TWI737126B - Cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

The optical drum unit, which is detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming device, has a photoreceptor photo drum and a coupling member arranged on the photoreceptor photo drum. The coupling member has a driving force receiving part and a supporting part movably supporting the driving force receiving part. The support part has a first extension part and a second extension part extending at least in the axial direction of the photoconductor drum. The first extension portion and the second extension portion extend in mutually different directions in the axial direction.

Description

Cassette

The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming device using an electrophotographic method, using its optical drum unit, cassette, coupling member, and the like.

In the electrophotographic image forming device, the photoconductor drum or developing roller, which is a rotating body related to image formation, is integrated as a cassette, and it can be attached to and removed from the image forming device body (hereinafter referred to as the device body). Department is known. In such a configuration, in order to rotate the photoconductor drum in the cassette, a configuration in which the device body receives a driving force has been adopted in many devices. At this time, it is also known that the coupling member is engaged with a driving force transmission portion such as a drive pin on the device body side to transmit the driving force on the cassette side.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-233867 discloses a cartridge equipped with a coupling member that can move obliquely 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 drum unit that can be attached to and detached from the main body of an electrophotographic image forming device equipped with a drive shaft provided with recesses. It has: (1) a photoreceptor drum, and (2) a The coupling member of the photoreceptor drum is provided with (2-1) a conventional driving force receiving portion constructed in such a way that the recessed portion enters to receive the driving force for rotating the photoreceptor drum, and (2-2) ) A coupling member that movably supports the 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; and the first extension portion in the axial direction An extension portion and the aforementioned second extension portion extend in mutually different directions.

The present invention enables the aforementioned prior art to be developed.

1‧‧‧Photoconductor drum

2‧‧‧Charging roller

3‧‧‧Scanner unit

4‧‧‧Developing Cartridge

5‧‧‧Intermediate transfer belt

6‧‧‧Cleaning Scraper

8‧‧‧ Primary transfer roller

9‧‧‧Secondary transfer roller

10‧‧‧Fitting device

11‧‧‧Intermediate transfer belt cleaning device

12‧‧‧Recording material

13‧‧‧Drum Cartridge

17‧‧‧Developing roller

14‧‧‧Clean the frame

14a‧‧‧Waste Toner Containment Department

14b‧‧‧Opening

28‧‧‧Coupling component

29‧‧‧Non-driving side flange member

30‧‧‧Drum unit

39R‧‧‧Drum unit bearing component

39L‧‧‧Drum unit bearing component

51‧‧‧Drive roller

52‧‧‧Counter roller for secondary transfer

53‧‧‧Driven roller

71‧‧‧Cylinder

71c‧‧‧Belt Bearing

100‧‧‧Image forming device

101‧‧‧Body drive shaft

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

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the external appearance of the optical drum cartridge 13.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the appearance of the developing cartridge 4.

Figure 4 is the rotation of the photoconductor drum 1 of the photoconductor cartridge 13 A cross-sectional view cut through the imaginary plane of the center of rotation.

Figure 5 is the appearance of the main body drive shaft.

FIG. 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 where it is mounted 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.

FIG. 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.

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

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

Fig. 12 is a view of the flange member 70 as seen 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 in which the coupling member 28 and the main body drive shaft 101 are cut off 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 illustrates a cross-section of the forming mold of the flange member 70 picture.

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

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

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

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

Figure 23 is for explaining that the main body drive shaft 101 is rotated when the main body drive transmission groove 101a and the engaging portion 73 (drive receiving surface 73a) are out of phase, and the coupling member 28 of the main body drive shaft 101 is installed when the phases are matched. Sectional view for action.

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

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

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 128 and the main body drive shaft 101 of the second embodiment 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 seen from the outside in the Z direction.

Fig. 28 is a view and a side view of the inner cylindrical member 140 related to the second embodiment as seen from the Z1 side and the Z2 side.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the assembly procedure of the coupling member 128 related to the second embodiment.

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

FIG. 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).

32 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 228 and the main body drive shaft 101 related to the third embodiment 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 related to the third embodiment.

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

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

36 is a view and a cross-sectional view of the flange member 370 related to the fourth embodiment 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 related to the fourth embodiment.

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

Figure 40 is driven by driving in the direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation The position of the reaching surface 373a cuts 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 state in which the main body drive shaft 5101 of the fifth embodiment is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, and is a cross-sectional view cut along the rotation axis (rotation axis) of the main body drive shaft 5101.

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

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

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

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the aligning member 533 related to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating the assembly of the coupling member 528 related to the fifth embodiment.

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

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 installation operation of the display cassette 4 related to the fifth embodiment to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus.

52 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the installation operation of the coupling member 528 to the main body drive shaft 5101 related 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 aligning member 633 related to the sixth embodiment.

Fig. 59 is a cross-sectional view of the aligning member 633 related to the sixth embodiment cut along the axis of rotation.

FIG. 60 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 628 related to the sixth embodiment cut through the driving receiving surface 673a in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

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

Figure 62 cuts off the coupling related to Example 6 on the axis of rotation A cross-sectional view of the joint member 628.

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

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 this embodiment will be described using figures. In addition, the so-called image forming device is, for example, a person who forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming process. For example, it includes an electronic photo copier, an electronic photo printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser printer, etc.), an electronic photo facsimile device, and the like. In addition, the so-called cassette is one that can attach and detach the main body of the image forming device (device main body, image forming device main body, electrophotographic image forming device main body). In particular, the optical drum cartridge is a cartridge with a photoconductor drum. The so-called developing cartridge is a cartridge having a developing means for developing a latent image formed on a photoreceptor and the like. In this embodiment, the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are respectively attachable and detachable to the body of the image forming device. In addition, the unit that integrates the photoreceptor drum and the coupling member is called a drum unit. The drum unit is used in the drum cartridge.

In addition, in the following embodiments, a full-color image forming apparatus capable of attaching and detaching four drum cartridges and four developing cartridges is illustrated. However, the number of drum cartridges and developing cartridges installed in the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. In addition, in the examples, examples of the use of a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, etc. Two types of cassettes are used, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may be a cartridge having a configuration such as a process cartridge that integrates the functions of a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge. In addition, similarly, the materials, arrangement, dimensions, other numerical values, etc. of each configuration disclosed in the embodiment are not limited unless they are specifically described. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the term "upward" refers to the upward direction in the direction of gravity when the image forming apparatus is installed.

<Example 1> [Overview of electrophotographic image forming equipment]

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

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

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

In addition, in this embodiment, the composition and operation of the drum cartridge 13 (13Y, 13M, 13C, 13K) and the developing cartridge 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K), except that the color of the image formed is different , Essentially the same. In other words, in the following, when there is no need to distinguish specifically, Y, M, C, and K are omitted and the description will be summarized.

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

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) that irradiates a laser based on image information to form an electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) on the photoreceptor drum 1. Around the photoreceptor drum 1, a cleaning blade 6 serving as a developing cartridge 4 and a cleaning means (cleaning device, cleaning member) is arranged.

Furthermore, the four photoreceptor drums 1 are arranged so as to transfer the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 1 to the intermediate transfer body for the recording material (thin plate, recording medium) 12. Printed belt 5.

The developing cartridge 4 of this embodiment uses a non-magnetic single-component developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) as the developer, and adopts contact development in which the developing roller 17 as the developer supporting body contacts the photoreceptor drum 1 Way.

In the aforementioned structure, the toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum 1 is transferred to the sheet (paper) 12 to be transferred to the sheet The toner image is fixed. In addition, as a processing means acting on the photoreceptor drum 1, the photoreceptor drum cartridge 13 is provided with a charging roller 2 for charging the photoreceptor drum 1 and cleaning the remaining toner that has not been transferred to the photoreceptor drum 1.之Cleaning scraper 6. The transfer residual toner remaining on the photoreceptor drum 1 without being transferred to the sheet 12 is recovered by the cleaning blade 6. In addition, the transfer residual toner recovered by the cleaning blade 6 is accommodated in the removed developer accommodating portion (hereinafter referred to as waste toner accommodating portion) 14a through the opening 14b (refer to FIG. 7). The waste toner storage portion 14a (refer to FIG. 7) and the cleaning blade 6 constitute an integrated cleaning unit (photoreceptor unit, image carrier unit) 13.

In addition, the image forming apparatus 100A includes guides (positioning means) such as mounting guides and positioning members (not shown) in the main body frame. The developing cassette 4 and the drum cassette 13 are guided by the aforementioned guides, and are constructed in a manner that can be attached to and detached from the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus.

The developing cartridge 4 for each color contains toner of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively.

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

When forming an image, first the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 is borrowed The charging roller 2 is uniformly charged. Then, 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 (refer to 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 a full-color image is formed, the aforementioned processing is performed sequentially on the four drum cartridges 13 (13Y, 13M, 13C, 13K) and the developing cartridge 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K). Next, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photoreceptor drum 1 of each drum cartridge 13 are sequentially and firstly transferred so as to be superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 5. Thereafter, in synchronization with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 5, the recording material 12 is transported to the secondary transfer unit. Next, the four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 5 are collectively transferred to the recording material 12 that is transported to the secondary transfer portion formed by the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 9.

The recording material 12 to which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 10 as a fixing means. The fixing device 10 fixes the toner image on the recording material 12 by applying heat and pressure to the recording material 12. 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 sections to form a monochromatic or multicolor image.

[Summary of processing methods]

Next, the outline of the drum cartridge 13 and the developing cartridge 4 installed in 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 photo drum cartridge 13Y, the photo drum cartridge 13M, the photo drum cartridge 13C, and the photo drum cartridge 13K have the same structure. In addition, the developer cartridge 4Y that contains yellow toner, the developer cartridge 4M that contains magenta toner, the developer cartridge 4C that contains cyan toner, and the developer cartridge 4K that contains 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 respective cassette constituent members are also described by generic terms in the same way.

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

The photo drum cartridge 13 has a cleaning frame 14 as a frame supporting various elements in the photo 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 supporting body) configured to support an image (toner image, developer image) formed with toner (developer) on its surface.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the photoconductor cartridge 13 cut through a virtual plane including the rotation center of the photoreceptor photoconductor drum 1. In addition, in the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 1, the side on which the coupling member 28 receives the driving force from the image forming apparatus body (the side in the Z1 direction) is referred to as the driving side (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 photo drum cartridge 13 is mounted on the main body of the apparatus, the drive side of the photo drum cartridge 13 is arranged on the downstream side in the cartridge 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 arranged inside the main body of the device, the driving side of the drum cartridge 13 is arranged on the deep side of the printer, and the non-driving side of the drum cartridge 13 is arranged on the deep side of the printer. The front side of the printer.

In addition, the axis direction of the photoreceptor drum 1 is the 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 broken 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) that contacts the inner surface of the photoreceptor drum 1, and this electrode is connected to the body of the image forming apparatus. Contact and play the role of grounding.

A coupling member 28 is mounted on one end of the photoreceptor drum 1, In addition, a non-driving side flange member 29 is installed at the other end of the photoreceptor drum 1 to form a photoreceptor drum unit (also referred to as a drum unit for short) 30. The photoreceptor drum unit 30 has a coupling member 28 interposed therebetween, and the driving force is obtained from the main body drive shaft 101 provided in the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus.

The coupling member 28 is a flange member (driving side flange member) attached to the driving side end 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 detached from the main body drive shaft 101 as the cassette 7 is removed from the apparatus main body 100A.

In addition, the photoreceptor drum 1, the coupling member 28, and the non-driving side flange member 29 provided in the drum unit 30 are arranged coaxially. The axis of rotation (axis) of these coincides with the axis of rotation 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 part 71). The portion on the Z1 side of the cylindrical portion 71 is the to-be-beared portion 71c. The bearing portion 71c is rotatably supported by the drum unit bearing member 39R. In short, the photoconductor drum unit 30 becomes 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 drum unit bearing member 39L. The non-driving side flange member 29 has a cylindrical portion (cylindrical portion) protruding from the end of the photoreceptor drum 1. The round 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 a to-be-beared portion on the non-driving side.

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

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

The bearing member 39R is arranged at a position where the bearing member 71c is supported, and the bearing member 39R is arranged at a position close to the position positioned at the rear cassette positioning portion 108, and the bearing member 71c is arranged. In short, the to-be-beared portion 71c is arranged on the tip 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 to rotatably support the non-driving side flange member 29, and the drum unit bearing member 39L is arranged close to the position of the front cassette. The position of the position of the part 110. This suppresses the non-driving side flange member 29 from tilting.

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

In addition, a charging roller 2 and a cleaning blade 6 are attached to the cleaning frame 14, and these are arranged in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1. In addition, a charging roller bearing 15 (15R, 15L) is attached to the cleaning frame 14 (refer to 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 mounted 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 urged toward the photoreceptor drum 1 by the pressure spring 16 as a spring urging means. Thereby, the charging roller 2 abuts against the photoreceptor drum 1 and rotates with the photoreceptor drum 1.

The cleaning frame 14 is provided with a cleaning blade 6 as a cleaning means for removing the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1. The cleaning blade 6 is a scraper rubber (elastic member) 6a that abuts against the photoreceptor drum 1 to remove the 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 installed on the cleaning frame 14 with screws.

As mentioned earlier, the cleaning frame 14 has a cleaning mechanism for recycling. The opening 14b for the transfer residual toner recovered by the cleaning blade 6. 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 toner leakage in the upper direction of the opening 14b.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the appearance of the developing cartridge 4.

The developing cassette 4 has a developing frame 18 that supports various elements. The developing cartridge 4 is provided with a developing roller 17 which is in contact with the photoreceptor drum 1 and serves as a developer carrier rotating in the arrow D direction (counterclockwise direction) 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 its surface. By the toner supplied from the developing roller 17 to the photoreceptor drum 1, the latent image of the photoreceptor drum 1 is developed.

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 sides of the developing frame 18, respectively.

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

In the developing chamber 18b, a developing blade for the toner supply roller 20 which is a developer supply member rotating in the direction of arrow E in contact with the developing roller 17 and a developer restricting member for restricting the toner layer of the developing roller 17 are arranged.板21。 Board 21.

The supply roller (supply member) 20 is also supported on its surface The rotating body that rotates with the developer (toner) is a developer supporting body like the supply roller. The toner carried 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 the fixing member 22 or the like.

In addition, the toner storage chamber 18 a of the developing frame 18 is provided with a stirring member 23 for stirring the contained toner while conveying the toner to the toner supply roller 20.

By adopting such a structure that integrates the elements related to image formation of the drum cartridge 13 and the developing cartridge 4 that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the device, the ease of maintenance is improved. In other words, the user can easily perform maintenance of the device by attaching and detaching the drum cartridge 13 and the developing cartridge 4 to the main body 100A of the device. Therefore, it is possible to provide a device that can easily perform maintenance work not only by service personnel but also by users.

In addition, in this embodiment, the drum cartridge 13 and the developing cartridge 4 are separately mounted on the main body A of the apparatus. However, the drum cartridge 13 and the developing cartridge 4 for forming images of the same color may be formed into one unit. It is also possible to adopt a structure in which the unitized cassette (processing cassette) is attached to and detached from the device body.

[Constitution of main body drive shaft]

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

Figure 5 is the appearance of the main body drive shaft.

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

FIG. 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.

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

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.

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

This 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 and serves as a surface for transmitting the drive force is provided.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the body drive transmission surface 101b is not It is a flat surface, which is a twisted shape centered on the rotation axis of the main body drive shaft 101. The twisting direction is the direction from the Z1 direction side of the main body drive shaft 101 to the Z2 direction side, and is arranged on the upstream side of the main body drive shaft 101 in the rotation direction. In this embodiment, the amount of twist along the rotation axis direction of the cylinder of the engaging portion 73 is about 1° per 1 mm. The reason for twisting the shape of the main body drive transmission surface 101b will be detailed later.

In addition, the main body side pull-out inclined surface 101i is provided on the surface on the Z2 direction side 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 extraction of the engaging portion 73 from the drive transmission groove 101a when the drum cartridge 13 is removed from the device main body 100A. See details later.

Here, when the drive transmission groove 101a transmits the drive to the engaging portion 73, it is preferable that the main body drive transmission surface 101b and the drive receiving surface (drive receiving portion) 73a are in contact with each other reliably. Here, the main body drive transmission groove 101a is used for each of the rotation axis direction, the circumferential direction, and the radial direction so that the surface other than the main body drive transmission surface 101b does not abut the engaging portion 73 as the driving force receiving portion. The joint 73 has a configuration of a gap (G) (refer to FIGS. 9 and 10).

In addition, the main body side extraction inclined surface 101i is provided as an inclined surface (inclined portion) on the distal end side of the main body drive transmission groove 101a in the axial direction. 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 (refer to 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, 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 part 101g is provided between the shaft part 101f and the gear part 101e in the axial direction (refer to FIG. 6). The rough guide portion 101g has an inclined surface shape at the tip end on the shaft portion 101f side. The outer diameter D6 of the rough guide portion 101g, as shown in FIG. The inner diameter D2 is even smaller. In addition, the outer diameter D6 of the rough guide portion 101g, as shown in FIG. 5, is larger than the outer diameter D5 of the shaft portion 101f. Thereby, when the cassette 7 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 100A, the main body drive shaft 101 can be imitated to the coupling member 28 in a manner that reduces the axis deviation between the rotation center of the cylindrical portion 71 and the rotation center of the shaft portion 101f. Way to guide. Therefore, the rough guide part 101g may be renamed as an insertion guide.

In addition, after the installation of the cassette 7 to the image forming apparatus main body 100A is completed, the dimensional relationship is set so that the coarse guide portion 101g does not abut the inner peripheral surface 71b.

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

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

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

In addition, the details will be described later, but the engaging portion 73 is provided at the front end of the supporting portion 74 so as to be elastically deformable. Therefore, the engaging portion 73 is configured to be movable outward in the radial direction when the drum cartridge 13 is mounted on the main body 100A of the apparatus. Thereby, as the drum cartridge 13 is inserted into the main body 100A of the apparatus, the engaging portion 73 enters the drive transmission groove 101a, and the engaging portion 73 can be engaged with the main body drive transmission groove 101a.

〔Constitution of coupling components〕

The structure of the coupling member 28 is demonstrated using FIGS. 11-19.

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

Fig. 12 is a view of the flange member 70 as seen 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 in which the coupling member 28 and the main body drive shaft 101 are cut off 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 illustrates a cross-section of the forming mold of the flange member 70 picture.

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

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

The coupling member 28 is composed of a flange member 70 and an alignment member 33 as shown in FIG. 16.

(Instructions about flange components)

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

The flange member 70 includes an attachment portion (fixed portion) 72, a cylindrical portion 71, a flange portion 75, an engagement portion 73, a support portion 74, and a force receiving portion 77, as shown in FIG.

The mounting portion 72 is a portion for being mounted on the photoreceptor drum 1. The mounting portion 72, as shown in FIG. 11, has a press-fitting portion 72d that is press-fitted into the cylinder inner diameter of the photoreceptor drum 1, a temporary lock groove 72e, and a press-fitting portion provided at a deeper side (Z2 direction side) than the press-fitting portion 72d The guide 72f.

The press-fitting portion 72d as the coupling portion is a part for fixing the coupling member 28 to the photoreceptor drum 1 by being pressed into the photoreceptor drum 1. Specifically, a size is adopted such that the inner diameter of the cylinder of the photoreceptor drum 1 and the outer shape of the press-fitting portion 72d are in a locked-fitting relationship. In addition, it is not limited to the above-mentioned relationship when it is configured to increase the bonding force by the temporary lock, or when the cylinder inner diameter and the press-fitting portion 72d are bonded and fixed.

The temporary lock groove 72e, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, is a groove shape (concave) provided on the photosensitive drum 1 side of the press-fitting portion 72d in the Z-axis direction. Department). The temporary locking grooves 72e are equally arranged in two places around the rotation axis of the coupling member 28. In addition, in the rotation axis direction of the coupling member 28, the temporary lock groove 72e and the flange portion 75 are arranged to overlap each other. In other words, if the temporary locking groove 72e and the flange portion 75 are vertically projected on the rotation axis of the coupling member 28, the projection area of the temporary locking groove 72e and the projection area of the flange portion 75 overlap on the axis.

In addition, the so-called "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 projection area of X and the projection area of Y At least part of overlaps." The photoreceptor drum 1 is plastically deformed by temporarily locking a part of the side end of the coupling member 28 of the photoreceptor drum 1. Thereby, a part of the photoreceptor enters the temporary lock groove 72e, and the photoreceptor drum 1 and the coupling member 28 are firmly fixed. In addition, the term “temporary lock” refers to the operation of plastically working and joining a part of a plurality of parts. In this embodiment, by plastically deforming a part of the cylinder (aluminum) of the photoreceptor drum 1, the cylinder of the photoreceptor drum 1 and the coupling member 28 are combined. In this embodiment, as an example of a means for firmly fixing the coupling member 28 to the photoreceptor drum 1, a temporary lock groove 72e is used, but the inner diameter of the cylinder and the press-fit 72d are bonded to each other. For fixing, etc., other fixing means can also be used. That is, the temporary lock groove 72e is not necessarily constituted.

When assembling the coupling member 28 to the photoreceptor drum 1 by the press-fitting guide portion 72f, the coupling member 28 is easily assembled to the photoreceptor drum 1, and the press-fitting portion 72d is pressed into the photoreceptor drum 1 stably. Tool In terms of the body, the outer diameter of the press-fitting guide 72f is smaller than the outer diameter of the press-fitting portion 72d and the inner diameter of the cylinder of the photoconductor drum 1, and has a guide inclined surface on the front end side in the mounting direction of the photoconductor drum 1. 72g. The guiding inclined surface 72g is provided on the inclined portion of the coupling member 28 in order to facilitate the insertion of the coupling member 28 into the inside of the photoreceptor drum 1.

The cylindrical part 71 has the to-be-beared part 71c (shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 11) as mentioned 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 71 b of the cylindrical portion 71 is smaller than the inner diameter D9 of the inner peripheral surface 72 m of the mounting portion 72. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the inner peripheral surface 71 b 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 inside of the cylindrical portion 71. Thereby, when the drum cartridge 13 is inserted into the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus, the main body drive shaft 101 can emulate the coupling member in a manner that reduces the axis deviation between the rotation center of the cylindrical portion 71 and the rotation center of the shaft portion 101f 28 ways to guide. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the inner diameter D2 of the inner peripheral surface 71 b is larger than the outer diameter D6 of the shaft portion 101 f of the main body drive shaft 101. Therefore, after the installation of the drum cartridge 13 to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus is completed, the inner peripheral surface 71b does not abut the coarse guide portion 101g.

As shown in FIG. 14, the flange part 75 is a shape which protrudes to the outer side rather than 72 d of press-fit parts in a radial direction. When the coupling member 28 is assembled to the photoreceptor drum 1, the end surface 75b of the flange portion 75 abuts against the end surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 to determine the Z direction of the photoreceptor drum 1 and the coupling member 28 The shape of the position.

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

The drive receiving surface 73a is a drive force receiving portion that receives the drive force from the main body drive shaft 101 by contacting the drive 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 74 provided on the support portion is a curved surface that abuts 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. The radius R1 of the arc constituting the contact surface 74h is approximately the same as the radius R2 of the shaft portion 101f as shown in FIG. 9.

The supported surface 74i is a surface that abuts against the supporting surface 33t of the supporting portion 33j of the aligning member 33 described later, and the counter-driving receiving surface 73a is arranged on the downstream side in the rotation direction (illustrated in FIG. 12). Moreover, as shown in FIG. 15, it is arrange|positioned so that the angle J between the supported surface 74i and the drive receiving surface 73a may become an acute angle. In short, with respect to the support surface 33t of the support portion 33j, the drive receiving surface 73a is inclined.

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

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

At least a part of the support portion (73, 74) is arranged inside the cylinder member 70. In this embodiment, the entire support portion (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 (cylinder member 70) of the coupling member 28 from the root portion (fixed end) 74a of the base portion 74 as a starting point. In addition, the base 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.

In more detail, the base portion 74 has a root-side extension portion (fixed-end-side extension portion) 74t, a turn-back portion (bent portion, connecting portion) 74r, and a free end-side extension portion (tip-side extension portion) 74s. The free end side extension portion 74s is provided with a supported surface 74i or an abutting surface 74h.

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

The root-side extension portion 74t is arranged radially outward with respect to the engagement portion 73 or the free end-side extension portion 74s.

The turned-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 portion 74s is a bent portion provided between the root-side extension portion 74t and the free end-side extension portion 74s. In addition, the folded portion 74s is a connecting portion connecting the free end side extension portion 74s and the root side extension portion 74t. In this embodiment, the bending angle of the turn-back portion 74r is larger than 90°. Specifically, the angle is about 180°.

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

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

The base 74 formed as one body by bending forms a free end extension portion 74s and a fundamental side extension portion 74t. With such a structure, the support parts (73, 74) can be easily constructed.

However, the connection portion, the root-side extension portion 74t, and the free-end-side extension portion 74s are respectively formed as individual pieces (different members), and the connection member (connecting portion) is used to connect the root-side extension portion 74t and the free-end side extension portion 74s. It is also possible.

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

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

The fundamental side extension portion 74t and the free end side extension portion 74s are constructed in such a way that the axial direction of the drum unit 30 has at least partially overlapped with each other. That is, when the root-side extension portion 74t and the free end-side extension portion 74s are vertically projected on the axis of the drum unit 30, they are configured such that 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 that intersects the rotation direction (circumferential direction) of the coupling member 28. In addition, the drive receiving surface 73a is also a surface that extends radially inward from the free end side extension portion 74s.

In addition, in this embodiment, the root-side extension portion 74t and the free end-side extension portion 74s are straight portions that extend parallel to the axial direction. However, it is not limited to this configuration.

In other words, each extension portion (74t, 74s) may 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 an axial component. As an example, a modification of this embodiment is shown in FIGS. 64 and 65. As shown in these figures, 74 g of root-side extensions may be inclined to the axial direction while extending in the Z2 direction. In addition, as shown in Fig. 64 and Fig. 65, the pair of free end side extensions 74s is The axis direction can 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 also regarded as extending at least in the axial direction. In addition, 74 t of the root side extension part and 74 s of the free end side extension part are regarded as extending in mutually different directions in the axial direction.

In addition, if the root-side extension portion 74t and the free end-side extension portion 74s extend at least in the axial direction, these need not extend linearly.

The free end of the engaging portion 73 (that is, the tip of the free end side extension portion 74s) is arranged on the Z1 side than the folded portion 74r. In addition, the root (fixed end) 74a of the base portion 74 is also arranged on the Z1 side than the folded 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 from the inner diameter side.

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

The root-side extension portion 74t is deformed so that it is inclined from the root 74a as a starting point. In addition, the folded-back portion 74r is deformed so that the free end side extension portion 74s is inclined. As a result, the engaging portion 73 can be moved in a direction intersecting the direction in which each extension portion (74t, 74s) extends.

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 along the outer peripheral surface of the main body drive shaft 101 toward the radially outer side. After that, the engaging part When 73 is at the same position (in the same phase) as the main body-side drive transmission groove 101a provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body drive shaft 101, it moves in a direction in which the elastic deformation of the base 74 is cancelled. In this way, the engaging portion 73 moves to the radially inner side, and a part of the engaging portion 73 can enter the drive transmission groove 101a.

In addition, the drive receiving surface 73a of the flange member 70 has a shape that is twisted around the axis of the flange member 70. In this embodiment, the twisting amount is the same as that of the main body drive transmission surface 101b.

In addition, the drive receiving surface 73a only needs to be different in phase in the rotation direction of the two points in contact with the drive shaft 101. In short, as long as the drive receiving surface 73a has a structure equivalent to that of a twisted surface, it does not have to be a twisted shape.

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

In this way, by making the drive receiving surface 73a a twisted shape or an inclined shape, when the drive receiving surface 73a receives a drive, the photoconductor drum unit 30 is drawn into the main body drive shaft 101 by the bearing portion 101d side的力。 The force.

As shown in FIG. 14, the engaging portion 73 has a force receiving portion on the outside (Z1 direction side) of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 in the Z direction It is inserted into the inclined surface 73d. In addition, the engaging portion 73 has a pull-out inclined surface 73e as a force receiving portion at the time of detachment on the inner side (the Z2 direction side) of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 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 installation, the insertion inclined surface 73d abuts 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 on 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 surface of the cylindrical portion 71 to the front end surface of the engaging portion 73 is such that the length L2 of the drive receiving surface 73 becomes L1>L2. The engaging portion 73 is arranged in a way.

As shown in FIG. 15, the force receiving part 77 is arrange|positioned on the downstream side of the rotation direction of the engaging part 73, and has the receiving surface 77a and the rib 77e. It is a structure in which the support part 33j of the aligning member 33 mentioned later is nipped between the supported surface 74i and the receiving surface 77a provided in the free end side extension part 74s. The receiving surface 77a and the driving receiving surface 73 are arranged approximately in parallel. As shown in FIG. 15, the rib 77e is arranged from the inner diameter side end of the receiving surface 77a as a starting point, and is almost perpendicular to the receiving surface 77a so as to abut the inner peripheral surface 72m of the mounting portion 72.

In addition, at least a part of the support portions (73, 74) and the drive receiving surface 73a are arranged inward of the bearing portion 71c in the axial direction of the drum unit 30. 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. special In this embodiment, the entire supporting portion (73, 74) and the drive receiving surface 73a are arranged inward of the bearing portion 71c in the axial direction of the drum unit 30.

Furthermore, at least a part of the supporting parts (73, 74) is arranged in the internal space of the photoreceptor drum 1. In short, at least a part of the support portions (73, 74) is located on the inner side of the end portion of the photoreceptor drum 1 in the axial direction. In other words, if the supporting parts (73, 74) and the photoreceptor drum 1 are projected perpendicularly to the axis of the photoreceptor drum 1, the projection area of the supporting parts (73, 74) and the projection of the photoreceptor drum 1 Areas are at least partially overlapped with each other. In addition, at least a part of the supporting portions (73, 74) is arranged in the inner side of the photoreceptor drum 1 in the radial direction of the drum unit.

Similarly, at least a part of the driving force receiving portion (driving receiving surface 73a) is arranged inside the photoreceptor drum 1. Therefore, if 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 projected area of the photoreceptor drum 1 are at least partially overlapped with each other .

If at least a part of the support portion (73, 74) or at least a portion of the drive receiving surface 73a is arranged inside the photoreceptor drum 1, the support portion (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 73a are arranged inside the photoreceptor drum 1.

In addition, the base portion 74a of the fixed end of the support portion (73, 74) is arranged inside the photoreceptor drum 1, and has the following effects. fundamental The portion 74a is arranged 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 part of the flange member 70 covered by the photoreceptor drum 1 becomes less deformable.

The support portions (73, 74) can be elastically deformed from the root portion 74a as a starting point, but even if the support portions (73, 74) deform elastically, the photoconductor drum 1 can prevent the deformation from affecting the root portion 74a.

If the 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 on the supporting portions (73, 74) can stably receive the driving force from the main body drive shaft 101.

In addition, 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 (by the bearing portion 101d) supported by the device main body and its free end (shaft portion 101f) supported by the drum unit. In this way, the longer the distance between the main body drive shaft 101 by the bearing portion 101d and the shaft portion 101f, the less likely it is for the drum unit to tilt significantly. In short, when the cassette 7 is installed in the main body of the apparatus, it becomes easy to keep the main body drive shaft 101 and the drum unit parallel.

If the drive receiving surface 73a is arranged inside the photoreceptor drum 1, the shaft 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, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the main body of the device, and it is easy to ensure the length of the main body drive shaft 101 (the distance between the bearing portion 101d and the shaft portion 101f).

(Explanation on manufacturing method)

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

The structure of the metal mold used when forming the flange member 70 will be described with reference to FIG. 17.

The flange member 70 has a flange portion 75 in a shape protruding 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, the metal mold is a two-part structure of a mold on the left side (cylindrical side mold 60) and a mold on the right side (mounting part side mold 61) as shown in the figure. By closing the left and right molds, a space portion (plastic film cavity, cavity portion) with the same shape as the molded product is formed. The material flows into this space and solidifies in the metal mold to form the flange member 70. The metal mold is provided with a parting surface 62 (a surface for separating the mold and a surface for closing the mold), which is a place where the left and right molds are closed, in the vicinity of the space where the flange portion 75 is formed. Next, the cylindrical metal mold 60 has a shape provided with a space for forming the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 71. Similarly, the mounting part-side metal mold 61 has a shape having a space for forming the mounting part 72.

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

As mentioned above, the engaging portion 73 has an insertion inclined surface 73d at one end in the Z direction, and an unplugging inclined surface 73e at the other end. Therefore, it is difficult to select which end surface in the Z direction of the engaging portion 73 to arrange the parting surface 62 of the 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 take out the formed flange member 70 from the mold. In short, when the two molds are removed from the engaging portion 73 after the engaging portion 73 is formed, at least one of the molds is caught by the engaging portion 73 and becomes immovable.

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 component mold surface 62 is made as narrow as possible, the possibility 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 from 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 this embodiment, the parting surface 62 is arrange|positioned as follows. In short, the mounting part side metal mold 61 shape The drive receiving surface 73a and the base 74 are viewed from the Z2 direction side. In addition, the cylindrical metal mold 60 forms the insertion slope 73d and the surface of the base 74 seen from the Z1 direction side. 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 from the inner diameter side. In this way, it is possible to prevent the root-side extension portion 74t from being jammed by the cylindrical portion-side mold 60 and hindering the movement of the cylindrical portion-side mold 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 Mode configuration. In short, when the flange member 70 is viewed along the axial direction, the force receiving portion 77 needs to be arranged with a gap between the engaging portion 73 or the base portion 74. Considering the thickness of the metal mold, the force receiving portion 77 is preferably arranged with a gap of about 1 mm between the engaging portion 73 and the base portion 74.

(Instructions about the aligning components)

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

In this embodiment, the aligning member 33 has a recess (inverse cone shape 33a) that narrows toward the bottom. The inverted cone shape 33a is a depression (concave portion) almost in the shape of a cone, and is arranged on the axis of the drum unit 30. In addition, in the axial direction of the drum unit 30, it is arranged on the inner side of the drive receiving surface 73a. The detailed shape of the aligning member 33 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 18, the aligning member 33 has an inverted cone shape 33a, a fitting portion 33b, a detachment preventing portion 33c, and a supporting portion 33j.

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

As shown in FIG. 10, the inverted cone shape 33 a is arranged on the inner side (the Z2 direction side) of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 than the engaging portion 73. In addition, when the aligning member 33 is viewed along the Z direction, the flange member 70 and the aligning member 33 are mounted so that the center of the inverse cone shape 33 a coincides with the center of the photoreceptor drum 1.

The inverted cone shape 33a has a contact portion 33e that abuts against the hemispherical hemispherical shape 101c of the front end of the main body drive shaft 101 when the photoreceptor drum 1 is rotationally driven. In addition, the inverted cone shape 33a is a roughly inverted cone shape (a shape drawn down roughly in a conical shape). As shown in FIG. 10, the centering member 33, in the Z direction, in the state where the abutting portion 33e is in contact with the hemispherical shape 101c, the center 101h of the hemispherical shape 101c of the main body drive shaft 101 lies within the range of the drive receiving surface 73a. The internal method is attached to the flange member 70.

The contact portion 33e provided in the inverted cone shape 33a positions the drum unit 30 on the main body drive shaft 101 by contacting the hemispherical shape 101c of the main body drive shaft 101.

In short, the inverted cone shape 33a can determine the position of the drum unit 30 in the axial direction of the main body drive shaft 101 and the position in the radial direction. In short, the inverted cone shape 33a is a radial positioning part and also a shaft extension. To positioning section.

In addition, the radial positioning portion and the longitudinal direction positioning portion need not be conical depressions like the inverted cone shape 33a. When the radial positioning portion and the longitudinal direction positioning portion are in contact with the main body drive shaft 101, the shape of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 can be determined with respect to the main body drive shaft 101. For example, these are suitable as depressions (concave portions) that become narrower toward the bottom. As such a thing, a pyramid shape other than a cone, such as a pyramid (tetragonal pyramid, etc.), can also be used. However, as in the inverted cone shape 33a of the present embodiment, as long as it is a conical recess symmetrical to the axis of the coupling member 28, the position of the coupling member 28 (position of the drum unit 30) can be maintained particularly accurately. .

In addition, the inverted cone shape 33a only needs to be an area for contact with the main body drive shaft 101, and the non-contact area may be any shape. For example, the part that is not in contact with the main body drive shaft 101, that is, the bottom of the inverted cone shape 33a, may not be present, and the inverted cone shape 33a may be a concave portion without a bottom.

The fitting portion 33b is provided at a place where the alignment member 33 is mounted to the flange member 70. As shown in FIG. 10, the flange member 70 has a fitted portion 72a at a place corresponding to the fitting portion 33b. In addition, the fitting portion 33b is arranged on the inner side (the Z2 direction side) of the photoreceptor drum unit 30 than the contact portion 33e.

The disengagement preventing portion 33c, as shown in FIG. 18, has a stuck shape for preventing the aligning member 33 from falling off the flange member 70. In addition, the flange member 70 is shown in FIG. The premises have a hole shape 72b.

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

In short, the supporting portion 33j is a portion that prevents the engaging portion 73 (drive receiving surface 73a) from moving in the circumferential direction of the flange member 70 by contacting the supported surface 74i. In addition, the aligning member 33 is a supporting member having a supporting portion 33j.

In addition, the aligning member 33 is also a positioning member that determines the relative position of the flange member 70 (the drum unit 30) of the main body drive shaft 101. The recess (inverse cone shape 33a) provided in the aligning member 33 is used as a positioning portion to contact the front end of the main body drive shaft 101. Thereby, for the main body drive shaft 101, the relative position in the axial direction and the relative position in the radial direction of the flange member 70 are jointly determined.

In addition, when viewed from the Z direction, the circle passing through the ridge line on the side of the engaging portion 73 of the support portion 33j is arranged so that its center becomes the same as the inverse cone 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 it is made so that 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 device]

Using FIGS. 20 and 21, the assembly and disassembly of the drum cartridge 13 to the main body of the image forming apparatus will be described.

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

The main body 100A of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment adopts a structure capable of mounting a cassette in an approximately horizontal direction. Specifically, the image forming apparatus main body 100A has a space in which a cassette can be installed. Next, a cassette door 104 (front door) for inserting the cassette into the aforementioned space is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 100A (the direction in which the user stands when used).

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

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

As shown in FIG. 21(a), the photo drum cartridge 13 is initially inserted into the photo drum unit bearing member 39R and the photoconductor photo drum 1 not in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 5. In other words, deep in the insertion direction of the drum cartridge 13 When the end of the side is supported by the cassette lower rail 105, the photoreceptor drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 5 are not in contact with each other in a dimensional relationship.

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

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

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 21(c), the drum cartridge 13 is inserted into the deep side of the image forming apparatus body 100A from the state of the upper deep side cassette lower guide 107. Then, the drum unit bearing member 39R abuts against the deep cassette positioning portion 108 provided in the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus. At this time, the drum cartridge 13 (photoreceptor drum unit 30) becomes more than complete installation In the state of the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus (FIG. 21(d)), the state is further 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 device body and the cassette when the cassette door 104 is closed. The image forming apparatus 100A has a front cassette lower guide 109 on the front side of the insertion direction of the cassette lower guide 105. The front cassette lower guide 109 is configured to move 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 photo drum unit bearing member 39L abuts against the front cassette positioning portion 110 of the image forming apparatus main body 100A, and the photo drum cartridge 13 positions the image forming apparatus main body 100A.

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

In addition, the removal of the drum cartridge 13 from the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus is the reverse order of the aforementioned insertion operation.

As described above, because of the oblique installation structure, when the drum cartridge 13 is installed on the main body 100A of the apparatus, the slip between the photoconductor drum and the intermediate transfer belt can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress minute scratches (scratches) on the surface of the photoreceptor drum or the surface of the intermediate transfer belt.

In addition, the structure disclosed in this embodiment can make the structure of the image forming apparatus body 100A simpler than the structure in which the entire cassette is lifted after the apparatus body moves the cassette in the horizontal direction and is installed. change.

〔The process of engaging the coupling member to the drive shaft of the main body〕

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

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

Figure 23 is for explaining that the main body drive shaft 101 is rotated when the main body drive transmission groove 101a and the engaging portion 73 (drive receiving surface 73a) are out of phase, and the coupling member 28 of the main body drive shaft 101 is installed when the phases are matched. Sectional view for action.

Fig. 22(a) is a diagram showing a state where the coupling member 28 starts to engage with the main body drive shaft 101. In addition, FIG. 22(e) shows a state where the drum cartridge 13 is mounted on the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus. Particularly, FIG. 23(e) shows a state in which the front cassette lower guide 109 rises with the cassette door 104 closed, and the drum cassette 13 is positioned on the image forming apparatus main 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 at a slight angle due to its own weight.

In addition, FIG. 23(a) is a diagram for explaining a state where the main body drive transmission groove 101a and the engaging portion 73 (drive receiving surface 73a) are out of phase.

As explained using FIG. 21(b), the photo drum cartridge 13 rides on the deep-side cartridge lower guide 107. That is, the drum cartridge 13 gradually increases inclination until it becomes the state shown in Figs. 21(a) to 21(b), and becomes a state of approximately 0.5 to 2° inclination. Then, the optical drum cassette 13 rides on the lower guide 107 of the deep side cassette.

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

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

As shown in FIG. 22(b), first, the front end of the inner peripheral surface 71b of the cylindrical portion 71 of the coupling member 28 abuts against the rough guide portion 101g of the main body drive shaft 101. As shown in the figure, the main body drive shaft 101 has a structure in which a bearing portion 101d is supported 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 keeping track of the inner peripheral surface 71b of the coupling member 28. As described above, the engaging portion 73 is in the Z direction, and the distance L1 from the front end surface of the cylindrical portion 71 to the front end surface of the engaging portion 73 is set such that the length L2 of the drive receiving surface 73 becomes L1> The L2 relationship is configured in a way (as shown in Figure 14). Therefore, before the hemispherical shape 101c of the front end of the main body drive shaft 101 abuts the engaging portion 73, the rough guide portion 101g of the main body drive shaft 101 is along the inner peripheral surface 71b of the coupling member 28. Thereby, the main body drive shaft 101 is guided to the coupling member 28. 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 an unexpected place, and these damages can be suppressed.

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

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 is moved (retreated) to the outer diameter of the shaft portion 101f of the main body drive shaft 101. By this movement, as shown in FIG. 22(d), the inclined surface 73e of the engaging portion 73 is pulled out of 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 mounted on The main body drives the shaft 101. As described above, the base portion 74 has an elastically deformable root-side extension portion 74t and a turned-back portion 74r. When the engaging portion 73 moves to the radially outer side, the base portion 74 has its fundamental side extension portion 74t and the turned-back portion 74r respectively elastically deformed. Therefore, compared with the configuration in which only the fundamental side extension portion 74t is elastically deformed, the force can be reduced. Deformed radially outward. Therefore, the mounting force of the drum cartridge 13 to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus can be kept low.

In addition, the base 74 has a folded portion 74r, so it can be arranged in a limited space in the Z direction.

As described above, the flange member 70 does not have to be enlarged in the Z2 direction, and the mounting force of the drum cartridge 13 to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus can be kept low.

Thereafter, as described above, the photo drum cartridge 13 is lifted up in such a manner that the photo drum unit bearing member 39L of the photo drum cartridge 13 abuts against the front cartridge positioning portion 110. When the photo drum cartridge 13 is lifted, the photo drum cartridge 13 is positioned in the image forming apparatus main body 100A (as shown in FIG. 21(d)). With this action of the drum cartridge 13, as shown in FIG. 22(e), the inclination of the coupling member 28 is cancelled.

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

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

As described above, as the drum cartridge 13 is mounted on the main body 100A of the apparatus, the main body drive transmission groove 101a and the engaging portion 73 Become a state that can be clicked. 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 a mechanism for moving the main body drive shaft 101 so as to engage with the coupling member 28 in the apparatus main body 100A of the image forming apparatus. The mechanism for engaging the main body drive shaft 101 with the coupling unit 28 after mounting the drum cartridge 13 to the image forming apparatus 100A can be omitted from the main body 100A of the apparatus.

In addition, when the drum cartridge 13 is attached to the main body 100A of the apparatus, the engaging portion 73 of the coupling member 28 is configured to be retracted to the outside in the radial direction by contacting the main body drive shaft 101. Next, the engaging portion 73 is moved radially inward to engage 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 part 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, compared with the drum cartridge 13, the image forming apparatus body 100A requires higher durability. It is preferable to provide the movable part (engaging part 73) movable in the diameter direction on the coupling member 28 side of the drum cartridge 13 as in the present embodiment to improve the durability of the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus.

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

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

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

When the drive receiving surface 73a receives the driving force F1, the angle between the supported surface 74i and the drive 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 side opposite to the drive 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 the engaging portion 73 hardly deforms on the downstream side in the rotation direction.

In addition, when the engaging portion 73 receives the component Fv in the parallel direction, the abutting surface 74h abuts against the shaft portion 101f of the main body drive shaft 101, and the engaging portion 73 is supported (backed up).

In addition, due to the component Fv of the force parallel to the supported surface 74i, the engaging portion 73 (drive receiving surface 73a) springs 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 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 supporting surface 33t, the engaging portion 73 moves to the radially inner side along the supporting surface 33t. In short, when the supporting surface 33t or the supported surface 74i is inclined with respect to the drive receiving surface 73a, when the supporting surface 33t contacts the supported surface 74i, a force that causes the engaging portion 73 to spring inward in the radial direction is generated.

In the cross section shown in FIG. 15, a straight line extending along the drive receiving surface 73a and a straight line extending along the supporting surface 33t intersect on the outside of the driving force receiving surface 73a in the radial direction of the coupling member.

Moreover, in the radial direction of the coupling member 28, the support surface 33t is inclined so that the inner diameter side is arrange|positioned on the downstream side of the rotation direction rather than the outer diameter side. The same applies to the supported noodle 74i.

In addition, the driving force receiving surface 73 a provided in the engaging portion 73 is an inclined portion that is 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 drive transmission groove 101a, the drive receiving surface 73a is inclined such that the drive receiving surface 73a bites into the drive 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 retreated from the drive transmission groove 101a. In short, the engagement state between the engagement portion 73 and the drive transmission groove 101a is a stable state.

In more detail, the drive receiving surface 73a is such that the inner diameter side (front end side) of the coupling member 28 is arranged closer to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the coupling member 28 than the outer diameter side (rear end side). 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 on 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 (photoreceptor drum unit 30) rotates, the force received by the drive receiving surface 73a causes the engaging portion 73 to move to the bottom The body drive transmission groove 101a operates in the direction in which it engages. In short, the engaging portion 73 is elastically pushed toward the inner side in the radial direction by the driving force received by the driving receiving surface 73a. As a result, the engagement state of the engaging portion 73 and the main body drive transmission groove 101a is stable, and the disengagement and engagement of the engaging portion 73 and the main body drive transmission groove 101a is suppressed.

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

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the supporting portion 33i is provided in the alignment member (positioning member) 33. However, the supporting portion 33i may be a member different from the aligning member 33.

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

〔Removing the coupling member from the main 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 action of unplugging the coupling member 28 from the main body drive shaft 101.

As shown in Figure 24(a), the rotation of the main body drive shaft 101 When the drive stops, the drive receiving surface 73 and the main body drive transmission surface 101b are in abutting state. 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 is lowered, 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, the coupling member 28 and the main body drive shaft 101, as shown in FIG. 24(b), are in a state (Z direction) in which the mounting is completed, and is inclined by about 0.5 to 2°.

When starting to remove the drum cartridge 13 from the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 24(c), the removal inclined surface 73e of the engaging portion 73 conflicts with the main removal inclined surface 101i. When the inclined surface 73e is pulled out, the base 74 starts to elastically deform because it resists the pulling out gradient 101i on the main body side, and the engaging portion 73 moves to the radially outer side along the pulling out inclined surface 101i on the main body side.

Furthermore, when the coupling member 28 is removed from the main body drive shaft 101, the base 74 is further elastically deformed, and the engaging portion 73 is moved to the outer diameter of the shaft portion 101f 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 removed from the main body drive shaft 101, as shown in FIG. 24(e), the elastic deformation of the base 74 is released, and the position of the engaging portion 73 also returns to the position before the elastic deformation.

As described above, by using the coupling member of this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the flange member 70 in the Z2 direction. Next, you can put the drum cartridge 13 The mounting force to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus is suppressed to a very low level, the change in the amount of rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1 can be suppressed, and the image quality can be maintained.

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

For example, the following configuration can also be considered in order from the fixed end of the base 74 toward the free end. That is, (1) an extension portion that extends inside in the axial direction, (2) a turn-back portion, (3) an extension portion that extends outside in the axial direction, (4) a turn-back portion, and (5) extends inside in the axial direction The extension. In this case, the base 74 has three extensions to form an S shape. When there is one or more folded parts, the base 74 has at least a first extension part and a second extension part extending in mutually different directions in the axial direction. In the present embodiment shown in Figs. 13, 14, etc., among the fundamental side extension portion 74t and the free end side extension portion 74s extending in mutually different directions, one is equivalent to the first extension portion, and the other is equivalent 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 root side extension portion 74t following it 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 ( 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 according to the present embodiment cut at the center of the rotation axis (the center of the rotation axis).

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 128 and the main body drive shaft 101 of this embodiment 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 this embodiment seen from the outside in the Z direction.

Fig. 28 is a view and a side view of the inner cylindrical member 140 related to this embodiment when viewed from the Z1 side and the Z2 side.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the assembly procedure of the coupling member 128 related to this embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the assembly procedure of the coupling member 128 related to this embodiment as seen from the outer side and the side surface in the Z direction.

When the elements of this embodiment correspond to the elements described in the first embodiment, the same names are given. With regard to these elements, a configuration or function that is different from the elements of the foregoing embodiment will be specifically described in detail, and the description of the same elements as the foregoing elements may be omitted.

In addition, with regard to elements that are substantially equivalent to the elements of the foregoing embodiment, the same names and the same symbols are used, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

In the first embodiment, the coupling member 28 is divided into two parts, the flange member 70 and the aligning member 33. In contrast, in this embodiment, the coupling member 128, as shown in FIG. 25, consists of a flange member 170 and an inner cylinder The component 140 is constituted.

More specifically, the flange member 170, as shown in FIG. The inner cylindrical member 140, as shown in FIG. 28, has a base portion 174, an engagement portion 173, a fitting portion 140a, a fall prevention portion 140b, and a rotation stop portion 140c.

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 supporting portion for supporting the driving force receiving portion (driving receiving surface 173a). The supporting parts (174, 173) are U-shaped buckles. The inner cylindrical member 140 is a driving force receiving member that receives the driving force from the device body by being provided on the driving receiving surface 173a of the engaging portion 173 (refer to FIG. 28).

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

(Instructions about flange components)

As described above, the flange member 170 has, as shown in FIG.

The mounting portion 172, like the mounting portion 72 of the first embodiment, is a portion where it is mounted on the photoreceptor drum 1. The mounting portion 172 is pressed into the inner circumference of the photoreceptor drum 1 by being attached to the inner circumference of the photoreceptor drum 1.

The cylindrical portion 171 has a to-be-beared portion equivalent to the to-be-beared portion 71c of the first embodiment, whereby the bearing portion rotatably supports the drum unit bearing structure Piece 39R.

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

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

The force receiving portion 177 is parallel to the supported surface 174i, has a receiving surface 177a abutting on 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 that suppresses movement of the engaging portion 173 (drive receiving surface 173a) in the circumferential direction of the flange member 128. In addition, the flange member 170 is a support member having a support portion (receiving surface 177a).

Furthermore, the receiving surface 177a is in contact with the supported surface 174i, and the driving force is transmitted from the inner cylindrical member 140. That is, the driving force received by the drive 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 177a is a transmitted portion for transmitting the driving force from the inner cylindrical member 140.

The inverted cone shape 133a, similar to Example 1, has a roughly inverted cone shape. In the Z direction, in the state where the contact portion 133e is in contact with the hemispherical shape 101c, the center 101h of the hemispherical shape 101c of the main body drive shaft 101 is arranged on the convex surface so as to be within the range of the drive receiving surface 173a. 缘件170。 Edge member 170.

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

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

(Explanation about the inner cylinder)

As described above, the inner cylinder 140 has the base 174 of the supporting part, the engaging part 173 of the supporting part, the fitting part 140a, the anti-falling part 140b, and the rotation preventing part 140c (as shown in FIG. 28).

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

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

In this embodiment, each of the fundamental-side extension portion 174t and the free-end-side extension portion 174s is opposite to each of the fundamental-side extension portion 74t and the free-end-side extension portion 74s of the first embodiment.

The root-side extension 174t is formed by the root portion 174a, which is approximately parallel to the rotation axis of the flange member 170, and extends in the Z1 direction (outside the drum unit axis direction), and is arranged on the root-side extension 174s or the engaging portion 173 On the radial outside.

The turn-back part 174r is continuously connected to the root-side extension part The fixed end side of 174s and the bending part of the free end side of the fundamental side extension 174t.

At the root-side extension portion 174s, an engaging portion 173 is provided in almost the entire area. The engaging portion 173 is a protrusion that the root-side extension portion 174s has, and the engaging portion 173 is provided with a driving force receiving portion (drive receiving surface 173a).

The base portion 174, the root-side extension portion 174t, and the turn-back portion 174r are each elastically deformed. Compared with a 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.

The free end side of the engaging portion 173 (the front end side of the free end extension portion 174s) and the root 174a of the base portion 174 are both arranged on the Z2 side 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 accurately aligned. Used part.

The fall-off prevention portion 140b is a portion for preventing the inner cylindrical member 140 from falling off 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 the flange member 170 is assembled. The anti-falling portion 140b, as shown in FIG. 29(a), has an avoidance and flange on the upstream side of the rotation direction in a state where 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.

After the flange member 170 is incorporated into the inner cylindrical member 140, the anti-rotation portion 140c restricts the rotation of the inner cylindrical member 140 to the upstream side in the direction of rotation. . Figure 28 (B) shows the shape of the buckle.

(Assembly of coupling components)

As described above, the coupling member 128 is composed of the flange member 170 and the inner cylindrical member 140. The assembly of the coupling member 128 will be described using FIGS. 29 and 30.

Fig. 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 rotation direction of the coupling member 128 in the assembled state shown in FIGS. 29(c) and 30(c). In this phase, the phase of the clearance portion 140d of the anti-dropping portion 140b and the force receiving portion 177 are in the same phase. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 29(b) and FIG. 30(b), in the Z direction, the drop-off prevention portion 140b is assembled to the same gap as the cylindrical member pressing portion 178 provided on the deep side of the force receiving portion 177 Location. At this time, the fitting portion 140a of the inner cylindrical member 140 is fitted into the outer periphery of the inverse cone shape 133a of the flange member 170, and the rotation center of the flange member 170 and the inner cylindrical member 140 can be matched with high precision. In addition, at this time, the rotation stop portion 140c of the buckle shape is in a flexed state.

Thereafter, as shown in Figure 29 (c) and Figure 30 (c), the convex The edge member 170 rotates the inner cylindrical member 140 to the downstream side in the rotation 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 rotation stop portion 140c of the snap shape is released, and the attachment of the inner cylindrical member 140 to the flange member 170 is completed.

That is, for the flange member 170, the inner cylindrical member 140 is restricted from moving in the rotation direction. In short, on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the inner cylindrical member 140, the supported surface 174i can rotate within the range until it abuts on the receiving surface 177a. On the upstream side in the rotation direction, the inner cylindrical member 140 can rotate within the range until the rotation stop portion 140c comes into contact with the flange member 170.

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

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

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

When the drive receiving surface 173a receives the driving force F1, the angle between the supported surface 174i and the drive receiving surface 173a is an acute angle, so it can be decomposed into a component Fv perpendicular to the supported surface 174i and a horizontal component Fh. As shown in Figure 15, the vertical component Fv is transmitted to the card The supported surface 174i on the opposite side of the driving receiving surface 173a of the joint 173. The engaging portion 173 is supported (backed up) by the mounting portion 172 through the rib 177e, so the engaging portion 173 is hardly deformed on the downstream side in the rotation direction. In addition, when the engaging portion 173 receives the component Fh in the vertical direction, the abutting surface 174h abuts against 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 photoconductor drum unit 30 can be pulled in toward the main body drive shaft 101 by the bearing portion 101d side. In addition, even if the load F1 fluctuates, the engaging portion 73 is supported and hardly deformed as described above. Therefore, the rotation amount of the photoreceptor drum 1 hardly changes, 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 cross-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 through the position of the base 274 in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the aligning 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 this embodiment, those corresponding to the elements described in the foregoing embodiment are given the same names as the elements of the foregoing embodiment. Regarding these particularly detailed descriptions of configurations or functions that are different from the aforementioned elements, the description of the same elements as the aforementioned elements may also be omitted.

In addition, among the elements of the present embodiment, those that are substantially equivalent to the elements of the foregoing embodiment are given the same names and use the same symbols, and detailed descriptions are omitted. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 31, the root side extension 274 is arranged on the downstream side of the engagement portion 273 in the rotation direction, and the root portion (fixed end) 274a faces the Z2 direction (the direction of the axis of the drum unit 30). Inside) extends. Next, the root-side extension portion 274t is arranged to be approximately parallel to the rotation axis of the flange member 270. In addition, the turned-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 Z1 direction (outside the axial direction of the drum unit 30) from the folded portion 274r, and extends in the axial direction.

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

The folding portion 274r is arranged on the deep side (Z2 side) of the drum unit 30 in the axial direction against the engaging portion 273.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the circumferential direction (rotation direction) of the drum unit 30, the free end side extension portion 274s and the root side extension portion 274t are arranged at different positions. 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 positions offset from each other. In other words, the free end side extension 274s is arranged on the upstream side than the root side extension 274t in the rotation direction (refer to FIG. 32). This point is different from Example 1.

In addition, the support portion for movably supporting the driving force receiving portion (drive receiving surface 273a) is formed by the base portion 274 and the engaging portion 273, which is the same as the first embodiment.

The aligning member 233 has an inverted cone shape 233a, a fitting portion 233b, a detachment preventing portion 233c, and a supporting portion 233j (as shown in FIG. 33), as in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 32, the transmission of the driving force F1 according to the driving of the coupling member 228 of the main body drive shaft 101 is also the same as that of the first embodiment. The support structure is also the same as in 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 mounted on the main body 100 of the image forming apparatus, the engaging portion 273 moves radially outward. At this time, by elastic deformation of the fundamental-side extension portion 274t and the folded-back portion 274r of the base portion 274, the cassette 1 can be attached with a low load, as in the first embodiment.

In addition, in this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the root-side extension portion 274t, the counter-engaging portion 273, or the free end-side extension portion 274s are arranged on the downstream side in the rotation direction. However, the root-side extension portion 274t may be arranged on the upstream side in the rotation direction with respect to the engagement portion 273 or the free end-side extension portion 274s (see FIG. 34(a)). Or, as shown in FIG. 34(b), the root-side extension portion 274t is connected to the engaging portion 273 or the free end-side extension portion 274s The configuration may be arranged on both the upstream side and the downstream side in the rotation direction. At this time, although of course, the folded-back portion 274r is also arranged on both sides of the engaging portion 273 or the free end side extension portion 274s.

In short, in the configuration shown in FIG. 34(b), the support portions (273, 274) have two root-side extension portions 274t for supporting the free end-side extension portion 274s. In other words, the free end side extension portion 274s is connected to the two fundamental side extension portions 274t through the two turn-back portions 274r. Such support portions (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 according to this embodiment cut 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 related to this embodiment seen 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 aligning member 333 related to this embodiment.

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

Fig. 40 cuts the coupling member 328 and the position of the drive transmission surface 373a in the direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation related to the present embodiment A cross-sectional view of the main body drive shaft 101.

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

Those corresponding to the elements described in the foregoing embodiment are given the same names as the foregoing embodiment. Regarding these particularly detailed descriptions of configurations or functions that are different from the aforementioned elements, the description of the same elements as the aforementioned elements may also be omitted.

In addition, among the elements of the present embodiment, those that are substantially equivalent to the elements of the foregoing embodiment are given the same names and use 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 this embodiment is different from the free end side extension portion 274s and the fixed end side extension portion 274t of the third embodiment.

In addition, 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 engagement portion 273 and the base portion 274. In addition, the base portion 274 has the folded-back portion 274r arranged on the deep side (Z2 side) of the mating engaging portion.

In contrast, in this embodiment, the coupling member 328 is composed of a flange member 370, an inner cylindrical member 340, and an alignment member 333 as shown in FIG. 35. The inner cylindrical member 340 is a driving force receiving member similar to the second embodiment, and the aligning member 333 is a supporting part similar to the second embodiment, and is a member to be transmitted and also a positioning member.

More specifically, the flange member 370, as shown in Fig. 36 As shown, there are a mounting portion 372, a cylindrical portion 371, a flange portion 375, and a force receiving portion 377.

In addition, the inner cylindrical member 340, as shown in FIG. 37, has a base portion 374, an engaging portion 373, and a fitting portion 340a. The base part 374 has a root extension part 374t and a turn-back part 374r similarly to the third embodiment.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 37, the root-side extension portion 374t is arranged on the downstream side in the rotation direction with respect to the engagement portion 373 or the free end-side extension portion 374s. The root-side extension portion 374t extends from the root portion 374a in the Z1 direction (outside the axial direction of the drum unit 30), and is arranged approximately parallel to the rotation axis of the flange member 370. In addition, the turned-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 arranged 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 (the inner side of the axial direction of the drum unit 30) from the folded portion 374r, and is arranged approximately parallel to the rotation axis of the flange member 370.

The engagement 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 an inverted cone shape 333a, a aligning member fitting portion 333i, a falling prevention portion 333j, and an inner cylindrical member fitted portion 333k.

The aligning member fitting portion 333i, as shown in FIG. 39, and the flange member 372 m (refer to FIG. 36) of the inner peripheral surface of the attachment part 372 of 370 is fitted. As shown in FIG. 38, the fall-off prevention part 333j is a buckle shape extending in the Z direction. The flange member 370, as shown in FIG. 39, has a hole shape 372b at a location corresponding to the escape prevention portion 333j. The inner cylindrical member fitting portion 333k is fitted with the fitting portion 340a of the inner cylindrical member 340 as shown in FIG. 39.

As shown in FIG. 39, the flange member 370 is assembled from the Z2 side to the Z1 side, and the inner cylindrical member 340 and the alignment member 333 are assembled to complete the coupling member 328. As shown in FIG. 35, in the assembled state of the coupler 328, the inner cylindrical member 340 is pinched 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 and the force receiving portion 377 on the upstream and downstream sides in the rotation direction collide.

When the coupling member 328 is driven by the main body drive shaft 101, similar to 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 rotation direction.

In addition, as in Example 1, when the cassette 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus body 100, when the engaging portion 373 moves radially outward, the base portion 374's fundamental side extension portion 374t and the folded portion 374r are elastically deformed, The cassette 1 can be installed with a low load.

In addition, in this embodiment, for the purpose of explanation, the inner cylindrical member 340 is arranged with the root-side extension portion 374t and the engagement portion 373 in the rotation. 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 rotation direction, or as shown in FIG. 41(b), it may be arranged on both sides in the rotation direction.

In addition, in the fourth embodiment and the aforementioned embodiments 1 to 3, the structure of the coupling member for driving the photoreceptor drum 1 of the photoconductor cartridge 13 is described.

In short, the aforementioned coupling members (28, 128, 228, 328) can be provided in the developing cartridge 4. In this case, it becomes a driving force for receiving the driving force for driving the elements of the developing roller 17, the toner supply roller 18, the stirring member 23, etc., and the developing cartridge 4 to drive the coupling members (28, 128, 228, 328). Examples of such a configuration are described in detail in the following Examples 5 and 6.

<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 main body 100A of the image forming apparatus in order to transmit the driving force to the coupling member 528 will be described.

In the foregoing embodiments 1 to 4, the structure of the drive connection part (the coupling member and the main body drive shaft 101) of the device body and the drum cartridge was explained. In this embodiment and the sixth embodiment described later, this structure is applied to the drive connection part (coupling member 528 and this The structure of the body drive shaft 5101).

That is, among the elements of the present embodiment, those corresponding to the elements described in the foregoing embodiment are given the same names as the foregoing elements. Regarding these particularly detailed descriptions of configurations or functions that are different from the aforementioned elements, the description of the same elements as the aforementioned elements may also be omitted.

In addition, among the elements of the present embodiment, those equivalent to the elements of the foregoing embodiment are given the same names and use the same symbols, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[Constitution of main body drive shaft]

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

Fig. 42 is an outline view of the main body drive shaft 5101.

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

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

A motor (not shown) as a driving source is provided in the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus. The gear member 5101e is rotationally driven by the 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 transmitting member 5101r.

In addition, gear member 5101e, intermediate 5101p, output The component 5101q has an Oldham coupling mechanism, which can move a certain distance in the X direction and the Y direction. 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 (recessed portion, drive transmission portion) provided in the shaft portion 5101f. In addition, the shaft portion 5101f has a conical shape 5101c at its tip.

This 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 and serves as a surface for transmitting the drive force is provided.

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

In addition, the main body side pull-out inclined surface 5101i is provided on the surface on the Z2 direction side of the main body drive transmission groove 5101a. The main body side pull-out gradient 5101i is a gradient (inclined) used to assist the engagement portion 573 to be pulled out from the drive transmission groove 5101a when the developing cartridge 4 is removed from the main body 100A of the device. Surface, inclined part).

As shown in FIG. 43, the to-be-beared part 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. In addition, 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 (clearance) in the Z direction of the drive transmission member 5101q is about 1 mm, which is sufficiently smaller than the width of the drive receiving surface 573a described later in the Z direction.

Furthermore, the coupler holder 5101s is urged in the approximate Y2 direction by the action of the spring 5101t. As described later, when the developing cartridge 4 is installed, the drive transmission member 5101r is positioned at the axis of the gear member 5101e. Approximate the offset 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 main body 100A of the apparatus transmits the drive to the developing cartridge 4.

In addition, the details will be described later, but the engaging portion 573 is provided at the tip of the base portion 574 so as to be elastically deformable. Therefore, the engaging portion 573 is configured to be movable outward in the radial direction when the developing cartridge 4 is mounted on the main body 100A of the apparatus. Thereby, as the developing cartridge 4 is inserted into the main body 100A of the apparatus, the engaging portion 573 enters the drive transmission groove 5101a, and the engaging portion 573 can be engaged with the main body drive transmission groove 5101a.

The engaging portion 573 has a drive that is received by the outside of the developing cartridge 4 The driving force receiving part for power. The base portion 574 and the engaging portion form a supporting portion for movably supporting the driving force receiving portion, which is the same as the foregoing embodiment.

〔Constitution of coupling components〕

Next, the coupling member 528 of this embodiment will be described in detail using 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.

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

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

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

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

As shown in FIG. 44, the coupling member 528 is composed of two pieces of the cylinder member 570 and the aligning member 533. However, depending on the choice of material, molding method, composition, etc., it is not necessary to have two pieces, and three or more pieces of members may be combined to form the structure.

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

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

(Instructions about flange components)

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

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

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

The abutting surface 574h is a 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 constituting the inner diameter thereof is approximately the same as the radius R52 of the shaft portion 5101f.

The supported part 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 aligning member 533 described later is arranged on the downstream side in the rotation direction (shown in FIG. 46) on the driving receiving surface 573a. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 46, it is arrange|positioned so that the angle J between the supported surface 574i and the drive receiving surface 573a may become an acute angle.

In addition, the drive receiving surface 573a may be different in phase in the rotation direction of the two points in contact with the drive transmission member 5101r. In short, the drive receiving surface 573a may have a structure equivalent to that of a twisted surface, and it does not have to be a twisted shape. By making the drive receiving surface 573a a twisted shape or an inclined shape, when the drive receiving surface 573a receives a drive, a force is applied to the coupling member 528 to be pulled into the outside (Z1 direction side) of the developing cartridge 4.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 45, the engaging portion 573 has an insertion inclined surface 573d as a force receiving portion at the time of installation on the outside (Z1 direction side) of the developing cartridge 4 in the Z direction. In addition, the engaging portion 573 has a removal inclined surface 573e as a force receiving portion at the time of removal 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.

During installation, the insertion inclined surface 573d abuts 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 574, like the first embodiment, has a root-side extension portion 574t, a folded-back portion 574r, and a free end-side extension portion 574s. With examples 1. Similarly, the root-side extension portion 574t extends from the root portion 574a in the Z2 direction (inside the axial direction of the developing roller) approximately parallel to the rotation axis of the cylinder member 570. The root-side extension portion 574t, the pair of engagement portion 573 or the free end-side extension portion 574s are arranged on the radially outer side of the coupling member.

The turned-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 extension portion 574t extends in the Z1 direction (outside the axial direction of the developing roller) from the turn-back portion 574r approximately parallel to the rotation axis of the cylinder member 570.

The free end of the engaging portion 573 (the tip of the free end side extension portion 574s) and the root 574a of the base portion are both arranged on the Z1 side than the folded portion 574r.

The engaging part 573 is a protrusion part provided in the free end side extension part 574s, and has a driving force receiving part (drive receiving surface 573a).

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

As in Embodiment 1, when the coupling member 528 is engaged with the main body drive shaft 5101, the root-side extension portion 574t and the folded-back portion 574r are elastically deformed together, and the coupling member 528 can be mounted on 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 twisted shape centered on the axis of the coupling member 528. In this embodiment, For example, the amount of torsion is the same as that of the main body drive transmission surface 5101b.

(Instructions about the aligning components)

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

The inverted cone shape 533a is a part for determining the position of the main body drive shaft 5101 in the axial direction and the position in the radial direction. By the inverse cone shape of the inverse cone shape 533a contacting the cone shape 5101c of the drive transmission member 5101r, the movement of the drive 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 the surface that abuts against the supported surface 574i provided on the engaging portion 573, that is, the receiving surface 577a (refer to FIG. 46), and the surface perpendicular to the receiving surface 577a. The fin 577e (refer to FIG. 46) is comprised. The receiving surface 577a is the same as the first embodiment and is a support part, and is also a conveyed part for the cylinder member 570 to receive the driving force.

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. Three positions are arranged at equal intervals (120° intervals, approximately equal intervals) in the circumferential direction of the aligning member 533 and the cylinder member 570, respectively.

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 centering member 453, respectively. The twisted shape, the twisting amount is about 2° per 1mm.

As this twist amount, the following relationship is established. The cylinder member 570 receives a force Fz1 drawn into the outside (Z1 direction side) of the developing cartridge 4 on the drive receiving surface 573a. In addition, the cylinder member 570 receives a 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, the relationship must be Fz2>Fz1.

Therefore, the cylinder member 570 must be pulled in the Z2 direction. In addition, 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 has a positional relationship overlapping with the drive receiving surface 573a and the receiving surface 577a of the force receiving portion 577 in the Z direction. As a result, the amount of deformation of the cylinder member 570 can be suppressed.

In this embodiment, the D-shaped hole provided in the aligning member 533, that is, the mounting portion 533d (refer to FIG. 37), is mounted on the shaft of the toner supply roller 20 as shown in FIG. 49. Then, by driving the shaft that is transmitted from the aligning member 533 to the toner supply roller 20, the toner supply roller 20 is rotatable. Next, the drive is transmitted to the toner supply roller gear 598 provided on the Z1 direction side of the axis of the toner supply roller 20. Finally, a drive 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. The developing roller 17 is rotatably supported at both ends by the developing bearings 519R and 519L, respectively.

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

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

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

The main body 100A of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment adopts a structure capable of mounting the developing cartridge 4 in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the image forming apparatus main body 100A has a space in which the developing cartridge 4 can be installed. Next, a cassette door 5104 (front door) for inserting the developing cassette 4 into the aforementioned space is provided on the front side of the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus (the direction in which the user stands when used).

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

Hereinafter, using FIG. 51, the operation of attaching and detaching the developing cartridge 4 to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus will be described.

As shown in Fig. 51(a), the developing cassette 4 is supported/guided by the lower rail 5105 of the cassette with the lower side of the end on the deep side in the insertion direction. The developing cassette 4 is guided by the cassette shang4 guide rail 5106 (not shown) by the end shang4 on the deep side in the insertion direction. In this state, the developing cartridge 4 is inserted into the main body of the apparatus. At this time, the developing frame 18 and the developing bearing 19 (19L, 19R) become a dimension that does not touch the intermediate transfer belt 5. Tie.

Next, as shown in FIG. 51(b), the developing cassette 4 is inserted in the horizontal direction while being supported by the lower guide rail 5105 of the cassette, and inserted until it abuts against the deep-side cassette positioning portion provided in the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus. Up to 5108.

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 the approximate 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 where the cassette door 5104 is closed. The cassette lower rail 5105 of the image forming apparatus main body 100A is configured to move 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 rail 5105 rises. Next, the both ends of the developing cassette 4 abut against the cassette positioning portions (5108.5110) of the image forming apparatus main body 100A, and the developing cassette 4 is positioned on the image forming apparatus main body 100A. In addition, the drive transmission member 5101r of the image forming apparatus main body 100A also rises following the developing cassette 4.

Through the above operations, the mounting of the developing cartridge 4 to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus is completed.

In addition, the removal of the developing cartridge 4 from the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus is the reverse order of the aforementioned insertion operation.

〔The process of engaging the coupling member to the drive shaft of the main body〕

Next, the process of engaging 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 installation operation of 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. In addition, FIG. 52(d) shows a state where the developing cartridge 4 is mounted to the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus. Particularly, FIG. 52(d) shows a state in which the cassette door 5104 is closed and the cassette lower rail 105 rises, and the developing cassette 4 is positioned with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 100A.

Here, Fig. 52(b)(c) is a diagram for explaining the installation process of the coupling member 528 and the drive transmission member 5101r between Fig. 52(a) and Fig. 52(d). In addition, the drive transmission member 5101r is urged in the approximate Y2 direction by the urging spring 5101t, and the axis of the drive transmission member 5101r is urged to a position shifted from the axis of the coupling member 528 in the approximate Y2 direction.

As described with reference to FIG. 51, the developing cassette 4 is inserted in the horizontal direction while the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus is supported by the lower guide rail 5105 of the cassette.

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

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

As shown in FIG. 52(c), a diagram showing a state where the coupling member 528 is inserted toward the deep side of the drive transmission member 5101r from FIG. 52(b) is FIG. 52(c). Due to the elastic deformation of the base portion 574, the insertion inclined surface 573d of the engaging portion 573 is deformed toward the radially outer side of the coupling member 528 in such a manner that the insertion inclined surface 573d of the engaging portion 573 follows the conical shape 5101c. Furthermore, when the coupling member 528 is inserted in the Z1 direction, the removal 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 main removal inclined surface 5101i of the drive transmission member 5101r. Insert into the drive transmission member 5101r. Next, until the positioning portion 533a of the coupling member 528 abuts the conical shape 5101c of the drive transmission member 5101r, the coupling member 528 is inserted into the drive transmission member 5101r.

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

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

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

When the drive receiving surface 573a of the coupler 528 is in contact with the main body drive transmission surface 5101b, the developing roller 17, the developing blade 21 passing through the developing roller 17, and the like are provided with a load. That is, the drive receiving surface 573a receives the load (driving force) F51, and simultaneously rotates integrally with the drive transmission surface 101b.

When the drive receiving surface 753a receives the driving force F51, the angle between the supported surface 574i and the drive receiving surface 573a is an acute angle, so it can be decomposed into a component Fv perpendicular to the supported surface 574i and a horizontal component Fh. As shown in FIG. 46, the component Fv in the vertical direction is transmitted to the supported surface 574i on the side opposite to the drive receiving surface 573a of the engaging portion 573. The supported surface 574i abuts against the force receiving surface 577a, or the rib 577e perpendicular to the force receiving surface 577a is supported. As a result, even if the load F51 fluctuates, the engagement portion 573 is almost not deformed because it is supported as described above, so the amount of rotation of the toner supply roller 20 and the developing roller 17 is hardly changed. As a result, the image quality can be maintained. quality.

In addition, the removal of the developing cartridge 4 from the main body 100A of the image forming apparatus is the reverse order of the aforementioned insertion operation.

In this embodiment, the root side extension 574t extends to the deep side (Z2 direction) approximately parallel to the rotation axis of the cylinder member 570. Next, the root-side extension 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 of the folded 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 than the folded portion 574r together with the root 574a of the base.

As shown in Figs. 54(a) and 55, the root-side extension portion 574t is arranged on the downstream side in the rotation direction with respect to the engagement portion 573, and may extend deeper (Z2 direction) than the root portion 274a. As shown in FIG. 54(b), the root-side extension portion 574t may be arranged on the upstream side in the rotation direction with respect to the engagement portion 573, and may extend deeper (in the Z2 direction) than the root portion 274a. As shown in Figure 54 (c). The root-side extension portion 574t may be arranged on both sides of the rotation direction with respect to the engaging portion 573.

As shown in Fig. 56(a) and Fig. 57, the root side extension 574t is arranged on the downstream side in the rotation direction to the engagement portion 573 or the free end side extension 574s, and is configured to extend in the Z1 direction than the root portion 574a It's also possible. As shown in FIG. 56(b), the root side extension 574t may be arranged on the upstream side in the rotation direction with respect to the engagement portion 573 or the free end side extension 574s, and may extend in the Z1 direction than the root portion 574a. As shown in FIG. 56(c), the root-side extension portion 574t may be arranged on both sides of the rotation direction with respect to the engagement 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 aligning member 633 related to this embodiment.

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

FIG. 60 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling member 628 related to the present embodiment cut through the driving receiving surface 673a in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis.

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

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

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

The elements corresponding to the elements disclosed in the foregoing embodiments are given the same names. Regarding these particularly detailed descriptions of configurations or functions that are different from the aforementioned elements, the description of the same elements as the aforementioned elements may also be omitted. In addition, the same names and the same symbols are given to those substantially equivalent to the aforementioned elements, and detailed descriptions are omitted. In this embodiment, the difference from Embodiment 5 will be described in detail.

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

On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is tied to the cylinder member 670 The supporting portion 670j is provided, and the alignment member 633 is provided with a base portion 674, an engaging portion 673, and a force receiving portion 677.

In more detail, as shown in FIG. 58, the aligning member 633 has a base portion 674, an engaging portion 673, a force receiving portion 677, an inverted cone shape 633a, and a disengagement preventing portion 633c.

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 turned-back 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 provided with a driving force receiving portion for receiving the driving force by the device body.

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

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

The force receiving portion 677 is arranged on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the engaging portion 673, as shown in FIG. 60, and has a receiving surface 677a and a rib 677e. The receiving surface 677a is a surface for sandwiching the supporting portion 670j of the cylinder member 670, which will be described later, by the supported surface 674i of the base portion 674. The receiving surface 677a and the supported surface 674i are arranged approximately in parallel. As shown in FIG. 60, the fin 677e starts from the inner diameter side end of the receiving surface 677a, and is arrange|positioned almost perpendicularly to the receiving surface 677a.

In addition, the inverted conical shape 633a is the same as in Example 5. It is the position that determines the position of the coupling member 628 and the main body drive shaft 5101.

The fall prevention part 633c engages with the hook part 672 provided in the cylinder member 670, and the alignment member 633 and the cylinder member 670 are united.

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

As shown in FIG. 60, the supporting portion 670j is assembled in the gap between the supported surface 674i of the aligning member 633 and the receiving surface 677a to prevent the engaging portion 673 from falling down on the upstream side in the rotation direction. Therefore, the thickness of the supporting portion 670j is approximately the same as the gap between the supported surface 674i and the receiving surface 677a. In addition, when viewed in the Z direction, the circle passing through the ridge line on the side of the engaging portion 673 of the support portion 670j is arranged so that its center becomes the same as the inverse cone shape 633a. The diameter D68 of this circle is approximately the same as the outer diameter D65 of the shaft portion 5101f of the main body drive shaft 5101, or it is made so that D68≧D65 when the respective dimensional accuracy is reviewed. 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.

For the cylinder member 670, the alignment member 633 is assembled from the deep side in the Z direction to the front side (from the Z2 side to the Z1 side) to form a coupling member 628 (as shown in FIG. 62). At this time, as described above, the fall prevention portion 633 c of the aligning member 633 engages with the hook portion 672 provided on the cylinder member 670.

The coupling member 628 is driven by the body drive shaft 5101 At this time, as shown in FIG. 60, the driving receiving surface 673a of the engaging portion 673 receives the driving force F1. Among them, regarding the force Fv perpendicular to the supported surface, since the supported surface 674i, the supporting portion 670j, the receiving surface 670a, and the ribs 670e are supported, the engaging portion 673 can be prevented from being deformed on the downstream side in the rotation direction. In addition, against the force Fh in the direction parallel to the supported surface 674i, the abutting surface 674h of the base portion 674 abuts against the shaft portion 5101f of the main body drive shaft 5101 to prevent the engaging portion 673 from deforming in the radial direction.

In addition, in the fifth embodiment, the engagement portion 573 is provided on the cylinder member 570, and the inverted cone shape 533a and other components are arranged across the aligning member 533. Therefore, the cylinder member 570 is provided with a cylinder drive transmission surface 570m, and the aligning member 533 is provided with a drive transmission surface 533m. Thereby, by pulling the cylinder member 570 toward the aligning member 533 side (Z2 direction side), the position of the engaging portion 573 in the Z direction and the inverted cone shape 533a is stabilized.

In this regard, in this embodiment, the engaging portion 673 and the inverted cone shape 633a are allocated to the aligning member 633, so there is no need to pull the cylinder member 670 toward the aligning member 633 side.

As another embodiment, as in 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 turn-back portion 674r may be provided on the Z1 side of the root side extension portion 674t ( Not shown). In addition, similar to FIGS. 54 and 56, the root-side extension 674t may be arranged on the upstream side, the downstream side, or both sides of the engaging portion 673 in the rotation direction. In addition, the composition of the foregoing Examples 1 to 6 is as follows. According to the configurations described in this case, the support portion that supports the driving force receiving portion (drive receiving surface) has first extension portions extending in mutually different directions, and The second extension part can ensure a certain length of the supporting part even in a narrow space. In short, it can be ensured that the coupler or the cassette is small, and the supporting part can movably support the driving force receiving part. In addition, with the configuration of the support portion, when the cassette is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the driving force receiving portion (engagement portion) can be engaged with the main body drive shaft provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

〔Possibility of industrial use〕

According to the present invention, there is provided a photoconductor drum unit configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

70: Flange member

71: Cylinder

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 circumference

73: Snap part

73a: Drive bearing surface

74: Support

74a: Basic part

74h: abutment surface

74i: Support side

74r: Turn-back part

74s: free end extension

74t: Basic side extension

75: Flange

77: Forced part

D2, D9: inner diameter

Z1, Z2: Arrow

Claims (23)

A cartridge, characterized by having: a photoconductor drum, a frame that rotatably supports the photoconductor drum, and a side of the cartridge arranged in the axial direction of the photoconductor drum so as to be able to transmit The coupling member is connected to the photoconductor drum by means of rotational force; the coupling member has a cylindrical portion (71) arranged around the axis of the coupling member, at least a part of which is arranged on the cylindrical portion ( 71) The inner wrist part (74), and the protrusion (73) protruding from the aforementioned wrist part (74); the aforementioned wrist part (74) has: in the longitudinal direction a first part extending toward the outside of the aforementioned cassette (74s, 174t), the second part (74t, 174s) that extends toward the inside of the cassette in the longitudinal direction, and the part that buckles and connects the first part (74s, 174t) and the second part (74t, 174s) The buckling part (74r, 174r). The cassette of claim 1, wherein the coupling member is installed at one end of the photoconductor drum. According to the cassette of claim 1, wherein the coupling member is configured in such a way that the rotational force received by the protrusion (73) is transmitted toward the photoreceptor drum. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the coupling member is configured such that the driving force can be transmitted to the photoreceptor drum through the wrist (74) and the protrusion (73). Such as the cassette of claim 1, wherein the aforementioned wrist (74) can be moved by elastic deformation. Such as the cassette of claim 1, wherein an open space is formed between the protrusion (73) and the axis of the coupling member. Such as the cassette of claim 1, wherein the protrusion (73) protrudes in a direction close to the axis of the coupling member. For example, the cassette of claim 1, wherein the protrusion (73) can be moved between the first position and the second position, and the protrusion (73) when it is located at the first position is greater than when it is located at the second position. It is constructed so as to approach the axis of the aforementioned coupling member. Such as the cassette of claim 8, wherein the protrusion (73) is pushed toward the first position. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the coupling member has a plurality of the wrists (74) and the protrusions (73) respectively. A cassette, which is characterized by having a developing roller and a supply roller for supplying toner to the aforementioned developing roller, A frame that rotatably supports the developing roller and the supply roller, and is arranged on one side of the cassette in the axial direction of the developing roller, and is connected to the developing roller and the supply in a manner capable of transmitting rotational force The coupling member of the roller; the coupling member has: a cylindrical portion (71) arranged around the axis of the coupling member, at least a part of which is arranged in the arm portion (74) inside the cylindrical portion (71), and A protrusion (73) protruding from the wrist (74); the wrist (74) has a first portion (74s, 174t) extending toward the outside of the cassette in the longitudinal direction and facing in the longitudinal direction The second portion (74t, 174s) extending inside the cassette, and the buckling portion (74r, 174r) that flexes to connect the first portion (74s, 174t) and the second portion (74t, 174s). The cassette of claim 11, wherein the coupling member is connected to the developing roller via the supply roller. Such as the cassette of claim 11, which has a gear for transmitting the rotational force from the supply roller to the developing roller. Such as the cassette of claim 11, wherein the aforementioned gear is located opposite to the cassette on the side where the aforementioned coupling member is located The opposite. The cassette of claim 11, wherein the supply roller has a shaft, and the coupling member is mounted on the shaft of the supply roller. The cassette of claim 11, wherein the coupling member is configured to transmit the rotational force received by the protrusion (73) toward the developing roller and the supply roller. The cassette of claim 11, wherein the coupling member is configured such that the driving force can be transmitted to the supply roller and the developing roller by the protrusion (73) through the wrist (74). Such as the cassette of claim 11, wherein the aforementioned wrist (74) can be moved by elastic deformation. Such as the cassette of claim 11, wherein an open space is formed between the protrusion (73) and the axis of the coupling member. Such as the cassette of claim 11, wherein the protrusion (73) protrudes in a direction close to the axis of the coupling member. For example, the cassette of claim 11, wherein the protrusion (73) can be moved between the first position and the second position, and the protrusion (73) when the protrusion (73) is located at the first position is more important than when the protrusion (73) is located at the second position. It is constructed so as to approach the axis of the aforementioned coupling member. Such as the cassette of claim 21, wherein the protrusion (73) is pushed toward the first position. Such as the cassette of claim 11, wherein the coupling member has a plurality of the wrists (74) and the protrusions (73) respectively.

Images