JP2016188891A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that can suppress a failure of an image forming part even when a liquid is spilled from above or the front.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises first and second units 10 and 20, and a connection part 30. The connection part 30 includes a support face 300 that supports a sheet SH1 to be ejected from an image forming part 5, a first connection part 310 that is located at one end in a first direction of the support face 300 to connect the first and second units 10 and 20, and a second connection part 320 that is located at the other end in the first direction of the support face 300 to connect the first and second units 10 and 20 with the first connection part 310. The support face 300 is formed at a front end edge 300E and includes a groove part 330 that is recessed with respect to the support face 300 and extends in the first direction. A specific end that is at least one of the ends 331 and 332 in the first direction of the groove part 330 is adjacent to a first specific connection part that is at least one of the first connection part 310 and second connection part 320, and is open to the first unit 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a main body unit, an image reading unit, and a joint cover. An image forming unit is accommodated in the main body. The image reading unit is provided above the main body unit. The joint cover is provided between the main body unit and the image reading unit.

  More specifically, the joint cover has a discharge tray and two joint portions. The discharge tray supports sheets discharged in the discharge direction from the image forming unit. The joint portions are provided on the left and right sides of the discharge tray, respectively. Each joint portion extends in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction, and is connected to the left and right ends of the discharge tray. These two joint parts connect the main body part and the image reading part. A discharge port for a sheet discharged from the image forming unit is located behind the discharge tray, and a space in which the discharged sheets are stacked above the discharge tray, that is, between the left and right joints. Is formed. The front of the discharge tray is open so that the user can take out the sheets discharged to the discharge tray.

JP2013-109174A

  By the way, in the conventional image forming apparatus, liquid may spill from the upper side or the front side to the image reading unit or the joint cover, and the liquid may be transmitted to the discharge tray and spread on the upper surface of the discharge tray. In this case, the liquid may flow from the discharge tray to the sheet discharge port, and the liquid may adhere to components that are weak to the liquid, such as electrical components that constitute the image forming unit accommodated in the main body. There is a risk of damage to parts.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can suppress a failure of an image forming unit even when liquid spills from above or from the front.

An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a first unit that houses an image forming unit,
A second unit provided above the first unit;
A connecting portion provided between the first unit and the second unit,
The connecting portion is
A support surface for supporting a sheet discharged in the discharge direction from the image forming unit;
A first connection that connects the first unit and the second unit at one end of the support surface in the first direction when the vertical direction and the direction substantially orthogonal to the discharge direction are defined as the first direction. And
A second connecting part located at the other end of the support surface in the first direction and connecting the first unit and the second unit together with the first connecting part;
The support surface has a groove portion formed at a downstream end located on the downstream side in the discharge direction, recessed with respect to the support surface, and extending in the first direction,
The specific end portion that is at least one end portion in the first direction in the groove portion is adjacent to the first specific connection portion that is at least one of the first connection portion and the second connection portion, and is connected to the first unit. It is characterized by being open toward.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when liquid spills from the upper part or the front to the second unit or the connecting part and is transmitted to the support surface of the connecting part, the liquid drops in the groove part and then travels along the groove part in the first direction. Proceed and drip into the first unit from the specific end. In other words, in this image forming apparatus, the liquid can be dropped from the specific end portion into the first unit after being separated from the electrical component or the like in the first direction by the groove portion. As a result, in this image forming apparatus, it is possible to suppress the liquid from adhering to the electrical components and the like accommodated in the first unit.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, even if the liquid spills from the upper side or the front side, the failure of the image forming unit can be suppressed.

Another image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a first unit that houses an image forming unit,
An upper surface cover having at least a part of an upper surface of the first unit and having a support surface for supporting a sheet discharged from the image forming unit in a discharge direction;
The first unit is located downstream of the support surface in the discharge direction, and includes a closed position that constitutes a part of the exterior surface of the first unit, and an open position that opens the interior of the first unit. An opening and closing cover that can be displaced between,
A first support part that is located at one end of the first direction in the image forming part and supports the image forming part, when the first direction is a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction and the discharge direction;
A second support part that is located at the other end in the first direction of the image forming part and supports the image forming part,
The support surface is formed at a downstream end located downstream of the discharge direction, and has a groove that is recessed with respect to the support surface and extends in the first direction.
The specific end that is at least one end in the first direction in the groove is opened toward at least one of the first support and the second support adjacent to the specific end,
The upper edge of the opening / closing cover is opposed to the downstream end portion of the support surface from the downstream side in the discharge direction and overlaps the groove portion from above with the opening / closing cover in the closed position. It is characterized by.

  In another image forming apparatus of the present invention, when liquid spills from the upper side or the front side onto the support surface of the upper surface cover or the opening / closing cover and enters the gap between the downstream end of the support surface and the upper edge of the opening / closing cover, the liquid After dropping in the groove, it proceeds in the first direction and hangs down from the specific end into the first unit. In other words, in this image forming apparatus, the liquid can be dropped from the specific end portion into the first unit after being separated from the electrical component or the like in the first direction by the groove portion. As a result, in this image forming apparatus, it is possible to suppress the liquid from adhering to the electrical components and the like accommodated in the first unit.

  Therefore, even in the case of another image forming apparatus of the present invention, even if liquid spills from the upper side or the front side, failure of the image forming unit can be suppressed.

1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a schematic front view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the 1st unit from which the opening / closing cover etc. were removed, and a connection part. It is a perspective view which mainly shows the 3rd connection part and 4th connection part of a 1st unit. It is a perspective view of a connection part. It is a perspective view of the 2nd unit. It is a fragmentary perspective view which mainly shows the downstream end part and groove part of a support surface. It is a fragmentary perspective view which mainly shows the recessed part of a 3rd connection part and a 4th connection part. (A) is a partial top view which mainly shows the downstream edge part of a support surface, a groove part, and a dent part, (b) is a typical fragmentary sectional view which shows the AA cross section of (a). It is a perspective view of the MX unit which can be attached to a 1st unit instead of a 2nd unit and a connection part.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Example)
As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment is an example of a specific aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine capable of executing a plurality of processes such as an image reading process in addition to an image forming process. In FIG. 1, the operation panel 280 side of the image forming apparatus 1 is defined as the front side of the apparatus, and the left side toward the operation panel 280 is defined as the left side, and the front, rear, left, and right directions are displayed. The directions shown in FIG. 2 and subsequent figures are all displayed in correspondence with the directions shown in FIG. The specific configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described below with reference to FIG.

<Overall configuration>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a first unit 10, a second unit 20, and a joint cover 30. The joint cover 30 is an example of the “connecting portion” in the present invention. The joint cover 30 is also an example of the “top cover” in the present invention.

  The second unit 20 is provided above the first unit 10. The joint cover 30 is provided between the first unit 10 and the second unit 20.

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the first unit 10 includes a first frame 110 and a second frame 120. The first frame 110 is an example of the “third connecting portion” in the present invention. The second frame 120 is an example of the “fourth connecting portion” in the present invention. The first frame 110 and the second frame 120 are an example of the “second specific connecting portion” in the present invention. The first frame 110 is an example of the “first support portion” in the present invention. The second frame 120 is an example of the “second support portion” in the present invention.

  The first frame 110 is a resin molded product that is located on the left side of the first unit 10 and extends in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction. The second frame 120 is a resin molded product that is located on the right side of the first unit 10 and extends in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction. The first frame 110 and the second frame 120 face each other with an interval.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the upper end of the first frame 110 and the upper end of the second frame 120 are connected by a connecting member 181 extending in the left-right direction. The lower end of the first frame 110 and the lower end of the second frame 120 are connected by two connecting members 182 and 183 extending in the left-right direction. The first frame 110, the second frame 120, the connection members 181, 182, 183, and the like constitute an internal frame of the first unit 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first unit 10 accommodates a supply cassette 9, an image forming unit 5, a driving unit M1, a control board C1, and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the supply cassette 9 is located between the lower end of the first frame 110 and the lower end of the second frame 120 and is detachable from the first frame 110 and the second frame 120. Is retained. The supply cassette 9 accommodates a sheet before an image is formed by the image forming unit 5.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 5 is located between the first frame 110 and the second frame 120 and above the supply cassette 9, and the internal frames such as the first frame 110 and the second frame 120. Is held in. As the image forming unit 5, various types such as an ink jet method and a laser method can be used. In this embodiment, a laser type is used as the image forming unit 5. Although not shown, the image forming unit 5 includes electrical components such as a well-known photosensitive drum, charger, exposure unit, and fixing unit disposed along a predetermined conveyance path.

  Although not shown, the image forming unit 5 has a known sheet conveying mechanism. The sheet transport mechanism transports the sheet stored in the supply cassette 9 along a predetermined transport path, and then discharges the sheet SH1 in the discharge direction D1, as shown in FIG. An image is formed on the sheet SH1 while it is being conveyed along the conveyance path.

  In this embodiment, the discharge direction D1 is a direction from the rear surface to the front surface of the image forming apparatus 1. The downstream side in the discharge direction D <b> 1 is the front side of the image forming apparatus 1.

  In the present embodiment, the first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction and the discharge direction D1 is the left-right direction. One end in the first direction is the left end, and the other end in the first direction is the right end.

  The driving unit M1 and the control board C1 are held by the first frame 110. As shown in FIG. 4, the left side surface of the first frame 110 is recessed rightward, and the drive unit M1 and the control board C1 are accommodated therein.

  The drive unit M1 includes a motor, a transmission gear, and the like, and drives a plurality of conveyance rollers that constitute the sheet conveyance mechanism. The control board C1 controls the image forming unit 5 and the driving unit M1, and performs an image forming process for conveying the sheet stored in the supply cassette 9 and forming an image on the sheet. Further, the control board C1 controls a reading unit 3 and a conveyance unit 4 described later to perform image reading processing.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first unit 10 has an opening / closing cover 160. The opening / closing cover 160 is supported by the first frame 110 and the second frame 120 so as to be swingable about the swing axis X160. The swing axis X160 extends in the left-right direction in the vicinity of the lower end edge 160D of the opening / closing cover 160.

  The open / close cover 160 is displaceable between a closed position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1 and an open position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. When the opening / closing cover 160 is in the closed position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1, the opening / closing cover 160 extends upward from the lower end edge 160 </ b> D and then bends backward to reach the upper end edge 160 </ b> E. Part of 10F. The front surface 10F of the first unit 10 is an example of the “exterior surface of the first unit” in the present invention. On the other hand, in the state where the opening / closing cover 160 is in the open position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the upper end edge 160E is displaced forward and downward to open the inside of the first unit 10 to the image forming unit 5 and the like. Maintenance work is possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the second unit 20 is a well-known reading unit that reads an image of a document, so that the description is simplified. However, the second unit 20 is located above the reading main body 200 and the reading main body 200. The opening / closing part 260 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a platen glass 209 is provided on the upper surface of the reading main body 200. An upper surface of the platen glass 209 is a document support surface 209A that supports a document such as a sheet or a book.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the opening / closing part 260 is attached to the reading main body 200 so as to be swingable around a swing axis X260 extending in the left-right direction by a hinge (not shown) disposed at the rear end of the reading main body 200. It is supported. The open / close section 260 covers the document support surface 209A from above in the closed state shown in FIGS. Although not shown, the opening / closing portion 260 swings around the swing axis X260 so that the front end portion thereof is displaced upward and backward, thereby exposing the document support surface 209A. As a result, the user can support the document to be read on the document support surface 209A.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing unit 260 accommodates the transport unit 4. The transport unit 4 transports the sheet-like document SH2 one by one along a predetermined transport path P1.

  The reading unit 3 is accommodated in the reading main body unit 200. The reading unit 3 includes a reading sensor 3S and a scanning mechanism (not shown). The reading sensor 3S faces the platen glass 209 from below. As the reading sensor 3S, a known image reading sensor such as a contact image sensor (CIS: Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used.

  When reading an image of an original document supported on the original document support surface 209A, the control substrate C1 controls the reading sensor 3S and a scanning mechanism (not shown) to reciprocate the reading sensor 3S in the left-right direction below the platen glass 209. Thus, the reading sensor 3S moves in the left-right direction (sub-scanning direction) while reading a part of the image of the document in a line shape that is long in the front-rear direction (main scanning direction), and reads the entire image of the document.

  When reading the image of the sheet-like document SH2 conveyed to the conveying unit 4, the control board C1 controls a scanning mechanism (not shown) and stops the reading sensor 3S at a preset stationary reading position. Then, the control substrate C1 controls the reading sensor 3S and the conveyance unit 4, and the reading sensor 3S reads an image of the document SH2 that is conveyed by the conveyance unit 4 and passes above the reading sensor 3S stopped at the stationary reading position.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front end portion of the reading main body 200 protrudes forward from the opening / closing portion 260, and an operation panel 280 is provided on the upper surface of the protruding portion. The operation panel 280 is a user interface that displays the operating state and settings of the image forming apparatus 1 and receives input from the user.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the joint cover 30 is assembled to the first frame 110 and the second frame 120 from above to constitute the upper surface of the first unit 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the joint cover 30 includes a support surface 300, a first connection part 310, a second connection part 320, and a rear wall part 380. The first connecting part 310 is located at the left end of the support surface 300 of the joint cover 30. The second connection part 320 is located at the right end of the support surface 300 of the joint cover 30. The 1st connection part 310 and the 2nd connection part 320 are examples of the "1st specific connection part" of this invention. The rear wall portion 380 is located on the rear side of the support surface 300 in the joint cover 30. The rear wall portion 380 extends in the left-right direction and is connected to the rear end portion of the first connection portion 310 and the rear end portion of the second connection portion 320.

  The support surface 300 is connected to the lower end portion of the first connecting portion 310, the lower end portion of the second connecting portion 320, and the lower end portion of the rear wall portion 380. That is, the support surface 300 is surrounded by the first connecting portion 310, the second connecting portion 320, and the rear wall portion 380 from the left side, the right side, and the rear side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the rear end edge 300 </ b> D of the support surface 300 is located below the discharge port 380 </ b> H provided on the front surface of the rear wall portion 380. The support surface 300 rises forward from the rear edge 300D and then extends forward in a substantially horizontal manner to reach the front edge 300E. The front end edge 300E of the support surface 300 is an example of the “downstream end located on the downstream side in the discharge direction on the support surface” of the present invention. The discharge port 380 </ b> H communicates with a space in which the image forming unit 5 is accommodated, and is an opening through which a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 5 is discharged to the support surface 300.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front edge 300 </ b> E of the support surface 300 is located behind the front surface 10 </ b> F of the first unit 10. The upper end edge 160E of the opening / closing cover 160 faces the front end edge 300E of the support surface 300 from the front of the apparatus, that is, from the downstream side in the discharge direction D1, in a state where the opening / closing cover 160 is in the closed position shown by a solid line in FIG. ing.

  The support surface 300 supports the sheet SH1 discharged from the image forming unit 5 in the discharge direction D1. Further, in a state where the opening / closing cover 160 is in the closed position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1, the flat surface 161 including the upper end edge 160 </ b> E of the opening / closing cover 160 extends substantially horizontally and constitutes a plane that is continuous with the support surface 300. . Accordingly, the flat surface 161 of the opening / closing cover 160 also supports the sheet SH <b> 1 discharged from the image forming unit 5 in the discharge direction D <b> 1 together with the support surface 300.

  As shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, the 1st connection part 310 and the 2nd connection part 320 are located between the 1st unit 10 and the 2nd unit 20, and have connected both.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, a first fitting portion 315 is formed at the front end portion of the lower end portion of the first connecting portion 310. The first fitting portion 315 has a substantially cylindrical shape and protrudes downward from the lower end portion of the first connecting portion 310. A first connecting portion 316 is formed at the rear end portion of the lower end portion of the first connecting portion 310. The first connection portion 316 has a substantially prismatic shape and protrudes downward from the lower end portion of the first connection portion 310. The first connecting portion 316 is formed with an insertion hole 316H penetrating in the vertical direction.

  Similarly, a second fitting portion 325 is formed at the front end portion of the lower end portion of the second connecting portion 320. The second fitting portion 325 has a substantially cylindrical shape and protrudes downward from the lower end portion of the second connecting portion 320. A second connection portion 326 is formed at the rear end portion of the lower end portion of the second connecting portion 320. The second connection part 326 has a substantially prismatic shape, and protrudes downward from the lower end part of the second connection part 320. An insertion hole 326H is formed in the second connection portion 326 so as to penetrate in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a first convex portion 115 is formed at the front end portion of the upper end portion of the first frame 110. The first convex portion 115 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and protrudes upward from the upper end portion of the first frame 110. A first pedestal 116 is formed at the rear end portion of the upper end portion of the first frame 110. The first pedestal 116 is a substantially rectangular flat surface. The first pedestal 116 is recessed with a screw hole 116H.

  Similarly, a second convex portion 125 is formed at the front end portion of the upper end portion of the second frame 120. The second convex portion 125 is substantially cylindrical and protrudes upward from the upper end portion of the two frames 120. A second pedestal 126 is formed at the rear end portion of the upper end portion of the second frame 120. The second pedestal 126 is a substantially rectangular flat surface. A screw hole 126H is recessed in the second pedestal 126 downward.

  The first frame 110 shown in FIG. 4 is opposed to the first connecting portion 310 of the joint cover 30 shown in FIG. 5 from below. Similarly, the second frame 120 shown in FIG. 4 is opposed to the second connecting portion 320 of the joint cover 30 shown in FIG. 5 from below.

  Next, the first fitting portion 315 of the first connecting portion 310 shown in FIG. 5 and the first convex portion 115 of the first frame 110 shown in FIG. 4 are fitted. Similarly, the 2nd fitting part 325 of the 2nd connection part 320 shown in FIG. 5 and the 2nd convex part 125 of the 2nd flame | frame 120 shown in FIG. 4 are fitted. The first connecting portion 316 of the first connecting portion 310 shown in FIG. 5 is brought into contact with the first base 116 of the first frame 110 shown in FIG. Similarly, the second connecting portion 326 of the second connecting portion 320 shown in FIG. 5 is brought into contact with the second base 126 of the second frame 120 shown in FIG.

  Then, the set screw B1 shown in FIG. 5 is inserted from above into the insertion hole 316H of the first connection portion 316 shown in FIG. 5, and further screwed into the screw hole 116H of the first base 116 shown in FIG. The set screw B2 shown in FIG. 5 is inserted from above into the insertion hole 326H of the second connection portion 326 shown in FIG. 5, and further screwed into the screw hole 126H of the second base 126 shown in FIG. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the joint cover 30 is connected to the first frame 110 and the second frame 120 of the first unit 10. In addition, after fitting the 1st fitting part 315 and the 1st convex part 115, you may comprise so that it may fix with a screw | thread. Similarly, the second fitting portion 325 and the second convex portion 125 may be fitted and then fixed with screws.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a first joint portion 210 is formed at the left end portion of the bottom wall portion 200 </ b> D of the reading main body portion 200. A second joint 220 is formed at the right end of the bottom wall 200D of the reading main body 200.

  In the first joint portion 210, two first positioning convex portions 217 and three first claw portions 218 are formed side by side in the front-rear direction. Each first positioning convex portion 217 has a substantially columnar shape, and projects downward from the bottom wall portion 200D. Each first claw portion 218 is located further to the left than the first positioning convex portion 217, and protrudes downward from the bottom wall portion 200D. A lower end portion of each first claw portion 218 has a key claw shape.

  Two second positioning protrusions 227 and three second claw portions 228 are formed side by side in the front-rear direction on the second joint 220. Each of the second positioning convex portions 227 has a substantially cylindrical shape and protrudes downward from the bottom wall portion 200D. Each 2nd nail | claw part 228 is located in the further right side rather than the 2nd positioning convex part 227, and protrudes downward from bottom wall part 200D. The lower end portion of each second claw portion 228 has a key claw shape.

  As shown in FIG. 3, two first positioning holes 317 and three first receiving portions 318 are formed in the upper end portion of the first connecting portion 310 side by side in the front-rear direction. Each first positioning hole 317 and each first receiving portion 318 are recessed downward from the upper end portion of the first connecting portion 310. Two second positioning holes 327 and three second receiving portions 328 are formed in the upper end portion of the second connecting portion 320 side by side in the front-rear direction. Each second positioning hole 327 and each second receiving portion 328 are recessed downward from the upper end portion of the second connecting portion 320.

  Each first positioning convex portion 217 of the first joint portion 210 shown in FIG. 6 is inserted into each first positioning hole 317 of the first connecting portion 310 shown in FIG. Similarly, each second positioning convex portion 227 of the second joint portion 220 shown in FIG. 6 is inserted into each second positioning hole 327 of the second connecting portion 320 shown in FIG. Moreover, each 1st nail | claw part 218 of the 1st junction part 210 shown in FIG. 6 is engaged with each 1st receiving part 318 of the 1st connection part 310 shown in FIG. Similarly, each 2nd nail | claw part 228 of the 2nd junction part 220 shown in FIG. 6 is engaged with each 2nd receiving part 328 of the 2nd connection part 320 shown in FIG. Thus, the joint cover 30 and the bottom wall portion 200D of the reading main body portion 200 are connected. In addition, after engaging each 1st nail | claw part 218 and each 1st receiving part 318, you may comprise so that it may fix with a screw | thread. Similarly, after each 2nd nail | claw part 228 and each 2nd receiving part 328 are engaged, you may comprise so that it may fix with a screw | thread.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support surface 300 of the joint cover 30, the right side surface 312 of the first connection part 310, the left side surface 321 of the second connection part 320, the bottom wall part 200 </ b> D of the reading main body part 200, A discharge space A1 from which the sheet SH1 is discharged is defined by the flat surface 161 of the opening / closing cover 160. The discharge space A1 is opened in front of the image reading apparatus 1. The user can insert a hand into the discharge space A1 from the front of the image reading apparatus 1 and take out the sheet SH1 supported by the support surface 300.

<Configuration of groove and recess>
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 7, and 9, the joint cover 30 has a groove 330, a first communication hole 331H, and a second communication hole 332H. As shown in FIGS. 4, 8, and 9, the first frame 110 has a first recess 131. The second frame 120 has a second recess 132.

  The first dent 131 and the second dent 132 are examples of the “dent” in the present invention. The first communication hole 331H, the second communication hole 332H, the first dent portion 131, and the second dent portion 132 are examples of the “guide portion that guides the liquid accumulated in the groove portion downward from the specific end portion” of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the groove 330 is formed at the front edge 300 </ b> E of the support surface 300. The groove 330 is formed along the front edge 300E, is recessed with respect to the support surface 300, and extends in the left-right direction.

  More specifically, the groove 330 has a rear wall 330R, a bottom wall 330B, and a front wall 330F. The rear wall 330R extends downward from the front edge 300E of the support surface 300 and extends in the left-right direction. The bottom wall 330B is connected to the lower end edge of the rear wall 330R, extends forward, and extends in the left-right direction. The front wall 330F is connected to the front edge of the bottom wall 330B, extends upward, and extends in the left-right direction. The upper end edge of the front wall 330F extends in the left-right direction at a position lower than the front end edge 300E of the support surface 300.

  The front surface of the rear wall 330R and the rear surface of the front wall 330F constitute the inner surface of the groove 330. The upper surface of the bottom wall 330B constitutes the bottom surface of the groove 330. That is, a recess extending in the left-right direction is formed by these surfaces. The left end portion of the groove portion 330 is a first end portion 331. A right end portion of the groove portion 330 is a second end portion 332. The first end 331 and the second end 332 are an example of the “specific end” in the present invention.

  The first end 331 is adjacent to the right side surface 312 of the first connecting part 310. A first communication hole 331H is formed at a position adjacent to the right side surface 312 of the first connecting portion 310 in the first end portion 331 so as to penetrate in the vertical direction. The first end 331 is opened toward the first unit 10 through the first communication hole 331H.

  The second end 332 is adjacent to the left side 321 of the second connecting part 320. A second communication hole 332H is formed at a position adjacent to the left side surface 321 of the second connection portion 320 in the second end portion 332 so as to penetrate in the vertical direction. The second end 332 is opened toward the first unit 10 by the second communication hole 332H.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a first inclined surface 331 </ b> S and a second inclined surface 332 </ b> S are formed on the bottom surface of the groove 330. The first inclined surface 331S and the second inclined surface 332S are examples of the “inclined surface” in the present invention.

  The first inclined surface 331 </ b> S is inclined downward from the central portion 330 </ b> C in the left-right direction in the groove portion 330 toward the first end portion 331. The width of the first inclined surface 331 </ b> S in the front-rear direction becomes narrower toward the first end 331.

  The second inclined surface 332S is inclined downward from the central portion 330C in the left-right direction of the groove portion 330 toward the second end portion 332. The width of the second inclined surface 332 </ b> S in the front-rear direction becomes narrower toward the second end 332. The central portion 330C may be located in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the groove portion 330 or may be set at a position shifted in the left-right direction with respect to the middle. That is, the length of the first inclined surface 331S and the length of the second inclined surface 332S do not have to be the same.

  7 and 9A, the upper and lower edges 160E of the opening and closing cover 160 are in front of the front edge 300E of the support surface 300 in a state where the opening and closing cover 160 is in the closed position. And overlaps with the groove 330 from above.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a rib 331 </ b> R is formed at the front end portion of the upper end portion of the first frame 110. The rib 331R protrudes upward and surrounds the first convex portion 115 from the left side, the right side, and the rear side. The first recessed portion 131 is a portion that is partitioned by the rib 331R and recessed downward. The first recess 131 extends rearward with respect to the first protrusion 115, further bends rightward, and reaches the rear end 131D. In addition, the first recess 131 extends toward the front surface 110E of the first frame 110 and reaches the front end 131E. The front end 131E of the first recess 131 is open.

  A rib 332 </ b> R is formed at the front end portion of the upper end portion of the second frame 120. The rib 332R protrudes upward and surrounds the second convex portion 125 from the left side, the right side, and the rear side. The second recessed portion 132 is a portion that is partitioned by the rib 332R and recessed downward. The second recess 132 extends rearward with respect to the second protrusion 125, bends leftward, and reaches the rear end 132D. Further, the second recess 132 extends toward the front surface 120E of the second frame 120 and reaches the front end 132E. The front end 132E of the second recess 132 is open.

  The front surface portion 110E of the first frame 110 and the front surface portion 120E of the second frame 120 are examples of the “end portion on the downstream side in the discharge direction in the second specific connecting portion” of the present invention. The front end 131E of the first recess 131 and the front end 132E of the second recess 132 are examples of the “end on the downstream side in the discharge direction in the recess” of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the rear end 131D of the first recess 131 faces the first end 331 and the first communication hole 331H of the groove 330 from below. The rear end portion 132D of the second dent portion 132 faces the second end portion 332 of the groove portion 330 and the second communication hole 332H from below.

<MX unit mounting configuration>
The image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment can attach the MX unit 70 shown in FIG. 10 to the first unit 10 instead of the second unit 20 and the joint cover 30 shown in FIG. Although not shown, when the MX unit 70 is attached to the first unit 10, it is necessary to attach a cover member having the same role as the support surface 300 in the joint cover 30 to the upper part of the first unit 10.

  The MX unit 70 sorts and discharges each part to a plurality of discharge trays 701 to 704 when the image forming apparatus 1 prints a plurality of copies. The MX unit 70 includes a first leg 715, a second leg 725, a first holding member 716, and a second holding member 726.

  The first leg 715 and the second leg 725 are part of a metal member that constitutes the internal frame of the MX unit 70.

  The first leg portion 715 is protruded downward from the left end portion of the bottom surface of the MX unit 70. At the lower end of the first leg 715, a notch 715C is formed so as to be recessed upward.

  The second leg portion 725 is protruded downward from the right end portion of the bottom surface of the MX unit 70. A cutout portion 725 </ b> C is formed at the lower end portion of the second leg portion 725 so as to be recessed upward.

  The first holding member 716 and the second holding member 726 are formed by punching and bending a metal plate material.

  The first holding member 716 has a contact portion 716A and an extending portion 716B. The contact portion 716A extends in a plate shape in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. The extending portion 716B is connected to the right end edge of the abutting portion 716A and extends downward. An insertion hole 716H is formed in the contact portion 716A so as to penetrate in the vertical direction. A holding hole 716J is formed in the connecting portion between the contact portion 716A and the extending portion 716B so as to penetrate in the vertical direction. A projecting portion 716 </ b> C formed by bending a small piece leftward is formed at the lower end portion of the extending portion 716 </ b> B.

  The second holding member 726 has a contact portion 726A and an extending portion 726B. The abutting portion 726A extends in a plate shape in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. The extending portion 726B is connected to the left end edge of the abutting portion 726A and extends downward. An insertion hole 726H is formed in the contact portion 726A so as to penetrate in the vertical direction. A holding hole 726J is formed in the connecting portion between the contact portion 726A and the extending portion 726B so as to penetrate in the vertical direction. A projecting portion 726 </ b> C formed by bending a small piece to the right is formed at the lower end portion of the extending portion 726 </ b> B.

  The contact portion 716A of the first holding member 716 shown in FIG. 10 is brought into contact with the first base 116 of the first frame 110 shown in FIG. The abutting portion 726A of the second holding member 726 shown in FIG. 10 is brought into contact with the second pedestal 126 of the second frame 120 shown in FIG. Then, the set screw B71 shown in FIG. 10 is inserted from above into the insertion hole 716H of the contact portion 716A shown in FIG. 10, and further screwed into the screw hole 116H of the first base 116 shown in FIG. The set screw B72 shown in FIG. 10 is inserted from above into the insertion hole 726H of the contact portion 726A shown in FIG. 10, and is further screwed into the screw hole 126H of the second base 126 shown in FIG. As a result, the first holding member 716 is fixed to the first frame 110 and the second holding member 726 is fixed to the second frame 120.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the first leg 715 of the MX unit 70 is inserted into the holding hole 716 </ b> J of the first holding member 716, and the notch 715 </ b> C of the first leg 715 is inserted into the first holding member 716. Engage with the protrusion 716C. The second leg portion 725 of the MX unit 70 is inserted into the holding hole 726J of the second holding member 726, and the notch portion 725C of the second leg portion 725 is engaged with the protruding portion 726C of the second holding member 726. Further, the MX unit 70 is restricted from being separated upward from the first unit 10 by a restriction means (not shown). In this way, the MX unit 70 is connected to the first frame 110 and the second frame 120 of the first unit 10.

  That is, the first pedestal 116 of the first frame 110 and the second pedestal 126 of the second frame 120 are used for attaching the joint cover 30 to the first unit 10, and the MX unit 70 is attached to the first unit 10. Also used for mounting.

<Effect>
In the image forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment, liquid may spill into the second unit 20 or the joint cover 30 from above or from the front. In this case, if the liquid is transmitted to the support surface 300 of the joint cover 30 or the flat surface 161 of the opening / closing cover 160, the liquid may enter the gap between the front edge 300E of the supporting surface 300 and the upper edge 160E of the opening / closing cover 160. . Then, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the liquid enters the groove portion 330 and can keep the liquid in the groove portion 330. Therefore, the liquid can be prevented from entering the image forming apparatus 1 from the support surface 300. When the amount of liquid transmitted to the support surface 300 is large, the liquid travels in the left-right direction along the first inclined surface 331 </ b> S and the second inclined surface 332 </ b> S formed on the bottom surface of the groove 330. At this time, the liquid accumulated in the groove 330 is preferably guided toward the first end 331 and the second end 332 by the first inclined surface 331S and the second inclined surface 332S.

  Then, the liquid guided to the first end portion 331 adjacent to the first connection portion 310 in the groove portion 330 hangs down into the first unit 10 via the first communication hole 331H, and is formed in the first frame 110. It is received by the rear end portion 131 </ b> D of the first recess 131 and accumulates in the first recess 131. Further, the liquid guided to the second end portion 332 adjacent to the second connection portion 320 in the groove portion 330 hangs down into the first unit 10 via the second communication hole 332H, and is formed in the second frame 120. It is received by the rear end portion 132 </ b> D of the second dent portion 132 and collected in the second dent portion 132. As a result, the liquid flowing out from the inside of the groove 330 can be retained also in the first dent 131 and the second dent 132. Therefore, the liquid can be prevented from entering the image forming apparatus 1 from the support surface 300.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, since the first recess 131 extends toward the front surface portion 110E of the first frame 110, the liquid accumulated in the first recess 131 is The first frame 110 is guided toward the front surface portion 110 </ b> E, is hung from the open front end 131 </ b> E of the first recess portion 131, and is guided to the bottom portion of the first unit 10. In addition, since the second recess 132 extends toward the front surface 120E of the second frame 120, the liquid accumulated in the second recess 132 is guided toward the front surface 120E of the second frame 120. Then, it hangs down from the open front end 132E of the second recess 132 and is guided to the bottom of the first unit 10. Accordingly, the liquid that cannot be accommodated by the first dent 131 and the second dent 132 flows toward the bottom of the first unit 10 without flowing into the image forming apparatus 1.

  In short, in this image forming apparatus 1, the liquid that enters the gap between the front edge 300E of the support surface 300 and the upper edge 160E of the opening / closing cover 160 is received by the groove 330 and inclined surfaces 331S and 332S that are inclined in the left-right direction, respectively. To move left and right. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the liquid from adhering to the electrical components and the like by guiding the liquid in the direction away from the electrical components including the photosensitive drum and the charger constituting the image forming unit 5. The liquid flowing into the groove 330 is guided into the first unit 10 from the first end 331 and the second end 332 of the groove 330 and guided to the bottom of the first unit 10. As a result, in this image forming apparatus 1, it is possible to effectively suppress the liquid from adhering to the electrical components and the like constituting the image forming unit 5 accommodated in the first unit 10.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment, even if the liquid spills from the upper side or the front side, the failure of the image forming unit 5 can be suppressed.

  While the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be appropriately modified and applied without departing from the spirit thereof.

  For example, a configuration in which the second unit 20 is removed from the image forming apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1 and the upper ends of the first connecting portion 310 and the second connecting portion 310 of the joint cover 30 are changed to flat exterior surfaces is also included in the present invention. included. Moreover, in the said Example, although the groove part 330 was comprised so that the upper end edge 160E of the opening-and-closing cover 160 might cover from the top, the structure which a part or all of the groove part 330 exposes may be sufficient.

  The present invention can be used for an image forming apparatus or a multifunction peripheral.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 5 ... Image forming part, 10 ... 1st unit, 20 ... 2nd unit 30 ... Connection part (joint cover), 30 ... Top cover (joint cover)
SH1 ... sheet, 300 ... support surface, D1 ... discharge direction 310 ... first connecting portion, 320 ... second connecting portion, 310, 320 ... first specific connecting portion 300E ... downstream end (front edge) of the supporting surface, 330: Groove 331: First end, 332: Second end, 331, 332: Specific end 331S, 332S ... Inclined surface (331S: First inclined surface, 332S: Second inclined surface)
330C: central portion in the first direction (left-right direction) in the groove portion 110 ... third connection portion (first frame), 120 ... fourth connection portion (second frame)
110 ... 1st support part (1st frame), 120 ... 2nd support part (2nd frame)
110, 120 ... 2nd specific connection part 131, 132 ... recessed part (131 ... 1st recessed part, 132 ... 2nd recessed part)
110E, 120E: Ends on the downstream side in the discharge direction of the second specific connecting portion (110E: front portion of the first frame, 120E: front portion of the second frame)
131E, 132E ... the downstream end of the recess in the discharge direction (131E ... the front end of the first recess, 132E ... the front end of the second recess)
10F ... Exterior surface of the first unit (front)
160 ... Opening / closing cover, 160E ... Upper end edge of opening / closing cover 331H ... First communication hole, 332H ... Second communication hole 331H, 332H, 131, 132 ... Guide section

Claims (11)

A first unit for accommodating an image forming unit;
A second unit provided above the first unit;
A connecting portion provided between the first unit and the second unit,
The connecting portion is
A support surface for supporting a sheet discharged in the discharge direction from the image forming unit;
A first connection that connects the first unit and the second unit at one end of the support surface in the first direction when the vertical direction and the direction substantially orthogonal to the discharge direction are defined as the first direction. And
A second connecting part located at the other end of the support surface in the first direction and connecting the first unit and the second unit together with the first connecting part;
The support surface has a groove portion formed at a downstream end located on the downstream side in the discharge direction, recessed with respect to the support surface, and extending in the first direction,
The specific end portion that is at least one end portion in the first direction in the groove portion is adjacent to the first specific connection portion that is at least one of the first connection portion and the second connection portion, and is connected to the first unit. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is opened.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the groove portion has an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the specific end portion. The specific end is a first end located at one end of the groove in the first direction, and a second end located at the other end of the groove in the first direction,
The inclined surface includes a first inclined surface inclined downward from the central portion in the first direction toward the first end portion in the groove portion, and a second inclined portion from the central portion in the first direction in the groove portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second inclined surface that is inclined downward. The first unit includes a third connecting portion facing the first connecting portion from below,
A fourth connecting portion facing the second connecting portion from below;
It is at least one of the third connection part and the fourth connection part, and is provided in a second specific connection part that faces the first specific connection part from below, and from the lower side to the specific end of the groove part. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an opposing recess. The specific end is a first end located at one end of the groove in the first direction, and a second end located at the other end of the groove in the first direction,
The first specific connection part is the first connection part and the second connection part,
The second specific connecting part is the third connecting part and the fourth connecting part,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recessed portion is formed in the third connecting portion and the fourth connecting portion.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the concave portion extends toward an end portion of the second specific connecting portion on the downstream side in the discharge direction.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an end portion of the recessed portion on the downstream side in the discharge direction is opened. The first unit is located downstream of the support surface in the discharge direction, and includes a closed position that constitutes a part of the exterior surface of the first unit, and an open position that opens the interior of the first unit. It has an open / close cover that can be displaced between
The upper edge of the opening / closing cover is opposed to the downstream end portion of the support surface from the downstream side in the discharge direction and overlaps the groove portion from above with the opening / closing cover in the closed position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a guide portion that is provided in at least one of the connection portion and the first unit and guides the liquid accumulated in the groove portion downward from the specific end portion. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second unit is a reading unit that reads an image of a document. A first unit for accommodating an image forming unit;
An upper surface cover having at least a part of an upper surface of the first unit and having a support surface for supporting a sheet discharged from the image forming unit in a discharge direction;
The first unit is located downstream of the support surface in the discharge direction, and includes a closed position that constitutes a part of the exterior surface of the first unit, and an open position that opens the interior of the first unit. An opening and closing cover that can be displaced between,
A first support part that is located at one end of the first direction in the image forming part and supports the image forming part, when the first direction is a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction and the discharge direction;
A second support part that is located at the other end in the first direction of the image forming part and supports the image forming part,
The support surface is formed at a downstream end located downstream of the discharge direction, and has a groove that is recessed with respect to the support surface and extends in the first direction.
The specific end that is at least one end in the first direction in the groove is opened toward at least one of the first support and the second support adjacent to the specific end,
The upper edge of the opening / closing cover is opposed to the downstream end portion of the support surface from the downstream side in the discharge direction and overlaps the groove portion from above with the opening / closing cover in the closed position. An image forming apparatus.

Images