JP2016218134A - Conveyance device, cleaning device, developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a conveyance device that conveys a developer and can accurately determine a position of a conveyance member and stably transmit a driving force, a cleaning device, a developing device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: There is provided a conveyance device that conveys a developer, and comprises: a first conveyance member including a drive transmission part and a drive shaft; a second conveyance member receiving a driving force from the drive transmission part; and a regulation part that regulates a position in the axial direction of the first conveyance member, wherein the regulation part is in contact with the drive transmission part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a conveying device, a cleaning device, a developing device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.

  Here, the process cartridge is a cartridge including at least an image carrier such as an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and further integrally including an image carrier and process means acting on the image carrier. Such a process cartridge is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

For example, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum as an image carrier and at least one of a developing unit, a charging unit, and a cleaning unit as a process unit are integrally formed into a cartridge. The image forming apparatus is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium. Particularly, in the present invention, examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus suitably used for the electrophotographic image forming apparatus which is an image forming apparatus using the electrophotographic image forming method include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (LED printer, laser Beam printers, etc.), facsimile machines, word processors, and the like.

  In an image forming apparatus, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, which is generally a drum type as an image carrier, that is, a photosensitive drum is uniformly charged. Next, an electrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) is formed on the photosensitive drum by selectively exposing the charged photosensitive drum. Next, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed as a toner image with toner as a developer. Then, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to a recording material such as recording paper or a plastic sheet, and further, heat or pressure is applied to the toner image transferred onto the recording material to form the toner image on the recording material. Image recording is performed by fixing.

  Such an image forming apparatus generally requires toner replenishment and maintenance of various process means. In order to facilitate this toner replenishment and maintenance, the photosensitive drum, charging means, developing means, cleaning means, etc., are combined into a cartridge to form a cartridge that is detachable (insertable) into the image forming apparatus main body. Things are in practical use.

  According to this process cartridge system, since the user can perform maintenance of the apparatus himself, the operability can be remarkably improved, and an image forming apparatus excellent in usability can be provided. For this reason, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

  Further, in the above-described process cartridge, as a means for conveying toner in the toner conveyance path provided in the developer storage container, a plurality of conveyance screws are arranged so that the rotation axes intersect so that transmission of driving and delivery of toner are performed. A configuration that simultaneously performs the above is used. As described above, the drive transmission is transmitted in a state where the rotation axes of the conveying screws intersect with each other, and the region close to the drive transmission portion of each conveying screw is supported by a single component as an integrally formed bearing member. The structure which performs is known (patent document 1).

JP 2013-195484 A

  However, even if the configuration in which the region close to the drive transmission portion of the conveying screw is supported as described above, the position of the conveying screw as the conveying member in the rotational axis direction may not be determined with high accuracy.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a conveying device, a cleaning device, a developing device, a process cartridge, and an image that can stably convey a driving force by accurately positioning a conveying member as a conveying device that conveys a developer. It is to provide a forming apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a transport apparatus according to the present invention is a transport apparatus for transporting a developer, and receives a driving force from a first transport member having a drive transmission section and a drive shaft, and the drive transmission section. It has a regulation part which regulates the position of the direction of an axis of the 2nd conveyance member and the 1st conveyance member, and the regulation part and the drive transmission part are in contact.

  A cleaning device, a developing device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention include the transport device.

  According to the present invention, when the developer is conveyed, the conveying member can be positioned with high accuracy and the driving force can be stably transmitted.

It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the drive connection part of the 1st screw and 2nd screw which concerns on 1st Embodiment which can apply this invention in the BB direction of FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus main body and a process cartridge of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applicable. It is sectional drawing of the process cartridge which concerns on 1st Embodiment which can apply this invention. It is sectional drawing inside the cleaning container of the process cartridge which concerns on 1st Embodiment which can apply this invention. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus main body in a state where an opening / closing door of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applicable is open. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus main body in a state where an opening / closing door of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applicable is opened and a tray is pulled out. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus main body and a process cartridge when a process cartridge is attached to and detached from a tray in a state where an opening / closing door of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applicable is opened and the tray is pulled out. It is. 2 is a perspective view of a process cartridge and a drive side positioning portion of the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applicable. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a process cartridge and a non-driving side positioning portion of the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applicable. FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applicable. 1 is an exploded view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applicable. 1 is an exploded view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applicable. 1 is an exploded view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applicable. It is the figure which looked at the drive connection part of the 1st screw and 2nd screw which concern on 1st Embodiment which can apply this invention from the axial direction of the 1st screw. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a waste toner flow path according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applicable, and shows a cross section along DD in FIG. 14. It is sectional drawing of the positioning part of the 2nd screw which concerns on 1st Embodiment which can apply this invention, and has shown the AA cross section of FIG. It is a perspective view of the drive connection part of the 1st screw and the 2nd screw concerning a 1st embodiment which can apply the present invention. It is a perspective view of the drive connection part of the 1st screw and 2nd screw which concern on 1st Embodiment which can apply this invention, and has shown the state which time passed from FIG. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the 2nd screw 87 which concerns on 1st Embodiment which can apply this invention by CC of FIG. It is a perspective view of the drive transmission part of the 1st screw 86 and the 2nd screw 87 which concern on 2nd Embodiment which can apply this invention. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the drive connection part of the 1st screw and 2nd screw which concerns on 2nd Embodiment which can apply this invention in the BB direction of FIG. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the waste toner flow path according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applicable, showing a cross section DD in FIG. 14, a distance V1 from the axis to the position of the first restricting portion farthest from the axis; It is a figure which shows the magnitude relationship of distance V2 to the position of the drive transmission part furthest away from the axis.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<< First Embodiment >>
<Overall configuration of image forming apparatus>
The electrophotographic image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is a laser beam printer using an electrophotographic technique in which a cartridge B as a process cartridge is detachably attached to the apparatus main body A. The direction of the axis of rotation of an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as drum) that is an image carrier is defined as the longitudinal direction. In the longitudinal direction, the side on which the drum receives the driving force from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus is defined as the driving side, and the opposite side is defined as the non-driving side. The apparatus main body is a part obtained by removing the cartridge B as a process cartridge from the image forming apparatus.

  When the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A, the exposure apparatus 3 (laser scanner unit) for forming a latent image on the drum 62 of the cartridge B is disposed in the apparatus main body A. In addition, a sheet tray 4 that stores a recording material (hereinafter referred to as a sheet material P) that is an image forming target is disposed below the cartridge B.

  Further, the apparatus main body A includes a pickup roller 5a, a feeding roller pair 5b, a conveyance roller pair 5c, a transfer guide 6, a transfer roller 7, a conveyance guide 8, a fixing device 9, along the conveyance direction D of the sheet material P. A pair of discharge rollers 10, a discharge tray 11, and the like are sequentially arranged. The fixing device 9 includes a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b.

<Image formation process>
Next, an outline of the image forming process will be described with reference to FIGS. Based on the print start signal, the drum 62 is rotationally driven in the arrow R direction at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed). The charging roller 66 (FIG. 3) to which the bias voltage is applied contacts the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 and uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

  The exposure device 3 (FIG. 2) outputs a laser beam L corresponding to the image information. The laser light L passes through a laser opening 71 h provided in the cleaning frame 71 of the cartridge B, and scans and exposes the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, in the developing unit 20 as a developing device, the toner T in the toner chamber 29 is stirred and transported by the rotation of the first transport member 43, the second transport member 44, and the third transport member 50. Then, it is sent out to the toner supply chamber 28. The toner T is carried on the surface of the developing roller 32 which is a developer carrying member by the magnetic force of the magnet roller 34 (fixed magnet). The layer thickness of the toner T on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 32 is regulated while being frictionally charged by the developing blade 42. The toner T is developed on the drum 62 in accordance with the electrostatic latent image, and is visualized as a toner image.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the sheet material P stored in the lower part of the apparatus main body A is moved to the sheet tray by the pickup roller 5a, the feeding roller pair 5b, and the conveying roller pair 5c in accordance with the output timing of the laser beam L. 4 is sent out. Then, the sheet material P is conveyed to the transfer position between the drum 62 and the transfer roller 7 via the transfer guide 6. At this transfer position, the toner images are sequentially transferred from the drum 62 to the sheet material P.

  The sheet material P to which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the drum 62 and conveyed to the fixing device 9 along the conveyance guide 8. The sheet material P passes through the nip portion between the heating roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b constituting the fixing device 9. A pressure / heat fixing process is performed in the nip portion, and the toner image is fixed to the sheet material P. The sheet material P that has undergone the toner image fixing process is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 10 and discharged to the discharge tray 11.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the drum 62 after the transfer is used again in the image forming process after the residual toner on the outer peripheral surface is removed by a cleaning blade 77 as a collecting member for collecting the developer. The toner removed from the drum 62 is stored in the waste toner chamber 71b of the cleaning unit 60.

  In the above, the charging roller 66, the developing roller 32, the transfer roller 7, and the cleaning blade 77 are process means that act on the drum 62.

<Removal of cartridge>
Next, attachment / detachment of the cartridge B with respect to the apparatus main body A will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus main body A with the open / close door 13 opened in order to attach and detach the cartridge B. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus main body A and the cartridge B in a state in which the opening / closing door 13 is opened and the tray 18 is pulled out in order to attach and detach the cartridge B. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus main body A and the cartridge B when the cartridge B is attached and detached with the open / close door 13 opened and the tray 18 pulled out. The cartridge B can be attached to and detached from the tray 18 along the attaching / detaching direction E.

  An opening / closing door 13 is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body A, and a cartridge insertion opening 17 is provided when the opening / closing door 13 is opened. A tray 18 for mounting the cartridge B to the apparatus main body A is provided in the cartridge insertion opening 17. When the tray 18 is pulled out to a predetermined position, the cartridge B can be attached and detached. The cartridge B is inserted (attached) into the apparatus main body A along a guide rail (not shown) in the direction of arrow C in the figure while being placed on the tray 18.

  Further, the apparatus main body is provided with a first main body drive shaft 14 and a second main body drive shaft 19 for transmitting drive to the first coupling 70 and the second coupling 21 (FIG. 8) provided in the cartridge B. It has been. The first main body drive shaft 14 and the second main body drive shaft 19 are driven by a motor (not shown) that is a drive source of the apparatus main body A. As a result, the drum 62 connected to the first coupling 70 is rotated by receiving a driving force from the apparatus main body A. Further, the driving force is transmitted from the second coupling 21, and the developing roller 32 rotates. Further, the charging roller 66 and the developing roller 32 are supplied with power from a power supply unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body A.

<Cartridge support>
As shown in FIG. 5, the apparatus main body A is provided with a driving side plate 15 and a non-driving side plate 16 for supporting the cartridge B. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the drive side plate 15 is provided with a drive side first support portion 15a, a drive side second support portion 15b, and a rotation support portion 15c of the cartridge B, and the non-drive side plate 16 is not driven. A side first support portion 16a, a non-drive side second support portion 16b, and a rotation support portion 16c are provided.

  On the other hand, as supported portions of the cartridge B, a supported portion 73b and a supported portion 73d of the drum bearing 73, a driving side boss 71a of the cleaning frame 71, a non-driving side protrusion 71f, and a non-driving side boss 71g are provided. ing. The supported portion 73b is supported by the drive side first support portion 15a, the supported portion 73d is supported by the drive side second support portion 15b, and the drive side boss 71a is supported by the rotation support portion 15c. Further, the non-driving side protrusion 71f is supported by the non-driving side first support portion 16a and the non-driving side second support portion 16b, and the non-driving side boss 71g is supported by the rotation support portion 16c, whereby the cartridge B is It is positioned in the apparatus main body A.

<Configuration of the entire cartridge>
Next, the overall configuration of the cartridge B will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 10 to 13. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge B, and FIGS. 10 to 13 are perspective views for explaining the configuration of the cartridge B. FIG. FIGS. 11 and 13 are partial enlarged views in which portions within the dotted line portions of FIGS. 10 and 12 are enlarged at different angles. In addition, in this embodiment, it abbreviate | omits and demonstrates about the screw at the time of couple | bonding each component.

  The cartridge B of the present embodiment includes a cleaning unit 60 having a transport mechanism (transport device) that transports the developer, and the developing unit 20. In the present embodiment, a process cartridge in which the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20 are combined will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cleaning unit 60 may be a single cleaning device or the developing unit 20 may be a single developing device.

  As described above, the process cartridge integrally forms a drum and at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit as a process unit acting on the drum, and the cartridge is integrated with the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Detachable.

  In the present embodiment, the cleaning unit 60 includes a drum 62, a charging roller 66, a cleaning member 77, a cleaning frame body 71 that supports them, and a lid member 72 fixed to the cleaning frame body 71 by welding or the like. Have. The lid member 72 is provided with respect to the cleaning frame 71 in order to form a space (accommodating space) for accommodating the developer inside the conveying device that conveys the developer. Here, in the cleaning unit 60, the charging roller 66 and the cleaning member 77 are arranged in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

  The cleaning member 77 includes a rubber blade 77a that is a blade-like elastic member formed of rubber as an elastic material, and a support member 77b that supports the rubber blade. The rubber blade 77 a is in contact with the drum 62 in the counter direction with respect to the rotation direction of the drum 62. That is, the rubber blade 77 a is in contact with the drum 62 so that the tip end portion thereof faces the upstream side in the rotation direction of the drum 62.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning frame 71. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the waste toner removed from the surface of the drum 62 by the cleaning member 77 is collected in a waste toner flow path 100 that is a developer conveyance path, as will be described in detail later.

  The drum 62 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R in FIG. 3 according to an image forming operation by receiving a driving force from a main body driving motor (not shown) as a driving source. The charging roller 66 is rotatably attached to the cleaning unit 60 via a charging roller bearing 67 at both ends of the cleaning frame 71 in the longitudinal direction (substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the drum 62). The charging roller 66 is in pressure contact with the drum 62 by the charging roller bearing 67 being pressed toward the drum 62 by the biasing member 68. The charging roller 66 rotates following the rotation of the drum 62.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the developing unit 20 includes a bottom member 22, a developing roller 32, a developing container 23 that supports the developing roller 32, a driving side developing side member 26, a developing blade 42, and the like. A magnet roller 34 is provided in the developing roller 32. In the developing unit 20, a developing blade 42 for restricting the toner layer on the developing roller 32 is disposed. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, a spacing member 38 is attached to the developing roller 32 at both ends of the developing roller 32, and the spacing roller 38 and the drum 62 abut so that the developing roller 32 is a drum. 62 and a slight gap.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a developing roller contact sheet 33 for preventing toner from leaking from the developing unit 20 is provided at the edge of the bottom member 22 so as to contact the developing roller 32. Further, the toner chamber 29 formed by the developing container 23 and the bottom member 22 is provided with a first transport member 43, a second transport member 44, and a third transport member 50. The first conveyance member 43, the second conveyance member 44, and the third conveyance member 50 agitate the toner stored in the toner chamber 29 and convey the toner to the toner supply chamber 28.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the cartridge B is configured by combining the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20. The cleaning unit 60 is provided with a cleaning frame 71, a lid member 72, a drum 62, and a drum bearing 73 and a drum shaft 78 for rotatably supporting the drum 62. As shown in FIG. 13, on the driving side, the drum 62 is rotatably supported by a hole 73 a of a drum bearing 73 on a driving side drum flange 63 provided on the driving side.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, on the non-driving side, the drum shaft 78 press-fitted into the hole 71c provided in the cleaning frame 71 can rotate the hole (not shown) of the non-driving side drum flange 64. It is the structure which supports to.

  In the developing unit 20 described above, the developing roller 32 is rotatably attached to the developing container 23 by bearing members 27 and 37 provided at both ends. Then, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the cartridge B is configured by coupling the cleaning unit 60 and the developing unit 20 to each other by a coupling pin 69 so as to be rotatable. Specifically, the development container 23 is provided with a development first support hole 23 a and a development second support hole 23 b at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the development unit 20. In addition, a first suspension hole 71 i and a second suspension hole 71 j are provided in the cleaning frame 71 at both longitudinal ends of the cleaning unit 60.

  The coupling pin 69 press-fitted and fixed in the first suspension hole 71i and the second suspension hole 71j, the development first support hole 23a, and the development second support hole 23b are fitted, so that the cleaning unit 60 and the development unit 20 are mutually connected. It is pivotally connected.

  The first hole 46Ra of the driving side biasing member 46R is hooked on the boss 73c of the drum bearing 73, and the second hole 46Rb is hooked on the boss 26a of the driving side developing side member 26. Further, the first hole portion 46Fa of the non-driving side urging member 46F is hooked on the boss 71k of the cleaning frame 71, and the second hole portion 46Fb is hooked on the boss 37a of the bearing member 37.

  In the present embodiment, the driving side biasing member 46R and the non-driving side biasing member 46F are formed by tension springs. The developing unit 20 is urged toward the cleaning unit 60 by the urging force of the spring, so that the developing roller 32 is surely pressed toward the drum 62. The developing roller 32 is held at a predetermined interval from the drum 62 by a spacing holding member 38 attached to both ends of the developing roller 32.

<Overall configuration of waste toner conveyance>
In the waste toner conveyance system according to the present embodiment, a first screw 86 is provided in the vicinity of the drum 62, and a second screw 87 is provided at the longitudinal driving side end of the cleaning frame 71. The first screw 86 has a drive transmission portion 86a and a drive shaft 86s, and includes an axis 86b as a center line of the drive shaft 86s. On the other hand, the second screw 87 has a drive receiving portion 87a and a driven shaft 87s, and includes an axis 87b as a center line of the driven shaft 87s. Here, the drive shaft is a shaft that receives a driving force from a drive source (motor) and rotates about an axis (centerline of the drive shaft). The driven shaft is a shaft that rotates by receiving a driving force from the driving shaft.

  In the present embodiment, the drive shaft and the driven shaft are provided with a spiral screw shape as a transport unit. The engagement blades 86a1 to 86a5 that are the engagement portions of the drive transmission portion 86a and the engaged blades 87a1 to 87a5 that are the engagement portions of the drive receiving portion 87a are engaged to deliver the driving force. . Thus, in this embodiment, in addition to the spiral screw shape as the transport portion, the first and second transport members have the engagement blade shape as the engagement portion (each of the first and second transport members). A plurality of engaging blades are provided in a cross section intersecting the rotation axis (axis) 86b, 87b. The engaging portion and the engaged portion protrude from the driving shaft and the driven shaft.

  Hereinafter, the overall configuration of waste toner conveyance by the first screw 86 and the second screw 87 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing in detail the AA cross section in FIG. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a connecting portion between the first screw 86 and the second screw 87.

  In FIG. 15, the waste toner collected in the waste toner channel 100 is transported in the direction of arrow X by the first screw 86 as the first transport member, and then the arrow Y by the second screw 87 as the second transport member. Conveyed in the direction. Then, the third screw 88 diffuses and accumulates in a waste toner chamber 71 b that is a storage portion formed by the cleaning frame 71 and the lid member 72.

  The first screw 86 is rotated by a driving force transmitted from the coupling 21 shown in FIG. 13 by a gear (not shown). The second screw 87 receives the driving force from the first screw 86 and the third screw 88 rotates from the second screw 87, respectively. In FIG. 4, the first screw 86 is disposed in the vicinity of the drum 62, the second screw 87 is disposed at the longitudinal end of the cleaning frame 71, and the third screw 88 is disposed in the waste toner chamber 71b.

  Here, the rotation axes of the first screw 86 and the third screw 88 are parallel to the rotation axis of the drum 62, and the rotation axis of the second screw 87 intersects (orthogonally) the rotation axis of the drum 62. As shown in FIG. 3, a drum contact sheet 65 for preventing waste toner from leaking from the cleaning frame 71 is provided at the edge of the cleaning frame 71 so as to contact the drum 62. .

  As shown in FIG. 17, the first screw 86 and the second screw 87 are rotatably held in the waste toner flow path 100 formed by the cleaning frame 71 and the screw lid 74. Specifically, the end of the first screw 86 on the drive connecting portion side is inserted into the hole 74a of the screw lid 74, and the other end is inserted into a hole (not shown) provided in the cleaning frame 71. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, a seal groove 74f is provided in the screw lid 74, and a seal member 96 made of an elastic member (for example, rubber or elastomer) as a seal member 96 is disposed in the seal groove 74f. The seal member 96 seals between the cleaning frame 71 and the screw lid 74.

  As shown in FIG. 17, a D-cut surface 86e as an input portion of the first screw 86 protrudes outside the waste toner channel 100 through a hole 74a provided in the screw lid 74, and a gear (not shown). And rotate in the waste toner channel 100. A sponge-like (not shown) sealing member is disposed in the gap between the first screw 86 and the hole 74a to prevent toner leakage from the waste toner channel 100 to the outside.

  Here, the first screw 86 is provided with a drive transmission portion 86a including five engagement blades 86a1 to a5 (FIG. 14). The second screw 87 is provided with a drive receiving portion 87a including five engaged blades 87a1 to a5 (FIG. 1).

<Connection between the first screw and the second screw>
Next, the detail of the connection part of the 1st screw 86 and the 2nd screw 87 is demonstrated using FIG. 17, FIG. FIG. 18 shows a state where a certain time has elapsed from FIG. 17 and 18, the engaging blade 86a1 and the engaged blade 87a1 are hatched for easy understanding of the operation. As shown in FIG. 17, the first screw 86 rotates in the direction of the arrow S, and the engagement blade 86a1 and the engaged blade 87a1 start to contact at the contact start position 89a.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the first screw 86 and the second screw 87 rotate in the direction of the arrow S in a state where the engaging blade 86a1 and the engaged blade 87a1 are in contact with each other, and then the contact end position. At 89b, the engaging blade 86a1 and the engaged blade 87a1 are separated from each other. Almost simultaneously with the separation, the next engaging blade 86a5 and the engaged blade 87a5 start to contact at the contact start position 89a. By repeating the above, the rotational driving force of the first screw 86 is transmitted to the second screw 87.

  In FIG. 17, when the end of the first screw 86 provided with the D-cut surface 86e is one end 86i and the end opposite to the one end is the other end (not shown), drive transmission is performed. The portion 86 a is disposed at a position closer to the one end portion 86 i than the other end portion of the first screw 86. Since a force for twisting the first screw 86 is applied to the D-cut surface 86e and the drive transmission portion 86a, the D-cut surface 86e and the drive transmission portion 86a are provided close to each other, so The torsional deformation can be reduced.

<Drive transmission from the first screw to the second screw>
Next, the structure of the drive transmission part from the 1st screw 86 to the 2nd screw 87 is demonstrated concretely using FIG.1, FIG.16, FIG.19. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the drive connecting portion of the first screw and the second screw, and shows a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view passing through the axial direction of the second screw 87, and shows a CC cross section of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, at the contact point 89 between the engaging blade 86a1 and the engaged blade 87a1, a driving force J acts on the engaged blade 87a1 from the engaging blade 86a1, and the engaging blade 86a1 A reaction force K against the driving force J acts. The first screw 86 is urged in the F direction by the rotational axis direction component force K1 of the first screw 86 of the reaction force K. At this time, the position of the first screw 86 in the rotational axis direction is determined by the end surface 86c of the engagement blade 86a1 contacting (contacting) the first restricting portion 74c provided on the screw lid 74 with each other.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the 1st control part 74c installed in the screw cover 74 contact | abuts with the engagement blade | wing 86a1 thru | or 86a5 which is an engaging part of the drive transmission part 86a of the 1st screw 86, The position of the first screw 86 in the rotational axis direction is determined. With such a configuration, it is possible to accurately determine the position of the engagement blades 86a1 to 86a5 in the rotation axis direction and the relative position of the first restricting portion 74c. Thereby, the drive transmission from the first screw to the second screw is stabilized.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the following configuration is made within a cross section intersecting the drive shaft 86 s of the first screw 86. That is, the distance H1 (radius) from the position (axis position) of the axis 86b of the drive shaft to the maximum height position of the first restricting portion 74c is from the position (axis position) of the axis 86b to the engagement blades 86a1 to 86a5. It is shorter than the distance H2 (radius) to the maximum height position. Thereby, by reducing the contact surface between the end face 86c of the engagement blade 86a and the first restricting portion 74c, the frictional resistance can be reduced and the driving torque can be reduced.

  In FIG. 22, the distance V1 to the position of the first restricting portion 74c farthest from the axis 86b is shorter than the distance V2 to the positions of the tips of the engagement blades 86a1 to 86a5 farthest from the axis. In the present embodiment, since the first restricting portion has a ring-shaped cross section, the circle of the first restricting portion is smaller than the circle formed by the rotation locus of the engaging portion tips of the engaging blades 86a1 to 86a5. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the second screw 87 is urged in the G direction of FIG. 19 by the second screw rotation axis direction component force J1 of the driving force J. At this time, the position of the second screw 87 in the rotation axis direction is determined by the end surface 87c of the engaged blade 87a1 coming into contact with the second restricting portion 74d which is a part of the rib 74b provided on the screw lid 74.

  In the present embodiment, the second restricting portion 74d installed on the screw lid 74 is in contact with the engaged blades 87a1 to 87a5 that are engaged portions of the second screw 87, so that the rotation axis of the second screw 87 is reached. The configuration is such that the position of the direction is determined. With such a configuration, the position of the engaged blades 87a1 to 87a5 in the rotation axis direction and the relative position of the second restricting portion 74d can be accurately determined.

  At this time, the first restricting portion 74c and the second restricting portion 74d provided on the screw lid 74 rotate the engaging blades 86a1 to 86a5 which are engaging portions and the engaged blades 87a1 to 87a5 which are engaged portions. The axial position is determined together. In the present embodiment, the engagement blades 86a1 to 86a5 that are the engagement portions and the engagement blades 87a1 to 87a5 that are the engagement portions can be accurately positioned with respect to one component such as the screw lid 74 as described above. For this reason, drive transmission from the first screw to the second screw can be performed more stably.

  Next, the regulation in the direction intersecting the rotation axis of the second screw 87 will be described. As shown in FIG. 16, the second screw 87 receives the driving force from the first screw 86 at the contact point 89 in the direction of arrow J. As a result, the rotation shaft of the second screw 87 is urged toward the restricting surface 74e provided on the rib 74b of the screw lid 74 and the restricting surface 71n provided on the rib 71m of the cleaning frame 71. It is done. As a result, the position in the direction intersecting the rotation axis of the second screw 87 is restricted at two points in the radial direction. That is, in this embodiment, two places of the regulation surface 74e and the regulation surface 71n function as a third regulation unit.

  At this time, in the second axis line 87b direction, the rib 71m is shifted from the rib 74b on the downstream side in the toner conveyance direction (Y direction in FIG. 15), so that the waste toner flow is hardly hindered. That is, if the rib 71m is provided at the same position as the rib 74b in the direction of the second axis 87b, as is understood from FIG. 16, the waste toner passes through a narrow space between the rib 71m and the rib 74b at the axial position. It will flow through, and the flow will be hindered.

  Further, in FIG. 16, the regulating surface 74 e and the regulating surface 71 n as the third regulating portion are moved by the component forces J 1 and J 2 in the direction intersecting the rotation axis of the second screw 87 of the driving force J received by the second screw 87. The two screws 87 are provided at positions facing the directions H and I in which the two screws 87 are urged. Thereby, the bending of the second screw 87 when driven can be reduced, the position in the direction intersecting the rotation axis of the engaged blades 87a1 to 87a5, and the relative relationship between the third restricting portions 74e and 71n. Position can be determined with high accuracy. Thereby, drive transmission from the first screw to the second screw can be performed more stably.

<< Second Embodiment >>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, parts different from the first embodiment will be described in detail. Unless otherwise described, the material, shape, and the like are the same as those in the above-described embodiment. Such parts are given the same numbers and will not be described in detail.

  The structure of the drive transmission part of the 1st screw 86 and the 2nd screw 87 in this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the drive transmission unit of the first screw 86 and the second screw 87. Unlike the first embodiment shown in FIG. 17, in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 86a5 was connected to form an end face 86d.

  By thus connecting the five engagement blades 86a1 to 86a5, the engagement blades 86a1 to 86a5 transmit the drive to the engaged blades 87a1 to 87a5. Deflection can be suppressed. As a result, the drive transmission from the first screw 86 to the second screw 87 can be performed more stably as compared with a configuration in which the end face 86d connecting the five engagement blades 86a1 to 86a5 is not formed.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 21, a configuration is used in which the end surfaces 86 d of the engagement blades 86 a 1 to 86 a 5 are in contact with a first restriction portion 74 c provided on the screw lid 74. Thereby, the position of the engaging blades 86a1 to 86a5 in the rotation axis direction and the relative position of the first restricting portion 74c can be accurately determined. Thereby, drive transmission from the first screw to the second screw can be performed more stably.

  In addition, said structure provided with the end surface which connected the several engagement blade | wing is not restricted only to the 1st screw 86. FIG. The second screw 87 may be configured as described above, and both the first screw 86 and the second screw 87 may be configured as described above.

(Modification)
As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary. Incidentally, the functions, materials, shapes and relative arrangements of the components described in the present embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified.

(Modification 1)
The present invention having the configuration related to the screw member described in the above-described embodiment is not limited to waste toner conveyance, and may be used for developer conveyance in a developing device.

(Modification 2)
In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the number of engaging blades and the number of engaged blades is five, but the number is not limited to five. It is sufficient that at least one engaging blade and at least two engaged blades (having a plurality of engaged blades) can be transmitted. In the embodiment described above, the twisted blade shape has been described, but a bevel gear shape or the like may be used.

(Modification 3)
In the above-described embodiment, the mechanism using the first screw 86 and the second screw 87 as the developer conveying member has been described. However, the developer conveying member is not limited to the screw. For example, a developer conveying member that installs a flexible sheet with respect to the rotating shaft and conveys the developer in the radial direction may be used.

(Modification 4)
In the above-described embodiment, the second restriction portion 74d and the third restriction portion 74b are provided on different surfaces in the rib 74a for supporting the second screw 87, but the present invention is not limited to this. As an example of supporting the radial direction and the axial direction by different means, for example, two support portions are formed, each supporting the rotational axis direction of the second screw 87 and the direction intersecting the rotational axis. Also good.

(Modification 5)
In the above-described embodiment, the conveyance device that conveys the developer is provided in the process cartridge that can be inserted into the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. It can be used.

74 ·· Screw cover, 74c ··· First regulating portion, 86 ··· First screw, 86a · · Drive transmission portion, 86b · · Axis (first axis), 86s · · · Drive shaft, 87 ··· Second screw , 87a ... Drive receiving part, 87b ... Axis (second axis), 87s ... Driven shaft

Claims (19)

A transport device for transporting a developer,
A first transport member having a drive transmission portion and a drive shaft;
A second conveying member that receives a driving force from the drive transmission unit;
A restricting portion for restricting a position of the first conveying member in the axial direction,
The conveying device, wherein the restricting portion and the drive transmission portion are in contact with each other.   The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the drive transmission unit includes an engagement part protruding from the drive shaft, and the engagement part is in contact with the restriction part. A lid member for forming a developer accommodating space inside the apparatus;
The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the restricting portion is provided on the lid member.   The distance from the axial position of the drive shaft to the maximum height position of the restricting portion in the cross section intersecting the drive shaft is greater than the distance from the axial position of the drive shaft to the maximum height position of the drive transmission portion. The conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying apparatus is short.   5. The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the restriction portion and the drive transmission portion are in contact with each other.   The transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second transport member includes a drive receiving portion and a driven shaft. The drive transmission portion has a first engagement portion,
The transport device according to claim 6, wherein the drive receiving portion includes a second engagement portion that engages with the first engagement portion.   The conveying device according to claim 7, wherein the conveying device includes a plurality of the first engaging portions.   The transport device according to claim 7, wherein the transport device includes a plurality of the second engaging portions.   10. The transport device according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the first and second engaging portions includes an end surface connecting a plurality of the engaging portions. 11. A second restricting portion for restricting an axial position of the second transport member;
The transport apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second restricting portion and the drive receiving portion are in contact with each other.   The transport apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a third restricting portion that restricts a position in a direction intersecting with an axial direction of the second transport member. The second transport member has a drive receiving portion,
The transport device according to claim 12, wherein the third restricting portion is provided at a position facing the direction of the force received by the drive receiving portion from the drive transmitting portion. A lid member for forming a developer accommodating space inside the apparatus;
The restricting portion is provided on the lid member,
A second restricting portion for restricting an axial position of the second transport member;
The transport apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the second and third restricting portions are provided on the lid member.   The transport device according to claim 3 or 14, wherein the lid member includes a groove for inserting a seal member. A collecting member for collecting the developer on the image carrier;
The transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the developer recovered by the recovery member is transported to a storage unit.
A cleaning device comprising: A developer carrier for carrying a developer to be supplied to the image carrier;
The transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the developer is transported to the developer carrier.
A developing device comprising: A process cartridge that can be inserted into the main body of an image forming apparatus,
An image carrier;
A process cartridge comprising at least one of the conveying device according to claim 1, the cleaning device according to claim 16, and the developing device according to claim 17. An image carrier;
At least one of the conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the cleaning device according to claim 16, and the developing device according to claim 17,
In the process cartridge or in the main body of the image forming apparatus not using the process cartridge,
An image forming apparatus further comprising an exposure device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier.