DRIVE DEVICE FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drive device for an image forming apparatus, the drive device being designed so as to improve usability by reducing an operating force required to attach or detach a process cartridge or photoreceptor, regardless of the magnitude of the stationary load of a drive means. SOLUTION: One reduction gear of a drive force transmitting means includes a first gear movable in its axial direction and a second gear disposed on the same shaft as the first gear and having projections or holes engaged with the projections or holes of the first gear. The reduction gear has a pressing member which has a restricting face that restricts the first gear of the reduction gear to a position where the first gear is engaged with the second gear, and a retracting face that allows the first gear to be movable to a released position where the first gear is disengaged with the second gear. In linking with the opening or closing of the door of the image forming apparatus, the pressing member can be switched to the retracting face from the restricting face when the door is open. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT