JPH07114256A - Toner replenishment container, cartridge and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image forming device which is small and excellent in workability for toner replenishment. CONSTITUTION:A vertical type toner replenishment container 20 with a small capacity is placed in such a manner that the flat part at the bottom of the toner replenishment container 20 coincides with the flat part at the top of a cartridge case 201, in an area outside the image forming area of a photoreceptor 1 in the cartridge case 20 in the axial direction. By manually rotating the toner replenishment container 20 about 60 deg. at the flat part, the toner replenishment container 20 is locked into the cartridge case 201. At the same time, by turning a shutter 205, the inside of the toner container 20 is made communicate with a toner carry part in which a coil spring 31 exists, and toner replenishment is thus made possible.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet material such as a printer or a facsimile, and more particularly to a toner replenishing structure thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image forming apparatus, in order to prevent the user from being bothered by toner supply, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-10.
As disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 942, a cartridge in which a toner storage unit that stores toner consumed by the developing unit and a waste toner storage unit that stores toner removed from the photoconductor by the cleaning unit are integrally used is used. Therefore, when the life of the photoconductor is reached, the photoconductor and the toner storage unit or the waste toner storage unit are integrally replaced.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional technique, a predetermined amount of toner corresponding to the operating life of the main components such as the photoconductor is attached as a cartridge enclosed in an integrally constructed casing. However, it is difficult to configure a small image forming apparatus due to the large size of the image forming apparatus or the cartridge, and since the cartridge is large and heavy, both hands are required for replacement work, leaving room for improvement in workability. Was there.

By the way, the environment surrounding the recent computers is accelerating the downsizing from the rise of small notebook type computers, and the market for personal use is expanded, so that the personal computers can be arranged with a margin on the table. As described above, there has been an increasing demand for miniaturization of external terminals such as printers and facsimiles corresponding to the miniaturization of computers, and for products that can be easily maintained by individuals.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a toner supply container that is small in size, inexpensive, and easy to handle, and an apparatus using the same.

[0006]

A toner replenishing container of the present invention is a toner replenishing container for replenishing toner to a developing means, and the toner replenishing container is detachable axially outside an image forming area of a photoreceptor. It is characterized in that the bottom surface of the toner replenishing container mounted is made flat and the toner replenishing container is engaged with the mounting portion having the developing means to replenish the toner.

Further, the cartridge of the present invention is a cartridge which includes at least a photoconductor and a developing means for developing a toner image on the photoconductor and which is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. A flat mounting portion for mounting the toner replenishing container is arranged axially outside the image forming area of the photoconductor, and the toner replenishing container is detachably mounted on the cartridge.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has at least a photoconductor and a developing means for developing a toner image on the photoconductor, and a flat mounting portion for mounting a toner supply container for supplying toner to the developing means. Is disposed outside the image forming area of the photoconductor in the axial direction, and the toner replenishing container is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 1 to 14 show a suitable embodiment of a cartridge and an image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a left side main section first sectional view showing the whole of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 2 is a first sectional view of a front main part, FIG. 3 is a second sectional view of a front main part, and each drawing is shown in a sectional view at a different position. Are omitted in the figure.

FIG. 4 is a first cross-sectional view of the left side main part of the cartridge of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a second cross-sectional view of the left side main part of the cartridge of the present invention. The cross-sectional view is shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a first sectional view of a right side main part of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a second sectional view of a right side main part of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. Show sectional views at different positions.

FIG. 8 is a first developed sectional view showing a rotary drive transmitting portion of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a second developed sectional view showing a rotary drive transmitting portion of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a third developed cross-sectional view showing the rotation drive transmission portion of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, showing different rotation drive paths.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the principal part of the right side surface of the cartridge of the present invention, showing the rotational driven relationship.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the upper surface of the cartridge of the present invention, and the left side from the alternate long and short dash line in the figure is omitted.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram relating to the rotational drive of the cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an essential part of the cartridge of the present invention.

First, the image forming section of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The main part of the image forming means of this embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in the left side sectional view of the main part, it is composed of a photoconductor 1, a charging roller 2, a cleaner part 90, a developing part 10, and toner conveying parts 30 and 30a which are arranged in a substantially central part.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the image forming process will be described in order. The charging roller 2 in this embodiment will be described.
Is formed of a semiconductive elastic body such as rubber, and DC (−) while being driven by the photoreceptor 1 rotating in the direction of the arrow in the figure.
When a bias of about 2 kv or less is applied, the photoconductor 1 can be charged to a charging potential of (−) 600V to (−) 700V.

The charging roller 2 is pressed and supported toward the photoconductor 1 by a pressing mechanism (not shown), and is approximately 1 kg.
And is in pressure contact with the photoconductor 1 with a total pressure of.

Next, the photoconductor 1 is irradiated with the light beam emitted from the exposure device 40 which will be described later in detail and incident from the optical path 49.
Is image-exposed to form a latent image, and the potential of the image-exposed portion becomes (-) 50V to (-) 150V.

Next, in the developing section 10, the supply roller 13 which is formed of a semi-conductive elastic body such as foamed rubber and rotates in the direction of the arrow in the drawing, is a toner which can be charged to the same polarity as the above-mentioned charging potential. The toner in the storage unit 11 for storing the toner is coated on the surface of the toner and rotated, and is rubbed against the developing roller 12 formed of a semiconductive elastic body such as a rubber material that rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure to rub the toner. Is triboelectrically charged to the negative polarity, and the surface of the developing roller 12 is coated with toner.

The toner coated on the surface of the developing roller 12 is formed of, for example, an elastic body such as a stainless steel plate and is in contact with the outer periphery of the developing roller 12 at a total pressure of about 1 kg over substantially the entire axial direction. By rubbing the formed toner with a regulating blade 14 for regulating the coating layer having a predetermined thickness, the toner is approximately 10
The toner layer is regulated by a thin toner layer having a thickness of about μm, and is triboelectrically charged to a more uniform (−) polarity.

The developing roller 12 has a DC (-) 200
A bias of about V to (-) 300V is applied,
The thinned toner layer is conveyed to the photoconductor 1 and subjected to reversal development on the image exposure part of the photoconductor 1 in the nip portion formed by the developing roller 12 and the photoconductor 1 being in pressure contact with each other and in the vicinity thereof.

By the way, the toner in the storage unit 11 is as shown in FIG.
As shown in detail in the sectional view of the left side of the cartridge of FIG.
Holding member 16, developing roller 12 and supply roller 13
The space surrounded and formed by is stored in a narrow predetermined space defined by a seal 15 having elasticity and formed of, for example, a foamed rubber material or the like.

Next, the toner image reverse-developed on the image-exposed portion of the photosensitive member 1 is transferred by the transfer portion 80, which will be described later in detail. The toner remaining after the transfer is, for example, a thin plate material such as mylar sheet material. The formed scooping sheet 91 slides through the scooping sheet 91 and is scraped off by the cleaning blade 92 pressed against the photoconductor 1, and stored in a predetermined space 93 formed by the scooping sheet 91 and the cleaning blade 92.

The cleaned photoreceptor 1 can be transferred to the next image forming process again, and after cleaning, if the potential remaining on the photoreceptor 1 is eliminated by light irradiation or the like, the surface potential of the photoreceptor 1 is reduced. Can be brought closer to the initial state.

Here, the handling of toner will be described.

In a conventional image forming apparatus, a predetermined amount of toner corresponding to the operating life of main components such as a photoconductor is mounted as a cartridge enclosed in a casing of an integral structure, and the size of the entire apparatus is increased. Although it is an expensive image forming apparatus although the workability of replacement maintenance is enhanced, this embodiment has a completely different configuration from the conventional concept.

First, the toner in the storage unit 11 is limited to a necessary minimum storage amount that does not hinder the image forming process, and the space space of the storage unit 11 is reduced.

The toner that decreases with the development is dropped and replenished from the toner transport unit 30a for transporting the toner, which will be described in detail later, in the space of the storage unit 11.

On the other hand, the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 92 is stored in a predetermined space 93 formed by the scooping sheet 91 and the cleaning blade 92, and the toner transporting section 3 increases as the storage amount increases.
Transition to 0.

Toners including endless coil springs 31 and 31a (which are endless and integrated, which are divided for convenience of explanation in the drawing), will be described later in detail, in the toner conveying portions 30 and 30a. The toner transporting units 30 and 30a are provided with a mechanism for transporting toner by a transporting unit, and are arranged substantially horizontally and horizontally with the photoconductor 1 in the middle in the figure. Toner transport unit 30 and toner transport unit 30 that are connected
The toner a is configured to be circulated and conveyed.

Next, the toner circulation function will be described.

The amount of toner (development toner amount) in the storage unit 11 consumed by the above-described development is scraped off by the cleaning blade 92, and the toner conveying unit 3 is used.
The relationship between the transfer residual toner amount (recycled toner amount) that has been moved to 0 is 10% to 30% in the present embodiment, and even if the above-described structure in which the toner is circulated and conveyed is configured. By repeating the development, the toner is consumed and the toner in the storage unit 11 decreases.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to make up for the reduced toner, a toner replenishing means for dropping by its own weight is arranged in the conveying path for circulating the toner, which will be described in detail later, and the amount of the reduced toner is reduced. Toner is replenished and circulated and conveyed together with the above-mentioned recycled toner, and the toner is conveyed from the toner conveying section 30a to the storage section 1.
It is configured to be dropped and replenished to 1.

Next, a stable structure of the nip portion formed by the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive member 1 being in pressure contact with each other will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 12.

The supply roller 13 formed of a semi-conductive elastic body such as foamed rubber and the developing roller 12 formed of a semi-conductive elastic body such as a rubber material are each made of metal as a core metal. 2 is provided with supporting portions 12a and 13a extending to both ends of the elastic body. The supporting portions 12a and 13a are rotatably supported by the supporting member 5 as shown in FIG. Has been done. Although the supply roller 13 and the developing roller 12 are shown supporting the right side in the figure, the supporting members 5 and 5 have the same supporting structure on the opposite side.
It is rotatably supported by A.

Incidentally, the supply roller 13 and the developing roller 12
4, the supply roller 13 and the developing roller 12 are supported at a fixed pitch narrower than the contact pitch between the outer circumferences of the supply roller 13 and the developing roller 12, and the outer circumferences of both rollers are evenly contacted over the entire area in the longitudinal direction. The positional relationship is shown in detail in FIG.

Then, the supply roller 13 and the developing roller 12
Are rotationally driven in the directions of the arrows in the drawing to rub against each other, and if the above-mentioned support pitch is extremely narrowed, the rotational driving torque increases, and deterioration of the toner rubbed between both roller nips is caused. Therefore, in this embodiment, in consideration of the absorption of the dispersion of the components related to the support, the support is performed at a fixed pitch that is 0.2 mm narrower than the pitch at which the outer circumferences of the supply roller 13 and the developing roller 12 are in contact with each other.

The supporting member 5 and the supporting member 5A, which rotatably support both ends of the supply roller 13 and the developing roller 12, respectively,
The support member 5 is integrally connected by a fixing member such as a screw through the connecting member 6 to form an integral structure. As shown in FIG. 12, the support member 5 is rotated by a support pin 7 that is inserted into a part of the lower cartridge case 18. It is movably supported,
Although FIG. 12 shows a state in which only one side is supported, the other side has the same support structure, and the support member 5A is rotatably supported by a support pin 7A that is inserted into a part of the lower cartridge case 18.

Then, the supply roller 13 and the developing roller 12
Both ends of which are rotatably supported and connected by the connecting member 6 together with the above-mentioned regulating blade 14 with the support pin 7 and the support pin 7A as a pivot, the minimum necessary amount that does not interfere with the above-mentioned image forming process. The toner can be integrally rotated with respect to the photoconductor 1 in the space of the toner storage unit 11 configured so that the storage amount is limited.

When the support pin 7 and the support pin 7A are arranged at the positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cartridge lower case 18 and the support member are arranged so that they can be easily rotated by the above-mentioned integral structure. 5 and the supporting member 5A have a gap so as to be free in the rotational direction, and this gap is shielded by a sealing member having elasticity (not shown) to prevent toner leakage.

On the other hand, in order to form a stable nip portion by the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive member 1 being in pressure contact with each other in the above state, the hook portions at both ends are set in the cartridge lower case 18, and the supporting member 5 and the supporting member 5A are attached. Springs 8 and 8A for applying the tension to urge the developing roller 12 toward the photosensitive member 1
It is also equipped with.

By the way, with respect to the support structure of the support member 5 and the support member 5A by the support pin 7 and the support pin 7A described above, in the present embodiment, as a means for preventing the rotation failure even if the left and right support positions are misplaced. , The cartridge lower case 18 and the support pin 7 of the support member 5 at one support portion
Is formed in a circular shape similar to that of the support pin 7. On the other support part, the support pin 7A is inserted into the cartridge lower case 18 and the support pin 7A of the support member 5A. An oval opening 18b that can be moved toward and away from is formed to prevent the occurrence of the rotation failure of the above configuration.

Although the elliptical opening 18b is formed in the lower cartridge case 18 in this embodiment, the lower cartridge case 18 is changed to a circular opening, and the opening on the side of the supporting member 5A is elliptical. They may be formed, or even if both openings are formed in an oval shape, the rotation failure of the above configuration is prevented.

Here, the toner replenishing means and the toner carrying means for circulating and carrying the toner will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 11, 12, and 14.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the endless coil springs 31 and 31a for circulating and conveying the toner are attached to the cartridge upper case 17 and the cartridge lower case 18.
The toner replenishing container 20 is configured so that it can be freely attached / detached (the attachment / detachment mechanism is omitted from the detailed description of the drawings) in a state of being enclosed by the cartridge case 201 according to the above, and a predetermined amount of toner is enclosed therein. The toner is replenished by being mounted in this state, and when this toner is consumed, it is replaced with a new toner replenishing container 20.

The endless coil springs 31 and 31a which circulate and convey the toner are separated from each other for convenience of explanation in the drawing, but are endless and integrated.
Although the left side is omitted from the one-dot chain line, it is configured endlessly.

The main part of the toner replenishing container 20 is a replenishing container case 21 formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom portion in the lower part of the drawing.
And a cover 22 that is fixedly attached to the above and seals the toner.
And a plurality of agitators 23 having a plurality of blade portions 23b that are sealed together with the toner by the supply container case 21 and the cover 22 and agitate the rotatable toner, and an endless coil spring 31 that circulates and conveys the toner. , 31a are detachably operable with respect to a state in which the cartridge upper case 17 and the cartridge lower case 18 are enclosed (the detaching mechanism is omitted in the detailed description of the drawing).

On the other hand, according to FIG. 12, in order to drive the endless coil springs 31 and 31a which circulate and convey the toner in the direction of the arrow, they are enclosed by the cartridge upper case 17 and the cartridge lower case 18 so as to be able to circulate. The drive means 25 for the coil springs 31 and 31a is arranged in a part of the arrangement path of the endless coil springs 31 and 31a, and the protrusion is formed in a wedge shape at a part thereof and the rotatable convex portion 25a is provided in the cartridge. The toner replenishing container 20 protruding from the upper case 17
When is mounted at a predetermined position, the rotatable convex portion 25a formed in a wedge shape and the concave portion 23c formed at one end of one agitator 23 are engaged and driven to rotate. Also,
According to FIG. 14, the coil spring 31, which is an endless toner circulating and conveying means, is guided by the guide groove 202 of the developing section and the guide groove 203 of the cleaner section. In the developing section, toner is replenished and in the cleaner section. , To collect the toner.

As the driving means 25 for the endless coil springs 31 and 31a that circulates and conveys the toner, any rotating body that can engage with the coil springs 31 and 31a can be driven, but in the present embodiment, the coil springs are used. A helical gear having a twist angle close to the lead angle of the stretched state of 31, 31a is employed to stabilize the engagement relationship with the coil springs 31, 31a.

One agitator 2 driven by the above configuration
A gear portion 23a is formed on a part of the third agitator 23 and the other agitator 23, and the gear portion 23a is rotationally connected by an idle gear 24.

The toner agitated by the rotation of the agitator 23 circulates through the opening 21a formed at the bottom of the replenishing container case 21 and the opening 17a of the cartridge upper case 17 provided opposite to the opening 21a. Endless coil springs 31 and 31 for conveying
It is configured such that it falls by its own weight into the toner circulating and conveying path in which a is arranged.

FIG. 1 shows the toner replenishing structure.
1 and FIG. 14 will be described.

First, the toner supply container 20 is located outside the image forming area of the photoconductor 1 of the cartridge case 201,
That is, the photosensitive member 1 is placed so that the flat surface portion formed on the bottom surface of the toner replenishing container 20 is aligned with the flat surface portion provided on the upper surface of the cartridge case 201 outside the region through which the light for exposing the photosensitive member 1 passes. . Next, the toner supply container 20
Is manually rotated about 60 degrees on the flat surface to lock the toner supply container 20 in the cartridge case 201, and at the same time,
By rotating the shutter 205, the inside of the toner container 20 and the toner transporting unit in which the coil spring 31 is present are made to communicate with each other to enable toner replenishment. When the apparatus is driven in response to a predetermined signal such as a print start signal, the toner agitated by the agitator 23 is transferred to the toner supply container 20.
A shutter hole portion 204 formed in a rotatable shutter 205 provided on the bottom portion of the cartridge replenishes the toner by communicating with the opening 21a and the opening 17a.

As described above, the bottom surface portion of the toner supply container 20 is formed in a flat shape to facilitate mounting on the flat surface portion formed on the mounting portion of the cartridge case 201, and
The shutter 205 is covered with a shutter cover 206 to smooth the rotating operation of the shutter 205 and prevent toner from scattering. Further, by arranging the mounting portion of the toner replenishing container 20 outside the photoconductor 1 in the direction of the rotation axis of the photoconductor 1, it does not interfere with the exposure light passage region, and it is also possible to use the device as a vertically long toner replenishing container. Without increasing the height of the main body, the cartridge case 20
The toner replenishing container 20 can be positioned on the side wall portion facing the end portion of the photosensitive member 1.

Of course, in the present invention, one of the objectives is to downsize the image forming apparatus. Therefore, naturally, the toner supply container 20 also needs to be downsized. Therefore, in this embodiment, a small and vertically long toner supply container is used as shown in FIG. The toner replenishing container 20 has a width of 30 to 50 mm and a depth of 3 so that it can be arranged outside the photoconductor 1.
It is preferable to have a flat portion of 0 to 90 mm, and
It is preferable that the height is 60 to 100 mm so that it can be manually operated and that it is easy to grab by hand. When comparing the width, depth and height, the height is the largest value and the vertical outline Then, not only is it easy to grasp by hand, but also the positioning on the side surface is accurate and easy. The toner replenishing container 20 can be downsized with the same configuration whether it is attached to the cartridge or one component of the image forming apparatus main body, but when the image forming apparatus is configured without using the cartridge. The opening / closing mechanism of the image forming apparatus can be the simplest and the smallest in size. On the other hand, the volume of the space in which the toner inside the toner supply container 20 can exist is 200 cc or less to achieve further miniaturization, but normally, the amount of toner required for A4 size printing is less than that of non-magnetic toner. In case (specific gravity is about 1), the average is about 50 mg per sheet, so even if the filling rate is 25%, it is about 10 mg.
Since it is possible to print 00 sheets, and the toner replenishing container is replaced every few months on average, there is no need to worry about replacement. Even if the filling rate could be increased to 50%, it is possible to print about 500 sheets.
It is preferable to secure the above volume of 50 cc or more.

By the way, the coil springs 31 and 31a
The toner that has dropped by its own weight in the toner circulation transport path in which is arranged is circulated and transported in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The toner is stored in the toner storage unit 11 described above with reference to FIG. 4. However, since the toner storage unit 11 is extremely narrow as described above, the toner storage unit 11 differs in toner consumption amount and supply amount depending on the image type. There is a case where the storage section 11 of the coil is full, and in this state, the toner does not drop by its own weight and the coil springs 31, 31
The toner replenishing container 20 is circulated and conveyed by a.
The toner is dropped from its own weight due to its own weight.

As described above, the toner is supplied into the toner circulating / conveying path in accordance with the toner consumption state in the toner circulating / conveying path, and the toner is supplied to the developing section in accordance with the toner consumption state in the developing section. By doing so, it is possible to maintain stable toner transport and development without packing the toner.

The above is the main part of the image forming means of this embodiment, in which the photoconductor 1, the charging roller 2, the cleaner part 90, the developing part 10, and the toner conveying parts 30 and 30a are arranged in the above-mentioned relationship. A cartridge lower case 18 mainly responsible for the main part and a cartridge upper case 17 also responsible for the cover thereof are configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main body as a cartridge having these as a unit configuration,
At the time of maintenance of the above structure, the structure is integrally removed for repair or replacement.

Regarding the relationship between the cartridge and the main body, as shown in detail in part of FIG. 11, on the other hand, a concave portion is formed in the lower cartridge case 18 as a positioned portion to be positioned on the basis thereof. , The main chassis 10 that serves as a reference for the internal configuration of the device in this recess.
The convex portion 100a as a positioning portion formed in 0 is engaged to perform predetermined positioning in the height direction and the in-plane direction,
On the other hand, similarly, a part of the main chassis 100 is positioned in a predetermined direction in the height direction, and is fixed to the main chassis 100 by fixing means (not shown).

The main construction of the main chassis 100 is a sheet metal structure in this embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 12. First, in FIG. 1, the mother surface of the sheet metal construction is shown. With reference to the first surface 100c that positions and holds the unitized exposure device 40, which will be described in detail later, the first surface 100c is bent into an L-letter shape, and the unitized fixing unit 60 described in detail below is used. Unitized paper feed unit 70
And a second surface 100d for positioning and holding the transfer portion 80 are formed, and then the first surface 10d shown in FIGS.
The right and left ends orthogonal to the second surface 100d of
The third surface 100e is formed by bending the same in the same direction as 0d and positions and holds the cartridge (the left side is omitted from the alternate long and short dash line in FIGS. 3 and 12 but the same structure as the right side is formed and the third surface 100e is formed). It is a sheet metal integrated structure.

Then, the first surface 100c and the second surface 10
0d and the third surface 100e are positioned relative to each other and an opening is formed in a part of the third surface 100e in order to increase rigidity, and a convex portion engageable with the opening in a part of the second surface 100d. Is formed, and the third surface 100e is configured to have a coupling portion 100f that fits in the process of bending the third surface 100e. The first surface 100c, the second surface 100d, and the third surface 100e.
The mutual relation between the and
It is also highly rigid due to the effect of 0f.

Regarding the connecting portion 100f, it is effective to simply fit them together, but in this embodiment, in order to further increase the stability, the connecting portion 100f is subjected to caulking fastening treatment. There is.

Next, the transfer section 80 for transferring the reversal-developed toner image to the image exposure section of the photoreceptor 1 will be described.

The main part of the transfer 80 of this embodiment is pressed toward the photoconductor 1 from below by a pressing mechanism (not shown) with a total pressure of several 100 g, and is inverted to the latent image of the image exposure part of the photoconductor 1. DC1KV with the opposite polarity to the developed toner image
A rotatable transfer roller 81, which is provided with a means for applying a forward and backward bias and is formed of a conductive or semi-conductive elastic body such as rubber, and a main configuration of a sheet material conveying unit 70 described in detail later. The sheet material conveying base 71 that supports the transfer roller 81 together with the member is formed by engaging the positioned portion 71a with the positioning portion formed on the main chassis 100 that serves as a reference for the internal configuration of the apparatus. Positioned in place,
For example, by fixing means such as screws, the main chassis 100
It is fixed to.

Then, the toner image conveyed to the nip portion formed by the pressing action of the photosensitive member 1 and the transfer roller 81 forms a sheet material fed from the sheet material conveying portion 70, which will be described later, with this nip portion. It is merged and transferred.

Next, the fixing unit 60 for feeding and fixing the sheet material on which the toner image of the photoconductor 1 is transferred will be described.

The main part of the fixing unit 60 of this embodiment is a rotatable fixing roller which is arranged on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction and has a heating element such as a halogen heater as a heat generating means built in the hollow portion of the aluminum pipe material. 63 and a pressing mechanism composed of a lever 66 which is pressed by a pressing member such as a spring and is displaceable as pressing means for pressing the toner image transferred onto the sheet material onto the sheet material by several Kg toward the fixing roller 63. A pressure roller 67, which is pressed by the total pressure, is formed on at least the surface of a semiconductive elastic body such as silicon rubber, and is rotatable at the same peripheral speed as the fixing roller 63, is provided. In order to release the pressing force of the mechanism, an operation lever 6 that can be rotated from a position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 and a position shown by a chain double-dashed line in FIG.
1, a cam 69 that is interlocked with the rotation of the operation lever 68 to move in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 to control the displacement of the lever 66, and a pair of discharge rollers 6 that discharges the conveyed sheet material to the outside of the apparatus.
1 and a fixing base 64 that supports the above-mentioned structural members and bears the fixing portion 60 in a unit structure. The fixing base 64 is a member for a positioning portion formed on the main chassis 100 that serves as a reference for the internal structure of the apparatus. It is positioned at a predetermined position by the engagement of the positioning portion 64a, and is fixed to the main chassis 100 by a fixing means such as a screw.

The toner image transferred from the transfer portion 80 to the sheet material and conveyed to the nip portion formed by the pressing action of the fixing roller 63 and the pressure roller 67 is transferred to the sheet material at a predetermined temperature at the nip portion. It is fixed.

Next, the paper feed unit 70 for feeding a sheet material such as paper toward the transfer unit 80 will be described.

A sheet feed tray 72, which accommodates a large number of sheet materials P such as paper and is arranged at the rear of the apparatus, feeds the sheet material P at the lower end thereof with a high friction resistance material such as rubber. Part 7
A well-known pressing mechanism 74 that selectively presses the rotatable sheet feeding roller 73 of 0 is provided and is detachably supported on the apparatus main body.

The sheet feeding section 70 on the apparatus main body side is disposed so as to face the sheet feeding roller 73 with the sheet material P interposed therebetween, and only the uppermost one sheet material from the multiple sheet materials P is fed by the sheet feeding roller 73. A sheet material feeding control mechanism 75 for preventing the sheet material from being separated by the rotation of 73 and the sheet material after the second sheet from being fed, and the sheet material feeding base 71 are opposed to the sheet material feeding base 71. A sheet material guide 76 arranged to form a sheet material conveying path, a sheet material detecting means 77 arranged in the sheet material conveying path and including a photosensor for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet material, and the sheet material conveying The operation lever 6 is composed of a sheet material conveying base 71 that supports the transfer roller 81 described above together with the main constituent mechanism of the section 70, and is further operable from the front surface of the fixing section 60, which is not shown. Is connected to a pressing force releasing mechanism interlocked with the operation of, for example, an operating means such as a link mechanism, and a mechanism for releasing the pressing of the transfer roller 81 against the photoconductor 1 in conjunction with the operation of the operating lever 68 is also provided. Part 70
The transfer unit 80 and the transfer unit 80 are carried in the unit configuration by the sheet material transport base 71. As described above, the sheet material transport base 71 is a portion to be positioned with respect to the positioning unit formed in the main chassis 100 which is a reference of the internal configuration of the apparatus. It is positioned at a predetermined position by the engagement of 71a and is fixed to the main chassis 100 by a fixing means such as a screw.

When the sheet feeding roller 73 is driven to rotate in the above-described structure, one sheet of material follows the sheet material conveying path and is fed to the above-mentioned transfer section 80.

Now, the feeding control of the sheet material will be described.

The sheet feeding roller 73 is rotationally driven by a desired command to feed one sheet material into the sheet material conveying path, and the sheet feeding roller 73 is sent according to the detection signal of the sheet material detecting means 77.
Stops while holding the sheet material and waits for the above-mentioned transfer (standby).

The stop timing of the paper feed roller 73 may be stopped by a detection signal of the sheet material detecting means 77, but a delay means such as a timer from this detection signal stops and waits for a predetermined time. May be.

That is, the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive member 1 described above
The toner image reversely developed on the image-exposed portion of the photoconductor 1 at the nip portion formed by pressing is transferred to form the nip portion formed by the photoconductor 1 and the transfer roller 81 being pressed by the rotation of the photoconductor 1. It suffices that the time to reach the portion 80 and the time to feed the sheet material from the standby state to reach the transfer portion 80 can be controlled in a desired relationship, and the latter is adopted in this embodiment.

By the way, in the present embodiment, the sheet material detecting means 77 including a photo sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet material is arranged in the sheet material conveying path of the sheet feeding section 70, and the other is omitted in the drawing. However, a second sheet material detecting means similar to the downstream side in the sheet material conveyance direction from the nip portion formed by the pressing action of the fixing roller 63 and the pressure roller 67 of the fixing unit 60 is provided, and the sheet material conveyance state is determined. The jam condition in the apparatus is monitored by detecting and processing the detection signals from the sheet material detecting means 77 and the second sheet material detecting means in a predetermined relationship.

The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is constructed compactly, and the paper feeding unit 70 is used for jam processing.
If the jammed side is the side, the sheet material is pulled out to the rear of the apparatus, and if the jammed state is on the fixing unit 60 side, the pressing force of the pressure roller 67 against the fixing roller 63 is operated by operating the operation lever 68 that can be operated from the front side of the apparatus. And photoconductor 1
The pressing of the transfer roller 81 against the sheet is released, and the sheet material can be pulled out toward the front of the apparatus for processing.

Next, an exposure device 40 for exposing the photoreceptor 1 to a latent image
Will be described.

The main part of the exposure device 40 is mounted on the output shaft of the motor 41 and a motor 41 that rotates at 10,000 rpm, a control circuit board (not shown) that controls the rotation of the motor 41, and rotates. , A deflection scanning means 43 for deflecting and scanning a light beam emitted from a light emitting element such as a semiconductor laser (not shown), a reflection mirror 44 for forming an optical path 49 for irradiating the light beam toward the photoconductor 1, and the like, An exposure unit case 42 in which main constituent members are housed and configured as a unit
The exposure unit case 42 is positioned at a predetermined position by the engagement of the positioned portion 42a with the positioning portion formed on the main chassis 100, which serves as a reference for the internal configuration of the apparatus. It is fixed to the chassis 100.

Regarding the deflection scanning means 43, Japanese Patent Application No. 5-121995 filed previously by the present applicant.
As described in detail below, it is possible to perform small-sized and inexpensive optical scanning. In this embodiment, the optical path length from the deflection scanning means 43 to the photosensitive member 1 is set to about 200 mm.
A short optical path length of about 140 mm is also possible.

Next, the control unit 50 which controls the above-mentioned respective mechanical units will be described.

The main part of the control unit 50 is arranged at the lowermost end of the apparatus, at least the power supply circuit unit and the operation control circuit unit of each mechanism unit are arranged, and although not shown, an interface for receiving a signal from the outside. Input / output connecting means such as a connector and a power input connector are connected, and the control unit 50 is compactly and centrally arranged.

From here, the driving relationship of the above-mentioned respective structural parts will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, 6 and 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG. To do.

The main part of the drive transmission portion of this embodiment is centrally arranged on the right side surface of the main chassis 100, that is, the third surface 100e, and the first train wheel train receiver 101 and the second train wheel train receiver 1 are arranged.
02 are provided in opposition to each other, and a drive motor 103 having a drive gear 103a on an output shaft and a plurality of drive gear trains described in detail later are rotatably supported by these two train wheel receivers to form a unit structure. Main chassis 100 that is the basis of the configuration
It is positioned at a predetermined position by the engagement of the positioned portion with the positioning portion formed on the third surface 100e, and is fixed by a fixing means such as screw tightening.

In the present embodiment, the train wheel first receiver 101 and the train wheel second receiver 102 are made of sheet metal, and as will be described later in detail, there is provided means for inexpensively constructing the characteristics. Is a feature.

The entire drive system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of a right side main part showing a suitable embodiment of a drive system used in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The wheel train first receiver 101 and the wheel train second receiver 102 are shown in the drawing. For the sake of clarity, FIG. 7 omits these two train wheel receivers to make it easier to see each gear train. 6 and 7, the rotation center position of each gear is marked with + in the figure. (The same applies to FIGS. 11 and 13) First, referring to FIG. 7, regarding the drive system of the present embodiment, the drive gear 103 provided on the output shaft of the drive motor 103 is provided.
A description will be given for each individual drive system starting from the common A # gear driven by a.

<First Drive System> The first drive system for rotationally driving the photoconductor 1 is driven in the order of A # gear → J # gear → K # gear → L # gear, and the L # gear is the photoconductor. The gear 1 is fixed to one end of the photosensitive member 1 by a fixing means such as an adhesive. The gear is integrally formed with the photosensitive member 1 and is connected to or disconnected from the first drive system when the cartridge is attached or detached.

The attachment / detachment of the cartridge of this embodiment is performed by moving the cartridge in the vertical direction in the figure.

<Second Drive System> The second drive system for rotationally driving the developing roller 12, which is the main constituent member of the developing unit 10, is A # gear → B # gear → C # gear → F # gear → G.
The #G gear is driven in this order, and the G # gear is the developing roller 1 described above.
The gear is fixed to the protruding end of the support portion 12a extending to the one end side of 2 by a fixing means such as press-fitting, and is connected to or disconnected from the second drive system by the attachment / detachment of the cartridge described above.

<Third Drive System> The third drive system for rotationally driving the supply roller 13, which is the main constituent member of the developing unit 10, is A # gear → B # gear → C # gear → D # gear → E.
The # # gear is driven in this order, and the E # gear is the supply roller 1 described above.
3 is a gear fixed to a projecting end of a support portion 13a extending to one end side of 3 by fixing means such as press-fitting, and is connected to or disconnected from the third drive system by attachment / detachment of the cartridge described above.

<Fourth Drive System> The fourth drive system for rotationally driving the drive means 25 for driving the endless coil springs 31 and 31a for circulating and conveying the toner and the agitator 23 of the toner supply container 20 is the A # gear. The B # gear, the C # gear, the F # gear, the H # gear, and the V # gear (V # gear is shown in FIG. 6) are driven in this order, and the V # gear is press-fitted to one end of the drive means 25. Helical gear fixed by fixing means such as
The gear is a helical gear rotatably supported by the cartridge lower case 18 described above, and the H # gear is connected to or disconnected from the fourth drive system by the attachment / detachment of the cartridge described above.

<Fifth Drive System> The fifth drive system for rotationally driving the paper feed roller 73 is A # gear → B # gear → M.
The gears are driven in the order of # gear → N # gear, and the N # gear is a gear mounted on the clutch disposed on one end side of the above-described paper feed roller 73, and is always connected to the fifth drive system.

<Sixth Drive System> The sixth drive system for rotationally driving the fixing roller 63 is A # gear → P # gear → Q.
The ## gear and the #R gear are driven in this order. The R # gear is a gear mounted on one end side of the fixing roller 63 described above, and is always connected to the sixth drive system.

<Seventh drive system> The above-mentioned paper discharge roller pair 61
The 7th drive system that drives to rotate is A # gear → P # gear →
The S # gear, the T # gear, and the U # gear are driven in this order. The U # gear is a gear mounted on one end side of the above-described paper discharge roller pair 61 and is always connected to the seventh drive system.

As described above, in the drive system of this embodiment, each main part is dispersedly driven while avoiding the one-dimensional concentration of the rotational drive force.

Next, a detailed description will be given of the main part of each drive system.

<First drive system> A # gear → J # gear → K
The first drive system for rotationally driving the photoconductor 1 driven in the order of # gear → L # gear has a structure shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 11, and FIG. 8 is a developed sectional view showing the first drive system. There is.

The drive gear 103a provided on the output shaft of the drive motor 103 mounted on the first train wheel receiver 101 is formed on each of the first train wheel train receiver 101 and the second train wheel train receiver 102 with its inner surface being a mirror surface. Burring parts 101a and 10
Drive the A # gear rotatably supported by 2a,
Further, the first train wheel provided to face the second train wheel receiver 102.
The K # gear is driven via the J # gear that is rotatably supported by the push Ja that is press-fitted and held in the projection unit 101b of the receiver 101 to reach the L # gear.

Here, as described above, since the L # gear is connected to or detached from this drive system by the attachment / detachment of the cartridge, this embodiment facilitates the meshing relationship between the K # gear and the L # gear during this attachment / detachment. As a means, K
The # gear has a double structure of a K1 # gear and a K2 # gear, and one K1 # gear has the same train wheel first receiving member 101 as the A # gear.
Burring portion 101c formed on the inner surface with a mirror surface
Therefore, the other K2 # gear is rotatably supported, and one end of the K2 # gear is supported by the projection portion 102b of the second train wheel receiver 102, which is provided with one end facing the first train wheel receiver 101 and the outer peripheral portion of which is mirror-finished. The other end of the K2 # gear is rotatably supported by being inserted into the K1 # gear. The K1 # gear and the K2 # gear are integrally rotatable, and K1 # in the drawing is used. As shown in the sectional view of the double structure of the gear and the K2 # gear as viewed from A, one K1 # gear is formed with a concave portion K1 # a and a convex portion K1 # b at point-symmetrical positions.
The other K2 # gear, in which the concave portion K2 # a and the convex portion K2 # b are formed in point symmetry in #a, is inserted to be relatively rotatable with respect to each other by a predetermined angle. The compression springs KS are arranged in the concave portions K1 # a and K2 # a of each of the convex portions K1 # b and K2 #.
b is abutted and the stopped state is maintained (A cross section 1),
The structure is such that the K2 # gear and the L # gear mesh with each other.

When the K1 # gear is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in the figure, as shown in the cross section 2 as viewed from A, the K2 # gear that meshes with the L # gear and has a rotational load is stopped within a short period of time. The compression spring KS is compressed, and only the K1 # gear rotates, so that the second convex portion K1 # c formed at the point symmetrical position of the K1 # gear and the second convex portion K2 formed at the point symmetrical position of the K2 # gear. The #c is brought into contact with the K2 # gear to rotate in the arrow direction in the figure to drive the L # gear in the arrow direction in FIG.

In the above structure, when the L # gear is driven in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11 and then rotationally stopped and the cartridge is taken out upward in FIG. 11, the L # gear and the K2 # gear are disengaged from each other. Since it is arranged at a position where it is possible, the meshing is released without difficulty and the rotational drive load of the K2 # gear is released, and the compression spring KS is extended to move the K2 # gear to the position shown in FIG.
Rotate in the direction of the arrow of the middle A-view cross section 2 to move to the above A-view cross section 1
On the other hand, when the cartridge is mounted from the upper side in FIG. 11 in the state of A cross section 1 when viewed from A in FIG. 11, the photoconductor 1 and the developing roller 12 described above are connected in the process in which the L # gear and the K2 # gear come into meshing state. The L # gear causes the K2 # gear to rotate in the opposite direction of the normal rotation direction, that is, the K2 # gear of FIG. The structure is such that it is mounted by rotating it counterclockwise by a predetermined angle, and even if the K2 # gear is rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined angle, the state up to the cross-sectional view 2 in FIG. The relationship between the second convex portion K1 # c and the second convex portion K2 # c is configured so as not to reach the target.

The drive motor 103 of this embodiment is
An inexpensive PM type stepping motor is used, and smooth continuous rotation drive is possible by controlling the input pulse and current.

<Second drive system> A # gear → B # gear → C
Developing unit 1 driven in the order of # gear → F # gear → G # gear
The second drive system for rotationally driving the developing roller 12, which is the main component of No. 0, has a structure shown in detail in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, and FIGS. 9 and 10 show the first drive system in a developed cross section. Illustrated.

The relationship between the first train wheel train receiver 101, the drive motor 103, the first train wheel train receiver 101, the second train wheel train receiver 102 and the A # gear is the same as that of the second drive system. # The drive from the gear forward will be described.

The A # gear is a pair of B # gears that are rotatably supported via push Bas that are press-fitted and held in a burring portion 102c provided in the second train wheel bridge 102, and then the C # gears, Further, the F # gear is driven (FIG. 10) and the rotational drive thereof reaches the G # gear. The C # gear of FIG. 9 and the C # gear of FIG. 10 are the same here.

The pair of B # gears is composed of a B1 # gear and a B2 # gear, and the B1 # gear and the B2 # gear are coupled by press fitting of an oval engaging portion and an engaged portion indicated by B in the drawing. It can rotate as a unit.

The C # gear of the next-stage wheel train has a third gear which will be described later.
It also has a rotary drive transmission branch function to the drive system.
Driven by gears.

The main part of the C # gear is the second train wheel receiver 102.
Burring portion 102d formed by mirroring the inner surface
A tumbler arm C1 having a bearing function rotatably supported by a tumbler function and a tumbler function described later in detail, and a tumbler arm C1 which is inserted through the tumbler arm C1 and the other end of which is formed into a train wheel first receiver 101 with its inner surface being a mirror surface. The main shaft C2 rotatably supported by the burring portion 101d and the flange portions of the tumbler arm C1 and the main shaft C2 are guided in the thrust direction, and are rotated on the basis of the main shaft C2 and the double structure described later in detail. The main shaft C2 is driven by the free C2 # gear and the oval-shaped engaging portion and the engaged portion which are driven by the B2 # gear and press-fitted into the engaged portion.
It is constituted by a C1 # gear which is coupled with and is rotatable integrally. The G # gear is rotationally driven from the C2 # gear through the F # gear.

The F # gear has a double structure of the F1 # gear and the F2 # gear, and one F2 # gear has an inner surface on the first train wheel bridge receiver 101, like the K # gear of the first drive system described above. It is rotatably supported by a burring portion 101e formed in a mirror surface state, and the other F1 # gear has one end having a train wheel first receiving member 1e.
No. 01, and the projection portion 102e of the second train wheel bridge receiver 102, which is formed to have a mirror-like outer peripheral portion.
And the other end of the F1 # gear is inserted into the F2 # gear and rotatably supported. The F1 # gear and the F2 # gear are integrally rotatable. (The double structure of the F # gear will be described later in the section of the fourth drive system.) Here, as described above, the G # gear is connected to or detached from the F1 # gear of the second drive system by attaching or detaching the cartridge. Therefore, in this embodiment, F1 is attached and detached in this embodiment.
As a means for facilitating the meshing relationship between the # gear and the G # gear, a mechanism for performing the same action on the C # gear as the K # gear of the first drive system is configured.

That is, the C2 # gear and the main shaft C2 2 in FIG.
As shown in the BB cross-section of the double structure part of the heavy structure and the F1 # gear and the F2 # gear, the recess C is formed in one of the C2 # gears.
2 # a and the convex portion C2 # b are formed at the point symmetric positions, and the other main shaft C2 having the concave portion C2a and the convex portion C2b formed at the point symmetric positions is inserted into the concave portion C2 # a and inserted into each other at predetermined positions Of the compression spring CS, which is relatively rotatable by the angle C2 # a and C2a.
Are arranged and are urged to rotate in one direction with respect to each other, so that the convex portions C of both sides are
The 2 # b and C2b are in contact with each other to maintain the stopped state (BB cross section 1), and the C2 # gear and the F1 # gear mesh with each other.

When the main shaft C2 is rotationally driven from the C1 # gear in the direction of the arrow in the drawing, as shown in the BB cross section 2, the C2 # meshing with the F1 # gear and having a rotational load within a short time is shown. While the gear is stopped, the compression spring CS is compressed to rotate only the main shaft C2, and the second convex portion C2c formed at the point target position of the main shaft C2 and the second convex portion C2 formed at the point target position of the C2 # gear. The #c is brought into contact with the C2 # gear to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure to drive the F1 # gear.

In the above structure, when the main shaft C2 is driven in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11 and then rotationally stopped and the above cartridge is taken out upward in FIG. 11, the G # gear and the F1 # gear can be disengaged from each other. Since it is placed in a proper position, its meshing is released without difficulty and C2 # together with F1 # gear.
The rotational drive load of the gear is released, the compression spring CS expands, and the C2 # gear is rotated in the arrow direction of BB cross section 2 in FIG. 10 to reach the state of BB cross section 1 described above. When the cartridge is mounted from the upper side in FIG. 11 in the state of B-B cross section 1 this time, in the process of the G # gear and the F1 # gear meshing with each other, the above-described pressure contact relationship between the photosensitive member 1 and the developing roller 12 or development is performed. Due to the rotationally driven load generated by the pressure contact relationship between the roller 12, the regulation blade 14, and the supply roller 13, the G # gear moves the C2 # gear through the F1 # gear in the direction opposite to the normal rotation direction, that is, the above compression. This is a structure in which the 2 # gear of FIG. 11 is rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined angle against the extension force of the spring CS, and the C2 # gear is rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined angle. Even if you move it,
The relationship between the second convex portion C2c and the second convex portion C2 # c is configured so as not to reach the state of BB cross section 2 at 0.

<Third drive system> A # gear → B # gear → C
Developing unit 1 driven in the order of # gear → D # gear → E # gear
The third drive system for rotationally driving the supply roller 13, which is the main constituent member of No. 0, has a structure shown in detail in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, and FIGS. Illustrated.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the drive motor 10
Since the drive from 3 to C # gear is the same as the contents described in the second drive system, the description will be omitted, and the drive from the C # gear onward will be described.

As described above, the C # gear has the rotary drive transmission branch function of the second drive system and the third drive system, and
Driven from 2 # gear.

A tumbler arm C1 having one end rotatably supported by a burring portion 102c formed by mirroring the inner surface of the second train wheel receiver 102 and having a bearing function and a tumbler function for the main shaft C2 is shown in FIG. As described above, the other end has a bearing portion C1a for rotatably supporting the D # gear, and the bearing portion C1a is inserted into the opening 102f formed in the second train wheel receiver 102 so as to be rotatable by both play gaps. It is regulated.

The bearing portion C of the tumbler arm C1
The D # gear rotatably supported by 1a is the above C
It is driven by the 1 # gear to drive the E # gear.

Here, C1 # gear and tumbler arm C1
The planetary drive mechanism including the D # gear and the D # gear will be described.

Referring to FIG. 11, in the planetary drive mechanism of the present embodiment, the C # gear (C1 # gear) is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in the figure to set the gear pressure at the meshing point of the C1 # gear and the D # gear. The tumbler arm C1 is rotationally biased in the rotational direction by the friction between the main shaft C2 and the tumbler arm C1 which are rotationally driven in the angular direction and the arrow direction in the figure, and the D # gear is With the planetary motion of rotating and revolving, the planetary structure moves toward the E # gear while approaching the E # gear.
In addition, the tumbler arm C1 can be operated without any means, and the tumbler arm C1 and the opening 102f formed in the second train wheel second receiver 102 and the bearing C
It has a structure in which the planet is urged to move by a play gap with respect to 1a and movement is restricted.

Based on this planetary drive mechanism, D # gear and E # gear
As a means for stabilizing the meshed state of the gears, in this embodiment, a first circumferential portion D # a coaxial with the gear portion is formed in a part of one D # gear, and a part of the other E # gear is similarly formed. Also, a second circumferential portion E # a coaxial with the gear portion is formed, and both are in contact with each other to be rotatable.
And the distance between the pitches of the second circumferential portion E # a in contact with each other is D #
It is related so that an appropriate backlash may occur when the gear and the E # gear mesh with each other.

Here, as described above, the E # gear is configured to be connected to or disconnected from the D # gear of this drive system by the attachment / detachment of the cartridge, and the attachment / detachment of the cartridge will be described.

The C # gear (C1 # gear) having the above structure is shown in FIG.
1 When the rotational drive is stopped after driving in the direction of the middle arrow, the D # gear and the tumbler arm C1 that have been urged to move the planet by the planet drive mechanism are released from the urging force and are in the free state. When the above-mentioned cartridge is taken out upward in FIG. 11, the D # gear moves in a direction away from the E # gear, and it is extremely easy to take out the cartridge.

On the other hand, this time, when the cartridge is mounted from above in FIG. 11 in the state after the cartridge is taken out, the D # gear and the E # gear are in a state of meshing or having a play. C # gear (C1 # gear)
11 is driven in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11, the D # gear moves in a direction approaching the E # gear while performing the planetary motion with or without the load of the E # gear, and both are moved. Gears mesh with each other.

If the cartridge is mounted from above in FIG. 11 while the D # gear is moving in the direction approaching the E # gear, the D # gear and the tumbler arm C1 will be described.
Is released from its urging force and is in a free state, the D # gear moves to a predetermined position while meshing with the E # gear.

Now, description will be given of a case where the D # gear meshes with the E # gear and a predetermined rotational load is generated in the E # gear, so that the E # gear is rotationally driven.

The larger the rotational load, the D #
As for the planetary movement biasing force against the gear, especially the planetary movement biasing force in the direction of the pressure angle of the gear at the meshing point of the C1 # gear and the D # gear becomes large, and the D # gear approaches the E # gear. However, the above-mentioned first circumferential portion D # a
The urging movement is restricted by the contact state of the second circumferential portion E # a, and the engagement between the D # gear and the E # gear is rotationally driven with an appropriate backlash.

<Fourth drive system> A # gear → B # gear → C
# Gear → F # Gear → H # Gear → V # Gear (shown in FIG. 6)
9 and 10 and 11 show a fourth driving system for rotationally driving the driving means 25 for driving the endless coil springs 31 and 31a for circulating and conveying the toner and the agitator 23 of the toner replenishing container 20. 9 and 10 are exploded cross-sectional views of the first drive system.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the drive motor 10
Since the drive from 3 to F1 # gear is the same as that described in the second drive system, the description is omitted, and the drive from the F1 # gear onward is described.

As described above in the section of the second drive system, the F # gear has a double structure of the F1 # gear and the F2 # gear like the C # gear, and the F2 # gear constitutes the H # gear. It is configured to drive the V # gear.

Here, as described above, the H # gear is configured to be connected to or disconnected from the F2 # gear of this fourth drive system by the attachment / detachment of the cartridge. Therefore, in this embodiment, the F2 # gear and the H # gear are attached / detached at the time of this attachment / detachment. As a means for facilitating the meshing relationship, a mechanism for performing the same action on the F # gear as the C # gear of the second drive system is configured.

That is, in FIG. 10, C2 # gear and main shaft C2 2
As shown in the BB cross-section of the double structure part of the heavy structure and the F1 # gear and the F2 # gear, the recess F is formed in one of the F1 # gears.
1 # a and the convex portion F1 # b are formed at the point symmetrical positions, and the other F2 # gear having the concave portion F2 # a and the convex portion F2 # b formed at the point symmetrical positions is inserted into the concave portion F1 # a. Are fitted so that they can rotate relative to each other by a predetermined angle, and
A compression spring FS, which is simplified in the drawing, is arranged in both concave portions F1 # a and F2 # a, and both convex portions F1 # b and F2 # b are brought into contact with each other so as to be in a stopped state. Is maintained (BB cross section 1), and the F2 # gear and the H # gear mesh with each other.

Then, when the F1 # gear to the F2 # gear are rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in the figure, as shown in the BB cross section 2, the F2 # gear meshes with the V # gear within a short time and has a rotational load. While the # gear is stopped, the compression spring FS is compressed to rotate only the F1 # gear, and the second convex portion F1 # c formed at the point symmetrical position of the F1 # gear is formed at the point symmetrical position of the F2 # gear. The second convex portion F2 # c is brought into contact with the F2 # gear to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the drawing to drive the V # gear.

In the above structure, the F1 # gear is driven in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11 and then rotationally stopped, and the above cartridge is taken out upward in FIG.
Since the gears are arranged at positions where they can be disengaged from each other, their meshing is disengaged without difficulty, the rotational drive load of the F2 # gear is released, and the compression spring FS extends to move the F2 # gear to the B- in FIG. Rotate in the direction of the arrow of B section 2 to
The state of B cross section 1 is reached. On the other hand, when the cartridge is mounted from above in FIG. 11 in the state of BB cross section 1,
In the process in which the F2 # gear and the H # gear are brought into the meshing state, the rotational driven load related to the driving means 25 for driving the endless coil springs 31 and 31a for circulating and transporting the toner described above, through the V # gear. H # gear is F
A structure opposite to the normal rotation direction of the 2 # gear, that is, a structure in which the F2 # gear of FIG. 11 is rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined angle against the extension force of the compression spring FS to be mounted. Therefore, even if the F2 # gear is rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined angle, the second convex portion F1 # c and the second convex portion F1 # c are formed so as not to reach the state of BB cross section 2 in FIG. The relationship of the part F2 # c is configured.

By the way, in the fourth drive system, since the above-mentioned double structure of gears is arranged in series with the C # gear and the F # gear, when the cartridge is mounted, the H # gear and the F2 # gear are the G # gear. And the F1 # gear are engaged before the above operation is performed, the operation is performed in the configuration of the F # gear, and the independent operation that does not affect the meshing of the G # gear and the F1 # gear that are subsequently engaged. Therefore, the balance of the biasing torques of the respective gears biased by the compression spring CS and the compression spring FS is considered.

Next, the above-mentioned drive gear train is supported to form a unit structure, and the third surface 100e of the main chassis 100 is formed.
The relationship between the drive transmission part fixed to the cartridge and the driven part on the cartridge side will be described with reference to FIG.

In the present embodiment, in the relationship between the drive unit on the main body side and the driven unit on the cartridge side, it is possible to avoid concentration of the driving force or the driven force to one pole, and neither need to have a high rigidity structure. It has a decentralized structure so that it can be made compact and inexpensive, and its specific contents will be described first.

The action relationship of the forces of the drive unit on the main body side and the driven unit on the cartridge side is indicated by the direction of the pressure angle of the gear at the meshing point of the drive gear on the main body side and the driven gear on the cartridge side. It is as follows according to the system.

<First Drive System> The direction of action of the force for driving the L # gear from the K2 # gear is in the direction of arrow L, which is directed diagonally upward to the left in the figure.

<Second Drive System> The acting direction of the force for driving the F # gear to the G # gear is the direction of arrow G pointing diagonally upward to the right in the figure, and the L # gear is driven from the K2 # gear. The direction of the force acting arrow L is different from that in the direction of the angle αG, and the specific angle in this embodiment is approximately 95 deg.

<Third drive system> The acting direction of the force for driving the D # gear to the E # gear is the arrow E direction which is directed obliquely upward to the right in the figure, and the L # gear is driven from the K2 # gear. The direction in which the force acts is different from the direction arrow L by an angle of αE, and the specific angle in this embodiment is approximately 55 deg.

<Fourth driving system> The acting direction of the force for driving the H # gear from the F # gear is the arrow H direction which is directed obliquely upward to the right in the drawing, and the L # gear is driven from the K2 # gear. The direction of action of the force L is different from the direction of the arrow L by an angle of αH, and the specific angle of this embodiment is approximately 85 deg.

As described above, in this embodiment, with respect to the acting direction arrow L of the force for driving the photoconductor 1 from the K2 # gear,
The developing roller 12 and the supply roller 13, which are the main parts of the developing unit 10, the driving means 25 for driving the endless coil springs 31 and 31a for circulating and conveying the toner, and the force for rotationally driving the agitator 23 of the toner replenishing container 20. The action directions act in different directions, and the action positions of this force are dispersed, so that the driven portion on the cartridge side or the drive portion on the main body side does not have to be configured with high rigidity. It is made up of structures.

The above is the relationship for each drive system constructed so as to avoid one-sided concentration of the drive force on the main body side or the driven force on the cartridge side in this embodiment, while the drive force of each of the above is substantially When combined, the direction becomes an arrow T directed obliquely upward in the figure, and the direction of action of the force for driving the photoconductor 1 from the K2 # gear is different from the direction of arrow L by an angle of αT. Since the action arrows T do not act in series, the fixing force can be reduced when fixing the cartridge.

The pressure angle direction of the gear at the meshing point of the drive gear on the main body side and the driven gear on the cartridge side varies by about ± 15 deg due to the attachment / detachment of the cartridge or the variation in the constitutional requirements. It should be taken into consideration that, in the configuration of the present embodiment, at least the driving force acting in the direction of the arrow T, which is substantially synthesized, is positive with respect to the action direction arrow L of the force for driving the photoconductor 1 from the K2 # gear. It is a structure in which the above effect is exerted when acting in different directions over a region parallel to the lines L1 and L2 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, this time, attention will be paid to the structural relationship between the driving force acting on the developing roller 12 and the supply roller 13 forming the main part of the developing section 10 and the developing section 10.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 12, the supply roller 13 and the developing roller 1 which are the main parts of the developing section 10.
The support member 5 and the support member 5A, which rotatably support both ends of 2, are firmly connected to each other via a connecting member 6 by a fixing means such as a screw, and are integrally configured.
2, the support member 5 is a cartridge lower case 18
12 is rotatably supported by a support pin 7 that is inserted through a part of the above. Although FIG. 12 shows a state in which only one side is supported, the other side has the same support structure, and the support member 5A is the cartridge lower case 18 Support pin 7A that is inserted through a part of
It is rotatably supported by, and is configured to be rotatable integrally with the photoconductor 1 with the support pin 7 and the support pin 7A as a support shaft together with the above-mentioned regulation blade 14. Due to the action of the driving force acting in the direction of arrow G of the second driving system and the driving force acting in the direction of arrow E of the third driving system, the main part of the developing unit has the support pin 7 as the center of support and the arrow in the figure. The developing unit 10 is rotated and biased in the direction 110, that is, in the direction in which the developing unit 10 is separated from the photoconductor 1.

Therefore, in the above-mentioned structure of this embodiment, the nip width is stabilized without causing an excessive driving force due to the phenomenon of biting in both the photoconductor 1 and the developing roller 12 in the sliding nip portion. , The photoconductor 1 and the developing unit 10 as described above.
Drive positions on the cartridge side, or the driven portion on the cartridge side or the drive portion on the main body side does not have to be highly rigid, and the driven portion on the cartridge side,
Alternatively, since there is no load condition concentrated on the drive unit on the main body side, vibration and chatter are suppressed, and driving with less rotation jitter is possible.

In this embodiment, as described above, the developing roller 12 and the photosensitive member 1 are brought into pressure contact with each other in the above state to form a stable nip portion.
Also, since the springs 8 and 8A for setting the supporting member 5 and the supporting member 5A to apply a tension to the developing roller 12 toward the photoconductor 1 are also provided, the main portion of the developing unit is as described above. With the support pin 7 as the support center, arrow 11 in the figure
Even if the rotational movement is biased in the 0 direction, that is, in the direction away from the photoconductor 1, a stable nip between the developing roller 12 and the photoconductor 1 is formed against this.

[0154]

As described above, according to the present invention, the toner replenishing container is made detachable outside the image forming area of the photoconductor, and the flat mounting portion on the bottom surface of the toner replenishing container is engaged with the replenished portion. The toner replenishing container is configured so that the toner replenishing container can be arranged by utilizing the surplus space of the image forming device main body, and the toner replenishing container can also be downsized and operated with one hand. Possible and cumbersome attaching and detaching operations are no longer necessary.

Further, by constructing the cartridge or the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus so that the toner supply container can be attached and detached, a compact and inexpensive image forming apparatus which is easy to handle, particularly in the personal use market, Can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first sectional view of a left side main part showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a first sectional view of a front main part showing an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a second cross-sectional view of a front main part showing an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a first cross-sectional view of a left side main part showing an embodiment of the cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a second cross-sectional view of a left side main part showing an embodiment of the cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a first sectional view of a right side main part showing an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a second cross-sectional view of a right side main part showing an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a first developed sectional view showing an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a second developed sectional view showing an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a third developed sectional view showing an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a right side main part showing an embodiment of the cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of the upper surface showing an embodiment of the cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram related to rotational driving showing an embodiment of the cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an essential part showing an embodiment of the cartridge of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoconductor 2 Charging roller 10 Developing section 11 Storage section 12 Developing roller 13 Supply roller 17 Cartridge upper case 18 Cartridge lower case 20 Toner supply container 23 Agitator 25 Driving means 30, 30a Toner conveying section 31 Coil spring 40 Exposure unit 50 Control section 60 fixing section 70 paper feeding section 80 transfer section 90 cleaner section 92 cleaning blade 201 cartridge case 202 developing section guide groove 203 cleaner section guide groove 204 shutter hole 205 shutter 206 shutter cover

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A toner replenishing container for replenishing toner to a developing means, wherein the toner replenishing container is detachably mounted axially outside an image forming area of a photoconductor, and the bottom surface of the toner replenishing container is a flat surface. A toner replenishing container, characterized in that the toner replenishing container is engaged with a mounting portion having the developing means to replenish the toner. 2. A toner replenishing container for replenishing toner to the developing means, the cartridge comprising at least a photosensitive body and a developing means for developing a toner image on the photosensitive body, the cartridge being detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. A cartridge in which a flat mounting portion for mounting the toner is disposed axially outside an image forming area of the photoconductor, and the toner supply container is detachably mounted to the cartridge. 3. A photosensitive member and a developing unit for developing a toner image on the photosensitive member, and a planar mounting portion for mounting a toner replenishing container for replenishing the developing unit with toner is provided with an image of the photosensitive member. Arranged axially outside the forming area,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the toner supply container is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus. 4. The toner supply container has a volume of 200 cc.
The toner supply container according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The toner supply container has a volume of 200 cc.
The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: 6. The toner supply container has a volume of 200 cc.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: 7. The toner replenishing container according to claim 1, wherein the toner replenishing container is vertically long. 8. The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the toner supply container is vertically long. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the toner supply container is vertically long.