JP4716411B2 - Device structure and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus structure that can be used in an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile, a printer, and a copying machine, and more specifically, a unit that is detachable from an image forming apparatus or a unit that is detachable and has a connector for connection to the outside. The present invention relates to an apparatus structure using a structure having a handle for pulling out from an image forming apparatus main body, and an image forming apparatus using this structure.

  In recent years, various connection methods such as network connection, USB connection, and IEEE1394 connection have been adopted as a method for connecting a printer and a personal computer, and each connection connector is provided on the printer side. For this reason, unused connectors and the like are clogged with dust and dirt, and when they are used, there are cases where contact failure occurs and the connectors cannot be used.

  Thus, conventionally, a connector cover is prepared for each connector in order to close the opening with a separate member.

  There is also a problem that the cable connected to the connector is pulled and the connector is damaged.

  Furthermore, in recent years, when performing maintenance of equipment such as a printer, operations such as removal from the apparatus main body in units, maintenance, option addition, and unit replacement are often performed. At that time, the unit may be detached from the apparatus main body in a live state, causing damage to electrical components and the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an apparatus structure capable of protecting a connector portion from dust, dust, connector breakage, and the like without using a dedicated separate member, and an image forming apparatus using the same The purpose is to provide.

  Another object of the present invention is to improve the operability when removing or resetting a unit from an image forming apparatus main body.

  The device structure of the present invention according to claim 1 is provided with a movable handle used to pull out a unit that is detachable and has an external connection connector, and within the movable range of the handle of the device main body to which the unit is attached. The connecting connector portion is arranged at a position corresponding to the unused position of the handle, and the handle has a shape capable of covering the connecting connector portion.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device structure according to the first aspect, further comprising a lock mechanism when the handle is not used.

Imaging equipment of the present invention according to claim 3, characterized by using any device structure of claims 1 4.

  The present invention provides an apparatus structure capable of preventing dust and dirt from entering an unconnected connector part by covering the connection connector part when the handle is not used, and an image forming apparatus using the same. provide.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is impossible to inadvertently remove a cable connected to the connector or to apply a load to the connector, thereby preventing the connector from being damaged.

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

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus main body. A detachable controller unit 2 is attached to the printer main body 1, and by making the controller unit 2 detachable, various options can be installed. In order to remove the controller unit 2 from the printer main body 1, the controller unit 2 is pulled out by holding the handle 13 attached to the controller unit 2. Thereby, the connection connector of the controller unit 2 and the printer main body 1 can be removed and taken out. Further, the controller unit 2 is provided with various connection connectors for connecting a personal computer or the like (not shown). In the figure, 2a is a movable cradle.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the handle 13 for taking out the controller unit 2 is attached to the controller panel 4, and is fixed by using a thumbscrew 5 when the handle 13 is not used. When the controller unit 2 is taken out, the thumbscrew 5 is unscrewed, and the handle 13 is rotated so that the controller unit 2 can be pulled out. Therefore, in the normal state, the Ethernet (registered trademark) connector 6 and the USB connector 7 which are always provided in the controller unit 2 are covered with the handle 13 and are protected from intrusion of foreign matters such as dust and dirt. The occurrence of problems such as poor contact is prevented.

  In this embodiment, the handle 13 is fixed using a thumbscrew, but other methods may be used as long as the handle 13 can be fixed.

  FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the connector pressing structure of the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, when the connector 8 is set to the connector 6 or the USB connector 7, the cable 9 can be prevented from being pulled out from the U groove 10 at the lower end surface of the lower extension 3a of the handle 13 and sandwiched. ing. Further, a connector pressing portion 11 is provided inside the handle 13 to prevent the cable from being inadvertently disconnected.

  FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the cable pressing structure of the third embodiment of the present invention. The cable 9 that connects the printer main body 1 and a personal computer (not shown) is often wound around the floor, and is caught by a leg or when the device is moved. Therefore, a load is directly applied to the connector 6 and the USB connector 7 attached to the board, and there is a risk of damage. In order to prevent connector breakage, the elastic member 12 was affixed to the inside of the U groove 10 provided in the lower end surface of the downward extension 3a of the handle 13, and the cable 9 was fixed so that no load was applied to the connector 8. At this time, since the connector 8 is not pulled directly, damage to the connector 6 and the USB connector 7 can be prevented. As the elastic member 12 for fixing the cable 9, elastic rubber or the like is preferable, but various types can be adopted as long as the cable 9 can be fixed without being damaged.

  Further, by pressing the cable 9 vertically downward with respect to the connector insertion direction by the handle 13, the cable 9 is disposed along the side surface of the printer main body, so that the overhang from the printer main body 1 can be minimized.

  That is, in a unit that is detachable and has a connector for connection to the outside, the handle for pulling out the unit is movable, and when the handle is not used, the connection connector portion is covered so that dust or the like is lost with respect to the unconnected connector portion. Can keep out the garbage. Also, when the handle is not in use, it can be fixed using a locking mechanism, and the handle can be prevented from moving easily, so that dust such as dust does not inadvertently enter unconnected connectors. It can be used as a cable stopper when the cable is connected. Further, when the handle is not used and a cable is connected to the connection connector, the connector portion can be fixed by the handle, thereby preventing the connection connector from being inadvertently disconnected. Furthermore, when the handle is not used and the cable is connected to the connection connector, the cable can be fixed by the handle so that the load is not applied to the connector even if the cable is pulled. Can do. And the cable fixing | fixed part can be protected because the elastic member for cable protection is attached to the handle. Note that by allowing the connection cable to be fixed at a 90 ° orientation with respect to the connector connection direction, the overhang from the unit can be minimized.

  5 (A) and 5 (B) are perspective views showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a side view (A), (C), (E) and a front view (B) showing its operation state. (D) and (F). The handle 13 has a biaxial structure including an arm 15 and a fulcrum 16, and the arm 15 can be twisted in the central axis direction and can be rotated around the fulcrum 16.

  The arm 15 is provided with a filler 17 for operating the interlock switch 20 provided on the printer body 1 side. Further, a connecting mechanism between the arm 15 and the fulcrum 16 is provided with a lock mechanism 18 for restricting the operation of the arm 15 so that the lock can be released by pulling the lever 19 so that the arm 15 can be twisted. It has become. Then, by returning the arm 15 to the normal state when set in the printer main body 1, the lock mechanism 18 automatically locks the arm 15 so that the arm 15 does not move.

  As an actual operation method, when the operator holds the lever 19 provided on the handle 13, the lock mechanism 18 moves and the arm 15 operates. In this state, the interlock switch 20 attached to the inside of the printer main body 1 is turned on by the filler 17. When the handle 13 is rotated counterclockwise with the lever 19 being held, the filler 17 is rotated together. Therefore, the interlock switch 20 is turned off and no current flows through the controller unit 2. If it is attempted to remove the controller unit 2 while the printer main body 1 is forgotten to be turned off by this operation, the power is turned off by the operation of the interlock switch 20. Therefore, the controller unit 2 can be removed safely.

  Next, the controller unit 2 is pulled out from the printer body 1 together with the movable cradle 2 a while holding the handle 13, and the handle 13 is rotated around the fulcrum 16 in a state where the controller unit 2 is completely pulled out from the printer body 1. Then, the lock mechanism (not shown) between the movable cradle 2a and the controller unit 2 is released, and the controller unit 2 can be removed.

  Thus, since the controller unit 2 can be taken out without releasing the hand from the handle 13, it is possible to prevent a drop or the like when the handle 13 is held again. Further, since the controller unit 2 can be carried without changing the posture, spillage of toner, oil, or the like can be prevented. Further, when the controller unit 2 is set, the controller unit 2 can be reliably set to the printer main body 1 by performing the operation in the reverse procedure to the removal.

  Although the operation of the controller unit has been described in the fourth embodiment, there is no problem even if it is used for a detachable unit such as a developing unit, a fixing unit, or a PCU.

  That is, in a detachable unit, the unit pull-out handle can be moved in two stages, so that the unit can be taken out without removing the hand from the handle. In addition, since it can be carried without changing the posture of the unit, it is possible to prevent spills of toner, oil, and the like. In addition, the unit can be safely removed by interrupting the current flowing in the unit by the movement of the first stage handle. Further, the lock mechanism between the main body and the unit can be moved by moving the handle at the second stage, so that the unit can be reliably set on the main body. In addition, by releasing the handle lock mechanism when the first-stage handle is movable, inadvertent release of the handle can be prevented.

  In the above embodiment, only the example in which the present invention is used for a printer as an image forming apparatus is shown and described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to various apparatuses, for example, having a printer function. It can be applied to copying machines.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus main body. It is the schematic of the handle structure of 1st Example of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the connector pressing structure of 2nd Example of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the cable pressing structure of 3rd Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows 4th Example of this invention. It is a front view which shows the operation state of the Example of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1: Printer body 2: Controller unit 2a: Movable cradle 3: Handle 3a: Lower extension of handle 4: Controller panel 5: Thumb screw 6: Ethernet (registered trademark) connector 7: USB connector 8: Connector 9 : Cable 10: U groove 11: Connector pressing part 12: Elastic member 13: Handle 15: Arm 16: Support point 17: Filler 18: Lock mechanism 19: Lever 20: Interlock switch

Claims (3)

A handle used for pulling out a unit that is detachable and has a connector for connection to the outside is movably provided, and corresponds to a position of the apparatus main body to which the unit is attached within a movable range of the handle and when the handle is not used. An apparatus structure characterized in that a connection connector portion is arranged at a position and the handle can cover the connection connector portion. 2. The device structure according to claim 1, further comprising a lock mechanism when the handle is not used. Imaging equipment, characterized in that using the apparatus structure according to claim 1 or 2.