JP2016114637A - Image formation device and image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of components.SOLUTION: An image formation device which forms an image on a sheet and to which optional equipment is attached comprises: a body cover provided at the body of the image formation device so as to be openable and closable and having a gap between the body and itself when closed; a connection member for connecting the image formation device and the optional equipment; first fixing means for fixing one end of the connection member to the body, which is placed so as to be covered with the body cover when the body cover is closed; and second fixing means for fixing the other end of the connection member to the optional equipment. The first fixing means and the second fixing means fix the connection member to the optional equipment and the body in the state of opening the body cover, so that the optional equipment and the image formation device are fixed and, in the state of closing the body cover, the connection member passes through the gap.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a copying machine, a multifunction machine, a printer, a fax machine, and the like, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus to which an optional device can be attached and detached.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as copiers, multifunction machines, printers, and fax machines have a standard stacking tray on which sheets discharged from the apparatus main body are stacked. In addition to the standard stacking tray, as an optional device that expands functions, a sheet post-processing device that performs post-processing such as sheet sorting processing, sheet binding processing, sheet punching processing, and sheet folding processing is provided. There is. The sheet post-processing apparatus may be mounted inside or outside the apparatus main body. When the sheet post-processing apparatus is mounted outside the apparatus main body, the sheet post-processing apparatus may have a relay conveyance device for connecting the apparatus main body and the sheet post-processing apparatus. .

  When an optional device such as a sheet post-processing device or a relay conveyance device is mounted on the apparatus main body, a position for connecting the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus is required. Covered with a device cover.

  An image forming apparatus having an optional paper discharge storage device that can be selectively added later in the vicinity of the paper discharge storage device is provided with a detachable cap that covers an attachment portion of the optional paper discharge storage device. is there. An image forming apparatus has been proposed in which a sheet stopper portion that can be mounted on a discharge tray of an optional discharge storage device is formed on the cap so as to be cut off (Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the connecting device that connects the apparatus main body and the sheet post-processing apparatus is a connection that can maintain the connection between the apparatuses or can be separated from each other by the relative movement in the connecting movement direction of the first connecting portion assembled to one apparatus. Some have a coupling mechanism that forms a releasable state. A cable member that electrically connects both devices through the vicinity of one end portion of the first connecting portion, a first fixing portion, and a cable guide member are provided, and the cable guide member covers the first fixing portion. An image forming apparatus including a cover part to be hidden has been proposed (Patent Document 2).

JP 2001-134033 A JP 2012-8460 A

  According to the prior art, it is necessary to provide a special cover on a fixing member for fixing the image forming main body apparatus and the sheet post-processing apparatus (Patent Document 2).

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and it is not necessary to provide a special cover on a fixing member or the like, and an image forming apparatus that can fix an optional apparatus with a small number of parts by an image forming apparatus. An object is to provide an apparatus.

In order to achieve this object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention provides:
An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a sheet and mounting an optional device,
A main body cover provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus so as to be openable and closable, and having a gap between the main body when closed;
A connecting member for connecting the image forming apparatus and the optional device;
First fixing means for fixing one end of the connecting member to the main body, the first fixing means arranged to be covered by the main body cover when the main body cover is closed;
Second fixing means for fixing the other end of the connecting member to the optional device;
With the main body cover open, the connecting member is fixed to the option device and the main body by the first fixing means and the second fixing means, so that the option device and the image forming apparatus are Is fixed and the connecting member passes through the gap when the body cover is closed.

  According to the present invention, the first fixing means for fixing one end of the connecting member that connects the optional device and the image forming apparatus to the optional device is provided in a portion that is covered when the main body cover is closed, and the main body, the main body cover, It is configured to pass through a gap between the two. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a special cover for covering the first fixing member when the main body cover is closed, and the optional device can be fixed to the image forming apparatus with a small number of parts.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an entire image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an entire image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a sub cover and a wiring cover of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention are attached. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state before the sheet post-processing apparatus is mounted in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a connecting member for fixing the sheet post-processing apparatus is attached in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the attachment member of the sheet | seat post-processing apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the engaging part provided in the image forming apparatus of embodiment of this invention. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is a diagram showing a state where the image forming apparatus and the sheet post-processing apparatus are attached. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the sheet post-processing apparatus is not attached to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a state where the sheet post-processing apparatus is being attached to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating a state where the sheet post-processing apparatus is attached to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a connecting member for fixing the sheet post-processing apparatus is attached in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the connection member of the image forming apparatus of embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10A is a side view of the connecting member. 10 (b) and 10 (c) are perspective views of the connecting member. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a sheet post-processing apparatus is mounted and a front cover is closed in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  An embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

(Schematic configuration of the entire image forming apparatus)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a sheet feed unit 42 in two stages at the bottom, and a document reading unit 41 and an operation unit 46 at the top.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a document reading unit 41, a paper feeding unit 42, a sheet conveying unit 43, an image forming unit 44, and a fixing device 45.

  The image forming unit 44 is provided with four rotating photosensitive drums 6 that form toner images of respective colors. Around the photosensitive drum 6, a charger (not shown) for charging the photosensitive drum 6, a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 6, and the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 6 are respectively shown. A cleaner is provided for cleaning. These elements constitute a process cartridge 3, and the process cartridge 3 is detachable from the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image forming unit 44 further includes an intermediate transfer belt 7 that rotates in contact with each photosensitive drum 6. The photosensitive drum 6 is charged by a charger (not shown) and exposed by the exposure unit 2. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 6. These electrostatic latent images are developed by a developing device (not shown), and a toner image of each color is formed on the photosensitive drum 6. The developing device is appropriately supplied with toner of each color from a toner bottle 12 that contains toner corresponding to each color.

  The four primary transfer rollers 5 are provided at positions facing the photoconductive drum 6, and the primary transfer roller 5 and the photoconductive drum 6 sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 7 to sandwich the photoconductive drum 6. The upper toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7. That is, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 6 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 7 as the photosensitive drum 6 rotates. The primary transfer roller 5 is configured such that a primary transfer bias is applied from an unillustrated electrical board, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 6 is moved to the intermediate transfer belt 7 by electrostatic force.

  The sheet conveying unit 43 transfers the sheet image on the sheet S stored in the sheet feeding unit 42, the registration roller 9 that takes the timing of conveying the sheet S, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 to the sheet S. The secondary transfer roller 8 is provided. The sheets S stored in the paper supply unit 42 are sent out one by one by the paper supply roller 10, and the timing is adjusted by the registration roller 9. Thereafter, the sheet S is conveyed to a nip portion constituted by the secondary transfer roller 8 and the intermediate transfer belt 7, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 is secondarily transferred to the sheet S.

  Thereafter, the sheet S to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 45 where it is fixed by receiving heat and pressure. As a result, the toner is melted and mixed to form a print image fixed on the sheet S, and then discharged onto the discharge tray 13 by the discharge roller 18 provided downstream of the fixing unit 45.

  When reversing the fixed sheet S, the second-transferred sheet S is conveyed again to the secondary transfer unit by the reverse conveying roller 17 and then conveyed to the fixing unit 45. Then, the sheet S on which both surfaces are fixed by the fixing device 45 is discharged to the discharge tray 13 by the discharge roller 18.

(Member to be removed)
Next, the sub cover 21, the paper discharge guide 22, the paper discharge member 23, and the wiring cover 30 that are removed from the image forming apparatus 1 when the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is mounted will be described. The sheet post-processing apparatus 100 can be mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 and performs post-processing such as sheet sorting processing, sheet binding processing, sheet punching processing, and sheet folding processing as optional devices.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the sub cover 21 and the wiring cover 30 are attached.

  As shown in the figure, the sub-cover 21 is disposed in a state of being attached to the cover 20, and when the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is not attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the attachment portion 25 a (attachment means). Covering. On the other hand, the wiring cover 30 is attached to the cover 20 in a state of covering the wiring 32 that electrically connects the image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 100. The attachment portions 25 a and 25 b are members for attaching the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus 1, and are provided on the surface of the space portion 60 where the discharge port 50 is provided. The discharge tray 13 is provided on the bottom surface of the space 60.

  The paper discharge guide 22 is attached to the discharge tray 13. The paper discharge member 23 is provided so as to guide the sheet S discharged from the discharge roller 18 from the discharge port 50 to the discharge tray 13.

  The discharge tray 13 is provided in a space 60 that continues from the discharge port 50. Sheets S discharged from the discharge port 50 are stacked on the discharge tray 13.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where the wiring cover 30 and the sub cover 21 are removed and the front cover 27 (main body cover) is opened. The front cover 27 is provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 so as to be openable and closable. The front cover 27 may be detachably provided, and may be configured to close when attached and open when removed, or may be attached to the main body and rotatably provided to be openable and closable. It may be done.

  In FIG. 4, the sub-cover 21 shown in FIG. 3 is removed, and the attachment portion 25a of the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is exposed.

  When the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, it is necessary to remove the sub cover 21 and further remove the wiring cover 30 in order to make the attachment portion 25 a effective. In addition, in the present embodiment, when the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, it is also necessary to remove the paper discharge guide 22 and the paper discharge member 23. When the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 can be mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 without removing the paper discharge guide 22 or the paper discharge member 23. Is also possible.

(Installation of sheet post-processing equipment)
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is fixed to the space portion 60 of the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in the figure, in order to fix the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 to the space 60 of the image forming apparatus, first, the front cover 27 is opened. Then, the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is mounted in the space portion 60 of the image forming apparatus 1. Next, the image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 are connected by the connecting member 102.

  The sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is provided with attachment members to be described later before and after the depth direction of the image forming apparatus 1. Then, this attachment member is connected to the attachment portions 25 a and 25 b of the image forming apparatus 1. Accordingly, when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front, the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is restricted from moving in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction (horizontal direction) with respect to the image forming apparatus 1.

(Fixed by mounting member)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating attachment members 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c provided in the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 for attachment to the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in the figure, mounting members 100a, 100b, and 100c are provided on a surface 110 that faces the discharge port 50 of the image forming apparatus 1 when mounted.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the engaging portions 1a, 1b, and 1c provided in the image forming apparatus 1 with which the attachment members 100a, 100b, and 100c of the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 are engaged. As shown in the figure, the engaging portions 1a and 1b are provided on the mounting portion 25a, and the engaging portion 1c is provided on the mounting portion 25b. The attachment portions 25a and 25b are provided on the surface of the image forming apparatus 1 where the discharge port 50 is provided.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state where the image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 are attached. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a state where the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is not attached to the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a state where the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is being attached to the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1. In order to clearly show the state in which the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, only the attachment members 100a and 100b of the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 are shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C. The other members of the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 are not shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, the attachment member 100a is configured to be rotatable about the shaft 200, and an arrow in FIG. 8C is applied by an urging member (not shown). It is urged in the direction.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, when the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is pushed toward the discharge port 50 of the image forming apparatus 1, the attachment member 100b is inserted into the engagement portion 1b and the attachment member 100a is engaged with the engagement portion 1a. Inserted into. Then, a part of the attachment member 100a comes into contact with the engaging portion 1a and rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8C, when the attachment member 100a is completely inserted into the engaging portion 1a, the attachment member 100a rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Engaged with the engaging portion 1a.

  Further, as the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is pushed toward the discharge port 50 of the image forming apparatus 1, the attachment member 100c is inserted into and engaged with the engagement portion 1c provided in the attachment portion 25b.

  When the mounting members 100a, 100b, and 100c of the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 are engaged with the engaging portions 1a, 1b, and 1c of the image forming apparatus 1, the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is horizontally positioned at the positions of the mounting portions 25a and 25b. Directional movement is restricted.

  Next, in a state where the front cover 27 is opened, one end portion of the connecting member 102 is attached to the fixing portion 26 (first fixing means) provided at the lower portion of the discharge tray 13, and the other end portion is attached to the sheet post-processing apparatus 100. And fixed with screws 103 (second fixing means).

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is fixed to the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in the figure, the fixing portion 26 is configured to be covered with the front cover 27 when the front cover 27 is closed. When the front cover 27 is closed with the connecting member 102 attached, the connecting member 102 is configured to pass through the gap 28 between the front cover 27 and the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. . The sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is provided with a screw thread (not shown) that is screwed with the screw 103, and the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 and the connecting member 102 are fixed by the screw 103.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the connecting member 102. FIG. 10A is a side view of the connecting member 102. 10B and 10C are perspective views of the connecting member 102. FIG. As shown in these drawings, the leading end portion 102 a of the connecting member 102 is folded back, and is fixed to a portion in contact with the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 by the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 and the screw 103. A hole 102b is provided.

  The sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is in contact with the discharge tray 13 of the image forming apparatus 1 by its own weight, and by attaching the connecting member 102, the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is moved in the vertical direction (vertical direction) with respect to the image forming apparatus 1. Can be fixed.

  Even when the image forming apparatus 1 is moved after the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 or when an external force is applied to the sheet post-processing apparatus 100, the movement of the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is restricted. For this reason, the electrical connection between the image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 can be maintained.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing portion 26 provided at the lower portion of the discharge tray 13 is covered when the front cover 27 of the image forming apparatus 1 is closed. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 1 is disposed so as to be exposed when the front cover 27 is opened. In the present embodiment, the state where the fixing portion 26 is covered refers to a state where the fixing portion 26 is entirely covered by the front cover 27 when viewed from the front of the main body.

  And the front-end | tip part 102a in which the return | turnback of the connection member 102 was provided is comprised so that the fixing | fixed part 26 may be fitted and fixed. When the connecting member 102 is attached and the front cover 27 is closed with the front cover 27 open, the connecting member 102 is configured to pass through the gap 28 between the front cover 27 and the image forming apparatus 1. ing. Since the sheets are stacked on the upper surface portion of the discharge tray 13 when the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is not mounted, it is not preferable to provide a fixing member. In the present embodiment, the connecting member 102 can be attached without providing a special fixing means on the upper surface portion of the discharge tray 13 as described above.

  Furthermore, when the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is not attached, the front cover 27 covers the fixed portion 26, so that it is not necessary to provide a special cover.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the connecting member 102 is provided with a surface parallel to the discharge tray 13 in order to fix the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 in the vertical direction with respect to the image forming apparatus 1. Further, when the front cover 27 is closed, a surface perpendicular to the fixed portion 26 is provided so that the connecting member 102 is passed through the gap 28 between the image forming apparatus 1 and the front cover 27.

  Further, a portion parallel to the discharge tray 13 is provided at a portion where the connecting member 102 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 are fixed with screws 103. Thereby, the screw 103 can be disposed in the space between the front cover 27 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 100.

  That is, the portion of the connecting member 102 connected to the fixing portion 26 has a flat portion parallel to the surface of the discharge tray 13. A portion passing through the gap between the front cover 27 and the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 has a flat portion perpendicular to the surface of the discharge tray 13. Further, the portion of the connecting member 102 connected to the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 has a flat portion parallel to the surface of the discharge tray 13.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 and the front cover 27 is closed.

  As shown in the figure, there is an effect that the screw 103 is not exposed from the image forming apparatus 1 or the sheet post-processing apparatus 100. As described above, in order to satisfy these functions, the connecting member 102 is configured to have a crank-shaped portion.

  Further, the wiring 32 provided in the image forming apparatus 1 is electrically connected by connecting it to the sheet post-processing apparatus 100, so that power can be supplied and control signals can be communicated. As shown in FIG. 7, the wiring 32 can be covered by attaching the removed wiring cover 30.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 including the document reading unit 41 is described. However, the image forming apparatus 1 that does not include the document reading unit 41 is also effective. In addition, the optional apparatus is described by taking the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 as an example, but it is also effective when a relay conveying apparatus or the like to be mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 is connected.

  The image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 100 constitute an image forming system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 1a, 1b, 1c ... Engagement part 13 ... Discharge tray 25a, 25b ... Attachment part 26 ... Fixing part 27 ... Front cover 28 ... Gap 44 ... Image forming part 60 ... Space part 100 ... Sheet post-processing apparatus 100a, 100b, 100c ... Mounting member 102 ... Connecting member 103 ... Screw S ... Sheet

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a sheet and mounting an optional device,
A main body cover provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus so as to be openable and closable, and having a gap between the main body when closed;
A connecting member for connecting the image forming apparatus and the optional device;
First fixing means for fixing one end of the connecting member to the main body, the first fixing means arranged to be covered by the main body cover when the main body cover is closed;
Second fixing means for fixing the other end of the connecting member to the optional device;
With the main body cover open, the connecting member is fixed to the option device and the main body by the first fixing means and the second fixing means, so that the option device and the image forming apparatus are Is fixed and the connecting member passes through the gap when the main body cover is closed. An attachment unit for attaching the optional device to the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the optional device is attached to the image forming apparatus, the optional device is attached to the image forming apparatus by the attaching unit. The optional device can be attached to a space provided in the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes a tray that is provided on a bottom surface portion of the space portion and stacks the sheets on which images are formed.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first fixing unit is provided at a lower portion of the tray.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the attachment unit is capable of attaching the option device to the image forming apparatus on a surface of the space portion where a discharge port for discharging the sheet is provided. apparatus.   By fixing the connecting member to the option device and the main body by the first fixing means and the second fixing means, movement of the option device in the vertical direction is restricted with respect to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   6. The horizontal movement of the option device is restricted with respect to the image forming device by attaching the option device to the image forming device by the attaching means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.   The portion fixed by the first fixing means of the connecting member has a flat portion parallel to the surface of the tray, and the portion passing through the gap of the connecting member has a flat portion perpendicular to the surface of the tray. The portion of the connecting member fixed by the optional device and the second fixing means has a flat surface portion parallel to the surface of the tray. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optional device is a sheet post-processing device that performs post-processing on the sheet. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An image forming system comprising the optional device.

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