Patent NZ-553334-A (NZ)
Title: Photosensitive member cartridge, developer cartridge and process cartridge
Inventor: ISHII MAKOTO
IPC: G03G15/08
Filed: 2005-08-03
Abstract: A developer cartridge comprises a first frame including a first side wall and a second side wall, a developer housing section for housing a developer, a developer supplying section for supplying the developer to a photosensitive member, a developer electrode for electrically biasing the developer carrying member, at least a portion of the developer electrode being connected to the first side wall and the developer carrying member, an input gear for supplying a driving force for rotating the developer carrying member, a first gear member for transmitting a driving force to the developer carrying member, a second gear member for supplying a driving force for rotating the agitating member, a third gear member rotatably supported by the first side wall, a fourth gear member for supplying a driving force for rotating the developer supplying member. The first side wall and the second side wall extend substantially in a length direction. The developer housing section extends from the first side wall to the second side wall in a width direction substantially perpendicular to the length direction. The developer supplying section extends from the first side wall to the second side wall in the width direction and housing a developer carrying member. The developer carrying member includes a developer carrying member shaft and a developer carrying member body supported on the developer carrying member shaft. The developer carrying member shaft extends in the width direction and is rotatably supported by the first side wall and the second side wall. The input gear is rotatably supported at the first side wall. The first gear member is engaged with the input gear and is fixedly supported by an end portion of the developer carrying member shaft projecting outwardly from the first side wall. The developer housing section includes an agitating member for agitating the developer. The agitating member includes an agitator shaft extending in the width direction and being rotatably supported by the first side wall and the second side wall. The second gear member is fixedly supported by an end portion of the agitator shaft that protrudes outwardly from the first side wall. The third gear member engages the first gear member and the second gear member. The developer supplying section houses a developer supplying member including a developer supplying member shaft, and a developer supplying member body supported on the developer supplying member shaft. The developer supplying member shaft extends in a width direction and is rotatably supported by the first side wall and the second side wall. The fourth gear member is engaged with the input gear and is fixedly supported by an end portion of the developer supplying member shaft that protrudes outwardly from the first side wall. The first side wall is provided with a cover, and the input, first, second, third and fourth gear members are arranged between the cover and the first side wall. The input gear is accessible through an opening in the cover. The developer electrode extends outwardly from the cover in the width direction. The developer electrode is a conductive collar member that is attached to the end portion of the developer carrying member shaft. The first gear member is arranged between the conductive collar member and the developer carrying member body in the width direction. The conductive collar member is further attached to the end portion of the developer supplying member shaft such that the fourth gear member is arranged between the developer carrying member body and the conductive collar member in the width direction or between the developer supplying member body and the conductive collar member in the width direction, respectively.