JP2008158082A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus designed so as to prevent a user from detaching an external cover by unfastening screws that do not need to be unfastened or unintentionally detaching an external cover that does not need to be detached when products are combined or various additional functions are performed by the user itself, and so as to detach the external cover easily when repair, maintenance, etc., are carried out by a service man. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus incorporating mountable devices includes: the external cover disposed so as to cover the main body frame of the apparatus; mounting parts for mounting external cover to the main body frame of the apparatus; and mounting parts for mounting devices to the apparatus. A part for fastening the main body frame of the image forming apparatus and external cover is disposed in the place where the mountable devices are demounted from the image forming apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with a device that can be mounted on the image forming apparatus.

An example of a configuration in which an image reading apparatus, which is a device that can be mounted on a conventional image forming apparatus, is described with reference to FIG. In the figure,
Prior to copying, when the user places a document on the platen glass 32 and presses a copy button provided on an operation panel (not shown), the copy operation starts upon receiving this press. The image reading device 5 is guided on a guide shaft 31 which is a guide member extending along the lower surface side of the document table glass 32, and is placed on the document table glass 27 by driving means including a motor 30 and a belt 29. A carriage 35 that moves to scan the original.

  First, when the irradiation lamp 33 is turned on by the start of the copying operation described above, the light reflected from the document enters the CCD 34 through a connoting means (not shown). The CCD 34 is an image sensor that extends in the main scanning direction, and photoelectrically converts incident light into an electric signal. Then, the photoelectrically converted electric signal is temporarily stored as an image signal in a memory which is an image recording means through image processing.

  Note that a contact image sensor may be used for the image reading unit. In addition, a document feeding device for separating a plurality of sheet documents one by one and feeding the separated sheet documents to the sheet document reading unit is provided integrally with a document pressing plate for pressing a stationary document, and this is provided on the upper part of the platen glass. There are some that can be opened and closed.

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus body 3 feeds the recording paper 20 as a sheet-like recording medium fed one by one from the paper feeding cassette 21 by the paper feeding roller 22 to the transport path D, and the recording paper 15 is transported to the transport roller 23. Transport to. The image signal stored in the memory is input to the laser writing unit, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 25 by scanning with the laser beam.

  The electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing unit and visualized as a developed image. The photosensitive drum 25, the transfer roller 24, etc. constitute image forming means.

  In this way, in the transfer nip portion, the recording sheet 20 is separated from the photosensitive drum 25 after the developed image on the photosensitive drum 25 is transferred, and is conveyed to the fixing device 27 by the conveying belt 26. The fixing device 27 sandwiches and conveys the recording paper 20 with a heating member and a pressure roller, and fixes the unfixed image transferred to the recording paper 20 onto the recording paper 20. Then, the recording paper 20 on which the developed image is fixed is discharged to the recording paper discharge tray 28 through the guide path E by the recording paper discharge roller.

  In the image forming apparatus equipped with the conventional image reading apparatus, an exterior cover is provided so as to cover the main body frame of the image forming apparatus. The exterior cover is detachably attached to the main body frame of the image forming apparatus. The attachment method is such that after the image reading apparatus mounted on the image forming apparatus is mounted on and combined with the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus There is a case where the external cover is attached to the main body frame with a screw or the like, or the external cover and the external cover are coupled with each other depending on an attachment shape provided on the external cover.

For example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 can be cited as conventional examples.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 06-317954 JP 2000-236406 A

  However, the conventional techniques as described above have the following problems.

  1) Increasing the number of additional functions added by users themselves due to the combination of products and the addition of various additional functions. At that time, the user loosens a screw or the like attached to the exterior cover of the image forming apparatus, removes the exterior cover from the main body frame of the image forming apparatus, and adds various additional functions. At that time, there is a possibility that the user unintentionally loosens the screw that does not need to be loosened and removes the outer cover that does not need to be removed.

  2) Increasing the number of additional functions that users themselves add due to the combination of products and the addition of various additional functions. At that time, the user removes the joint between the exterior cover and the exterior cover of the image forming apparatus, removes the exterior cover of the image forming apparatus, and adds various additional functions. At that time, there is a possibility that the user mistakenly removes the outer cover that does not need to be removed.

  3) If the external cover cannot be easily removed from the image forming device to prevent the user from accidentally removing the external cover, it will be easy to perform repairs or maintenance by service personnel. It becomes impossible to remove the exterior cover, resulting in poor work efficiency.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus equipped with equipment that can be mounted on an image forming apparatus, and an exterior cover disposed so as to cover a main body frame of the image forming apparatus. A mounting portion for mounting the exterior cover to the main body frame of the image forming apparatus; and a mounting portion for mounting a device that can be mounted on the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus. A fastening portion between the main body frame of the image forming apparatus and the exterior cover is provided at a position where a possible device is removed from the image forming apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 2 is an image forming apparatus including a device that can be mounted on an upper part of the image forming apparatus, and an exterior cover disposed so as to cover a main body frame of the image forming apparatus; An apparatus that can be mounted on the upper part of the image forming apparatus, comprising: an attaching part for attaching to the main body frame of the forming apparatus; and an attaching part for attaching an apparatus that can be mounted on the upper part of the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus. A fastening portion between the main body frame of the image forming apparatus and the exterior cover is provided at a position where the image forming apparatus is removed from the image forming apparatus.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the apparatus that can be mounted on the upper part of the image forming apparatus includes a platen glass on which a stationary document is placed, and a platen glass on the platen glass. A document pressing plate for pressing a stationary document placed on the document table, and an image reading unit for moving and scanning the stationary document placed on the document table glass.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus that can be mounted on the upper part of the image forming apparatus includes a document placing table for placing a plurality of sheet documents, It is characterized by having an image reading means for reading a sheet document conveyed by the conveying means in a stationary state.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the device mountable on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus discharges the discharged paper discharged from the image forming apparatus to a plurality of discharge ports. It has the means.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus equipped with a device that can be mounted on the image forming apparatus, the device that can be mounted on the image forming apparatus is removed from the image forming apparatus. By providing the fastening portion between the main body frame and the outer cover, the outer cover of the image forming apparatus cannot be removed from the main body frame of the image forming apparatus unless the equipment that can be mounted on the image forming apparatus is removed from the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus equipped with a device that can be mounted on the image forming apparatus can be used safely and stably without the user inadvertently removing the outer cover. Furthermore, the workability is improved because the exterior cover of the image forming apparatus can be easily removed at the time of repair or maintenance by a service person or the like.

(Example 1)
1 and 2 are schematic views of an image forming apparatus capable of mounting the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  1 and 2, prior to copying, the user places a document on the platen glass 32 and presses a copy button provided on an operation panel (not shown). Start. The image reading device 5 is guided on a guide shaft 31 which is a guide member extending along the lower surface side of the document table glass 32, and is placed on the document table glass 27 by driving means including a motor 30 and a belt 29. A carriage 35 that moves to scan the original.

  First, when the irradiation lamp 33 is turned on by the start of the copying operation described above, the light reflected from the document enters the CCD 34 through a connoting means (not shown). The CCD 34 is an image sensor that extends in the main scanning direction, and photoelectrically converts incident light into an electric signal. Then, the photoelectrically converted electric signal is temporarily stored as an image signal in a memory which is an image recording means through image processing.

  Note that a contact image sensor may be used for the image reading unit. In addition, a document feeding device for separating a plurality of sheet documents one by one and feeding the separated sheet documents to the sheet document reading unit is provided integrally with a document pressing plate for pressing a stationary document, and this is provided on the upper part of the platen glass. There are some that can be opened and closed.

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus body 3 feeds the recording paper 20 as a sheet-like recording medium fed one by one from the paper feeding cassette 21 by the paper feeding roller 22 to the transport path D, and the recording paper 15 is transported to the transport roller 23. Transport to. The image signal stored in the memory is input to the laser writing unit, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 25 by scanning with the laser beam.

  The electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing unit and visualized as a developed image. The photosensitive drum 25, the transfer roller 24, etc. constitute image forming means.

  In this way, at the transfer nip portion, the recording sheet 20 is separated from the photosensitive drum 25 after the developed image on the photosensitive drum 25 is transferred, and is conveyed to the fixing device 27 by the conveying belt 26. The fixing device 27 sandwiches and conveys the recording paper 20 with a heating member and a pressure roller, and fixes the unfixed image transferred to the recording paper 20 onto the recording paper 20. Then, the recording paper 20 on which the developed image is fixed is discharged to the recording paper discharge tray 28 through the guide path E by the recording paper discharge roller.

  By the way, the image forming apparatus 7 on which the image reading apparatus 5 can be mounted includes an exterior cover 1 and an exterior cover 2 that are attached so as to cover the main body frame 3, and the exterior cover 1 and the exterior cover 2 , Mounting portions 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b for mounting on the main body frame 3, an outer cover 1, a mounting screw 4 for connecting the outer cover 2 and the main body frame 3, an image forming apparatus 7, and an image reading apparatus 5. A screw 6 is provided for bonding the two.

  To attach the outer cover 1 and the outer cover 2 to the main body frame 3 of the image forming apparatus, the outer cover 1 and the outer cover 2 are assembled in the direction of the arrow in FIG. , 3b, 3c, 3d are attached to the mounting portions 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b of the outer cover 1 and the outer cover 2 with mounting screws 4 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 7 in a state before the image reading apparatus is coupled is provided with the exterior cover 1 and the exterior cover 2 so as to cover the main body frame 3, and the mounting screw 4 and the exterior cover 1 The mounting portion of the exterior cover 2 and the mounting portions 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d of the main body frame 3 are provided at positions where the image reading device 5 is mounted, and thus cannot be seen from the side portion of the image forming device 7. It is like that. Then, the image reading device 5 is coupled from above the image forming device 7 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6, and the image forming device 7 and the image reading device 5 are coupled by the mounting screw 6 (see FIG. 7). Thus, the exterior cover 1 and the exterior cover 2 of the image forming apparatus 7 are attached to the exterior cover 1 from the main body frame 3 in a state where the image reading apparatus 5 that can be mounted on the image forming apparatus 7 is coupled to the image forming apparatus 7. And the outer cover 2 cannot be removed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the image forming apparatus 7 in which the image reading device 5 is mounted, the exterior cover 1 and the exterior cover 2 disposed so as to cover the main body frame 3 of the image forming apparatus 7, and the exterior Attachment portions 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b for attaching the cover 1 and the exterior cover 2 to the main body frame 3 of the image forming apparatus 7, and attachment portions 3a, 3b for attaching the image reading device 5 to the image forming apparatus 7. By providing a fastening portion between the main body frame 3 of the image forming apparatus 7, the exterior cover 1, and the exterior cover 2 at a position where the image reading apparatus 5 is removed from the image forming apparatus 7, the image reading apparatus 5 After being removed from the image forming apparatus 7, the exterior cover 1 and the exterior cover 2 can be removed from the main body frame 3.

(Example 2)
8 and 9 are schematic views of an image forming apparatus in which the discharge device according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be mounted.

  8 and 9, the image forming apparatus main body 3 feeds the recording paper 20 as a sheet-like recording medium fed one by one from the paper feed cassette 21 by the paper feed roller 22 to the transport path D, and this recording The paper 15 is conveyed to the conveyance roller 23. The image signal stored in the memory is input to the laser writing unit, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 25 by scanning with the laser beam.

  The electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing unit and visualized as a developed image. The photosensitive drum 25, the transfer roller 24, etc. constitute image forming means.

  In this way, at the transfer nip portion, the recording sheet 20 is separated from the photosensitive drum 25 after the developed image on the photosensitive drum 25 is transferred, and is conveyed to the fixing device 27 by the conveying belt 26. The fixing device 27 sandwiches and conveys the recording paper 20 with a heating member and a pressure roller, and fixes the unfixed image transferred to the recording paper 20 onto the recording paper 20. Then, the recording paper 20 on which the developed image is fixed is discharged to the recording paper discharge tray 28 through the guide path E by the recording paper discharge roller.

  On the other hand, the discharge device 8 mounted on the image forming apparatus 7 is configured to output a plurality of discharge sheets of the recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus by the second discharge roller 36 or the third discharge roller 37 by switching the conveyance path. A second discharge tray 38 and a third discharge tray 39 for discharging to the outlet are provided.

  By the way, in the image forming apparatus 7 on which the discharge device 8 can be mounted, the exterior cover 1 and the exterior cover 2 that are attached so as to cover the main body frame 3, and the exterior cover 1 and the exterior cover 2, The attachment portions 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b for attachment to the main body frame 3, the outer cover 1, the attachment screw 4 for connecting the outer cover 2 and the main body frame 3, and the image forming apparatus 7 and the discharge device 8 are combined. A screw 6 is provided for this purpose.

  To attach the outer cover 1 and the outer cover 2 to the main body frame 3 of the image forming apparatus, the outer cover 1 and the outer cover 2 are assembled in the direction of the arrow in FIG. , 3b, 3c, and 3d are attached to the mounting portions 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b of the outer cover 1 and the outer cover 2 with mounting screws 4 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the image forming apparatus 7 is in a state before the discharge device is joined, and the exterior cover 1 and the exterior cover 2 are attached so as to cover the main body frame 3, and the mounting screw 4 and the exterior cover 1, Since the mounting portion of the exterior cover 2 and the mounting portions 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d of the main body frame 3 are provided at positions where the discharge device 8 is mounted, it cannot be seen from the side portion of the image forming apparatus 7. It has become. Then, the discharge device 8 is coupled from the top of the image forming apparatus 7 from the direction of the arrow in FIG. 13, and the image forming apparatus 7 and the discharge device 8 are coupled by the mounting screw 6 (see FIG. 14). Thus, the exterior cover 1 and the exterior cover 2 of the image forming apparatus 7 are in a state where the discharge device 8 that can be mounted on the image forming apparatus 7 is coupled to the image forming apparatus 7 from the main body frame 3, And the outer cover 2 cannot be removed.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, in the image forming apparatus 7 in which the discharge device 8 is mounted, the exterior cover 1 and the exterior cover 2 that are arranged so as to cover the main body frame 3 of the image forming apparatus 7, and the exterior cover 1, and mounting portions 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b for mounting the exterior cover 2 on the main body frame 3 of the image forming apparatus 7, and mounting portions 3a, 3b, 3c for mounting the discharge device 8 on the image forming apparatus 7. By providing a fastening portion between the main body frame 3 of the image forming apparatus 7, the exterior cover 1, and the exterior cover 2 at a position where the 3d removes the ejection apparatus 8 from the image forming apparatus 7, the ejection apparatus 8 is connected to the image forming apparatus. After removing from 7, it is possible to remove the exterior cover 1 and the exterior cover 2 from the main body frame 3.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus including an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus including an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which attaches an exterior cover to a main body frame. It is explanatory drawing after attaching an exterior cover to a main body frame. It is explanatory drawing of the image forming apparatus in the state where the exterior cover was attached. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for attaching the image reading apparatus to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view after the image reading apparatus is attached to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus including a discharge device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus including a discharge device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which attaches an exterior cover to a main body frame. It is explanatory drawing after attaching an exterior cover to a main body frame. It is explanatory drawing of the image forming apparatus in the state where the exterior cover was attached. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for attaching the discharge device to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view after the discharge device is attached to the image forming apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus provided with the conventional image reading apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Exterior cover 1a, 1b Exterior cover attachment part 2 Exterior cover 2a, 2b Exterior cover attachment part 3 Body frame 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d Body frame attachment part 4 Exterior cover mounting screw 5 Image reader 6 Image reader Mounting screw 7 Image forming device 8 Ejecting device 20 Recording paper 21 Paper cassette 22 Paper feeding roller 23 Conveying roller 24 Transfer roller 25 Photosensitive drum 26 Conveying belt 27 Fixing device 28 Paper ejecting unit 29 Belt 30 Motor 31 Guide shaft 32 Document table Glass 33 Irradiation lamp 34 CCD
35 Carriage 36 Second paper discharge roller 37 Third paper discharge roller 38 Second paper discharge tray 39 Third paper discharge tray

Claims (5)

  An image forming apparatus equipped with a device that can be mounted on an image forming apparatus, an exterior cover arranged to cover a main body frame of the image forming apparatus, and an attachment for attaching the outer cover to the main body frame of the image forming apparatus And an attachment portion for attaching a device that can be mounted on the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is located at a position where the device that can be mounted on the image forming apparatus is removed from the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus comprising a fastening portion between a main body frame of the apparatus and the outer cover.   An image forming apparatus having a device that can be mounted on an upper part of the image forming apparatus, an exterior cover disposed so as to cover a main body frame of the image forming apparatus, and the outer cover for attaching the outer cover to the main body frame of the image forming apparatus And a mounting portion for mounting a device that can be mounted on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus, and the device that can be mounted on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus is removed from the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus comprising a fastening portion between a main body frame of the image forming apparatus and the exterior cover at a position.   The apparatus that can be mounted on the image forming apparatus includes a document table glass for placing a stationary document, a document pressing plate for pressing a stationary document placed on the document table glass, and the document table glass 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image reading means for moving and scanning a stationary document placed on the image reading apparatus.   The apparatus that can be mounted on the image forming apparatus includes an original placing table for placing a plurality of sheet originals, and an image reading means for reading the sheet original conveyed by the separating / conveying means in a stationary state. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image forming apparatus.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device that can be mounted on the image forming apparatus includes a discharge unit that discharges the discharged paper discharged from the image forming apparatus to a plurality of discharge ports.

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