Process cartridge with axially shiftable drive coupling
US6035159A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/1657
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus which forms an image on a recording medium and to which a process cartridge can detachably be mounted includes (a) a cartridge mounting portion capable of detachably mounting a process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a process device acting on the photosensitive drum, and a projection having a first-twisted-polygonal prism shape provided on one longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum, (b) a rotatable rotary member having a first twisted hole of polygonal cross-section, (c) a rotatable coupling shaft supported for axial movement and being provided at its one end with a second-twisted-polygonal prism shape fitted into the first twisted hole of the rotary member, and being provided at its other end with a second twisted hole of polygonal cross-section for engaging with and disengaging from the projection having the first-twisted-polygonal prism shape and having substantially the same twisted angle and twisted direction as those of the first-twisted-polygonal prism shape, (d) a spring member for biasing the coupling shaft toward the photosensitive drum, (e) an axial direction shifter for shifting the sec…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.