JP2008309185A - Drive transmission device and image forming device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drive transmission device demountable with easy operation while reducing vibration in transmitting rotation driving force from a driving source for a driving side member to a demountable driven side member, and to provide an image forming device using the same. <P>SOLUTION: The drive transmission device comprises the driving side member 21 connected to the driving source, the driven side member 20 to which driving force is transmitted from the driving side member 21, a rotational center shaft 22 to be rotatable relatively to the driving side member 21 and the driven side member 20, and an elastic member 23 arranged between the driving side member 21 and the driven side member 20. The elastic member 23 is cylindrically formed to be radially deformed with the movement of the driven side member 20 toward the driving side member 21 so that the driving force can be transmitted between the driving side member 21 and the driven side member 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a drive transmission device that transmits a rotational driving force from a drive source of a drive side member to a detachable driven side member and an image forming apparatus using the drive transmission device.

  Conventionally, the coupling structure on the rotating body (photosensitive drum in the image forming apparatus) and the drive transmission side (motor side) are shifted in the direction of the rotation axis, thereby increasing the buffering action of the coupling portion and being driven. A mechanism for suppressing side vibration has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

Further, when connecting the connecting hole and the connecting protrusion, the connecting protrusion provided at the longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum and the attaching part provided in the apparatus main body are provided at the bottom of the connecting hole. A mechanism having a contact portion that contacts and aligns with a convex portion has been proposed (see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-200858 JP 2001-324909 A

  However, the coupling configuration (gear shape or triangular rib shape) drive configuration found in the conventional drive connection cannot suppress minute vibrations even though it can suppress backlash vibrations in the rotational direction within the joint. These vibration frequencies will ultimately cause a fatal image defect called image banding in an apparatus that requires high rotational accuracy.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, reduces vibrations when transmitting a rotational driving force from a driving source of a driving side member to a removable driven side member, and a drive transmission device that can be attached and detached with a simple operation. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus using the same.

  The present invention provides a drive transmission device that solves the above-described problems, a drive-side member connected to a drive source, a driven-side member that transmits a driving force from the drive-side member, the drive-side member, A rotation center shaft that is rotatable relative to the driven side member, and an elastic member disposed between the driving side member and the driven side member, the elastic member having an annular shape, and the driven side Since the member is deformed in the radial direction by moving toward the driving side member, the driving force can be transmitted between the driving side member and the driven side member. Coupling with high accuracy is completed in conjunction with the movement of the member, so that a troublesome fixing operation or the like is not required, and it is connected by an elastic member so that a meshing vibration frequency does not occur and vibration during rotation is reduced.

  Further, each of the driving side member and the driven side member has a cylindrical portion, and one of the cylindrical portions is arranged on the outer peripheral side and the other is on the inner peripheral side, and the elastic member is interposed between the cylindrical portions. Since the member is provided, the space in the axial direction is small, and it can be created with a simple structure.

Moreover, since the said cylindrical part provided with the said elastic member has a projection part which prevents the said elastic member from falling out at the front-end | tip, an elastic member does not fall out.

  Moreover, since the said one cylindrical part has a rib on an inner periphery, intensity | strength can be made high.

  The inner circumference of the one cylindrical portion has an annular member or an annular portion having an inner circumference larger than the outer circumference of the other cylindrical portion, and the driven side member moves toward the driving side member. By doing so, the annular member or the annular portion is in contact with the elastic member, so that the annular portion and the elastic member are in contact with each other, and the elastic member can be uniformly deformed. .

  Further, since the driven member includes a thrust bearing, the thrust force generated by the reaction force of the elastic member can be absorbed by the thrust bearing.

  In addition, since the contact portion between the elastic member and the driving side member or the driven side member has a blasting shape, the frictional force of the contact portion can be increased.

  Furthermore, the present invention is an image forming apparatus using a drive transmission device that solves the above-mentioned problems, and includes a main body and an image carrier that carries an image that can be attached to and detached from the main body. Since it is composed of the driven side member, high-precision coupling is completed in conjunction with the attachment / detachment of the image carrier, and a troublesome fixing operation or the like is not necessary, and the elastic member is connected and engaged. No vibration is generated, vibration during rotation is reduced, and image disturbance due to coupling vibration can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a drive transmission device applied to an image forming apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing main components constituting an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming unit, and FIG. 4 is an image forming unit portion of a tandem structure of the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 1, for each color composed of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), the same component is given Y, M, C, and K representing each color. The same number is used. Of these, FIG. 3 shows the configuration of yellow (Y).

  First, the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In this embodiment, a printer 10 is taken as an example of the image forming apparatus. The printer 10 includes image forming units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K, an intermediate transfer belt 70 as an example of an intermediate transfer member, a primary transfer unit 60, backup rollers 65Y, 65M, 65C, and 65K, a secondary transfer unit 80, and a fixing unit. 90, a display unit 95 comprising a liquid crystal panel serving as a notification means to the user, and a control unit 100 for controlling these units and controlling the operation as a printer.

  The image forming units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K have a function of forming a latent image or a toner image on a photoconductor 20Y, 20M, 20C, or 20K as an example of an image carrier and carrying the image. These four image forming portions 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K are arranged in a row in a predetermined direction. Here, the photosensitive member 20Y as an example of a latent image carrier of the image forming unit 15Y has a secondary transfer unit on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 70 among the four photosensitive members 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. The photoconductor 20K of the image forming unit 15K that is farthest from C1 is closest to the secondary transfer unit C1 on the upstream side of the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 70 among the four photoconductors.

  Since the image forming units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K have the same configuration, the image forming unit 15Y out of the four image forming units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K will be described below as an example. . As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming unit 15Y includes a charging unit 30Y, an exposure unit 40Y, a developing unit 50Y, a photoconductor cleaning unit 75Y, and the like along the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20Y.

  The photoreceptor 20Y has a cylindrical base material (specifically, an aluminum material) and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and carries a latent image on the surface of the photosensitive layer. Both ends in the axial direction of the photoconductor 20Y are rotatably supported by the printer main body 11. In this embodiment, the photoconductor 20Y rotates clockwise as indicated by an arrow in FIG.

  The charging unit 30Y is a device for charging the photoconductor 20Y. As shown in FIG. 3, the charging unit 30Y opposes the photosensitive member 20Y and charges the photosensitive member 20Y. The charging unit 30Y contacts the charging roller 31Y and cleans the surface of the charging roller 31Y. And a cleaning roller 35Y. When the charging bias is supplied from the charging bias supply unit 121 (FIG. 2) to the charging roller 31Y, the photoconductor 20Y is charged.

  The exposure unit 40Y is a device that forms a latent image on the photosensitive member 20Y charged by irradiating a laser. The exposure unit 40Y includes, for example, a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like, and is modulated based on an image signal input from a host computer (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor. Is irradiated onto the charged photoconductor 20Y.

  The yellow developing unit 50Y is a device for visualizing a latent image formed on the photoreceptor 20Y as a yellow toner image using yellow (Y) toner, which is an example of a developer, in the developing unit A1. As shown in FIG. 3, the yellow developing unit 50Y includes a toner containing portion 51Y for containing yellow toner, and a developer carrying member for carrying the yellow toner and developing a latent image on the photoreceptor 20Y. As an example, the developing roller 52Y, the supply roller 53Y for supplying the toner in the toner container 51Y to the developing roller 52Y, and the yellow toner carried on the developing roller 52Y are charged (in this embodiment, the toner is And a regulating blade (not shown) for negative charging).

  The developing roller 52Y faces the photoconductor 20Y through a gap, and when a developing bias in which a DC voltage and an AC voltage are superimposed is supplied from the developing bias supply unit 122 (FIG. 2) to the developing roller 52Y, An electric field is formed between the developing roller 52Y and the photoreceptor 20Y, and the latent image on the photoreceptor 20Y is developed.

  The intermediate transfer belt 70 transfers toner images (toners) of different colors carried on the four photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K to a medium (paper, film, cloth, etc.) and forms an image on the medium. In this state, the toner image is moved by rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. The intermediate transfer belt 70 is in contact with the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K provided along the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 70, and the intermediate transfer belt 70 and the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, and 20C. , 20K are formed with primary transfer portions B1, B2, B3, B4 to which the toner image on the photoreceptor is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 70.

  The primary transfer unit 60 cooperates with the backup rollers 65Y, 65M, 65C, and 65K to transfer the toner images formed on the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K to the intermediate transfer belt 70 (hereinafter also referred to as primary transfer). ). The primary transfer unit 60 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 70, and a primary transfer bias as a transfer voltage is supplied from the voltage supply unit 123 to the intermediate transfer belt 70 via the primary transfer unit 60.

  Here, the primary transfer bias is a voltage for directing the toner on the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K to the intermediate transfer belt 70 at the primary transfer portions B1, B2, B3, and B4. The primary transfer bias is a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charged polarity (negative polarity) of the toner on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. When the primary transfer bias is supplied to the intermediate transfer belt 70, an electric field is formed between the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K and the intermediate transfer belt 70 in the primary transfer portions B1, B2, B3, and B4. The

  The backup rollers 65Y, 65M, 65C, and 65K are in contact with the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K of the four image forming units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K via the intermediate transfer belt 70, respectively. Then, the backup rollers 65Y, 65M, 65C, and 65K come into contact with the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K through the intermediate transfer belt 70, and as described above, in the primary transfer portions B1, B2, B3, and B4. When an electric field is formed between the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K and the intermediate transfer belt 70, the primary transfer portions B1, B2, B3, and B4 are arranged on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. The toner images are sequentially primary transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 70. As a result, a full color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 70.

  The photoreceptor cleaning unit 75Y is a device for removing and collecting the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 20Y after the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. The photoreceptor cleaning unit 75Y has a photoreceptor cleaning blade 76Y. The front end of the photoreceptor cleaning blade 76Y contacts the surface of the photoreceptor 20Y, and removes the toner image (toner) left on the photoreceptor 20Y without being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 70.

  The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring a single color toner image or a full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 70 to a medium (hereinafter also referred to as secondary transfer). The secondary transfer unit 80 includes a secondary transfer roller 82 as an example of a secondary transfer member that can be brought into contact with and separated from the intermediate transfer belt 70. A toner that has moved to the secondary transfer portion C1 as the intermediate transfer belt 70 rotates. This is for transferring an image (toner) to a medium. Specifically, when the secondary transfer bias is supplied to the secondary transfer roller 82 from the secondary transfer bias supply unit 124 (FIG. 2), the intermediate transfer belt 70 and the secondary transfer roller 82 are transferred to the secondary transfer unit C1. Between the toner image and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 70 is secondarily transferred to the medium.

  The fixing unit 90 is a device that heats and presses a single-color toner image or a full-color toner image transferred onto a medium and fuses it to the medium to form a permanent image. The fixing unit 90 includes a fixing roller 90a and a pressure roller 90b. The fixing roller 90a is for heating the toner image on the medium and fusing the toner image to the medium. The pressure roller 90b is for pressing the toner image on the medium in cooperation with the fixing roller 90a.

  A medium transport path 13 for transporting the medium in the paper feed tray 92 to the paper discharge tray 98 is formed from the lower part to the upper part of the printer 10. The medium transport path 13 is composed of a large number of guide members. A plurality of rollers such as a paper feed roller 94a, a registration roller 94b, and a paper discharge roller 94c, each having a function of transporting a medium, are disposed on the medium transport path 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 100 includes a main controller 101 and a unit controller 102. An image signal and a control signal are input to the main controller 101, and in response to a command based on the image signal and the control signal. A unit controller 102 controls each of the units and forms an image.

  Next, the color image forming operation of the printer 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to other components.

  First, when an image signal and a control signal from a host computer (not shown) are input to the main controller 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112, the unit controller 102 based on a command from the main controller 101. Under the control, the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, the developing rollers 52Y, 52M, 52C, and 52K provided in the developing units 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K, the intermediate transfer belt 70, and the like rotate.

  The photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are sequentially charged at the charging position by the charging units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K (specifically, the charging rollers 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K to which a charging bias is supplied) while rotating. Is done. The charged regions of the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K reach the exposure position as the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K rotate, and yellow Y and magenta are obtained by the exposure units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K. A latent image corresponding to the image information of M, cyan C, and black K is formed in the area.

  The latent images formed on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K reach the developing units A1, A2, A3, and A4 as the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K rotate, and develop units 50Y, 50M, and It is developed as a toner image by 50C and 50K (specifically, developing rollers 52Y, 52M, 52C and 52K). As a result, monochromatic toner images are formed on the photoreceptors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. In developing, a developing bias is supplied to the developing rollers 52Y, 52M, 52C, and 52K.

  The monochromatic toner images formed on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K reach the primary transfer units B1, B2, B3, and B4 as the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K rotate, and the primary transfer unit. 60 and the backup rollers 65Y, 65M, 65C, 65K are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 70. At this time, a primary transfer bias is supplied to the intermediate transfer belt 70. As a result, the four color toner images formed on the respective photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K are primarily transferred so as to sequentially overlap the intermediate transfer belt 70, and a full color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 70. It is formed.

  The full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 70 reaches the secondary transfer portion C1 as the intermediate transfer belt 70 rotates, and is secondarily transferred to the medium by the secondary transfer roller 82 of the secondary transfer unit 80. The The medium sandwiches the medium conveyed from the paper feed tray 92 to the secondary transfer portion C1 via the paper feed roller 94a and the registration roller 94b, and a secondary transfer bias is supplied to the secondary transfer roller 82. Is done.

  When the medium on which the full-color toner image is secondarily transferred is conveyed into the fixing unit 90, the medium passes between the fixing roller 90a and the pressure roller 90b while being sandwiched between the fixing roller 90a and the pressure roller 90b. To do. At this time, the fixing roller 90a and the pressure roller 90b heat and press the full color toner image on the medium, so that the full color toner image is fused to the medium. The medium on which the full-color toner image is fused is conveyed to the paper discharge tray 98 via the paper discharge roller 94c.

  On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K without being primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 70 at the primary transfer portions B1, B2, B3, and B4 is the photoconductor cleaning blades 76Y, 76M, and 76C. Removed by 76K.

  Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The main controller 101 of the control unit 100 is connected to a host computer via an interface 112 and includes an image memory 113 for storing image signals input from the host computer.

  The unit controller 102 includes units (photoconductors 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, charging units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K, exposure units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K, developing units 50Y, 50M, and 50C, and the like). 50K, primary transfer unit 60, intermediate transfer belt 70, photoconductor cleaning units 75Y, 75M, 75C, and 75K, secondary transfer unit 80, fixing unit 90, and display unit 95), which are electrically connected to the sensors included therein. By receiving this signal, each unit is controlled based on the signal input from the main controller 101 while detecting the state of each unit.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing a drive transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a view showing a drive side member, and FIG. 7 is a view showing a photoreceptor 20 as a driven side member.

  A drive gear 21 as an example of a drive side member is connected to a photoconductor 20 as an example of a driven side member by a rotation center shaft 22 that can be relatively rotated, and the drive force from the drive gear 21 is an example of a drive force transmission member. Is transmitted to the photoconductor 20 through the elastic member 23.

  The drive gear 21 includes a gear portion 21a, an insertion hole 21b through which the rotation center shaft 22 that can rotate relatively, and a cylindrical portion 21c that extends around the insertion hole 21b from the gear portion 21a to the photosensitive member 20 side. Have. A reinforcing rib 21d is formed on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 21c. Furthermore, a gear portion 21e to which a driving force from a driving source (not shown) is transmitted is provided on the outer periphery.

  The photosensitive member 20 includes a photosensitive portion 20a and a flange portion 20b formed at the driving gear side end of the photosensitive portion 20a. The flange portion 20b includes an insertion hole 20c, a cylindrical portion 20d, a wall portion 20e, and a protrusion 20f. The insertion hole 20c is a hole that is formed in the flange portion 20b and through which the rotation center shaft 22 that can be relatively rotated can be inserted. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical portion 20 d is formed with an inner diameter smaller than the cylindrical portion 21 c of the drive gear 21. A wall portion 20e is formed on the photosensitive portion 20a side of the cylindrical portion 20d, and a protrusion 20f is formed on the distal end side so as to protrude in the outer peripheral direction, and the elastic member 23 is brought into contact therewith.

  The elastic member 23 is an elastically deformable member such as rubber, and has a cylindrical shape and can be bent outward or inward. The elastic member 23 is assembled to the cylindrical portion 20 d of the photoconductor 20. The elastic member 23 is an annular member whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 21c of the drive gear 21, its inner diameter is slightly larger than the cylindrical portion 20d of the photosensitive member 20, and does not come out of the protrusion 20f. 20 is mounted on the cylindrical portion 20d, bends in the axial radial direction by an axial force, contacts the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 21c of the drive gear 21, and includes a wall portion 20e and a protrusion 20f for retaining the It is arranged between.

  An annular member 24 as an example of an annular portion is disposed between the drive gear 21 and the elastic member 23. The annular member 24 is an annular member whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 21 c of the drive gear 21 and whose inner diameter is slightly larger than the protrusion 20 f of the photosensitive member 20, and is located inside the cylindrical portion 21 c of the drive gear 21. It is assembled and disposed between the elastic member 23 and the rib 21d.

  The operation of the drive transmission device having such a configuration will be described. 8 to 10 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the drive transmission device.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state of the drive transmission device before the completion of insertion of the photoconductor 20. In this embodiment, the photoconductor 20 is formed as a unit together with a rotation center shaft 22 that can be relatively rotated. First, the rotation center shaft 22 is inserted into the insertion hole 21b of the drive gear 21 connected to the drive source. Thereafter, the protrusion 20 f of the cylindrical portion 20 d of the photoconductor 20 is inserted into the inner periphery of the annular member 24.

  In this state, the elastic member 23 is not yet in contact with the annular member 24, and the pressing force from the annular member 24 does not act on the elastic member 23. Therefore, the elastic member 23 is not yet deformed, and the drive gear 21 And the photosensitive member 20 are not in a state in which drive transmission is possible.

  9 and 10 are views showing a state of the drive transmission device when the insertion of the photoconductor 20 is completed, in which FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view and FIG. 10 is a perspective view. When the insertion of the photoconductor 20 is continued from the state of FIG. 8, the elastic member 23 comes into contact with the annular member 24 and is pressed by the annular member 24 and the wall portion 20e from both sides in the rotation center axis direction, and begins to bend. When the tip of the cylindrical portion 20d of the photoconductor 20 comes into contact with the rib 21d, the elastic member 23 bends in a convex shape on the outer peripheral side, and on the circumference continuous to the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 21c of the drive gear 21. Abut.

  In this state, when a driving source (not shown) is operated, the driving gear 21 is rotated by the driving force transmitted from the gear portion 21e. Then, the elastic member 23 in contact with and in close contact with the cylindrical portion 21c of the driving gear 21 is rotated, and the driving force is transmitted to the cylindrical portion 20d of the photosensitive member 20 so that the photosensitive member 20 rotates.

  FIG. 11 shows an example in which the rotation center shaft 22 is supported by a unit case 25 that covers components around the photoreceptor 20, and a thrust bearing 26 is disposed between the photoreceptor 20 on the rotation center shaft 22 and the unit case 25.

  With such a configuration, the thrust force generated by the reaction force of the elastic member 23 can be absorbed by the thrust bearing 26.

  In addition, in order to increase the frictional force of the contact part of the elastic member 23 and the cylindrical part 21c, you may form a contact part in blast processing shape. Further, the direction in which the elastic member 23 bends may be convex outward or inward as long as it is radial.

  The annular member 24 is installed to compensate for a decrease in the contact area caused by bringing the rib 21d of the drive gear 21 and the elastic member 23 into direct contact, and particularly when the rib 21d is not formed. It is not necessary to arrange. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 12, as an example of the annular portion, a step portion 21f may be provided on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 21c, and the cylindrical portion 21c may have a two-stage structure.

  Further, in this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 21c of the drive gear 21 is disposed on the outer peripheral side and the cylindrical portion 20d of the photosensitive member 20 is disposed on the inner peripheral side, but the drive gear 21 is assembled as shown in FIG. The cylindrical portion 21c of the photosensitive member 20 is disposed on the inner peripheral side, the cylindrical portion 20d of the photosensitive member 20 is disposed on the outer peripheral side, the wall portion 21g and the protruding portion 21h are provided on the cylindrical portion 21c of the drive gear 21, and the cylindrical portion of the photosensitive member 20 is provided. It is good also as a structure which provides the rib 20g in the shape part 20d.

  In this embodiment, the elastic member 23 is initially inserted into the drive gear 21 in a state where the elastic member 23 is assembled to the photoconductor 20, but an opposite structure may be used.

  Further, in this embodiment, the driven side member is the photoconductor 20, but the driven side member may be a device that requires high rotational accuracy, such as a developing device, a transfer device, and a medium transport device.

  As described above, the drive gear 21 connected to the drive source, the photoconductor 20 to which the drive force from the drive gear 21 is transmitted, the drive gear 21 and the rotation center shaft 22 that can rotate relative to the photoconductor 20, the drive An elastic member 23 disposed between the gear 21 and the photoconductor 20, and the elastic member 23 has an annular shape, and is deformed in the radial direction when the photoconductor 20 moves toward the drive gear 21, thereby driving Since the driving force can be transmitted between the gear 21 and the photosensitive member 20, high-precision coupling is completed in conjunction with the movement of the photosensitive member 20, and a troublesome fixing operation or the like is not required. At the same time, they are connected by the elastic member 23 so that the meshing vibration frequency is not generated, and the vibration during rotation is reduced.

  The drive gear 21 and the photosensitive member 20 have cylindrical portions 20d and 21c, respectively. One of the cylindrical portions 20d and 21c is disposed on the outer peripheral side, and the other is disposed on the inner peripheral side, and between the cylindrical portions 20d and 21c. Since the elastic member 23 is provided, the space in the axial direction is small, and it can be created with a simple structure.

  Since the cylindrical portion 20d provided with the elastic member 23 has a protrusion 20f that prevents the elastic member 23 from coming off at the tip, the elastic member 23 does not fall off.

  Since one cylindrical part 21c has the rib 21d in an inner periphery, intensity | strength can be made high.

  The inner circumference of one cylindrical portion 21c has an annular member 24 having an inner circumference larger than the outer circumference of the other cylindrical portion 20d, and the photosensitive member 20 moves toward the drive gear 21 to cause the annular member 24 to move. Is in contact with the elastic member 23, so that the annular member 24 and the elastic member 23 come into contact with each other on the surface, and the elastic member 23 can be uniformly deformed.

  Further, the present invention is an image forming apparatus using a drive transmission device that solves the above-described problems, and includes a printer main body 10a and a photoconductor 20 that carries an image that is detachable from the printer main body 10a. Since the body 20 is composed of a driven member, high-precision coupling is completed in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the photoconductor 20, so that a troublesome fixing operation and the like are not necessary, and the body 20 is connected by an elastic member. The meshing frequency does not occur, the vibration during rotation is reduced, and image disturbance due to coupling vibration can be reduced.

1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus including a drive transmission device according to an exemplary embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an image forming unit portion of a tandem structure of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. It is a perspective view of a drive transmission device. It is a perspective view of a drive gear. It is a perspective view by the side of a photoreceptor. It is sectional drawing before the assembly | attachment of a drive transmission device. It is sectional drawing after the assembly | attachment of a drive transmission device. It is a cross-sectional perspective view after the drive transmission device is assembled. It is a cross-sectional perspective view after the drive transmission device is assembled. It is sectional drawing after the assembly | attachment of the drive transmission device of the modification concerning this embodiment. It is sectional drawing after the assembly | attachment of the drive transmission device of the modification concerning this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer, 10a ... Printer main body, 13 ... Opening, 20 (Y, M, C, K) ... Photoconductor (image carrier), 20a ... Photosensitive part, 20b ... Flange, 20c ... Insertion hole, 20d ... Cylindrical shape Part, 20e ... wall part, 20f ... projection part, 20g ... rib, 21 ... drive gear, 21a ... gear part, 21b ... insertion hole, 21c ... cylindrical part, 21d ... rib, 21e ... tooth part, 21f ... step part , 21g ... wall portion, 21h ... projection, 22 ... rotation center shaft, 23 ... elastic member, 24 ... annular member, 25 ... unit case, 26 ... thrust bearing, 30Y, 30M, 30C, 30K ... charging unit, 40Y, 40M, 40C, 40K ... exposure unit, 50Y, 50M, 50C, 50K ... developing unit, 52Y, 52M, 52C, 52K ... developing roller (developer carrier), 60 ... primary transfer unit, 70 ... intermediate Continuous belt (intermediate transfer member), 80 ... secondary transfer unit, 90 ... fixing unit, 100 ... control unit

Claims (8)

  A drive-side member connected to a drive source, a driven-side member to which a driving force is transmitted from the drive-side member, a rotation center shaft that can rotate relative to the drive-side member and the driven-side member, and An elastic member disposed between the driving side member and the driven side member, wherein the elastic member has an annular shape, and the driven side member moves toward the driving side member in the radial direction. The drive transmission device is characterized in that the drive force can be transmitted between the drive side member and the driven side member.   The driving side member and the driven side member each have a cylindrical portion, one of the cylindrical portions is disposed on the outer peripheral side and the other is disposed on the inner peripheral side, and the elastic member is disposed between the cylindrical portions. The drive transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the drive transmission device is provided. The drive transmission device according to claim 2, wherein the cylindrical portion including the elastic member has a protrusion that prevents the elastic member from coming off at a tip.   4. The drive transmission device according to claim 2, wherein the one cylindrical portion has a rib on an inner periphery. 5.   The inner circumference of the one cylindrical portion has an annular member or an annular portion having an inner circumference larger than the outer circumference of the other cylindrical portion, and the driven side member moves toward the driving side member. The drive transmission device according to claim 2, wherein the annular member or the annular portion is in contact with the elastic member.   6. The drive transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the driven member includes a thrust bearing.   The drive transmission device according to claim 1, wherein a contact portion between the elastic member and the driving side member or the driven side member has a blasting shape.   8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a main body; and an image carrier that carries an image that can be attached to and detached from the main body, and the image carrier includes the driven side member. An image forming apparatus using the drive transmission device described in 1.

Images