A developing cartridge includes a first gear, a second gear, and a protrusion. The first gear is rotatable about a first axis extending in a predetermined direction. The second gear is configured to engage with the first gear and rotatable about a second axis extending in the predetermined direction. The protrusion extends in the predetermined direction and circularly movable together with rotation of the second gear. The first gear is movable in a direction away from the second gear from a first position to engage with the second gear to a second position to disengage from the second gear.

An apparatus for assembling a composite arrangement including a plurality of functional elements each having an aperture for a shaft, in a predetermined angular position on the shaft, may include a plurality of retaining devices each intended for accommodating a functional element. The retaining devices may be arranged vertically one above another such that the apertures of the functional elements may lie on a vertical line. The apparatus may also include a vertically movable guide slide for the shaft so that a joining of the shaft with the functional elements may take place in a vertical direction. The apparatus may also include a heating device by which at least two functional elements may be heated simultaneously. The apparatus may further include a gripping device by which at least two functional elements which are to be joined may be removed together from the heating device and introduced into the retaining devices.

An apparatus for assembling a composite arrangement including a plurality of functional elements each having an aperture for a shaft, in a predetermined angular position on the shaft, may include a plurality of retaining devices each intended for accommodating a functional element. The retaining devices may be arranged vertically one above another such that the apertures of the functional elements may lie on a vertical line. The apparatus may also include a vertically movable guide slide for the shaft so that a joining of the shaft with the functional elements may take place in a vertical direction. The apparatus may also include a heating device by which at least two functional elements may be heated simultaneously. The apparatus may further include a gripping device by which at least two functional elements which are to be joined may be removed together from the heating device and introduced into the retaining devices.

Some embodiments are directed to an oscillating system including at least one drive motor for driving a spindle about an axis of rotation, a first plate cooperating with a second plate, wherein the first plate is inclined with respect to the axis of rotation, in that the second plate is ball-jointed on a second axis that is offset with respect to the axis of rotation, creating an amplitude of oscillations in the spindle, in that at least one of the two plates is driven by the drive motor, and in that the two plates rotate at different speeds. The combination of the inclination of the first plate and the eccentricity of the center of rotation of the second plate makes it possible to create an oscillation in the spindle while it rotates.

Some embodiments are directed to an oscillating system including at least one drive motor for driving a spindle about an axis of rotation, a first plate cooperating with a second plate, wherein the first plate is inclined with respect to the axis of rotation, in that the second plate is ball-jointed on a second axis that is offset with respect to the axis of rotation, creating an amplitude of oscillations in the spindle, in that at least one of the two plates is driven by the drive motor, and in that the two plates rotate at different speeds. The combination of the inclination of the first plate and the eccentricity of the center of rotation of the second plate makes it possible to create an oscillation in the spindle while it rotates.

A rotation transmission mechanism may include a drive wheel structured to rotate to one side, a driven wheel turned by the drive wheel to one side, and an urging member urging the driven wheel to turn to the other side. The drive wheel may include a drive teeth forming part where drive teeth structured to turn the driven wheel to the one side are provided at positions different from each other in an axial line direction, and a cam face forming part on which the driven wheel is slid. The driven wheel is provided with a driven teeth forming part where driven teeth provided at positions different from each other in an axial line direction are disposed over an angular range so that, when the drive wheel is turned to the one side, the drive teeth are sequentially abutted with the driven teeth.

A developing cartridge includes: a first gear; a second gear; a gear cover; and a protrusion. The first gear is rotatable about a first axis extending in a predetermined direction. The first gear is movable from a first position to a second position. The second gear is rotatable about a second axis extending in the predetermined direction upon receipt of a drive force from the first gear. The gear cover has an opening and covers at least a portion of the second gear. The protrusion extends in the predetermined direction. The protrusion is movable with the rotation of the second gear while the first gear moves from the first position to the second position. The protrusion is further movable past the opening at least once after the protrusion moves past the opening once, while the protrusion moves with the rotation of the second gear.

A developing cartridge includes: a first gear; a second gear; a gear cover; and a protrusion. The first gear is rotatable about a first axis extending in a predetermined direction. The first gear is movable from a first position to a second position. The second gear is rotatable about a second axis extending in the predetermined direction upon receipt of a drive force from the first gear. The gear cover has an opening and covers at least a portion of the second gear. The protrusion extends in the predetermined direction. The protrusion is movable with the rotation of the second gear while the first gear moves from the first position to the second position. The protrusion is further movable past the opening at least once after the protrusion moves past the opening once, while the protrusion moves with the rotation of the second gear.

Disclosed herein are steerable catheter assemblies and methods of steering catheters that utilize gimbal plate and ring mechanisms to accomplish independent control of catheter flex magnitude and catheter flex direction. Some embodiments include a catheter with two or more pull wires that flex the catheter, a housing connected to the catheter, a gimbal ring pivotally connected to the housing, a gimbal plate pivotally connected to the gimbal ring to form a gimbal assembly, and an adjustment member coupled to the gimbal assembly, such that the adjustment member is movable axially and rotationally relative to the gimbal assembly. The two or more pull wires are connected to the gimbal plate, the adjustment member engages the gimbal plate such that movement of the adjustment member adjusts the position of the gimbal assembly to thereby flex the catheter with the pull wires.

Disclosed herein are steerable catheter assemblies and methods of steering catheters that utilize gimbal plate and ring mechanisms to accomplish independent control of catheter flex magnitude and catheter flex direction. Some embodiments include a catheter with two or more pull wires that flex the catheter, a housing connected to the catheter, a gimbal ring pivotally connected to the housing, a gimbal plate pivotally connected to the gimbal ring to form a gimbal assembly, and an adjustment member coupled to the gimbal assembly, such that the adjustment member is movable axially and rotationally relative to the gimbal assembly. The two or more pull wires are connected to the gimbal plate, the adjustment member engages the gimbal plate such that movement of the adjustment member adjusts the position of the gimbal assembly to thereby flex the catheter with the pull wires.