JP6653082B2 - Drive transmission device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

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

    2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus provided with a drive transmission device for transmitting a driving force of a driving motor as a driving source to a rotating body such as a photoconductor.

  Patent Document 1 describes a drive transmission device including a gear, a connecting member, a drive-side coupling, and a driven-side coupling as this type of drive transmission device. The driving force is transmitted from the driving motor to the gear serving as the first driving transmission member. The connection member drives and connects the gear and the drive-side coupling as the second drive transmission member. The drive-side coupling is engaged with a driven-side coupling, which is a third drive transmission member, and transmits a driving force to the driven-side coupling. The coupling member has a spherical first insertion portion inserted into a hole provided at the rotation center of the gear, and a spherical second insertion portion inserted into a hole provided at the rotation center of the drive-side coupling. , A rod-shaped connecting portion connecting the first insertion portion and the second insertion portion. The first insertion portion is formed with a drive-side protrusion that engages with a drive-side groove formed in the inner peripheral surface of the gear hole and extending in the axial direction. Further, the second insertion portion is formed with a driven protrusion that engages with a driven groove that extends in the axial direction and is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the hole of the drive coupling. The drive-side coupling, which is the second drive transmission member, is configured to be movable in the axial direction, and a coil spring that biases the drive-side coupling toward the rotating body is provided.

  The outer peripheral surface of the spherical first insertion portion slides on the inner peripheral surface of the hole of the gear, and the driving protrusion provided on the first insertion portion moves in the driving groove in the axial direction. The connecting member can be inclined with respect to the gear. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the spherical second insertion portion slides with the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion of the drive-side coupling, and the driven-side projection provided on the second insertion portion moves in the driven-side groove in the axial direction. , The connecting member can be inclined with respect to the drive-side coupling member. When there is a displacement of the center of the rotating shaft of the rotating body with respect to the center of the rotating shaft of the gear (hereinafter, referred to as the axial center shift), the connecting member is inclined with respect to the axial direction, so that the center of the rotating shaft of the drive-side coupling is rotated. Can be adjusted to the center of the rotation axis of the driven-side coupling (the center of the rotation axis of the rotating body), and the drive-side coupling can be engaged with the driven-side coupling. Further, the angular velocity variation according to the inclination angle of the connecting member with respect to the gear generated between the gear and the connecting member is changed according to the inclination angle of the connecting member with respect to the driving side coupling generated between the connecting member and the driving side coupling. It is described that the rotational speed can be offset by the variation in angular velocity and the rotating body can be rotated at a constant angular velocity.

  Further, in the drive transmission device described in Patent Document 1, if the drive-side coupling is configured to be able to move to the gear side until the drive-side coupling and the driven-side coupling are disengaged, the rotating body Can be disengaged from the drive-side coupling and the driven-side coupling in a state in which is mounted on the apparatus main body. Accordingly, if this drive transmission device is used in an image forming apparatus in which the rotating body is detachably mounted in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating body, when the rotating body is extracted from the apparatus main body, the drive-side coupling is moved to the gear. The photosensitive member can be extracted in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction by moving the photosensitive member to the side to release the engagement with the driven-side coupling.

  However, this drive transmission device has a problem that the number of components is large, which leads to an increase in the cost of the device.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a first drive transmission member having a hole at the center of rotation, a second drive transmission member having a hole at the center of rotation, and a hole in the first drive transmission member. A spherical first insertion portion to be inserted, a spherical second insertion portion to be inserted into a hole of the second drive transmission member, and a connection portion that connects the first insertion portion and the second insertion portion. A connection member for connecting the first drive transmission member and the second drive transmission member, and having a projection projecting radially on a peripheral surface of each insertion portion; A drive transmission device having, on an inner peripheral surface, a groove in which the projection of the connection member is movable in an axial direction, wherein the second drive transmission member is provided on a rotating body side that is detachable from the device main body. In the state where the rotating body is mounted on the apparatus main body, the connecting member is axially moved by the first drive. A release mechanism for moving the connection member and the second drive transmission member so as to release the drive connection between the connection member and the second drive transmission member, and disposing the second drive transmission member across the first drive drive member in the axial direction. At least a part of the release mechanism is arranged on the side opposite to the side.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a rotating body can be attached / detached in the direction orthogonal to an axial direction, reducing the number of parts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a state where an upper cover of an apparatus main body of the printer is opened. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a state where an intermediate cover of an apparatus main body of the printer is opened. Sectional drawing of a drive transmission device. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the drive transmission device excluding a release member. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drive transmission device as viewed from a release member side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the periphery of a through shaft of a connecting member. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a dimensional relationship between a driving-side tubular portion and a connecting member. The perspective view of a connection member. AA sectional drawing of FIG. The figure which shows the conventional example of the lightening of a connection member. The figure which shows the example of shaping | molding of the connection member of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a photoconductor gear and a connecting member. FIG. 2 is a sectional perspective view showing a photoconductor gear and a connecting member. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where a connecting member is attached to a photoconductor gear. The perspective view of a coupling member. Sectional perspective view of the same coupling member. Sectional drawing which shows the state which inserted the driven side spherical part of the connection member into the driven side cylindrical part of the coupling member. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state where drive connection is performed. FIG. 9 is a sectional perspective view showing a state in which the connecting member is being retracted to the release position. Sectional perspective view showing the state where the connecting member was retracted to the release position. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the coupling member and the connection member in the direction orthogonal to the projection direction of a driven side protrusion part. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the coupling member and the connection member in parallel with the projection direction of the driven side protrusion part. The figure explaining drive transmission of the conventional connection member and coupling member. The figure which shows the state rotated 90 degrees from the state of FIG. The figure explaining drive transmission of the connection member and the coupling member of this embodiment. The figure which shows the state rotated 90 degrees from the state of FIG. FIG. 9 is a graph showing a change in the speed of the photoconductor when the shaft center of the photoconductor shaft is connected to the rotation shaft of the photoconductor gear by a predetermined amount in a conventional configuration. 9 is a graph illustrating a change in speed of the photosensitive drum when the photosensitive drum shaft is connected to the rotating shaft of the photosensitive drum by a predetermined amount while being shifted in the configuration of the embodiment. The figure which shows the modification of a drive side protrusion and a driven side protrusion.

  Hereinafter, a color laser printer that is an embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, four process units 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1Bk are detachably mounted on the apparatus main body 100 of the printer. Each of the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk contains toner of a different color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) corresponding to a color separation component of a color image. Other than that, it has the same configuration. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference characters, and a repeated description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  Specifically, each of the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk includes a drum-shaped photoconductor 2 as an image carrier. Each of the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk includes a charging roller 3 that charges the surface of the photoconductor 2 around the photoconductor 2, and a developing unit (developing device) that visualizes a latent image on the photoconductor 2. A developing unit 4 and a cleaning blade 5 for cleaning the surface of the photoconductor 2 are provided. In the present embodiment, each of the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk includes two large modules, that is, a photoconductor unit 50 having a photoconductor 2, a charging roller 3, a cleaning blade 5, and the like, and a developing unit 4.

  The developing unit 4 is a consumable storage container that stores toner, which is a consumable for image formation, in the developing case 40. The developing unit 4 according to the present embodiment includes a developing roller 41 that carries the toner, a supply roller 42 that supplies the toner to the developing roller 41, a regulating blade 43 that regulates the thickness of the toner carried on the developing roller 41, and the like. Have. The developing roller 41 is disposed to face the photoconductor 2 so as to partially expose the opening of the developing case 40, and forms a developing area. Further, the developing unit 4 includes a toner remaining amount detecting unit that detects the remaining amount of toner in the developing case 40.

  An exposure device 6 is provided at a position facing each photoconductor 2 as a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 2. In the present embodiment, an LED unit is used as the exposure device 6.

  Above each developing unit 4, a toner cartridge 20, which is a consumable container for accommodating toner, which is a consumable for image formation, is detachably mounted. Each of the toner cartridges 20 contains toner of the same color as the toner in the corresponding developing unit 4, and when the toner in the developing unit 4 (developing case 40) falls below a predetermined amount, toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 20. It is supposed to be. In the present embodiment, a one-component developer composed of a toner is used as a consumable (powder) for image formation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration using a two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier may be used. Applicable.

  A transfer device 7 is provided below each photoconductor 2. The transfer device 7 has an intermediate transfer belt 8 composed of an endless belt. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched around a drive roller 9 and a driven roller 10, and when the drive roller 9 rotates counterclockwise in the figure, the intermediate transfer belt 8 runs in a direction shown by an arrow in the figure. (Rotating).

  A primary transfer roller 11 is disposed at a position facing each photoconductor 2. Each primary transfer roller 11 presses the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 at each position, and a primary transfer nip is formed at a position where the pressed portion of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and each photosensitive member 2 come into contact. Have been. Each primary transfer roller 11 is configured to apply a predetermined direct current voltage (DC) and / or alternating voltage (AC) to the primary transfer roller 11.

  A secondary transfer roller 12 is provided at a position facing the drive roller 9. The secondary transfer roller 12 presses the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8, and a secondary transfer nip is formed at a position where the secondary transfer roller 12 and the intermediate transfer belt 8 come into contact. Further, the secondary transfer roller 12 is configured such that a predetermined DC voltage (DC) and / or an AC voltage (AC) is applied to the secondary transfer roller 12, similarly to the primary transfer roller 11. A belt cleaning device 13 for cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is provided on the outer peripheral surface on the right end side of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in the drawing.

  Below the transfer device 7, there is provided a waste toner container as a consumable storage container for storing the waste toner removed by the cleaning blade 5 and the belt cleaning device. The toner discharge port of the photoconductor unit 50 having the cleaning blade 5 and the toner receiving port of the waste toner container 30 are connected by a waste toner transfer hose. Further, the belt cleaning device 13 and the toner receiving port of the waste toner container 30 are connected by a waste toner transfer hose.

  At a lower portion of the apparatus main body 100, a paper feed tray 15 accommodating paper P as a recording medium, a paper feed roller 16 for feeding the paper P from the paper feed tray 15, and the like are provided. Here, the paper P includes cardboard, postcards, envelopes, plain paper, thin paper, coated paper (such as coated paper and art paper), and tracing paper. In addition, an OHP sheet or an OHP film can be used as a recording medium.

  A pair of paper discharge rollers 17 for discharging the paper to the outside and a paper discharge tray 18 for stocking the paper discharged by the paper discharge roller 17 are provided at an upper portion of the apparatus main body 100.

  Further, a transport path R for transporting the paper P from the paper feed tray 15 through the secondary transfer nip to the paper discharge tray 18 is provided in the apparatus main body 100. In the transport path R, a pair of registration rollers 19 as timing rollers for transporting the paper to the secondary transfer nip at a transport timing is provided on the upstream side in the paper transport direction from the position of the secondary transfer roller 12. I have. Further, a fixing device 14 for fixing an image on a sheet is provided downstream of the position of the secondary transfer roller 12 in the sheet conveying direction.

  Subsequently, a basic operation of the printer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the image forming operation is started, the photoconductors 2 of the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk are driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. 1, and the surface of each photoconductor 2 is set to a predetermined polarity by the charging roller 3. Likewise charged. Based on image information of a document read by the image reading device and image information input from an external device, a laser beam is irradiated from the exposure device 6 to the charged surface of each photoconductor 2, and the surface of each photoconductor 2 is irradiated. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the image. At this time, the image information to be exposed on each photoconductor 2 is monochromatic image information obtained by decomposing a desired full-color image into yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color information.

  By supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 2 by each developing unit 4, the electrostatic latent image is visualized (visualized) as a toner image. Specifically, the toner in the developing case 40 is frictionally charged by the friction between the supply roller 42 and the developing roller 41 and is supplied to the surface of the developing roller 41. The toner carried on the developing roller 41 passes through the regulating nip of the regulating blade 43, whereby the thickness of the toner layer is regulated and, at the same time, the toner is charged by friction. When the toner on the developing roller 41 is conveyed to a position (developing area) facing the photoconductor 2, the toner on the photoconductor 2 is generated by the force of the electric field generated between the photoconductor 2 and the developing roller 41. The toner image is formed by transferring to the electrostatic latent image. When the toner remaining amount detecting means detects that the remaining amount of toner in the developing unit 4 (developing case 40) has fallen below a certain threshold, the toner cartridge 20 replenishes a fixed amount of toner.

  When the image forming operation is started, the driving roller 9 that stretches the intermediate transfer belt 8 is driven to rotate, so that the intermediate transfer belt 8 runs around in the direction of the arrow in the drawing. Further, by applying a constant voltage or a constant current controlled voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner to each primary transfer roller 11, a primary transfer portion between each primary transfer roller 11 and each photoconductor 2 is formed. A transfer electric field is formed at.

  Thereafter, when the toner images of the respective colors on the photoconductors 2 reach the primary transfer unit as the respective photoconductors 2 rotate, the toner images on the respective photoconductors 2 are generated by the transfer electric field formed in the primary transfer unit. Are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8. Thus, a full-color toner image is carried on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8. In addition, the toner on each photoconductor 2 that has not been transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 is removed by the cleaning blade 5, and the removed toner is conveyed to the discharged toner storage container 30 and collected.

  In the lower part of the apparatus main body 100, the paper feed roller 16 starts rotating and driving, and the paper P is sent out from the paper feed tray 15 to the transport path R. The conveyance of the sheet P sent to the conveyance path R is temporarily stopped by the registration rollers 19.

  Thereafter, the rotation of the registration roller 19 is started at a predetermined timing, and the sheet P is transported to the secondary transfer unit at the timing when the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the secondary transfer unit. At this time, a transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner charge polarity of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is applied to the secondary transfer roller 12, whereby a transfer electric field is formed in the secondary transfer portion. . Then, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collectively transferred onto the sheet P by the transfer electric field. Further, the residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 that has not been completely transferred to the paper P is removed by the belt cleaning device 13, and the removed toner is conveyed to the discharged toner storage container 30 and collected.

  Thereafter, the sheet P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 14, where the toner image on the sheet P is fixed to the sheet P. Then, the paper P is discharged out of the apparatus by a pair of paper discharge rollers 17 and is stocked on a paper discharge tray 18.

  The above description is an image forming operation when a full-color image is formed on a sheet. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and a single-color image is formed using any one of the four process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk, or is formed using two or three process units. It is also possible to form a color or three-color image.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer according to the present embodiment includes an upper cover 101 provided at an upper portion of the apparatus main body 100 and an intermediate cover 102 provided inside (below) the upper cover 101. . The upper cover 101 and the intermediate cover 102 are configured to be openable and closable by rotating around support shafts 103 and 104 provided on the apparatus main body 100, respectively. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a state where the upper cover 101 is opened, and FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a state where the intermediate cover 102 is further opened.

  On the intermediate cover 102, a container mounting portion 120 to which a plurality of toner cartridges 20 can be mounted is formed. As shown in FIG. 2, when the upper cover 101 is opened, each toner cartridge 20 is detachable from the intermediate cover 102 from above.

  The process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk of each color can be accommodated in a unit mounting portion 130 formed inside (below) the intermediate cover 102. As shown in FIG. 3, when the intermediate cover 102 is opened, each of the toner cartridges 20 can be integrally retracted from above the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk. At this time, since each exposure device 6 is retracted from above each photoconductor 2 together with the intermediate cover 102, each process unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1Bk (developing unit 4, photoconductor unit 50) is moved from above. It will be in a removable state. As described above, in the case of the present embodiment, the process units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk can be attached and detached without removing the toner cartridge 20 from the intermediate cover 102, and the replacement workability is excellent.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission device 70, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the drive transmission device 70 without the release member 60. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the drive transmission device 70 as viewed from the release member 60 side. FIG. 6 shows a state where the connection is released by the release member 60.
The drive transmission device 70 includes a photoconductor gear 82 as a first drive transmission member to which a driving force is transmitted from a drive motor, a coupling member 140 as a second drive transmission member attached to an end of the shaft 2a of the photoconductor, A coupling member 90 for drivingly coupling the body gear 82 and the coupling member 140, a coil spring 73 for urging the coupling member 90 attached to the photoreceptor gear 82 toward the coupling member, and the like are provided. Further, a release member 60 for releasing the drive connection between the coupling member 90 and the coupling member 140 is provided.

  At the center of rotation of the photoreceptor gear 82, a drive-side cylindrical portion 82a having a drive-side hole 87 into which the drive-side spherical portion 91 of the connecting member 90 is inserted is provided. The drive-side tubular portion 82a has a through-hole 88 at the far end thereof through which the through shaft 98 of the connecting member 90 passes. The inner diameter of the through hole 88 is smaller than the inner diameter of the drive side hole 87 into which the drive side spherical portion 91 of the drive side cylindrical portion 82 is inserted. A coil spring 73 is disposed in the drive-side hole 87. One end of the coil spring 73 is received by a surface 88a at the back end of the drive-side tubular portion 82a orthogonal to the photoreceptor shaft 2a. The other end is received by a spring receiver 96 of the connecting member 90.

  The drive-side cylindrical portion 82a of the photoreceptor gear 82 has a front-side bearing 120 fitted and fixed in a hole of the partition wall 100a and a rear-side bearing 110 fitted and fixed in a hole of the rear-side plate 100b. , Rotatably supported. Thus, the photoreceptor gear 82 is rotatably supported by the rear side plate 100b and the partition wall 100a via the bearings 110 and 120.

  The coupling member 140 has a cylindrical shaft insertion portion 140a into which the tip of the photoreceptor shaft 2a is inserted, and a driven cylindrical portion 140b into which the driven spherical portion 92 of the connecting member 90 is inserted. ing. The shaft insertion portion 140a is provided with a through hole 412 through which a parallel pin 411 provided on the photoconductor shaft 2a passes.

  The connecting member 90 has a driving-side spherical portion 91 as a first insertion portion, a driven-side spherical portion 92 as a second inserting portion, and a connecting portion 93 that connects the driving-side spherical portion 91 and the driven-side spherical portion 92. ing. Further, the driven-side spherical portion 92 is provided with two driven-side projections 95a that protrude from the surface in the radial direction and are spaced apart by 180 ° in the rotation direction. The drive-side spherical portion 91 is provided with a first drive-side protrusion 94a that protrudes radially from the surface. Further, a second drive-side protrusion 94b is provided at an interval of 180 ° in the rotation direction from the first drive-side protrusion 94a. Further, a spring receiver 96 for receiving the other end of the coil spring 73 provided in the drive side hole 87 described above is provided at the rotation center of the drive side spherical portion 91. A penetrating shaft 98 extending in the axial direction from the spring receiver 96 and penetrating through the photoreceptor gear 82 is provided. The distal end of the penetrating shaft 98 is engaged with the release member 60 to release the release member. 60 has a pushing portion 97 pushed in a direction away from the photoconductor gear.

  The release member 60 is disposed outside the image forming apparatus with respect to the photoreceptor gear 82 as shown in FIG. The release member 60 is provided on the apparatus main body 100 so as to be slidable in the direction parallel to the rear side plate 100b (in the directions indicated by arrows P1 and P2 in FIG. 4). The release member 60 has a shape that is long in its own sliding movement direction, and has a mounting hole 62 at the lower end in the figure that is larger than the diameter of the pushed portion 97 of the connecting member 90. The pushed portion 97 of the connecting member 90 is passed through the mounting hole portion 62 and positioned outside (rear side) of the release member 60, whereby the pushed portion 97 is engaged with the release member 60.

  The release member 60 has a release portion 64 at the upper end in the drawing, which is thicker than other portions. The release member 60 extends from the mounting hole 62 to the release portion 64, and allows the pushed portion 97 to slide relative to the release member 60 between the mounting hole 62 and the release portion 64. It also has a moving hole 61. The release member 60 also has an inclined portion 63 that is inclined away from the photoreceptor gear 82 from the mounting hole 62 toward the release portion 64.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the periphery of the through shaft 98 of the connecting member 90.
The diameter e of the pushed portion 97 shown in FIG. 7 is smaller than the inner diameter b of the mounting hole 62 of the release member 60 shown in FIG. 6 (e <b). This allows the pushed portion 97 to pass through the mounting hole 62 and to be positioned more deeply than the release member 60. The width s of the moving hole 61 shown in FIG. 6 is wider than the diameter f of the through shaft 98 shown in FIG. 7 and smaller than the diameter e of the pushed portion 97 (f <s <b). Thus, when the release member 60 is moved, the pushed portion 97 is moved in the axial direction by the inclined portion 63 without falling out of the moving hole 61.

  The length g of the through shaft 98 shown in FIG. 7 is longer than the thickness c of the release portion 64 of the release member 60 shown in FIG. 6 (c <g). Thereby, the connecting member 90 can be moved in the axial direction so that the pressed portion 97 is located at the release portion 64.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a dimensional relationship between the driving-side tubular portion 82a and the connecting member 90.
A length r from a retaining portion 85a of a drive-side tubular portion 82a to be described later shown in FIG. 8 to a rear end of the drive-side tubular portion 82a, and a partial thickness n in which a mounting hole 62 of a release member is formed. Is shorter than the length m from the coupling-member-side end of the drive-side protrusions 94a and 94b shown in FIG. 7 to the coupling-side end of the pressed portion 97 (r + n <m). . With such a configuration, even when the drive-side protrusions 94a and 94b abut against the retaining portion 85a, as shown in FIG. 8, the through shaft 98 moves from the rear end of the drive-side tubular portion 82a by k [ mm] stick out. The protrusion length k is longer than the partial thickness n where the mounting hole 62 is formed. Thus, in a state where the connecting member 90 is attached to the drive-side tubular portion 82a, the pushed portion 97 can always be located on the back side of the release member 60.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the diameter q of the through hole 88 of the drive-side tubular portion 82a is larger than the diameter f of the through shaft 98. With such a dimensional relationship, as shown in FIG. 8, the connecting member 90 can be inclined by a predetermined angle. Thereby, the axial misalignment can be absorbed by the connecting member 90. In addition, the sum of the length r from the retaining portion 85a to the rear end of the driving-side tubular portion 82a and the partial thickness n where the mounting hole 62 of the release member is formed is expressed by the driving-side protrusion. By shortening the length m (r + n <m) from the coupling member side end of 94a and 94b to the coupling side end of the pressed portion 97, as shown in FIG. Also when the angle is inclined, the pressed portion 97 can be located on the back side of the release member 60.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a reinforcing portion 98 a for reinforcing the through shaft 98 is provided between the spring receiver 96 and the through shaft 98. The diameter j of the reinforcing portion 98a is smaller than the diameter q of the through hole 88 of the drive-side tubular portion 82a shown in FIG. 8, and is equal to or larger than the width s of the moving hole 61 shown in FIG. s ≦ h <j). By providing the reinforcing portion 98a, deformation of the through shaft 98 can be suppressed. By making the diameter j of the reinforcing portion 98a smaller than the diameter q of the through-hole portion 88 of the drive-side tubular portion 82a, when the connection between the coupling member 140 and the connecting member 90 is released, a part of the reinforcing portion is removed. It can be inserted into the through hole 88. Thus, the axial length of the drive-side tubular portion 82a can be reduced. Further, by setting the diameter j of the reinforcing portion 98a to be the same as the width s of the moving hole 61, the reinforcing portion 98a can enter the moving hole 61, and the shaft of the drive-side tubular portion 82a can be further improved. The direction length can be shortened.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the connecting member 90, and FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.
In the following description, the axial direction is defined as the X direction, the projecting direction of the driving-side projection and the driven projection is defined as the Y direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the X and Y directions is defined as the Z direction.
The connecting member 90 is a resin molded product, and the driving-side spherical portion 91, the driven-side spherical portion 92, the connecting portion 93, the driving-side protrusions 94a, 94b, and the driven-side protrusion 95a are integrally formed of a resin material. . As a resin used for forming the connecting member 90, a polyacetal resin (POM) having excellent mechanical strength, good wear resistance, and good slidability can be suitably used. Further, the connecting member 90 may be an aluminum casting manufactured by aluminum die casting or the like.

  The drive-side protrusions 94a and 94b have a columnar shape, and are provided at locations where the first drive-side large circle 91a and the second drive-side large circle 91b intersect. The height h2 of the second drive-side protrusion 94b is higher than the height h1 of the driven-side protrusion 95a and the first drive-side protrusion 94a. In the present embodiment, the driving-side spherical portion 91 has a shape in which a hemisphere is lightened, but may be determined as appropriate according to the maximum inclination angle of the connecting member 90. A spring receiver 96 is provided at the center of rotation of the driving-side spherical portion 91.

  The driven-side protrusion 95a also has a columnar shape, and is provided at a location where the first driven-side large circle 92a and the second driven-side large circle 92b intersect. The coupling member side of the third driven-side large circle portion 92c of the driven-side spherical portion with respect to the first driven-side large circle portion 92a with respect to the second driven-side large circle portion 92b is one side in the Z direction (left side in the figure). ), And has a shape like a cutout on the other side in the Z direction.

  Since the connecting member is formed by injection molding or the like, sink marks are generated, and the sink marks may deform the spherical portions 91 and 92 and the connecting portions, thereby affecting quality. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the spherical portions 91 and 92 and the connecting portion 93 are lightened to suppress sink marks.

  The drive-side spherical portion 91 includes a first drive-side large circle portion 91a that is a great circle of a sphere orthogonal to the X direction, a second drive-side great circle portion 91b that is a great circle of a sphere orthogonal to the Z direction, and Y It has a hemispherical shape with a reduced thickness except for a third driving side great circle portion 91c which is a great circle of a sphere orthogonal to the direction. The driven-side spherical portion 92 includes a first driven-side large circle portion 92a, which is a great circle of a sphere orthogonal to the X direction, and a second driven-side large circle portion 92b, which is a great circle of a sphere orthogonal to the Z direction. , And the third driven side large circle portion 92c, which is a large circle of a sphere orthogonal to the Y direction, has a lightened spherical shape. The great circle is a circle formed by a plane passing through the center of the sphere intersecting the sphere.

  The connecting portion 93 has a substantially quadrangular prism shape, and a plurality of lightening portions 93a in which lightening is performed on the respective side surfaces of the connecting portion 93 are provided at intervals of a in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the lightening portion 93a is lightened except for a linear portion extending in the Y direction in the drawing and a linear portion extending in the Z direction in the drawing, and has a cross-shaped cross section. The connecting portion 93 is formed such that each side surface is inclined by 45 ° with respect to the Y direction. In this way, by forming each side surface to be inclined at 45 ° with respect to the Y direction, the straight portion of the lightening portion 93a becomes a diagonal of a rectangle, and the side surface of the connecting portion is parallel to a surface orthogonal to the Y direction. The straight portion of the lightening portion can be made longer than in a case where the surface is formed to have a smooth surface. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the strength of the connecting portion due to lightening.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a conventional example in which the thickness of the connecting member 90 is reduced.
As shown in FIG. 11A, when a hole-shaped lightening portion 193 having an opening on the drive-side spherical portion 91 side is provided in the connecting member 90 to reduce the thickness of the connecting member 90 to suppress sink marks, The mold structure is as shown in FIG. That is, the mold structure has a first mold 391 moving in the Y1 direction, a second mold 392 moving in the Y2 direction, and a third mold 393 moving in the X1 direction. In the case of such lightening, it is necessary to largely move the third mold 393 forming the lightening portion 193 having a long hole shape in the axial direction in the X1 direction in order to pull out from the molded connecting member. Further, a portion of the third mold 393 where the hole-shaped lightening portion 193 is formed needs to have a minimum diameter of 8 mm due to a problem such as strength, and it is difficult to reduce the size of the connecting member 90.

  Further, in the conventional configuration in which the hole-shaped lightening portion 193 is provided, in order to pull out the third mold 393 from the molded connecting member satisfactorily, the diameter gradually increases toward the drive side. It is necessary to form the lightening portion 193 having a shape. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11C, when the connecting member 90 is long in the axial direction, the driven-side spherical portion 92 cannot be sufficiently lightened, and the thickness t2 of the driven-side spherical portion 92 increases. However, sink of the driven-side spherical portion 92 cannot be sufficiently suppressed. Therefore, in the configuration shown in FIG. 9, in order to suppress the thickness t2 of the driven-side spherical portion 92, it is necessary to suppress the axial length of the connecting member to 25 mm or less.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of molding the connecting member 90 of the present embodiment.
12A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of forming the connecting member 90, FIG. 12B is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 12A, and FIG. FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. FIG. 12D is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG.
By forming the lightening portion 93a into a cross-shaped cross section composed of a linear portion extending in the Y direction and a linear portion extending in the Z direction, the first die 391 and the second die 392 are formed as shown in FIG. And can be formed by Also, as shown in FIGS. 12B and 12D, the second large circle portions 91b and 92b and the third large circle portions 91c and 92c of the spherical portions 91 and 92 are replaced with the lightening portions of the connecting portions. In the same manner as described above, molding can be performed using the first mold 391 and the second mold 392. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 12A, the connecting member 90 can be formed by the first mold 391 moving in the Y1 direction and the second mold 392 moving in the Y2 direction. The connecting member 90 can be molded with a smaller number of molds than the conventional example shown in FIG. Further, compared to the configuration shown in FIG. 11, the size of the connecting member can be reduced. Further, even when the axial length of the connecting member is increased, the thickness of the driven-side spherical portion, the connecting portion, and the driving-side spherical portion can be made uniform. Thereby, even if the connecting member has a shape elongated in the axial direction, it is possible to suppress a decrease in accuracy due to the influence of sink marks.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the thickness of each great circle portion of each spherical portion, the thickness of the lightening portion of the connecting portion, and the thickness of the lightening portion as shown in FIG. [Mm]. Thereby, the influence of sink on each part can be suppressed, and the connecting member 90 can be molded with high accuracy.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the photoconductor gear 82 and the connecting member 90, and FIG. 14 is a sectional perspective view showing the photoconductor gear 82 and the connecting member 90.
The photoreceptor gear 82 is a resin molded product made of polyacetal resin (POM), and has a drive-side cylindrical portion 82a at the center of rotation. The drive-side tubular portion 82a has a drive-side hole 87 into which the drive-side spherical portion 91 of the connecting member 90 is inserted. The drive-side tubular portion 82a is provided with two drive-side grooves 85 into which the drive-side protrusions 94a and 94b of the connecting member 90 are inserted, with a 180 ° interval in the rotation direction. The drive-side tubular portion 82a is rotatably adjacent to the one drive-side groove 85 in the rotation direction, and is rotated by the first guide-groove 86a for guiding the first drive-side protrusion 94a and the other drive-side groove 85. And a second guide groove 86b, which is a phase matching groove for guiding the second drive side protrusion 94b adjacent to each other in the direction. One drive side groove portion 85 and the first guide groove portion 86a communicate with each other by a communication portion 84 at the back side, and similarly, the other drive side groove portion 85 and the second guide groove portion 86b communicate with each other at the back side by the communication portion 84. are doing.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the groove depth d2 of the second guide groove 86b is slightly deeper than the height h2 of the second drive-side protrusion 94b. On the other hand, the groove depth d1 of the first guide groove 86a is deeper than the height h1 of the first drive-side protrusion 94a and shallower than the height h2 of the second drive-side protrusion 94b (h1 <d1). <H2).

  At the coupling member side end of the drive side groove 85, a retaining portion 85a is provided, and when the connecting member 90 tries to escape from the coupling side end of the drive side hole 87, each drive side protrusion is formed. The parts 94a and 94b abut against the retaining part 85a. Thereby, the connecting member 90 can be prevented from falling out of the coupling side end of the drive side hole 87.

Next, attachment of the connecting member 90 to the photoreceptor gear 82 will be described.
First, the coil spring 73 is inserted into the drive-side hole 87 of the drive-side tubular portion 82a. Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the photosensitive member gears are so set that the first drive side protrusion 94a is inserted into the first guide groove 86a and the second drive side protrusion 94b is inserted into the second guide groove 86b. The rotational position of the connecting member is adjusted with respect to 82.

  In the present embodiment, the height h2 of the second drive-side protrusion 94b, which is the phase-matching protrusion, is set higher than the height h1 of the first drive-side protrusion 94a, and the groove depth d1 of the first guide groove 86a is reduced. The groove depth is smaller than the groove depth d2 of the second guide groove portion 86b, which is the phase matching groove portion, and the groove depth is smaller than the height h2 of the second drive-side protrusion 94b. As a result, the second drive-side protrusion 94b cannot be inserted into the first guide groove 86a, and only the first drive-side protrusion 94a can be inserted into the first guide groove 86a. Thus, the connecting member 90 can be attached to the photoconductor gear 82 with a predetermined phase with respect to the photoconductor gear 82. That is, in the present embodiment, the second drive-side protrusion 94b and the second guide groove 86b constitute a first phase matching section.

  In addition, the diameter of the second drive-side protrusion 94b, which is the phase matching protrusion, is made larger than the diameter of the first drive-side protrusion 94a, and the groove width of the first guide groove 86a is adjusted to the width of the second drive-side protrusion 94b. It may be configured to be narrower than the diameter. With such a configuration, the second drive-side protrusion 94b can be inserted only into the second guide groove 86b, and the coupling member 90 can be attached to the photoconductor gear at a predetermined phase with respect to the photoconductor gear.

  Further, the diameter of the second driving projection 94b, which is the phase matching projection, is made smaller than the diameter of the first driving projection, and the groove width of the second guide groove 86b is reduced by the diameter of the first driving projection 94a. It may be configured to be shorter. With such a configuration, the second drive side protrusion 94b can be inserted only into the second guide groove 86b, and the connecting member 90 can be attached to the photoconductor gear 82 with a predetermined phase with respect to the photoconductor gear 82. it can.

  In addition, by providing a concave portion at a position that does not hinder the drive transmission of the second drive side protrusion 94b and providing a convex portion that fits into this concave portion in the second guide groove portion 86b, the convex portion of the second guide groove portion 86b allows The first drive side protrusion 94a may not be able to be inserted into the second guide groove 86b. Accordingly, the second drive side protrusion 94b can be inserted only into the second guide groove 86b, and the connecting member 90 can be attached to the photoconductor gear 82 with a predetermined phase with respect to the photoconductor gear 82. Further, a convex portion may be provided at a location where the drive transmission of the second drive-side protrusion 94b does not hinder, and a concave portion into which the convex portion fits may be provided at the second guide groove 86b.

  Next, the through shaft 98 of the connecting member 90 is made to pass through the through hole 88 shown in FIG. 4, and the pushed portion 97 is passed through the mounting hole of the releasing member 60 to the outside (rear side) of the releasing member 60. ). Also, the driving-side spherical portion 91 is inserted into the driving-side hole 87, the first driving-side projection 94a is inserted into the first guide groove 86a, and the second driving-side projection 94b is inserted into the second guide groove 86b. . Then, the spring receiver 96 of the connecting member 90 fits into the coil spring 73, and the other end of the coil spring 73 is attached to the connecting member 90. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the first and second drive-side protrusions 94a and 94b resist the urging force of the coil spring 73 until they are located in the communication portion 84 that connects the guide groove and the drive-side groove 85. Then, the connecting member 90 is pushed into the drive-side tubular portion 82a. As shown in FIG. 14, when the connecting member 90 is pushed in until the first and second driving side protrusions 94a and 94b are located in the communication portion 84 that communicates the guide groove and the driving side groove 85, the arrow shown in the drawing becomes As shown, the connecting member 90 is rotated. Then, the driving side protrusions 94 a and 94 b move to the driving side groove 85 through the communication portion 84. When the drive-side protrusions 94a and 94b abut against the side surface of the drive-side groove 85 and rotation of the connection member 90 is regulated, the hand is released from the connection member 90. Then, the connection member 90 moves toward the coupling member due to the urging force of the coil spring 73, and the respective drive-side protrusions 94 a and 95 b are inserted into the drive-side grooves 85. Thus, as shown in FIG. 14, the connecting member 90 is attached to the photoreceptor gear 82.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the height of the first driving side projection 94a and the height of the second driving side projection 94b are made different, and the depth of the first guide groove 86a is made shallow, so that the first The second drive-side protrusion 94b cannot be inserted into the guide groove 86a. As a result, the connecting member 90 is attached to the photoconductor gear at a predetermined phase with respect to the photoconductor gear. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, the third driven-side great circle portion 92c of the driven-side spherical portion is always located at a position rotated by an angle γ clockwise in the figure with respect to the first guide groove portion 86a. The connecting member 90 is attached to the photoconductor gear 82.

  When the driving protrusions 94a and 94b are inserted into the driving groove 85, the driving protrusions 94 face the retaining portions 85a, and the connecting member 90 comes out of the photoreceptor gear 82 as described above. Is prevented.

  In the present embodiment, since the retaining member 85a is provided on the photoreceptor gear, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where the retaining member is provided separately from the photoreceptor gear, and the cost of the apparatus can be reduced. Can be planned. Also, the number of assembly steps can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, a through shaft 98 is provided on the drive side of the connecting member, so that the drive side and the driven side can be clearly distinguished in shape. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the driven-side spherical portion 92 is erroneously inserted into the drive-side hole 87.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the coupling member 140, and FIG. 17 is a sectional perspective view of the coupling member 140.
The coupling member 140, which is the second drive transmission member, includes a shaft insertion portion 140a and a driven-side cylindrical portion 140b. The coupling member 140 is preferably formed of a polyacetal resin (POM) having excellent mechanical strength, good wear resistance and good slidability.

  The driven-side cylindrical portion 140b of the coupling member 140 has a shape that is opened only on the driving side, and has a driven-side hole 143 into which the driven-side spherical portion 92 of the connecting member 90 is inserted. Further, the driven-side cylindrical portion 140b is provided with two driven-side grooves 142 into which the driven-side protrusions 95a of the connecting member 90 are inserted, at 180 ° intervals in the rotation direction. The groove depth d1 of the driven-side groove 142 is slightly deeper than the height h1 of the driven-side protrusion 95a. Further, on the bottom surface of the driven-side spherical portion 92, a phase matching convex portion 144 is formed at a position shifted from the rotation center.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the phase matching projection 144 has a mountain shape in which the height gradually decreases from the center to the outside. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the phase matching projection 144 is formed up to a position retracted by a length of emm from the position of the driven groove 142.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the driven-side spherical portion 92 of the coupling member 90 is inserted into the driven-side cylindrical portion 140b of the coupling member 140.
If the coupling member 140 and the coupling member 90 are to be connected with the phase matching convex portion 144 being located on the lower side in the drawing, the third driven side large circle portion 92c of the driven side spherical portion 92 will have the phase matching convex portion. It hits the part 144. As a result, the driven-side spherical portion 92 cannot be inserted into the driven-side cylindrical portion 140b of the coupling member 140, and the driven-side protrusion 95a is not inserted into the driven-side groove 142, so that the drive connection cannot be performed. In other words, when the phase matching convex portion 144 is in phase with the portion of the driven-side spherical portion 92 where the third driven-side large circle portion 92c is cut out, the driven-side spherical portion 92 is formed in the driven-side cylindrical shape. The driven side projection 95a is inserted into the driven side groove 142, and the driving connection is performed. That is, in the present embodiment, the second phase matching portion is constituted by the phase matching convex portion 144 and the cutout portion formed by cutting the third driven side large circle portion 92c of the driven side spherical portion 92.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the photosensitive member gear 82 and the connecting member 90 are attached in a predetermined phase, and the connecting member 90 and the coupling member 140 are driven and connected in the predetermined phase. And the coupling member 140 can be drivingly connected in a predetermined phase.

  As described above, the photoreceptor gear 82 is a resin molded product. Due to sink marks and the like, the photoreceptor gear 82 does not necessarily have a perfect circle but has a slightly elliptical shape. As a result, the speed fluctuation of the photoreceptor gear 82 occurs in one rotation cycle. If the phase of the speed fluctuation of the photoconductor gear is different for each color, a color shift corresponding to the phase occurs, which affects a color image. More specifically, if the speed of the photoconductor gear 82 fluctuates, the speed of the photoconductor 2 also fluctuates in accordance with the speed fluctuation, and the image expands and contracts in accordance with the speed fluctuation. That is, when the speed of the photoconductor 2 is high, the written or transferred image expands, and when the speed of the photoconductor 2 is low, the written or transferred image shrinks. The color shift can be suppressed by adjusting the phase of the speed fluctuation of the photoconductor gear 82 of each color so that the stretched portions and the contracted portions of the images of each color are overlapped. The phase adjustment of the photoreceptor gears 82 of each color is performed by, for example, marking a position where the maximum diameter of the photoreceptor gear 82 becomes maximum, and attaching the photoreceptor gears 82 of each color to the back side plate using the mark as a mark. ing.

Further, also in the photoconductor 2 which is a rotating body to which the coupling member 140 is attached, a speed fluctuation of one rotation cycle occurs due to the eccentricity of the photoconductor 2 or the like. Therefore, it is necessary to assemble the photoconductor 2 with the main body of the apparatus by adjusting the phase of the speed fluctuation of the photoconductor 2 of each color.
In the present embodiment, the driven side projections 95a are provided at intervals of 180 ° in the rotation direction. Therefore, even if the coupling member is rotated by 180 ° from the state where the phases of the rotation directions of the driven-side protrusion 95a and the driven-side groove 142 match, the rotation direction of the driven-side protrusion 95a and the driven-side groove 142 Are in phase. As a result, the photoconductor 2 may be assembled to the apparatus main body in a state where the phase is shifted by 180 ° with respect to the specified phase, and a color shift may occur.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the phase matching projection 144 is provided, even if the driven side protrusion 95a and the driven side groove 142 are in phase in the rotation direction, the third driven side large circle portion is formed. When 92 c faces the phase matching projection 144, the driving connection is not performed. Only when the coupling member 140 is rotated by 180 ° relative to the coupling member 90 from this state, the driven-side spherical portion 92 is inserted into the driven-side cylindrical portion 140b and driving connection is performed. Accordingly, the photoconductor 2 can be assembled to the apparatus main body with a predetermined phase, and color shift can be suppressed.

  The drive-side protrusions 94a and 94b are also provided at 180 ° intervals in the rotation direction. Therefore, when the height of each drive-side protrusion and the groove depth of the guide grooves 86a and 86b are made equal, the connecting member is moved 180 degrees from the state where the phases in the rotation direction of the drive-side protrusion and the guide grooves match. Even when rotated with respect to the photoreceptor gear, the phases of the driven-side protrusion 95a and the driven-side groove 142 in the rotation direction match. Therefore, even if the coupling member 140 is connected to the connecting member 90 at a predetermined phase and the speed fluctuation phases of the respective photoconductors 2 are matched, the phase of the speed fluctuation of the photoconductor gear 82 is 180 degrees with respect to the predetermined phase. ° may shift. However, in the present embodiment, the heights of the drive-side protrusions 94a and 94b are made different so that the second drive-side protrusion 94b cannot be inserted into the first guide groove 86a. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the rotation speed phase of the photoconductor gear 82 from being out of phase by 180 ° with respect to the speed fluctuation of the other photoconductor gear 82, and it is possible to suppress the color shift.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the process unit 1 including the photoconductor 2 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the photoconductor, and is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 100. Things. Therefore, when removing the process unit 1 from the apparatus main body 100, the driven-side spherical portion 92 of the connecting member 90 is extracted from the driven-side cylindrical portion 140b of the coupling member 140, and the driving connection between the driving side and the rotating body side is established. It needs to be canceled. When the process unit 1 is inserted into the apparatus main body, the connecting member 90 needs to be retracted so that the driven-side spherical portion 92 of the connecting member 90 does not hit the coupling member 140.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, when the release member 60 is provided and the process unit 1 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, the release member 60 moves the connecting member 90 toward the photoconductor gear. Then, the connecting member is retracted to a release position where the driving connection between the connecting member 90 and the coupling member 140 is released.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state where the driven-side spherical portion 92 of the coupling member 90 is inserted into the driven-side cylindrical portion 140b of the coupling member 140 and the drive connection is performed. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state in which the release member 60 is moved in the direction of arrow P1 to retract the connecting member to the release position. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state where the connecting member 90 is retracted to the release position.
A link mechanism is attached to the release member 60, and is configured to move the release member 60 in conjunction with opening and closing of the intermediate cover 102 (see FIG. 3).

  When the intermediate cover 102 is closed, as shown in FIG. 19, the release member 60 is located at a position where the through shaft 98 of the connecting member 90 passes through the mounting hole 62 of the release member 60. At this time, the driven-side spherical portion 92 of the connecting member 90 is inserted into the driven-side cylindrical portion 140b of the coupling member 140 as shown in FIG.

  As the intermediate cover 102 is opened, the release member 60 moves in the direction of the arrow P2 shown in FIG. Then, the pushed portion 97 of the connecting member 90 comes into contact with the inclined portion 63. Further, when the release member 60 moves in the direction of arrow P2, the penetrating shaft 98 enters the moving hole 61, and the pushed portion 97 is pushed by the inclined portion 63 against the biasing force of the coil spring 73, and the coupling member 140 is pressed. Pushed in the direction away from. Thereby, the connecting member 90 moves in the direction of the arrow W1 as shown in FIG. 20, and the driven-side spherical portion 92 is pulled out from the driven-side cylindrical portion 140b of the coupling member 140.

  When the intermediate cover 102 is moved to the open position shown in FIG. 3, the penetrating shaft 98 abuts on the upper end of the moving hole 61 in the figure as shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. To reach. The connecting member 90 moves in the direction of the arrow W1 shown in FIG. 20 by the thickness c of the release portion 64 (see FIG. 6). The thickness c of the release portion 64 is greater than the length v1 of the driven-side cylindrical portion 140b of the coupling member 140. Accordingly, when the pressed portion 97 reaches the release portion 64 of the release member 60 and the connecting member 90 is located at the release position, the driven-side spherical portion 92 comes out of the driven-side cylindrical portion 140b of the coupling member 140, and the cup The drive connection between the ring member 140 and the connection member 90 is released. As a result, the drive connection between the drive side and the rotating body side is released, and the process unit 1 can be moved in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and the process unit 1 can be pulled out of the apparatus main body 100.

  Also, when the process unit 1 is mounted on the apparatus main body 100, since the intermediate cover 102 is located at the open position, the connection member 90 is located at the release position by the release member 60 and is retracted. Therefore, when the process unit 1 is mounted on the apparatus main body 100, the process unit 1 can be mounted without the coupling member 140 colliding with the driven-side spherical portion 92 of the connecting member 90.

  In addition, it is preferable that the axial length of the drive-side groove portion 85 (the length from the retaining portion 85a to the communication portion 84) be longer than the thickness c (see FIG. 6) of the release portion 64. Thus, even when the connecting member 90 is located at the release position, the driving side protrusions 94a and 94b can be retained in the driving side groove 85. Thus, when the connecting member 90 is at the release position, even if a force for rotating the connecting member 90 is applied for some reason, the drive-side protrusions 94 a and 94 b in the drive-side groove 85 pass through the communication portion 84. Does not move to the guide groove. Thus, when the connecting member 90 is at the release position, the connecting member 90 does not fall out of the photoconductor gear 82.

  When the process unit 1 is mounted and the intermediate cover 102 is closed, the release member 60 moves downward in FIG. As a result, the pressed portion 97 relatively moves to the inclined portion 63 of the release member 60. When the pushed portion 97 moves to the inclined portion 63, the coupling member 90 moves to the coupling member 140 side by the urging force of the coil spring 73, and the driven side spherical portion 92 moves to the driven side cylinder of the coupling member 140. It is inserted into the shape part 140b. When the intermediate cover 102 is located at the closed position, the through shaft 98 is located at the mounting hole 62 as shown in FIG.

  When the driven-side spherical portion 92 of the coupling member 90 is inserted into the driven-side cylindrical portion 140b of the coupling member 140, if the coupling member 140 and the coupling member 90 are out of phase, the driven The driven coupling between the coupling member 140 and the coupling member 90 is achieved by the driven-side projection 95a abutting on the edge of the side cylindrical portion 140b or the third driven-side large circle portion 92c abutting on the phase matching projection 144. Is not done. However, when the connecting member 90 is driven to rotate together with the photoreceptor gear 82, the phases of the driven-side protrusion 95a and the driven-side groove 142 match, and the contact between the third driven-side large circle portion 92c and the phase matching convex portion 144 is made. The connection member 90 and the coupling member 140 are out of phase with each other. Then, the connecting member 90 moves toward the coupling member due to the urging force of the coil spring 73, the driven-side spherical portion 92 enters the driven-side hole 143, and the driven-side protrusion 95 a enters the driven-side groove 142. Thus, the connecting member 90 and the coupling member 140 are drivingly connected in a predetermined phase, and the driving force is transmitted from the connecting member 90 to the coupling member 140.

  On the inner side of the apparatus with respect to the partition wall 100a, in addition to the photoreceptor 2, various devices such as the exposure device 6, and a joint for driving connection with the shaft of the developing roller are provided. There is not enough free space to make it work. When the release member 60 is disposed closer to the inside of the apparatus than the partition wall 100a, it is necessary to secure a space for sliding the release member 60, and the image forming apparatus becomes large.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 described above, the release member 60 is disposed outside the rear side plate 100b, and the release member 60 is disposed outside the photoconductor gear 82 in the axial direction. . Usually, only a drive motor and the like are arranged outside the back side plate 100b, and there is a sufficient free space. Therefore, the release member 60 can be slidably disposed in such an empty space. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the image forming apparatus as compared with a case where the release member 60 is disposed inside the apparatus with respect to the partition wall 100a.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the release member 60 is provided with an inclined portion that is gradually separated from the photoreceptor gear 82 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and the pushed portion 97 of the connecting member is moved in the axial direction by the inclined portion. The configuration is such that Thereby, the connecting member 90 can be located at the release position only by sliding the release member 60 in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction. In addition, the coupling member can be moved in the axial direction only by providing the release member 60 with the inclined portion and the hole in which the pressed portion is relatively movable in the sliding direction of the release member 60, and the connection member can be moved in the axial direction. , A release mechanism.

  When there is a deviation between the rotation center of the photoreceptor gear 82 and the rotation center of the photoreceptor shaft 2a (hereinafter, referred to as axial center deviation), the driving connection can be performed by inclining the connection member 90. In the present embodiment, the first insertion portion inserted into the drive-side cylindrical portion 82a of the photosensitive member gear 82 of the coupling member 90, and the second insertion portion inserted into the driven-side cylindrical portion 140b of the coupling member 140, It is spherical. Thus, when there is an axial center shift, the connecting member 90 can be smoothly inclined, and the axial center shift can be favorably absorbed. Specifically, the arc-shaped surfaces of the first, second, and third drive-side great circle portions 91a, 91b, and 91c of the drive-side spherical portion 91 inserted into the drive-side tubular portion 82a of the photoreceptor gear 82 are formed. The inner peripheral surface of the drive side hole 87 slides smoothly, and the connecting member 90 tilts smoothly with respect to the photoreceptor gear 82. In addition, the arc-shaped surfaces of the first, second, and third driven-side great circle portions 92a, 92b, and 92c of the driven-side spherical portion 92 inserted into the driven-side cylindrical portion 140b of the coupling member 140 correspond to the driven side. The inner peripheral surface of the hole 143 and the bottom surface of the driven-side tubular portion slide smoothly, and the connecting member 90 is smoothly inclined with respect to the coupling member 140. Thereby, the connecting member 90 can be smoothly inclined, and the deviation of the axial center can be absorbed. Further, by making the first insertion portion and the second insertion portion spherical, it is possible to suppress the rotational speed unevenness of the photoconductor.

  As shown in FIG. 19, when the connecting member 90 and the coupling member 140 are drivingly connected, the through shaft 98 of the connecting member 90 passes through the mounting hole 62 of the release member 60. . As described above with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the diameter b of the mounting hole 62 is larger than the diameter f of the through shaft 98. The diameter q of the through hole 88 of the drive tubular portion 82 a through which the through shaft 98 passes is also larger than the diameter f of the through shaft 98. Thus, even if the connecting member 90 is inclined, the through shaft 98 does not hit the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 62 or the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 88, and the connecting member 90 can be smoothly inclined.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view in which the coupling member 140 and the connecting member 90 are cut in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the driven-side protrusion 95a protrudes.
As shown in FIG. 22 (a), the height of the phase matching projection 144 is such that there is a predetermined gap with respect to the side surface of the first driven-side great circle 92a when the connecting member 90 is not inclined. Has become. As shown in FIG. 22 (b), even if the gap is inclined by the maximum inclination angle + θ1 in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the driven-side projection 95a of the connecting member 90 projects, the first driven-side large circle 92a has a phase It is a gap that does not come into contact with the matching projection 144.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the phase matching protrusion 144 is not formed up to a position flush with the side surface of the driven-side groove 142, and is recessed by emm with respect to the side surface of the driven-side groove 142. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22A, when the connecting member 90 is not inclined, a predetermined gap is formed between the side surface of the phase matching convex portion 144 and the side surface of the second driven-side large circle portion 92b. . As shown in FIG. 22C, even if the gap is inclined at the maximum inclination angle −θ1 in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the driven-side protrusion 95a of the connecting member 90 projects, the second driven-side great circle portion 92b can be The gap does not contact the side surface of the phase matching projection.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view in which the coupling member 140 and the connecting member 90 are cut in parallel with the protruding direction of the driven-side protrusion 95a.
As shown in FIG. 23A, the phase matching projection 144 has a mountain shape in which the cross section decreases in height from the center to the end. Then, as shown in FIG. 23B and FIG. 23C, the connecting member 90 moves the inclination angle θ3 of the inclined surface of the phase matching projection 144 in the direction parallel to the projection direction of the driven side projection 95a. The angle is set such that the side surface of the first driven-side large circle portion 92a does not come into contact with the phase matching convex portion 144 when inclined at the maximum inclination angle θ2.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the phase matching convex portion 144 does not hinder the inclination of the connecting member 90, the connecting member 90 can favorably absorb the axial deviation. Note that the maximum inclination angle of the connecting member 90 is such that the connecting portion 93 of the connecting member 90 abuts on the edge of the driven-side cylindrical portion of the coupling member 140 or the edge of the driving-side cylindrical portion of the photoconductor gear. This is the angle at which the inclination is regulated by hitting.

  Further, the configuration for matching the phases on the driven side (coupling member 140 and connecting member 90) may be the same as the configuration for matching the phases on the driving side (photoconductor gear and connecting member). That is, the lengths of the driven-side protrusions 95a are made different from each other, and the groove depths of the driven-side groove portions 142 are made different from each other, so that the driven-side protrusion 95a cannot be inserted into any other than the determined driven-side groove portion 142. Configuration.

  In the present embodiment, the driving-side projections 94a and 94b to which the driving force is transmitted from the photoreceptor gear of the connecting member 90 and the driven-side projection 95a to transmit the driving force to the coupling member are cylindrical. I have. Thereby, the advantage that the angular velocity fluctuation can be suppressed can be obtained as compared with the conventional configuration in which the driving-side projection and the driven-side projection are hemispherical. This will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIGS. 24A and 24B are diagrams illustrating a conventional drive transmission between a connecting member and a coupling member, wherein FIG. 24A is a schematic diagram viewed in a direction orthogonal to the inclination direction of the connecting member, and FIG. 24A is a schematic view seen from above, and FIG. 24C is a schematic view seen in the axial direction. FIG. 25 is a view showing a state rotated by 90 ° from the state of FIG. 24, (a) is a schematic view seen in a direction perpendicular to the inclination direction of the connecting member, and (b) is 25 (a) is a schematic view seen from above, and FIG. 25 (c) is a schematic view seen in the axial direction.

  When the driven protrusion 195 is hemispherical, as shown in FIG. 24C, the downstream end in the rotation direction of the driven protrusion 195 that is a groove contact portion that contacts the side surface of the driven groove 142 is located at the top. As it moves, it becomes an arc shape that is located on the upstream side in the rotation direction. As shown in FIG. 24, when the projecting direction of the driven side protrusion 195 is a direction orthogonal to the axis deviation direction, almost the entire driven side protrusion 195 enters the driven side groove. Therefore, at this time, as shown in FIG. 24C, the driven-side spherical portion of the driven-side protrusion 195 is in contact with the side surface of the driven-side groove 142.

  24C from this state, the driven protrusion 195 on the left side of FIG. 24C moves axially in the driven groove in a direction away from the photoreceptor gear. The driven-side protrusion 195 on the right side of FIG. 24C moves in the driven-side groove in the axial direction in a direction approaching the photoconductor gear. At this time, the amount of entry of the driven-side projection 195 into the driven-side groove decreases, and the contact position of the driven-side projection 195 with the side surface of the driven-side groove changes toward the top. When the driven-side protrusion 195 is hemispherical, the downstream end in the rotation direction of the driven-side protrusion 195 that comes into contact with the driven-side groove 142 is located on the upstream side in the rotation direction toward the top as described above. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 25C, even if the connecting member 190 rotates by 90 °, the coupling member 140 does not rotate by 90 °, and is located at a position retracted by δθ in the rotation direction, and The angular velocity of the member 140 is lower than the angular velocity of the connecting member 90.

25 (c), the driven protrusion 195 positioned on the upper side in FIG. 25 (a) moves inside the driven groove so as to approach the photoconductor gear. Move in the axial direction. In addition, the driven protrusion 195 located on the lower side in FIG. 25A moves in the driven groove in the axial direction so as to move away from the photoconductor gear. At this time, the contact position of the driven-side protrusion 195 with the side surface of the driven-side groove changes from the top side to the driven-side spherical portion side, and rotates by 90 ° from the state of FIG. 24, except that the positions of the side protrusion 195 and the driven side groove are interchanged. At this time, the delay of the coupling member 140 is eliminated, and the coupling member 140 is rotated by 180 ° as in the case of the coupling member 90. That is, while rotating from the state of FIG. 26 by 90 °, the coupling member rotates by δθ more, and the angular velocity with respect to the connecting member 90 increases. As described above, when the driven-side protrusion is formed in a hemispherical shape, an angular velocity fluctuation of a half rotation cycle occurs.
In the above description, the speed fluctuation between the coupling member and the coupling member has been described. However, when the driving-side protrusion is hemispherical, the coupling member is halved between the photoconductor gear and the coupling member. Speed fluctuations occur periodically.

  FIGS. 26A and 26B are diagrams illustrating the drive transmission between the coupling member 90 and the coupling member 140 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 26A is a schematic diagram viewed in a direction orthogonal to the inclination direction of the coupling member 90. (B) is a schematic view seen from above in FIG. 26 (a), and (c) is a schematic view seen in the axial direction. FIG. 27 is a view showing a state rotated by 90 ° from the state of FIG. 26, (a) is a schematic view seen in a direction orthogonal to the inclination direction of the connecting member, and (b) is 27 (a) is a schematic view seen from above, and FIG. 27 (c) is a schematic view seen in the axial direction.

  In the present embodiment, the driven-side protrusion 95a has a columnar shape. As a result, as shown in FIG. 26C, the downstream end in the rotation direction, which is the groove contact portion that contacts the side surface of the driven groove of the driven protrusion 95a, has a linear shape that extends straight in the radial direction. . As a result, the position of the driven-side protrusion 95a abutting on the driven-side groove 142 is the same in the rotational direction from the driven-side spherical portion 92 to the top. 26 (c), the entry of the driven-side protrusion 95a into the driven-side groove is reduced. As shown in FIG. 27 (c), when the driven-side protrusion 95a rotates 90 °, Only the top side of the driven-side protrusion 95a enters the driven-side groove 142. As a result, only the rotation-direction downstream end of the top of the driven-side protrusion comes into contact with the side surface of the driven-side groove. However, the downstream end in the rotational direction of the driven-side projection is linear in a straight line extending in the radial direction. Therefore, even when only the rotation-direction downstream end of the top of the driven-side protrusion comes into contact with the side surface of the driven-side groove, the coupling member 140 is not delayed with respect to the rotation of the connection member 90. Rotate the same angle as. This allows the coupling member 140 to be rotated at a constant speed even when there is an axial misalignment.

  Similarly, since the drive-side protrusions 94a and 94b are also cylindrical, the connecting member can be rotated at a constant speed without speed fluctuation of the connecting member 90 in the drive transmission from the photoconductor gear to the connecting member. .

  In the present embodiment, the drive-side protrusions 94a and 94b and the driven-side protrusion 95a are formed in a cylindrical shape, so that the rotation-direction downstream end that is the groove contact portion that contacts the side surface of the groove is rotated in the rotation direction. An arc surface protruding from As a result, the contact between the protrusion and the side surface of the groove becomes a point contact when viewed from the radial direction, and as shown in FIG. 26A, the connecting member smoothly moves in a direction orthogonal to the protrusion direction of the protrusion. 90 can be tilted. Note that the point contact is an ideal state in design, and actually includes a state having a certain contact width.

  FIG. 28 shows a conventional connection member in which the driving-side projection and the driven-side projection have a hemispherical shape, and the center of the photosensitive member shaft 2a is connected to the rotating shaft of the photosensitive member gear by a predetermined amount. 5 is a graph illustrating a change in the speed of a photoconductor. As shown in FIG. 29, it can be seen that the photoconductor undergoes speed fluctuation at a predetermined cycle.

In FIG. 29, the driving-side projection and the driven-side projection are connected by using a cylindrical connecting member of the present embodiment, with the axis of the photoconductor shaft 2a being shifted by a predetermined amount with respect to the rotation axis of the photoconductor gear. 6 is a graph showing a change in the speed of the photosensitive member at the time.
As shown in FIG. 29, it can be seen that the speed fluctuation of the photoconductor can be sufficiently suppressed as compared with the case of the conventional configuration.

The drive-side protrusions 94a and 94b and the driven-side protrusions 95a may be formed as long as at least a groove contact portion that contacts the side surface of the groove (142, 85) extends straight in the radial direction and projects in the rotational direction. Good. Therefore, for example, a column shape having a rounded rectangular cross section as shown in FIG. 30 or a column shape having an elliptical cross section may be used.
Further, when the groove contact portion that contacts the side surface of the groove (42, 85) of the protrusion (95a, 94a, 94b) is an arc surface, the center angle θy of the arc is determined by the projection direction of the protrusion of the connecting member 90. At least twice the maximum inclination angle θ1 in the orthogonal direction. Accordingly, even when the connecting member 90 is inclined at the maximum inclination angle θ1, the arc surface of the projection (95a, 94a, 94b) can be brought into contact with the side surface of the groove (142, 85). Thereby, even when the connecting member 90 is inclined at the maximum inclination angle θ1, the contact between the groove and the projection as viewed from the projecting direction of the projection can be changed to the point contact, and the connecting member 90 can be smoothly inclined. Can be.

What has been described above is merely an example, and each embodiment has a specific effect.
(Aspect 1)
A first drive transmission member such as a photoreceptor gear 82 having a hole such as a drive side hole 87 at the center of rotation, and a second drive such as a coupling member 140 having a hole such as a driven side hole 143 at the center of rotation. A transmission member, a first insertion portion such as a spherical drive-side spherical portion 91 inserted into a hole of the first drive transmission member, and a spherical driven-side spherical portion inserted into a hole of the second drive transmission member. A connecting member 90 for connecting the first drive transmitting member and the second drive transmitting member, having a second inserting portion such as 92 and a connecting portion 93 connecting the first inserting portion and the second inserting portion. And a protrusion (drive-side protrusion, driven-side protrusion) that protrudes in the radial direction on the peripheral surface of each insertion portion. The protrusion has a groove (a drive-side groove 85 and a driven-side groove 142) that can move in the axial direction. A drive transmission device, wherein the second drive transmission member is provided on a rotating body side that is detachable from the apparatus main body, and the connecting member is provided in the axial direction while the rotating body is mounted on the apparatus main body. To the first drive transmission member side, a release mechanism for releasing the drive connection between the connection member and the second drive transmission member, in the axial direction, the first drive drive member sandwiched between the At least a part of the release mechanism (release member 60 in the present embodiment) is disposed on the side opposite to the side on which the two drive transmission members are disposed.
According to this, the drive connection between the apparatus main body side and the rotator side can be released in a state where the rotating body such as the photoconductor 2 is mounted on the apparatus main body. Specifically, by moving the connecting member 90 toward the first drive transmission member with respect to the second drive transmission member, the second insertion portion such as the driven-side spherical portion 92 allows the driven side cylinder of the second drive transmission member to be driven. The drive connection between the apparatus main body side and the rotating body side can be released by being pulled out from a hole such as the shape part 140b. Thereby, the rotating body can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the rotating body.
Also, by releasing the drive connection between the second drive transmission member and the connection member, the second drive transmission member can be disposed on the rotating body side. Thereby, the number of parts is reduced as compared with a configuration in which the second drive transmission member is provided on the apparatus main body side and the drive connection is released between the second drive transmission member and the driven-side coupling on the rotating body that is drive-coupled. And the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.
In an apparatus such as an image forming apparatus in which the drive transmission device is mounted, a plurality of rotators different from the rotator, a unit, and the like are arranged on the rotator arrangement side of the first drive transmission member, There is not enough free space where the driving member of the release mechanism can be arranged. On the other hand, the second drive transmission arrangement side and the opposite side in the axial direction with respect to the first drive transmission member of the device in which the drive transmission device is mounted are generally arranged only about the drive source such as a motor, and Empty space is open. In the first aspect, at least a part of the release mechanism is disposed in an empty space of the device in which the drive transmission device is mounted by disposing at least a part of the release mechanism on the side opposite to the second drive transmission member arrangement side in the axial direction. It is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the device on which the drive transmission device is mounted.

(Aspect 2)
In the first aspect, the connecting member 90 includes an engaging portion (in the present embodiment, a penetrating shaft 98 and a pressed portion 97, which penetrates a first drive transmission member such as the photoconductor gear 82 and engages with the release mechanism). ).
With such a configuration, the release mechanism (in the present embodiment, configured by the release member 60 and the link mechanism) disposed axially outside the first drive transmission member such as the photoreceptor gear 82, Can be pushed in the axial direction to move the connecting member 90 in a direction in which the driving connection with the second drive transmitting member such as the coupling member 140 is released. Thereby, the drive connection can be released by the release mechanism.

(Aspect 3)
In (Aspect 2), the release mechanism may include a biasing unit such as a coil spring 73 that biases the connecting member 90 toward the second drive transmission member such as the coupling member 140, and the engaging portion by the shaft. And a pushing member such as a release member 60 for pushing outward in the direction.
According to this, the pushing member such as the release member 60 pushes the engaging portion formed by the penetrating shaft 98 and the pushed portion of the connecting member 90, thereby resisting the urging force of the urging means such as the coil spring 73. The connecting member 90 moves in a direction away from the second drive transmission member. Thereby, the second insertion portion such as the driven spherical portion 92 is extracted from the hole such as the driven cylindrical portion 140b of the second drive transmission member such as the coupling member 140, and the second drive transmission member and the connecting member 90 are extracted. Can be released from the drive connection. When the pushing by the pushing member is released, the connecting member 90 is moved toward the second drive transmitting member by the urging force of the urging means, and the second insertion portion is inserted into the hole of the second drive transmitting member. Thus, the connection member 90 and the second drive transmission member can be drive-connected.

(Aspect 4)
In aspect 3, a pushing member such as a release member 60 is provided so as to be slidable in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and the pushing member is engaged with an engaging portion, and the photosensitive member is moved in its own sliding movement direction. An inclined portion 63 that is gradually separated from the first drive transmission member such as the gear 82 is provided.
According to this, as described in the embodiment, just by sliding the release member 60, the engaging portion is formed by the inclined portion 63 into the engaging portion formed by the through shaft 98 of the connecting member 90 and the pushed portion. By pushing in, the connecting member 90 can be moved in a direction away from the second drive transmission member. Accordingly, the drive connection can be released with a simple configuration.

(Aspect 5)
In any one of Embodiments 1 to 4, when the axial direction is the X direction, and the direction orthogonal to the X direction is the Y direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the X direction and the Y direction is the Z direction, Each of the insertion portions such as the spherical portion 91 and the driven-side spherical portion 92 is connected to a large circle portion (first driving-side large circle portion 91a, first driven-side large circle portion 92a) orthogonal to the X direction of the sphere and the Y of the sphere. A large circle portion (third drive side large circle portion 91c, third driven side large circle portion 92c) orthogonal to the direction and a large circle portion (second drive side large circle portion 91b, second The hollow portion was formed into a spherical shape with the thickness reduced except for the driven-side great circle portion 92b).
According to this, as described with reference to FIG. 12, sink marks at each insertion portion can be suppressed, and each insertion portion can be accurately molded. Further, the connecting member 90 can be molded using the first mold 391 moving in one direction (Y1 direction) and the second mold 392 moving in the opposite direction to the first mold 391. The number of dies can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the inside of each insertion portion is lightened as shown in FIG. Further, even if the connecting portion of the connecting member is long, each insertion portion can be uniformly lightened. Thereby, even if the connecting portion of the connecting member is long, the sink of each insertion portion can be suppressed well, and each insertion portion can be accurately molded. Further, the diameter of the connecting portion can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the inside of each insertion portion is lightened, and the size of the connecting member can be reduced.

(Aspect 6)
In the fifth aspect, the connecting portion 93 is formed such that a cross-section lightening portion formed of a straight portion extending in the Y direction and a straight portion extending in the Z direction and a reinforcing portion having a rectangular cross section alternate in the X direction. Was formed in the shape.
According to this, as described in the embodiment, the connection portion can be lightened using the first mold 391 and the second mold 392, and sink of the connection portion can be suppressed. The connecting portion 93 can be molded with high precision.

(Aspect 7)
In any one of the first to sixth aspects, there is provided a phase matching unit for adjusting the phase in the rotation direction of the first drive transmission member such as the photoconductor gear 82 and the second drive transmission member such as the coupling member.
According to this, as shown in the embodiment, the speed fluctuation of one rotation cycle of the first drive transmission member such as the photoreceptor gear 82 and the photosensitive member mounted on the same shaft as the second drive transmission member such as the coupling member. The speed fluctuation of the rotating body caused by the speed fluctuation of one rotation cycle of the rotating body such as the body can always be the same. Thus, data acquisition for controlling the speed fluctuation of the rotating body (measuring the speed fluctuation of one revolution of the rotating body using an encoder or the like) and data taking for the color misregistration suppressing control (forming a patch pattern). , Which is detected by an optical sensor to determine the degree of color misregistration), each time a rotating body such as a photoreceptor is attached or detached, there is no need to perform the operation, and the control of the apparatus can be simplified.

(Aspect 8)
In the seventh aspect, the phase matching unit includes a first phase matching unit (in the present embodiment, a second drive-side protruding portion) that matches the phase of the connecting member 90 and the first drive transmission member such as the photoconductor gear 82 in the rotational direction. 94b and a second guide groove 86b) and a second phase matching portion (in the present embodiment, the driven side spherical portion 92 and the driven side spherical portion 92) for adjusting the phases of the coupling member 90 and the second drive transmission member such as the coupling member 140. And a phase matching projection 144).
According to this, the connecting member 90 is attached to the first drive transmission member such as the photoconductor gear 82 in a predetermined phase in the rotation direction. Then, a second drive transmission member, such as the coupling member 140, is attached to the connection member 90 attached to the first drive transmission member in a prescribed phase in a prescribed phase. Thereby, the first drive transmission member and the second drive transmission member can be set to the prescribed phase via the connection member 90.

(Aspect 9)
In the eighth aspect, at least one of the first phase matching portion and the second phase matching portion is provided with a phase matching protrusion such as a second drive side protrusion 94b projecting radially from a peripheral surface of the insertion portion, A phase adjustment such as a second guide groove 86b into which the phase adjustment projection is inserted when the insertion section is inserted into the hole in the drive transmission member into which the insertion section having the alignment projection is inserted. And the shape of the phase matching projection is made different from the shape of the projection such as the first driving side projection 94a, and the shape of the phase matching groove is changed when the insertion portion is inserted into the hole. The configuration is such that the shape of the groove, such as the first guide groove, into which the protrusion is inserted is different from that of the groove, so that the phase matching protrusion can be inserted only into the phase matching groove.
According to this, as described in the embodiment, when the coupling member 90 and the drive transmission member such as the photoreceptor gear 82 have a predetermined phase, the protrusions such as the first drive side protrusion 94a have different shapes. A phase matching projection such as the second drive side projection 94b can be inserted only into a phase matching groove such as the second guide groove 86b, and the phase between the coupling member 90 and the drive transmission member is set to a specified phase. Can be matched.
Here, "different in shape" means different in shape or size (non-congruent).

(Aspect 10)
In the eighth aspect or the ninth aspect, at least one of the first phase matching portion and the second phase matching portion is provided on a bottom surface of a hole such as the driven side hole 143 and a phase matching convex portion 144 protruding in an axial direction. And a cut-out portion (third driven side) formed in the insertion portion such that when the insertion portion such as the driven-side spherical portion 92 is inserted into the hole portion, the insertion portion is not in contact with the projection-shaped portion. (A portion where the great circle portion 92c is cut out).
According to this, when the drive transmitting member such as the coupling member 140 and the coupling member 90 are in a prescribed phase, the convex portions such as the phase matching convex portion 144 are formed in the insertion portions of the insertion portion such as the driven side spherical portion 92. The three driven-side large circle portions 92c enter the cutout portions, which are cut-out portions, and the insertion portions such as the driven-side spherical portions 92 of the connection member 90 can be inserted into the holes of the drive transmission member, and the connection member and The drive transmission member can be drivingly connected.

(Aspect 11)
In any one of Embodiments 1 to 10, the groove portion of the first drive transmission member such as the drive side groove portion 85 has a retaining portion 85a for stopping the protrusions such as the drive side protrusion portions 94a and 94b from falling out of the groove portions, The hole of the first drive transmission member such as the drive-side cylindrical portion 82a has an opening at a position different from the position where the groove is formed in the rotation direction, and extends in the axial direction to make the first insertion portion into the hole. It has guide grooves 86a and 86b for guiding the protrusion into the hole when inserted, and a communication portion 84 for communicating the guide groove and the groove. According to this, the connection member 90 is formed of a coupling member or the like. When moved to the second drive transmitting member side, the protrusions such as the drive-side protrusions 94a and 94b abut against the retaining portion 85a, and the first insertion portion such as the drive-side spherical portion of the coupling member 90 is connected to the photoconductor gear 82 and the like. Of the first drive transmission member It is possible to prevent.
Also, the protrusions are inserted into the guide grooves 86a and 86b, and the protrusions are inserted into the guide grooves 86a and 86b until the protrusion is located at the communicating portion 84 between the guide grooves 86a and 86b and the groove. By rotating the connecting member 90, the protrusions in the guide grooves 86a and 86b can be moved to the first grooves through the communication portions 84, and the protrusions are positioned in the grooves in the holes. Can be. Even if the retaining portion 85a is formed by integral molding of the first drive transmission member, the protrusion can be located in the groove, and the first insertion portion can be inserted into the hole. Accordingly, the first drive transmission member is provided with a retaining member that is separate from the first drive transmission member, and the connection member is attached to the first drive transmission member. Points can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost of the apparatus and the number of assembly steps.

(Aspect 12)
In any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the groove contact portion that comes into contact with the groove at the time of driving transmission of the protrusion is formed to protrude in the rotational direction and extend straight in the radial direction.
According to this, as described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 27, it is possible to suppress the rotation speed fluctuation.

(Aspect 13)
The image forming apparatus includes the drive transmission device according to any one of aspects 1 to 12.
According to this, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the rotational speed of the photoconductor 2 and the like transmitted by the drive transmission device, and to form a good image. Further, the cost of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

(Aspect 14)
In (Aspect 13), the rotating body such as the photoconductor 2 is configured to be detachable in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the rotating body.
Accordingly, it is not necessary to secure a space for attaching and detaching the rotating body in the axial direction of the rotating body, so that the apparatus can be downsized in the axial direction of the rotating body.

1: Process unit 2: Photoconductor 2a: Photoconductor shaft 60: Release member 61: Moving hole 62: Mounting hole 63: Inclined portion 64: Release unit 70: Drive transmission device 73: Coil spring 82: Photoconductor gear 82a Drive-side cylindrical portion 84: communication portion 85: drive-side groove portion 85a: retaining portion 86a: first guide groove portion 86b: second guide groove portion 87: drive-side hole portion 88: through-hole portion 90: connecting member 91: drive side. Spherical portion 91a: first drive side large circle portion 91b: second drive side large circle portion 91c: third drive side large circle portion 92: driven side spherical portion 92a: first driven side large circle portion 92b: second driven side Large circle portion 92c: Third driven-side large circle portion 93: Connecting portion 93a: Lightening portion 94a: First drive-side protrusion 94b: Second drive-side protrusion 94a Second drive-side protrusion 95a: Driven-side protrusion 96: spring receiver 97: pressed part 98: penetrating shaft 98a: Strong part 100 Main body 100a: Partition wall 100b: Back side plate 102: Intermediate cover 140: Coupling member 140a: Shaft insertion portion 140b: Drive side cylindrical portion 142: Drive side groove 143: Drive side hole 144: Phase matching Convex part

JP 2010-191027 A

Claims (14)

A first drive transmission member having a hole at the center of rotation, and a second drive transmission member having a hole at the center of rotation,
The spherical first insertion portion inserted into the hole of the first drive transmission member, the spherical second insertion portion inserted into the hole of the second drive transmission member, and the first insertion portion and the second It has a connecting portion that connects to the two insertion portions, and includes a connecting member that connects the first drive transmitting member and the second drive transmitting member,
Has a protrusion projecting radially on the peripheral surface of each insertion part,
A drive transmission device having, on an inner peripheral surface of a hole of each drive transmission member, a groove in which the protrusion of the connection member is movable in an axial direction,
The second drive transmission member is provided on the rotating body side that is detachable from the apparatus main body,
A release mechanism that moves the connecting member in the axial direction toward the first drive transmission member in a state where the rotating body is mounted on the apparatus main body, and releases the drive connection between the connection member and the second drive transmission member. With
A drive transmission device, wherein at least a part of the release mechanism is disposed on the side opposite to the side on which the second drive transmission member is disposed with the first drive transmission member interposed therebetween in the axial direction. The drive transmission device according to claim 1,
The drive transmission device, wherein the connection member includes an engagement portion that penetrates the first drive transmission member and engages with the release mechanism. The drive transmission device according to claim 2,
An urging means for urging the connection member toward the second drive transmission member,
A drive transmitting device comprising: a pushing member that engages with the engaging portion and pushes the engaging portion outward in the axial direction. The drive transmission device according to claim 3,
The pushing member is provided so as to be slidable in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction,
The drive transmission device, characterized in that the push-in member includes an inclined portion that engages with the engagement portion and gradually separates from the first drive transmission member in its own sliding movement direction. The drive transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When an axial direction is an X direction, and a specific direction among directions orthogonal to the X direction is a Y direction, and a direction orthogonal to both the X direction and the Y direction is a Z direction,
Each of the insertion portions is formed into a thin spherical shape excluding a large circle portion orthogonal to the X direction of the sphere, a large circle portion orthogonal to the Y direction of the sphere, and a large circle portion orthogonal to the Z direction of the sphere. A drive transmission device characterized by the above-mentioned. The drive transmission device according to claim 5,
The connecting portion has a cross-section lightening portion including a straight portion extending in the Y direction and a straight portion extending in the Z direction, and a reinforcing portion having a rectangular cross section, which are alternately formed in the X direction. A drive transmission device having a shape. The drive transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A drive transmission device comprising: a phase adjustment unit that adjusts the phase of the first drive transmission member and the second drive transmission member in the rotational direction. The drive transmission device according to claim 7,
The phase matching unit includes a first phase matching unit that matches a rotational phase of the connection member and the first drive transmission member, and a second phase matching unit that matches a phase of the connection member and the second drive transmission member. And a drive transmitting device. The drive transmission device according to claim 8,
At least one of the first phase matching portion and the second phase matching portion is provided with a phase matching projection that projects radially from the peripheral surface of the insertion portion, and an insertion portion having the phase matching projection is inserted. In the hole portion of the drive transmission member, when inserting the insertion portion into the hole portion, the phase matching protrusion is configured by a groove for phase matching is inserted,
The shape of the phase adjustment projections made different from the shape of the protrusions, the shape of the groove for the phase adjustment, the insertion portion is different from the groove shape wherein projections are inserted when inserted into the hole so, the drive transmission device, characterized in that said phase adjustment projections, and only insertable configured groove for the phase adjustment. The drive transmission device according to claim 8 or 9,
At least one of the first phase matching portion and the second phase matching portion is provided at a position shifted from the center of rotation of the bottom surface of the hole, and a projecting portion protruding in the axial direction, And a notch formed in the insertion portion so as to be in non-contact with the convex portion when inserted into the portion. The drive transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The groove portion of the first drive transmission member has a retaining portion for stopping the protrusion from falling out of the groove portion,
The hole portion of the first drive transmission member has an opening at a position different from the position where the groove portion is formed in the rotation direction, and extends in the axial direction to insert the first insertion portion into the hole portion. A drive transmission device comprising: a guide groove for guiding a portion into an inside of a hole; and a communication portion for communicating the guide groove with the groove. The drive transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
A drive transmission device characterized in that a groove contact portion that comes into contact with the groove at the time of drive transmission of the projection has a shape protruding in the rotational direction and extending straight in the radial direction. An image forming apparatus having a drive transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the rotator is configured to be detachable in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the rotator.

Images