JP5609316B2 - Drive transmission device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a drive transmission device and an image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, a drive transmission device is configured to transmit rotation between a member that is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus body, a member that is opened and closed, and the image forming apparatus body side. It has been known. With regard to such a drive transmission device, techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 below are conventionally known.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-347487 as Patent Document 1 discloses a first coupling (44) connected to a photosensitive member (11) of a process cartridge (15) and a first main body disposed in an image forming apparatus main body. A drive transmission mechanism that engages with the coupling (43) to transmit the drive is described. The first coupling (44) is provided with a twisted triangular prism-shaped convex portion (44a), and the main body first cup. It describes the configuration in which a twisted triangular prism-shaped recess (43a) is formed on the ring (43). In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the main body first coupling (43) is supported so as to be movable in the direction of the rotation axis, and when the motor (26) rotates in the direction of driving the photoreceptor (11), a twisted triangular prism is formed. Due to the contact between the surfaces, a force of a directional component in which the main body first coupling (43) and the first coupling (44) are attracted to each other acts and rotates in a direction opposite to the direction in which the photoconductor (11) is driven. Then, due to the contact between the surfaces of the twisted triangular prisms, forces of components in the direction away from each other act, and the main body first coupling (43) moves in a direction away from the first coupling (44), and the photoconductor (11). The drive is not transmitted to.
That is, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the motor (26) is driven and connected when the couplings (43, 44) move in the direction in which the couplings (43, 44) are attracted, and the motor (26) rotates in the opposite direction. When external force is applied, such as when the process cartridge (15) is attached or removed, the main body first coupling (43) is retracted in the axial direction.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-214646 as Patent Document 2 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-338842 as Patent Document 3, a coupling shaft (18) is provided between the photosensitive drum (7) and the drum drive gear (22). ), A triangular prism having play is provided between the shaft end of the photosensitive drum (7) and the coupling shaft (18) supported by the image forming apparatus main body. The drum shaft convex portion (16) and the coupling shaft concave portion (17) are connected to each other, and a twisted triangular prism shape is formed between the coupling shaft (18) and the drum drive gear (22) in the same manner as in Patent Document 1. The coupling shaft convex part (20) and the gear side coupling concave part (21) are connected.
In the techniques described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, when the drum drive gear (22) is driven, the surfaces of the twisted triangular prisms rotate while contacting each other, so that the drum drive gear (22) and the coupling shaft (18) are mutually connected. The pulling force acts, and the axial position and radial position are stabilized. When the photosensitive drum (7) is detached, it is easily detached from the coupling shaft (18) by the play of the drum shaft recess (16).

JP 2000-347487 A ("0026" to "0045", FIGS. 3 to 10) JP 2000-214646 A (“0043” to “0051”, FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 10, FIG. 12, FIG. 13) JP 2000-338842 A (“0043” to “0044”, FIG. 3, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 10, FIG. 12, FIG. 13)

  This invention makes it a technical subject to move to the preset rotation position, when rotation transmission members mutually separate.

In order to solve the technical problem, a drive transmission device according to claim 1 is provided.
A first rotating shaft for transmitting rotation to the rotated body;
A second rotating shaft to which rotation for rotating the rotating body is transmitted;
A first rotation transmission member having a meshed portion and rotating together with the first rotation shaft;
The first rotary shaft is disposed at a radially outer position, has a meshing portion that meshes with the meshed portion , rotates with the second rotational shaft, and the first rotational shaft. A second rotation transmission member that can be connected to and disconnected from the rotation transmission member;
A first inclined portion having a shape provided in the meshed portion and inclined with respect to a release direction in which the second rotation transmission member is decoupled from the first rotation transmission member;
A second inclined portion provided in the meshing portion and capable of contacting the first inclined portion when the second rotation transmitting member is coupled to the first rotation transmitting member, the release direction; And when the second rotation transmission member is connected to the first rotation transmission member, the first inclination portion can be contacted, and the release direction is When the second rotation transmitting member moves, the second inclined portion that rotates the first inclined portion that comes into contact with the movement in the release direction to a preset rotation position;
It is provided with.

  The invention described in claim 2 is the drive transmission device according to claim 1,
  Any one of the meshed portion and the meshing portion formed in a concave shape along the axial direction of each rotating shaft;
  One of the meshed part and the meshed part formed in a convex shape along the axial direction of the rotating shaft;
  One of the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion formed by the concave inner surface of either the meshed portion or the meshed portion, and the circumference of each rotating shaft One of the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion when the connection between the second rotation transmitting member and the first rotation transmitting member is released. The one inclined part formed so that the interval becomes narrower as the inclined part goes away,
  It is provided with.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the drive transmission device according to claim 1 or 2,
  Any one of the meshed portion and the meshing portion formed in a concave shape along the axial direction of each rotating shaft;
  One of the meshed part and the meshed part formed in a convex shape along the axial direction of the rotating shaft;
  A tip portion constituted by the other convex tip of the meshing portion and the meshed portion, and the other of the meshing portion and the meshed portion with respect to the circumferential direction of each rotating shaft Compared to the maximum width of the inclined portion provided in the tip, the tip is narrow,
  It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention provides:
A first rotation shaft that is supported by the image forming apparatus main body and transmits rotation to a rotating body disposed inside the image forming apparatus main body;
An open / close supported rotatably on the image forming apparatus body about the rotation center between an open position where the inside of the image forming apparatus body is opened and a closed position where the inside of the image forming apparatus body is closed. A member,
A second rotating shaft that is supported by the opening and closing member and that transmits rotation for rotating the rotated body;
A first rotation transmission member having an engaged portion and supported by the first rotation shaft;
It is disposed at a position radially outside the second rotation shaft, has a meshing portion that meshes with the meshed portion, is supported by the second rotation shaft, and is formed of the opening / closing member. A second rotation transmitting member that can be connected to and disconnected from the first rotation transmitting member in accordance with the rotational movement;
A first inclined portion having a shape provided in the meshed portion and inclined with respect to a release direction in which the second rotation transmission member is decoupled from the first rotation transmission member;
A second inclined portion that is provided in the meshing portion and contacts the first inclined portion when the second rotation transmission member is coupled to the first rotation transmission member, in the release direction; When the second rotation transmitting member is connected to the first rotation transmitting member, the first inclined portion can be contacted with the first rotation transmitting member in the release direction. When the second rotation transmitting member moves, the second inclined portion that rotates the first inclined portion that comes into contact with the movement in the release direction to a preset rotation position;
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 5 is provided.
A first rotation shaft that is supported by the image forming apparatus main body and transmits rotation to a rotating body disposed inside the image forming apparatus main body;
A detachable body that is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus;
A second rotating shaft supported by the detachable body and transmitted to rotate the rotating body;
A first rotation transmission member having an engaged portion and supported by the first rotation shaft;
The second rotating shaft is disposed at a radially outer position, has a meshing portion that meshes with the meshed portion, is supported by the second rotating shaft, and is attached to the detachable body. A second rotation transmission member that can be connected to and disconnected from the first rotation transmission member in accordance with attachment and detachment;
A first inclined portion having a shape provided in the meshed portion and inclined with respect to a release direction in which the second rotation transmission member is decoupled from the first rotation transmission member;
A second inclined portion that is provided in the meshing portion and contacts the first inclined portion when the second rotation transmission member is coupled to the first rotation transmission member, in the release direction; When the second rotation transmitting member is connected to the first rotation transmitting member, the first inclined portion can be contacted with the first rotation transmitting member in the release direction. When the second rotation transmitting member moves, the second inclined portion that rotates the first inclined portion that comes into contact with the movement in the release direction to a preset rotation position;
It is provided with.

According to the first, fourth , and fifth aspects of the present invention, the rotation transmitting members are separated from each other as compared with the configuration that does not include the second inclined portion that rotates the first inclined portion when moving in the release direction. In this case, it can be moved to a preset rotational position.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the inclined portions can be easily brought into contact with each other when the rotation transmitting members are separated from each other as compared with the case where the interval is not narrow.
According to invention of Claim 3, compared with the case where it does not have the structure of this invention, when a 2nd rotation transmission member and a 1st rotation transmission member are connected, a meshing part is in a meshed part. It is easy to fit, and when the connection between the second rotation transmission member and the first rotation transmission member is released, the engagement portion can be easily removed from the engagement portion.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the opening / closing plate of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of the front wall member of the opening / closing plate in a state of being mounted on the frame. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a state in which the opening / closing plate is looked down diagonally to the right from the front diagonally upper left position. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the opening / closing plate has moved to the connection release position from the state of FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged explanatory view of the main part of the photosensitive member positioning mechanism of the open / close plate mounted on the frame, and is an explanatory view of the open / close plate in a state where the front wall member is omitted from the state of FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged explanatory view of the rear wall member of the opening / closing plate of Example 1, FIG. 7A is an enlarged explanatory view of the rear wall member, and FIG. 7B is a shaft end portion of the photosensitive member supported by the rear wall member and the torsion spring. It is an enlarged explanatory view of the state made. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the handle according to the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 3. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram regarding the engagement of the coupling according to the first embodiment, and is a perspective enlarged explanatory diagram of the handle in which the front wall member and the rear wall member of the opening / closing plate are omitted. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the elastic spring of Example 1, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of the front side coupling of Example 1, FIG. 11A is a view seen from diagonally forward, FIG. 11B is a view seen from the arrow XIB direction of FIG. 11A, FIG. 11C is a side view of the front side coupling, 11D is a view seen from the arrow XID direction of FIG. 11C, FIG. 11E is a view seen from the arrow XIE direction of FIG. 11C, FIG. 11F is a view seen from the arrow XIF direction of FIG. It is a XIG line sectional view. 12 is an enlarged explanatory view of the main part of the belt positioning mechanism of the first embodiment, FIG. 12A is an explanatory view of the state where the intermediate transfer belt is moved to the contact position, and FIG. 12B is the intermediate transfer belt moved to the separation position. It is explanatory drawing of the made state. FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of the rear coupling of the first embodiment, FIG. 13A is a perspective view, and FIG. 13B is a side view. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of a state in which the positioning plate is moved from the lowered position to the raised position by rotating the handle counterclockwise from the state of FIG. 15A and 15B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the first embodiment. FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating a state where the front coupling and the rear coupling are engaged with each other. FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating a state where the front coupling starts to be removed. These are explanatory drawings of the state in which the front coupling is completely removed. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the first embodiment. FIG. 16A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the front coupling and the rear coupling are engaged with each other when the handle is not completely moved to the unlocked position, and FIG. FIG. 16C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the front coupling has been removed from the state shown in FIG. 16A, FIG. 16C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the front coupling has been completely removed from the state shown in FIG. 16B, and FIG. It is the figure which the coupling rotated to the state shown to FIG. 15C. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the prior art, FIG. 17A corresponds to FIG. 16A of the first embodiment, FIG. 17B corresponds to FIG. 16B of the first embodiment, and FIG. 17C corresponds to FIG. It is a figure to do. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of the coupling of the second embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 15A of the first embodiment.

Next, examples which are specific examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.
In FIG. 1, a copying machine U as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment includes an automatic document feeder U1 and an image forming apparatus body U2 that supports the automatic document feeder U1 and has a transparent document reading surface PG at the upper end. ing.
The automatic document feeder U1 includes a document feeding unit TG1 that accommodates a plurality of documents Gi to be copied, and a document feeding position that is fed from the document feeding unit TG1 and passes through a document reading position on the document reading surface PG. A document discharge section TG2 from which the document Gi is discharged.
The apparatus main body U2 includes a user interface UI as an example of an input operation unit for a user to input an operation command signal for starting an image forming operation, an exposure optical system A, and the like.

Reflected light from a document conveyed on the document reading surface PG by the automatic document feeder U1 or a document manually placed on the document reading surface PG is passed through the exposure optical system A by the solid-state image sensor CCD. It is converted into electrical signals of red: R, green: G, blue: B.
The information conversion unit IPS converts the RGB electrical signals input from the solid-state imaging device CCD into image information of black: K, yellow: Y, magenta: M, cyan: C, and temporarily stores the image information. The information is output to the latent image forming circuit DL as image information for forming a latent image at a preset time.
When the original image is a single color image, so-called monochrome, image information of only black: K is input to the latent image forming circuit DL.
The latent image forming circuit DL has drive circuits for the respective colors Y, M, C, and K (not shown), and signals corresponding to the input image information are set for the latent images arranged for the respective colors at a preset time. Output to the image forming apparatuses LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
Visible image forming devices Uy, Um, Uc, Uk arranged in the center of the copying machine U in the direction of gravity are devices for forming visible images of Y, M, C, K colors, respectively.
The Y, M, C, and K latent image writing lights emitted from the light sources of the latent image forming devices LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk are examples of second positioned members, The light enters the photoconductors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk as an example. In the first embodiment, the latent image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk are configured by a so-called LED array in which LEDs (Light Emission Diodes) as writing elements are arranged in a straight line.
The Y-color visible image forming device Uy includes a rotating photoconductor PRy, a charger CRy, a latent image forming device LHy, a developing device Gy, a primary transfer device T1y, and a photoconductor cleaner as an example of an image carrier cleaner. It has CLy. In the first embodiment, the photoconductor PRy, the charger CRy, and the photoconductor cleaner CLy are configured as an image holding unit that can be integrally attached to and detached from the apparatus main body U2.
The visible image forming apparatuses Um, Uc, Uk are all configured in the same manner as the Y-color visible image forming apparatus Uy.

  1 and 2, the photoconductors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are charged by their respective chargers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk, and then at the image writing positions Q1y, Q1m, Q1c, and Q1k. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the latent image writing light. The electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photoconductors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are developed in the developing regions Q2y, Q2m, Q2c, and Q2k as developing roller R0y as an example of a developer holding member of the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk. , R0m, R0c, and R0k are developed into a toner image as an example of a visible image.

The developed toner image is an example of a first member to be positioned, and is conveyed to primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k that are in contact with an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member. The primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt B in the primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k are controlled by a controller C as an example of a control unit. A primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity is applied from the power supply circuit E at a preset time.
The toner images on the photoconductors PRy to PRk are primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer body by the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k. Residues and deposits on the surface of the photoconductors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk after the primary transfer are cleaned by the photoconductor cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc, and CLk. The cleaned surfaces of the photoreceptors PRy to PRk are recharged by the chargers CRy to CRk.

Above the photoconductors PRy to PRk, a belt module BM as an example of an intermediate transfer device is disposed. The belt module BM includes the intermediate transfer belt B, a belt drive roll Rd as an example of an intermediate transfer member drive member, a tension roll Rt as an example of a tension applying member, a walking roll Rw as an example of a meandering prevention member, and a driven It includes an idler roll Rf as an example of a member, a backup roll T2a as an example of a secondary transfer counter member, and the primary transfer units T1y to T1k. The intermediate transfer belt B is rotatably supported by the rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, and T2a.
The belt module BM is provided with a rotation detection member SN1 that detects the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt B. The rotation detection member SN1 according to the first exemplary embodiment detects the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt B by detecting a detected portion (not shown) arranged at one end of the intermediate transfer belt B within a preset rotation time. . In Example 1, the time required for one rotation of the intermediate transfer belt B is set as the rotation time.

Further, a secondary transfer roll T2b as an example of a secondary transfer member is disposed so as to face the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B in contact with the backup roll T2a. A secondary transfer device T2 is configured by the backup roll T2a and the secondary transfer roll T2b. Further, a secondary transfer region Q4 is formed by a region where the secondary transfer roll T2b and the intermediate transfer belt B face each other.
The single-color or multi-color toner images transferred in sequence on the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer units T1y to T1k in the primary transfer areas Q3y to Q3k are conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4.
The primary transfer units T1y to T1k, the intermediate transfer belt B, the secondary transfer unit T2, and the like constitute a transfer device T1 + T2 + B of Example 1 that transfers an image formed on the photoconductors PRy to PRk to a medium.

  Below the visible image forming devices Uy to Uk, a pair of left and right guide rails GR as an example of a guide member is provided, and the guide rail GR has a sheet feed as an example of a sheet feeding unit. The trays TR1 to TR3 are supported so as to be able to enter and exit in the front-rear direction. A recording sheet S as an example of a medium accommodated in the paper feed trays TR1 to TR3 is taken out by a pickup roll Rp as an example of a medium take-out member and separated one by one by a separating roll Rs as an example of a medium separating member. The The recording sheet S is transported along a sheet transport path SH, which is an example of a medium transport path, by a plurality of transport rolls Ra, which is an example of a medium transport member, and is disposed upstream of the secondary transfer region Q4 in the sheet transport direction. Is sent to a registration roll Rr as an example of the adjusted timing member. A sheet conveying device SH + Ra + Rr is configured by the sheet conveying path SH, the sheet conveying roll Ra, the registration roll Rr, and the like.

The registration roll Rr conveys the recording sheet S to the secondary transfer area Q4 in time for the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B to be conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4. When the recording sheet S passes through the secondary transfer region Q4, the backup roll T2a is grounded, and the secondary transfer unit T2b is supplied with a polarity 2 opposite to the toner charging polarity from the power supply circuit E controlled by the controller C. A next transfer voltage is applied. At this time, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred to the recording sheet S by the secondary transfer device T2.
The intermediate transfer belt B after the secondary transfer is cleaned by a belt cleaner CLb as an example of an intermediate transfer body cleaner.

The recording sheet S on which the toner image is secondarily transferred has a fixing region Q5 which is a contact region of a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating fixing member of the fixing device F and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressure fixing member. And heated and fixed when passing through the fixing region. The heat-fixed recording sheet S is discharged from a discharge roller Rh as an example of a medium discharge member to a discharge tray TRh as an example of a medium discharge unit.
Note that a release agent for improving the releasability of the recording sheet S from the heating roll is applied to the surface of the heating roll Fh by a release agent coating device Fa.

  Above the belt module BM, developer cartridges Ky, Km, Kc, and Kk, which are examples of developer containers that store yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K developers, are disposed. The developers stored in the developer cartridges Ky to Kk are replenished to the developing devices Gy to Gk according to the consumption of the developer in the developing devices Gy to Gk. In the first embodiment, the developer contained in the developing devices Gy to Gk is constituted by a two-component developer including a magnetic carrier and a toner to which an external additive is applied, and the developer cartridge Ky. From .about.Kk, so-called high-concentration toner is replenished in which the ratio of the toner to the carrier is larger than the developer in the developing devices Gy to Gk.

(Description of the opening / closing plate 6 of the first embodiment)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the opening / closing plate of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of the front wall member of the opening / closing plate in a state of being mounted on the frame.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a state in which the opening / closing plate is looked down diagonally to the right from the front diagonally upper left position.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the opening / closing plate has moved from the state of FIG. 4 to the connection release position and the belt module has been removed.
3 and 5, the frame 1 of the apparatus main body U2 according to the first embodiment is formed with an opening 1a that opens front ends of the belt module BM, the photoconductors PRy to PRk, and the chargers CRy to CRk. Yes. 3 to 5, an upper lock 2 as an example of a closing holding portion is supported on the upper left side of the opening 1a. The upper lock 2 has a plate-like upper lock body 2 a as an example of an opening restriction member body fixedly supported by the frame body 1. Further, a central portion of the upper lock body 2a has a semi-cylindrical convex portion 2b that protrudes forward, and a partial ring that is disposed forward of the convex portion 2b and is concentric with the convex portion 2b and has a small diameter. A first restricting portion 2c having a shape is formed.

  In FIG. 5, a right lock 3 as an example of a second opening restriction member is formed at the right end of the frame 1. The right lock 3 is fixedly supported by the frame body 1 to form a second restricting portion 3a surrounding the front of the frame body 1, and between the frame body 1 and the second restricting portion 3a. Is formed with a through hole 3b. Further, shaft members 4 and 4 extending in the left-right direction are supported below the opening 1a with a gap therebetween. 3 and 5, positioning pins 5 and 5 as an example of a first opening / closing positioning portion projecting forward are supported at both left and right end portions of the frame body 1. In Embodiment 1, the left positioning pin 5 is disposed above the left end of the opening 1a, and the right positioning pin 5 is disposed to the right of the upper right end of the opening 1a.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged explanatory view of the main part of the photosensitive member positioning mechanism of the open / close plate mounted on the frame, and is an explanatory view of the open / close plate in a state where the front wall member is omitted from the state of FIG.
7A and 7B are explanatory views of the rear wall member of the opening and closing plate of Example 1, FIG. 7A is an enlarged explanatory view of the rear wall member, and FIG. 7B is a shaft end portion of the photoreceptor supported by the rear wall member and the torsion spring. FIG.
3 to 6, an opening / closing plate 6 as an example of the opening / closing member of the first embodiment is supported in front of the frame body 1 of the first embodiment. 3 to 5, the opening / closing plate 6 according to the first embodiment includes a front wall member 7 as an example of a front opening / closing member and a rear wall as an example of a rear opening / closing member fixedly supported by the front wall member 7. Member 8. Further, shaft supported portions 9 and 9 that are rotatably supported by the shaft members 4 and 4 are formed at the lower end portion of the front wall member 7 as an example of the rotation center. That is, the opening / closing plate 6 is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the frame body 1 with the shaft members 4 and 4 as rotation centers.

  A gear housing portion 11 as an example of a convex gear housing portion is formed on the upper left end portion of the opening / closing plate 6 and is formed corresponding to the first restricting portion 2c. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, a notch portion 11 a cut out along the outer periphery of the gear housing portion 11 on the front wall member 7 side is formed on the rear upper end portion of the gear housing portion 11. A second opening 11 b is formed between the notch 11 a and the rear wall member 8. Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, a first rotation through hole 11 c that penetrates the rear wall member 8 in the front-rear direction is formed in the central portion of the gear housing portion 11.

Further, first discharge paths 12y to 12k that extend forward from the photoconductor cleaners CLy to CLk and discharge the developer and the like collected by the photoconductor cleaners CLy to CLk are provided at the center of the front wall member 7. First front discharge through holes 7a to 7d that pass therethrough are formed. In addition, a second front discharge passage that extends forward from the belt cleaner CLb and through which the second discharge path 13 through which the developer collected by the belt cleaner CLb is discharged passes through the right end portion of the front wall member 7. A hole 7e is formed.
In FIG. 7, the rear wall member 8 includes first rear discharge through holes 8a to 8d and second rear discharge through holes at positions facing the front discharge through holes 7a to 7d and 7e. 8e is formed.
That is, each discharge path 12y-12k, 13 of Example 1 has penetrated each discharge through-hole (7a-7d, 8a-8d), (7e, 8e) of the said opening-and-closing plate 6. FIG. Each of the discharge paths 12y to 12k, 13 is connected to a recovery container (not shown) disposed on the front side of the opening / closing plate 6 to recover the developer.

  Photoreceptor through holes 8f to 8i through which the shaft end portions 16y to 16k of the photoconductors PRy to PRk pass are formed on the right side of the first rear discharge through holes 8a to 8d. Further, a second rotation through hole 8j penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed in the left central portion of the rear wall member 8. Further, on the outside of the second rotation through hole 8j, semicircular arc connecting through holes 8k, 8k are formed so as to face each other in the front-rear direction surrounding the second rotation through hole 8j. In addition, a positioning through hole 8m as an example of a first opening / closing positioning portion through which the left positioning pin 5 passes is formed at the left upper end portion of the rear wall member 8. In addition, a positioning through long hole 8n as an example of a second opening / closing positioning portion that is penetrated by the right positioning pin 5 is formed in the right upper end portion of the rear wall member 8.

(Description of the upper lock gear 23 of the first embodiment)
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the handle according to the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 3.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram regarding the engagement of the coupling according to the first embodiment, and is a perspective enlarged explanatory diagram of the handle in which the front wall member and the rear wall member of the opening / closing plate are omitted.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the elastic spring of Example 1, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG.
In FIG. 6, the gear accommodating portion 11 accommodates an upper lock gear 23 as an example of an upper transmission member. In FIG. 8, the upper lock gear 23 is supported by a rear pin 24 as an example of a rear rotation shaft supported by the first rotation through hole 11 c of the rear wall member 8. In FIG. 9, a cylindrical small-diameter portion 25 is formed on the front side of the upper lock gear 23, and an upper gear portion 26 as an example of a first gear is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 25 in a half circumference. Minutes are formed.

  Further, a cylindrical large-diameter portion 27 having a diameter larger than that of the small-diameter portion 25 and coaxial with the small-diameter portion 25 is formed on the rear side of the upper lock gear 23. On the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 27, as an example of a held portion, a fan-shaped upper portion is formed corresponding to the convex portion 2b and fits between the convex portion 2b and the first restricting portion 2c. A lock cam 28 is formed. In FIG. 9, the upper lock cam 28 is formed as an example of the closing movement portion so that the width in the front-rear direction increases as it proceeds from the right end to the central portion in the counterclockwise direction Ya when viewed from the front. A guide portion 28a and a locked portion 28b formed so that the width in the front-rear direction is constant from the center portion to the left end in the counterclockwise direction Ya are formed.

(Description of Handle 29 of Example 1)
3 to 6 and 8 to 10, a handle 29 as an example of an operation unit that can be rotated by an operator's operation is fixedly supported at the front end of the small-diameter portion 25. 9 and 10, the handle 29 according to the first embodiment includes a handle shaft 29 a as an example of a front rotary shaft that is fixedly supported by the small diameter portion 25 through a through hole (not shown) of the front wall member 7. Have. The handle 29 has a grip portion 29b that extends in the radial direction from the front end portion of the handle shaft 29a disposed in front of the front wall member 7 and can be gripped by an operator. Therefore, the handle 29 and the upper lock gear 23 are supported so as to be integrally rotatable about the rear pin 24 as a rotation center, and when the handle 29 is rotated, the upper lock gear 23 is also rotated.

(Description of the lower coupling gear 31 of the first embodiment)
In FIGS. 6 and 8 to 10, a lower cup as an example of a lower transmission member is provided below the upper lock gear 23 in a space between the front wall member 7 and the rear wall member 8. A ring gear 31 is arranged. In FIG. 10, the lower coupling gear 31 according to the first embodiment includes a disc-shaped gear body 31a as an example of a gear body. A cylindrical coupling support portion 32 extending rearward from the rear surface is formed at the center of the gear body 31a, and a shaft through hole 32a penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed inside the coupling support portion 32. Is formed. On the rear surface of the gear main body 31a, a spring accommodating portion 33 is formed concentrically with the coupling support portion 32 around the shaft through hole 32a. A fan-shaped fan plate 36 centered on the shaft through hole 32a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the gear body 31a. A second meshing portion of the fan plate 36 meshes with the upper gear portion 26. An intermediate gear portion 37 as an example of the gear is formed. Further, a lower gear portion 38 as an example of a third gear is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the spring accommodating portion 32 at a position out of phase with the fan plate 36 by a half circumference.

(Description of the front coupling 41 of the first embodiment)
11 is an explanatory view of the front side coupling of Example 1, FIG. 11A is a view seen from diagonally forward, FIG. 11B is a view seen from the arrow XIB direction of FIG. 11A, FIG. 11C is a side view of the front side coupling, 11D is a view seen from the arrow XID direction of FIG. 11C, FIG. 11E is a view seen from the arrow XIE direction of FIG. 11C, FIG. 11F is a view seen from the arrow XIF direction of FIG. It is a XIG line sectional view.
In FIG. 10, the shaft through hole 32a has a lower rotating shaft 39 that is rotatably supported by the second rotating through hole 8j of the opening and closing plate 6 as an example of the second rotating shaft, The lower coupling gear 31 is supported on the lower rotating shaft 39. Further, on the rear side of the coupling support portion 32, a front coupling 41 that is movable in the front-rear direction is supported as an example of a second transmission member.
In FIG. 11, a front coupling 41 according to the first embodiment is a cylindrical front coupling body that is penetrated by the coupling support portion 32 and supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, as an example of a second transmission member body. 42.

The coupling body 42 is formed with a cylindrical through hole 42a through which the coupling support portion 32 penetrates. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11D, the through hole 42a extends in the radial direction and has a coupling support. A pair of left and right concave anti-rotation portions 42b extending in the axial direction that fit into convex portions (not shown) of the portion 32 are formed. Therefore, the front coupling 41 of the first embodiment can be integrally rotated with respect to the coupling support portion 32 and in the front-rear direction by contact between a convex portion (not shown) of the coupling support portion 32 and the rotation preventing portion 42b. It is supported movably.
At the rear end of the front coupling body 42, a flange portion 43 as an example of a disc-shaped edge disposed on the front side of the rear wall member 8 is integrally formed. In the first embodiment, the outer diameter of the flange portion 43 is formed corresponding to the outer diameter of the spring accommodating portion 32.

Further, on the rear surface of the flange portion 43, as an example of a meshing portion, a connecting claw portion 44 that protrudes rearward and can penetrate the connecting through holes 8k, 8k is integrally formed. In FIG. 11, a pair of the connecting claw portions 44 according to the first embodiment are arranged symmetrically with respect to the through hole 42 a of the front coupling body 42. In the state shown in FIG. 11C, the connecting claw portion 44 disposed on the right side has a base end portion 44a extending from the flange portion 43 in the axially outer side, that is, toward the rear. At the rear end of the base end portion 44a, as an example of the second inclined portion, an inclined portion 44b extending obliquely downward with respect to the axial direction is formed. A tip end portion 44c extending obliquely upward is formed at the rear end of the inclined portion 44b. Therefore, the inclined portion 44b has a contact inclined surface 44b1 inclined downward as it goes rearward as an example of the contact portion on the lower surface, and the tip portion 44c is rearward as an example of the guide portion on the lower surface. It has the inclination guide surface 44c1 which inclines upwards as it goes to.
Note that the left connecting claw portion 44 shown in FIG. 11G is formed in a vertically symmetrical shape with respect to the right connecting claw portion 44.

(Description of Elastic Spring 45 of Example 1)
Further, between the front surface of the flange portion 43 and the rear surface of the gear main body 31a, an elastic spring 45 as an example of an urging member passes through the front coupling main body 42 and the coupling support portion 32 and accommodates the spring. It is supported inside the portion 33. Therefore, the elastic spring 45 is supported in a state of being penetrated by the lower rotating shaft 39 via the members 32 and 42. In the first embodiment, the elastic spring 45 urges the front coupling 41 backward. Therefore, in the state where no external force is acting, the front side coupling 41 of the first embodiment has the rear surface of the flange portion 43 in contact with the front surface of the rear wall member 8 as shown in FIGS. The connection claw portion 44 is held in a state of passing through the connection through hole 8k.

(Description of the rack gear 46 of the first embodiment)
6 and 10, below the lower coupling gear 31, a rack gear 46 as an example of a second transmitted member is provided in a space between the front wall member 7 and the rear wall member 8. Is supported. The rack gear 46 is an example of a second transmitted member main body that extends in the arrow Yb direction inclined from the left-right direction, and includes a rack 46a as an example of a flat plate member. A gear portion 46 b as an example of a fourth gear that meshes with the lower gear portion 38 is formed on the upper end surface of the rack 46.
The upper lock gear 23, the lower coupling gear 31 and the like constitute a second transmission member (23 + 31).

(Description of Positioning Plate 47 of Example 1)
Further, behind the rack gear 46, in the space between the front wall member 7 and the rear wall member 8, as an example of a second positioning member, as an example of a positioning member for an image carrier. A positioning plate 47 is arranged. In FIG. 6, the positioning plate 47 according to the first embodiment has a plate shape extending from above the through holes 8 a to 8 d and 8 f to 8 i of the rear wall member 8 to below the second rear discharge through hole 8 e. Is formed.
At the left end portion of the positioning plate 47, a rack support portion 47a as an example of a flat plate member support portion for supporting the rack 46a is formed. In addition, a first through hole 47b extending in parallel with the rack 46a is formed obliquely above and to the right of the rack support portion 47a. The right end of the positioning plate 47 is formed with a second through hole 47c extending in parallel with the first through hole 47b.

  Plate support pins 51 and 52 as an example of a positioning support member fixedly supported by the rear wall member 8 pass through the through holes 47b and 47c of the first embodiment. Therefore, the positioning plate 47 is supported by the plate support pins 51 and 52 so as to be slidable in the arrow Yb direction.

6 and 7, the rear surface of the positioning plate 47 is in contact with the shaft end portions 16y to 16k of the photoconductors PRy to PRk at a position corresponding to the upper right of the photoconductors PRy to PRk. Torsion springs 53y to 53k as an example of a photosensitive member urging member that urges downward are supported. In Example 1, as shown in FIG. 7B, the lower end portions of the shaft end portions 16y to 16k are two points, that is, right lower portions 17y to 17k and left lower portions 18y to 18k of the photoreceptor through holes 8f to 8i. It is supported. Therefore, when the upper portions 19y to 19k of the shaft end portions 16y to 16k are pushed downward by the torsion springs 53y to 53k, the shaft end portions 16y to 16k are supported at three different points. As a result, the shaft end portions 16y to 16k are supported in a state of receiving forces from three different directions, and are positioned and fixed in a state in which the backlash in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is reduced.
A plate-like second regulated member 54 extending toward the through hole 3 b of the right lock 3 on the right side is supported on the right end portion of the front surface of the positioning plate 47.

(Description of Belt Positioning Mechanism BM2 of Example 1)
(Description of Link LN of Example 1)
12 is an enlarged explanatory view of the main part of the belt positioning mechanism of the first embodiment, FIG. 12A is an explanatory view of the state where the intermediate transfer belt is moved to the contact position, and FIG. 12B is the intermediate transfer belt moved to the separation position. It is explanatory drawing of the made state.
In FIG. 12, a link main body 56 as an example of an interlocking member main body extending in the left-right direction is disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt B of the first embodiment. Guide long holes 57 and 58 extending in the left-right direction are formed in the central portion of the link main body 56 of the first embodiment. The guide long holes 57 and 58 are shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 and FIG. Body support pins 59 and 60 as an example of body support portions supported by the frame body BM1 of the belt module BM pass through. Therefore, the link main body 56 of the first embodiment is supported by the main body support pins 59 and 60 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction.

A plate-like cam contact portion 61 as an example of an eccentric contact portion is formed at the left end portion of the link body 56. On the right side of the cam contact portion 61, connecting shafts 62y to 62k are supported at a distance from the primary transfer units T1y to T1k.
Further, between the link main body 56 and the primary transfer units T1y to T1k, arms 63y to 63k as an example of a substantially L-shaped interlocking arm portion are arranged. The central portions of the arms 63y to 63k according to the first embodiment are rotatably supported by the interlocking rotation shafts 64y to 64k supported by the frame body BM1. Further, one end of each of the arms 63y to 63k is supported by the connecting shafts 62y to 62k, and the other end is supported by a rotation shaft of the primary transfer units T1y to T1k.

Further, between the arms 63y to 63k and the link main body 56, tension springs 66y to 66k as an example of a tension applying member are supported. One ends of the tension springs 66y to 66k are supported on the connecting shafts 62y to 62k side of the arms 63y to 63k, and pull the arms 63y to 63k to the left. Further, a main body pressing spring 68 as an example of a main body pressing member that presses the link main body 56 to the left is supported between the left end portion of the link main body 56 and the left end wall 67 of the frame body BM1. .
Each of the members 56 to 61, 62y to 62k, 63y to 63k, 64y to 64k, 66y to 66k, 68, etc. constitute a link LN as an example of an interlocking member.
An eccentric cam 69, which is an example of a rotated body and an example of an eccentric rotating member, is disposed on the left side of the cam contact portion 61. The eccentric cam 69 according to the first embodiment is formed in a disk shape in cross section, and an eccentric rotation shaft 69a of the eccentric cam 69 is rotatably supported by the frame body BM1.

(Description of rear side coupling 71 of Example 1)
FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of the rear coupling of the first embodiment, FIG. 13A is a perspective view, and FIG. 13B is a side view.
8 to 10, an eccentric rotation shaft 69a as an example of the first rotation shaft is formed to extend forward through the front end wall 70 of the frame BM1, and the front end of the eccentric rotation shaft 69a. A rear coupling 71 as an example of a first rotation transmission member is supported on the part.
The rear coupling 71 of the first embodiment includes a rear coupling body 72 as an example of a first transmission member body. 10 and 13, a shaft through hole 72a through which the eccentric rotating shaft 69a passes is formed at the center of the rear coupling body 72, and the eccentric rotating shaft 69a passes through the shaft through hole 72a. It has been retained.

  At the front end of the rear side coupling main body 72, as an example of a portion to be engaged, a connecting engagement groove 72b extending in the radial direction so as to pass through the shaft through hole 72a is formed. The coupling engagement groove 72b according to the first embodiment includes an inner surface 72b1 that is inclined corresponding to the contact inclined surface 44b1 of the front coupling 44 as an example of the first inclined portion. As shown in FIG. 13B, the inner surface 72b1 of the first embodiment is formed in a shape that is inclined in the direction toward the axial center, that is, the axial through hole 72a, that is, toward the center of the shaft. The interval between the inner surfaces 72b1 is set to become narrower as it goes forward. Note that, at the front end with the narrowest width, the width of the coupling mesh groove 72b is set to a width that allows the coupling claw portion 44 to pass through and the coupling claw portion 44 to fit into the coupling mesh groove 72b.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the extending direction of the connecting mesh groove 72b coincides with the direction of the straight line connecting the connecting claw portions 44, the connecting mesh groove 72b fits in the connecting claw portion 44, that is, The front coupling 41 and the rear coupling 71 are connected with each other.
In the first embodiment, the eccentric cam 69 is arranged such that the eccentric direction of a straight line connecting the center of the cross-sectional circle of the eccentric cam 69 and the eccentric rotation shaft 69a is orthogonal to the direction in which the coupling engagement groove 72b extends. Is arranged.
The front coupling 41, the rear coupling 71, the return rotation shaft 69a, the lower rotation shaft 39, and the like constitute the drive transmission device 39 + 41 + 69a + 71 of the first embodiment.
The members T1y to T1k, LN, 69, 71 and the like constitute a belt positioning mechanism BM2 which is an example of a first positioning member and an example of a positioning member for an intermediate transfer member.

(Description of Open / Close Lock of Open / Close Plate 6 of Example 1)
Here, in a state where the image forming operation shown in FIG. 6 is executed, the handle 29 is moved to a lock position where the grip portion 29b extends obliquely downward to the right from the handle shaft 29a as an example of the first operation position. ing. At this time, the upper lock cam 28 of the upper lock gear 23 passes through the second opening 11b, and the locked portion 28b fits into the space between the convex portion 2b of the upper lock 2 and the first restricting portion 2c. Arranged in a trapped state.
In addition, the positioning plate 47 has a second positioning position in which the left ends of the through holes 47b and 47c are brought into contact with the plate support pins 51 and 52 and are lowered obliquely downward to the right via the gears 23, 31, and 46. It has moved to the lowered position as an example. At this time, the second regulated member 54 of the positioning plate 47 is arranged in a state of penetrating the through hole 3b of the right lock 3.
Therefore, when the handle 29 moves to the lock position, the opening and closing plate 6 is restricted from being opened and closed around the shaft members 4 and 4 by the locked portion 28b and the regulated member 54. That is, the opening / closing of the opening / closing plate 6 is locked.

(Description of positioning of each member PRy to PRk, B of Example 1)
Further, when the positioning plate 47 moves to the lowered position, the torsion springs 53y to 53k urge the photosensitive members PRy to PRk downward. Therefore, the photoconductors PRy to PRk are positioned between the torsion springs 53y to 53k and the photoconductor through holes 8f to 8i.
In the state where the image forming operation is executed, as shown in FIG. 12A, the eccentric cam 69 extends in the downward direction so that the pressing force to the right of the cam contact portion 61 is minimized. Has moved. Therefore, the belt positioning mechanism BM2 has a first positioning position in which the link main body 56 is pressed leftward by the main body pressing spring 68 and the main body support pins 59, 60 are in contact with the right ends of the guide long holes 57, 58. It moves to the transfer pressing position as an example.

At this time, the link LN moves the primary transfer units T1y to T1k downward via the arms 63y to 63k. Therefore, the intermediate transfer belt B moves to a contact position where the intermediate transfer belt B comes into contact with the photoreceptors PRy to PRk and is positioned in a state where the primary transfer units T1y to T1k face the photoreceptors PRy to PRk.
As a result, in the state where the image forming operation is executed, the photosensitive members PRy to PRk and the intermediate transfer belt B are positioned by the positioning members 47 and BM2, and the opening / closing of the opening / closing plate 6 is locked.

(Description of unlocking of opening / closing of the opening / closing plate 6 of Example 1)
FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of a state in which the positioning plate is moved from the lowered position to the raised position by rotating the handle counterclockwise from the state of FIG.
In FIG. 12B and FIG. 14, when the operator grips the grip portion 29b and rotates it in the counterclockwise direction Ya around the handle shaft 29a, the handle 29 is an example of the second operation position. As a result, the gripping portion 29b moves to the unlocking position extending rightward from the handle shaft 29a. At this time, the upper lock cam 28 that rotates integrally with the handle 29 is disposed in a state where it moves out of the space of the upper lock 2 and moves to the inside of the opening / closing plate 6.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the positioning plate 47 is inclined obliquely upward to the left with the right ends of the through holes 47 b and 47 c contacting the plate support pins 51 and 52 via the gears 23, 31 and 46. It slides along the arrow Yb direction to the raised position as an example of the raised second release position. At this time, the second regulated member 54 is disposed in a state in which the second regulated member 54 is released from the through hole 3b of the right lock 3 and the penetration is released.
Therefore, when the handle 29 is moved to the unlocking position, the opening / closing plate 6 is unlocked, and the opening / closing plate 6 can be opened / closed with respect to the frame 1 around the shaft members 4, 4. It becomes.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the opening / closing plate 6 is opened as an example of a closing position, and closes the opening 1 a of the frame body 1 so that the couplings 41 and 71 can be connected to each other. As an example of the position, as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to move between a connection release position where the opening 1 a is opened and the connection between the couplings 41 and 71 is released.
In Example 1, when the opening / closing plate 6 is moved to the connection release position, the belt module BM and the photoconductors PRy to PRk can be attached and detached from the opening 1a in the front-rear direction.

(Description of positioning release of each member PRy to PRk, B of Example 1)
Here, in Example 1, when the positioning plate 47 moves to the raised position, the torsion springs 53y to 53k are separated from the photoconductors PRy to PRk. As a result, the photoconductors PRy to PRk are released from urging from the torsion springs 53y to 53k, and the positioning of the photoconductors PRy to PRk is released.

  When the couplings 41 and 71 are connected to each other, when the handle 29 is moved to the unlocking position, the eccentric rotating shaft 69a rotates via the couplings 41 and 71, and the eccentric cam 69 rotates. To do. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12B, the eccentric direction of the eccentric cam 69 extends to the right, and the cam contact portion 61 has moved to the pressing position where the pressing force to the right is maximized. When the eccentric cam 69 moves to the pressing position, the link main body 56 is pressed rightward against the pressing force of the main body pressing spring 68. At this time, the belt positioning mechanism BM2 moves to a transfer retreat position as an example of a first release position in which the main body support pins 59 and 60 are in contact with the right ends of the guide long holes 57 and 58. At this time, the link LN moves the primary transfer units T1y to T1k upward via the arms 63y to 63k.

Therefore, the intermediate transfer belt B is separated from the photoconductors PRy to PRk and moved to a separation position where the primary transfer units T1y to T1k are retracted from the photoconductors PRy to PRk and the positioning is released. In the first exemplary embodiment, the intermediate transfer belt B that has moved to the separation position is stretched with a smaller tension than the case where the intermediate transfer belt B has moved to the contact position by the rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a, and T1y to T1k. Thus, it is supported in a state of being separated from the photoconductors PRy to PRk.
As a result, when the handle 29 is moved to the unlocking position in a state where the couplings 41 and 71 are connected, the positioning of the photosensitive members PRy to PRk and the intermediate transfer belt B is released by the positioning members 47 and BM2. Then, the open / close lock of the open / close plate 6 is released.

(Operation of Example 1)
In the copying machine U of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the open / close plate 6 is moved to the connectable position as an example of the closed position shown in FIG. 4, the couplings 41 and 71 are in contact with each other, that is, The handle 29 and the eccentric rotation shaft 69a are connected in a state where rotation can be transmitted. Therefore, when the operator rotates the handle 29 between the locked position shown in FIG. 6 and the unlocked position shown in FIG. 12, the positioning plate 47 is moved to the lowered position shown in FIG. 6 and the raised position shown in FIG. The photosensitive members PRy to PRk are positioned and released.
At this time, the front coupling 41 is moved to the transmittable position shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and the belt positioning mechanism BM2 is moved to the transfer pressing position shown in FIG. 12A and shown in FIG. The intermediate transfer belt B slides between the transfer retracted position and the intermediate transfer belt B moves between the contact position shown in FIG. 12A and the separation position shown in FIG. 12B.

Therefore, in the copying machine U according to the first embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously perform positioning / releasing of the photoconductors PRy to PRk and the intermediate transfer belt B according to the operation of the handle 29.
Therefore, in the state where the couplings 41 and 71 are coupled, the first arrangement state in which the intermediate transfer belt B is moved to the contact position and the photosensitive members PRy to PRk are positioned, and the intermediate transfer belt B is separated from the photosensitive member. It is possible to move between the second arrangement state in which the positioning of PRy to PRk is released.

15A and 15B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the first embodiment. FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating a state where the front coupling and the rear coupling are engaged with each other. FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating a state where the front coupling starts to be removed. These are explanatory drawings of the state in which the front coupling is completely removed.
When the handle 29 moves to the lock release position, the contact between the second restricted member 54 of the positioning plate 47 and the right lock 3 is released, and the contact between the upper lock cam 28 and the upper lock 2 is also released. At this time, the contact inclined surface 44b1 of the front coupling 41, which is the downstream side in the rotational direction in which the handle 29 moves toward the unlock position, is in contact with the inner surface 72b1 of the coupling engagement groove 72b. When the opening / closing plate 6 moves toward the connection release position, the front coupling 41 starts to move in the contact release direction, which is forward, as shown in FIG. At this time, the contact inclined surface 44b1 and the inner surface 72b1 of the front coupling 41 that comes off are in contact with each other, and the inner surface 72b1 is pushed by the contact inclined surface 44b1, and as shown in FIGS. 15B and 15C, the rear cup The ring 71 rotates within the range of play and play. Therefore, when the front coupling 41 is removed, the rear coupling 71 is rotated to the rotational position shown in FIG. 15C, and after the exchange operation or the like is finished and the open / close plate 6 is closed, the front coupling 41 is moved to the rear side. It is set so as to fit into the coupling 71.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the first embodiment. FIG. 16A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the front coupling and the rear coupling are engaged with each other when the handle is not completely moved to the unlocked position, and FIG. FIG. 16C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the front coupling has been removed from the state shown in FIG. 16A, FIG. 16C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the front coupling has been completely removed from the state shown in FIG. 16B, and FIG. It is the figure which the coupling rotated to the state shown to FIG. 15C.
Similar to a general image forming apparatus, in the copying machine U according to the first embodiment, the contact between the second restricted member 54 of the positioning plate 47 and the right lock 3 and the contact between the upper lock cam 28 and the upper lock 2 are released. Therefore, a certain amount of rattling, so-called play, is ensured in response to improvements in operability, component accuracy, manufacturing errors, and the like. Accordingly, even before the handle 29 is completely moved to the unlocking position, the contact with the locks 2 and 3 is released, and the opening / closing plate 6 can start moving toward the connection releasing position. Become. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16A, the couplings 41 and 71 mesh with each other in a state of insufficient rotation as compared to the state shown in FIG. 15A.

16A and 16B, when the front coupling 41 starts to move in the contact release direction from the state shown in FIG. 16A, as shown in FIG. 16B, along with the contact between the contact inclined surface 44b1 and the inner surface 72b1, The rear side coupling 71 rotates. Accordingly, even when the opening / closing plate 6 is opened in a state where the handle 29 is not sufficiently rotated and has not been completely moved to the unlocked position, as shown in FIGS. 16B and 16C, the adjustment rotation which is a preset rotational position is performed. The rear coupling 71 is rotated to the position.
If the opening / closing plate 6 is opened and then closed, the handle 29 moves under its own weight or comes into contact with an external object such as a worker or a corner of a desk to completely move to the unlocking position. Is also possible. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16D, the front coupling 41 rotates more than the state shown in FIG. 16C, but the adjustment rotation position of the first embodiment is the front cup when the handle 29 is completely moved to the unlocking position. It is set so that the front end 72b2 of the inner surface 72b1 of the rear coupling 71 can come into contact with the inclined guide surface 44c1 of the ring 41. Therefore, when the front coupling 41 is inserted from the state shown in FIG. 16D, the inclined guide surface 44c1 is guided in contact with the front end 72b2 of the inner surface 72b1, and the front coupling 41 can mesh with the rear coupling 71. It has become.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the prior art, FIG. 17A corresponds to FIG. 16A of the first embodiment, FIG. 17B corresponds to FIG. 16B of the first embodiment, and FIG. 17C corresponds to FIG. It is a figure to do.
In FIG. 17, in the case of the combination of the groove part 01a and the claw part 02a protruding like a plate like the conventional couplings 01 and 02, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, it is completely moved to the unlocking position. Even if the coupling 02 comes off in the state before the operation, the coupling 02 on the main body side does not rotate. Then, when the coupling 02 rotates after the coupling 02 is removed and before it is inserted again, the groove 01a and the claw portion 02a may not match and may not be engaged.
In contrast, in the couplings 41 and 71 of the first embodiment, when the front coupling 41 is detached, the contact inclined surface 44b1 rotates the rear coupling 71 to the adjustment rotation position, which is shown in FIG. 16D. Thus, the occurrence of poor meshing is suppressed.

  Further, in the first embodiment, even if a poor meshing, that is, a so-called bite failure occurs, the front coupling 41 can move in the axial direction with respect to the lower rotary shaft 39 via the coupling support portion 32. The front coupling 41 moves forward and retracts, i.e., escapes, in the case of biting failure. Therefore, it is reduced that the handle 29 is rotated in the state of being bitten and the couplings 41 and 71 are damaged or abnormal noise is generated.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of the coupling of the second embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 15A of the first embodiment.
Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be given. Omitted.
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.
In FIG. 18, the front coupling 41 ′ of the second embodiment is formed such that the upper surface 44 c 2 of the tip end portion 44 c ′ is an extension of the upper surface of the inclined portion 44 b compared to the front coupling 41 of the first embodiment. As a whole, the tip portion 44c 'is formed in a narrower and sharper shape as compared with the tip portion 44c of the first embodiment as it goes to the tip end of the tip portion 44c'.

(Operation of Example 2)
In the copying machine U according to the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, the front end portion 44c ′ has a thin tip, and even if the front coupling 41 ′ rotates after coming out of the rear coupling 71, the front end portion 44c ′ is rotated. Compared to the configuration, it is easier to fit into the coupling engagement groove 72 b of the rear coupling 71.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is made in the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. Is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H08) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In the above-described embodiment, the copying machine U is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a facsimile machine or a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions may be used. Further, the present invention is not limited to a color image forming apparatus, and can be applied to a monochrome image forming apparatus.
(H02) In the above embodiment, the member to be positioned that is positioned / released by the rotation of the handle 29 is the intermediate transfer belt B and the photoconductors PRy to PRk. However, the member to be positioned is not limited to this. Other members such as latent image forming devices LHy to LHk and developing devices Gy to Gk can also be used.

(H03) In the above-described embodiment, the couplings 41 and 71 are not limited to the shapes of the coupling claw 44 and the coupling meshing groove 72b, but can be coupled by any shape meshing part and meshed part. It is. For example, the number of claws of the coupling claw portion 44 can be one or three or more, and the coupling engagement groove 72b can be formed in a concave shape instead of a groove. In addition, the front coupling 41 is provided with a convex claw portion 44, and the rear coupling 71 is provided with a concave coupling engagement groove 72b. It is also possible to provide a configuration in which two inclined portions are provided and a convex first inclined portion is provided on the rear coupling.

(H04) In the above embodiment, the front couplings 41 and 41 'as the second rotation transmission members are illustrated as being supported by the opening and closing plate 6 that rotates about the shaft supported portion 9. The front couplings 41 and 41 ′ may be provided on a detachable body that is not limited to a member that is opened and closed by rotation but inserted and pulled out. As such a detachable body, for example, developer cartridges TCy to TCk, paper feed trays TR1 to TR3, a belt module BM, and visible image forming apparatuses Uy to Uk can be considered. In addition, a so-called CRU (Customer Replaceable Unit) in which a photoconductor, a developing device, and the like in a single-color image forming apparatus can be integrated and replaced can be considered as a detachable body. The configuration using a coupling for the developer cartridge is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-268344 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-29518, and the coupling of the present invention can be applied to these configurations. Is possible. In addition, a configuration using a coupling for a paper feed tray is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-81467, and a configuration using a coupling for a belt module, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-25142. The coupling of the present invention can be applied to them. Moreover, as a structure which uses a coupling for CRU, it describes in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-20777, Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-19749, etc., for example, The coupling of this invention is applicable to these.

(H05) In the above-described embodiment, the front coupling 41 is configured to be movable in the axial direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the rear coupling 71 may be configured to be movable in the axial direction. In addition, it is desirable that at least one of the couplings 41 and 71 is movable, but it is also possible to adopt a structure incapable of movement.
(H06) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the guide plate 28a of the upper lock cam 28 pulls in the opening / closing plate 6 from the half-open state to the completely closed state is exemplified. However, although it is desirable to have this configuration, it may be omitted. Is possible.

(H07) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the eccentric rotation shaft 69a as an example of the first rotation shaft is directly connected to the eccentric cam 69 as an example of the rotated body is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. A configuration in which rotation is transmitted between the cam 69 and the rotation shaft 69a via a plurality of gear trains may be employed. Conversely, the configuration in which the rotation is transmitted between the front coupling 41 and the handle 29 via a plurality of gears is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the handle 29 and the front coupling 41 are connected to one shaft. It is also possible to have a configuration in which they are connected.
(H08) In the above embodiment, the rotation transmission members 41 and 71 are supported on the rotation shafts 39 and 69a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rotation shafts 39 and 69a and the rotation transmission members 41 and 71 are connected. It is also possible to adopt a structure that is not formed separately and is integrally formed.

6 ... Opening / closing member,
9 ... center of rotation,
29 ... operation unit,
39 ... second rotation axis,
39 + 41 + 69a + 71 ... drive transmission device,
41 ... second rotation transmission member,
44 ... the second inclined portion, the meshing portion,
45 ... biasing member,
69 ... Rotated object,
69a ... 1st rotating shaft,
71 ... the first rotation transmission member,
72a ... to be engaged,
72b ... 1st inclination part,
U: Image forming apparatus,
U2: Image forming apparatus main body.

Claims (5)

A first rotating shaft for transmitting rotation to the rotated body;
A second rotating shaft to which rotation for rotating the rotating body is transmitted;
A first rotation transmission member having a meshed portion and rotating together with the first rotation shaft;
The first rotary shaft is disposed at a radially outer position, has a meshing portion that meshes with the meshed portion , rotates with the second rotational shaft, and the first rotational shaft. A second rotation transmission member that can be connected to and disconnected from the rotation transmission member;
A first inclined portion having a shape provided in the meshed portion and inclined with respect to a release direction in which the second rotation transmission member is decoupled from the first rotation transmission member;
A second inclined portion provided in the meshing portion and capable of contacting the first inclined portion when the second rotation transmitting member is coupled to the first rotation transmitting member, the release direction; And when the second rotation transmission member is connected to the first rotation transmission member, the first inclination portion can be contacted, and the release direction is When the second rotation transmitting member moves, the second inclined portion that rotates the first inclined portion that comes into contact with the movement in the release direction to a preset rotation position;
A drive transmission device comprising:   Any one of the meshed portion and the meshing portion formed in a concave shape along the axial direction of each rotating shaft;
  One of the meshed part and the meshed part formed in a convex shape along the axial direction of the rotating shaft;
  One of the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion formed by the concave inner surface of either the meshed portion or the meshed portion, and the circumference of each rotating shaft One of the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion when the connection between the second rotation transmitting member and the first rotation transmitting member is released. The one inclined part formed so that the interval becomes narrower as the inclined part goes away,
  The drive transmission device according to claim 1, further comprising:   Any one of the meshed portion and the meshing portion formed in a concave shape along the axial direction of each rotating shaft;
  One of the meshed part and the meshed part formed in a convex shape along the axial direction of the rotating shaft;
  A tip portion constituted by the other convex tip of the meshing portion and the meshed portion, and the other of the meshing portion and the meshed portion with respect to the circumferential direction of each rotating shaft Compared to the maximum width of the inclined portion provided in the tip, the tip is narrow,
  The drive transmission device according to claim 1, further comprising: A first rotation shaft that is supported by the image forming apparatus main body and transmits rotation to a rotating body disposed inside the image forming apparatus main body;
An open / close supported rotatably on the image forming apparatus body about the rotation center between an open position where the inside of the image forming apparatus body is opened and a closed position where the inside of the image forming apparatus body is closed. A member,
A second rotating shaft that is supported by the opening and closing member and that transmits rotation for rotating the rotated body;
A first rotation transmission member having an engaged portion and supported by the first rotation shaft;
It is disposed at a position radially outside the second rotation shaft, has a meshing portion that meshes with the meshed portion, is supported by the second rotation shaft, and is formed of the opening / closing member. A second rotation transmitting member that can be connected to and disconnected from the first rotation transmitting member in accordance with the rotational movement;
A first inclined portion having a shape provided in the meshed portion and inclined with respect to a release direction in which the second rotation transmission member is decoupled from the first rotation transmission member;
A second inclined portion that is provided in the meshing portion and contacts the first inclined portion when the second rotation transmission member is coupled to the first rotation transmission member, in the release direction; When the second rotation transmitting member is connected to the first rotation transmitting member, the first inclined portion can be contacted with the first rotation transmitting member in the release direction. When the second rotation transmitting member moves, the second inclined portion that rotates the first inclined portion that comes into contact with the movement in the release direction to a preset rotation position;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A first rotation shaft that is supported by the image forming apparatus main body and transmits rotation to a rotating body disposed inside the image forming apparatus main body;
A detachable body that is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus;
A second rotating shaft supported by the detachable body and transmitted to rotate the rotating body;
A first rotation transmission member having an engaged portion and supported by the first rotation shaft;
The second rotating shaft is disposed at a radially outer position, has a meshing portion that meshes with the meshed portion, is supported by the second rotating shaft, and is attached to the detachable body. A second rotation transmission member that can be connected to and disconnected from the first rotation transmission member in accordance with attachment and detachment;
A first inclined portion having a shape provided in the meshed portion and inclined with respect to a release direction in which the second rotation transmission member is decoupled from the first rotation transmission member;
A second inclined portion that is provided in the meshing portion and contacts the first inclined portion when the second rotation transmission member is coupled to the first rotation transmission member, in the release direction; When the second rotation transmitting member is connected to the first rotation transmitting member, the first inclined portion can be contacted with the first rotation transmitting member in the release direction. When the second rotation transmitting member moves, the second inclined portion that rotates the first inclined portion that comes into contact with the movement in the release direction to a preset rotation position;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images