JP2010243948A - Component holding mechanism, fixing device having the same, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a component holding mechanism that prevents a component from being fallen even in a high temperature area and also prevents occurrence of displacement without using an additional member such as adhesive, and thus achieves accurate mounting. <P>SOLUTION: The component holding mechanism 40 is used for mounting a connector 32 on a base frame 41, the connector 32 having a first projection 32b and a second projection 32c projecting in opposite directions to each other from the external surface of a body 32a. The mechanism includes: a first rib 42 and a second rib 43 opposite to each other with a gap between them, into which the connector is inserted; and first and second opposite grooves 44 and 45 of substantially L-shape, which have orthogonal portions 44b and 45b extending substantially at right angle to the surface of the base frame 41 with the predetermined areas of the edges of those ribs as entrances 44a and 45b, and parallel portions 44c and 45c extending substantially parallel to the surface of the base frame 41. The projections in the two areas of the connector 32 are inserted along the L-shapes of the grooves in the two areas, and the connector 32 is held between the first and second ribs 42 and 43. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a holding mechanism for holding a component with a frame or the like. The present invention also relates to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus provided with the component holding mechanism.

  Electronic devices used in offices and homes require various functional members and control boards for controlling operations, and image forming apparatuses represented by copying machines and printers are no exception. Of these, the functional member is often arranged in the vicinity of the other member to be operated. In many cases, the control board is mounted and arranged collectively in the vicinity of the back and side surfaces of the apparatus main body. The functional member and the control board are connected by a plurality of electric wires and harnesses to supply power and exchange signals.

  The above-mentioned functional members, electric wires, and harnesses are internal structural members of electronic devices in order to protect against damage caused by external forces and leakage due to contact with other members while avoiding a plurality of them becoming cluttered. It is firmly held on a certain base frame. An example of a holding mechanism inside such an electronic device for parts such as functional members, electric wires, and harnesses can be seen in Patent Document 1. The component holding mechanism described in Patent Document 1 inserts a positioning projection provided on a main body of a detector, which is a component, into a positioning hole provided on a substrate, and holds this.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-13767 (2nd page, FIG. 1)

  In the component holding mechanism described in Patent Document 1, the detector is firmly held by inserting the positioning protrusion of the detector into the positioning hole of the substrate and hooking the hook at the tip of the protrusion on the substrate. However, since this component holding mechanism attaches the detector to the substrate by a so-called snap-fit method using a hook at the tip of the protrusion, it is necessary to deform the protrusion itself to some extent, and the thickness of the protrusion is designed to be relatively thin. There must be. When this detector is attached to a device that generates high-temperature heat, such as a heat fixing device of an image forming apparatus, for example, the thin positioning protrusion may be deformed or damaged due to heat. As a result, there is a concern that the detector may fall off the substrate or accurate positioning cannot be realized.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when holding a component with a frame or the like, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of dropout and misalignment even in a high-heat area without using another member such as an adhesive. An object of the present invention is to provide a component holding mechanism capable of realizing accurate mounting. It is another object of the present invention to provide a fixing device and an image forming apparatus that are provided with such a component holding mechanism, are reduced in cost, and have improved reliability.

  In order to solve the above problems, a component holding mechanism for mounting a component having first and second protrusions protruding in opposite directions from the outer surface of a component body to a base frame, the base frame, The first and second ribs provided so as to protrude from the surface of the base frame and facing each other with a gap into which a part can be inserted, and the surface of the base frame provided at each of the ribs with a predetermined portion of the rib edge as an entrance The first and second groove portions having a substantially L-shape having an orthogonal portion extending substantially perpendicular to the base frame and a parallel portion extending substantially parallel to the surface of the base frame, and facing each other. And holding the component between the first and second ribs by inserting the first and second protrusions along the L-shapes of the first and second groove portions of the first and second ribs, respectively. It was.

  Further, in the component holding mechanism having the above-described configuration, the first rib is provided on the inner surface facing the second rib so as to protrude along the orthogonal portion of the first groove. A blocking portion for blocking the movement of the molded component along the surface of the base frame in the direction opposite to the mounting direction, and the blocking of the second rib on the inner surface facing the first rib against the held component. And a locking portion that locks the components.

  In the component holding mechanism having the above-described configuration, the blocking portion includes an inclined portion formed so as to be separated from the inner surface of the first rib as it approaches the surface of the base frame.

  In the component holding mechanism having the above configuration, the component is a connector that receives a harness connector at the end of the harness.

  In the present invention, the fixing device is provided with the component holding mechanism having the above configuration.

  In the present invention, the image forming apparatus is provided with the component holding mechanism configured as described above.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, there is provided a component holding mechanism for attaching a component having first and second protrusions that protrude in opposite directions from the outer surface of a component main body to a base frame. The first and second ribs provided so as to protrude from the surface of the base frame and facing each other with a gap into which a part can be inserted, and the surface of the base frame provided at each of the ribs with a predetermined portion of the rib edge as an entrance The first and second groove portions having a substantially L-shape having an orthogonal portion extending substantially perpendicular to the base frame and a parallel portion extending substantially parallel to the surface of the base frame, and facing each other. And holding the component between the first and second ribs by inserting the first and second protrusions along the L-shapes of the first and second groove portions of the first and second ribs, respectively. Because of the parts Without reducing the thickness of the raised, you are possible to attach the components to the base frame. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the protrusion from being deformed or damaged due to heat. In this way, when the component is held by the base frame, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of dropout and misalignment even in the high heat area without using a separate member such as an adhesive, and to realize accurate mounting. A possible component holding mechanism can be provided.

  The surface of the base frame of the part provided and held on the inner surface of the first rib facing the second rib so as to protrude along the orthogonal portion of the first groove. And a blocking portion for preventing movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction along the second rib, and an inner surface of the second rib facing the first rib at a diagonal position of the blocking portion with respect to the held component. Since the locking portion for locking the component is provided, it is possible to further enhance the action of preventing the component from falling off and to further improve the positioning accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to provide a component holding mechanism that can more accurately perform component mounting and positioning.

  In addition, since the blocking portion includes an inclined portion formed so as to move away from the inner surface of the first rib as it approaches the surface of the base frame, it is easy to insert a component at the blocking portion. Become. Therefore, it is possible to provide a component holding mechanism capable of improving workability in addition to the accuracy of component mounting and positioning.

  Further, since the component is a connector that receives the harness connector at the end of the harness, the harness can be attached to the base frame accurately and easily without using another member such as an adhesive. Therefore, it is possible to perform guidance and protection of the harness while preventing the harness from being subjected to stress that adversely affects the supply of power and the exchange of signals.

  Further, in the present invention, since the fixing device is provided with the component holding mechanism having the above-described configuration, in the fixing device that generates high heat, it is possible to prevent the component from falling off or being displaced without using another member such as an adhesive. Therefore, it is possible to provide a fixing device that can realize accurate mounting, can be reduced in cost, and has high reliability.

  Further, in the present invention, the image forming apparatus is provided with the component holding mechanism having the above-described configuration. Therefore, when the component is held by a frame or the like, it is dropped or misaligned even in a high-temperature part without using another member such as an adhesive. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent the occurrence of the occurrence of the problem and can achieve accurate attachment, can achieve low cost, and has high reliability.

1 is a schematic vertical sectional front view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fixing device of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged perspective view showing a part holding mechanism in the fixing device of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a state where a connector is attached to the component holding mechanism of FIG. 3. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the connector from the component holding mechanism of FIG. It is a front view of the component holding mechanism and connector shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, an image output operation of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described while explaining an outline of the structure with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional front view of an image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fixing device of the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 1, solid arrows indicate the sheet conveyance path and conveyance direction. In FIG. 2, drawing of the harness and the connector which is a component held by the component holding mechanism is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a cassette type paper feeder 20 is disposed at the lower part of the image forming apparatus 1. The cassette type paper feeder 20 is provided with a general general-purpose paper feed cassette 21 and a large capacity paper feed cassette 22. Two general-purpose paper feed cassettes 21 having the same capacity are arranged in the vertical direction. Two large-capacity paper feed cassettes 22 having the same capacity are arranged in the horizontal direction at the same height. In these paper feed cassettes, sheets P such as cut paper before printing are stacked and stored, and the sheets P are separated and sent out one by one.

  A manual sheet feeder 2 is mounted on the upper right side of the image forming apparatus 1. The manual paper feeder 2 is loaded with paper of a size that is not in the cassette type paper feeder 20, or paper that is to be directly fed by hand, such as thick paper, an OHP sheet, an envelope, or a postcard.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a vertical conveyance unit 3 therein. The vertical conveyance unit 3 is located on the right side in the paper feeding direction in the case of the cassette type paper feeding device 20, and is located in the left side in the case of the manual paper feeding device 2. The paper P delivered from the cassette type paper feeder 20 is conveyed vertically upward along the side surface of the image forming apparatus 1 by the vertical conveyance unit 3, and the paper delivered from the manual paper feeder 2 is conveyed substantially horizontally to the left. . Of the two large-capacity paper feed cassettes 22, the paper P sent out from the left-side large-capacity paper feed cassette 22 is sent to the right substantially right above the right-side large-capacity paper feed cassette 22. Then, it is conveyed vertically upward along the side surface of the image forming apparatus 1.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a document feeder 4 is provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 1, and an optical unit 5 is provided below the document feeder 4. An operation panel 6 is provided in front of the document feeder 4 at a position where the user can check the display from the outside or perform an operation by pressing a button. When the user copies an original, the original on which an image such as a character, a figure, or a pattern is drawn is loaded on the original feeder 4, and printing conditions are input to the operation panel 6 to start printing. The document feeder 4 separates the documents one by one and feeds them, and the optical unit 5 reads the image data. Thereafter, the optical unit 5 irradiates the image forming unit 7 with laser light while controlling the laser beam based on the image data.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming unit 7 and a transfer unit 8 are provided on the downstream side of the vertical conveyance unit 3 in the sheet conveyance direction and below the optical unit 5. In the image forming unit 7, an electrostatic latent image of a document image is formed by the laser light emitted from the optical unit 5, and a toner image is developed from the electrostatic latent image. The toner image formed by the image forming unit 7 is transferred by the transfer unit 8 to the pre-printing paper P sent in synchronization by the vertical conveyance unit 3.

  A fixing device 30 is provided on the downstream side of the transfer unit 8. The sheet P carrying the unfixed toner image in the transfer unit 8 is sent to the fixing device 30 where the toner image is heated and pressed by a heat roller and a pressure roller to be fixed.

  A branching section 9 is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 30 and in the vicinity of the left side surface of the image forming apparatus 1. The paper P discharged from the fixing device 30 is discharged from the branching unit 9 to a paper discharge tray 10 provided outside the left side surface of the image forming apparatus 1 when double-sided printing is not performed.

  A double-sided printing unit 11, which is a double-sided printing device, is provided below the portion from the image forming unit 7 to the branching unit 9 and above the cassette type paper feeder 20. When performing double-sided printing, the paper P discharged from the fixing device 30 after completion of printing on the first side is sent to the double-sided printing unit 11 through the branching unit 9. The paper P sent to the double-sided printing unit 11 is then sent to the right side of the image forming apparatus 1 with the transport direction switched for printing on the second side, and again passes through the vertical transport unit 3 to the transfer unit 8. Sent to.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above, the component holding mechanism 40 of the present invention is provided to hold a harness connector (not shown) wired on the outer surface of the housing 31 of the fixing device 30 as shown in FIG. It has been.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the component holding mechanism 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 in addition to FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a part holding mechanism of the fixing device, FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a state where the connector is attached to the part holding mechanism, and FIG. 5 is a state where the connector is removed from the part holding mechanism. FIG. 6 is a front view of the component holding mechanism and the connector.

  As described above, since the component holding mechanism 40 wires a harness (not shown) on the outer surface of the housing 31 of the fixing device 30 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connector 32 is a component in the form shown in FIG. Holding. The connector 32 is a component that receives the harness connector at the end of the harness. Further, the connector 32 includes a first protrusion 32b and a second protrusion 32c on the outer surface of the main body 32a (see FIG. 5). The first protrusion 32b and the second protrusion 32c are provided so as to protrude outward from the outer surface of the main body 32a in directions opposite to each other.

  3 and 4, the component holding mechanism 40 includes a base frame 41, a first rib 42, a second rib 43, a first groove portion 44, a second groove portion 45, a blocking portion 46, and a locking portion. 47 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the base frame 41 is provided on the outer surface of the housing 31 of the fixing device 30. The base frame 41 is made of a synthetic resin having relatively high heat resistance like the housing 31 and is attached to the outer surface of the housing 31.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the first rib 42 and the second rib 43 are provided so as to protrude substantially perpendicularly from the surface of the base frame 41. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the first ribs 42 and the second ribs 43 is disposed so as to extend in parallel with a gap through which the connector 32 can be inserted. The length of the first rib 42 and the second rib 43 protruding from the surface of the base frame 41 is a length that allows the connector 32 to be substantially accommodated between the two ribs.

  The first groove portion 44 is provided on the first rib 42, and the second groove portion 45 is provided on the second rib 43 in such a manner that the groove portions face each other. The first groove portion 44 and the second groove portion 45 penetrate the ribs provided respectively from one plane extending from the surface of the base frame 41 to the other plane. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the first groove portion 44 includes an orthogonal portion 44 b extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the base frame 41 with a predetermined portion of the edge portion 42 a of the first rib 42 as an inlet 44 a, and the base frame 41. It has a so-called L shape having a parallel portion 44c extending substantially parallel to the surface. Similarly, the second groove portion 45 has a so-called L shape having an inlet 45a, an orthogonal portion 45b, and a parallel portion 45c.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first protrusion 32b of the connector 32 is inserted into and engaged with the first groove 44, and the second protrusion 32c is inserted into the second groove 45 along the L-shape of each groove. Each of the protrusions and the groove has a size that allows the protrusion to smoothly pass through the groove.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the blocking portion 46 is provided on the inner surface of the first rib 42 facing the second rib 43. The blocking portion 46 has a ridge shape provided on the inner surface of the first rib 42, and is provided so as to extend close to the orthogonal portion 44 b of the first groove portion 44. An inclined portion 46 a is provided at the end of the blocking portion 46 on the inlet 44 a side of the first groove portion 44. The inclined portion 46a is inclined in such a way that it is separated from the inner surface of the first rib 42 provided with the blocking portion 46 as it approaches the surface of the base frame 41.

  The engaging portion 47 is provided on the upper side of the second rib 43 in FIGS. 4 to 6 on the inner surface of the second rib 43 facing the first rib 42. As shown in FIG. 4, the locking portion 47 is a pair of blocking portions 46 with respect to the held component 32 at a distance corresponding to the size of the connector 32 along a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the base frame 41. The connector 32 is locked at a corner position. That is, the connector 32 is completely accommodated and held between the blocking portion 46 and the locking portion 47 inside the first rib 42 and the second rib 43 facing each other.

  When the connector 32 as a part is held by the base frame 41, the connector 32 is attached along the dotted arrows shown in FIGS.

  First, the first protrusion 32b and the second protrusion 32c of the connector 32 are inserted into the first groove portion 44 and the second groove portion 45 from the inlets 44a and 45a, respectively. While the first protrusion 32b and the second protrusion 32c pass through the orthogonal parts 44b and 45b of the groove part, the main body 32a of the connector 32 contacts the blocking part 46 at the position of the orthogonal part 44b, but the inclined part 46a is utilized. The connector 32 can be pushed in by being elastically deformed.

  Subsequently, when the first protrusion 32b and the second protrusion 32c each reach a position near the surface of the base frame 41 of the groove part, the connector 32 is substantially parallel to the surface of the base frame 41 and away from the orthogonal parts 44b and 45b. It moves along the parallel parts 44c and 45c. When one end of the connector 32 main body reaches the position of the locking portion 47, the engagement with the blocking portion 46 is released at the other end. In this way, the connector 32 is completely accommodated and held between the blocking portion 46 and the locking portion 47 inside the first rib 42 and the second rib 43 facing each other.

  As described above, the component holding mechanism 40 attaches the connector 32 including the first protrusion 32b and the second protrusion 32c protruding in the opposite directions from the outer surface of the main body 32a to the base frame 41. The base frame 41, the first rib 42 and the second rib 43 that are provided so as to protrude from the surface of the base frame 41 and are opposed to each other by a gap into which the connector 32 can be inserted, and the rib edges It has a substantially L-shape having orthogonal portions 44b and 45b extending substantially perpendicular to the surface of the base frame 41, and parallel portions 44c and 45c extending substantially parallel to the surface of the base frame 41, with the predetermined portions of the portions as inlets 44a and 45a. A first groove portion 44 and a second groove portion 45 facing each other, and the first protrusion 32b and the second protrusion 32c of the connector 32 are respectively provided. Since the connector 32 is held between the first rib 42 and the second rib 43 by being inserted along the L-shape of the first groove portion 44 and the second groove portion 45, the thickness of the two protrusions of the connector 32 is increased. The connector 32 can be attached to the base frame 41 without reducing the thickness. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the protrusions from being deformed or damaged due to heat. In this way, when the connector 32 is held by the base frame 41, it is possible to prevent dropout and misalignment even in a high heat part without using a separate member such as an adhesive, thereby realizing accurate attachment. The component holding mechanism 40 that can be provided can be provided.

  Further, the first rib 42 is provided on the inner surface of the first rib 42 facing the second rib 43 so as to protrude along the orthogonal portion 44a of the first groove 44, and is held on the surface of the base frame 41 of the connector 32 held. A blocking portion 46 for preventing movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction along the inner side surface of the second rib 43 at the diagonal position of the blocking portion 46 with respect to the held connector 32 on the inner surface facing the first rib 42. In addition, since the locking portion 47 that locks the connector 32 is provided, it is possible to further enhance the anti-dropping action of the connector 32 and further improve the positioning accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to provide the component holding mechanism 40 that can more accurately perform the attachment and positioning of the connector 32.

  Since the blocking portion 46 includes an inclined portion 46a formed so as to move away from the inner surface of the first rib 42 as it approaches the surface of the base frame 41, the connector 32 is inserted into the blocking portion 46. It becomes easy. Therefore, it is possible to provide the component holding mechanism 40 capable of improving workability in addition to the accuracy related to the mounting and positioning of the connector 32.

  Furthermore, since the component held by the component holding mechanism 40 is the connector 32 that receives the harness connector at the end of the harness, the harness can be attached to the base frame 41 accurately and easily without using another member such as an adhesive. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to perform guidance and protection of the harness while preventing the harness from being subjected to stress that adversely affects the supply of power and the exchange of signals.

  In the present invention, since the fixing device 30 includes the component holding mechanism 40 having the above-described configuration, the fixing device 30 that generates high heat prevents the occurrence of component dropout and misalignment without using another member such as an adhesive. Therefore, it is possible to provide a fixing device 30 that can achieve accurate mounting, can be reduced in cost, and has high reliability.

  Further, in the present invention, since the image forming apparatus 1 includes the component holding mechanism 40 having the above-described configuration, when the component is held by a frame or the like, the component is not dropped or misaligned even in a high heat portion without using another member such as an adhesive. Therefore, it is possible to provide the image forming apparatus 1 that can prevent the occurrence of the occurrence of the problem and can achieve accurate attachment, can be reduced in cost, and can have high reliability.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the component holding mechanism 40 of the present invention is provided to hold the connector 32 of the harness wired on the outer surface of the housing 31 of the fixing device 30 mounted on the image forming apparatus 1. The location where the holding mechanism 40 can be used is not limited to this, and may be another location of the fixing device 30 or any location of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, a component holding mechanism 40 may be provided in a device other than the fixing device 30 and the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image forming apparatus 1 provided with the component holding mechanism 40 is an image forming apparatus for monochrome printing that uses only black toner in the above-described embodiment, but is not limited to such a model. An image forming apparatus for color printing of a tandem system or a rotary rack system that includes a belt and can superimpose a plurality of colors to form an image may be used.

  Moreover, you may provide the location which provides the blocking part 46 and the latching | locking part 47 with respect to any of the 1st rib 42 and the 2nd rib 43 in FIGS.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in a component holding mechanism that attaches a component having protrusions that protrude in opposite directions from the outer surface of a component body to a base frame.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 30 Fixing apparatus 31 Housing 32 Connector (part)
32a body 32b first protrusion 32c second protrusion 40 component holding mechanism 41 base frame 42 first rib 42a edge 43 second rib 43a edge 44 first groove 44a inlet 44b orthogonal part 44c parallel part 45 second groove 45a inlet 45b Orthogonal part 45c Parallel part 46 Blocking part 46a Inclined part 47 Locking part

Claims (6)

A component holding mechanism for attaching a component having first and second protrusions protruding in opposite directions from the outer surface of a component body to a base frame,
A base frame,
First and second ribs provided so as to protrude from the surface of the base frame and facing each other with a gap into which a part can be inserted;
Each of these ribs has a substantially L-shape having an orthogonal portion extending substantially perpendicular to the base frame surface with a predetermined portion of the rib edge as an entrance, and a parallel portion extending substantially parallel to the base frame surface, First and second grooves facing each other, and
By inserting the first and second protrusions of the component along the L-shapes of the first and second groove portions of the first and second ribs, respectively, the component is formed on the first and second ribs. A component holding mechanism characterized by holding in between. Along the base frame surface of the part of the first rib, which is provided and held on the inner surface of the first rib facing the second rib so as to protrude along the orthogonal portion of the first groove. A blocking portion that prevents movement in the direction opposite to the wearing direction,
A locking portion for locking the component, provided at a diagonal position of the blocking portion with respect to the held component on the inner surface of the second rib facing the first rib;
The component holding mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising:   3. The component holding mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the blocking portion includes an inclined portion formed so as to be separated from an inner surface of the first rib as it approaches the surface of the base frame.   The component holding mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the component is a connector that receives a harness connector at a harness end.   A fixing device comprising the component holding mechanism according to claim 1.   An image forming apparatus comprising the component holding mechanism according to claim 1.

Images