WO2019116846A1 - Belt drive device and image forming device - Google Patents

Belt drive device and image forming device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019116846A1
WO2019116846A1 PCT/JP2018/042978 JP2018042978W WO2019116846A1 WO 2019116846 A1 WO2019116846 A1 WO 2019116846A1 JP 2018042978 W JP2018042978 W JP 2018042978W WO 2019116846 A1 WO2019116846 A1 WO 2019116846A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bulging portion
belt
motor
driven pulley
rotational speed
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2018/042978
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
晃宏 山口
Original Assignee
京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Application filed by 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 filed Critical 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社
Publication of WO2019116846A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019116846A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J29/00—Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J29/38—Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H7/00—Gearings for conveying rotary motion by endless flexible members
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H7/00—Gearings for conveying rotary motion by endless flexible members
    • F16H7/02—Gearings for conveying rotary motion by endless flexible members with belts; with V-belts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a belt drive device and an image forming apparatus.
  • the metal belt may be plastically deformed and bent due to the bulging portion formed on the driven pulley. Then, when the curved metal belt abuts on the drive pulley, a force larger than that at the central portion acts on both ends in the width direction of the metal belt. As a result, the end of the metal belt may be damaged.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a belt drive device and an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing damage to the belt.
  • a belt drive includes a drive pulley, a driven pulley, and a belt.
  • the drive pulley includes a first bulging portion which is rotated by a motor and bulging at a central portion in the axial direction.
  • the driven pulley includes a second bulging portion whose central portion in the axial direction is bulging.
  • the metal belt is stretched around the first bulging portion and the second bulging portion, and transmits the rotation of the drive pulley to the driven pulley.
  • the contour shape of the outer peripheral surface in the cross section including the axial center of the first bulging portion and the contour shape of the outer peripheral surface in the cross section including the axial center of the second bulging portion have the same shape or the same curvature.
  • An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, the belt drive device, and a driven body.
  • the image forming unit forms an image on a sheet.
  • the driven body is driven by the belt drive device.
  • a belt drive device and an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the damage to the belt are provided.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of the configuration of a belt drive unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the configuration of a belt drive unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the configuration of a belt drive unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of the cross-sectional shape of the drive pulley and the driven pulley in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of the configuration of a belt drive unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the deviation detection process executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of the configuration of a belt drive unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of the cross-sectional shape of the drive pulley and the driven pulley in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation display unit 10, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 11, an image reading unit 12, an image forming unit 13, a communication I / F 14, and a storage. And a control unit 16 and the like.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction peripheral having a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 is an example of a belt drive device of the present invention.
  • the present invention is applicable to any image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine as well as the multi-function machine. Further, the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus, and can be applied to any belt drive apparatus provided with a belt drive mechanism such as a belt drive unit 20 described later.
  • the operation display unit 10 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays information, and an operation unit such as a touch panel that receives a user operation and an operation button.
  • the ADF 11 is an automatic document conveying device that includes a document setting unit, a conveyance roller, a document pressing unit, and a paper discharge unit, and conveys a document to be read by the image reading unit 12.
  • the image reading unit 12 includes a document table, a light source, a mirror, an optical lens, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and can read an image of a document and output it as image data.
  • a CCD Charge Coupled Device
  • the image forming unit 13 can execute print processing based on image data by an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method, and forms an image on a sheet based on the image data.
  • the image forming unit 13 includes a photosensitive drum, a charger, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and the like.
  • the photosensitive drum is an example of a driven body 30 (see FIG. 2) described later.
  • the communication I / F 14 executes communication processing according to a predetermined communication protocol with an external facsimile apparatus or an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer via a telephone line, the Internet, or a communication network such as a LAN. Is a possible communication interface.
  • the storage unit 15 is a non-volatile storage unit such as a hard disk or an EEPROM (registered trademark).
  • the storage unit 15 stores various control programs executed by the control unit 16 and various data.
  • the control unit 16 includes control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.
  • the CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic processing.
  • the ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU to execute various processes is stored in advance.
  • the RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit used as a temporary storage memory (work area) of various processes executed by the CPU.
  • the image forming apparatus 1 includes a belt drive unit 20 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 3 is a view of the belt drive unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the right side in FIG.
  • the belt drive unit 20 is a mechanism for transmitting the rotational drive force of the motor 22 to the driven body 30 such as the photosensitive drum.
  • the belt drive unit 20 includes a support unit 21, a motor 22, a drive pulley 23, a metal belt 24, a driven pulley 25, an output shaft 26, and a rotary encoder 27.
  • the rotary encoder 27 includes a pulse plate 27A having a disk shape and a photo sensor 27B.
  • the motor 22 and the photo sensor 27B are fixed to the support portion 21. Further, the support portion 21 rotatably supports the drive pulley 23 and the output shaft 26.
  • the motor 22 is driven by a motor drive circuit (not shown).
  • the drive pulley 23 is connected to a rotation shaft 22 A of the motor 22 and is rotated by the motor 22.
  • the metal belt 24 is stretched around the drive pulley 23 and the driven pulley 25, and transmits the rotation of the drive pulley 23 to the driven pulley 25.
  • the metal belt 24 is an endless belt formed of, for example, stainless steel.
  • the driven pulley 25 is fixed to the output shaft 26 and rotates integrally with the output shaft 26.
  • the pulse plate 27A is fixed to one end (the end on the left side in FIG. 2) of the output shaft 26, and the other end of the output shaft 26 is a driven body 30 such as the photosensitive drum. It is connected.
  • the rotational drive force of the motor 22 is transmitted to the driven body 30 via the drive pulley 23, the metal belt 24, the driven pulley 25, and the output shaft 26.
  • the driven body 30 is driven by the rotational driving force of the motor 22.
  • the rotary encoder 27 outputs a pulse signal according to the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25.
  • the pulse plate 27A of the rotary encoder 27 is provided with a plurality of slits at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.
  • the photosensor 27B of the rotary encoder 27 is provided with a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit at positions facing each other with the pulse plate 27A interposed therebetween. Then, when the pulse plate 27A rotates, the state in which the light from the light emitting portion is incident on the light receiving portion through the slit and the state in which the light from the light emitting portion is blocked by the pulse plate 27A are repeated. As a result, the amount of light incident on the light receiving unit periodically changes, and a pulse signal corresponding to the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25 is output from the rotary encoder 27.
  • the pulse signal is input to the control unit 16.
  • the belt displacement is suppressed by stretching the belt on a pulley having a so-called crown-shaped bulging portion in which a central portion in the axial direction is bulging. Therefore, in order to suppress the displacement of the metal belt 24, it is conceivable to provide the bulging portion on one of the drive pulley 23 and the driven pulley 25 (for example, the driven pulley 25). However, when such a configuration is adopted, the metal belt 24 may be plastically deformed and bent by the bulging portion formed on the driven pulley 25. Then, when the curved metal belt 24 abuts on the drive pulley 23, A greater force than at the central portion acts on both ends of the belt 24 in the width direction. As a result, the end of the metal belt 24 may be damaged. On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the damage of the metal belt 24 as described below.
  • FIG. 4 shows the belt drive 20 with the metal belt 24 removed.
  • the bulging portion is formed on both the drive pulley 23 and the driven pulley 25. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the drive pulley 23 is formed with a so-called crown-shaped first bulging portion 23A in which the central portion in the axial direction is bulging. Further, the driven pulley 25 is formed with a so-called crown-shaped second bulging portion 25A in which a central portion in the axial direction is bulging.
  • the metal belt 24 is stretched around the first bulging portion 23A and the second bulging portion 25A. Thereby, the shift of the metal belt 24 is suppressed.
  • the contour shape F1 of the outer peripheral surface in the cross section including the axial center A1 of the first bulging portion 23A formed in the drive pulley 23 and the second formed in the driven pulley 25 The contour shape F2 of the outer peripheral surface in the cross section including the axial center A2 of the bulging portion 25A has the same shape. Therefore, even if the metal belt 24 is plastically deformed by the second bulging portion 25A, the shape (that is, the shape corresponding to the contour shape F2) of the plastically deformed metal belt 24 is the contour shape F1 of the first bulging portion 23A.
  • the width W1 of the outline shape F1 of the first bulging portion 23A is substantially the same as the width of the metal belt 24.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and the width W1 of the outline shape F1 of the first bulging portion 23A is larger than the width of the metal belt 24 (for example, the width more than twice the width of the metal belt 24) It may be Thus, even if the metal belt 24 is slightly displaced in the width direction at the first bulging portion 23A, the shift (meandering) of the metal belt 24 is corrected by the effect of the crown shape of the first bulging portion 23A. .
  • the width W2 of the outline shape F2 of the second bulging portion 25A is substantially the same as the width of the metal belt 24.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and the width W2 of the outline shape F2 of the second bulging portion 25A is larger than the width of the metal belt 24 (for example, the width twice or more the width of the metal belt 24) It may be Thereby, even if the metal belt 24 is slightly shifted in the width direction at the second bulging portion 25A, the shift (meandering) of the metal belt 24 is corrected by the effect of the crown shape of the second bulging portion 25A. .
  • the image forming apparatus 1 has a function of detecting the displacement of the metal belt 24 and returning the metal belt 24 to the original position as needed.
  • the control unit 16 includes a driven pulley speed detection unit 161, a motor control unit 162, a motor speed detection unit 163, a deviation detection processing unit 164, a recovery processing unit 165, and a notification processing unit. Including 166.
  • the control unit 16 functions as each processing unit by executing various processes in accordance with the control program.
  • the control unit 16 may include an electronic circuit that realizes a part or a plurality of processing functions of each of the processing units.
  • the driven pulley speed detection unit 161 detects the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25. Specifically, the driven pulley speed detection unit 161 detects the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25 based on the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 27.
  • the motor control unit 162 feeds back the rotational speed of the motor 22 based on the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25 detected by the driven pulley speed detection unit 161 so that the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25 becomes a predetermined target speed.
  • the pulse signal is a signal corresponding to the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25. That is, the motor control unit 162 performs feedback control of the rotational speed of the motor 22 based on the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25.
  • the motor control unit 162 controls the rotational speed of the motor 22 via the motor drive circuit (not shown).
  • the motor speed detection unit 163 detects the rotational speed of the motor.
  • the motor speed detection unit 163 is a sensor (for example, a rotary encoder, a hall sensor, etc.) for detecting the magnitude of the current supplied to the motor 22 from the motor drive circuit (not shown) and the rotational speed of the motor 22.
  • the rotational speed of the motor 22 is detected from the output signal of the.
  • the deviation detection processing unit 164 detects deviation of the metal belt 24 from the first bulging part 23A or the second bulging part 25A based on the rotational speed of the motor 22 detected by the motor speed detection part 163.
  • a method of detecting the deviation of the metal belt 24 by the deviation detection processing unit 164 will be described.
  • a force in a direction toward the driven pulley 25 acts on the driving pulley 23 by the tension of the metal belt 24.
  • the drive pulley 23 bends, and the distal end (right end in FIG. 2) of the drive pulley 23 moves in the direction toward the driven pulley 25.
  • the metal belt 24 is easily displaced from the first bulging portion 23A to the tip end side of the driving pulley 23.
  • the metal belt 24 is shifted to the tip end side of the drive pulley 23 and finally the metal belt 24 is removed from the drive pulley 23, formation of an image by the image forming unit 13 becomes impossible.
  • the reverse taper portion 23B is formed in the drive pulley 23.
  • the diameter of the reverse taper portion 23B is larger as the position in the axial direction is farther from the first bulging portion 23A. Therefore, as the metal belt 24 is displaced to the tip end side of the drive pulley 23, the diameter of the drive pulley 23 in contact with the metal belt 24 becomes larger. As a result, the circumferential speed of the drive pulley 23 at the contact position with the metal belt 24 is increased, and the moving speed (rotational speed) of the metal belt 24 is also increased accordingly.
  • the motor control unit 162 sets the rotational speed of the motor 22 so that the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25 is maintained at the target speed. To slow down. As a result, the rotational speed of the motor 22 becomes slower as the metal belt 24 is displaced to the tip side of the drive pulley 23.
  • the deviation detection processing unit 164 monitors the rotational speed of the motor 22 and determines that the metal belt 24 has deviated when the rotational speed of the motor 22 falls below a predetermined threshold.
  • the threshold is lower than the rotational speed of the motor 22 when the metal belt 24 is stretched around the first bulging portion 23A, and the metal belt 24 is at the tip of the driving pulley 23 (left side in FIG. Of the rotation speed of the motor 22 when it is stretched over the
  • the deviation detection processing unit 164 can determine that the metal belt 24 is displaced before the metal belt 24 is displaced to the tip of the drive pulley 23.
  • the reverse tapered portion 23B is provided on the distal end side (that is, the right side in FIG. 4) of the driving pulley 23 than the first bulging portion 23A.
  • a reverse tapered portion may be provided on the proximal end side (that is, the left side in FIG. 4) of the bulging portion 23A, the diameter of which increases as the proximal end is approached.
  • reverse tapered portions may be provided on both sides of the first bulging portion 23A.
  • reverse tapered portions may be provided on one or both sides of the second bulging portion 25 ⁇ / b> A.
  • the reverse tapered portion 25 ⁇ / b> B may be provided closer to the driven body 30 than the second bulging portion 25 ⁇ / b> A.
  • the motor control unit 162 increases the rotational speed of the motor 22 so that the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25 is maintained at the target speed. Therefore, in this case, the shift detection processing unit 164 determines that the metal belt 24 is shifted when the rotation speed of the motor 22 exceeds the predetermined threshold.
  • the return processing unit 165 returns the metal belt 24 to its original position when the shift detection processing unit 164 detects a shift of the metal belt 24. Specifically, the return processing unit 165 returns the metal belt 24 to the original position by rotating the motor 22 in the reverse direction (that is, rotating it in the direction opposite to the rotation direction at the time of image formation). In addition, various methods can be considered as a method of returning the metal belt 24 to the original position. For example, in another embodiment, the return processing unit 165 controls an inclination adjustment mechanism (not shown) capable of adjusting the inclination of the drive pulley 23 in the axial direction to return the metal belt 24 to its original position. You may
  • the notification processing unit 166 reports that effect.
  • the notification processing unit 166 may immediately notify that effect when the deviation detection processing unit 164 detects a deviation of the metal belt 24.
  • the notification processing unit 166 reports that the return processing unit 165 can not return the metal belt 24 to the original position. May be
  • the notification processing unit 166 may transmit information indicating that the shift of the metal belt 24 has been detected to a server (not shown) of a business that is undertaking maintenance work of the image forming apparatus 1.
  • the notification processing unit 166 may cause the operation display unit 10 to display a message prompting an inspection of the metal belt 24.
  • steps S 1, S 2,... represent the numbers of the processing procedures (steps) executed by the control unit 16.
  • the shift detection process is started, for example, in response to the power of the image forming apparatus 1 being turned on.
  • step S1 the control unit 16 detects the rotational speed of the motor 22.
  • the control unit 16 is a sensor (for example, a rotary encoder, a hall sensor, etc.) for detecting the rotation speed of the motor 22 and the magnitude of the current supplied to the motor 22 from the motor drive circuit (not shown).
  • the rotational speed of the motor 22 is detected from an output signal or the like.
  • the process of step S1 is performed by the motor speed detection unit 163.
  • step S2 the control unit 16 determines whether the rotational speed of the motor 22 detected in step S1 is less than a predetermined threshold. When it is determined that the rotational speed of the motor 22 is below the threshold (S2: Yes), the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, when it is determined that the rotational speed of the motor 22 is not less than the threshold (S2: No), the process returns to the step S1.
  • the process of step S2 is executed by the deviation detection processing unit 164.
  • step S3 the control unit 16 starts the return process.
  • the control unit 16 rotates the motor 22 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction at the time of image formation so as to return the metal belt 24 to the original position.
  • the process of step S3 is executed by the return processing unit 165.
  • step S4 the control unit 16 detects the rotational speed of the motor 22.
  • the process of step S4 is executed by the motor speed detection unit 163.
  • step S5 the control unit 16 determines whether the rotational speed of the motor 22 detected in step S4 is less than the threshold. When it is determined that the rotational speed of the motor 22 is below the threshold (S5: Yes), the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, when it is determined that the rotational speed of the motor 22 is not less than the threshold (S5: No), the process returns to the step S1.
  • step S6 the control unit 16 determines whether the recovery process has timed out. That is, the control unit 16 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the return processing was started in the step S3. Then, if it is determined that the recovery process has timed out (S6: Yes), the process proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, when it is determined that the recovery process has not timed out (S6: No), the process returns to the step S4.
  • step S7 the control unit 16 ends the return process.
  • the control unit 16 stops the motor 22.
  • step S8 the control unit 16 performs error notification.
  • the control unit 16 transmits information indicating that the shift of the metal belt 24 has been detected to a server (not shown) of a business that is undertaking maintenance work of the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the deviation detection process is ended.
  • the process of step S8 is performed by the notification processing unit 166.
  • the first bulging portion 23A is formed on the drive pulley 23, and the second bulging portion 25A is formed on the driven pulley 25.
  • the contour shape F1 of the outer peripheral surface of the first bulging portion 23A and the contour shape F2 of the outer peripheral surface of the second bulging portion 25A have the same shape. Therefore, when the metal belt 24 plastically deformed by the second bulging portion 25A abuts on the first bulging portion 23A, a force larger than the central portion does not act on both end portions of the metal belt 24, and the metal belt 24 damage is suppressed.
  • the return processing or the notification processing is performed. Therefore, since the restoration process or the notification process is performed before the metal belt 24 is detached from the drive pulley 23 or the driven pulley 25, it is possible to prevent the image formation by the image forming unit 13 from being impossible suddenly. be able to.
  • the shift of the metal belt 24 is detected based on the rotational speed of the motor 22, it is possible to detect the shift of the metal belt 24 with a simple configuration.
  • the outline shape F1 of the outer peripheral surface in the cross section including the axial center A1 of the first bulging portion 23A and the cross section including the axial center A2 of the second bulging portion 25A is not limited to this, and the contour shape F1 of the first bulging portion 23A and the contour shape F2 of the second bulging portion 25A have the same curvature. May be For example, as shown in FIG.
  • the first bulging portion 23A Of the metal belt 24 plastically deformed even if the metal belt 24 is plastically deformed by the second bulged portion 25A (ie, the contour shape F1 of the second bulged portion 25A and the contour shape F2 of the second bulged portion 25A have the same curvature)
  • the shape corresponding to the contour shape F2 has the same curvature as the contour shape F1 of the first bulging portion 23A.
  • the driven member 30 is not limited to the photosensitive drum, and may be a developing roller provided in the developing device, a driving roller for circumferentially moving a transfer belt provided in the transfer device, or the like.
  • belt drive is preferable to gear drive in order to avoid deterioration in image quality due to vibration generated by contact between gears.
  • the metal belt 24 is used in the belt drive unit 20, but the present invention is also applicable to any belt (for example, a resin belt) other than the metal belt 24.
  • a resin belt is used instead of the metal belt 24 in the belt drive unit 20
  • the frictional force between both ends of the resin belt and the drive pulley 23 is a resin belt due to the crown shape of the first bulging portion 23A.
  • the friction force between the center portion of the drive pulley 23 and the drive pulley 23 is relatively smaller. Damage to both ends of the resin belt is thereby suppressed.
  • both ends of the resin belt are caused to float from the driving pulley 23 by the crown shape of the first bulging portion 23A, damage to both ends of the resin belt is further suppressed.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Electrophotography Configuration And Component (AREA)
  • Devices For Conveying Motion By Means Of Endless Flexible Members (AREA)

Abstract

A belt drive device (1) is provided with: a drive pulley (23) which is rotated by a motor (22) and includes a first bulging portion (23A) having a bulging axial center; a driven pulley (25) which includes a second bulging portion (25A) having a bulging axial center; and a belt (24) which extends between the first bulging portion (23A) and the second bulging portion (25A) and transmits rotation of the drive pulley (23) to the driven pulley (25). The contour shape (F1) of the outer peripheral surface in a cross section of the first bulging portion (23A) including the axis (A1) thereof, and the contour shape (F2) of the outer peripheral surface in a cross section of the second bulging portion (25A) including the axis (A2) thereof have the same shape or the same curvature.

Description

ベルト駆動装置及び画像形成装置Belt drive device and image forming apparatus
　本発明は、ベルト駆動装置及び画像形成装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a belt drive device and an image forming apparatus.
　駆動プーリー及び従動プーリーに金属ベルトが張架されており、前記従動プーリーの外周面に径方向外側へ膨らむ膨出部が形成されているベルト駆動機構が知られている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。 There is known a belt drive mechanism in which a metal belt is stretched around a drive pulley and a driven pulley, and a bulging portion that bulges outward in the radial direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the driven pulley (see, for example, Patent Document 1) ).
特開２０１４－１５９８６５号公報JP, 2014-159865, A
　しかしながら、前記ベルト駆動機構では、前記従動プーリーに形成されている膨出部によって金属ベルトが塑性変形して湾曲することがある。そうすると、湾曲した金属ベルトが前記駆動プーリーに当接する際に、金属ベルトの幅方向における両端部に中央部よりも大きな力が作用する。その結果、金属ベルトの端部が損傷してしまうことがある。 However, in the belt drive mechanism, the metal belt may be plastically deformed and bent due to the bulging portion formed on the driven pulley. Then, when the curved metal belt abuts on the drive pulley, a force larger than that at the central portion acts on both ends in the width direction of the metal belt. As a result, the end of the metal belt may be damaged.
　本発明の目的は、ベルトの損傷を抑制することが可能なベルト駆動装置及び画像形成装置を提供することにある。 An object of the present invention is to provide a belt drive device and an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing damage to the belt.
　本発明の一の局面に係るベルト駆動装置は、駆動プーリーと、従動プーリーと、ベルトとを備える。前記駆動プーリーは、モーターにより回転され、軸方向における中央部が膨らんだ第１膨出部を含む。前記従動プーリーは、軸方向における中央部が膨らんだ第２膨出部を含む。前記金属ベルトは、前記第１膨出部及び前記第２膨出部に張架され、前記駆動プーリーの回転を前記従動プーリーに伝達する。前記第１膨出部の軸心を含む断面における外周面の輪郭形状と、前記第２膨出部の軸心を含む断面における外周面の輪郭形状とが同一形状又は同一曲率である。 A belt drive according to one aspect of the present invention includes a drive pulley, a driven pulley, and a belt. The drive pulley includes a first bulging portion which is rotated by a motor and bulging at a central portion in the axial direction. The driven pulley includes a second bulging portion whose central portion in the axial direction is bulging. The metal belt is stretched around the first bulging portion and the second bulging portion, and transmits the rotation of the drive pulley to the driven pulley. The contour shape of the outer peripheral surface in the cross section including the axial center of the first bulging portion and the contour shape of the outer peripheral surface in the cross section including the axial center of the second bulging portion have the same shape or the same curvature.
　本発明の一の局面に係る画像形成装置は、画像形成部と、前記ベルト駆動装置と、被駆動体とを備える。前記画像形成部は、シートに画像を形成する。前記被駆動体は、前記ベルト駆動装置により駆動される。 An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit, the belt drive device, and a driven body. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet. The driven body is driven by the belt drive device.
　本発明によれば、ベルトの損傷を抑制することが可能なベルト駆動装置及び画像形成装置が提供される。 According to the present invention, a belt drive device and an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the damage to the belt are provided.
図１は、本発明の実施形態に係る画像形成装置のシステム構成を示すブロック図である。FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 図２は、本発明の実施形態に係る画像形成装置におけるベルト駆動部の構成の一例を示す図である。FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of the configuration of a belt drive unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 図３は、本発明の実施形態に係る画像形成装置におけるベルト駆動部の構成の一例を示す図である。FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the configuration of a belt drive unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 図４は、本発明の実施形態に係る画像形成装置におけるベルト駆動部の構成 の一例を示す図である。FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the configuration of a belt drive unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 図５は、本発明の実施形態に係る画像形成装置における駆動プーリー及び従動プーリーの断面形状の一例を示す図である。FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of the cross-sectional shape of the drive pulley and the driven pulley in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 図６は、本発明の実施形態に係る画像形成装置で実行されるずれ検知処理の手順の一例を示すフローチャートである。FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the deviation detection process executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 図７は、本発明の実施形態に係る画像形成装置におけるベルト駆動部の構成の一例を示す図である。FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of the configuration of a belt drive unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 図８は、本発明の実施形態に係る画像形成装置における駆動プーリー及び従動プーリーの断面形状の一例を示す図である。FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of the cross-sectional shape of the drive pulley and the driven pulley in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
　以下添付図面を参照しながら、本発明の実施形態について説明し、本発明の理解に供する。なお、以下の実施形態は、本発明を具体化した一例であって、本発明の技術的範囲を限定するものではない。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. The following embodiments are merely specific examples of the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
［画像形成装置の構成］
　図１に示されるように、本発明の実施形態に係る画像形成装置１は、操作表示部１０、ＡＤＦ（Auto Document Feeder）１１、画像読取部１２、画像形成部１３、通信Ｉ／Ｆ１４、記憶部１５、及び制御部１６などを備える。具体的に、画像形成装置１は、プリンター機能、スキャナー機能、コピー機能、及びファクシミリ機能などを有する複合機である。画像形成装置１は、本発明のベルト駆動装置の一例である。なお、本発明は、複合機に限らず、コピー機、プリンター、ファクシミリ装置のような任意の画像形成装置に適用可能である。また、本発明は、画像形成装置に限らず、後述のベルト駆動部２０のようなベルト駆動機構を備える任意のベルト駆動装置に適用可能である。 [Configuration of image forming apparatus]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an operation display unit 10, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 11, an image reading unit 12, an image forming unit 13, a communication I / F 14, and a storage. And a control unit 16 and the like. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction peripheral having a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like. The image forming apparatus 1 is an example of a belt drive device of the present invention. The present invention is applicable to any image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine as well as the multi-function machine. Further, the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus, and can be applied to any belt drive apparatus provided with a belt drive mechanism such as a belt drive unit 20 described later.
　操作表示部１０は、情報を表示する液晶ディスプレーなどの表示部と、ユーザー操作を受け付けるタッチパネル及び操作ボタンなどの操作部とを備える。 The operation display unit 10 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays information, and an operation unit such as a touch panel that receives a user operation and an operation button.
　ＡＤＦ１１は、原稿セット部、搬送ローラー、原稿押さえ、及び排紙部を備え、画像読取部１２の読み取り対象となる原稿を搬送する自動原稿搬送装置である。 The ADF 11 is an automatic document conveying device that includes a document setting unit, a conveyance roller, a document pressing unit, and a paper discharge unit, and conveys a document to be read by the image reading unit 12.
　画像読取部１２は、原稿台、光源、ミラー、光学レンズ、及びＣＣＤ（Charge Coupled Device）を備え、原稿の画像を読み取って画像データとして出力することが可能である。 The image reading unit 12 includes a document table, a light source, a mirror, an optical lens, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and can read an image of a document and output it as image data.
　画像形成部１３は、電子写真方式又はインクジェット方式で画像データに基づく印刷処理を実行することが可能であり、前記画像データに基づいてシートに画像を形成する。例えば、画像形成部１３が電子写真方式でシートに画像を形成するものである場合、画像形成部１３は感光体ドラム、帯電器、露光装置、現像装置、転写装置、及び定着装置などを備える。前記感光体ドラムは、後述の被駆動体３０（図２参照）の一例である。 The image forming unit 13 can execute print processing based on image data by an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method, and forms an image on a sheet based on the image data. For example, when the image forming unit 13 forms an image on a sheet by electrophotography, the image forming unit 13 includes a photosensitive drum, a charger, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and the like. The photosensitive drum is an example of a driven body 30 (see FIG. 2) described later.
　通信Ｉ／Ｆ１４は、電話回線、インターネット、又はＬＡＮなどの通信網を介して、外部のファクシミリ装置又はパーソナルコンピューターなどの情報処理装置との間で所定の通信プロトコルに従った通信処理を実行することが可能な通信インターフェイスである。 The communication I / F 14 executes communication processing according to a predetermined communication protocol with an external facsimile apparatus or an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer via a telephone line, the Internet, or a communication network such as a LAN. Is a possible communication interface.
　記憶部１５は、ハードディスク又はＥＥＰＲＯＭ（登録商標）などの不揮発性の記憶部である。記憶部１５には、制御部１６によって実行される各種の制御プログラム、及び各種のデータなどが記憶される。 The storage unit 15 is a non-volatile storage unit such as a hard disk or an EEPROM (registered trademark). The storage unit 15 stores various control programs executed by the control unit 16 and various data.
　制御部１６は、ＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、及びＲＡＭなどの制御機器を備える。前記ＣＰＵは、各種の演算処理を実行するプロセッサーである。前記ＲＯＭは、前記ＣＰＵに各種の処理を実行させるための制御プログラムなどの情報が予め記憶される不揮発性の記憶部である。前記ＲＡＭは、前記ＣＰＵが実行する各種の処理の一時記憶メモリー（作業領域）として使用される揮発性又は不揮発性の記憶部である。 The control unit 16 includes control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic processing. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit used as a temporary storage memory (work area) of various processes executed by the CPU.
［ベルト駆動部の構成］
　画像形成装置１は、図２及び図３に示されるようなベルト駆動部２０を備える。なお、図３は、図２に示されるベルト駆動部２０を図２における右側から見た図である。ベルト駆動部２０は、モーター２２の回転駆動力を、前記感光体ドラムのような被駆動体３０に伝達するための機構である。 [Configuration of belt drive unit]
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a belt drive unit 20 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 3 is a view of the belt drive unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the right side in FIG. The belt drive unit 20 is a mechanism for transmitting the rotational drive force of the motor 22 to the driven body 30 such as the photosensitive drum.
　ベルト駆動部２０は、支持部２１、モーター２２、駆動プーリー２３、金属ベルト２４、従動プーリー２５、出力軸２６、及びロータリーエンコーダー２７を備える。ロータリーエンコーダー２７は、円板形状を有するパルス板２７Ａとフォトセンサー２７Ｂとを備える。 The belt drive unit 20 includes a support unit 21, a motor 22, a drive pulley 23, a metal belt 24, a driven pulley 25, an output shaft 26, and a rotary encoder 27. The rotary encoder 27 includes a pulse plate 27A having a disk shape and a photo sensor 27B.
　支持部２１には、モーター２２及びフォトセンサー２７Ｂが固定される。また、支持部２１は、駆動プーリー２３及び出力軸２６を回転可能に支持する。 The motor 22 and the photo sensor 27B are fixed to the support portion 21. Further, the support portion 21 rotatably supports the drive pulley 23 and the output shaft 26.
　モーター２２は、不図示のモーター駆動回路により駆動される。駆動プーリー２３は、モーター２２の回転軸２２Ａと連結されており、モーター２２により回転される。 The motor 22 is driven by a motor drive circuit (not shown). The drive pulley 23 is connected to a rotation shaft 22 A of the motor 22 and is rotated by the motor 22.
　金属ベルト２４は、駆動プーリー２３及び従動プーリー２５に張架され、駆動プーリー２３の回転を従動プーリー２５に伝達する。金属ベルト２４は、例えばステンレス鋼で形成された無端状ベルトである。 The metal belt 24 is stretched around the drive pulley 23 and the driven pulley 25, and transmits the rotation of the drive pulley 23 to the driven pulley 25. The metal belt 24 is an endless belt formed of, for example, stainless steel.
　従動プーリー２５は、出力軸２６に固定されており、出力軸２６と一体的に回転する。出力軸２６の一方端部（図２における左側の端部）には、パルス板２７Ａが固定されており、出力軸２６の他方端部には、前記感光体ドラムのような被駆動体３０が連結されている。これにより、モーター２２の回転駆動力は、駆動プーリー２３、金属ベルト２４、従動プーリー２５、及び出力軸２６を介して被駆動体３０に伝達される。その結果、モーター２２の回転駆動力によって被駆動体３０が駆動される。 The driven pulley 25 is fixed to the output shaft 26 and rotates integrally with the output shaft 26. The pulse plate 27A is fixed to one end (the end on the left side in FIG. 2) of the output shaft 26, and the other end of the output shaft 26 is a driven body 30 such as the photosensitive drum. It is connected. Thus, the rotational drive force of the motor 22 is transmitted to the driven body 30 via the drive pulley 23, the metal belt 24, the driven pulley 25, and the output shaft 26. As a result, the driven body 30 is driven by the rotational driving force of the motor 22.
　ロータリーエンコーダー２７は、従動プーリー２５の回転速度に応じたパルス信号を出力する。具体的には、ロータリーエンコーダー２７のパルス板２７Ａには、周方向に沿って等間隔に複数のスリットが設けられている。一方、ロータリーエンコーダー２７のフォトセンサー２７Ｂには、前記パルス板２７Ａを挟んで互いに対向する位置に発光部及び受光部が設けられている。そして、パルス板２７Ａが回転すると、前記発光部からの光が前記スリットを通じて前記受光部に入射される状態と、前記発光部からの光がパルス板２７Ａで遮光される状態とが繰り返される。その結果、前記受光部に入射する光量が周期的に変化し、従動プーリー２５の回転速度に応じたパルス信号がロータリーエンコーダー２７から出力される。前記パルス信号は、制御部１６に入力される。 The rotary encoder 27 outputs a pulse signal according to the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25. Specifically, the pulse plate 27A of the rotary encoder 27 is provided with a plurality of slits at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. On the other hand, the photosensor 27B of the rotary encoder 27 is provided with a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit at positions facing each other with the pulse plate 27A interposed therebetween. Then, when the pulse plate 27A rotates, the state in which the light from the light emitting portion is incident on the light receiving portion through the slit and the state in which the light from the light emitting portion is blocked by the pulse plate 27A are repeated. As a result, the amount of light incident on the light receiving unit periodically changes, and a pulse signal corresponding to the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25 is output from the rotary encoder 27. The pulse signal is input to the control unit 16.
　ところで、一般に、軸方向における中央部が膨らんだ、いわゆるクラウン形状の膨出部を有するプーリーにベルトを張架することによって、前記ベルトのずれ（蛇行）が抑制されることが知られている。そこで、金属ベルト２４のずれを抑制するために、駆動プーリー２３及び従動プーリー２５のいずれか一方（例えば、従動プーリー２５）に前記膨出部を設けることが考えられる。しかしながら、そのような構成を採用した場合、従動プーリー２５に形成されている前記膨出部によって金属ベルト２４が塑性変形して湾曲することがある。そうすると、湾曲した金属ベルト２４が駆動プーリー２３に当接する際に、金属 
ベルト２４の幅方向における両端部に中央部よりも大きな力が作用する。その結果、金属ベルト２４の端部が損傷してしまうことがある。これに対して、本実施形態に係る画像形成装置１では、以下で説明するように、金属ベルト２４の損傷を抑制することが可能である。 By the way, generally, it is known that the belt displacement (meandering) is suppressed by stretching the belt on a pulley having a so-called crown-shaped bulging portion in which a central portion in the axial direction is bulging. Therefore, in order to suppress the displacement of the metal belt 24, it is conceivable to provide the bulging portion on one of the drive pulley 23 and the driven pulley 25 (for example, the driven pulley 25). However, when such a configuration is adopted, the metal belt 24 may be plastically deformed and bent by the bulging portion formed on the driven pulley 25. Then, when the curved metal belt 24 abuts on the drive pulley 23,
A greater force than at the central portion acts on both ends of the belt 24 in the width direction. As a result, the end of the metal belt 24 may be damaged. On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the damage of the metal belt 24 as described below.
　図４は、金属ベルト２４を取り外した状態のベルト駆動部２０を示している。本実施形態では、駆動プーリー２３及び従動プーリー２５の両方に前記膨出部が形成されている。すなわち、図４に示されるように、駆動プーリー２３には、軸方向における中央部が膨らんだ、いわゆるクラウン形状の第１膨出部２３Ａが形成されている。また、従動プーリー２５には、軸方向における中央部が膨らんだ、いわゆるクラウン形状の第２膨出部２５Ａが形成されている。金属ベルト２４は、第１膨出部２３Ａ及び第２膨出部２５Ａに張架される。これにより、金属ベルト２４のずれが抑制される。 FIG. 4 shows the belt drive 20 with the metal belt 24 removed. In the present embodiment, the bulging portion is formed on both the drive pulley 23 and the driven pulley 25. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the drive pulley 23 is formed with a so-called crown-shaped first bulging portion 23A in which the central portion in the axial direction is bulging. Further, the driven pulley 25 is formed with a so-called crown-shaped second bulging portion 25A in which a central portion in the axial direction is bulging. The metal belt 24 is stretched around the first bulging portion 23A and the second bulging portion 25A. Thereby, the shift of the metal belt 24 is suppressed.
　また、図５に示されるように、駆動プーリー２３に形成されている第１膨出部２３Ａの軸心Ａ１を含む断面における外周面の輪郭形状Ｆ１と、従動プーリー２５に形成されている第２膨出部２５Ａの軸心Ａ２を含む断面における外周面の輪郭形状Ｆ２とが同一形状となっている。よって、第２膨出部２５Ａによって金属ベルト２４が塑性変形したとしても、塑性変形した金属ベルト２４の形状（すなわち、輪郭形状Ｆ２に対応する形状）は、第１膨出部２３Ａの輪郭形状Ｆ１と同一形状となる。よって、第２膨出部２５Ａによって塑性変形した金属ベルト２４が第１膨出部２３Ａに当接する際に、金属ベルト２４の両端部に中央部よりも大きな力が作用することはない。したがって、金属ベルト２４の損傷が抑制される。 Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the contour shape F1 of the outer peripheral surface in the cross section including the axial center A1 of the first bulging portion 23A formed in the drive pulley 23 and the second formed in the driven pulley 25 The contour shape F2 of the outer peripheral surface in the cross section including the axial center A2 of the bulging portion 25A has the same shape. Therefore, even if the metal belt 24 is plastically deformed by the second bulging portion 25A, the shape (that is, the shape corresponding to the contour shape F2) of the plastically deformed metal belt 24 is the contour shape F1 of the first bulging portion 23A. It has the same shape as Therefore, when the metal belt 24 plastically deformed by the second bulging portion 25A abuts on the first bulging portion 23A, a force larger than the central portion does not act on both end portions of the metal belt 24. Therefore, damage to the metal belt 24 is suppressed.
　なお、本実施形態では、図２及び図５に示されるように、第１膨出部２３Ａの輪郭形状Ｆ１の幅Ｗ１は、金属ベルト２４の幅と略同一となっている。しかしながら、本発明はこれに限定されず、第１膨出部２３Ａの輪郭形状Ｆ１の幅Ｗ１が、金属ベルト２４の幅よりも大きい幅（例えば、金属ベルト２４の幅の２倍以上の幅）であってもよい。これにより、第１膨出部２３Ａにおいて金属ベルト２４が幅方向に多少ずれてしまった場合でも、第１膨出部２３Ａのクラウン形状の効果によって、金属ベルト２４のずれ（蛇行）が補正される。同様に、本実施形態では、図２及び図５に示されるように、第２膨出部２５Ａの輪郭形状Ｆ２の幅Ｗ２は、金属ベルト２４の幅と略同一となっている。しかしながら、本発明はこれに限定されず、第２膨出部２５Ａの輪郭形状Ｆ２の幅Ｗ２が、金属ベルト２４の幅よりも大きい幅（例えば、金属ベルト２４の幅の２倍以上の幅）であってもよい。これにより、第２膨出部２５Ａにおいて金属ベルト２４が幅方向に多少ずれてしまった場合でも、第２膨出部２５Ａのクラウン形状の効果によって、金属ベルト２４のずれ（蛇行）が補正される。 In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the width W1 of the outline shape F1 of the first bulging portion 23A is substantially the same as the width of the metal belt 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the width W1 of the outline shape F1 of the first bulging portion 23A is larger than the width of the metal belt 24 (for example, the width more than twice the width of the metal belt 24) It may be Thus, even if the metal belt 24 is slightly displaced in the width direction at the first bulging portion 23A, the shift (meandering) of the metal belt 24 is corrected by the effect of the crown shape of the first bulging portion 23A. . Similarly, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the width W2 of the outline shape F2 of the second bulging portion 25A is substantially the same as the width of the metal belt 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the width W2 of the outline shape F2 of the second bulging portion 25A is larger than the width of the metal belt 24 (for example, the width twice or more the width of the metal belt 24) It may be Thereby, even if the metal belt 24 is slightly shifted in the width direction at the second bulging portion 25A, the shift (meandering) of the metal belt 24 is corrected by the effect of the crown shape of the second bulging portion 25A. .
　なお、上記のような構成を採用しても、金属ベルト２４のずれを完全に防止することは困難であり、金属ベルト２４がずれてしまうことがある。そこで、本実施形態に係る画像形成装置１は、金属ベルト２４のずれを検知して、必要に応じて金属ベルト２４を元の位置に復帰させる機能を備えている。 Even if the above configuration is adopted, it is difficult to completely prevent the displacement of the metal belt 24, and the metal belt 24 may be displaced. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a function of detecting the displacement of the metal belt 24 and returning the metal belt 24 to the original position as needed.
　具体的に、制御部１６は、図１に示されるように、従動プーリー速度検出部１６１、モーター制御部１６２、モーター速度検出部１６３、ずれ検知処理部１６４、復帰処理部１６５、及び報知処理部１６６を含む。なお、制御部１６は、前記制御プログラムに従って各種の処理を実行することによりこれらの各処理部として機能する。また、制御部１６は、これらの各処理部の一部又は複数の処理機能を実現する電子回路を備えるものであってもよい。 Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 16 includes a driven pulley speed detection unit 161, a motor control unit 162, a motor speed detection unit 163, a deviation detection processing unit 164, a recovery processing unit 165, and a notification processing unit. Including 166. The control unit 16 functions as each processing unit by executing various processes in accordance with the control program. In addition, the control unit 16 may include an electronic circuit that realizes a part or a plurality of processing functions of each of the processing units.
　従動プーリー速度検出部１６１は従動プーリー２５の回転速度を検出する。具体的に、従動プーリー速度検出部１６１は、ロータリーエンコーダー２７から出力されるパルス信号に基づいて、従動プーリー２５の回転速度を検出する。 The driven pulley speed detection unit 161 detects the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25. Specifically, the driven pulley speed detection unit 161 detects the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25 based on the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 27.
　モーター制御部１６２は、従動プーリー速度検出部１６１により検出される従動プーリー２５の回転速度に基づいて、従動プーリー２５の回転速度が予め定められた目標速度となるようにモーター２２の回転速度をフィードバック制御する。前記パルス信号は、従動プーリー２５の回転速度に応じた信号である。すなわち、モーター制御部１６２は、従動プーリー２５の回転速度に基づいて、モーター２２の回転速度をフィードバック制御する。モーター制御部１６２は、前記モーター駆動回路（不図示）を介して、モーター２２の回転速度を制御する。 The motor control unit 162 feeds back the rotational speed of the motor 22 based on the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25 detected by the driven pulley speed detection unit 161 so that the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25 becomes a predetermined target speed. Control. The pulse signal is a signal corresponding to the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25. That is, the motor control unit 162 performs feedback control of the rotational speed of the motor 22 based on the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25. The motor control unit 162 controls the rotational speed of the motor 22 via the motor drive circuit (not shown).
　モーター速度検出部１６３は、前記モーターの回転速度を検出する。例えば、モーター速度検出部１６３は、前記モーター駆動回路（不図示）からモーター２２に供給される電流の大きさ、前記モーター２２の回転速度を検出するためのセンサー（例えば、ロータリーエンコーダー、ホールセンサーなど）の出力信号などからモーター２２の回転速度を検出する。 The motor speed detection unit 163 detects the rotational speed of the motor. For example, the motor speed detection unit 163 is a sensor (for example, a rotary encoder, a hall sensor, etc.) for detecting the magnitude of the current supplied to the motor 22 from the motor drive circuit (not shown) and the rotational speed of the motor 22. The rotational speed of the motor 22 is detected from the output signal of the.
　ずれ検知処理部１６４は、モーター速度検出部１６３により検出されるモーター２２の回転速度に基づいて、第１膨出部２３Ａ又は第２膨出部２５Ａからの金属ベルト２４のずれを検知する。以下、ずれ検知処理部１６４による金属ベルト２４のずれの検知方法について説明する。 The deviation detection processing unit 164 detects deviation of the metal belt 24 from the first bulging part 23A or the second bulging part 25A based on the rotational speed of the motor 22 detected by the motor speed detection part 163. Hereinafter, a method of detecting the deviation of the metal belt 24 by the deviation detection processing unit 164 will be described.
　駆動プーリー２３には、金属ベルト２４の張力により、従動プーリー２５に向かう方向の力が作用する。その結果、駆動プーリー２３が撓み、駆動プーリー２３の先端部（図２における右側の端部）が従動プーリー２５に向かう方向に移動する。その結果、金属ベルト２４は、第１膨出部２３Ａから駆動プーリー２３の先端側にずれ易くなる。金属ベルト２４が駆動プーリー２３の先端側にずれて、最終的に金属ベルト２４が駆動プーリー２３から外れてしまうと、画像形成部１３による画像の形成が不可能になってしまう。 A force in a direction toward the driven pulley 25 acts on the driving pulley 23 by the tension of the metal belt 24. As a result, the drive pulley 23 bends, and the distal end (right end in FIG. 2) of the drive pulley 23 moves in the direction toward the driven pulley 25. As a result, the metal belt 24 is easily displaced from the first bulging portion 23A to the tip end side of the driving pulley 23. When the metal belt 24 is shifted to the tip end side of the drive pulley 23 and finally the metal belt 24 is removed from the drive pulley 23, formation of an image by the image forming unit 13 becomes impossible.
　本実施形態では、上記のような金属ベルト２４のずれを検知するために、図４に示されるように、駆動プーリー２３に逆テーパー部２３Ｂが形成されている。逆テーパー部２３Ｂの径は、軸方向における位置が第１膨出部２３Ａから遠ざかるほど大きくなっている。したがって、金属ベルト２４が駆動プーリー２３の先端側にずれるほど、金属ベルト２４に当接する駆動プーリー２３の径が大きくなる。その結果、金属ベルト２４との当接位置における駆動プーリー２３の周速が速くなり、それに伴って金属ベルト２４の移動速度（周回速度）も速くなる。 In the present embodiment, in order to detect the displacement of the metal belt 24 as described above, as shown in FIG. 4, the reverse taper portion 23B is formed in the drive pulley 23. The diameter of the reverse taper portion 23B is larger as the position in the axial direction is farther from the first bulging portion 23A. Therefore, as the metal belt 24 is displaced to the tip end side of the drive pulley 23, the diameter of the drive pulley 23 in contact with the metal belt 24 becomes larger. As a result, the circumferential speed of the drive pulley 23 at the contact position with the metal belt 24 is increased, and the moving speed (rotational speed) of the metal belt 24 is also increased accordingly.
　金属ベルト２４の移動速度が速くなると、従動プーリー２５の回転速度も速くなるので、モーター制御部１６２は、従動プーリー２５の回転速度が前記目標速度に保たれるように、モーター２２の回転速度を遅くする。その結果、金属ベルト２４が駆動プーリー２３の先端側にずれるほど、モーター２２の回転速度は遅くなる。ずれ検知処理部１６４は、モーター２２の回転速度を監視し、モーター２２の回転速度が予め定められた閾値を下回った場合に、金属ベルト２４がずれたと判定する。 Since the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25 also increases as the moving speed of the metal belt 24 increases, the motor control unit 162 sets the rotational speed of the motor 22 so that the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25 is maintained at the target speed. To slow down. As a result, the rotational speed of the motor 22 becomes slower as the metal belt 24 is displaced to the tip side of the drive pulley 23. The deviation detection processing unit 164 monitors the rotational speed of the motor 22 and determines that the metal belt 24 has deviated when the rotational speed of the motor 22 falls below a predetermined threshold.
　なお、前記閾値は、金属ベルト２４が第１膨出部２３Ａに張架されているときのモーター２２の回転速度よりも低く、且つ、金属ベルト２４が駆動プーリー２３の先端部（図２における左側の端部）に張架されているときのモーター２２の回転速度よりも高い値に設定される。これにより、ずれ検知処理部１６４は、金属ベルト２４が駆動プーリー２３の先端部までずれてしまう前に、金属ベルト２４がずれたと判定することができる。 The threshold is lower than the rotational speed of the motor 22 when the metal belt 24 is stretched around the first bulging portion 23A, and the metal belt 24 is at the tip of the driving pulley 23 (left side in FIG. Of the rotation speed of the motor 22 when it is stretched over the Thus, the deviation detection processing unit 164 can determine that the metal belt 24 is displaced before the metal belt 24 is displaced to the tip of the drive pulley 23.
　なお、本実施形態では、駆動プーリー２３において、第１膨出部２３Ａよりも先端側（すなわち、図４における右側）に逆テーパー部２３Ｂが設けられているが、他の実施形態では、第１膨出部２３Ａよりも基端側（すなわち、図４における左側）に、基端に近づくほど径が大きくなる逆テーパー部が設けられてもよい。また、第１膨出部２３Ａの両側に逆テーパー部が設けられてもよい。 In the present embodiment, the reverse tapered portion 23B is provided on the distal end side (that is, the right side in FIG. 4) of the driving pulley 23 than the first bulging portion 23A. A reverse tapered portion may be provided on the proximal end side (that is, the left side in FIG. 4) of the bulging portion 23A, the diameter of which increases as the proximal end is approached. In addition, reverse tapered portions may be provided on both sides of the first bulging portion 23A.
　また、他の実施形態では、従動プーリー２５において、第２膨出部２５Ａの一方又は両側に逆テーパー部が設けられてもよい。例えば、図７に示されるように、従動プーリー２５において、第２膨出部２５Ａよりも被駆動体３０側に逆テーパー部２５Ｂが設けられてもよい。この場合、金属ベルト２４が従動プーリー２５の第２膨出部２５Ａからずれるほど、金属ベルト２４に当接する従動プーリー２５の径が大きくなる。その結果、従動プーリー２５の回転速度が遅くなるので、モーター制御部１６２は、従動プーリー２５の回転速度が前記目標速度に保たれるように、モーター２２の回転速度を速くする。よって、この場合は、ずれ検知処理部１６４は、モーター２２の回転速度が予め定められた閾値を上回った場合に、金属ベルト２４がずれたと判定する。 In another embodiment, in the driven pulley 25, reverse tapered portions may be provided on one or both sides of the second bulging portion 25 </ b> A. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in the driven pulley 25, the reverse tapered portion 25 </ b> B may be provided closer to the driven body 30 than the second bulging portion 25 </ b> A. In this case, as the metal belt 24 deviates from the second bulging portion 25A of the driven pulley 25, the diameter of the driven pulley 25 in contact with the metal belt 24 increases. As a result, since the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25 is reduced, the motor control unit 162 increases the rotational speed of the motor 22 so that the rotational speed of the driven pulley 25 is maintained at the target speed. Therefore, in this case, the shift detection processing unit 164 determines that the metal belt 24 is shifted when the rotation speed of the motor 22 exceeds the predetermined threshold.
　復帰処理部１６５は、ずれ検知処理部１６４により金属ベルト２４のずれが検知された場合に、金属ベルト２４を元の位置に復帰させる。具体的に、復帰処理部１６５は、モーター２２を逆回転させる（すなわち、画像形成時の回転方向とは逆方向に回転させる）ことによって、金属ベルト２４を元の位置に復帰させる。なお、金属ベルト２４を元の位置に復帰させる方法としては種々の方法が考えられる。例えば、他の実施形態では、復帰処理部１６５は、駆動プーリー２３の軸方向の傾きを調整することが可能な傾き調整機構（不図示）を制御して、金属ベルト２４を元の位置に復帰させてもよい。 The return processing unit 165 returns the metal belt 24 to its original position when the shift detection processing unit 164 detects a shift of the metal belt 24. Specifically, the return processing unit 165 returns the metal belt 24 to the original position by rotating the motor 22 in the reverse direction (that is, rotating it in the direction opposite to the rotation direction at the time of image formation). In addition, various methods can be considered as a method of returning the metal belt 24 to the original position. For example, in another embodiment, the return processing unit 165 controls an inclination adjustment mechanism (not shown) capable of adjusting the inclination of the drive pulley 23 in the axial direction to return the metal belt 24 to its original position. You may
　報知処理部１６６は、ずれ検知処理部１６４により金属ベルト２４のずれが検知された場合に、その旨を報知する。なお、報知処理部１６６は、ずれ検知処理部１６４により金属ベルト２４のずれが検知された場合に、即座に、その旨を報知してもよい。もしくは、報知処理部１６６は、ずれ検知処理部１６４により金属ベルト２４のずれが検知された後、復帰処理部１６５により金属ベルト２４を元の位置に復帰できなかった場合に、その旨を報知してもよい。 If the shift detection processing unit 164 detects a shift of the metal belt 24, the notification processing unit 166 reports that effect. The notification processing unit 166 may immediately notify that effect when the deviation detection processing unit 164 detects a deviation of the metal belt 24. Alternatively, after the shift detection processing unit 164 detects a shift of the metal belt 24, the notification processing unit 166 reports that the return processing unit 165 can not return the metal belt 24 to the original position. May be
　例えば、報知処理部１６６は、画像形成装置１のメンテンナンス業務を請け負っている事業者のサーバー（不図示）に、金属ベルト２４のずれが検知された旨を示す情報を送信してもよい。もしくは、報知処理部１６６は、金属ベルト２４の点検を促すメッセージを操作表示部１０に表示させてもよい。 For example, the notification processing unit 166 may transmit information indicating that the shift of the metal belt 24 has been detected to a server (not shown) of a business that is undertaking maintenance work of the image forming apparatus 1. Alternatively, the notification processing unit 166 may cause the operation display unit 10 to display a message prompting an inspection of the metal belt 24.
［ずれ検知処理］
　次に、図６を参照しつつ、制御部１６によって実行されるずれ検知処理の手順の一例について説明する。ここで、ステップＳ１，Ｓ２，・・・は、制御部１６により実行される処理手順（ステップ）の番号を表している。なお、前記ずれ検知処理は、例えば、画像形成装置１の電源がオンされたことに応じて開始される。 Misalignment detection processing
Next, referring to FIG. 6, an example of the procedure of the deviation detection process executed by the control unit 16 will be described. Here, steps S 1, S 2,... Represent the numbers of the processing procedures (steps) executed by the control unit 16. The shift detection process is started, for example, in response to the power of the image forming apparatus 1 being turned on.
＜ステップＳ１＞
　まず、ステップＳ１において、制御部１６は、モーター２２の回転速度を検出する。例えば、制御部１６は、前記モーター駆動回路（不図示）からモーター２２に供給される電流の大きさ、前記モーター２２の回転速度を検出するためのセンサー（例えば、ロータリーエンコーダー、ホールセンサーなど）の出力信号などからモーター２２の回転速度を検出する。当該ステップＳ１の処理は、モーター速度検出部１６３により実行される。 <Step S1>
First, in step S1, the control unit 16 detects the rotational speed of the motor 22. For example, the control unit 16 is a sensor (for example, a rotary encoder, a hall sensor, etc.) for detecting the rotation speed of the motor 22 and the magnitude of the current supplied to the motor 22 from the motor drive circuit (not shown). The rotational speed of the motor 22 is detected from an output signal or the like. The process of step S1 is performed by the motor speed detection unit 163.
＜ステップＳ２＞ 
　ステップＳ２において、制御部１６は、前記ステップＳ１で検出されたモーター２２の回転速度が予め定められた閾値を下回っているか否かを判断する。そして、モーター２２の回転速度が前記閾値を下回っていると判断されると（Ｓ２：Ｙｅｓ）、処理がステップＳ３に移行する。一方、モーター２２の回転速度が前記閾値を下回っていないと判断されると（Ｓ２：Ｎｏ）、処理が前記ステップＳ１に戻る。当該ステップＳ２の処理は、ずれ検知処理部１６４により実行される。 <Step S2>
In step S2, the control unit 16 determines whether the rotational speed of the motor 22 detected in step S1 is less than a predetermined threshold. When it is determined that the rotational speed of the motor 22 is below the threshold (S2: Yes), the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, when it is determined that the rotational speed of the motor 22 is not less than the threshold (S2: No), the process returns to the step S1. The process of step S2 is executed by the deviation detection processing unit 164.
＜ステップＳ３＞
　ステップＳ３において、制御部１６は、復帰処理を開始する。例えば、制御部１６は、金属ベルト２４を元の位置に復帰させるべく、画像形成時の回転方向とは逆方向にモーター２２を回転させる。当該ステップＳ３の処理は、復帰処理部１６５により実行される。 <Step S3>
In step S3, the control unit 16 starts the return process. For example, the control unit 16 rotates the motor 22 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction at the time of image formation so as to return the metal belt 24 to the original position. The process of step S3 is executed by the return processing unit 165.
＜ステップＳ４＞
　ステップＳ４において、制御部１６は、モーター２２の回転速度を検出する。当該ステップＳ４の処理は、モーター速度検出部１６３により実行される。 <Step S4>
In step S4, the control unit 16 detects the rotational speed of the motor 22. The process of step S4 is executed by the motor speed detection unit 163.
＜ステップＳ５＞
　ステップＳ５において、制御部１６は、前記ステップＳ４で検出されたモーター２２の回転速度が前記閾値を下回っているか否かを判断する。そして、モーター２２の回転速度が前記閾値を下回っていると判断されると（Ｓ５：Ｙｅｓ）、処理がステップＳ６に移行する。一方、モーター２２の回転速度が前記閾値を下回っていないと判断されると（Ｓ５：Ｎｏ）、処理が前記ステップＳ１に戻る。 <Step S5>
In step S5, the control unit 16 determines whether the rotational speed of the motor 22 detected in step S4 is less than the threshold. When it is determined that the rotational speed of the motor 22 is below the threshold (S5: Yes), the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, when it is determined that the rotational speed of the motor 22 is not less than the threshold (S5: No), the process returns to the step S1.
＜ステップＳ６＞
　ステップＳ６において、制御部１６は、前記復帰処理がタイムアウトしたか否かを判断する。すなわち、制御部１６は、前記ステップＳ３で前記復帰処理が開始されてから、予め定められた時間が経過したか否かを判断する。そして、前記復帰処理がタイムアウトしたと判断されると（Ｓ６：Ｙｅｓ）、処理がステップＳ７に移行する。一方、前記復帰処理がタイムアウトしていないと判断されると（Ｓ６：Ｎｏ）、処理が前記ステップＳ４に戻る。 <Step S6>
In step S6, the control unit 16 determines whether the recovery process has timed out. That is, the control unit 16 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the return processing was started in the step S3. Then, if it is determined that the recovery process has timed out (S6: Yes), the process proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, when it is determined that the recovery process has not timed out (S6: No), the process returns to the step S4.
＜ステップＳ７＞
　ステップＳ７において、制御部１６は、前記復帰処理を終了する。例えば、制御部１６は、前記モーター２２を停止させる。 <Step S7>
In step S7, the control unit 16 ends the return process. For example, the control unit 16 stops the motor 22.
＜ステップＳ８＞
　ステップＳ８において、制御部１６は、エラー報知を行う。例えば、制御部１６は、画像形成装置１のメンテンナンス業務を請け負っている事業者のサーバー（不図示）に、金属ベルト２４のずれが検知された旨を示す情報を送信する。そして、前記ずれ検知処理が終了される。当該ステップＳ８の処理は、報知処理部１６６により実行される。 <Step S8>
In step S8, the control unit 16 performs error notification. For example, the control unit 16 transmits information indicating that the shift of the metal belt 24 has been detected to a server (not shown) of a business that is undertaking maintenance work of the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the deviation detection process is ended. The process of step S8 is performed by the notification processing unit 166.
　以上のように、本実施形態に係る画像形成装置１では、駆動プーリー２３に第１膨出部２３Ａが形成されており、従動プーリー２５に第２膨出部２５Ａが形成されている。そして、第１膨出部２３Ａの外周面の輪郭形状Ｆ１と、第２膨出部２５Ａの外周面の輪郭形状Ｆ２とが同一形状となっている。よって、第２膨出部２５Ａによって塑性変形した金属ベルト２４が第１膨出部２３Ａに当接する際に、金属ベルト２４の両端部に中央部よりも大きな力が作用することがなく、金属ベルト２４の損傷が抑制される。 As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the first bulging portion 23A is formed on the drive pulley 23, and the second bulging portion 25A is formed on the driven pulley 25. The contour shape F1 of the outer peripheral surface of the first bulging portion 23A and the contour shape F2 of the outer peripheral surface of the second bulging portion 25A have the same shape. Therefore, when the metal belt 24 plastically deformed by the second bulging portion 25A abuts on the first bulging portion 23A, a force larger than the central portion does not act on both end portions of the metal belt 24, and the metal belt 24 damage is suppressed.
　また、本実施形態に係る画像形成装置１では、金属ベルト２４が検知された場合に、復帰処理又は報知処理が行われる。よって、駆動プーリー２３又は従動プーリー２５から金属ベルト２４が外れてしまう前に復帰処理又は報知処理が行われるので、突然に画像形成部１３による画像の形成が不可能になってしまうことを防止することができる。 Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the metal belt 24 is detected, the return processing or the notification processing is performed. Therefore, since the restoration process or the notification process is performed before the metal belt 24 is detached from the drive pulley 23 or the driven pulley 25, it is possible to prevent the image formation by the image forming unit 13 from being impossible suddenly. be able to.
　また、本実施形態では、モーター２２の回転速度に基づいて金属ベルト２４のずれが検知されるので、簡単な構成で金属ベルト２４のずれを検知することが可能である。 Further, in the present embodiment, since the shift of the metal belt 24 is detected based on the rotational speed of the motor 22, it is possible to detect the shift of the metal belt 24 with a simple configuration.
［変形例］
　なお、本実施形態では、図５に示されるように、第１膨出部２３Ａの軸心Ａ１を含む断面における外周面の輪郭形状Ｆ１と、第２膨出部２５Ａの軸心Ａ２を含む断面における外周面の輪郭形状Ｆ２とが同一形状であるが、本発明はこれに限らず、第１膨出部２３Ａの輪郭形状Ｆ１と第２膨出部２５Ａの輪郭形状Ｆ２とが同一曲率であってもよい。例えば、図８に示されるように、第１膨出部２３Ａの輪郭形状Ｆ１の幅Ｗ１と第２膨出部２５Ａの輪郭形状Ｆ２の幅Ｗ２とが異なっていても、第１膨出部２３Ａの輪郭形状Ｆ１と第２膨出部２５Ａの輪郭形状Ｆ２とが同一曲率であれば、第２膨出部２５Ａによって金属ベルト２４が塑性変形したとしても、塑性変形した金属ベルト２４の形状（すなわち、輪郭形状Ｆ２に対応する形状）は、第１膨出部２３Ａの輪郭形状Ｆ１と同一曲率となる。よって、第２膨出部２５Ａによって塑性変形した金属ベルト２４が第１膨出部２３Ａに当接する際に、金属ベルト２４の両端部に中央部よりも大きな力が作用することはない。したがって、金属ベルト２４の損傷が抑制される。 [Modification]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the outline shape F1 of the outer peripheral surface in the cross section including the axial center A1 of the first bulging portion 23A and the cross section including the axial center A2 of the second bulging portion 25A However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the contour shape F1 of the first bulging portion 23A and the contour shape F2 of the second bulging portion 25A have the same curvature. May be For example, as shown in FIG. 8, even if the width W1 of the contour shape F1 of the first bulging portion 23A is different from the width W2 of the contour shape F2 of the second bulging portion 25A, the first bulging portion 23A Of the metal belt 24 plastically deformed even if the metal belt 24 is plastically deformed by the second bulged portion 25A (ie, the contour shape F1 of the second bulged portion 25A and the contour shape F2 of the second bulged portion 25A have the same curvature) The shape corresponding to the contour shape F2 has the same curvature as the contour shape F1 of the first bulging portion 23A. Therefore, when the metal belt 24 plastically deformed by the second bulging portion 25A abuts on the first bulging portion 23A, a force larger than the central portion does not act on both end portions of the metal belt 24. Therefore, damage to the metal belt 24 is suppressed.
　なお、被駆動体３０は、前記感光体ドラムに限らず、前記現像装置に設けられる現像ローラー、前記転写装置に設けられる転写ベルトを周回移動させるための駆動ローラーなどであってもよい。特に、前記感光体ドラム、前記現像ローラー、及び前記転写ベルトにとっては、ギア同士の接触によって発生する振動による画像品質の低下を避けるために、ギア駆動よりもベルト駆動の方が好ましい。 The driven member 30 is not limited to the photosensitive drum, and may be a developing roller provided in the developing device, a driving roller for circumferentially moving a transfer belt provided in the transfer device, or the like. In particular, for the photosensitive drum, the developing roller, and the transfer belt, belt drive is preferable to gear drive in order to avoid deterioration in image quality due to vibration generated by contact between gears.
　なお、本実施形態では、ベルト駆動部２０において金属ベルト２４が使用されるが、本発明は、金属ベルト２４以外の任意のベルト（例えば、樹脂ベルト）にも適用可能である。例えば、ベルト駆動部２０において金属ベルト２４の代わりに樹脂ベルトを使用する場合、第１膨出部２３Ａのクラウン形状によって、樹脂ベルトの両端部と駆動プーリー２３との間の摩擦力が、樹脂ベルトの中央部と駆動プーリー２３との間の摩擦力よりも相対的に小さくなる。これにより、樹脂ベルトの両端部の損傷が抑制される。特に、第１膨出部２３Ａのクラウン形状によって、樹脂ベルトの両端部を駆動プーリー２３から浮かせるようにすれば、樹脂ベルトの両端部の損傷がさらに抑制される。同様に、第２膨出部２５Ａのクラウン形状によって、樹脂ベルトの両端部と従動プーリー２５との間の摩擦力が、樹脂ベルトの中央部と従動プーリー２５との間の摩擦力よりも相対的に小さくなる。これにより、樹脂ベルトの両端部の損傷が抑制される。特に、第２膨出部２５Ａのクラウン形状によって、樹脂ベルトの両端部を従動プーリー２５から浮かせるようにすれば、樹脂ベルトの両端部の損傷がさらに抑制される。 In the present embodiment, the metal belt 24 is used in the belt drive unit 20, but the present invention is also applicable to any belt (for example, a resin belt) other than the metal belt 24. For example, when a resin belt is used instead of the metal belt 24 in the belt drive unit 20, the frictional force between both ends of the resin belt and the drive pulley 23 is a resin belt due to the crown shape of the first bulging portion 23A. The friction force between the center portion of the drive pulley 23 and the drive pulley 23 is relatively smaller. Damage to both ends of the resin belt is thereby suppressed. In particular, when both ends of the resin belt are caused to float from the driving pulley 23 by the crown shape of the first bulging portion 23A, damage to both ends of the resin belt is further suppressed. Similarly, due to the crown shape of the second bulging portion 25A, the frictional force between both ends of the resin belt and the driven pulley 25 is relative to the frictional force between the central portion of the resin belt and the driven pulley 25. Smaller. Damage to both ends of the resin belt is thereby suppressed. In particular, when both ends of the resin belt are caused to float from the driven pulley 25 by the crown shape of the second bulging portion 25A, damage to both ends of the resin belt is further suppressed.

Claims (10)

  1. 　モーターにより回転され、軸方向における中央部が膨らんだ第１膨出部を含む駆動プーリーと、
    　軸方向における中央部が膨らんだ第２膨出部を含む従動プーリーと、
    　前記第１膨出部及び前記第２膨出部に張架され、前記駆動プーリーの回転を前記従動プーリーに伝達するベルトと、
    　を備え、
    　前記第１膨出部の軸心を含む断面における外周面の輪郭形状と、前記第２膨出部の軸心を含む断面における外周面の輪郭形状とが同一形状又は同一曲率である、
    　ベルト駆動装置。     A drive pulley including a first bulging portion rotated by a motor and having a central portion in the axial direction inflated;
    A driven pulley including a second bulging portion whose central portion in the axial direction is bulging;
    A belt which is stretched around the first bulging portion and the second bulging portion and transmits the rotation of the drive pulley to the driven pulley;
    Equipped with
    The contour shape of the outer circumferential surface in the cross section including the axial center of the first bulging portion and the contour shape of the outer circumferential surface in the cross section including the axial center of the second bulging portion have the same shape or the same curvature.
    Belt drive.
  2. 　前記従動プーリーの回転速度を検出する従動プーリー速度検出部と、
    　前記従動プーリー速度検出部により検出される前記従動プーリーの回転速度に基づいて、前記従動プーリーの回転速度が予め定められた目標速度となるように前記モーターの回転速度をフィードバック制御するモーター制御部と、
    　前記モーターの回転速度を検出するモーター速度検出部と、
    　前記モーター速度検出部により検出される前記モーターの回転速度に基づいて、前記第１膨出部又は前記第２膨出部からの前記金属ベルトのずれを検知するずれ検知処理部とを更に備える、
    　請求項１に記載のベルト駆動装置。     A driven pulley speed detection unit that detects the rotational speed of the driven pulley;
    A motor control unit that feedback controls the rotational speed of the motor such that the rotational speed of the driven pulley becomes a predetermined target speed based on the rotational speed of the driven pulley detected by the driven pulley speed detection unit; ,
    A motor speed detection unit that detects a rotational speed of the motor;
    And a shift detection processing unit configured to detect a shift of the metal belt from the first bulging portion or the second bulging portion based on the rotational speed of the motor detected by the motor speed detecting portion.
    The belt drive according to claim 1.
  3. 　前記駆動プーリーは、軸方向における位置が前記第１膨出部から遠ざかるほど径が大きくなる逆テーパー部を含み、
    　前記ずれ検知処理部は、前記モーターの回転速度が予め定められた閾値を下回った場合に、前記ベルトがずれたと判定する、
    　請求項２に記載のベルト駆動装置。     The drive pulley includes a reverse tapered portion whose diameter increases with distance from the first bulging portion in the axial direction.
    The deviation detection processing unit determines that the belt has deviated when the rotational speed of the motor falls below a predetermined threshold.
    The belt drive according to claim 2.
  4. 　前記従動プーリーは、軸方向における位置が前記第２膨出部から遠ざかるほど径が大きくなる逆テーパー部を含み、
    　前記ずれ検知処理部は、前記モーターの回転速度が予め定められた閾値を上回った場合に、前記ベルトがずれたと判定する、
    　請求項２に記載のベルト駆動装置。     The driven pulley includes a reverse tapered portion whose diameter increases as the position in the axial direction gets farther from the second bulging portion,
    The shift detection processing unit determines that the belt is shifted when the rotational speed of the motor exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    The belt drive according to claim 2.
  5. 　前記ずれ検知処理部により前記金属ベルトのずれが検知された場合に、前記ベルトを元の位置に復帰させる復帰処理部を更に備える、
    　請求項２に記載のベルト駆動装置。     The shift detection processing unit further includes a return processing unit that returns the belt to an original position when the shift of the metal belt is detected by the shift detection processing unit.
    The belt drive according to claim 2.
  6. 　前記ずれ検知処理部により前記ベルトのずれが検知された場合にその旨を報知する報知処理部を更に備える、
    　請求項２に記載のベルト駆動装置。     The information processing apparatus further comprises a notification processing unit that notifies when the deviation of the belt is detected by the deviation detection processing unit.
    The belt drive according to claim 2.
  7. 　前記第１膨出部の前記輪郭形状及び前記第２膨出部の前記輪郭形状の少なくとも一方の幅が、前記ベルトの幅の２倍以上である、
    　請求項１に記載のベルト駆動装置。     The width of at least one of the contour shape of the first bulging portion and the contour shape of the second bulging portion is twice or more the width of the belt.
    The belt drive according to claim 1.
  8. 　前記第１膨出部の前記輪郭形状の幅と前記第２膨出部の前記輪郭形状の幅とが異なっており、且つ前記第１膨出部の前記輪郭形状と前記第２膨出部の前記輪郭形状とが同一曲率である、
    　請求項１に記載のベルト駆動装置。      The width of the contour shape of the first bulging portion is different from the width of the contour shape of the second bulging portion, and the contour shape of the first bulging portion and the second bulging portion The contour shape has the same curvature,
    The belt drive according to claim 1.
  9. 　シートに画像を形成する画像形成部と、
    　請求項１に記載のベルト駆動装置と、
    　前記ベルト駆動装置により駆動される被駆動体と、
    　を備える画像形成装置。     An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet;
    A belt drive device according to claim 1;
    A driven body driven by the belt drive device;
    An image forming apparatus comprising:
  10. 　前記被駆動体は、感光体ドラム、現像ローラー、及び転写ベルトを周回移動させる駆動ローラーの少なくとも１つを含む、
    　請求項９に記載の画像形成装置。      The driven body includes at least one of a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, and a driving roller for rotating the transfer belt.
    The image forming apparatus according to claim 9.
PCT/JP2018/042978 2017-12-14 2018-11-21 Belt drive device and image forming device WO2019116846A1 (en)

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP7472547B2 (en) 2020-03-03 2024-04-23 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 Drive transmission device and image forming apparatus

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS52118328A (en) * 1976-03-29 1977-10-04 Fujitsu Ltd Type belt holding mechanism
JPH01111860U (en) * 1988-01-25 1989-07-27
JPH02118248A (en) * 1988-10-24 1990-05-02 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Mechanism for preventing lateral shifting of metal belt
JPH0369736U (en) * 1989-11-06 1991-07-11
JPH0637365U (en) * 1992-10-16 1994-05-17 村田機械株式会社 Fluff suppressor

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS52118328A (en) * 1976-03-29 1977-10-04 Fujitsu Ltd Type belt holding mechanism
JPH01111860U (en) * 1988-01-25 1989-07-27
JPH02118248A (en) * 1988-10-24 1990-05-02 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Mechanism for preventing lateral shifting of metal belt
JPH0369736U (en) * 1989-11-06 1991-07-11
JPH0637365U (en) * 1992-10-16 1994-05-17 村田機械株式会社 Fluff suppressor

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP7472547B2 (en) 2020-03-03 2024-04-23 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 Drive transmission device and image forming apparatus

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