Process cartridge having regulating portions and an inclineable coupling member

• US 8,135,304 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2008
• Issued: 03/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Abe, Daisuke, Morioka, Masanari
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bolduc, David
• Application Number:
  US12/241,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20090317129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,260 Days
• Field of Search: 399/111, 399/167
• US Class Current: 399/111
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/751 relating to drum G03G15/757 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/757 Drive mechanisms for photosensitive medium, e.g. gears
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/18 using a processing cartridge , whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/186 Axial couplings
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1864 associated with a positioning function
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1654 Locks and means for positioning or alignment
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1657 transmitting mechanical drive power

Abstract

A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which includes a rotating force applying portion. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a first frame unit supporting the drum, a second frame unit supporting the roller and swingably connected with the first frame unit, a coupling, mounted to the drum, for receiving a rotating force for rotating the drum from the rotating force applying portion when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, first, second and third cartridge side portions to be positioned engageable respectively with first, second and third main assembly side positioning portions provided in the main assembly to regulate movement of the first frame unit in a longitudinal direction of the drum or to position the drum in a radial direction when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and first unit side and drum side regulating portions.

Claims

1. A process cartridge comprising:

an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;

a drum flange fixed to one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;

a coupling member that receives a rotating force for rotating said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and transmits the rotating force to said electrophotographic photosensitive drum through said drum flange;

a first regulating portion that regulates movement of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a direction from the one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum to the other longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and

a second regulating portion that regulates movement of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a direction from the other longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum to the one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum,

wherein said drum flange has a first regulated portion capable of being regulated by said first regulating portion, a second regulated portion capable of being regulated by said second regulating portion, and a connecting portion that is connected with said coupling member so that a rotational axis of said coupling member is inclineable relative to a rotational axis of said drum flange.

2. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said first regulating portion is provided at one end of said drum flange, and said second regulating portion is provided at the other end of said drum flange.

3. A process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a bearing member rotatably supporting said drum flange,

wherein said bearing member includes said second regulating portion.

4. A process cartridge according to claim 3, further comprising a frame to which said bearing member is fixed,

wherein said frame includes said first regulating portion.

5. A process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a developing roller that develops a latent image provided on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum,

wherein said electrophotographic photosensitive drum has a gear portion that transmits a rotational force from said coupling member to said developing roller.

6. A process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein said gear portion is positioned between said first regulated portion and said second regulated portion.

7. A process cartridge according to claim 6, further comprising a tapered portion provided at each of both ends, with respect to a rotational direction of said drum flange, of said first regulating portion.