JP2002070981A - Torque transmission device and sheet conveyance device equipped with the device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of parts, and to transmit torque smoothly, in a torque transmission device. SOLUTION: This torque transmission device 32 is equipped with a rotation axis 21, a driving rotor 14 mounted on the rotation axis so as to be able to race, to which the torque is transmitted, a driven rotor 15 mounted movably on the rotation axis in the thrust direction, and rotatable integrally with the rotation axis, an energizing means 16 for allowing the driven rotor to abut on the driving rotor, and movement regulation means 28, 36 for regulating the movement of the driving motor in the energizing direction by the energizing means. Either of the driving motor and the driven motor is directly supported rotatably by a supporter 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotational force transmitting device for transmitting a rotational force, a sheet conveying device for conveying a sheet by the rotational force transmitted by the device, and a sheet for conveying a sheet by the rotational force transmitting device. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and a multifunction machine for forming an image on a sheet conveyed by a conveying apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an image forming apparatus, there are a laser beam printer, a copying machine and the like which employ an electrophotographic system and other recording systems. Hereinafter, a laser beam printer, which is an example of the image forming apparatus, will be described.

FIG. 13 shows a conventional laser beam printer 12.
0 is a schematic front sectional view of FIG. The sheet P on the sheet supply tray 101 is conveyed in the main body 125 of the laser beam printer 120 as follows. That is, the sheet P is drawn into the main body 125 by the sheet supply roller 102 and the separation pad 128, passes through the nip between the transport roller 103 and the transport roller 104, and nips between the photosensitive drum 119 in the process cartridge 105 and the transfer roller 106. Thereby, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 119 is transferred. Thereafter, the toner image is fixed on the sheet P by the fixing device 108, and the sheet P is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 111 by the nip between the sheet discharge roller 109 and the sheet discharge rollers 110 and is stacked.

Next, a conventional laser beam printer 120 is used.
Will be described. Laser beam printer 120
When a jam of the sheet P occurs in the main body 125 of the cartridge door 11 as shown in FIG.
2, the process cartridge 105 is taken out, the sheet P is pulled out in the direction of the arrow X, and the jammed sheet P is taken out.

At the time of this jam processing, the conveying roller 10 is used to smoothly take out the sheet P sandwiched between the nip between the conveying roller 103 and the conveying roller 104 with a small force.
The torque transmitting device 124 for transmitting the driving torque to the motor 3 includes a ratchet gear type one-way rotary clutch 133 as shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and 17.

[0006] The rotational force transmitting device 124 will be described. A ratchet 115 is provided on a D-cut portion 122 of the transport roller shaft 121. The ratchet 115 is provided on the transport roller shaft 1.
21 so as to be movable in the thrust direction, and the transport roller shaft 1
21 and can be rotated together. Conveyance roller gear 1
Reference numeral 14 is provided on the round shaft portion 123 of the transport roller shaft 121 so as to be able to idle. The ratchet 115 is connected to the frame 113
Is supported by a bearing 117 provided at the bottom. The transport roller gear 114 meshes with the ratchet 115 via claws 126 and 127, and also meshes with the transport roller drive gear 118 (see FIG. 17).

For this reason, the rotational force of the transport roller drive gear 118 is transmitted to the transport roller 103 via the transport roller gear 114, the ratchet 115, and the transport roller shaft 121. As a result, the transport rollers 103
Thus, the sheet P can be conveyed in the arrow X direction.

When the user pulls out the jammed sheet P in the X direction, the conveying roller 103 rotates following the arrow Z, and the conveying roller gear 114 and the ratchet 115 are driven by the inclined surfaces of the claw portions 126 and 127 meshing with each other. When the ratchet 115 moves from the home position in FIG. 16A to the frame 113 side while slightly rotating as shown in FIG. 16B, the transport roller 103 is released from the transport roller gear 114, and the sheet is released. P can be pulled out with a light force. After the sheet P has been pulled out, the ratchet 115 is moved to the compression spring 1.
Return to home position with 16 elasticity.

[0009]

However, the conventional torque transmitting device having the ratchet gear type one-way rotary clutch has a large number of parts. At present, low price competition is intensifying in the laser beam printer industry, and the configuration of the conventional ratchet gear type one-way rotating clutch cannot cope with this low price competition. That is, it was necessary to reduce the number of parts.

Further, the rotational force transmitting device 124 having the conventional ratchet gear type one-way rotary clutch has a structure that is disadvantageous for positioning the conveying roller gear 114. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, the transport roller gear 114 is driven by the frame 113 via the ratchet 115 and the bearing 117.
Therefore, it is difficult to improve the positional accuracy because it is supported by the transport roller shaft 121 supported by the roller. And
Due to the decrease in the positional accuracy, uneven rotation of the conveyance roller gear 114 occurs, and the rotation cycle of the conveyance roller gear 114 appears in an image formed on a sheet as pitch unevenness, which may cause deterioration in image quality.

(Purpose) The present invention is directed to a torque transmitting device having a small number of components, a torque transmitting device having a high precision of a mounting position of a driving rotary member, and a sheet conveying device for conveying a sheet by receiving a torque from the device. And an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet supplied from the sheet conveying apparatus.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a rotating force transmitting device, comprising: a rotating shaft; a driving rotating body rotatably provided on the rotating shaft and transmitting the rotating force; A driven rotator provided on the rotary shaft so as to be movable in the thrust direction and rotatable integrally with the rotary shaft; an urging means for pressing the driven rotator against the driving rotator; And a movement restricting means for restricting the movement of the driving rotator in the force direction, wherein one of the driving rotator and the driven rotator is directly supported rotatably by a support.

[0013] The support of the rotational force transmission device of the present invention may include:
A cylindrical portion for supporting one of the driving rotator and the driven rotator is integrally provided.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a rotating force transmitting device, comprising: a rotating shaft; a driving rotating member provided rotatably on the rotating shaft to transmit the rotating force; A driven rotator movably provided on the rotary shaft and rotatable integrally with the rotating shaft; an urging means for pressing the driven rotator against the driving rotator; and the driving in the urging direction by the urging means. And a movement restricting means for restricting the movement of the rotating body, wherein the driving rotating body is rotatably supported by a cylindrical support member provided on the supporting body.

The torque transmitting device according to the present invention is characterized in that at least a portion of the driving rotator and the driven rotator that come into pressure contact with each other is rotated by at least one direction of the driving rotator to the driven rotator. It has transmission means.

The torque transmitting means of the torque transmitting device according to the present invention is provided at a portion of the driving rotating body and the driven rotating body that are in pressure contact with each other, and is engaged with each other to form one of the driving rotating bodies. A one-way rotary clutch having a projection for transmitting only the rotational force in the direction to the driven rotor.

[0017] The movement restricting means of the torque transmitting device of the present invention is provided between the driving rotator and the rotating shaft, and the driven rotator is rotatably supported by the support, and the driven rotator is provided. The urging means is provided between the support and the support.

The movement restricting means of the torque transmitting device according to the present invention is provided between the driving rotator and the rotating shaft. The driving rotator is rotatably supported by the support, and the driven rotator is provided. The urging means is provided between the rotating shaft and the rotating shaft.

The movement restricting means of the torque transmitting device according to the present invention includes a protrusion provided on one of the driving rotator and the rotating shaft, and a recess provided on the other to which the protrusion engages. have.

The driving rotating body of the torque transmitting device of the present invention is rotatably supported by the support, and the urging means is provided between the driven rotating body and the rotating shaft, and the movement restricting means is provided. Is provided on the drive rotating body which is urged against the support by the urging means.

In order to achieve the above object, a sheet conveying device according to the present invention comprises: a sheet conveying rotating body provided on any one of the above-mentioned rotational force transmitting devices and provided on a rotating shaft of the rotational force transmitting device for conveying a sheet; , Is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: one of the above-mentioned rotational force transmitting devices; and a sheet conveying rotary member provided on a rotating shaft of the rotational force transmitting device for conveying a sheet. Image forming means for forming an image on the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying rotating body,
It has.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 6 show a laser beam printer which is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It will be described based on. This laser beam printer 30
Adopts an electrophotographic system in which a laser beam is scanned on the photosensitive drum 25 for recording. Further, the laser beam printer 30 includes a rotational force transmitting device 32 having a simplified structure,
And a sheet conveying device 40 for surely conveying the sheet by the rotational driving force transmitted by the device 32.

Since the overall structure of the laser beam printer 30 is the same in the second and third embodiments described later, only the first embodiment is shown and described, and the second and third embodiments will be described. Illustration and description are omitted in the embodiment. Therefore, the second embodiment, the third
In the embodiment, a rotational force transmitting device having a different structure from the first embodiment will be described.

Further, the rotational force transmitting devices of the first to third embodiments and the sheet conveying device provided with the rotational force transmitting devices are not limited to laser beam printers, but also include copiers, facsimile machines, and composite devices thereof. , And not only in a laser beam printer.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front sectional view of a laser beam printer 30. Sheet P on sheet supply tray 1
Is drawn into the main body 31 of the laser beam printer 30 by the sheet supply roller 2 and the separation pad 19, and passes through the nip between the transport rollers (sheet transport rotating body) 3 and the transport rollers 4. On the other hand, the latent image on the photosensitive drum 25 in the process cartridge 5 formed by the exposure device 7
A toner image is formed by the developing device 26 in the process cartridge 5. The sheet P is transported to the nip between the photosensitive drum 25 and the transfer roller 6 while passing through the nip between the transport roller 3 and the transport roller 4. And sheet P
The toner image on the photosensitive drum 25 is transferred thereon by the transfer bias applied to the transfer roller 6. Thereafter, heat and pressure are applied to the sheet P by the fixing device 8, and the toner image is fixed. Finally, the sheet P passes through the nip between the sheet discharge rollers 9 and the sheet discharge rollers 10 and is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 11. In addition, the photosensitive drum 2
5. The developing device 26 and the like constitute an image forming unit.

When a sheet jam occurs in the main body 31 of the laser beam printer 30, the user opens the cartridge door 12, removes the process cartridge 5, and removes the sheet P in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG. Pull out and remove the jammed sheet P.

At the time of this jam processing, the rotational force transmitting device 32 is used to smoothly take out the sheet P sandwiched between the nip between the conveying roller 3 and the conveying roller 4 with a light force.
Has a ratchet gear type one-way rotation clutch 33, as shown in FIGS. Torque transmission device 3
Numeral 2 transmits the driving torque of a transport roller drive gear 17 described later to the transport roller 3.

Next, the configurations of the rotational force transmitting device 32 and the ratchet gear type one-way rotary clutch 33 will be described.
The transport roller shaft (rotating shaft) 21 is formed with a D-shaped cut portion 22 having a substantially oval cross section with both sides cut. The ratchet (driven rotator) 15 is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole, and a substantially oval fitting hole 34 that fits into the D-cut portion 22 is formed at the center. The ratchet 15 inserts the D cut portion 22 into the fitting hole 34 and
1 so as to be movable in the thrust direction on the conveying roller shaft 2
1 is provided so as to be able to rotate integrally with the first member.

The transport roller gear (driving rotating body) 14 is also formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole, and has a through hole 35 formed in the center.
Accordingly, the small diameter round shaft portion 23 of the transport roller shaft 21 is provided so as to be able to idle. Further, the transport roller gear 14 is
A pair of elastic fixed claws 28 projecting from the through-hole 35 of the transport roller gear 14 are engaged with a circumferential groove 36 formed on the outer periphery of the transport roller shaft 21 to move in the thrust direction. Regulated. Note that a fixed claw may be provided on the transport roller shaft 21 to form a circumferential groove in the through hole 35 of the transport roller gear 14. The fixed claws 28, 28 and the circumferential groove 36 constitute a movement restricting means.

The ratchet 15 is a cylindrical boss (cylindrical portion) 37 integrally formed with the frame (support) 13.
Are directly supported rotatably in the support holes 41. In this embodiment, the material of the ratchet 15 is POM of a sliding grade.
(Polyacetal) using PPE for the frame material
(Polyphenylene ether) containing glass fiber is used.

A coil-shaped compression spring (biasing means) 16 is provided between the frame 13 and the ratchet 15. The urging force of the compression spring 16 is received by the engagement between the fixed claws 28, 28 and the circumferential groove 36.

Claws (protrusions) 27 and 29 meshing with each other are provided at opposing portions of the conveying roller gear 14 and the ratchet 15.
Are formed. The claw portions 27 and 29 have a sawtooth shape so that when the transport roller gear 14 rotates in the direction of arrow F in FIG. It is formed in a shape. The pawl portions 27 and 29, the compression spring 16 and the like constitute a ratchet gear type one-way rotation clutch (rotational force transmitting means) 33.

The transmission of the driving torque to the transport roller 3 will be described. A drive torque in the direction of arrow C is transmitted to the transport roller drive gear 17 by a drive source (not shown) and a gear train (not shown), and a drive torque in the direction of arrow F is transmitted from the transport roller drive gear 17 to the transport roller gear 14. Is done. Then, the driving rotational force is transmitted from the claw portion 27 of the transport roller gear 14 to the ratchet 15 via the claw portion 29 of the ratchet 15. Since the ratchet 15 and the transport roller shaft 21 are connected at the D-cut portion 22, the transport roller 3 rotates in the direction of arrow E. As a result, the transport roller 3 can transport the sheet P in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2 with the transport rollers 4 (the holding member is not shown).

The function of the ratchet gear type one-way rotating clutch 33 during jam clearance will be described. When the jammed sheet P is pulled out in the laser beam printer 30 in the direction A, the sheet P is pressed between the conveying roller 3 and the conveying rollers 4.
And rotates in the direction of arrow E. At this time, the ratchet 15 rotates in the direction of arrow E because it is connected by the D-cut portion 22 of the transport roller shaft 21. The ratchet 15 has a shape of the claw portion 29, the fixed claw 28, 28 and the circumferential groove 3.
Due to the shape of the claw portion 27 of the transport roller gear 14 whose movement in the thrust direction with respect to the transport roller shaft 21 is restricted by the engagement with the transport roller 6, the transport roller gear 14 moves away from the transport roller gear 14 (the direction of arrow B). Accordingly, the ratchet 15 moves in the direction of arrow B against the compression spring 16 while rotating in the direction of arrow E, and allows the rotation of the transport roller shaft 21 and the transport rollers 4.

That is, when the sheet P is pulled out, the ratchet 15 is moved from the home position shown in FIG.
By moving to the relief position (b), the sheet P can be smoothly pulled out from the space between the transport roller 3 and the transport rollers 4 with a light force to perform the jam processing. Then, when the jam processing of the sheet P is completed, the ratchet 15 is returned to the home position in FIG.

(Advantage of the First Embodiment) A torque transmitting device 32 having a ratchet gear type one-way rotary clutch 33
Is a conventional bearing 117 (FIGS. 15 to 1).
7) is abolished, and the ratchet 15 is directly supported rotatably on the frame 13 to reduce the number of parts. For this reason, the structure of the torque transmitting device 32 is simple. Also, the price is lower.

The sheet conveying device 40 including the conveying roller 3 rotated by the rotational force transmitted by the rotational force transmitting device 32 and the conveying roller 4 pressed against the conveying roller 3 also reduces the number of parts. Furthermore, the number of parts of the laser beam printer 30 that forms an image on a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying device 40 has been reduced,
The structures of the sheet conveying device 40 and the laser beam printer 30 are also simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment) The torque transmitting device 32 of the first embodiment has a structure in which the ratchet 15 is directly supported on the frame 13, but the torque transmitting device 50 of the second embodiment has As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the configuration is such that the transport roller gear 14 is supported by a frame (support) 13, and the other parts are almost the same. Therefore, in the rotational force transmitting device 50 of the second embodiment, the same portions as those of the rotational force transmitting device 32 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

Conveyance roller gear (driving rotator) directly supported by the support hole 41 of the boss (cylindrical portion) 37 of the frame 13
14 materials of sliding grade POM (polyacetal)
The frame is made of PPE (polyphenylene ether) containing glass fibers.

The compression spring (biasing means) 16 is provided between a ratchet (driven rotary member) 15 and a flange 52 protruding from a transport roller shaft (rotary shaft) 51.

Also in this rotational force transmitting device 50, when a sheet jam occurs and the sheet is withdrawn from between the conveying roller (sheet conveying rotating body) 3 and the conveying rollers 4 (see FIG. 6), the first embodiment is used. Like the rotational force transmission device 32 of
The ratchet 15 is changed from the state shown in FIG. 9A to the state shown in FIG.
By moving in the direction of arrow B against the compression spring (biasing means) while rotating, the sheet can be extracted with a small force.

(Advantages of the Second Embodiment) The torque transmitting device 50 of the second embodiment uses a bearing 117 which has been conventionally used.
(See FIG. 15 to FIG. 17), and the transport roller gear 14 is directly rotatably supported by the frame 13 to reduce the number of parts. For this reason, the structure of the torque transmitting device 50 of the present embodiment is simplified.
Also, the price is lower.

The sheet conveying device including the conveying roller 3 rotated by the rotational force transmitted by the rotational force transmitting device 50 and the conveying roller 4 pressed against the conveying roller 3 also reduces the number of parts. The number of parts of the laser beam printer that forms an image on a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying device is also reduced, so that the structures of the sheet conveying device and the laser beam printer are simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

In the rotational force transmitting device 50 of the present embodiment, since the transport roller gear 14 is rotatably supported by the frame 13, the accuracy of the mounting position of the transport roller gear 14 is improved, and the rotational unevenness of the transport roller gear 14 is reduced. As a result, the rotational force can be transmitted smoothly.

The sheet conveying device provided with such a rotational force transmitting device 50 can smoothly convey a sheet without causing unevenness in the sheet feeding speed.

A laser beam printer that forms an image on a sheet supplied by a sheet conveying device provided with the rotational force transmitting device 50 of the present embodiment that does not cause rotational unevenness forms a high-quality image with little pitch unevenness on the sheet. can do.

The torque transmitting device 50 of the second embodiment
Although the transport roller gear 14 is directly supported on the frame 13, it may be supported on the frame via a bearing as in the conventional case. In this case, although the number of components cannot be reduced, there is an advantage that the mounting position accuracy of the transport roller gear 14 can be improved.

(Third Embodiment) The torque transmitting device 32 of the first embodiment has a structure in which the ratchet 15 is directly supported on the frame 13, but the torque transmitting device 60 of the third embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the transport roller gear (drive rotator) 61 is connected to a frame (support).
62, and other parts are almost the same. Therefore, in the rotational force transmitting device 60 of the third embodiment, the same portions as those of the rotational force transmitting device 32 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

The transport roller gear 61 is provided with the transport roller gear 6.
1 and a bearing 63 having a smaller diameter than a boss (movement restricting means) 66 of the conveying roller gear 61 is rotatably inserted into a support hole 64 of the frame 62, and is inserted into a through hole 65 formed at the center. (Rotary shaft) 67 is penetrated.
Therefore, the transport roller gear 61 is
Are rotatably supported by the support holes 64 of the frame 62 while supporting each other. Since the conveying roller gear 61 is pressed and positioned by the frame 62 at the boss 66 by the pressing force of the compression spring (biasing means) 16, the conveying roller gear (driving rotator) 14 of the first and second embodiments is used. Unlike the first embodiment, the fixing claw 28 is not provided, and the circumferential groove 36 with which the fixing claw 28 engages with the transport roller shaft 67 is not formed. Using sliding grade POM (polyacetal) for the material of the transport roller gear 61,
The frame is made of PPE (polyphenylene ether) containing glass fibers.

The ratchet (driven rotator) 15 is provided at the end of the transport roller shaft 67. For this reason, the D cut portion 22 is also formed at the end of the transport roller shaft 67.
A flange cap 18 is provided at an end of the transport roller shaft 67. A compression spring (biasing means) 16 is interposed between the flange cap 18 and the ratchet 15.

Also in this torque transmitting device 60, when a sheet jam occurs and the sheet is pulled out from between the transport roller 3 and the transport rollers 4 (see FIG. 6), the torque transmitting device 32 of the first embodiment is used. Similarly, the ratchet 15 shown in FIG.
The sheet can be removed with a small force by moving from 2 (a) to the state of FIG. 12 (b) in the direction of arrow G while rotating against the compression spring 16 (biasing means).

(Advantage of Third Embodiment) The torque transmitting device 60 of the third embodiment is different from the bearing 117 used conventionally.
(See FIGS. 15 to 17), the transport roller gear (drive rotator) 61 is rotatably supported directly on the frame 62, and the number of components is reduced. For this reason, the structure of the torque transmitting device 60 of the present embodiment is simplified. Also, the price is lower.

The sheet conveying device including the conveying roller 3 rotated by the rotational force transmitted by the rotational force transmitting device 60 and the conveying roller 4 pressed against the conveying roller 3 also reduces the number of parts. The number of parts of the laser beam printer that forms an image on a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying device is also reduced, so that the structures of the sheet conveying device and the laser beam printer are simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

In the rotational force transmitting device 60 of this embodiment, since the transport roller gear 61 is directly rotatably supported on the frame 62, the accuracy of the mounting position of the transport roller gear 61 is improved, and the rotation unevenness of the transport roller gear 61 is reduced. As a result, the rotational force can be transmitted smoothly. The conveying roller gear 61 is moved by a compression spring 16 to a frame 62.
, The accuracy of the mounting position in the thrust direction is improved, and the rotational force can be transmitted smoothly.

The sheet conveying device provided with such a rotational force transmitting device 60 can smoothly convey the sheet without causing unevenness in the sheet feeding speed.

A laser beam printer that forms an image on a sheet supplied by a sheet conveying device provided with the rotational force transmitting device 60 of the present embodiment that does not cause rotational unevenness forms a high-quality image with little pitch unevenness on the sheet. can do.

Note that the torque transmitting device 60 of the third embodiment is used.
Although the transport roller gear 61 is directly supported by the frame 62, it may be supported by a frame via a bearing as in the related art. In this case, although the number of components cannot be reduced, there is an advantage that the mounting position accuracy of the transport roller gear 61 can be improved.

The transport roller shafts 32, 51, 67 are
It is assumed that the frames 13 and 62 are positioned by a positioning mechanism (not shown) so as not to move in the thrust direction.

Further, the boss 3 in the first and second embodiments is used.
7 is not always necessary. In particular, when the thickness of the frame 13 is large, it is not necessary. Conversely, a boss may be provided integrally with the frame 62 in the third embodiment, and the transport roller gear 61 may be rotatably supported by the boss.

Further, in the ratchet gear type one-way rotating clutch 33, a sheet jam occurs, and the sheet is moved to the position shown in FIG.
This is provided so that the transport roller 3 can follow and rotate in the direction of the arrow E when it is removed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. A similar effect may be produced by directly pressing a ratchet (not a ratchet when the claw portion is omitted, but temporarily called a ratchet) or by interposing a friction plate. in this case,
Even if a rotational force is applied to the ratchet as the sheet is pulled out, the transport roller gear does not rotate because the transport roller gear meshes with the transport roller drive gear, and the ratchet rotates. Alternatively, the user may separate the ratchet from the conveyance roller gear against the compression spring 16 and rotate the ratchet as the sheet is pulled out.

[0063]

According to the torque transmission device of the present invention, either one of the driving rotator and the driven rotator is directly supported on the support, so that the number of parts is reduced, the structure is simplified, and the cost is reduced. Can be lowered.

In the torque transmitting device of the present invention, one of the driving rotator and the driven rotator is directly supported on the support, so that the position accuracy of the driving rotator with respect to the frame is simple. , And the torque can be transmitted smoothly.

In the torque transmitting device of the present invention, when the driving rotator is provided on the support, the positional accuracy of the driving rotator can be improved even if the driving rotator is provided via the supporting member, and the torque can be smoothly increased. Can be transmitted.

Further, the sheet conveying device provided with the above-mentioned torque transmitting device for conveying a sheet can convey the sheet at a substantially constant speed without causing unevenness in the conveying speed of the sheet.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front sectional view of a laser beam printer including a rotational force transmitting device and a sheet conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a sheet jam is being cleared in the laser beam printer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along a transport roller axis in the rotational force transmission device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the rotational force transmission device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view of the torque transmitting device of the first embodiment. (A) It is the figure which showed the ratchet home position state. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state in which a rotational force is applied to the transport roller shaft, the ratchet moves, and the transport roller shaft is idled.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sheet conveying device having the torque transmitting device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along a transport roller axis in a rotational force transmission device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a rotational force transmission device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view of the rotational force transmission device of the second embodiment. (A) It is the figure which showed the ratchet home position state. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state in which a rotational force is applied to the transport roller shaft, the ratchet moves, and the transport roller shaft is idled.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along a transport roller axis in a rotational force transmission device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a rotational force transmission device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the torque transmission device according to the third embodiment. (A) It is the figure which showed the ratchet home position state. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state in which a rotational force is applied to the transport roller shaft, the ratchet moves, and the transport roller shaft is idled.

FIG. 13 is a schematic front sectional view of a conventional laser beam printer jet.

14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a sheet jam is being cleared in the laser beam printer of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view along a transport roller axis in a conventional torque transmission device.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the torque transmission device of the first embodiment. (A) It is the figure which showed the ratchet home position state. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state in which a rotational force is applied to the transport roller shaft, the ratchet moves, and the transport roller shaft is idled.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a conventional sheet conveying device having a conventional torque transmitting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

P sheet 1 sheet supply tray 3 transport roller (sheet transport rotary body) 4 transport roller 13 frame (support) 14 transport roller gear (drive rotary body) 15 ratchet (driven rotary body) 16 compression spring (biasing means) 17 transport roller Drive gear 18 Flange cap 21 Conveying roller shaft (rotating shaft) 22 D-cut portion of conveying roller shaft 23 Round shaft portion of conveying roller shaft 25 Photosensitive drum (image forming means) 26 Developing device (image forming means) 27 Claw of conveying roller gear Portion (projection) 28 Fixed claw (movement restricting means) 29 Ratchet claw (projection) 30 Laser beam printer (image forming apparatus) 32 Rotational force transmission device 33 Ratchet type one-way rotation clutch (rotational force transmission means) 36 Circumferential groove (movement restricting means) 37 Boss (cylindrical portion) 40 Sheet conveying device 50 Rotational force transmitting device 51 Feed roller shaft (rotating shaft) 60 rotating force transmitting apparatus 61 conveying roller gear (drive rotor) 62 frames (support) 63 bearing portion 64 supporting hole 65 through hole 66 boss (movement restricting means) 67 conveying roller shaft (rotary shaft)

Claims (11)

[Claims] A rotating shaft, a driving rotating body provided on the rotating shaft so as to be able to run idle, and transmitting a rotating force; a rotating shaft provided on the rotating shaft so as to be movable in a thrust direction and rotating integrally with the rotating shaft. A driven rotator capable of pressing the driven rotator against the driving rotator; and a movement restricting means for restricting movement of the driving rotator in a biasing direction by the urging unit. A rotational force transmission device, wherein one of the driving rotator and the driven rotator is directly supported rotatably on a support. 2. The rotational force according to claim 1, wherein the support has an integral tubular portion that supports one of the drive rotator and the driven rotator. Transmission device. 3. A rotating shaft, a driving rotator provided on the rotating shaft so as to be able to run idle and transmitting torque, and provided on the rotating shaft so as to be movable in a thrust direction and integrally rotating with the rotating shaft. A driven rotator capable of pressing the driven rotator against the driving rotator; and a movement restricting means for restricting movement of the driving rotator in a biasing direction by the urging unit. A rotational force transmitting device, wherein the driving rotator is rotatably supported by a cylindrical support member provided on the support. 4. A rotating force transmitting means for transmitting a rotating force of at least one direction of the driving rotator to the driven rotator at a portion where the driving rotator and the driven rotator are pressed against each other. The torque transmission device according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 3, wherein 5. The rotating force transmitting means is protruded from a portion of the driving rotating body and the driven rotating body that are in pressure contact with each other, and engages with each other so that only the rotating force in one direction of the driving rotating body is provided. The rotational force transmitting device according to claim 4, wherein the rotational force transmitting device is a one-way rotational clutch having a protrusion that transmits the rotational force to a driven rotating body. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movement restricting means is provided between the driving rotator and the rotation shaft, the driven rotator is rotatably supported by the support, and the driven rotator and the support are connected to each other. The torque transmitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the urging means is provided between the torque transmitting devices. 7. The movement restricting means is provided between the driving rotator and the rotation shaft, the driving rotator is rotatably supported by the support, and the movement rotator is provided between the driven rotator and the rotation shaft. The torque transmitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the urging means is provided between the torque transmitting devices. 8. The movement restricting means has a protrusion provided on one of the drive rotating body and the rotating shaft, and a recess provided on the other and engaged with the protrusion. The torque transmission device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: 9. The driving rotator is rotatably supported by the support, the urging means is provided between the driven rotator and the rotating shaft, and the movement restricting means is controlled by the urging means. The rotational force transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the rotational force transmission device is provided on the drive rotating body that is biased by the support. 10. A rotational force transmitting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a sheet conveying rotating body provided on a rotating shaft of the rotational force transmitting device for conveying a sheet. A sheet conveying device, characterized in that: 11. The rotational force transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein: a sheet conveying rotating body provided on a rotating shaft of the rotational force transmitting device to convey a sheet; and the sheet. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming unit configured to form an image on the sheet conveyed by the conveyance rotating body.