JP4713317B2 - Exterior top plate mounting method, mounting structure, image forming apparatus, peripheral device, and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for attaching an exterior top plate to a side plate so that the exterior top plate can be adjusted, an attachment structure for carrying out the method, a copier, a printer, a facsimile equipped with this attachment structure, and a combination of these functions. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a digital multifunction peripheral, a peripheral device connected to the image forming apparatus and used integrally, and an image forming system including the image forming apparatus and the peripheral device.

  In recent years, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and a digital multi-functional peripheral that combines these functions, or an image forming system that is used with a peripheral device connected to the image forming apparatus outputs the output. There is an increasing demand for bookbinding in various forms as a post-processing apparatus for documents, and there is a demand for an apparatus capable of various post-processing as compared with the conventional one. In response to such a request, in addition to the conventional end-face binding using stapler, a so-called saddle-stitching or center-fold booklet is created in which the center portion of the sheet bundle is staple-bound and then folded in two from the staple-bound portion. There are also post-processing devices that can do this. In addition to the saddle stitching and half-fold booklet, a tape binding machine that binds and fixes the aligned paper end faces with adhesive tape, and after punching a number of holes on the binding side of the paper, Wrap the paper bundle using a ring binding machine that creates a booklet by binding a bundle of paper by passing a metal coil or plastic ring through this hole, or a paper with a continuous cover and back and back cover Thus, a case binding machine that creates a booklet by bonding the backs of a bundle of sheets is also known.

  Since these apparatuses cannot be processed by a single post-processing apparatus, a large number of post-processing apparatuses are connected to perform desired post-processing. Due to the accumulation of backlash and dimensional tolerances, a so-called lateral registration shift in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction during paper transport and a skew in which the paper tilts with respect to the transport direction cannot be ignored. Then, these lateral registration deviations and skews accumulate, and the post-processing apparatus on the downstream side in the transport direction cannot receive the paper well, or a problem arises in paper alignment. Therefore, conventionally, in order to cope with these problems, a mechanism for adjusting the lateral resist misalignment and skew is provided at the connecting portion for connecting the apparatuses, and the apparatus is connected by shifting the mechanism by these mechanisms. Yes. This state is shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the printer 10, the first post-processing device 20, and the second post-processing device 30 are arranged side by side from the right side to the left side when viewed from the front. In this example, the first post-processing device has a function of inserting a cover sheet, a slip sheet, a tab sheet, or the like into a predetermined position of the paper conveyed from the printer 10, and the second post-processing device is for the paper bundle. And a function of performing bookbinding processing such as edge binding, saddle stitching, and middle folding, and discharging paper.

In addition, although it is not a direct well-known example, the invention described in patent document 1 and 2 is known as a related technique, for example.
JP-A-9-164743 JP-A-9-246742

  As in the above-described prior art, a mechanism for adjusting lateral registration deviation and skew is provided, and by using these mechanisms, the apparatus is shifted and connected, so that the paper conveyance path is set so as not to cause lateral registration deviation and skew. However, as a result, the devices 10, 20, and 30 are installed in a shifted state, and when installed as a system, the exterior lines are not aligned between the devices, resulting in unevenness and unsightly. It was. In other words, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 5, the front and back are disposed between the exterior top plate 1 of the first post-processing device 20 and the exterior top plate 1 a of the printer 10 and the exterior top plate 1 b of the second post-processing device 30. There was a displacement 1c in the direction (viewed from the front), and the front lines of the three exterior top plates 1a, 1 and 1b were not aligned.

  The known example relates to position adjustment and assembling of the exterior, and is not directly related to deviation adjustment at the time of paper conveyance.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a state of the art, and an object of the present invention is to ensure that the lines of the exterior top plate are aligned even when a plurality of devices are shifted and connected. is there.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first means is to adjust only one axial direction of the three axis directions when fixing the three axial directions orthogonal to each other in the method of attaching the outer top board to the side plate. After adjusting the one axis direction so as to form the same surface as the exterior top plate of another device, with the other two axis directions constrained, the one axis direction is fixed. It is characterized by.

  The second means is characterized in that, in the first means, the adjustment allowance is provided in the front-rear direction of the device.

  According to a third means, in the first or second means, the device is an image forming apparatus and / or a peripheral device of the image forming device, and the adjustment allowance is formed by the image forming device, or the peripheral device. In the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet-like recording medium handled by the above.

  A fourth means is a first attachment for attaching an exterior top plate for attaching an exterior top plate of a device to a side plate in a state in which two of three orthogonal directions are constrained to the side plate. And a second attachment means to be attached after adjusting the position of the side plate with respect to the side plate.

Fifth means, in the fourth means, the first attachment means engaged with said protruding from the surface of the mounting side of the previous SL side plate of the outer top panel, engaging holes formed in the side plates And a fixed claw that allows sliding movement only in a direction perpendicular to the side plate in which the engagement hole is opened.

Sixth means, in the fourth or fifth means, said second attachment means fixed, the project from the surface of the mounting side of the previous SL side plate of the outer top panel by fixing means between said side plates It is characterized by comprising a fixed piece.

  A seventh means is characterized in that, in the sixth means, the fixed piece is fixed to the side plate via a spacer inserted between the side plate and the side plate.

  The eighth means is characterized in that, in the sixth or seventh means, the fixing means comprises a screw member that is screwed into a screw groove formed on the side plate side.

  The ninth means is characterized in that the image forming apparatus includes an exterior top plate mounting structure according to any of the fourth to eighth means.

  A tenth means is the ninth means, characterized in that the adjustment margin is provided in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheet-like recording medium.

  The eleventh means is characterized in that the peripheral device has the exterior top plate mounting structure according to any one of the fourth to eighth means.

  A twelfth means is characterized in that, in the eleventh means, the adjustment margin is provided in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheet-like recording medium.

  In the thirteenth means, the image forming apparatus according to the ninth or tenth means and the peripheral device according to the eleventh or twelfth means are adjusted and connected so that the front sides of the respective exterior top plates are the same surface. The image forming system is characterized.

  In the embodiment described later, the exterior top plate is denoted by reference numerals 1, 1 a, 1 b, the side plate is denoted by reference numeral 5, the adjustment margin is denoted by reference numeral d, and the first attachment means is secured to the fixing claws 3 a, 3 b, second attachment. The means is the fixed piece 4, the engagement holes are the fixed holes 7 a and 7 b, the spacer is the reference numeral 6, the screw member is the reference numeral 8, and the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet-like recording medium is the front-rear direction. The image forming apparatus corresponds to A, the peripheral device corresponds to the first and second post-processing devices 20 and 30, respectively.

  According to the present invention, since the adjustment allowance is provided only in a predetermined direction of the exterior top plate of the device, the position of the device body is shifted in a direction orthogonal to the connected direction when the device is connected and used. Even so, it is possible to align the lines of the exterior top plate in a straight line.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in that the printer 10, the first post-processing device 20, and the second post-processing device 30 are connected from the right side of the drawing. The processing devices 20 and 30 have the same functions as in the conventional example. The feature of this embodiment is in the position of the exterior top plate 1 of the first post-processing apparatus 20. That is, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 5, the exterior top plate 1 of the first post-processing device 20, the exterior top plate 1 a of the printer (image forming apparatus) 10, and the exterior top plate 1 b of the second post-processing device 30. In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the displacement 1c is eliminated, and the three exterior top plates 1a, 1, 1b are present. It looks like a single top board. This is because an adjustment mechanism in the front-rear direction (arrow A direction) is provided for the exterior top plate 1 of the first post-processing device 20 located in the center.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the back surface of the exterior top plate 1 in the present embodiment. In the figure, a reinforcing member 2 also serving as a fixed angle is provided on the back surface of the exterior top plate 1. Further, first and second fixing claws 3a and 3b are provided on the end side of the reinforcing member in the front-rear direction (arrow A direction), and a fixing piece 4 is provided beside the first fixing claw 3a on the front side. Is provided. The first and second fixed claws 3a and 3b and the fixed piece 4 are cut out from the reinforcing member 2 and set on the surface of the reinforcing member 2, and the first and second fixed claws 3a and 3b are once raised. After that, it is formed by being bent in parallel with the surface of the reinforcing member 2 so that the rear side is opened, and the fixing piece 4 rises substantially vertically from the surface of the reinforcing member 2. Since the surface corresponding to the upper surface of FIG. 2 corresponds to the rear surface, the first and second fixing claws 3a and 3b and the fixing piece 4 are directed downward when used as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, three reinforcing members 2 are provided, but the number of reinforcing members 2 is appropriately set according to the size of the exterior top plate 1.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state when the exterior top plate 1 shown in FIG. 2 is attached to the apparatus side plate. First and second fixing holes 7a and 7b for inserting the first and second fixing claws 3a and 3b and fixing the exterior top plate 1 are formed in the front and rear side plates 5 of the apparatus. Yes. Therefore, when attaching to the side plate 5 of the apparatus, the exterior top plate 1 is moved from the state where the front ends of the first and second fixing claws 3a and 3b are sufficiently moved forward so as not to contact the upper end portion of the side plate 5. Is placed on the side plate 5, the exterior top plate 1 is pushed and slid, and the first and second fixing claws 3a and 3b are inserted into the first and second fixing holes 7a and 7b, respectively. Thus, the position in the transport direction (left-right direction) is determined by the fitting of the first and second fixed claws 3a, 3b with the first and second fixed holes 7a, 7b. Since there is a degree of freedom (slidable) in the front-rear direction, there is an adjustment margin corresponding to the length in the longitudinal direction of the first and second fixing claws 3a, 3b. Although this adjustment margin is the adjustment allowance d, the adjustable range corresponds to the length of the portion of the fixed claws 3a, 3b parallel to the exterior top plate 1 as shown in FIG. When deviating from this length, the restraining force in the up-down direction and the sheet conveying direction is lost, and the adjustment becomes impossible.

  Therefore, as described above, the first and second fixing claws 3a and 3b are inserted into the first and second fixing holes 7a and 7b, respectively, and the exterior of the second post-processing apparatus 20 as shown in FIG. By adjusting the position of the top plate 1 in the front-rear direction, the front surface 1d of the second post-processing device 20 is connected to the front surface 1f of the exterior top plate 1a of the printer 10 and the front surface 1e of the exterior top plate 1b of the second post-processing device 30. Line up on the same plane. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4, a spacer 6 having a thickness that fills the space between the fixed piece 4 and the side plate 5 is inserted, and the fixed piece 4 is fixed to the side plate 5 with screws 8. Thereby, the exterior top plate 1 is attached and fixed so that the front surface 1d forms the same surface as the front surfaces 1f and 1e of the adjacent exterior top plates 1a and 1b. The three axes referred to in the claims mean the x, y, and z axes that are geometrically orthogonal to each other. In the present embodiment, the sheet conveyance direction and the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction (front-rear direction − Arrow A direction) and the vertical direction.

  In the method shown in FIG. 4, this method can move only in one direction in which the spacer is sandwiched. However, if the spacer is set in advance so that the median value is obtained with a spacer having an appropriate thickness interposed therebetween. By reducing or increasing the spacers, adjustments in both directions, here and here, can be made.

  With this top plate mounting structure, when adjusting the paper transport path to the target paper transport position by adjusting the lateral registration and skew, even when each device is installed offset, It is possible to align the exterior lines between devices with simple adjustment work.

1 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of a system configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an adjustment fixing portion of the exterior top plate of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing an example of a fixed state of an adjustment fixing portion of the exterior top plate of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing an example of an adjustment method of an adjustment fixing portion of the exterior top plate of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the system configuration | structure of the image forming system which concerns on a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1a, 1b Exterior top plate 1d, 1e, 1f Front surface of exterior top plate 2 Reinforcing member 3a, 3b Fixing claw
4 Fixing portion 5 Device side plate 6 Spacer 7a, 7b Fixing hole 8 Screw 10 Image forming device 20, 30 Peripheral device d Adjustment allowance

Claims (13)

In the mounting method of the exterior top panel that attaches the exterior top panel of the device to the side panel
When fixing the three axial directions orthogonal to each other, only the one axial direction of the three axial directions has an adjustment allowance, and the other two axial directions are constrained to form the same surface as the exterior top plate of other equipment. After the adjustment in the uniaxial direction as described above, the uniaxial direction is fixed, and the exterior top plate mounting method is characterized in that   The method for mounting an exterior top plate according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment allowance is provided in a front-rear direction of the device.   The apparatus is an image forming apparatus and / or a peripheral apparatus of the image forming apparatus, and the adjustment allowance is in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of a sheet-like recording medium on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus or handled by the peripheral apparatus. The mounting method of the exterior top plate of Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. In the mounting structure of the exterior top plate for attaching the exterior top plate of the device to the side plate,
Of the three axial directions orthogonal to each other, two axial directions are attached in a state of being restrained with respect to the side plate, and the other one axial direction has an adjustment margin, and position adjustment is performed on the side plate Second mounting means for mounting after
An exterior top panel mounting structure characterized by comprising: The first attachment means projects from the surface of the mounting side of the previous SL plate of the outer top panel, the side plates engaging the engagement hole is opened in the engagement hole formed in the side plates 5. The mounting structure for an exterior top plate according to claim 4, further comprising a fixed claw that allows sliding movement only in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Said second mounting means, the projecting from a surface of the mounting side of the previous SL side plate of the outer top panel, according to claim 4 or characterized in that it consists of fixing piece which is fixed by the fixing means between said side plates 5. The mounting structure of the exterior top plate according to 5.   The mounting structure for an exterior top plate according to claim 6, wherein the fixing piece is fixed to the side plate via a spacer inserted between the side plate and the side plate.   The mounting structure for an exterior top plate according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the fixing means comprises a screw member screwed into a screw groove formed on the side plate side.   An image forming apparatus having the exterior top plate mounting structure according to claim 4.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the adjustment margin is provided in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the sheet-like recording medium.   The peripheral device which has the attachment structure of the exterior top plate of any one of Claim 4 thru | or 8.   The peripheral device according to claim 11, wherein the adjustment margin is provided in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the sheet-like recording medium.   An image forming system in which the image forming apparatus according to claim 9 or 10 and the peripheral device according to claim 11 or 12 are adjusted and connected so that the front side of each exterior top plate is the same surface.

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