Developing apparatus

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a developing apparatus used with an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer and the like, and more particularly, it relates to a developing apparatus including a developer containing container having an agitating member therein.

[0004] Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus serves to form an image on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic image forming process, and as examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, for example, there are an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, laser beam printer, LED printer and the like), an electrophotographic facsimile apparatus, electrophotographic word processor and the like.

[0005] Further, a process cartridge may incorporate electrifying means, developing means or cleaning means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as a cartridge unit which is detachably attachable to a main body of an image forming apparatus or may incorporate at least one of electrifying means, developing means and cleaning means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as a cartridge unit which is detachably attachable to main body of an image forming apparatus or may incorporate at least developing means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as a cartridge unit which is detachably attachable to a main body of an image forming apparatus. Incidentally, the present invention also relates to an process cartridge including developing means.

[0006] 2. Related Background Art

[0007] Conventionally, in connection with an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, there has been proposed a process cartridge system in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally incorporated as a cartridge unit which is detachably attachable to a main body of an image forming apparatus. According to such a process cartridge system, since the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by an operator himself without any expert, the operability can be improved considerably. Thus, the process cartridge system has widely been used in image forming apparatuses.

[0008] In such a process cartridge, a bearing member attached to a developing apparatus is provided with a seal member for preventing leakage of toner.

[0009] For example, there are bearings disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 11-133738 (FIG. 8) and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 11-102107 (FIG. 7).

[0010] However, there is no idea that these bearings can easily be disassembled to facilitate the maintenance or to facilitate the recycle of the bearings.

[0011] The present invention is made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a developing apparatus having a bearing which can easily be disassembled.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a developing apparatus comprising a developer containing container, an agitating member for agitating developer contained in the developer containing container, a drive transmitting member for transmitting a power to the agitating member by engaging a rotary shaft of the agitating member, and a bearing adapted to rotatably hold the drive transmitting member and attached to the developer containing container, and wherein the bearing has dislodgment preventing means with respect to the developer containing container.

[0013] The other objects and features of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed explanation of the invention referring to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a process cartridge;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a front view of the process cartridge;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a right side view of the process cartridge;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a left side view of the process cartridge;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the process cartridge;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a back view of the process cartridge;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the process cartridge, looked at from the right;

[0022] FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the process cartridge, looked at from the left;

[0023] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the process cartridge in a reverse condition, looked at from an oblique rear side;

[0024] FIG. 11 is a front view of an electrifying unit;

[0025] FIG. 12 is a front view of the electrifying unit of FIG. 11, with a blade omitted;

[0026] FIG. 13 is a back view of a developing unit, with a rear cover omitted;

[0027] FIG. 14 is a front view of the developing unit, with a front cover omitted;

[0028] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating interior of the rear cover;

[0029] FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating interior of the front cover;

[0030] FIG. 17 is a side view of the developing unit;

[0031] FIG. 18 is a front view showing a support portion for a developing sleeve;

[0032] FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view showing support for an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a driving device;

[0033] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a driving side drum flange;

[0034] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the process cartridge, with the rear cover omitted, looked at from a lower oblique rear side;

[0035] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing assembling of a bearing member;

[0036] FIG. 23 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bearing member;

[0037] FIG. 24 is a sectional view showing a connection between an agitating screw and an agitating gear;

[0038] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the bearing member;

[0039] FIG. 26 is a longitudinal sectional view of a bearing member according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0040] FIG. 27 is a sectional view showing a connection between an agitating screw and an agitating gear according to another embodiment.

[0041] The present invention will now be explained in connection with embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] In the following description, a term “longitudinal direction” means a direction transverse to a conveying direction of a recording medium and parallel with the recording medium. Further, a term “upper” of a process cartridge means an upper side of the process cartridge in a mounting condition.

[0043] FIG. 1 is a view showing an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus includes image forming portions 31Y, 31M, 31C and 31BK for forming toner images on photosensitive drums as image bearing members, an intermediate transfer belt 4ato which the toner images are temporarily transferred, a secondary transfer roller 40 as transferring means for transferring the toner images on the belt 4aonto a recording medium 2, sheet feeding means for feeding out the recording medium 2 between the intermediate transfer belt 4aand the secondary transfer roller 40, sheet conveying means for conveying the recording medium to the transferring means, fixing means, and sheet discharging means.

[0044] Now, image formation will be described.

[0045] As shown, a sheet feeding cassette 3afor stacking and containing a plurality of recording media 2 (for example, recording papers, OHP sheets, cloths or the like) is detachably mounted to the image forming apparatus. The recording media 2 picked up from the sheet feeding cassette 3aby means of a pick-up roller 3bare separated one by one by means of a pair of retard rollers 3c, and the separated recording medium is conveyed to a registration roller pair 3gby pairs of conveying rollers 3d,3f.

[0046] When the recording medium 2 is conveyed, the registration roller pair 3gis stopped, so that, by abutting the recording medium against a nip of the registration roller pair, skew-feed of the recording medium 2 is corrected.

[0047] In case of a four-drum full-color system, as shown, four process cartridges BY, BM, BC, BB including image bearing members for yellow, magenta, cyan and black colors are juxtaposed. Optical scanning systems 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1BK are associated with the respective process cartridges BY, BM, BC, BB, so that, after respective color toner images are formed on the photosensitive drums in response to image signals, the toner images are successively transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 4a(running in a direction shown by the arrow) in a superimposed fashion by means of transfer rollers 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4BK).

[0048] Thereafter, the recording medium 2 is sent out to the secondary transfer roller 40 at a predetermined timing, and the toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 4aare collectively transferred onto the recording medium 2. After the toner images are fixed to the recording medium by means of a fixing device 5, the recording medium is discharged onto a tray 6 on a main body 14 of the apparatus via pairs of discharge rollers 3h,2i.

[0049] The image forming portions 31Y, 31M, 31C and 31BK constitute the process cartridges BY, BM, BC, BB, respectively, except for the optical scanning systems 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1BK. Since constructions of the process cartridges are identical, only the process cartridge BY will be described.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, in the process cartridge BY, electrifying means, an exposure portion, developing means and a transfer opening are arranged around a photosensitive drum 7. In the illustrated embodiment, two-component developer including magnetic carrier powder is used. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, although a usually used organic photosensitive member can be used as the photosensitive drum 7, desirably, when a photosensitive member in which a surface layer made of material having resistance of 10²to 10¹⁴Ω·cm is provided on the organic photosensitive member or an amorphous silicon photosensitive member is used, charge injection electrifying can be realized, thereby preventing generation of ozone and reducing power consumption. Further, the electrifying ability can be improved.

[0051] Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, a photosensitive drum 7 in which a negatively charged organic photosensitive member is provided on a drum substrate made of aluminium was used.

[0052] The electrifying means comprises a magnet brush electrifier 8 using magnetic carrier.

[0053] In the electrifier 8, a fixed magnet 8bis disposed within a hollow cylindrical electrifying roller 8arotatably supported. After the transferring, residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is picked up by the electrifier 8 rotated in a direction shown by the arrow.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, as the developing means, a system for effecting developing with two-component developer in a contacted condition (two-component contacting developing) is used.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows two-component magnet brush developing means 10 used in the illustrated embodiment. A developing sleeve 10dis a hollow cylinder rotatably supported. A fixed magnet 10cis disposed within the developing sleeve 10d.The developing sleeve 10dis rotated in the same direction as the photosensitive drum 7 so that a peripheral surface is shifted in a direction opposite to a shifting direction of a peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7. The photosensitive drum 7 is not contacted with the developing sleeve 10dto define a gap of about 0.2 to 1.0 mm therebetween, so that the developing is effected in a condition that the developer is contacted with the photosensitive drum 7.

[0056] The toner mixed with the carrier is supplied by agitating screws 10g,10hdisposed within a casing partitioned by a longitudinal partition wall 10fexcept for both ends. The toner supplied from a toner supplying container (not shown) is dropped onto one end of the agitating screw log and is agitating while being sent toward one longitudinal direction and then is passed through an opening of the partition wall 10fat the other end and then is shifted toward one end by the agitating screw 10hand then is passed through an opening of the partition wall 10fat said one end and thus is agitated by the agitating screw 10hwhile being sent. In this way, the toner is circulated.

[0057] Now, a developing process for visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 by means of a two-component magnet brush method using the developing apparatus 10 and a developer circulating system will be explained. First of all, while the developer is being carried, the developer is regulated by a regulating blade, i.e., developing blade 10edisposed perpendicular to the developing sleeve 10d,thereby forming a thin developer layer on the developing sleeve 10d.When the thin developer layer is carried to a main developing pole, developer chains are formed by a magnetic force. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is developed by the developer chains, and, thereafter, the developer on the developing sleeve 10dis returned to a developing container 10aby a repelling magnetic field.

[0058] DC voltage and AC voltage are applied to the developing sleeve 10dfrom a power supply (not shown). In general, in the two-component developing method, when the AC voltage is applied, although developing efficiency is increased and a high quality image can be obtained, fog is apt to occur. Thus, normally, by providing potential difference between the CD voltage applied to the developing sleeve 10dand surface potential of the photosensitive drum 7, during the developing, the toner is prevented from adhering to nonimage area.

[0059] The toner images are then transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 4aby an intermediate transferring device 4. In the intermediate transferring device 4, the endless belt 4ais wound around a driving roller 4b,a driven roller 4 and a secondary transfer counter roller 4dto be turned in a direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 1. Further, within the inside of the transfer belt 4a, there are provided transfer electrifying rollers 4Y, 4M, 4C and 4BK, which transfer electrifying rollers generate pressurizing forces directing toward the photosensitive drums 7 from the inside of the belt 4a. Meanwhile, by applying voltage to the transfer electrifying rollers from high voltage sources to effect electrifying having polarity opposite to that of the toner from the back side of the belt 4a, the toner images on the photosensitive drums 7 are successively transferred onto the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4a.

[0060] The intermediate transfer belt 4acan be made of polyimide resin. The material of the belt 4ais not limited to the polyimide resin, but, for example, dielectric plastic material such as polycarbonate resin, polyethylene telephalate resin, polychlorovinylidene resin, polyethylene naphthalate resin, polyether ether ketone resin, polyether sulfone resin or polyurethane resin, fluororubber or silicone rubber can suitably be used.

[0061] After the toner image is transferred, transfer-residual toner is remaining on the photosensitive drum 7. If such residual toner is passed through the electrifier as it is, electrifying potential of only a remaining image portion will be reduced or a pre-image portion in a next image will become thinner or denser (referred to as “ghost phenomenon” hereinafter). Even after the residual toner is passed below the electrifying magnet brush contacted with the photosensitive drum 7, in almost causes, the shape of the pre-image is remained as it is. Thus, as the photosensitive drum 7 is rotated, the residual toner reached to the electrifying area must be removed by the magnet brush electrifier 8 to erase history of the pre-image. Here, although the residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 often includes positively charged particles and negatively charged particles due to peel discharging in the transferring, it is desirable that the residual toner is positively charged to facilitate the collection of the toner into the magnet brush electrifier 8.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, a conductive brush 11 is contacted with the photosensitive drum 7 between the intermediate transferring device 4 and the magnet brush electrifier 8 and bias having polarity opposite to the electrifying bias is applied to the brush. The positively charged residual toner is passed through the magnet brush electrifier 8; whereas, the negatively charged residual toner is temporarily caught by the conductive brush 11, and, after electricity is removed, it is returned again onto the photosensitive drum 7. In this way, the residual toner is apt to be collected toward the magnet brush.

[0063] (Construction of frame of process cartridge)

[0064] In the process cartridge B (BY, BM, BC, BB), an electrifying unit C in which the electrifying roller 8a,regulating blade 8cand electrifying brush 11 are incorporated via an electrifying frame 13 is assembled to a developing unit D in which the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7 and developing means 10 are incorporated via a developing frame 12. Further, the developing unit D and electrifying unit C are positioned and joined at both longitudinal ends by a front cover 16 and a rear cover 17 (FIG. 4).

[0065] FIGS. 3 to 7 show the process cartridge B (BY, BM, BC, BB), where FIG. 3 is a front view, FIG. 4 is a right side view, FIG. 5 is a left side view, FIG. 6 is a plan view and FIG. 7 is a back view. FIGS. 8 to 10 are perspective view of the process cartridge B, where FIG. 8 is a perspective view looked at from a front oblique direction, FIG. 9 is a perspective view looked at from a rear oblique direction, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view looked at from a rear oblique direction, with a bottom surface reversed to face upwardly.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 2, in the electrifying unit C, the electrifying roller 8a,regulating blade 8cand conductive brush 11 are integrated by the electrifying frame 13. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 8, 9 and 10, the electrifying frame 13 forms a part of an outer frame of the process cartridge B. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, a lower edge 13aof the electrifying frame 13 is disposed closely adjacent to the photosensitive drum 7 to define a gap therebetween and in parallel with the photosensitive drum 7. A vertical wall 13bconstituting a part of the outer frame of the process cartridge B extends from the lower edge 13asubstantially vertically and is curved at an upper part to define a corner 13c. A top plate portion 13dextends from the corner 13csubstantially horizontally and has a substantially key-shaped cross-section, and, a space is defined below the top plate portion 13d,and member attaching portions 13e,13f(FIG. 8) are integrally formed with the vertical wall 13bat both longitudinal ends.

[0067] FIG. 11 is a side view looked at from the interior of the electrifying unit C. At a front side one end of the electrifying unit 13 in a mounting direction of the process cartridge B (the process cartridge is mounted to the main body 14 from a front side in the longitudinal direction), an electrifying roller bearing 22 and an end cover 24 are secured by screws. Further, a gear unit 24 is secured to the other end by screws.

[0068] FIG. 12 is a side view of the electrifying unit C with regulating blade 8cand support metal plate 8domitted. As shown in FIG. 12, each blade attachement seat portions 13graised from the member attachement portions 13e,13fvia steps is provided with a female threaded portion 13hand a dowel 13iin a surface contacted with the regulating blade 8c.A longitudinal seal member 21asuch as sponge is adhered to a surface retarded from the seat portions 13g. Further, seal members 21bsuch as felt for preventing the developer from leaking axially outwardly are adhered to seal portions 8a1 at both ends of the electrifying roller 8aalong a circumferential direction. Accordingly, portions of the electrifying frame 13 opposed to the seal portions 8a1 at both ends of the electrifying roller 8aare arcuate surfaces coaxial with the electrifying roller 8a.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 2, the metallic regulating blade 8cis spaced apart from the electrifying roller 8aand is secured to the support metal plate 8dby small screws 8j.The support metal plate 8dhas a groove-shaped section and is fitted onto the dowels 13iof the seat portions 13gof the electrifying frame 13. Further, the support metal plate 8dabuts against the seat portions 13gby threading small screws 8kinto the female threaded portions 13hof the seat portions 13gthrough holes formed in the support metal plate 8dand the seal member 21ais compressed by the support metal plate 8d.Further, the seal members 21bnear the seat portions 13gare compressed by the support metal plate 8d.The support metal plate 8dhas very high rigidity, and the electrifying frame 13 is reinforced by securing the support metal plate to the electrifying frame 13.

[0070] (Mounting of electrifying unit)

[0071] The electrifying unit C is supported by the developing frame 12 for swinging movement around a swing center SC shown in FIG. 2. To this end, as shown in FIG. 11, a gear case 26 of a gear unit 24 secured to a longitudinal rear side of the electrifying frame 13 is provided with a cylindrical shaft portion 26acentered on the swing center SC, and an end cover 23 at the other longitudinal end is provided with a hole 23acentered on the swing center SC.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 2, the developing frame 12 has a lower portion 12fadapted to contain the agitating screws 10g,10hat both sides of the partition wall 10fand having a seat portion 12eto which the regulating blade 10eis attached, a side portion 12gforming a left side outer frame of the process cartridge B looked at from the mounting direction, and end plate portions 12h(that side) and 12i(this side) on both longitudinal ends as shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 17. One end plate portion 12his provided with a hole 12jfor rotatably supporting the cylindrical shaft portion 26aof the electrifying unit C via a bearing. The other end plate portion 12iis provided with a hole 12mhaving the same diameter as that of the 23aof the electrifying frame 13. In a condition that the cylindrical shaft portion 26aof the electrifying unit C is inserted into the hole 12jof the end plate portion 12hof the developing frame 12, the cylindrical fitting hole 23 of the electrifying unit C is aligned with the hole 12mof the end plate portion 12iof the developing frame 12. When the rear cover 17 at that side looked at from the mounting direction of the process cartridge B is aligned to coincide with the end of the developing frame 13, an outer periphery of a hollow cylindrical shaft support portion 17a(FIGS. 11 and 15) protruded in the longitudinal direction in the inside of the rear cover 17 is fitted into the hole 12jof the developing frame 12 and at the same time an inner periphery of the shaft support portion is fitted onto the cylindrical shaft portion 26aof the electrifying unit C. Further, a support shaft 27 (FIGS. 11 and 14) fitted in the hole 12mof the end plate portion 12iof the developing frame 12 and protruded therefrom is fitted into the hole 23aof the electrifying unit C. In this way, in the electrifying unit C, the cylindrical shaft portion 26ais rotatably supported by the end cover 17 at one end and the hole 23ais rotatably supported by the developing frame 12 at the other end.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, at an upper part of the developing frame 12, a top plate 29 is secured to the developing frame 12 by small screws 28 while abutting against inside of an upper guide portion 12aof the side plate 12gand the end plate portions 12h,12i.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 2, two spring seats 29aare provided on the top plate 29 along a longitudinal direction. Compression coil springs 30 held in the spring seats 29aare compressed between the top plate 29 and the electrifying frame 13. By spring forces of the springs 30, the electrifying unit C is biased in a clockwise direction in FIG. 2 around the swing center SC.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 11, spacer rollers 8nare rotatably fitted on reduced diameter journal portions 8a2 at both ends of the electrifying roller 8a.The spacer rollers 8aabut against a nonimage are of the photosensitive drum 7 by the spring force of the compression coil springs 30. With this arrangement, the gap is defined between the photosensitive drum 7 and the electrifying roller 8a,so that the residual toner trying to pass through the gap between the electrifying roller 8aand the photosensitive drum 7 is caught by shifting the peripheral surface of the electrifying roller 8ain the direction opposite to the shifting direction of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 and by applying the electrifying bias to the electrifying roller 8a.

[0076] In the above description, a line connecting between the swing center and a center of the electrifying roller 8ais substantially perpendicular to a line connecting between the centers of the electrifying roller 8aand of the photosensitive drum 7.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 2, the developing sleeve 10dis rockably attached to the developing frame 12 for swinging movement around a pressurizing center SLv. As shown in FIG. 17, spacer rollers 10jhaving a radius greater than that of the developing sleeve 10dby an amount corresponding to the developing gap are fitted onto reduced diameter journal portions 10d1 at both ends of the developing sleeve 10d.Swing arms 32 into which the journal portions 10d1 are fitted are provided outside of the spacer rollers 10j.

[0078] FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a side surface of the swing arm 32 and therearound in a plane perpendicular to the developing sleeve 10d.Proximal ends of the swing arms 32 are rockably supported on support shafts 33 press-fitted in the both end plate portions 12h,12iof the developing frame 12 in the longitudinal direction. The swing arm 32 is provided with a bearing hole 32asubstantially above the support shaft 33 and a stopper portion 32babove the bearing hole. A spring seat 32cis provided on a line substantially perpendicular to a line connecting between the pressurizing center SLv and a center of the bearing hole 32a.

[0079] The both end journal portions 10d1 of the developing sleeve 10dare rotatably supported in the bearing holes 32aof the swing arms 32. Compression coil springs 35 are compressed between the spring seats 32cand spring seats 12nprovided on the end plate portions 12h,12iof the developing frame 12. With this arrangement, the developing sleeve 10dis rotated and pressurized around the pressurizing center SLv toward the photosensitive drum 7, so that the spacer rollers 10jabut against the nonimage area of the photosensitive drum 7, thereby maintaining a predetermined gap (0.2 to 1.0 mm) between the developing sleeve 10dand the photosensitive drum 7.

[0080] During assembling/disassembling, the stopper portions 32babut against a developing sleeve cover 36, thereby preventing the swing arms 32 from rotating outwardly in FIG. 18. Accordingly, in the assembled condition of the process cartridge B, the stoppers 32bdo not abut against the developing sleeve cover 36. Incidentally, the developing sleeve cover 36 extends between the both side swing arms 32 along the longitudinal direction and is secured to the developing frame 12 by screws.

[0081] (Mounting/dismounting construction of process cartridge) with respect to main body of image forming apparatus)

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 etc., flange-shaped guide portions 12a, 29bare provided on an upper part of the process cartridge at left and right looked at from the mounting/dismounting direction, and the guide portions 12a, 29bare engaged by guide rails (not shown) perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 during mounting and dismounting of the process cartridge with respect to the main body 14 of the image forming apparatus.

[0083] When the process cartridge B is mounted to the main body 14 of the image forming apparatus, contacts provided on the process cartridge are connected to contacts of the main body communicated with a high voltage power supply (not shown) provided on to the main body 14 of the image forming apparatus.

[0084] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, a drum grounding contact 101 communicated with the photosensitive drum 7 is provided at this side looked at from the mounting direction of the process cartridge B. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, a conductive brush contact 102 communicated with the conductive brush 11, an electrifying bias contact 103 communicated with the electrifying roller 8aand a developing bias contact 104 communicated with the developing sleeve 10dare provided at that side looked at from the mounting direction of the process cartridge B.

[0085] Three driving force receiving portions as shaft couplings rotated around a longitudinal shaft are provided on an end face at that side looked at from the mounting direction of the process cartridge B. When the process cartridge B is mounted to the main body 14 of the apparatus, the three driving force receiving portions are connected to driving members of the main body 14 of the apparatus.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 7, a coupling convex portion 37d,an electrifying portion coupling 38 and a developing portion coupling 39 as drum couplings are faced outwardly and located at positions retarded from the end face at that side of the process cartridge B.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 19, one end of the drum grounding contact 101 attached to the end plate portion 12iof the developing frame 12 is elastically contacted with a drum shaft 42. The drum grounding contact 101 is provided on the developing frame 12 and has the other end protruded from the process cartridge B to form an external contact.

[0088] In the assembling, a pin 43 can axially pass through a groove 12cprovided radially from a drum shaft support hole 12bof the end plate portion 12i.

[0089] A driving side drum flange 37 is provided with, in order in an axial direction, an attachment portion 37afitted into a drum cylinder 7a,a flange 37bcontacted with an end of the drum cylinder 37a,a journal portion 37chaving a diameter smaller than that of the flange 37b,and a coupling convex portion 37dconvex axially from an end face center of the journal portion 37c. The driving side drum flange 37 is a plastic one-piece formed by molding.

[0090] The journal portion 37cis rotatably fitted onto a shaft support portion 17aintegrally formed with the rear cover 17 and fitted into the hole 12dof the end plate portion 12hof the developing frame 12 via a collar 56.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 20, the coupling convex portion 37dis a twisted regular triangular prism centered on the drum shaft 42. A diameter of a circumscribed circle of the triangular prism is smaller than that of the journal portion 37c.

[0092] A driving device provided in the main body 14 of the apparatus includes a fixed motor 45, a pinion 46 secured to a motor shaft of the motor 45, a rotatably supported intermediate gear 47 meshed with the pinion 46 and a large gear 48, the large gear 48, a large gear shaft 49 secured to the large gear 48 and having a centering portion 57 at its end, a bearing 51 supporting the large gear shaft 49, and a coupling concave shaft 52. However, the intermediate gear 47 may be a plural-stage gear.

[0093] The bearing 51 supports the large gear shaft 49 not to shift the latter in the axial direction. A coupling concave portion 52ahas a twisted regular triangular hole which can be engaged and disengaged with respect to the coupling convex portion 37din the axial direction. When the coupling convex portion 37dis engaged by the coupling concave portion 52a,edge lines of the twisted regular triangular prism of the coupling convex portion 37dare contacted with faces of the twisted regular triangular hole of the coupling concave portion 52a,thereby aligning them with each other. The centering portion 57 and the coupling concave portion 52ahave minute circumferential plays. In this connection, the coupling concave shaft 52 is positioned at a position where it is most shifted toward the process cartridge B, and is supported for retarding movement in opposition to a spring force (detailed explanation will be omitted).

[0094] A support portion of a nondriving side of the drum shaft 42 is designed so that the drum shaft 42 cannot be shifted toward the other driving side. As shown, a shaft stop ring 53 is fitted on the drum shaft 42. A bearing 55 contained in the bearing case 54 secured to the front cover 16 secured to the end plate portion 12iof the developing frame 12 is fitted on the drum shaft 42 and is prevented from being shifted toward the other driving side of the drum shaft 42 by contacting the shaft stop ring 53 with the bearing case 54 with the interposition of the bearing 55. On the other hand, in the photosensitive drum 7, the shifting movement of the drum flange 37 toward the driving side is limited by the collar 56 fitted onto the journal portion 37c.In this arrangement, in order to permit the limited axial movement of the photosensitive drum 7, a distance between the shaft support portion 17aand the bearing 55 is selected to be greater than a distance between a surface of the shaft stop ring 53 facing to the shaft support portion 17aand a surface of the collar 56 facing to the bearing 55.

[0095] Since the driving device is constituted as mentioned above, when the process cartridge B is mounted to the main body 14 of the image forming apparatus, the longitudinal position of the cartridge frame (developing frame 12, front cover 16 and rear cover 17) with respect to the main body 14 of the apparatus is determined. A distal end portion 42aof the drum shaft 42 is fitted into a hole 57aof the centering portion 57 and the coupling convex portion 37dis fitted into the coupling concave portion 52a.When the motor 45 is rotated, the pinion 46, intermediate gear 47 and large gear 48 are rotated, with the result that the coupling concave shaft 52 is rotated via the large gear shaft 49 and the centering portion 57. This rotation causes the coupling convex portion 37dand the coupling concave portion 52ato twist each other in the fitting direction. As a result, since the drum flange 37 and the coupling concave shaft 52 are pulled toward each other, the distal end of the coupling convex portion 37dis contacted with the bottom of the coupling concave portion 52a.Thus, the axial position of the photosensitive drum 7 is determined with respect to the positioned coupling concave shaft 52.

[0096] When the process cartridge B is mounted to the main body 14 of the apparatus, if the coupling convex portion 37dis not fitted into the coupling concave portion 52a,the end face of the coupling convex portion 37dpushes an edge of the mouth of the concave portion 52aof the coupling concave shaft 52, thereby retarding the coupling concave shaft 52 in opposition to the spring force biasing toward the process cartridge B. Accordingly, after the process cartridge B is mounted, during prerotation, when the phase of the coupling convex portion 37dis matched with the phase of the coupling concave portion 52a,these are automatically fitted with each other. Incidentally, in this connection, the end face of the coupling convex portion 37dmay not abut against the bottom of the coupling concave portion 52a,but the flange 37bof the drum flange 37 may be pulled toward the shaft support portion 17aof the rear cover 17 via the collar 56 by the coupling pull force.

[0097] In the illustrated embodiment, while an example that the developing means, electrifying means capable of collecting the toner and the photosensitive drum are assembled as the process cartridge was explained, the support structure of the photosensitive drum with respect to the cartridge frame and engagement/disengagement between the driving force receiving portion of the photosensitive drum and the driving member of the main body of the image forming apparatus can be applied to general process cartridges.

[0098] Here, the process cartridge means a structure in which the electrifying means, developing means or cleaning means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally incorporated as a cartridge unit which can detachably mountable to the main body of the image forming apparatus, or at least one of the electrifying means, developing means and cleaning means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally incorporated as a cartridge unit which can detachably mountable to the main body of the image forming apparatus, or at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally incorporated as a cartridge unit which can detachably mountable to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0099] (Driving of developing sleeve)

[0100] As shown in FIG. 17, a developing sleeve gear 15bis secured to the developing sleeve 10doutwardly of the journal portion 10d1 in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIGS. 7, 13 and 21, the developing sleeve gear 15bis meshed with a developing portion driving gear 15a.The developing portion driving gear 15ais formed integrally with a developing portion coupling 39 as a rotational driving force receiving portion and has a cylindrical hole at a center of that side of the developing coupling 39. The cylindrical hole of the developing coupling 39 with the developing portion driving gear 15ais rotatably fitted on a longitudinal shaft portion (not shown) provided on the end plate portion 12hof the developing frame 12.

[0101] The developing portion driving gear 15ais meshed with a small gear 15c1 of a two-stage gear 15c. The two-stage gear 15cis fitted onto a longitudinal shaft portion 12pintegrally provided on the end plate portion 12h.A large gear 15c2 of the two-stage gear 15cis meshed with an agitating gear 15dconnected to a rear shaft end of the agitating screw 10gshown in FIG. 2. The agitating gear 15dis meshed with an agitating gear 15econnected to a rear shaft end of the agitating screw 10h.The agitating gears 15d,15ehave journals (not shown) intermediate in the axial direction and integrally have connecting portions (not shown) for connection to the agitating screws 10g,10hat distal ends thereof, so that the journals are rotatably received and supported by bearing holes (not shown) of the end plate portion 12hof the developing frame 12 and the connecting portions are engaged by rear ends of the agitating screws 10h,10gto drive the agitating screws 10g,10h.Incidentally, bearings for supporting the agitating gears 15d,15ewill be described later.

[0102] Incidentally, front shaft ends of the agitating screws 10g,10hhave holes, so that, as shown in FIG. 14, the shaft ends are press-fitted into longitudinal holes of the end plate portion 12iopposite to the end plate portion 12hof the developing frame 12 and the holes of the shaft ends is rotatably fitted onto support shaft 19g,19hprotruded within the developing frame 12.

[0103] In the condition that the process cartridge B is mounted to the main body 14 of the apparatus, when the driving force is transmitted from the main body 14 of the apparatus, the developing portion coupling 39 is rotated. The developing portion driving gear 15aintegral with the developing portion coupling 39 rotates the developing sleeve gear 15b,thereby rotating the developing sleeve 10d.Further, the developing portion driving gear 15adrives the agitating gear 15dvia the two-stage gear 15c, and the agitating gear 15dtransmits the rotation to the agitating gear 15e.As a result, the agitating screws 10g,10hare rotated to agitate the toner while circulating the toner.

[0104] The developing sleeve 10dis rotated in the same direction as the photosensitive drum 7. Thus, at the opposed area (developing area) between the developing sleeve 10dand the photosensitive drum 7, the peripheral surface of the developing sleeve 10dis shifted in a direction opposite to a shifting direction of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7. The spacer rollers 10j(FIG. 17) rotatably supported on both ends of the developing sleeve 10dare rollingly rotated together with the photosensitive drum 7 and are rotated in a direction opposite to the rotating direction of the developing sleeve 10d.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 21, the gears 15a, 15b,15c, 15d,15eare covered by the rear cover 17 contacted with and secured to the end plate portion 12hof the developing frame 12.

[0106] (Support and driving structure of agitating members)

[0107] In the illustrated embodiment, since the agitating gears 15dand 15eare identical, only the agitating gear 15dwill be explained. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 24, the agitating gear 15dhas a toothed portion 15d1 and a journal portion 15d2. The journal portion 15d2 is provided at its distal end with a coupling hole 15d3 into which a shaft end 10g1 of the agitating screw 10gis fitted. The hole 15d3 is a cylindrical hole having a mouth centered on the journal portion 15d2, and the bottom of the cylindrical hole is a D-cut shaped hole 15d5 having the same diameter as that of the cylindrical hole. A length of the journal portion 15d2 is substantially the same as a length from an outer end of a bearing house 12rprovided outside of the developing frame 12 to an inner face 12sof the developing frame 12.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 23, the bearing 58 as the bearing member has a small diameter hole 58bcorresponding to an inner diameter of an inner cylinder 58iof an outer/inner double cylinder, and a large diameter hole 58acontiguous with the small diameter hole 58band directing toward the interior of the developing frame 12 and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the small diameter hole 58b.The small diameter hole 58bof the bearing 58 serves to slidingly receive the journal portion 15d2. The large diameter hole 58ais a seal member attaching hole into which a seal member 59 is press-fitted, and this portion has a single cylindrical shape.

[0109] An outer diameter of the bearing 58 is substantially cylindrical. A length of the bearing 58 is equal to a length L of the developing frame 12. A D-cut portion 58dis provided on an axial end of the bearing 58 and directing toward the interior of the developing frame 12.

[0110] A D-cut hole portion 12q1 having the same section and same axial width as those of the D-cut portion 58dand facing toward the interior of the developing frame 12 is provided in a hole 12qas a substantially cylindrical through-hole positioned at the center of the bearing house 12rto just receive the D-cut portion 58d.

[0111] A cantilever support member 58cis provided on an outer periphery of the bearing 58 at a position opposite to the D-cut portion 58din circumferential and axial directions. As shown in FIG. 25, there are two slits 58pparallel with a generating line of an outer cylinder 50o,and the cantilever support member 58cis defined between the slits 58p.The cantilever support member 58cis positioned on an extension of the outer periphery of the outer cylinder 58oexcept for a distal end. The distal end 58p1 of the cantilever support member 58cis protruded from the outer periphery of the outer cylinder 58oradially outwardly. In an assembled condition, the distal end protrusion 58p1 is fitted into a small hole 12q2 formed in the hole 12qof the bearing house 12r.The small hole 12q2 may pass through the bearing house 12rin the radial direction.

[0112] An shaft end 10g1 of the agitating screw 10gprovided as the agitating member in the illustrated embodiment has a cylindrical proximal portion 10g2 fitted into a cylindrical portion 15d4 of the coupling hole 15d3 of the agitating gear 15d,and a D-cut shaft portion 10g3 just fitted into the D-cut hole 15d5.

[0113] For example, an oil seal may be used as the seal member 59, and a lip has a dimension that it can penetrate into the journal portion 15d2.

[0114] In this connection, when the gear portion 15d1 is rotated by the driving force, the agitating screw 10gis rotated. The seal member 59 serves to seal the toner within the developing frame 12.

[0115] The agitating screw 10his supported and driven in the same manner as mentioned above.

[0116] (Assembling Method of Agitating Member)

[0117] When the seal member 59 is attached to the bearing 58, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the seal member 59 is shifted up to that side of the large diameter hole 58aand is urged against a step between the large diameter hole 58aand the small diameter hole 58b. The outer diameter of the seal member 59 is reduced by the large diameter hole 58a, as shown by the two-dot and chain line in FIG. 24. Here, journal 15d2 of the agitating gear 15dis fitted into the inner cylinder 58iof the bearing 58. In this case, due to the outer diameter of the journal portion 15d2 of the agitating gear 15d(or 15e), the inner diameter of the seal member 59 is assembled in a slightly compressed condition. As a result, the toner is prevented from leaking between the bearing 58 and the agitating gear 15d(or 15e). In a condition that the seal member 59 and the agitating gear 15dare assembled in this way, the bearings 58 are assembled into the both end through-holes 12qof the developing frame 12 from outside, thereby connecting the agitating gears 15d, 15eto the agitating screws 10g,10h.The large diameter hole 58a, small diameter hole 58band through holes 12qof the developing frame 12 are coaxial.

[0118] In this case, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the bearing 58 has the cantilever support member 58cand the D-cut portion 58dand is fixedly supported by the developing frame 12 so that the bearing is not rotated by the longitudinal positioning and the rotation of the agitating gear 15d(or 15e) connected to the agitating screws 10g(or 10h). Further, the bearing 58 is fitted into the through-hole 12qof the developing frame 12 to prevent toner leakage.

[0119] Further, explaining in detail, the bearing 58 to which the agitating gear 15dand the seal member 59 were assembled is positioned and prevented from being shifted toward the interior of the developing frame 12 by fitting the D-cut portion 58dinto the D-cut hole 12q1 of the bearing house 12r.At the same time, the fitting between the D-cut portion 58dand the D-cut hole 12q1 provides the positioning of the bearing 58 and prevention of rotation of the bearing with respect to the hole 12qof the bearing house 12rin the circumferential direction.

[0120] Further, at a last stage of insertion of the bearing 58 into the hole 12q, an inclined introduction portion 58p2 of the protrusion 58p1 is pushed by the edge of the inlet of the hole 12qto shift the distal end protrusion 58p1 of the cantilever support member 58ctoward the center of the bearing 58. When the protrusion 58p1 enters into the hole 12qand reaches the small hole 12q2, the protrusion is restored by the elastic force of the cantilever support member 58cto be inserted into the small hole 12q2. As a result, the bearing 58 cannot be shifted so long as any tool is not used.

[0121] Similar to the assembling, in the disassembling, the bearing 58 is removed together with the agitating gear 15dand the seal member 59. In the illustrated embodiment, a disassembling tool is a specific tool. If the small hole 12q2 is a through-hole or if the agitating gear 14dis provided with an axial through-hole which can face to the cantilever support member 58c,a driver is used. In FIG. 24, the removal of the bearing is effected by pushing the distal end protrusion 58p1 of the cantilever support member 58ctoward the radial direction center of the bearing 58 and by removing the protrusion 58p1 from the small hole 12q2 and by pulling the agitating gear 15doutwardly of the developing frame 12 in the axial direction.

[0122] In this way, the bearing can be removed together with the agitating gear 15dand the seal member 59.

[0123] Further, a diameter of the vane (spiral portion) of the agitating screw is selected to be smaller than the through-hole 12qof the developing frame 12, so that, in a condition that the bearing 58 is removed from the through-hole 12q, the agitating screw 19gcan be removed through the through-hole 12q. Thus, the maintenance and recycle of the developing device can be facilitated.

[0124] Further, in place of the bearing 58 shown in FIG. 23, a bearing as shown in FIG. 26 may be used.

[0125] The bearing shown in FIG. 26 has a hole 58rhaving a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the shaft end 10g1 of the agitating screw 10g. A seal member 59 having a hole coaxial with the hole 58ris mounted on a bottom surface 58tof a large diameter hole 58sof the bearing 58 from the agitating gear 15dside. FIG. 27 shows a condition that the bearing on which the agitating screw 10gand the seal member 59 are mounted, and the agitating gear 15dare attached to the developing device.

[0126] Also with this arrangement, the bearing can be mounted and dismounted together with the agitating gear and the seal member with respect to the frame 12 of the developing device. Further, the agitating screw 10gcan be removed through the through-hole 12q.

[0127] In the illustrated embodiment, while the process cartridge of so-called cleaner-less type was explained, the present invention can, of course, be applied to a process cartridge having cleaning means.

[0128] As mentioned above, according to the present invention, since the assembling ability for the bearing member, drive transmitting member and agitating member is enhanced and the bearing member can be removed from the developing apparatus, the cleaning of the through-hole of the bearing, exchanging of the seal member (if provided) and exchanging the agitating member can be facilitated.

[0129] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but various alterations and modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.