JP2005037706A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus whose space efficiency is high without being restricted by the arrangement of an apparatus body configuration and which is made small-sized. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus, an attachable/detachable inside member is arranged at the inside of an apparatus body side plate, and is fastened and fixed from the outside of the apparatus body side plate, and has access to the apparatus body side plate where a fastening member is fixed through a hole part provided on a driving side plate so as to fasten the fastening member and release fastening, and also a hollow member to receive and deliver the hole part of the driving side plate to the periphery of the fastening member of the apparatus body side plate is provided to the apparatus body side plate or the driving side plate or both of them so that the fastening member is prevented from falling down between the apparatus body side plate and the driving side plate in the middle of fastening and releasing the fastening, so that the fastening member of the inside member is fastened and the fastening is released without detaching the driving side plate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine having a replaceable toner cartridge, a facsimile, a printer, and a composite device thereof.

In the conventional image forming apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, a drive gear train 102 is disposed outside the main body side plate 101, and the drive gear train 102 is disposed between the main body side plate 101 and the drive side plate 103. The driving side plate 103 is fastened and fixed to the main body side plate 101 with a plurality of screws. At this time, there are the following examples of cases where the fastening screws 105 are attached to and detached from the inner member 104 from the outside of the main body side plate 101.

When the electrical unit 107 or the like as an inner member is disposed inside the main body side plate 101, it is necessary to ground the sheet metal 104 that holds the electrical unit 107 in order to prevent electrical noise. For this reason, the holding sheet metal 104 of the electrical unit 107 is fastened to the main body side plate 101 with the star screw 105. In this case, if the screw fastening operation is performed from the inside of the main body side plate 101, various units arranged inside the main body are difficult to get in the way, and therefore, the screw fastening is usually performed from the outside of the main body side plate 101.

Further, the fastening screw 105 must be easily attached and detached for the purpose of maintenance and serviceability such as parts replacement. In the conventional model, the space required for the screw fastening work of the main body side plate 101 is an upper space. For example, when the drive side plate 103 is disposed so as to overlap the screw fastening work space, a screw fastening work space is secured by providing a cutout portion, a hole 113, or the like only in that portion. (See Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-297386

However, the conventional image forming apparatus has the following problems.

That is, as a first problem, when the driving gear train 102 and the driving side plate 103 are arranged outside the main body side plate 101 as a main body configuration, the fastening screw 105 that fastens the holding metal plate 104 to the driving side plate 103 is accessed. When the notch, the hole 113, and the like are provided, the drive gear train 102, which is usually molded with a material having low flame retardancy, is disposed in the vicinity of the notch, the hole 113, and the like of the drive side plate 103.

In this case, considering the possibility that a side electrical unit (not shown) may ignite, there is a possibility of fire spreading. Therefore, there is a side surface in the vicinity of the drive side plate 103 where the fastening screw 105 has a notch, a hole 113, and the like. There was a restriction on the main body configuration that an electrical unit (not shown) could not be arranged.

Further, as a second problem, in the configuration of the first problem, the fastening screw 105 for fastening the holding metal plate 104 to the driving side plate 103 that isolates the driving gear train 102 from the side surface electrical unit (not shown). When a notch or hole 113 or the like to be accessed was provided, it was necessary to devise such as covering with another flame retardant member.

As a result, it is necessary to increase the cost by adding a cover member and to provide a space for attaching the cover member. When accessing the screw fastening part, it takes time to remove the cover member and reattach it after the work, forgetting to attach or losing the cover member, etc. There was a problem that could occur.

Further, as a third problem, in the configuration of the second problem, another notch is provided by providing a notch, a hole 113, or the like for access to the screw fastening 105 that fastens the holding metal plate 104 to the driving side plate 103. In the case of covering with a member, the cover member is removed at the time of accessing the screw fastening portion, and after the fastening screw 105 is released, as shown in FIG. May fall into the drive gear train 102 and damage the drive gear train 102 or remove the drive side plate 103 or the drive gear train 102 in order to search for the fastening screw 105. There was a problem that there was a possibility that the workability that it was not possible might become difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a first object thereof is to provide a space-efficient and compact image forming apparatus that is not subject to arrangement restrictions of the main body configuration.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing costs without the possibility of parts being lost or forgotten to be attached when parts are removed.

Furthermore, a third object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that is excellent in maintenance workability without fear of the fastening member falling into the apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, as the configuration of the image forming apparatus main body, the main body side plate, the drive gear train disposed outside the main body side plate with respect to the center of the main body, and the main body side plate A drive side plate disposed at a position sandwiching the drive gear train; and an electrical unit disposed outside the drive side plate, and the gear train for isolating the drive side plate from the electrical unit and the drive gear train. In the image forming apparatus configured to be attached to the main body side plate so as to cover the inner side member, an inner member that can be attached and detached is disposed inside the main body side plate, and the inner member is fastened and fixed from the outer side of the main body side plate, In order to fasten and release the fastening member, the body side plate to which the fastening member is fixed can be accessed from a hole provided in the driving side plate, and the fastening member The main body side plate and / or the driving side plate receive both the hole of the driving side plate and the periphery of the fastening member of the main body side plate so that they do not fall between the main body side plate and the driving side plate during the fastening and unfastening. A passing hollow member is provided, and the fastening member of the inner member can be fastened and released without removing the driving side plate.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the hollow member extends from the inner member through the hole of the main body side plate and the hole of the driving side plate and is connected to the electrical unit. It also serves as an electric wire guide member for guiding the electric cable member.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the drive gear train is made of polyacetal, and the hollow member is made of a flame retardant UL94 standard V-0 or higher material. Features.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the inner member is a metal ground member, and electrical continuity can be ensured by being fastened to the main body side plate. Features.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the hollow member is formed of an integral part with the driving side plate.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the fastening member is removed and attached without removing the driving side plate from the main body side plate by surrounding the access path to the fastening member with the hollow member that delivers the main body side plate and the driving side plate. Therefore, an image forming apparatus with good workability can be provided.

  Further, since the hollow member only needs to be fixed to the drive side plate or the main body side plate, there is no fear of problems such as loss due to removal of members such as lids and cover members, and forgetting to attach, and it can be configured simply and inexpensively. Therefore, an inexpensive image forming apparatus with good work efficiency can be provided.

Further, since there is no fear that the fastening member falls into the apparatus when the fastening member is detached and attached, an image forming apparatus excellent in maintenance workability can be provided.

According to the invention of claim 2, the access path to the fastening member is enclosed by the hollow member that delivers the main body side plate and the drive side plate, and further the access path of the electric cable member that connects the electrical board and the side electrical board by the hollow member By using the edge protection for the main body side plate and the drive side plate and the bending guide for the drive gear train, the cable member can be connected safely and reliably, so that an inexpensive image forming apparatus with high safety and high work efficiency can be obtained. Can be provided.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the drive gear train is a member made of polyacetal, and the hollow member is made of a material of UL94 standard V-0 or higher, so that the hollow member passing the drive side plate and the main body side plate is the drive gear train. Can be protected from the spread of fire due to the possibility of ignition of the electrical unit placed on the side of the drive side plate, so the electrical components can be placed near the side of the drive side plate, and there are no restrictions on the component arrangement configuration of the main body Therefore, it is possible to provide a small image forming apparatus with good space efficiency.

According to the invention described in claim 4, by making the inner member a metal ground member, the ground member and the main body side plate can ensure electrical conduction only by fastening with a fastening screw.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the hollow member is an integral part with the driving side plate, no additional member is generated, and it is not necessary to use a flame retardant material. can do.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
1 to 3 are a sectional view, a side view, and a perspective view for explaining a right side portion of a laser beam printer A that is an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  1-3, 1 is a main body side plate, 2 is a drive gear train, 3 is a drive side plate, 4 is an electrical sheet metal, 5 is a fastening screw, 6 is a screw guide that is a hollow member, 7 is an electrical board, and 8 is a side surface. An electrical substrate 9 is a side electrical sheet metal.

  Here, the main body side plate 1 is a frame member that constitutes a laser printer together with a housing component (not shown), and is positioned with a drive gear train 2 formed of a polyacetal material having low flame retardance performance together with the drive side plate 3. Yes. The electrical board 7 is disposed on the bottom surface of the main body and is fixed to the electrical sheet metal 4.

  A side electrical board 8 is fixed to a side electrical sheet metal 9 on the outer side surface of the drive side plate 3. Here, the fastening screw 5 is grounded by fastening the main body side plate 1 and the electrical sheet metal 4 from the outside, and the screw guide 6 made of a material of flame retardancy UL94 standard V-0 or higher is attached to the driving side plate 3. Attached, it passes between the drive side plate 3 and the main body side plate 1 without a substantial gap, and is arranged so that the fastening screw 5 can pass through the hollow portion which is the center.

In the above configuration, the operation and action when the main body is operating and when the fastening screw 5 is removed and attached will be described.
(When the main unit is in operation)
First, when the main body is in operation, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 3, the hollow portion of the screw guide 6 attached to the drive side plate 3 is disposed so as to surround the fastening screw 5 fastened to the main body side plate 1. On the outer side surface of the drive side plate 3, an electrical board 8 is disposed with electrical components (not shown) mounted thereon.

At this time, even if the electric circuit board 8 may be ignited, only the polyacetal drive gear train 2 is disposed in the vicinity, and the drive gear train 2 is the main body side plate. 1 is separated so as to be covered with the drive side plate 3 together with 1, so that the fire is not spread. Moreover, since the hole for accessing the fastening screw 5 opened in the drive side plate 3 is delivered and covered to the main body side plate 1 by the screw guide 6 which is a flame retardant material, this also does not spread.
(When removing and installing the fastening screw)
Next, removal and attachment of the fastening screw 5 shown in the sectional view of FIG. 4 will be described.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a driver which is a tool for removing and attaching the fastening screw 5. When removing the electric sheet metal 4 from the main body side plate 1 by replacing parts on the electric board 7 or replacing the electric unit, the screwdriver 10 is inserted into the hollow hole of the screw guide 6 from the outside of the main body side surface to access the fastening screw 5. Remove. At this time, even if the fastening screw 6 is accidentally dropped from the driver 10, as shown in FIG. 4, the screw guide 6 delivers the main body side plate 1 and the driving side plate 3 without any gap. Will not fall into the device.

  Similarly, when the main body side plate 1 and the electrical sheet metal 4 are fastened again with the fastening screw 5, the fastening screw 5 is guided by the screw guide 6 and can be easily fastened without falling into the apparatus.

  As described above, by surrounding the access path to the fastening screw by using the screw guide that delivers the main body side plate and the driving side plate as a flame retardant part, the electrical board that is considered to be a possible ignition source should be placed on the side surface of the driving side plate. Since it can be arranged in the vicinity, there is no restriction on the main body configuration, and a small image forming apparatus with good space efficiency can be provided.

  Also, since the screw guide only needs to be fixed to the drive side plate or the main body side plate, there is no risk of problems such as loss due to removal or forgetting to attach, and since it can be configured simply and inexpensively, it is inexpensive with good work efficiency. An image forming apparatus can be provided.

  Further, since there is no fear that the screw falls into the apparatus when the screw is removed or attached, an image forming apparatus excellent in maintenance and workability can be provided.

In this embodiment, the hollow hole of the screw guide has a circular shape, but this shape is not limited to a circular shape as long as a fastening screw can be attached and detached, and the same effect can be obtained with a polygonal shape or a complicated shape. It doesn't matter. In this embodiment, the screw guide is attached to the driving side plate. However, if the main body side plate to which the fastening screw is fastened and the driving side plate are delivered, the screw guide is attached to other members even if attached to the main body side plate. Even if it is, the effect may be the same.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The description of the same components as those in the first embodiment is omitted in this embodiment. Moreover, the member which has the same function shows the same code | symbol.

  5 to 7 are a cross-sectional view, a side view, and a perspective view for explaining the right side plate portion of the laser beam printer A which is an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  5-7, 11 is a flat cable which is an electric wire cable member.

  In the above configuration, the flat cable 11 is attached to the electrical board 7 disposed on the bottom surface of the main body, is attached to the side electrical board 8 through the main body side plate 1 and the driving side plate 3 and is detachably connected. At this time, the screw guide 6 protects the edge so that the flat cable 11 is not damaged at the edge of the main body side plate 1 or the driving side plate 3 and at the same time, even if the flat cable 11 is bent between the side plates, it does not contact the drive gear train 2 The body side plate 1 and the drive side plate 3 are passed.

  Furthermore, the screw guide 6 also functions as a guide for removing and attaching the fastening screw 5.

  As described above, the screw guide passing between the main body side plate and the driving side plate surrounds the access path to the fastening screw, and further, the edge protection of the flat cable connecting the electrical board and the side electrical board and the bending guide are integrated. Accordingly, since the flat cable can be securely and reliably connected, it is possible to provide an inexpensive image forming apparatus with high safety and high work efficiency.

In this embodiment, the same hole is used for the hollow hole portion of the screw guide and the flat cable route hole. However, the same hole is not used if the same hole is used if the same member is used. The same effect can be obtained regardless of the shape of the screw guide hollow hole or the flat cable hole.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The description of the same components as those in the first and second embodiments is omitted in this embodiment. Moreover, the member which has the same function shows the same code | symbol.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the right side plate portion of the laser beam printer A which is an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, 12 is a hollow guide portion formed by squeezing a part of the drive side plate 3.

  In the above configuration, the hollow guide portion 12 of the drive side plate 3 is extended to the main body side plate 1 without a substantial gap. Further, like the screw guide 6, it acts as a guide for removing and attaching the fastening screw 5.

  As described above, a part of the drive side plate is squeezed out to form a hollow guide, and by surrounding the access path to the fastening screw as a screw guide that passes the main body side plate and the drive side plate, no additional parts are required, so it is inexpensive. Image forming apparatus can be provided.

  In the present embodiment, a part of the drive side plate is squeezed to form a circular hollow guide shape, but the hollow guide shape may not be circular, but may be a polygonal shape or a complicated shape. Even if the shape is not the squeezed shape, the same operation and effect can be obtained even in a shape configuration by bending.

  The present invention can be applied to an arbitrary image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and a composite device having a replaceable toner cartridge.

It is sectional drawing of the right side part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the form 1 of Example of this invention. 1 is a side view of a right side surface portion of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a right side surface portion of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating when the fastening member is released at the right side surface portion of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the right side part and electric wire cable member of the image forming apparatus which concern on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a side view explaining the right side part and electric wire cable member of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view explaining the right side part and electric wire cable member of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the drive side board | plate aperture part of the right side part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the right side part of the conventional image forming apparatus. It is a side view explaining the right side part of the conventional image forming apparatus. It is a perspective view explaining the right side part of the conventional image forming apparatus. It is sectional drawing explaining the time of the fastening member cancellation | release in the right side part of the conventional image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Body side plate 2 Drive gear train 3 Drive side plate 4 Electric sheet metal (inner member)
5 Fastening screw (fastening member)
6 Screw guide (hollow member)
7 Electrical board 8 Side electrical board (electrical unit)
9 Side electrical sheet metal 10 Screwdriver (tool)
11 Flat cable (electric cable member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Hollow guide part 101 Main body side plate 102 Drive gear train 103 Drive side plate 104 Electrical sheet metal 105 Fastening screw 110 Driver (tool)
113 Access hole A Laser beam printer body

Claims (5)

As a configuration of the image forming apparatus main body, a main body side plate, a drive gear train disposed outside the main body side plate with respect to the center of the main body, a drive side plate disposed at a position sandwiching the drive gear train together with the main body side plate, And an electrical unit arranged outside the drive side plate, and the drive side plate is attached to the main body side plate so as to cover the gear train so as to isolate the electrical unit and the drive gear train. In the forming device,
An inner member that can be attached and detached is disposed on the inner side of the main body side plate, the inner member is fastened and fixed from the outer side of the main body side plate, and is provided on the driving side plate to fasten and release the fastening member. The body side plate or the body side plate is accessible so that the body side plate to which the fastening member is fixed can be accessed from the hole, and the fastening member does not fall between the body side plate and the driving side plate during fastening and unfastening. Is provided with a hollow member for passing the hole of the driving side plate and the periphery of the fastening member of the main body side plate on the driving side plate or both, and the fastening member of the inner member can be fastened and released without removing the driving side plate. An image forming apparatus configured as described above.   The hollow member also serves as an electric wire guide member that guides an electric wire cable member that is pulled out from the inner member through the hole portion of the main body side plate and the hole portion of the driving side plate and connected to the electrical unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive gear train is made of polyacetal, and the hollow member is made of a flame retardant UL94 standard V-0 or higher material.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner member is a metal ground member, and electrical continuity can be secured by being fastened to the main body side plate.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hollow member is configured as an integral part of the driving side plate.

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