JP2003086959A - Coupling mechanism and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coupling mechanism capable of simply and safely rotatably installing another unit on a body even by a general user. SOLUTION: The coupling mechanism rotatably mounts a double-side unit 20 on the body 50 of an image forming apparatus at a fulcrum as a center. The mechanism comprises coupling members 10, 10' mounted on the body 50 to support another unit 20 at a rotatable fulcrum by sliding the unit 20, a stopper hole 23 provided at the body 50 and the unit 20 outside the fulcrum to restrict a rotating amount of the unit 20 connected to the body 60 by sliding, and a stopper pin 51 loosely inserted into the hole 23.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connecting mechanism for rotatably providing a separate body with respect to a main body, and an image forming apparatus to which an optional device is connected by the connecting mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles, due to the diversification of functions, a double-sided unit for reversing a sheet to form an image on both sides of the sheet and a large number of sheets are provided. Optional equipment such as a large-capacity paper output tray to be accommodated, punching holes in paper on which images have been formed, and a paper post-processing device that performs post-processing such as stapler binding can be installed externally to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Things are increasing.

Units of such optional equipment have conventionally been installed by a specialized worker who has undergone installation training, such as a service person. Therefore, the work required for installation may be a little complicated, and the installation procedure is not required. Since it is performed by a worker who is familiar with it, the safety was within the scope of this specialized worker.

[0004]

However, in recent years,
With the spread of laser printers and the like, there is an increasing demand that general users who do not have specialized knowledge can install the above-described optional units (hereinafter referred to as optional units). In particular, when the option unit is movable with respect to the main body, the user needs to perform installation work while holding the option unit stationary. In many cases, it was necessary to set the option unit while pressing it, and then set the stopper member for further restricting the movable range while supporting the option unit so as not to move to an inadvertent position.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances of the prior art. A first object of the present invention is to install a separate body so that even a general user can rotate the main body easily and safely. It is to provide a connection mechanism capable of

A second object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which optional equipment such as a double-sided unit, a large-volume sheet ejection tray or a sheet post-processing apparatus can be easily installed.

[0007]

In order to achieve the first object, the first means is attached to the main body in a connecting mechanism for providing a separate body rotatably around a fulcrum on the main body. A connecting means for supporting the separate body on a rotation fulcrum by sliding the separate body, the main body outside the rotation fulcrum and the separate body, and being connected at the same time as the slide of the separate body And stopper means for restricting the rotation amount of the separate body.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned first object, the second means is the first means, and in the first means, outer stopper means for restricting the rotation amount of the separate body is provided outside the rotation fulcrum from the stopper means. It is characterized by further having.

In order to achieve the first object, the third means is such that when the separate body of the second means is rotated,
It is characterized in that the outer stopper means is set so as to receive the regulating force of the rotation amount rather than the stopper means.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned first object, a fourth means is that the connecting means in the first means has a surface for temporarily receiving the vicinity of the rotation fulcrum of the separate body, and a rotation fulcrum shaft. And one of the shaft holes through which the rotation fulcrum shaft is inserted, and the other of the rotation fulcrum shaft and the shaft hole formed in the separate body is fitted by the slide. Is characterized by.

In order to achieve the first object, a fifth means is that the stopper means in the first means regulates a rotation amount of the separate body provided on one of the main body and the separate body. It is characterized in that it is composed of an elongated hole and a stopper shaft which is loosely inserted into the elongated hole in the other of the main body and the separate body.

In order to achieve the second object, the sixth means is provided with an image forming means for forming an image based on the inputted image information, and an optional device separate from the image forming means. The image forming means and the optional device are connected by the connection mechanism of the first to fifth means.

In the following embodiments, the connecting means corresponds to the connecting member 10, the stopper means corresponds to the stopper hole 23 and the stopper pin 51, and the outer stopper means corresponds to the link stopper 24.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a double-sided unit is attached to the image forming apparatus as an optional unit, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the double-sided unit is opened from the main body, and FIG. 3 is a state in which the double-sided unit is removed. 4 is a perspective view showing only the connecting member, FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view for explaining a state in which the connecting member of the duplex unit is attached to the connecting member and the stopper member, and FIG. 6 is a connecting member. FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view for explaining a state in which the connecting member of the double-sided unit is attached to the stopper member, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the apparatus main body and the open portion of the double-sided unit are connected by the link stopper.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a double-sided unit 20 configured independently of the main body 1 is rotatably attached to the side surface of the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus with its lower portion A as a rotation fulcrum. During operation of the duplex unit 20, the lock claw 21 provided on the upper portion is hooked on the locking portion (not shown) provided on the main body 1 so as to be fixed to the main body 1 in a state in which the posture is maintained vertically. In the main body 1, an electronic device including a photoconductor, an image writing unit for writing image data on the photoconductor, a developing unit for converting the image data written on the photoconductor into a visible image, a transfer unit for transferring the visible image onto a sheet, and the like. Equipped with parts of the photographic process. Since such a process itself is known, detailed illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

In order to rotatably support the double-sided unit 20 on the main body 50, as shown in FIG. 3, openings 50a, 50 formed at the front and rear of the lower right side surface of the main body 50 in the drawing.
The connecting members 10 and 10 ′ are attached to a ′ so as to be fixed integrally with the main body 50. Connection member 10, 10 '
Have the same structure, and the structure of one of the connecting members 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 4, the mounting surface 10a fixed to the main body 50, and the mounting surface 10a bent substantially horizontally from the lower end of the mounting surface 10a are installed. Double-sided unit 2
It is composed of three surfaces, a receiving surface 10b for temporarily supporting 0 and a side surface 10c bent from one side edge of the mounting surface 10a to the receiving surface 10b side at a substantially right angle. Mounting surface 1
0a has a bolt hole 10 for bolting to the main body 50.
a'is provided. A leaf spring 3, which is a cushioning material for temporarily supporting the duplex unit 20, is attached to the receiving surface 10b. On the side surface 10c, a positioning pin 2 that is inserted into a rotation center hole 22 of a side surface mounting member 20a of the double-sided unit 20 described later is attached so as to project substantially horizontally. The positioning pin 2 serves to properly position the double-sided unit 20. A cover 4 protects the connecting members 10 and 10 ′ and is supported by the main body 50. The other connecting member 10 ′ is attached so that its mounting direction is also the same as that of the connecting member 10, that is, the tip of the positioning pin 2 faces the connecting member 10.

Side mounting member 20a of the duplex unit 20
Are attached to both sides of the duplex unit 20,
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rotation center hole 22 is formed at the lower end.
And a restricting portion 20b having an arcuate stopper hole 23 formed therein so as to project into the opening 50a of the main body 50 in order to restrict the amount of rotation of the double-sided unit 20. Is provided. Stopper hole 23
Is for regulating the rotation amount of the double-sided unit 20, and the stopper pin 51 having one end fixed to the main body 50 is loosely inserted. The stopper pin 51 is provided in the opening 50 a so as to project substantially horizontally and in the same direction as the positioning pin 2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the double-sided unit 2
On the upper part of 0, one end of a link stopper 24 composed of a link that is bent in the center around a fulcrum C is rotatably attached. The other end of the link stopper 24 is rotatably attached to the main body 50, and when the double-sided unit 20 is closed, the link stopper 24 is folded from the fulcrum C and stored in the double-sided unit 20.

Since it is constructed as described above, the main body 5
When the double-sided unit 20 is attached to 0, first, the side attachment members 20a are attached to the lower portions of both side surfaces of the double-sided unit 20, and one end of the link stopper 24 is rotatably attached to the upper portions of both sides. Next, the side surface mounting member 20a is placed on the receiving surface 1 of the connecting members 10 and 10 ', and the double-sided unit 20 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow B in FIG. As a result, the positioning pin 2 is attached to the rotation center hole 22 of the side mounting member 20a.
And the duplex unit 20 is set,
The stopper pin 51 is attached to the regulating portion 2 of the side mounting member 20a.
The stopper hole 23 formed in 0b enters and the rotation amount of the double-sided unit 20 is regulated so as not to exceed a certain amount. Finally, the other end of the link stopper 24 is rotatably attached to the main body 50.

As described above, since the stopper pin 51 is also set in the stopper hole 23 for restricting the movable range at the same time when the double-sided unit is set to the fastening position, the user can easily perform the installation work by using both hands. It can be carried out. The positions of the stopper hole 23 and the stopper pin 51 need to be accurately determined in order for the stopper pin 51 to be automatically caught in the main body 60 in the stopper hole 23. The stopper pin 51 is caught in the topper hole 23 at a short distance nearby. However, since the hooked portion is close to the center of rotation, a large moment acts and it may be difficult to secure the strength. Therefore, by adding a link stopper 24, which is an outer stopper means, at a position apart from the center of rotation on the upper side of the duplex unit 20, even if a large moment is applied by the rotation of the duplex unit 20 after setting, the link stopper 24 can be used. The mechanical strength can be maintained. When the double-sided unit 20 is set, the rotation can be restricted by the stopper hole 23 near the center of rotation and the stopper means by the stopper pin 51. Therefore, the work h of attaching the link stopper 24 and the double-sided unit 20 are not supported. Therefore, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus which can be easily performed and has both workability and mechanical strength.

Further, after the duplex unit 20 is set,
Since the rotation is regulated first by the link stopper 24 on the side far from the center of rotation, even if the user mistakenly applies a strong force, the stopper on the side closer to the center of rotation, which is disadvantageous in terms of strength, is used. An undesired force is not applied to the stopper means by the hole 23 and the stopper pin 51, so that it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus having more excellent mechanical strength and excellent unit installability.

In the above embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus is provided with the double-sided unit has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus, and the main body can be separately rotatable about a fulcrum. It can be applied when providing.

[0024]

As described above, according to the coupling mechanism of the present invention, by sliding the separate body, the separate body can be supported by the main body on the rotation fulcrum. Since it is possible to regulate the installation, it is possible to easily perform the installation work by using both hands when installing the separate body.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to easily install optional equipment such as a double-sided unit, a large-volume sheet ejection tray, or a sheet post-processing apparatus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a duplex unit is attached to an apparatus main body.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the duplex unit is opened from the main body.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the apparatus main body when the duplex unit is removed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing only a connecting member.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view for explaining a state in which the connecting member of the duplex unit is attached to the connecting member and the stopper member.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view for explaining a state in which the connecting member of the double-sided unit is attached to the connecting member and the stopper member.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the apparatus main body and the open portion of the duplex unit are connected by a link stopper.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Positioning pin 10, 10 'connecting member 10a Mounting surface 10b Receiving surface 10c side 20 duplex unit 22 Rotation center hole 23 Stopper hole 24 Link stopper 50 body 51 Stopper pin

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A connection mechanism for rotatably providing a separate body to a main body around a fulcrum, the connection mechanism being attached to the main body and supporting the separate body on a rotation fulcrum by sliding the separate body. Means and stopper means provided to the main body outside the rotation fulcrum and the separate body, and restricting the rotation amount of the separate body, which is connected at the same time as the slide of the separate body. Connection mechanism. 2. The connecting mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising an outer stopper means that restricts a rotation amount of the separate body outside the rotation fulcrum from the stopper means. 3. The connection according to claim 2, wherein when the separate body is rotated, the outer stopper means is set to receive the regulating force of the rotation amount more than the stopper means. mechanism. 4. The connecting means has a surface that temporarily receives the vicinity of the rotation fulcrum of the separate body, and one of a rotation fulcrum shaft and a shaft hole through which the rotation fulcrum shaft is inserted. The connecting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein either one of the rotation fulcrum shaft and the shaft hole formed separately is fitted by the slide. 5. The stopper means is provided in one of the main body and the separate body and has an elongated hole for restricting a rotation amount of the separate body, and the other of the main body and the separate body is loosely inserted in the elongated hole. 2. The connecting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the connecting mechanism is a stopper shaft. 6. An image forming unit for forming a visible image on a recording medium based on input image information, an optional device separate from the image forming unit, and the image forming unit and the optional device connected to each other. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a connecting mechanism for connecting the connecting mechanism and the connecting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5.