TW201827956A - Drum unit, cartridge, electro-photographic image forming apparatus and coupling member in which the drum unit can be assembled to and disassembled from the main body of the electro-photographic image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A drum unit includes a photoreceptor drum and a coupling member. The coupling member has an engaging member. The engaging member has a driving force receiving part which enters a concave part of a drive shaft for receiving a driving force to rotate the photoreceptor drum. In addition, the coupling member includes a holding member configured to hold the engaging member in a sliding manner at least along a radial direction of the drum unit, and an elastic pushing member configured to elastically push the engaging member.

Description

 Drum unit, cassette, electronic photo image forming device and coupling member  

The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, and a photo drum unit, a cassette, a coupling member, and the like.

In the image forming apparatus of the electrophotographic system, an element such as a photoreceptor drum or a developing roller as a rotating body for forming an image is integrated as a cassette, and the image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus main body) can be attached and detached. The system is known. In such a configuration, the configuration in which the driving force is received by the apparatus body in order to rotate the photoreceptor drum in the cassette has been adopted in many apparatuses. In this case, it is also known that the coupling member is engaged with the driving force transmitting portion such as the driving pin on the apparatus main body side to transmit the driving force.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a pinch of a coupling member that can move obliquely to a rotation axis of a photoreceptor drum is provided at an end portion of the photoreceptor drum.

The subject of the present invention is to develop the aforementioned prior art.

A typical configuration is a drum unit that can be attached to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a drive shaft having a recess, and has: (1) a photoreceptor drum, (2) a coupling member provided in the photoreceptor drum, and (2-1) having a driving force receiving portion configured to receive a driving force for rotating the photoconductor drum by entering the recess And (2-2) a holding member configured to slidably hold the engaging member at least in a diameter direction of the drum unit, and (2-3) and the engaging member respectively The poppet member is constructed by pushing the engaging member.

The present invention has led to the development of the aforementioned prior art.

1‧‧‧Photoreceptor drum

2‧‧‧Electric roller

3‧‧‧Scanner unit

4‧‧‧Development unit

5‧‧‧Intermediate transfer belt

6‧‧‧ cleaning scraper

7‧‧‧Processing card

8‧‧‧Primary transfer roller

9‧‧‧Secondary transfer roller

10‧‧‧ fixed device

11‧‧‧Intermediate transfer belt cleaning device

12‧‧‧ Recording materials

13‧‧‧ cleaning unit

14a‧‧‧Waste Toner Storage Department

14b‧‧‧ openings

15‧‧‧Electric roller bearing

16‧‧‧ Pressurized spring

17‧‧‧Developing roller

18‧‧‧Development frame

19‧‧‧ bearing components

20‧‧‧Carbon supply roller

51‧‧‧ drive roller

52‧‧‧Second transfer opposite roller

53‧‧‧ driven roller

100‧‧‧Image forming device

100A‧‧‧Image Forming Device Body

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the process cartridge 7.

3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 7.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 7.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 7.

FIG. 6 is an outline view of the body drive shaft 101.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the body drive shaft 101.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the body drive shaft 101.

9 is a cross-sectional view of the coupler 28 and the body drive shaft 101.

10 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling unit 28 and the rotation axis of the body drive shaft 101 in a vertical direction.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the driving side of the drum unit 30.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the driving side of the drum unit 30.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the engaging member 65.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a member constituting the coupling unit 28.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the direction of rotation of the coupling unit 28 in the vertical direction.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the mounting of the cassette 7 to the image forming apparatus main body 100A.

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the cassette 7 to the image forming apparatus body 100A.

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the cassette 7 to the image forming apparatus main body 100A.

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the cassette 7 to the image forming apparatus main body 100A.

Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the coupling unit 28 to the body drive shaft 101.

21 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the coupling unit 28 to the body drive shaft 101.

Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the coupling unit 28 to the body drive shaft 101.

23 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling unit 28 and the rotation axis of the body drive shaft 101 in a vertical direction.

Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view showing the direction of rotation of the coupling unit 28 and the body drive shaft 101 in the vertical direction.

25 is a cross-sectional view in the vertical direction of the rotation axis of the coupling unit 28 and the body drive shaft 101.

26 is a cross-sectional view showing the engagement surface of the engagement member 65 and the drive shaft 101 of the main body.

FIG. 27 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 4100A.

Fig. 28 is an external perspective view of the photo drum cartridge 4013.

Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view of the photo drum cartridge 4013.

Fig. 30 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the developing cartridge 4004.

Figure 31 is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge 4004.

Figure 32 is a perspective view of the body drive shaft 4101.

Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view of the body drive shaft 4101.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the coupling unit 4028.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the engaging member 4065.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a member constituting the coupling unit 4028.

37 is a perspective view of the coupling unit 4028 and the toner supply roller 4020.

38 is a cross-sectional view in the vertical direction of the rotation axis of the coupling unit 4028 and the body drive shaft 4101.

Figure 39 is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge 4004.

40 is a perspective view showing the mounting of the developing cartridge 4004 to the image forming apparatus body 4100.

41 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the developing cartridge 4004 to the image forming apparatus body 4100.

Figure 42 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the developing cartridge 4004 to the image forming apparatus body 4100.

Figure 43 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the developing cartridge 4004 to the image forming apparatus body 4100.

Figure 44 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the coupling unit 4028 to the body drive shaft 4101.

Figure 45 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the coupling unit 4028 to the body drive shaft 4101.

Figure 46 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the coupling unit 4028 to the body drive shaft 4101.

Figure 47 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting of the coupling unit 4028 to the body drive shaft 4101.

Fig. 48 is an explanatory view showing the engaging member.

Figure 49 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling unit.

Fig. 50 is an explanatory view showing the engaging member.

Figure 51 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling unit.

Figure 52 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling unit.

Figure 53 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling unit.

Figure 54 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling unit.

Figure 55 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling unit.

Figure 56 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling unit.

Figure 57 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling unit.

Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment and the process cartridge will be described using the drawings. Further, the image forming apparatus is, for example, a person who forms an image on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic image forming process. For example, it includes an electrophotographic copying machine, an electronic photo printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser printer, etc.), an electronic photo facsimile apparatus, and the like. In addition, the term "click" refers to a person who can be attached or detached to the main body (device body) of the image forming apparatus. Among the cassettes, in particular, a photoreceptor or a processing means for acting on a photoreceptor is referred to as a process cartridge.

Further, a person who integrates a photoreceptor drum with a coupling member or the like is referred to as a drum unit.

Further, in the following embodiments, a full-color image forming apparatus capable of attaching and detaching four process cartridges is exemplified. However, the number of process cartridges attached to the image forming apparatus is not limited thereto. In addition, in the same manner, the respective configurations disclosed in the examples are not limited to the materials, arrangements, dimensions, other numerical values, and the like, unless otherwise specified. Further, the term "upper" refers to the upper side of the direction of gravity when the image forming apparatus is disposed, unless otherwise specified.

 <Example 1>    [Summary of Electronic Photo Image Forming Apparatus]  

First, the overall configuration of an embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 has the first and second images for forming respective images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) as the plurality of image forming portions. The third and fourth image forming units SY, SM, SC, and SK. In the present embodiment, the first to fourth image forming units SY, SM, SC, and SK are arranged in a line in the approximate horizontal direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration and operation of the process cartridge 7 (7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K) are substantially the same except that the colors of the formed images are different. In other words, in the following, when it is not necessary to specifically distinguish between Y, M, C, and K, the description will be collectively described.

In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 has four cylinders having photosensitive layers arranged side by side in a direction slightly inclined in the vertical direction as a plurality of image carriers (hereinafter referred to as a photoreceptor drum). 1. A scanner unit (exposure device) 3 is disposed below the gravity direction of the process cartridge 7. Further, a charging roller 2 or the like which is a processing means (processing means, processing member) acting on the photosensitive layer is disposed around the photosensitive drum 1 .

The charging roller 2 is a charging means (charger, charging member) for uniformly charging the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1. Next, the scanner unit (exposure device) 3 is an exposure means (exposure device, exposure member) that forms an electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) on the photoreceptor drum 1 by laser irradiation based on the image information. Around the photoreceptor drum 1, a cleaning blade 6 as a developing device (hereinafter referred to as a developing unit) 4 and a cleaning means (cleaning means, cleaning member) is disposed.

Further, the four photoreceptor drums 1 are arranged to be transferred in the middle of the intermediate transfer body for transferring the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 1 to the recording material (thin sheet, recording medium) 12. Printing belt 5.

The developing unit 4 of the present embodiment uses a non-magnetic single-component developer (hereinafter referred to as carbon powder) as a developer, and develops contact between the developing roller 17 as a developer carrying member and the photoreceptor drum 1 in contact. the way.

In the above configuration, the toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum 1 is transferred onto the sheet (paper) 12, and the toner image transferred to the sheet is fixed. Further, as a processing means acting on the photoreceptor drum 1, the process cartridge includes a charging roller 2 for charging the photoreceptor drum 1, and cleaning of the toner remaining without being transferred to the photoreceptor drum 1 Scraper 6. The transfer residual toner remaining on the thin plate 12 and remaining on the photoreceptor drum 1 is recovered by the cleaning blade 6. In addition, the transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning blade 6 is accommodated in the developer removing portion (hereinafter referred to as waste toner containing portion) 14a by the opening 14b. The waste toner accommodating portion 14a and the cleaning blade 6 constitute an integrated cleaning unit (photoreceptor unit, image carrier unit) 13.

Further, the processing cartridge 7 is constituted by unitizing (stacking) the developing unit 4 and the cleaning unit 13 as a unit. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a guide (positioning means) such as a guide, a positioning member (not shown), and the like. The process cartridge 7 is guided by the guide member so as to be attachable and detachable to the image forming apparatus main body (electronic photo image forming apparatus main body) 100A.

The toner cartridges 7 for the respective colors are respectively accommodated toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).

The intermediate transfer belt 5 abuts against the photoreceptor drum 1 provided in each of the process cartridges, and rotates (moves) in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. The intermediate transfer belt 5 is attached to a plurality of support members (the drive roller 51, the secondary transfer counter roller 52, and the driven roller 53). On the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 5, four primary transfer rollers 8 as primary transfer means are arranged side by side so as to face the respective photoreceptor drums 1. In addition, the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 5 is disposed at a position opposite to the secondary transfer counter roller 52, and is disposed as a secondary transfer roller 9 as a secondary transfer means.

When the image is formed, first, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 2. Next, the surface of the charged photoreceptor drum 1 is scanned and exposed by the laser light emitted by the scanner unit 3 in response to the image information. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photoreceptor drum 1. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 1 is developed by the developing unit 4 as a toner image.

The photoreceptor drum is a rotating body (image bearing body) that rotates in a state in which an image (developer image or toner image) formed of a developer (carbon powder) is held on its surface.

The toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum 1 is transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 5 by the action of the primary transfer roller 8.

For example, when a full-color image is formed, the aforementioned processing is sequentially performed in four processing cassettes 7 (7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K). Then, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photoreceptor drum 1 of each of the process cartridges 7 are sequentially transferred in such a manner as to overlap on the intermediate transfer belt 5. Thereafter, in synchronization with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 5, the recording material 12 is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion. Next, the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 is collectively transferred onto the recording material 12 that is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion formed by the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 9.

The recording material 12 to which the toner image is transferred is transported to the fixing device 10 as a fixing means. The fixing device 10 fixes the toner image on the recording material 12 by applying heat and pressure to the recording material 12. Further, the primary transfer residual toner remaining on the photoreceptor drum 1 after the primary transfer step is removed by the cleaning blade 6 and recovered as waste toner. Further, the secondary transfer residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 5 after the secondary transfer step is removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 11.

Further, the image forming apparatus 100 may form a single-color or multi-color image using a desired single or a few (not all) image forming units.

 [Summary of handling cards]  

Next, an outline of the process cartridge 7 (click 7) attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100A of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Further, the cassette 7a for storing the yellow toner, the cassette 7b for storing the magenta toner, the cassette 7c for accommodating the cyan toner, and the cassette 7d for accommodating the black toner have the same configuration. That is, in the following description, the respective cassettes 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d are collectively described as the cassettes 7. The components of each of the cassettes are also collectively described.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the process cartridge 7. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the direction of the rotation axis of the photoreceptor drum 1 is referred to as the Z direction (arrow Z1, arrow Z2), and the horizontal direction of FIG. 1 is referred to as the X direction (arrow X1, arrow X2). The vertical direction is the Y direction (arrow Y1, arrow Y2).

3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 7 attached to the image forming apparatus 100 and in a state (posture) in which the photoreceptor drum 1 and the developing roller 17 are in contact with each other as seen in the Z direction.

The process cartridge 7 is composed of two units such as a cleaning unit 13 that unitizes the photoreceptor drum 1, the charging roller 2, and the cleaning blade 6, and a developing unit 4 having a developing member such as the developing roller 17.

The developing unit 4 has a developing frame 18 that supports various elements in the developing unit 4. The developing unit 4 is provided with a developing roller 17 that is in contact with the photoreceptor drum 1 and that is a developer carrying member that rotates in the direction of the arrow D (counterclockwise direction). The developing roller 17 is rotatably supported by the developing frame 18 at both end portions in the longitudinal direction (rotational axis direction) via the developing bearing 19 (19R, 19L). Here, the developing bearings 19 (19R, 19L) are attached to both side portions of the developing frame 18, respectively.

Further, the developing unit 4 has a developer accommodating chamber (hereinafter referred to as a toner accommodating chamber) 18a and a developing chamber 18b to which the developing roller 17 is disposed.

In the developing chamber 18b, the toner supply roller 20 of the developer supply member that is rotated in the direction of the arrow E in contact with the developing roller 17 and the developer regulating member for the toner regulating layer of the developing roller 17 are disposed. Board 21. The developing blade 21 is fixed and integrated by welding the fixing member 22 or the like.

In addition, the toner accommodating chamber 18a of the developing frame 18 is provided with a stirring member 23 for agitating the stored toner and transporting the toner to the toner supply roller 20.

Next, the developing unit 4 is rotatably coupled to the cleaning unit 13 around the fitting shafts 24 (24R, 24L) provided in the bearing members 19R and 19L and fitted to the holes 19Ra and 19La. Further, the developing unit 4 pushes the developing roller 17 in a direction abutting against the photoreceptor drum 1 by the pressurizing springs 25 (25R, 25L). Therefore, when the image of the process cartridge 7 is formed, the developing unit 4 is reversed (rotated) in the direction of the arrow F around the fitting shaft 24, and the photoreceptor drum 1 abuts against the developing roller 17.

The cleaning unit 13 has a cleaning frame 14 as a frame that supports various elements in the cleaning unit 13.

4 and 5 are cross-sectional views cut along the imaginary plane of the rotation axis of the photoreceptor drum 1 of the process cartridge 7.

Further, in Fig. 4, the coupling unit (coupling member) 28 is referred to as the driving side of the process cartridge 7 from the side (the side in the Z1 direction) where the image forming apparatus body receives the driving force. Further, in Fig. 5, the side opposite to the driving side (the side in the Z2 direction) is referred to as the non-driving side of the process cartridge 7.

When the cassette 7 is inserted into the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus main body, the driving side of the cassette 7 is disposed on the rear side of the mounting portion, and the non-driving side of the cassette 7 is disposed on the front side of the mounting portion.

On the end opposite to the coupling unit 28 (the end on the non-driving side of the process cartridge), there is an electrode (electrode portion) that is in contact with the inner surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 by the image forming apparatus body Contact and play the role of grounding.

A coupling unit 28 is attached to one end of the photoreceptor drum 1, and a non-driving side flange member 29 is attached to the other end of the photoreceptor drum 1 to form a photoreceptor drum unit 30. The photoreceptor drum unit 30 is coupled to the coupling unit 28, and receives a driving force from the main body driving shaft 101 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100A (the driving force is transmitted by the main body driving shaft 101). As will be described later, with the mounting of the cassette 7 of the apparatus body 100A, the coupling unit 28 can be engaged with the body drive shaft 101. The coupling unit 28 can be detached from the body drive shaft 101 with the cartridge 7 being removed by the apparatus body 100A.

This coupling unit 28 is constructed in such a manner as to be engageable and detachable from the body drive shaft 101.

The coupling unit 28 has a flange member 71 (drive side flange member) attached to the drive side end portion of the photoreceptor drum 1 .

As shown in FIG. 4, the Z1 side of the coupling unit 28 has a cylindrical shape (cylindrical portion 71a). The cylindrical portion 71a protrudes toward the Z1 side (outside in the axial direction) from the end portion of the photoreceptor drum 1 . In the cylindrical portion 71a, a portion near the tip end on the Z1 side is a bearing portion 71c. The bearing portion 71c is rotatably supported by a bearing portion provided in the drum unit bearing member 39R. In short, the photoreceptor drum unit 30 is rotatable by the bearing portion 71c supported by the bearing portion of the drum unit bearing member 39R.

Similarly to FIG. 5, the non-driving side flange member 29 provided on the non-driving side of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 is rotatably supported by the drum unit bearing member 39L. The non-driving side flange member 29 has a cylindrical portion (cylindrical portion) that protrudes from the end portion of the photoreceptor drum 1, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 29a is rotatably supported by the drum unit bearing member. 39L.

Further, the drum unit bearing member 39R is disposed on the driving side of the process cartridge 7, and the drum unit bearing member 39L is disposed on the non-driving side of the process cartridge 7.

When the process cartridge 7 is attached to the apparatus main body 100A, as shown in FIG. 4, the drum unit bearing member 39R is in contact with the rear side click positioning portion 108 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100A. Further, the drum unit bearing member 39L is in contact with the front side click positioning portion 110 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100A. Thereby, the cassette 7 is positioned in the image forming apparatus 100A.

In the Z direction of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the drum unit bearing member 39R is disposed at a position where the bearing portion 71c is supported, and the drum unit bearing member 39R is disposed adjacent to the positioning portion at the rear side. The location of the 108 location. By doing so, when the process cartridge 7 is attached to the apparatus body 100A, the tilt of the coupling unit 28 can be suppressed.

The bearing member 39R is disposed at a position where the bearing portion 71c is supported, and the bearing member 39R is disposed at a position close to the position of the rear side click positioning portion 108, and the bearing portion 71c is disposed. In short, the bearing portion 71c is disposed on the tip end side (the Z1 direction side) of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 71a of the coupling unit 28.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, in the Z direction, the drum unit bearing member 39L is disposed in a position where the non-driving side flange member 29 is rotatably supported, and the drum unit bearing member 39L is disposed in proximity to the card positioned at the front side. The position of the position of the positioning unit 110. Thereby, the inclination of the non-driving side flange member 29 is suppressed.

The drum unit bearing members 39R, 39L are attached to both sides of the cleaning frame 14, respectively, and support the photoconductor drum unit 30, respectively. Thereby, the photoreceptor drum unit 30 is rotatably supported by the cleaning frame 14.

Further, the charging roller 2 and the cleaning blade 6 are attached to the cleaning frame 14, and these are disposed in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1. Further, a charging roller bearing 15 (15R, 15L) is attached to the cleaning frame 14. The charging roller bearing 15 is a bearing for supporting the shaft of the charging roller 2.

Here, the charging roller bearing 15 (15R, 15L) is attached so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow C shown in FIG. The rotating shaft 2a of the charging roller 2 is rotatably attached to the charging roller bearing 15 (15R, 15L). Next, the charging roller bearing 15 is pushed toward the photoreceptor drum 1 by the pressurizing spring 16 as a spring pushing means. Thereby, the charging roller 2 abuts on the photoreceptor drum 1 and rotates with the photoreceptor drum 1.

The cleaning frame 14 is provided with a cleaning blade 6 as a cleaning means for removing the carbon powder remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1. The cleaning blade 6 is a blade-shaped rubber (elastic member) 6a that abuts against the photoreceptor drum 1 to remove the toner on the photoreceptor drum 1, and is integrated with the supporting plate gold 6b. In the present embodiment, the support plate 6b is fixed to the cleaning frame 14 by screws.

As described above, the cleaning frame 14 has an opening 14b for recovering the transfer residual toner recovered by the cleaning blade 6. The opening 14b is provided with a blow-off prevention plate 26 that is in contact with the photoreceptor drum 1 and sealed between the photoreceptor drum 1 and the opening 14b, and suppresses toner leakage in the upper direction of the opening 14b.

In this way, the configuration in which the components that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus body are integrated with respect to the image formation is integrated, and the ease of maintenance is improved. In other words, the user can easily perform maintenance of the device by attaching and detaching the process cartridge to the device body. Therefore, it is possible to provide a device for maintenance work not only for the service personnel but also for the user.

 [Composition of the body drive shaft]  

The configuration of the main body drive shaft 101 will be described with reference to Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Figure 6 is an outline view of the body drive shaft.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the rotation axis (rotation axis) of the main body drive shaft 101 in a state in which the image forming apparatus body is attached.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the body drive shaft.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the coupler 28 and the body drive shaft 101 cut along the axis of rotation (rotational axis).

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the coupling unit 28 and the main body drive shaft 101 cut in the vertical direction of the rotation axis.

As shown in Fig. 6, the main body drive shaft 101 has a gear portion 101e, a shaft portion 101f, a thick guide portion 101g, and a bearing portion 101d.

A motor (not shown) as a drive source is provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100A. The gear portion 101e is thus rotationally driven by the motor and the body drive shaft 101 is rotated. Further, the main body drive shaft 101 includes a shaft portion 101f having a rotatable projection shape that protrudes toward the click side from the gear portion 101e along the rotation axis. Then, the rotational driving force received by the motor is transmitted to the cassette 7 side through the groove-shaped drive transmission groove 101a (concave portion, drive transmission portion) provided in the shaft portion 101f. Further, the shaft portion 101f has a hemispherical shape 101c at its tip end.

The main body drive transmission groove 101a has a shape in which a part of the engagement portion 65a of the coupling unit 28 to be described later can enter. Specifically, the main body drive transmission surface 101b that is in contact with the driving force receiving surface (driving force receiving portion) 65b of the coupling unit 28 as a surface for transmitting the driving force is provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the main body drive transmission surface 101b is not a flat surface, and is twisted around the rotation axis of the main body drive shaft 101. The twist direction is the Z1 direction side of the main body drive shaft 101 in the Z2 direction side, and is disposed in the upstream direction of the main body drive shaft 101 in the rotation direction. In the present embodiment, the amount of twist in the direction of the rotation axis of the cylinder along the engaging portion 65a is about 1° per 1 mm. The reason for taking the shape of the twisting body drive conveying surface 101b will be described in detail later.

Further, on the surface on the Z2 direction side of the main body drive transmission groove 101a, a body side removal gradient 101i is provided. The gradient 101i is removed from the main body side, and is a gradient (inclined surface, inclined portion) for assisting the engagement portion 65a to be pulled out by the drive transmission groove 101a when the process cartridge 7 is detached from the apparatus main body 100A. See below for details.

Here, when the drive transmission groove 101a is driven to the engagement portion 65a, it is preferable that the main body drive transmission surface 101b and the driving force receiving surface (driving force receiving portion) 65b are reliably abutted. Here, the main body drives the communication groove 101a so that the surface other than the main body drive transmission surface 101b does not contact the engagement portion 65a, and has a gap in each of the engagement portions 65a in the rotation axis direction, the circumferential direction, and the radial direction ( The configuration of G) (see Figs. 9 and 10).

Further, in the axial direction of the main body drive shaft 101, the center 101h of the hemispherical shape 101c is disposed within the range in which the main body drives the communication groove 101a (see FIG. 7). In other words, when the center 101h and the main body drive transmission groove 101a are projected on the axis of the main body drive shaft 101 on the axis of the main body drive shaft 101, on the axis, the center is disposed inside the projection area of the main body drive transmission groove 101a. Projection area of 101h.

Here, the axis (rotation axis, rotation center line) of the main body drive shaft or the drum unit means an imaginary line extending through the center of rotation of the shaft. Further, the axial direction (rotational axis direction) means the direction in which the axis extends. Next, the axial direction of the drum unit 30 is synonymous with the longitudinal direction (Z direction) of the drum unit 30.

Further, "overlap in the A direction X and Y" means that when X and Y are projected on a straight line extending in parallel in the A direction, at least a part of the projection area of X and the projection area of Y are formed on the straight line. At least part of the overlap.

Further, when an object is projected onto a line, the projection direction is a direction perpendicular to the line unless otherwise specified. For example, "projecting A to the axis" means "projecting A to the axis in a direction perpendicular to the axis."

The coarse guide portion 101g of the main body drive shaft 101 is provided between the shaft portion 101f and the gear portion 101e in the axial direction (see Fig. 6). The rough guide portion 101g has a gradient shape at the tip end on the side of the shaft portion 101f, and the outer diameter D6 of the thick guide portion 101g is larger than the inner peripheral surface 71b of the cylindrical portion 71a of the coupling unit 28 to be described later, as shown in Fig. 9 . The inner diameter D2 is even smaller. Further, the outer diameter D6 of the thick guide portion 101g is larger than the outer diameter D5 of the shaft portion 101f as shown in FIG. Thereby, when the cassette 7 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 100A, the main body drive shaft 101 can be emulated by the coupling unit 28 so as to reduce the axis of rotation of the cylindrical portion 71 and the rotation center of the shaft portion 101f. The way to guide. Therefore, the thick guide portion 101g can be referred to as an insertion guide.

After the attachment of the cassette 7 to the image forming apparatus main body 100A is completed, the size relationship is set such that the thick guide portion 101g does not abut against the inner peripheral surface 71b.

As shown in FIG. 7, the bearing portion 101d of the main body drive shaft 101 is disposed on the opposite side of the thick guide portion 101g. Next, the bearing portion 101d is rotatably supported (axially supported) by the bearing member 102 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100A.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the main body drive shaft 101 is spring-loaded toward the cassette 7 side by the spring member 103 of the image forming apparatus main body 100A. However, the amount of movement (play) of the main body drive shaft 101 in the Z direction is sufficiently smaller than the width of the driving force receiving surface 65b to be described later in the Z direction.

As described above, the main body drive shaft 101 is provided with the main body drive transmission groove 101a, and the coupling unit 28 is provided with the engagement portion 65a, and the device main body 100A is configured to transmit the drive to the cassette 7 (the drum unit 30).

Further, the details will be described later, but the engaging portion 65a is pushed by a spring pushing member composed of an elastically retractable compression spring. Therefore, the engaging portion 65a can move at least to the outer side in the radial direction of the drum unit 30 when the cassette 7 is attached to the apparatus main body 100A. Thereby, the insertion portion 65a enters the drive transmission groove 101a as the cassette 7 is inserted into the apparatus main body 100A, and the engagement portion 65a and the main body drive transmission groove 101a can be engaged.

Further, in the following description, the diameter direction of the drum unit 30 will also be simply referred to as the diameter direction. Further, the diameter direction of the drum unit 30 is the diameter direction of the photoreceptor drum 1, and is also the diameter direction of the coupling unit 28.

 [Configuration of coupling unit]  

Next, the coupling unit 28 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the driving side of the drum unit 30 in which the coupling unit 28 is attached to the photoreceptor drum 1.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the driving side of the drum unit 30.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the engaging member 65, Fig. 13(a) is a perspective view seen from the upper left, and Fig. 13(b) is a perspective view seen from the upper right.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a member constituting the coupling unit 28.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the direction of rotation of the coupling unit 28 in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 11, the coupling unit 28 is provided with three engaging portions 65a that engage with the main body drive shaft 101. The engaging portion 65a enters the groove portion 101a of the main body drive shaft 101 as shown in Fig. 10, and the driving force receiving surface 65b of the engaging portion 65a abuts on the drive transmitting surface 101b of the main body drive shaft 101, and the main body drive shaft 101 is coupled to the coupling unit 28 Drive the communication.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the coupling unit 28 is attached to the photoreceptor drum 1. The engaging member 65 having the engaging portion 65a is supported in the coupling unit 28 in a state of being pushed toward the inner side in the radial direction of the coupling unit 28 by the pushing member 66.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the coupling unit 28 will be specifically described. The coupling unit 28 is constituted by a flange member 71, a flange cover member 72, an engaging member 65, and a spring pushing member 66, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 12 and the perspective view of FIG.

The flange member 71 is attached to the inner circumference of the photoreceptor drum 1 and is fixed to the photoreceptor drum 1. The flange member 71 has a hollow portion in an approximately cylindrical shape. The flange member 71 is open toward the outer side in the axial direction of the drum unit.

The flange cover member 72 is attached to the inner surface of the hollow portion of the flange member 71. The flange cover member 72 plugs the inner side (bottom side) of the flange member 71 in the axial direction of the drum unit.

The flange cover member 72 is fixed to the photoreceptor drum 1 via the flange member 71.

The engaging member 65 is movably (slidably) held by the flange cover member 72 to be configured to be movable (slidable) to the flange cover member 72. The poppet member 66 is an elastic member (spring member) such that the engaging member 65 is elastically pushed at least toward the inner side in the diameter direction of the drum unit.

In the present embodiment, the flange member 71, the flange cover member 72, the engaging member 65, and the spring pushing member 66 are configured by different individuals (different members). Further, in the present embodiment, the engaging members 65 are configured to be movable in the diameter direction of the coupling unit (approximately parallel to the diameter direction). Further, the engaging member 65 and the poppet member 66 are arranged along the diameter direction. In short, it is configured such that both the engaging member 65 and the spring pushing member 66 are disposed on an imaginary line parallel to the diameter direction of the coupling unit.

As shown in FIG. 11, the engaging members 65 are arranged at three equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the coupling unit 28 (120° intervals, approximately equally spaced). Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the engaging member 65 has an engaging portion 65a that protrudes inward in the radial direction, and a driving force receiving surface 65b formed on the engaging member 65a. In addition, the engagement member 65 is formed adjacent to the driving force receiving surface 65b, and has a drive shaft abutting surface (drive shaft abutting portion) 65c that is formed in an arc shape so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface 101f of the main body drive shaft. The driving force receiving surface 65b is a driving force receiving portion that receives a driving force from the main body driving shaft 101 by coming into contact with the driving groove 101a. Further, the engaging portion 65a is a (protruding) protruding portion (projecting portion) that is protruded from the surface of the engaging member 65.

The engaging member 65 is a driving force receiving member to which the driving force receiving portion (the driving force receiving surface 65b) is provided, and is also a supporting member for supporting the driving force receiving surface 65b.

Further, the engaging member 65 is guided to have a first guided surface 65d and a second guided surface 65e movably in the coupling unit. The first guided surface 65d is a restricted position portion for restricting the position of the engaging member 65 in the circumferential direction, and is disposed on the proximal side with respect to the engaging portion 65a. The second guided surface 65e is also a restricted position portion for restricting the position of the engaging member 65 in the circumferential direction, and is disposed on the distal side with respect to the engaging portion 65a.

The first guided surface 65d and the second guided surface 65e are guided portions that are guided by a flange cover member 72 to be described later. Further, the first guided surface 65d and the second guided surface 65e are restricted portions that restrict the position of the drum unit in the rotational direction (circumferential direction) by the flange cover member 72. The first guided surface 65d is a guide portion (and an upstream-side restricted portion) located on the upstream side of the downstream side of the engaging member 65 in the rotation direction of the coupling unit. The second guided surface 65e is a downstream guided portion (and a downstream restricted portion) located on the upstream side of the engaging member 65 in the rotational direction.

The first guided surface 65d and the second guided surface 65e are substantially parallel to each other.

Further, the third guided surface 65f and the fourth guiding surface 65g for restricting the position of the engaging member 65 in the axial direction are provided. The third guided surface 65f and the fourth guiding surface 65g are guided portions that are guided by a flange cover member 72 to be described later. In addition, the third guided surface 65f and the second guided surface 65g are restricted portions that restrict the position of the drum unit in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) by the flange cover member 72. The third guided surface 65f is a guide portion (and an outer restricted portion) located outside the engaging member 65 in the axial direction of the drum unit. The fourth guide surface 65g is a downstream-side guided portion (and a downstream-side restricted portion) located on the upstream side of the engaging member 65 in the axial direction.

The third guided surface 65f and the fourth guiding surface 65e are substantially parallel to each other.

Further, the engaging member 65 has an abutting surface (a pushed portion and a pushed surface) 65h (Fig. 10) for receiving the spring force generated by the spring pushing member 66. Further, the engaging member 65 abuts against the flange cover member 72 by the elastic force of the spring pushing member 66, and has a position restricting projection 65i for restricting the position of the engaging member 65. In particular, the elastic thrust position regulating surface (the locked portion) 65j formed in the position restricting projection comes into contact with the flange cover member 72. The position restricting projection 65i is provided on both sides of the engaging member 65 with the abutting surface 65h of the pushing member 66.

Further, the engaging member 65 has an insertion inclined surface 65k on the outer side (the Z1 direction side) of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 in the Z direction. The insertion inclined surface 65k is an inclined portion facing the outer side in the axial direction. The insertion inclined surface 65k is a mounting force receiving portion that receives the force for causing the engaging member 65 to retreat in the radial direction when the cassette is attached. Further, the engaging member 65 has a pulling-out inclined portion 65l as a strength receiving portion at the time of removal of the inside of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 (on the Z2 direction side) in the Z direction. When the slanting surface 65l is removed, the force receiving portion is removed when the detachment of the yoke is received, and the engaging member 65 is detached from the radial direction.

The flange cover member 72 has a coupling hole portion 72a through which the main body drive shaft 101 passes, and a mounting hole portion 72b for allowing the engagement member 65 to be supported in a radial direction. In order to engage the engaging member with the main body drive shaft, the engaging portion 65a of the engaging member 65 is exposed by the coupling hole portion 72a. The mounting hole portion 72b has a first guiding surface 72d that abuts the first guided surface 65d that faces the engaging member 65 in the circumferential direction, and abuts the second guided surface 65e. The second guiding surface 72e. Further, the attachment hole portion 72b has a third guide surface 72f that abuts the third guided surface 65f with the engagement member 65 in the axial direction, and faces the third guided surface. The fourth guiding surface 72g on which the fourth guiding surface 65g of the facing surface abuts.

Each of the first guiding surface 72d, the second guiding surface 72e, the third guiding surface 72f, and the fourth guiding surface 72g is a guiding portion for guiding the engaging member 65, and is also a restricting engaging member. Restriction unit (position restriction unit) for position.

The first guiding surface 72d guides the upstream side of the engaging member 65 in the rotational direction of the drum unit, and is an upstream side guide (upstream restricting portion) that restricts the position. Similarly, the second guiding surface 72 e is a downstream side guide (downstream regulating portion) that guides the downstream side of the engaging member 65 .

The engaging member 65 and the poppet member 66 are disposed in a space between the first guiding surface 72d and the second guiding surface 72e.

Further, the third guiding surface 72f guides the outer side of the engaging member 65 in the axial direction of the drum unit, and is an outer guiding portion (outer restricting portion) that restricts the position. Similarly, the fourth guiding surface 72g guides the inner side of the engaging member 65 in the axial direction and the inner guiding portion (inner restricting portion) of the restricting position.

The flange cover member 72 guides the engaging member 65 by the guide portions (the first guide surface 72d, the second guide surface 72e, the third guide surface 72f, and the fourth guide surface 72g). Guide member. Further, the flange cover member 72 movably (guideably) holds the holding member of the engaging member 65.

The first guiding surface 72d and the second guiding surface 72e are substantially parallel to each other. The third guiding surface 72f and the fourth guiding surface 72g are substantially parallel to each other.

Further, the engaging member 65 is a moving member movably held by the flange cover member 72, and is also a sliding member that slidable to the flange cover member 72.

Further, in order to resist the spring force of the above-described spring pushing member 66, the position of the engaging member 65 is restricted, and the flange cover member 72 has a regulating surface (locking portion) 72j.

The restriction surface (locking portion) 72j abuts against the elastic thrust position regulating surface (diameter portion) 65j, and restricts the engagement member 65 from moving inward in the radial direction. In short, the restriction surface (locking portion) 72j locks the locking member 65 against the elastic force of the spring pushing member 66. The cassette 7 is in a state of being attached to the apparatus main body (a natural state in which no force is applied to the cassette 7 from the outside), and the locking member 65 is pushed/pressed toward the regulating surface 72j by the spring force of the spring pushing member 66.

Further, the flange cover member 72 has a fitting surface 72k that is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the flange member 71, and a position restricting groove 721 for restricting the position of the flange member 71 in the rotational direction. Further, the flange cover member 72 has a conical surface 72m for abutting the hemispherical shape 101c of the main body drive shaft 101 and positioning the main body drive shaft 101 with respect to the flange cover member 72.

Further, the positioning portion, such as the conical surface 72m, does not necessarily have to be a conical shape. When the diametrical positioning portion and the longitudinal direction positioning portion are in contact with the tip end (hemispherical shape 101c) of the main body drive shaft 101, the shape of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 can be determined regardless of the position of the main body drive shaft 101. For example, these are suitable for a low 洼 (recess) that narrows toward the bottom. As such a thing, a pyramid shape which is not a cone such as a pyramid (a quadrangular pyramid) may be used. However, as in the conical shape 72m of the present embodiment, the position of the coupling unit 28 can be maintained with high precision as long as it is a conical concave portion that is symmetrical with respect to the axis of the coupling unit 28.

Further, the conical shape 72m may be any area for contacting the main body drive shaft 101, and the non-contact area may be any shape. For example, the portion that does not contact the main body drive shaft 101 does not need to have a bottom having a conical shape 72m, and the conical shape 72m may be a recess having no bottom.

The flange member 71 has a fitting portion 71d for the photosensitive drum, and a flange portion 71e formed at an end portion of the fitting portion in the axial direction. Further, the flange member 71 has a cylindrical portion 71a extending in the axial direction by the crotch portion 71e. The cylindrical portion 71a is formed with an inner peripheral surface 71b for passing the main body drive shaft 101, and a bearing portion 71c supported by the bearing member. As shown in FIG. 14, the crotch portion 71e has a shape that protrudes outward in the radial direction from the fitting portion 71d. When the coupling unit 28 is assembled to the photoreceptor drum 1, the end surface of the dam portion 71e is pressed against the end surface of the photoreceptor drum 1, and the position of the photoreceptor drum 1 and the coupling unit 28 in the Z direction is determined.

As shown in FIG. 12, the fitting portion 71d of the flange member 71 is pressed into the inner diameter of the cylinder of the photoreceptor drum 1. The flange member 71 is pressed into the photoreceptor in the axial direction by entering the inside of the cylinder until the crotch portion 71e of the flange member 71 abuts against the end surface of the photoreceptor drum. The drum 1 causes the coupling unit 28 to correctly position the photoreceptor drum 1. Specifically, the inner diameter of the cylinder of the photoreceptor drum 1 and the outer shape of the fitting portion 71d are set to be in a press-fit relationship.

In this manner, after the flange member 71 is attached to the photoreceptor drum 1, the flange member 71 and the photoreceptor drum 1 are fixed by a fixing method according to the temporary lock. Specifically, in the groove (not shown) formed in the fitting portion 71d of the flange member 71, the cylinder end portion of the photoreceptor drum 1 enters a portion where plastic deformation is performed, and the photoreceptor is firmly bonded. The drum 1 and the flange member 71. Here, the temporary lock refers to an operation of plastically joining and joining a part of a plurality of parts.

Further, according to the fixing method of the temporary lock, an example of a means for firmly fixing the flange member 71 to the photoreceptor drum 1 is to fix the inner diameter of the cylinder and the fitting portion 71d by adhesion, and the like. Other fixed means are also available.

As described above, the cylindrical portion 71a of the flange member 71 has the bearing portion 71c (shown in FIGS. 4 and 9) on the tip end side (the Z1 direction side) of the outer peripheral surface. In other words, the coupling unit has the bearing portion 71c having a cylindrical outer shape on the Z1 direction side (outside in the axial direction) with respect to the engaging member. By adopting such a shape, the engaging portion 65a is not exposed to the outside of the cassette 7. Therefore, the engaging portion 65a of the engaging member 65 can be protected by the drum unit bearing member 39R or by the bearing portion 71c. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the user from accidentally touching the engaging portion 65a or suppress the object from directly hitting the engaging portion 65a when the click 7 is dropped. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the inner peripheral surface 71b of the cylindrical portion 71 has a gradient shape 71g at the front end (Z1 direction). This gradient shape 71g is an inclined portion (inclined surface) for guiding the main body drive shaft 101 inserted into the inside of the cylindrical portion 71.

The poppet member 66 is an elastically retractable compression coil spring that opposes the outward force of the compression spring in the retracting direction, and conversely has the reaction force of the compression spring in the extension direction. Further, the poppet member 66 may be configured to apply a spring force to the inner side in the radial direction of the engaging member 65 in addition to the compression coil spring of the present embodiment. For example, a leaf spring or a torsion coil spring may be used. Such a push-pull member (elastic member, spring member).

The snap member 66 may be integrally formed with the engaging member 65 or the flange cover member 72. However, in the present embodiment, the poppet member 66 is configured to be different from the engaging member 65 or the flange cover member 72. By doing so, the degree of freedom in selection of the poppet member 66 can be increased, and it is easy to select the fitter as the spring push member 66. For example, it is easy to select the poppet member 66 having an appropriate spring force (elastic force) for the snap engagement member 65.

Regarding the coupling unit 28 configured as described above, the supporting structure of the engaging member 65 will be described in detail. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axial direction of the coupling unit.

The first guided surface 65d and the second guided surface 65e of the engaging member 65 abut against each other and are guided to the first guiding surface 72d and the second guiding surface 72e of the flange cover member 72. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the third guided surface 65f and the fourth guiding surface 65g of the engaging member 65 abut against each other and are guided to the third guiding surface 72f and the fourth guide of the flange cover member 72. Lead surface 72g. By the abutment of these guide faces, the engaging member 65 is movably guided and supported by the flange cover member 72 at least in the radial direction. In short, the vector along the direction in which the engaging member 65 moves has at least a component in the diameter direction of the drum unit. In the present embodiment, the engaging member 65 is movable almost parallel to the diametrical direction.

The engaging member 65 is pushed toward the inner side in the radial direction of the coupling unit 28 by the poppet member 66. The poppet member 66 is compressed in a state where the abutting surface 65h of the engaged member 65 is caught by the inner peripheral surface of the flange member 71. Therefore, the pusher is pushed by the elastic force in the extending direction of the poppet member 66. The member 65 is joined.

The engagement member 65 is in contact with the restriction surface 72j of the flange cover member 72 with respect to the elastic force, and the position regulating surface 65j of the engagement member 65 is in contact with the restriction surface 72j.

The engaging member 65 is supported by the flange cover member 72 in a state in which the engaging portion 65a of the engaging member 65 is exposed by the hole portion 72a of the flange cover member 72. Further, similarly, the drive shaft abutting surface 65c in which the engaging member 65 is formed in an arc shape is exposed by the hole portion 72a of the flange cover member 72. The engaging portion 65a of the engaging member 65 protrudes inward in the radial direction from the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion 72a of the flange cover member 72.

The amount of protrusion that protrudes from the engaging portion 65a of the drive shaft abutting surface 65c of the engaging member 65 is the size of the groove 101a in which the engaging portion 65a surely enters the drive shaft. Further, the amount of protrusion is only the strength of the load moment of the driving force receiving surface 65b formed in the engaging portion 65a corresponding to the photosensitive drum unit 30 of the member to be rotated. In short, the driving force receiving surface 65b of the engaging portion 65a can be stably transmitted by the main body driving shaft 101. In the case of the present embodiment, when the distance from the inner surface of the flange cover member 72 to the tip end of the engaging portion 65a is measured along the diameter direction of the coupling unit, the engaging portion 65a is defined such that the distance becomes 1 mm to 3 mm. The amount of protrusion.

In addition, similarly to the drive shaft abutting surface 65c of the engaging member 65, the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion (hollow portion) 72a of the flange cover member 72 protrudes inward in the radial direction. The amount of protrusion (exposure amount) in which the drive shaft abutting surface 65c protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion 72a, and when the size of each portion is uneven, the drive shaft abutting surface 65c is surely made by the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion 72a. Prominent is better. In the case of the present embodiment, the amount by which the drive shaft abutting surface 65c protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion 72a is preferably 0.3 mm to 1 mm. In short, when the distance from the inner surface of the flange cover member 72 to the drive shaft abutting surface 65c is measured along the diameter direction of the coupling unit, the distance is 0.3 mm to 1 mm.

In this manner, the engaging portion 65a of the engaging member 65 and the drive shaft abutting surface 65c are exposed by the hole portion 72a, and the main body drive shaft 101 can be engaged and abutted. The engagement member 65 is engaged with the main body drive shaft 101, and the configuration that is driven to be transmitted will be described in detail later.

 [Installation of the body of the image forming apparatus by the cassette]  

The attachment and detachment of the processing cartridge body to the image forming apparatus body will be described with reference to Figs. 16, 17, 18, and 19.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view for explaining the mounting of the cassette 7 to the image forming apparatus main body 100A.

17, 18, and 19 are cross-sectional views for explaining the mounting operation of the cassette 7 to the image forming apparatus main body 100A.

The image forming apparatus main body 100A of the present embodiment has a configuration in which a cassette can be mounted in an approximately horizontal direction. Specifically, the image forming apparatus main body 100A has a space in which a cassette can be mounted. Next, on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 100A (in the direction in which the user stands when in use), there is a cassette door 104 (front door) for inserting the cassette into the space.

As shown in FIG. 16, the card door 104 of the image forming apparatus main body 100A is provided to be openable and closable. When the cassette door 104 is opened, the cassette lower rail 105 of the guide cassette 7 is disposed on the bottom surface of the space, and the cassette upper rail 106 is disposed on the upper surface. The cassette 7 is guided to the mounting position by upper and lower guide rails (105, 106) provided above and below the space. The cassette 7 is inserted approximately along the axis of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 toward the mounting position.

Hereinafter, the attaching and detaching operation of the card to the image forming apparatus main body 100A will be described with reference to FIGS. 17, 18, and 19.

As shown in FIG. 17, the cassette 7 is not in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 5 at the time of starting the insertion of the drum unit bearing member 39R and the photoreceptor drum 1. In other words, in a state where the end portion on the deep side in the insertion direction of the cassette 7 is supported by the cassette lower rail 105, the photoreceptor drum 1 does not contact the intermediate transfer belt 5 in a dimensional relationship.

Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the image forming apparatus main body 100A has a deep-side lower guide 107 that protrudes upward in the direction of gravity from the lower clamp rail 105 on the deep side in the insertion direction of the lower rail 105. The deep-side cassette lower guide 107 is provided with an inclined surface 107a on the front side in the insertion direction of the cassette 7. With the insertion, the cassette 7 is guided to the mounting position across the inclined surface 107a.

Further, the position or shape of the deep-side cassette lower guide 107 may be such that a part of the cassette does not slide with the image forming region 5A of the intermediate transfer belt 5 when the cassette is inserted into the apparatus main body 100A. Here, the image forming region 5A refers to a region of the intermediate transfer belt 5 on which the toner image transferred to the recording material 12 is carried. Further, in the present embodiment, the unit bearing member 39R provided on the deep side in the insertion direction of the cassette 7 is most protruded upward in the gravity direction among the cassettes that maintain the mounting posture. Therefore, as long as the end portion on the deep side in the most insertion direction of the drum unit bearing member 39R does not interfere with the image forming region 5A at the time of insertion, the arrangement of the elements is appropriately selected. Just shape it.

Next, the cassette 7 is inserted into the deep side of the image forming apparatus main body 100A in a state of being caught by the deep-side cassette lower guide 107. As a result, the drum unit bearing member 39R is in contact with the deep-side latch positioning portion 108 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100A. At this time, the cassette 7 (photoreceptor drum unit 30) is in a state of being inclined by 0.5 to 2 degrees more than the state in which the image forming apparatus main body 100A is completed (FIG. 17 (d)). In short, in the insertion direction of the cassette 7, the downstream side of the cassette 7 (photoreceptor drum unit 30) is raised more than the upstream side.

Fig. 19 is a view showing the state of the apparatus body and the cassette in a state in which the card door 104 is closed. The image forming apparatus 100A has a front side lower guide 109 on the front side in the insertion direction of the cassette lower rail 105. The front side lower jaw guide 109 is configured to be connected to the upper and lower sides of the card door (front door) 104.

When the user closes the card door 104, the front side click lower guide 109 rises. Next, the drum unit bearing member 39L abuts against the front side click positioning portion 110 of the image forming apparatus main body 100A, and the cassette 7 positions the image forming apparatus main body 100A.

By the above operation, the mounting of the cassette 7 to the image forming apparatus main body 100A is completed.

Further, the cassette 7 is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 100A in the reverse order of the above-described insertion operation.

As described above, since the oblique mounting is adopted, when the cartridge 7 is attached to the apparatus main body 100A, the sliding of the photoreceptor drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 5 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress occurrence of minute scratches (scratches) on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 or the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5.

Further, in the configuration disclosed in the present embodiment, the configuration of the image forming apparatus main body 100A can be simplified as compared with a configuration in which the apparatus main body 100A moves the cassette 7 in the horizontal direction and then lifts the entire cassette.

 [The coupling process of the coupling unit to the body drive shaft]  

Next, the engagement process of the coupling unit 28 and the main body drive shaft 101 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26.

20, 21, and 22 are cross-sectional views for explaining the attachment operation of the coupling unit 28 to the main body drive shaft 101.

23 and FIG. 24 are diagrams for explaining the rotation of the main body drive shaft 101 in a state in which the phase of the main body drive transmission groove 101a and the engagement portion 65 (the drive force receiving surface 65b) are not matched, and the coupling to the main body drive shaft 101 at the time of phase matching. A cross-sectional view of the mounting operation of unit 28.

Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship of forces acting on the engaging members.

Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing the engagement surface of the engaging member and the driving shaft of the main body in the axial direction.

In addition, FIG. 21 and FIG. 23 are views for explaining a state in which the phases of the main body drive transmission groove 101a and the engagement portion 65 (driving force receiving surface 65b) are not in contact with each other.

The cassette 7 is mounted in the apparatus body 100A as described above. As a result, the hemispherical shape 101c formed at the tip end of the main body drive shaft 101 and the inclined surface formed on the end surface of the thick guide portion 101g of the main body drive shaft are coupled with the coupling unit. Pick up. Thereby, the body drive shaft 101 is guided to the inner face 71b of the flange member 71 of the coupling unit.

Fig. 20 shows a state in which the guided body drive shaft 101 is brought into contact with the engaging member 65 of the coupling unit in this manner. The hemispherical shape 101c of the main body drive shaft abuts against the insertion inclined surface 65k formed in the engaging member 65.

In this state, a force is applied in the direction in which the cassette 7 is mounted deep. As a result, the force of the locking direction of the cassette is inserted into the inclined surface 65k to force the direction in which the engaging member 65 is retracted outward in the radial direction. Therefore, the state in which the leading end of the main body drive shaft 101 abuts on the insertion inclined surface 65k can further move the cassette 7 to the depth of the apparatus body.

21 and 23 show a state in which the cassette 7 is moved deep, and the cassette 7 is attached to the apparatus main body 100A. In this state, the hemispherical shape 101c of the main body drive shaft abuts against the conical surface 72m of the coupling unit, and the main body drive shaft 101 is positioned in the axial direction and the radial direction with respect to the coupling unit 28.

As described above, the engaging members 65 are guided by the first, second, third, and fourth guiding faces of the flange cover member 72 so that the first, second, third, and fourth guiding faces of the engaging member 65 are guided. Thereby, the engaging portion is advanced and retracted in the radial direction until it abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 101f of the main body drive shaft. At this time, as shown in FIG. 23, the restriction surface 72j of the flange cover member is separated from the restriction surface 65j of the elastic force of the engagement member 65. Further, the poppet member 66 is a shortened state in which the bobbin member 66 is compressed more than the state in which the main body drive shaft 101 is not inserted into the coupling unit 28.

Thereafter, the main body drive shaft 101 rotates when the image forming apparatus main body is activated or when the image forming operation is started. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 24, the engaging portion 65a of the engaging member enters the groove 101a of the main body drive shaft. Thereby, the drive shaft abutting surface 65c of the engaging member abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 101f of the main body drive shaft, and the engaging member 65 moves to the inner side in the radial direction. In addition, in FIG. 24, the position regulating surface 65j of the engaging member is also in contact with the regulating surface 72j of the flange cover member.

However, in order to more reliably bring the drive shaft abutting surface 65c of the engaging member into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 101f of the main body drive shaft, a certain gap is always set between the position restricting surface 65j and the regulating surface 72j. The dimensional relationship in the open state is preferred. In short, even if the size is discrete, the drive shaft abutting surface 65c of the engaging member abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 101f of the main body drive shaft, and is surely generated between the position restricting surface 65j and the regulating surface 72j. gap.

Then, when the main body drive shaft 101 is rotated by the state of FIG. 24, as shown in FIG. 25, the drive transmission surface 101b of the main body drive shaft comes into contact with the drive force receiving surface 65b of the engagement portion, and is driven to be responsive. The state of the body light drum 1. As described above, the engaging portion 65a of the engaging member is engaged with the main body driving shaft 101.

In the Z direction, the distance L1 from the front end surface of the cylindrical portion 71 to the front end surface of the engaging portion 65a is such that the length L2 of the driving force receiving surface 65b is in the relationship of L1 > L2. The engaging portion 65a is disposed.

As shown in FIG. 22, the center 101h of the hemispherical shape 101c has a conical shape 72m so as to enter the range L2 of the driving force receiving surface 65b of the engaging member 65 in the Z direction. When the engaging portion 65a and the center 101h are projected onto the axis of the drum unit 30, the center of the center 101h is disposed inside the projection region L2 of the driving force receiving surface 65b of the engaging portion 65a. By establishing such an arrangement relationship, the following effects can be obtained.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 19, the drum unit bearing member 39R and the drum unit bearing member 39L respectively abut against the deep side click positioning portion 108 and the front side click positioning portion 110. Thereby, the position of the cassette 7 with respect to the image forming apparatus body 100A is determined. Here, the relative position of the body drive shaft 101 and the coupling unit 28 is affected by the tolerance of the parts. Specifically, the component tolerance is limited by the component tolerance from the drum unit bearing member 39R to the coupling unit 28, and the position tolerance of the deep-side latch positioning portion 108 to the main body drive shaft 101 is shifted.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 22, the main body drive shaft 101 has a hemispherical shape 101c that is in contact with the reverse conical shape 533a and is supported by the bearing portion 101d and the hemispherical shape 101c at two points. That is, the main body drive shaft 101 is viewed by the coupling unit 28, and the main body drive shaft 101 inclines the center 101h of the hemispherical shape 101c. The same position as the center 101h in the Z-axis direction is the position that is least affected by this tilt. The driving force receiving surface 65b is disposed at the same position as the center 101h in the Z-axis direction, but is also a position that minimizes the influence of the positional deviation. That is, it becomes a position where the photosensitive drum 1 can be stably driven.

Further, in the present embodiment, the projection for receiving the driving force is provided on the side of the engaging member 65. However, the engaging member may be provided with a groove for receiving the driving, and may be provided on the main body driving shaft 101 side by movement. A movable protrusion that is diametrically engageable with the groove. However, the image forming apparatus body 100A requires higher durability than the cassette 7. In the present embodiment, the movable portion (engagement portion 65) movable in the radial direction is provided on the coupling unit 28 side of the cassette 7, and the durability of the image forming apparatus main body 100A is improved.

 [According to the drive of the coupling unit of the body drive shaft]  

The communication configuration regarding the rotational driving force to the coupling unit 28 will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26.

First, the support structure of the engaging member 65 at the time of coupling drive will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 25, when the main body drive shaft 101 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow R, the driving transmission surface 101b formed in the groove 101a of the main body drive shaft abuts against the driving force of the engaging portion 65a formed in the engaging member. The receiving surface 65b, the force F acts on the normal direction of the driving force receiving surface 65b. When the driving force F acts on the driving force receiving surface, the first guided surface 65d of the engaging member abuts against the first guiding surface 72d of the flange cover by the force. Further, it is more preferable that the drive shaft abutting surface 65c of the engaging member abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 101f of the main body drive shaft. Thereby, the engaging member 65 is firmly supported between the flange cover member 72 and the body drive shaft 101.

Next, a description will be given of a support structure of the engaging member 65 by the force when the engaging member 65 generates a force.

The driving force receiving surface 65b is inclined at least in the moving direction S of the engaging member 65, and faces at least the outer side in the diameter direction. In short, the normal vector of the driving force receiving surface 65b (a vector extending perpendicularly to the driving force receiving surface 65b toward the side facing the driving force receiving surface 65b) has an outward component in the diameter direction of the coupling unit.

In other words, the inner side in the radial direction of the driving force receiving surface 65b (the leading end side of the engaging portion 65a) is closer to the outer side of the driving force receiving surface 65b in the radial direction (the rear end side of the engaging portion 65a). The upstream side.

When the driving force F is applied perpendicularly to the driving force receiving surface 65b of the engaging portion, the direction in which the driving force F is generated is inclined so that the circumferential direction (circumferential direction) of the coupling unit faces the inner side in the radial direction. In other words, when the imaginary circle passing through the driving force receiving surface 65b is drawn concentrically with the coupling unit, the wiring of the driving force F toward the imaginary circle is inclined toward the inner side in the radial direction.

Therefore, the driving force F can be decomposed into the force F1 of the wiring direction component (the circumferential direction component and the rotational direction component) of the wiring along the imaginary circle, and the force F2 which is the radial component toward the inner side in the radial direction.

By the force F2 acting on the driving force receiving surface 65b, the driving force receiving surface 65b of the engaging member is pushed toward the radially inner side. Since the driving force receiving surface 65b can be prevented from moving outward in the radial direction, the contact state between the driving force receiving surface 65b and the driving transmission surface 101b of the main body driving shaft can be suppressed from being canceled.

Further, in the direction of the force F acting on the normal direction of the driving force receiving surface, the engaging member is movably guided in the moving direction S of the flange cover member in the radial direction inner side, and is a direction inclined only by the angle θ. Thereby, the force F acting on the driving force receiving surface generates a component FS that acts in the moving direction S of the engaging member as shown in FIG. 25(b). By the force FS, the movement of the engaging member 65 on the opposite side to the moving direction S is prevented, and the driving force receiving surface 65b of the engaging member can be prevented from being detached from the driving surface 101b of the main body driving shaft and falling off to the outside. As will be described briefly, it can be said that the direction of the driving force receiving surface 65b is inclined in the direction in which the engaging member 65 is moved toward the driving force receiving surface 65b of the main body drive shaft.

Further, it is more preferable that the drive shaft abutting surface 65c of the engaging member abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 101f of the main body drive shaft.

As shown in Fig. 25, the drive shaft abutting surface 65c is provided on the side opposite to the direction of the driving force F with respect to the driving force receiving surface 65b. Thereby, the rotational moment M generated in the engaging member 65 by the force F acting on the driving force receiving surface is supported by the driving shaft abutting surface 65c, and the engaging member 65 can be supported more strongly. The drive shaft abutting surface 65c of the engaging member protrudes inward in the radial direction from the inner peripheral surface 72a of the hole portion of the flange cover member. As a result, when the size of each part and the assembly accuracy are discrete, the drive shaft abutting surface 65c can be surely brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 101f. In short, it is preferable that at least a part of the drive shaft abutting surface 65c is disposed on the upstream side of the driving force receiving surface 65b in the rotation direction of the drum unit.

As described above, the engaging member 65 is firmly supported between the flange cover member 72 and the body drive shaft 101. Thereby, the engagement member 65 is prevented from being detached and detached from the main body drive shaft 101, and the driving force from the main body drive shaft 101 can be stably transmitted to the engagement member 65. Then, the driving stability of the photoreceptor drum 1 can be improved, and the image quality can be improved.

Next, the inclination of the driving force receiving surface 65b of the engaging portion in the axial direction will be described. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the engaging portion 65a of the engaging member taken along a plane extending in the normal direction of the driving force receiving surface 65b. In short, it is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of the arrow of the force F in Fig. 25. Here, the main body drive transmission surface 101b of the drive transmission groove 101a formed in the main body drive shaft 101 is in contact with the drive force receiving surface 65b formed on the engagement portion 65a of the engagement member, and the driving force of the main body drive shaft 101 is driven. It is transmitted to the engaging member 65.

As described above, the main body drive transmission surface 101b is a shape that twists the axis of the coupling unit 28 to the center. In the cross-sectional view of Fig. 26, the main body drive transmission surface 101b is inclined with respect to the rotation axis of the main body drive shaft 101. The driving force receiving surface 65b of the engaging portion has a twist shape similarly to the main body driving transmission surface 101b, and the driving force receiving surface 65b is inclined with respect to the rotating shaft of the main body driving shaft 101. More specifically, the driving force receiving surface 65b is disposed on the outer side in the rotational direction of the drum unit from the outer side in the axial direction of the drum unit.

Therefore, the force F in the normal direction acting by the main body driving transmission surface 101b to the driving force receiving surface 65b has a force F3 as a component in the rotation axis direction. In other words, the force F3 that causes the engaging member 65 and the coupling unit 28 to be pushed outward in the longitudinal direction of the photoreceptor drum is generated. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the force applied to the main body drive shaft 101 in the direction in which the coupling unit 28 is disengaged from the axial direction. Next, as shown in FIG. 21, a force is generated in which the hemispherical shape 101c formed at the tip end of the main body drive shaft is urged in a direction in which the conical shape 72m formed in the flange cover member is in contact with each other. Thereby, the hemispherical shape 101c which becomes the main body drive shaft does not correspond to the conical shape 72m of the flange cover member, and the coupling unit 28 can position the main body drive shaft 101 more correctly.

The driving force received by the driving force receiving surface 65b is transmitted to the flange cover member 72 by the engaging member 65. That is, the driving force is transmitted from the first guided surface 65d of the engaging member 65 to the first guiding surface 72d of the flange cover member 72. The first guiding surface 72d is a conveyed portion that transmits a driving force, and the flange cover member 72 is a member to be conveyed. In addition, when the driving force is applied to the engaging member 65, the first guiding surface 72d prevents the engaging portion 65a from moving to the downstream side of the drum unit in the rotation direction. Further, the first guided surface 65d is a transmitting portion for transmitting a driving force to the flange cover member 72.

Further, the first guide surface 72d is inclined to the driving force receiving surface 65b. Therefore, the driving force F applied perpendicularly to the driving force receiving surface 65d has a component that faces the radially inner side along the first guiding surface 72d.

By the component of the driving force F, the engaging portion 65a is guided toward the radially inner side of the coupling unit 28 along the ground guiding surface 72d. In short, the first guiding surface 72d faces in a direction in which the engaging portion 65a or the driving force receiving surface 65b is urged toward the radially inner side (that is, the deep side of the driving transmission groove 101a) when the driving force F is transmitted.

In Fig. 25, when the wiring of the first guiding surface 72d and the driving force receiving surface 65d are extended, the two wirings intersect each other radially outward of the first guiding surface 72d or the driving force receiving surface 65d. Way composition.

Further, in the rotation direction R of the drum unit, the first guide surface 72d is disposed on the radially inner side of the first guide surface 72d on the downstream side (see Fig. 25).

The driving force transmitted from the engaging member 65 to the flange cover member 72 is transmitted to the photoreceptor drum 1 via the flange member 71. As a result, the photoreceptor drum 1 rotates together with the coupling unit 28.

That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the flange cover member 72 has a position restricting groove 72l (engagement portion, recessed portion) for engaging with the convex portion provided in the flange member 71. Further, a fitting surface 72k that fits into the inner circumference of the flange member 71 is also provided. The fitting surface 72k or the position restricting groove 72l is interposed to transmit a driving force to the flange member 71. Since the flange member 71 is attached to the inner circumference of the photoreceptor drum 1, the driving force is finally transmitted to the photoreceptor drum 1 by the flange member 71.

Further, the flange member 71 is provided with a convex portion, and the flange cover member 72 is provided with a concave portion (position restricting groove 72l) for engaging with the flange cover member 72, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, a concave portion is provided in the flange member 71, and a convex portion that engages with the flange cover member 72 is provided, and the driving force may be transmitted from the flange cover member 72 to the flange member 71.

In addition, as described above, when the driving force receiving surface 65b is the torsion surface, the driving force F is applied to the driving force receiving surface 65b, and the drum unit 30 is pushed outward in the axial direction. That is, when the driving force receiving surface 65b is applied with the driving force by the main body driving shaft 101, the drum unit 30 and the main body driving shaft 101 are configured to be close to each other. Further, the driving force receiving surface 65b may have a function equivalent to that of the twisted surface, and does not necessarily have to be a twisted shape. The driving force receiving surface 65b may be a surface that is inclined toward the direction in which the elastic force Fc2 is generated in the above-described driving force F, and the surface shape may be, for example, a flat surface or a curved surface.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, in the flange member 71, the elastic force of the radially inner side of the engaging member 65 received by the spring pushing member 66 is provided with a spring force that receives the force of the radial force of the reaction force. The abutting surface of the pushing member (the pushing member abutting portion) 71f. The abutting surface 71f is a pressing force receiving portion (elastic thrust receiving portion) that is pressed and pushed by the projectile member. Further, it is a poppet member supporting portion for supporting the poppet member.

As shown in FIG. 12, the abutting surface 71f of the flange member 71 is disposed on at least a part of the contact surface 71f and a part of the photoreceptor drum 1 in the longitudinal direction in the longitudinal direction of the photoreceptor drum 1. Overlapping locations. In short, when the abutting surface 71f is projected perpendicularly to the photoreceptor drum 1 on the axis of the photoreceptor drum, at least a part of the projection areas of the mutual overlap are overlapped. Further, in other words, at least a part of the abutting surface 71f is disposed inside the photoreceptor drum 1. In particular, in the present embodiment, the entire abutting surface 71f is disposed inside the photoreceptor drum 1. This should be due to the following reasons.

The abutting surface 71f of the flange member 71 is disposed in the thin portion of the flange member in consideration of the space in the radial direction. By the elastic force of the radially outward side of the spring pushing member 66 generated on the abutting surface 71f, the photoreceptor drum 1 which is generally made of an aluminum alloy having a higher strength than the flange member can be received, and can be suppressed. The deformation of the periphery of the abutting surface 71f of the flange member 71. By suppressing the deformation of the flange member 71, deformation of the bearing portion 71c formed in the flange member 71 for rotatably supporting the photoreceptor drum 1 is suppressed, and sensitization can be rotatably supported with high precision Body light drum 1.

In order to dispose at least a part of the contact surface 71f inside the photoreceptor drum 1, at least a part of the poppet member 66 is disposed inside the photoreceptor drum 1.

More specifically, at least a part of the abutting portion (the spring pushing portion) of the poppet member 66 that abuts against the abutting surface 71f is disposed inside the photoreceptor drum 1. In particular, in the present embodiment, the entire pusher member 66 is disposed inside the photoreceptor drum 1.

Further, at least a part of the engaging member 65 or the engaging portion 65a and the driving force receiving surface 65b are also disposed inside the photoreceptor drum 1. In short, in particular, in the present embodiment, the entire engaging member 65 is disposed inside the photoreceptor drum 1.

By arranging the movable engaging member 65 or the elastically deformable poppet member 66 inside the photoreceptor drum 1, the user's hands are not easily accessible. It is also suitable for the protective engaging member 65 or the poppet member 66.

Further, by arranging at least a part of the engaging member 65 in the inside of the photoreceptor drum, the following effects are obtained.

In other words, when the engaging member 65 is disposed inside the photoreceptor drum 1, when the cassette 7 is attached to the apparatus main body, the shaft portion 101f that drives the transmission groove 101a is formed, and also enters the inside of the photoreceptor drum 1 (refer to Figure 8, Figure 9). Then, since the drive transmission shaft 101 is supported by the bearing portion 101d and the shaft portion 101f, the distance between the bearing portion 101d and the shaft portion 101f is further reduced, and it is appropriate to suppress the inclination of the drive transmission shaft 101 of the drum unit. . When the shaft portion 101f is allowed to enter the inside of the photoreceptor drum 1, the apparatus body can be kept small, and the distance between the bearing portion 101d and the shaft portion 101f can be easily ensured.

 [The coupling unit is pulled out from the body drive shaft]  

The operation of the coupling unit 28 to be removed by the main body drive shaft 101 will be described with reference to Figs. 10, 20, 21 and 22.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the rotational driving of the main body drive shaft 101 is stopped, the driving force receiving surface 65b is in contact with the main body driving transmission surface 101b. In this state, the engaging portion 65a enters the main body drive transmission groove 101a.

When the cassette 7 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 100A, as shown in Fig. 22, the slanting surface 65l of the engaging portion 65a is in contact with the main body side removal gradient 101i. When the inclined surface 65l is pulled out, since the gradient 101i is pulled out against the body side, the spring pushing member 66 starts to be shortened, and the engaging member 65 is moved to the radially outer side along the body side pulling gradient 101i.

Further, when the coupling unit 28 is removed by the main body drive shaft 101, the spring pushing member 66 is shortened, and the engaging portion 65a is moved to the outer diameter of the shaft portion 101f of the main body drive shaft 101. The coupling unit 28 can be detached from the main body drive shaft 101 by the engagement portion 65a moving to the outer diameter of the shaft portion 101f.

Further, when the coupling unit 28 is removed by the main body drive shaft 101, as shown in Figs. 20 and 15, the position of the engaging member 65 is returned to the restricting portion 65j of the engaging member and the restricting portion 72j of the flange cover member. The position is limited to the state of the push direction.

By the above operation, the coupling unit 28 can be removed by the body drive shaft 101.

Moreover, as described above, the driving force receiving surface 65b has a shape that is twisted around the rotation axis of the flange member 71. The twisting direction is disposed on the outer side (the Z1 direction side) and the inner side (the Z2 direction side) of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 on the driving force receiving surface 65b, and is disposed on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photoreceptor drum unit 1.

When the coupling unit 28 is to be removed from the main body drive shaft 101 in this state, the driving force receiving surface 65b is disposed in a direction that hinders the pulling operation. As a result, as shown in Fig. 26, the outer side (the Z1 direction side) of the driving force receiving surface 65b is disposed on the inner side (the Z2 direction side) on the upstream side in the rotational direction, so that the coupling unit 28 is pulled out from the main body drive shaft 101 by the pulling operation. If you go, unloading the load will increase the insertion load.

On the other hand, the rotation of the main body drive shaft 101 is stopped, and the main body drive shaft 101 may be reversely rotated while the cassette 7 is being removed from the image forming apparatus main body 100A. Thereby, after the driving force receiving surface 65b is released from the state in which the driving surface 101b is driven, the cassette 7 is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 100A, so that the pulling load can be reduced.

As a method of reverse rotation, the opening operation of the card door 104 may be interlocked, and the main body drive shaft 101 may be reversely rotated by a link mechanism or the like, and the motor of the drive source of the main body drive shaft 101 may be reversely rotated. .

In the above-described embodiments, the actions and effects related to the present invention are summarized.

In the present embodiment, since the engaging member 65 which is movable in the radial direction is provided in the coupling unit 28, it is not necessary to use a mechanism for retracting the main body drive shaft 101 in the axial direction, and it is possible to perform attachment and detachment of the good cassette 7 and It is conveyed according to the driving of the coupling unit 28.

The engaging portion 65a formed in the engaging member 65 protrudes inward in the radial direction from the hole portion 72a of the coupling unit 28. Thereby, the latch 7 configured to be detachably attached to the apparatus main body 100A can protect the engaging portion 65a.

Further, the driving force receiving surface 65b formed in the engaging portion extends inward in the radial direction. Therefore, after the engagement portion enters the groove portion 101a of the main body drive shaft, the drive force receiving surface 65b abuts against the drive transmission surface 101b formed on the groove portion 101a, and good drive communication can be performed.

Further, when the coupling unit 28 is driven, the driving force receiving surface 65b is directed toward the photosensitive body in the direction of the driving force F received in the normal direction, and in the wiring direction of the virtual circle centering on the rotation axis of the photoreceptor drum 1. The drum 1 is inclined inward in the radial direction. Further, the direction of the driving force F is inclined in a direction in which the engaging member 65 is movably guided, and the angle formed is an acute angle. Thereby, the engagement member 65 is prevented from applying a force to the outer side in the radial direction, and the driving force receiving surface 65b is prevented from being detached and detached from the drive transmission surface 101b, and the driving force from the main body drive shaft 101 can be stably transmitted to the engaging member 65. . Then, the driving stability of the photoreceptor drum 1 can be improved, and the image quality can be improved.

Further, the engaging member 65 is provided with a drive shaft abutting surface 65c that abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 101f of the main body drive shaft. Thereby, the rotational moment M generated in the engaging member 65 is supported by the drive shaft abutting surface 65c, whereby the engaging member 65 can be supported more strongly, and the drive stability can be improved.

In addition, the direction of the driving force F received by the driving force receiving surface 65b in the normal direction is inclined toward the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the photoreceptor drum 1 in the direction of the rotation axis of the photoreceptor drum 1. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the force applied to the main body drive shaft 101 in the direction in which the coupling unit 28 is disengaged from the axial direction.

Further, in the engaging portion 65a, an insertion inclined surface 65k is formed at one end portion of the photoreceptor drum 1 on the outer side in the longitudinal direction, and the other inclined end surface 65l is formed at the other end portion opposite to the one end portion having the insertion inclined surface 65k. . Thereby, when the cassette is attached and detached, the insertion inclined surface 65k or the inclined surface 65l is abutted against the groove portion 101a of the main body drive shaft, so that the cassette 7 can be detachably attached and detached without being caught.

Further, at least a part of the abutting surface 71f of the spring pushing member provided on the flange member 71 is disposed at a position overlapping the longitudinal direction of the photoreceptor drum 1 . The engaging member 65 is biased radially inward by the spring pushing member 66, and the abutting portion 71f receives the force on the radially outer side of the reaction force of the spring force. When the contact surface 71f is disposed inside the photoreceptor drum 1, the deformation of the bearing portion 71c formed in the flange member 71 can be suppressed, and the photoreceptor drum 1 can be rotatably supported with high precision.

 <Example 2>  

The second embodiment will be described using Figs. 27 to 47. The elements corresponding to the above-described embodiments are given the same names, and the same points as those of the above-described elements are also omitted. These will be described focusing on differences from the above-described elements.

The coupling unit disclosed in the foregoing embodiment is a member that transmits a driving force for rotating the photoconductor drum 1 . However, in order to rotate a member other than the photoreceptor drum 1, the aforementioned coupling unit can be used.

As an example of such a configuration, in the present embodiment, a coupling unit 4028 that transmits a driving force for rotating the developing roller and the toner supply roller is disclosed.

In addition, all of the photoreceptor drum 1, the developing roller 4017, and the toner supply roller 4020 are rotating bodies configured to rotate while holding the developer (carbon powder) on the surface thereof.

 [Summary of Electronic Photo Image Forming Apparatus]  

First, the overall configuration of an embodiment of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Fig. 27 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus 4100A of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 27, the image forming apparatus 4100A has the first and second images for forming the respective images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) as the plurality of image forming portions. The third and fourth image forming units SY, SM, SC, and SK. In the present embodiment, the first to fourth image forming portions SY, SM, SC, and SK are arranged in a line in the approximate horizontal direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration and operation of each of the drum cartridges 4013 (4013Y, 4013M, 4013C, and 4013K) are substantially the same except that the colors of the formed images are different. Similarly, the configuration and operation of each of the developing cartridges 4004 (4004Y, 4004M, 4004C, 4004K) are substantially the same except that the colors of the formed images are different. In other words, in the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish specifically, Y, M, C, and K are omitted, and the drum cartridge 4013 and the developing cartridge 4004 are collectively explained.

In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 4100A has four cylinders having photosensitive layers arranged in parallel in a direction slightly inclined in the vertical direction (hereinafter referred to as a photoreceptor drum) as a plurality of image carriers. 1. A scanner unit (exposure device) 3 is disposed below the light drum cassette 4013 and the developing cartridge 4004 in the direction of gravity. Further, a charging roller 2 or the like which is a processing means (processing means, processing member) acting on the photosensitive layer is disposed around the photosensitive drum 1 .

The charging roller 2 is a charging means (charger, charging member) for uniformly charging the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1. Next, the scanner unit (exposure device) 3 is an exposure means (exposure device, exposure member) that forms an electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) on the photoreceptor drum 1 by laser irradiation based on the image information. Around the photoreceptor drum 1, a cleaning blade 6 as a cleaning means (cleaning means, cleaning member) and a developing cartridge 4004 are disposed.

Further, the four photoreceptor drums 1 are arranged to be transferred in the middle of the intermediate transfer body for transferring the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 1 to the recording material (thin sheet, recording medium) 12. Printing belt 5.

The developing cartridge 4004 of the present embodiment uses a non-magnetic single component developer (hereinafter referred to as carbon powder) as a developer, and contacts the photosensitive drum 1 by the developing roller 4017 as a developer carrying member. Development method.

In the above configuration, the toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum 1 is transferred onto the sheet (paper) 12, and the toner image transferred to the sheet is fixed. Further, as a processing means for the photoreceptor drum 1, the photocontainer cassette 4013 includes a charging roller 2 for charging the photoreceptor drum 1, and toner remaining without being transferred to the photoreceptor drum 1 for cleaning. Cleaning blade 6. The transfer residual toner remaining on the thin plate 12 and remaining on the photoreceptor drum 1 is recovered by the cleaning blade 6. In addition, the transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning blade 6 is housed in the removal developer accommodating portion (hereinafter referred to as waste toner accommodating portion) 4014a by the opening 4014b. The waste toner accommodating portion 4014a and the cleaning blade 6 constitute an integrated photo drum cartridge (photoreceptor unit, drum unit, image carrier unit) 4013.

Further, the image forming apparatus 4100A includes a guide (positioning means) such as a guide, a positioning member (not shown), and the like. The developing cartridge 4004 and the drum cartridge 4013 are guided by the guides so as to be attachable and detachable to the image forming apparatus main body 4100A.

The toner cartridges 4004 for the respective colors are respectively accommodated toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).

The intermediate transfer belt 5 abuts against the photoreceptor drum 1 of each of the photocontainer cassettes 4013, and rotates (moves) in the direction of the arrow B in Fig. 1 . The intermediate transfer belt 5 is attached to a plurality of support members (the drive roller 51, the secondary transfer counter roller 52, and the driven roller 53). On the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 5, four primary transfer rollers 8 as primary transfer means are arranged side by side so as to face the respective photoreceptor drums 1. In addition, the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 5 is disposed at a position opposite to the secondary transfer counter roller 52, and is disposed as a secondary transfer roller 9 as a secondary transfer means.

When the image is formed, first, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 2. Next, the surface of the charged photoreceptor drum 1 is scanned and exposed by the laser light emitted by the scanner unit 3 in response to the image information. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photoreceptor drum 1. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 1 is developed as a toner image by the developing cartridge 4004. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum 1 is transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 5 by the action of the primary transfer roller 8.

For example, in the case of forming a full-color image, the aforementioned processing is sequentially performed on four drum cartridges 4013 (4013Y, 4013M, 4013C, 4013K) and development cartridges 4004 (4004Y, 4004M, 4004C, 4004K). Then, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photoreceptor drum 1 of each of the photocontainer cassettes 4013 are sequentially transferred in such a manner as to overlap on the intermediate transfer belt 5. Thereafter, in synchronization with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 5, the recording material 12 is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion. Next, the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 is collectively transferred onto the recording material 12 that is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion formed by the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 9.

The recording material 12 to which the toner image is transferred is transported to the fixing device 10 as a fixing means. The fixing device 10 fixes the toner image on the recording material 12 by applying heat and pressure to the recording material 12. Further, the primary transfer residual toner remaining on the photoreceptor drum 1 after the primary transfer step is removed by the cleaning blade 6 and recovered as waste toner. Further, the secondary transfer residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 5 after the secondary transfer step is removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 11.

Further, the image forming apparatus 4100A may form a single-color or multi-color image using a desired single or several (not all) image forming portions.

 [Summary of handling cards]  

Next, the photoconductor cartridge 4013 (4013Y, 4013M, 4013C, 4013K) and the developing cartridge 4004 (4004Y) mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 4100A of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 28, 29, 30, and 31. Summary of 4004M, 4004C, 4004K).

Further, the drum cartridge 4013Y, the drum cartridge 4013M, the drum cartridge 4013C, and the drum cartridge 4013K have the same configuration. Further, the developing cartridge 4004Y for storing the yellow toner, the developing cartridge 4004M for storing the magenta toner, the developing cartridge 4004C for storing the cyan toner, and the developing cartridge 4004K for storing the black toner have the same configuration. That is, in the following description, the respective photo drum cartridges 4013Y, 4013M, 4013C, and 4013K are photo drum cartridges 4013, and collectively, the respective developing cartridges 4004Y, 4004M, 4004C, and 4004K are developing cartridges 4004. The components of each of the cassettes are also collectively described.

Fig. 28 is an external perspective view of the photo drum cartridge 4013. Here, as shown in FIG. 28, the rotation axis direction of the photoreceptor drum 1 is referred to as the Z direction (arrow Z1, arrow Z2), and the horizontal direction of FIG. 27 is referred to as the X direction (arrow X1, arrow X2). The vertical direction is the Y direction (arrow Y1, arrow Y2).

The drum unit bearing members 4039R and 4039L are attached to both sides of the cleaning frame 4014, respectively, and support the photoconductor drum unit 4030. Thereby, the photoconductor drum unit 4030 is rotatably supported by the cleaning frame 4014.

Further, the charging roller 2 and the cleaning blade 6 are attached to the cleaning frame 4014, and these are disposed in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1. Further, a charging roller bearing 15 is attached to the cleaning frame 4014. The charging roller bearing 15 is a bearing for supporting the shaft of the charging roller 2.

Here, the charging roller bearing 15 (15R, 15L) is attached so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow C shown in FIG. The rotating shaft 2a of the charging roller 2 is rotatably attached to the charging roller bearing 15 (15R, 15L). Next, the charging roller bearing 15 is pushed toward the photoreceptor drum 1 by the pressurizing spring 16 as a spring pushing means. Thereby, the charging roller 2 abuts on the photoreceptor drum 1 and rotates with the photoreceptor drum 1.

The cleaning frame 4014 is provided with a cleaning blade 6 as a cleaning means for removing the carbon powder remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1. The cleaning blade 6 is a blade-shaped rubber (elastic member) 6a that abuts against the photoreceptor drum 1 to remove the toner on the photoreceptor drum 1, and is integrated with the support plate 6b. In the present embodiment, the support plate metal 6b is fixed to the cleaning frame 4014 by screws.

As described above, the cleaning frame 4014 has an opening 4014b for recovering the transfer residual toner recovered by the cleaning blade 6. The opening 4014b is provided with a blow-off preventing plate 26 that is in contact with the photoreceptor drum 1 and sealed between the photoreceptor drum 1 and the opening 4014b, and prevents toner leakage in the upper direction of the opening 4014b.

Fig. 30 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the developing cartridge 4004.

The developing cartridge 4004 has a developing frame 4018 that supports various elements. In the developing cartridge 4004, a developing roller 4017 which is in contact with the photoreceptor drum 1 and which is a developer carrying member that rotates in the direction of the arrow D (counterclockwise direction) shown in FIG. 31 is provided. The developing roller 4017 has a developing bearing 4019 (4019R, 4019L) interposed therebetween at both end portions in the longitudinal direction (rotational axis direction), and is rotatably supported by the developing frame 4018. Here, the developing bearings 4019 (4019R, 4019L) are attached to both side portions of the developing frame 4018, respectively.

Further, the developing cartridge 4004 has a developer accommodating chamber (hereinafter referred to as a toner accommodating chamber) 4018a and a developing chamber 4018b to which the developing roller 4017 is disposed, as shown in FIG.

In the developing chamber 4018b, the toner supplying roller 4020 of the developer supplying member that is rotated in the direction of the arrow E in contact with the developing roller 4017 and the developing blade of the developer regulating member for restricting the toner layer of the developing roller 4017 are disposed. Board 21. The developing blade 21 is fixed and integrated by welding the fixing member 22 or the like.

In addition, the toner accommodating chamber 4018a of the developing frame 4018 is provided with a stirring member 23 for agitating the accommodated toner and transferring the toner to the toner supply roller 4020.

 [Composition of the body drive shaft]  

The configuration of the main body drive shaft 4101 will be described with reference to Figs. 32 and 33.

Figure 32 is an outline view of the body drive shaft 4101.

Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view taken along the rotation axis (rotation axis) of the main body drive shaft 4101 in a state in which the image forming apparatus body is attached.

As shown in Fig. 32, the main body drive shaft 4101 is composed of a gear member 4101e, an intermediate body 4101p, an output member 4101q, and a drive transmission member 4101r.

A motor (not shown) as a drive source is provided in the image forming apparatus main body 4100A. The gear member 4101e is rotationally driven by the motor, and the main body drive shaft 4101 is rotated by the intermediate member 4101p, the output member 4101q, and the drive transmission member 4101r. Further, the gear member 4101e, the intermediate body 4101p, and the output member 4101q have a mechanism of an Oldham coupling, and are movable a certain distance in the X direction and the Y direction. Therefore, the drive transmission member 4101r provided on the cassette side of the main body drive shaft 4101 via the Oldham coupling can be moved by a certain distance in the X direction and the Y direction. Then, the drive transmission member 4101r includes a rotatable shaft portion 4101f, and the rotational driving force received by the motor is transmitted to the developing cassette 4004 side through the groove-shaped drive transmission groove 4101a (recessed portion and drive transmission portion) provided in the shaft portion 4101f. Further, the shaft portion 4101f has a conical shape 4101c at its tip end.

The main body drive transmission groove 4101a has a shape that the engagement portion 4065a to be described later can enter. Specifically, the main body drive transmission surface 4101b that is in contact with the driving force receiving surface (driving force receiving portion) 4065b of the coupling unit 4028 as a surface for transmitting the driving force is provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 32, the main body drive transmission surface 4101b is not a flat surface, and the center of the rotation shaft of the main body drive shaft 4101 is twisted. The twist direction is the Z1 direction side to the Z2 direction side of the main body drive shaft 4101, and is disposed in the direction of the upstream side in the rotation direction of the main body drive shaft 4101. In the present embodiment, the amount of twist in the direction of the rotation axis of the cylinder along the engaging portion 4065a is about 1° per 1 mm. The reason for taking the shape of the twisting body drive conveying surface 4101b will be described in detail later.

Further, a body side removal gradient 4101i is provided on the surface of the main body drive transmission groove 4101a on the Z2 direction side. The gradient 4101i is removed from the main body side, and is a gradient (inclined surface, inclined portion) for assisting the engagement portion 4056b to be pulled out by the drive transmission groove 4101a when the development cartridge 4004 is detached from the apparatus main body 4100A.

As shown in FIG. 33, the bearing portion 4101d provided in the gear member 4101e is rotatably supported (axially supported) by a bearing member 4102 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 4100A. Next, the output member 4101q is rotatably supported by the coupler holder 4101s. Further, the drive transmitting member 4101r is supported by the output member 4101q in the Z direction, and is spring-loaded on the side of the developing cartridge 4004 (Z2 direction) by the spring member 4103. However, the amount of movement (play) in the Z direction of the drive transmission member 4101q is sufficiently smaller than the width of the Z-direction of the drive force receiving surface 4065a to be described later.

Further, the coupler holder 4101s is pushed in the approximate Y2 direction by the spring push spring 4101t. Therefore, as will be described later, at the time of mounting of the developing cartridge 4004, the drive communication member 4101r is located at a position offset from the axis of the gear member 4101e in the approximately Y2 direction.

As described above, the drive transmission member 4101r is provided with the main body drive transmission groove 4101a, and the coupling unit 4028 is provided with an engagement portion (projection portion, projection portion) 4065a, and the device main body 4100A is configured to transmit the drive to the development cassette 4004. When the driving force is transmitted to the coupling unit 4028, the developing roller or the supply roller rotates.

Further, although the details will be described later, the engaging portion 4065a is formed in an engaging member (sliding member, moving member, driving force receiving member) 4065 that is movable in a state of being pushed by the elastic member. Therefore, the engaging portion 4065a is configured to be movable at least in the radial direction when the developing cartridge 4004 is attached to the apparatus main body 4100A. Thereby, as the developing cartridge 4004 is inserted into the apparatus main body 4100A, the engaging portion 4065a enters the driving communication groove 4101a, and the engaging portion 4065a can be engaged with the main body driving communication groove 4101a.

 [Configuration of coupling unit]  

Next, the coupling unit 4028 of the present embodiment will be described in detail using FIGS. 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing the coupling unit 4028 attached to the toner supply roller 4020.

Fig. 35 is a perspective view of the engaging member 4065, Fig. 35(a) is a perspective view seen from the upper left, and Fig. 35(b) is a perspective view seen from the upper right.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a member constituting the coupling unit 4028.

37 is a perspective view of the coupling unit 4028 and the toner supply roller 4020.

38 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the coupling unit 4028 is engaged with the drive transmission member 4101r.

Figure 39 is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge 4004.

The coupling unit 4028 of the present embodiment differs from the coupling unit 28 of the first embodiment in that the member to be driven is the toner supply roller 4020, and the other has a similar configuration.

As shown in FIG. 34, the coupling unit 4028 is provided with three engaging portions 4065a that are engaged with the driving transmission member 4101r. The engaging portion 4065a is fitted into the groove portion 4101a of the drive transmission member 4101r as shown in Fig. 38, and is driven to be conveyed.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the coupling unit (coupling member) 4028 will be specifically described. The coupling unit 4028, as shown in the perspective view of Fig. 36 or the cross-sectional view of Fig. 38, is composed of a coupling cover member 4071, a coupling holder member 4072, an engaging member 4065, and a spring pushing member 4066.

The coupling cover member 4071 is a cylindrical member having a hollow portion, and the coupling holder 4072 is disposed in the internal space of the coupling cover member 4071.

The coupling holder 4072 is a holding member that slidably moves the engaging member 4065.

As shown in FIG. 38, the engaging member 4065 having the engaging portion 4065a is supported in the coupling unit 4028 in a state of being pushed toward the inner side in the radial direction of the coupling unit 4028 by the pushing member 4066.

As shown in FIG. 35, the engaging member 4065 is movably guided in the coupling unit, and has a first guided surface 4065d and a second guided surface 4065e. Further, the third guided surface 4065f and the fourth guiding surface 4065g for restricting the position of the engaging member 4065 to the axial direction are provided.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the first to fourth guided surfaces (4065d, 4065e, 4065f, and 4065g) are guided by the coupling holder 4072, and are also restrained by the coupling holder 4072. The restricted position portion (restricted portion) of the position. The coupling holder 4072 has the first to fourth guide faces corresponding to the first to fourth guided faces, and is also the same as that of the first embodiment.

The engaging member 4065 has an abutting surface (the pushed portion and the pressed surface) 4065h for receiving the elastic force generated by the spring pushing member 4066. Further, the engaging member 4065 abuts against the coupling holder member 4072 by the elastic force of the spring pushing member 66, has a position restricting projection 4065i for restricting the position of the engaging member 4065, and is formed at the position restricting projection. The spring thrust position limit surface 4065j. Similarly to the first embodiment, the projectile thrust position regulating surface 4065j is a locked portion that is restricted/locked to move radially inward by the coupling frame member 4072.

Further, the engaging member 4065 has an insertion inclined surface 4065k.

The coupling holder member 4072 has a coupling hole portion 4072a through which the drive transmission member 4101r passes, and a mounting hole portion 4072b for allowing the engagement member 4065 to move in a radial direction.

The coupling cover member 4071 has a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 36 and is attached to the outer peripheral surface 4072k of the coupling frame member 4072.

The spring pushing member 4066 is an elastically stretchable elastic member (compression coil spring), and the force of the compression spring is outwardly contracted, and the opposite is the reaction force of the compression spring in the extending direction.

The engaging member 4065 is pushed toward the inner side (the inner side in the radial direction) of the coupling unit 4028 by the pushing member 4066. The poppet member 4066 is compressed in a state where the abutting surface 4065h of the engaged member 4065 is caught by the inner peripheral surface of the coupling cover member 4071, so that the push-pull card is pushed by the elastic force in the extending direction of the elastic member 4066. The member 65 is joined.

The engaging member 4065, the engaging portion 4065a of the engaging member 4065 is supported by the coupling holding frame member 4072 in a state of being exposed by the hole portion 4072a of the coupling holding frame member 4072. Further, similarly, the drive shaft abutting surface 4065c in which the engaging member 4065 is formed in an arc shape is exposed by the hole portion 4072a of the coupling frame member 4072.

The engaging portion 4065a of the engaging member 4065 protrudes inward in the radial direction from the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion 4072a of the coupling frame member 4072. The amount of protrusion is the size of the groove 4101a in which the engaging portion 4065a actually enters the drive shaft. In addition, the amount of protrusion is only the intensity of the load moment of the driving force receiving surface 4065b formed in the engaging portion 4065a corresponding to the toner supplying roller 4020 of the member to be rotated. By setting the amount of protrusion as described above, the engaging portion 4065a can stably transmit the driving force by the main body drive shaft 4101.

In the case of this embodiment, the amount of protrusion of the engaging portion 4065a is preferably from 1 mm to 3 mm. In short, the distance from the inner surface of the coupling holder member 4072 to the tip end of the engaging portion 4065a is measured along the diameter direction of the coupling member, and the distance is 1 mm to 3 mm.

Further, similarly to the drive shaft abutting surface 4065c of the engaging member 4065, the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion 4072a of the flange cover member 4072 protrudes inward in the radial direction. When the size of each part is uneven, the drive shaft abutting surface 4065c is surely protruded from the inner peripheral surface of the hole portion 4072a, and in the case of the present embodiment, it is preferably 0.3 mm to 1 mm.

Further, in the coupling holder member 4072, as shown in FIG. 37, a hole portion 4072h for passing through the shaft portion (shaft) 4020a of the toner supply roller 4020 is formed. By the formation of the hole portion 4072h and the shaft portion 4020a, the toner supply roller 4020 and the coupling unit 4028 are integrally rotated. In summary, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the coupling unit 4028 is fixed to the shaft (shaft portion 4020a) of the rotating body (toner supply roller). The coupling unit 4028 is configured to be coaxial with the toner supply roller 4020.

Further, the distance from the axis (center) of the coupling unit 4028 to the driving force receiving portion (the driving force receiving surface 4065b) is longer than the radius of the shaft portion 4020a. By doing so, the load moment necessary for rotating the shaft portion 4020a of the toner supply roller 4020 can be made smaller than the force applied to the driving force receiving surface 4065b.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 39, the toner supply roller 4020 has a gear 4098 on the side (non-driving side) opposite to the driving side on which the coupling unit 4028 is mounted. This gear meshes with the gear 4099 attached to the shaft of the developing roller 4017.

When the toner supply roller 4020 is rotated by the driving force transmitted from the coupling unit 4028, the developing roller 4017 is also rotated by the above two gears.

 [Installation of the body of the image forming apparatus by the cassette]  

The attachment and detachment of the developing cartridge 4004 to the image forming apparatus body will be described with reference to Figs. 40, 41, 42, and 43.

Fig. 40 is a perspective view for explaining the mounting of the developing cartridge 4004 to the image forming apparatus main body 4100A.

41, 42 and 43 are cross-sectional views for explaining the mounting operation of the developing cartridge 4004 to the image forming apparatus main body 4100A.

The image forming apparatus main body 4100A of the present embodiment has a configuration in which the developing cartridge 4004 and the photo drum cartridge 4013 can be mounted in an approximately horizontal direction. Specifically, the image forming apparatus main body 4100A has a space in which the developing cartridge 4004 and the drum cartridge 4013 can be mounted. Next, a card door 4104 (front door) for inserting the developing cartridge 4004 and the drum cartridge 4013 into the space is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 4100A (in the direction in which the user stands when in use).

As shown in FIG. 40, the card door 4104 of the image forming apparatus body 4100A is provided to be openable and closable. When the cassette door 4104 is opened, the cassette lower rail 4105 that guides the developing cassette 4004 is disposed on the bottom surface of the space, and the cassette upper rail 4106 is disposed on the upper surface. The developing cartridge 4004 is guided to the mounting position by upper and lower guide rails (4105, 4106) provided above and below the space. The developing cartridge 4004 is inserted approximately along the axis of the developing roller 4020 toward the mounting position.

Hereinafter, the attaching and detaching operation of the developing cartridge 4004 to the image forming apparatus main body 4100A will be described with reference to FIGS. 41, 42, and 43.

As shown in FIG. 41, the developing cartridge 4004 is supported/guided by the lower side guide rail 4105 on the lower side of the end portion on the deep side in the insertion direction, and the upper side of the end portion on the deep side in the insertion direction is the upper rail 4016 (not shown). The state guided by the display is inserted. At this time, the developing frame 4018 and the developing bearing 4019 have a dimensional relationship in which the intermediate transfer belt 5 does not contact.

Next, as shown in FIG. 42, the developing cartridge 4004 is inserted in the horizontal direction while being supported by the cassette lower rail 4105, and is inserted until it reaches the deep-side latch positioning portion 4108 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 4100A.

Further, at the time of mounting of the developing cartridge 4004, the drive transmitting member 4101r of the image forming apparatus main body 4100A is engaged with the coupling unit 4028 in a state of being pushed to the approximate Y2 direction as described above.

Fig. 43 is a view showing a state of the image forming apparatus main body 4100A and the developing cartridge 4004 in a state in which the card door 4104 is closed. The cassette lower rail 4105 of the image forming apparatus main body 4100A is configured to be vertically connected to the opening and closing of the cassette door (front door) 4104.

When the user closes the cassette door 4104, the cassette lower rail 4105 rises. Next, both end portions of the developing cartridge 4004 come into contact with the cassette positioning portions (4108‧4110) of the image forming apparatus main body 4100A, and the developing cartridge 4004 positions the image forming apparatus main body 4100A. Further, the drive transmission member 4101r of the image forming apparatus main body 4100A also follows the development cassette 4004.

By the above operation, the mounting of the developing cartridge 4004 to the image forming apparatus main body 4100A is completed.

Further, the removal of the developing cartridge 4004 from the image forming apparatus main body 4100A is the reverse of the above-described insertion operation.

 [The coupling process of the coupling unit to the body drive shaft]  

Next, the engagement process of the coupling unit 4028 and the main body drive shaft 4101 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 44, 45, 46, and 47.

44, 45, 46, and 47 are cross-sectional views for explaining the attachment operation of the coupling unit 4028 to the main body drive shaft 4101.

Fig. 44 is a view showing a state in which the coupling unit 4028 starts to engage with the drive communication member 4101r. Further, Fig. 47 shows a state in which the developing cartridge 4004 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 4100A. In particular, in Fig. 47, the state in which the cassette lower guide rail 4105 is raised as the cassette door 4104 is closed is raised, and the developing cassette 4004 is positioned to the image forming apparatus main body 4100A.

Here, FIGS. 45 and 46 are views for explaining a mounting process of the coupling unit 4028 and the drive communication member 4101r between FIG. 44 and FIG. 47. Further, the drive transmission member 4101r is pushed by the poppet spring 4101t to the approximate Y2 direction, and the axis of the drive transmission member 4101r is pushed until it is displaced from the axis of the coupling unit 4028 in the approximately Y2 direction.

As described with reference to FIG. 40, the image forming apparatus main body 4100A is inserted in the horizontal direction while being supported by the cassette lower rail 4105.

44 is a view showing a state before the drive communication member 4101r is engaged with the coupling unit 4028. As described above, in this state, the axis of the drive communication member 4101r is offset from the axis of the coupling unit 4028. Therefore, first, the inclined surface 4072p of the coupling unit 4028 formed at the entrance of the hole portion 4072a of the coupling holder member 4072 abuts against the conical shape 4101c of the drive transmission member 4101r.

As shown in Fig. 45, the coupling unit 4028 is further inserted toward the deep side of the drive transmission member 4101r by Fig. 44. As a result, in the insertion inclined surface 4065k of the engaging member 4065, the conical shape 4101c of the driving communication member 4101r is guided, and the axis of the coupling unit 4028 is approximately the same as the axis of the driving communication member 4101r.

As shown in Fig. 46, the coupling unit 4028 is further inserted toward the deep side of the drive transmission member 4101r by Fig. 45. In this manner, the coupling unit 4028 is inserted into the drive transmission member 4101r until the removal inclined surface 4065l of the engagement member 4065 is closer to the deep side of the Z direction than the body side removal gradient 4101i of the drive transmission member 4101r.

Further, the coupling unit 4028 is inserted into the drive communication member 4101r. As a result, the conical recess 4072m of the coupling unit 4028 formed in the positioning portion of the coupling frame member 4072 abuts against the conical shape 4101c of the drive transmission member 4101r.

Thereafter, as described above, the developing cartridge 4004 is lifted by the lower tab 4105 by the developing cartridge 4004, and the developing cartridge 4004 is in a state in which the image forming apparatus body 4100A is positioned (as shown in FIG. 43). At this time, as shown in FIG. 47, as the developing cassette 4004 rises, the drive transmission member 4101r also rises.

As described above, with the mounting cartridge 4004 attached to the apparatus main body 4100A, the main body drive transmission groove 4101a and the engaging portion 4065a are in an engageable state. Therefore, it is not necessary to move the body drive shaft 4101 to be engaged with the coupling unit 4028. In short, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for moving the main body drive shaft 4101 in such a manner as to engage with the coupling unit 4028 in the apparatus main body 4100A of the image forming apparatus.

In short, the mechanism for moving the main body drive shaft 4101 so as to be engaged with the coupling unit 4028 after the development cartridge 4004 is attached to the image forming apparatus 4100A is not provided.

Further, when the developing cartridge 4004 is attached to the apparatus main body 4100A, the engaging member 4065 of the coupling unit 4028 is configured to retreat to the radially outer side by contacting the main body drive shaft 4101. Next, the engagement member 4065 moves to the inside of the radial direction and engages with the groove of the main body drive shaft 4101 (the main body drive transmission groove 4101a).

Here, a groove for receiving the drive may be provided on the side of the coupling unit, or a movable protrusion that can be engaged with the groove by moving in the radial direction may be provided on the side of the main body drive shaft 4101. However, the image forming apparatus body 4100A requires higher durability than the developing cartridge 4004. As described in the present embodiment, the movable portion (engagement member 4065) movable in the radial direction is provided on the coupling unit 4028 side of the developing cartridge 4004, and the durability of the image forming apparatus main body 4100A is improved.

Further, the engaging member 4065 provided in the coupling unit 4028 of the present embodiment has almost the same configuration as that of the coupling unit 28 described in the first embodiment. In short, the coupling unit 4028 of the present embodiment partially changes the configuration in which the coupling unit 28 described in the first embodiment is applied to the developing cartridge (developing device) 4004. Therefore, the coupling unit 4028 of the present embodiment also has the same functions and effects as those of the coupling unit 28 described in the first embodiment.

Further, the configuration of the coupling unit shown in the present embodiment may be used as a coupling unit for rotating the photoreceptor drum 1 .

 <Example 3>  

The third embodiment will be described using Figs. 48 to 50. In the present embodiment, the shape of the engaging portion of the engaging member is different from that of the above-described embodiment. The shape of the engaging portion will be mainly described.

Further, in the present embodiment, the coupling unit provided in the drum cartridge is described as an example in the same manner as in the first embodiment, but it may be used in a coupling unit provided in the developing cartridge.

 [Interlocking part of the engaging member]  

48(a) and 48(b) are perspective views of the engaging member 5065 of the present embodiment, and Fig. 48(c) is a front view. Figure 49 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling unit. Fig. 49 is a view showing a state in which the driving force is generated by the body driving shaft 101 to the coupling unit 5028, partially expanding the sectional view of the coupling unit 5028. In more detail, FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axis of the coupling unit 5028 (the axis of the drum unit).

As shown in FIG. 48 and FIG. 49, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the engaging member 5065 is provided with an engaging portion 5065a that protrudes inward in the radial direction of the photoreceptor drum 1. The tip end side of the engaging portion 5065a is rounded with an arc and is expanded (projected) toward the upstream side in the rotational direction of the drum unit.

More specifically, the engaging portion 5065a is formed with a semicircular convex portion (expansion portion) 5065m that protrudes in the circumferential direction toward the side on which the drive shaft abutting surface 5065c is formed, and the pair of convex portions 5065m are engaged. The root of the portion 5065a is formed with a recess 5065n. In short, the convex portion 5065m is a portion that protrudes (expands) toward the upstream side of the concave portion 5065n in the rotational direction of the drum unit. Conversely, the recess 5065n is a portion that collapses toward the downstream side of the convex portion 5065m in the rotational direction.

FIG. 49 shows a state in which the driving force F is generated from the driving transmission surface 101b of the main body drive shaft 101 in the engaging portion 5065a having such a shape. Since the root portion of the engaging portion 5065a that protrudes from the engaging member 5065 is formed with the recess 5065n, the inlet side corner portion 101j on the side of the driving transmission surface 101b can enter the recess 5065n in the groove 101a of the main body drive shaft 101. Thereby, the engaging portion 5065a receives the driving force F acting on the normal direction of the driving surface 101b, and can be driven and transmitted.

In short, the driving force receiving portion 5065r for receiving the driving force by the driving transmission surface 101b faces at least the radially outer side of the coupling unit. Therefore, the driving force receiving portion 5065r acts on the inner side in the radial direction of the coupling unit by the driving force F received by the driving transmission surface 101b. The engaging portion 5065a or the driving force receiving portion 5065r is pushed toward at least the radially inner side (that is, the deep side of the driving transmission groove 101a).

As a result, the engaging portion 5065a or the driving force receiving portion 5065r can be stably engaged with the driving transmission groove 101a.

The shape of the engaging portion 5065a will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 49, when the wire T of the convex portion 5065m parallel to the moving direction S of the engaging member 5065 is pulled out, the wire T and the convex portion 5065m have the apex 5065p as a contact. The apex 5065p is disposed at a position separated only by the distance L3 by the root portion 5065q of the engaging portion 5065a protruding along the moving direction S of the engaging member 5065.

Between the apex 5065p and the root 5065q, a recess 5065n recessed in the wire T is formed. When the corner portion 101j of the drive shaft enters the recess portion 5065n, the engagement portion 5065a can receive the driving force F with the abutment portion (the drive force receiving portion 5065r) of the drive transmission surface 101b disposed in the recess portion 5065n.

The surface on which the driving force receiving portion 5065r is provided (the curved surface between the apex 5065p and the root portion 5065q) is inclined with respect to the moving direction of the engaging member 5065, and faces at least the outer side in the radial direction of the coupling unit. In short, the normal vector of the driving force receiving portion 5065r (a vector extending perpendicularly to the driving force receiving portion 5065r toward the direction in which the driving force receiving portion 5065r faces) has a component facing outward in the radial direction. Next, as shown in FIGS. 49(a) and (b), the driving force F is a force that acts perpendicularly to the driving transmission surface 101b or the driving force receiving portion 5065r. Therefore, the driving force F has a component toward the radially inner side.

Further, the driving force F is a force acting in the direction in which the moving direction S of the engaging member 5065 is inclined by only the angle θ. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 49(b), the driving force F has a force FS which is a component of the moving direction S of the engaging member. By the force FS, the movement of the engaging member 5065 on the opposite side to the moving direction S is prevented, and the driving force receiving portion 5065r of the engaging member can be prevented from being detached from the driving surface 101b of the main body driving shaft and falling off to the outside.

In addition, in FIG. 49, a circular shape is exemplified as one of the shapes of the convex portion (expansion portion) 5065 m, but the shape of the convex portion is not limited thereto, and the force FS is generated for the driving force F at the engaging portion 5065a. The method can be formed. In other words, the terminal T may have a vertex 5065p as a contact at a position protruding from the root portion 5065q of the engaging portion, and a recess 5065n recessed in the wiring T may be formed between the vertex 5065p and the root portion 5065q.

The cross-sectional shape of the convex portion (expansion portion) 5065 m may be swelled for engagement with the drive transmission groove 101a. For example, an approximately circular polygon (pentagon or the like) can also be used as the expansion portion. Further, the shape of the cross section may be an elliptical shape or the like. An example of this is illustrated in Fig. 55 of the fourth embodiment.

Further, as described above, in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the contact portion (driving force receiving portion) 5065r that is placed in contact with the drive transmission surface 101b is disposed between the apex 5065p of the convex portion (expansion portion) 5065m and the root portion 5065q.

In order to surely contact the drive transmission surface 101b in the contact portion 5065r thus arranged, at least the engagement member 5065 can be moved by a distance from the center of the cross section of the convex portion 5065m to the surface. That is, it is preferable that the engaging member 5065 has a radius of a cross-sectional shape in which the convex portion 5065m can be moved. More preferably, it has a margin so that the width of the convex portion 5065m can be moved (i.e., the diameter or more).

Moreover, when the amount of movement of the engaging member 5065 is small, the convex portion 5065m is in contact with the driving communication groove 101a at the tip end side of the convex portion 5065m than the apex 5065p. In this case, when the convex portion 5065m receives the driving force, the engaging member 5065 may be biased by the direction in which the oil drive groove 101a is separated. That is, in order to make the engagement state of the engagement member 5065 and the drive transmission groove 101a more reliable, the spring force of the spring pushing member of the elastic engagement member 5065 is increased, or the increase is generated by the convex portion 5065m and the drive transmission. The friction between the grooves 101a is preferred. When these countermeasures are taken, the engaging member 6065 becomes less likely to be retracted by the drive transmission groove 101a.

Next, Fig. 50 and Fig. 51 show a modification of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 50, the entire engaging portion 6065a may be an inflated portion formed into a substantially circular shape. By forming such a simple shape, it is possible to easily manage the dimensional accuracy of the engaging portion 6065a.

The engaging portion 6065a also has a vertex 6065p which is a contact of the wire T parallel to the moving direction S of the engaging member 6065. Further, the apex 6065p is protruded and disposed at a position separated from the root portion 6065q of the engaging portion by a distance L4 in the moving direction S. Next, between the apex 6065p and the root portion 6065q of the engaging portion, a recess 6065n recessed in the wire T is formed. A contact portion (driving force receiving portion 6065r) for contacting the driving surface 101b is also disposed between the apex 6065p and the root portion 6065q of the engaging portion. This contact portion (driving force receiving portion) 6065r faces a direction in which a force FS which is a component generated in the opposite direction to the moving direction S of the engaging member is generated for the driving force F. As a result, it is possible to prevent the engaging member 6065 from being detached from the driving conveying surface 101b of the main body driving shaft and falling off to the outside.

The surface on which the abutting portion (driving force receiving portion) 6065r is provided (the curved surface between the apex 6065p and the root portion 6065q of the engaging portion) is inclined with respect to the moving direction S of the engaging member 6065. In more detail, the wiring of the driving force receiving portion 6065r is inclined with respect to the moving direction S.

Next, the driving force receiving portion 6065r faces the outer side at least in the radial direction of the coupling unit. In short, the normal vector of the driving force receiving portion 6065r facing the side where the driving force receiving portion 6065r faces has at least a component facing the outer diameter of the coupling unit.

Further, the cross-sectional shape of the engaging portion (expanding portion) convex portion 6065a does not need to have an arc, and may be swelled for engaging with the driving transmission groove 101a. For example, an approximately circular polygon (pentagon, etc.) is also suitable for use as an expansion portion. Further, the shape of the cross section may be an elliptical shape or the like.

Further, in order to reliably contact the contact portion (driving force receiving portion) 6065r disposed between the vertex 6065p and the root portion 6065q to the drive transmission surface 101b, the amount of movement of the engagement member 6065 satisfies the following condition. In short, it is preferable that the engaging member 6065 is movable at a distance from the center of the cross section of the engaging portion 6065a to the surface. In other words, the engaging member 6065 (the engaging portion 6065a) is preferably equal to or larger than the radius of the cross-sectional shape of the movable engaging portion 6065a.

More preferably, the engaging portion 6065a can preferably move the width (i.e., the diameter) of the cross-sectional shape of the engaging member engaging portion 6065a.

 <Example 4>  

The fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 52 to 57. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the components corresponding to the engaging member and the spring pushing member are integrated by resin will be described. Further, in the present embodiment, the coupling unit provided in the drum cartridge is described as an example in the same manner as in the first embodiment or the third embodiment, but it may be used in a coupling unit provided in the developing cartridge.

Fig. 52 (a) and (b) are sectional views of the drum unit. Fig. 52 (a) shows a state in which the engagement portion 565a is engaged with the drive transmission groove 101a to receive the driving force. Fig. 52 (b) shows a state before the engagement portion 565a is engaged with the drive transmission groove 101a.

A flange member 571 is attached to the inside of the photoreceptor drum 1 in the same manner as in the first embodiment or the third embodiment. This flange member 571 is a coupling unit (coupling member) of the present embodiment.

The support portion 565 for movably supporting the driving force receiving portion 565r is integrally formed with the flange member 571 at the flange member 571. This support portion 565 is provided in three flange members 571. Each of the support portions 565 has an extending portion 565t, an expansion portion (engagement portion 565a) provided at the tip end of the extension portion, and a connection portion 565s for connecting the extension portion 565t and the engagement portion 565a.

The extension portion 565t is continuous to the inner circumference of the flange member 571. In short, the fixed end 565 of the extension portion 565t is provided on the inner circumference of the flange member 571. Next, the extending portion 565t is a portion that extends from the fixed end 565t toward the inside of the hollow portion of the flange member 571. The details will be described later, but the extending portion 565t is an elastically deformable elastic portion.

Further, the free end side of the extending portion 565t (that is, the side on which the connecting portion 565s is provided) is located on the downstream side of the rotating direction R of the drum unit (coupling unit) from the fixed end 565t1 of the extending portion 575t. In short, the extending portion 565t is a portion extending from the fixed end 565t1 toward the free end thereof at least toward the downstream side in the rotational direction R. Further, the free end of the extending portion 575t (that is, the connecting portion 565s or the engaging portion 565a) is located radially inward of the fixed end 565t1 of the extending portion 575t.

Further, the engaging portion 565a is an expanded portion provided at the tip end of the extending portion 565t, and is a portion for driving the inside of the driving transmission groove 101a of the main body driving shaft 101. The engaging portion 565a is connected by a joint portion 575s provided at the tip end of the extending portion 575t. The joint portion 575s is a portion where the tip end side of the extension portion 565t is formed by buckling. Further, the engaging portion 565a and the connecting portion 565s are protruding portions (projecting portions) that protrude from the extending direction of the extending portion 565t toward the intersecting direction.

The engaging portion 565a is provided with a driving force receiving portion 565r. As shown in Fig. 52 (a), the driving force receiving portion 565r is in contact with the driving transmission groove 101a to receive the driving force. When the driving force receiving portion 565r receives the driving force, the driving force is transmitted to the flange member 571 through the fixed end 565t1 of the support portion 565. Since the flange member 571 is fixed to the photoreceptor drum 1 , the flange member 571 rotates integrally with the photoreceptor drum 1 .

The extending portion 575t and the engaging portion 565a are integrally formed with the flange member 570. The extending portion 575t and the engaging portion 565a are a part of the supporting portion 565 that movably supports the driving force receiving portion 565r.

The extension portion 565t can be elastically deformed as described above. That is, as shown in Fig. 52 (b), the engaging portion 565a is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the main body drive shaft 101 in the process of inserting the cassette 7 into the apparatus body. As a result, the engaging portion 565a is at least moved to the outer side in the radial direction of the coupling unit by the elastic deformation of the extending portion 565a.

Here, the extending portion 565t is deformed such that its fixed end 565t is inclined as a fulcrum. As a result, the engaging portion 565a moves in a direction crossing the direction in which the extending portion 565t extends.

When the cassette 7 is inserted into the apparatus body and the main body drive shaft 101 is rotationally driven, the engagement portion 565a enters the inside of the drive transmission groove 101a at a timing when the engagement portion 565a coincides with the phase of the drive transmission groove 101a.

In short, at least a part of the elastic deformation of the extending portion 565t is canceled, and the engaging portion 565a is pushed to the inside of the driving communication groove 101a. The extending portion 565t may be regarded as an elastic pushing portion that pushes the engaging portion 565a toward at least the inner side in the radial direction.

In short, the engaging portion 565a is urged toward the inside of the driving transmission groove 101a by the elastic force (elastic force) of the extending portion 565t. The extending portion 565t functions as the spring pushing member 72 of the first embodiment. In short, the support portion 565 is a portion that functions as the snap member 72 of the first embodiment and the action of the engaging member 65.

At least a part of the support portion 565 or at least a part of the driving force receiving portion 565r provided in the support portion 565 is disposed inside the photoreceptor drum 1 (see FIG. 52). This is the same as the spring pushing member 72 or the engaging member 65 of the first embodiment.

Further, inside the photoreceptor drum 1, the flange member 571 is held by the photoreceptor drum 1, so that the flange member 571 is not easily deformed. In particular, when at least a part of the fixed end 565t of the support portion 565 is disposed inside the photoreceptor drum 1, even if the driving force is transmitted to the flange member 571 through the fixed end 565t, the deformation of the flange member 571 can be suppressed, so that it is suitable. of.

Further, although the extending portion is made of a resin, it is also possible to increase the elastic force or strength of the extending portion by inserting an elastic metal (for example, a leaf spring) into the resin constituting the extending portion.

When the engagement portion 565a enters the inside of the drive transmission groove 101a, the drive force receiving portion 565r provided in the engagement portion 565a receives the force from the inside of the drive transmission groove 101a. Further, when the drive transmission shaft 101a is driven, it is preferable to make the engagement state between the drive transmission shaft 101a and the engagement portion 565a more reliable, and it is preferable to enter the drive transmission shaft by more than half of the engagement portion 565a.

In other words, the engaging portion 565a is preferably configured to be movable from the radius of the cross section of the engaging portion 565a (the distance from the center of the engaging portion to the surface). More preferably, the engaging portion 565a is movable to have a diameter equal to or larger than the cross-section of the engaging portion 565a (the width of the cross-section of the engaging portion 565a or more, and the distance from the center of the engaging portion to the surface) More than double) is better.

Further, Fig. 53 shows a state in which the driving force receiving portion 565r receives the driving force F. Further, a straight line LN1 is drawn in the normal direction of the driving force receiving portion 565r. The straight line LN1 extends toward the side facing the driving force receiving portion 565r, and is also a straight line along the vector showing the driving force F.

Next, the fixed end 565t1 of the extending portion 565t is disposed on the upstream side of the straight line LN1 in the rotational direction R. That is, the support portion 565 is configured to span the straight line L1.

In this case, when the driving force receiving portion 565r receives the driving force F, the extending portion 565t generates a moment M1 in the same direction (counterclockwise direction in the drawing) as the fulcrum of the drum unit with the fixed end 565t as a fulcrum. This moment M1 acts to bring the support portion 565 closer to the body drive shaft 101. That is, the moment M1 acts to urge the engaging portion 565a toward the depth of the driving groove 101a. Thereby, the engagement state of the engagement portion 565a and the drive transmission groove 101a can be stabilized. In the present embodiment, the support portion 565 can be molded as a part of the flange member 571, so that the flange member 571 having the support portion 565 can be easily manufactured.

Hereinafter, a modification of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 54 to 58. 54 to 58 are cross-sectional views of a coupling unit (flange member).

First, in the modification shown in FIG. 54, the extension portions (665t, 665s) are bent, and the extension portion has the first extension portion 665s and the second extension portion 665t extending in the mutually different directions. The boundary between the first extension portion 665s and the second extension portion 665t is a curved portion. The first extension portion 665s of the present modification corresponds to the connection portion 565s shown in Fig. 52. That is, the extension connecting portion 565s (FIG. 52) is the first extending portion 665s (FIG. 54), and the first extending portion 665s is also a connecting portion that connects the second extending portion 665t and the engaging portion 665a. Conversely, the connecting portion 565s shown in FIG. 52 is regarded as the first extending portion, and the extending portion 565t is regarded as the second extending portion.

The engaging portion 665a shown in Fig. 54 is an expansion portion provided at the tip end of the extending portion (first extending portion 665s). The first extending portion 665s and the engaging portion 665a may be regarded as a protruding portion (protrusion portion) that protrudes in a direction intersecting the second extending portion 665t.

The first extension portion 665s of the present modification is longer than the joint portion 565s shown in FIG. Therefore, the flange member 671 corresponding to part of the present modification is thinned (thickness is small).

Next, Fig. 55 shows another modification. Fig. 55 shows the shape in which the expansion portion (engagement portion) is changed. As described in the third embodiment, the expansion portion may be polygonal or the like. The cross-sectional shape of the engaging portion 765a in Fig. 55 is approximately hexagonal. Such a cross-sectional shape can also be considered to be approximately circular. Further, in the modification described below (see FIGS. 56 and 57), the cross-sectional shape of the engaging portion (expansion portion) may be polygonal.

Fig. 56 shows another modification. In the configuration shown in Fig. 56, the extending portion 865t is not bent, and the extending portion 865t is directly connected to the expanding portion (the engaging portion 865a). However, the center of the extension cord engaging portion 865a of the extending portion 865t is displaced, and the engaging portion 865a is a protruding portion that protrudes in a direction intersecting the extending portion 865t. In the present modification, the position of the fixed end 856t1 of the extending portion 865t is changed from the configuration shown in FIG. In short, the fixed end 865t1 is located on the downstream side in the rotational direction R with respect to the straight line L1 extending in the normal direction of the driving force receiving portion 865r.

In such a configuration, when the support portion 865 receives the driving force, the support portion 865 has a moment in the clockwise direction in the drawing with the fixed end 865t1 as a fulcrum. This moment acts in such a manner that the engaging portion 865a moves away from the drive transmission groove 101a.

In this case, it is preferable to increase the elastic force according to the extending portion 865t (even if the extending portion 865t is not easily deformed) so that the engagement between the engaging portion 865a and the driving transmission groove 101a is not released. Alternatively, it is preferable to generate a large frictional force between the engaging portion 865a and the driving transmission groove 101a.

Another modification will be further described with reference to Fig. 57. In the configuration of Fig. 56 described above, the engaging portion is disposed at a position deviated from the extension of the extending portion. On the other hand, in the present modification shown in FIG. 57, the center of the engaging portion 965a is disposed on the extension line of the extending portion 965t.

The engaging portion 965a is a protruding portion provided at the tip end of the extending portion 965t, and protrudes (raised) toward the entire circumference of the extending portion 965t.

In the present modification shown in FIG. 57, the fixed end 965t1 of the support portion 965 is further disposed on the downstream side in the rotational direction R, as compared with the configuration described above in FIG. In other words, when the driving force receiving portion of the engaging portion 965a receives the driving force, the supporting portion 965 is biased in a direction in which the engaging portion 965a is separated from the driving transmission groove 101a.

Here, in order to make the engagement state of the engagement portion 965a and the drive transmission groove 101a more reliable, the elastic force of the extension portion 965t is further improved or the friction coefficient of the surface of the engagement portion 965a is increased as described above. The countermeasures are better.

However, if the elastic force of the extending portion 965t is increased so that the extending portion 965t is not easily deflected, the force necessary to attach the cassette 7 to the apparatus body becomes large. In short, in order to mount the cassette 7, it is necessary to deflect the extension portion 965t, so that the load thereof becomes large. Therefore, in consideration of the mountability of the cassette 7, it is preferable to set a sufficiently necessary elastic force as the extension portion 965t.

 [Industry use possibility]  

According to the present invention, a drum unit that can be attached and detached to the body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided.

Claims (45)

 A cassette which is configured to be detachably attached to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a drive shaft having a concave portion, and has: (1) a rotating body configured to rotate a developer on a surface thereof And (2) a coupling member having: (2-1) an engaging member having a driving force receiving portion configured to receive a driving force for rotating the rotating body by entering the concave portion, and (2-2) a holding member configured to slidably hold the engaging member at least in a diameter direction of the coupling member, and (2-3) a pusher configured to elastically push the engaging member member.    The cassette of claim 1, wherein the engaging member causes the engaging member to be pushed at least toward a radially inner side of the coupling member.    The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding member has a locking portion for restricting movement of the engaging member in a radial direction of the coupling member.    The card cartridge of claim 3, wherein the engaging member is pushed by the locking portion.    A card cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engaging member has a protruding portion provided with the driving force receiving portion.    The card cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the driving force receiving portion is inclined in a moving direction of the engaging member.    In the cartridge according to the first or second aspect of the invention, the driving force receiving portion is inclined so as to be pushed toward the concave portion of the drive shaft by receiving the driving force.    The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the driving force receiving portion faces at least the outer side in the diametrical direction of the coupling member.    The cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the engaging member has a drive shaft abutting portion for abutting against a circumferential surface of the drive shaft.    In the cassette of claim 9, the at least a part of the drive shaft abutting portion is disposed on the upstream side of the rotational direction of the cassette from the driving force receiving portion.    The cartridge of claim 10, wherein the drive shaft abutting portion is curved in a circumferential direction of the latch and faces the inner side in the radial direction of the coupling member.    The cassette of claim 9, wherein the engaging member has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the drive shaft abutting portion, and the driving force receiving portion is provided in the protruding portion.    The cassette of claim 12, wherein the protruding portion protrudes at least inward in a diameter direction of the coupling member.    The cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding member has a hollow portion, and the engaging member is urged toward the inside of the hollow portion.    The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding member has a hollow portion, and the driving force receiving portion is exposed inside the hollow portion.    The cassette of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a part of the engaging member is disposed inside the rotating body.    In the cartridge of claim 1 or 2, at least a part of the driving force receiving portion is disposed inside the rotating body.    The cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the poppet member is an elastic member.    The cassette of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a part of the poppet member is disposed inside the rotating body.    The cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling member has a spring member supporting portion for supporting the spring member from the spring force of the spring member, and the spring member supporting portion At least a part is disposed inside the rotating body.    The cartridge of claim 20, wherein the holding member has a conveyance portion for transmitting the driving force from the engagement member.    In the case of the card of claim 21, the conveyance unit is configured to urge the driving force receiving portion toward the concave portion when the driving force is transmitted.    The card cartridge of claim 21, wherein the portion to be conveyed is inclined to the driving force receiving portion.    For example, the card of claim 21, wherein the portion to be conveyed serves as a guide for guiding the engaging member.    The cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding member is fixed to the rotating body.    The cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding member has a guide for guiding the engaging member.    The cassette of claim 26, wherein the guide member guides the upstream side of the engaging member in a rotation direction of the rotating body.    The cassette of claim 26, wherein the guide member guides the downstream side of the engaging member in a rotation direction of the rotating body.    The cartridge of claim 26, wherein the guide member has an upstream guide for guiding an upstream side of the engaging member in a rotation direction of the rotating body, and is guided by the rotating direction A downstream side guide for the downstream side of the engaging member.    The cassette of claim 29, wherein the upstream side guide and the downstream side guide are disposed substantially parallel to each other.    A cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding member has two guide members substantially parallel to each other, and the engaging members are slid by the two guide members.    The card cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the driving force receiving portion is configured to receive the chuck and the drive shaft by being subjected to the driving force.    The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner side of the driving force receiving portion is disposed more than the outer side of the driving force receiving portion in a rotation direction of the coupling member in the axial direction of the coupling member Downstream side.    The cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the driving force receiving portion faces at least the inner side in the axial direction of the coupling member.    The cassette of claim 1 or 2, wherein the aforementioned pushing member and the holding member are formed separately.    The card cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the poppet member and the engaging member are formed separately.    The cassette of claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring pushing member and the engaging member are disposed along a diameter direction of the coupling member.    The cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the poppet member is configured to be stretchable.    The cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the poppet member is a coil spring.    The cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotating body is a photoreceptor drum.    The cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotating body is a developing roller.    The cartridge of claim 41, wherein the cartridge has a supply roller that supplies the developer to the developing roller.    The card cartridge of claim 42, wherein the supply roller is rotated by a driving force received by the coupling member.    The cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotating body is a supply roller for supplying a developer to the developing roller.    The cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotating body has a shaft, and the coupling member is attached to the shaft.