Patent Publication Number: US-10331077-B2

Title: Cartridge where biasing member is reliably held on coupling member

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a cartridge and an image forming apparatus that uses the cartridge. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     In a conventional cartridge-system image forming apparatus, driving force is transmitted from main body of an image forming apparatus in order to rotate a rotating member such as an electrophotographic photosensitive member (referred to hereafter as a photosensitive drum) that is provided in a cartridge and typically formed in the shape of a drum. In a conventional configuration for realizing this system, a coupling member provided on the cartridge side is engaged to a drive transmission portion provided on main body of the image forming apparatus side. Here, depending on the image forming apparatus, the cartridge may be configured to be detachable in a predetermined direction that is substantially orthogonal to a rotational axis of the photosensitive drum. In another known configuration, a mechanism for moving the drive transmission portion of main body of the image forming apparatus in a rotational axis direction in response to an opening/closing operation of main body of the image forming apparatus is not provided. More specifically, a configuration in which a coupling member provided on an end of the photosensitive drum can be tilted relative to the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum has been disclosed. Further, a biasing member is provided on the cartridge in order to tilt the coupling member. In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-79243, a groove formed in an annular shape so as to extend in a circumferential direction is provided in a conical portion of a coupling member in order to limit a position of a biasing member relative to the coupling member. 
     An object of the present invention is to develop the prior art described above by providing a cartridge in which a biasing member can be held more reliably on a coupling member. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge described below. 
     A cartridge that can be mounted in and detached from main body of an apparatus of an image forming apparatus, comprising: 
     a rotating member that rotates upon reception of driving force from main body of the apparatus; 
     a coupling member that includes a force receiving portion for receiving the driving force from main body of the apparatus via a drive shaft, transmits the driving force to the rotating member by rotating, and is capable of moving relative to the rotating member; and 
     a wire-shaped biasing member for biasing the coupling member, 
     wherein the coupling member includes a groove that is contacted by the biasing member, and an opening width of the groove is wider than a wire diameter of the biasing member. 
     According to the present invention, the biasing member can be held more reliably on the coupling member. 
     Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the attached drawings). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are illustrative views of a groove provided in a coupling member according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of main body of an image forming apparatus and a cartridge according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the cartridge according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a cleaning container according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing main body of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment in a state where an opening/closing door is open; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing main body of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment in a state where a tray is pulled out; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of main body of the image forming apparatus and the cartridge according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a view of the cartridge and a drive-side positioning portion of main body of the apparatus, according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a view of the cartridge and a non-drive-side positioning portion of main body of the apparatus, according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view showing the cartridge according to the first embodiment from the non-drive side; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of a non-drive-side part of the cartridge according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view showing the cartridge according to the first embodiment from the drive side; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of a drive-side part of the cartridge according to the first embodiment; 
         FIGS. 14A to 14C  are views showing a relationship between a coupling member and a biasing member during image formation, according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  is a view comparing a groove according to the first embodiment with a groove having an opening width that is identical to a wire diameter of the biasing member; 
         FIG. 16  is an illustrative view showing the coupling member according to the first embodiment in a biased state; 
         FIGS. 17A and 17B  are illustrative views of an engagement operation implemented on the coupling member according to the first embodiment; 
         FIGS. 18A and 18B  are illustrative views of a modified example of the groove provided in the coupling member according to the first embodiment; 
         FIGS. 19A and 19B  are illustrative views of a groove provided in a coupling member according to a second embodiment; 
         FIGS. 20A and 20B  are illustrative views of a groove provided in a coupling member according to a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 21  is an illustrative view of a coupling member according to a fourth embodiment; 
         FIGS. 22A to 22C  are illustrative views of the coupling member according to the fourth embodiment in a biased state; and 
         FIGS. 23A to 23C  are views showing a relationship between the coupling member and a biasing member during image formation, according to the fourth embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, a description will be given, with reference to the drawings, of embodiments (examples) of the present invention. However, the sizes, materials, shapes, their relative arrangements, or the like of constituents described in the embodiments may be appropriately changed according to the configurations, various conditions, or the like of apparatuses to which the invention is applied. Therefore, the sizes, materials, shapes, their relative arrangements, or the like of the constituents described in the embodiments do not intend to limit the scope of the invention to the following embodiments. 
     First Embodiment 
     Here, a cartridge is formed by forming a photosensitive drum and process unit for performing actions on the photosensitive drum integrally in cartridge form, and mounting the cartridge detachably in main body of an image forming apparatus. Examples of image forming apparatuses include an electrophotographic copier, an electrophotographic printer (an LED printer, a laser beam printer, or the like), a facsimile apparatus, a word processor, and so on, for example. 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below on the basis of the figures. Note that a rotational axis direction of a photosensitive drum is set as a longitudinal direction. Further, in the longitudinal direction, aside on which the photosensitive drum receives driving force from main body of the image forming apparatus will be referred to as a drive side, and an opposite side thereto will be referred to as a non-drive side. Using  FIGS. 2 and 3 , an overall configuration and an image formation process will be described.  FIG. 2  is a sectional view showing main body of an image forming apparatus (referred to hereafter as main body A of an apparatus) of an image forming apparatus and a cartridge (referred to hereafter as a cartridge B) according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the cartridge B. Here, main body A of the apparatus refers to the parts of the image forming apparatus excluding the cartridge B. 
     Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 
     The image forming apparatus shown in  FIG. 2  is a laser beam printer using electrophotographic technology, in which the cartridge B can be mounted in and detached from main body A of the apparatus freely. An exposure apparatus  3  (a laser scanner unit) is disposed to form a latent image on a drum  62  serving as a photosensitive drum of the cartridge B when the cartridge B is mounted in main body A of the apparatus. Further, a sheet tray  4  housing a recording medium (referred to hereafter as a sheet material P) that serves as an image formation subject is disposed below the cartridge B. Furthermore, a pickup roller  5   a , a pair of feed rollers  5   b , a pair of transport rollers  5   c , a transfer guide  6 , a transfer roller  7 , a transport guide  8 , a fixing apparatus  9 , a pair of discharge rollers  10 , a discharge tray  11 , and so on are disposed in main body A of the apparatus in that order in a transport direction D of the sheet material P. Note that the fixing apparatus  9  is constituted by a heat roller  9   a  and a pressure roller  9   b.    
     Image Formation Process 
     Next, an image formation process will be described briefly using  FIGS. 2 and 3 . On the basis of a print start signal, the photosensitive drum (referred to hereafter as the drum  62 ) is driven to rotate in the direction of an arrow R at a predetermined circumferential velocity (process speed). A charging roller  66  to which a bias voltage has been applied contacts an outer peripheral surface of the drum  62  so as to charge the outer peripheral surface of the drum  62  uniformly. The exposure apparatus  3  outputs a laser beam L corresponding to image information. The laser beam L passes through a laser aperture  71   h  provided in a cleaning frame  71  of the cartridge B so as to perform scanning exposure on the outer peripheral surface of the drum  62 . As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drum  62 . Meanwhile, as shown in  FIG. 3 , in a developing unit  20  serving as a developing apparatus, toner T in a toner chamber  29  is agitated and transported by rotating a first transport member  43 , a second transport member  44 , and a third transport member  50 , and thereby delivered to a toner supply chamber  28 . The toner T is carried on the surface of a developing roller  32  by magnetic force from a magnet roller  34  (a fixing magnet). A developing blade  42  triboelectrically charges the toner T on the peripheral surface of the developing roller  32  while limiting a layer thickness thereof. The toner T is developed onto the drum  62  in accordance with the electrostatic latent image, and thereby visualized as a toner image. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the sheet material P housed in the lower portion of main body A of the apparatus is delivered from the sheet tray  4  by the pickup roller  5   a , the pair of feed rollers  5   b , and the pair of transport rollers  5   c  in alignment with an output timing of the laser beam L. The sheet material P passes the transfer guide  6  so as to be transported to a transfer position between the drum  62  and the transfer roller  7 . In the transfer position, the toner image is transferred successively onto the sheet material P from the drum  62 . The sheet material P onto which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the drum  62  and transported to the fixing apparatus  9  along the transport guide  8 . The sheet material P then passes through a nip between the heat roller  9   a  and the pressure roller  9   b  constituting the fixing apparatus  9 . In the nip, pressure/heat fixing processing is executed to fix the toner image on the sheet material P. The sheet material P, having been subjected to the toner image fixing processing, is then transported to the pair of discharge rollers  10  and discharged onto a discharge tray  11 . Meanwhile, as shown in  FIG. 3 , following transfer, a cleaning member  77  removes residual toner from the outer peripheral surface of the drum  62  so that the drum  62  can be used in the next image formation process. The toner removed from the drum  62  is stored in a waste toner chamber  71   b  of a cleaning unit  60 . In the above description, the charging roller  66 , the developing roller  32 , the transfer roller  7 , and the cleaning member  77  together constitute the process unit for performing actions on the drum  62 . 
     Cartridge Mounting/Detach Operation 
     Next, operations to mount and detach the cartridge B in and from main body A of the apparatus will be described using  FIGS. 5 to 7 .  FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing main body A of the apparatus when an opening/closing door  13  for mounting and detaching the cartridge B is open.  FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing main body A of the apparatus and the cartridge B when the opening/closing door  13  is open and a tray  18  is pulled out in order to mount or detach the cartridge B.  FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing main body A of the apparatus and the cartridge B when the opening/closing door  13  is open, the tray  18  is pulled out, and the cartridge B is being mounted or detached. The cartridge B can be mounted in and detached from the tray  18  in a mounting/detaching direction E. The opening/closing door  13  is attached rotatably to main body A of the apparatus, and when the opening/closing door  13  is opened, a cartridge insertion port  17  is provided. The tray  18  for mounting the cartridge B in main body A of the apparatus is provided in the cartridge insertion port  17 . When the tray  18  is pulled out to a predetermined position, the cartridge B can be mounted and detached. The cartridge B is mounted in main body A of the apparatus while carried on the tray  18  in the direction of an arrow C in the figure along guide rails (not shown). Further, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the cartridge B is provided with a first drive shaft  14  and a second drive shaft  19  for transmitting drive to a first coupling  70  and a second coupling  21 . The first drive shaft  14  and the second drive shaft  19  are driven by a motor (not shown) of main body A of the apparatus. Accordingly, the drum  62 , which is coupled to the first coupling  70 , rotates upon reception of driving force from main body A of the apparatus. Furthermore, the developing roller  32  rotates when drive is transmitted thereto from the second coupling  21 . Moreover, power is fed to the charging roller  66  and the developing roller  32  by a power feeding portion (not shown) of main body A of the apparatus. 
     Cartridge Support Portion 
     Next, a configuration for supporting the cartridge B in main body of the apparatus will be described. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a drive-side plate  15  and a non-drive-side plate  16  for supporting the cartridge B are provided on main body A of the apparatus. As shown in  FIG. 8 , a drive-side first support portion  15   a , a drive-side second support portion  15   b , and a rotary support portion  15   c  for the cartridge B are provided on the drive-side plate  15 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 9 , a non-drive-side first support portion  16   a , a non-drive-side second support portion  16   b , and a rotary support portion  16   c  are provided on the non-drive-side plate  16 . Meanwhile, a supported portion  73   b  and a supported portion  73   d  of a drum bearing  73 , and a drive-side boss  71   a , a non-drive-side projection  71   f , and a non-drive-side boss  71   g  of the cleaning frame  71  are respectively provided as supported portions of the cartridge B. The supported portion  73   b  and the supported portion  73   d  are supported respectively by the drive-side first support portion  15   a  and the drive-side second support portion  15   b , while the drive-side boss  71   a  is supported by the rotary support portion  15   c . Further, the non-drive-side projection  71   f  is supported by the non-drive-side first support portion  16   a  and the non-drive-side second support portion  16   b , and the non-drive-side boss  71   g  is supported by the rotary support portion  16   c . Thus, the cartridge B is positioned within main body A of the apparatus. 
     Overall Configuration of Cartridge 
     Next, the overall configuration of the cartridge B will be described using  FIGS. 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, and 13 .  FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the cartridge B.  FIGS. 10 and 12  are perspective views illustrating the configuration of the cartridge B.  FIGS. 11 and 13  are partially enlarged views obtained by varying angles of, and thereby enlarging, locations within dotted lines in  FIGS. 10 and 12 . Note that in this embodiment, description relating to hinges for joining the respective components has been omitted. 
     The cartridge B includes the cleaning unit  60  and the developing unit  20 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the cleaning unit  60  includes the drum  62 , the charging roller  66 , the cleaning member  77 , the cleaning frame  71  for supporting these components, and a lid member  72  fixed to the cleaning frame  71  by welding or the like. In the cleaning unit  60 , the charging roller  66  and the cleaning member  77  are both disposed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drum  62 . The cleaning member  77  includes a rubber blade  77   a  serving as a blade-shaped elastic member formed from rubber, and a support member  77   b  for supporting the rubber blade. The rubber blade  77   a  contacts the drum  62  in a counter direction to a rotation direction of the drum  62 . In other words, the rubber blade  77   a  contacts the drum  62  such that a tip end thereof is oriented toward an upstream side of the rotation direction of the drum  62 . 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the cleaning frame  71 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the waste toner removed from the surface of the drum  62  by the cleaning member  77  is transported by a first screw  86 , a second screw  87 , and a third screw  88  serving as waste toner transportation members, and stored in the waste toner chamber  71   b , which is formed by the cleaning frame  71  and the lid member  72 . Further, the first screw  86  rotates when driving force is transmitted thereto from the second coupling  21 , shown in  FIG. 13 , by a gear (not shown). The second screw  87  and the third screw  88  rotate upon reception of driving force from the first screw  86  and the second screw  87 , respectively. The first screw  86 , the second screw  87 , and the third screw  88  are respectively disposed in the vicinity of the drum  62 , on a longitudinal direction end of the cleaning frame  71 , and in the waste toner chamber  71   b . Here, respective rotational axes of the first screw  86  and the third screw  88  are parallel to the rotational axis of the drum  62 , while a rotational axis of the second screw  87  is orthogonal to the rotational axis of the drum  62 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a scoop sheet  65  for preventing the waste toner from leaking out of the cleaning frame  71  is provided on an edge of the cleaning frame  71  so as to contact the drum  62 . 
     The drum  62  is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow R in the figures in accordance with an image formation operation upon reception of driving force from a main body drive motor (not shown) serving as a drive source. The charging roller  66  is attached to the cleaning unit  60  rotatably via a charging roller bearing  67  at respective longitudinal direction ends of the cleaning frame  71  (the longitudinal direction being substantially parallel to the rotational axis direction of the drum  62 ). The charging roller  66  is pressed against the drum  62  by pressing the charging roller bearing  67  toward the drum  62  using a biasing member  68 . The charging roller  66  is driven to rotate by the rotation of the drum  62 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the developing unit  20  includes the developing roller  32 , a developer container  23  that supports the developing roller  32 , a developing blade  42 , and so on. The magnet roller  34  is provided in the developing roller  32 . Further, the developing blade  42  is disposed in the developing unit  20  to restrict the toner layer formed on the developing roller  32 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 , interval maintaining members  38  are attached to respective ends of the developing roller  32 , and when the interval maintaining members  38  contact the drum  62 , a very small gap is maintained between the developing roller  32  and the drum  62 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a blow-out prevention sheet  33  for preventing the toner from leaking out of the developing unit  20  is provided on an edge of a bottom member  22  so as to contact the developing roller  32 . Moreover, the first transport member  43 , the second transport member  44 , and the third transport member  50  are provided in the toner chamber  29 , which is formed by the developer container  23  and the bottom member  22 . The first transport member  43 , the second transport member  44 , and the third transport member  50  agitate the toner housed in the toner chamber  29 , and transport the toner to the toner supply chamber  28 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 , the cleaning frame  71 , the lid member  72 , the drum  62 , and the drum bearing  73  and a drum shaft  78  for rotationally supporting the drum  62  are provided in the cleaning unit  60 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , on the drive side, a drive-side drum flange  63  provided on the drive side of the drum  62  is supported rotatably by a hole  73   a  in the drum bearing  73 . On the non-drive side, meanwhile, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the drum shaft  78 , which is press-fitted into a hole  71   c  provided in the cleaning frame  71 , supports a hole (not shown) in a non-drive-side drum flange  64  rotatably. 
     Meanwhile the developing unit  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 3, 10, and 12 , is constituted by the bottom member  22 , the developer container  23 , a drive-side development side member  26 , the developing blade  42 , the developing roller  32 , and so on. Further, the developing roller  32  is attached to the developer container  23  rotatably by bearing members  27 ,  37  provided at respective ends thereof. As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 13 , the cartridge B is formed by joining the cleaning unit  60  and the developing unit  20  to each other rotatably using a joining pin  69 . More specifically, a development first support hole  23   a  and a development second support hole  23   b  are provided in the developer container  23  at respective longitudinal direction ends of the developing unit  20 . Further, a first suspension hole  71   i  and a second suspension hole  71   j  are provided in the cleaning frame  71  at respective longitudinal direction ends of the cleaning unit  60 . The cleaning unit  60  and the developing unit  20  are coupled to each other rotatably by fitting the joining pin  69 , which is press-fitted fixedly into the first suspension hole  71   i  and the second suspension hole  71   j , into the development first support hole  23   a  and the development second support hole  23   b . Furthermore, in  FIG. 13 , a first hole  46 Ra and a second hole  46 Rb formed in a drive-side biasing member  46 R are hooked onto a boss  73   c  of the drum bearing  73  and a boss  26   a  of the drive-side development side member  26 , respectively. Further, in  FIG. 11 , a first hole  46 Fa and a second hole  46 Fb formed in a non-drive-side biasing member  46 F are hooked onto a boss  71   k  of the cleaning frame  71  and a boss  37   a  of the bearing member  37 , respectively. 
     In this embodiment, the drive-side biasing member  46 R and the non-drive-side biasing member  46 F are formed from tension springs and configured to bias the developing unit  20  toward the cleaning unit  60  using the biasing force of the springs so that the developing roller  32  is reliably pushed in the direction of the drum  62 . A predetermined interval is maintained between the developing roller  32  and the drum  62  by the interval maintaining members  38  attached to the respective ends of the developing roller  32 . Further, a torsion coil spring  80  serving as biasing member for biasing the first coupling  70  is attached to a boss  73   e  of the drum bearing  73 , and a torsion coil spring  47  serving as biasing member for biasing the second coupling  21  is attached to a boss  26   b  of the drive-side development side member  26 . 
     Description of Coupling Member 
     Next, the first coupling  70  will be described using  FIGS. 1 and 14 . Note that the second coupling  21  is configured identically to the first coupling  70 , and therefore description thereof has been partially omitted.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are illustrative views of a groove  70   f  formed in the first coupling  70 .  FIG. 1A  is a schematic view of the first coupling  70 , and  FIG. 1B  is a schematic view of the vicinity of the groove  70   f  formed in the first coupling  70 .  FIGS. 14A to 14C  are views showing a relationship between the first coupling  70  and the torsion coil spring  80  during image formation.  FIG. 14A  is a view showing the first coupling  70  during image formation from the rotational axis direction of the drum  62 ,  FIG. 14B  is a sectional view cut along a Z-Z section, and  FIG. 14C  is a Z sectional view showing the vicinity of the groove  70   f  formed in the first coupling  70  in detail. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the first coupling  70  includes three main parts. A first part is an end portion  70   a  that is engaged to the first drive shaft  14  (not shown), which serves as a main body side engagement portion, in order to receive rotary force from the first drive shaft  14 . The end portion  70   a  is constituted by a force receiving portion  70   d  for receiving driving force from main body of the apparatus, and a tapered portion  70   e  having a tapered surface that tapers from the force receiving portion  70   d  toward a shaft portion  70   b  serving as a peripherally shaped portion, to be described below. A second part is a substantially spherical ball portion  70   c . The ball portion  70   c  serves as a transmission portion for transmitting driving force to the drum  62 , and is held tiltably by the drive-side drum flange  63  (not shown), which serves as a transmission destination member. A third part is the shaft portion  70   b , which is a peripherally shaped portion having a peripheral surface and connecting the end portion  70   a  to the ball portion  70   c . The second coupling  21  also includes three parts. A first part is an end portion  21   a  that is engaged to the second drive shaft  19  in order to receive rotary force from main body of the apparatus. A second part is a ball portion  21   c  that serves as a transmission portion for transmitting driving force to the developing roller  32 . A third part is a shaft portion  21   b  serving as a peripherally shaped portion that connects the end portion  21   a  to the ball portion  21   c . Further, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 14 , a groove  70   f  formed in an annular shape is provided between the shaft portion  70   b  and the tapered portion  70   e  so as to extend in a circumferential direction. More specifically, the groove  70   f  is configured such that when seen on a rotational axis direction cross-section, a first edge  70   g  thereof is provided on a boundary between the peripheral surface of the shaft portion  70   b  and the tapered portion  70   e , and a second edge  70   h  thereof is provided on a boundary between a surface of the tapered portion  70   e  and the shaft portion  70   b . The groove  70   f  is provided in a location where virtual planes extending respectively from the first edge  70   g  and the second edge  70   h  intersect. A distance between the first edge  70   g  and the second edge  70   h  is set as an opening width F of the groove  70   f . In this case, the opening width F is wider than a wire diameter of the wire-shaped torsion coil spring  80  that serves as biasing member for tilting the first coupling  70  so that a first arm  80   a  of the torsion coil spring  80  enters the groove  70   f . Here, the torsion coil spring  80  is formed by bending metal wire into a coil shape. Further, the wire diameter of the torsion coil spring  80  is the diameter of a part (the first arm  80   a ) of the torsion coil spring  80  that is fitted into the groove  70   f.    
     Here, making the opening width F of the groove wider than the wire diameter of the torsion coil spring  80  has the following advantage.  FIG. 15  is a view comparing the groove according to the present invention, in which the opening width F is wider than the wire diameter of the torsion coil spring  80  serving as a biasing member, with a groove according to a comparative example, in which the opening width F is substantially identical to the wire diameter of the torsion coil spring  80 . By making the opening width F wider than the wire diameter of the torsion coil spring  80  serving as the biasing member, an amount by which the torsion coil spring moves relative to the groove can be increased. Hence, even in a situation where the torsion coil spring  80  almost becomes detached from the groove  70   f  due to a disturbance such as vibration, the distance from the interior of the groove to the edges of the groove is large, and therefore the first arm  80   a  of the torsion coil spring  80  is more likely to remain inside the groove  70   f . Further, as shown in  FIG. 15 , when the opening width F of the groove  70   f  is identical to the wire diameter of the torsion coil spring  80 , the first arm  80   a  of the torsion coil spring  80  is fitted tightly into the groove  70   f . Therefore, when a disturbance such as vibration occurs, the torsion coil spring  80  does not have any leeway to move within the groove interior, and as a result, the torsion coil spring  80  easily becomes detached. Hence, the first arm  80   a  of the torsion coil spring  80  must remain in the groove  70   f  even when a disturbance such as vibration acts thereon. Therefore, the opening width F is preferably made wider than the wire diameter of the torsion coil spring  80  by forming the groove to have a rotational axis direction cross-section that extends in a smooth arc shape from the opening to the bottom of the groove  70   f . In a case where the opening width F of the groove  70   f  is wider than the wire diameter of the torsion coil spring  80 , when a disturbance such as vibration occurs, the torsion coil spring  80  has leeway to move within the interior of the groove as long as the disturbance is within the range of the groove width. Accordingly, the torsion coil spring  80  is less likely to impinge on the edge of the groove  70   f  or the like such that movement thereof is restricted, and as a result, the biasing member is unlikely to become detached from the groove. 
     Tilting Operation of Couplings 
     Next, tilting of the first coupling  70  and the second coupling  21  will be described using  FIGS. 1, 13, and 16 .  FIG. 16  is an illustrative view showing the first coupling  70  and the second coupling  21  in a biased state. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the drum bearing  73  is constituted by the hole  73   a , the supported portion  73   b , the boss  73   c , the supported portion  73   d , the boss  73   e , and a receiving portion  73   f . The drive-side development side member  26  is constituted by the boss  26   a , the boss  26   b , and a receiving portion  26   c . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the torsion coil spring  80  serving as the biasing member for tilting the first coupling  70  is attached to the boss  73   e  of the drum bearing  73 . A coil  80   c  is hooked around the boss  73   e  such that the first arm  80   a  contacts the groove  70   f  of the first coupling  70  and a second arm  80   b  contacts the receiving portion  73   f . Thus, the torsion coil spring  80  biases the first coupling  70  by a biasing force F 1  such that the end portion  70   a  (the side on which the force receiving portion  70   d  is provided) of the first coupling  70  tilts toward a downstream side (in the direction of an arrow C) in a mounting direction in which the cartridge B is mounted in main body of the apparatus up to a predetermined mounting position. Accordingly, the force receiving portion  70   d  is oriented so as to face the first drive shaft  14  of main body of the apparatus, and can therefore be engaged to the first drive shaft  14  easily. As a result, the cartridge B can be mounted smoothly. 
     Similarly, the torsion coil spring  47  serving as the biasing member for tilting the second coupling  21  is attached to the boss  26   b  of the drive-side development side member  26 . A coil  47   c  is hooked around the boss  26   b  such that a first arm  47   a  contacts a groove  21   f  of the second coupling  21  and a second arm  47   b  contacts the receiving portion  26   c . Thus, the torsion coil spring  47  biases the second coupling  21  by a biasing force F 2  so that the end portion  21   a  of the second coupling  21  is oriented toward the downstream side in the cartridge mounting direction (the direction of the arrow C), or in other words toward the second drive shaft  19  of main body of the apparatus. Further, the wire diameter of the torsion coil spring  47  is the diameter of the part (the first arm  47   a ) of the torsion coil spring  47  that is fitted into the groove  21   f.    
     Furthermore, a size, a depth, and so on of the groove are preferably set appropriately so that the first arm  80   a  of the torsion coil spring  80 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , does not impede tilting of the first coupling  70  when fitted into the groove  70   f  in the first coupling  70 . In this embodiment, this is achieved by making the opening width of the groove  70   f  wider than the wire diameter of the torsion coil spring  80  serving as the biasing member, and forming the groove  70   f  to have a rotational axis direction cross-section that extends in a smooth arc shape from the opening to the bottom of the groove, as described above. When the groove is formed to have these characteristics, the torsion coil spring  80  can slide in the groove interior. As a result, the first coupling  70  can tilt without being impeded, and can therefore be biased. This applies similarly to the second coupling  21  and the torsion coil spring  47 . 
     Coupling Engagement Operation 
     Next, engagement of the first coupling  70  and the second coupling  21  will be described using  FIGS. 16 and 17 .  FIGS. 17A and 17B  are illustrative views of an operation for engaging the first coupling  70  and the second coupling  21  to engagement portions of main body A of the apparatus.  FIG. 17A  is an illustrative view showing the first coupling  70  and the second coupling  21  prior to engagement, and  FIG. 17B  is an illustrative view showing the first coupling  70  and the second coupling  21  following engagement (during image formation). As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17A , before being engaged to the first drive shaft  14 , the first coupling  70  is biased so as to face the downstream side of the mounting direction of the cartridge B (the direction of the arrow C), or in other words so as to face the first drive shaft  14 . When the cartridge B is mounted, as shown in  FIG. 17B , the first coupling  70  is engaged to the first drive shaft  14  in main body A of the apparatus such that respective rotational axes of the first drive shaft  14 , the first coupling  70 , and the drum  62  (not shown) are substantially identical. As a result, the drum  62  (not shown) coupled to the first coupling  70  receives driving force from main body A of the apparatus so as to rotate. At this time, the first arm  80   a  of the torsion coil spring  80  is housed in the groove  70   f  of the first coupling  70 , and therefore a contact position in which the torsion coil spring  80  contacts the first coupling  70  is limited. 
     Similarly, in  FIG. 17A , before being engaged to the second drive shaft  19 , the second coupling  21  is biased so as to face the downstream side of the mounting direction of the cartridge B (the direction of the arrow C), or in other words so as to face the second drive shaft  19 . When the cartridge B is mounted, as shown in  FIG. 17B , the second coupling  21  is engaged to the second drive shaft  19  in main body A of the apparatus such that respective rotational axes of the second drive shaft  19 , the second coupling  21 , and the developing roller  32  (not shown) are substantially identical. As a result, the developing roller  32  (not shown) coupled to the second coupling  21  receives driving force from main body A of the apparatus so as to rotate. At this time, the first arm  47   a  of the torsion coil spring  47  is housed in the groove  21   f  of the second coupling  21 , and therefore a contact position in which the torsion coil spring  47  contacts the second coupling  21  is limited. Further, by providing the groove  70   f  between the shaft portion  70   b  serving as the peripherally shaped portion and the tapered portion  70   e , the contact state of the torsion coil spring  80  can be stabilized. Moreover, by having the torsion coil spring  80  contact the tapered portion  70   e , the biasing force F of the torsion coil spring  80  acts on the first coupling  70  such that a component force thereof acts on the tapered portion  70   e  of the first coupling  70 . As a result, the first coupling  70  can be pulled out toward the first drive shaft  14  (not shown) in the axial direction of the drum  62  through a component gap relative to the drive-side drum flange  63  (not shown), and can therefore easily be maintained in an attitude enabling easy engagement to the first drive shaft  14 . Similarly, the second coupling  21  can be pulled out toward the second drive shaft  19  in the axial direction of the developing roller  32 , and can therefore easily be maintained in an attitude enabling easy engagement to the second drive shaft  19 . Hence, the biasing member can be more reliably limited to a fixed position relative to the coupling member. Further, when the groove extending around the circumference of the coupling member is coated with lubricant, the lubricant can accumulate in the groove interior due to the aforesaid arc-shaped rotational axis direction cross-section of the groove so that the lubricant exists between the coupling member and the biasing member at all times. The lubricant thus serves to reduce friction between the coupling member and the torsion coil spring  80 , and as a result, an increase in the lifespan of the coupling member can be expected. 
     Note that in this embodiment, an example in which the groove extending around the circumference of the coupling member is formed to have an arc-shaped cross-section was described, but the shape of the groove is not limited thereto. As shown in  FIGS. 18A and 18B , for example, the groove may be formed in a tapered shape that increases in diameter from the bottom toward the opening such that the biasing member is enticed into the groove. In other words, the groove may be formed in any shape with which the width F of the opening is wider than the wire diameter of the torsion coil spring that contacts the groove so that lubricant can accumulate in the groove. Further, in this embodiment, an example in which a torsion coil spring is used as the biasing member was described, but the biasing member is not limited thereto, and a similar configuration can be realized by having a biasing member such as a plate spring, for example, slide against the coupling member. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described on the basis of the figures. Note that in this embodiment, parts that differ from the above embodiment will be described in detail. Unless specifically noted otherwise, all materials, shapes, and so on are identical to those of the above embodiment. Identical reference numerals have been allocated to identical parts, and detailed description thereof has been omitted. With respect to the groove  70   f  of the first coupling  70 , examples of shapes that differ from the first embodiment will be described using  FIGS. 19A  and  19 B. Note that since the second coupling  21  is configured identically to the first coupling  70 , only a part thereof will be described.  FIGS. 19A and 19B  are illustrative views of the groove  70   f  of the first coupling  70  according to the second embodiment.  FIG. 19A  is a schematic view of the first coupling  70 , and  FIG. 19B  is a schematic view of the vicinity of the groove  70   f  formed in the first coupling  70 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 19A , the first coupling  70  includes three main parts. A first part is the end portion  70   a  that is engaged to the first drive shaft  14  (not shown) serving as the main body side engagement portion in order to receive rotary force from the first drive shaft  14 . The end portion  70   a  is constituted by the force receiving portion  70   d  for receiving driving force from main body of the apparatus, and the tapered portion  70   e  that tapers from the force receiving portion  70   d  toward the shaft portion  70   b  serving as the peripherally shaped portion, to be described below. A second part is the substantially spherical ball portion  70   c . The ball portion  70   c  serves as the transmission portion for transmitting driving force to the drum  62 , and is held tiltably by the drive-side drum flange  63  (not shown) serving as the transmission destination member. A third part is the shaft portion  70   b , which is a peripherally shaped portion connecting the end portion  70   a  to the ball portion  70   c . The second coupling  21  also includes three parts. A first part is the end portion  21   a  that is engaged to the second drive shaft  19  in order to receive rotary force from main body of the apparatus. A second part is the ball portion  21   c  that serves as the transmission portion for transmitting driving force to the developing roller  32 . A third part is the shaft portion  21   b  serving as the peripherally shaped portion that connects the end portion  21   a  to the ball portion  21   c . Further, the groove  70   f  formed in an annular shape is provided in the tapered portion  70   e  so as to extend in a circumferential direction. More specifically, in contrast to the first embodiment, the groove  70   f  is configured such that both edges thereof are provided on the surface of the tapered portion  70   e . Further, a distance between the two edges on the surface of the tapered portion  70   e  is set as the opening width F of the groove  70   f  according to the second embodiment. In this case, the opening width F is wider than the wire diameter of the wire-shaped torsion coil spring  80  that serves as the biasing member for tilting the first coupling  70  so that the first arm  80   a  of the torsion coil spring  80  enters the groove  70   f . As a result, similarly to the first embodiment, the amount by which the torsion coil spring moves relative to the groove can be increased. Hence, even in a situation where the torsion coil spring  80  almost becomes detached from the groove  70   f  due to a disturbance such as vibration, the distance from the interior of the groove to the edges of the groove is large, and therefore the first arm  80   a  of the torsion coil spring  80  is more likely to remain inside the groove  70   f.    
     Further, similarly to the first embodiment, before being engaged to the first drive shaft  14 , the first coupling  70  is biased so as to face the downstream side of the mounting direction of the cartridge B, or in other words so as to face the first drive shaft  14 . When the cartridge B is mounted, the first coupling  70  is engaged to the first drive shaft  14  such that the respective rotational axes of the first drive shaft  14 , the first coupling  70 , and the drum  62  are substantially identical. As a result, the drum  62  coupled to the first coupling  70  receives driving force from main body of the apparatus so as to rotate. At this time, the first arm  80   a  of the torsion coil spring  80  is housed in the groove  70   f  of the first coupling  70 , and therefore the contact position in which the torsion coil spring  80  contacts the first coupling  70  during image formation can be limited. Furthermore, by providing the groove  70   f  in the tapered portion  70   e  and causing the torsion coil spring  80  to contact the groove  70   f , a component force of the biasing force F of the torsion coil spring  80  acts on the tapered portion  70   e  of the first coupling  70 . As a result, the first coupling  70  can be pulled out toward the first drive shaft  14  (not shown) in the axial direction of the drum  62  through the component gap relative to the drive-side drum flange  63  (not shown), and can therefore easily be maintained in an attitude enabling easy engagement to the first drive shaft  14 . This applies likewise to the second coupling  21 . 
     Hence, the biasing member can be more reliably limited to a fixed position relative to the coupling member. Further, when the groove extending around the circumference of the coupling member is coated with lubricant, the lubricant can accumulate in the groove due to the aforesaid arc-shaped rotational axis direction cross-section of the groove so that the lubricant exists between the coupling member and the biasing member at all times. The lubricant thus serves to reduce friction between the coupling member and the torsion coil spring  80 , and as a result, an increase in the lifespan of the coupling member can be expected. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described on the basis of the figures. Note that in this embodiment, parts that differ from the above embodiments will be described in detail. Unless specifically noted otherwise, all materials, shapes, and so on are identical to those of the above embodiments. Identical reference numerals have been allocated to identical parts, and detailed description thereof has been omitted. With respect to the groove  70   f  of the first coupling  70 , examples of shapes that differ from the first embodiment will be described using  FIGS. 20A and 20B . Note that since the second coupling  21  is configured identically to the first coupling  70 , only a part thereof will be described.  FIGS. 20A and 20B  are illustrative views of the groove  70   f  of the first coupling  70  according to the third embodiment.  FIG. 20A  is a schematic view of the first coupling  70 , and  FIG. 20B  is a schematic view of the vicinity of the groove  70   f  formed in the first coupling  70 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 20A , the first coupling  70  includes three main parts. A first part is the end portion  70   a  that is engaged to the first drive shaft  14  (not shown) serving as the main body side engagement portion in order to receive rotary force from the first drive shaft  14 . The end portion  70   a  is constituted by the force receiving portion  70   d  for receiving driving force from main body of the apparatus, and the tapered portion  70   e  that tapers toward the shaft portion  70   b  serving as the peripherally shaped portion, to be described below. A second part is the substantially spherical ball portion  70   c . The ball portion  70   c  serves as the transmission portion for transmitting driving force to the drum  62 , and is held tiltably by the drive-side drum flange  63  (not shown) serving as the transmission destination member. A third part is the shaft portion  70   b , which is a peripherally shaped portion connecting the end portion  70   a  to the ball portion  70   c . The second coupling  21  also includes three parts. A first part is the end portion  21   a  that is engaged to the second drive shaft  19  in order to receive rotary force from main body of the apparatus. A second part is the ball portion  21   c  that serves as the transmission portion for transmitting driving force to the developing roller  32 . A third part is the shaft portion  21   b  serving as the peripherally shaped portion that connects the end portion  21   a  to the ball portion  21   c . Further, the groove  70   f  formed in an annular shape is provided in the shaft portion  70   b  so as to extend in a circumferential direction. More specifically, in contrast to the first and second embodiments, the groove  70   f  is configured such that both edges thereof are provided on the surface of the shaft portion  70   b  serving as the peripherally shaped portion. Further, a distance between the two edges on the surface of the shaft portion  70   b  of the groove  70   f  is set as the opening width F of the groove  70   f  according to the third embodiment. In this case, the opening width F is wider than the wire diameter of the wire-shaped torsion coil spring  80  serving as the biasing member for tilting the first coupling  70  so that the first arm  80   a  of the torsion coil spring  80  enters the groove  70   f . As a result, similarly to the first and second embodiments, the amount by which the torsion coil spring moves relative to the groove can be increased. Hence, even in a situation where the torsion coil spring  80  almost becomes detached from the groove  70   f  due to a disturbance such as vibration, the distance from the interior of the groove to the edges of the groove is large, and therefore the first arm  80   a  of the torsion coil spring  80  is more likely to remain inside the groove  70   f . For this purpose, similarly to the first and second embodiments, the opening width F is preferably made wider than the wire diameter of the torsion coil spring  80  by forming the groove to have a rotational axis direction cross-section that extends in a smooth arc shape from the opening to the bottom of the groove  70   f . The cross-section of the groove is not limited to an arc shape, however, and the groove may be formed in any shape with which the width F of the opening is wider than the wire diameter of the torsion coil spring that contacts the groove so that lubricant can accumulate in the groove. 
     As a result, the contact position in which the torsion coil spring  80  contacts the first coupling  70  during image formation can be limited. Furthermore, by providing the groove  70   f  in the shaft portion  70   b , the contact state of the torsion coil spring  80  can be further stabilized. Hence, the biasing member can be more reliably limited to a fixed position relative to the coupling member. Further, when the groove extending around the circumference of the coupling member is coated with lubricant, the lubricant can accumulate in the groove interior so that the lubricant exists between the coupling member and the biasing member at all times. The lubricant thus serves to reduce friction between the coupling member and the torsion coil spring  80 , and as a result, an increase in the lifespan of the coupling member can be expected. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described on the basis of the figures. Note that in this embodiment, parts that differ from the above embodiments will be described in detail. Unless specifically noted otherwise, all materials, shapes, and so on are identical to those of the above embodiments. Identical reference numerals have been allocated to identical parts, and detailed description thereof has been omitted. 
     An embodiment in which an Oldham coupling  90  configured differently to the first embodiment is used as the second coupling  21  will be described using  FIGS. 21, 22, and 23 .  FIG. 21  is a view showing a configuration of the Oldham coupling  90  according to the fourth embodiment.  FIGS. 22A to 22C  are views showing a relationship between the Oldham coupling  90  and the torsion coil spring  80  when image formation is not underway.  FIG. 22A  is a view showing the Oldham coupling  90  from the rotational axis direction of the drum  62  when the cartridge B is mounted in main body A of the apparatus,  FIG. 22B  is a sectional view cut along an X-X section, and  FIG. 22C  is a partially enlarged view of the X sectional view, showing the vicinity of a groove  93   f  formed in the Oldham coupling  90 .  FIGS. 23A to 23C  are views showing a relationship between the Oldham coupling  90  and the torsion coil spring  80  when image formation is underway.  FIG. 23A  is a view showing the Oldham coupling  90  from the rotational axis direction of the drum  62  during image formation,  FIG. 23B  is a sectional view cut along a Y-Y section, and  FIG. 23C  is a partially enlarged view of the Y sectional view, showing the vicinity of the groove  93   f  formed in the Oldham coupling  90 . 
     Using  FIGS. 21, 22, and 23 , the configuration of the Oldham coupling  90  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 21 , the Oldham coupling  90  is constituted by a development input gear  91 , an intermediate engagement portion  92 , and a drive-side engagement portion  93 . The development input gear  91  is engaged to a rotary shaft of the developing roller  32  as a driven portion for transmitting driving force to the developing roller  32 . The drive-side engagement portion  93  is engaged to the drive shaft  19  provided in main body of the apparatus as a driving force receiving portion for receiving driving force from main body of the apparatus. The intermediate engagement portion  92  is an intermediate member that connects the development input gear  91  to the drive-side engagement portion  93  so that the development input gear  91  and the drive-side engagement portion  93  can be displaced relative to each other in the mounting direction in which the cartridge B is mounted in main body of the apparatus. The development input gear  91 , the intermediate engagement portion  92 , and the drive-side engagement portion  93  can be displaced relative to each other in the mounting direction of the cartridge B, i.e. in a direction intersecting a rotational axis direction of the Oldham coupling  90  (an orthogonal direction to the rotational axis direction in this embodiment). The drive-side engagement portion  93  is a part for receiving driving force from the drive source of the main body. The drive-side engagement portion  93  is capable of moving in an orthogonal direction to an axial direction of the developing roller  32 . Further, three projections  93   a ,  93   b ,  93   c  are formed integrally with the drive-side engagement portion  93  so as to be engaged to the second drive shaft  19  (not shown) of main body A of the apparatus. A rib  91   a  is provided integrally with the development input gear  91  on a surface thereof facing the intermediate engagement portion  92 , and a groove  92   a  is provided in a surface of the intermediate engagement portion  92  that faces the development input gear  91 . The rib  91   a  and the groove  92   a  are engaged to each other to be capable of moving in the direction of an arrow H in  FIG. 21 . Further, a rib  93   e  is provided integrally with the drive-side engagement portion  93  on a surface thereof facing the intermediate engagement portion  92 , and a groove  92   b  is provided in a surface of the intermediate engagement portion  92  that faces the drive-side engagement portion  93 . The rib  93   e  and the groove  92   b  are engaged to each other to be capable of moving in the direction of an arrow I in  FIG. 21 . In this embodiment, the H direction and the I direction are substantially orthogonal. Hence, in the Oldham coupling  90 , the development input gear  91  and the drive-side engagement portion  93  can move along the grooves  92   a ,  92   b  even when the second drive shaft  19  on main body A of the apparatus side and the rotary shaft of the developing roller  32  are not coaxial. Therefore, deviation between the axis of the second drive shaft  19  (not shown) provided in main body A of the apparatus and the axis of the development input gear  91  can be permitted within a movement range thereof along the grooves  92   a ,  92   b , and as a result, driving force can be transmitted from main body A of the apparatus to the development input gear  91 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 22A to 22C , the torsion coil spring  47  is attached to the boss  26   b  of the drive-side development side member  26  as biasing member for biasing the Oldham coupling  90 . The coil  47   c  is hooked around the boss  26   b  such that the first arm  47   a  contacts the groove  93   f  in the drive-side engagement portion  93 . Here, the groove  93   f  provided in the drive-side engagement portion  93  will be described. The drive-side engagement portion  93  includes a peripherally shaped portion that extends along a rotational axis direction outer side, and the groove  93   f  is formed in an annular shape in a surface of the peripherally shaped portion so as to extend in a circumferential direction of the drive-side engagement portion  93 . More specifically, the groove  93   f  is configured such that when seen on a rotational axis direction cross-section, both edges thereof are provided on a peripheral surface of the drive-side engagement portion  93 . Further, a distance between the two edges is set as the opening width F. As regards the rotational axis direction sectional shape of the groove  93   f , similarly to the other embodiments, any shape can be used as long as the opening width F is wider than the wire diameter of the torsion coil spring  47  and the lubricant can accumulate in the groove interior. Further, the second arm  47   b  contacts the receiving portion  26   c . Thus, the Oldham coupling  90  is biased in a direction heading toward the drum  62  so as to contact the hole  26   d  in the drive-side development side member  26 . Accordingly, when the cartridge B is mounted in main body A of the apparatus, the position of the Oldham coupling  90  is fixed, and as a result, the Oldham coupling  90  and the second drive shaft (not shown) provided in main body A of the apparatus can be engaged more reliably. 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIGS. 23A to 23C , during image formation, the Oldham coupling  90  is aligned with the axis of the second drive shaft  19  (not shown) provided in main body A of the apparatus, and therefore the contact with the hole  26   d  in the drive-side development side member  26  is released. Likewise in this case, since the opening width F of the groove  93   f  is wider than the wire diameter of the first arm  47   a  of the torsion coil spring  47 , the first arm  47   a  is unlikely to become detached from the groove  93   f . Accordingly, the first arm  47   a  can follow the movement of the Oldham coupling  90  while remaining in contact with the groove  93   f  in the drive-side engagement portion  93 . With this configuration, the Oldham coupling  90  can be biased directly by the torsion coil spring  47  such that the position of the Oldham coupling  90  is fixed. Therefore, in comparison with a conventional configuration in which a bearing is provided on the outer side of the drive-side engagement portion  93  and the bearing is biased by the torsion coil spring  47 , a reduction in the number of components corresponding to the absence of the bearing can be achieved. Furthermore, since a bearing is not required, space can be saved inside the apparatus. Moreover, a contact position in which the torsion coil spring  47  contacts the Oldham coupling  90  during image formation can be limited. 
     Hence, the biasing member can be more reliably limited to a fixed position relative to the coupling member. Further, when the groove extending around the circumference of the coupling member is coated with lubricant, the lubricant can accumulate in the groove interior so as to exist between the coupling member and the biasing member at all times. The lubricant thus serves to reduce friction between the coupling member and the torsion coil spring  47 , and as a result, an increase in the lifespan of the coupling member can be expected. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. 
     This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Applications No. 2016-240657, filed on Dec. 12, 2016 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.