US 12,339,616 B2
Image forming apparatus including detachable process cartridge having handle on developing unit
Yasuo Fukamachi, Nagoya (JP); Yuki Nagashima, Toyokawa (JP); Junya Sumida, Ama (JP); Sakiho Hayakawa, Toyoake (JP); and Marika Ozaki, Nagoya (JP)
Assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed by BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed on Aug. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/449,338.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-154794 (JP), filed on Sep. 28, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0103429 A1, Mar. 28, 2024
Int. Cl. G03G 21/18 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 21/1846 (2013.01) [G03G 21/1814 (2013.01); G03G 2221/1846 (2013.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a main housing;
a drawer movable relative to the main housing; and
a process cartridge attachable to the drawer, the process cartridge being in a basic state without application of an external force thereto and being configured to temporarily shift from the basic state to a contacting state upon receipt of the external force, the process cartridge comprising:
a drum unit comprising:
a drum housing; and
a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, the photosensitive drum being positioned at one end portion of the drum housing at one side in a second direction;
a developing unit comprising:
a developing casing defining a toner accommodating chamber therein for accommodating toner, the developing casing including a convex portion positioned farther away from the drawer toward another side in the second direction than the drum unit is from the drawer toward the another side in the second direction in a state where the process cartridge is attached to the drawer;
a developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction, the developing roller being positioned at one end portion of the developing casing at the one side in the second direction, the developing roller being separated from the photosensitive drum while the process cartridge is in the basic state, the developing roller being in contact with the photosensitive drum while the process cartridge is in the contacting state; and
a developing handle for detaching the process cartridge in the basic state from the drawer toward the another side in the second direction, the developing handle being positioned apart from the drum unit toward the another side in the second direction;
a locking member supported by the developing casing and configured to contact the drum housing, the locking member being movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, the locking member at the locking position being in contact with the drum housing to maintain the developing roller separated from the photosensitive drum, the locking member at the unlocking position allowing the developing roller to contact the photosensitive drum; and
a lever configured to move the locking member between the locking position and the unlocking position,
wherein
while the process cartridge is in the basic state, the locking member is at the locking position to maintain the developing roller separated from the photosensitive drum, and
the convex portion protrudes further toward the another side in the second direction than the lever.