JP6463006B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a cartridge that is detachable from an apparatus main body.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, a copier, or a multifunction machine that forms an image on a recording material using an image forming process is known. In the image forming apparatus, the image forming process means is singly or in combination as a unit, and is detachably attached to the apparatus main body as a cartridge. Examples of the cartridge include a developing cartridge in which a developing device is unitized, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, and a drum cartridge in which a photosensitive drum cleaner is unitized.

  In the image forming apparatus having such a configuration, the image forming process means on the cartridge side does not operate alone, but operates by receiving a rotational driving force from a driving source such as a motor provided in the apparatus main body. In order to operate the image forming process means on the cartridge side, an Oldham coupling is conventionally provided in the cartridge, and the cartridge and the apparatus main body are sometimes connected by Oldham coupling (Patent Document 1). The Oldham coupling is provided in each of a driven part fixed to an image forming process means (for example, a developing sleeve) on the cartridge side, a driving part connected to a rotating body on the apparatus main body side, and the driving part and the driven part. And an intermediate portion having key grooves on both sides for engaging the protrusions. The intermediate portion is provided between the driving portion and the driven portion, and slides while maintaining the engagement with the driving portion and the driven portion, thereby absorbing the shaft misalignment from the rotating body on the apparatus body side to the cartridge side. A rotational driving force (torque) is transmitted to the image forming process means.

  Further, when the apparatus main body and the cartridge are connected by Oldham coupling, the cartridge can be moved between the attachment / detachment position and the driving position by utilizing the fact that the intermediate portion can slide with respect to the driving portion and the driven portion. I have to. That is, the cartridge reciprocates between the attachment / detachment position where the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body and the drive position where the image forming process means on the cartridge side efficiently receives the rotational driving force from the apparatus main body as the intermediate portion slides. Is done.

JP 2011-170378 A

  By the way, when the cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, if the image forming process means on the cartridge side and the image forming process means on the apparatus main body are extremely close to each other, they are likely to come into contact with each other. For example, when a developing cartridge that can be inserted and removed along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum provided on the apparatus main body side is attached or detached, if the developing sleeve on the cartridge side and the photosensitive drum on the apparatus main body contact, The sleeve or the photosensitive drum may be damaged. Therefore, in order to prevent contact of the image forming process means that may occur when the cartridge is attached / detached, it is preferable to increase the length from the attaching / detaching position to the driving position as described above, that is, to ensure the maximum amount of movement of the intermediate portion.

  However, in the conventional configuration in which the Oldham coupling is provided in the cartridge, it may be difficult to ensure a large amount of movement of the intermediate portion. For example, in the case where the developing cartridge has a protruding portion that protrudes in the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum at the end portion to be inserted into the apparatus main body, the amount of movement of the intermediate portion that slides in the direction intersecting the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum is set. It is difficult to secure large. In this case, when the developing cartridge is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body, the developing sleeve on the developing cartridge side and the photosensitive drum on the apparatus main body side may come into contact with each other.

  As described above, in the conventional configuration in which the Oldham coupling is provided in the cartridge, the moving amount of the intermediate portion cannot be secured sufficiently. Therefore, when the cartridge is attached or detached, the image forming process means on the cartridge side and the image on the apparatus main body side are used. Contact was likely to occur with the forming process means.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is an image forming apparatus in which contact between the image forming process means on the cartridge side and the image forming process means on the apparatus main body hardly occurs when the cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. For the purpose of provision.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an apparatus main body having a photosensitive member, a drive source, a developer carrying member capable of carrying a developer, and rotating to supply the developer to the developer carrying member. A developer screw that conveys the developer, and a developer container that rotatably supports the developer carrier and the conveyer screw to store the developer, and that is formed on the photosensitive member. An image can be developed by the developer carrying member, and the developer carrying member can be moved to a separated position farther from the photosensitive member than the developing position. A cartridge inserted and removed in the direction of the rotation axis of the conveying screw, and provided on the cartridge at an end portion downstream in the insertion direction of the cartridge, and the rotational driving force from the driving source is applied to the developing position at the developing position. A first drive transmission portion for transmitting to the feed screw; a drive transmission mechanism provided in the apparatus main body, the rotary body pivotally supported by the apparatus main body and rotated by a rotational driving force of the drive source; and the first drive Movement between the first position where the cartridge is fitted to the transmission section and the second position where the rotational driving force is transmitted to the first drive transmission section is interlocked with the movement of the separation position and the development position of the cartridge. The second drive transmission unit that performs the sliding movement in a predetermined direction passing through the rotation center of the rotating body in conjunction with the movement of the second drive transmission unit between the first position and the second position. Rotating driving force from the driving source by engaging with the second drive transmission unit and engaging with the second body so as to be slidable in a direction crossing the predetermined direction. Through the second drive transmission section. A drive transmission mechanism having an intermediate portion that transmits to the drive transmission portion, and the cartridge projects further downstream in the insertion direction than a portion that pivotally supports the developer carrier, and develops into the developer container. A projecting portion formed with a replenishing port for replenishing the agent, wherein the intermediate portion is in a state in which the first drive transmission unit and the second drive transmission unit are fitted to each other than the replenishment port. A moving region with respect to the rotating body when the second drive transmission unit moves between the first position and the second position when the cartridge is viewed from the insertion direction and is disposed downstream of the insertion direction. At least a part of which overlaps with the protrusion .
In addition, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an apparatus main body having a drive source, a developer carrier that can carry a developer, and a container that accommodates the developer by rotatably supporting the developer carrier. A cartridge that is movable to an insertion / extraction position at which the developer carrier can be inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body in a rotational axis direction, and a driving position to which a driving force from the driving source is transmitted. A first drive transmission portion provided in the cartridge on the downstream end side in the insertion direction of the cartridge and transmitting a rotational driving force from the drive source to the developer carrier at the drive position; and A drive transmission mechanism provided, wherein the rotary body is pivotally supported by the apparatus main body and is rotated by a rotational drive force of the drive source; a first position fitted to the first drive transmission portion; and the rotational drive force. In the first drive transmission part A second drive transmission portion that moves in conjunction with the movement of the insertion / extraction position of the cartridge and the drive position, and the first position and the second position of the second drive transmission portion. The second drive is slidably movable in a direction crossing the predetermined direction and engaged with the rotary body so as to be slidable in a predetermined direction passing through the rotation center of the rotary body in conjunction with movement between the second position and the position. An intermediate part that engages with the transmission part and transmits the rotational driving force from the drive source to the first drive transmission part via the second drive transmission part by rotating in conjunction with the rotating body; The cartridge has a protrusion that protrudes further downstream in the insertion direction than the portion that pivotally supports the developer carrier by the storage portion, and the intermediate portion The first drive transmission unit and the second drive transmission unit In the inserted direction in the insertion direction with respect to the protruding portion, and when the cartridge is viewed from the insertion direction, the second drive transmission portion has the first position and the second position. At least a part of a moving region with respect to the rotating body when moving between is overlapped with the projecting portion.
In addition, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an apparatus main body having a photoconductor and a drive source, a developer carrying body that is detachably provided in the apparatus main body and can carry a developer, and the developer carrying A developer screw that rotates to supply developer to the body and conveys the developer; and a developer container that contains developer capable of rotatably supporting the developer carrier and the carrier screw. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor can be moved to a development position where the developer carrier can develop the image, and the developer carrier can be moved to a separated position farther from the photoconductor than the development position. A cartridge that is inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body in the rotation axis direction of the conveying screw at the separation position, and the cartridge is provided on the cartridge at an end portion downstream in the insertion direction of the cartridge. A first drive transmission portion for transmitting a rotational driving force from the drive source to the conveying screw, and an Oldham coupling mechanism provided in the apparatus main body, which is pivotally supported by the apparatus main body and driven to rotate the drive source The separation position of the cartridge is between a rotating body that rotates by force, a first position that fits the first drive transmission portion, and a second position that transmits the rotational driving force to the first drive transmission portion. And the second drive transmission unit that moves in conjunction with the movement of the development position, and the rotational drive force from the rotary body to the second drive transmission unit between the rotary body and the second drive transmission unit. An Oldham coupling mechanism having an intermediate portion for transmission.

  According to the present invention, when the cartridge is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body, it is possible to prevent the image forming process means provided on the cartridge side from contacting the image forming process means provided on the apparatus main body side.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a developing cartridge. FIG. 2 is a schematic top view showing a developing cartridge. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of Oldham coupling. It is a perspective view explaining a drive part and an intermediate part. It is a figure explaining a guide part. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining mounting of a developing cartridge. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of an attachment / detachment position and a drive position, and an engaging part. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a connected state of the developing cartridge and the apparatus main body. It is the schematic which shows the connection state of a drum cartridge and an apparatus main body. It is a figure explaining mounting | wearing of a drum cartridge.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[Image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a color image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system. An image forming apparatus 60 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called intermediate transfer tandem apparatus in which four color image forming units 600 are arranged in the apparatus main body 100 so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 61.

  A recording material conveyance process of the image forming apparatus 60 will be described. The recording material S is stored in a form that is stacked in a recording material storage (cassette) 62 and is fed by the paper feed roller 63 in accordance with the image formation timing. For example, a friction separation method is used for paper feeding from the recording material storage (cassette) 62. The recording material S sent out by the paper supply roller 63 is conveyed to a registration roller 65 arranged in the middle of the conveyance path 64. Then, after the skew correction and timing correction of the recording material S are performed in the registration roller 65, the recording material S is sent to the secondary transfer portion T2. The secondary transfer portion T2 is a transfer nip portion formed by the opposing secondary transfer inner roller 66 and secondary transfer outer roller 67, and applies a predetermined pressure and electrostatic load bias on the recording material S. The toner image is adsorbed to the toner.

  A process of forming an image sent to the secondary transfer portion T2 at the same timing as the conveyance process of the recording material S to the secondary transfer portion T2 described above will be described. First, the image forming unit 600 will be described. Since the configurations of the image forming units of the respective colors are basically the same except for the color of the toner, the black (BK) image forming unit 600 will be described below as a representative. To do.

  The image forming unit 600 mainly includes a photosensitive drum 1 (photosensitive member, image carrier), a charging device 2, a developing device 3 (developer carrier), a photosensitive drum cleaner 5, and the like. The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to be rotated is uniformly charged in advance by the charging device 2, and then an electrostatic latent image is formed by the exposure device 68 that is driven based on the image information signal. Next, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is visualized through toner development by the developing device 3. Thereafter, a predetermined pressing force and an electrostatic load bias are applied by the primary transfer device 4 disposed so as to face the image forming unit 600 and the intermediate transfer belt 61, and the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is intermediate. Primary transfer is performed on the transfer belt 61. The transfer residual toner slightly remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 is removed by the photosensitive drum cleaner 5 to prepare for the next image forming process again. In the case of the structure shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 600 described above includes four sets of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK). However, the number of colors is not limited to four, and the color arrangement order is not limited to this. The developing device 3 uses a two-component developer in which toner and a magnetic carrier are mixed as a developer. The toner is supplied from the toner bottle 605 set in the image forming apparatus 60 to the developing device 3 via a toner supply device (not shown).

  The intermediate transfer belt 61 will be described. The intermediate transfer belt 61 is an endless belt that is stretched by the tension roller 6, the secondary transfer inner roller 66, and the driven rollers 7 a and 7 b and is conveyed and driven in the direction of arrow C in the drawing. Here, the secondary transfer inner roller 66 also serves as a driving roller for driving the intermediate transfer belt 61. The image forming process of each color processed in parallel by each of the above-described Y, M, C, and BK image forming units 600 is performed at the timing of sequentially superimposing on the upstream color toner image that is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 61. Done. As a result, a full-color toner image is finally formed on the intermediate transfer belt 61 and conveyed to the secondary transfer portion T2. The transfer residual toner after passing through the secondary transfer portion T2 is collected by the transfer cleaner device 8.

  As described above, with the conveyance process and the image forming process described above, the timing of the recording material S and the full-color toner image coincide with each other in the secondary transfer portion T2, and the secondary transfer is performed. Thereafter, the recording material S is conveyed to the fixing device 9, and the toner image is melted and fixed on the recording material S by a predetermined pressure and heat amount. The recording material S on which the image has been fixed in this way is selected to be discharged directly onto the discharge tray 601 or to form a double-sided image by the forward rotation of the discharge roller 69.

  When double-sided image formation is required, the leading edge of the recording material S is conveyed until the trailing edge of the recording material S passes through the switching member 602 by the forward rotation of the discharging roller 69, and then the leading and trailing edges of the recording material S are reversed. Then, it is conveyed to the double-sided conveyance path 603. Thereafter, the sheet is fed again to the transport path 64 by the re-feed roller 604 at the same timing as the recording material of the subsequent job transported from the paper feed roller 63. Subsequent conveyance and back surface image formation processes are the same as those described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[Developer cartridge]
In the image forming apparatus 60 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the developing device 3 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 60 without operating alone, and receives driving force transmission, power supply, and the like from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 60. Thus, the developing cartridge is configured to operate. The developing device 3 (developing cartridge) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The developing device 3 includes a developing container 30 that stores a two-component developer composed of a nonmagnetic toner and a magnetic carrier. The developer is supplied from the developer supply port 32 into the developer container 30 through a toner transport path (not shown) from a toner bottle 605 (see FIG. 1) by a developer supply device (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 60. Is done. The inside of the developing container is divided into two transfer chambers (developing chamber and stirring chamber) by a partition, and the developing chamber and the stirring chamber are connected at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The developing container 30 is provided with a plurality of (for example, two) developer conveying means. Specifically, the first conveying screw 33 and the second conveying screw 34 are rotatably supported in the developing chamber and the stirring chamber, respectively. The first and second conveying screws 33 and 34 are arranged in parallel so as to be adjacent to each other and so that their rotation axes are in the same direction as the rotation axis of the developing sleeve 31 described later. The first and second conveying screws 33 and 34 have a screw structure in which a stirring blade made of a nonmagnetic material is provided in a spiral shape around a rotating shaft. The developer is circulated and conveyed between the developing chamber and the agitating chamber as the first and second conveying screws 33 and 34 are driven.

  The developing container 30 is provided with an opening at a position facing the photosensitive drum 1 (see FIG. 1) on the apparatus main body side, and a developing sleeve 31 as a developer carrying member for carrying and transporting the developer from the opening. It arrange | positions so that the part may be exposed. The developer is supplied to the developing sleeve 31 from the developing chamber. The developer supplied to the developing sleeve 31 is carried on the developing sleeve 31 by a magnetic field generated by a magnet roller (not shown) provided in the developing sleeve 31. A regulating blade (not shown) for forming a thin layer of developer on the surface of the developing sleeve 31 is disposed at a position close to the surface of the developing sleeve 31. The developer carried on the developing sleeve 31 is transported to the developing area facing the photosensitive drum 1 with the layer thickness regulated by the regulating blade.

  The developing device 3 (hereinafter referred to as a developing cartridge) is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 100. That is, the developing cartridge 3 can be inserted into the apparatus main body 100 (see FIG. 1) and can be removed from the apparatus main body 100 so as to be slid in the longitudinal direction. The direction in which the developing cartridge 3 is inserted is the same as the direction of the rotation axis of the developing sleeve 31, the first and second conveying screws 33, 34, and the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 1 on the apparatus body side is the same. is there. Furthermore, it is also the same direction as the rotation axis direction of the drive unit 103 (see FIG. 4 described later) that is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body. As will be described in detail later, in the image forming apparatus 60 according to the present embodiment, an Oldham coupling that is a shaft coupling member is disposed in the apparatus main body. Therefore, the developing cartridge 3 is provided with a coupling portion 201 as a second rotating body. As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling part 201 is rotated at the cartridge end side (left side in FIG. 3) connected to the Oldham coupling (see FIG. 4 described later) disposed in the apparatus main body 100. The first conveying screw 33 as a member is fixed to one end in the rotation axis direction. That is, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the apparatus main body 100 to the first conveying screw 33. The second conveying screw 34 rotates following the rotation of the first conveying screw 33.

  In the developing cartridge 3 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first and second conveying screws 33 and 34 are arranged in parallel and their ends are arranged at positions shifted in the rotational axis direction. A part of the end of the cartridge connected to the Oldham coupling is formed in a stepped shape having a protruding portion 35 that protrudes toward the apparatus main body 100 side (specifically, the stirring chamber is more than the developing chamber). A developer supply port 32 is provided on the upper surface of the protrusion 35. Here, of the first and second conveying screws 33, 34, the end of one second conveying screw 34 projects in the direction of insertion into the apparatus main body from the end of the other first conveying screw 33. Yes. A developer replenishing port 32 for replenishing the developer is provided on the end side of the second conveying screw 34. This is because the developer supply port 32 is positioned below the developer supply port of a developer supply device (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 100 in a state where the developing cartridge 3 is mounted on the apparatus main body 100, and the developer. This is to join the supply port and the developer supply port 32 without any gap.

  By the way, according to the conventional configuration, the Oldham coupling is arranged on the developing cartridge 3 side, specifically, at one end in the rotation axis direction of the first conveying screw 33. In this case, it is difficult to ensure a large amount of movement of the intermediate portion. That is, since the outer peripheral surface of the Oldham coupling faces the protruding portion 35, the size (specifically, the size of the diameter) of the Oldham coupling is limited by the protruding portion 35. If the Oldham coupling diameter cannot be increased, the amount of movement of the intermediate portion (the length capable of moving in the direction intersecting the rotation axis direction of the first conveying screw 33) also decreases. In the first place, since the intermediate portion moves in a direction intersecting the rotation axis direction of the first conveying screw 33, the movable range of the intermediate portion is limited by the protrusion 35. For these reasons, in the conventional configuration in which the Oldham coupling is provided in the developing cartridge 3, it is difficult to ensure a large amount of movement of the intermediate portion. If a large amount of movement of the intermediate portion cannot be secured, the developing cartridge 3 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 100 at a position where the distance between the developing sleeve 31 on the developing cartridge side and the photosensitive drum 1 on the apparatus main body side is short. Then, when the developing cartridge 3 is shaken when the developing cartridge 3 is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body, the developing sleeve 31 and the photosensitive drum 1 may come into contact with each other due to the shake and damage the surfaces thereof.

  In view of this, in the image forming apparatus 60 according to the present embodiment, an Oldham coupling, which is a shaft coupling member, is provided in the apparatus main body, so that the amount of movement of the intermediate portion is ensured to be larger than that of the related art. This will be described below.

[Oldham coupling]
The Oldham coupling will be described with reference to FIGS. The Oldham coupling shown in FIG. 4 includes an engaging portion 101, an intermediate portion 102, and a driving portion 103. The drive unit 103 as the first rotating body is attached to the apparatus main body so as to be rotatable and the rotation axis is substantially parallel to the insertion direction into the apparatus main body, and drives a motor or the like as a rotating member provided in the apparatus main body. It rotates by receiving a rotational driving force generated by a source (not shown). As shown in FIG. 5, the driving portion 103 is integrally provided with a rib 105 as an engaging member, and the intermediate portion 102 is formed with a groove 111 as an engaged member. The ribs 105 and the grooves 111 are slidably fitted so that the intermediate part 102 can move along the ribs 105 in a direction intersecting the rotational axis direction of the drive part 103. However, since the outer edge portion 103 a that protrudes toward the cartridge side is provided on the outer periphery of the driving portion 103, the intermediate portion 102 reciprocates only within the driving portion 103. That is, the outer edge portion 103a restricts the movement of the intermediate portion 102.

  Further, a groove 112 is formed in the intermediate portion 102 on the surface opposite to the surface engaged with the driving portion 103. The engaging portion 101 is engaged with the groove 112 (see FIG. 4). The engaging portion 101 can move along the groove 112 in a direction crossing the rotational axis direction of the driving portion 103. The engaging portion 101 is engaged with a coupling portion 201 provided on the first conveying screw 33 on the side opposite to the intermediate portion 102.

  Thus, the intermediate part 102 is disposed between the drive part 103 and the engaging part 101 (see FIG. 4), and grooves 111 and 112 that are orthogonal to each other are formed on both surfaces of the intermediate part 102 (see FIG. 4). (See FIG. 5). Therefore, when the engaging portion 101 is fixed, the intermediate portion 102 intersects the rotation axis direction of the engaging portion 101 and the driving portion 103 while maintaining the engagement with the engaging portion 101 and the driving portion 103, respectively. And it becomes possible to move in two directions orthogonal to each other. Due to the movement of the intermediate portion 102, the Oldham coupling absorbs the shaft misalignment between the driving portion 103 and the engaging portion 101, and the rotational driving force generated in the apparatus main body 100 is further supplied to the developing cartridge 3 side via the coupling portion 201. To the first conveying screw 33.

[Guidance Department]
The guide part 104 holds the engaging part 101 rotatably. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the guide unit 104 includes an arm 104a extending in the left-right direction in the figure (horizontal direction with respect to the main body grounding surface) and an upper side in the figure (on the opposite side to the main body grounding surface). And an arm 104b extending in a substantially T-shape. Both ends of the arm 104 a are locked to a restricting portion 107 fixed to the apparatus main body 100. The restricting portion 107 is provided with a groove 107a extending in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the main body grounding surface) in the figure, and the tip of the arm 104a is fitted in the groove 107a. Therefore, the guide portion 104 moves only in the vertical direction in the figure by the restricting portion 107 while holding the engaging portion 101. Then, the movement of the intermediate portion 102 engaged with the engaging portion 101 is restricted, so that the intermediate portion 102 reciprocates between the attaching / detaching position shown in FIG. 6A and the driving position shown in FIG. 6B. Be guided to. In this way, the developing cartridge 3 is correctly positioned at the attaching / detaching position and the driving position.

  The drive position is a position where the axis of the drive unit 103 and the axis of the engagement unit 101 substantially coincide. In the driving position, the first conveying screw 33 of the developing cartridge 3 connected to the engaging portion 101 via the coupling portion 201 is efficiently rotated from a driving source (not shown) of the apparatus main body 100 via the driving portion 103. Can receive driving force. On the other hand, the attachment / detachment position is a position where the axis of the drive unit 103 and the axis of the engagement unit 101 are deviated (that is, decentered) from the drive position. At the attachment / detachment position, the user can attach / detach the developing cartridge 3 to / from the apparatus main body 100 by engaging / disengaging the engaging portion 101 and the coupling portion 201. The developing sleeve 31 is close to the photosensitive drum 1 provided on the apparatus main body 100 side in the driving position, and the developing sleeve 31 is separated from the photosensitive drum 1 provided on the apparatus main body 100 side in the attachment / detachment position.

  An urging member 106 made of an elastic member such as a spring is attached to the arm 104b. The other end of the urging member 106 is fixed to the apparatus main body 100. The urging member 106 urges the guide portion 104 downward in the drawing. Accordingly, when the developing cartridge 3 is not inserted, the guide portion 104 is naturally lowered by gravity so that the engaging portion 101 is positioned at the attachment / detachment position.

  By the way, the developing cartridge 3 is moved from the attaching / detaching position shown in FIG. 6A to the driving position shown in FIG. 6B in conjunction with opening and closing of the door provided in the apparatus main body, and attached to the apparatus main body 100. Is done. Therefore, the mounting of the developing cartridge 3 to the apparatus main body 100 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7D and FIGS. 8A and 8B.

  FIG. 7A shows a state in which the developing cartridge 3 has started to be inserted into the apparatus main body 100. The door 40 is in an open state. The developing cartridge 3 is inserted into the apparatus main body 100 from the door 40 side in the direction of arrow E (the longitudinal direction of the developing cartridge 3) in the drawing. In this state, as shown in FIG. 8A, the engaging portion 101 stands by at the attachment / detachment position. In addition, although the coupling part 201 exists in the position which opposes the engaging part 101, it is not engaging with the engaging part 101. FIG.

  FIG. 7B shows a state in which the developing cartridge 3 is inserted all the way into the mounted main body. The door 40 remains open. When the developing cartridge 3 is inserted to the back of the apparatus main body (right side in the figure), the coupling part 201 engages with the engaging part 101. However, the engaging part 101 (and the coupling part 201) remains in the attachment / detachment position shown in FIG. That is, the developing cartridge 3 is positioned in the longitudinal direction, but is not positioned in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the main body ground plane) in the figure.

  FIG. 7C shows a state in which the door 40 is slightly closed from the state shown in FIG. When the door 40 begins to close, the support member 50 provided in the apparatus main body 100 slides and is positioned below the developing cartridge 3 (on the main body grounding surface side), and the supporting member 50 contacts the lower surface of the developing cartridge 3. I support this. Even in this state, the engaging portion 101 (and the coupling portion 201) remains in the attachment / detachment position shown in FIG.

  On the lower surface of the developing cartridge 3, pressed members 36 are respectively provided at a plurality of locations (here, 2 locations) on the door 40 side and the back side of the apparatus main body. The member to be pressed 36 is formed in, for example, a triangular cross section having an inclined surface with a downward protrusion amount increasing from the door 40 side toward the back of the apparatus main body. On the other hand, a pressing member 51 protruding toward the developing cartridge 3 is formed on the support member 50 at a predetermined position corresponding to the pressed member 36 of the developing cartridge 3. The pressing member 51 is disposed on the support member 50 so as to be positioned closer to the door 40 than the pressed member 36 of the developing cartridge 3 when the supporting member 50 is positioned below the developing cartridge 3.

  FIG. 7D shows a state in which all the doors 40 are closed. When the door 40 is further closed from the state shown in FIG. 7C, the protrusion 41 provided on the door 40 comes into contact with the end surface of the support member 50, and the support member 50 is pushed into the back of the apparatus main body. In accordance with this, the pressing member 51 of the support member 50 contacts the inclined surface of the pressed member 36 and presses the pressed member 36. Then, the developing cartridge 3 is pushed upward in the figure (on the side opposite to the main body grounding surface) until the pressed member 36 is placed on the pressing member 51. Accordingly, the engaging portion 101 (and the coupling portion 201) is moved by the guide portion 104 from the attachment / detachment position shown in FIG. 8 (a) toward the driving position shown in FIG. 8 (b). At this time, the engaging portion 101 (and the coupling portion 201) is moved from the attaching / detaching position toward the driving position by the guide portion 104 described above. When all the doors 40 are finally closed, the engaging portion 101 (and the coupling portion 201) is positioned at the driving position shown in FIG. 8B. Thus, the support member 50 supports the developing cartridge 3 in conjunction with opening and closing of the door 40 and moves in the guide direction of the guide unit 104. As a result, the developing cartridge 3 is also positioned in the vertical direction in the drawing and is correctly mounted on the apparatus main body 100.

  When all the doors 40 of the apparatus main body 100 are opened from the closed state, the operation described with reference to FIG. 7A to FIG. Is moved from the drive position shown in FIG. 8B toward the attachment / detachment position shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows a connected state of the developing cartridge 3 and the apparatus main body 100 in the image forming apparatus 60 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus main body 100 and the developing cartridge 3 are connected by an Oldham coupling including a driving unit 103, an intermediate unit 102, and an engaging unit 101, and a coupling unit 201. As can be understood from FIG. 9, the intermediate portion 102 engaged with each of the driving portion 103 and the engaging portion 101 is the end portion side of the developing cartridge 3 formed in a step shape (the side connected to the Oldham coupling). ) Is located closer to the apparatus main body 100 than the protrusion 35.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 60 according to this embodiment in which the Oldham coupling is provided in the apparatus main body 100 and the coupling portion 201 is provided in the developing cartridge 3, the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 102 does not face the protruding portion 35. The intermediate portion 102 can be disposed in the middle. As such, the movement of the intermediate portion 102 is not limited by the protrusion 35. The image forming apparatus 60 according to the present embodiment is limited only by the size of the drive unit 103. Similarly to the intermediate portion 102, the driving portion 103 can be disposed at a position where the outer peripheral surface does not face the protruding portion 35, so that the size (diameter) of the driving portion 103 is not limited by the protruding portion 35. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the drive unit 103 having a larger diameter. In other words, the amount of movement of the intermediate portion 102 can be easily adjusted simply by changing to the driving portion 103 having a different diameter. As described above, in the image forming apparatus 60 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to ensure a large movement amount of the intermediate unit 102 as compared with the conventional case. Since a large amount of movement of the intermediate portion 102 can be secured, even if the developing cartridge 3 is shaken when the developing cartridge 3 is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 100, the developing sleeve 31 and the photosensitive drum 1 do not contact with each other due to the shake.

Further, the guide unit 104 moves the developing cartridge 3 so as to reciprocate between the attaching / detaching position shown in FIG. 6A and the driving position shown in FIG. The developing cartridge 3 can be reliably engaged with the engaging portion 101. Further, when the developing cartridge 3 is automatically moved in conjunction with the door 40 to be attached to the apparatus main body 100, the developing cartridge 3 can be correctly positioned at the driving position or the attaching / detaching position.

  The configuration according to the present embodiment can be similarly applied to an image forming apparatus in which a drum cartridge in which the photosensitive drum 1, the charging device 2, and the photosensitive drum cleaner 5 are integrated is mounted on the apparatus main body 100. Therefore, an image forming apparatus in which the drum cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body will be described with reference to FIGS. For the sake of illustration, the charging device 2 is not shown.

[Drum cartridge]
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a connected state of the drum cartridge and the apparatus main body. Compared with the developing cartridge 3 shown in FIG. 9, the drum cartridge 200 is provided with the photosensitive drum 1 at the position of the first conveying screw 33 and the recovered toner conveying screw 71 at the position of the second conveying screw 34. Further, a developer discharge port 72 is provided on the lower surface side of the protruding portion 35. A photosensitive drum cleaner 5 is provided at a position facing the photosensitive drum 1, and the photosensitive drum cleaner 5 can remove the transfer residual toner slightly remaining on the photosensitive drum 1. The collected transfer residual toner is conveyed to a developer discharge port 72 by a collected toner conveying screw 71 as a developer conveying means and discharged to the outside. The drum cartridge 200 is mounted in the apparatus main body 100 so that the developer discharge port 72 communicates with an opening of a discharged developer bottle (not shown). The drum cartridge 200 having such a configuration is provided with a shutter 73 that opens and closes the developer discharge port 72 in accordance with the attaching / detaching operation so that the developer does not leak when the attaching / detaching to the apparatus main body 100 is performed. In the case of the drum cartridge 200, the photosensitive drum 1 is close to the developing sleeve 31 provided on the apparatus main body 100 side in the driving position, and the photosensitive drum 1 is separated from the developing sleeve 31 provided on the apparatus main body 100 side in the attachment / detachment position. To do.

  The drum cartridge 200 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 100 (see FIG. 1) so as to slide in the longitudinal direction. That is, the attaching / detaching direction of the drum cartridge 200 is the same direction as the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 and the collected toner conveying screw 71 and also the same direction as the rotation axis direction of the developing sleeve (not shown) on the apparatus main body side. Similar to the developing cartridge 3 described above, since the Oldham coupling is disposed in the apparatus main body 100, the drum cartridge 200 is provided with a coupling portion 201. As shown in FIG. 10, the coupling portion 201 is fixed to one end in the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1 on the cartridge end side (left side in FIG. 10) connected to the Oldham coupling. That is, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the apparatus main body 100 to the photosensitive drum 1.

  In the drum cartridge 200 shown in FIG. 10, the photosensitive drum 1 and the collected toner conveying screw 71 are arranged in parallel and their ends are arranged at positions shifted in the rotation axis direction. The cartridge end on the side connected to the Oldham coupling is formed in a stepped shape having a protruding portion 35 on the side of the collected toner conveying screw 71 that protrudes further toward the apparatus main body 100 than on the photosensitive drum 1 side. Here, of the photosensitive drum 1 and the collected toner conveying screw 71, the end of the collected toner conveying screw 71 protrudes from the end of the photosensitive drum 1 in the insertion direction into the apparatus main body. A developer discharge port 72 for discharging the developer is provided on the end side of the collected toner conveying screw 71.

  By the way, the drum cartridge 200 is moved from the attaching / detaching position shown in FIG. 6A to the driving position shown in FIG. Is done. Therefore, the mounting operation of the drum cartridge 200 to the apparatus main body 100 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11D and FIGS. 8A and 8B.

  FIG. 11A shows a state in which the drum cartridge 200 is started to be inserted into the apparatus main body 100. The door 40 is in an open state. The drum cartridge 200 is inserted into the apparatus main body 100 from the door 40 side in the direction of arrow E (longitudinal direction of the drum cartridge) in the drawing. In this state, as shown in FIG. 8A, the engaging portion 101 stands by at the attachment / detachment position. In addition, although the coupling part 201 exists in the position which opposes the engaging part 101, it is not engaging with the engaging part 101. FIG. The shutter 73 is a position where the developer discharge port 72 is closed.

  FIG. 11B shows a state in which the drum cartridge 200 is inserted all the way to the mounting body. However, the door 40 remains open. When the drum cartridge 200 is inserted to the back of the apparatus main body (right side in the drawing), the coupling part 201 engages with the engaging part 101. However, the engaging part 101 (and the coupling part 201) remains in the attachment / detachment position shown in FIG. That is, the drum cartridge 200 is positioned in the longitudinal direction, but is not positioned in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the ground plane of the apparatus main body 100). The shutter 73 is a position where the developer discharge port 72 is closed.

  FIG. 11C shows a state in which the door 40 is slightly closed from the state shown in FIG. When the door 40 begins to close, the support member 50 provided in the apparatus main body 100 slides and is positioned below the drum cartridge 200 (on the main body grounding surface side). The support member 50 contacts the lower surface of the drum cartridge 200. I support this. Even in this state, the engaging portion 101 (and the coupling portion 201) remains in the attachment / detachment position shown in FIG. Further, the shutter 73 remains at the position where the developer discharge port 72 is closed.

  On the lower surface of the drum cartridge 200, pressed members 36 are provided at a plurality of locations (here, two locations) on the door 40 side and the back side of the apparatus main body 100. The member to be pressed 36 is formed in, for example, a triangular cross section having an inclined surface with a downward protrusion amount increasing from the door 40 side toward the back of the apparatus main body. On the other hand, a pressing member 51 that protrudes toward the drum cartridge 200 is formed on the support member 50 in association with the pressed member 36 of the drum cartridge 200. The pressing member 51 is disposed on the support member 50 so as to be positioned closer to the door 40 than the pressed member 36 of the drum cartridge 200 when the support member 50 is positioned below the drum cartridge 200.

  FIG. 11D shows a state where all the doors 40 are closed. When the door 40 is further closed from the state shown in FIG. 11C, the protrusion 41 provided on the door 40 comes into contact with the end surface of the support member 50, and the support member 50 is pushed into the back of the apparatus main body. In accordance with this, the pressing member 51 of the support member 50 contacts the inclined surface of the pressed member 36 and presses the pressed member 36. Then, the drum cartridge 200 is pushed upward so that the pressed member 36 is placed on the pressing member 51. Accordingly, the engaging portion 101 (and the coupling portion 201) moves from the attachment / detachment position shown in FIG. 8 (a) toward the driving position shown in FIG. 8 (b). At this time, the engaging portion 101 (and the coupling portion 201) is accurately moved from the attaching / detaching position toward the driving position by the guide portion 104. When all the doors 40 are closed, the engaging portion 101 (and the coupling portion 201) is positioned at the driving position shown in FIG. In this way, the drum cartridge 200 is mounted on the apparatus main body 100.

  The pressing member 51 pushes the drum cartridge 200 upward until the engaging portion 101 (and the coupling portion 201) is positioned at the driving position, and then comes into contact with the protruding portion 74 of the shutter 73. When the door 40 is further closed, the pressing member 51 pushes the protruding portion 74 of the shutter 73 toward the back side of the apparatus main body. Then, the shutter 73 that has closed the developer discharge port 72 moves to a position where the developer discharge port 72 is opened. Thus, the developer discharge port 72 is communicated with the opening of the discharged developer bottle (not shown) in the apparatus main body 100.

  When the door 40 of the apparatus main body 100 is opened from the closed state, the shutter 73 is first moved from the position where the developer discharge port 72 is opened in accordance with the movement of the support member 50 toward the door 40. Move to the closed position. Then, the operations described with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11D are followed in reverse, and the drum cartridge 200 is lowered. Accordingly, the engaging portion 101 (and the coupling portion 201) is moved from the driving position shown in FIG. 8B toward the attaching / detaching position shown in FIG.

  As described above, the configuration according to the present embodiment can be applied to the drum cartridge 200 in the same manner, and thereby, the same effect as in the case of the developing cartridge 3 described above can be obtained. That is, a large amount of movement of the intermediate section 102 can be ensured, so that even if the drum cartridge 200 is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body 100, the developing sleeve on the apparatus main body 100 side and the photosensitive on the drum cartridge 200 side are exposed. There is no contact with the drum 1. Further, the amount of movement of the intermediate portion 102 can be easily adjusted by simply changing the size (specifically, the diameter) of the drive portion 103. Further, even when the drum cartridge 200 is automatically mounted in conjunction with the door 40, the drum cartridge 200 is correctly positioned at the drive position or the attachment / detachment position by the guide unit 104.

  In the above-described embodiment, a developing cartridge in which only the developing device is unitized or a drum cartridge in which the photosensitive drum, the charging device, and the photosensitive drum cleaner are unitized is shown as the cartridge. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a process cartridge in which a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a photosensitive drum cleaner, and a developing device are unitized may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photosensitive drum, 3 ... Developing apparatus (developing cartridge), 5 ... Photosensitive drum cleaner 30 ... Developing container, 31 ... Developing sleeve, 32 ... Developer supply port, 33 ... First conveying screw 34 ... Second conveying screw, 35 ... Projection, 40 ... Door, 50 ... Supporting member 60 ... Image forming apparatus, 71 ... Collected toner conveying screw, 72 ... Developer discharge port 73 ... Shutter, 100 ... Main unit, 101 ... Engagement part, 102 ... Intermediate part , 103: Driving unit 103a ... Outer edge part 104 ... Guide part 105 ... Rib 200 ... Drum cartridge 201 ... Coupling part

Claims (21)

An apparatus body having a photoreceptor and a drive source;
A developer carrying member capable of carrying a developer, a conveying screw that rotates to feed the developer to the developer carrying member and conveys the developer, and the developer carrying member and the carrying screw are rotatable. A developing container that supports the developer and supports the developer, and a developing position where the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member can be developed by the developer carrying member, and the developing position more than the developing position. A cartridge capable of moving the agent carrier to a separation position separated from the photosensitive member, and inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body in the rotation axis direction of the apparatus main body at the separation position;
A first drive transmission portion provided on the cartridge on the downstream side in the insertion direction of the cartridge, and transmitting a rotational driving force from the drive source to the conveying screw at the development position;
A drive transmission mechanism provided in the apparatus main body, the rotary body being pivotally supported by the apparatus main body and rotating by a rotational driving force of the drive source, a first position fitted to the first drive transmission unit, and the rotation A second drive transmission portion that moves in conjunction with movement of the separation position and the development position of the cartridge between a second position for transmitting a driving force to the first drive transmission portion, and the second drive. In conjunction with the movement of the transmission portion between the first position and the second position, it engages with the rotating body so as to be slidable in a predetermined direction passing through the rotation center of the rotating body, and intersects the predetermined direction. Engaging with the second drive transmission unit so as to be slidable in the direction of rotation, and rotating in conjunction with the rotating body, thereby rotating the rotational driving force from the drive source through the second drive transmission unit. An intermediate portion that transmits to one drive transmission portion; Comprising: a transmission mechanism, the,
The cartridge has a protruding portion that protrudes further downstream in the insertion direction than a portion that pivotally supports the developer carrying member, and that has a supply port for supplying developer into the developer container,
The intermediate portion is disposed downstream of the replenishing port in the insertion direction with the first drive transmission portion and the second drive transmission portion fitted, and the cartridge is viewed from the insertion direction. In addition, at least a part of a moving region with respect to the rotating body when the second drive transmission unit moves between the first position and the second position overlaps the protrusion.
An image forming apparatus. Provided in the apparatus main body, in conjunction with the movement of the cartridge between the separation position and the development position, guides the movement of the second drive transmission portion between the first position and the second position. A guide to
An urging portion that urges the guide portion so as to hold the second drive transmission portion at the first position in a state where the cartridge is not mounted.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The first position is a position where the rotational axis of the second drive transmission unit and the rotational axis of the rotating body are eccentric.
The second position is a position where the rotation axis of the second drive transmission unit and the rotation axis of the rotating body substantially coincide with each other.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The apparatus main body includes a door which is opened and closed when inserting and removing the cartridge to support the cartridge, supported to the cartridge in association with the opening and closing operation of the door Before moving to the development position from the spaced position Having a holding member ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. Before Machinery rotary body has the said intermediate portion in the rotational axis direction is protruded to the rotation axis direction on the side engaging the outer edge,
The intermediate portion is moved in a direction intersecting the rotational axis of the front Machinery rolling body in contact with the outer edge portion is restricted,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that. The cartridge includes another conveying screw that conveys the developer replenished from the replenishing port to the conveying screw in the developing container,
The transport screw has a rotation axis substantially parallel to a rotation axis of the developer carrier, and the first drive transmission unit is fixed to one end of the transport screw in the rotation axis direction.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The other conveying screw has a rotation axis substantially parallel to a rotation axis of the developer carrier and a rotation axis direction of the conveyance screw,
The cartridge has the protruding portion at an end portion in the rotation axis direction of the other conveying screw.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6. A device body having a drive source;
A developer carrying member capable of carrying the developer; and a housing portion that rotatably supports the developer carrying member to contain the developer, and the developer carrying member is mounted on the apparatus main body. A cartridge that is movable to an insertion / extraction position that can be inserted / extracted in the direction of the rotation axis, and a drive position to which a driving force from the drive source is transmitted,
A first drive transmission portion provided on the cartridge on the downstream side in the insertion direction of the cartridge and transmitting a rotational driving force from the drive source to the developer carrier at the drive position;
A drive transmission mechanism provided in the apparatus main body, the rotary body being pivotally supported by the apparatus main body and rotating by a rotational driving force of the drive source, a first position fitted to the first drive transmission unit, and the rotation A second drive transmission portion that moves in conjunction with a movement between the insertion / extraction position of the cartridge and the drive position between the second position where the drive force is transmitted to the first drive transmission portion, and the second drive. In conjunction with the movement of the transmission portion between the first position and the second position, it engages with the rotating body so as to be slidable in a predetermined direction passing through the rotation center of the rotating body, and intersects the predetermined direction. Engaging with the second drive transmission unit so as to be slidable in the direction of rotation, and rotating in conjunction with the rotating body, thereby rotating the rotational driving force from the drive source through the second drive transmission unit. An intermediate portion that transmits to one drive transmission portion; Comprising: a transmission mechanism, the,
The cartridge has a protruding portion that protrudes further downstream in the insertion direction than a portion that pivotally supports the developer carrier by the housing portion,
The intermediate portion is disposed on the downstream side in the insertion direction with respect to the protrusion in a state where the first drive transmission portion and the second drive transmission portion are fitted, and the cartridge is viewed from the insertion direction. In addition, at least a part of a moving region with respect to the rotating body when the second drive transmission unit moves between the first position and the second position overlaps the protrusion.
An image forming apparatus. Provided in the apparatus main body, and guides the movement of the second drive transmission unit between the first position and the second position in conjunction with the movement of the cartridge between the insertion / extraction position and the drive position. A guide to
An urging portion that urges the guide portion so as to hold the second drive transmission portion at the first position in a state where the cartridge is not mounted.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. The first position is a position where the rotational axis of the second drive transmission unit and the rotational axis of the rotating body are eccentric.
The second position is a position where the rotation axis of the second drive transmission unit and the rotation axis of the rotating body substantially coincide with each other.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The apparatus body supports an opening / closing door that is opened and closed when the cartridge is inserted and removed, and a support member that supports the cartridge and moves the cartridge from the insertion / extraction position to the driving position in conjunction with an opening / closing operation of the opening / closing door. Having
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The rotating body has an outer edge portion protruding in the rotation axis direction on the side where the intermediate portion is engaged in the rotation axis direction,
The intermediate portion is in contact with the outer edge portion and is restricted from moving in a direction intersecting the rotation axis direction of the rotating body.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The apparatus main body has a photoconductor,
The cartridge includes a replenishing port for replenishing the developer in the housing portion, the developer carrying member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor using the developer, and the developer in the housing portion. A first developer conveying unit that conveys the developer to the carrier; and a second developer conveying unit that conveys the developer replenished from the replenishing port to the first developer conveying unit in the storage unit. A developer cartridge,
In the developing cartridge, the developer carrier is close to the photoconductor in a state where the developer cartridge is located at the driving position, and the developer carrier is separated from the photoconductor in a state where the developer carrier is located in the insertion / extraction position
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The first developer conveying means has a rotation axis substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the developer carrier, and the first drive transmission portion is fixed to one end of the first developer conveying means in the rotation axis direction. The
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13. The second developer transport means has a rotation axis substantially parallel to a rotation axis of the developer carrier and a rotation axis direction of the first developer transport means,
The developing cartridge has the protruding portion at an end portion in the rotation axis direction of the second developer conveying means.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. Said cartridge, said has a developer carrier, a cleaner for removing the developer carried on the developer carrier, the substantially parallel axes of rotation and the rotation axis of said developer carrying member, removing the cleaner A drum cartridge provided with a developer conveying means for conveying the developed developer,
The drum cartridge, said developer carrying member in a state located in the driving position is close to the other of the developer carrying member provided in the apparatus body, the developer carrying member in a state positioned in the insertion position Is separated from the other developer carrier ,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that. The developer carrier has a rotation axis substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the other developer carrier, and the first drive transmission unit is fixed to one end of the developer carrier in the rotation axis direction.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 16. The drum cartridge, the end portion in the rotation axis direction before Symbol developer conveying means, have the said projecting portion having a discharge outlet you discharge the developer removed by the cleaner,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. An apparatus body having a photoreceptor and a drive source;
A developer carrying member that is detachably provided in the apparatus main body and capable of carrying the developer; a conveying screw that rotates to feed the developer to the developer carrying member and conveys the developer; and the developer A developer container that contains a developer that can rotatably support the carrier and the conveying screw, and that can develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor by the developer carrier. The developer carrying member can be moved to a position separated from the photosensitive member, and inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body in the direction of the rotation axis of the conveying screw at the separated position. A cartridge,
A first drive transmission portion provided on the cartridge on the downstream side in the insertion direction of the cartridge, and transmitting a rotational driving force from the drive source to the conveying screw at the development position;
An Oldham coupling mechanism provided in the apparatus main body, wherein the rotating body is pivotally supported by the apparatus main body and is rotated by a rotational driving force of the drive source, a first position that is fitted to the first drive transmission unit, and A second drive transmission unit that moves in conjunction with the movement of the separation position and the development position of the cartridge between a second position that transmits a rotational driving force to the first drive transmission unit, and the rotator. An Oldham coupling mechanism having an intermediate portion that transmits the rotational driving force from the rotating body to the second drive transmission portion between the second drive transmission portion and the second drive transmission portion.
An image forming apparatus. The cartridge has a protruding portion that protrudes further downstream in the insertion direction than a portion that pivotally supports the developer carrier by the developing container, and in which a supply port for supplying developer is formed,
The intermediate portion is disposed downstream of the supply port in the insertion direction with the first drive transmission portion and the second drive transmission portion fitted.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 19. The intermediate portion engages the rotating body so as to be slidable in a predetermined direction passing through the rotation center of the rotating body in conjunction with the movement of the second drive transmission portion between the first position and the second position. And engaging the second drive transmission unit so as to be slidable in a direction crossing the predetermined direction.
21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.

Images