Cartridge and image forming apparatus
A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, the movable member movable relative to the photosensitive drum to control an inclination angle of a drive transmission member. The movable member is movable between a first position for reducing an inclination angle of the drive transmission member relative to the photosensitive drum and a second position retracted from the first position. By this, driving connection can be smoothly carried out.
1. A cartridge comprising:
a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis thereof;
a coupling provided at an end portion of the photosensitive drum, the coupling being configured to receive a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum; and
a movable member positioned adjacent to the end portion of the photosensitive drum, the movable member being movable between (a) a first position in which, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, a portion of the movable member is adjacent to an outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum and (b) a second position in which, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, the portion of the movable member is more remote from the axis of the photosensitive drum than when the movable member is in the first position,
wherein, as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum and when the movable member is in the first position, the portion of the movable member is beyond a free end of the coupling in a direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum.
2. A cartridge according to claim 1 , the cartridge further comprising a gear including a portion that is at least partly uncovered to receive a driving force from outside of the cartridge,
wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum and when the movable member is in the first position, the portion of the movable member faces the uncovered portion of the gear with the photosensitive drum interposed therebetween, and
wherein the portion of the movable member is configured to move away from the uncovered portion of the gear as the movable member moves from the first position to the second position.
3. A cartridge according to claim 2 , wherein the gear is a helical gear.
4. A cartridge according to claim 2 , wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, at least a part of the uncovered portion of the gear is adjacent to a peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum.
5. A cartridge according to claim 2 , wherein, as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum, at least a part of the uncovered portion of the gear is beyond the free end of the coupling in the direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum.
6. A cartridge according to claim 2 , further comprising a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum,
wherein the gear is configured to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller.
7. A cartridge according to claim 6 , wherein the gear is positioned coaxially with the developing roller.
8. A cartridge according to claim 2 , wherein, when the movable member is in the second position, a distance from the portion of the movable member to the axis of the photosensitive drum is greater than 1.25 times of a radius of the photosensitive drum.
9. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling is fixed to an end portion of the photosensitive drum.
10. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling is movable relative to the photosensitive drum.
11. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the movable member is a lever.
12. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the movable member is movable in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum.
13. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the movable member is movable toward an inside of the photosensitive drum in the direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum by moving from the first position to the second position.
14. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the movable member is rotatable.
15. A cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising a frame that supports the photosensitive drum, the coupling, and the movable member,
wherein the movable member includes a first end portion rotatably connected to the frame, a second end portion which is provided opposite to the first end portion and which includes the portion of the movable member, and a middle portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion to each other, and
wherein the middle portion includes a small width portion having a width that is smaller than widths of adjacent parts of the movable member.
16. A cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising a frame that supports the photosensitive drum, the coupling, and the movable member,
wherein the movable member includes a first end portion rotatably connected to the frame, a second end portion which is provided opposite to the first end portion and which includes the portion of the movable member, and a middle portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion to each other, and
wherein the middle portion is provided with a recess that is recessed away from the axis of the photosensitive drum when the movable member is in the first position.
17. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein a pressure angle of the portion of the movable member is not more than 60 degrees.
18. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the movable member is slidably supported.
19. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the movable member is provided with a projection projecting outward from the cartridge in the direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum.
20. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein, when the movable member is in the first position, a circumference of the coupling is uncovered to outside of the cartridge.
21. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein, when the movable member is in the first position, the movable member is positioned so as not to cover a portion of the photosensitive drum that is uncovered to outside of the cartridge.
22. A cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising a frame that supports the photosensitive drum, the coupling, and the movable member,
wherein the movable member is positioned adjacent to an end portion of the frame in the direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum.
23. A cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising an elastic member for urging the movable member.
24. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the movable member is urged from the second position toward the first position.
25. A cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising a stop portion for stopping movement of the movable member at the first position when the movable member moves from the second position to the first position.
26. A cartridge according to claim 25 , wherein, when the movable member is stopped by the stop portion at the first position, a distance from the portion of the movable member to the axis of the photosensitive drum is larger than a radius of the photosensitive drum.
27. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the movable member is movable from the first position such that the portion of the movable member is closer to the axis of the photosensitive drum than in the first position.
28. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the movable member is urged from the first position toward the second position.
29. A cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a charging member for electrically charging the photosensitive drum; and
an opposing portion provided opposed to the portion of the movable member,
wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum when the movable member is in the first position, the photosensitive drum is interposed between the charging member and the opposing portion, and
wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum when the movable member is in the first position, a tangent line of the portion of the movable member extending away from the charging member and a tangent line of the opposing portion extending away from the opposing portion intersect with each other at an angle greater than 25 degrees.
30. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the portion of the movable member is a part of a surface of the movable member.
31. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum when the movable member is in the first position, the portion of the movable member faces a side where the photosensitive drum is positioned.
32. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the movable member can be positioned such that a distance from the portion of the movable member to the axis of the photosensitive drum is less than 1.2 times of a radius of the photosensitive drum.
33. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein, when the movable member is in the second position, a distance from the portion of the movable member to the axis of the photosensitive drum is greater than 1.25 times of a radius of the photosensitive drum.
34. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling is configured to receive a driving force from a drive transmission member provided in a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, and
wherein the portion of the movable member is configured to act on the drive transmission member.
35. A cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising an operating member configured to be operated to move the movable member.
36. A cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising a phase determination member for determining a phase of the coupling; and
a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum,
wherein the coupling includes a protrusion for receiving a driving force from outside of the cartridge, and the protrusion has a plurality of apexes, and
wherein, when the phase of the coupling is determined by the phase determination member, at least one of the apexes of the protrusion is downstream in a rotational direction of the photosensitive drum such an angle between the apex and a reference line extending from a center of the photosensitive drum toward a center of the developing roller is in a range larger than 11 degrees and smaller than 71 degrees.
37. An image forming apparatus comprising:
the cartridge according to claim 1 ; and
a main assembly including a drive transmission member for transmitting the driving force to the cartridge.
38. A process cartridge comprising:
a frame;
a photosensitive drum supported by the frame, the photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof, the photosensitive including (i) a first end and (ii) a second end opposite to the first end;
a developing roller supported by the frame, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof;
a coupling operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, the coupling being rotatable about an axis thereof, the coupling being positioned (i) at the first end of the photosensitive drum, (ii) coaxial with the photosensitive drum, and (iii) at a side of the process cartridge, and the coupling including a projection;
a helical gear positioned at the side of the process cartridge, the helical gear being rotatable about an axis thereof, the helical gear having a plurality of teeth, with at least some of the teeth being exposed teeth that are uncovered by the frame and exposed to outside of the process cartridge, and with a tip of at least one of the exposed teeth facing the axis of the photosensitive drum, and
a lever positioned at the side of the process cartridge, the lever being movable relative to the frame, the photosensitive drum, and the developing roller between a first position and a second position,
wherein, as measured in a direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum, at least a part of the exposed teeth of the helical gear is positioned farther from the second end of the photosensitive drum than a tip of the projection of the coupling is positioned from the second end of the photosensitive drum, and
wherein, when the lever is in the first position, a part of the lever faces to the exposed teeth of the helical gear, and
wherein, when the lever is in the second position, the part of the lever is positioned farther from the helical gear than when the lever is in the first position.
39. A process cartridge according to claim 38 , wherein the helical gear is positioned coaxially with the developing roller.
40. A process cartridge according to claim 38 , wherein the helical gear is operatively connected to the developing roller such that the helical gear and the developing roller are rotatable in the same rotational direction.
41. A process cartridge according to claim 38 , wherein a distance from the part of the lever to the axis of the photosensitive drum is changeable by movement of the lever.
42. A process cartridge according to claim 38 , wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, the part of the lever is capable of being positioned adjacent to an outer peripheral surface of photosensitive drum.
43. A process cartridge according to claim 38 , wherein the part of the lever is capable of being positioned farther from the second end of the photosensitive drum than the tip of the projection of the coupling is positioned from the second end of the photosensitive drum.
44. A process cartridge according to claim 38 , wherein, when the lever is in the first position and as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, the part of the lever is positioned adjacent to an outer peripheral surface of photosensitive drum, and
wherein, when the lever is in the first position and as measured in the direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum, the part of the lever is positioned farther from the second end of the photosensitive drum than the tip of the projection of the coupling is positioned from the second end of the photosensitive drum.
45. A process cartridge according to claim 38 , wherein the lever includes a projection projecting away from the second end of the photosensitive drum in the direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum.
46. A process cartridge according to claim 45 , wherein the projection is configured to receive a force for moving the lever from the first position to the second position.
47. A process cartridge according to claim 38 , wherein the lever is rotatable between the first position and the second position.
48. A process cartridge according to claim 38 , further comprising an elastic member urging the lever.
49. A process cartridge according to claim 48 , wherein the elastic member urges the lever to the first position.
50. A process cartridge according to claim 38 , wherein, when the lever is in the first position, the lever is positioned so as not to cover an uncovered portion of the photosensitive drum.
51. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, the main assembly including an inclinable drive transmission member configured to transmit a driving force;
a cartridge detachably mountable to the main assembly, the cartridge including:
a driving force receiving portion configured to receive the driving force from the drive transmission member;
a photosensitive drum, and
a movable member movable relative to the photosensitive drum to control an inclination angle of the drive transmission member, the movable member being movable between (a) a first position for reducing the inclination angle of the drive transmission member relative to the photosensitive drum and (b) a second position retracted from the first position.
52. A cartridge comprising:
a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis thereof, the photosensitive drum having a first end and a second end that is opposite to the first end;
a coupling positioned at the first end of the photosensitive drum, the coupling being configured to receive a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum;
a lever positioned adjacent to the first end of the photosensitive drum, the lever being movable between a first position and a second position; and
a gear positioned adjacent to the first end of the photosensitive drum, the gear including a plurality of teeth, with at least some of the teeth being exposed to outside of the cartridge,
wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, an end of the lever is a first distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum when the lever is in the first position, and the end of the lever is a second distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum when the lever is in the second position, with the second distance being greater than the first distance, and
wherein, as measured in a direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum, the end of the lever and the exposed teeth of the gear are farther distances from the second end of the photosensitive drum than the coupling is from the second end of the photosensitive drum.
53. A cartridge according to claim 52 , wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum and when the lever is in the first position, the end of the lever faces the exposed teeth of the gear with the photosensitive drum interposed therebetween, and
wherein the end of the lever is configured to move away from the exposed teeth of the gear as the lever moves from the first position to the second position.
54. A cartridge according to claim 53 , wherein the gear is a helical gear.
55. A cartridge according to claim 53 , wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, at least a part of the exposed teeth of the gear are adjacent to a peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum.
56. A cartridge according to claim 53 , wherein, as measured in the direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum, at least a part of the exposed teeth of the gear is a farther distance from the second end of the photosensitive drum than the coupling is from the second end of the photosensitive drum.
57. A cartridge according to claim 53 , further comprising a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum,
wherein the gear is configured to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller.
58. A cartridge according to claim 57 , wherein the gear is positioned coaxially with the developing roller.
59. A cartridge according to claim 53 , wherein, when the lever is in the second position, a distance from the end of the lever to the axis of the photosensitive drum is greater than 1.25 times of a radius of the photosensitive drum.
60. A cartridge according to claim 52 , wherein the coupling is fixed to an end portion of the photosensitive drum.
61. A cartridge according to claim 52 , wherein the lever is movable in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum.
62. A cartridge according to claim 52 , wherein the lever is rotatable.
63. A cartridge according to claim 52 , further comprising a frame that supports the photosensitive drum, the coupling, and the lever,
wherein the lever includes a first end portion rotatably connected to the frame, a second end portion which is provided opposite to the first end portion and which includes the portion of the lever, and a middle portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion to each other, and
wherein the middle portion includes a small width portion having a width that is smaller than widths of adjacent parts of the lever.
64. A cartridge according to claim 52 , further comprising a frame that supports the photosensitive drum, the coupling, and the lever,
wherein the lever includes a first end portion rotatably connected to the frame, a second end portion which is provided opposite to the first end portion and which includes the portion of the lever, and a middle portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion to each other, and
wherein the lever is provided with a recess that is recessed away from the axis of the photosensitive drum when the lever is in the first position.
65. A cartridge according to claim 52 , wherein a pressure angle of the end of the lever is not more than 60 degrees.
66. A cartridge according to claim 52 , wherein the lever is provided with a projection projecting outward from the cartridge in the direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum.
67. A cartridge according to claim 52 , wherein, when the lever is in the first position, a circumference of the coupling is uncovered to outside of the cartridge.
68. A cartridge according to claim 52 , wherein, when the lever is in the first position, the lever is positioned so as not to cover a portion of the photosensitive drum that is uncovered to outside of the cartridge.
69. A cartridge according to claim 52 , further comprising a frame that supports the photosensitive drum, the coupling, and the lever,
wherein the lever is positioned adjacent to an end portion of the frame in the direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum.
70. A cartridge according to claim 52 , further comprising an elastic member for urging the lever.
71. A cartridge according to claim 52 , wherein the lever is urged from the second position toward the first position.
72. A cartridge according to claim 52 , further comprising a stop portion for stopping movement of the lever at the first position when the lever moves from the second position to the first position.
73. A cartridge according to claim 72 , wherein, when the lever is stopped by the stop portion at the first position, a distance from the end of the lever to the axis of the photosensitive drum is larger than a radius of the photosensitive drum.
74. A cartridge according to claim 52 , further comprising:
a charging member for electrically charging the photosensitive drum; and
an opposing portion provided opposed to the end of the lever,
wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum when the lever is in the first position, the photosensitive drum is interposed between the charging member and the opposing portion, and
wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum when the lever is in the first position, a tangent line of the portion of the lever extending away from the charging member and a tangent line of the opposing portion extending away from the opposing portion intersect with each other at an angle greater than 25 degrees.
75. A cartridge according to claim 52 , wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum when the lever is in the first position, the end of the lever faces a side where the photosensitive drum is positioned.
76. A cartridge according to claim 52 , wherein the lever can be positioned such that a distance from the end of the lever to the axis of the photosensitive drum is less than 1.2 times of a radius of the photosensitive drum.
77. A cartridge according to claim 52 , wherein, when the lever is in the second position, a distance from the end of the lever to the axis of the photosensitive drum is greater than 1.25 times of a radius of the photosensitive drum.
78. A cartridge comprising:
a frame;
a photosensitive drum supported by the frame and rotatable about an axis of the photosensitive drum, the photosensitive drum having a first end and a second end that is opposite to the first end;
a coupling positioned at the first end of the photosensitive drum, the coupling being configured to receive a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum;
a lever connected to the frame, the lever being rotatable between a first position and a second position; and
a gear positioned adjacent to the end of the photosensitive drum, the gear including a plurality of teeth, with at least some of the teeth being exposed to outside of the cartridge,
wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, an end of the lever is a first distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum when the lever is in the first position, and the end of the lever is a second distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum when the lever is in the second position, with the second distance being greater than the first distance, and
wherein, as measured in a direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum, the end of the lever and the exposed teeth of the gear are farther distances from the second end of the photosensitive drum than the coupling is from the second end of the photosensitive drum.
79. A cartridge according to claim 78 , wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum and when the lever is in the first position, the end of the lever faces the exposed teeth of the gear with the photosensitive drum interposed therebetween, and
wherein the end of the lever is configured to move away from the exposed teeth of the gear as the lever moves from the first position to the second position.
80. A cartridge according to claim 79 , wherein the gear is a helical gear.
81. A cartridge according to claim 79 , wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, at least a part of the exposed teeth of the gear is adjacent to a peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum.
82. A cartridge according to claim 79 , wherein, as measured in the direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum, at least a part of the exposed teeth of the gear is a farther distance from the second end of the photosensitive drum than the coupling is from the second end of the photosensitive drum.
83. A cartridge according to claim 79 , wherein, when the lever is in the second position, a distance from the end of the lever to the axis of the photosensitive drum is greater than 1.25 times of a radius of the photosensitive drum.
84. A cartridge according to claim 78 , further comprising a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum,
wherein the gear is configured to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller.
85. A cartridge according to claim 84 , wherein the gear is positioned coaxially with the developing roller.
86. A cartridge according to claim 78 , wherein the coupling is fixed to an end portion of the photosensitive drum.
87. A cartridge according to claim 78 , wherein the lever is movable in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum.
88. A cartridge according to claim 78 , wherein the lever is rotatable.
89. A cartridge according to claim 78 , wherein the lever includes a first end portion rotatably connected to the frame, a second end portion which is provided opposite to the first end portion and which includes the portion of the lever, and a middle portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion to each other, and
wherein the middle portion includes a small width portion having a width that is smaller than widths of adjacent parts of the lever.
90. A cartridge according to claim 78 , wherein the lever includes a first end portion rotatably connected to the frame, a second end portion which is provided opposite to the first end portion and which includes the portion of the lever, and a middle portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion to each other, and
wherein the lever is provided with a recess that is recessed away from the axis of the photosensitive drum when the lever is in the first position.
91. A cartridge according to claim 78 , wherein a pressure angle of the end of the lever is not more than 60 degrees.
92. A cartridge according to claim 78 , wherein the lever is provided with a projection projecting outward from the cartridge in the direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum.
93. A cartridge according to claim 78 , wherein, when the lever is in the first position, a circumference of the coupling is uncovered to outside of the cartridge.
94. A cartridge according to claim 78 , wherein, when the lever is in the first position, the lever is positioned so as not to cover a portion of the photosensitive drum that is uncovered to outside of the cartridge.
95. A cartridge according to claim 78 , wherein the lever is positioned adjacent to an end portion of the frame in the direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum.
96. A cartridge according to claim 78 , further comprising an elastic member for urging the lever.
97. A cartridge according to claim 78 , wherein the lever is urged from the second position toward the first position.
98. A cartridge according to claim 78 , further comprising a stop portion for stopping movement of the lever at the first position when the lever moves from the second position to the first position.
99. A cartridge according to claim 98 , wherein, when the lever is stopped by the stop portion at the first position, a distance from the end of the lever to the axis of the photosensitive drum is larger than a radius of the photosensitive drum.
100. A cartridge according to claim 78 , further comprising:
a charging member for electrically charging the photosensitive drum; and
an opposing portion provided opposed to the end of the lever,
wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum when the lever is in the first position, the photosensitive drum is interposed between the charging member and the opposing portion, and
wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum when the lever is in the first position, a tangent line of the portion of the lever extending away from the charging member and a tangent line of the opposing portion extending away from the opposing portion intersect with each other at an angle greater than 25 degrees.
101. A cartridge according to claim 78 , wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum when the lever is in the first position, the end of the lever faces a side where the photosensitive drum is positioned.
102. A cartridge according to claim 78 , wherein the lever can be positioned such that a distance from the end of the lever to the axis of the photosensitive drum is less than 1.2 times of a radius of the photosensitive drum.
103. A cartridge according to claim 78 , wherein, when the lever is in the second position, a distance from the end of the lever to the axis of the photosensitive drum is greater than 1.25 times of a radius of the photosensitive drum.
104. A cartridge comprising:
a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis thereof;
a coupling member provided at an end portion of the photosensitive drum, the coupling member being configured to receive a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum;
a movable member positioned adjacent to the end portion of the photosensitive drum, the movable member being movable between (a) a first position in which, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, a portion of the movable member is adjacent to an outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum and (b) a second position in which, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, the portion of the movable member is more remote from the axis of the photosensitive drum than when the movable member is in the first position; and
a gear positioned adjacent to the end portion of the photosensitive drum, with a portion of the gear being uncovered to outside of the cartridge,
wherein, as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum and when the movable member is in the first position, the portion of the movable member is beyond a free end of the coupling member in the direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum.
105. A cartridge comprising:
a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis thereof;
a developing roller configured to develop a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof;
a coupling provided at an end portion of the photosensitive drum, the coupling being configured to receive a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum; and
a movable member positioned adjacent to the end portion of the photosensitive drum, the movable member being movable between (a) a first position in which, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, a portion of the movable member is adjacent to an outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum and (b) a second position in which, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, the portion of the movable member is more remote from the axis of the photosensitive drum than when the movable member is in the first position,
wherein, as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum and when the movable member is in the first position, the portion of the movable member is beyond a free end of the coupling in a direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum, and
wherein, as viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum when the movable member is in the first position, the axis of the photosensitive drum is positioned between the movable member and the axis of the developing roller.