JP2008309886A - Drum cover support member - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drum cover support member that can be easily attached to a drum cover without using an adhesive. <P>SOLUTION: The drum cover support member 1 has a first wall 3 and a second wall 4 disposed opposite to each other with a predetermined space between them. In the first wall 3, lockable claws are formed so as to be fittable into locking holes 9 made in the edges of the drum cover 8. In the second wall 4, recesses are formed opposite the lockable claws so as to accommodate at least the leading ends of the lockable claws. Each edge 10 of the drum cover is inserted between the lockable claws of the first wall 3 and the accommodating recesses of the second wall 4. Then, the lockable claws are fitted and locked into the locking holes 9 of the drum cover. Thereby, the drum cover support member 1 can be attached to the drum cover 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum cover support member that supports a drum cover in a sheet-like drum cover that protects a photosensitive drum in the image forming apparatus so that the drum cover can be pulled out in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover in the image forming apparatus. About.

Normally, in image forming apparatuses (copiers, facsimiles, printers, etc.), the inside of the apparatus body is communicated so that the transfer paper can be jammed in the conveyance path (jam generation) or other maintenance can be performed. An opening / closing cover is provided, and when the opening / closing cover is opened, the conveying path and various parts facing the opening are exposed through the opening.
Therefore, for example, when dealing with a jam, by opening the opening / closing cover, it is possible to easily remove the jammed transfer paper by putting a hand into the apparatus from the opening.
However, in order to prevent such work, touching the surface of the photosensitive drum with your hands, paper, or other objects can cause image formation defects due to disturbance or damage to the drum surface. In the open state of the opening / closing cover, the drum cover is provided in a protected state. In the closed state of the open / close cover, the drum cover is configured to be in a retracted state so as not to prevent the transfer paper from being conveyed.
That is, the end portion of the drum cover is supported by an appropriate support member, and can be pulled out freely in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover.
The support member is generally bonded and fixed to the drum cover with an appropriate adhesive, and although it is actually implemented, there is no appropriate patent document referring to this point. Prior art documents cannot be disclosed.

As described above, in the conventional image forming apparatus, the support member is bonded and fixed to the drum cover with an adhesive. Therefore, when image formation is performed and the temperature in the apparatus rises, the support member is included in the adhesive. As a result, the organic solvent and the like vaporized, which may adversely affect the image forming process.
Further, when the drum cover and the support member are bonded, it is necessary to apply the adhesive evenly, and it takes time until the adhesive is solidified. Further, depending on the material of the support member, it may be difficult to bond. Various inconveniences have arisen in attaching the support member to the drum cover.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a drum cover support member that can be easily attached to a drum cover without using an adhesive.

According to a first characteristic configuration of the present invention, in a sheet-like drum cover for protecting a photosensitive drum in an image forming apparatus, the drum cover can be pulled out in conjunction with an opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover in the image forming apparatus. A drum cover support member for supporting,
There are provided a first wall portion and a second wall portion facing each other at a predetermined interval, and a locking claw that can be fitted into a locking hole provided in an end portion of the drum cover is provided on the first wall portion. In addition, the second wall portion is provided with an accommodation recess capable of accommodating at least the distal end portion of the locking claw at a position opposite to the locking claw, and the end portion of the drum cover is disposed on the first wall portion. It can be attached to the drum cover by inserting it between the locking claw and the receiving recess of the second wall portion, and inserting and locking the locking claw into the locking hole of the drum cover. It is in the point which is constituted.
[Action and effect]
The drum cover support member of the present invention inserts the end portion of the sheet-like drum cover provided with a locking hole between the locking claw of the first wall portion and the housing recess of the second wall portion, By inserting and engaging the engaging claw of the first wall portion into the engaging hole of the drum cover, it is possible to easily and quickly attach the drum cover to the drum cover, and it is not necessary to use an adhesive.
Moreover, since the drum cover having the locking holes locked by the locking claws is interposed between the first wall portion and the second wall portion facing each other, even if the locking holes try to come out from the locking claws, Since it is blocked by the two wall portions, it does not come off easily, and the mounting state can be reliably maintained.

The 2nd characteristic structure of this invention exists in the point comprised with resin.
[Action and effect]
Since the drum cover support member of the present invention is made of resin, it is lightweight, easy to mold, and has excellent manufacturability.

The 3rd characteristic structure of this invention exists in the point in which the said accommodation recessed part in the said 2nd wall part is formed in the open state which penetrates the said 2nd wall part.
[Action and effect]
In the drum cover support member of the present invention, since the housing recess in the second wall portion is formed in an open state that penetrates the second wall portion, the drum cover support member is formed through the opening in the second wall portion. It is possible to easily confirm the fitting state of the locking claw of the first wall portion with respect to the locking hole (whether the locking claw is properly fitted into the locking hole of the drum cover).

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a drum cover support member 1 and a sheet-like drum cover 8 according to the present invention. Two drum cover support members 1 (a front support member 1a and a rear support member 1b) are respectively connected to the drum cover 8. It is configured to be attached to both ends.
(Drum cover support member)
As shown in FIG. 1, the drum cover support member 1 (the front support member 1 a and the rear support member 1 b) in the present embodiment has the same length as the width of the drum cover 8, and the base portion 2. The first wall portion 3 and the second wall portion 4 are provided, and engaging portions 5 are provided at both ends thereof. (For the front supporting member 1a and the rear supporting member 1b, the engaging portions 5a and The structure other than the shape related to the engaging portion 5b has the same structure).
The first wall portion 3 and the second wall portion 4 are erected from the base portion 2 so as to face each other with a predetermined interval (T) (see FIG. 2). It is provided at a plurality of locations along the longitudinal direction of the portion 2.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first wall 3 is provided with a locking claw 6 that can be fitted into an engagement hole 9 provided in the end 10 of the drum cover 8. In the two wall portions 4, accommodation recesses 7 in which at least the distal end portions of the latching claws 6 can be accommodated are provided at positions where the latching claws 6 of the first wall portions 3 face each other.
The accommodation recess 7 is not particularly limited as long as the end 10 of the drum cover 8 can be inserted and has a space that can accommodate at least the tip of the locking claw 6. . In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the housing recess 7 is formed in an open state penetrating the second wall portion 4, and the drum cover is opened through the opening of the second wall portion 4. It is possible to easily confirm whether or not the engagement claw 6 of the first wall 3 is fitted into the engagement hole 9 (whether the engagement claw 6 is properly fitted into the engagement hole 9 of the drum cover 8). .

(Drum cover)
The drum cover 8 applicable to the present invention is a sheet-like drum cover having flexibility, and the end portion 10 (the front end portion 10a and the rear end portion 10b) has a first cover in the drum cover support member 1. A plurality of engagement holes 9 into which the locking claws 6 of the wall 3 can be inserted are provided along the width direction (see FIG. 1).
The drum cover 8 is preferably made of polyethylene for the reason that it is difficult to be damaged by appropriate elasticity when it comes into contact with the photosensitive drum. However, the drum cover 8 is not limited to this, and for example, other synthetic resin sheets (for example, Polystyrene sheet, polyester sheet, polypropylene sheet, etc.), cloth, paper, metal sheet (for example, aluminum sheet, stainless steel sheet, etc.), etc. may be used. The thickness of the drum cover 8 is preferably 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm.

(Drum cover support member mounting method)
When attaching the drum cover support member 1 to the drum cover 8, as shown in FIG. 1, each engagement hole 9 of the drum cover 8 and each of the drum cover support member 1 (the front support member 1a and the rear support member 1b). Alignment with the first wall 3 is performed, and the end 10 of the drum cover 8 is inserted between the first wall 3 and the second wall 4 of the drum cover support member 1 (front of the drum cover 8). The end portion 10a and the rear end portion 10b are inserted between the first wall portion 3 and the second wall portion 4 of the front support member 1a and the rear support member 1b, respectively.
At this time, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the end portion 10 of the drum cover 8 is located between the locking claw 6 of the first wall portion 3 and the accommodating recess portion 7 of the second wall portion 4. When inserted (see FIG. 4 (a)) and over the tapered surface 6a of the locking claw 6 (see FIG. 4 (b)), the engagement of each first wall 3 in each engagement hole 9 of the drum cover 8 is achieved. The pawls 6 are fitted and locked (see FIG. 4C), and the mounting is completed.
In addition, the said predetermined space | interval (T) provided between the 1st wall part 3 and the 2nd wall part 4 is the edge part of the drum cover 8, as shown, for example in FIG. Inserted between the first wall portion 3 and the second wall portion 4 of the drum cover support member 1, the engaging claw 6 of the first wall portion 3 is inserted into the engagement hole 9 of the drum cover 8 and engaged. In a state where the end of the drum cover 8 and the upper surface of the second wall 4 are in contact with each other, a distance at which the end of the drum cover 8 is kept horizontal is preferable.

(Example of use)
The drum cover support member 1 and the drum cover 8 described above are applied to the image forming apparatus 13, and the drum cover 8 can be pulled out by the drum cover support member 1 in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover 14 in the image forming apparatus 13. Examples of the configuration supported by (see FIGS. 5 to 7) are given below.
The drum cover 8 is made of high molecular weight polyethylene and is formed of a flexible rectangular sheet material, and the width dimension (dimension in the direction along the length direction of the photosensitive drum 11) is the length of the photosensitive drum 11. And the length dimension (dimension in the direction along the radial direction of the photosensitive drum 11) is about twice as large as the outer diameter of the photosensitive drum 11. It is set.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the front support member 1a and the rear end of the front end 10a and the rear end 10b in the sliding direction from the retracted state to the protected state of the drum cover 8 are almost completely wide. Support members 1b are respectively attached.
In addition, both the drum cover support members 1 have slide guide grooves in which engaging portions 5 provided at both ends thereof are separately formed on fixed frames on both ends of the photosensitive drum 11 in the image forming apparatus 13. 12 are respectively fitted and slidably supported along the longitudinal direction of the slide guide groove 12.

The slide guide groove 12 has two types of slide directions, that is, a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. When viewed in the axial direction of the photoconductive drum 11, the slide guide groove 12 is vertically in front of the photoconductive drum 11 (on the conveyance path side). The vertical slide guide groove 12 a is disposed, and the horizontal slide guide groove 12 b is disposed horizontally above the photosensitive drum 11.
The engaging portions 5a of the front support member 1a attached to the front end portion 10a of the drum cover 8 are fitted in the vertical slide guide grooves 12a on both ends of the photosensitive drum 11, respectively.
On the other hand, both the engaging portions 5b of the rear support member 1b attached to the rear end portion 10b of the drum cover 8 are fitted in the lateral slide guide grooves 12b.

Further, one end of a pair of left and right link arms 15 across the front support member 1a is attached to the open / close cover 14 of the image forming apparatus 13 so as to be swingable. Interlocking with the front support member 1a is possible.
That is, when the open / close cover 14 is in the closed state, as shown in FIG. 5 (solid line portion) and FIG. 6, the front support member 1a is located at the upper end of the vertical slide guide groove 12a. As shown in (broken line part) and FIG. 7, it is comprised so that the front supporting member 1a may be located in the lower end part of the vertical slide guide groove 12a.

On the other hand, one end of a pair of left and right spring-like strips 16 is attached to both engaging portions 5b of the rear support member 1b. The strip 16 is made of a polyester (PET) resin film, and the other end. Is attached to the fixed side of the image forming apparatus 13 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).
Therefore, the rear support member 1b is pulled toward the rear side (the direction opposite to the front support member 1a) by the spring function of the belt-like body 16, and the pulling force acts on the drum cover 8, so that the drum cover 8 is always used. Can be held in a state that does not loosen (that is, the link arm 15 and the belt-like body 16 constitute a tension applying mechanism).
When the drum cover 8 slides forward with the opening operation of the opening / closing cover 14, the spring portion 16a of the belt-like body 16 extends, so that tension is applied while allowing the drum cover 8 to slide. Configured to maintain. When the opening / closing cover 14 is opened to the end, the drum cover 8 covers the front surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and this state is referred to as the above-described protected state (see FIG. 7).

Further, as the opening / closing cover 14 is closed, the rear support member 1b is pulled back by the force of the spring portion 16a to contract, and the tension is maintained while allowing the drum cover 8 to slide. Thus, when the opening / closing cover 14 is fully closed until it is completely closed, the drum cover 8 is retracted by sliding movement into the gap above the photosensitive drum 11, and this state is referred to as the above-described retracted state (FIG. 6).
A pair of left and right seat guides 17 are arranged along the lower surface of the retracted drum cover 8, and the drum cover 8 that slides in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover 14 is the front end portion of the sheet guide 17. It is guided as a bending path along the curved surface, and even if it is a slight gap in the apparatus, it can be slid to be switched to a protected / retracted state.

The perspective view which shows a drum cover and a drum cover support member Sectional drawing of the drum cover support member in the arrow XX of FIG. A perspective view of the drum cover support member as seen from the second wall side Sectional drawing which shows a mode when engaging the edge part of a drum cover with the latching claw of a drum cover support member Cross-sectional view of main parts schematically showing a part of an internal structure (photosensitive drum, developing device, fixing device, etc.) and an opening / closing cover in an image forming apparatus (copier, facsimile, printer, etc.). Perspective view of essential part showing retracted state of drum cover in image forming apparatus The principal part perspective view which shows the protection state of the drum cover in an image forming apparatus

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Drum cover support member 1a Front support member 1b Back support member 2 Base part 3 1st wall part 4 2nd wall part 5 Engagement part 6 Locking claw 7 Storage recessed part 8 Drum cover 9 Locking hole 10 End part 10a Front end Part 10b Rear end part 11 Photosensitive drum 12 Slide guide groove 12a Vertical slide guide groove 12b Horizontal slide guide groove 13 Image forming apparatus 14 Opening / closing cover 15 Link arm 16 Strip body 16a Spring part 17 Sheet guide 18 Developing apparatus 19 Fixing apparatus P Transfer paper

Claims (3)

In a sheet-like drum cover that protects the photosensitive drum in the image forming apparatus, a drum cover support member that supports the drum cover so that it can be pulled out in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing cover in the image forming apparatus.
There are provided a first wall portion and a second wall portion facing each other at a predetermined interval, and a locking claw that can be fitted into a locking hole provided in an end portion of the drum cover is provided on the first wall portion. In addition, the second wall portion is provided with an accommodation recess capable of accommodating at least the distal end portion of the locking claw at a position opposite to the locking claw, and the end portion of the drum cover is disposed on the first wall portion. It can be attached to the drum cover by inserting it between the locking claw and the receiving recess of the second wall portion, and engaging the locking claw into the locking hole of the drum cover. Drum cover support member.   The drum cover support member according to claim 1 made of resin.   The drum cover support member according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the housing recess in the second wall is formed in an open state penetrating the second wall.

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