Cartridges and drum units used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses

Abstract

To develop a technology related to a cartridge including a coupling that is tiltable with respect to the axis of rotation of a photoconductor drum.SOLUTION: A cartridge comprises an entry target part into which a coupling member is entered due to inclination toward the downstream side in an attachment direction, the entry target part into which a coupling guide is entered in place of the coupling member in association with engagement of the coupling member with an engaging part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge and a drum unit used in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, such as a laser beam printer. [Background technology]

[0002] In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, a configuration is known in which elements such as a photosensitive drum and a developing roller as rotating bodies involved in image formation are integrated into a cartridge that is detachably mountable to the main body of the image forming apparatus (hereinafter, the main body of the apparatus). In this case, it is desirable to transmit a driving force from the main body of the apparatus to rotate the photosensitive drum in the cartridge. In this case, a configuration is known in which the driving force is transmitted by engaging a coupling member on the cartridge side with a driving force transmitting portion such as a drive pin on the main body of the apparatus.

[0003] Here, a configuration is known for an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge can be removed in a predetermined direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum. Furthermore, an apparatus body is known that does not have a mechanism for moving a drive pin of the apparatus body in the direction of the rotation axis by opening and closing the cover of the apparatus body. Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a coupling member provided at an end of a photosensitive drum is tiltable with respect to the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum. This allows a coupling member provided on the cartridge to engage with a drive pin provided on the apparatus body, thereby transmitting a driving force from the apparatus body to the cartridge. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-233867 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] This is an improvement over the prior art discussed above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] So, A cartridge that can be mounted in a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main body of the apparatus comprising: a holding member; a drive head rotatably supported on the holding member; and a main body-side protrusion that is fixed to the holding member at a position downstream of a rotation axis of the drive head in a mounting direction of the cartridge and protrudes toward a photosensitive member provided in the cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis, the cartridge being mountable in the main body of the apparatus by moving the cartridge in a mounting direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drive head. The cartridge includes a frame, the photoconductor rotatable while carrying a developer, and a force-receiving member attached to an end of the photoconductor and to which a rotational force is transmitted to be transmitted to the photoconductor, the frame having: (i) a hole portion provided at a first end of the frame in relation to a direction of a rotational axis of the photoconductor and surrounding the rotational axis of the photoconductor; (ii) a first surface provided at the first end of the frame and extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the photoconductor; and (iii) a surface opposite to the first end of the frame in relation to the direction of the rotational axis of the photoconductor. a recess recessed from the first surface toward a second end of the photoconductor, the recess including a second surface extending in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the photoconductor, a first end, and a second end; and (iv) a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion protruding beyond the first surface in a direction from the second end to the first end with respect to the direction of the rotation axis of the photoconductor, the second surface being disposed closer to the second end of the frame than the first surface, the first end of the recess being disposed downstream of the hole with respect to the mounting direction, and the second end of the recess being disposed downstream of the hole with respect to the mounting direction. the cartridge is disposed downstream of a first end, the first end and the second end of the recess are open, and when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus main body, the main body side protrusion passes through the second end of the recess and enters the recess and reaches the first end, and when the cartridge is divided into two regions by a straight line that is parallel to the mounting direction and passes through the rotation axis of the photosensitive body, as viewed along the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive body, at least a part of the first protrusion is disposed in one region and at least a part of the second protrusion is disposed in the other region. A cartridge is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0008] It has been possible to develop the above-mentioned prior art. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus main body and the cartridge according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of how a cartridge is attached to and detached from the main assembly of the apparatus in the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 11A and 11B are explanatory views showing a state in which the cartridge is attached to and detached from the main assembly of the apparatus while the coupling member in the embodiment is tilted; [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a coupling member according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 6 is an explanatory diagram of a recess portion of a coupling member according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a drum unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of how the drum unit according to the embodiment is incorporated into a cleaning unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a driving side flange unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 3A and 3B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a driving side flange unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams of a method of assembling the driving side flange unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a bearing member according to an embodiment. [Figure 14]FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a bearing member according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the coupling member according to the embodiment tilts with respect to the axis L1. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drive unit of the device main body in the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a drive unit of the main body of the device according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a drive unit of the device main body according to the embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the cartridge in the process of being mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the cartridge in the process of being mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the state where mounting of the cartridge in the apparatus main body according to the embodiment is completed. [Figure 22] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a coupling guide according to the embodiment. [Figure 23] 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of a state in which the cartridge according to the embodiment is removed from the main assembly of the apparatus. [Figure 24] 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams of a state in which the cartridge according to the embodiment is removed from the main assembly of the apparatus. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the cartridge in the process of being mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 26] 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of a coupling member and a main body side engaging portion according to the embodiment. [Figure 27] 11A and 11B are explanatory views of a disengagement operation between the coupling member and the main assembly side engaging portion when the cartridge in the embodiment is removed from the main assembly of the apparatus. [Figure 28] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a coupling guide according to the embodiment. [Figure 29] 5A and 5B are explanatory views of a coupling member and a drive pin according to the embodiment. [Diagram 30] 5A and 5B are explanatory views of a cartridge and a coupling guide according to the embodiment. [Diagram 31] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a bearing member according to an embodiment. [Diagram 32]FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a bearing member according to an embodiment. [Diagram 33] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a bearing member according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Here, an image forming apparatus that employs the electrophotographic method is called an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The electrophotographic method refers to a method in which an electrostatic image formed on a photoreceptor is developed with toner. The development method here does not matter whether it is a one-component development method, a two-component development method, or a dry development method. Also, an electrophotographic photoreceptor drum refers to a configuration in which a photoreceptor is provided on the surface of a drum-shaped cylinder used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0012] Here, the charging roller, developing roller, etc., which are involved in image formation acting on the photosensitive drum, are referred to as process means. Also, a cartridge equipped with a photosensitive body or process means (cleaning blade, developing roller, etc.) involved in image formation is referred to as a process cartridge. In the embodiment, a process cartridge in which a photosensitive drum, a charging roller, a developing roller, and a cleaning blade are integrated will be described as an example.

[0013] In the embodiment, a laser beam printer will be described as an example of an electrophotographic printer that is used in a wide range of applications such as multifunction machines, FAX machines, printers, etc. Note that the reference numerals in the embodiment are for reference to the drawings and do not limit the configuration. Also, the dimensions in the embodiment are for clearly explaining the relationships and do not limit the configuration.

[0014] The longitudinal direction of the process cartridge in the embodiment is a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The longitudinal direction of the process cartridge is parallel to the rotation axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum (a direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction). In the longitudinal direction, the side where the photosensitive drum receives a rotational force from the main body of the image forming apparatus of the process cartridge is the driving side (driven side), and the opposite side is the non-driving side. In addition, when the term "upper side" is used without any particular specification, the upper side in the direction of gravity when the image forming apparatus is installed is regarded as the upper side, and the opposite direction (reverse direction) is regarded as the lower side in the direction of gravity (lower side). EXAMPLES

[0015] The laser beam printer of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The cartridge in this embodiment is a process cartridge that integrates a photosensitive drum as a photosensitive body (image carrier / rotating body) and a developing roller, charging roller, and cleaning blade as process means. This cartridge is detachable (removable) from the main body of the device. Here, the cartridge includes rotating bodies / rotating members (gears, photosensitive drum, flange, developing roller) that rotate by receiving a rotational force from the main body of the device, and the member that carries and transports the toner image is called a carrier.

[0016] The configuration of a laser beam printer as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and an image forming process will be described below with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Next, the detailed configuration of a process cartridge will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0017] §1 (Explanation of laser beam printers and the image formation process) Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a laser beam printer main body A (hereinafter referred to as main body A) which is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge (hereinafter referred to as cartridge B). Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge B.

[0018] In the following description, the apparatus main body A refers to the portion of the laser beam printer, which is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, excluding the detachable process cartridge B.

[0019] First, the configuration of a laser beam printer, which is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, will be described with reference to FIG.

[0020] The electrophotographic image forming apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is a laser beam printer that utilizes electrophotographic technology and has a process cartridge B that is detachable (mountable and removable) from an apparatus main body A. When the process cartridge B is mounted in the apparatus main body A, the process cartridge B is disposed below, in the direction of gravity, a laser scanner unit 3 that serves as an exposure means (exposure device).

[0021] Further, below the process cartridge B in the direction of gravity, there is disposed a sheet tray 4 which accommodates sheets P as recording media (sheet materials) on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus.

[0022] Furthermore, in the apparatus main body A, a pickup roller 5a, a pair of feeding rollers 5b, a pair of conveying rollers 5c, a transfer guide 6, a transfer roller 7, a conveying guide 8, a fixing device 9, a pair of discharge rollers 10, and a discharge tray 11 are arranged in this order from the upstream side along the conveying direction X1 of the sheet P. The fixing device 9 as a fixing means is composed of a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b.

[0023] Next, the image forming process will be outlined with reference to FIGS.

[0024] Based on a print start signal, a photosensitive drum 62 (hereinafter referred to as drum 62), which is a rotatable rotating body (photosensitive body) carrying a developer, is rotated in the direction of arrow R at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed).

[0025] The charging roller 66 to which a bias voltage is applied comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 and charges the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 uniformly.

[0026] The laser scanner unit 3 as an exposure means outputs a laser beam L corresponding to image information input to the laser printer. The laser beam L passes through an exposure window 74 on the upper surface of the process cartridge B, and scans and exposes the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. As a result, a part of the charged photosensitive member is discharged, and an electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

[0027] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2, in developing unit 20 as a developing device, developer (hereinafter referred to as “toner T”) in toner chamber 29 is stirred and transported by rotation of transport screw 43 as a transport member, and is sent out to toner supply chamber .

[0028] The toner T as developer is supported on the surface of the developing roller 32 as a developing means (process means / rotating body) by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 34 (fixed magnet). The developing roller 32 functions as a rotating body that supports and transports the developer to a development area to develop the electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive body. The layer thickness of the toner T transported to the development area is regulated by the developing blade 42 on the circumferential surface of the developing roller 32. The toner T is frictionally charged between the developing roller 32 and the developing blade 42.

[0029] The developing roller, which serves as a rotating body that carries and transports toner on its surface, develops (makes visible) the electrostatic image formed on the drum 62 with the toner T carried on its surface. That is, the drum 66 carries the developed toner (toner image) on its surface and rotates in the direction of arrow R.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, in synchronization with the output timing of the laser light L, a sheet P stored in the lower part of the apparatus main body A is fed from the sheet tray 4 by a pickup roller 5a, a feeding roller pair 5b, and a conveying roller pair 5c.

[0031] Then, the sheet P is supplied to a transfer position (transfer nip) between the drum 62 and the transfer roller 7 via a transfer guide 6. At this transfer position, the toner image is sequentially transferred from the drum 62 as an image carrier to the sheet P as a recording medium.

[0032] The sheet P onto which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the drum 62 as an image carrier and transported along a transport guide 8 to a fixing device 9. The sheet P then passes through a fixing nip portion between a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b which constitute the fixing device 9. In this fixing nip portion, the unfixed toner image on the sheet P is fixed to the sheet P by being pressed and heated. Thereafter, the sheet P on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed by a pair of discharge rollers 10 and discharged onto a discharge tray 11.

[0033] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 2, after the toner T is transferred to the sheet, residual toner that has not been transferred to the sheet and remains on the surface of the drum 62 adheres to the surface of the drum 62. This residual toner is removed by a cleaning blade 77 that contacts the peripheral surface of the drum 62. As a result, the toner remaining on the drum 62 is cleaned off, and the cleaned drum 62 is charged again and used in the image forming process. The toner removed from the drum 62 (residual toner) is stored in a waste toner chamber 71b of the cleaning unit 60.

[0034] In the above, the charging roller 66, the developing roller 32, and the cleaning blade 77 all function as process means acting on the drum 62. The image forming apparatus of this embodiment employs a system in which the cleaning blade removes the residual toner after transfer, but it may also employ a system in which the charge-adjusted residual toner is collected by the developing device at the same time as development (cleanerless system). In the cleanerless system, an auxiliary charging member (auxiliary charging brush, etc.) for adjusting the charge of the residual toner after transfer also functions as process means.

[0035] §2 (Process cartridge configuration description) Next, the detailed structure of the process cartridge B will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0036] 3 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge B as a cartridge. The frame of the process cartridge can be disassembled into a plurality of units. The process cartridge B of this embodiment is an integrated unit of two units, a cleaning unit 60 and a developing unit 20. In this embodiment, the developing unit 20 that holds the drum 62 and the cleaning unit 60 are described using a configuration in which the two units are connected by two connecting pins 75 as connecting members, but the two units may be separated into three or more units. Of course, the plurality of units may not be connected by connecting members such as pins, and only some of the units may be replaceable.

[0037] The cleaning unit 60 is composed of a cleaning frame 71, a drum 62, a charging roller 66, a cleaning blade 77, etc. A coupling member 86 (coupling) serving as a driving force transmission component is provided at the driving side end of the drum (cylinder) 62 as a rotating body. The driving force is transmitted from the apparatus main body to the drum 62 as a rotating body via the coupling member 86 (coupling). Therefore, in other words, the coupling member 86 (coupling) serving as a driving force transmission component is provided at the end of the drum 62 on the side driven by the apparatus main body A (driven side end).

[0038] As shown in Fig. 3, the drum 62 (photosensitive drum) as a rotating body can rotate around a rotation axis L1 (hereinafter referred to as axis L1) as a drum axis (rotation axis of the drum 62). Also, the coupling member 86 as a driving force transmission member can rotate around a rotation axis L2 (hereinafter referred to as axis L2) as a coupling axis (rotation axis of the coupling). Here, the coupling member 86 as a driving force transmission member (driving force transmission part) is configured to be inclined (tilted) with respect to the drum 62. In other words, the axis L2 can be inclined with respect to the axis L1 (details will be described later).

[0039] On the other hand, the developing unit 20 is composed of a toner storage container 21, a lid 22, a developing container 23, a first side member 26L (driving side), a second side member 26R (non-driving side), a developing blade 42, a developing roller 32, and a magnet roller 34. Here, the toner storage container 21 contains a transport screw 43 (agitation sheet) as a transport member for transporting toner, and toner T as a developer. The developing unit 20 also includes a spring (in this embodiment, a helical spring 46 (coil spring) is used) as a biasing member that applies a biasing force between the developing unit 20 and the cleaning unit 60 to regulate the position of the unit. Furthermore, the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20 are rotatably connected to each other by a connecting pin 75 (connecting pin / pin) as a connecting member, and constitute the process cartridge B.

[0040] Specifically, rotation holes 23bL, 23bR are provided at the tips of arm portions 23aL, 23aR formed in the developer container 23 at both ends in the longitudinal direction (axial direction of the developer roller 32) of the development unit 20. The rotation holes 23bL, 23bR are provided in parallel with the axis of the development roller 32.

[0041] Further, a fitting hole 71a into which a connecting pin 75 is fitted is formed at each of both longitudinal ends of a cleaning frame 71, which is a frame (casing) on ​​the cleaning unit side. Then, the arm portions 23aL, 23aR are aligned with predetermined positions of the cleaning frame 71, and the connecting pin 75 is inserted into the rotation holes 23bL, 23bR and the fitting hole 71a. As a result, the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20 are connected to be rotatable about the connecting pin 75 serving as a connecting member.

[0042] At this time, a helical spring 46 (coil spring) as a biasing member attached to the base of the arm portions 23aL and 23aR comes into contact with the cleaning frame 71 and biases the developing unit 20 toward the cleaning unit 60 with the connecting pin 75 as the rotation center.

[0043] As a result, the developing roller 32 as a process means is reliably pressed toward the drum 62 as a rotating body. As a result, the developing roller 32 is kept at a predetermined distance from the drum 62 by spacers (not shown) as ring-shaped spacing maintaining members attached to both ends of the developing roller 32.

[0044] §3 (Installation and removal of process cartridge) In the above-mentioned configuration, the operation of mounting and demounting the process cartridge B to and from the main assembly A of the apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0045] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of how the process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body A. Figure 4(a) is a perspective view seen from the non-driving side, and Figure 4(b) is a perspective view seen from the driving side. The driving side refers to the longitudinal end of the process cartridge B where the coupling member 86 is provided.

[0046] An opening / closing door 13 is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body A. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the apparatus main body with the opening / closing door 13 open.

[0047] Inside the main body A of the apparatus, there are a drive head 14 as a main body side engaging part and a guide member 12 as a guide mechanism. The drive head 14 is a drive transmission mechanism on the main body side that transmits a driving force to a cartridge mounted on the main body A of the apparatus and engages with a coupling member 86 of the cartridge provided on the main body side. After the engagement, the drive head 14 rotates to transmit a rotational force to the cartridge. The drive head 14 can be considered as a coupling on the main body side in that it engages with a coupling provided in the process cartridge B to transmit a drive force. Here, the drive head 14 as a main body side engaging part is supported by the main body A of the apparatus so as to be rotatable. The drive head 14 also includes a drive shaft 14a as an axis part and a drive pin 14b as an applying part that applies a rotational force (see FIG. 5(b3)). In this embodiment, the drive pin 14b is described, but it may be configured to include a protrusion (convex part) that protrudes radially outward from the rotation axis of the drive shaft 14a, and to transmit a driving force from the surface of the protrusion to the cartridge side. Alternatively, the drive pin 14a may be press-fitted into a hole in the drive shaft 14a and then welded. The hatched areas in Fig. 5(b1) to Fig. 5(b4) represent cut surfaces. Note that the cross-sectional views in Fig. 5 and subsequent figures are similarly hatched.

[0048] Further, the guide member 12 serving as a guide mechanism is a main body side guide member that guides the process cartridge B into the apparatus main body A. The guide member 12 may be a plate-like member having a guide groove, or may be a member that is provided to guide the process cartridge B while supporting it from below.

[0049] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a manner in which the process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body A while the coupling member 86 serving as a driving force transmission part is inclined (tilted, swung, rotated) will be described.

[0050] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the main assembly A of the apparatus while the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilting, swinging, turning). FIG. 5(a1) to FIG. 5(a4) are enlarged views of the vicinity of the coupling member 86 as viewed from the driving side toward the non-driving side. FIG. 5(b1) is a cross-sectional view (S1 cross-sectional view) taken along the S1-S1 cutting line shown in FIG. 5(a1). Similarly, FIG. 5(b2) is a cross-sectional view (S1 cross-sectional view) taken along the same S1-S1 cutting line as FIG. 5(a2), FIG. 5(b3) is a cross-sectional view (S1 cross-sectional view) taken along the same S1-S1 cutting line as FIG. 5(a3), and FIG. 5(b4) is a cross-sectional view (S1 cross-sectional view) taken along the same S1-S1 cutting line as FIG. 5(a1).

[0051] 5(a1) to 5(a4) show the process cartridge B being mounted in the apparatus main body A, and FIG. 5(a4) shows the state in which the process cartridge B has been completely mounted in the apparatus main body A. In FIG. 5, only two components of the apparatus main body A, namely, the guide member 12 and the drive head 14, are depicted, and the other components are components of the process cartridge B.

[0052] Here, the directions indicated by the arrows X2 and X3 in FIG. 5 are approximately perpendicular to the rotation axis L3 of the drive head 14. Hereinafter, the direction indicated by the arrow X2 is called the X2 direction, and the direction indicated by the arrow X3 is called the X3 direction. Similarly, the X2 and X3 directions are approximately perpendicular to the axis L1 of the drum 62 of the process cartridge. In FIG. 5, the direction indicated by the arrow X2 is the direction in which the process cartridge B is mounted to the main body A of the apparatus (downstream in the cartridge mounting direction). Also, the direction indicated by the arrow X3 is the direction in which the process cartridge B is removed from the main body of the apparatus (upstream in the cartridge mounting direction). Also, the direction indicated by the arrows X2 and X3 can be regarded as the mounting and removal directions together. Also, it can be regarded that the mounting and removal have a directional meaning. In this case, the description may be made using expressions such as upstream in the mounting direction, downstream in the mounting direction, upstream in the removal direction, and downstream in the removal direction.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, the process cartridge B has a spring as a biasing member (elastic member). In this embodiment, a torsion spring 91 (also called a torsion spring, torsion coil spring, or kick spring) is used as this spring. This torsion spring 91 biases the free end 86a of the coupling member so as to fall in a direction approaching the drive head 14. In other words, during the mounting process of the process cartridge B, the torsion spring 91 biases the coupling member 86 so that the free end 86a faces downstream in the mounting direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drive head 14. The process cartridge B is inserted into the main body A of the apparatus while the coupling member 86 maintains a position (state) in which the free end 86a faces the drive head 14 (details will be described later).

[0054] Here, the rotation axis of the drum 62 is axis L1, the rotation axis of the coupling member 86 is axis L2, and the rotation axis of the drive head 14 serving as the main body side engaging portion is axis L3. At this time, as shown in Fig. 5(b1) to Fig. 5(b3), the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the axis L1 and the axis L3. The rotation axis of the drive head 14 is substantially the same as the rotation axis of the drive shaft 14a. In addition, the drive side flange 87 is provided at the end of the drum 62 and rotates integrally therewith, so the rotation axis of the drive side flange 87 is substantially the same as the rotation axis of the drum 62.

[0055] When the process cartridge B is inserted to the extent shown in Figures 5(a3) and 5(b3), the coupling member 86 comes into contact with the drive head 14. Figure 5(b3) shows an example in which the drive pin 14b, which serves as an application part for applying a rotational force, comes into contact with the standby part 86k1 of the coupling member. This contact restricts the position (tilt) of the coupling member 86, and the amount of inclination (tilt) of the axis L2 relative to the axis L1 (axis L3) gradually decreases.

[0056] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the drive pin 14b as the applying portion abuts against the standby portion 86k1 of the coupling member. However, depending on the phase state of the rotation direction of the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14, the portion where the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 abut changes. Therefore, the abutment position is not limited to that of this embodiment. Any portion of the free end portion 86a (details of which will be described later) of the coupling member may abut against any portion of the drive head 14.

[0057] When the process cartridge B is inserted to the mounting completion position, the axis L2 is substantially aligned with the axis L1 (axis L3) as shown in Figure 5 (a4) (b4). In other words, the rotation axes of the coupling member 86, the drive head 14, and the drive side flange 87 are aligned in a straight line.

[0058] In this way, the coupling member 86 provided on the process cartridge B engages with the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion, so that a rotational force can be transmitted from the main body of the apparatus to the cartridge. When the process cartridge B is removed from the main body A of the apparatus, the state transitions from FIG. 5(a4) and (b4) to FIG. 5(a1) and (b1). As in the mounting operation, the coupling member 86 inclines (tilts) with respect to the axis L1, so that the coupling member 86 disengages from the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion. That is, the process cartridge B moves in the X3 direction (approximately perpendicular to the rotation axis L3 of the drive head 14) opposite to the X2 direction, and the coupling member 86 disengages from the drive head 14.

[0059] It is sufficient that the process cartridge B moves in the X2 or X3 direction only in the vicinity of the mounting completion position. In places other than the vicinity of the mounting completion position, the process cartridge B may move in any direction. In other words, it is sufficient that the trajectory of the cartridge immediately before the coupling member 86 engages with or disengages from the drive head 14 moves in a predetermined direction approximately perpendicular to the rotation axis L3 of the drive head 14.

[0060] §4 (Description of coupling parts) Next, the coupling member 86 will be described with reference to Figure 6. The direction of rotation is expressed as clockwise, counterclockwise, right-handed, or left-handed based on the direction of the clock's hand movement. The rotation direction R in Figure 6 is counterclockwise when looking from the drive side to the non-drive side of the cartridge.

[0061] In addition, in order to explain the configuration of each element shown in the drawings, a line drawn on a plane for explanation is called a virtual line, and a surface drawn on a perspective view for explanation is called a virtual surface. When it is necessary to use multiple virtual lines for explanation, expressions such as a first virtual line, a second virtual line, and a third virtual line are used. Similarly, when it is necessary to use multiple virtual surfaces for explanation, expressions such as a first virtual surface, a second virtual surface, and a third virtual surface are used. Unless otherwise specified, when expressing the inside of the cartridge (toward the inside of the cartridge) or the outside of the cartridge (toward the outside of the cartridge), the inside is considered to be the inside (inward direction) and the outside is considered to be the outside (outward direction) based on the frame.

[0062] Fig. 6(a) is a side view of the coupling member 86. Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 86 taken along the S2-S2 cutting line in Fig. 6(a). Note that Fig. 6(b) shows the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging part in an uncut state.

[0063] Figure 6(c) is a diagram for explaining a state in which the coupling member 86 is engaged with the drive head 14. Specifically, it is a diagram in which the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 are viewed in the direction of arrow V1 in Figure 6(a) from the end (end face) of the drive side of the cartridge and from the outside of the drive head 14. Moreover, Fig. 6(d) is a perspective view of the coupling member 86. Fig. 6(e) is an explanatory diagram of the vicinity of a free end portion 86a (described later), and is a side view seen in a direction along receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 that receive a rotational force (V2 direction in Fig. 6(c)).

[0064] 6, the coupling member 86 has three main sections: simply put, it consists of two end sections and a middle section therebetween.

[0065] The first portion is a free end portion 86a that engages with the drive head 14 as a main body side engaging portion and receives a rotational force from the drive head 14. The free end portion 86a also has an opening portion 86m that widens toward the driving side.

[0066] The second portion is a connecting portion 86c (received portion) that is substantially spherical. This connecting portion 86c is tiltably held (connected / coupled) by a driving side flange 87, which is a force receiving member. The driving side flange 87 is attached to one end of the drum (cylinder end), and the non-driving side flange 64 is attached to the other end.

[0067] The first portion can be considered to include one end of the coupling member, and the second portion can be considered to include the other end of the coupling member. The second portion can be considered to include the center of rotation of the coupling member when it rotates (tilts) when held by the driving side flange 87.

[0068] The third portion is a connecting portion 86g that connects the free end portion 86a and the connecting portion 86c.

[0069] Here, the maximum rotation diameter φZ2 of the connecting portion 86g is smaller than the maximum rotation diameter φZ3 of the joint portion 86c (φZ2<φZ3), and is smaller than the maximum rotation diameter φZ1 of the free end portion 86a (φZ2<φZ1). In other words, the diameter of at least a part of the connecting portion 86g is smaller than the maximum part of the diameter of the joint portion. Also, the diameter of at least a part of the connecting portion 86g is smaller than the maximum part of the diameter of the free end portion 86a. This diameter is the maximum rotation diameter around the rotation axis of the coupling member, and refers to the largest diameter part of the imaginary circle drawn by each cross section of the coupling member on an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the coupling member.

[0070] Also, the maximum rotation diameter φZ3 of the joint portion 86c is larger than the maximum rotation diameter Z1 of the free end portion 86a (φZ3>φZ1). As a result, when the coupling member 86 is passed through a hole having a diameter of φZ1 or more and φZ3 or less from the free end portion 86a side, the coupling member 86 is caught in the hole and does not pass through. Therefore, when assembling the coupling member 86, or after assembly, it is easy to prevent the coupling member from falling off from the unit to which it is assembled. In this embodiment, the maximum rotation diameter φZ1 of the free end portion 86a is larger than the maximum rotation diameter φZ2 of the connecting portion 86g and smaller than the maximum rotation diameter φZ3 of the joint portion 86c (φZ3>φZ1>φZ2).

[0071] The maximum rotation diameters φZ1, φZ2, and φZ3 can be measured as shown in FIG. 6(a). Specifically, the radial diameters of each part of the coupling member are measured on a cross section including the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the largest diameter of each part is obtained. Note that the three-dimensional figure formed by the rotation of the coupling member around the rotation axis may be considered as the basis. Specifically, the point located at the position farthest radially from the rotation axis among the parts constituting the coupling member is identified. Then, the locus drawn by the identified point when the coupling member rotates around the rotation axis is treated as a virtual circle, and the diameter of the virtual circle may be expressed as the maximum rotation diameter.

[0072] 6(b), the opening 86m has a cone-shaped receiving surface 86f as an expanding portion (expanding portion) expanding toward the drive head 14 side when the coupling member 86 is attached to the apparatus main body A. The receiving surface 86f is the outer circumferential surface of the free end portion, and the receiving surface 86f protrudes outward to form a recess 86z inside the free end portion. The recess 86z has an opening 86m (opening) on ​​the opposite side to the side where the drum 62 is provided (cylinder side) in the direction of the axis L2.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 6(a) and (c), on the tip side of the free end portion 86a, two claws 86d1 and 86d2 are arranged at positions point-symmetrical with respect to the axis L2 on the circumference centered on the axis L2. In addition, waiting portions 86k1 and 86k2 are provided between the claws 86d1 and 86d2. Here, a configuration with a pair of protrusions has been described, but a single protrusion may be used to transmit the driving force. In this case, the waiting portion can be considered to be between the clockwise downstream surface and the upstream surface of the protrusion. Here, the waiting portion is a space (space) required when the driving pin 14b of the driving head 14 provided in the device main body A waits without coming into contact with the claw 86d. This space is larger than the diameter of the driving pin 14b as an applying portion that applies the rotational force.

[0074] This space functions as a play when the cartridge is mounted in the apparatus main body A. Also, the recess 86z is configured to be located inside the claw portions 86d1, 86d2 in the radial direction of the coupling member 86. The radial width of the claw portion 86d is approximately equal to the width of the waiting portion.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 6(c), when the coupling member 86 is waiting for the rotational force to be transmitted from the drive head 14, the drive pin 14b that applies the rotational force to the standby portions 86k1 and 86k2 is located (preparation position / standby position). Furthermore, in Fig. 6(d), on the upstream side of the claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 when they rotate in the R direction, receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 (see Fig. 6(a)) that receive the rotational force that intersects with the R direction are provided. The R direction in the figure is the direction in which the drive force is received from the drive head 14 of the apparatus main body and rotates during image formation.

[0076] Here, the drive head 14 and drive pin 14b that transmit the drive to the process cartridge B constitute a drive transmission mechanism. Naturally, depending on the shape of the drive head, it is possible for one member to take on multiple functions. In that case, the surface of the member that actually comes into contact with other members to transmit the drive is regarded as the part that performs that function.

[0077] When the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 are engaged and the drive head 14 is rotating, the surface of the drive pin 14b on the main body side comes into contact with the side surfaces of the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 of the coupling member 86. This transmits a rotational force from the drive head 14, which serves as the main body side engaging portion, to the coupling member 86, which serves as a drive transmission component.

[0078] Furthermore, at the base of the receiving portions 86e1, 86e2, there are provided recesses 86n1, 86n2 recessed toward the joining portion 86c from the waiting portions 86k1, 86k2. The recesses 86n1, 86n2 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7(b) is a cross section taken along line S3 in Fig. 7(a).

[0079] FIG. 7 shows the state in which the coupling member 86 is tilted along the drive pin 14b that applies the rotational force from the state in which the drive pin 14b and the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 are in contact with each other. As shown in FIG. 7, in order to avoid interference between the standby portions 86k1 and 86k2 and the drive pin 14b when the coupling member 86 is tilted in the state in which the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 are in contact with the drive pin 14b, the escape portions 86n1 and 86n2 are provided. Therefore, in the case where the entire standby portions 86k1 and 86k2 are cut further toward the connecting portion 86c or the drive pin 14b is shortened, it is not necessary to provide the escape portions. However, in this embodiment, when the standby portions 86k1 and 86k2 are cut toward the connecting portion 86c, the rigidity of the coupling member 86 may decrease, so the escape portions 86n1 and 86n2 are provided.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 6(c), in order to stabilize the rotational torque transmitted to the coupling member 86 as much as possible, it is desirable to arrange the receiving parts 86e1 and 86e2 at positions symmetrical with respect to the axis L2. This makes the rotational force transmission radius constant, and stabilizes the rotational torque transmitted to the coupling member 86. In addition, in order to stabilize the position of the coupling member 86 receiving the rotational force as much as possible, it is desirable to arrange the receiving parts 86e1 and 86e2 at positions opposed to each other by 180°. In particular, in a configuration in which there is no protrusion (bump) like a brim on the outer periphery near the receiving part of the free end part as in this embodiment, which surrounds the outer periphery of the receiving part and the waiting part, it is preferable that the number of receiving parts is two. In addition, if the outer periphery of the receiving part is provided with a circular brim, the receiving part will not be exposed when viewed from the outside in the radial direction along the rotation axis. Therefore, regardless of the posture of the coupling member, the receiving part is relatively easy to protect during cartridge transportation, etc. However, in a configuration in which the flange obscures the receiving portion when viewed from the outside along the rotation axis of the coupling member, the flange is likely to interfere with the engaging portion.

[0081] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6(d) and (e), in order to stabilize the position of the coupling member 86 receiving a rotational force, it is desirable to incline the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 at an angle θ3 with respect to the axis L2 so that the tip side approaches the axis L2. This is because, as shown in Figure 6(b), the coupling member 86 is attracted to the drive head 14 side, which serves as the main body side engaging portion, by the rotational torque transmitted to the coupling member 86. As a result, the conical receiving surface 86f comes into contact with the spherical portion 14c of the drive head 14, making it easier to stabilize the position of the coupling member 86.

[0082] In addition, the number of claws 86d1, 86d2 is two in this embodiment, but this can be changed as appropriate as long as the drive pin 14b can enter the waiting sections 86k1, 86k2 as described above. However, since the drive pin 14b needs to enter the waiting sections, it may be necessary to reduce the width of the claws themselves (the circumferential width in FIG. 6(c)) by increasing the number of claws. In such cases, it is preferable to provide two protrusions (one pair) as in this embodiment.

[0083] Furthermore, the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 may be disposed radially inward of the receiving surface 86f. Alternatively, the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 may be disposed at positions protruding radially outward from the receiving surface 86f in the direction of the axis L2. However, in this embodiment, as described above, the side surfaces of the claws 86d1 and 86d2 protruding from the receiving surface 86f in the direction away from the drum 62 along the rotation axis receive the driving force from the drive head 14. Therefore, the protrusions of the claws 86d1 and 86d2 of the free end portion 86a that receives the driving force from the main body of the apparatus are exposed. This is because if an annular flange were provided to surround the protrusion (claw), it would interfere with surrounding components when the coupling member 86 is tilted, limiting the angle at which the coupling member 86 can be tilted. Alternatively, if an annular flange were provided, the cartridge B would be configured to be enlarged, such as by arranging the surrounding components to escape.

[0084] Therefore, by not providing any shape other than that of the portion (claw portions 86d1, 86d2 in this embodiment) that receives the driving force from the main body of the apparatus, it is possible to achieve a reduction in size of the cartridge B (and the main body of the apparatus A). On the other hand, since no flange surrounding the protrusion is provided, there is an increased risk of contact with other parts during transportation. However, as will be described later, by biasing the coupling member 86 with a spring, it is possible to accommodate the claw portions 86d1, 86d2 within the outermost portion of the bearing member 76. This reduces the possibility of the claw portions 86d1, 86d2 being damaged during transportation.

[0085] In this embodiment, the protruding amount Z15 of the claws 86d1 and 86d2 from the waiting portions 86k1 and 86k2 is set to 4 mm. This is a suitable amount for ensuring that the waiting portions 86k1 and 86k2 do not interfere with the drive pin 14b and for reliably engaging the claws 86d1 and 86d2 with the drive pin 14b, even taking into account the part tolerance, but it can be changed depending on the part precision. However, if the waiting portions 86k1 and 86k2 are allowed to escape from the drive pin 14b more than necessary, there is a risk that deformation will increase when the drive is transmitted to the coupling member 86. On the other hand, if the protruding amount of the claws 86d1 and 86d2 is increased, the cartridge B and the main assembly A of the apparatus will become larger. Therefore, the protruding amount Z15 is preferably in the range of 3 mm to 5 mm.

[0086] In this embodiment, the length of the free end 86a in the direction of the axis L1 is about 6 mm. Therefore, the length of the base of the free end 86a (part other than the claws 86d1, 86d2) is about 2 mm. As a result, the length of the claws 86d1, 86d2 in the direction of the axis L1 is longer than the length of the base (part other than the claws 86d1, 86d2).

[0087] The inner diameter φZ4 of the receiving portions 86e1 and 86e2 is set to be larger than the maximum rotation diameter φZ2 of the connecting portion 86g. In this embodiment, φZ4 is 2 mm larger than φZ2.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 6, the coupling portion 86c is composed of a substantially spherical shape 86c1 having a center C as a tilt center substantially on the axis L2, arcuate surface portions 86q1 and 86q2, and a hole portion 86b.

[0089] The maximum rotation diameter φZ3 of the joint portion 86c is larger than the maximum rotation diameter φZ1 of the free end portion 86a. In this embodiment, φZ3 is 1 mm larger than φZ1. For the spherical portion, it is sufficient to compare the substantial diameter, and if the shape is partially hollowed out for the convenience of molding, the diameter of the virtual sphere may be compared. In addition, the arc surface portions 86q1 and 86q2 are arc surfaces that extend along the axis L2 from an arc shape having the same diameter as the connecting portion 86g. The hole portion 86b, which is a through hole, penetrates in a direction perpendicular to the axis L2. This hole portion 86b, which is a through hole, is composed of first inclined restricted portions 86p1 and 86p2 perpendicular to the axis L2 and transmission portions 86b1 and 86b2 parallel to the axis L2.

[0090] Here, the first inclined restricted portions 86p1 and 86p2 are planar shapes equidistant from the center C of the spherical shape 86c1 (Z9=Z9). The transmission portions 86b1 and 86b2 are planar shapes equidistant from the center C of the spherical shape 86c1 (Z8=Z8). The pin 88 that passes through the hole 86b and supports the coupling member 86 so that it can tilt has a diameter of 2 mm. Therefore, if Z9 exceeds 1 mm, the coupling member 86 can tilt. If Z8 is 1 mm, the pin 88 can pass through the hole, and if Z8 exceeds 1 mm, the coupling member 86 has a degree of freedom such that it can rotate a certain amount around the axis L1.

[0091] In addition, the ends of the first inclined regulated portions 86p1, 86p2 in the direction perpendicular to the axis L2 of the hole portion 86b reach the outer edges of the arcuate surface portions 86q1, 86q2. In addition, the ends of the transmission portions 86b1, 86b2 in the direction perpendicular to the axis L2 of the hole portion 86b reach the outer edge of the spherical shape 86c1.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting portion 86g is cylindrical in shape and connects the free end portion 86a and the connecting portion 86c, and is a shaft portion having a substantially columnar (or cylindrical) shape along the axis L2.

[0093] The material of the coupling member 86 in this embodiment may be a resin such as polyacetal, polycarbonate, PPS, or liquid crystal polymer. In addition, the rigidity may be increased by blending glass fiber, carbon fiber, or the like with these resins, or by inserting metal into the resin. In addition, the entire coupling member 86 may be made of metal or the like. In this embodiment, the best metal for miniaturizing the coupling is adopted. Specifically, a zinc die-cast alloy is adopted. The spherical part of the free end side 86a of the connecting part 86c is configured so that a part of the spherical surface close to the connecting part 86g is carved out. In addition, by devising the shape of the coupling member, the total length including the first part to the third part is configured to be about 21 mm or less. In addition, the longitudinal length from the tilting center C to the end of the free end that engages with the main body drive pin is 15 mm or less. Note that the shorter the distance from the center of the tilting of the coupling member, the smaller the distance the coupling retreats from the drive pin when tilted at the same angle. In other words, if the coupling member is shortened in order to reduce the size of the cartridge, it becomes necessary to increase the tiltable angle (tilt angle) required to avoid the drive pin. The free end 86a, the connecting portion 86c, and the linking portion 86g may be integrally molded, or may be formed separately and then connected together. When the three bodies, the photosensitive drum and the flange to which the coupling member is attached, are removed from the cartridge, the coupling member is attached so that it can be tilted (inclined) in any tilt direction.

[0094] §5 (Drum unit configuration description) The configuration of the photosensitive drum unit U1 (hereinafter, referred to as drum unit U1) will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0095] Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the drum unit U1, Fig. 8(a) is a perspective view seen from the driving side, Fig. 8(b) is a perspective view seen from the non-driving side, and Fig. 8(c) is an exploded perspective view. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the state in which the drum unit U1 is incorporated into the cleaning unit 60.

[0096] As shown in Fig. 8, the drum unit U1 is composed of a drum 62, a driving side flange unit U2 to which a rotational force is transmitted from a coupling member, a non-driving side flange 64, and an earth plate 65. The drum 62 as a rotating body is a conductive member such as aluminum with a photosensitive layer coated on its surface. The drum 62 may be hollow or solid inside.

[0097] The driving side flange unit U2, which serves as a member to which rotational force is transmitted from the coupling member, is disposed at the driving side end of the drum 62. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8(c), the driving side flange unit U2 is fixed to the drum 62 by gluing, crimping, or the like, with a fixed portion 87b of a driving side flange 87, which serves as a member to which rotational force is transmitted, fitting into an opening 62a1 at the end of the drum 62. When the driving side flange 87 rotates, the drum 62 rotates integrally therewith. Here, the driving side flange 87 is fixed to the drum 62 such that the rotation axis as the flange axis of the driving side flange 87 is substantially coaxial (in the same straight line) with the axis L1 of the drum 62.

[0098] Note that "substantially coaxial (on the same line)" includes not only perfectly aligned coaxial (on the same line) but also slight deviation from the coaxial (on the same line) due to variations in component dimensions, etc. The same applies in the following explanations.

[0099] Similarly, the non-drive side flange 64 is disposed at the non-drive side end of the drum 62, substantially coaxially with the drum 62. In this embodiment, the non-drive side flange 64 is made of resin. As shown in FIG. 8(c), the non-drive side flange 64 is fixed to the drum 62 at an opening 62a2 at the longitudinal end of the drum 62 by adhesive, crimping, or the like. A conductive (mainly metallic) earth plate 65 is disposed on the non-drive side flange 64. The earth plate 65 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the drum 62, and is electrically connected to the device main body A.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 9, the drum unit U1 is supported by a cleaning unit 60.

[0101] On the non-drive side of the drum unit U1, a bearing portion 64a (see FIG. 8(b)) of the non-drive side flange 64 is rotatably supported by a drum shaft 78. The drum shaft 78 is press-fitted and fixed to a support portion 71b provided on the non-drive side of the cleaning frame 71.

[0102] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, a bearing member 76 is provided on the driving side of the drum unit U1 to contact and support the flange unit U2. A wall surface (plate-shaped portion) 76h serving as a base (fixed portion) of the bearing member 76 is fixed to the cleaning frame 71 with a screw 90. Specifically, the bearing member 76 is screwed to the cleaning frame 71. The driving side flange 87 is supported by the cleaning frame 71 via the bearing member 76 (the bearing member 76 will be described in detail later). When the plate-shaped portion 76h of the bearing member 76 is taken as a reference surface, the support member has protrusions on both the inside and outside of the cartridge. Since the bearing member 76, which is a support member, is the frame of the cartridge, the protrusion protruding from the bearing member 76 can be regarded as a frame protrusion (convex portion). Similarly, since the bearing member 76 is attached to the cartridge frame main body, the protrusion (first protrusion) that receives a biasing force from the main body of the apparatus and the protrusion (second protrusion) for attaching a spring can also be regarded as a protrusion extending from the frame. Incidentally, the bearing member 76 and the frame of the cartridge may be provided with ribs, grooves, and cutouts in order to prevent shrinkage during resin molding and to ensure strength at locations other than those specified in this embodiment.

[0103] In this embodiment, the bearing member 76 is fixed to the cleaning frame 71 by the screws 90, but it may be fixed by adhesion or joined by molten resin. Also, the cleaning frame 71 and the bearing member 76 may be integrated.

[0104] §6 (Description of drive side flange unit) The configuration of the driving side flange unit U2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0105] Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the driving side flange unit U2, Fig. 10(a) is a view from the driving side, and Fig. 10(b) is a view from the non-driving side. Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the driving side flange unit U2, Fig. 11(a) is a perspective view of the driving side flange unit U2, Fig. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the S4-S4 cutting plane in Fig. 11(a), and Fig. 11(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the S5-S5 cutting plane in Fig. 11(a). Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a method of assembling the driving side flange unit U2.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the driving side flange unit U2 has a coupling member 86, a pin 88 as a shaft, a driving side flange 87, and a cover member 89 as a regulating member. Here, the coupling member 86 engages with the driving head 14 and receives a rotational force. The pin 88 is substantially columnar (or cylindrical) and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis L1. Here, the pin 88 receives a rotational force from the coupling member 86 and transmits the rotational force to the driving side flange 87. At this time, the pin 88 as a shaft has a rotation regulating portion that abuts against a part of the through hole to regulate the rotation of the coupling member in the rotational direction in order to transmit the rotational force by abutting against the through hole of the coupling member. Also, the pin 88 as a shaft has a tilt regulating portion that abuts against a portion of the through shaft to regulate the tilt of the coupling member 86.

[0107] Furthermore, the driving side flange 87 receives a rotational force from the pin 88 and transmits the rotational force to the drum 62. The lid member 89, which serves as a restricting member, restricts the coupling member 86 and the pin 88 from falling off the driving side flange 87. This allows the coupling member 86 to take various postures with respect to the driving side flange 87. In other words, the coupling member 86 is held so as to be able to tilt freely with the center of rotation as a fulcrum, such as a first posture and a second posture different from the first posture. Note that, with respect to the free end of the coupling member, it can take various positions (a first position and a second position different from the first position).

[0108] As described above, the driving side flange unit U2 is made up of multiple members, and the driving side flange 87 as the first member and the cover member 89 as the second member are integrated together to fulfill the role of a flange. The driving side flange 87 functions both as a portion that receives drive from the pin 88 and as a portion that transmits drive to the drum 62. Conversely, the cover member 89 holds the pin 88 together with the driving side flange 87 without substantially coming into contact with the inside of the drum.

[0109] Next, each component will be described with reference to FIG.

[0110] As described above, the coupling member 86 is provided with a free end portion 86a and a connecting portion 86c (accommodated portion). The connecting portion 86c is provided with a hole portion 86b as a through hole. The inside (inner wall) of this hole portion 86b is provided with transmission portions 86b1, 86b2 that transmit a rotational force to the pin 88. The inside (inner wall) of this hole portion 86b is provided with first inclination restricted portions 86p1, 86p2 as inclination restricted portions that come into contact with the pin 88 to restrict the inclination amount of the coupling member 86 (see also FIG. 15(b2)). Here, a part of the circumferential surface of the pin 88 as the shaft portion functions as the inclination restricting portion (first inclination restricting portion).

[0111] The driving side flange 87 has a fixed portion 87b, a first cylindrical portion 87j, an annular groove portion 87p, and a second cylindrical portion 87h. Here, the fixed portion 87b is a portion that is fixed to the drum 62 so as to contact the inner surface of the cylinder of the drum 62 and transmit a driving force. The second cylindrical portion 87h is provided on the radial inside of the first cylindrical portion 87j, and the annular groove portion 87p is provided between the first cylindrical portion 87j and the second cylindrical portion 87h. The first cylindrical portion 87j has a gear portion (helical gear) 87c on the radial outside and a supported portion 87d on the radial inside (annular groove portion 87p side). As the tooth shape of the gear portion (gear) 87c, a helical gear is particularly desirable from the viewpoint of drive transmission, but a gear such as a spur gear may also be used. The second cylindrical portion 87h of the driving side flange 87 is hollow and has a storage portion (cavity portion) 87i inside. Here, the storage section (hollow section) 87i is a section that stores the connecting section 86c of the coupling member 86 therein. In addition, a conical section 87k is provided on the drive side of the storage section 87i as a drop-out prevention section (overhang section / drop-out prevention section) that abuts against the connecting section 86c to prevent (prevent) the coupling member 86 from dropping off to the drive side. Specifically, the conical section 87k abuts against the outer periphery of the connecting section 86c of the coupling member 86 to prevent the coupling member from dropping off. More specifically, the conical section 87k abuts against the substantially spherical section of the connecting section 86c to prevent the coupling member 86 from dropping off. In other words, the minimum inner diameter of the conical section 87k is smaller than the inner diameter of the storage section 87i. That is, the conical portion 87k protrudes (overhangs) from the inner surface of the storage portion 87i toward the axial center (hollow portion side) of the coupling member, and abuts against the peripheral surface of the connecting portion 86c to prevent it from falling off.

[0112] In this embodiment, the cone portion 87k is in a cone shape with the axis L1 as the central axis, but may be, for example, a spherical surface or a plane intersecting the axis L1. An opening 87m for projecting the free end 86a of the coupling member 86 is provided on the driving side of the cone portion 87k so that its diameter (φZ10) is larger than the maximum rotation diameter φZ1 of the free end 86a. A second inclination regulating portion 87n is provided on the driving side of the opening 87m as another inclination regulating portion that abuts against the outer periphery of the coupling member 86 when the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilted). Specifically, the second inclination regulating portion 87n abuts against a connecting portion 86g as a second inclination regulated portion when the coupling member 86 is inclined. The gear portion 87c is a portion that transmits a rotational force to the developing roller 32. The supported portion 87d is a portion supported by the supporting portion 76a of the bearing member 76 (supporting member) and is provided on the thick back side of the gear 87c. These are disposed coaxially with the axis L 1 of the drum 62 .

[0113] Here, when the coupling member 86 abuts against the first inclination regulating portion, the inclination angle is configured to be smaller than when the coupling member 86 abuts against the second inclination regulating portion (details will be described later).

[0114] The storage portion 87i provided inside the second cylindrical portion 87h has a pair of grooves 87e (recesses) arranged parallel to the axis L1 at positions shifted from each other by 180° around the axis L1. The grooves 87e open to the fixed portion 87b side in the axis L1 direction of the driving side flange 87, and are connected to the hollow portion 87i in the radial direction. The bottom of the grooves 87e has a retaining portion 87f that is an orthogonal surface perpendicular to the axis L1. The recesses 87e further have a pair of transmission portions 87g that receive a rotational force from a pin 88 described later. Here, the grooves 87e (at least a part of them) and the annular groove portion 87p (at least a part of them) overlap in the axis L1 direction (see FIG. 12(b)). This allows the driving side flange 87 to be made compact.

[0115] The lid member 89 as a restricting member has a conical base 89a, a hole 89c formed in the base 89a, and a pair of protrusions 89b protruding from the base 89a substantially parallel to the axis L1 and shifted in phase by approximately 180° around the axis of the base. The protrusions 89b have a longitudinal restriction portion 89b1 at their tips in the direction of the axis L1.

[0116] In this embodiment, the drive side flange 87 is made of resin by injection molding, and the material is polyacetal, polycarbonate, or the like. However, the drive side flange 87 may be made of metal depending on the load torque for rotating the drum 62. In this embodiment, the drive side flange 87 has a gear portion 87c that transmits a rotational force to the developing roller 32. However, the rotation of the developing roller 32 does not have to be via the drive side flange 87. In that case, the gear portion 87c can be eliminated. However, when the gear portion 87c is arranged on the drive side flange 87 as in this embodiment, it is preferable to integrally mold the gear portion 87c with the drive side flange 87.

[0117] Next, the bearing member 76 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 13 and 14. Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing only the bearing member 76 and its periphery in the cleaning unit U1. Fig. 13(a) is a side view seen from the driving side. Fig. 13(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the S61-S61 cutting line in Fig. 13(a), and Figs. 13(c) and 13(d) are perspective views. Fig. 13(e) is a cross-sectional view taken along the S62-S62 cutting line in Fig. 13(a). Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the bearing member 76, with Fig. 14(a) being a view seen from the driving side and Fig. 14(b) being a view seen from the non-driving side, with the driving side flange 87 added for explanation. Fig. 14(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the S71 plane in Fig. 14(b).

[0118] As shown in FIG. 14, the bearing member 76 is mainly composed of a plate-shaped portion 76h, a first protruding portion 76j protruding from the plate-shaped portion 76h to one side (the driving side), and a support portion 76a as a second protruding portion protruding from the plate-shaped portion 76h to the other side (the non-driving side). Furthermore, the bearing member 76 has a notch portion 76k as a retreat portion (a portion to be entered) recessed from the plate-shaped portion 76h in the protruding direction (the non-driving side) of the support portion 76a. The notch portion 76k as a retreat portion (a portion to be entered) is a recessed portion when viewed from the reference surface of the bearing member 76, and in this embodiment, it is a groove portion having a width toward the downstream side in the cartridge mounting direction. This recess is preferably a groove shape to ensure the rigidity of the bearing member 76, but is not limited to this shape. Here, the recess from the reference surface is called a retreat portion because it is a space in which the coupling member can be inclined and retreated to avoid interference between the coupling and the drive pin on the main body side during installation. From another perspective, the recess from the reference surface can be called a retreat portion. This is because the inclined coupling member can enter into this recessed portion. Also, a coupling guide on the main body side, which will be described later, can enter into this recess. It is sufficient that at least a portion of the coupling member or the coupling guide enters the recess, and it is not necessary for all of them to enter completely. Therefore, the recess provided in the frame of the cartridge frame can be viewed as a retreat space for the coupling, and can be called a receiving portion into which the coupling member enters.

[0119] Specifically, it is sufficient that the coupling member can be inclined (retracted) at a larger angle toward the lower side in the cartridge mounting direction than in other directions, and it may have a shape with a radially expanding width. The shape of this retracted portion (receiving portion) is not limited to a groove, but may be a recessed portion that faces the downstream side in the cartridge mounting direction from the rotation axis of the flange, and is not limited to a groove shape. The first protruding portion 76j has a hollow portion 76i that accommodates the coupling member 86 on the radially inner side, and the hollow portion 76i is spatially connected to the notch portion 76k via a notch portion 76j1 provided in a part of the first protruding portion 76j. In addition, the notch portion 76k as this retracted portion is provided on the mounting direction (X2) side of the process cartridge B as viewed from the hollow portion 76i. This allows the coupling member 86 to be inclined (tilted) toward the mounting direction (X2) side (see FIG. 13). Thereby, when the cartridge is mounted in the main assembly of the apparatus, the coupling member 86 can be retracted (can be tilted significantly) into the cuttable portion 76k serving as a retracting portion.

[0120] In addition, the bearing member 76 has a cylindrical support portion 76a that enters the annular groove portion 87p of the driving side flange 87 and rotatably supports the supported portion 87d.

[0121] Furthermore, the first protruding portion 76j has a cylindrical portion 76d and a spring receiving portion 76e which function as a guided portion and a first positioned portion when the process cartridge B is mounted to the apparatus main body A. A mounting tip portion 76f which functions as a second positioned portion is provided on the tip side of the notch portion 76k in the mounting direction (X2). Here, the cylindrical portion 76d and the mounting tip portion 76f are provided at different positions in the axis L1 direction with the plate-like portion 76h and the notch portion 76k in between, and are formed into arc shapes which are concentric with each other but have different diameters.

[0122] In this embodiment, the first cylindrical portion 87j, the annular groove portion 87p, the second cylindrical portion 87h, and the groove portion 87e overlap in the axial direction L1. Therefore, the support portion 76a of the bearing member 76, the pin 88, the spherical portion 86c1 of the coupling member 86, and the gear portion 87c that enter the annular groove portion 87p are arranged at positions where they overlap in the axial direction L1. Furthermore, as described above, the bearing member 76 is provided with a notch portion 76k that is recessed toward the non-driving side from the plate-shaped portion 76h, so that when the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilted), a part of the coupling member 86 is accommodated in the notch portion 76k. By configuring the parts around the coupling member 86 in this manner, it is possible to ensure a large amount of inclination (tilting) of the coupling member 86 while reducing the amount by which the bearing member 76 and the coupling member 86 protrude toward the driving side relative to the position of the gear portion 87c. It is considered that an overlap occurs when parts on a cross-sectional view of a specified solid are orthogonally projected onto a virtual line and at least a portion of each part overlaps. In other words, if an overlap occurs when each part is projected onto the same plane by determining a reference virtual plane, it is considered to overlap on that virtual plane.

[0123] 13(e), the first protrusion 76j is configured such that, when the coupling member 86 is inclined toward the notch 76k, the outermost shape in the direction of the axis L1 is positioned outside the coupling member 86 (the claws 86d1, 86d2). This reduces the risk that the claws 86d1, 86d2 of the coupling member 86 will suddenly collide with an obstacle during transportation, etc.

[0124] As described above, in this embodiment, the developing roller 32 presses the drum 62 in the direction of the arrow X7. That is, the drum unit U1 is pressed toward the notch portion 76k. Of the support portions 76a that support the drum unit U1 (the driving side flange 87 thereof), the notch portion side support portion 76aR has the notch portion 76k. Therefore, the opposite side support portion 76aL that does not have the notch portion 76k has a relatively higher rigidity than the notch portion side support portion 76aR. Therefore, in this embodiment, the supported portion 87d is provided on the thick rear side of the gear portion 87c, and the driving side flange 87 is supported on the inner periphery. As a result, the opposite side supporting portion 76aL actually supports the drum unit U1. This makes it difficult for a load to be applied to the notch side supporting portion 76aR, which has poor rigidity, and the supporting portion 76a is difficult to deform.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 13, the torsion spring 91 as the biasing means (biasing member) is provided on the detachment side in the attachment / detachment direction of the coupling member 86 from the axis L1 of the driving side flange 87, and on the lower side in the gravity direction (up-down direction). The torsion spring 91 is composed of a cylindrical coil portion 91c and a first arm 91a and a second arm 91b (first end portion, second end portion) extending from the coil portion 91c. The coil portion 91c is supported (locked) by the spring hook portion 76g, thereby being attached to the bearing member 76. The height (length) of the cylindrical portion of the spring hook portion 76g is made higher than that of the coil portion 91c, thereby preventing the torsion spring 91 from falling off the spring hook portion 76g. The cross section of the spring hook portion 76g is substantially D-shaped with a straight portion in a part of a circle, and the torsion spring 91 is attached to the cartridge by passing this protrusion through the coil portion 91c. When the torsion spring 91 is attached, the diameter of the coil portion 91 is larger than the diameter of the spring hook portion 76g. The spring hook portions 76g and B protrude from the same surface at the longitudinal end of the cartridge frame in a direction toward the outside of the cartridge along the rotation axis of the driving side flange.

[0126] The torsion spring 91 has a first arm 91a in contact with the spring receiving portion 76n of the bearing member 76, and a second arm 91b in contact with a joint 86g of the coupling member 86 or a spring receiving portion 86h. As a result, the torsion spring 91 biases the coupling member 86 by the biasing force F1 so that the free end 86a faces the cutout portion 76k side. In addition, since the width Z11 of the cutout portion 76k is wider than the diameter φZ1 of the tip portion 86a of the coupling member 86, the tip portion 86a has a degree of freedom to move up and down in the mounting direction X2. Since the coil portion 91c of the torsion spring 91 is provided below the axis L1, the coupling member 86 is biased by the biasing force F1 and gravity so that the tip portion 86a moves downward. As a result, the axis L2 of the coupling member 86 is inclined toward the cutout portion 76k side with respect to the axis L1, and the tip portion 86a is inclined so as to abut against the lower surface 76k1. In this embodiment, the biasing force F1 of the torsion spring 91 is configured so that the free end portion 86a is located below the axis L1. However, this is because, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 23, the coupling member 86 is inclined so that the free end portion 86a is positioned below the axis L1.

[0127] As described above, the torsion spring 91 is configured to orient the free end 86a of the coupling member 86 in a direction approaching the drive head 14. However, depending on conditions such as the mounting direction X2, the direction of gravity, and the weight of the coupling member 86, the free end 86a of the coupling member 86 may be oriented in the X2 direction due to the weight of the coupling member. In this case, the coupling member 86 may be oriented in a desired direction by utilizing gravity without providing the torsion spring 91 as the urging means (urging member). The coupling member 86 of this embodiment is urged by the torsion spring 91 and abuts against the side surface of the groove-shaped cutout portion 76k on the lower side in the gravity direction. As a result, the coupling member is sandwiched between the torsion spring and the lower side surface of the groove, stabilizing the posture of the coupling member. Naturally, by devising an arrangement of the torsion spring 91, etc., the coupling member can be brought into contact with the side surface of the groove-shaped cutout portion 76k on the upper side in the direction of gravity. However, stabilizing the posture of the coupling without resisting gravity is more stable than stabilizing the posture of the coupling by the biasing force of the spring against gravity.

[0128] The method of supporting and connecting each component will be described with reference to FIG.

[0129] The position of the pin 88 in the longitudinal direction (axis L1) of the drum 62 is restricted by the retaining portion 87f and the longitudinal restriction portion 89b1, and the position in the rotational direction (R direction) of the drum 62 is restricted by the transmitted portion 87g. The pin 88 passes through a hole 86b serving as a through hole of the coupling member 86. The play between the hole 86b and the pin 88 is set to an extent that allows tilting of the coupling member 86. With this configuration, the coupling member 86 can tilt (tilt, swing, turn) in any direction relative to the drive side flange 87.

[0130] The coupling member 86 is restricted from moving in the radial direction of the driving side flange 87 by the connecting portion 86c abutting against the storage portion 87i. The coupling portion 86c abuts against the base portion 89a of the cover member 89, so that the movement from the driving side to the non-driving side is restricted. The spherical shape 86c1 abuts against the conical portion 87k of the driving side flange 87, so that the movement of the coupling member 86 from the non-driving side to the driving side is restricted. The transmission portions 86b1 and 86b2 abut against the pin 88, so that the movement of the coupling member 86 in the rotational direction (R direction) is restricted. In this way, the coupling member 86 is connected to the driving side flange 87 and the pin 88.

[0131] 11(d), the width Z12 of the hole 86b is set to be larger than the diameter φZ13 of the pin 88. As a result, the coupling member 86 and the pin 88 are connected with some play in the rotation direction (R direction) of the drum 62, so that the coupling member 86 can also rotate a certain amount around the axis L2.

[0132] As described above, the position of the coupling member 86 in the direction of the axis L1 is restricted by contact with the base portion 89a or the conical portion 87k. However, due to component tolerances, the coupling member 86 is configured to be able to move a small amount in the direction of the axis L1.

[0133] A method of assembling the driving side flange unit U2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0134] First, as shown in FIG. 12(a), the pin 88 is inserted into the hole 86b which is a through hole of the coupling member 86.

[0135] Next, as shown in FIG. 12(a), the pin 88 and the pair of grooves 87e of the driving side flange 87 are aligned in phase with each other, and are inserted into the storage portion 87i together with the coupling member 86 (along the axis L1).

[0136] Then, as shown in FIG. 12(b), a pair of protrusions 89b of a lid member 89 serving as a restricting member is inserted into the pair of grooves 87e, and in this state, the lid member 89 is fixed to the driving side flange 87 by welding or adhesive.

[0137] In this embodiment, the diameter φZ1 of the free end 86a of the coupling member 86 is set smaller than the diameter φZ10 of the opening 87m. This allows the coupling member 86, the pin 88, and the cover member 89 to be assembled from the storage portion 87i side of the drive side flange 87, making assembly easy. In addition, the diameter φZ3 of the joint portion 86c is set smaller than the diameter of the opening 87m, so that the spherical portion 86c1 and the conical portion 87k can be brought into contact with each other. This prevents the coupling member 86 from falling off to the drive side, and allows the coupling member 86 to be held with high accuracy. Therefore, by making the diameter φZ1 (<diameter φZ10) < diameter φZ3, the drive side flange unit U2 can be easily assembled and the position of the coupling member 86 can be held with high accuracy.

[0138] §7 (Explanation of the tilting (tilting) movement of the coupling member) The tilting (pivoting) operation of the coupling member 86 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0139] Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram of the state in which the coupling member 86 (including the axis L2) is inclined (tilted) with respect to the axis L1. Figures 15(a1) and 15(a2) are perspective views of the process cartridge B in a state in which the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilted). Also, Figure 15(b1) is a cross-sectional view taken along the S7-S7 cutting line in Figure 15(a1). Also, Figure 15(b2) is a cross-sectional view taken along the S8-S8 cutting line in Figure 15(a2).

[0140] The manner in which the coupling member 86 tilts (pivots) around the center of the sphere of the connecting portion 86c will be described with reference to FIG.

[0141] 15(a1)(b1), the coupling member 86 is tiltable around the axis of the pin 88 with the ball center of the connecting portion 86c as the center with respect to the axis L1. Specifically, the coupling member 86 is tiltable (pivotable) until the second tilt restricting portion 87n of the driving side flange 87 comes into contact with the second tilt restricted portion (a part of the connecting portion 86g). Here, the tilt (tilting) angle with respect to the axis L1 at this time is defined as a second tilt angle θ2 (second tilt amount, second angle). The phase relationship between the hole 86b and the claws 86d1 and 86d2 is set so that either the claw 86d1 or the claw 86d2 is located forward in the direction in which the coupling member 86 tilts (the direction of the arrow X7) when the coupling member 86 tilts around the axis of the pin 88. Specifically, the hole 86b and the claws 86d1 and 86d2 are arranged so that the tip 86d11 of the claw 86d1 satisfies the condition that the tip 86d11 is at an angle of 59° or more and 77° or less (θ6 and θ7 in FIG. 11(e)) with respect to a virtual line passing through the center of the hole 86b. Note that θ6 and θ7 are not limited to the above-mentioned range, and are preferably within a range of approximately 55° or more and approximately 125° or less. With this configuration, when either the claw 86d1 or 86d2 is located forward in the direction in which the coupling member 86 tilts, the pin 88 takes a large angle (approximately 55° or more and approximately 125° or less) with respect to the direction in which the coupling member 86 tilts. Then, the coupling member 86 at this time can be inclined by the second inclination amount or an amount close to the second inclination amount, which can be inclined by a larger amount than the first inclination amount (described later). This allows the tip 86d11 to be largely retracted in the direction of the axis L1.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 15(a2)(b2), the coupling member 86 can be inclined (tilted) with respect to the axis L1 around an axis perpendicular to the axis of the pin 88, centered on the ball center of the joint portion 86c, until the first inclination restricted portions 86p1, 86p2 and the pin 88 come into contact with each other. According to the phase relationship between the hole portion 86b (pin 88) and the claw portions 86d1, 86d2 described above, the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilted) around an axis perpendicular to the axis of the pin 88. At this time, the claw portions 86d1, 86d2 are positioned at positions facing each other across the direction in which the coupling member 86 is inclined (the direction of the arrow X8). Here, the inclination (tilting) angle with respect to the axis L1 at this time is defined as a first inclination angle θ1 (first inclination amount, first angle). In this embodiment, the coupling member 86, the driving side flange 87, and the pin 88 are configured so that the first inclination angle θ1<the second inclination angle θ2 (the reason for this will be described later with reference to FIG. 25).

[0143] Furthermore, by combining the inclination (tilting) around the axis of the pin 88 and the inclination (tilting) around an axis perpendicular to the axis of the pin 88, the coupling member 86 can also be tilted (tilted) in a direction different from the inclination (tilting) direction described above. Here, since the inclination (tilting) in all directions is expressed as a combination of the inclinations (tilting) described above, the inclination (tilting) angle in any direction is equal to or greater than the first inclination angle θ1 and equal to or less than the second inclination angle θ2. In other words, it can be said that the coupling member 86 can be tilted by equal to or greater than the first inclination angle θ1 (first tilting angle) and the second inclination angle (second tilting angle).

[0144] In this way, the coupling member 86 can be tilted (pivoted) in substantially all directions with respect to the axis L1. That is, the coupling member 86 can be tilted (pivoted) in any direction with respect to the axis L1. Furthermore, the coupling member 86 can be swung in any direction with respect to the axis L1. Furthermore, the coupling member 86 can be turned in substantially all directions with respect to the axis L1. Here, turning of the coupling member 86 means that the inclined (pivoted) axis L2 rotates around the axis L1.

[0145] As described above, the arcuate surface portions 86q1 and 86q2 are surfaces that define the first inclination angle θ1, and the connecting portion 86g is one of the dimensions that determine the second inclination angle θ2. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connecting portion 86g and the arcuate surface portions 86q1 and 86q2 are formed into an arc shape with the same diameter, but this may be changed as necessary.

[0146] §8 (Description of the drive unit of the device body) The configuration of the cartridge driving section of the apparatus main assembly A will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0147] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the drive section (near the drive head 14 in Fig. 4(a)) of the apparatus main body A, as viewed from inside the apparatus main body A and from the upstream side in the mounting direction (X2 direction) of the process cartridge B. Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the drive section, Fig. 18(a) is a partial enlarged view of the drive section, and Fig. 18(b) is a sectional view taken along the S9-S9 cutting plane shown in Fig. 18(a).

[0148] The cartridge driving portion is composed of a driving head 14 as a main body side engaging portion, a first side plate 350, a holder 300, a driving gear 355, and the like.

[0149] 18(b), the drive shaft 14a of the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging part is fixed to the drive gear 355 by a means not shown so as to be unrotatable. Therefore, when the drive gear 355 rotates, the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging part also rotates. In addition, the drive shaft 14a is rotatably supported at both ends by the support parts 300a of the holder 300 and the bearings 354.

[0150] 17 and 18(b), a motor 352 serving as a drive source is attached to a second side plate 351, and a pinion gear 353 is provided on the rotation shaft of the motor 352. The pinion gear 353 meshes with a drive gear 355. Therefore, when the motor 352 rotates, the drive gear 355 rotates, and the drive head 14 serving as the main body side engagement part also rotates. The second side plate 351 and the holder 300 are fixed to the first side plate 350.

[0151] 16 and 17, the guide member 12 as a guide mechanism is constituted of a first guide member 12a and a second guide member 12b that guide the mounting of the process cartridge B. The first guide member 12a is provided at its end in the cartridge mounting direction (X2 direction) with a mounting end portion 12c that is perpendicular to the X2 direction. The guide member 12 is also fixed to the first side plate 350.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the holder 300 includes a support portion 300a that rotatably supports the drive shaft 14a of the drive head 14 as a main body side engaging portion, and a coupling guide 300b. The coupling guide 300b is located downstream (at the back of the apparatus main body) of the process cartridge B in the mounting direction (X2 direction) from the support portion 300a, and is composed of a connecting portion 300b1 and a guide portion 300b2. Here, the connecting portion 300b1 has an arc shape with a diameter φZ5 centered on the axis L3, and the diameter φZ5 is set to be larger than the maximum rotation diameter φZ2 of the free end portion 86a of the coupling member 86. In addition, the tip of the guide portion 300b2 has an arc shape with a diameter φZ6 centered on the axis L3. This diameter φZ6 is provided so as to have a predetermined gap S with respect to the connecting portion 86g of the coupling member 86. Here, the predetermined gap S is a gap for preventing interference between the connecting portion 86g and the guide portion 300b2 due to component tolerances or the like when the process cartridge B is rotationally driven (details will be described later, see FIG. 22).

[0153] §9 (Installation of the process cartridge into the device body) The mounting of the process cartridge B into the apparatus main body A will be described with reference to Figures 19 to 22. Note that in Figures 19 and 20, parts other than those for explaining the mounting operation are omitted.

[0154] Figures 19, 20 and 21(a) are views of the main assembly A of the apparatus as viewed from the outside of the drive side, and sequentially show how the process cartridge B is mounted to the main assembly A of the apparatus. Figure 21(b) is a perspective view of the state of Figure 21(a). Figure 22 is a detailed explanatory view of the vicinity of the coupling member 86 when the mounting of the process cartridge B to the main assembly A of the apparatus is completed. In Figure 22, for the main assembly A of the apparatus, the drive head 14 as the main assembly side engaging portion, the coupling guide 300b of the holder 300, and the guide member 12 are shown, and the other parts of the process cartridge B are shown.

[0155] Fig. 22(a1) shows the state where the process cartridge B is in the mounting completion position and the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilted). Fig. 22(a2) shows the state where the process cartridge B is in the mounting completion position and the axis L2 of the coupling member 86 is substantially aligned with the axis L3 of the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion. Fig. 22(a3) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship with the coupling guide 300b when the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilted). Figs. 22(b1) to (b3) are cross-sectional views taken along the S10-S10 cutting line in Figs. 22(a1) to (a3), respectively.

[0156] As shown in Fig. 19, the guide member 12 serving as the guide mechanism of the apparatus main body A is provided with a retraction spring 356 serving as a biasing member (elastic member). The retraction spring 356 is rotatably supported on a rotation shaft 320c of the guide member 12, and its position is restricted by stoppers 12d and 12e. At this time, an action portion 356a of the retraction spring 356 is biased in the direction of the arrow J in Fig. 19.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 19, when the process cartridge B is mounted in the main assembly A of the apparatus, the process cartridge B is inserted so that the first arcuate portion 76d of the process cartridge B is aligned with the first guide member 12a and the rotation stop boss 71c of the process cartridge B is aligned with the second guide member 12b. That is, the first arcuate portion 76d of the process cartridge abuts against the guide groove on the main assembly side, and at this time, the coupling member 86 is inclined in the mounting direction (X2 direction) by the torsion spring 91 as a biasing member (elastic member). Here, the coupling member 86 is in a state in which it is covered by the first arcuate portion 76d of the bearing member 76. As a result, the coupling member 86 does not interfere with any of the parts of the main assembly A of the apparatus in the insertion path of the process cartridge B, and the process cartridge B can be continued to be inserted in this state until it approaches the mounting completion position.

[0158] When the process cartridge B is further inserted in the direction of the arrow X2 in the figure, the spring receiving portion 76e of the process cartridge B comes into contact with the acting portion 356a of the retraction spring 356, as shown in Figure 20. This causes the acting portion 356a to elastically deform in the direction of the arrow H in the figure.

[0159] Thereafter, the process cartridge B is mounted to a predetermined position (mounting complete position) (see FIG. 21). At this time, the first arcuate portion 76d of the process cartridge B abuts against the first guide member 12a of the guide member 12, and the mounting leading end portion 76f abuts against the mounting terminal end portion 12c. Similarly, the rotation stopper boss 71c of the process cartridge B abuts against the positioning surface 12h of the guide member 12 serving as a guide mechanism. In this manner, the position of the process cartridge B relative to the apparatus main body A is determined.

[0160] At this time, the acting portion 356a of the retraction spring 356 presses the spring receiving portion 76e of the process cartridge B in the direction of the arrow J in the figure, and the first circular arc portion 76d and the first guide member 12a and the mounting leading end portion 76f and the mounting terminal end portion 12c are reliably abutted against each other. This allows the process cartridge B to be accurately positioned relative to the apparatus main body A.

[0161] Furthermore, when the process cartridge B is mounted in the apparatus main body A, as described above, the coupling member 86 engages with the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion (see FIG. 5), thereby completing the mounting of the process cartridge B into the mounting main body A.

[0162] Here, as shown in FIG. 22(a1) and (b1), even after the mounting of the process cartridge B is completed, the coupling member 86 continues to tilt (pivot) in the mounting direction (X2 direction) due to the torsion spring 91. In other words, even after the mounting is completed, the torsion spring 91 continues to apply a biasing force (in a direction substantially corresponding to the downstream side in the cartridge mounting direction) to the coupling member 86. At this time, the connecting portion 86g abuts against the guide portion 300b2 of the coupling guide 300b, and the inclination (pivot) of the coupling member 86 is regulated. By thus regulating the amount of inclination of the coupling member 86, the pair of claw portions 86d1 and 86d2 abut against the drive pin 14b of the drive head 14 at the same time. To explain in more detail, the pair of claw portions are arranged to be substantially point-symmetrical about the center of rotation of the coupling member. 22(a2) and 22(b2), when a rotational force is transmitted to the coupling member 86, the axis L3 of the drive head 14 and the axis L2 of the coupling member 86 are caused to substantially coincide with each other by the couple and the abutment between the spherical portion 14c and the conical portion 86f. Then, the aforementioned gap S is generated between the connecting portion 86g and the guide portion 300b2, allowing the coupling member 86 to rotate stably.

[0163] If the inclination (tilting) of the coupling member 86 is not restricted, one of the pair of claws 86d1, 86d2 may not come into contact with the drive pin 14b. In this case, the above-mentioned couple of forces does not act, and the axis L2 of the coupling member 86 and the axis L3 of the drive head 14 cannot be aligned with each other. The coupling guide 300b1 does not interfere with the coupling member 86 even when the coupling member 86 is inclined (tilted) during the installation and removal of the process cartridge B. For this reason, the coupling guide 300b is located on the non-drive side of the free end portion 86a (see Figs. 22(a3)(b3)). Also, the cutout portion 76k of the bearing member 76 is recessed further toward the non-drive side than the guide portion 300b2 so as not to interfere with the guide portion 300b2. In addition, the width Z11 of the cutout portion 76k of the bearing member 76 in the direction perpendicular to the S10-S10 cross section line is wider than the width Z14 of the coupling guide 300b. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the cartridge while suppressing interference between the coupling guide and the cartridge.

[0164] In this embodiment, the inclination (tilting) of the coupling member 86 caused by the torsion spring 91 is restricted by the coupling guide 300b. However, as described above, the inclination (tilting) of the coupling member 86 is not limited by the torsion spring 91. For example, if the coupling member 86 tilts due to its own weight, the coupling guide 300b may be provided below in the direction of gravity. In this way, the coupling guide 300b may be provided in a position that restricts the inclination (tilting) of the coupling member 86 when the process cartridge B is attached.

[0165] §10 (Explanation of the disengagement operation of the coupling when removing the process cartridge) Next, with reference to Figure 24, a manner in which the process cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body A while disengaging the coupling member 86 from the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion from the mounting completion position of the process cartridge B will be described.

[0166] In this embodiment, as an example, a state in which the claws 86d1 and 86d2 of the coupling member 86 are located on the upstream side and downstream side of the removal direction (X3 direction), respectively, as shown in FIG. 24 will be described. In this embodiment, in this state, the phase relationship between the hole 86b through which the pin 88 penetrates and the claws 86d1 and 86d2 is determined so that the axis of the pin 88 is approximately perpendicular to the removal direction (X3 direction) as described above. FIG. 24(a1) is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the engagement between the coupling member 86 and the main body A of the apparatus is released when the process cartridge B is removed from the main body A of the apparatus. FIGS. 24(a1) to (a4) are side views seen from the outside of the driving side, and FIGS. 24(b1) to (b4) are cross-sectional views taken along the S12-S12 cutting line in FIGS. 24(a1) to (a4), respectively. 24, like FIG. 22, the drive head 14 as a main assembly side engaging portion, the coupling guide 300b of the holder 300, and the guide member 320 of the apparatus main assembly A are shown, and the rest are parts of the process cartridge B.

[0167] First, from the state shown in Figure 24 (a1) (b1) (state in which the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 are engaged), the process cartridge B is moved in the removal direction (X3 direction). 24(a2) and (b2), the coupling member 86 (its axis L2) inclines (tilts) with respect to the axis L1 and axis L3, and the process cartridge B moves in the removal direction (X3 direction). The amount of inclination (tilt) of the coupling member 86 at this time is determined by the contact of the free end portion 86a with each portion of the drive head 14 (drive shaft 14a, drive pin 14b, spherical portion 14c, tip portion 14d).

[0168] When the process cartridge B is further moved in the removal direction (X3 direction), the abutment between the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 serving as the main body side engaging portion is released, as shown in Figures 24(a3) and 24(b3). Then, the coupling member 86 is further tilted (pivoted) by being biased by the torsion spring 91 serving as the biasing means (biasing member). Here, the tilt angle of the coupling member 86 biased by the torsion spring serving as the biasing member is larger than the tilt angle when tilting in a direction other than the biased direction.

[0169] The inclination (tilting) of the coupling member 86 is regulated by the abutment of the second inclination regulating portion 87n and the connecting portion 86g. At this time, the maximum rotation diameter φZ2 and the second inclination angle θ2 of the connecting portion 86g are determined so that the coupling member 86 can incline (tilt) until the claw portion 86d1 on the upstream side in the removal direction is positioned on the non-driving side relative to the tip portion 14d of the drive head 14. As a result, as shown in Figures 24(a4) and 24(b4), the coupling member 86 can be released from the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion, and the process cartridge B can be removed from the apparatus main body A.

[0170] Similarly, even when the claws 86d1 and 86d2 are in a phase other than the above, the coupling member 86 avoids each part of the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging part by inclining (tilting) or the above-mentioned turning motion, or a combination of them. By avoiding in this way, the coupling member 86 can be released from engagement with the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging part. As shown in Figs. 23(a1) and (b1), when the axial direction of the drive pin 14b and the detachment direction (X3 direction) are substantially perpendicular to each other, the free end 86b is inclined so as to face the opposite side to the detachment direction (X2 direction), and the claw 86d1 avoids the drive pin 14b in the non-driving side direction. Alternatively, as shown in Figs. 23(a2) and (b2), when the claws 86d1 and 86d2 are in positions facing each other across the detachment direction (X3 direction), the free end 86a is inclined (tilted) so as to move along a direction parallel to the axial direction of the drive pin 14b (X6 direction). This allows the claw portion 86d1 to avoid the drive pin 14b in the direction of the arrow X6. In such a case, since the free end portion 86a needs to move below the axis L3 or the axis L1, as described above, the position of the lower surface 76k1 of the bearing member 76 is set, and the direction of the biasing force of the torsion spring 91 is set so that the free end portion 86a is likely to face downward. The "lower side" referred to here is not necessarily limited to the direction of gravity. In other words, the free end portion 86a only needs to be able to move in a direction required for the claw portion 86d1 located downstream in the mounting direction (upstream in the removal direction) to move in order to avoid the drive pin 14b. Therefore, when the rotation direction R of the drum 62 is opposite to that of this embodiment, the claw portion located downstream in the mounting direction is located on the upper side, so the direction in which the free end portion 86a should move is also upward. Therefore, when the claws 86d1 and 86d2 are located above and below the mounting direction X2 of the coupling member 86, it is preferable that the free end 86a be movable to the claw side where the direction of the rotational force received from the drive pin 14b is the same as the mounting direction. In the two examples shown in Fig. 23, the inclination (tilting) angle required for disengagement between the coupling member 86 and the drive head 14 as the main body side engaging portion may be smaller than the second inclination angle θ2 shown in Fig. 24.In this embodiment, the phase relationship between the hole 86b of the coupling member 86 and the claws 86d1 and 86d2 is determined so that the inclination (tilting) angle is the first inclination angle θ1 in the cases shown in Figures 23(a2) and 23(b2). Figure 23(b1) is a cross-sectional view of S11 in Figure 23(a1). Also, Figure 23(b2) is a cross-sectional view of S11 in Figure 23(a2).

[0171] Next, the dimensions of each part of this embodiment will be illustrated.

[0172] As shown in FIG. 6, the diameter of the free end 86a is φZ1, the diameter of the connecting portion 86g is φZ2, the spherical diameter of the substantially spherical joint portion 86c is φZ3, and the rotation diameter of the claw portions 86d1 and d2 is φZ4. The diameter of the spherical shape of the tip of the drive head 14 as the engagement portion on the main body side is SφZ7, and the length of the drive pin 14b is Z5. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 15(b1)(b2), the inclination (tilt) amount (second inclination angle) of the coupling member 86 about the axis of the pin 88 is θ2, and the inclination (tilt) amount (first inclination angle) about the axis perpendicular to the axis of the pin 88 is θ1. Then, as shown in FIG. 22(b2), the gap between the connecting portion 86g and the guide portion 300b2 when the axis L2 and the axis L3 are substantially aligned is S.

[0173] In this embodiment, φZ1 = 10 mm, φZ2 = 5 mm, φZ3 = 11 mm, φZ4 = 7 mm, Z5 = 8.6 mm, SφZ7 = 6 mm, θ1 = 30°, θ2 = 40°, and S = 0.15 mm.

[0174] The above dimensions are only an example, and similar operation is possible with other dimensions, and are not limited to the above dimensions. Specifically, both θ1 and θ2 can be tilted by about 20° or more, and may be between about 20° and about 60°. More preferably, both are 25° or more and 45° or less. Also, while satisfying θ1<θ2, it is preferable that θ1 is between about 20° and about 35°, and θ2 is between about 30° and about 60°. Also, the difference between θ1 and θ2 may be in the range of about 3° and about 20°, and is preferably in the range of about 5° and about 15°. As shown in FIG. 25, when mounting the cartridge B, it is considered to design θ1 and θ2 so that the mounting tip portion (described later) is located on the non-driving side relative to the tip portion 14d of the drive head 14 and is located on the driving side relative to the guide portion 300b2. By designing in this way, the coupling 86 can be normally engaged with the drive head 14. Here, the mounting tip portion is the tip portion 86d11 of the claw portion 86d1 when the inclination of the coupling member 86 is the second inclination angle θ2, and is the waiting portion 86k1 when the inclination is the first inclination angle θ1. Since the waiting portion 86k1 is located closer to the rotation center C than the tip portion 86d11, by making the first inclination angle θ1<the second inclination angle θ2, the mounting tip portion can be positioned in the direction of the axis L1 at the time when the coupling member 86 is inclined at a similar position. This makes it unnecessary to widen the gap between the drive head 14 and the guide portion 300b2 more than necessary, which contributes to the miniaturization of the apparatus main body A and the cartridge B.

[0175] Also, by making φZ1<φZ3, assembly can be simplified as in this embodiment. Furthermore, by making φZ1<φZ10<φZ3 including the minimum diameter φZ10 of the conical portion 87k serving as the drop-out prevention portion (overhang portion / drop-out prevention portion), the position of the coupling member 86 in the drive side flange unit U2 can be determined with high precision.

[0176] According to this embodiment, it is possible to develop a conventional cartridge that is removable outside the main body of the apparatus after it has been moved in a predetermined direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the main body side engaging portion. EXAMPLES

[0177] The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the configuration other than the free end 286a of the coupling member 286, the drive head 214, and the coupling guide 400b is the same as in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description is omitted. Note that even when the same reference numerals are used, the same reference numerals may be used even if some parts are changed in accordance with the configuration of this embodiment.

[0178] Fig. 26 is an explanatory diagram of the coupling member 286 and the drive head 214 as the main body side engaging portion. Fig. 26(a) is a side view, Fig. 26(b) is a perspective view, and Fig. 26(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the S21-S21 cutting line in Fig. 26(a). Fig. 26(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along the S22-S22 cutting line in Fig. 26(a), which is a line that passes through the center of the drive pin 214b as the applying portion and is perpendicular to the receiving portion 286e1.

[0179] As shown in FIG. 26, in this embodiment, the shape of the claws 286d1 and 286d2 of the coupling member 286 is different from that of the first embodiment. The claws 286d1 and 286d2 have inner wall surfaces 286s1 and 286s2 facing the axis L2 that are flat, and the radial width Z21 of the receiving portions 286e1 and 286e2 is wider than that of the first embodiment. That is, compared to the first embodiment, the radial width of the claws 286d1 and 286d2 is wider. In addition, when the diameter of the inscribed circle of the inner wall surfaces 286s1 and 286s2 centered on the axis L2 is φZ22, φZ22 is set to be larger than the diameter φZ7 of the drive shaft 214a of the drive head 214. Here, the overlapping amount between the drive pins 214b1, 214b2 and the receiving portions 286e1, 286e2 in the axial direction of the drive pins 214b1, 214b2 (direction perpendicular to the axis L2 (L3)) in FIG. 26(d) is defined as engagement amount Z23.

[0180] One drive head 214 is provided with a ball receiving surface 214c and a recess 214e recessed from drive shaft 214a at the base of drive pin 214b, downstream of drive pin 214b in the rotation direction (R direction).

[0181] Next, the disengagement operation between the coupling member 286 and the drive head 214 when the process cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body A will be described in detail with reference to Figure 27. Here, a case in which an operation characteristic of this embodiment is exhibited will be described. The case in which an operation characteristic is exhibited is when the drive pins 214b1, 214b2 are out of phase with respect to the removal direction of the cartridge B (X3 direction) by a predetermined amount θ4, and as an example, a case in which θ4 = 60° will be described.

[0182] Figure 27 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the coupling member 286 when the cartridge B is removed from the main assembly A of the apparatus. Figures 27(a1) to (a4) are views showing the process cartridge B being removed from the main assembly A of the apparatus in order, as viewed from the outside of the drive side of the main assembly A of the apparatus. Figures 27(b1) to (b4) are cross-sectional views (cross-sectional views taken along the S23-S23 cutting line) of Figures 27(a1) to 27(a4), respectively, as viewed from below in the removal direction. For the sake of explanation, the coupling member 286, drive head 214, and pin 88 are shown in an uncut state.

[0183] As shown in Figure 27(a1), when the process cartridge B is to be removed from the main body A of the apparatus, the cartridge B is in the mounting completion position of the main body A of the apparatus, and the coupling member 286 is engaged with the drive head 214. Furthermore, in many cases, the process cartridge B is removed from the main body A of the apparatus when a series of image forming operations has been completed. At this time, the receiving portions 286e1 and 286e2 of the coupling member are in contact with the drive pins 214b1 and 214b2.

[0184] 27(a2) and (b2), the cartridge B is moved in the removal direction (X3 direction). Then, the axis L2 of the coupling member 286 inclines (tilts) with respect to the axis L1 of the driving side flange 87 and the axis L3 of the drive head 214, while the cartridge B moves in the removal direction (X3 direction). At this time, the claw portion 286d1 (receiving portion 286e1) located downstream of the drive pin 214b1 in the removal direction (X3 direction) remains in contact with the drive pin 214b1.

[0185] 27(a3) and (b3), the cartridge B is further moved in the removal direction (X3 direction). Then, the axis L2 is further inclined (tilted), and the first inclination regulated portions 286p1 and 286p2 (not shown) come into contact with the pin 88 as the first inclination regulated portion, or the second inclination regulated portion 87n comes into contact with the connecting portion 286g as the second inclination regulated portion, as in the first embodiment. This restricts the inclination (tilt) of the coupling member 286. Even in this state, in the phase (θ=60°) of the drive pin 214b and the claw portions 286d1 and 286d2 as shown in FIG. 27, the claw portion 286d1 (receiving portion 286e1) may not move to the non-drive side beyond the drive pin 214b and may remain in contact. This is because the amount of movement of the claw portions 286d1 and 286d2 to the non-drive side due to the inclination (tilt) of the axis L2 becomes smaller.

[0186] At this time, since the drive head 214 is provided with the notch 214e, the coupling member 286 inclines (tilts) in the direction of the arrow X5 so that the claws 286d1, 286d2 move along the drive pins 214b, 214b2.

[0187] 27(a4) and (b4), the coupling member 286 further tilts (pivots) in the direction of the arrow X5 so that the claw portion 286d2 enters the notch portion 214e. When the coupling member 286 tilts (pivots), the abutment between the claw portion 286d1 and the drive pin 214b1 in the direction of the arrow X5 is released. This allows the process cartridge B to be removed from the apparatus main body A.

[0188] In this embodiment, the radial width Z21 of the receiving portions 286e1 and 286e2 is set to be wider than that of the first embodiment. Specifically, the width of the base is set to be about 1.5 mm. As a result, the engagement amount Z23 (see FIG. 26(d)) between the driving pins 214b1 and 214b2 and the receiving portions 286e1 and 286e2 in the axial direction of the driving pin 214b is larger than that of the first embodiment. As a result, the pair of applying portions and receiving portions can be reliably engaged and stable transmission can be performed regardless of variations in part precision. Here, regarding the width of the base of the receiving portion, if it is wide, a stable driving force can be transmitted, but if it is too wide, it will interfere with the driving head and have an effect. Therefore, in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the coupling member and including the receiving portion that receives the driving force from the engaging portion, it is preferable that the angle formed by two straight lines connecting both ends of the protrusion from the rotation is about 10° or more and about 30° or less. Furthermore, since this is the part that receives the drive, taking into consideration the rigidity, the width at the base should be 1.0 mm or more.

[0189] Also, the cutout portion 214e is provided to release the engagement between the coupling member 286 and the drive head 214 even when the engagement amount Z23 is larger than the gap between the inner diameter φZ24 of the claw portion and the diameter φZ27 of the body portion of the drive head 214. For this reason, the cutout portion 214e is provided to allow a large inclination (tilt) of the coupling member 86 in the direction of the arrow X5. Here, a large inclination means that the claw portions 286d1, 286d2 can move in the direction of the drive pins 214b1, 214b2 by more than the engagement amount Z23.

[0190] Next, the configuration of the coupling guide 400b in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 28. The configuration of the coupling guide 400b is similar to that of the first embodiment, but the gap S2 set between the coupling guide 400b and the connecting portion 286g of the coupling member 286 is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0191] Figure 28 is an explanatory diagram of the coupling guide 400b, and Figures 28(a1) and (b1) show a state in which the cartridge B is mounted in the apparatus main body A and the axis L2 of the coupling member 286 remains inclined (tilted). Figures 28(a2) and (b2) show a state in which the axis L2 coincides with the axis L1 and the axis L3. Figure 28(b1) is a cross-sectional view of S24 in Figure 28(a1). Figure 28(b2) is a cross-sectional view of S24 in Figure 28(a2).

[0192] As shown in Figs. 28(a1) and (b1), the coupling guide 400b can regulate the inclination (tilt) of the coupling member 286 so that the engagement between the drive pin 214b and the claw portion 286d1 does not come off even if the coupling member 286 is inclined (tilted). As described above, in this embodiment, the engagement amount Z23 is larger than that in the first embodiment. Here, in this embodiment, the gap S2 in Fig. 28(b2) is larger than the gap S in the first embodiment (see Fig. 22(b2)). Even under such conditions, even if the inclination (tilt) amount of the coupling member 86 increases, the engagement between the drive pin 214b1 and the receiving portion 286e1 does not come off, and rotation can be transmitted normally. In this way, since the gap S2 can be made larger than that in the first embodiment, the dimensional accuracy of the connecting portion 286g and the guide portion 400b2 can be loosened.

[0193] As described above, the engagement amount Z23 between the drive pins 214b1, 214b2 and the claw portions 286d1, 286d2 is increased, and the notch portion 214e is provided in the drive head 214. This makes it possible to release the engagement between the coupling member 286 and the drive head 214 when removing the cartridge B from the apparatus main body A. In addition, by adopting the configuration of this embodiment, the gap S2 between the coupling guide 400b and the connecting portion 286g can be increased compared to the first embodiment, and the part precision requirement can be relaxed. EXAMPLES

[0194] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 29 is an explanatory diagram of the coupling member 386 and the drive head 314 as the main assembly side engaging portion. Figure 30 is an explanatory diagram of the R-shaped portion 386g1, showing the state in which the cartridge B is mounted in the main assembly A of the apparatus. Figure 31 is an explanatory diagram of the bearing member 387 and the coupling member 386, showing a perspective view and a cross-sectional view.

[0195] In comparison with the first and second embodiments, the coupling member 386 has recesses 386c2 to 386c9 in the joint portion 386c. In addition, the diameter of the connecting portion 386g is made smaller, and the wall thickness formed by the spring receiving portion 386h and the receiving surface 386f is made thinner. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of material.

[0196] Here, when the lightening holes 386c2 to 386c9 are provided, it is preferable to provide them so that the spherical shape 386c1 remains evenly in the circumferential direction, as shown in FIG. 29(d). In this embodiment, the coupling portion 386c is configured so that the portion where the spherical shape 386c1 is interrupted by the lightening holes 386c2 to 386c9 and the hole portion 386b does not continuously exceed 90°. Although the description is given as a spherical shape, it may be expressed as a substantially spherical shape taking into account the lightening holes and manufacturing variations. If the coupling portion 386c is configured as described above, the position of the coupling member 86 in the driving side flange unit U32 can be stabilized. In particular, the position of the coupling member can be stabilized at the position of the S14-S14 cutting line supported by the storage portion 87i, and at the position facing the cone portion 87k and the base portion 89a, as shown in FIG. 29(c).

[0197] Additionally, the arcuate surface portion 386q1 and the arcuate surface portion 386q2 have different diameters.

[0198] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 30, an R-shape 386g1 is provided between the connecting portion 386g and the spring receiving portion 386h. As described above, a play is provided in the driving side flange unit U32 so that the coupling member 386 moves slightly in the direction of the axis L1. When the coupling member 386a moves toward the non-driving side within this play, the engagement amount Z38 between the driving pin 314b and the claw portions 386d1 and 386d2 in the direction of the axis L1 decreases. Here, the engagement amount Z38 is the distance between the center point of the arc shape of the driving pin 314b and the tip of the claw portion 386d1 in the direction of the axis L3. In addition, when the coupling member 386 is inclined until the connecting portion 386g and the guide portion 330b2 of the coupling guide 330b come into contact with each other, the engagement amount Z38 between the driving pin 314b and the claw portions 386d1 and 386d2 decreases, which may affect the transmission of the driving force. In contrast, by providing the R-shaped portion 386g1, when the coupling member 386 moves toward the non-driving side, the tip of the guide portion 330b2 of the coupling guide 330b and the R-shaped portion 386g1 are close to each other. This allows the inclination of the coupling member 386 to be smaller than when the guide portion 300b2 and the connecting portion 86g abut as in the first embodiment. Therefore, by providing the R-shaped portion 386g1, it is possible to prevent the reduction in the engagement amount Z38 caused by the coupling member 386 moving toward the non-driving side and the reduction in the engagement amount Z38 caused by the inclination of the coupling member 386 from occurring simultaneously. Note that the R-shaped portion 386g1 is not limited to a circular arc shape, and the same effect can be obtained even if it is, for example, a conical surface shape.

[0199] As shown in FIG. 29, in this embodiment, the claws 386d1 and 386d2 are formed with flat tips and have an increased thickness in the circumferential direction, thereby reducing deformation of the claws 386d1 and 386d2 during drive transmission. In addition, a spring receiving groove 386h1 is provided in the spring receiving portion 386h to define the portion pressed by the torsion spring 91 (see also FIG. 30(d)). By defining the portion of the spring 91 that contacts the second arm 91b and applying a lubricant thereto, grease is always present in the sliding between the second arm 91b and the coupling member 386, and scraping of both, noise generated by the sliding, etc. can be reduced. The coupling member 386 is made of metal, and the torsion spring 91 is also made of metal. Even when the coupling member 386 receives a driving force from the main body side engaging portion 314 and rotates, the torsion spring 91 continues to apply a biasing force to the coupling member. Therefore, metal parts continue to rub against each other during image formation, and it is desirable to place a lubricant at least between coupling member 386 and torsion spring 91 in order to reduce the effect of this.

[0200] 29(b), the drive pin 314b of the main body side engagement portion 314 does not have to be cylindrical. The diameter sφZ36 of the spherical portion 314c is larger than the diameter sφZ6 of the spherical portion 14c in the first embodiment and the diameter φZ37 of the drive shaft 314a in order to make the spherical surface come into contact with the receiving surface 386f that is thinner than that in the first embodiment. Furthermore, a taper 314e1 is provided at the step between the notch portion 314e and the drive shaft 314a in order to smoothly engage (and disengage) with the coupling member 386.

[0201] In a coupling guide 330b shown in FIG. 30, the diameter of the tip of a guide portion 330b2 is smaller than that of the first embodiment in accordance with a connecting portion 386g having a smaller diameter than that of the first embodiment.

[0202] Next, the bearing member 376 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 31. As shown in FIG. 31, the width Z32 of the notch portion 376k of the bearing member 376 is wider than the diameter φZ31 of the tip portion 386a, as in the first embodiment, and the tip portion 386a faces downward with respect to the mounting direction X2 and the axis L1. On the other hand, the plate-shaped portion 376h is configured to be located closer to the driving side than in the first embodiment. Therefore, when the coupling member 386 is tilted, the outermost diameter portion (φZ31 portion) of the tip portion 386a is made to abut against the lower surface 376k1 of the notch portion 376k. This defines the downward inclination of the coupling member 386 regardless of the inclination angle of the coupling member 386, and allows the coupling member 386 to be more stably engaged with the main body side engaging portion 314b. (In the first embodiment, the conical spring receiving portion 87h abuts against the lower surface 76k1, so the amount by which the coupling member 86 hangs down varies depending on the inclination angle of the coupling member 86.)

[0203] The spring hook 376g is composed of a retaining portion 376g1, an insertion opening portion 376g2, and a support portion 376g3. The insertion opening portion 376g2 and the support portion 376g3 are smoothly connected by a tapered portion 376g4 so that the spring 91 can be smoothly inserted in the direction of the arrow X10. The outermost diameter Z33 of the retaining portion 376g1 and the insertion opening portion 376g2 and the outermost diameter Z34 of the support portion 376g3 are smaller than the inner diameter φZ35 of the coil portion 91c of the spring 91. By configuring the spring hook 376g as described above, the coil portion 91c can be easily inserted into the spring hook 376g, and the support portion 376g3 can suppress the coil portion 91c from moving in a direction that disengages from the retaining portion 376g1. This reduces the possibility that the spring 91 will disengage from the spring hook 376g. Furthermore, the spring hook portion 376g is configured not to protrude outward (toward the driving side) beyond the first protruding portion 376j, thereby reducing the possibility of the spring hook portion 376g being damaged during distribution or the like.

[0204] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the retaining portion 376g1 is provided on the opposite side to the coupling member 386 when viewed from the spring hook portion 376g (the lower left side in FIG. 31(a)).

[0205] In simple terms, the reaction force F91 received by the torsion spring 91 (resultant force of the force F91a received by the first arm 91a and the force F91b received by the second arm 91b) is directed toward the coupling member 386 (upper right side in FIG. 31(a)). As a result, the coil portion 91c is closer to the coupling member 386. Therefore, by positioning the retaining portion 376g in the position disclosed in this embodiment, the torsion spring 91 can be made difficult to come off while ensuring the mounting property of the torsion spring 91. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the coupling member 386 is inclined to the extent that it approaches the coil portion 91c side as shown in FIG. 31(c), the first arm 91a and the second arm 91b become approximately parallel. As a result, the force F91a and the force F91b cancel each other out, and the reaction force F91 received by the torsion spring 91 becomes smaller. In this way, by preventing the force F91 from being directed toward the retaining portion 376g1, the possibility of the torsion spring 91 falling off from the spring hook portion 376g is reduced.

[0206] In addition, the bearing member 376 is provided with a contact prevention rib 376j5 and a contact prevention surface 376j2 to prevent the coupling member 386 from contacting the coil portion 91c. As a result, even if the coupling member 386 is tilted in a direction approaching the coil portion 91c, the coupling member 386 contacts the contact prevention rib 376j5 and the contact prevention surface 376j2, thereby preventing the tip portion 386a from contacting the coil portion 91c. This makes it possible to suppress the possibility that the coil portion 91c will come off the retaining portion 376g1.

[0207] Furthermore, a space 376j4 for the movement of the second arm 91b of the spring 91 is provided on the radially inner side of the first protruding portion 376j. Here, the second arm 91b is preferably long enough to always allow the arm portion 91b1 of the second arm 91b to abut against the spring receiving portion 386h (see FIG. 29) of the coupling member 386. This makes it possible to prevent the tip 91b2 of the second arm 91b from abutting against the spring receiving portion 386h.

[0208] In this embodiment, the torsion spring 91 is prevented from coming off by the shape of the spring hook 376g, but it may be prevented from coming off by applying silicon bond or hot melt. Also, it may be prevented from coming off by using another resin member. EXAMPLES

[0209] In this embodiment, another configuration of the driving side flange unit and the bearing member that supports it will be described with reference to Figure 32. In this embodiment, since the components other than the driving side flange unit and the bearing member are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used and the description will be omitted. Note that even when the same reference numerals are used, the same reference numerals may be used even if some parts are changed in accordance with the configuration of this embodiment.

[0210] As shown in FIG. 32, in this embodiment, the first protruding portion 476j of the bearing member 476 is divided into upper and lower portions. This reduces the surrounding structure when inserting the torsion spring 91 into the spring hook portion 476g, improving the ease of assembly when inserting the torsion spring 91 into the spring hook portion 476g using a tool or an assembly device. In addition, in the first embodiment, the support portion 76a is configured to protrude from the plate-shaped portion 76h to the non-driving side as the second protruding portion, but as shown in FIG. 32(c) and (d), the support portion 476a may be provided inside the hollow portion 476i. In this case, it is preferable that the supported portion 487d provided on the driving side flange 487 is provided on the second cylindrical portion 487h to the extent that it does not hinder the inclination (tilting) of the coupling member 86. In this case, since there is no second protruding portion (supporting portion 76a) that entered the annular groove portion 87p, the driving side flange 487 does not need to be provided with the annular groove portion 487p. Alternatively, even if an annular groove portion 487p is provided for the convenience of resin molding, the first cylindrical portion 487j and the second cylindrical portion 487h can be connected by rib shapes 487p1 to 487p4 to suppress deformation when drive is transmitted to the driving side flange 487. EXAMPLES

[0211] In this embodiment, another configuration of the driving side flange unit and the bearing member that supports it will be described with reference to Figure 33. In this embodiment, the components other than the driving side flange unit and the bearing member are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description will be omitted. Note that even when the same reference numerals are used, the same reference numerals may be used even if some parts are changed in accordance with the configuration of this embodiment.

[0212] As shown in Fig. 33, in this embodiment, the notch 576k of the bearing member 576 is different from that of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the notch 76k is recessed from the plate-shaped portion 76h to the non-drive side and has a groove-like shape parallel to the mounting direction X2. The notch 576k of the bearing member 576 is the same as that of the first embodiment in that it is recessed from the plate-shaped portion 576h to the non-drive side, but does not need to have a groove-like shape. It is sufficient that the recess from the plate-shaped portion 576h provides a space for the coupling member 86 to tilt, and the lower surface 576k1 defines the vertical position of the coupling member 86 (free end portion 86a).

[0213] In addition, in the first embodiment, the supported portion 87d is provided on the inner circumference of the first cylindrical portion 87j of the driving side flange 87, but in this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 587h serves as the supported portion 587d. In one bearing member 576, a support portion 576a as a second protruding portion enters a groove portion 587p and axially supports the supported portion 587d. Since the second cylindrical portion 587h can be protruded further toward the driving side than the first cylindrical portion 587j, by providing the supported portion 587d on the second cylindrical portion 587, the axial support length in the direction of the axis L1 can be made longer than by providing the supported portion on the first cylindrical portion 587j.

[0214] (Other Examples) In the above embodiment, the coupling member is housed in the flange unit of the photosensitive drum, but the cartridge may be driven via the coupling member. Specifically, the developing roller may be rotated via the coupling member. Of course, the present invention can be suitably applied to a developing cartridge that does not have a photosensitive drum and transmits a rotational force from an engagement portion on the main body side to the developing roller. In this case, the coupling member 86 transmits a rotational force to the developing roller 32 as a rotating body instead of the photosensitive drum.

[0215] Of course, the present invention can also be suitably applied to a configuration in which the driving force is transmitted only to the photosensitive drum. In the above embodiment, the driving side flange 87 as the force receiving member is fixed to the longitudinal end of the drum 62 which is a rotating body, but it may be an independent member without being fixed. For example, it may be a gear member that transmits the rotational force to the drum 62 or the developing roller 32 through gear connection.

[0216] Also, the cartridge B in the above embodiment is for forming a monochrome image. However, this is not the only possibility. The configurations and ideas disclosed in the above embodiment can be suitably applied to a cartridge that is provided with a plurality of developing means and forms a multi-color image (e.g., a two-color image, a three-color image, or a full color image).

[0217] Furthermore, the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied to the mounting and demounting path of the cartridge B relative to the apparatus main body A, regardless of whether the mounting and demounting path is a straight line, a combination of straight lines, or a curved path.

[0218] The configurations disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments can be applied to cartridges used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses and to drive transmission devices used therein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0219] 3 Laser scanner unit (exposure means, exposure device) 7 Transfer roller 9 Fixing device (fixing means) 12 Guide member (guide mechanism) 12a First guide member 12b Second guide member 13 Opening and closing doors 14 Drive head (engagement part: main body side) 14a Drive shaft (shaft) 14b Drive pin (applied part) 20 Development unit 21 Toner storage container 22 Lid 23 Developer container 32 Developing roller (developing means, process means, rotating body) 60 Cleaning unit 62 Photosensitive drum (photosensitive body, rotating body) 64 Non-drive side flange 66 Charging roller (charging means, process means) 71 Cleaning frame 74 Exposure window 75 Connecting members 76 Bearing parts (support parts) 76b Guide part 76d First circular arc 76f Second arc section 77 Cleaning blade (removal means, process means) 78 Drum shaft 86 Coupling parts 86a Free end (engagement part: cartridge side) 86b1 Transmission section 86p1, 86p2 First tilting (tilting) regulated part 86c Joint (received) 86d1, 86d2 protrusion 86e1, 86e2 Receiving part 86f Receiving surface 86g Joint 86h Spring support 86k1, 86k2 standby section 86m opening 86z Recess 87 Driving side flange (transmitted member) 87b Fixed part 87d Supported part 87e Hole 87f Stopper 87g Receiving part 87k Cone section 87m opening 87n Second slope regulating section 87i Storage area 88 Pin (shaft) 89 Cover member (regulating member) 90 Screws (fastening means, fixing means) A Electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body) B Process cartridge (cartridge) T Toner (developer) P Sheet (sheet material / recording medium) R Rotation direction S Gap U1 Photosensitive drum unit (drum unit) U2 Drive side flange unit (flange unit) L1: Rotation axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum L2 Coupling member rotation axis L3 Rotation axis of the main body side engagement part θ1 Inclination angle (first angle) θ2 Tilt angle (second angle)

Claims

1. a cartridge mountable in a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main body comprising: a holding member; a drive head rotatably supported on the holding member; and a main body-side protrusion fixed to the holding member at a position downstream of a rotation axis of the drive head in a mounting direction of the cartridge and protruding toward a photosensitive member of the cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis, the cartridge being mountable in the main body by moving the cartridge in a mounting direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drive head; The cartridge comprises: A frame body, The photoconductor capable of rotating while carrying a developer; a rotational force receiving member attached to an end of the photoconductor and receiving a rotational force to be transmitted to the photoconductor, The frame body is (i) a hole portion provided at a first end of the frame body with respect to a direction of a rotation axis of the photoconductor, the hole portion surrounding the rotation axis of the photoconductor; (ii) a first surface provided at a first end of the frame and extending in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the photoreceptor; (iii) a recess recessed from the first surface toward a second end of the frame opposite the first end with respect to a direction of a rotation axis of the photoconductor, the recess including a second surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the photoconductor, a first end, and a second end; (iv) a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion protruding beyond the first surface in a direction from the second end toward the first end with respect to a direction of a rotation axis of the photoconductor; Has the second surface is disposed closer to the second end of the frame than the first surface; With respect to the mounting direction, the first end of the recess is disposed downstream of the hole, and the second end of the recess is disposed downstream of the first end of the recess, the first end and the second end of the recess are open, and when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus main body, the main body side protrusion passes through the second end of the recess and enters the recess, and reaches the first end; A cartridge characterized in that, when viewed along the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive body, the cartridge is divided into two regions by a straight line that is parallel to the mounting direction and passes through the rotation axis of the photosensitive body, at least a portion of the first protrusion is located in one region and at least a portion of the second protrusion is located in the other region.

2. a cartridge mountable in a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main body comprising: a holding member; a drive head rotatably supported on the holding member; and a main body-side protrusion fixed to the holding member at a position downstream of a rotation axis of the drive head in a mounting direction of the cartridge and protruding toward a photosensitive member of the cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis, the cartridge being mountable in the main body by moving the cartridge in a mounting direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drive head; The cartridge comprises: A frame body, The photoconductor capable of rotating while carrying a developer; a rotational force receiving member attached to an end of the photoconductor and receiving a rotational force to be transmitted to the photoconductor; The frame body is (i) a hole portion provided at a first end of the frame body with respect to a direction of a rotation axis of the photoconductor, the hole portion surrounding the rotation axis of the photoconductor; (ii) a first surface provided at a first end of the frame and extending in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the photoreceptor; (iii) a recess recessed from the first surface toward a second end of the frame opposite the first end with respect to a direction of a rotation axis of the photoconductor, the recess including a second surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the photoconductor, a first end, and a second end; (iv) a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion protruding beyond the first surface in a direction from the second end toward the first end with respect to a direction of a rotation axis of the photoconductor; Has the second surface is disposed closer to the second end of the frame than the first surface; With respect to the mounting direction, the first end of the recess is disposed downstream of the hole, and the second end of the recess is disposed downstream of the first end of the recess, the first end and the second end of the recess are open, and when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus main body, the main body side protrusion passes through the second end of the recess and enters the recess, and reaches the first end; A cartridge characterized in that, when viewed along the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive body, the cartridge is divided into two regions by a straight line that is parallel to the mounting direction and passes through the rotation axis of the photosensitive body, the first protrusion portion is located in one region and the second protrusion portion is located in the other region.

3. a cartridge mountable in a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main body comprising: a holding member; a drive head rotatably supported on the holding member; and a main body-side protrusion fixed to the holding member at a position downstream of a rotation axis of the drive head in a mounting direction of the cartridge and protruding toward a photosensitive member of the cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis, the cartridge being mountable in the main body by moving the cartridge in a mounting direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drive head; The cartridge comprises: A frame body, The photoconductor capable of rotating while carrying a developer; a rotational force receiving member attached to an end of the photoconductor and receiving a rotational force to be transmitted to the photoconductor, The frame body is (i) a hole portion provided at a first end of the frame body with respect to a direction of a rotation axis of the photoconductor, the hole portion surrounding the rotation axis of the photoconductor; (ii) a first surface provided at a first end of the frame and extending in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the photoreceptor; (iii) a recess recessed from the first surface toward a second end of the frame opposite the first end with respect to a direction of a rotation axis of the photoconductor, the recess including a second surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the photoconductor, a first end, and a second end; (iv) a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion protruding beyond the first surface in a direction from the second end toward the first end with respect to a direction of a rotation axis of the photoconductor; Has the second surface is disposed closer to the second end of the frame than the first surface; With respect to the mounting direction, the first end of the recess is disposed downstream of the hole, and the second end of the recess is disposed downstream of the first end of the recess, the first end and the second end of the recess are open, and when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus main body, the main body side protrusion passes through the second end of the recess and enters the recess, and reaches the first end; A cartridge characterized in that, when viewed along the direction of a rotation axis of the photosensitive member, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are arranged at a distance from each other with the hole therebetween.

4. a cartridge mountable in a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main body comprising: a holding member; a drive head rotatably supported on the holding member; and a main body-side protrusion fixed to the holding member at a position downstream of a rotation axis of the drive head in a mounting direction of the cartridge and protruding toward a photosensitive member of the cartridge in the direction of the rotation axis, the cartridge being mountable in the main body by moving the cartridge in a mounting direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drive head; The cartridge comprises: A frame body, The photoconductor capable of rotating while carrying a developer; a rotational force receiving member attached to an end of the photoconductor and receiving a rotational force to be transmitted to the photoconductor; The frame body is (i) a hole portion provided at a first end of the frame body with respect to a direction of a rotation axis of the photoconductor, the hole portion surrounding the rotation axis of the photoconductor; (ii) a first surface provided at a first end of the frame and extending in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the photoreceptor; (iii) a recess recessed from the first surface toward a second end of the frame opposite the first end with respect to a direction of a rotation axis of the photoconductor, the recess including a second surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the photoconductor, a first end, and a second end; (iv) a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion protruding beyond the first surface in a direction from the second end toward the first end with respect to a direction of a rotation axis of the photoconductor; Has the second surface is disposed closer to the second end of the frame than the first surface; With respect to the mounting direction, the first end of the recess is disposed downstream of the hole, and the second end of the recess is disposed downstream of the first end of the recess, the first end and the second end of the recess are open, and when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus main body, the main body side protrusion passes through the second end of the recess and enters the recess, and reaches the first end; A cartridge characterized in that, when viewed along the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive body, the first protrusion, the rotation axis of the photosensitive body, and the second protrusion are arranged in this order on a line perpendicular to the mounting direction.

5. 5. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the recess extends downstream in the mounting direction from the hole.

6. 6. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the recess includes a side surface perpendicular to the second surface, and the side surface does not come into contact with the main body side protrusion when the cartridge is mounted in the apparatus main body.

7. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that when the cartridge is attached to the main body of the apparatus and viewed along the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive member, the hole portion and the main body side protrusion portion are in a position to overlap.

8. 8. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the second end of the recess and a rotation axis of the photosensitive member in the mounting direction is longer than a radius of the photosensitive member.

9. 9. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are provided separately from each other.

10. 10. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are connected by a third protrusion to form a protrusion that partially surrounds the rotation axis of the photosensitive member.

11. 11. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion receives a biasing force from the main body of the apparatus when the cartridge is attached to the main body of the apparatus.

12. 12. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the force receiving member includes a gear portion, the gear portion being disposed at the first end portion of the frame body.

13. A cartridge as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the width of the second surface in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction and perpendicular to the rotation axis of the photosensitive body is wider than the width of the main body side protrusion in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction and perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drive head.

14. 14. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the frame has a bearing member having a support portion that rotatably supports the force receiving member, and the recess is provided in the bearing member.

15. 15. A cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are provided on the bearing member.

16. a coupling member capable of engaging with the drive head to receive a rotational force and transmitting the rotational force to the driven member; 16. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member is disposed in a state of passing through the hole.

17. A cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the coupling member contacts the main body side protrusion.

18. 17. A cartridge according to claim 16, wherein said coupling member is capable of entering said recess by tilting said coupling member.

19. 19. A cartridge according to claim 18, wherein the coupling member is tiltable to a downstream side in the mounting direction by approximately 20 degrees or more.

20. 20. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the main body side protrusion protrudes further toward the photosensitive member in the direction of the rotation axis than the drive head.

21. A cartridge as described in any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the main body side protrusion has a first portion extending toward the photosensitive body in the direction of the rotation axis, and a second portion protruding from the tip of the first portion toward the upstream side in the mounting direction of the cartridge.

22. 22. A cartridge according to claim 21, wherein the second portion has an arcuate shape at a tip.

23. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the frame body is provided with a contact portion downstream of the recess in the mounting direction, the contact portion being capable of coming into contact with the main body of the apparatus when mounting of the cartridge to the main body of the apparatus is complete.

24. 24. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion has a contact portion that is capable of coming into contact with the main body of the apparatus when the cartridge has been completely mounted to the main body of the apparatus.

Images