cartridge

Abstract

To develop a prior art.SOLUTION: A cartridge has: a photoreceptor 4; a developing member 6 that attaches toner to the photoreceptor 4; a coupling member 74 that can receive a driving force for driving to rotate the developing member 6; a moving unit 510 that is movable between a driving force transmission position for permitting transmission of the driving force from the coupling member 74 to the developing member 6 and a driving force blocking position for blocking the transmission of the driving force from the coupling member 74 to the developing member 6; and a holding unit that holds the moving unit 510 at the driving force blocking position when the moving unit 510 is at the driving force blocking position. In a state in which the developing member 6 is at a position at which it can attach the toner to the photoreceptor 4, the moving unit 510 can take the driving force transmission position and the driving force blocking position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer that employs an electrophotographic method, and a cartridge that can be attached to or detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as an "image forming apparatus") is an apparatus 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 copying machines, facsimile machines, printers (laser beam printers, LED printers, etc.), and combination machines (multifunction printers) thereof. A cartridge is a unit that can be attached to or detached from the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, and is a unit that has a photoconductor and / or a process means (e.g., a charging member, a developing member, a cleaning member, etc.) that acts on the photoconductor. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image forming apparatuses have adopted a process cartridge system in which a drum and a process means acting on the drum are integrated into a cartridge, and the cartridge is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. This process cartridge system allows the user to perform maintenance of the image forming apparatus without relying on a serviceman, 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 provided with a clutch that switches between driving the developing roller when an image is formed and cutting off the driving force to the developing roller when an image is not formed. Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration that switches between driving force transmission to the developing roller and cutting off the driving force while the developing roller remains in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-337511 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-111221 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

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

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the cartridge of the present disclosure comprises: A cartridge usable with an image forming apparatus main body having a main body force application portion, A developing member; a coupling member capable of receiving a driving force for rotating the developing member; a moving portion that is movable between a driving force transmitting position that allows transmission of the driving force from the coupling member to the developing member and a driving force interrupting position that interrupts transmission of the driving force from the coupling member to the developing member; a holding portion that holds the moving portion at the driving force interrupting position by restricting the moving portion from moving to the driving force transmitting position; a force receiving portion capable of receiving a force from the main body force application portion to move the moving portion from the driving force transmitting position to the driving force interrupting position; having The force receiving portion receives a force from the main body force application portion, so that the moving portion moves from the driving force transmission position to the driving force interruption position, and then when the main body force application portion separates from the force receiving portion, the moving portion is held at the driving force interruption position by the holding portion. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the conventional technology can be further developed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a drive cutoff operation according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drive coupling portion according to a first embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an engagement portion of a coupling according to a first embodiment; [Figure 10] Exploded view of the drive connection part according to the first embodiment [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of each component of a drive coupling portion during drive transmission according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a regulating member 510 according to a first embodiment; [Figure 13] 1 is a diagram showing a positional relationship of the regulating member 510 according to the first embodiment when the regulating member 510 is in a drive-connected state or in a drive-disconnected state; FIG. [Figure 14] 1 is a diagram illustrating an operation of mounting the process cartridge according to the first embodiment to the main body of the apparatus; [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of a regulating member 510 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a drive coupling operation according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a drive coupling portion according to a second embodiment; [Figure 18] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a clutch component according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an engagement portion between a clutch component and a coupling according to a second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a regulating member 1510 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a positional relationship of a regulating member 1510 according to the second embodiment when the regulating member 1510 is in a drive-connected state or in a drive-disconnected state. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a drive cutoff operation according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 23] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a drive coupling operation according to the second embodiment. [Figure 24] An exploded view of a biasing member 1511 according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a drive connection and drive disconnection operation when a biasing member according to the second embodiment is used. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a drive coupling portion according to the third embodiment; [Figure 27] 13 is an exploded view of a lock member 550 according to the third embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a regulating member 3510 according to the third embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a drive cutoff operation according to the third embodiment. [Diagram 30] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a drive coupling operation according to the third embodiment. [Diagram 31] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a drive coupling portion according to the fourth embodiment; [Diagram 32] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the drive coupling portion during drive transmission according to the fourth embodiment; [Diagram 33] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship of a drive coupling portion when driving is interrupted according to the fourth embodiment. [Diagram 34] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a drive cutoff operation according to the fourth embodiment. [Diagram 35] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a drive coupling operation according to the fourth embodiment. [Diagram 36] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a drive coupling portion according to the fifth embodiment; [Figure 37] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship of a drive coupling portion according to a fifth embodiment when the drive coupling portion is engaged and disengaged. [Figure 38] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a drive cutoff operation according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 39] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a drive coupling operation according to the fifth embodiment. [Diagram 40] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a drive coupling portion according to the sixth embodiment; [Diagram 41] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a positional relationship of a drive coupling part according to a sixth embodiment when the drive coupling part is coupled and when the drive coupling part is cut off. [Diagram 42] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a process cartridge according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 43] FIG. 23 illustrates a drive cutoff operation according to the sixth embodiment. [Diagram 44] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a drive coupling operation according to the sixth embodiment. [Diagram 45] FIG. 13 is a positional relationship diagram of the shutter position regulating pin according to the sixth embodiment when the pin is driven and disconnected. [Diagram 46] FIG. 23 illustrates a drive cutoff operation according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 47] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship of a drive coupling portion according to a seventh embodiment when the drive coupling portion is in drive coupling and disconnection mode; [Figure 48] FIG. 23 illustrates a drive cutoff operation according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 49] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a drive coupling operation according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 50] Exploded view of a process cartridge according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention [Figure 51] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the regulating member according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 52] 13 is a side view of a process cartridge according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 53] 13 is a side view of a process cartridge according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 54] 13 is a side view of a process cartridge according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 55] Exploded view of the regulating member according to the ninth embodiment [Figure 56] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a regulating member according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 57] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the regulating member according to the ninth embodiment. [Figure 58] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the regulating member according to the ninth embodiment. [Figure 59] Exploded view of the regulating member according to the tenth embodiment [Figure 60] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the regulating member according to the tenth embodiment. [Figure 61] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the regulating member according to the tenth embodiment. [Figure 62] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the regulating member according to the tenth embodiment. [Figure 63] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the regulating member according to the tenth embodiment. [Figure 64] 13 is a side view of a process cartridge according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 65] An exploded assembly diagram of a process cartridge according to an eleventh embodiment [Figure 66] FIG. 23 illustrates an operation of mounting the process cartridge according to the eleventh embodiment to the main assembly of the apparatus. [Figure 67]An exploded view of a process cartridge according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 68] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the regulating member according to the twelfth embodiment. [Figure 69] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the regulating member according to the twelfth embodiment. [Figure 70] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the regulating member according to the twelfth embodiment. [Figure 71] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the regulating member according to the twelfth embodiment. [Figure 72] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the regulating member according to the twelfth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiment may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration and various conditions of the device to which the invention is applied. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0010] Example 1 A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 16. In the following embodiment, an image forming apparatus to which four cartridges (hereinafter referred to as process cartridges) can be detachably attached is exemplified as the image forming apparatus. The number of process cartridges to be attached to the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. It is set appropriately as required. In the embodiment described below, a laser beam printer is exemplified as one aspect of the image forming apparatus.

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

[0012] The 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 is of a process cartridge type, and a process cartridge P is removably mounted in an image forming apparatus main body 502 to form a color image on a recording medium S. Here, with respect to the image forming apparatus 500, the side where the front door 111 is provided is referred to as the front (front surface), and the surface opposite to the front is referred to as the back (rear surface). In addition, the right side of the image forming apparatus 500 viewed from the front is referred to as the driving side, and the left side is referred to as the non-driving side. In addition, the upper side of the image forming apparatus 500 viewed from the front is referred to as the upper surface, and the lower side is referred to as the lower surface. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 500 viewed from the non-driving side, with the front side of the paper being the non-driving side of the image forming apparatus 500, the right side of the paper being the front side of the image forming apparatus 500, and the back side of the paper being the driving side of the image forming apparatus 500.

[0013] In the image forming apparatus main body 502, four process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK), namely, a first process cartridge PY, a second process cartridge PM, a third process cartridge PC, and a fourth process cartridge PK, are 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, and uses a developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) of a different color. A rotational driving force is transmitted to the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) from a driving output unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 502. In addition, a bias voltage (charging bias, developing bias, etc.) is supplied from the image forming apparatus main body 502 to each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) (not shown).

[0014] As shown in Fig. 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 provided with a charging means and a cleaning means as process means acting on the photosensitive drum 4. Also, each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) shown in Fig. 2 has a developing unit 9 that is provided with a developing means that develops an 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 cartridge P will be described later.

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

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

[0017] An intermediate transfer belt unit 112 is provided below the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) as a transfer member. The intermediate transfer belt unit 112 has a drive roller 112e, a turn roller 112c, and a tension roller 112b, and a flexible transfer belt 112a is stretched around the intermediate transfer belt unit 112. The photosensitive drums 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) are The lower surface of the transfer belt 112a contacts the upper surface of the transfer belt 112a. This contact area is the primary transfer area. A primary transfer roller 112d is provided on the inside of the transfer belt 112a, facing the photosensitive drum 4. A secondary transfer roller 106a is in contact with the turn roller 112c 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] A feeding unit 104 is provided below the intermediate transfer belt unit 112. This feeding unit 104 has a paper feed tray 104a that holds and accommodates a stack of recording media S, and a paper feed roller 104b. A fixing device 107 and a paper discharge device 108 are provided in the upper left corner of the image forming apparatus main body 502 in FIG. 2. The upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body 502 serves as a paper discharge tray 113. The toner image is fixed on the recording medium S by a fixing means provided in the fixing device 107, and the recording medium S is discharged to the paper discharge tray 113.

[0019] [Image formation operation] The operation for forming a full-color image is as follows. The photosensitive drum 4 of each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) is rotated at a predetermined speed (arrow A direction in FIG. 3). The transfer belt 112a is also rotated in the forward direction of the rotation of the photosensitive drum (arrow C direction in FIG. 2) at a speed corresponding to the speed of the photosensitive drum 4. The laser scanner unit 114 is also driven. In synchronization with the driving of the laser scanner unit 114, the charging roller 5 in each process cartridge uniformly charges 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 a laser beam U in accordance with an 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 the developing roller 6 (6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K) which is rotated at a predetermined speed (arrow D direction in FIG. 3).

[0020] By the electrophotographic image forming process operation as 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. Then, the toner image is primarily 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. Then, the toner image is primarily transferred, 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. Then, the toner image is primarily transferred, 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 primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 112a, superimposed on the yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images already transferred onto the transfer belt 112a. In this way, a full-color unfixed toner image of four colors, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, is formed on the transfer belt 112a.

[0021] Meanwhile, the recording medium S is separated and fed one by one at a predetermined control timing. The recording medium S is introduced into a secondary transfer section, which is a contact portion between the secondary transfer roller 106a and the transfer belt 112a, at a predetermined control timing. As a result, the four-color superimposed toner image on the transfer belt 112a is transferred collectively onto the surface of the recording medium S in the process of conveying the recording medium S to the secondary transfer section.

[0022] [Overall structure of process cartridge] In this embodiment, the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) have the same electrophotographic process mechanism, and the color of the toner contained therein and the amount of the toner filled therein are different. The process cartridge P shown in FIG. 3 includes a photosensitive drum 4 and a process means acting on the photosensitive drum 4. The process means includes a charging roller 5 as a charging means for charging the photosensitive drum 4, a developing roller 6 as a developing member for developing a 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. The form of the cartridge usable with the main body of the image forming apparatus is not limited to the form shown here. For example, the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 may be independently detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, or the drum unit 8 may be fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and only the developing unit 9 may be detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0023] [Drum unit configuration] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the drum unit 8 is composed of the photosensitive drum 4, the charging roller 5, the cleaning blade 7, the drum frame 15, the waste toner storage section 15a, the driving side cartridge cover member 520, and the non-driving side cartridge cover member 521. The photosensitive drum 4 is rotatably supported by the driving side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-driving side cartridge cover member 521 provided at both ends of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, a photosensitive member coupling member 43 to which a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum 4 is input is provided at one end of the photosensitive drum 4 in the longitudinal direction. The photosensitive member coupling member 43 engages with a coupling (not shown) as a drum driving output section of the image forming apparatus main body 502, and the driving force of a driving motor (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 502 is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 4. The charging roller 5 is supported by the drum frame 15 so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drum 4 and to be rotated by the photosensitive drum 4. In addition, the cleaning blade 7 is supported by the drum frame 15 so as to abut against the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 4 with a predetermined pressure. The residual toner removed from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 4 by the cleaning blade 7 is stored in a waste toner storage section 15a in the drum frame 15.

[0024] [Developer unit configuration] As shown in FIG. 3, the developing unit 9 is composed of the developing roller 6, the developing blade 30, the developing container 25, and the like. The developing container 25 has a toner storage section 29 that stores the toner to be supplied to the developing roller 6, and a developing blade 30 that regulates the thickness of the toner layer on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 6. The developing blade 30 is formed by attaching an elastic member 30b, which is a sheet metal having a thickness of about 0.1 mm, to a supporting member 30a, which is a metal material having an L-shaped cross section, by welding or the like. The developing blade 30 is attached to the developing container 25 at two points, one end side and the other end side, in the longitudinal direction, by fixing screws 30c. The developing roller 6 is composed of a metal core 6c and a rubber part 6d. The developing roller 6 is rotatably supported by a driving side bearing 526 and a non-driving side bearing 27 attached to both ends of the developing container 25 in the longitudinal direction.

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

[0026] [Assembling the drum unit and developing unit] The assembly of the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 are provided at both ends of the process cartridge P in the longitudinal direction. The process cartridge P is joined by a driving side cartridge cover member 520 and a non-driving side cartridge cover member 521. The driving side cartridge cover member 520 provided at one end of 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-driving side cartridge cover member 521 provided at the other end of 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. The driving side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-driving side cartridge cover member 521 are further provided with support holes 520b, 521b for supporting the photosensitive drum 4 so that it can rotate. 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 driving side cartridge cover member 520. At the other end, the support portion 521a of the non-driving side cartridge cover member 521 is fitted into the hole of the non-driving side bearing 27. Further, both ends of the photosensitive drum 4 in the longitudinal direction are fitted into the support holes 520b of the driving side cartridge cover member 520 and the support holes 521b of the non-driving side cartridge cover member 521. Then, the driving side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-driving side cartridge cover member 521 are fixed to the drum frame 15 by screws, adhesives, or the like (not shown). That is, the driving side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-driving side cartridge cover member 521 are integrated with the drum frame 15 to constitute the drum unit 8. As a result, the developing unit 9 is supported by the driving side cartridge cover member 520 and the non-driving side cartridge cover member 521 so as to be swingable (movable) with respect to the drum unit 8 (photosensitive drum 4). Here, the axis line connecting the support hole 520a of the driving side cartridge cover member 520 and the support portion 521a of the non-driving side cartridge cover member 521, and the rotation center of the developing unit 9, is referred to as the swing 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 a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body 502 via the developing coupling member 74 at the pivot axis K. When the driving force is cut off by a configuration described later, the developing unit 9 rotates slightly around the pivot axis K in a direction away from the drum unit 8 due to the repulsive force between the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.This allows the contact pressure between the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 to be reduced.

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

[0028] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the tray 110 is movable in the direction of the arrow X1 (pushing direction) and the direction of the arrow X2 (pulling direction) relative to the image forming apparatus main body 502. That is, the tray 110 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out and pushed into the image forming apparatus main body 502, and is configured so as to be able to move in a substantially horizontal direction when the image forming apparatus main body 502 is installed on a horizontal surface. Here, a state in which the tray 110 is located outside the image forming apparatus main body 502 (state in Fig. 6) is referred to as an outer position. Also, a state in which the tray 110 is located inside the image forming apparatus main 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 (state in Fig. 5) is referred to as a first inner position.

[0029] The tray 110 has a mounting portion 110a into which the process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) can be removably mounted at the outer position shown in Fig. 6. Each process cartridge P (PY, PM, PC, PK) mounted in the mounting portion 110a at the outer position of the tray 110 is supported by the tray 110 as a driving side cartridge cover member 520 and a non-driving side cartridge cover member 521 shown in Fig. 4 come into contact with the mounting portion 110a. Each process cartridge P is supported by the tray 110 when the tray 110 is in the outer position while being disposed in the mounting portion 110a. 5, the tray 110 moves toward the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 502 as the tray 110 moves from the first inner position to the first inner position. At this time, as shown in Fig. 5, each process cartridge P moves with a gap T1 maintained between the transfer belt 112a and the photosensitive drum 4. Therefore, the tray 110 can move the process cartridge P toward the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 502 without the photosensitive drum 4 coming into contact with the transfer belt 112a. When the tray 110 is located at the first inner position, the gap T1 is maintained between the photosensitive drum 4 and the transfer belt 112a.

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

[0031] As described above, the tray 110 allows a plurality of process cartridges P to be collectively installed inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 at a position where image formation can be performed.

[0032] [Drive connection configuration] The configuration of the drive coupling portion will be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. Here, the drive coupling portion is a mechanism that receives a drive from the developing drive output member 62 of the image forming apparatus main body 502 shown in Fig. 7, and transmits and cuts off the drive to the developing roller 6. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P seen from the driving side, showing a state in which the driving side cartridge cover member 520 and the developing cover member 533 are removed. As described above, the driving side cartridge cover member 520 is provided with openings 520a and 520b. The developing coupling member 74 is configured to be exposed from the opening 520a. The developing coupling member 74 is configured to engage with the developing drive output member 62 (62Y, 62M, 62C, 62K) of the image forming apparatus main body 502 shown in Fig. 7(b), and transmits a driving force from a drive motor (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus main body 502.

[0033] At the end of the developing unit 9 shown in FIG. 8, a developing coupling member 74 and a rotating member 75 capable of transmitting a driving force via the developing coupling member 74 are rotatably provided. Although details will be described later, the developing coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75 are coaxially engageable with each other in the longitudinal direction, and when engaged, a driving force 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, the gear 801 and the developing roller gear 802 are formed with gear teeth, and the gear teeth mesh with each other. As a result, the driving force transmitted to the rotating member 75 is transmitted to the developing roller 6 via the developing roller gear 802.

[0034] Between the driving side bearing 526 and the driving side cartridge cover member 520, a gear 801, a spring 70, a rotating member 75, a slide member 80, a developing coupling member 74, and a developing cover member 533 are provided in this order from the driving side bearing 526. The slide member 80 is a part of the drive switching mechanism and is a disengagement member of the coupling. These members are provided on the same straight line as the developing coupling member 74. Here, the driving side bearing 526 has a cylindrical support portion 526c that protrudes in the longitudinal direction parallel to the swing 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 part of the drive switching mechanism and serves as a moving member that regulates the slide member and is movable between a first position and a second position described later, is attached to this support portion 526c so as to be swingable around 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 driving side bearing 526. However, it is also possible to attach it to other members such as the developing roller cover member 533 or the driving side cartridge cover member 520. In this embodiment, the drive coupling portion is made up of the gear 801, the developing roller gear 802, the spring 70, the rotating member 75, the slide member 80, the developing coupling member 74, and the developing roller cover member 533.

[0035] The configuration of the developing coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an engagement portion between 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 has a surface 74b that contacts a slide member 80, which will be described later, and the rotating member 75 has a surface 75d that contacts a slide member 80, which will also be described later. Here, the claw portion 74 and the claw portion 75 are a plurality of claw portions disposed radially at equal intervals from the respective rotation centers. The claw portion 74a and the claw portion 75a are configured to be able to engage with each other. That is, the developing coupling member 74 is configured to be able to be connected to the rotating member 75. As a result, the developing coupling member 74, which engages with the developing drive output member 62 of the image forming apparatus main body 502 and receives a driving force, rotates, and the rotating member 75 in the engaged state rotates. In this embodiment, each of the claw portion 74a and the claw portion 75a has nine claws, but the number is not limited to this.

[0036] 9, a hole 75m is provided in the center of the rotating member 75. This hole 75m is fitted with 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 rotatably with respect to the rotating member 75 and slidably along the respective axes.

[0037] The configurations of the developing coupling member 74, the rotating member 75, the spring 70, the gear 801, and the slide member 80 will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the drive coupling portion. Figure 11(a) is a view of the gear 801 and the rotating member 75 from the driving side during drive transmission, and Figure 11(b) is a cross-sectional view of the position AA shown in Figure 11(a). For the sake of explanation, the developing coupling member 74 and the slide 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 the fitting hole 75n which is the drive transmission portion of the rotating member 75, and on the longitudinal outer side of the fitting hole 75, the surface 801c of the column portion 801a and the cylindrical inner 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 longitudinal outer side in the direction of the swing axis K. Here, the support portion 801b is provided coaxially with the rotation center of the gear 801, 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 cylindrical inner 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 surface 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 surface 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.

[0039] 11(a), a drive transmission state will be described when the claw portion 74a and the claw portion 75a engage with each other and the drive is input from the developing-device-drive output member 62 of the image forming apparatus main body 502 to rotate the developing coupling member. 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 rotation direction comes into contact with the drive transmission surface 801d of the pillar portion 801a of the gear 801. The gear 801 receives a rotational force in the V2 direction at the drive transmission surface 801d and rotates in the V2 direction, transmitting the rotation to the developing roller gear 802 with which it engages, thereby driving the developing roller 6.

[0040] [Drive decoupling configuration] The configuration for releasing the drive connection will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. Figure 12 shows a regulating member 510 that regulates the longitudinal position of the slide member 80 in order to release the drive connection, and Figures 12(a) and 12(b) show perspective views from opposite sides for the sake of explanation. Figure 13 shows the positional relationship between the regulating member 510 and the drive connection part described above in the drive connection state (Figure 13(a)) and the drive connection 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 portion 510c and the foot portion 510d have surfaces 510e and 510f, respectively, which are surfaces that receive a force from a drive control member 540 described later. The supported hole 510a of the regulating member 510 fits into the support portion 526c of the drive side bearing 526 described above, and is able to swing around the axis of the support portion 526c.

[0042] 13(a) shows the positional relationship between the regulating lever portion 510b and the drive connecting portion in the drive transmission state, and at this time, the regulating lever portion 510b is in a position where it does not contact 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 a drive force transmission position that allows the transmission of drive force from the developing coupling member 74 to the developing roller 6.

[0043] In the drive connection released state shown in FIG. 13(b), the regulating member 510 swings about the support portion 526c (FIG. 8) of the drive side bearing 526, and the regulating lever portion 510b of the regulating member 510 is positioned between the inclined surface 74c of the developer coupling member 74 and the cam surface 80a of the slide member 80. This position of the regulating member 510 is referred to as the second position of the regulating member 510. This position is a drive force interruption position where the transmission of drive force from the developer coupling member 74 to the developing roller 6 is interrupted. At this time, the cam surface 510g of the regulating lever portion 510b comes into contact with the cam surface 80a of the slide member 80, and a component force J in the direction of the swing axis K of the force J applied from the regulating lever portion 510b to the slide member 80 is K As a result, the sliding member 80 is moved in the F2 direction. When the sliding member 80 moves in the F2 direction, the rotating member 75 also moves in the F2 direction, and the engagement between the claws 75a and 74a of the rotating member 75 and the developing coupling member 74 is released, and the driving connection is released. At this time, the restricting lever portion 510b is biased against the reaction force J of the spring 70 as the biasing means. S The restricting lever portion 510b receives the driving force from the surface 80b of the slide member 80 in the F1 direction. The restricting lever portion 510b abuts against the surface 74b of the developer coupling member 74 and tries to move in the F1 direction, but the surface 74d of the developer coupling member 74 abuts against the surface 533d of the developer cover member 533 and stops. As a result, the restricting lever portion 510b is sandwiched between the slide member 80 and the developer coupling member 74, and is subjected to resistance by being sandwiched by the reaction force of the spring 70 at the engagement portion, and its position is restricted when it is not subjected to an external force. That is, the restricting lever portion 510b as a moving portion is sandwiched between the slide member 80 and the developer coupling member 74 and is held in the driving force interruption position.

[0044] [Installed on the unit] The operation when the process cartridge P is mounted in the image forming apparatus main body 502 will be described with reference to Figure 14. Figure 14(a) is a view from the driving side showing a state in which the process cartridge P is located at the first inner position and the photosensitive drum 4 and the transfer belt 112a are separated. Also, Figure 14(b) is a view from the driving side showing a state in which the process cartridge P is located at the second inner position and the photosensitive drum 4 and the transfer belt 112a are in contact. For the sake of explanation, Figures 14(a) and (b) omit the driving side cartridge cover member 520.

[0045] The image forming apparatus main body 502 has a drive control member 540 corresponding to each process cartridge P (PY, PM, PC, PK). The drive control member 540 is disposed below (Z2 direction in FIG. 14) the regulating member 510 of the process cartridge P located at the first inner position or the second inner position. The drive control member 540 has a control portion 540a protruding toward the process cartridge P as a main body force application portion, and the control portion 540a has a first force application surface 540b as a first main body force application portion and a second force application surface 540c as a second main body force application portion. The control portion 540a of the drive control member 540 is disposed below (Z2 direction in FIG. 14) the lower surface of the space Q1 sandwiched between the surface 510e and the surface 510f described in FIG. 12, which is included in the process cartridge P located at the first inner position. Furthermore, the drive control member 540 is disposed so as to leave a gap T5 between it and the regulating member 510 when the process cartridge P is located at the first inner position (FIG. 14(a)). That is, the regulating member 510 of the process cartridge P, which is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502 by the tray 110 moving from the outer position to the first inner position as described above, is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502 without coming into contact with the drive control member 540. Then, when the process cartridge P moves from the first inner position to the second inner position by closing the front door 111 as described above, the control portion 540a enters the space Q1 as shown in FIG. 14(b).

[0046] FIG. 15 shows the process cartridge P installed in the image forming apparatus main body 502 as seen from the direction of the arrow VW in FIG. 14(b). For the sake of explanation, FIG. 15 omits 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 FIG. 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 to overlap with each other in the direction along the swing axis K of the developing unit 9, forming a space Q1. Furthermore, when the process cartridge P is installed in the second inner position (image forming position) and the control unit 540a enters the space Q1, the control unit 540a is arranged to overlap with the foot portion 510c and the foot portion 510d in the direction along the swing axis K. Here, as shown in Figure 14(b), when the process cartridge P is attached to the second inner position of the image forming apparatus main body 502 and the regulating member 510 is in the first position, the position of the drive control member 540 where there is a gap T3 between the surface 510e of the foot portion 510c and the second force application surface 540c, and there is a gap T4 between the surface 510f of the foot portion 510d and the first force application surface 540b is referred to as the home position.

[0047] [Drive connection release operation] The movement operation of the regulating member 510 from the first position to the second position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, that is, the operation of releasing the driving connection described above, will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a view of the process cartridge P located at the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, as viewed from the driving side. For the sake of explanation, the driving side cartridge cover member 520 is omitted.

[0048] FIG. 1A shows a state in which the regulating member 510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position (first main body position). As described above, in the home position of the drive control member 540 in FIG. 1A, there is a gap T4 between the first force application 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. In addition, there is a gap T3 between the second force application surface 540c and the foot portion 510c, which is the insertion force receiving portion. The control member 540 is configured to be movable from the home position toward the second main body position in the direction of the arrow W51 in FIG. 1(a). When the drive control member 540 moves in the direction W51 from the state in FIG. 1(a), the first force application surface 540b comes into contact with a surface 510f on the foot portion 510d of the regulating member 510, and the regulating member 510 swings in the direction of the arrow B1 in FIG. 1(b) around the support portion 526c of the driving side bearing 526. The support portion 526c of the driving side bearing 526 is coaxially fitted into a 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 the arrow B1 in FIG. 1(b), the regulating member 510 moves from the first position toward 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 FIG. 13, so that the slide member 80 moves in the F2 direction, and the engagement between the claw portion 75a and the claw portion 74a is released, and the drive connection is released. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1(c), even if 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 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 an 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 connection operation] The movement operation of the regulating member 510 from the second position to the first position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, that is, the operation of connecting the drive, will be described with reference to Figure 16. Figure 16 is a view of the process cartridge P located at the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, as viewed from the drive side. For the sake of explanation, the drive side cartridge cover member 520 is omitted.

[0050] FIG. 16(a) shows a state in which the regulating member 510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. The drive control member 540 of this embodiment is configured to be movable from the home position toward the third main body position in the direction of the arrow W52 in FIG. 16(a). When the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction from the state in FIG. 16(a) and the second force application surface 540c comes into contact with the surface 510e on the foot portion 510c of the regulating member 510, the regulating member 510 swings in the direction of the arrow B2 in FIG. 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. The regulating member 510 swings in the direction of the arrow B2, so that the regulating member 510 moves from the second position toward the first position. At this time, the regulating lever portion 510b of the regulating member 510 described in FIG. 13 is removed from between the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80, and the rotating member 75 receiving the urging force of the spring 70 described in FIG. 11 moves in the F1 direction, and the drive is connected. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16(c), even if the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction and returns to the home position, the control portion 540a has a gap T9 with the surface (first force receiving surface) 510f on the foot portion 510d of the regulating member 510, and does not come into contact with the surface. Furthermore, at this time, the control portion 540a has a gap T8 with the surface (second force receiving surface) 510e on the foot portion 510c of the regulating member 510, so that the control portion 540a and the regulating member 510 are maintained in a state of not contacting each other. Therefore, the regulating member 510 is maintained in the first position and the drive connection state is maintained. From this state, it is possible to perform the drive connection releasing operation again. In this case, the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction to the state shown in Fig. 1(b), and thereafter, the operation is the same as the drive connection releasing operation described above.

[0051] As described above, by using this embodiment, the drive control member 540 moves from the home position, and the regulating member 510 switches between the second position and the first position, thereby switching the drive connection state. This allows the drive to be switched regardless of the contact and separation operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6. Replacement becomes possible.

[0052] In this embodiment, the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80 are shown as an example of the first and second rotating members that are coaxial and can be engaged with each other and transmit and cut off the driving force in the transmission path of the driving force from the developing coupling member 74 to the developing roller 6. The first and second rotating members may be two members at other locations on the transmission path that can take an engaged position where they are engaged with each other around the rotation axis to transmit the driving force and a non-engaged position where they are separated from each other in the direction of the rotation axis to not transmit the driving force. In other words, the configuration is not limited to that of this embodiment.

[0053] Example 2 A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 17 to 25. The process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the regulating member and its peripheral configuration are different. Therefore, members having the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0054] [Drive connection configuration] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P seen from the driving side, showing a state in which the driving side cartridge cover member 520 and the developing cover member 533 are removed. Between the driving side bearing 526 and the driving side cartridge cover member 520, a gear 1801, a clutch 180 which is a drive transmission switching device having a transmission release mechanism, a developing coupling member 174, and a developing cover member 533 are provided. Also, similar to the first embodiment, a regulating member 1510 is attached to a support portion 526c of the driving side bearing 526 so as to be able to swing. In this embodiment, the driving connection portion is composed of the gear 1801, the clutch 180, the developing coupling member 174, and the developing cover member 533. In this embodiment, the drive transmission switching device 180 will be described using a spring clutch as an example, and will be hereinafter referred to as the spring clutch 180.

[0055] The spring clutch 180 will be described with reference to FIG. 18. The spring clutch 180 in this embodiment is composed 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 an input member engages with the development coupling member 174 and rotates by receiving a driving force from the upstream side of the transmission path. The input inner ring 180c and the transmission spring 180e wound around its outer periphery are in a state in which their relative rotation with each other is restricted by the fastening force (friction) of the transmission spring 180e as a transmission member, and the driving force is transmitted from the input inner ring 180c to the transmission spring 180e. The input inner ring 180c and the transmission spring 180e are also in a state in which their relative rotation with each other is restricted by the fastening 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 fastening force of the transmission spring 180e. The transmission inner ring 180d is engaged with the output member 180b, and the output member 180b transmits the drive force at an engagement portion with a gear 1801, which will be described later, in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The control ring 180a as a control member is engaged with one end of the transmission spring 180e, and the spring fastening (contact state with each inner ring) can be loosened by rotating the control ring 180a in the direction opposite to the spring fastening direction. As described above, all the components constituting the spring clutch 180 rotate as one unit during drive transmission. The drive transmission is interrupted by stopping the rotation of the control ring 180a to loosen 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 stops transmitting the drive 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 opposite end of the transmission spring 180e to the one end that engages with the control ring 180a is directly connected to the output member 180b. It is sufficient that the drive transmission switching device is engaged with the drive shaft and transmits the rotation. Also, the drive transmission switching device may be in a form other than a spring clutch, and may be a device configured to cut off the drive by stopping a portion of the rotation and causing the rotation transmission portion to expand in the radial direction or move in the circumferential direction. In other words, as long as it is configured to form a transmission state in which the drive force is transmitted by restricting the relative rotation between the members that transmit the drive force, and to form a non-transmission state in which the drive force is not transmitted by allowing the relative rotation, various conventionally known configurations may be adopted.

[0057] The assembly of the gear 1801, the spring clutch 180, and the developing coupling member 174 will be described with reference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19(a) shows the assembly of the spring clutch 180 and the developing coupling member 174, and FIG. 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 developing coupling member 174 rotates, the input inner ring 180c rotates and the drive can be transmitted by engaging the claw portion 174a with the input groove 180f. 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 member 180b rotates, the gear 1801 rotates and the drive can be transmitted by engaging the output claw 180g with the transmission groove 1801a. 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, thereby driving the developing roller 6. Note that, although the figure shows a case in which there are three claw portions 174a, three input grooves 180f, three output claws 180g, and three transmission grooves 1801a in this embodiment, the numbers are not limited to this.

[0058] [Drive cutoff configuration] The drive cutoff configuration will be described with reference to Figures 20 and 21. Figure 20 shows a restricting member 1510 for stopping the rotation of control ring 180a of spring clutch 180 in order to cut off the drive, and Figure 21 is a view seen from the drive side, showing the positional relationship between restricting member 1510 and spring clutch 180 in both the drive transmission state and the drive cutoff state.

[0059] The configuration of the regulating member 1510 will be described with reference to FIG. 20. The regulating member 1510 has a supported hole 1510a, a regulating lever portion 1510b, a foot portion 1510c, and a foot portion 1510d. The regulating lever portion 1510b has a regulating surface 1510g for stopping the control ring 180a of the spring clutch 180, and an abutting surface 1510h that abuts against the outer circumferential surface 180j of the spring clutch 180. Similarly to the first embodiment, the foot portion 1510c and the foot portion 1510d have surfaces 1510e and 1510f that receive a force from the drive control member 540, respectively. Similarly to the first embodiment, the surface 1510f is a first force receiving surface, and the surface 1510f is a second force receiving surface. As in the first embodiment, the supported hole 1510a fits into the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526, and is capable of swinging about the axis of the support portion 526c.

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

[0061] 21B, the positional relationship between the regulating member 1510 and the spring clutch 180 in the drive-disconnected state will be described. The regulating member 1510 moves around a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the control ring 180a, and swings in the B1 direction around the support portion 526c (FIG. 17) of the drive-side bearing 526, and the regulating surface 1510g moves along a locus r b When it enters the inside, it receives a driving force and rotates in the V2 direction. The control unit 180h that has been in contact with the restriction surface 1510g abuts against the restriction surface 1510g. Here, the force that the restriction surface 1510g receives from the control unit 180h at the surface where the control unit 180h and the restriction surface 1510g contact each other is called a rotational force J. B The rotational force J acting in the direction of rotation V2 B However, it is desirable to adjust the length of the regulating lever portion 1510b and the length of the control portion 180h so that the axial center N of the supported hole 1510a and the oscillation axis K, which is also the rotation center of the spring clutch 180, are generated within a range Q2 perpendicular to an imaginary line connecting the axial center N of the supported hole 1510a and the oscillation axis K, which is also the rotation center of the spring clutch 180. By adjusting in this manner, the control portion 180h that abuts against the regulating surface 1510g pulls the regulating lever portion 1510b in the V2 rotation direction, causing the regulating member 1510 to rotate in the B1 direction. As a result, the abutment surface 1510h provided on the regulating lever portion 1510b of the regulating member 1510 that has rotated in the B1 direction can abut against the outer circumferential surface 180j of the spring clutch 180, and the position in the B1 direction can be regulated. At this time, the restricting member 1510 abuts against the outer peripheral surface 180j of the spring clutch 180 as the second engaged portion at the contact surface 1510h, and against the control portion 180h as the first engaged portion at the restricting surface 1510g. In the range Q2, which is an area sandwiched between a first imaginary line passing through the oscillation axis K of the spring clutch 180 and a second imaginary line passing through the axial center N of the restricting member 1510, the movement trajectory of the control portion 180h as the first engaged portion and the movement trajectory of the restricting member 1510 as the moving portion intersect. As a result, the restricting member 1510 is rotated by the rotational force J B While receiving the force, the position is fixed unless it receives an external force from elsewhere. In this manner, by stopping the control portion 180h of the spring clutch 180 with the regulating member 1510, that is, by stopping the rotation of the control ring 180a, it is possible to cut off the driving force input from the image forming apparatus main body 502. This position of the regulating member 1510 is set as the second position of the regulating member 1510, which is the engagement position.

[0062] [Drive connection release operation] The movement operation of the regulating member 1510 from the first position to the second position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, that is, the above-mentioned drive release operation, will be described with reference to Figure 22. Figure 22 is a view of the process cartridge P located at the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, as viewed from the drive side. For the sake of explanation, the drive side cartridge cover member 520 is omitted.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 22(a), when the regulating member 1510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position, the control ring 180a can rotate in the V2 direction, and drive is transmitted. When the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction from the state of FIG. 22(a) and the first force application surface 540b comes into contact with the surface 1510f on the foot portion 1510d of the regulating member 1510, the regulating member 1510 swings in the direction of the arrow B1 in FIG. 22(b). In other words, the regulating member 1510 moves from the first position toward the second position. At the second position, as shown in FIG. 21(b), the regulating lever portion 1510b of the regulating member 1510 follows the locus r of the tip of the control portion 180h of the spring clutch 180. b When the control ring 180a is inserted into the control member 180h, the control surface 1510g stops the rotation of the control member 180h. This stops the rotation of the control ring 180a, and the spring 180e of the spring clutch 180 is loosened, and the drive is released. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 22(c), even if the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction and returns to the home position, the control member 540a does not come into contact with the surface (second force receiving surface) 1510e on the foot portion 1510c of the control member 1510, with a gap T6. A gap is also formed between the control member 540a and the surface (first force receiving surface) 1510f. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, the control member 1510 maintains the second position because the control lever portion 1510b is pulled in the V2 direction by the control portion 180h, and the drive release state is maintained.

[0064] [Drive connection operation] The movement operation of the regulating member 1510 from the second position to the first position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, that is, the operation of connecting the drive, will be described with reference to Figure 23. Figure 23 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 omitted. vinegar.

[0065] FIG. 23(a) shows a state in which the regulating member 1510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. When the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction from the state in FIG. 23(a) and the second force application surface 540c comes into contact with the surface 1510e on the foot portion 1510c of the regulating member 1510, the regulating member 1510 rotates in the direction of the arrow B2 in FIG. 23(b). In other words, the regulating member 1510 moves from the second position toward the first position. At this time, as shown in FIG. 21, the regulating lever portion 1510b rotates in the B2 direction from the state in which it is pulled in the V2 direction by the control portion 180h, so that a rotational force J B is applied to the drive control member 540 as a load. Here, the rotational force J B is the force that stops (pushes back) the control ring 180a of the spring clutch 180, and is the same as the elastic force of the spring 180e that tries to return the control ring 180a to its original position. B If you want to reduce the spring constant, you can change it, but it is desirable to determine it while taking into account the required transmission performance of the clutch itself. In the state of Figure 23(b), the locus r b 23(c), even if the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction and returns to the home position, the control portion 540a does not come into contact with the surface 1510f on the foot portion 1510d of the restricting member 1510, since there is a gap T9 between the control portion 540a and the surface 1510f. Therefore, the restricting member 1510 is maintained in the first position, and the drive transmission state is maintained. From this state, it is possible to perform the drive connection releasing operation again. In this case, the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction and reaches the state shown in Figure 22 (b), and thereafter, the operation is the same as the drive connection releasing operation described above.

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

[0067] An overview of the urging member 1511 will be described with reference to Figures 24(a) and 24(b). The urging member 1511 is composed of a tip portion 1511a and a spring 1511b which is a compression coil spring. Figure 24 shows a state in which the spring 1511b of the urging member 1511 has been removed from the tip portion 1511a and a support portion 1510i provided on a surface 1510e of the regulating member 1510. The spring 1511b of the urging member 1511 has a wound seat portion provided on both ends, and is fixed by pressing the support portion 1510i of the regulating member 1510 into the inner diameter of the wound seat portion at one end. The wound seat portion at the other end is fixed to the tip portion 1511a of the urging member 1511. Further, a protruding portion 1510j having a smaller diameter than the support portion 1510i of the restricting member 1510 passes through the inner diameter of the elastic portion of the spring 1511b of the biasing member 1511, and restricts the contraction direction of the spring 1511b to 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] The switching operation of the drive transmission state inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 will be described with reference to FIG. 25. In this configuration, the second force application surface 540c of the drive control member 540 and the tip portion 1511a of the urging member 1511 are in contact with each other at the home position. FIG. 25(a) shows a state in which the regulating member 1510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. In the state of FIG. 25(a), the spring 1511b of the urging member 1511 is slightly compressed, and further, the regulating lever portion 1510k of the regulating member 1510 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 533f of the developing device cover member 533. Therefore, the regulating member 1510 is fixed at a position where the regulating lever portion 1510k is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 533f of the developing device 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 FIG. 25(b), the regulating member 1510 moves from the first position to the second position, and the regulating surface 1510g of the regulating member 1510 abuts against 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 cut off. In the state of FIG. 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. Note that, if the control of the regulating member 1510 by the drive control member 540 is not affected, it is also possible to configure the surface (second force receiving surface) of the tip portion 1511a of the biasing member 1511 to come into contact with the second force applying surface 540c of the drive control member 540. That is, the contact between the surface (second force receiving surface) of the tip portion 1511a of the biasing member 1511 and the drive control member 540 may be maintained even in the second position.

[0070] 25(c), when the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction and returns to the home position, the second force application surface 540c of the drive control member 540 comes into contact with the tip portion 1511a of the biasing member 1511, and the spring 1511b is compressed. B A moment M in the B1 direction around the support portion 526c of the driving side bearing 526 is generated by the Band 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 However, in the state shown in Fig. 25(c), M B >M S Therefore, the regulating member 1510 does not move from the second position. That is, even if the surface (second force receiving surface) of the tip portion 1511a 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 FIG. 25(d), the regulating member 1510 moves from the second position to the first position, and the driving force is transmitted.

[0072] As described above, by using this embodiment, the drive control member 540 moves from the home position, and thereby the regulating member 1510 can be switched between the first position and the second position, thereby switching the drive transmission state. This makes it possible to switch the drive regardless of the contact / separation operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

[0073] Example 3 A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 26 to 30. The process cartridge of this embodiment is similar to that of the second embodiment, and only the configuration of a lock member 550 and its periphery, which will be described later, is different. Therefore, members having the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0074] [Drive connection configuration] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P seen from the driving side, showing a state in which the driving side cartridge cover member 520, the developing cover member 3533, and the lock member 550 have been removed. Between the driving side bearing 526 and the driving side cartridge cover member 520, a gear 1801, a spring clutch 180 which is a drive transmission switching device having a transmission release mechanism, a developing coupling member 174, and a developing cover member 533 are provided. In addition, a regulating member 3510 (an example of a moving member) is attached to a support portion 526c of the driving side bearing 526 so as to be able to swing. In this embodiment, the driving connection portion is composed of the gear 1801, the spring clutch 180, the developing coupling member 174, the developing cover member 3533, the regulating member 3510, and the lock member 550.

[0075] An overview of the locking member 550 as the second biasing means will be described with reference to Fig. 27. The locking member 550 is composed of a tip portion 550a and a spring 550b which is a compression coil spring. 27 shows a state in which the spring 550b of the locking member 550 is removed from the tip portion 550a and the support portion 3533d of the developing device covering member 3533. The spring 550b of the locking member 550 has a wound seat portion at both ends, and is fixed by pressing the support portion 3533d of the developing device covering member 3533 into the inner diameter of the wound seat portion at one end. The wound seat portion at the other end is fixed to the tip portion 550a of the locking member 550. In addition, a protruding portion 3533e having a smaller diameter than the support portion 3533d of the developing device covering member 3533 passes through the inner diameter of the elastic portion of the spring 550b of the locking member 550, and restricts the contraction direction of the spring 550b to the S1 direction or the S2 direction.

[0076] [Drive connection release operation] The configuration of the regulating member 3510 for stopping the rotation of the control ring 180a of the spring clutch 180 and cutting off the drive will be described with reference to Figs. 28(a) and 28(b). The regulating member 3510 has a supported hole 3510a, a regulating lever portion 3510b, a foot portion 3510c, and a foot portion 3510d. The regulating lever portion 3510b has a regulating surface 3510g for stopping the control ring 180a of the spring clutch 180. The foot portion 3510c and the foot portion 3510d each have surfaces (second force receiving surface, first force receiving surface) 3510e and 3510f that receive a 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 swingable around the axis of the support portion 526c (Fig. 26).

[0077] 29, the drive connection release operation inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 will be described. Here, the locus of movement of the radial tip of the control unit 180h when the spring clutch 180 receives the drive force and rotates in the V2 direction is defined as r b As shown in FIG. 29(a), when viewed from the center (swing axis K) of the spring clutch 180, the regulating surface 3510g of the regulating member 3510 is r b When the restricting member 3510 is positioned further outward, the control ring 180a can rotate in the V2 direction, and the drive is transmitted. Furthermore, the restricting member 3510 is positioned at a position where the restricting lever portion 3510b abuts against the tip portion 550a when the restricting member 3510 is swung in the B1 direction around the axis of the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526. This position of the restricting member 3510 is referred to as the first position of the restricting member 3510.

[0078] 29(a) shows a state in which the regulating member 3510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. When the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction from the state in FIG. 29(a) and the first force application surface 540b comes into contact with the surface 3510f on the foot portion 3510d of the regulating member 3510, 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 lock member 550. At this time, as shown in FIG. 29(b), a force J acting in the B1 direction from the regulating member 3510 cThe component force in the S1 direction of the spring 550b of the locking member 550 is compressed, and the tip 550a moves in the S1 direction. This allows the regulating member 3510 to further swing in the B1 direction, and as shown in FIG. 29(c), the regulating surface 3510g abuts against the outer circumferential surface 180j of the spring clutch 180. The tip 550a of the locking member 550 is moved in the S2 direction by the restoring force of the spring 550b while in contact with the regulating surface 3510g of the regulating member 3510. At this time, the regulating surface 3510g is biased by the tip 550a with a force J at the surface where the tip 550a of the locking member 550 and the regulating surface 3510g of the regulating member 3510 come into contact. B Here, the force J applied to the regulating surface 3510g from the tip portion 550a B The direction of is a direction in which a moment acts in the B1 direction centered on the support portion 526c of the drive side bearing 526. Therefore, the position of the regulating member 3510 is fixed in a state in which the regulating surface 3510g abuts against the outer circumferential surface 180j of the spring clutch 180. In this manner, the regulating member 3510 stops the control portion 180h, that is, stops the rotation of the control ring 180a, thereby blocking the driving force input from the image forming apparatus main body 502 to the development 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 FIG. 29(d), even if the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction and returns to the home position, the control unit 540a does not detect the surface (second force receiving surface) 3510 of the regulating member 3510. 29(c), the restricting member 3510 receives a force J from the tip 550a of the locking member 550. B Therefore, the position is fixed with the restriction surface 3510g abutting against the outer peripheral surface 180j of the spring clutch 180, and the restriction member 3510 cannot swing in the B2 direction. In other words, the restriction member 3510 remains in the second position, stops the control ring 180a, and maintains the drive release state.

[0080] [Drive connection operation] Using Figure 30, the movement operation of the regulating member 3510 from the second position to the first position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, that is, the operation of connecting the drive, will be described. Figure 30(a) shows a state in which the regulating member 3510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. When the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction from the state of Figure 30(a), the second force application surface 540c comes into contact with the surface 3510e on the foot portion 3510c of the regulating member 3510. At this time, as shown in Figure 30(b), a force J acting in the B2 direction from the regulating member 3510 is applied. c The component force in the S1 direction of the spring 550b of the lock member 550 is compressed, and the tip portion 550a moves in the S1 direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 30(c), the regulating member 3510 becomes further pivotable in the B2 direction and moves to the first position, and the regulating member 3510 moves along the locus r b 30(d), even if the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction and returns to the home position, the control portion 540a does not come into contact with the surfaces 3510e and 3510f of the restricting member 3510, because there is a gap between them. Therefore, the restricting member 3510, which does not generate a rotational force, cannot move the tip portion 550a, which is biased in the S2 direction by the spring of the locking member 550, in the S1 direction, and cannot swing in the B1 direction. In other words, the restricting member 3510 remains in the first position, and the drive transmission state is maintained.

[0081] As described above, by using this embodiment, the drive control member 540 moves from the home position, and thereby the regulating member 3510 can be switched between the first position and the second position, thereby switching the drive transmission state. This makes it possible to switch the drive regardless of the contact / separation operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

[0082] Example 4 A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 31 to 35. This configuration uses a toggle structure to switch between connection and disconnection of the drive connection part. The process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, and only the regulating member and its surrounding structure are different. Therefore, members having the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

[0083] [Drive connection configuration] FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge P seen from the driving side. Between the driving side bearing 526 and the driving side cartridge cover member 520, a gear 1801, a spring clutch 180, a developing coupling member 174, and a developing cover member 4533 are provided. As in the second embodiment, a regulating member 4510 is attached to a support portion 526c of the driving side bearing 526 so as to be able to swing. One end 4601c of a toggle spring 4601, which is a tension spring, engages with a boss 4533d of the developing cover member 4533, and the other end 4601d of the toggle spring 4601 engages with a boss 4510d of the regulating member 4510. The toggle mechanism of this embodiment will be described later. Therefore, in this embodiment, the drive coupling portion is composed of the gear 1801, the spring clutch 180, the developing coupling member 174, the developing cover member 4533, and the toggle spring 4601. In this embodiment, the configuration of the spring clutch 180 is the same as that of the second embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. Also, the assembly of the gear 1801, the spring clutch 180, and the developing coupling member 174 is the same as that of the second embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0084] [Toggle mechanism of this embodiment] The toggle mechanism of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 32 and 33. FIG. 32(a) shows a state in which the regulating member 4510 is not in contact with the spring clutch 180, and FIG. 32(b) is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 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 regulating member 4510 is on the left side of the line M1 connecting the center of the developing cover member boss 4533d and the center of the support portion 526c of the driving side bearing 526, so that the regulating member 4510 rotating around the support portion 526c rotates in the L1 direction. This means that the regulating member 4510 moves in a direction away from the spring clutch 180, and thus the drive transmission is interrupted as described in the second embodiment. Also, the regulating member 4510 maintains its posture by the surface 4510m of the regulating member 4510 abutting against the boss 4533m of the developing cover member 4533.

[0085] A state where the regulating member 4510 is in contact with the spring clutch 180 will be described with reference to FIG. 33. 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 on the right side of the line M1 connecting the center of the developing cover member boss 4533d and the center of the support portion 526c of the drive side bearing 526, so that 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 approaching the spring clutch 180, and the regulating member 4510 is maintained in its position by the surface 4510n of the regulating member 4510 abutting against the surface 4533n of the developing cover member 4533. After that, the surface 4510g of the regulating member 4510 abuts against the control portion 180h of the spring clutch 180. The operation of the spring clutch 180 at this time is the same as that of the second embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted here. This causes the clutch to be engaged, enabling the drive force of the main body to be transmitted. Note that the drive cutoff operation of the spring clutch 180 is the same as in the second embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0086] [Connecting operation of drive connection part] Using Figure 34, the operation of the drive control member 540 inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, from the state where the process cartridge P is disconnected from the drive from the main body to the state where it is connected, will be described. Figure 34(a) shows a state where the drive control member 540 is disconnected from the drive and is in the home position, Figure 34(b) shows a 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 a state where the drive control member 540 has moved in the w52 direction from Figure 34(b) and is in the home position with the drive connected. Explanation of details and symbols similar to those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 34(a), when the drive control member 540 is in the home position with the drive being cut off, there are gaps T43 and T44 between the drive control member 540 and the regulating member 4510, and the drive control member 540 is not in contact with the regulating member 4510. When the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction from this state, the first force application surface 540b comes into contact with a surface (first force receiving surface) 4510f on the foot portion 4510d of the regulating member 4510, and the regulating member 4510 rotates in the L2 direction shown in FIG. 34(b). When the regulating member 4510 rotates, a surface 4510g of the regulating member 4510 comes into contact with the control portion 180h of the spring clutch 180. This engages the clutch, and the drive from the main body side can be transmitted. As described above with reference to FIG. 33, in this state, the surface 4510n of the regulating member 4510 abuts against the surface 4533n of the developing cover member 4533 by the action of the toggle spring 4601 as the third biasing means, and the position is maintained. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 34(c), the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction and returns to the home position. In this state, since there is a gap between the regulating member 4510 and T46, the drive control member 540 does not apply force to the regulating member 4510. Therefore, the regulating member 4510 remains in the position shown in FIG. 33, and the drive is stably connected.

[0088] [Drive connection disconnection operation] Using Figure 35, the operation of the drive control member 540 inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 from the state where the process cartridge P is connected to the drive from the main body to the state where it is cut off will be described. Figure 35(a) shows a state where the drive control member 540 is connected to the drive and is in the home position, Figure 35(b) shows a state where the drive control member 540 has moved in the w52 direction from Figure 35(a) and is in the second position, and Figure 35(c) shows a state where the drive control member 540 has moved in the w51 direction from Figure 35(b) and is in the home position with the drive cut off. Explanation of details and symbols similar to those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0089] When the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, the second force application surface 540c comes into contact with the surface (second force receiving surface) 4510e on the foot portion 4510c of the regulating member 4510, and the regulating member 4510 rotates in the L1 direction shown in FIG. 33(b). When rotated, the surface 4510g of the regulating member 4510 moves away from the control portion 180h of the spring clutch 180. This disconnects the clutch, and the drive of the main body side cannot be transmitted. As described above with reference to FIG. 32, in this state, the surface 4510m of the regulating member 4510 comes into contact with the boss 4533m of the developing cover member 4533 by the action of the toggle spring 4601, so that the posture of the regulating member 4510 is maintained. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 35(c), the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, and the drive control member 540 returns to the home position. In this state, since there is a gap between the restriction member 4510 and T47, the drive control member 540 does not apply force to the restriction member 4510. Therefore, the restriction member 4510 remains in the position shown in Fig. 32, and the drive is stably interrupted.

[0090] As described above, by using this embodiment, the regulating member 4510 is stably switched between contact and separation by the toggle mechanism in conjunction with the operation of the drive control member 540, making it possible to stably switch the drive regardless of the contact and separation operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

[0091] Example 5 A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 36 to 39. In this configuration, the engaging portion is configured as a gear mesh. The process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the regulating member and its surrounding configuration are different. Therefore, members having the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

[0092] [Drive connection configuration] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P seen from the drive side, showing a state in which the drive side cartridge cover member 6520 and the developing cover member 6533 have been removed. A developing coupling gear 6801 and a developing 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 an end of the developing coupling gear 6801, and is exposed from the drive side cartridge cover member 6520 to receive a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body 502. An idler gear 6803 is provided at a position where it meshes with the developing coupling gear 6801 and the axial distance is kept constant. The idler gear 6803 is connected to an idler gear 6804 that transmits driving force to the developing roller gear 802 by a regulating member 6510 as a support member. The regulating member 6510 has rotation shafts 6510a and 6510b for the idler gear 6803 and the idler gear 6804. That is, the idler gear 6803 is rotatably held by the rotation shaft 6510a, and the idler gear 6504 is rotatably held by the rotation shaft 6510b. They are sandwiched between a plate member 6511 and the regulating member 6510 to prevent them from coming off.

[0093] The regulating member 6510 has a rotation shaft 6510a of an idler gear 6803 rotatably held by a holding portion 6520a of a driving side cartridge cover member 6520. The member 6510 is configured to be able to swing relative to the driving side cartridge cover member 6520, with the rotation shaft 6510a of the idler gear 6803 as the center of rotation. In other words, the idler gear 6804 is configured to be able to swing about the idler gear 6803 with respect to the driving side cartridge cover member 6520. Note that the regulating member 6510 may be held by another component, for example, the drum unit 8. In that case, the idler gear 6804 is able to swing about the idler gear 6803 with respect to the drum unit 8.

[0094] [Drive cutoff operation] The operation of switching from the drive transmission state to the drive cut-off state will be described with reference to Figure 37. Figure 37(a) shows only the state of the gear and the regulating member when the drive is transmitted to the developing roller gear 802, and Figure 37(b) shows only the state of the gear and the regulating member when the drive to the developing roller gear 802 is cut off.

[0095] The developing coupling gear 6801 rotates in the V2 direction when the coupling portion 6801a receives a driving force from the image forming apparatus main body 502. The driving force is transmitted to the developing roller gear 802 via the idler gears 6803 and 6804. At this time, a moment is generated in the direction of the arrow V3 around the rotation shaft 6510a due to the meshing between the idler gears 6803 and 6804. In addition, the idler gear 6804 receives a force in the pressure angle direction F6 due to the meshing with the developing roller gear 802, so that it is pulled in the direction of the arrow V3. This is because the swing fulcrum (rotation shaft 6510a) of the idler gear 6804 is located on the W52 side of the line connecting the developing coupling gear 6801 and the developing roller gear 802, so that no force is applied to the regulating member 6510 in the escape direction (arrow V4 direction). For this reason, a moment in the direction of the arrow V3 always acts on the regulating member 6510, and drive transmission is maintained while the idler gear 6804 and the developing roller gear 802 continue to mesh (FIG. 37(a)). The position of the regulating member 6510 at this time is referred to as the first position (FIG. 37(b)).

[0096] To cut off the drive transmission, the regulating member 6510 is moved in the W52 direction to move the idler gear 6804 in the direction of arrow V4, thereby cutting off the drive between the idler gear 6804 and the developing roller gear 802. The position of the regulating member 6510 at this time is referred to as a second position.

[0097] [Drive connection disconnection operation] Using FIG. 38, the movement operation of the regulating member 6510 from the first position to the second position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, that is, the above-mentioned drive cut-off operation, will be described. FIG. 38 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 6520 is omitted. FIG. 38(a) shows a state in which the regulating member 6510 is at the first position and the drive control member 540 is at the home position. FIG. 38(b) shows a state in which the regulating member 6510 has moved from the first position to the second position. FIG. 38(c) shows a state in which the regulating member 6510 is at the second position and the drive control member 540 is at the home position. Details and symbols similar to those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0098] When the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, the second force application surface 540c comes into contact with a surface (second force receiving surface) 6510e on the foot portion 6510c of the regulating member 6510, and the regulating member 6510 rotates around the rotation shaft 6510a in the direction of the arrow V4 in FIG. 38(b). That is, the regulating member 6510 moves from a first position where the developing roller gear 802 as a first gear (one gear) and the idler gear 6804 as a second gear (the other gear) are brought into a meshing position with each other to a second position where they are brought into a non-meshing position where they are not meshed with each other. At the second position, the idler gear 6804 also rotates in the V4 direction together with the regulating member 6510, and is disconnected from the driving force with the developing roller gear 802 as described above (FIGS. 37(b) and 63(b)).

[0099] Furthermore, the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of arrow W51 in FIG. 38(b) and returns to the home position. At this time, as described above, the regulating member 6510 receives a moment in the V3 direction from the idler gear 6803 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 as the fourth biasing means is set to maintain the regulating member 6510 in the second position and not to move the regulating member 6510 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 to switch the regulating member 6510), the drive connection is released when "M3+M4>M1+M2". Therefore, when the drive connection is released, 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 portion 540a has a gap T60 with a surface 6510e on the foot portion 6510c of the regulating member 6510, and does not come into contact with the surface 6510e (FIG. 38(c)). Also, the first force application surface 540b has a gap T61 with a surface (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] 38 and 39, the movement operation of the regulating member 6510 from the second position to the first position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, that is, the operation of connecting the drive, will be described. FIG. 39 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 6520 is omitted. FIG. 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 application surface 540b comes into contact with a surface 6510f on the foot portion 1510d of the regulating member 6510, and the regulating member 6510 rotates in the direction of the arrow V3 in Fig. 39. That is, the regulating member 6510 moves from the second position toward the first position. Then, as described above, the idler gear 6804 meshes with the developing roller gear 802, thereby connecting the drive (Fig. 37(a)).

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

[0107] As described above, by using this embodiment, the drive control member 540 moves the regulating member 6510 between the first position and the second position, 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 regardless of the contact / separation operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

[0108] Example 6 A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 40 to 45. In this configuration, a movable member and an engagement portion are provided in a laser shutter unit (or a shutter unit). The process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the regulating member as a movable member and the configuration around it are different. Therefore, members having the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0109] In addition, in this embodiment, by providing a laser shutter unit in the process cartridge, it is possible to switch between the laser light irradiated from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in response to an image signal and the photosensitive drum being able to reach the photosensitive drum (the laser shutter unit does not block the laser light) and being unable to reach the photosensitive drum (the laser shutter unit blocks the laser light) as the electrophotographic image forming process operation described above. This makes it possible to switch between the possible and impossible states of image formation without relying on the configurations of the contact and separation operation of the photosensitive drum and the developing roller and the disconnection operation of the drive connection part shown in the other embodiments. In the other embodiments, if the contact and separation state of the photosensitive drum and the developing roller and the connection state of the drive connection part cannot be stably operated, problems may occur in image formation. For example, image problems such as poor image density caused by contact pressure and banding caused by the drive connection part may occur. However, in this embodiment, since the laser light from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which is outside the process cartridge, is switched between the possible and impossible states, it is unlikely to affect the parts (photosensitive drum, developing roller, gears, etc.) related to the image forming means inside the process cartridge. This makes it possible to stably switch between enable and disable of image formation as an electrophotographic image forming process operation.

[0110] [Overall configuration of a process cartridge having a laser shutter unit] The overall configuration of the process cartridge P will be described with reference to Figures 40 and 41. Figure 40 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P seen from the driving side. As shown in Figure 40, the process cartridge P has a configuration in which the drum unit 8, the developing unit 9, and the laser shutter unit 77 are sandwiched and fixed between a driving side cartridge cover member 7520 and a non-driving side cartridge cover member 7521. Figure 41 is a view of the process cartridge P seen from the driving side, and for the purpose of explaining the configuration, the driving side cartridge cover member 7520 shown in Figure 40 is not shown. Also, Figure 41 shows the photosensitive drum 4, the charging roller 5, the cleaning blade 7, and the drum frame 7015 without showing a part of the drum unit 8. The developing unit 9 shows a state in which the laser shutter unit 77 as a shielding member is attached. The laser shutter unit 77 is composed of a shutter moving member 7510 (or a moving member) and a laser shutter 7511 as a shielding part. The shutter side rotation support portion 7510a of the shutter moving member 7510 is rotatably supported by a cover side rotation support portion 7533a of a developing cover member 7533 provided in the developing unit 9. The center of rotation of the shutter side rotation support portion 7510a and the cover side rotation support portion 7533a is is the same as the pivot axis K which is the rotation center of the developing unit 9 and the developing coupling gear 7801. That is, the laser shutter unit 77 is supported rotatably about the pivot axis K in a shutter opening direction K71 and a shutter closing direction K72.

[0111] 40(a) and 41(a) show a state where the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed at a position where it blocks the laser light U. FIG. 40(b) and 41(b) show a state where the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed at a position where it does not block the laser light U but opens it. A 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, for fixing the position of the laser shutter unit 77. The tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 provided on the developing unit 9 is inserted and removed into the two phase fixing holes, so that the laser shutter unit 77 can be fixed at an arbitrary phase. Here, the closed phase hole 7510c and the open phase hole 7510d are arranged on the same circumference Kr centered on the swing axis K. As a result, when the laser shutter unit 77 rotates to an arbitrary phase around the swing axis K, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 can be inserted into or removed from each hole.

[0112] 41(a) shows a state in which the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed in a position that blocks the laser light U, that is, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is inserted into the closing 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] 41(b) shows a state in which the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed in an open position without blocking the laser light 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 a first position.

[0114] The configuration and operation of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 will be described later in detail. Furthermore, the shutter moving member 7510 has an opening direction pressed surface (first force receiving surface) 7510f and a closing direction pressed surface (second force receiving surface) 7510e as external force receiving surfaces for rotating about the swing shaft K. The laser shutter unit 77 can rotate in the shutter opening direction K71 by receiving a rotational force on the opening direction pressed surface 7510f, and can rotate in the shutter closing direction K72 by receiving a rotational force on the closing direction pressed surface 7510e. As a result, regardless of the contact and separation operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6, even in a state in which the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 are always in contact with each other, by switching between the laser light U being able to reach the photosensitive drum and being unable to reach the photosensitive drum, it is possible to switch between the possible and impossible of image formation as an electrophotographic image forming process operation.

[0115] The second position is not limited to a position where the laser shutter unit 77 covers the photosensitive drum 4 so as to substantially completely block exposure of the photosensitive drum 4 to the outside of the cartridge. For example, the photosensitive drum 4 may be partially covered from the outside of the cartridge to an extent that exposure to the laser light U can be sufficiently blocked (some exposed portion may remain). In addition, the first position is a position where the laser shutter unit 77 exposes the photosensitive drum 4 more than the second position so as to enable exposure of the photosensitive drum 4 to the laser light U, and the degree of exposure is arbitrary.

[0116] [Detailed configuration of process cartridge having laser shutter unit] A detailed configuration of the process cartridge P will be described with reference to Figure 42. Figure 42 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge P as viewed from the driving side. The figure shows a state in which the driving side cartridge cover member 7520, the non-driving side cartridge cover member 7521, the drum unit 8, the developing unit 9, and the laser shutter unit 77 have been removed.

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

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

[0119] 43(a), the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 is in the second position blocking the laser light U, indicating a state in which the photosensitive drum cannot be irradiated, i.e., a laser light blocking state. At this time, the drive control member 540 is in the home position, and the control section 540a of the drive control member 540 does not contact the shutter moving member 7510. That is, there is a gap T71 between the first force application 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 application surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f.

[0120] Figure 45(a) is a DA-DA cross-sectional view passing through the closing phase hole 7510c and the opening 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 serving as a biasing means, are held at both ends by the developing cover member 7533 and the drive side bearing 7526. The shutter position regulating pin 7512 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 inserted and held by the pin side regulating spring support portion 7512a and the bearing side regulating spring support portion 7526b. In addition, the shutter The position regulating pin 7512 is movable in the S71 direction and the S72 direction (parallel to the swing axis K). The shutter position regulating spring 7513 abuts against the bearing side regulating spring force receiving surface 7526a and the pin side regulating spring force receiving surface 7512b, and biases 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, and the movement in the S71 direction is regulated. Here, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is in a state of being inserted into the closing phase hole 7510c of the shutter moving member 7510, and the rotational movement of the shutter moving member 7510 can be regulated and fixed. As a result, the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed at the second position where the laser light U is blocked.

[0121] 43(b) shows a state in the middle of rotating the laser shutter unit 77 in the shutter opening direction K71 and moving it from a second position where it blocks the laser light U to a first position where it does not block it. At this time, 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 application 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 application surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f.

[0122] FIG. 45(b) is a DB-DB cross-sectional view passing through the closing phase hole 7510c and the opening phase hole 7510d in FIG. 43(b). At this time, the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is in the middle of moving from the closing phase hole 7510c to the opening phase hole 7510d, and is in a state of moving in the F72 direction with respect to FIG. 45(a). When the shutter moving member 7510 moves in the W52 direction, as shown in FIG. 43(a), the shutter position regulating pin 7512 receives an external force in the F71 direction with the rotation of the shutter moving member 7510. The tip shape of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is shaped to generate component forces in the F72 direction and the F73 direction. As a result, the shutter position regulating pin 7512 receives a force in the F71 direction and moves in the S72 direction, changing from FIG. 45(a) to FIG. 45(b). At this time, the shutter position regulating spring 7513 is in a compressed state.

[0123] As shown in Fig. 43(c), the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 is in a first position that does not block the laser light U, and shows a state in which the photosensitive drum can be irradiated, i.e., a laser light open state. At this time, the drive control member 540 has moved further in the W52 direction than in Fig. 43(b), and the control section 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 application 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 application surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f.

[0124] Fig. 45(c) is a DC-DC cross-sectional view passing through the closed phase hole 7510c and the open phase hole 7510d in Fig. 43(c). As shown in Fig. 45(c), the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 enters the open phase hole 7510d of the shutter moving member 7510, and it is possible to regulate and fix the rotational movement of the shutter moving member 7510. As a result, the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed at a first position where the laser light U is not blocked.

[0125] Figure 44(a) shows the position of the process cartridge P in a state in which an 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, as in Figure 45(c). At this time, the drive control member 540 has moved from the position in Figure 43(c) to the home position. At this time, the control section 540a of the drive control member 540 does not come into contact with the shutter moving member 7510. In other words, there is no contact between the first force application surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510. There is a gap T75, 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) described above.

[0126] FIG. 44(b) shows a state in the middle of moving the laser shutter unit 77 in the shutter closing direction K72 from a first position that does not block the laser light U to a second position that blocks it after the image forming operation is completed. As shown in FIG. 44(b), the shutter moving member 7510 and the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 are in the first position as in FIG. 43(b). At this time, the drive control member 540 is moving in the W51 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 W51 direction. That is, there is no gap between the first force application 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 application surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. The shutter position regulating pin 7512 is in the state shown in FIG. 45(b) described above.

[0127] Fig. 44(c) shows a state in which, after the image forming operation is completed, the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 is again moved to the second position where it blocks the laser light U. As shown in Fig. 44(c), the shutter moving member 7510 and the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 are at the second position where they block the laser light U, similar to Fig. 43(a).

[0128] At this time, the drive control member 540 has moved further in the W51 direction than in Fig. 44(b), and the control section 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 application 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 application surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. The shutter position restriction pin 7512 is in the state shown in Fig. 45(a) described above.

[0129] As described above, by using this embodiment, the laser shutter unit 77 can be fixed at an arbitrary phase between the first position and the second position. As a result, even when the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 are always in contact with each other, regardless of the contact and separation operation between the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6, the laser light U can be switched between reachable and inaccessible to the photosensitive drum, thereby enabling and disabling image formation as an electrophotographic image forming process operation. In this embodiment, the laser shutter unit 77 is configured to rotate around the swing axis K to switch between reachable and inaccessible to the laser light U, but the shutter opening and closing movement may not only be rotational, but may be, for example, a sliding or folding configuration. In this configuration, the components constituting the shutter, etc. are supported on the developing unit side, but may be supported on the drum unit side.

[0130] To explain again, in this embodiment, the closing phase hole 7510c is recessed as a first recess in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the shutter moving member 7510, and the opening phase hole 7510d is recessed as a second recess in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the shutter moving member 7510. The shutter position regulating pin 7512 is configured to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the shutter moving member 7510 as a first convex portion or a second convex portion. Depending on the position of the shutter moving member 7510, the shutter position regulating pin 7512 fits into either the closing phase hole 7510c or the opening phase hole 7510d, thereby functioning as an engagement portion that holds the shutter moving member 7510 at a predetermined position. The outer periphery of the tip surface of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is a tapered inclined surface, and the closing phase hole 7510c and the opening phase hole 7510d each have a mortar-shaped recess shape that expands in diameter as it approaches the opening. That is, the shutter position regulating pin 7512 abuts against the closing phase hole 7510c and the opening phase hole 7510d. The surface is inclined with respect to both the movement direction of the shutter moving member 7510 and the advance / retract direction of the shutter position regulating pin 7512. This configuration functions as a force application portion (first force application portion, second force application portion) that applies a force to the shutter position regulating pin 7512 to move the shutter position regulating pin 7512 in the retraction direction when the shutter moving member 7510 moves.

[0131] Here, the configurations of the shutter position regulating pin 7512, the closing phase hole 7510c, and the opening phase hole 7510d are not limited to the configuration described in this embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, one convex portion and two concave portions are combined, but various combinations are possible. For example, there may be two convex portions, one of which is a first convex portion that fits into a first concave portion when the moving member (shielding member) is at a first position, and the other convex portion is a second convex portion that fits into a second concave portion when the moving member is at a second position. Alternatively, there may be one concave portion for two convex portions, and one convex portion fits into a common concave portion when the moving member is at a first position, and the other convex portion fits into a common concave portion when the moving member is at a second position. In this embodiment, the shutter position regulating pin 7512 as a convex portion is provided on the cartridge frame body side, and the closing phase hole 7510c and the opening phase hole 7510d as a concave portion are provided on the moving member side, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. That is, the convex portion may be provided on the moving member side, and the concave portion may be provided on the cartridge frame body side. Furthermore, a first convex portion that fits when the moving member is at the first position may be provided on the cartridge frame body side, and a first concave portion may be provided on the moving member side, and a second convex portion that fits when the moving member is at the second position may be provided on the moving member side, and a second concave portion may be provided on the cartridge frame body side. Alternatively, the reverse combination may be used.

[0132] Example 7 A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 46 to 49. The process cartridge of this embodiment is similar to that of the sixth embodiment, and only the configuration of a contact shutter unit 87 and its periphery, which will be described later, is different. Therefore, members having the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0133] In this embodiment, by providing a contact shutter unit 87 in the process cartridge, it is possible to switch between enabling (the contact shutter unit does not block the bias voltage) and not enabling (the contact shutter unit blocks the bias voltage) the bias voltage applied from a contact 503 (described later) of the image forming apparatus main body 502 to be supplied to the process cartridge P. This makes it possible to switch between enabling and disabling image formation without relying on the configurations such as the contact and separation operation between the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 and the connection and disconnection operation of the drive connection part shown in the other embodiments. Note that, although this embodiment is configured to have a laser shutter unit 77 like the sixth embodiment, it is not necessary for the configuration to be capable of switching between enabling and disabling the laser light to reach the photosensitive drum 4.

[0134] [Overall configuration of a process cartridge having a contact shutter unit] The overall structure of the process cartridge P will be described with reference to FIG. 46. FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P and the contact 503 as viewed from the non-drive side. As shown in FIG. 46, the contact shutter unit 87 is configured to be sandwiched and fixed between the non-drive side cartridge cover member 8521 and the non-drive side bearing 7527. The contact 503 as the main body electrode portion is a compression coil spring, and can contract in the longitudinal direction S81 direction or S82 direction. The contact 503 is always compressed with the S82 side end fixed, so it urges the process cartridge P in the S81 direction. The bias voltage applied from the image forming apparatus main body 502 is supplied to the process cartridge P by the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527 coming into contact with each other. Here, FIG. 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 FIG. 46(a), the contact 503 is in contact with the contact shutter 8511 described later, so that the process cartridge P is not biased. No bias voltage is supplied to the process cartridge P, and image formation is impossible. Also, Fig. 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 Fig. 46(b), the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527 are in contact with each other, so that the bias voltage is supplied to the process cartridge P, and image formation is possible.

[0135] The outline of the contact shutter unit will be explained with reference to FIG. 47. FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P seen from the driving side, and for the purpose of explaining the configuration, only a part of the contact shutter unit 87, the non-driving side cartridge cover member 8521, the contact 503, and the laser shutter 7511 is shown. Also, the contact fixing pin 8512 (described later) of the contact shutter unit 87 is shown in a state removed from the support hole 8521c of the non-driving side cartridge cover member 8521. The contact shutter unit 87 is composed of a spring 8510 which is a torsion coil spring, a contact shutter 8511 (an example of a moving member), and a contact fixing pin 8512. The spring 8510 is fixed to a support portion 8521a of the non-driving side cartridge cover member 8521. Also, the end portion 8510a of the spring 8510 is restricted in position in the clockwise direction as seen from the driving side by a restricting surface 8521b of the non-driving 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 into the fixing hole 8511a of the contact shutter 8511, and furthermore, the tip of the contact fixing pin 8512 is inserted into and fixed in a support hole 8521c of the non-driving side cartridge cover member 8521. As a result, the contact shutter 8511 is supported rotatably in the shutter opening direction K81 and the shutter closing direction K82 around the swing axis L, which is the axis of the contact fixing pin 8512.

[0136] 47(a), the contact shutter unit 87 is fixed in a position where it 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. The position of the contact shutter 8511 at this time is referred to as the second position.

[0137] 47(b), the contact shutter unit 87 is fixed in a position where it does not block the bias voltage supplied from the contact 503 but opens it. That is, the contact shutter 8511 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. The position of the contact shutter 8511 at this time is referred to as the first position.

[0138] The contact shutter 8511 has an arm portion 8511b as an external force receiving surface for rotating in the K81 direction around the swing 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 and becomes the first position when the laser shutter 7511 as a movable member rotates in the K81 direction and the arm portion 8511b receives a rotational force from the force application surface 7511c. At this time, the position of the laser shutter 7511 as a movable member becomes the second holding position. Here, when the contact shutter 8511 is in the first position, the spring 8510 receives a force in the coil winding direction. Therefore, when the laser shutter 7511 rotates in the direction K82 and the external force that the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 received from the laser shutter 7511 is no longer received, the arm portion 8511b receives a rotational force due to the biasing force of the spring 8510 in the direction that increases the torsion angle, and the contact shutter 8511 rotates in the shutter closing direction K82 to the second position. The position of the laser shutter 7511 as a movable member at this time becomes the first holding position. The holding of the contact shutter 8511 at each of the first and second positions by the engagement of the laser shutter 751 is achieved by the engagement mechanism of the shutter moving member 7510 described in the sixth embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. As a result, the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 are always in the same position regardless of the contact and separation operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6. Even in the state where the process cartridge P is in contact with the roller P, the bias voltage can be switched between being supplyable and not supplyable to the process cartridge P, thereby enabling or disabling image formation as an electrophotographic image forming process operation.

[0139] [Bias voltage supply and cutoff switching operation] 48 and 49, the switching operation of supplying and cutting off the bias voltage by the operation of the contact shutter unit 87 will be described. FIG. 48 shows the operation of the contact shutter unit 87 from the bias voltage cut-off state to the bias voltage supply state. FIG. 49 shows the operation of the contact shutter unit 87 from the bias voltage supply state to the bias voltage cut-off state. FIGS. 48 and 49 are views of the process cartridge P as seen from the non-driving side, and for the purpose of explaining the configuration, the non-driving side cartridge cover member 8521 shown in FIG. 46 is not shown, but the drive control member 540 of the image forming apparatus main body is shown.

[0140] 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 portion 540a of the drive control member 540 does not contact the shutter moving member 7510. That is, a gap T71 is formed between the first force application surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and a gap T72 is formed between the second force application surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. As described above in the sixth embodiment, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is inserted into the closing phase hole 7510c of the shutter moving member 7510, regulating and fixing the rotational movement of the shutter moving member 7510.

[0141] FIG. 48(b) shows the contact shutter 8511 moving from the second position where the bias voltage is blocked to the first position where the bias voltage is not blocked. As shown in FIG. 48(b), 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 application 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 application 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 application surface 7511c of the laser shutter 7511 comes into contact with the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511. From this state, the laser shutter unit 77 further rotates in the K81 direction, and the contact shutter 8511 receives a rotational force from the laser shutter 7511 and rotates in the shutter-open direction K81. As described above in the sixth embodiment, the shutter-position-regulating pin 7512 receives an external force in the F71 direction (FIG. 45) in conjunction with the rotation of the shutter moving member 7510. At this time, the shutter-position-regulating spring 7513 is compressed.

[0142] FIG. 48(c) shows a first position where 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. When 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 (FIG. 46) from the state of FIG. 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 forming process operation becomes possible. At this time, the drive control member 540 has moved further in the W52 direction than in FIG. 48(b), and the control portion 540a of the drive control member 540 is stopped in a state where it abuts against the shutter moving member 7510. That is, the first force application surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the shutter moving member 7 A gap T74 is present between the second force application surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is no gap between the second force application surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. As described above in the sixth embodiment, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is inserted into the opening phase hole 7510d of the shutter moving member 7510, and the rotational movement of the shutter moving member 7510 is regulated and fixed.

[0143] FIG. 49(a) shows the position of the process cartridge P in a state where an image forming operation is performed. As shown in FIG. 49(a), the drive control member 540 has moved from the position in FIG. 48(c) to the home position, and the control section 540a is in a position where it does not contact the shutter moving member 7510. That is, there is a gap T75 between the first force application 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 application surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. In the state of FIG. 49(a), as described above in the sixth embodiment, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is in the open phase hole 7510d of the shutter moving member 7510, so that the laser shutter 7511 is fixed at the same position as in FIG. 48(c). That is, the contact shutter 8511 is in the first position as in FIG. 48(c).

[0144] FIG. 49(b) shows a state in which the contact shutter 8511 is moving from a first position that does not block the bias voltage to a second position that blocks the bias voltage after the image forming operation is completed. As shown in FIG. 49(b), the drive control member 540 is moving in the W51 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 W51 direction. That is, there is no gap between the first force application 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 application surface 540c and the opening 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 application surface 7511c of the laser shutter 7511 and the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 are separated from each other. At this time, the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 receives a rotational force due to the biasing force in the direction in which the torsion angle of the spring 8510 increases, and the contact shutter 8511 rotates in the shutter closing direction K82. As described above in the sixth embodiment, the shutter position restriction pin 7512 receives an external force in the reverse direction F71 (FIG. 45) in conjunction with the rotation of the shutter moving member 7510. At this time, the shutter position restriction spring 7513 is in a compressed state.

[0145] FIG. 49(c) shows a second position 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 after the image forming operation is completed. When the contact shutter 8511 moves from the first position to the second position, the contact 503, which is a compression coil spring, contracts in the S82 direction (FIG. 46) from the state of FIG. 48(b), and the tip of the contact 503 rides on the contact shutter 8511. That is, the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527 are separated from each other. As a result, a bias voltage cannot 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 forming process operation is impossible. At this time, the drive control member 540 has moved further in the W51 direction than in FIG. 49(b), and the control section 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 application 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 application surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. As described above in the sixth embodiment, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is in the closing phase hole 7510c of the shutter moving member 7510, and the rotational movement of the shutter moving member 7510 is regulated and fixed.

[0146] As described above, by using this embodiment configuration, the drive control member 540 moves from the home position, and thereby the contact shutter 8511 can be switched between the first position and the second position at any phase. As a result, even when the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 are always in contact with each other, regardless of the contact and separation operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6, by switching between enable and disable of the supply of the bias voltage, it becomes possible to switch between enable and disable of image formation as an electrophotographic image forming 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 present invention is not limited to such a configuration. In addition, the contact shutter 8511 does not necessarily have to cover the electrode portion 7527b when it is in a position where it blocks the bias voltage. For example, the contact shutter 8511 may move (retract) the electrode portion 7527b in the normal direction of the electrode surface. That is, a retraction mechanism (retraction unit) is provided that can move the electrode portion 7527b between a predetermined position where the electrode portion 7527b is electrically connected to the contact 503 of the image forming apparatus main body 502 and a retracted position where the electrode portion 7527b is separated from the contact 503 and retracted from the predetermined position. The contact shutter 8511 as the moving member is configured to be movable between a first position where the electrode portion 7527b is located at the predetermined position and a second position where the electrode portion 7527b is located at the retracted position. The configuration for holding the contact shutter 8511 at the first position and the second position may be the same as in the above embodiment. Alternatively, the contact 503 as the main body electrode portion and the electrode portion 7527b as the cartridge side electrode portion may be configured to be movable forward and backward.

[0148] The configuration for blocking the path of electrical connection is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment described above. It is not limited to only between the contact of the image forming apparatus main body and the contact of the cartridge, but for example, two internal electrode parts (a first electrode part electrically connected to the electrode part 7527b and a second electrode part electrically connected to the developing roller 6) that can be brought into contact and separated are provided in the middle of the electrical path between the electrode part 7527b inside the cartridge and the developing roller 6. Then, the contact and separation between the first electrode part and the second electrode part may be switched by a path blocking configuration similar to that of this embodiment. In addition, the retraction configuration of the electrode part described above is not limited to a configuration that allows the electrode part on the cartridge side to advance and retreat, and the electrode part on the image forming apparatus main body side may be configured to be advanced and retreated, or both may be configured to be advanced and retreated.

[0149] Example 8 A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 50 to 54. The process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the regulating member and its peripheral configuration are different. Therefore, members having the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0150] [Configuration of regulated components] FIG. 50 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P seen from the driving side. FIG. 51(a) is a side view of the process cartridge with the front door 111 open. FIG. 51(b) shows a state in which the regulating member 9510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. FIG. 51(c) shows a state in which the regulating member 9510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. For the sake of explanation, the driving side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing cover member 9533 are omitted. In addition, the driving coupling operation and driving coupling release operation of the developing coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75 and the operation of the drive control member 540 are omitted because they are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0151] 50, the regulating member 9510 has a supported hole 9510a that fits with a support portion 9526a of the driving side bearing 9526, and can swing around the support portion 9526a. The tension spring 9511 fits with the support portion 9526a of the driving side bearing 9526 and the support portion 9510b of the regulating member 9510. As shown in FIG. 51, the tension spring 9511 is fitted with the support portion 9526a of the driving side bearing 9526 and the support portion 9510b of the regulating member 9510. 51(a), the regulating member 9510 is biased in the Z1 direction in FIG. The regulating member 9510 has foot portions 9510e and 9510g that can protrude in the Z2 direction from the developing unit 9. The foot portion 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 foot portion 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, a cartridge pressing member (not shown) in the main body of the apparatus descends in the Z2 direction in FIG. 51(b) and presses the pressed portion 9510c, so that the regulating member 9510 moves in the Z2 direction. Then, the control portion 540a of the drive control member 540 enters into 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 of the foot portion 9510e and the second force applying surface 540c, and there is a gap T92 between the second force receiving portion 9510f of the foot portion 9510g and the first force applying surface 540b. In addition, the regulating lever portion 9510d is in a position where it does not contact the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80. This position of the regulating member 9510 is referred to as a first position. At this time, the regulating member 9510 is maintained in the first position and the drive connection state is maintained.

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

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

[0155] As described above, by using this embodiment, it is possible to switch the drive connection state by switching the regulating member 9510 between the second position and the first position by moving the drive control member 540. This makes it possible to switch the drive regardless of the contact / separation operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

[0156] [Layout details-Part 1] The arrangement of the regulating member 9510 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 52. Figure 52 is a view of the process cartridge P as seen from the driving side along the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 4. The regulating member 9510 is located at the first position. For the sake of explanation, the driving side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing device cover member 9533 are omitted.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 52, the rotation axis (center of rotation) of the photosensitive drum 4 is M1, the rotation axis (center of rotation) of the developing roller 6 is 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 line N1. In this embodiment, the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum coupling member 43 is coaxial with the rotation axis M1. When the region is divided with the line N1 as a boundary, the rotation axis M2 of the developing roller 6, the first force receiving portion 9510f, and the second force receiving portion 9510h are arranged in the same region with the line N1 as a boundary. In addition, the distance between the rotation axis K of the developing coupling member 74 and the rotation axis M2 of the developing roller 6 is distance e1, the distance between the rotation axis K of the developing coupling member 74 and the first force receiving portion 9510f is distance e2, and the distance between the rotation axis K and the second force receiving portion 9510h is distance e3. In this case, the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h are disposed so that the distances e2 and e3 are greater than the distance e1. By arranging the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in this manner, it is possible to reduce the force that moves the regulating member 9510 to the first position and the second position.

[0158] [Layout details-part 2] The arrangement of the regulating member 9510 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 53. Figure 53 is a view of the process cartridge P as seen from the driving 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 at the first position. For the sake of explanation, the driving side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing device cover member 9533 are omitted.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 53, a virtual line N2 is a virtual straight 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 by the virtual line N2 (the upper side is the region AU1 and the lower side is the region AD1), at least a part of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h is disposed in the region AD1 opposite to the rotation axis K of the developing coupling member 74 with the virtual line N2 as the boundary. As described in the first embodiment, a driving member for driving the members of the developing unit 9 is disposed in the region AU1. For this reason, it is more efficient to arrange at least a part of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in the region AD1 rather than in the region AU1 to avoid interference between the members. This leads to a reduction in size of the process cartridge P and the image forming apparatus main body 502.

[0160] Furthermore, a virtual line N3 is a virtual straight line that is perpendicular to the virtual line N2 and passes through the contact point between the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 (the gap between the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 in a configuration in which the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are not in contact with each other). When the region is divided at the virtual line N3, at least a part of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h is disposed in a region opposite the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 4 with the virtual line N3 as the boundary. In the above description, the region AU1 and the region AD1 are defined as a region in which the rotation axis K or the developing coupling member 74 is disposed and a region in which the developing coupling member 74 is not disposed when the boundary is divided at the virtual line N2 as viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2. However, as another definition, the region AU1 and the region AD1 may be defined as a region in which the charging roller 5 or the rotation axis M5 of the charging roller 5 is disposed and a region in which the charging roller 5 is not disposed when the boundary is divided at the virtual line N2 as viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2.

[0161] As another definition, the area AU1 and the area AD1 may be defined as an area where the developing blade 30, the proximity point 30d (see FIG. 54), and the rotation axis M7 (see FIG. 54) of the agitating member 31 (see FIG. 54) are arranged and an area where they are not arranged when the boundary is divided by the imaginary line N2 as viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2. The proximity point 30d is the position closest to the surface of the developing roller 6 of the developing blade 30. In a general electrophotographic cartridge, particularly a process cartridge used in an image forming apparatus with an inline layout, other members of the process cartridge are relatively unlikely to be arranged in the area AD1. In addition, when the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h are arranged in the area AD1, the following advantages are also obtained in the image forming apparatus main body 502. That is, the drive control member 540 of the image forming apparatus main body 502 is disposed below the process cartridge P and moved in a substantially horizontal direction (W51, W52 direction in this embodiment, 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 such a configuration, the drive control member 540 and its drive mechanism can be made relatively simple or compact. This is particularly noticeable in an image forming apparatus with an inline layout. In this way, arranging the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in the area AD1 can be expected to contribute to the miniaturization and cost reduction of the image forming apparatus main body 502.

[0162] The arrangement of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h has been described above with reference to FIG. 53 showing the process cartridge P in which the regulating member 9510 is in the first position. It is clear from other drawings that the same relationship exists in the process cartridge P in the developing unit 9. If the direction perpendicular to the imaginary line N2 is the VD1 direction, the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h are disposed at positions protruding at least in the VD1 direction from the developing unit 9. For this reason, the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h can be disposed so that the first force applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 can abut against the second force receiving portion 9510h and the second force applying surface 540c can abut against the first force receiving portion 9510f, respectively.

[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 portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in this manner, it is possible to arrange a drive transmission portion (not shown) constituted by a gear train or the like for transmitting a drive force from the developing coupling member 74 to the developing roller 6 in a space-saving manner, avoiding the photosensitive drum 4. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the process cartridge P.

[0164] [Layout details-part 3] Using FIG. 54, a concept similar to the concept of arranging at least a part of each of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in the area AD1 as described above will be described. FIG. 54 is a view of the process cartridge P seen from the driving side along the rotation axis M1, the rotation axis K, or the rotation axis M2 of the developing unit 9. The arrangement of the regulating member 9510 described below is almost the same in the first position and the second position, so only the first position will be described and the second position will be omitted. The rotation axis of the toner supply roller (developer supply member) 32 is the rotation axis (rotation center) M6. In addition, the process cartridge P has an agitating member 31 that rotates and agitates the developer contained in the developing unit 9, and the rotation axis of the agitating member 31 is the rotation axis (rotation center) M7.

[0165] A virtual line N10 is a virtual line connecting the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 4 and the rotation axis M5 of the charging roller 5 as a charging member. Among the intersections between the virtual line N10 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 4, the intersection farther from the rotation axis M5 is an intersection MX1. A virtual tangent to the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 passing through the intersection MX1 is a tangent (predetermined tangent) N11. The tangent N11 is used to divide the area into areas where the rotation axis M1, the charging roller 5, the rotation axis M5, the developing coupling member 74, the rotation axis K, the developing blade 30, the proximity point 30d, the toner supply roller 32, the rotation axis M6, the stirring member 31, the rotation axis M7, or the pressed portion 9510c are arranged, and the area where they are not arranged is an area (predetermined area) AD2. The areas AU2 and AD2 may be defined in another way as follows. That is, if a direction parallel to and facing the direction from the rotation axis M5 toward the rotation axis M1 is defined as a direction VD10, the most downstream part of the photosensitive drum 4 with respect to the direction VD10 is the intersection point MX1. With respect to the direction VD10, the area upstream of the most downstream part MX1 is defined as an area AU2, and the area downstream is defined as an area (predetermined area) AD2. Regardless of the expression, the defined areas AU2 and AD2 are the same.

[0166] At least a part of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h is disposed in the area AD2. In this way, disposing at least a part of each of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in the area AD2 is expected to contribute to the miniaturization and cost reduction of the process cartridge P and the image forming apparatus main body 502. This is for the same reason as disposing at least a part of each of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in the area AD1. In addition, the regulating member 9510, the first force receiving portion 9510f, and the second force receiving portion 9510h are displaced at least in the VD10 direction by the movement in the Z1 and Z2 directions. By such displacement in the VD10 direction, it is possible to prevent the regulating member 9510, the first force receiving portion 9510f, and the second force receiving portion 9510h from interfering with the drive control member 540 and preventing the process cartridge P from being inserted or removed from the image forming apparatus main body 502.

[0167] Furthermore, if the direction perpendicular to the tangent N11 is defined as the VD10 direction, when the regulating member 9510 is in the first position, the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h are disposed at positions protruding from the developing unit 9 at least in the VD10 direction. For this reason, the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h can be disposed so that the first force application surface 540b of the drive control member 540 can abut against the second force receiving portion 9510h, and the second force application surface 540c can abut against the first force receiving portion 9510f. The positional relationship of the force receiving portions described above is the same in all of the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0168] Example 9 55 to 58, a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the regulating member and its peripheral configuration are different. Therefore, members having the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0169] [Configuration of regulated components] Figure 55 is a diagram for explaining disassembly and assembly of the regulating member 10510. Figure 56(a) is a perspective view of only the regulating member 10510 and the driving side bearing 10526. Figure 56(b) is a side view of only the regulating member 10510 and the driving side bearing 10526. Figure 56(c) is a side view of only the regulating member 10510 and the driving side bearing 10526 pressed by the cartridge pressing member.

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

[0171] A pair of elongated holes 10510Uk are provided on either side of the open portion 10510Uj. The lower regulating member 10510D is provided with a spring holding portion 10510Dj. One end of a compression spring 10512 is fitted into the spring holding portion 10510Dj, and the other end is inserted through the open portion 10510Uj and supported by a holding portion (not shown) at the back, and then the shafts 10510Da are fitted into the elongated holes 10510Uk for assembly. In this case, the open portion 10510Uj is widened while assembling, so the regulating member 10510 is preferably made of a plastic material. If a hard material is used, the shaft 10510Da may be formed as a separate body. For example, the shaft 10510Da may be a parallel pin and press-fitted for assembly.

[0172] The upper regulating member 10510U and the lower regulating member 10510D are connected by an elongated hole 10510Uk and a pair of shafts 10510Da, and the upper regulating member 10510U is biased in a direction away from the lower regulating member 10510D by a compression spring 10512. Furthermore, the lower regulating member 10510D is configured to be rotatable about the shaft 10510Da with respect to the upper regulating member 10510U. Also, it is configured to be movable relative to the upper regulating member 10510U in a direction along the elongated hole 10510Uk. The connecting portion that connects the upper regulating member 10510U and the lower regulating member 10510D configured as described above is configured to be capable of taking a first state in which elastic deformation is permitted and a second state in which elastic deformation is restricted. Details will be described later.

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

[0174] 56(a), the lower regulating member 10510D is formed with an arc-shaped guide groove 10526b centered on a support portion 10526a provided on the driving side bearing 10526, and the shaft 10510Da is fitted into the guide groove. As described above, the lower regulating member 10510D can swing around the support portion 10526a relative to the upper regulating member 10510U. The upper regulating member 10510U can swing around the support portion 10526a of the driving side bearing 10526 and can move in the Z1 and Z2 directions.

[0175] 56(b), with the above configuration, when the regulating member 10510 is not pressed by the cartridge pressing member (free state), the lower regulating member 10510D can rotate about the shaft portion 10510Da. Therefore, even if the lower regulating member 10510D receives a force from the drive control member 540 and rotates, the force is not transmitted to the upper regulating member 10510U.

[0176] The operation of the regulating member 10510 in a state (locked state) in which it is pressed by the cartridge pressing member will be described with reference to FIG. 56(c). The upper regulating member 10510U moves in the Z2 direction against the biasing force of the spring 10512 by being pressed down by the cartridge pressing member. As shown in FIG. 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 body. That is, the lower regulating member 10510D is restricted from swinging about the shaft portion 10510Da with respect 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, while the shaft 10510Da moves along the arc-shaped guide groove 10526b shown in FIG. 56(a). Therefore, in a state where the regulating member 10510 is pressed in the Z2 direction by the cartridge pressing member, the regulating member 10510 can take the same movement as the regulating member 9510 in the eighth embodiment.

[0177] [Installing the process cartridge into the image forming device] The operation of the regulating member 10510 when inserting the process cartridge in the ninth embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 57(a) and 57(b). Fig. 57(a) shows a state in which the process cartridge P is being inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502. Fig. 57(b) shows a state in which the process cartridge P is being removed from the image forming apparatus main body 502. For the sake of explanation, the driving side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing cover member 9533 are omitted. As described above, in a state in which the upper regulating member 10510U is not pressed by the cartridge pressing member (free state), the lower regulating member 10510D can rotate around the shaft portion 10510Da. In this embodiment, the lower regulating member 10510D is in the same position as the first position (see Fig. 51(b)) of the regulating member 9510 in the eighth embodiment. Therefore, as in the eighth embodiment, when the process cartridge P mounted on the tray 110 (not shown) is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502 in the direction of the arrow X1, the drive control member 540 and the lower regulating member 10510D interfere with each other. However, due to the above-mentioned configuration, as shown in FIG. 57(a), the lower regulating member 10510D rotates about the shaft portion 10510Da as the center of rotation, and the drive control member 540 and the lower regulating member 10510D interfere with each other, preventing the process cartridge P from being inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502. It is possible to avoid it disappearing.

[0178] Next, when the process cartridge P is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502 and the front door 111 is closed, the upper regulating member 10510U is pressed down in the Z2 direction by the cartridge pressing member as described above. Then, the engaging portion (square shaft portion) 10510Dk shown in FIG. 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 are integrated and play substantially the same role as the regulating member 9510 of the eighth embodiment.

[0179] [Removing the process cartridge from the image forming device] Conversely, as shown in FIG. 57(b), when the process cartridge P is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 502 (in the X2 direction), the drive control member 540 and the lower regulating member 10510D interfere with each other. However, as described above, the lower regulating member 10510D is in a free state, and is not integrated with the upper regulating member 10510U, so it rotates around the shaft portion 10510Da. This makes it possible to avoid the drive control member 540 and the lower regulating member 10510D interfering with each other and being unable to remove the cartridge P from the image forming apparatus main body 502. 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. Therefore, depending on the station, the operation shown in FIG. 57 is repeated a maximum of four times.

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

[0181] [Operation of the regulating member for drive connection and disconnection] The operation of the regulating member 10510 during drive connection and disconnection will be described with reference to FIG. 58. FIG. 58(a) shows a state in which the regulating member 10510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. FIG. 58(b) shows a state in which 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 driving side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing cover member 9533 are omitted. Also, the drive connection operation of the developing coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75, the drive connection release operation, and the operation of the drive control member 540 are omitted because they are the same as those in the first embodiment. As described above, when the process cartridge P is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502 and the front door 111 is closed, the upper regulating member 10510U is pressed down in the Z2 direction by the cartridge pressing member. Then, the upper regulating member 10510U and the lower regulating member 10510D become one body.

[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 there is a gap T102 between the second force receiving portion 10510Dh of the foot portion 10510Dg and the first force applying surface 540b. In addition, the regulating lever portion 10510Ud as a moving portion is in a position where it does not contact the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80. This position of the regulating member 10510 is referred to as a first position. At this time, the regulating member 10510 is maintained in the first position and the drive connection state is maintained.

[0183] Furthermore, when the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, the second force application surface 540c comes into contact with the first force receiving portion 10510Df of the lower regulating member 10510D, and the regulating member 10510 rotates in the direction of the arrow V101 in FIG. 58(a) around the support portion 10526a. Then, the regulating lever portion 10510Ud of the upper regulating member 10510U is positioned between the surface 74b of the development coupling member 74 and the surface 80b of the slide member 80. Therefore, the drive connection is maintained in a released state. This position of the regulating member 10510 is referred to as the second position. At this time, The lower regulating 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 abuts against the second force receiving portion 10510Dh of the lower regulating member 10510D, and the regulating member 10510 rotates in the direction of arrow V102 in FIG. 58(b) around the support portion 10526a. Then, the regulating lever portion 10510Ud leaves the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80, and is drivingly connected.

[0184] According to the configuration of this embodiment described above, the same effect as that of the eighth embodiment can be obtained. In this embodiment, the lower regulating member 10510D having the first force receiving portion 10510Df and the second force receiving portion 10510Dh is movable relative to the upper regulating member 10510U and other portions of the process cartridge P. In this embodiment, the first force receiving portion 10510Df and the second force receiving portion 10510Dh are displaced in the Z2 direction by the movement, and are displaced at least in the direction VD1 (FIG. 53, etc.) and the direction VD10 (FIG. 54, etc.). The lower regulating member 10510D is switchable between a state in which it is independently movable (free state) and a state in which it is fixed to the upper regulating member 10510U (locked state) depending on the position of the upper regulating member 10510U. This makes it possible to avoid interference between the lower regulating member 10510D and the image forming apparatus main body 502, particularly the drive control member 540, when inserting or removing the process cartridge P into or from the image forming apparatus main body 502, making it impossible to insert or remove the cartridge.

[0185] Example 10 A tenth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 59 to 63. In this embodiment, configurations and operations different from the previously described embodiments will be mainly described, and descriptions of similar configurations and operations will be omitted. Furthermore, configurations corresponding to the previously described embodiments will be given with the same reference numerals or with the numbers in the first half changed and the numbers and letters in the second half the same.

[0186] [Configuration of regulated components] FIG. 59(a) shows the state before the upper regulating member 11510U and the lower regulating member 11510D are assembled. FIG. 59(b) shows the state after the upper regulating member 11510U and the lower regulating member 11510D are assembled. In this embodiment 10, a regulating member corresponding to the regulating member 9510 in the eighth embodiment is configured to avoid the drive control member 540 in the longitudinal direction (Y1, Y2 directions in FIG. 60(d)) during the process of inserting and removing the process cartridge P into and from the image forming apparatus main body 502 as shown in FIG. The Y1, 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 the first embodiment. The insertion and removal of the regulating member 11510 while avoiding the drive control member 540 will be described later.

[0187] As shown in FIG. 59, the specific configuration of the regulating member 11510 is a two-part configuration of an upper regulating member 11510U and a lower regulating member 11510D. A pair of oblong holes 11510Uk is provided in the upper regulating member 11510U so as to face each other in the X1-X2 direction at a portion where the upper regulating member 11510U overlaps with the lower regulating member 11510D in the direction in which the process cartridge is inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus main body (X1-X2 direction, see FIG. 57). The lower regulating member 11510D is provided with a shaft 11510Da. Also, as shown in FIG. 59(a), the lower regulating member 11510D has foot portions 11510De and 11510Dg that can protrude in the Z2 direction from the developing unit 9. 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. A compression spring 11512 is provided between the upper regulating member 11510U and the lower regulating member 11510D. One end of the compression spring 11512 is supported by a holding portion (not shown) of the upper regulating member 11510U, and the other end is fitted into a holding portion 11510Dj of the lower regulating member 11510D, and then inserted into the oblong hole 1151 Assemble the shaft 11510Da so that it fits into 0Uk (Figure 59(b)).

[0188] The regulating member 11510 assembled in this manner is preferably made of a plastic material because when the shaft 11510Da is fitted into the oblong hole 11510Uk, the tip 11510Uj of the upper regulating member 11510U is expanded during assembly. If the regulating member 11510 is made of a hard material, the shaft 11510Da and the lower regulating member 11510D may be constructed separately. For example, the shaft 11510Da may be press-fitted into the lower regulating member 11510D last and assembled.

[0189] [Explanation of the operation of the regulating member] The operation of the regulating member 11510 will be described with reference to Figs. 60(a) to (e). Fig. 60(a) shows a state (free state) in which the upper regulating member 11510U is not pressed by the cartridge pressing member in the image forming apparatus main body. Fig. 60(b) shows only the regulating member 11510 as viewed from the drum unit side of Fig. 60(a). Fig. 60(c) shows an enlarged view of the lower regulating member 11510D in Fig. 60(b). Fig. 60(d) shows a state (locked state) in which the upper regulating member 11510U is pressed by the cartridge pressing member in the image forming apparatus main body. Fig. 60(e) shows only the regulating member 11510 as viewed from the drum unit side of Fig. 60(d).

[0190] A state (free state) in which the regulating member 11510 is not pressed by the cartridge pressing member will be described with reference to Figures 59(a) and (b). The upper regulating member 11510U is movable in the longitudinal direction of the oval hole 11510Ua and in the Z1 and Z2 directions and can swing around the support part 11510Ua by fitting the elongated hole 11510Ua into the support part 11526Ua of the driving side bearing 11526. In a state in which the upper regulating member 11510U is not pressed by the cartridge pressing member, the lower regulating member 11510D is supported by the shaft 11510Da and can swing around the shaft 11510Da in the directions of the arrows Y3 and Y4 (free state). In this free state, for example, the lower regulating member 11510D supports the shaft 11510Da and is kept swingable around the shaft 11510Da relative to the upper regulating member 11510U by the force of the compression spring 11512 described above. In the free state, the lower regulating member 11510D needs to avoid interference with the drive control member 540 when it is inserted into or removed from the image forming apparatus main body, which will be described later. For example, as shown in Fig. 60(c), a spring seating surface 11510Dn of the lower regulating member 11510D receives the biasing force of a compression spring 11512, thereby maintaining a state in which the lower regulating member 11510D is swung in the Y4 direction relative to the upper regulating member 11510U and avoiding interference. For this purpose, the seating surface 11510Dn of the lower regulating member 11510D is set to be a surface that faces directly against the seating surface 11510Uq of the upper regulating member 11510U when the lower regulating member 11510D is swung in the Y4 direction. As a result, a moment acts on the lower regulating member 11510D in the Y4 direction about the shaft portion 11510Da due to the elastic force of the compression spring 11512 provided between the upper regulating member 11510U and the lower regulating member 11510D, causing the lower regulating member 11510D to maintain the swung state.

[0191] The operation of the regulating member 11510 in a state where it is pressed by the cartridge pressing member (locked state) will be described with reference to Fig. 59(b), Fig. 60(d), and (e). The upper regulating member 11510U is pressed down by the cartridge pressing member, and moves in the Z2 direction against the biasing force of the spring 11512. In a state where the upper regulating member 11510U is pressed by the cartridge pressing member, the tip portion 11510Up of the upper regulating member 11510U shown in Fig. 59(b) fits into the rectangular hole portion 11510Dm of the lower regulating member 11510D. Then, the upper regulating member 11510U and the lower regulating member 11510D are integrated, and the lower regulating member 10510D is restricted from swinging about the shaft portion 10510Da with respect to the upper regulating member 10510U (locked state). In this state, the integrated regulating member 11510 can swing in the V111 and V112 directions with the support portion 11526a as the center of rotation. Therefore, when pressed in the Z2 direction by the cartridge pressing member, the regulating member 11510 It is possible to achieve the same movement as the regulating member 9510 in the eighth embodiment.

[0192] [Installing the process cartridge into the image forming device] The operation of the regulating member 11510 when the process cartridge is inserted in the tenth embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 61(a), (b) and (c). Fig. 61(a) shows a state in which the process cartridge P is being inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502. Fig. 61(b) shows a state in which Fig. 61(a) is viewed from the developing unit side. Fig. 61(c) shows a state in which the process cartridge has been further inserted from Fig. 61(a). For the sake of explanation, the driving side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing device cover member 9533 are omitted.

[0193] As described above, when the upper regulating member 11510U is not pressed by the cartridge pressing member (free state), the lower regulating member 11510D can rotate around the shaft portion 11510Da as the center of rotation, as shown in FIG. 60(b). When the process cartridge P mounted on the cartridge tray (not shown) is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502 in the direction of the arrow X1 or removed in the direction of the arrow X2, the lower regulating member 11510D is inserted in a state in which it is further retreated in the longitudinal direction (Y2 direction) relative to the drive control member 540. This is because the lower regulating member 11510D is held in the state shown in FIG. 60(b) by the action of the compression spring 11512 described above. In addition, the lower regulating member 11510D is provided with a slope 11510Dp, and when it collides with the drive control member 540, the lower regulating member 11510D retreats in the Y2 direction. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where the drive control member 540 and the lower regulating member 11510D interfere with each other and become unable to be inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502.

[0194] Next, when the process cartridge P is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502 and the front door 111 is closed, the upper regulating member 11510U is pressed 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 FIG. 59(b) fits into the rectangular hole portion 11510Dm of the lower regulating member 11510D. In other words, the upper regulating member 10510U and the lower regulating member 10510D are integrated and play substantially the same role as the regulating member 9510 of the eighth embodiment.

[0195] [Removing the process cartridge from the image forming device] The operation of the regulating member 11510 when removing the process cartridge will be described with reference to Figures 62(a), (b), and (c). Figure 62(a) shows the state in which the process cartridge P is in the middle of being removed from the image forming apparatus main body 502. Figure 62(b) shows the state of Figure 62(a) as viewed from the drum unit side. Figure 62(c) shows the state in which the process cartridge has been further removed from Figures 62(a) and (b). For the sake of explanation, the driving side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing device cover member 9533 are omitted.

[0196] As shown in FIG. 62(b), when the process cartridge P is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 502 (X2 direction), the lower regulating member 10510D is removed in a state of being retracted in the longitudinal direction (Y2 direction). In addition, the lower regulating member 11510D is provided with a slope 11510Dq, and when it collides with the drive control member 540, the lower regulating member 11510D further retracts in the Y2 direction. This makes it possible to prevent the drive control member 540 and the lower regulating member 11510D from interfering with each other and preventing the cartridge from being removed from the image forming apparatus main body 502. 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. Therefore, depending on the station, the operation shown in FIGS. 61 and 62 is repeated a maximum of four times. In this way, when the process cartridge P is inserted into or removed from the image forming apparatus main body 502, the lower regulating member 11510D is in a free state.

[0197] [Operation of the regulating member for drive connection and disconnection] The operation of the regulating member 11510 during drive connection and disconnection will be described with reference to Figure 63. Figure 63(a) shows a state in which the regulating member 11510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. Figure 63(b) shows a state in which the regulating member 11510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. For the sake of explanation, the driving side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing cover member 9533 are omitted. Also, the drive connection operation and drive connection release operation of the developing coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75 and the operation of the drive control member 540 are omitted because they are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0198] As described above, when the process cartridge P is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502 and the front door 111 is closed, the upper regulating member 11510U is pressed down in the Z2 direction by the cartridge pressing member. Then, the upper regulating member 10510U and the lower regulating member 10510D are integrated (FIG. 63(a)). At this time, there is a gap T113 between the first force receiving portion 11510Df of the foot portion 11510De and the second force applying surface 540c, and there is a gap T112 between the second force receiving portion 11510Dh of the foot portion 11510Dg and the first force applying surface 540b. In addition, the regulating lever portion 11510Ud is in a position where it does not contact 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 is maintained in the first position and the drive connection state is maintained.

[0199] Furthermore, when the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, the second force application surface 540c comes into contact with the first force receiving portion 11510Df of the lower regulating member 11510D, and the regulating member 11510 rotates in the direction of the arrow V111 in FIG. 62(a) around the support portion 11526a. 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 slide member 80. Therefore, the drive connection is maintained in a released state. 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 application surface 540c, and a gap T114 between the second force receiving portion 11510Dh of the foot portion 11510Dg and the first force application surface 540b. When the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, the first force application surface 540b comes into contact with the second force receiving portion 11510Dh of the lower regulating member 11510D, and the regulating member 11510 rotates in the direction of the arrow V112 in Figure 63(b) around the support portion 11526a. Then, the regulating lever portion 11510Ud moves away from the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80, thereby becoming drivingly coupled.

[0200] According to the configuration of this embodiment described above, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the eighth embodiment. In this embodiment, the lower regulating member 11510D, which includes a first force receiving portion (insertion force receiving portion) 11510Df and a second force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion) 11510Dh, is movable relative to the upper regulating member 11510U and other portions of the process cartridge P. In this embodiment, the first force receiving portion 11510f and the second force receiving portion 11510h are displaced at least in the Y2 direction (a direction parallel to the rotation axis M1 and the rotation axis M2 in the eighth embodiment) by the movement. The lower regulating member 11510D is switchable between a state in which it is independently movable (free state) and a state in which it is fixed to the upper regulating member 11510U (locked state) depending on the position of the upper regulating member 11510U. As a result, by maintaining a free state when inserting or removing the process cartridge P into or from the image forming apparatus main body 502, it is possible to avoid interference between the lower regulating member 11510D and the image forming apparatus main body 502, particularly the drive control member 540, which would prevent the process cartridge P from being inserted or removed.

[0201] Example 11 A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to an eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 64 to 66. The process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the configuration of the cartridge cover member and its surroundings, which will be described later, is different. Therefore, members having the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0202] In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the drive can be switched without depending on the contact and separation operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6, and the component configuration and operation of the drive control member 540 provided in the image forming apparatus main body and the regulating member 510 provided in the process cartridge are the same as those in the first embodiment. According to the configuration of this embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition to the operation described in the first embodiment, a configuration is provided in which the process cartridge or the developing unit further moves in the vertical direction until the image formation time. This operation makes it possible to keep a vertical distance from the drive control member when inserting the process cartridge into the apparatus main body or removing it, more than in the first embodiment, and it becomes easier to avoid the risk of interference with the drive control member and being unable to insert or remove the process cartridge.

[0203] [Process cartridge configuration having a developing unit moving member] 64 and 65, a configuration will be described in which the developing unit in the process cartridge moves in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum of the drum unit. As shown in the first embodiment, the vertical direction in this embodiment refers to the Z direction (arrows Z1 and Z2 in FIG. 5) perpendicular to the X direction (X1, X2) in FIG. 5 and perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum 4. That is, the process cartridge according to this embodiment is configured such that the drum unit as the first unit and the developing unit as the second unit are relatively movable in the vertical direction. The direction of such relative movement (Z1, Z2) is a direction intersecting with the imaginary line N2 shown in FIG. 53.

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

[0205] Here, as shown in Fig. 64(a), in this embodiment, the developing unit 9 is held at a position elevated in the direction of the arrow Z1 compared to Example 1. That is, the drive control member 540 described above in Example 1 is in a positional relationship in which it does not operate relative to the regulating member 510. As shown in Fig. 64(b), in this embodiment, the vertical position of the developing unit 9 is the same as in Example 1. That is, the drive control member 540 described above in Example 1 is in a positional relationship in which it is operable relative to the regulating member 510. A detailed configuration (configuration of the developing unit moving member) in which the developing unit 9 is held vertically movably by the developing unit moving member, which is a vertical direction moving member provided in the process cartridge, will be described later.

[0206] A detailed description will be given of the structure in which the developing unit 9 is held so as to be movable in the vertical directions indicated by the arrows Z1 and Z2. FIG. 65 is a perspective view of the process cartridge as seen from the non-driving side, and is an exploded assembly view of the developing unit moving member. For the sake of explanation, the drum unit is not shown here. As shown in FIGS. 64 and 65, the developing unit moving member, which is a vertical moving member, is an integrated unit member consisting of a driving side developing unit moving bearing 1250, driving side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B, and a driving side cartridge cover member 1252.

[0207] The drive side developing unit moving bearing 1250 has a drive side developing unit cylindrical receiving portion 1250b that supports the cylindrical portion 533b of the developing unit cover member, enabling fitting support. Furthermore, the drive side outer cylindrical portion 1250a of the drive side developing unit moving bearing 1250 is supported by the drive side cartridge cover member sliding portion 1252a of the drive side cartridge cover member so that it can be fitted. The shape of the drive side cartridge cover member sliding portion 1252a is an oblong hole shape parallel to the vertical direction (arrows Z1 and Z2 directions), which allows the drive side developing unit moving bearing 1250 and the developing unit 9 to move in the vertical direction.

[0208] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 64(a), the driving side developing unit moving bearing 1250 and the developing unit 9 are held in a state of abutting against the upper side (Z1 direction) of the oblong hole of the driving side cartridge cover member sliding portion 1252a. As shown in FIG. 65, the driving side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B are attached to the driving side moving spring fixing boss portions 1250c and 1250e of the driving side developing unit moving bearing 1250. The driving side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B are compression springs, and are attached so that the moving spring contact surfaces (moving bearing side) 1251c and 1251e abut against the driving side moving spring fixing boss portions 1250c and 1250e, and the moving spring contact surfaces (cover side) 1251d and 1251f abut against the driving side cover member moving spring receiving portions 1252d and 1252f. As a result, the driving side developing unit moving bearing 1250 and the developing unit 9 are urged in the Z1 direction against the driving side cartridge cover member 1252 by the pressure spring forces of the driving side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B.

[0209] As shown in FIG. 64(b), the driving side developing unit moving bearing 1250 and the developing unit 9 are held in a state of abutting against the lower side (Z2 direction) of the oblong hole of the driving side cartridge cover member sliding portion 1252a. In FIG. 64(b), the vertical positions of the drum unit 8 having the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing unit 9 are the same as those in the first embodiment. That is, the developing coupling member 74 of the developing unit 9 is located on the axis of the swing shaft K. In this state, the drive control member 540 and the regulating member 510 are in a position where they can operate relative to each other, and an image can be formed. To move the developing unit 9 from FIG. 64(a) to the vertical position in FIG. 64(b), the developing unit can be moved by applying the developing unit moving pressing force HF (also called the vertical pressing force) from the image forming apparatus main body in the Z2 direction.

[0210] For example, in conjunction with the operation of closing the front door described in the first embodiment, the main body side vertical moving member (not shown) can generate a vertical (Z2) urging force by contacting and pressing the drive side developing unit moving bearing 1250. At this time, by designing the urging force by the main body side vertical moving member to be larger than the pressure spring urging force of the drive side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B, it becomes possible to move in the Z2 direction and move to the developing unit 9 position in FIG. 64(b). On the other hand, in conjunction with the operation of opening the front door, the contact pressure between the main body side vertical moving member and the drive side developing unit moving bearing 1250 is released, and the developing unit 9 position can be returned to the state in FIG. 64(a) by the pressure spring urging force of the drive side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B described above.

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

[0212] FIG. 66(a) shows a state before the tray and the drive side tray member 1211 provided on the tray are pulled out to the outside of the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge is mounted. As shown in FIG. 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 mounted in the Z2 direction and removed by lifting it in the Z1 direction. Here, the drive side cartridge moving springs 1270A and 1270B are mounted on the drive side cartridge cover member 1262 and fixed to the cartridge moving spring contact surfaces (cartridge side) 1262d and 1262e. Here, the drive side cartridge moving springs 1270A and 1270B are compression springs. The drive side cartridge moving springs 1270A and 1270B are fixed to bosses provided on the drive side cartridge cover member 1262 by any method such as press-fitting or bonding.

[0213] FIG. 66(b) shows a state where a process cartridge is mounted on a drive side tray member 1211 provided on a tray, the tray is inserted into an image forming apparatus, and the front door of the image forming apparatus is opened. As shown in FIG. 66(b), the process cartridge mounted in the Z2 direction is held in a state where the drive side cartridge moving springs 1270A and 1270B provided on the drive side cartridge cover member 1262 are in contact with the drive side cartridge moving spring contact surfaces (tray side) 1211d and 1211e. In the state shown in FIG. 66(b), the drive control member 540 provided on the image forming apparatus and the regulating member 510 provided on the process cartridge are located at positions apart from each other in the vertical direction so that they cannot act on each other, so that even if the tray and the drive side tray member 1211 provided on the tray are moved in the X1 and X2 directions, which are the tray insertion and removal directions, they can be inserted and removed without interference. (The drive control member 540 is positioned offset toward the rear in the longitudinal direction relative to the drive side tray member 1211, and is positioned so that there is no interference when inserting or removing it.) It is necessary to design the spring forces of the drive side cartridge moving springs 1270A, 1270B described above so that the drive control member 540 and the regulating member 510 are positioned far enough apart in the vertical direction that they cannot act on each other, as shown in Figure 66(b).

[0214] Figure 66(c) shows a state where the front door of the image forming apparatus is closed and the process cartridge is vertically moved to the image forming position, and the process cartridge is further moved in the Z2 direction from the state of Figure 66(b). Here, as in the above-mentioned method, the process cartridge is biased in the Z2 direction by the main body side vertical moving member (not shown) in association with the operation of closing the front door. As shown in Figure 66(c), the movement in the Z2 direction is restricted and the position in the Z2 direction is fixed by abutting the driving side cartridge positioning portions (cartridge side) 1262a and 1262b of the driving side cartridge cover member 1262 provided on the process cartridge with the driving side cartridge positioning portions (tray side) 1211a and 1211b provided on the driving side tray member 1211. In addition, the driving side cartridge rotation stop portion (cartridge side) 1262c of the driving side cartridge cover member 1262 has a notched concave shape, and the convex shape of the driving side cartridge rotation stop portion (tray side) 1211c provided on the driving side tray member 1211 fits into it, thereby restricting rotational movement in the X1 and X2 directions.

[0215] Also, as shown in Fig. 66(c), the positions of the driving side cartridge positioning portions (tray side) 1211a and 1211b provided on the driving side tray member 1211 are designed so that the driving control member 540 and the regulating member 510 are in positions where they can act on each other in the vertical direction, which enables stable operation of the image formation described in the embodiment 1. At this time, the driving side cartridge moving springs 1270A and 1270B are in a state further compressed than in Fig. 66(b), and by designing so that the urging force by the vertical moving member on the main body side is greater than the pressure spring urging force of the driving side cartridge moving springs 1270A and 1270B, movement as shown in Fig. 66(c) is possible.

[0216] In this embodiment, the vertical direction moving member is provided on the driving side, but by providing a similar configuration on the non-driving side, the developing unit can move vertically horizontally. Also, from the viewpoint of reducing costs, a configuration in which the developing unit moving member is provided only on the driving side may be used. In that case, the developing unit or the process cartridge is in a tilted state, with only the driving side being lifted in the Z1 direction. Even in a configuration in which only the driving side is provided, the vertical distance between the drive control member 540 and the regulating member 510 provided on the driving side of the image forming apparatus can be increased, so that it is easy to avoid the risk of the process cartridge interfering with the drive control member when inserting or removing the process cartridge into or from the main body of the apparatus. Also, a configuration in which the process cartridge or the developing unit further moves in addition to the operation during image formation in the first embodiment has been described, but the configuration of the vertical direction moving member of this embodiment may be combined with the configuration of other embodiments.

[0217] Example 12 A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to a twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 67 to 72. The process cartridge of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the regulating member 13510 and its peripheral configuration are different. Therefore, members having the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted. Also, the drive coupling operation, the drive coupling release operation, and the operation of the drive control member 540 are omitted because they are the same as those of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 71(a), the regulating member 13510 is configured to avoid the drive control member 540 in the longitudinal direction (arrow Y2 direction) during the process of inserting and removing the process cartridge P into and from the image forming apparatus main body 502. Furthermore, when the mounting is completed, the regulating member 13510 is in the same longitudinal position as the drive control member 540, and the drive coupling release operation is possible as in the first embodiment.

[0218] [Drive side process cartridge configuration] FIG. 67 shows a perspective view of the process cartridge P seen from the driving side. In this embodiment, the regulating member 13510 has a first elongated round hole 13510x and a second elongated round hole 13510y (see FIG. 68(c)), and the outer diameter of the second support portion 13533k of the developing device cover member 13533 is engaged with the inner walls of the first elongated round hole 13510x and the second elongated round hole 13510y, and is supported so as to be swingable about two swing shafts described later. Furthermore, the regulating member 13510 and the developing device cover member 13533 are biased by a tension spring 13511 so as to pull each other. Also, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 13533b of the developing device cover member 13533 is engaged with the support hole 520a of the driving side cartridge cover member 520.

[0219] [Explanation of the structure and operation of the regulation member] The configuration of the regulating member 13510 on the driving side in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 68 to 70. Fig. 68(a) is a front view of the regulating member 13510 as viewed from the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P (the direction of the arrow Y1 in Fig. 67), and Figs. 68(b) and 68(c) are perspective views of the regulating member 13510. The regulating member 13510 has a pressed portion 13510c, a regulating lever portion 13510d, a foot portion 13510e, a foot portion 13510g, a first oblong hole 13510x, and a second oblong hole 13510y. The foot portions 13510e and 13510g have surfaces (second force receiving surface, first force receiving surface) 13510f and 13510h that receive a force from the drive control member 540, respectively. The longitudinal direction LH of the first oblong hole 13510x and the second oblong hole 13510y are the same, and the upward direction (approximately the Z1 direction) is indicated by an arrow LH1, and the downward direction (approximately the Z2 direction) is indicated by an arrow LH2. An axis perpendicular to the LH direction and perpendicular to the depth direction (Y1 direction) of the oblong hole forming the first oblong hole 13510x is indicated by an axis HX. The regulating member 13510 has a cylindrical surface 13510z with the axis HX as its axis. The Y1 direction is parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 described in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the first oblong hole 13510x and the second oblong hole 13510y are arranged with the same apex in the arrow LH1 direction. Furthermore, the first oblong hole 13510x and the second oblong hole 13510y are in communication with each other, and the diameter of the first oblong hole 13510x is set to be larger than the diameter of the second oblong hole 13510y. In addition, the length of the first oblong hole 13510x is set to be longer than the length of the second oblong hole 13510y.

[0220] FIG. 69(a) is a perspective view showing 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 of a first cylindrical portion 13533kb, a second oscillating portion 13533ka made of a spherical surface, and a second cylindrical portion 13533kc having a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical portion 13533kb. Here, an axis passing through the centers of the first cylindrical portion 13533kb and the second cylindrical portion 13533kc is defined as HY. An axis perpendicular to this HY and passing through the center of the sphere of the second oscillating portion 13533ka is the same as the above-mentioned HX. In this embodiment, the second oscillating portion 13533ka is a spherical surface, but the oscillation of the regulating member 13510 in the directions of the arrows YA and YB (see FIG. 70) and the oscillation of the regulating member 13510 in the directions of the arrows BA and B are also shown. It is sufficient that the surface is set within a range that does not interfere with the swinging in the B direction (see FIG. 70), and is not limited to this. In addition, the first elongated hole 13510x and the second elongated hole 13510y of the regulating member 13510 are set with respect to the first cylindrical portion 13533kb and the second cylindrical portion 13533kc in a similar manner as long as they are set within a range that does not interfere with the swinging in the arrow YA, YB directions and the arrow BA, BB directions (see FIG. 70), and the diameter of the elongated hole and the positional relationship in the LH direction are not limited to this.

[0221] FIG. 70 shows a state in which the regulating member 13510 and the tension spring 13511 are assembled to the developing cover member 13533. FIG. 70(a) is a view seen from the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P (the direction of the arrow Y2 in FIG. 67). The longitudinal direction of the process cartridge P is a direction parallel to the swinging axis K described in the first embodiment. The regulating member 13510 is supported by the second support portion 13533k of the developing cover member 13533 so as to be swingable in the directions of the arrows BA and BB around HY. A cross section cut along a straight line passing through the center (HY) of the second support portion 13533k and parallel to the above-mentioned LH direction is shown as the AA cross section in FIG. 70(b). The regulating member 13510 receives a force in the F1 direction from the tension spring 13511 in a state in which the second swinging portion 13533ka is in contact with the inner wall of the first oblong hole 13510x. Here, since the spring hook portion 13510s of the regulating member 13510 is located in the Y2 direction from the contact point between the second swinging portion 13533ka and the first oblong hole 13510x, a moment in the direction of the arrow YA centered on the axis HX is generated by the spring force, causing the regulating member 13510 to swing around the axis HX. The regulating member 13510 swinging in the direction of the arrow YA comes into contact with the moving member regulating portion 13533s of the developing cover member 13533, so that its posture is determined, and the legs 13510e and 13510g protrude in the Y2 direction. This position is the standby position of the regulating member 13510.

[0222] Next, when the pressed surface (second force receiving surface) 13510f is pressed in the direction of the arrow ZA from the state of FIG. 70(b), the second swinging portion 13533ka is located in the Y2 direction from the contact point between the first oblong hole 13510x and the second swinging portion 13533ka, and therefore a moment in the direction of the arrow YB centered on the axis HX is generated, causing the regulating member 13510 to swing around the axis HX. As a result, the legs 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 move in the Y1 direction to the position shown in FIG. 70(c). This position is 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 FIG. 71) of the image forming apparatus main body 502 (not shown). In order to regulate the regulating member 13510 from rotating around the axis HZ perpendicular to the axis HY and the axis HX, the cylindrical surface 13510z is arranged to contact the driving side bearing 526 (see FIG. 67). In addition, the contact between the second cylindrical portion 13533kc and the second oblong hole 13510y also has a similar rotation restricting effect. With the above configuration, the restricting member 13510 is supported so as to be swingable in two directions around the axis HY and the axis HX.

[0223] [Installing the process cartridge into the image forming device] Next, the operation of the regulating member 13510 of the process cartridge P when the process cartridge P is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body 502 (not shown) will be described with reference to FIG. 71. FIG. 71(a) is a view of the state in which the process cartridge P is mounted to the tray 110 (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 502 and the front door 111 is not yet closed, as seen from the front door side. In FIG. 71(a), only the process cartridge P, the pressing member 130, and the drive control member 540 are shown for the purpose of explaining the configuration. In the state of FIG. 71(a), the legs 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 are positioned at the standby position swung in the YA direction as described above when mounted to the tray 110. Also, the legs 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 are positioned in the direction of the arrow Y2 away from the drive control member 540.

[0224] FIG. 71(b) shows a state in which the front door 111 is closed from the state shown in FIG. 71(a). As in the ninth embodiment, when the front door 111 is closed, the pressing member 130 in the image forming apparatus main body 502 descends in the ZA direction, and the force applying portion 130a comes into contact with the pressed portion 13510c of the regulating member 13510. As a result, the legs 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 are pressed against the aforementioned The drive control member 540 is swung in the YB direction by the swing mechanism and reaches the operating position. When this operation is completed, the first force application surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the surface (first force receiving surface) 13510h (see FIG. 72) of the regulating member 13510 face each other, and the second force application surface 540c and the surface 13510f (see FIG. 72) face each other, as in the first embodiment. That is, the legs 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 and the control section 540a of the drive control member 540 are arranged to overlap in the directions of the arrows Y1 and Y2. When the process cartridge P is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 502, the operation is reverse to that of the above-mentioned mounting operation, and the legs 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 move from the operating position to the standby position by opening the front door 111.

[0225] [Drive connection and disconnection switching operation] The switching operation of drive connection and release will be described with reference to FIG. 72. FIG. 72(a) is a view of the state of FIG. 71(b) seen from the drive side, and for the purpose of explaining the configuration, the drive side cartridge cover member 520 and the developing cover member 13533 are not shown. In the state of FIG. 72(a), there is a gap T131 between the first force application 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 application surface 540c and the surface 13510f. In addition, the regulating lever portion 13510d is in a position where it does not contact the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80 (not shown). This position of the regulating member 13510 is referred to as the first position. At this time, the regulating member 13510 is maintained in the first position and the drive connection state is maintained.

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

[0227] As described above, by using this embodiment, it is possible to switch the drive connection state by switching the regulating member 13510 between the first position and the second position by moving the drive control member 540. This makes it possible to switch the drive regardless of the contact / separation operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

[0228] In this embodiment, the legs 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 are movable in the YA direction. This prevents the legs 13510e and 13510g from interfering with the image forming apparatus main body 502, particularly the drive control member 540, when the process cartridge P is inserted into or removed from the image forming apparatus main body 502, making it impossible to insert or remove the cartridge. In this embodiment, when the legs 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 move from the standby position to the operating position, the amount of movement of the legs 13510e and 13510g in the pressing direction (ZA direction) of the pressing member 130 is small. Therefore, it is possible to set the amount of movement of the pressing member 130 required to move the legs 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 from the standby position to the operating position to be small, and the image forming apparatus main body 502 can be further miniaturized.

[0229] The configurations of each of the embodiments described above can be combined with each other as much as possible, provided that no technical contradiction occurs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0230] 4...photosensitive drum, 5...charging roller, 6...developing roller, 7...cleaning blade, 8...drum unit, 9...developing unit, 43...photosensitive body coupling member, 70...spring, 74...developing body 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 main body, 510...regulating member, 510a...supported hole, 510b...regulating lever portion, 510c...foot portion, 51 0d...foot portion, 510e...force receiving portion (first contact portion), 510f...force receiving portion (second contact portion), 510g...cam surface, 510h...slope, 520...driving side cartridge cover member, 520a...support hole, 520b...support hole, 521...non-driving side cartridge cover member, 526...driving side bearing, 526c...support portion, 533...developing cover member, 533b...cylindrical portion, 533c...fitting hole, 540...driving control member, 540a...control portion, 540b...first force application surface, 540c...second force application surface, 801...gear

Claims

1. A cartridge usable with an image forming apparatus main body having a main body force application portion, A developing member; a coupling member capable of receiving a driving force for rotating the developing member; a moving portion that is movable between a driving force transmitting position that allows transmission of the driving force from the coupling member to the developing member and a driving force interrupting position that interrupts transmission of the driving force from the coupling member to the developing member; a holding portion that holds the moving portion at the driving force interrupting position by restricting the moving portion from moving to the driving force transmitting position; a force receiving portion capable of receiving a force from the main body force application portion to move the moving portion from the driving force transmitting position to the driving force interrupting position; having A cartridge characterized in that the force receiving portion receives force from the main body force application portion, causing the moving portion to move from the driving force transmission position to the driving force interruption position, and when the main body force application portion moves away from the force receiving portion, the moving portion is held in the driving force interruption position by the holding portion.

2. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the force receiving portion is also capable of receiving a force from the main body force application portion for moving the moving portion from the driving force interruption position to the driving force transmission position.

3. The force receiving portion is the moving portion comes into contact with the body force application portion only when the moving portion moves from the driving force transmission position to the driving force interruption position and when the moving portion moves from the driving force interruption position to the driving force transmission position, 3. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion is spaced apart from the main body force application portion while the movable portion is held in the driving force interrupting position and while the movable portion is held in the driving force transmitting position.

4. The force receiving portion is The main body applies a force to move the moving part from the driving force transmission position to the driving force interruption position. a first force receiving portion that receives force from the force application portion; a second force receiving portion that receives a force from the main body force application portion to move the moving portion from the driving force interruption position to the driving force transmission position; having The first force receiving portion is the moving portion comes into contact with the main body force application portion only when the moving portion moves from the driving force transmission position to the driving force interruption position, when the moving portion moves from the driving force interrupting position to the driving force transmitting position, the moving portion is separated from the main body force application portion while the moving portion is held at the driving force interrupting position and while the moving portion is held at the driving force transmitting position; The second force receiving portion is A cartridge as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the moving portion is in contact with the main body force application portion at least while the moving portion is held in the driving force interrupting position and while the moving portion is held in the driving force transmitting position when the moving portion moves from the driving force interrupting position to the driving force transmitting position.

5. The second force receiving portion is 5. The cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the movable portion is separated from the main body force application portion only when the movable portion is moved from the driving force transmitting position to the driving force interrupting position.

6. A cartridge usable with an image forming apparatus main body having a main body force application part movable between a first main body position and a second main body position. A developing member; a coupling member capable of receiving a driving force for rotating the developing member; a moving portion that is movable between a driving force transmitting position that allows transmission of the driving force from the coupling member to the developing member and a driving force interrupting position that interrupts transmission of the driving force from the coupling member to the developing member; a holding portion that holds the moving portion at the driving force interrupting position by restricting the moving portion from moving to the driving force transmitting position; a force receiving portion capable of receiving a force for moving the moving portion from the driving force transmitting position to the driving force interrupting position from the main body force application portion moving from the first main body position to the second main body position; having The cartridge is configured such that, when the force receiving portion receives a force from the main body force application portion which moves from the first main body position to the second main body position, the moving portion moves from the drive force transmission position to the drive force interruption position, and then, when the main body force application portion moves from the second main body position to the first main body position, the moving portion is held at the drive force interruption position by the holding portion.

7. The cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that the force receiving portion is capable of receiving a force, which moves the moving portion from the driving force interruption position to the driving force transmission position, from the main body force application portion which is moving from the second main body position to a third main body position which is on the opposite side of the second main body position with respect to the first main body position.

8. The force receiving portion is contacting the body force application portion only when the body force application portion moves between the first body position and the second body position and only when the body force application portion moves between the first body position and the third body position; 8. The cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the cartridge is spaced from the body force application portion while the body force application portion is located at the first body position.

9. The force receiving portion is a first force receiving portion that receives a force from the main body force application portion to move the moving portion from the driving force transmitting position to the driving force interrupting position; a second force receiving portion that receives a force from the main body force application portion to move the moving portion from the driving force interruption position to the driving force transmission position; having The first force receiving portion is the body force application portion contacts the body force application portion only when the body force application portion moves between the first body position and the second body position; The cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that the main body force application portion is separated from the main body force application portion while the main body force application portion is located at the first main body position and when the main body force application portion moves between the first main body position and the third main body position.

10. The second force receiving portion is 10. The cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the cartridge is separated from the main body force application portion only when the main body force application portion moves between the first main body position and the second main body position.

11. a first rotating member and a second rotating member each having a coaxial rotating shaft provided on a transmission path of the driving force from the coupling member to the developing member, the first rotating member and the second rotating member being configured to be capable of taking an engaged position in which they are engaged with each other to transmit the driving force and a non-engaged position in which they are separated from each other to not transmit the driving force; and A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, at the driving force interruption position, the moving portion applies a force to at least one of the first rotating member and the second rotating member located at the engagement position, which releases the engagement between the first rotating member and the second rotating member, thereby separating the first rotating member and the second rotating member.

12. a biasing means for biasing at least one of the first rotating member and the second rotating member so that the first rotating member and the second rotating member are positioned at the engagement position; 12. The cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the force applied by said moving portion to at least one of said first rotating member and said second rotating member at said drive force interruption position acts against the biasing force of said biasing means.

13. the driving force interruption position is a position in which the moving portion is inserted between the first rotating member and the second rotating member, which are in the engaged position, against the biasing force of the biasing means, thereby positioning the first rotating member and the second rotating member at the disengaged position, the driving force transmission position is a position where the moving portion retreats from between the first rotating member and the second rotating member to position the first rotating member and the second rotating member at the engagement position, The cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the moving portion is held in the drive force interruption position by being sandwiched between the first rotating member and the second rotating member by the biasing force of the biasing means.

14. the second rotating member is configured to receive the driving force from the first rotating member by engaging with the first rotating member around the rotation axis, and to be movable in a direction of the rotation axis between an engagement position where the second rotating member engages with the first rotating member and a disengagement position where the second rotating member does not engage with the first rotating member, The biasing means biases the second rotating member to be positioned at the engagement position, 14. A cartridge according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the holding portion is the first rotating member and the second rotating member.

15. A cartridge according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising a second biasing means for applying to the moving part in the drive force interruption position a biasing force including a component force acting in a direction to position the moving part in the drive force interruption position.

16. 16. A cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the second biasing means applies to the movable portion at the driving force transmission position a biasing force including a component force acting in a direction to position the movable portion at the driving force transmission position.

17. 17. A cartridge according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the holding portion includes the second biasing means.

18. A cartridge as described in any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising a third biasing means for applying a biasing force to the moving part which moves from the driving force transmission position to the driving force interruption position, the biasing force acting to position the moving part at the driving force transmission position until the moving part moves from the driving force transmission position to a predetermined position, and applying a biasing force acting to position the moving part at the driving force interruption position once the predetermined position is exceeded.

19. 19. A cartridge according to claim 18, wherein said third biasing means is a toggle spring having one end fixed to a frame of the cartridge and the other end fixed to said moving portion.

20. 20. A cartridge according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the holding portion includes the third biasing means.

21. a clutch provided in a path of transmission of the driving force from the coupling member to the developing member, an input member that receives the driving force from an upstream side of the transmission path and rotates; an output member that receives the driving force from the input member and rotates coaxially with the input member; a transmission member whose relative rotation with respect to the input member and the output member is restricted and which rotates together with the input member and the output member to be in a transmission state in which a driving force is transmitted from the input member to the output member, and a non-transmission state in which the relative rotation is permitted and no driving force is transmitted from the input member to the output member; a control member for switching the transmission member between the transmission state and the non-transmission state; and a clutch including The cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the movable portion, at the driving force interruption position, acts on the control member to put the transmission member in the transmitting state, thereby interrupting the transmission of the driving force from the input member to the output member.

22. In the transmitted state, the transmission member comes into contact with the input member and the relative rotation is restricted by friction between the transmission member and the input member, so that the transmission member rotates integrally with the input member, the control member controls the relative rotation by controlling a state of contact between the input member and the transmission member, The cartridge according to claim 21, characterized in that, at the driving force interruption position, the moving portion acts on the control member to reduce the frictional force between the input member and the transmission member, thereby interrupting the transmission of the driving force from the input member to the output member.

23. The clutch is a spring clutch, the transmission member is a spring wound around an outer periphery of the input member, The control member engages one end of the spring; The cartridge according to claim 22, characterized in that the clutch transmits the driving force by rotating the input member, the spring, the output member, and the control member as one unit, and the moving portion restricts the rotation of the control member at the driving force interruption position to loosen the tightening of the spring against the input member, thereby interrupting the transmission of the driving force from the input member to the output member.

24. The control member has an engaged portion, The cartridge according to claim 23, characterized in that the movable portion has a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the control member, and is capable of assuming an engagement position in which it engages with the engaged portion and a non-engagement position in which it does not engage with the engaged portion by moving about the rotation axis.

25. a rotation direction of the control member and a movement direction of the movable portion from the disengaged position to the engaged position are opposite to each other, The engaged portion is a first engaged portion that faces the moving portion in the engagement position in a rotational direction of the control member and engages with the moving portion; a second engaged portion that faces the moving portion in the engaged position in a direction opposite to a moving direction of the moving portion from the disengaged position to the engaged position and engages with the moving portion; 25. The cartridge of claim 24, comprising:

26. the second engaged portion is an outer circumferential surface of the control member, 26. A cartridge according to claim 25, wherein the first engaged portion is a claw-shaped portion protruding from the outer circumferential surface.

27. When viewed along the direction of the rotation axis of the control member or the rotation axis of the moving part, In a region between a first virtual line passing through the rotation center of the control member and a second virtual line passing through the rotation center of the moving part, the first virtual line being perpendicular to a virtual line connecting the rotation center of the control member and the rotation center of the moving part, 27. A cartridge according to claim 25 or 26, wherein a moving path of said first engaged portion and a moving path of said moving portion intersect with each other.

28. 28. A cartridge according to claim 25, wherein the holding portion is the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion.

29. 29. A cartridge according to any one of claims 24 to 28, further comprising a regulating portion that regulates movement of said moving portion from said engaging position toward said disengaging position.

30. A cartridge as described in any one of claims 24 to 28, further comprising a second biasing means for applying a biasing force to the movable portion in the engagement position, the biasing force including a component force acting in a direction to position the movable portion in the engagement position.

31. 31. A cartridge according to claim 30, wherein the second biasing means applies to the movable portion in the non-engagement position a biasing force including a component force acting in a direction to position the movable portion in the non-engagement position.

32. 32. A cartridge according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the holding portion includes the second biasing means.

33. A cartridge as described in any one of claims 21 to 28, further comprising a third biasing means for applying a biasing force to the movable portion moving from the non-engaged position to the engaged position, the biasing force acting to position the movable portion at the non-engaged position until the movable portion moves from the non-engaged position to a predetermined position, and applying a biasing force acting to position the movable portion at the engaged position once the predetermined position has been exceeded.

34. 34. A cartridge according to claim 33, wherein said third biasing means is a toggle spring having one end fixed to a frame of the cartridge and the other end fixed to said moving portion.

35. 35. A cartridge according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the holding portion includes the third biasing means.

36. a first gear and a second gear that mesh with each other in a transmission path of the driving force from the coupling member to the developing member, A cartridge as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the moving part supports one of the first gear and the second gear, and in the driving force transmission position, positions the one gear at an engagement position where it meshes with the other of the first gear and the second gear, and in the driving force interruption position, positions the one gear at a non-engagement position where it does not mesh with the other gear.

37. a third gear that meshes with the other of the first gear and the second gear in the transmission path; a fourth biasing means for applying a biasing force acting to position the moving portion at the driving force interrupting position; and A moment M3 acting to position the moving part at the drive force interruption position, which is generated by the biasing force of the fourth biasing means, is is greater than a moment M1 acting to position the moving part at the driving force transmission position, the moment M1 being generated by meshing between the other gear and the third gear when the moving part is at the driving force interruption position, The cartridge according to claim 36, characterized in that, when the movable portion is in the driving force transmission position, the moment M1 is smaller than a sum of a moment M2 generated by meshing between the first gear and the second gear and acting to position the movable portion in the driving force transmission position.

38. 38. A cartridge according to claim 37, wherein said fourth biasing means is a tension spring having one end fixed to a frame of the cartridge and the other end fixed to said moving portion.

39. 39. A cartridge according to claim 37 or 38, wherein the holding portion is the first gear and the second gear which mesh with each other when the moving portion is in the drive force blocking position.

40. Further comprising a photoreceptor, When viewed along the direction of the rotation axis M2 of the developing member, A cartridge described in any one of claims 1 to 29 and 36 to 39, characterized in that the force receiving portion is configured to be movable in a direction intersecting an imaginary line N2 connecting the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive body and the rotation axis M2.

41. At least a part of the force receiving portion is a region divided by the virtual line N2. A cartridge according to claim 40, characterized in that the axis of rotation K of the coupling member is included in the excluded region.

42. A cartridge as described in Claim 40, characterized in that at least a portion of the force receiving portion is included in an area that does not include the rotation axis M1, among the areas divided by a virtual line N3 that is perpendicular to the virtual line N2 and passes between the photosensitive body and the developing member.

43. A photoconductor; The photosensitive drum further includes a charging member for charging the photosensitive drum, When viewed along the direction of the rotation axis M1 of the photoconductor or the rotation axis M2 of the developing member, A cartridge described in any one of claims 1 to 29 and 36 to 39, characterized in that the force receiving portion is configured to be movable in a direction intersecting with an imaginary line N10 connecting the rotation axis M1 and the rotation axis M5 of the charging member.

44. The cartridge described in claim 43, characterized in that at least a portion of the force receiving portion is included in an area that does not include the rotation axis M1, the rotation axis M2, and the rotation axis M5, within an area divided by a tangent N11 to the surface of the photosensitive body, which passes through an intersection point MX1 of the virtual line N10 with the surface of the photosensitive body that is farther from the rotation axis M5.

45. 45. A cartridge according to any one of claims 40 to 44, wherein the moving portion and the force receiving portion are integrally formed.

46. A cartridge described in any one of claims 40 to 44, characterized in that the movable portion and the force receiving portion are connected to each other and are configured to be able to take a first state in which the force receiving portion can move relative to the movable portion, and a second state in which the movable portion and the force receiving portion can move integrally with each other.

47. a connecting portion that connects the moving portion and the force receiving portion has elasticity, 47. A cartridge according to claim 46, wherein said connecting portion is allowed to undergo elastic deformation in said first state, and is restricted from undergoing elastic deformation in said second state.

48. a first unit having a photoconductor and a first frame supporting the photoconductor; a second unit including the developing member and a second frame supporting the developing member and the coupling member; and When viewed along the direction of the rotation axis M1 of the photoconductor or the rotation axis M2 of the developing member, A cartridge described in any one of claims 1 to 29 and 36 to 39, characterized in that the first unit and the second unit are configured to be movable relative to each other in a direction intersecting an imaginary line N2 connecting the rotational axis M1 and the rotational axis M2.

49. A cartridge according to claim 48, characterized in that the moving portion is provided in the second unit.

50. 40. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 29 and 36 to 39, wherein said force receiving portion is configured to be movable in the direction of the rotation axis of said developing member.

51. 51. A cartridge according to claim 50, wherein said force receiving portion is configured to be swingable about an axis parallel to an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis of said developing member.

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