Patent Publication Number: US-8977170-B2

Title: Image forming apparatus, toner case and drive transmission mechanism

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent application No. 2012-210312 filed on Sep. 25, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, a toner case installed in the image forming apparatus and a drive transmission mechanism installed in the image forming apparatus. 
     An electrographic image forming apparatus carries out the development process by supplying a toner (a developer) from a development device to an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum or the like. The toner used in such development process is supplied from a toner case, such as a toner container or an intermediate hopper, to the development device. The above-mentioned toner case includes a case main body having a discharge port discharging the toner, a rotating member (e.g. an agitating paddle and a conveying screw) rotatably installed in the case main body and a following coupling connected to the rotating member. The rotating member is rotated by linking the above-mentioned following coupling to a drive coupling connected to a drive source, such as a motor. 
     For example, there is a configuration linking the drive coupling including a triangle-formed hole and following coupling including a triangle pole-formed protrusion. Alternatively, there is another configuration that the drive coupling and following coupling are formed in twisted-shapes. Moreover, there is a further configuration that the drive coupling and following coupling are formed to have tapered faces. 
     However, in the configuration linking the drive coupling including the triangle-formed hole and following coupling including the triangle pole-formed protrusion, in a case where a drive torque of the following coupling is large, there is a possibility that the linkage of the drive coupling and following coupling is accidentally released. As the case where the drive torque of the following coupling is large, for example, there are a case where a residual quantity of the toner in the toner case is large and a case where the toner in the toner case is solidified. 
     On the other hand, in the other configuration having the twisted-formed drive coupling and following coupling or the further configuration having the drive coupling and following coupling provided with the tapered faces, it is to some extent possible to prevent the linkage of the drive coupling and following coupling from being accidentally released. However, if the above-mentioned configurations are applied, shapes of the couplings are complicated, and accordingly, shapes of molds molding the couplings are also complicated. Therefore, in a case where it is desired to provide incompatibility of the couplings or other cases, it is difficult to mold the couplings in various shapes with maintaining the simple mold design. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus includes a toner case and an installed member. The toner case contains a toner. The toner case has a case main body, one or more rotating members and a following coupling. The case main body has a discharge port discharging the toner. The rotating members are rotatably installed in the case main body. The following coupling is connected to the rotating member and configured to have a pressured part. In the installed member, the toner case is attachably/detachably installed. The installed member has a drive coupling and a drive source. The drive coupling is linked to the following coupling and configured to have a pressuring part. The drive source rotates the drive coupling. The drive coupling and following coupling are rotated in the same rotation direction around the same rotation axis by pressuring the pressured part by the pressuring part. The pressured part is provided so as to come close to the rotation axis from an upper stream side to a lower stream side in the rotation direction. 
     Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a toner case contains a toner and is attachably/detachably installed in an installed member so as to be provided in an image forming apparatus together with the installed member. The toner case includes a case main body, one or more rotating members and a following coupling. The case main body has a discharge port discharging the toner. The rotating members are rotatably installed in the case main body. The following coupling is connected to the rotating member and configured to have a pressured part. The installed member has a drive coupling and a drive source. The drive coupling is linked to the following coupling and configured to have a pressuring part. The drive source rotates the drive coupling. The drive coupling and following coupling are rotated in the same rotation direction around the same rotation axis by pressuring the pressured part by the pressuring part. The pressured part is provided so as to come close to the rotation axis from an upper stream side to a lower stream side in the rotation direction. 
     Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a drive transmission mechanism is provided in an image forming apparatus. The drive transmission mechanism includes a following coupling and a drive coupling. The following coupling is connected to one or more rotating members and configured to have a pressured part. The drive coupling is linked to the following coupling and configured to have a pressuring part. The drive coupling and following coupling are rotated in the same rotation direction around the same rotation axis by pressuring the pressured part by the pressuring part. The pressured part is provided so as to come close to the rotation axis from an upper stream side to a lower stream side in the rotation direction. 
     The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown by way of illustrative example. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram schematically showing a printer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a back right perspective view showing a toner container in the printer according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a back left perspective sectional view showing the printer in a situation, in which a case side shutter opens a discharging port and a development device side shutter opens a replenishing port, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view showing the toner container in the printer according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view showing a following coupling in the toner container of the printer according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5B  is a right side view showing the following coupling in the toner container of the printer according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing an image forming unit in the printer according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a front left perspective view showing the image forming unit in the printer according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a back right perspective view showing the printer in a situation, in which the toner container is installed to a development device, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a front right explodedperspective view showing a drive mechanism in the development device of the printer according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view showing a driving member, a moving member, a coil spring and a pressuring member in the development device of the printer according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view showing a drive coupling in the development device of the printer according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11B  is a left side view showing the drive coupling in the development device of the printer according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view showing the printer in a situation, in which the drive coupling is linked to the following coupling, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view showing a printer in a situation, in which a drive coupling is linked to a following coupling, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First, with reference to  FIG. 1 , the entire structure of an electrographic printer (an image forming apparatus)  1  will be described.  FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram schematically showing the printer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, it will be described so that the front side of the printer  1  is positioned at the left-hand side of  FIG. 1 . 
     The printer  1  includes a box-formed printer main body  2 . In a lower part of the printer main body  2 , a sheet feeding cartridge  3  configured to store sheets (not shown) is installed and, on the top surface of the printer main body  2 , an ejecting tray  4  is mounted. On the top surface of the printer main body  2 , an upper cover  5  is openably/closably attached in front of the sheet ejecting tray  4  and, below the upper cover  5 , a toner container (a toner case)  6  containing a toner (a developer) is installed. 
     In an upper part of the printer main body  2 , an exposure device  7  composed of a laser scanning unit (LSU) is installed below the sheet ejecting tray  4 . Below the exposure device  7 , an image forming unit  8  is installed. In the image forming unit  8 , a photosensitive drum  10  as an image carrier is rotatably installed. Around the photosensitive drum  10 , a charger  11 , a development device (an installed member)  12 , a transfer roller  13  and a cleaning device  14  are located along a rotating direction (refer to arrow X in  FIG. 1 ) of the photosensitive drum  10 . 
     Inside the printer main body  2 , a sheet conveying path  15  is arranged. At an upper stream end of the conveying path  15 , a sheet feeder  16  is positioned. At an intermediate stream part of the conveying path  15 , a transferring unit  17  constructed of the photosensitive drum  10  and transfer roller  13  is positioned. At a lower stream part of the conveying path  15 , a fixing device  18  is positioned. At a lower stream end of the conveying path  15 , a sheet ejecting unit  20  is positioned. Below the conveying path  15 , an inversion path  21  for duplex printing is arranged. 
     Next, the operation of forming an image by the printer  1  having such a configuration will be described. 
     When the power is supplied to the printer  1 , various parameters are initialized and initial determination, such as temperature determination of the fixing device  18 , is carried out. Subsequently, in the printer  1 , when image data is inputted and a printing start is directed from a computer or the like connected with the printer  1 , image forming operation is carried out as follows. 
     First, the surface of the photosensitive drum  10  is electrically charged by the charger  11 . Then, exposure corresponding to the image data on the photosensitive drum  10  is carried out by a laser (refer to a two-dot chain line P in  FIG. 1 ) from the exposure device  7 , thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum  10 . Subsequently, the electrostatic latent image is developed to a toner image with the toner in the development device  12 . 
     On the other hand, a sheet fed from the sheet feeding cartridge  3  by the sheet feeder  16  is conveyed to the transferring unit  17  in a suitable timing for the above-mentioned image forming operation, and then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum  10  is transferred onto the sheet in the transferring unit  17 . The sheet with the transferred toner image is conveyed to a lower stream on the conveying path  15  to go forward to the fixing device  18 , and then, the toner image is fixed on the sheet in the fixing device  18 . The sheet with the fixed toner image is ejected from the sheet ejecting unit  20  to the sheet ejecting tray  4 . Toner remained on the photosensitive drum  10  is collected by the cleaning device  14 . 
     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 2-5 , the toner container  6  will be described in detail. Arrow Fr suitably put on each figure indicates the front side of the printer  1  (similarly, in  FIG. 6  and later).  FIG. 2  is the back right perspective view and  FIG. 3  is the back left perspective sectional view. Therefore, with regard to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the left-hand and right-hand sides of the figure are converse to the actual left-hand and right-hand sides. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the toner container  6  includes a box-formed case main body  22  with a opened top face, a conveying screw (a rotating member)  23 , an agitating paddle (another rotating member)  24 , a covering body  25 , a lever  26 , a transmitting member  27  and a case side shutter  28 . The conveying screw  23  is installed in a lower rear part of the case main body  22 . The agitating paddle  24  is installed near a center part of the case main body  22 . The covering body  25  covers the top face of the case main body  22 . The lever  26  is attached to a right end part of the case main body  22 . The transmitting member  27  is placed on the right end part of the case main body  22  together with the lever  26 . The case side shutter  28  is attached on the lower rear part of the right end part of the case main body  22 . Hereinafter, these components are described in order. 
     First, the case main body  22  will be described. The case main body  22  is formed in an elongated-shape in left and right directions to contain the toner. On a lower rear part of a left end wall (not shown) of the case main body  22 , a locking piece  29  is formed. On the circumference of a top end of the case main body  22 , a main body side flange  30  is formed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , at the right bottom end part of the case main body  22 , a cylinder-formed discharge duct  31  is protruded to the right side. In a bottom part of the discharge duct  31 , a discharge port  32  discharging the toner is bored. On the circumference of a lower part of the discharge duct  31 , a case side sealing member  33  is attached and, in the case side sealing member  33 , a communication port  34  is bored at a correspondent position to the discharge port  32 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , at the center of a right end wall  35  of the case main body  22 , a cylinder-formed boss  37  having an insertion hole  36  is protruded to the right side (an outside direction). On a right face (an outer face) of the right end wall  35  of the case main body  22 , a first restrain rib  38  is protruded above and in rear of the boss  37 . On the right face of the right end wall  35  of the case main body  22 , a second restrain rib  39  is protruded above and in front of the boss  37 . On the right face of the right end wall  35  of the case main body  22 , a columnar protrusion  40  is formed below the first restrain rib  38 . 
     Next, the conveying screw  23  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 2  and other figures, the conveying screw  23  is formed in an elongated-shape in the left and right directions and extended in the left and right directions in the case main body  22  (in a longitudinal direction of the case main body  22 ). The conveying screw  23  includes a bar-formed screw shaft  52  and a spiral fin  53  concentrically mounted on the circumference of the screw shaft  52 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , right side parts of the screw shaft  52  and spiral fin  53  are inserted into the discharge duct  31  of the case main body  22 . A right end part of the screw shaft  52  protrudes from the discharge duct  31  to the right side and, to the protruding part, a conveying gear  54  (refer to  FIG. 2  and other figures) is fixedly attached. 
     Next, the agitating paddle  24  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the agitating paddle  24  is located above and in front of the conveying screw  23 . The agitating paddle  24  is formed in an elongated-shape in the left and right directions and extended in the left and right directions in the case main body  22  (in the longitudinal direction of the case main body  22 ). The agitating paddle  24  includes a supporting frame  55  formed in a frame board liked-shape and a sheet-formed agitating fin  56  supported by the supporting frame  55 . Left and right end parts of the supporting frame  55  are pivotally supported by the right end wall  35  and left end wall (not shown) of the case main body  22  via respective bearings  57  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). Hereinafter, the bearing  57  is called as “a bearing  57  of an agitating paddle  24 ”. The agitating fin  56  is made of, for example, plastic sheet, such as lumirror. 
     Next, the covering body  25  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 2 , on the circumference of the covering body  25 , a covering body side flange  60  is formed in the correspondent form to the main body side flange  30  of the case main body  22 . The main body side flange  30  and covering body side flange  60  are ultrasonic-welded together so that the case main body  22  and covering body  25  are unified. 
     Next, the lever  26  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 4  and other figures, the lever  26  includes a lever main body  61  with a circular profile in aside view. The lever main body  61  includes a small-diameter cylinder  62 , a large-diameter cylinder  63  attached around the circumference of the small-diameter cylinder  62  and four radially extended connecters  64  connecting the small-diameter cylinder  62  and large-diameter cylinder  63  with each other. 
     The small-diameter cylinder  62  is fitted onto the circumference of the boss  37  arranged on the right end wall  35  of the case main body  22 . Accordingly, the lever  26  is rotatably supported onto the case main body  22 . On an upper part of the large-diameter cylinder  63 , a gripper  65  is protruded. On the large-diameter cylinder  63 , a protruding piece  66  is formed in front of the gripper  65 . On the circumference of a lower rear part of the large-diameter cylinder  63 , a lever side gear  67  is formed. 
     Next, the transmitting member  27  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 4  and other figures, the transmitting member  27  includes a disc-formed transmitting member main body  68 . On a left face (an inner face) of the transmitting member main body  68 , an engaging piece  70  is protruded. The engaging piece  70  is inserted into the insertion hole  36  formed in the boss  37  of the case main body  22 , and then, engaged with the bearing  57  of the agitating paddle  24  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). Accordingly, the transmitting member  27  and the agitating paddle  24  are connected to each other so as to rotate in a body. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and other figures, on the circumference of the transmitting member main body  68 , a transmission gear  71  is formed. The transmission gear  71  meshes with the conveying gear  54  fixed to the screw shaft  52  of the conveying screw  23  so that the conveying screw  23  is rotated accompanying to rotation of the transmitting member  27 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4  and other figures, on a right face (an outer face) of the transmitting member main body  68 , a following coupling  72  is formed. The following coupling  72  is connected to the conveying screw  23  and agitating paddle  24 . A two-dot chain line A in  FIG. 4  and a point A in  FIG. 5B  indicate a center of rotation of the following coupling  72 . Hereinafter, this is called as a “rotation axis A”. Arrows B in  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  indicate a direction of the rotation of the following coupling  72 . Hereinafter, this is called as a “rotation direction B”. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , the following coupling  72  includes a flat board-formed supporting face  73 , three following protrusions  74  and an annular flange  75 . The following protrusions  74  are protruded from the supporting face  73 . The flange  75  is protruded from the supporting face  73  to surround each following protrusion  74 . The supporting face  73  is formed perpendicular to the rotation axis A. At the center of the supporting face  73 , a round hole  76  is bored. 
     Each following protrusion  74  includes an extended part  77  extending linearly and a bend part  78  bent from one end part (an inside end part in the embodiment) in the longitudinal direction of the extended part  77  to a lower stream side in the rotation direction B. The following protrusion  74  is formed in a roughly L-shape. In the extended part  77  of each following protrusion  74 , a pressured part  80  is formed on a face at an upper stream side in the rotation direction B. As shown in  FIG. 5B , the pressured part  80  is provided so as to come close to the rotation axis A gradually from the upper stream side to a lower stream side in the rotation direction B. The pressured part  80  is inclined with respect to a standard line D connecting the rotation axis A to an upper stream end part C of the pressured part  80 . An angle θ of the pressured part  80  to the standard line D is, for example, 5≦θ≦10 degree. The pressured part  80  faces to the standard line D connecting the rotation axis A to an upper stream end part C of the pressured part  80 . The pressured part  80  is provided for each of the following protrusions  74 , that is, three pressured parts  80  in total are provided. The pressured parts  80  are located at intervals of equal angle (120 degree). 
     The flange  75  is located at a predetermined distance from another end part (an outside end part in the embodiment) in the longitudinal direction of the extended part  77  of each following protrusion  74 . Projection height of the flange  75  from the supporting face  73  is equal to projection height of the following protrusion  74  from the supporting face  73 . 
     Next, the case side shutter  28  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the case side shutter  28  is formed in a cylinder-liked shape. The case side shutter  28  is rotatably fitted onto the circumference of the discharge duct  31  of the case main body  22 . In a lower face of the case side shutter  28 , a discharge aperture  81  is bored. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the discharge aperture  81  is formed at a correspondent position to the discharge port  32  of the case main body  22  and the communication port  34  of the sealing member  33 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , on the case side shutter  28 , a roughly fan-formed guiding piece  82  is protruded. In the guiding piece  82 , an arc-formed guiding hole  83  is formed and, with the guiding hole  83 , the protrusion  40  of the case main body  22  is engaged. 
     In the case side shutter  28 , a gear box  84  is provided and the gear box  84  houses the conveying gear  54 . In the gear box  84 , a communication aperture  85  is formed so that the conveying gear  54  can be housed in the gear box  84  via the communication aperture  85 . 
     The case side shutter  28  is provided with a shutter side gear  86 . The shutter side gear  86  meshes with the lever side gear  67  of the lever  26  so as to turn the case side shutter  28  in the opposite direction to the lever  26  accompanying to the turn of the lever  26 . On the right end part of the case side shutter  28 , a fixing piece  87  is provided. In a lower part of the case side shutter  28 , a pressuring protrusion  88  is formed. 
     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 6-11 , the development device  12  will be described in detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the development device  12  is integrated with the photosensitive drum  10 , charger  11  and cleaning device  14 , and thereby, an image forming unit  90  is composed. The image forming unit  90  is configured to be drawable in an upper forward direction from the printer main body  2  and to be attachable/detachable to the printer main body  2 . 
     The development device  12  is provided with a box-formed development device main body  91 . At the center inside the development device main body  91 , a partition  92  extending in upper and lower directions is formed and, in front of and in rear of the partition  92 , agitating members  93  are respectively installed. Each agitating member  93  is rotatably supported in the development device main body  91 . Inside the development device main body  91 , in rear of and below the rear agitating member  93 , a developing roller  94  is installed. The developing roller  94  is rotatably supported in the development device main body  91  and comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , on the top face side of a top wall  95  of the development device main body  91 , an installed part  96  is provided. In the installed part  96 , the toner container  6  is attachably/detachably installed (refer to  FIG. 8 ). In the top wall  95  of the development device main body  91 , a replenishment port  97  is bored in the upper and lower directions and, around the replenishment port  97 , a development device side sealing member  98  is fixedly attached. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , at the top face side of the top wall  95  of the development device main body  91 , a development device side shutter  100  is attached. At a left end part of the development device side shutter  100 , a supporting pivot  101  is provided so that the development device side shutter  100  turns around the supporting pivot  101  in a forward or backward direction, thereby opening or closing the replenishment port  97  of the development device main body  91  by the development device side shutter  100 . 
     At the right end side of the development device main body  91 , a drive mechanism  102  is provided. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the drive mechanism  102  includes a box-formed casing member  103 , a motor (a drive source)  104 , a driving member  105 , a moving member  106 , a coil spring  107  and a pressuring member  108 . The motor  104  is installed in a lower part of the casing member  103 . The driving member  105  is installed in an upper part of the casing member  103 . The moving member  106  is attached to the driving member  105 . The coil spring  107  is installed between the driving member  105  and moving member  106 . The pressuring member  108  is attached to the moving member  106 . Hereinafter, these components are described in order. 
     First, the casing member  103  will be described. In an upper rear part of a left sideplate  110  of the casing member  103 , a circular coupling insertion hole  111  is bored in the left and right directions. On a right face (an inner face) of the left side plate  110  of the casing member  103 , a cylinder-formed insertion tube  112  is protruded from the circumference of the coupling insertion hole  111 . A protruded end part of the insertion tube  112  is depressed so that a pair of engaging gaps  113  are formed. As shown in  FIG. 7 , in the left sideplate  110  of the casing member  103 , a first insertion hole  114  is bored in the left and right directions in front of the coupling insertion hole  111 . In the left side plate  110  of the casing member  103 , a second insertion hole  115  is bored in the left and right directions in front of the first insertion hole  114 . 
     Next, the motor  104  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 9 , to the motor  104 , a worm gear  116  is fixedly attached. The motor  104  is connected with a motor driver (not shown) so that the motor  104  is driven by electric current from the motor driver. 
     Next, the driving member  105  will be described. On the circumference of the driving member  105 , a driving gear  117  is formed and the driving gear  117  is connected to the worm gear  116  via an idle gear  118 . Accordingly, when the motor  104  rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the driving member  105  via the worm gear  116  and driving gear  117 , thereby rotating the driving member  105 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , at the center of the left side face of the driving member  105 , a cylinder-formed insertion protrusion  120  is formed and, around the insertion protrusion  120 , an annular spring contact face  121  is formed. From the circumference of the spring contact face  121 , a pair of insertion plates  122  are protruded. 
     Next, the moving member  106  will be described. The moving member  106  includes a cylinder-formed inner tube  123 , a cylinder-formed outer tube  124 , an annular spring reception  125  and a drive coupling  126 . The outer tube  124  is disposed around the inner tube  123 . The spring reception  125  is adapted to connect the left end part of the inner tube  123  and the left end part of the outer tube  124  with each other. The drive coupling  126  is formed to the left face of the spring reception  125  in a body. 
     A two-dot chain line A in  FIG. 10  and a point A in  FIG. 11B  indicate the above-mentioned rotation axis A. That is, the rotation axes of the following coupling  72  and drive coupling  126  are identical to each other. Arrows B in  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B  indicate the above-mentioned rotation direction B. That is, the rotation directions of the following coupling  72  and drive coupling  126  are identical to each other. The rotation directions B in  FIGS. 5 and 11  are turned to opposite sides to each other, because  FIG. 5  shows the following coupling  72  in a right view, but  FIG. 11  shows the drive coupling  126  in a left view. 
     With reference to  FIG. 10 , in the inner tube  123 , the insertion protrusion  120  of the driving member  105  is inserted. The outer tube  124  is depressed so that a pair of insertion gaps  127  are formed and, in the insertion gaps  127 , the insertion plates  122  of the driving member  105  are inserted. Due to such a configuration, the moving member  106  can be rotated together with the driving member  105  in a body and be moved in the direction of the rotation axis A from the driving member  105 . To the circumference of the right end of the outer tube  124 , an annular ring  128  is fixedly attached. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the drive coupling  126  together with the following coupling  72  composes a drive transmission mechanism  129 . As shown in  FIG. 11A , the drive coupling  126  includes a flat face  130  and three drive protrusions  131  protruded from the flat face  130 . The flat face  130  is formed perpendicular to the rotation axis A. At the center of the flat face  130 , a round hole  132  is bored in left and right directions. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11B , each drive protrusion  131  includes a first arm part  133 , a second arm part  134  and a hook part  135 . The first arm part  133  linearly extends in a radial direction around the rotation axis A. The second arm part  134  is bent from an end part on the outside in the radial direction of the first arm part  133  to an upper stream side in the rotation direction B to curve in an arc form. The hook part  135  is bent from an upper stream end part of the second arm part  134  in the rotation direction B to the inside. In a boundary part between the first arm part  133  and second arm part  134 , a pressuring part  136  is formed. The pressuring part  136  is provided for each of the drive protrusions  131 , that is, three pressuring parts  136  in total are provided. The pressuring parts  136  are located at intervals of equal angle (120 degree). In a space surrounded by the first arm part  133 , second arm part  134  and hook part  135 , a depressed part  137  is formed. Between the hook  135  of one drive protrusion  131  and the first arm  133  of other drive protrusion  131  located at an upper stream side, a communicated gap part  138  is formed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , aright end part of the coil spring  107  comes into contact with the spring contact face  121  of the driving member  105 . A left end part of the coil spring  107  is inserted in a space between the inner tube  123  and outer tube  124  of the moving member  106  and comes into contact with the spring reception  125  of the moving member  106 . Due to such a configuration, the coil spring  107  biases the moving member  106  to the left side. 
     The pressuring member  108  includes a cylinder-formed engaged tube part  140  and a connecting arm part  141  protruded forward from the circumference of the engaged tube part  140 . 
     The engaged tube part  140  is rotatably attached around the circumference of the outer tube  124  of the moving member  106  so that its movement to the right side is restricted by the ring  128  of the moving member  106 . Due to such a configuration, the pressuring member  108  can be relatively turned to the moving member  106  and move in the direction of the rotation axis A together with the moving member  106  in a body. The engaged tube part  140  is inserted into the inside of the insertion tube  112  provided in the left side plate  110  of the casing member  103 . On the circumference of the engaged tube part  140 , engaging ribs  142  are formed below the connecting arm part  141  and at an opposite side of the connecting arm part  141 . 
     On the proximal end part of the connecting arm part  141 , a cylinder-formed first withdrawal boss  143  is protruded to the left side. On the distal end part of the connecting arm part  141 , a cylinder-formed second withdrawal boss  144  is protruded to the left side. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the first withdrawal boss  143  penetrates through the first insertion hole  114  formed in the left side plate  110  of the casing member  103  and is protruded from the left side plate  110  to the left side. The second withdrawal boss  144  penetrates through the second insertion hole  115  formed in the left side plate  110  of the casing member  103  and is protruded from the left side plate  110  to the left side. 
     In the aforementioned configuration, a method of linking the drive coupling  126  to the following coupling  72  will be described as follows. 
     First, when the toner container  6  is taken down to the installed part  96  of the development device  12  for the installation, the transmitting member  27  of the toner container  6  pressures the first withdrawal boss  143  and second withdrawal boss  144  of the pressuring member  108  downward. According to this pressure, the pressuring member  108  is turned downward and moved to the right side and the pressuring member  108  pressures the moving member  106  to the right side. By this pressure, the moving member  106  is moved to the right side against a bias force of the coil spring  107 . Accordingly, the drive coupling  126  is moved to the right side along the direction of the rotation axis A and withdrawn in the casing member  103  (refer to two-dot chain line in  FIG. 7 ). In addition, when the toner container  6  is taken down to the installed part  96  of the development device  12  as mentioned above, the following coupling  72  of the toner container  6  goes down to face to the drive coupling  126 . In such a situation, because the second withdrawal boss  144  of the pressuring member  108  is stopped in an engaged state by the protruding piece  66  of the lever  26 , the upward turn of the pressuring member  108  is restricted. 
     When the installation of the toner container  6  to the installed part  96  of the development device  12  is completed as mentioned above, the worker, such as a user or a serviceman, may tilt the gripper  65  of the lever  26  backward. In such an operation of the lever  26 , the engaged stop of the second withdrawal boss  144  by the protruding piece  66  of the lever  26  is released and the upward turn of the pressuring member  108  is allowed. Therefore, by the bias force of the coil spring  107 , the pressuring member  108  is turned upward. 
     In conjunction with this, by the bias force of the coil spring  107 , the moving member  106  is moved to the left side. Accompanying to this, the drive coupling  126  is moved to the left side along the direction of the rotation axis A and protruded from the casing member  103  (refer a solid line in  FIG. 7 ). Accordingly, the drive coupling  126  is linked to the following coupling  72 . 
     Next, in the aforementioned configuration, a method of supplying the toner from the toner container  6  to the photosensitive drum  10  will be described. 
     When the toner container  6  is taken down to the installed part  96  of the development device  12  as mentioned above, the pressuring protrusion  88  of the case side shutter  28  comes into contact with the development device side shutter  100 . In such a situation, when the gripper  65  of the lever  26  is tilted backward to make the case side shutter  28  turned as mentioned above, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the case side shutter  28  moves to a position to open the discharge port  32  of the case main body  22 . 
     Accompanying to the above-mentioned turn of the case side shutter  28 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , the pressuring protrusion  88  of the case side shutter  28  pressures the development device side shutter  100  backward. In accordance with the pressure, the development device side shutter  100  is turned backwards around the supporting pivot  101 , and then, the development device side shutter  100  opens the replenishment port  97  of the development device main body  91 . 
     In this situation, when the motor  104  of the drive mechanism  102  is rotated, this rotation is transmitted to the moving member  106  via the worm gear  116 , idle gear  118  and driving member  105 , and then, the moving member  106  is rotated. When the moving member  106  thus rotates, this rotation is transmitted to the transmitting member  27  via the drive coupling  126  and following coupling  72 , and then, the transmitting member  27  is rotated. When the transmitting member  27  thus rotates, the agitating paddle  24  connected to the transmitting member  27  is rotated, and then, the toner in the case main body  22  is conveyed to the side of conveying screw  23  with being agitated. In addition, when the transmitting member  27  rotates as mentioned above, this rotation is transmitted to the screw shaft  52  of conveying screw  23  via the transmission gear  71  and conveying gear  54 , and then, the conveying screw  23  is rotated. Accompanying to this, the toner in the case main body  22  is discharged from the discharge port  32 , and then, introduced in the inside of the development device main body  91  via the replenishment port  97 . The toner introduced in the inside of the development device main body  91  is agitated by each agitating member  93 , conveyed to the developing roller  94  and supplied from the developing roller  94  to the photosensitive drum  10 . 
     Next, an action transmitting the rotation from the drive coupling  126  to the following coupling  72  when supplying the toner from the toner container  6  to the photosensitive drum  10  as mentioned above will be described with reference to  FIG. 12 . 
     When the drive coupling  126  and following coupling  72  are linked to each other, the extended part  77  of each following protrusion  74  of the following coupling  72  is inserted in each communicated gap part  138  of the drive coupling  126 . In addition, the bend part  78  of each following protrusion  74  of the following coupling  72  is inserted in each depressed part  137  of the drive coupling  126 . 
     In such a situation, when the drive coupling  126  is rotated by the motor  104 , the pressuring part  136  provided in each drive protrusion  131  of the drive coupling  126  pressures the pressured part  80  provided in each following protrusion  74  of the following coupling  72 . Accompanying to this, the drive coupling  126  and following coupling  72  are rotated in the same rotation direction B around the same rotation axis A. At that moment, the pressuring part  136  and pressured part  80  come into point contact with each other in a view of the direction of the rotation axis A. 
     At this moment, the pressuring part  136  pressures the pressured part  80 , and thereby, in a contact part of the pressuring part  136  and pressured part  80 , a force in a direction indicated by an arrow F in  FIG. 12  is generated. This force can be divided into a component force f1 toward a side of the rotation axis A and another component force f2 perpendicular to this component force f1 toward a lower stream side in the rotation direction. By an effect of the above-mentioned component force f1, the drive coupling  126  is rotated with being drawn into the side of the rotation axis A. 
     In the embodiment, as mentioned above, when the pressuring part  136  pressures the pressured part  80 , a force drawing the drive coupling  126  into the side of the rotation axis A is generated as the component force. Therefore, even if a drive torque of the following coupling  72  is large, it is possible to prevent the linkage of the drive coupling  126  and following coupling  72  from being accidentally released. Moreover, in comparison with cases forming the following coupling  72  and drive coupling  126  (hereinafter, called as couplings  72  and  126 ) in twisted-shapes and forming the couplings  72  and  126  to have tapered faces, it is possible to simplify the shapes of the couplings  72  and  126 . Therefore, it is possible to simplify mold designs for molding the couplings  72  and  126 . As a result, in a case where it is desired to provide incompatibility of the couplings  72  and  126  or other cases, it is possible to mold the couplings  72  and  126  in various shapes with maintaining the simple mold design. 
     The projection height of the flange  75  from the supporting face  73  is equal to the projection height of the following protrusion  74  from the supporting face  73 . Therefore, it is possible to protect the following protrusion  74  by the flange  75  and to surely prevent breakage of the following protrusion  74 . In another embodiment, the projection height of the flange  75  from the supporting face  73  may be more than the projection height of the following protrusion  74  from the supporting face  73  and, also in such a case, the similar effect can be obtained. 
     The following protrusion  74  includes the bend part  78  bent from the one end part in the longitudinal direction of the extended part  77  to the lower stream side in the rotation direction B. Therefore, it is possible to enhance strength of the following protrusion  74  and to more surely prevent the breakage of the following protrusion  74 . 
     The pressuring part  136  of the drive coupling  126  is formed in the boundary part between the first arm part  133  and second arm part  134 . Therefore, it is possible to enhance strength of the drive protrusion  131  and to surely prevent breakage of the drive protrusion  131 . 
     The drive coupling  126  is provided movably along the direction of the rotation axis A. Therefore, even if an installing direction of the toner container  6  to the development device  12  is perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis A, it is possible to link the drive coupling  126  to the following coupling  72 . On the other hand, in a case applying such a configuration, if the drive coupling  126  were moved along the above-mentioned direction of the rotation axis A, there is a possibility that the linkage of the drive coupling  126  and following coupling  72  is accidentally released. Therefore, it is preferable to apply the configuration of the present disclosure, and then, to prevent the linkage of the drive coupling  126  and following coupling  72  from being accidentally released. 
     The pressuring part  136  and pressured part  80  are provided so as to come into point contact with each other in a view of the direction of the rotation axis A when the pressuring part  136  pressures the pressured part  80 . Therefore, in comparison with a case where the pressuring part  136  and pressured part  80  come into line contact with each other in a view of the direction of the rotation axis A, the force toward the side of the rotation axis A when the pressuring part  136  pressures the pressured part  80  is easily generated. As a result, it is possible to more surely link the drive coupling  126  to the following coupling  72 . 
     A plurality of the pressuring parts  136  and a plurality of the pressured parts  80  are provided at intervals of equal angle. Therefore, when the pressuring parts  136  pressure the pressured parts  80 , it is possible to generate the force toward the side of the rotation axis A for each component in the drive coupling  126  and following coupling  72  in a well-balanced manner. 
     The toner container  6  includes the agitating paddle  24  and conveying screw  23 . Therefore, it is possible to surely rotate the agitating paddle  24  and conveying screw  23  by a drive force of the motor  104 , and then, to discharge the toner from the toner container  6 . 
     Although, in the embodiment, three drive protrusions  131  and three following protrusions  74  are provided, in another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 13 , two drive protrusions  131  and two following protrusions  74  may be provided. Alternatively, not particularly shown in the figure, four or more drive protrusions  131  and four or more following protrusions  74  may be provided. Although, in the embodiment, the bend part  78  is provided on the inside end part of the extended part  77  of the following protrusion  74 , in another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the bend part  78  is provided on an outside end part of the extended part  77  of the following protrusion  74 . Although, in the embodiment, the extended part  77  of the following protrusion  74  is formed in a linear shape, in another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the extended part  77  of the following protrusion  74  may be partly bent in an arc form. Thus, it is possible to optionally vary the forms of the drive coupling  126  and following coupling  72 . 
     In addition, the image forming apparatus may configured that the forms of the drive coupling  126  and following coupling  72  are changed according to an apparatus model, a toner color or a destination and, if the toner container  6  being consistent in the apparatus model, toner color or destination is attached to the development device  12 , the linkage of the drive coupling  126  and following coupling  72  becomes possible. By applying such a configuration, it is possible to prompt a user to attach the suitable toner container  5  being consistent in the apparatus model, toner color or destination to the development device  12 . 
     In the embodiment, a case of attaching/detaching the toner container  6  to the development device  12  in a perpendicular direction to the direction of the rotation axis A was described. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the toner container  6  may be attached/detached to the development device  12  in a direction along the direction of the rotation axis A. 
     In the embodiment, the drive transmission mechanism  129  including the drive coupling  126  and following coupling  72  is used for drive transmission to the toner container  6 . On the other hand, in another embodiment, the drive transmission mechanism  129  may be used for drive transmission to the photosensitive drum  10  or other member except for the toner container  6 . 
     In the embodiment, the configuration of the present disclosure is applied to the toner container  6 . On the other hand, in another embodiment, the configuration of the disclosure may be applied to another toner case (so-called “an intermediate hopper”) interposed between the toner container  6  and development device  12 . 
     The embodiment was described in a case of using the development device  12  as the installed member. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the printer main body  2  may be used as the installed member. 
     The embodiment was described in a case of applying the configuration of the present disclosure to the printer  1 . On the other hand, in another embodiment, the configuration of the disclosure may be applied to another image forming apparatus except the printer  1 , such as a copying machine, a facsimile or a multifunction peripheral. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.