JP2013057798A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable fastening for preventing dropping and unfastening to be achieved at low cost and with a simple configuration and also allow the user to know when the fastening for preventing dropping is imperfect when the main body of an image forming device is mounted on an optional unit or when the device body is removed from the optional unit, without requiring operations for fastening for preventing dropping and unfastening.SOLUTION: An image formation device includes a separate base part on which a device body is mounted. The device body includes a movable grip part attached thereto and displaced between a first position that is a lower position and a second position moving upward when the device body is raised. The device body further includes a first fitting member displaced together with the movable grip part. The base part includes a second fitting member attached thereto and displaced from a retracting position to a fitting position in directions other than a vertical direction in synchronization with mounting of the device body. Both fitting members are fitted with each other by displacing the movable grip part to the first position after the device body is mounted on the base part. An operator is prevented from not noticing uncertain fitting because operation to displace a second fitting member to a fitting position by mounting the device body is separated from operation to fit both fitting members and the operation of fitting both fitting members is incomplete unless a movable grip part is moved to a first position after the device body is mounted on a base part.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus configured by mounting a main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, or a complex machine thereof on an optional device such as a paper feeding device. Is.

  In many cases, an image forming apparatus is provided with optional devices such as a paper feeding device and a reversing device. In such a case, the image forming apparatus main body is placed on and coupled to the optional device. . In such a configuration, in many cases, a plurality of positioning pins are provided in a protruding state on the upper surface of the optional device, and a positioning hole is provided in the bottom surface of the opposing image forming apparatus main body, and the pins are fitted into the holes. In some cases, the apparatus main body is prevented from falling off by using fastening means such as bolts and nuts so that the optional device and the apparatus main body are fixed to each other.

  However, for example, in a desktop type image forming apparatus, there is a tendency to leave the installation and installation to a general user, and as a result, there is a possibility that the installation procedure has an error or the fixing by the fastening means is omitted due to annoyance. It was. If fixing by fastening means is not performed, it is difficult to secure the height of the positioning pin due to the product configuration only by fitting the pin and hole. In addition to severe shaking, for example, it was conceivable that an unexpected external force was applied to the main body of the device by mistake when exchanging consumables or jamming work, causing the main body of the optional device to fall off. For this reason, proposals have been made in the past to prevent the image forming apparatus provided with optional equipment from being separated.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, the apparatus body is inclined with respect to an optional paper feed bank or moved in the horizontal direction for the purpose of automatically preventing a fall (dropping) and lifting during movement with a simple configuration. The structure which rotates with respect to a main body and engages and locks a hook-shaped member with a locking member is disclosed. Further, in Patent Document 2, in an optional device in which the apparatus main body is mounted and coupled to the upper part, a holding member that moves up and down and protrudes and protrudes from the upper surface, a spring that biases the holding member upward, and a mounting of the apparatus main body A lock member that engages with the holding member before and holds the holding member at a position that does not protrude from the upper surface, and a release button that releases the engagement of the holding member with the lock member in conjunction with the installation operation of the apparatus main body. The structure which provides the fall prevention means to be performed is disclosed.

  In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the hook-shaped member is engaged with and locked with the locking member, so that the locked state is easily removed and the apparatus main body is simply placed on the optional device. Instead, the engagement locking is realized only by tilting the apparatus main body or moving the apparatus main body in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the operation is troublesome, unstable, and lacking in certainty. In some cases, such an operation may be forgotten.

  In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2, it is easy to operate because the device body is simply placed on the optional device, but at the same time as the device body is placed on the optional device, the holding member on the option device side is the device. Since the operation of entering the recess on the bottom of the main unit is automatically executed, there is a possibility that the operator may not notice the fitting of the holding member and the recess and the fastening is not allowed. When fixing by means is not performed, the optional device and the main body of the device are simply placed on the optional device, not only severe shaking in the event of an earthquake, but also when exchanging consumables or handling jams, for example. If an unexpected external force is applied to the main body of the device by mistake, the main body of the device can easily fall off from the optional device.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to automatically prevent a drop-off without performing a drop-off fastening operation or a release operation when the image forming apparatus main body is placed on an optional device or when the apparatus main body is removed from the optional device. Fastening and releasing can be performed with a simple configuration at a low cost, and it is also possible to easily know the imperfection of fastening for preventing the dropout.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a separate base portion on which the apparatus main body is placed, and the apparatus main body moves upward when the apparatus main body is lifted with the first position that is the original lower position. A movable handle portion that is displaced with respect to the second position is attached, and a first fitting member that is displaced together with the movable handle portion is further provided on the device main body, and the base portion is interlocked with the placement of the device main body. Then, a second fitting member that is displaced from the retracted position to the fitting position in a direction other than the vertical direction is attached, and after placing the apparatus main body on the base portion, the movable handle portion is displaced to the first position. This is solved by executing the fitting operation of the first fitting member and the second fitting member.

  According to the present invention, the operation of displacing the second fitting member of the base portion to the fitting position by placing the device main body and the fitting operation of the first fitting member and the second fitting member are separated, As long as the movable handle part is not moved to the first position after the main body is placed on the base part, the fitting operation of the first fitting member and the second fitting member is not completed, and the fitting remains uncertain. It is now possible to avoid situations where workers are unaware.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus, showing a state before the apparatus main body is placed on the optional sheet feeding apparatus. 2A and 2B are perspective views of a lock unit of the image forming apparatus, in which FIG. 2A shows a holding member on the option sheet feeding device side, and FIG. 2B shows a movable handle and a lock pin. 3A and 3B are conceptual diagrams illustrating a lock unit of the image forming apparatus, in which FIG. 3A shows a state before placement, and FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows another example of a lock | rock part, FIG. 4a shows the mode before mounting, and FIG. 4b shows the mode of the fastening state after mounting.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 shows a state before the image forming apparatus main body 1 is placed on an optional paper feeding device 26 which is a basic part. The overall mechanism of the image forming apparatus is basically the same as in the prior art, and inside the apparatus main body 1 is a predetermined apparatus necessary for forming an image around the photosensitive member, for example, charging means, exposure, and the like. Means, developing means, and the like, and further provided with transfer means and fixing means for performing well-known electrophotographic image formation. The optional paper feeder 26 is provided with a paper feed tray on which a stack of paper is stacked, and is configured to be able to carry paper to the apparatus body 1 side by paper feed means such as a pickup roller. Since the configuration as described above is well known, a detailed description is omitted, and here, a portion particularly related to the present invention will be described.

  Positioning holes 23 a and 23 b are provided on the bottom surface of the apparatus main body 1 for positioning and connection with the optional sheet feeding device 26. Further, handle parts 24 and 25 for lifting and moving the apparatus main body 1 are formed at the lower part of the left side as viewed in the drawing of the apparatus main body 1. Although not shown, a handle portion is provided at a position facing the lower portion of the right side surface on the opposite side. As will be described later, at least one of these handle portions is formed so that a surface in contact with the operator's hand is movable. On the other hand, positioning pins 27 a and 27 b provided for positioning and connection with the apparatus main body 1 are provided on the upper surface of the optional sheet feeding device 26. In addition, a holding member 28 used for connection and fixation with the apparatus main body 1 is provided by projecting the upward contact protrusion from the upper surface of the optional sheet feeding device 26. FIG. 1 shows a case where the apparatus main body 1 has only one movable handle.

  As shown in FIG. 2 a, the holding member 28, which is a first fitting member provided in the housing of the optional paper feeding device 26, has a contact protrusion 29 that becomes a turning point when contacting the bottom surface of the apparatus main body 1. The pivot shafts 31 and 31 ′ are formed in a substantially concave shape including a bridging portion 32 protruding from the side surface and an opposing projection portion 33 having a fitting hole 30. A spring 34 is attached to the rotating shaft 31 to urge the holding member 28 in the direction of arrow B in the figure.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2b, a spring 35 is attached to the movable handle portion 25 provided in the concave portion on the lower side of the housing side surface of the apparatus body 1, and the direction shown by the arrow C in FIG. The handle 25 is energized. A lock pin 36 as a second fitting member is integrally formed downward on the lower surface at the same position as the spring 35. When the apparatus main body 1 is placed on the option sheet feeder 26, the option sheet feeder 26. The holding member 28 is fitted into the fitting hole 30.

  This fitting operation will be further described with reference to FIG. First, when the device main body 1 is lifted by placing a hand on the handle portion, the movable handle portion 25 is formed on the bottom surface of the device main body 1 against the elastic force of the spring 35 by receiving the weight of the device main body 1. Displaces to the bottom of the recess. At that time, the guide portion 37 provided on the upper surface of the handle portion 25 moves along a corresponding guide portion (not shown) formed on the housing side of the apparatus body 1, so that the displacement behavior of the handle portion 25 is stable. To do.

  When the apparatus main body 1 is to be placed on the optional paper feeder 26 (FIG. 3a), the pressing portion 38 formed on the bottom surface of the apparatus main body abuts on the abutting protrusion 29 of the holding member 28, and the holding member When the apparatus main body 1 is placed on the optional paper feeding device 26, the holding member 28 pushed by the pressing portion 38 rotates the fitting hole 30 toward the apparatus main body 1. Completion (Figure 3b). Thereafter, when the hand is released from the handle portion 25, the handle portion 25 is pushed back downward by the spring 35, and the lock pin 36 integrally formed with the handle portion 25 is fitted into the fitting hole 30 of the holding member 28. The main body 1 and the optional paper feeding device 26 are fixedly connected. Even if an unexpected external force is applied to the apparatus main body 1 and the apparatus main body 1 is likely to be displaced, the lock pin 36 and the fitting hole 30 are not only coupled downward by the spring 35 but also by a rotational bias by the spring 34. It cannot be easily solved.

  Even if there is no convex pressing portion 38, the lower surface of the apparatus main body 1 abuts against the abutting protrusion 29 of the holding member 28 to rotate the holding member 28, and the fitting hole 30 can be coupled to the lock pin 36. It is also possible to change the shape as follows. The relationship between the lock pin and the holding member having the corresponding hole may be reversed between the apparatus main body and the optional sheet feeding device. In addition to providing a holding member that can be displaced against the spring bias on the upper surface side of the optional paper feeder, a lock pin (lock) that can be displaced upward by receiving a load that is spring biased downward on the lower surface side. It is also conceivable to provide a member) and a movable handle. With such a configuration, when the optional sheet feeders are placed in a plurality of stages, the mutual connection is reliably stabilized.

  FIG. 4 shows another example of the present invention. The structure and behavior of the handle portion 25 and the lock pin 33 are the same as in the above example. However, when the apparatus main body 1 is to be placed on the optional paper feeding device 26, the pushing portion 38 'is placed on the inclined surface of the holding member 28'. In contact with each other, the holding member 28 'is horizontally displaced against the spring 34'. After the apparatus main body 1 is placed on the optional paper feeder 26, when the hand is released from the handle part 25, the handle part 25 is pushed back downward by the spring 35, and a lock pin 36 integrally formed with the handle part 25 is held by the holding member 28 '. The apparatus main body 1 and the optional sheet feeding device 26 are fixedly connected to each other.

  In each of the above examples, only one pair of the holding member and the lock pin exists, but it is natural that a plurality of pairs may be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 25 Movable handle part 26 Optional paper feeder 28 Holding member 29 Contact protrusion part 30 Fitting hole 35 Spring 36 Lock pin 37 Guide part 38 Push part

Japanese Patent No. 4084621 JP 2008-197412 A

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus having a separate base for mounting the apparatus main body,
A movable handle portion that is displaced between a first position, which is the original lower position, and a second position that moves upward when the device body is lifted is attached to the device body, and is displaced together with the movable handle portion. A first fitting member is further provided in the apparatus body;
A second mating member that is displaced in a direction other than the vertical direction from the retracted position to the mating position in conjunction with the mounting of the apparatus main body is attached to the base portion,
An image forming apparatus, comprising: placing the apparatus main body on a base portion; and displacing the movable handle portion to a first position to perform a fitting operation of the first fitting member and the second fitting member.   The apparatus main body is further provided with a pressing portion for contacting and displacing the second fitting member of the base portion on the lower surface, and the second fitting member is formed with a contacting portion corresponding to the pressing portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second fitting member is configured to be elastically biased and to be displaced against the biasing force when the apparatus main body is placed.   The movable handle portion is configured to be elastically biased downward to occupy a first position, and to be displaced to an upper second position when the apparatus main body is lifted. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The first fitting member is a lock pin, and the second fitting member is a holding member having a recess into which the lock pin can be inserted. Image forming apparatus.   The first fitting member is a holding member having a concave portion, and the second fitting member is a lock pin that can be inserted into the concave portion of the holding member. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second fitting member is configured to rotate against an urging force.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second fitting member is configured to be displaced in a horizontal direction against an urging force.   A movable handle portion that is displaced between a first position, which is the original lower position, and a second position that moves upward when the foundation portion is lifted is attached to the base portion, and a first displacement that is displaced together with the movable handle portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one fitting member is further provided on the base portion.   The image according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a plurality of movable handle portions and first fitting members of the apparatus main body and a plurality of second fitting members of the base portion are provided. Forming equipment.

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