Rotary type developing device

Abstract

A color printer 1 has a rotary type developing device 30 which rotated by an input gear 46 that receives power from a motor, and a plurality of developing units 13 supported on a frame 28. The plurality of developing units 13 accommodates toner of different colors therein. The frame 28 a first annular gear 29 being configured to be rotated by the input gear 46, and a second ring-shaped annular member 32 having a larger external diameter than the first annular gear 29. The second ring-shaped annular member 32 is disposed adjacent to and on the outer side of said first annular gear and on the same rotational axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a color printer in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rotary developing device of the color printer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is perspective view of a part of the rotary developing device and an input gear of the color printer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part of the rotary developing device and the input gear;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary developing device and a drive unit of the color printer; and

FIG. 6 is perspective view of a part of the support part and the drive part of the color printer of FIG. 1.

Claims

1. A rotary type developing device that receives a force from an input gear member that is rotated by gear train that receives a motive force from a drive source provided in a color image forming device, the rotary developing device comprising: a plurality of containers being configured to accommodate respectively and internally developers of different colors; anda support member including a support having a rotating shaft being configured to support said plurality of containers,a first annular gear being configured to be rotated by the input gear member, anda second ring-shaped annular member having a larger external diameter than said first annular gear, and being disposed adjacent to and on the outer side of said first annular gear and on the same rotational axis.

2. The rotary type developing device according to claim 1, wherein said second annular member has a notch having a predetermined width in a region in the circumferential direction on a part of an exterior circumference of said second annular member.

3. The rotary type developing device according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined width is the width of three gear teeth of said first annular gear.

4. The rotary type developing device according to claim 3, wherein the input gear member is provided with a mark at a position at which the notch of said second annular member is engaged.

5. The rotary type developing device according to claim 4, wherein said mark of the input gear member is a protrusion.

6. The rotary type developing device according to claim 1, wherein said support member has four flat plates, and a pair of disks provided at the bilateral ends of said four flat plates in the axial direction.

7. The rotary type developing device according to claim 1, wherein said first annular gear is radially disposed on the outside of said disks.

8. The rotary type developing device according to claim 1, wherein said second annular member is a ring-like part that extends to the outer circumference side in the axial direction beyond the end of said gear teeth of said first gear.

9. The rotary type developing device according to claim 1, wherein said second annular part is disposed adjacent to and on the outer side of said first annular gear and on the same rotational axis.

10. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image support member having a surface, an electrostatic latent image being configured to be formed thereon;a gear train;an input gear member having a plurality of teeth being configured to be rotated by said gear train; androtary type developing device being configured to receive a force from said input gear and being arranged to supply toner to said photosensitive drum, said rotary type developing device having a plurality of containers being configured to accommodate respectively and internally developers of different colors, anda support member including a support having a rotating shaft being configured to support said plurality of containers,a first annular gear being configured to be rotated by said input gear member, anda second ring-shaped annular member having a larger external diameter than said first annular gear, and being disposed adjacent to and on the outer side of said first annular gear and on the same rotational axis.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said second annular member has a notch having a predetermined width in a region in the circumferential direction on a part of an exterior circumference of said second annular member.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined width is the width of three gear teeth of said first annular gear.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said input gear member is provided with a mark at a position at which the notch of said second annular member is engaged.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said mark of said input gear member is a protrusion.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said support member has four flat plates, and a pair of disks provided at the bilateral ends of said four flat plates in the axial direction.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said first annular gear is radially disposed on the outside of said disks.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said second annular member is a ring-like part that extends to the outer circumference side in the axial direction beyond the end of said gear teeth of said first gear.

18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said second annular part is disposed adjacent to and on the outer side of said first annular gear and on the same rotational axis.