Patent ID: 6778796
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A driving mechanism for use in an image forming apparatus for driving a photosensitive member having a substantially cylindrical shape and a rotary member provided in the vicinity of the photosensitive member, the driving mechanism is to be interconnected with a driving motor to be driven thereby, the driving mechanism comprising:a rotary shaft extending through the photosensitive member in a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive member and protruding from the photosensitive member at its opposite ends, the rotary shaft being journaled at its axially opposite ends by bearings, and being co-rotatably coupled with the photosensitive member at one of the axially opposite ends thereof, the rotary shaft having a mass larger than that of the photosensitive member; a driving force transmission member which is jointed to the rotary shaft protruding from the photosensitive member at the one of the axial opposite ends, to transmit a driving force of the driving motor to the rotary shaft; a photosensitive member gear provided at the one of the axial opposite ends of the photosensitive member to co-rotate with the photosensitive member; and a rotary member gear provided at the one of the axial opposite ends of the rotary member, the rotary member gear being in meshing engagement with the photosensitive member gear to be driven thereby.