Image forming apparatus

Abstract

The invention addresses the problem of providing a steady drive to the photosensitive drum when all loads are driven from a common motor. To address the issue, the invention includes three drive trains. A first drive train that extends from the drive shaft of the motor to the photosensitive drum; a second drive train that extends from the drive shaft of the motor to the heating mechanism; and a third drive train that extends from the drive shaft of the motor to the toner cassette and drives the toner feed elements contained therein. A first drive element for each of the first and second drive trains is independently rotatably mounted on a common axis. Positioned on substantially an opposite side of the drive shaft is a first drive element of the third drive mechanism. As a result, the forces applied to the drive shaft as reaction forces to driving the various loads are substantially counterbalanced. Further, because the first drive element of each of the first and second drive trains are separate from one another in rotation, the second drive train has no effect on the first drive train driving the photosensitive drum.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.