JP2007321773A - Assembling structure, gear assembling structure, toner cartridge using assembling structure or gear assembling structure, and image forming device with toner cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an assembling structure capable of easily assembling a fitting part formed on an end of a shaft and a fitted part, and capable of automating assembly. <P>SOLUTION: The fitting part 18 is provided on an end of a screw member 17, a fitted hole 27 capable of being fitted with the fitting part 18 is provided on a gear 19, the fitting part 18 and the fitted hole 27 are fitted relatively irrotationally, a plurality of protrusions 18a protruded radially in its cross-sectional surface so as to have equal intervals while having an axis as a center and extending to the axial direction are formed on the fitting part 18, a tapered part 18b tilted so as to be gradually tapered as the whole near a shaft end of the plurality of the protrusions 18a, a plurality of recessions 27b fitted with the protrusion 18a are formed on the fitted hole 27, and a guide surface 27f for relatively rotating the screw member 17 and the gear 19 is formed on the fitted hole 27 so that contact with the tapered part 18b is achieved and the tapered part 18b and the recession 27b coincide with each other when the fitting part 18 is inserted into the fitted hole 27. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an assembling structure, a gear assembling structure, a toner cartridge using the gear assembling structure, and an image forming apparatus including the toner cartridge.

  Conventionally, as in a gear assembly structure in which a gear is assembled to a gear shaft, the tip of a shaft or shaft-like engagement member and the member to be engaged provided with an engaged portion that engages with this tip are relatively An assembling structure that is non-rotatably assembled is well known.

Further, in order to engage the two in such a manner that they cannot be rotated relative to each other like the gear assembly structure of the gear shaft and the gear, for example, the end of the gear shaft is chamfered so as to have a D-shaped section or the like. While being processed, an engaged hole that matches the cross-sectional shape of the shaft is formed on the engaged member side (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 2004-162732 A JP 09-086717 A

  However, in the assembly structure (gear assembly structure) configured as described above, the cross-sectional shape of the shaft tip is not uniform in the circumferential direction, so the relative position between the tip and the engaged hole is determined. For example, in order to perform automatic assembly by robot assembly or the like, a process of aligning the relative positions of both is necessary, and the assembly line becomes complicated. The problem that it ends up occurred.

  Therefore, in consideration of the above circumstances, the present invention can easily assemble the engaging portion formed at the tip of the shaft and the engaging portion, and can automate the assembly. It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure, a gear assembly structure, a toner cartridge using the assembly structure or the gear assembly structure, and an image forming apparatus including the toner cartridge.

  An assembly structure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a shaft-like engagement member having an engagement portion provided at a distal end thereof, and an engagement portion provided with an engagement hole portion engageable with the engagement portion. In the assembling structure in which the engaging portion and the engaged hole portion are engaged with each other so as not to rotate relative to each other, the engaging portions have a radial cross section so as to be evenly spaced about the axis. And a plurality of convex portions that extend along the axial direction, and a tapered portion that is positioned near the axial ends of the plurality of convex portions and is inclined so as to be tapered overall. The engaged hole portion includes a plurality of concave portions that engage with the convex portion, and the tapered portion and the concave portion in contact with the tapered portion when the engaging portion is inserted into the engaged hole portion. And a guide surface for relatively rotating the shaft-like engaging member and the engaged hole member so that they coincide with each other.

  According to the assembly structure of the present invention, when the engaging portion is inserted into the engaged hole portion, the tapered portion comes into contact with the guide surface so that the tapered portion (convex portion) and the concave portion coincide with each other. The convex portion and the concave portion can be engaged after the combined member and the engaged hole member are relatively rotated, and the shaft-like engaging member and the engaged hole member are easily assembled so as not to be relatively rotatable. Can do.

  In the assembly structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, an engagement recess located in the vicinity of the taper is formed in each of the protrusions, and the engagement recess and the elastic are formed in the non-engaged hole. Since one or more engaging claws that can be engaged are formed, it is possible to easily ensure that the engaging portion is prevented from coming off.

  A gear assembly structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a rotatable gear shaft having an engagement portion provided at the tip, and an engaged hole portion engageable with the engagement portion at the center. A gear assembly structure in which the engaging portion and the engaged hole portion are engaged with each other so as not to rotate relative to each other, and the engaging portions have a radial cross section so as to be evenly spaced about the axis. And a plurality of convex portions that extend along the axial direction, and a tapered portion that is positioned near the axial ends of the plurality of convex portions and is inclined so as to be tapered overall. The engaged hole portion includes a plurality of concave portions that engage with the convex portion, and the tapered portion and the concave portion in contact with the tapered portion when the engaging portion is inserted into the engaged hole portion. And a guide surface that relatively rotates the shaft-like engaging member and the engaged hole member so that the two coincide with each other. To.

  According to the gear assembly structure of the present invention, when the engaging portion is inserted into the engaged hole portion, the taper portion comes into contact with the guide surface so that the tapered portion (convex portion) and the concave portion coincide with each other. After the relative rotation of the gear and the gear, the convex portion and the concave portion can be engaged, and the gear shaft and the gear can be easily assembled so as not to be relatively rotatable.

  In the gear assembly structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, an engagement recess located in the vicinity of the taper portion is formed in each protrusion, and the engagement recess and the elastic member are formed in the non-engagement hole portion. By forming one or more engaging claws that can be engaged and disengaged, it is possible to easily secure the engagement portion from coming off.

  In addition, the present invention can be a toner cartridge that employs an assembly structure or a gear assembly structure having any of the above-described configurations.

  Further, the present invention can be an image forming apparatus employing the above-described toner cartridge.

  According to the present invention, the engaging portion formed at the tip of the shaft and the engaging portion can be easily assembled, and the assembly can be automated.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a printer as an image forming apparatus and will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Overall configuration of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a multifunction peripheral as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a multifunction machine 1 as an image forming apparatus includes a paper feed cassette 3 and 4 that supplies a recording paper (not shown) into a main body 2, and a recording paper stored in the paper feed cassette 3 and 4. After the toner is taken out as a conveyance sheet, toner cartridges (toner containers) 5 to 8 for supplying toner for forming a predetermined image on the surface of the conveyance sheet in the conveyance process, and the conveyance sheet after image formation are discharged after fixing. A discharge port 9 and a cover 11 for covering a document placement glass (not shown) when the multifunction device 1 functions as one of a copier, a facsimile machine, and a scanner by operating the operation unit 10 to read the document are provided. Yes.

  An optional device such as a known automatic document feeder (ADF) can be mounted instead of the cover 11. The multifunction device 1 also has a function as a network printer, but the combination of these various functions and the assembly of optional devices are arbitrary.

(Configuration of toner cartridges 5 to 8)
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main part in which a part of the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention is omitted. The toner cartridges 5 to 8 have substantially the same structure except that the color of the toner to be stored is different and the size (capacity) is different depending on the color. Will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the toner cartridge 5 includes a toner chamber 12 and a waste toner chamber 13 which are partitioned on the upper and lower sides of the multifunction machine 1 (the right side in FIG. 2 is the upper side and the left side is the lower side) in the installed state shown in FIG. A cartridge main body 14 having a box shape formed from a pair of (only one is shown) provided, a screw pipe 15 for supplying toner disposed in the toner chamber 12, and a waste toner chamber 13. And a roller sweep holder 16 for pushing waste toner.

  The screw pipe 15 has a function of supplying toner (not shown) stored in the toner chamber 12 to an image forming unit (not shown) in the multifunction machine 1, and has a screw member 17 for toner conveyance inside. Is rotatably provided. The engaging portion 18 of the screw member 17 as the shaft-like engaging member protrudes outside the main body through the cartridge main body 14, and engages with a gear 19 that rotates by being transmitted with power from a driving unit (not shown). .

  For example, the roller sweep holder 16 collects waste toner or the like that has adhered to the photosensitive drum (not shown) constituting the image forming unit and has not adhered to the surface of the conveyance sheet in the waste toner chamber 13. A roller sweep 20 for pushing toner into the waste toner chamber 13 is rotatably held. The engaging portion 21 of the roller sweep 20 projects through the cartridge main body 14 and protrudes outside the main body, and engages with a rotating gear 22 that is transmitted with power from a driving unit (not shown).

  When the toner cartridge 5 is installed in the multi function device 1, the toner chamber 12 is positioned above and the waste toner chamber 13 is positioned below.

(Assembly structure)
3 to 10 show a gear assembly structure as an embodiment of the assembly structure of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a screw member as a shaft-like engagement member, and FIG. 4 is an engagement portion of the screw member. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rear surface side of the gear, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the front surface side of the gear, and FIG. 7 is a partially broken view before assembly as viewed from the bottom direction shown by arrow A in FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the main part in the assembled state, FIG. 9 is a front view of the main part in the assembled state, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the main part in the assembled state shown by line BB in FIG. FIG.

  3 and 4, the screw member 17 includes a shaft portion 23 coaxial with the engaging portion 18, a screw portion 24 spirally provided on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 23, and the engaging portion 18 as the cartridge body 14. And a flange portion 25 that regulates the protruding amount when protruding from the flange.

  In the present embodiment, the screw member 17 has a function as a shaft-like engaging member, and the engaging portion 18 has a function as a gear shaft. That is, the screw member 17 is integrally provided with a shaft portion 23 that is coaxial with the engaging portion 18, and by providing the screw portion 24 on the shaft portion 23, in addition to the function as a simple shaft, the agitation / conveyance of toner, etc. It is configured as a component having a function. Further, when only the portion is caught, the engaging portion 18 engages with the gear 19 so as not to rotate relative to the gear 19 so as to rotate integrally with the gear 19 by power transmission (rotation) from the gear 19. It becomes.

  The engaging portion 18 has a plurality of convex portions 18a that project radially in a cross-section and extend along the axial direction so as to be evenly spaced about the axis, and shaft ends of the plurality of convex portions 18a. A tapered portion 18b that is inclined toward the entire surface and is tapered, and an engagement concave portion 18c that is formed near the tip of each convex portion 18a in the vicinity of the tapered portion 18b and is located on the same circumference. And.

  In this embodiment, the convex portions 18a are provided with concave portions 18d alternately with the convex portions 18a in a part of the outer periphery so that the diameter of the shaft portion 23 and the maximum diameter of the engaging portion 18 are the same. And is not a convex portion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft, and can contribute to downsizing (smaller diameter) of the engaging portion 18.

  At this time, the engaging portion 18 and the shaft portion 23 are integrally molded with the resin, and the screw portion 24 is integrally molded with the flange portion 25, and then the screw portion 24 is inserted into the shaft portion 23, whereby the screw member 17 is inserted. When the structure is assembled, the outer peripheral recessed portion 18d can be formed by designing a resin mold. Further, when the screw member 17 (particularly, the engaging portion 18) is formed of metal (or resin), the processing of the concave portion 18d and the processing of the engaging concave portion 18c for forming the convex portion 18a are: It is formed by post-processing such as cutting and polishing.

  Further, the taper portion 18b is provided with a ridge line portion 18e along the axial direction, whereby the taper portion 18b has a mountain-shaped cross section.

  5 and 6, the gear 19 includes a tooth portion 26 on the outer periphery, and an engaged hole portion 27 is provided at the center thereof, and the gear 19 as a whole constitutes an engaged hole member. . The engaged hole portion 27 is an integrally molded product of resin, but the tooth portion 26 may be either resin or metal. At this time, when the tooth portion 26 is formed of metal, the engaged hole portion 27 can be provided by insert molding or post-assembly. Moreover, when the tooth | gear part 26 is shape | molded with resin, it may be integrally molded with the to-be-engaged hole part 27, and what was shape | molded separately is good also as a post-assembly.

  The engaged hole portions 27 are alternately formed on the basis of the center of the hole portion 27a and the hole portion 27a that has a depth in the depth direction along the axis by projecting the central portion from the end face of the tooth portion 26 in a cylindrical shape. A concave portion 27b and a convex portion 27c, an elastic piece 27e having an engaging claw 27d capable of engaging with an arbitrary engaging concave portion 18c, and a convex portion located at the insertion side opening end of the engaging portion 18. A guide surface 27f formed on the end surface of 27c and capable of contacting the tapered portion 18b is provided.

  A ridge line portion 27g is also provided at the center of the guide surface 27f, so that the guide surface 27f has a mountain-shaped cross section.

  In such a configuration, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, just by inserting the engaging portion 18 into the hole portion 27a of the engaged hole portion 27, the convex portion 18a engages with the concave portion 27b, The engagement claw 27d engages with the engagement recess 18c.

  At this time, the tapered portion 18b and the ridge line portion 18e are formed so as to be entirely tapered at the tip of the engaging portion 18, and the guide surface 27f and the ridge line portion 27g are formed in the engaged hole portion 27. For example, if the rotation of the gear 19 is supported in a free state (if the movement along the axial direction is restricted), for example, even if the relative positions of the convex portion 18a and the concave portion 27b are displaced, the taper The portion 19b and the guide surface 27f are relatively guided to rotate the gear 19, and the convex portion 18a and the concave portion 27b can be easily aligned with each other, and the particles 18a and the concave portion 27d are easily engaged with each other. be able to.

  The engaging claw 27d is guided by the taper portion 18b by the pushing load accompanying the insertion of the engaging portion 18 into the hole portion 27a, and is temporarily retracted in the non-engaging direction against the elasticity of the elastic piece 27e. Stepwise engagement can be achieved when it coincides with the mating recess 18c.

  As a result, the engaging portion 18 and the gear 19 can be assembled in a state where they cannot be rotated relative to each other and prevented from coming off with a single touch, and automatic assembly without requiring a strict positioning relationship between the convex portion 18a and the concave portion 27b. (Mechanization of assembly) can be realized.

  By the way, in the above embodiment, the assembly structure, the gear assembly structure, the toner cartridge using the assembly structure or the gear assembly structure of the present invention, and the image forming apparatus provided with the toner cartridge are combined into the multifunction machine 1. However, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to, for example, various image forming apparatuses such as a printer dedicated machine and a toner cartridge attached to the image forming apparatus.

  In the above-described embodiment, the relationship between the engagement portion 18 of the screw member 17 and the gear 19 has been described. However, for example, the configuration of the present invention can also be employed in the relationship between the engagement portion 21 and the gear 22. It is possible to apply to a general configuration in which the engaged member is attached to the tip of the shaft-like member.

1 is an explanatory diagram of a multifunction peripheral as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a main part in which a part of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention is omitted. It is a perspective view of the screw member as a shaft-like engagement member, showing a gear assembly structure as an embodiment of the assembly structure of the present invention. The gear assembly structure as an Example of the assembly structure of this invention is shown, and it is an expansion perspective view of the engaging part of a screw member. It is a perspective view of the back side of a gear, showing a gear assembly structure as an embodiment of the assembly structure of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front side of the gear, showing a gear assembly structure as an embodiment of the assembly structure of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an exploded side view of an essential part of the gear assembly structure as an embodiment of the assembly structure of the present invention, with a part before assembly viewed from the bottom direction shown by arrow A in FIG. 9. It is a perspective view of the principal part of the assembly state, showing the gear assembly structure as an embodiment of the assembly structure of the present invention. It is a front view of the principal part of the assembly state, showing a gear assembly structure as an embodiment of the assembly structure of the present invention. 10 shows a gear assembly structure as an embodiment of the assembly structure of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view of the main part in the assembled state shown by the line BB in FIG. 9.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Multifunction machine (image forming device)
5 ... Toner cartridge 6 ... Toner cartridge 7 ... Toner cartridge 8 ... Toner cartridge 17 ... Screw member (shaft-like engaging member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 ... Engagement part 18a ... Convex part 18b ... Tapered part 18c ... Engagement recessed part 19 ... Gear (engaged hole member)
27 ... engaged hole portion 27b ... concave portion 27c ... convex portion 27d ... engaging claw 27f ... guide surface

Claims (6)

A shaft-like engaging member provided with an engaging portion at a distal end; and an engaged hole member provided with an engaged hole portion engageable with the engaging portion. In the assembly structure in which the engagement hole is engaged so as not to be relatively rotatable,
The engaging part is located near the axial ends of the plurality of convex parts protruding radially along the axial direction and extending along the axial direction so as to be equally spaced around the axis. And a tapered portion that is inclined so as to be tapered as a whole,
The engaged hole portion includes a plurality of concave portions that engage with the convex portion, and the tapered portion and the concave portion in contact with the tapered portion when the engaging portion is inserted into the engaged hole portion. An assembly structure comprising: a guide surface that relatively rotates the shaft-like engaging member and the engaged hole member so that the two coincide with each other.   Each convex portion is formed with an engaging recess located in the vicinity of the tapered portion, and the non-engaged hole portion is formed with one or more engaging claws that can be elastically engaged with the engaging recess. The assembly structure according to claim 1, wherein the assembly structure is provided. A rotatable gear shaft provided with an engaging portion at a tip; and a gear provided with an engaged hole portion engageable with the engaging portion at the center, the engaging portion and the engaged portion In the gear assembly structure in which the hole and the non-rotating engagement are engaged,
The engaging part is located near the axial ends of the plurality of convex parts protruding radially along the axial direction and extending along the axial direction so as to be equally spaced around the axis. And a tapered portion that is inclined so as to be tapered as a whole,
The engaged hole portion includes a plurality of concave portions that engage with the convex portion, and the tapered portion and the concave portion in contact with the tapered portion when the engaging portion is inserted into the engaged hole portion. A gear assembly structure comprising: a guide surface that relatively rotates the shaft-like engaging member and the engaged hole member so as to coincide with each other.   Each convex portion is formed with an engaging recess located in the vicinity of the tapered portion, and the non-engaged hole portion is formed with one or more engaging claws that can be elastically engaged with the engaging recess. The gear assembly structure according to claim 3, wherein the gear assembly structure is provided.   A toner cartridge comprising the assembly structure or the gear assembly structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, and claim 3 or claim 4.   An image forming apparatus comprising the toner cartridge according to claim 5.

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