JP7111139B2 - developer cartridge - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a developing cartridge having a developing roller.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a developing device is known that includes a developing section having a developing roller and a developer replenishing section having a developer replenishing roller for replenishing developer into the developing section (see Patent Document 1). The developing device includes a replenishing roller gear fixed to the shaft of the developer replenishing roller, a drive source for driving the replenishing roller gear, a gear mechanism for driving the developing roller, etc., and a position between the replenishing roller gear and the gear mechanism. It is equipped with an idle gear that

The idle gear is axially movable between an engaged position where it meshes with the replenishment roller gear and the gear mechanism, and a separated position where it disengages from the replenishment roller gear and the gear mechanism. This makes it possible to transmit or cancel the driving force from the supply roller gear to the gear mechanism.

JP 2007-079167 A

However, in the prior art, the idler gear moves axially. Therefore, when the idle gear moves from the separated position to the engaged position with respect to the rotating replenishment roller gear and gear mechanism, it interferes with the gear teeth of the replenishment roller gear or the gear mechanism and cannot move to the engaged position. There is

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to reliably transmit or release a driving force to a mechanism provided in a developing cartridge.

In order to solve the above problems, a developing cartridge according to the present invention includes a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in an axial direction, a coupling rotatable about an axis extending in the axial direction, and from the coupling A first gear that is rotatable about a first axis extending in the axial direction and a second gear that meshes with the first gear and is rotatable about a second axis that extends in the axial direction by receiving a driving force. a second gear rotatable about the first axis between a first position and a second position; rotatably supporting the second gear; a support member rotatable between the first position and the second position together with the second gear about the first shaft in a state in which the gears are engaged with each other.

According to this configuration, since the developing cartridge is provided with the second gear rotatable between the first position and the second position, the driving force is transmitted to the mechanism provided in the developing cartridge or the mechanism attached to the developing cartridge. Alternatively, the release can be reliably performed by the second gear. Specifically, since the second gear rotates while meshing with the first gear that receives the driving force from the coupling, for example, a structure in which the gear between the two gears is moved in the axial direction to transmit or cancel the driving force. As compared with , it is possible to reliably transmit or release the driving force to or from the mechanism to which the driving force is to be transmitted.

Also, the first gear may support the support member.

Further, the support member extends in the radial direction of the first gear, the first gear supports one end of the support member in the radial direction, and the support member is opposite to the one end. The end may support the second gear.

According to this, the size of the support member can be reduced compared to, for example, a structure in which the first gear supports the central portion of the support member.

Further, the first gear may have gear teeth, and one end portion of the support member may be positioned inside an addendum circle of the gear teeth.

According to this, compared to a structure in which one end of the support member protrudes outside the addendum circle of the gear teeth of the first gear, for example, the other parts arranged near the first gear and the one end of the support member Interference can be suppressed.

Further, one end of the support member is a first cylindrical portion centered on the first shaft, and the first gear is a second cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction centered on the first shaft. and a second cylindrical portion that supports the first cylindrical portion.

According to this, since the orientation of the first cylindrical portion does not change due to the rotation of the support member, it is possible to suppress interference between the first cylindrical portion and other components arranged near the first cylindrical portion.

Further, the developer cartridge includes a housing capable of accommodating a developer, and an agitator having a rotation shaft capable of agitating the developer in the housing and rotatable about the first axis, wherein the rotating A shaft may support the first gear.

Further, the second cylindrical portion may extend in the axial direction from the surface of the first gear opposite to the surface facing the housing.

The developing cartridge includes a coupling gear that rotates coaxially with the coupling, a large-diameter gear that meshes with the coupling gear, and is positioned between the housing and the large-diameter gear and is rotatable together with the large-diameter gear. a small-diameter gear having a smaller outer diameter than the large-diameter gear and meshing with the first gear, wherein the second cylindrical portion is located between the housing and the large-diameter gear may be located.

Further, the developing cartridge includes a cam that rotates the second gear to the first position or the second position by coming into contact with the supporting member, and the cam receives driving force from the coupling. , may be rotatable about a third axially extending axis.

According to this, the cam rotated by the driving force from the coupling rotates the second gear to the first position or the second position. Compared to a structure that rotates to the second position, it is possible to effectively utilize the driving force input to the coupling and reduce costs.

Further, the cam may have a cam surface that contacts the support member, and the support member may have a curved portion that curves along the cam surface.

Further, the developer cartridge may be provided with a third gear that is rotatable about the third shaft, meshes with the first gear, and rotates together with the cam.

Further, the developing cartridge has a lever rotatable about an axis extending in the axial direction, and the third gear is positioned at a third position where the driving force is received from the coupling and at a position where the driving force is transmitted from the coupling. and a non-rotating fourth position, wherein the lever is configured to engage the third gear located in the fourth position.

Moreover, it may have a spring that biases the third gear in the rotational direction of the third gear so that the third gear engages with the lever.

Also, the lever may be rotatable about the first axis.

According to this, since the lever is arranged coaxially with the first gear, it is possible to reduce the size of the developing cartridge.

Further, the second gear positioned at the first position may be further away from the third gear than the second gear positioned at the second position.

Further, the second gear may mesh with the driven gear when positioned at the second position, and may be separated from the driven gear when positioned at the first position.

Further, the second gear may mesh with the driven gear when positioned at the first position, and may be separated from the driven gear when positioned at the second position.

Further, the support member may be positioned at the second position together with the second gear by coming into contact with the cam, and may be positioned at the first position together with the second gear by being separated from the cam.

Further, the support member may be positioned at the first position together with the second gear by coming into contact with the cam, and may be positioned at the second position together with the second gear by being separated from the cam.

Further, the developer cartridge may be configured such that a developer cartridge containing developer therein is detachable, and the developer cartridge may have the driven gear.

Further, the developer cartridge is a conveying member capable of conveying the toner inside along the axial direction in order to discharge the developer inside to the outside, and is rotatable about an axis along the axial direction. a carrier member, the driven gear being configured to rotate the carrier member.

Further, the developer cartridge may further include a photosensitive drum.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably transmit or release the driving force to the mechanism provided in the developing cartridge.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a process cartridge provided with a developer cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an exploded developer cartridge; FIG. A view (a) of the support member seen along the axial direction from the outside, a perspective view (b) of the support member seen from the outside in the axial direction, and a perspective view (c) of the support member seen from the inside in the axial direction. is. It is the figure (a) which looked at the 3rd gear along the axial direction from the axial outer side, and the perspective view (b) which looked at the 3rd gear from the axial outer side. It is the figure (a) which looked at the 3rd gear along the axial direction from the axial inner side, and the perspective view (b) which looked at the 3rd gear from the axial inner side. FIG. 1(a) is a view of the lever as seen from the outside in the axial direction along the axial direction, (b) is a perspective view of the lever as seen from the outside in the axial direction, and (c) is a perspective view of the lever as seen from the inside in the axial direction. It is the perspective view (a) which looked at the 2nd cover from the axial direction outer side, and the perspective view (b) which looked at the 2nd cover from the axial inner side. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a method of mounting the developer cartridge to the developer cartridge; FIG. A side view (a) showing the arrangement of each member when the second gear is positioned at the first position, a cross-sectional view (b) taken along the line II in FIG. 11, and a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II (c) in FIG. be. A side view (a) showing the arrangement of each member when the second gear is located at the second position, a cross-sectional view (b) taken along line II in FIG. 11, and a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II (c) in FIG. be. It is a figure which shows the state which attached the 1st cover and the 2nd cover to the housing|casing. 10A to 10C are diagrams (a) to (c) showing the operation of each member when the first engaging portion is disengaged from the projecting portion; FIG. 10A to 10C are diagrams (a) to (c) showing the operation of each member when the second gear reaches the second position from the first position; FIG. 10A to 10C are diagrams (a) to (c) showing the operation of each member when the first gear tooth portion is disengaged from the first gear; FIG. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing the developer cartridge according to Modification 1, and diagrams (a) to (c) showing the arrangement of each member when the second gear is positioned at the first position. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing the developer cartridge according to Modification 1, and diagrams (a) to (c) showing the arrangement of each member when the second gear is positioned at the second position. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a developing cartridge according to Modification 2, and diagrams (a) to (c) showing the arrangement of each member when the second gear is positioned at the first position. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a developer cartridge according to Modification 2, and diagrams (a) to (c) showing the arrangement of each member when the second gear is positioned at the second position. It is the figure (a), (b) which shows the modification of a protrusion part. It is a figure which shows the modification of each gear tooth part. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a developer cartridge according to Modification 3;

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
As shown in FIG. 1, the process cartridge PC includes a developer cartridge 1 and a developer cartridge 2. As shown in FIG.

The developing cartridge 1 includes a housing 11 , a developing roller 12 , a supply roller 13 , a layer thickness regulating blade 14 and an agitator 15 . The housing 11 accommodates developer therein. The housing 11 supports the layer thickness regulating blade 14 and rotatably supports the developing roller 12 , the supply roller 13 and the agitator 15 .

The developing roller 12 is a roller that supplies developer to an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor (not shown). The developing roller 12 is rotatable around a shaft extending in the axial direction.

The supply roller 13 is a roller that supplies the developer in the housing 11 to the developing roller 12 . The layer thickness regulating blade 14 is a member that regulates the thickness of the developer on the developing roller 12 .

The agitator 15 includes a rotating shaft 15A rotatable around a first axis X1 along the axial direction, and a stirring blade 15B fixed to the rotating shaft 15A. The housing 11 rotatably supports the rotating shaft 15A. The agitating blade 15B rotates together with the rotary shaft 15A to agitate the developer inside the housing 11 .

The developer cartridge 2 is detachable from the developer cartridge 1 . The developer cartridge 2 includes a housing 21 that accommodates the developer therein, and a conveying member 22 that discharges the developer in the housing 21 to the developer cartridge 1 . The conveying member 22 is rotatable about an axis along the axial direction, and by rotating, can convey the developer inside along the axial direction. Specifically, the conveying member 22 is a screw auger having spiral blades on the peripheral surface of the shaft. The blades of the conveying member 22 may be formed integrally with the rotating shaft, or may be formed as a film-like member separate from the rotating shaft.

The housing 21 has a discharge port 21A for sending the developer in the housing 21 to the developer cartridge 1 . The housing 11 of the developer cartridge 1 has a receiving port 11A facing the discharge port 21A. The discharge port 21A and the receiving port 11A are located below the conveying member 22 and on one end side of the conveying member 22 in the axial direction. As a result, when the conveying member 22 conveys the developer toward one end in the axial direction, the developer conveyed to the one end is supplied into the housing 11 through the discharge port 21A and the receiving port 11A.

Further, the conveying member 22 has a driven gear 22G for rotating the conveying member 22, as shown in FIG. 9(a). The driven gear 22</b>G is located at a position where driving force can be transmitted from a rotatably movable second gear G<b>2 of the developer cartridge 1 , which will be described later, when the developer cartridge 2 is attached to the developer cartridge 1 . The driven gear 22G is supported by the shaft of the conveying member 22. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9A, the developing cartridge 1 includes a coupling CP, a developing gear Gd, a supply gear Gs, a fourth gear 40, a first gear G1, and a second gear G2. , a third gear 30, a lever 50, a support member 60, a first spring S1, and a second spring S2. The developer cartridge 1 also includes a first cover C1 and a second cover C2 attached to one end side of the housing 11 in the axial direction. The first cover C1 exposes a portion of the coupling CP to the outside and covers the other portion of the coupling CP, the developing gear Gd, and the supply gear Gs from the outside. The second cover C2 externally covers the fourth gear 40, the first gear G1, the second gear G2, the third gear 30, the lever 50, the support member 60, the first spring S1 and the second spring S2.

The first spring S1 is a torsion spring for urging the lever 50 in the rotational direction. The first spring S1 includes a coil portion S13, a first rod-shaped portion S11 extending outward from one end of the coil portion S13, and a first rod portion S11 extending outward from the other end opposite to the one end of the coil portion S13 in the axial direction. It has two bar-shaped parts S12. A coil portion S13 of the first spring S1 is accommodated in a body portion 54 of the lever 50, which will be described later. The second rod-shaped portion S12 of the first spring S1 engages with the engagement protrusion 11C of the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 11 C of engagement protrusions are ribs which protrude outside from the outer peripheral surface of the boss|hub 11F which supports the 4th gear 40 rotatably. A first bar-shaped portion S11 of the first spring S1 engages with a first arm 51 of a lever 50, which will be described later.

The second spring S2 is a torsion spring for biasing the third gear 30. As shown in FIG. The second spring S2 includes a coil portion S23, a first rod-shaped portion S21 extending outward from one end of the coil portion S23, and a first rod portion S21 extending outward from the other end opposite to the one end of the coil portion S23 in the axial direction. It has two bar-shaped parts S22. A coil portion S23 of the second spring S2 is supported by a support shaft 11D formed in the housing 11. As shown in FIG. The support shaft 11D protrudes from the housing 11 in the axial direction. The second rod-shaped portion S22 of the second spring S2 engages with the projecting piece 11E formed on the housing 11. As shown in FIG. The first rod-shaped portion S21 of the second spring S2 engages with a first spring engaging portion 31E or a second spring engaging portion 34 of the third gear 30, which will be described later.

The coupling CP is rotatable about an axis along the axial direction. The coupling CP is configured to receive driving force from a driving source such as a motor provided in the main housing of the image forming apparatus. Coupling CP has a coupling gear Gc. The coupling gear Gc is coaxial with the coupling CP and rotates together with the coupling CP.

The development gear Gd is a gear for driving the development roller 12 . The developing gear Gd is fixed to the end of the rotating shaft of the developing roller 12 . The developing gear Gd meshes with the coupling gear Gc. As a result, the developing gear Gd receives driving force from the coupling gear Gc and rotates together with the developing roller 12 .

The supply gear Gs is a gear for driving the supply roller 13 . The supply gear Gs is fixed to the end of the rotating shaft of the supply roller 13 . The supply gear Gs meshes with the coupling gear Gc. As a result, the supply gear Gs receives the driving force from the coupling gear Gc and rotates together with the supply roller 13 .

The fourth gear 40 is rotatable around an axially extending fourth axis X4. Specifically, the boss 11F rotatably supports the fourth gear 40. As shown in FIG. The fourth gear 40 has a large diameter gear 41 and a small diameter gear 42 . The large-diameter gear 41 is arranged at a position further away from the outer surface of the housing 11 than the small-diameter gear 42 in the axial direction. The large-diameter gear 41 faces the surface of the first gear G<b>1 opposite to the housing 11 . The large-diameter gear 41 meshes with the coupling gear Gc. Accordingly, the large-diameter gear 41 receives the driving force from the coupling CP and rotates together with the small-diameter gear 42 about the fourth axis X4.

The small-diameter gear 42 is positioned between the housing 11 and the large-diameter gear 41 in the axial direction. The small-diameter gear 42 has a smaller outer diameter than the large-diameter gear 41 . As shown in FIG. 9(c), the small diameter gear 42 meshes with the first gear G1. As a result, the first gear G1 receives a driving force from the small-diameter gear 42 and rotates.

The first gear G1 is rotatable about a first axis X1 along the axial direction. The first gear G1 is fixed to the rotating shaft 15A of the agitator 15. As shown in FIG. In other words, the rotating shaft 15A of the agitator 15 supports the first gear G1. As a result, the first gear G1 rotates together with the agitator 15 .

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 2, the first gear G1 has gear teeth G11 formed on its peripheral surface and a second cylindrical portion G12. The second cylindrical portion G12 extends axially from the surface of the first gear G1 opposite to the surface facing the housing 11 . The second cylindrical portion G12 rotatably supports the inner peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 61, which is one end portion of the support member 60, which will be described later. The first cylindrical portion 61 is located inside the addendum circle of the gear teeth G11 of the first gear G1.

The second cylindrical portion G12 is positioned between the housing 11 and the large-diameter gear 41 in the axial direction. The second cylindrical portion G12 overlaps the large-diameter gear 41 when viewed from the axial direction. The second cylindrical portion G12 is formed in a cylindrical shape centered on the first axis X1 (see FIG. 9C).

As shown in FIG. 9(c), the second gear G2 is rotatable around a second axis X2 extending in the axial direction. The second gear G2 meshes with the first gear G1. The second gear G2 is rotatable around the first axis X1 with respect to the first gear G1. Specifically, the second gear G2 is rotatable between a first position shown in FIG. 9(c) and a second position shown in FIG. 10(c). The second gear G2 is separated from the driven gear 22G when positioned at the first position. The second gear G2 is adjacent to the driven gear 22G and meshes with the driven gear 22G when positioned at the second position. This allows the second gear G2 to output driving force to the driven gear 22G when positioned at the second position.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 2, the support member 60 is a member that rotatably supports the first gear G1 and the second gear G2. The support member 60 is rotatable between the first position and the second position about the first axis X1 (see FIG. 9(c)) together with the second gear G2.

As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the support member 60 includes a first cylindrical portion 61, a first extending portion 62 extending from the first cylindrical portion 61 in the radial direction of the first gear G1, and a first gear G1. It has a first cylindrical portion 61 and a second extending portion 63 extending from the first extending portion 62 toward the third gear 30 (see FIG. 9A). The first cylindrical portion 61 is provided at one end of the first extending portion 62 in the radial direction of the first gear G1. The first cylindrical portion 61 is formed in a cylindrical shape centered on the first axis X1.

The first extending portion 62 has a cylindrical support shaft portion 62A at the other end portion opposite to the one end portion where the first cylindrical portion 61 is provided. The support shaft portion 62A protrudes axially inward from the first extension portion 62 . The support shaft portion 62A rotatably supports the second gear G2. The first extending portion 62 has a rib 62B projecting outward in the axial direction on its peripheral portion.

The second extending portion 63 has a curved portion 63A that can come into contact with a cam surface 31D, which will be described later. The curved portion 63A is curved along the cam surface 31D (see FIG. 9A). Specifically, the curved portion 63A extends from the first cylindrical portion 61 so as to move away from a third axis X3, which will be described later, as it moves away from the first cylindrical portion 61, and then extends to approach the third axis X3. The second extending portion 63 has a rib 63B protruding axially inward from its peripheral portion. The axially inner end surface of the rib 63B faces the end surface of the rib 62B of the first extending portion 62 and is connected to the rib 62B. Thereby, the second extension portion 63 is located axially outside the first extension portion 62 .

As shown in FIG. 9A, the third gear 30 is rotatable around a third axis X3 extending in the axial direction. The third gear 30 has a cam 31 that moves the second gear G2 between the first position and the second position. The third gear 30 and the cam 31 are composed of a single part, and are both rotatable about the third axis X3.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the third gear 30 includes a rotating shaft 32 centered on the third axis X3 and a disk-shaped disk centered on the third axis X3. It integrally has a portion 33 , a cam 31 protruding axially outward from the disc portion 33 , and a second spring engaging portion 34 protruding axially outward from the disc portion 33 . The housing 11 rotatably supports the rotating shaft 32 . The disk portion 33 extends radially outward from the axial center portion of the rotating shaft 32 .

The second spring engaging portion 34 is a portion that can be engaged with the first bar-shaped portion S21 (see FIG. 10(a)) of the second spring S2. The second spring engaging portion 34 protrudes from the surface of the disk portion 33 opposite to the surface facing the housing 11 . The second spring engaging portion 34 is positioned away from the cam 31 in the rotational direction of the third gear 30 . Specifically, the second spring engaging portion 34 is located on the side opposite to the cam 31 with respect to the third axis X3. The second spring engaging portion 34 includes a fourth portion 34A extending in the rotational direction of the third gear 30, a fifth portion 34B extending from one end of the fourth portion 34A in the rotational direction toward the third axis X3, and a fourth and a sixth portion 34C extending from the other end in the rotational direction of the portion 34A toward the third axis X3.

The fourth portion 34A extends from the sixth portion 34C substantially along the direction of rotation, and then bends in an arc toward the fifth portion 34B. The fifth portion 34B and the sixth portion 34C are connected to the rotating shaft 32. As shown in FIG. The fourth portion 34</b>A is located inside the tip of a gear tooth portion 35 (described later) of the third gear 30 in the radial direction of the third gear 30 .

The cam 31 protrudes from the surface of the disc portion 33 opposite to the surface facing the housing 11 . The axial length of the cam 31 is longer than the axial length of the second spring engaging portion 34 . The cam 31 includes a first portion 31A extending in the rotation direction of the third gear 30, a second portion 31B extending from one end of the first portion 31A in the rotation direction toward the third axis X3, and a rotation direction of the first portion 31A. and a third portion 31C extending from the other end of the to the third axis X3 side.

The first portion 31A extends from the third portion 31C substantially along the direction of rotation, and then bends in an arc toward the second portion 31B. The second portion 31B and the third portion 31C are connected to the rotating shaft 32. As shown in FIG. The outer peripheral surface of the first portion 31A is a cam surface 31D that can come into contact with the support member 60 (see FIG. 9A). The first portion 31</b>A is located inside the tip of a gear tooth portion 35 (described later) of the third gear 30 in the radial direction of the third gear 30 .

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9A, the cam 31 (cam surface 31D) contacts the curved portion 63A of the support member 60 when the second gear G2 is positioned at the first position. Further, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the cam 31 is separated from the support member 60 when the second gear G2 is positioned at the second position. The support member 60 is pressed by the rotating cam 31 to move from the second position to the first position together with the second gear G2. The support member 60 located at the first position moves from the first position to the second position together with the second gear G2 while being supported by the cam 31 as the cam 31 rotates away from the support member 60. Moving.

The distance between the second axis X2 and the third axis X3 when the support member 60 is in contact with the cam 31 is the same as the distance between the second axis X2 and the third axis X3 when the support member 60 is separated from the cam 31. It is longer than the distance between the three axes X3. In other words, the second gear G2 arranged at the first position is located farther from the third axis X3 than the second gear G2 arranged at the second position. More specifically, the distance between the second axis X2 and the third axis X3 when the second gear G2 is at the first position is the distance between the second axis X2 and the third axis X2 when the second gear G2 is at the second position. It is longer than the distance between the three axes X3.

As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the cam 31 has a first spring engaging member at the end on the disk portion 33 side, which can be engaged with the second spring S2 (see FIG. 9(a)). It has a portion 31E. The first spring engaging portion 31E has the same length in the axial direction as the second spring engaging portion 34, and is hatched for convenience.

Here, the distance between the second extension portion 63 of the support member 60 and the disk portion 33 is larger than the axial lengths of the first spring engaging portion 31E and the second spring engaging portion 34. there is As a result, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 10A, the second spring S2 that biases the first spring engaging portion 31E or the second spring engaging portion 34 is pushed to the second extending portion 63. , so as not to interfere with the second extending portion 63 .

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the third gear 30 has a gear tooth portion 35 and a missing tooth portion 36 on its peripheral surface. The gear tooth portion 35 and the toothless portion 36 protrude axially inward from the disk portion 33 . Specifically, the gear tooth portion 35 is formed on the peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion 38 protruding axially inward from the disc portion 33 . Further, the toothless portion 36 constitutes the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 38 . The cylindrical portion 38 is coaxial with the rotating shaft 32 and has a larger diameter than the rotating shaft 32 .

The gear tooth portion 35 includes a first gear tooth portion 35A and a second gear tooth portion 35B. The first gear tooth portion 35A is located on the opposite side of the second gear tooth portion 35B with respect to the third axis X3. A portion of the first gear tooth portion 35A is located between the first spring engaging portion 31E and the second spring engaging portion 34 in the rotation direction of the third gear 30. As shown in FIG. A portion of the second gear tooth portion 35B is located between the first spring engaging portion 31E and the second spring engaging portion 34 in the rotation direction of the third gear 30. As shown in FIG.

The first gear tooth portion 35A and the second gear tooth portion 35B are positioned so as to be meshable with the first gear G1 (see FIG. 9(c)). In other words, the addendum circles of the first gear tooth portion 35A and the second gear tooth portion 35B overlap the addendum circles of the gear teeth G11 of the first gear G1. When the second gear G2 rotates from the first position (the position shown in FIG. 9A) to the second position (the position shown in FIG. 10A), the first gear tooth portion 35A rotates together with the first gear G1. engage. The second gear tooth portion 35B rotates together with the first gear G1 when the second gear G2 rotates from the second position (the position shown in FIG. 10A) to the first position (the position shown in FIG. 9A). engage. By meshing the first gear tooth portion 35A or the second gear tooth portion 35B with the first gear G1 in this manner, the driving force is transmitted from the first gear G1 to the third gear 30, and the cam 31 rotates at a predetermined angle (approximately 180 degrees). °).

The toothless portion 36 includes a first toothless portion 36A and a second toothless portion 36B. The first toothless portion 36A is located on the opposite side of the second toothless portion 36B with respect to the third axis X3. In other words, in the rotation direction of the third gear 30, the first missing tooth portion 36A or the second missing tooth portion 36B is positioned between the first gear tooth portion 35A and the second gear tooth portion 35B.
The first toothless portion 36A is positioned between the first spring engaging portion 31E and the second spring engaging portion 34 in the rotation direction of the third gear 30. As shown in FIG. The second toothless portion 36B is located between the first spring engaging portion 31E and the second spring engaging portion 34 in the rotation direction of the third gear 30. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9C, the first toothless portion 36A faces the first gear G1 when the second gear G2 is positioned at the first position. As shown in FIG. 10(c), the second toothless portion 36B faces the first gear G1 when the second gear G2 is positioned at the second position.

That is, the third gear 30 is rotatable between a third position where the first gear G1 and the gear tooth portion 35 mesh and a fourth position where the missing tooth portion 36 and the first gear G1 face each other. Here, the third position means any position where the first gear G1 meshes with either the first gear tooth portion 35A or the second gear tooth portion 35B. Also, the fourth position means an arbitrary position where the first gear G1 faces the first toothless portion 36A or the second toothless portion 36B. When the third gear 30 is at the third position, it receives the driving force from the first gear G1, and when at the fourth position, the driving force transmitted from the first gear G1 is cut off. It has become.

Returning to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the third gear 30 has a projecting portion 37. As shown in FIG. The projecting portion 37 is positioned axially inside the second gear tooth portion 35B. In other words, the projecting portion 37 is arranged between the housing 11 and the gear tooth portion 35 in the axial direction. The protruding portion 37 protrudes radially outward from the peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 32 . The projecting portion 37 is positioned radially inward of the addendum circle of the second gear tooth portion 35B.

The projecting portion 37 includes a seventh portion 37A extending in the rotational direction of the third gear 30, an eighth portion 37B extending from one end of the seventh portion 37A in the rotational direction toward the third axis X3, and a rotating portion of the seventh portion 37A. and a ninth portion 37C extending from the other end in the direction toward the third axis X3. The seventh portion 37A is formed in an arc shape centered on the third axis X3. The eighth portion 37B and the ninth portion 37C are connected to the rotating shaft 32 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 11 has a cylindrical portion 11B extending axially about the first axis X1. The cylindrical portion 11B is formed so as to surround the rotating shaft 15A of the agitator 15. As shown in FIG. The cylindrical portion 11B rotatably supports the lever 50. As shown in FIG. The lever 50 is arranged between the first gear G1 and the housing 11 in the axial direction. Further, the lever 50 is arranged between the large-diameter gear 41 and the housing 11 in the axial direction.

As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the lever 50 is positioned at a fifth position (position shown in FIG. 9B) and a sixth position (position shown in FIG. 10B) centering on the first axis X1. position). The lever 50 has a cylindrical main body portion 54 centered on the first axis X1, and a first arm 51, a second arm 52 and a third arm 53 rotatable together with the main body portion 54.

The body portion 54 includes a ring-shaped plate portion 54A centered on the first axis X1, a cylindrical inner peripheral flange portion 54B projecting axially outward from the inner peripheral edge portion of the plate-shaped portion 54A, and a plate-shaped portion. It has an arc-shaped first outer peripheral flange portion 54C and a second outer peripheral flange portion 54D projecting axially outward from the outer peripheral edge portion of 54A. A space between the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral flange portion 54B and the inner peripheral surfaces of the outer peripheral flange portions 54C and 54D serves as an accommodation space for accommodating the coil portion S13 of the first spring S1 shown in FIG. .

The first outer peripheral flange portion 54C is located on the opposite side of the first axis X1 from the second outer peripheral flange portion 54D. Both ends of the first outer peripheral flange portion 54</b>C in the rotational direction are separated from the third arm 53 in the rotational direction of the lever 50 . One end in the rotational direction of the first outer peripheral flange portion 54C is positioned between the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 in the rotational direction. An axially outer end surface of the first outer peripheral flange portion 54C has a recessed portion 54E that is recessed axially inwardly. The space within the recess 54E is a space through which the first rod-shaped portion S11 of the first spring S1 shown in FIG. 2 is inserted. The recessed portion 54E faces a later-described spring hooking portion 51D of the first arm 51 in the radial direction. The first rod-shaped portion S11 of the first spring S1 passes through the recess 54E and engages with the spring hook portion 51D. As a result, the first spring S1 biases the lever 50 from the sixth position toward the fifth position in the rotational direction of the lever 50 (see FIGS. 9B and 10B).

The second outer peripheral flange portion 54D extends from the base end portion of the third arm 53 to the base end portion of the second arm 52 along the rotational direction. A space between one end of the second outer peripheral flange portion 54D in the rotational direction, more specifically, the end opposite to the second arm 52, and the first outer peripheral flange portion 54C is formed by the first spring S1 shown in FIG. It is a space through which the second rod-shaped portion S12 is inserted.

Further, the axially inner surface of the plate-like portion 54A has a rotation restricting portion 54F protruding axially inward. The rotation restricting portion 54</b>F is positioned within an arc-shaped groove (not shown) formed in the housing 11 . Movement of the rotation restricting portion 54F is restricted at each end of the groove of the housing 11, thereby restricting the lever 50 to the fifth or sixth position.

The first arm 51 extends from the body portion 54 toward the third gear 30 when the lever 50 is at the fifth position (see FIG. 9B). The first arm 51 includes a plate-like portion 51A orthogonal to the first axis X1, a first engaging portion 51B protruding axially outward from the end of the plate-like portion 51A opposite to the main body portion 54, and a first engaging portion 51B. It has a connecting portion 51C that connects the 1 engaging portion 51B and the first outer peripheral flange portion 54C of the main body portion 54 .

The first engaging portion 51B has a plate shape including a surface 51F that is orthogonal to the first axis X1 and orthogonal to the first straight line L1 that passes through the first axis X1. A surface 51F of the first engaging portion 51B is a radially inner surface of the main body portion 54 of the first engaging portion 51B. The surface 51F of the first engaging portion 51B can be engaged with the projecting portion 37 of the third gear 30 when the lever 50 is positioned at the fifth position, as shown in FIG. 9B. In other words, the first engaging portion 51B is positioned within the rotation locus of the projecting portion 37 when the lever 50 is positioned at the fifth position. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the first engaging portion 51B is positioned outside the rotation trajectory of the projecting portion 37 when the lever 50 is positioned at the sixth position.

Then, when the projecting portion 37 is engaged with the first engaging portion 51B, as shown in FIG. 9C, the first missing tooth portion 36A of the third gear 30 faces the first gear G1. . That is, the first engaging portion 51B is engaged with the protruding portion 37 when the third gear 30 is in the fourth position where the driving force transmitted from the first gear G1 is blocked. As a result, the third gear 30 is maintained in a state in which no driving force is transmitted from the first gear G1.

When the first engaging portion 51B is engaged with the projecting portion 37, the second spring S2 is in contact with the first spring engaging portion 31E as shown in FIG. 9(a). As a result, the second spring S2 urges the third gear 30 in the rotational direction so that the projecting portion 37 approaches the first engaging portion 51B. At this time, since the surface 51F of the first engaging portion 51B that receives the biasing force from the projecting portion 37 is perpendicular to the first straight line L1, the biasing force applied to the first engaging portion 51B is the first straight line L1. It works in the direction along L1. As a result, since the biasing force does not act in the direction of rotating the lever 50, it is possible to suppress the rotation of the lever 50 due to the biasing force.

Further, when the projecting portion 37 is engaged with the first engaging portion 51B, as shown in FIG. 9A, the cam 31 is held at a position above the third axis X3, and the second gear G2 is engaged. Located in the first position.

Returning to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the connecting portion 51C protrudes axially outward from the end portion of the plate-like portion 51A in the rotational direction. 51 C of connection parts have the spring hook part 51D extended toward the opposite side to 51 A of plate-shaped parts in the substantially-central part of a radial direction.

The second arm 52 extends from the body portion 54 toward the third gear 30 when the lever 50 is at the sixth position (see FIG. 10(b)). The second arm 52 includes a plate-like portion 52A perpendicular to the first axis X1, a second engaging portion 52B protruding axially outward from the end of the plate-like portion 52A opposite to the main body portion 54, and a second arm 52A. It has a connection portion 52C that connects the second engagement portion 52B and the second outer peripheral flange portion 54D of the main body portion 54 . The plate-like portion 52A and the plate-like portion 51A are connected by a connecting plate-like portion 55 projecting radially outward from the body portion 54 .

The second engaging portion 52B has a plate shape including a surface 52F that is orthogonal to the first axis X1 and orthogonal to the second straight line L2 that passes through the first axis X1. A surface 52F of the second engaging portion 52B is a radially outer surface of the main body portion 54 of the second engaging portion 52B. The surface 52F of the second engaging portion 52B can be engaged with the projecting portion 37 of the third gear 30 when the lever 50 is positioned at the sixth position, as shown in FIG. 10(b). In other words, the second engaging portion 52B is positioned within the rotation locus of the projecting portion 37 when the lever 50 is positioned at the sixth position. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the second engaging portion 52B is positioned outside the rotational trajectory of the projecting portion 37 when the lever 50 is positioned at the fifth position.

Then, when the projecting portion 37 is engaged with the second engaging portion 52B, as shown in FIG. 10(c), the second missing tooth portion 36B of the third gear 30 faces the first gear G1. . That is, the second engaging portion 52B is engaged with the projecting portion 37 when the third gear 30 is in the fourth position where the driving force transmitted from the first gear G1 is cut off. As a result, the third gear 30 is maintained in a state in which no driving force is transmitted from the first gear G1.

Further, when the second engaging portion 52B is engaged with the projecting portion 37, the second spring S2 is in contact with the second spring engaging portion 34 as shown in FIG. 10(a). As a result, the second spring S2 urges the third gear 30 in the rotational direction so that the projecting portion 37 approaches the second engaging portion 52B. At this time, since the surface 52F of the second engaging portion 52B that receives the biasing force from the projecting portion 37 is perpendicular to the second straight line L2, the biasing force applied to the second engaging portion 52B is the second straight line L2. It works in the direction along L2. As a result, since the biasing force does not act in the direction of rotating the lever 50, it is possible to suppress the rotation of the lever 50 due to the biasing force.

Further, when the projecting portion 37 is engaged with the second engaging portion 52B, as shown in FIG. 10A, the cam 31 is held at a position below the third axis X3, and the second gear G2 is engaged. Located in the second position.

Returning to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the third arm 53 has a first extension portion 53A, a second extension portion 53B, a third extension portion 53C, and a receiving portion 53D. ing. The first extending portion 53A extends from the body portion 54 toward the side opposite to the first arm 51, and then extends in the first direction from the fifth position to the sixth position. The first extending portion 53A has a plate-like portion orthogonal to the first axis X1 and a plurality of ribs protruding axially outward from the plate-like portion.

The second extension 53B extends axially outward and radially outward from the end of the first extension 53A. The second extending portion 53B is formed in an L shape in cross section.

The third extension 53C extends from the end of the second extension 53B in the opposite direction to the first direction. The third extending portion 53C is formed to have an L-shape when viewed in cross section.

The receiving portion 53D extends radially outward from the end portion of the third extending portion 53C. The receiving portion 53D is configured to receive force from the outside. Specifically, the receiving portion 53D is configured to receive force from a drive lever DL (see FIG. 10A) provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus.

The distance from the receiving portion 53D to the first axis X1 is longer than the distance from the first engaging portion 51B to the first axis X1. Also, the distance from the receiving portion 53D to the first axis X1 is longer than the distance from the second engaging portion 52B to the first axis X1.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the second cover C2 has a guide portion C21 that guides the protrusion 23 (see FIG. 8A) provided on the developer cartridge 2. As shown in FIG. Here, the protrusion 23 is formed in an elongated shape elongated in one direction. The central portion of the protrusion 23 in the longitudinal direction is positioned on the rotation shaft of the conveying member 22 (see FIG. 1).

The guide portion C21 includes first guide portions C22 and C23 that guide the protrusion 23 along the longitudinal direction, and second guide portions C24 and C25 that guide the rotation of the protrusion 23 around the rotation axis of the conveying member 22. and third guide portions C26 and C27 for restricting the rotation of the projection 23. As shown in FIG. The guide surfaces of the first guide portions C22 and C23 are perpendicular to the guide surfaces of the third guide portions C26 and C27.

By configuring the guide portion C21 in this way, the developer cartridge 2 can be rotated by 90° after being inserted into the developer cartridge 1 in the directions shown in FIGS. , and is mounted in the orientation shown in FIG. 8(c).

Next, the operation of the process cartridge PC will be explained.
As shown in FIG. 1, when it is desired to rotate the developing roller 12, the supply roller 13 and the agitator 15 without rotating the conveying member 22, as shown in FIG. The lever DL is arranged at a position separated from the lever 50. - 特許庁As a result, the lever 50 is positioned at the fifth position by the biasing force of the first spring S1.

At this time, the projecting portion 37 of the third gear 30 is engaged with the first engaging portion 51B of the lever 50, as shown in FIG. 9(b). Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, the first missing tooth portion 36A of the third gear 30 faces the first gear G1. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9(a), the support member 60 is lifted by the cam 31. As shown in FIG. As a result, the second gear G2 is positioned at the first position.

By arranging each member in this way, the driving force input from the main body of the image forming apparatus to the coupling CP is directly transmitted to the developing gear Gd and the supply gear Gs, It is transmitted to the first gear G1. In addition, the second gear G2 idles while separated from the driven gear 22G. As a result, only the developing roller 12, the supply roller 13 and the agitator 15 can be rotated without rotating the conveying member 22. FIG.

When the drive lever DL is rotated from this state to the position shown in FIG. Rotate from the fifth position to the sixth position. As a result, the first engaging portion 51B of the lever 50 is disengaged from the projecting portion 37 .

When the first engaging portion 51B is disengaged from the projecting portion 37, the third gear 30 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing due to the biasing force of the second spring S2, as shown in FIG. 12(a). As a result, as shown in FIG. 12(c), the first gear tooth portion 35A of the third gear 30 meshes with the first gear G1.

When the first gear tooth portion 35A meshes with the first gear G1, the driving force is transmitted from the first gear G1 to further rotate the third gear 30, as shown in FIG. 13(c). As a result, the cam 31 rotates away from the support member 60, as shown in FIG. 13(a).

When the cam 31 rotates in this manner, the support member 60 supported by the cam 31 rotates from the first position to the second position. Specifically, the support member 60 rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the first gear G1 by being frictionally engaged with the first gear G1.

Due to such rotation of the support member 60, the second gear G2 supported by the support member 60 also rotates from the first position to the second position. As a result, the second gear G2 meshes with the driven gear 22G, and the conveying member 22 rotates.

After that, when the third gear 30 rotates further, the second spring engaging portion 34 comes into contact with the first rod-shaped portion S21 of the second spring S2 and presses the first rod-shaped portion S21 upward in the figure. In the initial stage of pushing the first rod-shaped portion S21 with the portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the second spring engaging portion 34, the second spring engaging portion 34 resists the biasing force of the second spring S2. The first rod-shaped portion S21 is pushed up. Then, when the portion of the second spring engaging portion 34 on the upstream side in the rotational direction contacts the first rod-shaped portion S21, the biasing force of the second spring S2 acts on the second spring engaging portion 34 on the downstream side in the rotational direction. It's like

As shown in FIG. 14(c), when the first gear tooth portion 35A of the third gear 30 is disengaged from the first gear G1, transmission of driving force from the first gear G1 to the third gear 30 is cut off. At this time, as shown in FIG. 14(a), the second spring S2 is in a state of urging the second spring engaging portion 34 toward the downstream side in the rotational direction, so that the third gear 30 rotates toward the second spring S2. , and the projecting portion 37 engages the second engaging portion 52B of the lever 50 as shown in FIG. 14(b). As a result, as shown in FIG. 14(a), the rotation of the third gear 30 is stopped and the cam 31 is held at a position separated from the support member 60, so that the second gear G2 is maintained at the second position. be.

14(a) to 14(c) to the original position (position shown in FIG. 9(a)) is substantially the same as that shown in FIGS. Since the operations are the same, the description of the same operations will be omitted. When the drive lever DL is returned to its original position (position shown in FIG. 9A), the lever 50 returns from the sixth position to the fifth position by the biasing force of the first spring S1. As a result, the second engaging portion 52B is disengaged from the projecting portion 37, and the cam 31 rotates to the position shown in FIG. 9A and stops by the same operation as described above. As the support member 60 is pressed and rotated by the rotating cam 31, the second gear G2 moves from the second position to the first position.

According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in this embodiment.
A movable second gear G2 provided in the developing cartridge 1 can be moved using the driving force of the coupling CP.

The second gear G2 is moved between the first position and the second position by the cam 31 rotated by the driving force from the coupling CP. Therefore, compared to a structure in which, for example, a large solenoid that generates a large force is provided in the developing cartridge and the second gear is moved by the solenoid, it is possible to utilize the driving force input to the coupling CP to reduce costs. can.

The support member 60 supports the first gear G1 and the second gear G2. The second gear G2 rotates about the first axis X between the first position and the second position together with the support member 40 while meshing with the first gear G1. As a result, the second gear G2 moves between the first position and the second position while maintaining the distance from the first gear G1 while the first gear G1 is rotated. Therefore, the second gear G<b>2 can transmit or cancel the driving force to the conveying member 22 . Further, for example, compared to a structure in which a gear between two gears is moved in the axial direction to transmit or release the driving force, the second gear G2 rotates around the first axis X1, so that the conveying member 22 It is possible to reliably transmit or release the driving force to the

Cam surface 31D contacts support member 60 . The support member 40 does not move with respect to the cam surface 31D while in contact with the cam surface 31D. Therefore, the wear of the cam surface 31D can be suppressed, for example, as compared with a structure in which the cam surface is brought into contact with the second gear.

Since the cam 31 and the third gear 30 are configured as a single part, the structure can be simplified compared to, for example, a structure in which the cam and the third gear are separate.

When the gear tooth portion 35 meshes with the first gear G1, the cam 31 receives the driving force from the first gear G1 and rotates, so that the second gear G2 can be satisfactorily moved to the first position or the second position by the cam 31. can be made Also, when the toothless portion 36 faces the first gear G1, the cam 31 does not receive the driving force from the first gear G1, so the cam 31 moves the second gear G2 to the first or second position. can hold. That is, the third gear 30 that rotates in one direction can be used to hold the second gear G2 at the first position and the second position.

The lever 50 is arranged coaxially with the first gear G1. Thereby, it is possible to provide a space for arranging the fourth gear 40 that meshes with the first gear G1. Therefore, the size of the developing cartridge 1 can be reduced.

Since the force applied from the projecting portion 37 to the surface 51F of the first engaging portion 51B acts in the direction along the first straight line L1 perpendicular to the first axis X1, the force from the projecting portion 37 swings the lever 50. can be suppressed.

Since the force applied from the projecting portion 37 to the surface 52F of the second engaging portion 52B acts in the direction along the second straight line L2 orthogonal to the first axis X1, the force from the projecting portion 37 swings the lever 50. can be suppressed.

When the engagement between the lever 50 and the third gear 30 is released, the third gear 30 is rotated by the biasing force of the second spring S2, so that the gear teeth 35 and the first gear G1 can be reliably engaged.

Since the cam 31 has the first spring engaging portion 31E, the cam 31 can have two functions of rotating the second gear G2 and engaging with the second spring S2.

Since the second portion 31B and the third portion 31C extending toward the third axis X3 are provided at both ends in the rotation direction of the first portion 31A having the cam surface 31D, the cam surface 31D can be formed by the second portion 31B and the third portion. It can be reinforced with 31C.

Since the first spring engaging portion 31E and the second spring engaging portion 34 apart from the first spring engaging portion 31E in the rotational direction are provided, even if the direction of the third gear 30 changes, the second spring S2 can bias either the first spring engaging portion 31</b>E or the second spring engaging portion 34 .

Since the second spring engaging portion 34 is composed of the fourth portion 34A and the fifth portion 34B and the sixth portion 34C extending toward the third axis X3, the rigidity of the second spring engaging portion 34 is increased. be able to.

Since the axial length of the cam 31 is longer than the axial length of the second spring engaging portion 34, the support member 60 can be arranged on one side of the second spring engaging portion 34 in the axial direction. . Therefore, the support member 40 can contact the cam surface 31D of the cam 31 without contacting the second spring engaging portion 34. As shown in FIG.

Since the distance from the receiving portion 53D to the first axis X1 is made longer than the distance from the first engaging portion 51B to the first axis X1, even if the force applied to the receiving portion 53D is small, the first 1 engagement part 51B can be rocked easily.

Since the distance from the receiving portion 53D to the first axis X1 is made longer than the distance from the second engaging portion 52B to the first axis X1, even if the force applied to the receiving portion 53D is small, the first The second engagement portion 52B can be easily swung.

Since the first gear G1 supports one end of the support member 60, the size of the support member 60 can be reduced compared to a structure in which the first gear supports the central portion of the support member.

Since one end of the support member 60 is positioned inside the addendum circle of the gear teeth G11 of the first gear G1, for example, one end of the support member is positioned outside the addendum circle of the gear teeth of the first gear G1. Interference between other parts arranged near the first gear G1 and the one end of the support member 60 can be suppressed as compared with the protruding structure.

Since the lever 50 is arranged between the first gear G1 and the housing 11, another part (the large diameter gear 41 of the fourth gear 40) is placed on the opposite side of the first gear G1 from the housing 11. can be placed.

By arranging the lever 50 between the housing 11 and the large-diameter gear 41, the space between the housing 11 and the large-diameter gear 41 can be effectively utilized, so that the developing cartridge 1 can be miniaturized. can be done.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be used in various forms as exemplified below. In the following description, members having substantially the same structure as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the cam 31 contacts the support member 60 when the second gear G2 is positioned at the first position (position away from the driven gear 22G), and the second gear G2 is positioned at the second position (at the driven gear 22G). The cam 31 is separated from the support member 60 when it is positioned at the meshing position), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIGS. 15(a) to (c), when the second gear G2 is separated from the driven gear 22G, the cam 31 is separated from the support member 600, and as shown in FIGS. , the cam 31 may come into contact with the support member 600 when the second gear G2 meshes with the driven gear 22G. Here, the support member 600 according to this embodiment is greatly different in shape from the support member 60 of the above-described embodiment, but the structure for rotating about the first axis X1 and the first gear G1 and the second gear Since the structure for rotatably supporting G2 is the same, detailed description of the structure is omitted. Although the other members are slightly different in shape, the structure itself for realizing the function of each member is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, so the explanation is omitted.

In this structure, when the drive lever DL is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 15A to the position shown in FIG. It is removed from the projecting portion 37 . As a result, the third gear 30 is rotated by the biasing force of the second spring S2, and the first gear tooth portion 35A meshes with the first gear G1.

When the first gear tooth portion 35A meshes with the first gear G1, the third gear 30 receives driving force from the first gear G1 and rotates clockwise in the figure. As a result, the cam 31 rotates from the lower position in the drawing toward the upper position in the drawing. When the cam 31 contacts the support member 600, the support member 600 is pushed up by the cam 31 and moves to the first position together with the second gear G2.

As shown in FIG. 16(c), when the second toothless portion 36B faces the first gear G1, transmission of driving force from the first gear G1 to the third gear G3 is interrupted. After that, the second spring S2 urges the first spring engaging portion 31E to engage the projecting portion 37 with the second engaging portion 52B as shown in FIG. The rotation of 30 is stopped and cam 31 is maintained at the position where support member 600 is supported.

When the drive lever DL is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 16A to the position shown in FIG. The joining portion 52B is removed from the projecting portion 37. As shown in FIG. As a result, the cam 31 rotates away from the support member 600 . By such rotation of the cam 31, the support member 600 supported by the cam 31 gradually rotates downward in the drawing, and the second gear G2 moves to the second position shown in FIG. 15(a). At the second position, the support member 600 is held at the second position by a holding member (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 15(c), when the first toothless portion 36A faces the first gear G1, transmission of driving force from the first gear G1 to the third gear G3 is interrupted. After that, the second spring S2 biases the second spring engaging portion 34, so that the protruding portion 37 engages with the first engaging portion 51B as shown in FIG. The rotation of 30 is stopped and the cam 31 is maintained at a position separated from the support member 600 . That is, the cam 31 is separated from the support member 600 when the support member 600 is positioned at the second position together with the second gear G2.

In the above embodiment, the second gear G2 is moved between the first position and the second position by bringing the cam 31 into contact with and separating from the support member 60, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 17A, the support member 60 and the second gear G2 are held at the first position by the third spring S3, and as shown in FIG. The support member 60 and the second gear G2 may be moved to the second position by releasing the cam 31 provided on the third gear 30 .

Specifically, in this structure, the second spring engaging portion 34 is removed from the third gear 30 of the above embodiment, and a third spring S3 is provided instead of the second spring S2 of the above embodiment. The third spring S3 is a torsion spring. The third spring S3 has a coil portion S33, a first rod-shaped portion S31 extending outward from one end of the coil portion S33, and a second rod-shaped portion S32 extending outward from the other end of the coil portion S33. . The coil section S33 is supported by the housing 11 . The second bar-shaped portion S32 is engaged with the housing 11 . The first bar-shaped portion S31 is in contact with the support member 60 positioned at the first position. A portion of the first rod-shaped portion S31 is positioned within the rotational locus of the cam 31 .

In this structure, when the drive lever DL is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 17A to the position shown in FIG. It is removed from the projecting portion 37 . As a result, the third gear 30 rotates and the cam 31 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing.

As shown in FIG. 18A, when the rotating cam 31 contacts the first rod-shaped portion S31 of the third spring S3, the first rod-shaped portion S31 is pressed by the cam 31 and rotates clockwise in the drawing. . As a result, the support of the support member 60 by the first bar-shaped portion S31 is released, and the support member 60 moves from the first position to the second position together with the second gear G2.

When the driving lever DL is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 18A to the position shown in FIG. get off. As a result, the third gear 30 rotates and the cam 31 rotates away from the first rod-shaped portion S31.

As a result, the first rod-shaped portion S31 returns toward the position shown in FIG. 17(a) by the urging force. During this operation, when the first rod-shaped portion S31 contacts the support member 60, the support member 60 is pressed counterclockwise in the drawing by the first rod-shaped portion S31. As a result, the support member 60 moves to the first position together with the second gear G2.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the developer cartridge 1 in which the developer cartridge 2 is detachable, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the developer cartridge may be integrally formed with the developer cartridge. Specifically, the developing cartridge includes a first accommodating portion that accommodates the developer therein, a second accommodating portion that receives the developer in the first accommodating portion, and a developer in the first accommodating portion that is provided in the first accommodating portion. toward the second housing portion, and a driven gear for rotating the transport member. In this case, the second gear can be configured to mesh with the driven gear when positioned at the second position.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 21, the developer cartridge 1 may further include a photosensitive drum PD to which the developer is supplied from the developing roller 12 .

The shape of the projecting portion 37 is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be, for example, shapes as shown in FIGS. 19(a) and (b). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19(a), the projecting portion 370 according to this embodiment has a seventh portion 37A, an eighth portion 37B and a ninth portion 37C, which are substantially similar to those of the above embodiment. The outer peripheral surface of the seventh portion 37A has a recessed portion 371 recessed toward the rotating shaft 32 . The concave portion 371 has a size that allows engagement with the first engaging portion 51B. The distance from the recessed portion 371 to the ninth portion 37C arranged on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the third gear 30 is greater than the distance from the recessed portion 371 to the eighth portion 37B on the downstream side in the rotational direction.

Here, when the developer cartridge 1 is in a new state and receives an external force, the lever 50 is rotated slightly clockwise in the drawing, and then returned to its original position by the biasing force of the first spring S1. may move. In this case, when the first engaging portion 51B is disengaged from the eighth portion 37B of the projecting portion 370 by rotating the lever 50 clockwise, the third gear 30 is rotated counterclockwise by the biasing force of the second spring S2. It rotates around. However, when the lever 50 rotates to return to its original position by the urging force of the first spring S1, the first engaging portion 51B enters the recess 371, which prevents the third gear 30 from rotating unintentionally. can be suppressed.

In the above embodiment, the first gear tooth portion 35A and the second gear tooth portion 35B are composed of a plurality of gear teeth, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the first gear tooth portion 135A and the second gear tooth portion 135B may be formed of plate-shaped rubber continuous in the circumferential direction of the third gear 30. As shown in FIG. In this case, the first gear tooth portion 135A and the second gear tooth portion 135B are frictionally engaged with the first gear G1. Gear teeth of other gears may also be made of rubber.

In the above embodiment, the third gear 30 is configured to mesh directly with the first gear G1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an idle gear may be arranged between the first gear G1 and the third gear 30. In this case, the third gear 30 rotates by meshing with the idle gear. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effects as in the above-described embodiment.

1 Developing Cartridge 12 Developing Roller 31 Cam CP Coupling G1 1st Gear G2 2nd Gear X1 1st Shaft

Claims (16)

a developing roller rotatable about an axially extending shaft;
a coupling rotatable about an axis along the axial direction;
a first gear rotatable about a first axis along the axial direction by receiving a driving force from the coupling;
A second gear meshing with the first gear and rotatable about a second shaft extending in the axial direction, the second gear being rotatable about the first shaft between a first position and a second position. 2 gears and
rotatably supporting the second gear, and between the first position and the second position about the first shaft together with the second gear in a state where the first gear and the second gear are in mesh with each other; a rotatable support member;
a housing capable of accommodating a developer;
a coupling gear that rotates coaxially with the coupling;
a large-diameter gear that meshes with the coupling gear;
A small-diameter gear positioned between the housing and the large-diameter gear and rotatable together with the large-diameter gear.
a small-diameter gear having an outer diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter gear and meshing with the first gear,
The support member has a first cylindrical portion centered on the first axis,
The first gear is a second cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction around the first shaft,
Having a second cylindrical portion that supports the first cylindrical portion,
The developer cartridge , wherein the second cylindrical portion is positioned between the housing and the large-diameter gear . 2. The developer cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first gear supports the support member. The support member extends in a radial direction of the first gear,
The first gear supports one end of the support member in the radial direction,
3. A developer cartridge according to claim 2, wherein said support member supports said second gear at the other end opposite to said one end. The first gear has gear teeth,
4. A developer cartridge according to claim 3, wherein one end of said support member is located inside the addendum circle of said gear teeth. one end of the support member is a first cylindrical portion centered on the first axis;
5. The first gear according to claim 4, wherein the first gear has a second cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction around the first shaft and supporting the first cylindrical portion. developer cartridge. a housing capable of accommodating a developer;
an agitator having a rotary shaft capable of stirring the developer in the housing and rotatable about the first shaft;
6. The developer cartridge of claim 5, wherein the rotating shaft supports the first gear. 7. The developer cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the second cylindrical portion extends in the axial direction from a surface of the first gear opposite to the surface facing the housing. a developing roller rotatable about an axially extending shaft;
a coupling rotatable about an axis along the axial direction;
By receiving the driving force from the coupling, it rotates about the first axis along the axial direction.
a rotatable first gear;
a second gear meshing with the first gear and rotatable about a second shaft extending in the axial direction;
a second gear rotatable about the first axis between a first position and a second position;
rotatably supporting the second gear, and in a state in which the first gear and the second gear are meshed;
rotating between the first position and the second position with the second gear about the first axis;
a possible support member;
a cam that rotates the second gear to the first position or the second position by contacting the support member;
the cam is rotatable about a third axis extending in the axial direction by receiving a driving force from the coupling ;
A third gear rotatable about the third axis and meshing with the first gear,
further comprising a third gear that rotates with the cam,
The second gear located at the first position is more likely to be the second gear than the second gear located at the second position.
away from 3rd gear,
The second gear is
meshing with the driven gear when positioned at the first position;
A developer cartridge, wherein the developer cartridge is separated from the driven gear when positioned at the second position. the cam has a cam surface that contacts the support member;
9. A developer cartridge according to claim 8 , wherein said support member has a curved portion that curves along said cam surface. a lever rotatable about the axially extending axis;
the third gear is rotatable between a third position receiving driving force from the coupling and a fourth position not transmitting driving force from the coupling;
9. A developer cartridge according to claim 8 , wherein said lever is configured to engage said third gear positioned at said fourth position. 11. A developer cartridge according to claim 10, further comprising a spring biasing said third gear in the direction of rotation of said third gear so that said third gear engages said lever. The second gear is
meshing with the driven gear when positioned at the second position;
12. The developer cartridge according to claim 10 , wherein the developer cartridge is separated from the driven gear when positioned at the first position. The support member is
Positioned at the first position together with the second gear by coming into contact with the cam;
13. The developer cartridge according to claim 12 , wherein the developer cartridge is positioned at the second position together with the second gear by separating from the cam. A developer cartridge containing a developer inside is configured to be detachable,
13. The developer cartridge according to claim 12 , wherein the developer cartridge has the driven gear. The developer cartridge is
a conveying member capable of conveying the toner inside along the axial direction in order to discharge the internal developer to the outside, the conveying member being rotatable about an axis along the axial direction;
15. A developer cartridge according to claim 14 , wherein said driven gear is configured to rotate said conveying member. 16. The developer cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 15 , further comprising a photosensitive drum.

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