JP4009472B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an interface for electrical connection with an external device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many multifunction peripherals that can be used by adding a printer function and a fax function to an image forming apparatus as a copier have been proposed. This type of image forming apparatus has the advantage that it can be used effectively even in a small office without having to purchase a separate printer or facsimile by providing the copier with a printer function or a fax function. In addition, modern multifunction devices not only eliminate the bulge by adopting in-cylinder paper discharge, etc., but also minimize the installation space, for example, installation with the back and one side attached to the wall, commonly known as cabepita installation There are also devices that have made this possible.
[0003]
By the way, if the above-mentioned copying machine has a plurality of functions and tries to use all these functions, a plurality of cables are connected to the copying machine. For example, a printer cable for connecting a computer, a modular cable for connecting a public line, and a power cord for supplying power to the copier are connected to the copier.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the image forming apparatus having the above-described composite function, since each interface is provided at a position that is close to a certain degree, the printer cable often gets tangled with or contacts other cables. In addition, there is a risk that an abnormal image is output due to electrical noise generated by this contact or the like, or the connector is disconnected from the interface due to long-term stress on the tangled wire. Further, when the image forming apparatus is installed with the above-described cabbage, the cable may be sandwiched between the exterior surface and the wall of the machine, and the cable may be disconnected.
[0005]
In view of the above-described conventional problems, the present invention eliminates pinching of a cable even when the device is installed on a wall, and prevents entanglement even when a plurality of cables are connected, thereby preventing abnormal images due to electrical noise. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the occurrence.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises a plurality of interfaces that are electrically connected to an external device that is distant from the apparatus main body, and a connector for connecting to the external device is connected to the interface. In an image forming apparatus in which a cable or a cord extending from the connector and hanging down is wired, the interface is arranged separately on an upper part and a lower part on one exterior surface of the apparatus main body, and between the upper and lower interfaces. Is partitioned by a partition member that protrudes to a position that reaches substantially the same plane as the outermost surface of the exterior surface on which the interface is provided, and the upper and lower interfaces are portions recessed from the partition member In addition, the upper interface is provided in a portion recessed from the side surface adjacent to the exterior surface of the apparatus body. It is and the image to the partition member, characterized in that notches for passing the wire position distant cable or cord connected to the upper interface from the connected cable or cord to the lower interface is formed A forming apparatus is proposed.
[0008]
The present invention is effective when a power cord port is provided below the interface to which the printer cable is connected, and partition means whose tip protrudes to the same position as the exterior surface is provided.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an entire digital copying machine as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
[0010]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a device main body. The device main body 100 is placed on a paper feeding device 300 and a scanner device 200 is attached to the upper portion. An automatic document feeder 400 is arranged on the scanner device 200. Note that the paper feeding device 300 and the automatic document feeder 400 are optional devices, and a copier without these options is composed of a device main body 100 and a scanner device 200 as shown in FIG.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 2, a photosensitive drum 12 as an image carrier is provided inside the apparatus main body 100, and the photosensitive drum 12 is driven to rotate counterclockwise by a driving means (not shown). Around the photosensitive drum 12, a roller-shaped charging device 13, an optical writing device 26 for writing with laser light, a developing device 14, a roller-shaped transfer device 18, a cleaning device 15 and the like are provided. The apparatus main body 100 of this example is configured as one process cartridge 10 with the photosensitive drum 12, the charging device 13, the developing device 14, and the cleaning device 15, and these devices are housed in a cartridge case 11. Reference numeral 16 denotes a developing roller provided in the developing device 14, and reference numeral 17 denotes a cleaning blade provided in the cleaning device 15. Furthermore, the apparatus main body 100 is provided with a paper feed cassette 30 indicated by reference numeral 30, a toner bottle containing toner to be supplied to the developing device 14 indicated by reference numeral 27, a power supply unit indicated by reference numeral 28, and the like.
[0012]
The scanner device 200 has a contact glass 35 as a document table, and a light source 36, a plurality of mirrors 37, an imaging lens 38, and an image sensor 39 such as a CCD are provided below the contact glass 35. When scanning the document, the light source 36 is moved along the contact glass 35, the light from the light source 36 is reflected by the document surface on the contact glass 35, and the reflected light is guided to the imaging lens 38 via the mirror 37. The image is formed by the lens and read by the image sensor 39.
[0013]
Next, an image forming operation for performing copying in the copier shown in FIG. 2 will be described.
When the photosensitive drum 12 is rotationally driven counterclockwise by a driving means (not shown), the drum surface is uniformly charged by the charging device 13, and the charged portion is subjected to image exposure by the laser beam of the optical writing device 26. Is done. The image data to be written is image information obtained by reading the document placed on the contact glass 35 by the scanner device 200, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 12 by such image exposure. The formed electrostatic latent image is visualized by the developing device 14 to become a toner image, and arrives at a transfer position facing the transfer device 18.
[0014]
On the other hand, a single transfer material S is fed from the paper feed cassette 30 in accordance with the image formation, and the fed transfer material S abuts against the registration roller 19 and stops, and then the photosensitive drum 12 rotates. When the registration roller 19 starts rotating at the same timing, it is sent to the transfer section, and the toner image is transferred by the transfer device 18.
[0015]
After the transfer, the transfer material S is conveyed to a fixing device 20 having a fixing roller 24 and a pressure roller 25, and the toner image is fixed to the transfer material S by the heat and pressure of the fixing roller 24 and the pressure roller 25. Then, the fixed transfer material S is discharged out of the apparatus main body 100 by the discharge roller pair 21 and is stacked on the in-body discharge section 22 provided between the apparatus main body 100 and the scanner device 200.
[0016]
On the other hand, toner remains on the photosensitive drum 12 after transfer, and the residual toner is scraped off and removed by the cleaning blade 17 of the cleaning device 15. Thereafter, the photosensitive drum 12 is initialized by removing residual charges by a static eliminator (not shown), and is prepared for the next image formation.
[0017]
By the way, the digital copying machine described above can have a printer function and a fax function.
In order to provide the printer function, as shown in FIG. 3, the rear cover 50, which is an exterior cover on the back side of the apparatus main body 100, is removed, and as shown in FIG. 4, a blindfold cover 51 provided on the rear cover 50. Remove. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a printer board 53 is attached to the printer box 52 attached to the apparatus main body 100. A memory board 54 can be attached to the printer board 53. If the memory board 54 is expanded, the processing speed can be increased. As shown in FIG. 6, the printer box 52 having the printer board 53 mounted thereon is set on a connector (not shown) of the main board 101 provided in the apparatus main body 100, and then fixed with screws. The attachment is completed by attaching the rear cover 50 to the main body. At this time, a connector portion 55 as an interface provided on the printer board 53 appears at a position where the blind cover 51 is removed.
[0018]
Next, the case of adding a fax function will be described. When the rear cover 50 is removed, the perforation of the blindfold cover 56 is separated with a nipper or the like as shown in FIG. Then, the facsimile control board 59 is attached to the apparatus main body 100, and as shown in FIG. 8, the flexible cable 59-1 is connected to the main board 101, then fixed with screws, and the rear cover 50 is attached to the main body. Complete. Also at this time, the connector portion 60 as an interface provided on the facsimile control board 59 appears at a position where the blind cover 56 is removed.
[0019]
Thus, the copier of this embodiment can be equipped with a printer function and a fax function. In order to utilize these functions, as shown in FIG. 9, the connector portion 55 of the printer board 53 is electrically connected to the computer P. A printer cable 61 is connected, and a modular cable 63 for a public line is connected to the connector portion 60 of the facsimile control board 59. Further, the copier is provided with a power cord 65 for receiving power supply. These cables and cords are suspended and wired as shown.
[0020]
In the digital copying machine configured as described above, the rear cover 50 of the apparatus main body 100 is formed with a step 56 that is recessed inward on the lower side, as shown in FIGS. Whereas the connector portion 60 and the power cord 68 for connecting the modular cable 65 are located above the step 56, they are located above the step 56. The connector portion 55 of the printer is provided in a portion where the surface of the rear cover 50 is recessed, and a convex portion 57 as a partition member is provided between the printer connector portion 55 and the facsimile connector portion 60. . The convex portion 57 of the present embodiment is formed integrally with the rear cover 50, and the tip thereof is the same surface continuous from the upper part than the step 56 of the rear cover 50. For this reason, when the copying machine is installed so that the back side of the copying machine is attached to the wall, the convex portion 57 reaches the position where it almost touches the wall, as with the upper side of the rear cover 50. Therefore, the printer cable 61 connected to the printer connector portion 55 is wired through the side of the convex portion 57. As shown in FIG. 10, the modular cable 63 and the power cord 65 wired from the lower portion of the convex portion 57 are connected. In the width direction, the wiring positions 61a, 63a, 65a of the cables are separated, and the printer cable 61 can be reliably prevented from being entangled with these wires.
[0021]
Thus, in the copier of this embodiment, the upper printer connector portion 55 and the lower modular cable 63 connector portion 60 are partitioned by the convex portions 57, so that the cables connected to these connector portions are entangled. Can be prevented.
[0022]
By the way, in the digital copying machine configured as described above, it is very effective for minimizing the installation space to allow not only the back side but also the left side to be installed on the wall. That is, if not only the rear cover 50 but also the left cover 70 can be installed on the wall, a copy machine can be placed at the corner of the room, which saves space. It should be noted that the right side of the copier is rarely installed on the wall in order to secure a space for opening the manual paper feed tray.
[0023]
When the copier is installed with the rear cover 50 and the left cover 70 attached to the wall, the passage of the printer cable 61 disappears when the convex portion 57 is attached not only to the rear wall but also to the left side wall. It will be sandwiched between walls. Therefore, in order to avoid such a problem, a cutout portion 67 through which the printer cable 61 can pass is formed in the convex portion 57 as shown in FIG. The cutout portion 67 may be anywhere as long as the wiring position of the printer cable 61 is different from the modular cable 63 and the power cord 65 in the width direction. However, in this embodiment, the cutout portion 67 is formed at a corner portion of the rear cover 50 and the left cover 70. Yes. With such a corner, it is easy to form the notch 67, and it is advantageous for easy wiring even when the connector 62 of the printer cable 61 is connected from the side as will be described later. In the present embodiment, the connector portion 55 is provided not only on the back side but also on the left side, so that even if the copier is installed with its left cover 70 attached to the wall, the printer 55 The connector 62 of the cable 61 does not hit the wall.
[0024]
Further, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the positions of the connector portion 55 and the connector portion 60 are greatly separated and the connection direction of the connector 62 of the printer cable 61 is on the left side, whereas the connector of the modular cable 63 (see FIG. (Not shown) is from the back side, and the connection direction of both is different. For this reason, it becomes difficult to accidentally disconnect the modular cable 63 together when the cable 61 of the printer is disconnected.
[0025]
As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Various modifications can be carried out.
For example, in the present invention, the positions of the connector portion 55 for connecting the printer cable and the connector portion 60 for connecting the modular cable may be interchanged. In other words, the connector portion 55 that connects the printer cable and the step 56 may be disposed below, and the connector portion 60 that connects the modular cable may be disposed above the step 56.
[0026]
Further, in the present invention, a network cable for using the copier as a printer in the network may be connected to the connector portion 55 of the printer cable. Furthermore, an interface for connecting to a video camera or the like may be provided in any of the connector portions 55 and 60.
[0027]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the connector portions 55 and 60 are provided on the back side of the device main body. However, the present invention can also be applied to those in which the connector portions 55 and 60 are provided on the side surface side of the device main body. .
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
According to the configuration of the first aspect, it is possible to prevent the cables connected to the upper and lower interfaces from being entangled, and the cable connected to the upper interface from being sandwiched between the main body and the wall to cause disconnection or the like.
[0031]
According to the configuration of the second aspect , the upper interface is provided at the corner of the apparatus main body, and the connection direction of the connector to the upper interface and the lower interface is different. Therefore, when one cable is disconnected, the other cable is mistakenly attached together. It becomes difficult to happen to be removed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal structure of the copier of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view showing a removable rear cover.
FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view showing a state where a blindfold cover is removed from the cover after being removed.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory perspective view illustrating a state in which a printer board is attached to a printer box.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory perspective view showing a state in which a main board is attached to the printer box.
FIG. 7 is a perspective explanatory view showing a state in which the blindfold cover is removed from the cover after being removed.
FIG. 8 is a perspective explanatory view showing when the facsimile control board is attached.
FIG. 9 is a perspective explanatory view showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a passing position of each cable.
[Explanation of symbols]
50 Rear cover 55 Connector portion 56 Step 57 Protrusion portion 60 Connector portion 61 Printer cable 63 Modular cable 65 Power cord 70 Left cover 100 Device body

Claims (2)

A cable or a cord that includes a plurality of interfaces that are electrically connected to an external device that is separated from the apparatus main body, and that extends from the connector when the connector is connected to the external device. In the image forming apparatus to which
The interface is divided into an upper part and a lower part on one exterior surface of the apparatus main body, and the interface between the upper part and the lower part is substantially in the same plane as the outermost surface of the exterior surface on which the interface is provided. The upper and lower interfaces are recessed from the partition member , and the upper interface is also recessed from the side surface adjacent to the exterior surface of the apparatus body. The partition member is formed with a notch that allows the cable or cord connected to the upper interface to pass through the wiring position away from the cable or cord connected to the lower interface. An image forming apparatus.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper interface is provided at a corner portion of the apparatus main body, and the connection direction of the connector to the upper interface and the lower interface is different.

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