WO2018179487A1

WO2018179487A1 - Development cartridge

Info

Publication number: WO2018179487A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/032241
Authority: WO
Inventors: 圭太清水; 篤深谷
Original assignee: ブラザー工業株式会社
Priority date: 2017-03-30
Filing date: 2017-09-07
Publication date: 2018-10-04
Also published as: JP2018169533A; CN207318940U

Abstract

Provided is a development cartridge that has a novel gear structure that is for designating development cartridge specifications. A development cartridge that comprises a first gear (a second agitator gear 100), a second gear (a detection gear 200) that, when engaged with the first gear, can rotate with the first gear from a first position to a second position, an elastic member 280 that can move with the second gear and extends in the radial direction of the second gear, and a cover (a second gear cover 31). One end part 281 of the elastic member 280 is connected to the second gear. When the second gear is in the first position, another end part 282 of the elastic member 280 is in contact with the cover and bends, relative to the first end part 281, in the direction opposite the rotation direction of the second gear. When the second gear is in the second position, the cover and the other end part 282 of the elastic member 280 are separated, and, due to the elastic force of the elastic member 280, the other end part 282 of the elastic member 280 moves in the rotation direction of the second gear.

Description

Developer cartridge

The present invention relates to a developing cartridge used in an image forming apparatus.

In an image forming apparatus including a developing cartridge, an image forming apparatus that can determine whether or not a developing cartridge is mounted or the specifications of the developing cartridge is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a developing cartridge in which a detection gear rotates and a protrusion moves. The image forming apparatus detects the protrusion with a sensor and detects whether or not the developing cartridge is mounted.

JP 2011-203362 A

By the way, when determining the specifications of the developing cartridge by detecting the protrusions, the protrusion arrangement patterns are different for each of the plurality of specifications. Thus, the image forming apparatus can determine a developing cartridge having a specific specification among a plurality of specifications. In recent years, a new gear structure is desired for diversification of specifications of developing cartridges.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a developing cartridge having a new gear structure for specifying the specifications of the developing cartridge.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a developing cartridge according to the present disclosure includes a casing that can store a developer therein, and a first gear that is rotatable about a first shaft that extends in a first direction. A first gear located on the surface and a second gear that is rotatable about a second shaft extending in the first direction and located on the outer surface, the first gear together with the first gear when engaged with the first gear. A second gear rotatable from the position to the second position; an elastic member movable together with the second gear; and extending in a radial direction of the second gear; and a cover located on the outer surface.
One end of the elastic member in the radial direction is connected to the second gear.
When the second gear is in the first position, the other end of the elastic member in the radial direction is bent in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the second gear with respect to the one end while the other end of the elastic member is in contact with the cover.
When the second gear is in the second position, the contact between the other end of the elastic member and the cover is released, and the other end of the elastic member moves in the rotation direction of the second gear by the elastic force of the elastic member.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide a developing cartridge having a new gear structure for specifying the specifications of the developing cartridge. When the second gear rotates from the first position to the second position, the other end of the elastic member bent in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the second gear moves in the rotation direction of the second gear. Can have a movement different from the rotation of the gear. As a result, the movement of the gear structure can be diversified in accordance with the diversification of the specifications of the developing cartridge.

In the developing cartridge described above, the cover has an opening, the cover covers at least a part of the elastic member, and when the second gear is in the second position, the other end of the elastic member is exposed from the opening. It can be. *

In the developing cartridge described above, the second gear includes a plurality of gear teeth provided at a part of the periphery of the second gear, and none of the plurality of gear teeth engages with the first gear. It can be set as the structure which can be rotated from the non-engagement position to the engagement position which at least 1 of several gear teeth engages with a 1st gear.

According to this, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the second gear does not rotate until the second gear rotates from the non-engagement position to the engagement position. This makes it possible to diversify the movement of the gear structure.

In the developing cartridge described above, the second gear includes a friction member provided around the second gear, and the second gear has the friction member from the non-engagement position where the friction member does not engage with the first gear. It can be set as the structure which can be rotated to the engagement position engaged with 1 gear.

In the developing cartridge described above, the friction member can be made of rubber.

In the developing cartridge described above, the elastic member can be configured to extend in the first direction.

In the developing cartridge described above, the elastic member can be configured to be rotatable together with the second gear.

In the developing cartridge described above, the second gear may include an elastic member.

The developing cartridge described above may further include a first protrusion extending in the first direction and separated from the elastic member in the rotation direction of the second gear, and the first protrusion may be movable together with the second gear. .

In the developing cartridge described above, the cover has an opening, the cover covers at least a part of the elastic member, and the first protrusion is exposed from the opening when the second gear is in the first position. Can do.

In the developing cartridge described above, the first protrusion can be configured to contact a part of the image forming apparatus when the developing cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus and the second gear is in the first position.

In the developing cartridge described above, the first protrusion can be rotated together with the second gear.

In the developing cartridge described above, the second gear may include a first protrusion.

In the developing cartridge described above, the other end of the elastic member can be configured to be farther from the second axis than the tip of the first protrusion in the radial direction in the radial direction of the second gear.

The developing cartridge described above is a coupling rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction, and is capable of rotating together with the coupling located on one side of the housing in the first direction and the first axis. The first gear may be positioned on the other side of the housing in the first direction, and the first gear may be configured to be rotatable together with the shaft.

In the developing cartridge described above, the first gear can be mounted on the shaft.

The developing cartridge described above may further include a developing roller that is rotatable about a fourth axis extending in the first direction.

The developing cartridge described above is an agitator capable of stirring the developer, and may further include an agitator including a shaft.

In the developing cartridge described above, when the developing cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the other end of the elastic member is configured to contact a part of the image forming apparatus when the second gear is in the second position. Can do.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a developing cartridge having a new gear structure for specifying the specifications of the developing cartridge.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer including a developing cartridge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a housing of the developing cartridge. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one side of a developing cartridge in a first direction. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the components of the one side of the 1st direction of a housing | casing. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the other side of the developing cartridge in the first direction. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the components of the other side of the 1st direction of a housing | casing. It is the perspective view which looked at the 2nd gear cover from the inside. It is the expansion perspective view (a) of the 2nd agitator gear, the figure (b) seen from the axial direction, and the expansion perspective view (c) of a detection gear. It is the figure (a) which looked at the 2nd agitator gear and detection gear in an initial position from the inside, and the figure (b) seen from the outside. A view of the second agitator gear and the detection gear as viewed from the inside when the second rib enters the cut of the first rib, and the second gear is not in contact with the first rib and the first gear is the second. It is the figure (b) which looked at the 2nd agitator gear and detection gear when it began to engage with a gear from the inside. FIG. 5 is a diagram (a) to (c) showing changes in the lever accompanying the rotation of the detection gear. It is the figure (a) which looked at the detection gear and the 2nd agitator gear when the contact of an elastic member and the 2nd gear cover was canceled from the inside, and the figure (b) seen from the outside. It is the figure (a) which looked at the detection gear and the 2nd agitator gear in a final position from the inside, and the figure (b) seen from the outside. It is the figure (a) and (b) which looked at the 2nd agitator gear and the detection gear concerning a modification from the inside.

Next, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a laser printer 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus mainly includes a main body housing 2, a paper feeding unit 3, an image forming unit 4, and a control unit CU.

The main body casing 2 has a front cover 2A and a paper discharge tray 2B located at the upper part of the main body casing 2. The main body housing 2 includes a paper feeding unit 3 and an image forming unit 4 inside. By opening the front cover 2A, the developing cartridge 10 is detachably mounted.

The paper feed unit 3 contains paper S. The paper feed unit 3 then supplies the paper S to the image forming unit 4 one by one.

The image forming unit 4 includes a process cartridge 4A, an exposure device (not shown), a transfer roller 4B, and a fixing device 4C.

The process cartridge 4A includes a photosensitive member cartridge 5 and a developing cartridge 10. The developing cartridge 10 can be attached to and detached from the photosensitive cartridge 5. The developing cartridge 10 is attached to and detached from the laser printer 1 as the process cartridge 4A in a state where the developing cartridge 10 is mounted on the photosensitive cartridge 5. The photoconductor cartridge 5 includes a frame 5A and a photoconductor drum 5B that is rotatably supported by the frame 5A.

As shown in FIG. 2, the developing cartridge 10 includes a housing 11, a developing roller 12, a supply roller 13, and an agitator 14.

The housing 11 includes a container 11A and a lid 11B. The container 11A of the housing 11 can accommodate the toner T therein. The toner T is an example of a developer.

The developing roller 12 includes a developing roller shaft 12A extending in the first direction and a roller portion 12B. The first direction is an axial direction of a second agitator gear 100 described later, and is also simply referred to as an axial direction hereinafter. The roller portion 12B covers the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller shaft 12A. The roller portion 12B is made of conductive rubber or the like. The developing roller 12 can rotate around the developing roller shaft 12A. In other words, the developing roller 12 can rotate about the fourth shaft 12X extending in the first direction. The developing roller 12 is supported by the housing 11 so as to be rotatable about the developing roller shaft 12A. That is, the roller portion 12B can rotate together with the developing roller shaft 12A. A developing bias is applied to the developing roller 12 from the control unit CU.

The container 11A and the lid 11B of the housing 11 face each other in the second direction. The second direction is a direction that intersects the first direction. Preferably, the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. The developing roller 12 is located at one end of the housing 11 in the third direction. The third direction intersects the first direction and the second direction. Preferably, the third direction is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

The supply roller 13 includes a supply roller shaft 13A extending in the first direction and a roller portion 13B. The roller portion 13B covers the outer peripheral surface of the supply roller shaft 13A. The roller portion 13B is made of sponge or the like. The supply roller 13 can rotate around the supply roller shaft 13A. That is, the roller portion 13B can rotate together with the supply roller shaft 13A.

The agitator 14 includes an agitator shaft 14A and a flexible sheet 14B. The agitator shaft 14A is an example of a shaft. The agitator shaft 14A is rotatable about a first shaft 14X extending in the first direction. The agitator shaft 14A is supported by the housing 11 so as to be rotatable about the first shaft 14X. The agitator 14 can rotate together with a coupling 22 described later. The flexible sheet 14 B has a base end fixed to the agitator shaft 14 A and a tip end configured to be able to contact the inner surface of the housing 11. The agitator 14 can stir the toner T by the rotating flexible sheet 14B.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the transfer roller 4B faces the photosensitive drum 5B. The transfer roller 4B conveys the paper S while sandwiching it with the photosensitive drum 5B.

The photosensitive drum 5B is charged by a charger (not shown) and exposed to an exposure device to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing cartridge 10 supplies toner T to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum 5B. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 5B is transferred to the paper S supplied from the paper supply unit 3 while passing between the photosensitive drum 5B and the transfer roller 4B.

The fixing device 4C heat-fixes the toner image transferred to the paper S to the paper S. The paper S on which the toner image is thermally fixed is discharged to a paper discharge tray 2B outside the main body housing 2.

The control device CU is a device that controls the operation of the entire laser printer 1.

The laser printer 1 includes a sensor 7. The sensor 7 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the developing cartridge 10 is new or the specifications of the developing cartridge 10. The sensor 7 includes a lever 7A that is swingably supported by the main body housing 2 and an optical sensor 7B. The lever 7A is located at a position where it can come into contact with a protrusion that can rotate together with a detection gear 200 described later. The optical sensor 7B is connected to the control device CU and outputs a detection signal to the control device CU. The control unit CU is configured to be able to determine the specifications of the developing cartridge 10 according to a signal received from the optical sensor 7B. The optical sensor 7B detects the displacement of the lever 7A and transmits a detection signal to the control unit CU. More specifically, for example, a sensor unit including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit is used for the optical sensor 7B. Details will be described later.

Next, a detailed configuration of the developing cartridge 10 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the developing cartridge 10 has a first gear cover 21, a coupling 22, a developing gear 23, a supply gear 24, and a first gear on one side of the housing 11 in the first direction. An agitator gear 25, an idle gear 26, a first bearing member 27, and a cap 28 are provided.

The first gear cover 21 is a cover that supports the idle gear 26 with a shaft (not shown) and covers at least one gear located on one side of the housing 11. The first gear cover 21 is fixed to the outer surface 11 C by a screw 29. The outer surface 11 C is an outer surface 11 C on one side in the first direction of the housing 11.
In the present specification, the “gear” is not limited to a gear having gear teeth and transmitting the rotational force by the gear teeth, but includes a gear transmitting the rotational force by friction transmission. In addition, in a member that transmits rotational force by friction transmission, the tip circle is a circle that passes through the friction transmission surface.

The coupling 22 is rotatable about a third shaft 22A extending in the first direction. The coupling 22 is located on one side of the housing 11 in the first direction. That is, the coupling 22 is located on the outer surface 11C. The coupling 22 can rotate by receiving a driving force. Specifically, the coupling 22 can receive a driving force from the laser printer 1. The coupling 22 can rotate by engaging with a driving member included in the laser printer 1 (not shown). The coupling 22 has a recess that is recessed in the first direction. The recess receives the drive member and is engageable with the drive member. More specifically, the concave portion can be engaged with a driving member of the laser printer 1 and receive a driving force.

The developing gear 23 is attached to the developing roller shaft 12A and can rotate together with the coupling 22. The developing gear 23 is located on one side of the housing 11 in the first direction. That is, the developing gear 23 is located on the outer surface 11C.

The supply gear 24 is mounted on the supply roller shaft 13A and can be rotated together with the coupling 22. The supply gear 24 is located on one side of the housing 11 in the first direction. That is, the supply gear 24 is located on the outer surface 11C.

The first agitator gear 25 is located on one side of the housing 11 in the first direction. That is, the first agitator gear 25 is located on the outer surface 11C. The first agitator gear 25 is attached to the agitator shaft 14 A of the agitator 14. The first agitator gear 25 can rotate with the agitator 14 according to the rotation of the coupling 22.

The idle gear 26 is located on one side of the housing 11 in the first direction. That is, the idle gear 26 is located on the outer surface 11C. The idle gear 26 includes a large diameter portion 26 A that engages with the gear teeth of the coupling 22 and a small diameter portion 26 B that engages with the gear teeth of the first agitator gear 25. The idle gear 26 is rotatably supported by a shaft (not shown) of the first gear cover 21. The idle gear 26 decelerates the rotation of the coupling 22 and transmits it to the first agitator gear 25. In the first direction, the large diameter portion 26A is further away from the housing 11 than the small diameter portion 26B.

The first bearing member 27 is a member that pivotally supports the coupling 22, the developing gear 23, and the supply gear 24. The first bearing member 27 is fixed to one side of the housing 11 in the first direction.

The cap 28 covers one end of the developing roller shaft 12A in the first direction. The first gear cover 21 and the cap 28 may be made of different types of resins.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the developing cartridge 10 includes a second gear cover 31 as an example of a cover and a second agitator gear 100 as an example of a first gear on the other side of the casing 11 in the first direction. And a detection gear 200 as an example of a second gear, a second bearing member 34, a developing electrode 35, and a supply electrode 36.

The second gear cover 31 is a cover that covers at least a part of the detection gear 200. The second gear cover 31 is located on the outer surface 11E on the other side in the first direction of the container 11A of the housing 11. The second gear cover 31 has an opening 31A. A part of the detection gear 200 is exposed through the opening 31A. The second gear cover 31 includes a shaft 31B extending in the first direction. Further, the second gear cover 31 has a locking projection 31C (see FIG. 7) that protrudes radially outward from the shaft 31B. The second gear cover 31 has a contact surface 31D. The contact surface 31D is in contact with the tip of an elastic member 280 described later. The contact surface 31 D extends along a part of the periphery of the detection gear 200. The contact surface 31D is located at substantially the same position as the opening 31A in the axial direction. Further, the second gear cover 31 includes a torsion spring 37. Details of the torsion spring 37 will be described later.

The second agitator gear 100 is located on the other side of the housing 11 in the first direction. That is, the second agitator gear 100 is located on the outer surface 11E on the other side in the first direction of the container 11A of the housing 11. The second agitator gear 100 has a mounting hole 140. The second agitator gear 100 is mounted on the agitator shaft 14 A by the mounting hole 140 engaging with the agitator shaft 14 A of the agitator 14. Thereby, the 2nd agitator gear 100 is rotatable about the 1st axis | shaft 14X extended in an axial direction with 14 A of agitator shafts of the agitator 14. FIG. That is, the second agitator gear 100 is rotatably supported by the housing 11.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the second agitator gear 100 includes a first gear portion 110 and a first rib 120.

The first gear part 110 includes a plurality of gear teeth 111. As an example, the first gear portion 110 has gear teeth 111 over the entire circumference around the second agitator gear 100.

The first rib 120 extends along the tip circle 110A of the first gear part 110. Specifically, the first rib 120 extends along a part of the addendum circle 110A. The first rib 120 extends along a part of the periphery of the second agitator gear 100. That is, the first rib 120 has a cut 125 in the circumferential direction. The cut 125 can enter a second rib 230 described later. The cut 125 may have a central angle α around the first axis 14X in the range of 15 to 75 °. The central angle α is desirably 30 to 60 °, and more desirably 40 to 50 °. The first rib 120 may have a central angle β around the first axis 14X in the range of 285 to 345 °. The central angle β is desirably 300 to 330 °, and more desirably 310 to 320 °.

The first rib 120 is farther from the first shaft 14X in the radial direction of the second agitator gear 100 than the first gear portion 110 is. The first rib 120 can rotate about the first shaft 14 X together with the first gear portion 110. The first rib 120 is located at a position different from the first gear portion 110 in the axial direction. Specifically, the first rib 120 is closer to the housing 11 than the first gear portion 110 in the axial direction (see FIG. 6).

As shown in FIG. 6, the detection gear 200 is located on the other side of the housing 11 in the first direction. That is, the detection gear 200 is located on the outer surface 11E. The detection gear 200 is rotatable about a second shaft 200X extending in the axial direction. The detection gear 200 can rotate together with the second agitator gear 100 when engaged with the second agitator gear 100. The detection gear 200 has a cylindrical portion 215. The cylinder part 215 has a hole 210. The shaft 31B of the second gear cover 31 is inserted into the hole 210, and the detection gear 200 can rotate around the shaft 31B. The tip of the shaft 31B is inserted into and supported by the support hole 11F of the side wall 11D on the other side in the first direction of the lid 11B of the housing 11.

The detection gear 200 has a disk portion 205 that extends in a direction that intersects the axial direction. Preferably, the detection gear 200 has a disk portion 205 extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction.
As shown in FIG. 8C, the detection gear 200 has a second gear portion 220, a second rib 230, a first spring engaging portion 251 on one side of the disc portion 205 in the first direction, And a third spring engaging portion 253.

The second gear part 220 includes a plurality of gear teeth 221. The second gear unit 220 is provided at a part of the periphery of the detection gear 200. Further, the detection gear 200 includes a missing tooth portion 221 B in the other peripheral portion at the same position in the axial direction as the second gear portion 220. The missing tooth portion 221 B is a portion without the gear teeth 221.

The second rib 230 protrudes from the cylindrical portion 215 in the radial direction of the detection gear 200. Further, the second rib 230 protrudes from the disc part 205 in the axial direction. The second rib 230 has a plate shape. The second rib 230 is located at a position different from the second gear unit 220 in the axial direction. Specifically, the second rib 230 is closer to the housing 11 than the second gear portion 220 in the axial direction. Further, the second rib 230 is closer to the second shaft 200 X in the radial direction of the detection gear 200 than the second gear portion 220.

The first spring engagement portion 251 and the third spring engagement portion 253 protrude from the cylindrical portion 215 to the outside in the radial direction of the detection gear 200. Further, the first spring engaging portion 251 and the third spring engaging portion 253 protrude from the disc portion 205 in the axial direction. The first spring engaging portion 251 and the third spring engaging portion 253 have a plate shape. The first spring engagement portion 251 and the third spring engagement portion 253 are portions that receive a force from the torsion spring 37 by engaging with the torsion spring 37. The first spring engagement portion 251 and the third spring engagement portion 253 are located away from each other in the rotation direction of the detection gear 200.

As shown in FIG. 6, the detection gear 200 includes a first protrusion 261, an elastic member 280, a third protrusion 263, and a fourth protrusion 270 on the other side of the disc portion 205 in the first direction.

The first protrusion 261 protrudes in the axial direction. The first protrusion 261 protrudes in the radial direction of the detection gear 200. More specifically, the first protrusion 261 protrudes from the disc portion 205 in the axial direction. That is, the first protrusion 261 extends in the first direction. Further, the first protrusion 261 protrudes from the cylindrical portion 215 to the outside in the radial direction of the detection gear 200. The first protrusion 261 is movable together with the detection gear 200. Preferably, the first protrusion 261 is rotatable with the detection gear 200. That is, the detection gear 200 includes the first protrusion 261. Furthermore, the first protrusion 261 is formed integrally with the detection gear 200. The first protrusion 261 and the detection gear 200 may be separate parts.

The elastic member 280 extends in the radial direction of the detection gear 200. The elastic member 280 extends in the axial direction. The elastic member 280 has a plate shape. One end 281 of the elastic member 280 in the radial direction of the detection gear 200 is connected to the detection gear 200. More specifically, one end portion 281 of the elastic member 280 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 215. The other end 282 of the elastic member 280 in the radial direction of the detection gear 200 is not fixed. The elastic member 280 can be elastically deformed. More specifically, the other end 282 of the elastic member 280 can bend elastically in the circumferential direction of the detection gear 200 with respect to the one end 281. The elastic member 280 is made of rubber, for example.

The elastic member 280 is located away from the first protrusion 261 in the rotation direction of the detection gear 200. The elastic member 280 can move together with the detection gear 200. Preferably, the elastic member 280 is rotatable with the detection gear 200. That is, the detection gear 200 includes the elastic member 280. Furthermore, the elastic member 280 is formed integrally with the detection gear 200. The tip of the other end 282 of the elastic member 280 is farther from the second shaft 200X in the radial direction of the detection gear 200 than the tip of the first protrusion 261 in the radial direction of the detection gear 200. More specifically, the other end 282 of the elastic member 280 extends to the outside of the outer peripheral surface of the disc portion 205 in the radial direction of the detection gear 200.

The third protrusion 263 protrudes in the axial direction. Further, the third protrusion 263 protrudes in the radial direction of the detection gear 200. More specifically, the third protrusion 263 protrudes from the disc portion 205 in the axial direction. Further, the third protrusion 263 protrudes from the cylindrical portion 215 to the outside in the radial direction of the detection gear 200. The third protrusion 263 is located away from the first protrusion 261 and the elastic member 280 in the rotation direction of the detection gear 200. The third protrusion 263 can move together with the detection gear 200. Preferably, the third protrusion 263 can rotate together with the detection gear 200. That is, the detection gear 200 includes the third protrusion 263. Furthermore, the third protrusion 263 is formed integrally with the detection gear 200. Note that the third protrusion 263 and the detection gear 200 may be separate parts.

The first protrusion 261, the elastic member 280, and the third protrusion 263 are located at positions where they can contact the lever 7A in the radial direction of the detection gear 200. The first protrusion 261, the third protrusion 263, and the elastic member 280 are arranged in this order counterclockwise in FIG. Each tip of the first protrusion 261 and the third protrusion 263 has a predetermined length in the rotation direction. The tip of the third protrusion 263 is longer in the rotation direction than the first protrusion 261.

The fourth protrusion 270 protrudes in the axial direction from the disc part 205 and the cylinder part 215. Further, the fourth protrusion 270 protrudes from the cylindrical portion 215 to the outside in the radial direction of the detection gear 200. The fourth protrusion 270 can rotate together with the detection gear 200. That is, the detection gear 200 includes the fourth protrusion 270. Furthermore, the fourth protrusion 270 is formed integrally with the detection gear 200.

The fourth protrusion 270 is a part that defines the post-operation posture of the detection gear 200 by engaging with the locking protrusion 31C of the second gear cover 31 (see FIG. 13B).

In the detection gear 200, the second gear portion 220 is located between the second rib 230 and the elastic member 280 in the axial direction. Further, the second gear portion 220 is located between the second rib 230 and the first protrusion 261 in the axial direction.

The torsion spring 37 includes a coil portion 37A, a first arm 37B, and a second arm 37C. The first arm 37B extends from the coil portion 37A. The second arm 37C extends from the coil portion 37A. The second arm 37C comes into contact with the second gear cover 31 and is caught.

The torsion spring 37 urges the detection gear 200 in the rotational direction so as to push the second rib 230 toward the first rib 120 in a state where the second rib 230 is in contact with the first rib 120. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9A, the first arm 37 B contacts the first spring engaging portion 251 in a state where the second rib 230 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first rib 120. Then, the detection gear 200 is urged counterclockwise in FIG. Further, the torsion spring 37 causes the detection gear 200 to rotate to engage the second gear portion 220 with the first gear portion 110 when the second rib 230 is not in contact with the first rib 120 due to the biasing force. Combine.

The detection gear 200 is in the position shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B with respect to the second gear cover 31 when not in use. Hereinafter, the second agitator gear 100 in FIGS. 9A and 9B and The position of the detection gear 200 is referred to as an initial position. The initial position is an example of a first position. Note that when the detection gear 200 is located at the initial position, the developing cartridge 10 is in an unused state. As shown in FIG. 9B, the first protrusion 261 is exposed from the opening 31A of the second gear cover 31 when the detection gear 200 is in the initial position. Further, when the developing cartridge 10 is mounted on the laser printer 1 and the detection gear 200 is in the initial position, the first protrusion 261 has a tip that contacts the lever 7A, and the lever 7A has a light projecting portion and a light receiving portion. Located between and. Thereby, the light from the light projecting unit is blocked by the lever 7A. The lever 7A is an example of a part of the image forming apparatus.

Further, when the detection gear 200 is in the initial position, the elastic member 280 rotates the detection gear 200 with respect to the one end 281 in a state where the tip of the other end 282 is in contact with the contact surface 31D of the second gear cover 31. Turn in the opposite direction. Specifically, the other end 282 of the elastic member 280 bends counterclockwise in FIG. 9B with respect to the one end 281. In the state where the detection gear 200 is in the initial position, the second gear cover 31 covers at least a part of the elastic member 280.

The second agitator gear 100 is rotatable from the third position to the fourth position and from the fourth position to the fifth position with respect to the first shaft 14X extending in the axial direction. The third position is the initial position shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b). The fourth position is a position shown in FIG. 10B where the first gear part 110 starts to engage with the second gear part 220. The fifth position is, for example, the final position shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b). While the second agitator gear 100 rotates from the third position to the fourth position, the second rib 230 is in contact with the first rib 120 and the detection gear 200 does not rotate with the second agitator gear 100. While the second agitator gear 100 rotates from the fourth position to the fifth position, the second rib 230 is not in contact with the first rib 120, and the detection gear 200 rotates together with the second agitator gear 100. .

The detection gear 200 can rotate from the non-engagement position to the engagement position. The non-engagement position is a position where none of the plurality of gear teeth 221 of the second gear portion 220 of the detection gear 200 engages with the plurality of gear teeth 111 of the first gear portion 110 of the second agitator gear 100. . The non-engagement position is, for example, the initial position in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b). The engagement position is a position where at least one of the plurality of gear teeth 221 engages with at least one of the plurality of gear teeth 111. The engagement position is, for example, the position shown in FIG. The detection gear 200 is located at the non-engagement position when the second rib 230 is in contact with the first rib 120, and is located at the engagement position when the second rib 230 is not in contact with the first rib 120.

The detection gear 200 rotates from the initial position to the final position shown in FIG. 13A via the positions shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C, and the detection gear 200 stops. To do. That is, the detection gear 200 can rotate from the initial position to the final position. When the detection gear 200 is in the final position, the torsion spring 37 contacts the third spring engaging portion 253 and biases the detection gear 200 counterclockwise in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13B, in the final position, the fourth protrusion 270 is in contact with the locking protrusion 31 C and is pressed against the locking protrusion 31 C by the urging force of the torsion spring 37.

When the detection gear 200 is at the position shown in FIG. 11A, the tip of the third protrusion 263 does not contact the lever 7A, but when the detection gear 200 is at the position shown in FIG. The tip of the protrusion 263 contacts the lever 7A, and the lever 7A is positioned between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit. Thereby, the light from the light projecting unit is blocked by the lever 7A. When the detection gear 200 is at the position shown in FIG. 11C, the tip of the third protrusion 263 does not contact the lever 7A.

In the state where the detection gear 200 is in the final position shown in FIG. 13B, the elastic member 280 is located at substantially the same position as the first protrusion 261 in the state where the detection gear 200 is in the initial position. More specifically, the other end 282 of the elastic member 280 is exposed from the opening 31A of the second gear cover 31 when the detection gear 200 is in the final position. The elastic member 280 extends straight in the radial direction of the detection gear 200 when the detection gear 200 is in the final position. Further, in the elastic member 280, the tip of the other end 282 projects from the opening 31A in the radial direction of the detection gear 200 in a state where the detection gear 200 is in the final position. More specifically, the tip of the other end 282 protrudes radially outward of the detection gear 200 from the extended surface 31E of the contact surface 31D in the circumferential direction of the detection gear 200 with the detection gear 200 in the final position. . Further, when the developing cartridge 10 is attached to the laser printer 1 and the detection gear 200 is in the final position, the other end 282 of the elastic member 280 is in contact with the lever 7A, and the lever 7A is connected to the light projecting unit. And the light receiving unit. Thereby, the light from the light projecting unit is blocked by the lever 7A.

Further, in the state shown in FIG. 11 (a) or (c), the detection gear 200 does not contact any of the tips of the first protrusion 261, the elastic member 280, and the third protrusion 263 with the lever 7A. However, it is not located between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit. Thereby, the light from the light projecting unit is not blocked by the lever 7A, and the light receiving unit can receive the light from the light projecting unit.

As described above, the laser printer 1 can specify the specifications of the developing cartridge 10 using the detection signals obtained by the state where the light receiving unit receives light and the state where the light receiving unit does not receive light. In the present embodiment, the tip of the first protrusion 261 contacts the lever 7A when the detection gear 200 is at the initial position, and the tip of the elastic member 280 is the lever even when the detection gear 200 is at the final position. The laser printer 1 can determine whether or not the developing cartridge 10 is attached to the laser printer 1 by using the first protrusion 261 and the elastic member 280 to contact 7A.

6, the second bearing member 34 includes a first support portion 34A and a second support portion 34B. The first support portion 34A rotatably supports the developing roller shaft 12A. The second support portion 34B supports the supply roller shaft 13A in a rotatable manner. The second bearing member 34 is fixed to the outer surface 11E on the other side in the first direction of the container 11A of the housing 11 while supporting the developing roller shaft 12A and the supply roller shaft 13A.

The developing electrode 35 is located on the other side of the housing 11 in the first direction, and supplies power to the developing roller shaft 12A. That is, the developing electrode 35 is located on the outer surface 11E. The developing electrode 35 is made of, for example, a conductive resin. The development electrode 35 includes a first electrical contact 35A, a second electrical contact 35B, and a connecting portion 35C. The first electrical contact 35A is in contact with the developing roller shaft 12A. The connecting portion 35C connects the first electrical contact 35A and the second electrical contact 35B, and electrically connects the first electrical contact 35A and the second electrical contact 35B.

The first electrical contact 35A has a contact hole 35E. The developing roller shaft 12A is inserted into the contact hole 35E. The contact hole 35E is preferably a circular hole. In a state where the developing roller shaft 12A is inserted into the contact hole 35E, the first electrical contact 35A contacts a part of the developing roller shaft 12A. Specifically, in a state where the developing roller shaft 12A is inserted into the contact hole 35E, the first electrical contact 35A contacts the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller shaft 12A. The second electrical contact 35B of the development electrode 35 includes a development contact surface 35D extending in the second direction and the third direction.

The supply electrode 36 is located on the other side of the housing 11 in the first direction, and supplies power to the supply roller shaft 13A. That is, the supply electrode 36 is located on the outer surface 11E. The supply electrode 36 is made of, for example, a conductive resin. The supply electrode 36 includes a first electrical contact 36A, a second electrical contact 36B, and a connecting portion 36C. The first electrical contact 36A is in contact with the supply roller shaft 13A. The connecting portion 36C connects the first electrical contact 36A and the second electrical contact 36B, and electrically connects the first electrical contact 36A and the second electrical contact 36B.

The first electrical contact 36A has a contact hole 36E. The supply roller shaft 13A is inserted into the contact hole 36E. The contact hole 36E is preferably a circular hole. In a state where the supply roller shaft 13A is inserted into the contact hole 36E, the first electric contact 36A contacts a part of the supply roller shaft 13A. Specifically, in a state where the supply roller shaft 13A is inserted into the contact hole 36E, the first electrical contact 36A contacts the outer peripheral surface of the supply roller shaft 13A. The second electrical contact 36B of the supply electrode 36 includes a supply contact surface 36D extending in the second direction and the third direction.

The developing electrode 35 and the supply electrode 36 are fixed together with the second bearing member 34 to the outer surface 11E on the other side in the first direction of the housing 11 by a screw 38.

The operation and effect of the developing cartridge 10 configured as described above will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, when the developing cartridge 10 is attached to the laser printer 1, the developing cartridge 10 is moved along the third direction with the developing roller 12 at the head.

Further, when the developing cartridge 10 is not used as shown in FIG. 1, that is, when the detection gear 200 is in the initial position, the tip of the first protrusion 261 is exposed from the opening 31A of the second gear cover 31. For this reason, the tip of the first protrusion 261 contacts the lever 7A to swing the lever 7A. As described above, when the optical sensor 7B detects the displacement of the lever 7A, the control device CU can determine that the developing cartridge 10 is mounted. When the detection gear 200 is in the initial position, the elastic member 280 is not exposed from the opening 31A and does not contact the lever 7A.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, the detection gear 200 is biased in the rotational direction by the torsion spring 37 at the initial position, but the tip of the second rib 230 is the first of the second agitator gear 100. Since the rib 120 is stopped in contact with the rib 120, the detection gear 200 cannot rotate. Further, the first gear portion 110 of the second agitator gear 100 faces the missing tooth portion 221 B of the detection gear 200.

When the laser printer 1 starts driving in accordance with a command from the control unit CU, the coupling 22 rotates and the first agitator gear 25 rotates via the idle gear 26 as shown in FIG. Then, the second agitator gear 100 on the other side in the first direction rotates via the agitator 14.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, when the second agitator gear 100 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the first gear portion 110 of the second agitator gear 100 faces the missing tooth portion 221B of the detection gear 200. The rotational force is not transmitted from the second agitator gear 100 to the detection gear 200. That is, the detection gear 200 is in the non-engagement position. When the second agitator gear 100 rotates, the tip of the second rib 230 slides on the outer peripheral surface of the first rib 120.

When the second agitator gear 100 rotates, the cut 125 of the first rib 120 approaches the tip of the second rib 230 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10B, when the cut 125 of the first rib 120 faces the second rib 230, the detection gear 200 is rotated by the urging force of the torsion spring 37, and the tip of the second rib 230 is the first rib. Enter the 120 break 125. The gear teeth 221 of the second gear portion 220 engage with the gear teeth 111 of the first gear portion 110. That is, the second agitator gear 100 is in the fourth position, and the detection gear 200 is in the engaged position.

When the first gear part 110 and the second gear part 220 are engaged, the rotational force of the second agitator gear 100 is transmitted to the detection gear 200, whereby the detection gear 200 rotates together with the second agitator gear 100.

When the detection gear 200 rotates, the lever 7A is positioned between the first protrusion 261 and the third protrusion 263 as shown in FIG. That is, none of the first protrusion 261, the elastic member 280, and the third protrusion 263 contacts the lever 7A. Accordingly, the lever 7A is not positioned between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor 7B, and the signal received by the optical sensor 7B changes.

When the detection gear 200 further rotates, as shown in FIG. 11B, the third protrusion 263 is exposed from the opening 31A and contacts the lever 7A. Accordingly, the lever 7A is positioned between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor 7B, and the signal received by the optical sensor 7B changes.

When the detection gear 200 further rotates, the lever 7A is positioned between the third protrusion 263 and the elastic member 280 as shown in FIG. That is, none of the first protrusion 261, the elastic member 280, and the third protrusion 263 contacts the lever 7A. Accordingly, the lever 7A is not positioned between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor 7B, and the signal received by the optical sensor 7B changes.

When the detection gear 200 further rotates, the detection gear 200 is positioned as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b). When the detection gear 200 is at the position shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the contact between the tip of the other end 282 of the elastic member 280 and the contact surface 31D of the second gear cover 31 is released. Then, the tip of the other end 282 moves in the rotation direction of the detection gear 200 by the elastic member 280 and its elastic force. More specifically, the elastic member 280 returns from a state where the other end 282 is bent counterclockwise with respect to the one end 281 to a state where the elastic member 280 extends straight in the radial direction of the detection gear 200 due to the elastic restoring force. In the positions shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the elastic member 280 is exposed from the opening 31A and contacts the lever 7A. Accordingly, the lever 7A is positioned between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor 7B, and the signal received by the optical sensor 7B changes.

When the elastic member 280 returns from the bent state to the straight extending state, the angular velocity around the second axis 200X at the tip of the other end 282 is the rotation of the detection gear 200 shown in FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (c). The angular velocity of the accompanying first protrusion 261 and third protrusion 263 is faster. In other words, the speed of moving the lever 7A when the elastic member 280 returning from the bent state to the straight extending state contacts the lever 7A, as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the speed is higher than the speed of moving the lever 7A when the third protrusion 263 contacts the lever 7A. The positions shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B are examples of the second position. That is, the detection gear 200 can rotate from the initial position to the second position shown in FIGS.

Immediately after the elastic member 280 contacts the lever 7A, the detection gear 200 has the gear teeth 221 of the second gear portion 220 separated from the gear teeth 111 of the first gear portion 110 of the second agitator gear 100 and the second gear portion 220. The first gear part 110 is disengaged. Thereby, the rotational force of the second agitator gear 100 is not transmitted to the detection gear 200. However, at this time, the first arm 37 B of the torsion spring 37 comes into contact with the third spring engaging portion 253 of the detection gear 200 and applies a rotational force to the detection gear 200. For this reason, the detection gear 200 further rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 12A, and the detection gear 200 reaches the final position shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B.

As shown in FIG. 13A, when the detection gear 200 is in the final position, the gear teeth 111 of the first gear portion 110 of the second agitator gear 100 face the missing tooth portion 221B of the detection gear 200, and a plurality of It does not mesh with any of the gear teeth 221. And since the direction of the detection gear 200 is hold | maintained by the torsion spring 37, the latching protrusion 31C, and the 4th protrusion 270, even if the 2nd agitator gear 100 rotates after that, the detection gear 200 does not rotate.

In the process of the above operation, after the detection gear 200 starts to rotate, the output of the optical sensor 7B is switched four times. The output switching pattern (the length of the off signal or the on signal, the number of switching times, or the difference in switching timing) is changed depending on the number of protrusions rotating with the detection gear 200, the size in the rotation direction, the number of elastic members, and the like. Can do. By associating this signal pattern with the specifications of the developing cartridge 10 in advance, the control unit CU can determine the specifications of the developing cartridge 10.

When the used developing cartridge 10 is mounted on the main body housing 2 of the laser printer 1, the detection gear 200 is in the final position. Even in this case, the elastic member 280 is located at substantially the same position as the unused first protrusion 261. For this reason, when the used developing cartridge 10 is mounted on the main body housing 2, the tip of the elastic member 280 comes into contact with the lever 7A, so that the control unit CU can determine that the developing cartridge 10 is mounted. it can. When the detection gear 200 is in the final position, the first protrusion 261 may be partially exposed from the opening 31A, but is not in contact with the lever 7A because it is separated from the elastic member 280.

According to the developing cartridge 10 described above, the developing cartridge 10 having a new gear structure for specifying the specifications of the developing cartridge 10 can be provided. More specifically, when the detection gear 200 rotates from the initial position to the second position shown in FIG. 12B, the other end 282 of the elastic member 280 bent in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the detection gear 200 is detected. Then, the bending is recovered and the detection gear 200 moves in the rotation direction. For this reason, the gear structure for specifying the specification of the developing cartridge 10 can have a movement different from the rotation of the gear. Thereby, it is possible to diversify the movement of the gear structure in response to the diversification of the specifications of the developing cartridge 10.

The detection gear 200 does not rotate until the detection gear 200 rotates from the non-engagement position to the engagement position. This makes it possible to diversify the movement of the gear structure.

The second agitator gear 100 does not rotate even if the second agitator gear 100 rotates while the second rib 230 of the detection gear 200 is in contact with the first rib 120 of the second agitator gear 100. . Then, after the second agitator gear 100 is rotated from the third position to the fourth position, the second rib 230 is not in contact with the first rib 120, and the detection gear 200 is rotated together with the second agitator gear 100. For this reason, since the detection gear 200 can be started to rotate after a predetermined period from the start of rotation of the second agitator gear 100, the movement of the detection gear 200 can be diversified.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this indication was described, this indication is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. About a concrete structure, it can change suitably in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this indication.

In the above-described embodiment, the first protrusion 261, the elastic member 280, and the third protrusion 263 can rotate together with the detection gear 200. However, the first protrusion 261, the elastic member 280, and the third protrusion 263 together with the detection gear. It is not limited to those that can rotate. For example, each protrusion may be a protrusion separate from the detection gear. In this case, the detection gear may have a cam. Specifically, the detection gear may move with the rotation of the coupling, and the protrusion may move by transitioning between a state where the cam and the protrusion are in contact or a state where the cam and the protrusion are not in contact. . For example, the protrusion may move linearly. In addition, the protrusion should just be able to move lever 7A.

In the above-described embodiment, when the detection gear 200 is in the initial position, the first protrusion 261 is exposed from the opening 31A of the second gear cover 31 and is in contact with the lever 7A, but the other end 282 of the elastic member 280 is Further, it may be exposed from the opening 31A and may be in contact with the lever 7A. In this case, the elastic member 280 contacts the contact surface 31D while the detection gear 200 rotates from the initial position to the final position, and the other end portion 282 is in the direction of rotation of the detection gear 200 with respect to the one end portion 281. Turn in the opposite direction. The elastic member 280 is configured such that when the detection gear 200 is in the second position, the contact between the other end 282 and the contact surface 31D is released, and the other end 282 moves in the rotation direction of the detection gear 200. Also good. When the detection gear 200 is in the final position, a protrusion or the like may be exposed from the opening 31A of the second gear cover 31 instead of the elastic member 280 and may be in contact with the lever 7A. *

In the above-described embodiment, the detection gear 200 includes a plurality of gear teeth 221. However, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the detection gear 200 is a friction member instead of the gear teeth 221. 290 may be provided. The friction member 290 is provided around the detection gear 200. More specifically, the friction member 290 includes an engagement portion 291 that can engage with the plurality of gear teeth 111 of the second agitator gear 100 and a non-engagement portion 291B that does not engage with the plurality of gear teeth 111. The engaging portion 291 is farther from the second shaft 200X in the radial direction of the detection gear 200 than the non-engaging portion 291B. The friction member 290 is rubber, for example.

The detection gear 200 is rotatable from the non-engagement position shown in FIG. 14 (a) to the engagement position shown in FIG. 14 (b). The non-engagement position is a position where the engagement portion 291 of the friction member 290 does not engage with the plurality of gear teeth 111 of the second agitator gear 100. The engagement position is a position where the engagement portion 291 engages with at least one of the plurality of gear teeth 111. When the second agitator gear 100 rotates in the state where it is in the engaged position, the detection gear 200 rotates together with the second agitator gear 100 by the frictional force of the gear teeth 111 and the friction member 290. According to this, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the detection gear 200 does not rotate until the detection gear 200 rotates from the non-engagement position to the engagement position. This makes it possible to diversify the movement of the gear structure. Note that the second agitator gear 100 may also include a friction member instead of the gear teeth 111.

In the above-described embodiment, the other end 282 of the elastic member 280 has a configuration farther from the second shaft 200X than the tip of the first protrusion 261 in the radial direction of the detection gear 200. Good. That is, the elastic member 280 may be configured such that the tip of the other end 282 does not protrude from the opening 31A in the radial direction of the detection gear 200.

In the above-described embodiment, the elastic member 280 is formed integrally with the detection gear 200, but may be a separate component from the detection gear 200. In this case, for example, the elastic member 280 can be provided on the detection gear 200 by assembling the one end 281 of the elastic member 280 to the cylindrical portion 215 of the detection gear 200. In the above-described embodiment, the elastic member 280 has one end 281 fixed to the detection gear 200, but the one end 281 of the elastic member 280 has some play so that it can move relative to the detection gear 200. You may have. The elastic member is not limited to rubber, and may be a wire spring, for example. Moreover, the structure which consists of a some component may be sufficient as an elastic member. For example, the elastic member includes a member such as an elastic spring and a member that contacts the lever 7A. That is, the elastic member may be configured such that the elastic member does not directly contact the lever 7A.

In the above-described embodiment, the shaft is the agitator shaft 14A, but the shaft is a shaft only for transmitting a driving force from one side of the housing 11 to the other side in the first direction instead of the agitator shaft 14A. It may be.

In the above-described embodiment, the first gear is the second agitator gear 100, but the first gear may be a separate component from the second agitator gear 100. That is, the first gear may be a different gear from the gear mounted on the agitator shaft 14A. Further, the coupling, the first gear, and the second gear may be located on the same side of the housing in the first direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the initial position is exemplified as the first position, but the first position may be a position other than the initial position. For example, the first position may be the position shown in FIG. Moreover, although the position of FIG. 12 (a), (b) was illustrated as a 2nd position, the 2nd position may be a position other than this. For example, the second position may be a final position.

In the above-described embodiment, the developing cartridge 10 is configured separately from the photosensitive cartridge 5, but may be configured integrally.

In the above-described embodiment, the monochrome laser printer 1 is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the image forming apparatus may be a color image forming apparatus or may be exposed by an LED. A copier or a multifunction machine may be used.

Each element of each embodiment and each modification described above can be implemented in any combination.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser printer 7A Lever 10 Developing cartridge 11 Housing 11E Outer surface 12 Developing roller 12X 4th axis 14 Agitator

14A Agitator shaft

14X 1st axis 22 Coupling 22A 3rd axis 31 2nd gear cover 31A Opening 100 2nd agitator gear 200 Detection Gear 200X second shaft 220 second gear portion 220A tooth tip circle 221 gear tooth 261 first protrusion 280 elastic member 281 one end 282 other end T toner

Claims

A housing capable of accommodating developer,
A first gear rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, the first gear located on an outer surface of the housing;
A second gear that is rotatable about a second shaft extending in the first direction and is located on the outer surface, wherein the second gear is moved from the first position to the second position together with the first gear when engaged with the first gear. A second gear rotatable to
An elastic member movable with the second gear and extending in a radial direction of the second gear;
A cover located on the outer surface,
One end of the elastic member in the radial direction is connected to the second gear;
When the second gear is in the first position, the other end portion of the second gear with respect to the one end portion is in a state where the other end portion of the elastic member in the radial direction is in contact with the cover. Bend in the opposite direction of rotation,
When the second gear is in the second position, the contact between the other end of the elastic member and the cover is released, and due to the elastic force of the elastic member, the other end of the elastic member is A developing cartridge that moves in the rotational direction of two gears.
The cover has an opening;
The cover covers at least a part of the elastic member,
The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein when the second gear is in the second position, the other end of the elastic member is exposed from the opening.
The second gear includes a plurality of gear teeth provided around a part of the second gear,
The second gear moves from a non-engagement position where none of the plurality of gear teeth engages with the first gear to an engagement position where at least one of the plurality of gear teeth engages with the first gear. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developing cartridge is rotatable.
The second gear includes a friction member provided around the second gear,
The second gear is rotatable from a non-engagement position where the friction member does not engage with the first gear to an engagement position where the friction member engages with the first gear. The developing cartridge according to claim 1 or 2.
5. The developing cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the friction member is rubber.
6. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member extends in the first direction.
The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the elastic member is rotatable together with the second gear.
The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second gear includes the elastic member.
A first protrusion extending in the first direction and separated from the elastic member in the rotational direction of the second gear;
The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion is movable together with the second gear.
The cover has an opening, and the cover covers at least a part of the elastic member,
The developing cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the first protrusion is exposed from the opening when the second gear is in the first position.
11. The first protrusion contacts with a part of the image forming apparatus when the developing gear is mounted on the image forming apparatus and the second gear is in the first position. The developing cartridge according to 1.
12. The developing cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the first protrusion is rotatable together with the second gear.
The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the second gear includes the first protrusion.
The said other end part of the said elastic member is far from the said 2nd axis | shaft rather than the front-end | tip of the said 1st protrusion in the said radial direction in the radial direction of the said 2nd gear. The developing cartridge according to claim 1.
A coupling rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction, the coupling located on one side of the housing in the first direction;
A shaft rotatable with the coupling about the first axis;
The first gear is located on the other side of the housing in the first direction;
The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first gear is rotatable together with the shaft.
The developing cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the first gear is attached to the shaft.
The developing cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a developing roller rotatable about a fourth axis extending in the first direction.
The developer cartridge according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising an agitator capable of stirring the developer, the agitator including the shaft.
The other end of the elastic member is in contact with a part of the image forming apparatus when the second gear is in the second position in a state where the developing cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus. The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 18.