cartridge

Abstract

The aim is to further develop existing technologies. [Solution] The cartridge comprises a photoreceptor 4, a developing member 6 for attaching toner to the photoreceptor 4, a coupling member 74 capable of receiving a driving force to rotate the developing member 6, a movable part 510 that can move between a driving force transmission position that allows the transmission of driving force from the coupling member 74 to the developing member 6 and a driving force blocking position that blocks the transmission of driving force from the coupling member 74 to the developing member 6, and a holding part that holds the movable part 510 in the driving force blocking position when the movable part 510 is in the driving force blocking position, characterized in that the movable part 510 can take the driving force transmission position and the driving force blocking position when the developing member 6 is in a position where toner can be attached to the photoreceptor 4.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, such as a copier or printer, that employs an electrophotographic method, and a cartridge that can be attached to or removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as "image forming apparatus") is one that forms an image on a sheet-like recording medium such as paper using an electrophotographic image forming method. Examples of image forming apparatuses include copiers, facsimile machines, printers (laser beam printers, LED printers, etc.), and multifunction printers thereof. A cartridge is a unit that can be attached to or removed from the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, and is a unit having a photoreceptor and / or process means that act on the photoreceptor (e.g., a charging member, a developing member, a cleaning member, etc.). [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image forming apparatuses employ a process cartridge system in which the drum and the process means acting on the drum are integrated into a single cartridge, and this cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. This process cartridge system allows the user to perform maintenance on the image forming apparatus themselves, without the need for a service technician, thus significantly improving operability. For this reason, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a process cartridge equipped with a clutch that switches the drive, driving the developing roller when an image is being formed and blocking the drive to the developing roller when no image is being formed. Patent Document 2 also discloses a configuration in which the transmission and blocking of drive to the developing roller is switched while the surface of the photosensitive drum and the developing roller remain in contact. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-337511 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-111221 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, a clutch for drive switching is provided at the end of the developing roller, and a crank mechanism consisting of a rotating shaft and a handle connecting a shaft that is offset from the rotating shaft is used to switch the drive in conjunction with the contact and separation movement of the photoreceptor drum and the developing roller. However, there is room for further improvement in the conventional technology described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. Therefore, this disclosure aims to further develop the conventional technology. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems, the cartridge of this disclosure is: A cartridge that can be used with an image forming apparatus body having a first main body power supply unit and a second main body power supply unit, A shielding member comprising a shielding portion capable of covering a photoreceptor, the shielding portion being movable between a first position in which the photoreceptor is exposed and a second position in which the shielding portion covers the photoreceptor more than the first position, A first force receiving portion receives a force from the first main body force applying portion that moves the shielding member from the second position to the first position, The second main body force-applying unit applies force to move the shielding member from the first position to the second position. The second force receiving part receives force from, It has, The shielding member can be held in the first position with the first force receiving portion separated from the first main force applying portion and the second force receiving portion separated from the second main force applying portion. The shielding member can be held in the second position while the first force receiving portion is separated from the first main force applying portion and the second force receiving portion is separated from the second main force applying portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the prior art can be further developed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure showing the drive cutoff operation according to Example 1 [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to Example 1 [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of the process cartridge according to Example 1 [Figure 4] Assembly perspective view of the process cartridge according to Example 1 [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to Example 1 [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to Example 1 [Figure 7] Perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to Example 1 [Figure 8] Perspective view of the drive connection part according to Example 1 [Figure 9] Perspective view showing the engagement part of the coupling according to Example 1 [Figure 10] [[ID=4*]]Exploded view of the drive connection part according to Example 1 [Figure 11] Figure showing the configuration of each component of the drive connection part during drive transmission according to Example [Figure 12] Single-piece perspective view of the regulating member 510 according to Example 1 [Figure 13] Figure showing the positional relationship of the regulating member 510 during drive connection and cutoff according to Example 1 [Figure 14] Figure showing the mounting operation of the process cartridge according to Example 1 to the apparatus main body [Figure 15] Figure showing the arrangement of the regulating member 510 according to Example 1 [Figure 16] Figure showing the drive connection operation according to Example 1 [Figure 17] Perspective view of the drive connection part according to Example 2 [Figure 18] Cross-sectional view of the clutch component according to Example 2 [Figure 19] Diagram showing the engagement portion of the clutch component and coupling according to Example 2. [Figure 20] Perspective view of the regulating member 1510 according to Example 2 [Figure 21] Diagram showing the positional relationship of the regulating member 1510 during drive connection and disconnection according to Example 2. [Figure 22] Diagram illustrating the drive interruption operation according to Example 2 [Figure 23] Diagram illustrating the drive coupling operation according to Example 2 [Figure 24] Exploded view of the biasing member 1511 according to Example 2 [Figure 25] This figure shows the drive connection and drive disconnection operations when using the biasing member according to Example 2. [Figure 26] Perspective view of the drive coupling part according to Example 3 [Figure 27] Exploded view of the locking member 550 according to Example 3 [Figure 28] Perspective view of the regulating member 3510 according to Example 3 [Figure 29] Diagram illustrating the drive interruption operation according to Example 3. [Figure 30] Diagram showing the drive coupling operation according to Example 3 [Figure 31] Perspective view of the drive coupling part according to Embodiment 4 [Figure 32] Diagram showing the positional relationship of the drive coupling during drive transmission according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 33] Diagram showing the positional relationship of the drive coupling portion when the drive is disconnected according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 34] Diagram showing the drive interruption operation according to Example 4 [Figure 35] Diagram showing the drive coupling operation according to Example 4 [Figure 36] Perspective view of the drive coupling part according to Example 5 [Figure 37] Diagram showing the positional relationship of the drive coupling part in Example 5 when the drive is connected and when the drive is disconnected. [Figure 38] Diagram illustrating the drive interruption operation according to Example 5 [Figure 39] Diagram illustrating the drive coupling operation according to Example 5 [Figure 40]Perspective view of the drive coupling part according to Example 6 [Figure 41] Diagram showing the positional relationship of the drive coupling part in Example 6 during drive coupling and drive disconnection. [Figure 42] Exploded perspective view of the process cartridge according to Example 6 [Figure 43] Diagram showing the drive interruption operation according to Example 6 [Figure 44] Diagram showing the drive coupling operation according to Example 6 [Figure 45] Diagram showing the positional relationship of the shutter position regulating pin during drive connection and disconnection according to Embodiment 6. [Figure 46] Diagram showing the drive interruption operation according to Example 7 [Figure 47] Perspective view showing the positional relationship of the drive coupling part in Example 7 during drive coupling and disconnection. [Figure 48] Diagram showing the drive interruption operation according to Example 7 [Figure 49] Diagram showing the drive coupling operation according to Example 7 [Figure 50] Disassembled assembly diagram of the process cartridge according to Example 8 [Figure 51] Operational diagram of the regulating member according to Example 8 [Figure 52] Side view of the process cartridge according to Example 8 [Figure 53] Side view of the process cartridge according to Example 8 [Figure 54] Side view of the process cartridge according to Example 8 [Figure 55] Exploded assembly diagram of the regulating member according to Example 9 [Figure 56] Diagram illustrating the operation of the regulating member according to Example 9. [Figure 57] Operational diagram of the regulating member according to Example 9 [Figure 58] Operational diagram of the regulating member according to Example 9 [Figure 59] Exploded assembly diagram of the regulatory member according to Example 10 [Figure 60] Operational diagram of the regulating member according to Example 10 [Figure 61] Operational diagram of the regulating member according to Example 10 [Figure 62] Operational diagram of the regulating member according to Example 10 [Figure 63] Operational diagram of the regulating member according to Example 10 [Figure 64] Side view of the process cartridge according to Example 11 [Figure 65] Disassembled assembly diagram of the process cartridge according to Example 11 [Figure 66] Diagram illustrating the process cartridge installation operation into the main body of the device according to Example 11. [Figure 67] Disassembled assembly diagram of the process cartridge according to Example 12 [Figure 68] Operational diagram of the regulating member according to Example 12 [Figure 69] Operational diagram of the regulating member according to Example 12 [Figure 70] Operational diagram of the regulating member according to Example 12 [Figure 71] Operational diagram of the regulating member according to Example 12 [Figure 72] Operational diagram of the regulating member according to Example 12 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments for carrying out this invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, based on examples. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in these embodiments should be appropriately modified depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. In other words, the scope of this invention is not intended to be limited to the following embodiments.

[0010] (Example 1) Embodiment 1 of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 16. In the following embodiment, an image forming apparatus is shown as an example in which four cartridges (hereinafter referred to as process cartridges) can be attached and detached. However, the number of process cartridges to be installed in the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. It can be set as appropriate as needed. In addition, in the embodiment described below, a laser beam printer is shown as an example of an image forming apparatus.

[0011] [Outline configuration of an image forming apparatus] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 500 in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge P in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge P in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, viewed from the drive side, which is one end of the photoreceptor (hereinafter referred to as the photosensitive drum 4) in the axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the longitudinal direction).

[0012] This image forming apparatus 500 is a four-color full-color laser printer using an electrophotographic process, and forms a color image on a recording medium S. The image forming apparatus 500 uses a process cartridge system, and a process cartridge P is detachably mounted on the main body 502 of the image forming apparatus to form a color image on the recording medium S. Here, with respect to the image forming apparatus 500, the side with the front door 111 is referred to as the front, and the side opposite the front is referred to as the rear. Also, when viewing the image forming apparatus 500 from the front, the right side is referred to as the drive side, and the left side as the non-drive side. Also, when viewing the image forming apparatus 500 from the front, the top side is referred to as the top surface, and the bottom side is referred to as the bottom surface. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 500 viewed from the non-drive side, with the front of the paper being the non-drive side of the image forming apparatus 500, the right side of the paper being the front of the image forming apparatus 500, and the back of the paper being the drive side of the image forming apparatus 500.

[0013] The image forming apparatus main body 502 contains four process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK): the first process cartridge PY, the second process cartridge PM, the third process cartridge PC, and the fourth process cartridge PK, arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. Each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) has a similar electrophotographic process mechanism, but the developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) is different in color. Rotational driving force is transmitted to the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) from the drive output section (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 502. In addition, bias voltages (charging bias, development bias, etc.) are supplied to each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) from the image forming apparatus main body 502 (not shown).

[0014] As shown in Figure 3, each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) in this embodiment has a drum unit 8 that rotatably supports a photosensitive drum 4 and is equipped with a charging means and a cleaning means as process means that act on the photosensitive drum 4. Furthermore, each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) shown in Figure 2 has a developing unit 9 equipped with a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 4. The drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 are coupled to each other. A more specific configuration of the process cartridges P will be described later.

[0015] The first process cartridge PY contains yellow (Y) toner in the developing container 25, forming a yellow toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. The second process cartridge PM contains magenta (M) toner in the developing container 25, forming a magenta toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. The third process cartridge PC contains cyan (C) toner in the developing container 25, forming a cyan toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. The fourth process cartridge PK contains black (K) toner in the developing container 25, forming a black toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4.

[0016] Above the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK), a laser scanner unit 114 is provided as an exposure means. This laser scanner unit 114 outputs laser light U corresponding to image information. The laser light U then passes through the exposure window 10 of the process cartridge P and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 4.

[0017] Below the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK), an intermediate transfer belt unit 112 is provided as a transfer member. 12 has a drive roller 112e, a turn roller 112c, and a tension roller 112b, and a flexible transfer belt 112a is stretched across it. The photosensitive drums 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) of each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) have their lower surfaces in contact with the upper surface of the transfer belt 112a. This contact area is the primary transfer area. Inside the transfer belt 112a, a primary transfer roller 112d is provided, facing the photosensitive drum 4. The turn roller 112c is in contact with a secondary transfer roller 106a via the transfer belt 112a. The contact area between the transfer belt 112a and the secondary transfer roller 106a is the secondary transfer area.

[0018] Below the intermediate transfer belt unit 112, a feeding unit 104 is provided. This feeding unit 104 has a paper feed tray 104a that holds and accommodates the recording medium S, and a paper feed roller 104b. In the upper left of the main body 502 of the image forming apparatus in Figure 2, a fuser 107 and a paper discharge device 108 are provided. The top surface of the main body 502 of the image forming apparatus is the paper discharge tray 113. The toner image on the recording medium S is fixed by the fuser means provided in the fuser 107 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 113.

[0019] [Image Formation Process] The operation for forming a full-color image is as follows: The photosensitive drums 4 of each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) are driven to rotate at a predetermined speed (direction of arrow A in Figure 3). The transfer belt 112a is also driven to rotate in the forward direction of the rotation of the photosensitive drum (direction of arrow C in Figure 2) at a speed corresponding to the speed of the photosensitive drum 4. The laser scanner unit 114 is also driven. Synchronized with the driving of the laser scanner unit 114, the charging rollers 5 in each process cartridge uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 to a predetermined polarity and potential. The laser scanner unit 114 scans and exposes the surface of each photosensitive drum 4 with laser light U according to the image signal of each color. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal of the corresponding color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 4. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed by developing rollers 6 (6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K) which are driven to rotate at a predetermined speed (direction of arrow D in Figure 3).

[0020] Through the electrophotographic image formation process described above, a yellow toner image corresponding to the yellow component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 (4Y) of the first process cartridge PY. This toner image is then primary transferred onto the transfer belt 112a. Similarly, a magenta toner image corresponding to the magenta component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 (4M) of the second process cartridge PM. This toner image is then primary transferred by being superimposed on the yellow toner image already transferred onto the transfer belt 112a. Similarly, a cyan toner image corresponding to the cyan component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 (4C) of the third process cartridge PC. This toner image is then primary transferred by being superimposed on the yellow and magenta toner images already transferred onto the transfer belt 112a. Similarly, a black toner image corresponding to the black component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 (4K) of the fourth process cartridge PK. Then, the toner image is superimposed on the yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images that have already been transferred onto the transfer belt 112a, and a primary transfer is performed. In this way, a full-color, unfixed toner image of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is formed on the transfer belt 112a.

[0021] Meanwhile, the recording media S are separated and fed one by one at predetermined control timings. The recording media S are then introduced to the secondary transfer section, which is the contact point between the secondary transfer roller 106a and the transfer belt 112a, at predetermined control timings. As a result, during the process of transporting the recording media S to the secondary transfer section, the four-color superimposed toner image on the transfer belt 112a is transferred to the surface of the recording media S all at once.

[0022] [Overall configuration of the process cartridge] In this embodiment, the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) have similar electrophotographic process mechanisms, but differ in the color and amount of toner they contain. The process cartridge P shown in Figure 3 comprises a photosensitive drum 4 and process means that act on the photosensitive drum 4. Here, the process means include a charging roller 5 as a charging means for charging the photosensitive drum 4, a developing roller 6 as a developing member for developing the latent image formed by attaching toner to the photosensitive drum 4, and a cleaning blade 7 as a cleaning means for removing residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. The process cartridge P is divided into a drum unit 8 and a developing unit 9. Note that the form of the cartridge that can be used with the image forming apparatus body is not limited to the form shown here. For example, the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 may be configured to be independently attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus body, or the drum unit 8 may be fixed to the image forming apparatus body and only the developing unit 9 may be detachable from the image forming apparatus body.

[0023] [Drum Unit Configuration] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the drum unit 8 consists of a photosensitive drum 4, a charging roller 5, a cleaning blade 7, a drum frame 15, a waste toner storage section 15a, a drive-side cartridge cover member 520, and a non-drive-side cartridge cover member 521. The photosensitive drum 4 is rotatably supported by the drive-side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 521, which are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P. Also, as shown in Figure 4, a photoreceptor coupling member 43 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 4, to which the driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum 4 is input. The photoreceptor coupling member 43 engages with a coupling (not shown) which serves as the drum drive output section of the image forming apparatus body 502, and the driving force of the drive motor (not shown) of the image forming apparatus body 502 is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 4. The charging roller 5 is supported by the drum frame 15 so that it can contact the photosensitive drum 4 and rotate in a driven manner. Furthermore, the cleaning blade 7 is supported by the drum frame 15 so as to contact the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 4 with a predetermined pressure. The transfer residue toner removed from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 4 by the cleaning blade 7 is stored in the waste toner storage section 15a within the drum frame 15.

[0024] [Developing Unit Configuration] As shown in Figure 3, the developing unit 9 consists of a developing roller 6, a developing blade 30, a developing container 25, and the like. The developing container 25 has a toner storage section 29 for storing toner supplied to the developing roller 6, and a developing blade 30 for regulating the thickness of the toner layer on the circumferential surface of the developing roller 6. The developing blade 30 is made by welding or other means to an elastic member 30b, which is a sheet-like metal with a thickness of about 0.1 mm, to a support member 30a, which is a metal material with an L-shaped cross-section. The developing blade 30 is attached to the developing container 25 at two points, one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction, with fixing screws 30c. The developing roller 6 consists of a metal core 6c and a rubber part 6d. The developing roller 6 is rotatably supported by drive-side bearings 526 and non-drive-side bearings 27 attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 25.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, a developing coupling member 74 is provided at one longitudinal end of the developing unit 9, to which a driving force for rotating the developing roller 6 is input. The developing coupling member 74 engages with a coupling (not shown) which serves as the developing drive output unit of the image forming apparatus body 502, and the driving force of the drive motor (not shown) of the image forming apparatus body 502 is input to the developing unit 9. The driving force input to the developing unit 9 is transmitted by a drive train (not shown) provided inside the developing unit 9, making it possible to rotate the developing roller 6 in the direction of arrow D in Figure 3. A developing cover member 533 is provided at one longitudinal end of the developing unit 9 to support and cover the developing coupling member 74 and the drive train (not shown).

[0026] [Assembly of the drum unit and developing unit] The assembly of the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 will be explained using Figure 4. The drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 are connected by a drive-side cartridge cover member 520 and a non-drive-side cartridge cover member 521, which are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P. The drive-side cartridge cover member 520, provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P, is provided with a support hole 520a for supporting the developing unit 9 so that it can swing (move). The non-drive-side cartridge cover member 521, provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P, is provided with a cylindrical support portion 521a for supporting the developing unit 9 so that it can swing. Furthermore, the drive-side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 521 are provided with support holes 520b and 521b for rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum 4. Here, at one end, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 533b of the developing cover member 533 is fitted into the support hole 520a of the drive-side cartridge cover member 520. At the other end, the support portion 521a of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 521 is fitted into the hole of the non-drive side bearing 27. Furthermore, both longitudinal ends of the photosensitive drum 4 are fitted into the support hole 520b of the drive side cartridge cover member 520 and the support hole 521b of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 521. The drive side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-drive side cartridge cover member 521 are then fixed to the drum frame 15 by screws, adhesive, etc. (not shown). In other words, the drive side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-drive side cartridge cover member 521 become one with the drum frame 15 and constitute the drum unit 8. As a result, the developing unit 9 is supported by the drive side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-drive side cartridge cover member 521 so that it can swing (move) relative to the drum unit 8 (photosensitive drum 4). Here, the axis connecting the support hole 520a of the drive-side cartridge cover member 520 and the support portion 521a of the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 521, and the rotation center of the developing unit 9, is referred to as the pivot axis K. The cylindrical portion 533b of the developing cover member 533 is coaxial with the developing coupling member 74, and the developing unit 9 is configured to receive driving force from the image forming apparatus body 502 via the developing coupling member 74 at the pivot axis K.When the driving force is interrupted by the configuration described later, the repulsive force between the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 causes the developing unit 9 to rotate slightly away from the drum unit 8 around the pivot axis K. This reduces the contact pressure between the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

[0027] [Process cartridge removal configuration] The cartridge tray (hereinafter referred to as the tray) 110 that supports the process cartridge will be explained in more detail using Figures 2, 5, and 6. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 500 with the tray 110 located inside the main body 502 of the image forming apparatus when the front door 111 is open. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 500 with the tray 110 located outside the main body 502 of the image forming apparatus when the front door 111 is open.

[0028] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the tray 110 is movable relative to the image forming apparatus body 502 in the direction of arrow X1 (pushing direction) and arrow X2 (pulling direction). That is, the tray 110 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out and pushed in relative to the image forming apparatus body 502, and when the image forming apparatus body 502 is installed on a horizontal plane, the tray 110 is configured to be movable in a substantially horizontal direction. Here, the state in which the tray 110 is located outside the image forming apparatus body 502 (the state in Figure 6) is referred to as the outside position. Also, the state in which the tray 110 is located inside the image forming apparatus body 502 with the front door open, and the photosensitive drum 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) and the transfer belt 112a are separated by a gap T1 (the state in Figure 5) is referred to as the first inside position.

[0029] The tray 110 has a mounting section 110a in which process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) can be removably mounted at the outer position shown in Figure 6. K) is supported by the tray 110 when the drive-side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 521, as shown in Figure 4, come into contact with the mounting portion 110a. Then, with each process cartridge P positioned on the mounting portion 110a, the tray 110 moves inward into the image forming apparatus body 502 as it moves from the outer position to the first inner position. At this time, as shown in Figure 5, each process cartridge P moves while maintaining a gap T1 between the transfer belt 112a and the photosensitive drum 4. Therefore, the tray 110 can move the process cartridges P inward into the image forming apparatus body 502 without the photosensitive drum 4 coming into contact with the transfer belt 112a. When the tray 110 is in the first inner position, the photosensitive drum 4 and the transfer belt 112a maintain a gap T1.

[0030] Here, the direction perpendicular to the X direction (X1, X2) in Figure 5 and perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum 4 is referred to as the Z direction (arrows Z1, Z2 in Figure 5). The tray 110 can move from the first inner position in the direction of arrow Z2 in Figure 5 to the second inner position (the state in Figure 2) where the photosensitive drum 4 and the transfer belt 112a come into contact and an image can be formed. In this embodiment, the tray 110, which is located in the first inner position, moves in the direction of arrow Z2 in Figure 5 to the second inner position in conjunction with the operation of closing the front door 111 in the direction of arrow R in Figure 5 from the open state.

[0031] As described above, the tray 110 allows multiple process cartridges P to be placed together in a position inside the main body 502 of the image forming apparatus where image formation can be performed.

[0032] [Configuration of the drive coupling section] The configuration of the drive coupling section will be explained using Figures 7 and 8. Here, the drive coupling section is a mechanism that receives drive input from the developing drive output member 62 of the image forming apparatus body 502 shown in Figure 7, and transmits and interrupts the drive to the developing roller 6. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P as seen from the drive side, showing the state with the drive-side cartridge cover member 520 and the developing cover member 533 removed. As mentioned above, the drive-side cartridge cover member 520 is provided with openings 520a and 520b. The developing coupling member 74 is exposed through opening 520a. The developing coupling member 74 engages with the developing drive output member 62 (62Y, 62M, 62C, 62K) of the image forming apparatus body 502 shown in Figure 7(b), and the driving force from the drive motor (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus body 502 is transmitted to it.

[0033] At the end of the developing unit 9 shown in Figure 8, a developing coupling member 74 and a rotating member 75 capable of transmitting driving force via the developing coupling member 74 are rotatably provided. As will be described in detail later, the developing coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75 are coaxial and can engage in the longitudinal direction, and when engaged, the drive can be transmitted from the developing coupling member 74 to the rotating member 75. The rotating member 75 engages with a gear 801, and the gear 801 also engages with a developing roller gear 802. Here, gear teeth are formed on the gear 801 and the developing roller gear 802, and the gear teeth of each gear mesh together. As a result, the drive transmitted to the rotating member 75 is transmitted to the developing roller 6 via the developing roller gear 802.

[0034] Between the drive-side bearing 526 and the drive-side cartridge cover member 520, in order from the drive-side bearing 526, are a gear 801, a spring 70, a rotating member 75, a sliding member 80, a developing coupling member 74, and a developing cover member 533. The sliding member 80 is part of the drive switching mechanism and is a coupling release member. These members are arranged in the same line as the developing coupling member 74. Here, the drive-side bearing 526 has a cylindrical support portion 526c that protrudes longitudinally parallel to the pivot axis K, and the developing cover member 533 has a fitting hole 533c that fits with the support portion 526c. A regulating member 510, which is a movable member that restricts the sliding member and is movable between a first position and a second position as described later, is pivotably mounted around the center of the support portion 526c. Details will be described later. In this embodiment, the regulating member 510 is attached to the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526, but it is also possible to attach it to other members such as the developing cover member 533 or the drive-side cartridge cover member 520. In this embodiment, the drive coupling portion consists of a gear 801, a developing roller gear 802, a spring 70, a rotating member 75, a sliding member 80, a developing coupling member 74, and a developing cover member 533.

[0035] The configuration of the developing coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75 will be explained using Figure 9. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the engagement portion of the developing coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75. The developing coupling member 74 has a claw portion 74a as an engagement portion (coupling portion), and the rotating member 75 has a claw portion 75a as an engagement portion (coupling portion). The developing coupling member 74 also has a surface 74b that contacts the slide member 80, which will be described later, and the rotating member 75 has a surface 75d that also contacts the slide member 80, which will be described later. Here, the claw portions 74 and 75 are multiple claw portions arranged radially at equal intervals from their respective centers of rotation. The claw portions 74a and 75a are configured to engage with each other. That is, the developing coupling member 74 is configured to be connectable with the rotating member 75. As a result, when the developing coupling member 74, which has received driving force by engaging with the developing drive output member 62 of the image forming apparatus body 502, rotates, the engaged rotating member 75 rotates. In this embodiment, the claw portion 74a and the claw portion 75a each have 9 claws, but the number is not limited to this.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, a hole 75m is provided in the center of the rotating member 75. This hole 75m fits into and passes through the small-diameter cylindrical portion 74m of the developing coupling member 74. As a result, the developing coupling member 74 is supported so as to be rotatable and slidable along its respective axes relative to the rotating member 75.

[0037] The configuration of the developing coupling member 74, rotating member 75, spring 70, gear 801, and sliding member 80 will be explained using Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the disassembled drive coupling section. Figure 11(a) is a view of the gear 801 and rotating member 75 from the drive side during drive transmission, and Figure 11(b) is a cross-sectional view of the AA position shown in Figure 11(a). For explanatory purposes, the developing coupling member 74 and sliding member 80 are not shown in Figure 11(a).

[0038] The gear 801 has a column portion 801a that fits with the rotating member 75 and the slide member 80, and a support portion 801b that is a support portion of the spring 70. The column portion 801a is formed radially from the rotation center of the gear 801 and extends in the F2 direction. Here, in this embodiment, four column portions 801a are illustrated as an example, but the number is not limited to this. The column portion 801a penetrates through the fitting hole 75n that is the drive transmission portion of the rotating member 75, and on the outer side in the longitudinal direction from the fitting hole 75, the surface 801c of the column portion 801a and the inner cylindrical surface 80c of the slide member 80 are fitted. Also, one end of the spring 70 is attached to the support portion 801b of the gear 801, and the other end is attached to the support portion 75b of the rotating member 75, so that the rotating member 75 is biased in the F1 direction, which is the outer side in the longitudinal direction in the direction of the swing axis K. Here, the support portion 801b is provided coaxially with the rotation center of the gear 801 and extends in the F2 direction and fits with one end of the spring 70 to support the spring 70 so that it does not fall off. The outer peripheral surface 75c of the rotating member 75 is located inside the inner peripheral surface 801e of the gear 801, and the rotating member 75 can slide in the direction of the swing axis K inside the gear 801. The slide member 80 is supported such that the inner cylindrical surface 80c can rotate around the swing axis K and slide in the direction of the swing axis K by the surface 801c of the column portion 801a, and the end face 80d is in contact with the surface 75d of the rotating member 75. Thereby, the slide member 80 receives the biasing force from the spring 70 and is always biased in the F1 direction. The slide member 80 has a cam surface 80a and a surface 80b that faces the surface 74b of the developing coupling member 74. When in the drive transmission state shown in FIG. 11(b), the relationship between the distance H from the end face 80d to the facing surface 80b and the distance L from the surface 74b to the surface 75d is H < L. For this reason, when the rotating member 75 is biased by the spring 70 and moves in the F1 direction, the aforementioned claw portion 75a and the claw portion 74a can be engaged with each other.

[0039] Using Figure 11(a), the drive transmission state when the claw portion 74a and the claw portion 75a engage and the developing coupling member rotates after receiving drive input from the developing drive output member 62 of the image forming apparatus body 502 will be explained. When the rotating member 75 rotates in the V2 direction, the drive transmission surface 75e at the upstream end of the fitting hole 75n in the direction of rotation comes into contact with the drive transmission surface 801d of the column portion 801a of the gear 801. The gear 801, having received rotational force in the V2 direction at the drive transmission surface 801d, rotates in the V2 direction and transmits rotation to the engaging developing roller gear 802, thereby driving the developing roller 6.

[0040] [Drive coupling release configuration] The configuration for releasing the drive coupling will be explained using Figures 12 and 13. Figure 12 shows a restricting member 510 that restricts the longitudinal position of the slide member 80 in order to release the drive coupling, and Figures 12(a) and 12(b) are perspective views from opposite sides for illustrative purposes. Figure 13 shows the positional relationship between the restricting member 510 and the aforementioned drive coupling part in the drive coupling state (Figure 13(a)) and the drive coupling release state (Figure 13(b)).

[0041] The regulating member 510 has a supported hole 510a, a regulating lever portion 510b, a foot portion 510c, and a foot portion 510d. The regulating lever portion 510b has a cam surface 510g and an inclined surface 510h, and the foot portions 510c and 510d have surfaces 510e and 510f, respectively, which are surfaces that receive force from the drive control member 540 described later. The supported hole 510a of the regulating member 510 fits with the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526 described above, and becomes pivotable around the axis of the support portion 526c.

[0042] Figure 13(a) shows the positional relationship between the regulating lever portion 510b and the drive coupling portion in the drive transmission state. At this time, the regulating lever portion 510b is in a position where it does not come into contact with the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80. This position of the regulating member 510 is referred to as the first position of the regulating member 510. This position is the drive force transmission position that allows the transmission of driving force from the developing coupling member 74 to the developing roller 6.

[0043] When the drive coupling is released as shown in Figure 13(b), the restricting member 510 swings around the support portion 526c (Figure 8) of the drive-side bearing 526, and the restricting lever portion 510b of the restricting member 510 is positioned between the inclined surface 74c of the developing coupling member 74 and the cam surface 80a of the slide member 80. This position of the restricting member 510 is referred to as the second position of the restricting member 510. This position is the drive force interruption position that interrupts the transmission of driving force from the developing coupling member 74 to the developing roller 6. At this time, the cam surface 510g of the restricting lever portion 510b contacts the cam surface 80a of the slide member 80, and the component force J in the direction of the swing axis K of the force J applied from the restricting lever portion 510b to the slide member 80 K This causes the slide member 80 to move in the F2 direction. As the slide member 80 moves in the F2 direction, the rotating member 75 also moves in the F2 direction, and the engagement between the claw portions 75a and 74a of the rotating member 75 and the developing coupling member 74 is released, thereby releasing the drive connection. At this time, the regulating lever portion 510b is subjected to the reaction force J of the spring 70, which acts as a biasing means. S The force is received in the F1 direction from the surface 80b of the slide member 80. The regulating lever portion 510b abuts against the surface 74b of the developing coupling member 74 and attempts to move in the F1 direction, but the surface 74d of the developing coupling member 74 abuts against the surface 533d of the developing cover member 533 and stops. As a result, the regulating lever portion 510b is sandwiched between the slide member 80 and the developing coupling member 74, and receives resistance by being sandwiched by the reaction force of the spring 70 at its engagement portion, and its position is restricted when no external force is applied. In other words, the regulating lever portion 510b, as a moving part, is sandwiched between the slide member 80 and the developing coupling member 74. It is held in the position where the driving force is cut off.

[0044] [Attached to the main unit] The operation of mounting the process cartridge P into the image forming apparatus body 502 will be explained using Figure 14. Figure 14(a) is a view from the drive side showing the process cartridge P in the first inner position with the photosensitive drum 4 and transfer belt 112a separated. Figure 14(b) is a view from the drive side showing the process cartridge P in the second inner position with the photosensitive drum 4 and transfer belt 112a in contact. For illustrative purposes, Figures 14(a) and (b) omit the drive side cartridge cover member 520.

[0045] The image forming apparatus body 502 has drive control members 540 corresponding to each process cartridge P (PY, PM, PC, PK). The drive control members 540 are positioned below the regulating members 510 of the process cartridges P located at the first inner position and the second inner position (in the Z2 direction in Figure 14). The drive control member 540 has a control unit 540a that protrudes toward the process cartridge P as a main force application unit, and the control unit 540a has a first force application surface 540b as a first main force application unit and a second force application surface 540c as a second main force application unit. The control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is positioned below the lower surface of the space Q1 sandwiched between the surfaces 510e and 510f described in Figure 12, which is located on the process cartridge P at the first inner position (in the Z2 direction in Figure 14). Furthermore, the drive control member 540 is positioned such that a gap T5 is created between it and the regulating member 510 when the process cartridge P is in the first inner position (Figure 14(a)). In other words, the regulating member 510 of the process cartridge P, which is inserted into the image forming apparatus body 502 by the tray 110 that moves from the outer position to the first inner position as described above, is inserted into the image forming apparatus body 502 without contacting the drive control member 540. Then, as described above, when the front door 111 is closed and the process cartridge P moves from the first inner position to the second inner position, the control unit 540a enters the space Q1, as shown in Figure 14(b).

[0046] Figure 15 shows a view of the process cartridge P installed in the main body 502 of the image forming apparatus, as seen from the direction of arrow VW in Figure 14(b). For illustrative purposes, Figure 15 omits all parts of the drive control member 540 except for the control unit 540a. Also, some of the components constituting the process cartridge P are omitted. As shown in Figure 15, the foot portion 510c, which is the retraction force receiving portion of the regulating member 510, and the foot portion 510d, which is the insertion force receiving portion, are arranged so that they partially overlap in the direction along the oscillation axis K of the developing unit 9, forming space Q1. Furthermore, when the process cartridge P is installed in the second inner position (image forming position) and the control unit 540a enters space Q1, the control unit 540a is arranged so as to overlap the foot portions 510c and 510d in the direction along the oscillation axis K. Here, as shown in Figure 14(b), when the process cartridge P is mounted in the second inner position of the image forming apparatus body 502 and the regulating member 510 is in the first position, the position of the drive control member 540 in which there is a gap T3 between the surface 510e of the foot portion 510c and the second force-applying surface 540c, and a gap T4 between the surface 510f of the foot portion 510d and the first force-applying surface 540b is referred to as the home position.

[0047] [Drive coupling release operation] Using Figure 1, the movement of the regulating member 510 from the first position to the second position inside the image forming apparatus body 502, that is, the operation of releasing the aforementioned drive coupling, will be explained. Figure 1 is a view from the drive side of the process cartridge P located in the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus body 502. For the sake of explanation, the drive side cartridge cover member 520 is omitted.

[0048] Figure 1(a) shows the state where the regulating member 510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position (first main body position). Here, as mentioned above, the drive control member 540 in Figure 1(a) At the home position, there is a gap T4 between the first force-applying surface 540b and the foot portion 510d, which is the retraction force receiving portion of the process cartridge P mounted at the second inner position. There is also a gap T3 between the second force-applying surface 540c and the foot portion 510c, which is the insertion force receiving portion. The drive control member 540 in this embodiment is configured to be movable from the home position toward the second main body position in the direction of arrow W51 in Figure 1(a). When the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of W51 from the state in Figure 1(a), the first force-applying surface 540b and the surface 510f on the foot portion 510d of the regulating member 510 come into contact, and the regulating member 510 swings in the direction of arrow B1 in Figure 1(b) around the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526. The support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526 is coaxially fitted into the fitting hole 533c of the developing cover member 533, and its axis is parallel to the swing axis K. When the regulating member 510 rotates in the direction of arrow B1 in Figure 1(b), the regulating member 510 moves from the first position to the second position. At this time, as described above, the regulating lever portion 510b of the regulating member 510 is inserted between the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80, as shown in Figure 13, causing the slide member 80 to move in the F2 direction, and the engagement between the claw portion 75a and the claw portion 74a is disengaged, releasing the drive connection. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1(c), even when the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction and returns to the home position, the control unit 540a has a gap T6 with the surface 510e on the foot portion 510c of the regulating member 510 and does not come into contact with it. In other words, the regulating member 510 does not receive external force from the drive control member 540. Also, as described above, since the regulating lever portion 510b is sandwiched between the slide member 80 and the developing coupling member 74, the regulating member 510 remains in the second position. As a result, the slide member 80 cannot slide in the F1 direction, and the drive release state is maintained.

[0049] [Drive coupling operation] Using Figure 16, we will explain the movement of the regulating member 510 from the second position to the first position inside the image forming apparatus body 502, that is, the operation of connecting the drive. Figure 16 is a view from the drive side of the process cartridge P located in the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus body 502. For the sake of explanation, the drive side cartridge cover member 520 is omitted.

[0050] Figure 16(a) shows the state where the regulating member 510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. In this embodiment, the drive control member 540 is configured to be movable from the home position toward the third main body position in the direction of arrow W52 in Figure 16(a). When the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of W52 from the state in Figure 16(a) and the surface 510e on the foot portion 510c of the regulating member 510 comes into contact with the second force application surface 540c, the regulating member 510 swings in the direction of arrow B2 in Figure 16(b) around the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526. As described above, the support portion 526c is fitted into the fitting hole 533c of the developing cover member 533, and the rotation axis of the regulating member 510 is parallel to the swing axis K. As the regulating member 510 swings in the direction of arrow B2, the regulating member 510 moves from the second position toward the first position. At this time, as explained in Figure 13, the restricting lever portion 510b of the restricting member 510 disengages from between the developing coupling member 74 and the sliding member 80, causing the rotating member 75, which is biased by the spring 70 as explained in Figure 11, to move in the F1 direction, and the drive is connected. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 16(c), even when the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction and returns to the home position, the control unit 540a has a gap T9 with the surface (first force receiving surface) 510f on the foot portion 510d of the restricting member 510 and does not come into contact with it. Moreover, at this time, the control unit 540a has a gap T8 between it and the surface (second force receiving surface) 510e on the foot portion 510c of the restricting member 510, so the state in which the control unit 540a and the restricting member 510 do not come into contact is maintained. For this reason, the restricting member 510 maintains its first position and the drive connection state is maintained. From this state, it is possible to perform the drive coupling release operation again. In this case, the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, resulting in the state shown in Figure 1(b), and thereafter the operation is the same as the drive coupling release operation described above.

[0051] As described above, using this embodiment, the drive control member 540 moves from the home position, which switches the second and first positions of the regulating member 510, and thus switches the drive connection state. This makes it possible to switch the drive without relying on the contact and separation movements of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

[0052] In this embodiment, the developing coupling member 74 and the sliding member 80 are given as examples of coaxial first and second rotating members that can engage with each other to transmit and interrupt the drive force in the transmission path from the developing coupling member 74 to the developing roller 6. The first and second rotating members may be two members located at other points in the transmission path, which can take on an engaged position where they engage with each other around the axis of rotation to transmit the drive force, and an unengaged position where they are separated in the direction of the axis of rotation and the drive force is not transmitted. In other words, the embodiment is not limited to this configuration.

[0053] (Example 2) Figures 17 to 25 will be used to describe the process cartridge and image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. The process cartridge in this embodiment is the same as in Embodiment 1, with only the configuration of the regulating member and its surroundings differing. Therefore, members with the same function and configuration are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0054] [Configuration of the drive coupling section] Figure 17 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P as seen from the drive side, showing the state with the drive-side cartridge cover member 520 and the developer cover member 533 removed. Between the drive-side bearing 526 and the drive-side cartridge cover member 520, there is a gear 1801, a clutch 180 which is a drive transmission switching device having a transmission release mechanism, a developer coupling member 174, and a developer cover member 533. Also, as in Embodiment 1, a regulating member 1510 is pivotably attached to the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526. In this embodiment, the drive coupling portion consists of the gear 1801, the clutch 180, the developer coupling member 174, and the developer cover member 533. In this embodiment, the drive transmission switching device 180 will be described using a spring clutch as an example, and will therefore be referred to as the spring clutch 180 hereafter.

[0055] The spring clutch 180 will be described using Figure 18. In this embodiment, the spring clutch 180 consists of a control ring 180a, an output member 180b, an input inner ring 180c, a transmission inner ring 180d, and a transmission spring 180e. The input inner ring 180c, as the input member, engages with the developing coupling member 174 and rotates upon receiving a driving force from the upstream side of the transmission path. The input inner ring 180c and the transmission spring 180e wrapped around its outer circumference are restricted from rotating relative to each other by the tightening force (friction) of the transmission spring 180e, and the driving force is transmitted from the input inner ring 180c to the transmission spring 180e. The rotation between the input inner ring 180c and the transmission spring 180e is also restricted from rotating relative to each other by the tightening force (friction) of the transmission spring 180e. Therefore, the rotation transmitted to the transmission spring 180e is transmitted to the transmission inner ring 180d by the tightening force of the transmission spring 180e. The transmission inner ring 180d is engaged with the output member 180b, and the output member 180b further transmits drive in the same manner as in Embodiment 1 at the engagement portion with the gear 1801, which will be described later. The control ring 180a, which acts as a control member, is engaged with one end of the transmission spring 180e, and the configuration allows for loosening of the spring's tightening (contact with each inner ring) by rotating the control ring 180a in the opposite direction to the spring's tightening direction. As a result, when drive is transmitted, all the components constituting the spring clutch 180 rotate together as a single unit. Drive transmission is interrupted by stopping the rotation of the control ring 180a, which loosens the transmission spring 180e from the input inner ring 180c (reducing the frictional force between the transmission spring 180e and each inner ring), and the transmission spring 180e no longer transmits the driving force from the input inner ring 180c to the transmission inner ring 180d, thereby interrupting the drive transmission.

[0056] The configuration of the spring clutch 180 is not limited to this, and it may have only one inner ring. In that case, the end of the transmission spring 180e opposite to the end that engages with the control ring 180a may directly engage with the output member 180b to transmit rotation. Furthermore, the drive transmission switching device may be other than a spring clutch configuration, and it may be a device that stops some of the rotation so that the rotation transmission part expands radially or moves circumferentially to interrupt the drive. In other words, any configuration that can form a transmission state in which driving force is transmitted by restricting the relative rotation between the members that transmit the driving force, and form a non-transmission state in which driving force is not transmitted by allowing relative rotation, may be adopted, as long as it is a configuration that can form a transmission state in which driving force is transmitted.

[0057] The assembly of the gear 1801, spring clutch 180, and developing coupling member 174 will be explained using Figure 19. Figure 19(a) shows the assembly of the spring clutch 180 and the developing coupling member 174, and Figure 19(b) shows the assembly of the spring clutch 180 and the gear 1801. The input inner ring 180c of the spring clutch 180 has an input groove 180f, and the developing coupling member 174 has a claw portion 174a. When the claw portion 174a and the input groove 180f engage, the input inner ring 180c rotates when the developing coupling member 174 rotates, and the drive can be transmitted. The output member 180b of the spring clutch 180 has an output claw 180g, and the gear 1801 has a transmission groove 1801a. When the output claw 180g and the transmission groove 1801a engage, the gear 1801 rotates when the output member 180b rotates, and the drive can be transmitted. As a result, the driving force input to the developing coupling member 174 is transmitted to the gear 1801, which rotates the developing roller gear 802 and drives the developing roller 6. In this embodiment, the figure shows the case where there are three claws 174a, three input grooves 180f, three output claws 180g, and three transmission grooves 1801a, but the number is not limited to this.

[0058] [Drive Interruption Configuration] The configuration of the drive interruption will be explained using Figures 20 and 21. Figure 20 shows a restricting member 1510 for stopping the rotation of the control ring 180a of the spring clutch 180 in order to interrupt the drive, and Figure 21 is a view from the drive side and shows the positional relationship between the restricting member 1510 and the spring clutch 180 in the drive transmission state and the drive interruption state, respectively.

[0059] The configuration of the restricting member 1510 will be explained using Figure 20. The restricting member 1510 has a supported hole 1510a, a restricting lever portion 1510b, a foot portion 1510c, and a foot portion 1510d. The restricting lever portion 1510b has a restricting surface 1510g for stopping the control ring 180a of the spring clutch 180 and a contact surface 1510h that contacts the outer peripheral surface 180j of the spring clutch 180. Also, as in Embodiment 1, the foot portions 1510c and 1510d have surfaces 1510e and 1510f, respectively, which are surfaces that receive force from the drive control member 540. As in Embodiment 1, surface 1510f is the first force receiving surface and surface 1510f is the second force receiving surface. Furthermore, similar to Example 1, the supported hole 1510a engages with the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526, and is pivotable around the axis of the support portion 526c.

[0060] Using Figure 21(a), the positional relationship between the regulating member 1510 and the spring clutch 180 in the drive transmission state will be explained. The control ring 180a of the spring clutch 180 has a control unit 180h as an engaged part that engages with the regulating member 1510. The control unit 180h is a claw-shaped part that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the control ring 180a. Here, when the spring clutch 180 rotates in the direction of V2 when it receives a driving force, the trajectory of the radial tip of the control unit 180h is defined as r b Assuming that the regulating member 1510 is r when viewed from the center (oscillating axis K) of the spring clutch 180, b When positioned further outward, the control ring 180a can rotate in the V2 direction, and the drive is transmitted. This position of the restricting member 1510 is defined as the first position of the restricting member 1510 as the disengaged position.

[0061] Using Figure 21(b), the positions of the regulating member 1510 and the spring clutch 180 in the drive-disengaged state. Let me explain the relationship. The restricting member 1510 swings in the direction B1 around the support portion 526c (Figure 17) of the drive-side bearing 526 as movement around a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the control ring 180a, and the restricting surface 1510g moves along the trajectory r b Upon entering the enclosure, the control unit 180h, which was rotating in the V2 direction under the driving force, comes into contact with the regulating surface 1510g. At this point, the force that the regulating surface 1510g receives from the control unit 180h at the contact surface between the control unit 180h is a rotational force J. B Let V2 be the rotational force J acting in the direction of rotation. B However, it is desirable to adjust the length of the restricting lever portion 1510b and the length of the control unit 180h so that the movement occurs within a range Q2 perpendicular to the imaginary line connecting the axial center N of the supported hole 1510a and the pivot axis K, which is also the rotation center of the spring clutch 180. By adjusting in this way, the control unit 180h, which abuts against the restricting surface 1510g, pulls the restricting lever portion 1510b in the V2 rotation direction, causing the restricting member 1510 to rotate in the B1 direction. As a result, the contact surface 1510h provided on the restricting lever portion 1510b of the restricting member 1510, which has rotated in the B1 direction, can abut against the outer circumferential surface 180j of the spring clutch 180, thereby restricting the position in the B1 direction. At this time, the restricting member 1510 abuts against the outer circumferential surface 180j of the spring clutch 180, which is the second engaged part, at its contact surface 1510h, and against the control unit 180h, which is the first engaged part, at its restricting surface 1510g. In the region Q2, which is the area enclosed by the first imaginary line passing through the pivot axis K of the spring clutch 180 and the second imaginary line passing through the axis center N of the restricting member 1510, the movement trajectory of the control unit 180h, which is the first engaged part, and the movement trajectory of the restricting member 1510, which is the moving part, intersect. As a result, the restricting member 1510 is subjected to a rotational force J B While under this condition, the position remains fixed unless subjected to external forces from elsewhere. In this way, the regulating member 1510 stops the control unit 180h of the spring clutch 180, that is, stops the rotation of the control ring 180a, making it possible to interrupt the driving force input from the image forming apparatus body 502. This position of the regulating member 1510 is designated as the second position of the regulating member 1510 as the engagement position.

[0062] [Drive coupling release operation] Using FIG. 22, the movement operation of the regulation member 1510 from the first position to the second position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, that is, the operation of releasing the drive described above will be described. FIG. 22 is a view of the process cartridge P located at the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 as seen from the drive side. For the sake of explanation, the drive side cartridge cover member 520 is shown omitted.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 22(a), when the regulation member 1510 is at the first position and the drive control member 540 is at the home position, the control ring 180a can rotate in the V2 direction and the drive is transmitted. From the state of FIG. 22(a), when the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction and the surface 540b of the first force application surface and the surface 1510f on the foot portion 1510d of the regulation member 1510 come into contact, the regulation member 1510 swings in the direction of arrow B1 in FIG. 22(b). That is, the regulation member 1510 moves in the direction from the first position to the second position. At the second position, as shown in FIG. 21(b), the regulation lever portion 1510b of the regulation member 1510 is inserted into the locus r of the tip of the control portion 180h of the spring clutch 180 b by the regulation surface 1510g, the rotation of the control portion 180h is stopped. Thereby, the rotation of the control ring 180a is stopped, and the spring 180e of the spring clutch 180 is loosened, so that the drive is released. Further, as shown in FIG. 22(c), even when the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction and returns to the home position, the control portion 540a has a gap T6 with the surface (second force receiving surface) 1510e on the foot portion 1510c of the regulation member 1510 and does not come into contact. A gap is also formed between the control portion 540a and the surface (first force receiving surface) 1510f. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, since the regulation lever portion 1510b of the regulation member 1510 is pulled in the V2 direction by the control portion 180h, the regulation member 1510 remains in the second position and the drive release state is maintained.

[0064] [Drive connection operation] Using FIG. 23, the second position of the regulation member 1510 inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 The movement from the initial position to the first position, that is, the operation of connecting the drive, will be described. Figure 23 is a view from the drive side of the process cartridge P located in the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus body 502. For explanatory purposes, the drive side cartridge cover member 520 is omitted.

[0065] Figure 23(a) shows the state where the regulating member 1510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. From the state in Figure 23(a), the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, and when the second force-applying surface 540c and the surface 1510e on the foot portion 1510c of the regulating member 1510 come into contact, the regulating member 1510 rotates in the direction of arrow B2 in Figure 23(b). In other words, the regulating member 1510 moves from the second position to the first position. At this time, as shown in Figure 21, the regulating lever portion 1510b rotates in the B2 direction from the state where it was pulled in in the V2 direction by the control unit 180h, resulting in a rotational force J B The rotational force J is applied as a load to the drive control member 540. B This force is the same as the elastic force of the spring 180e, which tries to return the control ring 180a of the spring clutch 180 to its original position, because it is the force that stops (tryes to push back) the control ring 180a. Therefore, the rotational force J B If you want to reduce it, you can change the spring constant, but it is desirable to determine it in balance with the required transmission performance of the clutch itself. In the state shown in Figure 23(b), the trajectory r b The restricting lever portion 1510b disengages, and the drive is transmitted. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 23(c), even when the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction and returns to the home position, the control unit 540a has a gap T9 with the surface 1510f on the foot portion 1510d of the restricting member 1510 and does not come into contact with it. Therefore, the restricting member 1510 maintains its first position, and the drive transmission state is maintained. From this state, it is possible to perform the drive coupling release operation again. In this case, the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, resulting in the state shown in Figure 22(b), and thereafter the operation is the same as the drive coupling release operation described above.

[0066] [Other configurations] Other configurations of this embodiment will be described using Figures 24 and 25. In this embodiment, the position of the drive control member 540 when there is a gap between it and the restricting member 1510 is referred to as the home position, but the configuration is not necessarily limited to one with a gap. As an example of a configuration in which the restricting member 1510 and the drive control member 540 are in contact at the home position, there is a configuration in which a biasing member 1511 is attached to the restricting member 1510. The configuration in which a biasing member 1511 is attached to the restricting member 1510 will be described using Figures 24 and 25.

[0067] The biasing member 1511 will be described using Figures 24(a) and 24(b). The biasing member 1511 consists of a tip portion 1511a and a spring 1511b, which is a compression coil spring. Figure 24 shows the spring 1511b of the biasing member 1511 removed from the tip portion 1511a and the support portion 1510i provided on the surface 1510e of the regulating member 1510. The spring 1511b of the biasing member 1511 has seat coil portions at both ends, and is fixed by press-fitting the support portion 1510i of the regulating member 1510 into the inner diameter of the seat coil portion at one end. The seat coil portion at the other end is fixed to the tip portion 1511a of the biasing member 1511. Furthermore, a projection 1510j, which has a smaller diameter than the support portion 1510i of the regulating member 1510, passes through the inner diameter of the elastic portion of the spring 1511b of the biasing member 1511, thereby regulating the contraction direction of the spring 1511b in the S1 direction or the S2 direction. In this configuration, the surface of the tip portion 1511a corresponds to the second force receiving surface.

[0068] Using Figure 25, the operation of switching the drive transmission state inside the image forming apparatus body 502 will be explained. In this configuration, at the home position, the second force application surface 540c of the drive control member 540 and the tip portion 1511a of the biasing member 1511 are in contact. Figure 25(a) shows the state where the regulating member 1510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. In the state of Figure 25(a), the spring 1511b of the biasing member 1511 is slightly compressed, and furthermore, the regulating lever portion 1510k of the regulating member 1510 is outside the developing cover member 533. It is in contact with the circumferential surface 533f. As a result, the regulating member 1510 is fixed in the position where the regulating lever portion 1510k is in contact with the circumferential surface 533f of the developing cover member 533, and the drive transmission state is reliably maintained.

[0069] Here, when the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, as shown in Figure 25(b), the restricting member 1510 moves from the first position to the second position, and the restricting surface 1510g of the restricting member 1510 comes into contact with the control unit 180h of the spring clutch 180. This stops the rotation of the control unit 180h of the spring clutch 180, and the drive is interrupted. In the state shown in Figure 25(b), the second force-applying surface 540c of the drive control member 540 and the tip portion 1511a of the biasing member 1511 are separated. It is also possible to configure the system so that the surface of the tip portion 1511a of the biasing member 1511 (the second force-receiving surface) is in contact with the second force-applying surface 540c of the drive control member 540, provided that this does not affect the control of the restricting member 1510 by the drive control member 540. In other words, the configuration may be such that contact between the tip portion 1511a of the biasing member 1511 (second force receiving surface) and the drive control member 540 is maintained even in the second position.

[0070] Next, as shown in Figure 25(c), when the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction and returns to the home position, the second force-applying surface 540c of the drive control member 540 and the tip portion 1511a of the biasing member 1511 come into contact, and the spring 1511b is compressed. As a result, the regulating member 1510 is subjected to the force J applied from the control unit 180h of the spring clutch 180. B The moment M in the B1 direction centered on the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526 is due to this. B And the force J applied from the spring 1511b of the biasing member 1511 S Moment M in the B2 direction centered on the support portion 526c S It receives. However, in the state shown in Figure 25(c), M B >M S Therefore, the regulating member 1510 does not move from the second position. In other words, even if the surface of the tip portion 1511a (second force receiving surface) is in contact with the drive control member 540, the drive release state is maintained.

[0071] Furthermore, when the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, M B <M S As a result, as shown in Figure 25(d), the regulating member 1510 moves from the second position to the first position, and the drive is transmitted.

[0072] As described above, using this embodiment, the drive control member 540 moves from its home position, thereby switching between the first and second positions of the regulating member 1510 and switching the drive transmission state. This makes it possible to switch the drive without relying on the contact and separation movements of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

[0073] (Example 3) Figures 26 to 30 will be used to describe the process cartridge and image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of this disclosure. The process cartridge in this embodiment is the same as in Embodiment 2, with only the locking member 550 and its surrounding configuration differing, which will be described later. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for members with the same function and configuration, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0074] [Configuration of the drive coupling section] Figure 26 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P as seen from the drive side, showing the state with the drive-side cartridge cover member 520, the developer cover member 3533, and the locking member 550 removed. Between the drive-side bearing 526 and the drive-side cartridge cover member 520, there is a gear 1801, a spring clutch 180 which is a drive transmission switching device having a transmission release mechanism, a developer coupling member 174, and a developer cover member 533. In addition, a restricting member 3510 (an example of a movable member) is pivotably attached to the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526. In this embodiment, the drive coupling portion consists of the gear 1801, the spring clutch 180, the developer coupling member 174, the developer cover member 3533, the restricting member 3510, and the locking member 550.

[0075] The outline of the locking member 550 as a second biasing means will be explained using Figure 27. The locking member 550 consists of a tip portion 550a and a spring 550b, which is a compression coil spring. Figure 27 shows the spring 550b of the locking member 550 removed from the tip portion 550a and the support portion 3533d of the developing cover member 3533. The spring 550b of the locking member 550 has seat coil portions at both ends, and is fixed by press-fitting the support portion 3533d of the developing cover member 3533 into the inner diameter of the seat coil portion at one end. The seat coil portion at the other end is fixed to the tip portion 550a of the locking member 550. Furthermore, a protrusion 3533e, which has a smaller diameter than the support portion 3533d of the developing cover member 3533, passes through the inner diameter of the elastic portion of the spring 550b of the locking member 550, thereby restricting the contraction direction of the spring 550b to either the S1 direction or the S2 direction.

[0076] [Drive coupling release operation] Using Figures 28(a) and 28(b), the configuration of the restricting member 3510 for stopping the rotation of the control ring 180a of the spring clutch 180 and interrupting the drive will be explained. The restricting member 3510 has a supported hole 3510a, a restricting lever portion 3510b, a foot portion 3510c, and a foot portion 3510d. The restricting lever portion 3510b has a restricting surface 3510g for stopping the control ring 180a of the spring clutch 180. The foot portions 3510c and 3510d each have surfaces (second force receiving surface, first force receiving surface) 3510e and 3510f, respectively, which are surfaces that receive force from the drive control member 540. The supported hole 3510a is fitted with the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526 and is pivotable around the axis of the support portion 526c (Figure 26).

[0077] Using Figure 29, the drive coupling release operation inside the image forming apparatus body 502 will be explained. Here, the trajectory of the radial tip of the control unit 180h when the spring clutch 180 rotates in the direction of V2 when it receives a driving force is r b As shown in Figure 29(a), the restricting surface 3510g of the restricting member 3510 is r bWhen positioned further outward, the control ring 180a can rotate in the V2 direction, and the drive is transmitted. Furthermore, the regulating member 3510 is positioned so that when it swings in the B1 direction around the axis of the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526, the regulating lever portion 3510b contacts the tip portion 550a. This position of the regulating member 3510 is referred to as the first position of the regulating member 3510.

[0078] Figure 29(a) shows the state where the regulating member 3510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. From the state in Figure 29(a), when the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction and the first force-applying surface 540b and the surface 3510f on the foot portion 3510d of the regulating member 3510 come into contact, the regulating member 3510 swings from the first position in the B1 direction around the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526, and the regulating surface 3510g comes into contact with the tip portion 550a of the locking member 550. At this time, as shown in Figure 29(b), a force J acts from the regulating member 3510 in the B1 direction. c The component force in the S1 direction compresses the spring 550b of the locking member 550, causing the tip 550a to move in the S1 direction. As a result, the restricting member 3510 becomes able to swing further in the B1 direction, and as shown in Figure 29(c), the restricting surface 3510g abuts against the outer circumferential surface 180j of the spring clutch 180. At the same time, the tip 550a of the locking member 550 moves in the S2 direction while in contact with the restricting surface 3510g of the restricting member 3510 due to the restoring force of the spring 550b. At this time, at the contact surface between the tip 550a of the locking member 550 and the restricting surface 3510g of the restricting member 3510, the restricting surface 3510g exerts a biasing force J from the tip 550a. B It is subjected to this force J from the tip portion 550a on the regulating surface 3510g. BThe orientation is such that a moment acts in the direction B1 with the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526 as the center. Therefore, the regulating member 3510 is fixed in position with its regulating surface 3510g abutting against the outer circumferential surface 180j of the spring clutch 180. In this way, the regulating member 3510 stops the control unit 180h, that is, stops the rotation of the control ring 180a, thereby interrupting the driving force input from the image forming apparatus body 502 to the developing coupling member 174. This position of the regulating member 3510 is referred to as the second position of the regulating member 3510.

[0079] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 29(d), even when the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction and returns to the home position, the control unit 540a has a gap between the surface (second force receiving surface) 3510e and the surface (first force receiving surface) 3510f of the regulating member 3510 and does not come into contact with them. Similar to Figure 29(c), the regulating member 3510 is subjected to force J from the tip portion 550a of the locking member 550. B Because of this, the regulating surface 3510g is fixed in a position where it abuts against the outer circumferential surface 180j of the spring clutch 180, and cannot swing in the B2 direction. In other words, the regulating member 3510 remains in the second position, stopping the control ring 180a and maintaining the drive release state.

[0080] [Drive coupling operation] Using Figure 30, the movement of the regulating member 3510 from the second position to the first position, that is, the operation of connecting the drive, inside the main body 502 of the image forming apparatus will be explained. Figure 30(a) shows the state where the regulating member 3510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. From the state in Figure 30(a), when the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, the second force-applying surface 540c and the surface 3510e on the foot portion 3510c of the regulating member 3510 come into contact. At this time, as shown in Figure 30(b), a force J acts from the regulating member 3510 in the B2 direction. c The component force in the S1 direction compresses the spring 550b of the locking member 550, causing the tip 550a to move in the S1 direction. As a result, as shown in Figure 30(c), the regulating member 3510 becomes able to swing further in the B2 direction and moves to the first position, and the regulating member 3510 moves along trajectory r bAs the spring clutch 180 moves outward, the control unit 180h of the spring clutch 180 and the restricting surface 3510g of the restricting member 3510 separate. In other words, the control ring 180a becomes rotatable and the drive is transmitted. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 30(d), even when the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction and returns to the home position, the control unit 540a has a gap with the surfaces 3510e and 3510f of the restricting member 3510 and does not come into contact with them. Therefore, the restricting member 3510, which does not generate rotational force, cannot move its tip 550a, which is biased in the S2 direction by the spring of the locking member 550, in the S1 direction, and thus cannot swing in the B1 direction. In other words, the restricting member 3510 remains in its first position, and the drive transmission state is maintained.

[0081] As described above, using this embodiment, the drive control member 540 moves from its home position, thereby switching between the first and second positions of the regulating member 3510 and switching the drive transmission state. This makes it possible to switch the drive without relying on the contact and separation movements of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

[0082] (Example 4) Figures 31 to 35 will be used to describe the process cartridge and image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of this disclosure. This configuration uses a toggle mechanism to switch between connecting and disconnecting the drive coupling. The process cartridge in this embodiment is the same as in Embodiment 2, with only the regulating member and its surrounding configuration differing. Therefore, components with the same function and configuration are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0083] [Configuration of the drive coupling section] Figure 31 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge P as seen from the drive side. Between the drive-side bearing 526 and the drive-side cartridge cover member 520, a gear 1801, a spring clutch 180, a developer coupling member 174, and a developer cover member 4533 are provided. Also, similar to Embodiment 2, a restricting member 4510 is pivotably attached to the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526. One end 4601c of a tension spring toggle spring 4601 engages with the boss 4533d of the developer cover member 4533, and the other end 4601d of the toggle spring 4601 engages with the boss 4510d of the restricting member 4510. The toggle mechanism of this embodiment will be described later. Thus, in this embodiment, the drive coupling portion is composed of a gear 1801, a spring clutch 180, a developer coupling member 174, a developer cover member 4533, and a toggle spring 4601. In this embodiment, the configuration of the spring clutch 180 is the same as in Embodiment 2, so the explanation is omitted. Also, the assembly of the gear 1801, spring clutch 180, and developing coupling member 174 is the same as in Embodiment 2, so the explanation is omitted.

[0084] [Toggle mechanism of this process] The toggle mechanism of this embodiment will be explained using Figures 32 and 33. Figure 32(a) shows the state in which the restricting member 4510 is not in contact with the spring clutch 180, and Figure 32(b) is a partially enlarged view of Figure 32(a). At this time, the line M2 connecting the center of the boss 4533d of the developing cover member 4533 and the center of the boss 4510d of the restricting member 4510 is to the left of the figure relative to the line M1 connecting the center of the boss 4533d of the developing cover member and the center of the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526. Therefore, the restricting member 4510, which rotates around the center of the support portion 526c, rotates in the L1 direction. This causes the restricting member 4510 to move away from the spring clutch 180, thus interrupting the drive transmission as described in Embodiment 2. In addition, the posture of the restricting member 4510 is maintained by the surface 4510m of the restricting member 4510 contacting the boss 4533m of the developing cover member 4533.

[0085] Using Figure 33, the state in which the regulating member 4510 is in contact with the spring clutch 180 will be explained. At this time, the line M2 connecting the center of the boss 4533d of the developing cover member 4533 and the center of the boss 4510d of the regulating member 4510 is to the right of the line M1 connecting the center of the boss 4533d of the developing cover member and the center of the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526. Therefore, the regulating member 4510 rotates in the L2 direction around the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526. This causes the regulating member 4510 to move in a direction toward the spring clutch 180, and the posture of the regulating member 4510 is maintained by the surface 4510n of the regulating member 4510 contacting the surface 4533n of the developing cover member 4533. Subsequently, the surface 4510g of the regulating member 4510 and the control portion 180h of the spring clutch 180 come into contact. The operation of the spring clutch 180 at this time is the same as in Embodiment 2, so the explanation is omitted here. This engages the clutch, allowing the drive from the main unit to be transmitted. The operation of the drive disconnection of the spring clutch 180 is the same as in Embodiment 2, so the explanation is omitted here.

[0086] [Coupling operation of the drive coupling section] Using Figure 34, the operation of the drive control member 540 inside the image forming apparatus body 502, from a state where the drive from the main body is disconnected to a state where it is connected, will be explained. Figure 34(a) shows the state where the drive control member 540 is disconnected and in the home position, Figure 34(b) shows the state where the drive control member 540 has moved in the w51 direction from Figure 34(a) and is in the first position, and Figure 34(c) shows the state where the drive control member 540 has moved in the w52 direction from Figure 34(b) and the drive is connected and it is in the home position. Details and explanations of symbols similar to those in Example 1 will be omitted.

[0087] As shown in Figure 34(a), when the drive control member 540 is shut off and in the home position, there is a gap of T43 and T44 between the drive control member 540 and the regulating member 4510, and they are not in contact. When the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction from this state, the first force-applying surface 540b and the surface (first force-receiving surface) 4510f on the foot portion 4510d of the regulating member 4510 come into contact, and the regulating member 4510 rotates in the L2 direction shown in Figure 34(b). When it rotates, the surface 4510g of the regulating member 4510 comes into contact with the control unit 180h of the spring clutch 180. This engages the clutch, and the drive from the main body becomes transmittable. As described above using Figure 33, in this state, the restricting member 4510 is held in position by the action of the toggle spring 4601 as a third biasing means, causing the surface 4510n of the restricting member 4510 to contact the surface 4533n of the developing cover member 4533. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 34(c), the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction and returns the drive control member 540 to the home position. In this state, because there is a gap between the restricting member 4510 and T46, the drive control member 540 is in contact with the restricting member No force is applied to 4510. Therefore, the regulating member 4510 remains in the position shown in Figure 33, and the drive is stably connected.

[0088] [Disconnection operation of the drive coupling] Using Figure 35, the operation of the drive control member 540 inside the image forming apparatus body 502, from the state in which the process cartridge P is connected to the drive from the main body to the state in which it is disconnected, will be explained. Figure 35(a) shows the state in which the drive control member 540 is connected to the drive and in the home position, Figure 35(b) shows the state in which the drive control member 540 has moved in the w52 direction from Figure 35(a) to the second position, and Figure 35(c) shows the state in which the drive control member 540 has moved in the w51 direction from Figure 35(b) to the state in which the drive has been disconnected and it is in the home position. Details and explanations of symbols similar to those in Example 1 will be omitted.

[0089] When the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, the second force-applying surface 540c and the surface (second force-receiving surface) 4510e on the foot portion 4510c of the restricting member 4510 come into contact, and the restricting member 4510 rotates in the L1 direction as shown in Figure 33(b). As it rotates, the surface 4510g of the restricting member 4510 separates from the control unit 180h of the spring clutch 180. This disengages the clutch, making it impossible to transmit power from the main body. As described above using Figure 32, in this state, the restricting member 4510 maintains its posture by the action of the toggle spring 4601, causing the surface 4510m of the restricting member 4510 to come into contact with the boss 4533m of the developing cover member 4533. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 35(c), the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, and the drive control member 540 returns to its home position. In this state, because there is a gap between the restricting member 4510 and T47, the drive control member 540 does not apply force to the restricting member 4510. Therefore, the restricting member 4510 remains in the position shown in Figure 32, and the drive is stably shut off.

[0090] As explained above, using this embodiment, the switching between contact and separation of the regulating member 4510 is stably performed by the toggle mechanism in conjunction with the operation of the drive control member 540, thus enabling stable drive switching without relying on the contact and separation movements of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

[0091] (Example 5) Figures 36 to 39 will be used to describe the process cartridge and image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of this disclosure. This configuration uses gear meshing for the engagement portion. The process cartridge in this embodiment is the same as in Embodiment 1, with only the configuration of the regulating member and its surroundings differing. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for members with the same function and configuration, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0092] [Configuration of the drive coupling section] Figure 36 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P as seen from the drive side, showing the state with the drive-side cartridge cover member 6520 and the developer cover member 6533 removed. A developer coupling gear 6801 and a developer cover member 6533 are provided between the drive-side bearing 526 and the drive-side cartridge cover member 6520. A coupling portion 6801a is provided at the end of the developer coupling gear 6801, exposed from the drive-side cartridge cover member 6520, and configured to receive driving force from the image forming apparatus body 502. An idler gear 6803 is also provided in a position that meshes with the developer coupling gear 6801 and maintains a constant distance between the axes. The idler gear 6803 is connected to an idler gear 6804 that transmits drive to the developer roller gear 802 by a regulating member 6510 which acts as a support member. The restricting member 6510 has 6510a and 6510b, which are the rotation axes of idler gear 6803 and idler gear 6804, respectively. In other words, idler gear 6803 is rotatably held on rotation axis 6510a, and idler gear 6504 is rotatably held on rotation axis 6510b. They are then sandwiched between plate material 6511 and restricting member 6510 to prevent them from coming loose.

[0093] The restricting member 6510 is rotatably held by the holding portion 6520a of the drive-side cartridge cover member 6520, with the rotation axis 6510a of the idler gear 6803 being the center of rotation. In other words, the restricting member 6510 is configured to pivot relative to the drive-side cartridge cover member 6520, with the rotation axis 6510a of the idler gear 6803 as the center of rotation. To put it another way, the idler gear 6804 is configured to pivot relative to the drive-side cartridge cover member 6520, with the idler gear 6803 as the center of rotation. Note that the restricting member 6510 may also be held by other parts, such as the drum unit 8. In that case, the idler gear 6804 will be able to pivot relative to the drum unit 8, with the idler gear 6803 as the center of rotation.

[0094] [Drive cutoff operation] The operation of switching from the drive transmission state to the drive disconnection state will be explained using Figure 37. Figure 37(a) shows only the state of the gear and regulating member when drive is transmitted to the developing roller gear 802, and Figure 37(b) shows only the state of the gear and regulating member when the drive to the developing roller gear 802 is disconnected.

[0095] The developing coupling gear 6801 rotates in the V2 direction when the coupling portion 6801a receives driving force from the image forming apparatus body 502. The driving force is transmitted to the developing roller gear 802 via idler gears 6803 and 6804. At this time, the regulating member 6510 generates a moment in the direction of arrow V3 around the rotation axis 6510a due to the meshing with idler gears 6803 and 6804. In addition, the idler gear 6804 receives a force in the pressure angle direction F6 due to its meshing with the developing roller gear 802, and is therefore pulled in the direction of arrow V3. This is because the pivot point (rotation axis 6510a) of the idler gear 6804 is positioned on the W52 side of the line connecting the developing coupling gear 6801 and the developing roller gear 802, so no force is applied to the regulating member 6510 in the relief direction (direction of arrow V4). Therefore, a moment in the direction of arrow V3 is always acting on the restricting member 6510, and drive transmission is maintained as long as the idler gear 6804 and the developing roller gear 802 remain meshed (Figure 37(a)). The position of the restricting member 6510 at this time is called the first position (Figure 37(b)).

[0096] The drive transmission is interrupted by moving the restricting member 6510 in the W52 direction, which moves the idler gear 6804 in the direction of arrow V4, thereby interrupting the drive between the idler gear 6804 and the developing roller gear 802. The position of the restricting member 6510 at this time is referred to as the second position.

[0097] [Drive coupling disconnection operation] Using Figure 38, the movement of the regulating member 6510 from the first position to the second position inside the image forming apparatus body 502, that is, the drive shutoff operation described above, will be explained. Figure 38 is a view from the drive side of the process cartridge P located in the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus body 502. For explanatory purposes, the drive side cartridge cover member 6520 is omitted. Figure 38(a) shows the state where the regulating member 6510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. Figure 38(b) shows the state where the regulating member 6510 has moved from the first position to the second position. Figure 38(c) shows the state where the regulating member 6510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. Details and explanations of symbols similar to those in Example 1 are omitted.

[0098] When the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, the second force-applying surface 540c and the surface (second force-receiving surface) 6510e on the foot portion 6510c of the regulating member 6510 come into contact, and the regulating member 6510 rotates around the rotation axis 6510a in the direction of arrow V4 in Figure 38(b). In other words, the regulating member 6510 moves to a first position where the developing roller gear 802, which is the first gear (one of the gears), and the idler gear 6804, which is the second gear (the other gear), mesh with each other. Then, it moves in the direction of a second position, which is a non-meshing position where the gears do not engage. In the second position, the idler gear 6804 also rotates in the V4 direction together with the regulating member 6510, and its drive with the developing roller gear 802 is disconnected as described above (Figures 37(b), 63(b)).

[0099] Furthermore, the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of arrow W51 in Figure 38(b) and returns to the home position. At this time, as mentioned above, the regulating member 6510 receives a moment in the V3 direction from the idler gear 6803, which acts as the third gear, and tries to return to the first position, but is biased in the V4 direction by the tension spring 6530. The spring pressure of the tension spring 6530, which acts as the fourth biasing means, is set to maintain the regulating member 6510 in the second position and to prevent the regulating member 6510 from moving to the second position when it is in the first position.

[0100] Here, let the moment due to the meshing force of the idler gears 6803 and 6804 be moment M1, the moment due to the meshing force of the idler gear 6804 and the developing roller gear 802 be moment M2, and the moment due to the tension spring 6530 be moment M3. The moment around the rotation axis 6510a at the second position is M3>M1 becomes.

[0101] That is, the drive connection state is maintained by "M3<M1+M2". For example, if the moment generated by the force applied from the drive control member 540 is moment M4 (the moment required for switching the regulating member 6510), the drive connection is released by "M3+M4>M1+M2". Therefore, due to the release of the drive connection, moment M2 = 0, and "M3+M4>M1". When the drive control member 540 returns to the home position, moment M4 = 0, and "M3>M1".

[0102] That is, the moment in the V4 direction due to the spring pressure of the tension spring 6530 is greater than the moment in the V3 direction due to the meshing force of the idler gears 6803 and 6804. Therefore, the regulating member 6510 is biased in the V4 direction and maintains the second position.

[0103] Therefore, the second force application surface 540c of the control unit 540a has a gap T60 with the surface 6510e on the foot portion 6510c of the regulating member 6510 and does not contact it (Fig. 38(c)). Also, the first force application surface 540b has a gap T61 with the surface (the first force receiving surface) 6510f on the foot portion 6510d of the regulating member 6510. Therefore, the regulating member 6510 is located at the second position without contacting the drive control member 540, and the drive release state is maintained (Fig. 37(b)).

[0104] [Drive connection operation] Using Figures 38 and 39, the movement of the regulating member 6510 from the second position to the first position inside the image forming apparatus body 502, that is, the operation of connecting the drive, will be explained. Figure 39 is a view from the drive side of the process cartridge P located in the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus body 502. For explanatory purposes, the drive-side cartridge cover member 6520 is omitted. Figure 39 shows the state in which the regulating member 6510 has moved from the second position to the first position.

[0105] When the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, the first force-applying surface 540b and the surface 6510f on the foot portion 1510d of the regulating member 6510 come into contact, and the regulating member 6510 rotates in the direction of arrow V3 in Figure 39. In other words, the regulating member 6510 moves from the second position to the first position. Then, as described above, the idler gear 6804 meshes with the developing roller gear 802, thereby connecting the drive (Figure 37(a)).

[0106] Even if the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of arrow W52 and returns to the home position (Figure 38(a )), the control unit 540a has a gap T62 with the surface 6510f on the foot portion 6510d of the regulating member 6510, and does not come into contact with it. Also, the second force-applying surface 540c has a gap T63 with the surface 6510e on the foot portion 6510c of the regulating member 6510. Therefore, the regulating member 6510 is positioned in the first position without contacting the drive control member 540, and the drive connection state is maintained (Figure 37(a)). In the first position, the moment around the rotation axis 6510a is, M1+M2>M3 Therefore, in the first position, the moment in the V3 direction due to the meshing force of idler gears 6803 and 6804 and the meshing force of idler gear 6804 and developing roller gear 802 is greater than the moment in the V4 direction due to the spring pressure of tension spring 6530. Consequently, the regulating member 6510 is biased in the V3 direction and maintains the first position.

[0107] As described above, using this embodiment, the drive control member 540 can move the regulating member 6510 between the first and second positions, thereby switching the drive transmission state between the idler gear 6804 and the developing roller gear 802. This makes it possible to switch the drive without relying on the contact and separation movements of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

[0108] (Example 6) Figures 40 to 45 will be used to describe the process cartridge and image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of this disclosure. This configuration includes a movable member and an engaging portion provided on the laser shutter unit (or shutter unit). The process cartridge in this embodiment is the same as in Embodiment 1, with only the configuration of the regulating member as a movable member and its surrounding components differing. Therefore, components with the same function and configuration are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0109] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by providing a laser shutter unit in the process cartridge, it becomes possible to switch between the laser light irradiated from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in accordance with the image signal being able to reach the photosensitive drum (the laser shutter unit does not block the laser light) or being unable to reach it (the laser shutter unit blocks the laser light) as part of the electrophotographic image forming process operation described above. This makes it possible to switch between the possibility and impossibility of image formation regardless of the configuration such as the contact and separation operation of the photosensitive drum and developing roller or the disconnection operation of the drive coupling part shown in other embodiments. In other embodiments, if the contact and separation state of the photosensitive drum and developing roller or the connection state of the drive coupling part cannot be stably operated, problems may occur in image formation. For example, image problems such as poor image density caused by contact pressure or banding caused by the drive coupling part may occur. However, in this embodiment, since the possibility and impossibility of reaching the laser light from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which is outside the process cartridge, are switched, it is less likely to affect the components related to the image forming means inside the process cartridge (photosensitive drum, developing roller, gears, etc.). This allows for a stable switching between enabling and disabling image formation as part of the electrophotographic image formation process.

[0110] [Overall configuration of a process cartridge with a laser shutter unit] The overall configuration of the process cartridge P will be explained using Figures 40 and 41. Figure 40 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P from the drive side. As shown in Figure 40, the process cartridge P is configured such that the drum unit 8, the developing unit 9, and the laser shutter unit 77 are sandwiched and fixedly held between the drive-side cartridge cover member 7520 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 7521. Figure 41 is a view of the process cartridge P from the drive side, and for the purpose of explaining the configuration, the drive-side cartridge cover member 7520 shown in Figure 40 is not displayed. Also, Figure 41 shows the photosensitive drum 4, the charging roller 5, the cleaning blade 7, and the drum frame 7015, but does not show a part of the drum unit 8. The developing unit 9 is shown with the laser shutter unit 77, which acts as a shielding member, attached. The laser shutter unit 77 is composed of a shutter moving member 7510 (or moving member) and a laser shutter 7511, which acts as a shielding part. The shutter-side rotation support portion 7510a of the shutter moving member 7510 is rotatably supported by the cover-side rotation support portion 7533a of the developing cover member 7533 provided on the developing unit 9. The rotation centers of the shutter-side rotation support portion 7510a and the cover-side rotation support portion 7533a are the same as the pivot axis K, which is the rotation center of the developing unit 9 and the developing coupling gear 7801. In other words, the laser shutter unit 77 is supported so as to be rotatable around the pivot axis K in the shutter opening direction K71 and the shutter closing direction K72.

[0111] Figures 40(a) and 41(a) show the laser shutter unit 77 fixed in a position that blocks the laser beam U. Figures 40(b) and 41(b) show the laser shutter unit 77 fixed in a position that does not block the laser beam U and leaves it open. The detailed configuration for fixing the laser shutter unit 77 at each position will be described later. The shutter moving member 7510 has two phase fixing holes, a closed phase hole 7510c and an open phase hole 7510d, to fix the position of the laser shutter unit 77. By inserting and removing the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 provided on the developing unit 9 into the two phase fixing holes, the laser shutter unit 77 can be fixed at any phase. Here, the closed phase hole 7510c and the open phase hole 7510d are located on the same circumference Kr centered on the pivot axis K. This allows the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 to be inserted into and removed from each hole when the laser shutter unit 77 rotates at any phase around the pivot axis K.

[0112] Figure 41(a) shows the laser shutter unit 77 fixed in a position that blocks the laser beam U, that is, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is inserted into the closed phase hole 7510c, fixing the position of the shutter moving member 7510. The position of the moving member at this time is referred to as the second position.

[0113] Figure 41(b) shows the laser shutter unit 77 fixed in a position that does not obstruct the laser beam U, that is, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is inserted into the open phase hole 7510d, fixing the position of the shutter moving member 7510. The position of the moving member at this time is referred to as the first position.

[0114] Details regarding the configuration and operation of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 will be described later. Furthermore, the shutter moving member 7510 has an opening-direction pressure-receiving surface (first force-receiving surface) 7510f and a closing-direction pressure-receiving surface (second force-receiving surface) 7510e as external force-receiving surfaces for rotation around the pivot axis K. The laser shutter unit 77 can rotate in the shutter opening direction K71 by receiving rotational force on the opening-direction pressure-receiving surface 7510f, and can rotate in the shutter closing direction K72 by receiving rotational force on the closing-direction pressure-receiving surface 7510e. As a result, regardless of the contact and separation movement of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6, even when the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 are always in contact, the possibility of image formation as an electrophotographic image formation process can be switched on or off by switching whether the laser beam U can reach the photosensitive drum or not.

[0115] Furthermore, the second position is not limited to a position where the laser shutter unit 77 covers the photosensitive drum 4 so as to almost completely block its exposure to the outside of the cartridge. For example, it may be a position where the photosensitive drum 4 is partially covered to the outside of the cartridge to the extent that it is sufficiently blocked from exposure to the laser light U (some exposed areas may remain). Also, as for the first position, the degree of exposure is arbitrary, as long as the laser shutter unit 77 exposes the photosensitive drum 4 more than in the second position so that it is possible to expose the photosensitive drum 4 to the laser light U.

[0116] [Detailed configuration of a process cartridge with a laser shutter unit] The detailed configuration of process cartridge P will be explained using Figure 42. This is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge P as seen from the drive side. It shows the state with the drive-side cartridge cover member 7520, non-drive-side cartridge cover member 7521, drum unit 8, developing unit 9, and laser shutter unit 77 removed.

[0117] The drum frame 7015 provided on the drum unit 8 is configured so as not to interfere with the laser shutter 7511 without hindering the movement of the laser shutter unit 77 when it rotates. The shape of the laser shutter 7511 provided on the laser shutter unit 77 and the shape of the drum frame 7015 can be changed according to the incident angle and width of the laser light U. The developing container 7025 provided on the developing unit 9 is configured similarly to the drum frame 7015 so as not to interfere with the laser shutter 7511 without hindering the movement of the laser shutter unit 77 when it rotates. The developing coupling gear 7801 is rotatably held by the drive-side bearing 7526 and the developing cover member 7533 attached to the developing container 7025, and the shutter position regulating pin 7512 and shutter position regulating spring 7513 are also held. Details of the holding configuration of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 and shutter position regulating spring 7513 will be described later. The laser shutter unit 77 consists of a shutter moving member 7510 and a laser shutter 7511. The laser shutter unit 77 is integrated by fastening the screw holes 7510b of the shutter moving member and the screw holes 7511a of the laser shutter with screws B71. As described above, on the drive side of the laser shutter unit 77, the shutter-side rotation support portion 7510a is rotatably supported by the cover-side rotation support portion 7533a of the developing cover member 7533 provided on the developing unit 9. On the other hand, on the non-drive side of the laser shutter unit 77, the bearing-side rotation support portion 7527a of the non-drive side bearing 7527 provided on the non-drive side of the developing unit 9 is fitted and supported by the laser shutter rotation support portion 7511b and the non-drive side cartridge cover member rotation support hole 7521a of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 7521. As a result, the laser shutter rotation support portion 7511b is rotatably supported.

[0118] [Switching operation for opening and blocking the optical path] Figures 43 to 45 illustrate the switching operation of the laser shutter unit 77 to open and close the optical path for laser exposure. Figure 43 shows the operation of the laser shutter unit 77 from the laser light closed state to the laser light open state (optical path open state). Figure 44 shows the operation of the laser shutter unit 77 from the laser light open state to the laser light closed state. Figure 45 shows the operation of the shutter moving member 7510 and the shutter position regulating pin 7512 from the laser light closed state to the laser light open state. Figures 43 and 44 are views of the process cartridge P from the drive side, and for the purpose of explaining the configuration, the drive side cartridge cover member 7520 shown in Figure 40 is not shown, and the drive control member 540 of the image forming apparatus body is shown.

[0119] As shown in Figure 43(a), the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 is in the second position, blocking the laser light U, and is in a state where the photoreceptor drum cannot be irradiated, i.e., the laser light is blocked. At this time, the drive control member 540 is in the home position, and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is not in contact with the shutter moving member 7510. That is, there is a gap T71 between the first force-applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing-direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is a gap T72 between the second force-applying surface 540c and the opening-direction pressed surface 7510f.

[0120] Figure 45(a) is a DA-DA cross-sectional view passing through the closed phase hole 7510c and the open phase hole 7510d in Figure 43(a). As described above, the shutter position regulating pin 7512 and the shutter position regulating spring 7513, which is a compression coil spring acting as a biasing means, are held at both ends by the developing cover member 7533 and the drive-side bearing 7526. Shutter position regulating pin 7512 The shutter position regulating spring 7513 is fitted and supported in the cover-side regulating pin support hole 7533b and the regulating pin support hole 7526c. The shutter position regulating spring 7513 is a compression coil spring, and both ends are held in place by the pin-side regulating spring support part 7512a and the bearing-side regulating spring support part 7526b. The shutter position regulating pin 7512 is movable in the S71 direction and the S72 direction (parallel to the pivot axis K). The shutter position regulating spring 7513 is in contact with the bearing-side regulating spring force receiving surface 7526a and the pin-side regulating spring force receiving surface 7512b, biasing the shutter position regulating pin 7512 in the S71 direction. The regulating pin abutment surface 7512c of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 abuts against the developing cover member 7533, restricting its movement in the S71 direction. Here, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 enters the closed phase hole 7510c of the shutter moving member 7510, thereby restricting and fixing the rotational movement of the shutter moving member 7510. As a result, the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed in the second position that blocks the laser beam U.

[0121] Figure 43(b) shows the laser shutter unit 77 in the intermediate state as it is rotated in the shutter opening direction K71, moving from a second position that blocks the laser beam U to a first position that does not block it. At this time, the drive control member 540 is moving from the home position in the W52 direction, and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is pushing the shutter moving member 7510 in the W52 direction. That is, there is a gap T73 between the first force-applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is no gap between the second force-applying surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f.

[0122] Figure 45(b) is a DB-DB cross-sectional view passing through the closed phase hole 7510c and the open phase hole 7510d in Figure 43(b). At this time, the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is in the process of moving from the state where it was in the closed phase hole 7510c to the open phase hole 7510d, and has moved in the F72 direction relative to Figure 45(a). When the shutter moving member 7510 moves in the W52 direction, as shown in Figure 43(a), the shutter position regulating pin 7512 receives an external force in the F71 direction as the shutter moving member 7510 rotates. The tip shape of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is such that force components are generated in the F72 and F73 directions. As a result, the shutter position regulating pin 7512 receives a force in the F71 direction, moves in the S72 direction, and goes from the state in Figure 45(a) to the state in Figure 45(b). At this time, the shutter position regulating spring 7513 is compressed.

[0123] As shown in Figure 43(c), the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 is in the first position where it does not obstruct the laser light U, indicating a state in which the photoreceptor drum can be irradiated, i.e., the laser light is open. At this time, the drive control member 540 has moved further in the W52 direction than in Figure 43(b), and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is stopped in contact with the shutter moving member 7510. That is, there is a gap T74 between the first force-applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing-direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is no gap between the second force-applying surface 540c and the opening-direction pressed surface 7510f.

[0124] Figure 45(c) is a DC-DC cross-sectional view passing through the closed phase hole 7510c and the open phase hole 7510d shown in Figure 43(c). As shown in Figure 45(c), the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is inserted into the open phase hole 7510d of the shutter moving member 7510, thereby restricting and fixing the rotational movement of the shutter moving member 7510. As a result, the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed in a first position that does not obstruct the laser beam U.

[0125] Figure 44(a) shows the position of the process cartridge P when the image forming operation is performed. As shown in Figure 44(a), the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 is in the first position, similar to Figure 45(c). At this time, the drive control member 540 is in Figure The shutter is moving from position 43(c) to the home position. At this time, the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 does not come into contact with the shutter moving member 7510. That is, there is a gap T75 between the first force-applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing-direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is a gap T76 between the second force-applying surface 540c and the opening-direction pressed surface 7510f. The shutter position regulating pin 7512 is in the state shown in Figure 45(c) above.

[0126] Figure 44(b) shows the intermediate state after the image forming operation is completed, in which the laser shutter unit 77 is rotated in the shutter closing direction K72, moving from a first position where it does not obstruct the laser beam U to a second position where it does obstruct it. As shown in Figure 44(b), the shutter moving member 7510 and the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 are in the first position, similar to Figure 43(b). At this time, the drive control member 540 is moving from the home position in the W51 direction, and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is pushing the shutter moving member 7510 in the W51 direction. That is, there is no gap between the first force-applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is a gap T77 between the second force-applying surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. Also, the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is in the state shown in Figure 45(b) above.

[0127] Figure 44(c) shows the state after the image forming operation has been completed, with the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 moved again to the second position that blocks the laser beam U. As shown in Figure 44(c), the shutter moving member 7510 and the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 are in the second position that blocks the laser beam U, similar to Figure 43(a).

[0128] At this time, the drive control member 540 has moved further in the W51 direction than in Figure 44(b), and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is stopped in contact with the shutter moving member 7510. That is, there is no gap between the first force-applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing-direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is a gap T78 between the second force-applying surface 540c and the opening-direction pressed surface 7510f. Also, the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is in the state shown in Figure 45(a) above.

[0129] As described above, this embodiment allows the laser shutter unit 77 to be fixed at a first position, a second position, and any arbitrary phase. This makes it possible to switch the possibility or impossibility of image formation as an electrophotographic image formation process operation by switching whether the laser beam U can reach the photosensitive drum or not, even when the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 are always in contact, regardless of the contact and separation movement of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6. In this embodiment, the laser shutter unit 77 is configured to switch whether the laser beam U can reach or not by rotating around the pivot axis K, but the opening and closing movement of the shutter may be not limited to rotation, but may also be configured to slide or fold, for example. Also, in this configuration, the components constituting the shutter are supported on the developing unit side, but they may also be supported on the drum unit side.

[0130] To reiterate, in this embodiment, the closed phase hole 7510c is recessed as a first recess in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the shutter moving member 7510, and the open phase hole 7510d is recessed as a second recess in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the shutter moving member 7510. The shutter position regulating pin 7512 is configured to move back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the shutter moving member 7510 as either a first or second protrusion. Depending on the position of the shutter moving member 7510, the shutter position regulating pin 7512 fits into either the closed phase hole 7510c or the open phase hole 7510d, thereby functioning as an engaging part that holds the shutter moving member 7510 in a predetermined position. The outer peripheral edge of the tip surface of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is The surface is tapered, and the closed phase hole 7510c and the open phase hole 7510d each have a mortar-shaped recess that widens towards the opening. That is, the contact surfaces of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 and the closed phase hole 7510c and the open phase hole 7510d are inclined with respect to the direction of movement of the shutter moving member 7510 and the direction of advancement and retraction of the shutter position regulating pin 7512. This configuration functions as a force-applying unit (first force-applying unit, second force-applying unit) that applies force to the shutter position regulating pin 7512 to move it in the retraction direction when the shutter moving member 7510 moves.

[0131] Here, the configuration of the shutter position regulating pin 7512, the closed phase hole 7510c, and the open phase hole 7510d is not limited to the configuration described in this embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, a configuration is used in which one protrusion and two recesses are combined, but various combinations are possible. For example, there may be two protrusions, with one protrusion being a first protrusion that fits into the first recess when the moving member (shielding member) is in the first position, and the other protrusion being a second protrusion that fits into the second recess when the moving member is in the second position. Alternatively, there may be one recess for each of the two protrusions, with one protrusion fitting into a common recess when the moving member is in the first position, and the other protrusion fitting into a common recess when the moving member is in the second position. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shutter position regulating pin 7512, which serves as a convex portion, is provided on the cartridge frame side, and the closed phase hole 7510c and open phase hole 7510d, which serve as recesses, are provided on the movable member side. However, the system is not limited to this configuration. That is, the convex portion may be provided on the movable member side and the recess on the cartridge frame side. Moreover, a first convex portion that engages when the movable member is in the first position may be provided on the cartridge frame side and the first recess on the movable member side, while a second convex portion that engages when the movable member is in the second position may be provided on the movable member side and the second recess on the cartridge frame side. Alternatively, the reverse combination may also be used.

[0132] (Example 7) Figures 46 to 49 will be used to describe the process cartridge and image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of this disclosure. The process cartridge in this embodiment is the same as that in Embodiment 6, with only the configuration of the contact shutter unit 87 and its surroundings, which will be described later, being different. Therefore, components with the same function and configuration are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0133] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by providing a contact shutter unit 87 on the process cartridge, it becomes possible to switch between supplying the bias voltage applied from the contact 503 (described later) of the image forming apparatus body 502 to the process cartridge P (the contact shutter unit does not block the bias voltage) or not supplying it (the contact shutter unit blocks the bias voltage). This makes it possible to switch between enabling and not enabling image formation, regardless of the configuration such as the contact and separation operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6, or the disconnection operation of the drive coupling part, as shown in other embodiments. In this embodiment, although a laser shutter unit 77 is provided, similar to Embodiment 6, it is not necessary for the configuration to allow switching between the ability and inability of the laser beam to reach the photosensitive drum 4.

[0134] [Overall configuration of a process cartridge with a contact shutter unit] The overall configuration of the process cartridge P will be explained using Figure 46. Figure 46 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P and the contact 503 as seen from the non-driven side. As shown in Figure 46, the contact shutter unit 87 is fixedly held between the non-driven side cartridge cover member 8521 and the non-driven side bearing 7527. The contact 503, which serves as the main electrode part, is a compression coil spring and can be contracted in the longitudinal direction, either the S81 direction or the S82 direction. Since the contact 503 is always compressed with its S82 direction end fixed, it biases the process cartridge P in the S81 direction. The bias voltage applied from the image forming apparatus main body 502 is applied when the contact 503 and the electrode part 7527b of the non-driven side bearing 7527 come into contact. The bias voltage is supplied to the process cartridge P. Here, Figure 46(a) shows a state in which the contact shutter unit 87 blocks the bias voltage supplied from the contact 503. In the state of Figure 46(a), the contact 503 is in contact with the contact shutter 8511, which will be described later, so the bias voltage is not supplied to the process cartridge P and image formation is impossible. Also, Figure 46(b) shows a position in which the contact shutter unit 87 is open and does not block the bias voltage supplied from the contact 503. In the state of Figure 46(b), the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527 are in contact, so the bias voltage is supplied to the process cartridge P and image formation is possible.

[0135] The contact shutter unit's overview will be illustrated using Figure 47. Figure 47 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P as seen from the drive side, and for the purpose of explaining the configuration, only the contact shutter unit 87, the non-drive side cartridge cover member 8521, the contact 503, and a portion of the laser shutter 7511 are shown. In addition, the contact fixing pin 8512 (described later) of the contact shutter unit 87 is shown removed from the support hole 8521c of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 8521. The contact shutter unit 87 consists of a torsion coil spring 8510, a contact shutter 8511 (an example of a movable member), and a contact fixing pin 8512. The spring 8510 is fixed to the support portion 8521a of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 8521. Furthermore, the position of the end portion 8510a of the spring 8510 is restricted in a clockwise direction when viewed from the drive side by the restricting surface 8521b of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 8521. The contact shutter 8511 has a fixing hole 8511a for fixing the position of the contact shutter unit 87. A contact fixing pin 8512 is inserted through the fixing hole 8511a of the contact shutter 8511, and the tip of the contact fixing pin 8512 is inserted into and fixed in a support hole 8521c of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 8521. As a result, the contact shutter 8511 is supported so as to be rotatable in the shutter opening direction K81 and the shutter closing direction K82 around the pivot axis L, which is the axis of the contact fixing pin 8512.

[0136] Figure 47(a) shows that the contact shutter unit 87 is fixed in a position that blocks the bias voltage supplied from the contact 503. That is, the contact shutter 8511 is fixed between the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527. This position of the contact shutter 8511 is referred to as the second position.

[0137] Figure 47(b) shows that the contact shutter unit 87 is fixed in a position that does not block the bias voltage supplied from the contact 503 and is open. In other words, the contact shutter 8511 is fixed in a position that does not position between the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527. This position of the contact shutter 8511 is referred to as the first position.

[0138] The contact shutter 8511 has an arm portion 8511b as an external force receiving surface for rotation in the K81 direction around the pivot axis L. Furthermore, the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 is in contact with the end portion 8510b of the spring 8510. The contact shutter 8511 rotates in the shutter opening direction K81 as the laser shutter 7511, which is a movable member, rotates in the K81 direction, and the arm portion 8511b receives rotational force from the force-applying surface 7511c, causing it to rotate and reach the first position. At this time, the position of the laser shutter 7511, which is a movable member, becomes the second holding position. When the contact shutter 8511 is in the first position, the spring 8510 is subjected to force in the coil winding direction. Therefore, when the laser shutter 7511 rotates in the K82 direction and the external force that the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 was receiving from the laser shutter 7511 is removed, the arm portion 8511b receives a rotational force due to the biasing force of the spring 8510 in the direction that increases the twist angle, and the contact shutter 8511 rotates in the shutter closing direction K82, reaching the second position. At this time, the position of the laser shutter 7511 as a movable member becomes the first holding position. First position due to engagement of the laser shutter 751 The holding of the contact shutter 8511 in both the first and second positions is achieved by the engagement mechanism of the shutter moving member 7510 described in Embodiment 6, and therefore the explanation is omitted. This makes it possible to switch between enabling and disabling image formation as an electrophotographic image formation process operation by switching whether the bias voltage can be supplied to the process cartridge P, even when the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 are always in contact, regardless of the contact and separation operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

[0139] [Switching operation for supplying and cutting off bias voltage] Figures 48 and 49 illustrate the switching operation of the bias voltage supply and interruption by the operation of the contact shutter unit 87. Figure 48 shows the operation of the contact shutter unit 87 from the bias voltage interruption state to the bias voltage supply state. Figure 49 shows the operation of the contact shutter unit 87 from the bias voltage supply state to the bias voltage interruption state. Figures 48 and 49 are views of the process cartridge P from the non-driven side, and for the purpose of explaining the configuration, the non-driven side cartridge cover member 8521 shown in Figure 46 is not displayed, and the drive control member 540 of the image forming apparatus body is displayed.

[0140] Figure 48(a) shows a state in which the contact shutter 8511 of the contact shutter unit 87 is in a second position fixed between the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527, and a bias voltage cannot be supplied from the contact 503 to the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527. At this time, the drive control member 540 is in the home position, and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 does not come into contact with the shutter moving member 7510. That is, there is a gap T71 between the first force-applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is a gap T72 between the second force-applying surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. Furthermore, as described above in Example 6, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is inserted into the closed phase hole 7510c of the shutter moving member 7510, thereby restricting and fixing the rotational movement of the shutter moving member 7510.

[0141] Figure 48(b) shows the intermediate state in which the contact shutter 8511 moves from the second position, which blocks the bias voltage, to the first position, which does not block it. As shown in Figure 48(b), the drive control member 540 is moving in the W52 direction from the home position, and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is pushing the shutter moving member 7510 in the W52 direction. That is, there is a gap T73 between the first force-applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is no gap between the second force-applying surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. When the shutter moving member 7510 is pushed in the W52 direction and the laser shutter unit 77 rotates in the K81 direction, the force-applying surface 7511c of the laser shutter 7511 and the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 come into contact. From this state, as the laser shutter unit 77 rotates further in the K81 direction, the contact shutter 8511 receives a rotational force from the laser shutter 7511 and rotates in the shutter opening direction K81. Also, as described above in Embodiment 6, the shutter position regulating pin 7512 receives an external force in the F71 direction (Figure 45) as the shutter moving member 7510 rotates. At this time, the shutter position regulating spring 7513 is compressed.

[0142] Figure 48(c) shows the first position in which the contact shutter 8511 of the contact shutter unit 87 is fixed in a state where it is not positioned between the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527. As the contact shutter 8511 moves from the second position to the first position, the contact 503, which is a compression coil spring, extends in the S81 direction (Figure 46) from the state shown in Figure 48(b), and the contact 503 comes into contact with the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527. This allows a bias voltage to be supplied from the contact 503 to the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527, that is, image formation as an electrophotographic image formation process operation becomes possible. At this time, the drive The control member 540 has moved further in the W52 direction than shown in Figure 48(b), and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is stopped in contact with the shutter moving member 7510. That is, there is a gap T74 between the first force-applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing-direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is no gap between the second force-applying surface 540c and the opening-direction pressed surface 7510f. Also, as described above in Embodiment 6, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is in the open phase hole 7510d of the shutter moving member 7510, regulating and fixing the rotational movement of the shutter moving member 7510.

[0143] Figure 49(a) shows the position of the process cartridge P in the state in which the image forming operation is performed. As shown in Figure 49(a), the drive control member 540 has moved from the position in Figure 48(c) to the home position, and the control unit 540a is in a position that does not contact the shutter moving member 7510. That is, there is a gap T75 between the first force-applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing-direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is a gap T76 between the second force-applying surface 540c and the opening-direction pressed surface 7510f. Even in the state of Figure 49(a), as described above in Embodiment 6, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is in the open phase hole 7510d of the shutter moving member 7510, so the laser shutter 7511 is fixed in the same position as in Figure 48(c). That is, the contact shutter 8511 is in the first position, as in Figure 48(c).

[0144] Figure 49(b) shows the state in which the contact shutter 8511 is moving from a first position where it does not block the bias voltage to a second position where it does block it, after the image forming operation is completed. As shown in Figure 49(b), the drive control member 540 is moving from the home position in the W51 direction, and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is pushing the shutter moving member 7510 in the W51 direction. That is, there is no gap between the first force-applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closed-direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is a gap T77 between the second force-applying surface 540c and the open-direction pressed surface 7510f. When the shutter moving member 7510 is pushed in the W51 direction and the laser shutter unit 77 rotates in the K82 direction, the force-applying surface 7511c of the laser shutter 7511 and the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 separate. At this time, the biasing force of the spring 8510 in the direction that increases the torsional angle causes the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 to receive a rotational force, and the contact shutter 8511 rotates in the shutter closing direction K82. Also, as described above in Embodiment 6, the shutter position regulating pin 7512 receives an external force in the opposite direction F71 (Figure 45) as the shutter moving member 7510 rotates. At this time, the shutter position regulating spring 7513 is compressed.

[0145] Figure 49(c) shows the second position after the image formation operation is completed, in which the contact shutter 8511 of the contact shutter unit 87 is fixed between the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527. As the contact shutter 8511 moves from the first position to the second position, the contact 503, which is a compression coil spring, compresses in the S82 direction (Figure 46) from the state shown in Figure 48(b), and the tip of the contact 503 rides up onto the contact shutter 8511. In other words, the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527 are separated. As a result, the bias voltage cannot be supplied from the contact 503 to the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527, meaning that image formation as an electrophotographic image formation process operation becomes impossible. At this time, the drive control member 540 has moved further in the W51 direction than in Figure 49(b), and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is stopped in contact with the shutter moving member 7510. That is, there is no gap between the first force-applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is a gap T78 between the second force-applying surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. Also, as described above in Embodiment 6, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is on the shutter moving member 7510. The shutter moving member 7510 enters the closed phase hole 7510c, restricting and fixing its rotational movement.

[0146] As described above, using this embodiment, the drive control member 540 can move from its home position, allowing the contact shutter 8511 to switch between its first and second positions at any desired phase. This makes it possible to switch the ability to supply or not supply a bias voltage, even when the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 are always in contact, regardless of the contact and separation movements of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6, thereby enabling or disabling image formation as an electrophotographic image formation process operation.

[0147] In this embodiment, the contact shutter 8511, as the electrode cover member, covers the electrode portion 7527b and retracts the contact 503 from the electrode portion 7527b, but the configuration is not limited to this. Also, when the contact shutter 8511 is in a position to block the bias voltage, it does not necessarily have to be configured to cover the electrode portion 7527b. For example, the contact shutter 8511 may be configured to move (retract) the electrode portion 7527b in the direction normal to the electrode surface. That is, the electrode portion 7527b is provided with a retraction mechanism (retraction part) that allows it to move between a predetermined position in which it is electrically connected to the contact 503 of the image forming apparatus body 502 and a retracted position which is further away from the contact 503 than the predetermined position. The contact shutter 8511, as the moving member, is configured to be movable between a first position in which the electrode portion 7527b is positioned in the predetermined position and a second position in which the electrode portion 7527b is positioned in the retracted position. The configuration for holding the contact shutter 8511 in the first and second positions, respectively, may be the same as in the above embodiment. Alternatively, the contact 503 as the main body electrode and the electrode 7527b as the cartridge side electrode may each be configured to move forward and backward.

[0148] Furthermore, the configuration for interrupting the electrical connection path is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment described above. It is not limited to the connection between the contacts of the image forming apparatus body and the contacts of the cartridge. For example, two internal electrode sections (a first electrode section electrically connected to the electrode section 7527b and a second electrode section electrically connected to the developing roller 6) that can make contact and separate may be provided in the electrical path from the electrode section 7527b to the developing roller 6 inside the cartridge. Then, the contact and separation of the first electrode section and the second electrode section may be switched using a path interruption configuration similar to that of this embodiment. Also, the electrode section retraction configuration described above is not limited to a configuration in which the electrode section on the cartridge side can move forward and backward. The electrode section on the image forming apparatus body side may be configured to move forward and backward, or both may be configured to move forward and backward independently.

[0149] (Example 8) Figures 50 to 54 will be used to describe the process cartridge and image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of this disclosure. The process cartridge in this embodiment is the same as in Embodiment 1, with only the configuration of the regulating member and its surroundings differing. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for members with the same function and configuration, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0150] [Configuration of regulatory components] Figure 50 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P as seen from the drive side. Figure 51(a) is a side view of the process cartridge with the front door 111 open. Figure 51(b) shows the state where the regulating member 9510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. Figure 51(c) shows the state where the regulating member 9510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. For explanatory purposes, the drive-side cartridge cover 9520 and the developer cover member 9533 are omitted. Also, the drive coupling operation of the developer coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75, the drive coupling release operation, and the operation of the drive control member 540 are the same as in Embodiment 1 and are therefore omitted.

[0151] As shown in Figure 50, the regulating member 9510 has a support hole 9510a that is connected to the drive side bearing 9526 The tension spring 9511 engages with the support portion 9526a of the drive-side bearing 9526 and is pivotable around the support portion 9526a. The tension spring 9511 engages with the support portion 9526a of the drive-side bearing 9526 and the support portion 9510b of the regulating member 9510. As shown in Figure 51, the tension spring 9511 biases the regulating member 9510 in the Z1 direction in Figure 51(a). The regulating member 9510 has legs 9510e and 9510g that can protrude from the developing unit 9 in the Z2 direction. The leg 9510e is provided with a first force receiving portion (insertion force receiving portion) (second force receiving surface) 9510f that receives force from the drive control member 540, and the leg 9510g is provided with a second force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion) (first force receiving surface) 9510h that receives force from the drive control member 540.

[0152] When the front door 111 is closed, the cartridge pressing member (not shown) inside the main body of the device descends in the Z2 direction in Figure 51(b), pressing the pressed portion 9510c, causing the regulating member 9510 to move in the Z2 direction. Then, the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 enters the space Q9 sandwiched between the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h. At this time, there is a gap T93 between the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force applying surface 540c of the foot portion 9510e, and a gap T92 between the second force receiving portion 9510f and the first force applying surface 540b of the foot portion 9510g. Also, the regulating lever portion 9510d is in a position where it does not come into contact with the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80. This position of the regulating member 9510 is referred to as the first position. At this time, the drive coupling state is maintained while the regulating member 9510 maintains the first position.

[0153] When the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, the second force-applying surface 540c comes into contact with the first force-receiving portion 9510f of the restricting member 9510, and the restricting member 9510 rotates around the support portion 9526a in the direction of arrow V91 in Figure 51(b). Then, the restricting lever portion 9510d of the restricting member 9510 is positioned between the surface 74b of the developing coupling member 74 and the surface 80b of the sliding member 80. This position of the restricting member 9510 is referred to as the second position. Therefore, the drive coupling remains in a released state.

[0154] When the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, the first force-applying surface 540b comes into contact with the second force-receiving portion 9510h of the regulating member 9510, and the regulating member 9510 rotates around the support portion 9526a in the direction of arrow V92 in Figure 51(b). Then, the regulating lever portion 9510d separates from the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80 and becomes drive-connected.

[0155] As described above, using this embodiment, the drive control member 540 moves to switch between the second and first positions of the regulating member 9510, thereby switching the drive connection state. This makes it possible to switch the drive without relying on the contact and separation movements of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

[0156] [Layout Details - Part 1] The arrangement of the regulating member 9510 will be explained in detail using Figure 52. Figure 52 is a view of the process cartridge P from the drive side along the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 4. The regulating member 9510 is located in the first position. For the sake of explanation, the drive side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing cover member 9533 are omitted from the diagram.

[0157] As shown in Figure 52, the rotation axis (center of rotation) of the photosensitive drum 4 is defined as M1, the rotation axis (center of rotation) of the developing roller 6 is defined as M2, and the straight line connecting the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 4 and the rotation axis (center of rotation) K of the developing coupling member 74 is defined as line N1. In this embodiment, the rotation axis of the photoreceptor coupling member 43 is coaxial with the rotation axis M1. When the region is divided along line N1, the rotation axis M2 of the developing roller 6, the first force receiving part 9510f, and the second force receiving part 9510h are located in the same region with respect to line N1. Furthermore, the distance between the rotation axis K of the developing coupling member 74 and the rotation axis M2 of the developing roller 6 is defined as distance e1, and the developing coupling member 7 Let the distance between the rotation axis K of 4 and the first force-receiving portion 9510f be distance e2, and the distance between the rotation axis K and the second force-receiving portion 9510h be distance e3. In this case, the first force-receiving portion 9510f and the second force-receiving portion 9510h are positioned such that distances e2 and e3 are greater than distance e1. By positioning the first force-receiving portion 9510f and the second force-receiving portion 9510h in this way, the force required to move the regulating member 9510 between the first and second positions can be reduced.

[0158] [Layout Details - Part 2] The arrangement of the regulating member 9510 will be explained in detail using Figure 53. Figure 53 is a view of the process cartridge P from the drive side, along the direction of the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 4 or the rotation axis M2 of the developing roller. The regulating member 9510 is located in the first position. For the sake of explanation, the drive side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing cover member 9533 are omitted from the diagram.

[0159] As shown in Figure 53, let virtual line N2 be the virtual line connecting the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 4 and the rotation axis M2 of the developing roller 6. When the region is divided along virtual line N2 (the upper part is region AU1 and the lower part is region AD1), at least a portion of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h are located in region AD1, which is opposite the rotation axis K of the developing coupling member 74, with virtual line N2 as the boundary. As explained in Embodiment 1, the region AU1 contains the drive member for driving the components of the developing unit 9. For this reason, arranging at least a portion of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in region AD1 rather than region AU1 allows for a more efficient layout that avoids interference between components. This leads to miniaturization of the process cartridge P and the image forming apparatus body 502.

[0160] Furthermore, a virtual line N3 is defined as a virtual straight line perpendicular to the virtual line N2 and passing through the contact point between the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 (or, in a configuration where the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are not in contact, the gap between the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4). When the region is divided along the virtual line N3, at least a portion of the first force-receiving portion 9510f and the second force-receiving portion 9510h are positioned in the region opposite the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 4, with the virtual line N3 as the boundary. In the above explanation, regions AU1 and AD1 were defined as the region where the rotation axis K or the developing coupling member 74 is located and the region where it is not located, when viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2 and the boundary is divided by the virtual line N2. However, as an alternative definition, regions AU1 and AD1 may also be defined as the region where the charging roller 5 or the rotation axis M5 of the charging roller 5 is located and the region where it is not located, when viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2 and the boundary is divided by the virtual line N2.

[0161] Furthermore, another definition is that when viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2, regions AU1 and AD1 may be defined as the regions where the developing blade 30, proximity point 30d (see Figure 54), and the rotation axis M7 (see Figure 54) of the stirring member 31 (see Figure 54) are located, and regions where they are not located, when the boundary is divided by a virtual line N2. The proximity point 30d is the position closest to the surface of the developing roller 6 of the developing blade 30. In general electrophotographic cartridges, especially process cartridges used in inline layout image forming apparatuses, other components of the process cartridge are relatively unlikely to be located in region AD1. Also, if the first force receiving part 9510f and the second force receiving part 9510h are located in region AD1, there are the following advantages for the image forming apparatus body 502. In other words, the drive control member 540 of the image forming apparatus body 502 is positioned below the process cartridge P and moved in a substantially horizontal direction (in this embodiment, the W51, W52 direction, which is the arrangement direction of the photosensitive drum 4 or the process cartridge P) to press the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h. With this configuration, the drive control member 540 and its drive mechanism can be made relatively simple or compact. This is particularly noticeable in inline layout image forming apparatuses. Thus, arranging the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in region AD1 is also expected to contribute to miniaturization and cost reduction of the image forming apparatus body 502.

[0162] The arrangement of the first force-receiving portion 9510f and the second force-receiving portion 9510h was explained above using Figure 53, which shows the process cartridge P in the first position where the regulating member 9510 is located. However, it is clear from other figures that the same relationship exists for the process cartridge P in the second position. Furthermore, if the direction perpendicular to the imaginary line N2 is defined as the VD1 direction, the first force-receiving portion 9510f and the second force-receiving portion 9510h are positioned to protrude from the developing unit 9 at least in the VD1 direction. For this reason, the first force-receiving portion 9510f and the second force-receiving portion 9510h can be arranged so that the first force-applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 can contact the second force-receiving portion 9510h, and the second force-applying surface 540c can contact the first force-receiving portion 9510f.

[0163] Furthermore, the diameter of the developing roller 6 in this configuration is smaller than the diameter of the photosensitive drum 4. By arranging the first force receiving section 9510f and the second force receiving section 9510h in this way, the drive transmission section (not shown), which consists of a gear train or the like for transmitting driving force from the developing coupling member 74 to the developing roller 6, can be placed in a space-saving manner, avoiding the photosensitive drum 4. This makes it possible to miniaturize the process cartridge P.

[0164] [Layout Details - Part 3] Using Figure 54, a concept similar to the above-described concept of arranging at least a portion of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in region AD1 will be explained. Figure 54 is a view of the process cartridge P from the drive side along the rotation axis M1, rotation axis K, or rotation axis M2 of the developing unit 9. Note that the arrangement of the regulating member 9510 described below is almost the same for the first and second positions, so only the first position will be explained, and the explanation for the second position will be omitted. The rotation axis of the toner supply roller (developer supply member) 32 is defined as rotation axis (center of rotation) M6. The process cartridge P also has an agitator 31 that rotates and agitates the developer contained in the developing unit 9, and its rotation axis is defined as rotation axis (center of rotation) M7.

[0165] Let the imaginary line N10 be the imaginary straight line connecting the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 4 and the rotation axis M5 of the charging roller 5, which is a charging member. Let the intersection point MX1 be the intersection point between the imaginary line N10 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 that is further from the rotation axis M5. Let the imaginary tangent line to the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 passing through intersection point MX1 be the tangent line (predetermined tangent line) N11. Dividing the region at the boundary of the tangent line N11, the region where the rotation axis M1, charging roller 5, rotation axis M5, developing coupling member 74, rotation axis K, developing blade 30, proximity point 30d, toner supply roller 32, rotation axis M6, stirring member 31, rotation axis M7, or pressed part 9510c are located be region AU2, and the region where they are not located be region (predetermined region) AD2. Regions AU2 and AD2 may also be defined in the following alternative terms. In other words, if we define direction VD10 as the direction parallel to and in the same direction as the direction from the rotation axis M5 toward the rotation axis M1, then the downstream end of the photosensitive drum 4 is intersection point MX1 with respect to direction VD10. Furthermore, with respect to direction VD10, the region upstream of the downstream end MX1 is defined as region AU2, and the region downstream is defined as region (predetermined region) AD2. Regardless of the representation, the defined regions AU2 and AD2 are the same.

[0166] Furthermore, at least a portion of the first force-receiving portion 9510f and the second force-receiving portion 9510h are located in region AD2. By arranging at least a portion of the first force-receiving portion 9510f and the second force-receiving portion 9510h in region AD2, it is expected that this will contribute to miniaturization and cost reduction of the process cartridge P and the image forming apparatus body 502. This is for the same reasons as when at least a portion of the first force-receiving portion 9510f and the second force-receiving portion 9510h are arranged in region AD1. Also, the regulating member 9510 and the first force-receiving portion 9510f and the second force-receiving portion 9510h are displaced at least in the VD10 direction by movement in the Z1 and Z2 directions. This displacement in the VD10 direction causes the regulating member 9510 and the first force-receiving portion 9510h to be displaced when inserting or removing the process cartridge P from the image forming apparatus body 502. This prevents interference between the force-receiving portion 9510f and the second force-receiving portion 9510h and the drive control member 540, which would prevent insertion and removal.

[0167] Furthermore, if the direction perpendicular to the tangent N11 is defined as the VD10 direction, then when the regulating member 9510 is in the first position, the first force-receiving portion 9510f and the second force-receiving portion 9510h are positioned to protrude at least in the VD10 direction from the developing unit 9. Therefore, the first force-applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 can contact the second force-receiving portion 9510h, and the second force-applying surface 540c can contact the first force-receiving portion 9510f, respectively, and the first force-receiving portion 9510h can be positioned accordingly. The arrangement relationships of each force-receiving portion described above are the same in all embodiments described later.

[0168] (Example 9) The process cartridge and image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 9 of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 55 to 58. The process cartridge in this embodiment is the same as that in Embodiment 1, with only the configuration of the regulating member and its surroundings differing. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for members having the same function and configuration, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0169] [Configuration of regulatory components] Figure 55 is a diagram illustrating the disassembly and assembly of the regulating member 10510. Figure 56(a) is a perspective view of only the regulating member 10510 and the drive-side bearing 10526. Figure 56(b) is a side view of only the regulating member 10510 and the drive-side bearing 10526. Figure 56(c) is a side view of only the regulating member 10510 and the drive-side bearing 10526 in a state pressed by the cartridge pressing member.

[0170] In this embodiment 9, the restricting member 10510 in embodiment 8 is divided into two parts and connected. Specifically, as shown in Figure 55, the restricting member 10510 is divided into two parts: an upper restricting member 10510U and a lower restricting member 10510D. The lower restricting member 10510D is provided with a shaft 10510Da. Also, as shown in Figure 56(a), the lower restricting member 10510D is provided with legs 10510De and 10510g that can protrude from the developing unit in the Z2 direction. The leg 10510De is provided with a first force receiving part (insertion force receiving part) (second force receiving surface) 10510Df, and the leg 10510Dg is provided with a second force receiving part (retraction force receiving part) (first force receiving surface) 10510Dh, and receives force from the drive control member 540. The upper restricting member 10510U has an opening 10510Uj on the surface facing the lower restricting member 10510D.

[0171] Furthermore, a pair of elongated holes 10510Uk are provided on either side of the opening 10510Uj. The lower restricting member 10510D is provided with a spring retaining portion 10510Dj. One end of the compression spring 10512 is fitted into the spring retaining portion 0510Dj, the other end is inserted through the opening 10510Uj and supported by the retaining portion (not shown) further inside, and then the respective shafts 10510Da are fitted into the respective elongated holes 10510Uk. At that time, the opening 10510Uj is widened during assembly, so the restricting member 10510 is preferably made of plastic. If a hard material is to be used, the shafts 10510Da may be constructed as a separate part. For example, the shafts 10510Da may be made as parallel pins and assembled by press-fitting.

[0172] The upper restricting member 10510U and the lower restricting member 10510D are connected by an elongated hole 10510Uk and a pair of shafts 10510Da, and the upper restricting member 10510U is biased away from the lower restricting member 10510D by a compression spring 10512. Furthermore, the lower restricting member 10510D is configured to be rotatable around the shaft 10510Da relative to the upper restricting member 10510U. It is also configured to be relatively movable relative to the upper restricting member 10510U in the direction along the elongated hole 10510Uk. The connecting portion that links the upper restricting member 10510U and the lower restricting member 10510D is configured to be able to take on a first state in which elastic deformation is permitted and a second state in which elastic deformation is restricted. Further details will be described later.

[0173] [Explanation of the operation of the regulating member] The operation of the restricting member 10510 will be explained using Figures 56(a) to (c). As explained in Example 8, after the process cartridge P has been inserted into the image forming apparatus body 502, the restricting member 10510 is pressed by the cartridge pressing member (not shown) in conjunction with the closing of the front door 111. Figures 56(a) and (b) show the state in which the restricting member 10510 is not pressed by the cartridge pressing member (free state), and Figure 56(c) shows the state in which the restricting member 10510 is pressed by the cartridge pressing member (locked state).

[0174] As shown in Figure 56(a), the lower restricting member 10510D has an arc-shaped guide groove 10526b formed on the drive-side bearing 10526, centered on the support portion 10526a, into which the shaft 10510D fits. As previously explained, the lower restricting member 10510D is pivotable around the support portion 10526a relative to the upper restricting member 10510U. The upper restricting member 10510U is also pivotable around the support portion 10526a of the drive-side bearing 10526 and is movable in the Z1 and Z2 directions.

[0175] As shown in Figure 56(b), with the above configuration, when the regulating member 10510 is not being pressed by the cartridge pressing member (free state), the lower regulating member 10510D can rotate around the shaft portion 10510Da as its center of rotation. Therefore, even if the lower regulating member 10510D rotates due to a force received from the drive control member 540, the force is not transmitted to the upper regulating member 10510U.

[0176] Using Figure 56(c), the operation of the regulating member 10510 in the state where it is pressed by the cartridge pressing member (locked state) will be explained. The upper regulating member 10510U moves in the Z2 direction against the biasing force of the spring 10512 when pressed down by the cartridge pressing member. As shown in Figure 56(a), the engaging portion (square shaft portion) 10510Dk fits into the engaged portion (square hole portion) 10510Um, and the upper regulating member 10510U and the lower regulating member 10510D become one unit. In other words, the lower regulating member 10510D is restricted from swinging around the shaft portion 10510Da relative to the upper regulating member 10510U. In this state, the integrated regulating member 10510 can swing around the support portion 10526a as the center of rotation, with the shaft 10510Da moving along the arc-shaped guide groove 10526b shown in Figure 56(a). Therefore, when pressed in the Z2 direction by the cartridge pressing member, the restricting member 10510 can move in the same way as the restricting member 9510 in Example 8.

[0177] [Installing the process cartridge into the image forming machine body] The operation of the restricting member 10510 during process cartridge insertion in Embodiment 9 will be explained using Figures 57(a) and 57(b). Figure 57(a) shows the state in which the process cartridge P is being inserted into the image forming apparatus body 502. Figure 57(b) shows the state in which the process cartridge P is being removed from the image forming apparatus body 502. For the sake of explanation, the drive-side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing cover member 9533 are omitted. As mentioned above, when the upper restricting member 10510U is not being pressed by the cartridge pressing member (free state), the lower restricting member 10510D is rotatable around the shaft portion 10510Da as the center of rotation. In this embodiment, the lower restricting member 10510D is in the same position as the first position of the restricting member 9510 in Embodiment 8 (see Figure 51(b)). Therefore, when inserting the process cartridge P, which is mounted on a tray 110 (not shown), into the image forming apparatus body 502 in the direction of arrow X1, similar to Example 8, the drive control member 540 and the lower The restricting member 10510D interferes. However, with the above configuration, as shown in Figure 57(a), the lower restricting member 10510D rotates around the shaft portion 10510Da as the center of rotation, and interference between the drive control member 540 and the lower restricting member 10510D that would prevent insertion into the image forming apparatus body 502 can be avoided.

[0178] Next, when the process cartridge P is inserted into the image forming apparatus body 502 and the front door 111 is closed, the upper regulating member 10510U is pushed down in the Z2 direction by the cartridge pressing member as described above. Then, the engaging portion (square shaft portion) 10510Dk shown in Figure 56(a) fits into the engaged portion (square hole portion) 10510Um. In other words, the upper regulating member 10510U and the lower regulating member 10510D become one unit and perform substantially the same role as the regulating member 9510 in Embodiment 8.

[0179] [Removal of process cartridge from image forming machine] Conversely, as shown in Figure 57(b), when removing the process cartridge P from the image forming apparatus body 502 (in the X2 direction), the drive control member 540 and the lower restricting member 10510D also interfere with each other. However, as mentioned above, the lower restricting member 10510D is free and not integrated with the upper restricting member 10510U, so it rotates around the shaft portion 10510Da as its center of rotation. Therefore, interference between the drive control member 540 and the lower restricting member 10510D, which would prevent removal from the image forming apparatus body 502, can be avoided. Note that this embodiment describes a process cartridge used in a color image forming apparatus. Therefore, there are four process cartridges and four drive control members. For this reason, depending on the station, the operation shown in Figure 57 may be repeated up to four times.

[0180] Furthermore, the lower restricting member 10510D is configured to return to the neutral position shown in Figure 56(b) (the position where the angle between the upper restricting member 10510U and the lower restricting member 10510D is θt = 0°) from the position shown in Figure 57(b) by the restoring force of the compression spring 10512.

[0181] [Operation of the regulating members for drive coupling and uncoupling] The operation of the regulating member 10510 during drive coupling and uncoupling will be explained using Figure 58. Figure 58(a) shows the state where the regulating member 10510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. Figure 58(b) shows the state where the regulating member 10510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. For the sake of explanation, the drive-side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing cover member 9533 are omitted. Also, the drive coupling operation of the developing coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75, the drive uncoupling operation, and the operation of the drive control member 540 are the same as in Embodiment 1 and are therefore omitted. As mentioned above, when the process cartridge P is inserted into the image forming apparatus body 502 and the front door 111 is closed, the upper regulating member 10510U is pushed down in the Z2 direction by the cartridge pressing member. Then, the upper regulating member 10510U and the lower regulating member 10510D become one unit.

[0182] At this time, there is a gap T103 between the first force receiving portion 10510Df of the foot portion 10510De and the second force applying surface 540c, and a gap T102 between the second force receiving portion 10510Dh of the foot portion 10510Dg and the first force applying surface 540b. Also, the regulating lever portion 10510Ud, which acts as a movable part, is in a position where it does not come into contact with the developing coupling member 74 and the sliding member 80. This position of the regulating member 10510 is referred to as the first position. At this time, the regulating member 10510 maintains the first position, and the drive coupling state is maintained.

[0183] Furthermore, when the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, the second force-applying surface 540c comes into contact with the first force-receiving portion 10510Df of the lower restricting member 10510D, and the restricting member 10510 rotates around the support portion 10526a in the direction of arrow V101 in Figure 58(a). Then the upper restricting portion The restricting lever portion 10510Ud of material 10510U is positioned between the surface 74b of the developing coupling member 74 and the surface 80b of the sliding member 80. Therefore, the drive coupling remains disengaged. This position of the restricting member 10510 is referred to as the second position. At this time, the lower restricting member 10510D has a gap T104 between the first force receiving portion 10510Df and the second force applying surface 540c, and a gap T105 between the second force receiving portion 10510Dh of the foot portion 10510Dg and the first force applying surface 540b. When the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, the first force applying surface 540b comes into contact with the second force receiving portion 10510Dh of the lower restricting member 10510D, and the restricting member 10510 rotates around the support portion 10526a in the direction of arrow V102 in Figure 58(b). Then, the regulating lever portion 10510Ud separates from the developing coupling member 74 and the sliding member 80 and is driven and connected.

[0184] As described above, the configuration of this embodiment provides the same effects as in Embodiment 8. In this embodiment, the lower restricting member 10510D, which includes a first force receiving portion 10510Df and a second force receiving portion 10510Dh, is made movable relative to the upper restricting member 10510U and other parts of the process cartridge P. In this embodiment, the movement causes the first force receiving portion 10510Df and the second force receiving portion 10510Dh to be displaced in the Z2 direction, thereby displacing them at least in directions VD1 (Figure 53, etc.) and VD10 (Figure 54, etc.). The lower restricting member 10510D can be switched between a state in which it can move independently (free state) and a state in which it is fixed relative to the upper restricting member 10510U (locked state) depending on the position of the upper restricting member 10510U. This prevents interference between the lower restricting member 10510D and the image forming apparatus body 502, particularly the drive control member 540, which would prevent the process cartridge P from being inserted into or removed from the image forming apparatus body 502.

[0185] (Example 10) Embodiment 10 of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 59 to 63. In this embodiment, the configuration and operation that differ from the previously described embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the same configuration and operation will be omitted. In addition, for configurations corresponding to the previously described embodiment, the same reference numerals or the first part of the numerals will be changed, and the second part of the numerals and letters will be the same.

[0186] [Configuration of regulatory components] Figure 59(a) shows the state before assembly of the upper regulating member 11510U and the lower regulating member 11510D. Figure 59(b) shows the state after assembly of the upper regulating member 11510U and the lower regulating member 11510D. In this embodiment 10, the regulating member corresponding to the regulating member 9510 in embodiment 8 is configured to avoid the drive control member 540 in the longitudinal direction (Y1, Y2 directions in Figure 60(d)) during the insertion and removal of the process cartridge P into and out of the image forming apparatus body 502, as shown in Figure 59. The Y1 and Y2 directions are parallel to the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 4 and the rotation axis M2 of the developing roller 6 in embodiment 1. The insertion and removal of the regulating member 11510 while avoiding the drive control member 540 will be described later.

[0187] As shown in Figure 59, the specific configuration of the restricting member 11510 is a two-part configuration consisting of an upper restricting member 11510U and a lower restricting member 11510D. The upper restricting member 11510U is provided with a pair of elongated oval holes 11510Uk facing each other in the X1 and X2 directions in the portion where it overlaps with the lower restricting member 11510D in the direction in which the process cartridge is inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus body (X1, X2 directions, see Figure 57). The lower restricting member 11510D is provided with an axis 11510Da. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 59(a), the lower restricting member 11510D is equipped with legs 11510De and 11510Dg that can protrude from the developing unit 9 in the Z2 direction. The foot portion 11510De is provided with a first force receiving portion (insertion force receiving portion) (second force receiving surface) 11510Df, and the foot portion 11510Dg is provided with a second force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion) (first force receiving surface) 11510Dh, which receive force from the drive control member 540. Upper regulating member 11510 A compression spring 11512 is provided between U and the lower restricting member 11510D. One end of the compression spring 11512 is supported by a holding portion (not shown) of the upper restricting member 11510U, and the other end is fitted into a holding portion 11510Dj of the lower restricting member 11510D, after which the shaft 11510Da is fitted into the oval hole 11510Uk (Figure 59(b)).

[0188] The restricting member 11510, which is assembled in this manner, is preferably made of plastic because when the shaft 11510Da is fitted into the elongated hole 11510Uk, the tip portion 11510Uj of the upper restricting member 11510U is widened during assembly. If the restricting member 11510 is made of a hard material, the shaft 11510Da and the lower restricting member 11510D may be constructed as separate parts. For example, the shaft 11510Da may be press-fitted into the lower restricting member 11510D at the end of the assembly.

[0189] [Explanation of the operation of the regulating member] The operation of the restricting member 11510 will be explained using Figures 60(a) to (e). Figure 60(a) shows the state in which the upper restricting member 11510U is not pressed by the cartridge pressing member (free state) within the main body of the image forming apparatus. Figure 60(b) shows only the restricting member 11510 as seen from the drum unit side of Figure 60(a). Figure 60(c) is an enlarged view showing the lower restricting member 11510D of Figure 60(b). Figure 60(d) shows the state in which the upper restricting member 11510U is pressed by the cartridge pressing member (locked state) within the main body of the image forming apparatus. Figure 60(e) shows only the restricting member 11510 as seen from the drum unit side of Figure 60(d).

[0190] Figures 59(a) and (b) illustrate the state in which the regulating member 11510 is not pressed by the cartridge pressing member (free state). The upper regulating member 11510U is movable in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 11510Ua and in the Z1 and Z2 directions, and is pivotable around the support portion 11510Ua, as the elongated hole 11510Ua is fitted into the support portion 11526Ua of the drive-side bearing 11526. When not pressed by the cartridge pressing member, the lower regulating member 11510D is supported by the upper regulating member 11510U at its shaft 11510Da and is pivotable around the shaft 11510Da in the Y3 and Y4 directions (free state). In this free state, for example, the force of the compression spring 11512 mentioned above keeps the lower regulating member 11510D supported by the upper regulating member 11510U at its shaft 11510Da and allows it to pivot. In its free state, the lower restricting member 11510D needs to avoid interference with the drive control member 540 when inserting or removing it from the image forming apparatus body, which will be described later. For example, as shown in Figure 60(c), the spring seating surface 11510Dn of the lower restricting member 11510D receives the biasing force of the compression spring 11512, thereby maintaining a state of oscillation in the Y4 direction relative to the upper restricting member 11510U and avoiding interference. To this end, the seating surface 11510Dn of the lower restricting member 11510D faces the seating surface 11510Uq of the upper restricting member 11510U when the lower restricting member 11510D is oscillating in the Y4 direction. As a result, the elastic force of the compression spring 11512, which is provided between the upper restricting member 11510U and the lower restricting member 11510D, causes a moment to act on the lower restricting member 11510D in the Y4 direction around the shaft portion 11510Da, maintaining a oscillating state.

[0191] The operation of the regulating member 11510 when it is pressed by the cartridge pressing member (locked state) will be explained using Figures 59(b), 60(d), and (e). The upper regulating member 11510U moves in the Z2 direction against the biasing force of the spring 11512 when pressed down by the cartridge pressing member. When the upper regulating member 11510U is pressed by the cartridge pressing member, the tip portion 11510Up of the upper regulating member 11510U shown in Figure 59(b) fits into the square hole portion 11510Dm of the lower regulating member 11510D. The upper regulating member 11510U and the lower regulating member 11510D then become one unit, and the oscillation of the lower regulating member 10510D around the shaft portion 10510Da is restricted relative to the upper regulating member 10510U. This results in a locked state. In this state, the integrated restricting member 11510 can swing in the V111 and V112 directions with the support portion 11526a as its center of rotation. Therefore, when pressed in the Z2 direction by the cartridge pressing member, the restricting member 11510 can move in the same way as the restricting member 9510 in Embodiment 8.

[0192] [Installing the process cartridge into the image forming machine body] The operation of the restricting member 11510 during process cartridge insertion in Example 10 will be explained using Figures 61(a), (b), and (c). Figure 61(a) shows the process cartridge P being inserted into the image forming apparatus body 502. Figure 61(b) shows Figure 61(a) as viewed from the developing unit side. Figure 61(c) shows the process cartridge further inserted from Figure 61(a). For the sake of explanation, the drive-side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing cover member 9533 are omitted from the diagram.

[0193] As described above, when the upper restricting member 11510U is not pressed by the cartridge pressing member (free state), the lower restricting member 11510D is rotatable about the shaft portion 11510Da as the center of rotation, as shown in Figure 60(b). When inserting the process cartridge P mounted on the cartridge tray (not shown) into the image forming apparatus body 502 in the direction of arrow X1, or removing it in the direction of arrow X2, the lower restricting member 11510D is inserted in a state where it is further retracted in the longitudinal direction (Y2 direction) relative to the drive control member 540. This is because the lower restricting member 11510D is held in the state shown in Figure 60(b) by the action of the compression spring 11512 described above. In addition, the lower restricting member 11510D is provided with a slope 11510Dp, and when it collides with the drive control member 540, the lower restricting member 11510D retracts in the Y2 direction. Therefore, interference between the drive control member 540 and the lower restricting member 11510D, which would prevent insertion into the main body 502 of the image forming apparatus, can be avoided.

[0194] Next, when the process cartridge P is inserted into the image forming apparatus body 502 and the front door 111 is closed, the upper regulating member 11510U is pushed down in the Z2 direction by the cartridge pressing member, as described above. Then, the tip portion 11510Up of the upper regulating member 11510U, shown in Figure 59(b), fits into the square hole portion 11510Dm of the lower regulating member 11510D. In other words, the upper regulating member 10510U and the lower regulating member 10510D become one unit and perform substantially the same role as the regulating member 9510 in Embodiment 8.

[0195] [Removal of process cartridge from image forming machine] The operation of the restricting member 11510 when removing the process cartridge will be explained using Figures 62(a), (b), and (c). Figure 62(a) shows the process cartridge P in the process of being removed from the image forming apparatus body 502. Figure 62(b) shows Figure 62(a) as seen from the drum unit side. Figure 62(c) shows the process cartridge further removed from Figures 62(a) and (b). For the sake of explanation, the drive-side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing cover member 9533 are omitted from the diagram.

[0196] As shown in Figure 62(b), when removing the process cartridge P from the image forming apparatus body 502 (in the X2 direction), the lower restricting member 10510D is removed in a retracted position in the longitudinal direction (Y2 direction). In addition, the lower restricting member 11510D is provided with a slope 11510Dq, and when it collides with the drive control member 540, the lower restricting member 11510D retracts further in the Y2 direction. Therefore, interference between the drive control member 540 and the lower restricting member 11510D, which would prevent removal from the image forming apparatus body 502, can be avoided. Note that this embodiment describes a process cartridge used in a color image forming apparatus. Therefore, there are four process cartridges and four drive control members. For this reason, depending on the station, the operation shown in Figures 61 and 62 may be repeated up to four times. In this way, when inserting or removing the process cartridge P from the image forming apparatus body 502, the lower restricting part Material 11510D is in a free state.

[0197] [Operation of the regulating members for drive coupling and uncoupling] The operation of the restricting member 11510 during drive coupling and uncoupling will be explained using Figure 63. Figure 63(a) shows the state where the restricting member 11510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. Figure 63(b) shows the state where the restricting member 11510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. For the sake of explanation, the drive-side cartridge cover 9520 and the developer cover member 9533 are omitted. Also, the drive coupling operation of the developer coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75, the drive uncoupling operation, and the operation of the drive control member 540 are the same as in Embodiment 1 and are therefore omitted.

[0198] As described above, when the process cartridge P is inserted into the image forming apparatus body 502 and the front door 111 is closed, the upper regulating member 11510U is pushed down in the Z2 direction by the cartridge pressing member. Then, the upper regulating member 10510U and the lower regulating member 10510D become one unit (Figure 63(a)). At this time, there is a gap T113 between the first force receiving portion 11510Df and the second force applying surface 540c of the foot portion 11510De, and a gap T112 between the second force receiving portion 11510Dh and the first force applying surface 540b of the foot portion 11510Dg. Also, the regulating lever portion 11510Ud is in a position where it does not come into contact with the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80. This position of the regulating member 11510 is referred to as the first position. At this time, the regulating member 11510 maintains the first position and the drive coupling state is maintained.

[0199] Furthermore, when the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, the second force-applying surface 540c comes into contact with the first force-receiving portion 11510Df of the lower regulating member 11510D, and the regulating member 11510 rotates around the support portion 11526a in the direction of arrow V111 in Figure 62(a). Then, the regulating lever portion 11510Ud of the upper regulating member 11510U is positioned between the surface 74b of the developing coupling member 74 and the surface 80b of the sliding member 80. Therefore, the drive coupling remains disengaged. This position of the regulating member 10510 is referred to as the second position. At this time, the lower regulating member 11510D has a gap T115 between the first force-receiving portion 11510Df and the second force-applying surface 540c, and a gap T114 between the second force-receiving portion 11510Dh of the foot portion 11510Dg and the first force-applying surface 540b. When the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, the first force-applying surface 540b comes into contact with the second force-receiving portion 11510Dh of the lower regulating member 11510D, and the regulating member 11510 rotates around the support portion 11526a in the direction of arrow V112 in Figure 63(b). Then, the regulating lever portion 11510Ud separates from the developing coupling member 74 and the sliding member 80, thereby achieving drive coupling.

[0200] According to the configuration of this embodiment described above, the same effects as in Embodiment 8 can be obtained. Also, in this embodiment, the lower regulating member 11510D including the first force receiving portion (insertion force receiving portion) 11510Df and the second force receiving portion (retreat force receiving portion) 11510Dh is made movable with respect to the upper regulating member 11510U and other portions of the process cartridge P. In this embodiment, by this movement, the first force receiving portion 11510f and the second force receiving portion 11510h are at least displaced in the Y2 direction (a direction parallel to the rotation axes M1 and M2 in Embodiment 8). Then, the lower regulating member 11510D can be switched between a state where it is movable alone (free state) and a state where it is fixed to the upper regulating member 11510U (locked state) according to the position of the upper regulating member 11510U. Thereby, when inserting or removing the process cartridge P into or from the main body 502 of the image forming apparatus, by taking the free state, it is possible to avoid the interference between the lower regulating member 11510D and the main body 502 of the image forming apparatus, particularly the drive control member 540, which may prevent the insertion or removal.

[0201] (Embodiment 11) Using FIGS. 64 to 66, the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 11 of the present disclosure will be described. Note that the process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1, and only the cartridge cover member and its peripheral configuration described later are different. Therefore, members having the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0202] In this embodiment, as in Embodiment 1, the drive can be switched without relying on the contact and separation movements of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6. The component configuration and operation of the drive control member 540 provided on the image forming apparatus body and the regulating member 510 provided on the process cartridge are the same as in Embodiment 1. The configuration of this embodiment provides the same effects as in Embodiment 1. In addition to the operation described in Embodiment 1, a configuration is provided in which the process cartridge or developing unit moves vertically until image formation occurs. This operation makes it possible to maintain a greater vertical distance from the drive control member when inserting or removing the process cartridge from the apparatus body than in Embodiment 1, making it easier to avoid the risk of interference with the drive control member preventing insertion or removal.

[0203] [Process cartridge configuration with developing unit moving member] Using Figures 64 and 65, we will explain a configuration in which the process cartridge-based developing unit moves perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum of the drum unit. In this embodiment, the perpendicular direction is the Z direction (arrows Z1 and Z2 in Figure 5), which is perpendicular to the X direction (X1 and X2) in Figure 5 and perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum 4, as shown in Embodiment 1. That is, in this embodiment, the process cartridge is configured so that the drum unit as the first unit and the developing unit as the second unit can move relative to each other in the perpendicular direction. The direction of such relative movement (Z1 and Z2) is the direction that intersects with the imaginary line N2 shown in Figure 53.

[0204] As shown in Figure 64, the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 are held together by a cartridge cover member to form a process cartridge. Figure 64 is a side view of the process cartridge as seen from the drive side.

[0205] Here, as shown in Figure 64(a), in this embodiment, the developing unit 9 is held in a position raised in the direction of arrow Z1 compared to Embodiment 1. That is, the drive control member 540 described above in Embodiment 1 is in a positional relationship in which it does not act with respect to the restricting member 510. As shown in Figure 64(b), in this embodiment, the vertical position of the developing unit 9 is the same as in Embodiment 1. That is, the drive control member 540 described above in Embodiment 1 is in a positional relationship in which it can act with respect to the restricting member 510. The detailed configuration (configuration of the developing unit moving member) in which the developing unit 9 is held so as to be movable in the vertical direction by the developing unit moving member, which is a vertical moving member provided on the process cartridge, will be described later.

[0206] The configuration in which the developing unit 9 is held so as to be movable in the vertical directions indicated by arrows Z1 and Z2 will be described in detail. Figure 65 is a perspective view of the process cartridge as seen from the non-driven side, and is an exploded assembly view of the developing unit moving member. The drum unit is hidden here for illustrative purposes. As shown in Figures 64 and 65, the developing unit moving member, which is the vertical moving member, is an integrated unit member consisting of a drive-side developing unit moving bearing 1250, drive-side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B, and a drive-side cartridge cover member 1252.

[0207] The drive-side developing unit moving bearing 1250 has a drive-side developing unit cylindrical support portion 1250b that pivotally supports the cylindrical portion 533b of the developing cover member, enabling fitting support. Furthermore, the drive-side outer cylindrical portion 1250a of the drive-side developing unit moving bearing 1250 is supported so as to be fittable by the drive-side cartridge cover member sliding portion 1252a of the drive-side cartridge cover member. The shape of the drive-side cartridge cover member sliding portion 1252a is such that in the vertical direction (arrows Z1, Z The oval-shaped holes are parallel in two directions, which allows the drive-side developing unit moving bearing 1250 and the developing unit 9 to move vertically.

[0208] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 64(a), the drive-side developing unit moving bearing 1250 and the developing unit 9 are held in a state where they abut against the upper side (Z1 direction) of the oval hole sliding portion 1252a of the drive-side cartridge cover member. As shown in Figure 65, the drive-side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B are attached to the drive-side moving spring fixing boss portions 1250c and 1250e of the drive-side developing unit moving bearing 1250. The drive-side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B are compression springs, and are mounted such that the moving spring contact surfaces (moving bearing side) 1251c and 1251e abut against the drive-side moving spring fixing boss portions 1250c and 1250e, and the moving spring contact surfaces (cover side) 1251d and 1251f abut against the drive-side cover member moving spring receiving portions 1252d and 1252f. As a result, the drive-side developing unit moving bearing 1250 and the developing unit 9 are biased in the Z1 direction relative to the drive-side cartridge cover member 1252 by the pressurized spring force of the drive-side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B.

[0209] As shown in Figure 64(b), the drive-side developing unit moving bearing 1250 and the developing unit 9 are held in a position where they abut against the lower side (Z2 direction) of the oval hole sliding portion 1252a of the drive-side cartridge cover member. In Figure 64(b), the vertical position of the drum unit 8 having the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing unit 9 is the same as in Embodiment 1. That is, the developing coupling member 74 of the developing unit 9 is located on the axis of the pivot axis K. In this state, the drive control member 540 and the regulating member 510 are in a position where they can move relative to each other, and an image can be formed. To move the developing unit 9 from Figure 64(a) to the vertical position in Figure 64(b), the developing unit moving pressure HF (also called the vertical biasing force), which is a biasing force from the image forming apparatus body, is applied in the Z2 direction, thereby enabling movement.

[0210] For example, in Embodiment 1, in conjunction with the operation of closing the front door as described above, the main body-side vertical moving member (not shown) can contact and press against the drive-side developing unit moving bearing 1250, thereby generating a biasing force in the vertical direction (Z2 direction). At this time, by designing the biasing force from the main body-side vertical moving member to be greater than the pressurized spring biasing force of the drive-side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B, movement in the Z2 direction becomes possible, and the developing unit 9 moves to the position shown in Figure 64(b). On the other hand, in conjunction with the operation of opening the front door, the contact and pressing between the main body-side vertical moving member and the drive-side developing unit moving bearing 1250 is released, and the pressurized spring biasing force of the drive-side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B as described above can return the developing unit 9 to the state shown in Figure 64(a).

[0211] [Process cartridge configuration with cartridge moving member] Figure 66 shows the process in which the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 are integrally held by a cartridge cover member to form a process cartridge, which is then mounted in the tray and the main body of the image forming apparatus. Figure 66 is a view from the side of the drive side.

[0212] Figure 66(a) shows the state before the process cartridge is installed, with the tray and the drive-side tray member 1211 provided on the tray pulled out of the image forming apparatus. As shown in Figure 66(a), the process cartridge, in which the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 are integrally held by the side cover member, is detachable from the drive-side tray member 1211 provided on the tray, and can be installed in the Z2 direction and removed by lifting in the Z1 direction. Here, the drive-side cartridge cover member 1262 is fitted with drive-side cartridge movement springs 1270A and 1270B, which are fixed to the cartridge movement spring contact surfaces (cartridge side) 1262d and 1262e. Here, the drive-side cartridge movement springs 1270A and 1270B are compression springs. The 70B is fixed by press-fitting it into a boss provided on the drive-side cartridge cover member 1262, or by any other method such as adhesive bonding.

[0213] Figure 66(b) shows the state in which a process cartridge is mounted on the drive-side tray member 1211 provided on the tray, with the tray inserted into the image forming apparatus and the front door of the image forming apparatus open. As shown in Figure 66(b), the process cartridge mounted in the Z2 direction is held in a state in which the drive-side cartridge movement springs 1270A and 1270B provided on the drive-side cartridge cover member 1262 are in contact with the drive-side cartridge movement spring contact surfaces (tray side) 1211d and 1211e. In the state shown in Figure 66(b), the drive control member 540 provided on the image forming apparatus and the regulating member 510 provided on the process cartridge are in positions far apart in the vertical direction and cannot act on each other. Therefore, even if the tray and the drive-side tray member 1211 provided on the tray are moved in the tray insertion / removal directions X1 and X2, they can be inserted and removed without interference. (The drive control member 540 is positioned offset to the rear in the longitudinal direction relative to the drive-side tray member 1211, so as not to interfere during insertion or removal.) As shown in Figure 66(b), the spring forces of the aforementioned drive-side cartridge movement springs 1270A and 1270B must be designed so that the drive control member 540 and the regulating member 510 are in positions far apart in the vertical direction so that they cannot act on each other.

[0214] Figure 66(c) shows the state in which the front door of the image forming apparatus is closed and the process cartridge has moved vertically to the image forming position, and is the state in which the process cartridge has been further moved in the Z2 direction from the state in Figure 66(b). Here, as with the method described above, the process cartridge is biased in the Z2 direction by the main body side vertical movement member (not shown) in conjunction with the operation of closing the front door. As shown in Figure 66(c), the drive side cartridge positioning parts (cartridge side) 1262a, 1262b of the drive side cartridge cover member 1262 provided on the process cartridge and the drive side cartridge positioning parts (tray side) 1211a, 1211b provided on the drive side tray member 1211 come into contact, thereby restricting movement in the Z2 direction and fixing the position in the Z2 direction. Furthermore, the drive-side cartridge rotation stopper portion (cartridge side) 1262c of the drive-side cartridge cover member 1262 has a notched concave shape, and the convex shape of the drive-side cartridge rotation stopper portion (tray side) 1211c provided on the drive-side tray member 1211 fits into it, thereby restricting rotational movement in the X1 and X2 directions.

[0215] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 66(c), the drive control member 540 and the regulating member 510 are positioned so that they can interact with each other in the vertical direction. The drive-side cartridge positioning parts (tray side) 1211a and 1211b provided on the drive-side tray member 1211 are designed to be in positions where they can interact with each other. This makes it possible for the image formation described in Embodiment 1 to operate stably. At this time, the drive-side cartridge movement springs 1270A and 1270B are in a more compressed state than in Figure 66(b). By designing the biasing force from the vertical movement member on the main body side to be greater than the pressurized spring biasing force of the drive-side cartridge movement springs 1270A and 1270B, movement as shown in Figure 66(c) is possible.

[0216] In this embodiment, a vertical movement member is provided on the drive side, but by providing a similar configuration on the non-drive side, the developing unit can move horizontally and vertically. Furthermore, from the perspective of reducing costs, a configuration where the developing unit movement member is provided only on the drive side is also acceptable. In that case, the developing unit or process cartridge will be in a tilted state, lifted in the Z1 direction only on the drive side. Even in a configuration where the member is provided only on the drive side, the vertical distance between the drive control member 540 and the regulating member 510 provided on the drive side of the image forming apparatus can be increased, making it easier to avoid the risk of interference with the drive control member preventing insertion or removal of the process cartridge from the apparatus body. Additionally, a configuration in which the process cartridge or developing unit performs further movement operations in addition to the image forming operation in Embodiment 1 is also possible. Although this has been explained, the configuration of the vertical moving member in this embodiment may be combined with the configuration of other embodiments.

[0217] (Example 12) Figures 67 to 72 will be used to describe the process cartridge and image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 12 of this disclosure. The process cartridge in this embodiment is the same as in Embodiment 1, with only the regulating member 13510 and its surrounding configuration differing. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for members with the same function and configuration, and detailed descriptions are omitted. In addition, the drive coupling operation, drive coupling release operation, and the operation of the drive control member 540 are the same as in Embodiment 1 and are therefore omitted. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 71(a), the regulating member 13510 is configured to move out of the way of the drive control member 540 in the longitudinal direction (direction of arrow Y2) during the process of inserting and removing the process cartridge P from the image forming apparatus body 502. Furthermore, upon completion of installation, the regulating member 13510 is in the same longitudinal position as the drive control member 540, and the drive coupling release operation is possible, similar to Embodiment 1.

[0218] [Driver-side process cartridge configuration] Figure 67 shows a perspective view of the process cartridge P as seen from the drive side. In this embodiment, the regulating member 13510 has a first oval hole 13510x and a second oval hole 13510y (see Figure 68(c)), and the outer diameter of the second support portion 13533k of the developing cover member 13533 engages with the inner walls of the first oval hole 13510x and the second oval hole 13510y, and is supported so as to be pivotable with respect to two pivot axes, which will be described later. Furthermore, the regulating member 13510 and the developing cover member 13533 are biased to pull against each other by a tension spring 13511. In addition, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 13533b of the developing cover member 13533 engages with the support hole 520a of the drive-side cartridge cover member 520.

[0219] [Explanation of the configuration and operation of the regulating member] Using FIGS. 68 to 70, the configuration of the drive-side regulating member 13510 in this embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 68(a) is a front view of the single regulating member 13510 as seen from the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P (in the direction of arrow Y1 in FIG. 67), and FIGS. 68(b) and 68(c) are perspective views of the single regulating member 13510. The regulating member 13510 has a pressed portion 13510c, a regulating lever portion 13510d, legs 13510e, legs 13510g, an oval hole-shaped first oval hole 13510x, and a second oval hole 13510y. The legs 13510e and 13510g have surfaces (second force-receiving surface, first force-receiving surface) 13510f and 13510h that are surfaces for receiving force from the drive control member 540, respectively. The longitudinal direction LH of the oval hole shapes of the first oval hole 13510x and the second oval hole 13510y is the same. The upward direction (substantially Z1 direction) is indicated by arrow LH1, and the downward direction (substantially Z2 direction) is indicated by arrow LH2. Also, an axis perpendicular to the LH direction and perpendicular to the depth direction (Y1 direction) of the oval hole forming the first oval hole 13510x is defined as axis HX. The regulating member 13510 has a cylindrical surface 13510z with axis HX as the axis. Note that the Y1 direction is parallel to the rotation axes of the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 described in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the first oval hole 13510x and the second oval hole 13510y are arranged with the same apex in the direction of arrow LH1. Furthermore, the first oval hole 13510x and the second oval hole 13510y communicate with each other, and the diameter of the first oval hole 13510x is set larger than that of the second oval hole 13510y. In addition, the length of the first oval hole 13510x is set longer than the length of the second oval hole 13510y.

[0220] FIG. 69(a) shows only the developing cover member 13533, and FIG. 69(b) is a perspective view showing the developing cover member 13533 and the regulating member 13510. The second support portion 13533k of the developing cover member 13533 is formed by a first cylindrical portion 13533kb, a second swing portion 13533ka formed of a spherical surface, and a second cylindrical portion 13533kc having a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical portion 13533kb. Here, passing through the centers of the first cylindrical portion 1923kb and the second cylindrical portion 13533kc Let the axis be HY. The axis perpendicular to HY and passing through the spherical center of the second oscillating part 13533ka is the same as HX mentioned above. In this embodiment, the second oscillating part 13533ka is spherical, but it is not limited to any surface that is set within a range that does not hinder the oscillation of the regulating member 13510 in the directions of arrows YA and YB (see Figure 70) and the oscillation in the directions of arrows BA and BB (see Figure 70). In addition, the first oval hole 13510x and the second oval hole 13510y of the regulating member 13510 should similarly be set within a range that does not hinder the oscillation of the first cylindrical part 13533kb and the second cylindrical part 13533kc in the directions of arrows YA and YB and the oscillation in the directions of arrows BA and BB (see Figure 70), and the diameter of the oval holes and their positional relationship in the LH direction are not limited to this.

[0221] Figure 70 shows the state in which the regulating member 13510 and the tension spring 13511 are assembled to the developing cover member 13533. Figure 70(a) is a view of the process cartridge P from the longitudinal direction (towards arrow Y2 in Figure 67). The longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P is parallel to the oscillation axis K described in Example 1. The regulating member 13510 is supported by the second support portion 13533k of the developing cover member 13533, and is supported so as to be able to swing around HY in the directions of arrows BA and BB. A cross section cut by a straight line passing through the center (HY) of the second support portion 13533k and parallel to the aforementioned LH direction is shown as the AA cross section in Figure 70(b). The regulating member 13510 is subjected to a force in the F1 direction by the tension spring 13511 while the second oscillation portion 13533ka and the inner wall of the first oval hole 13510x are in contact. Here, the spring attachment portion 13510s of the regulating member 13510 is located in the Y2 direction relative to the contact point between the second swinging portion 13533ka and the first oval hole 13510x. As a result, the spring force generates a moment in the direction of arrow YA centered on axis HX, causing it to swing around axis HX. The regulating member 13510, having swung in the direction of arrow YA, comes into contact with the movable member regulating portion 13533s of the developing cover member 13533, thereby determining its position, and the foot portions 13510e and 13510g protrude in the Y2 direction. This position is designated as the standby position for the regulating member 13510.

[0222] Next, when the pressed surface (second force-receiving surface) 13510f is pressed in the direction of arrow ZA from the state shown in Figure 70(b), it is located in the Y2 direction more than the contact point between the second oscillating part 13533ka and the first oval hole 13510x. As a result, a moment is generated in the direction of arrow YB centered on axis HX, causing it to oscillate around axis HX. Consequently, the feet 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 move in the Y1 direction to the position shown in Figure 70(c). This position is defined as the operating position of the regulating member 13510. The amount of pressing in the ZA direction is determined by the amount of movement in the ZA direction of the pressing member 130 (see Figure 71) of the image forming apparatus body 502 (not shown). In order to restrict the rotation of the regulating member 13510 around axis HZ, which is perpendicular to axes HY and HX, the cylindrical surface 13510z is positioned to be in contact with the drive-side bearing 526 (see Figure 67). In addition, the contact between the second cylindrical portion 13533kc and the second oval hole 13510y also has a similar rotational restriction effect. With the above configuration, the restricting member 13510 is supported so as to be able to swing in two directions around axis HY and axis HX.

[0223] [Installing the process cartridge into the image forming machine body] Next, using Figure 71, the operation of the restricting member 13510 of the process cartridge P when the process cartridge P is mounted on the image forming apparatus body 502 (not shown) will be explained. Figure 71(a) is a view from the front door side of the image forming apparatus body 502, with the process cartridge P mounted on the tray 110 (not shown) and before the front door 111 is closed. In Figure 71(a), for the purpose of explaining the configuration, everything except the process cartridge P, the pressing member 130, and the drive control member 540 is omitted. In the state of Figure 71(a), the feet 13510e and 13510g of the restricting member 13510 are in a waiting position, swung in the YA direction as described above, when mounted on the tray 110. Also, the feet 13510e and 13510g of the restricting member 13510 are in a position avoiding the drive control member 540 in the direction of arrow Y2.

[0224] Figure 71(b) shows the state in which the front door 111 is closed, compared to the state in Figure 71(a). Similar to Example 9, when the front door 111 is closed, the pressing member 130 inside the image forming apparatus body 502 descends in the ZA direction, and the force-applying part 130a comes into contact with the pressed part 13510c of the restricting member 13510. As a result, the legs 13510e and 13510g of the restricting member 13510 swing in the YB direction by the aforementioned swinging mechanism and reach the operating position. Once this operation is complete, similar to Example 1, the first force-applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the surface (first force-receiving surface) 13510h (see Figure 72) of the restricting member 13510 face each other, and the second force-applying surface 540c and the surface 13510f (see Figure 72) face each other. In other words, in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2, the legs 13510e and 13510g of the restricting member 13510 and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 are arranged to overlap. When removing the process cartridge P from the image forming apparatus body 502, the operation is the reverse of the operation during installation described above. By opening the front door 111, the legs 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 move from the operating position to the standby position.

[0225] [Switching operation for drive coupling and uncoupling] The switching operation of drive coupling and release will be explained using Figure 72. Figure 72(a) is a view from the drive side of the state shown in Figure 71(b), and the drive side cartridge cover member 520 and the developer cover member 13533 are not shown for the purpose of explaining the configuration. In the state shown in Figure 72(a), there is a gap T131 between the first force-applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the surface 13510h of the regulating member 13510, and there is a gap T132 between the second force-applying surface 540c and the surface 13510f. Also, the regulating lever portion 13510d is in a position that does not come into contact with the developer coupling member 74 and the slide member 80, which are not shown. This position of the regulating member 13510 is called the first position. At this time, the drive coupling state is maintained while the regulating member 13510 maintains the first position.

[0226] Furthermore, when the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, the second force-applying surface 540c comes into contact with the surface 13510f of the restricting member 13510, and the restricting member 13510 swings in the BA direction with HY as the center of rotation. Then, the restricting lever portion 13510d of the restricting member 13510 is positioned between the inclined surface 74c of the development coupling member 74 (not shown) and the cam surface 80a of the slide member 80 (Figure 72(b)). This position of the restricting member 13510 is referred to as the second position. Therefore, the drive coupling remains in a released state. From the state in Figure 72(b), when the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, the first force-applying surface 540b comes into contact with the surface 13510h of the restricting member 13510, and the restricting member 13510 swings in the BB direction with HY as the center of rotation. Then, the regulating lever portion 13510d separates from the developing coupling member 74 and the sliding member 80 and is driven and connected.

[0227] As described above, using this embodiment, the drive control member 540 moves to switch between the first and second positions of the regulating member 13510, thereby switching the drive connection state. This makes it possible to switch the drive without relying on the contact and separation movements of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

[0228] In this embodiment, the feet 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 are made movable in the YA direction. This prevents the feet 13510e and 13510g from interfering with the image forming apparatus body 502, particularly the drive control member 540, when inserting or removing the process cartridge P into or from the image forming apparatus body 502, thus preventing insertion or removal. In addition, in this embodiment, when the feet 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 move from the standby position to the operating position, the amount of movement of the feet 13510e and 13510g in the pressing direction (ZA direction) of the pressing member 130 is small. Therefore, it is possible to set a small amount of movement of the pressing member 130 required to move the feet 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 from the standby position to the operating position, thereby enabling further miniaturization of the image forming apparatus body 502.

[0229] The embodiments described above can be combined with each other as much as possible, provided there are no technical inconsistencies. [Explanation of symbols]

[0230] 4...Photosensitive drum, 5...Charging roller, 6...Developing roller, 7...Cleaning blade, 8...Drum unit, 9...Developing unit, 43...Photoreceptor coupling member, 70...Spring, 74...Developing coupling member, 75...Rotating member, 80...Sliding member, 110...Cartridge tray, 111...Front door, 112...Intermediate transfer belt unit, 500...Image forming apparatus, 502...Image forming apparatus body, 510...Regulating member, 510a...Supported hole, 510b...Regulating lever part, 510c...Foot part, 51 0d...Foot portion, 510e...Force receiving portion (first contact portion), 510f...Force receiving portion (second contact portion), 510g...Cam surface, 510h...Inclined surface, 520...Drive side cartridge cover member, 520a...Support hole, 520b...Support hole, 521...Non-drive side cartridge cover member, 526...Drive side bearing, 526c...Support portion, 533...Developing cover member, 533b...Cylindrical portion, 533c...Matching hole, 540...Drive control member, 540a...Control unit, 540b...First force application surface, 540c...Second force application surface, 801...Gear

Claims

1. A cartridge that can be used with an image forming apparatus body having a first main body power supply unit and a second main body power supply unit, A shielding member comprising a shielding portion capable of covering a photoreceptor, the shielding portion being movable between a first position in which the photoreceptor is exposed and a second position in which the shielding portion covers the photoreceptor more than the first position, A first force receiving portion receives force from the first main body force applying portion to move the shielding member from the second position to the first position, A second force receiving portion receives force from the second main force applying portion to move the shielding member from the first position to the second position, It has, The shielding member can be held in the first position with the first force receiving portion separated from the first main force applying portion and the second force receiving portion separated from the second main force applying portion. A cartridge characterized in that the shielding member can be held in the second position while the first force receiving portion is separated from the first main force applying portion and the second force receiving portion is separated from the second main force applying portion.

2. When the shielding member is in the first position, a first engaging portion engages with the shielding member to hold the shielding member in the first position, When the shielding member is in the second position, a second engaging portion engages with the shielding member to hold the shielding member in the second position, A first recess is provided in either the shielding member or the first engaging portion, which is recessed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the shielding member, A first projection provided on either the shielding member or the first engaging portion, which is movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement, wherein the first projection fits into the first recess when the shielding member is in the first position, A first force-applying unit applies a force to the first protrusion that moves the first protrusion in a direction that retracts it from the first recess when the shielding member moves from the first position to the second position, The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising the features.

3. The cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that the first force-applying portion is a contact surface between the first recess and the first protrusion, which is inclined with respect to the direction of movement of the shielding member and the direction of advancement and retraction of the first protrusion, respectively.

4. A second recess is provided in either the shielding member or the second engaging portion, which is recessed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the shielding member, A second projection provided on either the shielding member or the second engaging portion, which is movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement, wherein the second projection fits into the second recess when the shielding member is in the second position, A second force-applying unit that applies a force to the second protrusion in a direction that moves the shielding member away from the second recess when the shielding member moves from the second position to the first position, The cartridge according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising the above.

5. The cartridge according to claim 4, characterized in that the second force-applying portion is a contact surface between the second recess and the second protrusion, which is inclined with respect to the direction of movement of the shielding member and the direction of advancement and retraction of the second protrusion, respectively.

6. The shielding member is provided with a first recess and a second recess that are recessed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the shielding member, A protrusion that can move back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the aforementioned direction of movement, wherein the protrusion fits into the first recess when the shielding member is in the first position, and fits into the second recess when the shielding member is in the second position, A first force-applying unit applies a force to the protrusion that moves the protrusion in a direction that retracts it from the first recess when the shielding member moves from the first position to the second position, A second force-applying unit that applies a force to the protrusion in a direction that moves the protrusion away from the second recess when the shielding member moves from the second position to the first position, The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising the features.

7. The first recess and the second recess are recessed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the shielding member, A projection provided on the shielding member that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement, wherein the projection fits into the first recess when the shielding member is in the first position, and fits into the second recess when the shielding member is in the second position, A first force-applying unit applies a force to the protrusion that moves the protrusion in a direction that retracts it from the first recess when the shielding member moves from the first position to the second position, A second force-applying unit that applies a force to the protrusion in a direction that moves the protrusion away from the second recess when the shielding member moves from the second position to the first position, The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising the features.

8. The first force-applying portion is a contact surface between the first recess and the protrusion, which is inclined with respect to the direction of movement of the shielding member and the direction of advancement and retraction of the protrusion, The cartridge according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the second force-applying portion is a contact surface between the second recess and the protrusion, which is inclined with respect to the direction of movement of the shielding member and the direction of advancement and retraction of the protrusion, respectively.

9. The shielding member has a recess that is recessed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the shielding member, A first protrusion that can move back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the aforementioned direction of movement, the first protrusion that fits into the recess when the shielding member is in the first position, A second protrusion that can move back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the aforementioned direction of movement, the second protrusion that fits into the recess when the shielding member is in the second position, A first force-applying unit applies a force to the first protrusion that moves the first protrusion in a direction that retracts it from the recess when the shielding member moves from the first position to the second position, A second force-applying unit that applies a force to the second protrusion in a direction that moves the shielding member away from the recess when the shielding member moves from the second position to the first position, The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising the features.

10. A recess that is recessed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the shielding member, A first protrusion provided on the shielding member, which is movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement, the first protrusion fits into the recess when the shielding member is in the first position, A second protrusion provided on the shielding member, which is movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement, the second protrusion fits into the recess when the shielding member is in the second position, A first force-applying unit applies a force to the first protrusion that moves the first protrusion in a direction that retracts it from the recess when the shielding member moves from the first position to the second position, A second force-applying unit that applies a force to the second protrusion in a direction that moves the shielding member away from the recess when the shielding member moves from the second position to the first position, The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising the features.

11. The first force-applying portion is a contact surface between the recess and the first protrusion, which is inclined with respect to the direction of movement of the shielding member and the direction of advancement and retraction of the first protrusion, The second force-applying part is configured in the direction of movement of the shielding member and the direction of advancement and retraction of the second protrusion. The cartridge according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it has an inclined contact surface between the recess and the second protrusion.

Images