JPH0317309Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Technical Field) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus characterized by a mechanism for transmitting driving force to a detachably configured developing unit.

(Prior art) By making the developing device into a unit and detachably attaching it to the main body of the copying machine, it is possible for the user to replace the unit that has exceeded its service life with a new one. It is preferred both for making any desired copies with colored toners and for processing jam paper.

For this purpose, it is necessary to configure the developing unit so that it can be attached and detached as easily as possible, but on the other hand,
When configured in this way, the connection with the output shaft on the device main body side becomes a problem, and especially in the type in which the developing sleeve and magnet roller both rotate, it is impossible to expect perfect connection between them. A problem arises.

(Purpose) This invention was made in view of the above problems.
The object is to provide an improved device in which the developing unit can be easily attached and detached and the driving force can be transmitted reliably.

(Means for Achieving the Object) The present invention provides an image forming apparatus for achieving the above object, which includes a developing unit that can be attached to and detached from the main body from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the developing sleeve, and a developing unit that can be attached and detached in an open state. An image forming apparatus is provided with an opening/closing member that allows the image forming apparatus to open and close the image forming apparatus, and an output shaft that transmits a driving force to the input shaft of the developing unit at the mounting position of the developing unit. a forward and backward movement drive means for driving a forward and backward movement means such that the output shaft is advanced toward the input shaft by the closing action of the opening and closing member, and the output shaft is retracted from the input shaft by the opening action of the opening and closing member; and coupling means having cone-shaped concavities and convexities that fit into each other at the center of the joint end faces provided at each opposing end of the output shaft.

(Function) With this configuration, even if there is a slight error in the dimensions of the developing unit itself or its mounting part, the output shaft and input shaft can be automatically brought into contact and separated in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing member. You can make it happen.

(Example) The details of the present invention will be explained below based on the illustrated example.

Figure 1 shows the entire structure of a copying machine equipped with the device of the present invention, which can be opened and closed in an alligator shape using a support shaft 4 provided at one end of the paper ejection side as a fulcrum, and with a sheet conveyance path 5 as a boundary. In the copying machine main body 1 configured as above, a motor 21 is disposed in the upper main body 2 along with a detachable photoconductor unit (not shown), and a lower main body 3 is provided with various members related to transfer and fixing as well as a developing device to be described later. A unit 6 is detachably attached.

FIG. 2 shows the above-mentioned developing unit 6 and a power transmission mechanism.A support shaft 62, which serves as a pivot point, is integrally formed on one side wall of a casing 61 constituting the developing unit 6. Further, on the other side wall, a gear 64 fixed to the shaft end of the developing sleeve 63 and a coupling 66 at the shaft end of the magnet roller 65 having a recess 66a at the center of the end surface are attached so as to be exposed to the outside.

On the other hand, an L-shaped bearing 31 is provided at one outer end of the lower main body 3 to receive and support the above-mentioned support shaft 62 of the developing unit 6 from above. A magnet roller drive transmission shaft 7 is slidably supported on a bearing 32 on the lower body 3 on the outer side of the sleeve 63 in the axial direction. A cone-shaped projection 72a is provided at the center of the end surface so that the
A pulley 74 is provided at the other end of the coupling ring 72, which is made of an elastic material and is in contact with the timing belt 22 on the upper main body 2 side.

Reference numeral 75 denotes a piece rotatably attached to the magnet roller drive transmission shaft 7, and is supported unrotatably by inserting a protrusion 75a provided on the top surface into the slit 34 of the bearing cover 33. Up,
The slope 75b formed on the rear surface of the upper part is positioned within the descending area of the fork-shaped pressing piece 25 provided on the upper main body 2, and the shaft 7 is developed while resisting the coil spring 76 by the pressing force acting through the slope 75b. It is configured to move toward the unit side coupling 66. Reference numeral 8 denotes a developing sleeve drive transmission shaft, which is supported at a position where a gear 81 fixed to one end meshes with the gear 64 of the development sleeve 63, and a gear 82 that meshes with the pinion 77 of the magnet roller drive transmission shaft 7. It receives rotational driving force through the

Note that reference numerals 23 and 24 in the figure indicate pulleys on the upper main body 2 on which the timing belt 22 is stretched.

In the embodiment described above, when the upper main body 2 is opened in an alligator shape for jamming or the like, the timing belt 22 releases contact with the pulley 74, freeing the transmission shaft 7 for driving the magnet roller, and The shaped pressing piece 25 releases the pressure from the piece 75 and causes this shaft to retreat by the biasing force of the coil spring 76.

For this reason, when the developing unit 6 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure using its support shaft 62 as a fulcrum in order to remove the developing unit 6, the gear 64 integrated with the developing sleeve 63 becomes an obstacle while causing the gear 81 on its transmission shaft 8 to rotate idly. It can be pulled up without any problems.

Conversely, when the developing unit 6 is attached and the upper main body 3 is covered from above, the tip of the fork-shaped pressing piece 25 first presses the slope 75b of the piece 75 and the magnet roller drive transmission shaft 7 is moved. It is moved forward against the coil spring 76. This results in
The coupling 72 on the transmission shaft 7 side has a cone-shaped protrusion 72a protruding from its center fitted into the center recess 66a of the coupling 66 on the developing unit 6 side, and then the ratchet tooth 72b is inserted into the mating ratchet tooth 6.
The unit 6 is meshed with the upper main body 2 and becomes elastically connected and integrated, but since the unit 6 is accurately positioned in the process of fitting these protrusions 72b and the recess 66b, the timing belt 22 that has finally descended with the upper main body 2 is transmitted. When the pulley 74 on the shaft 7 is pressed and made driveable, the axes of the two are completely aligned.

Although the above has been explained using the example of a copying machine, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied not only to copying machines but also to general electrophotographic equipment as long as the developing unit is removable. do not have.

(Effects) As described above, according to the present invention, a coupling is provided on the input shaft of the developing unit and the output shaft on the apparatus main body side, the end faces of which are connected to each other by fitting the conical concave and convex portions. Even if there is a slight error in the dimensions of the unit itself or its mounting part, a simple mechanism can be used to adjust the positional deviation, enabling reliable transmission of driving force between the two, and reducing the manufacturing cost of this type of image forming apparatus. can be significantly reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1A and 1B are schematic configuration diagrams showing a copying machine to which the device of the present invention is applied, showing its operating and open states; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the device of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof. 2... Upper main body, 3... Lower main body, 22... Timing belt, 25... Fork-shaped pressing piece, 6
...Development unit, 66...Coupling on the magnet roller shaft, 7...Transmission shaft for driving the magnet roller, 72...Coupling on the same axis, 75
...Block 8...Transmission shaft for driving the developing sleeve.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Utility Model Registration Claims] A developing unit that can be attached to and detached from the main body from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the developing sleeve, an opening/closing member that allows the developing unit to be attached and detached in an open state, and a developing unit that is capable of attaching and detaching the developing unit at the mounting position of the developing sleeve. An image forming apparatus comprising an output shaft that transmits a driving force to an input shaft of a unit, further comprising a forward and backward movement means for moving the output shaft forward and backward in an axial direction, and a movement means that moves the output shaft forward and backward in the axial direction, and a movement mechanism that moves the output shaft toward the input shaft by a closing operation of the opening/closing member. a forward/backward movement drive means for driving the forward/backward movement means so as to advance the output shaft and retract the output shaft from the input shaft by the opening operation of the opening/closing means; and a relative orientation of the input shaft and the output shaft. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: coupling means having cone-shaped projections and depressions that fit into each other at the center of a joint end surface provided at each end of the image forming apparatus.