JP5094758B2 - Detachable unit and image forming apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a unit that is detachably connected to an image forming apparatus main body such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, and an image forming apparatus including the unit, and more particularly to a unit and the apparatus main body and a connection structure between the units.

  In conventional image forming apparatuses, an optional feeder for supplying paper of a different size from the paper feed tray mounted inside the apparatus, a dedicated stand for moving or placing the image forming apparatus, etc. are provided at the lower part of the apparatus main body. Some were detachably connected. Then, a positioning mechanism that positions the apparatus main body and the unit such as an optional feeder or a dedicated stand in a predetermined positional relationship, and the apparatus main body and the unit are displaced from their normal positions due to vibration during transportation or use, or the apparatus A connection mechanism that connects the apparatus main body and the unit is provided so that the main body does not fall.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional positioning and connecting mechanism provided on the unit side. On the upper surface of the unit (here, an optional feeder) 101, four connecting fittings 102 and two positioning pins 103 are provided. When the unit 101 is connected to the lower part of an image forming apparatus (not shown), the apparatus main body is placed on the unit 101 so that the positioning pins 103 are aligned with the positioning holes formed on the bottom surface of the apparatus main body. Fix the fixing bracket on the main body side with screws.

  In such a connection mechanism, since the connection fitting 102 and the positioning pin 103 are separately provided, a structure for disposing the connection fitting 102 and the positioning pin 103 on the unit 101 side and the connection fitting on the apparatus main body side are also provided. The structure corresponding to 102 and the positioning pin 103 was required, and the structure of the unit 101 and the apparatus main body was complicated. Further, since the connecting metal fitting 102 and the positioning pin 103 are necessary, there is a problem that the cost is increased.

  Therefore, various methods for easily connecting the unit to the lower part of the apparatus main body by reducing the number of parts constituting the connection mechanism have been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses a positioning connector that protrudes downward from the bottom plate of the apparatus main body. A connecting and fixing structure is disclosed in which a positioning fixture is provided on the upper surface of the unit so that both the positioning member and the fixing member are used.

  In Patent Document 2, a frame-like locking tool is provided on the front side of a dedicated table to position and fix the image forming apparatus, and the rear side uses a bracket member to fix the dedicated table and the image forming apparatus. A method is disclosed. Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a fixing structure for fixing the image forming apparatus main body and the sheet supply apparatus using a fixing member having a bifurcated connecting part and a screwing part in which a through hole is formed.

JP-A-5-142871 JP 2003-207964 A JP 2008-111864 A

  However, in the methods of Patent Documents 1 to 3, when a plurality of units are stacked and connected to the lower part of the apparatus main body, it is necessary to attach connecting members to the upper surface and the lower surface of each unit, which increases the assembly man-hours and the number of parts. There was a problem. Further, when the unit is an optional feeder, it is necessary to attach a member such as a leaf spring for grounding between the units in order to prevent the sheet from being charged. Further, there is a possibility that the grounding cannot be surely performed due to the attachment failure or deformation of the member.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a detachable unit that can easily connect a plurality of units and can be grounded at the same time, and an image forming apparatus including the detachable unit. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a positioning part that protrudes from the upper surface of the unit and has a first screw hole, a connecting part that extends below the unit and has a second screw hole, A fixing member for fixing the positioning portion and the connecting portion to the unit, and a unit-side positioning hole formed on the bottom surface of the unit and into which the positioning portion of another unit is inserted. A plurality of the upper and lower parts of the connecting bracket fixed to the lower unit and the second screw hole of the connecting bracket fixed to the upper unit. It is a detachable unit that can be connected.

  According to the present invention, in the detachable unit configured as described above, a window portion through which the second screw hole is exposed is formed on a side surface of the unit.

  According to the present invention, in the detachable unit configured as described above, the connecting portion and the fixing portion are integrally formed by bending a metal plate into an L shape.

  According to the present invention, in the detachable unit configured as described above, the positioning portion is formed by extending at least a part of the connecting portion upward.

  Further, according to the present invention, a detachable unit having the above configuration is connected to the lower side, and a main body side positioning hole into which the positioning portion is inserted and a first screw hole of the positioning portion inserted into the main body side positioning hole are overlapped with a third An image forming apparatus having a screw hole.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, the connection fitting is grounded through the apparatus main body frame by fixing the first screw hole and the third screw hole with screws.

  According to the 1st structure of this invention, since the connection member and positioning member which connect units can be combined, a number of parts and an assembly man-hour can be reduced. Further, it is not necessary to set the timing of the horizontal positioning by the positioning member and the engagement of the connecting member, and the unit can be easily connected.

  Further, according to the second configuration of the present invention, in the detachable unit having the first configuration described above, by forming the window portion in which the second screw hole is exposed on the side surface of the unit, the connecting bracket of the adjacent unit is formed. They can be easily fastened or separated from each other.

  Further, according to the third configuration of the present invention, in the detachable unit having the first or second configuration, the connecting portion and the fixing portion are integrally formed by bending the metal plate into an L shape. And a fixing | fixed part can be formed easily. In addition, since the fixing portion can be fixed to the upper surface of the unit, the fixing work of the connecting metal fitting becomes easy.

  According to the fourth configuration of the present invention, in the detachable unit having any one of the first to third configurations, the positioning portion is formed by extending at least a part of the coupling portion upward, Since the connecting portion and the positioning portion can be integrally formed, it is advantageous for simplifying the structure of the connecting fitting and reducing the cost.

  According to the fifth configuration of the present invention, the detachable unit having any one of the first to fourth configurations is connected downward, and the main body side positioning hole into which the positioning portion is inserted, and the main body side positioning By having the third screw hole that overlaps the first screw hole of the positioning portion inserted into the hole, the image forming apparatus can be easily connected to the unit.

  Further, according to the sixth configuration of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having the fifth configuration, the first metal hole and the third screw hole are screw-fixed so that the connecting bracket attaches the apparatus main body frame. By being grounded via each other, each unit can be grounded easily and reliably without using a member for grounding each unit separately.

1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus to which an option feeder of the present invention is connected. Side sectional view showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus The fragmentary perspective view which shows the state which connected the option feeder of this invention The perspective view of the coupling metal fitting used for this invention Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the fixing part of the connecting bracket. Partial sectional view showing the coupling mechanism between optional feeders The perspective view which showed only the connection metal fitting in FIG. Partial sectional view showing the coupling mechanism between the option feeder and the image forming apparatus The perspective view which shows the other structural example of the connection metal fitting used for this invention. The perspective view which shows the state which fastened the connection metal fitting shown in FIG. A perspective view showing an example of a conventional positioning and coupling mechanism

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus connected with an option feeder of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing an internal structure of the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 2, the option feeder 30 is not shown. In FIG. 1, a resin cassette cover 23 and a manual tray cover 24 are mounted on the front surface (right side surface in the drawing) of a main body housing 22 of an image forming apparatus (color printer) 100. The cassette cover 23 is a part of the paper feed cassette 9 a (see FIG. 2) provided in the main body housing 22, and is exposed to the outside to constitute a part of the exterior surface of the main body housing 22.

  The manual feed tray cover 24 is attached to the outside of the manual feed tray 9b (see FIG. 2), and can be opened and closed up and down with the lower end portion as a fulcrum. Thus, in the closed state (the state shown in FIG. 1) by turning upward, a part of the exterior surface of the main body housing 22 is formed. On the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 100, a paper discharge unit 16 that discharges paper on which an image has been formed and a discharge tray 17 that stocks the paper discharged from the paper discharge unit 16 are disposed.

  Below the image forming apparatus 100, an option feeder 30 for feeding paper to an image forming unit (described later) in the main body housing 22 is connected. The option feeder 30 stores paper having a size different from that of the paper feed cassette 9a provided in the main body housing 22, and is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus 100 according to the paper size used by the user. .

  Next, an image forming operation will be described with reference to FIG. In the image forming apparatus 100, when an image forming operation is performed, the photosensitive drum 1 that rotates counterclockwise in FIG. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 by a laser beam from the exposure unit 3 based on the original image data.

  A rotary type developing unit 4 that supplies developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) onto the photosensitive drum 1 includes cyan, magenta, yellow, and black developing cartridges 4a and 4b in which a developing device and a toner container are integrated. 4c and 4d, and by sequentially rotating the developing cartridges 4a to 4d to positions facing the photosensitive drum 1, the toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1, and the toner of each color An image is formed. Toner supply to the developing cartridges 4 a to 4 d is performed from the toner cartridge 5. Four toner cartridges 5 are arranged side by side corresponding to each color in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. Further, the toner replenishing device from the toner cartridge 5 to the developing cartridges 4a to 4d is not shown in FIG.

  The intermediate transfer belt 6 onto which the toner image is primarily transferred is rotated clockwise in the drawing by a driving unit (not shown) while being in contact with the photosensitive drum 1. A sheet made of dielectric resin is used for the intermediate transfer belt 6, and a belt in which both ends thereof are overlapped and joined to form an endless shape, or a belt without a seam (seamless) is used.

  When the user inputs image formation start, a cyan toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 at a predetermined timing. After an electric field is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 6 at a predetermined transfer voltage, a cyan toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 6 by the primary transfer roller 7a. Thereafter, the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is removed by the cleaning unit 8, the developing unit 4 rotates by a predetermined amount, and a magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 in the same manner as described above. The image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 6.

  Thereafter, yellow and black toner images are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 6 by the photosensitive drum 1 in the same manner as described above. These four color images are formed with a predetermined positional relationship predetermined for forming a predetermined full-color image. A secondary transfer roller 7b is positioned below the intermediate transfer belt 6.

  A sheet is fed from a sheet feeding mechanism 9 including a sheet feeding cassette 9a and a manual feed tray (stack bypass) 9b provided above the sheet toward the intermediate transfer belt 6 on which the toner image is formed as described above. The toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 6 is transferred onto the sheet by the secondary transfer roller 7b. In addition, when the optional feeder 30 is used, the paper transport path 21 through which the paper fed from the optional feeder 30 (see FIG. 1) passes is provided so as to vertically penetrate the front portion of the paper feed cassette 9a. The sheet is conveyed from the sheet conveyance path 21 to the secondary transfer roller 7 b via the paper feed roller 10 and the registration roller pair 11.

  Then, the sheet on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed along the sheet conveying path 12 to the fixing unit 13 having the fixing roller pair 13a, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet. The paper that has passed through the fixing unit 13 is distributed in the conveyance direction by a branching unit 14 that branches in a plurality of directions. When an image is formed only on one side of the sheet, the sheet is directly discharged onto the discharge tray 17 via the sheet conveyance path 15 and the sheet discharge unit 16.

  On the other hand, when images are formed on both sides of the paper, the paper that has passed through the fixing unit 13 is switched in the transport direction downward by the feed roller 18 in the paper transport path 15 and then the image surface is directed upward at the branching unit 14. Then, the sheet is distributed to the sheet re-conveying path 19 and further re-conveyed to the secondary transfer roller 7b through the reverse roller 20 and the registration roller pair 11 with the image surface facing downward. After the next image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 6 is transferred by the secondary transfer roller 7b to the surface where the image of the paper is not formed and conveyed to the fixing unit 13 and the toner image is fixed on the paper, The paper is discharged from the paper discharge unit 16 onto the discharge tray 17.

  FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing a state where two option feeders are connected. Positioning pins for horizontal positioning of the option feeders 30 and 31 or between the option feeder 30 and the image forming apparatus 100 (see FIG. 1) are provided at two places (only one place is shown in FIG. 3) of the option feeders 30 and 31. 33 is protrudingly provided. Further, a window portion 35 for fixing the screw to the lower option feeder 31 is formed on the side surface of the housing of the option feeder 30. In FIG. 3, the positioning pin 33 of the option feeder 31 is not shown, and a window 35 is formed on the side surface of the option feeder 31 at the same position as the option feeder 30.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a connection fitting for connecting the option feeder, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a fixed portion of the connection fitting 37 in FIG. The connecting bracket 37 has a fixing portion 39 fixed to the main body of the option feeders 30 and 31 and a connecting portion 40 formed by bending the fixing portion 39 downward substantially vertically. Thus, the positioning pin 33 is fixed by caulking. The fixing of the positioning pin 33 to the fixing portion 39 is not limited to caulking and other methods such as welding may be used.

  A round hole 42 and a long hole 43 are formed in the fixing portion 39, and as shown in FIG. 5, the connecting bracket 37 is positioned by engaging the round hole 42 with the protrusion 48 on the body of the option feeders 30 and 31. After that, the connecting bracket 37 is fixed by screwing the fixing screw 51a into the fixing screw hole 49 on the main body side through the elongated hole 43. Further, the positioning pin 33 is provided with a first screw hole 45, and a second screw hole 47 is provided at the lower end portion of the connecting portion 40.

  FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a connection mechanism between option feeders, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing only the connected metal fittings. In FIG. 6, the projection 48 and the fixing screw 51a are not shown. A method of connecting the option feeders 30 and 31 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. First, the option feeders 30 and 31 are overlapped so that the positioning pin 33 of the lower option feeder 31 fits into the unit side positioning hole 50 of the upper option feeder 30. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the first screw hole 45 formed in the positioning pin 33 of the option feeder 31 and the second screw hole 47 of the connecting fitting 37 fixed to the option feeder 30 are designed to overlap. Has been.

  Then, when the connecting screw 51b is screwed into the second screw hole 47 and the first screw hole 45 from the window portion 35 formed on the side surface of the option feeder 30, the connection fittings 37 are connected to each other as shown in FIG. The option feeders 30 and 31 are connected by being fastened by screws 51b. When the option feeders 30 and 31 are cut off, the connecting screws 51b may be removed from the window portion 35 and the fastening of the connecting fittings 37 may be released. Further, since the option feeder 31 has the same configuration as the option feeder 30, another option feeder can be connected below the option feeder 31.

  Instead of providing the window portion 35, the side plates of the option feeders 30 and 31 may be detachable. In this case, the appearance of the option feeders 30 and 31 is improved, but it is necessary to remove the side plate when fastening or loosening the connecting screws 51b. Therefore, it is desirable to provide the window 35 as in the present embodiment in consideration of the detachability workability of the option feeders 30 and 31. In order to improve the appearance, a fitting type lid member may be attached to the window portion 35.

  Next, the connection between the option feeder 30 and the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a coupling mechanism between the option feeder and the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 8, the projection 48 and the fixing screw 51a are not shown. First, the image forming apparatus 100 is overlaid on the option feeder 30 so that the positioning pins 33 of the option feeder 30 are fitted into the main body side positioning holes 53 of the image forming apparatus 100. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the first screw hole 45 formed in the positioning pin 33 of the option feeder 30 and the third screw hole 57 formed in the main body frame 55 of the image forming apparatus 100 overlap each other. Designed.

  Then, when the connecting screw 51b is screwed into the third screw hole 57 and the first screw hole 45 from the window portion 35 formed on the side surface of the image forming apparatus 100, the connecting metal fitting 37 and the main body frame 55 are connected by the connecting screw 51b. As a result, the option feeder 30 and the image forming apparatus 100 are connected. When the option feeder 30 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100, the connection screw 51b may be removed from the window portion 35 to release the connection between the connection fitting 37 and the main body frame 55.

  According to the above configuration, since the positioning pin 33 also serves as the connecting member, it is not necessary to provide the positioning pin and the connecting member separately as in the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 11, and the option feeder 30 and the image forming apparatus are eliminated. The structure of 100 can be simplified and the number of parts can be reduced.

  Further, since the main body frame 55 is made of metal and is grounded (grounded) via a power cord or the like, the option feeder 30 is also grounded via a connection fitting 37 fastened to the main body frame 55. Furthermore, the option feeder 31 (see FIG. 6) to which the coupling fittings 37 are fastened is also grounded. Thereby, it is not necessary to separately provide a member for grounding, and the number of parts and the number of assembly steps can be reduced. Further, since the connecting metal fitting 37 is fastened to the main body frame 55 by the connecting screw 51b, the grounding can be surely performed as compared with the case where a leaf spring or the like is used.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another configuration example of the connection fitting used in the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connection fitting shown in FIG. 9 is fastened. In the configuration of FIG. 9, the connecting portion 40 is extended upward to form the positioning piece 60, and the fixing portion 39 bends the branch portion 61 protruding from the boundary between the connecting portion 40 and the positioning piece 60 into an L shape. Is formed. 4, a round hole 42 for positioning and a long hole 43 for screw fixing are formed in the fixing portion 39, and a first screw hole 45 is formed in the positioning piece 60. The connecting portion 40 is formed with a second screw hole 47, respectively.

  According to this configuration, since the fixing portion 39, the connecting portion 40, and the positioning piece 60 can be integrally formed with a sheet metal member such as SECC (galvanized steel plate), the positioning pin 33 is fixed to the fixing portion 39 as shown in FIG. Compared with this, it is easy to manufacture the connecting fitting 37, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

  In the above embodiment, the fixing member 39 and the connecting portion 40 are formed by bending the sheet metal member into an L shape. For example, a positioning hole and a screw hole are formed in the vicinity of the center of the connecting portion 40 to connect the connecting portion 40. And the fixing portion 39 may be used together. In this case, since the screws are horizontally screwed into the option feeders 30 and 31 from the window portion 35 to fix the connecting bracket 37, it is difficult to visually check the screws, and the screw fastening operation itself becomes complicated. In addition, in order to avoid fastening screws from the side, fixing the connecting bracket 37 from above with the side surfaces of the option feeders 30 and 31 facing upward requires an operation to change the orientation of the option feeders 30 and 31. Will increase. Therefore, it is preferable that the fixing portion 39 and the connecting portion 40 are formed in an L shape so that the fixing portion 39 can be fixed to the upper surfaces of the option feeders 30 and 31.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. For example, the number, arrangement, and shape of the connecting bracket 37 are merely examples, and can be changed as appropriate according to the size and shape of the option feeders 30 and 31. In order to perform horizontal positioning using the connecting bracket 37, for example. Must be arranged in at least two places. Further, for the fixing of the connection fitting 37, a fixing method other than the screwing may be used.

  Further, here, the connection between the option feeders or between the option feeder and the image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to a dedicated stand on which the image forming apparatus is placed or the like. Of course, the present invention can be similarly applied to the connection of the detachable unit.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a detachable unit connected to the lower side of the image forming apparatus, and protrudes from the upper surface of the unit and has a first screw hole and a lower part of the unit. In addition, a connecting bracket having a connecting portion in which a second screw hole is formed, a positioning portion and a fixing portion for fixing the connecting portion to the unit, and a positioning portion of another unit formed on the bottom surface of the unit are inserted. A plurality of unit positioning holes, and when a plurality of units are stacked, the first screw hole of the connecting bracket fixed to the lower unit and the second screw of the connecting bracket fixed to the upper unit It is configured to overlap the hole.

  Thereby, the detachable unit which can perform the connection operation | work of units easily can be provided, and a number of parts and an assembly man-hour can also be reduced. Further, by forming the window part in which the second screw hole is exposed on the side surface of the unit, the connecting fittings of the adjacent units can be easily fastened or separated.

  Further, by bending the metal plate into an L shape and integrally forming the connecting portion and the fixing portion, a connecting bracket that has a simple configuration and is easy to attach. Further, if the positioning portion is formed by extending the connecting portion, the connecting fitting can be formed by a single sheet metal member.

  Further, by providing a main body side positioning hole into which the positioning unit of the detachable unit of the present invention is inserted and a third screw hole overlapping the first screw hole of the positioning unit inserted into the main body side positioning hole. Thus, the image forming apparatus can be easily connected to the unit below the apparatus. Further, if the connecting bracket of the unit is grounded via the apparatus main body frame, the unit can be grounded easily and reliably without using a member for grounding the unit.

30, 31 Option feeder (detachable unit)
33 Positioning pin (positioning part)
35 Window portion 37 Connecting bracket 39 Fixed portion 40 Connecting portion 45 First screw hole 47 Second screw hole 50 Unit side positioning hole 51a Fixing screw 51b Connecting screw 53 Main body side positioning hole 55 Main body frame 57 Third screw hole 60 Positioning Piece (positioning part)
100 Image forming apparatus

Claims (6)

A positioning part that protrudes from the upper surface of the unit and has a first screw hole, a connecting part that extends below the unit and has a second screw hole, and fixes the positioning part and the connecting part to the unit. A connecting bracket having a fixing portion;
A unit-side positioning hole formed on the bottom surface of the unit and into which the positioning part of another unit is inserted,
When the units are overlapped, the first screw hole of the connection fitting fixed to the lower unit and the second screw hole of the connection fitting fixed to the upper unit overlap. A detachable unit that can be connected multiple times up and down.   The detachable unit according to claim 1, wherein a window portion through which the second screw hole is exposed is formed on a side surface of the unit.   The detachable unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting portion and the fixing portion are integrally formed by bending a metal plate into an L shape.   The detachable unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the positioning portion is formed by extending at least a part of the connecting portion upward. The detachable unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is connected downward,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a main body side positioning hole into which the positioning portion is inserted; and a third screw hole that overlaps the first screw hole of the positioning portion inserted into the main body side positioning hole.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the connection fitting is grounded via the apparatus main body frame by fixing the first screw hole and the third screw hole with screws.

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