Electrophotographic image forming apparatus, developing apparatus, and coupling member

• US 10,712,709 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2019
• Issued: 07/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Morioka, Masanari, Miyabe, Shiego, Ueno, Takahito
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, Francis C
• Application Number:
  US16/574,433
• Publication Number:
  US 20200012231A1
• Time in Patent Office: 300 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/10 Quick-acting couplings in which the parts are connected by simply bringing them together axially
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/101 without axial retaining means rotating with the coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 3/04 specially adapted to allow radial displacement, e.g. Oldham couplings
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0121 for developing
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0173 plural rotations of recording member to produce multicoloured copy, e.g. rotating set of developing units G03G15/0163 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/08 using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/081 characterised by the developer handling means after the supply and before the regulating, e.g. means for preventing developer blocking
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0815 characterised by the developer handling means after the developing zone and before the supply, e.g. developer recovering roller
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0865 Arrangements for supplying new developer
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0896 Arrangements or disposition of the complete developer unit or parts thereof not provided for by groups G03G15/08 - G03G15/0894
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1647 Mechanical connection means
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1676 for the developer unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/186 Axial couplings
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/0177 Rotating set of developing units
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1657 transmitting mechanical drive power

Abstract

A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a driving shaft rotatable by a motor and having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member, the developing device being mountable to the movable member, and the developing device being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft in response to movement of the movable member in one direction with the developing device mounted to the movable member, the developing device includes i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis; and ii) a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller, the coupling member including, a rotating force receiving portion engageable with the rotating force applying portion to receive a rotating force from the driving shaft, and a rotating force transmitting portion for transmitting the rotating force received through the rotating force receiving portion to the developing roller, the coupling member being capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the developing roller to the developing roller, a pre-engagement angular position which is taken before the coupling member is engaged with the rotating force applying portion and in which the coupling member is inclined away from the rotational force transmitting angular position, and a disengaging angular position which is taken for the coupling member to disengage from the driving shaft and in which the coupling member is inclined away from the rotational force transmitting angular position in a direction opposite to the pre-engagement angular position; wherein in response to a movement of the developing device when the movable member moves in the one direction, the coupling member moves from the pre-engagement angular position to the rotational force transmitting angular position to be opposed to the driving shaft, and wherein when the movable member makes a further movement in the one direction from a position where the coupling member is opposed to the driving shaft, in response to the further movement, the coupling member is disengaged from the driving shaft by moving from the rotational force transmitting angular position to the disengaging angular position.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus cartridge comprising:

a casing;

developer contained within the casing;

a developer roller having an axis L1, the developer roller being rotatably supported by the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1; and

a coupling member having an axis L2 about which the coupling member is rotatable and a free end portion for receiving a rotational force, the free end portion including at least two projections that are positioned at least partly outside of the casing, each of the at least two projections being open to the axis L2 and having a slanted surface with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis L2, the coupling member being operatively connected to the developer roller in order to be capable of transmitting the rotational force to the developer roller,

wherein the coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis L1 of the developer roller such that the axis L2 does not pass through the developer roller, (ii) a second position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position, and (iii) a third position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position in a direction opposite to the direction the coupling member is inclined when in the second position.

2. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:

a first gear operatively connected to the developer roller; and

a second gear in meshing engagement with the first gear,

wherein the coupling member is operatively connected to the developer roller via the first and second gears.

3. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 2, wherein, when the coupling member is in the first position, the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with an axis about which the second gear is rotatable.

4. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 2, wherein the second gear has a hollow portion, and at least part of the coupling member is positioned within the hollow portion of the second gear.

5. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 2, wherein the second gear is connected to the coupling member such that the coupling member can partially rotate about the axis L2 without transmitting a force to the second gear.

6. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 2, wherein each projection has a tip, and when the coupling member is in the first position, the tip of each projection is the same distance from the second gear.

7. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 2, wherein the coupling member has an outermost surface, and for at least part of the outermost surface, a maximum distance from the axis L2 to the outermost surface along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 increases as the distance along the axis L2 from the second gear increases.

8. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 2, wherein the coupling member has an outermost surface, and at least part of the outermost surface tapers inwardly toward the axis L2 as the distance along the axis L2 towards the second gear decreases.

9. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 1, wherein an angle at which the axis L2 is inclined when the coupling member is in the second position is different than an angle at which the axis L2 is inclined when the coupling member is in the third position.

10. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 1, wherein, when the coupling member is in the second position or the third position, the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined between 20 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position.

11. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 1, wherein, in addition to being inclinable, the coupling member is retractable towards an inside of the casing.

12. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 11, further comprising a spring biasing the coupling member towards outside of the casing.

14. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 7, further comprising:

a first gear operatively connected to the developer roller; and

a second gear in meshing engagement with the first gear,

wherein the coupling member is operatively connected to the developer roller via the first and second gears.

15. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 14, wherein, when the coupling member is in the first position, the axis L16 of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with an axis about which the second gear is rotatable.

16. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 14, wherein the second gear has a hollow portion, and at least part of the coupling member is positioned within the hollow portion of the second gear.

17. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 14, wherein the second gear is connected to the coupling member such that the coupling member can partially rotate about the axis L2 without transmitting a force to the second gear.

18. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 14, wherein each projection has a tip, and when the coupling member is in the first position, the tip of each projection is the same distance from the second gear.

19. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 14, wherein the coupling member has an outermost surface, and for at least part of the outermost surface, a maximum distance from the axis L2 to the outermost surface along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 increases as the distance along the axis L2 from the second gear increases.

20. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 14, wherein the coupling member has an outermost surface, and at least part of the outermost surface tapers inwardly toward the axis L2 as the distance along the axis L2 towards the second gear decreases.

13. An image forming apparatus cartridge comprising:

a casing;

developer contained within the casing;

a developer roller having an axis L1, the developer roller being rotatably supported by the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1; and

a coupling member having an axis L2 about which the coupling member is rotatable and a free end portion for receiving a rotational force, the free end portion including at least two projections that are positioned at least partly outside of the casing, each of the at least two projections being open to the axis L2 and having a slanted surface with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis L2, the coupling member being operatively connected to the developer roller in order to be capable of transmitting the rotational force to the developer roller,

wherein the coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis L1 of the developer roller such that the axis L2 does not pass through the developer roller and (ii) a second position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position.

21. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 13, wherein, when the coupling member is in the second position, the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined between 20 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position.

22. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 13, wherein, in addition to being inclinable, the coupling member is retractable towards an inside of the casing.

23. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 22, further comprising a spring biasing the coupling member towards outside of the casing.

24. An image forming apparatus cartridge comprising:

a casing;

developer contained within the casing;

a developer roller having an axis L1, the developer roller being rotatably supported by the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1; and

a coupling member having an axis L2 about which the coupling member is rotatable and a free end portion for receiving a rotational force, the free end portion including at least one projection that is positioned at least partly outside of the casing, the at least one projection being open to the axis L2 and having a slanted surface with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis L2, the coupling member being operatively connected to the developer roller in order to be capable of transmitting the rotational force to the developer roller,

wherein the coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis L1 of the developer roller so that the axis L2 does not pass through the developer roller, (ii) a second position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position, and (iii) a third position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position in a direction opposite to the direction the coupling member is inclined when in the second position.

25. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 24, further comprising:

a first gear operatively connected to the developer roller; and

a second gear in meshing engagement with the first gear,

wherein the coupling member is operatively connected to the developer roller via the first and second gears.

26. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 25, wherein, when the coupling member is in the first position, the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with an axis about which the second gear is rotatable.

27. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 25, wherein the second gear has a hollow portion, and at least part of the coupling member is positioned within the hollow portion of the second gear.

28. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 25, wherein the second gear is connected to the coupling member such that the coupling member can partially rotate about the axis L2 without transmitting a force to the second gear.

29. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 24, wherein the free end portion includes a recess facing outside of the casing.

30. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 24, wherein the coupling member has an outermost surface, and for at least part of the outermost surface, a maximum distance from the axis L2 to the outermost surface along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 increases as the distance along the axis L2 from the second gear increases.

31. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 24, wherein the coupling member has an outermost surface, and at least part of the outermost surface tapers inwardly toward the axis L2 as the distance along the axis L2 towards the second gear decreases.

32. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 24, wherein an angle at which the axis L2 is inclined when the coupling member is in the second position is different than an angle at which the axis L2 is inclined when the coupling member is in the third position.

33. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 24, wherein, when the coupling member is in the second position or the third position, the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined between 20 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position.

34. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 24, wherein, in addition to being inclinable, the coupling member is retractable towards an inside of the casing.

35. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 34, further comprising a spring biasing the coupling member towards outside of the casing.

36. An image forming apparatus cartridge comprising:

a casing;

developer contained within the casing;

a developer roller having an axis L1, the developer roller being rotatably supported by the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1; and

a coupling member having an axis L2 about which the coupling member is rotatable and a free end portion for receiving a rotational force, the free end portion including at least one projection that is positioned at least partly outside of the casing, the at least one projection being open to the axis L2 and having a slanted surface with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis L2, the coupling member being operatively connected to the developer roller in order to be capable of transmitting the rotational force to the developer roller,

wherein the coupling member is movable between (i) a first position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis L1 of the developer roller so that the axis L2 does not pass through the developer roller and (ii) a second position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position.

37. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 36, further comprising:

a first gear operatively connected to the developer roller; and

a second gear in meshing engagement with the first gear,

wherein the coupling member is operatively connected to the developer roller via the first and second gears.

38. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 37, wherein, when the coupling member is in the first position, the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with an axis about which the second gear is rotatable.

39. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 37, wherein the second gear has a hollow portion, and at least part of the coupling member is positioned within the hollow portion of the second gear.

40. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 37, wherein the second gear is connected to the coupling member such that the coupling member can partially rotate about the axis L2 without transmitting a force to the second gear.

41. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 36, wherein the free end portion includes a recess facing outside of the casing.

42. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 36, wherein the coupling member has an outermost surface, and for at least part of the outermost surface, a maximum distance from the axis L2 to the outermost surface along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 increases as the distance along the axis L2 from the second gear increases.

43. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 36, wherein the coupling member has an outermost surface, and at least part of the outermost surface tapers inwardly toward the axis L2 as the distance along the axis L2 towards the second gear decreases.

44. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 36, wherein, when the coupling member is in the second position, the axis L2 of the coupling member is inclined between 20 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to the position of the axis L2 when the coupling member is in the first position.

45. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 36, wherein, in addition to being inclinable, the coupling member is retractable towards an inside of the casing.

46. The image forming apparatus cartridge of claim 45, further comprising a spring biasing the coupling member towards outside of the casing.