JP2001228712A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that a driving system for driving the developing sleeve of a developing device is not smoothly engaged/disengaged in the case that the accuracy of the driving system is made high when trouble is caused in a mechanism for engaging/disengaging the driving system in attaching/ detaching the developing device and the accuracy of the driving system must be made low in order to smoothly engage/disengage the driving system. SOLUTION: A driving gear on an image forming device main body side is retreated in the midst of movement of the developing device at the time of attaching the developing device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic method, and more particularly, to an engaging and disengaging mechanism of a driving mechanism of a developing device when the developing device is mounted or removed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A magnetic brush developing device is often used in an image forming apparatus for forming an image by an electrophotographic method. The magnetic brush developing device is configured to be removable from the image forming apparatus main body for exchanging a carrier, which is a component of the developer, and is configured as a unit for facilitating the attaching / detaching operation. There are many.

Further, since the developing device has operating members such as a developing sleeve and a stirring member, a driving system between the image forming device main body and the operating member is provided between the developing device and the image forming device main body. A detachment mechanism is provided. The disengagement mechanism is
For example, a driven gear biased by a spring is provided on the developing device side with respect to the driving gear on the image forming apparatus main body side, and the driven gear is attached to the driving gear by the spring when the developing device is mounted. When the drive gear is rotated after mounting, the drive system is automatically formed using a spring, such as a mechanism in which the two are engaged by the biasing force of the spring. ing.

[0004]

As described above, the engagement / disengagement mechanism in which the drive system is automatically formed using a spring has a problem in the reliability of the engagement / disengagement. In order to ensure the engagement and disengagement, it is necessary to increase the gap between the teeth of the driving gear and the teeth of the driven gear. May cause rotation unevenness, and image quality may be degraded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem in a mechanism for engaging and disengaging a driving force between a detachable developing unit and an image forming apparatus main body.

[0006]

The above-mentioned object of the present invention is achieved by the following inventions.

[0007] 1. A developing sleeve that opposes the image carrier and forms a developing interval between the image carrier and the developing sleeve that conveys the developer during the developing interval; and a driven gear that transmits a driving force to the developing sleeve. And a developing device detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, and an image forming apparatus having a driving gear for driving the driven gear, wherein the driving gear is supported by a displaceable supporting means, and the developing device includes An action member for displacing the support means at the time of attachment / detachment is provided, and in a process of mounting the developing device, the action gear displaces the drive gear to a position where the drive gear and the driven gear do not engage, When the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, the driving gear is displaced so that the driving gear is engaged with the driven gear. Forming apparatus.

[0008] 2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving gear and the driven gear are helical gears.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support unit is supported so as to be swingable by a shaft.

[0010] 4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the action member is formed of a cam. 5.

5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an inclined guide portion that guides the driven gear when the developing device is mounted.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a frame 101 is provided in an image forming apparatus 100. The frame 101 reads an automatic document feeder A and an image of a document fed by the automatic document feeder A. Image reading section B, an image control board C for processing the read document image, a writing device D on a drum-shaped photoconductor 10 as an image carrier according to the data after the image processing, and a photoconductor 10 And a charging electrode 14, a magnetic brush type developing device 16, a transfer electrode 1
8, an image forming unit E including an image forming unit such as a separation electrode 20, a cleaning unit 21 and the like, and a storage unit F for paper feed trays 22 and 24 for storing recording paper P are provided. The developing device 16 performs development using a two-component developer, and is disposed at a predetermined position facing the photoconductor 10.
A developing sleeve 161 that forms a developing interval between the photosensitive member 10 and rotates and transports the developer to the developing interval.
Having. A developing bias having the same polarity as that of the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 10 is applied to the developing sleeve 161 to perform reversal development.

The developing device 16 is formed as a unit,
The image forming apparatus 100 can be attached or detached by pulling it out or inserting it in the front direction toward the front of the image forming apparatus 100, that is, in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG.

The automatic document feeder A includes a document table 26
And a document transport processing unit 28 including a roller group including a roller R1 and switching means for appropriately switching a document movement path (no reference symbol).

The original image reading section B includes a platen glass G provided at an upper portion, and two mirror units 3 under the platen glass G and capable of reciprocating so as to maintain an optical path length.
0, 31, imaging lens (hereinafter simply referred to as lens) 3
3. It is provided with a line-shaped image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 35 and the like, and the writing device D comprises a semiconductor laser 40 as a light source, a rotary polygon mirror 42 as a light deflecting means, and the like.

When viewed from the moving direction of the recording paper P, the transfer electrode 1
Reference numeral R10 on the front side of reference numeral 8 denotes a registration roller, and H on the downstream side of the separation electrode 20 denotes a fixing unit.

In the embodiment, the fixing means H comprises a roller having a built-in heating source and a pressure roller which rotates while being pressed against the roller.

Further, Z is a cleaning means for the fixing means H, and has a cleaning web provided so as to be wound up as a main element.

One of the originals (not shown) placed on the original placing table 26 is transported by the original transport processor 28.
While passing under the roller R1, exposure by the exposure means L is performed.

The reflected light from the original is transferred to the moving mirror units 30 and 31 and the CCD 33 fixed through the lens 33.
Imaged on 35 and read.

The image information read by the document image reading section B is processed by an image processing means, encoded, and stored in a memory provided on an image control board C.

Further, the image data is called in accordance with the image formation, the semiconductor laser 40 in the writing device D is driven in accordance with the image data, and the rotation of the rotary polygon mirror 42 exposes the photosensitive member 10 to light.

Prior to the exposure, the photoreceptor 10 rotating in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise) is given a predetermined surface potential by the corona discharge action of the charging electrode 14. The amount of the electrostatic latent image is reduced according to the amount, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the photoconductor 10.

The electrostatic latent image is reversely developed by the developing device 16, and a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 10.

On the other hand, before the leading end of the toner image on the photosensitive member 10 reaches the transfer area, for example, one recording sheet P in the sheet feed tray 22 is fed and conveyed to the registration roller R10.
And is regulated at the tip.

The recording paper P is a toner image, that is, the photosensitive member 10
The sheet is conveyed toward the transfer area by a pair of registration rollers R10 that start rotating in synchronization with each other so as to overlap the upper image area.

In the transfer area, the toner image on the photoreceptor 10 is transferred onto the recording paper P by the urging of the transfer electrode 18,
Next, the recording paper P is separated from the photoconductor 10 by the bias of the separation electrode 20.

Thereafter, the fixing unit H is pressurized and heated to
The toner image is fused and fixed on the recording paper P, and the recording paper P
Is discharged onto a discharge tray T via a discharge path 78 and a discharge roller 79.

The movable plate S of the paper feed tray 24 is controlled by driving means (not shown) so that the position of the uppermost surface of the loaded recording paper P is always constant, and the recording plate placed on the movable plate S is controlled. The uppermost sheet of the sheet P is configured to contact a delivery roller described later.

The paper feed tray 22 also has the same configuration as that described above. In the embodiment, the paper feed trays 22 and 24 are arranged in two stages in the vertical direction.

Reference numerals 50 and 53 above the leading ends of the sheet feed trays 22 and 24 (corresponding to the leading end of the stored recording paper P when viewed from the sheet feeding direction) denote sheet feeding means (hereinafter referred to as feed-out means) comprising rollers. Rollers), 51 and 54
Is a feed roller, and 52 and 55 are double feed prevention rollers.

The feed rollers (50, 53) and the feed rollers (51, 54) are unitized, and a driving shaft connected to a driving source provided on the apparatus main body side or a locking means provided on a paper feeding unit. It has a configuration that can be easily attached to and detached from.

A manual paper feed tray 60 is provided on the side of the image forming apparatus 100. Reference numeral 61 denotes a feed roller formed of a roller for feeding the recording paper placed on the manual paper feed tray 60 along with image formation; 63, a feed roller provided downstream of the feed roller 61;
Reference numeral 5 denotes a double feed prevention roller which is in pressure contact with the feed roller 63 to prevent a plurality of sheets of recording paper P from being fed, and has substantially the same configuration as that of the above-described paper feed trays 22 and 24.

The recording paper P sent from the manual paper feed tray 60 is configured to be transported to a transport path 66 via a pair of transport rollers.

Numeral 70 is a recording paper transporting path which transports the recording paper P to the transfer area formed by the transfer electrode 18 and reaches the branch guide 90 from the transfer area via the fixing means H.

Reference numeral 72 denotes a paper feed path for recording paper stored in the upper paper feed tray 22, and reference numeral 74 denotes a paper feed path for recording paper stored in the lower paper feed tray 24.

Reference numeral 76 denotes a junction (a part of the first transport path 70) where the recording sheets P sent from the paper feed trays 22 and 24 and the manual paper feed tray 60 join.

Reference numeral 78 denotes a paper discharge path for discharging the recording paper on which a predetermined image has been formed onto the paper discharge tray T.

A second recording paper transport path 80 for reversing the recording paper used for forming images on both sides of the recording paper.
Is connected to the first recording paper transport path 70 in the upper part of the figure.

The second recording paper transport path 80 extends as a recording paper transport path from above to below when viewed from the recording paper moving direction. At the lower end of the second recording paper transport path 80, a transport roller R20 composed of a pair of reversible switchback rollers for reversing the recording paper P is provided.

Then, the recording paper P is further transported by a transport roller R20.
A recording paper conveyance path 801 is formed to convey the recording paper downward. A space 25 having a predetermined gap is formed between the recording paper transport path 801 and the bottom of the paper feed tray 24 (same as the bottom wall) of the apparatus main body. This space 25
This is used in a mode (mode) in which images are formed on both sides of the recording paper P, and achieves the reversal of the recording paper P in cooperation with the second recording paper transport path 80 for reversing the recording paper P. To contribute.

As can be understood from the above description, the path of the recording paper transporting path from the first recording paper transporting path 70 to the second recording paper transporting path 80 is a vertical direction on one side wall side of the image forming apparatus 100. It has a long loop shape.

In the image forming process, when the recording paper P moving along the second recording paper transport path 80 is sent out toward the space 25 via the recording paper transport path, the trailing end of the recording paper P The paper is held by the transport roller R20, so that a part of the recording paper is stored in the space 25.

Reference numeral 90 denotes an (upper) branch guide which directs the recording paper P, on which an image has been formed on the first surface, to the paper discharge passage 78,
Alternatively, it is controlled so as to be directed to the second recording paper conveyance path 80. The branch guide 90 is controlled in accordance with the setting of single-sided image formation or double-sided image formation, and switches the recording paper conveyance path.

For example, when the mode for forming an image on both sides of the recording paper is set, the branch guide 90 forms the image on the first side and passes the recording paper P passing through the fixing means H to the second side.
After the recording paper is fed into the second recording paper conveyance path 80, it is controlled by a control unit (not shown) so that the recording paper is sent to the second recording paper conveyance path 80 so as to be sent to the recording paper conveyance path 80. Is done.

In the image forming apparatus 100 having the above configuration,
An image forming process for forming an image on one side of the recording paper P and forming an image on the second side will be described.

As described above, when the recording paper P having an image formed on the first surface moves upward in the first recording paper transport path 70 and its leading end reaches the branch guide 90, the branch guide 9
0 is maintained at the position indicated by the broken line in FIG.
After entering the recording paper conveyance path 80, the recording paper conveyance path is continued to move downward by the conveyance roller.

The entry portion of the second recording paper transport path 80 has a gentle arc, and the smooth movement of the recording paper P is guaranteed.

The recording paper P, which has descended from the second recording paper transport path 80 down the recording paper transport path, is transported downward along the recording paper transport path 801 while being pinched by a pair of transport rollers R20. Here, when the rear end of the recording paper P reaches the position of the transport roller R20, the control unit stops the transport roller R20.
That is, the recording paper P is stopped with the rear end held therebetween.
The leading end of the recording paper P that has passed through the recording paper transport path 801 in this way enters the space 25 and stops.

Next, the transport roller R20 rotates in the reverse direction, and the recording paper P starts reverse transport. In this way, on the one hand, the recording paper P can be fed and transported by the transport roller R20, and an image can be formed on one side of the recording paper P by the image forming unit E.
Feeding efficiency can be improved.

Next, the reverse transport of the recording paper P when the transport roller R20 rotates in the reverse direction will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording paper P is transported by a reverse rotation transport roller R <b> 20 through an inversion switching path (no reference numeral) formed in the frame 101, and the confluence portion is formed in a state where the second surface faces the photoconductor 10 side. 76 and is regulated at the tip by the registration roller R10.

On the other hand, a second toner image is formed on the photoconductor 10 by the above-described process. When the registration roller R10 starts rotating in synchronization with the rotation of the photoconductor 10, the second toner image is formed. The recording paper P enters the transfer area while overlapping the image area.

Thereafter, when the leading end of the recording paper P subjected to the transfer processing, the separation processing, and the fixing processing reaches a certain portion of the branch guide 90, the branch guide 90 is kept at the solid line position in FIG. Since the first recording paper transport path 70 and the paper discharge path 78 are in communication with each other and the communication with the second recording paper transport path 80 is cut off, the recording paper P enters the paper discharge path 78 and is
The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray T via the paper tray 9.

Next, a rotation driving mechanism for a developing sleeve 161 which is arranged opposite to the photoreceptor 10 at a predetermined interval to form a development interval between the photoreceptor 10 and transports the developer at the development interval. Will be described.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show a mechanism for attaching and detaching the developing device to and from the image forming apparatus main body. FIGS.

A rotary shaft 162 that fixes and holds one end of a developing sleeve 161 and rotates the developing sleeve 161 is provided in the developing device 16. Although not shown, the other end of the developing sleeve 161 is also supported by the rotating shaft 162. This rotating shaft 16
A bearing 163 and a developing sleeve gear 164 (driven gear) composed of a helical gear are attached to a part of the gear 2.
The bearing 163 is fixedly attached to the rotating shaft 162, and the developing sleeve gear 164 as a driven gear is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the pin 169 can be moved in the axial direction by the pin / groove engagement by the pin 169, but is mounted so as to rotate integrally with the rotary shaft 162.

Further, on one side of the developing sleeve gear 164, an insertion guide member 1 as a guide member formed of an inclined surface is provided.
A coil spring 166 is provided between the bearing 65 and the bearing 163, and the developing sleeve gear 164 is urged in a direction away from the bearing 163 along the rotating shaft 162. Further, a stopper 167 having a circumferential surface and having a pin 167A formed thereon is provided at the tip of the rotating shaft 162 so as to be rotatable with respect to the shaft 162 and movable in the axial direction. 168
4 is a retaining ring for retaining the stopper 167 at a fixed position to prevent the rightward movement of the stopper 167 in FIG. 4 (FIG. 5C).
reference). A fixed magnet 171 is provided at the other end of the rotating shaft 162.
One end of a support shaft 170 provided with a shaft is rotatably fitted and supported, and the other end of the support shaft 170 is connected to a developing sleeve 161.
Is fixed to the developing device 16 in a structure that does not affect the rotation of the developing device 16.

On the other hand, the frame 101 provided in the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a support member 104 having an inclined guide portion 105 for guiding the developing sleeve gear 164. Further, the swing support 1 as a support means provided with a plurality of drive gears for driving the developing sleeve gear 164.
03 is provided on the frame 101, and an operating end 103A formed at the lower end of the swing support 103 and a convex portion 173 of a cam as an operating member formed at the lower part of the developing device 16 via the operating end 103A. The swing support 103 is configured to swing (detailed description is given in FIGS. 6 to 8). Further, a guide pin 106 is provided on the frame 101, and by inserting the guide pin 106 into an insertion hole 175 formed in the developing device 16,
The developing device 16 is configured to be installed at a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus 100.

In the present embodiment, the photosensitive member 10 is formed as a unit, and is detachably provided in the image forming apparatus main body. The frame 101A is a part of a frame that forms a unit of the photoconductor 10, and by providing the support member 104 on the frame 101A, an interval between the photoconductor 10 and the developing sleeve 161; Set to high accuracy.

The insertion of the thus configured developing device 16 into the image forming apparatus main body is started. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the developing sleeve gear 164 enters the support member 104 together with the stopper 167 from the tip of the rotating shaft 162.
Next, the insertion guide member 165 formed on the developing sleeve gear 164 abuts on the guide portion 105 of the support member 104, and the developing sleeve gear 164 is inserted into the support member 104 by the guide action of the guide portion 105 and the insertion guide member 165. Is done. At this time, since the operating end 103A of the swing support 103 provided on the frame 101 is located in the concave portion 172 where the convex portion 173 of the cam is not formed, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. Due to the urging action, the swing support 103 has been dropped into the concave portion 172, and the swing support 103 is at the most counterclockwise rotated position shown in FIG. The cams forming the concave portions 172, 174 and the convex portion 173 constitute an action member.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the developing device 16 has been inserted in the direction of arrow X.
65 enters the support member 104, and the rotating shaft 162 is moved via the developing sleeve gear 164 to the developing device 1.
6 are arranged at predetermined positions. Therefore, the rotation shaft 162
The bearing 163 provided on the guide part 10 also moves to a predetermined position and
5 is inserted into the support member 104. At the same time, the insertion hole 175 of the developing device 16 is inserted into the guide pin 106, and the developing device 16 is arranged at a predetermined developing position in the image forming apparatus 100.

Further, by moving the developing device 16 in this manner, the working end 103A rides on the convex portion 173, and as shown in FIG. 7, the swing support 103 is moved clockwise from the position of FIG. Rock it.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the developing device 16 is further inserted in the direction of arrow X from the position of FIG. 3, and the insertion guide member 165 enters the support member 104 as described above.
The stopper 167 provided at the tip of the rotating shaft 162
1 shows a state in which it abuts against a fixed blocking member 102 provided in FIG. At this position, the developing sleeve 1 is rotated together with the rotating shaft 162.
61 and the developing device 16 are set at predetermined positions (operating positions).

When the developing device 16 is mounted, the pin 167A provided on the stopper 167 has not yet been engaged with the hole 102A provided on the blocking member 102. 5A, the pin 167A is engaged with the hole 102A by the urging action of the coil spring 166, and the stopper 167 is fixed at a predetermined angular position. I do.

Further, due to the movement of the developing device 16, the working end 103 A is separated from the projection 173 and falls into the recess 174 by the urging action of the spring 183. By this action, the swing support 103 swings counterclockwise from the state of FIG. 7 to the state of FIG.

FIG. 5B is a side view of the developing sleeve gear 164 and the blocking member 102 shown in FIG.
(C) is an enlarged view of the developing sleeve gear and the stopper 167.

Next, the cam (recess 17) provided in the developing device
2, 174 and the projection 173), the frame 101
The mechanism in which the drive system provided on the swing support member 103 provided on the first stage accurately meshes with the developing sleeve gear 164 will be described.

FIGS. 6 to 8 are rear views of the meshing portion between the developing sleeve gear 164 of the developing device 16 and the gear 182 as a driving gear, and show the order of meshing.

In FIG. 6, a drive shaft 176 driven by a drive source (motor) of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a drive gear 178 constituted by a helical gear. An intermediate gear 180 having a helical gear meshing with the driving gear 178 is rotatably provided on a shaft 179 provided on the frame 101. The swing support 103 is rotatably provided on the shaft 179, and one end is locked to the swing support 103, and the other end is urged in a counterclockwise direction by a spring 183 locked to the frame 101. In addition, a shaft 181 is provided on the swing support 103, and a gear 182 as a drive gear having a helical gear configuration meshing with the intermediate gear 180 is rotatably provided on the shaft 181. The gear 182 is a gear 164 for the developing sleeve.
And the driving force is transmitted to the developing sleeve gear 164.

The state shown in FIG. 6 is the state shown in FIG. 2, that is, the state before the developing device 16 is inserted into a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus 100.
The operating end 103A is dropped into the recess 172 by swinging about the shaft 179 by the spring 183.

The gear 164 for the developing sleeve is not inserted up to the position of the gear 182. In FIG. 6, the gear 182 and the gear 164 for the developing sleeve are overlapped, but as shown in FIG. I have.

FIG. 7 shows the state shown in FIG. 3, that is, the state in which the developing device 16 is further inserted into the image forming apparatus 100 in the direction of the arrow X, and the working end 103A is moved by the movement of the developing device 16. Riding on the convex portion 173 and swinging support 10
3 swings clockwise around a shaft 179 against a spring 183. Due to this swing operation, the gear 182 provided on the swing support body 103 moves to a position where the insertion of the gear 164 for the developing sleeve provided on the developing device 16 is not hindered, and the insertion movement of the gear 164 for the developing sleeve is enabled. ing.

FIG. 8 shows the state shown in FIG. 4, that is, the state in which the developing device 16 has been sufficiently inserted and stopped at a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus 100.

When the developing device 16 is set at a predetermined position, the working end 103A separates from the projection 173 and falls into the recess 174. As a result, the swing support 10
3 swings counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. Here, the developing sleeve gear 164 is stopped at the meshing position with the gear 182 of the swing support 103, and the developing sleeve gear 164 and the gear 182 accurately mesh with the elastic force of the spring 183, and The sleeve 161 and the photoconductor 10 are arranged at a predetermined interval.

When the developing device 16 is set at the operating position shown in FIG. 8, the tip portion 103B of the swing support 103 is locked by the stopper 167 and held at a fixed position. As a result, proper engagement between the developing sleeve gear 164 and the gear 182 is ensured.

As described above, by forming the developing sleeve gear 164 as a driven gear and the gear 182 as a driving gear by helical gears, when the developing device 16 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100, the developing sleeve is used. Gear 164
And the driving gear 182 are accurately meshed with each other, and there is no rotation unevenness in the developing sleeve 161, and it is possible to obtain a high quality image without density unevenness or the like.

[0078]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, the driving system of the developing sleeve is smoothly connected to the driving system on the image forming apparatus main body side. In particular,
The transmission of the driving force from the image forming apparatus main body to the developing sleeve is high because there is no need to provide a large clearance between the driving system of the developing sleeve and the driving system on the image forming apparatus main body side. This is performed with high precision, and the rotation unevenness of the developing sleeve is extremely small, and an image of high quality without developing unevenness is formed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the driving force is transmitted from the main body of the image forming apparatus to the developing sleeve with particularly high precision, the rotation of the developing sleeve is extremely small, and the image of extremely high image quality without developing unevenness is obtained. Is formed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a mechanism for engaging and disengaging the drive system of the developing sleeve can be realized with a simple mechanism.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a mechanism for engaging and disengaging the drive system of the developing sleeve can be realized with a simple mechanism, and the drive system for the developing sleeve can be disengaged at a desired position when the developing device is attached and detached. it can.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the mounting and dismounting of the developing device is performed smoothly, and damage to the drive system of the developing sleeve at the time of mounting and dismounting can be avoided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism for attaching and detaching the developing device to and from the image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism for attaching and detaching the developing device to and from the image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism for attaching and detaching the developing device to and from the image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing various system disconnections according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a rear view showing a meshing portion between the developing sleeve gear 164 and the gear 182.

FIG. 7 is a rear view showing a meshing portion between the developing sleeve gear 164 and the gear 182.

FIG. 8 is a rear view showing a meshing portion between the developing sleeve gear 164 and the gear 182.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 photoconductor 16 developing device 100 image forming device 101, 101A frame 103 swing support 103A working end 104 support member 161 developing sleeve 162 rotating shaft 163 bearing 164 developing sleeve gear 166 coil spring 172, 174 concave 173 convex 182 Gear 183 spring

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Takuyoshi Shinagawa 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation F-term (reference) 2H071 BA03 BA13 BA27 CA05 DA08 DA23 2H077 AD06 AD35 BA03 BA09 EA03 EA16 GA17

Claims (5)

[Claims] A developing sleeve which is opposed to the image carrier, forms a developing interval between the developing device and the image carrier, and conveys a developer at the developing interval; and a driving force is transmitted to the developing sleeve. A developing device having a driven gear to be attached to and detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, and an image forming apparatus having a driving gear to drive the driven gear, wherein the driving gear is supported by a displaceable support means, The developing device is provided with an operating member for displacing the support means when the developing device is attached and detached, and in a process of mounting the developing device, the driving gear is set at a position where the operating gear does not engage the driven gear and the driven gear. And displacing the driving gear so that the driving gear is engaged with the driven gear when the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus symptoms. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving gear and the driven gear are helical gears. 3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support means is supported so as to be swingable by a shaft. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said action member is constituted by a cam. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an inclined guide portion for guiding said driven gear when said developing device is mounted.