JP3981511B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a complex machine thereof, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus including an image reading unit and an automatic document feeder.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as this kind of image forming apparatus, those shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are known. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing a conventional image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the automatic document feeder provided in the conventional image forming apparatus of FIG. 5 is opened. FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing another conventional image forming apparatus. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a conventional image forming apparatus 101 includes an image forming unit (printer unit) 102, an image reading unit (scanner) 103 fixed on the image forming unit 102, and the image. An automatic document feeder 105 supported by a hinge member 104 so as to be opened and closed is provided on the reading unit 103. The attachment piece at the end of the image reading unit 103 and the attachment piece at the end of the image forming unit 102 are fixed by screws 106. As shown in FIG. 7, the conventional image forming apparatus 101 includes an image forming unit 102, two fixed support members 107 fixed on the image forming unit 102, and the fixed support member 107. A fixed image reading unit 103 and an automatic document feeder 105 supported on the image reading unit 103 by a hinge member 104 so as to be opened and closed are provided.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the operator applies the opening force FA (see FIG. 6) to the automatic document feeder 105 to open the automatic document feeder vigorously, the hinge member 104 and since a large force in the vicinity of the screw 106 for fixing the end of the image reading unit 103 and the image forming unit 102 on the opposite side of the opposing FB (see FIG. 6) is applied, in the vicinity of the screw 106 the image reading unit 103 and the image There is a problem that a part of the forming unit 102 (a frame fixing unit or the image reading unit 103 and the frame of the image forming unit 102 whose rigidity is weaker than that) is plastically deformed or damaged.
Further, in the conventional image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 6, since one end of the image reading unit 103 is supported by the fixed support member 107, the operator applies an opening force FA (see FIG. 7) to the automatic document feeder 105. In addition, when the automatic document feeder 105 is released with great force, a large force is applied in the vicinity of the fixed portion between the image reading unit 103 and the fixed support member 107, so that the vicinity of the fixed portion is plastically deformed or damaged. There is a problem.
An object of the present invention includes an image forming unit, an image reading unit which is fixed on the image forming unit, an automatic document feeder that can be opened and closed supported by a hinge member on the image reading unit An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing deformation and breakage of an image reading unit and an image forming unit even when an operator opens the automatic document feeder with an excessive force.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that an image forming unit, an image reading unit fixed on the image forming unit, and a hinge member on the image reading unit can be opened and closed. An image forming apparatus having a supported automatic document feeder, and having a fixing member for fixing the image reading unit and an end of the image forming unit on the opposite side facing the hinge member, and The fixing member is fixed to an elastic horizontal shaft that can be elastically deformed, a first mounting piece that is fixed to an upper end portion of the elastic horizontal shaft and has a first mounting hole, and one end portion of the elastic horizontal shaft. A second attachment piece having two attachment holes, a male screw that is inserted through the first attachment hole of the first attachment piece and has a leading end screwed into a female screw hole of the image reading unit, and the second It is composed of a male screw that is inserted through the second mounting hole of the mounting piece and has a leading end screwed into the female screw hole of the image forming unit. It is characterized in that is.
[0005]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit (printer unit) 2, a fixed support member 3 fixed on the image forming unit 2, and a fixed support member 3. The image reading unit (scanner) 4 and an automatic document feeder 6 supported on the image reading unit 4 by a hinge member 5 so as to be openable and closable are provided.
The ends of the image forming unit 2 and the image reading unit 4 that are located on the opposite sides facing the hinge member 5 are fixed by a fixing member 7.
The fixing member 7 is inserted through the elastic member 8 that can be elastically deformed, the two attachment pieces 9 and 10 having attachment holes fixed to the upper and lower ends of the elastic member 8, and the attachment holes of the upper attachment piece 9. The leading end is inserted into the female screw hole of the frame body of the image reading unit 4 and the mounting hole of the lower mounting piece 10, and the leading end portion is inserted into the female screw hole of the frame body of the image forming unit 2. It is comprised from the external thread 12 screwed together.
The elastic member 8 is preferably strong and has little elastic deformation. The elastic member 8 is made of, for example, butyl rubber, chloroprene rubber or nitrile rubber having a hardness of 60 degrees or more.
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the automatic document feeder 6 is opened by an operator with an excessive force, and the image reading unit 4 is located on the opposite side facing the hinge member 5. Even if a large force is applied in the vicinity of the fixing member 7 that fixes the end of the image forming unit 2, the elastic member 8 of the fixing member 7 absorbs this large force.
Thereby, deformation and breakage of the image reading unit 4 and the image forming unit 2 can be prevented. An elastic member may be attached to the rear side of the automatic document feeder 6 on the hinge member 5 side.
[0006]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing an image reading unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 2 and a fixing member for fixing an end of the image forming unit.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 2, a fixed support member 3 fixed on the image forming unit 2, and an image reading unit fixed on the fixed support member 3. 4 and an automatic document feeder 6 supported on the image reading unit 4 by a hinge member 5 so as to be opened and closed.
The image reading unit 4 and the end of the image forming unit 2 located on the opposite sides facing the hinge member 5 are fixed by a fixing member 13.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fixing member 13 includes an elastic horizontal shaft 14 that can be elastically deformed, and an attachment piece (first attachment piece) that is fixed to the upper end of the elastic horizontal shaft 14 and has an attachment hole 15a. ) 15 and the mounting piece (second and mounting pieces) 16, the mounting piece 15 mounting holes 15a by inserting the tip image reading section 4 having a mounting hole 16a is fixed to one end of the elastic horizontal axis 14 A male screw 17 screwed into the female screw hole of the frame body, and a male screw 19 inserted through the mounting hole 16a of the mounting piece 16 and screwed into the female screw hole of the fixing support member 18 of the image forming unit 2; It is composed of
It is desirable that the elastic horizontal axis 14 is strong and has little elastic deformation. The elastic member 14 is made of, for example, butyl rubber, chloroprene rubber or nitrile rubber having a hardness of 60 degrees or more.
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the automatic document feeder 6 is opened by an operator with an excessive force, and the image reading unit 4 is located on the opposite side facing the hinge member 5. Even if a large force is applied in the vicinity of the fixing member 13 that fixes the end of the image forming unit 2, the elastic horizontal shaft 14 of the fixing member 13 absorbs this large force.
Thereby, deformation and breakage of the image reading unit 4 and the image forming unit 2 can be prevented.
In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, a male screw 20 having an elastic member 20a shown in FIG. 4 may be used instead of the male screws 11, 12, 17, and 19. The male screw 20 has an elastic member 20a attached between the head 20b and the screw portion 20c.
[0007]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the automatic document feeder is opened by an operator beyond the imagination, and the image reading unit and the end of the image forming unit located on the opposite side facing the hinge member are provided. Even if a large force is applied in the vicinity of the fixing member to be fixed, the elastic member as a part of the fixing member absorbs this large force, so that deformation and breakage of the image reading unit and the image forming unit can be prevented.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, an operator opens the automatic document feeder with an excessive force, and is located in the vicinity of the fixing member that fixes the end portion of the image reading unit and the image forming unit located on the opposite side opposite to the hinge member. Even when a large force is applied, the elastic member of the fixing member absorbs this large force, so that deformation and breakage of the image reading unit and the image forming unit can be prevented.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the operator closes the automatic document feeder with an excessive force, and the vicinity of the fixing member for fixing the end portion of the image reading unit and the image forming unit opposite to the hinge member. Even if a large force is applied, the elastic horizontal axis of the fixing member absorbs this large force, so that deformation and breakage of the image reading unit and the image forming unit can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating an image reading unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 2 and a fixing member that fixes an end of the image forming unit .
4 is a perspective view showing another example of a male screw used in the image forming apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing a conventional image forming apparatus.
6 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the automatic document feeder of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 5 is opened.
FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing another conventional image forming apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus, 2 Image forming part (printer part) , 3 Fixed support member, 4 Image reading part (scanner) , 5 Hinge member, 6 Automatic document feeder, 7 Fixing member, 8 Elastic member, 9, 10 Mounting piece , 11, 12 Male thread, 13 Fixing member, 14 Elastic horizontal axis, 15, 16 Mounting piece, 17 Male screw, 18 Fixed support member, 19 Male screw, 20 Male screw, 20a Elastic member.

Claims (1)

  An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit; an image reading unit fixed on the image forming unit; and an automatic document feeder supported on the image reading unit by a hinge member so as to be opened and closed. A fixing member for fixing the end portions of the image reading unit and the image forming unit on the opposite side facing the hinge member, and the fixing member includes an elastically deformable elastic horizontal axis and the elastic member. A first mounting piece fixed to the upper end of the horizontal axis and having a first mounting hole; a second mounting piece fixed to one end of the elastic horizontal axis and having a second mounting hole; The first mounting hole of the mounting piece is inserted through the first mounting hole of the image reading section and the male screw is inserted into the second mounting hole of the second mounting piece. An image forming apparatus comprising: a male screw that is screwed into a female screw hole of the portion.

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