Developer cartridge

Abstract

To provide a developing cartridge that does not require a drive force on both sides and is movable by a drive force received from one side.SOLUTION: A developing cartridge 1 comprises: a housing 10 capable of accommodating a developer; a developing roller 30 capable of rotating about a first axis extending in a first direction, with one circumferential surface side of the developing roller 30 in a second direction exposed to the outside of the housing 10 and the other circumferential surface side of the developing roller 30 in the second direction located inside of the housing 10; a shaft 61 extending in the first direction, movable relative to the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 in the first direction, and movable together with the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 in the second direction; and a first inclined surface 621 located at one end of the shaft 61, movable together with the shaft 61, and the first inclined surface 621 being inclined in the first direction, with the distance from the shaft toward the radially outside of the shaft progressively extended as the first inclined surface 621 goes from the one end to the other end.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a developer cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electrophotographic image forming devices such as laser printers and LED printers are known. A developing cartridge is used in the image forming device. The developing cartridge has a developing roller for supplying toner. Conventional image forming devices are described, for example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2. The image forming device in Patent Document 1 has a drawer unit. The drawer unit has a photosensitive drum. The developing cartridge is attached to the drawer unit. When the developing cartridge is attached to the drawer unit, the photosensitive drum and the developing roller come into contact with each other.

[0003] The developer cartridge of Patent Document 2 is mounted to a drum cartridge. The drum cartridge has a photosensitive drum. When the developer cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge, the photosensitive drum and the developing roller come into contact with each other. Then, the drum cartridge with the developer cartridge mounted thereto is mounted to an image forming apparatus. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-59510 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-54058 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the image forming devices of Patent Documents 1 and 2, the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are switched between a contact state and a spaced state. In Patent Documents 1 and 2, components that move the developing cartridge to separate the developing roller and the photosensitive drum are provided on both sides of the drawer unit or drum cartridge, and each of the components on both sides must receive a driving force from the image forming device.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a developer cartridge that can be moved by a driving force received from one side, without requiring a driving force from both sides. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the developing cartridge of the first disclosure of the present application comprises a housing capable of containing developer, a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction, one side of the developing roller's circumferential surface in the second direction being exposed to the outside of the housing and the other side of the developing roller's circumferential surface in the second direction being located inside the housing, a shaft along the second axis extending in the first direction, the shaft being movable relative to the housing and the developing roller in the first direction and movable together with the housing and the developing roller in the second direction, and a first inclined surface located at one end of the shaft in the first direction and movable together with the shaft, the first inclined surface being inclined with respect to the first direction, the distance between the shaft and the first inclined surface in the second direction becoming longer as it moves from the one end to the other end, the distance between the shaft and the first inclined surface being longer radially outward of the shaft.

[0008] A second disclosure is the developing cartridge of the first disclosure, wherein the first inclined surface is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the first direction.

[0009] A third disclosure is the developing cartridge of the first or second disclosure, wherein the first inclined surface is located on the circumferential surface of the shaft.

[0010] A fourth disclosure is the developing cartridge according to any one of the first to third disclosures, wherein the first inclined surface is inclined with respect to the shaft.

[0011] A fifth disclosure is the developing cartridge according to any one of the first to fourth disclosures, wherein the first inclined surface is located on one side of the shaft in the second direction.

[0012] A sixth disclosure is the developer cartridge of the fifth disclosure, wherein one side of the shaft in the second direction is positioned closer to the developer roller than the other side of the shaft.

[0013] A seventh disclosure relates to the developing cartridge of any one of the first to sixth disclosures, wherein the angle of the first inclined surface relative to the first direction is equal to or greater than 43 degrees and equal to or less than 47 degrees.

[0014] The eighth disclosure is a developer cartridge according to the first to sixth disclosures, wherein the first inclined surface has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface aligned in the first direction, the first inclined surface is positioned farther from the other end of the shaft in the first direction than the second inclined surface, and the inclination angle of the first inclined surface with respect to the first direction is greater than the inclination angle of the second inclined surface with respect to the first direction.

[0015] A ninth disclosure is a developing cartridge according to the eighth disclosure, wherein the angle of the first inclined surface relative to the first direction is greater than or equal to 43 degrees and less than or equal to 47 degrees, and the angle of the second inclined surface relative to the first direction is greater than or equal to 12 degrees and less than or equal to 17 degrees.

[0016] A tenth disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the first to ninth disclosures, comprising a second inclined surface located at the other end of the shaft in the first direction and movable together with the shaft, the second inclined surface being inclined relative to the one direction, and the distance from the shaft toward the radially outward direction of the shaft increasing as the second inclined surface moves from the one end to the other end.

[0017] An eleventh disclosure is the developer cartridge of the tenth disclosure, wherein the second inclined surface is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the first direction.

[0018] A twelfth disclosure is the developer cartridge of the tenth or eleventh disclosure, wherein the second inclined surface is located on the circumferential surface of the shaft.

[0019] A thirteenth disclosure is the developing cartridge of any one of the tenth to twelfth disclosures, wherein the second inclined surface is inclined with respect to the shaft.

[0020] A fourteenth disclosure is the developing cartridge according to any one of the tenth to thirteenth disclosures, wherein the second inclined surface is located on one side of the shaft in the second direction.

[0021] A fifteenth disclosure is the developer cartridge of the fourteenth disclosure, wherein one side of the shaft in the second direction is positioned closer to the developer roller than the other side of the shaft.

[0022] A sixteenth disclosure relates to the developing cartridge according to the tenth to fifteenth disclosures, wherein the angle of the second inclined surface with respect to the first direction is equal to or greater than 43 degrees and equal to or less than 47 degrees.

[0023] The 17th disclosure is a developer cartridge according to the 10th to 15th disclosures, wherein the second inclined surface has a third inclined surface and a fourth inclined surface aligned in the first direction, the third inclined surface is positioned closer to the first inclined surface in the first direction than the fourth inclined surface, and the inclination angle of the third inclined surface with respect to the first direction is greater than the inclination angle of the fourth inclined surface with respect to the first direction.

[0024] An 18th disclosure is a developing cartridge according to the 17th disclosure, wherein the angle of the third inclined surface relative to the first direction is greater than or equal to 43 degrees and less than or equal to 47 degrees, and the angle of the fourth inclined surface relative to the first direction is greater than or equal to 12 degrees and less than or equal to 17 degrees.

[0025] A 19th disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the first to eighteenth disclosures, wherein the second direction is a direction intersecting the circumferential surface of the developing roller exposed to the outside of the housing.

[0026] A twentieth disclosure is the developing cartridge of any one of the first to nineteenth disclosures, wherein the shaft is non-rotatable relative to the housing about the second axis.

[0027] A 21st disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the 1st to 19th disclosures, wherein the shaft is rotatable relative to the housing about the second axis, and the first inclined surface is rotatable together with the shaft relative to the housing about the second axis, and is a conical surface or a polygonal pyramidal surface with the second axis as its central axis.

[0028] A 22nd disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the 10th to 18th disclosures, wherein the shaft is rotatable relative to the housing about the second axis, and the second inclined surface is rotatable together with the shaft relative to the housing about the second axis, and is a conical surface or a polygonal pyramidal surface with the second axis as its central axis.

[0029] The 23rd disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the 1st to 22nd disclosures, wherein the housing has a container capable of containing a developer and a lid that covers the container and has a through hole that penetrates in the first direction, and the shaft is inserted into the through hole.

[0030] The 24th disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the 1st to 23rd disclosures, which is used in a drum cartridge, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the housing in the first direction between a first position and a second position, and the housing moves in the second direction together with the shaft relative to the drum cartridge when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position.

[0031] The 25th disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the first to 24th disclosures, which is used in a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the housing in the first direction between a first position and a second position, and the housing moves in the second direction together with the shaft relative to the photosensitive drum when the shaft moves from the opening of the first position to the second position.

[0032] A 26th disclosure is the developing cartridge of the 25th disclosure, wherein the first inclined surface contacts a part of the drum cartridge when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position, and the housing and the developing roller move in the second direction when the first inclined surface slides against the part of the drum cartridge.

[0033] A 27th disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the 10th to 18th disclosures, which is used in a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position in the first direction, and when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position, the housing moves in the second direction together with the shaft relative to the photosensitive drum, the first inclined surface contacts a first receiving surface of the drum cartridge when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position, and the second inclined surface contacts a second receiving surface different from the first receiving surface of the drum cartridge when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position, and the housing and the developing roller move in the second direction when the first inclined surface slides against the first receiving surface and the second inclined surface slides against the second receiving surface.

[0034] The 28th disclosure is a developing cartridge of any one of the 10th disclosure to the 18th disclosure and the 27th disclosure, wherein the shaft moves from the first position to the second position when the second inclined surface receives a pressing force in the first direction from the other end of the shaft toward the one end.

[0035] A 29th disclosure is a developing cartridge according to the 28th disclosure, further comprising an elastic member that is expandable and contractible in the first direction, one end of the elastic member in the first direction being connected to the first inclined surface, and the other end of the elastic member in the first direction being connected to the housing.

[0036] A 30th disclosure is the developer cartridge of the 29th disclosure, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring that is expandable and contractible in the first direction between a first length and a second length that is shorter than the first length, the elastic member being at the first length when the shaft is at the first position and at the second length when the shaft is at the second position, and the shaft being at the second position when the coil spring is at the first length and at the first position when the coil spring is at the second length.

[0037] A 31st disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the 1st to 30th disclosures, wherein the housing has a first outer surface and a second outer surface spaced apart in the first direction, the first outer surface being located at one end of the housing in the first direction, the second outer surface being located at the other end of the housing in the first direction, and the first inclined surface being located on the first outer surface and moving away from the developing roller in the second direction as it moves away from the first outer surface in the first direction.

[0038] A thirty-second disclosure is the developer cartridge of the thirty-first disclosure, further comprising a coupling for rotating the developer roller, the coupling being disposed on the second outer surface.

[0039] A thirty-third disclosure is the developer cartridge of the thirty-second disclosure, wherein the coupling is disposed at a position closer to the developer roller in the second direction than the shaft and the first inclined surface.

[0040] A thirty-fourth disclosure is the developing cartridge according to the thirty-second or thirty-third disclosure, wherein the coupling receives a driving force, and the shaft receives a pressing force in a direction from the second outer surface toward the first outer surface.

[0041] A 35th disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the 31st to 34th disclosures, further comprising an electrode electrically connected to the developing roller and located on the first outer surface.

[0042] A thirty-sixth disclosure is the developer cartridge of the thirty-fifth disclosure, wherein the electrode is disposed at a position closer to the developer roller in the second direction than the shaft and the first inclined surface.

[0043] The 37th disclosure is a developing cartridge of any one of the 1st to 36th disclosures, further comprising an agitator rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction and agitating the developer, and the developing roller is spaced from the agitator in the second direction.

[0044] A thirty-eighth disclosure is the developing cartridge of the thirty-seventh disclosure, wherein the agitator is disposed at a position closer to the developing roller than the shaft in the second direction.

[0045] The 39th disclosure includes a housing capable of containing developer, a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction, one side of the circumferential surface of the developing roller in the second direction being exposed to the outside of the housing and the other side of the circumferential surface of the developing roller in the second direction being located inside the housing, a shaft along the second axis extending in the first direction, the shaft being movable relative to the housing and the developing roller in the first direction and movable together with the housing and the developing roller in the second direction, and a first inclined surface located at one end of the shaft in the first direction and movable together with the shaft, the first inclined surface inclined relative to the first direction widening radially outward from the one end to the other end.

[0046] A fortieth disclosure is the developing cartridge of the thirty-ninth disclosure, wherein the first inclined surface is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the first direction.

[0047] A forty-first disclosure is the developing cartridge according to the thirty-ninth or fortieth disclosure, wherein the first inclined surface is located on the circumferential surface of the shaft.

[0048] A forty-second disclosure is the developing cartridge of any one of the thirty-ninth to forty-first disclosures, wherein the first inclined surface is inclined relative to the shaft.

[0049] A forty-third disclosure is the developing cartridge of any one of the thirty-ninth to forty-second disclosures, wherein the first inclined surface is located on one side of the shaft in the second direction.

[0050] A forty-fourth disclosure is the developer cartridge of the forty-third disclosure, wherein one side of the shaft in the second direction is positioned closer to the developer roller than the other side of the shaft.

[0051] A forty-fifth disclosure is the developing cartridge according to any one of the thirty-ninth to forty-fourth disclosures, wherein the angle of the first inclined surface with respect to the first direction is equal to or greater than 43 degrees and equal to or less than 47 degrees.

[0052] The 46th disclosure is a developer cartridge according to the 39th to 44th disclosures, wherein the first inclined surface has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface aligned in the first direction, the first inclined surface is positioned farther from the other end of the shaft in the first direction than the second inclined surface, and the inclination angle of the first inclined surface with respect to the first direction is greater than the inclination angle of the second inclined surface with respect to the first direction.

[0053] The 47th disclosure is a developing cartridge according to the 46th disclosure, wherein the angle of the first inclined surface relative to the first direction is greater than or equal to 43 degrees and less than or equal to 47 degrees, and the angle of the second inclined surface relative to the first direction is greater than or equal to 12 degrees and less than or equal to 17 degrees.

[0054] Disclosure No. 48 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 39 to No. 47, comprising a second inclined surface located at the other end of the shaft in the first direction and movable together with the shaft, the second inclined surface inclined relative to the first direction widening radially outward from the shaft as it moves from the one end to the other end.

[0055] A forty-ninth disclosure is the developing cartridge of the forty-eighth disclosure, wherein the second inclined surface is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the first direction.

[0056] A fiftieth disclosure is the developer cartridge of the forty-eighth or forty-ninth disclosure, wherein the second inclined surface is located on the circumferential surface of the shaft.

[0057] A fifty-first disclosure is the developing cartridge of any one of the forty-eighth to fiftieth disclosures, wherein the second inclined surface is inclined relative to the shaft.

[0058] A fifty-second disclosure is the developing cartridge of any one of the forty-eighth to fifty-first disclosures, wherein the second inclined surface is located on one side of the shaft in the second direction.

[0059] A 53rd disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the 48th to 52nd disclosures, wherein one side of the shaft in the second direction is positioned closer to the developing roller than the other side of the shaft.

[0060] A fifty-fourth disclosure relates to the developing cartridge according to any one of the forty-eighth to fifty-third disclosures, wherein the angle of the second inclined surface with respect to the first direction is equal to or greater than 43 degrees and equal to or less than 47 degrees.

[0061] Disclosure No. 55 is a developer cartridge according to disclosures No. 48 to No. 53, wherein the second inclined surface has a third inclined surface and a fourth inclined surface aligned in the first direction, the third inclined surface is positioned closer to the first inclined surface in the first direction than the fourth inclined surface, and the inclination angle of the third inclined surface with respect to the first direction is greater than the inclination angle of the fourth inclined surface with respect to the first direction.

[0062] The 56th disclosure is a developing cartridge according to the 55th disclosure, wherein the angle of the third inclined surface relative to the first direction is greater than or equal to 43 degrees and less than or equal to 47 degrees, and the angle of the fourth inclined surface relative to the first direction is greater than or equal to 12 degrees and less than or equal to 17 degrees.

[0063] A 57th disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the 39th to 56th disclosures, wherein the second direction is a direction intersecting with the circumferential surface of the developing roller exposed to the outside of the housing.

[0064] A fifty-eighth disclosure is the developing cartridge of any one of the thirty-ninth to fifty-seventh disclosures, wherein the shaft is non-rotatable relative to the housing about the second axis.

[0065] Disclosure No. 59 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 39 to No. 57, wherein the shaft is rotatable relative to the housing about the second axis, and the first inclined surface is rotatable together with the shaft relative to the housing about the second axis, and is a conical surface or a polygonal pyramidal surface with the second axis as its central axis.

[0066] Disclosure No. 60 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 48 to No. 56, wherein the shaft is rotatable relative to the housing about the second axis, and the second inclined surface is rotatable together with the shaft relative to the housing about the second axis, and is a conical surface or a polygonal pyramidal surface with the second axis as its central axis.

[0067] Disclosure No. 61 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 39 to No. 60, wherein the housing has a container capable of holding a developer and a lid that covers the container and has a through hole that penetrates in the first direction, and the shaft is inserted into the through hole.

[0068] Disclosure No. 62 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 39 to No. 61, which is used in a drum cartridge, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the housing in the first direction between a first position and a second position, and the housing moves in the second direction together with the shaft relative to the photosensitive drum when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position.

[0069] Disclosure No. 63 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 39 to No. 62, which is used in a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the housing in the first direction between a first position and a second position, and the housing moves in the second direction together with the shaft relative to the photosensitive drum when the shaft moves from the opening of the first position to the second position.

[0070] Disclosure No. 64 is the developer cartridge of Disclosure No. 63, wherein the first inclined surface contacts a portion of the drum cartridge when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position, and the housing and the developer roller move in the second direction when the first inclined surface slides against the portion of the drum cartridge.

[0071] Disclosure No. 65 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 48 to No. 56, which is used in a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position in the first direction, and when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position, the housing moves in the second direction together with the shaft relative to the photosensitive drum, the first inclined surface contacts a first receiving surface of the drum cartridge when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position, and the second inclined surface contacts a second receiving surface different from the first receiving surface of the drum cartridge when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position, and the housing and the developing roller move in the second direction when the first inclined surface slides against the first receiving surface and the second inclined surface slides against the second receiving surface.

[0072] Disclosure No. 66 is a developing cartridge which is any one of Disclosures No. 48 to No. 56 and Disclosure No. 65, wherein the shaft moves from the first position to the second position when the second inclined surface receives a pressing force in the first direction from the other end of the shaft toward the one end.

[0073] Disclosure No. 67 is the developer cartridge of disclosure No. 66, further comprising an elastic member that is expandable and contractible in the first direction, one end of the elastic member in the first direction being connected to the first inclined surface, and the other end of the elastic member in the first direction being connected to the housing.

[0074] Disclosure No. 68 is the developer cartridge of disclosure No. 67, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring that is expandable and contractible in the first direction between a first length and a second length that is shorter than the first length, the elastic member being at the first length when the shaft is at the first position and at the second length when the shaft is at the second position, and the shaft being at the second position when the coil spring is at the first length and at the first position when the coil spring is at the second length.

[0075] Disclosure No. 69 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 39 to No. 68, wherein the housing has a first outer surface and a second outer surface spaced apart in the first direction, the first outer surface being located at one end of the housing in the first direction, the second outer surface being located at the other end of the housing in the first direction, and the first inclined surface being located on the first outer surface and moving away from the developing roller in the second direction as it moves away from the first outer surface in the first direction.

[0076] A seventieth disclosure is the developer cartridge of the sixty-ninth disclosure, further comprising a coupling for rotating the developer roller, the coupling being disposed on the second outer surface.

[0077] A 71st disclosure is the developing cartridge of the 70th disclosure, wherein the coupling is disposed at a position closer to the developing roller in the second direction than the shaft and the first inclined surface.

[0078] A 72nd disclosure is the developing cartridge according to the 70th or 71st disclosure, wherein the coupling receives a driving force, and the shaft receives a pressing force in a direction from the second outer surface toward the first outer surface.

[0079] A 73rd disclosure is a developer cartridge according to any one of the 70th to 72nd disclosures, further comprising an electrode electrically connected to the developer roller, the electrode being located on the first outer surface.

[0080] A 74th disclosure is the developer cartridge of the 73rd disclosure, wherein the electrode is disposed at a position closer to the developer roller in the second direction than the shaft and the first inclined surface.

[0081] Disclosure No. 75 is a developing cartridge according to any one of disclosures No. 39 to No. 74, further comprising an agitator rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction and agitating the developer, wherein the developing roller is spaced from the agitator in the second direction.

[0082] A 76th disclosure is the developing cartridge of the 75th disclosure, wherein the agitator is disposed at a position closer to the developing roller than the shaft in the second direction.

[0083] The 77th disclosure includes a housing capable of containing developer, a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction, one side of the circumferential surface of the developing roller in the second direction being exposed to the outside of the housing and the other side of the circumferential surface of the developing roller in the second direction being located inside the housing, a shaft along the second axis extending in the first direction, the shaft being movable relative to the housing and the developing roller in the first direction and movable together with the housing and the developing roller in the second direction, and a first inclined surface located at one end of the shaft in the first direction and movable together with the shaft, the first inclined surface inclined relative to the first direction becoming farther away from the developing roller in the second direction as it moves away from the housing in the first direction.

[0084] A 78th disclosure is the developing cartridge of the 77th disclosure, wherein the first inclined surface is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the first direction.

[0085] A seventy-ninth disclosure is the developer cartridge according to the seventy-seventh disclosure or the seventy-eighth disclosure, wherein the first inclined surface is located on the circumferential surface of the shaft.

[0086] An eightieth disclosure is the developing cartridge of any one of the seventy-seventh to seventy-ninth disclosures, wherein the first inclined surface is inclined with respect to the shaft.

[0087] An 81st disclosure is the developing cartridge of any one of the 77th to 80th disclosures, wherein the first inclined surface is located on one side of the shaft in the second direction.

[0088] An 82nd disclosure is the developer cartridge of the 82nd disclosure, wherein one side of the shaft in the second direction is positioned closer to the developer roller than the other side of the shaft.

[0089] An 83rd disclosure is the developing cartridge according to any one of the 77th to 82nd disclosures, wherein the angle of the first inclined surface with respect to the first direction is equal to or greater than 43 degrees and equal to or less than 47 degrees.

[0090] Disclosure No. 84 is a developer cartridge according to disclosures No. 77 to No. 82, wherein the first inclined surface has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface aligned in the first direction, the first inclined surface is positioned farther from the other end of the shaft in the first direction than the second inclined surface, and the inclination angle of the first inclined surface with respect to the first direction is greater than the inclination angle of the second inclined surface with respect to the first direction.

[0091] Disclosure No. 85 is a developer cartridge according to disclosure No. 84, wherein the angle of the first inclined surface relative to the first direction is greater than or equal to 43 degrees and less than or equal to 47 degrees, and the angle of the second inclined surface relative to the first direction is greater than or equal to 12 degrees and less than or equal to 17 degrees.

[0092] Disclosure No. 86 is a developing cartridge according to any one of disclosures No. 77 to No. 85, further comprising a second inclined surface located at the other end of the shaft in the first direction and movable together with the shaft, the second inclined surface being inclined relative to the first direction and approaching the developing roller in the second direction as it moves away from the housing in the first direction.

[0093] An 87th disclosure is the developing cartridge according to the 86th disclosure, wherein the second inclined surface is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the first direction.

[0094] An 88th disclosure is the developer cartridge according to the 86th or 87th disclosure, wherein the second inclined surface is located on the circumferential surface of the shaft.

[0095] An 89th disclosure is the developing cartridge of any one of the 86th to 88th disclosures, wherein the second inclined surface is inclined with respect to the shaft.

[0096] A 90th disclosure is the developing cartridge of any one of the 86th to 89th disclosures, wherein the second inclined surface is located on one side of the shaft in the second direction.

[0097] A 91st disclosure is the developer cartridge of the 90th disclosure, wherein one side of the shaft in the second direction is positioned closer to the developer roller than the other side of the shaft.

[0098] A 92nd disclosure relates to the developing cartridge according to any one of the 86th to 91st disclosures, wherein the angle of the second inclined surface with respect to the first direction is equal to or greater than 43 degrees and equal to or less than 47 degrees.

[0099] Disclosure No. 93 is a developer cartridge according to disclosures No. 86 to No. 91, wherein the second inclined surface has a third inclined surface and a fourth inclined surface aligned in the first direction, the third inclined surface is positioned closer to the first inclined surface in the first direction than the fourth inclined surface, and the inclination angle of the third inclined surface with respect to the first direction is greater than the inclination angle of the fourth inclined surface with respect to the first direction.

[0100] Disclosure No. 94 is a developing cartridge according to disclosure No. 93, wherein the angle of the third inclined surface relative to the first direction is greater than or equal to 43 degrees and less than or equal to 47 degrees, and the angle of the fourth inclined surface relative to the first direction is greater than or equal to 12 degrees and less than or equal to 17 degrees.

[0101] Disclosure No. 95 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 77 to No. 94, wherein the second direction is a direction intersecting the circumferential surface of the developing roller exposed to the outside of the housing.

[0102] A 96th disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the 77th to 95th disclosures, wherein the shaft is non-rotatable relative to the housing about the second axis.

[0103] Disclosure No. 97 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 77 to No. 96, wherein the shaft is rotatable relative to the housing about the second axis, and the first inclined surface is rotatable together with the shaft relative to the housing about the second axis, and is a conical surface or a polygonal pyramidal surface with the second axis as its central axis.

[0104] Disclosure No. 98 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 86 to No. 94, wherein the shaft is rotatable relative to the housing about the second axis, and the second inclined surface is rotatable together with the shaft relative to the housing about the second axis, and is a conical surface or a polygonal pyramidal surface with the second axis as its central axis.

[0105] Disclosure No. 99 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 77 to No. 98, wherein the housing has a container capable of containing developer and a lid covering the container, the lid having a through hole extending in the first direction, and the shaft is inserted into the through hole.

[0106] Disclosure No. 100 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 77 to No. 99, which is used in a drum cartridge, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the housing in the first direction between a first position and a second position, and the housing moves in the second direction together with the shaft relative to the drum cartridge when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position.

[0107] Disclosure No. 101 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 77 to No. 100, which is used in a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the housing in the first direction between a first position and a second position, and the housing moves in the second direction together with the shaft relative to the photosensitive drum when the shaft moves from the opening of the first position to the second position.

[0108] Disclosure No. 102 is the developer cartridge of Disclosure No. 101, wherein the first inclined surface contacts a portion of the drum cartridge when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position, and the housing and the developer roller move in the second direction when the first inclined surface slides against the portion of the drum cartridge.

[0109] Disclosure No. 103 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 86 to No. 94, which is used in a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position in the first direction, and when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position, the housing moves in the second direction together with the shaft relative to the photosensitive drum, the first inclined surface contacts a first receiving surface of the drum cartridge when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position, and the second inclined surface contacts a second receiving surface different from the first receiving surface of the drum cartridge when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position, and the housing and the developing roller move in the second direction when the first inclined surface slides against the first receiving surface and the second inclined surface slides against the second receiving surface.

[0110] Disclosure No. 104 is a developing cartridge which is any one of Disclosures No. 86 to No. 94 and Disclosure No. 103, wherein the shaft moves from the first position to the second position when the second inclined surface receives a pressing force in the first direction from the other end of the shaft toward the one end.

[0111] Disclosure No. 105 is the developer cartridge of disclosure No. 104, further comprising an elastic member that is expandable and contractible in the first direction, one end of the elastic member in the first direction being connected to the first inclined surface, and the other end of the elastic member in the first direction being connected to the housing.

[0112] Disclosure No. 106 is the developer cartridge of disclosure No. 105, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring that is expandable and contractible in the first direction between a first length and a second length that is shorter than the first length, the elastic member being at the first length when the shaft is at the first position and at the second length when the shaft is at the second position, and the shaft being at the second position when the coil spring is at the first length and at the first position when the coil spring is at the second length.

[0113] Disclosure No. 107 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 77 to No. 106, wherein the housing has a first outer surface and a second outer surface spaced apart in the first direction, the first outer surface being located at one end of the housing in the first direction, the second outer surface being located at the other end of the housing in the first direction, and the first inclined surface being located on the first outer surface and moving away from the developing roller in the second direction as it moves away from the first outer surface in the second direction.

[0114] A 108th disclosure is the developer cartridge of the 107th disclosure, further comprising a coupling for rotating the developer roller, the coupling being disposed on the second outer surface.

[0115] A 109th disclosure is the developer cartridge of the 108th disclosure, wherein the coupling is disposed at a position closer to the developer roller in the second direction than the shaft and the first inclined surface.

[0116] A 110th disclosure is the developing cartridge according to the 108th or 109th disclosure, wherein the coupling receives a driving force, and the shaft receives a pressing force in a direction from the second outer surface toward the first outer surface.

[0117] Disclosure No. 111 is a developer cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 107 to No. 110, further comprising an electrode electrically connected to the developer roller, the electrode being located on the first outer surface.

[0118] A 112th disclosure is the developer cartridge of the 111th disclosure, wherein the electrode is disposed at a position closer to the developer roller in the second direction than the shaft and the first inclined surface.

[0119] Disclosure No. 113 is a developing cartridge according to any one of disclosures No. 77 to No. 112, further comprising an agitator rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction and agitating the developer, wherein the developing roller is spaced from the agitator in the second direction.

[0120] A 114th disclosure is the developer cartridge of the 113th disclosure, wherein the agitator is disposed at a position closer to the developer roller than the shaft in the second direction.

[0121] The disclosure of No. 115 is a developer cartridge used in a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum, comprising: a housing capable of containing a developer; a developer roller rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction, one side of the circumferential surface of the developer roller in the second direction being exposed to the outside of the housing and the other side of the circumferential surface of the developer roller in the second direction being located inside the housing; a shaft along the second axis extending in the first direction, the shaft being movable relative to the housing and the developer roller in the first direction and movable together with the housing and the developer roller in the second direction; and a first cam provided at one end of the shaft in the first direction and movable together with the shaft, wherein when the first cam moves in the first direction together with the shaft, it moves the shaft and the housing relative to the photosensitive drum in the second direction.

[0122] Disclosure No. 116 is the developer cartridge of disclosure No. 115, wherein the first cam has a first inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the first direction, and the distance from the shaft toward the radially outward direction of the shaft increases as the first cam moves from the one end to the other end.

[0123] A 117th disclosure is the developer cartridge of the 116th disclosure, wherein the first inclined surface is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the first direction.

[0124] A 118th disclosure is the developing cartridge according to the 116th or 117th disclosure, wherein the angle of the first inclined surface with respect to the first direction is equal to or greater than 43 degrees and equal to or less than 47 degrees.

[0125] Disclosure No. 119 is a developer cartridge according to disclosure No. 116 or disclosure No. 117, wherein the first inclined surface has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface aligned in the first direction, the first inclined surface is positioned farther from the other end of the shaft in the first direction than the second inclined surface, and the inclination angle of the first inclined surface with respect to the first direction is greater than the inclination angle of the second inclined surface with respect to the first direction.

[0126] Disclosure No. 120 is the developer cartridge of disclosure No. 119, wherein the angle of the first inclined surface relative to the first direction is greater than or equal to 43 degrees and less than or equal to 47 degrees, and the angle of the second inclined surface relative to the first direction is greater than or equal to 12 degrees and less than or equal to 17 degrees.

[0127] A 121st disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the 115th to 120th disclosures, comprising: a second cam provided at the other end of the shaft in the axial direction and movable together with the shaft; When the first cam and the second cam move together with the shaft in the first direction, the first cam and the second cam move the shaft and the housing in the second direction relative to the photosensitive drum.

[0128] Disclosure No. 122 is the developer cartridge of disclosure No. 121, wherein the second cam has a second inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the first direction and whose distance from the shaft toward the radially outward direction of the shaft becomes shorter as the shaft moves from the other end to the one end.

[0129] A 123rd disclosure is the developer cartridge according to the 122nd disclosure, wherein the second inclined surface is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the first direction.

[0130] A 124th disclosure is the developer cartridge according to the 122nd or 123rd disclosure, wherein the angle of the second inclined surface with respect to the first direction is equal to or greater than 43 degrees and equal to or less than 47 degrees.

[0131] Disclosure No. 125 is a developer cartridge according to disclosure No. 122 or disclosure No. 123, wherein the second inclined surface has a third inclined surface and a fourth inclined surface aligned in the first direction, the third inclined surface is positioned closer to the first inclined surface in the first direction than the fourth inclined surface, and the inclination angle of the third inclined surface with respect to the first direction is greater than the inclination angle of the fourth inclined surface with respect to the first direction.

[0132] Disclosure No. 126 is a developer cartridge disclosed in Disclosure No. 125, wherein the angle of the third inclined surface relative to the first direction is greater than or equal to 43 degrees and less than or equal to 47 degrees, and the angle of the fourth inclined surface relative to the first direction is greater than or equal to 12 degrees and less than or equal to 17 degrees.

[0133] Disclosure No. 127 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 115 to No. 126, wherein the second direction is a direction intersecting the circumferential surface of the developing roller exposed to the outside of the housing.

[0134] A 128th disclosure is a developing cartridge according to any one of the 115th to 127th disclosures, wherein the shaft is non-rotatable relative to the housing about the second axis.

[0135] Disclosure No. 129 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 115 to No. 127, wherein the shaft is rotatable relative to the housing about the second axis, and the first cam is rotatable together with the shaft relative to the housing about the second axis, and is conical or pyramidal with the second axis as its central axis.

[0136] Disclosure No. 130 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 115 to No. 127, wherein the shaft is rotatable relative to the housing about the second axis, and the second cam is rotatable together with the shaft relative to the housing about the second axis, and is conical or pyramidal with the second axis as its central axis.

[0137] Disclosure No. 131 is a developing cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 115 to No. 130, wherein the housing has a container capable of containing developer and a lid that covers the container and has a through hole that penetrates in the first direction, and the shaft is inserted into the through hole.

[0138] Disclosure No. 132 is a developing cartridge according to any one of disclosures No. 115 to No. 131, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the housing in the first direction between a first position and a second position, and the housing moves in the second direction together with the shaft relative to the drum cartridge when the shaft moves from the opening of the first position to the second position.

[0139] Disclosure No. 133 is a developer cartridge according to any one of disclosures No. 115 to No. 132, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the housing in the first direction between a first position and a second position, and the housing moves in the second direction together with the shaft relative to the photosensitive drum when the shaft moves from the opening of the first position to the second position.

[0140] Disclosure No. 134 is the developer cartridge of disclosure No. 133, wherein the first cam contacts a portion of the drum cartridge when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position, and the housing and the developer roller move in the second direction when the first cam slides against the portion of the drum cartridge.

[0141] Disclosure No. 135 is a developing cartridge according to any one of disclosures No. 121 to No. 126, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the housing in the first direction between a first position and a second position, the housing moves together with the shaft in the second direction relative to the photosensitive drum when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position, the first cam contacts a first receiving surface of the drum cartridge when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position, the second cam contacts a second receiving surface different from the first receiving surface of the drum cartridge when the shaft moves from the first position to the second position, and the housing and the developing roller move in the second direction when the first cam slides against the first receiving surface and the second cam slides against the second receiving surface.

[0142] Disclosure No. 136 is a developing cartridge that is any one of disclosures No. 121 to No. 126 and disclosure No. 135, wherein the shaft moves from the first position to the second position when the second cam receives a pressing force in the first direction from the other end of the shaft toward the one end.

[0143] Disclosure No. 137 is the developer cartridge of disclosure No. 136, further comprising an elastic member that is expandable and contractible in the first direction, one end of the elastic member in the first direction being connected to the first inclined surface, and the other end of the elastic member in the first direction being connected to the housing.

[0144] Disclosure No. 138 is the developer cartridge of disclosure No. 137, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring that is expandable and contractible in the first direction between a first length and a second length that is shorter than the first length, the elastic member being at the first length when the shaft is at the first position and at the second length when the shaft is at the second position, and the shaft being at the second position when the coil spring is at the first length and at the first position when the coil spring is at the second length.

[0145] Disclosure No. 139 is a developing cartridge according to any one of disclosures No. 115 to No. 138, wherein the housing has a first outer surface and a second outer surface spaced apart in the first direction, the first outer surface being located at one end of the housing in the first direction, the second outer surface being located at the other end of the housing in the first direction, and the first cam being located on the first outer surface and moving away from the developing roller in the second direction as it moves away from the first outer surface in the first direction.

[0146] A 140th disclosure is the developer cartridge of the 139th disclosure, further comprising a coupling for rotating the developer roller, the coupling being disposed on the second outer surface.

[0147] A 141st disclosure is the developer cartridge of the 140th disclosure, wherein the coupling is disposed at a position closer to the developer roller than the shaft and the first cam in the second direction.

[0148] A 142nd disclosure is the developing cartridge according to the 140th or 141st disclosure, wherein the coupling receives a driving force, and the shaft receives a pressing force in a direction from the second outer surface toward the first outer surface.

[0149] Disclosure No. 143 is a developer cartridge according to any one of Disclosures No. 140 to No. 142, further comprising an electrode electrically connected to the developer roller and located on the first outer surface.

[0150] A 144th disclosure is the developer cartridge of the 143rd disclosure, wherein the electrode is disposed at a position closer to the developer roller in the second direction than the shaft and the first cam.

[0151] Disclosure No. 145 is a developing cartridge which is any one of disclosures No. 115 to No. 144, further comprising an agitator which is rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction and which agitates the developer, and the developing roller is spaced from the agitator in the second direction.

[0152] A 146th disclosure is the developer cartridge of the 145th disclosure, wherein the agitator is positioned closer to the developer roller than the shaft in the second direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0153] According to the present disclosure, the shaft moves in a first direction relative to the housing and the developing roller in accordance with a driving force in the first direction. When the first inclined surface comes into contact with another component as the shaft moves in the first direction, the first inclined surface moves in a second direction along the component. As the first inclined surface moves in the second direction, the housing and the developing roller also move in the second direction. This eliminates the need for driving forces on both sides, and allows the developing cartridge to move in the second direction using the driving force in the first direction. Furthermore, by providing the developing cartridge with the first inclined surface and the shaft, it is possible to prevent the shaft from interfering with the installation and removal of the developing cartridge relative to the drum cartridge, compared to when the drum cartridge is provided with the shaft.

[0154] According to the 8th, 46th, 84th, and 119th disclosures, the first inclined surface comes into contact with another component first, so the amount of movement of the shaft in the second direction can be increased at the beginning of the movement of the shaft in the first direction. This allows the developing roller to move in the second direction with a small amount of movement of the shaft in the first direction. Furthermore, the second inclined surface, which has a gentler inclination angle with respect to the first direction than the first inclined surface, comes into contact with the other component, so the shaft moves in the first direction while being restricted from moving in the second direction. This reduces the pressure load pressing on the shaft.

[0155] According to the 17th, 55th, 93rd, and 125th disclosures, the third inclined surface comes into contact with another component first, so the amount of movement of the shaft in the second direction can be increased at the beginning of the movement of the shaft in the first direction. This allows the developing roller to move in the second direction with a small amount of movement of the shaft in the first direction. Furthermore, the fourth inclined surface, which has a gentler inclination angle with respect to the first direction than the third inclined surface, comes into contact with the other component, so the shaft moves in the first direction while being restricted from moving in the second direction. This reduces the pressure load pressing on the shaft.

[0156] According to the 10th, 48th, and 86th disclosures, by providing a first inclined surface at one end in the first direction and a second inclined surface at the other end, the housing and the developing roller can be moved stably without tilting in the second direction. Also, according to the 103rd disclosure, by providing a first cam at one end in the first direction and a second cam at the other end, the housing and the developing roller can be moved stably without tilting in the second direction.

[0157] According to the 21st Disclosure, the 22nd Disclosure, the 59th Disclosure, the 60th Disclosure, the 97th Disclosure, the 98th Disclosure, the 129th Disclosure, and the 130th Disclosure, the housing and the developing roller can be moved in the second direction even when the shaft rotates.

[0158] According to the 23rd, 61st, 98th, and 131st disclosures, the shaft is held by the lid, so that the shaft can be easily provided to the developing cartridge.

[0159] According to Disclosure No. 25, Disclosure No. 27, Disclosure No. 62, Disclosure No. 65, Disclosure No. 101, Disclosure No. 103, Disclosure No. 133 and Disclosure No. 135, the developing roller can be spaced apart from the photosensitive drum by moving the shaft in a first direction.

[0160] According to the 29th, 67th, 105th, and 137th disclosures, the shaft moves in the first direction relative to the housing and the developing roller due to the elastic force of the elastic member. As a result, when the driving force in the first direction is lost, the elastic force can move the developing cartridge in the second direction.

[0161] According to the thirty-fourth, seventy-second, one hundred tenth, and one forty-second disclosures, the driving sources of the image forming apparatus can be concentrated in one direction in the first direction of the developing cartridge. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0162] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the developing cartridge as viewed from a first direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the developing cartridge as viewed from a first direction. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded view of the shaft of the spacing member and the first cam. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a spacing member that moves relative to the housing and the developing roller in a first direction. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a spacing member that moves relative to the housing and the developing roller in a first direction. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the developing cartridge as viewed from a third direction. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the drawer as viewed from a third direction. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge attached to the slot of the drawer. [Figure 14]10 is a plan view showing the state in which the developing cartridge is attached to the slot of the drawer, as viewed from a third direction. FIG. [Figure 15] 1 is a plan view showing a state in which a developing cartridge is attached to a slot of a drawer, as viewed from a first direction. FIG. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a spacing operation by a spacing member. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge in a contact state. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the developer cartridge in a separated state. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the developing cartridge of the second embodiment, as viewed from a third direction. [Figure 20] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a spacing operation by a spacing member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0163] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0164] <1. Embodiment 1> <1.1. Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus> 1 is a conceptual diagram of an image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 is an electrophotographic printer. Examples of the image forming apparatus 100 include a laser printer and an LED printer.

[0165] The image forming apparatus 100 includes four developing cartridges 1, a drawer 2, a main body frame 101, and a control unit .

[0166] The developer cartridge 1 is attached to the drawer 2. The drawer 2 is a drum cartridge into which the developer cartridge 1 is attached, and has four slots 2A. The multiple developer cartridges 1 are each attached to the slots 2A of the drawer 2. The developer cartridges 1 are then attached to the main body frame 101 while attached to the slots 2A of the drawer 2. The four developer cartridges 1 contain developers (e.g., toner) of different colors (e.g., cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). However, multiple developer cartridges 1 may contain developers of the same color. The number of developer cartridges 1 may be one to three, or may be five or more.

[0167] The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a printing paper sheet using the developer supplied from the four developing cartridges 1.

[0168] Each of the four developer cartridges 1 has an IC chip 51. The IC chip 51 is a storage medium from which information can be read and written. Examples of storage media include flash ROM and EPPROM. When the developer cartridges 1 are attached to the slots 2A of the drawer 2 and then attached to the main body frame 101, the IC chip 51 of each developer cartridge 1 is electrically connected to the control unit 102. The control unit 102 is formed, for example, by a circuit board. The control unit 102 has a processor such as a CPU and various memories. The processor of the control unit 102 operates according to a program to execute various processes in the image forming apparatus 100.

[0169] <1.2. About the developing cartridge> Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the developing cartridge 1. Figures 4 and 5 are plan views of the developing cartridge 1 as viewed from a first direction.

[0170] In the following description, the direction in which the rotation axis (first axis) of the developing roller 30 extends is referred to as the "first direction." This first direction is also the axial direction in which the drum axis of the photosensitive drum (described later) held by the drawer 2 extends. The direction in which one side of the circumferential surface of the developing roller 30 exposed to the outside of the housing 10 and the other side of the circumferential surface of the developing roller 30 located inside the housing 10 are aligned is referred to as the "second direction." The second direction is also the direction intersecting with the circumferential surface of the developing roller 30 exposed to the outside of the housing 10 of the developing cartridge 1. The second direction is also the "separation direction" in which the developing roller 30 separates from the surface of the photosensitive drum (described later).

[0171] The developer cartridge 1 has a housing 10. The housing 10 has a first outer surface 11 and a second outer surface 12 that are spaced apart in a first direction. The first outer surface 11 is located at one end of the housing 10 in the first direction. The second outer surface 12 is located at the other end of the housing 10 in the first direction.

[0172] The housing 10 also has a container 10A and a lid 10B. The container 10A contains a developer. The lid 10B covers the container 10A. The container 10A and the lid 10B are disposed between a first outer surface 11 and a second outer surface 12 in a first direction.

[0173] The housing 10 also extends in a predetermined direction. Hereinafter, the direction in which the housing 10 extends will be referred to as the "third direction." The third direction is a direction that intersects (more preferably, is perpendicular to) the first direction. The third direction is also the direction in which the developer cartridge 1 is inserted into the slot 2A (see FIG. 1) of the drawer 2. The housing 10 has an opening 10C. The opening 10C is located at one end of the housing 10 in the third direction. The container 10A communicates with the outside via the opening 10C.

[0174] The developer cartridge 1 has an agitator 20. The agitator 20 is rotatable about an axis (third axis) extending in a first direction. The agitator 20 is a member that agitates the toner in the container 10A. The agitator 20 has a shaft extending in the first direction and agitating blades that extend radially outward from the shaft. When the agitator 20 rotates about the shaft, the agitating blades agitate the developer in the container 10A.

[0175] The developer cartridge 1 has a developer roller 30. The developer roller 30 is located away from the agitator 20 in the second direction. The developer roller 30 is located in an opening 10C at one end of the housing 10 in the third direction. The developer roller 30 is a roller supported by the housing 10 so as to be rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction.

[0176] The developing roller 30 has a developing roller body 31 and a developing roller shaft 32. The developing roller body 31 is a cylindrical member extending in the first direction. The developing roller body 31 is made of, for example, elastic rubber. The developing roller shaft 32 is a cylindrical member that penetrates the developing roller body 31 in the first direction. The developing roller shaft 32 is made of, for example, metal or conductive resin. The developing roller body 31 is fixed to the developing roller shaft 32 so as not to rotate. In other words, the developing roller body 31 is rotatable together with the developing roller shaft 32. One side of the circumferential surface of the developing roller body 31 in the second direction is exposed to the outside of the housing 10 through the opening 10C. The other side of the circumferential surface of the developing roller body 31 in the second direction is located inside the housing 10. In other words, the other side of the circumferential surface of the developing roller body 31 in the second direction is not exposed from the housing 10.

[0177] The developer cartridge 1 further includes a developer electrode 33. The developer electrode 33 is located at one end of the developer roller shaft 32 in the first direction. Specifically, the developer roller shaft 32 is rotatably mounted on a bearing (not shown) of the casing 10, and the bearing on which the developer roller shaft 32 having the developer electrode 33 is mounted may be integral with or separate from the casing 10. The developer electrode 33 is located on the first outer surface. The developer electrode 33 is electrically connected to the developer roller shaft 32. The developer electrode 33 is an electrode for applying a development bias to the developer roller 30. The developer electrode 33 is located closer to the developer roller 30 in the second direction than a shaft 61 and a first cam 62 of the spacing member 60, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the developer electrode 33 is provided at the end of the developer roller shaft 32 of the developer roller 30.

[0178] A developing roller gear (not shown) is attached to the other end of the developing roller shaft 32 in the first direction. The developing roller gear is located on the second outer surface 12. The developing roller shaft 32 is fixed to the developing roller gear so as not to rotate. When the developing roller gear rotates, the developing roller shaft 32 also rotates, and the developing roller main body 31 rotates together with the developing roller shaft 32.

[0179] The developing roller shaft 32 does not have to penetrate the developing roller main body 31 in the first direction. For example, the developing roller shaft 32 may extend in the first direction from both ends of the developing roller main body 31 in the first direction.

[0180] The developer cartridge 1 also has a supply roller (not shown). The supply roller is located inside the container 10A, between the developing roller 30 and the agitator 20. The supply roller is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the first direction. When the developer cartridge 1 receives a driving force, developer is supplied from the container 10A inside the housing 10 to the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 30 via the supply roller. At that time, the developer is frictionally charged between the supply roller and the developing roller 30. Meanwhile, a development bias is applied to the developing roller shaft 32 of the developing roller 30. Therefore, the developer is attracted to the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller main body 31 due to the electrostatic force between the developing roller shaft 32 and the developer.

[0181] Furthermore, the developer cartridge 1 has a layer thickness regulating blade (not shown). The layer thickness regulating blade shapes the developer supplied to the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller main body 31 to a uniform thickness. The developer on the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller main body 31 is then supplied to a photosensitive drum 21 (see FIG. 11 ) in the drawer 2, which will be described later. At this time, the developer moves from the developing roller main body 31 to the photosensitive drum 21 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 21. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is visualized on the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0182] 3 and 4, the developing cartridge 1 has a gear portion 40. The gear portion 40 is located on the second outer surface 12 of the housing 10. The gear portion 40 has a coupling 41, a developing roller gear (not shown), and the like.

[0183] The coupling 41 is a gear that receives a driving force supplied from the image forming apparatus 100. The coupling 41 is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the first direction. The coupling 41 is disposed closer to the developing roller 30 in the second direction than the shaft 61, first cam 62, and second cam 63 of the spacing member 60 (described later). The coupling 41 has a fastening hole 411 recessed in the first direction. When the developing cartridge 1 installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2 is installed in the image forming apparatus 100, the drive shaft of the image forming apparatus 100 is inserted into the fastening hole 411. This couples the drive shaft and the coupling 41 so that they cannot rotate relative to each other. Therefore, when the drive shaft rotates, the coupling 41 rotates. When the coupling 41 rotates, the supply shaft connected to the supply roller (not shown) and the developing roller gear rotate. The supply roller rotates together with the supply shaft, and the developing roller 30 rotates together with the developing roller gear. Furthermore, when the coupling 41 rotates, the agitator 20 also rotates via a gear (not shown).

[0184] The developer cartridge 1 has a spacing member 60. The image forming apparatus 100 has a contact state and a separated state. The contact state is a state in which the developer roller 30 and the photosensitive drum 21 of the drawer 2 are in contact with each other when the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the slot 2A of the drawer 2. The separated state is a state in which the developer roller 30 and the photosensitive drum 21 of the drawer 2 are separated from each other. When the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the image forming apparatus 100 is in the contact state. The spacing member 60 is a member for switching the image forming apparatus 100 between the contact state and the separated state. In this embodiment, when switching from the contact state to the separated state, the developer roller 30 separates from the photosensitive drum 21 in the second direction, which is the separation direction.

[0185] The spacing member 60 is provided on the cover 10B. The spacing member 60 is movable in a first direction relative to the housing 10 and the developing roller 30. The spacing member 60 is also movable together with the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 in a second direction.

[0186] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the spacing member 60. FIG. 6 shows only the lid 10B of the housing 10 on which the spacing member 60 is provided. FIG. 7 is an exploded enlarged view of the shaft 61 and first cam 62 of the spacing member 60. FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining the spacing member 60 moving relative to the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 in the first direction. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the developer cartridge 1 as viewed from a third direction. The spacing member 60 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10.

[0187] The spacing member 60 has a shaft 61 along an axis (second axis) extending in the first direction. The shaft 61 is cylindrical. However, the shaft 61 may be rectangular. The lid 10B has a hole 10B1 penetrating in the first direction. The diameter of the hole 10B1 is larger than the diameter of the shaft 61. The shaft 61 is inserted into this hole 10B1. The diameter of the hole 10B1 is larger than the diameter of the shaft 61. The shaft 61 is inserted into this hole 10B1. The shaft 61 inserted into the hole 10B1 is movable in the first direction relative to the lid 10B of the housing 10 between a first position (position shown in FIG. 8) and a second position (position shown in FIG. 9). The second position is closer to the first outer surface 11 in the first direction than the first position. In this embodiment, the shaft 61 inserted into the hole 10B1 is rotatable relative to the cover 10B about a second axis extending in the first direction.

[0188] The shaft 61 is preferably made of a rigid material. For example, the shaft 61 is made of iron. Alternatively, the shaft 61 may be made of resin.

[0189] In this embodiment, the lid 10B has a ring 10B2 and a ring 10B3. The ring 10B2 is disposed at one end of the lid 10B in the first direction. The ring 10B3 is disposed at the other end of the lid 10B in the first direction. The hole 10B along the first direction is exposed between the ring 10B2 and the ring 10B3. That is, the shaft 61 inserted into the hole 10B is exposed from the lid 10B between the ring 10B2 and the ring 10B3. Because the shaft 61 has rigidity, the exposed portion will not bend in the second or third direction.

[0190] However, an additional ring may be provided between the ring 10B2 and the ring 10B3. In addition, although the shaft 61 of the lid 10B is exposed between the ring 10B2 and the ring 10B3 in the first direction, it does not have to be exposed. In other words, the shaft 61 may be housed inside the lid 10B.

[0191] By holding the shaft 61 with the cover 10B so that the shaft 61 is movable in the first direction, the shaft 61 can be easily provided in the housing 10 of the developing cartridge 1.

[0192] A first cam 62 is provided at one end of the shaft 61 in the first direction. The first cam 62 is made of rubber, resin, or the like. As shown in FIG. 7 , the first cam 62 is provided with a hole 62A that penetrates in the first direction. The one end 61A of the shaft 61 has a smaller diameter than the other portions and is inserted into the hole 62A. When the one end 61A of the shaft 61 is inserted into the hole 62A, the tip of the one end 61A is exposed from the first cam 62 in the first direction. A retaining ring 61B is fitted onto the tip of the exposed one end 61A, thereby fixing the first cam 62 to the one end 61A of the shaft 61. However, the first cam 62 may also be fixed to the shaft 61 by adhesive.

[0193] The first cam 62 has a first inclined surface 621. As shown in FIG. 5 , in this embodiment, the first inclined surface 621 is provided on a portion of the circumferential surface of the shaft 61. The first cam 62 has a contact surface 622 that faces the lid 10B. The contact surface 622 is provided on a portion of the circumferential surface of the shaft 61 that is different from the portion of the circumferential surface of the shaft 61 on which the first inclined surface 621 is provided. In other words, the contact surface 622 faces the housing 10, i.e., the outer surface of the housing 10. Because the contact surface 622 faces the lid 10B, even if the first cam 62 attempts to rotate about the shaft 61, the contact surface 622 comes into contact with the lid 10B, preventing the first cam 62 from rotating. In this embodiment, the first inclined surface 621 is provided on a portion of the circumferential surface of the shaft 61, but the first inclined surface 621 may be provided on the entire circumference of the shaft 61.

[0194] The first inclined surface 621 is inclined with respect to the shaft 61 extending in the first direction. The angle of the first inclined surface 621 with respect to the first direction is equal to or greater than 43 degrees and equal to or less than 47 degrees. More preferably, the angle of the first inclined surface 621 with respect to the first direction is approximately 45 degrees. The first cam 62, i.e., the first inclined surface 621, is located on the first outer surface 11 of the housing 10. The first inclined surface 621 moves away from the developing roller 30 in the second direction as it moves away from the first outer surface 11 in the first direction. In other words, the distance of the first inclined surface 621 from the shaft 61 toward the outside in the radial direction of the shaft 61 increases as it moves from one end to the other end in the first direction. The first inclined surface 621 is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the shaft 61. The first cam 62 has a shape obtained by dividing a cone with the second axis as its central axis into two. In other words, the first cam 62 has a first inclined surface 621 that is a part of a conical surface.

[0195] The first cam 62 may be a polygonal pyramid rather than a cone. In this case, the first inclined surface 621 is a part of the polygonal pyramid surface. The first inclined surface 621 is a gently sloping surface, but may have steps or other irregularities along the slope. Furthermore, the first inclined surface 621 may be a curved surface.

[0196] A second cam 63 is provided at the other end of the shaft 61 in the first direction. The second cam 63 is made of rubber, resin, or the like. As described in FIG. 7, the second cam 63 is fixed to the other end of the shaft 61 in the first direction, similar to the first cam 62.

[0197] The second cam 63 has a second inclined surface 631. As shown in Fig. 4, in this embodiment, the second inclined surface 631 is provided on the entire circumferential surface of the shaft 61. Note that, although the second inclined surface 631 is provided on the entire circumferential surface of the shaft 61 in this embodiment, the second inclined surface 631 may be provided on only a part of the circumferential surface of the shaft 61.

[0198] The second inclined surface 631 is inclined with respect to the shaft 61 extending in the first direction. The angle of the second inclined surface 631 with respect to the first direction is equal to or greater than 43 degrees and equal to or less than 47 degrees. More preferably, the angle of the second inclined surface 631 with respect to the first direction is approximately 45 degrees. The distance of the second inclined surface 631 from the shaft 61 toward the outside in the radial direction of the shaft 61 increases as the second inclined surface 631 moves from one end of the shaft 61 to the other end in the first direction. The second inclined surface 631 is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the shaft 61. In other words, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 and the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 are inclined in the same direction with respect to the first direction. The second cam 63 is conical with the second axis as its central axis. In other words, the second cam 63 has the second inclined surface 631 that is part of a conical surface.

[0199] The second cam 63 may be a polygonal pyramid rather than a cone. In this case, the second inclined surface 631 is a part of the polygonal pyramid surface. The second inclined surface 631 is a gently sloping surface, but may have steps or other irregularities along the slope. Furthermore, the second inclined surface 631 may be a curved surface.

[0200] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 are movable in the first direction together with the shaft 61. When the shaft 61 moves from the first position to the second position in the first direction, the second cam 63 moves closer to the lid 10B, and the first cam 62 moves away from the lid 10B. When the shaft 61 moves from the second position to the first position in the first direction, the second cam 63 moves away from the lid 10B, and the first cam 62 moves closer to the lid 10B. In other words, when the shaft 61 moves from the first position to the second position in the first direction, the second cam 63 moves closer to the housing 10, and the first cam 62 moves away from the housing 10. Furthermore, when the shaft 61 moves from the second position to the first position in the first direction, the second cam 63 moves away from the housing 10, and the first cam 62 moves closer to the housing 10.

[0201] Furthermore, the shaft 61 inserted into the pair of holes 10B1 cannot rotate relative to the lid 10B of the housing 10 about a second axis extending in the first direction. However, the shaft 61 may be rotatable relative to the lid 10B about the second axis. In this case, the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 are provided on the shaft 61 so as not to rotate about the second axis relative to the housing 10B. In other words, only the shaft 63 rotates about the second axis, and the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 do not rotate.

[0202] The spacing member 60 has a coil spring 64. The coil spring 64 is provided at the other end of the shaft 61 in the first direction. More specifically, the shaft 61 is inserted into the coil spring 64. The coil spring 64 is located between the second cam 63 and the lid 10B in the first direction. One end of the coil spring 64 in the first direction contacts the lid 10B, for example, via a washer 65. The other end of the coil spring 64 in the first direction contacts the second cam 63. The coil spring 64 is covered with a cover 66 in the circumferential direction around the shaft 61. Note that the coil spring 64 is connected to the shaft 61 via the second cam 63, but it may also be connected directly to the shaft 61.

[0203] The coil spring 64 is an elastic member that can expand and contract in a first direction between a first length and a second length that is shorter than the first length. As will be described in detail later, the second cam 63 is pressed in the first direction by a pressing force from the other end of the shaft 61 toward one end. This causes the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 to move from a first position shown in FIG. 8 to a second position shown in FIG. 9. When the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move from the first position to the second position, the coil spring 64 contracts from the first length to the second length. When the pressing force on the second cam 63 is removed, the restoring force of the coil spring 64, which returns the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 from the second position to the first position, pushes the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 back. In this way, the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the first direction relative to the housing 10 due to the pressing force in the first direction and the elastic force of the coil spring 64.

[0204] When the developer cartridge 1 having the above configuration is attached to the drawer 2, the developing roller 30 of the developer cartridge 1 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 21. In this state, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 comes into contact with a first receiving surface 22 (see FIG. 11) of the drawer 2, which will be described later. Also, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 comes into contact with the second receiving surface 23 (see FIG. 11). More specifically, when the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the drawer 2, the first inclined surface 621 does not come into contact with the first receiving surface 22, and the second inclined surface 631 does not come into contact with the second receiving surface 23. As the developer cartridge 1 moves a certain amount in the first direction, the first inclined surface 621 comes into contact with the first receiving surface 22, and the second inclined surface 631 comes into contact with the second receiving surface 23. When the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the drawer 2, the first inclined surface 621 may come into contact with the first receiving surface 22. When the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the drawer 2, the second inclined surface 631 may come into contact with the second receiving surface 23.

[0205] When separating the developing roller 30 from the photosensitive drum 21, the separating member 60 is pressed in the first direction from the second cam 63 toward the first cam 62. As a result, the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the first direction relative to the housing 10 and the developing roller 30.

[0206] At this time, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 moves in the first direction while contacting the first receiving surface 22. As described above, the first inclined surface 621 widens outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 as it moves from the first cam 62 to the second cam 63. Therefore, when the first cam 62 moves in the first direction, the position of the first inclined surface 621 with which the first receiving surface 22 comes into contact becomes farther from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61. The first inclined surface 621 and the first receiving surface 22 face each other in the second direction. In other words, when the first inclined surface 621 moves in the first direction, it also moves in the second direction away from the first receiving surface 22.

[0207] Similarly, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 moves in the first direction while contacting the second receiving surface 23. As described above, the second inclined surface 631 widens outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 as it moves from the first cam 62 to the second cam 63. Therefore, when the second cam 63 moves in the first direction, the position of the second inclined surface 631 with which the second receiving surface 23 comes into contact becomes farther from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61. The second inclined surface 631 and the second receiving surface 23 face each other in the second direction. In other words, when the second inclined surface 631 moves in the first direction, it also moves in the second direction away from the second receiving surface 23.

[0208] As the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 move in the second direction while moving in the first direction, the shaft 61 also moves in the same manner. When the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the second direction, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 also move in the second direction accordingly. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17 , the developing roller 30 moves away from the photosensitive drum 21 in the second direction.

[0209] The coil spring 64 expands and contracts as the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the first direction. The coil spring 64 has a first length when the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 are in a first position shown in Fig. 8. The coil spring 64 has a second length that is shorter than the first length when the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 are in a second position shown in Fig. 9. The coil spring 64 contracts from the first length to the second length, and then expands from the second length to the first length when the pressing force on the spacing member 60 is removed.

[0210] When the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move from the second position to the first position, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 moves in the second direction toward the first receiving surface 22 due to the reverse action of the above. Also, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 moves in the second direction toward the second receiving surface 23. Accordingly, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 move in the second direction, and the developing roller 30 moves toward the photosensitive drum 21 in the second direction. Then, the surface of the developing roller 30 comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0211] <1.3.About the drawer> Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the drawer 2. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the drawer 2 viewed from the third direction. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the state in which the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the slot 2A of the drawer 2. Fig. 14 is a plan view of the state in which the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the slot 2A of the drawer 2 viewed from the third direction. Fig. 15 is a plan view of the state in which the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the slot 2A of the drawer 2 viewed from the first direction.

[0212] The drawer 2 has a frame 200. The frame 200 has four slots 2A. A developer cartridge 1 is attached to each of the four slots 2A. The drawer 2 has a photosensitive drum 21. The photosensitive drum 21 is disposed corresponding to each of the four slots 2A. The photosensitive drum 21 is rotatable about a rotation axis (drum axis) extending in a first direction. The developer cartridge 1 is attached to the slot 2A of the drawer 2 with the surface of the developer roller 30 facing the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. With the developer cartridge 1 attached to the slot 2A, the drawer 2 is attached to the main body frame 101 (see FIG. 1).

[0213] The frame 200 of the drawer 2 has a first side frame 201 and a second side frame 202. The first side frame 201 and the second side frame 202 are positioned apart in the first direction. A photosensitive drum 21 is provided between the first side frame 201 and the second side frame 202 in the first direction. When the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the developer cartridge 1 is installed between the first side frame 201 and the second side frame 202 in the first direction. The first outer surface 11 of the developer cartridge 1 faces the first side frame 201 in the first direction. When the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the second outer surface 12 of the developer cartridge 1 faces the second side frame 202 in the first direction.

[0214] The first side frame 201 is provided with first recesses 201A that penetrate in the first direction and are recessed in the third direction. A first recess 201A is provided for each of the four slots 2A. When the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the slot 2A of the drawer 2, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , the IC chip 51 covered by the cover 45 of the developer cartridge 1 is positioned in the first recess 201A.

[0215] The second side frame 202 is provided with second recesses 202A, which are holes that penetrate in the first direction and expose part of the developer cartridge 1 to the outside, and which open in the third direction in a direction away from the photosensitive drum 21. Similar to the second recesses 201A, the second recesses 202A are provided for each of the four slots 2A. When the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the second cam 63 of the developer cartridge 1 is positioned in the second recess 202A, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 .

[0216] The second side frame 202 also has through holes 202B that penetrate in the first direction. One through hole 202B is provided for each of the four slots 2A. When the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the fastening hole 411 of the coupling 41 of the developer cartridge 1 is exposed through the through hole 202B, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15. The drive shaft of the image forming apparatus 100 is inserted into the fastening hole 411 through the through hole 202B. The drive shaft and the coupling 41 are connected so as not to rotate relative to each other.

[0217] Furthermore, the drawer 2 has a first receiving surface 22 and a second receiving surface 23. The first receiving surface 22 is positioned away from the second receiving surface 23 in the first direction. That is, the first receiving surface 22 is located at one end of the slot 2A in the first direction. The second receiving surface 23 is located at the other end of the slot 2A in the first direction.

[0218] The first receiving surface 22 is provided on a surface of the first side frame 201 that faces the second side frame 202 in the first direction. The first receiving surface 22 is inclined with respect to the first direction. More specifically, the first receiving surface 22 is disposed at a position facing the first cam 62 of the developer cartridge 1 attached to the slot 2A of the drawer 2 in the second direction. The first receiving surface 22 contacts a first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62, as shown in FIG. 14 . The distance between the first receiving surface 22 and the developer cartridge 1 in the second direction increases as the first receiving surface 22 moves from the first side frame 201 toward the second side frame 202 in the first direction.

[0219] The second receiving surface 23 is provided in the second recess 202A of the second side frame 202. The second receiving surface 23 is inclined in the same direction as the first receiving surface 22 with respect to the first direction. More specifically, the second receiving surface 23 is disposed in a position facing the second cam 63 of the developer cartridge 1 attached to the slot 2A of the drawer 2 in the second direction. The second receiving surface 23 contacts the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63, as shown in FIG. 14 . The distance between the second receiving surface 23 and the developer cartridge 1 in the second direction increases as the second receiving surface 23 moves away from the first side frame 201 in the first direction.

[0220] <1.4. Separating Operation by the Separating Member 60> Next, the operation of image forming apparatus 100 when switching between the contact state and the separation state will be described.

[0221] Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating the spacing operation by the spacing member 60. Figure 16(A) shows a state in which the developing roller 30 and the photosensitive drum 21 are in contact with each other, and Figure 16(B) shows a state in which the developing roller 30 and the photosensitive drum 21 are spaced apart from each other. Figure 17 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge 1 in the contact state. Figure 18 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge 1 in the spaced apart state.

[0222] When the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the slot 2A of the drawer 2, the developing roller 30 of the developer cartridge 1 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 21, as shown in FIG. 17 . In this contact state, as shown in FIG. 16(A), the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 comes into contact with the first receiving surface 22. Furthermore, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 comes into contact with the second receiving surface 23. Specifically, when the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the drawer 2, the first inclined surface 621 does not come into contact with the first receiving surface 22, and the second inclined surface 631 does not come into contact with the second receiving surface 23. When the developer cartridge 1 moves a certain amount in the first direction, the first inclined surface 621 comes into contact with the first receiving surface 22, and the second inclined surface 631 comes into contact with the second receiving surface 23. Note that the first inclined surface 621 may come into contact with the first receiving surface 22 when the developer cartridge 1 is installed in the drawer 2. Furthermore, when the developing cartridge 1 is attached to the drawer 2, the second inclined surface 631 and the second receiving surface 23 may come into contact with each other.

[0223] More specifically, the first inclined surface 621 widens outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 as it moves from the first cam 62 to the second cam 63 in the first direction. The first receiving surface 22 comes into contact with the first inclined surface 621 at a position on the first inclined surface 621 that is a short distance from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61. Similarly, the second inclined surface 631 widens outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 as it moves from the first cam 62 to the second cam 63 in the first direction. The second receiving surface 23 comes into contact with the second inclined surface 631 at a position on the second inclined surface 631 that is a short distance from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61.

[0224] Since the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 are each conical, even when the shaft 61 rotates about the second axis, the first inclined surface 621 and the second inclined surface 631 come into contact with the first receiving surface 22 and the second receiving surface 23, respectively.

[0225] The image forming apparatus 100 has a drive unit 103. The drive unit 103 is, for example, a motor that moves a pressing member 104 along a first direction. The pressing member 104 is a cylinder or a rectangular column that extends along the first direction. In the first direction, the pressing member 104 moves between a contact position where it contacts the second cam 63 of the developer cartridge 1 attached to the slot 2A of the drawer 2, and a non-contact position where it does not contact the second cam 63.

[0226] When separating the developing roller 30 from the photosensitive drum 21, the drive unit 103 moves the pressing member 104 in the first direction, from the second cam 63 toward the first cam 62. As a result, the second cam 63 is pressed in the first direction by the pressing member 104. When the second cam 63 is pressed, the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the first direction relative to the housing 10 and the developing roller 30.

[0227] At this time, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 moves in the first direction while contacting the first receiving surface 22. As described above, the first inclined surface 621 widens outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 as it moves from the first cam 62 to the second cam 63. Therefore, when the first cam 62 moves in the first direction, the position of the first inclined surface 621 with which the first receiving surface 22 comes into contact becomes farther from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61. The first inclined surface 621 and the first receiving surface 22 face each other in the second direction. In other words, when the first inclined surface 621 moves in the first direction, it also moves in the second direction away from the first receiving surface 22, as shown in FIG. 16(B).

[0228] Similarly, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 moves in the first direction while contacting the second receiving surface 23. As described above, the second inclined surface 631 widens outward in the radial direction of the shaft 61 as it moves from the first cam 62 to the second cam 63. Therefore, when the second cam 63 moves in the first direction, the position of the second inclined surface 631 with which the second receiving surface 23 comes into contact becomes farther from the shaft 61 in the radial direction of the shaft 61. The second inclined surface 631 and the second receiving surface 23 face each other in the second direction. In other words, when the second inclined surface 631 moves in the first direction, it also moves in the second direction away from the second receiving surface 23, as shown in FIG. 16(B).

[0229] As the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 move in the second direction while moving in the first direction, the shaft 61 also moves in the same manner. When the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the second direction, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 also move in the second direction accordingly, as shown in FIG. 16(B). As a result, the developing roller 30 moves away from the photosensitive drum 21 in the second direction, as shown in FIG. 18. The image forming apparatus 100 then enters a separated state.

[0230] The coil spring 64 expands and contracts as the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in a first direction. The coil spring 64 has a first length when the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 are in a first position shown in Fig. 8. The coil spring 64 has a second length that is shorter than the first length when the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 are in a second position shown in Fig. 9. The coil spring 64 contracts from the first length to the second length, and then expands from the second length to the first length when the pressing force of the pressing member 104 is removed.

[0231] When the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move from the second position to the first position, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 moves in the second direction toward the first receiving surface 22 due to the reverse action of the above. Also, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 moves in the second direction toward the second receiving surface 23. Accordingly, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 move in the second direction, and the developing roller 30 moves toward the photosensitive drum 21 in the second direction. Then, the image forming apparatus 100 enters a contact state.

[0232] By providing the first cam 62 and the second cam 63 at both ends of the shaft 61 in the first direction, it is possible to prevent both ends of the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 in the first direction from tilting when the image forming device 100 transitions between a separated state and a contact state.

[0233] As described above, the shaft 61 moves in the first direction relative to the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 in accordance with the driving force in the first direction. When the first inclined surface 621 comes into contact with the first receiving surface 22 as the shaft 61 moves in the first direction, the first inclined surface 621 moves in the second direction along the first receiving surface 22. As the first inclined surface 621 moves in the second direction, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 also move in the second direction. This eliminates the need for driving forces on both sides, and allows the developing cartridge 1 to move in the second direction using the driving force in the first direction. Furthermore, compared to when a drum cartridge includes a shaft, the developer cartridge 1 includes the first inclined surface 621 and the shaft 61, which prevents the shaft 61 from interfering with the attachment and detachment of the developer cartridge 1 to and from the drum cartridge.

[0234] Furthermore, when moving the shaft 61 in the first direction, there is no need to apply a driving force to both sides of the shaft 61 in the first direction; the developing cartridge can be moved by applying a driving force from one side of the shaft 61 in the first direction.

[0235] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 has a drive source that rotates the developing roller 30, the photosensitive drum 21, etc., on one side of the developer cartridge 1 and the drawer 2 in the first direction. A drive unit 103, which is a drive source that moves the pressing member 104 in the first direction, can be disposed near this drive source. In other words, the drive sources provided in the image forming apparatus 100 can be concentrated on one side of the developer cartridge 1 and the drawer 2, thereby realizing a more compact image forming apparatus 100. Also, there is no need to provide components for moving the developer cartridge on both sides of the drawer 2 in the first direction, which allows the drawer 2 to be simplified and made more compact.

[0236] <2. Embodiment 2> In the first embodiment, the first inclined surface 621 and the second inclined surface 631 are each inclined at a fixed angle. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the first inclined surface 621 and the second inclined surface 631 have at least two inclined surfaces inclined at different angles. The differences will be described below.

[0237] FIG. 19 is a plan view of the developing cartridge 1 of the second embodiment as viewed from the third direction.

[0238] The first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 has an inclined surface 621A and an inclined surface 621B. The inclined surface 621A and the inclined surface 621B are aligned in the first direction. The inclined surface 621A is positioned farther from the second cam 63 in the first direction than the inclined surface 621B. The inclined surface 621A is steeper in the first direction than the inclined surface 621B. Specifically, the inclined surface 621A is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the first direction. The inclined surface 621B is also inclined at an acute angle with respect to the first direction. The inclination angle of the inclined surface 621A with respect to the first direction is greater than the inclination angle of the inclined surface 621B with respect to the first direction. The angle of the inclined surface 621A with respect to the first direction is 43 degrees or more and 47 degrees or less. More preferably, the angle of the inclined surface 621A with respect to the first direction is 45 degrees. Furthermore, the angle of inclined surface 621B with respect to the first direction is 12 degrees or more and 17 degrees or less. Preferably, the angle of inclined surface 621B with respect to the first direction is 14 degrees or more and 15 degrees or less. More preferably, the angle of inclined surface 621B with respect to the first direction is 14 degrees or more and 15 degrees or less. Sloped surface 621A is an example of a "first inclined surface" in the present disclosure. Sloped surface 621B is an example of a "second inclined surface" in the present disclosure. Note that, for example, the ratio between the length of inclined surface 621A in the first direction and the length of inclined surface 621A in the radial direction of shaft 61 (in other words, the second direction) is 1:1. Furthermore, for example, the ratio between the length of inclined surface 621B in the first direction and the length of inclined surface 621B in the radial direction of shaft 61 (in other words, the second direction) is 4:1.

[0239] The second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 has an inclined surface 631A and an inclined surface 631B. The inclined surface 631A and the inclined surface 631B are aligned in the first direction. The inclined surface 631A is positioned closer to the first cam 62 in the first direction than the inclined surface 631B. The inclined surface 631A is steeper in the first direction than the inclined surface 631B. More specifically, the inclined surface 631A is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the first direction. The inclined surface 631B is also inclined at an acute angle with respect to the first direction. The inclination angle of the inclined surface 631A with respect to the first direction is greater than the inclination angle of the inclined surface 631B with respect to the first direction. The angle of the inclined surface 631A with respect to the first direction is 43 degrees or more and 47 degrees or less. More preferably, the angle of the inclined surface 631A with respect to the first direction is 45 degrees. Furthermore, the angle of inclined surface 631B with respect to the first direction is 12 degrees or more and 17 degrees or less. Preferably, the angle of inclined surface 631B with respect to the first direction is 14 degrees or more and 15 degrees or less. More preferably, the angle of inclined surface 631B with respect to the first direction is 14 degrees or more and 15 degrees or less. Inclined surface 631A is an example of a "third inclined surface" of the present disclosure. Inclined surface 631B is an example of a "fourth inclined surface" of the present disclosure. Note that, for example, the ratio between the length of inclined surface 631A in the first direction and the length of inclined surface 631A in the radial direction of shaft 61 (in other words, the second direction) is 1:1. Furthermore, for example, the ratio between the length of inclined surface 631B in the first direction and the length of inclined surface 631B in the radial direction of shaft 61 (in other words, the second direction) is 4:1.

[0240] Preferably, inclined surfaces 621A and 631A are inclined at the same angle with respect to the first direction. Also, preferably, inclined surfaces 621B and 631B are inclined at the same angle with respect to the first direction.

[0241] 2.1. Separating Operation by the Separating Member 60 Next, the operation of image forming apparatus 100 when switching between the contact state and the separation state will be described.

[0242] Figure 20 is a diagram for explaining the spacing operation by the spacing member 60. Note that Figure 20(A) shows a state in which the developing roller 30 and the photosensitive drum 21 are in contact with each other, and Figure 20(B) shows a state in which the developing roller 30 and the photosensitive drum 21 are spaced apart from each other.

[0243] In a contact state in which the developing roller 30 of the developer cartridge 1 and the photosensitive drum 21 are in contact with each other, as shown in FIG. 20(A), the inclined surface 621A of the first inclined surface 621 contacts the first receiving surface 22. Furthermore, the inclined surface 631A of the second inclined surface 631 contacts the second receiving surface 23. Specifically, when the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the drawer 2, the first inclined surface 621 and the first receiving surface 22 are not in contact, and the second inclined surface 631 and the second receiving surface 23 are not in contact. When the developer cartridge 1 moves a certain amount in the first direction, the first inclined surface 621 and the first receiving surface 22 come into contact, and the second inclined surface 631 and the second receiving surface 23 come into contact. Note that the first inclined surface 621 and the first receiving surface 22 may come into contact when the developer cartridge 1 is attached to the drawer 2. Furthermore, when the developing cartridge 1 is attached to the drawer 2, the second inclined surface 631 and the second receiving surface 23 may come into contact with each other.

[0244] When the second cam 63 is pressed in the first direction by the pressing member 104, the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move in the first direction relative to the housing 10 and the developing roller 30. At this time, the inclined surface 621A of the first inclined surface 621 moves in the first direction while contacting the first receiving surface 22. Furthermore, the inclined surface 631A of the second inclined surface 631 moves in the first direction while contacting the second receiving surface 23. As a result, the first inclined surface 621 also moves in the second direction away from the first receiving surface 22, as shown in FIG. 20(B). Furthermore, the second inclined surface 631 also moves in the second direction away from the second receiving surface 23, as shown in FIG. 20(B). Then, the developing roller 30 moves away from the photosensitive drum 21 in the second direction (see FIG. 18).

[0245] When the shaft 61 further moves in the first direction, the inclined surface 621B of the first inclined surface 621 moves in the first direction while coming into contact with the first receiving surface 22. Also, the inclined surface 631B of the second inclined surface 631 moves in the first direction while coming into contact with the second receiving surface 23.

[0246] During movement in the first direction, inclined surface 621A of first inclined surface 621, which first comes into contact with first receiving surface 22, is steeper than inclined surface 621B. Furthermore, during movement in the first direction, inclined surface 631A of second inclined surface 631, which first comes into contact with second receiving surface 23, is steeper than inclined surface 631B. Therefore, at the beginning of movement of spacing member 60 in the first direction, the amount of movement of spacing member 60 in the second direction can be made large. This allows developing roller 30 to be separated from photosensitive drum 21 with a small amount of movement of spacing member 60 in the first direction.

[0247] Furthermore, inclined surface 621B, which has an inclination angle with respect to the first direction gentler than inclined surface 621A, comes into contact with first receiving surface 22, and inclined surface 631B, which has an inclination angle gentler than inclined surface 631A, comes into contact with second receiving surface 23, so that spacing member 60 moves in the first direction while movement in the second direction is suppressed. This reduces the driving load of pressing member 104.

[0248] When the shaft 61, the first cam 62, and the second cam 63 move from the second position to the first position, the first inclined surface 621 of the first cam 62 moves in the second direction toward the first receiving surface 22 due to the reverse action of the above. Also, the second inclined surface 631 of the second cam 63 moves in the second direction toward the second receiving surface 23. Accordingly, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 move in the second direction, and the developing roller 30 moves toward the photosensitive drum 21 in the second direction. Then, the image forming apparatus 100 enters a contact state.

[0249] As described above, the shaft 61 moves in the first direction relative to the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 in accordance with the driving force in the first direction. When the first inclined surface 621 comes into contact with the first receiving surface 22 as the shaft 61 moves in the first direction, the first inclined surface 621 moves in the second direction along the first receiving surface 22. As the first inclined surface 621 moves in the second direction, the housing 10 and the developing roller 30 also move in the second direction. This eliminates the need for driving forces on both sides, and allows the developing cartridge 1 to move in the second direction using the driving force in the first direction. Furthermore, compared to when a drum cartridge includes a shaft, the developer cartridge 1 includes the first inclined surface 621 and the shaft 61, which prevents the shaft 61 from interfering with the attachment and detachment of the developer cartridge 1 to and from the drum cartridge.

[0250] Furthermore, when moving the shaft 61 in the first direction, there is no need to apply a driving force to both sides of the shaft 61 in the first direction; the developing cartridge can be moved by applying a driving force from one side of the shaft 61 in the first direction.

[0251] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 has a drive source that rotates the developing roller 30, the photosensitive drum 21, etc., on one side of the developer cartridge 1 and the drawer 2 in the first direction. A drive unit 103, which is a drive source that moves the pressing member 104 in the first direction, can be disposed near this drive source. In other words, the drive sources provided in the image forming apparatus 100 can be concentrated on one side of the developer cartridge 1 and the drawer 2, thereby realizing a more compact image forming apparatus 100. Also, there is no need to provide components for moving the developer cartridge on both sides of the drawer 2 in the first direction, which allows the drawer 2 to be simplified and made more compact.

[0252] <3. Modifications> Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0253] In the above embodiment, the spacing member 60 has the first cam 62 and the second cam 63. However, it is sufficient that the spacing member 60 has at least one of the first cam 62 and the second cam 63. It is also sufficient that the spacing member 60 has at least one of the first inclined surface 621 and the second inclined surface 631. Furthermore, for example, without providing the first cam 62 and the second cam 63, the shaft 61 may be machined to incline the circumferential surface of the end of the shaft 61 in the first direction, thereby forming the first inclined surface 621 and the second inclined surface 631.

[0254] In the above embodiment, the coil spring 64 is described as an example of the elastic member, but the elastic member is not limited to this. The elastic member may be any member having elasticity, such as a leaf spring, a torsion spring, rubber, or sponge.

[0255] Furthermore, the elements appearing in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0256] 1: Developing cartridge 2: Drawer 2A: Slot 10: Housing 10A: Container 10B: Lid 10B1 :hole 10C: Opening 11: 1st outer surface 12 :Second outer surface 20: Agitator 21: Photosensitive drum 22: First receiving surface 23: Second receiving surface 30: Developing roller 31: Developing roller body 32: Developing roller shaft 33: Development electrode 40: Gear section 41: Coupling 45: Cover 51: IC chip 60: Spacer 61: Shaft 62: First Cam 63: Second Cam 64: Coil spring 65: Washer 66: Cover 100: Image forming device 101: Main frame 102: Control unit 103: Drive unit 104: Pressing member 200: Frame 201: First side frame 201A: First recess 202: Second side frame 202A: Second recess 202B: Through hole 411: Fastening hole 621: 1st slope 631:Second slope

Claims

1. a housing capable of accommodating a developer; a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction; a shaft along a first axis extending in the first direction, the shaft being movable relative to the housing in the first direction and movable together with the housing in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a first inclined surface located at one end of the housing in the first direction, movable together with the shaft relative to the housing in the first direction, and movable together with the housing and the shaft in the second direction, wherein the first inclined surface is inclined with respect to the first direction, and the distance between the shaft and the first inclined surface in the second direction increases as the first inclined surface moves from the one end of the housing toward the other end of the housing, the distance between the shaft and the first inclined surface toward the outside in the radial direction of the shaft; A developing cartridge comprising:

2. 2. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, The first inclined surface is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the first direction. A developing cartridge characterized by:

3. 3. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, the first inclined surface is located on the circumferential surface of the shaft; A developing cartridge characterized by:

4. 4. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, the first inclined surface is inclined relative to the shaft; A developing cartridge characterized by:

5. 5. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, the first inclined surface is located on one side of the shaft in the second direction; A developing cartridge characterized by:

6. 6. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, The first inclined surface is a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface aligned in the first direction; The first slope is the second inclined surface is disposed at a position farther from the other end of the housing in the first direction than the second inclined surface, an inclination angle of the first inclined surface with respect to the first direction is larger than an inclination angle of the second inclined surface with respect to the first direction; A developing cartridge characterized by:

7. 7. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, a second inclined surface located at the other end of the housing in the first direction and movable together with the shaft, the second inclined surface being inclined with respect to the first direction, the distance from the shaft toward the outside in the radial direction of the shaft increasing as the second inclined surface moves from the one end to the other end; A developing cartridge comprising:

8. 8. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, The second inclined surface is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the first direction. A developing cartridge characterized by:

9. 9. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, The second inclined surface is located on the circumferential surface of the shaft. A developing cartridge characterized by:

10. 10. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, the second inclined surface is inclined relative to the shaft; A developing cartridge characterized by:

11. 11. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, the second inclined surface is located on one side of the shaft in the second direction. A developing cartridge characterized by:

12. 12. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, The second inclined surface is a third inclined surface and a fourth inclined surface aligned in the first direction; The third slope is the first inclined surface is closer to the first inclined surface than the fourth inclined surface in the first direction; an inclination angle of the third inclined surface with respect to the first direction is larger than an inclination angle of the fourth inclined surface with respect to the first direction; A developing cartridge characterized by:

13. 13. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, the shaft is rotatable relative to the housing about the first axis; the first inclined surface is rotatable together with the shaft relative to the housing about the first axis, and is a conical surface or a polygonal pyramidal surface having the first axis as a central axis. A developing cartridge characterized by:

14. 13. The developing cartridge according to claim 7, the shaft is rotatable relative to the housing about the first axis; the second inclined surface is rotatable together with the shaft relative to the housing about the first axis, and is a conical surface or a polygonal pyramidal surface having the first axis as a central axis. A developing cartridge characterized by:

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