Image forming apparatus including swing plate configured to support developing cartridge

• US 10,545,451 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2018
• Issued: 01/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Fujii, Yasumasa, Sato, Shougo
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roth, Laura
• Application Number:
  US16/052,127
• Publication Number:
  US 20190079447A1
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1671 for the photosensitive element
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1676 for the developer unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1814 Details of parts of process cartridge, e.g. for charging, transfer, cleaning, developing G03G21/1835 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1821 means for connecting the different parts of the process cartridge, e.g. attachment, positioning of parts with each other, pressure/distance regulation G03G21/1825 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1842 for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks G03G21/1864 and G03G21/1871 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1853 the process cartridge being mounted perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive member
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/163 for the developer unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1654 Locks and means for positioning or alignment
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/183 Process cartridge

Abstract

An apparatus main body includes a main casing and a cover configured to rotatably move about a rotational axis located below an opening between an open position and a closed position. A drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and is configured to be installed into the apparatus main body through the opening. A developing cartridge includes a developing roller and is configured to be installed into the apparatus main body through the opening. A swing plate is attached swingably to the apparatus main body. The swing plate supports the developing cartridge. The swing plate includes a guide configured to guide installation of the developing cartridge into the apparatus main body. The swing plate is configured to swingably move in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are installed in the apparatus main body, thereby causing the developing roller to move relative to the photosensitive drum.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

an apparatus main body including;

a main casing having an opening; and

a cover configured to rotatably move about a rotational axis between an open position at which the opening is opened and a closed position at which the opening is closed;

a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum and configured to be installed into the apparatus main body through the opening;

a developing cartridge including a developing roller and configured to be installed into the apparatus main body through the opening; and

a swing plate attached swingably to the apparatus main body, the swing plate being configured to support the developing cartridge, the swing plate including a guide configured to guide installation of the developing cartridge into the apparatus main body, the swing plate being configured to swingably move in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are installed in the apparatus main body, thereby causing the developing roller to move relative to the photosensitive drum, and the swing plate including a drum guide configured to guide installation of the drum cartridge into the apparatus main body.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide and the drum guide are a common guide.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the photosensitive drum includes a drum shaft extending along a rotational axis of the photosensitive drum;

wherein the developing roller includes a developing shaft extending along a rotational axis of the developing roller;

wherein a diameter of the developing shaft is larger than a diameter of the drum shaft; and

wherein the drum guide includes;

a first guide portion formed as a groove, the first guide portion having a width larger than or equal to the diameter of the developing shaft in a particular direction intersecting both an axial direction of the developing roller and an installation direction of the developing cartridge, the first guide portion being configured to guide the drum shaft and the developing shaft; and

a second guide portion formed as a groove, the second guide portion having a width larger than or equal to the diameter of the drum shaft and smaller than the diameter of the developing shaft in the particular direction, the second guide portion being configured to guide the drum shaft.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus main body includes a main body guide configured to guide installation of the developing cartridge into the apparatus main body, the main body guide being configured to guide the developing cartridge toward the swing plate;

wherein, in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body, the swing plate is configured to swingably move between;

a first position at which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum; and

a second position at which the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum or the developing roller is closer to the photosensitive drum than at the first position; and

wherein, in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body and where the swing plate is located at the first position, the swing plate allows the developing cartridge to be guided from the main body guide to the swing plate.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, where a swing center of the swing plate is located at a lower position than the developing roller in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the developing roller includes a developing shaft extending along a rotational axis of the developing roller;

wherein the developing cartridge includes;

a frame configured to accommodate toner; and

a protrusion protruding from the frame and including a part of the developing shaft; and

wherein the swing plate includes a first pressing spring configured to, in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body, press the protrusion upward from below and cause the protrusion to contact the guide.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus main body includes a pressing member configured to move by interlocking with movement of the cover;

and

wherein the pressing member is configured to move between;

a pressing position at which the pressing member presses the swing plate toward the second position in a state where the cover is located at the closed position; and

a pressing release position at which pressing against the swing plate is stopped to cause the swing plate to be located at the first position in a state where the cover is located at the open position.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developing roller includes a developing shaft extending along a rotational axis of the developing roller;

wherein the apparatus main body includes a main body guide configured to guide installation of the developing cartridge into the apparatus main body, the main body guide being configured to guide the developing cartridge toward the swing plate;

wherein the main body guide extends in an installation direction of the developing cartridge, the main body guide having an upstream end and a downstream end in the installation direction of the developing cartridge;

wherein the guide extends in the installation direction of the developing cartridge, the guide having an upstream end and a downstream end in the installation direction of the developing cartridge;

wherein the swing plate is configured to swingably move, about a direction intersecting the installation direction of the developing cartridge, between;

a first position at which the upstream end of the guide is located relative to the downstream end of the main body guide such that the developing shaft is movable from the main body guide to the guide; and

a second position at which the upstream end of the guide is shifted, from the first position, relative to the downstream end of the main body guide; and

wherein, in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are installed in the apparatus main body, the swing plate is located at the second position and causes the developing roller to contact or be adjacent to the photosensitive drum.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a swing center of the swing plate is located at a higher position than the developing roller in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the developing cartridge includes:

a frame configured to accommodate toner; and

a protrusion protruding from the frame and including a part of the developing shaft; and

wherein the swing plate includes a first pressing spring configured to, in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body, press the protrusion downward from above and cause the protrusion to contact the guide.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus main body includes a second pressing spring located at a lower side of the swing plate, the second pressing spring being configured to press the swing plate in a direction from the second position toward the first position.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the apparatus main body includes a third pressing spring located at an opposite side from the second pressing spring with respect to the guide;

and

wherein the third pressing spring is configured to, in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body, press the developing cartridge and cause the swing plate to be located at the second position against the second pressing spring.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein pressing force of the third pressing spring is larger than pressing force of the second pressing spring.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus main body includes a cam configured to move by interlocking with movement of the cover;

and

wherein the cam is configured to move between;

a pressing position at which, in a state where the cover is located at the open position, the cam presses the swing plate toward the first position; and

a pressing release position at which, in a state where the cover is located at the closed position, the cam stops pressing against the swing plate to cause the swing plate to be located at the second position.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus main body includes a contact member configured to move by interlocking with movement of the cover;

and

wherein the contact member is configured to move between;

a contact position at which the contact member contacts the developing cartridge in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body and where the cover is located at the closed position; and

a noncontact position at which the contact member does not contact the developing cartridge in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body and where the cover is located at the open position.

16. An image forming apparatus comprising:

an apparatus main body including;

a main casing having an opening; and

a cover configured to rotatably move about a rotational axis between an open position at which the opening is opened and a closed position at which the opening is closed;

a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum and configured to be installed into the apparatus main body through the opening;

a developing cartridge including a developing roller and configured to be installed into the apparatus main body through the opening; and

a swing plate attached swingably to the apparatus main body, the swing plate being configured to support the developing cartridge, the swing plate including a guide configured to guide installation of the developing cartridge into the apparatus main body, the swing plate being configured to swingably move in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are installed in the apparatus main body, thereby causing the developing roller to move relative to the photosensitive drum,

wherein the apparatus main body includes a main body guide configured to guide installation of the developing cartridge into the apparatus main body, the main body guide being configured to guide the developing cartridge toward the swing plate;

wherein, in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body, the swing plate is configured to swingably move between;

a first position at which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum; and

a second position at which the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum or the developing roller is close to the photosensitive drum than at the first position;

wherein, in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body and where the swing plate is located at the first position, the swing plate allows the developing cartridge to be guided from the main body guide to the swing plate;

wherein a swing center of the swing plate is located at a lower position than the developing roller in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body;

wherein the apparatus main body includes a pressing member configured to move by interlocking with movement of the cover; and

wherein the pressing member is configured to move between;

a pressing position at which the pressing member presses the swing plate toward the second position in a state where the cover is located at the closed position; and

a pressing release position at which pressing against the swing plate is stopped to cause the swing plate to be located at the first position in a state where the cover is located at the open position.

17. An image forming apparatus comprising:

an apparatus main body including;

a main casing having an opening; and

a cover configured to rotatably move about a rotational axis between an open position at which the opening is opened and a closed position at which the opening is closed;

a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum and configured to be installed into the apparatus main body through the opening;

a developing cartridge including a developing roller and configured to be installed into the apparatus main body through the opening; and

a swing plate attached swingably to the apparatus main body, the swing plate being configured to support the developing cartridge, the swing plate including a guide configured to guide installation of the developing cartridge into the apparatus main body, the swing plate being configured to swingably move in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are installed in the apparatus main body, thereby causing the developing roller to move relative to the photosensitive drum,

wherein the developing roller includes a developing shaft extending along a rotational axis of the developing roller;

wherein the apparatus main body includes a main body guide configured to guide installation of the developing cartridge into the apparatus main body, the main body guide being configured to guide the developing cartridge toward the swing plate;

wherein the main body guide extends in an installation direction of the developing cartridge, the main body guide having an upstream end and a downstream end in the installation direction of the developing cartridge;

wherein the guide extends in the installation direction of the developing cartridge, the guide having an upstream end and a downstream end in the installation direction of the developing cartridge;

wherein the swing plate is configured to swingably move, about a direction intersecting the installation direction of the developing cartridge, between;

a first position at which the upstream end of the guide is located relative to the downstream end of the main body guide such that the developing shaft is movable from the main body guide to the guide; and

a second position at which the upstream end of the guide is shifted, from the first position, relative to the downstream end of the main body guide;

wherein, in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are installed in the apparatus main body, the swing plate is located at the second position and causes the developing roller to contact or be adjacent to the photosensitive drum;

wherein a swing center of the swing plate is located at a higher position than the developing roller in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body;

wherein the developing cartridge includes;

a frame configured to accommodate toner; and

a protrusion protruding from the frame and including a part of the developing shaft;

wherein the swing plate includes a first pressing spring configured to, in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body, press the protrusion downward from above and cause the protrusion to contact the guide; and

wherein the apparatus main body includes a second pressing spring located at a lower side of the swing plate, the second pressing spring being configured to press the swing plate in a direction from the second position toward the first position.

18. An image forming apparatus comprising:

an apparatus main body including;

a main casing having an opening; and

a cover configured to rotatably move about a rotational axis between an open position at which the opening is opened and a closed position at which the opening is closed;

a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum and configured to be installed into the apparatus main body through the opening;

a developing cartridge including a developing roller and configured to be installed into the apparatus main body through the opening; and

a swing plate attached swingably to the apparatus main body, the swing plate being configured to support the developing cartridge, the swing plate including a guide configured to guide installation of the developing cartridge into the apparatus main body, the swing plate being configured to swingably move in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are installed in the apparatus main body, thereby causing the developing roller to move relative to the photosensitive drum,

wherein the developing roller includes a developing shaft extending along a rotational axis of the developing roller;

wherein the apparatus main body includes a main body guide configured to guide installation of the developing cartridge into the apparatus main body, the main body guide being configured to guide the developing cartridge toward the swing plate;

wherein the main body guide extends in an installation direction of the developing cartridge, the main body guide having an upstream end and a downstream end in the installation direction of the developing cartridge;

wherein the guide extends in the installation direction of the developing cartridge, the guide having an upstream end and a downstream end in the installation direction of the developing cartridge;

wherein the swing plate is configured to swingably move, about a direction intersecting the installation direction of the developing cartridge, between;

a first position at which the upstream end of the guide is located relative to the downstream end of the main body guide such that the developing shaft is movable from the main body guide to the guide; and

a second position at which the upstream end of the guide is shifted, from the first position, relative to the downstream end of the main body guide;

wherein, in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are installed in the apparatus main body, the swing plate is located at the second position and causes the developing roller to contact or be adjacent to the photosensitive drum;

wherein the apparatus main body includes a cam configured to move by interlocking with movement of the cover; and

wherein the cam is configured to move between;

a pressing position at which, in a state where the cover is located at the open position, the cam presses the swing plate toward the first position; and

a pressing release position at which, in a state where the cover is located at the closed position, the cam stops pressing against the swing plate to cause the swing plate to be located at the second position.