JP2013015757A - Grounding structure, detachable unit including the same, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a grounding structure capable of surely grounding a unit and an image forming apparatus body or another unit, a detachable unit including the same, and an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: A positioning pin 35 and a connector connection part 51 are projectingly provided on the upper surface of an option feeder 30, and a contact part 53a of a grounding member 53 is projected adjacent to the connector connection part 51. The contact part 53a, a pair of support parts 53b and a connecting part 53c are integrally formed on the grounding member 53 by bending a metal spring wire rod. The contact part 53a is swingable in the horizontal direction and also swingable in the vertical direction by vertical bending of the connecting part 53c.

Description

  The present invention relates to a unit that is detachably connected to an image forming apparatus main body such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, and an image forming apparatus including the unit, and more particularly to a grounding structure between the unit and the apparatus main body or between the units.

  In a conventional image forming apparatus, a paper feed unit (option feeder) for supplying paper of a size different from that of a paper feed tray mounted inside the apparatus is detachably connected to the lower part of the apparatus main body.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a sheet feeding unit that also serves as a base of an image forming apparatus main body and a consumable storage unit are stacked so as to be replaceable, and a sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding unit is placed on the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus main body. An opening is provided, a guide means for guiding the conveyance of the paper is formed inside the paper feed unit, a vertical conveyance path extending in the vertical direction is formed, and an opening formed on the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus main body is a vertical conveyance path outlet. A communicating image forming apparatus is disclosed.

  By the way, in the option feeder as in Patent Document 1, the sheet is charged by friction of the sheet conveyed during image formation. When the paper in the option feeder is charged, an image defect occurs when the toner image is transferred. In addition, if the image forming apparatus and the optional feeder are inadvertently separated while the image forming apparatus is powered on, the grounding (earth) structure is separated before the electrical continuity between the connector and the connector connecting portion is interrupted. May end up. In this case, the current accumulated in the electric system board in the option feeder is lost, and the board may be damaged. Therefore, there is a demand for a more reliable grounding structure for the option feeder.

  As a general grounding structure, a method is known in which a grounding member such as a leaf spring is used, one end of the grounding member is screw-fixed to one member, and the other end is pressed against the other member by the biasing force of the spring. . However, in this structure, the contact of the leaf spring becomes unstable due to deformation of the grounding member due to vibration, impact, or the like, or displacement of the relative position between the unit requiring grounding and the image forming apparatus main body. There was a fear.

  Therefore, a method for stabilizing the grounding property between the image forming apparatus main body and the unit or member has been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 2, one end of a leaf spring is screwed to one member and the other end of the leaf spring is fixed. A method of adsorbing to the other member by the magnetic force of a magnet or an electromagnet is disclosed.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-22427 JP-A-5-307282

  However, in the method of Patent Document 2, when the unit or member is moved, it is necessary to separate the leaf spring attracted by the magnetic force from the other member, and the leaf spring may be deformed depending on the strength of the attracting force. It was. In addition, when the electromagnet is used, the number of constituent members is increased and the wiring becomes complicated, and there is a problem that power consumption for energizing the electromagnet is also increased. Here, the grounding between the image forming apparatus main body and the option feeder has been described as an example, but the grounding between the detachable unit other than the option feeder and the image forming apparatus main body and the grounding between the detachable units are also described. There were similar problems.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a grounding structure capable of reliably grounding a unit and an image forming apparatus main body or another unit, a detachable unit including the grounding structure, and an image forming apparatus. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a grounding structure for a detachable unit connected to a lower part of an image forming apparatus main body or another unit, and contacts the frame of the image forming apparatus main body or the other unit. A horizontal elastically deformable contact portion, a support portion that is electrically connected to the substrate in the unit, and a connecting portion that connects the support portion and the contact portion are made of a metal spring wire. The contact portion has a grounding member integrally formed by bending, and the contact portion can swing in a vertical direction by elastic deformation of the connecting portion.

  According to the present invention, in the grounding structure of the unit configured as described above, when the horizontal direction in which the contact portion is elastically deformed is the X direction and the vertical direction is the Y direction, the support portion is Z perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction. It is characterized by being elastically deformable in the direction.

  According to the present invention, in the grounding structure of the unit configured as described above, the grounding member is obliquely upward so as to face the inside of the pair of support portions formed in a U-shape and the pair of support portions, respectively. A pair of extending connecting portions; and the contact portion extending in an inverted U shape upwardly between the pair of connecting portions and formed with a contact that bends in a side surface direction of the frame. It is said.

  In the grounding structure of the unit configured as described above, the upper surface of the unit is provided with a connector connecting portion that is connected to a connector attached to the lower surface of the image forming apparatus main body or the other unit. The contact portion is in contact with the frame until the connector and the connector connecting portion are switched from the conductive state to the disconnected state by the separation operation of the image forming apparatus main body or the other unit. It is characterized by maintaining.

  According to the present invention, in the grounding structure of the unit configured as described above, the grounding member is disposed so that the contact portion protrudes from an upper surface of the unit adjacent to the connector connecting portion, and an upper end of the contact portion. The portion is at a position lower than the upper end portion of the connector connecting portion.

  Moreover, this invention is a detachable unit provided with the grounding structure of the unit of the said structure.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the detachable unit configured as described above separates the recording medium stacking plate on which the recording medium is stacked and the recording medium stacked on the recording medium stacking plate one by one and conveys them to the image forming apparatus main body. An optional feeder having a separating and conveying mechanism, wherein the grounding member is electrically connected to a recording medium loaded on the recording medium stacking plate.

  The present invention is also an image forming apparatus to which the detachable unit having the above-described configuration is coupled.

  According to the first configuration of the present invention, the contact portion of the grounding member that contacts the frame of the image forming apparatus main body or another unit can be swung vertically, so that the unit and the image forming apparatus main body or other When the positional relationship when attaching and detaching the unit is shifted in the direction in which the frame and the contact portion approach, the contact portion swings in the vertical direction due to the contact between the lower end of the frame and the upper end of the contact portion. And electrical continuity with the frame can be maintained. Further, an inexpensive grounding structure is obtained by forming the grounding member by bending the spring wire.

  According to the second configuration of the present invention, in the grounding structure of the unit of the first configuration, when the horizontal direction in which the contact portion is elastically deformed is the X direction and the vertical direction is the Y direction, the support portion is X Because the elastic deformation is possible in the Z direction perpendicular to the direction and the Y direction, even if the image forming apparatus main body or other unit is displaced to the twisted position with respect to the unit, the contact portion follows the displacement of the frame in the X direction. Oscillates in the Y direction and the Z direction. Therefore, the electrical continuity between the substrate of the unit and the frame can be reliably maintained regardless of the posture when the image forming apparatus main body or other unit is attached or detached.

  According to the third configuration of the present invention, in the grounding structure of the unit of the second configuration, the grounding member includes a pair of support portions formed in a U-shape and a pair of support portions inside the pair of support portions. A pair of connecting portions extending obliquely upward so as to face each other, and a contact portion extending in an inverted U shape upwardly between the pair of connecting portions and formed with a contact bent in the side surface direction of the frame. By having it, the grounding member that bends the spring wire and swings in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction can be easily formed.

  According to the fourth configuration of the present invention, in the grounding structure of the unit having any one of the first to third configurations, the upper surface of the unit is attached to the lower surface of the image forming apparatus main body or another unit. The connector connection portion connected to the connector protrudes and the frame and the connector are disconnected from the conductive state to the disconnected state due to the separation operation of the image forming apparatus main body or other unit. By maintaining the contact state with the contact portion, it is possible to reliably prevent the substrate of the unit from being damaged even if the image forming apparatus main body or another unit is separated while the power is turned on.

  According to the fifth configuration of the present invention, in the ground structure of the unit of the fourth configuration, the ground member is arranged so that the contact portion protrudes from the upper surface of the unit adjacent to the connector connection portion. In addition, by setting the upper end portion of the contact portion to a position lower than the upper end portion of the connector connection portion, the contact portion is less susceptible to deformation due to external force.

  According to the sixth configuration of the present invention, the grounding structure for the unit having any one of the first to fifth configurations is provided, so that the frame and the ground can be grounded when the image forming apparatus main body or another unit is attached or detached. Even when the positional relationship with the member is deviated, the detachable unit can maintain the electrical continuity between the unit substrate and the frame and prevent the substrate from being damaged.

  According to the seventh configuration of the present invention, when the detachable unit having the sixth configuration is an option feeder, the substrate of the option feeder is prevented from being damaged, and the recording medium loaded in the option feeder is prevented. This is a detachable unit that can suppress charging.

  Further, according to the eighth configuration of the present invention, the detachable unit having the sixth or seventh configuration is connected to prevent damage to the substrate due to poor grounding of the unit, and the unit can be an optional feeder. In some cases, the image forming apparatus is less likely to cause image defects due to charging of the recording medium.

Side surface sectional view showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus to which the option feeder 30 of the present invention is connected Side sectional view of the option feeder 30 of the present invention External perspective view of optional feeder 30 of the present invention Partial enlarged view of the area around the connector connecting portion 51 of the option feeder 30 The perspective view of the grounding member 53 attached to the option feeder 30 Partial enlarged view around the contact portion 53a of the ground member 53 Sectional drawing of the connector connection part 51 vicinity which shows the state which connected the color printer 100 to the regular position with respect to the option feeder 30 Sectional drawing of the connector connection part 51 vicinity which shows the state which the color printer 100 shifted | deviated to the connector connection part 51 direction with respect to the option feeder 30 Sectional drawing of the connector connection part 51 vicinity which shows the state by which conduction | electrical_connection between the connector 50 and the connector connection part 51 was interrupted | blocked

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus to which the option feeder of the present invention is connected will be described. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 1, the option feeder 30 (see FIG. 2) is not shown. In the color printer 100, when an image forming operation is performed, the photosensitive drum 1 that rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 in the apparatus main body is uniformly charged by the charging unit 2 and transmitted from a personal computer (not shown) or the like. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 by the laser beam from the exposure unit 3 based on the document image data.

  A rotary type developing unit 4 that supplies developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) onto the photosensitive drum 1 includes cyan, magenta, yellow, and black developing cartridges 4a and 4b in which a developing device and a toner container are integrated. 4c and 4d, and by sequentially rotating the developing cartridges 4a to 4d to positions facing the photosensitive drum 1, the toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1, and the toner of each color An image is formed. Toner supply to the developing cartridges 4 a to 4 d is performed from the toner cartridge 5. Four toner cartridges 5 are arranged side by side corresponding to each color in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. Further, the toner replenishing device from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing cartridges 4a to 4d is not shown in FIG.

  The intermediate transfer belt 6 onto which the toner image is primarily transferred is rotated clockwise in FIG. 1 by driving means (not shown) while abutting against the photosensitive drum 1. As the intermediate transfer belt 6, a sheet made of dielectric resin is used, and a (seamless) belt mainly having no seam is used.

  When a print command is input by the user, a cyan toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 at a predetermined timing. After an electric field is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 6 at a predetermined transfer voltage, the cyan toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 6 by the primary transfer roller 7a. Thereafter, the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is removed by the cleaning unit 8, the developing unit 4 rotates by a predetermined amount, and a magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 in the same manner as described above. The image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 6.

  Thereafter, yellow and black toner images are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 6 by the photosensitive drum 1 in the same manner as described above. These four color images are formed with a predetermined positional relationship predetermined for forming a predetermined full-color image.

  A sheet is fed from a sheet feeding mechanism 9 including a sheet feeding cassette 9a and a manual feed tray (stack bypass) 9b provided above the sheet toward the intermediate transfer belt 6 on which the toner image is formed as described above. In addition, the toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 6 is transferred onto a sheet by the secondary transfer roller 7b that is conveyed through the pair of registration rollers 11 and is positioned below the intermediate transfer belt 6. In addition, when the option feeder 30 is used, the sheet transport path 21 through which the sheet fed from the option feeder 30 (see FIG. 2) passes is provided so as to vertically penetrate the front surface portion of the sheet feeding cassette 9a. The paper is transported from the paper transport path 21 to the secondary transfer roller 7 b via the paper feed roller 10 and the registration roller pair 11.

  Then, the sheet on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed along the sheet conveying path 12 to the fixing unit 13 having the fixing roller pair 13a, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet. The paper that has passed through the fixing unit 13 is distributed in the conveyance direction by a branching unit 14 that branches in a plurality of directions. When an image is formed only on one side of the sheet, the sheet is directly discharged onto the discharge tray 17 via the sheet conveyance path 15 and the sheet discharge unit 16.

  On the other hand, when images are formed on both sides of the paper, the paper that has passed through the fixing unit 13 is switched in the transport direction downward by the feed roller 18 in the paper transport path 15 and then the image surface is directed upward at the branching unit 14. Then, the paper is distributed to the reverse conveyance path 19 and further conveyed again to the secondary transfer roller 7b through the reverse roller 20 and the registration roller pair 11 with the image surface facing downward. After the next image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 6 is transferred to the surface of the sheet on which the image of the sheet is not formed by the secondary transfer roller 7b and conveyed to the fixing unit 13 and the toner image is fixed on the sheet, The paper is discharged from the paper discharge unit 16 onto the discharge tray 17.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the option feeder provided with the grounding structure of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of an option feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the option feeder as viewed from above. The option feeder 30 includes a paper feed unit 31 that feeds paper to the color printer 100 and is configured to be detachable below the color printer 100 according to the paper size used by the user.

  A paper cassette 37 for storing paper is disposed in the paper supply unit 31. The paper cassette 37 normally stores paper (recording medium) having a size different from that of the paper feed cassette 9a (see FIG. 1) provided in the main body housing of the color printer 100. The paper cassette 37 can be inserted into and pulled out of the option feeder 30 main body.

  In the sheet cassette 37, a sheet stacking plate 39 on which a plurality of sheets are stacked, a lift plate 40 for raising and lowering the sheet stacking plate 39, and a sheet feeding unit 41 are arranged. The paper feed unit 41 includes a pickup roller 43 and a paper feed roller pair 45, and separates and feeds the paper on the paper stacking plate 39. After a plurality of sheets are set on the sheet stacking plate 39, when a print command is input to the color printer 100 from a host device such as a personal computer, the lift plate 40 moves the pickup roller 43 through the sheet stacking plate 39 and the sheet. By pushing up and the weight of the paper feed unit 41 including the pickup roller 43 is added to the paper, the upper surface of the paper is pressed against the pickup roller 43 with a predetermined pressure (paper feed pressure).

  Next, the pickup roller 43 and the paper feed roller pair 45 are rotationally driven by a roller drive motor (not shown). The paper set on the paper stacking plate 39 is normally fed to the nip portion of the pair of paper feed rollers 45 by the pickup roller 43. Then, only the uppermost sheet is separated by the paper feed roller pair 45 and conveyed toward the paper conveyance path 21 (see FIG. 1) via the conveyance roller 46.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, on the upper surface of the option feeder 30, positioning pins 35 for positioning the option feeder 30 and the color printer 100 (see FIG. 1) in the horizontal direction, and control signals from the color printer 100 are sent. A connector connecting portion 51 to which a connector 50 (see FIG. 7) of the cable to be transmitted is connected is provided. Further, a contact portion 53a of the grounding member 53 (see FIG. 5) protrudes adjacent to the connector connecting portion 51.

  4 is a partially enlarged view of the vicinity of the connector connecting portion 51 in FIG. 3 (inside the broken line circle in FIG. 3), FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the ground member 53, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the ground member 53 in FIG. It is the elements on larger scale around contact part 53a. The grounding member 53 is integrally formed by bending a metal spring wire, and includes a contact portion 53a, a pair of support portions 53b, and a pair of connecting portions 53c.

  The contact portion 53a is an inverted U-shaped portion that contacts the main body frame 101 (see FIG. 7) of the color printer 100, and swings in the horizontal direction (arrow X direction in FIG. 6) when the spring wire is bent. Is possible. A contact 55 that bends in the direction of the main body frame 101 is formed in the contact portion 53a.

  The support portion 53b is a U-shaped portion supported in a recess 30a formed on the upper surface of the option feeder 30, and the swinging direction of the contact portion 53a (when the U-shaped end portions approach or separate from each other) It can be elastically deformed in the horizontal direction (arrow Z direction in FIG. 6) perpendicular to the arrow X direction in FIG. In FIG. 6, the support part 53b is formed by bending the spring wire 180 ° so that the U-shaped end portions are substantially parallel, giving priority to attachment to the recess 30a. If the bending angle is smaller than 180 °, the support portion 53b can be easily deformed in the horizontal direction (arrow Z direction). Further, a stopper 57 for fixing the grounding member 53 to the upper surface of the option feeder 30 is fitted into the recess 30a.

  One of the support portions 53b extends in an L shape along the groove portion 30b formed on the upper surface of the option feeder 30 following the recess portion 30a, and the end portion 53d is connected to the sheet metal member 52 (see FIG. 3). Yes. The sheet metal member 52 is electrically connected to the substrate 54 (see FIG. 3) and the paper cassette 37 (see FIG. 2). That is, the ground member 53 is electrically connected to the substrate 54 and the paper cassette 37 via the sheet metal member 52. The substrate 54 is a printed circuit board that controls each member and mechanism of the optional feeder 30 such as a roller drive motor, a clutch, and various sensors. The substrate 54 is connected to the color printer 100 via the connector 50 and the connector connection unit 51. Control signals are transmitted to and received from the control unit.

  The connecting portion 53c is a portion that connects the support portion 53b and the contact portion 53a, and extends obliquely upward so as to face the inside of the pair of support portions 53b and is connected to the contact portion 53a. The connecting portion 53c is bent in the vertical direction (the direction indicated by the arrow Y in FIG. 6), so that the contact portion 53a can also swing in the vertical direction. In addition, the positive / negative direction of each direction of X, Y, and Z is not ask | required here. Thus, it can be set as an inexpensive structure by using the grounding member 53 formed by bending a spring wire.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the contact portion 53 a of the grounding member 53 is disposed adjacent to the connector connecting portion 51 so as to protrude from the upper surface of the option feeder 30. Further, the upper end portion of the contact portion 53 a is at a position lower than the upper end portion of the connector connecting portion 51. With this configuration, the connector connecting portion 51 also has a function of protecting the contact portion 53a, and the contact portion 53a is not easily deformed by an external force.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the connector connecting portion 51 in a state where the color printer 100 is connected to the option feeder 30 at a regular position. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the color feeder 100 on the connector connecting portion 51 side with respect to the option feeder 30. It is sectional drawing of the connector connection part 51 vicinity in the state which shifted | deviated. 7 and 8 show cross sections viewed from the direction of the arrow AA 'in FIG.

  The color printer 100 side is overlapped by aligning positioning pins 35 (see FIG. 3) protruding on the upper surface of the option feeder 30 with positioning holes (not shown) formed on the back surface of the color printer 100. The connector 50 is connected to the connector connecting portion 51 on the option feeder 30 side, and the option feeder 30 is coupled to the lower part of the color printer 100.

  Then, the contact portion 53a of the grounding member 53 bends in the horizontal direction (the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 6), and the contact point 55 of the contact portion 53a contacts the side surface 101a of the main body frame 101 of the color printer 100 (see FIG. 7). The paper cassette 37 and the substrate 54 in the option feeder 30 and the main body frame 101 are electrically connected to each other via the ground member 53. As a result, the charge accumulated on the paper in the paper cassette 37 due to friction during paper feeding flows to the main body frame 101 through the grounding member 53, so that the defective image due to the charged paper being fed to the color printer 100. Can be prevented.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the color printer 100 is connected to or separated from the option feeder 30, the color printer 100 may be displaced from the option feeder 30 in the direction of the connector connecting portion 51 (right direction in FIG. 8). . In this case, the lower end portion 101b of the main body frame 101 overlaps the contact portion 53a. However, when the connecting portion 53c of the grounding member 53 is bent in the vertical direction (the arrow Y direction in FIG. 6), the contact portion 53a. Also swings up and down.

  Thereby, even when the color printer 100 is displaced in the direction of the connector connecting portion 51, the conduction state between the option feeder 30 and the main body frame 101 is maintained by the lower end portion 101b of the main body frame 101 and the upper end of the contact portion 53a contacting each other. Is done. Further, deformation and breakage of the ground member 53 can be prevented.

  Further, when the color printer 100 is connected to or separated from the option feeder 30 while rotating in the horizontal direction, the side surface 101a of the main body frame 101 contacts the contact portion 53a from an oblique direction. However, when the support portion 53b of the grounding member 53 bends in the horizontal direction (Z direction in FIG. 6), the contact portion 53a also elastically deforms in the Z direction in FIG. 6 following the side surface 101a of the main body frame 101.

  That is, even when the color printer 100 is displaced to the twisted position with respect to the option feeder 30, the contact portion 53a swings in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction following the displacement of the main body frame 101. Therefore, regardless of the orientation of the color printer 100 when the color printer 100 is attached to or detached from the option feeder 30, the conductive state between the main body frame 101 and the grounding member 53 can be reliably maintained.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the height (protrusion amount) of the contact portion 53a with respect to the connector connection portion 51 is adjusted, the color printer 100 main body is lifted from the state of FIG. 7 or FIG. 9, the contact state between the main body frame 101 and the contact portion 53a is maintained even when the connector 50 and the connector connection portion 51 are separated by a predetermined distance and the conduction is cut off. I have to.

  Accordingly, the electrical connection between the main body frame 101 and the substrate 54 is maintained through the grounding member 53 until the connector 50 and the connector connecting portion 51 are switched from the conductive state to the disconnected state. Therefore, even if the color printer 100 is kept on and separated from the option feeder 30, the current accumulated on the substrate 54 can be released by the ground member 53, and the substrate 54 in the option feeder 30 may be damaged. Disappears.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the color printer 100 is described as an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention to which the option feeder 30 is connected. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to the color printer 100 illustrated in FIG. And an optional feeder 30 connected to various image forming apparatuses such as a monochrome copying machine.

  The grounding structure of the present invention is not limited to the grounding between the option feeder 30 and the image forming apparatus body, but various grounding units connected to the lower side of the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus body or the vertical direction. It can be used for grounding of detachable units connected to each other.

  The present invention can be used for an image forming apparatus to which a detachable unit such as an option feeder is connected. By utilizing the present invention, the detachable unit and the image forming apparatus main body or other unit can be reliably grounded, and the unit substrate can be prevented from being damaged due to inadvertent separation, and the operability when the detachable unit is separated. Will also improve.

30 Option feeder (detachable unit)
31 Paper Feeding Unit 33 Storage Unit 39 Paper Loading Plate (Recording Medium Loading Plate)
41 Separation transport unit (separation transport mechanism)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 Connector 51 Connector connection part 53 Grounding member 53a Contact part 53b Support part 53c Connection part 54 Board | substrate 55 Contact 100 Color printer (image forming apparatus)
101 Body frame

Claims (8)

A grounding structure of a detachable unit connected to the lower part of the image forming apparatus main body or other unit,
A contact portion that is elastically deformable in a horizontal direction that contacts a frame of the image forming apparatus main body or the other unit, a support portion that is electrically connected to a substrate in the unit, and the support portion and the contact portion. A connecting portion that connects the two, and a grounding member that is integrally formed by bending a metal spring wire,
The unit grounding structure, wherein the contact portion can swing in a vertical direction by elastic deformation of the connecting portion.   The support portion can be elastically deformed in a Z direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction when a horizontal direction in which the contact portion is elastically deformed is an X direction and a vertical direction is a Y direction. The grounding structure of the unit according to 1.   The grounding member includes a pair of support portions bent in a U shape, a pair of connection portions extending obliquely upward so as to face the inside of the pair of support portions, and a pair of connection portions. The unit grounding structure according to claim 2, further comprising: a contact portion extending in an inverted U shape toward the upper side and having a contact formed to bend in a side surface direction of the frame.   A connector connecting portion connected to a connector attached to the lower surface of the image forming apparatus main body or the other unit protrudes on the upper surface of the unit, and the contact portion is the image forming apparatus main body or the other unit. The contact state with the frame is maintained until the connector and the connector connecting portion are switched from a conductive state to a disconnected state by the separating operation. Item 4. The grounding structure of the unit according to any one of Items 3 to 4.   The contact portion is disposed so as to protrude from the upper surface of the unit adjacent to the connector connection portion, and the upper end portion of the contact portion is at a position lower than the upper end portion of the connector connection portion. The unit grounding structure according to claim 4, wherein the unit is grounded.   A detachable unit comprising the grounding structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   An option feeder comprising: a recording medium stacking plate on which recording media are stacked; and a separation transport mechanism that separates the recording media stacked on the recording medium stacking plate one by one and transports them to the image forming apparatus main body, The detachable unit according to claim 6, wherein the ground member is electrically connected to the recording medium loaded on the recording medium stacking plate.   An image forming apparatus to which the detachable unit according to claim 6 is connected.

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