Drive transmission device, image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a drive transmission device and an image forming apparatus that can prevent propagation of a driving sound to the outside.SOLUTION: A drive transmission device 28 comprises: a gear train 32 that includes a driving motor 31 and a plurality of intermediate gears 40 transmitting a rotational driving force received from a first gear meshing therewith to a second gear meshing therewith, and transmits a driving force generated by the driving motor 31; a resin storage part 33 that has a pair of cover parts 61, 62 covering both side faces of the gear train 32 and accommodates the gear train 32; and a metal support part 34 that supports rotation shafts 90 of the intermediate gears 40 on the outside of the storage part 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] The image forming apparatus includes a drive transmission device that transmits a driving force generated by a motor to each part inside the apparatus. For example, a drive transmission device including a gear train, a metal support part that supports the rotation shafts of the gears included in the gear train on one side of the gear train, and a resin cover part that is disposed opposite the support part across the gear train and forms a storage space for the gear train between the support part and the resin cover part (see Patent Document 1) is known as a related art. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-31991 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the drive transmission device according to the related art described above, the cover portion prevents the drive noise generated in the gear train from propagating outside the accommodation space. However, in the drive transmission device, since only one side of the gear train is covered by the cover portion, the drive noise generated in the gear train cannot be prevented from propagating from the support portion side to outside the accommodation space.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a drive transmission device and an image forming apparatus that are capable of suppressing the propagation of drive noise to the outside. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A drive transmission device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an intermediate gear, a housing portion, and a support portion. The intermediate gear is provided in mesh with a first gear and a second gear, and transmits a rotational drive force received from the first gear to the second gear. The housing portion has a pair of cover portions that cover both side surfaces of a gear train including the intermediate gear, is made of resin, and houses the gear train. The support portion is made of metal, and supports a rotation shaft of the intermediate gear outside the housing portion.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a drive source, a load, and the drive transmission device. The load is driven by a rotational drive force supplied from the drive source. The drive transmission device is used to transmit the rotational drive force from the drive source to the load. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the propagation of drive sound to the outside. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a driving force supplying section according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a driving force supplying section according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a driving force supplying section according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a driving force supplying section according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a gear train of the driving force supply unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first cover portion of the driving force supply portion according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a support portion of the driving force supply portion according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a second cover portion of the driving force supply portion according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [Configuration of image forming apparatus 200] First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 200.

[0012] For ease of explanation, the vertical direction in the installed state (as shown in FIG. 1) in which image forming apparatus 200 can be used is defined as up-down direction D1. Also, the left side of image forming apparatus 200 in FIG. 1 is defined as the front (front face) to define front-rear direction D2. Also, the left-right direction D3 is defined based on the front face of image forming apparatus 200 in the installed state.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 200 is a printer that forms an image by electrophotography. The image forming apparatus of the present invention may be a facsimile machine, a copier, a multifunction machine, or the like.

[0014] 1, the image forming apparatus 200 includes a housing 1. The housing 1 houses components of the image forming apparatus 200. The housing 1 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, a sheet storage section 2 that stores sheets on which images are to be formed is provided in the lower part of the housing 1. In addition, a paper discharge section 3 to which the sheets on which images are formed are discharged is provided in the upper part of the housing 1. A first transport path 4 that leads from the sheet storage section 2 to the paper discharge section 3 is formed inside the housing 1. The sheets stored in the sheet storage section 2 are transported to the paper discharge section 3 through the first transport path 4.

[0016] 1, a manual feed tray 5 used for feeding sheets is provided at the front of the housing 1. In addition, inside the housing 1, a second transport path 6 used for double-sided printing is formed.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, inside the housing 1, a photoconductor drum 11, a charging device 12, an optical scanning device 13, a developing device 14, a toner container 15, a transfer roller 16, a cleaning device 17, and a fixing device 18 are provided.

[0018] An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor drum 11. The charging device 12 charges the surface of the photoreceptor drum 11. The optical scanning device 13 irradiates the charged surface of the photoreceptor drum 11 with light based on image data, and forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the surface.

[0019] The developing device 14 uses toner to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 11. As shown in Fig. 1, the developing device 14 includes a developing roller 14A that transports the toner contained inside the developing device 14 to an area facing the photoconductor drum 11. The toner container 15 supplies the toner to the developing device 14.

[0020] The transfer roller 16 transfers the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 11 developed by the developing device 14 onto a sheet transported by a registration roller 23 (see FIG. 1). The cleaning device 17 cleans the surface of the photoreceptor drum 11 after the toner image has been transferred by the transfer roller 16. The fixing device 18 fixes the toner image formed on the sheet by the transfer roller 16 onto the sheet.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the inside of the housing 1 is provided with a lift plate 19, a pickup roller 20, a first paper feed roller 21, a first transport roller 22, a registration roller 23, a second transport roller 24, a paper discharge roller 25, a second paper feed roller 26, and a double-sided roller 27.

[0022] The lift plate 19 is rotatably provided at the bottom of the sheet storage unit 2, and pushes up the sheet stack stored in the sheet storage unit 2 to a contact position with the pickup roller 20. The pickup roller 20 contacts the uppermost sheet of the sheet stack pushed up by the lift plate 19 and transports the sheet to the first paper feed roller 21. The first paper feed roller 21 forms a nip portion with a separation roller 21A (see FIG. 1), and transports one of the one or more sheets transported to the nip portion by the pickup roller 20 to the first transport roller 22. The first transport roller 22 transports the sheet transported by the first paper feed roller 21 to the registration roller 23.

[0023] The registration rollers 23 transport the sheet to a position facing the photoconductor drum 11 and the transfer roller 16 at a predetermined timing. The second transport rollers 24 transport the sheet that has passed through the fixing device 18 to the paper discharge rollers 25. The paper discharge rollers 25 discharge the sheet to the paper discharge section 3. The paper discharge rollers 25 are also used to switch back the sheet on which an image has been formed. The sheet switched back by the paper discharge rollers 25 is transported to the second transport path 6 by the second transport rollers 24.

[0024] The second feed roller 26 transports the sheet placed on the manual feed tray 5 to the upstream side of the registration roller 23 on the first transport path 4. The double-sided roller 27 transports the sheet transported to the second transport path 6 by the second transport roller 24 to the upstream side of the registration roller 23 on the first transport path 4.

[0025] The developing roller 14A, the first paper feed roller 21, the first transport roller 22, the registration roller 23, the second paper feed roller 26, and the double-sided roller 27 rotate by receiving a driving force supplied from a driving force supply unit 28 (see FIG. 2). The driving force supply unit 28 is provided inside the right outer wall of the housing 1. The developing roller 14A, the first paper feed roller 21, the first transport roller 22, the registration roller 23, the second paper feed roller 26, and the double-sided roller 27 are examples of loads of the present invention.

[0026] [Configuration of driving force supply unit 28] Next, the configuration of the driving force supply unit 28 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 9. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the right side of the driving force supply unit 28. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the left side of the driving force supply unit 28. Fig. 4 is an exploded view showing the components of the driving force supply unit 28. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second cover unit 62 is removed from the driving force supply unit 28 shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a left side view showing the configuration of the gear train 32. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the left side of the first cover unit 61. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the left side of the support unit 34 to which the driving motor 31 is attached. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the right side of the second cover unit 62. In Fig. 4, the positional relationship of each component of the driving force supply unit 28 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0027] 4, the driving force supplying unit 28 includes a driving motor 31, a gear train 32, a housing portion 33, and a support portion 34. The driving force supplying unit 28 is an example of the drive transmission device of the present invention.

[0028] The driving motor 31 generates a driving force for driving a load such as the developing roller 14A. For example, the driving motor 31 is a stepping motor. The driving motor 31 is an example of a driving source of the present invention.

[0029] The gear train 32 transmits the driving force generated by the drive motor 31. As shown in Fig. 6, the gear train 32 includes a drive gear 41, a first intermediate gear 42, a first clutch 43, a second intermediate gear 44, a third intermediate gear 45, a fourth intermediate gear 46, a second clutch 47, a fifth intermediate gear 48, a sixth intermediate gear 49, a third clutch 50, a seventh intermediate gear 51, an eighth intermediate gear 52, a fourth clutch 53, and a fifth clutch 54. The gear train 32 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 33.

[0030] Hereinafter, the first intermediate gear 42, the second intermediate gear 44, the third intermediate gear 45, the fourth intermediate gear 46, the fifth intermediate gear 48, the sixth intermediate gear 49, the seventh intermediate gear 51, and the eighth intermediate gear 52 may be collectively referred to as intermediate gear 40.

[0031] The drive gear 41 is provided on the drive shaft 31A of the drive motor 31.

[0032] The intermediate gear 40 is provided in mesh with a plurality of gears and transmits a rotational driving force received from any of the gears with which it meshes to the other gears with which it meshes.

[0033] Specifically, the first intermediate gear 42 is provided in mesh with the drive gear 41, the first clutch 43, and the second intermediate gear 44. The first intermediate gear 42 transmits the rotational driving force received from the drive gear 41 to the first clutch 43 and the second intermediate gear 44. That is, the first intermediate gear 42 rotates by receiving the rotational driving force supplied from the drive gear 41 with which it meshes. Furthermore, the first intermediate gear 42 supplies the rotational driving force to the first clutch 43 and the second intermediate gear 44 with which it meshes, by rotating. The drive gear 41 is an example of the first gear of the present invention. The gear portion of the first clutch 43 that meshes with the first intermediate gear 42 and the second intermediate gear 44 are an example of the second gear of the present invention.

[0034] Here, first clutch 43 switches between on and off of transmission of the rotational driving force received from first intermediate gear 42 to clutch shaft 43A (see FIGS. 5 and 6) via a gear portion meshing with first intermediate gear 42. Specifically, first clutch 43 transitions between an ON state in which the rotational driving force received from first intermediate gear 42 is transmitted to clutch shaft 43A and an OFF state in which the transmission of the rotational driving force to clutch shaft 43A is interrupted in response to a control signal input from a control unit (not shown).

[0035] A driven gear 43B shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is fixed to the clutch shaft 43A. The driven gear 43B is meshed with an external gear 55 (see Figs. 3 and 6) provided on the outer surface of the second cover portion 62. The external gear 55 is meshed with an external gear 56 (see Fig. 6) fixed to the rotation shaft of the registration roller 23. That is, when the first clutch 43 is in an ON state, it supplies the rotational driving force of the drive motor 31 to the registration roller 23 to rotate the registration roller 23. Also, when the first clutch 43 is in an OFF state, it stops supplying the rotational driving force of the drive motor 31 to the registration roller 23.

[0036] The second intermediate gear 44 is provided in mesh with the first intermediate gear 42 and the third intermediate gear 45. The second intermediate gear 44 transmits the rotational driving force received from the first intermediate gear 42 to the third intermediate gear 45.

[0037] Further, the third intermediate gear 45 is provided in mesh with the second intermediate gear 44, and is also provided in mesh with a developing gear (not shown) connected to the developing roller 14A. The third intermediate gear 45 is disposed so that a part of it protrudes from a window portion 33A (see FIG. 2) formed in the containing portion 33 to the outside of the containing portion 33. The third intermediate gear 45 meshes with the developing gear outside the window portion 33A. The third intermediate gear 45 transmits the rotational driving force received from the second intermediate gear 44 to the developing gear. The developing gear rotates, causing the developing roller 14A to rotate.

[0038] Further, the fourth intermediate gear 46 is provided in mesh with the drive gear 41, the second clutch 47, the fifth intermediate gear 48, and the seventh intermediate gear 51. The fourth intermediate gear 46 transmits the rotational drive force received from the drive gear 41 to the second clutch 47, the fifth intermediate gear 48, and the seventh intermediate gear 51.

[0039] Here, second clutch 47 switches between on and off of transmission of the rotational driving force received from fourth intermediate gear 46 to clutch shaft 47A (see FIGS. 5 and 6) via a gear portion meshing with fourth intermediate gear 46. Specifically, second clutch 47 transitions between an ON state in which the rotational driving force received from fourth intermediate gear 46 is transmitted to clutch shaft 47A and an OFF state in which the transmission of the rotational driving force to clutch shaft 47A is interrupted in response to a control signal input from the control unit.

[0040] The first paper feed roller 21 is fixed to the clutch shaft 47A. That is, when the second clutch 47 is in an ON state, it supplies the rotational driving force of the drive motor 31 to the first paper feed roller 21 to rotate the first paper feed roller 21. When the second clutch 47 is in an OFF state, it stops supplying the rotational driving force of the drive motor 31 to the first paper feed roller 21.

[0041] Furthermore, the fifth intermediate gear 48 is provided in mesh with the fourth intermediate gear 46 and the sixth intermediate gear 49. The fifth intermediate gear 48 transmits the rotational driving force received from the fourth intermediate gear 46 to the sixth intermediate gear 49.

[0042] Furthermore, the sixth intermediate gear 49 is provided in mesh with the fifth intermediate gear 48 and the third clutch 50. The sixth intermediate gear 49 transmits the rotational driving force received from the fifth intermediate gear 48 to the third clutch 50.

[0043] Here, the third clutch 50 switches between on and off of transmission of the rotational driving force received from the sixth intermediate gear 49 to the clutch shaft 50A (see FIGS. 5 and 6) via a gear portion that meshes with the sixth intermediate gear 49. Specifically, the third clutch 50 transitions between an ON state in which the rotational driving force received from the sixth intermediate gear 49 is transmitted to the clutch shaft 50A and an OFF state in which the transmission of the rotational driving force to the clutch shaft 50A is interrupted in response to a control signal input from the control unit.

[0044] A driven gear 50B shown in Figures 5 and 6 is fixed to the clutch shaft 50A. The driven gear 50B is connected to the second paper feed roller 26 via a gear (not shown). That is, when the third clutch 50 is in an ON state, it supplies the rotational driving force of the drive motor 31 to the second paper feed roller 26 to rotate the second paper feed roller 26. When the third clutch 50 is in an OFF state, it stops supplying the rotational driving force of the drive motor 31 to the second paper feed roller 26.

[0045] The seventh intermediate gear 51 is provided in mesh with the fourth intermediate gear 46 and the eighth intermediate gear 52. The seventh intermediate gear 51 transmits the rotational driving force received from the fourth intermediate gear 46 to the eighth intermediate gear 52.

[0046] In addition, the eighth intermediate gear 52 is provided in mesh with the seventh intermediate gear 51, the fourth clutch 53, and the fifth clutch 54. The eighth intermediate gear 52 transmits the rotational driving force received from the seventh intermediate gear 51 to the fourth clutch 53 and the fifth clutch 54.

[0047] Here, the fourth clutch 53 switches between on and off of transmission of the rotational driving force received from the eighth intermediate gear 52 to the clutch shaft 53A (see FIGS. 5 and 6) via a gear portion meshing with the eighth intermediate gear 52. Specifically, the fourth clutch 53 transitions between an ON state in which the rotational driving force received from the eighth intermediate gear 52 is transmitted to the clutch shaft 53A and an OFF state in which the transmission of the rotational driving force to the clutch shaft 53A is interrupted in response to a control signal input from the control unit.

[0048] A driven gear 53B shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is fixed to the clutch shaft 53A. The driven gear 53B is meshed with an external gear 57 (see Figs. 3 and 6) provided on the outer surface of the second cover portion 62. The external gear 57 is meshed with an external gear 58 (see Fig. 6) fixed to the rotation shaft of the first transport roller 22. That is, when the fourth clutch 53 is in an ON state, it supplies the rotational driving force of the drive motor 31 to the first transport roller 22 to rotate the first transport roller 22. When the fourth clutch 53 is in an OFF state, it stops supplying the rotational driving force of the drive motor 31 to the first transport roller 22.

[0049] Furthermore, the fifth clutch 54 switches between on and off of transmission of the rotational driving force received from the eighth intermediate gear 52 to a clutch shaft 54A (see FIGS. 5 and 6) via a gear portion that meshes with the eighth intermediate gear 52. Specifically, the fifth clutch 54 transitions between an ON state in which the rotational driving force received from the eighth intermediate gear 52 is transmitted to the clutch shaft 54A and an OFF state in which the transmission of the rotational driving force to the clutch shaft 54A is interrupted in response to a control signal input from the control unit.

[0050] A driven gear 54B shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is fixed to the clutch shaft 54A. The driven gear 54B is meshed with an external gear 59 (see Figs. 3 and 6) provided on the outer surface of the second cover part 62. The external gear 59 is meshed with an external gear 60 (see Fig. 6) fixed to the rotation shaft of the double-sided roller 27. That is, when the fifth clutch 54 is in the ON state, it supplies the rotational driving force of the drive motor 31 to the double-sided roller 27 to rotate the double-sided roller 27. Also, when the fifth clutch 54 is in the OFF state, it stops supplying the rotational driving force of the drive motor 31 to the double-sided roller 27.

[0051] The accommodation portion 33 forms an accommodation space that accommodates the gear train 32. Specifically, the accommodation portion 33 is formed in a generally rectangular box shape that is thin in the left-right direction D3, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The accommodation portion 33 is formed from a synthetic resin material such as PC / ABS.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 4, the storage section 33 includes a first cover part 61 and a second cover part 62. The first cover part 61 constitutes the right side part of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped storage section 33. The second cover part 62 constitutes the left side part of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped storage section 33. The first cover part 61 and the second cover part 62 cover both side surfaces of the gear train 32. The first cover part 61 and the second cover part 62 are an example of a pair of cover parts of the present invention.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 7, the first cover portion 61 has a plate-shaped portion 61A and a wall portion 61B. The plate-shaped portion 61A is formed in a plate shape perpendicular to the left-right direction D3, and faces the right side surface of the gear train 32 (see Fig. 4). The wall portion 61B is erected on the surface of the plate-shaped portion 61A facing the gear train 32. The wall portion 61B is erected continuously along the edge of the plate-shaped portion 61A, except for a formation position P1 (see Fig. 7) of the window portion 33A (see Fig. 2) and a formation position of the third female screw portion 106 (see Fig. 7).

[0054] As shown in Fig. 9, the second cover portion 62 has a plate-shaped portion 62A and a wall portion 62B. The plate-shaped portion 62A is formed in a plate shape perpendicular to the left-right direction D3 and faces the left side surface of the gear train 32 (see Fig. 4). The wall portion 62B stands upright on the surface of the plate-shaped portion 62A that faces the gear train 32. The wall portion 62B stands upright continuously along the edge of the plate-shaped portion 62A.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 9, a wall 62B of the second cover 62 is provided with a plurality of engaging portions 62C. Each of the engaging portions 62C has an extending portion extending rightward from the wall 62B, and a claw portion protruding outward from the plate-shaped portion 62A formed at the extending end of the extending portion. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 7, a wall 61B of the first cover 61 is provided with a plurality of engaged portions 61C. The engaged portions 61C are recesses or openings formed in the wall 61B. Each of the engaging portions 62C of the second cover 62 engages with each of the engaged portions 61C of the first cover 61 by snap-fitting. As a result, the first cover 61 and the second cover 62 are joined together, and the plate-shaped portion 61A, the wall 61B, the plate-shaped portion 62A, and the wall 62B form an accommodation space in which the gear train 32 is accommodated, and a window portion 33A (see FIG. 2).

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, the plate-shaped portion 61A of the first cover portion 61 is provided with an opening 71, a first hole portion 72, a first clutch accommodating portion 73, a second hole portion 74, a third hole portion 75, a fourth hole portion 76, a second clutch accommodating portion 77, a fifth hole portion 78, a sixth hole portion 79, a third clutch accommodating portion 80, a seventh hole portion 81, an eighth hole portion 82, a fourth clutch accommodating portion 83, and a fifth clutch accommodating portion 84.

[0057] The opening 71 has the drive shaft 31A of the drive motor 31 inserted therethrough. The first hole 72 has the rotating shaft 92 (see FIG. 6) of the first intermediate gear 42 inserted therethrough. The first clutch accommodating portion 73 is a recess recessed to the right and accommodates the first clutch 43. The second hole 74 has the rotating shaft 93 (see FIG. 6) of the second intermediate gear 44 inserted therethrough. The third hole 75 has the rotating shaft 94 (see FIG. 6) of the third intermediate gear 45 inserted therethrough. The fourth hole 76 has the rotating shaft 95 (see FIG. 6) of the fourth intermediate gear 46 inserted therethrough. The second clutch accommodating portion 77 is a recess recessed to the right and accommodates the second clutch 47.

[0058] The fifth hole 78 has a rotating shaft 96 (see FIG. 6) of the fifth intermediate gear 48 inserted therethrough. The sixth hole 79 has a rotating shaft 97 (see FIG. 6) of the sixth intermediate gear 49 inserted therethrough. The third clutch accommodating portion 80 is a recess recessed to the right and accommodates the third clutch 50. The seventh hole 81 has a rotating shaft 98 (see FIG. 6) of the seventh intermediate gear 51 inserted therethrough. The eighth hole 82 has a rotating shaft 99 (see FIG. 6) of the eighth intermediate gear 52 inserted therethrough. The fourth clutch accommodating portion 83 is a recess recessed to the right and accommodates the fourth clutch 53. The fifth clutch accommodating portion 84 is a recess recessed to the right and accommodates the fifth clutch 54.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 9, the plate-shaped portion 62A of the second cover portion 62 is provided with a first bearing portion 111, a second bearing portion 112, a first gear accommodating portion 113, a third bearing portion 114, a fourth bearing portion 115, a fifth bearing portion 116, a sixth bearing portion 117, a seventh bearing portion 118, an eighth bearing portion 119, a second gear accommodating portion 120, a ninth bearing portion 121, a tenth bearing portion 122, a third gear accommodating portion 123, and a fourth gear accommodating portion 124.

[0060] The first bearing portion 111 rotatably supports the drive shaft 31A of the drive motor 31. The second bearing portion 112 supports the left end of the rotating shaft 92 (see FIG. 6) of the first intermediate gear 42. The first gear accommodating portion 113 is a recess recessed to the left, and rotatably supports the clutch shaft 43A of the first clutch 43 and accommodates the driven gear 43B (see FIG. 5). The third bearing portion 114 supports the left end of the rotating shaft 93 (see FIG. 6) of the second intermediate gear 44. The fourth bearing portion 115 supports the left end of the rotating shaft 94 (see FIG. 6) of the third intermediate gear 45. The fifth bearing portion 116 supports the left end of the rotating shaft 95 (see FIG. 6) of the fourth intermediate gear 46. The sixth bearing portion 117 rotatably supports the clutch shaft 47A (see FIG. 5) of the second clutch 47.

[0061] The seventh bearing portion 118 supports the left end of the rotating shaft 96 (see FIG. 6) of the fifth intermediate gear 48. The eighth bearing portion 119 supports the left end of the rotating shaft 97 (see FIG. 6) of the sixth intermediate gear 49. The second gear housing portion 120 is a recess recessed to the left, and rotatably supports the clutch shaft 50A of the third clutch 50 and houses the driven gear 50B (see FIG. 5). The ninth bearing portion 121 supports the left end of the rotating shaft 98 (see FIG. 6) of the seventh intermediate gear 51. The tenth bearing portion 122 supports the left end of the rotating shaft 99 (see FIG. 6) of the eighth intermediate gear 52. The third gear housing portion 123 is a recess recessed to the left, and rotatably supports the clutch shaft 53A of the fourth clutch 53 and houses the driven gear 53B (see FIG. 5). The fourth gear accommodating portion 124 is a recess recessed to the left, which rotatably supports the clutch shaft 54A of the fifth clutch 54 and accommodates the driven gear 54B (see FIG. 5).

[0062] The support portion 34 supports a rotation shaft 90 (see FIG. 6) of the intermediate gear 40 outside the accommodation portion 33. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 8, the support portion 34 is formed in a flat plate shape. The support portion 34 is formed of a sheet metal member.

[0063] The support portion 34 supports a plurality of rotating shafts 90 corresponding to the plurality of intermediate gears 40. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, the support portion 34 supports a rotating shaft 92 of the first intermediate gear 42, a rotating shaft 93 of the second intermediate gear 44, a rotating shaft 94 of the third intermediate gear 45, a rotating shaft 95 of the fourth intermediate gear 46, a rotating shaft 96 of the fifth intermediate gear 48, a rotating shaft 97 of the sixth intermediate gear 49, a rotating shaft 98 of the seventh intermediate gear 51, and a rotating shaft 99 of the eighth intermediate gear 52. All of the rotating shafts 90 are made of a metal material.

[0064] For example, the rotating shaft 90 is fixed to the left surface of the support part 34 by crimping. In the image forming apparatus 200, the multiple rotating shafts 90 are supported by the support part 34 formed in a flat plate shape. This makes it possible to improve the positioning accuracy of the multiple rotating shafts 90 compared to a configuration in which steps are formed by bending the support part 34. The rotating shafts 90 may be fixed to the support part 34 by screwing, welding, or the like.

[0065] 4 and 8, the drive motor 31 is fixed to the right side surface of the support part 34. As shown in Fig. 8, the drive motor 31 is fixed to the support part 34 by screwing. The support part 34 has an opening 91 through which the drive shaft 31A of the drive motor 31 is inserted.

[0066] The support part 34 is fixed to the outer surface of the first cover part 61. The outer surface of the first cover part 61 is the surface of the plate-shaped part 61A of the first cover part 61 opposite to the side facing the second cover part 62. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 8, the support part 34 includes a first screw hole part 101, a second screw hole part 102, and a third screw hole part 103 into which a male screw of a predetermined size can be inserted. Also, as shown in Fig. 7, the first cover part 61 includes a first female screw part 104, a second female screw part 105, and a third female screw part 106. The male screw is used to fix the support part 34 to the outer surface of the first cover part 61.

[0067] Hereinafter, the first female thread portion 104, the second female thread portion 105, and the third female thread portion 106 may be collectively referred to as the female thread portion 100.

[0068] The female thread portion 100 has a female thread corresponding to the male thread. The female thread portion 100 is provided so as to protrude from the plate-shaped portion 61A of the first cover portion 61 toward the second cover portion 62. As shown in FIG. 7, the female thread portion 100 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first female thread portion 104 is provided at a position away from the wall portion 61B. The second female thread portion 105 is provided with a portion thereof in contact with the wall portion 61B. The third female thread portion 106 is provided at the edge portion of the plate-shaped portion 61A, and both sides are sandwiched between the wall portions 61B.

[0069] The male screw inserted into the first screw hole 101 is fastened into the first female screw portion 104. The male screw inserted into the second screw hole 102 is fastened into the second female screw portion 105. The male screw inserted into the third screw hole 103 is fastened into the third female screw portion 106. This fixes the support portion 34 to the outer surface of the first cover portion 61. In the image forming device 200, the support portion 34 is fixed to the storage portion 33. This makes it easier to attach and detach the driving force supply portion 28 to and from the main body frame, compared to a configuration in which the support portion 34 and the storage portion 33 are individually fixed to the main body frame of the image forming device 200. It is noted that the support portion 34 does not have to be fixed to the storage portion 33.

[0070] Incidentally, in the image forming apparatus 200, in order to facilitate smooth rotation of the intermediate gear 40, a lubricant is applied to the contact portion between the intermediate gear 40 and the rotating shaft 90. For example, the lubricant contains poly-alpha-olefin as a main component.

[0071] Here, if the lubricant scatters due to the driving of the gear train 32 and adheres to the inner surface of the resin housing portion 33, the area where the lubricant adheres may deteriorate. In particular, the female thread portion 100, which is subjected to stress due to screwing, is prone to deterioration due to the adhesion of the lubricant.

[0072] Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 200, the second cover portion 62 is provided with a partition portion 130 (see FIG. 9).

[0073] The partition wall 130 is provided on the second cover part 62 so as to protrude towards the first cover part 61. The partition wall 130 separates the female threaded part 100 and the accommodation space of the accommodation part 33 for accommodating the gear train 32.

[0074] 9, a first partition wall portion 131 is provided at a position facing the first female thread portion 104 in the second cover portion 62. The first partition wall portion 131 is formed to protrude to a position where it contacts the plate-shaped portion 61A of the first cover portion 61. The first partition wall portion 131 is formed in a cylindrical shape capable of accommodating the first female thread portion 104. As a result, the portion of the first female thread portion 104 that protrudes from the plate-shaped portion 61A is covered by the first partition wall portion 131. Therefore, adhesion of the lubricating oil to the first female thread portion 104 is suppressed.

[0075] 9, a second partition wall portion 132 is provided at a position facing the second female thread portion 105 in the second cover portion 62. The second partition wall portion 132 is formed to protrude to a position where it contacts the plate-shaped portion 61A of the first cover portion 61. The second partition wall portion 132 is provided facing the wall portion 61B of the first cover portion 61 across the second female thread portion 105, and forms an accommodation space for the second female thread portion 105 separated from the accommodation space for the gear train 32 between the wall portion 61B and the second partition wall portion 132. As a result, the protruding portion of the second female thread portion 105 from the plate-shaped portion 61A is covered by the second partition wall portion 132 and the wall portion 61B. Therefore, adhesion of the lubricating oil to the second female thread portion 105 is suppressed.

[0076] 9, a third partition wall portion 133 is provided at a position facing the third female thread portion 106 in the second cover portion 62. The third partition wall portion 133 is formed to protrude to a position where it contacts the plate-shaped portion 61A of the first cover portion 61. The third partition wall portion 133, together with the wall portions 61B on both sides of the third female thread portion 106, forms a partition wall that separates the third female thread portion 106 from the accommodation space of the gear train 32. This suppresses the adhesion of the lubricating oil to the third female thread portion 106.

[0077] The second cover portion 62 does not necessarily have to include the partition portion 130.

[0078] Thus, in the driving force supply unit 28, both side surfaces of the gear train 32 are covered by the resin first cover portion 61 and second cover portion 62. This makes it possible to suppress the driving noise generated in the gear train 32 from propagating to the outside, compared to a configuration in which only one side surface of the gear train 32 is covered by a resin cover portion.

[0079] The number of intermediate gears 40 included in the gear train 32 may be any number including one. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1 Case 14A Developing roller 21 First feed roller 22 First conveyor roller 23 Resist Roller 26 Second feed roller 27 Double-sided roller 28 Driving force supply unit 31 Drive motor 32 Gear train 33 Storage unit 34 Support part 40 Intermediate gear 41 Drive gear 61 First cover part 62 Second cover part 90 Rotation axis 100 Female thread 130 Bulkhead 200 Image forming device

Claims

1. an intermediate gear provided in mesh with the first gear and the second gear, for transmitting a rotational driving force received from the first gear to the second gear; a resin housing portion having a pair of cover portions covering both side surfaces of a gear train including the intermediate gear and housing the gear train; a metal support portion that supports a rotation shaft of the intermediate gear outside the housing portion; Equipped with The support portion is fixed to an outer surface of a first cover portion of the pair of cover portions, A lubricant is applied to the intermediate gear at a portion where the intermediate gear comes into contact with the rotary shaft, the first cover portion is provided so as to protrude toward the second cover portion of the pair of cover portions and includes a female thread portion having a female thread corresponding to a male thread used to fix the support portion to the first cover portion; The second cover portion is provided to protrude toward the first cover portion and includes a partition portion that separates the female thread portion from an accommodation space for the gear train in the accommodation portion.

2. A plurality of the intermediate gears are provided, The support portion is formed in a flat plate shape and supports a plurality of the rotation shafts corresponding to a plurality of the intermediate gears. The drive transmission device according to claim 1 .

3. A driving source; A load driven by a driving force supplied from the driving source; and The drive transmission device according to claim 1 or 2, which is used for transmitting a drive force from the drive source to the load; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images