JP3947811B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer apparatus, and a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly to a structure for mounting a plastic outer cover formed with an opening for attaching an optional device to an image forming apparatus main body.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recent copiers have built-in electronic counters for counting the number of copies. However, since a confirmation operation from the operation unit is required, a mechanical counter (hereinafter referred to as a counter) with improved visibility is required. ) Can be retrofitted as an option. That is, an opening for attaching the counter is formed in the exterior cover, a fixing screw is inserted into a through hole formed in a predetermined portion of the counter, and the fixing screw is screwed into the image forming apparatus main body through the opening. Thus, the counter is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body through the exterior cover.
[0003]
However, when the counter is not attached and the opening is open as it is, the operator's finger touches the high-voltage portion in the image forming apparatus through the opening and receives an electric shock or the outside air. There is a problem that dust or dust in the inside enters the image forming apparatus. In order to eliminate this problem, conventionally, as an exterior cover, a blindfold member that shields most of the opening and a plurality of connecting portions that connect the blindfold member to the exterior cover body are integrally formed with the exterior cover body. A plastic one is provided.
[0004]
The counter mounting operation is performed as follows. By cutting the connecting portion of the outer cover with a blade or the like and removing the blindfold member, the opening portion is fully opened. The exterior cover in this state is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body with screws. Next, the back surface of the counter is applied to the front surface of the exterior cover, and a fixing screw is screwed into a screw hole formed in a predetermined portion of the image forming apparatus main body through the mounting hole of the counter and the opening. In order to perform such work easily, cutting is facilitated by forming the connecting portion thinly.
[0005]
However, since the blindfold member is exposed when the counter is not attached, for example, a part of office equipment or office supplies may collide with the connecting portion and damage it, or the outside air may pass through the gap between the connecting portions. There is a concern that the garbage and dust inside may cause trouble. Further, when the connecting portion is broken, it is necessary to seal the opening with a member (for example, a plastic sheet) instead of the blindfold member so that the electric shock accident or the like does not occur.
[0006]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-153892 discloses an exterior cover in which an opening (option port) for attaching optional equipment of an image forming apparatus is formed. In this exterior cover, a blindfoldable member that can be cut off to close an optional opening is integrally formed on the exterior cover at several thin connecting portions. A connecting surface portion for preventing dust and the like from entering the image forming apparatus from the option port is provided so as to cover between the adjacent connecting portions and between the edge of the option port and the edge of the blindfold member. It has a structure in which the portion of the option opening that has not been blocked is closed. However, even in this blindfold structure, the blindfold member is easily damaged by an external impact, and thus the above-described problem is likely to occur.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to improve the mounting structure of the exterior cover in an image forming apparatus in which an optional device is detachable via the exterior cover.
[0008]
That is, the first object of the present invention is to provide the above-mentioned blindfold structure when the blindfold structure that shields the optional device mounting opening is exposed to the outside since the optional device is not mounted in the image forming apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which measures for preventing damage to the blindfold structure are taken so that they are not easily damaged even when an external impact is applied.
[0009]
According to a second object of the present invention, in addition to the first object, the dust and dirt in the outside air can be removed from the gaps between the connecting portions of the blindfold member both before and after the optional device is attached. The problem is to solve the problem of entering the body.
[0010]
In addition to the first and second objects, the third object of the present invention is to improve the electrical connectivity of the optional equipment, that is, when the optional equipment is an electrical equipment, The object is to enable easy connection to the power supply unit of the image forming apparatus main body.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the first object and the second object , the invention according to claim 1 includes an exterior cover body in which an opening for attaching an optional device is formed, and the opening provided in the opening. Provided on the outer peripheral edge of the opening on the back side of the exterior cover body, a blindfold member to be shielded, a connecting portion for connecting the blindfold member to the exterior cover body, a metal plate provided on the back side of the blindfold member An image forming apparatus body, wherein the protrusion abuts against the metal plate, a space between the back side of the blindfold member and the metal plate, and the exterior An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided so as to block a space between a back side of a cover body and the metal plate .
[0012]
In order to achieve the first object, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the metal plate is fixed to a side surface portion of the image forming apparatus main body, and a plurality of narrow connecting portions are radially formed on the outer peripheral end of the blindfold member. And connecting the blindfold member to the exterior cover main body through the connecting portion, and screwing the fixing screw into the screw hole provided in the metal plate, and the blindfold member to the front side of the metal plate. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus in a state where the image forming apparatus is positioned at the position.
[0014]
In order to achieve the third object, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the first electric wire connector for feeding is provided on the metal plate, and the second electric wire connector provided on the optional device that operates by feeding is provided. by connecting to the first wire connector through the opening, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that so as to connect the second wire connector to the feeding portion of the image forming apparatus main body An image forming apparatus.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure in which a key counter unit, which is an optional device, is attached to an electrophotographic digital copying machine body via an exterior cover. 2A and 2B show the main structure of the mounting structure shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2A is a front view of an opening to which a blindfold member is attached, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the digital copying machine of FIG. 1, and shows a state in which an optional paper feeding device is mounted at the bottom. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the digital copying machine of FIG.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, in an electrophotographic digital copying machine (image forming apparatus) 1, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 400 is mounted on a scanner device 200 of a copying machine main body 100. In this copying machine 1, a key counter unit 500 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a unit) as an optional device can be attached and detached via an exterior cover 50. In the copying machine 1, when the unit 500 is not attached, only the exterior cover 50 is attached to the left side surface portion. The unit 500 includes a main body 500a and a quadrangular pyramid-shaped case 500b for storing and setting the main body 500a. A Dharma hole 500 c for locking the unit to the copying machine main body 100 through the exterior cover 50 is formed in the outer wall on the back side constituting the case. In addition, a through hole 50a for inserting the fixing screw 500A and a wire connector 502 are provided at the lower end of the case.
[0017]
Hereinafter, the mounting structure of the exterior cover 50 and the mounting structure of the unit will be described. A metal plate (sheet metal structure) 51 is fixed to the copying machine main body 100 by an appropriate means. A plurality of screw holes 64 for fixing the electric wire connector 52, the outer cover 50, and screw holes 51a and 51b for fixing the unit 500 are provided at predetermined positions on the metal plate 51, respectively. The metal plate 51 does not close the entire left side surface portion of the copying machine main body 100 but is fixed to the left side surface portion of the copying machine main body 100 in a generally L shape. Therefore, by removing the outer cover 50, it is possible to inspect or remove the internal device of the copying machine main body 100. Further, the thickness of the metal plate 51 is appropriately set in consideration of the fact that this is a reinforcing member having a blindfold structure (described later) provided in the exterior cover 50. Note that the shape of the metal plate 51 may be a substantially square ring.
[0018]
The exterior cover 50 is an integrally molded product made of plastic, the entire structure is as shown in FIG. 1, and the blindfold structure as the main part is provided at two locations as shown in FIG. These blindfold structures are composed of an opening and a blindfold member that closes the opening. The opening 50B is a through-hole through which the electric wire connector 502 on the unit 500 side and a fixing screw 500A for attaching the unit to the copying machine main body 100 are inserted, and the opening 50D is the same as the unit 500. This is a through-hole for inserting a locking screw 501 for attaching to the main body 100. The exterior cover 50 is formed with insertion holes 61 and 62 for fixing screws (not shown) for fixing the outer cover 50 to the metal plate 51.
[0019]
Here, with reference to FIG. 2, the blindfold structure will be described by taking the opening 50B as an example. A substantially rectangular opening 50B is formed in the outer cover main body 50A so that the electric wire connector 502 can be inserted therethrough. A generally rectangular blindfold member 50-1 that closes substantially the whole is provided in the opening. In this case, the blindfold member 50-1 is connected to the inner peripheral end of the opening 50B via a plurality of narrow connecting portions 50-2 provided radially at the outer peripheral end. In addition to the above-described blindfold structure, a ring-shaped protrusion 50-5 is provided on the back surface of the exterior cover main body 50A so as to surround the entire opening 50B (FIG. 2A). The blindfold member 50-1, the connecting portion 50-2, and the ring-shaped protrusion 50-5 are integrally formed with the outer cover main body 50A by plastic injection molding, compression molding, or the like. The height of the ring-shaped protrusion 50-5 is about several millimeters and is uniform throughout (FIG. 2 (b)).
[0020]
Similarly to the case of FIG. 2, a blindfold member 50-3 is provided in the opening 50D via a plurality of narrow connecting portions 50-4, and an opening 50D forming portion on the back surface of the exterior cover body 50A is provided. Is provided with a ring-shaped protrusion 50-6. The shapes of the opening 50D and the blindfold member 50-3 are circular corresponding to the shape of the shaft of the locking screw 501, and the ring-shaped protrusion 50-6 is formed in an annular shape.
[0021]
When the exterior cover 50 is attached, a fixing screw is inserted into the insertion holes 61 and 62 and screwed into the screw holes of the metal plate 51 (not shown). As shown in FIG. The tip portions of 50-5 and 50-6 are brought into close contact with the surface of the metal plate 51. Thereby, the space between the back surface side of the blindfold members 50-1 and 50-3 and the metal plate 51 is sealed by the ring-shaped protrusions 50-5 and 50-6. When the unit 500 is not attached to the copying machine main body 100, the copying machine 1 is used with the exterior cover 50 attached as described above.
[0022]
The operation of attaching the unit 500 to the copying machine main body 100 is performed as follows. The joint portions 50-2 and 50-4 are cut with a tool such as a nipper to remove the blind members 50-1 and 50-3, and the openings 50B and 50D are opened. The locking screw 501 is screwed into the screw hole 51b of the metal plate through the opening 50D. Thereby, the head of the locking screw 501 is in a state of protruding outward from the opening 50D. The case 500b of the unit 500 is brought close to the exterior cover 50, the head of the locking screw 501 is inserted into the large diameter part of the Dalma hole 500c, and the shaft part of the screw 501 is inserted into the reduced diameter part of the Dalma hole. Thereby, the case 500b is suspended and supported by the locking screw 501. Next, the fixing screw 500A is inserted into the through hole 50a formed in the case, and the screw 500A is screwed into the screw hole 51a of the metal plate through the opening 50B. Further, the electric wire connector 502 is connected to the electric power connector of the copying machine main body 100 by connecting the electric wire connector 502 of the case to the electric wire connector 52 of the metal plate 51 through the opening 50B. Further, the main body 500a is stored and set in the case 500b. As a result, power can be supplied to the unit 500.
[0023]
The blindfold structure has the following advantages.
(1) Since the metal plate 51 is fixedly arranged on the back side of the blindfold member and the joint portion, and both the blindfold member and the joint portion are made of plastic and have some flexibility, a part of office equipment and office supplies However, even if it hits the blindfold member or the connecting portion, troubles such as breakage are less likely to occur.
(2) In addition, even if the blindfold member or the connecting portion is damaged by the impact force of the office equipment, the metal plate 51 functions as a protective plate, so there is a risk that the office equipment will contact the built-in equipment of the copying machine. Disappear. Similarly, even if the joint part may be damaged by the impact force of the operator's finger, etc., accidents such as an operator's finger touching the high voltage part in the copier and an electric shock or injury to the finger are prevented. The
(3) Since the back side of the blindfold member and the metal plate 51 are close to each other, but are separated from each other, and the space between them is sealed with a ring-shaped projection, the removal work of the above-mentioned connecting portion by the blade is performed. It can be carried out simply and safely, and the metal plate can be prevented from being damaged during the removal operation. Furthermore, intrusion of dust and dust in the outside air into the copying machine main body from the gap 50C between the joint portions 50-2 and the gap 50E between the joint portions 50-4 shown in FIG. It is prevented by 51.
[0024]
If desired, the back surface of the outer cover can be brought into close contact with the front surface of the metal plate 51 without providing the ring-shaped protrusion on the outer cover. In addition, an exterior cover to which a metal plate having the same shape as the metal plate 51 is fixed in advance can be directly and detachably fixed to the side surface of the image forming apparatus.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the digital copying machine 1 of FIG. An automatic document feeder (ADF) 400 is set on the scanner device 200, and a plurality of documents can be automatically and continuously conveyed and copied. If desired, a large amount of copying can be performed by placing the copying machine main body 100 on an optional paper feeder 300.
[0026]
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the digital copying machine 1 of FIG. In the process cartridge 10 of the copying machine main body 100, a drum-shaped image carrier 12 is provided in a cartridge case 11, and a charging device 13, a developing device 14, a cleaning device 15, and a transfer device 18 are disposed around the drum-shaped image carrier 12. The charging device 13 and the transfer device 18 are in the form of rollers and are in contact with the surface of the image carrier 12. The developing device 14 includes a developing roller 16 and the like, and the cleaning device 15 includes a cleaning blade 17 and the like. A sheet conveyance path P extending from the lower side to the upper side in the copying machine main body 100 is formed through a transfer position where the image carrier 12 and the transfer device 18 are in contact with each other. In this sheet conveyance path, a registration roller pair 19 is provided in a site before the transfer position. A fixing device 20 and a paper discharge roller pair 21 are provided at a position ahead of the transfer position on the sheet conveyance path. The fixing device 20 includes a fixing roller 24 and a pressure roller 25. An in-body sheet discharge unit 22 for stacking the transferred sheets is provided at the end of the fixing device 20.
[0027]
In addition to the above-described components, the copying machine main body 100 includes a laser exposure device 26, a toner bottle 27 for supplying toner to the developing device 14, a PSU (power supply unit) 28, and a paper feed cassette 29. The paper feed cassette 29 can be freely inserted into and removed from the bottom of the copying machine main body 100, and sheets S (transfer paper) stacked in the paper feed cassette 29 can be separated and fed one by one by the paper feed roller 30. It is like that. A manual paper feed tray 32 is provided on the right side of the copying machine main body 100 in the drawing (on the side opposite to the mounting side of the outer cover 50) so as to be openable and closable, and sheets S stacked and set on the manual paper feed tray are loaded. A paper feed roller 33 that separates and feeds the paper one by one is provided.
[0028]
In the scanner device 200, a light source 36, a plurality of mirrors 37, an imaging lens 38, and an image sensor 39 such as a CCD are disposed under the contact glass 35. In the scanner device 200, the light source 36 moves along the contact glass 35, irradiates light from the light source onto the document surface on the contact glass, and reflects the reflected light by the mirror 37. The reflected light is imaged by the imaging lens 38 and read by the image sensor 39.
[0029]
When copying with the copying machine 1, the document is set on the contact glass 35, pressed by the pressure plate 45, and a start switch (not shown) is pressed. As a result, the scanner device is driven and the image on the original is read. At the same time, the sheet feeding roller 30 rotates, the sheet S is fed out from the sheet feeding cassette 29 or the manual sheet feeding tray 32, and the sheet S that has passed through the sheet conveying path P is abutted against the registration roller pair 19 and temporarily travels. Stop.
[0030]
Further, the image carrier 12 is driven to rotate, and the surface of the image carrier 12 is uniformly charged by the charging device 13. Next, based on the signal from the scanner device 200, the laser exposure device 26 irradiates the surface of the image carrier 12 with laser light according to the read content, and writes an image (forms an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 12). )I do. Subsequently, toner is attached to the latent image on the image carrier 12 by the developing roller 16 of the developing device 14, whereby the electrostatic latent image is developed (toner image formation on the image carrier 12).
[0031]
Then, in synchronization with the rotation of the image carrier 12, the registration roller pair 19 rotates, and the sheet S that has been temporarily stopped before the registration roller pair 19 resumes traveling. In the transfer device 18, the image carrier 12. The upper toner image is transferred to the sheet S. In the fixing device 20, heat and pressure are applied to the sheet by the fixing roller 24 and the pressure roller 25 to fix the transferred image, and a series of copying processes is completed. The copied sheets are stacked on the in-body sheet discharge unit 22 by the discharge roller pair 21. On the other hand, the residual toner on the surface of the image carrier 12 after the toner image transfer is scraped off and collected by the cleaning blade 17 of the cleaning device 15 as it rotates. Thereafter, the surface of the image carrier 12 is neutralized by a neutralization device (not shown), and is prepared for another image forming process starting with charging.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, the present invention provides the following effects.
(1) Advantages of the Invention of Claim 1 A metal plate is provided in the image forming apparatus main body, and a blindfold member for shielding an opening for attaching an optional device is connected to the outer cover main body through a connecting portion. Since the exterior cover is attached to the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the plastic cover is integrally formed with the structure and the blindfold member is located on the front side of the metal plate, for example, a part of the office equipment is a blindfold member or Even if it hits the joint part, a metal plate is provided on the back side of these parts, and since both the blind member and the joint part are made of plastic and have flexibility, the blind member and the joint part can be easily broken. No longer. In addition, even if the blindfold member or the connecting portion is damaged by the impact force of the office equipment or the like, the metal plate functions as a protective plate, so that there is no risk that the office equipment or the like contacts the built-in equipment of the copying machine. Similarly, even if the joint part may be damaged by the impact force of the operator's finger, etc., accidents such as an operator's finger touching the high voltage part in the copier and an electric shock or injury to the finger are prevented. The
In addition, since the space between the back side of the blindfold member and the metal plate is sealed with a ring-shaped protrusion, it is possible to safely remove the joints and prevent damage to the metal plate during this removal operation. can do. Further, it is possible to reliably prevent dust and dust from entering the copying machine main body from the gap between the connecting portions.
[0033]
(2) Effect of the Invention of Claim 2 A plurality of narrow joint portions are provided radially at the outer peripheral end of the blindfold member, the blindfold member is connected to the exterior cover body through the joint portions, and the exterior cover is attached to the metal plate. Since the fixing screw is screwed into the provided screw hole to be attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to easily and efficiently perform the removal operation of the connecting portion and the attachment of the exterior cover to the metal plate. it can.
[0035]
(3) The effect of the invention of claim 3 The 1st electric wire connector for electric power feeding is provided in a metal plate, and the 2nd electric wire connector provided in option equipment is connected to the 1st electric wire connector via the opening. Thus, since the second electric wire connector is connected to the power supply unit of the image forming apparatus main body, there is an effect that the power supply structure for the optional device is simplified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a structure for attaching an optional device (key counter unit) to the main body of an electrophotographic digital copying machine equipped with a scanner device and an ADF via an exterior cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show a main part structure of the attachment structure of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 2A is a front view of an opening to which a blindfold member is attached, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
3 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the digital copying machine of FIG. 1, and shows a state in which a paper feeding device is mounted at the bottom.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the digital copying machine of FIG. 1. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Digital copier (image forming device)
50: exterior cover 50A: exterior cover body 50B: opening 50C: gap 50D: opening 50E: gap 50a: through hole (hole for attaching optional equipment)
50-1: Blindfold member 50-2: Joint portion 50-3: Blindfold member 50-4: Joint portion 50-5: Ring-shaped protrusion 50-6: Ring-shaped protrusion 51: Metal plate (sheet metal structure)
51a: Screw hole 51b: Screw hole 52: Electric wire connector 61: Insertion hole 62: Insertion hole 64: Screw hole 100: Copier main body 200: Scanner device 300: Paper feeder 400: Automatic document feeder 500: Key counter unit ( Optional equipment)
500A: Fixing screw 500a: Main body 500b: Case 500c: Dharma hole 501: Locking screw 502: Electric wire connector

Claims (3)

And outer cover body having an opening for optional equipment fitted is formed, and the blindfold member which shields the opening provided in the opening, and a connecting portion for connecting said purpose hidden member to the outer cover body, the blindfold member An image forming apparatus provided on the image forming apparatus main body with a metal plate provided on the back side of the outer cover and a protrusion provided on the outer periphery of the opening on the back side of the exterior cover main body ,
The protrusion is in contact with the metal plate so as to block a space between the back side of the blindfold member and the metal plate and a space between the back side of the exterior cover body and the metal plate. An image forming apparatus provided with the image forming apparatus. The metal plate is fixed to a side surface portion of the image forming apparatus main body, a plurality of narrow connection portions are provided radially on the outer peripheral end of the blindfold member, and the blindfold member is connected to the exterior cover main body through the connection portion. Ri by the screwing of the fixing screw into the screw hole provided in the plate, and characterized in that the attachment blindfolded member on the front-side image forming apparatus main body outer cover body in a state of being positioned in the immediate vicinity of the metal plate The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. By providing a first electric wire connector for power supply to the metal plate, and connecting a second electric wire connector provided in an optional device that operates by power supply to the first electric wire connector through the opening, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that so as to connect the second wire connector to the power supply of the image forming device.

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