Patent Grant
11960237
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (image forming apparatus) and a cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording material using an electrophotographic image forming process. Examples of the image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (laser beam printer, LED or printer, for example), a facsimile machine, a word processor and so on.
The cartridge comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive drum as an image bearing member, and at least one of process means actable on the drum (a developer carrying member (developing roller)), which are unified into a cartridge which is detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus. The cartridge may comprise the drum and the developing roller as a unit, or may comprises the drum, or may comprises the developing roller. A cartridge which comprises the drum is a drum cartridge, and the cartridge which comprises the developing roller is a developing cartridge.
The main assembly of the image forming apparatus is portions of the image forming apparatus other than the cartridge.
In a conventional image forming apparatus, a drum and process means actable on the drum are unified into a cartridge which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus (process cartridge type).
With such a process cartridge type, maintenance operations for the image forming apparatus can be performed in effect by the user without relying on a service person, and therefore, the operationality can be remarkably improved.
Therefore, the process cartridge type is widely used in the field of the image forming apparatus.
A process cartridge (Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 2001-337511), for example) and an image forming apparatus (Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 2003-208024, for example) have been proposed, in which a clutch is provided to effect switching to drive the developing roller during an image forming operation and to shut off the drive of the developing roller during a non-image-formation.
In Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 2001-337511, a spring clutch is provided at an end portion of the developing roller to switch the drive.
In addition, in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 2003-208024, a clutch is provided in the image forming apparatus to switch the drive for the developing roller.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to improve the clutch for switching the drive for the developing roller.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said cartridge comprising (i) a rotatable developing roller for developing a latent image formed on a photosensitive member; (ii) a first drive transmission member capable of receiving a rotational force originated by the main assembly; (iii) a second drive transmission member capable of coupling with said first drive transmission member and capable of transmitting the rotational force received by said first drive transmission member to said developing roller; and (iv) a coupling disconnection member including (iv-i) a force receiving portion capable of receiving the force originated by the main assembly, and (iv-ii) an urging portion capable of urging at least one of said first drive transmission member and said second drive transmission member by the force received by said force receiving portion to separate one of said first drive transmission member and said second drive transmission member from the other, thereby disconnecting the coupling.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of image formation on a recording material, said electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: (i) a main assembly including a main assembly drive transmission member and a main assembly urging member; and (ii) a cartridge detachably mountable to said main assembly, said cartridge including, (ii-i) a rotatable developing roller for developing a latent image formed on a photosensitive member; (ii-ii) a first drive transmission member capable of receiving a rotational force originated by said main assembly; (ii-iii) a second drive transmission member capable of coupling with said first drive transmission member and capable of transmitting the rotational force received by said first drive transmission member to said developing roller; and (ii-iv) a coupling disconnection member including (ii-iv-i) a force receiving portion capable of receiving the force originated by the main assembly urging member, and (ii-iv-ii) an urging portion capable of urging at least one of said first drive transmission member and said second drive transmission member by the force received by said force receiving portion to separate one of said first drive transmission member and said second drive transmission member from the other, thereby disconnecting the coupling.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said main assembly including a main assembly drive transmission member and a main assembly urging member, said process cartridge comprising (i) rotatable photosensitive member; (ii) a rotatable developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive member, said developing roller being movable toward and away from said photosensitive member; (iii) an urging force receiving portion for receiving an urging force from the main assembly urging member to space said developing roller from said photosensitive member; (iv) a first drive transmission member for receiving a rotational force from the main assembly drive transmission member; (v) a second drive transmission member capable of coupling with said first drive transmission member and capable of transmitting the rotational force received by said first drive transmission member to said developing roller; and (vi) an urging portion capable of urging at least one of said first drive transmission member and said second drive transmission member by the force received by said urging force receiving portion to separate one of said first drive transmission member and said second drive transmission member from the other, thereby disconnecting the coupling
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of image formation on a recording material, said electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising (i) a main assembly including a spacing force urging member and a main assembly drive transmission member; and (ii) a process cartridge detachably mountable to said main assembly, said process cartridge including, (ii-i) a rotatable photosensitive member, (ii-ii) a developing roller rotatable to develop a latent image formed on said photosensitive member, said developing roller being movable toward and away from said photosensitive member, (ii-iii) a spacing force receiving portion for receiving a spacing force for spacing said developing roller from said photosensitive member, from said spacing force urging member, (ii-iv) a first drive transmission member for receiving a rotational force from the main assembly drive transmission member, (ii-v) a second drive transmission member capable of connecting with said first drive transmission member to transmit the rotational force received by said first drive transmission member to said developing roller, and (ii-vi) a coupling disconnection member capable of urging at least one of said first drive transmission member and said second drive transmission member to separate one of said first drive transmission member and said second drive transmission member from the other to disconnect the coupling by said spacing force received by said spacing force receiving portion.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising a photosensitive member; a photosensitive member frame rotatably supporting said photosensitive member; a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive member; a developing device frame rotatably supporting said developing roller and connected with said photosensitive member frame so as to be rotatable between a contacting position in which said developing roller is contacted with said photosensitive member and a spacing position in which said developing roller is spaced from said photosensitive member; a first drive transmission member rotatable about a rotation axis about which said developing device frame is rotatable relative to said photosensitive member frame and capable of receiving a rotational force from the main assembly; a second drive transmission member rotatable about the rotation axis and capable of connecting with said first drive transmission member and transmitting the rotational force to said developing roller; and a disconnecting mechanism for disconnecting between said first drive transmission member and said second drive transmission member in accordance with rotation of the developing device frame from the contacting position to said spacing position.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, said electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising (i) a main assembly including a main assembly drive transmission member for transmitting a rotational force; and (ii) a process cartridge detachably mountable to said main assembly, said process cartridge including, (ii-i) a photosensitive member, (ii-ii) a photosensitive member frame for rotatably supporting said photosensitive member, (ii-iii) a developing roller, (ii-iv) a developing device frame rotatably supporting said developing roller and connected with said photosensitive member frame so as to be rotatable between a contacting position in which said developing roller is contacted with said photosensitive member and a spacing position in which said developing roller is spaced from said photosensitive member, (ii-v) a first drive transmission member rotatable about a rotation axis about which said developing device frame is rotatable relative to said photosensitive member frame and capable of receiving a rotational force from the main assembly drive transmission member, (ii-vi) a second drive transmission member rotatable about the rotation axis and capable of connecting with said first drive transmission member and transmitting the rotational force to said developing roller, and (ii-vii) a disconnecting mechanism for disconnecting between said first drive transmission member and said second drive transmission member in accordance with rotation of the developing device frame from the contacting position to said spacing position.
According to the present invention, the switching of the drive for the developing roller can be effected in the cartridge.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[General Description of the Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to the accompanying drawing.
The example of the image forming apparatuses of the following embodiments is a full-color image forming apparatus to which four process cartridges are detachably mountable.
The number of the process cartridges mountable to the image forming apparatus is not limited to this example. It is properly selected as desired.
For example, in the case of a monochromatic image forming apparatus, the number of the process cartridges mounted to the image forming apparatus is one. The examples of the image forming apparatuses of the following embodiments are printers.
[General Arrangement of the Image Forming Apparatus]
As shown in
Here, a side of the image forming apparatus 1 that is provided with a front door 3 is a front side, and a side opposite from the front side is a rear side. In addition, a right side of the image forming apparatus 1 as seen from the front side is a driving side, and a left side is a non-driving side.
In the main assembly 2 of the image forming apparatus, there are provided process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) including a first process cartridge PY (yellow), a second process cartridge PM (magenta), a third process cartridge PC (cyan), and a fourth process cartridge PK (black), which are arranged in the horizontal direction.
The first-fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) include similar electrophotographic image forming process mechanisms, although the colors of the developers contained therein are different. To the first-fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK), rotational forces are transmitted from drive outputting portions of the main assembly 2 of the image forming apparatus. This will be described in detail hereinafter.
In addition, the first-fourth each process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) are supplied with bias voltages (charging bias voltages, developing bias voltages and so on) (unshown), from the main assembly 2 of the image forming apparatus.
As shown in
In addition, each of the first-fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) includes a developing unit 9 provided with a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image on the drum 4.
The first process cartridge PY accommodates a yellow (Y) developer in a developing device frame 29 thereof to form a yellow color developer image on the surface of the drum 4.
The second process cartridge PM accommodates a magenta (M) developer in the developing device frame 29 thereof to form a magenta color developer image on the surface of the drum 4.
The third process cartridge PC accommodates a cyan (C) developer in the developing device frame 29 thereof to form a cyan color developer image on the surface of the drum 4.
The fourth process cartridge PK accommodates a black (K) developer in the developing device frame 29 thereof to form a black color developer image on the surface of the drum 4.
Above the first-fourth process cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK), there is provided a laser scanner unit LB as an exposure means. The laser scanner unit LB outputs a laser beam in accordance with image information. The laser beam Z is scanningly projected onto the surface of the drum 4 through an exposure window 10 of the cartridge P.
Below the first-fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK), there is provided an intermediary transfer belt unit 11 as a transfer member. The intermediary transfer belt unit 11 includes a driving roller 13, tension rollers 14 and 15, around which a transfer belt 12 having flexibility is extended.
The drum 4 of each of the first-fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) contacts, at the bottom surface portion, an upper surface of the transfer belt 12. The contact portion is a primary transfer portion. Inside the transfer belt 12, there is provided a primal), transfer roller 16 opposed to the drum 4.
In addition, there is provided a secondary transfer roller 17 at a position opposed the tension roller 14 with the transfer belt 12 interposed therebetween. The contact portion between the transfer belt 12 and the secondary transfer roller 17 is a secondary transfer portion.
Below the intermediary transfer belt unit 11, a feeding unit 18 is provided. The feeding unit 18 includes a sheet feeding tray 19 accommodating a stack of recording materials S, and a sheet feeding roller 20.
Below an upper left portion in the main assembly 2 of the apparatus in
The recording material S having a developer image transferred thereto is subjected to a fixing operation by a fixing means provided in the fixing unit 21, and thereafter, it is discharged to the discharging tray 23.
The cartridge P is detachably mountable to the main assembly 2 of the apparatus through a drawable cartridge tray 60. Part (a) of
[Image Forming Operation]
Operations for forming a full-color image will be described.
The drums 4 of the first-fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) are rotated at a predetermined speed (counterclockwise direction in
The transfer belt 12 is also rotated at the speed corresponding to the speed of the drum 4 codirectionally with the rotation of the drums (the direction indicated by an arrow C in
Also, the laser scanner unit LB is driven. In synchronism with the drive of the scanner unit LB, the surface of the drums 4 are charged by the charging rollers 5 to a predetermined polarity and potential uniformly. The laser scanner unit LB scans and exposes the surfaces of the drums 4 with the laser beams Z in accordance with the image signal off the respective colors.
By this, the electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of the drums 4 in accordance with the corresponding color image signal, respectively. The electrostatic latent images are developed by the respective developing rollers 6 rotated at a predetermined speed (clockwisely in
Through such an electrophotographic image forming process operation, a yellow color developer image corresponding to the yellow component of the full-color image is formed on the drum 4 of the first cartridge PY. Then, the developer image is transferred (primary transfer) onto the transfer belt 12.
Similarly, a magenta developer image corresponding to the magenta component of the full-color image is formed on the drum 4 of the second cartridge PM. The developer image is transferred (primary transfer) superimposedly onto the yellow color developer image already transferred onto the transfer belt 12.
Similarly, a cyan developer image corresponding to the cyan component of the full-color image is formed on the drum 4 of the third cartridge PC. Then, the developer image is transferred (primary transfer) superimposedly onto the yellow color and magenta color developer images already transferred onto the transfer belt 12.
Similarly, a black developer image corresponding to the black component of the full-color image is formed on the drum 4 of the fourth cartridge PK. Then, the developer image is transferred (primary, transfer) superimposedly on the yellow color, magenta color and cyan color developer images already transferred onto the transfer belt 12.
In this manner, a four full-color comprising yellow color, magenta color, cyan color and black color is formed on the transfer belt 12 (unfixed developer image).
On the other hand, a recording material S is singled out and fed at predetermined control timing. The recording material S is introduced at predetermined control timing to the secondary transfer portion which is the contact portion between the secondary transfer roller 17 and the transfer belt 12.
By this, the four color superimposed developer image is all together transferred sequentially onto the surface of the recording material S from the transfer belt 12 while the recording material S is being fed to the secondary transfer portion.
[General Arrangement of the Process Cartridge]
In this embodiment, the first-fourth cartridges P (PY, PM, PC, PK) have similar electrophotographic image forming process mechanisms, although the colors and/or the filled amounts of the developers accommodated therein are different.
The cartridge P is provided with the drum 4 as the photosensitive member, and the process means actable on the drum 4. The process means includes the charging roller 5 as the charging means for charging the drum 4, a developing roller 6 as the developing means for developing the latent image formed on the drum 4, a cleaning blade 7 as the cleaning means for removing a residual developer remaining on the surface of the drum 4, and so on. The cartridge P is divided into the drum unit 8 and the developing unit 9.
[Structure of the Drum Unit]
As shown in
The drum 4 is rotatably supported by the cartridge cover members 24 and 25 provided at the longitudinal opposite end portions of the cartridge P. Here, an axial direction of the drum 4 is the longitudinal direction.
The cartridge cover members 24 and 25 are fixed to the cleaner container 26 at the opposite longitudinal end portions of the cleaner container 26.
As shown in
The charging roller 5 is supported by the cleaner container 26 and is contacted to the drum 4 so as to be driven thereby.
The cleaning blade 7 is supported by the cleaner container 26 so as to be contacted to the circumferential surface of the drum 4 at a predetermined pressure.
An untransferred residual developer removed from the peripheral surface of the drum 4 by the cleaning means 7 is accommodated in the residual developer accommodating portion 27 in the cleaner container 26.
In addition, the driving side cartridge cover member 24 and the non-driving side cartridge cover member 25 are provided with supporting portions 24a, 25a for rotatably supporting the developing unit 9 (
[Structure of the Developing Unit]
As shown in
The cartridge frame in a broad sense comprises the photosensitive member frame in the above-described broad sense and the developing device frame in the above-described broad sense (the same applies to the embodiments which will be described hereinafter).
The developing device frame 29 includes the developer accommodating portion 49 accommodating the developer to be supplied to the developing roller 6, and the developing blade 31 for regulating a layer thickness of the developer on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 6.
In addition, as shown in
The developing device covering member 32 is fixed to an outside of the bearing member 45 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge P. The developing device covering member 32 covers the developing roller gear 69 and the development idler gear 36 and so on.
[Assembling of the Drum Unit and the Developing Unit]
[Contact Between the Developing Roller and the Drum]
As shown in
By this, the developing roller 6 is contacted to the drum 4 at a predetermined pressure. The position of the developing unit 9 relative to the drum unit 8 at this time is a contacting position. When the developing unit 9 is moved in the direction opposite the direction of the arrow G against the urging force of the urging spring 95, the developing roller 6 is spaced from the drum 4. In this manner, the developing roller 6 is movable toward and away from the drum 4.
[Spacing Between the Developing Roller and the Drum]
In this embodiment, a force receiving portion 45a is provided on the bearing member 45. Here, the force receiving portion 45a may be provided on another portion (developing device frame or the like, for example) other than the bearing member 45. The force receiving portion 45a as an urging force receiving portion is engageable with a main assembly spacing member 80 as a main assembly side urging member (spacing force urging member) provided in the main assembly 2 of the apparatus.
The main assembly spacing member 80 as the main assembly side urging member (spacing force urging member) receives the driving force from the motor (unshown) and is movable along a rail 81 to the direction of arrows F1 and F2.
Part (a) of
Part (b) of
Part (c) of
The distance between the force receiving portion 45a and the rotation axis of the drum 4 is 13 mm-33 mm in this embodiment and in the following embodiments.
The distance between the force receiving portion 45a and the rotational center X is 27 mm-32 mm in the embodiment and in the following embodiments.
[Structure of the Drive Connecting Portion]
Referring to
The general arrangement thereof will be described, first.
In addition, at the end portion of the drum 4 as the photosensitive member, there is provided a drum gear 4b integral with the coupling 4a. At an end portion of the drum unit 8, there is provided a rotatable upstream drive transmission member 37 as a first drive transmission member, and a rotatable downstream drive transmission member 38 as a second drive transmission member. A gear portion 37g of the upstream drive transmission member 37 is engaged with the drum gear 4b. As will be described hereinafter, the drive can be transmitted from the upstream drive transmission member 37 to the downstream drive transmission member 38 when claw portions of the upstream drive transmission member 37 and the downstream drive transmission member 38 are engaged with each other. A gear portion 38g of the downstream drive transmission member 38 as the second drive transmission member is engaged with a gear portion 36g of the development idler gear 36 as a third drive transmission member. The gear portion of the development idler gear 36 is engaged also with the developing roller gear 69. By this, the drive transmitted to the downstream drive transmission member 38 is transmitted to the developing roller 6 through the development idler gear 36 and the developing roller gear 69.
Referring to
As shown in
Part (b) of
Similarly, part (d) of
Part (a) of
In the state of part (a) of
In addition, in the state of part (a) of
In addition, as shown in part (b) of
As described hereinbefore, the gear portion 38g of the downstream drive transmission member 38 is engaged with the gear portion 36g of the development idler gear 36 as the third drive transmission member. More particularly, the gear portion 38g of the downstream drive transmission member 38 is movable in the directions of the arrows M and N while being in engagement with the gear portion 36g of the development idler gear 36. For easy movement of the downstream drive transmission member 38 in the directions of the arrows M and N, the gear portion 36g of the downstream drive transmission member 38 and the gear portion 36g of the development idler gear 36 in meshing engagement therewith are desirably spur gears rather than helical gears.
In the state of part (b) of
Suppose an axis Y is the rotational axis of the upstream drive transmission member 37 and the downstream drive transmission member 38. As shown in part (a) of
More particularly, the contact portion 38n of the downstream drive transmission member 38 is overlapped with at least a part of the upstream drive transmission member 37 with respect to a direction parallel with the axis Y. In other words, the contact portion 38n overhangs a part of the downstream drive transmission member 38, and the contact portion 37n overhangs a part of the upstream drive transmission member 37. In other words, the contact portion 38n overhangs a phantom plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the downstream drive transmission member 38, and the contact portion 37n overhangs a phantom plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the upstream drive transmission member 37. With such a structure, in the drive transmission, the claw portion 38a and the claw portion 37a mutually pull each other in the direction of the axis Y.
In the drive transmission, the drive is transmitted from the upstream drive transmission member 37 and the downstream drive transmission member 38.
To the upstream drive transmission member 37 and the downstream drive transmission member 38, a pulling force and an urging force of the spring 39 are applied. A resultant force thereof, the upstream drive transmission member 37 and the downstream drive transmission member 38 are connected with each other during the drive transmission. Here, the inclination angles γ of the contact portion 37n and the contact portion 38n relative to the axis Y is preferably approx. 1°-approx. 3.5°. During the drive transmission and disconnecting operations, the contact portion 37n and the contact portion 38n are worn by sliding (the drive transmission and disconnecting operations will be described hereinafter). In addition, the claws may be deformed during the drive transmission operation. With the structure in which the contact portion 37n and the contact portion 38n are always mutually pulled to each other, the upstream drive transmission member 37 and the downstream drive transmission member 38 can be assuredly connected to keep the drive transmission stable, even when the wearing and/or deformation of the contact portion 37n and contact portion 38n occurs. When the upstream drive transmission member 37 and the downstream drive transmission member 38 are separated from each other due to the wearing and/or deformation of the contact portion 37n and the contact portion 38n, the urging force of the spring 39 may be made larger to assure the connection between the upstream drive transmission member 37 and the downstream drive transmission member 38. However, in this case, in the drive disconnecting operation which will be described hereinafter in which the downstream drive transmission member 38 is retracted from the upstream drive transmission member 37 against the urging force of the spring 39, the required force is large. If the inclination angles of the contact portion 37n and the contact portion 38n relative to the axis Y is too large, the pulling force during the drive transmission is large, and therefore, the drive transmission is stabilization, but the force required to separate the upstream drive transmission member 37 and downstream of drive transmission member 38 from each other in the drive disconnection operation is large.
The number of the claws may be one, but in such a case, the downstream drive transmission member 38 and/or the upstream drive transmission member 37 is liable to tilt relative to the axis Y due to the force applied to the claw portion during the drive transmission. If this occurs, the drive transmission property may be deteriorated (non-uniform rotation and/or poor transmission efficiency). In order to suppression such a tilting, the supporting portion rotatably supporting the upstream drive transmission member 37 and/or the downstream drive transmission member 37 may be reinforced, but it is further preferable to employ a plurality of claws which are equidistantly arranged in the circumferential direction about the axis Y. When a plurality of claws are equidistantly arranged in the circumferential direction about the axis Y, a resultant force of the forces applied to the claw portions produces a moment rotating the downstream drive transmission member 38 and the upstream drive transmission member 37 about the axis Y. Therefore, the axis tilting of the downstream drive transmission member 38 and/or the upstream drive transmission member 37 relative to the axis Y can be suppressed. On the other hand, with increase of the number of claws, the size of the claws decreases with the result of decrease of the rigid of the claws even to a liability of breakage. Therefore, in the case that the contact portion 37n and the contact portion 38n mutually pull each other at all times, the numbers of the claws of the claw portion 37a and the claws of the claw portion 38a are two-nine, respectively.
In the foregoing, the contact portion 37n and the contact portion 38n mutually pull each other at all times, but this is not limiting. In other words, the contact portion 38n may not overhang a phantom plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the downstream drive transmission member 38, and similarly, the contact portion 37n may not overhang a phantom plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the upstream drive transmission member 37. In this case, the upstream drive transmission member 37 and the downstream drive transmission member 38 mutually repel. However, by properly adjusting the urging force of the spring 39, the engagement between the upstream drive transmission member 37 and the downstream drive transmission member 38 can be accomplished. Nevertheless, from the standpoint of stabilized drive transmission, the above-described mutually pulling structure is preferable.
In addition, the configurations of the contact portion 37n and the contact portion 38n are not limited to the claw. For example, with respect to the engagement between an upstream drive transmission member 1137 and a downstream drive transmission member 1138 as shown in
The drive disconnecting mechanism will be described. As shown in
The disconnecting cam 72 is substantially oval and has an outer surface 72i. The developing device covering member 32 has an inner peripheral surface 32i. The inner peripheral surface 32i is engageable with the outer peripheral surface 72i. By doing so, the disconnecting cam 72 is supported slidably relative to the developing device covering member 32. In other words, the disconnecting cam 72 is movable relative to the developing device covering member 32 substantially in parallel with the rotational axis of the developing roller 6. The outer peripheral surface 72i of the disconnecting cam 72 the inner peripheral surface 32i of the developing device covering member 32 and the outside circumference 32a of the developing device covering member 32 are co-axial with each other. That is, the rotational axes of the These members are aligned with respect to the rotation axis X of the developing unit 9 relative to the drum unit 8. Here, the alignment means that within the range of the dimensional tolerances of these parts, and this applies to the embodiment which will be described hereinafter.
The developing device covering member 32 is provided with a guide 32h as a (second) guide portion, and the disconnecting cam 72 is provided with a guide groove 72h as a (second) guided portion. Here, the guide 32h of the developing device covering member 32 is engaged with the guide groove 72h of the disconnecting cam 72. Here, the guide 32h and the guide groove 72h extend in parallel with the rotational axis X. By the engagement between the guide 32h and the guide groove 72h, the disconnecting cam 72 as the coupling releasing member is slidable relative to the developing device covering member 32 only in the axial direction (the directions of arrows M and N). It is not necessary that the guide 32h or the guide groove 72 has both sides parallel with the rotational axis X, but it will suffice if the sides contacting to each other are in parallel with the rotational axis X.
As shown in
Furthermore, the bearing member 45 rotatably supports the developing roller 6. In more detail, the second shaft receiving portion 45q (cylindrical inner surface) of the bearing member 45 rotatably supports a shaft portion 6a of the developing roller 6.
Longitudinally outside of the developing device covering member 32, the driving side cartridge cover member 24 is provided.
The disconnecting cam 72 as the coupling releasing member includes a contact portion (inclined surface) 72a as a force receiving portion for receiving the force produced by main assembly 2 of the apparatus (main assembly spacing member 80). The driving side cartridge cover member 24 is provided with a contact portion (inclined surface) 24b as an operating member. Furthermore, the developing device covering member 32 is provided an opening 32j. A contact portion 72a of the disconnecting cam 72 and a contact portion 24b of the driving side cartridge cover member 24 are contactable to each other through the opening 32j of the developing device covering member 32.
In the foregoing, the number of the contact portions 72a of the disconnecting cam 72 and the number of the contact portions 24b of the cartridge cover member 24 are two, but the numbers are not limiting. For example,
The number of the contact portions may be one, but in such a case, the disconnecting cam 72 may tilt relative to the axis X by the force applied to the contact portion upon the disconnecting operation which will be described hereinafter. If the tilting occurs, the drive switching property such as the timing of the driving connection and the disconnecting operation may be deteriorated. In order to suppress axis tilting, it is desired to reinforce the supporting portion (the inner peripheral surface 32i of the developing device covering member 32) slidably (along the axis of the developing roller 6) supporting the disconnecting cam 72. It is further desirable to employ a plurality of contact portions which are substantially equidistantly arranged in the circumferential direction about the axis X. In this case, a resultant force of the forces applied to the contact portion produces a moment rotating the disconnecting cam 72 about the axis X. Therefore, the axis tilting of the disconnecting cam 72 relative to the axis X can be suppressed. When three or more contact portions are provided, a flat supporting plane for the disconnecting cam 72 relative to the axis X can be defined, so that the axis tilting of the disconnecting cam 72 relative to the axis X can be further suppressed. That is, the attitude of the disconnecting cam 72 can be stabilized.
As shown in
[Drive Disconnecting Operation]
The operation of the drive connecting portion at the time of change from the contact state to the spaced state between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4 will be described.
[State 1]
As shown in part (a) of
[State 2]
When the main assembly spacing member 80 moves in the direction indicated by an arrow F1 by δ1 in the Figure from the development contact and drive transmission state, as shown in part (b) of
[State 3]
Part (a) of
At this time, the movement distance p is larger than the engagement depth q between the claws 37a of the upstream drive transmission member 37 and the claws 38a of the downstream drive transmission member 38, and therefore, the claws 37a and the claws 38a are disengaged from each other. In this manner, the upstream drive transmission member 37 continues to receive the driving force (rotational force) from the main assembly 2 of the apparatus, whereas the downstream drive transmission member 38 stops. As a result, the rotation of the developing roller gear 69, and therefore, the rotation of the developing roller 6 stop. The state of the parts is a spacing position, or a developing device spacing and drive disconnection state.
In the manner described above, the drive for developing roller 6 is disconnected in interrelation with the rotation of the developing unit 9 in the direction of the arrow K. With such structures, the developing roller 6 is capable of spacing from the drum 4 while rotating. As a result, the drive for the developing roller 6 can be stopped in accordance with the space distance between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4.
[Drive Connecting Operation]
Then, the description will be made as to the operation of the drive connecting portion when the developing roller 6 and the drum 4 change from the spacing state to the contacting state. The operation is the reciprocal of the operation from the above-described development contact state to the spaced-developing-device-state.
In the spaced-developing-device-state (the state in which the developing unit 9 is in the angle θ2 position as shown in part (c) of
In the angle θ1 position of the developing unit 9 (the state shown in part (b) of
By further rotating the developing unit 9 gradually in the direction of the arrow H shown in
The foregoing is the explanation of the operation of the drive transmission to the developing roller 6 in interrelation with rotation of the developing unit 9 in the direction of the arrow H. With such structures, the developing roller 6 is brought into contact to the drum 4 while rotating, and the drive can be transmitted to the developing roller 6 depending on the spacing distance between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4.
As described in the foregoing, according to the structures, the drive disconnection state and the drive transmission state to the developing roller 6 are determined firmly by the rotation angle of the developing unit 9.
In the following description, the contact portion 72a of the disconnecting cam 72 and the contact portion 24b of the driving side cartridge cover member 24 are in face to face contact, but this is not inevitable. For example, the contact may be between a surface and a ridge line, between a surface and a point, between a ridge line and a ridge line or between a ridge line and a point.
When a gap f exists between the guide groove 72h of the disconnecting cam 72 and the guide 32h of the developing device covering member 32 as shown in part (a) of
When the gap f is between the guide groove 72h of the disconnecting cam 72 and the guide 32h of the developing device covering member 32 as shown in
On the other hand, the spaced-developing-device-state of the developing unit 9 is constructed as shown in
As shown in
The description will be made as to the operation of the drive connecting portion when the developing roller 6 and the drum 4 contacted with each other are being spaced from each other. The disconnecting cam 1372 is movable (slidable) only in the axial direction (directions of arrows M and N) similarly to the foregoing. By contact between the contact portion 1372a of the disconnecting cam 1372 and the contact portion 1345b of the bearing member 1345, the disconnecting cam 1372 move in the direction of the arrow M. In interrelation with the movement of the disconnecting cam 1372 in the direction of the arrow M, an urging surface 1372c of the disconnecting cam 1372 as the urging portion urges an urged surface 1337c of the upstream drive transmission member 1337 functioning as a portion-to-be-urged (
On the other hand, the operation when the developing roller 6 and the drum 4 spaced from each other are contacted to each other is opposite the above-described operation. The structure in which the upstream drive transmission member 1337 moves in the axial direction (arrows M and N) upon the switching of the drive as shown in
It will suffice if the upstream drive transmission member 37 or the downstream drive transmission member 38 moves in the axial direction upon the switching of the drive. In addition, both of the upstream drive transmission member 37 and the downstream drive transmission member 38 may be spaced from each other along the axial direction. The drive switching is effected at least by the change of the relative position between the upstream drive transmission member 37 and the downstream drive transmission member 38 in the axial direction.
In the above-described structure, the center portion hole portion 38m of the downstream drive transmission member 38 is engaged with the small diameter cylindrical portion 37m of the upstream drive transmission member 37, but the engagement between the downstream drive transmission member 38 and the upstream drive transmission member 37 is not limited to such an example. For example, as shown in
In the following description, the contact portion 72a of the disconnecting cam 72 and the contact portion 24b of the driving side cartridge cover member 24 are in face to face contact, but this is not inevitable. For example, the contact may be between a surface and a ridge line, between a surface and a point, between a ridge line and a ridge line or between a ridge line and a point
Differences from the conventional structure will be described.
In Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 2001-337511, a coupling for receiving the drive from the main assembly of the image forming apparatus and a spring clutch for switching the drive are provided at the end portion of the developing roller. In addition, a link interrelated with the rotation of the developing unit is provided in the process cartridge. When the developing roller is spaced from the drum by the rotation of the developing unit, the link operates a spring clutch provided at the end portion of the developing roller to stop the drive of the developing roller.
The spring clutch per se involves variations. More particularly, a time lug tends to occur from the actuation of the spring clutch to the actual stop of the drive transmission. Furthermore, dimension variations of the link mechanism and the variations of the rotation angle of the developing unit may vary the timing at which the link mechanism operates the spring clutch. The link mechanism for operating the spring clutch is away from the rotational center between the developing unit and the drum unit.
On the contrary, according to this embodiment, drive transmission to the developing roller is switched by the structure including the contact portion 72a of the disconnecting cam 72, the contact portion 24b as the operating portion, for operating it, of the driving side cartridge cover member 24, the contact portion (inclined surface) 72a of the disconnecting cam 72 and the contact portion the inclined surface) 24b) of the driving side cartridge cover member 24, a control variation in the rotation time of the developing roller can be reduced.
In addition, the structures of the clutch is coaxial with the rotational center about which the developing unit is rotatable relative to the drum unit. Here, the rotational center is the position where the relative position error between the drum unit and the developing unit is the least. By providing the clutch for switching the drive transmission to the developing roller at the rotational center, the clutch switching timing relative to the rotation angle of the developing unit can be controlled with highest precision. As a result, the rotation time of the developing roller can be controlled with high precision, and therefore, the deteriorations of the developer and/or the developing roller can be suppressed.
In some conventional examples of the image forming apparatus using the process cartridge, the clutch for effecting the drive switching for the developing roller is provided in the image forming apparatus.
When a monochromatic printing is carried out in a full-color image forming apparatus, for example, the drive to the developing device for non-black colors is stopped using an clutch. In addition, when the electrostatic latent images on the drum are developed by the developing device also in the monochromatic image forming apparatus, the drive is transmitted to the developing devices, and when the developing operation is not carried out, the drive to the developing devices can be stopped, by an operation of the clutch. By stopping a drive to the developing device during the non-image-formation period, the rotation time of the developing roller can be suppressed, and therefore, the deterioration of the developer and/or the developing roller can be suppressed.
As compared with the case in which the clutch for switching the drive for the developing roller is provided in the image forming apparatus, the provision of the clutch in the process cartridge can downsize the clutch.
For example, when a monochromatic printing is carried out by the full-color image forming apparatus, the drives to the developing devices containing the developers other than the black color developer are stopped using the clutch 85 (YMC). In the case of the full-color printing, the drives of the motor 83 are transmitted to the process cartridges P through the clutches 85 (YMC). At this time, the load for driving the process cartridge P is concentrated on the clutch 85 (YMC). The load to the clutch 85 (K) is three time the load on the clutch 85 (YMC). In addition, the load variations of the color developing devices apply to one clutch 85 (YMC), similarly. In order to transmit the drive without deteriorating the rotational accuracy of the developing roller even when the load is concentrated and the load variations occur, it is desirable to enhance the rigidity of the clutch. Therefore, the clutch may be upsized, and/or a high stiffness material such as sintered metal may be used. When the clutch is provided in the process cartridge, the load and/or the load variations applied on each clutch is only the load and/or the load variation of the associated developing device. Therefore, as compared with the described example, it is unnecessary that the rigid is enhanced, and each clutch can be downsized.
In the gear arrangement for drive transmission to the black color process cartridge P (PK) shown in
The cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of this embodiment, the detailed description of the portions having the same structures as in the first embodiment will be omitted.
[Structure of Developing Unit]
As shown in
In addition, as shown in
[Structure of the Drive Connecting Portion]
Referring to
The general arrangement thereof will be described, first.
As shown in
A claw portion 37a of the upstream drive transmission member 37 and a claw portion 71a of the downstream drive transmission member 71 can be engaged with each other through an opening 32d of the developing device covering member 32. When These claw portions are engaged with each other, a drive can be transmitted from the upstream drive transmission member 37 to the downstream drive transmission member 71.
Referring to
In addition, as shown in
Part (a) of
The drive disconnecting mechanism in this embodiment will be described. As shown in
The disconnecting cam 272 has a ring portion 272j having a substantial ring configuration and an outer peripheral surface 272i as a projected portion. The outer peripheral surface 272i projects from the ring portion 272j in the direction perpendicular to a phantom plane including the ring portion 272j (projects in parallel with the rotational axis X). The developing device covering member 32 has an inner peripheral surface 32i. The inner peripheral surface 32i is engageable with the outer peripheral surface 272i. By this, the disconnecting cam 272 is slidable relative to the developing device covering member 32 (slidable along the axis of the developing roller 6). The outer peripheral surface 272i of the disconnecting cam 272 the inner peripheral surface 32i of the developing device covering member 32 and the outside circumference 32a of the developing device covering member 32 are co-axial with each other. That is, the rotational axes of these members are aligned with respect to the rotation axis X of the developing unit 9 relative to the drum unit 8.
In addition, in this embodiment, the rotational axes of the upstream drive transmission member 37 and the downstream drive transmission member 71 are also coaxial with the rotation axis X of the developing unit 9 relative to the drum unit 8.
The developing device covering member 32 is provided with a guide 32h as a (second) guide portion, and the disconnecting cam 272 is provided with a guide groove 272h as a (second) guided portion. Here, the guide 32h and the guide groove 272h extend in parallel with the rotation axis X. Here, the guide 32h of the developing device covering member 32 is engaged with the guide groove 272h of the disconnecting cam 272. By the engagement between the guide 32h and the guide groove 272h, the disconnecting cam 272 is slidable relative to the developing device covering member 32 only in the axial direction (arrows M and N).
Longitudinally outside of the developing device covering member 32, the driving side cartridge cover member 224 is provided.
The disconnecting cam 272 as the coupling releasing member is provided with a contact portion (inclined surface) 272a as a force receiving portion. The driving side cartridge cover member 224 is provided with a contact portion (inclined surface) 224b as an operating member. Furthermore, the developing device covering member 32 is provided an opening 32j. A contact portion 272a of the disconnecting cam 272 and a contact portion 224b of the driving side cartridge cover member 224 are contactable to each other through the opening 32j of the developing device covering member 32.
[Drive Disconnecting Operation]
The operation of the drive connecting portion at the time of change from the contact state to the spaced state between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4 will be described.
[State 1]
As shown in part (a) of
[State 2]
When the main assembly spacing member 80 moves in the direction indicated by an arrow F1 by δ1 in the Figure from the development contact and drive transmission state, as shown in part (b) of
[State 3]
Part (a) of
At this time, the movement distance p is larger than the engagement depth q between the claws 37a of the upstream drive transmission member 37 and the claws 71a of the downstream drive transmission member 71, and therefore, the claws 37a and the claws 71a are disengaged from each other. Then, since the upstream drive transmission member 37 receives the driving force from the main assembly 2 of the apparatus, it continues to rotate, and on the other hand, the downstream drive transmission member 71 stops. As a result, the rotation of the developing roller gear 69, and therefore, the rotation of the developing roller 6 stop. The state of the parts is a spacing position, or a developing device spacing and drive disconnection state.
In the manner described above, the drive for developing roller 6 is disconnected in interrelation with the rotation of the developing unit 9 in the direction of the arrow K. With such structures, the developing roller 6 can space from the drum 4 while rotating, so that the drive to the developing roller 6 can be stopped in accordance with the spacing distance between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4.
[Drive Connecting Operation]
Then, the description will be made as to the operation of the drive connecting portion when the developing roller 6 and the drum 4 change from the spacing state to the contacting state. The operation is the reciprocal of the operation from the above-described development contact state to the spaced-developing-device-state.
In the spaced-developing-device-state (the state in which the developing unit 9 is in the angle θ2 position as shown in part (c) of
In the angle θ1 position of the developing unit 9 (the state shown in part (b) of
By further rotating the developing unit 9 gradually in the direction of the arrow H shown in
The foregoing is the explanation of the operation of the drive transmission to the developing roller 6 in interrelation with rotation of the developing unit 9 in the direction of the arrow H. With such structures, the developing roller 6 is brought into contact to the drum 4 while rotating, and the drive can be transmitted to the developing roller 6 depending on the spacing distance between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4.
Also in this embodiment, the clutch for switching the drive transmission to the developing roller (the contact portion 272a of the disconnecting cam 272 and the contact portion 224b as the operating portion of the driving side cartridge cover member 224) is coaxial with the rotational center of the rotation of the developing unit including the developing roller relative to the drum unit. Here, the rotational center is the position where the relative position error between the drum unit and the developing unit is the least. By providing the clutch for switching the drive transmission to the developing roller at the rotational center, the clutch switching timing relative to the rotation angle of the developing unit can be controlled with highest precision. As a result, the rotation time of the developing roller can be controlled with high precision, and therefore, the deteriorations of the developer and/or the developing roller can be suppressed.
A cartridge according to a third embodiment of the invention will be described. In the description of this embodiment, the detailed description of the portions having the same structures as in the first and second embodiments will be omitted.
[Structure of the Drive Connecting Portion]
Referring to
The general arrangement thereof will be described, first.
A driving side cartridge cover member 324 is provided with an opening 324d and an opening 324e. Through the opening 324d, the coupling member 4a provided at the end portion of the photosensitive drum 4 is exposed, and through the opening 324e, the Oldham coupling upstream member 41 provided at the end portion of the developing unit 9 is exposed. As described above, the coupling member 4a engages with the drum-driving-force-outputting member 61 (61Y, 61M, 61C, 61K) of the main assembly 2 of the apparatus shown in part (b) of
Between a bearing member 45 and the driving side cartridge cover member 324, there are provided and arranged in the direction from the bearing member 45 to the driving side cartridge cover member 324, a spring 70 which is an elastic member as an urging member, a downstream drive transmission member 71 as a second drive transmission member, a disconnecting cam 272 as a disconnecting member which is a part of a disconnecting mechanism, an upstream drive transmission member 74 as a downstream member of the Oldham coupling which is a first drive transmission member, a developing device covering member 332, an intermediary member 42 of the Oldham coupling and an upstream member 41 of the Oldham coupling. Is upstream drive transmission member 74 is slidably supported by developing device covering member 332 and the downstream drive transmission member 71 at the opposite end portions with respect to the axial direction. In more detail, a shaft receiving portion 332e of the developing device covering member 332 slidably (rotatably) supports a supported portion 74r of the upstream drive transmission member 74, and a central hole portion 71m of the downstream drive transmission member 71 slidably (rotatable and slidable along the axis) a small diameter cylindrical portion 74m of the upstream drive transmission member 74.
The downstream drive transmission member 71 is provided with a claw portion 71a as an engaging portion (coupling portion), and the upstream drive transmission member 74 is provided with a claw portion 74a as an engaging portion (coupling portion). The claw portion 71a and the claw portion 74a are engageable with each other. That is, the downstream drive transmission member 71 is connectable with the upstream drive transmission member 74.
An engaging relation between the downstream drive transmission member 71 and the upstream drive transmission member 74 in this embodiment is similar to the engaging relation between the upstream drive transmission member 37 and the downstream drive transmission member 71 in Embodiment 2 (
In this embodiment, at least the disconnecting cam 272 is coaxial with the rotation axis X of the developing unit 9 relative to the drum unit 8. On the other hand, in
Even when the positional change of the developing unit 9 between the development contact state and the spaced-developing-device-state, it is required to assuredly transmit the driving force supplied from the main assembly 2 of the apparatus to the developing roller 6 through the downstream drive transmission member 71 and the upstream drive transmission member 74. In this embodiment, the rotation axis X of the developing unit 9 relative to the drum unit 8 is not coaxial with the rotation axis Z of the Oldham upstream drive transmission member 41. Therefore, when the positional change of the developing unit 9 occurs between the development contact state and the spaced-developing-device-state, the relative position between the Oldham upstream drive transmission member 41 and the developing roller gear 69 as the third drive transmission member changes. In view of this, a universal joint (the Oldham coupling) is provided to accomplish the drive transmission even when the relative positional deviation occurs between the upstream drive transmission member 41 and the developing roller gear 69. More specifically, in this embodiment, the Oldham upstream drive transmission member 41, the Oldham coupling middle member 42 and the upstream drive transmission member 74 (three parts) constitutes the Oldham coupling.
The drive transmission and drive disconnecting mechanism at the time when the developing unit 9 changes between the development contact drive transmission state and the developing device spacing drive disconnection state are similar to the those in Embodiment 2. That is, the disconnecting cam 272 co-axial with the rotation axis X of the developing unit 9 moves in the longitudinal directions (directions of arrows M and N) in response to the contacting and spacing operation of the developing unit 9. By this, the driving connection and disconnection can accomplished between the downstream drive transmission member 71 and the upstream drive transmission member 74. In the case of this embodiment, the rotation axis of the developing device-drive output member 62 driven by the main assembly 2 of the apparatus is different from the rotation axis X of the developing unit 9. However, the contact portion 272a of the disconnecting cam 272 for disconnecting the driving connection, and the contact portion 324b as the operating portion of the driving side cartridge cover member 324 acting on the contact portion 272a are co-axially with the rotation axis X of the developing unit 9. Therefore, the drive switching timing can be controlled with high accuracy.
In this embodiment and the following embodiments, the constituent parts can be assembled unidirectionally, that is, the direction of the arrow M in the Figure).
A cartridge according to a fourth embodiment of the invention will be described. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the structures similar to those of the foregoing embodiments will be omitted.
[Structure of the Developing Unit]
As shown in
The developing device frame 29 includes the developer accommodating portion 49 accommodating the developer to be supplied to the developing roller 6, and the developing blade 31 for regulating a layer thickness of the developer on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 6.
In addition, as shown in
The developing device covering member 432 is fixed to an outside of the bearing member 45 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge P. The developing device covering member 432 covers the developing roller gear 69, the downstream drive transmission member (second drive transmission member) 71, and the upstream drive transmission member (first drive transmission member) 474 as the development input coupling. As shown in
When the cartridge P (PY, PM, PC, PK) is mounted in the main assembly 2 of the apparatus, the drive inputting portion 474b is engaged with a developing device-drive output member 62 (62Y, 62M, 62C, 62K) shown in part (b) of
[Assembling of the Drum Unit and the Developing Unit]
[Contact Between the Developing Roller and the Drum]
As shown in
In addition, in
By an urging force of the above-described urging spring 95 and the rotational force supplied from the main assembly 2 of the apparatus, the developing unit 9 receives a moment in the direction of the arrow H about the rotational center X. By this, the developing roller 6 can contacted to the drum 4 at a predetermined pressure. The position of the developing unit 9 relative to the drum unit 8 at this time is a contacting position. In this embodiment, in order to urge the developing roller 6 to the drum 4, two forces, namely, the urging force by the urging spring 95, and the rotational force from the main assembly 2 of the apparatus are used. However, but this is not inevitable, and the developing roller 6 may be urged to the drum 4 one of such forces.
[Spacing Between the Developing Roller and the Drum]
The bearing member 45 is provided with a force receiving portion 45a. The force receiving portion 45a is engageable with a main assembly spacing member 80 provided in the main assembly 2 of the apparatus.
The main assembly spacing member 80 receives the driving force from the motor (unshown) to move in the directions of an arrow F1 and F2 along a rail 81.
Part (a) of
Part (b) of
Part (c) of
[Structure of the Drive Connecting Portion]
Referring to
The general arrangement thereof will be described, first.
Between the bearing member 45 and the driving side cartridge cover member 424, there are provided a spring 70 which is an elastic portion as the urging member, a downstream drive transmission member 71 as a second coupling member, a disconnecting cam 272 as a disconnecting member which is a part of a disconnecting mechanism, an upstream drive transmission member 474 as a first coupling member, and the developing device covering member 432, in the order named in the direction from the bearing member 45 to the driving side cartridge cover member 424. These members are co-axial with the upstream drive transmission member 474. That is, the rotational axes of the These members are aligned with the rotational axis of the upstream drive transmission member 474. Here, here, the alignment means that within the range of the dimensional tolerances of these parts, and this applies to the embodiment which will be described hereinafter. In this embodiment the drive connecting portion is constituted by the spring 70, the downstream drive transmission member 71, the disconnecting cam 272, upstream of drive transmission member 474, the developing device covering member 432 and the driving side cartridge cover member 424. They will be described in detail.
The bearing member 45 rotatably supports the downstream drive transmission member 71. In more detail, the first shaft receiving portion 45p (cylindrical outer surface) of the bearing member 45 rotatably supports a supported portion 71p (cylindrical inner surface) of the downstream drive transmission member 71 (
Further, the bearing member 45 rotatably supports the developing roller 6. In more detail, the second shaft receiving portion 45q (cylindrical inner surface) of the bearing member 45 rotatably supports a shaft portion 6a of the developing roller 6.
The shaft portion 6a of the developing roller 6 is fitted into the developing roller gear 69. An outer peripheral surface 71g of the downstream drive transmission member 71 is formed into a gear portion engaged with the developing roller gear 69. In this manner, the rotational force is transmitted to the developing roller 6 through the developing roller gear 69 from the downstream drive transmission member 71.
The first shaft receiving portion 45p (cylindrical outer surface), as a first guide portion, of the bearing member 45 rotatably supports the supported portion 71p (cylindrical inner surface), as a first guided portion, the downstream drive transmission member 71 (
Between the bearing member 45 and the downstream drive transmission member 71, the spring 70 which is the elastic member as the urging member is provided. The spring 70 urges the downstream drive transmission member 71 in the direction of the arrow M.
The downstream drive transmission member 71 is provided with a claw portion 71a as an engaging portion, and the upstream drive transmission member 474 is provided with a claw portion 474a as an engaging portion. The claw portion 71a and the claw portion 474a are engageable with each other. That is, the downstream drive transmission member 71 is connectable with the upstream drive transmission member 474. In this embodiment, the claw portion 71a and the claw portion 474a each have six claws.
In the drive transmission, the drive is transmitted from the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the downstream drive transmission member 71. To the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the downstream drive transmission member 71, a pulling force and an urging force of the spring 70 are applied. A resultant force thereof, the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the downstream drive transmission member 71 are connected with each other during the drive transmission. Here, the inclination angles γ of the contact portion 71n and the contact portion 474n relative to the axis X is preferably approx. 1°-approx. 3.5°. During the drive transmission and disconnecting operations, the contact portion 471n and the contact portion 71n are worn by sliding (the drive transmission and disconnecting operations will be described hereinafter). In addition, the claws may be deformed during the drive transmission operation. Even if the wearing and/or deformation of the contact portion 71n and the contact portion 474n occurs, the contact portion 71n and the contact portion 474n pull to each other, so that the connection between the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the downstream drive transmission member 71 can be assured, and therefore, the drive transmission is stable. When the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the downstream drive transmission member 71 are separated from each other due to the wearing and/or deformation of the contact portion 71n and the contact portion 474n, the urging force of the spring 70 may be made larger to assure the connection between the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the downstream drive transmission member 71. However, in this case, in the drive disconnecting operation which will be described hereinafter in which the downstream drive transmission member 71 is retracted from the upstream drive transmission member 474 against the urging force of the spring 70, the required force is large. If the inclination angles of the contact portion 71n and the contact portion 474n relative to the axis X is too large, the pulling force during the drive transmission is large, and therefore, the drive transmission is stabilization, but the force required to separate the upstream drive transmission member 474 and downstream of drive transmission member 71 from each other in the drive disconnection operation is large.
The upstream drive transmission member 474 is provided with the drive inputting portion 474b engageable with the developing device-drive output member 62 shown in part (b) of
As shown in
As shown in
The disconnecting cam 272 has a substantially ring configuration and has an outer peripheral surface 272i, and the developing device covering member 432 has an inner peripheral surface 432i. The inner peripheral surface 432i is engageable with the outer peripheral surface 272i. By this, the disconnecting cam 272 is slidable relative to the developing device covering member 432 (slidable along the axis of the developing roller 6).
The developing device covering member 432 is provided with a guide 432h as a (second) guide portion, and the disconnecting cam 272 is provided with a guide groove 272h as a (second) guided portion. The guide 432h and the guide groove 272h are in parallel with the axial direction. Here, the guide 432h of the developing device covering member 432 is engaged with the guide groove 272h of the disconnecting cam 272. By the engagement between the guide 432h and the guide groove 272h, the disconnecting cam 272 is slidable relative to the developing device covering member 432 only in the axial direction (arrows M and N).
As described above, the supported portion 71p (cylindrical inner surface) of the downstream drive transmission member 71 and the first shaft receiving portion 45p (cylindrical outer surface) of the bearing 45 are engaged with each other. In addition, a cylindrical portion 71q of the downstream drive transmission member 71 and an inside circumference 432q of the developing device covering member 432 are engaged with each other. That is, the downstream drive transmission member 71 is rotatably supported at the opposite end portions thereof by the bearing member 45 and the developing device covering member 432.
In addition, a hole portion 432p as a supporting portion for supporting one end portion side of-the developing device covering member 432 rotatably supports a cylindrical portion 474p as a supported portion at one end portion side of-the upstream drive transmission member 474 (
The first shaft receiving portion 45p (cylindrical outer surface) of the bearing member 45, the inside circumference 432q of the developing device covering member 432 and the hole portion 432p are aligned with the rotational center X of the developing unit 9. That is, the upstream drive transmission member 474 is supported rotatably about the rotational center X of the developing unit 9. In addition, the downstream drive transmission member 71 is also supported rotatably about the rotational center X of the developing unit 9. By this, the drive to the developing roller can be switched accurately in interrelation with the spacing operation of the developing roller 6.
As described hereinbefore, the disconnecting cam 272 is provided between the downstream drive transmission member 71 and the upstream drive transmission member 474.
As shown in
Part (a) of
Longitudinally outside of the developing device covering member 432, the driving side cartridge cover member 424 is provided.
The disconnecting cam 272 is provided with a contact portion (inclined surface) 272a, and the driving side cartridge cover member 424 is provided with a contact portion (inclined surface 424b as an operating member. Furthermore, the developing device covering member 432 is provided an opening 432j. A contact portion 272a of the disconnecting cam 272 and a contact portion 424b of the driving side cartridge cover member 424 are contactable to each other through the opening 432j of the developing device covering member 432.
[Drive Disconnecting Operation]
The operation of the drive connecting portion at the time of change from the contact state to the spaced state between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4 will be described.
[State 1]
As shown in part (a) of
[State 2]
When the main assembly spacing member 80 moves in the direction indicated by an arrow F1 by δ1 in the Figure from the development contact and drive transmission state, as shown in part (b) of
[State 3]
Part (a) of
At this time, the movement distance p is larger than the engagement depth q between the claws 474a of the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the claws 71a of the downstream drive transmission member 71, and therefore, the claws 474a and the claws 71a are disengaged from each other. Then, since the upstream drive transmission member 474 receives the driving force from the main assembly 2 of the apparatus, it continues to rotate, and on the other hand, the downstream drive transmission member 71 stops. As a result, the rotation of the developing roller gear 69, and therefore, the rotation of the developing roller 6 stop. The state of the parts is a spacing position, or a developing device spacing and drive disconnection state.
In the manner described above, the drive for developing roller 6 is disconnected in interrelation with the rotation of the developing unit 9 in the direction of the arrow K. With such structures, the developing roller 6 is capable of spacing from the drum 4 while rotating. As a result, the drive for the developing roller 6 can be stopped in accordance with the space distance between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4.
[Drive Connecting Operation]
Then, the description will be made as to the operation of the drive connecting portion when the developing roller 6 and the drum 4 change from the spacing state to the contacting state. The operation is the reciprocal of the operation from the above-described development contact state to the spaced-developing-device-state.
In the spaced-developing-device-state (the state in which the developing unit 9 is in the angle θ2 position as shown in part (c) of
In the angle θ1 position of the developing unit 9 (the state shown in part (b) of
By further rotating the developing unit 9 gradually in the direction of the arrow H shown in
The foregoing is the explanation of the operation of the drive transmission to the developing roller 6 in interrelation with rotation of the developing unit 9 in the direction of the arrow H. With such structures, the developing roller 6 is brought into contact to the drum 4 while rotating, and the drive can be transmitted to the developing roller 6 depending on the spacing distance between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4.
As described in the foregoing, according to the structures, the drive disconnection state and the drive transmission state to the developing roller 6 are determined firmly by the rotation angle of the developing unit 9.
A cartridge according to a fifth embodiment of the invention will be described. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the structures similar to those of the foregoing embodiments will be omitted.
[Structure of the Developing Unit]
As shown in
In addition, as shown in
The developing device covering member 432 is fixed to an outside of the bearing member 45 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge P. The developing device covering member 432 covers the developing roller gear 69, the idler gear 68, the upstream drive transmission member 474 a first drive transmission member, and the downstream drive transmission member 571 as a second drive transmission member. Furthermore, the developing device covering member 432 is provided with a cylindrical portion 432b. The cylindrical portion 432b is provided with an inside opening 432d through which the drive inputting portion 474b of the upstream drive transmission member 474 is exposed. When the cartridge P (PY, PM, PC, PK) is mounted to the main assembly 2 of the apparatus, the drive inputting portion 474b engages with the developing device-drive output member 62 (62Y, 62M, 62C, 62K) shown in part (b) of
[Structure of the Drive Connecting Portion]
Referring to
The general arrangement thereof will be described, first.
Between the bearing member 45 and the driving side cartridge cover member 424, there are provided the idler gear 68, a spring 70 which is an elastic member as an urging member, the downstream drive transmission member 571 as a second coupling member, a disconnecting cam 272 as a disconnecting member which is a part of a disconnecting mechanism, the upstream drive transmission member 474 as a first coupling member, and the developing device covering member 432, in the order named, in the direction from the bearing member 45 toward the driving side cartridge cover member 424. These members are coaxial with the upstream drive transmission member 474. In this embodiment, the drive connecting portion is constituted by the idler gear 68, the spring 70, the downstream drive transmission member 571, the disconnecting cam 272, the upstream drive transmission member 474, the developing device covering member 432 and the driving side cartridge cover member 424. They will be described in detail.
The bearing member 45 rotatably supports the idler gear 68 as the rotational force transmission member. In more detail, the first shaft receiving portion 45p (cylindrical outer surface) of the bearing member 45 rotatably supports a supported portion 68p (cylindrical inner surface) of the idler gear 68 (
The bearing member 45 rotatably supports the developing roller 6. In more detail, the second shaft receiving portion 45q (cylindrical inner surface) of the bearing member 45 rotatably supports a shaft portion 6a of the developing roller 6.
The shaft portion 6a of the developing roller 6 is fitted into the developing roller gear 69. By doing so, the rotational force is transmitted to the developing roller 6 through the developing roller gear 69 from the idler gear 68.
The idler gear 68 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is provided with a guide 68a as a first guide portion therein. The guide portion 68a is in the form of a shaft portion extending substantial in parallel with the rotational axis X. On the other hand, the downstream drive transmission member 571 is provided with a hole portion 571b as a first guided portion. In a state that the guide 68a is in engagement with the hole portion 571b, the downstream drive transmission member 571 is movable along the rotational center X. In other words, the idler gear 68 holds therein the downstream drive transmission member 571 slidably along the rotational axis. Further in other words, the downstream drive transmission member 571 is slidable in the directions of arrows M and N relative to the idler gear 68.
Here, the guide portion 68a receives the rotational force for rotating the developing roller 6 from the hole portion 571b.
In this embodiment, the guide 68a is provided at each of four positions 90 degrees away from adjacent ones about the rotational center X, and extends in parallel with the rotational center X. Correspondingly, the hole portion 571b is provided at each of four positions 90 degrees away from adjacent ones about the rotational center X. The numbers of the guide 68a and the hole portion 571b are not limited to four. It is preferable that the numbers of the guides 68a and the hole portions 571b are plural and that they are disposed equidistantly along a circumference about the axis X. In this case, a resultant force of the forces applied in the guides 68a or the hole portions 571b produces a moment of rotating the downstream drive transmission member 571 and the idler gear 68 about the axis X. Then, tilting of the downstream drive transmission member 571 and the idler gear 68 relative to the axis X can be suppressed.
In addition, between the idler gear 68 and the downstream drive transmission member 571, the spring 70 which is the elastic member as the urging member is provided. To state shown in part (b) of
The downstream drive transmission member 571 is provided with a claw portion 571a as an engaging portion, and the upstream drive transmission member 474 is provided with a claw portion 474a as an engaging portion. The claw portion 571a and the claw portion 474a are engageable with each other. In this embodiment, the claw portion 571a and the claw portion 474a each have six claws.
The upstream drive transmission member 474 is provided with the drive inputting portion 474b engageable with the developing device-drive output member 62 shown in part (b) of
The downstream drive transmission member 571 is provided with a hole portion 571m as an engaging portion at a center portion. The hole portion 571m is engaged with a small diameter cylindrical portion 474m as an engaging portion of the upstream drive transmission member 474. By doing so, the downstream drive transmission member 571 is supported slidably relative to the upstream drive transmission member 474 (rotatable and slidable along the axes).
Here, as shown in
As described above, the cylindrical portion 68p of the idler gear 68 and the first shaft receiving portion 45p (cylindrical outer surface) of the bearing 45 are engaged with each other. In addition, the cylindrical portion 68q of the idler gear 68 and the inside circumference 432q of the developing device covering member 432 are engaged with each other. That is, the idler gear 68 is rotatably supported at the opposite end portions by the bearing member 45 and the developing device covering member 432.
By the engagement between the cylindrical portion 474p of the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the hole portion 432p of the developing device covering member 432, the upstream drive transmission member 474 is slidably supported relative to the developing device covering member 432 (slidable along the axis of the developing roller).
The first shaft receiving portion 45p (cylindrical outer surface) of the bearing member 45, the inside circumference 432q of the developing device covering member 432 and the hole portion 432p are aligned with the rotational center X of the developing unit 9. That is, the upstream drive transmission member 474 is supported rotatably about the rotational center X of the developing unit 9. As described above, the cylindrical portion 474m of the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the hole portion 571m of the downstream drive transmission member 571 are engaged with each other rotatably and slidably along the rotation axis X (
In the sectional view of the drive connecting portion shown in part (a) of
[Drive Disconnecting Operation]
The operation of the drive connecting portion at the time of change from the contact state to the spaced state between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4 will be described.
[State 1]
As shown in part (a) of
[State 2]
When the main assembly spacing member 80 moves in the direction indicated by an arrow F1 by δ1 in the Figure from the development contact and drive transmission state, as shown in part (b) of
[State 3]
Part (a) of
At this time, the movement distance p is larger than the engagement depth q between the claws 474a of the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the claws 571a of the downstream drive transmission member 571, and therefore, the claws 474a and the claws 571a are disengaged from each other. Then, since the upstream drive transmission member 474 receives the driving force from the main assembly 2 of the apparatus, it continues to rotate, and on the other hand, the downstream drive transmission member 571 stops. As a result, the rotations of the idler gear 68, the developing roller gear 69 and the developing roller 6 stop. The state of the parts is a spacing position, or a developing device spacing and drive disconnection state.
In the manner described above, the drive for developing roller 6 is disconnected in interrelation with the rotation of the developing unit 9 in the direction of the arrow K. With such structures, the developing roller 6 can space from the drum 4 while rotating, so that the drive to the developing roller 6 can be stopped in accordance with the spacing distance between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4.
[Drive Connecting Operation]
Then, the description will be made as to the operation of the drive connecting portion when the developing roller 6 and the drum 4 change from the spacing state to the contacting state. The operation is the reciprocal of the operation from the above-described development contact state to the spaced-developing-device-state.
In the spaced-developing-device-state (the state in which the developing unit 9 is in the angle θ2 position as shown in part (c) of
In the angle θ1 position of the developing unit 9 (the state shown in part (b) of
By further rotating the developing unit 9 gradually in the direction of the arrow H shown in
The foregoing is the explanation of the operation of the drive transmission to the developing roller 6 in interrelation with rotation of the developing unit 9 in the direction of the arrow H. With such structures, the developing roller 6 is brought into contact to the drum 4 while rotating, and the drive can be transmitted to the developing roller 6 depending on the spacing distance between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4.
Particularly in the case of this embodiment, when the switching between the drive disconnection and the drive transmission to the developing roller 6 is effected, it is unnecessary to move the idler gear 68 relative to the developing roller gear 69 in the axial direction. If the gears are helical gears, a thrust force (force in the axial direction) is produced in the gear drive transmitting portion. Therefore, in the case of the first embodiment, in order to move the idler gear 68 as the second coupling member in the axial direction (arrow M or N), a force against the thrust force is required.
On the other hand, in the case of this embodiment, the downstream drive transmission member 571 engages with the guide 68a of the idler gear 68 to move in the axial direction. Therefore, the force required when the downstream drive transmission member 571 as the second coupling member is moved in the axial direction can be made smaller.
Furthermore, if the downstream drive transmission member 571 can be disposed in the inside circumference of the idler gear 68, the longitudinal size of the entire developing unit 9 can be reduced.
A cartridge according to a sixth embodiment of the invention will be described. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the structures similar to those of the foregoing embodiments will be omitted.
[Structure of the Drive Connecting Portion]
Referring to
The general arrangement thereof will be described, first.
Between the bearing member 45 and the driving side cartridge cover member 624, there are provided, in the order named in the direction from the bearing member 45 toward the driving side cartridge cover member 624, an idler gear 68 as a third drive transmission member, a spring 70 which is an elastic member as an urging member, a downstream drive transmission member 571 as a second coupling member, a disconnecting cam 672 as an operating member which is a coupling releasing member and which is a part of a disconnecting mechanism, an upstream drive transmission member 474 as a first coupling member, and a developing device covering member 632. These members are coaxial with the upstream drive transmission member 474. In this embodiment, the drive connecting portion is constituted by the idler gear 68, the spring 70, the downstream drive transmission member 571, the disconnecting cam 672, the upstream drive transmission member 474, the developing device covering member 632 and the driving side cartridge cover member 624.
In addition, the ring portion 672j of the disconnecting cam 672 as the coupling releasing member is provided with a contact portion (inclined surface) 672a as a force receiving portion. The developing device covering member 632 is provided with a contact portion (inclined surface) 632r. Here, a contact portion 672a of the disconnecting cam 672 and a contact portion 632r of the developing device covering member 632 are contactable to each other.
In a drive switching operation which will be described hereinafter, when the disconnecting cam 672 slides in the axial direction (arrows M and N), an axis tilting may occur relative to the axial direction. If the tilting occurs, the drive switching property such as the timing of the driving connection and the disconnecting operation may be deteriorated. In order to suppress the axis tilting of the disconnecting cam 672, it is preferable that a sliding resistance between the outer peripheral surface 672i of the disconnecting cam 672 and the inner peripheral surface 632i of the developing device covering member 632, and a sliding resistance between the force receiving portion 672b of the disconnecting cam 672 with regulating portion 624d of the driving side cartridge cover member 624 are reduced. In addition, as shown in
As will be understood from the foregoing, the disconnecting cam 672 is engaged both with the inner peripheral surface 632i of the developing device covering member 632 which is a part of the second guide portion and with the regulating portion 624d of the driving side cartridge cover member 624 which is a part of the second guide portion. Thus, the disconnecting cam 672 is slidable (rotatable) in the rotational moving direction about the axis X and in the axial direction (arrows M and N) relative to the developing unit 9, and is slidable only in the axial direction (arrows M and N) relative to the drum unit 8 and the driving side cartridge cover member 624 fixed to the drum unit 8.
Part (a) of
To the developing unit 9, a reaction forced Q1 applied from the urging spring 95, a reaction force Q2 applied from the drum 4 through the developing roller 6, and the weight Q3 thereof and so on are applied. In addition, during a drive disconnecting operation, the disconnecting cam 672 engages with the driving side cartridge cover member 624 to receive a reaction force Q4 (will be described hereinafter in detail). The resultant force Q0 of the reaction forces Q1, Q2 and Q4 and the weight Q3 is applied to supporting hole portions 624a, 25a of the driving side rotatably supporting the developing unit 9 and non-driving side cartridge cover members 624 and 25.
Therefore, the sliding portion 624a of the driving side cartridge cover member 624 contacting the developing device covering member 632 in the direction of the resultant force Q0 when the cartridge P is seen in the direction along the axial direction (part (b) of
The cylindrical portion 68p (cylindrical inner surface) of the idler gear 68 and the first shaft receiving portion 45p (cylindrical outer surface) of the bearing 45 are engaged with each other. In addition, the cylindrical portion 68q (cylindrical outer surface) of the idler gear 68 and the inside circumference 632q of the developing device covering member 632 are engaged with each other. That is, the idler gear 68 is rotatably supported at the opposite end portions by the bearing member 45 and the developing device covering member 632.
In addition, the cylindrical portion 474p (cylindrical outer surface) of the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the hole portion 632p of the developing device covering member 632 are engaged with each other. By this, the upstream drive transmission member 474 is supported slidably (rotatably) relative to the developing device covering member 632.
The first shaft receiving portion 45p (cylindrical outer surface) of the bearing member 45, the inside circumference 632q of the developing device covering member 632 and the hole portion 632p are aligned with the rotational center X of the developing unit 9. That is, the upstream drive transmission member 474 is supported rotatably about the rotational center X of the developing unit 9. As described above, the cylindrical portion 474m of the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the hole portion 571m of the downstream drive transmission member 571 are engaged with each other (
Part (a) of
[Drive Disconnecting Operation]
The operation of the drive connecting portion at the time of change from the contact state to the spaced state between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4 will be described.
[State 1]
As shown in part (a) of
[State 2]
When the main assembly spacing member 80 moves in the direction indicated by an arrow F1 by δ1 in the Figure from the development contact and drive transmission state, as shown in part (b) of
[State 3]
Part (a) of
At this time, the movement distance p is larger than the engagement depth q between the claws 474a of the upstream drive transmission member 447 and the claws 571a of the downstream drive transmission member 571, and therefore, the claws 474a and the claws 571a are disengaged from each other. Then, since the upstream drive transmission member 474 receives the driving force from the main assembly 2 of the apparatus, it continues to rotate, and on the other hand, the downstream drive transmission member 571 stops. As a result, the rotations of the idler gear 68, the developing roller gear 69 and the developing roller 6 stop. The state of the parts is a spacing position, or a developing device spacing and drive disconnection state.
In the manner described above, the drive for developing roller 6 is disconnected in interrelation with the rotation of the developing unit 9 in the direction of the arrow K. With such structures, the developing roller 6 can space from the drum 4 while rotating, so that the drive to the developing roller 6 can be stopped in accordance with the spacing distance between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4.
[Drive Connecting Operation]
Then, the description will be made as to the operation of the drive connecting portion when the developing roller 6 and the drum 4 change from the spacing state to the contacting state. The operation is the reciprocal of the operation from the above-described development contact state to the spaced-developing-device-state.
In the spaced-developing-device-state (the state in which the developing unit 9 is in the angle θ2 position as shown in part (c) of
In the angle θ1 position of the developing unit 9 (the state shown in part (b) of
By further rotating the developing unit 9 gradually in the direction of the arrow H shown in
The foregoing is the explanation of the operation of the drive transmission to the developing roller 6 in interrelation with rotation of the developing unit 9 in the direction of the arrow H. With such structures, the developing roller 6 is brought into contact to the drum 4 while rotating, and the drive can be transmitted to the developing roller 6 depending on the spacing distance between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4.
In the foregoing description, the force receiving portion 672b of the disconnecting cam 672 is engaged with the regulating portion 624d of the driving side cartridge cover member 624, but this is not inevitable, and it may be engaged with the cleaner container 26, for example.
In this embodiment, particularly, the disconnecting cam 672 is provided with the contact portion 672a, and the contact portion 632r as the operating portion contacting thereto is provided on the developing device covering member 632. In addition, the engaging portion 672b relative to the drum unit 8 is projected through the opening 632c provided in a part of the cylindrical portion 632b of the developing device covering member 632. Therefore, the latitude of the arrangement of the engaging portion 672b and the engaging portion 624d as a part of the second guide portion actable thereon increases. More specifically, it is not necessary that the operating member is extended from a outside of the developing device covering member 632, with respect to the axial direction, through the hole 632j of the developing device covering member 632 as in the first and second embodiments.
In the foregoing description, a process cartridge P detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus is taken as an example, but the present invention is applicable to a developing cartridge D detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus as shown in
As a further analogous example,
When the drive is transmitted to the developing roller 6, the disconnecting cam 6272 is moved in the direction of the arrow M to engage the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the downstream drive transmission member 571 with each other. At this time, the force to the disconnecting cam 6272 in the direction of the arrow F2 is removed so that the disconnecting cam 6272 is moved in the direction of the arrow M using the reaction force of the spring 70.
As described in the foregoing, the drive transmission to the developing roller 6 can be switched even in the case that the developing roller 6 is always in contact with the drum 4.
In the foregoing, the present invention is applied to the developing cartridge D, but the cartridge may be of another type, for example, it may be a process cartridge P including a drum. More particularly, the structure of this embodiment is applicable to the structure in which the drive transmission to the developing roller is switched in the state that the drum 4 and the developing roller 6 contact to each other in the process cartridge P.
In the foregoing embodiments, when the electrostatic latent image on the drum 4 is developed, the developing roller 6 is in contact with the drum 4 (contact-type developing system), but another developing system is usable. For example, a non-contact type developing system in which a small gap is provided between the drum 4 and the developing roller 6 during the development of the electrostatic latent image on the drum 4 is usable.
As described in the foregoing, the cartridge detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus may be a process cartridge P including a drum or a developing cartridge D.
A cartridge according to a seventh embodiment of the invention will be described. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the structures similar to those of the foregoing embodiments will be omitted.
[Structure of the Developing Unit]
As shown in
In addition, as shown in
In addition, to a driving side cartridge cover member 724, another bearing member 35 is fixed (
The bearing member 35 rotatably supports the idler gear 68 for transmitting the driving force to the developing roller gear 69. The driving side cartridge cover member 724 is provided with an opening 724c. Through the opening 724c, a drive inputting portion 474b of the upstream drive transmission member 474 is exposed. When the cartridge P is mounted to the main assembly 2 of the apparatus, the drive inputting portion 474b is engaged with a developing device-drive output member 62 (62Y, 62M, 62C, 62K) shown in part (b) of
[Structure of the Drive Connecting Portion]
Referring to
The general arrangement thereof will be described, first.
Between the bearing member 35 and the driving side cartridge cover member 724, there are provided, in the order named in the direction from the bearing member 35 toward the driving side cartridge cover member 724, the idler gear 68, a spring 70 which is an elastic member as an urging member, the downstream drive transmission member 571 as a second coupling member, a disconnecting cam 772 which is a part of a disconnecting mechanism and which is an operating member, and the upstream drive transmission member 474 as a first coupling member. These members are coaxial with the upstream drive transmission member 474. In this embodiment, the drive connecting portion comprises the spring 70, the downstream drive transmission member 571, the disconnecting cam 772, upstream drive transmission member 474, the driving side cartridge cover member 724, and the bearing member 745 fixed to the one longitudinal end portion of the developing device frame 29. They will be described in detail.
The other bearing member 35 rotatably supports the idler gear 68. In more detail, the first shaft receiving portion 35p (cylindrical outer surface) the other bearing member 35 rotatably supports a supported portion 68p (cylindrical inner surface) of the idler gear 68 (
The disconnecting cam 772 as the coupling releasing member is provided with a contact portion (inclined surface the 772a as a force receiving portion, and the driving side cartridge cover member 724 is provided with a contact portion (inclined surface the 724b as an operating portion. Here, the contact portion 772a of the disconnecting cam 772 and the contact portion 724b of the driving side cartridge cover member 724 are contactable to each other.
The cylindrical portion 68p of the idler gear 68 and the first shaft receiving portion 35p (cylindrical outer surface) of the other bearing member 35 are engaged with each other. The cylindrical portion 68q of the idler gear 68 and the inside circumference 724q of the driving side cartridge cover member 724 are engaged with each other. That is, the idler gear 68 is rotatably supported at the opposite end portions thereof by the other bearing member 35 and the driving side cartridge cover member 724.
In addition, by the engagement between the cylindrical portion 474p of the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the hole portion 724p of the driving side cartridge cover member 724 with each other, the upstream drive transmission member 474 is supported rotatably relative to the driving side cartridge cover member 724.
Furthermore, the first shaft receiving portion 35p (cylindrical outer surface) of the other bearing member 35, the inside circumference 724q of the driving side cartridge cover member 724, and the hole portion 724p are co-axial with the rotational center X of the developing unit 9. That is, the upstream drive transmission member 474 is supported rotatably about the rotational center X of the developing unit 9. Similarly to the foregoing embodiments, the cylindrical portion 474m of the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the hole portion 571m of the downstream drive transmission member 571 are engaged with each other (
Part (a) of
[Drive Disconnecting Operation]
The operation of the drive connecting portion at the time of change from the contact state to the spaced state between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4 will be described.
[State 1]
As shown in part (a) of
[State 2]
When the main assembly spacing member 80 moves in the direction indicated by an arrow F1 by δ1 in the Figure from the development contact and drive transmission state, as shown in part (b) of
[State 3]
Part (a) of
At this time, the movement distance p is larger than the engagement depth q between the claws 474a of the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the claws 571a of the downstream drive transmission member 571, and therefore, the claws 474a and the claws 571a are disengaged from each other. Then, since the upstream drive transmission member 474 receives the driving force from the main assembly 2 of the apparatus, it continues to rotate, and on the other hand, the downstream drive transmission member 571 stops. As a result, the rotations of the idler gear 68, the developing roller gear 69 and the developing roller 6 stop. The state of the parts is a spacing position, or a developing device spacing and drive disconnection state.
In the manner described above, the drive for developing roller 6 is disconnected in interrelation with the rotation of the developing unit 9 in the direction of the arrow K. With such structures, the developing roller 6 can space from the drum 4 while rotating, so that the drive to the developing roller 6 can be stopped in accordance with the spacing distance between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4.
[Drive Connecting Operation]
Then, the description will be made as to the operation of the drive connecting portion when the developing roller 6 and the drum 4 change from the spacing state to the contacting state. The operation is the reciprocal of the operation from the above-described development contact state to the spaced-developing-device-state.
In the spaced-developing-device-state (the state in which the developing unit 9 is in the angle θ2 position as shown in part (c) of
In the angle θ1 position of the developing unit 9 (the state shown in part (b) of
By further rotating the developing unit 9 gradually in the direction of the arrow H shown in
The foregoing is the explanation of the operation of the drive transmission to the developing roller 6 in interrelation with rotation of the developing unit 9 in the direction of the arrow H. With such structures, the developing roller 6 is brought into contact to the drum 4 while rotating, and the drive can be transmitted to the developing roller 6 depending on the spacing distance between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4.
In the foregoing, the force receiving portion 772b of the disconnecting cam 772 is engaged with the regulating portion 745d of the bearing member 745, but this is not inevitable, and it may be engaged with the developing device frame 29, for example.
As in this embodiment, the upstream drive transmission member 474 as the first coupling member and the downstream drive transmission member 571 as the second coupling member may be provided on the drum unit 8.
A cartridge according to an eighth embodiment of the invention will be described. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the structures similar to those of the foregoing embodiments will be omitted.
[Structure of the Developing Unit]
As shown in
In addition, as shown in
In addition, there is provided a downstream drive transmission member 571 and so on as the drive connecting portion for transmitting the drive to the idler gear 68 in the proper order.
The developing device covering member 632 is fixed to an outside of the bearing member 845 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge P. The developing device covering member 632 covers the developing roller gear 69, the idler gear 68, an upstream drive transmission member 474 as the first drive transmission member, a downstream drive transmission member 571 as the second drive transmission member. As shown in
[Assembling of the Drum Unit and the Developing Unit]
As shown in
[Structure of the Drive Connecting Portion]
Referring to
The general arrangement thereof will be described, first.
Between the bearing member 845 and the driving side cartridge cover member 824, there are provided, in the order named in the direction from the bearing member 845 toward driving side cartridge cover member 824, the idler gear 68, a spring 70 which is an elastic member as an urging member, the downstream drive transmission member 571 as the second drive transmission member, a disconnecting cam 872 as a coupling releasing member which is a part of a disconnecting mechanism, a disconnecting lever 73 as an operating member (rotatable member) which is a part of the disconnecting mechanism, and the developing device covering member 632, the upstream drive transmission member 474 as the first drive transmission member. These members are coaxial with the upstream drive transmission member 474. This embodiment, the drive connecting portion comprises the idler gear 824, the spring 70, the downstream drive transmission member 571, the disconnecting cam 872, the disconnecting lever 73, the upstream drive transmission member 474, the developing device covering member 632 and the driving side cartridge cover member 824. They will be described in detail.
The bearing member 845 rotatably supports the idler gear 68 as the third drive transmission member. In more detail, the first shaft receiving portion 845p (cylindrical outer surface) of the bearing member 845 rotatably supports a supported portion 68p (cylindrical inner surface) of the idler gear 68 (
Furthermore, the bearing member 845 rotatably supports the developing roller 6. In more detail, the second shaft receiving portion 845q (cylindrical inner surface) of the bearing member 845 rotatably supports a shaft portion 6a of the developing roller 6.
The shaft portion 6a of the developing roller 6 is fitted into the developing roller gear 69. By doing so, the rotational force is transmitted to the developing roller 6 through the developing roller gear 69 from the idler gear 68.
Here, as shown in
The developing device covering member 632 is provided with a guide 632h as a second guide portion, and the disconnecting cam 872 is provided with a guide groove 872h as a second guided portion. Here, the guide 632h and the guide groove 872h are in parallel with the axial direction (arrows M and N). Here, the guide 632h of the developing device covering member 632 is engaged with the guide groove 872h of the disconnecting cam 872. By the engagement between the guide 632h and the guide groove 872h, the disconnecting cam 872 is slidable relative to the developing device covering member 632 only in the axial direction (arrows M and N).
A cylindrical portion 68p (cylindrical outer surface) of the idler gear 68 and the first shaft receiving portion 845p (cylindrical inner surface) of the bearing 845 are engaged with each other. In addition, the cylindrical portion 68q of the idler gear 68 and the inside circumference 632q of the developing device covering member 632 are engaged with each other. That is, the idler gear 68 is rotatably supported at the opposite end portions by the bearing member 845 and the developing device covering member 632.
In addition, a cylindrical portion 474k (the other end portion side supported portion) of the upstream drive transmission member 474 which has a small diameter and the hole portion 68k (the other end portion side supporting portion) of the idler gear 68 are rotatably engaged with each other (
Here, the cylindrical portion 474k is provided at a free end of a shaft portion 74m, and the cylindrical portion 474p is provided between the drive inputting portion 474b and the claw portion 474a.
In addition, the cylindrical portion 474p is further from the rotational axis X than the claw portion 474a in a radial direction of rotation of the upstream drive transmission member 474.
The cylindrical portion 474p is further from the rotational axis X than the drive inputting portion 474b in the radial direction of rotation of the upstream drive transmission member 474.
Furthermore, the first shaft receiving portion 845p (cylindrical inner surface) of the bearing member 845, the inside circumference 632q of the developing device covering member 632 and the hole portion 632p are co-axial with the rotational center X of the developing unit 9. That is, the upstream drive transmission member 474 is supported rotatably about the rotational center X of the developing unit 9. As described above, the cylindrical portion 474m of the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the hole portion 571m of the downstream drive transmission member 571 are engaged with each other (
A guided surface 73s of the disconnecting lever 73 is contacted to a guiding surface 474s of the upstream drive transmission member 474. By this, the disconnecting lever 73 is limited in the movement in the direction of the axis X.
Part (a) of
The contact portion 73a of the disconnecting lever 73 is contactable to the contact portion 872a of the disconnecting cam 872. In addition, the cylindrical inner surface 872e of the disconnecting cam 872 and the outer peripheral surface 73e of the disconnecting lever 73 are slidably engaged with each other. Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface 872i and the cylindrical inner peripheral surface 872e of the disconnecting cam 872, and the outer peripheral surface 73e of the disconnecting lever 73 are co-axial with each other. Here, as described above, the outer peripheral surface 872i of the disconnecting cam 872 engages with the inner peripheral surface 632i of the developing device covering member 632 (
Here, the disconnecting lever 73 is provided with a ring portion 73j having a substantially ring configuration. The ring portion 73j includes the contact portion 73a and the outer peripheral surface 73e. Furthermore, the disconnecting lever 73 is provided with a force receiving portion 73b as a projected portion projected from the ring portion 73j radially outwardly of the ring portion 73j.
Part (a) of
To the developing unit 9, a reaction forced Q1 applied from the urging spring 95, a reaction force Q2 applied from the drum 4 through the developing roller 6, and the weight Q3 thereof and so on are applied. In addition, upon the drive disconnecting operation, the disconnecting lever 73 receives a reaction force Q4 by engagement with the driving side cartridge cover member 824, as will be described in detail hereinafter. The resultant force Q0 of the reaction forces Q1, Q2 and Q4 and the weight Q3 is applied to supporting hole portions 824a, 25a of the driving side rotatably supporting the developing unit 9 and non-driving side cartridge cover members 824 and 25.
Therefore, when the cartridge P is seen along the axial direction ((b) of
[Drive Disconnecting Operation]
The operation of the drive connecting portion at the time of change from the contact state to the spaced state between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4 will be described.
[State 1]
As shown in part (a) of
[State 2]
When the main assembly spacing member 80 moves in the direction of an arrow F1 only δ1 in the Figure from the development contact and drive transmission state (part (b) of
[State 3]
At this time, the movement distance p is larger than the engagement depth q between the claws 474a of the upstream drive transmission member 474 and the claws 571a of the downstream drive transmission member 571, and therefore, the claws 474a and the claws 571a are disengaged from each other. Then, since the upstream drive transmission member 474 receives the driving force from the main assembly 2 of the apparatus, it continues to rotate, and on the other hand, the downstream drive transmission member 571 stops. As a result, the rotations of the idler gear 68, the developing roller gear 69 and the developing roller 6 stop. The state of the parts is a spacing position, or a developing device spacing and drive disconnection state.
In the manner described above, the drive for developing roller 6 is disconnected in interrelation with the rotation of the developing unit 9 in the direction of the arrow K. With such structures, the developing roller 6 can space from the drum 4 while rotating, so that the drive to the developing roller 6 can be stopped in accordance with the spacing distance between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4.
[Drive Connecting Operation]
Then, the description will be made as to the operation of the drive connecting portion when the developing roller 6 and the drum 4 change from the spacing state to the contacting state. The operation is the reciprocal of the operation from the above-described development contact state to the spaced-developing-device-state.
In the spaced-developing-device-state (the state in which the developing unit 9 is in the angle θ2 position as shown in part (c) of
When the developing unit 9 is gradually rotated from this state in the direction of an arrow H shown in
By further rotating the developing unit 9 gradually in the direction of the arrow H shown in
The foregoing is the explanation of the operation of the drive transmission to the developing roller 6 in interrelation with rotation of the developing unit 9 in the direction of the arrow H. With such structures, the developing roller 6 is brought into contact to the drum 4 while rotating, and the drive can be transmitted to the developing roller 6 depending on the spacing distance between the developing roller 6 and the drum 4.
As described in the foregoing, according to the structures, the drive disconnection state and the drive transmission state to the developing roller 6 are determined firmly by the rotation angle of the developing unit 9.
In the foregoing, the contact portion 872a of the disconnecting cam and the contact portion 73a of the disconnecting lever 73 make face-to-face contact with each other, but this is not inevitable. For example, the contact may be between a surface and a ridge line, between a surface and a point, between a ridge line and a ridge line or between a ridge line and a point. In addition, in the foregoing, the force receiving portion 73b of the disconnecting lever 73 engages with the regulating portion 824d of the driving side cartridge cover member 824, but this is not inevitable, and it may be engaged with the cleaner container 26, for example.
In this embodiment, the developing unit 9 comprises the disconnecting lever 73 and the disconnecting cam 872. The disconnecting lever 73 is rotatable about the axis X relative to the developing unit 9, and is not slidable in the axial direction M or N. On the other hand, the disconnecting cam 872 is slidable in the axial directions M and N relative to the developing unit 9, but is not rotatable about the axis X. Thus, no member that makes a three-dimensional relative movement including the rotation about the rotational center X relative to the developing unit 9 and the sliding motion in the axial directions M and N is provided. In other words, the moving directions of the parts are assigned separately to the disconnecting lever 73 and the disconnecting cam 872. By this, the movement of the parts are two-dimensional, and therefore, the operations are stabilized. As a result, the drive transmission operation to the developing roller 6 in interrelation with the rotation of the developing unit 9 can be carried out smoothly.
Part (a) of
On the other hand, part (b) of
On the other hand, with the structures shown in part (a) of
In
However, this is not inevitable, and the structure as shown in
A cartridge by a ninth embodiment of the invention will be described. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the structures similar to those of the foregoing embodiments will be omitted. The embodiment is similar to the above-described fifth embodiment.
Part (a) of
The disconnecting lever 973 projects through an opening 932c provided in a part of the cylindrical portion 932b slidable relative to the driving side cartridge cover member 924 of the developing device covering member 932. The disconnecting lever 973 is provided in a sliding range 924e of a sliding portion 924a which is between the driving side cartridge cover member 924 and the developing unit 9 with respect to the direction of an axis X.
Here, as described hereinbefore, upon the drive disconnecting operation the disconnecting lever 973 receives a reaction force Q4 (
According to the present invention, a cartridge, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which the drive switching for the developing roller can be effected within the cartridge are provided.
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