JP2019164388A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An image forming apparatus capable of releasing an engagement portion of a coupling between an apparatus body and a unit with a simple structure in a structure in which a unit is attached to and detached from an apparatus body in a direction intersecting a drive shaft of the unit. And units. An apparatus main body provided with a main body side coupling and a unit side coupling rotating coaxially with the main body side coupling are provided along a direction intersecting a rotation axis of the unit side coupling. The image forming apparatus 100 including the unit 10 that is moved and attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 110 is provided so that the unit 10 can move along a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the unit-side coupling 36. The release member 40 is configured to have a release member 40 that, when moved, comes into contact with a tapered surface 51b formed on the main body side coupling 50 and slides to retract the main body side coupling 50 from the unit 10 side. . [Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile apparatus using an electrophotographic system or an electrostatic recording system, and a unit that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, for example, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the surface of a drum-shaped or belt-shaped photoconductor is uniformly charged, and then an electrostatic latent image is written on the surface according to an image signal. Develop the image with toner. Thereafter, the toner image on the photosensitive member is directly transferred to a transfer material such as a recording sheet conveyed by the transfer material carrier, or is temporarily transferred to the intermediate transfer member and then secondarily transferred to the transfer material. As the recording material carrier and the intermediate transfer member, a transfer material carrier belt and an intermediate transfer belt each composed of an endless belt are often used.

  In such an image forming apparatus, for example, the intermediate transfer belt may have a problem such as a change with time or damage due to fatigue due to a long driving time, and therefore it is desirable to replace the belt periodically. Therefore, the intermediate transfer belt is often unitized together with a plurality of rollers including a drive roller for stretching the intermediate transfer belt, and the unit is often detachable from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus.

  Such a unit (insertion / removal unit) having a driven member to which a driving force from a driving source provided in the apparatus main body is transmitted can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body in the direction of the drive axis of the unit. In general, it is pulled out and inserted. In this case, since the unit is pulled out and inserted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the main body frame (side plate) provided in the apparatus main body, it is necessary to make a relatively large hole in the main body frame. However, making a relatively large hole in the main body frame tends to reduce the rigidity of the main body of the device, and measures such as adding a structure for reinforcement may be required. May cause cost increase and cost increase. This becomes more remarkable in the case of a unit having a relatively large size in a direction substantially orthogonal to the drive shaft, such as an intermediate transfer belt unit.

  Therefore, it can be considered that the unit is attached to and detached from the apparatus body by pulling out and inserting the unit in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the body frame. In this case, since the unit is pulled out and inserted in a direction substantially orthogonal to the drive shaft, when the unit is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body, an engaging portion between the apparatus main body side such as a coupling and the unit side It is necessary to have a configuration that releases

  As a configuration for releasing such an engaging portion, there is a configuration in which an operating member provided on the apparatus main body side is operated in conjunction with a handle portion of the unit to retract the coupling on the apparatus main body side from the unit side. (Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-191484 A

  However, in a configuration in which the coupling on the apparatus main body side is retracted from the unit side by a link mechanism using many parts as disclosed in Patent Document 1, troubles such as malfunctions can be induced by increasing the number of parts. Increases nature. If a malfunction occurs, the unit cannot be pulled out and cannot be replaced. In the worst case, there is a concern that the apparatus main body must be replaced. In addition, the increase in the number of parts leads to an increase in cost.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to release the coupling engagement portion between the apparatus main body side and the unit side with a simple structure in a configuration in which the unit is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body in a direction intersecting the drive shaft of the unit. It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus and a unit capable of performing the above.

  The above object is achieved by an image forming apparatus according to the present invention and a unit that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. In summary, the present invention engages with a drive source, an apparatus main body including a main body side coupling that rotates by transmission of a driving force from the drive source, a driven member, and the main body side coupling. A driving force is transmitted from the main body side coupling, and a unit side coupling that rotates coaxially with the main body side coupling and transmits the driving force to the driven member is provided, intersecting the rotation axis of the unit side coupling An image forming apparatus including a unit that is moved along a direction to be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, and the main body side coupling is movable along a rotation axis direction of the image forming apparatus. A taper surface formed on the side surface of the end portion on the unit side in the direction so as to increase in diameter as the distance from the unit side increases in the rotation axis direction. Is a release member provided so as to be movable along a direction intersecting with the rotation axis of the unit side coupling, and is brought into contact with the tapered surface of the body side coupling so as to be on the tapered surface. The image forming apparatus includes a release member that slides the main body side coupling away from the unit side.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus main body including a driving source and a main body side coupling that rotates by transmission of a driving force from the driving source, a driven member, and the main body side coupling are engaged. A driving force is transmitted from the main body side coupling and rotated coaxially with the main body side coupling to transmit the driving force to the driven member, and a rotation axis of the unit side coupling; An image forming apparatus having a unit that is moved along an intersecting direction and is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, wherein the unit side coupling is movable along a rotation axis direction of the image forming apparatus. It is formed on the side surface of the end portion on the main body side coupling side in the axial direction so as to increase in diameter as it becomes farther from the main body side coupling side in the rotation axis direction. A release member provided so as to be movable along a direction intersecting with a rotation axis of the unit side coupling, and being moved, the taper of the unit side coupling. An image forming apparatus is provided that includes a release member that contacts a surface and slides on the tapered surface to retract the unit side coupling from the main body side coupling side.

  Further, according to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a unit that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus having the characteristics of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, in the configuration in which the unit is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body in the direction intersecting the drive shaft of the unit, the coupling engaging portion between the apparatus main body side and the unit side can be released with a simple configuration. .

1 is a vertical sectional view of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an intermediate transfer belt unit. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a main body frame and an intermediate transfer belt unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a handle portion of an intermediate transfer belt unit mounted on the apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a handle portion of the intermediate transfer belt unit mounted on the apparatus main body. It is a perspective view of a cancellation | release member. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state of an intermediate transfer belt unit and a main body side coupling that are mounted on the apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view illustrating a state of the intermediate transfer belt unit and the main body side coupling that are mounted on the apparatus main body. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state of the intermediate transfer belt unit and the main body side coupling when the release member is pulled. FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view showing a state of the intermediate transfer belt unit and the main body side coupling when the release member is pulled. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state of the intermediate transfer belt unit and the main body side coupling when the intermediate transfer belt unit is inserted into the apparatus main body. FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view illustrating a state of the intermediate transfer belt unit and the main body side coupling when the intermediate transfer belt unit is inserted into the apparatus main body. FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of the rear side of the intermediate transfer belt unit. FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a handle portion in another example of an intermediate transfer belt unit. FIG. 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a state of the unit side coupling and the release member when the release member is pulled in another example of the intermediate transfer belt unit.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention and a unit detachable from the image forming apparatus will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[Example 1]
1. FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment is a tandem type laser beam printer that employs an intermediate transfer method that can form a full-color image using an electrophotographic method.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes first, second, third, and fourth image forming units PY, PM, PC, and PK as a plurality of image forming units. Each image forming unit PY, PM, PC, PK forms an image of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively.

  In this embodiment, the configuration and operation of each image forming unit PY, PM, PC, PK are substantially the same except that the color of the toner used is different. Therefore, hereinafter, unless there is a particular need for distinction, Y, M, C, and K at the end of a symbol representing an element for any color will be omitted, and the element will be described generally.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a photosensitive drum 1 that is a drum-type (cylindrical) electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive member) as an image carrier. The photosensitive drum 1 is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction in FIG. The following means are arranged around the photosensitive drum 1. First, a charging roller 2 which is a roller-shaped charging member as a charging unit is disposed. Further, a developing device 4 as a developing unit is arranged. Further, a drum cleaning device 5 is disposed as a photosensitive member cleaning unit.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an exposure device (laser scanner device) 3 serving as an exposure unit, which is disposed so as to expose each of the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an intermediate transfer belt unit 10 serving as a belt conveyance device disposed so as to face each of the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. The intermediate transfer belt unit 10 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 110 of the image forming apparatus 100. The intermediate transfer belt unit 10 includes an intermediate transfer belt 11 formed of an endless belt as an intermediate transfer member so as to face the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. The intermediate transfer belt 11 is stretched around a driving roller 12, a driven roller 13, and a tension roller 14 as a plurality of rollers (stretching members). The intermediate transfer belt 11 rotates (circulates) in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 when the driving roller 12 is driven to rotate. As will be described in detail later, the tension roller 14 is urged from the inner peripheral surface side to the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 11 as indicated by an arrow T in FIG. A predetermined tension (tension) is applied. Primary transfer rollers 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, which are roller-shaped primary transfer members serving as primary transfer means, are positioned on the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 11 so as to face the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. Is arranged. The primary transfer roller 6 is urged (pressed) with a predetermined pressure toward the photosensitive drum 1 via the intermediate transfer belt 11 to form a primary transfer portion N1 where the intermediate transfer belt 11 and the photosensitive drum 1 are in contact with each other. Further, on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 11, a secondary transfer roller 16 that is a roller-shaped secondary transfer member as a secondary transfer unit is disposed at a position facing the driving roller 12. The secondary transfer roller 16 is urged (pressed) with a predetermined pressure toward the drive roller 12 via the intermediate transfer belt 11, and the secondary transfer portion N2 where the intermediate transfer belt 11 and the secondary transfer roller 16 come into contact with each other. Form. A belt cleaning device 15 as an intermediate transfer member cleaning unit is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 11 at a position facing the tension roller 14.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a feeding / conveying device 20 that supplies the transfer material S to the secondary transfer portion N2, a fixing device 17 that fixes the toner image on the transfer material S, and the like.

  In this embodiment, an image of each color is formed by the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the exposure device 3, the developing device 4, the primary transfer roller 6, the drum cleaning device 5, and the like used to form each color image. The image forming unit P is configured. In each image forming unit P, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2 as a process unit that acts on the photosensitive drum 1, the developing device 4, and the drum cleaning device 5 are connected to the apparatus main body 110 of the image forming apparatus 100. A detachable process cartridge 9 is configured.

  During image formation, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 rotating clockwise in FIG. 1 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 2, and the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is scanned and exposed by the exposure device 3. As a result, an electrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed as a toner image by the developing device 4 using toner as a developer. In the present exemplary embodiment, the charged polarity (negative polarity in the present exemplary embodiment) of the photosensitive drum 1 is applied to the exposed portion (bright portion) on the photosensitive drum 1 where the absolute value of the potential is reduced after being uniformly charged and exposed. A toner image is formed by reversal development in which a toner charged with the same polarity as that is attached.

  The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred (primary transfer) on the intermediate transfer belt 11 that rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by the action of the primary transfer roller 6 in the primary transfer portion N1. At this time, a primary transfer power source (not shown) serving as a voltage application unit is applied to the primary transfer roller 6 with a DC voltage having a reverse polarity (positive in this embodiment) to the charging polarity of the toner during development. A transfer voltage (primary transfer bias) is applied. For example, when forming a full-color image, the toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 11 so as to be sequentially superimposed.

  The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is a recording sheet or the like that is conveyed while being sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 11 and the secondary transfer roller 16 by the action of the secondary transfer roller 16 in the secondary transfer portion N2. Is transferred (secondary transfer) onto the transfer material S. At this time, the secondary transfer roller 16 is supplied from a secondary transfer power source (not shown) as a voltage application unit with a DC voltage having a polarity (positive in this embodiment) opposite to the charging polarity of the toner during development. A certain secondary transfer voltage (secondary transfer bias) is applied. For example, at the time of full-color image formation, a multiple toner image formed in a state where four color toners are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is conveyed by the intermediate transfer belt 11 and moved to the secondary transfer portion N2. At the next transfer portion, the images are transferred onto the transfer material S all at once. The transfer material S is fed from the transfer material cassette 21 or the like by the feed roller 22 or the like in the feeding and conveying device 20 and then the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is synchronized with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 by the registration roller pair 23. Transported to N2.

  The transfer material S onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 17 and heated and pressed at a fixing nip portion between the fixing roller 17a and the pressure roller 17b included in the fixing device 17. As a result, the unfixed toner image on the surface of the transfer material S is fixed on the surface of the transfer material S. Thereafter, the transfer material S is discharged (output) to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100.

  On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 after the primary transfer (primary transfer residual toner) is removed from the photosensitive drum 1 by the drum cleaning device 5 and collected. The drum cleaning device 5 scrapes and removes toner from the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 with a cleaning blade as a cleaning member. Further, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 11 after the secondary transfer (secondary transfer residual toner) is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 11 by the belt cleaning device 15. The belt cleaning device 15 scrapes and removes toner from the surface of the rotating intermediate transfer belt 11 with a cleaning blade as a cleaning member. The toner removed from the intermediate transfer belt 11 by the belt cleaning device 15 passes through a collected toner conveyance path (not shown) and is collected into a collected toner container (not shown).

2. Intermediate Transfer Belt Unit Next, the intermediate transfer belt unit (hereinafter also simply referred to as “unit”) 10 in this embodiment will be further described. In addition, regarding the image forming apparatus 100 and its elements, the front side in FIG. 1 is referred to as “front side”, the back side in FIG. 1 is referred to as “rear side”, the left side when viewed from the front side is “left side”, and the right side is “right side”. To do. The depth direction connecting the front side and the rear side is substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the rollers 12, 13, and 14 that stretch the photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 11. For the unit 10 and its elements, the direction corresponding to the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt 11 (direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction) is also referred to as “thrust direction”.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the unit 10. The unit 10 is detachable from the apparatus main body 110 of the image forming apparatus 100. The unit 10 has an intermediate transfer belt 11 (in FIG. 2, a part of the front side is cut away). Further, the unit 10 includes a driving roller 12, a driven roller 13, and a tension roller 14 as a plurality of rollers around which the intermediate transfer belt 11 is wound. The driving roller 12, the driven roller 13, and the tension roller 14 are attached to the unit frame 31.

  The drive roller 12 is rotatably supported by drive roller bearing members 32 (only the front side is shown in FIG. 2) on both end sides in the rotation axis direction (longitudinal direction). The drive roller bearing member 32 is attached to the unit frame 31. As will be described in detail later, the driving roller 12 is rotated by a driving force transmitted from a driving source (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 110. When the driving roller 12 is driven to rotate, the intermediate transfer belt 11 is conveyed. The surface of the drive roller 12 is formed of a rubber layer having a high friction coefficient so as to convey the intermediate transfer belt 11 without slipping.

  The driven roller 13 is rotatably supported by a driven roller bearing member 33 (only the front side is shown in FIG. 2) at both ends in the rotational axis direction (longitudinal direction). The driven roller bearing member 33 is attached to the unit frame 31. The driven roller 13 rotates following the intermediate transfer belt 11.

  The tension roller 14 is rotatably supported by a tension roller bearing member 34 (only the front side is shown in FIG. 2) at both end sides in the rotation axis direction (longitudinal direction). The tension roller bearing member 34 is attached to the unit frame 31 so as to be movable (slidable). The tension roller bearing members 34 on both ends in the rotational axis direction of the tension roller 14 are urged by a compression force of a tension spring (not shown) constituted by a compression spring as urging means. The tension roller bearing member 34 is moved (slid) from the inner peripheral surface side to the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 11 along the biasing direction of the tension spring. Accordingly, the tension roller 14 urges the intermediate transfer belt 11 from the inner peripheral surface side to the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 11 to apply tension to the intermediate transfer belt 11.

  A belt cleaning device 15 is provided at a position facing the tension roller 14. Further, grip portions 35 are provided on both ends of the driving roller 12 and the driven roller 13 in the rotation axis direction, and are used for operations when the unit 10 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 110, respectively. . Each handle portion 35 is provided so as to protrude in a direction in which the unit 10 is inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body 110.

3. Attachment / Removal of Intermediate Transfer Belt Unit FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a main body frame (frame body) 60 provided in the apparatus main body 110 and the unit 10 attached to the apparatus main body 110. The main body frame 60 includes a bottom plate 61, a front plate 62 and a rear plate 63 that are opposed to the bottom plate 61, a side frame 64 that connects between the front plate 62 and the rear plate 63 on the left side of the apparatus main body 110, It is comprised. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the opening / closing door 65 that opens and closes the right side of the apparatus main body 110 so as to divide the conveyance path of the transfer material S from the feeding / conveying device 20 to the fixing device 17 is centered on the rotation shaft 18. Are attached to the front side plate 62 and the rear side plate 63 so as to be rotatable. The unit 10 can be detached from the apparatus main body 110 by opening the open / close door 65 and pulling out the unit 10 to the right side of the apparatus main body 110 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Conversely, the unit 10 can be attached to the apparatus main body 110 by inserting the unit 10 in the direction opposite to the arrow direction in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the handle portion 35 on the rear side of the unit 10 in a state where the unit 10 is mounted on the apparatus main body 110. FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the vicinity of the handle portion 35 on the rear side of the unit 10 in a state where the unit 10 is mounted on the apparatus main body 110.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a rail 70 (only the rail 70 of the rear plate 63 is shown) is attached to the front plate 62 and the rear plate 63, respectively. The unit 10 is guided by the rail 70 and moves (slides) in a substantially horizontal direction substantially parallel to the planes of the front plate 62 and the rear plate 63 and in this embodiment, and is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 110. It is possible to do.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a unit side coupling 36 is attached to the drive shaft (rotary shaft) 12 a of the drive roller 12 at the rear end in the rotational axis direction of the drive roller 12. The unit side coupling 36 can rotate substantially coaxially with the drive shaft 12 a together with the drive shaft 12 a of the drive roller 12. As a result, the unit side coupling 36 can rotate around a rotation axis substantially orthogonal to the plane of the rear plate 63 in a state where the unit 10 is mounted on the apparatus main body 110. The unit side coupling 36 has an engaging portion 36a (see FIG. 9) that engages with the main body side coupling 50 provided in the apparatus main body 110 at the rear end in the rotational axis direction. The unit side coupling 36 rotates when the driving force is transmitted from the main body side coupling 50 and inputs the driving force to the driving roller 12 as a driven member.

  A first drive frame 81 and a second drive frame 82 are attached to the rear plate 63 to support a drive train that transmits drive to the main body side coupling 50. The main body side coupling 50 is supported by a first drive frame 81 and a spring holder 91 attached to the second drive frame 82. The main body side coupling 50 is rotatable about a rotation axis substantially orthogonal to the plane of the rear plate 63 and is movable (slidable) in the direction of the rotation axis. A coupling spring 92 composed of a compression spring as a biasing means is attached between the main body side coupling 50 and the spring holder 91 in a compressed state. By this coupling spring 92, the main body side coupling 50 is urged toward the front side, that is, the unit 10 side along a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane of the rear side plate 63. As will be described in detail later, the main body side coupling 50 is moved away from the unit 10 side against the urging force of the coupling spring 92 to release the engagement with the unit side coupling 36. It is possible to retract from the 10 side. The main body side coupling 50 is configured by integrating a front side coupling portion 51 and a rear side gear portion 52. The coupling part 51 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the end of the coupling part 51 on the spring holder side 91 side is made larger than the outer diameter of the coupling part 51, and a gear part 52 having a gear is formed on the outer peripheral surface. The main body side coupling part 50 has an engaging part 51a (see FIG. 10) that engages with the unit side coupling 36 at the front end in the rotational axis direction. The main body side coupling 50 rotates when a driving force is inputted to the gear portion 52 from an intermediate transfer belt driving motor (not shown) as a driving source provided in the apparatus main body 110 by a gear train. The main body side coupling 50 transmits the driving force to the unit side coupling 36 engaged with the main body side coupling 50 to rotate the unit side coupling 36.

  In a state where the unit 10 is mounted on the apparatus main body 110, the rotation axis of the main body side coupling 50 and the rotation axis of the unit side coupling 36 are substantially coaxial. In this state, the main body side coupling 50 is engaged with the unit side coupling 36 so as to protrude toward the unit 10 along the rotation axis direction, and these couplings rotate substantially coaxially.

  And the main body side coupling part 50 has the taper surface 51b formed in the side surface of the edge part by the side of the unit 10 in the rotation-axis direction so that it may increase in diameter as it becomes far from the unit 10 side in this rotation-axis direction. . That is, the coupling part 51 of the main body side coupling 50 has a substantially truncated cone shape with the tip part on the unit 10 side tapered toward the unit 10 side.

  Further, the unit 10 is provided with a release member 40 that allows the main body side coupling 50 to be retracted from the unit 10 side so that the unit 10 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 110. The release member 40 is disposed between the main body side coupling 50 and the unit side coupling 36 so as to enable engagement between these couplings.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the release member 40 as viewed from the right side of the apparatus main body 110 on the side surface on the main body side coupling 50 side. As shown in FIG. 6, the release member 40 is a plate-like or rod-like member that is long in one direction as a whole, the release portion 41 at one end in the longitudinal direction, the operation portion 42 at the other end, and the release. A main portion 43 is provided between the portion 41 and the operation portion 42. As will be described in detail later, the side portion on the main portion 43 side of the release portion 41 in the longitudinal direction of the release member 40 is in contact with the tapered surface 51b of the main body side coupling 50 when the unit 10 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 110. The contact portion 41a is used. In addition, the side of the release member 41 opposite to the main portion 43 in the longitudinal direction of the release member 40 is a tapered surface of the main body side coupling 50 when the unit 10 is inserted into the apparatus main body 110 as will be described in detail later. The second contact portion 41b is in contact with 51b. The release portion 41 is connected to the main portion 43 by a connecting portion 44, and an operation portion 42 is formed at the end of the main portion 43 opposite to the connecting portion 44. The entire release member 40 is integrally formed.

  The release member 40 is attached to the handle portion 35 on the rear side of the unit 10. The release member 40 is movable (slidable) in the direction in which the unit 10 is inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body 110 on the handle portion 35. That is, the release member 40 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is along the direction in which the unit 10 is inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body 110, that is, the direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the unit side coupling 36, and slides in the same direction. It is possible. As described above, the release member 40 can be operated in the handle portion 35 that is gripped when the unit 10 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 110, and can be moved along the moving direction of the unit 10 with respect to the apparatus main body 110. Is provided. The release part 41 of the release member 40 is arranged inside the apparatus main body 110 with respect to the rotation axis of the unit side coupling 36, and the operation part 42 and the main part 43 are arranged outside the apparatus main body 110 with respect to the rotation axis. The part 44 is arranged so as to straddle the rotation axis. As described above, the release member 40 extends from the vicinity of the unit side coupling 36 to the vicinity of the end of the handle portion 35. A hole 45 formed by the release portion 41, the main portion 43, and the connecting portion 44 is disposed at the position of the unit side coupling 36 so as not to hinder the connection between the unit side coupling 36 and the main body side coupling 50. It has become.

  7 and 8 are a perspective view and a horizontal sectional view showing the state of the unit 10 and the main body side coupling 50 when the unit 10 is mounted on the apparatus main body 110, respectively. As shown in FIG. 7, the release member 40 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the unit side coupling 36 and the main body side coupling 50. The release member 40 is directed toward the left side of the apparatus main body 110 in the direction of arrow A1 (the direction in which the unit 10 is inserted into the apparatus main body 110) by a handle spring 37 configured by a compression spring as an urging means. It is energized. The handle spring 37 is attached in a compressed state between a spring support portion 35 a formed on the handle portion 35 and a spring receiving portion 46 formed on the release member 40. Further, the main body side coupling 50 is urged toward the unit side coupling 36 in the direction of the arrow A2 in the figure by the coupling spring 92 and is engaged with the unit side coupling 36. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the release member 40 is disposed so that the first contact portion 41 a of the release portion 41 is close to the tapered surface 51 b of the main body side coupling 50.

  9 and 10 are a perspective view and a horizontal sectional view showing the state of the unit 10 and the main body side coupling 50 when the unit 10 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 110, respectively. As shown in FIG. 9, the operation unit 42 of the release member 40 is operated and the unit 10 is pulled in the direction of the arrow A <b> 3 in the drawing in the direction of pulling out from the apparatus main body 110. The release member 40 is slid on the handle portion 35 against the urging force of the handle spring 37 until the abutting portion 47 formed on the release member 40 abuts against the abutting portion 35b formed on the handle portion 35. . At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the first contact portion 41 a of the release portion 41 of the release member 40 contacts the tapered surface 51 b of the main body side coupling 50 and further slides on the tapered surface. As a result, the main body side coupling 50 is moved in the direction of the arrow A4 in the figure in the direction away from the unit 10 side, and the engagement between the main body side coupling 50 and the unit side coupling 36 is released, and the unit Retracted from the 10 side. In this state, by holding the handle portion 35 and pulling the unit 10 to the right side of the apparatus main body 110 in the direction of arrow A3 in the drawing, that is, in the direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis of the unit side coupling 36, the unit 10 Can be removed from the apparatus main body 110. The main body side coupling 50 rides on the release portion 41 of the release member 40, and after the release portion 41 passes, the main body side coupling 50 is urged by the coupling spring 92 and returns to the state of protruding toward the unit 10 (see FIG. 12). ).

  11 and 12 are a perspective view and a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a state of the unit 10 and the main body side coupling 50 when the unit 10 is inserted into the apparatus main body 110, respectively. As shown in FIG. 11, the main body side coupling 50 is biased by a coupling spring 92 and protrudes toward the unit 10 side. In this state, holding the handle portion 35, the unit 10 is inserted into the left side of the apparatus main body 110 in the direction of arrow A5 in the drawing, that is, in the direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis of the unit side coupling 36. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the second contact portion 41b of the release portion 41 of the release member 40 contacts the tapered surface 51b of the main body side coupling 50 and further slides on the tapered surface 51b. As a result, the main body side coupling 50 is moved in the direction of arrow A6 in the drawing in the direction away from the unit 10 side, and is retracted from the unit 10 side. In this state, the unit 10 can be further inserted and mounted at a predetermined position in the apparatus main body 110. The main body side coupling 50 rides on the release portion 41 of the release member 40, and after the release portion 41 has passed, it is biased by the coupling spring 92 and is engaged with the unit side coupling 36 ( (See FIG. 8).

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the distal end portion of the main body side coupling 50 that can be retracted from the unit 10 side is tapered, and the release member 40 that operates in a direction substantially orthogonal to the retracting direction of the main body side coupling 50. Is provided in the unit 10. Then, the main body side coupling 50 is retracted from the unit 10 side by causing the first contact portion 41 a of the release portion 41 of the release member 40 to slide against the tapered surface 51 b of the main body side coupling 50. As described above, in this embodiment, the engagement portion of the coupling between the apparatus main body 110 side and the unit 10 side can be released with one part of the release member 40. Therefore, it is possible to suppress malfunctions and cost increases due to a complicated configuration, and to release the coupling engaging portion between the apparatus main body 110 side and the unit 10 side more reliably with a simple configuration. Further, since the engaging portion between the apparatus main body 110 side and the unit 10 side is not released unless the release member 40 is accessed, it is possible to prevent the unit 10 from being accidentally dropped off. Further, by simply pushing the unit 10 in the insertion direction (mounting direction), the second contact portion 41b of the release portion 41 of the release member 40 is brought into contact with the taper surface 51b of the main body side coupling 50 and is slid. The side coupling 50 can be retracted from the unit 10 side. Thereby, the unit 10 can be easily mounted on the apparatus main body 110 with a simple configuration.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, by providing the tapered surface 41 a 1 at the corner of the first contact portion 41 a of the release portion 41 of the release member 40, the unit 10 can be more smoothly pulled out from the apparatus main body 110. Operation can be realized. The taper surface 41a1 of the first contact portion 41a is inclined with respect to the rotation axis of the unit side coupling 36 to the same side as the taper surface 51b of the main body side coupling 50 when contacting the taper surface 41a1. To form. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, the tapered surface 41b1 is also provided at the corner of the second contact portion 41b of the release portion 41 of the release member 40, so that the unit 10 can be inserted more smoothly into the apparatus main body 110. Operation can be realized. The taper surface 41b1 of the second contact portion 41b is inclined with respect to the rotation axis of the unit side coupling 36 to the same side as the taper surface 51b of the main body side coupling 50 when contacting the taper surface 41a1. To form. Only one of the tapered surfaces 41a1 and 41b1 of the first and second contact portions 41a and 41b may be provided, but it is preferable to provide both as in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 13 is a horizontal sectional view of the rear side of the unit 10. The main body side coupling 50 protrudes to the unit 10 side to some extent by the coupling spring 92 when the unit 10 is not attached to the apparatus main body 110 than when it is attached. When the unit 10 is inserted and removed, if the amount of protrusion is large, the main body side coupling 50 may be caught on a part of the unit 10 and the smooth operation may be hindered. Therefore, in the present embodiment, there is no structure that protrudes further toward the main body side coupling side than the tip of the main body side coupling 50 in a state of protruding to the maximum from the release member 40 in the insertion direction downstream of the unit 10. And In this embodiment, the unit 10 includes a switching mechanism (not shown) that switches between a state in which the primary transfer roller 6 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 via the intermediate transfer belt 11 and a state in which the primary transfer roller 6 is separated from the photosensitive drum 11. A separation coupling 38 is provided for inputting the driving force. Among the members arranged on the rear side of the unit 10 and downstream of the release member 40 in the insertion direction of the unit 10, the separation coupling 38 is the rotation axis direction of the unit side coupling (substantially the insertion / extraction direction of the unit 10). It is a member located on the outer side of the direction orthogonal to. Therefore, in this embodiment, the dimensional relationship is such that the tip of the main body side coupling 50 and the separation coupling 38 do not interfere with each other in the thrust direction. Thereby, smooth operation without catching is realizable.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, in the configuration in which the unit 10 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 110 in the direction intersecting the drive shaft of the unit 10, the coupling between the apparatus main body 110 side and the unit 10 side is simplified. The joint can be released.

[Example 2]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The basic configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, elements having the same or corresponding functions or configurations as those of the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the main body side coupling 50 can be retracted from the unit 10 side, and the release member 40 for retracting the main body side coupling 50 is provided in the unit 10. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the unit side coupling 36 can be retracted from the main body side coupling 50 side, and the unit side coupling 36 is retracted by the release member 40 also provided in the unit 10. . That is, in this embodiment, the entire release mechanism for releasing the engagement between the main body side coupling 50 and the unit side coupling 36 is provided in the unit 10.

  FIG. 14 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the handle portion 35 on the rear side of the unit 10 in the present embodiment. The unit side coupling 36 is attached to the drive shaft 12 a of the drive roller 12 at the rear end in the rotation axis direction of the drive roller 12. In the present embodiment, the unit side coupling 36 is rotatable together with the drive shaft 12 a of the drive roller 12 and is movable (slidable) in the direction of the rotation axis of the drive roller 12. As a result, the unit side coupling 36 can rotate around the rotation axis substantially orthogonal to the rear side plate 63 and can move in the direction of the rotation axis while the unit 10 is mounted on the apparatus main body 110. ing. Further, the unit side coupling 36 is urged to the outside in the rotational axis direction of the drive roller 12, that is, the main body side coupling 50 side by a coupling spring 39 constituted by a compression spring as urging means. Yes. The coupling spring 39 is attached in a compressed state between the unit side coupling 36 and the spring support portion 12b formed on the drive shaft 12a of the drive roller 12. As a result, the unit side coupling 36 is moved away from the main body side coupling 50 side against the biasing force of the coupling spring 39, and the engagement with the main body side coupling 50 is released. It can be retracted from the coupling 50 side.

  The unit side coupling 36 is prevented from coming off in the thrust direction by abutting against the release member 40. Although not shown, in the present embodiment, the main body side coupling 50 is fixed so as not to move in the rotational axis direction.

  In the present embodiment, the unit side coupling 36 has a diameter that increases toward the side surface of the end portion on the main body side coupling 50 side in the rotation axis direction as the distance from the main body side coupling 50 side increases in the rotation axis direction. It has the taper surface 36b formed in this way. That is, the unit side coupling 36 has a substantially frustoconical shape with a tip end on the main body side coupling 50 side tapered toward the main body side coupling 50 side. A release member 40 similar to that of the first embodiment is slidably attached to the handle portion 35 of the unit 10.

  FIG. 15 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the state of the unit side coupling 36 and the release member 40 when the release member 40 is pulled to attach and detach the unit 10 to and from the apparatus main body 110. For example, when the unit 10 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 110, the operation unit 42 of the release member 40 is operated to pull the unit 10 in the direction of arrow A7 in the drawing toward the direction of pulling out from the apparatus main body 110. At this time, the contact portion 41a of the release portion 41 of the release member 40 contacts the tapered surface 36b of the unit side coupling 36, and further slides on the tapered surface 36b. As a result, the unit side coupling 36 is moved in the direction of the arrow A8 in the figure toward the direction away from the main body side coupling 50 side, and the engagement with the main body side coupling 50 is released, and the main body side coupling 50 Retracted from the 50 side. In this state, by holding the handle portion 35 and pulling the unit 10 to the right side of the apparatus main body 110 in the direction of the arrow A7 in the drawing, that is, in the direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the unit side coupling 36, the unit 10 Can be removed from the apparatus main body 110.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the unit 10 is mounted on the apparatus main body 110, the apparatus main body is operated with the release member 40 operated and the unit side coupling 36 retracted from the main body side coupling 50 in the same manner as described above. 110 is inserted. When the unit 10 is mounted at a predetermined position in the apparatus main body 110 and the rotation axes of the unit side coupling 36 and the main body side coupling 50 are substantially coaxial, the unit side coupling by the release member 40 is performed. Release the 36 evacuation. Thereby, the unit side coupling 36 is engaged with the main body side coupling 50.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the coupling engaging portion between the apparatus main body 110 side and the unit 10 side can be released only by the configuration of the unit 10 side. The unit 10 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 110.

[Others]
As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated according to the specific Example, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Example.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the unit that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body is described as the intermediate transfer belt unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as a transfer material carrier that carries and conveys a transfer material onto which a toner image is transferred from an image carrier, a transfer material carrier belt constituted by an endless belt similar to the intermediate transfer belt in the above-described embodiment is used. There is a direct transfer type image forming apparatus used. The unit that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body may be a transfer material carrying belt unit that includes the transfer material carrying belt. In other words, the present invention works suitably in a unit that has an endless belt that directly carries a toner image or carries and conveys it via a transfer material, and the driven member is a driving roller that drives the belt. . The driven member is not limited to an endless belt driving roller such as an intermediate transfer belt or a transfer material carrying belt. The present invention can be applied to any unit that has a driven member to which a driving force from a driving source provided in the apparatus main body is transmitted and can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. The same effect can be obtained. For example, the unit detachable from the apparatus main body may be a cartridge having a photosensitive drum as a driven member, a fixing device having a fixing roller or a pressure roller as a driven member, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive drum 10 Intermediate transfer belt unit 12 Drive roller 36 Unit side coupling 40 Release member 41 Release part 50 Main body side coupling 51b Tapered surface

The present invention is a copying machine using an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method, a printer, it relates to an image forming equipment such as a facsimile apparatus.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to release the coupling engagement portion between the apparatus main body side and the unit side with a simple structure in a configuration in which the unit is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body in a direction intersecting the drive shaft of the unit. it is to provide an image forming equipment which can.

The above object is manually achieved in the image forming equipment according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention includes a driving source, a body-side coupling driving force from the driving source to rotate is transmitted, an image forming apparatus having a, carrying the toner image or transfer material an endless belt for conveying a driving roller for driving the belt, said rotating at the body side coupling and the coaxial drive force from the body-side coupling engaging said body side coupling is transmitted and a unit-side coupling which transmits a driving force to the drive roller, and is moved along a direction intersecting the axis of rotation of said unit-side coupling having a unit which is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus in the image forming apparatus, the main body side coupling is movable along its rotational axis direction, the unit, when mounted on the image forming apparatus, said Yu An operation portion movable along a direction intersecting with the rotation axis of the coupling on the side of the coupling, and the operation portion is operated to contact the body side coupling so that the body side coupling is moved to the unit side. An image forming apparatus having a release member that is retracted from a coupling .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising a drive source and a main body side coupling that is rotated by transmission of a drive force from the drive source , and carries a toner image or a transfer material. The endless belt that conveys the belt, the driving roller that drives the belt, and the main body side coupling that engages with the main body side coupling to transmit driving force and rotate coaxially with the main body side coupling. and the unit-side coupling which transmits a driving force to the driving roller, provided with a unit that is removably are moved along a direction intersecting the axis of rotation of said unit-side coupling to the image forming apparatus in the image forming apparatus having the unit-side coupling is movable along its rotational axis direction, the unit, when mounted on the image forming apparatus An operation unit that is movable along a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the unit side coupling is provided, and the unit side coupling is brought into contact with the unit side coupling by operating the operation unit. An image forming apparatus is provided that includes a release member that is retracted from the coupling .

Hereinafter will be described in more detail with reference to an image forming equipment according to the present invention with reference to the drawings.

Claims (14)

An apparatus main body including a driving source and a main body side coupling that is rotated by a driving force transmitted from the driving source;
A unit-side cup that engages with the driven member and the main body side coupling, transmits a driving force from the main body side coupling, and rotates coaxially with the main body side coupling to transmit the driving force to the driven member. A unit that includes a ring, is moved along a direction intersecting a rotation axis of the unit side coupling, and is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body;
In an image forming apparatus having
The main body side coupling is movable along the direction of the rotation axis, and the diameter of the coupling increases toward the side surface of the end of the unit side in the direction of the rotation axis as the distance from the unit side increases in the direction of the rotation axis. Having a tapered surface formed on
The unit is a release member provided to be movable along a direction intersecting with the rotation axis of the unit side coupling, and is brought into contact with the tapered surface of the main body side coupling to move the taper. An image forming apparatus comprising: a release member that slides on a surface to retract the main body side coupling from the unit side.   The release member can be operated at a handle portion that is gripped when the unit is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, and is provided so as to be movable along a moving direction of the unit with respect to the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The release member has a first contact portion that contacts the tapered surface of the main body side coupling by moving the release member in the removal direction when the unit is detached from the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   The first abutting portion is formed so as to be inclined to the same side as the tapered surface of the main body side coupling when abutting against the first abutting portion with respect to the rotation axis of the unit side coupling. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a tapered surface.   The release member has a second contact portion that contacts the tapered surface of the main body side coupling when the unit is moved in the mounting direction when the unit is mounted to the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   The second contact portion is formed so as to be inclined to the same side as the tapered surface of the main body side coupling when contacting the second contact portion with respect to the rotation axis of the unit side coupling. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a tapered surface.   The unit is located downstream of the release member in the mounting direction of the unit with respect to the apparatus main body, and on the main body side coupling side in a direction intersecting the mounting direction with respect to the unit side tip of the main body side coupling. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus has no protruding member. An apparatus main body including a driving source and a main body side coupling that is rotated by a driving force transmitted from the driving source;
A unit-side cup that engages with the driven member and the main body side coupling, transmits a driving force from the main body side coupling, and rotates coaxially with the main body side coupling to transmit the driving force to the driven member. A unit that includes a ring, is moved along a direction intersecting a rotation axis of the unit side coupling, and is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body;
In an image forming apparatus having
The unit side coupling is movable along the rotation axis direction, and is far from the main body side coupling side in the rotation axis direction on the side surface of the end portion on the main body side coupling side in the rotation axis direction. Having a tapered surface formed so as to expand in diameter,
The unit is a release member provided so as to be movable along a direction intersecting with the rotation axis of the unit side coupling, and is brought into contact with the taper surface of the unit side coupling to move the taper. An image forming apparatus comprising: a release member that slides on a surface to retract the unit side coupling from the main body side coupling side.   The release member can be operated at a handle portion that is gripped when the unit is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, and is provided so as to be movable along a moving direction of the unit with respect to the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.   The release member abuts against the tapered surface of the unit-side coupling by moving the release member in a direction in which the unit is removed from the device body when the unit is attached to or detached from the device body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus has a section.   The abutting portion is a tapered surface formed so as to be inclined to the same side as the tapered surface of the unit side coupling when abutting against the abutting portion with respect to the rotation axis of the unit side coupling. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:   The unit includes an endless belt that directly carries a toner image or carries and conveys a toner image via a transfer material, and the driven member is a driving roller that drives the belt. Item 12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 11. A driven member to which a driving force from a driving source provided in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus is transmitted;
A unit side that engages with a main body side coupling provided in the apparatus main body, receives driving force from the main body side coupling, rotates coaxially with the main body side coupling, and transmits driving force to the driven member. Coupling,
With
In the unit that is moved along the direction intersecting the rotation axis of the unit side coupling and is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body,
A release member provided to be movable along a direction intersecting with the rotation axis of the unit side coupling, and having a release member for moving the main body side coupling along the direction of the rotation axis and retracting from the unit side;
The release member is moved to be a tapered surface formed on a side surface of an end portion on the unit side of the main body side coupling, and is distant from the unit side in the rotation axis direction of the main body side coupling. A unit that abuts against a tapered surface formed so as to increase in diameter and slides on the tapered surface to retract the main body side coupling from the unit side. A driven member to which a driving force from a driving source provided in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus is transmitted;
A unit side that engages with a main body side coupling provided in the apparatus main body, receives driving force from the main body side coupling, rotates coaxially with the main body side coupling, and transmits driving force to the driven member. Coupling,
With
In the unit that is moved along the direction intersecting the rotation axis of the unit side coupling and is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body,
There is a release member provided so as to be movable along a direction intersecting the rotation axis of the unit side coupling, and moving the unit side coupling along the direction of the rotation axis to retract from the main body side coupling side. And
The release member is a tapered surface formed on the side surface of the end of the unit side coupling on the main body side coupling side by being moved, and the main body in the rotation axis direction of the unit side coupling The unit side coupling is retracted from the main body side coupling side by abutting a tapered surface formed so as to increase in diameter as the distance from the side coupling side increases and sliding on the tapered surface. unit.

Images