JP2022092033A - Rotation force transmission component - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a process cartridge which is detached in a direction orthogonal to an axis of a driving shaft provided to a main body of a device.

SOLUTION: A turning force transmission component is actualized with a coupling member. The coupling member has a turning force reception part coupling with a turning force transmission part to receive turning force from a driving shaft. The coupling member can take: a turning force transmission angle position where the turning force transmission part and the turning force reception part engage with each other, the turning force is received to rotate, and the turning force is transmitted to a turning force transmitted part; and a before-engagement angle position inclined to an axis of an electronic photoreceptor drum from the turning force transmission angle position.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a rotational force transmitting component attached to an electrophotographic photosensitive member drum used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (laser beam printer, LED printer, etc.) and the like.

Further, the process cartridge is a device in which the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge and attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Therefore, the process cartridge is, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one of a developing means, a charging means, and a cleaning means as the process means integrated into a cartridge. Therefore, examples of the process cartridge include an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a cartridge in which a developing means, a charging means, and a cleaning means as the process means are integrated. Further, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a charging means as the process means are integrally formed into a cartridge. Further, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging means as the process means, a cleaning means integrated into a cartridge, and the like can be mentioned.

Here, the process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus by the user himself / herself. Therefore, the maintenance of the device can be performed by the user himself / herself without relying on a service person. This improves the maintenance operation of the image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, in a process cartridge, the following configuration is known in order to receive a rotational driving force for rotating a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter, referred to as a photosensitive member drum) from the main body of the apparatus.

On the main body side, a rotating body for transmitting the driving force of the motor and a non-circular twisted cross section provided in the center of the rotating body that rotates integrally with the rotating body have a plurality of corners. Has a hole.

On the process cartridge side, it has a non-circular twisted protrusion provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the photoconductor drum, which fits into the hole and has a plurality of corners in cross section.

Then, when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body, when the rotating body rotates with the protrusion fitted to the hole, the rotating body receives a pulling force in the direction of the hole. The rotational force of is transmitted to the photoconductor drum. As a result, the rotational force for rotating the photoconductor drum is transmitted from the main body to the photoconductor drum (Patent Document 1).

Further, a method is known in which a gear fixed to a photoconductor drum of a process cartridge is meshed with a drive gear of the main body to rotate the photoconductor drum (Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent No. 2875203 Japanese Patent No. 16044488

However, according to the conventional configuration described in Patent Document 1, the rotating body must be moved in the horizontal direction when the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the main body by moving in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the rotating body. It doesn't become. That is, when the process cartridge is attached / detached, the rotating body must be moved in the horizontal direction by the opening / closing operation of the main body cover provided on the main body. As a result, the hole is moved in the direction away from the protrusion by the opening operation of the main body cover. On the contrary, by closing the main body cover, the hole is moved in the direction of fitting to the protrusion.

Therefore, according to the conventional configuration, it is necessary to provide the main body with a configuration in which the rotating body is moved in the direction of the rotation axis by opening and closing the main body cover.

On the other hand, in the configuration described in Patent Document 2, the cartridge can be moved in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis and attached to and detached from the main body without moving the drive gear provided in the main body in the axial direction. can. However, in this method, it is difficult to prevent uneven rotation of the photoconductor drum because the drive connecting portion between the main body and the cartridge serves as a gear-gear meshing portion.

An object of the present invention is to provide a rotational force transmission component that can solve the above-mentioned inconveniences of the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to attach the photoconductor to a main body that does not have a mechanism for moving the main body side coupling member for transmitting a rotational force to the photoconductor drum by opening and closing the main body cover in the axial direction. It is intended to provide a rotational force transmission component capable of smoothly rotating a drum. Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotational force transmission component that is removed from the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a drive shaft in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotational force transmission component attached to the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a drive shaft in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft. Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotational force transmitting component attached to and removed from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a drive shaft in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft. .. Another object of the present invention is the rotational force transmission that realizes that the photoconductor drum can be smoothly rotated and that the photoconductor drum can be removed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft provided in the main body. It provides parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotational force transmission component that realizes both mounting in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft provided in the main body and smooth rotation of the photoconductor drum. It is something to do.

Another object of the present invention is a rotational force transmission component that realizes both attachment and detachment from a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft provided in the main body and smooth rotation of the photoconductor drum. Is to provide.

The present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, is a drive shaft having a rotational force applying portion, and is substantially in the axial direction of the drive shaft from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with the drive shaft rotated by the motor. An electrophotographic photosensitive member that is moved in an orthogonal direction and removed. It is a rotational force transmission component attached to a drum.
A coupling member that receives a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum by engaging with the rotational force applying portion in a state where the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. The rotational force transmission angle position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum by engaging with the rotational force applying portion, and the rotation. From the force transmission angle position, it is possible to obtain a detachment angle position inclined in a direction away from the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum.
When the process cartridge is removed from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, the coupling member is separated from the rotational force transmission angle position. It is a rotational force transmission component characterized by moving to an angular position.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rotational force transmission component that can be removed from the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a drive shaft in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rotational force transmission component that can be attached to the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a drive shaft in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rotational force transmitting component that can be attached to and removed from the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a drive shaft in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft.

According to the present invention, the photoconductor drum can be smoothly rotated by being mounted on a main body having no mechanism for moving a coupling member on the main body side for transmitting a rotational force to the photoconductor drum in the axial direction. rice field.

According to the present invention, it was possible to realize both removal in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft provided in the main body and smooth rotation of the photoconductor drum.

According to the present invention, it was possible to realize that the photoconductor drum can be mounted in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft provided in the main body and that the photoconductor drum can be smoothly rotated.

According to the present invention, it was possible to realize both attachment and detachment from a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft provided in the main body and smooth rotation of the photoconductor drum.

It is a side sectional view of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective explanatory drawing of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective explanatory drawing of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side sectional view of the apparatus main body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view including a perspective view of a drum flange (drum shaft) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the photoconductor drum which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical sectional view of the photoconductor drum which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view and the vertical sectional view of the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the drum bearing member which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a detailed view of the side surface of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view and the vertical sectional view of the coupling and the bearing member which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical sectional view after assembly of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical sectional view after assembly of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical sectional view of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the coupling state of a drum shaft and a coupling. It is a perspective view which showed the state which the coupling was inclined. It is a perspective view and a vertical sectional view showing the drive structure of the apparatus main body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the cartridge installation part of the apparatus main body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the cartridge installation part of the apparatus main body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the process of attaching a cartridge to the apparatus main body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view showing the process of engaging a drive shaft and a coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the process of attaching a coupling to a drive shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the coupling provided in the apparatus main body and the coupling provided in a cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view which showed the drive shaft, the drive gear, the coupling, and the drum shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the process of separating a coupling from a drive shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the coupling and the drum shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the drum shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the drive shaft and the drive gear which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view which showed the drum shaft, the drive shaft, and the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view and a vertical sectional view of the side surface of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the cartridge installation part of the apparatus main body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and is the figure seen from the apparatus direction. It is a vertical sectional view for demonstrating the taking-out process of taking out a cartridge from the apparatus main body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical sectional view for demonstrating the mounting process which mounts a cartridge to the apparatus main body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the phase control means of the drive shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the mounting operation of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view and the plan view of the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which looked at the state which mounted the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention from the mounting direction. It is a perspective view which showed the state which the drive of the process cartridge (photoreceptor drum) which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is stopped. It is a vertical sectional view and the perspective view which showed the operation which takes out the process cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which opened the door provided in the apparatus main body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the mounting guide of the drive side of the apparatus main body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the drive side of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view seen from the drive side of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which showed the state which the cartridge is inserted into the apparatus main body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the state which attached the locking member (unique to this Example) to the drum bearing member which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view which showed the drum bearing member, the coupling, and the drum shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the drive side of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view and a vertical sectional view showing the engagement state of a drive shaft and a coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a pressure member (specific to the present embodiment) is attached to a drum bearing member according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an exploded perspective view which showed the drum bearing member, the coupling, and the drum shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the drive side of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view and a vertical sectional view which showed the engagement state of a drive shaft and a coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view which showed the state before assembling the main member of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which showed the drive side which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a drum shaft and a coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical sectional view which showed the operation which the coupling attaches to the drive shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the modification of the coupling locking member which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which attached the magnet member (the present embodiment special) to the drum bearing member which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view which showed the drum bearing member, the coupling, and the drum shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the drive side of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view and a vertical sectional view which showed the engagement state of a drive shaft and a coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the drive side of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view which showed the state before assembling the bearing member which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical sectional view which showed the structure of the drum shaft, the coupling, and the bearing member which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the drive side of the apparatus main body guide which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical sectional view which showed the state which the lock member is disengaged which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical sectional view which showed the operation which the coupling attaches to the drive shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which showed the drive side of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the drive side of the apparatus main body guide which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which showed the relationship between the cartridge and the main body guide which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view and the perspective view which showed the relationship between the main body guide and the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which looked at the process of attaching a cartridge to a main body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention from the drive side. It is a perspective view which showed the drive side of the main body guide which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which showed the relationship between the main body guide and the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the relationship between the main body guide and the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which showed the relationship between the cartridge and the main body guide which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the relationship between the main body guide and the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which showed the relationship between the main body guide and the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the relationship between the main body guide and the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which showed the relationship between the main body guide and the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view and sectional view of the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view and sectional view of the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view and sectional view of the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view and sectional view of the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the drum shaft, the drive shaft, the coupling, and the urging member which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the drum shaft, the coupling, the bearing member, and the drive shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the drum shaft and the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the process of attaching a coupling to a drive shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view and sectional drawing which showed the drum shaft, the coupling, and the bearing member which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the support method (mounting method) of a coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the support method (mounting method) of a coupling which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which showed the single item drawing of the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which showed the drum flange which attached the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing cut in S22-S22 of FIG. 84 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the photoconductor drum unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing cut in S23-S23 of FIG. 85 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the coupling state of the drum shaft and the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the state in which the coupling was inclined which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the process of engaging a coupling with a drive shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the process of attaching a coupling to a drive shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view which showed the drive shaft, the drive gear, the coupling, and the drum shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the process of separating a coupling from a drive shaft which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the coupling state of the drum shaft and the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the coupling state of the drum shaft and the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which showed the coupling state of the drum shaft and the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which looked at the 1st frame body unit which has a photoconductor drum which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention from the drive side. It is a perspective view which showed the drum shaft and the coupling which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S20-S20 in FIG. 79 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the photoconductor drum unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the process cartridge and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) Schematic Description of Process Cartridge First, a process cartridge B to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge B. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the cartridge B. Further, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body A (hereinafter, referred to as “device main body A”). The apparatus main body A is a portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus excluding the cartridge B.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, the cartridge B has an electrophotographic photosensitive member drum (hereinafter, referred to as “photoreceptor drum”) 107. As shown in FIG. 4, the photoconductor drum 107 rotates by receiving a rotational force from the device main body A by a coupling mechanism described later when the cartridge B is mounted on the device main body A. The cartridge B can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body A by the user.

A charging roller 108 is provided as a charging means (process means) in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 107. The charging roller 108 charges the photoconductor drum 107 by applying a voltage from the apparatus main body A. Further, the charging roller 108 is driven to rotate with the photoconductor drum 107.

The cartridge B has a developing roller 110 as a developing means (process means). The developing roller 110 supplies the developer t to the developing region of the photoconductor drum 107. Then, the developing roller 110 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 107 by using the developer t. The developing roller 110 has a built-in magnet roller (fixed magnet) 111.

The developing blade 112 is provided in contact with the peripheral surface of the developing roller 110. The developing blade 112 defines the amount of the developer t adhering to the peripheral surface of the developing roller 110. Further, a triboelectric charge is applied to the developer t.

The developer t stored in the developer storage container 114 is sent out to the developing chamber 113a by the rotation of the stirring members 115 and 116. Then, the developing roller 110 to which the voltage is applied is rotated. As a result, a developer layer charged by the developing blade 112 is formed on the surface of the developing roller 110. Then, the developer t is transferred to the photoconductor drum 107 according to the latent image. This develops the latent image.

The developer image formed on the photoconductor drum 107 is transferred to the recording medium 102 by the transfer roller 104. Here, the recording medium is a medium on which an image formed by a developer is formed, and is, for example, a recording paper, a label, or an OHP sheet.

An elastic cleaning blade 117a as a cleaning means (process means) is arranged in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 107. The tip of the blade 117a is in elastic contact with the photoconductor drum 107. Then, the blade 117a removes the developer t remaining on the photoconductor drum 107 after the developer image is transferred to the recording medium 102. The developer t removed from the surface of the photoconductor drum 107 by the blade 117a is stored in the removal developer reservoir 117b.

The cartridge B is integrally composed of the first frame unit 119 and the second frame unit 120.

Further, the first frame body unit 119 is composed of the first frame body 113 which is a part of the cartridge frame body B1. The first frame unit 119 includes a developing roller 110, a developing blade 112, a developing chamber 113a, a developing agent storage container 114, and stirring members 115 and 116.

Further, the second frame body unit 120 is composed of a second frame body 118 which is a part of the cartridge frame body B1. The second frame unit 120 has a photoconductor drum 107, a cleaning blade 117a, a removal developer reservoir 117b, and a charging roller 108.

Further, the first frame body unit 119 and the second frame body unit 120 are rotatably connected by a pin P. The developing roller 110 is pressed against the photoconductor drum 107 by the elastic member 135 (FIG. 3) provided between the units 119 and 120.

The user grasps the handle T and attaches (attaches) the cartridge B to the cartridge installation portion 130a of the apparatus main body A. At this time, as will be described later, the drive shaft 180 of the apparatus main body A (see FIG. 17) and the coupling member 150 (described later) which is a rotational force transmission component of the cartridge B are linked to the mounting operation of the cartridge B. Combine. Then, the photoconductor drum 107 and the like receive rotational force from the apparatus main body A and rotate.

(2) Explanation of Electrophotographic Image Forming Device The electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the cartridge B described above will be described with reference to FIG.

Hereinafter, a laser beam printer will be described as an example of the apparatus main body A.

At the time of image formation, the surface of the rotating photoconductor drum 107 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 108. Next, the photoconductor drum 107 is irradiated with a laser beam corresponding to the image information from an optical means 101 having a laser diode, a polygon mirror, a lens, and a reflection mirror (all not shown). As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photoconductor drum 107. This latent image is developed by the development roller 110 described above.

On the other hand, in synchronization with the formation of the developer image, the recording medium 102 set in the cassette 103a is conveyed to the transfer position by the delivery roller 103b and the transfer roller pairs 103c, 103d, 103e. A transfer roller 104 as a transfer means is arranged at the transfer position. Then, a voltage is applied to the transfer roller 104. As a result, the developer image formed on the photoconductor drum 107 is transferred to the recording medium 102.

The recording medium 102 that has received the transfer of the developer image is conveyed to the fixing means 105 via the guide 103f. The fixing means 105 includes a driving roller 105c and a fixing roller 105b having a built-in heater 105a. Then, heat and pressure are applied to the passing recording medium 102 to fix the developer image on the recording medium 102. As a result, an image is formed on the recording medium 102. The recording medium 102 is then conveyed by the roller pair 103g, 103h and discharged to the tray 106. The roller 103b, the transfer roller pair 103c, 103d, 103e, the guide 103f, the roller pair 103g, 103h, and the like constitute the transfer means 103 of the recording medium 102.

The cartridge installation unit 130a is a room (space) in which the cartridge B is installed. With the cartridge B positioned in this room, the coupling member 150 (described later) of the cartridge B is connected to the drive shaft of the apparatus main body A. In this embodiment, the fact that the cartridge B is installed in the installation portion 130a is referred to as the cartridge B being attached to the apparatus main body A. Further, removing the cartridge B from the installation portion 130a is referred to as removing the cartridge B from the apparatus main body A.

(3) Explanation of Drum Flange Configuration First, the drum flange on the side where the rotational force is transmitted from the apparatus main body A to the photoconductor drum 107 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “driving side”) will be described with reference to FIG. 5 (a) is a perspective view of the drum flange on the drive side, and FIG. 5 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the S1 direction in FIG. 5 (a). In the axial direction of the photoconductor drum, the side opposite to the driving side is referred to as a "non-driving side".

The drum flange 151 is made of a resin molded by injection molding, and the material thereof is polyacetal, polycarbonate, or the like. The drum shaft 153 is made of metal, and the material thereof is iron, stainless steel, or the like. However, depending on the load torque for rotating the photoconductor drum 107, the flange 151 may be made of metal, or the drum shaft 153 may be made of resin, which may be appropriately selected. If both the flange 151 and the drum shaft 153 are made of resin, integral molding is possible.

The flange 151 has a fitting portion 151a fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 107, a gear portion (a helical gear or a spur tooth gear) 151c that transmits a rotational force to the developing roller 110, and a drum bearing. A fitting portion 151d that is rotatably supported is provided. Specifically, the flange 151 is fitted to one end of the drum cylinder 107a, which will be described later, by the fitting portion 151a. These are arranged on a coaxial line with the rotation axis L1 of the photoconductor drum 107. A base portion 151b is provided so as to be orthogonal to the cylindrical drum fitting portion 151a. The base portion 151b is provided with a drum shaft 153 projecting outward from the base portion 151b in the direction of the axis L1. The drum shaft 153 is a coaxial line with the drum fitting portion 151a. These are fixed so as to be coaxial with the rotation axis L1. As the fixing method, there are press fitting, adhesion, insert molding and the like, and they are appropriately selected.

The drum shaft 153 is formed of a cylindrical portion 153a having a convex shape, and is arranged so as to be coaxial with the rotation axis of the photoconductor drum 107. That is, the drum shaft 153 is provided at one end of the photoconductor drum 107 on the axis L1 of the photoconductor drum 107. Further, the drum shaft 153 has a diameter of about 5 to 15 mm in consideration of the material, load, and space. A tip portion 153b is provided at one end of the columnar portion 153a. The tip portion 153b has a hemispherical shape so that the axis of the coupling member 150, which is a rotational force transmission component, can be smoothly inclined when the axis is inclined. Further, a rotational force transmission pin (rotational force transmitted portion) 155 is provided on the photoconductor drum 107 side of the tip of the drum shaft 153 in order to receive the rotational force from the coupling member 150. The pins 155 are arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drum axis 153.

The pin 155 as the rotational force transmission portion is a cylinder having a diameter smaller than that of the cylindrical portion 153a of the drum shaft 153, and is made of metal or resin. Then, it is fixed to the drum shaft 153 by a method such as press fitting or adhesion. Then, the axis L1 of the photoconductor drum 107 is fixed in the direction in which the axis of the pin 155 intersects. Preferably, the axis of the pin 155 is arranged so as to pass through the center P2 of the spherical surface of the tip portion 153b of the drum shaft 153 (FIG. 5 (b)). The tip portion 153b is actually in the shape of a hemispherical surface, but the center P2 is the center of the spherical surface in which the hemispherical surface forms a part thereof. Further, the number of pins 155 can be appropriately selected. In this embodiment, the number of pins 155 is set to one in order to ensure that the drive torque can be transmitted and from the viewpoint of assembling. The pin 155 penetrates the drum shaft 153 so as to pass through the center P2. Then, the pin 155 was arranged so as to project at a position facing 180 ° of the peripheral surface of the drum shaft 153 (155a1, 155a2). That is, the pin 155 protrudes from the drum shaft 153 at two points facing the direction orthogonal to the axis of the drum shaft 153 (same as the axis L1) (155a1, 155a2). As a result, the rotational force is transmitted to the drum shaft 153 from the coupling member 150 at two points. In this embodiment, the pin 155 is attached to the tip side within 5 mm from the tip of the drum shaft 153. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

Further, the space portion 151e including the fitting portion 151d and the base portion 151b is a space into which a part of the coupling member 150 enters when the coupling member 150 (described later) is attached to the flange 151.

In this embodiment, a gear portion 151c that transmits a rotational force to the developing roller 110 is arranged on the flange 151. However, the rotation of the developing roller 110 does not have to be particularly via the flange 151. In that case, the gear portion 151c can be eliminated. However, when the gear portion 151c is arranged on the flange 151, the gear portion 151c can be integrally molded with the flange 151.

As described above, the flange 151, the drum shaft 153, and the pin 155 function as a rotational force transmitted member that receives a rotational force from the coupling member 150 described later.

(4) Description of Configuration of Electrophotographic Photoreceptor Drum Unit Next, the configuration of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum unit (hereinafter referred to as “drum unit”) will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. 6 (a) is a perspective view of the drum unit U1 as viewed from the drive side, and FIG. 6 (b) is a perspective view of the drum unit U1 as viewed from the non-drive side. Further, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S2-S2 of FIG. 6A.

The photoconductor drum 107 has a drum cylinder 107a whose peripheral surface is coated with a photosensitive layer 107b.

The drum cylinder 107a is a conductive cylinder made of aluminum or the like coated with the photosensitive layer 107b. At both ends thereof, openings 107a1 and 107a2 substantially coaxial with the drum surface are provided so that the drum flanges (151, 152) can be fitted. That is, the drum shaft 153 is provided at one end of the drum cylinder 107a on the axis of the drum cylinder 107a. Reference numeral 151c is a gear, which transmits the rotational force received from the drive shaft 180 by the coupling 150 to the developing roller 110. The gear 151c is integrally molded with the flange 151.

The inside of the cylinder 107a may be hollow or may be clogged.

Since the drum flange 151 on the drive side has been described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

Like the drive side, the drum flange 152 on the non-drive side is made of a resin made of injection molding. The drum fitting portion 152b and the bearing portion 152a are arranged on a substantially coaxial line. Further, a drum ground plate 156 is arranged on the flange 152. The drum ground plate 156 is a conductive (mainly metal) thin plate-shaped member. The ground plate 156 has contact portions 156b1 and 156b2 that are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the drum cylinder 107a, which is conductive, and contact portions 156a that are in contact with the drum ground shaft 154 (described later). The ground plate 156 is electrically connected to the apparatus main body A in order to ground the photoconductor drum 107.

The flange 151 has a fitting portion 151a fitted to the opening 107a1 at one end of the cylinder 107a. Further, in the flange 152, the fitting portion 152b is fitted to the opening 107a2 at the other end of the cylinder 107a. The fitting portions 151a and 152b are fixed to the cylinder 107a by adhesion, caulking or the like. Then, the drum shaft 153 and the cylinder 107a become coaxial lines, and when the drum shaft 153 rotates, the drum cylinder 107a rotates integrally.

It has been explained that the ground plate 156 is provided on the flange 152, but this is not the case. For example, the ground plate 156 may be arranged on the mufran 151, or may be appropriately selected and arranged at a place where it can be connected to the ground.

As described above, the drum unit U1 has a photoconductor drum 107 having a cylinder 107a, a flange 151, a flange 152, a drum shaft 153, a pin 155, and a drum ground plate 156.

(5) Description of Rotational Force Transmission Component (Coupling Member) Next, an example of the coupling member, which is a rotational force transmission component, will be described with reference to FIG. 8 (a) is a perspective view of the coupling member as viewed from the apparatus main body side, FIG. 8 (b) is a perspective view of the coupling member as viewed from the photoconductor drum side, and FIG. 8 (c) is a perspective view of the cup. It is a figure seen from the direction orthogonal to the ring rotation axis L2 direction. 8 (d) is a side view of the coupling member as viewed from the main body side of the apparatus, FIG. 8 (e) is a view seen from the photoconductor drum side, and FIG. 8 (f) is FIG. 8 (d). ) Is cut in S3.

The coupling member (hereinafter referred to as “coupling”) 150 engages with the drive shaft 180 (see FIG. 17) of the apparatus main body A in a state where the cartridge B is mounted (installed) on the installation portion 130a. Further, the coupling 150 is separated from the drive shaft 180 by taking out the cartridge B from the apparatus main body A. Then, the coupling 150 receives the rotational force from the motor provided in the apparatus main body A via the drive shaft 180 in a state of being engaged with the drive shaft 180. Further, the coupling 150 transmits the rotational force to the photoconductor drum 107. The material of the coupling 150 is a resin such as polyacetal, polycarbonate, PPS and the like. However, in order to increase the rigidity of the coupling 150, glass fiber, carbon fiber or the like may be blended in the resin depending on the load torque. When the above materials are blended, the rigidity of the coupling 150 can be increased. Further, a metal may be inserted into the resin to further increase the rigidity, or the entire coupling may be made of metal or the like.

The coupling 150 has three main parts.

First, the first portion engages with the drive shaft 180 (described later) and is subjected to rotational force from the rotational force transmission pin 182, which is a rotational force applying portion (main body side rotational force transmission portion) provided on the drive shaft 180. It is a driven portion 150a on the coupling side for receiving. The second portion is a coupling-side drive unit 150b that engages with the pin 155 and transmits the rotational force to the drum shaft 153. Further, the third portion is a connecting portion 150c that connects the driven portion 150a and the driving portion 150b (FIGS. 8 (c) and 8 (f)).

The driven portion 150a, the driving portion 150b, and the connecting portion 150c may be integrally molded, or may be integrally formed of separate bodies. In this embodiment, these are integrally molded with a resin. As a result, the ease of manufacturing the coupling 150 and the improvement of the accuracy as a part are realized. As shown in FIG. 8 (f), the driven portion 150a has a drive shaft insertion opening 150 m widened with respect to the rotation axis L2 of the coupling 150. Further, the drive unit 150b has a drum shaft insertion opening 150l widened with respect to the rotation axis L2.

The opening 150m has a conical drive bearing surface 150f as an expansion portion that widens toward the drive shaft 180 side in a state where the coupling 150 is mounted on the apparatus main body A. The receiving surface 150f constitutes a recess 150z as shown in FIG. 8 (f). The recess 150z has an opening 150 m (opening) on the side opposite to the side where the photoconductor drum 107 is provided in the axis L2 direction.

As a result, the coupling 150 has a rotational force with respect to the axis L1 of the photoconductor drum 107 without being blocked by the tip of the drive shaft 180 regardless of the rotational phase of the photoconductor drum 107 in the cartridge B. It can tilt between the transmission angle position, the pre-engagement angle position, and the disengagement angle position. The rotational force transmission angle position, the pre-engagement angle position, and the disengagement angle position will be described later.

A plurality of protrusions (projections, hereinafter referred to as protrusions) (engagement portions) 150d1 to d4 are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference of the concave portion 150z centered on the axis L2. There is. Further, standby portions 150k1, 150k2, 150k3, and 150k4 are provided between the protrusions 150d (150d1, 150d2, 150d3, 150d4). That is, the distance between the adjacent protrusions 150d1 to d4 is the outer diameter of the pin 182 so that the rotational force transmission pin (rotational force applying portion) 182 of the drive shaft 180 provided in the apparatus main body A can be positioned within this distance. Is set larger than. Between the adjacent protrusions are standby portions 150k1 to k4. When the rotational force is transmitted from the drive shaft 180 to the coupling 150, the transmission pin 182 (182a1, 182a2) is located at any of the standby portions 150k1 to k4. Further, in FIG. 8D, on the downstream side in the clockwise direction (FIG. X1) of each protrusion 150d, a rotational force receiving surface (rotating force receiving portion) 150e (150e1 to 150e4) intersecting the rotational direction of the coupling 150. ) Is provided. That is, the protrusion 150d1 is provided with a receiving surface 150e1, the protrusion 150d2 is provided with a receiving surface 150e2, the protrusion 150d3 is provided with a receiving surface 150e3, and the protrusion 150d4 is provided with a receiving surface 150e4. When the drive shaft 180 is rotating, the pins 182a1 and 182a2 come into contact with any of the receiving surfaces 150e1 to 150e4. As a result, the receiving surface 150e to which the pins 182a1 and 182a2 are in contact is pushed to the side surface of the pin 182. As a result, the coupling 150 rotates about the axis L2. Here, the receiving surfaces 150e1 to 150e4 are provided in a direction intersecting the rotation direction of the coupling 150.

In order to stabilize the rotational torque transmitted to the coupling 150 as much as possible, it is desirable that the rotational force receiving surface 150e is arranged on the same circumference having a center on the axis L2. As a result, the rotational force transmission radius becomes constant, and the rotational torque transmitted to the coupling 150 becomes stable. Further, it is preferable that the positions of the protrusions 150d1 to 150d4 are as stable as possible due to the balance of the forces received by the couplings. Therefore, in this embodiment, the receiving surfaces 150e are arranged at positions facing each other by 180 °. That is, in this embodiment, the receiving surface 150e1 and the surface 150e3 and the receiving surface 150e2 and the surface 150e4 are opposed to each other and are configured as a pair (FIG. 8 (d)). This is because the force received by the coupling 150 becomes a couple by arranging them at 180 ° facing each other. Therefore, the coupling 150 can continue the rotational movement only by applying a couple. Therefore, the coupling 150 can rotate without defining the position of the rotation axis L2. Further, the number of installations is an appropriate number as long as the pin 182 (rotational force applying portion) of the drive shaft 180 is free enough to be inserted into the standby portion (dent, hereinafter referred to as the standby portion) 150k (150k1 to 150k2). You can choose. In this embodiment, the number is four as shown in FIG. The present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, even if the receiving surfaces 150e (projections 150d1 to 150d4) are not arranged on the same circumference (virtual circle C1 FIG. 8D), or they are not arranged at positions facing each other by 180 °. It doesn't matter if it is the case. However, by arranging the receiving surface 150e as described above, the above-mentioned effect can be obtained.

Here, in the case of this embodiment, the diameter of the pin 182 is set to about 2 mm. In this case, the peripheral length of the standby portion 150k was set to about 8 mm. The peripheral length of the standby portion 150k is an interval on an arc (on a virtual circle) of adjacent protrusions 150d. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

Further, similarly to the opening 150m, the drum shaft insertion opening 150l also has a conical rotational force receiving surface 150i as an expansion portion extending toward the drum shaft 153 side in a state of being attached to the cartridge B. .. The receiving surface 150i constitutes a recess 150q as shown in FIG. 8 (f).

As a result, regardless of the rotational phase of the photoconductor drum 107 in the cartridge B, the coupling 150 is positioned at a rotational force transmission angle position with respect to the drum axis L1 without being blocked by the tip of the drum shaft 153. , Can tilt between the pre-engagement angle position and the disengagement angle position. In the illustrated example, the recess 150q is composed of a conical receiving surface 150i having an axis L2. The receiving surface 150i is provided with standby openings 150g1 and 150g2 (hereinafter, simply referred to as "openings") (see FIG. 8b). The coupling 150 is attached to the drum shaft 153 so that the pin 155 can be located in the openings 150g1 and 150g2. The size of the openings 150g1 and 150g2 is larger than the outer diameter of the pin 155. As a result, regardless of the rotational phase of the photoconductor drum 107 in the cartridge B, the coupling 150 is not blocked by the pin 155, and the coupling 150 has a rotational force transmission angle position and a pre-engagement angle position (or an angle position before engagement) described later. It is possible to tilt between the detachment angle positions).

That is, the protrusion 150d is provided on the tip end side of the recess 150z. A plurality of protrusions (projections) 150d are provided so as to project in an intersecting direction intersecting the rotation direction in which the coupling 150 rotates, and at intervals along the rotation direction.

Then, the receiving surface 150e is pushed by the pin 182 in a state where the cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body A and is engaged with the pin 182. As a result, the receiving surface 150e receives the rotational force from the drive shaft 180. Further, the receiving surface 150e is provided on the surface provided in the crossing direction in each projection 150d so as to be equidistant from the axis L2 and to be located in pairs with the axis L2 interposed therebetween.

Further, a standby portion (recess) 150k is provided so as to be recessed along the rotation direction and in the axis L2 direction. The standby portion 150k is provided between the protrusion 150d and the protrusion 150d. With the cartridge B attached to the main body A of the apparatus, the pin 182 enters the standby unit 150k and stands by. Then, as the drive shaft 180 rotates, the pin 182 pushes the receiving surface 150e. This causes the coupling 150 to rotate.

The rotational force receiving surface (rotating force receiving portion) 150e may be arranged inside the drive bearing surface 150f. Alternatively, the receiving surface 150e may be arranged at a position protruding outward from the receiving surface 150f in the axis L2 direction. When the receiving surface 150e is arranged inside the receiving surface 150f, the standby portion 150k is also arranged inside the receiving surface 150f. That is, the standby portion 150k is a recess located inside the arc portion of the receiving surface 150f and between the protrusions 150d. Further, when the receiving surface 150e is arranged at the portion protruding outward, the standby portion 150k is a recess located between the protrusions 150d. Here, the recess is included even if it is a hole that penetrates in the direction of the axis L2 or has a bottom. That is, the recess may be a spatial region located between the protrusions 150d. Then, it suffices if the pin 182 can enter the area with the cartridge B attached to the apparatus main body A.
The configuration is the same in each embodiment described later.

Further, in FIG. 8E, a rotational force transmission surface (rotational force transmission unit) 150h (150h1, 150h2) is provided on the upstream side in the clockwise direction (FIG. X1) of the openings 150g1 and 150g2. Then, when the transmission surfaces 150h1 and 150h2 come into contact with any one of the pins 155a1 and 155a2, the rotational force is transmitted from the coupling 150 to the photoconductor drum 107. That is, the transmission surfaces 150h1 and 150h2 push the side surfaces of the pins 155 in contact with each other. As a result, the coupling 150 rotates about the axis L2. The transmission surfaces 150h1 and 150h2 are provided in a direction intersecting the rotation direction of the coupling 150.

As with the protrusion 150d, it is desirable that the transmission surfaces 150h1 and 150h2 are arranged on the same circumference and 180 ° opposite to each other.

Further, when the coupling member 150 is manufactured by injection molding, the connecting portion 150c may become thin. The reason is that the driven portion 150a, the driving portion 150b, and the connecting portion 150c have a substantially uniform wall thickness. However, if the rigidity of the connecting portion 150c seems to be insufficient, it is possible to make the connecting portion 150c thicker.

(6) Explanation of Drum Bearing Member Next, the drum bearing member will be described with reference to FIG. 9 (a) is a perspective view seen from the drive shaft side, and FIG. 9 (b) is a perspective view seen from the photoconductor drum side.

The drum bearing member 157 rotatably supports the photoconductor drum 107 on the second frame 118. Further, the bearing member 157 is a member for positioning the second frame body unit 120 on the apparatus main body A. Further, it has a function of holding the coupling 150 so that the rotational force can be transmitted to the photoconductor drum 107.

This will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 9, the fitting portion 157d positioned by positioning the photoconductor drum 107 with respect to the second frame body 118 and the outer peripheral portion 157c positioned by the apparatus main body A are arranged on a substantially coaxial line. ing. The fitting portion 157d and the outer peripheral portion 157c are annular. Then, the coupling 150 is arranged in the space portion 157b inside the space portion 157b. Further, a rib 157e for preventing the coupling 150 from falling off from the cartridge B is provided near the center of the fitting portion 157d and the outer peripheral portion 157c in the axial direction. Further, the bearing member 157 is provided with abutting surface 157f for fixing the bearing member 157 to the second frame body 118 and holes 157g1 and 157g2 for passing the fixing screw. Further, as will be described later, the bearing member 157 is integrally provided with a guide portion 157a for attaching and detaching the cartridge B to and from the apparatus main body A.

(7) Description of Coupling Mounting Method Next, the coupling mounting method will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 16. FIG. 10A is an enlarged view of the main part around the photoconductor drum as viewed from the side surface on the drive side. FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of the main part as viewed from the side surface on the non-driving side. FIG. 10 (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S4-S4 of FIG. 10 (a). 11 (a) and 11 (b) are exploded perspective views showing before assembling the main member of the second frame body unit. 11 (c) is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 11 (a) cut by S5-S5. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the state in which FIG. 11 (c) is assembled. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view in which the parts cut in S6-S6 of FIG. 11A are assembled. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling and the photoconductor drum rotated by 90 ° from the state of FIG. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the coupling state of the drum shaft and the coupling. 15 (a1) to (a5) are front views viewed from the axial direction of the photoconductor drum, and FIGS. 15 (b1) to 15 (b5) are perspective views. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which the coupling is tilted in the process cartridge.

As shown in FIG. 15, the coupling 150 is attached so that its axis L2 can be inclined in any direction with respect to the axis L1 of the drum shaft 153 (on the coaxial line with the photoconductor drum 107).

In FIGS. 15 (a1) and 15 (b1), the axis L2 of the coupling 150 is coaxial with the axis L1 of the drum shaft 153. From this state, the figure when the coupling 150 is tilted upward is shown in FIGS. 15 (a2) and 15 (b2). As shown in this figure, when the coupling 150 is tilted in the direction in which the opening 150g is provided, the opening 150g moves along the pin 155. As a result, the coupling 150 is inclined about the axis AX orthogonal to the axis of the pin 155.

15 (a3) and 15 (b3) show a state in which the coupling 150 is tilted to the right. As shown in this figure, when the coupling 150 is tilted in the direction orthogonal to the opening 150g, the opening 150g rotates about the pin 155. The rotating axis is the central axis AY of the pin 155.

The state in which the coupling 150 is tilted downward is shown in FIGS. 15 (a4) and 15 (b4), and the state in which the coupling 150 is tilted downward is shown in FIGS. 15 (a5) and 15 (b5). Since the explanations of the rotation axis AX and AY are duplicated, they are omitted.

Further, in a direction different from the tilting direction described here, for example, in the direction of FIG. 15 (a1), rotations in the respective directions of the axis lines AX and AY are added to enable tilting in the direction of 45 ° and the like. In this way, the axis L2 can be inclined in any direction with respect to the axis L1.

That is, the drum shaft 153 is provided with a pin 155 protruding from its circumferential surface. Therefore, an opening 150 g is provided in the portion of the coupling 150 corresponding to the pin 155. Then, when the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the axis L1, the size of the opening 150 g is set so that the pins 155 do not interfere with each other.

That is, the transmission surface (rotational force transmission unit) 150h is movable with respect to the pin (rotational force transmission unit) 155. The transmission surface 150 of the pin 155 is movable. Then, in the rotation direction of the coupling 150, the transmission surface 150h and the pin 155 engage with each other. In this way, the coupling 150 is attached to the cartridge. In order to do this, there is a gap between the transmission surface 150h and the pin 155. As a result, the coupling 150 can be tilted in substantially all directions with respect to the axis L1.

As described above, the opening 150 g has a shape extending at least in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the pin 155 (direction of the rotation axis of the coupling 150). Therefore, as described above, the coupling 150 can be tilted in all directions.

It is stated that the axis L2 can be inclined in any direction with respect to the axis L1. However, the coupling 150 does not necessarily have to be able to linearly incline the axis L2 up to a predetermined angle in any direction of 360 °. In that case, for example, the opening 150 g is set wide in the circumferential direction. With this setting, when the axis L2 is tilted with respect to the axis L1, the coupling 150 can rotate slightly around the axis L2 even if it cannot be linearly tilted at a predetermined angle. As a result, it can be tilted to a predetermined angle. That is, the amount of play in the rotation direction of the opening 150 g can be appropriately selected as needed.

As described above, the coupling 150 is rotatable (swingable) with respect to the drum shaft (rotational force transmitted member) 153 substantially over the entire circumference thereof. That is, the coupling 150 can be tilted with respect to the drum shaft 153 substantially over the entire circumference thereof.

Further, as is clear from the above description, the coupling 150 is rotatable with respect to the drum shaft 153 substantially over the entire circumference thereof.

Here, the rotation of the coupling means that the inclined axis L2 rotates around the axis L1 of the photoconductor drum, instead of the coupling itself rotating around the axis L2 of the coupling. However, it does not exclude the coupling itself from rotating around the axis L2 within the range of play or a positively provided gap.

That is, the coupling 150 can rotate so that the tip of the driven side 150a draws a circle about the axis L2 while the one end of the driving unit 150b on the drum 107 side is positioned on the axis L2.

Next, the assembly procedure will be described.

First, the photoconductor drum 107 is assembled in the X1 direction in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b). At this time, the bearing portion 151d of the flange 151 is engaged with the centering portion 118h of the second frame body 118 substantially coaxially. Further, the bearing hole 152a (see FIG. 7A) of the flange 152 is engaged with the centering portion 118g of the second frame body 118 so as to be substantially coaxial with the bearing hole 152a.

Next, the drum ground shaft 154 is inserted in the X2 direction. Then, the alignment portion 154b is passed through the bearing hole 152a (see FIG. 6b) and the alignment hole 118g (see FIG. 10B). At this time, the centering portion 154b and the bearing hole 152a support the photoconductor drum 107 so as to be rotatable. On the other hand, the centering portion 154b and the centering hole 118g are fixed by press fitting or the like. As a result, the photoconductor drum 107 is rotatably supported with respect to the second frame body. The drum ground shaft 154 (centering portion 154b) may be non-rotatably fixed to the flange 152 and rotatably fixed to the second frame 118.

Next, the coupling 150 and the bearing member 157 are inserted in the X3 direction. First, the axis L2 (see FIG. 11c) is inserted in parallel with X3, and the drive unit 150b is inserted toward the downstream side in the X3 direction. At this time, the phase of the pin 155 and the phase of the opening 150g are matched, and the pin 155 is made to slip into the openings 150g1 and 150g2. Then, the tip portion 153b of the drum shaft 153 is abutted against the drum bearing surface 150i. The tip portion 153b is a spherical surface, and the drum bearing surface 150i is a conical surface. That is, the conical drum bearing surface 150i, which is a concave portion, and the tip portion 153b of the drum shaft 153, which is a convex portion, come into contact with each other. Therefore, the position of the drive unit 150b side is determined with respect to the tip portion 153b. As described above, when the rotational force is transmitted from the apparatus main body A and the coupling 150 rotates, the pins 155 located at the opening 150 g are subjected to the rotational force transmission surfaces (rotational force transmission portions) 150h1 and 150h2 (see FIG. 8b). Is pushed to. As a result, the rotational force is transmitted to the photoconductor drum 107. After that, the fitting portion 157d is inserted toward the downstream in the X3 direction. As a result, a part of the coupling 150 is included in the space portion 157b. Then, the fitting portion 157d supports the bearing portion 151d of the flange 151 so that the photoconductor drum 107 can rotate. Further, the fitting portion 157d is fitted with the centering portion 118h of the second frame body 118. The bearing member 157 has its abutting surface 157f abutting against the abutting surface 118j of the second frame body 118. Then, the bearing members 157 are fixed to the second frame body 118 by the screws 158a and 158b passing through the holes 157g1 and 157g2 and being fixed to the screw holes 118k1 and 118k2 of the second frame body 118 (FIG. See 12).

Here, the dimensional relationship related to the coupling 150 will be described. As shown in FIG. 11C, the maximum outer diameter of the driven portion 150a is φD2, the maximum outer diameter of the driving portion 150b is φD1, and the maximum diameter of the standby opening 150g is φD3. Further, the maximum outer diameter of the pin 155 is φD5, and the inner diameter of the retaining rib 157e of the bearing member 157 is φD4. The maximum outer diameter indicates the outer diameter of the maximum rotation locus when the axis L1 or the axis L2 is the center. At this time, if the relationship of φD5 <φD3 is established, the coupling 150 can be assembled to a predetermined position only by the step of assembling straight in the X3 direction. Therefore, the assemblability can be improved (see FIG. 12 after assembly). Further, the inner circumference φD4 of the retaining rib 157e of the bearing member 157 is set to be larger than φD2 of the coupling 150 and smaller than φD1 (that is, φD2 <φD4 <φD1). As a result, the bearing member 157 can be assembled to a predetermined position only by the step of assembling straight in the X3 direction. Therefore, the assemblability can be improved (see FIG. 12 after assembly).

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the retaining rib 157e of the bearing member 157 is arranged close to the brim portion 150j of the coupling 150 in the axis L1 direction. Specifically, the distance from one end surface 150j1 of the brim portion 150j to the axis L4 of the pin 155 in the direction of the axis L1 is set to n1. Further, the distance from one end surface 157e1 of the rib 157e to the other end surface 157j2 of the brim portion 150j is defined as n2. At this time, the distance n2 <distance n1 is set.

Further, the brim portion 150j and the rib 157e are arranged so as to overlap each other in the direction orthogonal to the axis L1. Specifically, the distance n4 from the inner peripheral surface 157e3 of the rib 157e to the outer peripheral surface 150j3 of the brim portion 150j with respect to the orthogonal direction of the axis L1 is the overlap amount n4.

With these settings, the pin 155 does not come off the opening 150g of the coupling 150. That is, the movement of the coupling 150 is regulated by the bearing member 157. This ensures that the coupling 150 does not come off the cartridge. Further, the coupling 150 can be prevented from falling off without adding any parts. The dimensional relations described so far are preferable dimensional relations for improving assembling property and reducing cost. However, if the assembly method is changed, a different dimensional relationship may be used.

As described above (also as shown in FIGS. 10 (c) and 13), the receiving surface 150i, which is the concave portion 150q of the coupling 150, comes into contact with the tip surface 153b of the drum shaft 153, which is the convex portion. is doing. Therefore, the coupling 150 swings along the tip portion (spherical surface) 153b with the center P2 of the tip portion (spherical surface) 153b as the rotation center. That is, regardless of the phase of the drum shaft 153, the axis L2 is attached so as to be inclined in substantially all directions. That is, in the coupling 150, the axis L2 can be tilted in substantially all directions. Further, as will be described later, in order for the coupling 150 to engage with the drive shaft 180, the axis L2 is inclined to the downstream side in the mounting direction of the cartridge B with respect to the axis L1 immediately before the engagement. That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the axis L2 is inclined so that the driven portion 150a is on the downstream side of the mounting direction X4 with respect to the axis L1 of the photoconductor drum 107 (drum shaft 153). In FIGS. 16A to 16C, the positions of the driven portion 150a are slightly different, but in each case, the driven portion 150a is located on the downstream side with respect to the mounting direction X4.

The details will be described below.

First, as shown in FIG. 12, the distance n3 between the maximum outer diameter portion of the drive unit 150b and the bearing member 157 is set so as to have a slight gap. This allows the coupling 150 to tilt as described above.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the rib 157e is a semicircular rib. The rib 157e is arranged on the downstream side of the cartridge B in the mounting direction X4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), the axis L2 can be greatly inclined in the X4 direction on the driven portion 150a side. In other words, the drive unit 150b side of the axis L2 can be greatly inclined in the phase (angle α3 in FIG. 9A) in which the rib 157e is not arranged. FIG. 10 (c) shows a state in which the axis L2 is inclined. Further, the state in which the axis L2 in FIG. 10 (c) is inclined can be changed to a state substantially parallel to the axis L1 in FIG. As described above, the rib 157e is arranged. This allows the coupling 150 to be easily attached to the cartridge B. Furthermore, no matter what phase the drum shaft 153 stops, the axis L2 can be tilted with respect to the axis L1. However, the rib is not limited to the semicircular rib. The rib may have any shape as long as the coupling 150 can be attached to the cartridge B (photoreceptor drum 107) and the coupling 150 can be tilted in a predetermined direction. As described above, the rib 157e has a function as a regulating means for regulating the inclination direction of the coupling 150.

Further, the distance n2 (see FIG. 12) in the axis L1 direction from the rib 157e to the brim portion 150j is set shorter than the distance n1 from the center of the pin 155 to the end face on the drive portion 150b side. As a result, the pin 155 does not come off from the opening 150 g.

As described above, the coupling 150 is substantially supported by both the drum shaft 153 and the drum bearing 157. That is, the coupling 150 is substantially attached to the cartridge B by the drum shaft 153 and the drum bearing 157.

The coupling 150 has a backlash (distance n2 in FIG. 12) with respect to the drum shaft 153 in the axis L1 direction. Therefore, there is a possibility that the receiving surface 150i (conical surface) does not follow the drum shaft tip portion 153b (spherical surface). Therefore, the inclination of the axis L2 may not be rotation about the center P2 of the spherical surface. However, even in such a case, the axis L2 can be inclined with respect to the axis L1. Therefore, the object of this embodiment can be achieved.

Further, the maximum tiltable angle α4 (FIG. 10 (c)) of the axis L1 and the axis L2 is shown by half of the taper angle α1 (shown in FIG. 8 (f)) formed by the receiving surface 150i with respect to the axis L2. .. That is, the receiving surface 150i has a conical shape, and the drum shaft 153 has a cylindrical shape. Therefore, a gap g having an angle α1 / 2 is formed between the two. That is, the taper angle α1 is changed. Thereby, the inclination angle α4 of the coupling 150 can be made an optimum value. By making the receiving surface 150i a conical surface in this way, the cylindrical portion 153a of the drum shaft 153 can have a simple cylindrical shape. That is, it is not necessary to make the drum shaft a complicated shape. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing cost of the drum shaft.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), when the coupling 150 is tilted, a part of the coupling can be made to slip into the space portion 151e (shown by hatching) of the flange 151. As a result, the lightening portion (space portion 151e) of the gear portion 151c can be used without waste. Therefore, the space can be effectively used. Incidentally, the lightening portion (space portion 151e) is not normally used.

As described above, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 (c), the coupling 150 is attached so that a part of the coupling 150 is located at a position overlapping with the gear portion 151c in the axis L2 direction. If the flange is not provided with the gear portion 151c, a part of the coupling 150 can be further penetrated into the cylinder 107a.

The size of the opening 150 g is set in consideration of the size of the pin 155 so that the pin 155 does not interfere when the axis L2 is inclined. Further, in FIG. 14, the locus of the brim portion 150j when the driven portion 150a side is inclined in the X5 direction is shown as a region T1. As shown in the figure, even if the coupling 150 is tilted, the brim portion 150j can be provided over the entire circumference of the coupling 150 without interfering with the pin 155 (see FIG. 8B). That is, the bearing surface 150i is formed into a conical shape. As a result, even when the coupling 150 is tilted, the pin 155 does not have to enter the region T1. Therefore, the range in which the coupling 150 is cut out can be minimized. Therefore, the rigidity of the coupling 150 can be ensured.

In the assembly procedure described above, the procedure from the X2 direction (non-driving side) and the procedure from the X3 direction (driving side) may be interchanged.

Further, it was stated that the bearing member 157 is fixed to the second frame body 118 with screws. However, this is not the case. For example, any method may be used as long as the bearing member 157 can be fixed to the second frame body 118, such as by bonding.

(8) Description of Drive Shaft and Drive Configuration of Device Main Body Next, a configuration for driving the photoconductor drum 107 in the device main body A will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17A is a perspective view in which a side plate on the drive side is partially cut out in a state where the cartridge B of the apparatus main body A is not mounted. FIG. 17B is a perspective view showing only the drum drive configuration. FIG. 17 (c) is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 17 (b) cut by S7-S7.

The drive shaft 180 has almost the same configuration as the drum shaft 153 described above. That is, the tip portion 180b is a hemispherical surface. Further, it has a rotational force transmission pin 182 as a rotational force applying portion that penetrates substantially the center of the cylindrical main portion 180a. A rotational force is transmitted to the coupling 150 by the pin 182.

A drum drive gear 181 is provided on the side substantially coaxial with the axis of the drive shaft 180 on the side opposite to the tip 180b of the drive shaft 180 in the longitudinal direction. The gear 181 is fixed to the drive shaft 180 so as not to rotate. Therefore, when the gear 181 rotates, the drive shaft 180 also rotates.

Further, the gear 181 meshes with the pinion gear 187 that receives the rotational force from the motor 186. Therefore, when the motor 186 rotates, the drive shaft 180 rotates via the gear 181.

Further, the gear 181 is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body A by the bearing members 183 and 184. At this time, the gear 181 does not move in the axial direction L3 of the drive shaft 180 (gear 181), that is, it is positioned in the axial direction L3. Therefore, the gear 181 and the bearing members 183 and 184 can be arranged close to each other in the axial direction.

Further, the drive shaft 180 does not move in the direction of the axis L3. Therefore, the gap between the drive shaft 180 and the bearing members 183 and 184 is set so that the drive shaft 180 can rotate. Therefore, the radial position of the gear 181 with respect to the gear 187 can also be accurately positioned.

Further, although it has been explained that the gear 181 is directly driven from the gear 187, this is not the case. For example, for the convenience of arranging the motor in the apparatus main body A, a plurality of gears may be interposed. Further, the rotational force may be transmitted by a belt or the like.

(9) Explanation of the Main Body Side Mounting Guide for Guide the Cartridge B Provided in the Device Main Body A As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the mounting means 130 of the present embodiment is the main body provided in the device main body A. It has guides 130R1, 130R2, 130L1 and 130L2.

These are provided facing the left and right side surfaces of the cartridge mounting space (cartridge mounting portion 130a) provided in the apparatus main body A (FIG. 18 shows the drive side side surface, and FIG. 19 shows the non-drive side surface). Main body guides 130R1 and 130R2 are provided on the main body side along the mounting direction of the cartridge B so as to face the drive side of the cartridge B. On the other hand, the main body guides 130L1 and 130L2 are provided on the main body side along the mounting direction of the cartridge B so as to face the non-driving side of the cartridge B. The main body guides 130R1 and 130R2 and the main body guides 130L1 and 130L2 face each other. When the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A, the guides 130R1, 130R2, 130L1 and 130L2 are guided by the cartridge guide described later and inserted. In order to mount the cartridge B on the apparatus main body A, the cartridge door 109 that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body A is opened around the shaft 109a. Then, by closing the door 109, the mounting of the cartridge B on the device main body A is completed. When the cartridge B is taken out from the apparatus main body A, the taking-out operation is performed by opening the door 109. These operations are performed by the user.

(10) Explanation of mounting guide of cartridge B and positioning portion with respect to apparatus main body A As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the outer peripheral edge 157a of the bearing member 157 also serves as the cartridge guide 140R1. .. Further, the outer peripheral edge 154a of the outer end portion of the drum ground shaft 154 also serves as the cartridge guide 140L1.

Further, at one end (driving side) in the longitudinal direction of the second frame body unit 120, a cartridge guide 140R2 is provided substantially above the cartridge guide 140R1. A cartridge guide 140L2 is provided above the cartridge guide 140L1 at the other end (non-driving side) in the longitudinal direction.

That is, the cartridge side guides 140R1 and 140R2 protruding outward from the cartridge frame body B1 are provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the photoconductor drum 107. Further, at the other end in the longitudinal direction, cartridge side guides 140L1 and 140L2 protruding outward from the cartridge frame body B1 are provided. The guides 140R1, 140R2, 140L1 and 140L2 project outward along the longitudinal direction. That is, the guides 140R1, 140R2, 140L1, and 140L2 project from the cartridge frame body B1 in the direction along the axis L1. Then, when the cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body A and when the cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body A, the guide 140R1 is guided by the guide 130R1, and the guide 140R2 is guided by the guide 130R2. Further, when the cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body A and when the cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body A, the guide 140L1 is guided by the guide 130L1, and the guide 140L2 is guided by the guide 130L2. In this way, the cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body A by moving it in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction L3 of the drive shaft 180, and is removed from the apparatus main body A. Further, in this embodiment, the cartridge guides 140R1 and 140R2 are integrally molded with the second frame body 118. However, the cartridge guides 140R1 and 140R2 may be different members.

(11) Description of Mounting Operation of Process Cartridge With reference to FIG. 20, the mounting operation of the cartridge B with respect to the apparatus main body A will be described. FIG. 20 shows the mounting process. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S9-S9 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 20 (a), the door 109 is opened by the user. Then, the cartridge B is detachably mounted on the cartridge mounting means 130 (installing portion 130a) provided in the apparatus main body A.

When the cartridge B is mounted on the main body A of the apparatus, the cartridge guides 140R1 and 140R2 are inserted along the main body guides 130R1 and 130R2 on the drive side as shown in FIG. 20B. Also, on the non-driving side, the cartridge guides 140L1 and 140L2 (see FIG. 3) are inserted along the main body guides 130L1 and 130L2 (see FIG. 19).

Next, when the cartridge B is inserted in the direction of the arrow X4 as it is, the cartridge B is mounted at a predetermined position (installation portion 130a) through the engagement between the drive shaft 180 and the coupling 150 of the cartridge B (installation). Will be). That is, as shown in FIG. 20 (c), the cartridge guide 140R1 contacts the positioning portion 130R1a of the main body guide 130R1, and the cartridge guide 140R2 contacts the positioning portion 130R2a of the main body guide 130R2. Further, the cartridge guide 140L1 contacts the positioning portion 130L1a (see FIG. 19) of the main body guide 130L1, and the cartridge guide 140L2 contacts the positioning portion 130L2a of the main body guide 130L2. Since this state has a substantially symmetrical shape, the illustration is omitted. In this way, the cartridge B is detachably mounted on the installation portion 130a by the mounting means 130. That is, the cartridge B is positioned and mounted on the apparatus main body A. Then, with the cartridge B mounted on the installation portion 130a, the drive shaft 180 and the coupling 150 are in an engaged state.

That is, the coupling 150 is the rotational force transmission angle position described later.

By mounting the cartridge B on the installation portion 130a, an image forming operation can be performed.

When the cartridge B is settled in a predetermined position as described above, the pressing spring 188R (shown in FIGS. 18, 19, and 20) is used to press the cartridge B to receive the pressing portion 140R1b (see also FIG. 2). ) Is pressed. Further, the pressing spring 188L causes the pressing receiving portion 140L1b (see FIG. 3) of the cartridge B to receive the pressing force. As a result, the position of the cartridge B (photoreceptor drum 107) is accurately determined with respect to the transfer roller, the optical means, and the like of the apparatus main body A.

Regarding the mounting form of the cartridge B, the cartridge B may be inserted into the installation portion 130a by the user himself / herself as described above. Alternatively, the user may advance the cartridge B to an intermediate position and perform the final mounting operation by another means. For example, the operation of closing the door 109 may be used to cause a part of the door 109 to act on the cartridge B in the intermediate mounting position to push the cartridge B into the final mounting position. Alternatively, although the user pushes the cartridge B halfway, the cartridge B may enter the installation portion 130a by its own weight from the middle.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the cartridge B is attached to and removed from the apparatus main body A by moving the drive shaft 180 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L3 (see FIG. 21) direction. Is also done. Then, the drive shaft 180 and the coupling 150 are in the engaged state and the disengaged state.

Here, the meaning of "substantially orthogonal" will be described.

A slight gap is provided between the cartridge B and the apparatus main body A so that the cartridge B can be smoothly attached and detached. Specifically, between the guide 140R1 and the guide 130R1 in the longitudinal direction, between the guide 140R2 and the guide 130R2, between the guide 140L1 and the guide 130L1, and between the guide 140L2 and the guide 130L2. There is a slight gap in the. Therefore, when the cartridge B is attached to and removed from the apparatus main body A, the entire cartridge B may be slightly inclined within the range of the gap. Therefore, it may not be installed and removed from exactly orthogonal directions. However, even in such a case, the action and effect of the present invention can be achieved. Therefore, it is referred to as "substantially orthogonal" even when the cartridge is slightly tilted.

(12) Explanation of Coupling Engagement Operation and Drive Transmission As described above, the cartridge B is positioned immediately before being positioned at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body A, or substantially at the same time when the cartridge B is positioned at a predetermined position. The coupling 150 engages the drive shaft 180. That is, the coupling 150 is located at the rotational force transmission angle position. Here, the predetermined position is the installation portion 130a. The engaging operation of this coupling will be described with reference to FIGS. 21, 22, and 23. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a drive shaft and a main part on the drive side of the cartridge. FIG. 22 is a vertical cross-sectional view seen from below the main body of the apparatus. FIG. 23 is a vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 22 as viewed from below the main body of the apparatus. The engagement referred to here means a state in which the axis L2 and the axis L3 are substantially coaxial lines and can be driven and transmitted.

As shown in FIG. 22, the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A from a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L3 of the drive shaft 180 (direction of arrow X4). Alternatively, it is removed from the device main body A. In the coupling 150, the axis L2 (FIG. 22 (a)) is preliminarily inclined in the mounting direction X4 with respect to the axis L1 (FIG. 22 (a)) of the drum shaft 153 as the angle position before engagement (FIG. 22 (a)). 21 (a), 22 (a)).

As the configuration for inclining the coupling to the angle position before engagement, for example, the configurations of Examples 3 to 9 described later may be used.

Due to the inclination of the coupling 150, the mounting direction X4 downstream tip position 150A1 is located closer to the photoconductor drum 107 direction than the drive shaft tip 180b3 in the axis L1 direction. Further, the tip position 150A2 on the upstream side in the mounting direction is located on the pin 182 direction side with respect to the drive shaft tip 180b3 (FIGS. 22A and 22B). The tip position referred to here is a position in the driven portion 150a shown in FIGS. 8A and 8C, which is the most driven axis side with respect to the axis L2 direction and is the farthest position from the axis L2. That is, depending on the rotation phase of the coupling 150, it becomes either one ridge line of the driven portion 150a of the coupling 150 or one ridge line of the protrusion 150d (150A in FIGS. 8A and 8C).

First, the tip position 150A1 of the coupling 150 passes through the drive shaft tip 180b3. Then, after the coupling 150 has passed through the drive shaft tip 180b3, the receiving surface (cartridge side contact portion) 150f or the protrusion (cartridge side contact portion) 150d is the tip of the drive shaft (main body side engaging portion) 180. It comes into contact with the portion 180b or the pin (main body side engaging portion) (rotational force applying portion) 182. Then, according to the mounting operation of the coupling 150 and the cartridge B, the axis L2 is inclined so as to be substantially a straight line with the axis L1 (FIG. 22 (c)). Then, the coupling 150 is tilted from the angle position before engagement, and is tilted to a rotational force transmission angle position where the axis L2 is substantially aligned with the axis L1. Finally, the position of the cartridge B is determined with respect to the apparatus main body A. At this time, the drive shaft 180 and the drum shaft 153 are located on substantially the same straight line. Further, the receiving surface 150f is in a state of facing the tip portion 180b of the drive shaft 180 which is a spherical surface. Then, the coupling 150 and the drive shaft 180 are engaged (FIGS. 21 (b) and 22 (d)). At this time, the pin 155 (not shown) is located within the opening 150 g (see FIG. 8 (b)). Further, the pin 182 is located at the standby unit 150k. Here, the coupling 150 is in a state of covering the tip portion 180b.

The receiving surface 150f constitutes a recess 150z. Further, the recess 150z has a conical shape.

As described above, the coupling 150 is attached so as to be inclined with respect to the axis L1. Then, in response to the movement of the cartridge B, a part of the coupling 150 (reception surface 150f and / or the protrusion 150d), which is the cartridge side contact portion, comes into contact with the main body side engaging portion (drive shaft 180 and / or pin 182). do. As a result, the tilting motion of the coupling 150 is performed. As shown in FIG. 22, the coupling 150 is mounted in a state of overlapping with the drive shaft 180 in the axis L1 direction. However, due to the tilting operation of the coupling as described above, the coupling 150 and the drive shaft 180 in the overlapped state can be engaged with each other.

Further, the above-mentioned mounting operation of the coupling 150 is possible regardless of the phase of the drive shaft 180 and the coupling 150. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 23. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the phases of the coupling and the drive shaft. FIG. 23A is a diagram showing a state in which the pin 182 and the receiving surface 150f face each other on the downstream side of the cartridge mounting direction X4. FIG. 23B is a diagram showing a state in which the pin 182 and the protrusion 150d face each other. FIG. 23C is a diagram showing a state in which the tip portion 180b and the protrusion portion 150d face each other. FIG. 23D is a diagram showing a state in which the tip portion 180b and the receiving surface 150f face each other.

As shown in FIG. 15, the coupling 150 is attached so as to be tiltable in any direction with respect to the drum shaft 153. That is, the coupling 150 is rotatable. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23, the drum shaft 153 can be tilted in the mounting direction X4 regardless of the phase with respect to the mounting direction X4 of the cartridge B. Further, regardless of the respective phases of the drive shaft 180 and the coupling 150, the inclination angle of the coupling 150 is set so that the tip position 150A1 is located closer to the photoconductor drum 107 than the shaft tip 180b3 in the axis L1 direction. ing. Further, the tip position 150A2 sets the inclination angle of the coupling 150 so as to be located on the pin 182 direction side with respect to the shaft tip 180b3. With such a setting, the tip position 150A1 passes through the shaft tip 180b3 in the mounting direction X4 according to the mounting operation of the cartridge B. Then, in the case shown in FIG. 23A, the receiving surface 150f comes into contact with the pin 182. In the case shown in FIG. 23 (b), the protrusion (engagement portion) 150d comes into contact with the pin (rotational force applying portion) 182. In the case shown in FIG. 23 (c), the protrusion 150d comes into contact with the tip 180b. In the case shown in FIG. 23 (d), the receiving surface 150f comes into contact with the tip portion 180b. Further, due to the contact force generated when the cartridge B is mounted, the coupling 150 moves so that the axis L2 is substantially aligned with the axis L1. As a result, the coupling 150 engages with the drive shaft 180. That is, the concave portion 150z covers the tip portion 180b. Therefore, the coupling 150 can engage the drive shaft 180 (pin 182) regardless of the phase of the drive shaft 180 and the coupling 150 or the drum shaft 153.

Further, a gap is provided between the drum shaft 153 and the coupling 150 as shown in FIG. 22, and as described above, the drum shaft 153 and the coupling 150 are configured to be swingable (swivelable and tiltable).

In this embodiment, the case where the coupling 150 tilts in the plane of FIG. 22 has been described. However, since the coupling 150 can be swiveled as described above, it may include tilting in a direction other than the in-plane direction of FIG. 22. Even in that case, the state of FIG. 22 (a) is reached to the state of FIG. 22 (d). This point also applies to the following examples unless otherwise specified.

Next, the rotational force transmission operation when rotating the photoconductor drum 107 will be described with reference to FIG. 24. Due to the rotational force received from the drive source (motor 186), the drive shaft 180 rotates together with the gear 181 in the direction of X8 in the figure. Then, the pins 182 (182a1, 182a2) integrated with the drive shaft 180 come into contact with any of the rotational force receiving surfaces (rotational force receiving portions) 150e1 to 150e4. That is, the pin 182a1 comes into contact with any one of the rotational force receiving surfaces 150e1 to 150e4. Further, the pin 182a2 comes into contact with any one of the rotational force receiving surfaces 150e1 to 150e4. As a result, the rotational force of the drive shaft 180 is transmitted to the coupling 150 to rotate the coupling 150. Further, as the coupling 150 rotates, the rotational force transmission surfaces (rotational force transmission portions) 150h1 and 150h2 of the coupling 150 come into contact with the pin 155 integrated with the drum shaft 153. As a result, the rotational force of the drive shaft 180 is transmitted to the photoconductor drum 107 via the coupling 150, the rotational force transmission surfaces 150h1, 150h2, the pin 155, the drum shaft 153, and the drum flange 151. Then, the photoconductor drum 107 is rotated.

Further, at the rotational force transmission angle position, the tip portion 153b comes into contact with the receiving surface 150i. Then, the tip end portion (positioning portion) 180b of the drive shaft 180 comes into contact with the receiving surface (positioned portion) 150f. As a result, the coupling 150 is positioned with respect to the drive shaft 180 while covering the drive shaft 180 (see FIG. 22d).

Here, in the present embodiment, even if the axis L3 and the axis L1 are slightly deviated from the same axis (the axis L1 and the axis L3 are in line with each other), the coupling 150 is slightly tilted, so that the coupling 150 is tilted. Can transmit rotational force. Even in such a case, the coupling 150 can rotate without applying a large load to the drum shaft 153 and the drive shaft 180. Therefore, operations such as accurately adjusting the positioning of the drive shaft 180 and the drum shaft 153 at the time of assembly can be reduced. Therefore, the assembly operability can be improved.

This is one of the effects of the examples to which the present invention is applied, in addition to the above-mentioned effects as the effects of the present invention.

Further, as described with reference to FIG. 17, the positions of the drive shaft 180 and the gear 181 are positioned in the radial direction and the axial direction at a predetermined position (installation portion 130a) of the apparatus main body A. Further, the cartridge B is also positioned at a predetermined position on the main body of the apparatus as described above. Then, the coupling 150 connects both the drive shaft 180 positioned at the predetermined position and the cartridge B also positioned at the predetermined position. The coupling 150 has a configuration that allows it to swing (tilt) with respect to the photoconductor drum 107. Therefore, the coupling 150 can smoothly transmit the rotational force even between the drive shaft 180 positioned at the predetermined position as described above and the cartridge B also positioned at the predetermined position. That is, even if there is some misalignment between the drive shaft 180 and the photoconductor drum 107, the coupling 150 can smoothly transmit the rotational force.

This is also one of the effects of the present embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

Further, as described above, the cartridge B is positioned at the predetermined position. Therefore, the position of the photoconductor drum 107, which is a component of the cartridge B, is accurately positioned with respect to the apparatus main body A. Therefore, the position between the photoconductor drum 107 and the optical means 101, the transfer roller 104, or the recording medium 102 can be maintained with high accuracy. That is, it is possible to reduce the displacement of the two positions.

The coupling 150 comes into contact with the drive shaft 180. It was stated that this causes the coupling 150 to swing from the pre-engagement angle position to the rotational force transmission angle position, but this is not the case. For example, an abutting portion as an engaging portion on the main body side may be provided at a place other than the drive shaft of the main body of the apparatus. Then, in the mounting process of the cartridge B, after the tip position 150A1 passes through the drive shaft tip 180b3, a part of the coupling 150 (cartridge side contact portion) comes into contact with the abutting portion. As a result, the coupling can be swung (tilted) so that the axis L2 is substantially coaxial with the axis L3 by receiving a force in the swing direction (tilting direction). That is, any means may be used as long as the axis L1 can be positioned on a substantially coaxial line with the axis L3 in conjunction with the mounting operation of the cartridge B.

(13) Explanation of Coupling Disengagement Operation and Cartridge Removal Operation With reference to FIG. 25, an operation of disconnecting the coupling 150 from the drive shaft 180 when the cartridge B is taken out from the apparatus main body A will be described. FIG. 25 is a vertical cross-sectional view seen from below the main body of the apparatus.

First, the position of the pin 182 when the cartridge B is removed will be described. When the image formation is completed, as is clear from the above description, the pins 182 are located at any two positions of the standby portions 150k1 to 150k4 (see FIG. 8). And the pin 155 is located in the openings 150g1 and 150g2.

Next, the operation of disconnecting the coupling 150 from the drive shaft 180 in conjunction with the operation of taking out the cartridge B will be described.

As shown in FIG. 25, when the cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body A, the cartridge B is removed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L3 (direction of arrow X6).

When the driving of the drum shaft 153 is stopped, the coupling 150 is located on a substantially coaxial line with respect to the axis L1 as the rotational force transmission angle position (FIG. 25 (a)). Then, the drum shaft 153 moves in the take-out direction X6 together with the cartridge B, and the receiving surface 150f or the protrusion 150d on the upstream side in the take-out direction of the coupling 150 comes into contact with at least the tip portion 180b of the drive shaft 180 (FIG. 25 (FIG. 25). a)). Then, the axis L2 starts to incline toward the upstream side of the take-out direction X6 (FIG. 25 (b)). This direction is the same as the direction in which the coupling 150 is tilted (angle position before engagement) when the cartridge B is mounted. By the operation of taking out the cartridge B from the apparatus main body A, the coupling 150 moves while the tip portion 150A3 on the upstream side in the take-out direction X6 is in contact with the tip portion 180b. More specifically, in response to the movement of the cartridge B in the ejection direction, in the coupling 150, a part of the coupling 150 (reception surface 150f and / or the protrusion 150d) which is a contact portion on the cartridge side is engaged with the main body side. It moves while in contact with the unit (drive shaft 180 and / or pin 182). Then, the tip portion 150A3 is tilted to the tip 180b3 with the axis L2 as the detachment angle position (FIG. 25 (c)). Then, in this state, the coupling 150 passes through the drive shaft 180 while in contact with the tip 180b3 and separates from the drive shaft 180 (FIG. 25 (d)). After that, the cartridge B is taken out from the apparatus main body A by following a process opposite to the mounting process described with reference to FIG.

As is clear from the above description, the angle of the angle position before engagement with respect to the axis L1 is larger than the angle of the disengagement angle position with respect to the axis L1. This is because, in consideration of the dimensional tolerance of each component, the tip position 150A1 can surely pass through the tip portion 180b3 at the pre-engagement angle position when the coupling is engaged. That is, it is necessary to set the angle position before engagement so that there is a gap between the coupling 150 and the tip portion 180b3 (see FIG. 22B). On the other hand, at the time of disconnection of the coupling, the axis L2 is tilted at the disconnection angle position in conjunction with the removal of the cartridge. Therefore, the tip portion 150A3 of the coupling 150 is along the tip portion 180b3. That is, the upstream side of the coupling in the cartridge take-out direction and the tip end portion of the drive shaft substantially coincide with each other (see FIG. 25 (c)). Therefore, the angle of the angle position before engagement with respect to the axis L1 is larger than the angle of the disengagement angle position with respect to the axis L1.

Further, as in the case of mounting the cartridge B on the apparatus main body A, the cartridge B can be taken out regardless of the phase of the coupling 150 and the pin 182.

As shown in FIG. 22, the rotational force transmission angle position of the coupling 150 means that the coupling 150 receives the rotational force from the drive shaft 180 while the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A. It is an angular position with respect to the axis L1 of the coupling 150 that can be rotated. That is, the rotational force transmission angle position is an angular position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the photoconductor drum to the photoconductor drum.

Further, the angle position before engagement of the coupling 150 is an angle position with respect to the axis L1 of the coupling 150 immediately before the coupling 150 engages with the drive shaft 180 when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A. That is, in the mounting direction of the cartridge B, the downstream end portion 150A1 of the coupling 150 is an angular position with respect to the axis L1 that can pass through the drive shaft 180.

The detachment angle position of the coupling 150 is an angle position with respect to the axis L1 of the coupling 150 when the coupling 150 is detached from the drive shaft 180 when the cartridge B is taken out from the apparatus main body A. That is, as shown in FIG. 25, in the removal direction of the cartridge B, the tip portion 150A3 of the coupling 150 is an angular position with respect to the axis L1 through which the drive shaft 180 can pass.

The angle θ ₂ formed by the axis L2 with the axis L1 at the pre-engagement angle position or the disengagement angle position is larger than the angle θ1 formed by the axis L2 with the axis L1 at the rotational force transmission angle position. The angle θ1 is preferably 0 °. However, according to this embodiment, if the angle θ1 is within about 15 °, the rotational force can be smoothly transmitted. The angle θ2 is preferably about 20 to 60 °. This is also one of the effects of the present embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

As described above, the coupling is attached so as to be inclined with respect to the axis L1. Then, by inclining the coupling according to the take-out operation of the cartridge B, the coupling 150 in a state of overlapping with the drive shaft 180 in the axis L1 direction can be separated from the drive shaft 180. That is, the cartridge B is moved in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive shaft 180. As a result, the coupling 150 in the state of covering the drive shaft 180 can be separated from the drive shaft 180.

In the above description, the receiving surface 150f or the protrusion 150d of the coupling 150 comes into contact with the tip 180b in conjunction with the movement of the cartridge B in the take-out direction X6. As a result, it was explained that the axis L2 starts to incline to the upstream side in the take-out direction. However, this is not the case in this embodiment. For example, the coupling 150 is configured in advance so that an urging force is generated on the upstream side in the take-out direction. Then, according to the movement of the cartridge B, the axis L2 starts to incline toward the downstream side in the take-out direction due to the urging force against the coupling 150. Then, the tip 150A3 passes through the tip 180b3, and the coupling 150 is separated from the drive shaft 180. That is, the coupling 150 can be separated from the drive shaft 180 without contacting the receiving surface 150f or the protrusion 150d on the upstream side of the coupling 150 in the take-out direction and the tip portion 180b. Therefore, any configuration can be applied as long as the axis L2 can be tilted in conjunction with the removal operation of the cartridge B.

Further, just before the coupling 150 is attached to the drive shaft 180, the driven portion of the coupling 150 is tilted so as to face the downstream side in the mounting direction. That is, the coupling 150 is set to the state of the angle position before engagement in advance.

Although the in-plane tilting in FIG. 25 has been described above, it is the same as in the case of FIG. 22 that turning may be included.

As for the configuration, any of the configurations described in the second and subsequent embodiments may be used.

Next, another embodiment of the drum shaft will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27. FIG. 26 is a perspective view around the drum axis. FIG. 27 is a drawing showing a characteristic portion corresponding to FIG. 26.

In the above-described embodiment, the tip of the drum shaft 153 is a spherical surface, and the coupling 150 is in contact with the spherical surface. However, as shown in FIGS. 26 (a) and 27 (a), the tip 1153b of the drum shaft 1153 may be made flat. In the case of this embodiment, the edge portion 1153c on the peripheral surface thereof abuts on the conical surface of the coupling 150 and rotates. Even with such a configuration, the axis L2 can be reliably tilted with respect to the axis L1. Further, in the case of this embodiment, it is not necessary to process the spherical surface. Therefore, the processing cost can be reduced.

Next, in the above-described embodiment, another rotational force transmission pin was fixed to the drum shaft. However, as shown in FIGS. 26 (b) and 27 (b), the drum shaft 1253 and the pin 1253c may be integrally molded. In the case of integral molding such as injection molding, the degree of freedom in shape is high. Therefore, the pin 1253c can be integrally formed with the drum shaft 1253. Therefore, the drive transmission unit 1253d can take a large area. Therefore, the rotational torque can be reliably transmitted to the resin drum shaft. Moreover, since it is integrally molded, cost reduction can be realized.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 26 (c) and 27 (c), both ends 1355a1 and 1355a2 of the rotational force transmission pin (rotational force transmission portion) 1355 are press-fitted into the standby openings 1350g1 and 1350g2 of the coupling 1350 in advance. Fix with etc. Then, after that, the drum shaft 1353 having the tip portions 1353c1 and 1353c2 formed in a split shape (concave shape) may be inserted. At this time, the fitting portion 1355b with the tip end portion (not shown) of the drum shaft 1353 of the pin 1355 is made spherical so that the coupling 1350 can be tilted. In this way, the pin 1355 is fixed in advance. As a result, it is not necessary to widen the size of the opening 1350 g of the coupling 1350. Therefore, the rigidity of the coupling 1350 can be increased.

Further, in the above description, the configuration in which the inclination of the axis L2 is along the tip of the drum axis has been described. However, as shown in FIGS. 26 (d), 26 (e), and 27 (d), the configuration may be along the contact surface 1457a of the contact member 1457 on the coaxial line with the drum shaft 1453. At this time, the tip surface 1453b of the drum shaft 1453 is at the same height as the end surface of the contact member 1457. Further, a rotational force transmission pin (rotational force transmitted portion) 1453c protruding from the tip surface 1453b is inserted into the standby opening 1450 g of the coupling 1450. The pin 1453c comes into contact with the rotational force transmission surface (rotational force transmission portion) 1450h of the coupling 1450. As a result, the rotational force is transmitted to the drum 107. In this way, the contact surface 1457a when the coupling 1450 is tilted is provided on the contact member 1457. This eliminates the need to directly machine the drum shaft. Therefore, the processing cost can be reduced.

Similarly, the spherical surface at the tip may be used as a resin molded part of another member. In this case, the machining cost of the shaft can be reduced. This is because the shape of the shaft to be machined by cutting or the like can be simplified. Further, the range of the spherical surface at the tip of the shaft can be narrowed to reduce the machining range requiring accuracy. As a result, the processing cost may be reduced.

Next, another embodiment of the drive shaft will be described with reference to FIG. 28. FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the drive shaft and the drum drive gear.

First, as shown in FIG. 28A, the tip of the drive shaft 1180 is set to a flat surface 1180b. As a result, the shape of the shaft becomes simple and the processing cost can be reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 28B, the rotational force applying portion (drive transmission portion) 1280 (1280c1, 1280c2) may be integrally formed with the drive shaft 1280. When the drive shaft 1280 is a resin molded part, the rotational force applying portion can be integrally molded. Therefore, cost reduction can be realized. 1280b is a flat surface portion.

Further, as shown in FIG. 28 (c), the range of the tip portion 1380b of the drive shaft 1380 is narrowed. Therefore, the outer diameter of the tip shaft portion 1380c may be smaller than the outer diameter of the main portion 1380a. As mentioned above, the tip portion 1380b requires a certain degree of accuracy in order to determine the position of the coupling 150. Therefore, the spherical range is limited to the contact portion of the coupling. As a result, the surface is thinned except for the surface where processing accuracy is required. This reduces the processing cost. Similarly, the tip of an unnecessary spherical surface may be cut. Reference numeral 1382 is a pin (rotational force applying portion).

Next, a method of positioning the photoconductor drum 107 in the axis L1 direction will be described. That is, the coupling 1550 is provided with tapered surfaces (inclined surfaces) 1550e and 1550h. Then, the drive shaft 181 rotates to generate a force in the thrust direction. This thrust force positions the coupling 1550 and the photoconductor drum 107 in the axis L1 direction. It will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30. FIG. 29 is a perspective view and a plan view of the coupling unit. FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view showing only the drive shaft, the drum shaft, and the coupling.

As shown in FIG. 29B, the rotational force receiving surface 1550e (inclined surface) (rotating force receiving portion) has a tapered angle of an angle α5 with respect to the axis L2. When the drive shaft 180 rotates in the T1 direction, the pin 182 and the rotational force receiving surface 1550e come into contact with each other. Then, a component force is applied to the coupling 1550 in the T2 direction, and the coupling 1550 moves in the T2 direction. Then, the coupling 1550 moves in the axial direction until the drive bearing surface 1550f (FIG. 30a) comes into contact with the tip 180b of the drive shaft 180. As a result, the position of the coupling 1550 in the axis L2 direction is determined. Further, the tip 180b of the drive shaft 180 is a spherical surface, and the receiving surface 1550f is a conical surface. Therefore, the position of the driven portion 1550a with respect to the drive shaft 180 in the direction orthogonal to the axis L2 is determined. When the coupling 1550 is attached to the drum 107, the drum 107 also moves in the axial direction depending on the magnitude of the force applied in the T2 direction. In this case, the position of the drum 107 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the main body of the device is also determined. The drum 107 is mounted in the cartridge frame B1 with play in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Further, as shown in FIG. 29 (c), the rotational force transmission surface (rotational force transmission unit) 1550h is also an inclined surface having a taper angle of an angle α6 with respect to the axis L2. When the coupling 1550 rotates in the T1 direction, the transmission surface 1550h and the pin 155 come into contact with each other. Then, a component force is applied to the pin 155 in the T2 direction, and the pin 155 moves in the T2 direction. Then, the drum shaft 153 moves until the tip 153b of the drum shaft 153 comes into contact with the drum bearing surface 1550i (FIG. 30B) of the coupling 1550. As a result, the position of the drum shaft 155 (photoreceptor drum) in the axis L2 direction is determined. Further, the drum bearing surface 1550i is a conical surface, and the tip 153b of the drum shaft 153 is a spherical surface. Therefore, the position of the drive unit 1550b with respect to the drum shaft 153 in the direction orthogonal to the axis L2 is determined.

The taper angles α5 and α6 are necessary to such an extent that a force for moving the coupling and the photoconductor drum in the thrust direction is generated, respectively. However, the force depends on the rotational torque of the photoconductor drum 107. However, if there is another means for determining the position in the thrust direction, the taper angles α5 and α6 may be small.

As described above, the coupling is provided with a taper for being drawn in the axis L2 direction and a conical surface for determining the position in the direction orthogonal to the axis L2. As a result, the coupling can simultaneously determine the position in the axis L1 direction and the position in the direction orthogonal to the axis L1. In addition, the coupling can reliably transmit the rotational force. Further, the rotation of the drive shaft is higher than that of the case where the rotational force receiving surface (rotational force receiving portion) or the rotational force transmitting surface (rotating force transmitting portion) of the coupling does not have the taper angle as described above. It is possible to stabilize the contact between the force applying portion and the rotational force receiving portion of the coupling. Further, it is possible to stabilize the contact between the rotational force transmitting portion of the drum shaft and the rotational force transmitting portion of the coupling.

However, there may be a case where the coupling does not have both a tapered surface (inclined surface) for drawing in the axis L2 direction and a conical surface for determining the position in the direction orthogonal to the axis L2. For example, instead of the taper for pulling in the axis L2 direction, a component for urging in the axis L2 direction may be added. Unless otherwise specified, the case where both the tapered surface and the conical surface are provided will be described in the future. Further, the coupling 150 described above is also provided with both the tapered surface and the conical surface.

Next, a regulating means for regulating the direction in which the coupling is tilted with respect to the cartridge will be described with reference to FIG. 31. 31 (a) is a side view showing a main part of the drive side of the process cartridge, and FIG. 31 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S7-S7 of FIG. 31 (a).

In this embodiment, by having the regulating means, the coupling 150 and the drive shaft 180 of the apparatus main body can be more reliably engaged with each other.

In this embodiment, the drum bearing member 1557 is provided with the regulation portions 1557h1 and 1557h2 as the regulation means. By this regulating means, the swing direction of the coupling 150 with respect to the cartridge B can be regulated. The restricting portions 1557h1 and 1557h2 are provided so as to be parallel to the mounting direction X4 of the cartridge B immediately before the coupling 150 engages with the drive shaft 180. Further, the interval D6 is slightly larger than the outer diameter D7 of the drive unit 150b of the coupling 150. As a result, the coupling 150 can be tilted only in the mounting direction X4 of the cartridge B. Further, the coupling 150 can be tilted in any direction with respect to the drum shaft 153. Therefore, the coupling 150 can be tilted in the restricting direction regardless of the phase of the drum shaft 153. Therefore, the drive shaft 180 can be more reliably welcomed into the opening 150 m of the coupling 150. This allows the coupling 150 to be more reliably engaged with the drive shaft 180.

Next, another configuration that regulates the inclination direction of the coupling will be described with reference to FIG. 32. FIG. 32 (a) is a perspective view showing the inside of the device main body drive side, and FIG. 32 (b) is a side view of the cartridge seen from the upstream side in the mounting direction X4.

In the above description, the regulation units 1557h1 and 1557h2 are provided in the cartridge B. In this embodiment, a part of the mounting guide 1630R1 on the drive side of the apparatus main body A is a rib-shaped restricting portion 1630R1a. The regulating unit 1630R1a is used as a regulating means for regulating the swing direction of the coupling 150. Then, when the user inserts the cartridge B, the outer circumference of the connecting portion 150c of the coupling 150 is configured to come into contact with the upper surface 1630R1a-1 of the restricting portion 1630R1a. As a result, the coupling 150 is guided by the upper surface 1630R1a-1. Therefore, the tilting direction of the coupling 150 is restricted. Further, as in the above-described embodiment, the coupling 150 can be tilted in the regulation direction regardless of the phase of the drum shaft 153.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 32 (a), the regulation unit 1630R1a is provided on the lower side of the coupling 150. However, similar to the regulation unit 1557h2 shown in FIG. 31, if the regulation unit is added to the upper side, more reliable regulation can be performed.

Further, as described above, the configuration may be combined with the configuration in which the regulating portion is provided in the cartridge B. In this case, more reliable regulation can be performed.

However, in this embodiment, there may be no means for regulating the tilting direction of the coupling. For example, the coupling 150 is tilted to the downstream side in the mounting direction of the cartridge B. Then, the drive bearing surface 150f of the coupling is increased. Thereby, the drive shaft 180 and the coupling 150 can also be engaged.

Further, in the description so far, the angle of the angle position before engagement of the coupling 150 with respect to the drum axis L1 is larger than the angle of the disengagement angle position (see FIGS. 22 and 25). However, this is not the case.

This will be described with reference to FIG. 33. FIG. 33 is a vertical sectional view showing a process of taking out the cartridge B from the apparatus main body A.

In the process of taking out the cartridge B from the apparatus main body A, the angle of the disconnection angle position (state of FIG. 33c) of the coupling 1750 with respect to the axis L1 is before the engagement of the coupling 1750 with the axis L1 when the coupling 1750 is engaged. It may be about the same as the angle of the angle position. Here, the process of disconnecting the coupling 1750 will be described with reference to FIGS. 33 (a) → (b) → (c) → (d).

That is, when the tip portion 1750A3 on the upstream side of the coupling 1750 in the take-out direction X6 passes through the tip portion 180b3 of the drive shaft 180, the distance between the tip portion 1750A3 and the tip portion 180b3 becomes about the same as in the case of the angle position before engagement. To set. Even with this setting, the coupling 1750 can be separated from the drive shaft 180.

Since the other operations when the cartridge B is removed are the same as the operations so far, the description thereof will be omitted.

Further, in the above description, when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A, it has been described that the tip on the downstream side in the mounting direction of the coupling is closer to the drum shaft side than the tip of the drive shaft 180. However, this is not the case.

This will be described with reference to FIG. 34. FIG. 34 is a vertical sectional view for explaining the mounting process of the cartridge B. As shown in FIG. 34, in the mounting process of the cartridge B ((a) → (b) → (c) → (d)), in the state shown in (a), in the axis L1 direction, the mounting direction X4 downstream side. The tip position 1850A1 is located on the pin 182 (rotational force applying portion) direction side with respect to the drive shaft tip 180b3. In the state shown in (b), the tip position 1850A1 abuts on the tip 180b. At this time, the tip position 1850A1 moves along the tip 180b in the direction of the drum shaft 153. Then, the tip position 1850A1 passes through the tip portion 180b3 of the drive shaft 180 (at this position, the coupling 150 takes an angle position before engagement) (FIG. 34 (c)). Finally, the coupling 1850 and the drive shaft 180 are engaged (rotational force transmission angle position) (FIG. 34 (d)).

Next, an example based on this example will be shown.

First, the shaft diameter of the drum shaft 153 is φZ1, the shaft diameter of the pin 155 is φZ2, and the length is Z3 (see FIG. 7A). Further, the maximum outer diameter of the driven portion 150a of the coupling 150 is φZ4, the diameter of the virtual circle C1 passing through the inner ends of each of the protrusions 150d1, 150d2, 150d3, 150d4 is φZ5, and the maximum outer diameter of the driving portion 150b is φZ6. (See FIGS. 8 (d) and 8 (f)). Further, the angle formed by the receiving surface 150f of the coupling 150 is α2, and the angle formed by the receiving surface 150i is α1. Further, the shaft diameter of the drive shaft 180 is φZ7, the shaft diameter of the pin 182 is φZ8, and the length is Z9 (see FIG. 17B). Further, the angle of the rotational force transmission angle position with respect to the axis L1 is β1, the angle of the angle position before engagement is β2, and the angle of the disengagement angle position is β3. At this time, for example, Z1 = 8 mm, Z2 = 2 mm, Z3 = 12 mm, Z4 = 15 mm, Z5 = 10 mm, Z6 = 19 mm, Z7 = 8 mm, Z8 = 2 mm, Z9 = 14 mm, α1 = 70 °, α2 = 120 °. , Β1 = 0 °, β2 = 35 °, β3 = 30 °. It was confirmed that the coupling 150 can be engaged with the drive shaft 180 with the above settings. However, it goes without saying that the same operation is possible with other settings. Further, the coupling 150 can accurately transmit the rotational force to the drum 107. It should be noted that each of the above-mentioned numerical values is an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned numerical values.

Further, in this embodiment, the pin (rotational force applying portion) 182 is arranged within 5 mm from the tip of the drive shaft 180. Further, the rotational force receiving surface (rotating force receiving portion) 150e provided on the protrusion 150d is arranged within 4 mm from the tip of the coupling 150. In this way, the pin 182 is arranged on the tip end side of the drive shaft 180. Further, the rotational force receiving surface 150e is arranged on the tip end side of the coupling 150.

Thereby, when the cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body A, the drive shaft 180 and the coupling 150 can be smoothly engaged with each other. That is, the pin 182 and the rotational force receiving surface 150e can be smoothly engaged with each other.

Further, when the cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body A, the drive shaft 180 and the coupling 150 can be smoothly separated from each other. That is, the pin 182 and the rotational force receiving surface 150e can be smoothly separated from each other.

The numerical value is an example, and the present invention is not limited to the numerical value. However, when the pin (rotational force applying portion) 182 and the rotational force receiving surface 150e are arranged in the numerical range, the above-mentioned effect can be further exhibited.

As described above, according to the embodiment to which the present invention is applied, the coupling 150 has a rotational force transmission angle position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the photoconductor drum 107 to the photoconductor drum 107 and a rotational force transmission angle position. From the rotational force transmission angle position, it is possible to take the axial name of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum and the angle position before engagement inclined in a direction away from the axial name. Further, the coupling 150 can take a detachment angle position inclined in a direction away from the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum from the rotational force transmission angle position. Then, when the cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body A in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L1, the coupling 150 moves from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position. As a result, the cartridge B can be removed from the apparatus main body A. Further, when the cartridge B is moved in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L1 and attached to the apparatus main body A, the coupling 150 moves from the pre-engagement angle position to the rotational force transmission angle position. Thereby, the cartridge B can be attached to the apparatus main body A. The same applies to the examples described below. However, the second embodiment is only when the cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body A.

Next, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 35 to 40.

In this embodiment, configurations and operations different from those of the above-described embodiment will be described, and the same reference numbers will be assigned to members having the same configurations and functions, and the description of the previous embodiment will be incorporated. In addition, the explanation will be referred to with the same member name. The same applies to the other examples described below.

This embodiment shows that the present invention is a valid invention not only when the cartridge B is attached to and removed from the device main body A but also when the cartridge B is removed from the device main body A. be.

That is, when the drive shaft 180 is stopped by the control of the apparatus main body A, the drive shaft 180 is stopped in a predetermined phase (pin 182 is stopped at a predetermined position). Then, the phase of the coupling 14150 (150) is set according to the phase of the stopped drive shaft 180 (for example, the position of the standby unit 14150k (150k) is set so as to match the stop position of the pin 182. I will do it). With this setting, when the cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body A, the coupling 14150 (150) is in a state of facing the drive shaft 180 without tilting (swinging or turning). Then, as the drive shaft 180 rotates, the rotational force from the drive shaft 180 is transmitted to the coupling 14150 (150). As a result, the coupling 14150 (150) can be rotated with high accuracy.

However, when the cartridge B is moved from the apparatus main body A in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L3 direction and removed, the embodiment to which the present invention is applied is effective. This is because even if the drive shaft 180 stops in a predetermined phase, the pin 182 and the rotational force receiving surfaces 14150e1 and 14150e2 (150e) are engaged with each other. Therefore, in order for the coupling 14150 (150) to separate from the drive shaft 180, the coupling 14150 (150) must be tilted.

Further, in the above-described first embodiment, the coupling 14150 (150) is tilted when the cartridge B is attached to and removed from the apparatus main body A. Therefore, it is necessary to set the phase of the coupling 14150 (150) in accordance with the phase of the stopped drive shaft 180 in advance when controlling the device main body A and attaching the cartridge B to the device main body A as described above. There is no.

Hereinafter, it will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing a drive shaft, a drive gear, and a phase control means of the drive shaft of the main body of the apparatus. FIG. 36 is a perspective view and a plan view of the coupling. FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing the mounting operation of the cartridge. FIG. 38 is a plan view seen from the mounting direction when the cartridge is mounted. FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing a state in which the drive of the cartridge (photoreceptor drum) is stopped. FIG. 40 is a vertical sectional view and a perspective view showing an operation of taking out the cartridge.

In this embodiment, a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body A provided with a control means (not shown) capable of controlling the phase of the stop position of the pin 182 will be described. As shown in FIG. 35 (a), one end side (photoreceptor drum 107 side (not shown)) of the drive shaft 180 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 35 (b), a flag 14195 protruding from the outer periphery of the drive shaft 180 is provided on the other end side of the drive shaft 180 (the side opposite to the photoconductor drum 107 side (not shown)). .. Then, the flag 14195 rotates so as to pass through the photointerruptor 14196 fixed to the apparatus main body A. Then, the control means (not shown) causes the motor 186 to stop when the flag 14195 first interrupts the photointerruptor 14196 after the drive shaft 180 rotates a predetermined time (for example, a rotation for forming an image). To control. As a result, the pin 182 stops at a predetermined position with respect to the center of rotation of the drive shaft 180. In the case of this embodiment, the motor 186 is preferably a stepping motor that can easily control accurate positioning.

Next, the coupling used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 36.

The coupling 14150 mainly consists of three parts. That is, as shown in FIG. 36 (c), the driven unit 14150a for receiving the rotational force from the drive shaft 180, the drive unit 14150b for transmitting the rotational force to the drum shaft 153, and the driven unit 14150a and the drive unit 14150b. It is a connecting portion 14150c to be connected.

The driven portion 14150a has a drive shaft insertion portion 14150 m composed of two surfaces extending with respect to the axis L2. Further, the drive unit 14150b has a drum shaft insertion unit 14150v composed of two surfaces extending with respect to the axis L2.

The insertion portion 14150m has tapered drive bearing surfaces 14150f1 and 14150f2. The protrusions 14150d1 and 14150d2 are arranged on each end surface. The protrusions 14150d1 and 14150d2 are arranged on the circumference centered on the axis L2 of the coupling 14150. As shown in the figure, the receiving surfaces 14150f1 and 14150f2 both form a recess 14150z. Further, as shown in FIG. 36 (d), a rotational force receiving surface (rotating force receiving portion) 14150e (14150e1, 14150e2) is provided on the downstream side in the clockwise direction of the protrusions 14150d1 and 14150d2. A pin (rotational force applying portion) 182 comes into contact with the receiving surfaces 14150e1 and 14150e2. As a result, the rotational force is transmitted to the coupling 14150. The distance W between the adjacent protrusions 14150d1 to d2 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the pin 182 so that the pin 182 can enter. This interval is the standby unit 14150k.

Further, the insertion portion 14150v is composed of two surfaces 14150i1 and 14150i2. The surfaces 14150i1 and 14150i2 are provided with standby openings 14150g1 and 14150g2 (see FIGS. 36a and 36e). Further, in FIG. 36 (e), a rotational force transmission surface (rotational force transmission unit) 14150h (14150h1, 14150h2) is provided on the clockwise upstream side of the openings 14150g1 and 14150g2. Then, as described above, the pin (rotational force transmitted portion) 155a comes into contact with the rotational force transmitting surfaces 14150h1 and 14150h2. As a result, the rotational force is transmitted from the coupling 14150 to the photoconductor drum 107.

Even if the shape is like the coupling 14150, the coupling covers the tip of the drive shaft with the cartridge attached to the main body of the apparatus. As a result, the effects described later can be obtained.

The coupling 14150 has the same configuration as that described in the first embodiment, and can be tilted in any direction with respect to the drum shaft 153.

Next, the coupling mounting operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 37 and 38. FIG. 37A is a perspective view showing a state before the coupling is attached. FIG. 37B is a perspective view showing a state in which the coupling is engaged. FIG. 38 (a) is a plan view seen from the mounting direction. FIG. 38 (b) is a plan view seen from above with respect to the mounting direction.

By the control means described above, the axis L3 of the pin (rotational force applying portion) 182 faces in a direction parallel to the mounting direction X4. Further, the cartridges are in phase with each other so that the receiving surfaces 14150f1 and 14150f2 face each other in the direction orthogonal to the mounting direction X4 (FIG. 37 (a)). As a configuration for matching the phases, for example, as shown in the figure, one of the receiving surfaces 14150f1 and 14150f2 may be matched with the mark 14157z provided on the bearing member 14157. This is done when the cartridge is shipped from the factory. However, the user may do this before attaching the cartridge B to the main body of the apparatus. Further, another phase matching means may be used. By doing so, as shown in FIG. 38 (a), the coupling 14150 and the drive shaft 180 (pin 182) do not interfere with each other in the mounting direction. Therefore, the coupling 14150 and the drive shaft 180 can be engaged with each other without any obstacle (FIG. 37 (b)). Then, the drive shaft 180 rotates in the direction of X8, and the pin 182 comes into contact with the receiving surfaces 14150e1 and 14150e2. As a result, the rotational force is transmitted to the photoconductor drum 107.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 39 and 40, an operation in which the coupling 14150 is detached from the drive shaft 180 in conjunction with the operation of taking out the cartridge B from the apparatus main body A will be described. The control means stops the phase of the pin 182 with respect to the drive shaft 180 at a predetermined position. Further, as described above, considering the ease of mounting the cartridge B, it is desirable that the pin 182 is stopped in the direction parallel to the cartridge take-out direction X6 (FIG. 39b). FIG. 40 shows an operation when the cartridge B is taken out. In this state (FIGS. 40 (a1) and (b1)), the coupling 14150 is located on a substantially coaxial line with respect to the axis L1 as the rotational force transmission angle position. At this time, the coupling 14150 can be tilted in any direction with respect to the drum shaft 153 as in the case of mounting the cartridge B (FIGS. 40 (a1) and 40 (b1)). Therefore, in conjunction with the ejection operation of the cartridge B, the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the axis L1 in the direction opposite to the ejection direction. That is, the cartridge B is removed from the direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L3 (direction of arrow X6). Then, the axis L2 is tilted to a position where the tip 14150A3 of the coupling 14150 is along the tip 180b of the drive shaft 180 in the process of taking out the cartridge (disengagement angle position). Alternatively, the axis L2 is inclined until it is located on the drum shaft 153 side with respect to the tip portion 180b3 (FIG. 40 (a2), FIG. 40 (b2)). In this state, the coupling 14150 passes near the tip portion 180b3. As a result, the coupling 14150 is removed from the drive shaft 180.

Further, as shown in FIG. 39 (a), the axis of the pin 182 may stop in a direction orthogonal to the cartridge take-out direction X6. That is, under the control of the control means, the pin 182 normally stops at the position shown in FIG. 39 (b). However, if the power of the device (printer) is turned off and the control means does not work, it is assumed that the pin 182 stops at the position shown in FIG. 39 (a). However, even in such a case, the axis L2 is inclined and removed with respect to the axis L1 as described above. When the device is in the drive stop state, the pin 182 is on the downstream side of the protrusion 14150d2 in the take-out direction X6. Therefore, as the axis L2 is inclined, the tip 14150A3 of the protrusion 14150d1 of the coupling passes through the drum shaft 153 side with respect to the pin 182. As a result, the coupling 14150 is removed from the drive shaft 180.

As described above, when the cartridge B is mounted, even if the coupling 14150 is engaged with the drive shaft 180 by some method, the axis L2 becomes the axis L1 when the cartridge B is taken out. It tilts against it. As a result, the coupling 14150 can be removed from the drive shaft 180 only by the taking-out operation.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the present invention is applied not only when the cartridge B is attached to and removed from the device main body A but also when the cartridge B is removed from the device main body A. It is understood that the example is valid.

Next, a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 41 to 45.

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus main body A in a state where the door is opened. FIG. 42 is a perspective view showing the mounting guide. FIG. 43 is an enlarged view of the drive side side surface of the cartridge. FIG. 44 is a perspective view seen from the drive side of the cartridge. FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a place where the cartridge is inserted into the main body of the apparatus.

In this embodiment, a case where the cartridge is mounted vertically downward, for example, as in a clamshell type image forming apparatus, will be described. FIG. 41 shows a typical clamshell type image forming apparatus. The apparatus main body A2 can be divided into a lower housing D2 and an upper housing E2. The upper housing E2 is provided with a door 2109 and an inner exposure device 2101 of A2109. Therefore, when the upper housing E2 is opened upward, the exposure apparatus 2101 retracts. Then, the upper part of the cartridge installation portion 2130a is opened. Therefore, when the cartridge B2 is mounted on the installation portion 2130a, the user only needs to drop the cartridge B2 in the vertical downward direction (direction X4B in the figure). Therefore, the cartridge is very easy to install. Further, the jam processing in the vicinity of the fixing device 105 can also be performed from the upper part of the device. Therefore, it has excellent jam processing properties. Here, the jam processing is an operation of removing the recording medium 102 that is clogged during transportation.

Next, the installation portion of the cartridge B2 will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 42, the image apparatus A2 has a mounting guide 2130R on the driving side and a mounting guide (not shown) on the opposite non-driving side as mounting means 2130. The installation portion 2130a is a space surrounded by the guides facing each other. The rotational force is transmitted from the apparatus main body A to the coupling 150 included in the cartridge B2 installed in the installation portion 2130a.

The mounting guide 2130R is provided with a groove 2130b in a substantially vertical direction. Further, at the lowermost portion thereof, an abutting portion 2130Ra for determining the cartridge B2 at a predetermined position is provided. Further, the drive shaft 180 protrudes from the groove portion 2130b. This is because the rotational force is transmitted from the apparatus main body A to the coupling 150 in a state where the cartridge B2 is positioned at a predetermined position. Further, in order to reliably position the cartridge B2 at a predetermined position, an urging spring 2188R is provided below the mounting guide 2130R. According to the above-described configuration, the cartridge B2 is positioned at the installation portion 2130a.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44, the cartridge B2 is provided with mounting guides 2140R1 and 2140R2 on the cartridge side. This guide stabilizes the posture of the cartridge B2 when mounted. The mounting guide 2140R1 is integrally formed with the drum bearing member 2157. Further, the mounting guide 2140R2 is provided substantially vertically above the mounting guide 2140R1. The guide 2140R2 is provided on the second frame body 2118 and has a rib shape.

The mounting guides 2140R1 and 2140R2 of the cartridge B2 and the mounting guide 2130R provided on the apparatus main body A2 have the above-mentioned guide configuration. That is, it is the same as the structure of the guide described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The structure of the guide at the other end is also the same. Therefore, the cartridge B2 is attached to the apparatus main body A2 by moving it in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L3 direction of the drive shaft 180, and is removed from the apparatus main body A2.

As shown in FIG. 45, when the cartridge B2 is mounted, the upper housing E2 is rotated clockwise around the shaft 2109a. Then, the user brings the cartridge B2 above the lower housing D2. At this time, the coupling 150 is tilted downward due to its own weight (see also FIG. 43). That is, the axis L2 of the coupling is tilted with respect to the drum axis L1 so that the driven portion 150a of the coupling 150 faces downward (angle position before engagement).

Further, as described in the first embodiment (see FIGS. 9 and 12), it is preferable to arrange the semicircular retaining rib 2157e (see FIG. 43). However, in this embodiment, the mounting direction of the cartridge B2 is downward. Therefore, the rib 2157e is arranged downward in the mounting direction. This is because, as described in the first embodiment, the axis L1 and the axis L2 can be tilted, and the coupling 150 can be prevented from coming off at the same time. The retaining feature is to prevent the coupling 150 from coming off the cartridge B2. When the coupling 150 is attached to the photoconductor drum 107, it is to prevent the coupling 150 from coming off the photoconductor drum 107.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 45, the user aligns the mounting guides 2140R1 and 2140R2 of the cartridge B2 with the mounting guide 2130R of the apparatus main body A2, and lowers the cartridge B2 downward. The cartridge B2 can be mounted on the apparatus main body A2 (installation portion 2130a) only by this operation. In this mounting process, the coupling 150 can be engaged with the drive shaft 180 of the apparatus main body (in this state, the coupling takes the rotational force transmission angle position) as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 22). That is, by moving the cartridge B2 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L3 direction of the drive shaft 180, the coupling 150 engages with the drive shaft 180. Further, when removing the cartridge, the coupling 150 can be detached from the drive shaft 180 only by removing the cartridge as in the first embodiment (the coupling moves from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position). (See FIG. 25). That is, by moving the cartridge B2 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L3 direction of the drive shaft 180, the coupling 150 is separated from the drive shaft 180.

As described above, when the cartridge is mounted downward with respect to the main body of the device, the coupling is tilted downward due to its own weight, so that the cartridge can be reliably engaged by the drive shaft of the main body of the device.

In this embodiment, a clamshell type image forming apparatus has been described. However, this is not the case. For example, if the mounting path of the cartridge is downward, this embodiment can be applied. Further, the mounting path does not have to be a straight line in the downward direction. For example, the path may be diagonally downward at the initial stage of mounting the cartridge and downward at the end. In short, the mounting path immediately before reaching a predetermined position (cartridge mounting portion) may be vertically downward.

Next, a fourth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 46 to 49.

In this embodiment, a means for maintaining the axis L2 in an inclined state with respect to the axis L1 will be described.

In the drawings, only the members related to the description of this embodiment are shown, and other members are omitted. The same applies to other examples described later.

FIG. 46 is a perspective view showing a state in which a coupling locking member (specific to this embodiment) is attached to a drum bearing member. FIG. 47 is an exploded perspective view showing a drum bearing member, a coupling, and a drum shaft. FIG. 48 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the drive side of the cartridge. FIG. 49 is a perspective view and a vertical sectional view showing an engaged state between the drive shaft and the coupling.

As shown in FIG. 46, the drum bearing member 3157 has a space 3157b that includes a part of the coupling. A coupling locking member 3159 as a maintenance member for maintaining the inclination of the coupling 3150 is attached to the cylindrical surface 3157i constituting the space. As will be described later, the locking member 3159 is a member for temporarily maintaining a state in which the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the axis L1. That is, as shown in FIG. 48, the brim portion 3150j of the coupling 3150 comes into contact with the locking member 3159. As a result, the axis L2 maintains a state of being inclined toward the downstream side of the cartridge mounting direction (X4) with respect to the axis L1 (see FIG. 49 (a1)). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 46, the locking member 3159 is arranged on the cylindrical surface 3157i on the upstream side of the bearing member 3157 in the mounting direction X4. As the material of the locking member 3159, a material having a relatively high coefficient of friction such as rubber or an elastomer, or an elastic member such as a sponge or a leaf spring is suitable. This is because the inclination of the axis L2 is maintained by a force such as a frictional force or an elastic force. Further, as in the first embodiment (shown in FIG. 31), the bearing member 3157 is provided with the tilt direction regulating rib 3157h. If the rib 3157h is provided, the inclination direction of the coupling 3150 can be surely determined. Further, the brim portion 3150j and the locking member 3159 can be more reliably contacted with each other. Next, a method of assembling the coupling 3150 will be described with reference to FIG. 47. As shown in FIG. 47, the pin (rotational force transmitted portion) 155 is brought into the standby space 3150 g of the coupling 3150. Further, a part of the coupling 3150 is inserted into the space portion 3157b of the drum bearing member 3157. At this time, preferably, the distance D12 between the inner peripheral end of the rib 3157e and the locking member 3159 is set to be larger than the maximum outer diameter φD10 of the driven portion 3150a. Further, the distance D12 is set smaller than the maximum outer diameter φD11 of the drive unit 3150b. As a result, the bearing member 3157 can be assembled straight. Therefore, the assemblability is improved. However, the relationship is not limited to this, and other settings may be used.

Next, the engagement operation (a part of the cartridge mounting operation) for engaging the coupling 3150 with the drive shaft 180 will be described with reference to FIG. 49. 49 (a1) and (b1) are views immediately before engagement, and FIGS. 49 (a2) and 49 (b2) are views showing the engaged state.

As shown in FIGS. 49 (a1) and 49 (b1), the axis L2 of the coupling 3150 is preliminarily inclined to the downstream side of the mounting direction X4 with respect to the axis L1 by the force of the locking member 3159. Yes (angle position before engagement). By tilting the coupling 3150, the tip position 3150A1 on the downstream side in the mounting direction is located closer to the photoconductor drum 107 than the drive shaft tip 180b3 in the axis L1 direction. The tip position 3150A2 on the upstream side in the mounting direction is located on the side where the pin 182 is provided, with respect to the tip 180b3 of the drive shaft 180. Further, at this time, as described above, the brim portion 3150j comes into contact with the locking member 3159. Then, the inclined state of the axis L2 is maintained by the frictional force.

After that, the cartridge B moves in the mounting direction X4. As a result, the tip surface 180b or the tip of the pin 182 comes into contact with the drive bearing surface 3150f of the coupling 3150. Then, due to the contact force (mounting force of the cartridge), the axis L2 approaches the direction parallel to the axis L1. At this time, the brim portion 3150j is separated from the locking member 3159 and is in a non-contact state. Finally, the axis L1 and the axis L2 become substantially straight. Then, the coupling 3150 is in a standby state for transmitting the rotational force (rotational force transmission angle position) (FIGS. 49 (a2) and (b2)).

Next, as in the first embodiment, the rotational force is transmitted from the motor 186 to the coupling 3150, the pin (rotational force transmitted portion) 155, the drum shaft 153, and the photoconductor drum 107 via the drive shaft 180. To. During rotation, the axis L2 is substantially in line with the axis L1. Therefore, the locking member 3159 is not in contact with the coupling 3150. Therefore, the locking member 3159 does not affect the rotation of the coupling 3150.

Further, in the process of taking out the cartridge B from the apparatus main body A, the same process as in the first embodiment is followed (see FIG. 25). That is, the tip 180b of the drive shaft 180 pushes the drive bearing surface 3150f of the coupling 3150. As a result, the axis L2 is tilted with respect to the axis L1, and the brim portion 3150j comes into contact with the locking member 3159. As a result, the tilted state of the coupling 3150 is maintained again. That is, the coupling 3150 moves from the rotational force transmission angle position to the pre-engagement angle position.

As described above, the inclined state of the axis L2 is maintained by the locking member 3159 (maintenance member). As a result, the coupling 3150 can be securely engaged by the drive shaft 180.

In this embodiment, the locking member 3159 is attached to the most upstream side of the cartridge mounting direction X4 with the inner peripheral surface 3157i of the bearing member 3157. However, this is not the case. For example, when the axis L2 is tilted, any position may be used as long as the tilted state can be maintained.

Further, in this embodiment, the locking member 3159 is in contact with the brim portion 3150j provided on the drive portion 3150b (see FIG. 49 (b1)) side. However, the contact position may be the driven portion 3150a.

Further, the locking member 3159 used in this embodiment is a separate member from the bearing member 3157. However, this is not the case. For example, the locking member 3159 may be integrally molded with the bearing member 3157 (for example, two-color molding). Alternatively, the bearing member 3157 may be brought into direct contact with the coupling 3150 instead of the locking member 3159. Alternatively, the surface may be roughened so as to have a high coefficient of friction.

Further, an embodiment in which the locking member 3159 is attached to the bearing member 3157 has been described. However, the locking member 3159 may be attached to any member as long as it is fixed to the cartridge B.

Next, a fifth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 50 to 53.

In this embodiment, another means for maintaining the axis L2 in an inclined state with respect to the axis L1 will be described.

FIG. 50 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a coupling urging member (specific to this embodiment) is attached to the drum bearing member. FIG. 51 is an exploded perspective view showing a drum bearing member, a coupling, and a drum shaft. FIG. 52 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the drive side of the cartridge. FIG. 53 is a perspective view and a vertical sectional view showing an engaged state between the drive shaft and the coupling.

As shown in FIG. 50, the drum bearing member 4157 is provided with a holding hole 4157j in the retaining rib 4157e of the bearing member 4157. Coupling urging members 4159a and 4159b as maintenance members for maintaining the inclination of the coupling 4150 are attached to the holding hole 4157j. The urging members 4159a and 4159b urge the coupling 4150 so that the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the axis L1 in the downstream direction in the mounting direction of the cartridge B2. The urging members 4159a and 4159b are coil-shaped compression springs (elastic members). As shown in FIG. 51, the urging members 4159a and 4159b urge the brim portion 4150j of the coupling 4150 in the axis L1 direction (arrow X13 direction in FIG. 51A). The contact position where the urging member comes into contact with the brim portion 4150j is set on the downstream side of the center of the drum shaft 153 in the cartridge mounting direction X4. Therefore, the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the axis L1 so that the driven portion 4150a side faces the downstream side in the cartridge mounting direction (X4) due to the elastic force of the urging members 4159a and 4159b (see FIG. 52).

Further, as shown in FIG. 50, contact members 4160a and 4160b are provided at the coupling-side tips of the urging members 4159a and 4159b which are coil springs. The contact members 4160a and 4160b come into contact with the brim portion 4150j. Therefore, the material of the contact members 4160a and 4160b is a material having good slidability. Further, by using such a material, as will be described later, when the rotational force is transmitted, the influence of the urging force by the urging members 4159a and 4159b on the rotation of the coupling 4150 is reduced. However, if the load on rotation is sufficiently small and the coupling 4150 rotates satisfactorily, the contact members 4160a and 4160b may be omitted.

In this embodiment, the number of urging members is two. However, any number of urging members may be used as long as the axis L2 can be inclined with respect to the axis L1 in the downstream direction in the mounting direction of the cartridge. For example, when there is one urging member, it is desirable that the urging position is the most downstream position in the cartridge mounting direction X4. This is because the coupling 4150 is stably tilted in the downstream direction in the mounting direction.

Further, as the urging member, a compression coil spring was used in this embodiment. However, as the urging member, any one that generates elastic force such as a leaf spring, a torsion spring, rubber, and a sponge can be appropriately selected. However, a stroke is required to some extent in order to incline the axis L2. Therefore, it is desirable to use a coil spring or the like that can obtain a stroke.

Next, a method of attaching the coupling 4150 will be described with reference to FIG. 51.

As shown in FIG. 51, the pin 155 is brought into the waiting space 4150 g of the coupling 4150. Then, a part of the coupling 4150 is inserted into the space 4157b of the drum bearing member 4157. At this time, as described above, the urging members 4159a and 4159b push the predetermined position of the brim portion 4157j via the contact members 4160a and 4160b. Further, the bearing member 4157 is fixed to the second frame body 118 through screws (4158a, 4158b in FIG. 52) through the holes 4157g1 and 4157g2 provided in the bearing member 4157. As a result, the urging members 4159a and 4159b can maintain the force to press the coupling 4150. Then, the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the axis L1 (state in FIG. 52).

Next, the operation of engaging the coupling 4150 with the drive shaft 180 (a part of the cartridge mounting operation) will be described with reference to FIG. 53. 53 (a1) and (b1) are views showing the state immediately before engagement, FIGS. 53 (a2) and 53 (b2) are views showing the engaged state, and FIGS. 53 (c1) are intermediate. It is a figure which showed the state of.

In the state shown in FIGS. 53 (a1) and 53 (b1), the axis L2 of the coupling 4150 is preliminarily inclined in the mounting direction X4 with respect to the axis L1 (angle position before engagement). By inclining the coupling 4150, the flow side tip position 4150A1 is located on the direction side where the photoconductor drum 107 is provided with respect to the tip 180b3 in the axis L1 direction. Further, the tip position 4150A2 is located on the direction side where the pin 182 is provided with respect to the tip 180b3. That is, as described above, the brim portion 4150j of the coupling 4150 is pressed by the urging member 4159. Therefore, the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the axis L1 due to the pressing force.

After that, as the cartridge B moves in the mounting direction X4, the tip surface 180b or the tip (engagement portion on the main body side) of the pin (rotational force applying portion) 182 becomes the drive bearing surface 4150f or the protrusion portion of the coupling 4150. (Cartridge side contact part) Contact 4150d. FIG. 53 (c1) shows a state in which the pin 182 is in contact with the receiving surface 4150f. Then, due to the contact force (mounting force of the cartridge), the axis L2 approaches the direction parallel to the axis L1. At the same time, the pressing portion 4150j1 pressed by the elastic force of the spring 4159 provided on the brim portion 4150j moves in the direction in which the spring 4159 is compressed. Finally, the axis L1 and the axis L2 become substantially straight. Then, the coupling 4150 is in a standby state for transmitting the rotational force (rotational force transmission angle position) (FIGS. 53a2 and b2).

Next, as in the first embodiment, the rotational force is transmitted from the motor 186 to the coupling 4150, the pin 155, the drum shaft 153, and the photoconductor drum 107 via the drive shaft 180. During rotation, the pressing force of the urging member 4159 acts on the coupling 4150. However, as described above, the pressing force of the urging member 4159 acts on the coupling 4150 via the abutting member 4160. Therefore, the coupling 4150 can be rotated without applying too much load. Further, if the drive torque of the motor 186 has a margin, the contact member 4160 may be omitted. In this case, the coupling 4150 can accurately transmit the rotational force even without the contact member 4160.

Further, in the process of removing the cartridge B from the apparatus main body A, the process opposite to the process of attaching the cartridge B is followed. That is, the coupling 4150 is always urged to the downstream side of the mounting direction X4 by the urging member 4159. Therefore, in the process of removing the cartridge B, the receiving surface 4150f is in contact with the tip portion 182A of the pin 182 on the upstream side of the mounting direction X4 (see FIG. 53 (c1)). Further, on the downstream side of the mounting direction X4, a gap n50 is always formed between the transmission surface 4150f and the tip 180b of the drive shaft 180. In the examples so far, it has been described that, in the process of taking out the cartridge, the receiving surface 150f or the protrusion 150d on the downstream side of the coupling mounting direction X4 comes into contact with at least the tip portion 180b of the drive shaft 180 (for example, FIG. 25). However, as in this embodiment, even if the receiving surface 150f on the downstream side of the coupling mounting direction X4 or the protrusion 4150d does not come into contact with the tip portion 180b of the drive shaft 180, the cartridge B can be taken out according to the operation. , The coupling 4150 can be separated from the drive shaft 180. Then, even after the coupling 4150 is disengaged from the drive shaft 180, the axis L2 is tilted in the mounting direction X4 downstream direction with respect to the axis L1 due to the urging force of the urging member 4159 (disengagement angle position). That is, in this embodiment, the angle of the angle position before engagement with respect to the axis L1 and the angle of the disengagement angle position are the same. This is because the coupling 4150 is urged by the elastic force of the spring.

Further, the urging member 4159 has a function of inclining the axis L2 and restricting the inclining direction of the coupling 4150. That is, the urging member 4159 also functions as a regulating means for regulating the inclination direction of the coupling 4150.

As described above, in this embodiment, the coupling 4150 is urged by the elastic force of the urging member 4159 provided on the bearing member 4157. As a result, the axis L2 is tilted with respect to the axis L1. Therefore, the tilted state of the coupling 4150 is maintained. Therefore, the coupling 4150 can be securely engaged with the drive shaft 180.

The urging member 4159 described in this embodiment is provided on the rib 4157e of the bearing member 4157. However, this is not the case. For example, it may be another portion of the bearing member 4157, or may be a member other than the bearing member as long as it is a member fixed to the cartridge B.

Further, in this embodiment, the urging direction of the urging member 4159 is the axis L1 direction. However, the urging direction may be any direction as long as the axis L2 is inclined toward the mounting direction X4 downstream of the cartridge B.

Further, in order to more reliably incline the coupling 4150 in the downstream direction in the mounting direction of the cartridge B, a regulating portion for restricting the inclining direction of the coupling may be provided in the process cartridge (see FIG. 31).

Further, in this embodiment, the urging position of the urging member 4159 is the brim portion 4150j. However, any position of the coupling may be used as long as the axis L2 is inclined in the downstream direction in the mounting direction of the cartridge.

Moreover, you may carry out this Example and Example 4 at the same time. In this case, the coupling can be attached and detached more reliably.

Next, a sixth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 54 to 58.

In this embodiment, another means for maintaining the axis L1 in an inclined state with respect to the axis L1 will be described.

FIG. 54 is an exploded perspective view. FIG. 55 is an enlarged side view of the drive side of the cartridge. FIG. 56 is a vertical sectional view schematically showing a drum shaft, a coupling, and a bearing member. FIG. 57 is a vertical sectional view showing an operation in which the coupling is attached to the drive shaft. FIG. 58 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the coupling locking member.

As shown in FIGS. 54 and 56, the drum bearing member 5157 is provided with a coupling locking member 5157k. When assembling the bearing member 5157 in the axis L1 direction, a part of the locking surface 5157k1 of the locking member 5157k engages with the upper surface 5150j1 of the brim portion 5150j while contacting the slope 5150m of the coupling 5150. At this time, the brim portion 5150j is supported between the locking surface 5157k1 of the locking portion 5157k and the cylindrical portion 153a of the drum shaft 153 with a backlash (angle α49) in the rotational direction. The following effects can be obtained by setting this backlash (angle α49). That is, the upper surface 5150j1 can be reliably locked to the locking surface 5157k1 even when the dimensions of the coupling 5150, the bearing member 5157, and the drum shaft 153 deviate from the common difference.

Then, as shown in FIG. 56A, the axis L2 is inclined so that the driven portion 5150a side faces the downstream side in the cartridge mounting direction (X4) with respect to the axis L1. Further, since the brim portion 5150j is located on the entire circumference, it can be held regardless of the phase of the coupling 5150. Further, as described in the first embodiment, the coupling 5150 can be tilted only in the mounting direction X4 by the regulating portions 5157h1, 5157h2 (FIG. 55) as the regulating means. Further, in this embodiment, the coupling locking member 5157k is provided on the most downstream side in the cartridge mounting direction (X4).

As will be described later, when the coupling 5150 is engaged with the drive shaft 180, the brim portion 5150j is released from the locking member 5157k as shown in FIG. 56B. The coupling 5150 is in a free state with respect to the locking member 5157k. When assembling the bearing member 5157, if the coupling 5150 cannot be held in an inclined state, it is advisable to push the driven portion 5150a of the coupling with a tool or the like (in the direction of arrow X14 in FIG. 56B). .. By doing so, the coupling 5150 can be easily returned to the inclined holding state (FIG. 56 (a)).

Further, the rib 5157m is intended to prevent the user from easily touching the coupling. The rib 5157m is set at substantially the same height as the tip position of the coupling in an inclined state (see FIG. 56 (a)).

Next, the operation of engaging the coupling 5150 with the drive shaft 180 (a part of the cartridge mounting operation) will be described with reference to FIG. 57. 57 (a) is a diagram showing the state of the coupling immediately before engaging, (b) is a diagram showing a part of the coupling 5150 passing through the drive shaft 180, and (c) is a diagram showing the coupling by the drive shaft 180. The figure in which the inclination of 5150 is released, (d) is the figure which showed the engaged state.

In the states (a) and (b), the axis L2 of the coupling 5150 is preliminarily inclined in the mounting direction X4 with respect to the axis L1 (angle position before engagement). By inclining the coupling 5150, the tip position 5150A1 is located closer to the photoconductor drum than the tip 180b3 in the axis L1 direction. Further, the tip position 5150A2 is located on the pin 182 side of the tip 180b3. Further, as described above, at this time, the brim portion 5150j is in contact with the locking surface 5157k1, and the coupling 5150 is maintained in an inclined state.

After that, as shown in (c), the cartridge B moves in the mounting direction X4, so that the receiving surface 5150f or the protruding portion 5150d comes into contact with the tip portion 180b or the pin 182. Due to the contact force, the brim portion 5150j is separated from the locking surface 5157k1. Then, the coupling of the coupling 5150 with respect to the bearing member 5157 is released. Then, according to the cartridge mounting operation, the coupling is inclined so that the axis L2 is substantially aligned with the axis L1. The locking member 5157k returns to its original position by the restoring force after the brim portion 5150j has passed. At that time, the coupling 5150 is in a free state with respect to the locking member 5157k. Finally, as shown in (d), the axis L1 and the axis L2 become substantially the same straight line, and are in a rotation standby state (rotational force transmission angle position).

Further, in the process of removing the cartridge B from the apparatus main body A, the same process as that of the first embodiment is followed (see FIG. 25). That is, as the cartridge moves in the take-out direction X6, the coupling 5150 changes in the order of (d) to (c), (b), and (a). First, the tip portion 180b pushes the receiving surface 5150f (cartridge side contact portion). As a result, the axis L2 is tilted with respect to the axis L1, and the lower surface 5150j2 of the brim portion starts to come into contact with the slope 5157k2 of the locking member 5157k. Then, in the locking member 5157k, the elastic portion 5157k3 bends, and the locking surface tip 5157k4 escapes from the inclined locus of the brim portion 5150j (see FIG. 57 (c)). Further, as the cartridge advances in the take-out direction (X6), the brim portion 5150j and the locking surface 5157k1 come into contact with each other. As a result, the tilted state of the coupling 5150 is maintained (see FIG. 57 (b)). That is, the coupling 5150 swings (tilts) from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position.

As described above, the angular position of the coupling 5150 is maintained by the locking member 5157k. This keeps the coupling tilted. Therefore, the coupling 5150 can be more reliably engaged with the drive shaft 180. Further, during rotation, the locking member 5157k is not in contact with the coupling 5150. Therefore, the coupling 5150 can perform more stable rotation.

The coupling motion shown in FIGS. 56, 57, and 58 may include turning.

In this embodiment, the locking member 5157k is configured to have an elastic portion. However, a rib shape having no elastic portion may be used. That is, the amount of engagement between the locking member 5157k and the brim portion 5150j is reduced. As a result, the same effect can be obtained by slightly deforming the brim portion 5150j (FIG. 58 (a)).

Further, the locking member 5157k is provided on the most downstream side of the mounting direction X4. However, as long as the axis L2 can be maintained tilted in a predetermined direction, the position where the locking member 5157k is provided may be any position.

58 (b) and (c) show an example in which the coupling locking portions 5357k (FIG. 58b) and 5457k (FIG. 58c) are provided on the upstream side of the mounting direction X4.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the locking member 5157k is composed of a part of the bearing member 5157. However, as long as it is a member fixed to the cartridge B, the locking member 5157k may be composed of a part of a member other than the bearing member. Further, the locking member may be a separate member.

Moreover, this Example and Example 4 or Example 5 may be carried out at the same time. In this case, the coupling can be attached and detached more reliably.

Next, a seventh embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 59 to 62.

In this embodiment, another means for maintaining the axis of the coupling in an inclined state with respect to the axis of the photoconductor drum will be described.

FIG. 59 is a perspective view showing a state in which a magnet member (specific to this embodiment) is attached to a drum bearing member. FIG. 60 is an exploded perspective view. FIG. 61 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the drive side of the cartridge. FIG. 62 is a perspective view and a vertical sectional view showing an engaged state between the drive shaft and the coupling.

As shown in FIG. 59, the drum bearing member 8157 constitutes a space 8157b that includes a part of the coupling. A magnet member 8159 as a maintenance member for maintaining the inclination of the coupling 8150 is attached to the cylindrical surface 8157i constituting the space. Further, as shown in FIG. 59, the magnet member 8159 is provided on the upstream side of the cylindrical surface 8157i in the mounting direction X4. As will be described later, the magnet member 8159 is a member for temporarily maintaining a state in which the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the axis L1. Here, a magnetic material is used for a part of the coupling 8150. Then, the magnetic portion is attracted to the magnet member 8159 by the magnetic force of the magnet member 8159. In this embodiment, the metal magnetic material 8160 is arranged on substantially the entire circumference of the brim portion 8150j. That is, as shown in FIG. 61, the brim portion 8150j comes into contact with the magnet member 8159 by magnetic force. As a result, the axis L2 maintains a state of being inclined toward the downstream side of the cartridge mounting direction (X4) with respect to the axis L1 (see FIG. 62 (a1)). As in the case of the first embodiment (shown in FIG. 31), it is preferable to provide the bearing member 8157 with the tilt direction regulating rib 8157h. By providing the rib 8157h, the inclination direction of the coupling 8150 is determined more reliably. Then, the brim portion 8150j made of the magnetic material and the magnet member 8159 can be more reliably brought into contact with each other. Next, a method of assembling the coupling 8150 will be described with reference to FIG. 60.

As shown in FIG. 60, the pin 155 is inserted into the waiting space 8150 g of the coupling 8150, and a part of the coupling 8150 is inserted into the space portion 8157b of the drum bearing member 8157. At this time, preferably, the distance D12 between the inner peripheral end of the retaining rib 8157e of the bearing member 8157 and the magnet member 8159 is made larger than the maximum outer diameter φD10 of the driven portion 8150a. Further, the distance D12 is made smaller than the maximum outer diameter φD11 of the drive unit 8150b. As a result, the bearing member 8157 can be assembled straight. Therefore, the assemblability is improved. However, the relationship is not limited to this, and other settings may be used.

Next, the engagement operation (a part of the cartridge mounting operation) for engaging the coupling 8150 with the drive shaft 180 will be described with reference to FIG. 62. 62 (a1) and (b1) are views showing the state immediately before engagement, and FIGS. 62 (a2) and 62 (b2) are views showing the engaged state.

As shown in FIGS. 62 (a1) and 62 (b1), the axis L2 of the coupling 8150 is preliminarily inclined to the downstream side of the mounting direction X4 with respect to the axis L1 by the force of the magnet member (maintenance member) 8159. (Angle position before engagement).

After that, as the cartridge B moves in the mounting direction X4, the tip surface 180b or the tip of the pin 182 comes into contact with the drive bearing surface 8150f of the coupling 8150. Then, due to the contact force (mounting force of the cartridge), the axis L2 approaches the axis L1 so as to be substantially in line with the axis L1. At this time, the brim portion 8150j is separated from the magnet member 8159 and is in a non-contact state. Finally, the axis L1 and the axis L2 become substantially straight. Then, the coupling 8150 is in the rotation standby state (rotational force transmission angle position) (FIGS. 62 (a2) and (b2)).

The coupling motion shown in FIG. 62 may include turning.

As described above, in the above-described embodiment, the inclined state of the axis L2 is maintained by the magnetic force of the magnet member 8159 (maintenance member) attached to the bearing member 8157. This allows the coupling to engage more reliably with the drive shaft.

Next, an eighth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 63 to 68.

In this embodiment, another means for maintaining the axis L2 in an inclined state with respect to the axis L1 will be described.

FIG. 63 is a perspective view showing the drive side of the cartridge. FIG. 64 is an exploded perspective view showing a state before assembling the drum bearing member. FIG. 65 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the configurations of a drum shaft, a coupling, and a drum bearing member. FIG. 66 is a perspective view showing the drive side of the device main body guide. FIG. 67 is a vertical sectional view showing how the lock member is disengaged. FIG. 68 is a vertical sectional view showing an operation in which the coupling is engaged with the drive shaft.

As shown in FIG. 63, the coupling 6150 is inclined to the downstream side in the mounting direction (X4) by the lock member 6159 and the spring member 6158.

First, the drum bearing member 6157, the lock member 6159, and the spring member 6158 will be described with reference to FIG. 64. The bearing member 6157 has an opening 6157v. Then, the locking portion (locking member) 6159a engages with the opening 6157v. As a result, the tip 6159a1 of the locking portion 6159a protrudes into the space portion 6157b of the bearing member 6157. As will be described later, the locking portion 6159a can maintain the tilted state of the coupling 6150. The lock member 6159 is attached to the space 6157p of the bearing member 6157. The spring member 6158 is attached by the hole 6159b and the boss 6157m of the bearing member 6157. The spring member 6158 in this embodiment employs a compression coil spring having a spring force (elastic force) of about 50 g to 300 g. However, any spring may be used as long as it generates a predetermined spring force. Further, the lock member 6159 can be moved in the mounting direction X4 by engaging the groove portion 6159d and the rib 6157k.

In the state where the cartridge B is outside the apparatus main body A (that is, the cartridge B is not attached to the apparatus main body A), the posture of the coupling 6150 is a state in which the coupling 6150 is tilted. In this state, the locking portion tip 6159a1 of the locking member 6159 is located within the movable range T2 (shown as hatching) of the brim portion 6150j. Note that FIG. 64 (a) shows the posture of the coupling 6150. As a result, the tilted posture of the coupling can be maintained. Further, the lock member 6159 is abutted against the outer peripheral surface 6157q (see FIG. 64 (b)) of the bearing member 6157 by the spring force of the spring member 6158. As a result, the coupling 6150 can maintain a stable posture.

In order to engage the coupling 6150 with the drive shaft 180, this lock is released so that the axis L2 can be tilted. That is, as shown in FIG. 65 (b), the locking portion tip 6159a1 must move in the direction of X12 and retract from the movable range T2 of the brim portion 6150j.

The release of the lock member 6159 will be further described.

As shown in FIG. 66, the main body guide 6130R1 is provided with the unlocking member 6131. When the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A, the release member 6131 and the lock member 6159 engage with each other. As a result, the position of the lock member 6159 in the cartridge B moves. Therefore, the coupling 6150 can be tilted.

The release of the lock member 6159 will be described with reference to FIG. 67. When the cartridge B moves in the mounting direction X4 and the tip position 6150A1 of the coupling 6150 comes near the shaft tip 180b3, the release member 6131 and the lock member 6159 engage with each other. At this time, the rib (contact portion) 6131a of the release member 6131 and the hook portion (force receiving portion) 6159c of the lock member 6159 come into contact with each other. As a result, the position of the lock member 6159 in the apparatus main body A is fixed (b). After that, the cartridge moves 1 to 3 mm in the mounting direction, so that the locking portion tip 6159a1 does not protrude from the space portion 6157b. Therefore, the drive shaft 180 and the coupling 6150 can be engaged with each other, that is, the coupling 6150 can swing (tilt) (c).

Next, with reference to FIG. 68, the engagement operation of the coupling with the drive shaft will be described including the position of the lock member.

In the states of FIGS. 68 (a) and 68 (b), the axis L2 of the coupling 6150 is preliminarily inclined in the mounting direction X4 with respect to the axis L1 (angle position before engagement). At this time, the tip position 6150A1 is located closer to the photoconductor drum 107 than the shaft tip 180b3 in the direction of the axis L1. The tip position 6150A2 is located closer to the pin 182 than the shaft tip 180b3. In the state shown in (a), the lock member (force receiving portion) 6159 engages in a state of receiving force from the unlocking member (contact portion) 6131. Then, in the state shown in (b), the locking portion tip 6159a1 retracts from the space portion 6157b. As a result, the coupling 6150 is released from the state of maintaining its posture. That is, the coupling 6150 is in a swingable (tilted) state.

After that, as shown in (c), as the cartridge moves in the mounting direction X4, the drive bearing surface (cartridge side contact portion) 6150f or the protrusion 6150d of the coupling 6150 is attached to the tip portion 180b or the pin 182. Abuts. Then, as the cartridge moves, the axis L2 approaches the axis L1 so as to be substantially in line with the axis L1. Finally, as shown in (d), the axis L1 and the axis L2 become substantially the same straight line. As a result, the coupling 6150 is in the rotation standby state (rotational force transmission angle position).

The timing of retracting the lock member 6159 is as follows. That is, from the time when the tip position 6150A1 passes through the shaft tip 180b3 until the receiving surface 6150f or the protrusion 6150d comes into contact with the tip 180b or the pin 182. By doing so, it is possible to perform a reliable mounting operation without giving an extra load to the coupling 6150. The receiving surface 6150f has a tapered shape.

Further, in the process of removing the cartridge B from the apparatus main body A, the process opposite to that at the time of attaching the cartridge B is followed. That is, as the cartridge B moves in the take-out direction, the tip portion 180b of the drive shaft (main body side engaging portion) 180 pushes the receiving surface 6150f (cartridge side contact portion). As a result, the axis L2 begins to tilt with respect to the axis L1 (FIG. 68 (c)). Then, the coupling 6150 completely passes through the shaft tip 180b3 (see FIG. 68 (b)). Immediately after that, the hook portion 6159c is separated from the rib 6131a. Then, the tip 6159a1 of the locking portion comes into contact with the lower surface 6150j2 of the brim portion. Therefore, the tilted state of the coupling 6150 is maintained (see FIG. 68 (a)). That is, the coupling 6150 tilts (swings) from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position.

The coupling motion shown in FIGS. 67 and 68 may include turning.

As described above, the locking member 6159 maintains the inclined angular position of the coupling 6150. This keeps the coupling tilted. Therefore, the coupling 6150 is more securely attached to the drive shaft 180. Further, the locking member 6159 is not in contact with the coupling 6150 during rotation. Therefore, the coupling 6150 can perform more stable rotation.

In the above-described embodiment, the lock member is provided on the upstream side in the mounting direction. However, the lock member may be provided at any position as long as the axis of the coupling can be maintained tilted in a predetermined direction.

Moreover, this Example and Examples 4 to 7 may be carried out at the same time. In this case, the coupling can be attached and detached more reliably.

Next, a ninth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 69 to 73.

In this embodiment, another means for inclining the axis L2 with respect to the axis L1 will be described.

FIG. 69 is an enlarged side view of the drive side of the cartridge. FIG. 70 is a perspective view showing the drive side of the device main body guide. FIG. 71 is a side view showing the relationship between the cartridge and the main body guide. FIG. 72 is a side view and a perspective view showing the relationship between the main body guide and the coupling. FIG. 73 is a side view showing the mounting process.

69 (a1) and 69 (b1) show side views of the cartridge as viewed from the drive shaft side, and FIGS. 69 (a2) and 69 (b2) show the cartridge as viewed from the side opposite to the drive shaft. It is a side view. As shown in FIG. 69, the coupling 7150 is attached to the drum bearing member 7157 in a state in which it can be inclined toward the downstream side in the mounting direction (X4). Further, as for the tilting direction, as described in the first embodiment, the retaining rib (regulatory means) 7157e allows the tilting direction to be tilted only downstream of the mounting direction X4. Further, in FIG. 69 (b1), the axis L2 of the coupling 7150 is inclined with respect to the horizontal line at an angle α60. The reason why the coupling 7150 is inclined at the angle α60 is as follows. , The brim portion 7150j of the coupling 7150 is regulated by the regulating portions 7157h1 and 7157h2 as the regulating means. Therefore, the coupling 7150 can be tilted in a direction in which the downstream side in the mounting direction is tilted upward by an angle α60.

Next, the main body guide 7130R will be described with reference to FIG. 70. The main body guide 7130R1 mainly has a guide rib 7130R1a for guiding the cartridge B via a coupling 7150, and cartridge positioning portions 7130R1e and 7130R1f. The rib 7130R1a is on the mounting locus of the cartridge B. The rib 7130R1a extends to the front of the drive shaft 180 in the cartridge mounting direction. The rib 7130R1b near the drive shaft 180 has a height that does not interfere with the coupling 7150 when it engages with the drive shaft 180. The main body guide 7130R2 mainly has a guide portion 7130R2a for guiding a part of the cartridge frame body B1 and determining a posture when the cartridge is mounted, and a cartridge positioning portion 7130R2c.

Next, the relationship between the main body guide 7130R and the cartridge when mounting the cartridge will be described.

As shown in FIG. 71 (a), the cartridge B moves in a state where the connecting portion (force receiving portion) 7150c of the coupling 7150 is in contact with the guide rib (fixed portion, contact portion) 7130R1a on the drive side. .. At this time, the cartridge guide 7157a of the bearing member 7157 is separated from the guide surface 7130R1c by n59. Therefore, the weight of the cartridge B is applied to the coupling 7150. On the other hand, as described above, the coupling 7150 is set so that the downstream side in the mounting direction can be tilted upward by an angle α60 with respect to the mounting direction (X4). Therefore, in the coupling 7150, the driven portion 7150a is inclined toward the downstream side of the mounting direction X4 (the direction in which the angle α60 is tilted with respect to the mounting direction) (see FIG. 72).

The reason why the coupling 7150 is tilted is as follows. The connecting portion 7150c receives the reaction force of its own weight of the cartridge B from the guide rib 7130R1a. Then, the reaction force acts on the regulating portions 7157h1 and 7157h2 that regulate the inclination direction. This causes the coupling to tilt in a predetermined direction.

Here, when the connecting portion 7150c moves on the guide rib 7130R1a, a frictional force is generated between the connecting portion 7150c and the guide rib 7130R1a. Therefore, the coupling 7150 receives a force in the direction opposite to the mounting direction X4 due to this frictional force. However, the frictional force generated by the friction coefficient between the connecting portion 7150c and the guide rib 7130R1a is smaller than the force that causes the coupling 7150 to tilt downstream of the mounting direction X4 due to the reaction force. Therefore, overcoming the frictional force, the coupling 7150 tilts toward the downstream side of the mounting direction X4.

It should be noted that the regulating portion 7157p (see FIG. 69) of the bearing member 7157 can be provided as a regulating means for regulating the inclination. As a result, the regulation in the inclination direction of the coupling is regulated at different positions in the axis L2 direction by the regulating portions 7157h1 and 7157h2 (see FIG. 69) and the regulating portion 7157p. This makes it possible to more reliably regulate the direction in which the coupling 7150 is tilted. In addition, it can always be tilted to an angle of about α60. However, the regulation of the inclination direction of the coupling 7150 may be another means.

Further, the guide rib 7130R1a is in the space 7150s composed of the driven portion 7150a, the driving portion 7150b, and the connecting portion 7150c. Therefore, in the mounting process, the longitudinal position (in the axis L2 direction) of the coupling 7150 in the apparatus main body A is restricted (see FIG. 71). By restricting the longitudinal position of the coupling 7150, the coupling 7150 can be more reliably engaged with the drive shaft 180.

Next, the engagement operation in which the coupling 7150 engages with the drive shaft 180 will be described. The engagement operation is almost the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 22). Here, the relationship between the main body guide 7130R2, the bearing member 7157, and the coupling 7150 in the process in which the coupling engages with the drive shaft 180 will be described with reference to FIG. 73. While the connecting portion 7150c is in contact with the rib 7130R1a, the cartridge guide 7157a is in a state of being separated from the guide surface 7130R1c. As a result, the coupling 7150 is tilted (angle position before engagement) (FIGS. 73 (a) and 73 (d)). Next, when the tip 7150A1 of the inclined coupling 7150 passes through the shaft tip 180b3, the connecting portion 7150c does not come into contact with the guide rib 7130R1a (see FIGS. 73 (b) and 73 (e)). At this time, the cartridge guide 7157a is in a state of passing through the guide surface 7130R1c, passing through the slope 7130R1d, and starting to come into contact with the positioning surface 7130R1e (FIGS. 73 (b) and 73 (e)). After that, the receiving surface 7150f or the protruding portion 7150d comes into contact with the tip portion 180b or the pin 182. Then, according to the cartridge mounting operation, the axis L2 is substantially aligned with the axis L1, and the center position of the drum shaft and the center position of the coupling approach the coaxial line. Finally, as shown in FIGS. 73 (c) and 73 (f), the axis L1 and the axis L2 become substantially the same straight line. Then, the coupling 7150 is in the rotation standby state (rotational force transmission angle position).

Further, in the process of taking out the cartridge B from the apparatus main body A, the process substantially opposite to the engaging operation is followed. That is, the cartridge B moves in the take-out direction. As a result, the tip portion 180b pushes the receiving surface 7150f. As a result, the axis L2 begins to tilt with respect to the axis L1. Due to the cartridge take-out operation, the tip portion 7150A1 on the upstream side in the take-out direction moves along the shaft tip 180b, and the axis L2 is inclined until the upper tip portion A1 reaches the drive shaft tip 180b3. Then, in this state, the coupling 7150 completely passes through the shaft tip 180b3 (see FIG. 73 (b)). After that, in the coupling 7150, the connecting portion 7150c comes into contact with the rib 7130R1a. As a result, the coupling 7150 is taken out in a state of being inclined toward the downstream side in the mounting direction. That is, the coupling 7150 tilts (swings) from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position.

As described above, when the user attaches the cartridge to the main body, the coupling swings and the coupling engages with the main body drive shaft. In addition, there is no particular need for means to maintain the coupling posture. However, as shown in Examples 4 to 8 described above, a configuration in which the coupling posture is maintained in advance can also be implemented together with the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, the coupling is tilted in the mounting direction by applying its own weight to the guide ribs. However, not only its own weight but also spring force and the like may be used.

In the above embodiment, the connecting portion of the coupling receives a force to incline the coupling. However, it is not limited to this. For example, if the coupling can be tilted by receiving a force from the contact portion of the main body, a portion other than the connecting portion may be brought into contact with the contact portion.

Moreover, you may carry out this Example and any one of Examples 4 to 8 together. In this case, the coupling can be more reliably engaged and disengaged from the drive shaft.

Next, a tenth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 74 to 81.

In this embodiment, another means for inclining the axis L2 with respect to the axis L1 will be described.

FIG. 74 is a perspective view illustrating the drive side of the main body of the apparatus.

The main body guide and the coupling urging means will be described with reference to FIG. 74.

It should be noted that this embodiment is effectively applied when the frictional force described in the ninth embodiment is expected to be larger than the force at which the coupling 7150 tilts to the downstream side of the mounting direction X4. .. That is, for example, even if the frictional force is increased by rubbing the connecting portion or the main body guide, according to the present embodiment, the coupling can be reliably tilted to the angle position before engagement. The main body guide 1130R1 mainly has a guide surface 1130R1b for guiding the cartridge B via a cartridge guide 140R1 (see FIG. 2), a guide rib 1130R1c for guiding the coupling 150, and a cartridge positioning portion 1130R1a. The guide rib 1130R1c is on the mounting trajectory of the cartridge B. The guide rib 1130R1c extends to the front of the drive shaft 180 in the cartridge mounting direction. Further, the rib 1130R1d provided near the drive shaft 180 has a height that does not interfere when the coupling 150 is engaged.

A part of the rib 1130R1c is cut off. A main body guide slider 1131 is slidably attached to the rib 1130R1c in the direction of the arrow W. The slider 1131 is pressed by the elastic force of the pressing spring 1132. Then, the position is determined by the slider 1131 abutting on the abutting surface 1130R1e of the main body guide 1130R1. In this state, the slider 1131 protrudes from the guide rib 1130R1c.

The main body guide 1130R2 mainly has a guide portion 1130R2b for guiding a part of the cartridge frame body B1 and determining a posture when the cartridge B is mounted, and a cartridge positioning portion 1130R2a.

Next, the relationship between the main body guides 1130R1 and 1130R2, the slider 1131, and the cartridge B when the cartridge B is mounted will be described with reference to FIGS. 75 to 77. FIG. 75 is a side view seen from the main body drive shaft 180 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and FIG. 76 is a perspective view thereof. 77 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ZZ of FIG. 75.

As shown in FIG. 75, the cartridge moves in a state where the cartridge guide 140R1 is in contact with the guide surface 1130R1b on the drive side. At this time, as shown in FIG. 77, the connecting portion 150c is provided with a gap between the guide rib 1130R1c and n1. Therefore, no force is applied to the coupling 150. Further, as shown in FIG. 75, the coupling 150 is regulated by the regulating portion 140R1a from the upper surface to the left surface. Therefore, the coupling 150 is set so that it can be freely inclined only with respect to the mounting direction (X4).

Next, the operation in which the coupling 150 comes into contact with the slider 1131 and the slider 1131 moves from the urging position to the retracted position will be described with reference to FIGS. 78 to 81. 78 to 79 show a state in which the coupling 150 is in contact with the apex 1131b of the slider 1131, that is, a state in which the slider 1131 is moved to the retracted position. Due to the entry of the coupling 150 that can be tilted only in the mounting direction (X4), the connecting portion 150c and the slope 1131a of the protruding portion of the slider 1131 come into contact with each other. As a result, the slider 1131 is pushed down and moved to the retracted position.

Next, the operation after the coupling 150 gets over the apex 1131b of the slider 1131 will be described with reference to FIGS. 80 to 81. 80 to 81 show a state after the coupling 150 has passed the apex 1131b of the slider 131.

When the coupling 150 gets over the apex 1131b, the slider 1131 tries to return from the retracted position to the urging position by the elastic force of the pressing spring 132. At that time, a part of the connecting portion 150c of the coupling 150 receives a force F from the slope 1131c of the slider 1131. That is, the slope 1131c functions as a force applying portion, and a part of the connecting portion 150c functions as a force receiving portion 150p that receives the above force. As shown in FIG. 80, the force receiving portion 150p is provided on the upstream side of the connecting portion 150c in the cartridge mounting direction. Therefore, the coupling 150 can be smoothly tilted. As shown in FIG. 81, the force F is further divided into component forces F1 and F2. At this time, the upper surface of the coupling 150 is regulated by the regulating portion 140R1a. Therefore, the coupling 150 is inclined in the mounting direction (X4) due to the component force F2. That is, the coupling 150 is tilted to the angle position before engagement. As a result, the coupling 150 is in a state where it can be engaged with the drive shaft 180.

In the above-described embodiment, the joint receives a force to incline the coupling. However, it is not limited to this. For example, if the coupling can be tilted by receiving a force from the slider of the main body, a portion other than the connecting portion may come into contact with the slider.

Moreover, this Example and Example 4 to Example 9 may be carried out at the same time. In this case, the coupling can be more reliably engaged and disengaged from the drive shaft.

Next, an eleventh embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 82 to 84.

In this embodiment, the shape of the coupling will be described. 82 to 84 (a) are perspective views of the coupling, and FIGS. 82 to 84 (b) are sectional views of the coupling.

In the examples so far, the embodiment in which the drive bearing surface of the coupling or the drum bearing surface has a conical shape has been described. However, different shapes will be described in this example.

The coupling 12150 shown in FIG. 82 has three main parts, similar to the coupling shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 82 (b), the coupling 12150 has a driven unit 12150a for receiving drive from the drive shaft, a drive unit 12150b for transmitting drive to the drum shaft, and a driven unit 12150a and a drive unit 12150b. It has a connecting portion 12150c for connecting the above.

As shown in FIG. 82B, both the driven portion 12150a and the driven portion 12150b have a drive shaft insertion opening 12150 m as an expansion portion extending in the drive shaft 180 direction with respect to the axis L2, and a drum shaft 153. It has a drum shaft insertion opening 12150v as a directionally widened opening. Both the opening 12150m and the opening 12150v are composed of a trumpet-shaped drive bearing surface 12150f and a drum bearing surface 12150i. The receiving surface 12150f and the receiving surface 12150i have recesses 12150x and 12150z as shown in the figure. When the rotational force is transmitted, the recess 12150z is in a state of facing the tip of the drive shaft 180. That is, the recess 12150z is in a state of covering the tip of the drive shaft 180.

Next, the coupling 12250 will be described with reference to FIG. 83. As shown in FIG. 83B, both the driven portion 12250a and the driven portion 12250b have a drive shaft insertion opening 12250 m as an expansion portion extending in the drive shaft 180 direction with respect to the axis L2, and a drum shaft 153 direction. It has a drum shaft insertion opening 12250v as a widened opening.

Both the opening 12250m and the opening 12250v are composed of a bell-shaped drive bearing surface 12250f and a drum bearing surface 12250i. The receiving surface 12250f and the receiving surface 12250i constitute recesses 12250x and 12250z as shown in the figure. At the time of transmission of the rotational force, the recess 12250z engages with the tip of the drive shaft 180 so as to face each other. Next, the coupling 12350 will be described with reference to FIG. 84. As shown in FIG. 84 (a), the driven portion 12350a has the driven transmission protrusions 12350d1, 12350d2, 12350d3, 12350d4 extending radially in the direction of the drive shaft 180 with respect to the axis L2 directly from the connecting portion 12350c. Have. Further, between the respective protrusions 12350d1 to 121350d4, there is a standby portion. Further, a rotational force receiving surface (rotating force receiving portion) 12350e (12350e1 to e4) is provided on the upstream side in the rotational direction X7. At the time of rotation, the rotational force is transmitted from the pin (rotational force applying portion) 182 to the rotational force receiving surfaces 12350e1 to e4. At the time of transmission of the rotational force, the concave portion 12250z engages with the tip portion of the drive shaft, which is a convex portion of the main body of the apparatus, so as to face each other. That is, the recess 12250z is in a state of covering the tip of the drive shaft 180.

Further, the shape of the opening 12350v can be appropriately selected as long as the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Further, since the method of attaching the coupling to the cartridge is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the operation of attaching the cartridge to the main body of the device or the operation of removing the cartridge from the main body of the device is the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 22 and 25), and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, if the drum bearing surface of the coupling has an expanded shape, the coupling can be attached so as to be inclined with respect to the axis of the drum shaft. Further, if the drive bearing surface of the coupling has an expanded shape, the coupling can be tilted according to the mounting operation or the taking-out operation of the cartridge B without interfering with the drive shaft. Thereby, the same effect as that of the first or second embodiment can be obtained in this embodiment as well.

Further, the shapes of the openings 12150m and 12250m and the openings 12150v and 12250v may be appropriately combined with a trumpet shape, a bell shape and the like.

Next, a twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 85.

The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is the shape of the coupling. FIG. 85 (a) is a perspective view of a coupling having a substantially cylindrical shape, and FIG. 85 (b) is a cross-sectional view when the coupling is attached to a cartridge and engaged with a drive shaft.

A plurality of driven projections 9150d are provided on the drive side end surface of the coupling 9150. Further, a driven standby portion 9150k is provided between the driven transmission projection portions 9150d. The protrusion 9150d is provided with a rotational force receiving surface (rotating force receiving portion) 9150e. The rotational force transmission pin (rotational force applying portion) 9182 of the drive shaft 9180, which will be described later, comes into contact with the rotational force receiving surface 9150e. As a result, the rotational force is transmitted to the coupling 9150.

In order to stabilize the rotational torque transmitted to the coupling as much as possible, it is desirable that the plurality of rotational force receiving surfaces 150e are arranged on the same circumference (on the virtual circle C1 shown in FIG. 8D). By arranging in this way, the rotational force transmission radius becomes constant and the transmitted torque becomes stable. Further, it is better that the positions of the coupling 150 are as stable as possible due to the balance of the forces received by the coupling on the plurality of receiving surfaces 9150e. Therefore, it is desirable that the receiving surface 9150e is arranged at a position facing 180 °. The number of receiving surfaces 9150e may be any number as long as the pins 9182 of the drive shaft 9180 are free enough to be inserted into the standby portion 9150k. In this embodiment, the number is two. It is also acceptable that the rotational force receiving surfaces 9150e do not exist on the same circumference or are not arranged at 180 ° facing positions.

Further, a standby opening 9150 g is provided on the cylindrical surface of the coupling 9150. Further, the opening 9150g is provided with a rotational force transmission surface (rotational force transmission portion) 9150h. The drive transmission pin (rotational force transmitted portion) 9155 (FIG. 85 (b)) of the drum shaft, which will be described later, comes into contact with the rotational force transmission surface 9150h. As a result, the rotational force is transmitted to the photoconductor drum 107.

As with the protrusion 9150d, it is desirable that the rotational force transmission surfaces 9150h are arranged on the same circumference and facing each other by 180 °.

Next, the configuration of the drum shaft 9153 and the drive shaft 9180 will be described. In the first embodiment, the end of the cylinder was spherical, but in this embodiment, the diameter of the tip portion 9153b, which is the spherical shape of the drum shaft 9153, is made larger than the diameter of the main portion 9153a. With this configuration, even if the coupling 9150 has a cylindrical shape as shown in the figure, it can be tilted with respect to the axis L1. That is, there is a gap g as shown in the figure between the drum shaft 9153 and the coupling 9150. As a result, the coupling 9150 can be tilted (swingable) with respect to the drum shaft 9153. The shape of the drive shaft 9180 is almost the same as that of the drum shaft 9150. That is, the tip portion 9180b is a spherical surface, and the diameter thereof is made larger than the diameter of the cylindrical main portion 9180a. Further, it has a pin 9182 that penetrates substantially the center of the tip portion 9180b which is a spherical surface. The pin 9182 transmits the rotational force to the rotational force receiving surface 9150e of the coupling 9150.

The spherical surface of the drum shaft 9150 and the drive shaft 9180 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface 9150p of the coupling 9150. Thereby, the relative position between the drum shaft 9150 and the coupling 9150 of the drive shaft 9180 is determined. Since the operation description regarding the attachment / detachment of the coupling 9150 is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, by forming the coupling into a cylindrical shape, the position of the coupling 9150 in the direction orthogonal to the axis L2 direction can be determined with respect to the drum axis or the drive axis. A modified example of the coupling will be further described. The shape of the coupling 9250 shown in FIG. 85 (c) is a combination of a cylindrical shape and a conical shape. FIG. 85 (d) shows a cross-sectional view of this modified example. The driven portion 9250a of the coupling 9250 has a cylindrical shape, and fits with the spherical surface of the drive shaft at the inner peripheral surface 9250p. Further, the abutting surface 9250q is provided, and the coupling 9250 and the drive shaft 180 can be positioned in the axial direction. The drive unit 9250b has a conical shape, and the position with the drum shaft 153 is determined by the drum bearing surface 9250i as in the first embodiment.

The shape of the coupling 9350 shown in FIG. 85 (e) is a combination of a plurality of cylindrical shapes and a conical shape. FIG. 85 (f) shows a cross-sectional view of this modified example. The driven portion 9350a of the coupling 9350 has a cylindrical shape, and fits with the spherical surface of the drive shaft 180 at the inner peripheral surface 9350p. Axial positioning is performed by bringing the spherical surface of the drive shaft into contact with the ridge line 9350q, which is an edge portion formed by cylindrical portions having different diameters.

The shape of the coupling 9450 shown in FIG. 85 (g) is a combination of a spherical surface, a cylindrical shape, and a conical shape. FIG. 85 (h) shows a cross-sectional view of this modified example. The driven portion 9450a of the coupling 9450 has a cylindrical shape and is fitted with the spherical surface of the drive shaft 180 at the inner peripheral surface 9450p. The spherical surface of the drive shaft 180 is brought into contact with the spherical surface 9450q which is a part of the sphere. Thereby, the position in the axis L2 direction can be determined.

Further, in this embodiment, the coupling has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the tip of the drum shaft or the drive shaft has a spherical shape. He also explained that the diameter should be larger than the diameter of the main part of the drum shaft or drive shaft. However, it is not limited to this. The coupling has a cylindrical shape, and the drum shaft or the drive shaft has a cylindrical shape. Then, the diameter of the drum shaft or the drive shaft is set small with respect to the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the coupling so that the pin does not come off the coupling. Thereby, the coupling can be attached so as to be inclined with respect to the axis L1. Further, the coupling can be tilted without interfering with the drive shaft according to the mounting operation or the taking-out operation of the cartridge B. Therefore, in this example as well, the same effect as in Example 1 or Example 2 can be obtained.

Further, in this embodiment, an example in which the shape of the coupling is a combination of a cylindrical shape and a conical shape has been described, but the shape of the coupling may be the opposite of the illustrated one. That is, the drive shaft side may have a conical shape and the drum shaft side may have a cylindrical shape.

Next, a thirteenth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 86 to 88.

The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is the attachment operation of the coupling to the drive shaft and the configuration related thereto. FIG. 86 is a perspective view for explaining the shape of the coupling 10150. The shape of the coupling 10150 is a combination of the cylindrical shape and the conical shape described in the tenth embodiment. Further, a tapered surface 10150r is provided on the tip end side of the coupling 10150. Further, an urging force receiving surface 10150s is provided on the surface of the driven transmission protrusion 10150d on the opposite side in the axis L1 direction.

The configuration around the coupling will be described with reference to FIG. 87.

The coupling 10150 is fitted with its inner peripheral surface 10150p and the spherical surface 10153b of the drum shaft 10153. The urging member 10634 is sandwiched between the receiving surface 10150s described above and the bottom surface 10151b of the drum flange 10151. As a result, the coupling 10150 is urged toward the drive shaft 180 side. Further, as in the previous embodiments, the retaining rib 10157e is provided on the drive shaft 180 side of the brim portion 10150j in the axis L1 direction. This prevents the coupling 10150 from falling off the cartridge. The inner peripheral surface 10150p of the coupling 10150 is cylindrical. Therefore, it is movably attached in the axis L2 direction.

FIG. 88 is a diagram for explaining a posture when the coupling engages with the drive shaft. FIG. 88 (a) shows a cross-sectional view of the coupling 150 used in the first embodiment, and FIG. 88 (c) shows a cross-sectional view of the coupling 10150 of the present embodiment. Then, as FIG. 88 (b), a cross-sectional view before reaching FIG. 88 (c) is shown. The mounting direction is the direction indicated by X4, and the alternate long and short dash line L5 is a line drawn from the tip position of the drive shaft 180 in parallel with the mounting direction.

In order for each coupling to engage with the drive shaft 180, the tip position 10150A1 on the downstream side in the mounting direction needs to pass the tip 180b3 of the drive shaft 180. In the case of the first embodiment, the axis L2 is inclined to an angle α104 or more. As a result, the coupling is moved to a position where the tip position 150A1 does not interfere with the tip portion 180b3 (FIG. 88 (a)).

On the other hand, in the coupling 10150 of the present embodiment, first, in the state where the drive shaft 180 is not engaged, the coupling 10150 is closest to the drive shaft 180 side due to the restoring force of the urging member 10634. .. In this state, when the cartridge B is moved in the mounting direction X4, a part of the drive shaft 180 comes into contact with the tapered surface 10150r of the coupling 10150 (FIG. 88 (b)). At this time, a force is applied to the tapered surface 10150r in the direction opposite to the X4 direction. Therefore, due to the component force, the coupling 10150 retracts in the X11 direction, which is the longitudinal direction. Then, the tip portion 10153b of the drum shaft 10153 abuts on the abutting portion 10150t of the coupling 10150. Further, the coupling 10150 rotates clockwise in the figure about the center P1 of the tip portion 10153b (the coupling takes an angle position before engagement). As a result, the tip position 10150A1 of the coupling passes through the tip 180b of the drive shaft 180 (FIG. 88 (c)). When the drum shaft 10153 becomes a substantially coaxial line with respect to the drive shaft 180, the drive bearing surface 10150f of the coupling 10150 comes into contact with the tip portion 180b due to the restoring force of the urging spring 10634. As a result, the coupling is in a state of waiting for rotation (rotational force transmission angle position) (FIG. 87). By adopting such a configuration, the coupling can be swung from the pre-engagement angle position to the rotational force transmission angle position by combining the movement motion in the axis L2 direction and the tilting motion (swing motion). can.

With this configuration, the cartridge can be mounted on the apparatus main body A even if the amount of inclination of the axis L2 is reduced to an angle of about α106. Therefore, the space used for the tilting operation of the coupling 10150 can be reduced. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the apparatus main body A is improved.

The state in which the coupling 10150 is rotated by receiving the rotational force from the drive shaft 180 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. When the cartridge B is taken out from the apparatus main body A, the tip portion 180b presses the conical drive bearing surface 10150f of the coupling 10150 by the force for taking out the cartridge. Due to this force, the coupling 10150 tilts while retreating in the axis L2 direction. As a result, the coupling is removed from the drive shaft 180. That is, the coupling can be tilted from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position by combining the movement motion in the axis L2 direction and the tilting motion (a turning motion may be included).

Next, a fourteenth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 89 to 90.

The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is the engagement operation of the coupling with the drive shaft and the configuration related thereto. FIG. 89 is a perspective view showing only the coupling 21150 and the drum shaft 153. FIG. 90 is a vertical sectional view seen from below of the main body of the apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 89, a magnet member 21100 is attached to one end of the drive unit 21150a of the coupling 21150. The drive shaft 180 shown in FIG. 90 is made of a magnetic material. Therefore, in this embodiment, the magnet member 21100 tilts the coupling 21150 by utilizing the force attracted by the magnetic force with the drive shaft 180 which is a magnetic material.

First, as shown in FIG. 90 (a), the coupling 21150 is inserted with respect to the drum shaft 153 in a state where it is not particularly inclined. At this time, the magnet member 21100 is located at the drive unit 21150a on the upstream side of the mounting direction X4.

When the insertion proceeds to FIG. 90 (b), the magnet member 21100 is attracted to the drive shaft 180. Then, due to the magnetic force, the coupling 21150 starts to swing as shown in the figure.

After that, the mounting direction (X4) tip position 21150A1 of the coupling 21150 passes through the drive shaft tip 180b3 having a spherical surface. Then, after passing through, the conical drive bearing surface 21150f or the driven protrusion 21150d (cartridge side contact portion) constituting the concave portion 21150z of the coupling 21150 becomes the tip portion 180b or 182. Contact (Fig. 90 (c)).

Then, according to the mounting operation of the cartridge B, the axis L2 is inclined so as to be substantially in line with L1 (FIG. 90 (d)).

Finally, the axis L1 and the axis L2 are located on substantially the same straight line. In this state, the recess 21150z wraps around the tip 180b. Then, the coupling 21150 is tilted from the angle position before engagement to the rotational force transmission angle position so that the axis L2 is substantially the same as the axis L1. Then, the coupling 21150 and the drive shaft 180 are engaged (FIG. 90 (e)).

The coupling motion shown in FIG. 90 may include turning.

The position of the magnet member 21100 needs to be located on the upstream side of the driving unit 21150a in the mounting direction X4. Therefore, when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A, it is necessary to appropriately match the phase of the coupling 21150. As a method of matching the phases of the coupling, the method described in the second embodiment can be applied.

Since the state of being rotated by receiving the rotational driving force after the mounting is completed is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a fifteenth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. 91.

The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is the method of supporting the coupling. In the first embodiment, the coupling is attached to the cartridge B so that the axis L2 can be inclined so as to be sandwiched between the tip end portion of the drum shaft and the retaining rib. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the coupling is attached so that the axis L2 can be inclined only by the drum bearing member. This will be described in detail below.

FIG. 91A is a perspective view showing the process of assembling the coupling. FIG. 91 (b) is a vertical sectional view thereof. FIG. 91 (c) is a perspective view showing a state in which the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the axis L1. FIG. 91 (d) is a vertical sectional view thereof. FIG. 91 (e) is a perspective view showing a state in which the coupling rotates. FIG. 91 (f) is a vertical sectional view thereof.

In this embodiment, the drum shaft 153 is sandwiched between the inner peripheral surfaces of the space portion 11157b of the drum bearing member 11157. Further, the rib 11157e and the rib 11157p are provided on the opposite side thereof and at different positions in the axis L1 direction.

With this configuration, the brim portion 11150j and the drum bearing surface 11150i are regulated by the rib inner end surface 11157p1 and the cylindrical portion 11153a, respectively, in a state where the axis L2 is inclined (see FIG. 91 (d)). Here, the end face 11157p1 is provided in the bearing member 11157. Further, the cylindrical portion 11153a is a cylindrical portion of the drum shaft 11153. When the axis L2 is substantially aligned with the axis L1 (see FIG. 91 (f)), the brim portion 11150j and the tapered outer surface 11150q are regulated by the rib 11157e of the bearing member 11157 and the outer end surface 11157p2 of the rib, respectively.

Therefore, by devising the shape of the bearing member 11157, the coupling 11150 will not fall off from the bearing member 11157. Further, the coupling 11150 can be attached so as to be inclined with respect to the axis L1.

Further, the drum shaft 11153 only needs to have a drive transmission unit arranged at its tip. Further, it is not necessary to provide a spherical surface portion or the like for restricting the movement of the coupling 11150. Therefore, the processing of the drum shaft 11153 becomes easy.

Further, the rib 11157e and the rib 11157p are arranged in a staggered manner. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 91 (a) and 91 (b), the coupling 11150 may be assembled with respect to the bearing member 11157 from a slightly oblique direction (X12 in the figure). That is, it is not necessary to make a special assembly. After that, the bearing member 11157 to which the coupling 11150 is temporarily attached may be assembled to the drum shaft 11153 (X13 direction in the figure).

Next, a sixteenth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. 92.

The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is the method of attaching the coupling. In the first embodiment, the coupling was attached so as to be sandwiched between the tip end portion of the drum shaft and the retaining rib. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the coupling is prevented from coming off by the rotational force transmission pin (rotational force transmitted portion) 13155 of the drum shaft 13153. That is, in this embodiment, the coupling 13150 is attached to the pin 13155.

This will be described in detail below.

FIG. 92 shows a state in which the coupling is assembled to the end portion of the photoconductor drum 107 (drum cylinder 107a). The photoconductor drum 107 shows only a part of the drive side, and the others are omitted.

In FIG. 92A, the axis L2 is located on a substantially coaxial line with respect to the axis L1. In this state, the coupling 13150 receives a rotational force from the drive shaft 180 on the driven portion 13150a. Then, the coupling 13150 transmits the rotational force to the photoconductor drum 107.

Then, as shown in FIG. 92 (b), the coupling 13150 is attached to the drum shaft 13153 so as to be inclined in any direction with respect to the axis L1. The shape of the driven portion 13150a may be the shape of the driven portion described with reference to FIGS. 82 to 85. Then, as described in Example 1, the photoconductor drum unit U13 was assembled to the second frame body. Then, when the cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body A, the coupling is configured to be engaged with and detached from the drive shaft.

Next, the assembly method in this embodiment will be described. The tip of the drum shaft 13153 (not shown) is covered with the coupling 13150. After that, the pin (rotational force transmitted portion) 13155 is inserted into the hole (not shown) of the drum shaft 13153 from the direction orthogonal to the axis L1 direction. Further, both ends of the pin 13155 project from the inner surface of the brim portion 13150j. With these settings, the pin 13155 does not come off the standby opening 13150 g. This eliminates the need for additional components to prevent the coupling 13150 from falling off.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the drum unit U13 is composed of at least a drum cylinder 107a, a coupling 13150, a photoconductor drum 107, a drum flange 13151, a drum shaft 13153, and a drive transmission pin 13155. However, the configuration of the drum unit U13 is not limited to this.

As a means for inclining the axis L2 to the angle position before engagement immediately before the coupling engages with the drive shaft, the methods of Examples 3 to 10 described above can be adopted.

Further, since the description regarding the engagement and disengagement of the coupling and the drive shaft linked to the mounting and removal of the cartridge is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Further, as described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 31), the inclination direction of the coupling is regulated by the bearing member. This allows the coupling to be more reliably engaged with the drive shaft.

With the above configuration, the coupling 13150 can be treated as a photoconductor drum unit integrally with the photoconductor drum. Therefore, it becomes easy to handle at the time of assembly, and the assemblability can be improved.

Next, a seventeenth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. 93.

The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is the method of attaching the coupling. In the first embodiment, the coupling is attached to the tip end side of the drum shaft so that the axis L2 can be tilted in any direction with respect to the axis L1. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the coupling 15150 is directly attached to the end of the drum cylinder 107a of the photoconductor drum 107 so as to be tiltable in any direction.

This will be described in detail below.

FIG. 93 shows an electrophotographic photosensitive member drum unit (hereinafter referred to as “drum unit”) U. This figure shows a state in which the coupling 15150 is attached to one end of the photoconductor drum 107 (drum cylinder 107a). The photoconductor drum 107 shows only a part of the drive side, and the others are omitted.

In FIG. 93 (a), the axis L2 is located on a substantially coaxial line with respect to the axis L1. In this state, the coupling 15150 receives a rotational force from the drive shaft 180 on the driven portion 15150a. Then, the coupling 15150 transmits the received rotational force to the photoconductor drum 107.

Then, as shown in FIG. 93B as an example, the coupling 15150 is attached to one end of the drum cylinder 107a of the photoconductor drum 107 so as to be tiltable in any direction. In this embodiment, one end of the coupling is attached not to the drum shaft (convex portion) but to the concave portion (rotational force transmitted portion) provided at one end of the cylinder 107a. The coupling 15150 is attached so as to be inclined in any direction with respect to the axis L1. Although the shape described in the first embodiment is shown as the driven portion 15150a, the shape of the driven portion of the coupling described in the tenth embodiment or the eleventh embodiment may be used. Then, as described in the first embodiment, the drum unit U is assembled to the second frame body 118 (drum frame body), and is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body as a cartridge.

As described above, the drum unit U is composed of at least a coupling 15150, a photoconductor drum 107 (drum cylinder 107a), and a drum flange 15151.

As the configuration for inclining the axis L2 to the angle position before engagement immediately before the coupling 15150 engages with the drive shaft 180, the configurations of Examples 3 to 9 may be adopted.

Further, the description regarding the engagement and disengagement between the coupling and the drive shaft linked to the mounting and removal of the cartridge is the same as that in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description thereof will be omitted.

Further, as described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 31), the drum bearing member is provided with a regulating means for regulating the inclination direction of the coupling with respect to the axis L1. This makes it possible to more reliably engage the coupling with the drive shaft.

With the above configuration, the coupling can be tiltably attached to the photoconductor drum in any direction without attaching the drum shaft as described above. Therefore, the cost can be reduced.

Further, with the above configuration, the coupling 15150 can be treated as a drum unit integrally with the photoconductor drum. Therefore, the cartridge can be easily handled at the time of assembly, and the assemblability can be improved.

Next, this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 94 to 105.

FIG. 94 shows a perspective view of the process cartridge B2 using the coupling 15150 of this embodiment. The outer peripheral edge 15157a of the drum bearing member 15157 arranged on the drive side also serves as the cartridge guide 140R1.

Further, at one end (driving side) in the longitudinal direction of the second frame unit 120, a cartridge guide 140R2 protruding outward is provided substantially above the cartridge guide 140R1 protruding outward.

The process cartridge is detachably supported by the apparatus main body by the cartridge guides 140R1 and 1402 and the cartridge guides (not shown) arranged on the non-driving side. That is, the cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body A by moving it in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L3 direction of the drive shaft 180, and is removed from the apparatus main body A.

95 (a) is a perspective view of the coupling as seen from the drive side, FIG. 95 (b) is a perspective view of the coupling as seen from the photoconductor drum side, and FIG. 95 (c) is a direction in which the coupling is orthogonal to the axis L2. It is a figure seen from. Further, FIG. 95 (d) is a side view of the coupling as seen from the drive side, FIG. 95 (e) is a view as seen from the photoconductor drum side, and FIG. 95 (f) is a view of FIG. 95 (d). It is sectional drawing cut in S21-S21.

The coupling 15150 engages with the drive shaft 180 with the cartridge B mounted on the installation portion 130a provided on the apparatus main body A. Then, by taking out the cartridge B from the installation portion 103a, the cartridge B is separated from the drive shaft 180. Then, the coupling 15150 receives the rotational force from the motor 186 in a state of being engaged with the drive shaft 180, and transmits the rotational force to the photoconductor drum 107.

The coupling 15150 has three main parts (FIG. 95 (c)). The first portion is a driven portion 15150a that engages with the drive shaft 180 and has a rotational force receiving surface (rotating force receiving portion) 15150e (15150e1 to 15150e4) for receiving a rotational force from the pin 182. The second portion is a drive unit 15150b that engages with the drum flange 15151 (pin 15155 (rotational force transmitted portion)) to transmit the rotational force. The third portion is a connecting portion 15150c that connects the driven portion 15150a and the driving portion 15150b. These materials are resins such as polyacetal, polycarbonate, and PPS. However, in order to increase the rigidity of this member, glass fiber, carbon fiber or the like may be blended in the resin according to the load torque to increase the rigidity. Further, a metal may be inserted into the resin to further increase the rigidity, or the entire coupling may be made of metal or the like. As shown in FIG. 95 (f), the driven portion 15150a has a drive shaft insertion opening 15150 m which is a widened portion that extends in a conical shape with respect to the axis L2. The opening 15150 m constitutes a recess 15150 z as shown in the figure.

The drive unit 15150b has a spherical drive bearing surface 15150i. The receiving surface 15150i allows the coupling 15150 to tilt between the rotational force transmission angle position and the pre-engagement angle position (or the disengagement angle position) with respect to the axis L1. As a result, the coupling 15150 engages with the drive shaft 180 regardless of the rotation phase of the photoconductor drum 107 without being blocked by the tip portion 180b of the drive shaft 180. The drive unit 15150b has a convex shape as shown in the figure.

A plurality of driven transmission projections 15150d1 to d4 are arranged on the circumference of the end face of the driven portion 15150a (on the virtual circle C1 shown in FIG. 8D). Further, between the protrusions 15150d1, 15150d2, 15150d3, and 15150d4, driven standby portions 15150k1, 15150k2, 15150k3, and 15150k4 are provided. That is, the distance between the adjacent protrusions 15150d1 to d4 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the pin 182 so that the pin (rotational force applying portion) 182 can be positioned at this distance. This interval portion is a standby portion 15150k1 to k4. Further, in the direction of FIG. 95 (d), a rotational force receiving surface (rotating force receiving portion) 15150e (15150e1 to 15150e4) intersecting the rotational direction of the coupling 15150 is provided on the downstream side in the clockwise direction of the protrusion 15150d. Has been done. When the drive shaft 180 rotates, the pin 182 comes into contact with any of the receiving surfaces 15150e1 to 15150e4. Then, the receiving surface 15150 is pushed by the side surface of the pin 182, and the coupling 15150 rotates about the axis L2.

Further, the drive unit 15150b is a spherical surface. Due to the spherical surface, the coupling 15150 has a rotational force transmission angle position and a pre-engagement angle position (or a disengagement angle position) regardless of the rotation phase of the photoconductor drum 107 in the cartridge B. Can tilt (swing) between. In the illustrated example, the drive unit 15150b is composed of a spherical drum bearing surface 15150i having an axis L2 as an axis. A fixing hole 15150 g through which a pin (rotational force transmitting portion) 15155 is passed is provided at a position passing through the center thereof.

Next, an example of the drum flange 15151 to which the coupling 15150 is attached will be described with reference to FIG. 96. FIG. 96 (a) is a view seen from the drive shaft side, and FIG. 96 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S22-S22 of FIG. 96 (a).

The openings 15151g1 and 15151g2 shown in FIG. 96A may be grooves provided in the rotation axis direction of the flange 15151. Further, an opening 15151g3 is provided between the openings 15151g1 and 15151g2. When the coupling 15150 is attached to the flange 15151, the pin 15155 fits into the openings 15151g1 and 15151g2. Further, the drum bearing surface 15150i fits within the opening 15151g3.

With the above configuration, the coupling 15150 is before engaging with the rotational force transmission angle position in the cartridge B2 regardless of the rotation phase of the photoconductor drum 107 (regardless of the stop position of the pin 15155). It is possible to tilt (swing) between the angle position (or the detachment angle position).

Further, in FIG. 96A, rotational force transmitting surfaces (rotating force transmitted portions) 15151h1 and 15151h2 are provided on the upstream side in the clockwise direction of the openings 15151g1 and 15151g2. Then, the side surface of the rotational force transmission pin (rotational force transmission unit) 15155 of the coupling 15150 comes into contact with the rotational force transmission surfaces 15151h1 and 15151h2. As a result, the rotational force is transmitted from the coupling 15150 to the photoconductor drum 107. Here, the transmission surfaces 15151h1 to 15151h2 are surfaces that intersect the rotation direction of the flange 15151. As a result, the transmission surfaces 15151h1 to 15151h2 are pushed to the side surface of the pin 15155. Then, the coupling 15150 rotates about the axis L2 in a state where the axis L1 and the axis L2 are substantially aligned with each other.

Here, since the flange 15151 has the transmitted portions 15151h1 and 15151h2, it functions as a rotational force transmitted member.

The retaining portion 15151i shown in FIG. 96B attaches the coupling 15150 to the flange 15151 so as to be tiltable between the rotational force transmission angle position and the pre-engagement angle position (or the disengagement angle position). The coupling 15150 is restricted from moving in the axis L2 direction. Therefore, the opening 15151j has a diameter φD15 smaller than the diameter of the bearing surface 15150i. That is, the movement of the coupling 15150 is restricted by the flange 15151. As a result, the coupling 15150 does not come off from the photoconductor drum (cartridge).

As shown in FIG. 96, the drive unit 15150b of the coupling 15150 is engaged with the recess provided in the flange 15151.

FIG. 96 (c) is a cross-sectional view showing a process of assembling the coupling 15150 to the flange 15151.

The driven portion 15150a and the connecting portion 15150c are inserted into the flange 15151 from the direction of X33. Further, the positioning member 15150p (driving unit 15150b) having the bearing surface 15150i is covered from the direction of the arrow X32. The pin 15155 penetrates the fixing hole 15150g of the positioning member 15150p and the fixing hole 15150r of the connecting portion 15150c. As a result, the positioning member 15150p is fixed to the connecting portion 15150c.

FIG. 96D shows a cross-sectional view showing the process of fixing the coupling 15150 to the flange 15151.

The coupling 15150 is moved in the X32 direction to bring the bearing surface 15150i into contact with or close to the retaining portion 15151i. Next, the retaining member 15156 is inserted from the direction of the arrow X32 and fixed to the flange 15151. In this mounting method, the coupling 15150 is mounted on the flange 15151 leaving a backlash (gap) with the positioning member 15150p. This allows the coupling 15150 to turn around.

As with the protrusions 15150d, it is desirable that the rotational force transmission surfaces 15150h1 and 15150h2 are arranged on the same circumference so as to face each other by 180 °.

Next, the configuration of the photoconductor drum unit U3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 97 and 98. FIG. 97 (a) is a perspective view of the drum unit as viewed from the drive side, and FIG. 97 (b) is a perspective view of the drum unit as viewed from the non-drive side. Further, FIG. 98 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S23-S23 of FIG. 97 (a).

The drum flange 15151 to which the coupling 15150 is attached is fixed to one end side of the photoconductor drum 107 (drum cylinder 107a) so that the transmission portion 15150a is exposed. Further, the drum flange 152 on the non-driving side is fixed to the other end side of the photoconductor drum 107 (drum cylinder 107a). This fixing method uses caulking, adhesion, welding and the like.

The drum unit U3 is rotatably supported by the second frame 118 with the drive side supported by the bearing member 15157 and the non-drive side supported by the drum support pin (not shown). Then, by attaching the first frame unit 119 to the second frame unit 120, it is integrated as a process cartridge (state in FIG. 94).

The 15151c is a gear that transmits the rotational force received from the drive shaft 180 by the coupling 15150 to the developing roller 110. The gear 15151c is integrally molded with the flange 15151.

The drum unit U3 described in this embodiment has a coupling 15150, a photoconductor drum 107 (drum cylinder 107a), and a drum flange 15151. The peripheral surface of the drum cylinder 107a is covered with the photosensitive layer 107b. Further, the drum unit is a unit in which a coupling is attached to one end of a photoconductor drum coated with the photosensitive layer 107b. The configuration of the coupling is not limited to the configuration described in this embodiment, and may be, for example, the configuration described as an embodiment of the coupling in the present specification. Further, other configurations may be used as long as the configuration can obtain the effect of the present invention.

Here, as shown in FIG. 100, the coupling 15150 is attached so that its axis L2 can be inclined in any direction with respect to the axis L1. 100 (a1) to (a5) are views viewed from the direction of the drive shaft 180, and FIGS. 100 (b1) to (b5) are perspective views thereof. Here, FIGS. 100 (b1) to 100 (b5) show substantially the entire coupling 15150 by cutting a part of the flange 15151.

In FIGS. 100 (a1) and 100 (b1), the axis L2 is located on the coaxial line with respect to the axis L1. From this state, the state when the coupling 15150 is tilted upward is shown in FIGS. 100 (a2) and 100 (b2). As shown in this figure, as the coupling 15150 tilts in the direction in which the opening 15151g is provided, the pin 15155 moves along the opening 15151g. As a result, the coupling 15150 is inclined about the axis AX orthogonal to the opening 15151g.

FIGS. 100 (a3) and 100 (b3) show a state in which the coupling 15150 is tilted to the right. As shown in this figure, when the coupling 15150 is tilted orthogonally to the opening 15151g, the pin 15155 rotates in the opening 15151g. The pin 15155 rotates about the central axis AY of the pin 15155.

The state in which the coupling 15150 is tilted downward and the state in which the coupling 15150 is tilted to the left are shown in FIGS. 100 (a4) (b4) and 100 (a5) (b5), respectively. Since the explanations of the rotation axis lines AX and AY are duplicated, they are omitted.

It should be noted that the tilting direction different from the tilting direction described above, for example, the tilting direction in the direction of 45 ° shown in FIG. 100 (a1), can be tilted by combining the rotations in the respective directions of the rotation axes AX and AY. In this way, the axis L2 can be inclined in any direction with respect to the axis L1.

As described above, the opening 15151 g has a shape extending at least in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the pin 15155.

Further, a gap is provided between the flange (rotational force transmitted member) 15151 and the coupling 15150 as shown in the figure. Therefore, as described above, the coupling 15150 can be tilted in all directions.

That is, the transmission surface (rotational force transmission unit) 15151h (15151h1, 15151h2) is in a movable state with the pin 15155 (rotational force transmission unit). The pin 15155 is movable with respect to the transmission surface 15151h. Then, in the rotation direction of the coupling, the transmission surface 15151h and the pin 15155 engage with each other. In order to do so, there is a gap between the pin 15155 and the transmission surface 15151h. As a result, the coupling 15150 can be tilted in substantially all directions with respect to the axis L1. As described above, the coupling 15150 is attached to the end portion of the photoconductor drum 107.

It is stated that the axis L2 can be inclined in any direction with respect to the axis L1. However, the coupling 15150 does not necessarily have to be linearly tiltable to a predetermined angle in any direction of 360 °. This applies to any of the couplings described herein as examples.

In the case of the above embodiment, for example, the opening 15151 g is set wide in the circumferential direction. With this setting, when the axis L2 is tilted with respect to the axis L1, even if a predetermined angle cannot be linearly tilted, the coupling 15150 is slightly rotated around the axis L2 to be predetermined. Can be tilted to the angle of. That is, the backlash in the rotation direction of the opening 15151 g can be appropriately selected as needed.

As described above, the coupling 15150 is mounted so as to be tiltable in substantially any direction. Therefore, the coupling 15150 is rotatable (tilted) substantially over the entire circumference with respect to the flange 15151. As described above (see FIG. 98), the spherical surface 15150i of the coupling 15150 is in contact with the retaining portion (part of the recess) 15151i. Therefore, the coupling 15150 is attached with the center P2 of the spherical surface 15150i as the center of rotation. That is, regardless of the phase of the flange 15151, the coupling 15150 is attached so that its axis L2 can be inclined.

Further, in order for the coupling 15150 to engage with the drive shaft 180, the axis L2 is inclined to the downstream side in the mounting direction of the cartridge B2 with respect to the axis L1 immediately before the engagement. That is, as shown in FIG. 101, the axis L2 is inclined so that the driven portion 15150a is on the downstream side of the mounting direction X4 with respect to the axis L1. In FIGS. 101A to 101C, the position of the driven portion 15150a is located on the downstream side with respect to the mounting direction X4 in each case.

FIG. 94 shows a state in which the axis L2 is inclined with respect to the axis L1. Further, FIG. 98 shows a cross-sectional view of FIG. 94 cut by S24-S24. With the configuration described so far, as shown in FIG. 99, it is possible to change the state in which the axis L2 is inclined to a state in which the axis L2 is substantially parallel to the axis L1. Further, the maximum tiltable angle α4 (FIG. 99) of the axis L1 and the axis L2 is an angle that can be tilted until the driven portion 15150a or the connecting portion 15150c comes into contact with the flange 15151 or the bearing member 15157. It should be noted that this inclination angle may be set to a value necessary for the coupling to engage with and disengage from the drive shaft when the cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.

Next, the cartridge B engages with the coupling 15150 and the drive shaft 180 immediately before or at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body A. The engagement operation of the coupling 15150 will be described with reference to FIGS. 102 and 103. FIG. 102 is a perspective view showing a drive shaft and a main part on the drive side of the cartridge. FIG. 103 is a vertical cross-sectional view seen from below the main body of the apparatus.

In the mounting process of the cartridge B, as shown in FIG. 102, the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A from a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L3 (direction of arrow X4). The axis L2 of the coupling 15150 is preliminarily inclined toward the mounting direction X4 with respect to the axis L1 as the angle position before engagement (FIGS. 102 (a) and 103 (a)). By tilting the coupling 15150, the tip position 15150A1 is located on the direction side where the photoconductor drum 107 is provided with respect to the shaft tip 180b3 in the axis L1 direction. Further, the tip position 15150A2 is located on the pin 182 direction side with respect to the shaft tip 180b3 (FIG. 103 (a)).

First, the tip position 15150A1 passes through the drive shaft tip 180b3. After that, the conical drive bearing surface 150f or the driven protrusion 150d comes into contact with the tip portion 180b of the drive shaft 180 or the rotational force drive transmission pin 182. Here, the receiving surface 150f and / or the protruding portion 150d is the cartridge side contact portion. Further, the tip portion 180b and / or the pin 182 is the main body side engaging portion. Then, according to the movement of the cartridge B, the coupling 15150 is inclined so that the axis L2 is substantially a straight line with the axis L1 (FIG. 103 (c)). When the position of the cartridge B is finally determined with respect to the apparatus main body A, the drive shaft 180 and the photoconductor drum 107 are substantially on the same straight line. That is, in the coupling 15150, the axis L2 is substantially the same as the axis L1 in response to the cartridge B being pushed into the depth of the device main body A in a state where the cartridge side contact portion is in contact with the main body side engaging portion. It tilts from the pre-engagement angle position to the rotational force transmission angle position so as to be. Then, the coupling 15150 and the drive shaft 180 are engaged (FIGS. 102 (b) and 103 (d)).

As described above, the coupling 15150 is attached so as to be inclined with respect to the axis L1. Then, the coupling 15150 is tilted according to the mounting operation of the cartridge B, so that the coupling 15150 can be engaged with the drive shaft 180.

Further, as in the first embodiment, the above-mentioned engaging operation of the coupling 15150 is possible regardless of the phase of the drive shaft 180 and the coupling 15150.

As described above, in this embodiment, the coupling 15150 is mounted around the axis L1 so as to be substantially swivelable and can be moved (tilted).

The coupling motion shown in FIG. 103 may include turning.

Next, the rotational force transmission operation when rotating the photoconductor drum 107 will be described with reference to FIG. 104. Due to the rotational force received from the motor 186, the drive shaft 180 rotates in the direction of X8 in the figure together with the drum drive gear 181. The gear 181 is a tooth gear and has a diameter of about 80 mm. Then, the pin 182 integrated with the drive shaft 180 comes into contact with any two of the receiving surfaces 150e (4 locations) (rotational force receiving portions) of the coupling 15150. Then, when the pin 182 pushes the receiving surface 150e, the coupling 15150 rotates. Further, in the coupling 15150, the rotational force transmission pin 15155 (coupling side engaging portion, rotational force transmission portion) comes into contact with the rotational force transmission surface (rotational force transmission portion) 15151h1 and 15151h2. As a result, the coupling 15150 is connected to the photoconductor drum 107 so that the rotational force can be transmitted. Therefore, as the coupling 15150 rotates, the photoconductor drum 107 rotates via the flange 15151.

Further, if the axis L1 and the axis L2 are slightly deviated from the same straight line, the coupling 15150 is slightly tilted. As a result, the coupling 15150 can rotate without applying a large load to the photoconductor drum 107 and the drive shaft 180. Therefore, when assembling the drive shaft 180 and the photoconductor drum 107, it is not necessary to make highly accurate adjustments. Therefore, the cost can be reduced.

Next, when the process cartridge B2 is taken out from the apparatus main body A, the operation of removing the coupling 15150 will be described with reference to FIG. 105. FIG. 105 is a vertical cross-sectional view seen from below the main body of the apparatus. When the cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body A, as shown in FIG. 105, the cartridge B is removed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L3 (arrow X6 direction). First, as in the first embodiment, when the cartridge B2 is removed, the drive transmission pin 182 of the drive shaft 180 is located at any two of the standby portions 15150k1 to 15150k4 (see the figure).

When the drive of the photoconductor drum 107 is stopped, the coupling 15150 is located on a substantially coaxial line with respect to the axis L1 as the rotational force transmission angle position. Then, the cartridge B moves to the front side (take-out direction X6) of the apparatus main body A, and the photoconductor drum 107 moves to the front side. In response to this movement, the bearing surface 15150f on the upstream side in the take-out direction of the coupling 15150 or the protrusion 15150d comes into contact with at least the tip 180b of the drive shaft 180 (FIG. 105a). Then, the axis L2 starts to incline toward the upstream side of the take-out direction X6 (FIG. 105 (b)). This tilting direction is the same as the tilting direction of the coupling 15150 when the cartridge B is mounted. By the take-out operation of the cartridge B, the tip portion 15150A3 on the upstream side in the take-out direction X6 moves while contacting the tip portion 180b. Then, in the coupling 15150, the upstream tip portion 15150A3 is tilted until the drive shaft tip 180b3 is reached (FIG. 105 (c)). The angle of the coupling 15150 at this time is the detachment angle position. Then, in this state, the coupling 15150 passes through the drive shaft tip 180b3 while in contact with the drive shaft tip 180b3 (FIG. 105 (d)). After that, the cartridge B2 is taken out from the apparatus main body A.

As described above, the coupling 15150 is attached so as to be tiltable with respect to the axis L1. Then, the coupling 15150 can be separated from the drive shaft 180 by tilting the coupling 15150 according to the removal operation of the cartridge B2.

The coupling motion shown in FIG. 105 may include turning.

With the above configuration, the coupling 15150 can be treated as a photoconductor drum unit integrally with the photoconductor drum. Therefore, it becomes easy to handle at the time of assembly, and the assemblability can be improved.

As a configuration for inclining the axis L2 to the angle position before engagement immediately before the coupling 15150 engages with the drive shaft 180, the configurations of Examples 3 to 9 may be used.

Further, in this embodiment, the drum flange on the drive side is described as being separate from the photoconductor drum, but this is not the case. That is, a configuration in which the rotational force transmitted portion is not provided on the drum flange but is provided directly on the drum cylinder may be used.

Next, an eighteenth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 106, 107, and 108.

In this embodiment, a modification of the coupling described in the 17th embodiment will be described. Therefore, the shapes of the drum flange and the retaining member on the drive side are also different from those of the 17th embodiment. In either case, the coupling is configured to be tiltable in any direction, regardless of the phase of the photoconductor drum. Further, since the mounting configuration of the photoconductor drum unit to the second frame body described below is the same as before, the description thereof will be omitted.

The first modification of the photoconductor drum unit is shown in FIGS. 106 (a) and 106 (b). In FIGS. 106 (a) and 106 (b), the photoconductor drum and the non-driving side drum flange are omitted because they are the same as those in the 16th embodiment.

That is, the coupling 16150 is provided with a ring-shaped support portion 16150p so that the pin 155 penetrates. The support portion 16150p is arranged so that the ridge lines 16150p1 and 16150p2 on the outer peripheral portion thereof are equidistant from the axis of the pin 155.

The drum flange (rotational force transmitted member) 16151 is provided with a spherical surface portion 16151i (recessed portion) on the inner peripheral portion thereof. The virtual center of the spherical surface portion 16151i is provided so as to be located on the axis of the pin 155. Further, the groove portion 16151u is a hole extending in the axis L1 direction. The holes do not interfere with the pins 155 when the axis L2 is tilted.

Further, a retaining member 16156 is provided between the driven portion 16150a and the support portion 16150p. A spherical surface portion 16156a is provided at a portion facing the support portion 16150p. Here, the spherical surface portion 16156a is arranged so as to be concentric with the virtual center of the spherical surface portion 16151i. Further, the groove portion 16156u is arranged so as to be continuous with the groove portion 16151u in the axis L1 direction. Therefore, when the axis L1 is tilted, the pin 155 can move in the grooves 16151u and 16156u.

Then, the drum flange, the coupling, and the retaining member on the drive side are attached to the photoconductor drum. This constitutes a photoconductor drum unit.

With the above configuration, when the axis L2 is inclined, the ridge lines 16150p1 and 16150p2 of the support portion 16150p are along the spherical surface portion 16151i and the spherical surface portion 16156a. As a result, the coupling 16150 can be reliably tilted as in the previous embodiments.

In this way, the support portion 16150p can be tilted with respect to the spherical portion 16151i. That is, an appropriate gap is provided between the flange 16151 and the coupling 16150 so that the coupling 16150 can swing.

Therefore, the same effect as that described in Example 17 can be exhibited.

A second modification of the photoconductor drum unit is shown in FIGS. 107 (a) and 107 (b). In FIGS. 107 (a) and 107 (b), the photoconductor drum and the non-driving side drum flange are the same as those in the 17th embodiment and are not shown.

That is, similarly to the 17th embodiment, the coupling 17150 has a spherical support portion 17150p centered on the intersection of the axis of the pin 155 and the axis L2.

The drum flange 17151 is provided with a conical portion (recess) 17151i that comes into contact with the surface of the coupling support portion 17150p.

Further, a retaining member 17156 is provided between the driven portion 17150a and the support portion 17150p. Further, the ridge line portion 17156a comes into contact with the surface of the support portion 17150p.

Then, the drum flange, the coupling, and the retaining member on the drive side are attached to the photoconductor drum. This constitutes a photoconductor drum unit.

With the above configuration, when the axis L2 is inclined, the support portion 17150p is aligned with the conical portion 17151i and the ridge line 17156a of the retaining member. This allows the coupling 17150 to be reliably tilted.

As described above, the support portion 17150p is tiltable (swingable) with respect to the conical portion 17151i. A gap is provided between the flange 17151 and the coupling 17150 so that the coupling 17150 can be tilted. Therefore, the same effect as that described in Example 17 can be exhibited.

A third modification of the photoconductor drum unit U7 is shown in FIGS. 108 (a) and 108 (b). In FIGS. 108 (a) and 108 (b), the photoconductor drum and the non-driving side drum flange are the same as those in the 17th embodiment and are not shown.

That is, it is arranged on the coaxial line with the rotation axis of the pin 20155. Further, the coupling 20150 has a flat surface portion 20150r orthogonal to the axis L2. Further, it has a hemispherical support portion 20150p centered on the intersection of the axis of the pin 20155 and the axis L2.

The flange 20151 is provided with a conical portion 20151i having an apex 20151g on its axis. The apex 20151g is set to be in contact with the flat surface portion 20150r of the coupling.

Further, a retaining member 20156 is provided between the driven portion 20150a and the support portion 20150p. Further, the ridge line portion 20156a is provided so as to be in contact with the surface of the support portion 20150p.

Then, the drum flange, the coupling, and the retaining member on the drive side are attached to the photoconductor drum. This constitutes a photoconductor drum unit.

With the above configuration, even if the axis L2 is inclined, the coupling 20150 and the flange 20151 are always in contact with each other at one point. Therefore, the coupling 20150 can be reliably tilted.

As described above, the flat surface portion 20150r of the coupling can swing with respect to the conical portion 20151i. That is, a gap is provided between the flange 20151 and the coupling 20151 so that the coupling 17150 can swing.

By configuring the photoconductor drum unit, the above-mentioned effect can be obtained.

As a means for inclining the coupling to the angle position before engagement, the configurations of Examples 3 to 9 may be used.

Next, a nineteenth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 109, 110, and 111.

The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is the mounting configuration of the photoconductor drum and the rotational force transmission configuration from the coupling to the photoconductor drum.

FIG. 109 is a perspective view showing the drum shaft and the coupling. FIG. 111 is a perspective view of the second frame unit as viewed from the drive side. FIG. 110 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S20-S20 in FIG. 111.

In this embodiment, the photoconductor drum 107 is supported by a drum shaft 18153 that is passed from the drive side to the non-drive side of the second frame body 18118. Thereby, the position of the photoconductor drum 107 can be determined more accurately. The specific configuration will be described in detail.

The drum shaft (rotational force transmitted member) 18153 supports the positioning holes 18151g and 18152g of the flanges 18151 and 18152 at both ends of the photoconductor drum 107. Further, the drum shaft 18153 is integrally rotated with the photoconductor drum 107 by the drive transmission unit 18153c. Further, the drum shaft 18153 is rotatably supported by the second frame body 18118 via bearing members 18158 and 18159 near both ends thereof.

The tip portion 18153b of the drum shaft 18153 has the same shape as described in the first embodiment. That is, the tip portion 18153b is a spherical surface, and the drum bearing surface 150f of the coupling 150 is aligned on the spherical surface. As a result, the axis L2 is attached so as to be inclined with respect to the axis L1 in any direction. Further, the drum bearing member 18157 is attached so that the coupling 150 does not fall off. Then, by attaching the first frame body unit (not shown) to the second frame body 18118, it is integrated as a process cartridge.

Then, in the photoconductor drum 107, the rotational force is transmitted from the coupling 150 via the pin (rotational force transmitted portion) 18155. The pin 18155 penetrates the center of the tip end (spherical surface) 18153 of the drum shaft.

Further, the coupling 150 is attached by the drum bearing member 18157 so as not to fall off.

Since the description regarding the engagement and disengagement of the coupling and the drive shaft of the apparatus main body in conjunction with the mounting and removal of the cartridge is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

As the configuration for inclining the axis L2 to the angle position before engagement, the configurations of Examples 3 to 10 may be used.

Further, as the tip shape of the drum shaft, a modification as described in the first embodiment can be applied.

Further, as described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 31), the inclination direction of the coupling with respect to the cartridge is regulated by the drum bearing member. This allows the coupling to be more reliably engaged with the drive shaft.

The rotational force transmission portion is provided at one end of the photoconductor drum, and the configuration is not limited as long as it is configured to rotate integrally with the photoconductor drum. For example, as described in the first embodiment, it may be provided on the drum shaft provided at one end of the photoconductor drum (drum cylinder). Alternatively, as described in this embodiment, it may be provided at one end of a drum penetrating shaft penetrating the photoconductor drum (drum cylinder). Alternatively, as described in Example 17, it may be provided on the drum flange provided at one end of the photoconductor drum (drum cylinder).

In the present specification, the engagement (connection) between the drive shaft and the coupling means a state in which the coupling is in contact with the drive shaft and / or the rotational force applying portion. Further, in addition to the above meaning, it means a state in which when the drive shaft starts to rotate, the coupling comes into contact with the rotational force applying portion and can receive the rotational force from the drive shaft.

When the reference numeral is described in the drawing and the member name is not described in the specification, it is as follows. That is, when the same alphabet is used in the coupling and the code of the main body in each embodiment, the same member name is used.

FIG. 112 is a perspective view of the photoconductor drum unit U according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the photoconductor drum 107 has a tooth gear 107c attached to the same end side where the coupling 150 is provided. The spiral tooth gear 107c transmits the rotational force received by the coupling 150 from the apparatus main body A to the developing roller (process means) 110. This configuration is the same for the drum unit U3 shown in FIG. 97.

Further, in the photoconductor drum 107, the gear 107d is attached to the other end of the photoconductor drum 107 on the opposite side to the side where the tooth tooth gear 107c is provided. In this embodiment, the gear 107d is a spur tooth gear. The gear 107d transmits the rotational force received by the coupling 150 from the device main body A to the transfer roller 104 (FIG. 4) provided in the device main body A.

Further, the photoconductor drum 107 is in contact with the photoconductor drum 107 by a charging roller (process means) 108 in the longitudinal direction thereof. As a result, the charging roller 108 is driven to rotate with the photoconductor drum 107. The transfer roller 104 may come into contact with the photoconductor drum 107 in the longitudinal direction thereof. As a result, the transfer roller 104 may be driven to rotate the photoconductor drum 107. In this case, no gear is needed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 98, the photoconductor drum 107 has a tooth gear 15151c attached to the same end side where the coupling 15150 is provided. The gear 15151c transmits the rotational force received by the coupling 15150 from the apparatus main body A to the developing roller 110, and the position where the gear 15151c is provided and the rotational force transmission pin (in the axial direction L1 of the photoconductor drum 107). (Rotating force transmission unit) 15150 It overlaps with the position where h1 and h2 are provided (in FIG. 98, the overlapping position is the position indicated by l (el) 3).

In this way, the gear 15151c and the rotational force transmission unit overlap each other in the axis L1 direction. As a result, the force that deforms the cartridge frame B1 can be reduced. Further, the longitudinal direction of the photoconductor drum 107 can be miniaturized.

The coupling of each of the above-described embodiments can be applied to the above-mentioned drum unit.

Each of the couplings described above has the following configuration.

Each of the above-mentioned couplings (eg, couplings 150, 1550, 1750, 1850, 3150.4150, 5150, 6150, 7150, 8150, 1350, 1450, 11150, 12150, 12250, 12350, 13150, 14150, 15150, 16150. , 17150, 20150, 21150, etc.) engage with a rotational force applying portion (eg, pins 182, 1280, 1355, 1382, 9182, etc.) provided in the device body A. Then, each of the couplings receives a rotational force for rotating the photoconductor drum 107. Further, each of the couplings engages with the rotational force applying portion, and the rotational force transmission angle position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the photoconductor drum 107 to the photoconductor drum 107 and the rotation. It is possible to tilt between the axis L1 of the photoconductor drum 107 and the detachment angle position inclined in the direction away from the force transmission angle position. Further, each coupling tilts from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position when the cartridge B is removed from the device main body A in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L1.

As described above, the rotational force transmission angle position and the detachment angle position may be at the same angle or at the same degree.

Further, when the cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body A, the cartridge B is moved in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L1, and is located downstream when viewed from the direction in which the cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body A. The rotational force transmission angle position from the pre-engagement angle position so that a part of each of the positioned couplings (for example, the portion located at the downstream tip position A1) can bypass the drive shaft. Lean to. Each of the couplings is located at the rotational force transmission angle position. The meaning of the "substantially orthogonal directions" is as described above.

Each of the couplings has a recess (for example, recesses 150z, 12150z, 12250z, 14150z, 15150z, 21150z, etc.) on the axis L2. Then, in a state where each of the couplings is located at the rotational force transmission angle position, the concave portion covers the tip of the drive shaft (for example, the drive shaft 180, 1180, 1280, 1380, 9180, etc.). Then, the rotational force receiving portion (for example, the rotational force receiving surface 150e, 9150e, 12350e, 14150e, 15150e, etc.) is provided on the tip end side of the drive shaft so as to project in a direction orthogonal to the axis L3. It engages with the imparting portion in the rotational direction of each of the couplings. As a result, each of the couplings rotates by receiving a rotational force from the drive shaft. Then, when the cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body A, a part of the coupling member (for example, taken out) is taken out in response to the movement of the cartridge B in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis L1 by each of the couplings. The tip portion 150A3, 1750A3, 14150A3, 15150A3, etc. on the upstream side in the direction tilts from the rotational force transmission angle position to the departure angle position so as to allow the drive shaft to bypass. As a result, each of the couplings is separated from the drive shaft.

Further, the rotational force receiving portion is on the virtual circle C1 (FIGS. 8 (d) and 95 (d)) having a center O on the axis L2 of each coupling, and the center O (FIG. 8 (d)). , A plurality of them are arranged so as to face each other across FIG. 95 (d)).

Here, the concave portion of each of the couplings has an expanded portion (for example, FIG. 8, FIG. 29, FIG. 33, FIG. 34, FIG. 36, FIG. 47, FIG. 51, FIG. 54) that widens toward the tip thereof. 60, 63, 69, 72, 82, 83, 90 to 93, 106 to 108, etc.). A plurality of rotational force receiving portions are arranged on the tip end side of the expanded portion at equal intervals along the rotational direction of the coupling member. Further, the rotational force applying portion is arranged so as to project at two positions facing the direction orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft (for example, pins 182a and 182b). Then, any one of the rotational force receiving portions engages with one of the two locations of the rotational force applying portion. Further, the other one of the rotational force receiving portions facing the rotational force receiving portion engages with the other one of the two locations of the rotational force applying portion. As a result, each of the couplings receives a rotational force from the drive shaft and rotates. With this configuration, each of the couplings can transmit the rotational force to the photoconductor drum in a more stable state.

Here, the expanded portion has a conical shape. The conical shape has an apex O on the axis L2, and the apex O faces the tip of the drive shaft in a state where the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position. Then, each of the couplings covers the tip of the drive shaft, and in this state, the rotational force is transmitted to each of the couplings. With this configuration, each of the couplings can be engaged (connected) with a drive shaft projecting from the main body of the apparatus in a state of overlapping in the axis L2 direction. Therefore, each of the couplings can be stably engaged with the drive shaft.

Further, in each of the couplings, the tip end side of the coupling covers the tip end of the drive shaft. Therefore, each of the couplings is easily separated from the drive shaft. Further, each of the couplings transmits an accurate rotational force from the drive shaft.

Further, since the coupling has an expansion portion, the drive shaft can be formed into a cylindrical shape. That is, it is easy to process the drive shaft.

Further, the coupling can further exert the above-mentioned effect by forming the expanded portion into a conical shape.

Further, in the state where each of the couplings is located at the rotational force transmission angle position, the axis L2 substantially coincides with the axis L1. Then, in the state where each of the couplings is located at the detachment angle position, the coupling is connected to the axis L1 so that the upstream side thereof can pass the tip of the drive shaft in the removal direction in which the cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body A. On the other hand, it is inclined. Further, the coupling has a rotational force receiving portion and a rotational force transmitting portion for transmitting the rotational force to the photoconductor drum (for example, rotational force transmitting surfaces 150h, 1550h, 9150h, 14150h) in the axis L2 direction. 15150h) and. Then, a connecting portion (force receiving portion, 7150c) is provided between the rotational force receiving portion and the rotational force transmitting portion. Then, when the cartridge B is moved in a direction substantially orthogonal to the drive shaft, the coupling portion is in contact with a fixed portion (guide rib (contact portion) 7130R1a) provided on the main body of the apparatus. Then, the angle position before engagement is taken.

Further, the cartridge B has a maintenance member (locking member 3159, urging member 4159a, 4159b, locking member 5157k, magnet member 8159) for maintaining the coupling at the angle position before engagement. .. Then, the coupling is located at the angle position before engagement by the force of the maintenance member. Here, the maintenance member is an elastic member (urgency members 4159a, 4159b). The elastic force of the elastic member keeps the coupling at the engagement angle position. Further, the maintenance member is a friction member (locking member 3159). The frictional force of the friction member keeps the coupling at the engagement angle position. Further, the maintenance member is a locking member (locking member 5157k). The coupling member is maintained at the engagement angle position by the locking force of the locking member, and the maintaining member is a magnetic member (magnet member 8159) provided in the coupling. The magnetic force of the magnetic member keeps the coupling at the engagement angle position.

Further, the rotational force receiving portion engages with the rotational force applying portion that is rotating integrally with the drive shaft. Then, the rotational force receiving portion is inclined in a direction of receiving the pulling force drawn toward the driving shaft side when receiving the driving force for rotating the coupling. Due to this pulling force, the coupling comes into contact with the tip of the drive shaft. Then, the position of the coupling in the axis L2 direction with respect to the drive shaft is determined. Further, when the photoconductor drum 107 is also pulled in by the pulling force, the position of the apparatus main body A in the axis L1 direction of the photoconductor drum 107 is determined. The pulling force is appropriately set.

Further, the coupling is provided at the end of the photoconductor drum 107 so as to be tiltable in substantially all directions with respect to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum. As a result, the coupling can smoothly tilt between the pre-engagement angle position, the rotational force transmission angle position, and the disengagement angle position.

Here, the fact that the cartridge B can be tilted in substantially all directions means that when the user attaches the cartridge B to the apparatus main body A, the drive shaft having the rotational force applying portion is stopped in any phase. It means the range in which the coupling can be tilted to the rotational force transmission angle position.

Further, it means a range in which the coupling can be tilted to the detachment angle position regardless of the phase in which the drive shaft is stopped when the user removes the cartridge from the apparatus main body A.

Further, the coupling has the rotational force transmitting portion (for example, the rotational force transmitting surfaces 150h, 1550h, 9150h, 14150h, 15150h) and the rotational force so as to be inclined in substantially all directions with respect to the axis L1. There is a gap between the transmission portion and the rotational force transmitted portion (for example, pins 155, 1355.9155, 13155, 15155, 15151h) that engage with the transmission portion. As described above, the coupling is attached to the end portion of the photoconductor drum. Therefore, the coupling can be tilted in substantially all directions with respect to the axis L1.

Further, the apparatus main body A is provided with an urging member (for example, slider 1131) that can move between the urging position and the retracted position retracted from the urging position. When the cartridge B is attached to the main body of the apparatus, the urging member comes into contact with the entering cartridge B, temporarily retracts from the urging position to the retracted position, and then returns to the urging position. The coupling is urged by the elastic force of the urging member returning to the urging position and moves to the pre-engagement angle position. With this configuration, for example, even if the frictional force is increased by rubbing the connecting portion or the main body guide, the coupling can be reliably tilted to the angle position before engagement.

Each of the above-mentioned photoconductor drum units has the following configuration. The photoconductor drum unit (U, U1, U3, U7, U13) is the drive shaft, and is substantially in the axial direction of the drive shaft with respect to the apparatus main body including the drive shaft rotated by the motor 186. It is moved in the orthogonal direction to be removed and attached. The drum unit has i) a photoconductor drum 107 that is rotatable about an axis and has a photosensitive layer 107b on its peripheral surface. Further, ii) has a coupling that engages with the rotational force applying portion and receives a rotational force for rotating the photoconductor drum 107. Here, as the coupling, each of the above-mentioned couplings can be appropriately used.

As for the drum unit, the drum unit is attached to the cartridge. As a result, the cartridge may be attached to the main body of the device, so that the drum unit may be attached to the main body of the device. This is as described above.

Each of the above-mentioned cartridges (B, B2) has the following configuration.

Each of the above-mentioned cartridges is removed and attached to the main body of the apparatus by moving the cartridge in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive shaft. Each of the cartridges has i) a photoconductor drum 107 that is rotatable about an axis and has a photosensitive layer 107b on its peripheral surface. Further, ii) has process means (for example, a cleaning blade 117a, a charging roller 108, and a developing roller 110) that act on the photoconductor drum 107. Further, it has a coupling that engages with the rotational force applying portion and receives a rotational force for rotating the photoconductor drum 107. Here, as the coupling, each of the above-mentioned couplings can be appropriately used.

Further, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is for detachably attaching each of the photoconductor drum units.

Further, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is for detachably attaching each of the cartridges.

The axis L1 is an axis when the photoconductor drum rotates.
The axis L2 is an axis when the coupling rotates.
The axis L3 is an axis when the drive shaft rotates.

Further, in the above embodiment, the rotation of the coupling means that the inclined axis L2 rotates around the axis L1 of the photoconductor drum, instead of the coupling itself rotating around the axis L2 of the coupling. That is. However, it does not exclude the coupling itself from rotating around the axis L2 within the range of play or a positively provided gap.

(Other examples)
In the above embodiment, the process cartridge which is the attachment / detachment path orthogonal to the drive shaft of the main body of the apparatus diagonally downward or downward has been described. However, this is not the case. The embodiment can be suitably applied to, for example, a process cartridge that can be attached / detached from a direction orthogonal to the drive axis due to the configuration of the main body of the apparatus.

Further, in the above embodiment, the mounting path is straight with respect to the main body of the device, but this is not the case. The above embodiment can be suitably applied even if, for example, the mounting path is a combination of straight lines or a curved path.

Further, the cartridge of the above embodiment was for forming a monochromatic image. However, the above embodiment can be suitably applied to a cartridge in which a plurality of developing means are provided and an image of a plurality of colors (for example, a two-color image, a three-color image, a full-color image, etc.) is formed.

Further, the process cartridge described above includes, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one of the process means. Therefore, as an aspect of the process cartridge, in addition to the one of the above-described embodiment, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a charging means as a process means are integrally made into a cartridge so that the process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus. An electrophotographic photosensitive member drum and a developing means as a process means are integrated into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the main body of the device. An electrophotographic photosensitive member A drum and a cleaning means as a process means are integrated into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the main body of the device. Further, there is a device in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member drum and two or more of the process means are combined into an integral cartridge, which can be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus.

Further, the process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus by the user himself / herself. Therefore, the maintenance of the main body of the device can be performed by the user himself / herself. According to each of the above-described embodiments, the axis of the drive shaft is relative to the device body that does not have a mechanism for moving the main body-side coupling member for transmitting the rotational force to the photoconductor drum in the axial direction thereof. It can be attached and detached from a direction substantially orthogonal to the above. Then, the photoconductor drum can be rotated smoothly. Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the process cartridge can be removed from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with the drive shaft in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the process cartridge can be attached to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with the drive shaft in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with the drive shaft in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft.

Further, according to the coupling described above, the process cartridge can be moved in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft and attached to and detached from the device body without moving the drive gear provided in the main body in the axial direction. can.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, in the drive connecting portion between the main body and the cartridge, the photoconductor drum can be rotated smoothly as compared with the case where the gear and the gear mesh with each other.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the process cartridge can be removed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft provided in the main body, and the photoconductor drum can be smoothly rotated. Was done.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to mount the process cartridge in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft provided in the main body and to smoothly rotate the photoconductor drum. Was done.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the process cartridge is attached and detached from a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft provided in the main body, and the photoconductor drum is smoothly rotated. We were able to realize it together.

As described above, the present invention has a configuration in which the axis of the coupling member can take a different angle position with respect to the axis of the photoconductor drum. With this configuration, the present invention can engage the coupling member with the drive shaft from a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft provided on the main body. Further, the coupling member can be separated from the drive shaft from a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft. The present invention can be applied to a process cartridge, an electrophotographic photosensitive member drum unit, a rotational force transmission component (coupling member), and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

A Electrophotographic image forming device main body B Process cartridge t Developer L1 Drum axis L2 Coupling axis X4 Process cartridge mounting direction X6 Process cartridge removal direction X8 Photoreceptor drum rotation direction 130L1, L2, R1, R2 Main body guide 140L1, L2, R1 , R2 Cartridge Guide 150 Coupling (coupling member) (rotational force transmission part)
150e1 to 150e4 Rotating force receiving surface (rotating force receiving part)
150h1, 150h2 rotational force transmission surface (cartridge side rotational force transmission unit)
151 Drum flange 153 Drum shaft (drum end member)
155 Drive transmission pin (rotational force transmission part)
157 Drum bearing member 180 Drive shaft 181 Drum drive gear 182 Drive transmission pin (rotational force transmission part) (main body side rotational force transmission part)
1550, 1750, 1850, 3150.4150, 5150, 6150, 7150, 8150. , 1350, 1450, 11150, 12150, 12250, 12350, 13150, 14150, 15150, 16150, 17150, 20150, 21150 Coupling (coupling member) (rotational force transmission component)

Another object of the present invention is to attach the photoconductor to a main body that does not have a mechanism for moving the main body side coupling member for transmitting a rotational force to the photoconductor drum by opening and closing the main body cover in the axial direction. It is intended to provide a rotational force transmission component capable of smoothly rotating a drum .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotational force transmission component attached to the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a drive shaft in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft .

In the present invention, a guide having a drive shaft and a rotational force applying portion provided on the drive shaft and rotating, and a surface substantially orthogonal to the direction of the drive axis of the drive shaft. A cartridge that can be attached to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a guide on the main body side extending in the direction, and i) guided by the guide on the main body side when the cartridge is attached to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Cartridge-side guide, ii) an electrophotographic photosensitive member drum that can rotate around the drum axis and has a photoconductor, and ii) the electrophotograph from the main body-side engaging portion by engaging with the rotational force applying portion. It has a rotational force receiving unit that receives a rotational force for rotating the photoconductor drum, and a rotational force transmitting unit that transmits the rotational force received through the rotational force receiving unit to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum. When the cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the cartridge has a coupling member that can rotate about a coupling axis by receiving the rotational force from the main body side engaging portion. When the side guide is guided by the main body side guide, the cartridge moves along a direction substantially orthogonal to the drive axis direction of the drive shaft, and the coupling member and the coupling axis are the drive axis. The coupling member is characterized in that it can engage with the main body side engaging portion by transitioning from the first position inclined with respect to the first position to the second position parallel to the driving axis. It is a cartridge to be used.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rotational force transmission component that can be attached to the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a drive shaft in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft.

Claims (57)

An electron removed from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body having a drive shaft having a rotational force applying portion and having a drive shaft rotated by a motor by moving the drive shaft in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive shaft. Photophotoreceptor A rotational force transmission component attached to a drum.
A coupling member that receives a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum by engaging with the rotational force applying portion in a state where the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. The electrophotographic photosensitive member drum is from the rotational force transmission angle position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum and the rotational force transmission angle position. It is possible to take the axis of the
When the process cartridge is removed from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, the coupling member is separated from the rotational force transmission angle position. A rotational force transmission component characterized by moving to an angular position. The coupling member has a recess on the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the recess covers the tip of the drive shaft while the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position. The rotational force receiving portion engages with the rotational force applying portion provided on the tip end side of the drive shaft in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft in the rotational direction of the coupling member. The coupling member rotates by receiving a rotational force from the drive shaft, and when the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the coupling member substantially matches the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum. The detachment angle from the rotational force transmission angle position so as to allow a part of the coupling member to bypass the drive shaft in response to moving the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum in a direction orthogonal to each other. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member is separated from the drive shaft by tilting to a position. Claim 1 is characterized in that a plurality of the rotational force receiving portions are arranged on a virtual circle having a center on the rotation axis of the coupling member so as to be positioned so as to face each other with the center interposed therebetween. Or the rotational force transmission component according to claim 2. The concave portion of the coupling member has an expanded portion that expands toward the tip thereof, and the rotational force receiving portion is located on the distal end side of the expanded portion along the rotational direction of the coupling member, and the like. A plurality of the rotational force applying portions are arranged at intervals, and the rotational force applying portions are arranged so as to project at two locations facing in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft, and any one of the rotational force receiving portions is said. By engaging with one of the two locations of the rotational force applying portion, and the other one of the rotational force receiving portions facing the rotational force receiving portion is the two locations of the rotational force applying portion. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 2, wherein the coupling member rotates by receiving a rotational force from the drive shaft by engaging with the other one of the above. The expanded portion has a conical shape, and the conical shape has an apex on the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the apex is in a state where the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position. Faces the tip of the drive shaft, the coupling member covers the tip of the drive shaft, a rotational force is transmitted to the coupling member, and the rotational force receiving portion rotates the coupling member. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 4, wherein the members are arranged at equal intervals in the rotational direction. When the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position, the rotation axis of the coupling member substantially coincides with the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, and the coupling member is the coupling member. In the state of being located at the detachment angle position, the electrophotographic photosensitive member can pass the tip of the drive shaft in the removal direction in which the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum is removed from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 1 or 2, or 4 or 5, characterized in that the body drum is inclined with respect to the axis. A process in which a drive shaft having a rotational force applying portion is moved and removed from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body having a drive shaft rotated by a motor in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive shaft. An electrophotographic photosensitive member used for a cartridge, which is a rotational force transmission component attached to a drum.
A coupling member that receives a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum by engaging with the rotational force applying portion in a state where the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. , The rotational force transmission angle position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, and the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum from the rotational force transmission angle position. It is possible to take a detachment angle position that is inclined in the direction of separation,
When the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, a part of the coupling member is seen from a direction opposite to the removal direction in which the process cartridge is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. Located behind the drive shaft, when the process cartridge is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the coupling member is oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum. The cup by moving from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position so that the portion of the coupling member bypasses the drive shaft in response to the movement of the process cartridge. A rotational force transmitting component characterized in that the ring member is separated from the drive shaft. The coupling member has a recess on the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the recess covers the tip of the drive shaft while the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position. The rotational force receiving portion engages with the rotational force applying portion provided on the tip end side of the drive shaft in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft in the rotational direction of the coupling member. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 7, wherein the coupling member receives a rotational force from the drive shaft. 8. The eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of the rotational force receiving portions are arranged on a virtual circle having a center on the rotation axis of the coupling member so as to be positioned so as to face each other with the center interposed therebetween. The rotational force transmission component described in. The concave portion of the coupling member has an expanded portion that expands toward the tip thereof, and the rotational force receiving portion is located on the distal end side of the expanded portion along the rotational direction of the coupling member, and the like. A plurality of the rotational force applying portions are arranged at intervals, and the rotational force applying portions are arranged so as to project at two locations facing in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft, and any one of the rotational force receiving portions is said. By engaging with one of the two locations of the rotational force applying portion, and the other one of the rotational force receiving portions facing the rotational force receiving portion is the two locations of the rotational force applying portion. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 8, wherein the coupling member rotates by receiving a rotational force from the drive shaft by engaging with one of the above. The expanded portion has a conical shape, and the conical shape has an apex on the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the apex is in a state where the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position. Faces the tip of the drive shaft, the coupling member covers the tip of the drive shaft, a rotational force is transmitted to the coupling member, and the rotational force receiving portion rotates the coupling member. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 10, wherein the rotational force transmission components are arranged at equal intervals in the rotational direction. When the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position, the rotation axis of the coupling member substantially coincides with the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, and the coupling member is the coupling member. In the state of being located at the detachment angle position, the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum is provided so that the upstream side thereof can pass the tip of the drive shaft in the removal direction in which the process cartridge is removed from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 10 or 11, wherein claim 7 or claim 8 is inclined with respect to an axis. A process in which a drive shaft having a rotational force applying portion is moved and removed from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body having a drive shaft rotated by a motor in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive shaft. An electrophotographic photosensitive member used for a cartridge, which is a rotational force transmission component attached to a drum.
With the process cartridge attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, a rotational force receiving portion that engages with the rotational force applying portion and receives the rotational force from the drive shaft.
A rotational force transmitting unit that transmits the rotational force received through the rotational force receiving unit to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, and a rotational force transmitting unit.
Have,
From the rotational force transmission angle position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum via the rotational force transmission unit and the rotational force transmission angle position. The axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum and the detachment angle position inclined in the direction away from each other can be obtained.
When the process cartridge is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the coupling member moves the process cartridge in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum. A rotational force transmission component characterized in that the coupling member is detached from the drive shaft by moving from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position. The coupling member has a recess on the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the recess covers the tip of the drive shaft while the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position. The rotational force receiving portion engages with the rotational force applying portion provided on the tip end side of the drive shaft in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft in the rotational direction of the coupling member. The coupling member receives a rotational force from the drive shaft and is substantially orthogonal to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum when the process cartridge is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. The coupling member located behind the drive shaft when viewed from a direction opposite to the removal direction in which the process cartridge is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in response to moving the process cartridge in a direction. The present invention is characterized in that the coupling member is detached from the drive shaft by tilting from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position so that a part of the drive shaft is allowed to bypass the drive shaft. 13. The rotational force transmission component according to 13. 13. Or the rotational force transmission component according to claim 14. The concave portion of the coupling member has an expanded portion that expands toward the tip thereof, and the rotational force receiving portion is located on the distal end side of the expanded portion along the rotational direction of the coupling member, and the like. A plurality of the rotational force applying portions are arranged at intervals, and the rotational force applying portions are arranged so as to project at two locations facing in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft, and any one of the rotational force receiving portions is said. By engaging with one of the two locations of the rotational force applying portion, and the other one of the rotational force receiving portions facing the rotational force receiving portion is the two locations of the rotational force applying portion. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 14, wherein the coupling member rotates by receiving a rotational force from the drive shaft by engaging with the other one of the above. The expanded portion has a conical shape, and the conical shape has an apex on the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the apex is in a state where the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position. Is opposed to the tip of the drive shaft, the tip of the drive shaft is overlaid, a rotational force is transmitted to the coupling member, and the rotational force receiving portion is in the direction of rotation of the coupling member. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 16, wherein the rotational force transmission components are arranged at equal intervals. When the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position, the rotation axis of the coupling member substantially coincides with the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, and the coupling member is the coupling member. In the state of being located at the detachment angle position, the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum is provided so that the upstream side thereof can pass the tip of the drive shaft in the removal direction in which the process cartridge is removed from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 13, 14 or 16 or 17, characterized in that it is inclined with respect to an axis. A process in which a drive shaft having a rotational force applying portion is moved and removed from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body having a drive shaft rotated by a motor in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive shaft. An electrophotographic photosensitive member used for a cartridge, which is a driving force transmission component attached to a drum.
A coupling member for transmitting a rotational force to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum.
With the process cartridge attached to the main body of the apparatus, a rotational force receiving portion that engages with the rotational force applying portion and receives the rotational force from the drive shaft.
A rotational force transmitting unit that transmits the rotational force received through the rotational force receiving unit to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, and a rotational force transmitting unit.
Have,
From the rotational force transmission angle position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum via the rotational force transmission unit and the rotational force transmission angle position. It is possible to tilt between the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum and the detachment angle position inclined in the direction away from it.
The coupling member has a recess on its rotation axis that expands toward its tip, and on the tip side of the recess, the rotational force receiving portion has a center on the rotation axis of the coupling member. A plurality of the process cartridges are arranged on a virtual circle so as to face each other across the center, and when the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the recess is the tip of the drive shaft. The rotational force receiving portion is provided so as to project in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft on the tip end side of the drive shaft, and is engaged with the rotational force applying portion in the rotational direction of the coupling member. By mating, the coupling member receives a rotational force from the drive shaft, and when the process cartridge is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the coupling member substantially matches the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum. The cup located behind the drive shaft when viewed from a direction opposite to the removal direction in which the process cartridge is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in response to moving the process cartridge in an orthogonal direction. The coupling member is detached from the drive shaft by tilting from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position so that a part of the ring member is allowed to bypass the drive shaft. Rotational force transmission component. The concave portion has a conical shape, and the conical shape has an apex on the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the apex is the apex in a state where the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position. Facing the tip of the drive shaft, the coupling member covers the tip of the drive shaft to transmit a rotational force to the coupling member, and the rotational force receiving portion is the rotational direction in which the coupling member rotates. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 19, wherein the rotational force transmission components are arranged at equal intervals. When the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position, the rotation axis of the coupling member substantially coincides with the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, and the coupling member is the coupling member. In the state of being located at the detachment angle position, the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum is provided so that the upstream side thereof can pass the tip of the drive shaft in the removal direction in which the process cartridge is removed from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 19, wherein the rotational force transmission component is inclined with respect to an axis line. A drive shaft having a rotational force applying portion, which is moved from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a drive shaft rotated by a motor in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive shaft, and is attached and detached. It is a rotational force transmission component unit attached to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum used in the process cartridge.
A coupling member that receives a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum by engaging with the rotational force applying portion in a state where the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. , The rotational force transmission angle position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, and the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum from the rotational force transmission angle position. It is possible to tilt between the pre-engagement angle position tilted away and the disengagement angle position tilted away from the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum from the rotational force transmission angle position.
When the process cartridge is moved and attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, the coupling member is attached from the angle position before engagement. By tilting to the rotational force transmission angle position, the coupling member faces the drive shaft, and from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum. When the process cartridge is removed, the coupling member is tilted from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position, so that the coupling member is detached from the drive shaft. parts. The coupling member has a recess on the rotation axis of the coupling member, and when the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the coupling member substantially matches the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum. In response to moving the process cartridge in a direction orthogonal to the above, a part of the coupling member located on the downstream side when viewed from the direction in which the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body is driven. The recess is tilted from the pre-engagement angular position to the rotational force transmission angle position and the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position so as to allow bypassing the shaft. The coupling with the rotational force applying portion, which covers the tip of the drive shaft and is provided so that the rotational force receiving portion projects on the tip side of the drive shaft in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft. By engaging in the rotational direction of the member, the coupling member receives a rotational force from the drive shaft to rotate, and when the process cartridge is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the electrophotographic The drive is viewed from the direction opposite to the removal direction in which the process cartridge is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in response to moving the process cartridge in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the photoconductor drum. The coupling member is tilted from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position so that a portion of the coupling member located behind the shaft is allowed to bypass the drive shaft, thereby causing the coupling member to bypass the drive shaft. 22. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 22, wherein the member is separated from the drive shaft. 23. The rotational force transmission component described in. The concave portion of the coupling member has an expanded portion that expands toward the tip thereof, and the rotational force receiving portion is located on the distal end side of the expanded portion along the rotational direction of the coupling member, and the like. A plurality of the rotational force applying portions are arranged at intervals, and the rotational force applying portions are arranged so as to project at two locations facing in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft, and any one of the rotational force receiving portions is said. By engaging with one of the two locations of the rotational force applying portion, and the other one of the rotational force receiving portions facing the rotational force receiving portion is the two locations of the rotational force applying portion. 23. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 23, wherein the coupling member rotates by receiving a rotational force from the drive shaft by engaging with the other one of the above. The expanded portion has a conical shape, and the conical shape has an apex on the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the apex is in a state where the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position. Faces the tip of the drive shaft, the coupling member covers the tip of the drive shaft, a rotational force is transmitted to the coupling member, and the rotational force receiving portion rotates the coupling member. 25. The rotational force transmitting component according to claim 25, which is arranged at equal intervals in the rotational direction. When the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position, the rotation axis of the coupling member substantially coincides with the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, and the coupling member is the coupling member. In the state of being located at the pre-engagement angular position, the electrophotographic photosensitive member can pass the tip of the drive shaft on the downstream side in the mounting direction in which the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. When the coupling member is inclined with respect to the axis of the drum and is located at the detachment angle position, the upstream side thereof is the upstream side in the removal direction for removing the process cartridge from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. 25. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 25, which is inclined with respect to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum so as to be able to pass through the tip of the drive shaft. The coupling member has the rotational force receiving portion and the rotational force transmitting portion for transmitting the rotational force to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum in the direction of the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the rotational force receiving portion. A cylindrical joint is provided between the portion and the rotational force transmission portion, and when the process cartridge is moved in a direction substantially orthogonal to the drive shaft, the joint is the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 24, wherein the rotational force transmission component is in contact with a fixed portion provided on the main body and takes the pre-engagement angular position. Further, the process cartridge has a maintenance member for maintaining the coupling member at the pre-engagement angle position, and the coupling member is positioned at the pre-engagement angle position by the force of the maintenance member. 22. The rotational force transmitting component according to claim 22. The maintenance member is an elastic member, and the coupling member is maintained at the engagement angle position by the elastic force of the elastic member, or the maintenance member is a friction member, and the friction of the friction member. The coupling member is maintained at the engagement angle position by a force, or the maintenance member is a locking member, and the coupling member is held at the engagement angle position by the locking force of the locking member. The maintenance member is a magnetic member provided on the coupling member, and the coupling member is maintained at the engagement angle position by the magnetic force of the magnetic member. 29. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 29. A drive shaft having a rotational force applying portion, which is moved from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a drive shaft rotated by a motor in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive shaft, and is attached and detached. It is a rotational force transmission component attached to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum used in the process cartridge.
A coupling member that receives a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum by engaging with the rotational force applying portion in a state where the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. , The rotational force transmission angle position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, and the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum from the rotational force transmission angle position. It is possible to obtain a pre-engagement angle position inclined in the direction of separation and a disengagement angle position inclined in the direction away from the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum from the rotational force transmission angle position.
When the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the coupling member is located on the downstream side when viewed from the attachment direction in which the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. The coupling member moves from the pre-engagement angular position to the rotational force transmission angle position so that a portion of the coupling member bypasses the drive shaft, and the coupling member is such that the process cartridge is the process cartridge. When mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, a part of the coupling member is behind the drive shaft when viewed from a direction opposite to the removal direction in which the process cartridge is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. Positioned, when the process cartridge is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus body, the coupling member moves the process cartridge in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum. The coupling member is driven by moving from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position so that the portion of the coupling member bypasses the drive shaft in response to the movement. A rotational force transmission component characterized by being separated from the shaft. The coupling member has a recess on the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the recess covers the tip of the drive shaft while the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position. , The rotational force receiving portion provided on the tip end side of the recess is provided so as to project in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft on the tip end side of the drive shaft, and the coupling member. 31. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 31, wherein the coupling member receives a rotational force from the drive shaft when engaged in the rotational direction of the above. 32. The rotational force transmission component described in. The concave portion of the coupling member has an expanded portion that expands toward the tip thereof, and the rotational force receiving portion is located on the distal end side of the expanded portion along the rotational direction of the coupling member, and the like. A plurality of the rotational force applying portions are arranged at intervals, and the rotational force applying portions are arranged so as to project at two locations facing in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft, and any one of the rotational force receiving portions is said. By engaging with one of the two locations of the rotational force applying portion, and the other one of the rotational force receiving portions facing the rotational force receiving portion is the two locations of the rotational force applying portion. 32. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 32, wherein the coupling member rotates by receiving a rotational force from the drive shaft by engaging with the other one of the above. The expanded portion has a conical shape, and the conical shape has an apex on the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the apex is in a state where the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position. Is opposed to the tip of the drive shaft, the coupling covers the tip of the drive shaft, a rotational force is transmitted to the coupling, and the rotational force receiving portion is a rotational direction in which the coupling member rotates. 34. The rotational force transmitting component according to claim 34, which is arranged at equal intervals. When the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position, the rotation axis of the coupling member substantially coincides with the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, and the coupling member is the coupling member. In the state of being located at the pre-engagement angular position, the electrophotographic photosensitive member can pass the tip of the drive shaft on the downstream side in the mounting direction in which the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. When the coupling member is inclined with respect to the axis of the drum and is located at the detachment angle position, the upstream side thereof is the upstream side in the removal direction for removing the process cartridge from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. 31 or 32 or 34 or 35, characterized in that it is tilted with respect to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum so that it can pass through the tip of the drive shaft. Rotational force transmission parts. The coupling member has the rotational force receiving portion and the rotational force transmitting portion for transmitting the rotational force to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum in the direction of the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the rotational force receiving portion. A joint portion is provided between the portion and the rotational force transmission portion, and when the process cartridge is moved in a direction substantially orthogonal to the drive shaft, the joint portion is provided on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 31 or 32, which is in contact with the fixed portion and takes the pre-engagement angle position. Further, the process cartridge has a maintenance member for maintaining the coupling member at the pre-engagement angle position, and the coupling member is positioned at the pre-engagement angle position by the force of the maintenance member. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 31, wherein the rotary force transmission component is characterized by the above. The maintenance member is an elastic member, and the coupling member is maintained at the engagement angle position by the elastic force of the elastic member, or the maintenance member is a friction member, and the friction of the friction member. The coupling member is maintained at the engagement angle position by a force, or the maintenance member is a locking member, and the coupling member is held at the engagement angle position by the locking force of the locking member. The maintenance member is a magnetic member provided on the coupling member, and the coupling member is maintained at the engagement angle position by the magnetic force of the magnetic member. 38. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 38. A drive shaft having a rotational force applying portion, which is moved from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a drive shaft rotated by a motor in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive shaft, and mounted and mounted. A rotational force transmission component attached to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum used in the process cartridge to be removed.
A coupling member for transmitting a rotational force to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum.
With the process cartridge attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, a rotational force receiving portion that engages with the rotational force applying portion and receives the rotational force from the drive shaft.
A rotational force transmitting unit that transmits the rotational force received through the rotational force receiving unit to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, and a rotational force transmitting unit.
Have,
From the rotational force transmission angle position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum via the rotational force transmission unit and the rotational force transmission angle position. The pre-engagement angle position tilted away from the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum and the disengagement angle position tilted away from the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum from the rotational force transmission angle position can be obtained.
When the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the coupling member moves the process cartridge in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum. When the coupling member faces the drive shaft by moving from the pre-engagement angle position to the rotational force transmission angle position, and when the process cartridge is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the process cartridge is described. The cup moves from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position in response to the coupling member moving the process cartridge in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum. A rotational force transmission component characterized in that the ring member is separated from the drive shaft. The coupling member has a recess on the rotation axis of the coupling member, and when the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the coupling member substantially matches the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum. A part of the coupling member located on the downstream side when viewed from the direction in which the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in response to moving the process cartridge in a direction orthogonal to each other is described above. The recess is tilted from the pre-engagement angular position to the rotational force transmission angle position so as to allow bypassing the drive shaft, and with the coupling member located at the rotational force transmission angle position. Covers the tip of the drive shaft, and the rotational force receiving portion is provided so as to project in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft on the tip side of the drive shaft, and the cup. By engaging in the rotational direction of the ring member, the coupling member receives a rotational force from the drive shaft to rotate, and when the process cartridge is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the electron is used. The process cartridge is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in response to the movement of the process cartridge in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the photophotoreceptor drum, as viewed from a direction opposite to the removal direction. The coupling member is tilted from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position so that a portion of the coupling member located behind the drive shaft is allowed to bypass the drive shaft. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 40, wherein the drive shaft is separated from the drive shaft. 40. Or the rotational force transmission component according to claim 41. The concave portion of the coupling member has an expanded portion that expands toward the tip thereof, and the rotational force receiving portion is located on the distal end side of the expanded portion along the rotational direction of the coupling member, and the like. A plurality of the rotational force applying portions are arranged at intervals, and the rotational force applying portions are arranged so as to project at two locations facing in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft, and any one of the rotational force receiving portions is said. By engaging with one of the two locations of the rotational force applying portion, and the other one of the rotational force receiving portions facing the rotational force receiving portion is the two locations of the rotational force applying portion. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 41, wherein the coupling member rotates by receiving a rotational force from the drive shaft by engaging with the other one of the above. The expanded portion has a conical shape, the conical shape has vertices on the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the rotational force receiving portions are equidistantly spaced in the rotational rotation direction of the coupling member. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 43, which is arranged. When the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position, the rotation axis of the coupling member substantially coincides with the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, and the coupling member is the coupling member. In the state of being located at the pre-engagement angular position, the electrophotographic photosensitive member can pass the tip of the drive shaft on the downstream side in the mounting direction in which the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. When the coupling member is inclined with respect to the axis of the drum and is located at the detachment angle position, the upstream side thereof is the upstream side in the removal direction for removing the process cartridge from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. 40 or 41 or 43 or 44, characterized in that it is tilted with respect to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum so that it can pass through the tip of the drive shaft. Rotational force transmission parts. The coupling member has the rotational force receiving portion and the rotational force transmitting portion for transmitting the rotational force to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum in the direction of the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the rotational force receiving portion. A joint portion is provided between the portion and the rotational force transmission portion, and when the process cartridge is moved in a direction substantially orthogonal to the drive shaft, the joint portion is provided on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 40, wherein the rotational force transmission component takes a pre-engagement angle position in contact with the fixed portion. Further, the process cartridge has a maintenance member for maintaining the coupling member at the pre-engagement angle position, and the coupling member is positioned at the pre-engagement angle position by the force of the maintenance member. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 40. The maintenance member is an elastic member, and the coupling member is maintained at the engagement angle position by the elastic force of the elastic member, or the maintenance member is a friction member, and the friction of the friction member. The coupling member is maintained at the engagement angle position by a force, or the maintenance member is a locking member, and the coupling member is held at the engagement angle position by the locking force of the locking member. The maintenance member is a magnetic member provided on the coupling member, and the coupling member is maintained at the engagement angle position by the magnetic force of the magnetic member. 47. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 47. A drive shaft having a rotational force applying portion, which is moved from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a drive shaft rotated by a motor in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive shaft, and mounted and mounted. A rotational force transmission component attached to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum used in the process cartridge to be removed.
A coupling member for transmitting a rotational force to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum.
A rotational force receiving portion that engages with the rotational force applying portion and receives the rotational force from the drive shaft,
A rotational force transmitting unit that transmits the rotational force received through the rotational force receiving unit to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, and a rotational force transmitting unit.
Have,
From the rotational force transmission angle position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum via the rotational force transmission unit and the rotational force transmission angle position. It is possible to tilt between the pre-engagement angle position tilted away from the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum and the disengagement angle position tilted away from the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum from the rotational force transmission angle position. and,
The coupling member has a recess on its rotation axis that expands toward its tip, and on the tip side of the recess, the rotational force receiving portion has a center on the rotation axis of the coupling member. A plurality of them are arranged on a virtual circle so as to face each other with the center interposed therebetween, and when the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum is said to have the same. The coupling member located on the downstream side when viewed from the direction in which the process cartridge is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body in response to moving the process cartridge in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis line. It tilts from the pre-engagement angular position to the rotational force transmission angular position so that a portion is allowed to bypass the drive shaft, and the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus body. In the state, the concave portion covers the tip of the drive shaft, and the rotational force receiving portion is provided on the tip end side of the drive shaft so as to project in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the drive shaft. By engaging with the portion in the rotational direction of the coupling member, the coupling member rotates by receiving a rotational force from the drive shaft, and when the process cartridge is removed from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the coupling member is rotated. , Seen from the direction opposite to the removal direction of removing the process cartridge from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus body in response to moving the process cartridge in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum. The cup is tilted from the rotational force transmission angle position to the detachment angle position so that a part of the coupling member located behind the drive shaft is allowed to bypass the drive shaft. A rotational force transmission component characterized in that the ring member is separated from the drive shaft. The concave portion has a conical shape, the conical shape has an apex on the rotation axis of the coupling member, and the rotational force receiving portion has a center on the rotation axis and rotates in the rotation direction. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 49, which is arranged at equal intervals. When the coupling member is located at the rotational force transmission angle position, the rotation axis of the coupling member substantially coincides with the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum, and the coupling member is the coupling member. In the state of being located at the detachment angle position, the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum is provided so that the upstream side thereof can pass the tip of the drive shaft in the removal direction in which the process cartridge is removed from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 49 or 50, which is inclined with respect to an axis. The rotational force receiving portion engages with the rotational force applying portion that is rotating integrally with the driving shaft, and the rotational force receiving portion receives a driving force for rotating the coupling member. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 13 or 19, 22 or 49, which is inclined in a direction of receiving a pulling force drawn toward the drive shaft side. 1. 7. The rotational force transmitting component according to claim 7, claim 13, claim 19, or claim 22, or claim 31, or claim 40, or claim 49. The coupling member has a gap between the rotational force transmitting portion and the rotational force transmitted portion so that the coupling member can be tilted in substantially all directions with respect to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum. The rotational force transmitted portion is in a movable state with respect to the rotational force transmitted portion, and the rotational force transmitted portion and the rotational force transmitted portion come into contact with each other in the rotational direction in which the coupling member rotates. 13. The rotational force transmission component according to claim 13, 19 or 20, 20 or 49, which is provided at the end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body is provided with an urging member that can move between the urging position and the retracted position retracted from the urging position, and the coupling member is used to form the electrophotographic image. When the process cartridge is attached to the main body of the apparatus, it is urged by the elastic force of the urging member that comes into contact with the invading process cartridge, temporarily retracts from the urging position to the retracted position, and then returns to the urging position. 22 or 21 or 40 or 49 of the rotational force transmitting component according to claim 22, wherein the rotational force transmitting component is forced to move to the pre-engagement angle position. When the coupling member is attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the coupling member moves in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum in order to engage with the drive shaft, and the engagement member. 22. parts. A drive shaft having a rotational force applying portion, which is moved from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a drive shaft rotated by a motor in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the drive shaft, and mounted and mounted. A rotational force transmission component used in the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum unit used in the process cartridge to be removed.
A recess having an opening on the side opposite to the side where the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum is provided in the axial direction when the coupling member rotates.
A plurality of protrusions on the tip end side of the recess, which project in an intersecting direction intersecting the rotation direction in which the coupling member rotates, and are provided at intervals along the rotation direction.
A rotational force receiving portion that engages with the rotational force applying portion to receive the rotational force from the drive shaft while the process cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body, and is equidistant from the axis of the coupling member. In addition, a rotational force receiving portion located on a surface provided in the crossing direction in each of the protruding portions so as to be located in a pair with the axis of the coupling member interposed therebetween.
A recess provided along the rotation direction and in the axial direction between the protrusion and the protrusion.
A rotational force transmitting unit that transmits the rotational force received from the rotational force applying portion to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum via the rotational force receiving portion, and a rotational force transmitting unit.
Have,
From the rotational force transmission angle position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum to the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum via the rotational force transmission unit and the rotational force transmission angle position. Between the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum and the angle position before engagement inclined in the direction away from the axis, and the direction away from the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member drum from the rotational force transmission angle position and the rotational force transmission angle position. A rotational force transmission component that can tilt to and from a detachment angle position that is tilted to.

Images