JP2022124237A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce its size while ensuring the rigidity of an apparatus body.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises: a left frame 21; a right frame 22 arranged at an interval in the left-and-right direction from the left frame 21; and a first sheet metal member 60 fixed to the left frame 21 and the right frame 22. The first sheet metal member 60 has a body part 61 extending in the left-and-right direction, a left extension part 62 extending downward from a left end in the left-and-right direction of the body part 61 and fixed to a front face of the left frame 21, and a right extension part 63 extending downward from a right end in the left-and-right direction of the body part 61 and fixed to a front face of the right frame 22. The left frame 21 has a step part 21a formed in the fore-and-aft direction on the front face and extending along the vertical direction, and the left frame 21 has a bent part 62a bent frontward along the shape of the step part 21a and corresponding to the step part 21a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, an example of a housing provided with a left side wall and a right side wall opposed to each other with a gap in the left-right direction, and a reinforcing portion constructed over the left side wall and the right side wall. An image forming apparatus having a main body casing is known. The reinforcement portion has a first bridge portion extending in the left-right direction and having an L-shaped cross section, which is laid between the front upper end portions of the left side wall and the right side wall. The left and right ends of the first bridging portion are fixed to the left and right side walls, respectively, which are generally L-shaped in a side view and which are formed by the upper front edge portions and the upper front edge front edge portions.

JP 2014-63076 A

Further miniaturization is demanded in the image forming apparatus as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200012. When downsizing the main body casing in accordance with the downsizing of the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to reduce the number of reinforcing members that reinforce the main body casing and to change the shape of the reinforcing members according to the shape of the main body casing. It's coming. However, if, for example, the shape and size of the first bridging portion that reinforces the front side of the main body casing are changed as the main body casing is downsized, it becomes difficult to ensure the rigidity of the main body casing.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can be made compact while ensuring the rigidity of the apparatus body.

An image forming apparatus that solves the above problems has the following features.

That is, the image forming apparatus includes a first frame, a second frame spaced apart from the first frame in a first direction, and a sheet metal member fixed to the first frame and the second frame. and the sheet metal member includes a main body extending in the first direction, and a first frame extending downward from one end of the main body in the first direction and perpendicular to the first direction of the first frame in the horizontal direction. a one-side extending portion fixed to a surface on one end side in two directions; and a fixed other-side extending portion, wherein the first frame has a stepped portion formed in the second direction on a surface on the one end side in the second direction and extending in the vertical direction, The one-side extending portion has a bent portion that is bent to one side in the second direction along the shape of the stepped portion and corresponds to the stepped portion.

Thus, since the one-side extending portion has the bent portion that is bent to one side in the second direction, the rigidity of the one-side extending portion can be ensured. As a result, the rigidity of the sheet metal member can be secured, so that the size of the device can be reduced while ensuring the rigidity of the device main body.

Also, the image forming apparatus includes a first cam movably supported by the first frame and a second cam movably supported by the second frame, wherein the first frame The second frame has a first cam hole for inserting the first cam on the surface on one end side in the direction, and the second frame has a second cam hole for inserting the second cam on the surface on the one end side in the second direction. A cam hole is provided, the lower end of the one-side extending portion is located below the first cam hole, and the lower end of the other-side extending portion is located below the second cam hole.

As a result, the rigidity of the portion of the first frame where the first cam hole is formed is ensured by the one-side extension portion, and the rigidity of the portion of the second frame where the second cam hole is formed is ensured by the other-side extension portion. can be ensured.

Further, the other-side extending portion is arranged at a position not overlapping with the second cam hole when viewed from the second direction, and the one-side extending portion is disposed at a position not overlapping with the second cam hole when viewed from the second direction. It is placed in a position that does not overlap with

Further, the first frame has a bearing portion for supporting a shaft portion of a paper feeding roller that conveys the paper, and the lower end of the one-side extending portion corresponding to the first frame is positioned above the bearing portion. Located in

In addition, below the one-side extending portion of the surface of the one end side in the second direction of the first frame and from the other-side extending portion of the surface of the one end side in the second direction of the second frame A vertically extending rib is formed on at least one of the lower sides of the two.

By forming the rib below the extension in this way, it is possible to secure the rigidity of the portion of the frame where the extension is not arranged.

At least one of the one-side extending portion and the other-side extending portion has a bead that bulges in the second direction.

By forming the bead on the extension in this manner, the rigidity of the extension can be ensured.

Further, the width dimension of the one-side extension portion in the first direction is smaller than the width dimension of the other-side extension portion.

As a result, the dimension in the width direction of the first frame can be reduced.

a power supply unit disposed between the first frame and the second frame and having a power supply board on which power supply components are mounted; and a cover covering the power supply board,
The cover is screwed to one of the first frame and the second frame in the axial direction of the bearing portion.

In this manner, since the bearing portion is screwed to one of the first frame and the second frame in the axial direction, the rigidity of the device main body can be ensured.

a power supply unit disposed between the first frame and the second frame and having a power supply board on which power supply components are mounted; and a cover covering the power supply board,
The cover is screwed to both the first frame and the second frame in the axial direction of the bearing portion.

In this manner, since the bearing portion is screwed to both the first frame and the second frame in the axial direction, the rigidity of the device body can be further ensured.

Further, the cover has a first cover and a second cover, and an interposed member is arranged between one of the first frame and the second frame and the first cover and the second cover. The first cover is screwed to one of the first frame and the second frame together with the intermediate member, and the second cover is screwed together with the intermediate member to the first left frame and the second frame. It is screwed to one side of the frame.

In this manner, the first cover and the second cover are screwed to the frame through the common interposition member, so the number of parts can be reduced.

A lower end of the one-side extending portion and a lower end of the other-side extending portion are arranged at positions overlapping the cover when viewed from the second direction.

In this way, by arranging the lower ends of the one-side extending portion and the lower ends of the other-side extending portions so as to overlap the cover, the rigidity of the device body can be ensured.

Further, the image forming apparatus includes a gear train for driving the driven member, and the first frame supports the gear train.

As a result, for example, it is difficult to reduce the size of the gear train in the front-rear direction. It is possible to ensure the strength of the sheet metal member while maintaining the

According to the present invention, miniaturization can be achieved while ensuring the rigidity of the apparatus main body.

1 is a central sectional view showing an image forming apparatus; FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the main body of the image forming apparatus; FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus; FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the main body of the image forming apparatus; It is a perspective view which shows a 1st sheet-metal member. It is a front view which shows a 1st sheet-metal member. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the power supply unit showing a state where the left end portion of the upper cover is attached to the left frame; FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the power supply unit showing a state where the right end portion of the upper cover is attached to the right frame; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 7; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where the paper feed unit is attached to the left frame; FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a positioning convex portion and a fixing boss portion of the left frame in FIG. 10; 1 is a front view of an image forming apparatus; FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 12; FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 12; FIG.

Next, a mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus]
An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and includes an apparatus main body 2 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a top cover 4 arranged at the upper end portion of the apparatus main body 2 . It has The apparatus main body 2 includes a left frame 21 as an example of a first frame and a right frame 22 as an example of a second frame (which are arranged with a predetermined interval in the left-right direction, which is an example of the first direction of the present invention). (See FIG. 2).

In the following description, with the image forming apparatus 1 placed horizontally as a reference, the right side of FIG. 1 is referred to as the "front side" and the left side of FIG. 1 is referred to as the "rear side". In addition, when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front side, the left and right directions are referred to as "left side" and "right side", respectively. That is, the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 1 is the left side, and the back side of the paper surface is the right side. In the image forming apparatus 1, the vertically downward direction is defined as "lower side", and the vertically upward direction is defined as "upper side".

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a plurality of (four) process cartridges 6 arranged in parallel with each other in the front-rear direction in the apparatus main body 2, and each part (for example, a driving source such as a motor) in the image forming apparatus 1. and an LED unit 12 as an example of an exposure member.

The process cartridge 6 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body 2 with the top cover 4 arranged at the open position. The process cartridge 6 also includes a photosensitive drum 7 and a developing roller 8 as an example of a photosensitive member.

The photosensitive drum 7 is formed in a cylindrical shape whose longitudinal direction is the left-right direction, and is rotatable around its central axis.

The developing roller 8 extends in the left-right direction and contacts the photosensitive drum 7 from the upper front side.

Further, the process cartridge 6 contains toner, which is an example of a developer, above the developing roller 8 .

The LED unit 12 is supported on the lower surface of the top cover 4 so as to face the upper side of the photosensitive drum 7 .

The toner in the process cartridge 6 is positively triboelectrically charged and carried on the surface of the developing roller 8 as a thin layer with a constant thickness.

On the other hand, the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is uniformly charged by a charger (not shown) and then exposed by the LED unit 12 based on predetermined image data. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 based on the image data. A toner image (developer image) is carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 by supplying the toner carried by the developing roller 8 to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 .

The power supply unit 9 is configured as, for example, a low-voltage power supply unit, and is positioned above the rear side of the paper feed tray 13 in the apparatus main body 2 . The power supply unit 9 is arranged between the left frame 21 and the right frame 22 and supported by the left frame 21 and the right frame 22 .

The paper P is accommodated in a paper feed tray 13 provided at the bottom of the apparatus main body 2, and is transported by various rollers such as the paper feed roller 5 so as to make a U-turn to the rear and upper side, and is picked up at a predetermined timing. Sheets of paper are fed between the photosensitive drum 7 and the conveying belt 14 . After that, the sheet P is conveyed from the front side to the rear side by the conveying belt 14 so as to sequentially face all the photosensitive drums 7 . At this time, the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred onto the paper P by the transfer bias of the transfer roller 15 arranged opposite to the photosensitive drum 7 with the conveying belt 14 interposed therebetween.

The paper P is heated and pressurized when passing between the heating roller 16 and the pressure roller 17 which are rotationally driven by the driving force. As a result, the toner image is thermally fixed on the paper P. As shown in FIG.

After that, the paper P is conveyed so as to make a U-turn forward and upward, and is discharged to a paper discharge tray 18 provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 2 .

[Device body]
As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body 2 is constructed between a left frame 21, a right frame 22 arranged to face the left frame 21 with a gap in the left-right direction, and between the left frame 21 and the right frame 22. and a reinforcing portion 50 to be applied.

(left frame)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the left frame 21 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape extending in the front-rear direction and having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the side. The front-rear direction is an example of a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the horizontal direction. The left frame 21 includes a step portion 21a, a drive unit 23, a first cam hole 24, a bearing portion 25 that supports the shaft portion 5a of the paper feed roller 5 that conveys the paper P, and ribs 26. .

The stepped portion 21a is formed in the front-rear direction on the front surface of the left frame 21 and extends along the vertical direction to substantially the center portion of the left frame 21 in the vertical direction. The front surface is an example of a surface on the one end side in the second direction. The driving unit 23 is configured to input a driving force to the four photosensitive drums 7. The driving cam 23a, which is an example of a first cam and extends in the front-rear direction, and the driving cam 23a, drive the photosensitive drums 7 and the like. A gear train 23b (see FIG. 3), which is an example of a drive input member for inputting a drive force to the drive member, and a compression spring (not shown) for biasing the drive cam 23a forward are provided.

The drive cam 23a is supported by the drive unit 23 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The first cam hole 24 is a through hole that is provided in the front surface of the left frame 21 at substantially the center in the vertical direction, and through which the front end of the drive cam 23a is inserted. The rib 26 extends vertically and is formed below the left extending portion 62 (see FIG. 4). The gear train 23 b is supported on the left side surface of the left frame 21 .

In this embodiment, the rib 26 is formed below the left extending portion 62, but the rib may also be formed below the right extending portion 63, for example.

(right frame)
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the right frame 22 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape extending in the front-rear direction and having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the side. The right frame 22 includes a second cam 27 extending in the front-rear direction and a second cam hole 28 (see FIG. 4). The second cam 27 is supported by the right frame 22 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The second cam hole 28 is a through hole that is provided substantially in the center of the front surface of the right frame 22 in the vertical direction, and through which the front end of the second cam 27 is inserted.

(reinforcement part)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the reinforcing portion 50 includes a first sheet metal member 60 that spans between the upper end portion of the front end portion of the left frame 21 and the upper end portion of the front end portion of the right frame 22; 21 and the upper end of the rear end of the right frame 22; a front lower end member 80 bridged between the lower end of the left frame 21 and a rear lower end member 81 bridged between the lower end of the rear end of the left frame 21 and the lower end of the rear end of the right frame 22; A pipe member 90 is provided between the middle portion of the front end of the frame 21 in the vertical direction and the middle portion of the front end of the right frame 22 in the vertical direction.

The first sheet metal member 60, the second sheet metal member 70, the front lower end member 80, and the rear lower end member 81 are located at respective ends of the left frame 21 and the right frame 22, which are spaced apart in the left-right direction, that is, It is provided so as to connect the four corners in a side view.

Each of the first sheet metal member 60 and the second sheet metal member 70 is a sheet metal member fixed to the left frame 21 and the right frame 22, and is made of metal such as stainless steel. The first sheet metal member 60 and the second sheet metal member 70 are formed to have a substantially L-shaped cross section extending in the left-right direction.

A left end portion of the first sheet metal member 60 is fixed to a substantially L-shaped portion in a side view, which is formed by the upper end portion of the front edge and the front end portion of the upper edge of the left frame 21 . A right end portion of the first sheet metal member 60 is fixed to a substantially L-shaped portion in a side view, which consists of the upper end portion of the front edge and the front end portion of the upper edge of the right frame 22 .

The first sheet metal member 60 includes a main body portion 61 extending in the left-right direction, and one end portion (left end portion) of the main body portion 61 in the left-right direction extending downward, and the surface of the left frame 21 on the one end side in the front-rear direction (in this embodiment, The left extension portion 62 is a one-side extension portion fixed to the front surface of the right frame 22, and the other end portion (right end portion) of the main body portion 61 in the left-right direction. It has a right extending portion 63 which is the other side extending portion fixed to (the front surface in this embodiment), and an upper left mounting portion 64 and an upper right mounting portion 65 extending rearward from both left and right ends. .

The main body portion 61 is a substantially rectangular portion extending left and right when viewed from the front. The body portion 61 has a rear edge portion 61a extending rearward from the upper end portion in the left-right direction (see FIG. 5). The main body portion 61 has the rear edge portion 61a, so that the bending rigidity of the main body portion 61 can be increased.

The left extending portion 62 is a portion corresponding to the left frame 21, and is formed so as to extend to substantially the center portion in the vertical direction of the front surface of the left frame 21 (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the left extending portion 62 is bent forward along the shape of the stepped portion 21a, and includes a bent portion 62a corresponding to the stepped portion 21a, a notch portion 62b, and a lower end portion. It has a screwing portion 62c for screwing to the front surface of the left frame 21, an upper insertion hole 62d, and a lower insertion hole 62e. The lower end of the left extending portion 62 is located below the first cam hole 24 of the left frame 21 .

The bent portion 62a is formed to have a substantially U-shaped cross section along the shape of the stepped portion 21a. The left extending portion 62 is arranged at a position that does not overlap the first cam hole 24 when viewed in the front-rear direction. The lower end of the left extending portion 62 is located above the bearing portion 25 of the left frame 21 . The notch portion 62b is a portion formed by notching the lower right edge portion of the left extending portion 62 so as not to interfere with the driving cam 23a projecting from the first cam hole 24 on the front surface of the left frame 21. be. The width dimension of the left extension portion 62 in the left-right direction is smaller than the width dimension of the right extension portion 63 .

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state where the paper feed unit 10 is attached to the left frame 21. As shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the positioning convex portion 21e and the fixing boss portion 21f of the left frame 21 in FIG.
The paper feed unit 10 is provided at a position sandwiched between the paper feed tray 13 and the process cartridge 6 in the vertical direction in the apparatus main body 2 . The paper feed unit 10 includes various rollers (pickup rollers, transport rollers) such as the paper feed roller 5 described above, and a unit frame 11 that supports these rollers. The unit frame 11 has a positioning hole 11 a for positioning the paper feed unit 10 on the left frame 21 , and a positioning hole 11 a for positioning the paper feed unit 10 on the left frame 21 . It has a screwing portion 11b for fixing.

As shown in FIG. 11, the front portion of the left frame 21 is provided with a positioning convex portion 21e and a fixing boss portion 21f arranged vertically above the bearing portion 25 of the left frame 21. As shown in FIG. The positioning protrusion 21e is formed to protrude forward. The positioning protrusions 21e are inserted into the positioning holes 11a of the unit frame 11 to position the paper feed unit 10 between the paper feed tray 13 and the process cartridge 6 in the apparatus main body 2 . The fixing boss portion 21f is formed to protrude forward. The fixing boss portion 21f is a screwing boss for screwing the screwing portion 11b of the unit frame 11 . The screwing portion 11b is fixed to the fixing boss portion 21f by a screw member.

The upper insertion hole 62d is provided at a position corresponding to the positioning protrusion 21e and is a hole through which the positioning protrusion 21e is inserted. The upper insertion hole 62d is an escape hole for avoiding interference with the positioning protrusion 21e.

The lower insertion hole 62e is provided at a position corresponding to the fixing boss portion 21f, and is a hole through which the fixing boss portion 21f is inserted. The lower insertion hole 62e is an escape hole for avoiding interference with the fixing boss portion 21f.

In this manner, the left extending portion 62 of the first sheet metal member 60 is provided with the upper insertion hole 62d serving as an escape hole for the positioning protrusion 21e and the lower insertion hole 62e serving as an escape hole for the fixing boss portion 21f. Since the longitudinal length of the apparatus main body 2 can be shortened, the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

The upper left mounting portion 64 and the upper right mounting portion 65 are fixed to the front end portions of the upper surfaces of the left frame 21 and the right frame 22 by screwing.

The right extending portion 63 is a portion corresponding to the right frame 22 and is formed so as to extend to a substantially central portion in the vertical direction of the front surface of the right frame 22 . The right extending portion 63 is formed to extend downward from the left extending portion 62 . The right end portion of the right extending portion 63 and the right end portion of the main body portion 61 are formed so as to be linearly continuous. The right extending portion 63 has a notch portion 63a, a bead 63b that protrudes in the front-rear direction (forward direction in this embodiment), and a screwing portion 63c for screwing to the front surface of the right frame 22 at the lower end. , an upper insertion hole 63d and a lower insertion hole 63e. The lower end of the right extending portion 63 is positioned below the second cam hole 28 of the right frame 22 .

The right extending portion 63 is arranged at a position that does not overlap the second cam hole 28 when viewed in the front-rear direction. The cutout portion 63a is formed by cutting out the vertical middle portion of the right edge portion of the right extending portion 63 so as not to interfere with the second cam 27 protruding from the second cam hole 28 on the front surface of the right frame 22. It is the part that was made. The bead 63b extends linearly in the vertical direction and is formed adjacent to the right side of the notch 63a.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 12. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 13 , a front frame 30 extending in the left-right direction is arranged inside the front portion of the housing cover 1 a that covers the outer peripheral surface of the image forming apparatus 1 . The front frame 30 is disposed at one end (right side) in the left-right direction, and has a vertical plate-shaped locking claw portion 30a formed to protrude rearward, and a locking claw portion 30a for fixing the front frame 30 to the right frame 22. and a screwing portion 30b.

As shown in FIG. 13, the front portion of the right frame 22 is provided with a frame locking hole 22e and a fixing boss portion 22f arranged vertically. The frame locking hole 22e is a rectangular hole extending vertically. The frame locking hole 22e is a hole in which the front end (rear end) of the locking claw portion 30a of the front frame 30 is locked. The fixing boss portion 22f is formed to protrude forward. The fixing boss portion 22f is a screwing boss for screwing the screwing portion 30b of the front frame 30. As shown in FIG. A screwing portion 30b is fixed to the fixing boss portion 22f by a screw member.

As shown in FIG. 14, the upper insertion hole 63d is provided on the right extending portion 63 on the right side of the bead 63b. The upper insertion hole 63d is a vertically extending rectangular hole formed slightly larger than the frame locking hole 22e. The upper insertion hole 63d is provided at a position corresponding to the frame locking hole 22e, and is a hole through which the locking claw portion 30a is inserted. The upper insertion hole 63d is a clearance hole provided so as not to interfere with the locking claw portion 30a locked to the frame locking hole 22e.

The lower insertion hole 63e is provided at a position corresponding to the fixing boss portion 22f, and is a hole through which the fixing boss portion 22f is inserted. The lower insertion hole 63e is an escape hole for avoiding interference with the fixing boss portion 22f.

In this manner, the right extending portion 63 of the first sheet metal member 60 is provided with the upper insertion hole 63d serving as an escape hole for the locking claw portion 30a and the lower insertion hole 63e serving as an escape hole for the fixing boss portion 22f. Therefore, the length of the image forming apparatus 1 in the front-rear direction can be shortened, so that the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the bead 63b is formed on the right extending portion 63, but the bead may be formed on the left extending portion 62, for example.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the lower ends of the left extending portion 62 and the lower ends of the right extending portion 63 are arranged at positions overlapping the lower cover 92 and the upper cover 93 when viewed in the front-rear direction.

[Power supply unit]
As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply unit 9 includes a power board 91 on which power supply components (not shown) are mounted, a lower cover 92 covering the lower side of the power board 91, and an upper cover 93 covering the upper side of the power board 91. and interposed members 94 and 95 (see FIGS. 7 to 9). The power supply board 91 is arranged with the mounting surface 91 a of the power supply component facing upward, and is supported by the lower cover 92 . The lower cover 92 and the upper cover 93 can be made of sheet metal members, for example. The lower cover 92 and the upper cover 93 are examples of covers of the present invention. The lower cover 92 and the upper cover 93 are members having a fire prevention function.

The lower cover 92 supports the power supply substrate 91 and includes a lower surface cover portion 92 a that covers the lower side of the power supply substrate 91 and a rear surface cover portion 92 b that covers the rear surface of the power supply substrate 91 . The upper cover 93 includes a first cover portion 93 a that covers the front of the power supply board 91 and a second cover portion 93 b that covers the rear of the power supply board 91 .
The lower cover 92 and the upper cover 93 are connected to each other, and the power board 91 is entirely covered with the lower cover 92 and the upper cover 93 in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction.

The power supply board 91, the lower cover 92, and the upper cover 93 each extend in the left-right direction. ). The left frame 21 side end of the lower surface cover portion 92a of the lower cover 92 is supported by a support portion 21d formed on the left frame 21 (see FIG. 9).

The interposed members 94 and 95 are members formed in a frame shape along the cross-sectional shape of the power supply unit 9, and have long holes 94a and 95a extending in the front-rear direction, respectively. The interposed members 94 and 95 are integrally formed of resin, for example.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the interposed member 94 has an external shape substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the left ends of the lower cover 92 and the upper cover 93 . The interposition member 94 is arranged between the left frame 21 and the left end portions of the first cover portion 93a and the second cover portion 93b. The long hole 94 a faces the right side surface of the left frame 21 . The elongated hole 94 a faces the opening 21 b of the left frame 21 at its front end, and faces the honeycomb opening 21 c of the left frame 21 at its rear end. A lower end portion of the elongated hole 94 a is formed so as to be flush with the mounting surface 91 a of the power supply substrate 91 .

As shown in FIG. 8 , the interposed member 95 has an external shape substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the right end portions of the lower cover 92 and the upper cover 93 . The interposed member 95 is arranged between the right frame 22 and the right end portions of the first cover portion 93a and the second cover portion 93b. The long hole 95 a faces the left side surface of the right frame 22 . The elongated hole 95 a faces the opening 22 b of the right frame 22 at its front end, and faces the vertical grid opening 22 c of the right frame 22 at its rear end. A lower end portion of the elongated hole 95 a is formed so as to be flush with the mounting surface 91 a of the power supply substrate 91 .

A connecting piece 93c is formed in the first cover portion 93a by bending downward the end portion of the first cover portion 93a on the left frame 21 side. The connecting piece 93c is screwed to the left frame 21 in the axial direction of the bearing portion 25 together with the front end portion of the interposed member 94 by a screw member.

A connecting piece 93d is formed on the second cover portion 93b by bending downward the end portion of the second cover portion 93b on the left frame 21 side. The connecting piece 93d is screwed to the left frame 21 in the axial direction of the bearing portion 25 together with the rear end portion of the interposed member 94 by a screw member.

A connecting piece 93f is formed in the first cover portion 93a by bending downward the end portion of the first cover portion 93a on the right frame 22 side. The connecting piece 93f is screwed to the right frame 22 in the axial direction of the bearing portion 25 together with the front end portion of the interposed member 95 by a screw member.

A connecting piece 93g is formed on the second cover portion 93b by bending downward the end portion of the second cover portion 93b on the right frame 22 side. The connecting piece 93g is screwed to the right frame 22 in the axial direction of the bearing portion 25 together with the rear end portion of the interposed member 95 by a screw member.

In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a so-called electrophotographic image forming apparatus is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a so-called inkjet image forming apparatus. may apply.

[Effects of this embodiment]
In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured as described above.
In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 includes the left frame 21, the right frame 22 arranged with a gap in the left-right direction from the left frame 21, and the first sheet metal member 60 fixed to the left frame 21 and the right frame 22. The first sheet metal member 60 includes a main body portion 61 extending in the left-right direction, a left extension portion 62 extending downward from the left end portion of the main body portion 61 in the left-right direction and fixed to the front surface of the left frame 21, and a main body and a right extending portion 63 that extends downward from the right end portion in the left-right direction of the portion 61 and is fixed to the front surface of the right frame 22. The left frame 21 is formed on the front surface in the front-rear direction and extends in the vertical direction. The left frame 21 is bent forward along the shape of the stepped portion 21a and has a bent portion 62a corresponding to the stepped portion 21a.

Since the left extension 62 has the bent portion 62a that is bent forward, the rigidity of the left extension 62 can be ensured. As a result, the rigidity of the first sheet metal member 60 can be secured, so that the size of the device can be reduced while ensuring the rigidity of the device main body 2 .

The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a driving cam 23a, which is a first cam movably supported by the left frame 21, and a second cam 27 movably supported by the right frame 22. The left frame 21 is The right frame 22 has a first cam hole 24 for inserting the left frame 21 in its front surface, and a second cam hole 28 for inserting a second cam 27 in its front surface. Positioned below the first cam hole 24 , the lower end of the right frame 22 is positioned below the second cam hole 28 .

As a result, the left extending portion 62 secures the rigidity of the portion of the left frame 21 where the first cam hole 24 is formed, and the right extending portion 63 secures the portion of the right frame 22 where the second cam hole 28 is formed. of rigidity can be ensured.

In addition, the left frame 21 has a bearing portion 25 that supports the shaft portion 5a of the paper feed roller 5 that conveys the paper P, and the lower end of the left extension portion 62 corresponding to the left frame 21 is positioned further than the bearing portion 25. located above.

A vertically extending rib 26 is formed below the left extending portion 62 on the front surface of the left frame 21 .

By forming the rib 26 in this way, it is possible to secure the rigidity of the portion of the left frame 21 where the left extension portion 62 is not arranged.

Further, the right extending portion 63 has a bead 63b that protrudes forward.

By forming the bead 63b on the right extending portion 63 in this manner, the rigidity of the right extending portion 63 can be ensured.

Further, the width dimension of the left extension portion 62 in the left-right direction is smaller than the width dimension of the right extension portion 63 .

As a result, the widthwise dimension of the left extending portion 62 can be reduced.

The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a power supply unit 9 that is arranged between the left frame 21 and the right frame 22 and has a power supply board 91 on which power supply components are mounted and an upper cover 93 that covers the power supply board 91 . , the upper cover 93 is screwed to both the left frame 21 and the right frame 22 in the axial direction of the bearing portion 25 .

Since the upper cover 93 is screwed to both the left frame 21 and the right frame 22 in the axial direction of the bearing portion 25, the rigidity of the device main body 2 can be further ensured.

The upper cover 93 has a first cover portion 93a and a second cover portion 93b, and is arranged between the left frame 21 and the right frame 22 and the first cover portion 93a and the second cover portion 93b. Interposed members 94 and 95 are provided. The first cover portion 93a is screwed to the left frame 21 and the right frame 22 together with the interposed members 94 and 95, respectively. It is screwed to the left frame 21 and the right frame 22 together with 94 and an interposed member 95 .

In this manner, the first cover and the second cover are screwed to the left frame 21 and the right frame 22 via the common interposition members 94 and 95, so the number of parts can be reduced.

In addition, the lower end of the left extending portion 62 and the lower end of the right extending portion 63 are arranged at positions overlapping the lower cover 92 and the upper cover 93 when viewed in the front-rear direction.

By arranging the lower ends of the left extending portion 62 and the lower ends of the right extending portion 63 so as to overlap the lower cover 92 and the upper cover 93 in this manner, the rigidity of the device main body 2 can be ensured.

The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a gear train 23b for driving the driven member, and the left frame 21 supports the gear train 23b.

As a result, for example, although it is difficult to reduce the size of the gear train 23b in the front-rear direction, even if there is a step between the part where the gear train 23b is arranged and the other part, the first sheet metal member 60 can be provided with the bent portion 62a. With this structure, the strength of the first sheet metal member 60 can be ensured while miniaturization is achieved.

1 image forming apparatus 2 apparatus main body 21 left frame (first frame)
21a step portion 22 right frame (second frame)
60 first sheet metal member (sheet metal member)
61 body portion 62 left extension portion (one side extension portion)
63 right extension (other side extension)

Claims (12)

a first frame; a second frame spaced apart from the first frame in a first direction;
A sheet metal member fixed to the first frame and the second frame,
The sheet metal member includes a body portion extending in the first direction, and a body portion extending downward from one end portion of the body portion in the first direction and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction of the first frame in the horizontal direction. a one-side extending portion fixed to a surface on one end side; and a portion extending downward from the other end portion of the main body portion in the first direction and fixed to a surface on the one end side of the second frame in the second direction. and a second extension,
the first frame has a stepped portion formed in the second direction on one end side surface in the second direction and extending in the vertical direction;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one-side extending portion is bent along the shape of the stepped portion to one side in the second direction and has a bent portion corresponding to the stepped portion. A first cam movably supported by the first frame and a second cam movably supported by the second frame,
The first frame has a first cam hole for inserting the first cam in a surface on one end side in the second direction,
The second frame has a second cam hole for inserting the second cam in a surface on one end side in the second direction,
a lower end of the one-side extension portion is positioned below the first cam hole,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a lower end of said other side extending portion is located below said second cam hole. The other-side extending portion is arranged at a position not overlapping with the second cam hole when viewed from the second direction, and the one-side extending portion overlaps with the first cam hole when viewed from the second direction. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is arranged in a position where The first frame has a bearing portion that supports a shaft portion of a paper feed roller that conveys paper,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein a lower end of the one-side extension portion corresponding to the first frame is positioned above the bearing portion. Lower than the one-side extending portion of the surface of the first frame on one end side in the second direction and lower than the other-side extending portion of the surface of the one end side of the second frame in the second direction The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a rib extending in the vertical direction is formed on at least one of the. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the one-side extending portion and the other-side extending portion has a bead that bulges in the second direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the width dimension of the one-side extension portion in the first direction is smaller than the width dimension of the other-side extension portion. a power supply unit disposed between the first frame and the second frame and having a power supply board on which power supply components are mounted; and a cover covering the power supply board,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cover is screwed to one of the first frame and the second frame in an axial direction of the bearing portion. a power supply unit disposed between the first frame and the second frame and having a power supply board on which power supply components are mounted; and a cover covering the power supply board,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cover is screwed to both the first frame and the second frame in the axial direction of the bearing portion. The cover has a first cover and a second cover,
an interposed member disposed between one of the first frame and the second frame and the first cover and the second cover;
The first cover is screwed to one of the first frame and the second frame together with the intermediate member,
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second cover is screwed to one of the left first frame and the second left frame together with the intermediate member. The lower end of the one-side extending portion and the lower end of the other-side extending portion are arranged at positions overlapping the cover when viewed from the second direction. Image forming device. comprising a gear train for driving the driven member;
The first frame supports the gear train,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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