JP6728893B2 - Developer cartridge - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a developing cartridge including a developing roller.

Conventionally, a developing device including a toner replenishing device and a developing casing having a developing sleeve is known. The toner replenishing device has a toner replenishing roller for replenishing the internal toner to the developing casing. The rotation of the toner replenishing roller is regulated by engaging a lever provided on the developing device. When the lever is pressed by the member of the copying machine main body, the lever is rotated from the position where it is engaged with the toner supply roller to the position where the engagement with the toner supply roller is released. The toner supply roller rotates when the engagement with the lever is released.
Further, there is known a process unit including a process frame including a developing unit that accommodates a developing roller, and a toner box detachable from the process frame (see Patent Document 2). The process frame has a coupling gear and a drive gear. The drive gear rotates by receiving the drive force of the coupling gear, and transmits the drive force to the transmission gear included in the toner box. The toner box has an agitator. The agitator rotates by receiving a driving force from the transmission gear. As the agitator rotates, the toner in the toner box is supplied to the developing roller in the process frame.

JP-A-62-81678 JP, 2009-3375, A

A method is conceivable in which the lever described in Patent Document 1 is used in the process unit described in Patent Document 2 to control the rotation and stop of the drive gear. However, there is a problem that a space for newly disposing the lever is required and the process unit becomes large in size.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration in which a lever for controlling rotation of gears in the developing cartridge can be arranged while reducing the size of the developing cartridge.

In order to solve the above problems, a developing cartridge according to the present invention includes a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in an axial direction, a coupling rotatable about an axis along the axial direction, and a driving force from the coupling. A first gear that is rotatable about a first shaft along the axial direction and a second gear that is rotatable about a second shaft extending in the axial direction by receiving the first gear. A second gear rotatable in a meshed state between a first position and a second position about the first shaft, and a cam for rotating the second gear between the first position and the second position A third gear configured to rotate the cam by rotating about a third shaft extending in the axial direction, and a lever rotatable about the first shaft.
The third gear is configured to rotate between a third position where the driving force is transmitted from the coupling and a fourth position where the driving force from the coupling is blocked.
The lever engages with the third gear when the third gear is in the fourth position, and disengages from the third gear when the third gear is in the third position. It is rotatable.

According to this configuration, since the lever is arranged coaxially with the first gear, it is possible to arrange the lever for controlling the rotation of the third gear in the developing cartridge while reducing the size of the developing cartridge.

Further, the developing cartridge may include a housing capable of containing a developer, and the lever may be arranged between the first gear and the housing.

According to this, other components can be arranged on the side of the first gear opposite to the housing.

The developing cartridge is rotatable about a fourth shaft extending in the axial direction and is rotatable with a large-diameter gear that receives a driving force from the coupling and the large-diameter gear about the fourth shaft. And a small diameter gear having an outer shape smaller than that of the large diameter gear and engaging with the first gear, wherein the large diameter gear faces the surface of the first gear opposite to the housing. May be.

According to this, the large-diameter gear can be arranged on the side of the first gear opposite to the housing.

Further, the large-diameter gear is arranged at a position farther from the outer surface of the housing than the small-diameter gear in the axial direction, and the lever is located between the housing and the large-diameter gear. May be.

According to this, the space between the housing and the large-diameter gear can be effectively used, so that the developing cartridge can be downsized.

Further, the lever is a cylindrical main body that is rotatable about the first axis and is rotatable, and a first arm that extends from the main body toward the third gear and is rotatable with the main body. A first arm having a first engaging portion engageable with the third gear at an end opposite to the main body portion, the third gear having the third axis as a center. When the third gear is in the fourth position, the lever is configured such that the first engaging portion has the protruding portion of the rotating shaft and the protruding portion that protrudes from the peripheral surface of the rotating shaft. It may be arranged at a fifth position in which the protrusion is engaged by being positioned in the rotation locus.

Further, the lever may be configured to move from the fifth position to a sixth position where the first engaging portion is located outside the rotation locus of the protrusion by receiving a force from the outside. ..

The lever is a second arm that extends from the main body portion toward the third gear and is rotatable with the main body portion, and engages with the third gear at an end opposite to the main body portion. A second arm having a possible second engaging portion, wherein the second engaging portion is arranged within a rotation locus of the protrusion when the lever is located at the sixth position. The third gear may be located at the fourth position by engaging with a protrusion.

The lever is a third arm that extends from the main body portion to the side opposite to the first arm and is rotatable with the main body portion, and has a receiving portion configured to receive a force from the outside. Three arms may be provided, and a distance from the receiving part to the first shaft may be longer than a distance from the first shaft to the first engaging part.

According to this, even if the force applied to the receiving portion is small, the first engaging portion can be easily swung by the lever principle.

The distance from the receiving portion to the first axis may be longer than the distance from the first axis to the second engaging portion.

According to this, even if the force applied to the receiving portion is small, the second engaging portion can be easily swung by the lever principle.

In the cam, the second gear is arranged at the first position in a state where the first engaging portion and the protruding portion are engaged with each other, and the second engaging portion and the protruding portion are engaged with each other. The second gear may be arranged at the second position in a combined state.

Further, the developing cartridge may include a first spring that biases the lever in the rotation direction of the lever from the sixth position to the fifth position.

Further, the developing cartridge may include a second spring that biases the third gear in the rotation direction of the third gear so that the protruding portion approaches the first engaging portion.

Further, the cam may be rotatable around the third shaft together with the third gear.

Further, the developing cartridge may include a supporting member that rotatably supports the first gear and the second gear, and the cam may be in contact with the supporting member.

According to this, as compared with, for example, a structure in which the cam contacts the second gear, wear of the cam can be suppressed.

Further, the developing cartridge may include an agitator configured to stir the developer in the housing and rotatable about the first shaft.

The second gear may mesh with the driven gear when the second gear is located at the first position, and may be separated from the driven gear when the second gear is located at the second position.

Further, the second gear may mesh with the driven gear at the second position and may be separated from the driven gear at the first position.

Further, the developer cartridge may be configured such that a developer cartridge containing a developer therein can be attached and detached, and the developer cartridge may have the driven gear.

In addition, the developer cartridge is a transport member that is capable of transporting the internal toner along the axial direction in order to discharge the internal developer to the developing cartridge, and is centered on the axis along the axial direction. The driven gear may include a rotatable transport member, and the driven gear may be configured to rotate the transport member.

Further, the developing cartridge may further include a photosensitive drum.

According to the present invention, it is possible to arrange a lever for controlling the rotation of the gear in the developing cartridge while reducing the size of the developing cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a process cartridge including the developing cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the developing cartridge in a disassembled state. (A) which looked at the supporting member along the axial direction from the axial direction outer side, (b) which shows the supporting member from the axial direction outer side, and (c) which is the supporting member seen from the axial direction inner side. Is. It is the figure (a) which looked at the 3rd gear along the axial direction from the axial direction outer side, and the perspective view (b) which looked at the 3rd gear from the axial direction outer side. It is the figure (a) which looked at the 3rd gear along the axial direction from the axial direction inside, and the perspective view (b) which looked at the 3rd gear from the axial direction inside. 3A is a view of the lever viewed from the outside in the axial direction along the axial direction, FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the lever viewed from the outside in the axial direction, and FIG. 3C is a perspective view viewed from the inside of the lever in the axial direction. It is the perspective view (a) which looked at the 2nd cover from the axial direction outside, and the perspective view (b) which looked at the 2nd cover from the axial direction inside. FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams illustrating a method of mounting a developer cartridge on a developing cartridge. A side view (a) showing the arrangement of each member when the second gear is located at the first position, an I-I sectional view (b) of FIG. 11, and a II-II sectional view (c) of FIG. 11. is there. A side view (a) showing the arrangement of each member when the second gear is located at the second position, an I-I sectional view (b) of FIG. 11, and a II-II sectional view (c) of FIG. 11. is there. It is a figure which shows the state which attached the 1st cover and the 2nd cover to the housing|casing. It is a figure (a)-(c) which shows operation|movement of each member when a 1st engaging part disengages from a protrusion part. It is a figure (a)-(c) which shows operation|movement of each member when reaching a 2nd position from a 1st position from a 2nd gear. It is a figure (a)-(c) which shows operation|movement of each member when a 1st gear tooth|gear part disengages from a 1st gear. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a developing cartridge according to Modification Example 1, and FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams showing the arrangement of each member when the second gear is located at the first position. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a developing cartridge according to Modification Example 1, and FIGS. 11A to 11C are diagrams showing the arrangement of each member when the second gear is located at the second position. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a developing cartridge according to Modification Example 2, and FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams showing the arrangement of each member when the second gear is located at the first position. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a developing cartridge according to Modification 2, and FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams showing the arrangement of each member when the second gear is located at the second position. It is a figure (a), (b) which shows the modification of a protrusion part. It is a figure which shows the modification of each gear tooth part. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a developing cartridge according to Modification 3.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
As shown in FIG. 1, the process cartridge PC includes a developing cartridge 1 and a developer cartridge 2.

The developing cartridge 1 includes a housing 11, a developing roller 12, a supply roller 13, a layer thickness regulating blade 14, and an agitator 15. The housing 11 contains a developer inside. The casing 11 supports the layer thickness regulating blade 14 and rotatably supports the developing roller 12, the supply roller 13, and the agitator 15.

The developing roller 12 is a roller that supplies a developer to an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor (not shown). The developing roller 12 is rotatable about an axis extending in the axial direction.

The supply roller 13 is a roller that supplies the developer in the housing 11 to the developing roller 12. The layer thickness regulating blade 14 is a member that regulates the thickness of the developer on the developing roller 12.

The agitator 15 includes a rotating shaft 15A rotatable about a first axis X1 along the axial direction, and a stirring blade 15B fixed to the rotating shaft 15A. The housing 11 rotatably supports the rotating shaft 15A. The stirring blade 15B rotates together with the rotating shaft 15A to stir the developer in the housing 11.

The developer cartridge 2 is attachable to and detachable from the developing cartridge 1. The developer cartridge 2 includes a housing 21 that houses the developer therein, and a conveying member 22 that discharges the developer in the housing 21 to the developing cartridge 1. The transport member 22 is rotatable about an axis along the axial direction, and by rotating, the developer inside can be transported along the axial direction. Specifically, the transport member 22 is a screw auger having spiral blades on the peripheral surface of the shaft. The blades of the transport member 22 may be formed integrally with the rotating shaft, or may be formed of a film-shaped member and a member different from the rotating shaft.

The housing 21 has a discharge port 21A for sending the developer in the housing 21 to the developing cartridge 1. The housing 11 of the developing cartridge 1 has a receiving port 11A facing the discharging port 21A. The discharge port 21A and the receiving port 11A are located below the transport member 22 and at one end side in the axial direction of the transport member 22. As a result, when the transport member 22 transports the developer toward the one end side in the axial direction, the developer sent to the one end side is supplied into the housing 11 through the discharge port 21A and the receiving port 11A.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, the transport member 22 has a driven gear 22G for rotating the transport member 22. The driven gear 22G is located at a position to which a driving force can be transmitted from a second gear G2 of the developing cartridge 1 which will be described later and is rotatable, in a state where the developer cartridge 2 is attached to the developing cartridge 1. The driven gear 22G is supported by the shaft of the transport member 22.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9A, the developing cartridge 1 includes a coupling CP, a developing gear Gd, a supply gear Gs, a fourth gear 40, a first gear G1, and a second gear G2. , A third gear 30, a lever 50, a support member 60, a first spring S1, and a second spring S2. Further, the developing cartridge 1 includes a first cover C1 and a second cover C2 attached to one end side of the housing 11 in the axial direction. The first cover C1 exposes a part of the coupling CP to the outside and covers the other part of the coupling CP, the developing gear Gd, and the supply gear Gs from the outside. The second cover C2 covers the fourth gear 40, the first gear G1, the second gear G2, the third gear 30, the lever 50, the support member 60, the first spring S1 and the second spring S2 from the outside.

The first spring S1 is a torsion spring for urging the lever 50 in the rotation direction. The first spring S1 includes a coil portion S13, a first rod-shaped portion S11 extending outward from one end portion of the coil portion S13, and a first spring portion S1 extending outward from the other end portion of the coil portion S13 opposite to the one end portion in the axial direction. It has 2 rod-shaped parts S12. The coil portion S13 of the first spring S1 is housed in the main body portion 54 of the lever 50 described later. The second rod-shaped portion S12 of the first spring S1 engages with the engagement protrusion 11C of the housing 11. The engagement protrusion 11C is a rib that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the boss 11F that rotatably supports the fourth gear 40. The first rod-shaped portion S11 of the first spring S1 engages with the first arm 51 of the lever 50 described later.

The second spring S2 is a torsion spring for urging the third gear 30. The second spring S2 has a coil portion S23, a first rod-shaped portion S21 that extends outward from one end of the coil portion S23, and a first spring portion that extends outward from the other end of the coil portion S23 opposite to the one end thereof in the axial direction. It has 2 rod-shaped parts S22. The coil portion S23 of the second spring S2 is supported by the support shaft 11D formed in the housing 11. The support shaft 11D projects from the housing 11 in the axial direction. The second rod-shaped portion S22 of the second spring S2 engages with the protruding piece 11E formed on the housing 11. The first rod-shaped portion S21 of the second spring S2 engages with a first spring engaging portion 31E or a second spring engaging portion 34 of the third gear 30, which will be described later.

The coupling CP is rotatable about an axis along the axial direction. The coupling CP is configured such that a driving force is input from a driving source such as a motor provided in the main body casing of the image forming apparatus. The coupling CP has a coupling gear Gc. The coupling gear Gc is coaxial with the coupling CP and rotates together with the coupling CP.

The developing gear Gd is a gear for driving the developing roller 12. The developing gear Gd is fixed to the end of the rotating shaft of the developing roller 12. The developing gear Gd meshes with the coupling gear Gc. As a result, the developing gear Gd receives the driving force from the coupling gear Gc and rotates together with the developing roller 12.

The supply gear Gs is a gear for driving the supply roller 13. The supply gear Gs is fixed to the end of the rotation shaft of the supply roller 13. The supply gear Gs meshes with the coupling gear Gc. As a result, the supply gear Gs receives the driving force from the coupling gear Gc and rotates together with the supply roller 13.

The fourth gear 40 is rotatable about a fourth axis X4 extending in the axial direction. Specifically, the boss 11F rotatably supports the fourth gear 40. The fourth gear 40 has a large diameter gear 41 and a small diameter gear 42. The large-diameter gear 41 is arranged at a position farther from the outer surface of the housing 11 than the small-diameter gear 42 in the axial direction. The large-diameter gear 41 faces the surface of the first gear G1 opposite to the housing 11. The large diameter gear 41 meshes with the coupling gear Gc. As a result, the large diameter gear 41 receives the driving force from the coupling CP and rotates together with the small diameter gear 42 about the fourth axis X4.

The small diameter gear 42 is located between the housing 11 and the large diameter gear 41 in the axial direction. The outer diameter of the small diameter gear 42 is smaller than that of the large diameter gear 41. As shown in FIG. 9C, the small diameter gear 42 meshes with the first gear G1. As a result, the first gear G1 rotates by receiving the driving force from the small diameter gear 42.

The first gear G1 is rotatable about a first axis X1 along the axial direction. The first gear G1 is fixed to the rotating shaft 15A of the agitator 15. In other words, the rotating shaft 15A of the agitator 15 supports the first gear G1. As a result, the first gear G1 rotates together with the agitator 15.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 2, the first gear G1 has gear teeth G11 formed on the peripheral surface and a second cylindrical portion G12. The second cylindrical portion G12 extends in the axial direction from the surface of the first gear G1 opposite to the surface facing the housing 11. The second cylindrical portion G12 rotatably supports the inner peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 61, which is one end of the support member 60 described later. The first cylindrical portion 61 is located inside the tip circle of the gear tooth G11 of the first gear G1.

The second cylindrical portion G12 is located between the housing 11 and the large diameter gear 41 in the axial direction. The second cylindrical portion G12 overlaps with the large diameter gear 41 when viewed in the axial direction. The second cylindrical portion G12 is formed in a cylindrical shape centered on the first axis X1 (see FIG. 9C).

As shown in FIG. 9C, the second gear G2 is rotatable about a second axis X2 extending in the axial direction. The second gear G2 meshes with the first gear G1. The second gear G2 is rotatable about the first axis X1 with respect to the first gear G1. Specifically, the second gear G2 is rotatable between a first position shown in FIG. 9(c) and a second position shown in FIG. 10(c). The second gear G2 is separated from the driven gear 22G when it is located at the first position. When located in the second position, the second gear G2 is adjacent to the driven gear 22G and meshes with the driven gear 22G. As a result, the second gear G2 can output the driving force to the driven gear 22G when it is located at the second position.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 2, the support member 60 is a member that rotatably supports the first gear G1 and the second gear G2. The support member 60 is rotatable with the second gear G2 between the first position and the second position about the first axis X1 (see FIG. 9C).

As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the support member 60 includes a first cylindrical portion 61, a first extending portion 62 extending from the first cylindrical portion 61 in the radial direction of the first gear G1, and a first extending portion 62. It has a first cylindrical portion 61 and a second extending portion 63 extending from the first extending portion 62 toward the third gear 30 (see FIG. 9A). The first cylindrical portion 61 is provided at one end of the first extending portion 62 in the radial direction of the first gear G1. The first cylindrical portion 61 is formed in a cylindrical shape centered on the first axis X1.

The 1st extension part 62 has 62 A of cylindrical support shaft parts in the other end part on the opposite side to the one end part in which the 1st cylinder part 61 is provided. The support shaft portion 62A projects from the first extending portion 62 toward the inner side in the axial direction. The support shaft portion 62A rotatably supports the second gear G2. The first extending portion 62 has a rib 62</b>B that projects outward in the axial direction at the peripheral edge portion.

The second extending portion 63 has a curved portion 63A that can come into contact with a cam surface 31D described later. The curved portion 63A is curved along the cam surface 31D (see FIG. 9A). Specifically, the curved portion 63A extends from the first cylindrical portion 61 so as to be separated from the third axis X3 described later as it is separated from the first cylindrical portion 61, and then extends so as to approach the third axis X3. The second extending portion 63 has a rib 63B that projects inward in the axial direction at the peripheral edge portion. The axially inner end surface of the rib 63B faces the end surface of the rib 62B of the first extending portion 62, and is connected to the rib 62B. As a result, the second extending portion 63 is located axially outside the first extending portion 62.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the third gear 30 is rotatable about a third axis X3 extending in the axial direction. The third gear 30 has a cam 31 that moves the second gear G2 between the first position and the second position. The third gear 30 and the cam 31 are composed of one component, and are both rotatable about the third axis X3.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the third gear 30 includes a rotating shaft 32 centered on the third axis X3 and a disc-shaped disc centered on the third axis X3. The portion 33, the cam 31 that projects axially outward from the disc portion 33, and the second spring engagement portion 34 that projects axially outward from the disc portion 33 are integrally provided. The housing 11 rotatably supports the rotating shaft 32. The disk portion 33 extends radially outward from the central portion of the rotary shaft 32 in the axial direction.

The second spring engagement portion 34 is a portion that can be engaged with the first rod-shaped portion S21 (see FIG. 10A) of the second spring S2. The second spring engaging portion 34 projects from the surface of the disk portion 33 opposite to the surface facing the housing 11. The second spring engagement portion 34 is located away from the cam 31 in the rotation direction of the third gear 30. Specifically, the second spring engaging portion 34 is located on the side opposite to the cam 31 with respect to the third axis X3. The second spring engagement portion 34 includes a fourth portion 34A extending in the rotation direction of the third gear 30, a fifth portion 34B extending from one end portion of the fourth portion 34A in the rotation direction toward the third axis X3, and a fourth portion 34B. It has a sixth portion 34C extending from the other end of the portion 34A in the rotation direction to the third axis X3 side.

The fourth portion 34A extends from the sixth portion 34C along the substantially rotational direction, and then bends in an arc shape toward the fifth portion 34B. The fifth portion 34B and the sixth portion 34C are connected to the rotating shaft 32. The fourth portion 34</b>A is located inside the tip of a gear tooth portion 35 of the third gear 30, which will be described later, in the radial direction of the third gear 30.

The cam 31 projects from the surface of the disk portion 33 opposite to the surface facing the housing 11. The axial length of the cam 31 is longer than the axial length of the second spring engaging portion 34. The cam 31 includes a first portion 31A extending in the rotation direction of the third gear 30, a second portion 31B extending from one end of the first portion 31A in the rotation direction toward the third axis X3, and a rotation direction of the first portion 31A. And a third portion 31C extending from the other end to the third axis X3 side.

The first portion 31A extends from the third portion 31C in a substantially rotational direction, and then bends in an arc shape toward the second portion 31B. The second portion 31B and the third portion 31C are connected to the rotating shaft 32. The outer peripheral surface of the first portion 31A is a cam surface 31D that can come into contact with the support member 60 (see FIG. 9A). The first portion 31A is located inside the tip of a gear tooth portion 35 of the third gear 30, which will be described later, in the radial direction of the third gear 30.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9A, the cam 31 (cam surface 31D) contacts the curved portion 63A of the support member 60 when the second gear G2 is located at the first position. Further, as shown in FIG. 10A, the cam 31 is separated from the support member 60 when the second gear G2 is located at the second position. The support member 60 moves from the second position to the first position together with the second gear G2 by being pressed by the rotating cam 31. Further, the support member 60 located at the first position rotates from the first position to the second position together with the second gear G2 while being supported by the cam 31 as the cam 31 rotates in the direction away from the support member 60. Moving.

The distance between the second axis X2 and the third axis X3 when the support member 60 is in contact with the cam 31 is the same as the second axis X2 when the support member 60 is separated from the cam 31. It is longer than the distance between the three axes X3. In other words, the second gear G2 arranged in the first position is located farther from the third axis X3 than the second gear G2 arranged in the second position. More specifically, the distance between the second axis X2 and the third axis X3 when the second gear G2 is in the first position is equal to the distance between the second axis X2 and the second axis X2 when the second gear G2 is in the second position. It is longer than the distance between the three axes X3.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the cam 31 has a first spring engagement capable of being engaged with the second spring S2 (see FIG. 9A) at the end on the side of the disc portion 33. It has a portion 31E. The first spring engagement portion 31E is a portion whose axial length is the same length as the second spring engagement portion 34, and is illustrated as a hatch for convenience.

Here, the distance between the second extending portion 63 of the supporting member 60 and the disc portion 33 is larger than the axial lengths of the first spring engaging portion 31E and the second spring engaging portion 34. There is. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 10A, the second spring S2 that urges the first spring engaging portion 31E or the second spring engaging portion 34 is moved to the second extending portion 63. It is arranged axially inward of the second extension portion 63 so as not to interfere with the second extension portion 63.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the third gear 30 has a gear tooth portion 35 and a missing tooth portion 36 on the peripheral surface. The gear tooth portion 35 and the toothless portion 36 project axially inward from the disc portion 33. Specifically, the gear tooth portion 35 is formed on the circumferential surface of a cylindrical portion 38 that projects inward in the axial direction from the disc portion 33. In addition, the toothless portion 36 constitutes the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 38. The cylindrical portion 38 is coaxial with the rotating shaft 32 and has a larger diameter than the rotating shaft 32.

The gear tooth portion 35 includes a first gear tooth portion 35A and a second gear tooth portion 35B. The first gear tooth portion 35A is located on the side opposite to the second gear tooth portion 35B with respect to the third axis X3. A part of the first gear tooth portion 35A is located between the first spring engagement portion 31E and the second spring engagement portion 34 in the rotation direction of the third gear 30. A part of the second gear tooth portion 35B is located between the first spring engagement portion 31E and the second spring engagement portion 34 in the rotation direction of the third gear 30.

The first gear tooth portion 35A and the second gear tooth portion 35B are positioned so that they can mesh with the first gear G1 (see FIG. 9C). In other words, the addendum circles of the first gear tooth portion 35A and the second gear tooth portion 35B overlap with the addendum circles of the gear teeth G11 of the first gear G1. The first gear tooth portion 35A is connected to the first gear G1 when the second gear G2 is rotationally moved from the first position (the position shown in FIG. 9A) to the second position (the position shown in FIG. 10A). Mesh with each other. The second gear tooth portion 35B is connected to the first gear G1 when the second gear G2 rotationally moves from the second position (the position shown in FIG. 10A) to the first position (the position shown in FIG. 9A). Mesh with each other. In this way, the first gear tooth portion 35A or the second gear tooth portion 35B meshes with the first gear G1, whereby the driving force is transmitted from the first gear G1 to the third gear 30, and the cam 31 moves at a predetermined angle (approximately 180 degrees). (°) only rotates.

The missing tooth portion 36 includes a first missing tooth portion 36A and a second missing tooth portion 36B. The first missing tooth portion 36A is located on the side opposite to the second missing tooth portion 36B with respect to the third axis X3. In other words, in the rotation direction of the third gear 30, the first missing tooth portion 36A or the second missing tooth portion 36B is located between the first gear tooth portion 35A and the second gear tooth portion 35B.
The first missing tooth portion 36A is located between the first spring engaging portion 31E and the second spring engaging portion 34 in the rotation direction of the third gear 30. The second missing tooth portion 36B is located between the first spring engaging portion 31E and the second spring engaging portion 34 in the rotation direction of the third gear 30.

As shown in FIG. 9C, the first missing tooth portion 36A faces the first gear G1 when the second gear G2 is located at the first position. As shown in FIG. 10C, the second missing tooth portion 36B faces the first gear G1 when the second gear G2 is located at the second position.

That is, the third gear 30 is rotatable to a third position where the first gear G1 and the gear tooth portion 35 mesh with each other and a fourth position where the missing tooth portion 36 and the first gear G1 face each other. Here, the third position means an arbitrary position where the first gear G1 meshes with a gear tooth of either the first gear tooth portion 35A or the second gear tooth portion 35B. Further, the fourth position means an arbitrary position where the first gear G1 faces the first chipped tooth portion 36A or the second chipped tooth portion 36B. The third gear 30 receives the driving force from the first gear G1 when located in the third position, and blocks the driving force transmitted from the first gear G1 when located in the fourth position. It has become.

Returning to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the third gear 30 has a protrusion 37. The protruding portion 37 is located on the inner side in the axial direction of the second gear tooth portion 35B. In other words, the protruding portion 37 is arranged between the housing 11 and the gear tooth portion 35 in the axial direction. The projecting portion 37 projects radially outward from the peripheral surface of the rotary shaft 32. The protruding portion 37 is located radially inward of the tip circle of the second gear tooth portion 35B.

The protrusion 37 includes a seventh portion 37A extending in the rotation direction of the third gear 30, an eighth portion 37B extending from one end of the seventh portion 37A in the rotation direction toward the third axis X3, and a rotation of the seventh portion 37A. And a ninth portion 37C extending from the other end in the direction toward the third axis X3. The seventh portion 37A is formed in an arc shape centered on the third axis X3. The eighth portion 37B and the ninth portion 37C are connected to the rotating shaft 32.

As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 11 has a cylindrical cylindrical portion 11B that extends in the axial direction about the first axis X1. The cylindrical portion 11B is formed so as to surround the rotating shaft 15A of the agitator 15. The cylindrical portion 11B rotatably supports the lever 50. The lever 50 is arranged between the first gear G1 and the housing 11 in the axial direction. The lever 50 is arranged between the large-diameter gear 41 and the housing 11 in the axial direction.

As shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c), the lever 50 has a fifth position (position in FIG. 9(b)) and a sixth position (FIG. 10(b)) around the first axis X1. Position) and can be rotated. The lever 50 has a cylindrical main body 54 centered on the first axis X1, and a first arm 51, a second arm 52, and a third arm 53 that are rotatable with the main body 54.

The main body portion 54 includes a ring-shaped plate-shaped portion 54A having the first axis X1 as a center, a cylindrical inner peripheral flange portion 54B protruding axially outward from an inner peripheral edge portion of the plate-shaped portion 54A, and a plate-shaped portion. 54A has a first outer peripheral flange portion 54C and a second outer peripheral flange portion 54D that are arcuate and project outward in the axial direction from the outer peripheral edge portion of 54A. The space between the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral flange portion 54B and the inner peripheral surface of each outer peripheral flange portion 54C, 54D is a housing space for housing the coil portion S13 of the first spring S1 shown in FIG. ..

The first outer peripheral flange portion 54C is located on the opposite side of the second outer peripheral flange portion 54D with respect to the first axis X1. Both ends of the first outer peripheral flange portion 54C in the rotation direction are separated from the third arm 53 in the rotation direction of the lever 50. One end of the first outer peripheral flange portion 54C in the rotation direction is located between the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 in the rotation direction. The axially outer end surface of the first outer peripheral flange portion 54C has a recess 54E that is recessed axially inward. The space inside the recess 54E is a space into which the first rod-shaped portion S11 of the first spring S1 shown in FIG. 2 is inserted. The recess 54E faces a spring hooking portion 51D of the first arm 51, which will be described later, in the radial direction. The first rod-shaped portion S11 of the first spring S1 passes through the recess 54E and engages with the spring hook portion 51D. As a result, the first spring S1 biases the lever 50 in the rotation direction of the lever 50 from the sixth position to the fifth position (see FIGS. 9B and 10B).

The second outer peripheral flange portion 54D extends in the rotation direction from the base end portion of the third arm 53 to the base end portion of the second arm 52. A space between one end portion of the second outer peripheral flange portion 54D in the rotation direction, specifically, an end portion on the side opposite to the second arm 52 and the first outer peripheral flange portion 54C is a space of the first spring S1 shown in FIG. It is a space into which the second rod-shaped portion S12 is inserted.

The axially inner surface of the plate-shaped portion 54A has a rotation restricting portion 54F that projects inward in the axial direction. The rotation restricting portion 54F is located in an arcuate groove (not shown) formed in the housing 11. The movement of the rotation restricting portion 54F is restricted at each end of the groove of the housing 11, so that the lever 50 is restricted to the fifth position or the sixth position.

The first arm 51 extends from the main body portion 54 toward the third gear 30 when the lever 50 is located at the fifth position (see FIG. 9B). The first arm 51 includes a plate-shaped portion 51A orthogonal to the first axis X1, a first engagement portion 51B that projects outward in the axial direction from an end of the plate-shaped portion 51A opposite to the main body portion 54, and a first engagement portion 51B. It has the 1st engagement part 51B and the connection part 51C which connects the 1st outer peripheral flange part 54C of the main-body part 54.

The first engaging portion 51B has a plate shape including a surface 51F that is orthogonal to the first axis X1 and is orthogonal to the first straight line L1 that passes through the first axis X1. The surface 51F of the first engaging portion 51B is a surface of the first engaging portion 51B on the radially inner side of the main body portion 54. As shown in FIG. 9B, the surface 51F of the first engaging portion 51B can be engaged with the protruding portion 37 of the third gear 30 when the lever 50 is located at the fifth position. That is, the first engagement portion 51B is located within the rotation locus of the protrusion 37 when the lever 50 is located at the fifth position. Further, the first engaging portion 51B is located outside the rotation locus of the projecting portion 37 when the lever 50 is located at the sixth position, as shown in FIG. 10(b).

Then, in the state where the protruding portion 37 is engaged with the first engaging portion 51B, the first toothless portion 36A of the third gear 30 faces the first gear G1 as shown in FIG. 9C. .. That is, the first engaging portion 51B is engaged with the protruding portion 37 when the third gear 30 is at the fourth position where the driving force transmitted from the first gear G1 is blocked. As a result, the third gear 30 is maintained in a state in which the driving force is not transmitted from the first gear G1.

Further, when the first engaging portion 51B is engaged with the protruding portion 37, the second spring S2 is in contact with the first spring engaging portion 31E, as shown in FIG. 9A. As a result, the second spring S2 biases the third gear 30 in the rotational direction so that the protrusion 37 approaches the first engagement portion 51B. At this time, since the surface 51F of the first engaging portion 51B that receives the biasing force from the protruding portion 37 is orthogonal to the above-described first straight line L1, the biasing force applied to the first engaging portion 51B is the first straight line. It works in the direction along L1. As a result, the biasing force does not act in the direction of rotating the lever 50, so that the rotation of the lever 50 due to the biasing force can be suppressed.

Further, in the state where the projecting portion 37 is engaged with the first engaging portion 51B, as shown in FIG. 9A, the cam 31 is held at a position above the third axis X3, and the second gear G2 is It is located in the first position.

Returning to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the connecting portion 51C projects axially outward from the end of the plate-shaped portion 51A in the rotation direction. The connecting portion 51C has a spring hooking portion 51D that extends toward the opposite side of the plate-shaped portion 51A at a substantially central portion in the radial direction.

The second arm 52 extends from the main body portion 54 toward the third gear 30 when the lever 50 is located at the sixth position (see FIG. 10B). The second arm 52 includes a plate-shaped portion 52A orthogonal to the first axis X1, a second engagement portion 52B that projects outward in the axial direction from an end of the plate-shaped portion 52A on the side opposite to the main body portion 54, and The second engaging portion 52B and the second outer peripheral flange portion 54D of the main body portion 54 have a connecting portion 52C. The plate-shaped portion 52A and the plate-shaped portion 51A are connected by a connecting plate-shaped portion 55 that projects radially outward from the main body 54.

The second engagement portion 52B has a plate shape including a surface 52F that is orthogonal to the first axis X1 and is orthogonal to the second straight line L2 that passes through the first axis X1. The surface 52F of the second engaging portion 52B is a surface of the second engaging portion 52B on the outer side in the radial direction of the main body portion 54. The surface 52F of the second engaging portion 52B is engageable with the protruding portion 37 of the third gear 30 when the lever 50 is located at the sixth position, as shown in FIG. 10(b). That is, the second engagement portion 52B is located within the rotation trajectory of the protrusion 37 when the lever 50 is located at the sixth position. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the second engagement portion 52B is located outside the locus of rotation of the protrusion 37 when the lever 50 is located at the fifth position.

Then, in the state in which the protruding portion 37 is engaged with the second engaging portion 52B, the second missing tooth portion 36B of the third gear 30 faces the first gear G1 as shown in FIG. 10C. .. That is, the second engagement portion 52B is engaged with the protruding portion 37 when the third gear 30 is at the fourth position where the driving force transmitted from the first gear G1 is blocked. As a result, the third gear 30 is maintained in a state in which the driving force is not transmitted from the first gear G1.

When the second engagement portion 52B is engaged with the protruding portion 37, the second spring S2 is in contact with the second spring engagement portion 34, as shown in FIG. As a result, the second spring S2 biases the third gear 30 in the rotational direction so that the protrusion 37 approaches the second engagement portion 52B. At this time, since the surface 52F of the second engaging portion 52B that receives the biasing force from the protrusion 37 is orthogonal to the above-described second straight line L2, the biasing force applied to the second engaging portion 52B is the second straight line. It works in the direction along L2. As a result, the biasing force does not act in the direction of rotating the lever 50, so that the rotation of the lever 50 due to the biasing force can be suppressed.

Further, in the state where the projecting portion 37 is engaged with the second engaging portion 52B, as shown in FIG. 10A, the cam 31 is held at a position below the third axis X3, and the second gear G2 is It is located in the second position.

Returning to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the third arm 53 has a first extending portion 53A, a second extending portion 53B, a third extending portion 53C, and a receiving portion 53D. ing. The first extending portion 53A extends from the main body portion 54 toward the side opposite to the first arm 51, and then extends in the first direction from the fifth position to the sixth position. The first extending portion 53A has a plate-shaped portion that is orthogonal to the first axis X1, and a plurality of ribs that project outward from the plate-shaped portion in the axial direction.

The second extending portion 53B extends from the end of the first extending portion 53A toward the outer side in the axial direction and the outer side in the radial direction. The second extending portion 53B is formed in an L shape in cross section.

The third extending portion 53C extends from the end of the second extending portion 53B toward the side opposite to the first direction. The third extending portion 53C is formed in an L shape in cross section.

The receiving portion 53D extends radially outward from the end of the third extending portion 53C. The receiving portion 53D is configured to receive a force from the outside. Specifically, the receiving portion 53D is configured to receive a force from a drive lever DL (see FIG. 10A) provided in the image forming apparatus main body.

The distance from the receiving portion 53D to the first axis X1 is longer than the distance from the first engaging portion 51B to the first axis X1. The distance from the receiving portion 53D to the first axis X1 is longer than the distance from the second engaging portion 52B to the first axis X1.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the second cover C2 has a guide portion C21 that guides the protrusion 23 (see FIG. 8A) provided on the developer cartridge 2. Here, the protrusion 23 is formed in a long shape that is long in one direction. The central portion of the protrusion 23 in the longitudinal direction is located on the rotation axis of the above-described transport member 22 (see FIG. 1).

The guide portion C21 includes first guide portions C22 and C23 that guide the protrusion 23 in the longitudinal direction, and second guide portions C24 and C25 that guide the protrusion 23 to rotate around the rotation axis of the transport member 22. And third guide portions C26 and C27 for restricting the rotation of the protrusion 23. The guide surfaces of the first guide portions C22 and C23 are perpendicular to the guide surfaces of the third guide portions C26 and C27.

With the guide portion C21 thus configured, the developer cartridge 2 is rotated by 90° after being inserted into the developing cartridge 1 in the orientation shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Then, it is mounted in the direction shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the process cartridge PC will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, when it is desired to rotate the developing roller 12, the supply roller 13, and the agitator 15 without rotating the conveying member 22, as shown in FIG. 9A, the image forming apparatus main body is driven. The lever DL is arranged at a position separated from the lever 50. As a result, the lever 50 is located at the fifth position by the biasing force of the first spring S1.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 9B, the protruding portion 37 of the third gear 30 is engaged with the first engaging portion 51B of the lever 50. Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, the first chipped tooth portion 36A of the third gear 30 faces the first gear G1. Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, the support member 60 is lifted by the cam 31. As a result, the second gear G2 is located at the first position.

By arranging each member in this way, the driving force input from the image forming apparatus main body to the coupling CP is directly transmitted to the developing gear Gd and the supply gear Gs, and also via the fourth gear 40. It is transmitted to the 1st gear G1. The second gear G2 idles in a state of being separated from the driven gear 22G. As a result, only the developing roller 12, the supply roller 13, and the agitator 15 can be rotated without rotating the transport member 22.

When the drive lever DL is rotated from this state to the position shown in FIG. 12B, the third arm 53 of the lever 50 is pushed against the urging force of the first spring S1 by the drive lever DL, and the lever 50 moves. Rotate from the fifth position to the sixth position. As a result, the first engaging portion 51B of the lever 50 is disengaged from the protruding portion 37.

When the first engaging portion 51B is disengaged from the protruding portion 37, the third gear 30 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing by the biasing force of the second spring S2, as shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12C, the first gear tooth portion 35A of the third gear 30 meshes with the first gear G1.

When the first gear tooth portion 35A meshes with the first gear G1, the driving force is transmitted from the first gear G1 and the third gear 30 further rotates, as shown in FIG. 13(c). As a result, the cam 31 rotates in a direction away from the support member 60, as shown in FIG.

When the cam 31 rotates in this way, the support member 60 supported by the cam 31 rotates from the first position to the second position. Specifically, the support member 60 rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the first gear G1 by frictionally engaging with the first gear G1.

By such rotation of the support member 60, the second gear G2 supported by the support member 60 also rotates from the first position to the second position. As a result, the second gear G2 meshes with the driven gear 22G, and the transport member 22 rotates.

After that, when the third gear 30 further rotates, the second spring engaging portion 34 contacts the first rod-shaped portion S21 of the second spring S2 and presses the first rod-shaped portion S21 upward in the drawing. In the initial stage of pushing the first rod-shaped portion S21 at the downstream side in the rotational direction of the second spring engaging portion 34, the second spring engaging portion 34 resists the biasing force of the second spring S2. The first rod-shaped portion S21 is pushed up. When the portion of the second spring engaging portion 34 on the upstream side in the rotational direction contacts the first rod-shaped portion S21, the biasing force of the second spring S2 acts on the downstream side in the rotational direction with respect to the second spring engaging portion 34. It is like this.

As shown in FIG. 14C, when the first gear tooth portion 35A of the third gear 30 is disengaged from the first gear G1, the transmission of the driving force from the first gear G1 to the third gear 30 is cut off. At this time, as shown in FIG. 14A, the second spring S2 urges the second spring engaging portion 34 to the downstream side in the rotational direction, so that the third gear 30 causes the second spring S2 to move. 14B, the protrusion 37 engages with the second engaging portion 52B of the lever 50, as shown in FIG. 14B. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14A, the rotation of the third gear 30 is stopped and the cam 31 is held at a position away from the support member 60, so that the second gear G2 is maintained at the second position. It

It should be noted that the operation for returning the drive lever DL to the original position (the position shown in FIG. 9A) from the state shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C is substantially the same as the operation shown in FIGS. Since the operation is the same, the description of the same operation is omitted. When the drive lever DL is returned to the original position (position in FIG. 9A), the lever 50 returns from the sixth position to the fifth position by the biasing force of the first spring S1. As a result, the second engaging portion 52B disengages from the protruding portion 37, and the cam 31 rotates to the position shown in FIG. 9A and stops by the same operation as described above. As the supporting member 60 is pressed and rotated by the rotating cam 31, the second gear G2 moves from the second position to the first position.

According to the above, the following effects can be obtained in the present embodiment.
The movable second gear G2 provided in the developing cartridge 1 can be moved by using the driving force of the coupling CP.

The second gear G2 is moved to the first position and the second position by the cam 31 that is rotated by the driving force from the coupling CP. Therefore, for example, compared with a structure in which a large solenoid that generates a large force is provided in the developing cartridge and the second gear is moved by the solenoid, the driving force input to the coupling CP can be used to reduce the cost. it can.

The support member 60 supports the first gear G1 and the second gear G2. The second gear G2 rotates between the first position and the second position about the first axis X together with the support member 40 while meshing with the first gear G1. As a result, the second gear G2 moves between the first position and the second position while maintaining the distance from the first gear G1 while the first gear G1 rotates. Therefore, the second gear G2 can transmit or release the driving force to the transport member 22. Further, for example, as compared with the structure in which the gear between the two gears is moved in the axial direction to transmit or release the driving force, the second gear G2 rotates about the first axis X1. It is possible to reliably transmit or release the driving force to.

The cam surface 31D contacts the support member 60. The support member 40 does not move with respect to the cam surface 31D while being in contact with the cam surface 31D. Therefore, wear of the cam surface 31D can be suppressed as compared with, for example, a structure in which the cam surface contacts the second gear.

Since the cam 31 and the third gear 30 are formed as one component, the structure can be simplified as compared with, for example, a structure in which the cam and the third gear are separate bodies.

When the gear tooth portion 35 meshes with the first gear G1, the cam 31 receives the driving force from the first gear G1 and rotates, so that the cam 31 moves the second gear G2 favorably to the first position or the second position. Can be made Further, since the cam 31 does not receive the driving force from the first gear G1 when the toothless portion 36 faces the first gear G1, the cam 31 moves the second gear G2 to the first position or the second position. Can be held. That is, the second gear G2 can be held at the first position and the second position by utilizing the third gear 30 that rotates in one direction.

The lever 50 is arranged coaxially with the first gear G1. Thereby, a space for disposing the fourth gear 40 that meshes with the first gear G1 can be provided. Therefore, the developing cartridge 1 can be downsized.

The force applied from the protruding portion 37 to the surface 51F of the first engaging portion 51B acts in the direction along the first straight line L1 orthogonal to the first axis X1, so the lever 50 swings due to the force from the protruding portion 37. Can be suppressed.

The force applied from the protrusion 37 to the surface 52F of the second engagement portion 52B acts in the direction along the second straight line L2 orthogonal to the first axis X1, and therefore the lever 50 swings by the force from the protrusion 37. Can be suppressed.

When the engagement between the lever 50 and the third gear 30 is released, the third gear 30 is rotated by the urging force of the second spring S2, so that the gear tooth portion 35 and the first gear G1 can be reliably engaged.

Since the cam 31 has the first spring engaging portion 31E, the cam 31 can have two functions of rotating the second gear G2 and engaging with the second spring S2.

Since the second portion 31B and the third portion 31C extending toward the third axis X3 are provided at both ends in the rotation direction of the first portion 31A having the cam surface 31D, the cam surface 31D is formed as the second portion 31B and the third portion. It can be reinforced by 31C.

Since the first spring engagement portion 31E and the second spring engagement portion 34 that is distant from the first spring engagement portion 31E in the rotation direction are provided, even if the orientation of the third gear 30 changes, the second spring S2. Can urge either the first spring engaging portion 31E or the second spring engaging portion 34.

Since the second spring engaging portion 34 is composed of the fourth portion 34A and the fifth portion 34B and the sixth portion 34C extending toward the third axis X3, the rigidity of the second spring engaging portion 34 is increased. be able to.

Since the axial length of the cam 31 is longer than the axial length of the second spring engaging portion 34, the support member 60 can be arranged on one axial side of the second spring engaging portion 34. .. Therefore, the support member 40 can contact the cam surface 31D of the cam 31 without contacting the second spring engaging portion 34.

Since the distance from the receiving portion 53D to the first axis X1 is made longer than the distance from the first engaging portion 51B to the first axis X1, even if the force applied to the receiving portion 53D is small, the lever principle allows The 1 engagement part 51B can be rocked easily.

Since the distance from the receiving portion 53D to the first axis X1 is longer than the distance from the second engaging portion 52B to the first axis X1, even if the force applied to the receiving portion 53D is small, the The 2 engaging part 52B can be easily rocked.

Since the first gear G1 supports one end of the support member 60, the support member 60 can be made smaller than, for example, a structure in which the first gear supports the central portion of the support member.

Since one end of the support member 60 is located inside the tip circle of the gear tooth G11 of the first gear G1, for example, one end of the support member is outside the tip circle of the gear tooth of the first gear. Compared with the protruding structure, it is possible to suppress interference between other components arranged near the first gear G1 and one end of the support member 60.

Since the lever 50 is arranged between the first gear G1 and the housing 11, another component (the large-diameter gear 41 of the fourth gear 40) is provided on the side of the first gear G1 opposite to the housing 11. Can be placed.

By disposing the lever 50 between the housing 11 and the large-diameter gear 41, the space between the housing 11 and the large-diameter gear 41 can be effectively used, so that the developing cartridge 1 can be downsized. You can

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be used in various forms as exemplified below. In the following description, members having substantially the same structure as those of the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the above embodiment, when the second gear G2 is located at the first position (position separated from the driven gear 22G), the cam 31 comes into contact with the support member 60, and the second gear G2 moves to the second position (driven gear 22G is Although the cam 31 is separated from the support member 60 when the cam 31 is located at the meshing position), the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIGS. 15A to 15C, when the second gear G2 is separated from the driven gear 22G, the cam 31 is separated from the support member 600, and FIGS. As shown in, the cam 31 may make contact with the support member 600 when the second gear G2 meshes with the driven gear 22G. Here, the support member 600 according to this embodiment has a shape greatly different from that of the support member 60 of the above-described embodiment, but has a structure for rotating about the first axis X1, a first gear G1 and a second gear. Since the structure for rotatably supporting G2 is the same, detailed description of the structure is omitted. Although the other members have some differences in shape, the structure itself for realizing the function of each member is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

In this structure, when the drive lever DL is rotated from the position of FIG. 15(a) to the position of FIG. 16(a), the lever 50 is rotated from the fifth position to the sixth position, and the first engaging portion 51B is moved. It comes off from the protrusion 37. As a result, the third gear 30 is rotated by the urging force of the second spring S2, and the first gear tooth portion 35A meshes with the first gear G1.

When the first gear tooth portion 35A meshes with the first gear G1, the third gear 30 receives the driving force from the first gear G1 and rotates clockwise in the drawing. As a result, the cam 31 rotates from the lower position in the drawing toward the upper position in the drawing. Then, when the cam 31 comes into contact with the support member 600, the support member 600 is pushed up by the cam 31 and moves to the first position together with the second gear G2.

As shown in FIG. 16C, when the second missing tooth portion 36B faces the first gear G1, the transmission of the driving force from the first gear G1 to the third gear G3 is cut off. After that, the second spring S2 biases the first spring engaging portion 31E, so that the protruding portion 37 engages with the second engaging portion 52B and the third gear is engaged, as shown in FIG. 16(b). The rotation of 30 is stopped and the cam 31 is maintained at the position supporting the support member 600.

When the drive lever DL is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 16A to the position shown in FIG. 15A, the lever 50 is rotated from the sixth position to the fifth position by the urging force of the first spring S1, and the second engagement is performed. The joint portion 52B is disengaged from the protruding portion 37. As a result, the cam 31 rotates in the direction away from the support member 600. By such rotation of the cam 31, the support member 600 supported by the cam 31 gradually rotates downward in the figure, and the second gear G2 moves to the second position shown in FIG. The support member 600 is held at the second position by a holding member (not shown) at the second position.

As shown in FIG. 15C, when the first missing tooth portion 36A faces the first gear G1, the transmission of the driving force from the first gear G1 to the third gear G3 is cut off. Then, the second spring S2 biases the second spring engaging portion 34, so that the protrusion 37 engages with the first engaging portion 51B and the third gear is engaged, as shown in FIG. 15B. The rotation of 30 is stopped and the cam 31 is maintained at a position separated from the support member 600. That is, when the support member 600 is located at the second position together with the second gear G2, the cam 31 is separated from the support member 600.

In the above-described embodiment, the second gear G2 is moved to the first position and the second position by contacting/separating the cam 31 with the support member 60, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 17A, the support member 60 and the second gear G2 are held at the first position by the third spring S3, and the support by the third spring S3 is performed as shown in FIG. 18A. The support member 60 and the second gear G2 may be moved to the second position by releasing the cam 31 provided on the third gear 30.

Specifically, in this structure, the second spring engaging portion 34 is removed from the third gear 30 of the above embodiment, and the third spring S3 is provided instead of the second spring S2 of the above embodiment. The third spring S3 is a torsion spring. The third spring S3 has a coil portion S33, a first rod-shaped portion S31 extending outward from one end of the coil portion S33, and a second rod-shaped portion S32 extending outward from the other end of the coil portion S33. .. The coil part S33 is supported by the housing 11. The second rod-shaped portion S32 is engaged with the housing 11. The first rod-shaped portion S31 is in contact with the support member 60 located at the first position. A part of the first rod-shaped portion S31 is located within the rotation trajectory of the cam 31.

In this structure, when the drive lever DL is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 17A to the position shown in FIG. 18A, the lever 50 is rotated from the fifth position to the sixth position, and the first engagement portion 51B is moved. It comes off from the protrusion 37. As a result, the third gear 30 rotates and the cam 31 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing.

As shown in FIG. 18A, when the rotating cam 31 contacts the first rod-shaped portion S31 of the third spring S3, the first rod-shaped portion S31 is pressed by the cam 31 to rotate clockwise in the drawing. .. As a result, the support of the support member 60 on the first rod-shaped portion S31 is released, and the support member 60 moves from the first position to the second position together with the second gear G2.

When the drive lever DL is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 18A to the position shown in FIG. 17A, the lever 50 is rotated from the sixth position to the fifth position, and the second engaging portion 52B is moved from the protruding portion 37. Come off. As a result, the third gear 30 rotates and the cam 31 rotates in the direction away from the first rod-shaped portion S31.

As a result, the first rod-shaped portion S31 returns to the position shown in FIG. 17A due to the urging force thereof. When the first rod-shaped portion S31 contacts the support member 60 during this operation, the support member 60 is pressed counterclockwise in the drawing by the first rod-shaped portion S31. As a result, the support member 60 moves to the first position together with the second gear G2.

In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the developing cartridge 1 to which the developer cartridge 2 is attachable and detachable, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the developer cartridge may be integrally formed with the developer cartridge. Specifically, the developing cartridge is provided in the first accommodating portion that accommodates the developer inside, the second accommodating portion that receives the developer in the first accommodating portion, and the developer in the first accommodating portion. May have a conveying member configured to convey the sheet toward the second accommodating portion, and a driven gear for rotating the conveying member. In this case, the second gear can be configured to mesh with the driven gear when the second gear is located at the second position.

As shown in FIG. 21, the developing cartridge 1 may further include a photosensitive drum PD to which the developer is supplied from the developing roller 12.

The shape of the projecting portion 37 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be, for example, the shape shown in FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19A, the protrusion 370 according to this embodiment has a seventh portion 37A, an eighth portion 37B, and a ninth portion 37C that are substantially the same as those in the above embodiment. The outer peripheral surface of the seventh portion 37</b>A has a recess 371 that is recessed toward the rotary shaft 32. The recessed portion 371 has a size capable of engaging with the first engagement portion 51B. The distance from the concave portion 371 to the ninth portion 37C arranged on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the third gear 30 is larger than the distance from the concave portion 371 to the eighth portion 37B on the downstream side in the rotation direction.

Here, when the developing cartridge 1 receives a force from the outside in a new state, the lever 50 slightly rotates clockwise in the drawing and then returns to the original position by the urging force of the first spring S1. It may move. In this case, when the first engaging portion 51B is disengaged from the eighth portion 37B of the protruding portion 370 by the clockwise rotation of the lever 50 in the drawing, the third gear 30 is counterclockwise in the drawing by the urging force of the second spring S2. It turns around. However, when the lever 50 is rotated so as to return to the original position by the biasing force of the first spring S1, the first engaging portion 51B enters into the recess 371, so that the third gear 30 is not rotated unintentionally. Can be suppressed.

In the above embodiment, the first gear tooth portion 35A and the second gear tooth portion 35B are composed of a plurality of gear teeth, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the first gear tooth portion 135A and the second gear tooth portion 135B may be formed of a plate-shaped rubber continuous in the circumferential direction of the third gear 30. In this case, the first gear tooth portion 135A and the second gear tooth portion 135B engage with the first gear G1 by friction. The gear teeth of the other gears may be made of rubber in the same manner.

In the above-described embodiment, the third gear 30 is configured to directly mesh with the first gear G1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an idle gear may be arranged between the first gear G1 and the third gear 30. In this case, the third gear 30 rotates by meshing with the idle gear. Even with such a configuration, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

1 Development Cartridge 12 Development Roller 31 Cam CP Coupling G1 First Gear G2 Second Gear X1 First Shaft 31 Cam 30 Third Gear 50 Lever

Claims (20)

A developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in the axial direction;
A coupling rotatable about an axis along the axial direction,
A first gear that is rotatable about a first axis along the axial direction by receiving a driving force from the coupling,
A second gear rotatable about a second shaft extending in the axial direction, wherein the second gear is rotatable about the first shaft between a first position and a second position while meshing with the first gear. Second gear,
A cam for rotating the second gear between the first position and the second position;
A third gear configured to rotate the cam by rotating about a third shaft extending in the axial direction;
A lever rotatable about the first axis,
A spring for urging the third gear in the rotation direction of the third gear ,
The third gear is
It has a gear tooth part and a chipped tooth part on the peripheral surface,
The gear tooth portion meshes with the first gear or an idle gear to which the driving force is transmitted from the first gear, so that a third position where the driving force is transmitted from the coupling and the missing tooth portion is the first position. And a fourth position where the driving force from the coupling is blocked by facing the gear or the idle gear ,
The third gear is in the fourth position when the lever is engaged with the third gear,
A developing cartridge, wherein when the lever is disengaged from the third gear, the third gear is rotated from the fourth position to the third position by the urging force of the spring . Equipped with a housing that can store the developer,
The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the lever is disposed between the first gear and the housing. A large-diameter gear that is rotatable about a fourth shaft extending in the axial direction and that receives a driving force from the coupling;
A small-diameter gear that is rotatable with the large-diameter gear about the fourth shaft and has an outer shape smaller than that of the large-diameter gear and that engages with the first gear;
The developing cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the large-diameter gear faces a surface of the first gear opposite to the housing. The large-diameter gear is arranged at a position farther from the outer surface of the housing than the small-diameter gear in the axial direction,
The developing cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the lever is located between the housing and the large-diameter gear. The lever is
A cylindrical body that is rotatable about the first axis and that is rotatable;
A first arm extending from the main body portion toward the third gear and rotatable with the main body portion, the first arm being engageable with the third gear at an end opposite to the main body portion. A first arm having a portion,
The third gear is
A rotation axis about the third axis,
A protrusion protruding from the peripheral surface of the rotating shaft,
When the third gear is in the fourth position, the lever is arranged in the fifth position in which the first engaging portion engages with the protrusion by being located within the rotation locus of the protrusion. The developing cartridge according to claim 4, wherein: The lever may be configured to move from the fifth position to a sixth position where the first engaging portion is located outside the rotation locus of the protrusion by receiving a force from the outside. The developing cartridge according to claim 5. The lever is
A second arm extending from the main body toward the third gear and rotatable with the main body, the second arm engaging an end opposite to the main body with the third gear. A second arm having a section,
When the lever is located at the sixth position, the second engagement portion is arranged within the rotation locus of the protrusion to engage with the protrusion, and the third gear moves to the fourth gear. 7. The developing cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the developing cartridge is located at a position. The lever is a third arm that extends from the main body portion to the side opposite to the first arm and is rotatable with the main body portion, and has a receiving portion configured to receive a force from the outside. Equipped with
The developing cartridge according to claim 7, wherein a distance from the receiving portion to the first shaft is longer than a distance from the first shaft to the first engaging portion. The developing cartridge according to claim 8, wherein a distance from the receiving portion to the first shaft is longer than a distance from the first shaft to the second engaging portion. The cam is
Arranging the second gear at the first position in a state where the first engaging portion and the protruding portion are engaged,
10. The structure according to claim 7, wherein the second gear is arranged at the second position in a state where the second engaging portion and the protruding portion are engaged with each other. Development cartridge. The first spring for urging the lever from the sixth position to the fifth position in the rotational direction of the lever is provided, and the first spring is arranged according to any one of claims 6 to 10. Development cartridge. The spring, as the protrusion approaches the first engagement portion, of claim 11, wherein the third gear from claim 5, wherein the biasing to Turkey in the rotational direction of the third gear The developing cartridge according to any one of items. The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the cam is rotatable around the third shaft together with the third gear. A support member that rotatably supports the first gear and the second gear,
The developing cartridge according to claim 2 , wherein the cam contacts the supporting member. The developing cartridge according to claim 2, further comprising an agitator configured to stir the developer in the housing and rotatable about the first shaft. The second gear is
Meshes with the driven gear when in the first position,
The developing cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the developing cartridge is separated from the driven gear when the developing cartridge is located at the second position. The second gear is
Meshed with the driven gear at the second position,
The developing cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developing cartridge is separated from the driven gear at the first position. A developer cartridge that contains the developer inside is removable.
18. The developing cartridge according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the developer cartridge has the driven gear. The developer cartridge is
In order to discharge the internal developer to the developing cartridge, there is provided a transport member capable of transporting the internal toner along the axial direction, the transport member being rotatable about an axis along the axial direction,
19. The developing cartridge according to claim 18, wherein the driven gear is configured to rotate the transport member. 20. The developing cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a photosensitive drum.

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