JP2003205662A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use a cover unit of a combination of a plurality of cover members so that a fitting process for cover members can be simplified after each of constituent parts or the like is set into a body frame of an imaging apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The cover unit 14 is prepared by preliminarily integrating a rear cover 15 corresponding to a rear face of the body frame 2a of the imaging apparatus, a top rear cover 17 at a rear face of an ADF 5 and an upper cover 20. Accordingly, the cover unit 14 can be fitted at a time after each of constituent parts or the like is set into the body frame. Each cover member can be detached individually at the cover unit 14. The upper cover 20 is made swingable via a hinge member to the top rear cover 17, so that an upper face can be opened/closed easily. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cover member for covering an outer surface portion of an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, a cover member for a rear side and an upper surface is integrally formed so that an assembling work can be easily performed. Image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus that has been generally used in the past is configured as a combination of functions of a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer and the like. Inside the main body of the image forming apparatus, a recording section using an electrophotographic system is arranged, a paper feeding section is arranged in the lower part of the main body, and an image reading apparatus is arranged in the upper part to form an integrated apparatus. It is configured. When the image forming apparatus is small, the apparatus main body, the image reading apparatus, and the sheet feeding unit are integrated, so that the cover member that covers the periphery of the apparatus main body also includes the peripheral surface and the upper portion. The cover member is formed so as to correspond to the surface and the like, and is attached to the main body frame by means such as mounting the cover member with screws.

[0003]

When assembling the image forming apparatus, the apparatus is completed by assembling the respective operating members of the image forming apparatus with respect to the main body frame and then attaching the cover member around them. . However, the number of the cover members is large, and in addition to screwing each of the cover members to the main body frame individually, the cover members may be screwed in a state where the end portions of the cover members are overlapped with each other. There is a problem that it takes a lot of time and labor.
In addition, when performing maintenance of the apparatus, it may be necessary to remove the related cover member in addition to the cover member at the corresponding position, which may be inconvenient for the worker.

According to the present invention, a plurality of cover members can be integrally assembled when manufacturing the above-mentioned device, and only necessary ones can be removed for maintenance, and good handling can be achieved. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which the periphery of the apparatus main body is covered with a cover member. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the cover member that covers the outer periphery of the frame of the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus is a rear cover that covers the rear surface of the apparatus, a top rear cover that is mounted on the rear cover, and a top rear cover. An upper cover for covering the upper surface of the apparatus is provided, and the rear cover, the top rear cover, and the upper cover are integrated as a cover unit that is detachable from the apparatus main body frame.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the projecting member formed on the upper portion of the rear cover is attached to the elongated hole formed on the top rear cover to determine the position, and the upper cover can be swung with respect to the top rear cover. It is characterized by being attached.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, each cover member is individually detachable from the main body frame in a state where the cover unit is combined with the main body frame.

By using the cover unit configured as described above, the work of attaching the cover member to the main body frame can be easily performed, and the management of the materials in the manufacturing factory is facilitated. Further, since each of the plurality of cover members arranged in the cover unit is combined through the means for positioning the cover members, the cover members can be easily attached to the main body frame. Even if the cover unit is integrally attached, each cover member can be attached and detached individually, so that the cover can be easily removed for maintenance or the like.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The configuration of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated example. The examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views seen from the front side and the rear side of the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus 1 is configured as a multi-function machine in which a facsimile machine and a copying machine are combined. The image forming apparatus can be provided with a printer and other arbitrary functions, and a control panel 8 is provided on the upper front side of the apparatus main body in order to operate those functions. Then, as in the case of the conventional image forming apparatus, the image information of the document read by using the ADF (automatic document feeder / reader) function is transmitted by FAX, or the read image or the FAX received image information is transmitted. It is configured as a device that can perform an arbitrary operation such as recording on a recording sheet.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a personal computer or other image information output device to receive image information created by the personal computer and record it on recording paper or to connect to other communication means. Then, it can be used as a multi-function device capable of transmitting and receiving image information. In the image forming apparatus 1, an image reading device provided on the upper part of the device main body 2 is provided as an ADF 5,
The document tray 6 and the discharge tray 7 are combined for handling the document in F5. An image recording device is arranged on the upper side of the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1, a paper is fed from a paper feed tray 3 mounted on the lower side, an image is recorded on the paper, and a discharge provided on the upper surface of the main body. It is configured to discharge toward the tray 4.

In the image forming apparatus 1, a cover member provided around the main body 2 of the apparatus is constructed so as to be freely attachable / detachable. With respect to the components arranged inside the main body,
It is configured in the same manner as in the case of the conventional image forming apparatus so that the cover member can be easily attached / detached when performing work such as maintenance. A front cover 10 is provided between the control panel 8 and the paper feed tray 3 on the front side of the main body of the apparatus, and an upper cover provided on the upper surface of the main body serves as the discharge tray 7 of the ADF. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the right side cover 11 arranged on the right side of the apparatus main body 2 is provided with a door member that can be opened and closed by using a hinge means (not shown) so as to prevent jamming in a sheet conveying path. Be able to deal with work.
As shown in FIG. 2, the side cover 12 arranged on the left side of the apparatus main body 2 is provided with an optional attachment / detachment panel 13 which can be opened / closed or attached / detached at a predetermined position on the rear side of the main body.
It is configured so that control boards with optional functions can be easily installed.

The rear cover 15 for covering the rear side of the image forming apparatus main body 2 has a plurality of slit-like openings for exhausting heat or for releasing heat to the inside, and an access cover is provided at a predetermined position thereof. 15a is provided so that it can be opened and closed. The top rear cover 17 arranged above the rear cover 15 is provided as a member that also serves as the rear cover of the ADF. The rear cover 15 and the top rear cover 17 are connected to each other with a screw so that they can be attached and detached as one body. However, by removing the screw from the rear cover 15, the top rear cover 17 can be detached as a single unit. Composed. Further, in the present embodiment, as will be described below, a top cover that also serves as the discharge tray 7 of the ADF is provided by being connected to the top rear cover 17 via a hinge member described later,
It is also possible to simplify the assembling process by assembling the respective components and the like to the frame of the apparatus main body and manufacturing the apparatus, and then attaching the integrated cover unit.

In the image forming apparatus having the above-described structure, the cover member that covers the main body frame 2a and forms the outer wall of the apparatus serves as the rear cover 15, the top rear cover 17, and the ADF discharge tray 7 as shown in FIG. The upper cover 20 is configured as a cover unit 14 integrated in advance. Then, the components of the image recording unit, various mechanisms for forming recording paper such as a paper feeding device, and control means are incorporated into the main body of the apparatus, and the image reading apparatus is mounted on the upper portion of the main body frame 2a. The cover unit 14 is attached to the rear surface and the upper surface of the.

The cover unit 14 is attached to the main body frame 2
When attaching to a, the rear cover 15 is first assembled to the rear cover 15, and the rear cover 15 is positioned with respect to the rear surface of the body frame 2a. At the same time, the top rear cover 17 is also positioned on the rear side of the ADF. . Next, the upper cover 20 is bent with respect to the top rear cover 17 via the hinge to the upper surface of the main body frame 2a to cover the upper surface of the main body frame, and each cover member is screwed to the frame portion of the target member. Fix it. Incidentally, in addition to the cover member integrated with the rear cover 15, the cover members on both side surfaces of the main body frame 2a and the front cover can be individually attached in the same manner as in the conventional device. it can.

Among the cover members constituting the cover unit 14, FIG. 4 shows the rear cover 15, FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the rear cover 15 and the top rear cover 17, and FIG.
Shows the relationship between the top rear cover 17 and the upper cover 20, respectively. As shown in each of the explanatory drawings, each cover member can be handled as one assay component, but after being assembled in the main body frame,
Each cover member is configured to be detachable independently. Therefore, in a factory that assembles the image forming apparatus, it is possible to improve the assembly work efficiency by assembling the delivered cover unit 14, but at the time of maintenance, by removing only the corresponding cover member, It is configured so that a predetermined work can be performed. In addition, as described above, when a plurality of cover members are connected and configured as one unit, the molding and combination thereof can be easily performed as compared with the case where all of them are integrally molded as one member. You can

As described above, in the rear cover 15 shown in FIG. 4, a large number of slits are provided as openings for exhausting or for releasing heat to the inside to cover the member projecting to the rear side of the main body frame. As possible, it is configured as a shallow box type with one surface open. When the rear cover 15 is mounted on the rear side of the main body frame 2a, the flange members protruding from the upper and both side surfaces are positioned on the corresponding mounting surfaces of the main body frame,
If necessary, it can be fixed by using screws 26 .... Further, on the rear side of the main body frame 2a covered by the rear cover 15, a control board or the like of an image forming apparatus, which is not shown, is arranged, and by removing the cover 15, the board and the like are exposed. The work of exchanging the substrate can be easily performed. In addition to the control board and the like, a cooling fan, a drive / conduction mechanism, and the like are also arranged on the rear side, so that maintenance and the like of those parts and the like can be performed.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the top rear cover 17
Combined with the rear cover 15 and AD
The F rear frame is mounted on the rear frame. In order to combine the top rear cover 17 with the rear cover 15, the projecting members 16, 16 provided so as to project on the upper surface of the rear cover 15 are provided in the long hole 1 of the top rear cover 17.
8 and 18 are combined and positioned, and further fixed by using a screw 27. In addition, the top rear cover 17 is
Since the screw 27a is used for combining with the DF5, the cover unit 14 is attached to the main body frame 2a.
When the cover member 17 is mounted on, the cover member 17 is positioned by fixing it with the screw 27a. In addition,
The member covered by the top rear cover 17 is a drive motor, a transmission mechanism, or the like of the ADF 5, and the drive gear can be inspected by removing the top rear cover 17.

The example shown in FIG. 6 illustrates a structure in which the upper cover 20 is combined with the top rear cover 17 by using the hinge members 21 and 21a. The upper cover 20 is positioned so as to cover the upper surface of the main body frame 2a. By removing the upper cover 20, inspection of the photosensitive drum and the developing device of the image recording unit, replenishment of toner, etc. Can work.
Further, since it is possible to remove the member arranged in the image recording unit to expose the paper transport path, it is possible to remove the cover 20 and perform maintenance even when a jam is processed in the paper transport device. I am trying. The lower member 23 of the hinge member 21 that connects the upper cover 20 to the top rear cover 17 is the top rear cover 1
7, the upper member 22 is screwed to the end of the upper cover 20, and the upper member 22 and the lower member 23 of the hinge member 21 are The upper cover 20 is connected so that the upper cover 20 can be easily opened and closed and supported by being provided so as to be inserted into the mounting recess 25 formed in a recess shape on each mounting surface. When the cover unit 14 is assembled to the main body frame, the top rear cover 17 is attached and then the cover unit 14 is laid down on the upper surface of the main body frame via the hinge members 21 and 21a to cover the upper surface of the main body frame.
It can also be positioned as an F discharge tray.

Further, when removing the upper cover 20 from the top rear cover 17, by removing the screw fixing the lower member 23 of the hinge member 21 to the top rear cover 17, only the upper cover 20 is removed,
The structural member on the upper part of the main body frame 2a can be exposed. Further, in order to fix the upper cover 20 to the upper surface of the main body frame 2a, it is not necessary to use a screwing means or the like, but, for example, at the front end of the upper cover 20 is elastically connected to the main body frame. If the connecting means is provided, the upper cover 20 can be easily opened and closed. When performing maintenance on the ADF 5 on the upper rear side of the body frame 2a,
The top rear cover 17 is removed from the rear cover 15, but the upper cover 20 is also removed at the same time. Then, the top rear cover 17 is removed to remove the ADF
After the rear side of the members forming part 5 are exposed, the upper part of the ADF 5 is opened by opening the upper cover of the ADF via the hinge. Therefore, ADF
If maintenance cannot be performed with only the upper cover 5 open, the top rear cover 17 and the upper cover 20 can be removed from the rear cover 5 to easily deal with the problem.

In the image forming apparatus constructed as described above, in the factory where the image forming apparatus is manufactured, as the cover unit 14, three cover members are connected and integrated, and the rear side of the main body frame is used. By assembling so as to cover the upper surface, the assembly process can be simplified. In addition, as described above, when a plurality of cover members are connected and configured as one unit, the molding and combination thereof can be easily performed as compared with the case where all of them are integrally molded as one member. You can Also,
Since the respective constituent members can be assembled separately, it is possible to deal with the same assembly work as when assembling a large number of conventional cover members. Further, after the cover unit 14 is mounted on the main body frame, when performing maintenance on the internal members and parts corresponding to the respective cover members, a predetermined cover member is removed independently, so that necessary members can be obtained. You can also perform maintenance work on.

In the image forming apparatus, the structure of each cover member to be combined with the cover unit 14 can be configured so as to have a shape corresponding to the structure of the main body frame which is the target. However, the mounting mechanism of the respective cover members is not limited to the one shown in the embodiment. Further, as a hinge member for supporting the upper cover 20 with respect to the top rear cover 17 so as to be openable and closable, a hinge mechanism of an arbitrary mechanism can be used, and holding and attachment / detachment between both cover members can be favorably performed. Any conventionally known hinge member may be used as long as it has a mechanism capable of performing.

[0022]

The apparatus of the present invention, by using the cover unit configured as described above, can easily perform the work of attaching the cover member to the main body frame, and manage the materials in the manufacturing factory. make it easier. Further, since each of the plurality of cover members arranged in the cover unit is combined through the means for positioning the cover members, the cover members can be easily attached to the main body frame. Even if the cover unit is integrally attached, each cover member can be attached and detached individually, so that the cover can be easily removed for maintenance or the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus viewed from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view seen from the rear side.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a main body frame and a cover unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between a main body frame and a rear cover.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a mounted state of the top rear cover.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a support structure of an upper cover.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 image forming apparatus, 2 main body, 3 paper feed tray, 4 discharge tray, 5 ADF, 6 document tray, 7 discharge tray, 8 control panel, 10 front cover, 11/12 side cover, 13 removable panel, 14 cover unit,
15 rear panel, 16 projecting member, 17 top rear cover, 18 positioning hole, 20 upper cover, 21 hinge member, 22 upper member, 23 lower member, 25 mounting recess.

Continued front page    F term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AP07 AQ06 BB11                       CD05                 2H071 AA37 AA39 AA42 AA44 AA46                       BA23                 4E360 BA01 BA04 BB02 BB14 EA11                       EA18 EC12 EC14 ED02 ED28                       GA04 GA47 GA53 GB48                 5C062 AA02 AA05 AA14 AB30 AD05                       AD06 BA00

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A cover member for covering an outer periphery of a frame of a main body of an image forming apparatus, a rear cover for covering a rear surface of the apparatus,
A top rear cover that is mounted on the rear cover and an upper cover that covers the upper surface of the device that is mounted on the top rear cover. A cover unit in which the rear cover, the top rear cover, and the upper cover are integrated is attached to and detached from the device body frame. An image forming apparatus characterized by being enabled. 2. A protrusion member formed on the upper portion of the rear cover is attached to a long hole formed in the top rear cover to determine a position, and an upper cover is swingably attached to the top rear cover. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each cover member is detachably attached to the main body frame in a state where the cover unit is combined with the main body frame.