TW202144937A - Cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

A drum unit is formed to be detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electro-photographic image forming apparatus, which includes a photosensitive drum and a coupling member provided on the photosensitive drum. The coupling member includes a driving force receiving portion and a supporting portion movably supporting the driving force receiving portion. The supporting portion includes a first extended portion and a second extended portion which extend at least in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum. In the axial direction, the first extended portion and the second extended portion extend in directions different from each other.

Description

cassette

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

In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, elements such as a photoreceptor drum or a developing roller, which are rotating bodies related to image formation, are integrated as a cassette, and can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus main body). is known. In such a configuration, a configuration in which the device body receives a driving force in order to rotate the photoreceptor drum in the cassette has been adopted in many devices. In this case, a configuration in which the coupling member is engaged with a driving force transmission portion such as a driving pin on the device main body side on the cassette side to transmit the driving force is also known.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-233867 discloses a cassette provided with a coupling member which is obliquely movable with respect to the rotation axis of the photoreceptor drum at the end of the photoreceptor drum.

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

A representative structure is a photo-drum unit, which is detachable from the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a drive shaft provided with a concave portion, and has: (1) a photoreceptor drum, and (2) a photoreceptor drum provided in the aforementioned A coupling member for a photoreceptor drum, further comprising (2-1) a driving force receiving portion configured in such a way that the concave portion conventionally enters and receives a driving force for rotating the photoreceptor drum, and (2-2) A coupling member that movably supports a support portion of the driving force receiving portion; the support portion has at least a first extension portion and a second extension portion extending in the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum; the first extension portion in the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum The extension portion and the aforementioned second extension portion extend in different directions.

The present invention advances the aforementioned prior art.

1: photoreceptor drum

2: charged roller

3: Scanner unit

4: Development cassette

5: Intermediate transfer belt

6: Cleaning the scraper

8: Primary transfer roller

9: Secondary transfer roller

10: Fixing device

11: Intermediate transfer belt cleaning device

12: Recording materials

13: drum cartridge

17: developing roller

14: Clean the frame

14a: Waste Toner Storage Department

14b: Opening

28: Coupling components

29: Non-drive side flange member

30: Drum unit

39R: Drum unit bearing member

39L: Drum unit bearing member

51: Drive Roller

52: Secondary transfer opposite roller

53: driven roller

71: Cylinder part

71c: Bearing part

100: Image forming device

101: Body drive shaft

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

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the drum cartridge 13 .

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the developing cartridge 4 .

FIG. 4 shows the rotation of the drum cartridge 13 including the photoreceptor drum 1 A cross-sectional view of an imaginary plane at the center of rotation.

Figure 5 is an external view of the drive shaft of the system body.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the center of the rotation axis (the center of the rotation axis) of the main body drive shaft 101 in a state of being attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge 13 and the developing cartridge 4 .

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

9 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 28 and the main body drive shaft 101 cut in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

10 is a cross-sectional view of the coupler 28 and the main body drive shaft 101 cut along the axis of rotation.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the flange member 70 .

FIG. 12 is a view of the flange member 70 viewed from the Z1 side to the Z2 side.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the flange member 70 .

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the flange member 70 cut at the center of the rotation axis (the center of the rotation axis).

15 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 28 and the main body drive shaft 101 cut in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis so as to pass through the drive transmission surface 73a.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 28 cut at the center of the rotation axis (the center of the rotation axis).

FIG. 17 is a cross-section illustrating a mold for forming the flange member 70 picture.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the alignment member 33 .

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a method of assembling the coupling member 28. FIG.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view for explaining the attachment of the drum cartridge 13 to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of attaching the drum cartridge 13 to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of attaching the coupling member 28 to the main body drive shaft 101 .

23 is a diagram for explaining the installation of the coupling member 28 to the main body drive shaft 101 when the main body drive shaft 101 starts to rotate from the state where the main body drive transmission groove 101a and the engaging portion 73 (drive receiving surface 73a) are out of phase. Sectional view for action.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of pulling out the coupling member 28 from the main body drive shaft 101 .

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of the coupling member 128 according to Embodiment 2 cut at the center of the rotation axis (the center of the rotation axis).

26 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 128 and the main body drive shaft 101 according to Embodiment 2, which are cut through the position of the drive receiving surface 73a in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

FIG. 27 is a view and a cross-sectional view of the flange member 170 related to Embodiment 2 as seen from the outside in the Z direction.

FIG. 28 is a view and a side view of the inner cylindrical member 140 according to the second embodiment, viewed from the Z1 side and the Z2 side.

29 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing an assembling process of the coupling member 128 related to the second embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an assembling procedure of the coupling member 128 related to Embodiment 2 as seen from the outside and the side in the Z direction.

31 is a cross-sectional view of the flange member 270 according to the third embodiment cut at the center of the rotation axis (the center of the rotation axis).

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 228 and the main body drive shaft 101 according to Embodiment 3, which are cut through the position of the support portion 74 in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the aligning member 233 according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing other types of the coupling member 228 related to the third embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 328 related to Embodiment 4 cut at the center of the rotation axis (the center of the rotation axis).

FIG. 36 is a view and a cross-sectional view of the flange member 370 related to Embodiment 4 as seen from the outside in the Z direction.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the inner cylindrical member 340 related to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the aligning member 333 according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram related to the assembly of the coupling member 328 of the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 40 is driven in the direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation through the drive transmission The position of the reaching surface 373a is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 328 and the main body drive shaft 101 related to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the inner cylindrical member 340 related to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 42 is an external view of the main body drive shaft 5101 related to the fifth embodiment.

43 is a sectional view taken along the rotation axis (rotation axis) of the main body drive shaft 5101 in a state in which the main body drive shaft 5101 according to the fifth embodiment is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

44 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 528 related to Embodiment 5 cut along the rotational axis.

45 is a cross-sectional view of the cylinder member 570 related to Embodiment 5 cut along the rotation axis.

46 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 528 and the main body drive shaft 5101 according to Embodiment 5, taken in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the coupling member 528 so as to pass through the drive receiving surface 573a.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the alignment member 533 according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating the assembly of the coupling member 528 related to Embodiment 5. FIG.

49 is a sectional view of the developing cartridge 4 related to Embodiment 5 cut along the axes of the toner supply roller 20 and the developing roller 17. FIG.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view illustrating the installation of the display cassette 4 related to Embodiment 5 to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of attaching the display cassette 4 to the image forming apparatus main body 100A according to the fifth embodiment.

52 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of attaching the coupling member 528 to the main body drive shaft 5101 according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 53 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the cylinder member 570 related to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 54 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the cylinder member 570 related to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 55 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the coupling member 528 related to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 56 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the cylinder member 570 related to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 57 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the coupling member 528 related to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of the alignment member 633 related to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 59 is a cross-sectional view of the alignment member 633 according to Embodiment 6 cut along the rotation axis.

FIG. 60 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 628 according to Embodiment 6 cut in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis so as to pass through the drive receiving surface 673a.

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of a cylinder member 670 related to the sixth embodiment.

Fig. 62 Cuts the coupling related to embodiment 6 at the axis of rotation A cross-sectional view of the coupling member 628.

FIG. 63 is a diagram illustrating the assembly of the coupling member 628 related to Embodiment 6. FIG.

FIG. 64 is a diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 65 is a diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus, the drum cartridge, and the developing cartridge of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the so-called image forming apparatus is, for example, one that forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming process. For example, electrophotographic copiers, electrophotographic printers (eg, LED printers, laser printers, etc.), electrophotographic facsimile apparatuses, and the like are included. In addition, the so-called cassette is one that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus (the apparatus main body, the image forming apparatus main body, and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body). In particular, the drum cartridge is a cartridge having a photoreceptor drum. The developing cartridge is a cartridge having, for example, a developing means for developing a latent image formed on a photoreceptor. In this embodiment, the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are respectively detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. In addition, what integrates the photoreceptor drum and the coupling member, etc., is called a drum unit. The drum unit is used for the drum cartridge.

In the following embodiments, a full-color image forming apparatus in which four drum cartridges and four developing cartridges can be attached and detached is exemplified. However, the number of the drum cartridges and the developing cartridges attached to the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. In addition, in the embodiment, the use of a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, and the like is exemplified. It is composed of two types of cassettes, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may be a cartridge having a configuration such as a processing cartridge in which the functions of a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge are integrated. In addition, similarly, with respect to each structure disclosed in an Example, unless there is no particular limitation description, the material, arrangement|positioning, dimension, other numerical value, etc. are not limited. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the term "upper" refers to the upper side in the direction of gravity when the image forming apparatus is installed.

<Example 1>

[Outline of Electrophotographic Image Forming Device]

First, the overall configuration of an embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus) according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 .

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

As shown in FIG. 1 , the image forming apparatus 100 has, as a plurality of image forming sections, first, second, 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 row approximately in the horizontal direction.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the structures and operations of the drum cartridges 13 (13Y, 13M, 13C, 13K) and the developing cartridges 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) are different except that the colors of the formed images are different. , which are essentially the same. That is to say, in the following, when no special distinction is necessary, Y, M, C, and K are omitted and described collectively.

In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 has, as a plurality of image carriers, four cylinders (hereinafter, referred to as photoreceptor drums) 1 having a photosensitive layer arranged in parallel in a direction slightly inclined to the vertical direction. . The scanner unit (exposure device) 3 is arranged below the gravitational direction of the drum cartridge 13 . Further, around the photoreceptor drum 1, a charging roller 2 and the like are arranged as processing means (processing means, processing means) acting on the photosensitive layer thereof.

The charging roller 2 is a charging means (charging device, 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) for forming an electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) on the photoreceptor drum 1 by irradiating laser light according to image information. Around the photoreceptor drum 1, a cleaning blade 6 serving as a developing cartridge 4 and cleaning means (cleaning device, cleaning member) is arranged.

Further, an intermediate transfer body for transferring the toner images on the photoreceptor drums 1 to the recording material (sheet, recording medium) 12 is arranged with respect to the four photoreceptor drums 1 . Printed belt 5.

In the developing cartridge 4 of the present embodiment, a non-magnetic single-component developer (hereinafter, referred to as toner) is used as the developer, and contact development is adopted in which the developing roller 17 as the developer supporting body is brought into contact with the photoreceptor drum 1 Way.

In the above configuration, the toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum 1 is transferred onto the sheet (paper) 12 so that the toner image is transferred onto the sheet. The toner image is fixed. In addition, as processing means acting on the photoreceptor drum 1 , the drum cartridge 13 includes a charging roller 2 for charging the photoreceptor drum 1 , and cleaning toner remaining without being transferred to the photoreceptor drum 1 . the cleaning blade 6. The transfer residual toner remaining on the photoreceptor drum 1 without being transferred onto the sheet 12 is recovered by the cleaning blade 6 . In addition, the transfer residual toner collected by the cleaning blade 6 is accommodated in a developer removal container (hereinafter referred to as a waste toner container) 14a through an opening 14b (see FIG. 7 ). The waste toner accommodating portion 14 a (see FIG. 7 ) and the cleaning blade 6 constitute an integrated cleaning unit (photoreceptor unit, image support unit) 13 .

In addition, the image forming apparatus 100A includes guides (positioning means) such as a mounting guide and a positioning member (not shown) in the main body casing. The developing cartridge 4 and the drum cartridge 13 are guided by the aforementioned guides, and are configured to be detachable from the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus.

Toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are respectively accommodated in the developing cartridges 4 for each color.

The intermediate transfer belt 5 is in contact with the photoreceptor drum 1 included in each process cassette, and rotates (moves) in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1 . The intermediate transfer belt 5 is stretched on a plurality of supporting members (a driving roller 51 , a secondary transfer opposing roller 52 , and a driven roller 53 ). On the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 5 , four primary transfer rollers 8 serving as primary transfer means are arranged side by side so as to face the respective photoreceptor drums 1 . In addition, on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 5, a secondary transfer roller 9 serving as a secondary transfer means is arranged at a position facing the secondary transfer counter roller 52 .

When forming an image, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 is first It 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 corresponding to the image information emitted by the scanner unit 3 . 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 (developer image) by the developing roller 17 (see FIG. 3 ) of the developing cartridge 4 . The toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum 1 is transferred (primary transfer) to the intermediate transfer belt 5 by the action of the primary transfer roller 8 .

For example, when forming a full-color image, the aforementioned processing is performed on the four drum cartridges 13 (13Y, 13M, 13C, 13K) and the developing cartridge 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) in sequence. Next, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photoreceptor drums 1 of the respective drum cartridges 13 are sequentially primary-transferred so as to overlap on the intermediate transfer belt 5 . Then, in synchronization with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 5, the recording material 12 is conveyed to the secondary transfer section. Next, the four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 5 are 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 has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 10 as a fixing means. In the fixing device 10 , the toner image is fixed on the recording material 12 by applying heat and pressure to the recording material 12 . In addition, 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. In addition, 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 .

In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 may use a desired single or several (not all) image forming units to form a single-color or multi-color image.

[Outline of Processing Methods]

Next, the outline of the drum cartridge 13 and the developing cartridge 4 attached to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 , 3 , 4 , and 7 .

In addition, the drum cartridge 13Y, the drum cartridge 13M, the drum cartridge 13C, and the drum cartridge 13K have the same configuration. The developing cartridge 4Y for storing yellow toner, the developing cartridge 4M for storing magenta toner, the developing cartridge 4C for storing cyan toner, and the developing cartridge 4K for storing black toner have the same configuration. That is, in the following description, the drum cartridges 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K are collectively referred to as the drum cartridge 13 , and the developing cartridges 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K are collectively referred to as the developing cartridge 4 . The same general term is used for the description of each cassette constituent member.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the drum cartridge 13 . Here, as shown in FIG. 2, let the direction of the rotation axis of the photoreceptor drum 1 be the Z direction (arrow Z1, arrow Z2), let the horizontal direction of FIG. 1 be the X direction (arrow X1, arrow X2), and The vertical direction is the Y direction (arrow Y1, arrow Y2).

The drum cartridge 13 has a cleaning frame 14 as a frame that supports various elements in the drum cartridge 13 . The photoreceptor drum 1 is rotatably supported by the cleaning frame 14 .

In addition, the photoreceptor drum 1 is a rotating body (image support body) configured to support an image (toner image, developer image) formed of toner (developer) on its surface.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view cut along an imaginary plane including the center of rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1 of the drum cartridge 13 . In the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 1 , the side (the side in the Z1 direction) of the coupling member 28 receiving the driving force from the image forming apparatus body is referred to as the driving side (the deep side) of the drum cartridge 13 . In addition, in the axial direction, the side opposite to the driving side (the side in the Z2 direction) is referred to as the non-driving side (front side) of the drum cartridge 13 .

When the drum cartridge 13 is mounted on the apparatus body, the drive side of the drum cartridge 13 is arranged on the downstream side in the cassette mounting direction, and the non-drive side is arranged on the upstream side in the mounting direction. In other words, when the drum cartridge 13 is placed inside the apparatus body, the drive side of the drum cartridge 13 is placed on the deep side of the printer, and the non-drive side of the drum cartridge 13 is placed on the back side of the printer. The front side of the printer.

In addition, the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 1 is a direction parallel to the axis (rotation axis) of the photoreceptor drum 1 . The axis of the photoreceptor drum 1 is an imaginary straight line extending so as to pass through the center of rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1 , and corresponds to a dotted line passing through the center of the photoreceptor drum 1 in FIG. 4 . At the end on the opposite side of the coupling member 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, and the electrode is connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus. contact to play the role of grounding.

A coupling member 28 is attached to one end of the photoreceptor drum 1, In addition, a non-driving side flange member 29 is attached to the other end of the photoreceptor drum 1 to form a photoreceptor drum unit (also simply referred to as a drum unit) 30 . The photoreceptor drum unit 30 is driven by the main body drive shaft 101 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100A with the coupling member 28 interposed therebetween.

The coupling member 28 is a flange member (drive-side flange member) attached to the drive-side end portion of the photoreceptor drum 1 . The coupling member 28 can be engaged with the main body drive shaft 101 as the cassette 7 is attached to the apparatus main body 100A. In addition, the coupling member 28 can be disengaged from the main body drive shaft 101 along with the removal of the cassette 7 from the apparatus main body 100A.

In addition, the photoreceptor drum 1 provided in the drum unit 30, the coupling member 28, and the non-driving-side flange member 29 are arranged coaxially. The rotational axes (axes) of these coincide with the rotational axis of the drum unit 30 . Therefore, the axis or axis direction of the drum unit 30 is the same as the axis or axis direction of each of the photoreceptor drum 1 , the coupling member 28 , and the non-driving-side flange member 29 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , the Z1 side of the coupling member 28 has a cylindrical shape (cylindrical portion 71 ). The portion on the Z1 side of the cylindrical portion 71 is the bearing portion 71c. The bearing portion 71c is rotatably supported by the drum unit bearing member 39R. In short, the photoreceptor drum unit 30 is made rotatable by being supported by the bearing portion 71c by the bearing portion of the drum unit bearing member 39R.

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

In addition, the drum unit bearing member 39R is arranged on the driving side of the drum cartridge 13 , and the drum unit bearing member 39L is arranged on the non-driving side of the drum cartridge 13 .

When the drum cartridge 13 is attached to the apparatus main body 100A, as shown in FIG. 4 , the drum unit bearing member 39R abuts against the rear-side cartridge positioning portion 108 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100A. In addition, the drum unit bearing member 39L abuts against the front-side cassette positioning portion 110 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100A. Thereby, the cassette 7 is positioned to the image forming apparatus 100A.

In the Z direction of this embodiment, the drum unit bearing member 39R is arranged at a position supporting the bearing portion 71c, and the drum unit bearing member 39R is arranged at a position close to the position positioned at the rear cassette positioning portion 108 . By doing so, when the drum cartridge 13 is attached to the apparatus main body 100A, the coupling member 28 can be suppressed from tilting.

The bearing portion 71c is arranged so that the bearing member 39R is arranged at a position supporting the bearing portion 71c, and the bearing member 39R is arranged at a position close to the position positioned at the rear cassette positioning portion 108 . In short, the to-be-bearing portion 71c is arranged on the distal end side (Z1 direction side) of the outer peripheral surface 71a of the cylindrical portion 71 provided in the coupling member 28 .

Similarly, in the Z direction, the drum unit bearing member 39L is arranged at the place where the non-drive side flange member 29 is rotatably supported, and the drum unit bearing member 39L is arranged so as to be positioned close to the cassette positioned on the front side. The position of the position of the part 110 . Thereby, the inclination of the non-drive side flange member 29 is suppressed.

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

In addition, the charging roller 2 and the cleaning blade 6 are attached to the cleaning frame 14 , and these are arranged so as to be in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 . Moreover, the charging roller bearing 15 (15R, 15L) is attached to the cleaning frame 14 (refer FIG. 7). The charging roller bearing 15 is a bearing for supporting the shaft of the charging roller 2 .

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge 13 and the developing cartridge 4 .

Here, the charging roller bearings 15 ( 15R, 15L) are attached so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow C shown in FIG. 7 . 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 biased toward the photoreceptor drum 1 by the pressing spring 16 as the biasing means. Thereby, the charging roller 2 comes into contact with the photoreceptor drum 1 and rotates along with the photoreceptor drum 1 .

The cleaning frame 14 is provided with a cleaning blade 6 as a cleaning means for removing toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 . The cleaning blade 6 is a blade-like rubber (elastic member) 6a that abuts against the photoreceptor drum 1 to remove toner on the photoreceptor drum 1, and is integrated with a support plate 6b that supports it. In this embodiment, the support plate 6b is fixedly mounted on the cleaning frame 14 by means of screws.

As mentioned above, the cleaning frame 14 has a The opening 14b for the transfer residual toner recovered by the cleaning blade 6 is provided. The opening 14b is provided with a blow-out prevention plate 26 abutting against the photoreceptor drum 1 and sealed between the photoreceptor drum 1 and the opening 14b to prevent leakage of toner in the upper direction of the opening 14b.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the developing cartridge 4 .

The developing cartridge 4 has a developing frame 18 that supports various elements. The developing cartridge 4 is provided with a developing roller 17 that is in contact with the photoreceptor drum 1 and is a developer supporting body that rotates in the direction of arrow D (counterclockwise) shown in FIG. 7 . The developing roller 17 is a rotating body (developing member) for supporting the developer supplied to the photoreceptor drum 1 on the surface thereof. The latent image of the photoreceptor drum 1 is developed by the toner supplied from the developing roller 17 to the photoreceptor drum 1 .

The developing roller 17 is rotatably supported by the developing frame 18 with developing bearings 19 ( 19R, 19L) interposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction (rotation axis direction). Here, the developing bearings 19 ( 19R, 19L) are attached to both side portions of the developing frame 18 , respectively.

Further, the developing cartridge 4 includes a developer storage chamber (hereinafter, referred to as a toner storage chamber) 18a and a developing chamber 18b in which a developing roller 17 is arranged, as shown in FIG. 7 .

In the developing chamber 18b, a developing blade is disposed as a toner supplying roller 20 of the developer supplying member which contacts the developing roller 17 and rotates in the direction of the arrow E, and a developer restricting member for restricting the toner layer of the developing roller 17. board 21.

The supply roller (supply member) 20 is also supported on the surface The rotating body that rotates the developer (toner) is a developer supporting body like the supply roller. The toner held on the surface of the supply roller 20 is supplied to the developing roller 17 .

The developing blade 21 is fixed and integrated by welding or the like to the fixing member 22 .

Further, in the toner storage chamber 18 a of the developing frame 18 , a stirring member 23 for stirring the stored toner and conveying the toner to the toner supply roller 20 is provided.

The ease of maintenance can be improved by adopting a configuration in which the elements related to image formation of the drum cartridge 13 and the developing cartridge 4 , which are detachable from the apparatus body, are integrated in this way. In other words, the user can easily perform the maintenance of the apparatus by attaching and detaching the drum cartridge 13 and the developing cartridge 4 to the apparatus main body 100A. Therefore, it is possible to provide an apparatus in which maintenance work can be easily performed not only by service personnel but also by users.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the drum cartridge 13 and the developing cartridge 4 are respectively attached to the apparatus body A independently. However, the drum cartridge 13 and the developing cartridge 4 for forming images of the same color may be formed into one unit. Such a united cassette (processing cassette) may be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.

[The structure of the main body drive shaft]

The structure of the main body drive shaft 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 , and 10 .

Figure 5 is an external view of the drive shaft of the system body.

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

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

9 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 28 and the main body drive shaft 101 cut in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

10 is a cross-sectional view of the coupler 28 and the main body drive shaft 101 cut along the axis of rotation.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the main body drive shaft 101 has a gear portion 101e, a shaft portion 101f, a rough guide portion 101g, and a bearing portion 101d.

The image forming apparatus body 100A is provided with a motor (not shown) as a drive source. The gear portion 101e is rotationally driven by this motor, and the main body drive shaft 101 is rotated. Further, the main body drive shaft 101 includes a rotatable protrusion-shaped shaft portion 101f that protrudes further toward the cassette side than the gear portion 101e along the rotation axis. Next, the rotational driving force received by the motor is transmitted to the photoreceptor drum 1 of the drum cartridge 13 through the coupling member 28 through the groove-shaped drive transmission groove 101a (recess, drive transmission portion) provided in the shaft portion 101f. Further, the shaft portion 101f has a hemispherical shape 101c at its tip.

The main body drive transmission groove 101a has a shape into which a part of the engaging portion 73 described later can enter. Specifically, the main body drive transmission surface 101b which is in contact with the drive receiving surface (drive receiving portion) 73a of the coupling member 28 as a surface for transmitting the driving force is provided.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the main body drive transmission surface 101b is not It is a flat surface and has a twisted shape centered on the rotation axis of the main body drive shaft 101 . The torsion direction of the system body drive shaft 101 in the Z1 direction side versus the Z2 direction side is arranged in the direction of the upstream side in the rotational direction of the body drive shaft 101 . The amount of twist in the rotation axis direction of the cylinder of the engaging portion 73 in this example is about 1° per 1 mm. The reason for adopting the shape of the twist body drive transmission surface 101b will be described in detail later.

Moreover, the main body side pull-out inclined surface 101i is provided in the Z2 direction side surface of the main body drive transmission groove 101a. The main body side pull-out inclined surface 101i is a gradient (inclined surface, inclined portion) for assisting the engaging portion 73 to be pulled out from the drive transmission groove 101a when the drum cartridge 13 is removed from the apparatus main body 100A. See below for details.

Here, when driving is transmitted to the engaging portion 73 by the driving transmission groove 101a, it is preferable that the main body driving transmission surface 101b and the driving receiving surface (driving receiving portion) 73a abut reliably. Here, the main body drive transmission groove 101a is used for each of the alignment of the rotation axis direction, the circumferential direction, and the radial direction so that the surfaces other than the main body drive transmission surface 101b do not come into contact with the engaging portion 73 serving as the driving force receiving portion. The joint portion 73 has a configuration of a gap (G) (see FIGS. 9 and 10 ).

Moreover, the main body side pull-out inclined surface 101i which is an inclined surface (inclined part) is provided in the axial direction front end side of the main body drive transmission groove 101a. In addition, in the axial direction of the main body drive shaft 101, the center 101h of the hemispherical shape 101c is arranged within the range of the main body drive transmission groove 101a (see FIG. 8). In other words, on the axis of the main body drive shaft 101, if the center 101h and the main body drive transmission groove 101a are projected, on the axis Above, inside the projection area of the main body drive transmission groove 101a, the projection area of the center 101h is arranged.

The rough guide portion 101g is provided between the shaft portion 101f and the gear portion 101e in the axial direction (see FIG. 6 ). The thick guide portion 101g has an inclined surface shape at the tip on the shaft portion 101f side, and the outer diameter D6 of the thick guide portion 101g, as shown in FIG. The inner diameter D2 is even smaller. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, the outer diameter D6 of the thick guide part 101g is larger than the outer diameter D5 of the shaft part 101f. Accordingly, when the cassette 7 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 100A, the main body drive shaft 101 can be made to follow the rotation of the coupling member 28 so as to reduce the axial deviation between the rotation center of the cylindrical portion 71 and the rotation center of the shaft portion 101f. way to guide. Therefore, the thick guide portion 101g may be renamed as an insertion guide.

Moreover, after the attachment of the cassette 7 to the image forming apparatus main body 100A is completed, the dimensional relationship is set so that the rough guide portion 101g does not come into contact with the inner peripheral surface 71b.

As shown in FIG. 6, the to-be-bearing portion 101d is disposed on the opposite side of the rough guide portion 101g across the gear portion 101e. Next, the bearing portion 101d is rotatably supported (supported) by the bearing member 102 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100A.

In addition, the main body drive shaft 101 is pushed toward the drum cartridge 13 by the spring member 103 of the image forming apparatus main body 100A, as shown in FIG. 6 . However, the movable amount (play) in the Z direction of the main body drive shaft 101 is about 1 mm, which is sufficiently smaller than the width in the Z direction of the drive receiving surface 73a described later.

As described above, the main body drive shaft 101 is provided with the main body drive transmission groove 101a, and the coupling member 28 is provided with the engaging portion 73 to transmit the drive from the apparatus main body 100A to the drum cartridge 13 (drum unit 30).

In addition, although the details will be described later, the engaging portion 73 is provided at the front end of the support portion 74 so as to be elastically deformable. Therefore, when the drum cartridge 13 is attached to the apparatus main body 100A, the engaging portion 73 is configured to be movable radially outward. Accordingly, when the drum cartridge 13 is inserted into the apparatus main body 100A, the engaging portion 73 enters the drive transmission groove 101a, and the engaging portion 73 and the main body drive transmission groove 101a can be engaged with each other.

[Configuration of the coupling member]

The configuration of the coupling member 28 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 19 .

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the flange member 70 .

FIG. 12 is a view of the flange member 70 viewed from the Z1 side to the Z2 side.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the flange member 70 .

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the flange member 70 cut at the center of the rotation axis (the center of the rotation axis).

15 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 28 and the main body drive shaft 101 cut in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis so as to pass through the drive transmission surface 73a.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 28 cut at the center of the rotation axis (the center of the rotation axis).

FIG. 17 is a cross-section illustrating a mold for forming the flange member 70 picture.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the alignment member 33 .

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a method of assembling the coupling member 28. FIG.

The coupling member 28 is constituted by the flange member 70 and the alignment member 33 as shown in FIG. 16 .

(Explanation of flange member)

4 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , and 17 , the configuration of the flange member 70 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 13 , the flange member 70 includes a mounting portion (fixed portion) 72 , a cylindrical portion 71 , a flange portion 75 , an engaging portion 73 , a support portion 74 , and a force receiving portion 77 .

The attachment portion 72 is a portion to be attached to the photoreceptor drum 1 . As shown in FIG. 11, the mounting portion 72 includes a press-fit portion 72d that is press-fitted into the cylinder inner diameter of the photoreceptor drum 1, a temporary locking groove 72e, and a press-fit portion provided on a deeper side (Z2 direction side) than the press-fit portion 72d. Guide portion 72f.

The press-fit portion 72d serving as a coupling portion is a portion for fixing the coupling member 28 to the photoreceptor drum 1 by being pressed into the photoreceptor drum 1 . Specifically, a size that makes the inner diameter of the cylinder of the photoreceptor drum 1 and the outer shape of the press-fit portion 72d be in an interlocking relationship is employed. In addition, the structure in which the binding force is improved by the temporary lock, or the case where the cylinder inner diameter and the press-fit portion 72d are fixed by adhesion is not limited to the above-mentioned relationship.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the temporary locking groove 72e is a groove shape (concave) provided in the Z-axis direction on the photoreceptor drum 1 side of the pressing portion 72d. Department). The temporary locking grooves 72e are equally arranged in two places around the rotation axis of the coupling member 28 . Moreover, in the rotational axis direction of the coupling member 28, the temporary locking groove 72e and the flange portion 75 are arranged so as to overlap each other. In other words, when the temporary locking groove 72e and the flange portion 75 are projected perpendicularly to the rotational axis of the coupling member 28, the projected area of the temporary locking groove 72e and the projected area of the flange portion 75 on the axis overlap.

Also, "overlap X and Y in the A direction" means "when projecting X and Y on an imaginary line parallel to the A direction, on the imaginary line, at least a part of the projected area of X and the projected area of Y overlap at least in part". The photoreceptor drum 1 is plastically deformed by temporarily locking at a part of the coupling member 28 side end of the photoreceptor drum 1 . Thereby, a part of the photoreceptor is inserted into the temporary locking groove 72e, and the photoreceptor drum 1 and the coupling member 28 are firmly fixed. In addition, the so-called temporary locking refers to the action of plastic working and joining a part of a plurality of components. In the present embodiment, the cylinder of the photoreceptor drum 1 is coupled to the coupling member 28 by plastically deforming a part of the cylinder (aluminum) of the photoreceptor drum 1 . In the present embodiment, as an example of means for firmly fixing the coupling member 28 to the photoreceptor drum 1, a configuration using the temporary locking groove 72e is adopted, but the inner diameter of the cylinder and the press-fit 72d are bonded to each other. For fixing, etc., other fixing means may be used. That is, the temporary locking groove 72e is not necessarily formed.

When assembling the coupling member 28 to the photoreceptor drum 1, the press-in guide portion 72f has a shape that makes it easy to assemble the coupling member 28 to the photoreceptor drum 1 and press-in the press-in portion 72d to the photoreceptor drum 1 stably. Tool Specifically, the outer diameter of the press-fit guide portion 72f is smaller than the outer diameter of the press-fit portion 72d and the inner diameter of the cylinder of the photoreceptor drum 1, and has a guide inclined surface on the front end side in the mounting direction of the photoreceptor drum 1 72g. The guide inclined surface 72 g is provided on the inclined portion of the coupling member 28 in order to facilitate the insertion of the coupling member 28 into the photoreceptor drum 1 .

The cylindrical portion 71 has the bearing portion 71c (shown in FIGS. 4 and 11 ) as described above. The bearing portion 71c is rotatably supported by the drum unit bearing member 39R. As shown in FIG. 13 , the inner diameter D2 of the inner peripheral surface 71b of the cylindrical portion 71 is smaller than the inner diameter D9 of the inner peripheral surface 72m of the attachment portion 72 . Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the inner peripheral surface 71b of the cylindrical portion 71 has an inclined surface shape at the front end (Z1 direction). This inclined surface shape is an inclined portion (inclined surface) for guiding the main body drive shaft 101 inserted into the cylindrical portion 71 . As a result, when the drum cartridge 13 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 100A, the main body drive shaft 101 can be made to follow the coupling member so as to reduce the axial deviation between the rotational center of the cylindrical portion 71 and the rotational center of the shaft portion 101f 28 way to guide. Further, as shown in FIG. 8 , the inner diameter D2 of the inner peripheral surface 71b is larger than the outer diameter D6 of the shaft portion 101f of the main body drive shaft 101 . Therefore, after the attachment of the drum cartridge 13 to the image forming apparatus main body 100A is completed, the inner peripheral surface 71b does not come into contact with the rough guide portion 101g.

As shown in FIG. 14 , the flange portion 75 has a shape that protrudes further outward in the radial direction than the press-fit portion 72d. When the coupling member 28 is assembled to the photoreceptor drum 1, the end face 75b of the flange portion 75 is in contact with the end face of the photoreceptor drum 1 to determine the photoreceptor drum 1 and the coupling member 28 in the Z direction. the shape of the position.

As shown in FIG. 12 , the engaging portion 73 protrudes at least radially inward of the coupling member 28 in order to engage with the main body drive shaft 101 . The engaging portions 73 are arranged at three places in the circumferential direction of the coupling member 28 at equal intervals (120° intervals, approximately equal intervals). Similarly, the base portions 74 of the support portion are also arranged at three places at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the flange member 70 . Moreover, as shown in FIG. 12, the engaging part 73 has a drive receiving surface 73a. Further, the base portion 74 has a backup surface 74i and a contact surface 74h.

The driving receiving surface 73a is a driving force receiving portion that receives the driving force from the main body drive shaft 101 by being in contact with the driving groove 101a. The flange member 70 is a driving force receiving member that receives the driving force through the driving receiving surface 73a.

The contact surface 74h of the base portion 74 of the support portion is a curved surface that abuts against the shaft portion 101f when the coupling member 28 is engaged with the main body drive shaft 101, and is an arc along the circumferential direction (rotation direction) of the coupling member 28 noodle. As shown in FIG. 9, the radius R1 of the circular arc which comprises the contact surface 74h is substantially the same as the radius R2 of the axial part 101f.

The supported surface 74i is a surface in contact with a support surface 33t of a support portion 33j of the alignment member 33 to be described later, and is disposed on the downstream side in the rotational direction with respect to the drive receiving surface 73a (shown in FIG. 12 ). Moreover, as shown in FIG. 15, it arrange|positions so that the angle J comprised by the supported surface 74i and the drive receiving surface 73a may become an acute angle. In short, the drive receiving surface 73a is inclined with respect to the support surface 33t of the support portion 33j.

The driving receiving surface (driving force receiving portion) 73a is supported by The parts (73, 74) are movably supported. The support parts (73, 74) are U-shaped buckles.

The cylinder member 70 constituting the coupling member 28 is cylindrical (hollow). In short, the cylinder member 70 is a hollow portion (a portion having a hollow inside) of the coupling member 28 . The base portion 74 of the support portion ( 73 , 74 ) has a fixed end base portion 74 a , and the base portion 74 a is fixed to the inner surface of the cylinder 70 .

At least a part of the support parts ( 73 , 74 ) is arranged inside the cylinder member 70 . In this embodiment, the entirety of the support parts ( 73 , 74 ) is arranged inside the cylinder member 70 .

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , the base portion 74 extends from the inner surface of the hollow portion (the cylinder member 70 ) of the coupling member 28 from the base portion (fixed end) 74a of the base portion 74 as a starting point. Further, the base portion 74 has an elastically deformable portion (elastically deformable portion). Thereby, the base portion 74 movably supports the engaging portion 73 provided at the front end (free end) of the base portion 74 .

More specifically, the base portion 74 has a root side extension portion (fixed end side extension portion) 74t, a folded portion (curved portion, continuous portion) 74r, and a free end side extension portion (front end side extension portion) 74s. The free end side extension portion 74s is provided with a supported surface 74i or a contact surface 74h.

The root-side extension portion 74t is an extension portion extending from the root portion (fixed end) 74a toward the Z2 direction (ie, the inner side of the photo-drum unit 30 in the axial direction) approximately parallel to the rotational axis of the flange member 70 . In short, the root-side extending portion 74t extends in the Z2 direction toward the turn-back portion 74r.

The root-side extending portion 74t is disposed radially outward with respect to the engaging portion 73 or the free-end-side extending portion 74s.

The folded-back portion 74r is formed continuously with the root-side extension portion 74t, and is also a portion continuously connected with the free-end extension portion 74s. In short, the folded-back portion 74s is a bent portion provided between the root-side extending portion 74t and the free end-side extending portion 74s. In addition, the folded-back portion 74s is a continuous portion that connects the free end side extending portion 74s and the root side extending portion 74t. In this embodiment, the bending angle of the turn-back portion 74r is larger than 90°. Specifically, the angle is set to about 180°.

The folded-back portion 74r and the root-side extending portion 74t are elastic portions that can be elastically deformed.

The free end side extension portion 74 is an extension portion extending in the Z1 direction (ie, the outer side of the photo-drum unit 30 in the axial direction) approximately parallel to the rotation axis of the flange member 70 from the turn-back portion 74r. The free end side extension portion 74s is arranged radially inward with respect to the root side extension portion 74t.

By bending the integrally formed base portion 74, a free end extension portion 74s and a root side extension portion 74t are formed. With such a configuration, the support portions (73, 74) can be easily configured.

However, the connecting portion, the root-side extending portion 74t, and the free-end side extending portion 74s are formed as separate individuals (different members), and the connecting member (connecting portion) connects the root-side extending portion 74t and the free-end-side extending portion 74s. Also possible.

The free end side extension portion 74s is also a portion for supporting the drive receiving surface 73a. That is, the free end side extension portion 74s has a formed drive The engaging portion (protrusion, protrusion) 73 of the movable receiving surface 73a.

The engaging portion 73 is a protruding portion provided at the front end of the free end side extending portion 74s, and protrudes radially inward. In short, the direction (axial direction) in which the free end side extending portion 74s extends intersects the direction (radial direction) in which the engaging portion 73 protrudes. The engaging portion 73 enters the inside of the main body drive transmission groove 101a, and is a portion that engages with the main body drive transmission groove 101a.

The root-side extending portion 74t and the free-end-side extending portion 74s are constituted so that at least a part of each other overlaps with each other in the axial direction of the photo-drum unit 30 . That is, when vertically projecting the base extension 74t and the free end extension 74s on the axis of the photo-drum unit 30, at least a part of the mutual projection area overlaps.

The drive receiving surface 73 a provided in the engaging portion 73 is a surface intersecting the rotational direction (circumferential direction) of the coupling member 28 . Further, the drive receiving surface 73a is also a surface extending radially inward from the free end side extending portion 74s.

Moreover, in this Example, the root side extension part 74t and the free end side extension part 74s are linear parts extended parallel to the axial direction. However, it is not limited to such a configuration.

That is, each extension part (74t, 74s) should just extend at least in the axial direction. In other words, the vector extending in the extending direction of each extending portion (74t, 74s) may have a component in the axial direction. As an example, a modification of this embodiment is shown in FIGS. 64 and 65 . As shown in these figures, the root-side extending portion 74g may be extended in the Z2 direction while being inclined with respect to the axial direction. In addition, as shown in FIG. 64 and FIG. 65, the free end side extension portion 74s pairs The axis direction may be inclined while extending in the Z1 direction. In such a case, the root side extension portion 74t and the free end side extension portion 74s are considered to extend at least in the axial direction. In addition, the root side extension part 74t and the free end side extension part 74s are regarded as extending in directions different from each other in the axial direction.

In addition, as long as the root side extension part 74t and the free end side extension part 74s are extended in the axial direction at least, these do not need to extend linearly.

The free end of the engaging portion 73 (that is, the front end of the free end side extension portion 74s) is arranged on the Z1 side rather than the folded portion 74r. In addition, the root (fixed end) 74a of the base portion 74 is also arranged on the Z1 side rather than the turn-back portion 74r.

The inner surface of the root-side extension portion 74t is arranged to have the same diameter as the inner peripheral surface 71b of the cylindrical portion 71 or to protrude on the inner diameter side.

The engaging portion 73 is supported by the elastically deformable base portion 74 , and the engaging portion 73 can move in the radial direction of the coupling member 28 by the deformation of the base portion 74 . In other words, the base portion 74 is deformed by an external force, and a restoring force (elastic force) is generated in the return direction at the position in the natural state.

The root-side extending portion 74t is deformed so as to be inclined with the root 74a as a starting point. Moreover, the folded-back portion 74r is deformed so as to incline the free end side extension portion 74s. As a result, the engaging portion 73 can be moved in a direction intersecting the direction in which the extending portions (74t, 74s) extend.

Specifically, when the engaging portion 73 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the main body drive shaft 101 , the base portion 74 is elastically deformed to move the engaging portion 73 radially outward along the outer peripheral surface of the main body driving shaft 101 . After that, the engaging part 73 moves in the direction in which the elastic deformation of the base portion 74 is cancelled when the position (in phase) of the main body side drive transmission groove 101a provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body drive shaft 101 is the same. In this way, the engaging portion 73 moves radially inward, and a part of the engaging portion 73 can enter the drive transmission groove 101a.

Further, the drive receiving surface 73a of the flange member 70 has a shape twisted around the axis of the flange member 70, and in this embodiment, the twist is the same amount as the main body drive transmission surface 101b.

In addition, the phase of the rotational direction of the two points which contact|connect the drive receiving surface 73a with the drive shaft 101 should just be different. In short, the drive receiving surface 73a does not have to be a twisted shape as long as it has a structure having the same function as a twisted surface.

li4ru2 may have a shape arranged on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the photoreceptor drum 1, with the outer side (Z1 direction side) of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 being the inner side (Z2 direction side) of the drive receiving surface 73a. In other words, the engagement portion 73 serving as the driving force receiving portion is configured so as to intersect the rotation axis of the cylinder along the straight line connecting the cylinder inner end portion and the cylinder outer end portion in the cylinder axis direction. The drive receiving surface 73 a is an inclined portion inclined with respect to the axis of the coupling member 28 .

By making the driving receiving surface 73a into a twisted shape or an inclined shape in this way, when the driving receiving surface 73a receives the driving, the photoreceptor drum unit 30 is pulled into the bearing portion 101d side of the main body drive shaft 101. strength.

As shown in FIG. 14 , the engaging portion 73 has an outer side (the Z1 direction side) of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 in the Z direction as a force receiving portion at the time of installation It is inserted into the inclined surface 73d. In addition, the engaging portion 73 has a pull-out inclined surface 73e serving as a force receiving portion at the time of removal on the inner side of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 (the Z2 direction side) in the Z direction. Thereby, the attachability and detachability of the coupling member 28 to the main body drive shaft 101 can be improved.

At the time of mounting, the insertion inclined surface 73d abuts on the hemispherical shape 101c, and the engaging portion 73 moves toward the radially outer side of the drive shaft. In addition, when pulling out, the pulling-out inclined surface 73e abuts against the main-body-side pulling-out inclined surface 101i, and the engaging portion 73 moves toward the radially outer side of the main-body drive shaft 101 .

In addition, as shown in FIG. 14 , in the Z direction, the distance L1 from the front end face of the cylindrical portion 71 to the front end face of the engaging portion 73 is such that the length L2 of the drive receiving surface 73 is in the relationship of L1>L2 The engaging portion 73 is arranged in such a way.

As shown in FIG. 15 , the force receiving portion 77 is disposed on the downstream side of the engaging portion 73 in the rotational direction, and has a receiving surface 77a and a rib 77e. The support part 33j of the alignment member 33 described later is sandwiched between the supported surface 74i and the receiving surface 77a of the free end side extension part 74s. The receiving surface 77a and the driving receiving surface 73 are arranged to be approximately parallel to each other. As shown in FIG. 15 , the rib 77e is arranged so as to be in contact with the inner peripheral surface 72m of the attachment portion 72, starting from the radially inner end of the receiving surface 77a, and being substantially perpendicular to the receiving surface 77a.

Moreover, at least a part of the support part (73,74) and the drive receiving surface 73a is arrange|positioned in the axial direction of the photo-drum unit 30, rather than the to-be-bearing part 71c inside. Therefore, the support portion (73, 74) or the drive receiving surface 73a can be protected by the bearing portion 71c or the bearing member 19R. very In the present embodiment, the entirety of the support parts ( 73 , 74 ) and the drive receiving surface 73 a is arranged more inward than the bearing part 71 c in the axial direction of the drum unit 30 .

Furthermore, at least a part of the support parts ( 73 , 74 ) is arranged in the inner space of the photoreceptor drum 1 . In short, at least a part of the support parts ( 73 , 74 ) is located more inward than the end of the photoreceptor drum 1 in the axial direction. In other words, if the support parts (73, 74) and the photoreceptor drum 1 are projected perpendicularly to the axis of the photoreceptor drum 1, the projection area of the support parts (73, 74) and the projection of the photoreceptor drum 1 regions that at least partially overlap each other. In addition, at least a part of the support parts ( 73 , 74 ) is arranged on the inner side of the photoreceptor drum 1 in the radial direction of the drum unit.

Likewise, at least a part of the driving force receiving portion (the driving receiving surface 73 a ) is arranged inside the photoreceptor drum 1 . Therefore, when the drive receiving surface 73a and the photoreceptor drum 1 are projected perpendicularly to the axis of the photoreceptor drum 1, the projection area of the drive receiving surface 73a and the projection area of the photoreceptor drum 1 at least partially overlap each other. .

If at least a part of the support parts ( 73 , 74 ) or at least a part of the drive receiving surface 73 a is disposed inside the photoreceptor drum 1 , the support parts ( 73 , 74 ) or the drive receiving surface can be protected by the photoreceptor drum 1 . 73a.

In particular, in this embodiment, the entirety of ( 73 , 74 ) and the entirety of the drive receiving surface 73 a are arranged inside the photoreceptor drum 1 .

In addition, the root portion 74a of the fixed end of the support portion (73, 74) is disposed inside the photoreceptor drum 1, and has the following effects. fundamental The portion 74a is disposed inside the photoreceptor drum 1 so that the flange member 70 (coupling member 28 ) is covered by the photoreceptor drum 1 around the base portion 74a and is fixed to the photoreceptor drum 1 . The photoreceptor drum 1 has high rigidity, and the portion of the flange member 70 covered by the photoreceptor drum 1 becomes less deformable.

The support parts (73, 74) are elastically deformable starting from the root part 74a, but even if the support parts (73, 74) are elastically deformed, the photoreceptor drum 1 can prevent the deformation from affecting the root part 74a.

When deformation of the flange member 70 is suppressed, the bearing portion 71c of the flange member 70 can be stably supported by the bearing member 39R. In addition, the support portions (73, 74) are supported by the portions of the flange member 70 that are not easily deformed. As a result, the driving force receiving portion (driving receiving surface 73a) provided in the support portions (73, 74) can receive the driving force by the main body drive shaft 101 in a stable manner.

Furthermore, by providing the drive receiving surface 73a inside the photoreceptor drum 1, the main body drive shaft 101 can be made longer. The main body drive shaft 101 has its fixed end (bearing portion 101d) supported by the device body, and its free end (shaft portion 101f) supported by the drum unit. In this way, the longer the distance between the bearing portion 101 d and the shaft portion 101 f of the main body drive shaft 101 is, the less likely it is to be greatly inclined to the drum unit. In short, when the cassette 7 is attached to the apparatus main body, it becomes easy to keep the main body drive shaft 101 parallel to the drum unit.

Here, if the drive receiving surface 73a is arranged inside the photoreceptor drum 1, the shaft portion 101f can be inserted into the inside of the photoreceptor drum 1. The shaft portion 101f is supported inside the photoreceptor drum 1 . With such a configuration, an increase in the size of the device body can be suppressed, and the length of the body drive shaft 101 (the distance between the bearing portion 101d and the shaft portion 101f) can be easily secured.

(Explanation on the manufacturing method)

The flange member 70 of this embodiment is manufactured by injection molding (insert molding) using a mold.

The configuration of the metal mold used for molding the flange member 70 will be described with reference to FIG. 17 .

The flange member 70 has a flange portion 75 in a shape that protrudes most outward in the radial direction. When forming such a shape, it is preferable to use a metal mold as shown in FIG. 17 .

Specifically, as shown in the figure, the metal mold is a two-piece configuration of the left mold (the cylinder side mold 60 ) and the right mold (the mounting part side mold 61 ). By closing the left and right molds, a space portion (plastic film cavity, cavity portion) having the same shape as the molded product is formed. The flange member 70 is formed by the material flowing into the space and solidifying in the metal mold. In the metal mold, a parting surface 62 (a surface for separating the molds and a surface for closing the molds), which is a place for closing the left and right molds, is arranged in the vicinity of the space where the flange portion 75 is formed. Next, the cylindrical die 60 has a shape including a space for forming the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 71 . Similarly, the mounting part side metal mold|die 61 has the shape provided with the space for shaping|molding the mounting part 72. As shown in FIG.

The field of flange member 70 is formed using such a metal mold However, it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin from the viewpoint of mass productivity. Specifically, materials such as POM and PPS are suitable. However, in order to meet the requirements such as strength, other materials can also be appropriately selected. Specifically, use of a thermosetting resin, a metal material, or the like is also conceivable.

As described above, the engaging portion 73 has the insertion slope 73d at one end and the extraction slope 73e at the other end in the Z direction. Therefore, it is difficult to select which end face in the Z direction of the engaging portion 73 is to be disposed on the parting surface 62 of the metal mold. This is because when a mold divided into two parts is used, when the parting surface 62 is arranged on either of the two end faces of the engaging portion 73, it is difficult to remove the molded flange member 70 from the mold. In short, when the two metal molds are removed from the engaging portion 73 after the engaging portion 73 is formed, at least one metal mold is caught in the engaging portion 73 and cannot be moved.

If the parting surface 62 is made as narrow as possible, the production of the metal mold will be easier. As a result, it becomes possible to manufacture the parting surface 62 with high precision. Thereby, if the parting surface 62 is made as narrow as possible, the possibility of occurrence of resin leakage and the like can be reduced.

In order to make the parting surface 62 of the engaging portion 73 narrower, it is necessary to arrange the drive receiving surface 73a on the deep side (Z2 side) of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 by at least the insertion slope 73d. Here, in this embodiment, the end of the insertion slope 73d and the end of the drive receiving surface 73a are arranged at the same position in the Z direction.

In addition, when forming the flange member 70 of the present embodiment, the parting surface 62 is arranged as described below. In short, in the form of a mounting part side metal mold 61 The drive receiving surface 73a and the surface of the base 74 seen from the Z2 direction side. Moreover, the insertion slope 73d and the surface of the base part 74 seen from the Z1 direction side are formed by the cylindrical side metal mold|die 60. As described above, the inner surface of the root-side extension portion 74t is arranged to have the same diameter as the inner peripheral surface 71R of the cylindrical portion 71 or to protrude on the inner diameter side. In this way, the root-side extending portion 74t can be prevented from being blocked by the cylindrical portion-side die 60 and hindering the movement of the cylindrical portion-side die 60 .

In addition, when the flange member 70 is viewed from the Z direction (when the flange member 70 is viewed along the axial direction), as shown in FIG. 12 , the force receiving portion 77 needs to be such that the engaging portion 73 and the base portion 74 do not overlap. way to configure. In short, when the flange member 70 is viewed in the axial direction, the force receiving portion 77 needs to be arranged with a gap between the engaging portion 73 and the base portion 74 . Considering the thickness of the metal mold, the force receiving portion 77 is preferably arranged so that the engaging portion 73 and the base portion 74 have a gap of about 1 mm.

(About the core adjustment components)

The configuration of the alignment member (positioning member) 33 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 , 15 , 16 , 18 , and 19 .

In the present embodiment, the alignment member 33 has a concave portion (reverse conical shape 33a) narrowed toward the bottom. The reverse conical shape 33 a is a substantially conical depression (recess), and is arranged on the axis of the drum unit 30 . Moreover, in the axial direction of the drum unit 30, it is arrange|positioned at the inner side rather than the drive receiving surface 73a. The detailed shape of the alignment member 33 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 18, the aligning member 33 has a reverse conical shape 33a, a fitting portion 33b, a detachment preventing portion 33c, and a support portion 33j.

As shown in FIG. 19 , the coupling member 28 is constituted by assembling the alignment member 33 along the rotation axis from the Z2 side to the Z1 side of the flange member 70 .

As shown in FIG. 10 , the reverse conical shape 33 a is arranged on the inner side (the Z2 direction side) of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 rather than the engaging portion 73 . Further, when the aligning member 33 is viewed along the Z direction, the flange member 70 and the aligning member 33 are attached so that the center of the reverse conical shape 33 a and the center of the photoreceptor drum 1 are aligned.

The reverse conical shape 33a has an abutment portion 33e which abuts against the hemispherical shape 101c of the hemispherical shape of the front end of the main body drive shaft 101 when the photoreceptor drum 1 is driven to rotate. In addition, the reverse cone shape 33a is a substantially reverse cone shape (a shape that is lowered into a substantially cone shape). As shown in FIG. 10 , the center 101h of the hemispherical shape 101c of the main body drive shaft 101 is within the range of the drive receiving surface 73a in the state where the abutting portion 33e of the alignment member 33 is in contact with the hemispherical shape 101c in the Z direction. It is mounted on the flange member 70 in a way inside.

The abutting portion 33e provided in the reverse conical shape 33a is in contact with the hemispherical shape 101c of the main body driving shaft 101 to position the drum unit 30 with respect to the main body driving shaft 101 .

In short, the reverse conical shape 33a can determine the position in the axial direction of the drum unit 30 relative to the main body drive shaft 101 and the position in the radial direction. In short, the reverse conical shape 33a is a radial positioning portion, and is also a shaft extending side. to the positioning unit.

In addition, the radial positioning portion and the longitudinal positioning portion do not need to be conical-shaped depressions such as the reversed-conical shape 33a. When the radial positioning portion and the longitudinal positioning portion are in contact with the main body drive shaft 101 , the shape does not matter as long as the position of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 can be determined with respect to the main body drive shaft 101 . These are suitable, for example, with depressions (recesses) narrowing towards the bottom. As such, a pyramid shape other than a cone, such as a pyramid (tetragonal pyramid, etc.), can also be used. However, as in the reverse conical shape 33a of the present embodiment, as long as it is a conical concave portion symmetrical to the axis of the coupling member 28, the position of the coupling member 28 (the position of the photo-drum unit 30) can be held particularly precisely. .

In addition, the reverse conical shape 33a may be any shape as long as it is a region for contact with the main body drive shaft 101, and a region that does not come into contact with it. For example, the portion not in contact with the main body drive shaft 101 , that is, the bottom of the inverse conical shape 33 a may not be, and the inverse conical shape 33 a may be a concave portion without a bottom.

The fitting portion 33b is provided at a place where the alignment member 33 is attached to the flange member 70. As shown in FIG. 10, the flange member 70 has a fitted portion 72a at a position corresponding to the fitting portion 33b. Moreover, the fitting part 33b is arrange|positioned at the inner side (Z2 direction side) of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 rather than the contact part 33e.

As shown in FIG. 18, the detachment preventing portion 33c is a shape for preventing the aligning member 33 from falling off from the flange member 70 in a shape of being caught. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the flange member 70 has a position corresponding to the separation preventing portion 33c. The place has a hole shape 72b.

As shown in FIG. 15, the support portion 33j is assembled to the gap between the supported surface 74i of the flange member 70 and the receiving surface 77a, and is shaped to prevent the engagement portion 73 from falling down toward the upstream side in the rotational direction. Therefore, the thickness of the support portion 33j is approximately the same as the gap between the supported surface 74i and the receiving surface 77a.

In short, the support portion 33j is a portion that suppresses the movement of the engaging portion 73 (drive receiving surface 73a ) in the circumferential direction of the flange member 70 by contacting the supported surface 74i. Further, the alignment member 33 is a support member having a support portion 33j.

In addition, the alignment member 33 is also a positioning member that determines the relative position of the flange member 70 (the drum unit 30 ) with respect to the main body drive shaft 101 . The concave portion (reverse conical shape 33 a ) provided in the aligning member 33 is in contact with the front end of the main body drive shaft 101 as a positioning portion. Thereby, the relative position in the axial direction and the relative position in the radial direction of the flange member 70 are determined together with respect to the main body drive shaft 101 .

In addition, when viewed from the Z direction, the circle passing through the ridgeline on the engaging portion 73 side of the support portion 33j is arranged so that the center thereof is the same as the inverse conical shape 33a, and the diameter of the circle is D8. The diameter D8 is approximately the same as the outer diameter D5 of the shaft portion 101f of the main body drive shaft 101, or is prepared so as to satisfy D8≧D5 when the respective dimensional accuracy is reviewed. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 16, the support part 33j is arrange|positioned so that it may overlap with the drive receiving surface 73a in the Z direction.

[Installation of the cassette to the main body of the image forming apparatus]

The attachment and detachment of the drum cartridge 13 to the main body of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21 .

FIG. 20 is a perspective view for explaining the attachment of the drum cartridge 13 to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of attaching the drum cartridge 13 to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus.

The main body 100A of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment adopts a structure in which a cassette can be installed in a substantially horizontal direction. Specifically, the image forming apparatus main body 100A includes a space in which a cassette can be installed. Next, a cassette door 104 (front door) for inserting the cassette into the space is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 100A (the direction in which the user stands during use).

As shown in FIG. 20 , the cassette door 104 of the image forming apparatus main body 100A is provided so as to be openable and closable. When the cassette door 104 is opened, the cassette lower rail 105 of the drum cassette 13 is arranged on the bottom surface of the aforementioned space, and the cassette upper rail 106 is arranged on the upper surface. The drum cartridge 13 is guided to the installation position by the upper and lower guide rails (105, 106) provided on the upper and lower sides of the space. The drum cartridge 13 is inserted into the installation position approximately along the axis of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 .

Hereinafter, the operation of attaching and detaching the cassette to and from the image forming apparatus main body 100A will be described with reference to FIG. 21 .

As shown in FIG. 21( a ), the photo-drum cartridge 13 does not come into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 5 when the photo-drum unit bearing member 39R and the photoreceptor drum 1 start to be inserted. In other words, deep in the insertion direction of the drum cartridge 13 In a state where the side ends are supported by the cassette lower rails 105 , the photoreceptor drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 5 are not in a dimensional relationship.

Next, as shown in FIG. 21( b ), the image forming apparatus body 100A is provided with a deep-side cassette lower guide 107 protruding upward in the direction of gravity from the cassette lower rail 105 on the deep side in the insertion direction of the cassette lower rail 105 . This deep-side cassette lower guide 107 has an inclined surface 107 a on the front side in the insertion direction of the drum cassette 13 . With the insertion, the drum cartridge 13 rides on the inclined surface 107a and is guided to the installation position.

Further, the position and shape of the deep-side cassette lower guide 107 may be set so that a part of the cassette does not slip against the image forming area 5A of the intermediate transfer belt 5 when the cassette is inserted into the apparatus body 100A. Here, the image forming area 5A refers to an area of the intermediate transfer belt 5 that carries the toner image transferred to the recording material 12 . In addition, in the present embodiment, among the cassettes that maintain the mounting posture, the unit bearing member 39R provided on the deep side in the insertion direction of the drum cassette 13 protrudes most upward in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the arrangement of the elements is appropriately selected so that the locus (hereinafter referred to as the insertion locus) drawn by the end of the drum unit bearing member 39R on the deepest side in the insertion direction during insertion does not interfere with the image forming area 5A with shape.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 21( c ), the drum cartridge 13 is further inserted into the deep side of the image forming apparatus main body 100A from the state of the upper deep side cassette lower guide 107 . Next, the drum unit bearing member 39R abuts against the deep-side cassette positioning portion 108 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100A. At this time, the drum cartridge 13 (photoreceptor drum unit 30 ) is not installed. In the state of the image forming apparatus main body 100A ( FIG. 21( d )), it is more inclined by about 0.5 to 2°. In short, in the insertion direction of the drum cartridge 13, the downstream side of the drum cartridge 13 (photoreceptor drum unit 30) is raised more than the upstream side.

FIG. 21( d ) is a diagram showing the state of the apparatus body and the cassette in a state in which the cassette door 104 is closed. The image forming apparatus 100A has a front-side cassette lower guide 109 on the front side in the insertion direction of the cassette lower rail 105 . The front-side cassette lower guide 109 is configured to go up and down in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cassette door (front door) 104 .

When the user closes the cassette door 104, the front cassette lower guide 109 rises. Next, the drum unit bearing member 39L abuts the front cassette positioning portion 110 of the image forming apparatus body 100A, and the photo drum cartridge 13 is positioned with respect to the image forming apparatus body 100A.

By the above operation, the installation of the drum cartridge 13 to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus is completed.

In addition, pulling out the drum cartridge 13 from the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus is the reverse sequence of the above-mentioned insertion operation.

As described above, since the oblique mounting structure is adopted, when the drum cartridge 13 is mounted on the apparatus main body 100A, the slippage between the photoreceptor drum and the intermediate transfer belt can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of minute scratches (scuffs) on the surface of the photoreceptor drum or the surface of the intermediate transfer belt.

In addition, in the configuration disclosed in this embodiment, the configuration of the image forming apparatus body 100A can be simplified compared to the configuration in which the entire cassette is lifted after the apparatus body moves the cassette in the horizontal direction and then mounts the entire cassette. change.

[The process of engaging the coupling member to the drive shaft of the main body]

Next, the engaging process of the coupling member 28 and the main body drive shaft 101 will be described in detail using FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 .

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of attaching the coupling member 28 to the main body drive shaft 101 .

23 is a diagram for explaining the installation of the coupling member 28 to the main body drive shaft 101 when the main body drive shaft 101 starts to rotate from the state where the main body drive transmission groove 101a and the engaging portion 73 (drive receiving surface 73a) are out of phase. Sectional view for action.

FIG. 22( a ) is a diagram showing a state in which the coupling member 28 starts to engage with the main body drive shaft 101 . 22(e) shows a state in which the drum cartridge 13 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100A. In particular, FIG. 23(e) shows a state in which the front-side cassette lower guide 109 is raised with the cassette door 104 closed, and the drum cassette 13 is positioned with respect to the image forming apparatus body 100A.

Here, FIGS. 22( b ) to ( d ) are diagrams for explaining the installation process of the coupling member 28 and the main body drive shaft 101 between FIGS. 22 ( a ) and 22 ( e ). In addition, the main body drive shaft 101 hangs downward in the direction of gravity only at a slight angle due to its own weight.

23(a) is a diagram for explaining a state in which the main body drive transmission groove 101a and the engaging portion 73 (drive receiving surface 73a) are out of phase.

As described using FIG. 21( b ), the drum cassette 13 rides on the deep-side cassette lower guide 107 . That is, the drum cartridge 13 gradually increases its inclination until it reaches the state shown in FIGS. 21( a ) to 21 ( b ), and becomes a state in which the inclination is about 0.5 to 2°. Next, the drum cassette 13 rides on the deep side cassette lower guide 107 .

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 22( a ), the coupling member 28 is inclined by about 0.5 to 100° in the state in which the drum cartridge 13 is positioned with respect to the image forming apparatus body 100A (as shown in FIG. 22( e )). The main body drive shaft 101 is inserted in a state of about 2°.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the main body drive shaft 101 supports the bearing portion 101d on one side. Moreover, the gear part 101e meshes with the gear (not shown) which transmits a drive to the gear part 101e. FIG. 22( a ) is a diagram showing a state in which the main body drive shaft 101 is not in contact with the coupling member 28 . In this state, the image forming apparatus main body 100A is positioned with respect to the drum cartridge 13 (as shown in FIG. 22(e) ), and the bearing portion 101d is used as the center of rotation, and the direction determined by its own weight and the engaging direction is θ1 falls.

As shown in FIG. 22( b ), first, the front end of the inner peripheral surface 71 b of the cylindrical portion 71 of the coupling member 28 abuts on the rough guide portion 101 g of the main body drive shaft 101 . As shown in the figure, the main body drive shaft 101 is supported by the bearing portion 101d on one side. Therefore, the rough guide portion 101g of the main body drive shaft 101 is inserted into the main body drive shaft 101 in a state of following the inner peripheral surface 71b of the coupling member 28 without being separated. As described above, the engaging portion 73 is tied in the Z direction, and the length L2 of the drive receiving surface 73 is L1> with respect to the distance L1 from the front end face of the cylindrical portion 71 to the front end face of the engaging portion 73 . The L2 relationship is configured in a way (as shown in Figure 14). Therefore, before the hemispherical shape 101 c of the front end of the main body drive shaft 101 abuts the engaging portion 73 , the rough guide portion 101 g of the main body drive shaft 101 follows the inner peripheral surface 71 b of the coupling member 28 . Thereby, the main body drive shaft 101 and the coupling member 28 are guided. Thereby, the hemispherical shape 101c of the front end of the main body drive shaft 101 can be prevented from colliding with the engaging portion 73 or the base portion 74 in unexpected places, and such damage can be prevented.

As shown in FIG. 22( c ), from FIG. 22( b ), the coupling member 28 is further inserted toward the deep side of the main body drive shaft 101 , so that the insertion inclined surface 73 d of the engaging portion 73 and the hemispherical shape of the front end of the main body drive shaft 101 101c abuts. The main body drive shaft 101 is guided to approximately the center of the three engaging portions 73 by the inclined surface of the insertion inclined surface 73d and the spherical shape of the hemispherical shape 101c.

Furthermore, when the coupling member 28 is inserted into the main body drive shaft 101, the base portion 74 is elastically deformed radially outward so that the engaging portion 73 follows the hemispherical shape 101c. As a result, as shown in FIG. 23( a ), the engaging portion 73 moves (retracts) to the outer diameter of the shaft portion 101 f of the main body drive shaft 101 . By this movement, as shown in FIG. 22(d), the pull-out inclined surface 73e of the engaging portion 73 pulls out the inclined surface 101i from the main body side of the main body drive shaft 101 to the deep side in the Z direction, and the coupling member 28 is attached to the The main body drives the shaft 101 . As described above, the base portion 74 has the elastically deformable root-side extending portion 74t and the folded-back portion 74r. When the engaging portion 73 moves radially outward, the base portion 74 elastically deforms the base extension portion 74t and the turn-back portion 74r, respectively, so that a smaller force can be used compared to a configuration in which only the base extension portion 74t is elastically deformed. Deformed radially outward. Therefore, the attaching force of the drum cartridge 13 to the image forming apparatus main body 100A can be kept low.

Moreover, since the base part 74 has the turn-back part 74r, it can arrange|position in a limited space in the Z direction.

As described above, the mounting force of the drum cartridge 13 to the image forming apparatus main body 100A can be kept low without increasing the size of the flange member 70 in the Z2 direction.

Thereafter, as described above, the drum cartridge 13 is lifted so that the drum unit bearing member 39L of the drum cartridge 13 abuts against the front-side cartridge positioning portion 110 . When the drum cartridge 13 is lifted, the drum cartridge 13 is positioned to the image forming apparatus main body 100A (as shown in FIG. 21( d )). By this action of the drum cartridge 13, as shown in FIG. 22(e), the inclination of the coupling member 28 is released.

Next, when the main body drive shaft 101 is rotated, as shown in FIG. 23( b ), the main body drive transmission groove 101 a and the engaging portion 73 are in the same phase. Thereby, at least a part of the elastic deformation of the base portion 74 is canceled, a part of the engaging portion 73 enters the main body drive transmission groove 101 a, and the coupling member 28 is engaged with the main body drive shaft 101 .

In addition, when the phase of the main body drive transmission groove 101a and the engaging portion 73 is well matched, the elastic deformation of the base portion 74 is released at the stage of FIG. 22(d), and the state of FIG. The driving force is transmitted to the drum cartridge 13 through the coupling member 28 .

As described above, as the drum cartridge 13 is attached to the apparatus main body 100A, the main body drive transmission groove 101a and the engaging portion 73 into a state that can be engaged. Therefore, it is not necessary to move the main body drive shaft 101 to engage with the coupling member 28 . In short, it is not necessary to provide the apparatus main body 100A of the image forming apparatus with a mechanism for moving the main body drive shaft 101 so as to be engaged with the coupling member 28 . The mechanism for engaging the main body drive shaft 101 with the coupling unit 28 after the drum cartridge 13 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100A can be omitted from the apparatus main body 100A.

In addition, when the drum cartridge 13 is attached to the apparatus main body 100A, the engaging portion 73 of the coupling member 28 is configured to retreat radially outward by contacting the main body drive shaft 101 . Next, when the engaging portion 73 is moved radially inward, it is engaged with the groove of the main body drive shaft 101 (the main body drive transmission groove 101a).

Here, a groove for receiving driving may be provided in the coupling member, or a movable portion that can be engaged with the groove by moving in the radial direction may be provided on the main body drive shaft 101 side. However, the image forming apparatus body 100A is required to have higher durability than the drum cartridge 13 . It is preferable to provide the movable portion (the engaging portion 73 ) that can move in the diametrical direction on the coupling member 28 side of the drum cartridge 13 as in the present embodiment to improve the durability of the image forming apparatus body 100A.

[According to the drive of the coupling member of the drive shaft of the main body]

The transmission of the rotational drive from the main body drive shaft 101 to the coupling member 28 will be described with reference to FIG. 15 .

When the driving receiving surface 73a of the coupling member 28 is in contact with the driving transmission surface 101b of the main body, the cleaning blade 26, the charging roller 22, etc. The light-body drum unit 30 provides the load. That is, the drive receiving surface 73a rotates integrally with the drive transmission surface 101b while receiving the load (driving force) F1.

When the driving receiving surface 73a receives the driving force F1, the angle between the supported surface 74i and the driving receiving surface 73a is an acute angle, so it can be decomposed into a component Fv perpendicular to the supported surface 74i and a component Fh parallel to the supported surface 74i. As shown in FIG. 15 , the component Fv in the vertical direction is transmitted to the supported surface 74 i on the opposite side to the driving receiving surface 73 a of the engaging portion 73 . The engaging portion 73 is supported (backed up) by the attaching portion 72 through the supporting portion 33j and the rib 77e, so that the engaging portion 73 is hardly deformed on the downstream side in the rotational direction.

When the engaging portion 73 receives the component Fv in the parallel direction, the contact surface 74h abuts on the shaft portion 101f of the main body drive shaft 101, and the engaging portion 73 is supported (backed up).

In addition, by the component Fv of the force parallel to the supported surface 74i, the engaging portion 73 (the drive receiving surface 73a) is pushed radially inward toward the inside of the drive transmission groove 101a.

In short, the supporting surface 33t of the supporting portion 33j, or the supported surface 74i, is inclined with respect to the drive receiving surface 73a. As a result, the drive receiving surface 73a receives the force from the drive transmission groove 101a of the main body drive shaft 101, and when the supported surface 74i contacts the support surface 33t, the engaging portion 73 moves radially inward along the support surface 33t. In short, the supporting surface 33t or the supported surface 74i is inclined toward the drive receiving surface 73a, and when the supporting surface 33t and the supported surface 74i come into contact with each other, a force that pushes the engaging portion 73 radially inward is generated.

In the cross section shown in FIG. 15, the straight line extending along the drive receiving surface 73a and the straight line extending along the support surface 33t intersect at the outer side in the radial direction of the coupling member than the driving force receiving surface 73a.

In addition, in the radial direction of the coupling member 28, the support surface 33t is inclined so that the inner diameter side thereof is arranged on the downstream side in the rotational direction rather than the outer diameter side. The same applies to the supported surface 74i.

Further, the driving force receiving surface 73 a provided in the engaging portion 73 is an inclined portion inclined with respect to the moving direction of the engaging portion 73 . The engaging portion 73 is movable so as to be retractable toward the radially outer side of the coupling member 28, and the driving force receiving surface 73a is inclined in this direction.

In other words, in a state where the driving force receiving surface 73a is in contact with the driving transmission groove 101a, the driving receiving surface 73a is inclined so that the driving receiving surface 73a bites into the driving transmission groove 101a. Therefore, in a state where the drive receiving surface 73a receives the driving force from the drive transmission groove 101a, the engaging portion 73 is not easily retracted from the drive transmission groove 101a. In short, the engagement state between the engagement portion 73 and the drive transmission groove 101a is stabilized.

More specifically, the inner diameter side (front end side) of the coupling member 28 is disposed on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the coupling member 28 rather than the outer diameter side (rear end side) of the drive receiving surface 73a. In short, 73 a is inclined so as to face at least the radially outer side of the coupling member 28 . In short, the normal vector extending to the side facing the drive receiving surface 73a perpendicular to the drive receiving surface 73a has a component toward the outside in the radial direction.

Therefore, when the coupling member 28 (the photoreceptor drum unit 30 ) rotates, the force received by the driving receiving surface 73 a causes the engaging portion 73 to move toward the present The body drive transmission groove 101a operates in the direction in which it engages. In short, the engaging portion 73 is pushed inward in the radial direction by the driving force received by the driving receiving surface 73a. As a result, the engagement state between the engaging portion 73 and the main body driving transmission groove 101a is stable, and the disengagement of the engaging portion 73 and the main body driving transmission groove 101a is suppressed.

As a result of the above configuration, the drive receiving surface 73a can be stably abutted against the main body drive receiving surface 101a, and the photoreceptor drum unit 30 can be pulled into the main body drive shaft 101 toward the bearing portion 101d. In addition, even if the load F1 fluctuates, the engaging portion 73 is supported as described above, so that deformation of the engaging portion is suppressed. Therefore, the rotation amount of the photoreceptor drum 1 also hardly changes, and as a result, the quality of the image quality can be maintained.

Moreover, in this Example, the support part 33i is provided in the alignment member (positioning member) 33. However, the support portion 33i may be a member different from the alignment member 33 .

In short, the support portion 33i may be a member different from the positioning portion (reverse conical shape 33a) for positioning the drum unit 30 of the main body drive shaft 101.

[Removal of the coupling member from the main body drive shaft]

The operation of pulling out the coupling member 28 from the main body drive shaft 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 24 .

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of pulling out the coupling member 28 from the main body drive shaft 101 .

As shown in Fig. 24(a), the rotation of the main body drive shaft 101 When the driving stops, the driving receiving surface 73 and the main body driving transmitting surface 101b are in a state of abutting. In this state, a part of the engaging portion 73 enters the main body drive transmission groove 101a.

When the cassette door 104 is opened, the front cassette lower guide 109 descends, and the drum unit bearing member 39L is separated from the front cassette positioning portion 110 of the image forming apparatus body 100A. At this time, as shown in FIG. 24( b ), the coupling member 28 and the main body drive shaft 101 are inclined by about 0.5 to 2° with respect to the completed mounting state (Z direction).

When the drum cartridge 13 starts to be removed from the image forming apparatus body 100A, as shown in FIG. 24( c ), the removal inclined surface 73e of the engaging portion 73 collides with the main body side removal inclined surface 101i. When the slanted surface 73e is pulled out, the base 74 starts to elastically deform because it interferes with the pull-out gradient 101i on the body side, and the engaging portion 73 moves radially outward along the slanted surface 101i on the body side.

Furthermore, when the coupling member 28 is pulled out from the main body drive shaft 101 , the base portion 74 is further elastically deformed, and the engaging portion 73 is moved to the outer diameter of the shaft portion 101 f of the main body drive shaft 101 . By moving the engaging portion 73 to the outer diameter of the shaft portion 101f, as shown in FIG. 24( d ), the coupling member 28 can be pulled out from the main body drive shaft 101 .

Furthermore, when the coupling member 28 is pulled out from the main body drive shaft 101, as shown in FIG. 24(e), the elastic deformation of the base portion 74 is released, and the position of the engaging portion 73 also returns to the position before elastic deformation.

As described above, by using the coupling member of the present embodiment, the enlargement of the flange member 70 in the Z2 direction can be suppressed. Next, you can put the drum cartridge The attachment force of the image forming apparatus body 100A can be kept low, the variation in the rotation amount of the photoreceptor drum 1 can be suppressed, and the image quality can be maintained.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the base portion 74 is provided with the folded portions 74r at one place, but a configuration having a plurality of folded portions 74r is also possible as long as it can be arranged in the space of the inner peripheral surface 72m of the coupling member 28 .

For example, the following configurations may be considered to be arranged in order from the fixed end of the base portion 74 toward the free end. That is, (1) an extension portion extending inward in the axial direction, (2) a folded portion, (3) an extension portion extending outward in the axial direction, (4) a turning portion, and (5) extending inward in the axial direction the extension. In this case, the base portion 74 has three extending portions in an S-shape. When there is one or a plurality of turned-back portions, the base portion 74 has at least a first extending portion and a second extending portion extending in mutually different directions in the axial direction. In the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 13, 14, etc., among the root side extension portion 74t and the free end side extension portion 74s extending in different directions, one corresponds to the first extension portion, and the other corresponds to the second extension portion. Department.

For example, if the free end side extension portion 74s originally arranged on the free end side of the support portion is the first extension portion, the base side extension portion 74t which is continuous therewith is the second extension portion. In this case, it can also be said that the first extension portion (74s) extends from the second extension portion (74t) toward the free end of the support portion, and the second extension portion (74t) extends from the fixed end of the support portion toward the first extension portion (74t). 74s) extension.

<Example 2>

The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 30 .

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 128 related to the present embodiment cut at the center of the rotation axis (the center of the rotation axis).

26 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 128 and the main body drive shaft 101 related to the present embodiment, which are cut through the position of the drive receiving surface 73a in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

FIG. 27 is a diagram and a cross-sectional view of the flange member 170 of the present embodiment viewed from the outside in the Z direction.

FIG. 28 is a view and a side view of the inner cylindrical member 140 of the present embodiment viewed from the Z1 side to the Z2 side.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing an assembling process of the coupling member 128 related to the present embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an assembling process of the coupling member 128 related to the present embodiment as seen from the outside and the side in the Z direction.

When the elements of this embodiment correspond to the elements described in the first embodiment, the same names are given. For these elements, the configurations, functions, etc., which are different from those of the elements in the above-mentioned embodiments, will be described in detail, and the description of the elements similar to those of the above-mentioned elements may be omitted.

In addition, about the element substantially equivalent to the element of the above-mentioned embodiment, the same name is attached|subjected and the same code|symbol is used, and a detailed description is abbreviate|omitted.

In Embodiment 1, the coupling member 28 is divided into two parts, such as the flange member 70 and the alignment member 33, and is constituted. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the coupling member 128 is formed by the flange member 170 and the inner cylinder as shown in FIG. 25 . The member 140 constitutes.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 27 , the flange member 170 includes a mounting portion 172 , a cylindrical portion 171 , a flange portion 175 , a force receiving portion 177 , an alignment portion 133 a , and a cylindrical member pressing portion 178 . As shown in FIG. 28 , the inner cylindrical member 140 has a base portion 174 , an engaging portion 173 , a fitting portion 140 a , a drop-out preventing portion 140 b , and a rotation preventing portion 140 c .

The base portion 174 and the engaging portion 173, like the base portion 74 and the engaging portion 73 of the first embodiment, form a support portion for supporting the driving force receiving portion (the driving receiving surface 173a). The supporting parts (174, 173) are buckles with a U-shape. The inner cylindrical member 140 is a driving force receiving member that receives the driving force from the device body through the driving receiving surface 173a (refer to FIG. 28 ) provided in the engaging portion 173 .

The flange member 170 is a transmitted member that transmits the driving force from the inner cylindrical member 140 .

(Explanation of flange member)

As described above, the flange member 170 has the attachment portion 172 , the cylindrical portion 171 , the flange portion 175 , the force receiving portion 177 , the reverse conical shape 133 a , and the cylindrical member pressing portion 178 , as shown in FIG. 27 .

The mounting portion 172 is a portion to be mounted on the photoreceptor drum 1, similarly to the mounting portion 72 of the first embodiment. The mounting portion 172 is pressed into the inner periphery of the photoreceptor drum 1 by being attached to the inner periphery of the photoreceptor drum 1 .

The cylindrical portion 171 has a bearing portion equivalent to the bearing portion 71c of the first embodiment, and the drum unit bearing mechanism is rotatably supported by the bearing portion. Piece 39R.

The flange portion 175 has a shape that determines the position of the photoreceptor drum 1 and the coupling member 128 in the Z direction, as in the first embodiment.

The force receiving portion 177 is shaped to prevent the engagement portion 173 from being deformed downstream in the rotational direction when the coupling member 128 is driven by the main body drive shaft 101 , abuts against the supported surface 174i of the inner cylinder described later. That is, in the state of the coupling member 128 , it is arranged on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the engaging portion 173 .

The force receiving portion 177 is parallel to the supported surface 174i, has a receiving surface 177a abutting against the supported surface 174i, and a rib 177e arranged perpendicular to the receiving surface 177a and extending from the inner diameter end of the receiving surface to the mounting portion 172 .

The receiving surface 177a is a support portion for suppressing the movement of the engaging portion 173 (drive receiving surface 173a ) in the circumferential direction of the flange member 128 . Moreover, the flange member 170 is a support member which has a support part (receiving surface 177a).

Furthermore, when the receiving surface 177a is in contact with the supported surface 174i, the driving force is transmitted from the inner cylindrical member 140. That is, the driving force received by the driving receiving surface 173a of the engaging portion 173 from the device body is transmitted from the inner cylindrical member 140 to the cylinder member 170 through the supported surface 174i and the receiving surface 177a. The receiving surface 177 a is a transmitted portion for transmitting the driving force from the inner cylindrical member 140 .

The reverse conical shape 133a is the same as that of the first embodiment, and has a substantially reversed conical shape. In the Z direction, the center 101h of the hemispherical shape 101c of the main body drive shaft 101 is arranged on the convex side so as to be within the range of the drive receiving surface 173a in a state where the contact portion 133e is in contact with the hemispherical shape 101c. Edge member 170 .

The cylindrical member pressing portion 178 is a clearance provided on the deep side (Z2 side) of the force receiving portion 177 .

As shown in FIG. 25 , within the inner peripheral surface 172 m of the mounting portion 172 , the radius R19 of the position corresponding to the engaging portion 173 in the radial direction is larger than the radius R12 of the inner peripheral surface 171 b of the cylindrical portion 171 .

(About the inner cylinder)

As described above, the inner cylinder 140 has the base portion 174 of the support portion, the engaging portion 173 of the support portion, the fitting portion 140a, the fall-off preventing portion 140b, and the rotation preventing portion 140c (as shown in FIG. 28 ).

The engaging portion 173 has a drive receiving surface 173a as in the first embodiment.

The base portion 174 has a root-side extension portion 174t, a folded-back portion 174r, and a free-end side extension portion 174s, as in the first embodiment. The free end side extension portion 174s has a backup surface 174i and a contact surface 174h.

In the present embodiment, each of the root side extension portion 174t and the free end side extension portion 174s respectively extends in opposite directions to each of the root side extension portion 74t and the free end side extension portion 74s of the first embodiment.

The root-side extension portion 174t, which is based on the root portion 174a, is approximately parallel to the rotational axis of the flange member 170, and extends in the Z1 direction (outer side in the direction of the drum unit axis), and is disposed to the root-side extension portion 174s or the engaging portion 173. radially outside.

The folded-back portion 174r continuously connects the root-side extension The fixed end side of 174s and the bent portion on the free end side of the root side extension portion 174t.

At the root side extending portion 174s, the engaging portion 173 is provided in almost the entire area thereof. The engaging portion 173 is a protruding portion included in the root-side extending portion 174s, and a driving force receiving portion (a driving receiving surface 173a) is provided in the engaging portion 173 .

Each of the base portion 174, the root-side extension portion 174t and the folded-back portion 174r is elastically deformed. Compared with the configuration in which only the fundamental side extension portion 174t is elastically deformed, it can be deformed radially outward with a small force. This is the same as Example 1.

Both the free end side of the engaging portion 173 (the front end side of the free end extending portion 174s) and the base portion 174a of the base portion 174 are arranged on the Z2 side rather than the folded portion 174r.

The fitting portion 140a is arranged on the deeper side than the base portion 174 and the engaging portion 173, and by being fitted into the outer peripheral surface of the aligning portion 133a, the center of the flange member 170 and the inner cylindrical member 140 can be aligned with high precision. used part.

The drop-off preventing portion 140 b is a portion for preventing the inner cylindrical member 140 from falling off from the flange member 170 . More specifically, the inner cylindrical member 140 is prevented from falling off by entering the cylindrical member pressing portion 178 after being incorporated into the flange member 170 . As shown in FIG. 29( a ), the falling-off preventing portion 140 b is provided with a flange on the upstream side in the rotational direction in a state in which the flange member 170 is incorporated into the inner cylindrical member 140 (shown in FIG. 29( b )). The clearance portion 140d where the force receiving portion 177 of the member 170 interferes.

The rotation preventing portion 140c restricts the rotation of the inner cylindrical member 140 to the upstream side in the rotational direction after the flange member 170 is incorporated into the inner cylindrical member 140, and the falling-off preventing portion 140b is a portion for preventing the separation by the cylindrical member pressing portion 178 . As shown in Fig. 28(B), it is a snap shape.

(Assembly of coupling member)

As described above, the coupling member 128 is composed of the flange member 170 and the inner cylindrical member 140 . Assembly of the coupling member 128 will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30 .

29( c ) and FIG. 30( c ) respectively show the assembled state of the coupling member 128 .

First, as shown in FIGS. 29( a ) and 30 ( a ), the flange member 170 is assembled with the inner cylindrical member 140 from the Z1 side toward the Z2 side. At this time, the inner cylindrical member 140 is assembled with the phase on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the coupling member 128 in the assembled state shown in FIGS. 29( c ) and 30 ( c ). In this phase, the clearance portion 140d of the anti-dropping portion 140b and the phase of the force receiving portion 177 are coincident. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 29( b ) and 30 ( b ), in the Z direction, the drop-off preventing portion 140 b is assembled to the clearance provided on the deep side of the force receiving portion 177 , which is the same as the cylindrical member pressing portion 178 . Location. At this time, the fitting portion 140a of the inner cylindrical member 140 is fitted into the outer periphery of the reverse conical shape 133a of the flange member 170, so that the rotation center of the flange member 170 and the inner cylindrical member 140 can be precisely matched. In addition, at this time, the snap-shaped anti-rotation portion 140c is in a flexed state.

After that, as shown in Fig. 29(c) and Fig. 30(c), the convex The edge member 170 rotates the inner cylindrical member 140 to the downstream side in the rotational direction. By this rotation, the supported surface 174i of the engaging portion 173 of the inner cylindrical member 140 and the receiving surface 177a of the force receiving portion 177 of the flange member 170 can come into contact with each other. In addition, at this time, the deflection of the snap-shaped anti-rotation portion 140c is released, and the mounting of the inner cylindrical member 140 to the flange member 170 is completed.

That is, with respect to the flange member 170, the movement in the rotational direction of the inner cylindrical member 140 is restricted. In short, the inner cylindrical member 140 is on the downstream side in the rotational direction, and the supported surface 174i can be rotated within a range until the supported surface 174i comes into contact with the receiving surface 177a. On the upstream side in the rotational direction, the inner cylindrical member 140 is rotatable within a range until the anti-rotation portion 140c comes into contact with the flange member 170 .

[According to the drive of the coupling member of the drive shaft of the main body]

The transmission of the rotational drive from the main body drive shaft 101 to the coupling member 128 will be described with reference to FIG. 26 .

When the drive receiving surface 173a of the coupling member 128 collides with the main body drive transmission surface 101b, the drive receiving surface 173a receives the load (driving force) F1 as in the first embodiment and rotates integrally with the drive transmission surface 101b.

When the driving receiving surface 173a receives the driving force F1, the angle between the supported surface 174i and the driving receiving surface 173a is an acute angle, so it can be decomposed into the component Fv perpendicular to the supported surface 174i and the component Fh in the horizontal direction. As shown in Fig. 15, the component Fv in the vertical direction is transmitted to the The supported surface 174i on the opposite side of the driving receiving surface 173a of the coupling portion 173 is provided. Since the engaging portion 173 is supported (backed up) by the mounting portion 172 through the rib 177e, the engaging portion 173 is hardly deformed on the downstream side in the rotational direction. In addition, when the engaging portion 173 receives the component Fh in the vertical direction, the contact surface 174h abuts on the shaft portion 101f of the main body drive shaft 101, and the engaging portion 173 is supported (backed up).

As a result, the drive receiving surface 73a can be stably abutted against the main body drive receiving surface 101a, and the photoreceptor drum unit 30 can be pulled into the main body drive shaft 101 toward the bearing portion 101d side. In addition, even if the load F1 varies, the engaging portion 73 is supported as described above and hardly deforms, so the rotation amount of the photoreceptor drum 1 is hardly changed, and the image quality can be maintained.

<Example 3>

The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 to 34 .

FIG. 31 is a sectional view of the flange member 270 according to the present embodiment cut at the center of the rotation axis (the center of the rotation axis).

32 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 228 and the main body drive shaft 101 related to the present embodiment cut at a position passing through the base portion 274 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the alignment member 233 related to this embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing other types of the coupling member 228 related to this embodiment.

Among the elements of the present embodiment, those corresponding to the elements described in the foregoing embodiments are given the same names as the elements of the foregoing embodiments. The configurations, functions, and the like that are different from those of the above-mentioned elements will be described in detail, and the description of the same elements as those of the above-mentioned elements may be omitted.

In addition, among the elements of the present embodiment, the elements that are substantially equivalent to those of the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same names and used the same symbols, and detailed descriptions are omitted. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31 , the root-side extending portion 274 is disposed on the downstream side in the rotational direction to the engaging portion 273 , and the root portion (fixed end) 274a faces the Z2 direction (the difference between the axial direction of the drum unit 30 ). inside) extended. Next, the root-side extension portion 274t is arranged to be approximately parallel to the rotational axis of the flange member 270 . Further, the folded-back portion 274r is formed continuously with the root-side extension portion 274t, and is also a portion continuously connected with the free-end extension portion 274s.

The free end side extension portion 274s extends in the axial direction from the turn-back portion 274r toward the Z1 direction (outer side in the axial direction of the drum unit 30).

An engaging portion (protrusion) 273 is formed on the free end side extension portion 274s.

The turn-back portion 274r is disposed on the deep side (Z2 side) of the photo-drum unit 30 in the axial direction with respect to the engaging portion 273 .

In addition, in the present embodiment, the free end side extension portion 274s and the root side extension portion 274t are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction (rotation direction) of the drum unit 30 . In other words, the free end side extension portion 274s and the root side extension portion 274t are arranged in the circumferential direction (rotation direction) placed in mutually offset positions. In addition, in other words, the free end side extension portion 274s is disposed upstream of the root side extension portion 274t in the rotational direction (see FIG. 32 ). This point is different from Example 1.

In addition, the supporting portion for movably supporting the driving force receiving portion (the driving receiving surface 273a) is the same as that of the first embodiment in that the base portion 274 and the engaging portion 273 are formed.

The aligning member 233 has a reverse conical shape 233a, a fitting portion 233b, a disengagement preventing portion 233c, and a support portion 233j (as shown in FIG. 33 ), as in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 32 , the transmission of the driving force F1 when the coupling member 228 of the main body drive shaft 101 is driven is also the same as that of the first embodiment. The configuration of support is also the same as that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the aligning member 233 is also a supporting member and also a positioning member.

In addition, when the cassette 1 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the engaging portion 273 moves radially outward. At this time, since the base portion 274 is elastically deformed by the fundamental side extension portion 274t and the folded portion 274r, the cassette 1 can be mounted with a low load, as in the first embodiment.

In addition, in the present embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the root side extending portion 274t, the engaging portion 273 or the free end side extending portion 274s are arranged on the downstream side in the rotational direction. However, the root side extension portion 274t may be arranged on the upstream side in the rotational direction with respect to the engaging portion 273 or the free end side extension portion 274s (see FIG. 34( a )). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 34( b ), the base side extension portion 274t is aligned with the engaging portion 273 or the free end side extension portion 274s A configuration arranged on both the upstream side and the downstream side in the rotational direction may be used. At this time, although it is a matter of course, the folded-back portions 274r are also arranged on both sides of the engaging portion 273 or the free end side extending portion 274s.

In short, in the structure shown in FIG.34(b), the support part (273,274) has two base side extension parts 274t for supporting the free end side extension part 274s. In other words, the free end side extension portion 274s is connected to the two root side extension portions 274t through the two folded portions 274r. Such support parts (273, 274) have an M-shape (see Fig. 34(b) ).

<Example 4>

The fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 35 to 41 .

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 328 related to the present embodiment taken along the center of the rotation axis (the center of the rotation axis).

FIG. 36 is a view and a cross-sectional view of the flange member 370 of the present embodiment viewed from the outside in the Z direction.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the inner cylindrical member 340 related to this embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the alignment member 333 related to this embodiment.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram related to the assembly of the coupling member 328 of the present embodiment.

40, the coupling member 328 related to the present embodiment is cut off at the position passing through the drive transmission surface 373a in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. A cross-sectional view of the body drive shaft 101 .

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the inner cylindrical member 340 related to this embodiment.

The elements corresponding to the elements described in the foregoing embodiments are given the same names as those in the foregoing embodiments. The configurations, functions, and the like that are different from those of the above-mentioned elements will be described in detail, and the description of the same elements as those of the above-mentioned elements may be omitted.

In addition, among the elements of the present embodiment, the elements that are substantially equivalent to those of the above-mentioned embodiments are given the same names and used the same symbols, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

In this embodiment, the difference from Embodiment 3 will be described in detail. Each of the free end side extension portion 374s and the fixed end side extension portion 374t of the present embodiment is different from the free end side extension portion 274s and the fixed end side extension portion 274t of the third embodiment in a different extension direction.

Further, in the third embodiment, the coupling member 228 is constituted by the flange member 270 and the alignment member 233 , and the flange member 270 is constituted by the engaging portion 273 and the base portion 274 . Further, in the base portion 274, the folded portion 274r is disposed on the deep side (Z2 side) of the engaging portion.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, the coupling member 328 is constituted by the flange member 370 , the inner cylindrical member 340 , and the alignment member 333 as shown in FIG. 35 . The inner cylindrical member 340 is a driving force receiving member as in the second embodiment, and the aligning member 333 is a support portion as in the second embodiment, and is also a transmitted member and a positioning member.

More specifically, flange member 370, as shown in Figure 36 As shown, it has a mounting portion 372 , a cylindrical portion 371 , a flange portion 375 , and a force receiving portion 377 .

Further, the inner cylindrical member 340 has a base portion 374, an engaging portion 373, and a fitting portion 340a, as shown in FIG. 37 . The base portion 374 has a base portion extending portion 374t and a folded portion 374r as in the third embodiment.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 37 , the root-side extending portion 374t is disposed on the downstream side in the rotational direction with respect to the engaging portion 373 or the free-end-side extending portion 374s. The root-side extending portion 374t extends from the root portion 374a in the Z1 direction (outer side in the axial direction of the drum unit 30 ), and is disposed approximately parallel to the rotational axis of the flange member 370 . Moreover, the folded-back portion 374r is formed continuously with the root-side extension portion 374t, and is continuously connected with the free-end extension portion 374s.

The folded-back portion 374r is disposed on the Z1 side with respect to the front end of the free end side extension portion 374s (the free end of the engaging portion 373).

The free end side extension portion 374s extends in the Z2 direction (inward in the axial direction of the drum unit 30 ) from the turn-back portion 374r, and is disposed approximately parallel to the rotational axis of the flange member 370 .

The engaging portion 373 is formed in almost the entire area of the free end side extension portion 374s. The engaging portion 373 is provided with a driving force receiving portion, that is, a driving receiving surface 373a.

As shown in FIG. 38 , the aligning member 333 has a reverse conical shape 333a, an aligning member fitting portion 333i, a fall-off preventing portion 333j, and an inner cylindrical member fitted portion 333k.

Alignment member fitting portion 333i, as shown in FIG. 39, and flange member The inner peripheral surface 372m (see FIG. 36 ) of the attachment portion 372 of the 370 is fitted. As shown in FIG. 38, the drop-out preventing portion 333j has a snap shape extending in the Z direction. The flange member 370, as shown in FIG. 39, has a hole shape 372b at a place corresponding to the detachment preventing portion 333j. The inner cylindrical member fitting portion 333k is fitted into the fitting portion 340a of the inner cylindrical member 340 as shown in FIG. 39 .

As shown in FIG. 39 , the inner cylindrical member 340 and the alignment member 333 are assembled to the flange member 370 from the Z2 side to the Z1 side, and the coupling member 328 is completed. As shown in FIG. 35 , in the assembled state of the coupler 328 , the inner cylindrical member 340 is clamped by the flange member 370 and the aligning member 333 to restrict the movement in the Z direction. The inner cylindrical member 340 is configured to be rotatably assembled to the flange member 370 within a range where the engaging portion 373 collides with the force receiving portion 377 on the upstream side and the downstream side in the rotational direction.

When the coupling member 328 is driven by the main body drive shaft 101, as in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 40, the supported surface 374i of the engaging portion 373 is supported by the mounting portion 372 through the rib 377e of the force receiving portion 377 . Therefore, the engaging portion 373 hardly deforms on the downstream side in the rotational direction.

In addition, when the cartridge 1 is attached to the main body 100 of the image forming apparatus as in the first embodiment, when the engaging portion 373 moves radially outward, the base portion 374 is elastically deformed by the fundamental side extending portion 374t and the folded portion 374r. The cassette 1 can be installed with a low load.

In addition, in the present embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the inner cylindrical member 340 is provided with the base-side extending portion 374t and the engaging portion 373 on the screw. Turn to the downstream side. However, as shown in FIG. 41( a ), the inner cylindrical member 340 may be arranged on the upstream side in the rotational direction, or may be arranged on both sides in the rotational direction as shown in FIG. 41( b ).

Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment and the aforementioned embodiments 1 to 3, the configuration of the coupling member of the drum cartridge 13 for receiving the driving force for driving the photoreceptor drum 1 has been described.

In short, the aforementioned coupling members ( 28 , 128 , 228 , 328 ) can be provided in the developing cartridge 4 . In this case, the driving force for driving the elements for driving the coupling members ( 28 , 128 , 228 , 328 ) on the developing roller 17 , the toner supply roller 18 , the stirring member 23 , etc., and the developing cartridge 4 is received. An example of such a configuration will be described in detail in Examples 5 and 6 below.

<Example 5>

The fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 42 to 57 .

In this embodiment, the coupling member 528 provided in the developing cartridge 4 for driving the developing roller 17 , the toner supply roller 18 , and the stirring member 23 of the developing cartridge 4 will be described. In addition, the main body drive shaft 5101 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100A in order to transmit the driving force to the coupling member 528 will be described.

In the aforementioned Embodiments 1 to 4, the structure of the driving connection portion (coupling member and the main body drive shaft 101 ) of the apparatus body and the drum cartridge has been explained. In this embodiment and the sixth embodiment to be described later, this configuration is applied to the drive connecting portion (the coupling member 528 and the present invention) of the apparatus main body and the developing cartridge. body drive shaft 5101).

That is, among the elements of the present embodiment, those corresponding to the elements described in the foregoing embodiments are given the same names as the foregoing elements. The configurations, functions, and the like that are different from those of the above-mentioned elements will be described in detail, and the description of the same elements as those of the above-mentioned elements may be omitted.

In addition, among the elements of the present embodiment, the same names and symbols are given to the elements equivalent to those of the above-mentioned embodiments, and the detailed description is omitted.

[The structure of the main body drive shaft]

The structure of the main body drive shaft 5101 will be described with reference to FIGS. 42 and 43 .

FIG. 42 is an external view of the main body drive shaft 5101 .

43 is a cross-sectional view taken along the rotation axis (rotation axis) of the main body drive shaft 5101 in a state of being attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 42, the main body drive shaft 5101 is constituted by a gear member 5101e, an intermediate member 5101p, an output member 5101q, and a drive transmission member 5101r.

The image forming apparatus body 100A is provided with a motor (not shown) as a drive source. The gear member 5101e is rotationally driven by this motor, and the main body drive shaft 5101 rotates by transmitting the drive in the order of the intermediate body 5101p, the output member 5101q, and the drive transmission member 5101r.

In addition, the gear member 5101e, the intermediate body 5101p, the output The member 5101q has the mechanism of the Oldham coupling, which can move a certain distance in the X and Y directions. Therefore, the drive transmission member 5101r provided on the cassette side of the main body drive shaft 5101 via the Oldham coupling can also move a certain distance in the X direction and the Y direction. Next, the drive transmission member 5101r includes a rotatable shaft portion 5101f, and the rotational driving force received by the motor is transmitted to the developing cartridge 4 side through a groove-shaped drive transmission groove 5101a (recess, drive transmission portion) provided in the shaft portion 5101f. In addition, the shaft portion 5101f has a conical shape 5101c at its tip.

The main body drive transmission groove 5101a has a shape into which a part of the engaging portion 573 described later can enter. Specifically, the main body drive transmission surface 5101b which is in contact with the drive receiving surface (drive receiving portion) 573a of the coupling member 528 as a surface for transmitting the driving force is provided.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 42, the main body drive transmission surface 5101b is not a plane, but has a twisted shape centering on the rotation axis of the main body drive shaft 5101. The torsion direction of the system body drive shaft 5101 in the Z1 direction side to the Z2 direction side is arranged in the direction of the upstream side in the rotational direction of the body drive shaft 5101 . The twist amount of the cylinder along the rotation axis direction of the engaging portion 573 in this embodiment is about 1° per 1 mm. The reason for adopting the shape of the twist body drive transmission surface 5101b will be described in detail later.

In addition, the body-side pulling-out inclined surface 5101i is provided on the surface of the body drive transmission groove 5101a on the Z2 direction side. The main body side pull-out gradient 5101i is a gradient (inclined) for assisting the engaging portion 573 to be pulled out from the drive transmission groove 5101a when the developing cartridge 4 is detached from the apparatus main body 100A. face, inclined part).

As shown in FIG. 43, the supported portion 5101d provided in the gear member 5101e is rotatably supported (supported) by the bearing member 5102 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100A. Next, the output member 5101q is rotatably supported by the coupler holder 5101s. Further, the drive transmission member 5101r is supported by the output member 5101q so as to be movable in the Z direction, and is urged by the spring member 5103 to the side of the developing cartridge 4 (Z2 direction). However, the movable amount (play) in the Z direction of the drive transmission member 5101q is about 1 mm, which is sufficiently smaller than the width in the Z direction of the drive receiving surface 573a described later.

Further, the coupler holder 5101s is urged in the approximate Y2 direction by the acting spring 5101t. As will be described later, when the developing cartridge 4 is installed, the axis of the drive transmission member 5101r to the gear member 5101e is located in the Roughly offset the position in the Y2 direction.

As described above, the drive transmission member 5101r is provided with the main body drive transmission groove 5101a, and the coupling member 528 is provided with the engaging portion 573, so that the drive is transmitted from the apparatus main body 100A to the developing cartridge 4.

In addition, although the details will be described later, the engaging portion 573 is provided at the distal end of the base portion 574 so as to be elastically deformable. Therefore, when the developing cartridge 4 is attached to the apparatus main body 100A, the engaging portion 573 is configured to be movable radially outward. Accordingly, when the developing cartridge 4 is inserted into the apparatus main body 100A, the engaging portion 573 enters the drive transmission groove 5101a, and the engaging portion 573 and the main body drive transmission groove 5101a can be engaged with each other.

The engaging portion 573 has an external receiving drive from the developing cartridge 4. The driving force receiving part for power. It is the same as the foregoing embodiment in that the support portion for movably supporting the driving force receiving portion is formed by the base portion 574 and the engaging portion.

[Configuration of the coupling member]

Next, the coupling member 528 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , and 49 .

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 528 cut along the axis of rotation.

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of the cylinder member 570 cut along the axis of rotation.

46 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 528 and the main body drive shaft 5101 cut in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the coupling member 528 so as to pass through the drive receiving surface 573a.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the alignment member 533 .

FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating the assembly of the coupling member 528 .

49 is a sectional view of the developing cartridge 4 cut along the axis of the toner supply roller 20 and the developing roller 17. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 44 , the coupling member 528 is formed by combining the cylinder member 570 and the aligning member 533 as two bodies. However, depending on the selection of materials, molding methods, structures, etc., it is not necessary to use two members, and three or more members may be combined to form a configuration.

The cylinder member 570 is a driving force receiving member on which a drive receiving surface 573a for receiving the driving force from the apparatus main body is provided, as in the first embodiment. The alignment member 533 is a transmitted member that transmits the driving force from the cylinder member 570 as in the first embodiment. In addition, the aligning member 533 also suppresses the drive bearing The surface 573a moves toward the support member provided in the support portion of the cylinder member 570 in the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 48 , the alignment member 533 faces the axial direction (shown by the arrow) of the cylinder member 570 and is assembled to the cylinder member 570 . Furthermore, by rotating the aligning member 533 in the counterclockwise direction (shown by an arrow), the fall-off preventing portion 533c is engaged with the hook portion 572, and the aligning member 533 and the cylinder member 570 are unitized together.

(Explanation of flange member)

As shown in FIG. 45 , the cylinder member 570 has an engaging portion 573 and a base portion 574 as in the first embodiment. The engaging portion 573 and the base portion 574 are support portions for movably supporting the driving force receiving portion (the driving receiving surface 573 a ) as in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 46 , the engaging portions 573 are arranged at equal intervals (120° intervals, approximately equal intervals) in the circumferential direction of the coupling member 528 as shown in the first embodiment, and have drive receiving surfaces 573a. The base portion 574 has a backup surface 574i and a contact surface 574h.

The drive receiving surface 573a is a surface that transmits the driving force of the body drive shaft 5101 to the coupling member 528 by contacting the body drive transmission surface 5101b of the body drive shaft 5101 .

The contact surface 574h is the surface that abuts the shaft portion 5101f when the coupling member 528 is engaged with the main body drive shaft 5101, and the radius R51 of the arc forming the inner diameter thereof is approximately the same as the radius R52 of the shaft portion 5101f.

The supported portion 574i is the coupling member 528 and the main body drive shaft When the 5101 is engaged, the surface abutting on the receiving surface 577a of the force receiving portion 577 of the alignment member 533 described later is disposed on the downstream side in the rotational direction with respect to the driving receiving surface 573a (shown in FIG. 46 ). Moreover, as shown in FIG. 46, it arrange|positions so that the angle J comprised by the supported surface 574i and the drive receiving surface 573a may become an acute angle.

In addition, the phase of the rotational direction of the two points of the drive receiving surface 573a in contact with the drive transmission member 5101r may be different from each other. In short, the drive receiving surface 573a does not have to have a twisted shape as long as it has a configuration equivalent to that of a twisted surface. By making the drive receiving surface 573a twisted or inclined, when the drive receiving surface 573a receives driving, the coupling member 528 is applied with a force to be pulled into the outer side (Z1 direction side) of the developing cartridge 4 .

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 45, the engaging part 573 has the insertion inclined surface 573d which is the force receiving part at the time of attachment on the outer side (Z1 direction side) of the developing cartridge 4 in the Z direction. In addition, the engaging portion 573 has a pull-out inclined surface 573e serving as a force receiving portion at the time of detachment on the inner side (the Z2 direction side) of the developing cartridge 4 in the Z direction. Thereby, the attachability and detachability of the coupling member 4028 to the main body drive shaft 5101 can be improved.

At the time of installation, the insertion inclined surface 573d abuts on the conical shape 5101c, and the engaging portion 573 moves toward the radially outer side of the drive shaft. In addition, when pulling out, the pulling-out inclined surface 573e abuts on the main-body-side pulling-out inclined surface 5101i, and the engaging portion 573 moves toward the radially outer side of the main-body drive shaft 5101 .

The base portion 574 has a root side extension portion 574t, a folded portion 574r, and a free end side extension portion 574s, as in the first embodiment. with example Similarly, the root side extending portion 574t extends from the root portion 574a in the Z2 direction (inward in the axial direction of the developing roller) approximately parallel to the rotation axis of the cylinder member 570. The root-side extending portion 574t is disposed radially outward of the coupling member with respect to the engaging portion 573 or the free-end-side extending portion 574s.

The folded-back portion 574r is formed continuously with the root-side extension portion 574t, and is also a portion continuously connected with the free-end extension portion 574s.

The root-side extending portion 574t extends in the Z1 direction (outer side in the axial direction of the developing roller) from the turn-back portion 574r approximately parallel to the rotational axis of the cylinder member 570 .

Both the free end of the engaging portion 573 (the front end of the free end side extension portion 574s) and the base 574a of the base are arranged on the Z1 side rather than the folded portion 574r.

The engaging portion 573 is a protruding portion provided on the free end side extension portion 574s, and has a driving force receiving portion (driving receiving surface 573a).

As in the first embodiment, the engaging portion 573 can move in the radial direction of the coupling member 528 by elastic deformation of the base portion 574 . In other words, the base portion 574 is deformed by an external force, and has a restoring force (elastic force) in the return direction at the position in the natural state.

As in the first embodiment, when the coupling member 528 is engaged with the main body drive shaft 5101, the fundamental side extension portion 574t elastically deforms together with the folded portion 574r, and the coupling member 528 can be attached to the main body drive shaft 5101 with a low installation force.

In addition, the drive receiving surface 573a of the coupling member 528 has a shape twisted around the axis of the coupling member 528, and in this embodiment For example, the torsion is the same amount as the main body drive transmission surface 5101b.

(About the core adjustment components)

Next, as shown in FIG. 47 , the aligning member 533 has a reverse conical shape 533a, a force receiving portion 577, an anti-dropping portion 533c, and a aligning member drive transmission surface (hereinafter referred to as the drive transmission surface).

The reverse conical shape 533a is a part for determining the position in the axial direction and the position in the radial direction of the main body drive shaft 5101 . When the inverse conical shape of the inverse conical shape 533a contacts the conical shape 5101c of the driving transmission member 5101r, the movement of the driving transmission member 5101r in the axial direction and the diameter direction of the main body drive shaft 5101 is restricted.

The force receiving surface 577, in the assembled state of the coupler 528, is a surface abutting against the supported surface 574i provided in the engaging portion 573, that is, a receiving surface 577a (see FIG. 46), and a surface perpendicular to the receiving surface 577a. The rib 577e (see FIG. 46 ) is formed. The receiving surface 577a is a support portion as in the first embodiment, and is also a transmitted portion for receiving the driving force by the cylinder member 570 .

As shown in FIG. 48 , the drive transmission surface 533m is a surface (transmitted portion) through which the cylinder member 570 transmits the drive to the aligning member 533 . The cylinder member 570 has a corresponding cylinder drive transmission surface (drive transmission portion) 570m. The aligning member 533 and the cylinder member 570 are arranged at three equal intervals in the circumferential direction (120° intervals, approximately equal intervals).

In addition, the cylinder drive transmission surface 570m and the drive transmission surface 533m are formed along the axis of the cylinder member 570 and the aligning member 453, respectively. For the twisted shape, the twist amount is about 2° per 1 mm.

As this twist amount, the following relationship is established. The cylinder member 570 receives the force Fz1 that is drawn into the outer side (Z1 direction side) of the developing cartridge 4 on the drive receiving surface 573a. Furthermore, the cylinder member 570 receives the force Fz2 pulled into the inner side (Z2 direction side) of the developing cartridge 4 on the flange drive receiving surface 570m. In this case, there must be a relationship of Fz2>Fz1.

Therefore, the cylinder member 570 must be pulled in in the Z2 direction. Furthermore, at least a part of the engagement portion D in the Z direction of the cylinder drive transmission surface 570m and the drive transmission surface 33m is in a positional relationship with the drive receiving surface 573a and the receiving surface 577a of the force receiving portion 577 in the Z direction. Thereby, the deformation amount of the cylinder member 570 can be suppressed.

In this embodiment, the D-shaped hole provided in the alignment member 533 , that is, the mounting portion 533d (see FIG. 37 ) is mounted on the shaft of the toner supply roller 20 as shown in FIG. 49 . Then, by driving the shaft transmitted from the aligning member 533 to the toner supplying roller 20, the toner supplying roller 20 is made rotatable. Next, drive is transmitted to the toner supply roller gear 598 provided on the Z1 direction side of the shaft of the toner supply roller 20 . Finally, driving is transmitted from the toner supply roller gear 598 to the developing roller gear 599 provided on the Z1 direction side of the axis of the developing roller 17, so that the developing roller 17 can be rotated. Both ends of the developing roller 17 are rotatably supported by developing bearings 519R, 519L, respectively.

[Installation of the cassette to the main body of the image forming apparatus]

The attachment and detachment of the developing cartridge 4 to the image forming apparatus main body 100A will be described with reference to FIGS. 50 and 51 .

FIG. 50 is a perspective view for explaining the attachment of the developing cartridge 4 to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of attaching the developing cartridge 4 to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus.

The main body 100A of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment adopts a configuration in which the developing cartridge 4 can be installed in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the image forming apparatus main body 100A includes a space in which the developing cartridge 4 can be installed. Next, there is a cassette door 5104 (front door) for inserting the developing cassette 4 into the aforementioned space on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 100A (the direction in which the user stands during use).

As shown in FIG. 50 , the cassette door 5104 of the image forming apparatus main body 100A is provided so as to be openable and closable. When the cassette door 5104 is opened, the cassette lower rail 5105 for guiding the developing cassette 4 is arranged on the bottom surface of the space, and the cassette upper rail 5106 is arranged on the upper surface. The developing cartridge 4 is guided to the installation position by the upper and lower guide rails (5105, 5106) provided on the upper and lower sides of the space. The developing cartridge 4 is inserted into the installation position approximately along the axis of the developing roller 20 .

Hereinafter, the attachment and detachment operation of the developing cartridge 4 to and from the image forming apparatus main body 100A will be described with reference to FIG. 51 .

As shown in FIG. 51( a ), the developing cartridge 4 is supported/guided by the cartridge lower guide rail 5105 on the lower side of the end portion on the deep side in the insertion direction. The developing cartridge 4 is guided by the cartridge shang4 guide rail 5106 (not shown) at the end shang4 on the deep side in the insertion direction. In this state, the developing cartridge 4 is inserted into the apparatus body. At this time, the developing frame 18 and the developing bearings 19 ( 19L, 19R) are dimensionally related so that the intermediate transfer belt 5 does not come into contact with each other. Tie.

Next, as shown in FIG. 51( b ), the developing cartridge 4 is inserted in the horizontal direction while being supported by the lower cartridge guide rails 5105 , and is inserted until it abuts against the cassette positioning portion on the deep side of the image forming apparatus body 100A. 5108 till now.

In addition, when the developing cartridge 4 is installed, the drive transmission member 5101r of the image forming apparatus main body 100A is engaged with the coupling member 528 in a state of being pushed in approximately the Y2 direction as described above.

FIG. 51( c ) is a diagram showing the state of the image forming apparatus main body 100A and the developing cartridge 4 in a state in which the cartridge door 5104 is closed. The cassette lower rail 5105 of the image forming apparatus main body 100A is configured to go up and down in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cassette door (front door) 5104 .

When the user closes the cassette door 5104, the cassette lower guide rail 5105 rises. Next, both ends of the developing cartridge 4 are in contact with the cartridge positioning portions (5108·5110) of the image forming apparatus main body 100A, and the developing cartridge 4 is positioned to the image forming apparatus main body 100A. In addition, the drive transmission member 5101r of the image forming apparatus main body 100A also ascends following the developing cartridge 4 .

By the above operation, the attachment of the developing cartridge 4 to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus is completed.

In addition, pulling out the developing cartridge 4 from the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus is the reverse sequence to the above-mentioned insertion operation.

[The process of engaging the coupling member to the drive shaft of the main body]

Next, the engaging process of the coupling member 528 and the main body drive shaft 5101 will be described in detail using FIG. 52 .

FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of attaching the coupling member 528 to the main body drive shaft 5101 .

Fig. 52(a) is a diagram showing a state before the coupling member 528 starts to engage with the drive transmission member 5101r. 52(d) shows a state in which the developing cartridge 4 is attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100A. In particular, FIG. 52( d ) shows a state in which the cassette lower guide rail 105 is raised as the cassette door 5104 is closed, and the developing cassette 4 is positioned with respect to the image forming apparatus body 100A.

Here, Fig. 52(b)(c) is a diagram for explaining the process of installing the coupling member 528 and the drive transmission member 5101r between Figs. 52(a) and 52(d). Also, the drive transmission member 5101r is biased in the approximate Y2 direction by the biasing spring 5101t, and the axis of the drive transmission member 5101r is biased to a position shifted in the approximate Y2 direction from the axis of the coupling member 528 .

As described with reference to FIG. 51, the image forming apparatus main body 100A is inserted in the horizontal direction in the state supported by the cartridge lower guide rail 5105.

FIG. 52( a ) is a diagram showing a state in which the drive transmission member 5101r is not in contact with the coupling member 528 . As described above, in this state, the axis of the drive transmission member 5101r and the axis of the coupling member 528 are offset.

As shown in Fig. 52(b), from Fig. 52(a), the coupling member 528 is further inserted toward the deep side of the drive transmission member 5101r, and the coupling is first performed. The insertion inclined surface 573d of the member 528 is in contact with the conical shape 5101c of the drive transmission member 5101r. The conical shape 5101c of the drive transmission member 5101r is guided by the insertion inclined surface 573d of the coupling member 528, and the axis of the coupling member 528 and the axis of the drive transmission member 5101r are approximately the same.

As shown in FIG. 52( c ), FIG. 52( c ) shows a state in which the coupling member 528 is inserted toward the deep side of the drive transmission member 5101r from FIG. 52( b ). Due to the elastic deformation of the base portion 574, the engaging portion 573 is deformed radially outward of the coupling member 528 so that the insertion inclined surface 573d of the engaging portion 573 follows the conical shape 5101c. Further, when the coupling member 528 is inserted in the Z1 direction, the pull-out inclined surface 573e of the engaging portion 573 of the coupling member 528 is closer to the deep side (Z1 side) in the Z direction than the pull-out inclined surface 5101i on the main body side of the drive transmission member 5101r. Inserted into the drive transmission member 5101r. Next, the coupling member 528 is inserted into the drive transmission member 5101r until the positioning portion 533a of the coupling member 528 abuts on the conical shape 5101c of the drive transmission member 5101r.

Afterwards, as described above, the developing cassette 4 is lifted by the cassette lower guide rail 5105, and the developing cassette 4 is positioned to the image forming apparatus body 100A (as shown in FIG. 51(c) ). . Further, as shown in FIG. 51( d ), the drive transmission member 5101r also rises along with the rise of the developing cartridge 4 . Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, when the main body drive shaft 5101 is rotated and the engagement portion 573 and the drive transmission groove 5101a are matched in phase, the elastic deformation of the base portion 574 is released, and the engagement portion 573 penetrates into the drive transmission groove 5101a.

[According to the drive of the coupling member of the drive shaft of the main body]

The transmission of the rotational drive from the main body drive shaft 5101 to the coupling member 528 will be described with reference to FIG. 46 .

When the drive receiving surface 573a of the coupler 528 abuts against the drive transmission surface 5101b of the main body, a load is applied to the developing roller 17, the developing blade 21 passing through the developing roller 17, and the like. That is, the drive receiving surface 573a rotates integrally with the drive transmission surface 101b while receiving the load (driving force) F51.

When the driving receiving surface 753a receives the driving force F51, the angle between the supported surface 574i and the driving receiving surface 573a is an acute angle, so it can be decomposed into a component Fv perpendicular to the supported surface 574i and a component Fh in the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 46 , the component Fv in the vertical direction is transmitted to the supported surface 574i on the opposite side to the drive receiving surface 573a of the engaging portion 573 . The rib 577e in the direction perpendicular to the force receiving surface 577a is supported by the supported surface 574i against the force receiving surface 577a. As a result, even if the load F51 fluctuates, the engaging portion 573 is supported as described above and hardly deforms, so the rotation amounts of the toner supply roller 20 and the developing roller 17 are hardly changed, and as a result, the image quality can be maintained. quality.

In addition, pulling out the developing cartridge 4 from the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus is the reverse sequence to the above-mentioned insertion operation.

In this embodiment, the root-side extending portion 574t extends toward the deep side (Z2 direction) approximately parallel to the rotational axis of the cylinder member 570 . Next, the root side extending portion 574t is arranged on the diameter of the engaging portion 573 To the outside, the free end side of the engaging portion 573 is arranged on the Z1 side with respect to the folded-back portion 574r together with the root 574a of the base portion.

As another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 53 , the free end side of the engaging portion 573 may be arranged on the Z2 side with respect to the folded portion 574r together with the base portion 574a of the base portion.

As shown in FIGS. 54( a ) and 55 , the root-side extending portion 574t may be arranged on the downstream side in the rotational direction with respect to the engaging portion 573 and extend deeper (Z2 direction) than the root portion 274a . As shown in FIG. 54( b ), the root side extending portion 574t may be arranged on the upstream side in the rotational direction with respect to the engaging portion 573 and extend deeper (Z2 direction) than the root portion 274a. As shown in Figure 54(c). The root-side extending portion 574t may be configured to be disposed on both sides in the rotational direction with respect to the engaging portion 573 .

As shown in Fig. 56(a) and Fig. 57 , the root side extension portion 574t is arranged on the downstream side in the rotational direction with respect to the engaging portion 573 or the free end side extension portion 574s, and extends in the Z1 direction than the root portion 574a. You can also. As shown in FIG. 56( b ), the root side extension portion 574t may be arranged on the upstream side in the rotational direction with respect to the engaging portion 573 or the free end side extension portion 574s, and may extend further in the Z1 direction than the root side extension portion 574a. As shown in FIG. 56( c ), the base side extension portion 574t may be configured to be disposed on both sides in the rotational direction with respect to the engaging portion 573 or the free end side extension portion 574s.

<Example 6>

The sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 58 to 63 .

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of the alignment member 633 related to this embodiment.

FIG. 59 is a cross-sectional view of the alignment member 633 related to the present embodiment cut along the rotation axis.

FIG. 60 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 628 related to this embodiment cut in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis so as to pass through the drive receiving surface 673a.

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of a cylinder member 670 related to this embodiment.

FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 628 related to the present embodiment cut along the axis of rotation.

FIG. 63 is a diagram illustrating the assembly of the coupling member 628 related to this embodiment.

Elements corresponding to elements disclosed in the foregoing embodiments are given the same names. The configurations, functions, and the like that are different from those of the above-mentioned elements will be described in detail, and the description of the same elements as those of the above-mentioned elements may be omitted. In addition, about the thing substantially equivalent to the said element, the same name and the same code|symbol are attached|subjected, and a detailed description is abbreviate|omitted. In this embodiment, the difference from Embodiment 5 will be described in detail.

In the fifth embodiment, the coupling member 528 is constituted by a cylinder member 570 and an alignment member 533, the cylinder member 570 has a cylinder drive transmission surface 570m, a base portion 574, and an engaging portion 573, and the alignment member 533 has a force receiving portion 577, a drive transmission surface The composition of the surface 533m.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is tied to the cylinder member 670 The support portion 670j is provided, and the base portion 674 , the engaging portion 673 , and the force receiving portion 677 are arranged on the alignment member 633 .

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 58 , the aligning member 633 has a base portion 674 , an engaging portion 673 , a force receiving portion 677 , a reverse conical shape 633 a , and a disengagement preventing portion 633 c .

The base portion 674, as shown in FIG. 59, has a root portion 674a on the Z1 side, a root side extension portion 674t extending in the axial direction of the coupling member 628, a free end side extension portion 674s, a root side extension portion 674t, and a folded portion 674r .

The engaging portion 673 has a drive receiving surface 673a as in the fifth embodiment. In short, the aligning member 633 is a driving force receiving member of a driving force receiving portion provided for receiving the driving force by the apparatus body.

Further, the free end side extension portion 674s has a backup surface 674i and a contact surface 674h.

The angle j formed between the drive receiving surface 673a and the supported surface 674i is an acute angle as in the fifth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 60 , the force receiving portion 677 is disposed on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the engaging portion 673, and has a receiving surface 677a and a rib 677e. The receiving surface 677a is a surface for pinching the support portion 670j of the cylinder member 670, which will be described later, with the supported surface 674i of the base portion 674. The receiving surface 677a and the supported surface 674i are arranged to be approximately parallel. As shown in FIG. 60, the rib 677e is arranged almost perpendicularly to the receiving surface 677a from the inner diameter side end of the receiving surface 677a as a starting point.

In addition, the reverse conical shape 633a is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, This is the part that determines the position of the coupling member 628 and the main body drive shaft 5101 .

The drop-out preventing portion 633c is a portion that unites the alignment member 633 and the cylinder member 670 by engaging with the hook portion 672 provided in the cylinder member 670.

The cylinder member 670 has a support portion 670j and a hook portion 672 as shown in FIG. 61 . In short, the cylinder member 670 is a support member having a support portion.

As shown in FIG. 60 , the support portion 670j is assembled in the gap between the supported surface 674i of the alignment member 633 and the receiving surface 677a, and is shaped to prevent the engagement portion 673 from falling down toward the upstream side in the rotational direction. Therefore, the thickness of the support portion 670j is approximately the same as the gap between the supported surface 674i and the receiving surface 677a. In addition, when viewed from the Z direction, the circle passing through the ridgeline on the side of the engaging portion 673 of the support portion 670j is arranged so that the center thereof is the same as the inverse conical shape 633a. The diameter D68 of the circle is approximately the same as the outer diameter D65 of the shaft portion 5101f of the main body drive shaft 5101, or is prepared so that D68≧D65 is obtained when the respective dimensional accuracy is examined. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 62, the support part 670j is arrange|positioned so that it may overlap with the drive receiving surface 673a in the Z direction.

The cylinder member 670 is assembled by assembling the aligning member 633 from the deep side in the Z direction to the front side (from the Z2 side to the Z1 side) to form the coupling member 628 (shown in FIG. 62 ). At this time, as described above, the drop-out preventing portion 633c of the alignment member 633 is engaged with the hook portion 672 provided in the cylinder member 670 .

The coupling member 628 is driven by the body drive shaft 5101 60, the driving receiving surface 673a of the engaging portion 673 receives the driving force F1. The force Fv in the direction perpendicular to the supported surface is supported by the supported surface 674i, the supporting portion 670j, the receiving surface 670a, and the rib 670e, so that the engaging portion 673 can be prevented from being deformed on the downstream side in the rotational direction. In addition, against the force Fh parallel to the supported surface 674i, the contact surface 674h of the base portion 674 can prevent radial deformation of the engaging portion 673 by abutting against the shaft portion 5101f of the main drive shaft 5101.

Moreover, in Example 5, the engaging part 573 is provided in the cylinder member 570, and the reverse conical shape 533a and other components are arrange|positioned over the aligning member 533. Therefore, the cylinder drive transmission surface 570m is provided in the cylinder member 570, and the drive transmission surface 533m is provided in the alignment member 533. Thereby, by pulling the cylinder member 570 toward the alignment member 533 side (the Z2 direction side), the position of the engagement portion 573 in the Z direction and the reverse conical shape 533a is stabilized.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the engaging portion 673 and the reverse conical shape 633a are arranged on the aligning member 633, there is no need to pull the cylinder member 670 toward the aligning member 633 side.

As another embodiment, similarly to FIG. 53 of the fifth embodiment, the root portion 674a of the root-side extension portion 674t of the base portion 674 may be provided on the Z2 side, and the folded portion 674r may be provided on the Z1 side of the root-side extension portion 674t ( not shown). 54, 56, the root side extension portion 674t may be arranged on the upstream side, the downstream side, or both sides of the engaging portion 673 in the rotational direction. In addition, the structure of the said Example 1-6 is put together as follows. According to each configuration described in this application, the support portion that supports the driving force receiving portion (driving receiving surface) has the first extending portion extending in different directions and the The second extension portion can ensure a certain length of the support portion even in a narrow space. In short, it is possible to ensure that the coupler or the cassette is small, and the supporting portion can movably support the driving force receiving portion. Furthermore, with such a configuration of the support portion, when the cassette is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the driving force receiving portion (engaging portion) can be engaged with the main body drive shaft provided in the image forming apparatus main body.

[Industrial use possibility]

According to the present invention, there is provided a photoreceptor drum unit which is detachable from the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

70: Flange member

71: Cylinder part

71b: inner peripheral surface

71R: Inner peripheral surface

72: Installation Department

72d: Press-in part

72f: Press into the guide

72g: Guide inclined surface

72m: inner peripheral surface

73: Engagement part

73a: Drive bearing surface

74: Support Department

74a: Fundamentals

74h: abutment surface

74i: Support Surface

74r: Turn-back part

74s: Free end extension

74t: Root side extension

75: Ebe

77: Forced Department

D2, D9: inner diameter

Z1, Z2: Arrow

Claims (53)

A photo-drum unit (30) that can be attached to and detached from a main body (100A) of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (100), wherein the main body (100A) includes a drive shaft (101, 5101) provided with a recess (101 a, 5101 a), the above The drum unit (30) contains: (1) Photoreceptor drum (1); and (2) A coupling member (28, 128, 228, 328, 528, 628) provided on the photoreceptor drum (1), the coupling member (28, 128, 228, 328, 528, 628) includes: (2-1) a driving force receiving portion (73a, 173a, 273a, 373a, 573a, 673a) ), which is constructed to enter the aforementioned recessed portion (101a, 5101a) to receive a driving force for rotating the aforementioned photoreceptor drum (1); supporting the aforementioned driving force receiving portions (73a, 173a, 273a, 373a, 573a, 673a), The aforementioned supporting parts (73, 74, 173, 174, 273, 274, 373, 374, 573, 574, 673, 674) include: (i) a first extension part (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s), which supports the aforementioned driving force receiving parts (73a, 173a, 273a, 373a, 573a, 673a) ); and (ii) a second extension (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t); and (iii) a connecting portion (74r, 174r, 274r, 374r, 574r, 674r) provided in the aforementioned first extension portion (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s) and the aforementioned second extension (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t), and The aforementioned first extension portion (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s) and the aforementioned second extension portion (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t) extending at least in the axial direction (Z1, Z2) of the aforementioned photoreceptor drum (1), and wherein the aforementioned support portions (73, 74, 173, 174, 273, 274, 373, 374, 573, 574, 673, 674) are bent at the aforementioned connecting portions (74r, 174r, 274r, 374r, 574r, 674r), so that the aforementioned first extension portions (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s) The first direction in which the connecting portion (74r, 174r, 274r, 374r, 574r, 674r) extends and the aforementioned second extending portion (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t) extends to the aforementioned connecting portion (74r, 174r, 274r) , 374r, 574r, 674r) and the second directions are different from each other in the aforementioned axis directions (Z1, Z2). The drum unit (30) of claim 1, wherein the aforementioned first extension portion (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s) is provided with a protruding portion, which has the aforementioned driving force receiving portion (73a, 173a, 273a, 373a, 573a, 673a). The photo-drum unit (30) of claim 2, wherein the protruding portion protrudes toward the radially inner side of the photo-drum unit (30). The drum unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first extending portion (74s, 274s, 574s, 674s) is directed from the connecting portion (74r, 274r, 574r, 674r) toward the supporting portion The free ends of (73,74,273,274,573,574,673,674) extend. The photo-drum unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second extending portion (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t) has a fixed end ( 74a, 174a, 274a, 374a, 574a, 674a). The drum unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coupling member (28, 228, 528, 628) includes a hollow portion, and the fixed end (74a, 274a, 574a, 674a) of the support portion (73, 74, 273, 274, 373, 573, 574, 673, 674) ) is fixed to the inner surface defining the aforementioned hollow. The photo-drum unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aforementioned support portion (73, 74, 173, 174, 273, 274, 373, 374, 573, 574, 673, 674) supports the aforementioned driving force receiving portion (73a, 173a, 273a, 373a, 573a, 673a) so that at least Move in the radial direction of the aforementioned drum unit (30). The optical drum unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aforementioned support parts (73, 74, 173, 174, 273, 274, 373, 374, 573, 574, 673, 674) are elastically deformable. The optical drum unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the radial direction of the optical drum unit (30), the first extension (74s, 274s, 574s, 674s) is larger than the second extension The extensions (74t, 174t, 274t, 574t, 674t) are positioned closer to the axis of the aforementioned coupling members (28, 128, 528, 628). The photo-drum unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first extension (274s, 374s, 574s) and the second extension (274t, 374t, 574t) are in the photo-drum unit ( 30) is offset in the surrounding direction. The optical drum unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aforementioned support parts (73, 74, 173, 174, 273, 274, 373, 374,573,574,673,674) includes a plurality of the aforementioned second extensions (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t). The drum unit (30) of claim 11, wherein the first extension portion (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s) is connected to the plurality of second extension portions (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t). The drum unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aforementioned coupling member (28, 128, 228, 328, 528, 628) includes a plurality of the aforementioned driving force receiving portions (73a, 173a, 273a, 373a, 573a, 673a) and a plurality of the aforementioned Supports (73, 74, 173, 174, 273, 274, 373, 374, 573, 574, 673, 674). The optical drum unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aforementioned coupling member (28, 128, 228, 328, 528, 628) comprises: (i) a first driving force receiving member (140, 340) provided with the aforementioned support portion (173, 174, 373, 374) and the aforementioned driving force receiving portion (173a, 373a); and (ii) A second driving force receiving member (170, 370) for transmitting the aforementioned driving force from the aforementioned first driving force receiving member (140, 340) toward the aforementioned photoreceptor drum (1). The drum unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aforementioned coupling member (28, 128, 328, 528, 628) includes a supported portion (74i, 174i, 374i, 574i, 674i) for restricting the aforementioned driving force receiving portion ( 73a, 173a, 273a, 373a, 573a, 673a) movement in the circumferential direction of the aforementioned coupling member (28, 128, 328, 528, 628). The drum unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least a part of the aforementioned driving force receiving portion (73a, 173a, 273a, 373a) is provided in the aforementioned photoreceptor drum (1) . The photo-drum unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aforementioned coupling member (28, 128, 228, 328) includes a positioning portion (33a, 133a, 233a, 333a) for determining the relative position of the aforementioned photo-drum unit (30) to The position of the aforementioned driving shaft (101), wherein the aforementioned positioning portion (33a, 133a, 233a, 333a) is provided on the aforementioned axis of the aforementioned driving force receiving portion (73a, 173a, 273a, 373a) with respect to the aforementioned drum unit (30) The inside of the direction (Z1, Z2). The drum unit (30) of claim 17, wherein the positioning portion (33a, 133a, 233a, 333a) is a concave portion that narrows toward the inside in the axis direction (Z1, Z2). The optical drum unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first extending portion (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s), the second extending portion (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t) and the aforementioned connecting parts (74r, 174r, 274r, 374r, 574r, 674r) are integrally formed. The optical drum unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first extending portion (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s), the second extending portion (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t), and the aforementioned connecting portions (74r, 174r, 274r, 374r, 574r, 674r) are separate members. The drum unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 (30), wherein the aforementioned first extension (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s) is connected to the aforementioned coupling member (28, 128, 228, 328, 528, 628) via the aforementioned second extension (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t) ) subject. As in the light drum unit (30) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the photoreceptor drum (1) has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end in the axial direction (Z1, Z2), wherein the aforementioned coupling member (28, 128, 228, 328, 528, 628) is provided at the aforementioned first end of the aforementioned photoreceptor drum (1), and One of the first direction and the second direction is a direction (Z2) toward the second end of the photoreceptor drum (1), and the other of the first direction and the second direction is away from the above The direction (Z1) of the aforementioned second end of the photoreceptor drum (1). A box (4,13) containing: The drum unit (30) of any one of claims 1 to 3, and The frame body (14) rotatably supports the aforementioned photo-drum unit (30). A cartridge (4, 13) can be attached to and detached from a main body (100A) of an electrophotographic image forming device (100), wherein the main body (100A) includes a drive shaft (101, 5101) provided with a concave portion (101 a, 5101 a), the above Box (4,13) contains: (1) A rotatable member (1, 17, 20) that can rotate together with the developer carried on its surface; and (2) Coupling members (28, 128, 228, 328, 528, 628), including: (2-1) A driving force receiving portion (73a, 173a, 273a, 373a, 573a, 673a) configured to enter the aforementioned recessed portion (101a, 5101a) to receive a driving force for rotating the aforementioned rotatable member ( 1, 17, 20); and (2-2) a support portion (73, 74, 173, 174, 273, 274, 373, 374, 573, 574, 673, 674) movably supporting the aforementioned driving force receiving portion (73a, 173a, 273a, 373a, 573a, 673a), The aforementioned supporting parts (73, 74, 173, 174, 273, 274, 373, 374, 573, 574, 673, 674) include: (i) a first extension part (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s), which supports the aforementioned driving force receiving parts (73a, 173a, 273a, 373a, 573a, 673a) ); and (ii) a second extension (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t); and (iii) a connecting portion (74r, 174r, 274r, 374r, 574r, 674r) provided in the aforementioned first extension portion (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s) and the aforementioned second extension (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t), and Wherein the aforementioned first extension portion (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s) and the aforementioned second extension portion (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t) are at least in the aforementioned rotatable member (1, 17, 20 ) in the axial direction (Z1, Z2), and wherein the aforementioned support portions (73, 74, 173, 174, 273, 274, 373, 374, 573, 574, 673, 674) are bent at the aforementioned connecting portions (74r, 174r, 274r, 374r, 574r, 674r), so that the aforementioned first extension portions (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s) The first direction in which the connecting portion (74r, 174r, 274r, 374r, 574r, 674r) extends and the aforementioned second extending portion (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t) extends to the aforementioned connecting portion (74r, 174r, 274r) , The second directions of 374r, 574r, 674r) are different from each other in the aforementioned axis directions (Z1, Z2). The cassette (4, 13) of claim 24, wherein the aforementioned first extension portion (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s) is provided with a protruding portion, which has the aforementioned driving force receiving portion (73a, 173a, 273a, 373a, 573a, 673a). The cassette (4, 13) of claim 25, wherein the aforementioned protrusions protrude toward the radially inner side of the aforementioned coupling members (28, 128, 228, 328, 528, 628). The cassette (4, 13) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the aforementioned first extension portion (74s, 274s, 574s, 674s) is directed from the aforementioned connecting portion (74r, 274r, 574r, 674r) toward the aforementioned supporting portion The free ends of (73,74,273,274,573,574,673,674) extend. The box (4, 13) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the aforementioned second extension portion (74a, 174a, 274a, 374a, 574a, 674a) has a fixed end of the aforementioned support portion (73, 74, 173, 174, 273, 274, 373, 374, 573, 574, 673, 674). The cassette (4, 13) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the aforementioned coupling member (28, 228, 528, 628) comprises a hollow portion, and the aforementioned fixed end (74a, 274a, 574a, 674a) of the aforementioned support portion (73, 74, 273, 274, 573, 574, 673, 674) ) is fixed to the inner surface defining the aforementioned hollow. The box (4, 13) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the aforementioned support parts (73, 74, 173, 174, 273, 274, 373, 374, 573, 574, 673, 674) supports the aforementioned driving force receiving portions (73a, 173a, 273a, 373a, 573a, 673a) so as to be movable at least in the radial direction of the aforementioned coupling members (28, 128, 228, 328, 528, 628). The box (4, 13) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the aforementioned support parts (73, 74, 173, 174, 273, 274, 373, 374, 573, 574, 673, 674) are elastically deformable. The cassette (4, 13) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein in the radial direction of the coupling member (28, 128, 228, 328, 528, 628), the first extension (74s, 274s, 574s, 674s) is longer than the second extension The portions (74t, 174t, 574t, 674t) are positioned closer to the axis of the aforementioned coupling members (28, 128, 528, 628). The cassette (4, 13) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the aforementioned first extension portion (274s, 374s, 574s) and the aforementioned second extension portion (274t, 374t, 574t) are connected to the aforementioned coupling member (28, 128, 228, 328, 528, 628). ) in the surrounding direction. The cassette (4, 13) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the aforementioned support portion (73, 74, 173, 174, 273, 274, 373, 374, 573, 574, 673, 674) includes a plurality of the aforementioned second extension portions (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t). The box (4, 13) of claim 34, wherein the first extension (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s) is connected to the plurality of second extensions (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t). The cassette (4, 13) of any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the aforementioned coupling member (128, 328) comprises: (i) a first driving force receiving member (140, 340) provided with the aforementioned support portion (173, 174, 373, 374) and the aforementioned driving force receiving portion (173a, 373a); and (ii) A second driving force receiving member (170, 370) for transmitting the aforementioned driving force from the aforementioned first driving force receiving member (140, 340) toward the aforementioned rotatable member (1, 17, 20). The cassette (4, 13) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the aforementioned coupling member (28, 128, 328, 528, 628) includes a supported portion (74i, 174i, 374i, 574i, 674i) for restricting the aforementioned driving force receiving portion ( 73a, 173a, 373a, 573a, 673a) movement in the circumferential direction of the aforementioned coupling member (28, 128, 328, 528, 628). The cassette (4, 13) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein at least a part of the aforementioned driving force receiving portion (73a, 173a, 273a, 373a) is provided on the aforementioned rotatable member (1, 17, 20) within. The cassette (4, 13) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the aforementioned coupling member (28, 128, 228, 328, 528, 628) comprises a hollow portion, and at least a part of the aforementioned support portion (73, 74, 173, 174, 273, 274, 373, 374, 573, 574, 673, 674) is within the aforementioned hollow portion. The cassette (4, 13) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the aforementioned coupling member (28, 128, 228, 328) includes a positioning portion (33a, 133a, 233a, 333a) for determining the relative position of the aforementioned coupling member (28, 128, 228, 328) to the aforementioned The position of the drive shaft (101) in which the aforementioned positioning portion (33a, 133a, 233a, 333a) is provided in the aforementioned axial direction ( Z1, Z2) inside. The cassette (4, 13) of claim 40, wherein the aforementioned positioning portion (33a, 133a, 233a, 333a) is a concave portion which is reduced toward the inside in the aforementioned axial direction (Z1, Z2). The cassette (13) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the aforementioned rotatable member is a photoreceptor drum (1). The cassette (4) of any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the aforementioned rotatable member is a developing roller (17). The cartridge (4) of claim 43, further comprising a supply roller (20) for supplying the aforementioned developer to the aforementioned developing roller (17). The cassette (4) of claim 44, wherein the aforementioned supply roller (20) is constructed to be rotated by the aforementioned driving force received by the aforementioned driving force receiving portions (73a, 173a, 273a, 373a, 573a, 673a). The cassette (4) of claim 44, wherein said developing roller (17) is constructed to receive said driving force from said coupling member (28, 128, 228, 328, 528, 628) via said supplying roller (20). The cartridge (4) of any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the aforementioned rotatable member is a supply roller (20) for supplying the aforementioned developer to the developing roller (17). The cassette (4, 13) of any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the aforementioned rotatable member (1, 17, 20) comprises a shaft, and the aforementioned coupling member (28, 128, 228, 328, 528, 628) is mountable to the aforementioned shaft. The box (4, 13) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the first extension (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s), the second extension (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t), and before The connecting parts (74r, 174r, 274r, 374r, 574r, 674r) are integrally formed. The box (4, 13) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the first extension (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s), the second extension (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t), and the aforementioned connecting portions (74r, 174r, 274r, 374r, 574r, 674r) are separate members. The cassette (4, 13) according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the first extension (74s, 174s, 274s, 374s, 574s, 674s) passes through the second extension (74t, 174t, 274t, 374t, 574t, 674t) connected to the main body of the aforementioned coupling member (28, 128, 228, 328, 528, 628). The cassette (4, 13) of any one of claims 24 to 26, further comprising a first side and a second side opposite to the first side in the axis direction (Z1, Z2), wherein the aforementioned coupling member (28, 128, 228, 328, 528, 628) is provided on the aforementioned first side of the aforementioned cassette (4, 13), and One of the first and second directions is a direction (Z2) toward the second side of the cassette (4, 13), and the other of the first and second directions is away from the The direction (Z1) of the aforementioned second side of the cassettes (4, 13). An electronic photo image forming device (100), comprising: as box (4,13) of any of claims 23 to 26, and In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus body (100A), the cassettes (4, 13) can be mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus body (100A).

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