IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,287,601
Granted Patent B2
US 12,287,601 · App. 18/679,707 · Granted Apr 29, 2025

Cartridge, process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus

Inventors: Masaaki Sato (Yokohama, JP); Kazuhiko Kanno (Odawara, JP); Satoshi Nishiya (Machida, JP); Masatoshi Yamashita (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
G03G21/1842G03G21/1647G03G21/1821G03G21/1857G03G21/186
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,287,601
App. No.
18/679,707
Granted
Apr 29, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cartridge includes a developing roller rotatable about a rotational axis thereof and a movable lever. A coupling member is operatively connected to the developing roller, with the coupling member being movable, in response to a movement of the lever, between (a) a first position in which the coupling member is exposed to outside of the cartridge, and (b) a second position. The coupling member is provided at a first end portion on a first side of the cartridge. In a direction of the rotational axis of the developing roller, the first position is farther from a second end portion provided on a second side of the cartridge that is opposite to the first end portion on the first side of the cartridge than the second position is from the second end portion on the second side of the cartridge.

Claims (22)

1. A cartridge comprising:

a developing roller rotatable about a rotational axis thereof;

a movable lever; and

a coupling member operatively connected to the developing roller, the coupling member being movable, in response to a movement of the lever, between (a) a first position in which the coupling member is exposed to outside of the cartridge, and (b) a second position,

wherein the coupling member is provided at a first end portion on a first side of the cartridge, and

wherein, in a direction of the rotational axis of the developing roller, the first position is farther from a second end portion provided on a second side of the cartridge that is opposite to the first end portion on the first side of the cartridge than the second position is from the second end portion on the second side of the cartridge.

2. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the lever is movable in a state wherein the developing roller contacts a photosensitive drum.

3. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein an end of the lever includes an urging force receiving portion for receiving an urging force from outside of the cartridge for moving the lever.

4. A cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising an elastic portion for applying an elastic force to the coupling member.

5. A cartridge according to claim 4 , wherein the elastic portion urges the coupling member toward the first position.

6. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the second position is a retracted position toward an inside of the cartridge.

7. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the lever includes a cam portion.

8. A cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising a photosensitive drum, and

wherein the movable lever is rotatable with respect to the photosensitive drum and the developing roller.

9. A cartridge according to claim 8 , further comprising a second coupling member that is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum.

10. A cartridge according to claim 9 , further comprising:

a first frame rotatably supporting the developing roller; and

a second frame rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum.

11. A cartridge according to claim 9 , wherein the first frame is rotatable about an axis of the first frame,

wherein the coupling member is rotatable about an axis of the coupling member, and

wherein the axis of the coupling member is coaxial with the axis of the first frame.

12. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is configured such that, when the cartridge is oriented with the developing roller positioned at a downward side of the cartridge, an end of the movable lever is positioned lower than the rotational axis of the developing roller.

Priority Claims (1)
JP 2013-253522 · Dec 6, 2013 · national
Continuity (7)
Division 18110429 · Feb 16, 2023
Division 17752042 · May 24, 2022
Division 17114535 · Dec 8, 2020
Division 16890064 · Jun 2, 2020
Division 16171786 · Oct 26, 2018
Division 15034996
Related Publication 20240319663A1 · Sep 26, 2024
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