JP2007188013A - Spacer member and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a spacer member capable of improving mounting accuracy without causing cost rise, and an image forming apparatus using the spacer member. <P>SOLUTION: The spacer member 30 used to fix a first unit on a second unit is equipped with: a slit 31 fit to the notched part of the first unit; a positioning part 32 having an inside diameter equivalent to the outside diameter of a fixed member fixed in the fixed hole of the second unit; and a clearance part 33 having an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the fixed member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a spacer member applied to fix a first unit to a second unit, and more particularly to a spacer member applied to fix an image reading unit to a main unit in an image forming apparatus.

As a technique for fixing the first unit to the second unit, for example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. According to Patent Document 1, a drive motor mounting structure in an image recording apparatus is disclosed. That is, this motor unit is fixed by screwing a screw through a base plate into a screw hole of a side plate of the main body frame. Screws are attached through a metal collar and rubber bush.
JP 2001-228659 A

  When fixing two units, at least two fixing portions are provided, and when fixing both units via spacer members in each fixing portion, one is used for positioning and the other is used for clearance. There are many cases. When fixing each fixing part with screws, one fixing part is fixed using a spacer member having a screw hole with an inner diameter equivalent to the outer diameter of the fixing screw for positioning purposes, and the other fixing part Is fixed using a spacer member having a screw hole (a relief hole) having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the screw for the purpose of clearance. In such a case, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of types of spacer members having screw holes with different inner diameters, which may increase manufacturing costs and component management costs.

  On the other hand, when any of the fixing portions is fixed using a spacer member for positioning, there is a possibility that the clearance cannot be taken and both units cannot be fixed. Further, when any of the fixing portions is fixed using a spacer member for clearance, the position of the unit to be fixed may not be determined.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and a purpose thereof is a spacer member capable of improving mounting accuracy without causing an increase in cost, and an image forming apparatus to which the spacer member is applied. Is to provide.

The spacer member according to the first aspect of the present invention is:
A spacer member applied to fix the first unit to the second unit,
A slit that fits into the notch of the first unit;
A positioning portion having an inner diameter equivalent to the outer diameter of the fixing member fixed to the fixing hole of the second unit;
A clearance portion having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the fixing member;
It is provided with.

The spacer member according to the second aspect of the present invention is:
A spacer member applied to fix the first unit to the second unit,
A slit that fits into the notch of the first unit;
A positioning portion having an outer diameter equal to the inner diameter of the fixing hole of the second unit;
A clearance portion having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the fixing hole;
It is provided with.

An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention provides:
A body unit having a fixing hole;
An image reading unit having a flange provided with a notch and reading an image of an original;
A spacer member having a slit fitted into the notch, and
A fixing member fixed to the fixing hole via the spacer member;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
The spacer member is
A positioning portion having an inner diameter equivalent to the outer diameter of the fixing member;
A clearance portion having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the fixing member;
It is provided with.

An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention provides:
A body unit having a fixing hole;
An image reading unit having a flange provided with a notch and reading an image of an original;
A spacer member having a slit fitted into the notch, and
An image forming apparatus in which the image reading unit is fixed to the main body unit via the spacer member,
The spacer member is
A positioning portion having an outer diameter equivalent to the inner diameter of the fixing hole;
A clearance portion having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the fixing hole;
It is provided with.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a spacer member capable of improving the mounting accuracy without causing an increase in cost, and an image forming apparatus to which the spacer member is applied.

  Hereinafter, a spacer member according to an embodiment of the present invention and an image forming apparatus to which the spacer member is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus is, for example, an electrophotographic digital copying apparatus, and includes a main body unit 1, a scanner unit 2, a printer unit 3, a document feeding unit 4, an operation panel 5, and a multistage. And a paper feeding unit 6.

  The printer unit 3 is disposed substantially at the center of the main unit 1 and forms an image on a predetermined sheet based on image data of a document read through the scanner unit 2 and image data supplied from the outside. The document feeding unit 4 is disposed so as to be openable and closable with respect to a later-described document table of the scanner unit 2, and feeds the documents one by one toward the document table, and the document placed on the document table is a document table. Adhere to.

  The operation panel 5 is fixed to the scanner unit 2 and accepts input of various settings in addition to an instruction to start reading a document by the scanner unit 2, an instruction to start image formation from the printer unit 3, and the like. The multi-stage paper feeding unit 6 includes a paper feeding cassette that is disposed below the printer unit 3 and is detachably mounted in a plurality of stages from the front side of the main unit 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner unit 2 includes a document table 21 made of transparent glass on which a document is set, a document scale 22 which is disposed at one end of the document table 21 and indicates a position where the document is to be set. I have. The scanner unit 2 includes a scanning optical system and various optical units such as a photoelectric conversion element below the document table 21, and reads an image of the document set on the document table 21. Further, a bracket 23 is attached to the scanner unit 2. That is, the scanner unit 2 is fixed to the main body unit 1 via the bracket 23. As a result, vibration from the main unit 1 is less likely to be directly transmitted to the scanner unit 2, and the occurrence of problems during image reading can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the bracket 23 has a side surface 23A fixed to the scanner unit 2 by screwing or the like, a hinge 23B to which the document feeding unit 4 is attached, and a spacer member which will be described later. A plurality of flanges 23C and the like fixed to the head. In this embodiment, the bracket 23 has two flanges 23C. Each flange 23C is provided with a notch 23D. These notches 23D are formed to face each other so as to sandwich the bracket 23 itself.

  Next, a spacer member applied to such an image forming apparatus will be described.

(First embodiment)
The spacer member 30 according to the first embodiment is applied to fix the first unit to the second unit. Here, the spacer member 30 is particularly applied to fix the scanner unit 2 to the main unit 1. Will be described.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the spacer member 30 includes a slit 31 that fits into a notch portion of the scanner unit 2 (or a notch portion provided on the flange 23C of the bracket 23 attached to the scanner unit 2) 23D; A positioning portion 32 having an inner diameter equivalent to the outer diameter of the fixing member fixed to the fixing hole of the main unit 1 and a clearance portion 33 having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the fixing member are provided. The fixing hole of the main unit 1 and the cutout portion 23D of the scanner unit 2 correspond to a fixing portion for fixing both. Here, the fixing hole provided in the main unit 1 is a screw hole, and the fixing member is a screw attached to the screw hole.

  The spacer member 30 is a molded body, for example, and is molded into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The slit 31 has a substantially uniform width, and is formed in a loop shape over all side surfaces. The width of the slit 31 is substantially equal to the thickness of the flange 23C to be fitted.

  The positioning part 32 is a through-hole penetrating from one main surface 30A to the other main surface 30B of the spacer member 30, and is formed to have an inner diameter equivalent to the outer diameter of the screw. Similarly, the clearance portion 33 is a through-hole penetrating from one main surface 30A to the other main surface 30B of the spacer member 30, but has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of a screw that is a fixing member.

  According to such a spacer member 30, it is possible to use it for positioning use and clearance use although it is a single main body. For this reason, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of types of members according to each application, and it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs and component management costs. Further, when fixing the two units, such a spacer member 30 is applied, so that one fixing portion is fixed using the positioning portion 32 of the spacer member 30, and the other fixing portion is a spacer. By fixing using the clearance part 33 of the member 30, the unit to be fixed is positioned with the clearance, and the mounting accuracy can be improved. Furthermore, a commercially available screw or the like can be used as the fixing member, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced compared to a configuration that requires a specially shaped fixing member (for example, a stepped screw).

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the spacer member 30, the slit 31 is provided with a step 34. By providing such a step 34, a gap is formed between the slit 31 and the flange 23C when the slit 31 is fitted into the notch 23D, and it is possible to provide spring properties. For this reason, the spacer member 30 has an insulator function and can suppress vibration transmission from the main unit 1 to the scanner unit 2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the spacer member 30, the positioning part 32 and the clearance part 33 are arranged side by side, and a determination part 35 for determining the arrangement positions of the positioning part 32 and the clearance part 33 is provided. . In the example shown in FIG. 4, the two corners on the positioning portion 32 side are chamfered larger than the two corners on the clearance portion 33 side, and this portion corresponds to the determination unit 35. By providing such a discriminating portion 35, it is possible to easily discriminate the positioning portion 32 and the clearance portion 33 in the spacer member 30 in which two through holes are arranged side by side, thereby improving workability. Is possible.

  When the scanner unit 2 is fixed to the main body unit 1 using the spacer member 30 as described above, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the notch 23D provided in one flange 23C1 of the scanner unit 2 is discriminated. The spacer member 30 is fitted with the portion 35 side as the leading end, and the spacer member 30 is fitted into the notch portion 23D provided in the other flange 23C2 of the scanner unit 2 with the determination portion 35 side as the rear end.

  Then, the flange 23 </ b> C <b> 1 is fixed to the main unit 1 using the positioning portion 32 of the spacer member 30. That is, a screw 40 corresponding to a fixing member having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the hole is inserted into the through hole that is the positioning portion 32, and the screw 40 is attached to the screw hole 1 A corresponding to the fixing hole of the main unit 1. . Further, the flange 23 </ b> C <b> 2 is fixed to the main body unit 1 using the clearance portion 33 of the spacer member 30. That is, the screw 40 corresponding to the fixing member is inserted into the through hole that is the clearance portion 33, and the screw 40 is attached to the screw hole 1 </ b> A corresponding to the fixing hole of the main unit 1.

  In other words, by preparing at least two spacer members that are the same parts and attaching them in opposite directions, the scanner unit 2 can be positioned with respect to the main unit 1 with a clearance, and the attachment accuracy can be improved. Is possible. Further, the fixing part can be fixed by using one component together, and the manufacturing cost and the component management cost can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
As in the first embodiment, the spacer member 30 according to the second embodiment is also applied to fix the first unit to the second unit. In addition, about the structure same as 1st Embodiment, the same referential mark is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the spacer member 30 includes a slit 31 that fits into a notch portion of the scanner unit 2 (or a notch portion provided on the flange 23C of the bracket 23 attached to the scanner unit 2) 23D; A positioning portion 36 having an outer diameter equivalent to the inner diameter of the fixing hole of the main unit 1 and a clearance portion 37 having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the fixing hole are provided.

  The positioning part 36 and the clearance part 37 are dowels protruding from one main surface 30 </ b> A of the spacer member 30.

  The spacer member 30 further includes another fixing hole 38. The fixing hole 38 is a through hole penetrating from one main surface 30 </ b> A of the spacer member 30 to the other main surface 30 </ b> B.

  According to such a spacer member 30, although it is a single main body, it can be used for positioning applications and clearance applications, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the spacer member 30, the slit 31 is provided with a step 34. By providing such a step 34, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the spacer member 30, the positioning portion 36 and the clearance portion 37 are arranged side by side, and a determination portion 35 for determining the arrangement positions of the positioning portion 36 and the clearance portion 37 is provided. . By providing such a determination unit 35, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  When the scanner unit 2 is fixed to the main body unit 1 using the spacer member 30 as described above, the spacer member 30 is attached to the cutout portion 23D provided in one flange 23C1 of the scanner unit 2 with the determination portion 35 side as a tip. In addition, the spacer member 30 is fitted into the notch 23D provided in the other flange 23C2 of the scanner unit 2 with the determination portion 35 side as the rear end.

  The flange 23C1 is attached to the main unit 1 using the positioning portion 36 of the spacer member 30. That is, the dowel which is the positioning portion 36 is inserted into the fixing hole of the main body unit 1 having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter. Further, the flange 23C2 is attached to the main unit 1 using the clearance portion 37 of the spacer member 30. That is, the dowel that is the clearance portion 37 is inserted into the fixing hole of the main unit 1. Further, a screw corresponding to a fixing member having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the hole is inserted into the fixing hole 38 in each spacer member 30, and the screw is attached to the screw hole corresponding to the fixing hole of the main unit 1.

  In other words, by preparing at least two spacer members that are the same parts and attaching them in opposite directions, the scanner unit 2 can be positioned with respect to the main unit 1 with a clearance, and the attachment accuracy can be improved. Is possible. Further, the fixing part can be fixed by using one component together, and the manufacturing cost and the component management cost can be reduced.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment itself, In the stage of implementation, it can change and implement a component within the range which does not deviate from the summary. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a scanner unit provided in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the bracket illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3B is a plan view showing an appearance of the bracket shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the spacer member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining a method of fixing the scanner unit and the main body unit using the spacer member shown in FIG. FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining a method of fixing the scanner unit and the main body unit using the spacer member shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the spacer member according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body unit 1A ... Screw hole 2 ... Scanner unit 23 ... Bracket 23C ... Flange 23D ... Notch part 30 ... Spacer member 31 ... Slit 32 ... Positioning part 33 ... Clearance part 35 ... Determination part 36 ... Positioning part 37 ... Clearance part 38 ... fixing hole 40 ... screw

Claims (8)

A spacer member applied to fix the first unit to the second unit,
A slit that fits into the notch of the first unit;
A positioning portion having an inner diameter equivalent to the outer diameter of the fixing member fixed to the fixing hole of the second unit;
A clearance portion having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the fixing member;
A spacer member comprising: A spacer member applied to fix the first unit to the second unit,
A slit that fits into the notch of the first unit;
A positioning portion having an outer diameter equivalent to the inner diameter of the fixing hole of the second unit;
A clearance portion having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the fixing hole;
A spacer member comprising:   The spacer member according to claim 1, wherein a step is provided in the slit.   3. The spacer member according to claim 1, wherein the positioning unit and the clearance unit are arranged side by side, and include a determination unit for determining an arrangement position of the positioning unit and the clearance unit. A body unit having a fixing hole;
An image reading unit having a flange provided with a notch and reading an image of an original;
A spacer member having a slit fitted into the notch, and
A fixing member fixed to the fixing hole via the spacer member;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
The spacer member is
A positioning portion having an inner diameter equivalent to the outer diameter of the fixing member;
A clearance portion having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the fixing member;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A body unit having a fixing hole;
An image reading unit having a flange provided with a notch and reading an image of an original;
A spacer member having a slit fitted into the notch, and
An image forming apparatus in which the image reading unit is fixed to the main body unit via the spacer member,
The spacer member is
A positioning portion having an outer diameter equivalent to the inner diameter of the fixing hole;
A clearance portion having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the fixing hole;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the spacer member is provided with a step in the slit.   In the spacer member, the positioning portion and the clearance portion are arranged side by side, and a determination portion for determining the positions of the positioning portion and the clearance portion is provided. The image forming apparatus described.

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