Hub-based Drive Coupling Mechanism for a Fuser Backup Member, and Methods of Using Same

摘要

A hub-based drive coupling mechanism for a fusing assembly, including a gear operatively coupled to a motor; a hub member; and a backup roll having a shaft rotatably coupled to the gear via the hub member, the gear including an outer cylindrical portion having a plurality of tabs disposed along an inner surface thereof, the hub member including an annular portion having a plurality of protrusions radially extending therefrom, and the backup roll shaft having a pin member. When the drive gear is rotated, the plurality of tabs of the drive gear directly contact the plurality of protrusions of the hub member to cause the hub member to rotate and the plurality of protrusions of the hub member directly contact the plurality of segments of the pin member to cause the shaft to rotate.

主权项

1. A drive coupling mechanism for selectively driving a shaft of a rotatable member in an imaging device, comprising:
a drive gear including an outer cylindrical portion, an inner cylindrical portion concentric with the outer cylindrical portion, and a plurality of tabs disposed along an inner surface of the outer cylindrical portion; a hub member including an annular portion having an outer surface and disposed around the inner cylindrical portion of the drive gear and a plurality of protrusions which extend from the outer surface of the annular portion in at least a radial direction; and a pin member being one of secured to an end portion of the shaft of the rotatable member and integral with the shaft, the pin member including a plurality of segments each extending in a different radial directions about the end portion of the shaft disposed about the end portion of the shaft, the end portion of the shaft disposed in the inner cylindrical portion of the drive gear and the annular portion of the hub member, wherein when the drive gear is rotated, the plurality of tabs of the drive gear directly contact the plurality of protrusions of the hub member to cause the hub member to rotate and the plurality of protrusions of the hub member directly contact the plurality of segments of the pin member to cause the shaft to rotate.