JP2003069243A - Housing of image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To give an enough mechanical strength to the housing of an image forming apparatus in spite of using its side-plated made of a sheet metal whose manufacturing cost is cheap, and to make easy the junctions of its front and rear side-plates to its base member. SOLUTION: The housing of an image forming apparatus has front and rear side-plates 3, 4 provided in parallel with each other and has a base member 2 joined to the lower portions of both the side-plates 3, 4 which supports both the side-plates 3, 4. Both the side-plates 3, 4 are made of a sheet metal. Joint margins 33, 35, 43, 45 are so formed by folding the side portions of both the side-plates 3, 4 as to weld the lower portions of the joint margins 33, 35, 43, 45 to the side surfaces of angle pipes 21 of the base member 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a casing that constitutes a framework of an image forming apparatus and supports internal equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a casing used as a frame of an image forming apparatus, a casing in which a rectangular hollow pipe (hereinafter referred to as a square pipe) is assembled is used. Since the case made of the square pipe has the strength of the square pipe, the strength can be ensured when assembled as a case. Further, there is also proposed a housing in which sheet metal stamped by press working is assembled as front and rear side plates. This housing made of sheet metal is assembled by mounting the front and rear side plates on a base member, attaching the lower parts of the front and rear side plates to the base member by screwing, and screwing the suspension member between both side plates. The case made of sheet metal has an advantage that the manufacturing cost is lower than that of the case made of square pipe.

[0003]

As described above, the casing made of square pipe has a problem that it has a high manufacturing cost although it has strength. On the other hand, although the housing made of sheet metal is low in manufacturing cost, it has a problem that the strength is not sufficient.
In particular, since the front and rear side plates are screwed in the state of being mounted on the base member, the strength of the joint portion with the front and rear side plates is weak, and the rigidity of the housing tends to be insufficient. If the rigidity of the housing is insufficient, the positional accuracy of the internal equipment provided in the housing cannot be maintained due to the influence of strain or the like, especially when the housing made of sheet metal is applied to a large apparatus. For example, the accuracy of the electrostatic latent image formed when the surface of the photoconductor is irradiated with laser light is reduced, or when the image formation is processed at high speed, vibration occurs in the main body of the device, resulting in misalignment. The problem arises that Further, since it takes time and effort to position the lower portions of the front and rear side plates on the base member, it is difficult to attach the front and rear side plates to the base member.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has sufficient strength while using side plates made of sheet metal which is inexpensive in manufacturing cost, and the front and rear side plates can be easily used as base members. It is an object of the present invention to provide a housing of an image forming apparatus that can be bonded to the.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention constitutes a framework of an image forming apparatus, and at least a front plate and a rear plate arranged in parallel in a casing supporting internal equipment. A side plate and a base member that is joined to the lower portions of the both side plates to support the both side plates are provided.The both side plates are made of sheet metal, and the side portions are bent to form a joint margin, and the lower portion of the joint margin is It is welded to the side surface of the base member.

For example, the lower portion of the joining margin is welded to the side surface of the base member while holding the base member from both sides.

According to these structures, since the joint margin of the both side plates formed of sheet metal is welded to the side surface of the base member, the joint margin at the joint portion and the contact area with the base member become large. Therefore, since the strength of the joint portion is increased as compared with the case where the both side plates are placed on the base member and joined by the screw stopper, it is possible to prevent the housing from being distorted and the like. The rigidity is enhanced. Further, it is possible to perform the positioning and attachment work of the joining margin with respect to the base member from both side plates and the periphery of the base member. As a result, the positioning and mounting work of the suspension member becomes easier than when the both side plates are placed on the base member and joined by screws or the like.

If the lower portions of the both side plates are bent to further form a joint margin and the joint margin is welded to the upper surface of the base member, the joint margin of the both side plates and the base member are joined together. The contact area at the joint portion is further increased, and the rigidity of the housing can be further enhanced.

If a suspension member made of sheet metal is suspended between the both side plates and welded to the joint margin of the side parts of the both side plates, twisting and bending of the both side plates can be suppressed. Therefore, even if vibration occurs during the operation of the image forming apparatus, the deformation amount of the side plate is small, the dimension is stable, and the deformation amount of the housing is reduced.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A case of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 are perspective views of the front side of the casing of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rear side of the casing of the image forming apparatus. The casing 1 according to the present invention constitutes a framework of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and supports an outer frame of the image forming apparatus and various electronic devices provided inside, and is mainly a sheet metal. It is assembled by joining members made of. The housing 1 is joined to a base member 2 that is a base of the housing 1 in a state perpendicular to the base member 2, and a front side plate 3 whose lower portion is supported by the base member 2 and a state in which the front side plate 3 is juxtaposed. It has a rear side plate 4 which is vertically attached to the base member 2 and whose lower portion is supported by the base member 2, and is further provided on the upper side of the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4 between the side plates 3, 4. The upper plate member 5 joined by being suspended, and the stays joined by being suspended between the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4 at the upper part and the substantially central portion of the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4. Suspension members) 61, 62, 63.

The base member 2 is formed by joining hollow members (hereinafter, referred to as square pipes) 21 each having four sides with a square shape. In a portion of the base member 2 surrounded by the square pipe 21, a bottom plate 22 having a shape suitable for equipping internal equipment (in the present embodiment, a recess 22a is formed in a substantially central portion) is joined to the square pipe 21. .

The front side plate 3 is made of sheet metal, and has a large opening in the side plate body 31 for the purpose of equipment and operability of internal equipment. The upper portion, the lower portion and the side portion of the side plate body portion 31 are bent forward at an angle of about 90 degrees to form a joint margin 3
2, 33, 34 and 35 are formed. This joining fee 3
By forming 2, 33, 34, 35, the rigidity of the side plate is strengthened.

The joint margins 33 and 35 on the side portions of the front side plate 3 are shaped such that the lower portions thereof extend below the lower ends of the side plate body portions 31 and extend to substantially the lower surface of the square pipe 21 of the base member 2. . The lower joint margin 34 of the side plate body 31 is formed so as to contact the upper surface of the square pipe 21 of the base member 2. A reinforcing member 36 extending in the horizontal direction is joined to the front side plate 3 in order to prevent the side plate body 31 from being twisted.

The rear side plate 4 is made of sheet metal, and similarly to the front side plate 3, the upper part, the lower part and the side part of the side plate body 41 are folded back at an angle of about 90 degrees to form the joint margins 42, 43 and 4.
4, 45 are formed. As a result, the rigidity of the side plate is enhanced. Bonding margins 43, 4 on the side of the rear side plate 4
5 has a shape in which the lower portion thereof extends below the lower end of the side plate main body portion 41 and extends almost to the lower surface of the square pipe 21 of the base member 2. Further, the lower joint margin 44 of the side plate body 41 is formed so as to abut the upper surface of the square pipe 21 of the base member 2. Further, a reinforcing member 46 extending in the horizontal direction is also joined to the rear side plate 4 in order to prevent the side plate body 41 from being twisted.

The stays 61, 62 joined to the upper portions of the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4 are bent at about 90 degrees, and the joint margins 32, 33, 35, 42, 43, 45 of the side plates 3, 4 are joined.
Is welded to.

The stay 63 joined to the substantially central portion of the side plates 3 and 4 in the height direction has its upper and lower ends bent inward to enhance the rigidity, and its longitudinal ends are the side plates. It is welded to the joint margins 35 and 45 of 3 and 4. By joining the stays 61, 62, 63, the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4 are prevented from being twisted.

Next, welding and welding points of each member when the housing 1 is assembled will be described. 4 is a front view of the housing 1, FIG. 5 is a rear view of the same, FIG. 6 is a right side view of the same, FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a joint portion between a front plate and a stay, FIG. 8 is a left side view of the same, and FIG. Is a top view of the same, FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the same, and FIG.
1B is a perspective view showing the housing before the front plate 3 and the rear plate 4 are joined to the base member 2, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing the housing where the front plate 3 and the rear plate 4 are joined to the base member 2. FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view showing a welded portion between the rear side plate and the base member. In addition, in each drawing, in order to clarify the shape of each member and the welding location, the fine holes and the like formed in each member for internal equipment equipment are omitted.

Welding of the square pipes 21 of the base member 2 and welding points will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the square pipe 21 of the base member 2 has its ends welded from the side of the base member 2 at welding points P1 and P2, and as shown in FIG. The parts are welded to each other from the back side of the square pipe 21 (welding point P3). The bottom plate 22 is joined to the square pipe 21 as shown in FIG.
The edge of the bottom plate 22 is brought into contact with the back side of the square pipe 21 and welded at a plurality of points (welding point P4). Furthermore, the edge of the recess 22a formed in the bottom plate 22 is welded to the square pipe 21 from the back side of the base member 2 (welding point P5), and the joint between the bottom plate 22 and the square pipe 21 is strengthened.

Welding of the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4 to the base member 2 and welding points will be described. When joining the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4 to the base member 2, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower portion of the joining margin 33 of the front side plate 3 and the joining margin 43 of the rear side plate 4 is connected to the square pipe 21 of the base member 2. Are welded to the side surface (welding points P6 and P7). In this case, the joining cost 33,
Holes 33a, 43a are formed in the welded portion at the bottom of 43, and the square pipe 21 is welded through the holes 33a, 43a. Similarly, the lower portions of the joint margins 35, 45 of the side plates 3, 4 are also welded to the square pipe 21 through the holes 35a, 45a (welding points P8, P9, see FIG. 8).

That is, as shown in FIG. 11A, the lower portions of the joint margins 33, 35, 43, 45 of the side plates 3, 4 are
The base member 2 is clamped from both sides, and in this state, the lower portions of the joint margins 33, 35, 43, 45 are placed in the base member 2.
Are welded to the side surface of (FIG. 11 (b), FIG. 12). The edges of the joining margins 34 and 44 placed on the square pipe 21 are
As shown in FIG. 11B, the bottom plate 22 is welded from above (welding point P10). Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the lower end portions of the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4 are attached to the housing 1
Weld to the base member 2 from inside (welding point P1
1).

As shown in FIG. 4, the reinforcing member 36 is welded to the front side plate 3 at the joining pieces 361, 362, 363, 364 (welding point P12). This welding is performed on each joining piece from the back side (inside) of the front side plate 3 through the hole formed in the front side plate 3.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the side surface 365 of the reinforcing member 36 is welded to the joint margins 33 and 35 of the front side plate 3 (welding point P13). This welding is performed from the outside of the joint margins 33, 35 to the side surface 365 through the holes formed in the joint margins 33, 35.

As shown in FIG. 5, the reinforcing member 46 is welded to the rear plate 4 at the joining pieces 461, 462, 463, 464, 465 (welding point P14). This welding passes through the holes formed in the rear side plate 4 and
Is performed on each joint piece from the inside (inside of the housing 1). Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the side surface 466 of the reinforcing member 46 is welded to the joint margins 43 and 45 of the rear side plate 4 (welding point P15). This welding is the joint margin 43,4
Through the holes formed in No. 5, from the outside of the joint margins 43, 45 to the side surface 466.

Although the welding location is not shown in particular, the upper plate member 5 is suspended between the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4 and welded to the inside of the upper portions of the side plates 3 and 4. This welding is performed from the inside of both side plates 3 and 4 (inside the casing 1) through the hole formed in the upper plate member 5.

Welding of the stays 61, 62, 63 to the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4 and welding points will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the stay 61 is welded to the joint margin 33 of the front side plate 3 and the joint margin 43 of the rear side plate 4 at its longitudinal end (welding point P17). In this case, stay 6
A hole 61a is formed in the vicinity of the end in the length direction of 1 and is welded to the outer side surfaces of the joint margins 33 and 43 through the hole 61a.

In this way, the stay 61 made of sheet metal is used.
Welded to the outer surface of the joint margin 33, 43, the joint margin 3
Since the stay 61 is welded in parallel with 3, 43, the contact area between the stay 61 and the joint margins 33, 43 at the joint is increased. Therefore, as compared with the case where the stay is orthogonally screwed to the side plate having no joint margin, the strength at the joint portion is increased, and the twisting and bending of the side plates 3 and 4 can be suppressed appropriately.
By attaching a suspension member to the outer surface of the joining margins 33, 43, both side plates 3, 4 (joining margins 33, 4
Since the stay 61 can be positioned and attached to the joining margins 33 and 43 from the periphery of 3), the stay 61 can be easily positioned and attached.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the welding of the stay 61 is performed by bending the side plate body portions 31, 41, that is, the joint margins 33, 43 and the side plate body portion 3.
This is performed in the vicinity of the corner portion that is the boundary between the points 1 and 41. By doing this, the amount of deformation is small in the vicinity of the bending roots of the joint margins 33, 43 of the side plates 2, 3 even when the side plate is bent, and the strength is higher than that of the other parts of the side plate. Since it has, there is an effect that the strength at the joint portion is further increased and the deformation amount of the housing 1 is reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the stay 61 is welded to the outer surfaces of the joining margins 32 and 42 above the front plate 3 and the rear plate 4 (welding point P18). Also in this case, a hole 61b is formed at the end of the stay 61 in the longitudinal direction, and the joining margins 32 and 42 are welded through the hole 61b. Also in this case, the stay 61 is welded to the vicinity of the root portion where the side plate body portions 31 and 41 are bent.

Further, in order to strengthen the joining with the joining margins 32 and 42, the lengthwise end edge of the stay 61 is joined with the joining margin 3.
Weld to No. 2, 42. Further, there is a bend (welding allowance) at the upper part of the joining allowances 33, 43 on the lower surface of the joining allowances 32, 42, and the joining allowance 32 and the joining allowance 33 and the joining allowance 42 and the joining allowance 43 are joined (welding point P19) . Even when the stay 61 is welded to the joint margins 32 and 42, the joint margins 33 and 4 are also welded.
Similar to the case of joining to the No. 3, the strength at the joining portion is increased, so that the twisting and bending of the side plates 3 and 4 can be appropriately suppressed, and furthermore, the positioning and mounting work of the stay 61 during welding can be performed. Easy to do.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, the stay 62 has its lengthwise ends welded to the outer surfaces of the joint margins 35, 45 of the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4 (welding point P2).
0). Also in this case, a hole 62a is formed near the end of the stay 62 in the longitudinal direction, and the outer surface of the joining margins 35 and 45 is welded through the hole 62a. Stay 62
The welding to the joint margins 35 and 45 is performed by the side plate body portions 31 and 41.
Welding should be performed near the root part of the bent part.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the stay 62 is welded to the outer side surfaces of the joining margins 32 and 42 above the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4 (welding point P21). Also in this case, a hole 62b is formed near the end (welding portion) in the length direction of the stay 62, and the hole 62b is formed.
And welded to the outer surface of the joining margins 32 and 42. Then, the side plate body portions 31 and 41 of the joint margins 32 and 42 are welded in the vicinity of the bent root portions. Also, the joining cost 32, 42
In order to strengthen the joint with the, the end portion in the length direction of the stay 62 is welded to the joint margins 32 and 42. Furthermore, the joining cost 35,
Bending (welding allowance) of the upper part of 45 is on the lower surface of the joining allowances 32 and 42, and joins the joining allowance 32 and the joining allowance 35 and the joining allowance 42 and the joining allowance 45 (welding point P22).

As shown in FIG. 8, the stay 63 is suspended between the side plates 3 and 4 at approximately the center in the height direction of the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4, and is in a state parallel to the joint margins 35 and 45. , The lengthwise ends thereof are welded to the outer side surfaces of the joint margins 35, 45. In this case as well, a hole 63a is formed near the end of the stay 63 in the lengthwise direction, and welded to the joint margins 35 and 45 through the hole 63a (welding point P23).
The welding of the stay 63 to the joining margins 35 and 45 is performed in the vicinity of the root portion where the side plate body portions 31 and 41 are bent.

As described above, the housing 1 of this embodiment has the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4 formed of sheet metal and the stays 61 and 6.
Since the members 2 and 63 are assembled by welding, the strength of the joints between the side plates 3 and 4 and the stays 61, 62 and 63 is higher than that in the case of joining by screws, and the rigidity of the housing 1 is increased. To be strengthened. In addition, stay 61,
62 and 63 are joint margins 33 and 3 of the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4.
Although welded near the bending roots of 5, 43, 45, the amount of deformation is small in the vicinity of the bending roots even when the side plates 3 and 4 are bent, and compared with other parts of the side plates. Since it has strength, the strength at the joint becomes higher and the amount of deformation of the housing 1 decreases.

Further, according to the present housing 1, it is difficult to form a screw-fixing hole at the bending root of the side plate as in the case where the stay is joined to the side plate by screwing. The stays 61, 62, and 63 are attached to both side plates 3 without causing a problem that the screw fixing holes are easily deformed due to the influence.
4 can be easily joined.

The stays 61, 62 and 63 are applied in parallel to the joint margins of the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4 and welded, and the stays 61, 62 and 63 and the joint margins 32, 33 and 35 are welded.
Since the contact area with the two is large, it is possible to increase the strength at the joint portion.
It is possible to effectively prevent the housing 1 from being deformed due to the twisting or bending of the housing 4.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, the joint margin of the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4 is formed at the upper end portion, the lower end portion, and the both side end portions of the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4, but the joint margin is all of these. Does not have to be formed at the end portion, and may be formed only at the upper end portion or one side end portion, for example. In this case, the stay is
It is welded to the joint margin formed on the front side plate 3 and the rear side plate 4.

Further, in the above embodiment, the number of welding points at the joint of each member is not specified, but if welding is performed at a plurality of points at each joint, the strength at the weld increases, Since the durability against the twist of the side plate is increased, the strength of the housing is improved as compared with the case of welding at one point. The method of welding each member is not particularly limited, but arc welding, spot welding, etc. are preferable.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the joint margin of the both side plates formed of the sheet metal is welded to the side surface of the base member, the joint margin at the joint portion and the contact area with the base member. Grows larger. Therefore, since the strength of the joint is increased as compared with the case where the both side plates are placed on the base member and joined by the screw stoppers, it is possible to prevent the distortion of the housing and the rigidity of the housing. Will be strengthened. Further, since the joint margin can be positioned and attached to the base member from the periphery of the both side plates and the base member, compared to the case where the both side plates are mounted on the base member and joined by screws or the like. The positioning and mounting work of the suspension member becomes easy.

If a joint margin is further formed on the lower portions of the both side plates and the joint margin is welded to the upper surface of the base member, contact between the joint margin of the both side plates and the base member is made. The area is further increased, and the rigidity of the housing can be further enhanced.

If a suspension member made of sheet metal is suspended between the both side plates and welded to the joint margin of the side plates, it is possible to suppress the twisting and bending of the both side plates. Therefore, even if vibration occurs during the operation of the image forming apparatus, the deformation amount of the side plate is small, the dimension is stable, and the deformation amount of the housing is reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a housing of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a housing of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the housing.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the housing.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the housing.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the housing.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a joint between a front side plate of the housing and a stay.

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the housing.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the housing.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the housing.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing a housing before the front plate and the rear plate are joined to the base member, and FIG. 11B is a perspective view showing the housing where the front plate and the rear plate are joined to the base member. It is a figure.

FIG. 12 is a partial enlarged view showing a welded portion between a rear side plate and a base member.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 case 2 Base member 21 square pipe 3 front plate 31 Side plate body 32, 33, 34, 35 Joint allowance 4 Rear plate 41 Side plate body 42,43,44,45 Joint allowance 61, 62, 63 stay (suspension member)

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yoshiki Aoyama             Kyocera 1-22-28 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi             Within Mita Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masayuki Nishi             Kyocera 1-22-28 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi             Within Mita Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H071 AA26 EA14                 4E360 AB02 AB14 AB51 BA08 BC20                       ED06 ED07 ED17 ED27 FA05                       GA11 GB48 GC02

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A housing which constitutes a framework of an image forming apparatus and which supports internal equipment, at least a front side plate and a rear side plate arranged in parallel,
A base member that is joined to a lower portion of the both side plates to support the both side plates, the both side plates are made of sheet metal, and a side portion thereof is bent to form a joint margin, and a lower portion of the joint margin is the base member. A casing of the image forming apparatus, which is welded to the side surface of the. 2. The casing of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a lower portion of the joining margin is welded to a side surface of the base member while sandwiching the base member from both sides. body. 3. The lower side of the both side plates is bent to further form a joint margin, and the joint margin is welded to an upper surface of the base member. The casing of the image forming apparatus. 4. A suspension member made of a metal plate is suspended between the both side plates, and is welded to a joint margin of the side parts of the both side plates. Image forming apparatus housing.