Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge includes a coupling member having an axis about which the coupling member is rotatable. The coupling member includes a first end portion operatively connected to a developer roller and a developer supplying roller and a second end portion for receiving a rotational force. The coupling member is movable between a first position in which the axis of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis of the developer roller, a second position in which the axis of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the position of the axis when the coupling member is in the first position, and a third position in which the axis of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the position of the axis when the coupling member is in the first position in a direction opposite to the direction the coupling member is inclined when in the second position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge includes a coupling member having an axis about which the coupling member is rotatable. The coupling member includes a first end portion operatively connected to a developer roller and a developer supplying roller and a second end portion for receiving a rotational force. The coupling member is movable between a first position in which the axis of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis of the developer roller, a second position in which the axis of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the position of the axis when the coupling member is in the first position, and a third position in which the axis of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the position of the axis when the coupling member is in the first position in a direction opposite to the direction the coupling member is inclined when in the second position.

Abstract: An embossed component for positioning an article having a through hole includes a planar portion and an embossed portion projecting from a surface of the planar portion. The embossed portion is tapered toward a tip side and to be fitted into the through hole. The embossed portion includes a straight base end portion continuous with the planar portion and extending vertically with respect to the planar portion toward the tip side of the embossed portion, and an opening is at a tip of the embossed portion.

Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a developer roll and a toner adder roll. First and second drive gears are rotatably connected to and coaxial with the developer roll and toner adder roll, respectively. The toner cartridge includes a drive coupler exposed to receive rotational motion when the toner cartridge is installed in an image forming device. Gear teeth of the first drive gear are directly meshed with gear teeth of the drive coupler of the toner cartridge. The second drive gear is rotatably connected to the drive coupler through a pair of idler gears.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge and developing cartridge. The drum cartridge may include a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction. The developing cartridge may include a developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus may include a main casing including a slot extending in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus may include a first inner surface positioned inside of the slot, and a second inner surface positioned inside of the slot farther from the cover in the axial direction than the first inner surface from the cover in the axial direction. The first and second inner surfaces may be configured to press the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first rod movable between a first advanced position separating a first developing roller from a first photosensitive drum and a first retracted position allowing the first developing roller to contact the first photosensitive drum; a second rod movable between a second advanced position separating a second developing roller from a second photosensitive drum and a second retracted position allowing the second developing roller to contact the second photosensitive drum; a first cam shifting between a first pushing state of placing the first rod in the first advanced position and a first push-released state of allowing the first rod to be in the first retracted position; and a second cam shifting between a second pushing state of placing the second rod in the second advanced position and a second push-released state of allowing the second rod to be in the second retracted position.

Abstract: In a fixing device, a first fixing member and a second fixing member in combination forms a nip, a first gear receives a driving force from a main gear provided in an image forming apparatus, a second gear rotates together with the first gear about a center of rotation of the first gear, a third gear provided in mesh with the second gear rotates together with the first fixing member. The first gear and the second gear are rotatably supported by a metal shaft. The first fixing member and the metal shaft are supported by a side frame. A sleeve is provided around the metal shaft. A material of the second gear and a material of the sleeve have melting points higher than a melting point of a material of the first gear, and the first gear is supported via the sleeve by the metal shaft.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body, and a tray movable from an inner portion of a main body to outside of the main body. A plurality of consumable cartridges are removably mountable on the tray. The tray includes a guide member, and during mounting of each of the plurality of consumable cartridges, the guide member moves each of the plurality of consumable cartridges in a direction perpendicular to a mounting direction of the consumable cartridges so that the consumable cartridges are mounted on the tray.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a developing roller; a coupling for rotating the developing roller; a shaft; and a clutch. The developing roller is rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction. The coupling is rotatable about a second axis extending in the axial direction. The shaft rotatably supports the coupling. The clutch is rotatable together with the coupling about the shaft in a case where the coupling rotates in a first rotational direction. In a case where the coupling rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, the clutch engages with a portion of the shaft and the clutch and the coupling do not rotate.

Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge including a storage medium having an electrical contact surface is detachably attachable; a photosensitive drum; a transfer roller; and a conveying roller. The drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one end portion of the frame in a second direction. The transfer roller is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction and in contact with the drum. The conveying roller is rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction and separated from the transfer roller in the second direction. A first opening of the frame is positioned between the transfer roller and the conveying roller in the second direction. The electrical contact surface is exposed to an outside through the first opening in a case where the developing cartridge is attached to the frame.

Abstract: A gear assembly for an imaging device includes a drive gear positioned to receive rotational force from the imaging device, and a driven gear positioned to mesh with and receive rotational force from the drive gear for rotating a photoconductive member. As the photoconductive member rotates, a rotational location on the drive gear that meshes with the driven gear when a latent image is formed on the photoconductive member is the same said rotational location on the drive gear that meshes with the driven gear when a toned image of the latent image is transferred from the photoconductive member to an image receiving medium.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a process cartridge, which is detachably mounted into an electronic imaging device, wherein the electronic imaging device comprises a separating member. The process cartridge comprises: a photosensitive drum; a developing roller; a first housing supporting the developing roller, wherein when the process cartridge is mounted into the electronic imaging device, in a direction of gravity, the photosensitive drum is located on a lower end side of the process cartridge, and an axis of the developing roller is located on an upper side of an axis of the photosensitive drum; and an integrally molded second housing. The second housing supports the photosensitive drum. A first housing is rotatable relative to the second housing. A separating force receiving component movable relative to the second housing is provided on the second housing.

Abstract: A drive transmission device includes a driving gear, a follower gear, an intermediary gear, an output gear, and an elastic member. Transmission of a driving force from the driving gear to the follower gear and transmission of the driving force from the intermediary gear to the output gear are disabled, in a non-transmission state. In a transmission state, (i) the follower gear is moved by an elastic force of the elastic member to enable rotation of the follower gear by the driving force from the driving gear, and thereafter, (ii) the intermediary gear is rotated by the follower gear without rotating the output gear, and thereafter, the intermediary gear is enabled to transmit the driving force to the output gear.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a rotatable member and a cylindrical member operatively connected to the rotatable member. The cartridge also includes a coupling member operatively connected to the cylindrical member and coaxially rotatable with the cylindrical member. The coupling member includes at least one projection for receiving a rotational force provided at one end portion of the coupling member, and a shaft portion elongated along an axis of the coupling member. The coupling member is movable with respect to the cylindrical member in a direction of the axis of the cylindrical member. The cartridge further includes a coil spring pressing the coupling member in the direction of the axis of the cylindrical member. One end portion of the coil spring encompasses a part of the shaft portion of the coupling member, with the one end portion of the coil spring and the part of the shaft portion being accommodated in a hole in the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A transfer belt unit includes a belt frame, a transfer belt, a storage element, an electrical contact surface, a pressing member, and a holder. The storage element stores therein information on the transfer belt. The electrical contact surface is electrically connected to the storage element. The pressing member presses the electrical contact surface in a pressing direction. The holder is positioned at the belt frame and holds the electrical contact surface. The holder is movable relative to the belt frame in a direction crossing the pressing direction.

Abstract: In a cartridge structure employing an inclinable coupling member engaging with a rotational force transmitting portion of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the coupling member is unable to engage with the rotational force transmitting portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the mounting and dismounting direction and the developing/spacing direction relative to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of different from each other. Under the circumstances, a coupling lever contacting and retracting relative to the coupling member in interrelation with the mounting and dismounting operation of a developing cartridge B1, and a coupling spring for the coupling lever to apply an urging force to the coupling member are provided.

Abstract: To develop a conventional coupling for transmitting a driving force. A coupling member is provided with a supporting portion for movable supporting a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force.

Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum frame; a drum coupling; and an electrical contact surface. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction. The drum frame has one end portion in a second direction at which the photosensitive drum is positioned. The drum coupling is rotatable together with the photosensitive drum. The drum coupling is positioned at an outer surface of one side in the first direction of the drum frame. The electrical contact surface is positioned closer to another side in the second direction of the drum frame than the drum coupling is to the another side in the second direction of the drum frame.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a housing; a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in an axial direction; a first helical gear and a second helical gear positioned at an outer surface of the housing; a cover covering part of the second helical gear; and an engaging member movable with the second helical gear. The second helical gear meshes with the first helical gear and is rotatable in first and second rotational directions. The second helical gear is movable in the axial direction between a first position and a second position farther away from the outer surface than the first position. The second helical gear rotates in the first rotational direction to move to the first position. The second helical gear rotates in the second rotational direction to move to the second position whereby the engaging member engages part of the cover to terminate rotation of the second helical gear.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a driven unit and a drive transmitter. The drive transmitter includes a drive source, a drive gear, and a driven gear. The drive source is configured to drive the driven unit. The drive gear is configured to receive a driving force from the drive source. The driven gear is meshed with the drive gear. The drive transmitter is configured to transmit the driving force from the drive source to the driven unit. The drive gear or the driven gear is a crowned gear crowning-processed and the crowned gear has a crowning amount less than 50 ?m.

Abstract: A cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes a rotatable member capable of carrying developer, the rotatable member being rotatable about a rotational axis thereof. The cartridge also includes a coupling member provided at one end portion of the cartridge with respect to a rotational axis direction of the rotatable member, the coupling member including at least one projection and being configured to transmit a rotational force to the rotatable member. A holding member holds the coupling member, and two pins support the holding member, with each of the two pins including a shaft portion elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotatable member and the two pins being disposed substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a housing; a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in an axial direction; a first helical gear and a second helical gear positioned at an outer surface of the housing; a cover covering part of the second helical gear; and an engaging member movable with the second helical gear. The second helical gear meshes with the first helical gear and is rotatable in first and second rotational directions. The second helical gear is movable in the axial direction between a first position and a second position farther away from the outer surface than the first position. The second helical gear rotates in the first rotational direction to move to the first position. The second helical gear rotates in the second rotational direction to move to the second position whereby the engaging member engages part of the cover to terminate rotation of the second helical gear.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a photosensitive drum assembly, an exposure head, and a bearing, is provided. The photosensitive drum assembly includes a photosensitive drum and a flange disposed at an end of the photosensitive drum in an axial direction of an axis of the photosensitive drum. The flange contacts an inner surface of the photosensitive drum. The exposure head includes a plurality of light emitters aligned along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a lens array focusing light from the light emitters on the photosensitive drum, and a head frame to support the light emitters and the lens array. The bearing has a first contact face to contact the exposure head to define a distance between the lens array and the photosensitive drum along a direction of an optical axis of the light.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section, a driving unit and an operation unit. The image forming section includes one or more image forming units. The driving unit generates driving force. The operation unit selectively performs a first operation and a second operation. The first operation is an operation to change over from a coupled state of the one or more image forming units and the driving unit, which the driving force is transmitted to the one or more image forming units, to a released state of the one or more image forming unit and the driving unit, which the driving force from the driving unit is not transmitted to the one or more image forming units. When the second operation is performed, the released state is maintained.

Abstract: An interface drive coupler for a replaceable unit of an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a first component and a second component coaxial with the first component along a rotational axis of the interface drive coupler. A force receiving portion is positioned on the first component and a force transmitting portion is positioned on the second component. Angled grooves on one of the first and second components matably receive angled ribs on the other of the first and second components to prevent the first and second components from separating from each other.

Abstract: Provided is a joint mechanism where a rotational drive force of a drive shaft is transmitted to a driven shaft. The joint mechanism includes a first engaging portion, a second engaging portion which is engageable with the first engaging portion, a coupling, a first distal end portion, and a second distal end portion. The coupling has the second engaging portion, and is swingable in a direction intersecting with the axial direction in a state where the second engaging portion is engaged with the first engaging portion. The first distal end portion is a distal end portion of the driven shaft, and the first engaging portion or the coupling is mounted on the first distal end portion. The second distal end portion is a distal end portion of the drive shaft, and the coupling or the first engaging portion is mounted on the second distal end portion.

Abstract: A drum unit usable with a process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1; and a coupling member having an axis L2 and connected to an end portion of the photosensitive drum, the coupling member being provided with a projection extending toward an end portion of the coupling member, wherein the coupling member is movable along the axis L2 between a first position, and a second position in which the projection is closer to the photosensitive drum than in the first position, wherein the projection is provided with a force receiving portion for receiving a rotational force and an outer surface facing away from the axis L2, and wherein at least a part of the outer surface is more distant from the axis L2 as is further from the photosensitive drum in a direction of the axis L1.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a cartridge and an image forming apparatus main assembly. An image forming apparatus main assembly includes a drive output member for transmitting the driving force to the cartridge. The drive output member is movable between an advanced position and a retracted position. An image forming apparatus main assembly includes an inclination imparting portion for inclining the drive output member as the drive output member moves from the advanced position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A drum unit usable with a process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1; and a coupling member having an axis L2 and connected to an end portion of the photosensitive drum, the coupling member being provided with a projection extending toward an end portion of the coupling member, wherein the coupling member is movable along the axis L2 between a first position, and a second position in which the projection is closer to the photosensitive drum than in the first position, wherein the projection is provided with a force receiving portion for receiving a rotational force and an outer surface facing away from the axis L2, and wherein at least a part of the outer surface is more distant from the axis L2 as is further from the photosensitive drum in a direction of the axis L1.

Abstract: A motor device includes motors, detector in the respective motors to detect motor rotational speeds, and an output controller configured or programmed to output a single output rotational speed based on the motor rotational speeds input from the detectors. The output controller multiplies at least one of the input motor rotational speeds by a coefficient derived based on target rotational speeds of the motors to calculate a conversion value, and determines the output rotational speed.

Abstract: A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a driving shaft rotatable by a motor and having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member, the developing device being mountable to the movable member, and the developing device being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft in response to movement of the movable member in one direction with the developing device mounted to the movable member, the developing device includes i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis; and ii) a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller, the coupling member including, a rotating force receiving portion engageable with the rotating force applying portion to receive a rotating force from the driving shaft.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning roller, a bearing member, a guiding member and an energizing member. The cleaning roller includes a second gear meshed with a first gear of an image carrier. The cleaning roller is rotationally driven in an opposite direction to the image carrier by driving force transmitted from the first gear to the second gear. The bearing member supports a core metal of the cleaning roller. The guiding member has a placement face on which the bearing member is placed. The placement face is inclined with regard to a straight line passing through a rotation center of the first gear and a rotation center of the second gear so that a distance between the straight line and the placement face becomes larger, the closer to the first gear. The energizing member energizes the bearing member so as to press the cleaning roller to the image carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus having moving means for moving a coupling gear between a coupling position where a drum side coupling portion and a main body side coupling portion are coupled to each other and a decoupling position where the drum side coupling portion and the main body side coupling portion are decoupled from each other. The moving means moves the coupling gear to the coupling position when forming a color image, and moves the coupling gear to the decoupling position when forming a monochrome image. The coupling gear has a main body side gear portion which meshes with the main body gear. The coupling gear is integrally molded with the main body side coupling portion and the main body side gear portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge includes a developer roller having an axis L1 and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes a first end portion operatively connected to the developer roller, a second end portion, and a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The image forming apparatus cartridge also includes an urging member that biases the coupling member. The coupling member is movable between a first position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis L1 of the developer roller, and a second position in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is fully inclined with respect to the axis L1 of the developing roller, and the urging member biases the coupling member to the second position.

Abstract: A process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes a cartridge body, a photosensitive drum having a first axis, and a driving force receiving member having a second axis. The photosensitive drum is rotatably supported between two end walls of the cartridge body, and the driving force receiving member has a head portion and a shaft portion. The driving force receiving member is connected to an axial end of the photosensitive drum through an Oldham coupling; a rotation angle limiting mechanism is disposed between the driving force receiving member and the photosensitive drum; and the driving force receiving member is movable in a direction perpendicular to the first axis and rotatable around the second axis such that the second axis is either co-axial or parallel with the first axis.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developer bearing member, a driving unit, a latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic image having light area potential and a dark area potential, and an application unit that applies a developing bias. The driving unit drives the image bearing member and the developer bearing member in a first peripheral speed ratio and a second peripheral speed ratio larger than the first peripheral speed ratio. The image forming apparatus further includes an acquiring unit acquiring information related to a change in an electrostatic capacitance of the image bearing member and a determining unit determining a developing contrast according to the electrostatic capacitance. The determining unit determines the developing contrast based on the acquired information when the driving unit drives the image bearing member and the developer bearing member in the second peripheral speed ratio.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process cartridge comprising: a housing; a rotatable component; a driving force receiver configured to transmit a driving force to the rotatable component; an elastic member; wherein when the process cartridge is installed in an imaging device comprising a driving head, the driving force receiver has a first state and a second state relative to the driving head, the first state being a state in which the driving force receiver contacts the driving head and is in a pre-engaged position and the second state being a state in which the driving force receiver is engaged by the driving head; wherein when the driving force receiver is in the first state relative to the driving head, the elastic member is configured to urge the driving force receiver to transition from the first state to the second state as a result of rotation of the driving head.

Abstract: An imaging device prints in color and monochromatically, such as black-only. It has a plurality of photoconductive drums, one each for black toner and at least one colored toner. The drums contact and rotate with an intermediate transfer member (ITM) to transfer images at a first transfer. During black-only imaging, the photoconductive drum for the black toner rotates with the ITM at process speed while the drum for the at least one colored toner rotates at less than process speed, often substantially less. The technique reduces consumption of colored toner during black-only imaging and minimizes charge build-up on the drum for the colored toner.

Abstract: A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a driving shaft rotatable by a motor and having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member, the developing device being mountable to the movable member, and the developing device being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft in response to movement of the movable member in one direction with the developing device mounted to the movable member, the developing device includes i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis; and ii) a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller, the coupling member including, a rotating force receiving portion engageable with the rotating force applying portion to receive a rotating force from the driving shaft, and a rotating force transmitting portion for

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a cartridge and an image forming apparatus main assembly. An image forming apparatus main assembly includes a drive output member for transmitting the driving force to the cartridge. The drive output member is movable between an advanced position and a retracted position. An image forming apparatus main assembly includes an inclination imparting portion for inclining the drive output member as the drive output member moves from the advanced position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A drum unit detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum and a coupling member provided on the photosensitive drum. The coupling member includes a driving force receiving portion and a supporting portion movably supporting the driving force receiving portion. The supporting portion includes a first extended portion and a second extended portion which extend at least in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing portion, a driving-side shaft coupling, a movement supporting mechanism, a movement member, a separating member, and a displacement member. The developing portion includes a developing roller that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image-carrying member, and a driven-side shaft coupling that is provided on the developing roller. The driving-side shaft coupling transmits driving force, via the driven-side shaft coupling, to the developing roller. The movement supporting mechanism movably supports the developing roller between a developing position and a separated position. The displacement member applies a force to the movement supporting mechanism, and positions the developing roller at the developing position. When the movement member moves further after the driven-side shaft coupling has separated from the driving-side shaft coupling, the displacement member moves the developing roller from the developing position to the separated position.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive member assembly including a photosensitive member, a flange, and a coupling member. The cartridge includes a photosensitive member limiting portion configured to limit movement of the photosensitive member assembly to a first position in a second direction and to a second position in a first direction, and a coupling member limiting portion configured to limit movement of the coupling member to a third position in the second direction and to a fourth position in the first direction. The cartridge is constituted so that the photosensitive member assembly is in the second position and the coupling member is in the fourth position when the cartridge is mounted in the main assembly and an engaging portion of the cartridge member engages with a main assembly driving portion and the cartridge member is urged in the first direction by the main assembly driving portion.

Abstract: A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a driving shaft rotatable by a motor and having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member, the developing device being mountable to the movable member, and the developing device being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft in response to movement of the movable member in one direction with the developing device mounted to the movable member, the developing device includes i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis; and ii) a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller, the coupling member including, a rotating force receiving portion engageable with the rotating force applying portion to receive a rotating force from the driving shaft, and a rotating force transmitting portion for

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process cartridge comprising: a housing; a rotatable component; a driving force receiver configured to transmit a driving force to the rotatable component; an elastic member; wherein when the process cartridge is installed in an imaging device comprising a driving head, the driving force receiver has a first state and a second state relative to the driving head, the first state being a state in which the driving force receiver contacts the driving head and is in a pre-engaged position and the second state being a state in which the driving force receiver is engaged by the driving head; wherein when the driving force receiver is in the first state relative to the driving head, the elastic member is configured to urge the driving force receiver to transition from the first state to the second state as a result of rotation of the driving head.

Abstract: An end member is disposed in an end portion of a columnar rotating body, comprising: a shaft member; and a bearing member which holds the shaft member, wherein the shaft member comprises: a rotating shaft; and a rotating force receiving portion, and wherein at least one of the shaft member and the bearing member has a mechanism where the rotating force receiving portion moves also in a shaft line direction without be inclined by a movement of the rotating force receiving portion in a direction orthogonal to the shaft line direction or by a rotation of the rotating force receiving portion around a shaft line.

Abstract: A driving device includes a motor, a drive gear, a swing gear, a first gear member, a second gear member, a frame, and a bracket. The swing gear can swing between a first position engaging with the first gear member and a second position engaging with the second gear member. The bracket has a slide hole including a pair of contact parts having an arc shape, and an arc hole part for connecting the pair of contact parts with a first sliding surface farther from the drive gear and a second sliding surface nearer to the drive gear. The first sliding surface has a shape retracting to the opposite side to the rotation shaft from tangential lines of the rotation shaft contacting with the contact parts, which are parallel to pressure angle directions between the drive gear and the swing gear, or a shape coinciding with the tangential lines.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drive device including a first drive transmission passage through which a driving force of a drive source is transmitted to a developer bearer via a first joint and a second drive transmission passage through which the driving force is transmitted to a rotary body via a second joint. The first drive transmission passage and the second drive transmission passage are defined such that one of a first drive transmission ratio to the first joint of the first drive transmission passage and a second drive transmission ratio to the second joint of the second drive transmission passage is an integral multiple of the other of the first drive transmission ratio from the drive source to the first joint of the first drive transmission passage and the second drive transmission ratio from the drive source to the second joint of the second drive transmission passage.

Abstract: An Oldham coupler assembly for transferring rotary power between two shafts in an imaging device. The Oldham coupler includes an input plate, an output plate, and a drive plate and two pairs of coupling wheels, and, in one embodiment, made of the same plastic material. The drive plate has a pair of open-ended slots along one axis and a close-ended center slot along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. The drive plate is mechanically coupled and positioned in between the input plate and the output plate. A plastic retraction spline assembly is slidably retained in the output plate and engages with a drive member in an imaging unit. The input plate includes gear teeth integrally molded into the outer circumference thereof decreasing the overall width of the Oldham coupler. The two pairs of coupling wheels have the same diameter.

Abstract: A toner case includes a case main body, a rotator, a transmitter and a cover. The case main body stores a toner. The rotator is stored in the case main body and rotates around a rotation axis. The transmitter transmits rotation to the rotator. At least apart of the transmitter is arranged outside the case main body. The cover moves along a rotation axis direction of the rotator between a covering position where the cover covers an outer circumference of the transmitter and an exposing position where the cover exposes the transmitter.