Driving device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a drive device that can suppress the adhesion of foreign matter to the drive motor. [Solution] The intermediate turn drive device 70, which serves as a drive device, is equipped with an intermediate turn drive motor 71, which is a drive motor, and is attached to an intermediate transfer unit, which is a pull-out unit configured to be pull-out from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The intermediate turn drive device 70 has a receiving member such as an intermediate turn motor cover 79 that receives falling objects such as waste toner that fall onto the intermediate turn drive motor 71 from the connection between the image waste toner transport path 60a and the photoreceptor cleaning discharge path 44c of the image unit when the image forming unit, which is a second pull-out unit, is pulled out.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drive device and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a drive device provided with a drive motor and attached to a drawer unit configured to be pullable out of an image forming apparatus main body is known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes, as the above drive device, one that is attached to a secondary transfer unit, which is a drawer unit, and rotationally drives a secondary transfer member by a drive motor.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there has been a risk that falling objects such as toner falling from an intermediate transfer unit or the like disposed above the secondary transfer unit adhere to the drive motor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a drive device provided with a drive motor and attached to a drawer unit configured to be pullable out of an image forming apparatus main body, characterized in that a receiving member for receiving falling objects onto the drive motor is provided.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, adhesion of foreign matter to the drive motor can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] Schematic configuration diagram showing a copying machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Schematic configuration diagram showing one of four image forming units. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing the rear of the Y-colored imaging unit. [Figure 4] A perspective view showing the image-forming drive mechanism. [Figure 5] A perspective view showing the developing drive unit and cleaning drive unit of the image-making drive device. [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram illustrating the transport of waste toner and discharged developer. [Figure 7] A schematic diagram of the area surrounding the center turn drive mechanism. [Figure 8] Perspective view of the center turn drive mechanism. [Figure 9] Exploded perspective view of the center turn drive mechanism. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view AA in Figure 7. [Figure 11] This diagram illustrates the challenges of constructing a rotary motor cover from a resin molded part. [Figure 12] A perspective view of the center turn drive unit with the motor holding plate, center turn drive motor, and center turn motor cover removed. [Figure 13] A perspective view showing the motor holding plate attached to the center turn drive housing. [Figure 14] Perspective view of the first cover member. [Figure 15] A perspective view showing the first cover member positioned on the center rotation motor. [Figure 16] A perspective view of a center turn drive unit in which the center turn motor cover is constructed from a part of a resin molded product. [Figure 17] Perspective view of the center turn drive mechanism in modified example 1. [Figure 18] A schematic diagram showing the area around the center turn drive mechanism in modified example 2. [Figure 19] Perspective view of the center turn drive mechanism in modified example 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes embodiments of the present invention applied to a photocopier as an image forming apparatus. First, an overview of this photocopier will be described using Figure 1. This photocopier has the function of a so-called digital color photocopier, which digitizes the image information obtained by scanning and reading an original document and uses it for image formation. This photocopier also has the function of a facsimile for exchanging image information of an original document with a remote location, and the function of a so-called printer for printing image information handled by a computer onto paper.

[0009] In Figure 1, the copier is a tandem electrophotographic device that forms images on recording sheets using an intermediate transfer method with an intermediate transfer belt 11, and also forms toner images of each color using dedicated image-forming units. At the bottom of the copier in the vertical direction, a multi-stage feeding unit 2 is provided. Above this, an image forming unit 1 is provided, and further above, a scanner unit 3 is provided. Each stage of the feeding unit 2 is equipped with a feeding tray 21 that accommodates a bundle of recording sheets, such as plain paper, OHP sheets, or second original drawings, and a feeding device 21a that feeds the sheets from the sheet bundles contained in the feeding tray 21. The feeding device 21a includes a pickup roller 121 that feeds the recording sheets from the feeding tray 21 and a separation feeding means 122 that separates and feeds the fed sheets.

[0010] Approximately in the center of the image forming unit 1, an intermediate transfer unit is provided, which tames an endless intermediate transfer belt 11 with multiple rollers arranged inside a belt loop. The intermediate transfer belt 11 rotates (moves on its surface) in a clockwise direction in the figure. Above the intermediate transfer belt 11, along the direction of surface movement of the intermediate transfer belt 11, four imaging units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K are provided for creating toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Hereafter, the color coding codes Y, M, C, and K will be omitted as appropriate. Above the four imaging units 40, two latent image writing means are provided: a first writing unit 20a and a second writing unit 20b.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one of the four image forming units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K. Each image forming unit 40 is provided with a drum-shaped photoreceptor 41 as a latent image carrier. The image forming unit 40 supports various devices arranged around the photoreceptor 41 as a single unit on a common support, and they are detachable from the main body of the image forming unit. Each photoreceptor 41 is provided so as to be rotatable in the counterclockwise direction in the figure, and a known charging device 42, developing device 43, photoreceptor cleaning device 44, and lubricant applying device 45 are provided around it.

[0012] The charging device 42 is mainly composed of a charging roller 42a arranged to contact the photoreceptor 41 and a charging roller cleaner 42b that contacts and rotates with the charging roller 42a. The charging roller 42a is applied with a charging bias to give an electric charge to the surface of the photoreceptor 41 to uniformly charge the photoreceptor 41. The charging roller cleaner 42b removes deposits such as toner adhering to the surface of the charging roller 42a.

[0013] The developing device 43 has a developing roller 43a as a developer carrier that supplies toner to the latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 41 while moving on the surface in the direction of arrow I in the figure to develop the latent image. Further, it has a supply screw 43b as a supply and conveyance member that conveys the developer from the back side to the front side in a direction orthogonal to the drawing surface while supplying the developer to the developing roller 43a. The supply screw 43b includes a rotating shaft and blades provided on this rotating shaft, and conveys the developer in the axial direction by rotating.

[0014] Downstream from the point where the developing roller 43a and the supply screw 43b face each other in the direction of the developing roller surface movement, a developing doctor 43c is provided as a developing agent regulating member that restricts the developer on the developing roller 43a to a thickness suitable for development. Furthermore, downstream from the developing region, which is the region where the developing roller 43a and the photoreceptor 41 face each other, a recovery screw 43d is provided to recover the developed developer that has passed through the developing region. This recovery screw 43d transports the recovered developer recovered from the developing roller 43a in the same direction as the supply screw 43b. The supply transport path 43e, which houses the supply screw 43b, is arranged to the side of the developing roller 43a. In addition, the recovery transport path 43f, which houses the recovery screw 43d and serves as a developer recovery transport path, is arranged parallel to the bottom of the developing roller 43a.

[0015] The developing apparatus 43 has an agitation conveying path 43g that agitates and conveys the developer in a direction parallel to the recovery conveying path 43f below the supply conveying path 43e. The agitation conveying path 43g has an agitation screw 43h that agitates and conveys the developer in the direction opposite to the supply screw 43b, towards the back in the figure.

[0016] The supply transport path 43e and the agitation transport path 43g are separated by a first partition wall. The first partition wall has openings at both the front and back ends in the diagram where it separates the supply transport path 43e and the agitation transport path 43g, allowing the supply transport path 43e and the agitation transport path 43g to communicate. The supply transport path 43e and the recovery transport path 43f are also separated by a first partition wall, but there are no openings in the first partition wall where it separates the supply transport path 43e and the recovery transport path 43f. Furthermore, the two transport paths, the agitation transport path 43g and the recovery transport path 43f, are separated by a second partition wall. The second partition wall has an opening at the front end in the diagram, allowing the agitation transport path 43g and the recovery transport path 43f to communicate.

[0017] The developer on the developing roller 43a is thinned by the developing doctor 43c and then transported to the developing region, which is the region opposite the developing roller 43a to the photoreceptor 41, to contribute to development. After development, the developer is collected in the recovery transport path 43f and then transported from the back to the front in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing paper, and enters the agitation transport path 43g through an opening provided in the second partition wall. In the agitation transport path 43g, near the opening in the second partition wall at the upstream end in the developer transport direction, toner is supplied into the agitation transport path 43g from a developer supply port provided on the upper side of the agitation transport path 43g.

[0018] In the supply transport path 43e, which receives developer from the agitation transport path 43g, the developer is supplied to the developing roller 43a while the supply screw 43b transports the developer to the vicinity of the downstream end in the developer transport direction of the supply transport path 43e. Then, any excess developer that was supplied to the developing roller 43a but not used for developing is transported to the vicinity of the downstream end in the developer transport direction of the supply transport path 43e and supplied to the agitation transport path 43g through the excess opening of the first partition.

[0019] The recovered developer is sent from the developing roller 43a to the recovery transport path 43f and transported by the recovery screw 43d to near the downstream end of the developer transport direction in the recovery transport path 43f. The recovered developer is then supplied to the agitation transport path 43g through the recovery opening of the second partition wall. The agitation transport path 43g then transports the supplied excess developer and the recovered developer by the agitation screw 43h to a position near the downstream end of the agitation transport path 43g in the developer transport direction and near the upstream end of the developer transport direction in the supply transport path 43e, while agitating the supplied excess developer and the recovered developer. The developer transported to this position enters the supply transport path 43e through the supply opening of the first partition wall.

[0020] In the agitation transport path 43g, the agitation screw 43h agitates and transports the recovered developer, excess developer, and toner supplied as needed from the developer supply port in the opposite direction to the developer in the recovery transport path 43f and the supply transport path 43e. The agitated developer is then transferred to the vicinity of the upstream end of the developer transport direction of the supply transport path 43e, which is connected to the downstream end of the developer transport direction.

[0021] A toner concentration sensor is installed near the supply opening at the downstream end of the agitation and transport path 43g in the developer transport direction, directly below it. In response to the output from the toner concentration sensor, a toner replenishment control device is activated, and toner is replenished into the agitation and transport path 43g.

[0022] The photoreceptor cleaning device 44 mainly consists of a cleaning blade 44a, which is an elastic member that is elongated in the direction of the rotation axis of the photoreceptor 41, and a discharge screw 44b. The cleaning blade 44a presses against the surface of the photoreceptor 41 with one side (contact side) that extends in the elongated direction as its edge, pulling off and removing unwanted deposits such as transfer residue toner from the surface of the photoreceptor 41. The removed toner is discharged outside the photoreceptor cleaning device 44 by the discharge screw 44b.

[0023] The lubricant application device 45 mainly consists of a lubricant application brush 45a, a solid lubricant 45b, and a leveling blade 45c. The solid lubricant 45b is held in a bracket 45d and pressurized toward the lubricant application brush by a pressurizing means. The lubricant application brush 45a rotates in a direction that follows the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 41, scraping off the solid lubricant 45b and applying the lubricant to the photoreceptor 41. The leveling blade 45c presses its longitudinally extending edge (contact edge) against the surface of the photoreceptor 41 to level the lubricant on the surface of the photoreceptor 41.

[0024] In Figure 1, the intermediate transfer unit 10 includes an intermediate transfer belt 11, a belt cleaning device 17, and four primary transfer rollers 46. The intermediate transfer belt 11 is tensioned by multiple rollers, including a tension roller 14, a drive roller 15, and a secondary transfer opposing roller 16. The intermediate transfer belt 11 is moved endlessly clockwise in the figure by the rotational drive of the drive roller 15 by an intermediate rotation drive device 70 (see Figure 7), which is a drive device provided in the intermediate transfer unit 10.

[0025] The four primary transfer rollers 46 are each positioned to contact the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11 and receive a primary transfer bias from the power supply. They also press the intermediate transfer belt 11 toward the photoreceptor 41 from its inner circumferential surface to form primary transfer nips. Due to the influence of the primary transfer bias, a primary transfer electric field is formed between the photoreceptor and the primary transfer roller at each primary transfer nip. The toner image on the photoreceptor 41 is primary transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 11 due to the influence of this primary transfer electric field and nip pressure.

[0026] Furthermore, the intermediate transfer unit 10 has a secondary transfer unit 22, which constitutes the secondary transfer means, located below the intermediate transfer belt 11. The secondary transfer unit 22 is equipped with a secondary transfer roller 22a that presses against the secondary transfer opposing roller 16 via the intermediate transfer belt 11. This secondary transfer roller 22a then transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 to the recording sheet that is fed between itself and the intermediate transfer belt 11 in a single secondary transfer.

[0027] The secondary transfer unit 22 includes a secondary transfer belt 22b stretched over a plurality of rollers, including a secondary transfer roller 22a. The secondary transfer unit 22 also has a secondary transfer motor that rotates one of the plurality of rollers, including the secondary transfer roller 22a. The secondary transfer unit 22 is configured to be retractable from the front of the image forming unit for maintenance such as jam removal.

[0028] A belt cleaning device 17 is provided downstream of the secondary transfer opposing roller 16 in the direction of surface movement of the intermediate transfer belt 11. This belt cleaning device 17 removes residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11 after image transfer. The belt cleaning device 17 also includes a lubricant application mechanism, which applies lubricant to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 11.

[0029] Downstream of the secondary transfer roller 22a in the paper transport direction, a fixing device 25 is provided to fix the toner image formed on the recording sheet to the sheet surface. A fixing pressure roller 27 is pressed against an endless fixing belt 26. After image transfer, the recording sheet is transported to the fixing device 25 by an endless transport belt 24 stretched between a pair of rollers. Below the secondary transfer roller 22a, a sheet reversing device 28 is provided to invert the sheet when forming images on both the front and back surfaces of the sheet.

[0030] Furthermore, a manual feed unit 4 is provided on the right side of the image forming unit 1 in the diagram. The manual feed unit 4 includes a manual feed tray 51 on which manually fed recording sheets are placed, and a manual feed device 150 that feeds the recording sheets placed on the manual feed tray 51. The manual feed device 150 includes a manual feed pickup roller 52 that feeds the recording sheets from the manual feed tray 51, and a manual feed separation feeding means 53 that separates and feeds the fed sheets.

[0031] Furthermore, a waste toner collector 50 is provided on the left side of the feeding unit 2 in the diagram, which collects waste toner discharged from each image unit 40Y, M, C, K, the intermediate transfer unit 10, and the secondary transfer unit 22. The waste toner discharged from each image unit 40Y, M, C, K, the intermediate transfer unit 10, and the secondary transfer unit 22 is transported to the waste toner collector 50 by a waste toner transport unit 60 located at the back of the copier, as will be described later.

[0032] When making a color copy of an original document with a copier having the above configuration, the scanner unit 3 reads the image of the original document set on the contact glass. The intermediate transfer belt 11 is rotated to form toner images on each photoreceptor 41 by a known image forming process. Next, the toner images formed on each photoreceptor are sequentially superimposed and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 11 to form a four-color superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11.

[0033] Meanwhile, in parallel with the image formation operation of the four-color superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11, the recording sheets are separated and fed one by one from the selected feeding tray 21 of the feeding unit 2 by the feeding device 21a and transported toward the register roller 29.

[0034] In addition to feeding from the feed tray 21, feeding may also be performed from the manual feed tray 51. In this case, the recording sheets on the manual feed tray 51 are separated and fed one by one from the manual feed device 150 and transported toward the register roller 29.

[0035] The separated recording sheet is temporarily stopped and put into a waiting position when it comes into contact with the nip of the register roller 29. The register roller 29 is started to rotate at a predetermined timing to adjust the positional relationship between the four-color superimposed toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 and the leading edge of the recording sheet. This rotation of the register roller 29 causes the waiting recording sheet to be fed again. As a result, the four-color superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is secondarily transferred to the predetermined position on the recording sheet by the secondary transfer roller 22a, forming a full-color toner image on the recording sheet.

[0036] The recording sheet on which the full-color toner image has been formed is then fed to the fuser 25, which is located downstream of the secondary transfer roller 22a in the transport path. The fuser 25 fixes the full-color toner image that has been secondarily transferred by the secondary transfer roller 22a onto the recording sheet. The recording sheet on which the full-color toner image has been fixed is then discharged to the outside of the device by the paper discharge roller 30. In the double-sided printing mode, where an image is formed on both sides of the recording sheet, if a recording sheet on which the full-color toner image has been fixed only on the first side is discharged from the fuser 25, that recording sheet is sent to the sheet inversion device 28 instead of the paper discharge roller 30. After being inverted on both sides by the sheet inversion device 28, it is transported again to the registration roller 29. Subsequently, a full-color image is formed on the second side as well, by passing through the secondary transfer roller 22a and the fuser 25.

[0037] Opening the front cover of the image forming unit 1 exposes the image forming units 40Y, M, C, K, intermediate transfer unit 10, fixing device 25, sheet transport unit, and sheet discharge unit. The sheet transport unit includes a registration roller 29, a sheet reversing device 28, and a transport drive unit having a transport motor that drives the transport rollers such as the registration roller, and transports the sheets sent from the feeding unit 2 toward the secondary transfer roller 22a. The sheet discharge unit includes a paper discharge roller 30 and a paper discharge drive unit having a paper discharge motor that drives the paper discharge roller 30, and transports the recording sheets that have passed through the fixing device 25, and discharges the recording sheets outside the image forming unit.

[0038] By opening the front cover of the image forming unit 1, the image forming units 40Y, M, C, and K can be pulled out from the front of the image forming unit 1 and detached from the main body of the image forming unit. The fixing device 25 is also configured to be pulled out from the front and detached. Alternatively, each image forming unit 40Y, M, C, and K can be pulled out relative to the main body of the image forming unit, and the components of the image forming unit (photoreceptor 41, charging device 42, developing device 43, photoreceptor cleaning device 44, etc.) can be replaced while the image forming unit is pulled out.

[0039] The sheet transport and sheet discharge sections are designed to be retractable from the main image forming unit. When a paper jam occurs, the jammed paper can be removed by pulling them out from the front of the image forming unit.

[0040] Furthermore, the intermediate transfer unit 10 is configured to be pullable from the front of the image forming unit 1. In addition, the secondary transfer unit 22 provided by the intermediate transfer unit 10 can be independently pulled out from the image forming unit 1 during maintenance such as paper jams. Thus, in this embodiment, the image forming units 40Y, M, C, K, the sheet transport unit, the sheet discharge unit, the fixing device 25, the intermediate transfer unit 10, and the secondary transfer unit 22 function as pull-out units.

[0041] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the back of the Y-colored imaging unit 40Y. As shown in Figure 3, a positioning plate 130 is attached to the rear side of the image-forming unit 40Y to position the photoreceptor 41Y and the developing roller 43a so that the development gap between the photoreceptor 41Y and the developing roller 43a is a specified gap. The positioning plate 130 is positioned on the developing device 43 and secured with screws 132a, 132b, 132c, and 132d.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, a photoreceptor-driven coupling 3b is provided at the rear end of the photoreceptor 41Y. The photoreceptor shaft is provided on the image forming unit body, and the photoreceptor 41Y is held on the photoreceptor shaft by inserting the photoreceptor shaft into the drum shaft hole 3c provided in the center of the flange of the photoreceptor 41Y. The imaging unit 40Y is positioned on the main body of the device by inserting the imaging unit positioning pin 131, which penetrates the positioning faceplate 130, into the imaging unit positioning hole of the main body of the device, and inserting the photoreceptor axis provided on the main body of the device into the photoreceptor 41Y.

[0043] Furthermore, the rear side of the image-forming unit 40Y has a development-driven coupling 95b attached to the shaft of the development roller 43a, and a screw-driven coupling 99b attached to the shaft of the supply screw 43b. Also, the rear side of the image-forming unit 40Y has a brush-driven coupling 125 attached to the brush shaft of the lubricant application brush 45a.

[0044] A gear is attached to the front end of the shaft of the supply screw 43b, and through this gear, driving force is transmitted to the recovery screw 43d and the stirring screw 43h, causing the recovery screw 43d and the stirring screw 43h to rotate. In addition, a gear is attached to the front end of the brush shaft of the lubricant application brush 45a, and through this gear, driving force is transmitted to the discharge screw 44b, causing the discharge screw 44b to rotate.

[0045] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the image-forming drive device 200 that drives the image-forming unit. The image-forming drive unit 200 includes a photoreceptor drive unit 110 equipped with a photoreceptor motor 111 for driving the photoreceptor 41. The image-forming drive unit 200 also includes a developing drive unit 90 equipped with a developing motor 91 for driving rotating parts within the developing unit, such as the developing roller 43a and screws 43b, 43d, and 43h. Furthermore, the image-forming drive unit 200 includes a cleaning drive unit 80 equipped with a cleaning motor 81 for driving lubricant application brushes 45a and discharge screws 44b. The developing motor 91 and the cleaning motor 81 are mounted on a first motor mounting plate 120, which is mounted on the rear side plate 100 on the side opposite to the image-forming unit. The photoreceptor motor 111 is mounted on a second motor mounting plate 114, which is mounted on the first motor mounting plate 120.

[0046] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the developing drive unit 90 and the cleaning drive unit 80 of the image-making drive device 200. As shown in Figure 5, the cleaning drive unit 80 includes a cleaning drive input gear unit 82, a cleaning drive output gear 83, a cleaning drive output shaft 85, a brush drive side coupling 84, a coil spring 86, and the like. The cleaning drive input gear unit 82 has a first gear 82a that meshes with the motor gear 81a of the cleaning motor 81, and a second gear 82b that meshes with the cleaning drive output gear 83. The cleaning drive output gear 83 is mounted on the cleaning drive output shaft 85 so as to rotate together with the cleaning drive output shaft 85. The cleaning drive output shaft 85 is rotatably supported on the rear side plate 100 via a bearing 85a.

[0047] The brush drive-side coupling 84 is mounted on the cleaning drive output shaft 85 so as to be axially slidable, and the coil spring 86 is provided between the brush drive-side coupling 84 and the bearing 85a. By driving the brush drive-side coupling 84 to the brush driven-side coupling 125 described above, the driving force of the cleaning motor 81 is transmitted to the lubricant application brush 45a.

[0048] The developing drive unit 90 includes a roller drive transmission path 90a for transmitting the driving force of the developing motor 91 to the developing roller 43a, and a screw drive transmission path 90b for transmitting the driving force of the developing motor 91 to the supply screw 43b.

[0049] The roller drive transmission path 90a includes a roller drive input member 92, a roller timing belt 93, a roller drive output pulley 94, a roller drive output shaft 141, and a developer drive side coupling 95a. The screw drive transmission path 90b includes a screw drive input member 96, a screw timing belt 97, a screw drive output pulley 98, a screw drive output shaft 142, a screw drive side coupling 99a, and a coil spring 143.

[0050] The roller drive input member 92 has an internal gear 92a that meshes with the motor gear 91a of the developing motor 91, and a roller drive input pulley 92b. The roller timing belt 93 is wound around the roller drive input pulley 92b and the roller drive output pulley 94. The roller drive output pulley 94 is attached to the roller drive output shaft 141 so as to rotate together with the roller drive output shaft 141. The roller drive output shaft 141 is rotatably supported on the rear plate 100 via a bearing 141a. A developing drive side coupling 95a is attached to the tip of the roller drive output shaft 141 so as to rotate together with the roller drive output shaft 141. The developing drive side coupling 95a has a cylindrical portion and internal teeth are formed on its inner circumferential surface. The developing driven side coupling 95b described above is inserted into the developing drive side coupling 95a to drive and connect them. As a result, the driving force of the developing motor 91 is transmitted to the developing roller 43a via the developing joint 95, which is composed of a developing drive coupling 95a and a developing driven coupling 95b.

[0051] The screw drive input member 96 has an external gear 96a that meshes with the motor gear 91a of the developing motor 91, and a screw drive input pulley 96b. The screw timing belt 97 is wound around the screw drive input pulley 96b and the screw drive output pulley 98. The screw drive output pulley 98 is attached to the screw drive output shaft 142 so as to rotate integrally with the screw drive output shaft 142. The screw drive output shaft 142 is rotatably supported on the rear side plate 100 via a bearing 142a. A screw drive side coupling 99a is attached to the tip of the screw drive output shaft 142 so as to be axially slidable and rotate integrally with the screw drive output shaft 142. A coil spring 143 is provided between the screw drive side coupling 99a and the bearing 142a. The screw drive side coupling 99a is driven and connected to the screw driven side coupling 99b described above. As a result, the driving force of the developing motor 91 is transmitted to the supply screw 43b via the screw joint 99, which is composed of a screw drive-side coupling 99a and a screw driven-side coupling 99b.

[0052] Next, we will explain the transport of waste toner and discharged developer. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the transport of waste toner and discharged developer, and shows the copier viewed from the back. A waste toner transport unit 60 is provided at the rear of the copier. The waste toner transport unit 60 has an image waste toner transport path 60a, an intermediate transfer waste toner transport path 60b, a secondary transfer waste toner transport path 60c, a drop path 60d, and a final transport path 60e. The image waste toner transport path 60a, the intermediate transfer waste toner transport path 60b, and the secondary transfer waste toner transport path 60c are connected to the drop path 60d, and the drop path 60d is connected to the final transport path 60e. The final transport path 60e is connected to the waste toner collector 50.

[0053] The image processing waste toner transport path 60a transports the waste toner discharged from the photoreceptor cleaning devices 44Y,M,C,K of each image processing unit and the developer discharged from the developing devices 43Y,M,C,K of each image processing unit.

[0054] The image waste toner transport path 60a is connected to the photoconductor cleaning discharge paths 44cY,M,C,K and the developer discharge paths 43iY,M,C,K. Waste toner discharged from the photoconductor cleaning discharge paths 44cY,M,C,K to the image waste toner transport path 60a is transported towards the drop path 60d by the rotation of a transport screw installed in the image waste toner transport path 60a. Similarly, developer discharged from the developer discharge paths 43iY,M,C,K to the image waste toner transport path 60a is also transported towards the drop path 60d by the rotation of a transport screw installed in the image waste toner transport path 60a.

[0055] The intermediate-rotating waste toner transport path 60b is connected to the belt cleaning discharge path 17a of the belt cleaning device 17, and waste toner is discharged from the belt cleaning discharge path 17a4. The waste toner discharged to the intermediate-rotating waste toner transport path 60b is transported toward the drop path 60d by the rotation of a transport screw installed in the intermediate-rotating waste toner transport path 60b.

[0056] The secondary transfer waste toner transport path 60c is connected to the cleaning discharge path 22d of the secondary transfer belt cleaning device 22c, which cleans the surface of the secondary transfer belt 22b. Waste toner removed from the secondary transfer belt by the secondary transfer belt cleaning device 22c is discharged from the cleaning discharge path 22d. The waste toner discharged to the secondary transfer waste toner transport path 60c is transported toward the drop path 60d by the rotation of a transport screw installed in the secondary transfer waste toner transport path 60c.

[0057] The waste toner and developer transported to the drop path 60d fall to the final transport path 60e and are then transported to the waste toner collector 50 by a transport screw located in the final transport path 60e.

[0058] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the area around the intermediate turn drive unit 70, which is a drive device that drives the intermediate transfer belt 11; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the intermediate turn drive unit 70; and Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the intermediate turn drive unit 70. The intermediate roller drive device 70 is attached to the transfer rear plate 10a of the frame of the intermediate transfer unit 10, which is a drawer unit, and is mostly located inside the rear plate 100 of the image forming unit 1 (see Figure 7). The intermediate roller drive device 70 has an intermediate roller drive motor 71, which is a drive motor, and an intermediate roller drive gear 72. The intermediate roller drive gear 72 is attached to the shaft 15a of the drive roller 15 and meshes with a gear portion formed on the output shaft 71a of the intermediate roller drive motor.

[0059] The center turn drive motor 71 is an outer rotor type DC brushless motor and has an output shaft 71a (motor shaft), a control board 71b, and a rotor section 71c. The center turn drive motor 71 is screwed to the motor holding plate 74 by screws 78b so that the output shaft 71a passes through the motor holding plate 74 (see Figure 9). The motor holding plate 74 is screwed to the center turn drive housing 73, which is attached to the transfer back side plate 10a, by screws 78a (see Figures 8 and 9). The center turn drive housing 73 covers the center turn drive gear 72 and the output shaft 71a of the center turn drive motor 71.

[0060] The control board 71b and rotor section 71c of the center turn drive motor 71 are covered by a center turn motor cover 79, which is a receiving member. The center turn motor cover 79 is composed of a first cover member 75 made of resin molded product and a second cover member 77 in the form of a sheet (see Figures 8 and 9).

[0061] The first cover member 75 has a cooling opening 75a that opens so as to expose a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the drive roller of the rotor section 71c (the front-to-back direction of the image forming apparatus). A blower fan, the central rotor drive cooling fan 76, is positioned opposite this cooling opening 75a (see Figure 7). The airflow generated by the central rotor drive cooling fan 76 is drawn into the internal space of the central rotor motor cover 79 where the control board 71b and the rotor section 71c are located, and the control board 71b and the rotor section 71c are air-cooled. This suppresses the temperature rise of the central rotor drive motor 71. Furthermore, by positioning the cooling opening 75a opposite the central rotor drive cooling fan 76, the cooling air generated by the central rotor drive cooling fan 76 can be effectively drawn into the central rotor motor cover 79, thereby effectively suppressing the temperature rise of the central rotor drive motor 71.

[0062] As shown in Figure 9, the first cover member 75 has an opening 75b at its upper end, and the sheet-like second cover member 77 covers this opening 75b. The second cover member 77 is attached to the first cover member 75 by double-sided tape or adhesive. The first cover member 75 is screwed to the center drive housing 73 by screws 78c.

[0063] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 10, in this embodiment, the imaging waste toner transport path 60a, which is a proximity member, is positioned close to the center rotation motor cover 79 directly above it. To prevent interference between the center rotation motor cover 79 and the imaging waste toner transport path 60a due to manufacturing or assembly errors, it is necessary to secure a predetermined gap D between the center rotation motor cover 79 and the imaging waste toner transport path 60a. In addition, the rotor portion 71c of the center rotation drive motor 71, which is located in the internal space of the center rotation motor cover 79, rotates when driven. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a predetermined gap between the center rotation motor cover 79 and the rotor portion 71c so that the center rotation motor cover 79 does not come into contact with the rotor portion 71c.

[0064] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a case where the intermediate motor cover 79 is constructed from a part of a resin molded product. In the configuration shown in Figure 11, the length d from the top R1 of the rotor section 71c to the top R2 of the intermediate motor cover 79 facing the image waste toner transport path 60a is equal to the gap between the rotor section 71c and the intermediate motor cover 79 plus the thickness of the resin molded product. As a result, the height of the intermediate motor cover 79 increases, making it impossible to secure the predetermined gap D between the intermediate motor cover 79 and the image waste toner transport path 60a. Consequently, there is a risk of interference between the intermediate motor cover 79 and the image waste toner transport path 60a due to manufacturing errors or assembly errors. Furthermore, if the thickness of the portion of the intermediate motor cover 79 facing the image waste toner transport path 60a is reduced in order to lower the height of the intermediate motor cover 79, manufacturing defects such as sink marks may occur, making it impossible to manufacture the intermediate motor cover 79 with high precision.

[0065] In contrast, in this embodiment, an opening 75b is provided in the upper part of the first cover member 75 shown in Figure 10, facing the image waste toner transport path 60a. As a result, even if the top of the rotor portion 71c and the lower end of the opening 75b are positioned almost identically in the vertical direction, a predetermined gap can be formed between the rotor portion 71c and the first cover member 75, and the height of the first cover member 75 can be reduced.

[0066] Then, the opening 75b is covered with a thin, sheet-like second cover member 77. This makes the length d from the top R1 of the rotor section 71c to the top R2 of the center turn motor cover 79 approximately the thickness of the first cover member 75. Thus, the height of the center turn motor cover 79 can be reduced while ensuring a predetermined gap between the center turn motor cover 79 and the rotor section 71c so that the center turn motor cover 79 does not come into contact with the rotor section 71c. As a result, as shown in Figure 10, a predetermined gap D can be secured between the center turn motor cover 79 and the image waste toner transport path 60a, preventing interference between the center turn motor cover 79 and the image waste toner transport path 60a due to manufacturing errors or assembly errors.

[0067] In Figure 10, the top of the rotor portion 71c is located almost identically to the lower end of the opening 75b in the vertical direction; however, the top of the rotor portion 71c may also be located inside the opening 75b.

[0068] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the center turn drive unit 70 with the motor holding plate 74, center turn drive motor 71, and center turn motor cover 79 removed. As shown in Figure 12, a parallel pin 72a passes through the rear end of the shaft 15a of the drive roller 15, and the center drive gear 72 engages with the parallel pin 72a. The center drive housing 73, which covers the center drive gear 72 and the output shaft 71a of the center drive motor 71, has two first female threaded portions 73a for screwing the motor holding plate 74 and two second female threaded portions 73b for screwing the first cover member 75.

[0069] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the motor holding plate 74 attached to the center turn drive housing 73. As shown in Figure 13, the motor holding plate 74 is screwed to the center turn drive housing 73 by screwing the screw 78a into the first female threaded portion 73a. A through-hole 74a is provided approximately in the center of the motor holding sheet metal 74, through which the output shaft 71a of the center-turning drive motor 71 passes. Four female threaded portions 74b for screwing the center-turning drive motor 71 are formed around this through-hole 74a.

[0070] Furthermore, the motor holding sheet metal 74 supports the rear end of the shaft 15a of the drive roller 15 via a bearing. In this way, by supporting the rear end of the shaft 15a of the drive roller 15 with the motor holding sheet metal 74 that holds the center turn drive motor 71, the precision of the positional relationship between the output shaft 71a of the center turn drive motor 71 and the shaft 15a of the drive roller can be improved. As a result, the center turn drive gear 72 and the gear portion formed on the output shaft 71a of the center turn drive motor can be meshed with precision.

[0071] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the first cover member 75. As shown in Figure 14, the first cover member 75 is provided with two screw through-holes 75d through which screws 78c (see Figure 9) pass. In addition, positioning protrusions 75c are provided on the top surface, bottom surface, and both sides of the first cover member 75.

[0072] As shown in Figure 15, the first cover member 75 is positioned relative to the center turn drive motor 71 by contacting these positioning protrusions 75c with the center turn drive motor 71. This prevents the first cover member 75 from contacting the rotor portion 71c of the center turn drive motor 71, and prevents the rotor portion 71c from sliding against the first cover member 75 when the center turn drive motor 71 is driven. In addition, the gap between the first cover member 75 and the rotor portion 71c can be narrowed, allowing for a smaller first cover member 75 and saving space.

[0073] As shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, the center-rotation drive motor 71 is located inside the rear plate 100, except for the rear end of the rotor section 71c. The control board 71b of the center-rotation drive motor 71 and the upper part of the rotor section 71c are arranged to connect the image waste toner transport path 60a and the photoreceptor cleaning discharge path 44cK of the image unit 40K, which is the second extraction unit. A brush drive side coupling that connects the brush shaft of the lubricant application brush 45a to the cleaning drive output shaft 85 is also arranged there.

[0074] When the second pull-out unit, the image-forming unit 40K, is pulled out towards the front, the connection between the image-forming waste toner transport path 60a and the photoconductor cleaning discharge path 44cK, as well as the connection between the brush shaft of the lubricant application brush 45a and the cleaning drive output shaft 85, are released. When the connection between the image-forming waste toner transport path 60a and the photoconductor cleaning discharge path 44cK is released, there is a risk that waste toner may fall. Also, when the connection between the brush shaft and the cleaning drive output shaft 85 is released, there is a risk that wear particles may fall from the brush drive side coupling.

[0075] In this embodiment, the control board 71b and rotor section 71c of the center turn drive motor 71 are covered by a center turn motor cover 79, which acts as a receiving member. As a result, when viewed from above, the control board 71b and rotor section 71c are hidden by the center turn motor cover 79. Consequently, when the image-making unit 40K is pulled forward, any falling objects such as waste toner and wear dust that fall onto the control board 71b and rotor section 71c of the center turn drive motor 71 can be caught by the center turn motor cover 79. This prevents waste toner and wear dust from adhering to the control board 71b and rotor section 71c of the center turn drive motor 71.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the output shaft 71a of the center drive motor 71 and the center drive gear 72 are covered by the center drive housing 73, so that when viewed from above, the output shaft 71a and the center drive gear 72 are hidden by the center drive housing 73. As a result, any falling objects such as waste toner and wear dust that fall onto the center drive motor 71 and the center drive gear 72 are caught by the center drive housing 73. Consequently, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of falling objects such as waste toner and wear dust to the output shaft 71a and the center drive gear 72.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the cooling opening 75a is located outside the rear plate 100 within the image forming section. This prevents waste toner and wear particles that fall when the imaging unit 40K is pulled forward from entering the center motor cover 79 through the cooling opening 75a.

[0078] In this embodiment, as explained in Figures 10 and 11, there is a risk of interference between the center motor cover 79 and the image waste toner transport path 60a, so the center motor cover 79 is constructed from a first cover member 75 made of resin molded product and a second cover member in the form of a sheet. However, if the image waste toner transport path 60a is located sufficiently far from the center motor cover 79 and there is no risk of the aforementioned interference, the center motor cover 79 may be constructed from a part of a resin molded product, as shown in Figure 16.

[0079] [Example 1] Figure 17 is a perspective view of the intermediate turn drive device 70A of the modified example 1. In this modified example 1, the center turn drive device 70A is provided with a visor portion 73c on the center turn drive housing 73, so that when viewed from above, the control board 71b and the rotor portion 71c are hidden by this visor portion 73c. ​​In this way, when viewed from above, the control board 71b and the rotor portion 71c are covered by the visor portion 73c, so that any falling objects such as waste toner and wear dust that fall onto the control board 71b and the rotor portion 71c when the image-making unit 40K is pulled out are caught by the visor portion 73c. ​​Therefore, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of falling objects such as waste toner and wear dust to the control board 71b and the rotor portion 71c of the center turn drive motor 71.

[0080] In this modified example 1, the center turn drive housing 73 functions as a receiving member, and when viewed from above, the output shaft 71a, control board 71b, and rotor section 71c of the center turn drive motor 71 are covered and hidden by the center turn drive housing 73. In this modified example 1, the center turn drive housing 73, acting as a receiving member, catches all objects that fall onto the center turn drive motor 71. In this modified example 1, the center turn motor cover 79 can be eliminated, reducing the number of parts and lowering the cost of the center turn drive device 70A.

[0081] [Differentiation 2] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram showing the surroundings of the center turn drive unit 70B of the modified example 2, and Figure 19 is a perspective view of the center turn drive unit 70B of the modified example 2. As shown in Figures 18 and 19, this modified example 2 is such that the center turn motor cover 79 covers the control board 71b of the center turn drive motor 71 and the portion of the rotor section 71c that is located inside the rear side plate 100.

[0082] As shown in Figure 18, the connection between the image waste toner transport path 60a and the photoreceptor cleaning discharge path 44cK of the image unit 40K is located inside the rear plate 100. Also, the brush drive side coupling that connects the brush shaft of the lubricant application brush 45a to the cleaning drive output shaft 85 is located inside the rear plate 100. Therefore, when the image unit 40K is pulled out towards the front, waste toner and wear particles fall inside the rear plate 100. Thus, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, if the parts of the control board 71b and rotor section 71c of the center turn drive motor 71 that are located inside the rear plate 100 when viewed from above are hidden by the center turn motor cover 79, then the center turn motor cover 79 can catch any waste toner, wear particles, and other falling materials that fall onto the center turn drive motor 71 when the image unit 40K is pulled out towards the front. Therefore, as in the modified example 2, even if the portion of the rotor section 71c outside the rear side plate 100 is not covered by the center-rotating motor cover 79, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of falling objects such as waste toner and wear dust to the center-rotating drive motor 71.

[0083] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the spirit of the present invention as described in the claims, unless otherwise specifically limited in the above description. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an intermediate rotation drive device 70 attached to an intermediate transfer unit 10. However, the present invention can also be applied to a drive device for rotationally driving a secondary transfer belt 22b provided in a secondary transfer unit 22, which is a pull-out unit that can be pulled out from the main body of the image forming unit. This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter that falls from the intermediate transfer unit 10 or the like, which is located above the secondary transfer unit 22, from adhering to the motor of the drive device of the secondary transfer unit 22.

[0084] Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to drive devices attached to the sheet transport unit and sheet discharge unit, which are sheet transport units that can be pulled out from the main body of the image forming unit.

[0085] Furthermore, it is not necessary for the receiving member to catch all falling objects that fall onto the drive motor. For example, if there are areas on the drive motor where it is not a problem for falling objects to adhere to them, the receiving member may not be used to catch objects that fall into those areas.

[0086] The above is just one example; each of the following embodiments produces its own unique effects. (Aspect 1) In a drive device such as an intermediate turn drive unit 70, which is attached to a pull-out unit such as an intermediate transfer unit 10 that is equipped with a drive motor such as an intermediate turn drive motor 71 and is configured to be pull-out from the main body of an image forming apparatus, a receiving member such as an intermediate turn motor cover 79 is provided to receive objects that fall onto the drive motor. According to this design, falling objects from a unit positioned above the drawer unit towards the drive motor are caught by a receiving member, thereby preventing the objects from adhering to the drive motor.

[0087] (Aspect 2) In Embodiment 1, the receiving member, such as the intermediate motor cover 79, is positioned between the connection point between the member of the second drawer unit, such as the image forming unit (in this embodiment, the brush drive side coupling 84 and the photoreceptor cleaning discharge path 44c), which is retractable from the main body of the image forming apparatus and located above the drawer unit such as the intermediate transfer unit 10, and the member of the main body of the image forming apparatus (in this embodiment, the brush driven side coupling 125 and the image waste toner transport path 60a), and the drive motor such as the intermediate drive motor 71. According to this, when the second drawer unit, such as the image-forming unit 40K described in the embodiment, is pulled out and the connection between the components of the second drawer unit (in this embodiment, the brush-driven coupling 84 and the photoreceptor cleaning discharge path 44c) and the components of the image forming apparatus body (in this embodiment, the brush-driven coupling 125 and the image-forming waste toner transport path 60a) is released, falling objects such as waste toner and wear dust that fall from the connection point can be caught by a receiving member such as the center motor cover 79. This prevents falling objects from adhering to drive motors such as the center motor drive motor 71.

[0088] (Aspect 3) In embodiment 1 or 2, a portion of the drive motor, such as the center turn drive motor 71, is located inside the side plates, such as the rear side plate 100 of the image forming apparatus body, and the receiving member, such as the center turn motor cover 79, shields the portion of the drive motor that is located inside the side plates when viewed from above. According to this, as explained in Modification 2, connecting parts and units that handle toner, such as the imaging unit, are located inside the side plates, such as the rear side plate 100 of the image forming apparatus body. There is a risk that toner or other falling objects may fall into the area located inside the side plate of the drive motor. Therefore, as explained in Modification 2, by shielding the portion located inside the side plate of the drive motor when viewed from above with the receiving member, falling objects such as toner can be caught by the receiving member, and the adhesion of falling objects to the drive motor can be suppressed.

[0089] (Aspect 4) In any of embodiments 1 to 3, the drive motor, such as the center turn drive motor 71, has an output shaft 71a, a control board 71b, and a rotor section 71c, and the receiving member, such as the center turn motor cover 79, shields at least two of the output shaft 71a, the control board 71b, and the rotor section 71c when viewed from above. According to this, as described in the embodiment, the receiving member can catch any falling objects that have fallen from a unit positioned above the drive motor, such as the center-rotating drive motor 71, toward at least two of the output shaft 71a, the control board 71b, and the rotor section 71c, thereby preventing the falling objects from adhering to the drive motor.

[0090] (Aspect 5) In embodiment 4, the receiving member such as the rotary motor cover 79 has an internal space in which at least two components, an output shaft 71a, a control board 71b, and a rotor section 71c, are arranged, and the shielding member has a cooling opening 75a for drawing cooling air into the internal space. According to this, as described in the embodiment, the cooling air taken in from the cooling opening 75a of the receiving member such as the rotary motor cover 79 can cool the components of the drive motor located in the internal space of the shielding member such as the rotary motor cover 79, thereby suppressing the temperature rise of the drive motor.

[0091] (Aspect 6) In embodiment 5, the cooling opening 75a is positioned opposite a blower fan, such as a mid-rotation cooling fan 76, which blows cooling air. According to this, cooling air can be efficiently drawn in from the cooling opening 75a into the internal space of the shielding member such as the rotary motor cover 79, thereby effectively suppressing the temperature rise of the drive motor.

[0092] (Aspect 7) In embodiment 5 or 6, a portion of the drive motor, such as the center turn drive motor 71, is located inside the side plate, such as the rear side plate 100 of the image forming apparatus body, while the cooling opening 75a is located outside the side plate. According to this, as described in the embodiment, it is possible to prevent objects falling from a unit positioned above a drive motor, such as the center turn drive motor 71, from entering the internal space of a shielding member such as the center turn motor cover 79 through the cooling opening 75a.

[0093] (Pattern 8) In any of embodiments 1 to 7, the receiving member such as the central motor cover 79 consists of a resin molded member such as the first cover member 75 and a sheet member such as the second cover member 77. According to this, as described in the embodiment, the resin molded member needs to have a uniform thickness to suppress manufacturing defects such as sink marks. Therefore, if a receiving member such as the center motor cover 79 is made from a part of the resin molded member, the gap between the receiving member and a member such as the image waste toner transport path 60a that is placed close to it may become narrow. As a result, the receiving member may interfere with a member placed close to it due to assembly errors or the like. By constructing the receiving member, such as the central motor cover 79, with a resin molded member such as the first cover member 75 and a sheet member such as the second cover member 77, the portion of the receiving member that faces a component such as the image waste toner transport path 60a (hereinafter referred to as the adjacent component) positioned close to the receiving member is made of a sheet member. This reduces the thickness of the opposing portion and widens the gap between the adjacent component and the receiving member. As a result, interference between the receiving member and the adjacent component due to assembly errors, etc., can be suppressed.

[0094] (Aspect 9) In embodiment 8, the resin molded member such as the first cover member 75 has an internal space in which at least the rotor portion 71c of a drive motor such as the center turn drive motor 71 is arranged, and the rotor portion 71c of the resin molded member has an opposing opening such as an opening 75b in the portion facing a nearby member such as the image waste toner transport path 60a which is arranged close to a receiving member of an opposing wall portion that has a predetermined gap between it and the rotor portion 71c of the resin molded member, and the sheet member such as the second cover member 77 covers the opposing opening of the resin molded member. According to this, as described in the embodiment, a predetermined gap can be secured between the rotor portion 71c and the resin molded member such as the first cover member 75, and a gap can be secured between the adjacent member such as the image waste toner transport path 60a and the receiving member such as the center motor cover 79. This prevents the rotor portion 71c from sliding against the resin molded member when it rotates and suppresses interference with the adjacent member.

[0095] (Aspect 10) In any of embodiments 1 to 9, the drawer unit is an intermediate transfer unit 10, a secondary transfer unit 22, or a sheet transport unit such as a sheet transport section or a sheet discharge section.

[0096] (Aspect 11) In an image forming apparatus that includes a drive device such as an intermediate rotation drive device 70 and an extraction unit such as an intermediate transfer unit 10 configured to be extractable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, any of the drive devices from embodiments 1 to 10 was used as the drive device. According to this, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of foreign matter to the drive motor of the drive unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1: Image forming unit 10: Intermediate transfer unit 10a: Transfer rear side plate 11: Intermediate transfer belt 14: Tensioning roller 15: Drive roller 15a: Shaft of the drive roller 16: Secondary transfer opposing roller 22: Secondary transfer unit 22a: Secondary transfer roller 22b: Secondary transfer belt 40: Image creation unit 41: Photoreceptor 44: Photoconductor cleaning device 44c: Photoconductor cleaning ejection path 50: Waste toner collector 60: Waste toner transport unit 60a: Image waste toner transport path 60b: Intermediate waste toner transport path 60c: Secondary transfer waste toner transport path 60d: Falling path 60e: Final transport route 70: Center drive mechanism 71: Center-rotation drive motor 71a: Output shaft 71b: Control board 71c: Rotor section 72: Center drive gear 72a: Parallel pins 73: Center drive housing 73a: First female thread section 73b: Second female thread section 73c: Eaves 74: Motor holding sheet metal 74a: Through hole 74b: Female threaded section 75: First cover component 75a: Cooling opening 75b: Opening 75c: Positioning projection 75d: Screw through hole 76: Mid-rotation cooling fan 77: Second cover component 79: Center motor cover 78a: Screw 78b: Screw 78c: Screw 84: Brush drive side coupling 100: Rear side panel 125: Brush-driven coupling 200: Image-making drive device D: Gap between the image waste toner transport path and the center motor cover R1: Top of the rotor R2: Top of the center motor cover [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0098] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-61465

Claims

1. In a drive device equipped with a drive motor and attached to a drawer unit configured to be retractable from the main body of an image forming apparatus, A drive device characterized by being provided with a receiving member for receiving objects that fall onto the drive motor.

2. In the drive device according to claim 1, A drive device characterized in that the receiving member is positioned between the connection point between a member of a second drawer unit, which is retractable from the main body of the image forming apparatus and positioned above the drawer unit, and a member of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the drive motor.

3. In the drive device according to claim 1, A portion of the aforementioned drive motor is located inside the side plate of the image forming apparatus body. The drive device is characterized in that the receiving member shields the portion of the drive motor that is located inside the side plate of the drive motor when viewed from above.

4. In the drive device according to claim 1, The aforementioned drive motor has an output shaft, a control board, and a rotor section. The drive device is characterized in that, when viewed from above, the receiving member shields at least two of the output shaft, the control board, and the rotor portion.

5. In the drive device according to claim 4, The receiving member has an internal space in which at least two of the output shaft, the control board, and the rotor portion are arranged. The drive device is characterized in that the receiving member has a cooling opening for taking in cooling air into the internal space.

6. In the drive device according to claim 5, The drive device is characterized in that the cooling opening is positioned opposite a blower fan that blows the cooling air.

7. In the drive device according to claim 5, A portion of the drive motor is located inside the side plate of the image forming apparatus body. The drive device is characterized in that the cooling opening is located outside the side plate.

8. In the drive device according to claim 1, The drive device is characterized in that the receiving member comprises a resin molded member and a sheet member.

9. In the drive device according to claim 8, The resin molded member has an internal space in which at least the rotor portion of the drive motor is arranged. The rotor portion of the resin molded member has a predetermined gap between it and the opposing wall portion, and the opposing wall portion has an opposing opening in the portion facing the receiving member which is positioned close to the adjacent member. The drive device is characterized in that the sheet member covers the opposing opening of the resin molded member.

10. In the drive device according to claim 1, The drive device is characterized in that the drawer unit is an intermediate transfer unit, a secondary transfer unit, or a sheet transport unit.

11. In an image forming apparatus having a drive device and a drawer unit configured to be retractable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, An image forming apparatus characterized in that the drive device is the drive device described in claim 1.

Images