JP6849449B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material in a state where a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body is attached to the apparatus main body.

An electrophotographic system that uses electrophotographic technology as an image forming apparatus generally requires toner replenishment and maintenance of various process means. In order to facilitate the toner replenishment and maintenance, the photoconductor drum (photosensitive drum), charging means, developing means, cleaning means, etc. are collectively made into a cartridge in the frame to form a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Things have been put to practical use.

According to this process cartridge method, since the maintenance of the device can be performed by the user himself / herself, the operability can be remarkably improved, and the image forming device having excellent usability can be provided. Therefore, this process cartridge method is widely used in an image forming apparatus.

Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus having a coupling for transmitting drive from the image forming apparatus main body to the process cartridge at the tip and having a driving force transmitting member urged to the process cartridge side by a spring. .. Then, in this image forming apparatus, when the opening / closing door of the image forming apparatus main body is closed, the driving force transmission member is pressed by the spring and moves to the process cartridge side, engages with the coupling of the process cartridge, and applies the driving force. It is something to convey. Further, when the opening / closing door of the image forming apparatus main body is opened, the driving force transmitting member is moved in the direction away from the process cartridge against the spring by the cam, and can be made detachable.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-328449

However, in Patent Document 1, as a point to be further improved, there is a case where the coupling can be stably coupled.

An object of the present invention is an image in which when coupling a coupling, the coupling can be stably coupled in a state where the drive to another member of the cartridge is not connected (a state in which a reaction force is not received). The purpose is to provide a forming device.

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus, and the cartridge has a first rotation that can be rotated around a first axis. A member, a second rotating member that can rotate around a second axis, a first coupling portion that constitutes a coupling for connecting the first rotating member and the apparatus main body, and the first coupling portion. It has a first gear for driving the two rotating members, and the apparatus main body includes a drive source, a second gear that meshes with the first gear, a first engaging portion, and the like. A first transmitting member for transmitting a driving force, a second coupling portion forming the coupling together with the first coupling portion, and a second engaging portion capable of engaging with the first engaging portion. A second transmission member that includes an engaging portion, is provided coaxially with the first transmission member, is rotatable relative to the first transmission member, and transmits a driving force. In the first state in which the cartridge is attached to the main body of the apparatus, the first gear and the second gear are engaged with each other, and the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are coupled. When the drive source is driven from the first state when the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are not engaged, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are described. The second transmission member rotates without rotating the first transmission member until the second engaging portion engages, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion engage with each other. after, wherein the first transmission member second transmission member is a second state to rotate integrally, while extending from the first state to the second state, said first coupling portion And the second coupling portion are coupled.

Further, another image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus, wherein the cartridge has a first rotating member that can rotate around a first axis and a first rotating member. A second rotating member that can rotate around a second axis, a first coupling portion that constitutes a coupling for connecting the first rotating member and the apparatus main body, and the second rotation. It has a first gear for driving a member, and the apparatus main body includes a drive source, a second gear that meshes with the first gear, the first rotating member, and the second gear. A first engaging portion for integrally rotating the rotating member, a first transmitting member for transmitting a driving force, and a second coupling portion forming the coupling together with the first coupling portion. A second engaging portion that can be engaged with the first engaging portion, is provided coaxially with the first transmitting member, and is rotatable relative to the first transmitting member. It has a second transmission member for transmitting a driving force and an urging member provided between the first transmission member and the second transmission member, and has the first engaging portion. Before the second engaging portion engages, the second transmitting member rotates in a state where the first transmitting member does not rotate, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are coupled. It is characterized in that a gap is provided between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion.

According to the present invention, when coupling the coupling, the coupling can be stably coupled in a state in which the drive to the other member of the cartridge is not connected (a state in which the reaction force is not received).

A cross-sectional view perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum of the image forming apparatus with the cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body. Sectional view perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum in the cartridge. (A) and (b) are exploded perspective views of the cartridge. Sectional view perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum of the device body. Perspective view of the drive unit. (A) is a perspective view of the driving force transmitting member and the driving gear, and (b) is a partial perspective view of the driving side of the cartridge. The figure for demonstrating the thrust applied to the driving force transmission member. The figure which shows the vicinity of the 2nd transmission member 92 seen from the direction of the rotation axis of a drum 62. Perspective view of a cylindrical cam. The perspective view of the side plate 15 seen from the drive side. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view parallel to the rotation axis of the drum 62 showing a state in which the cylindrical cam 86 is attached to the drive side plate (cross-sectional view seen from the direction of the arrow in FIG. 10). FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus main body A perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62 for explaining the link configuration of the cylindrical cam 86 with the opening / closing door 13 open. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view including a rotation axis of a drum 62 showing a portion in the vicinity of the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92. (A) is a diagram showing a configuration in which a cartridge on the drive side of the device main body A is mounted on the device main body A, and (b) is a diagram showing a configuration in which a cartridge on the non-drive side of the device main body A is mounted on the device main body A. The figure for demonstrating the position in the longitudinal direction of the 1st transmission member 91 and the 2nd transmission member 92 before closing an opening / closing door. (A) is a diagram for explaining the longitudinal positioning of the cartridge B with respect to the device body A, and (b) is a diagram for explaining the longitudinal positioning of the cartridge B with respect to the device body A. (A) is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62 showing a positioning configuration of the cartridge B on the drive side of the apparatus main body A in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62 with respect to the device main body A, and (b) is the apparatus main body A FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62 showing a positioning configuration in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62 with respect to the apparatus main body A of the cartridge B on the non-driving side. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62 for explaining the link configuration of the cylindrical cam 86 in a state where the opening / closing door 13 is closed. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view including a rotation axis of a drum 62 for explaining the movement of the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view including a rotation axis of a drum 62 for explaining the engagement between the first transmission member 91, the second transmission member 92, and the cartridge B. Regarding the first embodiment, (a) is a perspective view showing the configurations of the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 as exploded views, and (b) is a first transmission member 91 and a second transmission member. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view including a rotation axis showing a state in which the drive with 92 is not connected. Regarding the first embodiment, (a) is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the rotation axis showing a state in which the drives of the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 are not connected, and (b) is the first. A cross-sectional view perpendicular to the rotation axis showing a state in which the drives of the transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 are connected. FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the rotation axis for explaining that the transmission member 92 of 2 returns to the initial state. Regarding the second embodiment, (a) is a perspective view showing the configurations of the driving force transmitting member 96, the driving force transmitting member 97, and the compression spring as an exploded view, and (b) is a driving force transmitting member 96. A perspective view showing the configuration of the driving force transmitting member 97 and the compression spring as an exploded view from the driving side. A cross-sectional view including a rotation axis showing a state in which the drives of the driving force transmitting member 96 and the driving force transmitting member 97 are not connected with respect to the second embodiment. A cross-sectional view including a rotation axis showing a state in which the drives of the driving force transmitting member 96 and the driving force transmitting member 97 are connected with respect to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<< First Embodiment >>
(Image forming device)
In the following description, the apparatus main body refers to a portion of the image forming apparatus excluding the cartridge. Further, the longitudinal direction is defined as the direction of the rotation axis (first axis) of the photosensitive drum (hereinafter, drum) which is an image carrier when the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body. Further, in the longitudinal direction of the device main body, the side having the driving force transmitting member for transmitting the drive from the image forming device main body (device main body) to the drum is defined as the driving side, and the opposite side is defined as the non-driving side.

The overall configuration of the image forming apparatus and the image forming process will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter, apparatus main body) A and a process cartridge (hereinafter, cartridge) B of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge B. In both FIGS. 1 and 2, the cross section is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum.

(Overall configuration of image forming apparatus)
The electrophotographic image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a laser beam printer using an electrophotographic technique in which a cartridge B is detachably attached to and attached to an apparatus main body A. When the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A, an exposure apparatus 3 for forming a latent image is arranged on a drum 62 which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member as an image carrier of the cartridge B. Further, a sheet tray 4 containing a sheet material (recording material) P as a recording medium to be image-formed is arranged under the cartridge B.

Further, the apparatus main body A includes a pickup roller 5a, a feeding roller pair 5b, a transport roller pair 5c, a transfer guide 6, a transfer roller 7, a transport guide 8, and a fixing device 9 along the transport direction D of the sheet material P. A discharge roller pair 10, a discharge tray 11, and the like are sequentially arranged. The fixing device 9 is composed of a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b.

(Image formation process)
Next, the outline of the image formation process will be described. Based on the print start signal, the drum 62, which is a first rotating member that can rotate around the first axis, is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed) in the direction of arrow R. The charging roller 66 to which the bias voltage is applied comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 and uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

The exposure device 3 outputs the laser beam L according to the image information. The laser beam L passes through the laser opening 71h provided in the cleaning frame 71 of the cartridge B, and scans and exposes the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, in the developing unit 20 as a developing device, the toner T in the toner chamber 29 is agitated and conveyed by the rotation of the conveying member 43, and is sent out to the toner supply chamber 28. The toner T is supported on the surface of the developing roller 32, which is a second rotating member that can rotate around the second axis by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 34 (fixed magnet). The toner T is triboelectrically charged by the developing blade 42, and the layer thickness on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 32 as the developing agent carrier is regulated. The toner T is developed on the drum 62 according to the electrostatic latent image and visualized as a toner image.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the sheet material P housed in the lower part of the apparatus main body A is set in the sheet tray by the pickup roller 5a, the feeding roller pair 5b, and the transport roller pair 5c in accordance with the output timing of the laser beam L. It is sent out from 4. Then, the sheet material P is conveyed to the transfer position between the drum 62 and the transfer roller 7 via the transfer guide 6. At this transfer position, the toner image is sequentially transferred from the drum 62 to the sheet material P.

The sheet material P to which the toner image is transferred is separated from the drum 62 and conveyed to the fixing device 9 along the conveying guide 8. Then, the sheet material P passes through the nip portion of the heating roller 9a and the pressurizing roller 9b constituting the fixing device 9. Pressurization / heat fixing treatment is performed at this nip portion, and the toner image is fixed to the sheet material P. The sheet material P that has undergone the toner image fixing process is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 10 and discharged to the discharge tray 11.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the drum 62 after transfer is used again in the image forming process after the residual toner on the outer peripheral surface is removed by the cleaning blade 77. The toner removed from the drum 62 is stored in the waste toner chamber 71b of the cleaning unit 60 as a frame having the drum 62.

In the above, the charging roller 66, the developing roller 32, the transfer roller 7, and the cleaning blade 77 are process means acting on the drum 62.

(Cartridge configuration)
Next, the overall configuration of the cartridge B will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge B, and FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are exploded perspective views showing a part of the cartridge B in a disassembled state.

The cartridge B is a so-called process cartridge having a cleaning unit 60 and a developing unit 20, and is integrally removable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge is an integral cartridge of an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one of a charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning means as process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

The cleaning unit 60 includes a drum 62, a charging roller 66, a cleaning member 77, and a cleaning frame 71 that supports them. As shown in FIG. 3A, in the drum 62, the drive-side drum flange 63 provided at the end on the drive-side side is rotatably supported by the hole portion 73a of the drum bearing 73. On the other hand, on the non-driving side, as shown in FIG. 3B, the hole portion (not shown) of the non-driving side drum flange 64 is formed by the drum shaft 78 press-fitted into the hole portion 71c provided in the cleaning frame body 71. Is rotatably supported. In the cleaning unit 60, the charging roller 66 and the cleaning member 77 are arranged in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62, respectively.

The cleaning member 77 shown in FIG. 2 has a rubber blade 77a, which is a blade-shaped elastic member formed of rubber as an elastic material, and a support member 77b that supports the rubber blade. The rubber blade 77a is in contact with the drum 62 in the counter direction with respect to the rotation direction of the drum 62. That is, the rubber blade 77a is in contact with the drum 62 so that its tip portion faces the upstream side in the rotation direction of the drum 62.

The waste toner removed from the surface of the drum 62 by the cleaning member 77 is stored in the waste toner chamber 71b formed by the cleaning frame 71 and the cleaning member 77. Further, a leak prevention sheet 65 for preventing waste toner from leaking from the cleaning frame 71 is provided at the edge of the cleaning frame 71 so as to come into contact with the drum 62.

The charging roller 66 shown in FIG. 2 is attached to the cleaning unit 60 via the charging roller bearing 67 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 71 (substantially parallel to the direction of the rotation axis (first axis) of the drum 62). It is mounted rotatably. The charging roller 66 is pressed against the drum 62 by pressing the charging roller bearing 67 toward the drum 62 by the urging member 68. The charging roller 66 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the drum 62.

Further, the developing unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 includes a developing roller 32, a developing container 23 that supports the developing roller 32, a developing blade 42, and the like. The developing roller 32 is rotatably attached to the developing container 23 by bearing members 27 and 37 provided at both ends. Further, a magnet roller 34 is provided in the developing roller 32. In the developing unit 20, a developing blade 42 for regulating the toner layer on the developing roller 32 is arranged.

Roll-shaped spacing members 38 (FIGS. 3A and 3B) are rotatably attached to both ends of the developing roller 32, and the spacing members 38 and the drum 62 come into contact with each other. The developing roller 32 is held with a small gap from the drum 62. Further, a blowout prevention sheet 33 for preventing toner from leaking from the developing unit 20 is provided at the edge of the bottom member 22 so as to come into contact with the developing roller 32.

Further, a transport member 43 is provided in the toner chamber 29 formed by the developing container 23 and the bottom member 22. The transport member 43 agitates the toner contained in the toner chamber 29 and transports the toner to the toner supply chamber 28.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the cartridge B is configured by combining the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20. When connecting the developing unit and the cleaning unit, first, the center of the developing second support boss 26a of the developing container 23 with respect to the second hanging hole 71i on the driving side of the cleaning frame 71, and the first hanging hole 71j on the non-driving side. Align the center of the development first support boss 23b with respect to.

Specifically, by moving the developing unit 20 in the direction of the arrow G, the developing second supporting boss 26a and the developing first supporting boss 23b are fitted into the second hanging hole 71i and the first hanging hole 71j. As a result, the developing unit 20 is rotatably connected to the cleaning unit 60. After that, the cartridge B is formed by assembling the drum bearing 73 to the cleaning unit 60.

Further, the second end portion 46Lb of the urging member 46L on the non-driving side is fixed to the surface 23k of the developing container 23, and the first end portion 46La abuts on the surface 71l which is a part of the cleaning unit. Further, the second end portion 46Rb of the urging member 46R on the drive side is fixed to the surface 26b of the developing container 26, and the first end portion 46Ra abuts on the surface 71k which is a part of the cleaning unit.

In the present embodiment, the urging member 46R and the urging member 46L are formed of compression springs, and the developing unit 20 is urged to the cleaning unit 60 by the urging force of the springs to move the developing roller 32 toward the drum 62. It is configured to be pressed firmly against. Then, the developing roller 32 is held at a predetermined distance from the drum 62 by the spacing members 38 attached to both ends of the developing roller 32.

(Configuration of device body A)
Next, the configuration of the apparatus main body A will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus main body A, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a drive unit. The cross section of FIG. 4 is a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis (first axis) of the drum 62.

The device main body A has a housing made of plastic or the like. The housing includes a drive side side plate 15 (FIG. 5), a non-drive side side plate 16 (FIG. 4), a front plate 18 (FIG. 4) connecting the respective side plates, and a rear plate 100 (FIG. 4). And. Further, the device main body A has an opening / closing door 13 (FIG. 4) rotatably supported with respect to the housing, and the cartridge B has a cartridge insertion port 17 exposed by opening the opening / closing door 13 to allow the device main body A. It becomes removable from the door.

The positions of the side plate 15 and the side plate 16 inside the device body will be described in detail later, but 15 g (16 d) on the guide rail that guides the cartridge when the cartridge B is attached / detached as described in FIG. The lower 15h (16e) are arranged respectively. The exposure device 3 (FIG. 1) includes a laser scanner 102 that is supported and fixed to an optical support base 101 (FIG. 4) fixed so as to connect the side plate 15 and the side plate 16 with screws or the like (not shown).

(Drive unit)
Next, the configuration of the drive unit 103 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The drive unit 103 that rotatably supports a plurality of gears with respect to the drive unit side plate 103a is supported and fixed to the side plate 15 by screws or the like (not shown) at a position outside the device main body of the side plate 15. The drive unit 103 has a motor 104 as a drive source, and constitutes a drive force transmission gear train (drive train) for transmitting a drive force from the motor 104 by a plurality of gears.

Then, the pickup roller 5a, the feeding roller pair 5b, the transport roller pair 5c, the first driving force transmission member (first transmission member) 91, and the second driving force transmission member (second transmission member) of FIG. 5 are shown. ) 92, a driving force is supplied to the pressurizing roller 9b and the discharging roller 10 of FIG. The pickup roller 5a has a solenoid (not shown) in the drive train, and this solenoid intermittently drives the pickup roller so as to match the timing with the print start signal. The feeding roller pair 5b and the transport roller pair 5c are constantly rotating, and the sheet material sent from the pickup roller 5a is transported to the transfer unit.

The driving force is supplied to the cartridge B by the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 coaxially provided as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A. The second gear portion 92a of the second transmission member 92 meshes with the drive gear 105 that rotates by transmitting the driving force from the motor 104 via the gear on the outside of the side plate 15, and the driving force from the motor 104 is the second. It is transmitted to the transmission member 92. Then, the coupling recess 92c2 and the first gear portion 91a project inside the side plate 15 via the hole portion 15k (FIG. 13) provided in the side plate 15 so that the driving force can be transmitted to the cartridge B (FIG. 13). ).

Transfer rollers 7 are rotatably attached to both ends of the rear plate 100 shown in FIG. 4 via bearing members 7a. The transfer roller 7 is configured to apply a predetermined contact pressure to the drum 62 (FIG. 1) by the transfer pressing spring 7b attached to the bearing member 7a shown in FIG. The transfer roller 7 abuts on the drum 62 to form a transfer nip, and transfers the toner image to the sheet material transferred from the transfer roller pair 5c to the fixing device 9. Here, the transfer roller 7 is not connected to the drive train and is driven by the drum 62.

In the fixing device 9 shown in FIG. 4, a fixing roller pair is formed by fixing the pressurizing roller 9b and the heating roller 9a to the fixing frame body 9c, and the fixing frame body 9c is screwed to the upper surface portions of the side plate 15 and the side plate 16. Etc. (not shown). In the fixing device 9, a pressurizing roller drive gear (not shown) is fixed to one end of the pressurizing roller 9b, and the pressurizing roller receives a driving force from a motor 104 which is a driving source via a driving row. Drive and rotate 9b. Then, the heating roller 9a is driven to rotate by the drive rotation of the pressurizing roller 9b.

As a result, the sheet material P conveyed from the transfer unit is conveyed to the paper ejection roller pair 10 after the toner image is fixed to the sheet material by passing through the fixing roller pair.

(Operation in the present embodiment, and configuration of the first transmission member 91, the second transmission member 92, and their surroundings)
In the present embodiment, between the first transmission member 91 that transmits the driving force to the developing roller 32 of the cartridge B via the gear and the second transmission member 92 that transmits the driving force to the drum 62 via the coupling. , Gives rotation backlash (play in the circumferential direction). As a result, the coupling between the apparatus main body and the drum 62 can be stably performed without being affected by the developing roller 32. Hereinafter, the configurations of the first transmission member 91, the second transmission member 92, and their surroundings will be described.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view parallel to the rotation axis (first axis) of the drum 62 showing the vicinity portion of the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member) 92. As shown in FIG. 13, on the drive side of the apparatus main body A, a first transmission member 91, a second transmission member 92, a bearing 83 that rotationally supports the second transmission member 92, and a driving force transmission member The urging spring 84, the cylindrical cam 86, and the side plate 15 are provided.

(A first transmission member 91, a second transmission member 92, and a torsion coil spring 93 constituting a unit for an image forming apparatus).
Here, the configurations of the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 13, 21, and 22. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the first transmission member 91, the second transmission member 92, and the drive gear 105, and FIG. 6B is a partial detailed view of the drive side of the cartridge. In FIG. 13, in the second transmission member 92, one end portion 92e on the drive side in the axial direction parallel to the longitudinal direction AM is fitted to the bearing 83, and is supported so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction.

Further, the second transmission member 92 is provided with a gap M between the central portion 92d in the longitudinal direction AM and the hole portion 15k provided in the side plate 15, and when the cartridge B is not mounted on the apparatus main body A. It is supported so as to be slightly movable within the range of the gap M. In the following description, it is assumed that the rotation axis of the second transmission member 92 is parallel to the longitudinal direction AM.

When the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 shown in FIG. 13 are disassembled, a torsion coil spring 93 is provided inside as shown in FIG. 21 (a). The torsion coil spring 93 has a function of returning the relative rotational state of the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 to the initial state when the cartridge is removed from the apparatus main body.

In FIG. 21A, the first transmission member 91 transmits a driving force to the developing roller gear portion 30a (FIG. 7) provided around the second axis of the cartridge B (first gear portion 91a). Tooth gear part) is provided. On the other hand, the second transmission member 92 is a coupling that transmits the driving force to the drum 62 of the cartridge B and the second gear portion 92a (second gear tooth gear portion) that receives the driving force from the driving gear 105 (FIG. 7). It is provided with a recess 92c2. The tip of the coupling recess 92c2 has a tip 92c1.

Regarding the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92, as shown in FIG. 7, the coupling recess 92c, the first gear portion 91a, and the second gear portion 92a extend from the non-drive side to the drive side in the longitudinal direction AM. They are arranged side by side in the order of.

The first transmission member 91 is coaxially supported by the second transmission member 92 with the rotation axis of the second transmission member 92, and the driving force is transmitted from the second transmission member 92 in the same manner. Rotates around the axis of rotation.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the second transmission member 92 is provided with a retaining member 92h, whereby the first transmission member 91 is seen relative to the second transmission member 92. I can't move in the axial direction.

FIG. 22 shows the drum 62 for explaining the configuration of the second transmission member 92 and the first transmission member 91 in the rotational axis (first axis) direction of the drum 62 shown in FIG. 7 in the radial direction. It is sectional drawing which is orthogonal to the rotation axis (first axis). In FIG. 22 (a), the second transmission member 92 (driving force transmitting portion 92b as the second engaging portion) with respect to the first transmitting member 91 (driven force transmitting portion 91b as the first engaging portion). ) Is clockwise. A rotation backlash θ is provided between the second transmission member 92 and the first transmission member 91. That is, before the driven force transmitting portion 91b and the driving force transmitting portion 92b are engaged with each other, the coupling convex portion 63b and the coupling concave portion 92c2 are coupled (later) in a state where the first transmission member 91 does not rotate. Play is provided as described in detail).

Therefore, even if the second gear portion 92a of the second transmission member 92 is driven by the drive gear 105 and starts rotating as shown in FIG. 22B, the developing roller gear portion 30a and the developing roller gear portion 30a continue to rotate until the rotation backlash θ is rotated. The driving force is not transmitted to the meshing first gear portion 91a. Here, the urging force of the torsion coil spring 93 that urges the first transmission member 91 in the rotational direction relative to the second transmission member 92 is sufficiently weak, and the urging force causes the first transmission member 91. The developing roller 32 is not driven via the first gear portion 91a of the above.

21 (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the central portion of FIG. 22 (a) as viewed from the lower side in the drawing, in which a torsion coil spring 93 is formed by a second transmission member 92 and a first transmission member 91. It shows how it was set in between.

When the second transmission member 92 shown in FIG. 22A rotates by the rotation backlash θ, as shown in FIG. 22C, the driving force transmission unit 92b provided on the outside of the second transmission member 92 changes. It abuts (engages) with the driven force transmitting portion 91b provided inside the first transmitting member 91. As a result, the driving force is transmitted to the first transmission member 91 from the second transmission member 92, and the drum 62 and the developing roller 32 rotate integrally.

Here, the torsion coil spring 93 as the urging member urges the first transmission member 91 in the rotational direction relative to the second transmission member 92. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22 (d), when the cartridge B is detached from the apparatus main body, the state of FIG. 22 (c) returns to the same state as in FIG. 22 (a).

(Cylindrical cam 86)
Next, a cylindrical cam 86 that moves the second transmission member 92 in the longitudinal direction AM when the opening / closing door 13 is opened / closed will be described. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cylindrical cam 86, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the side plate 15 as viewed from the drive side. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cylindrical cam 86 is rotatably and movably attached to the side plate 15 in the longitudinal direction AM, has two slope portions 86a and 86b, and is continuously longitudinally long on the slope. It has one end 86c parallel to the side plate 15 on the non-driving side in the direction.

The side plate 15 has two slope portions 15d and 15e at positions facing the two slope portions 86a and 86b, and an end surface 15f capable of facing one end portion 86c of the cylindrical cam 86. The cylindrical cam 86 has an other end 86d on the opposite side of the one end 86c.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus main body A perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62 for explaining the link configuration of the cylindrical cam 86 in the state where the opening / closing door 13 that opens when the cartridge B is replaced is open. The apparatus main body A is provided with a link member 85 connected to the opening / closing door 13 and the cylindrical cam 86, cartridge pressing members 1 and 2, a cartridge pressing spring 19, and a front plate 18.

In FIG. 12, the opening / closing door 13 is rotatably attached to the side plate 15 and the side plate 16 shown in FIG. The link member 85 has bosses 85a and 85b at both ends. The bosses 85a and 85b are rotatably attached to the mounting holes 13a provided in the opening / closing door 13 and the mounting holes 86e provided in the cylindrical cam 86, respectively. When the opening / closing door 13 is opened, the cylindrical cam 86 rotates via the link member 85 until one end portion 86c (FIG. 13) of the cylindrical cam 86 and the end surface 15f (FIG. 13) of the side plate 15 come into contact with each other (opening / closing door 13). Interlocked with the opening operation of).

Here, while the cylindrical cam 86 rotates until the one end portion 86c of the cylindrical cam 86 and the end surface 15f of the side plate 15 come into contact with each other, the cylindrical cam 86 is long in contact with the slope portions 15d and 15e as shown in FIG. It moves to the drive side with respect to the direction AM.

In FIG. 13, the second transmission member 92 has an abutting surface 92f1, and the other end portion 86d of the cylindrical cam 86 faces the abutting surface 92f1. The spring 84 as a driving force transmission member is a compression spring, one end portion 84a abuts on the spring seat 83a provided on the bearing 83, and the other end portion 84b is attached to the spring seat 92f2 provided on the second transmission member 92. It is in contact. As a result, the second transmission member 92 is urged to the non-driving side in the axial direction.

Due to this urging, the abutting surface 92f1 of the second transmission member 92 abuts (butts) at one end 86d of the cylindrical cam 86, and the second transmission member 92 drives the cylindrical cam 92 described above in the longitudinal direction AM. As it moves to the side, it moves to the drive side.

Here, the drive gear 105 that supplies the driving force to the second transmission member 92 meshes with the second gear portion 92a (second tooth tooth gear portion) of the second transmission member 92. The drive gear 105 and the second gear portion 92a have a tooth width capable of maintaining the meshed state in the entire range of the position where the second transmission member 92 can move in the longitudinal direction AM.

That is, the second transmission member 92 can move in the longitudinal direction AM while maintaining meshing with the drive gear 105 by opening and closing the opening / closing door 13. In this way, the second transmission member 92 moves to the drive side with respect to the longitudinal direction AM by opening the opening / closing door 13, and takes a retracted position in the state where the opening / closing door 13 is open. As a result, a space for mounting the cartridge B is secured.

(Mounting the cartridge B to the device body A)
Next, mounting of the cartridge B will be described. FIG. 14 (a) shows a configuration in which the cartridge on the drive side of the device main body A is mounted on the device main body A, and FIG. 14 (b) shows a configuration in which the cartridge on the non-drive side of the device main body A is mounted on the device main body A. It is a figure which shows. As shown in FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b), the side plate 15 has 15 g above the guide rail and 15 h below the guide rail as a guide, and the side plate 16 has 16 d above the guide rail and below the guide rail. It has 16e.

Further, the cartridge B has a guided portion 73g and a rotated stop portion 73c at the drive side end portion, and has a positioned portion 71d and a rotated stop portion 71 g at the non-drive side end portion. When the cartridge B is inserted from the cartridge insertion slot 17 of the apparatus main body A, the guided portion 73 g and the rotated stop portion 73c of the cartridge B are formed on the drive side of the cartridge B with 15 g above the guide rail and 15 h below the guide rail of the apparatus main body A. Guided by.

Further, on the non-driving side, the positioned portion 71d and the rotated stop portion 71g of the cartridge B are guided by the guide rail 16d and the guide rail 16e of the apparatus main body A. In this way, the cartridge B is mounted on the device main body A by moving in the device main body A while being guided.

Here, the cartridge B positions the AM in the longitudinal direction with respect to the apparatus main body A in the mounting process described above. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the positioning of the cartridge B in the longitudinal direction AM with respect to the apparatus main body A. As shown in FIG. 16A, the cartridge B has a fitted portion 73h for positioning. On the other hand, the side plate 15 has a fitting portion 15j that can be fitted with the fitting portion 73h.

In the process of moving the cartridge B in the mounting direction AL while being guided by the device main body A, the fitted portion 73h of the cartridge B is fitted with the fitting portion 15j of the device main body A as shown in FIG. 16B. Determines the position of AM in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B. The mounting direction AL is a direction that intersects the longitudinal direction AM, and in the present embodiment, is a direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction AM.

(Arrangement relationship between the first transmission member 91, the second transmission member 92, and the cartridge B)
Next, the arrangement relationship between the first transmission member 91, the second transmission member 92, and the cartridge B will be described. FIG. 6B is a partial perspective view of the drive side of the cartridge B, and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the thrust applied to the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92. As shown in FIGS. 6B and 7, a developing roller gear 30 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction (direction of the second axis) of the developing roller 32.

There is a space 87 (FIG. 6B) on the drum 62 side of the developing roller gear 30 of the cartridge B. This space 87 is larger than the first gear portion 91a of the first transmission member 91 shown in FIG. 6A. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A, the first gear portion 91a enters the space 87.

As shown in FIGS. 6B and 7, the developing roller gear 30 has a gear portion (driven gear) 30a and an end face 30a1 on the drive side of the gear portion 30a. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 7, the first transmission member 91 includes a first gear portion 91a for driving the developing roller gear 30 and an end surface 91a1 on the non-driving side of the first gear portion 91a. Has.

Here, the end surface 30a1 of the gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 is a coupling convex portion (cartridge coupling) 63b (FIG. 6B) which is a member constituting a coupling for connecting the drum 62 and the apparatus main body. ), It is arranged as follows. That is, the end surface 30a1 is the tip end portion 63b1 (FIG. 6 (b)) of the coupling convex portion (cartridge coupling) 63b (FIG. 6 (b)) of the drive side drum flange 63 (FIG. 3 (a)) in the longitudinal direction. ) Is arranged so as to be on the drive side.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the end surface 91a1 of the first gear portion 91a of the first transmission member 91 is arranged on the non-driving side of the end surface position 30a1 of the developing roller gear portion 30a even when the opening / closing door is open. Has been done. As a result, the gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 and the first gear portion 91a of the first transmission member can be meshed with each other in the process of mounting the cartridge B on the apparatus main body A.

FIG. 8 shows a view of the first transmission member 91, the developing roller gear 30, and the drive gear 105 in a state where the cartridge B has been mounted on the apparatus main body A in the longitudinal direction AM. The cartridge B is inserted from the direction of arrow AL by a guide rail provided on the apparatus main body A. That is, the arrow AL indicates the mounting direction of the cartridge B. Further, the developing roller gear 30 provided on the cartridge B passes through the center of the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92, and is located upstream of the straight line L1 orthogonal to the arrow AL in the mounting direction AL.

Further, the drive gear 105 that applies a driving force to the second transmission member 92 is located on the downstream side of the straight line L1 with respect to the mounting direction AL. As described above, the central portion 92d (FIG. 13) of the second transmission member 92 is freely moved and held with a gap M with respect to the hole portion 15k provided in the side plate 15.

The portion where the developing roller gear portion 30a and the first gear portion 91a mesh with each other is referred to as the meshing portion MP1, and the portion where the second gear portion 92a and the drive gear 105 mesh with each other is referred to as the meshing portion MP2. When the cartridge B is mounted, the developing roller gear portion 30a provided on the cartridge B abuts on the first gear portion 91a in the meshing portion MP1 to give a repulsive force to the repulsive force direction FD. As a result, the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 move in the repulsive direction FD.

Here, since the meshing portion MP1 is located upstream of the straight line L1 in the mounting direction AL, the vector of the repulsive force direction FD is a vector having the mounting direction AL component. The drive gear 105 is located downstream in the moving direction (repulsive direction FD) of the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92, and the meshing portion MP2 is located downstream of the straight line L1 in the mounting direction AL. To position. Therefore, even when the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 receive a repulsive force, the state in which the second gear portion 92a and the drive gear 105 are in mesh with each other can be maintained, and the drive from the motor 104 can be maintained. The force can be reliably transmitted to the second gear portion 92a.

(Closing operation of opening / closing door 13)
Next, a state in which the open / close door 13 is closed after the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A and the cartridge B is positioned at a predetermined position will be described. FIG. 14 (a) shows a configuration in which the cartridge B on the drive side of the device main body A is mounted on the device main body A, and FIG. 14 (b) shows the cartridge B on the non-drive side of the device main body A mounted on the device main body A. It is a figure which shows the structure. 14 (a) and 14 (b) show the opening / closing door 13 before the cartridge B comes into contact with the positioning portion.

FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge B on the drive side of the apparatus main body A, which is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62, showing a positioning configuration in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62 with respect to the apparatus main body A. FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62 showing a positioning configuration of the cartridge B on the non-driving side of the device body A in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62 with respect to the device body A. 17 (a) and 17 (b) show a state in which the opening / closing door 13 is closed and the cartridge B is in contact with the positioning portion.

The side plate 15 has a second positioning portion 15a, a first positioning portion 15b, and a rotation stop portion 15c as positioning portions, and the side plate 16 has a positioning portion 16a and a rotation stop portion 16c. The cartridge B has a second positioned portion 73d and a first positioned portion 73f at the end on the drive side.

Further, the cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 are rotatably attached to both ends of the opening / closing door 13 in the longitudinal direction. The cartridge pressing springs 19 are attached to both ends of the front plate 18 provided on the apparatus main body A in the longitudinal direction. The cartridge B has pressed portions 73e and 71o as urging force receiving portions at positions facing the cartridge pressing members 1 and 2.

By closing the opening / closing door 13, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the pressed portions 73e and 71o of the cartridge B are urged by the cartridge pressing spring 19 of the apparatus main body A, and the cartridge pressing member 1 Pressed by 2. As a result, on the drive side, the second positioned portion 73d, the first positioned portion 73f, and the rotation stopper 73c of the cartridge B are rotated by the second positioning portion 15a, the first positioning portion 15b, and the rotation stopper of the apparatus main body A, respectively. Positioning is performed by contacting the portion 15c.

Further, on the non-driving side, the positioned portion 71d and the rotation stop portion 71g of the cartridge B are positioned by coming into contact with the positioning portion 16a and the rotation stop portion 16c of the apparatus main body A, respectively.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 62 for explaining the link configuration of the cylindrical cam 86 with the opening / closing door 13 closed, and FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the drum 62 for explaining the movement of the driving force transmitting member. It is sectional drawing parallel to the rotation axis. As shown in FIG. 19, the drive-side drum flange 63 of the cartridge B has a coupling convex portion 63b on the drive side and a tip portion 63b1 at the tip of the coupling convex portion 63b.

By closing the opening / closing door 13, in the cylindrical cam 86, the slope portions 86a and 86b shown in FIG. 11 rotate along the slope portions 15d and 15e of the side plate 15 while the cylindrical cam 86 is not in the longitudinal direction AM. Move to the drive side. As a result, the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 in the retracted position are moved to the non-driving side with respect to the longitudinal direction AM by the driving force transmission member spring 84.

Here, the first gear portion 91a of the first transmission member 91 and the developing roller gear 30 of the cartridge B are already in mesh with each other. Since the first gear portion 91a and the developing roller gear 30 are both toothed gears, they do not move any further in the rotational direction after moving by the amount of play of the respective gears.

In the state shown in FIG. 19, the triangular phase of the coupling concave portion 92c and the coupling convex portion 63b does not match. Therefore, the tip portion 92c1 of the second transmission member 92 abuts on the tip portion 63b1 of the coupling convex portion 63b, so that the movement of the AM in the longitudinal direction of the second transmission member 92 is stopped.

(Movement of the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 at the start of driving)
Next, using FIGS. 19 and 22, the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 91 and the second transmission member after the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A, the opening / closing door 13 is closed, and the drive source starts to move. The state of operation of 92 will be described. First, the state before the drive source starts to move is shown in FIG. 19, which is a state in which the coupling convex portion 63b and the coupling concave portion 92c2 are not coupled (the phases are not matched). Further, as shown in FIG. 22 (a), the driving force transmitting portion 92b of the second transmitting member 92 engages (contacts) with the engaging driven force transmitting portion 91b located on the downstream side in the rotational direction. It is in a non-contact state.

Subsequently, when the drive source starts to move, the driving force is transmitted from the drive gear 105 to the second gear portion 92a of the second transmission member 92, and the second transmission member 92 starts to rotate. At this time, the urging force of the torsion coil spring 93 is sufficiently weak, and the developing roller is not driven via the first gear portion 91a of the first transmission member 91. Therefore, the first transmission member 91 does not rotate, and the torsion coil spring 93 is charged.

When the second transmission member 92 rotates by an angle θ, as shown in FIG. 22C, the driving force transmission unit 92b of the second transmission member 92 and the driven force transmission unit 91b of the first transmission member 91 are engaged. Match (contact). Then, the second transmission member 92 starts to transmit the driving force to the first transmission member 91, and the first gear portion 91a of the first transmission member 91 starts to transmit the driving force to the developing roller gear 30a.

Here, the torque required to drive the developing roller 32 is large, and when the first gear portion 91a is transmitting the driving force to the developing roller gear 30a, the reaction force received by the first gear portion 91a becomes large. .. Then, since the postures of the first driving force transmitting member 91 and the second driving force transmitting member 92 are not stable, the coupling cannot be stably engaged. Therefore, if the rotation backlash θ in FIG. 22 (a) is made sufficiently large, the coupling recess 92c and the coupling protrusion 63b are formed on the way from the state of FIG. 22 (a) to the state of FIG. 22 (c). Combine.

That is, since the coupling of the coupling is performed before starting to drive the developing roller 32, the coupling can be stably engaged. The coupling has a phase in which it can be engaged and a phase in which it cannot be engaged, and the rotation backlash θ is larger than the maximum angle from this engageable phase to the next engageable phase. ing.

(Thrust received by the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92)
Next, using FIGS. 6, 7, and 20, the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 91 and the second transmission function as a force for positioning the second transmission member 92 in a predetermined position in the direction of the first axis. The thrust in the longitudinal direction received by the member 92 will be described. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view including a rotation axis of the drum 62 for explaining the engagement between the second transmission member 92 and the cartridge B.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the drum bearing 73 has a concave bottom surface 73i. Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the second transmission member 92 has a bottom portion 92c2 for positioning at the bottom of the coupling recess 92c.

Here, the twisting directions of the coupling recess 92c, the first gear portion 91a, and the second gear portion 92a shown in FIG. 6A will be described. The direction parallel to the longitudinal direction AM and from the non-driving side to the driving side is defined as the + Z direction (predetermined direction). Further, the counterclockwise direction when viewed in the + Z direction is N, and the rotation direction when the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 are driven by the motor 104 is R (counterclockwise direction N opposite direction). And.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the coupling recess 92c of the second transmission member 92 is a twisted triangular prism-shaped hole having a triangular cross section. The side surface of the twisted triangular prism-shaped hole is the driving force transmission surface 92c3. The driving force transmitting surface 92c3 of the coupling recess 92c has a shape twisted in the same direction as the rotation direction R from the downstream side to the upstream side in the + Z direction when viewed in the + Z direction. When the second transmission member 92 is viewed in the + Z direction, it means that the second transmission member 92 is viewed from the coupling convex portion 63b side (cartridge coupling side) of the cartridge B on which the apparatus main body A is mounted. Meaning.

The first gear portion 91a of the first transmission member 91 is a has tooth gear, and the has tooth has a shape twisted in the same direction as the rotation direction R from the downstream side to the upstream side in the + Z direction when viewed in the + Z direction. is there. That is, the tooth teeth of the first gear portion 91a are twisted in the same direction as the driving force transmission surface 92c3. The second gear portion 92a of the second transmission member 92 is a has tooth gear, and the has tooth has a shape twisted in the + Z direction from the downstream side to the upstream side in the direction opposite to the rotation direction R when viewed in the + Z direction. is there.

The drive gear 105 that transmits the driving force from the motor 104, which is the drive source, to the second gear portion 92a of the second transmission member 92 is a has tooth gear, and the has tooth is the has tooth of the second gear portion 92a. It has a twisted shape in the opposite direction. The relationship is that the pitch circular radius of the first gear portion 91a is larger than the maximum radius of the driving force transmission surface 92c3 in the radial direction centered on the rotation center of the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92. It has become.

Next, in FIG. 6B, the twisting directions of the coupling convex portion 63b and the gear portion 30a will be described. The direction parallel to the longitudinal direction AM and from the driving side to the non-driving side is defined as the −Z direction. Further, the clockwise direction when viewed in the −Z direction is O with respect to the first axis and P with respect to the second axis.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the coupling convex portion 63b of the drive side drum flange 63 has a twisted triangular columnar convex shape having a triangular cross section, and is upstream in the −Z direction when viewed in the −Z direction. The shape is twisted clockwise O from the side to the downstream side. The gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 is a toothed gear, and the toothed tooth has a shape twisted clockwise P from the upstream side to the downstream side in the −Z direction when viewed in the −Z direction.

When the drive gear 105 is rotated in the rotation direction R by the motor 104, as shown in FIG. 7, the thrust FB in the −Z direction of the meshing force between the second gear portion 92a of the second transmission member 92 and the drive gear 105 is applied. In response, the second transmission member 92 tries to move in the −Z direction. Further, the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member receive the thrust FA in the −Z direction of the meshing force between the first gear portion 91a of the first transmission member 91 and the gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30. 92 tries to move in the -Z direction.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, when the triangular phases of the coupling concave portion 92c and the coupling convex portion 63b are matched, the second transmission member 92 moves to the non-driving side and the coupling convex. The portion 63b and the coupling recess 92c engage with each other. Further, when the second transmission member 92 moves to the non-driving side, the tip portion 92c1 of the second transmission member 92 comes into contact with the concave bottom surface 73i (FIG. 6B) of the drum bearing 73, and the longitudinal direction Positioned with respect to AM. At this time, it can be said that the second transmission member 92 is in the engaging position.

On the other hand, the second transmission member 92 receives the thrust FC in the −Z direction due to the twist between the coupling concave portion 92c and the coupling convex portion 63b. That is, the second transmission member 92 receives a force from each of the thrusts FA, FB, and FC in FIG. 7 so as to move to one side (non-driving side) with respect to the longitudinal direction AM. Further, the drum 62 is positioned by the reaction force of the thrust FC so that the tip portion 63b1 of the coupling convex portion 63b comes into contact with the bottom portion 92c2 of the coupling concave portion 92c.

Further, the rotation axis of the second transmission member 92 with respect to the drive-side drum flange 63 (FIG. 3A) is determined by the centering effect that acts when the coupling concave portion 92c and the coupling convex portion 63b are in contact with each other at three points. To do. Here, the gap M (FIG. 13) between the hole portion 15k of the side plate 15 and the central portion 92d of the driving force transmission member, which has already been described, has an amount of clearance that does not interfere with the second transmission member 92 whose rotation axis is determined. ing.

Therefore, the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 in the apparatus main body A accurately transmit the drive to the developing roller gear 30a and the drive side drum flange 63 in the cartridge B without affecting the rotational operation. To do.

As described above, the thrusts FA, FB, and FC acting on the second transmission member 92 during driving act in the same direction (−Z direction) in the longitudinal direction AM. As a result, the second transmission member 92 comes into contact with a predetermined longitudinal positioning portion (in this embodiment, the concave bottom surface 73i (FIG. 6B) of the cartridge B whose position is determined in the longitudinal direction AM with respect to the side plate 15). The position with respect to the longitudinal direction AM is determined. That is, all thrusts FA, FB, and FC function as forces that abut the second transmission member 92 against the predetermined positioning portion in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the second transmission member 92 can be stably abutted against a predetermined positioning portion.

As a result, the spring force of the driving force transmitting member spring 84 that urges the second transmitting member 92 to the non-driving side with respect to the longitudinal direction AM can be set to be very small, and the operating force of the opening / closing door 13 can be reduced. That is, the spring force of the driving force transmission member spring 84 is such that the abutting surface 92f is set at one end 86c of the cylindrical cam 86 in order to retract the second transmission member 92 during non-driving in which thrusts FA, FB, and FC are not generated. It suffices if the force required to bring it into contact with is generated.

In the present embodiment, the predetermined positioning portion with which the second transmission member 92 abuts is the concave bottom surface 73i of the drum bearing 73 of the cartridge B positioned with respect to the side plate 15 as shown in FIG. 6B. However, the predetermined positioning portion with which the second transmission member 92 abuts is not limited to this. For example, the side plate 15 may be provided with a predetermined positioning portion to which the first transmission member 91 or the second transmission member 92 abuts.

By doing so, the positional accuracy of the longitudinal AM with the second transmission member 92, the coupling convex portion 63b included in the cartridge B, and the gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 is improved.

Here, if the evacuation amount of the second transmission member 92 in the longitudinal direction AM is made as small as possible, the apparatus main body A can be miniaturized with respect to the longitudinal direction AM. On the other hand, the minimum amount of the retracted amount is determined so that the coupling convex portion 63b does not interfere with the coupling concave portion 92c when the cartridge B is removed from the apparatus main body A. Therefore, by improving the positional accuracy between the second transmission member 92 and the coupling convex portion 63b, the evacuation amount of the second transmission member 92 should be set as small as possible while ensuring the minimum required evacuation amount. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the device main body A in the longitudinal direction AM.

Further, by making the retracted amount of the second transmission member 92 as small as possible, the width of the AM in the longitudinal direction of the gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 can also be made as small as possible.

In the present embodiment, the meshing force of the developing roller gear is mentioned as the force for moving the second transmission member 92 to the drive side, but the idler gear for driving a member having a load such as the developing roller 32 and the second conveying member 43. Even if it is, it is possible to assist in the same way. In the present embodiment, the operations of the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 when the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A can be summarized as follows. First, in the first state, the developing roller gear portion 30a as the first gear and the first gear portion 91a as the second gear mesh with each other, and the coupling convex portion 63b as the first coupling portion and the first The coupling recess 92c2 as the coupling portion of 2 is not coupled.

Moreover, in the first state, the driven force transmitting portion 91b as the first engaging portion and the driving force transmitting portion 92b as the second engaging portion are not engaged. Then, when the drive source 104 is driven, the first transmission member 91 does not rotate and the second transmission member 92 rotates.

Then, in the second state in which the cartridge is mounted on the main body of the apparatus, the driven force transmitting portion 91b as the first engaging portion and the driving force transmitting portion 92b as the second engaging portion are engaged with each other, and the first The transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92 of the above rotate integrally.

Then, as a state between the first state and the second state, while the first transmission member 91 is not rotating and the second transmission member 92 is rotating, the first coupling portion and the second are The joint portion of the drum 62 is connected and the drum 62 is rotated.

<< Second Embodiment >>
In the first embodiment, a rotation backlash is provided between the first transmission member 91 that transmits the driving force to the developing roller 32 of the cartridge B and the second transmission member 92 that transmits the driving force to the drum 62. So, I was able to engage the coupling stably. In the present embodiment, the coupling is stably engaged by providing play in the longitudinal direction AM between the member that transmits the driving force to the developing roller 32 and the member that transmits the driving force to the drum 62. The action in this embodiment is basically the same as the action in the first embodiment.

(Driving force transmission member)
In the first embodiment, the drive is transmitted to the cartridge B by the first transmission member 91 and the second transmission member 92. In the present embodiment, the drive is transmitted to the cartridge B by the first driving force transmitting member (first transmitting member) 96 and the second driving force transmitting member (second transmitting member) 97 as shown in FIG. 23. ..

The first transmission member 96 includes a first gear portion 96a that transmits a driving force to the developing roller gear portion 30a of the cartridge B at the same position as the first transmission member 91. The second transmission member 97 has a second gear portion 97a that receives the driving force from the driving gear 105 and a coupling recess 97c that transmits the driving force to the drum 62 of the cartridge B at the same positions as the second transmission member 92. To be equipped.

The first transmission member 96 is pivotally supported by the second transmission member 97, and a driving force is transmitted from the second transmission member 97 to rotate around a similar rotation shaft. The first transmission member 96 and the second transmission member 97 are provided with a driven force transmission unit 96b and a driving force transmission unit 97b, respectively, and the first transmission member 96 is provided only when the ratchet is engaged. The driving force is transmitted from the second transmission member 97. A compression spring 98 is provided between the first transmission member 96 and the second transmission member 97, and the first transmission member 96 is always urged to the non-driving side.

In the present embodiment, the side plate 15 is provided with the contact surface 15i as shown in FIG. 24, and the contact surface 96c of the first transmission member 96 is always provided on the contact surface 15i by the compression spring 98. It is designed to come into contact. Therefore, the first transmission member 96 is always in place with respect to the longitudinal AM.

As a result, while the first gear portion 96a and the developing roller gear portion 30a are meshed with each other, the operation of moving the first gear portion 96a to the drive side is eliminated, so that the meshing is easily guaranteed. The compression spring 98 is made sufficiently weaker than the driving force transmitting member spring 84, and the driving force transmitting member spring 84 does not hinder the operation of urging the second transmitting member 97 to the driven side at the time of coupling engagement. Make it not exist.

Here, when the opening / closing door 13 is open, the second transmission member 97 moves to the drive side with respect to the longitudinal direction AM, as in the second transmission member 92 of the first embodiment, but the first transmission The member 96 is fixed with respect to the longitudinal AM. Therefore, the state as shown in FIG. 24 is obtained, the first transmission member 96 and the second transmission member 97 are separated from each other with respect to the longitudinal direction AM, and the ratchets are not engaged with each other.

In the process of inserting the cartridge B into the main body, the developing roller gear portion 30a tries to rotate upstream of the drive through the driving force transmitting member, so that there is generally a problem that the resistance at the time of inserting the cartridge B is large. However, in the present embodiment, since the first transmission member 96 is a member that can freely rotate when the opening / closing door 13 is open, there is an effect that the cartridge B can be inserted without resistance.

(Movement of the first transmission member 96 and the second transmission member 97 at the start of driving)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25, the operation of the driving force transmitting member 96 after the cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body A, the opening / closing door 13 is closed, and the driving source starts to move will be described. First, in the state before the drive source starts to move, as shown in FIG. 24, the coupling is not engaged. At this time, the ratchets of the driven force transmitting unit 96b and the driving force transmitting unit 97b are not engaged, and the first transmitting member 96 does not transmit the driving force from the second transmitting member 97 (first state).

Subsequently, when the drive source starts to move, as shown in FIG. 25, the coupling is engaged and the second transmission member 97 moves to the non-drive side with respect to the longitudinal direction AM. As a result, the ratchets of the driven force transmission unit 96b and the driving force transmission unit 97b are engaged with each other, and the first transmission member 96 is in a state in which the driving force is transmitted from the second transmission member 97 (second state). .. Similar to the first embodiment, since the coupling is engaged before the developing roller 32 starts to be driven, there is an effect that the coupling can be stably engaged.

(Modification example)
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and modifications can be made within the scope of the gist thereof.

(Modification example 1)
In the above-described embodiment, the urging member is used as a member for returning the cartridge to the initial state in which the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are not formed in the third state in which the cartridge is detached from the main body of the apparatus. The invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are not provided to return to the initial state in conjunction with the open state of the opening / closing door.

(Modification 2)
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the cartridge is provided with the coupling convex portion 63b and the apparatus main body is provided with the coupling concave portion 92c2 as members constituting the coupling for connecting the drum and the device main body, but the unevenness is reversed. It may be a relationship. That is, regarding the coupling, the cartridge may be provided with a concave portion and the apparatus main body may be provided with a convex portion.

30a ... development roller gear part, 32 ... development roller, 62 ... photosensitive drum, 63b ... coupling convex part, 91 ... first driving force transmission member (first transmission member), 91a ... first gear Unit, 91b ... Driven force transmission unit, 92 ... Second driving force transmission member (second transmission member), 92b ... Driving force transmission unit, 92c2 ... Coupling recess, 93 ... Torsional coil spring, 96 First driving force transmission member (first transmission member), 96b ... Driven force transmission unit, 97 ... Second driving force transmission member (second transmission member), 97b ... Driving force transmission unit, 104 ··motor

Claims (18)

An image forming device that allows the cartridge to be attached to and detached from the device body.
The cartridge is
A first rotating member that can rotate around the first axis, and
A second rotating member that can rotate around the second axis,
A first coupling portion constituting a coupling for coupling the first rotating member and the apparatus main body, and a first coupling portion.
A first gear for driving the second rotating member, and
Have,
The device body
With the drive source
A first transmission member that includes a second gear that meshes with the first gear, a first engaging portion, and transmits a driving force.
A second coupling portion that constitutes the coupling together with the first coupling portion, a second engaging portion that can engage with the first engaging portion, and the first transmitting member. A second transmission member coaxially provided, rotatable relative to the first transmission member, and transmitting a driving force,
Have,
In the first state in which the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, the first gear and the second gear are engaged, and the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are not coupled. When the drive source is driven from the first state when the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are not engaged, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are used. After the second transmission member rotates without rotating the first transmission member until the engagement portion engages, and after the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion engage with each other, the second transmission member rotates. It said first transmission member and said second transmission member is a second state to rotate integrally,
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are coupled between the first state and the second state. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion have play between the first state and the second state in the circumferential direction with respect to the first axis.
In the first state, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are separated from each other in the circumferential direction with respect to the first axis.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the second state, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion abut in the circumferential direction with respect to the first axis. An urging member is provided between the first transmission member and the second transmission member.
In the third state in which the cartridge is detached from the main body of the apparatus, the urging member returns the cartridge to a state in which the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are not engaged. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion have play between the first state and the second state in the direction of the first axis.
In the first state, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are separated from each other in the direction of the first axis.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the second state, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion abut in the direction of the first axis. An urging member is provided between the first transmission member and the second transmission member.
In the third state in which the cartridge is detached from the main body of the apparatus, the urging member returns the cartridge to a state in which the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are not engaged. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. The device body has an opening / closing door for attaching / detaching the cartridge.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 5, wherein the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are returned to a state in which they are not engaged in conjunction with the opening operation of the opening / closing door. .. The device body has an opening / closing door for attaching / detaching the cartridge.
Claim 1 is characterized in that, in conjunction with the opening operation of the opening / closing door, the second transmission member moves in a direction along the first axis and away from the position of the first rotating member. 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second gear and the second coupling portion are provided coaxially. The first coupling portion and the second coupling portion have a phase that can be coupled and a phase that cannot be coupled.
The angle at which the second transmission member is relatively rotatable with respect to the first transmission member from the first state to the second state is defined as the first angle.
When the angle from the phase that can be coupled to the phase that can be coupled next is defined as the second angle,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle. The first joint has a triangular convex or concave cross section orthogonal to the first axis, and the second joint has concavities and convexities opposite to those of the first joint. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cross section orthogonal to the first axis is a triangular concave portion or convex portion. Even if the first transmission member moves in the direction of the first axis in conjunction with the opening operation of the opening / closing door, the first gear and the second gear are in mesh with each other. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7. It has a drive gear that transmits a driving force from the drive source, and a third gear that is provided on the second transmission member and meshes with the drive gear and is provided coaxially with the second gear.
In the cross section orthogonal to the first axis,
The meshing portion between the first gear and the second gear is arranged on the upstream side of a straight line passing through the rotation center of the second transmission member and orthogonal to the mounting direction of the cartridge to the device main body. ,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the meshing portion between the drive gear and the third gear is arranged on the downstream side of the straight line. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first connecting portion is provided at one end of the first rotating member in the direction of the first axis. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first gear is provided at one end of the second rotating member in the direction of the second axis. It has a drive gear that transmits a driving force from the drive source, and a third gear that is provided on the second transmission member and meshes with the drive gear and is provided coaxially with the second gear.
In the direction of the first axis, a first position where the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are coupled, and a second position where the first gear and the second gear mesh with each other. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the third gear and the third position where the drive gear meshes are arranged in this order. In a cross section orthogonal to the first axis, in the radial direction from the first axis.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the maximum radius of the second gear is larger than the maximum radius of the second engaging portion. The second transmission member is a positioning unit that moves and contacts the position of the first rotating member in the direction of the first axis by transmitting a driving force from the driving source and rotating the second transmitting member. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising. An image forming device that allows the cartridge to be attached to and detached from the device body.
The cartridge is
A first rotating member that can rotate around the first axis, and
A second rotating member that can rotate around the second axis,
A first coupling portion constituting a coupling for coupling the first rotating member and the apparatus main body, and a first coupling portion.
A first gear for driving the second rotating member, and
Have,
The device body
With the drive source
A second gear that meshes with the first gear, a first engaging portion for integrally rotating the first rotating member and the second rotating member, and a second gear that transmits a driving force. 1 transmission member and
A second coupling portion that constitutes the coupling together with the first coupling portion, a second engaging portion that can engage with the first engaging portion, and the first transmitting member. A second transmission member coaxially provided, rotatable relative to the first transmission member, and transmitting a driving force,
An urging member provided between the first transmission member and the second transmission member,
Have,
Before the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion engage, the second transmitting member rotates in a state where the first transmitting member does not rotate, and the first engaging portion and the first connecting portion An image forming apparatus characterized in that a gap is provided between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion so that the second coupling portion is coupled.

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