JP3767138B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and the like, in which a reading unit is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to a main body unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile apparatus generally includes a reading unit that captures image information of a document and a main body unit that processes the captured image information. For example, in the case of a copier, the reading unit is provided with a document placement surface made of a transparent glass plate or the like, and a scanning mechanism including a light source, a mirror, a mirror carriage, a mirror carriage driving unit, a lens, a CCD unit, and the like is incorporated. On the main unit, an information processing mechanism that processes image information converted into electrical signals by a CCD or the like and processes them as needed. A copy that forms an image on recording paper by electrophotography based on an output signal from the information processing mechanism In addition to a paper feeding mechanism that supplies recording paper to the mechanism and the copying mechanism, a power feeding mechanism that supplies power to each device, a control mechanism that controls the operation of each device, and the like are incorporated.
[0003]
In the case of a facsimile machine, the main body unit has a transmission mechanism that converts an image information signal captured by the scanning mechanism of the reading unit into an appropriate format and transmits the signal to another facsimile machine, and the image information transmitted from the other facsimile machine. A receiving mechanism, a printing mechanism for converting the received image information into an appropriate format and outputting it to a recording sheet are provided.
[0004]
The reading unit and the main unit include a signal cable for transmitting image information from the scanning mechanism to the main unit, a control cable for transmitting control signals from the main unit to various devices including the scanning mechanism of the reading unit, and power Are connected to each other by a power supply cable or the like. By the way, because of the necessity for maintenance, the reading unit may be configured to be openable and closable by being pivotally supported by a hinge or the like with respect to the main body. In this case, in order to prevent the opening / closing operation of the reading unit from adversely affecting the cables, the cables connecting the reading unit and the main body are conventionally wired so as to bypass the hinge portion.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional image forming apparatus has a drawback that the total length of each cable connecting the reading unit and the main body unit becomes long because the cable is routed around the hinge and is easily affected by noise. . Therefore, by providing a flexible holding member between the reading unit and the main unit and wiring the cable along this holding member, the required length of the cable can be shortened to reduce the influence of noise. Conceivable.
[0006]
However, the holding member is usually fixed to the attachment portions of the reading unit and the main body unit with one screw. For this reason, when the holding member is attached in a slanting posture toward the inside of the apparatus, the holding member is caught between the main body when the reading unit is closed, and the holding member itself or the cable is connected. There is a risk of damage. In addition, the holding member bends and stretches following the opening / closing operation of the reading unit, but at that time, the holding member may swing in and out of the apparatus, and this also allows the holding member to be caught between the reading unit and the main body unit. There is sex.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the image forming apparatus in which the reading unit is pivotally supported to be openable and closable with respect to the main body, the holding member capable of bending and extending for guiding a cable provided between the reading unit and the main body includes the reading unit. Providing means capable of preventing biting with the main body when closed, the feature is that apart from the means for supporting the reading unit in the open state, A bendable / extendable holding member for guiding a cable or the like is provided between the reading unit and the main body, and the holding member is attached to the reading unit and the main body with one screw, and the reading unit and / or abuts the stepped surface on the side surface of the attachment end portion of the holding member to the mounting portion of the holding member in the main body portion is formed, in particular the holding member by the stepped surface is that to prevent from being displaced in and out direction of the apparatus is there.
[0008]
In the structure described above, the step surface may be formed so as to guide the holding member obliquely outward from the mounting portion.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows an example of an image forming apparatus P in which the present invention is implemented. For example, an image forming apparatus P of a copying machine includes a main body in which a reading unit R incorporating a scanning mechanism and an automatic document feeder (ADF), an information processing mechanism, a copying mechanism, a paper feeding mechanism, a power feeding mechanism, a control mechanism, and the like are incorporated. The structure which consists of the part S and supports the reading part R with respect to the main-body part S so that opening and closing is possible with the hinge H in many cases is employ | adopted. 2A shows a state in which the reading unit R is opened, and FIG. 3B shows a state in which the reading unit R is closed.
[0010]
Between the reading unit R and the main body S, a cylinder-shaped lift L that supports the reading unit R in an open state, and a cable K that connects the electric device M of the reading unit R and the electric device N of the main unit S. A holding member 1 for guiding (or a harness) is provided.
[0011]
Inside the reading unit R, as schematically shown in FIG. 5, an ADF 20 composed of various rollers, a mirror carriage 23 provided with a light source 21 and a mirror 22, and a mirror carriage provided with mirrors 24 and 25. 26, a driving mechanism (not shown) for the mirror carriages 23 and 26, a lens 27, a scanning unit including a CCD unit 28, and the like are incorporated. The cable K guided by the holding member 1 outputs power and control signals for operation from the main body S to the ADF and the scanning mechanism of the reading unit R, and transmits image information read by the scanning mechanism to the main body S. Is for.
[0012]
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the holding member 1 is configured such that an upper half 2 and a lower half 4 are connected to each other at a bending joint 3 so that the holding member 1 can bend and stretch following the opening / closing operation of the reading unit R. Can be considered. By manufacturing the holding member 1 with a synthetic resin, it is easy to form the bent joint portion 3 so that it can bend and stretch. Further, the influence of noise on the cable K may be reduced by applying an electromagnetic wave shielding paint on the surface. An attachment end 5 is provided at the tip of the upper half 2, and the attachment end 5 has a pin insertion hole 5 a for pivotally attaching the attachment end 5 to an appropriate position of the reading portion R. An attachment end 6 is formed at the end of the lower half 4 so as to be stepped down, and a screw insertion hole 6 a for fixing the attachment end 6 to the main body S is provided in the attachment end 6. Each of the upper half 2 and the lower half 4 has guards 2a and 4a for protecting the cable K, and a notch 8 for passing the fastening band 9 for binding the cable K is provided in place. It has been.
[0013]
The attachment structure of the holding member 1 in this embodiment is as follows. As shown in FIG. 3, a mounting portion 11 is formed by projecting a part of a housing or frame 10 made of a sheet metal or the like of the main body S, and a stepped surface 12 is formed by bending the distal end side of the mounting portion 11. Form. Then, the mounting end 6 of the holding member lower half 4 is overlapped with the mounting portion 11 and the side surface 6b of the mounting end 6 is brought into contact with the stepped surface 12 to the insertion hole 6a of the mounting end 6. The threaded screw 7 is screwed into the screw hole 11a of the attachment part 11 and fixed. Since the mounting end 6 of the holding member 1 is fixed with one screw 7 in this way, conventionally, the mounting posture is not straight unless the mounting operation is carefully performed, and it is slanted in either the inside or outside of the apparatus. There was a risk of tilting. Further, due to the bending / extending operation accompanying opening / closing of the reading unit R, the holding member 1 may be rotated about the screw 7, and as a result, the holding member 1 may swing inward and outward of the apparatus. However, in this example, it is easy to attach the holding member 1 in a straight and correct posture by bringing the side surface 6b of the attachment end 6 into contact with the step surface 12. Further, the holding member 1 can be prevented from rotating around the screw 7 by bringing the attachment end side surface 6b into contact with the stepped surface 12. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate an accident that the holding member 1 is caught between the main body S when the reading unit R is opened and closed.
[0014]
Normally, a problem occurs when the holding member 1 swings inward of the apparatus. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the step surface 12 may be formed to be slightly inclined. By bringing the side surface 6b of the attachment end 6 into contact with the inclined step surface 12, the holding member 1 is slightly inclined toward the outer side of the apparatus. Accidents caught between the two can be reliably prevented.
[0015]
The means for preventing the holding member 1 from swinging inward of the apparatus is not only the stepped surface 12 described above, but also a protrusion at a proper position on the frame 10 of the main body S, and the attachment end side surface 6b of the holding member 1 is formed on this side. A structure (not shown) that abuts against the protrusion is also possible. Further, these shake preventing structures may be provided not only on the main body S but also on the reading unit R side, or on both sides.
[0016]
The present invention can be implemented as long as the reading unit is an image forming apparatus configured to be openable and closable with respect to the main body, and is applicable to a facsimile machine, a scanner device, and the like in addition to a copying machine. Furthermore, the specific configuration of the present invention is not prevented from being appropriately changed according to the embodiment.
[0017]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having a structure in which the reading unit is pivotally supported with respect to the main body, the holding member capable of bending and extending the cable connecting the reading unit and the main body is never included in the apparatus. Since it is configured not to swing in the direction, it is possible to eliminate an accident in which the holding member is caught between the main body when the reading unit is closed and lowered. Moreover, the above-mentioned effect is further ensured by attaching the holding member so as to guide it obliquely outward of the apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A and 1B are side views showing an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, in which FIG. 1A shows a state in which a reading unit is opened, and FIG. 1B shows a state in which the reading unit is closed. .
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the entire holding member, showing an embodiment of the holding member according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part for explaining an attachment procedure of the holding member, showing an embodiment of the holding member according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a holding member according to another embodiment of the present invention with a part omitted.
FIG. 5 shows an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and is a side view schematically showing a mechanism of a reading unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
P ... Image forming apparatus R ... Reading unit S ... Main body K ... Cable H ... Hinge 1 ... Holding member 2 ... Upper half 3 ... Bending joint 4 ... Lower half 6 ... Mounting end 6b ... Side of mounting end 7 ... Screw 10 ... Frame 11 ... Installation site 12 ... Stepped surface

Claims (2)

In the image forming apparatus in which the reading unit is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main body unit, for guiding a cable or the like between the reading unit and the main body unit separately from the means for supporting the reading unit in the opened state . bending retention members are provided, the holding member is attached with screws of each one to the reading unit and the main unit, the mounting of the holding member to the mounting portion of the holding member in the reading unit and / or body portion abuts the stepped surface is formed on the side surface of the end portion, an image forming apparatus wherein the holding member by the stepped surface is characterized the Turkey to prevent from being displaced in and out direction of the device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the step surface is formed so as to guide the holding member obliquely outward of the apparatus from an attachment site .

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