JP2012098554A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of retaining smooth operations of a regulation member and an opening/closing part.SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus includes: a bent part formed on a frame body (a frame F), varying a bent angle so as to open in the moving direction of a regulation member (a stopper member S) when closing an opening/closing member (an opening/closing cover 105), and allowing the movement of the regulation member; an exterior member (a cover 200) facing at least a part of the frame body and covering the exterior; and a guide part 201 provided on either of the device main body including the exterior member or the frame body and, when opening the opening/closing part, guiding to avoid the interference between the regulation member and the bent part.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In general, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile is configured so that an opening / closing cover is rotatably provided in the apparatus body and is opened when maintenance or the like inside the printer body is performed.

  Here, when the opening / closing cover is opened, a stopper member (regulating member) for connecting the opening / closing cover and the apparatus main body is often provided to hold the opening / closing cover at a predetermined opening angle.

  By the way, when the stopper member is provided at the front side edge or the rear side edge of the image forming apparatus, the movement path of the stopper member is a metal frame (frame body) constituting the inside of the image forming apparatus. In some cases, the smooth movement of the stopper member and the smooth opening / closing of the opening / closing cover may be hindered.

  Various techniques relating to an image forming apparatus including a stopper member have been proposed, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-298710.

JP 2007-298710 A

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of maintaining smooth operations of a regulating member and an opening / closing portion.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an opening / closing part that is rotatably supported by an apparatus main body and is opened and closed, one side is connected to the apparatus main body, and the other side is the opening / closing part. And a restricting member for restricting an opening angle of the opening / closing part with respect to the apparatus main body, and a passage hole through which a part of the restricting member passes when the opening / closing part is opened and closed, and an apparatus main body for forming an image. A frame that accommodates at least a part thereof, and a bending angle that is formed on the frame to open toward the moving direction side of the restricting member when the opening and closing member is closed to allow the restricting member to move. Provided in any of the bent portion, an exterior member that applies an exterior facing at least a part of the frame, and the exterior of the apparatus main body including the frame or the frame, Regulatory Department Characterized in that it comprises a guide portion for the guide so as to avoid interference between the bent portion and.

  An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the regulating member moves toward the frame body as the regulating member moves when the opening / closing portion is opened. It has the inclination part formed so that it might be spaced apart from the surface of the said exterior member toward.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the guide portion is provided upright in a plurality of rows in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the restricting member. It is characterized by comprising.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the interval between the raised portions is based on the width in the direction intersecting the moving direction of the restricting member on the one side of the restricting member. Is also formed small.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention provides the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the height of the guide portion at a portion facing the bent portion is the opposite bent portion. It is characterized by being formed higher than the height of the part.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  In other words, according to the first aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the present configuration is not provided, the image forming apparatus which maintains the strength of the frame body and maintains the smooth operation of the regulating member and the opening / closing portion. Can be provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that maintains the smooth operation of the restricting member when the opening / closing portion is opened with a simple structure as compared with the case where the present structure is not provided. Can do.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can maintain the smooth operation of the restricting member with a simple and inexpensive structure as compared with the case where the present structure is not provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that reliably guides the regulating member and maintains a smooth operation as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that maintains a smoother operation of the restricting member as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an overall configuration (a state in which an opening / closing cover is opened) of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a front view showing a main part of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a main part of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a continuation of operations of main parts of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a continuation of operations of main parts of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a continuation of operations of main parts of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation range of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of a comparison object.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In addition, since description here is the best form by which this invention is implemented, this invention is not limited to the said form.

  Before describing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, an example to be compared will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in a configuration in which an opening / closing cover is rotatably provided in the apparatus main body and opened when performing maintenance or the like inside the image forming apparatus PR10 main body, as shown in FIG. 12, when the opening / closing cover is opened, In order to hold the opening / closing cover at a predetermined opening angle, a stopper member (an example of a regulating member) S that connects the opening / closing cover and the apparatus main body is a front-side end or a rear-side end of the image forming apparatus PR10. Is provided.

  Here, a reinforcing plate 500 is provided as a part of the frame F at a position parallel to the stopper member S, and a flange portion (bending portion) whose end portion is bent at approximately 90 degrees in order to increase the strength of the reinforcing plate 500. Example) 501 may be formed.

  In such a case, there is a problem in that the movement path of the stopper member S interferes with a part of the flange portion 501 of the reinforcing plate 500, thereby preventing the smooth operation of the stopper member S and the smooth opening and closing of the opening / closing cover.

  More specifically, the hook-shaped tip 50 formed at the end of the rod-shaped stopper main body 49 constituting the stopper member S is caught by the flange 501 when the opening / closing cover is opened and closed, and the opening / closing cover is smooth. There is a possibility that the opening / closing is hindered or that the opening / closing cover cannot be opened / closed in the worst case.

  Accordingly, the present inventor has devised an image forming apparatus according to the present invention as a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems.

  An image forming apparatus PR1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the entire image forming apparatus PR1 according to the present embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.

  The image forming apparatus PR1 is a so-called multi-function machine having a scanner function, a printer function, and the like, and includes a scanner device 100 in the upper part.

  A display / operation unit 103 configured by a touch panel or the like for performing display and various settings related to printing or the like is provided at the upper part on the front side.

  A discharge tray 107 that discharges printed paper is provided in the middle section on the front side, and an open / close cover 102 that is opened when the toner cartridge is replaced is provided below the discharge tray 107.

  The opening / closing cover 102 is provided with a storage unit 101 that stores printing paper for each size.

  1 and 2, on the left side surface, there are provided opening and closing covers 104 and 106 that are opened and closed in the case of a paper jam, and an opening and closing cover 105 that is opened and closed according to the necessity of manual sheet feeding.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing cover 105 has a stopper member (a restriction member) for connecting the opening / closing cover 105 and the main body of the image forming apparatus PR1 in order to hold the opening / closing cover 105 at a predetermined opening angle. Example) S is provided at an end portion on the rear surface side of the image forming apparatus PR1.

  In this embodiment, the case where the stopper member S is provided on the opening / closing cover 105 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the stopper member may be provided on the opening / closing covers 102, 104, 106.

  FIG. 2 shows a case where the stopper member S is provided at the rear surface side end portion of the image forming apparatus PR1, but this is not limiting, and the stopper member S is provided at the front surface side end portion of the image forming apparatus PR1. (For convenience of explanation, FIGS. 4 to 11 show a state in which the stopper member S is provided at the front side end of the image forming apparatus PR1).

  The stopper member S is formed of a resin such as ABS, for example, and, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like described later, a rod-like stopper main body 49 and a tip portion having a hook-like shape connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus PR1. 50 and the other side 51 connected to the opening / closing cover 105.

  1 and 2, the image forming apparatus PR1 is entirely covered with an exterior member formed of plastic, and on the inside thereof, for example, a sheet metal frame F (an example of a frame: an example later) 6) and the like, and various apparatuses relating to image formation are accommodated.

  A rectangular passage hole 300 that passes when the stopper body 49 opening / closing cover 105 is opened / closed is formed at a corresponding portion of the frame F (see FIG. 7 and the like).

  FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an internal configuration example of the image forming apparatus PR1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus PR1 has an endless belt-like intermediate transfer belt 14 that is stretched around a plurality of winding rollers 12 and conveyed in the direction of arrow E by driving a motor (not shown). A plurality of image forming units 15 (details will be described later) are provided along the longitudinal direction.

  The image forming apparatus PR1 is provided with image forming units 15Y, 15M, 15C, and 15K that form toner images corresponding to four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. ing.

  In addition, about the member provided for each color, it adds and shows the alphabet (Y / M / C / K) which shows each color at the end of a code | symbol, but when it demonstrates without distinguishing especially a color, The description will be made by omitting the alphabet at the end of the code.

  The toner images of different colors formed by the image forming units 15 are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 14 so as to overlap each other on the belt surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14, and the color images are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 14. The toner image is formed.

  On the downstream side of the four image forming units 15 in the transport direction of the intermediate transfer belt 14, a transfer device 26 including two rollers 26A and 26B facing each other is provided.

  The final toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body belt 14 is sent between the rollers 26A and 26B, taken out from the paper tray 29 provided at the bottom of the image forming apparatus PR1, and is similarly supplied to the rollers 26A and 26B. It is transferred to the paper 28 that has been conveyed in between.

  In addition, a fixing device 30 including a pressure roller 30A and a heating roller 30B is provided in the conveyance path of the paper 28 to which the final toner image has been transferred.

  The paper 28 conveyed to the fixing device 30 is conveyed by the pressure roller 30A and the heating roller 30B, whereby the toner on the paper 28 is melted and pressed against the paper 28 to be fixed. As a result, a desired image (color image) is formed on the paper 28. The paper 28 on which the image is formed is discharged out of the apparatus.

  On the other hand, on the downstream side of the transfer device 26 in the transport direction of the intermediate transfer belt 14, a cleaner 32 is provided for collecting toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt without being transferred onto the paper 28 by the transfer device 26. . The cleaner 32 is provided with a blade 34 so as to be in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 14, and collects residual toner by rubbing it.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 4-11, the structure and operation | movement of the principal part of this Embodiment are demonstrated.

  First, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, for convenience of explanation, a configuration in which a cover 200 (see FIG. 6 described later) as an exterior member is removed and the frame F and the like are exposed will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, a reinforcing plate 500 that reinforces the frame F as a part of the frame F is provided on the front side of the frame F.

  Then, one end portion of the reinforcing plate 500 is formed with a flange portion 500a (an example of a bent portion) that is bent inside the frame F in order to improve the strength of the reinforcing plate 500 itself. The stopper member S is allowed to move (including a state in which interference with the moving path is avoided).

  More specifically, the bending angle of the flange portion 500a is changed so as to open outward toward the intersection with the stopper member S.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bending angle at the upper side 500a1 of the flange portion 500a is approximately 90 degrees toward the inside, and gradually opens outward as it goes downward, and the bending portion at the lower end side 500a2 of the flange portion 500a is bent. The angle is approximately 45 degrees toward the outside.

  As a result, when the open / close cover 105 is closed while maintaining the strength of the frame F (reinforcing plate 500), the front end 50 of the stopper member S passes through the lower end side 500a2 of the flange portion 500a. The situation where the portion 50 is caught by the flange portion 500a is avoided, and the smooth operation of the stopper member S and the opening / closing cover 105 is maintained.

  Details of the flow of operation will be described later.

  Next, another main part of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 6, the cover 200 is attached to the frame F, and the illustration of the stopper member S is omitted for convenience of explanation.

  In FIG. 6, the arrow A indicates the moving direction of the stopper member S when the opening / closing cover 105 is closed, and the arrow B indicates the moving direction of the stopper member S when opening the opening / closing cover 105.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the opening / closing cover 150 returns from the open state to the closed state, that is, when the front end portion 50 of the stopper member S moves to the arrow B side, the front end portion 50 has a flange portion. A guide portion 201 is formed for guiding so as to avoid interference with 500a.

  The guide part 201 has, for example, an inclined part (slope) 202 that is formed integrally with the cover 200 and formed away from the surface of the cover 200 toward the frame F side.

  Further, in the configuration example illustrated in FIG. 6, the guide unit 201 is configured by three standing portions 201 a to 201 c that are raised from the surface of the cover 200.

  In this configuration example, the height of the right end of the upright portions 201a to 201c is set to be greater than the height of the lower end side 500a2 of the flange portion 500a.

  Further, the interval between the upright portions 201a to 201c is formed smaller than the width of the distal end portion 50 of the stopper member S.

  As a result, when closing the opening / closing cover 105, the distal end portion 50 of the stopper member S moves in the direction of the arrow A, passes through the lower end side 500a2 of the flange portion 500a, and then moves to the slope 202 of the guide portion 201 of the cover 200. Guided and stopped on the left side of the guide unit 201 in the figure. On the other hand, when opening the opening / closing cover 105, the distal end portion 50 of the stopper member S moves in the direction of the arrow B and is guided by the slope 202 of the guide portion 201 and is not caught by the lower end side 500a2 of the flange portion 500a. Move to the right side of 500a and stop.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the guide part 201 is comprised by the three standing parts 201a-c which stood up from the surface of the cover 200, it is not limited to this, It is comprised with arbitrary numbers of standing parts. It may be.

  Further, instead of configuring the guide portion with a plurality of upright portions, the guide portion may be configured with one protrusion, or the cover 200 itself may have a thickness that forms a slope.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the smooth operation of the stopper member S when the opening / closing cover 105 is opened is maintained with a relatively simple and inexpensive configuration.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the front end portion 50 of the stopper member S is located on the left side of the guide portion 201 of the cover 200 in the state where the open / close cover 105 is closed.

  Note that the other side of the stopper member S (not shown) is rotatably supported via the shaft 600 on the opening / closing cover 105 side.

  Then, when the opening operation of the opening / closing cover 105 is started by the operation of the user or the like, the opening / closing cover 105 starts to move in the direction of the arrow C as shown in FIG. 50 also starts moving in the direction of arrow A.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8C, when the distal end portion 50 of the stopper member S reaches the guide portion 201 of the cover 200, the distal end portion 50 of the stopper member S is guided by the slope 202 of the guide portion 201 and the arrow. It moves in the A direction ((d) in FIG. 8).

  In the example shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D, the distal end portion 50 of the stopper member S passes through the lower side of the guide portion 201, that is, the standing portion 201c. However, there is a difference in the ease of rotation of the other side of the stopper member S supported via the shaft 600 due to individual differences of the image forming apparatus PR1 or a usage period.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the movement of the stopper member S changes within a range within the region E depending on whether the other side of the stopper member S is tightly attached or loosely attached.

  Therefore, when the other side of the stopper member S is relatively tightly attached, the tip portion 50 of the stopper member S is guided by the upper standing portions 201b and 201a in FIGS. 8C and 8D. May move to the arrow A side.

  In any case, the distal end portion 50 of the stopper member S passes through the flange portion 500a as shown in FIG. 9E without being guided by the guide portion 201 and caught by the flange portion 500a.

  Thereafter, after the state of (f) in FIG. 9, the tip 50 of the stopper member S stops when the tip 50 of the stopper member S reaches the passage hole 300 of the frame F as shown in FIG. The opening / closing cover 105 is held at a predetermined opening angle.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the smooth operation of the stopper member S when the opening / closing cover 105 is opened is maintained by a relatively simple and inexpensive configuration in which the guide 200 is provided on the cover 200.

  When the manual printing is finished and the closing operation of the opening / closing cover 105 is started by the operation of the user or the like, as shown in FIG. 10 (h) from the state shown in FIG. The opening / closing cover 105 starts to move in the direction of arrow D.

  Even when the distal end portion 50 of the stopper member S reaches the flange portion 500a, the bending angle of the flange portion 500a is changed so as to open outward, so that a situation where the distal end portion 50 is caught by the flange portion 500a is avoided. Thus, the smooth operation of the stopper member S and the opening / closing cover 105 is maintained.

  Thereafter, the state shown in FIG. 7B is returned to the closed state shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus PR1 according to the present embodiment, the smooth operation of the stopper member S and the opening / closing cover 105 is maintained while maintaining the strength of the frame F (reinforcing plate 500).

  Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not limited to the disclosed technology. Should not be considered. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed restrictively based on the description in the above embodiment, but should be construed according to the description of the scope of claims. All modifications that fall within the scope of the claims and the equivalent technology are included.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the guide unit 201 is provided on the cover 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the guide unit 201 may be any of the other members constituting the frame F and the image forming apparatus PR1. May be provided.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to a printer, a multifunction machine, and the like.

PR1 Image forming device F Frame S Stopper member 14 Intermediate transfer belt 15 Image forming unit 15 Each image forming unit 26 Transfer device 28 Paper 29 Paper tray 30 Fixing device 30A Pressure roller 30B Heating roller 32 Cleaner 34 Blade 49 Stopper body 50 Tip Part 51 The other side 100 Scanner device 101 Housing part 102 Opening / closing cover 103 Display / operating part 104 Opening / closing cover 105 Opening / closing cover 107 Discharge tray 150 Opening / closing cover 200 Cover 201 Guide part 201a-201c Standing part 202 Slope 300 Passing hole 500 Reinforcing plate 500a Flange 600 axis

Claims (5)

An opening / closing part that is pivotally supported by the apparatus body and is opened and closed;
One side is connected to the apparatus main body, the other side is connected to the opening / closing part, and a regulating member for restricting an opening angle of the opening / closing part with respect to the apparatus main body,
A frame that has a passage hole through which a part of the regulating member passes when the opening and closing part is opened and closed, and that houses at least a part of an apparatus main body that performs image formation;
A bent portion formed on the frame body, the bending angle is changed so as to open to the moving direction side of the restricting member when the opening and closing member is closed, and the bent portion allows movement of the restricting member;
An exterior member for applying an exterior facing at least a part of the frame;
A guide unit that is provided in any of the apparatus main body including the exterior member or the frame body and guides the interference member to avoid interference between the restriction member and the bent portion when the opening and closing unit is opened;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The guide part has an inclined part formed so that the restricting member is separated from the surface of the exterior member toward the frame body with the movement of the restricting member when the opening / closing part is opened. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is configured by upright portions provided in a plurality of rows in a direction intersecting a moving direction of the regulating member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an interval between the upright portions is formed smaller than a width in a direction intersecting a moving direction of the restricting member on the one side of the restricting member.   The height of the said guide part of the site | part facing the said bending part is formed higher than the height of the said bending part which opposes, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Image forming apparatus.

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