JP5141593B2 - Connection structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection structure, and more particularly, to a connection structure for energizing a shaft member and a conductive member and urging the shaft member in one axial direction.

  Conventionally, when conducting between a shaft member and a conductive member, a flexible plate-like connection member 301 is pressed to the end and outer peripheral surface of the shaft member 300 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Or one of the linear connecting members 301 as shown in FIG. 15 is formed into a coil shape, and the coiled portion 302 is fitted on the outer periphery of the shaft member 300, and then the coiled portion 302 is tightened. A method of ensuring the contact pressure between the shaft member 300 and the connecting member 301 has been used.

  On the other hand, in a drive shaft or the like that requires high-precision drive performance, it is necessary to suppress shakiness in the axial direction of the shaft member. In order to suppress the shakiness of the shaft member in the axial direction while achieving conduction between the shaft member and the conductive member, a method of pressing the connecting member 301 against the end of the shaft member 300 as shown in FIG. Alternatively, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a method of pressing the two divided shaft members with a spring washer (pressing member).

JP-A-8-277045

  However, since the connection structure shown in FIG. 13 is a structure in which the connection member 301 is pressed against the end of the shaft member 300, it cannot be used when the shaft member 300 protrudes greatly from the apparatus. Further, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, although conduction between the shaft members and shakiness of the shaft member can be suppressed, conduction between the conductive member and the shaft member cannot be achieved.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and the purpose thereof is to ensure conduction between the shaft member and the conductive member, and to suppress shakiness in the axial direction of the shaft member, Furthermore, it is providing the connection structure which can connect a connection member also in positions other than the edge part of a shaft member.

The connection structure according to the present invention that achieves the object is a connection structure in which a conductive member and a shaft member are connected by a conductive connection member, the connection member having flexibility, and the connection member A first engaging portion that engages the shaft member from a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft member is provided on the shaft member side of the shaft member, and the conductive member side of the connection member A fixing portion to be attached to the member is provided, the shaft member is provided with a second engaging portion to be engaged with the first engaging portion, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged with each other; By attaching the fixing portion of the connecting member to the conductive member, the connecting member bends and the shaft member is biased in one of the axial directions, and the fixing portion is formed as a through hole or a ring-shaped portion, and a screw is attached here. When the connecting member is screwed and fixed to the conductive member through the shaft of The torque, characterized by further adding a force that urges the shaft member in one of the axial direction to the connecting member.

The connection structure according to another invention for achieving the object is a connection structure in which a conductive member and a shaft member are connected by a conductive connection member, and the connection member has flexibility. A first engaging portion that engages the shaft member from a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft member is provided on the shaft member side of the connection member, and the conductive member side of the connection member is provided on the conductive member side of the connection member. A fixing portion to be attached to the conductive member is provided, and the shaft member is provided with a second engaging portion to be engaged with the first engaging portion, and the first engaging portion and the fixing portion of the connecting member are provided. By providing a biasing assisting member that supports a substantially central portion of the connecting member, engaging the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, and attaching the fixing portion of the connecting member to the conductive member, The connecting member is bent with an urging assisting member as a fulcrum to urge the shaft member in one axial direction. It is characterized in.

Here, from the viewpoints of handleability, productivity, and the like, the connecting member is preferably a linear member.

Further, the first engaging portion is a bent portion obtained by bending an end portion of the linear member into a U shape, and the second engaging portion is a groove portion formed on the outer periphery of the shaft member. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion may be engaged by fitting the groove portion between the shaped members.

Alternatively, the first engagement portion is a bent portion obtained by bending an end portion of the linear member into a U shape, and the second engagement portion is a stepped portion in which the outer diameter of the shaft member is locally expanded. You may engage the said 1st engaging part and the 2nd engaging part by inserting the part which adjoins the said step part of the said shaft member between the linear members of a bending part.

In addition, the first engagement portion is a substantially linear end portion of the linear member, and the second engagement portion is a through-hole substantially perpendicular to the axial direction provided in the shaft member. The first engagement portion and the second engagement portion may be engaged by inserting the through hole into the end portion of the member.

  Further, the connection member according to the present invention is a connection member used for the connection structure described above, and is formed of a linear member having conductivity and flexibility, and is bent at one end portion into a U-shape. And a ring-shaped part into which the screw shaft can be inserted is formed at the other end.

  From the viewpoint of increasing the biasing force on the shaft member without increasing the outer shape, it is preferable to provide at least one bending point between the bent portion and the annular portion.

  According to the connection structure and the connection member according to the present invention, the conduction between the shaft member and the conductive member can be ensured, the shakiness in the axial direction of the shaft member can be suppressed, and further, the shaft member other than the end of the shaft member can be suppressed. The connecting member can be connected even at the position. Further, the connection member can be easily attached. And since a connection member and a shaft member press-contact with the elastic force by the bending of a connection member, both can be reliably contacted.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a copying machine. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an intermediate transfer unit of the copying machine of FIG. 1. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows 1st Embodiment of the connection structure which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing of the state which engaged the bending part of the connection member with the circumferential groove of the drive roller axis | shaft. It is a perspective view which shows the state which inserted and fixed the screw in the ring-shaped part of the connection member. It is a perspective view which shows 2nd Embodiment of the connection structure which concerns on this invention. It is a front view of the connection structure shown in FIG. It is a side view of the connection structure shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows 3rd Embodiment of the connection structure which concerns on this invention. It is a side view at the time of making a 1st engaging part into a bending part and making a 2nd engaging part into a step part. It is a side view at the time of making a 1st engaging part into a linear end part and making a 2nd engaging part into a through-hole. It is a perspective view which shows the conventional connection structure. It is a perspective view which shows the conventional connection structure. It is a perspective view which shows the conventional connection structure.

  Hereinafter, the connection structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a copying machine 1 as an image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine 1 includes an image reader unit 10 that reads a document image and a printer unit 20 that prints the read image on a recording sheet S and reproduces it.

  The image reader unit 10 is a known unit that reads an image of an original placed on an original glass plate (not shown) by moving a scanner, and the original image is red (R), green (G), or blue. The three colors (B) are separated and converted into electrical signals by a CCD image sensor (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as “CCD sensor”), thereby obtaining R, G, B image data of the document.

  The image data for each color component obtained by the image reader unit 10 is subjected to various data processing in the control unit 30, and each of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). Converted to reproduced color image data (hereinafter, each reproduced color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black is expressed as C, M, Y, K, and the number of the component part related to each reproduced color is indicated by C, M, Y and K are added as subscripts).

  The image data is stored in the image memory 33 in the control unit 30 for each reproduction color, subjected to image correction necessary for positional deviation correction, and then synchronized with the supply of the recording sheet S for each scanning line. It is read out and becomes a drive signal for a light emitting diode (LED).

  The printer unit 20 forms an image by an electrophotographic system. The intermediate transfer belt 103 is stretched between a driving roller 61 and a driven roller 62 in the primary transfer unit 60, and the driven roller 62 is made a spring. The intermediate transfer belt 103 is tensioned by urging in the left direction. The drive roller 61 is rotated counterclockwise by the drive motor 34 to drive the intermediate transfer belt 103.

  Image forming portions 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K for the respective colors are sequentially arranged at predetermined intervals along the intermediate transfer belt 103 from the upstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 103. Transfer rollers 45Y, 45M, 45C, and 45K are disposed at positions facing the photosensitive drums of the respective image forming units with the intermediate transfer belt 103 interposed therebetween. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 103 by the transfer rollers 45Y, 45M, 45C, and 45K. The toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 103 is secondarily transferred onto the recording sheet S by the secondary transfer roller 104. The toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 103 is removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 105 and collected in a waste toner box 106.

  The recording sheet S is conveyed from the sheet feeding cassette 5 to the secondary transfer roller 104 by the sheet feeding roller 50, and the toner image is transferred onto the recording sheet S by the above-described secondary transfer. Then, the recording sheet S is conveyed to the fixing unit 80, where the toner image is melted and fixed on the recording sheet S by being heated and pressed, and then the recording sheet S is discharged onto a discharge tray.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the intermediate transfer unit 100, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. The intermediate transfer unit 100 includes a drive roller 61, a driven roller 62, an intermediate transfer belt 103, a separation claw 110, a holder 111, a mounting plate 112, and a drive roller shaft (shaft member) 113. A metal mounting plate (conductive member) 112 is provided so as to cover the upper side of the drive roller 61. In addition, the separation claw 110 for forcibly peeling the recording sheet S when the second transfer sheet is stuck to the drive roller 61 side, and the separation claw 110 are held at a substantially central portion in the axial direction of the drive roller 61. A holder 111 is provided on the mounting plate 112. The mounting plate 112 is easily charged because it is close to the secondary transfer roller 104, and when charged, the image on the recording sheet S is affected as noise. Therefore, the mounting plate 112 is connected via the conductive connecting member 12 to the drive roller shaft 113 that is normally grounded in nature.

  On the other hand, a helical gear (not shown) is generally used as the driving gear of the driving roller 61 rotatably supported by the driving roller shaft 113 in order to obtain high-precision rotation. For this reason, when the drive roller shaft 113 is shaky in the axial direction, uneven rotation occurs in the drive roller 61 and color misregistration occurs in the image. Therefore, as will be described later, the connecting member 12 also suppresses shakiness of the drive roller shaft 113 in the axial direction. Hereinafter, a connection structure between the mounting plate 112 and the drive roller shaft 113 by the connection member 12 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a connection structure between the attachment plate 112 and the drive roller shaft 113 by the connection member 12. The connecting member 12 is made of a single conductive linear member. A bent portion (first engaging portion) 121 bent in a U-shape is formed at one end portion of the connecting member 12, and a ring-shaped portion (fixed portion) 122 is formed at the other end portion. Then, a portion perpendicular to the axial direction of the drive roller shaft 113 and a portion parallel to the mounting plate 112 are formed by being bent at approximately 90 ° at the bending point 123.

  FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of a state in which the bent portion 121 of the connection member 12 is engaged with a circumferential groove (groove portion) 114 as a second engagement portion formed on the outer periphery of the drive roller shaft 113. At the end of the connecting member 12, that is, at the end of the bent portion 121, a guide portion 124 that is bent outwardly toward the end is formed. Further, an arc-shaped recess 125 having a diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the drive roller shaft 113 is formed at a predetermined position of the bent portion 121.

  When the bent portion 121 of the connection member 12 is engaged with the circumferential groove 114 of the drive roller shaft 113, the guide portion 124 is used from the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the drive roller shaft 113 to connect the connection member 12. The circumferential groove 114 is fitted between the linear members of the bent portion 121. Since the space between the linear members of the bent portion 121 is set to be slightly narrower than the outer diameter of the circumferential groove 114, the circumferential groove 114 of the drive roller shaft 113 is formed so as to push the space between the linear members of the bent portion 121. Enter towards. And in the recessed part 125 of the bending part 121, the space | interval between linear members and the outer diameter of the circumferential groove 114 become substantially the same, a linear member returns to the original space | interval with the elastic force, and the circumferential groove 114 is the bending part 121. Is clamped in a state where it is positioned on.

  Note that the cross-sectional shape of the connecting member 12 is preferably circular, but may be other shapes such as a polygon. Further, since the drive roller shaft 113 in this embodiment is configured not to rotate, the groove provided in the drive roller shaft 113 does not have to be provided in the entire circumference of the shaft, and may be a part with which the connecting member 12 is engaged.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the connection member 12 and the mounting plate 112 are connected by arranging the ring-shaped portion 122 of the connection member 12 so as to overlap the through hole 112 a formed in the mounting plate 112. Are inserted into the ring-shaped portion 122 and the through-hole 112a and screwed into a screw hole (not shown) formed in the intermediate transfer unit main body. Note that a screw hole may be formed in the mounting plate 112 and the screw 130 may be screwed together.

  As shown in FIG. 6, since the screw 130 is a normal right-hand screw type, when the screw 130 is rotated clockwise to be screwed into the screw hole, the connecting member is driven by torque when the screw 130 is fastened. 12 is applied with a force pulling the bending point 123 in the direction of the screw 130. As a result, the connecting member 12 is further bent, and the force for urging the driving roller shaft 113 outward in the axial direction is further applied.

  In order to attach the connecting member 12 to the mounting plate 112 and the driving roller shaft 113, first, the bent portion 121 of the connecting member 12 is engaged with the groove portion 114 of the driving roller shaft 113. Next, the connecting member 12 is slightly bent, and the ring-shaped portion 122 of the connecting member 12 is fixed to the mounting plate 112 with screws 130. When attaching the connecting member 12 in such a procedure, the operation of engaging the bent portion 121 of the connecting member 12 with the groove portion 114 of the drive roller shaft 113 does not apply an axial force to the connecting member 12, and the bent portion This is a simple operation (one-touch) for moving 121 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the drive roller shaft 113. Further, by slightly bending the connecting member 12 and fixing it to the mounting plate 112, the connecting member 12 biases the drive roller shaft 113 outward in the axial direction. Thereby, shakiness of the drive roller shaft 113 in the axial direction is suppressed.

  Further, since the bent portion 121 of the connecting member 12 contacts the drive roller shaft 113 while sandwiching the groove portion 114 of the drive roller shaft 113, and simultaneously urges the drive roller shaft 113 outward in the axial direction, the bent portion 121. The contact pressure between the drive roller shaft 113 and the drive roller shaft 113 is sufficiently secured.

  When removing the connection member 12 from the intermediate transfer unit 100, the connection member 12 may be removed by a procedure opposite to the above-described attachment procedure.

  7 to 9 show a second embodiment of the connection structure according to the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member as 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a through hole 112a is formed in the side plate portion 112b of the mounting plate 112. Due to this, the connecting member 13 used in this embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that it is bent outward in the axial direction at the bending point 133. The connection member 13 is the same as that of the first embodiment in that a U-shaped bent portion 131 is formed at one end and a ring-shaped portion 132 is formed at the other end.

  The connection member 13 having the above configuration is attached by first attaching the bent portion 131 of the connection member 13 to the drive roller shaft 113 in the same manner as in the above embodiment. At this time, since the connecting member 13 is not deformed at all and no elastic force is generated, the simple operation of moving the connecting member 13 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the drive roller shaft 113 (one-touch) is performed. ) Next, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the ring-shaped portion 132 of the connecting member 13 is positioned so as to be coaxial with the through hole 112 b formed in the side plate portion 112 b of the mounting plate 112. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the ring-shaped portion 132 is fixed to the side plate portion 112 b with a screw 130 against the elastic force of the connecting member 13. As a result, an elastic force is generated in the connecting member 13, and a force for urging the driving roller shaft 113 outward in the axial direction is generated with the bending point 133 as a fulcrum, thereby suppressing rattling in the axial direction of the driving roller shaft 113. In addition, the contact pressure between the bent portion 131 and the drive roller shaft 113 is sufficiently secured.

  FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the connection structure according to the present invention. In the connection structure of FIG. 10, the biasing auxiliary member 15 is attached to the intermediate transfer unit 100. That is, the biasing assisting member 15 is provided in the intermediate transfer unit 100 so as to support the approximate center between the bent portion 131 and the ring-shaped portion 132 of the connecting member 13, and the connecting member 13 is bent using the biasing assisting member 15 as a fulcrum. The drive roller shaft 113 is urged outward in the axial direction.

  The biasing assisting member 15 may be any member as long as it acts as a fulcrum for bending the connecting member 13. The biasing assisting member 15 may be formed integrally with the casing of the intermediate transfer unit 100, or separately. After the production, the intermediate transfer unit 100 may be attached. Alternatively, the biasing auxiliary member 15 may be attached to the connecting member 13. For example, a form in which a through hole is formed in the biasing auxiliary member 15, the connecting member 13 is inserted through the through hole, and the biasing auxiliary member 15 is attached to the connecting member 13 is exemplified.

  FIG. 11 shows another form of engagement between the connection member 13 and the drive roller shaft 113. A stepped portion (second engaging portion) 16 having an enlarged diameter is formed on the drive roller shaft 113, and the bent portion 131 of the connecting member 13 is fitted into a proximity portion inward in the axial direction from the stepped portion 16. When the ring-shaped portion 132 of the connection member 13 is attached to the attachment plate 112, the bending portion 131 causes the bending portion 131 to act clockwise with the bending point 133 as a fulcrum by the elastic force of the connection member 13. By pressing, the driving roller shaft 113 is urged outward in the axial direction.

  FIG. 12 shows still another engagement form between the connection member 14 and the drive roller shaft 113. A through hole 17 is formed in the drive roller shaft 113, and the linear end portion 141 of the connection member 14 is inserted into the through hole 17. Similarly to the above, when the ring-shaped portion 142 of the connecting member 14 is mounted on the mounting plate 112, the elastic force of the connecting member 14 causes a force in the clockwise direction to be generated at the linear end portion 141 with the bending point 143 as a fulcrum. The end portion 141 presses the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 17 to urge the drive roller shaft 113 outward in the axial direction.

  In any of the embodiments described above, the connecting member is a linear member. However, the connecting member is not limited to this, and a conventionally known member such as a plate member is used as long as it has flexibility. be able to. However, a linear member is recommended from the viewpoint of ease of manufacture and low cost. Further, the mounting plate side may be grounded, contrary to the above embodiments.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be used for apparatuses other than the image forming apparatus such as a copying machine. Furthermore, in an embodiment other than inserting the connecting member 14 shown in FIG. 12 through the through hole 17 of the shaft member 113, the shaft member 113 is not limited to a non-rotating shaft member, and may rotate. In addition, the direction of the urging force applied to the shaft member is not limited and may be inward in the axial direction.

12, 13, 14 Connecting member 15 Biasing auxiliary member 16 Step portion 17 Through hole 61 Driving roller 100 Intermediate transfer unit 103 Intermediate transfer belt 104 Secondary transfer roller 112 Mounting plate (conductive member)
113 Drive roller shaft (shaft member)
114 Groove (second engaging portion)
121 Bent part (first engaging part)
122 Ring-shaped part (fixed part)
123 Bending point 124 Guide part 125 Recessed part 130 Screw 131 Bent part (first engaging part)
132 Ring-shaped part (fixed part)
133 Bending point 141 Linear end (first engaging portion)
142 Ring-shaped part (fixed part)
143 Inflection point

Claims (8)

A connection structure for connecting a conductive member and a shaft member with a conductive connection member,
The connecting member is flexible;
A first engagement portion that engages with the shaft member from a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft member is provided on the shaft member side of the connection member, and on the conductive member side of the connection member, A fixing portion to be attached to the conductive member is provided,
The shaft member is provided with a second engagement portion with which the first engagement portion is engaged,
By engaging the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion and attaching the fixing portion of the connection member to the conductive member, the connection member is bent and the shaft member is attached to one of the axial directions. As well as
When the fixing portion is a through-hole or a ring-shaped portion and a shaft of a screw is inserted through the connecting member to fix the connecting member to the conductive member, the shaft member is moved to one of the axial directions by a torque at the time of screw fastening. A connection structure , wherein a biasing force is further applied to the connection member . A connection structure for connecting a conductive member and a shaft member with a conductive connection member,
The connecting member is flexible;
A first engagement portion that engages with the shaft member from a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft member is provided on the shaft member side of the connection member, and on the conductive member side of the connection member, A fixing portion to be attached to the conductive member is provided,
The shaft member is provided with a second engagement portion with which the first engagement portion is engaged,
A biasing assisting member for supporting a substantially central portion between the first engaging portion of the connecting member and the fixing portion;
By engaging the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion and attaching the fixing portion of the connecting member to the conductive member, the connecting member is bent with the biasing assisting member as a fulcrum, and A connection structure characterized in that a shaft member is biased in one axial direction . The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the connection member is a linear member. The first engaging portion is a bent portion obtained by bending an end portion of the linear member into a U shape, the second engaging portion is a groove portion formed on an outer periphery of the shaft member , and the line of the bent portion The connection structure according to claim 3 , wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are engaged by fitting the groove portion between the first and second members. Said first engaging portion is an end portion of the linear member is a bent portion bent in a U-shape, said second engaging portion is a locally enlarged the step portion the outer diameter of the shaft member, wherein The connection structure according to claim 3 , wherein the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged by inserting a portion of the shaft member adjacent to the stepped portion between the linear members of the bent portion . The first engaging portion is a substantially linear end portion of a linear member, and the second engaging portion is a through hole substantially perpendicular to an axial direction provided in the shaft member, and the connection member The connection structure according to claim 3, wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are engaged with each other by inserting the through hole into the end portion . It is a connection member used for the connection structure in any one of Claims 1-5,
It consists of a linear member having conductivity and flexibility, a bent portion bent in a U-shape is formed at one end, and a ring-shaped portion through which a screw shaft can be inserted is formed at the other end. A connecting member characterized by that. The connecting member according to claim 7, wherein at least one bending point is provided between the bent portion and the ring-shaped portion .