JP4486877B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, and more particularly to storage of a memory card used for firmware update or the like.

JP 2004-101590 A

  In recent years, some image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers, and facsimiles are configured to be able to update firmware and install optional software using a memory card. As an image forming apparatus provided with a card slot for using a memory card, for example, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus having a card slot, there is no place for storing the used memory card in the apparatus main body, and the memory card is stored in a place where it can be easily inserted and removed. If it is provided, there is a problem that the card may be stolen.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems in a conventional image forming apparatus that can use a memory card, and to provide an image forming apparatus that can safely store the memory card.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of using a memory card according to the present invention, comprising: an exterior cover that can be opened and closed on the apparatus body; and an erroneous operation prevention part that is detachably attached to the inside of the exterior cover. This is solved by providing a memory card storage portion for storing the memory card inside the erroneous operation preventing part.

In addition, it is preferable that a spare screw hole for attaching the erroneous operation preventing part to the exterior cover is provided.
In addition, it is preferable that the erroneous operation preventing component is provided with a notch that allows the inside of the erroneous operation preventing component to be visually recognized.

Further, it is preferable that a protective member for protecting the memory card is provided in the memory card storage unit.
In addition, it is preferable that the erroneous operation preventing component is provided with a notch that allows the inside of the erroneous operation preventing component to be visually recognized, and the color of the protective member is substantially the same as the color of the outer surface of the erroneous operation preventing component.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the memory card storage portion for storing the memory card is provided inside the erroneous operation preventing part that is detachably attached to the inside of the exterior cover, the erroneous operation preventing part that is not normally noticeable is provided. The memory card can be stored inside the memory card, and the memory card can be stored safely by preventing the loss or theft of the memory card.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since there is a spare screw hole for attaching the erroneous operation preventing part to the exterior cover, the erroneous operation preventing part can be attached to the exterior cover even when the original screw hole becomes a fool.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the notch that can visually recognize the inside of the erroneous operation preventing part is provided, the inside of the erroneous operation preventing part and the state of the stored memory card can be confirmed.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the protective member for protecting the memory card is provided in the memory card storage portion, so that the stored memory card can be protected to prevent damage. Further, it is possible to prevent a sound from being generated when the exterior cover is opened and closed, and it is difficult to notice that the memory card is stored.

  According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, since the color of the protective member is substantially the same as the color of the outer surface of the erroneous operation preventing part, the notch inside the erroneous operation preventing part can be made inconspicuous. This also makes it difficult to notice that there is a space inside the misoperation prevention part, that is, that the memory card is stored inside.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the copying machine. The image forming apparatus of this example is a digital copying machine using an electrophotographic system.

As shown in FIG. 2, the copying machine 100 has a configuration in which a reading unit 10, a writing unit 20, an image forming unit 30, and a paper feeding unit 40 are arranged in order from the top.
A contact glass 11 is disposed on the upper surface of the writing unit 20, and a pressure plate 12 that can be opened and closed is provided. The writing unit 20 has a scanning optical system including an exposure lamp, a mirror group, a lens, a CCD image sensor, and the like. A document image placed on the contact glass 11 is read by a CCD image sensor, converted into an electrical signal (analog image signal), and then converted into digital data (image data). The image data is further subjected to predetermined image processing. It is also possible to attach an ADF (automatic document feeder) instead of the pressure plate 12.

  The writing unit 20 includes a laser output unit, an imaging lens, a mirror, and the like. Inside the laser output unit, there is a laser diode that is a laser light source and a rotating polygon mirror that is rotated at a constant speed by a motor. It is equipped. The laser light emitted from the laser output unit is polarized by a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through an imaging lens, is folded by a mirror, and is focused and imaged on the photoreceptor surface of the image forming unit.

  In the image forming unit 30, a photosensitive drum 31 as an image carrier is disposed. Around the photosensitive drum 31, devices such as a charger, a developing unit, a cleaning unit, a transfer unit, and a static eliminator necessary for the electrophotographic process are disposed.

  The paper feed unit 40 includes four stages of paper feed cassettes 41 to 44, and includes paper feed means 45 to 48 and a vertical transport unit 49 for feeding paper stored in each paper feed cassette.

The copying operation in the digital copying machine 100 configured as described above will be briefly described.
A document (not shown) placed on the contact glass 11 is read by the reading unit 10, and after a document image is converted into digital data, predetermined image processing is performed. The laser output unit of the writing unit 20 is driven based on the image data, and writing is performed on the photosensitive drum 31 by the laser light from the writing unit 20.

  The photosensitive drum 31 is charged to a predetermined potential by a charger, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive member by irradiation with laser light from the writing unit 20. Toner is applied to the electrostatic latent image from the developing unit and visualized as a toner image.

  On the other hand, the paper is fed from one of the paper feed cassettes 41 to 44 of the paper feed unit 40 to the registration roller 32 by the paper feed means and the transport roller 50 of the vertical transport unit 49, and the toner image on the photoconductor 31. The sheet is sent from the registration roller 32 to the transfer unit at the same timing. The toner image on the photoconductor 31 is transferred onto a sheet by a transfer conveyance belt 33 as a transfer unit, and the sheet carrying the toner image is conveyed to the fixing unit 34. In the fixing unit 34, the toner image is fixed on the paper by heating and pressurization, and then the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 35.

  By the way, the copying machine 100 of this example is configured to be able to perform firmware update, option software installation, and the like using a memory card, and a memory card mounting unit 52 for setting a memory card includes: It is provided adjacent to the operation panel 51 (FIG. 1). When the slide cover of the memory card mounting portion 52 is opened, a memory card mounting slot (not shown) appears, and a memory card can be set in that slot. Memory cards include various types of memory cards such as CompactFlash (registered trademark), SmartMedia (trademark), Memory Stick (trademark), SD card, etc., and a mounting slot corresponding to one or more or all of them Is provided in the memory card mounting portion 52.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine 100 of this example has an exterior cover (front door) 1 on the front side of the apparatus. The front door 1 covers the front surfaces of the image forming unit 30 and the vertical conveyance unit 49 and is provided to be openable and closable. When performing various kinds of maintenance and jam processing at the image forming unit 30 and the vertical conveyance unit 49, the front door 1 is opened and the work is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an erroneous operation preventing component 2 is attached to the inside of the front door 1. In this example, the erroneous operation preventing component 2 is attached to the front door 1 by screwing. In the copying machine 100 of the present example, a lever (not shown) for releasing the pressure of the conveying roller 50 is provided during the jam processing occurring in the vertical conveying unit 49, and the pressure releasing lever is set to a predetermined value after the jam processing. If it is not returned to the position, the erroneous operation preventing component 2 is in contact with the pressure release lever so that the front door 1 is not closed, and thereby the operation of the apparatus is prohibited.

  The inside of the erroneous operation preventing component 2 is hollow as shown in FIG. 4 so that the memory card can be accommodated. In addition, the notch 2a is provided in the upper part when the erroneous operation preventing part 2 is attached to the front door 1. Although not shown in the drawing, a box or the like for storing the memory card may be provided inside the misoperation preventing part 2.

  FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing a state in which the erroneous operation preventing component 2 is mounted on the erroneous operation preventing component mounting portion 1 a of the front door 1. In the copying machine 100 of this example, after updating the firmware, installing optional software, etc. using a memory card, the erroneous operation preventing part 2 is removed from the front door 1 and the memory card is removed from the cavity inside the erroneous operation preventing part 2. (Or a memory card storage box provided in the cavity). Then, the erroneous operation preventing part 2 containing the memory card is mounted again on the mounting portion 1a of the front door 1.

  In this way, the memory card used for firmware update, optional software installation, etc. is housed inside the misoperation prevention part 2 and attached inside the front door 1 so that the memory card is generally not visible. It can be stored, the memory card can be prevented from being lost or stolen, and the memory card can be stored safely and securely.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the erroneous operation preventing component 2 is attached to the front door 1, the state of the memory card stored in the erroneous operation preventing component 2 is confirmed by providing a notch 2a on the upper surface thereof. be able to. Note that the notch 2a is not essential, and a configuration in which the notch 2a is not provided may be employed.

  By the way, if the memory card is simply stored in the internal space of the erroneous operation prevention part 2, the memory card moves inside the erroneous operation prevention part 2 when the front door 1 is opened and closed, and a rattling sound is generated or the memory card is damaged. There is a risk that. If a rattling sound is generated when the front door 1 is opened or closed, the memory card will be damaged, and it will be easier to notice that something is inside the misoperation prevention component 2 (something is stored) due to the sound, You will also notice the presence of a memory card.

  Therefore, as shown by a virtual line in FIG. 5, an elastic member for holding the memory card inside the erroneous operation preventing component 2, for example, a protective member 3 made of a sponge or the like is housed inside the erroneous operation preventing component 2. That is, after the memory card is inserted into the erroneous operation preventing component 2, the protective member 3 is accommodated in the erroneous operation preventing component 2 so that the memory card is pressed by the protective member 3. As a result, generation of rattling noise and damage to the memory card are prevented, and it becomes difficult to notice the presence of the memory card, thereby preventing theft.

  In the configuration in which the notch 2a is provided in the misoperation prevention component 2, when the protection member 3 is inserted into the misoperation prevention component 2, the inner protection member 3 is difficult to see from the notch 2a (not to be noticed). Therefore, it is preferable that the color of the protective member 3 is the same as that of the erroneous operation preventing component 2 (the outer surface thereof).

  Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 6, two pairs (two sets) of screw holes for screwing the erroneous operation preventing component 2 are provided in the erroneous operation preventing component mounting portion 1 a of the front door 1. . These two pairs of screw holes 4 and 5 can be used as a spare when one of them becomes a screw fool. That is, even if the screw hole 4 or 5 becomes stupid by removing or attaching the misoperation preventing part 2 from the mounting portion 1a in order to store or take out the memory card, the other screw hole can be removed. The erroneous operation preventing component 2 can be used and attached to the attachment portion 1a.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by the example of illustration, this invention is not limited to this.
For example, the erroneous operation preventing component 2 is not limited to the component that contacts the pressure release lever of the vertical conveyance unit 49, but may be the component that contacts the jam processing lever or the like in the image forming unit 3. In addition, it prevents the erroneous operation of the device by engaging with the interlock switch, or engaging with other members that engage with the interlock switch, instead of coming into contact with the jam processing lever, etc. Such parts may be used.

  Further, the shape, installation position, etc. of the misoperation preventing part are also arbitrary. The misoperation prevention part is not limited to the front door, and can be provided at an arbitrary place such as a side door. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a copying machine, but may be a facsimile or a printer, or a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions.

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a copying machine that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 2 is a sectional view showing an internal configuration of the copying machine. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the inner side of the front door of the copying machine. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of a misoperation prevention component. It is the elements on larger scale which show a mode that the misoperation prevention component was mounted | worn to the attaching part of the front door. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing a screw hole provided in a mounting portion of the front door 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Front door 1a Accident prevention part attachment part 2 Accident prevention part 2a Notch 3 Protective member 4,5 Screw hole 10 Reading unit 20 Writing unit 30 Image forming part 40 Paper feeding part 49 Vertical conveyance unit 52 Memory card attachment part 100 Copying machine

Claims (5)

In an image forming apparatus that can use a memory card,
An exterior cover provided in the apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable, and an erroneous operation preventing part detachably attached to the inside of the exterior cover,
An image forming apparatus comprising a memory card storage portion for storing the memory card inside the erroneous operation preventing part. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a spare screw hole for attaching the erroneous operation preventing component to the exterior cover. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the erroneous operation preventing part is provided with a notch capable of visually recognizing the inside of the erroneous operation preventing part. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a protective member that protects the memory card in the memory card storage unit. 5. The image according to claim 4, wherein the erroneous operation preventing part is provided with a notch that allows the inside of the erroneous operation preventing part to be visually recognized, and the color of the protective member is substantially the same color as the color of the outer surface of the erroneous operation preventing part. Forming equipment.

Images