JP4218242B2 - Driving device and toner supply device - Google Patents

Description

【００４２】
表１から、分かるように、本発明の機構にすることにより、従来の方式に対して、約４０ｄＢの音の低減がはかられていることが分かる。
【００４３】
なお、実施の形態では基板４３１として１つの金属平面板を用いたが、これに限定されるものではなく、複数の部材より構成されてもよく、また、各軸と一体成形されたプラスチック品でもよい。また、摩擦歯車４５１と第１従動歯車４６０ａの軸は軸中心が一致していればよく、別々の軸であってもよい。
【００４４】
【発明の効果】
以上のように構成したので、下記のような効果を奏する。
【００４５】
請求項１に記載の発明によれば、摩擦歯車を用いて第１従動歯車を回転させるので、円滑に連続回転運動を間欠的な回転運動に変換することができ、特に、従来に比べ切換時の衝撃、騒音等を防止できる。更に、第１従動歯車が噛合しないで摩擦で回転している間は、第１従動歯車と一体化している第２駆動歯車と第２従動歯車とが噛合しないため、第２従動歯車の負荷に影響されず摩擦歯車により確実に第１従動歯車を回転させることができる。
【００４７】
請求項２に記載の発明によれば、電磁石の磁化の有無を用いて第１従動歯車の回転を停止または解除するので、停止解除が簡易で確実に行えるようになる。
【００４８】
請求項３に記載の発明によれば、圧接手段が基板と摩擦歯車との間に設けた圧縮弾性部材であるので、圧接が簡易で確実となる。
【００４９】
請求項４に記載の発明によれば、摩擦歯車と第１従動歯車とが隣接する面の少なくも一方にリング状の突起を設けたので、摩擦抵抗が安定する。
【００５０】
請求項５に記載の発明によれば、請求項１乃至４の何れか一項に記載の駆動装置を画像形成装置のトナーを補給する装置に用いたので、作動が確実で、騒音の少ないトナー補給装置となる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】トナー補給装置を有する画像形成装置の断面構成図である。
【図２】トナー補給装置の構成の一部を示す斜視図である。
【図３】駆動装置における第１従動歯車の回転状態を示す図である。
【図４】図３の側断面図である。
【図５】駆動装置における第１従動歯車の回転停止状態を示す図である。
【図６】駆動装置の動力伝達経路を示す図である。
【図７】駆動装置の主な部材のタイムチャートを示す図である。
【図８】従来例の駆動装置の構成を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
４３１ 基板
４４１ 第１駆動歯車
４４２ 第１軸
４５１ 摩擦歯車
４５２ 第２軸
４６０ 歯車群
４６０ａ 第１従動歯車
４６０ｂ 第２駆動歯車
４６０ｃ 係止カム
４７１ 圧縮弾性部材（圧接手段）
４８０ 電磁石ユニット（停止解除手段）
４８１ 電磁石
４９１ 第２従動歯車[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a driving device and a toner replenishing device in an image forming apparatus using the driving device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a drive device that converts a continuously rotating motion into a motion that rotates intermittently only when necessary. A conventional example will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional driving device.
[0003]
This drive device is provided with a first drive gear 441 that is rotatable with respect to a first shaft 442 formed on a substrate 431, is rotatable with respect to a second shaft 452, and has a missing tooth on a part of the gear, A first driven gear 460a that meshes with the first drive gear 441 is provided. When the first drive gear 441 and the first driven gear 460a are not meshed with each other, one end of a spring 496 is provided on the first driven gear 460a and spring force is applied. An apparatus is known in which the first driven gear 460a is rotated.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the first driven gear 460a meshes with the first drive gear 441 by the spring force of the spring 496, teeth collide with each other, noise is generated, and uneven rotation speed of the first driven gear 460a is likely to occur. There's a problem.
[0005]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a driving device that smoothly converts continuous rotation driving into intermittent rotation driving, and a toner replenishing device using the driving device.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object can be achieved by any of the following means.
[0007]
(1) a first drive gear that is rotatable with respect to a first shaft formed on the substrate;
A friction gear that is rotatable with respect to a second axis formed on the substrate and meshes with the first drive gear on the entire circumference;
A first driven gear that is rotatable with respect to the second shaft, meshes with the first drive gear, and has a missing tooth in a part of the gear;
A second drive gear that is integral with the first driven gear and has a chipped tooth in a portion of the gear;
A second driven gear that is rotatable about a third axis formed on the substrate and meshes with the second drive gear;
Pressure contact means for pressure-contacting the friction gear and the first driven gear so as to rotate together when the first drive gear and the first driven gear are not meshed;
Stop release means for stopping or releasing the rotation of the first driven gear when the first drive gear and the first driven gear are not meshed,
Relative to the first driving gear to rotate in a certain direction, before the engagement between the first drive gear the first driven gear is disengaged, engagement of the second drive gear and the second driven gear is disengaged, and the after the first driving gear first driven gear is meshed, driving device and the second drive gear and the second driven gear, characterized in that it is a relationship that meshes.
[0008]
(2) The drive device according to (1), wherein the stop canceling means stops or cancels the rotation of the first driven gear using the presence or absence of magnetization of the electromagnet.
(3) The drive unit according to (1) or (2), wherein the press contact means includes a compression elastic member provided between the substrate and the friction gear.
(4) Any one of (1) to (3), wherein a ring-shaped protrusion centered on the second axis is provided on at least one of the adjacent surfaces of the friction gear and the first driven gear. Drive device.
(5) A toner replenishing device using the driving device according to any one of (1) to (4) as a device for replenishing toner in the image forming apparatus.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
First, an image forming apparatus having the toner supply device of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus having a toner replenishing device.
[0010]
A document placement plate 101 on which the document G is placed is provided on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 100. The original G is read by a mirror 111 that moves integrally with the exposure lamp 110, V-shaped mirrors 112 and 113 that move half the moving distance of the mirror 111, an imaging lens 114, and a CCD 115. It is done.
[0011]
On the outer periphery of the drum-shaped photoconductor 102, a charger 103, a developing device 104, a transfer device 105, a separator 106, and a cleaning device 107 are arranged in the order of operation. A toner replenishing device 400 including a toner container 402 and a toner replenishing unit 411 is connected to the developing device 104 so that toner corresponding to consumption is stably replenished.
[0012]
Digital image data read by the CCD 115 is superimposed on laser light emitted from a laser (not shown) and scanned by a polygon mirror 116. The scanned laser light is reflected by the mirrors 117 and 118, exposes the photosensitive member 102, to which the charge is applied by the charger 103, to the photosensitive layer surface via the fθ lens 119, the cylindrical lens 120, and the mirror 121, and electrostatically A latent image is formed.
[0013]
Next, the developing device 104 develops the electrostatic latent image, and forms a visible image based on the toner image on the photosensitive layer surface of the photoreceptor 102.
[0014]
Further, a double-sided copying paper feeding unit 130 and paper feeding units 140, 150, and 160 are arranged in a vertical position below the image forming apparatus 100. A sheet P as a recording medium of a different size is stored.
[0015]
For example, when a sheet P stored in the sheet feeding unit 140 is selected, only one sheet P is fed by the sheet feeding roller 141, and the sheet P is conveyed by the conveying roller 142.
[0016]
Similarly, when a sheet P stored in the sheet feeding unit 150 or 160 is selected, only one sheet P is fed by the sheet feeding roller 151 or 161, and the sheet P is transported by the conveyance rollers 152 or 162. Transport by etc.
[0017]
Then, the paper P is conveyed along the conveyance path 170 toward the photosensitive member 102 on which the toner image is formed. Then, the paper P is temporarily stopped by the registration roller 172, and paper is fed so that the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 102 and the paper P coincide with each other.
[0018]
Next, the toner image on the photoconductor 102 is transferred to the paper P by the transfer device 105, and the paper P is separated from the surface of the photoconductor 102 by the separator 106. Then, the paper P is transported to the fixing device 180 by the transport device 173.
[0019]
The fixing device 180 includes a heating roller 181 and a pressure roller 182, and the toner image on the paper P is stably fixed on the paper P by the heating roller 181 and the pressure roller 182.
[0020]
The sheet P that has been fixed is discharged by a discharge guide roller 174. In the case of single-sided copying, the paper discharge switching member 175 is lowered and the paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 176 as it is.
[0021]
In the case of duplex copying, the paper discharge switching member 175 is raised, the paper guide 177 is opened, and the paper P is conveyed in the direction of the broken line arrow.
[0022]
Further, the paper P is transported downward by the transport mechanism 178 and is switched back by the paper reversing unit 179, and the rear end portion of the paper P is transported into the duplex copying paper supply unit 130 as a leading end portion.
[0023]
The sheet P is moved in the sheet feeding direction by the conveyance belt 131 provided in the duplex copying sheet feeding unit 130, the sheet P is re-fed by the sheet feeding roller 132, and the sheet P is guided to the conveyance path 170.
[0024]
Again, as described above, the paper P is conveyed in the direction of the photoconductor 102, the toner image is transferred to the back surface of the paper P, fixed by the fixing device 180, and then discharged onto the paper discharge tray 176.
[0025]
Next, the toner replenishing device will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the configuration of the toner replenishing device. As shown in FIG. 2, the toner replenishing device 400 is transported from the toner container 402 by the rotation of the driving shaft 401 </ b> A and the driving shaft 401 </ b> A that rotates and drives the holder 401 that is directly coupled to the toner container 402. A hopper 412 that receives and temporarily stores toner by a path 403 is provided, and a drive shaft 411A of a replenishing unit 411 having a screw 413 that replenishes the developing device 104 (FIG. 1) while stirring the toner in the hopper 412. . The operation of the drive shaft 401A that rotationally drives the holder 401 directly connected to the toner container 402 is intermittently driven only when necessary.
[0026]
Next, a drive portion that drives the drive shaft 401A of the toner replenishing device will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a rotation state of the first driven gear in the drive device, FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a rotation stop state of the first driven gear in the drive device.
[0027]
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, this driving device is configured to intermittently rotate the toner container 402 (FIG. 2) used in the image forming apparatus only when necessary. The substrate 431 is a base of a driving device in which a shaft such as a gear is formed. The motor 432 is fixed to the substrate 431, the rotation of the motor 432 is transmitted to the gear train 433, and the first drive gear 441 that meshes with the gear train 433 is a gear that is rotatable with respect to the first shaft 442 formed on the substrate 431. , Meshed with the first driven gear 460a. The first driven gear 460 a is rotatable with respect to the second shaft 452, has a missing tooth in a part of the gear, and meshes with the first drive gear 441.
[0028]
A compression elastic member 471 (FIG. 4) as a pressure contact means is provided between the base plate 431 and the friction gear 451. When the first drive gear 441 and the first driven gear 460a are in the non-engagement state, the friction gear 451 and The first driven gear 460a is pressed so as to rotate integrally. Further, a ring-shaped protrusion 451a (FIG. 4) is provided on the friction gear 451 side of the adjacent surfaces of the friction gear 451 and the first driven gear 460a.
[0029]
The electromagnet unit 480, which is a stop releasing means, is composed of an electromagnet 481, a lever 482, a tension spring 483, and the like, and the first driven gear 460a rotates when the first drive gear 441 and the first driven gear 460a are not meshed. Stop or cancel. When the electromagnet unit 480 is energized, the electromagnet 481 is magnetized, the lever 482 is attracted against the spring 483, the tip 482a of the lever 482 is released from the locking of the locking cam 460c, and the first driven gear 460a is prevented from rotating. Is released.
[0030]
The gear group 460 includes a first driven gear 460a, a second drive gear 460b, a locking cam 460c, and the like, and is mechanically integrated.
[0031]
The second driven gear 491 is rotatable about a third shaft 492 formed on the substrate 431 and meshes with the second drive gear 460b. The above-described toner container 402 (FIG. 2) is intermittently rotated by a gear 493 fixed to a drive shaft 401A that meshes with the second driven gear 491.
[0032]
Next, the transmission path of the drive device will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a power transmission path of the drive device. The power transmission path shown in FIG. 6A is a path when the first drive gear 441 directly drives the first driven gear 460a.
[0033]
In the power transmission path shown in FIG. 6B, the first drive gear 441 indirectly connects the first driven gear 460a via the friction gear 451 when the first drive gear 441 and the first driven gear 460a are not engaged. This is the path when driving.
[0034]
The power transmission path shown in FIG. 6C is a state when the first drive gear 441 and the first driven gear 460a are in the non-meshing state, and the first driven gear 460a is stopped by the electromagnet unit. The first drive gear 441 and the friction gear 451 continue to rotate, and the first driven gear 460a slips and stops.
[0035]
Next, a time chart of main members in the drive device will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a time chart of main members of the driving device.
(A) The first drive gear 441 is always rotating in the embodiment.
(B) The friction gear 451 is always rotating in the embodiment.
(C) Since the compression elastic member 471 presses the friction gear 451 and the first driven gear 460a, when the first driving gear 441 and the first driven gear 460a are not meshed, the first driven gear 460a is When released by the electromagnet, the rotation of the friction gear 451 is friction transmitted and the first driven gear 460a rotates. Further, when the first drive gear 441 and the first driven gear 460a are stopped by the electromagnet in the non-engaged state, the friction gear 451 and the first driven gear 460a slip.
(D) The first driven gear 460a and the second drive gear 460b are integrated, and after the first drive gear 441 and the first driven gear 460a are disengaged, the lever 482 of the electromagnet unit 480 is engaged with the locking cam 460c. Lock and stop.
(E) The electromagnet unit 480 releases the rotation stop of the first driven gear 460a by energization (ON).
(F) The second driven gear 491 and the second drive gear 460b are disengaged before the time T1 of disengagement between the first drive gear 441 and the first driven gear 460a, and the first drive gear 441. And the first driven gear 460a are engaged after a time T2 after the engagement.
[0036]
Here, the operation of the drive device will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the motor 432 rotates, the first drive gear 441 rotates in the arrow direction (FIG. 3) via the gear train 433, and at the same time, the first driven gear 460a and the friction gear 451 rotate in the arrow direction. Further, the second drive gear 460b, the second driven gear 491, and the gear 493 rotate, the drive shaft 401A rotates, and the toner container 402 (FIG. 2) rotates.
[0037]
Next, when energization of the electromagnet 481 is stopped (OFF), the lever 482 comes into contact with the cam surface of the locking cam 460c by the spring force of the spring 483.
[0038]
When the engagement of the first drive gear 441 and the first driven gear 460a is lost, the first driven gear 460a continues to rotate due to the frictional rotation of the friction gear 451. The first driven gear 460a stops when the tip 482a of the lever hits the locking portion R of the locking cam 460c.
[0039]
Further, when the electromagnet 481 is energized (ON), the tip 482a of the lever 482 is separated from the locking cam 460c, and the first driven gear 460a starts rotating due to the friction of the friction gear 451, and the first driving gear 441 and the first driven gear are driven. The gear 460a meshes. After a predetermined time, the second driven gear 491 and the gear 493 rotate.
[0040]
Here, the driving sound of the method according to the present invention will be described in detail while comparing with the conventional method. As the drive mechanism used, the mechanism using the friction gear shown in FIG. 3 was used as an example of the present invention, and the mechanism without the friction gear shown in FIG. 8 was used as an example of the conventional system. In noise measurement, the noise level of the driving operation sound was measured. The rotation speed of the gears was measured by setting the rotation speed of the first drive gear 411 in FIGS. 3 and 8 to 200 and 300 rpm. In addition, the noise measurement position was performed at a measurement position 200 mm sufficiently close to the sound source. Table 1 shows the comparative noise measurement data.
[0041]
[Table 1]

[0042]
As can be seen from Table 1, by using the mechanism of the present invention, it is understood that the sound reduction of about 40 dB is achieved with respect to the conventional system.
[0043]
In the embodiment, one metal flat plate is used as the substrate 431. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be composed of a plurality of members, or may be a plastic product integrally formed with each shaft. Good. Further, the axes of the friction gear 451 and the first driven gear 460a need only coincide with each other, and may be separate axes.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
Since it comprised as mentioned above, there exist the following effects.
[0045]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the first driven gear is rotated using the friction gear, the continuous rotational motion can be smoothly converted into the intermittent rotational motion, and in particular, when switching is performed compared to the conventional case. Can prevent impact, noise, etc. Furthermore, while the first driven gear is rotated by friction without meshing, the second driving gear integrated with the first driven gear and the second driven gear do not mesh with each other. The first driven gear can be reliably rotated by the friction gear without being affected.
[0047]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the rotation of the first driven gear is stopped or released using the presence or absence of the magnetization of the electromagnet, the release of the stop can be easily and reliably performed.
[0048]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the press contact means is a compression elastic member provided between the substrate and the friction gear, the press contact is simple and reliable.
[0049]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the ring-shaped protrusion is provided on at least one of the adjacent surfaces of the friction gear and the first driven gear, the friction resistance is stabilized.
[0050]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the driving device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is used for the toner replenishing device of the image forming apparatus, the toner is reliable in operation and has low noise. It becomes a replenishing device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus having a toner supply device.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a part of the configuration of the toner supply device.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a rotation state of a first driven gear in the drive device.
4 is a side sectional view of FIG. 3. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a rotation stop state of a first driven gear in the driving device.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a power transmission path of a drive device.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a time chart of main members of the driving device.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional driving device.
[Explanation of symbols]
431 Substrate 441 First drive gear 442 First shaft 451 Friction gear 452 Second shaft 460 Gear group 460a First driven gear 460b Second drive gear 460c Locking cam 471 Compression elastic member (pressure contact means)
480 Electromagnet unit (stop release means)
481 Electromagnet 491 Second driven gear

Claims (5)

A first drive gear that is rotatable with respect to a first axis formed on the substrate;
A friction gear that is rotatable with respect to a second axis formed on the substrate and meshes with the first drive gear on the entire circumference;
A first driven gear that is rotatable with respect to the second shaft, meshes with the first drive gear, and has a missing tooth in a part of the gear;
A second drive gear that is integral with the first driven gear and has a chipped tooth in a portion of the gear;
A second driven gear that is rotatable about a third axis formed on the substrate and meshes with the second drive gear;
Pressure contact means for pressure-contacting the friction gear and the first driven gear so as to rotate together when the first drive gear and the first driven gear are not meshed;
Stop release means for stopping or releasing the rotation of the first driven gear when the first drive gear and the first driven gear are not meshed,
Relative to the first driving gear to rotate in a certain direction, before the engagement between the first drive gear the first driven gear is disengaged, engagement of the second drive gear and the second driven gear is disengaged, and the after the first driving gear first driven gear is meshed, driving device and the second drive gear and the second driven gear, characterized in that it is a relationship that meshes.   2. The driving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stop cancellation unit stops or cancels the rotation of the first driven gear using the presence or absence of magnetization of an electromagnet.   3. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure contact unit includes a compression elastic member provided between the substrate and the friction gear.   The drive according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a ring-shaped protrusion having a second axis as a center is provided on at least one of adjacent surfaces of the friction gear and the first driven gear. apparatus.   5. A toner replenishing device using the driving device according to claim 1 as a device for replenishing toner in an image forming apparatus.

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