Driving force transmission device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To enhance the certainty of switching a state of drive force transmission compared with a case in which an actuation part is actuated only by a spring.SOLUTION: An actuation part 600 actuates in at least two actuation states of a first actuation state in which it receives only force from a tension spring without receiving force from a rotary gear 500 to actuate, and a second actuation state in which it receives the force from the rotary gear 500 to actuate. A contact mechanism 605 is brought into contact with a control part 400 after an actuation state of the actuation part 600 is switched from the first actuation state to the second actuation state. The actuation state of the actuation part 600 is switched from the second actuation state to the first actuation state after the contact mechanism 605 in contact with the control part 400 is separated from the control part 400.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a device including a shaft, an input gear rotatably supported on the shaft, an output gear rotatably supported on the shaft, and a connecting member that is axially biased and supported movably, rotates while connected to the input gear, and can be switched between a state connected to the output gear and a state released from the connection. Patent document 2 discloses an intermittent drive device having a toothless gear having a part of the teeth missing, a drive gear that drives the toothless gear, and an escape means that allows the drive gear to escape in the rotational direction when the drive gear meshes with the toothless gear. Patent document 3 discloses a handle lock mechanism having a locking portion that can take a first position and a second position, and that takes the first position to prevent operation of the second handle when the coin detection mechanism does not detect the insertion of a coin, and takes the second position to allow operation of the second handle when the coin detection mechanism detects the insertion of a coin. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-48922 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2008-164151 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2019-207579 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art In a driving force transmission device that transmits driving force, the state of transmission of the driving force may be switched to another state by operating an operating portion. In this driving force transmission device, if the operating part is configured to be operated only by a spring, the operating part may not operate or may stop midway, increasing the uncertainty in switching the state of the driving force transmission. An object of the present invention is to increase the reliability of switching the state of transmission of driving force, compared to a configuration in which the operating part is operated by a spring only. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The invention described in claim 1 includes a rotating body that rotates by receiving a driving force, a control unit that controls the rotation of another rotating part by switching between a connected state and a separated state as a state relative to the other rotating part, and an operating unit that operates by receiving a force from the rotating body and has a contact mechanism that comes into contact with the control unit, and the contact mechanism moves due to the force from the rotating body to operate the control unit, and then the contact mechanism separates from the control unit. The contact mechanism contacts the control unit and the control unit is activated, thereby entering either the connected state or the separated state, and the contact mechanism further includes a maintaining means for maintaining the connected state or the separated state even after the contact mechanism is separated from the control unit. It is a driving force transmission device. The invention described in claim 2 is a driving force transmission device described in claim 1, in which the operating part operates by receiving force from the rotating body from the time the contact mechanism of the operating part comes into contact with the control part to the time it separates from the control part. The invention described in claim 3 is a driving force transmission device described in claim 1, wherein the operating part operates by receiving force from an elastic member as well, and when the operating part operates by receiving force from the elastic member without receiving force from the rotating body, the contact mechanism does not come into contact with the control part. The invention described in claim 4 is a driving force transmission device described in claim 1, in which the operating part operates in at least two operating states: a first operating state in which it operates by receiving force from an elastic member without receiving force from the rotating body, and a second operating state in which it operates by receiving force from the rotating body, and after the operating state of the operating part switches from the first operating state to the second operating state, the contact mechanism and the control part come into contact, and after the contact mechanism that has contacted the control part separates from the control part, the operating state of the operating part switches from the second operating state to the first operating state. Claim 5The invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that the maintaining means regulates the movement of the control unit which tends to return to an original state before the control unit was operated by the contact mechanism, thereby maintaining the connected state or the separated state. 1 2 is a driving force transmission device according to the first embodiment. Claim 6 The invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that the maintaining means restricts the movement of the control unit attempting to return to the original state by positioning a restricting portion on a movement path of the control unit attempting to return to the original state. 5 2 is a driving force transmission device according to the first embodiment. Claim 7 The invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that the maintaining means rotates or displaces at least a part of the control unit that is returning to the original state, so that the regulating portion is positioned on the movement path of the control unit that is returning to the original state. 6 2 is a driving force transmission device according to the first embodiment. Claim 8 The invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that the maintaining means uses a force from the operating portion to position the regulating portion on the movement path. 6 2 is a driving force transmission device according to the first embodiment. Claim 9 The invention described in the above claims is characterized in that the actuating portion operates in at least two operating states, a first operating state in which it operates by receiving a force from an elastic member, and a second operating state in which it operates by receiving a force from the rotating body, and the maintaining means positions the regulating portion on the movement path by using a force from the actuating portion operating in the second operating state. 8 2 is a driving force transmission device according to the first embodiment. Claim 10 The invention described in claim 2 further comprises a release means for releasing the state in which the connected state or the separated state is maintained. 1 2 is a driving force transmission device according to the first embodiment. Claim 11 The invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that the release means releases the maintained state using the operating portion. 10 2 is a driving force transmission device according to the first embodiment. Claim12 The invention described in Cancellation means for bringing the actuator into contact with the control unit to change the state of the control unit and release the maintained state. 11 2 is a driving force transmission device according to the first embodiment. Claim 13 The invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that the maintaining means regulates the movement of the control unit which tends to return to an original state before the control unit was operated by the contact mechanism, thereby maintaining the connected state or the separated state, and the releasing means releases the regulation of the movement to release the maintained connected state or the separated state. 10 2 is a driving force transmission device according to the first embodiment. Claim 14 The invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that the maintaining means restricts the movement of the control unit attempting to return to the original state by positioning a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the control unit on a movement path of the control unit attempting to return to the original state, and the releasing means releases the maintained state by removing the restricting portion from the movement path of the control unit attempting to return to the original state. 13 2 is a driving force transmission device according to the first embodiment. Claim 15 The invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that the release means rotates or displaces at least a part of the control unit to remove the restricting portion from the movement path. 14 2 is a driving force transmission device according to the first embodiment. Claim 16 The invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that the release means releases the maintained state by using a force from the operating portion. 10 2 is a driving force transmission device according to the first embodiment. Claim 17 The invention described in the above is a claim in which the operating part operates in at least two operating states, a first operating state in which the operating part operates by receiving a force from an elastic member, and a second operating state in which the operating part operates by receiving a force from the rotating body, and the release means releases the maintained state by using a force from the operating part that operates in the second operating state. 16 2 is a driving force transmission device according to the first embodiment. Claim18 The invention described in the above is provided with a rotating body that rotates by receiving a driving force, a control unit that controls the rotation of another rotating part by switching between a connected state and a separated state as a state relative to the other rotating part, and an operating unit that operates by receiving a force from the rotating body and has a contact mechanism that comes into contact with the control unit, and the contact mechanism moves due to the force from the rotating body to operate the control unit, and then the contact mechanism separates from the control unit. The contact mechanism does not stop during the period from when the contact mechanism comes into contact with the control unit to when the contact mechanism separates from the control unit. It is a driving force transmission device. Claim 19 The invention described in the above is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, and includes a drive source and a drive force transmission device for transmitting a drive force from the drive source to a driven object, and the drive force transmission device is as described in claims 1 to 5. 18 13. An image forming apparatus including the driving force transmission device according to claim 12. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the invention of claim 1, the reliability of switching the state of transmission of the driving force can be increased compared to a configuration in which the operating part is operated only by a spring. In addition, even after the contact mechanism is separated from the control unit, the contact mechanism can maintain a connected or separated state. According to the invention of claim 2, the reliability of switching the state of transmission of driving force can be increased compared to a state in which the operating part receives force only from the spring and operates between the time the contact mechanism of the operating part comes into contact with the control part and the time it separates from the control part. According to the invention of claim 3, when the operating part is operating by receiving force from the elastic member without receiving force from the rotating body, it is possible to operate the control part more reliably compared to a configuration in which the contact mechanism contacts the control part. According to the invention of claim 4, when the operating state of the operating part is in the first operating state, it is possible to operate the control part more reliably compared to a case in which the contact mechanism and the control part are in contact with each other. Claim 5 According to the invention, even after the contact mechanism is separated from the control unit, the contact mechanism can maintain a connected or separated state. Claim 6According to the invention, even after the contact mechanism is separated from the control unit, the contact mechanism can maintain a connected or separated state. Claim 7 According to the invention, by rotating or displacing the control section, the contact mechanism can maintain a connected or separated state even after it has been separated from the control section. Claim 8 According to the invention, it is possible to position the regulating portion on the movement path without providing a dedicated drive source for positioning the regulating portion on the movement path. Claim 9 According to the invention, the regulating part can be more reliably positioned on the movement path compared to when the regulating part is positioned on the movement path using force from the operating part that operates in the first operating state. Claim 10 According to the invention, the state in which the connection or separation is maintained can be released. Claim 11 According to the invention, the maintained state can be released without providing a dedicated drive source for releasing the maintained state. Claim 12 According to the invention, the maintained state can be released by using the operating portion. Claim 13 According to the invention, the state in which the connection or separation is maintained can be released. Claim 14 According to the invention, the state in which the connection or separation is maintained can be released. Claim 15 According to the invention, the state in which the connection state or the separation state is maintained can be released by rotating or displacing the control unit. Claim 16 According to the invention, the maintained state can be released without providing a dedicated drive source for releasing the maintained state. Claim 17 According to the invention, the maintained state can be released more reliably than when the maintained state is released using force from an operating part that operates in the first operating state. Claim 18According to the invention, the reliability of switching the state of transmission of the driving force can be increased compared to a case where the contact mechanism stops between the time when the contact mechanism comes into contact with the control unit and the time when it separates from the control unit. Claim 19 According to the invention, the reliability of switching the state of transmission of driving force can be increased compared to a configuration in which the operating portion is operated only by a spring. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a driving force transmission device. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the driving force transmission device taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 13(A) and (B) are diagrams for explaining the movement of a sliding member, etc. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram showing the rotating gear, the cylindrical member of the operating portion, and the operating mechanism as viewed from the direction indicated by arrow VI in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing other states of the operating parts, etc.; [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing the state of the rotary gear, the columnar member, and the control unit when the contact mechanism is in contact with the control unit. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a perspective view showing the state of the inside of an upper cylindrical portion provided on an upper accommodation member and a base body provided on a sliding member. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is provided with a paper storage section 10 that stores paper P, which is an example of a recording medium, a transport mechanism 20 that transports the paper P stored in the paper storage section 10, and an image forming section 30 that forms an image on the paper P transported by the transport mechanism 20.

[0009] The image forming unit 30 is provided with a plurality of inkjet heads 31 that eject ink of different colors. The image forming unit 30 uses the plurality of inkjet heads 31 to form an image on the paper P. Note that the method of forming an image in the image forming unit 30 is not limited to the inkjet method, and other methods may be used. The image forming apparatus 1 is also provided with a paper stacking section 40 on which paper P on which an image has been formed by the image forming section 30 is stacked, and a control device 60 that controls each section of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0010] The transport mechanism 20 is provided with a feed roll 23 that feeds out the paper P stored in the paper storage section 10, a first transport roll 21 that transports the paper P fed out by the feed roll 23 to the image forming section 30, and a second transport roll 22 that transports the paper P on which an image has been formed by the image forming section 30 to the paper stacking section 40. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a storage section movement mechanism 12 is provided that moves the paper storage section 10. The storage section movement mechanism 12 moves the paper storage section 10 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Fig. 1. In other words, the storage section movement mechanism 12 moves the paper storage section 10 in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper P.

[0011] In addition, in this embodiment, a drive motor M1 is provided as an example of a drive source that generates the driving force used to drive the send-out roll 23, the first conveying roll 21, and the second conveying roll 22 provided in the conveying mechanism 20, and the driving force is supplied from this drive motor M1 to these rolls. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a driving force transmission device 100 is provided that transmits the driving force from the driving motor M1 to the accommodation section movement mechanism 12, which is an example of a driven object.

[0012] The driving force transmission device 100 is configured to be in two states: a state in which driving force can be supplied to the accommodation section movement mechanism 12, and a state in which driving force cannot be supplied to the accommodation section movement mechanism 12. In this embodiment, when the driving force transmission device 100 is in a state in which it can supply driving force to the storage section movement mechanism 12, the driving force from the drive motor M1 is transmitted to the storage section movement mechanism 12, and the paper storage section 10 moves. Furthermore, when the driving force transmission device 100 is in a state in which it is unable to supply driving force to the storage section movement mechanism 12, the driving force from the drive motor M1 is not transmitted to the storage section movement mechanism 12, and the paper storage section 10 is not moved.

[0013] In this embodiment, the destination of the driving force output from the driving force transmission device 100 is the storage section movement mechanism 12, but the destination of the driving force is not limited to this and may be other locations. The destination of the drive force may be a portion of the transport system for the paper P other than the paper storage unit 10. Also, the destination of the drive force may be a portion other than the transport system for the paper P. Specifically, the destination of the drive force may be the image forming unit 30. In the image forming apparatus 1 including a fixing section that fixes an image formed on the paper P, the driving force output from the driving force transmission device 100 may be supplied to the fixing section.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 60. As shown in FIG. The control device 60 has a CPU (=Central Processing Unit) 61 as an example of a processor, a ROM (=Read Only Memory) 62 in which control software etc. are stored, and a RAM (=Random Access Memory) 63 used as a work area. The CPU 61 may be a multi-core. The ROM 63 may be a rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory. The control device 60 is a so-called computer.

[0015] Here, the program executed by CPU 61 can be provided to control device 60 in a state where it is stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium (magnetic tape, magnetic disk, etc.), an optical recording medium (optical disk, etc.), a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. Furthermore, the programs executed by the CPU 61 may be provided to the control device 60 using a communication means such as the Internet.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the driving force transmission device 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the driving force transmission device 100 is provided with an input gear 200 to which a driving force is input. The driving force transmission device 100 is also provided with an output gear 300 that outputs the driving force. The input gear 200 and the output gear 300 are both formed in a disk shape. In this embodiment, the driving force from the driving motor M1, which is an example of a driving source, is input to the input gear 200, and the driving force from the driving motor M1 is output from the output gear 300, which is an example of another rotating part. The driving force output from the output gear 300 is supplied to the storage section movement mechanism 12.

[0017] The driving force transmission device 100 is also provided with a control unit 400 that controls the rotation of the output gear 300 . The control unit 400 controls the rotation of the output gear 300 by switching the state of the output gear 300 between a connected state and a separated state. Furthermore, the driving force transmission device 100 is provided with a disk-shaped rotating gear 500, which is an example of a rotating body that rotates by receiving a driving force from a second motor M2, which is another example of a driving source.

[0018] Furthermore, the driving force transmission device 100 is provided with an operating portion 600 that receives force from the rotating gear 500 and operates. The actuation unit 600 has a contact mechanism 605 that comes into contact with the control unit 400. In this embodiment, the driving force from the rotating gear 500 causes the contact mechanism 605 to move along a predetermined circular path and come into contact with the control unit 400.

[0019] In this embodiment, the control unit 400 is actuated by the contact of the contact mechanism 605 with the control unit 400. In addition, in this embodiment, after the contact mechanism 605 comes into contact with the control unit 400, the contact mechanism 605 moves further while still in contact with the control unit 400. Thereafter, the contact mechanism 605 moves away from the control unit 400. Furthermore, in this embodiment, there is provided an operating mechanism 900 that operates and stops the operation of the operating portion 600. The operating mechanism 900 includes a solenoid 910 and a tension spring 915.

[0020] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the driving force transmission device 100 taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3. Note that Fig. 4 also shows a housing member 845, which is not shown in Fig. 3. In this embodiment, as described above, the rotary gear 500 is provided as an example of a rotating body that rotates by receiving a driving force from the second motor M2. Furthermore, the operating unit 600 is provided as an operating unit that operates by receiving a force from the rotary gear 500.

[0021] The actuation portion 600 has a contact mechanism 605 that contacts the control portion 400 as described above. In this embodiment, the force from the rotary gear 500 moves the contact mechanism 605 in the direction indicated by the arrow 3A in the figure, and the contact mechanism 605 comes into contact with the control unit 400 as shown in FIG. This activates the control unit 400, causing the control unit 400 to move downward in the figure.

[0022] In this embodiment, after the contact mechanism 605 moves a predetermined distance while in contact with the control unit 400 , the contact mechanism 605 separates from the control unit 400 . More specifically, when the contact mechanism 605 shown in FIG. 4 moves to the rear side from the position shown in FIG.

[0023] The actuation section 600 is composed of a columnar member 610 formed into a cylindrical shape, and a mounting member 640 attached to the upper part of the columnar member 610 . The columnar member 610 is provided with a gear portion 611 that receives a force from the rotary gear 500, and a columnar portion 612 that is disposed above the gear portion 611 in the figure. In this embodiment, a mounting member 640 is attached to the end of the cylindrical portion 612 .

[0024] In this embodiment, a part of the mounting member 640 protrudes downward in the figure, and this protruding part serves as a contact mechanism 605 that comes into contact with the control unit 400. In other words, in this embodiment, the protruding portion protruding downward in the figure serves as the contact mechanism 605 , and this protruding portion comes into contact with the control unit 400 .

[0025] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the output gear 300 is provided as an example of another rotating part. In addition, a control unit 400 that controls the rotation of the output gear 300 is provided. The control unit 400 controls the rotation of the output gear 300 by switching its own state with respect to the output gear 300 between a connected state and a separated state.

[0026] In this embodiment, an input gear 200 that rotates by receiving a force from the drive motor M1 is provided below the control unit 400. The input gear 200 includes, at its radial center, an input side cylindrical portion 210 that extends along the axial direction and toward the output gear 300 side. In this embodiment, the output gear 300 also includes, in its radial center, an output-side cylindrical portion 310 that extends along the axial direction and toward the input gear 200 side.

[0027] The control unit 400 is provided with a cylindrical rotating member 700 that rotates in conjunction with the input gear 200 . The rotating member 700 has a large diameter portion 710 and a small diameter portion 720 which have different outer diameters. The large diameter portion 710 is located on the input gear 200 side, and the small diameter portion 720 is located on the output gear 300 side. In this embodiment, the outer circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 710 of the rotating member 700 and the inner circumferential surface of the input side cylindrical portion 210 of the input gear 200 are provided with recesses and protrusions extending along the axial direction of the rotating member 700.

[0028] In this embodiment, the recesses and protrusions restrict the rotation of the rotating member 700 relative to the input gear 200 , and the rotating member 700 rotates in conjunction with the input gear 200 . In this embodiment, the rotating member 700 is provided so as to be movable in the up and down direction in the figure, and can advance and retreat relative to the input gear 200 and the output gear 300. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 720 of the rotating member 700 and on the inner peripheral surface of the output side cylindrical portion 310 provided on the output gear 300, recesses and protrusions extending along the axial direction of the rotating member 700 are provided.

[0029] In this embodiment, the concave and convex portions restrict the rotation of the output gear 300 relative to the rotating member 700 , and when the rotating member 700 is connected to the output gear 300 , the output gear 300 rotates in conjunction with the rotating member 700 . Furthermore, the control unit 400 is provided with a biasing coil spring S1 that biases the rotating member 700 toward the output gear 300. This biasing coil spring S1 is disposed between the rotating member 700 and the input gear 200, and biases the rotating member 700 toward the output gear 300.

[0030] Furthermore, the control unit 400 is provided with a slide member 800 that slides up and down in the figure. The slide member 800 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction in the figure, and can advance and retreat relative to the input gear 200 and the output gear 300. The slide member 800 is provided with a cylindrical base body 810 and an annular outer protruding portion 820 that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the base body 810 and extends along the circumferential direction of the base body 810 .

[0031] The slide member 800 is also provided with an annular inner protruding portion 830 that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the base body 810 toward the inside of the base body 810 and extends along the circumferential direction of the base body 810 . Furthermore, on the inner peripheral surface of the base body 810, a protrusion 812 is provided which extends along the axial direction of the base body 810.

[0032] The inner protruding portion 830 is located closer to the small diameter portion 720 side of the rotating member 700 than the large diameter portion 710 of the rotating member 700. In this embodiment, a through hole 840 is provided in the area surrounded by the inner protruding portion 830, and the rotating member 700 passes through this through hole 840. Further, on the outer periphery of the outer protruding portion 820, a protruding portion 821 is provided which protrudes from this outer periphery.

[0033] In this embodiment, when the outer protrusion 820 of the slide member 800 is pressed down by the contact mechanism 605, the inner protrusion 830 of the slide member 800 presses the upper end portion of the large diameter portion 710 of the rotation member 700 in the figure. As a result, as shown in (A) of FIG. 5 (a diagram for explaining the movement of the slide member 800, etc.), the rotating member 700 moves in a direction away from the output gear 300, and the output gear 300 and the rotating member 700 are separated from each other. As a result, the rotational driving force is not transmitted to the output gear 300.

[0034] In this embodiment, when the contact mechanism 605 (see FIG. 4) moves away from the outer protrusion 820 of the slide member 800, the biasing coil spring S1 moves the rotating member 700 toward the output gear 300, as shown in FIG. 5(B). In other words, when the contact mechanism 605 (see FIG. 4) moves to a position away from the movement path R1 (see FIG. 5(B)) of the slide member 800, the rotating member 700 moves toward the output gear 300. As a result, the output gear 300 and the rotating member 700 are connected to each other as shown in FIG. 5(B). In this connected state, the driving force from the input gear 200 is transmitted to the output gear 300 via the rotating member 700, and when the input gear 200 rotates, the output gear 300 rotates accordingly.

[0035] 4, the output gear 300, the rotating member 700, the sliding member 800, and the input gear 200 are arranged coaxially. In this embodiment, a shaft 870 is provided, and the shaft 870 passes through the output gear 300, the rotating member 700, the sliding member 800, and the input gear 200. In this embodiment, the output gear 300 is attached to one end of the shaft 870. In this embodiment, the shaft 870 guides the rotating member 700 that moves in the axial direction.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a housing member 845 is provided, and the components other than the output gear 300 are housed inside this housing member 845. The housing member 845 is configured by combining an upper housing member 850 located on the upper side in the figure with a lower housing member 860 located on the lower side in the figure. In this embodiment, a rod-shaped protruding portion 851 is provided that protrudes from the inner wall surface of the upper accommodating member 850 toward the lower accommodating member 860. The rod-shaped protruding portion 851 supports the columnar member 610 in a rotatable state.

[0037] Furthermore, a through hole 850A is formed in the upper accommodating member 850. Furthermore, the upper accommodating member 850 is provided with an upper cylindrical portion 852 that is connected to the periphery of this through hole 850A, is formed in a cylindrical shape, and protrudes downward. In this embodiment, the shaft 870 passes through the through-hole 850 A and the inside of the upper cylindrical portion 852 .

[0038] FIG. 6 is a diagram of the rotating gear 500, the cylindrical member 610 of the actuating portion 600, and the actuating mechanism 900 as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow VI in FIG. A gear portion 611 is provided on a columnar member 610 provided in the actuation portion 600. The gear portion 611 is provided on one end of the columnar member 610 and on the outer circumferential surface thereof. Gear portion 611 has a tooth-missing portion 611A where no teeth are provided. Furthermore, in this embodiment, there is provided an operating mechanism 900 which is a mechanism for operating and stopping the operation of the operating portion 600. The operating mechanism 900 is provided with a solenoid 910 and a tension spring 915.

[0039] The solenoid 910 is provided with an electromagnet 920 and a moving member 930 that is attracted and moved by the electromagnet 920. When the electromagnet 920 is not energized, the moving member 930 is biased toward the cylindrical member 610. In this embodiment, the tip of the moving member 930 is bent, and a bent portion 935 is provided at the tip in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the moving member 930 and facing the cylindrical member 610 side.

[0040] One end of the tension spring 915 as an example of an elastic member is fixed to a main body (not shown) of the driving force transmission device 100. In this embodiment, the other end 915A of the tension spring 915 is fixed to the columnar member 610. More specifically, the other end 915A of the tension spring 915 is fixed to a location offset from the axis G of the columnar member 610. In this embodiment, the tension spring 915 applies a force to the columnar member 610 that tends to rotate the columnar member 610 in the counterclockwise direction in the figure.

[0041] Furthermore, on the outer circumferential surface of columnar portion 612 provided on columnar member 610, protrusion 612A is provided which protrudes from this outer circumferential surface. In this embodiment, when the electromagnet 920 is not energized and the solenoid 910 is not turned on, the bent portion 935 is located on the movement path of the protruding portion 612A. This restricts the rotation of the columnar member 610. In the state shown in FIG. 6, the rotating gear 500 faces the toothless portion 611A, so that no driving force is input from the rotating gear 500 to the columnar member 610.

[0042] 6, when the electromagnet 920 is energized and the solenoid 910 is turned on in response to an instruction from the control device 60 (see FIG. 1), the moving member 930 moves toward the electromagnet 920. As a result, the moving member 930 moves in a direction away from the outer circumferential surface of the columnar portion 612. As a result, the restriction on the rotation of the cylindrical member 610 imposed by the operating mechanism 900 is released. In other words, when the solenoid 910 is turned on, the bent portion 935 moves to a position away from the movement path of the protruding portion 612A, and the restriction on the rotation of the columnar member 610 performed by the bent portion 935 is released.

[0043] In this embodiment, this causes the columnar member 610, which receives a force from the tension spring 915, to start rotating. 7 (a diagram showing another state of the actuation part 600, etc.), the rotating gear 500 starts to mesh with the gear part 611 of the cylindrical member 610. As a result, a driving force is input from the rotating gear 500 to the cylindrical member 610.

[0044] In this embodiment, when the columnar member 610 starts to rotate, the solenoid 910 is turned off and the bent portion 935 moves toward the outer circumferential surface of the columnar portion 612 . As a result, the bent portion 935 is again positioned on the movement path of the protruding portion 612A, and after the columnar member 610 rotates once, the rotation of the columnar member 610 stops. Furthermore, when the rotation of the cylindrical member 610 stops, the toothless portion 611A of the gear portion 611 faces the rotary gear 500, and the input of the driving force from the rotary gear 500 to the cylindrical member 610 also stops.

[0045] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the states of the rotating gear 500, the columnar member 610, and the control unit 400 when the contact mechanism 605 is in contact with the control unit 400. In other words, Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the states of the rotating gear 500, the columnar member 610, and the control unit 400 when the contact mechanism 605 is in contact with the control unit 400 as shown in Fig. 4. FIG. 8 also shows the control unit 400, which is not shown in FIGS.

[0046] When the contact mechanism 605 (see FIG. 4) is in contact with the control unit 400, the rotating gear 500 and the cylindrical member 610 come into contact with each other as shown in FIG. 8, and the cylindrical member 610 receives a force from the rotating gear 500 and rotates. In other words, when the contact mechanism 605 is in contact with the control unit 400, the actuation unit 600 receives a force from the rotating gear 500 and operates.

[0047] In this embodiment, when the cylindrical member 610 starts to rotate from a state in which the rotating gear 500 and the cylindrical member 610 are not in contact with each other (see FIG. 6), the cylindrical member 610 is not rotated by the rotating gear 500, but rotates only by the force from the tension spring 915 (see FIG. 6). In this embodiment, at this time, the contact mechanism 605 does not come into contact with the control unit 400. In other words, when the columnar member 610 rotates only by the force from the tension spring 915, the contact mechanism 605 does not come into contact with the control unit 400. In this embodiment, when the operating portion 600 is operating by receiving only the force from the tension spring 915, which is an example of an elastic member, without receiving the force from the rotating gear 500, the contact mechanism 605 does not come into contact with the control portion 400.

[0048] Here, it is assumed that when the operating portion 600 is operating by receiving only the force from the tension spring 915, the contact mechanism 605 comes into contact with the control portion 400. In this case, the driving force acting on the operating unit 600 is small, and there is a risk of malfunction, such as the contact mechanism 605 stopping when it comes into contact with the control unit 400, or the contact mechanism 605 moving while in contact with the control unit 400 stopping midway. In contrast, in the present embodiment, when the operating part 600 receives a force from the rotating gear 500 and operates, the contact mechanism 605 comes into contact with the control part 400, so that such a problem is less likely to occur.

[0049] In this embodiment, the load F2 (see FIG. 7) acting from the rotating gear 500 to the columnar member 610 is greater than the load F1 (see FIG. 6) acting from the tension spring 915 to the columnar member 610. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the torque acting on the cylindrical member 610 when the force from the rotating gear 500 acts on the cylindrical member 610 is greater than the torque acting on the cylindrical member 610 when only the force from the tension spring 915 acts on the cylindrical member 610.

[0050] The actuating unit 600 operates in at least two operating states: a first operating state in which it operates receiving only force from the tension spring 915 without receiving force from the rotating gear 500, and a second operating state in which it operates receiving force from the rotating gear 500. In this embodiment, the contact mechanism 605 and the control unit 400 come into contact with each other after the operating state of the operating unit 600 is switched from the first operating state to the second operating state. In addition, in this embodiment, after the contact mechanism 605 that has been in contact with the control unit 400 is separated from the control unit 400, the operation state of the operation unit 600 switches from the second operation state to the first operation state.

[0051] In this embodiment, from the time when the contact mechanism 605 comes into contact with the control unit 400 until the time when the contact mechanism 605 leaves the control unit 400, the actuation unit 600 operates in the second actuation state. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operating unit 600 continues to operate in the second operating state from the time when the contact mechanism 605 comes into contact with the control unit 400 until the time when the contact mechanism 605 separates from the control unit 400. As a result, in this embodiment, the contact mechanism 605 does not stop from the time when the contact mechanism 605 comes into contact with the control unit 400 until the time when the contact mechanism 605 separates from the control unit 400.

[0052] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when the contact mechanism 605 comes into contact with the control unit 400, the sliding member 800 is pressed by the contact mechanism 605 and moves toward the input gear 200, and accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5(A), the rotating member 700 moves toward the input gear 200. As a result, the rotating member 700 is separated from the output gear 300, and the state of the rotating member 700 relative to the output gear 300 is such that the rotating member 700 is separated from the output gear 300. As a result, the rotation of the output gear 300, which is an example of another rotating part, is stopped.

[0053] In this embodiment, the contact mechanism 605 comes into contact with the control unit 400 and the control unit 400 operates, so that the output gear 300 and the rotating member 700 are separated from each other. Thereafter, in this embodiment, when the contact mechanism 605 moves further toward the back side in the figure from the state shown in FIG. 4, the contact mechanism 605 and the control unit 400 are brought into a non-contact state.

[0054] In this embodiment, even after the contact mechanism 605 and the control unit 400 are put into a non-contact state, the output gear 300 and the rotating member 700 are maintained in a separated state. In this embodiment, a maintenance mechanism 940 (see FIG. 9) is provided as an example of a maintenance means for maintaining the output gear 300 and the rotating member 700 in a spaced-apart state, and this maintenance mechanism 940 maintains the spaced-apart state.

[0055] In this embodiment, when the contact mechanism 605 (see FIG. 4) and the control unit 400 are put into a non-contact state, the control unit 400 tries to return to its original state. More specifically, the control unit 400 receives a force from the biasing coil spring S1 and tries to move toward the output gear 300 side, and tries to return to the original state before the operation by the contact mechanism 605 was performed. The maintaining mechanism 940 regulates the movement of the control unit 400 that attempts to return to this original state, thereby maintaining the above-mentioned spaced state.

[0056] Specifically, the maintaining mechanism 940 positions the restricting portion 859, which restricts the movement of the control unit 400, on the movement path of the control unit 400 attempting to return to the original state. This restricts the movement of the control unit 400 attempting to return to the original state. More specifically, as described below, the maintenance mechanism 940 rotates the control unit 400 that is attempting to return to its original state, so that the regulating portion 859 is positioned on the movement path of the control unit 400 that is attempting to return to its original state.

[0057] 6, a protruding portion 612A is provided whose movement is restricted by a bent portion 935 of a moving member 930. In this embodiment, the protruding portion 612A is used for rotating the sliding member 800. 8, the outer protruding portion 820 of the slide member 800 is provided with protruding portions 821 that protrude outward in the radial direction of the slide member 800. In the slide member 800, a total of eight protruding portions 821 are provided at intervals of 45°.

[0058] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when the slide member 800 is pressed by the contact mechanism 605 and moves downward, the protrusion 821, indicated by the symbol 8A, of the slide member 800 shown in FIG. 8 is pressed by the protrusion 612A of the rotating cylindrical member 610. As a result, the sliding member 800 that constitutes a part of the control unit 400 rotates 45° in the clockwise direction. Due to this rotation, in this embodiment, a restricting portion 859 (see FIG. 9) is positioned on the movement path of the control portion 400 which is about to move toward the output gear 300 side (details will be described later).

[0059] In this embodiment, when the slide member 800 rotates 45° from the state shown in Fig. 8, the protruding portion 821 located one position upstream, indicated by reference symbol 8B in Fig. 8, is positioned on the movement path of the protruding portion 612A of the columnar member 610. As a result, the next pressing by the protruding portion 612A presses the protruding portion 821 located one position upstream. In this embodiment, the protrusion 612A provided on the columnar member 610 presses the protrusion 821 provided on the sliding member 800, causing the sliding member 800 to rotate by 45°. In this embodiment, the rotation of the slide member 800 is repeated by 45°. Also, in this embodiment, the slide member 800 rotates by 45° for every rotation of the columnar member 610.

[0060] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the state of the inside of upper cylindrical portion 852 provided on upper accommodation member 850 and base body 810 provided on slide member 800. The restricting portion 859 and the maintaining mechanism 940 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In this embodiment, a protrusion 812 extending along the axial direction of the slide member 800 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of a base 810 provided on the slide member 800 . In this embodiment, the restricting portion 859 is formed by a part of the upper accommodating member 850. Specifically, the restricting portion 859 is formed by a part of the upper cylindrical portion 852 provided in the upper accommodating member 850.

[0061] In this embodiment, as described above, when the slide member 800 rotates by 45°, the protrusion 812 also moves, so that the restriction portion 859 is positioned on the extension line ER of the protrusion 812, as shown by reference symbol 9A in FIG. More specifically, when the slide member 800 rotates 45°, the protrusion 812, which was initially located at the position indicated by the reference symbol 9B, moves to the position indicated by the reference symbol 9A, and the regulating portion 859 becomes positioned on the path of movement of the protrusion 812, which constitutes part of the control portion 400, as it attempts to return to its original position.

[0062] In other words, the restricting portion 859 is positioned on the movement path of the protrusion 812 that constitutes a part of the control portion 400 that is moving in the direction indicated by the arrow 9X in the figure. As a result, in this embodiment, even if the control unit 400 tries to return to its original state, the protrusion 812 constituting a part of the control unit 400 hits the restricting portion 859, restricting the control unit 400 from returning to its original state. As a result, the state in which the rotating member 700 is separated from the output gear 300 is maintained.

[0063] The upper cylindrical portion 852 has a plurality of grooves 853 formed therein, extending from one end 852A of the upper cylindrical portion 852 toward the other end 852B. The grooves 853 are arranged at 45° intervals in the circumferential direction of the upper cylindrical portion 852 . In this embodiment, two types of grooves 853 are provided: deep grooves 856 having a large depth, and shallow grooves 854 having a small depth. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the deep grooves 856 and the shallow grooves 854 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the upper cylindrical portion 852.

[0064] In this embodiment, a portion of the upper cylindrical portion 852 that is located closer to the other end 852B than the shallow groove 854 serves as the restricting portion 859. The restricting portion 859 is not provided in the portion where the deep groove 856 is formed. When the protrusion 812 provided on the slide member 800 is within the deep groove 856, the movement of the protrusion 812 is not restricted, and the slide member 800 moves toward the output gear 300, connecting the output gear 300 and the rotating member 700.

[0065] On the other hand, when the protrusion 812 provided on the slide member 800 is in the shallow groove 854 , the movement of the protrusion 812 is restricted by the restricting portion 859 . In this case, the sliding member 800 cannot move towards the output gear 300, and the state in which the rotating member 700 is separated from the output gear 300 is maintained.

[0066] In this embodiment, each time the cylindrical member 610 rotates once and the protrusion 612A (see Figure 8) of the cylindrical member 610 presses the protrusion 821 provided on the slide member 800, the groove 853 into which the protrusion 812 provided on the slide member 800 fits is switched to another groove 853. Specifically, the groove 853 into which the protrusion 812 fits is switched from the shallow groove 854 to the deep groove 856 or from the deep groove 856 to the shallow groove 854 . As a result, in this embodiment, each time the cylindrical member 610 rotates once, the state in which the output gear 300 and the rotating member 700 are connected is switched to a separated state in which the output gear 300 and the rotating member 700 are separated, or the state is switched from this separated state to a connected state.

[0067] The maintaining mechanism 940 of this embodiment uses a force from the actuating unit 600 to position the restricting portion 859 on the movement path of the control unit 400 . Specifically, in this embodiment, as described above, the sliding member 800 is rotated using the protrusion 612A provided on the columnar member 610 so that the restricting portion 859 is positioned on the movement path of the control portion 400. This protrusion 612A is provided on the actuation section 600, and in this embodiment, the restricting section 859 is positioned on the movement path of the control section 400 by using the force from the actuation section 600.

[0068] In addition, in this embodiment, the maintaining mechanism 940 uses a force from the operating unit 600 operating in the second operating state to position the restricting portion 859 on the movement path of the control unit 400. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the protrusion 612A of the cylindrical member 610 presses the protrusion 821 of the sliding member 800 as shown in FIG. 8, the rotating gear 500 and the cylindrical member 610 mesh, and the operating part 600 operates in the second operating state. In this embodiment, the restricting portion 859 is positioned on the movement path of the control portion 400 by using a force from the actuating portion 600 that is actuated in the second actuating state.

[0069] Incidentally, the rotating member 700 can be maintained in a spaced-apart state from the output gear 300, for example, by making the missing tooth portion 611A face the rotating gear 500 in the state shown in FIG. 4, and by stopping the contact mechanism 605 in the state shown in FIG. 4. In this case, when the stopped contact mechanism 605 is to be moved again, the operating part 600 starts operating only by receiving force from the tension spring 915, which can easily cause problems such as the contact mechanism 605 not moving.

[0070] In contrast, in the configuration of this embodiment, the contact mechanism 605 does not stop in a state where it is in contact with the control unit 400, and therefore the occurrence of such a problem is suppressed. Furthermore, even if the contact mechanism 605 is configured to stop when it is in contact with the control unit 400, in this embodiment, when the stopped contact mechanism 605 is to be moved again, the contact mechanism 605 receives a force from the rotating gear 500 and operates. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the contact mechanism 605 stops in a state where the contact mechanism 605 is in contact with the control unit 400, problems such as the contact mechanism 605 not moving are unlikely to occur.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a release mechanism 960 (see FIG. 8) is provided as an example of a release means for releasing the state in which the above-mentioned spaced apart state is maintained. The release mechanism 960 of the present embodiment releases this maintained state by using the actuation unit 600. Specifically, the release mechanism 960 brings the actuation unit 600 into contact with the control unit 400 to change the state of the control unit 400, thereby releasing the maintained state.

[0072] In this embodiment, the maintenance mechanism 940 maintains the separated state by restricting the movement of the control unit 400 to return to its original state before the control unit 400 was operated by the contact mechanism 605, as described above. The release mechanism 960 releases this restriction, thereby releasing the state in which the separated state is maintained.

[0073] Specifically, the release mechanism 960 releases the maintained state by removing the restricting portion 859 from the movement path of the control portion 400 which is attempting to return to the original state. More specifically, the release mechanism 960 rotates the slide member 800 that constitutes a part of the control unit 400, so that the restricting portion 859 is removed from the movement path of the protrusion 812 (see FIG. 9). More specifically, the release mechanism 960 rotates the slide member 800 that constitutes part of the control unit 400 so that the deep groove 856 is positioned on the extension line ER of the protrusion 812, thereby removing the regulating portion 859 from the movement path of the protrusion 812.

[0074] More specifically, in this embodiment, when performing release by the release mechanism 960, first, the solenoid 910 is turned on to actuate the actuating portion 600. This results in the state shown in Fig. 4, and the slide member 800 moves downward. Furthermore, at this time, the protrusion 821 provided on the sliding member 800 is pressed by the protrusion 612A shown in FIG. When the slide member 800 rotates, the restricting portion 859 is positioned at a position that is off the extension line ER of the protrusion 812 (see FIG. 9 ). More specifically, the deep groove 856 is positioned on the extension line ER of the protrusion 812, and the restricting portion 859 is positioned at a position that is off the extension line ER of the protrusion 812.

[0075] In this embodiment, when the contact mechanism 605 passes through the control unit 400, as shown in FIG. 5(B), the slide member 800 constituting the control unit 400 receives a force from the biasing coil spring S1 and moves toward the output gear 300. At this time, the restricting portion 859 is located at a position that is off the movement path of the protrusion 812, and the movement of the control unit 400 is not restricted by the restricting portion 859. In other words, the restriction by the restricting portion 859 is released, and the movement of the control unit 400 is not restricted by the restricting portion 859. As a result, the rotating member 700 is connected to the output gear 300, enabling transmission of driving force to the output gear 300.

[0076] The release mechanism 960, like the maintaining mechanism 940, uses force from the actuating portion 600 to release the maintained state. In addition, in this embodiment, when release is performed by the release mechanism 960, the rotary gear 500 is engaged with the columnar member 610, and the operating portion 600 operates in the second operating state. Therefore, in this embodiment, the release mechanism 960 uses force from the actuation portion 600 operating in the second actuation state to release the maintained state.

[0077] In the above, an example has been described in which the separated state is maintained using the maintaining mechanism 940. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the maintaining mechanism 940 may be used to maintain the connected state between the output gear 300 and the rotating member 700. In other words, the maintaining mechanism 940 may be used to maintain the connected state as the state of the control unit 400 with respect to the output gear 300.

[0078] In the above, we have described an embodiment in which the control unit 400 is operated to separate the rotating member 700 from the output gear 300. However, this is not limiting, and for example, an embodiment in which the control unit 400 is operated to connect the rotating member 700, which is separated from the output gear 300, to the output gear 300, is also conceivable. In this case, a maintenance mechanism 940 is used to maintain this connected state.

[0079] In the above description, the maintaining mechanism 940 positions the restricting portion 859 on the movement path of the control portion 400 by rotating a part of the control portion 400 that is trying to return to its original state. Incidentally, the rotation of control unit 400 is not essential. For example, restriction unit 859 may be positioned on the movement path of control unit 400 by displacing (moving) control unit 400 in a direction intersecting the direction in which control unit 400 moves when attempting to return to the original state.

[0080] In the above, the regulating portion 859 is positioned on the movement path of the control portion 400 that is attempting to return to its original state due to the rotation or displacement of the control portion 400. However, this is not limited to the above, and the regulating portion 859 may be moved so that the regulating portion 859 is positioned on the movement path of the control portion 400. When moving the regulating portion 859, for example, the upper cylindrical portion 852 (see FIG. 9) of the upper accommodating member 850 is configured to rotate, and the upper cylindrical portion 852 is rotated circumferentially to position the regulating portion 859 on the movement path of the control portion 400. When moving the restricting portion 859, the restricting portion 859 may be moved using a force from the actuation portion 600, as described above. When moving the restricting portion 859, it is preferable to move the restricting portion 859 using a force from the actuation portion 600 in the second actuation state, as described above.

[0081] Furthermore, in the case where the maintaining mechanism 940 maintains the state in which the output gear 300 and the rotating member 700 are connected to each other, the releasing mechanism 960 releases this connected state. To release the restriction, as described above, for example, a part of the control unit 400 is rotated or displaced, or the regulating portion 859 is moved so that the regulating portion 859 is not positioned on the movement path of the control unit 400.

[0082] In the above, the rotating member 700, which is a member located on the input gear 200 side, is moved, but the above-mentioned control unit 400 may be provided on the output gear 300 side, and the output gear 300 side may be moved to connect or disconnect the output gear 300 and the input gear 200 side.

[0083] 9, in this embodiment, a guide portion 858 that guides the protrusion 812 is provided between the shallow groove 854 and the deep groove 856. In other words, a guide portion 858 that guides the protrusion 812 is provided between adjacent grooves 853. This guide portion 858 is inclined so as to approach the other end 852B of the upper cylindrical portion 852 as it advances in the direction indicated by arrow 9Z, which is the rotation direction of the sliding member 800.

[0084] In this embodiment, when the amount of rotation of the slide member 800 caused by the protrusion 612A provided on the columnar member 610 (see FIG. 8) is small, the protrusion 812 provided on the slide member 800 comes into contact with this guide portion 858. As a result, the slide member 800 rotates, and the shallow groove 854 or the deep groove 856 comes to be positioned on the extension line ER of the projection 812. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1...image forming apparatus, 12...storage section moving mechanism, 100...driving force transmission device, 300...output gear, 400...control section, 500...rotating gear, 600...operating section, 605...contact mechanism, 800...sliding member, 859...regulating section, 915...tension spring, 940...maintenance mechanism, 960...release mechanism, M1...driving motor, P...paper

Claims

1. A rotor that rotates by receiving a driving force; a control unit that controls the rotation of the other rotating unit by switching between a connected state and a separated state as a state for the other rotating unit; an operating section which is operated by receiving a force from the rotating body, the operating section having a contact mechanism which comes into contact with the control section, the contact mechanism being moved by the force from the rotating body to operate the control section, and thereafter the contact mechanism is separated from the control section; Equipped with When the contact mechanism comes into contact with the control unit and the control unit is activated, the contact mechanism is brought into either the connected state or the separated state, Further comprising a maintaining means for maintaining the connected state or the separated state even after the contact mechanism is separated from the control unit. Driving force transmission device.

2. 2 . The driving force transmission device according to claim 1 , wherein the operating part receives a force from the rotating body and operates during the period from when the contact mechanism of the operating part comes into contact with the control part until when the contact mechanism separates from the control part.

3. The actuating portion is actuated by receiving a force from an elastic member, 2. The driving force transmission device according to claim 1, wherein when the operating portion is operating by receiving a force from the elastic member without receiving a force from the rotating body, the contact mechanism does not come into contact with the control portion.

4. the actuation unit operates in at least two actuation states, a first actuation state in which the actuation unit operates by receiving a force from an elastic member without receiving a force from the rotating body, and a second actuation state in which the actuation unit operates by receiving a force from the rotating body; After the operation state of the operation unit is switched from the first operation state to the second operation state, the contact mechanism and the control unit come into contact with each other, 2 . The driving force transmission device according to claim 1 , wherein the operating state of the operating portion is switched from the second operating state to the first operating state after the contact mechanism that has been in contact with the control portion is separated from the control portion.

5. The driving force transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the maintaining means maintains the connected state or the separated state by regulating the movement of the control unit which tends to return to its original state before the control unit was operated by the contact mechanism.

6. The driving force transmission device according to claim 5, wherein the maintaining means restricts the movement of the control unit attempting to return to the original state by positioning a restricting section that restricts the movement of the control unit on the movement path of the control unit attempting to return to the original state.

7. The driving force transmission device according to claim 6, wherein the maintaining means rotates or displaces at least a portion of the control unit attempting to return to the original state so that the regulating portion is positioned on the movement path of the control unit attempting to return to the original state.

8. 7. The driving force transmission device according to claim 6, wherein the maintaining means uses a force from the operating portion to position the restricting portion on the movement path.

9. the actuation unit operates in at least two actuation states, a first actuation state in which the actuation unit is actuated by receiving a force from an elastic member, and a second actuation state in which the actuation unit is actuated by receiving a force from the rotating body; 9. The driving force transmission device according to claim 8, wherein the maintaining means positions the restricting portion on the movement path by using a force from the operating portion operating in the second operating state.

10. 2. The driving force transmission device according to claim 1, further comprising a release means for releasing the state in which the connected state or the separated state is maintained.

11. 11. The driving force transmission device according to claim 10, wherein the release means releases the maintained state by using the operating portion.

12. The driving force transmission device according to claim 11, wherein the release means brings the operating portion into contact with the control portion to change the state of the control portion, thereby releasing the maintained state.

13. the maintaining means regulates a movement of the control unit that tends to return to an original state before the control unit is operated by the contact mechanism, thereby maintaining the connected state or the separated state; 11. The driving force transmission device according to claim 10, wherein the release means releases the restriction on the movement to release the state in which the connected state or the separated state is maintained.

14. the maintaining means restricts the movement of the control unit attempting to return to the original state by positioning a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the control unit on a movement path of the control unit attempting to return to the original state, The driving force transmission device according to claim 13, wherein the release means releases the maintained state by removing the restricting portion from the movement path of the control portion attempting to return to the original state.

15. The driving force transmission device according to claim 14 , wherein the release means rotates or displaces at least a part of the control portion to remove the restricting portion from the movement path.

16. The driving force transmission device according to claim 10, wherein the release means releases the maintained state by using a force from the operating portion.

17. the actuation unit operates in at least two actuation states, a first actuation state in which the actuation unit is actuated by receiving a force from an elastic member, and a second actuation state in which the actuation unit is actuated by receiving a force from the rotating body; 17. The driving force transmission device according to claim 16, wherein the release means releases the maintained state by using a force from the operating portion that operates in the second operating state.

18. A rotor that rotates by receiving a driving force; a control unit that controls the rotation of the other rotating unit by switching between a connected state and a separated state as a state for the other rotating unit; an operating section which is operated by receiving a force from the rotating body, the operating section having a contact mechanism which comes into contact with the control section, the contact mechanism being moved by the force from the rotating body to operate the control section, and thereafter the contact mechanism is separated from the control section; Equipped with The contact mechanism does not stop during the period from when the contact mechanism comes into contact with the control unit to when the contact mechanism separates from the control unit. Driving force transmission device.

19. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, 19. An image forming apparatus comprising: a drive source; and a drive force transmission device for transmitting drive force from said drive source to a driven object, said drive force transmission device being constructed by the drive force transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

Images