JPH05246595A - Rocking gear mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a rocking gear mechanism which performs smooth and reliable transmission and release (engagement and disengagement of gears) of a drive force. CONSTITUTION:A rocking means 7 to perform engagement and disengagement of gears is located between at least one pair of gears of a gear train. The rocking means 7 is divided into first and second rocking members 7a and 7b, which are rotatable. A cushioning spring 7c additionally performing cushioning operation for an excessive amount of a rocking amount during engagement of gears with each other is connected between the members 7a and 7b and a restoration spring 7d to perform disengagement of the gears from each other is connected between the member 7b and other casing part. This constitution provides cushioning operation to transmission of a rocking force for engagement of the gear with each other, excess of a rocking amount, and an over rocking operation force and performs smooth transmission and release of a drive force.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mechanism for transmitting a driving force by a gear train, and more particularly to a rocking gear mechanism for connecting and releasing a gear for transmitting the driving force by a rocking portion provided in the gear train. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 shows an example of the structure of a rocking gear mechanism that is generally used in the past. Swing gear mechanism as shown
In 51, the swing gear 52 is connected to and separated from the output gear 55 on the side that outputs the driving force by the swing member 54 that rotates in the direction of the arrow a around the shaft 53a of the swing center gear 53. From the input gear 56 on the side for inputting the driving force to the output gear
The driving force is transmitted to and released from 55. During transmission of the driving force, the swing member 54 is moved by the external force F from the direction indicated by arrow a1.
When the driving force is released, the action force 57 from the outside is removed and the restoring force of the restoring spring 57 causes the swinging member 54 to move in the direction indicated by the arrow a2.
The oscillating gear 52 is separated from the output gear 54 by operating in the direction. Further, a center distance adjusting unit 59 is provided in the gear case 58 or another housing, and is configured to secure a predetermined center distance between the swing gear 52 and the output gear 55 when the gears are connected. ing.

The gear train in the rocking gear mechanism 51 is constructed so that the rotation direction of each gear normally rotates in the direction of the arrow as shown in the figure.
53 rotates counterclockwise in the illustrated example, and a rotational force in the same direction also acts on the swinging member 54 with the shaft 53a of the swinging center gear 53 as the center of rotation. Therefore, the oscillating gear 52 always receives the rotational force in the gear connecting direction, and the driving force can be transmitted even if the external acting force F is removed.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, when the external acting force F on the rocking member 54 which makes the gear connection at the time of transmitting the driving force is excessive, or when the rocking member 54 is provided with a predetermined rocking amount. When excessive swing displacement occurs, troubles often occur such as damage to the swing member 54 and crushing of the center distance adjusting portion 59 that impair the original operation function. Further, if the external acting force F on the rocking member 54 changes during the transmission of the driving force (when the gear is connected), the smooth transmission of the driving force may be impaired.

In the normal case, the swing gear mechanism 51 is
When the input gear 56 is stopped, all gear trains are stopped, and the external acting force F for gear connection is removed, the restoring spring 58
The swinging member 54 rotates in the direction of the arrow a2 by the restoring force of the swinging gear 52 to easily separate the swinging gear 52 from the output gear 55 (release the driving force). When a force is applied to the meshing portion in the direction opposite to the rotation direction (the direction of arrow b in the figure), even if the input gear 56 is stopped, the restoring force of the restoring spring 57 causes the swinging member 54 to move in the direction of arrow a2. It turned out to be difficult to rotate. A simple example of this is shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a drive gear train of an image forming apparatus to which the electrophotographic process technology is applied. In this device, the swing gear mechanism 51 is applied as a drive gear train of the discharging section.

As shown in FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus main body 61 is divided into a first unit 61a and a second unit 61b, and the first unit 61a is provided by a hinge 61a1 so as to be openable and closable. The jam processing of the sheet material in the path S is easily performed. The swing gear mechanism 51 is mounted on the side of the second unit 61b, and a gear system for driving a larger load is branched on the upstream side of the input gear 55 of the mechanism 51. The gear system on the upstream side of the gear 55 is connected to the drive source 62 with a large reduction ratio.

When the sheet material is clogged between the fixing portion 63 and the discharging portion 64 of the above-mentioned apparatus, the first unit 61a is opened to remove the sheet material. May be pulled out in the same direction together with the first unit 61a. In this case, the force acts in the direction of the arrow b as described above, and the oscillating gear 52 is moved from the output gear 55 only by the restoring force of the restoring spring 57. It becomes impossible to separate (release the drive). In this case, the output gear 55 is completely locked due to the large load branch and the reduction gear system on the front side, and the jammed sheet material is broken during the removal work, which makes the removal work troublesome. Not only that, but the gear teeth could even be broken.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide no swing gear mechanism for smoothly and reliably transmitting and releasing a driving force. It is what

[0009]

The typical means for solving the above problems and applied to the embodiments described below are a plurality of gears, a gear case incorporating the gears, and at least one pair of the gears. A swinging means for connecting and disconnecting between the gears, the operating force of the swinging means depends on an external actuating means, and the swinging means further includes a first swinging mechanism supported rotatably. The first swinging member includes a cushioning spring that is divided into a moving member and a second swinging member and that also has a cushioning action against an excessive swing amount when the gear is connected, and a restoring spring for releasing the gear. A buffer spring is connected between the moving member and the second swinging member, and a restoring spring is connected between the second swinging member and the gear case or another housing portion. Further, a gear connection is made between a plurality of gears, a gear case incorporating the gears, and at least a pair of gears of the gears by an actuating force of an external actuating means, and an actuating force of a releasing means provided in the mechanism. And a rocking means for releasing the gear, and the gear train is configured to rotate so that the rocking next-stage gear operates in the gear connecting direction with respect to the front-stage gear that is the center of the rocking. Separately from the above, a releasing member for releasing the gear is provided in the swinging means portion, and the releasing member directly receives the operating force of the external actuating means so that the swinging means releases the gear. And

[0010]

According to the present invention, the rocking means is divided into two members, that is, the first rocking member and the second rocking member, and the buffer spring is provided between the two members so as to connect the gears. It has a shock absorbing function for transmitting the swinging force, excessive swinging amount, and excessive swinging action force, so that the driving force can be transmitted and released smoothly. Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the releasing means provided in the mechanism for releasing the gear, a releasing member for directly performing the releasing operation by the action force of the external actuating means is provided in the swinging means portion, thereby driving It has made it possible to reliably release the force.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an oscillating gear mechanism to which the above means is applied will be illustrated and described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a swing gear mechanism according to the present invention. The oscillating gear mechanism 1 as shown in FIG. 1 has a plurality of gears 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 incorporated in a gear case 1a to form a gear train, and at least one pair of the gear trains. A swinging means 7 for connecting gears and separating gears is incorporated between gears, and the swinging means 7 is configured to transmit and release a driving force.

The swinging means 7 is the shaft 4 of the swinging center gear 4.
A first swinging member 7 which is rotatable in the direction of arrow a around a.
a (hereinafter abbreviated as a rocking lever) and a second rocking member 7b (hereinafter abbreviated as a rocking arm) rotatable in a direction of an arrow b, and a rocking gear 5 Output gear 6
And a restoring spring 7d for separating the swing gear 5 and the output gear 6 from each other, and a swing lever 7a. A buffer spring 7c is connected between the rocking arm 7b and the restoring spring 7d is connected to the rocking arm 7b and the gear case 1a or another housing portion. In addition, an arrow F in the figure is the acting force of the external actuating means, and when the driving force is transmitted (when the gear is connected).
Is an external force acting on the swinging means 7. Reference numeral 8 denotes a center distance adjusting unit, which secures a predetermined center distance between the swing gear 5 and the output gear 6 during transmission of the driving force.
It is provided on the gear case 1a or another housing portion.

The operation of the swing gear mechanism 1 configured as described above will be described. When the driving force is transmitted from the input side (input gear 2) to the output side (output gear 6), that is, when the swing gear 5 and the output gear 6 are connected, the external force F is first applied to the swing lever 7a. When actuated, the lever 7a rotates in the direction of arrow a1 about the shaft 4a of the swing center gear 4, and at the same time, the swing arm 7b is pulled up in the direction of arrow b1 via the buffer spring 7c, and the swing gear 5 moves. It is connected to the output gear 6. Here, it is a precondition that the spring load value of the buffer spring 7c is larger than the spring load value of the restoring spring 7d, and under the static load condition, the extension displacement of the buffer spring 7c before the gear connection is "zero". Some design is desirable. Even when the rocking arm 7b reaches the driving force transmitting position (the solid line position in the figure) and the rocking gear 5 and the output gear 6 are connected, the rocking lever 7 still remains.
The displacement of the excess swing (the swing amount from the point A to the point B) remains in a. Here, the buffer spring 7c begins to expand for the first time,
It has a buffering effect against this excessive swing amount.

On the contrary, when the driving force from the input side (input gear 2) to the output side (output gear 6) is released, that is, when the oscillating gear 5 and the output gear 6 are separated, the external action is first performed. When the force F is removed, the rocking lever 7a independently rotates from the point B to the point A (direction of arrow a2) due to the restoring force of the buffer spring 7c which is extended due to the excessive rocking. When the external acting force F is completely removed, the swinging arm 7b rotates in the direction of the arrow b2 by the restoring force of the restoring spring 7d, and at the same time, the buffer spring 7c.
Swing lever 7a is pulled up in the direction of arrow a2 via
Both the members 7a and 7b reach the driving force releasing position, and the swing gear 5 is separated from the output gear 6. Therefore, in the swing gear mechanism 1, even when the external acting force F changes during transmission of the driving force, the swing gear mechanism 1 changes only by the displacement (between points A and B) of the buffer spring 7c and the swing lever 7a. It is possible to absorb.

Next, the case where the swing gear mechanism 1 is applied to the drive gear train of the image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing a configuration example of a drive gear train of an image forming apparatus to which the electrophotographic process technology is applied. The swing gear mechanism 1 is applied to a gear train for driving a sheet material discharging portion. There is.

In FIG. 2, the sheet material conveying path of the image forming apparatus is shown by an arrow S in the figure, and the sheet material is sequentially fed by a feeding section 11, a registration section 12 (posture correction), image formation and transfer. It is conveyed by each roller (not shown) of the unit 13, the fixing unit 14, and the discharging unit 15. Each of the rollers is provided with a drive gear that is coaxially branched and connected from a drive source 16. The feeding unit 11 includes a feeding roller gear 11a, the registration unit 12 includes a registration roller gear 12a, and an image. The forming / transferring section 13 has a gear train 13 for driving the process cartridge PC.
a, a transfer roller gear 13b, and a fixing roller gear for the fixing unit 14.
The output gears 6 of the rocking gear mechanism 1 are respectively arranged at 14a and the discharging portion 15, and the reduction gear units 17 and 18 respectively receive the driving force from the driving source 16.

In the image forming apparatus, the main body 19 is the first.
The unit 19a and the second unit 19b are divided into hinges.
The first unit 19a is provided so as to be openable and closable by 19a1, and is configured so that jam processing of the sheet material in the sheet material conveying path S and replacement of the cartridge can be easily performed.

As shown in the figure, the fixing unit 14 is incorporated in the first unit 19a side, and the discharging unit 15 having the swing gear mechanism 1 is incorporated in the second unit 19b side. When paper jam (jam) occurs in the discharging section 15 and the driving is stopped while the sheet material is sandwiched by the discharging roller pair (not shown), the driving of the discharging section 15 is immediately released, In the image forming apparatus, since the sheet material has to be taken out and the driving force has to be transmitted again after the sheet material has been jammed, in the image forming apparatus, transmission and release of the driving force, that is, gear connection and The external acting force F on the swinging means 7 for separating is used by replacing the rotational displacement of the fixing portion 14 (opening / closing operation of the first unit 19a).
Although the swing gear mechanism 1 is applied to the gear train that drives the discharging portion 15 in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same effect can be obtained when applied to other drive gear trains. Can be obtained.

[Second Embodiment] A second configuration example of the swing gear mechanism according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Since the basic structure of the rocking gear mechanism in this embodiment is substantially the same as the structure of the rocking gear mechanism shown in the first embodiment,
Detailed description is omitted here. Further, members having the same functions as the members shown in the swing gear mechanism of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. The swing gear mechanism in the present embodiment is a swing lever 7a which is the first swing member of the swing means 7.
Timing gears 7a1 and 20a1 are respectively provided on the operating member 20a of the external operating means 20 and the two gears are engaged with each other, and the acting force F of the operating member 20a is directly transmitted to the swing lever 7a. It is configured to connect and release the gear. With the above-described configuration, the swing gear mechanism in this embodiment can more accurately connect and separate the gears (the swing gear 5 and the output gear 6 in the drawing) when transmitting and releasing the driving force.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a structural view showing a third embodiment of the swing gear mechanism according to the present invention. The swing gear mechanism 31 as shown in FIG. 4 has a plurality of gears 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 incorporated in a gear case 31a to form a gear train, and at least one pair of the gear trains. Between the gears, a gear is connected by the acting force of the external actuating means 37, and further, a swinging arm is a swinging means for separating the gears by a restoring force (acting force) of a restoring spring 38 which is a releasing means provided in the mechanism. 39 is incorporated and is configured to transmit and release the driving force. The gears 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 forming the gear train are
Are each configured to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

Further, the swing arm 39 which is the swing means is provided with a release cam 39a which is a release member for releasing the gear, in addition to the restoring spring 38 which is the release means.
The release cam 39a is configured to directly receive the acting force of the external actuating means 37 (arrow F in the figure) so that the swing arm 39 releases the gear. Further, reference numeral 40 denotes a center distance adjusting section, which is provided to secure a predetermined center distance between the swing gear 35 and the output gear 36 during transmission of the driving force.
a or other housing part.

The operation of the swing gear mechanism 31 constructed as described above will be described. When the driving force is transmitted from the input side (input gear 32) to the output side (output gear 36), that is, when the swing gear 35 and the output gear 36 are connected, the external actuating means 37 is first pulled down in the arrow F direction. Then, the actuating means 37 contacts the end 39b of the swing arm 39, and the arm 39 moves the swing center gear.
The shaft 34a of 34 is pushed up in the direction of the arrow a so that the swing gear 35 and the output gear 36 are connected to each other to transmit the driving force.

On the contrary, when the driving force from the input side (input gear 32) to the output side (output gear 36) is released, that is, when the oscillating gear 35 and the output gear 36 are separated from each other, first the external operation is performed. The means 37 is pushed up in the direction of arrow F, and its actuating cam 37a
Comes into contact with the release cam 39a of the swing arm 39, and the operating cam 37
The release cam 39a is pushed up in the direction of arrow b by a, and at the same time, the swinging arm 39 is pulled up in the direction of arrow a by the restoring force of the restoring spring 38, the swinging gear 35 is separated from the output gear 36, and the driving force is released. It

Next, FIG. 5 shows a structural example in which the swing gear mechanism 31 is applied to a drive gear train of an image forming apparatus. Since the basic structure of the drive gear train of the image forming apparatus is substantially the same as that described with reference to FIG. 2 in the first embodiment, detailed description will be omitted here. Further, members having the same functions as the members shown in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 5, in the present example, the swing gear mechanism 31 is applied to a gear train that drives the sheet material discharging portion 15, and in this device, the driving force is released (the swing gear 35 and the output gear 36). The fixing unit 14 is used as an external operating means for separating
The case of is used.

[Other Embodiments] Another configuration example of the swing gear mechanism according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Since the basic structure of the swing gear mechanism in this embodiment is substantially the same as the structure of the swing gear mechanism shown in the third embodiment,
Detailed description is omitted here. The members having the same functions as those of the swing gear mechanism of the third embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. In the rocking gear mechanism of this embodiment, timing gears 41a and 42a are provided on a rocking arm 41 which is a rocking means and an actuating member 42 of an external actuating means, and both gears are meshed with each other, so that the external actuating means is operated. The operating force (arrow F in the figure) is directly transmitted to the swing arm 41 to perform gear connection and gear release. With the above-described configuration, the swing gear mechanism in this embodiment has a gear (the swing gear 35 and the output gear 36 in the figure) when transmitting and releasing the driving force.
It is possible to more accurately connect and separate. As described above, the present invention is not limited to one method and means, and various modifications and configurations are possible.

[0027]

As described above, the rocking means is divided into two members, that is, the first rocking member and the second rocking member, and the buffer spring is provided between the both members, so that the gear connection can be achieved. Since it has a shock absorbing function for transmitting the swinging force and excessive swinging amount and excessive swinging action force, it is possible to prevent the trouble that the driving force cannot be transmitted suddenly during gear driving, and to smoothly transmit and release the driving force. It can be carried out. Further, due to the above-mentioned buffering action, the mechanism will not be damaged even if the operation is performed roughly violently. Further, as described above, in addition to the release means for releasing the gear provided in the mechanism, the swing member is provided with the release member for directly performing the release operation by the action force of the external actuating means. The force switching operation (particularly the drive release) can be reliably performed, and when the swing gear mechanism is applied to the image forming apparatus, the work of removing the sheet material jammed in the sheet material conveying path is easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a swing gear mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing a specific application example of the swing gear mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a swing gear mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a swing gear mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view showing a specific application example of the swing gear mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a swing gear mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional swing gear mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory view showing a specific application example of a conventional swing gear mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Oscillating gear mechanism 1a ... Gear case 2 ... Input gear 3 ... Gear 4 ... Oscillating center gear 4a ... Shaft 5 ... Oscillating gear 6 ... Output gear 7 ... Oscillating means 7a ... Oscillating lever 7a1 ... Timing gear 7b ... Swing arm 7c ... Buffer spring 7d ... Restoring spring 8 ... Center distance adjusting unit F ... External acting force S ... Sheet conveying path 11 ... Feeding unit 11a ... Feeding roller gear 12 ... Registration unit 12a ... Registration roller gear 13 ... Image Forming / transferring unit PC ... Process cartridge 13a ... Drive gear train 13b ... Transfer roller gear 14 ... Fixing unit 14a ... Fixing roller gear 15 ... Ejection unit 16 ... Driving source 17, 18 ... Reduction gear unit 19 ... Main body 19a ... First unit 19a1 ... Hinge 19b ... Second unit 20 ... External actuating means 20a ... Operating member 20a1 ... Timing gear 31 ... Oscillating gear mechanism 31a ... Gear case 32 ... Input gear 33 ... Gear 34 ... Oscillating center gear 34a ... Shaft 35 ... Oscillating Gear 36 ... Output gear 37 ... External actuating means 37a ... Actuating cam 38 ... Restoring spring 39 ... Swing arm 39a ... Release cam 39b ... End 40 ... Center distance adjusting section 41 ... Swing arm 41a ... Timing gear 42 ... Actuating member 42a ... Timing gear

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An operating force of the rocking means, comprising: a plurality of gears, a gear case incorporating the gears, and rocking means for connecting and disconnecting the gears between at least one pair of gears. An oscillating gear mechanism characterized by being dependent on an external actuation means. 2. The swinging means is divided into a first swinging member and a second swinging member which are rotatably supported, and also has a buffering action against an excessive swinging amount when a gear is connected. Buffer spring and a restoring spring for releasing the gear, the buffer spring is connected between the first swing member and the second swing member, and the second swing member and the gear case or other The swing gear mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a restoring spring is connected to the housing portion. 3. The rocking gear mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the first rocking member is provided with a gear facing the actuating member of the external actuating means. 4. A plurality of gears, a gear case in which the gears are incorporated, and at least a pair of gears of the gears are gear-connected by an actuating force of an external actuating means, and a releasing means provided in the mechanism. And a rocking means for releasing the gear by an acting force, and the gear train is configured to rotate so that the rocking next-stage gear operates in the gear connection direction with respect to the front-stage gear that is the center of rocking. Characteristic rocking gear mechanism. 5. A release member for releasing a gear is provided in the swinging means portion separately from the release means, and the release member directly receives the operating force of the external actuating means so that the swinging means releases the gear. The swing gear mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the swing gear mechanism is configured to perform 6. The rocking gear mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the rocking means is provided with a gear that faces an actuating member of an external actuating means.