JPH11109698A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a image forming device constituted so that a driving control unit to which one driving source driving all driving mechanisms of a device main body is fitted can be attached and detached with respect to the device main body. SOLUTION: A one-way clutch is formed by connecting gears for supply 26 and 28 provided on a device main body side and rollers for carrying 18, 23 and 64 through a one-way spring and interposing ratchet gears 20 and 27 locking one end of the one-way spring between the gears 26 and 28 and the rollers 18, 23 and 64. Then, a control unit is formed so that a driving source 17 supplying driving force to the gears 26 and 28 and locking means 65 and 66 locked and unlocked with respect to the gears 20 and 27 and for controlling the turning of the gears 20 and 27 are provided on one surface side and the driving force is transmitted to the gears 26 and 28 from the other surface side. Then, the control unit is constituted so that it can be attached and detached with respect to the device main body.

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 in which a driving force is transmitted from one driving source, and more particularly, to a control unit having various mechanisms for controlling the driving force from the driving source together with the driving source. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus configured to be detachable from an apparatus main body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, a driving force of an image developing system of a photosensitive drum and a developing roller, a driving force of a developing device for supplying toner to the image developing system, a transfer roller and other conveyance of a recording medium. The driving force of the system was all supplied from the same driving source.

However, the drive system for the photosensitive drum of the image development system and the registration roller of the transport system and the other drive systems employ different power transmission paths. The drive system for the photosensitive drum and the registration roller has a drive path configured to be the shortest from the drive source, and the other drive system has a drive transmission path longer than the drive system.

[0004] The reason is that it is necessary to feed paper from a registration roller with good timing while the photosensitive drum is being driven to rotate, so that it is necessary to reduce the transmission loss of the driving force and to improve the responsiveness. As long as the developing roller has a rotation linear speed that is not slower than that of the photosensitive drum, the amount of toner supplied from the developing roller to the photosensitive drum side does not stop, and the toner stirring mechanism is used. Regardless of the rotation linear speed of the rollers described above, the driving is performed to ensure sufficient charging for the one-component toner, and the toner is sufficiently conveyed and charged by the carrier for the two-component toner. This is because it is only necessary to ensure agitation.

Accordingly, the photosensitive drum, a feed drive system to the registration roller, a registration roller drive system, and a drive system for the photosensitive body development mechanism including a drive mechanism such as a development roller and a toner stirring mechanism are integrated as a cartridge. A method has been devised in which a driving force is transmitted from one driving source and the cartridge is replaceable from a toner supply door of an apparatus body for supplying toner to a developing unit. .

[0006]

However, in this system, when considering the problem of maintenance and inspection of the apparatus main body, the cartridge is configured to be easily replaceable from the apparatus main body side. In order to drive the drive mechanism for the photosensitive drum and the drive mechanism for the developing unit on the cartridge side with one drive source, it is necessary to configure a reasonable drive force transmission system for these drive mechanisms.

Further, similarly to the cartridge, the driving force is transmitted from the drive source to each drive mechanism such as a paper feed roller drive mechanism and a registration roller drive mechanism from the paper feed cassette via a clutch mechanism. Therefore, it is necessary to configure a rational driving force transmission system including a control mechanism for controlling these clutch mechanisms.

Therefore, it is required to dispose the gear train from the drive source so as to avoid the clutch mechanism and the control mechanism, and to transmit the drive force between the cartridge-side drive mechanism and the apparatus-side drive mechanism from the drive source. It is necessary to change the rotation direction of the gear and to use an intermediate gear or the like in order to secure an appropriate center distance.

When the mechanical clutch mechanism is provided coaxially with the paper feed roller, a portion of the mechanical clutch mechanism becomes longer in the axial direction, and a control mechanism for controlling the clutch mechanism is provided in parallel with the clutch mechanism. Therefore, it is required to dispose the gear train from the drive source so as to avoid the control mechanism of the clutch mechanism, which is contrary to the demand for downsizing.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a unit body that can transmit a rotational driving force from one drive source provided on one surface to a supply gear provided on the other surface. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that is formed and configured so that the unit body is detachable from the apparatus main body. Another object of the present invention is to form a transport roller for transporting a recording sheet so as to transmit a driving force from a drive source via a mechanical clutch mechanism, and to perform image formation for performing responsive clutch control. It is to provide a device.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the present invention has at least one of a paper feed driving system including a registration roller and a photoconductor developing mechanism driving system. An image forming apparatus configured to transmit driving forces from two driving sources, a supply gear provided on the apparatus main body side, a transport roller connected to the supply gear by a one-way spring, and the supply gear A one-way clutch formed by interposing a ratchet gear that locks one end of the one-way spring, the drive source that supplies a driving force to the supply gear, and the ratchet gear. Locking means for engaging and disengaging and controlling the rotation of the ratchet gear are provided on one surface, and the driving force is transmitted from the other surface to the supply gear. A that control unit, thereby allowing the transmission control of the driving force to the conveying roller from the feed gear and detachably attached to the control unit to the apparatus main body.

Here, the photoconductor developing mechanism drive system refers to, for example, a drive system such as stirring the toner in at least the photoconductor drum 9 and the developing device 10 in the cartridge 2 as shown in FIG. The supply gear provided on the apparatus main body side is, for example, a registration gear 2 that transmits a driving force to registration rollers A18 and B23 as shown in FIG.
6, and a sheet feeding gear 28 that transmits a driving force to the sheet feeding roller 64.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the feeding gear and the conveying roller connected with the one-way spring are connected to registration rollers (18, 2).
The feed gear 28 and feed roller 6 of the feed drive system up to 3)
4. A registration gear 26 for the registration roller drive system and registration rollers (18, 23) are included.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet feeding drive system between a recording paper cassette and a registration roller between a sheet feeding gear and a sheet feeding roller, or a registration roller driving system with a registration gear and a registration roller. Between, for example, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the ratchet gear (the second claw 27, the first
Crows 20) form a one-way clutch.

An engaging means (relay 2) for engaging and disengaging the ratchet gear and controlling the rotation of the ratchet gear.
1 and the claw plate 65, and the relay 22 and the claw plate 66) are arranged on the surface side where the drive source (motor 17) is arranged. Here, the locking means is not limited to the one configured by the electromagnetic relay and the locking claw, but may be a means using a fluid, a locking claw, or a negative pressure of a gas.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the driving force is transmitted from the driving source 17 to the supply gear, and the rotational driving force is transmitted to the sheet feeding roller or the registration roller via the clutch. When the ratchet gear is locked, the transmission of the rotational driving force from the paper feeding gear to the paper feeding roller or from the registration gear to the registration roller is stopped.

Since the control unit (drive control unit 14) is configured to be detachable from the main body of the apparatus, the control unit can be freely detached at the time of repair or maintenance and inspection, and parts can be replaced or cleaned.

As described in claim 2, an intermediate gear meshing with the supply gear and supplying a driving force from the drive source is provided on the other surface of the control unit, and the supply gear is provided. It is also an effective means of the present invention that the ratchet gear and the ratchet gear are arranged coaxially and the ratchet gear has an outer diameter smaller than a root diameter of the supply gear.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the intermediate gear 39 (FIG. 4) meshing with the supply gear (registration gear 26, paper feed roller 64) is arranged in the control unit 14, so that the control unit 14 5, the intermediate roller 39 is also pulled out. However, since the outer diameter of the ratchet gear (20, 27) is formed smaller than the root diameter of the supply gear, the tooth of the intermediate roller 39 does not reach the tooth of the ratchet gear. It does not interfere with the teeth of the ratchet gear.

Further, as described in claim 3, the ratchet gear is disposed coaxially outside the supply gear, and a pawl portion is disposed so as to be detachably engageable with the ratchet gear facing the ratchet gear. It is preferable to provide a locking means including a solenoid for sucking the claw plate.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, since the ratchet gear is disposed coaxially outside the supply gear, when the control unit 14 is removed from the apparatus main body in FIG. Never abut.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the one-way clutch is provided between a paper feed gear of the paper feed drive system and a paper feed roller, and / or a registration gear of a resist roller drive system and a resist roller. It is also an effective means of the present invention to interpose between them.

If the one-way clutch is disposed between the paper feed gear of the paper feed drive system and the paper feed roller, the recording paper can be conveyed in synchronization with the start of rotation of the registration roller. The transfer of the recording paper by the paper roller is delayed, so that the load is not applied to the registration roller and transfer failure does not occur. In addition, since the one-way clutch is disposed between the registration gear of the registration roller driving system and the registration roller, and the recording paper is aligned by the registration roller, the timing at which the claw portion of the solenoid comes off starts the paper feeding. And the time lag is reduced.

Further, as described in claim 5, the locking means is disposed on a metal part of the control unit, and the control unit is provided with a cooling fan. Means.

As described above, since the locking means is disposed on the metal part of the control unit, the heat generated by the ON / OFF of the electrical conduction by the locking means is repeated by the metal part. Heat is easily conducted to the low heat part. Since the control unit is provided with a cooling fan, the metal portion is easily cooled.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative examples. It's just

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration perspective view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a frame formed by side walls 30 and 31 is provided in the image forming apparatus 1, and a conveyance path 50 (a central space 46 notch) for conveying recording paper is provided in the frame. 51 are provided, and transport paths 50 and 51 are provided.
Between the holding plate 5 and the holding plate 5 for holding up the rising of the recording paper.
8, a registration roller (18, 23), an optical path below the conveying path 51, and a cartridge 2 described later.
The optical unit 5 for projecting image information on the photosensitive drum 9 and the transfer roller 47 are provided.
A resist sensor 45 is disposed in the space 46 on the upstream side of the above, and an electrical connector 52 is disposed below the side wall 30.

A guide groove 33 serving as a guide when a cartridge 2 described later is mounted on the apparatus main body is formed with a side wall 30.
The grooves 32 and 44 are provided on the side wall 31. Also,
A drive control unit 1 that controls transmission of driving force to the apparatus main body and a driving mechanism of a cartridge 2 described below is provided on the side wall 31.
4 is removably arranged.

The drive control unit 14 has a rotor pinion 17a (FIG. 4) of the motor 17 rotatably disposed therein, and various gears connected to the rotor pinion 17a.
Relays 21 and 22, contact piece 3 for grounding photosensitive drum shaft
5, a metal ground plate 49 on which the motor 5 is disposed, an electric control board 16 for controlling the motor 17, and a fan 43 including the control board 16 for releasing heat to cool the inside of the machine. The control board 16 is provided with wiring patterns, connectors, electric circuit components, a cooling plate for dissipating heat generated by the electric circuit components, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a view of the drive control unit 14 as viewed from the back. A pinion 17a extending from the rotor of the motor 17 rotatably mounted on the main plate 49 meshes with a power transmission gear 36 having an electromagnetic clutch. The gear 36 is connected to an intermediate gear 37 and an intermediate gear 38 via an electromagnetic clutch. Is engaged. The intermediate gear 37 is attached to a shaft of the transfer roller 47, rotates the transfer roller 47, and is arranged so as to mesh with the drum gear 41 (FIG. 2) of the photosensitive drum 9 provided in the cartridge 2 described above. I have.

The other intermediate gear 38 meshing with the power transmission gear 36 is arranged to mesh with a developing device gear 42 provided on the cartridge 2 via an intermediate gear 39 and an intermediate gear 40. The intermediate gear 39 is the registration gear 26
The large-diameter registration roller B and the small-diameter registration roller A are rotatable via a one-way clutch (not shown).

The intermediate gear 39 meshes with a paper feed gear 28 connected to a paper feed roller (not shown) via an electromagnetic clutch, and supplies the recording paper from the paper feed cassette to the registration rollers (A, B). The paper is configured. The intermediate gear 37 is connected to a gear 60 via an electromagnetic clutch, and the gear 60 is connected to gears 61, 62, and 63. From these gears, a fixing roller gear (not shown) for recording paper and a tray 6 are connected. Connected to the paper feed gear. Also, the motor 17
A driving force supply gear 59 that meshes with the pinion 17a extending from the rotor of No. 1 is connected to a pickup roller driving gear from a recording paper storage cassette (not shown).

As described above, the power transmission gear 36, which meshes with the output gear (pinion 17a) provided on the rotor of the motor 17 and transmits the rotational driving force, transmits the power of the photosensitive drum via one intermediate gear 37. System and multiple intermediate gears (3
8, 39, 40) and a developing device power transmission system are provided so that the driving force is transmitted by providing a two-system power transmission system, and the cartridge-side driving gear is provided as shown in FIG. A developing device side drive gear (developing device gear) 42 connected to the developing device power transmission system; and a photosensitive drum side gear (drum gear) connected to the photosensitive drum power transmission system.
When the cartridge 2 is mounted on the apparatus main body, the developing device side drive gear and the photosensitive drum side gear mesh with the two-line power transmission system. I do.

Therefore, the driving force is transmitted from the power transmission gear 36 to the photosensitive drum 9 by the photosensitive drum power transmission system via one intermediate gear 37, so that the driving force is transmitted with a small gear train. Thus, the load torque is reduced, and the rotation of the photosensitive drum is accurately performed.

In the developing device 10, the driving force is used for agitating the toner in the developing device and transferring the toner to the photosensitive drum side. The driving force is transmitted by a developing device power transmission system via a plurality of intermediate gears. There is no effect even if the backlash or torque drops, and the position of the developing device gear 42 can be set to an arbitrary position with respect to the position of the drum gear of the photosensitive drum through a plurality of intermediate gear trains. They can be arranged, and the degree of freedom of design is improved.

As shown in FIG. 5, the paper feed gear 28 is connected to a claw 27 formed integrally with the central shaft of the paper feed roller 64 via a clutch (not shown). The crow 27 is provided with an upright surface in the direction of rotation in the form of a ratchet gear around the cylinder, and teeth are cut out from the apex of the upright surface so as to have a gentle surface in the anti-rotation direction. A biased claw plate 66 is disposed, and the claw plate 66 is configured to be capable of engaging and disengaging with the teeth of the claw 27 by the relay 22.
8, the paper feed roller 64 is rotated clockwise by the tightening torque of the one-way clutch spring, and when the claw 27 is stopped by the claw plate 66, the paper feed roller 64 is stopped. It can be rotated in the direction of pulling in the transport direction even during jam processing. At this time, the second crow 27 keeps the stopped position.

The registration gear 26 is connected to the claw 20 formed integrally with the center shaft of the registration roller B23 via a clutch (not shown). Crow 20 is provided with an upright surface in the rotational direction in the form of a ratchet gear around the cylinder,
Teeth are cut out from the top of the upright surface so as to have a gentle surface in the anti-rotation direction, and a claw plate 65 urged in a direction for engaging with the teeth is arranged. The registration gear 2 is configured to be able to engage and disengage with the teeth of the crow 20.
6, the registration roller B23 is rotated clockwise by the tightening torque of the one-way clutch spring, and the registration roller A18 is rotated counterclockwise. A and B stop, but are rotatable against the frictional force. The recording paper due to jam or the like is pulled in the transport direction to perform the jam processing. The first crow 20 is a nail plate 65
Keep the position locked by.

Next, the transport clutch mechanism and the registration clutch mechanism will be described. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a transport clutch mechanism that transports a recording sheet to a registration roller, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a registration roller clutch mechanism. Paper feed gear 28 disclosed in FIG.
A large-diameter portion 28a having a toothed portion on the outer periphery, a medium-diameter portion 28b extending from one surface of the large-diameter portion 28a and having a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion 28a; A small-diameter portion 28c extending from the second diameter portion 28b and having a smaller diameter than the middle-diameter portion 28b;
And an opening 28d formed concentrically with the small diameter portion 28c.

The second wheel brake 7 having an end face 73e arranged in contact with the end face 28e of the small diameter portion 28c.
Reference numeral 3 denotes a small-diameter portion 73c having the same diameter as the small-diameter portion 28c of the sheet feeding gear 28, a medium-diameter portion 73b extending on the opposite side to the end face 73e and having a larger diameter than the small-diameter portion 73c, Part 73
A flange 73a having a diameter larger than b and a semicircular opening 73d formed concentrically with the flange 73a, the middle diameter 73b, and the small diameter 73c are provided.

The leading end 67a of the feed roller shaft 67 can be integrally formed with the opening 73d of the second wheel brake 73 while rotating with the opening 28d of the feed gear 28. It is inserted as possible.

The one-way clutch spring 34 is wound tightly, and in a natural state, one end of the wire stands radially outward from the outer periphery of the coil, and the other end is a free end, the end of the coil being in agreement with the diameter of the coil. Closely adhered to.

The small-diameter portion 28c of the paper feed gear 28 and the small-diameter portion 73c of the second wheel brake 73 are fitted into the inner diameter of the one-way clutch spring 34.
The second claw 27 is fitted into the one-way clutch spring 34 so as to be rotatable around the middle diameter portion 28b and the middle diameter portion 73b with a space from the outer diameter of the one-way clutch spring 34 in this fitted state. One end is locked to one end of the second claw 27, and the free end of the other end is wound around the middle diameter portion 73c of the second wheel brake 73.

In FIG. 6A, one end of the one-way clutch spring 34 is engaged with the second claw 27 from the sheet feeding gear side, but the free end is wound around the sheet feeding gear side. The one end may be locked from the second wheel brake 73 to the second crow 27.

In the transport clutch mechanism configured as described above, the one-way clutch spring wound around the medium diameter portion 28c is transmitted to the gear portion 28a of the paper feed gear 28 by transmitting the driving force supplied from a drive source (not shown). The second claw 27 rotates in the winding direction of the spring 34 so that one end thereof is rotated in the winding direction.
The second wheel brake 73 rotates in the winding direction of the spring 34 by the rotation force of 4, the paper feed roller shaft 67 rotates, and the paper feed roller 64 (FIG. 5A) rotates to convey the recording paper. I do.

On the other hand, the leading edge of the recording paper is
B, a suitable deflection is formed, and when the leading end of the recording paper is aligned at right angles to the conveyance direction, the relay 22 (FIG. 5)
When (b)) is turned off, the claw plate 66 enters the ratchet teeth of the second clock 27 to stop the rotation of the second clock 27.

Since the rotation of the second claw 27 is stopped, the rotation of the spring 34 is stopped, and the rotation driving force is not transmitted to the second wheel brake 73 even if the paper feed gear 28 continues to rotate. At this time, the rotation of the spring 34 is stopped, but the rotation of the paper feed gear 28 continues, so that the spring 34 locked on the second crow 27 is wound around the middle diameter portion 28c from one end of the spring 34. A small amount of rotational force is stored by the friction of the coil spring and the restoring stress of the one end up to the portion where the second claw 27 is unlocked by the claw plate 66 of the second claw 27.
Turns the paper feed roller shaft 67 in response to the rotational driving force of the paper feed gear 28.

If a paper jam occurs while the recording paper is being conveyed, the driving operation of the image forming apparatus main body is automatically stopped. However, if the paper jam occurs before reaching the registration rollers 18 and 23, the cartridge 2 It is necessary to pull out the recording paper from the apparatus body, rotate the paper feed roller 64 in the transport direction, and pull out and discharge the jammed recording paper.

That is, the one-way spring 34 is wound around the small diameter portion 73c of the second wheel brake 73 and its end is not locked.
Stops, the relay 22 is turned off, and the second crow 27
In the state where is locked by the claw plate 66, the jammed recording paper can be pulled out by rotating in the transport direction under the friction of the spring 34 wound around the small diameter portion 73c. .

Next, the registration clutch mechanism 69 will be described. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the registration roller clutch mechanism. A registration gear 26 to which a driving force is transmitted from a drive source (not shown) is composed of a large-diameter portion 26a having a toothed portion on the outer periphery and the large-diameter portion 26a extending from one surface of the large-diameter portion 26a. A middle diameter portion 26b having a smaller diameter, a small diameter portion 26c extending from the middle diameter portion 26b and having a smaller diameter than the middle diameter portion 26b,
a, an opening 26d formed concentrically with the middle diameter portion 26b and the small diameter portion 26c.

The first wheel brake 7 having an end face 72e arranged in contact with the end face 26e of the small diameter portion 26c.
2, a small-diameter portion 72c having the same diameter as the small-diameter portion 26c of the registration gear 26; a medium-diameter portion 72b extending on the opposite side to the end surface 72e and having a larger diameter than the small-diameter portion 72c; A flange portion 72a having a larger diameter than the flange portion 72b, and a semicircular opening hole 72d cut and formed concentrically with the flange portion 72a, the middle diameter portion 72b, and the small diameter portion 72c are provided.

The tip 23 a of the shaft 23 b of the registration roller B 23 is connected to the opening 72 of the first wheel brake 72.
The sheet feeding gear 26 is rotatably fitted in the opening 26d of the sheet feeding gear 26, while being able to be integrally assembled by fitting with the sheet feeding gear 26. A registration gear 24 is provided on the end face 26f side of the paper feed gear 26.
Is fixed to the shaft 23b of the registration roller B with a pin 74, and the registration gear 19 fixed to the tip of the shaft 18b of the registration roller A18 meshes with the registration gear 24.

The one-way clutch spring 25 is wound tightly, and in the natural state, one end of the wire stands radially outward from the outer periphery of the coil and the other end is a free end, and the end of the coil coincides with the diameter of the coil. Closely adhered to.

The small-diameter portion 26c of the paper feed gear 26 and the small-diameter portion 72c of the first wheel brake 72 are fitted into the inner diameter of the one-way clutch spring 25.
The first crow 20 is fitted into the one-way clutch spring 25 so as to be rotatable around the middle diameter portion 26b and the middle diameter portion 72b with a space from the outer diameter of the one-way clutch spring 25 in the fitted state. One end is locked to one end of the second claw 27, and the free end of the other end is wound around the middle diameter portion 72c of the first wheel brake 72.

In FIG. 6B, one end of the one-way clutch spring 25 is locked to the first claw 20 from the registration gear side, but the free end side is wound around the sheet feeding gear side. Connect the one end to the first wheel brake 72
From the first crow 27.

In the thus constructed registration clutch mechanism 69, the driving force supplied from a driving source (not shown) is transmitted to the gear portion 26a of the sheet feeding gear 26, and the one-way clutch wound around the medium diameter portion 26c is used. The spring 25
One end thereof is turned in the winding direction, and the first crow 20 is turned in the winding direction of the spring 25. The turning power of the spring 25 causes the first wheel brake 72 to turn in the winding direction of the spring 25, Registration roller B2
3 rotates, the registration gear 24 rotates, the driving force is transmitted from the gear 24 to the gear 19, and the registration roller A18 rotates to convey the recording paper.

On the other hand, the leading edge of the recording paper is
B until a suitable bending is formed by contact with the recording paper and the leading edge of the recording paper is aligned at right angles to the conveyance direction.
(FIG. 5B) is turned on, and the claw plate 65 is moved to the first clock 20.
And the rotation of the first crow 20 is stopped. In this state, the rotation driving force is not transmitted to the first wheel brake 72 even if the paper feed gear 26 continues to rotate. At this time, the rotation of the spring 25 is stopped, but the rotation of the paper feed gear 26 continues, so that one end of the spring 25 locked to the first crow 20 is wound around the medium diameter portion 26c. Up to the portion where the rotation of the first claw 20 is released, the spring 25 is released immediately after the engagement of the claw plate 65 of the first claw 20 is released. The registration roller B23 is rotated in response to the rotational driving force of the paper feed gear 26.

If a jam occurs while the recording paper is being conveyed, the driving operation of the image forming apparatus main body is automatically stopped, but if the jam is caused by a registration roller, the cartridge 2 is pulled out of the apparatus main body. , Registration rollers A,
It is necessary to rotate B in the transport direction to pull out and discharge the jammed recording paper.

That is, since the one-way spring 25 is wound around the small diameter portion 72c of the first wheel brake 72 and its end is not locked, the registration gear 26 stops and the relay 21 is turned off. The first claw 20 is released from the engagement by the claw plate 65, and rotates in the conveyance direction under the friction of the spring 25 wound around the small-diameter portion 72c, thereby causing the jammed recording paper. It is possible to draw out.

Returning to FIG. 1, the frame constituted by the side walls 30, 31 is covered on the outside with an outer panel 8, and an operation button (not shown) is provided on the right upper surface 8a of the outer panel 8. The part 54 is arranged. The outer panel 8
Between the left upper surface 8b and the right upper surface 8a, a side door 12 having a hinge portion below and openable outward is disposed, and a transport roller is provided between the side door 12 and the outer panel 8. A tray 6 for stacking the recording paper transferred by 55 is formed.

A side frame 11 having a cassette storage 7 which is detachable from the outside is attached to the outside of the transport path 50, and an opening / closing door which covers between the upper surface 11a of the side frame 11 and the end surface 8c of the outer panel 8 4 is arranged to be openable and closable by hinges (not shown) provided on the side walls 30 and 31.

An engaging projection 56a, which is a rotating arm extending from a drum cover 56 for covering the photosensitive drum 9, which will be described later, is provided obliquely upward in FIG. The cartridge 2 has a cartridge-side guide means 57 (2a, 2b) on the side surface which is arranged so as to be fittable into the groove 44 of the device 31 and is loosely fitted into the groove 32 of the apparatus main body side wall 31. The cartridge 2 integrally includes a developing device 10, a toner container 3 detachably disposed on an upper portion of the developing device 10, a drum mounting portion 15 for rotatably holding the photosensitive drum 9, and the like. , Opening recess 53a
A connector 53 having an electrical connection terminal group on the back side of the photoconductor drum 9 and a developing device 10 on the side 2d side.
Various gears for driving an internal mechanism, a developing roller, a toner stirring mechanism, and the like are arranged.

As shown in FIG. 2, a photosensitive drum 9 is rotatably disposed on both side surfaces 2d of the cartridge 2, and when the cartridge 2 is taken out of the apparatus, the photosensitive drum 9 is removed. A drum cover 56 having a biasing force in a direction to cover the surface is rotatably provided on a front upper surface of the cartridge 2 with a hinge. An arm 56c extends on the left side of the hinge on the front side of the drum cover 56, and an engagement protrusion 56a is provided at the tip thereof.

Further, both side surfaces 2d, 2d of the cartridge 2
In this case, the photosensitive drum shaft 9a is coaxial,
a, 2a, wall-shaped 2b, 2 from the cylindrical surface toward the rear end.
A projection 57 extending and extending in b is implanted, and projections 2c, 2c are projected.

Inside the front side surface 2d, a drum gear 41 for rotating the photosensitive drum 9 and a developing gear 42 for driving a developing roller of the developing device 10, a toner stirring mechanism, and the like.
However, each is arranged independently.

In order to mount the cartridge 2 on the apparatus main body 1 configured as described above, the rear surface 2f of the cartridge 2 is gripped by hand in contact with the palm, and the projections 57 implanted on both side surfaces 2d, 2d are provided. Grooves 32, 3 provided with 57 on the side walls 30, 31
3 and the engaging projection 56 a of the drum cover 56 is inserted into the groove 44 of the side wall 31.

First, as shown in FIG.
Abuts on the cam surface 44a rising upward from the entrance of the groove 44, and starts opening the drum cover 56. Thereafter, the engagement protrusion 56a slides between the upper and lower surfaces 44b and 44c of the groove to reach the bottom portion 44d. On the other hand, the projection 57 enters the groove 32, but the description of the method of mounting the cartridge 2 to the apparatus main body is not the gist of the present application, and thus will be omitted.

Next, the transfer operation of the recording paper will be described. FIG.
, The rotational force from the pinion 17a is
The recording paper is transmitted from the feed rollers 64 to the registration rollers A and B (18, 2).
Conveyed to 3). Relay 21 synchronized with recording paper conveyance
Sucks the claw plate 65, and the registration rollers A and B (18, 23) are stopped because the tip of the claw plate 65 enters the teeth of the crow 20 and the rotation of the crow 20 is stopped.

In this state, since the registration gear 26 continues to rotate but the registration roller is stopped, the clutch interposed between the registration gear 26 and the crow 20 applies a slight rotational force to the crow 20. , And continues to rotate with the resist gear 26 against the frictional force. When the recording paper is detected by the registration sensor 45 and a predetermined time has elapsed, the electromagnetic clutch between the paper feeding roller 64 and the paper feeding gear 28 is disengaged, and the conveyance of the recording paper is stopped.

On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 9 of the cartridge 2 and the mechanism in the developing unit 10 are driven by the driving force from the power transmission gear 36, and the image signal light from the optical unit 5 (FIG. When the image formed on the surface is developed and the suction of the relay 21 is released at a predetermined timing, the registration roller immediately applies the recording paper to the photosensitive drum 9 and the transfer roller 47 (FIG. 1) by the driving force urged by the clutch. , And the image on the photosensitive drum is transferred to a recording sheet.
It is loaded on the tray 6 according to FIG.

As described in detail above, in the present embodiment, the locking means for locking the first and second crows formed in the form of a ratchet gear is constituted by the electromagnetic relay and the locking claw. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may use fluid, locking claws, or negative pressure of gas.

Next, an operation of removing the drive control unit 14 from the apparatus main body will be described. In FIG. 1, the front door 13
Is opened, the drive control unit 14 appears. As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the unit 14 has screw holes 49a to 49d of the base plate 49 fixed to the apparatus main body with screws, and a plurality of connectors (87, 88, 89) are arranged on the control board 16. Have been.

When the connector is disconnected and the screw is removed, the drive control unit 14 can be lifted vertically upward in FIG. 5B. When the drive control unit 14 is pulled up, since the power supply is off, the claw plate 65 of the relay 21 is pulled by the spring 75 and is disengaged from the ratchet 20, but the relay 22 is in the state of the spring 76. And the ratchet 27 is engaged.

When the drive control unit 14 is lifted vertically upward, the tip of the claw plate 66 of the relay 22 slides on the bottom of the ratchet 27, and the intermediate gear 39 disposed on the device main body side of the drive control unit 14 is disengaged. , Resist gear 26
In addition, since the root of the feeding gear 28 is smaller in diameter than the roots of the ratchets 20 and 27, the drive control unit 14 can be taken out without being obstructed by these ratchets.

The small diameter portion 26c of the registration gear 26 and the small diameter portion 72c of the wheel brake 72, or the small diameter portion 28c of the paper feed gear 28 and the small diameter portion 7 of the wheel brake 73
One-way clutch spring 2 wound tightly around 3c
The cross-sectional shape of the wires 5 and 34 may be circular, but in the cross-section of the one-way spring, a semicircle, a triangle, a square,
Other polygons are desirable.

Further, in the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surfaces of the shaft portion and the end portion around which the one-way spring is wound are disclosed to have the same diameter. Not only in the case where they match, it is sufficient that even if there is a difference between the outer diameters of the two outer peripheral surfaces due to the characteristics of the material of the one-way spring, the torque can be transmitted within a necessary range of torque. Of course.

As described in detail above, in the present embodiment, at least the sheet feeding drive system including the registration roller and the photosensitive member developing mechanism drive system are configured so that the driving force is transmitted from one drive source. A one-way spring connects between a supply gear for supplying a driving force from the driving source and a transport roller receiving the driving force from the supply gear, and a ratchet is provided between the supply gear and the transport roller. A one-way clutch is formed by interposing a gear with one end of the one-way spring being a free end and the other end being locked to the ratchet gear, and engaging and disengaging with the ratchet gear to control rotation of the ratchet gear. Since the stop means is provided, when the ratchet gear is locked, the rotational driving force is applied from the sheet feeding gear to the sheet feeding roller or from the registration gear to the registration roller. While transmission is released, and pull the recording sheet jammed for one end of the one-way spring is the free end in the conveying direction, the paper feed roller or registration roller may be rotated pulling the recording paper.

Further, the one-way clutch is interposed between the sheet feeding gear of the sheet feeding driving system and the sheet feeding roller and / or between the registration gear of the registration roller driving system and the registration roller. Since the recording paper can be conveyed in synchronization with the start of rotation of the registration roller,
The feeding of the recording paper by the paper feed roller is delayed, so that the load is not applied to the registration roller and transfer failure does not occur.

Further, if the one-way clutch is arranged between the registration gear of the registration roller drive system and the registration roller, the time lag becomes small and the delay is reduced with respect to the start of conveyance after the recording paper is aligned by the registration roller. Since the recording paper can be sent without the recording paper, the position of the recording paper on which the image on the photosensitive drum is transferred can be easily synchronized.

Further, in this embodiment, the supply gear provided on the apparatus main body side and the transport roller are connected by a one-way spring, and the one-way spring is connected between the supply gear and the transport roller. While forming a one-way clutch via a ratchet gear with one end locked,
The drive source for supplying a driving force to the supply gear, and locking means for controlling the rotation of the ratchet gear disengaged from the ratchet gear, provided on one surface,
Since the control unit is formed so that the driving force is transmitted from the other surface to the supply gear, it is possible to control the transmission of the driving force from the supply gear to the transport roller when the control unit is mounted. In addition, since the control unit is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body, the control unit can be freely removed at the time of repair or maintenance and inspection, and parts can be replaced or cleaned.

[0080]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the supply gear provided on the apparatus main body side and the transport roller are connected by a one-way spring, and the supply gear and the transport roller are connected to each other. A one-way clutch is formed with a ratchet gear engaged with one end of the one-way spring interposed therebetween, the driving source for supplying a driving force to the supply gear, and the ratchet gear disengaged from the ratchet gear. Locking means for controlling the rotation of the drive gear is provided on one surface, and the control unit is formed so that the driving force is transmitted from the other surface to the supply gear. At times, the control unit can be freely removed to replace parts, perform cleaning, and the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an intermediate gear that meshes with the supply gear and supplies a driving force from the drive source is provided on the other surface of the control unit. Since the gear and the ratchet gear are arranged coaxially, and the outer diameter of the ratchet gear is formed to be smaller than the root diameter of the supply gear, the tip of the intermediate roller is no longer than the tip of the ratchet gear. It does not come into contact with the teeth of the ratchet gear and does not cause any obstacle.

Further, as set forth in claim 3, the ratchet gear is arranged outside the supply gear, and the locking means is arranged so that a claw portion faces the ratchet gear and can be disengaged. Since the claw plate is sucked by the solenoid, the claw plate does not come into contact with the supply gear when the control unit is removed from the apparatus main body.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the one-way clutch is provided between a paper feed gear and a paper feed roller of the paper feed drive system, and / or a registration gear and a registration roller of the registration roller drive system. , The feeding of the recording paper by the paper feed roller is delayed, so that the load is not applied to the registration roller and transfer failure does not occur. In addition, since the recording paper can be sent out with a small time lag with respect to the start of conveyance after the recording paper is aligned by the registration rollers, it can be easily synchronized with the position of the recording paper on which the image on the photosensitive drum is transferred. Can be.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the locking means is disposed on a metal portion of the control unit, and the control unit is provided with a cooling fan.
The heat generated by the turning on / off of the electric current by the locking means is easily conducted to the low heat portion by the metal portion, and is easily cooled by the cooling fan.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration perspective view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of an image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the drive control unit.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a drive control unit,
(B) is a front view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a sectional configuration diagram of a one-way clutch.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Cartridge 3 Toner container 9 Photoreceptor drum 10 Developing device 14 Drive control unit 17 Motor (drive source) 18 Registration roller A (conveyance roller) 20, 27 Ratchet gear 23 Registration roller B (conveyance roller) 25 , 34 one-way spring 26 registration gear (supply gear) 28 feed gear (supply gear) 32, 33, 44 groove (apparatus main body side guide means) 36 power transmission gear 64 paper feed roller (transport roller) 65, 66 Claw plate (locking means)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus in which at least a paper feed drive system including a registration roller and a photoreceptor developing mechanism drive system are configured so that a driving force is transmitted from one drive source. Gear, a supply roller connected to the supply gear by a one-way spring, and a ratchet gear that locks one end of the one-way spring between the supply gear and the transfer roller. A one-way clutch, the driving source for supplying a driving force to the supply gear, and locking means for engaging and disengaging the ratchet gear and controlling rotation of the ratchet gear are provided on one surface,
A control unit formed so that a driving force is transmitted from the other surface to the supply gear. The control unit enables transmission control of the driving force from the supply gear to the transport roller, and An image forming apparatus, wherein a unit is configured to be detachable from an apparatus main body. 2. An intermediate gear that meshes with the supply gear and supplies driving force from the drive source is provided on the other surface of the control unit, and the supply gear and the ratchet gear are coaxially arranged. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the ratchet gear is smaller than the root diameter of the supply gear. 3. A pawl plate which is disposed coaxially outside the supply gear and coaxially outward with respect to the supply gear, and a pawl portion is disposed so as to be capable of engaging and disengaging a pawl portion with the ratchet gear, and a solenoid for sucking the pawl plate. 3. A locking means comprising:
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one-way clutch is interposed between a sheet feeding gear of the sheet feeding driving system and a sheet feeding roller and / or between a registration gear of the registration roller driving system and a registration roller. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the locking means is disposed on a metal part of the control unit, and the control unit is provided with a cooling fan.