JP2014149420A - Outer cover and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an outer cover which has a good appearance with or without an auxiliary cover which can be comparatively easily attached/detached without significantly changing mechanical strength, and an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: Without installing a switch unit 120(additional unit), one of the following two states is selected: a first state where an auxiliary cover 60 is fitted to a fitting part 50b so as not to expose an installation part 50a, the fitting part 50b, and a pasting part 50c; and a second state where a sheet-like member 130 is pasted to the pasting part 50c so as not to expose the fitting part 50b without fitting the auxiliary cover 60 to the fitting part 50b.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof, and an exterior cover installed therein.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, a sheet material is attached to an installation part (opening part) formed on an exterior cover for detachably connecting an expansion unit (optional device) to the image forming apparatus main body. There is known a technique for attaching a film so as to be peelable (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Specifically, in Patent Document 1, an installation portion (opening) for removably connecting an extension unit (optional device) is formed on the exterior cover of the image forming apparatus main body. Then, when using the image forming apparatus without installing an expansion unit in the image forming apparatus main body, attach a sheet material to the exterior cover so as to cover the opening so that the opening is not exposed from the exterior cover. It is done. On the other hand, when using the image forming apparatus with the expansion unit installed in the image forming apparatus main body, the sheet material is peeled off from the exterior cover so that the opening is exposed, and the exposed opening An expansion unit is installed in

On the other hand, in Patent Document 2 and the like, an auxiliary cover (blindfold member) is attached to an installation portion (opening portion) formed in an exterior cover in order to detachably connect an expansion unit (optional device) to the image forming apparatus main body. The technology to install is disclosed.
Specifically, when the image forming apparatus is used without an extension unit installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus, it is connected to the rib formed in the opening so that the opening is not exposed from the exterior cover. Install a blindfold. On the other hand, when using the image forming apparatus with the expansion unit installed in the image forming apparatus main body, the ribs are cut so that the opening is exposed, and the blindfold member is removed from the exterior cover, Install an expansion unit in the exposed opening.

  In the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1 or the like, when the sheet material is attached to the exterior cover so as to cover the opening, a difference in texture and color is caused due to a difference in material between the sheet material and the exterior cover. It did n’t look good. In addition, the mechanical strength of the portion where the sheet material is pasted has also been reduced.

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 2 and the like is provided with a blindfold member made of the same resin material or the like on the exterior cover so as to cover the opening, so that an effect that such a problem is less likely to occur is expected. it can. However, when installing the expansion unit, the ribs that were cut when opening the ribs to improve the appearance of the cover removed from the exterior cover or when the expansion unit was removed and used later There is a problem that it is troublesome to install another connecting member in place of the cover member and re-install the blindfold member in the opening.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has a good appearance and a great change in mechanical strength even when the auxiliary cover is installed on the exterior cover or when it is removed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an exterior cover and an image forming apparatus that can perform the attaching / detaching operation relatively easily without causing the occurrence of the problem.

  An exterior cover according to a first aspect of the present invention is an exterior cover installed in an image forming apparatus main body, and an installation section for detachably installing an expansion unit to the image forming apparatus main body A fitting part for detachably fitting an auxiliary cover for forming a plane along the exterior surface of the exterior cover without exposing the installation part, and the extension unit A sticking part for sticking a sheet-like member on which information related to the operation is described, and installing the auxiliary cover to the fitting part without installing the extension unit. The first state in which the fitting part and the sticking part are not exposed together with the part, and the fitting is performed by sticking the sheet-like member to the sticking part without fitting the auxiliary cover to the fitting part. No exposure of joints And state, and is formed so as to be switched.

  The present invention includes a first state in which the auxiliary cover is fitted to the fitting portion without installing the extension unit and the fitting portion and the sticking portion are not exposed together with the installation portion, and the auxiliary cover is fitted to the fitting portion. It forms so that it can switch to the 2nd state which sticks a sheet-like member to a sticking part, and does not expose a fitting part, without combining. Thereby, even if it is in a state where the auxiliary cover is installed on the exterior cover or in a state where it is removed, the appearance is good, and the attachment / detachment work is performed relatively easily without causing a great change in mechanical strength. An exterior cover and an image forming apparatus can be provided.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a schematic perspective view showing an image forming apparatus in a first state, and FIG. 3B is a schematic perspective view showing an image forming apparatus in a second state. 2 (A ′) is an enlarged view showing the state where the auxiliary cover 60 is removed in FIG. 2 (A), and FIG. 2 (B ′) shows the vicinity of the expansion unit in FIG. 2 (B). It is an enlarged view. (A) The front view which shows the exterior cover of a 1st state, (B) The front view which shows the exterior cover of a 2nd state. It is a front view which shows the exterior cover which removed the auxiliary cover from the 1st state. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the auxiliary cover from the exterior cover of the 1st state.

Embodiment.
Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

First, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus will be described.
In FIG. 1, 1 is an apparatus main body of a color copying machine as an image forming apparatus, 3 is a document conveying unit that conveys a document to a document reading unit 4, 4 is a document reading unit that reads image information of a document, and 6 is input image information. A writing unit (exposure unit) that emits laser light based on the above, 7 is a paper feeding unit (paper feeding cassette) in which a recording medium P such as transfer paper is stored, 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK are colors (yellow, magenta, Cyan, black), 17 is an intermediate transfer belt on which toner images of a plurality of colors are transferred in an overlapping manner, and 18 is a secondary that transfers a toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 17 to a recording medium P. A transfer roller 20 is a fixing unit that fixes an unfixed image on the recording medium P, and 28 is a toner container for supplying toner of each color to the developing units of the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the four image forming units 10 </ b> Y, 10 </ b> M, 10 </ b> C, and 10 </ b> BK are arranged in parallel so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 17. Further, the intermediate transfer belt 17 is configured to run in a predetermined direction (the arrow direction in FIG. 1 and the counterclockwise direction) by a drive unit (not shown).

Hereinafter, an operation during normal color image formation in the image forming apparatus will be described.
First, the document is transported from the document table by the transport rollers of the document transport unit 3 and placed on the contact glass of the document reading unit 4. Then, the document reading unit 4 optically reads the image information of the document placed on the contact glass.
Specifically, the document reading unit 4 scans an image of a document on the contact glass while irradiating light emitted from an illumination lamp. Then, the light reflected from the original is imaged on the color sensor via the mirror group and the lens. The color image information of the original is read for each color separation light of RGB (red, green, blue) by the color sensor, and then converted into an electrical image signal. Further, an image processing unit (not shown) performs color conversion processing, color correction processing, spatial frequency correction processing, and the like on the basis of RGB color separation image signals, so that yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are processed. Get color image information.

  Then, image information of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is transmitted to the writing unit 6. Then, laser light (exposure light) based on the image information of each color is irradiated from the writing unit 6 toward the photosensitive drums 11 of the corresponding image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10BK.

On the other hand, the photosensitive drums 11 of the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10B are rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is uniformly charged at a position facing the charging roller (a charging step). Thus, a charged potential is formed on the photosensitive drum 11. Thereafter, the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 11 reaches the irradiation position of each laser beam.
In the writing unit 6, laser light corresponding to the image signal is emitted from the light source corresponding to each color. Although not shown, the laser light is incident on the polygon mirror and reflected, and then passes through a plurality of lenses. The laser light after passing through the plurality of lenses passes through different optical paths for each of the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color components (this is an exposure process).

  Laser light corresponding to the yellow component is irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 of the first image forming unit 10Y from the left side of the drawing. At this time, the yellow component laser light is scanned in the rotational axis direction (main scanning direction) of the photosensitive drum 11 by a polygon mirror (not shown) that rotates at high speed. Thus, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the yellow component is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 after being charged by the charging roller.

  Similarly, the magenta component laser light is irradiated onto the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 of the second image forming unit 10M from the left side of the paper, thereby forming a magenta component electrostatic latent image. The laser beam corresponding to the cyan component is irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 of the third image forming unit 10C from the left side of the paper, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the cyan component is formed. The black component laser light is applied to the surface of the photoconductor drum 11 of the fourth image forming unit 10BK from the left side of the paper, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image of the black component.

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 on which the electrostatic latent image of each color is formed reaches a position facing the developing unit. Then, each color toner is supplied from each developing unit onto the photosensitive drum 11, and the latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 is developed (this is a developing step).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 after the development process reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 17. Here, a primary transfer roller 14 is installed at each facing position so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 17. Then, at the position of the primary transfer roller 14, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 11 are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 17 (first transfer process).

Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 after the first transfer process reaches a position facing the cleaning unit. Then, the untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 is collected by the cleaning unit (cleaning process).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 passes through the position of the static eliminating unit, and a series of image forming processes on the photosensitive drum 11 is completed.

On the other hand, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 17 on which the images of the respective colors on the photosensitive drum 11 are transferred in an overlapping manner travels in the direction of the arrow in the drawing and reaches the position of the secondary transfer roller 18. Then, the full color image on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is secondarily transferred onto the recording medium P at the position of the secondary transfer roller 18 (second transfer step).
Thereafter, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 17 reaches the position of an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit (not shown). The untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit, and a series of transfer processes on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is completed.

Here, the recording medium P at the position of the secondary transfer roller 18 is conveyed from the paper supply unit 7 via the conveyance guide, the registration roller 19 and the like.
Specifically, the recording medium P fed by the paper feeding roller 8 from the paper feeding unit 7 that stores the recording medium P is guided to the registration roller 19 (timing roller) after passing through the conveyance guide. The recording medium P that has reached the registration roller 19 is conveyed toward the position of the secondary transfer roller 18 in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 17.

Thereafter, the recording medium P on which the full-color image is transferred is guided to the fixing unit 20. In the fixing unit 20, the color image is fixed on the recording medium P at the nip between the fixing roller and the pressure roller.
The recording medium P after the fixing step is discharged as an output image outside the apparatus main body 1 by the paper discharge roller 29 and then stacked on the paper discharge unit 5 to complete a series of image forming processes.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a dew condensation prevention heater 110 and a relay unit 115 are installed in advance at a position above the paper feed unit 7. The dew condensation prevention heater 110 is for preventing the dew condensation on various parts constituting the image forming apparatus 1 and the dew condensation on the recording medium P set in the paper feeding unit 7. When used in a local office, the switch unit 120 as an expansion unit can be added to the position of the exterior cover 50 in order to prevent such condensation. As shown in FIG. 1, when the switch unit 120 is set in the image forming apparatus main body 1 (exterior cover 50), the switch unit 120 is electrically connected to the dew condensation prevention heater 110 via the relay unit 115. The switch 121 (see FIG. 2 (B ′)) of the switch unit 120 is turned on and off by the user to be installed in the power supply unit (not shown, the switch unit 120, the relay unit 115, etc.). It is possible to supply / shut off (on / off) power to the dew condensation prevention heater 110 as necessary.

Hereinafter, a characteristic exterior cover 50 in this embodiment will be described in detail.
The image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of exterior covers. 1 to 3 and the like, one of the exterior covers 50 is configured such that a switch unit 120 as an expansion unit (optional device) is detachably installed.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the exterior cover 50 is formed with a recess 50 d that is recessed with respect to the exterior surface, and an installation portion 50 a, a fitting portion 50 b, and an attaching portion 50 c are formed there. Is provided.

The installation part 50a is for detachably installing the switch unit 120 (extension unit) to the image forming apparatus main body 1, and is a plane on which the concave part 50d (adhesion part 50c is formed). ) Is a hole formed so as not to protrude from the exterior surface side of the exterior cover 50.
The fitting portion 50b (attachment portion) is for detachably fitting the auxiliary cover 60 for forming a plane along the exterior surface of the exterior cover 50 without exposing the installation portion 50a to the exterior cover 50. This is a fitting hole formed so as not to protrude from the concave portion 50d (the plane on which the sticking portion 50c is formed) to the exterior surface side of the exterior cover 50. Specifically, the fitting portion 50b is a hole portion that fits into the claw member 60a (snap fit claw) of the auxiliary cover 60, as shown in FIG.
The sticking part 50c is for sticking the sheet-like member 130 (decal) on which information relating to the operation of the switch unit 120 (extension unit) is described. A low rib surrounding the outer periphery is formed so that the position (range) can be visually recognized.

  And the exterior cover 50 in this Embodiment makes the auxiliary | assistant cover 60 fit to the fitting part 50b, without installing the switch unit 120 (expansion unit), and the fitting part 50b and sticking with the installation part 50a. The first state in which the portion 50c is not exposed (the state shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A) and the adhesive portion 50c in a sheet form without fitting the auxiliary cover 60 in the fitting portion 50b. It is formed so that it can switch between the 2nd state (it is a state of Drawing 1, Drawing 2 (B), and Drawing 3 (B)) where member 130 is stuck and fitting part 50b is not exposed. .

Specifically, referring to FIG. 5, the auxiliary cover 60 (blindfold member) has two claw members 60 a (snap fit claws) and a boss 60 b (on the periphery thereof) on the surface opposite to the exterior surface side. The ribs are radially joined to each other), and two cutout portions 60c are formed on the side surface (position close to the claw member 60a) substantially orthogonal to the exterior surface. Then, the auxiliary cover 60 is set so as to be fitted into the recess 50d with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2A ′, 3A, 4 and 5, and the claw member 60a. By being fitted and fixed to the fitting part 50b, the recessed part 50d in which the installation part 50a, the fitting part 50b, and the attaching part 50c are formed is covered (blinded) so as not to be exposed. (This is the first state.) When the auxiliary cover 60 is set in the recess 50d, the boss portion 60b enters the installation portion 50a (hole). Such a first state is the form of the image forming apparatus 1 when the user does not need to use the dew condensation prevention heater 110 and the installation of the switch unit 120 as an expansion unit is unnecessary.
In the present embodiment, the auxiliary cover 60 is formed of the same material as the exterior cover 50 (for example, a resin material) and is formed to have the same color as the exterior cover 50.

As described above, when the installation of the switch unit 120 is unnecessary, by covering the recessed portion 50d related to the installation with the auxiliary cover 60, it is possible to prevent the user from touching the recessed portion 50d and to prevent the image from being displayed. The appearance of the entire forming apparatus 1 can be improved.
In particular, in the present embodiment, the exterior cover 50 and the auxiliary cover 60 are formed of the same material and have the same color, so that the effect of improving such appearance is greatly exhibited.
Further, since the auxiliary cover 60 is made of a resin material and further has a boss portion 60b (and a rib), the mechanical strength can be sufficiently secured.
Furthermore, the attaching operation of the auxiliary cover 60 to the exterior cover 50 is simple as only the claw member 60a is fitted to the fitting portion 50b. In this embodiment, the snap fit is used as a method for fitting the auxiliary cover 60 and the fitting portion 50b. However, the fitting method is not limited to this, and for example, the fitting portion 50b is a female screw. As a portion, a method of screwing a screw into the fitting portion 50b through a hole formed in the auxiliary cover 60 can also be used.

On the other hand, when it is necessary to install the switch unit 120 as an expansion unit, the auxiliary cover 60 is removed from the exterior cover 50. Specifically, referring to FIG. 5, a simple jig (for example, a flat-blade screwdriver) is inserted from the cutout portion 60c of the auxiliary cover 60, and the claw member 60a and the fitting portion 50b are fitted. The auxiliary cover 60 can be easily removed from the exterior cover 50 by elastically deforming the claw member 60a so as to release the engagement.
And the sheet-like member 130 is affixed so that the fitting part 50b may be covered (blindfolded) with respect to the exterior cover 50 (refer FIG. 4 etc.) in the state in which the auxiliary cover 60 is not installed. The switch unit 120 (the switch 121 is installed) is fitted into the installation unit 50a and connected to the relay unit 115 (see FIG. 1) (second). Is the state.) Such a second state is a form of the image forming apparatus 1 when the user needs to use the dew condensation prevention heater 110 and the switch unit 120 as an expansion unit needs to be installed.

Here, the sheet-like member 130 (decal) describes (prints) information related to the operation of the switch unit 120. In the example shown in FIG. 2B ', the switch 121 is a dew condensation prevention heater. A description “dew condensation prevention heater” indicating that the switch 110 is turned on / off and a description “ON” and “OFF” indicating the on / off direction of the switch 121 are provided. In addition, the description content and the description method to the sheet-like member 130 are not limited to this, The thing of a various form can be used.
And in this Embodiment, since the fitting part 50b is formed in the sticking range of the sticking part 50c, by fitting the sheet-like member 130 to the sticking part 50c, the fitting part 50b Is covered with the sheet-like member 130 and is not exposed. As a result, the appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 is improved even in the second state.

The thus configured exterior cover 50 according to the present embodiment is configured as follows when it is in the state (first state) of FIGS. 2A and 3A. become.
The exterior cover 50 in the state of FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A (first state) is provided with an installation part 50a, a fitting part 50b, and a sticking part 50c. Moreover, the fitting part 50b is arrange | positioned in the position which is covered with the sheet-like member 130 when the sheet-like member 130 is stuck to the sticking part 50c, and is not exposed. Then, the auxiliary cover 60 is attached to the fitting portion 50b so that the fitting portion 50b and the sticking portion 50c are not exposed together with the installation portion 50a without installing the switch unit 120 (extension unit) and the sheet-like member 130. Are fitted.

On the other hand, the exterior cover 50 in the present embodiment is configured as follows when it is in the state (second state) of FIGS. 2B and 3B. .
The exterior cover 50 in the state shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B (second state) is provided with an installation part 50a, a fitting part 50b, and a sticking part 50c. Moreover, the fitting part 50b and the sticking part 50c are arrange | positioned in the position which is covered with the auxiliary cover 60 and is not exposed when the auxiliary cover 60 is fitted to the fitting part 50b. And the sheet-like member 130 is stuck to the sticking part 50c so that the fitting part 50b is not exposed without fitting the auxiliary cover 60 to the fitting part 50b.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the auxiliary cover 60 is fitted to the fitting portion 50b without installing the switch unit 120 (extension unit), and the fitting portion 50b and the fitting portion 50b are installed. A first state in which the sticking portion 50c is not exposed, and a second state in which the sheet-like member 130 is stuck to the sticking portion 50c without fitting the auxiliary cover 60 to the fitting portion 50b, and the fitting portion 50b is not exposed. It is formed so that it can be switched between. Thereby, even when the auxiliary cover 60 is installed or removed from the exterior cover 50, the appearance is good, and the attaching / detaching operation is relatively easily performed without causing a great change in mechanical strength. be able to.

In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the exterior cover 50 (image forming apparatus 1) in which the switch unit 120 as an expansion unit can be added, but other extension units are used. Naturally, the present invention can also be applied to the exterior cover 50 (image forming apparatus 1) installed so as to be expandable.
Even in this case, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and it is obvious that the present embodiment can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, other than suggested in the present embodiment. is there. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the present embodiment, and the number, position, shape, and the like suitable for implementing the present invention can be achieved.

1 image forming apparatus body (apparatus body),
50 exterior cover,
50a installation part, 50b fitting part,
50c sticking part, 50d concave part,
60 auxiliary cover,
60a claw member, 60b boss part, 60c notch part,
110 Condensation prevention heater,
115 relay unit,
120 switch unit (extension unit),
121 switch,
130 Sheet-like member (decal).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-167846 Japanese Patent No. 395878

Claims (7)

An exterior cover installed on the image forming apparatus main body,
An installation unit for detachably installing an expansion unit to the image forming apparatus main body;
A fitting part for detachably fitting an auxiliary cover for forming a plane along the exterior surface of the exterior cover without exposing the installation part,
An adhering portion for adhering a sheet-like member on which information related to the operation of the extension unit is described;
With
A first state in which the auxiliary cover is fitted to the fitting portion without installing the extension unit and the fitting portion and the attaching portion are not exposed together with the installation portion; and the auxiliary cover is fitted to the fitting portion. An exterior cover formed so as to be able to switch between a second state in which the sheet-like member is stuck to the sticking part and the fitting part is not exposed without being fitted into a joint part. . An exterior cover installed on the image forming apparatus main body,
An installation unit for detachably installing an expansion unit to the image forming apparatus main body;
A fitting part for detachably fitting an auxiliary cover for forming a plane along the exterior surface of the exterior cover without exposing the installation part,
An adhering portion for adhering a sheet-like member on which information related to the operation of the extension unit is described;
With
The fitting portion is disposed at a position where it is covered with the sheet-like member and not exposed when the sheet-like member is stuck to the sticking portion,
The auxiliary cover is fitted to the fitting portion so that the fitting portion and the sticking portion are not exposed together with the installation portion without installing the extension unit and the sheet-like member. Features an exterior cover. An exterior cover installed on the image forming apparatus main body,
An installation unit for detachably installing an expansion unit to the image forming apparatus main body;
A fitting part for detachably fitting an auxiliary cover for forming a plane along the exterior surface of the exterior cover without exposing the installation part,
An adhering portion for adhering a sheet-like member on which information related to the operation of the extension unit is described;
With
The fitting portion and the sticking portion are disposed at a position where they are covered with the auxiliary cover and not exposed when the auxiliary cover is fitted to the fitting portion.
The exterior cover, wherein the sheet-like member is attached to the attaching portion so that the fitting portion is not exposed without fitting the auxiliary cover to the fitting portion.   The installation part and the fitting part are formed so as not to protrude from the plane on which the sticking part is formed by being recessed with respect to the exterior surface of the exterior cover. The exterior cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:   The said auxiliary | assistant cover comprised the notch part in the side surface orthogonal to the said exterior surface of the said exterior cover, The exterior cover in any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The exterior cover according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary cover is formed of the same material as the exterior cover and has the same color as the exterior cover. .   An image forming apparatus, wherein the exterior cover according to claim 1 is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Images