Process cartridge

Abstract

Disclosed in the present invention is a process cartridge, comprising: a drum unit, which comprises a photosensitive drum; a developing unit, which comprises a developing roller, wherein the developing unit can move between a developing position and a spaced position relative to the drum unit, at the developing position, the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum, and at the spaced position, at least part of the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum; a retaining part, part of the retaining part being fixedly supported by the drum unit or the developing unit, and the retaining part being used for retaining the developing unit at the spaced position; and a first force receiving part, which is fixedly provided on the developing unit, wherein when the developing unit is located at the spaced position, the first force receiving part can receive a first acting force so as to cause the developing unit to move to the developing position, and cause the retaining part to move from a first position to a second position so as to retain the developing unit at the developing position. By achieving the contact or separation of the developing roller and the photosensitive drum, and keeping the contact or separated state of said two components, the present invention implements the developing work of process cartridges in image forming apparatuses.

Description

A process cartridge TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of image forming technology, and particularly to a process cartridge. BACKGROUND

[0002] An image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process includes a process cartridge that forms an image by a contact developing method. The contact developing method of the process cartridge forms an image by performing a developing process in a state in which a developing unit (developing roller) is in contact with a drum unit (photosensitive drum). In such a process cartridge, the developing roller is pushed toward the photosensitive drum with a predetermined pressure during the developing process, and is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum with the predetermined pressure.

[0003] In the case of using a developing roller that includes an elastic layer on the surface, for example, the following can be considered. That is, if a period in which an image is not formed (the developing roller is not rotated) while the elastic layer is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum is long, the elastic layer of the developing roller can be deformed by contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum. Thereby, an image defect such as an unintended unevenness of a developer image can occur when the developing process is performed.

[0004] Further, as another example, when the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum during a period in which the developing process is not performed, the developer carried on the developing roller is unnecessarily deposited to the photosensitive drum, and such a developer is deposited on a recording material, as a result of which contamination of the recording material occurs. Such a problem can occur regardless of whether or not the elastic layer is provided on the surface of the developing roller.

[0005] Further, as another example, when the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are in contact with each other for a long time other than a period in which the developing process is performed, the photosensitive drum and the developing roller rub each other for a long time, which can accelerate deterioration of the developing roller or the developer. Such a problem can occur regardless of whether or not the elastic layer is on the surface of the developing roller. SUMMARY

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge that solves the technical problems in the related art, which is capable of achieving contact and separation of a developing roller with a photosensitive drum, and maintaining a state of contact and separation of the developing roller with the photosensitive drum.

[0007] The present invention provides a process cartridge for installation to an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge including:

[0008] a drum unit including a photosensitive drum and an end cover, an end portion of the photosensitive drum being supported on the end cover;

[0009] a developing unit including the developing roller, the developing unit being movable relative to the drum unit between a developing position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and a spaced position in which at least a portion of the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum;

[0010] a holding portion, a portion of the holding portion being fixedly supported by the drum unit or the developing unit, the holding portion being used to hold the developing unit in the spaced position; and

[0011] a first force receiving portion fixedly provided on the developing unit, the first force receiving portion being able to receive a first force to move the developing unit to the developing position when the developing unit is in the spaced position.

[0012] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided another process cartridge for installation to an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge comprising:

[0013] a drum unit including a photosensitive drum and an end cover, an end portion of the photosensitive drum being supported on the end cover, the end portion of the photosensitive drum being provided with a drum coupling for receiving a driving force to rotate the photosensitive drum, the end cover being provided with a first notch portion;

[0014] a developing unit including the developing roller and a developing coupling, the developing coupling being provided on an end portion of the developing unit and being used to receive a driving force to rotate the developing roller, the developing coupling being at least partially exposed through the first notch portion;

[0015] the developing unit being movable relative to the drum unit between a developing position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and a spaced position in which at least a portion of the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum, the developing unit being movable relative to the drum unit in an axial direction of the developing roller;

[0016] a holding portion, a portion of the holding portion being fixedly supported by the drum unit or the developing unit, the holding portion being used to hold the developing unit in the spaced position; and

[0017] a first force receiving portion fixedly provided on the developing unit, the first force receiving portion being able to receive a first force to move the developing unit to the developing position when the developing unit is in the spaced position.

[0018] In some embodiments, a portion of the holding portion is immovably supported by the drum unit or the developing unit, the holding portion being used to hold the developing unit in the developing position.

[0019] In some embodiments, a second force receiving portion fixedly arranged on the developing unit is further included, and when the developing unit is in the developing position, the second force receiving portion is capable of receiving a second force to move the developing unit to the interval position and to move the retaining portion from the second position to the first position to retain the developing unit in the interval position.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion are oppositely arranged and a recess is formed between the first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first force receiving portion is closer to the photosensitive drum than the second force receiving portion.

[0022] In some embodiments, the retaining portion includes a first clamping portion arranged on the drum unit and a second clamping portion arranged on the developing unit.

[0023] When the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are in the first position, the developing unit is retained in the interval position.

[0024] When the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are in the second position, the developing unit is retained in the developing position.

[0025] In some embodiments, the developing unit is capable of moving in the axial direction of the developing roller relative to the drum unit.

[0026] In some embodiments, when the developing unit moves between the developing position and the interval position, the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion cooperate to move the developing unit in the axial direction.

[0027] In some embodiments, a second elastic member arranged on the conductive side of the developing unit is further included, and the second elastic member is configured to provide a force in the axial direction towards the driving side to the developing unit.

[0028] In some embodiments, the first clamping portion includes a first acting portion and a second acting portion arranged adjacently, and the first acting portion is closer to the photosensitive drum than the second acting portion.

[0029] In some embodiments, in the first position, the second clamping portion abuts against the second acting portion.

[0030] In the second position, the second clamping portion abuts against the first acting portion.

[0031] During the movement of the second clamping portion from the first acting portion to the second acting portion, the developing unit moves in the axial direction towards the conductive side and compresses the second elastic member.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first engaging portion is a notch, and the second engaging portion is a protrusion.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first engaging portion comprises a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion, the first engaging portion is an inclined groove, and the second engaging portion is a protrusion formed on the first engaging portion and separating the first engaging portion into a first region and a second region.

[0034] The second engaging portion is an inclined protrusion embedded in the first engaging portion and movable relative to the first engaging portion.

[0035] In some embodiments, in the first position, the second engaging portion is in the first region of the first engaging portion and abuts against the second engaging portion.

[0036] In the second position, the second engaging portion is in the second region of the first engaging portion and abuts against the second engaging portion.

[0037] In some embodiments, when the developing unit moves from the interval position to the developing position, the second engaging portion passes the second engaging portion from the first region to the second region, and the developing unit moves axially toward the driving side under the action of the second elastic member.

[0038] In some embodiments, in the first position, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged with each other.

[0039] In the second position, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion abut against each other.

[0040] In some embodiments, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion that are engaged with or abut against each other are provided on the same process cartridge; or,

[0041] The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion that are engaged with or abut against each other are provided on different process cartridges, respectively.

[0042] In some embodiments, the first notch portion extends to the upper end and / or the rear end of the end cover.

[0043] In some embodiments, the end cover is further provided with a second through hole, and a part of the drum coupling is exposed through the second through hole.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first notch portion is located on the rear side of the rotating shaft of the photosensitive drum.

[0045] In some embodiments, the first notch portion is located on the upper side of the rotating shaft of the photosensitive drum.

[0046] In some embodiments, a projection of the first notch portion in the axial direction of the developing roller is larger than a projection of the developing coupling in the axial direction.

[0047] In some embodiments, a shielding area is provided on the end cover, and the shielding area is located at a lower end of the end cover.

[0048] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the shielding area is located below the first force receiving portion.

[0049] In some embodiments, a straight line K1 passing through the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum and a straight line K2 passing through the rotation axis of the developing roller are drawn in a width direction intersecting the axial direction, and the shielding area and the first notch portion are respectively located on two sides of the straight line K1 or the straight line K2.

[0050] In some embodiments, in the axial direction of the developing roller, the shielding area is located outside the first force receiving portion.

[0051] In some embodiments, the shielding area is located at a lower side of the first notch portion.

[0052] In some embodiments, the shielding area is located at a rear side of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum.

[0053] In some embodiments, the developing unit further comprises a developing cover, and the developing cover covers a portion of the developing coupling.

[0054] In some embodiments, the developing cover is provided with a second notch portion, and an upper side or a rear upper side of the developing coupling is exposed through the second notch portion.

[0055] In some embodiments, there is no supporting contact portion between the developing cover and the developing coupling.

[0056] In some embodiments, the end cover comprises a driving side end cover located at a driving side and a conductive side end cover located at a conductive side, and the developing unit is rotatably provided with the driving side end cover and the conductive side end cover.

[0057] In the driving side, the developing unit rotates around a rotation axis M1 on the driving side end cover.

[0058] In the conductive side, the developing unit rotates around a rotation axis M2 on the conductive side end cover.

[0059] In some embodiments, the distance between the rotation axis M1 and the rotation axis N of the photosensitive drum is L1.

[0060] The distance between the rotation axis M2 and the rotation axis N of the photosensitive drum is L2.

[0061] The distance L2 is not greater than the distance L1.

[0062] In some embodiments, the distances L1 and L2 satisfy 0mm≤L1-L2≤2mm.

[0063] In some embodiments, the distance L2 satisfies 26mm≤L2≤26.4mm.

[0064] Advantages of the present application: The present application achieves the contact or separation of the developing roller and the photosensitive drum by providing a fixed force receiving portion on the process cartridge to receive the first and second forces applied by the image forming apparatus, and a fixed holding portion to maintain the contact or separation state of the two, thereby achieving the developing operation of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0065] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus in the prior art.

[0066] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus in the prior art.

[0067] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a developing separation control unit in the prior art.

[0068] FIG. 4 is another sectional view of an image forming apparatus in the prior art.

[0069] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the driving side of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present application.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the conductive side of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present application.

[0071] FIG. 7 is a structure exploded view of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present application.

[0072] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the driving side of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present application after closing the front door, and a state diagram of the separation control member in the intermediate position.

[0073] FIG. 9 is a state diagram of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present application with the separation control member in the force applying position.

[0074] FIG. 10 is another state diagram of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present application with the separation control member in the intermediate position.

[0075] FIG. 11 is another state diagram of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present application with the separation control member in the force applying position.

[0076] FIG. 12 is a state diagram of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 2 of the present application with the separation control member in the intermediate position.

[0077] Fig. 13 is a view of the process cartridge of Embodiment 2 of the present application in a state where the separation control member is in the force applying position.

[0078] Fig. 14 is another view of the process cartridge of Embodiment 2 of the present application in a state where the separation control member is in the intermediate position.

[0079] Fig. 15 is another view of the process cartridge of Embodiment 2 of the present application in a state where the separation control member is in the force applying position.

[0080] Fig. 16 is a view of a modification of Embodiment 2 of the present application in a state where the separation control member is in the force applying position.

[0081] Fig. 17 is another view of the modification of Embodiment 2 of the present application in a state where the separation control member is in the force applying position.

[0082] Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the drive side of the process cartridge of Embodiment 3 of the present application.

[0083] Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the conductive side of the process cartridge of Embodiment 3 of the present application.

[0084] Fig. 20 is a structural exploded view of the process cartridge of Embodiment 3 of the present application.

[0085] Fig. 21 is a structural view of the drive side end cover of Embodiment 3 of the present application.

[0086] Fig. 22 is a structural view of the developing cover of Embodiment 3 of the present application.

[0087] Fig. 23 is a partial sectional view of the drive side of the process cartridge of Embodiment 3 of the present application in a separated state.

[0088] Fig. 24 is an enlarged structural view of the position A in Fig. 23.

[0089] Fig. 25 is a partial sectional view of the drive side of the process cartridge of Embodiment 3 of the present application in a contacted state.

[0090] Fig. 26 is an enlarged structural view of the position B in Fig. 25.

[0091] Fig. 27 is a structural view of the drive side end cover of a modification of Embodiment 3 of the present application.

[0092] Fig. 28 is a structural view of the developing cover of a modification of Embodiment 3 of the present application.

[0093] Fig. 29 is a structural exploded view of the conductive side of the process cartridge of a modification of Embodiment 3 of the present application.

[0094] Fig. 30 is a schematic view of the structure of the conductive side end cover of the third modification of Embodiment 3 according to the present application.

[0095] Fig. 31 is a partial view of the driving side of the process cartridge of the third modification of Embodiment 3 according to the present application in a separated state.

[0096] Fig. 32 is a partial view of the driving side of the process cartridge of the third modification of Embodiment 3 according to the present application in a contacting state.

[0097] Fig. 33 is a schematic view of the structure of the driving side end cover of Embodiment 4 according to the present application.

[0098] Fig. 34 is a schematic view of the structure of the developing cover of Embodiment 4 according to the present application.

[0099] Fig. 35 is a partial sectional view of the driving side of the process cartridge of Embodiment 4 according to the present application in a separated state.

[0100] Fig. 36 is a partial sectional view of the driving side of the process cartridge of Embodiment 4 according to the present application in a contacting state.

[0101] Fig. 37 is a schematic view of the structure of the driving side end cover of Embodiment 5 according to the present application.

[0102] Fig. 38 is a schematic view of the structure of the developing cover of Embodiment 5 according to the present application.

[0103] Fig. 39 is a view of the driving side of the process cartridge of Embodiment 5 according to the present application in a contacting state.

[0104] Fig. 40 is a view of the driving side of the process cartridge of Embodiment 5 according to the present application in a separated state (part of the structure is omitted).

[0105] Fig. 41 is a partial view of the driving side of the process cartridge of Embodiment 6 according to the present application.

[0106] Fig. 42 is a partial view of the conductive side of the process cartridge of Embodiment 6 according to the present application.

[0107] Fig. 43 is an elevation view of the driving side of the process cartridge of Embodiment 6 according to the present application.

[0108] Fig. 44 is an elevation view of the conductive side of the process cartridge of Embodiment 6 according to the present application.

[0109] Fig. 45 is an elevation view of the driving side of the process cartridge of Embodiment 7 according to the present application.

[0110] Fig. 46 is a schematic view of the structure of the driving side end cover of Embodiment 7 according to the present application.

[0111] Fig. 47 is a front view of the driving side of the process cartridge of Embodiment Eight provided by the present application.

[0112] Fig. 48 is a partially exploded structural schematic view of the process cartridge of Embodiment Eight provided by the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0113] The application will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings, in which it will be apparent that the embodiments described are merely part of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort fall within the scope of the present application.

[0114] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second" and the like in the description and in the claims are used for descriptive purposes only and do not necessarily connote an ordering of magnitude, number, or extent. Therefore, when a parameter is "first", "second", etc., other parameters can also be "first", "second", etc., unless expressly specified otherwise. In the description and in the claims of the application, the meaning of "a", "an", and "the" includes singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0115] In the present application, unless specifically defined otherwise, the terms "mount", "connect", "fixed", and the like, are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mounting, connecting, and / or fixed, and can also be used in the context of mechanical and / or electrical and / or communicative connection, and / or interaction, unless specifically defined otherwise. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "mount", "connect", and "fixed" are not restricted to the direct mounting, connecting, and / or fixed, but can also include indirect mounting, connecting, and / or fixed, unless specifically defined otherwise.

[0116] In the present application, unless specifically defined otherwise, "on", "under", "above", and "below" can be direct contact, or indirect contact through an intermediate medium, unless specifically defined otherwise. Moreover, "on", "above", and "over" can be directly above, or obliquely above, or simply mean higher in horizontal level, unless specifically defined otherwise. "Under", "below", and "underneath" can be directly below, or obliquely below, or simply mean lower in horizontal level, unless specifically defined otherwise.

[0117] In the above description, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "an example", "a specific example", or "some examples" and the like means that the specific feature, structure, material or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. Descriptive expressions of the above terms in the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Also, the specific feature, structure, material or characteristic described can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, the person skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in the specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0118] The following several embodiments are further described to illustrate the structure of the process cartridge of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that more variations can be designed according to the following embodiments, which are all within the protection scope of the present application.

[0119] Embodiment one

[0120] The structure of the image forming apparatus can refer to FIGS. 1 to 4, FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus in the prior art. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus in the prior art. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a developing separation control unit in the prior art. FIG. 4 is another sectional view of an image forming apparatus in the prior art.

[0121] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, 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 material S. The process cartridge is detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus main assembly 502 to form a color image on the recording material S. Four process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK), i.e., a first process cartridge PY, a second process cartridge PM, a third process cartridge PC, and a fourth process cartridge PK, are provided in the image forming apparatus main assembly 502, and the four process cartridges P are arranged substantially horizontally.

[0122] Each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) includes the same electrophotographic process mechanism, but the color of the developer is different. Rotational driving force is transmitted from a driving output portion (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main assembly 502 to the first to fourth process cartridges P. In addition, the image forming apparatus main assembly 502 supplies a bias voltage (a charging bias voltage, a developing bias voltage, etc.) to the first to fourth process cartridges P, respectively.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 1, each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) includes a drum unit 8 rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum 4 and a developing unit 9 provided with a developing roller 6 for developing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 4 and rotatably supporting the developing roller 6. The process cartridges P are installed into the image forming apparatus main assembly 502 by one tray 110. Specifically, the tray 110 is configured to be movable in a substantially horizontal direction (Xl and X2 directions) in a state where the image forming apparatus main assembly 502 is installed on a horizontal surface, and the four process cartridges P are respectively installed to each positioning portion of the tray 110. When the tray 110 is moved into the image forming apparatus main assembly 502, the plurality of process cartridges P are moved together with the tray 110 into the image forming apparatus main assembly 502. When the process cartridges P need to be replaced, the plurality of process cartridges P can be moved together with the tray 110 outside the image forming apparatus main assembly 502.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 2, when the front door 111 is closed, the main assembly side drum drive coupling 180 and the main assembly side developing drive coupling 185 for transmitting a driving force to the process cartridges P are protruded in the arrow Yl direction by a link mechanism (not shown). Further, by opening the front door 111, the drum drive coupling 180 and the developing drive coupling 185 are retracted in the arrow Y2 direction (the Yl and Y2 directions are perpendicular to the Xl and X2 directions, the Zl and Z2 directions). The purpose of this is, on one hand, to enable the main assembly side drum drive coupling 180 and the main assembly side developing drive coupling 185 to be better coupled to the drum coupler 15 and the developing coupler 25 (described below) of the process cartridges P, respectively, so that the driving force is transmitted. On the other hand, it is possible to prevent the insertion / removal of the tray 110 from being obstructed.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 3, the developing separation control unit 195R controls the separation and contact operation of the developing roller 6 with respect to the photosensitive drum 4 by engaging with a part of the process cartridge P. The developing separation control unit 195R is disposed below the image forming apparatus main assembly 502, and specifically, the developing separation control unit 195R is arranged below (downward along the arrow Z2 direction) the main assembly side drum driving link 180 and the main assembly side developing driving link 185 in the vertical direction (Z1 and Z2 directions). The developing separation control unit 195R includes a separation control member 196R configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions by a control mechanism (not shown). The directions W41 and W42 are substantially parallel to the arrangement direction of the process cartridge P disposed in the image forming apparatus main assembly 502, that is, the W41 and W42 directions are substantially parallel to the X1 and X2 directions. As shown in FIG. 8, the separation control member 196R includes a control portion (protruding portion) 196R1 protruding toward the process cartridge P, and the control portion 196R1 has a first force application surface (contact force application portion) 196a and a second force application surface (separation force application portion) 196b.

[0126] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in order to engage the developing separation control unit 195R with a part of the process cartridge P and control the separation and contact operation of the developing roller 6 of the process cartridge P with respect to the photosensitive drum 4, a part of the separation control member 196R and a part of the process cartridge P must overlap in the vertical direction (Z1, Z2 directions). In the present embodiment, after the process cartridge P is inserted in the X1 direction, before the front door 111 is closed, at this time, the photosensitive drum 4 and the transfer belt 112a are spaced apart from each other, and there is a gap T1 therebetween, this position is referred to as a first internal position. After the front door 111 is closed, the tray 110 is lowered by the distance T1 in the Z2 direction with the process cartridge P, so that a part of the developing unit 9 overlaps with a part of the separation control member 196R (control portion 196R1) in the vertical direction (Z1, Z2 directions), at this time, the photosensitive drum 4 and the transfer belt 112a are in contact with each other, and this position is referred to as a second internal position.

[0127] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, for better illustrating the structure of the process cartridge P of the present embodiment, the same image forming apparatus reference X, Y, Z axis concepts, taking three mutually orthogonal spatial axes as the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, defining the length direction of the process cartridge P as the Y1, Y2 direction, defining the width direction of the process cartridge P as the X1, X2 direction, and defining the height direction of the process cartridge P as the Z1, Z2 direction (vertical direction); one side of the process cartridge P in the Y2 direction is the driving side, and one side in the Y1 direction is the conductive side, the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 are oppositely arranged in the width direction, the direction from the drum unit 8 to the developing unit 9 is the X1 direction, one end of the process cartridge P along the X1 direction is the rear end, the direction from the developing unit 9 to the drum unit 8 is the X2 direction, and one end along the X2 direction is the front end, one end of the process cartridge P along the Z1 direction is the upper end, and one end along the Z2 direction is the lower end.

[0128] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the present embodiment provides a process cartridge P, which includes a drum unit 8 and a developing unit 9. The drum unit 8 includes a photosensitive drum 4, a charging roller, a cleaning blade, a drum coupling 15, and a drum frame 11, both sides of the drum frame 11 in the Y axis direction include a driving side end cover 13 and a conductive side end cover 14, the drum frame 11 is a frame structure, the frame encloses a waste powder bin for collecting waste developer, the conductive side end cover 14 is arranged in the Y1 direction of the drum frame 11, and the driving side end cover 13 is arranged in the Y2 direction of the drum frame 11; both ends of the photosensitive drum 4 in the length direction (Y1, Y2 direction) are rotatably mounted / supported on the driving side end cover 13 and the conductive side end cover 14, and the photosensitive drum 4 is arranged on the Z2 direction side (lower end) of the drum frame 11; both ends of the charging roller in the length direction (Y1, Y2 direction) are also mounted on the drum frame 11, and the charging roller is used to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 4, so that the photosensitive drum 4 can adsorb the developer; the drum coupling 15 is connected with the Y2 direction side of the photosensitive drum 4 and is rotatably mounted on the driving side end cover 13, and is used to receive the driving force from the main assembly side drum driving coupling 180 of the image forming apparatus.

[0129] The driving side end cover 13 is provided with a first rotating hole 131 and a second rotating hole 132, both of which are through hole structures on the driving side end cover 13, and the rotating shaft of the first rotating hole 131 is in the Y-axis direction. In the Z-axis (height) direction, the first rotating hole 131 is closer to the upper side of the drum frame 11 than the photosensitive drum 4. In addition, the developing unit 9 is rotatably mounted on the drum frame 11, specifically, one end of the developing unit 9 in the length direction (Y2 direction) is rotatably mounted on the first rotating hole 131 of the driving side end cover 13, and one end of the developing unit 9 in the length direction (Y1 direction) is rotatably mounted on the conductive side end cover 14, so that the developing unit 9 can rotate around the rotating shaft of the first rotating hole 131. The second rotating hole 132 is closer to the Z2 direction side (lower end) of the driving side end cover 13, and the drum coupling 15 is rotatably mounted in the second rotating hole 132 and drives the photosensitive drum 4, and the part of the drum coupling 15 exposed outside the second rotating hole 132 can receive the driving force of the image forming device.

[0130] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the developing unit 9 includes a developing frame 21, a driving side bearing 23, a conductive side bearing 24, a developing roller 6, a powder feeding roller, and a developing cover 27. The inside of the developing frame 21 is hollow, and the frame body surrounds a powder tank for storing the developer. The developing frame 21 is provided with the driving side bearing 23 and the conductive side bearing 24 at both ends in the length direction (Y1, Y2 direction), respectively. The powder feeding roller and the developing roller 6 are rotatably supported on the driving side bearing 23 and the conductive side bearing 24 at both ends in the length direction of the developing frame 21. The driving side bearing 23 is installed in the Y2 direction of the developing frame 21, and the conductive side bearing 24 is installed in the Y1 direction of the developing frame 21. The developing roller 6 is located on the Z2 direction side of the developing frame 21, and a developing gear is installed on the Y2 direction side of the developing roller 6. The developing gear is sleeved on the end of the shaft of the developing roller 6 that protrudes from the driving side bearing 23. The powder feeding roller is also located on the Z2 direction side of the developing frame 21, and a powder feeding gear is installed on the Y2 direction side of the powder feeding roller. The powder feeding gear is sleeved on the end of the shaft of the powder feeding roller that protrudes from the driving side bearing 23. The powder feeding roller can deliver the developer in the developing frame 21 to the developing roller 6. The developer absorbed by the developing roller 6 is transferred to the photosensitive drum 4 through the potential difference between the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4. The developer on the photosensitive drum 4 is transferred through the transfer belt 112a of the image forming device, and an image is formed on the recording material S (such as paper).

[0131] The developing cover 27 is a cover structure, and is detachably installed on the Y2 direction side of the driving side bearing 23. The Y2 direction side of the developing cover 27 is provided with a cylindrical portion 270 which is a cylindrical structure protruding in the Y2 direction of the developing cover 27. The diameter of the cylindrical portion 270 is adapted to the diameter of the first rotating hole 131, that is, the cylindrical portion 270 can be installed in the first rotating hole 131 to rotate. That is, the developing unit 9 can be connected with the drum unit 8 through the developing cover 27, and the developing unit 9 rotates around the rotating shaft of the first rotating hole 131, and is rotatably installed on the drum unit 8. The developing coupling 25 is rotatably arranged in the developing cover 27, and drives the developing gear and the powder feeding gear through the gear structure, and then drives the developing roller 6 and the powder feeding roller to rotate. The developing coupling 25 is exposed to the part of the first rotating hole 131 through the cylindrical portion 270, and can receive the driving force of the main assembly side developing driving coupling 185 of the image forming device.

[0132] Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the process cartridge P further includes a first force receiving portion 271, a second force receiving portion 272, a first clamping portion 16, a second clamping portion 26, and a first elastic member 3, which are all used to realize the movement of the developing unit 9 relative to the drum unit 8 between the developing position and the interval position. In the developing position, the developing roller 6 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 4, and is stably maintained in the contact state by the first elastic member 3 or the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26. In the interval position, the developing roller 6 (at least a part of it) is separated from the photosensitive drum 4, and is stably maintained in the separation state by the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26.

[0133] Specifically, the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272 are fixedly arranged on the developing cover 27, and the first force receiving portion 271 is closer to the developing roller 6 or the photosensitive drum 4 than the second force receiving portion 272 in the X1 and X2 directions. The first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272 are used to receive the force of the separation control member 196R to move the developing unit 9 relative to the drum unit 8 between the developing position and the interval position. Preferably, the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272 are plate-shaped or block-shaped members parallel to the Z1 and Z2 directions and arranged opposite to each other, and each has a force receiving surface which is a vertical plane to better receive the force of the separation control member 196R. Meanwhile, a recess (space) for accommodating the control portion 196R1 of the separation control member 196R is formed between the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272. Optionally, the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272 can also be arranged on other positions of the developing unit 9, such as the developing frame 21 or the driving side bearing 23, as long as they can receive the force of the separation control member 196R.

[0134] Specifically, the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are respectively arranged on the drum frame 11 and the developing frame 21, and are used to stably hold the developing unit 9 in the interval position; the first elastic member 3 is preferably a tension spring, one end of which is connected with the conductive side end cover 14, and the other end of which is connected with the conductive side bearing 24, and is used to stably hold the developing unit 9 in the developing position; or the first elastic member 3 can be removed, and the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are used to stably hold the developing unit 9 in the interval position or the developing position. It can be understood that the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are the holding portions for holding.

[0135] Preferably, the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are integrally formed on the drum frame 11 and the developing frame 21 respectively, and are respectively a hook and a protrusion, and the two cooperate to form a clamping structure to stably clamp, so as to stably hold the developing unit 9 in the interval position or the developing position. The hook and / or the protrusion can have a certain elastic deformation. Preferably, the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are fixedly supported by the drum frame 11 and the developing frame 21, that is, the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are arranged immovably on the drum frame 11 or the developing frame 21, the first clamping portion 16 is arranged on the Y2 direction side and the Z1 direction side of the drum frame 11, and the second clamping portion 26 is correspondingly arranged on the Y2 direction side and the Z1 direction side of the developing frame 21. Alternatively, the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 can also be an interference fit structure or a magnet structure, as long as the two cooperate to form a stable clamping structure. Alternatively, the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 can also be arranged at other positions of the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9 respectively, for example, the first clamping portion 16 can also be arranged on the driving side end cover 13 and the conductive side end cover 14, and the second clamping portion 26 is correspondingly arranged on the developing cover 27 or the driving side bearing 23 and the conductive side bearing 24.

[0136] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, the working process of the embodiment is as follows:

[0137] As shown in FIG. 5, during the transportation and storage stage before the use of the process cartridge P, the first and second latching portions 16 and 26 are in the first position of mutual latching, i.e. the process cartridge P is arranged to stably hold the developing unit 9 in the spaced position by the first and second latching portions 16 and 26, at this time, the developing roller 6 is separated from the photosensitive drum 4 and is stably held in the separated state by the first and second latching portions 16 and 26. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 8, after the process cartridge P is inserted into the image forming apparatus main assembly 502 along the X1 direction, the front door 111 is closed, the tray 110 with the process cartridge P is lowered along the Z2 direction by a distance T1, so that a part (control part 196R1) of the separation control member 196R enters the recess (space) between the first and second force receiving portions 271 and 272, i.e. at least a part of the first and second force receiving portions 271 and 272 and at least a part of the separation control member 196R overlap in the vertical direction (Z1, Z2 direction), at this time, the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are still in the above-mentioned separated state, the separation control member 196R is in the intermediate position (no force applying position), at this time, there is a gap between the first force applying surface 196a and the first force receiving portion 271, and there is also a gap between the second force applying surface 196b and the second force receiving portion 272, i.e. the separation control member 196R is in the intermediate position when the separation control member 196R is not in contact with the process cartridge P and is not under load.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, when the image forming apparatus 500 needs to develop, the image forming apparatus 500 issues an instruction to control the separation control member 196R to move to the force applying position in the W42 direction and apply force, at this time, the first force receiving portion 271 and the first force applying surface 196a of the separation control member 196R abut, so that the first force receiving portion 271 receives the first force (contact force, as shown in FIG. 9) of the separation control member 196R, the developing unit 9 rotates clockwise under the action of the first force and the first elastic member 3, so that the first and second latching portions 16 and 26 are disengaged from latching and move to the second position of mutual abutment, so that the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are in contact and are stably held in the contact state, thereafter, the developing unit 9 is stably held in the developing position (as shown in FIG. 10) and the separation control member 196R returns to the intermediate position (no force applying position). In the case where the first elastic member 3 is removed, the developing unit 9 can also rotate clockwise under the action of the first force and its own gravity, so that the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are in contact and are stably held in the contact state after the first and second latching portions 16 and 26 are disengaged from latching and become abutment (i.e. the first and second latching portions 16 and 26 move from the first position to the second position), thereafter, the developing unit 9 is stably held in the developing position.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 11, after the image forming apparatus 500 does not need to perform the developing process, the image forming apparatus 500 issues an instruction to control the separation control member 196R to move to the force application position in the W41 direction and apply force, at this time, the second force receiving portion 272 abuts against the second force application surface 196b of the separation control member 196R, so that the second force receiving portion 272 receives the second force of the separation control member 196R (separation force) to drive the developing unit 9 to rotate counterclockwise, so as to separate the developing roller 6 from the photosensitive drum 4, at the same time, the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are re-clamped (i.e., the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 move from the second position to the first position), and the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are stably maintained in the separated state, after that, the developing unit 9 is stably maintained in the interval position (as shown in FIG. 8) and the separation control member 196R returns to the intermediate position (no force application position).

[0140] Those skilled in the art can know that the developing unit 9 can also be fixed, and then the drum unit 8 is rotated to realize the separation and contact operation of the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4, which will not be described here.

[0141] Embodiment Two

[0142] As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the process cartridge P of the present embodiment has basically the same structure as the process cartridge P of Embodiment One, and the difference is that the clamping positions of the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are different. Different from that in Embodiment One, in which the first clamping portion 16 of each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) clamps on the second clamping portion 26 of itself, in the present embodiment, the first clamping portion 16 of each of the first to fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) clamps on the second clamping portion 26 of the adjacent process cartridge P. For example, the first clamping portion 16 of the process cartridge PM clamps on the second clamping portion 26 of the process cartridge PC, and the second clamping portion 26 of the process cartridge PM is clamped by the first clamping portion 16 of the process cartridge PK.

[0143] As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are respectively provided on the driving side end cover 13 and the driving side bearing 23 for stably holding the developing unit 9 in the spaced position or the developing position. Specifically, the first clamping portion 16 is an arm-like member, one end of which is connected to the X1 direction side and the Z1 direction side of the driving side end cover 13 of the process cartridge PK, and the other end of which extends substantially along the X1 direction to the position of the driving side bearing 23 of the other process cartridge PM on the X1 direction side thereof. The second clamping portion 26 is a protrusion structure provided on the X2 direction side and the Z1 direction side of the driving side bearing 23 of the process cartridge PM, and the second clamping portion 26 is capable of being engaged / abutted with the other end of the first clamping portion 16 of the process cartridge PK. Similarly, the X1 direction side and the Z1 direction side of the driving side end cover 13 of the process cartridge PM are also provided with the first clamping portion 16 for cooperating with the second clamping portion 26 of the other process cartridge PC on the X1 direction side thereof.

[0144] Referring to FIGS. 12 to 15, the working process of the present embodiment is as follows:

[0145] As shown in FIG. 12, during the transportation and storage stage before the use of the process cartridge P, the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are in the first position of mutual clamping, i.e., the process cartridge P is arranged to stably hold the developing unit 9 in the spaced position by the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26, at this time, the developing roller 6 is separated from the photosensitive drum 4 and is stably held in the separated state by the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, after the process cartridge P is inserted into the image forming apparatus main assembly 502 along the X1 direction, the front door 111 is closed, and the tray 110 will take the process cartridge P to descend along the Z2 direction by a distance T1, so that a part (control portion 196R1) of the separation control member 196R enters the recess (space) between the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272, i.e., at least a part of the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272 overlaps at least a part of the separation control member 196R in the vertical direction (Z1, Z2 direction), at this time, the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are still in the above-mentioned separated state, and the separation control member 196R is in the intermediate position (non-force applying position).

[0146] As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, when the image forming apparatus 500 needs to perform the developing process, the image forming apparatus 500 issues an instruction to control the separation control member 196R to move to the force applying position in the W42 direction and apply force, at this time, the first force receiving portion 271 abuts against the first force applying surface 196a, so that the first force receiving portion 271 receives the first action force (contact force, as shown in FIG. 13) of the separation control member 196R, the developing unit 9 rotates clockwise under the action of the first action force and the first elastic member 3 or its own gravity, so that the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are disengaged from clamping and move to the second position of abutting against each other, so that the developing roller 6 contacts the photosensitive drum 4, and after the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are disengaged from clamping and become abutted (i.e. the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 move from the first position to the second position), the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are stably kept in the contact state, and thereafter, the developing unit 9 is stably kept in the developing position (as shown in FIG. 14) and the separation control member 196R returns to the intermediate position (non-force applying position).

[0147] As shown in FIG. 15, when the image forming apparatus 500 does not need to perform the developing process, the image forming apparatus 500 issues an instruction to control the separation control member 196R to move to the force applying position in the W41 direction and apply force, at this time, the second force receiving portion 272 abuts against the second force applying surface 196b, so that the second force receiving portion 272 receives the second action force (separation force) of the separation control member 196R to drive the developing unit 9 to rotate counterclockwise, so that the developing roller 6 is separated from the photosensitive drum 4, while the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are re-clamped (i.e. the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 move from the second position to the first position), and the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are stably kept in the separated state, and thereafter, the developing unit 9 is stably kept in the interval position (as shown in FIG. 12) and the separation control member 196R returns to the intermediate position (non-force applying position).

[0148] Embodiment Two Variant

[0149] In this variant, as shown in FIG. 16, similar to the process cartridge P in Embodiment Two, the difference is that the first clamping portion 16 of the process cartridge PM clamps on the second clamping portion 26 of the process cartridge PK, and the second clamping portion 26 of the process cartridge PM is clamped by the first clamping portion 16 of the process cartridge PC. Specifically, the first clamping portion 16 of the process cartridge PM is a buckle / claw / hook structure, which is arranged on the X2 direction side of the drum frame 11 and extends towards the process cartridge PK on the X2 direction side of the process cartridge PM, for clamping with the second clamping portion 26 (protruding structure) on the X1 direction side of the developing frame 21 of the process cartridge PK. Similarly, the X1 direction side of the process cartridge PM is also provided with the second clamping portion 26, for clamping with the first clamping portion 16 on the process cartridge PC on the X1 direction side of the process cartridge PM.

[0150] As shown in FIGS. 16-17, the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are respectively arranged on the drum frame 11 and the developing frame 21 for stably holding the developing unit 9 in the spaced position or the developing position.

[0151] The other working process is the same as that of Embodiment Two, which will not be repeated here.

[0152] Embodiment Three

[0153] This embodiment provides another processing cartridge P, which differs from Embodiment One in that the structures of the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are different.

[0154] As shown in FIGS. 18-26, in this embodiment, the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are respectively arranged on the drive-side end cover 13 and the developing cover 27 for stably holding the developing unit 9 in the spaced position; the first elastic member 3 is preferably a compression spring, one end of which is in abutment with the drum frame 11 and the other end of which is in abutment with the developing frame 21, for stably holding the developing unit 9 in the developing position; or the first elastic member 3 can be removed and the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 directly stably hold the developing unit 9 in the spaced position or the developing position. In this embodiment, the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are integrally formed on the drive-side end cover 13 and the developing cover 27, respectively. Specifically, referring to FIG. 21, the first clamping portion 16 is arranged on the inner side (Y1 direction side) of the drive-side end cover 13, the first clamping portion 16 is a long strip-shaped block on the drive-side end cover 13, has a certain elasticity, and has a first acting surface 161 and a second acting surface 162 formed thereon, the first acting surface 161 and the second acting surface 162 are inclined surfaces inclined downward in the height direction (Z1, Z2 direction) of the processing cartridge P, the slope of the first acting surface 161 is different from the slope of the second acting surface 162, the first acting surface 161 and the second acting surface 161 are connected to each other and the first acting surface 161 is located on the X2 direction side of the second acting surface 162; in the height direction of the processing cartridge P, the first acting surface 161 is located above (Z1 direction side) the second acting surface 162. Referring to FIG. 22, the second clamping portion 26 is a protruding rib / protrusion formed on the developing cover 27 and located on the X2 direction side of the developing cover 27.

[0155] Preferably, the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272 of this embodiment are fixedly arranged on the drive-side bearing 23 or the developing cover 27.

[0156] Referring to FIGS. 18-26, the working process of this embodiment is as follows:

[0157] Before the transport and storage stage before the use of the process cartridge P, the first and second engaging portions 16 and 26 are in the first position of abutting each other, at which the second engaging portion 26 abuts against the second acting surface 162 (as shown in Fig. 24), i.e. the process cartridge P is arranged to stably hold the developing unit 9 in the spaced position by the first and second engaging portions 16 and 26, at which the developing roller 6 is separated from the photosensitive drum 4 and is stably held in the separated state by the first and second engaging portions 16 and 26. After the process cartridge P is inserted into the image forming apparatus main assembly 502 in the X1 direction, the front door 111 is closed, and the tray 110 with the process cartridge P is lowered in the Z2 direction by a distance T1, so that a part (control portion 196R1) of the separation control member 196R enters the recess (space) between the first and second force receiving portions 271 and 272, i.e. at least a part of the first and second force receiving portions 271 and 272 overlaps at least a part of the separation control member 196R in the vertical direction (Z1, Z2 direction), at which the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are still in the above-mentioned separated state, and the separation control member 196R is in the intermediate position (non-force application position).

[0158] As shown in Figs. 25 and 26, when the image forming apparatus 500 needs to perform the developing process, the image forming apparatus 500 issues an instruction to control the separation control member 196R to move to the force application position in the W42 direction and apply the force, the first force receiving portion 271 abuts against the first force application surface 196a, so that the first force receiving portion 271 receives the first acting force (contact force) of the separation control member 196R, and the developing unit 9 rotates clockwise, so as to drive the second engaging portion 26 provided on the developing cover 27 to slide upward along the second acting surface 162 and then separate from the second acting surface 162, and then the second engaging portion 26 moves to the second position of abutting against the first acting surface 161 (as shown in Fig. 26), at which the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are in contact and are stably held in the contact state by the second engaging portion 26 and the first acting surface 161 interacting with each other, and then the developing unit 9 is stably held in the developing position and the separation control member 196R returns to the intermediate position (non-force application position).

[0159] As shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, after the image forming apparatus 500 does not need to perform the developing process, the image forming apparatus 500 issues an instruction to control the separation control member 196R to move to the force application position in the W41 direction and apply force, the second force receiving portion 272 abuts against the second force application surface 196b so that the second force receiving portion 272 receives the second acting force (separation force) of the separation control member 196R to drive the developing unit 9 to rotate counterclockwise, the second clamping portion 26 slides downward along the first acting surface 161 and then separates from the first acting surface 161, and then the second clamping portion 26 abuts against the second acting surface 162 again (i.e., the second clamping portion 26 moves from the second position to the first position, as shown in FIG. 24), at this time, the developing roller 6 separates from the photosensitive drum 4, and the two interact through the second clamping portion 26 and the second acting surface 162 to be stably kept in the separated state, after that, the developing unit 9 is stably kept in the interval position and the separation control member 196R returns to the intermediate position (non-force application position).

[0160] The other structures of the process cartridge P of this embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment One, and thus will not be described herein.

[0161] Variation of Embodiment Three

[0162] This embodiment provides another process cartridge P, which is different from Embodiment Three in that the structures of the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are different, and a second elastic member 3a is further provided.

[0163] As shown in FIG. 27, the first clamping portion 16 is formed on the driving side end cover 13, which includes a first acting portion 163 and a second acting portion 164. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the first acting portion 163 is a notch formed below the first rotating hole 131, the first acting portion 163 is recessed along the Y2 direction, and the second acting portion 164 is a protrusion formed below the first rotating hole 131, the second acting portion 164 is protruded along the Y1 direction. In the width direction (the X1, X2 direction) of the process cartridge P, the first acting portion 163 is arranged adjacent to the second acting portion 164 and located at the X2 direction side of the second acting portion 164, that is, the first acting portion 163 is closer to the second rotating hole 132 / photoreceptor drum 4 than the second acting portion 164, the Y1 direction end surface of the second acting portion 164 can be arranged to have a guiding effect (for example, an arc surface, an inclined surface, etc.), and the side surface (the X1 direction side surface) of the second acting portion 164 away from the first acting portion 163 can be arranged as a vertical surface. As shown in FIG. 28, the second clamping portion 26 is a protrusion formed on the developing guard cover 27, specifically, in the present embodiment, the second clamping portion 26 is a protrusion formed below the cylindrical portion 270, which is protruded along the Y2 direction on the developing guard cover 27, and the two sides of the second clamping portion 26 in the X direction can be arranged to have a guiding effect (for example, an arc surface, an inclined surface, etc.), or alternatively, the second clamping portion 26 can be a trapezoidal body shape. The second acting portion 164 and the second clamping portion 26 are arranged to have a guiding effect, which facilitates the relative movement when the two are in contact.

[0164] In addition, the second elastic member 3a of the present embodiment is sleeved on the conductive side bearing 24. As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the conductive side bearing 24 is provided with a cylindrical mounting portion 241 protruded along the Y1 direction, the second elastic member 3a is sleeved on the mounting portion 241, and the conductive side end cover 14 is formed with a containing portion 141, which is an oval hole formed on the conductive side end cover 14, one end of which is open and the other end of which is closed. Specifically, the containing portion 141 is open at the side close to the conductive side bearing 24 and closed at the end away from the conductive side bearing 24. When the second elastic member 3a is sleeved on the mounting portion 241, it is contained in the containing portion 141, one end thereof abuts against the conductive side bearing 24, and the other end thereof abuts against the closed end of the containing portion 141, so that the conductive side bearing 24 can slide in the X axis direction and move in the Y axis direction in the containing portion 141, that is, the entire developing unit 9 can move in the axial direction (the Y axis direction) of the developing roller 6 relative to the drum unit 8, and when the developing unit 9 moves in the Y1 direction, the second elastic member 3a is compressed and stored, that is, the second elastic member 3a is configured to apply an acting force to the developing unit 9 to move it in the axial direction to the driving side (the Y2 direction side).

[0165] Referring to FIGS. 27 to 32, the working process of the present embodiment is as follows:

[0166] During the transportation and storage stage before the use of the process cartridge P, the second engaging portion 26 is in the first position (as shown in FIG. 31) in which it abuts against the side surface of the second acting portion 164 in the X1 direction, i.e., the process cartridge P is arranged to stably hold the developing unit 9 in the spaced position by the first engaging portion 16 and the second engaging portion 26, at this time, the developing roller 6 is separated from the photosensitive drum 4 and is stably held in the separated state by the first engaging portion 16 and the second engaging portion 26. After the process cartridge P is inserted into the image forming apparatus main assembly 502 in the X1 direction, the front door 111 is closed, and the tray 110 with the process cartridge P is lowered in the Z2 direction by a distance T1, so that a part (control portion 196R1) of the separation control member 196R enters the recess (space) between the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272, i.e., at least a part of the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272 overlaps at least a part of the separation control member 196R in the vertical direction (Z1, Z2 direction), at this time, the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are still in the above-mentioned separated state, and the separation control member 196R is in the intermediate position (non-force application position).

[0167] As shown in FIG. 31, when the image forming apparatus 500 needs to perform the developing process, the image forming apparatus 500 issues an instruction to control the separation control member 196R to move to the force application position in the W42 direction and apply a force, the first force receiving portion 271 abuts against the first force application surface 196a, so that the first force receiving portion 271 receives the first acting force (contact force) of the separation control member 196R, the developing unit 9 rotates clockwise, the second engaging portion 26 moves in the X2 direction along the Y1 direction end of the second acting portion 164 under the guidance of the inclined surface / arc surface, and the pushing and pressing action of the second acting portion 164 on the second engaging portion 26 moves the developing unit 9 as a whole in the Y1 direction, and the second elastic member 3a is compressed to store a force, when the second engaging portion 26 completely passes the second acting portion 164 (the second engaging portion 26 is separated from the second acting portion 164) in the X2 direction to reach the second position (as shown in FIG. 32) in which it cooperates with the first acting portion 163, the pushing and pressing force of the second acting portion 164 on the second engaging portion 26 disappears, the developing unit 9 moves as a whole in the Y2 direction under the action of the second elastic member 3a, and the second engaging portion 26 at least partially enters the first acting portion 163, at this time, the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are in contact, and are stably held in the contact state by the second engaging portion 26 and the first acting portion 163, thereafter, the developing unit 9 is stably held in the developing position, and the separation control member 196R returns to the intermediate position (non-force application position).

[0168] When the image forming apparatus 500 does not need to perform the developing process, the image forming apparatus 500 issues an instruction to control the separation control member 196R to move to the force application position in the W41 direction and apply force, the second force receiving portion 272 abuts against the second force application surface 196b so that the second force receiving portion 272 receives the second force (separation force) of the separation control member 196R to drive the developing unit 9 to rotate counterclockwise, the second clamping portion 26 moves in the X1 direction along the Y1 direction end of the second acting portion 164 under the guidance of the inclined surface / arc surface, and simultaneously, the entire developing unit 9 moves in the Y1 direction, the second elastic member 3a is compressed to store force, when the second clamping portion completely passes the Y1 direction end of the second acting portion 164 in the X1 direction, the entire developing unit 9 moves in the Y2 direction under the force of the second elastic member 3a, so that the second clamping portion 26 abuts against the side surface of the second acting portion 164 in the X1 direction again (i.e., the second clamping portion 26 moves from the second position to the first position, as shown in FIG. 31), at this time, the developing roller 6 is separated from the photosensitive drum 4, and the two are interacted through the second clamping portion 26 and the second acting portion 164, so as to be stably kept in the separated state, after that, the developing unit 9 is stably kept in the interval position and the separation control member 196R returns to the intermediate position (no force application position).

[0169] The other structures of the process cartridge P of the present embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment Three, and will not be described herein.

[0170] Embodiment Four

[0171] The present embodiment provides another process cartridge P, which is different from Embodiment Three in that the structures of the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are different, and the structure of the force receiving portion is simplified.

[0172] As shown in FIGS. 33 to 34, in the present embodiment, the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are respectively a magnet arranged on the driving side end cover 13 and the developing cover 27, and the magnetic field force of the mutually attractive heterogeneous magnetic poles between the two is used to stably keep the developing unit 9 in the interval position; the first elastic member 3 is preferably a compression spring, one end of which abuts against the drum frame 11 and the other end of which abuts against the developing frame 21, which is used to stably keep the developing unit 9 in the developing position. In the present embodiment, the first clamping portion 16 is arranged on the inner side (Y1 direction side) of the driving side end cover 13 and close to the upper end (Z1 direction end) of the driving side end cover 13, the second clamping portion 26 is arranged close to the upper end of the developing cover 27, and the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 are opposite in the X direction. The first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 can be respectively fixed on the driving side end cover 13 and the developing cover 27 by means of pasting, clamping, etc.

[0173] In this embodiment, the structure of the force receiving portion is simplified by not providing the first force receiving portion 271 and only providing the second force receiving portion 272, i.e., only one force receiving portion receives the second force (separation force) of the separation control member 196R. Alternatively, only the first force receiving portion 271 can be provided without the second force receiving portion 272.

[0174] Referring to FIGS. 33 to 36, the working process of this embodiment is as follows:

[0175] In the transportation and storage stage before the use of the process cartridge P, the first engaging portion 16 and the second engaging portion 26 are in the first position in which the unlike magnetic poles attract each other, at this time, the first engaging portion 16 and the second engaging portion 26 abut or approach each other (as shown in FIG. 35), i.e., the process cartridge P is arranged to stably hold the developing unit 9 at the spaced position by the first engaging portion 16 and the second engaging portion 26, at this time, the developing roller 6 is separated from the photosensitive drum 4 and is stably held in the separation state by the first engaging portion 16 and the second engaging portion 26 (the force of the first elastic member 3 is smaller than the magnetic force between the first engaging portion 16 and the second engaging portion 26, thereby maintaining the separation state). After the process cartridge P is inserted into the main assembly 502 of the image forming apparatus along the X1 direction, the front door 111 is closed, the tray 110 with the process cartridge P is lowered by a distance T1 along the Z2 direction, thereby at least a part (control portion 196R1) of the separation control member 196R and at least a part of the second force receiving portion 272 overlap in the vertical direction (Z1, Z2 direction), at this time, the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are still in the above-mentioned separation state, and the separation control member 196R is in the intermediate position (non-force applying position).

[0176] As shown in FIG. 36, when the image forming apparatus 500 needs to perform the developing process, the image forming apparatus 500 issues an instruction and outputs a driving force to the main assembly side developing driving coupling member 185, the main assembly side developing driving coupling member 185 rotates to drive the developing coupling 25 to rotate clockwise, at this time, the rotation of the developing coupling 25 drives the developing roller 6 and the powder feeding roller to rotate, and the resultant force of the torsional force (torque) generated thereby and the force of the first elastic member 3 is greater than the magnetic force between the first engaging portion 16 and the second engaging portion 26, the resultant force drives the developing unit 9 to rotate clockwise, thereby driving the second engaging portion 26 provided on the developing cover 27 to disengage from the abutment with the first engaging portion 16 or to move away from each other to the second position (as shown in FIG. 36), the magnetic force between the first engaging portion 16 and the second engaging portion 26 decreases, at this time, the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are in contact and are stably held in the contact state by the first elastic member 3.

[0177] When the image forming apparatus 500 does not need to perform the developing process, the image forming apparatus 500 issues an instruction to stop outputting the driving force to the main assembly side developing driving coupling 185 (the torsional force disappears) and controls the separation control member 196R to move to the force applying position in the W41 direction and apply the force, the second force receiving portion 272 abuts against the second force applying surface 196b so that the second force receiving portion 272 receives the second acting force (separation force) of the separation control member 196R to drive the developing unit 9 to rotate counterclockwise, so that the second clamping portion 26 abuts against or approaches the first clamping portion 16 (i.e., the second clamping portion 26 moves from the second position to the first position, as shown in FIG. 35), at this time, the developing roller 6 is separated from the photosensitive drum 4, and the two are kept in the separated state stably by the magnetic poles of the second clamping portion 26 and the first clamping portion 16 attracting each other, after that, the developing unit 9 is kept in the interval position stably and the separation control member 196R returns to the intermediate position (non-force applying position).

[0178] Alternatively, the first elastic member 3 can be removed, and the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 can be used to keep the developing unit 9 in the interval position or the developing position stably, at this time, the magnetic poles of one of the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 need to be able to be switched, so as to keep the developing unit 9 in the interval position by the magnetic field force of the magnetic poles attracting each other between the two or keep the developing unit 9 in the developing position by the magnetic field force of the magnetic poles repelling each other between the two, alternatively, the magnetic poles can be switched by changing the position of one of the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26, for example, the first clamping portion 16 can be set as a two-pole magnet (having an N-pole region and an S-pole region), and the second clamping portion 26 is set as an N-pole facing the first clamping portion 16, when in the interval position, the second clamping portion 26 (N-pole) abuts against or approaches the S-pole region of the first clamping portion 16 (the magnetic force between the two is an attractive force), so as to keep the developing unit 9 in the interval position, when the second clamping portion 26 rotates clockwise with the developing unit 9, the second clamping portion 26 moves to abut against or approach the N-pole region of the first clamping portion 16 (the magnetic force between the two is a repulsive force), so as to keep the developing unit 9 in the developing position. Preferably, one of the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 can also be set as an electromagnet, so as to be able to switch the magnetic poles by a switch, the switch can be set on the force receiving portion, for example, a switch is set on the second force receiving portion 272, the separation control member 196R applies the force to the second force receiving portion 272 to drive the developing unit 9 to rotate counterclockwise while triggering the switch, so that the electromagnet changes the magnetism, so that the magnetic force between the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 is an attractive force, thereby keeping the developing unit 9 in the interval position.

[0179] It should be noted that the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 can be arranged at other positions on the process cartridge, and the magnetic force between the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 should be selected adaptively according to the positions of the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 on the process cartridge, so that the magnetic force can keep the developing unit 9 in the developing position or the interval position.

[0180] The process cartridge P of the present embodiment has the same other structures as those of Embodiment 3, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

[0181] Embodiment 5

[0182] The present embodiment provides another process cartridge P, which is different from Embodiment 3 in that the first clamping portion 16 and the second clamping portion 26 have different structures.

[0183] As shown in FIG. 37, the first clamping portion 16 is formed on the driving-side end cover 13, and includes a first acting portion 163 and a second acting portion 164. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the first acting portion 163 is an inclined groove formed on the first rotation hole 131, which is recessed inwardly along the radial direction of the first rotation hole 131 and extends obliquely along the circumferential direction of the first rotation hole 131. In the clockwise direction, the first acting portion 163 is located on the upstream side of the end portion thereof away from the conductive side (Y2-direction end) with respect to the end portion thereof close to the conductive side (Y1-direction end). The second acting portion 164 is a protrusion formed on the first acting portion 163, which protrudes outwardly from any one surface of the first acting portion 163, and separates the first acting portion 163 into two regions, including a first region on the Y1-direction side of the second acting portion 164 and a second region on the Y2-direction side of the second acting portion 164. Preferably, the first clamping portion 16 can be provided with a plurality of first clamping portions 16, and in the present embodiment, two first clamping portions 16 are provided, which are arranged symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis of the first rotation hole 131. As shown in FIG. 38, the second clamping portion 26 is an inclined protrusion formed on the developing cover 27, which protrudes outwardly along the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 270 of the developing cover 27 and extends obliquely along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 270. The second clamping portion 26 is capable of being inserted into the first clamping portion 16 and moving relative to the first clamping portion 16, and the number and position of the second clamping portion 26 are adapted to those of the first clamping portion 16. In the present embodiment, two second clamping portions 26 are provided, which are arranged symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis of the cylindrical portion 270.

[0184] In addition, in the present embodiment, the gap between the developing unit 9 and the driving-side end cover 13 and the conductive-side end cover 14 is enlarged, so that the developing unit 9 can move in the Y-axis direction.

[0185] Referring to FIGS. 37 to 40, the working process of the present embodiment is as follows:

[0186] Before the transport and storage stage before the use of the process cartridge P, the second engaging portion 26 is in the first position in which it is in abutment with the first region of the first acting portion 163 of the first engaging portion 16 and the Y1 direction side of the second acting portion 164 (as shown in Fig. 40), i.e. the process cartridge P is arranged to stably hold the developing unit 9 in the spaced position by the abutment of the first engaging portion 16 and the second engaging portion 26, at this time the developing roller 6 is separated from the photosensitive drum 4 and is stably held in the separated state by the first engaging portion 16 and the second engaging portion 26, the developing unit 9 is in the position close to the conductive side (Y1 direction side), and the second elastic member 3a (arranged between the conductive side end cover 14 and the conductive side bearing 24) is in the compressed state. After the process cartridge P is inserted into the image forming apparatus main assembly 502 in the X1 direction, the front door 111 is closed, and the tray 110 is lowered by a distance T1 in the Z2 direction with the process cartridge P, so that a part (control portion 196R1) of the separation control member 196R enters the recess (space) between the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272, i.e. at least a part of the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272 overlaps at least a part of the separation control member 196R in the vertical direction (Z1, Z2 direction), at this time, the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are still in the above-mentioned separated state, and the separation control member 196R is in the intermediate position (non-force application position).

[0187] As shown in Fig. 39, when the image forming apparatus 500 needs to perform the developing process, the image forming apparatus 500 issues an instruction to control the separation control member 196R to move to the force application position in the W42 direction and apply force, the first force receiving portion 271 abuts against the first force application surface 196a, so that the first force receiving portion 271 receives the first acting force (contact force) of the separation control member 196R, and the developing unit 9 rotates clockwise under the action of the first acting force, so as to drive the second engaging portion 26 arranged on the developing cover 27 to move relative to the second acting portion 164, the second engaging portion 26 moves from the first region of the first acting portion 163 to the second region of the first acting portion 163 and abuts against the Y2 direction side of the second acting portion 164, i.e. moves to the second position, in the process, the second elastic member 3a deforms and recovers, and the developing unit 9 as a whole moves in the Y2 direction. When the second engaging portion 26 moves to the second position, the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 are in contact, and are stably held in the contact state by the interaction of the first engaging portion 16 and the second engaging portion 26, thereafter, the developing unit 9 is stably held in the developing position and the separation control member 196R returns to the intermediate position (non-force application position).

[0188] As shown in FIG. 40, after the image forming apparatus 500 does not need to perform the developing process, the image forming apparatus 500 issues an instruction to control the separation control member 196R to move to the force application position in the W41 direction and apply the force, the second force receiving portion 272 abuts against the second force application surface 196b so that the second force receiving portion 272 receives the second acting force (separation force) of the separation control member 196R to drive the developing unit 9 to rotate counterclockwise, the second engaging portion 26 passes the second acting portion 164 from the first acting portion 163 to the first region of the first acting portion 163 and abuts against the Y1 direction side of the second acting portion 164 again (i.e., the second engaging portion 26 moves from the second position to the first position), in the process, the developing unit 9 as a whole moves in the Y1 direction, and the second elastic member 3a is compressed. When the second engaging portion 26 moves to the first position, the developing roller 6 is separated from the photosensitive drum 4, and the two interact through the second engaging portion 26 and the second acting portion 164 to be stably maintained in the separated state, after that, the developing unit 9 is stably maintained in the spaced position and the separation control member 196R returns to the intermediate position (no force application position).

[0189] The other structures of the process cartridge P of the present embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment Three, and will not be described herein.

[0190] Embodiment Six

[0191] The present embodiment provides another process cartridge P, and the same parts of the process cartridge P in the above embodiments will not be described herein, and the different parts and the parts not described will be described in detail as follows.

[0192] As shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, the developing unit 9 of the process cartridge P is movable relative to the drum unit 8 between the developing position and the spaced position, specifically, one end of the developing unit 9 in the driving side (Y2 direction) is rotatable through the developing cover 27 around the rotation shaft M1 of the first rotation hole 131 of the driving side end cover 13, one end of the developing unit 9 in the conductive side (Y1 direction) is rotatable through the support hole 242 on the conductive side bearing 24 around the rotation shaft M2 of the support shaft 142 on the conductive side end cover 14, and thus the developing unit 9 is rotatably mounted on the drum unit 8. The developing coupling 25 is rotatably arranged in the developing cover 27, and the rotation shaft of the developing coupling 25 is the same as the rotation shaft M1 of the first rotation hole 131. The two ends of the photosensitive drum 4 in the length direction (Y1, Y2 direction) are rotatably mounted on the driving side end cover 13 and the conductive side end cover 14 through the drum coupling 15 and the drum bearing (not shown), respectively, and the photosensitive drum 4 rotates around the rotation shaft N.

[0193] As shown in Figs. 43 and 44, the distance between the rotation axis Ml and the rotation axis N on the driving side (Y2 direction) of the process cartridge P is Ll, and the distance between the rotation axis M2 and the rotation axis N on the conductive side (Yl direction) of the process cartridge P is L2, in particular, the distance L2 satisfies 26mm≤L2≤26.4mm. Preferably, the distance L2 is not greater than the distance Ll and satisfies 0mm≤Ll-L2≤2mm, in other words, the eccentricity of the developing unit 9 of the process cartridge P on both ends of the rotation axis in the driving side (Y2 direction) and the conductive side (Yl direction) is Ll-L2 and also satisfies 0mm≤Ll-L2≤2mm, under this condition, the process cartridge P has good developing quality. When the distance L2 is greater than the distance Ll, the process cartridge P can generate a white abnormality on the conductive side (Yl direction) during the developing process, thereby affecting the developing quality, under this condition, even if the white abnormality is eliminated by increasing the elastic force of the first elastic member 3, it is possible that the developing unit 9 cannot be moved to the interval position by the second force (separation force) of the receiving separation control member 196R due to the increase of the elastic force of the first elastic member 3, in other words, at this time, the elastic force is greater than the separation force, generating an abnormality that the developing roller 6 and the photosensitive drum 4 cannot be separated. When Ll-L2>2mm, the eccentricity of the developing unit 9 of the process cartridge P on both ends of the rotation axis in the driving side (Y2 direction) and the conductive side (Yl direction) is too large, the process cartridge P can generate a white abnormality on the driving side (Y2 direction) during the developing process, thereby affecting the developing quality. More preferably, when the eccentricity of the developing unit 9 of the process cartridge P on both ends of the rotation axis in the driving side (Y2 direction) and the conductive side (Yl direction) satisfies 0.6mm≤Ll-L2≤l.3mm, the process cartridge P has the best developing quality.

[0194] The other structures of the process cartridge P of the present embodiment can be the same as any one of the above-mentioned embodiments one to five, and will not be described here.

[0195] Embodiment Seven

[0196] The present embodiment provides another process cartridge P, which is different from the embodiment five in that the structure of the driving side end cover 13 is different.

[0197] As shown in FIGS. 45 and 46, the drive-side end cover 13 is provided with a second through-hole 132 and a first notch portion 133, and when the drive-side end cover 13 is installed at the end portions of the developing frame 21 and the drum frame 11, a portion of the drum coupling 15 is exposed through the second through-hole 132, and a portion of the developing coupling 25 is exposed through the first notch portion 133 after passing through the cylindrical portion 270 of the developing cover 27, so as to engage with the main assembly side driving coupling of the image forming apparatus to receive driving force. The first notch portion 133 extends upward and rearward from a position corresponding to the developing coupling 25 to the upper end and the rear end of the drive-side end cover 13, and can also extend only upward to the upper end of the drive-side end cover 13 or only rearward to the rear end of the drive-side end cover 13, that is, a hollow portion is formed in the drive-side end cover 13, so that the projection of the first notch portion 133 in the length direction of the process cartridge (also the axial direction of the developing roller) is greater than the projection of the developing coupling 25 in the length direction; most of the developing cover 27 is exposed through the first notch portion 133, and after the developing cover 27 is removed, the developing coupling 25 is completely exposed through the first notch portion 133, and the structure inside the process cartridge P (especially the internal structure of the developing unit 9) can be observed to a certain extent through the first notch portion 133, and in the case of local maintenance, the drive-side end cover 13 does not need to be removed, and maintenance is more convenient. After the drive-side end cover 13 is installed in place, at least a portion of the developing coupling 25 and the developing cover 27 (specifically, the cylindrical portion 270) protrudes from the first notch portion 133 of the drive-side end cover 13 and protrudes from the surface of the drive-side end cover 13 (the surface of the end in the Y2 direction), and the drive-side end cover 13 does not contact the cylindrical portion 270, that is, the cylindrical portion 270 is completely located within the range of the first notch portion 133.

[0198] As shown in FIGS. 45 and 46, in the width direction, the first notch portion 133 is located on the rear side (X1 direction side) of the rotation shaft N of the drum coupling 15, and in the height direction (vertical direction), the first notch portion 133 is located on the upper side (Z1 direction side) of the rotation shaft N of the drum coupling 15.

[0199] As shown in FIGS. 45 and 46, the first clamping portion 16 is an inclined groove as in Embodiment Five, and the first clamping portion 16 is recessed radially inward from the edge of the first notch portion 133 and extends in the circumferential direction, and the first clamping portion 16 can be provided in multiple, for example, on the front side and / or the lower side of the first notch portion 133. The second clamping portion 26 is an inclined protrusion provided on the cylindrical portion 270, and the number and position of the second clamping portion 26 are matched with the first clamping portion.

[0200] As shown in Figs. 45 and 46, the drive-side end cover 13 is further provided with a shielding area 134, which is located at the Z2-direction end of the drive-side end cover 13 in the vertical direction (Z1, Z2 direction), i.e. the shielding area 134 is located at the lower end of the drive-side end cover 13, and is located at the lower side (Z2 direction side) of the first notch portion 133 and at the rear side (X1 direction side) of the rotation shaft N of the photosensitive drum 4. A straight line K1 passing through the rotation shaft N of the photosensitive drum 4 and a straight line K2 passing through the rotation shaft (not shown) of the developing roller 6 are drawn in the width direction (X1, X2 direction) respectively, and the shielding area 134 and the first notch portion 133 are located at two sides of the straight line K1 or the straight line K2 respectively. As shown in Fig. 45, when the process cartridge P is arranged in the state that the photosensitive drum 4 and the developing roller 6 contact each other, and the straight line K1 is located below the straight line K2 as viewed along the rotation shaft N of the photosensitive drum 4, at least a part of the shielding area 134 is located at the lower end of the drive-side end cover 13 in the vertical direction (Z1, Z2 direction), or at least a part of the shielding area 134 is located below the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272 (as shown in Fig. 39), i.e. the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272 do not protrude above the lower end of the shielding area 134 in the Z2 direction, in other words, the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272 are shielded by the shielding area 134 and are not exposed. At this time, the shielding area 134 is located at a shielding position, so that when the process cartridge P is placed on a table, the lower end of the shielding area 134 will contact the table before the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272, or when the process cartridge P is collided during transportation, the shielding area 134 can protect the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272, and the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272 can also be protected correspondingly; especially, in the length direction (Y1, Y2 direction), the shielding area 134 is located at the outer side (Y2 direction side) of the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272, i.e. the shielding area 134 is farther away from the developing frame 21 than the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272, so that when the process cartridge P is collided in the length direction, the first force receiving portion 271 and the second force receiving portion 272 can be more effectively protected by the shielding area 134.

[0201] Example Eight

[0202] This embodiment provides another process cartridge P, which differs from the process cartridge P of Example Seven in that the structure of the developing cover 27 is different.

[0203] As shown in FIG. 47 and FIG. 48, the driving side end cover 13 is still provided with the second through hole 132, the first notch part 133 and the shielding area 134. The outer side (Y2 direction) of the driving side bearing 23 is provided with a positioning part 231, and the developing coupling 25 is sleeved on the positioning part 231. The positioning part 231 is a cylindrical structure protruding along the Y2 direction on the driving side bearing 23, and the developing coupling 25 includes a gear part 251, a driving force receiving part 252 and a hollow part. The inner diameter of the hollow part is matched with the outer diameter of the positioning part 231, the developing coupling 25 is sleeved on the outer side of the positioning part 231 (cylindrical structure) through the hollow part, the driving force receiving part 252 is arranged at one end of the hollow part away from the driving side bearing 23, the driving force receiving part 252 can be a triangular protrusion for engaging with the main assembly side developing drive coupling 185 of the image forming device to receive driving force, and the gear part 251 is arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the hollow part, which can be a two-stage gear, one stage of which engages with the developing roller gear 60 and the other stage of which engages with the powder feeding roller gear 70 to transmit the received driving force to the developing roller 6 and the powder feeding roller respectively.

[0204] As shown in FIG. 47 and FIG. 48, the developing cover 27 is arranged on the outer side (Y2 direction) of the driving side bearing 23 and the inner side (Y1 direction) of the driving side end cover 13, which covers the developing roller gear 60, the powder feeding roller gear 70 and part of the developing coupling 25, and can play a protective role. Specifically, the developing cover 27 can cover part of the lower side or front lower side (X2, Z2 direction) of the gear part 251 of the developing coupling 25, and the upper side or rear upper side (X1, Z1 direction) of the developing cover 27 is provided with a second notch part 273, that is, the developing cover 27 does not cover the upper side or rear upper side of the gear part 251 of the developing coupling 25, in other words, the upper side or rear upper side of the gear part 251 of the developing coupling 25 is exposed through the second notch part 273. It should be noted that the developing cover 27 only plays a shielding and protecting role for the developing coupling 25, and there is no supporting contact part between them, so the developing cover 27 does not have the role of supporting the developing coupling 25, and the developing coupling 25 is completely supported by the positioning part 231 of the driving side bearing 23. Alternatively, the shielding area 134 can also be arranged on the developing cover 27 or the driving side bearing 23 or the developing frame 21, as long as it can play the same role of shielding and protecting the first force receiving part 271 and the second force receiving part 272.

[0205] The above only describes some embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can make several modifications and improvements without departing from the inventive concept, which are all within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A process cartridge to be attached to an image forming apparatus, characterized by comprising: The process cartridge includes: a drum unit including a photosensitive drum and an end cover, an end portion of the photosensitive drum being supported on the end cover; a developing unit including the developing roller, the developing unit being movable relative to the drum unit between a developing position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and a spaced position in which at least a portion of the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum; a holding portion, a portion of the holding portion being fixedly supported by the drum unit or the developing unit, the holding portion being for holding the developing unit in the spaced position; and a first force receiving portion fixedly provided to the developing unit, the first force receiving portion being able to receive a first force to move the developing unit to the developing position when the developing unit is in the spaced position, and to move the holding portion from a first position to a second position to hold the developing unit in the developing position.

2. A process cartridge to be attached to an image forming apparatus, characterized by comprising: The process cartridge includes: a drum unit including a photosensitive drum and an end cover, an end portion of the photosensitive drum being supported on the end cover, the end portion of the photosensitive drum being provided with a drum coupling for receiving a driving force to rotate the photosensitive drum, the end cover being provided with a first notch portion; a developing unit including the developing roller and a developing coupling, the developing coupling being provided to an end portion of the developing unit and being for receiving a driving force to rotate the developing roller, the developing coupling being at least partially exposed through the first notch portion; the developing unit being movable relative to the drum unit between a developing position in which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and a spaced position in which at least a portion of the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum, the developing unit being movable relative to the drum unit in an axial direction of the developing roller; a holding portion, a portion of the holding portion being fixedly supported by the drum unit or the developing unit, the holding portion being for holding the developing unit in the spaced position; and a first force receiving portion fixedly provided to the developing unit, the first force receiving portion being able to receive a first force to move the developing unit to the developing position when the developing unit is in the spaced position.

3. The process cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, A portion of the holding portion is immovably supported by the drum unit or the developing unit, the holding portion being for holding the developing unit in the developing position.

4. The process cartridge of claim 3 wherein, Further including a second force receiving portion fixedly provided to the developing unit, the second force receiving portion being able to receive a second force to move the developing unit to the spaced position when the developing unit is in the developing position, and to move the holding portion from a second position to a first position to hold the developing unit in the spaced position.

5. The process cartridge of claim 4 wherein, The first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion are oppositely arranged and a recess portion is formed between the first force receiving portion and the second force receiving portion.

6. The process cartridge of claim 5 wherein, The first force receiving portion is closer to the photosensitive drum than the second force receiving portion.

7. The process cartridge of any one of claims 4-6, wherein, The holding portion includes a first clamping portion provided to the drum unit and a second clamping portion provided to the developing unit; The first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are in the first position when the developing unit is held in the spaced position; The first and second engaging portions are engaged with each other when the developing unit is in the first position.

8. The process cartridge of claim 7 wherein, The developing unit is movable in the axial direction of the developing roller relative to the drum unit.

9. The process cartridge of claim 8 wherein, The first and second engaging portions are engaged with each other when the developing unit is in the first position.

10. The process cartridge of claim 9 wherein, A second elastic member is provided on the conductive side of the developing unit, and is configured to apply a force to the developing unit in the direction of the driving side in the axial direction.

11. The process cartridge of claim 10 wherein, The first engaging portion includes a first acting portion and a second acting portion, and the first acting portion is closer to the photosensitive drum than the second acting portion.

12. The process cartridge of claim 11, wherein, The second engaging portion is in abutment with the second acting portion when the developing unit is in the first position. The second engaging portion is in abutment with the first acting portion when the developing unit is in the second position. The developing unit moves in the axial direction toward the conductive side and compresses the second elastic member when the second engaging portion moves from the first acting portion to the second acting portion.

13. The process cartridge of claim 12, wherein, The first acting portion is a notch, and the second acting portion is a protrusion.

14. The process cartridge of claim 10 wherein, The first engaging portion includes a first acting portion and a second acting portion, the first acting portion is an inclined groove, and the second acting portion is a protrusion formed on the first acting portion and separates the first acting portion into a first region and a second region. The second engaging portion is an inclined protrusion embedded in the first engaging portion and movable relative to the first engaging portion.

15. The process cartridge of claim 14, wherein, The second engaging portion is in the first region of the first acting portion and in abutment with the second acting portion when the developing unit is in the first position. The second engaging portion is in the second region of the first acting portion and in abutment with the second acting portion when the developing unit is in the second position.

16. The process cartridge of claim 15, wherein, The second engaging portion moves from the first region to the second region via the second acting portion when the developing unit moves from the spaced position to the developing position, and the developing unit moves in the axial direction toward the driving side under the action of the second elastic member.

17. The process cartridge of claim 7 wherein, The first and second engaging portions are engaged with each other when the developing unit is in the first position. The first and second engaging portions are in abutment with each other when the developing unit is in the second position.

18. The process cartridge of claim 17, wherein, The first and second engaging portions are disposed on the same process cartridge; or The first and second engaging portions are disposed on different process cartridges, respectively.

19. The process cartridge of claim 2, wherein, The first notch portion extends to the upper end and / or the rear end of the end cover.

20. The process cartridge of claim 19, wherein, The end cover is further provided with a second through hole, and a part of the drum coupling is exposed through the second through hole.

21. The process cartridge of claim 20 wherein, The first notch portion is located on the rear side of the rotation shaft of the photosensitive drum.

22. The process cartridge of claim 21, wherein, The first notch portion is located on the upper side of the rotation shaft of the photosensitive drum.

23. The process cartridge of claim 19 wherein, The projection of the first notch portion in the axial direction of the developing roller is greater than the projection of the developing coupling in the axial direction.

24. The process cartridge of claim 19 wherein, The end cover is provided with a shielding area, and the shielding area is located on the lower end of the end cover.

25. The process cartridge of claim 24, wherein, At least a part of the shielding area is located below the first force receiving portion.

26. The process cartridge of claim 24 wherein, A straight line K1 passing through the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum and a straight line K2 passing through the rotation axis of the developing roller are drawn in the width direction intersecting the axial direction, and the shield region is located on either side of the straight line K1 or the straight line K2 with respect to the first gap.

27. The process cartridge of claim 24 wherein, In the axial direction, the shield region is located on the outer side of the first force receiving portion.

28. The process cartridge of claim 24 wherein, The shield region is located on the lower side of the first gap portion.

29. The process cartridge of claim 24 wherein, The shield region is located on the rear side of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum.

30. The process cartridge of any one of claims 19-29, wherein, The developing unit further includes a developing cover that covers a portion of the developing coupling.

31. The process cartridge of claim 30 wherein, The developing cover is provided with a second gap portion, and the upper side or the rear upper side of the developing coupling is exposed through the second gap portion.

32. The process cartridge of claim 31, wherein, There is no supporting contact portion between the developing cover and the developing coupling.

33. The process cartridge of any of claims 1-2, 4-6, 8-29, 31-32, wherein, The end cover includes a driving side end cover on the driving side and a conductive side end cover on the conductive side, and the developing unit is rotatably provided with the driving side end cover and the conductive side end cover; On the driving side, the developing unit rotates around the rotation axis M1 on the driving side end cover; On the conductive side, the developing unit rotates around the rotation axis M2 on the conductive side end cover.

34. The process cartridge of claim 33, wherein, The distance between the rotation axis M1 and the rotation axis N of the photosensitive drum is L1; The distance between the rotation axis M2 and the rotation axis N of the photosensitive drum is L2; The distance L2 is not greater than the distance L1.

35. The process cartridge of claim 34, wherein, The distance L1 and the distance L2 satisfy 0mm≤L1-L2≤2mm.

36. The process cartridge of claim 35, wherein, The distance L2 satisfies 26mm≤L2≤26.4mm.

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