cartridge

Abstract

To further develop conventional technology.SOLUTION: A cartridge includes: a photoreceptor 4; a development member 6 for sticking toner to the photoreceptor 4; a coupling member 74 capable of receiving driving force for rotating and driving the development member 6; a moving part 510 capable of moving between a driving-force transmitting position allowing transmission of the driving-force from the coupling member 74 to the development member 6 and a driving-force interception position intercepting the transmission of the driving-force from the coupling member 74 to the development member 6; and a holding part for holding the moving part 510 at the driving-force interception position when the moving part 510 is at the driving-force interception position. The moving part 510 can take the driving-force transmission position and the driving-force interception position in a state that the development member 6 is at a position capable of sticking the toner to the photoreceptor 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, such as copiers and printers, that employ an electrophotographic system, and to cartridges that can be attached to or detached from electrophotographic image forming apparatuses. Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as an "image forming apparatus") forms an image on a sheet-like recording medium, such as paper, using an electrophotographic image forming system. Examples of image forming apparatuses include copiers, facsimile machines, printers (laser beam printers, LED printers, etc.), and multifunction printers that combine these functions. A cartridge is a unit that can be attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus, and includes a photosensitive member and / or process means that act on the photosensitive member (e.g., a charging member, a developing member, a cleaning member, etc.). [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image forming apparatuses have adopted a process cartridge system in which a drum and process means acting on the drum are integrated into a cartridge that is detachably mountable to the main body of the image forming apparatus. This process cartridge system allows users to perform maintenance on the image forming apparatus themselves, without the need for a service technician, thereby significantly improving operability. For this reason, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a process cartridge provided with a clutch that switches drive so that the developing roller is driven when an image is formed and is cut off from the drive to the developing roller when an image is not formed. Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration that switches between transmitting and cutting off the drive to the developing roller while the surface of the photosensitive drum and the developing roller remain in contact. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-337511 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-111221 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

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

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the cartridge of the present disclosure comprises: A cartridge usable with an image forming apparatus main body having a first main body force application portion and a second main body force application portion, a shielding member including a shielding portion capable of covering a photosensitive body, the shielding portion being movable between a first position where the shielding portion exposes the photosensitive body and a second position where the shielding portion covers the photosensitive body more than the first position; a first force receiving portion that receives a force from the first body force application portion that moves the shielding member from the second position to the first position; a second force receiving portion that receives a force from the second body force application portion that moves the shielding member from the first position to the second position; and the shielding member can be held at the first position with the first force receiving portion spaced apart from the first body force application portion and the second force receiving portion spaced apart from the second body force application portion, The shielding member can be held at the second position with the first force receiving portion spaced apart from the first body force application portion and the second force receiving portion spaced apart from the second body force application portion. It is characterized by . [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present disclosure allows further development of the prior art. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

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

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

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

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

[0012] The image forming apparatus 500 is a four-color full-color laser printer using an electrophotographic process, and forms a color image on a recording medium S. The image forming apparatus 500 is a process cartridge type, and a process cartridge P is removably attached to an image forming apparatus main body 502 to form a color image on the recording medium S. Here, with respect to the image forming apparatus 500, the side where the front door 111 is provided is referred to as the front (front face), and the side opposite the front is referred to as the back (rear face). Furthermore, when viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus 500, the right side is referred to as the drive side, and the left side is referred to as the non-drive side. Furthermore, when viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus 500, the upper side is referred to as the top face, and the lower side is referred to as the bottom face. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 500 as viewed from the non-drive side, with the front side of the page being the non-drive side of the image forming apparatus 500, the right side of the page being the front of the image forming apparatus 500, and the back side of the page being the drive side of the image forming apparatus 500.

[0013] Four process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) - a first process cartridge PY, a second process cartridge PM, a third process cartridge PC, and a fourth process cartridge PK - are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction in the image forming apparatus main body 502. Each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) has a similar electrophotographic process mechanism, but uses a different color developer (hereinafter referred to as toner). A rotational driving force is transmitted to the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) from a driving output unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 502. Furthermore, a bias voltage (charging bias, developing bias, etc.) is supplied (not shown) from the image forming apparatus main body 502 to each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK).

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

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

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

[0017] An intermediate transfer belt unit 112 is provided below the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) as a transfer member. This intermediate transfer belt unit 112 has a drive roller 112e, a turn roller 112c, and a tension roller 112b, and a flexible transfer belt 112a is wound around it. The photosensitive drums 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) are The lower surface of the transfer belt 112a contacts the upper surface of the transfer belt 112a. This contact area is the primary transfer area. A primary transfer roller 112d is provided inside the transfer belt 112a, facing the photosensitive drum 4. A secondary transfer roller 106a is in contact with the turn roller 112c via the transfer belt 112a. The contact area between the transfer belt 112a and the secondary transfer roller 106a is the secondary transfer area.

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

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

[0020] Through the electrophotographic image forming process described above, a yellow toner image corresponding to the yellow component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 (4Y) of the first process cartridge PY. This toner image is then primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 112a. Similarly, a magenta toner image corresponding to the magenta component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 (4M) of the second process cartridge PM. This toner image is then primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow toner image already transferred onto the transfer belt 112a. Similarly, a cyan toner image corresponding to the cyan component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 (4C) of the third process cartridge PC. This toner image is then primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow and magenta toner images already transferred onto the transfer belt 112a. Similarly, a black toner image corresponding to the black component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 4 (4K) of the fourth process cartridge PK. This toner image is then primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 112a, superimposed on the yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images already transferred onto the transfer belt 112a, forming a full-color unfixed toner image of four colors, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, on the transfer belt 112a.

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

[0022] [Overall structure of the process cartridge] In this embodiment, the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) have the same electrophotographic process mechanism, and the color of the toner contained therein and the amount of toner filled therein are different. The process cartridge P shown in FIG. 3 includes a photosensitive drum 4 and a process means acting on the photosensitive drum 4. The process means includes a charging roller 5 as a charging means for charging the photosensitive drum 4, a developing roller 6 as a developing member for developing a latent image formed by adhering toner to the photosensitive drum 4, and a cleaning blade 7 as a cleaning means for removing residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. The process cartridge P is divided into a drum unit 8 and a developing unit 9. Note that the cartridge configuration usable with the image forming apparatus main body is not limited to the configuration shown here. For example, the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 may be configured to be independently detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, or the drum unit 8 may be fixed to the image forming apparatus main body and only the developing unit 9 may be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body.

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

[0024] [Developing unit configuration] As shown in FIG. 3, the developing unit 9 includes a developing roller 6, a developing blade 30, and a developing container 25. The developing container 25 includes a toner storage compartment 29 for storing toner to be supplied to the developing roller 6, and a developing blade 30 for regulating the thickness of the toner layer around the developing roller 6. The developing blade 30 is formed by attaching an elastic member 30b, a sheet metal approximately 0.1 mm thick, to a supporting member 30a, a metal material with an L-shaped cross section, by welding or other method. The developing blade 30 is attached to the developing container 25 at two locations, one end and the other end, in the longitudinal direction with fixing screws 30c. The developing roller 6 is composed of a metal core 6c and a rubber portion 6d. The developing roller 6 is rotatably supported by a drive-side bearing 526 and a non-drive-side bearing 27, which are attached to both longitudinal ends of the developing container 25.

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

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

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

[0028] 5 and 6, the tray 110 is movable relative to the image forming apparatus main body 502 in the direction of arrow X1 (pushing direction) and the direction of arrow X2 (pulling direction). That is, the tray 110 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out and pushed into the image forming apparatus main body 502, and is configured so as to be able to move in a substantially horizontal direction when the image forming apparatus main body 502 is installed on a horizontal surface. Here, the state in which the tray 110 is positioned outside the image forming apparatus main body 502 (the state in FIG. 6) is referred to as the outer position. Furthermore, the state in which the tray 110 is positioned inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 with the front door open and the photosensitive drums 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) and the transfer belt 112a are spaced apart by a gap T1 (the state in FIG. 5) is referred to as the first inner position.

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

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

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

[0032] [Drive connection configuration] The configuration of the drive coupling portion will be described using Figures 7 and 8. Here, the drive coupling portion is a mechanism that receives drive from the developing device drive output member 62 of the image forming apparatus main body 502 shown in Figure 7 and transmits or blocks the drive to the developing roller 6. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P as seen from the drive side, showing a state in which the drive side cartridge cover member 520 and the developing device cover member 533 have been removed. As described above, the drive side cartridge cover member 520 has openings 520a and 520b. The developing device coupling member 74 is configured to be exposed from the opening 520a. The developing device coupling member 74 engages with the developing device drive output members 62 (62Y, 62M, 62C, and 62K) of the image forming apparatus main body 502 shown in Figure 7(b), and transmits drive force from a drive motor (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus main body 502.

[0033] A developing coupling member 74 and a rotating member 75, to which a driving force can be transmitted via the developing coupling member 74, are rotatably provided at an end of the developing unit 9 shown in FIG. 8. As will be described in detail later, the developing coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75 are coaxially engageable in the longitudinal direction, and when engaged, a driving force can be transmitted from the developing coupling member 74 to the rotating member 75. The rotating member 75 engages with a gear 801, which also engages with a developing roller gear 802. The gear 801 and the developing roller gear 802 have gear teeth that mesh with each other. This results in a configuration in which the driving force transmitted to the rotating member 75 is transmitted to the developing roller 6 via the developing roller gear 802.

[0034] Between the drive-side bearing 526 and the drive-side cartridge cover member 520, a gear 801, a spring 70, a rotating member 75, a slide member 80, a developing device coupling member 74, and a developing device cover member 533 are provided in this order from the drive-side bearing 526. The slide member 80 is part of the drive switching mechanism and serves as a disengagement member for the coupling. These members are provided on the same straight line as the developing device coupling member 74. The drive-side bearing 526 has a cylindrical support portion 526c that protrudes in the longitudinal direction parallel to the swing axis K, and the developing device cover member 533 has a fitting hole 533c that fits with the support portion 526c. A regulating member 510, which is part of the drive switching mechanism and serves as a movable member that regulates the slide member and is movable between a first position and a second position (described later), is attached to the support portion 526c so as to be swingable about the support portion 526c. Details will be described later. In this embodiment, the regulating member 510 is attached to the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526. However, it is also possible to configure it to be attached to other members such as the developing roller cover member 533 or the driving side cartridge cover member 520. In this embodiment, the drive coupling portion is made up of the gear 801, the developing roller gear 802, the spring 70, the rotating member 75, the slide member 80, the developing coupling member 74, and the developing roller cover member 533.

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

[0036] 9, a hole 75m is provided in the center of the rotating member 75. This hole 75m is fitted with and passes through a small-diameter cylindrical portion 74m of the developing coupling member 74. This supports the developing coupling member 74 so that it can rotate relative to the rotating member 75 and slide along the respective axes.

[0037] The configurations of the developing coupling member 74, the rotating member 75, the spring 70, the gear 801, and the slide member 80 will be described using Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the drive coupling portion. Figure 11(a) is a view of the gear 801 and the rotating member 75 from the drive side during drive transmission, and Figure 11(b) is a cross-sectional view of the position AA shown in Figure 11(a). For ease of explanation, the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80 are not shown in Figure 11(a).

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

[0039] 11(a), a drive transmission state will be described when the claw portion 74a and the claw portion 75a are engaged and the drive is input from the developer-drive output member 62 of the image forming apparatus main body 502 to rotate the developer coupling member. When the rotating member 75 rotates in the V2 direction, the drive transmission surface 75e at the upstream end of the fitting hole 75n in the rotation direction abuts against the drive transmission surface 801d of the pillar portion 801a of the gear 801. The gear 801 receives a rotational force in the V2 direction at the drive transmission surface 801d, rotates in the V2 direction, and transmits the rotation to the developing roller gear 802 with which it engages, thereby driving the developing roller 6.

[0040] [Drive uncoupling configuration] The configuration for disengaging the drive connection will be described using Figures 12 and 13. Figure 12 shows a regulating member 510 that regulates the longitudinal position of the slide member 80 in order to disengage the drive connection, and Figures 12(a) and 12(b) show perspective views from opposite sides for the sake of explanation. Figure 13 shows the positional relationship between the regulating member 510 and the drive connection section described above, with Figure 13(a) in the drive connection state and Figure 13(b) in the drive connection release state.

[0041] The restricting member 510 has a supported hole 510a, a restricting lever portion 510b, and foot portions 510c and 510d. The restricting lever portion 510b has a cam surface 510g and an inclined surface 510h, and foot portions 510c and 510d have surfaces 510e and 510f, respectively, that receive force from a drive control member 540, which will be described later. The supported hole 510a of the restricting member 510 is fitted into the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526 described above, and the restricting member 510 is able to swing around the axis of the support portion 526c.

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

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

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

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

[0046] FIG. 15 shows the process cartridge P installed in the image forming apparatus main body 502 as viewed from the direction of arrow VW in FIG. 14(b). For the sake of explanation, FIG. 15 omits the drive control member 540 except for the control unit 540a. Also, some of the components constituting the process cartridge P are omitted. As shown in FIG. 15, the foot portion 510c, which is the retraction force receiving portion of the regulating member 510, and the foot portion 510d, which is the insertion force receiving portion, are arranged to partially overlap in the direction along the pivot axis K of the developing unit 9, thereby forming a space Q1. Furthermore, when the process cartridge P is installed in the second inner position (image formable position) and the control unit 540a enters the space Q1, the control unit 540a is arranged to overlap with the foot portion 510c and the foot portion 510d in the direction along the pivot axis K. Here, as shown in Figure 14(b), when the process cartridge P is attached to the second inner position of the image forming apparatus main body 502 and the regulating member 510 is in the first position, the position of the drive control member 540 where there is a gap T3 between the surface 510e of the foot portion 510c and the second force application surface 540c and there is a gap T4 between the surface 510f of the foot portion 510d and the first force application surface 540b is referred to as the home position.

[0047] [Drive connection release operation] The movement operation of the regulating member 510 from the first position to the second position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, i.e., the operation of releasing the drive connection, will be described using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a view of the process cartridge P located at the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, as seen from the drive side. For the sake of explanation, the drive side cartridge cover member 520 is omitted.

[0048] 1A shows a state in which the regulating member 510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position (first main body position). As described above, in the home position of the drive control member 540 in FIG. 1A, there is a gap T4 between the first force application surface 540b and the foot portion 510d, which is the retraction force receiving portion of the process cartridge P mounted at the second inner position. There is also a gap T3 between the second force application surface 540c and the foot portion 510c, which is the insertion force receiving portion. The control member 540 is configured to be movable from the home position toward the second main body position in the direction of arrow W51 in FIG. 1(a). When the drive control member 540 moves in the direction W51 from the state shown in FIG. 1(a), the first force application surface 540b comes into contact with a surface 510f on a foot portion 510d of the regulating member 510, and the regulating member 510 swings in the direction of arrow B1 in FIG. 1(b) around a support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526. The support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526 is coaxially fitted into a fitting hole 533c of the developing device cover member 533, and its axis is parallel to the swing axis K. When the regulating member 510 rotates in the direction of arrow B1 in FIG. 1(b), the regulating member 510 moves from the first position toward the second position. At this time, as described above, the regulating lever portion 510b of the regulating member 510 is inserted between the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80 as shown in FIG. 13, causing the slide member 80 to move in the F2 direction, disengaging the claw portion 75a from the claw portion 74a and disengaging the drive connection. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1(c), even if the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction and returns to the home position, the control portion 540a does not come into contact with the surface 510e on the foot portion 510c of the regulating member 510, creating a gap T6. In other words, the regulating member 510 is not subjected to external force from the drive control member 540. Furthermore, because the regulating lever portion 510b is sandwiched between the slide member 80 and the developing coupling member 74 as described above, the regulating member 510 remains in the second position. This prevents the slide member 80 from sliding in the F1 direction, maintaining the drive disconnection state.

[0049] [Drive connection operation] 16, the operation of moving the regulating member 510 from the second position to the first position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, i.e., the operation of connecting the drive, will be described. Figure 16 is a view of the process cartridge P located at the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, as seen from the drive side. For the sake of explanation, the drive side cartridge cover member 520 is omitted.

[0050] FIG. 16(a) shows a state in which the regulating member 510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. In this embodiment, the drive control member 540 is configured to be movable from the home position toward the third main body position in the direction of arrow W52 in FIG. 16(a). When the drive control member 540 moves in the direction W52 from the state shown in FIG. 16(a) and the second force application surface 540c abuts against the surface 510e of the foot portion 510c of the regulating member 510, the regulating member 510 swings in the direction of arrow B2 in FIG. 16(b) around the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526. As described above, the support portion 526c is fitted into the fitting hole 533c of the developing device cover member 533, and the rotation axis of the regulating member 510 is parallel to the swing axis K. By swinging the regulating member 510 in the direction of arrow B2, the regulating member 510 moves from the second position toward the first position. At this time, the regulating lever portion 510b of the regulating member 510 described in FIG. 13 comes out from between the developer coupling member 74 and the slide member 80, and the rotating member 75, which receives the biasing force of the spring 70 described in FIG. 11, moves in the direction F1, thereby connecting the drive. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16(c), even when the drive control member 540 moves in the direction W51 and returns to the home position, the control portion 540a does not come into contact with the surface (first force receiving surface) 510f of the foot portion 510d of the regulating member 510, due to a gap T9. Furthermore, at this time, the control portion 540a has a gap T8 between it and the surface (second force receiving surface) 510e of the foot portion 510c of the regulating member 510, so the control portion 540a and the regulating member 510 are maintained in a non-contact state. Therefore, the regulating member 510 is maintained in the first position, and the drive connection state is maintained. From this state, it is possible to perform the drive connection release operation again. In this case, the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, becoming the state shown in Figure 1(b), and thereafter performing the same operation as the drive connection release operation described above.

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

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

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

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

[0055] An overview of the spring clutch 180 will be described using FIG. 18 . The spring clutch 180 in this embodiment is composed of a control ring 180a, an output member 180b, an input inner ring 180c, a transmission inner ring 180d, and a transmission spring 180e. The input inner ring 180c, which serves as an input member, engages with the development coupling member 174 and rotates upon receiving driving force from the upstream side of the transmission path. The input inner ring 180c and the transmission spring 180e wound around its outer periphery are restricted from rotating relative to each other by the fastening force (friction) of the transmission spring 180e, which serves as a transmission member, and the driving force is transmitted from the input inner ring 180c to the transmission spring 180e. The input inner ring 180c and the transmission spring 180e are also restricted from rotating relative to each other by the fastening force (friction) of the transmission spring 180e. Therefore, the rotation transmitted to the transmission spring 180e is transmitted to the transmission inner ring 180d by the fastening force of the transmission spring 180e. The transmission inner ring 180d is engaged with the output member 180b, and the output member 180b transmits the driving force at an engagement portion with a gear 1801 (described later) in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The control ring 180a, which serves as a control member, is engaged with one end of the transmission spring 180e, and the spring's tightening (contact with each inner ring) can be loosened by rotating the control ring 180a in the direction opposite to the tightening direction of the spring. As described above, all of the components that make up the spring clutch 180 rotate as a single unit during drive transmission. The drive transmission is interrupted when the rotation of the control ring 180a is stopped, loosening the transmission spring 180e from the input inner ring 180c (reducing the frictional force between the transmission spring 180e and each inner ring), and the transmission spring 180e no longer transmits the driving force from the input inner ring 180c to the transmission inner ring 180d.

[0056] The configuration of the spring clutch 180 is not limited to this, and it may have only one inner ring. In this case, the opposite end of the transmission spring 180e to the one end that engages with the control ring 180a is directly connected to the output member 180b. It is sufficient if the drive transmission switching device is in a state where the rotation transmitting portion radially expands or moves circumferentially by stopping a portion of the rotation. In other words, any of various conventionally known configurations may be employed as long as it is capable of forming a transmission state in which the drive force is transmitted by restricting the relative rotation between the members that transmit the drive force, and a non-transmission state in which the drive force is not transmitted by allowing the relative rotation.

[0057] The assembly of the gear 1801, spring clutch 180, and developing coupling member 174 will be described using Figure 19. Figure 19(a) shows the assembly of the spring clutch 180 and developing coupling member 174, and Figure 19(b) shows the assembly of the spring clutch 180 and gear 1801. The input inner ring 180c of the spring clutch 180 has an input groove 180f, and the developing coupling member 174 has a claw portion 174a. By engaging the claw portion 174a with the input groove 180f, when the developing coupling member 174 rotates, the input inner ring 180c rotates and driving force can be transmitted. The output member 180b of the spring clutch 180 has an output claw 180g, and the gear 1801 has a transmission groove 1801a. By engaging the output claw 180g with the transmission groove 1801a, when the output member 180b rotates, the gear 1801 rotates and driving force can be transmitted. As a result, the driving force input to the developing coupling member 174 is transmitted to the gear 1801, which rotates the developing roller gear 802 and drives the developing roller 6. Note that, although the figure shows a case in which there are three claw portions 174a, three input grooves 180f, three output claws 180g, and three transmission grooves 1801a in this embodiment, the numbers are not limited to this.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0064] [Drive connection operation] 23, the movement operation of the regulating member 1510 from the second position to the first position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, that is, the operation of connecting the drive, will be described. FIG. 23 is a view of the process cartridge P located at the second inside position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, as seen from the drive side. For the sake of explanation, the drive side cartridge cover member 520 is omitted from the illustration. vinegar.

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

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

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

[0068] Using FIG. 25, the operation of switching the drive transmission state inside the image forming apparatus main body 502 will be described. In this configuration, the second force application surface 540c of the drive control member 540 and the tip portion 1511a of the urging member 1511 abut against each other at the home position. FIG. 25(a) shows a state in which the regulating member 1510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. In the state of FIG. 25(a), the spring 1511b of the urging member 1511 is slightly compressed, and further, the regulating lever portion 1510k of the regulating member 1510 abuts against the outer peripheral surface 533f of the developing device covering member 533. Therefore, the regulating member 1510 is fixed at a position where the regulating lever portion 1510k abuts against the outer peripheral surface 533f of the developing device covering member 533, and the drive transmission state is reliably maintained.

[0069] When the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, the regulating member 1510 moves from the first position toward the second position, as shown in FIG. 25(b), and the regulating surface 1510g of the regulating member 1510 abuts against the control unit 180h of the spring clutch 180. This stops the rotation of the control unit 180h of the spring clutch 180, and the drive is interrupted. In the state shown in FIG. 25(b), the second force applying surface 540c of the drive control member 540 and the tip end 1511a of the biasing member 1511 are spaced apart. Note that, as long as the control of the regulating member 1510 by the drive control member 540 is not affected, it is also possible to configure the surface (second force receiving surface) of the tip end 1511a of the biasing member 1511 to come into contact with the second force applying surface 540c of the drive control member 540. That is, the configuration may be such that contact between the surface (second force receiving surface) of the tip end 1511a of the biasing member 1511 and the drive control member 540 is maintained even in the second position.

[0070] 25(c), when the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction and returns to the home position, the second force application surface 540c of the drive control member 540 comes into contact with the tip end 1511a of the biasing member 1511, and the spring 1511b is compressed. B A moment M in the B1 direction around the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526 is generated by the Band the force J applied from the spring 1511b of the biasing member 1511. S A moment M in the B2 direction centered on the support portion 526c due to S However, in the state of Figure 25(c), M B >M S Therefore, the restricting member 1510 does not move from the second position. That is, even if the surface (second force receiving surface) of the tip portion 1511a is in contact with the drive control member 540, the drive release state is maintained.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0078] 29(a) shows a state in which the regulating member 3510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. From the state in FIG. 29(a), the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, and when the first force application surface 540b comes into contact with the surface 3510f on the foot portion 3510d of the regulating member 3510, the regulating member 3510 swings from the first position in the B1 direction around the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526, and the regulating surface 3510g comes into contact with the tip portion 550a of the locking member 550. At this time, as shown in FIG. 29(b), a force J acting in the B1 direction from the regulating member 3510 c29(c), the spring 550b of the locking member 550 is compressed and the tip 550a moves in the S1 direction. As a result, the regulating member 3510 can further swing in the B1 direction, and the regulating surface 3510g abuts against the outer peripheral surface 180j of the spring clutch 180. In addition, the tip 550a of the locking member 550 is moved in the S2 direction by the restoring force of the spring 550b while in contact with the regulating surface 3510g of the regulating member 3510. At this time, at the surface where the tip 550a of the locking member 550 and the regulating surface 3510g of the regulating member 3510 contact each other, the regulating surface 3510g is biased by the tip 550a with a force J. B Here, the restricting surface 3510g is subjected to a force J from the tip portion 550a. B The direction of is a direction in which a moment acts in the B1 direction centered on the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526. Therefore, the position of the regulating member 3510 is fixed with the regulating surface 3510g abutting against the outer peripheral surface 180j of the spring clutch 180. In this way, the regulating member 3510 stops the control portion 180h, that is, stops the rotation of the control ring 180a, thereby interrupting the driving force input from the image forming apparatus main body 502 to the development coupling member 174. This position of the regulating member 3510 is referred to as the second position of the regulating member 3510.

[0079] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 29(d), even if the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction and returns to the home position, the control unit 540a does not detect the surface (second force receiving surface) of the regulating member 3510. 29(c), the restricting member 3510 receives a force J from the tip end 550a of the locking member 550. B Therefore, the position of the restriction surface 3510g is fixed in a state where it abuts against the outer peripheral surface 180j of the spring clutch 180, and the restriction member 3510 cannot swing in the B2 direction. In other words, the restriction member 3510 remains in the second position, stops the control ring 180a, and maintains the drive release state.

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

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

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

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

[0084] [Toggle mechanism of this embodiment] The toggle mechanism of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 32 and 33. FIG. 32(a) illustrates a state in which the regulating member 4510 is not in contact with the spring clutch 180, and FIG. 32(b) is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 32(a). At this time, a line M2 connecting the center of the boss 4533d of the developing device cover member 4533 and the center of the boss 4510d of the regulating member 4510 is located to the left of the line M1 connecting the center of the developing device cover member boss 4533d and the center of the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526. Therefore, the regulating member 4510, which rotates around the support portion 526c, rotates in the direction L1. This causes the regulating member 4510 to move away from the spring clutch 180, thereby interrupting the drive transmission as described in the second embodiment. Furthermore, the position of the regulating member 4510 is maintained by the surface 4510m of the regulating member 4510 abutting against the boss 4533m of the developing device cover member 4533.

[0085] A state in which the regulating member 4510 is in contact with the spring clutch 180 will be described using FIG. 33 . At this time, a line M2 connecting the center of the boss 4533d of the developing device cover member 4533 and the center of the boss 4510d of the regulating member 4510 is located to the right of the line M1 connecting the center of the developing device cover member boss 4533d and the center of the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526, so the regulating member 4510 rotates in the direction L2 around the support portion 526c of the drive-side bearing 526. This causes the regulating member 4510 to move toward the spring clutch 180, and the surface 4510n of the regulating member 4510 abuts against the surface 4533n of the developing device cover member 4533, thereby maintaining the position of the regulating member 4510. Thereafter, the surface 4510g of the regulating member 4510 abuts against the control portion 180h of the spring clutch 180. The operation of the spring clutch 180 at this time is similar to that of the second embodiment, and therefore will not be described here. This connects the clutch, enabling transmission of drive force to the main body side. Note that the drive cutoff operation of the spring clutch 180 is the same as in the second embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0086] [Drive coupling operation] Using Figure 34, we will explain the operation of the drive control member 540 inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, from when the process cartridge P is disconnected from the main body to when it is connected to the drive power from the main body. Figure 34(a) shows a state in which the drive control member 540 is disconnected from the drive power and is in the home position, Figure 34(b) shows a state in which the drive control member 540 has moved in the w51 direction from Figure 34(a) and is in the first position, and Figure 34(c) shows a state in which the drive control member 540 has moved in the w52 direction from Figure 34(b) and is connected to the drive power and is in the home position. Details and symbols similar to those in Example 1 will not be repeated.

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

[0088] [Drive connection disconnection operation] Using Figure 35, we will explain the operation of the drive control member 540 inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, from when the process cartridge P is connected to the drive power from the main body to when it is cut off. Figure 35(a) shows a state in which the drive control member 540 is connected to the drive power and is in the home position, Figure 35(b) shows a state in which the drive control member 540 has moved in the w52 direction from Figure 35(a) and is in the second position, and Figure 35(c) shows a state in which the drive control member 540 has moved in the w51 direction from Figure 35(b) and is in the home position with the drive power cut off. Details and symbols similar to those in Example 1 will be omitted.

[0089] When the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, the second force application surface 540c comes into contact with the surface (second force receiving surface) 4510e of the foot portion 4510c of the regulating member 4510, causing the regulating member 4510 to rotate in the L1 direction shown in FIG. 33(b). As the regulating member 4510 rotates, the surface 4510g of the regulating member 4510 moves away from the control portion 180h of the spring clutch 180. This disengages the clutch, disabling transmission of drive force from the main body. As described above with reference to FIG. 32, in this state, the toggle spring 4601 causes the surface 4510m of the regulating member 4510 to come into contact with the boss 4533m of the developing device cover member 4533, thereby maintaining the regulating member 4510's position. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 35(c), the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, returning to the home position. In this state, there is a gap between the restriction member 4510 and T47, and therefore the drive control member 540 does not apply force to the restriction member 4510. Therefore, the restriction member 4510 remains in the position shown in Figure 32, and the drive is stably interrupted.

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

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

[0092] [Drive connection configuration] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P as seen from the drive side, showing a state in which the drive-side cartridge cover member 6520 and the developing device cover member 6533 have been removed. A developing device coupling gear 6801 and a developing device cover member 6533 are provided between the drive-side bearing 526 and the drive-side cartridge cover member 6520. A coupling portion 6801a is provided at the end of the developing device coupling gear 6801, and is exposed from the drive-side cartridge cover member 6520 to receive driving force from the image forming apparatus main body 502. An idler gear 6803 is provided at a position that meshes with the developing device coupling gear 6801 and maintains a constant inter-axial distance. The idler gear 6803 is connected to an idler gear 6804 that transmits driving force to the developing roller gear 802 by a regulating member 6510 that serves as a support member. The regulating member 6510 has rotation shafts 6510a and 6510b that are respectively the rotation shafts of the idler gear 6803 and the idler gear 6804. That is, the idler gear 6803 is rotatably held by the rotation shaft 6510a, and the idler gear 6504 is rotatably held by the rotation shaft 6510b. They are sandwiched between a plate member 6511 and the regulating member 6510 to prevent them from coming off.

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

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

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

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

[0097] [Drive connection disconnection operation] Using Figure 38, the movement operation of the regulating member 6510 from the first position to the second position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, i.e., the drive cut-off operation described above, will be described. Figure 38 is a view of the process cartridge P located at the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, as seen from the drive side. For the sake of explanation, the drive-side cartridge cover member 6520 is omitted. Figure 38(a) shows a state in which the regulating member 6510 is at the first position and the drive control member 540 is at the home position. Figure 38(b) shows a state in which the regulating member 6510 has moved from the first position to the second position. Figure 38(c) shows a state in which the regulating member 6510 is at the second position and the drive control member 540 is at the home position. Details and explanations of symbols similar to those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0098] When the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, the second force application surface 540c comes into contact with a surface (second force receiving surface) 6510e on the foot portion 6510c of the regulating member 6510, and the regulating member 6510 rotates around the rotation shaft 6510a in the direction of arrow V4 in FIG. 38(b). That is, the regulating member 6510 moves from a first position, where the developing roller gear 802 (first gear) and the idler gear 6804 (second gear) are meshed with each other, to a second position, where the idler gear 6804 is disengaged from each other. At the second position, the idler gear 6804 also rotates in the V4 direction together with the regulating member 6510, and as described above, the drive between the developing roller gear 802 and the idler gear 6804 is cut off (FIGS. 37(b) and 63(b)).

[0099] Furthermore, the drive control member 540 moves in the direction of arrow W51 in FIG. 38(b) and returns to the home position. At this time, as described above, the regulating member 6510 receives a moment in the V3 direction from the idler gear 6803 as the third gear and tries to return to the first position, but is biased in the V4 direction by the tension spring 6530. The spring pressure of the tension spring 6530 as the fourth biasing means is set to maintain the regulating member 6510 in the second position and not to move the regulating member 6510 to the second position when it is in the first position.

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

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

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

[0103] Therefore, second force application surface 540c of control section 540a has a gap T60 with surface 6510e on foot portion 6510c of restricting member 6510, and does not come into contact with surface 6510e (FIG. 38(c)). Furthermore, first force application surface 540b has a gap T61 with surface (first force receiving surface) 6510f on foot portion 6510d of restricting member 6510. Therefore, restricting member 6510 is positioned at the second position without coming into contact with drive control member 540, and the drive release state is maintained (FIG. 37(b)).

[0104] [Drive connection operation] 38 and 39, the operation of moving the regulating member 6510 from the second position to the first position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, that is, the operation of connecting the drive, will be described. Figure 39 is a view of the process cartridge P located at the second inner position inside the image forming apparatus main body 502, as seen from the drive side. For the sake of explanation, the drive side cartridge cover member 6520 is omitted. Figure 39 shows the state in which the regulating member 6510 has moved from the second position to the first position.

[0105] When the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, the first force application surface 540b comes into contact with the surface 6510f on the foot portion 1510d of the regulating member 6510, causing the regulating member 6510 to rotate in the direction of arrow V3 in FIG. 39. That is, the regulating member 6510 moves from the second position toward the first position. Then, as described above, the idler gear 6804 meshes with the developing roller gear 802, thereby connecting the drive (FIG. 37(a)).

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

[0107] As described above, by using this embodiment, the drive control member 540 moves the regulating member 6510 between the first position and the second position, thereby switching the drive transmission state between the idler gear 6804 and the developing roller gear 802. This makes it possible to switch the drive regardless of the contact / separation operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

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

[0109] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by providing a laser shutter unit in the process cartridge, the laser light emitted from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in response to an image signal can be switched between being able to reach the photosensitive drum (the laser shutter unit does not block the laser light) and being unable to reach the photosensitive drum (the laser shutter unit blocks the laser light) as part of the electrophotographic image forming process described above. This allows image formation to be switched between being able to and being unable to reach the photosensitive drum and the developing roller, regardless of the contact / separation operation between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller or the disconnection operation of the drive connector, as shown in other embodiments. In other embodiments, if the contact / separation state between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller or the connection state of the drive connector cannot be stably controlled, problems may occur in image formation. For example, image problems such as poor image density due to contact pressure or banding due to the drive connector may occur. However, in this embodiment, because the laser light from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which is external to the process cartridge, is switched between being able to and being unable to reach the photosensitive drum, it is less likely to affect components related to the image forming means inside the process cartridge (such as the photosensitive drum, developing roller, and gears). This makes it possible to stably switch between enabling and disabling image formation as an electrophotographic image forming process operation.

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

[0111] 40(a) and 41(a) show a state in which the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed in a position where it blocks the laser light U. FIGS. 40(b) and 41(b) show a state in which the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed in a position where it opens the laser light U without blocking it. A detailed configuration for fixing the laser shutter unit 77 at each position will be described later. The shutter moving member 7510 has two phase fixing holes, a closed phase hole 7510c and an open phase hole 7510d, for fixing the position of the laser shutter unit 77. The tip of a shutter position regulating pin 7512 provided on the developing unit 9 can be inserted or removed into the two phase fixing holes, thereby fixing the laser shutter unit 77 at any phase. Here, the closed phase hole 7510c and the open phase hole 7510d are arranged on the same circumference Kr centered on the oscillation axis K. As a result, when the laser shutter unit 77 rotates to an arbitrary phase around the swing axis K, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 can be inserted into or removed from each hole.

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

[0113] 41(b) shows a state in which the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed in an open position without blocking the laser light U, that is, the tip of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 is inserted into the open phase hole 7510d, fixing the position of the shutter moving member 7510. The position of the moving member at this time is referred to as the first position.

[0114] The configuration and operation of the shutter position regulating pin 7512 will be described in detail later. Furthermore, the shutter moving member 7510 has an opening direction pressure receiving surface (first force receiving surface) 7510f and a closing direction pressure receiving surface (second force receiving surface) 7510e as external force receiving surfaces for rotating about the swing axis K. The laser shutter unit 77 can rotate in the shutter opening direction K71 by receiving a rotational force on the opening direction pressure receiving surface 7510f, and can rotate in the shutter closing direction K72 by receiving a rotational force on the closing direction pressure receiving surface 7510e. This allows image formation as an electrophotographic image formation process to be enabled or disabled by switching between allowing or disallowing the laser light U to reach the photosensitive drum, even when the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 are always in contact with each other, regardless of the contact and separation movement between the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6.

[0115] The second position is not limited to a position where the laser shutter unit 77 covers the photosensitive drum 4 so as to almost completely block exposure of the photosensitive drum 4 to the outside of the cartridge. For example, the laser shutter unit 77 may be positioned so as to partially cover the photosensitive drum 4 to the outside of the cartridge to an extent that exposure to the laser light U can be sufficiently blocked (a certain amount of exposed portion may remain). Furthermore, the first position is any position where the laser shutter unit 77 exposes the photosensitive drum 4 more than the second position so as to enable exposure of the photosensitive drum 4 to the laser light U.

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

[0117] The drum frame 7015 provided in the drum unit 8 is configured so as to not impede the movement of the laser shutter unit 77 when it rotates and not interfere with the laser shutter 7511. The shapes of the laser shutter 7511 provided in the laser shutter unit 77 and the drum frame 7015 can be changed depending on the incident angle and width of the laser light U. The developer container 7025 provided in the developing unit 9 is configured, like the drum frame 7015, so as not to impede the movement of the laser shutter unit 77 when it rotates and not interfere with the laser shutter 7511. A drive-side bearing 7526 and a developer cover member 7533 attached to the developer container 7025 rotatably support the developer coupling gear 7801, and also support the shutter position limiting pin 7512 and the shutter position limiting spring 7513. The support structure for the shutter position limiting pin 7512 and the shutter position limiting spring 7513 will be described in detail below. The laser shutter unit 77 is composed of a shutter moving member 7510 and a laser shutter 7511. The laser shutter unit 77 is integrated by fastening the shutter moving member screw hole 7510b and the laser shutter screw hole 7511a with screws B71. As described above, on the drive side of the laser shutter unit 77, the shutter side rotation support portion 7510a is rotatably supported by the cover side rotation support portion 7533a of the developing device cover member 7533 provided on the developing unit 9. Meanwhile, on the non-drive side of the laser shutter unit 77, the bearing side rotation support portion 7527a of the non-drive side bearing 7527 provided on the non-drive side of the developing unit 9 is fitted and supported by the laser shutter rotation support portion 7511b and the non-drive side cartridge cover member rotation support hole 7521a of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 7521. This rotatably supports the laser shutter rotation support portion 7511b.

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

[0119] 43(a), the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 is in the second position where it blocks the laser light U, indicating a state where it cannot irradiate the photosensitive drum, i.e., a laser light blocking state. At this time, the drive control member 540 is in the home position, and the control section 540a of the drive control member 540 is not in contact with the shutter moving member 7510. That is, there is a gap T71 between the first force application surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is a gap T72 between the second force application surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f.

[0120] Figure 45(a) is a DA-DA cross-sectional view passing through the closing phase hole 7510c and the opening phase hole 7510d in Figure 43(a). As described above, the shutter position regulating pin 7512 and the shutter position regulating spring 7513, which is a compression coil spring serving as a biasing means, are held at both ends by the developing device cover member 7533 and the drive side bearing 7526. The shutter position regulating pin 7512 is fitted and supported in the cover side regulating pin support hole 7533b and the regulating pin support hole 7526c. The shutter position regulating spring 7513 is a compression coil spring, and both ends are fitted and held in the pin side regulating spring support portion 7512a and the bearing side regulating spring support portion 7526b. In addition, the shutter The position restriction pin 7512 is movable in the S71 direction and the S72 direction (parallel to the oscillation axis K). The shutter position restriction spring 7513 abuts against the bearing-side restriction spring force receiving surface 7526a and the pin-side restriction spring force receiving surface 7512b, and urges the shutter position restriction pin 7512 in the S71 direction. The restriction pin abutment surface 7512c of the shutter position restriction pin 7512 abuts against the developing device cover member 7533, restricting movement in the S71 direction. Here, the tip of the shutter position restriction pin 7512 is inserted into the closing phase hole 7510c of the shutter moving member 7510, and it is possible to restrict and fix the rotational movement of the shutter moving member 7510. As a result, the laser shutter unit 77 is fixed at the second position where it blocks the laser light U.

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

[0122] Figure 45(b) is a DB-DB cross-sectional view passing through the closed phase hole 7510c and the open phase hole 7510d in Figure 43(b). At this time, the shutter position limiting pin 7512 is in the process of moving from its position in the closed phase hole 7510c to the open phase hole 7510d, and has moved in the F72 direction relative to Figure 45(a). When the shutter moving member 7510 moves in the W52 direction, as shown in Figure 43(a), the shutter position limiting pin 7512 receives an external force in the F71 direction as the shutter moving member 7510 rotates. The tip of the shutter position limiting pin 7512 is shaped to generate component forces in the F72 and F73 directions. As a result, the shutter position limiting pin 7512 receives a force in the F71 direction and moves in the S72 direction, changing from Figure 45(a) to Figure 45(b). At this time, the shutter position limiting spring 7513 is compressed.

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

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

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

[0126] Figure 44(b) shows the laser shutter unit 77 being rotated in the shutter closing direction K72 after the image formation operation is completed, moving from a first position where it does not block the laser light U to a second position where it does block it. As shown in Figure 44(b), the shutter moving member 7510 and the laser shutter 7511 of the laser shutter unit 77 are in the first position, as in Figure 43(b). At this time, the drive control member 540 is moving in the W51 direction from the home position, and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is pushing the shutter moving member 7510 in the W51 direction. That is, there is no gap between the first force application surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is a gap T77 between the second force application surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. The shutter position limiting pin 7512 is in the state shown in Figure 45(b) described above.

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

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

[0129] As described above, this embodiment allows the laser shutter unit 77 to be fixed at any phase between the first position and the second position. This allows the laser light U to be switched between reachable and inaccessible to the photosensitive drum 4, even when the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 are always in contact with each other, thereby enabling and disabling image formation as an electrophotographic image formation process. In this embodiment, the laser shutter unit 77 is configured to rotate around the pivot axis K to switch between reachable and inaccessible states for the laser light U. However, the shutter opening and closing movement may not be limited to rotation, but may instead be configured to slide or fold. Furthermore, in this configuration, the components constituting the shutter and the like are supported on the developing unit side, but they may also be supported on the drum unit side.

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

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

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

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

[0134] [Overall configuration of a process cartridge having a contact shutter unit] The overall structure of the process cartridge P will be described using Figure 46. Figure 46 is a perspective view of the process cartridge P and the contact 503 as seen from the non-drive side. As shown in Figure 46, the contact shutter unit 87 is configured to be sandwiched and fixed between the non-drive side cartridge cover member 8521 and the non-drive side bearing 7527. The contact 503 as the main body electrode portion is a compression coil spring, and can contract in the longitudinal direction S81 or S82. The contact 503 is always compressed with the S82 side end fixed, so it urges the process cartridge P in the S81 direction. A bias voltage applied from the image forming apparatus main body 502 is supplied to the process cartridge P by contact between the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527. Here, Figure 46(a) shows a state in which the contact shutter unit 87 blocks the bias voltage supplied from the contact 503. In the state shown in Figure 46(a), the contact 503 is in contact with the contact shutter 8511, which will be described later, and therefore the process cartridge P is No bias voltage is supplied to the process cartridge P, and image formation is not possible. Also, Figure 46(b) shows a position in which the contact shutter unit 87 is open and does not block the bias voltage supplied from the contact 503. In the state of Figure 46(b), the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive side bearing 7527 are in contact, so bias voltage is supplied to the process cartridge P, and image formation is possible.

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

[0136] 47(a), the contact shutter unit 87 is fixed in a position where it blocks the bias voltage supplied from the contact 503. In other words, the contact shutter 8511 is fixed between the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive-side bearing 7527. The position of the contact shutter 8511 at this time is referred to as the second position.

[0137] 47(b), the contact shutter unit 87 is fixed in a position where it is open and does not block the bias voltage supplied from the contact 503. In other words, the contact shutter 8511 is fixed in a state where it is not positioned between the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive-side bearing 7527. The position of the contact shutter 8511 at this time is referred to as the first position.

[0138] The contact shutter 8511 has an arm portion 8511b as an external force receiving surface for rotating in the K81 direction around the oscillation axis L. Furthermore, the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 is in contact with the end portion 8510b of the spring 8510. When the laser shutter 7511 as a movable member rotates in the K81 direction and the arm portion 8511b receives a rotational force from the force application surface 7511c, the contact shutter 8511 rotates in the shutter opening direction K81 and reaches the first position. At this time, the position of the laser shutter 7511 as a movable member is the second holding position. Here, when the contact shutter 8511 is in the first position, the spring 8510 receives a force in the coil winding direction. Therefore, when the laser shutter 7511 rotates in the direction K82 and the external force that the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 has been receiving from the laser shutter 7511 is released, the arm portion 8511b receives a rotational force due to the biasing force of the spring 8510 in the direction that increases the torsion angle, and the contact shutter 8511 rotates in the shutter closing direction K82 to the second position. At this time, the position of the laser shutter 7511 as a movable member becomes the first holding position. Holding of the contact shutter 8511 at each of the first and second positions by engagement of the laser shutter 7511 is achieved by the engagement mechanism of the shutter moving member 7510 described in the sixth embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. As a result, the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 are always in contact with each other regardless of the contact and separation movement of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6. Even in the state where the cartridge P is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, the bias voltage can be switched between being supplyable and being incapable of being supplied to the process cartridge P, thereby enabling and disabling image formation as an electrophotographic image forming process.

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

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

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

[0142] FIG. 48(c) shows the first position in which the contact shutter 8511 of the contact shutter unit 87 is fixed and not positioned between the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive-side bearing 7527. When the contact shutter 8511 moves from the second position to the first position, the compression coil spring contact 503 extends in the S81 direction (FIG. 46) from the position shown in FIG. 48(b), bringing the contact 503 into contact with the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive-side bearing 7527. This allows a bias voltage to be supplied from the contact 503 to the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive-side bearing 7527, thereby enabling image formation as part of the electrophotographic image formation process. At this time, the drive control member 540 has moved further in the W52 direction than in FIG. 48(b), and the control portion 540a of the drive control member 540 is stopped in contact with the shutter moving member 7510. That is, the first force application surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the shutter moving member 7 There is a gap T74 between second force application surface 540c and opening direction pressed surface 7510f of shutter moving member 7510, and there is no gap between second force application surface 540c and opening direction pressed surface 7510f. Also, as described above in the sixth embodiment, the tip of shutter position regulating pin 7512 is inserted into open phase hole 7510d of shutter moving member 7510, regulating and fixing the rotational movement of shutter moving member 7510.

[0143] FIG. 49(a) shows the position of the process cartridge P when an image formation operation is being performed. As shown in FIG. 49(a), the drive control member 540 has moved from the position shown in FIG. 48(c) to the home position, and the control section 540a is in a position where it does not contact the shutter moving member 7510. That is, a gap T75 exists between the first force application surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and a gap T76 exists between the second force application surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. Even in the state shown in FIG. 49(a), as described in the sixth embodiment, the tip of the shutter position limiting pin 7512 is inserted into the open phase hole 7510d of the shutter moving member 7510, so the laser shutter 7511 is fixed in the same position as in FIG. 48(c). That is, the contact shutter 8511 is in the first position, as in FIG. 48(c).

[0144] FIG. 49(b) shows the state after the image formation operation is completed, in which the contact shutter 8511 is moving from a first position where it does not interrupt the bias voltage to a second position where it does interrupt the bias voltage. As shown in FIG. 49(b), the drive control member 540 is moving in the W51 direction from the home position, and the control unit 540a of the drive control member 540 is pushing the shutter moving member 7510 in the W51 direction. That is, there is no gap between the first force application surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is a gap T77 between the second force application surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. When the shutter moving member 7510 is pushed in the W51 direction and the laser shutter unit 77 rotates in the K82 direction, the force application surface 7511c of the laser shutter 7511 and the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 are separated. At this time, the arm portion 8511b of the contact shutter 8511 receives a rotational force due to the biasing force in the direction that increases the torsion angle of the spring 8510, and the contact shutter 8511 rotates in the shutter closing direction K82. Also, as described above in the sixth embodiment, the shutter position restriction pin 7512 receives an external force in the direction opposite to F71 (FIG. 45) as the shutter moving member 7510 rotates. At this time, the shutter position restriction spring 7513 is compressed.

[0145] FIG. 49(c) shows the second position after the image formation operation is completed, in which the contact shutter 8511 of the contact shutter unit 87 is fixed between the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive-side bearing 7527. When the contact shutter 8511 moves from the first position to the second position, the contact 503, which is a compression coil spring, contracts in the S82 direction (FIG. 46) from the state shown in FIG. 48(b), and the tip of the contact 503 rides up onto the contact shutter 8511. In other words, the contact 503 and the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive-side bearing 7527 are separated from each other. As a result, a bias voltage cannot be supplied from the contact 503 to the electrode portion 7527b of the non-drive-side bearing 7527, which means that image formation as an electrophotographic image formation process operation is impossible. 49(b), and the control section 540a of the drive control member 540 is stopped in contact with the shutter moving member 7510. That is, there is no gap between the first force application surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the closing direction pressed surface 7510e of the shutter moving member 7510, and there is a gap T78 between the second force application surface 540c and the opening direction pressed surface 7510f. Also, as described above in the sixth embodiment, the tip of the shutter position limiting pin 7512 is inserted into the closing phase hole 7510c of the shutter moving member 7510, thereby limiting and fixing the rotational movement of the shutter moving member 7510.

[0146] As described above, by using this embodiment configuration, the drive control member 540 moves from the home position, and thereby the contact shutter 8511 can be switched between the first position and the second position at any phase. As a result, regardless of the contact and separation operation of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6, even when the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 are always in contact with each other, by switching between enabling and disabling the supply of bias voltage, it becomes possible to switch between enabling and disabling image formation as an electrophotographic image forming process operation.

[0147] In this embodiment, the contact shutter 8511, acting as an electrode cover member, covers the electrode portion 7527b and retracts the contact 503 from the electrode portion 7527b. However, this configuration is not limited to this. Furthermore, the contact shutter 8511 does not necessarily have to cover the electrode portion 7527b when it is in a position that blocks the bias voltage. For example, the contact shutter 8511 may be configured to move (retract) the electrode portion 7527b in the normal direction to the electrode surface. That is, a retraction mechanism (retraction unit) is provided that can move the electrode portion 7527b between a predetermined position where the electrode portion 7527b is electrically connected to the contact 503 of the image forming apparatus main body 502 and a retracted position where the electrode portion 7527b is retracted from the predetermined position and away from the contact 503. The contact shutter 8511, acting as a movable member, is configured to be movable between a first position where the electrode portion 7527b is located at the predetermined position and a second position where the electrode portion 7527b is located at the retracted position. The structure for holding the contact shutter 8511 at the first position and the second position may be the same as in the above embodiment. Alternatively, the contact 503 as the main body electrode portion and the electrode portion 7527b as the cartridge side electrode portion may each be configured to be movable forward and backward.

[0148] Furthermore, the configuration for blocking the electrical connection path is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment described above. It is not limited to the connection between the contact of the image forming apparatus main body and the contact of the cartridge. For example, two internal electrode portions (a first electrode portion electrically connected to electrode portion 7527b and a second electrode portion electrically connected to developing roller 6) that can be brought into contact and separated may be provided along the electrical path from electrode portion 7527b inside the cartridge to developing roller 6. Then, a path blocking configuration similar to this embodiment may be used to switch between contact and separation between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion. Furthermore, the electrode retraction configuration described above is not limited to a configuration that allows the electrode portion on the cartridge to be advanced and retracted. The electrode portion on the image forming apparatus main body may be advanced and retracted, or both may be advanced and retracted separately.

[0149] Example 8 50 to 54, a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to Example 8 of the present disclosure will be described. The process cartridge of this example is the same as Example 1, and only the regulating member and its surrounding configuration are different. Therefore, members having the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

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

[0151] 50, the restriction member 9510 has a supported hole 9510a fitted with a support portion 9526a of the drive-side bearing 9526, and is swingable around the support portion 9526a. The tension spring 9511 is fitted with the support portion 9526a of the drive-side bearing 9526 and the support portion 9510b of the restriction member 9510. As shown in FIG. 51, the tension spring 9511 is fitted with the support portion 9526a of the drive-side bearing 9526 and the support portion 9510b of the restriction member 9510. 51(a), the regulating member 9510 is biased in the Z1 direction in FIG. The regulating member 9510 has foot portions 9510e and 9510g that can protrude in the Z2 direction from the developing unit 9. The foot portion 9510e is provided with a first force receiving portion (insertion force receiving portion) (second force receiving surface) 9510f that receives force from the drive control member 540, and the foot portion 9510g is provided with a second force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion) (first force receiving surface) 9510h that receives force from the drive control member 540.

[0152] When the front door 111 is closed, a cartridge pressing member (not shown) in the main assembly of the apparatus descends in the Z2 direction in FIG. 51B, pressing the pressed portion 9510c, moving the regulating member 9510 in the Z2 direction. The control portion 540a of the drive control member 540 then enters the space Q9 between the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h. At this time, a gap T93 is formed between the first force receiving portion 9510f of the foot portion 9510e and the second force application surface 540c, and a gap T92 is formed between the second force receiving portion 9510f of the foot portion 9510g and the first force application surface 540b. The regulating lever portion 9510d is positioned so that it does not contact the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80. This position of the regulating member 9510 is referred to as the first position. At this time, the regulating member 9510 is maintained in the first position, maintaining the drive-coupled state.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0159] As shown in FIG. 53, the imaginary line N2 is a virtual line connecting the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 4 and the rotation axis M2 of the developing roller 6. When the imaginary line N2 is used to divide the area (the upper side is area AU1 and the lower side is area AD1), at least a portion of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h are disposed in area AD1, which is opposite the rotation axis K of the developing coupling member 74 across the imaginary line N2. As described in the first embodiment, a driving member for driving the members of the developing unit 9 is disposed in area AU1. Therefore, arranging at least a portion of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in area AD1 rather than area AU1 allows for a more efficient layout that avoids interference between the members. This leads to a reduction in the size of the process cartridge P and the image forming apparatus main body 502.

[0160] Furthermore, a virtual line N3 is defined as a virtual line that intersects the virtual line N2 and passes through the contact point between the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 (or the gap between the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 in a non-contact configuration between the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4). When the virtual line N3 is used as a boundary to divide the regions, at least a portion of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h are located in the region opposite the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 4, separated by the virtual line N3. Note that in the above description, the regions AU1 and AD1 are defined as the region where the rotation axis K or the development coupling member 74 is located and the region where it is not located when the boundary is separated by the virtual line N2, as viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2. However, as an alternative definition, the regions AU1 and AD1 may be defined as the region where the charge roller 5 or the rotation axis M5 of the charge roller 5 is located and the region where it is not located when the boundary is separated by the virtual line N2, as viewed from the direction along the rotation axis M2.

[0161] Alternatively, the regions AU1 and AD1 may be defined as the regions where the developing blade 30, the proximity point 30d (see FIG. 54), and the rotational axis M7 (see FIG. 54) of the agitating member 31 (see FIG. 54) are located and the regions where they are not located, when viewed from the direction along the rotational axis M2 and the boundary is divided by the imaginary line N2. The proximity point 30d is the position of the developing blade 30 closest to the surface of the developing roller 6. In general electrophotographic cartridges, particularly process cartridges used in inline-layout image forming apparatuses, it is relatively difficult to locate other components of the process cartridge in the region AD1. Furthermore, locating the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in the region AD1 also has the following advantages in the image forming apparatus main body 502. That is, the drive control member 540 of the image forming apparatus main body 502 is disposed below the process cartridge P and moved in a substantially horizontal direction (in this embodiment, the W51-W52 direction, the arrangement direction of the photosensitive drum 4 or the process cartridge P) to press the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h. This configuration allows the drive control member 540 and its drive mechanism to have a relatively simple or compact configuration. This is particularly noticeable in image forming apparatuses with an inline layout. Thus, arranging the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in the area AD1 is expected to contribute to the miniaturization and cost reduction of the image forming apparatus main body 502.

[0162] The arrangement of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h has been described above with reference to FIG. 53, which shows the process cartridge P with the regulating member 9510 in the first position. It is clear from other drawings that a similar relationship exists in the process cartridge P in the developing unit 9. Furthermore, if the direction orthogonal to the imaginary line N2 is defined as the VD1 direction, the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h are disposed at positions that protrude from the developing unit 9 in at least the VD1 direction. Therefore, the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h can be disposed so that the first force application surface 540b of the drive control member 540 can contact the second force receiving portion 9510h, and the second force application surface 540c can contact the first force receiving portion 9510f, respectively.

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

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

[0165] An imaginary line connecting the rotation axis M1 of the photosensitive drum 4 and the rotation axis M5 of the charging roller 5 (charging member) is defined as imaginary line N10. The intersection point between imaginary line N10 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 4, the one farthest from the rotation axis M5, is defined as intersection point MX1. An imaginary tangent to the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 that passes through intersection point MX1 is defined as tangent line (predetermined tangent line) N11. The area where the rotation axis M1, charging roller 5, rotation axis M5, developer coupling member 74, rotation axis K, developer blade 30, proximity point 30d, toner supply roller 32, rotation axis M6, agitator 31, rotation axis M7, or pressed portion 9510c are located is defined as area AU2, and the area where they are not located is defined as area (predetermined area) AD2. Areas AU2 and AD2 may also be defined in the following way. That is, if the direction parallel to and facing the direction from the rotation axis M5 toward the rotation axis M1 is defined as direction VD10, the most downstream part of the photosensitive drum 4 with respect to direction VD10 is intersection point MX1. With respect to direction VD10, the area upstream of the most downstream part MX1 is defined as area AU2, and the area downstream of it is defined as area (predetermined area) AD2. Regardless of the expression, the defined areas AU2 and AD2 are the same.

[0166] At least a portion of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h are disposed in the area AD2. Disposing at least a portion of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in the area AD2 in this manner is expected to contribute to the miniaturization and cost reduction of the process cartridge P and the image forming apparatus main body 502. This is for the same reasons as disposing at least a portion of the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h in the area AD1. Furthermore, the regulating member 9510, the first force receiving portion 9510f, and the second force receiving portion 9510h are displaced at least in the VD10 direction by movement in the Z1 and Z2 directions. This displacement in the VD10 direction prevents the regulating member 9510, the first force receiving portion 9510f, and the second force receiving portion 9510h from interfering with the drive control member 540, preventing insertion or removal of the process cartridge P from the image forming apparatus main body 502.

[0167] Furthermore, if the direction perpendicular to the tangent line N11 is defined as the VD10 direction, when the regulating member 9510 is in the first position, the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h are disposed in positions that protrude from the developing unit 9 at least in the VD10 direction. Therefore, the first force receiving portion 9510f and the second force receiving portion 9510h can be disposed so that the first force applying surface 540b of the drive control member 540 can contact the second force receiving portion 9510h, and the second force applying surface 540c can contact the first force receiving portion 9510f. The positional relationship of the force receiving portions described above applies to all of the embodiments described below.

[0168] Example 9 55 to 58, a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus according to Example 9 of the present disclosure will be described. The process cartridge of this example is the same as Example 1, and only the configuration of the regulating member and its surroundings is different. Therefore, members having the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0179] [Removing the process cartridge from the image forming apparatus] Conversely, as shown in Figure 57(b), when removing the process cartridge P from the image forming apparatus main body 502 (in the X2 direction), the drive control member 540 and the lower regulating member 10510D interfere with each other. However, as described above, the lower regulating member 10510D is free and not integral with the upper regulating member 10510U, so it rotates around the shaft 10510Da. This prevents the drive control member 540 and the lower regulating member 10510D from interfering with each other and preventing removal from the image forming apparatus main body 502. Note that this embodiment describes a process cartridge used in a color image forming apparatus. Therefore, there are four process cartridges and four drive control members. Therefore, depending on the station, the operation shown in Figure 57 may be repeated up to four times.

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

[0181] [Operation of the restricting member for drive connection and disconnection] The operation of the regulating member 10510 during drive connection and disconnection will be described using Figure 58. Figure 58(a) shows a state in which the regulating member 10510 is in the first position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. Figure 58(b) shows a state in which the regulating member 10510 is in the second position and the drive control member 540 is in the home position. For ease of explanation, the drive-side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing device cover member 9533 are omitted. Furthermore, the drive connection and disconnection operations between the developing device coupling member 74 and the rotating member 75, and the operation of the drive control member 540 are omitted because they are the same as those in the first embodiment. As described above, when the process cartridge P is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502 and the front door 111 is closed, the upper regulating member 10510U is pressed down in the Z2 direction by the cartridge pressing member. The upper regulating member 10510U and the lower regulating member 10510D then become one unit.

[0182] At this time, there is a gap T103 between the first force receiving portion 10510Df of the foot portion 10510De and the second force application surface 540c, and there is a gap T102 between the second force receiving portion 10510Dh of the foot portion 10510Dg and the first force application surface 540b. In addition, the regulating lever portion 10510Ud as a moving portion is in a position where it does not contact the development coupling member 74 and the slide member 80. This position of the regulating member 10510 is referred to as the first position. At this time, the regulating member 10510 is maintained in the first position, and the drive coupled state is maintained.

[0183] Furthermore, when the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, the second force application surface 540c abuts against the first force receiving portion 10510Df of the lower regulating member 10510D, and the regulating member 10510 rotates in the direction of arrow V101 in FIG. 58(a) around the support portion 10526a. Then, the regulating lever portion 10510Ud of the upper regulating member 10510U is positioned between the surface 74b of the developing coupling member 74 and the surface 80b of the slide member 80. Therefore, the drive connection is maintained in a released state. This position of the regulating member 10510 is referred to as the second position. At this time, The lower regulating member 10510D has a gap T104 between the first force receiving portion 10510Df and the second force applying surface 540c, and a gap T105 between the second force receiving portion 10510Dh of the foot portion 10510Dg and the first force applying surface 540b. When the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, the first force applying surface 540b abuts against the second force receiving portion 10510Dh of the lower regulating member 10510D, and the regulating member 10510 rotates in the direction of arrow V102 in FIG. 58(b) around the support portion 10526a. Then, the regulating lever portion 10510Ud separates from the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80, and they are drivingly coupled.

[0184] The configuration of this embodiment described above can achieve the same effects as in Embodiment 8. In this embodiment, the lower regulating member 10510D, which includes the first force receiving portion 10510Df and the second force receiving portion 10510Dh, is movable relative to the upper regulating member 10510U and other portions of the process cartridge P. In this embodiment, the first force receiving portion 10510Df and the second force receiving portion 10510Dh are displaced in the Z2 direction by this movement, thereby displacing at least in the direction VD1 ( FIG. 53 , etc.) and the direction VD10 ( FIG. 54 , etc.). The lower regulating member 10510D can be switched between an independently movable state (free state) and a fixed state (locked state) relative to the upper regulating member 10510U, depending on the position of the upper regulating member 10510U. This makes it possible to avoid interference between the lower regulating member 10510D and the image forming apparatus main body 502, particularly the drive control member 540, when inserting or removing the process cartridge P into or from the image forming apparatus main body 502, making it impossible to insert or remove the cartridge.

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

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

[0187] As shown in FIG. 59, the specific regulating member 11510 is configured as a two-piece structure consisting of an upper regulating member 11510U and a lower regulating member 11510D. The upper regulating member 11510U is provided with a pair of oblong holes 11510Uk facing each other in the X1-X2 direction at a portion where it overlaps with the lower regulating member 11510D in the direction in which the process cartridge is inserted into or removed from the image forming apparatus main body (X1-X2 direction, see FIG. 57). The lower regulating member 11510D is provided with a shaft 11510Da. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 59(a), the lower regulating member 11510D has foot portions 11510De and 11510Dg that can protrude in the Z2 direction from the developing unit 9. The foot portion 11510De is provided with a first force receiving portion (insertion force receiving portion) (second force receiving surface) 11510Df, and the foot portion 11510Dg is provided with a second force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion) (first force receiving surface) 11510Dh, which receive force from the drive control member 540. A compression spring 11512 is provided between the upper regulating member 11510U and the lower regulating member 11510D. One end of the compression spring 11512 is supported by a holding portion (not shown) of the upper regulating member 11510U, and the other end is fitted into a holding portion 11510Dj of the lower regulating member 11510D, and then inserted into the oblong hole 1151 Assemble the shaft 11510Da so that it fits into the 0Uk (Figure 59(b)).

[0188] The restricting member 11510 assembled in this manner is preferably made of a plastic material because the tip 11510Uj of the upper restricting member 11510U is spread apart as the shaft 11510Da fits into the oblong hole 11510Uk. If the restricting member 11510 is made of a hard material, the shaft 11510Da and the lower restricting member 11510D may be formed separately. For example, the shaft 11510Da may be press-fitted into the lower restricting member 11510D last.

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

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

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

[0192] [Installing the process cartridge into the image forming apparatus] The operation of the regulating member 11510 when inserting the process cartridge in Example 10 will be described using Figures 61(a), (b), and (c). Figure 61(a) shows the state in which the process cartridge P is being inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502. Figure 61(b) shows the state in which Figure 61(a) is viewed from the developing unit side. Figure 61(c) shows the state in which the process cartridge has been further inserted from Figure 61(a). For the sake of explanation, the drive side cartridge cover 9520 and the developing device cover member 9533 are omitted.

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

[0194] Next, when the process cartridge P is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 502 and the front door 111 is closed, the upper regulating member 11510U is pressed down in the Z2 direction by the cartridge pressing member as described above. Then, the tip portion 11510Up of the upper regulating member 11510U shown in FIG. 59(b) fits into the rectangular hole portion 11510Dm of the lower regulating member 11510D. In other words, the upper regulating member 10510U and the lower regulating member 10510D are integrated and play substantially the same role as the regulating member 9510 of the eighth embodiment.

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

[0196] As shown in Figure 62(b), when the process cartridge P is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 502 (in the X2 direction), the lower regulating member 11510D is removed in a retracted state in the longitudinal direction (Y2 direction). The lower regulating member 11510D is also provided with a slope 11510Dq, which further retracts in the Y2 direction when it collides with the drive control member 540. This prevents interference between the drive control member 540 and the lower regulating member 11510D from preventing removal from the image forming apparatus main body 502. Note that this embodiment describes a process cartridge used in a color image forming apparatus. Therefore, there are four process cartridges and four drive control members. Therefore, depending on the station, the operations shown in Figures 61 and 62 may be repeated up to four times. Thus, when the process cartridge P is inserted into or removed from the image forming apparatus main body 502, the lower regulating member 11510D is free.

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

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

[0199] Furthermore, when the drive control member 540 moves in the W52 direction, the second force application surface 540c abuts against the first force receiving portion 11510Df of the lower regulating member 11510D, and the regulating member 11510 rotates in the direction of arrow V111 in FIG. 62(a) around the support portion 11526a. The regulating lever portion 11510Ud of the upper regulating member 11510U is positioned between the surface 74b of the developing coupling member 74 and the surface 80b of the slide member 80. Therefore, the drive connection is maintained in a released state. This position of the regulating member 11510 is referred to as the second position. At this time, the lower regulating member 11510D has a gap T115 between the first force receiving portion 11510Df and the second force application surface 540c, and a gap T114 between the second force receiving portion 11510Dh of the foot portion 11510Dg and the first force application surface 540b. When the drive control member 540 moves in the W51 direction, the first force application surface 540b comes into contact with the second force receiving portion 11510Dh of the lower regulating member 11510D, and the regulating member 11510D rotates in the direction of arrow V112 in Figure 63(b) around the support portion 11526a. Then, the regulating lever portion 11510Ud moves away from the developing coupling member 74 and the slide member 80, thereby becoming drivingly coupled.

[0200] According to the configuration of this embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the eighth embodiment can be obtained. In addition, in this embodiment, the lower regulating member 11510D, which includes a first force receiving portion (insertion force receiving portion) 11510Df and a second force receiving portion (retraction force receiving portion) 11510Dh, is made movable relative to the upper regulating member 11510U and other portions of the process cartridge P. In this embodiment, this movement displaces the first force receiving portion 11510f and the second force receiving portion 11510h at least in the Y2 direction (a direction parallel to the rotation axis M1 and the rotation axis M2 in the eighth embodiment). The lower regulating member 11510D can be switched between an independently movable state (free state) and a fixed state (locked state) relative to the upper regulating member 11510U, depending on the position of the upper regulating member 11510U. This allows the process cartridge P to be in a free state when being inserted into or removed from the image forming apparatus main body 502, thereby avoiding interference between the lower regulating member 11510D and the image forming apparatus main body 502, particularly the drive control member 540, which would prevent the process cartridge P from being inserted or removed.

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

[0202] In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the drive can be switched without relying on the contact and separation movement of the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6, and the component configurations and operations of the drive control member 540 provided in the image forming apparatus main body and the regulating member 510 provided in the process cartridge are the same as those of the first embodiment. According to the configuration of this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition to the operations described in the first embodiment, a configuration is provided in which the process cartridge or the developing unit further moves vertically before the image formation begins. This operation makes it possible to maintain a vertical distance from the drive control member when inserting or removing the process cartridge into or from the apparatus main body more easily than in the first embodiment, making it easier to avoid the risk of interference with the drive control member preventing insertion or removal.

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

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

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

[0206] The structure for holding the developing unit 9 so that it can move in the vertical directions indicated by arrows Z1 and Z2 will now be described in detail. Figure 65 is a perspective view of the process cartridge as seen from the non-drive side, and is an exploded view of the developing unit moving member. For ease of explanation, the drum unit is not shown here. As shown in Figures 64 and 65, the developing unit moving member, which is a vertically moving member, is an integrated unit member consisting of a drive-side developing unit moving bearing 1250, drive-side developing unit moving springs 1251A and 1251B, and a drive-side cartridge cover member 1252.

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

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

[0209] As shown in Figure 64(b), the drive-side developing unit movement bearing 1250 and the developing unit 9 are held in abutment against the lower side (Z2 direction) of the oblong hole of the sliding portion 1252a of the drive-side cartridge cover member. In Figure 64(b), the vertical positions of the drum unit 8 having the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing unit 9 are the same as in Example 1. That is, the developing coupling member 74 of the developing unit 9 is positioned on the axis of the swing shaft K. In this state, the drive control member 540 and the regulating member 510 are in positions where they can move relative to each other, and image formation is possible. To move the developing unit 9 from Figure 64(a) to the vertical position shown in Figure 64(b), the developing unit movement pressing force HF (also referred to as the vertical force) from the image forming apparatus main body is applied in the Z2 direction.

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

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

[0212] Figure 66(a) shows the state in which the tray and the drive-side tray member 1211 attached to the tray have been pulled out of the image forming apparatus, prior to installation of the process cartridge. As shown in Figure 66(a), the process cartridge, which has the drum unit 8 and developing unit 9 integrally held by the side cover member, is detachable from the drive-side tray member 1211 attached to the tray. It can be installed in the Z2 direction and removed by lifting it in the Z1 direction. Drive-side cartridge movement springs 1270A and 1270B are attached to the drive-side cartridge cover member 1262 and fixed to cartridge movement spring contact surfaces (cartridge side) 1262d and 1262e. The drive-side cartridge movement springs 1270A and 1270B are compression springs. The drive-side cartridge movement springs 1270A and 1270B are fixed to bosses on the drive-side cartridge cover member 1262 by press-fitting or adhesive bonding.

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

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

[0215] Also, as shown in Figure 66(c), the positions of the drive-side cartridge positioning portions (tray side) 1211a and 1211b provided on the drive-side tray member 1211 are designed so that the drive control member 540 and the regulating member 510 are positioned so that they can interact with each other in the vertical direction, thereby enabling stable operation of the image formation described in Example 1. At this time, the drive-side cartridge moving springs 1270A and 1270B are in a state further compressed than in Figure 66(b), and movement as shown in Figure 66(c) is possible by designing so that the biasing force of the vertical moving member on the main body side is greater than the biasing force of the pressure springs of the drive-side cartridge moving springs 1270A and 1270B.

[0216] In this embodiment, a vertical movement member is provided on the drive side. However, by providing a similar configuration on the non-drive side, the development unit can be moved vertically horizontally. Furthermore, to reduce costs, a configuration in which the development unit movement member is provided only on the drive side may be used. In this case, the development unit or process cartridge is lifted in the Z1 direction only on the drive side, resulting in a tilted state. Even in a configuration in which a vertical movement member is provided only on the drive side, the vertical distance between the drive control member 540 and the regulating member 510 provided on the drive side of the image forming apparatus can be increased, making it easy to avoid the risk of interference with the drive control member when inserting or removing the process cartridge into or from the apparatus main body, preventing insertion or removal. Furthermore, while the configuration in Example 1 was described in which the process cartridge or development unit further moves in addition to the image formation operation, the vertical movement member configuration of this example may be combined with the configurations of other examples.

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

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

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

[0220] FIG. 69(a) is a perspective view showing only the developing device covering member 13533, and FIG. 69(b) is a perspective view showing the developing device covering member 13533 and the regulating member 13510. The second support portion 13533k of the developing device covering member 13533 is formed by a first cylindrical portion 13533kb, a second oscillating portion 13533ka having a spherical surface, and a second cylindrical portion 13533kc having a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical portion 13533kb. Here, an axis passing through the centers of the first cylindrical portion 13533kb and the second cylindrical portion 13533kc is designated as HY. An axis perpendicular to HY and passing through the center of the sphere of the second oscillating portion 13533ka is the same as the aforementioned HX. In this embodiment, the second oscillating portion 13533ka is a spherical surface, but the second oscillating portion 13533ka is oriented in the direction of arrows YA and YB (see FIG. 70) of the regulating member 13510, which will be described later, and the second oscillating portion 13533ka is oriented in the direction of arrows BA and B. The surfaces are not limited to this as long as they are set within a range that does not interfere with swinging in the B direction (see FIG. 70). In addition, the first elongated hole 13510x and the second elongated hole 13510y of the regulating member 13510 are set with respect to the first cylindrical portion 13533kb and the second cylindrical portion 13533kc in a similar manner as long as they are set within a range that does not interfere with swinging in the arrow YA, YB directions and the arrow BA, BB directions (see FIG. 70), and the diameters of the elongated holes and their positional relationship in the LH direction are not limited to this.

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

[0222] Next, when the pressed surface (second force receiving surface) 13510f is pressed in the ZA direction from the state shown in FIG. 70(b), it is positioned in the Y2 direction relative to the contact point between the second swinging portion 13533ka and the first oblong hole 13510x. This generates a moment in the YB direction centered on the axis HX, causing the regulating member 13510 to swing around the axis HX. As a result, the legs 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 move in the Y1 direction to the position shown in FIG. 70(c). This position is the operating position of the regulating member 13510. Note that the amount of pressing in the ZA direction is determined by the amount of movement in the ZA direction of the pressing member 130 (see FIG. 71) of the image forming apparatus main body 502 (not shown). Note that the cylindrical surface 13510z is positioned to contact the drive-side bearing 526 (see FIG. 67) to restrict rotation of the regulating member 13510 around the axis HZ perpendicular to the axes HY and HX. In addition, the contact between the second cylindrical portion 13533kc and the second oblong hole 13510y also has a similar rotation restricting effect. With the above configuration, the restricting member 13510 is supported so as to be swingable in two directions around the axis HY and the axis HX.

[0223] [Installing the process cartridge into the image forming apparatus] Next, using Figure 71, the operation of the regulating member 13510 of the process cartridge P when the process cartridge P is mounted in the image forming apparatus main body 502 (not shown) will be described. Figure 71(a) is a view from the front door side of the process cartridge P mounted in the tray 110 (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 502 and before the front door 111 is closed. For the purpose of explaining the configuration, Figure 71(a) omits everything except the process cartridge P, the pressing member 130, and the drive control member 540. In the state of Figure 71(a), the legs 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 are positioned at the standby position swung in the YA direction as described above when the regulating member 13510 is mounted in the tray 110. Furthermore, the legs 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 are positioned away from the drive control member 540 in the direction of arrow Y2.

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

[0225] [Drive connection and disconnection switching operation] The switching operation between drive coupling and release will be described using Figure 72. Figure 72(a) is a view of the state in Figure 71(b) from the drive side. For ease of explanation, the drive-side cartridge cover member 520 and the developing device cover member 13533 are not shown. In the state in Figure 72(a), a gap T131 exists between the first force application surface 540b of the drive control member 540 and the surface 13510h of the regulating member 13510, and a gap T132 exists between the second force application surface 540c and the surface 13510f. In addition, the regulating lever portion 13510d is in a position where it does not contact the developing device coupling member 74 and the slide member 80 (not shown). This position of the regulating member 13510 is referred to as the first position. At this time, the regulating member 13510 is maintained in the first position, and the drive coupling state is maintained.

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

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

[0228] In this embodiment, the foot portions 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 are movable in the YA direction. This prevents the foot portions 13510e and 13510g from interfering with the image forming apparatus main body 502, particularly the drive control member 540, and preventing the process cartridge P from being inserted or removed from the image forming apparatus main body 502. In this embodiment, when the foot portions 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 move from the standby position to the operating position, the amount of movement of the foot portions 13510e and 13510g in the pressing direction (ZA direction) of the pressing member 130 is small. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of movement of the pressing member 130 required to move the foot portions 13510e and 13510g of the regulating member 13510 from the standby position to the operating position, thereby enabling further miniaturization of the image forming apparatus main body 502.

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

[0230] 4...photosensitive drum, 5...charging roller, 6...developing roller, 7...cleaning blade, 8...drum unit, 9...developing unit, 43...photosensitive body coupling member, 70...spring, 74...developing body coupling member, 75...rotating member, 80...sliding member, 110...cartridge tray, 111...front door, 112...intermediate transfer belt unit, 500...image forming apparatus, 502...image forming apparatus main body, 510...regulating member, 510a...supported hole, 510b...regulating lever portion, 510c...foot portion, 51 0d...foot portion, 510e...force receiving portion (first contact portion), 510f...force receiving portion (second contact portion), 510g...cam surface, 510h...inclined surface, 520...driving side cartridge cover member, 520a...support hole, 520b...support hole, 521...non-driving side cartridge cover member, 526...driving side bearing, 526c...support portion, 533...developing cover member, 533b...cylindrical portion, 533c...fitting hole, 540...drive control member, 540a...control portion, 540b...first force applying surface, 540c...second force applying surface, 801...gear

Claims

1. A cartridge usable with an image forming apparatus main body having a first main body force application portion and a second main body force application portion, a shielding member including a shielding portion capable of covering a photosensitive body, the shielding portion being movable between a first position where the shielding portion exposes the photosensitive body and a second position where the shielding portion covers the photosensitive body more than the first position; a first force receiving portion that receives a force from the first body force application portion that moves the shielding member from the second position to the first position; a second force receiving portion that receives a force from the second body force application portion that moves the shielding member from the first position to the second position; and the shielding member can be held at the first position with the first force receiving portion spaced apart from the first body force application portion and the second force receiving portion spaced apart from the second body force application portion, a cartridge capable of holding the shielding member at the second position with the first force receiving portion spaced apart from the first main body force application portion and the second force receiving portion spaced apart from the second main body force application portion.

2. a first engaging portion that engages with the shielding member to hold the shielding member at the first position when the shielding member is at the first position; a second engaging portion that engages with the shielding member to hold the shielding member at the second position when the shielding member is at the second position; a first recess provided in either the shielding member or the first engagement portion and recessed in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the shielding member; a first protrusion provided on the other of the shielding member and the first engagement portion, the first protrusion being movable in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction, the first protrusion fitting into the first recess when the shielding member is at the first position; a first force applying portion that applies a force to the first convex portion to move the first convex portion in a direction retracting from the first concave portion when the shielding member moves from the first position to the second position; 10. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:

3. The first force application portion applies force to the shielding member in a moving direction and the first projection in a moving direction.

3. The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the abutment surface between the first recess and the first protrusion is inclined relative to the first recess.

4. a second recess provided in either the shielding member or the second engagement portion, the second recess being recessed in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the shielding member; a second protrusion provided on the other of the shielding member and the second engaging portion, the second protrusion being movable in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction, the second protrusion fitting into the second recess when the shielding member is at the second position; a second force applying portion that applies a force to the second convex portion to move the second convex portion in a direction retracting from the second concave portion when the shielding member moves from the second position to the first position; 4. The cartridge according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising:

5. The cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the second force application portion is an abutment surface between the second recess and the second convex portion that is inclined with respect to both the movement direction of the shielding member and the advance / retract direction of the second convex portion.

6. a first recess and a second recess provided in the shielding member and recessed in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the shielding member; a protrusion that is movable forward and backward in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction, the protrusion fitting into the first recess when the shielding member is at the first position and fitting into the second recess when the shielding member is at the second position; a first force applying portion that applies a force to the convex portion to move the convex portion in a direction retracting from the first concave portion when the shielding member moves from the first position to the second position; a second force application portion that applies a force to the convex portion to move the convex portion in a direction retracting from the second concave portion when the shielding member moves from the second position to the first position; 10. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:

7. a first recess and a second recess recessed in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the shielding member; a protrusion provided on the shielding member, the protrusion being movable in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction, the protrusion fitting into the first recess when the shielding member is at the first position, and fitting into the second recess when the shielding member is at the second position; a first force applying portion that applies a force to the convex portion to move the convex portion in a direction retracting from the first concave portion when the shielding member moves from the first position to the second position; a second force application portion that applies a force to the convex portion to move the convex portion in a direction retracting from the second concave portion when the shielding member moves from the second position to the first position; 10. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:

8. the first force application portion is an abutment surface between the first recess and the protrusion, the abutment surface being inclined with respect to both the movement direction of the shielding member and the advance / retract direction of the protrusion, 8. A cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the second force application portion is an abutment surface between the second recess and the convex portion that is inclined with respect to both the movement direction of the shielding member and the advance / retract direction of the convex portion.

9. a recess provided in the shielding member and recessed in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the shielding member; a first protrusion that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction and that fits into the recess when the shielding member is at the first position; a second protrusion that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction and that fits into the recess when the shielding member is at the second position; a first force application portion that applies a force to the first convex portion to move the first convex portion in a direction retracting from the concave portion when the shielding member moves from the first position to the second position; a second force applying portion that applies a force to the second convex portion to move the second convex portion in a direction retracting from the concave portion when the shielding member moves from the second position to the first position; 10. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:

10. a recessed portion recessed in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the shielding member; a first protrusion provided on the shielding member, the first protrusion being movable in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction, the first protrusion fitting into the recess when the shielding member is at the first position; a second protrusion provided on the shielding member, the second protrusion being movable in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction, the second protrusion fitting into the recess when the shielding member is at the second position; a first force application portion that applies a force to the first convex portion to move the first convex portion in a direction retracting from the concave portion when the shielding member moves from the first position to the second position; a second force applying portion that applies a force to the second convex portion to move the second convex portion in a direction retracting from the concave portion when the shielding member moves from the second position to the first position; 10. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:

11. the first force application portion is an abutment surface between the recessed portion and the first convex portion, the abutment surface being inclined with respect to both the movement direction of the shielding member and the advance / retract direction of the first convex portion, The cartridge according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the second force application portion is an abutment surface between the recess and the second convex portion that is inclined with respect to both the movement direction of the shielding member and the advance / retract direction of the second convex portion.

Images