JP7483543B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus in this application is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming method.

Examples of electrophotographic image forming devices include electrophotographic copiers, electrophotographic printers (LED printers, laser beam printers, etc.), facsimile machines, and word processors.

Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses (hereinafter simply referred to as "image forming apparatuses") use an electrophotographic photosensitive member, i.e., a photosensitive drum, as an image carrier. When forming an image on a recording material, the photosensitive drum is first charged. The charged photosensitive drum is exposed to light, forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed into a toner image using toner as a developer. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is then transferred to a recording material such as recording paper or a plastic sheet, and the toner image transferred to the recording material is then fixed to the recording material by applying heat and pressure.

Such image forming devices generally require toner replenishment and maintenance of various process means (photosensitive drum, charging means, developing means, cleaning means, etc.). To facilitate this toner replenishment and maintenance, cartridges that contain the toner replenishment and various process means and are detachably attached to the image forming device body have been put into practical use.

The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known as the above-mentioned apparatus. Patent Document 1 discloses a drive transmission member for transmitting drive from the image forming apparatus main body to the process cartridge. The drive transmission member is provided with an output coupling and an output gear. The process cartridge, which is detachable from the apparatus main body, is provided with an input coupling that receives a rotational force by engaging with the output coupling, and an input gear that receives a rotational force by engaging with the output gear.

JP 2019-105750 A

In order to reduce wear on the drive transmission members of the image forming device, a lubricant may be applied to the drive transmission members. Therefore, it is preferable that the drive transmission members are configured so that it is difficult for a user to touch them.

The object of the present invention is to provide an image forming device that can prevent a user from coming into contact with a drive transmission member.

The image forming apparatus according to the present application comprises:
a device body including a mounting portion configured to accommodate a cartridge including an input coupling portion and an input gear portion;
a drive transmission member provided in the apparatus main body for transmitting a drive force to the cartridge, the drive transmission member including: an output coupling portion that engages with the input coupling portion and is configured to be rotatable about a first axis; and an output gear portion that meshes with the input gear portion and is configured to be rotatable about the first axis, the drive transmission member being coated with a lubricant;
a cover portion that is provided on the device body, is located between the mounting portion and the drive transmission member, and covers the drive transmission member, the cover portion including: a first opening that exposes the output coupling portion so that engagement between the output coupling portion and the input coupling portion is permitted; and a second opening that exposes the output gear portion so that meshing between the output gear portion and the input gear portion is permitted;
having
when the cartridge is removed from the mounting portion, the output gear portion and the input gear portion are separated, and the output coupling portion and the input coupling portion are separated.
It is characterized by:

The image forming apparatus according to the present application comprises:
a device body including a mounting portion configured to accommodate a cartridge including an input coupling portion and an input gear portion;
a drive transmission member provided in the device body for transmitting a drive force to the cartridge, the drive transmission member having an output coupling portion that engages with the input coupling portion and is configured to be rotatable about a first axis, and an output gear portion that meshes with the input gear portion and is configured to be rotatable about the first axis, the drive transmission member being configured to be supplied with a lubricant from the cartridge;
a cover portion that is provided on the device body, is located between the mounting portion and the drive transmission member, and covers the drive transmission member, the cover portion including: a first opening that exposes the output coupling portion so that engagement between the output coupling portion and the input coupling portion is permitted; and a second opening that exposes the output gear portion so that meshing between the output gear portion and the input gear portion is permitted;
having
when the cartridge is removed from the mounting portion, the output gear portion and the input gear portion are separated, and the output coupling portion and the input coupling portion are separated.
It is characterized by:

The present invention provides an image forming device that can prevent a user from coming into contact with a drive transmission member.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a main body and a cartridge of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge according to the first embodiment. 1A is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus showing an opening and closing state of an opening door of Example 1, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an apparatus main body of Example 1 showing an opening and closing state of the opening door of Example 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission member in the first embodiment when the opening and closing door is closed. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a cylindrical cam in a state where the opening/closing door of the first embodiment is open. FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus when the cartridge of Example 1 is mounted, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus main body when the cartridge of Example 1 is mounted, as viewed from the driving side. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus main body when the cartridge of Example 1 is mounted, as viewed from the non-driving side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the driving side of the cartridge of the first embodiment. 1A is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus showing a cartridge pressing portion and a positioning portion on a driving side of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge pressing portion and a positioning portion on a non-driving side of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drive transmission member according to the first embodiment. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the drive transmission member in the thrust direction when the coupling protrusion and the coupling recess of the first embodiment are engaged with each other. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment, as viewed from a drive side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a bearing that supports a drive transmission member according to the first embodiment. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing the posture of the drive transmission member when the coupling is engaged in the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the posture of the drive transmission member when the opening and closing door is opened in the first embodiment. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the attitude of the drive transmission member when the opening and closing door of the first embodiment is opened. FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a movable restricting member of the cartridge of Example 1, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the operation restricting member of Example 1, as viewed from the drive side of the cartridge, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the operation restricting member of Example 1, as viewed along a direction intersecting the axis of the photosensitive drum. 6A to 6C are cross-sectional views showing the inclination operation of the drive transmission member when the cartridge is mounted in the first embodiment. 1A is a perspective view showing a drive transmission member and a cover part of the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the drive transmission member and the cover part when the coupling recess and the coupling protrusion of the first embodiment are engaged, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the drive transmission member and the cover part of the first embodiment with the opening and closing door open. 6A to 6C are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the movable restricting member when the cartridge of the first embodiment is mounted and removed. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a coupling recess and a coupling protrusion of a second embodiment are engaged with each other. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the coupling of the second embodiment is disengaged and the drive transmission member is not inclined. FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the coupling of the second embodiment is disengaged and the drive transmission member is tilted. 13 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a cylindrical cam when the drive transmission member of the second embodiment is in a first position. FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating a cam shape of a first side plate according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a schematic diagram illustrating a cam shape of a first side plate according to the second embodiment. 13 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a cylindrical cam when the drive transmission member of the second embodiment is in a second position. FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the cylindrical cam when the drive transmission member of the second embodiment is in a third position. 13A is a perspective view showing a supporting side plate and a bearing according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a contact portion of a drive transmission member according to a third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the drive transmission member of the third embodiment is in a first position. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the drive transmission member of the third embodiment is in a second position.

Example 1
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The overall configuration and image forming process will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the main body (electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, image forming apparatus main body) A of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and a process cartridge (hereinafter referred to as cartridge B). Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of cartridge B.

Here, the device main body A refers to the electrophotographic image forming device excluding the cartridge B.

<Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
The electrophotographic image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus) shown in FIG. 1 is a laser beam printer that utilizes electrophotographic technology.

The image forming apparatus has an apparatus main body A. Inside the apparatus main body A, a mounting section (space for accommodating the cartridge) Q is formed, which is configured to allow the mounting of the cartridge B. The cartridge B is configured to be detachable from the mounting section Q of the apparatus main body A. In other words, the mounting section Q is configured to accommodate the cartridge B. The apparatus main body A includes an exposure device 3 (laser scanner unit). The cartridge B includes a photosensitive drum 62 as an image carrier (photosensitive body). When the cartridge B is mounted in the apparatus main body A, the exposure device 3 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 62 of the cartridge B. In addition, a sheet tray 4 is disposed below the cartridge B, which stores sheet material PA as a recording medium (recording material) on which an image is to be formed.

In addition, in the device main body A, a pickup roller 5a, a pair of feeding rollers 5b, a transfer guide 6, a transfer roller 7, a transport guide 8, a fixing device 9, a pair of discharge rollers 10, a discharge tray 11, etc. are arranged along the transport direction D of the sheet material PA. The fixing device 9 is composed of a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b.

In the following description, the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 62 when the cartridge B is mounted in the mounting portion Q is referred to as the longitudinal direction. In addition, in the longitudinal direction, the side on which the photosensitive drum 62 receives a driving force from the device main body A is referred to as the driving side, and the opposite side is referred to as the non-driving side.

<Image Formation Process>
Next, an outline of the image forming process will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the photosensitive drum 62 is rotated in the direction of arrow R at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed) based on a print start signal.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, cartridge B has a charging roller (charging member) 66 to which a voltage is applied from the power supply of the main body A of the apparatus. The charging roller 66 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 62 and charges the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 62.

The exposure device 3 outputs laser light L corresponding to the image information. The laser light L passes through a laser aperture provided in the cartridge B and scans and exposes the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 62. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 62.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, cartridge B has a developing unit 20 as a developing device. The developing unit 20 is equipped with a toner chamber 29 that stores toner T as a developer, a magnet roller 34, a developing roller 32, and a developing blade 42 as a layer thickness regulating member. The toner T in the toner chamber 29 is carried on the surface of the developing roller 32 by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 34 (fixed magnet). The developing roller 32 is a developer carrier that carries developer (toner T) on its surface in order to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 62.

As the developing roller 32 rotates in the direction of the arrow S, the toner T is frictionally charged by the developing blade 42, and the thickness of the toner layer formed on the developing roller 32 is further regulated.

Toner T is supplied to the photosensitive drum 62 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image, and develops the electrostatic latent image. This makes the electrostatic latent image visible as a toner image. The photosensitive drum 62 is an image carrier (photosensitive member) that carries on its surface the electrostatic latent image and an image formed with toner (toner image, developer image).

In synchronization with the output timing of the laser light L, the sheet material PA is sent out from the sheet tray 4 by the pickup roller 5a and the pair of feed rollers 5b. The sheet material PA is transported via the transfer guide 6 to the transfer position between the photosensitive drum 62 and the transfer roller 7. At the transfer position, the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 62 to the sheet material PA.

The sheet material PA onto which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 62 and transported along the transport guide 8 to the fixing device 9. The sheet material PA then passes through the nip between the heating roller 9a and pressure roller 9b of the fixing device 9. A pressure and heat fixing process is performed in this nip, and the toner image is fixed to the sheet material PA. The sheet material PA which has had the toner image fixed is transported to the pair of discharge rollers 10 and discharged to the discharge tray 11.

If the sheet material PA becomes clogged inside the device main body A, the opening and closing door 13, which will be described later, is opened and the cartridge B is removed from the mounting portion Q. Then, the sheet material PA can be removed through the mounting portion Q.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, cartridge B is equipped with a photosensitive drum 62, a cleaning blade 77 as a cleaning member, a charging roller 66, and a photosensitive unit 60 having a drum frame 71 that supports these. Toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 62 after passing the transfer position is removed by the cleaning blade 77. The toner removed from the photosensitive drum 62 is stored in a removed toner chamber 71a provided in the drum frame 71.

In this embodiment, the charging roller 66, the developing roller 32, the transfer roller 7, and the cleaning blade 77 are process means that act on the photosensitive drum 62. Of these, the charging roller 66, the developing roller 32, and the cleaning blade 77 are provided in the cartridge B.

<Opening/closing door of the device body and drive transmission member>
Next, the relationship between the opening and closing of the door 13, which is operated when the cartridge B is mounted or removed, and the drive transmission member 81 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus showing the opening and closing of the opening door 13. Figure 3(a) is a perspective view of the apparatus main body A with the opening door 13 open. Figure 3(b) is a perspective view of the apparatus main body A with the opening door 13 closed. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the drive transmission member 81 with the opening door 13 closed. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the cylindrical cam 86 with the opening door 13 open. Note that Figures 3(a), 3(b), and 5 are drawn without showing some parts of the apparatus main body A (including the drive transmission member 81).

As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the device main body A includes an opening/closing door 13, a cylindrical cam link 85, and a cylindrical cam 86. The opening/closing door 13 includes cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 on the driving side and non-driving side. The cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 include pressing springs.

Furthermore, the device body A has a first side plate 15 provided on the driving side and a second side plate 16 provided on the non-driving side.

As shown in FIG. 4, the device main body A includes a drive transmission member 81 that engages with a cylindrical cam 86. The drive transmission member 81 is configured to transmit a driving force to the cartridge B. The cylindrical cam 86 is disposed so as to be located between the drive transmission member 81 and the first side plate 15. Furthermore, the device main body A includes a bearing 94 that supports the drive transmission member 81. A support side plate 93 is provided on the drive side of the device main body A, and the bearing 94 is attached to the support side plate 93. The drive transmission member 81 includes a coupling recess 81b, which will be described later, and the coupling recess 81b is exposed toward the mounting portion Q.

The opening/closing door 13 is an opening/closing member for opening and closing the mounting section Q (space that houses the cartridge) for mounting the cartridge B. The opening/closing door 13 is rotatably attached to the first side plate 15 and the second side plate 16. More specifically, the apparatus main body A has a mounting opening 17 for mounting the cartridge B to the mounting section Q (see FIG. 1). The mounting opening 17 is configured to communicate with the mounting section Q (see FIG. 1). The opening/closing door 13 is configured to cover the mounting opening 17 and the mounting section Q when the opening/closing door 13 is closed. When mounting the cartridge B to the apparatus main body A, the cartridge B is inserted from the mounting opening 17 toward the mounting section Q with the opening/closing door 13 open.

The cylindrical cam 86 is attached to the first side plate 15 so as to be rotatable and movable in the longitudinal direction. The cylindrical cam 86 has three inclined surfaces 86a, 86b, and 86c. The first side plate 15 has three inclined surfaces 15d, 15e, and 15f that face the three inclined surfaces 86a, 86b, and 86c.

In addition, in the longitudinal direction, an end portion 86d adjacent to the inclined surface portion 86a is disposed on the non-driven side of the inclined surface portion 86a. The first side plate 15 has an end face 15g facing the end portion 86d. In this embodiment, the cylindrical cam 86 has an end portion 86d adjacent to the inclined surface portion 86b and an end portion 86d adjacent to the inclined surface portion 86c, as well as an end portion 86d adjacent to the inclined surface portion 86a. The end faces 15g of the first side plate 15 are provided in multiple locations so as to face the respective end portions 86d.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cylindrical cam 86 and the cylindrical cam link 85 are rotatably connected by engaging a boss 86e on the cylindrical cam 86 with a mounting hole 85b on the cylindrical cam link 85. Also, as shown in FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 3(b), the other end of the cylindrical cam link 85 is rotatably connected to the opening and closing door 13.

When the opening/closing door 13 is opened, the cylindrical cam link 85 moves in conjunction with the opening/closing door 13, and the cylindrical cam 86 rotates in the direction of arrow P (see FIG. 5). When the cylindrical cam 86 rotates, the sloped surfaces 86a, 86b, and 86c slide along the sloped surfaces 15d, 15e, and 15f. This causes the cylindrical cam 86 to move in the longitudinal direction from the non-driving side to the driving side (direction away from the mounting portion Q). In other words, the cylindrical cam 86 moves in the longitudinal direction in the direction away from the cartridge B. The cylindrical cam 86 moves to a position where one end 86d of the cylindrical cam 86 abuts against the end face 15g of the first side plate 15.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the drive transmission member 81 has one end 81c on the driving side in the axial direction (rotation axis direction) of the drive transmission member 81 fitted into the bearing 94. As a result, the drive transmission member 81 is supported by the bearing 94 so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction. The drive transmission member 81 has an abutment surface 81e, and the cylindrical cam 86 has an abutment portion 86f facing the abutment surface 81e. A gap is provided between the center portion 81d of the drive transmission member 81 in the longitudinal direction and the first side plate 15. Near this gap, a tilting member 97 equipped with a tilting biasing spring 98 for tilting the drive transmission member 81 is provided on the first side plate 15. A detailed description of the tilting member 97 will be given later.

As described above, the cylindrical cam 86 moves in the longitudinal direction away from the cartridge B. As a result, the abutment surface 81e of the drive transmission member 81 is pressed by the abutment portion 86f of the cylindrical cam 86, and the drive transmission member 81 moves in the longitudinal direction away from the cartridge B. In other words, the drive transmission member 81 moves in the longitudinal direction away from the mounting portion Q. This causes the drive transmission member 81 to take up the retracted position.

As described above, in conjunction with the movement of the opening/closing door 13 to the open position, the drive transmission member 81 moves from the position where it transmits drive to the cartridge B to the retracted position. When the drive transmission member 81 is in the retracted position, the drive transmission member 81 is retracted from the path through which the cartridge B passes when the cartridge B is installed. This ensures that space for installing the cartridge B is secured inside the main body A of the apparatus.

In other words, the cylindrical cam 86 and the cylindrical cam link 85 are a retraction member (retraction mechanism) that moves the drive transmission member 81 to a retracted position in conjunction with the movement of the opening/closing door 13 to the open position.

When the opening/closing door 13 is closed, the cylindrical cam 86 rotates via the cylindrical cam link 85 so that the inclined surfaces 86a, 86b, and 86c follow the inclined surfaces 15d, 15e, and 15f of the first side plate 15. The cylindrical cam 86 then moves to the non-driven side (the side approaching cartridge B) in the longitudinal direction. This allows the drive transmission member 81, which was in the retracted position, to move to the non-driven side (the side approaching cartridge B) in the longitudinal direction.

<Installing the cartridge>
Next, the mounting of the cartridge B will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus when the cartridge B is mounted. Fig. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus main body A as viewed from the driving side when the cartridge B is mounted. Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus main body A as viewed from the non-driving side when the cartridge B is mounted.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), the first side plate 15 has an upper guide rail 15h and a lower guide rail 15i. In addition, the drive side of the cartridge B is provided with a drum bearing 73 that supports a coupling protrusion 63b, which will be described later. The drum bearing 73 is fixed to the drum frame 71 of the photosensitive unit 60. The drum bearing 73 has a guided portion 73g and a rotation-stopped portion 73c. In the mounting direction (arrow C) of the cartridge B, the guided portion 73g and the rotation-stopped portion 73c are located upstream of the axis of the coupling protrusion 63b.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the second side plate 16 has an upper guide rail 16h and a lower guide rail 16i. In addition, on the non-driven side in the longitudinal direction, the cartridge B has a positioning portion 71d and a rotation-stopping portion 71g provided on the drum frame 71.

The mounting direction C of the cartridge B is a direction that intersects with the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 62 (in this embodiment, a direction perpendicular to the direction). Note that the upstream and downstream of the mounting direction C correspond to the upstream and downstream in the movement direction of the cartridge B immediately before the mounting to the apparatus main body A is completed.

When cartridge B is mounted through the mounting opening 17 of the device main body A, on the driven side, the guided portion 73g and the rotation-stopped portion 73c of cartridge B are guided by the upper guide rail 15h and the lower guide rail 15i of the device main body A. On the non-driven side, the positioned portion 71d and the rotation-stopped portion 71g of cartridge B are guided by the upper guide rail 16h and the guide rail 16i of the device main body A. In this way, cartridge B is mounted in the device main body A.

<Cartridge drive input section>
The drive input portion of the cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the drive side of the cartridge. As shown in Figure 7, a developing roller gear 30 is provided at the end of the developing roller 32. Specifically, the developing roller gear 30 is connected to the shaft of the developing roller 32.

The developing roller 32 and the developing roller gear 30 are coaxial and rotate around the axis (rotation axis) Ax2 shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the axis Ax2 of the developing roller 32 is arranged parallel to the axis (rotation axis) Ax1 of the photosensitive drum 62. Therefore, the axial direction of the developing roller gear 30 is parallel to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 62. In addition, in the direction perpendicular to the axis Ax1 of the photosensitive drum 63, the axis Ax2 of the developing roller 32 is separated from the axis Ax1 of the photosensitive drum 63.

The developing roller gear 30 is a drive input gear (input gear, cartridge side gear, drive input member) to which a drive force (rotational force) is input from the outside of the cartridge B (i.e., the apparatus main body A). The developing roller 32 is configured to rotate by the drive force received by the developing roller gear 30.

A drive side drum flange (drum side coupling, cartridge side coupling, photosensitive member side coupling, input coupling) 63 is provided at the end of the photosensitive drum 62. A coupling protrusion 63b is formed on the drive side drum flange 63. The coupling protrusion 63b is a coupling portion (drum side coupling portion, cartridge side coupling portion, photosensitive member side coupling portion, input coupling portion, drive input portion) to which a drive force (rotational force) is input from the outside of the cartridge B (i.e., the apparatus main body A). The coupling protrusion 63b is arranged coaxially with the photosensitive drum 62. In other words, the coupling protrusion 63b rotates around the axis Ax1.

As shown in FIG. 7, a space 87 is provided on the drive side of the cartridge B, which exposes the developing roller gear 30 and the coupling protrusion 63b to the outside of the cartridge B. In the direction perpendicular to the axis Ax2, the space 87 is located on the photosensitive drum 62 side of the developing roller gear 30.

In addition, in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B (the same as the direction of the axis Ax1 and the direction of the axis Ax2), the side on which the coupling protrusion 63b is provided corresponds to the driving side, and the opposite side corresponds to the non-driving side.

As shown in FIG. 7, the developing roller gear 30 has an input gear portion (input gear portion, cartridge side gear portion, developing side gear portion) 30a and an end face 30a1 provided on the driving side of the gear portion. The teeth (gear teeth) formed on the outer periphery of the input gear portion 30a are helical teeth inclined with respect to the axis of the developing roller gear 30. In other words, the developing roller gear 30 is a helical gear.

Here, "helical teeth" also includes a shape in which multiple protrusions are arranged along a line inclined relative to the gear axis, essentially forming a helical tooth portion.

As shown in FIG. 4, the drive transmission member (drive output member, main body side drive member) 81 has an output gear portion (main body side gear portion, output gear portion, output gear) 81a for driving the developing roller gear 30. The output gear portion 81a has an end face 81a1 at the end on the non-driven side. The teeth (gear teeth) formed on the output gear portion 81a are also helical teeth inclined with respect to the axis of the drive transmission member 81. In other words, the drive transmission member 81 also has a portion that is a helical gear. The output gear portion 81a is configured to mesh with the developing roller gear 30.

The drive transmission member 81 also has a coupling recess 81b that engages with the coupling protrusion 63b. The coupling recess 81b is a coupling portion (main body side coupling portion, output coupling portion) provided on the device main body side. The coupling recess 81b is a recess formed in the coupling cylindrical portion 81i provided at the tip of the drive transmission member 81 to engage with the coupling protrusion 63b provided on the photosensitive drum 62 side. The output gear portion 81a and the coupling recess 81b are arranged coaxially. That is, the output gear portion 81a and the coupling recess 81b are configured to be rotatable around one rotation axis (first axis). Note that, when the output gear portion 81a meshes with the developing roller gear 30 and the coupling recess 81b engages with the coupling protrusion 63b, these parts rotate around the axis Ax1 of the photosensitive drum 62. Note that, in this embodiment, the output gear portion 81a and the coupling recess 81b are integrally formed.

When cartridge B is attached to the device main body A, the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 is disposed in the space 87, which is configured to expose the input gear portion 30a and the coupling protrusion 63b. Therefore, the space 87 is larger than the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81. Due to the existence of the space 87, the drive transmission member 81 does not interfere with cartridge B when cartridge B is attached to the device main body A. By disposing the drive transmission member 81 inside the space 87, the attachment of cartridge B to the device main body A is permitted.

When the cartridge B is viewed along the axis Ax1 of the photosensitive drum 62 (the axis of the coupling protrusion 63b), the gear teeth formed on the input gear portion 30a are disposed in a position close to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 62. The gear teeth of the input gear portion 30a have an exposed portion 30a3 exposed from the cartridge B. More specifically, the developing unit 20 is provided with a drive side cover 26, and a part of the input gear portion 30a is exposed from the drive side cover 26. Since the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 is exposed from the drive side cover 26, the output gear portion 81a meshes with the input gear portion 30a without interfering with the drive side cover 26, enabling drive transmission.

As shown in FIG. 7, at least a portion of the exposed portion 30a3 of the input gear portion 30a is disposed outside the tip 63b1 of the coupling protrusion 63b in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B. The exposed portion 30a3 faces the axis Ax1 (or an extension of the axis Ax1) of the photosensitive drum 62. In other words, the exposed portion 30a3 faces the axis of the coupling protrusion 63b (or an extension of the axis of the coupling protrusion 63b). In this embodiment, when the cartridge B is mounted in the mounting portion Q, the axis Ax1 of the photosensitive drum 62 is located above the exposed portion 30a3 of the input gear portion 30a.

As shown in FIG. 7, at least a portion of the input gear portion 30a protrudes toward the driving side (outside) from the coupling protrusion 63b in the direction of the axis Ax1. In the direction of the axis Ax1, the input gear portion 30a is disposed so as to overlap with the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81. Furthermore, since a portion of the input gear portion 30a is exposed so as to face the axis Ax1 of the photosensitive drum 62, the input gear portion 30a and the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 can come into contact with each other during the process of inserting the cartridge B into the apparatus main body A.

The above-mentioned positional relationship allows the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 and the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 to mesh with each other during the process of mounting the cartridge B into the apparatus main body A.

In addition, in the mounting direction C of the cartridge B, the center (axis Ax2) of the input gear portion 30a is arranged upstream of the center (axis Ax1) of the photosensitive drum 62.

On the other hand, the drum bearing 73 has a mating portion 73h as a portion to be positioned in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B (portion to be positioned in the axial direction). The first side plate 15 of the main body A of the apparatus has a mating portion 15j (see FIG. 17) that can be mated with the mating portion 73h. The mating portion 73h of the cartridge B mates with the mating portion 15j of the main body A of the apparatus during the process of mounting the cartridge B to the mounting portion Q. This determines the longitudinal position of the cartridge B. In this embodiment, the mating portion 73h is a slit (groove).

<Opening and closing door operation>
Next, the state in which the opening and closing door 13 is closed will be described with reference to FIG.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus showing a cartridge pressing portion and a positioning portion. Figure 8(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a cartridge pressing portion and a positioning portion on the driving side, and Figure 8(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a cartridge pressing portion and a positioning portion on the non-driving side.

As shown in FIG. 8(a), on the drive side, the first side plate 15 has an upper positioning portion 15a, a lower positioning portion 15b, and a rotation stop portion 15c for positioning. The drum bearing 73 has an upper positioned portion (first positioned portion, first protrusion, first protruding portion) 73d and a lower positioned portion (second positioned portion, second protrusion, second protruding portion) 73f. Furthermore, the drum bearing 73 has a pressed portion 73e as a force receiving portion on the cartridge side. The first side plate 15 has a pressed portion 15k as a force receiving portion on the device main body side.

As shown in FIG. 8(b), on the non-driven side, the second side plate 16 has a positioning portion 16a and a rotation stop portion 16c. It has a positioned portion 71d and a rotation stop portion 71g. Cartridge B also has a positioned portion 71d and a rotation stop portion 71g. Cartridge B also has a pressed portion 71o as a force receiving portion on the cartridge side. The second side plate 16 has a pressed portion 16k as a force receiving portion on the device main body side.

As shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), the device main body A includes cartridge pressing members 1 and 2. The cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 are slidably attached to both ends of the opening/closing door 13 in the axial direction. Cartridge pressing springs 1a and 2a are attached to the cartridge pressing members 1 and 2.

By closing the opening/closing door 13, on the driven side, the pressed portion 73e of the cartridge B and the pressed portion 15k of the device main body A are pressed by the cartridge pressing member 1 biased by the cartridge pressing spring 1a. On the non-driven side, the pressed portion 71o of the cartridge B and the pressed portion 16k of the device main body A are pressed by the cartridge pressing member 2 biased by the cartridge pressing spring 2a.

As a result, on the drive side, the upper positioned portion 73d, the lower positioned portion 73f, and the rotation stop portion 73c abut against the upper positioning portion 15a, the lower positioning portion 15b, and the rotation stop portion 15c of the device main body A, respectively. As a result, the cartridge B and the photosensitive drum 62 are positioned on the drive side. Also, on the non-drive side, the positioned portion 71d and the rotation stop portion 71g of the cartridge B abut against the positioning portion 16a and the rotation stop portion 16c of the device main body A, respectively. As a result, the cartridge B and the photosensitive drum 62 are positioned on the non-drive side.

As described above, the pressed portions 73e and 71o are disposed at one end (driving side) and the other end (non-driving side) of the cartridge B, respectively, in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B. In particular, the pressed portion 73e is provided on the drum bearing 73. The pressed portions 73e and 71o have a concave shape (V-shape) so that the positions of the cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 are determined, and the cartridge pressing members 1 and 2 are positioned by the pressed portions 73e and 71o.

<Space for exposing the developing roller gear and the coupling protrusion>
Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a space 87 in which the drive transmission member 81 is disposed and which exposes the developing roller gear 30 and the coupling protrusion 63b to the outside of the cartridge B will be described.

7, the upper positioned portion 73d and the lower positioned portion 73f are disposed near the photosensitive drum 62. The upper positioned portion 73d and the lower positioned portion 73f are arranged in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 62. In addition, the upper positioned portion 73d and the lower positioned portion 73f need to be arranged in the drum bearing 73 to secure a transfer space (arc-shaped recess) 73l between the upper positioned portion 73d and the lower positioned portion 73f for the transfer roller 7 to abut against the photosensitive drum 62. Therefore, the upper positioned portion 73d and the lower positioned portion 73f are disposed apart from each other. The upper positioned portion 73d and the lower positioned portion 73f are protrusions that protrude from the drum bearing 73 toward the inside of the cartridge B in the direction of the axis Ax1. As described above, a space 87 needs to be secured around the coupling protrusion 63b. Therefore, the upper positioned portion 73d and the lower positioned portion 73f do not protrude to the outside of the cartridge B in the direction of the axis Ax1, but protrude to the inside of the cartridge B, thereby securing a space 87.

The upper positioned portion 73d and the lower positioned portion 73f are arranged so as to partially cover the driving side drum flange 63 provided at the end of the photosensitive drum 62. In other words, when the upper positioned portion 73d and the driving side drum flange 63 are projected in a direction perpendicular to the axis Ax1 of the photosensitive drum 62, the projected areas of the upper positioned portion 73d and the driving side drum flange 63 at least partially overlap. In this regard, the lower positioned portion 73f is similar to the upper positioned portion 73d.

As described above, by closing the door 13, the cylindrical cam 81 rotates and becomes movable in the longitudinal direction to the non-driven side (the side approaching cartridge B). In addition, the drive transmission member 81, which was in the retracted position, becomes movable in the longitudinal direction to the non-driven side (the side approaching cartridge B).

<Drive Start Operation of Drive Transmission Member>
Next, the drive start operation of the drive transmission member after the opening and closing door is closed will be described with reference to FIGS.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the drive transmission member 81. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the movement of the drive transmission member 81 in the thrust direction when the coupling protrusion 63b and the coupling recess engage.

As shown in FIG. 9, the drive transmission member 81 has a coupling recess 81b and a tip portion 81b1 of the coupling recess 81b, and the coupling recess 81b has a bottom portion 81b2 as an axial positioning portion. In this embodiment, the coupling recess 81b of the drive transmission member 81 is a hole having a substantially triangular cross section. The coupling recess 81b has a shape that is twisted in the counterclockwise direction N from the non-drive side (cartridge side, opening side of the recess 81b) toward the drive side (the back side of the recess 81b). The output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 is a helical gear, and has gear teeth that are twisted in the counterclockwise direction N from the non-drive side (cartridge side) toward the drive side.

The output gear portion 81a and the coupling recess 81b are arranged so that the axis of the output gear portion 81a and the axis of the coupling recess 81b overlap with the axis of the drive transmission member 81. In other words, the output gear portion 81a and the coupling recess 81b are arranged coaxially (concentrically). That is, as described above, the output gear portion 81a and the coupling recess 81b are configured to be rotatable around one rotation axis (first axis). Note that when the output gear portion 81a meshes with the developing roller gear 30 and the coupling recess 81b engages with the coupling protrusion 63b, these parts rotate around the axis Ax1 of the photosensitive drum 62.

As shown in FIG. 7, the drum bearing 73 has a concave bottom surface 73i around the coupling protrusion 63b. The driving side drum flange 63 also has the coupling protrusion 63b and a tip portion 63b1 at the tip of the coupling protrusion 63b. The coupling protrusion 63b of the driving side drum flange 63 has a substantially triangular cross section and is a convex shape (protrusion, protrusion). The coupling protrusion 63b has a shape that is twisted counterclockwise from the driving side (tip side of the coupling protrusion 63b) toward the non-driving side (bottom side of the coupling protrusion 63b). In other words, in the direction of the axis Ax1, the coupling protrusion 63b is twisted in the drum rotation direction R from the outside to the inside of the cartridge B.

The coupling protrusion 63b is a driving force receiving portion that receives a driving force from the coupling recess 81b. The coupling recess 81b is also a driving force applying portion that applies a driving force to the coupling protrusion 63b. More specifically, the portion (ridge line) that forms the corner (the apex of the triangle) of the triangular prism of the coupling protrusion 63b is the portion that receives the driving force (rotational force) from the coupling recess 81b.

The cross-sectional shapes of the coupling protrusion 63b and the coupling recess 81b are curved and not strictly triangular (polygonal), but are referred to as substantially triangular (polygonal). In other words, the coupling protrusion 63b is substantially a twisted triangular prism (prism) protrusion. However, the shape of the coupling protrusion 63b is not limited to this. The shape of the coupling protrusion 63b may be changed as long as it can engage with the coupling recess 81b and receive drive. For example, the coupling protrusion 63b may have a twisted shape of a non-circular protrusion. The coupling protrusion 63b may also have a shape in which three protrusions are arranged at the vertices of a triangle, and each protrusion is twisted around the axis of the photosensitive drum 62.

As shown in FIG. 7, the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 is a helical gear, and has a shape that is twisted (inclined) clockwise from the driven side to the non-driven side. In other words, in the axial direction of the input gear portion 30a, the gear teeth of the input gear portion 30a are inclined (twisted) clockwise (the direction of rotation of the developing roller and developing roller gear) from the outside to the inside of the cartridge B. In other words, the input gear portion 30a is inclined (twisted) in the opposite direction to the rotation direction R of the photosensitive drum 62 from the outside to the inside in the axial direction.

The drive transmission member 81 is rotated by a motor (not shown) of the main body A of the apparatus. The drive transmission member 81 rotates in a clockwise direction (the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 62) when viewed from the non-driven side (cartridge side).

As shown in FIG. 10, a thrust force (a force directed in the axial direction of the gear) is generated by the meshing of the helical teeth between the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30. An axial (longitudinal) force FA is applied to the drive transmission member 81, and the drive transmission member 81 moves in the longitudinal direction to the non-driven side (the side approaching cartridge B). In other words, the drive transmission member 81 approaches and comes into contact with the coupling protrusion 63b.

When the drive transmission member 81 rotates and the phase of the triangle in the coupling recess 81b matches the phase of the triangle in the coupling protrusion 63b, the coupling protrusion 63b and the coupling recess 81b engage.

When the coupling protrusion 63b and the coupling recess 81b engage, a new thrust force FC is generated because both the coupling recess 81b and the coupling protrusion 63b are twisted (inclined) relative to the axis.

In other words, a force FC acts on the drive transmission member 81 toward the non-driven side in the longitudinal direction (the side approaching cartridge B). This force FC combines with the previously described force FA, causing the drive transmission member 81 to move further toward the non-driven side in the longitudinal direction (the side approaching cartridge B). In other words, the coupling protrusion 63b has the function of bringing the drive transmission member 81 closer to the coupling protrusion 63b.

The drive transmission member 81 is attracted by the coupling protrusion 63b, and the tip 81b1 of the drive transmission member 81 abuts against the concave bottom surface 73i of the drum bearing 73, and is positioned in the longitudinal direction (axial direction).

A reaction force FB of the force FC acts on the photosensitive drum 62, which moves the photosensitive drum 62 in the longitudinal direction toward the driving side (the side approaching the drive transmission member 81, the outside of the cartridge B). In other words, the photosensitive drum 62 and the coupling protrusion 63b are attracted to the drive transmission member 81. This causes the tip 63b1 of the coupling protrusion 63b to abut against the bottom 81b2 of the coupling recess 81b. This also positions the photosensitive drum 62 in the axial direction (longitudinal direction).

In other words, the coupling protrusion 63b and the coupling recess 81b are attracted to each other, and the positions of the photosensitive drum 62 and the drive transmission member 81 are determined in the longitudinal direction (the direction of the axis Ax1).

In this state, the drive transmission member 81 is in the drive position (advanced position). In other words, the drive transmission member 81 is in a position for transmitting drive force to the coupling protrusion 63b and the input gear portion 30a, and is in a position advanced toward the cartridge B.

This advanced position can also be called an engaged position where the coupling recess 81b engages with the coupling protrusion 63b. In other words, the drive transmission member 81 is configured to be movable between a position where the coupling recess 81b is separated from the coupling protrusion 63b (retracted position) and the engaged position.

In this embodiment, when the cartridge B is mounted in the mounting portion Q, the door 13 is opened once, and the drive transmission member 81 is positioned in the retracted position. Then, when the cartridge B is mounted and the door 13 is closed, the drive transmission member 81 is in the retracted position and is in a state in which it can move in a direction toward the cartridge B. At this time, with the drive transmission member 81 in the retracted position, the output gear portion 81a meshes with the input gear portion 30a. The force (thrust force) generated when the output gear portion 81a drives the input gear portion 30a moves the drive transmission member 81 from the retracted position to an engagement position where the coupling recess 81b engages with the coupling protrusion 63b.

In addition, due to the triangular centering action of the coupling recess 81b, the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81 coincides with the rotation axis of the drive side drum flange 63. In other words, the drive transmission member 81 is centered relative to the drum flange 63, and the drive transmission member 81 and the photosensitive drum 62 are coaxial. This allows the drive force to be transmitted from the drive transmission member 81 to the developing roller gear 30 and the drive side drum flange 63 with high precision.

In other words, the coupling recess 81b and the coupling protrusion 63b function as a centering section. That is, when the coupling recess 81b and the coupling protrusion 63b engage with each other, the drive transmission member 81 and the photosensitive drum 62 become coaxial with each other. The coupling recess 81b can be called the main body side centering section, and the coupling protrusion 63b can be called the cartridge side centering section.

As explained above, the forces FA and FC acting on the drive transmission member 81 toward the non-drive side assist the engagement of the coupling.

In addition, by positioning the drive transmission member 81 in the longitudinal direction by a drum bearing (bearing member) 73 provided on the cartridge B, the positional accuracy of the drive transmission member 81 relative to the cartridge B can be improved. This improves the positional accuracy of the output gear portion 81a relative to the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30. Therefore, the width of the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 can be reduced in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge B. As a result, the cartridge B and the apparatus main body A into which the cartridge B is mounted can be made smaller.

In addition, the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 are helical gears. Helical gears have a higher meshing rate between the gears than spur gears. As a result, the rotational accuracy of the developing roller 32 is improved, and the developing roller 32 rotates smoothly.

The inclination direction of the helical teeth of the input gear portion 30a and the output gear portion 81a is set so that the input gear portion 30a and the output gear portion 81a generate forces (forces FA and FB) that attract each other. In other words, when the input gear portion 30a and the output gear portion 81a rotate in a meshed state, a force is generated that brings the coupling recess 81b provided on the drive transmission member 81 and the coupling protrusion 63b provided on the end of the photosensitive drum 62 closer together. As a result, the drive transmission member 81 moves toward the cartridge B, and the coupling recess 81b also approaches the coupling protrusion 63b. This assists the engagement of the coupling recess 81b and the coupling protrusion 63b.

<Coupling engagement conditions>
Next, the conditions for engaging the coupling will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 11. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus as viewed from the drive side.

As shown in Figures 7 and 11, the drum bearing 73 has a restricting portion (first restricting portion) 73j that serves as a tilt restricting portion (movement restricting portion, position restricting portion, stopper) for restricting the movement of the drive transmission member 81 and restricting (suppressing) tilting of the drive transmission member 81.

As described above, when the drive transmission member 81 starts to rotate in the rotation direction R of the photosensitive drum 62, the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 meshes with the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30. In other words, when the drive transmission member 81 is in the retracted position, the output gear portion 81a drives the input gear portion 30a. Meanwhile, the coupling recess 81b and the coupling protrusion 63b are not engaged or are insufficiently engaged. In this state, when the output gear portion 81a transmits the drive force to the input gear portion 30a, a meshing force FD is generated in the output gear portion 81a due to the meshing of the gears.

When this meshing force FD is applied to the drive transmission member 81, the drive transmission member 81 tries to move in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81. As described above, only one end 81c (the end farther from the cartridge B) of the drive transmission member 81 is supported by the bearing 94. Therefore, the drive transmission member 81 tilts with the one end 81c on the driving side as a fulcrum. Then, the end (free end, tip) of the drive transmission member 81 on the side where the coupling recess 81b is provided moves. In other words, the coupling recess 81b of the drive transmission member 81 tries to move in a direction perpendicular to the axis Ax1 of the photosensitive drum 62, away from the axis Ax1.

If the drive transmission member 81 tilts significantly, the coupling recess 81b will be unable to engage with the coupling protrusion 63b. To avoid this, a regulating portion 73j is provided on the cartridge B to restrict (restrict) the tilt of the drive transmission member 81 within a certain range. In other words, when the drive transmission member 81 tilts, the regulating portion 73j supports the drive transmission member 81, preventing the tilt from becoming too large. In other words, the regulating portion 73j is configured to restrict the movement of the drive transmission member 81 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81. In other words, the regulating portion 73j is positioned to restrict the drive transmission member 81 from moving (tilting) due to the meshing force FD.

In this embodiment, the regulating portion 73j of the drum bearing 73 is an arc-shaped curved surface portion arranged to face the axis of the photosensitive drum 62 (the axis of the coupling protrusion 63b, or an extension of these axes). The regulating portion 73j can also be called a protruding portion that protrudes to cover the axis Ax1 of the photosensitive drum 62. Between the regulating portion 73j and the axis Ax1 of the photosensitive drum 62 is a space 87 in which no components of the process cartridge B are disposed. In other words, the regulating portion 73j faces the space 87, and the regulating portion 73j forms the edge (outer edge) of the space 87.

As shown in FIG. 11, the direction in which the meshing force FD occurs is determined by the front pressure angle α of the output gear portion 81a (i.e., the front pressure angle α of the developing roller gear 30). The direction of the meshing force FD is a direction (arrow FDa) of (90+α) degrees upstream in the rotation direction R of the photosensitive drum 62 with respect to the straight line LN extending from the center 62a of the photosensitive drum 62 (the center of the drive transmission member 81) toward the center 30b of the developing roller gear 30. Note that it is not necessary for the regulating portion 73j to be positioned so as to overlap the arrow FDa, and it is preferable for the regulating portion 73j to be positioned near the arrow FDa.

It is also desirable that the restricting portion 73j be located upstream of the center (axis) of the coupling protrusion 63b in the cartridge mounting direction C. This is to ensure that the restricting portion 73j does not interfere with the mounting of the cartridge B.

<Inclined Configuration of Drive Transmission Member>
Next, the inclined configuration of the drive transmission member will be described with reference to FIGS.

Figure 12 is an oblique view showing the configuration of the bearing 94 that supports the drive transmission member 81 on the drive side. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the posture of the drive transmission member 81. Figure 13(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the posture of the drive transmission member 81 when the coupling is engaged, and Figure 13(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the posture of the drive transmission member 81 when the opening and closing door is open. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the posture of the drive transmission member 81 when the opening and closing door is open.

As described above, the drive transmission member 81 has an output gear portion 81a and a coupling recess 81b at its tip. The drive transmission member 81 can move in the longitudinal direction. The drive transmission member 81 can also be tilted with respect to the axis.

As described above, when the output gear portion 81a drives the input gear portion 30a to engage the coupling recess 81b with the coupling protrusion 63b, it is desirable to reduce the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 with respect to the photosensitive drum 62. Therefore, as described above, the regulating portion 73j is provided on the cartridge B, and the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 is suppressed when the drive transmission member 81 is driven.

On the other hand, in order to remove cartridge B from the main body A of the apparatus, the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 needs to disengage from the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30. To smoothly disengage this engagement, it is desirable for the drive transmission member 81 to be tilted so that the output gear portion 81a moves away from the input gear portion 30a. By tilting the drive transmission member 81, cartridge B can be smoothly removed from the main body A of the apparatus (mounting portion Q).

In order to tilt the drive transmission member 81 to move the output gear portion 81a away from the input gear portion 30a, it is desirable to tilt the drive transmission member 81 so that it does not come into contact with the restriction portion 73j when the cartridge B is removed.

In addition, while the drive transmission member 81 is made easy to tilt in order to disengage the gears, when the cartridge B is mounted, the output gear portion 81a must mesh securely with the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30. In other words, when the cartridge B is mounted, it is required that the drive transmission member 81 be held at a predetermined tilt angle so that the gears mesh securely. Therefore, the apparatus main body A supports the drive transmission member 81 so that it can tilt easily, and tilts the drive transmission member 81 so that it takes on a suitable posture and angle when the cartridge B is mounted or removed.

The support structure for one end 81c of the drive transmission member 81 will be explained using Figure 12.

The device main body A has a support metal plate (second drive side plate) 93. In the longitudinal direction, the support side plate 93 is provided on the outside of the first side plate 15. As shown in FIG. 12, the support side plate 93 is a metal plate (plate-shaped metal), and a hole 93a is provided by drawing this metal plate. A bearing 94 fits into the hole 93a of the support side plate 93. The drive transmission member 81 is rotatably supported by the bearing 94. In other words, one end 81c of the drive transmission member 81 is supported by the bearing 94.

There is a gap between the bearing 94 and one end 81c of the drive transmission member 81. In this embodiment, the size of the gap is about 0.9 mm. This gap allows the drive transmission member 81 to tilt.

As shown in FIG. 12, a V-shaped portion 94a is provided on the inner circumference of the bearing 94. The V-shaped portion 94a is composed of two protruding portions (projections) protruding from the inner circumference of the bearing 94.

As described above, there is a gap between the bearing 94 and one end 81c of the drive transmission member 81, allowing the drive transmission member 81 to tilt. However, when the drive transmission member 81 transmits the driving force to the cartridge B, it is necessary to align the axis of the drive transmission member 81 with the axis Ax1 of the photosensitive drum 62. In other words, when the drive transmission member 81 drives, it is necessary for the drive transmission member 81 to be supported precisely by the bearing 94 without tilting relative to the bearing 94. When the drive transmission member 81 drives, the rear end side of the drive transmission member 81 is brought into contact with the V-shaped portion 94a, thereby supporting the drive transmission member 81 precisely in a substantially horizontal state. The V-shaped portion 94a is a position determination portion (position holding portion) that maintains the position of the drive transmission member 81.

To prevent the bearing 94 from rotating relative to the support side plate 93, the bearing 94 is provided with a convex portion 94b as a rotation stopper. Meanwhile, the support side plate 93 is provided with a hole portion 93b. The phase of the bearing 94 is fixed by fitting this convex portion 94b into the hole portion 93b. In other words, the bearing 94 is fixed so that it does not rotate relative to the support side plate 93. This also fixes the phase of the V-shaped portion 94a provided on the bearing 94.

A drive idler gear (not shown) is provided on the support side plate 93, and the drive from the motor is transmitted from the drive idler gear to the second gear portion 81j (see FIG. 10) of the drive transmission member 81. As shown in FIG. 10, the V-shaped portion 94a is provided near the second gear portion 81j of the drive transmission member 81 in the axial direction. The drive transmission member 81 tilts with one end portion 81c of the drive transmission member 81 as a fulcrum.

In the axial direction of the drive transmission member 81, the position of the tilt fulcrum of the drive transmission member 81 and the second gear portion 81j of the drive transmission member 81 are close to each other. Therefore, even if the drive transmission member 81 is tilted, the meshing of the second gear portion 81j and the drive idler gear can be stabilized. More specifically, the change in the axial distance between the drive idler gear and the second gear portion 81j and the misalignment of the teeth can be reduced.

The V-shaped portion 94a is arranged in a position where the drive transmission member 81 can be stably held when the drive idler gear and the second gear portion 81j are engaged. In other words, the V-shaped portion 94a is arranged downstream of the one end 81c in the direction of the meshing force when the drive idler gear and the second gear portion 81j are engaged, and the one end 81c is abutted against the V-shaped portion 94a of the bearing 94. This stably holds the drive transmission member 81. In addition, the V-shaped portion 94a is arranged so that the axial distance between the drive idler gear and the second gear portion 81j of the drive transmission member 81 is an appropriate distance when the rear end side of the drive transmission member 81 abuts against the V-shaped portion 94a. In other words, the drive transmission member 81 is held in a position where the idler gear 96 and the drive transmission member 81 can be engaged.

As a result, when no drive is applied to the drive transmission member 81, the drive transmission member 81 can tilt with the rear end side of the drive transmission member 81 as a fulcrum. Also, when drive is applied to the drive transmission member 81, the drive transmission member 81 is biased by the V-shaped portion 94a and takes a first posture in which the axial distance between the second gear portion 81j of the drive transmission member 81 and the drive idler gear 96 is determined with precision. As a result, the drive force can be transmitted to the drive transmission member 81 with precision.

Next, the support configuration of the coupling recess 81b side (tip side, free end side, non-drive side) of the drive transmission member 81 will be described using Figures 13 and 14.

As shown in FIG. 13(a), the first side plate 15 is provided with a space 15. As shown in FIG. 13(a), when the coupling recess 81b is engaged with the coupling protrusion 63b, a gap is formed between the drive transmission member 81 and the first side plate 15 by the space 15n. The space 15n of the first side plate 15 is disposed in a position facing the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30.

On the other hand, the first side plate 15 is provided with a tilting member 97 that is biased by a tilt biasing spring 98 in order to tilt the drive transmission member 81. The biasing direction of the tilting member 97 is set so that the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 moves away from the developing roller gear 30. The tilting member 97 tilts the drive transmission member 81 so that the output gear portion 81a moves away from the developing roller gear 30.

As shown in FIG. 13B, when the opening/closing door 13 is opened, the drive transmission member 81 can take a second posture in which the axis of the drive transmission member 81 is tilted by the tilt member 97. The drive transmission member 81 in the second posture is tilted by the tilt member 97 so as to enter the space 15n of the first side plate 15. In other words, the drive transmission member 81 is tilted so that the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 moves away from the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30. Therefore, a gap is generated between the output gear portion 81a and the input gear portion 30a in the direction of the rotation radius of the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30.

The inclined member 97 is configured to constantly bias the drive transmission member 81. As described above, when the coupling recess 81b is engaged with the coupling protrusion 63b, the axis of the coupling recess 81b coincides with the axis of the coupling protrusion 63b. Therefore, when the coupling recess 81b is engaged with the coupling protrusion 63b, even if the drive transmission member 81 is biased by the inclined member 97, the position of the coupling recess 81b is determined by the coupling protrusion 63b.

As shown in FIG. 14, a V-shaped portion 15m is provided in the space 15n of the first side plate 15 as a bearing (holding portion) for the drive transmission member 81. The V-shaped portion 15m supports the drive transmission member 81, which is tilted by the tilting member 97, when the cartridge B is not installed. When the drive transmission member 81 is held in the V-shaped portion 15m, a gap is created between the output gear portion 81a and the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30. This allows the gears to disengage when the cartridge B is removed.

<Configuration of Cartridge Movable Restriction Member>
Next, the movable restricting member 101 of the cartridge B will be described with reference to FIGS.

Figure 15 is an oblique view showing the movable restricting member 101 of cartridge B. Figure 15(a) is an oblique view of the vicinity of the operation restricting member 101 as seen from the drive side of cartridge B. Figure 15(b) is an oblique view of the vicinity of the operation restricting member 101 as seen along a direction intersecting the axis of the photosensitive drum 62. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the tilting operation of the drive transmission member 81 when cartridge B is installed.

As shown in FIG. 15(a), a movable regulating member (second regulating portion, centering assist member, movable member, urging member, centering member) 101, which is a member that regulates the attitude of the drive transmission member 81, is disposed on the drive side of the cartridge B. The movable regulating member 101 is movable relative to the photosensitive drum 62. The movable regulating member 101 is also movable relative to the coupling protrusion 63b and the developing roller gear 30. The movable regulating member 101 is attached to the drum bearing 73 via a support protrusion 101a. The movable regulating member 101 is attached rotatably around the axis AA of the support protrusion 101a.

As shown in Figures 15(a) and 15(b), the support protrusion 101a is biased in the direction of the arrow BB by a biasing spring. In this embodiment, the biasing spring is a torsion coil spring. Meanwhile, the drum bearing 73 is provided with an abutment portion (stop portion) 73a that abuts against the movable restricting member 101 to define the rotation range of the movable restricting member 101. Since the movable restricting member 101 is biased in the direction of the arrow BB by the biasing spring, the abutted portion 101b of the movable restricting member 101 is in a position abutting against the abutment portion 73a. In other words, the abutment portion 73a abuts against the movable restricting member 101, thereby stopping the movement of the movable restricting member 101.

When viewed in the direction of the axis Ax1 of the photosensitive drum 62, the action portion 101c of the movable restricting member 101 is disposed near the surface 62b of the photosensitive drum 62. The position of the movable restricting member 101 when the movable restricting member 101 is in contact with the contact portion 73a is referred to as the action position of the movable restricting member 101. The action portion 101c of the movable restricting member 101 is disposed outside the coupling protrusion 63b in the longitudinal direction.

Next, the operation of the movable restricting member 101 when the cartridge B is installed will be described with reference to FIG.

As described above, when the cartridge B is not installed in the apparatus main body A, the drive transmission member 81 is inclined by the inclined member 97. The drive transmission member 81 receives a biasing force FF2 from the inclined member 97.

When cartridge B is inserted from here and the door 13 is closed, cartridge B is pressed by cartridge pressing members 1 and 2, and cartridge B is mounted in mounting portion Q. At this time, the movable restricting member 101 abuts against a cover portion 105 (described later), and then rotates in the direction of arrow BB as shown in FIG. 16. Then, the action portion 101c of the movable restricting member 101 abuts against the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81. Therefore, the drive transmission member 81 receives a biasing force FF1 from the action portion 101c.

Therefore, the drive transmission member 81 is subjected to a biasing force FF1 from the acting portion 101c and a biasing force FF2 from the inclined member 97. Here, the biasing force FF1 is greater than the biasing force FF2. As a result, the inclination of the drive transmission member 81 becomes smaller. Therefore, the drive transmission member 81 moves, and the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 mesh with each other. In other words, the movable restriction member 101 biases the drive transmission member 81 inclined by the inclined member 97 so that the output gear portion 81a and the developing roller gear 30 are allowed to mesh with each other.

When the coupling recess 81b engages with the coupling protrusion 63b and the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81 coincides with the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 62, the movable restricting member 101 is separated from the drive transmission member 81. The restricting portion 73j is also separated from the drive transmission member 81.

The above operations can be summarized as follows. When cartridge B is mounted in mounting portion Q, first the drive transmission member 81 is regulated by the movable regulating member 101 of cartridge B, and the output gear portion 81a meshes with the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30. When drive is applied to the drive transmission member 81, the inclination of the drive transmission member 81 is regulated by the regulating portion 73j, and the drive transmission member 81 moves in a direction approaching the photosensitive drum 62 due to the thrust force generated by the meshing of the developing roller gear 30 and the input gear portion 30a. Then, the coupling recess 81b engages with the coupling protrusion 63b, and the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81 and the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 62 coincide with each other.

As described above, even in the device main body A where the drive transmission member 81 is tilted, the misalignment between the coupling recess 81b and the coupling protrusion 63b can be reduced, allowing the coupling recess 81b and the coupling protrusion 63b to engage.

As described above, the developing roller 32 and the photosensitive drum 62 are rotated by the drive transmission member 81.

<Removing the cartridge>
5 and 13B, the operation of the opening and closing door 13 of the apparatus main body A from the closed state to the open state will be described.

First, we will explain how to disengage the coupling recess 81b from the coupling protrusion 63b.

As described above, when the opening/closing door 13 is rotated to open, the cylindrical cam 86 rotates via the cylindrical cam link 85. When the cylindrical cam 86 rotates, the inclined surfaces 86a, 86b, and 86c of the cylindrical cam 86 slide along the inclined surfaces 15d, 15e, and 15f, causing the cylindrical cam 86 to move to the drive side (Figure 5). This movement disengages the coupling recess 81b from the coupling protrusion 63b. Furthermore, when the opening/closing door 13 is opened, the coupling recess 81b and the coupling protrusion 63b separate.

Next, we will explain how to remove cartridge B from the mounting portion Q.

When the coupling recess 81b and the coupling protrusion 63b separate, the drive transmission member 81 is tilted by the tilt member 97. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13B, when the opening and closing door 13 is opened, the drive transmission member 81 abuts against the protrusion 93c of the support side plate 93 and tilts. At this time, a gap is created between the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 so that the output gear portion 81a and the input gear portion 30a do not mesh with each other. As a result, when the cartridge B is pulled out from the main body A of the apparatus, the meshing between the output gear portion 81a and the input gear portion 30a is smoothly released. In other words, the cartridge B can be easily pulled out from the main body A of the apparatus.

<Configuration of Cover Portion of Drive Transmission Member>
The cover portion 105 for protecting the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main body A will be described with reference to FIGS.

Figure 17 is a perspective view showing the drive transmission member 81 and the cover portion 105. Figure 17(a) is a perspective view showing the drive transmission member 81 and the cover portion 105 when the coupling recess 81b and the coupling protrusion 63b are engaged. Figure 17(b) is a perspective view showing the drive transmission member 81 and the cover portion 105 when the opening and closing door 13 is open. Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the movable restricting member 101 when the cartridge B is installed and removed.

As shown in Figures 4, 13, and 17, a cover portion 105 that protects the drive transmission member 81 is provided on the first side plate 15 of the device body A. The cover portion 105 is disposed between the mounting portion Q and the drive transmission member 81, and covers the drive transmission member 81.

To prevent wear of the drive transmission member 81, a lubricant LB such as grease is applied to the drive transmission member 81. It is preferable that the lubricant LB is applied to at least one of the coupling recess 81b and the output gear portion 81a. When the cover portion 105 is not disposed, the drive transmission member 81 is exposed to the mounting portion Q. Therefore, by covering the drive transmission member 81 with the cover portion 105, it is possible to make it difficult for the user to touch the drive transmission member 81. Furthermore, by exposing a part of the drive transmission member 81 from the cover portion 105, it is possible to prevent interference with the meshing of the drive transmission member 81 with the developing roller gear 30 and the engagement with the coupling protrusion portion 63b.

Note that the lubricant LB may not be applied to the drive transmission member 81, and may be applied to the cartridge B (see FIG. 7). In this case, in the process of transmitting the drive force from the drive transmission member 81 to the cartridge B, the lubricant LB is supplied from the cartridge B to the drive transmission member 81. More specifically, it is preferable that the lubricant LB is applied to at least one of the input gear portion 30a and the coupling protrusion 63b of the developing roller gear 30. In this way, the lubricant LB can be applied (supplied) to the coupling recess 81b and the output gear portion 81a. In other words, the drive transmission member 81 is configured to receive the lubricant LB from the cartridge B. More specifically, when the lubricant LB is applied to the coupling recess 81b, the coupling protrusion 63b receives the lubricant LB from the coupling recess 81b. When the lubricant LB is applied to the input gear portion 30a, the output gear portion 81a receives the lubricant LB from the input gear portion 30a.

In addition, lubricant LB may be applied to both the drive transmission member 81 and the cartridge B.

The cover portion 105 has a non-driving side end surface 105e. The non-driving side end surface 105e is a surface along a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81 (in this embodiment, a direction perpendicular to the axis) when the drive transmission member 81 is in the engaged position. In the driving state (when the drive transmission member 81 is in the engaged position), the position of the non-driving side end surface 105e in the longitudinal direction is located between the gear portion end surface 81a1 of the drive transmission member 81 and the drum bearing 73 of the cartridge B. In addition, the cover portion 105 is arranged so that a gap is formed between the cartridge B and the cover portion 105 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 62, and is arranged so as not to interfere with the cartridge B when the cartridge B is attached.

In this embodiment, the cover portion 105 has four openings (105a, 105b, 105c, 105d).

The cover portion 105 has a first opening 105a that exposes the coupling recess 81b. The first opening 105a is disposed on the non-driving end face 105e. The first opening 105a is disposed at a position where the coupling cylindrical portion 81i of the drive transmission member 81 protrudes in the driving state. In other words, the first opening 105a is disposed at a position where the coupling recess 81b and the coupling protrusion 63b engage.

In other words, the first opening 105a exposes the coupling recess 81b toward the mounting portion Q and the coupling protrusion 63b. This allows the coupling recess 81b and the coupling protrusion 63b to engage with each other.

Furthermore, the longitudinal position of the non-driven side end face 105e of the cover portion 105 is such that in the driven state, the tip 81b1 of the coupling recess 81b protrudes from the non-driven side end face 105e. Also, when the opening and closing door 13 is open, the drive transmission member 81 is in the retracted position. Therefore, the tip 81b1 of the coupling recess 81b does not protrude beyond the non-driven side end face 105e of the cover portion 105. In other words, when the drive transmission member 81 is in the retracted position, the non-driven side end face 105e overlaps with the coupling recess 81b and covers the coupling recess 81b when viewed in the direction of the axis Ax1 of the photosensitive drum Ax1.

The cover portion 105 has a second opening 105b that exposes the output gear portion 81a. The second opening 105b is disposed at a position where the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 and the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 mesh in the driven state.

In other words, the second opening 105b exposes the output gear portion 81a toward the mounting portion Q and the developing roller gear 30. This allows the output gear portion 81a to mesh with the developing roller gear 30.

In the mounting direction C of the cartridge B, the second opening 105b is disposed on the side of the cover portion 105 so as to be located upstream of the center of the drive transmission member 81. In addition, in the vertical direction, the second opening 105b is disposed on the lower side of the cover portion 105. In addition, when the opening/closing door 13 is open, the output gear portion 81a of the tilted drive transmission member 81 is tilted by the tilting member 97 in a direction away from the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30. In other words, the drive transmission member 81 is tilted in a direction away from the second opening 105b.

The cover portion 105 has a third opening 105c that exposes the drive transmission member 81 toward the regulating portion 73j. The third opening 105c is positioned to correspond to the position of the regulating portion 73j. With respect to the mounting direction C of the cartridge B, the third opening 105c is positioned on the side of the cover portion 105 so as to be located upstream of the center of the drive transmission member 81. The third opening 105c allows the regulating portion 73j to regulate the drive transmission member 81 even when the cartridge B has the regulating portion 73j.

When the opening/closing door 13 is open, the drive transmission member 81 is inclined by the inclination member 97 so that the output gear portion 81a faces downstream in the mounting direction C of the cartridge B. For this reason, the output gear portion 81a is positioned away from the third opening 105c.

The cover portion 105 has a fourth opening 105d that exposes the drive transmission member 81 toward the movable restriction portion 101. The fourth opening 105d is disposed at a position where the movable restriction member 101 of the cartridge B in the driven state and the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 are close to each other. The fourth opening 105d allows the movable restriction portion 101 to restrict the drive transmission member 81 even when the cartridge B has the movable restriction portion 101.

With respect to the mounting direction C of the cartridge B, the fourth opening 105d is disposed on the side of the cover portion 105 so as to be located downstream of the center of the drive transmission member 81. In addition, with respect to the vertical direction, the fourth opening is disposed on the upper side of the cover portion 105. In other words, the fourth opening 105d is disposed on the opposite side to the second opening 105b.

As shown in FIG. 18, the cover portion 105 has a guide portion 105f between the third opening 105c and the fourth opening 105d, which serves as a guide for operating the movable restricting member 101 when mounting and removing the cartridge B. The guide portion 105f guides the tip of the movable restricting member 101, leading the movable restricting member 101 to the fourth opening 105d.

As described above, when cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body A, the output gear portion 81a of the drive transmission member 81 is disposed inside the space 87 of cartridge B. The cover portion 105 is also disposed in this space 87. Due to the existence of space 87, when cartridge B is attached to the apparatus main body A, the drive transmission member 81 does not interfere with cartridge B, and the attachment of cartridge B to the apparatus main body A is permitted.

As described above, in this embodiment, a cover portion 105 is provided to cover the drive transmission member 81 of the device main body A. Therefore, even when the cartridge B, which is detachable from the device main body A, is removed from the device main body A, the user is unlikely to touch the drive transmission member 81. In other words, it is possible to prevent the user from coming into contact with the lubricant LB applied to the drive transmission member 81.

In this embodiment, the cover portion 105 has the first opening 105a, the second opening 105b, the third opening 105c, and the fourth opening 105d arranged independently. However, the number, shape, and arrangement of these openings are not limited. For example, these openings may be connected, the number of openings may be increased, the shape of the openings may be changed, or the arrangement of the openings may be moved.

For example, the first opening 105a and the second opening 105b may be connected. The first opening 105a and the third opening 105c may be connected. The first opening 105a and the fourth opening 105d may be connected. The second opening 105b and the third opening 105c may be connected. The second opening 105b and the fourth opening 105d may be connected. Also, the third opening 105c and the fourth opening 105d may be connected.

Example 2
Next, a second embodiment will be described. Explanation of the same points as in the first embodiment will be omitted. In this embodiment, the members corresponding to those explained in the first embodiment will be called by the same names as the members in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the points different from the first embodiment will be mainly explained.

The device main body A in this embodiment includes a cylindrical cam 186 (corresponding to the cylindrical cam 86 in the first embodiment) and a drive transmission member 181 (corresponding to the drive transmission member 81 in the first embodiment) that engages with the cylindrical cam 186. The drive transmission member 181 includes a coupling recess 181b. The coupling recess 181b engages with the coupling protrusion 63b of the cartridge B. The engagement between the coupling recess 181b and the coupling protrusion 63b is hereinafter referred to as "coupling engagement."

In this embodiment, the operation of tilting the drive transmission member 181 after the coupling is disengaged and the operation of the cylindrical cam 186 when the coupling is disengaged will be described in detail.

<Disengagement Operation of Coupling of Drive Transmission Member>
The operation of releasing the coupling engagement and the operation of tilting the drive transmission member 181 will be described with reference to Figures 19 to 21. After that, the operation of the cylindrical cam 186 will be described with reference to Figures 22 to 25.

Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the coupling recess 181b and the coupling protrusion 63b are engaged. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the coupling is disengaged and the drive transmission member 181 is not tilted. Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the coupling is disengaged and the drive transmission member 181 is tilted.

As shown in FIG. 19, the device main body A includes a cylindrical cam 186 and a drive transmission member 181. The drive transmission member 181 is configured to transmit a drive force to the cartridge B by engaging the coupling recess 181b with the coupling protrusion 63b of the cartridge B. The cylindrical cam 186 is disposed so as to be located between the drive transmission member 181 and the first side plate 115 of the device main body A.

The device body A has a bearing 194 that supports the drive transmission member 181. A support side plate 193 is provided on the drive side of the device body A, and the bearing 194 is attached to the support side plate 193.

As in the first embodiment, when the opening and closing door 13 of the main body A of the apparatus is closed, the coupling recess 181b engages with the coupling protrusion 63b of the cartridge B, and the developing roller 32 and the photosensitive drum 62 are rotated by the drive transmission member 181.

The position of the drive transmission member 181 that transmits the driving force to cartridge B is called the first position. When the drive transmission member 181 is in the first position, the coupling recess 181b engages with the coupling protrusion 63b of cartridge B, and the drive transmission member 181 is not tilted. In this state, the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 181 and the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 62 are substantially parallel, and the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 181 and the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 62 coincide. The posture of the drive transmission member 181 at this time is called the first posture of the drive transmission member 181. In FIG. 19, the drive transmission member 181 is in the first position.

The position of the drive transmission member 181 when the coupling is disengaged and the drive transmission member 181 is not tilted is called the second position of the drive transmission member 181. The posture of the drive transmission member 181 at this time is called the second posture of the drive transmission member 181. In Figure 20, the drive transmission member 181 is in the second position.

The cylindrical cam 186 is attached to the first side plate 115 so as to be rotatable and movable in the longitudinal direction. The cylindrical cam 186 is connected to the opening and closing door 13 for opening and closing the mounting section Q. When the opening and closing door 13 begins to open, the cylindrical cam 186 rotates and moves in the longitudinal direction away from the cartridge B.

When the cylindrical cam 186 moves in a direction away from the cartridge B, the drive transmission member 181 also moves in a direction away from the cartridge B in conjunction with the cylindrical cam 186. As a result, the coupling recess 181b of the drive transmission member 181 separates from the coupling protrusion 63b, and the coupling is disengaged. At this time, the cylindrical cam 186 and the drive transmission member 181 move parallel to the axial direction (rotational axis direction) of the drive transmission member 181 in the first position, and are not tilted. At this time, the drive transmission member 181 is located in the second position. In this state, the rotational axis of the drive transmission member 181 and the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum 62 are substantially parallel, and the rotational axis of the drive transmission member 181 and the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum 62 coincide with each other.

When the drive transmission member 181 is in the second position, the opening and closing door 13 is positioned approximately halfway between the closed state and the fully open state. In other words, the drive transmission member 181 is positioned in the second position during the operation of opening the opening and closing door 13.

When the door 13 is further opened from the state in which the drive transmission member 181 is in the second position, the cylindrical cam 186 rotates further, and one end of the cylindrical cam 186 moves in a direction away from the cartridge B, causing the cylindrical cam 186 to tilt. When the cylindrical cam 186 tilts, the drive transmission member 181 also tilts in conjunction with the cylindrical cam 186. As a result, the output gear portion 181a of the tilted drive transmission member 181 moves away from the input gear portion 30a of the developing roller gear 30 of the cartridge B.

At this time, the axial direction of the cylindrical cam 186 and the drive transmission member 181 is tilted from the axial direction of the drive transmission member 181 in the first position. In this state, the direction of the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 181 intersects with the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 62. The position of the drive transmission member 181 in which the coupling is disengaged and the drive transmission member 181 is tilted in this manner is called the third position of the drive transmission member 181. The posture of the drive transmission member 181 at this time is called the third posture of the drive transmission member 181. In Figure 21, the drive transmission member 181 is in the third position.

When the drive transmission member 181 is in the third position, the door 13 is in a fully open state. Therefore, when the drive transmission member 181 moves to the third position, the engagement between the output gear portion 81a and the input gear portion 30a is released, and the cartridge B can be easily pulled out of the device main body A.

<Action of cylindrical cam when coupling is released>
The operation of the cylindrical cam 186 when the coupling according to this embodiment is disengaged will be described with reference to Figures 22 to 25. Figures 22 to 25 are perspective views of the cylindrical cam 186 as viewed from the outside (the support side plate 193 side).

Figure 22 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the cylindrical cam 186 when the drive transmission member 181 is in the first position. Figure 23 is an explanatory diagram of the cam shape provided on the first side plate 115 to move the cylindrical cam 186 of the second embodiment in the longitudinal direction. Figure 23(a) is a diagram explaining the cam shape of the first side plate 115. Figure 23(b) is a schematic diagram explaining the cam shape of the first side plate 115. Figure 24 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the cylindrical cam 186 when the drive transmission member 181 is in the second position. Figure 25 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the cylindrical cam 186 when the drive transmission member 181 is in the third position.

First, the cylindrical cam 186 when the drive transmission member 181 is in the first position will be described with reference to FIG. 22.

As described above, the cylindrical cam 186 is attached to the first side plate 115 so as to be rotatable and movable in the longitudinal direction, and is disposed so as to be located between the drive transmission member 181 and the first side plate 115.

As in the first embodiment, the device body A has a cylindrical cam link 85 connected to the opening and closing door 13. The cylindrical cam 186 and the cylindrical cam link 85 are rotatably connected by the boss 186e on the cylindrical cam 186 engaging with the mounting hole 85b on the cylindrical cam link 85.

When the drive transmission member 181 is in the first position, the cylindrical cam 186 is disposed in a position close to the cartridge B. The cylindrical cam 186 has three inclined surfaces 186a1, 186a2, and 186a3, and three end portions 186b1, 186b2, and 186b3 adjacent to the inclined surfaces 186a1, 186a2, and 186a3. The shapes of the inclined surface 186a1 and the end portion 186b1 are the same as the shapes of the inclined surface 186a2 and the end portion 186b2, and the shapes of the inclined surface 186a3 and the end portion 186b3.

As shown in FIG. 23(a), the first side plate 115 has a cam shape for moving the cylindrical cam 186 in the longitudinal direction. Although the cylindrical cam 186 is not shown in FIG. 23(a), the cylindrical cam 186 is disposed farther from the cartridge B in the longitudinal direction than the cam shape of the first side plate 115.

The first side plate 115 has three sloped portions 115a1, 115a2, 115a3 at positions facing the three sloped portions 186a1, 186a2, 186a3 of the cylindrical cam 186. The first side plate 115 has three end portions 115b1, 115b2, 115b3 at positions facing the end portions 186b1, 186b2, 186b3 of the cylindrical cam 186. The end portions 115b1, 115b2, 115b3 are connected to one end sides of the sloped portions 115a1, 115a2, 115a3, respectively.

Furthermore, three other ends 115c1, 115c2, 115c3 are arranged on the other end side of the inclined portions 115a1, 115a2, 115a3. In the longitudinal direction, the other ends 115c1, 115c2, 115c3 are located farther from the cartridge B than the one ends 115b1, 115b2, 115b3.

One end 115b1, 115b2, 115b3, the sloped portions 115a1, 115a2, 115a3, and the other end 115c1, 115c2, 115c3 are continuous with each other.

The cam shape of the first side plate 115 will be described using Figure 23(b). In Figure 23(b), the vertical direction indicates the longitudinal direction, and the horizontal direction indicates the rotation direction of the cylindrical cam 186 (the direction of arrow P). It can also be said that the vertical direction in Figure 23(b) indicates the amount of movement of the cylindrical cam 186 in the longitudinal direction.

The three inclined surface portions 115a1, 115a2, and 115a3 of the first side plate 115 have the same inclination angle (angle of inclination relative to the rotation direction P). On the other hand, the length of the inclined surface portion 115a1 is longer than the lengths of the inclined surface portions 115a2 and 115a3. Therefore, the other end portion 115c1 connected to the inclined surface portion 115a1 is located higher in the longitudinal direction than the other ends 115c2 and 115c3. As a result, the other end portion 115c1 can position the cylindrical cam 186 farther from the cartridge B in the longitudinal direction than the other ends 115c2 and 115c3.

Next, using Figure 24, we will explain the cylindrical cam 186 when the drive transmission member 181 is in the second position.

When the opening/closing door 13 is opened, the cylindrical cam link 85 moves in conjunction with the opening/closing door 13, and the cylindrical cam 186 rotates in the direction of arrow P. When the cylindrical cam 186 rotates, the inclined surfaces 186a1, 186a2, and 186a3 of the cylindrical cam 186 are moved outward in the longitudinal direction along the inclined surfaces 115a1, 115a2, and 115a3 of the first side plate 115. This causes the cylindrical cam 186 to move in the longitudinal direction away from the cartridge B. At this time, the cylindrical cam 186 moves along the inclined surfaces 115a1, 115a2, and 115a3 of the same angle, so it moves parallel to the axial direction of the drive transmission member 181 in the first position shown in FIG. 20 and is not inclined. In other words, the drive transmission member 181 is in the second position.

Next, using Figure 25, we will explain the cylindrical cam 186 when the drive transmission member 181 is in the third position.

When the drive transmission member 181 is in the second position and the opening/closing door 13 is further opened, the cylindrical cam 186 further rotates in the direction of arrow P. When the cylindrical cam 186 rotates, the inclined surface 186a1 of the cylindrical cam 186 moves outward in the longitudinal direction along the inclined surface 115a1 of the first side plate 115. Meanwhile, the inclined surfaces 186a2 and 186a3 no longer come into contact with the inclined surfaces 115a2 and 115a3. Then, the one ends 186b2 and 186b3 of the cylindrical cam 186 come into contact with the other ends 115c2 and 115c3 of the first side plate 115. Therefore, the portion where the one ends 186b2 and 186b3 of the cylindrical cam 186 are located no longer moves outward in the longitudinal direction.

When the opening and closing door 13 is fully open, the sloped portion 186a1 is no longer in contact with the sloped portion 115a1 of the first side plate 115, and one end 186b1 of the cylindrical cam 186 is in contact with the other end 115c1 of the first side plate 115. Therefore, the portion where the one end 186b1 is located does not move outward in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the drive transmission member 181 is in the third position, and the cylindrical cam 186 is in the position shown in FIG. 25.

In other words, when the opening and closing door 13 is further opened after the movement of the ends 186b2 and 186b3 of the cylindrical cam 186 in the longitudinal direction has finished, the end 186b1 of the cylindrical cam 186 moves in the longitudinal direction away from the cartridge B. As a result, as shown in FIG. 21, the cylindrical cam 186 tilts. This is because the other end 115c1 of the first side plate 115 is higher than the other ends 115c2 and 115c3, and the cylindrical cam 186 can be positioned away from the cartridge B in the longitudinal direction.

In other words, the first side plate 115 has slopes 115a1, 115a2, and 115a3 that move the cylindrical cam 186 in the longitudinal direction. In the longitudinal direction, the distance that the slope 115a1 (first moving portion) moves on the slope 186a1 (first moved portion) is longer than the distance that the slopes 115a2 and 115a3 (second moving portion) move on the slopes 186a2 and 186a3 (second moved portion).

Furthermore, in the longitudinal direction, the other end 115c1 of the first side plate 115 positions one end 186b1 of the cylindrical cam 186, and the other ends 115c2, 115c3 of the first side plate 115 position one ends 186b2, 186b3 of the cylindrical cam 186. At this time, one end 186b1 is positioned outward in the longitudinal direction from one ends 186b2, 186b3. In other words, in the longitudinal direction, one end 186b1 is positioned at a position farther away from cartridge B than one ends 186b2, 186b3. As a result, the drive transmission member 181 is positioned at the third position.

As described above, in this embodiment, the drive transmission member 181 moves from the first position to the second position in the axial direction of the drive transmission member 181, thereby disengaging the coupling. After the coupling is disengaged, the drive transmission member 181 moves from the second position to the third position, and the drive transmission member 181 tilts.

In this way, by separating the operation of disengaging the coupling from the operation of tilting the drive transmission member 181, the operating force required to disengage the coupling can be reduced, improving usability. Furthermore, the noise generated when the coupling is disengaged can also be suppressed.

Example 3
Next, a third embodiment will be described. Explanation of the same points as those in the first and second embodiments will be omitted. In this embodiment, the members corresponding to those in the first and second embodiments will be called by the same names as those in the first and second embodiments. In this embodiment, the points different from those in the first and second embodiments will be mainly described.

The apparatus main body A in this embodiment includes a drive transmission member 281 (corresponding to the drive transmission member 81 in embodiment 1 and the drive transmission member 181 in embodiment 2). The drive transmission member 281 includes a coupling recess 281b. The coupling recess 281b engages with the coupling protrusion 63b of the cartridge B. The engagement between the coupling recess 281b and the coupling protrusion 63b is hereinafter referred to as "coupling engagement" as in embodiment 2. The definitions of the first, second, and third positions of the drive transmission member 281 are the same as those described in embodiment 2.

In this embodiment, we will provide a detailed explanation of the operation that occurs when the drive transmission member 281 is driven while the coupling of the drive transmission member 281 is disengaged.

<Driving operation when the coupling of the drive transmission member is not engaged>
The operation of the drive transmission member 281 according to this embodiment when it is driven in a state where the coupling is disengaged will be described with reference to FIGS.

Figure 26 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a bearing 294 supporting a drive transmission member 281 of Example 3. Figure 26(a) is a perspective view showing a support side plate 293 and a bearing 294 of Example 3. Figure 26(b) is a perspective view showing a bearing 294 of Example 3. Figure 27 is a perspective view showing a contact portion 281h of a drive transmission member 281 of Example 3. Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the drive transmission member 281 of Example 3 is in a first position. Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the drive transmission member 281 of Example 3 is in a second position.

The configuration for supporting one end 281c of the drive transmission member 281 will be described with reference to Figure 26. One end 281c of the drive transmission member 281 is located on the opposite side of the coupling recess 281b in the direction of the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 281. The device main body A has a bearing 294 and a supporting metal plate 293 that support the drive transmission member 281. In the longitudinal direction, the supporting side plate 293 is provided on the outside of the first side plate 15.

As shown in FIG. 26(a), the support side plate 293 is made of sheet metal, and a hole 293a is formed by drawing the sheet metal. A bearing 294 fits into the hole 293a of the support side plate 293.

One end 281c of the drive transmission member 281 is supported by the bearing 294, so that the drive transmission member 281 is rotatably supported by the bearing 294.

To prevent the bearing 294 from rotating relative to the support side plate 293, the bearing 294 has a protrusion 294b as a rotation stopper. Meanwhile, the support side plate 293 is provided with a hole 293b. The rotation of the bearing 294 is restricted by fitting this protrusion 294b into the hole 293b. In other words, the bearing 294 is fixed so as not to rotate relative to the support side plate 293.

As shown in FIG. 26(b), a sloped surface 294b1 is provided at the tip of the protruding portion 294b of the bearing 294. As described below, when a load in the rotational direction of the drive transmission member 281 acts on the sloped surface 294b1, the bearing 294 deforms and the protruding portion 294b moves in the direction of the rotational axis of the drive transmission member 281. In this embodiment, the protruding portion 294b is configured to deform in the direction of the arrow S (towards the support side plate 293).

Next, the contact portions 281h of the drive transmission member 281 will be described with reference to FIG. 27. The drive transmission member 281 has six contact portions 281h. The contact portions 281h have a rib shape that extends radially in the radial direction of the drive transmission member 281. The shapes of the contact portions 281h are the same.

A sloped surface 281h1 is provided at the tip of the contact portion 281h. The contact portion 281h is positioned so that it comes into contact with the protrusion 294b of the bearing 294 when the drive transmission member 281 rotates with the coupling disengaged.

As shown in FIG. 28, when the drive transmission member 281 is in the first position, there is a gap between the contact portion 281h of the drive transmission member 281 and the convex portion 294b of the bearing 294 in the direction of the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 281. Therefore, even if the drive transmission member 281 rotates, the contact portion 281h of the drive transmission member 281 and the convex portion 294b of the bearing 294 do not come into contact with each other.

In FIG. 29, the drive transmission member 281 is in the third position. As shown in FIG. 29, when the drive transmission member 281 rotates with the coupling recess 281b not engaged with the coupling protrusion 63b, the contact portion 281h of the drive transmission member 281 comes into contact with the protrusion 294b of the bearing 294.

As described above, the tip of the convex portion 294b of the bearing 294 is provided with a sloped portion 294b1. When the drive transmission member 281 rotates with the coupling recess 281b not engaged with the coupling convex portion 63b, the sloped portion 281h1 of the drive transmission member 281 comes into contact with the sloped portion 294b1. As a result, in the longitudinal direction, the convex portion 294b of the bearing 294 deforms in the direction of the arrow S and moves toward the support side plate 293. In other words, in the longitudinal direction, the convex portion 294b of the bearing 294 moves in a direction away from the contact portion 281h of the drive transmission member 281.

By moving the protrusion 294b, the protrusion 294b can overcome the contact portion 281h of the drive transmission member 281. Therefore, even if the coupling recess 281b is not engaged with the coupling protrusion 63b, the drive transmission member 281 can rotate without damaging the device main body A.

When the contact portion 281h of the drive transmission member 281 comes into contact with the convex portion 294b of the bearing 294, a collision sound is generated. If the drive transmission member 281 rotates with the coupling recess 281b not engaged with the coupling convex portion 63b, this collision sound is generated repeatedly. This collision sound can be used as a detection sound for detecting that the coupling recess 281b of the drive transmission member 281 is not engaged. In other words, the state in which the collision sound is generated indicates that the coupling recess 281b is not engaged with the coupling convex portion 63b.

In other words, the device main body A has a sound generating section (protrusion 294b and contact section 281h). When the drive transmission member 281 rotates with the coupling recess 281b not engaged with the coupling protrusion 63b, the protrusion 294b and the contact section 281h come into contact, causing the sound generating section to generate sound. On the other hand, when the drive transmission member 281 is in the first position and the coupling recess 281b is engaged with the coupling protrusion 63b, the protrusion 294b and the contact section 281h are separated, causing the sound generating section to not generate sound.

As described above, in this embodiment, a configuration has been described in which sound is generated when the drive transmission member 281 is driven in a state in which the coupling recess 281b is not engaged with the coupling protrusion 63b.

In the device body A of this embodiment, whether the coupling recess 281b is engaged with the coupling protrusion 63b can be detected based on the generation of sound.

Therefore, when maintaining or repairing the device main body A or cartridge B, or inspecting at a manufacturing factory, an operator can quickly diagnose whether the coupling engagement is normal. As a result, it is possible to prevent the device main body A from being used in a state where the coupling engagement is not normal, or to shorten the time during which the device main body A is used in a state where the coupling engagement is not normal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent uneven wear of the drive transmission member 281.

Furthermore, in the configuration of this embodiment, the contact portion 281h of the drive transmission member 281 is provided with a sloped portion 281h1, and the tip of the protruding portion 294b of the bearing 294 is provided with a sloped portion 294b1. Therefore, the protruding portion 294b can retreat in the direction of the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 281, and sound can be generated without damaging the device main body A.

In this embodiment, the drive transmission member 281 is configured so that when the drive transmission member 281 is in the third position, the contact portion 281h of the drive transmission member 281 comes into contact with the convex portion 294b of the bearing 294, generating sound. However, the drive transmission member 281 may also be configured so that when the drive transmission member 281 is in the second position, the contact portion 281h of the drive transmission member 281 comes into contact with the convex portion 294b of the bearing 294, generating sound.

The functions, materials, shapes and relative arrangements of the components described in the above embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of this invention unless otherwise specified.

A: Apparatus main body B: Cartridge Q: Mounting portion 17: Mounting opening 30: Developing roller gear 30a: Gear portion 62: Photosensitive drum 63: Driving side drum flange 63b: Coupling protrusion 73: Drum bearing 73j: Regulating portion 81: Drive transmission member 81a: Gear portion 81b: Coupling recess 85: Cylindrical cam link 86: Cylindrical cam 87: Space 97: Inclined member 101: Movable regulating member 105: Cover portion 105a: First opening 105b: Second opening 105c: Third opening 105d: Fourth opening

Claims (12)

a device body including a mounting portion configured to accommodate a cartridge including an input coupling portion and an input gear portion;
a drive transmission member provided in the apparatus main body for transmitting a drive force to the cartridge, the drive transmission member including: an output coupling portion that engages with the input coupling portion and is configured to be rotatable about a first axis; and an output gear portion that meshes with the input gear portion and is configured to be rotatable about the first axis, the drive transmission member being coated with a lubricant;
a cover portion that is provided on the device body, is located between the mounting portion and the drive transmission member, and covers the drive transmission member, the cover portion including: a first opening that exposes the output coupling portion so that engagement between the output coupling portion and the input coupling portion is permitted; and a second opening that exposes the output gear portion so that meshing between the output gear portion and the input gear portion is permitted;
having
when the cartridge is removed from the mounting portion, the output gear portion and the input gear portion are separated from each other, and the output coupling portion and the input coupling portion are separated from each other.
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a device body including a mounting portion configured to accommodate a cartridge including an input coupling portion and an input gear portion;
a drive transmission member provided in the device body for transmitting a drive force to the cartridge, the drive transmission member having an output coupling portion that engages with the input coupling portion and is configured to be rotatable about a first axis, and an output gear portion that meshes with the input gear portion and is configured to be rotatable about the first axis, the drive transmission member being configured to be supplied with a lubricant from the cartridge;
a cover portion that is provided on the device body, is located between the mounting portion and the drive transmission member, and covers the drive transmission member, the cover portion including: a first opening that exposes the output coupling portion so that engagement between the output coupling portion and the input coupling portion is permitted; and a second opening that exposes the output gear portion so that meshing between the output gear portion and the input gear portion is permitted;
having
when the cartridge is removed from the mounting portion, the output gear portion and the input gear portion are separated, and the output coupling portion and the input coupling portion are separated.
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive transmission member is movable between an engagement position where the output coupling part engages with the input coupling part and a retracted position where the output coupling part is separated from the input coupling part. the output gear portion and the input gear portion are helical gears,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the drive transmission member is moved from the retracted position to the engaged position by a force generated when the output gear portion drives the input gear portion. the cartridge has a first regulating portion, and the first regulating portion is configured to regulate movement of the drive transmission member in a direction perpendicular to the first axis when the drive transmission member is in the retracted position and the output gear portion drives the input gear portion,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cover portion has a third opening through which the drive transmission member is exposed toward the first regulating portion. The image forming device according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the first opening and the second opening, the first opening and the third opening, or the second opening and the third opening is connected. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the device body is provided with an inclination member that inclines the drive transmission member so that the output gear portion moves away from the input gear portion. the cartridge includes a second regulating portion movable relative to the input gear portion, and the second regulating portion is configured to bias the drive transmission member inclined by the inclination member so as to allow engagement between the output gear portion and the input gear portion;
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cover portion has a fourth opening through which the drive transmission member is exposed toward the second regulating portion. The image forming device according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of the first opening and the second opening, the first opening and the fourth opening, or the second opening and the fourth opening is connected. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, when the output coupling part and the input coupling part are engaged, the inclined member constantly biases the drive transmission member. the apparatus main body includes a mounting opening for mounting the cartridge to the mounting portion, an opening/closing member for opening and closing the mounting opening, and a retracting member for moving the drive transmission member to the retracted position in conjunction with an opening operation of the opening/closing member;
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: The image forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the first opening and the second opening are connected.

Images