a result, the voltage applied to the first power receiving unit 201a is supplied to the core 21a of the developing roller 21 via the first connection unit 201c and the first power supply unit 201b. In other words, the first power supply unit 201b supplies power to the developing roller 21, which serves as a first process member.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7B, the second power supply unit 202b rotatably supports the core 22a of the supply roller 22, which is an example of a process member serving as a power-receiving member. In this embodiment, the core 22a has a substantially cylindrical shape with a cross section substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the supply roller 22, and is fitted into a substantially cylindrical recess of the second power supply unit 202b. The second power supply unit 202b abuts against the end surface 22b and the outer circumferential surface 22c of the core 22a of the supply roller 22. As a result, the voltage applied to the second power receiving unit 202a is supplied to the core 22a of the supply roller 22 via the second connection unit 202c and the second power supply unit 202b. In other words, the second power supply unit 202b supplies power to the supply roller 22, which serves as a second process member.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7(c), the third supply unit 203b supports an electrode spring 204 as an electrical connection member. In this embodiment, the electrode spring 204 is a compression coil spring, which is a conductive elastic member. The electrode spring 204 is press-fitted into the third supply unit 203b so that a substantially cylindrical boss 203b1 provided on the third supply unit 203b is inserted inside the coil of the electrode spring 204. The electrode spring 204 is disposed between the third supply unit 203b and the developing blade 23, which is an example of a process member serving as a power-receiving member, and electrically connects the third supply unit 203b and the developing blade 23. As a result, the voltage applied to the third power receiving unit 203a is supplied to the developing blade 23 via the third connection unit 203c, the third supply unit 203b, and the electrode spring 204. In other words, the third supply unit 203b supplies power to the developing blade 23, which serves as a third process member.

[0048] As described above, the process cartridge B includes electrode members 201-203 for receiving electric power from the apparatus main body A to be supplied to the process members 21-23. As will be described later, the electrode members 201-203 are molded integrally with the base 200 of the non-drive-side bearing member 55 using conductive resin. Each of the electrode members 201-203 has a power receiving portion 201a-203a, which is an end portion that faces the main body electrical contact portions 111-113 when the process cartridge B is installed in the apparatus main body A. Each of the electrode members 201-203 also has a supply portion 201b-203b, which is an end portion that faces the process members 21-23 when the process cartridge B is installed in the apparatus main body A. Each of the electrode members 201-203 also has a connection portion 201c-203c that electrically connects the power receiving portion 201a-203a to the supply portion 201b-203b. In each of the electrode members 201-203, the power receiving portions 201a-203a, the supply portions 201b-203b, and the connection portions 201c-203c are integrally provided, and each form a conductive path (first conductive path 201e, second conductive path 202e, third conductive path 203e). In each of the electrode members 201-203, the power receiving portions 201a-203a are provided so as to penetrate the base 200 from the inner side surface of the process cartridge B to the outer side surface. In each of the electrode members 201-203, the connection portions 201c-203c are provided on the inner side surface of the base 200 of the process cartridge B, and extend so as to connect the power receiving portions 201a-203a and the supply portions 201b-203b, respectively. The first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203 are separated from one another by the base 200.

[0049] Here, the contact between the first main body electrical contact portion 111 provided on the apparatus main body A and the first power receiving portion 201a is approximately point contact between approximately one point on the first main body electrical contact portion 111 and the flat first power receiving portion 201a. Similarly, the contact between the second main body electrical contact portion 112 and the second power receiving portion 202a, and the contact between the third main body electrical contact portion 113 and the third power receiving portion 203a are each approximately point contact. On the other hand, the contact between the first supply portion 201b and the developing roller 21 is surface contact between the abutment surface 201b1 of the first supply portion 201b and the end face 21b of the core portion 21a, and line contact between the circumferential surface 201b2 of the first supply portion 201b and the generatrix (approximately parallel to the rotation axis) of the outer circumferential surface 21c of the core portion 21a. In the first supply unit 201b, the abutting surface 201b1 corresponds to the bottom of a substantially cylindrical recess, and the circumferential surface of the first supply unit 201b corresponds to the inner circumferential surface of the substantially cylindrical recess. Similarly, the contact between the second supply unit 202b and the supply roller 22 is a surface contact between the abutting surface 202b1 of the second supply unit 202b and the end face 22b of the core portion 22a, and a line contact between the circumferential surface 202b2 of the second supply unit 202b and the generatrix of the outer circumferential surface 22c of the core portion 22a. In the second supply unit 202b, the abutting surface 202b1 corresponds to the bottom of a substantially cylindrical recess, and the circumferential surface of the second supply unit 202b corresponds to the inner circumferential surface of the substantially cylindrical recess. Furthermore, the contact between the third supply portion 203b and the electrode spring 204 is line contact between a boss 203b1 provided on the third supply portion 203b and the wire diameter (generator of the outer peripheral surface of the wire) of the electrode spring 204 press-fitted into the boss 203b1. Therefore, the contact area between the first electrode member 201 and the first body electrical contact portion 111 is smaller than the contact area between the first electrode member 201 and the developing roller 21. Similarly, the contact area between the second electrode member 202 and the second body electrical contact portion 112 is smaller than the contact area between the second electrode member 202 and the supply roller 22. Furthermore, the contact area between the third electrode member 203 and the third body electrical contact portion 113 is smaller than the contact area between the third electrode member 203 and the electrode spring 204.

[0050] <Method for molding non-drive side bearing member> Next, we will explain the method for molding the non-drive-side bearing member 55. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the method for molding the electrode members 201-203 on the non-drive-side bearing member 55, and schematically shows the injection path of the conductive resin into the base 200 as seen from inside the developing unit 20 along the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 21.

[0051] First, an outline of a method for forming the non-drive-side bearing member 55 will be described.

[0052] In the non-drive side bearing member 55, the base 200 is formed from an insulating (electrically insulating, non-conductive) resin, and the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203 are formed from a conductive resin (conductive resin).

[0053] First, the base 200 is molded from insulating resin. At this time, a first forming portion 200a, a second forming portion 200b, and a third forming portion 200c are provided on the base 200. The first forming portion 200a is a flow path of resin for forming the first electrode member 201 (a region corresponding to the first electrode member 201). The second forming portion 200b is a flow path of resin for forming the second electrode member 202 (a region corresponding to the second electrode member 202). The third forming portion 200c is a flow path of resin for forming the third electrode member 203 (a region corresponding to the third electrode member 203). The first forming portion 200a, the second forming portion 200b, and the third forming portion 200c are each composed of a region on the base 200 formed by the base 200 and a mold (see FIG. 11).

[0054] Then, a conductive resin is injected into the first forming portion 200a, the second forming portion 200b, and the third forming portion 200c, thereby forming the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203, respectively.

[0055] In this embodiment, the non-drive-side bearing member 55 is molded by two-color molding. Two-color molding is a molding method in which a first resin (insulating resin in this embodiment) is injected into a mold to form a mold, a second resin (conductive resin in this embodiment) is injected into the mold without removing the molded product, and then the molded product is released from the mold. That is, in this embodiment, an insulating resin is injected into a mold to form the base 200, and a conductive resin is injected into the base 200 without removing the base 200 from the mold to form the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203. Then, the molded part (the non-drive-side bearing member 55 in which the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203 are integrally molded with the base 200) is removed from the mold. Two-color molding improves the molding accuracy of the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203 relative to the base 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203 may be formed by holding the base 200, which has been separately molded and removed from the mold, in another mold and injecting conductive resin into it.

[0056] In this embodiment, high impact polystyrene (HIPS) was used as the insulating resin forming the base 200. Furthermore, in this embodiment, polyacetal containing carbon black as a conductive agent was used as the conductive resin forming the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203. The conductive agent is not limited to carbon black; carbon fiber, metal additives, and the like may also be used. After molding the base 200, conductive resin is injected into the base 200 to integrally mold the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203 onto the base 200, thereby forming the non-drive-side bearing member 55. At this time, the conductive resin can be injected after molding the base 200, before the resin material cools and solidifies.

[0057] Next, a method for molding the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203 by injecting conductive resin into the first forming portion 200a, the second forming portion 200b, and the third forming portion 200c of the base 200 will be described.

[0058] In this embodiment, conductive resin is injected from a molding machine (injection molding machine) into one sprue 300 in a mold and then branched into three runners in the mold: a first runner 301a, a second runner 301b, and a third runner 301c. The conductive resin that has flowed into the first runner 301a then passes through a first gate 302a, which is a gate located in (adjacent to) the region corresponding to the first connecting portion 201c, and is injected into the first forming portion 200a through a first injection port 320a of the first gate 302a. Similarly, the conductive resin that has flowed into the second runner 301b passes through a second gate 302b, which is a gate located in (adjacent to) the region corresponding to the second connecting portion 202c, and is injected into the second forming portion 200b through a second injection port 320b of the second gate 302b. The conductive resin that has flowed into the third runner 301c passes through a third gate 302c, which is one gate located in (adjacent to) the region corresponding to the third connection portion 203c, and is injected into the third forming portion 200c from a third injection port 320c of the third gate 302c. That is, the conductive resin injected into one sprue 300 is simultaneously (in parallel) injected into three portions, namely, the first forming portion 200a, the second forming portion 200b, and the third forming portion 200c, via the gates 302a to 302c, respectively.

[0059] In the molded non-drive-side bearing member 55, a first injection mark 201d remains at the location where the first electrode member 201 and the first gate 301a were in contact (adjacent) with each other. Similarly, a second injection mark 202d remains at the location where the second electrode member 202 and the second gate 301b were in contact (adjacent) with each other. Furthermore, a third injection mark 203d remains at the location where the third electrode member 203 and the third gate 301c were in contact (adjacent) with each other. That is, in each of the electrode members 201-203, the connecting portions 201c-203c are provided with injection marks 201d-203d, which are marks where the conductive resin was injected when the electrode members 201-203 were molded.

[0060] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for molding the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203 by two-color molding. As shown in FIG. 11(a), first, a first mold 401 and a second mold 402 are brought together and clamped to form a space (cavity) 404 into which an insulating resin, which is a first resin, is injected. Then, insulating resin injected from a molding machine is injected into the space 404 through an injection path 403 to form the base 200. Next, as shown in FIG. 11(b), with the molded base 200 held in the first mold 401, the second mold 402 is replaced with a third mold 405 to mold the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203. Then, the first mold 401 and the third mold 402 are brought together and clamped to form a space 407 into which a conductive resin, which is a second resin, is injected. This space 407 corresponds to the first forming portion 200a, the second forming portion 200b, and the third forming portion 200c. Thereafter, conductive resin injected from a molding machine is injected into the space 407 through an injection path 406 to mold the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203. The injection path 406 corresponds to the sprue 300, the runners 301a to 301c, and the gates 302a to 302c described above. Then, the non-drive-side bearing member 55, in which the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203 are integrally molded on the base 200, is removed from the first mold 401 and the third mold 403.

[0061] Here, if the resin pressure acting on the flow path of the resin forming the electrode member increases, there is a possibility that molding of the electrode member will become unstable.

[0062] For example, as described above, in this embodiment, the contact area between each of the electrode members 201-203 and each of the main body electrical contact portions 111-113 is relatively small (approximately point contact). Therefore, in order to ensure the conductivity of each of the power receiving portions 201a-203a, it is desirable to stabilize the moldability of each of the power receiving portions 201a-203a by suppressing an increase in resin pressure applied to the region corresponding to each of the power receiving portions 201a-203a.

[0063] Furthermore, the injection of conductive resin into the first forming portion 200a, the second forming portion 200b, and the third forming portion 200c may not be completed simultaneously. For example, after the injection (filling) of conductive resin into the second forming portion 200b and the third forming portion 200c is completed, the injection (filling) of conductive resin into the first forming portion 200a may remain. In this case, in addition to the conductive resin injected into the first forming portion 200a, the conductive resin injected into the second forming portion 200b and the third forming portion 200c is injected into the first forming portion 200a. This may increase the resin pressure applied to the first forming portion 200a, potentially making molding unstable. Therefore, in this case, to ensure the conductivity of the first electrode member 201, which is the last to be injected with resin, it is desirable to suppress the increase in resin pressure applied to the first forming portion 200a (the region corresponding to the first electrode member 201) and stabilize the moldability of the first electrode member 201.

[0064] <Configuration of electrode components> Next, the configurations of the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203 will be further described. Figure 9 is a side view of the electrode members 201 to 203 as viewed from inside the developing unit 20 along the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 21. Figures 10(a), (b), and (c) are cross-sectional views of the first connecting portion 201c, the second connecting portion 202c, and the third connecting portion 203c, respectively (showing the AA cross section, the BB cross section, and the CC cross section in Figure 9, respectively).

[0065] As described above, the first electrode member 201 has a first power receiving portion 201a, a first supply portion 201b, a first connection portion 201c, and a first injection mark 201d. Similarly, the second electrode member 202 has a second power receiving portion 202a, a second supply portion 202b, a second connection portion 202c, and a second injection mark 202d. Furthermore, the third electrode member 203 has a third power receiving portion 203a, a third supply portion 203b, a third connection portion 203c, and a third injection mark 203d.

[0066] In this embodiment, when the first electrode member 201 is divided by a plane D that intersects (here, substantially perpendicular to) the direction in which the first connection portion 201c extends at the position of the first injection mark 201d, the first electrode member 201 is configured as follows: That is, the first electrode member 201 is configured so that the volume of the first power receiving portion 201a side with respect to the first injection mark 201d is smaller than the volume of the first supply portion 201b side with respect to the first injection mark 201d. In other words, plane D is an imaginary plane of the first connection portion 201c that passes through the center of the first injection mark 201d and is perpendicular to a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first connection portion 201c extends in the vicinity of the first injection mark 201d. When the first electrode member 201 is divided into two parts, a first part 211 on the side of the first power receiving unit 201a and a second part 212 on the side of the first supply unit 201b, with respect to this imaginary plane D, the first part 211 has a smaller volume than the second part 212.

[0067] Similarly, in this embodiment, when the second electrode member 202 is divided by a plane E that intersects (here, approximately perpendicular to) the direction in which the second connection portion 202c extends at the position of the second injection mark 202d, the second electrode member 202 is configured as follows: That is, the second electrode member 202 is configured so that the volume of the second power receiving portion 202a side with respect to the second injection mark 202d is smaller than the volume of the second supply portion 202b side with respect to the second injection mark 202d. In other words, plane E is an imaginary plane of the second connection portion 202c that passes through the center of the second injection mark 202d and is perpendicular to a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second connection portion 202c extends in the vicinity of the second injection mark 202d. When the second electrode member 202 is divided into two parts, a third part 221 on the side of the second power receiving unit 202a and a fourth part 222 on the side of the second supply unit 202b, with respect to this imaginary plane E, the third part 221 has a smaller volume than the fourth part 222.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when third electrode member 203 is divided by plane F that intersects (here, approximately perpendicular to) the direction in which third connection portion 203c extends at the position of third injection mark 203d, third electrode member 203 is configured as follows: That is, third electrode member 203 is configured so that the volume of third power receiving portion 203a side with respect to third injection mark 203d is smaller than the volume of third supply portion 203b side with respect to third injection mark 203d. In other words, plane F is an imaginary plane of third connection portion 203c that passes through the center of third injection mark 203d and is perpendicular to a direction perpendicular to the direction in which third connection portion 203c extends in the vicinity of where third injection mark 203d is provided. When the third electrode member 203 is divided into two parts, a fifth part 231 on the side of the third power receiving unit 203a and a sixth part 232 on the side of the third supply unit 203b, with respect to this imaginary plane F, the fifth part 231 has a smaller volume than the sixth part 232.

[0069] In this embodiment, in the first electrode member 201, the length (distance) of the first connection portion 201c on the first power receiving portion 201a side relative to the first injection mark 201d is shorter than the length of the first connection portion 201c on the first supply portion 201b side relative to the first injection mark 201d. That is, in the first electrode member 201, the length of the first connection portion 201c in the first portion 211 is shorter than the length of the first connection portion 201c in the second portion 212. Similarly, in the second electrode member 202, the length of the second connection portion 202c on the second power receiving portion 202a side relative to the second injection mark 202d is shorter than the length of the second connection portion 202c on the second supply portion 202b side relative to the second injection mark 202d. That is, in the second electrode member 202, the length of the second connection portion 202c in the third portion 221 is shorter than the length of the second connection portion 202c in the fourth portion 222. Furthermore, in the third electrode member 203, the length of the third connection portion 203c on the third power receiving portion 203a side relative to the third injection mark 203d is shorter than the length of the third connection portion 203c on the third supply portion 203b side relative to the third injection mark 203d. That is, in the third electrode member 203, the length of the third connection portion 203c in the fifth portion 231 is shorter than the length of the third connection portion 203c in the sixth portion 232. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first electrode member 201 is configured so that the width t1 of the first connection portion 201c, which will be described later, is approximately uniform.

[0070] Therefore, in this embodiment, when molding the first electrode member 201, the injection of conductive resin into the region corresponding to the first power receiving portion 201a is completed earlier than the injection of conductive resin into the region corresponding to the first supply portion 201b. Similarly, when molding the second electrode member 202, the injection of conductive resin into the region corresponding to the second power receiving portion 202a is completed earlier than the injection of conductive resin into the region corresponding to the second supply portion 202b. Furthermore, when molding the third electrode member 203, the injection of conductive resin into the region corresponding to the third power receiving portion 203a is completed earlier than the injection of conductive resin into the region corresponding to the third supply portion 203b.

[0071] Next, the relationship between the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203 will be described.

[0072] In this embodiment, the length L1 of the first connection portion 201c of the first electrode member 201 is longer than the length L2 of the second connection portion 202c of the second electrode member 202, and is also longer than the length L3 of the third connection portion 203c of the third electrode member 203. That is, in this embodiment, of the multiple electrode members provided on the non-drive-side bearing member 55, the first electrode member 201 is the electrode member with the longest connection portion. Also, in this embodiment, the volume of the first electrode member 201 is larger than the volume of the second electrode member 202, and is also larger than the volume of the third electrode member 203. That is, in this embodiment, of the multiple electrode members provided on the non-drive-side bearing member 55, the first electrode member 201 is the electrode member with the largest volume.

[0073] Here, when the first electrode member 201 is projected in the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 21, the width in the direction intersecting (here, approximately perpendicular) the direction in which the first connecting portion 201c extends is defined as t1. Similarly, when the second electrode member 202 is projected in the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 22, the width in the direction intersecting (here, approximately perpendicular) the direction in which the second connecting portion 202c extends is defined as t2. Furthermore, when the third electrode member 203 is projected in the rotational axis direction of the developing roller 21, the width in the direction intersecting (here, approximately perpendicular) the direction in which the third connecting portion 203c extends is defined as t3.

[0074] In this embodiment, the width t1 of the first connection portion 201c is equal to or greater than the width t2 of the second connection portion 202c and equal to or greater than the width t3 of the third connection portion 203c (t1≧t2, t1≧t3). Thus, in this embodiment, the multiple electrode members provided on the non-drive-side bearing member 55 are configured such that the width t1 of the first connection portion 201c, which is the longest connection portion, is equal to or greater than the widths of the other connection portions (the second connection portion 202c, the third connection portion 203c). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first electrode member 201 is configured such that the widths t1 of the first connection portions 201c are substantially uniform. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second electrode member 202 and the third electrode member 203 are also configured such that the widths t2 of the second connection portion 202c and the widths t3 of the third connection portion 203c are substantially uniform.

[0075] 10(a), S1 denotes the cross-sectional area of ​​the first connecting portion 201c in a plane intersecting (here, substantially perpendicular to) the direction in which the resin flows into the first electrode member 201 (the direction of arrow a1 in FIG. 9). Similarly, S2 denotes the cross-sectional area of ​​the second connecting portion 202c in a plane intersecting (here, substantially perpendicular to) the direction in which the resin flows into the second electrode member 202 (the direction of arrow a2 in FIG. 9). Furthermore, S3 denotes the cross-sectional area of ​​the third connecting portion 203c in a plane intersecting (here, substantially perpendicular to) the direction in which the resin flows into the third electrode member 203 (the direction of arrow a3 in FIG. 9).

[0076] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional area S1 of the first connecting portion 201c is larger than the cross-sectional area S2 of the second connecting portion 202c and is larger than the cross-sectional area S3 of the third connecting portion 203c (S1>S2, S1>S3). That is, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first connecting portion 201c perpendicular to the extension direction of the first connecting portion 201c is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second connecting portion 202c perpendicular to the extension direction of the second connecting portion 202c and is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the third connecting portion 203c perpendicular to the extension direction of the third connecting portion 203c. In this embodiment, the width t1 of the first connecting portion 201c is not only greater than the width t2 of the second connecting portion 202c and greater than the width t3 of the third connecting portion 203c as described above, but also the depth t4 of the first connecting portion 201c is greater than the depth t5 of the second connecting portion 202c and greater than the depth t6 of the third connecting portion 203c. It is sufficient that the first connecting portion 201c is larger than the second connecting portion 202c and the third connecting portion 203c in at least one of the width and the depth.

[0077] Therefore, in this embodiment, when molding the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203, the injection of conductive resin into the area corresponding to the first connection portion 201c of the first electrode member 201 is completed last.

[0078] The resin flow direction corresponds to the extension direction of the connection portion, and the direction substantially perpendicular to the resin flow direction is substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the developing roller 21 in this embodiment. The cross-sectional area of ​​the connection portion defined here refers to the main cross-sectional area that is most commonly observed in the connection portion. For example, the cross-sectional areas of the AA cross section of the first connection portion 201c, the BB cross section of the second connection portion 202c, and the CC cross section of the third connection portion 203c shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 correspond to this cross-sectional area. The AA cross section is a cross section taken at a position closer to the first injection mark 201d between the first injection mark 201d and the first supply portion 201b. The BB cross section is a cross section taken at a position closer to the second injection mark 202d between the second injection mark 202d and the second supply portion 202b. The CC cross section is a cross section taken at a position closer to the third injection mark 203d between the third injection mark 203d and the third supply portion 203b. As described above, the cross-sectional area of ​​each of the connection portions 201c-203c can typically be represented by the cross-sectional area of ​​a cross section at a position closer to the injection marks 201d-203d (more specifically, faces D, E, F) than to the midpoint of the length from the injection marks 201d-203d (more specifically, faces D, E, F) to the supply portions 201b-203b. This cross-sectional position can be considered to be the position where the injection of the conductive resin is completed at the end of the molding process for each of the connection portions 201c-203c of each of the electrode members 201-203. Furthermore, the widths t1, t2, and t3 of each of the electrode members 201-203 can be represented by the width (which may be an average value) near the cross-sectional position. Furthermore, the length of each connection portion is the length in the direction in which the connection portion extends, and can be considered to be the length of the portion extending with a width equivalent to the widths t1, t2, and t3 (L1, L2, and L3 in FIG. 9). As described above, in this embodiment, the length L2 of the second connection portion 202c of the second electrode member 202 and the length L3 of the third connection portion 203c of the third electrode member 203 are each shorter than the length L1 of the first connection portion 201c of the first electrode member 201. The lengths of the power receiving portions 201a to 203a and the lengths of the power supply portions 201b to 203b in the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 21 are all equal. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second conductive path 202e of the second electrode member 202 and the third conductive path 203e of the third electrode member 203 are each shorter than the first conductive path 201e of the first electrode member 201.

[0079] Here, the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203 are formed following the shapes of the first forming portion 200a, the second forming portion 200b, and the third forming portion 200c (areas on the base 200 formed by the base 200 and the mold), respectively. Therefore, it can be said that the first forming portion 200a, the second forming portion 200b, and the third forming portion 200c have the same or corresponding features as the above-mentioned first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203, respectively.

[0080] FIG. 13 is a diagram similar to FIG. 9 , but shows the first forming portion 200a, the second forming portion 200b, and the third forming portion 200c. As described above, in the molding process of the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203, conductive resin is injected into a sprue 300 at one location of a mold holding the base 200. The conductive resin injected into the sprue 300 is then injected into the first forming portion 200a, the second forming portion 200b, and the third forming portion 200c on the base, which correspond to the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203, respectively. In this way, the first electrode member 201, the second electrode member 202, and the third electrode member 203 are molded integrally with the base 200. At this time, the conductive resin is injected into first forming portion 200a through first gate 302a of the mold, which is provided with first injection inlet 320a adjacent to first connection portion region 243 corresponding to first connection portion 201c in first forming portion 200a. The conductive resin is injected into second forming portion 200b through second gate 302b of the mold, which is provided with second injection inlet 320b adjacent to second connection portion region 253 corresponding to second connection portion 201c in second forming portion 200b. The conductive resin is injected into third forming portion 200c through third gate 302c of the mold, which is provided with third injection inlet 320c adjacent to third connection portion region 263 corresponding to third connection portion 203c in third forming portion 200c.

[0081] The plane of the first connection region 243 that passes through the center of the first injection port 320a and is perpendicular to the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the first connection region 243 near the first injection port 320a is defined as imaginary plane G. The first forming portion 200a is divided into two parts with respect to imaginary plane G: a first portion 200a1 on the side of the first power receiving region 241 corresponding to the first power receiving portion 201a, and a second portion 200a2 on the side of the first supply region 242 corresponding to the first supply portion 201b. In this case, the first portion 200a1 has a smaller volume than the second portion 200a2. Similarly, the plane of the second connection region 253 that passes through the center of the second injection port 320b and is perpendicular to the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the second connection region 253 near the second injection port 320b is defined as imaginary plane H. The second forming portion 200b is divided into two portions with respect to the imaginary plane H: a third portion 200b1 on the side of the second power receiving portion region 251 corresponding to the second power receiving portion 202a, and a fourth portion 200b2 on the side of the second supply portion region 252 corresponding to the second supply portion 202b. In this case, the volume of the third portion 200b1 is smaller than that of the fourth portion 200b2. The imaginary plane I is a plane of the third connection portion region 263 that passes through the center of the third injection port 320c and is perpendicular to a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the third connection portion region 263 extends in the vicinity of the third injection port 320c. The third forming portion 200c is divided with respect to the imaginary plane I into a fifth portion 200c1 on the side of the third power receiving portion region 261 corresponding to the third power receiving portion 203a, and a sixth portion 200c2 on the side of the third supply portion region 262 corresponding to the third supply portion 203b. In this case, the fifth portion 200c1 has a smaller volume than the sixth portion 200c2. The cross-sectional area of ​​the first connection portion region 243 perpendicular to the extension direction of the first connection portion region 243 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second connection portion region 253 perpendicular to the extension direction of the second connection portion region 253, and is also larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the third connection portion region 263 perpendicular to the extension direction of the third connection portion region 263.

[0082] With this configuration, in the molding process, in the first forming portion 200a, the injection of conductive resin into the first power receiving portion region 241 is completed earlier than the injection of conductive resin into the first supply portion region 242. In the second forming portion 200b, the injection of conductive resin into the second power receiving portion region 251 is completed earlier than the injection of conductive resin into the second supply portion region 252. In the third forming portion 200c, the injection of conductive resin into the third power receiving portion region 261 is completed earlier than the injection of conductive resin into the third supply portion region 262. In addition, the injection of conductive resin into the first connection portion region 243 is completed later than the injection of conductive resin into the second connection portion region 253, and is completed later than the injection of conductive resin into the third connection portion region 263.

[0083] <Effects> As described above, if the resin pressure applied to the flow path of the resin forming the electrode member increases, there is a possibility that molding of the electrode member will become unstable.

[0084] According to this embodiment, the volume of each electrode member 201-203 on the side of the power receiving portions 201a-203a relative to the positions of the gates 302a-302c (injection marks 201d-203d) is smaller than the volume of each electrode member 201-203 on the side of the power supply portions 201b-203b. Therefore, the injection of resin into the regions corresponding to the power receiving portions 201a-203a is completed before the injection of resin into the regions corresponding to the supply portions 201b-203b. In the opposite case, the conductive resin that had been injected into the regions corresponding to the supply portions 201b-203b is instead injected into the regions corresponding to the power receiving portions 201a-203a. This increases the resin pressure on the regions corresponding to the power receiving portions 201a-203a, potentially resulting in unstable molding. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the increase in resin pressure on the regions corresponding to the power receiving portions 201a-203a can be suppressed when the resin is injected into the regions corresponding to the power receiving portions 201a-203a. This allows the power receiving portions 201a to 203a to be formed with stable formability.

[0085] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the connection portion (first connection portion) 201c, which is the last of the three connection portions 201c to 203c to be filled with resin during molding, is made larger than the cross-sectional areas of the other connection portions (second connection portion, third connection portion) 202c, 203c. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in resin pressure applied to the region corresponding to the first connection portion 201c, which is the last to be filled with resin during molding. This stabilizes the moldability of the first connection portion 201c, which is the last to be filled with resin during molding, and thereby stabilizes the moldability of the first electrode member 201, which is the last to be filled with resin during molding.

[0086] As described above, in this embodiment, the process cartridge B includes the non-drive-side bearing member 55, which is a single resin-molded part in which conductive resin is injected from a molding machine onto a single sprue 300 in a mold to form multiple electrode members. As described above, the configuration of the non-drive-side bearing member 55 in this embodiment stabilizes the moldability of the electrode members when molding them. This reduces the need for larger electrode members and larger molds for manufacturing them in order to stabilize the moldability of the electrode members and ensure conductivity, which is advantageous for miniaturizing the electrode members (and ultimately the product) and the molds for manufacturing them. This leads to reduced product costs. Thus, in this embodiment, when the electrode members of the cartridge B are molded from conductive resin, unstable molding of the electrode members 201-203 can be prevented.

[0087] [Other Examples] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0088] In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a process cartridge equipped with a developing unit, but is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a developing cartridge that is detachable from the main body of the apparatus, and the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0089] In the above-described embodiment, the process members are the developing roller, the supply roller, and the developing blade, but are not limited thereto. For example, the process members may be a photosensitive drum, a charging roller, or a means for detecting the remaining amount of developer using electrostatic capacitance measurement. The electrode members are not limited to those for applying a voltage from a power source to the process members, but may also be those for connecting the process members to ground. The number of process members is not limited to three, but may be two, four, or more. The number of electrode members can be changed depending on the number of process members.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, the main body electrical contact portion is in contact with the power receiving portion of the electrode member, but the present invention is not limited to this. The power receiving portion may be electrically connected to the main body electrical contact portion via a conductive member that is separately provided on the cartridge and that contacts the power receiving portion of the electrode member.

[0091] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus is a monochrome image forming apparatus in which a single cartridge can be attached and detached, but the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus in which multiple cartridges can be attached and detached, such as a color image forming apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 20 Development unit 21 Developing roller 22 Supply roller 23 Developing blade 55 Non-drive side bearing member 100 Image forming device 111~113 Main body electrical contacts 200 base 201 first electrode member 202 second electrode member 203 Third electrode member 300 sprues 301a~301c runners Gates 302a~302c A. Device body B Process cartridge

Claims

1. A cartridge detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, the main body having a first main body electrical contact portion and a second main body electrical contact portion, a base formed of insulating resin; a first process member and a second process member; a first electrode member and a second electrode member for receiving electric power from the apparatus body to be supplied to the first process member and the second process member, respectively, the first electrode member and the second electrode member being molded integrally with the base using a conductive resin; Equipped with the first electrode member, when the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body, is provided integrally with a first power receiving portion, which is an end portion on the side of the first main body electrical contact portion and receives power supplied via the first main body electrical contact portion; a first supply portion, which is an end portion on the side of the first process member and supplies power to the first process member; and a first connection portion that electrically connects the first power receiving portion and the first supply portion, and a first conductive path is formed by the first power receiving portion, the first connection portion, and the first supply portion; the second electrode member, when the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body, is provided integrally with a second power receiving portion, which is an end portion on the second main body electrical contact portion side and receives power supplied via the second main body electrical contact portion; a second supply portion, which is an end portion on the second process member side and supplies power to the second process member; and a second connection portion that electrically connects the second power receiving portion and the second supply portion, and the second power receiving portion, the second connection portion, and the second supply portion form a second conductive path that is shorter than the first conductive path; the first connection portion and the second connection portion are provided with first injection marks and second injection marks, which are marks formed when the conductive resin is injected when the first electrode member and the second electrode member are molded, respectively; when the first electrode member is divided into two parts, a first part on the side of the first power receiving part and a second part on the side of the first power supply part, with respect to an imaginary plane of the first connection part that passes through the center of the first injection mark and is perpendicular to a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the first connection part extends in the vicinity of the first injection mark, the first part has a smaller volume than the second part, when the second electrode member is divided into two parts, a third part on the second power receiving part side and a fourth part on the second power supply part side, with respect to an imaginary plane of the second connection part that passes through the center of the second injection mark and is perpendicular to a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the second connection part extends in the vicinity of the second injection mark, the third part has a smaller volume than the fourth part, a cross-sectional area of ​​the first connection portion perpendicular to a direction in which the first connection portion extends is larger than a cross-sectional area of ​​the second connection portion perpendicular to a direction in which the second connection portion extends; A cartridge characterized by:

2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein when the cartridge is attached to the device main body, the first power receiving portion contacts the first main body electrical contact portion, and the second power receiving portion contacts the second main body electrical contact portion.

3. At least one of the first process member and the second process member is elongated in one direction; 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the base, on which the first electrode member and the second electrode member are integrally molded, is provided at one end of the cartridge in the axial direction of the at least one process member.

4. The cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that the first power receiving portion and the second power receiving portion are provided through the base from the inner side surface of the cartridge to the outer side surface of the base, and the first connection portion and the second connection portion are provided on the inner side surface of the cartridge on the base.

5. The cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that, when the first electrode member and the second electrode member are projected onto a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, the width of the first connection portion in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first connection portion extends is greater than or equal to the width of the second connection portion in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second connection portion extends.

6. 2. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first process member and the second process member is a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member.

7. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first process member and the second process member is a supply member that supplies developer to a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member.

8. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first process member and the second process member is a regulating member that regulates the amount of developer carried on a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member.

9. The device is detachable from the device main body, and further includes a third main body electrical contact portion. a third process member; and a third electrode member for receiving power from the apparatus body to be supplied to the third process member, the third electrode member being molded integrally with the base using a conductive resin; Further provided with the third electrode member, when the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body, is provided integrally with a third power receiving portion, which is an end portion on the third main body electrical contact portion side and receives power supplied via the third main body electrical contact portion; a third supply portion, which is an end portion on the third process member side and supplies power to the third process member; and a third connection portion, which electrically connects the third power receiving portion and the third supply portion; and the third power receiving portion, the third connection portion, and the third supply portion form a third conductive path that is shorter than the first conductive path; the third connection portion is provided with a third injection mark, which is a mark formed by injecting the conductive resin when molding the third electrode member; when the third electrode member is divided into two parts, a fifth part on the third power receiving part side and a sixth part on the third power supply part side, with respect to an imaginary plane of the third connection part that passes through the center of the third injection mark and is perpendicular to a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the third connection part extends in the vicinity of the third injection mark, the fifth part has a smaller volume than the sixth part, a cross-sectional area of ​​the first connection portion perpendicular to the direction in which the first connection portion extends is larger than a cross-sectional area of ​​the second connection portion perpendicular to the direction in which the second connection portion extends, and is also larger than a cross-sectional area of ​​the third connection portion perpendicular to the direction in which the third connection portion extends; 2. The cartridge according to claim 1.

10. 10. The cartridge according to claim 9, wherein when the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body, the third power receiving portion comes into contact with the third main body electrical contact portion.

11. At least one of the first process member, the second process member, and the third process member is elongated in one direction; 10. The cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the base, on which the first electrode member, the second electrode member, and the third electrode member are integrally molded, is provided at one end of the cartridge in the axial direction of the at least one process member.

12. The cartridge according to claim 11, characterized in that the first power receiving portion, the second power receiving portion, and the third power receiving portion are provided through the base from an inner side surface of the cartridge to an outer side surface of the base, and the first connection portion, the second connection portion, and the third connection portion are provided on the inner side surface of the cartridge on the base.

13. The cartridge described in claim 11, characterized in that when the first electrode member, the second electrode member, and the third electrode member are projected onto a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, the width of the first connection portion in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first connection portion extends is equal to or greater than the width of the second connection portion in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second connection portion extends, and is equal to or greater than the width of the third connection portion in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the third connection portion extends.

14. 10. The cartridge according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the first process member, the second process member, and the third process member is a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member.

15. 10. A cartridge according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the first process member, the second process member, and the third process member is a supply member that supplies developer to a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member.

16. A cartridge according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the first process member, the second process member and the third process member is a regulating member that regulates the amount of developer carried on a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member.

17. A manufacturing method for manufacturing a cartridge that is detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge including a base formed of insulating resin, a first process member and a second process member, and a first electrode member and a second electrode member for receiving electric power to be supplied to the first process member and the second process member from the main body of the apparatus, a molding step of injecting a conductive resin into a sprue at one location of a mold that holds the base, injecting the conductive resin injected into the sprue from a first gate of the mold into a first forming portion on the base that corresponds to the first electrode member, and injecting the conductive resin injected into the sprue from a second gate of the mold into a second forming portion on the base that corresponds to the second electrode member, thereby molding the first electrode member and the second electrode member integrally with the base, the first forming portion includes a first power receiving portion region which is an end portion of the first electrode member corresponding to a first power receiving portion that receives power from the apparatus main body, a first supply portion region which is an end portion of the first electrode member corresponding to a first supply portion that supplies power to the first process member, and a first connection portion region which is a first connection portion that connects the first power receiving portion of the first electrode member to the first supply portion, and the conductive resin is injected from a first injection port of the first gate adjacent to the first connection portion region, the second forming portion includes a second power receiving portion region which is an end portion of the second electrode member corresponding to a second power receiving portion that receives power from the apparatus main body, a second supply portion region which is an end portion of the second electrode member corresponding to a second supply portion that supplies power to the second process member, and a second connection portion region which corresponds to a second connection portion that connects the second power receiving portion of the second electrode member to the second supply portion, and the conductive resin is injected from a second injection port of the second gate adjacent to the second connection portion region, A method for manufacturing a cartridge, characterized in that in the molding process, the injection of the conductive resin into the first power receiving area in the first forming section is completed earlier than the injection of the conductive resin into the first supply area, the injection of the conductive resin into the second power receiving area in the second forming section is completed earlier than the injection of the conductive resin into the second supply area, and the injection of the conductive resin into the first connection area is completed later than the injection of the conductive resin into the second connection area.

18. a manufacturing method for manufacturing the cartridge further comprising a third process member and a third electrode member for receiving power from the apparatus main body to be supplied to the third process member, a molding step of molding the third electrode member integrally with the base by further injecting the conductive resin injected into the sprue into a third forming portion on the base corresponding to the third electrode member from a third gate of the mold, the third forming portion includes a third power receiving portion region which is an end portion of the third electrode member corresponding to a third power receiving portion that receives power from the apparatus main body, a third supply portion region which is an end portion of the third electrode member corresponding to a third supply portion that supplies power to the third process member, and a third connection portion region which corresponds to a third connection portion that connects the third power receiving portion of the third electrode member to the third supply portion, and the conductive resin is injected from a third injection port of the third gate adjacent to the third connection portion region, 18. A method for manufacturing a cartridge as described in claim 17, wherein in the molding process, the injection of the conductive resin into the third power receiving portion region in the third forming portion is completed earlier than the injection of the conductive resin into the third supply portion region, the injection of the conductive resin into the first connection portion region is completed later than the injection of the conductive resin into the second connection portion region, and is completed later than the injection of the conductive resin into the third connection portion region.

19. 19. A method for manufacturing a cartridge according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the molding step is performed by injecting the conductive resin into the base, which is molded in the mold and then held in the mold without being removed from the mold.

Images