JP5699100B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a copy machine, a printer, a multifunction machine, and the like that are equipped with a paper feed cassette that stores a large number of transfer sheets are well known.

  Further, it is well known that the number of paper feed cassettes can be increased by connecting a paper transport device equipped with a paper feed cassette to the apparatus main body in order to increase the types and stacking amounts of paper. At this time, the electrical connection between the sheet conveying apparatus and the apparatus main body requires the use of a drawer connector (connection terminal) because it is necessary to simplify the connection and supply a high-voltage AC voltage. Therefore, when the drawer connector is exposed before connecting the drawer connectors at the time of setting up the sheet conveying apparatus and the apparatus main body, there is a problem in safety standards.

  As a countermeasure, a switch may be provided on a circuit connected to the drawer connector so that the switch is turned on when the paper transport device is connected to the main body. However, this configuration complicates the device and increases costs. turn into.

  In addition, a protective cover that covers the drawer connector may be attached, but in addition to the time and effort required to remove the protective cover during setup, there is a risk that the connection terminal may be damaged if it is forgotten to be removed. Furthermore, since the protective cover as described above is attached for the purpose of preventing a short circuit with a conductive foreign object or the like existing on the mounting surface during setup, if the protective cover is easily opened by careless pressing, There was a possibility that the purpose of was not achieved.

  Alternatively, a technique is known in which a connector is stably connected by providing a ground terminal when a process cartridge integrated with a charging device or the like is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A technique including a protection member such as a spring for protecting the connector from static electricity is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-123918 JP 2008-46535 A

  However, in the case of the image forming apparatus configured as described above, in any case, the connector is protected before connecting the sheet conveying apparatus and the apparatus main body, and the trouble is to remove the protective cover at the time of connection or forgetting to remove it. There has been a problem that the inconvenience cannot be solved with a simple configuration. For example, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the connector is exposed before fitting, there is a risk that the connector may cause a short circuit. Similarly, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, since the connector is exposed from the gap between the protective members, there is a risk that the connector may be short-circuited.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, for example, and an object of the present invention is to protect the connection terminals before connecting the sheet conveying apparatus and the apparatus main body, and to remove the protective cover at the time of connection. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of achieving both elimination of labor and prevention of damage to connection terminals due to forgetting to remove them with a simple configuration.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of coupling a sheet conveying apparatus provided with a first connection terminal to an apparatus main body provided with a second connection terminal connected to the first connection terminal. In the apparatus, the paper transport device includes a positioning pin, the device main body includes a positioning hole that fits into the positioning pin, a protective cover that faces the bottom surface of the second connection terminal, and the protective cover. An urging means for urging in a direction intersecting the mounting direction of the one connection terminal and the second connection terminal, and a fitting path between the locating pin and the locating hole, against the urging force of the urging means. Locking means for locking the protective cover at a position facing the bottom surface of the second connection terminal, and the positioning pin is engaged with the locking means in the middle of fitting the positioning pin and the positioning hole. Abut And by, and cancels the locking of the protective cover by the locking means.

  At this time, the locking means includes a locking hole and a locking claw that locks into the locking hole, and one of the locking hole and the locking claw is on the protective cover, The other is preferably formed in a latch that is arranged inside the apparatus main body and urges the protective cover in a direction to lock the protective cover.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said locking means equips the said protective cover with the latching nail | claw which latches to the opening edge of the said positioning hole.

  According to the present invention described above, it is a simple configuration to protect the connection terminal before coupling the paper transport device and the apparatus main body, and to eliminate the trouble of removing the protective cover at the time of coupling and to prevent the connection terminal from being damaged due to forgetting to remove it. Can be compatible.

1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a paper feed cassette unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a top view before connecting the paper feeding cassette unit and apparatus main body which concern on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. (A) is a plan view in the middle of connecting the paper feed cassette unit and the apparatus main body according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a longitudinal sectional view. (A) is a top view after connecting the paper feeding cassette unit and apparatus main body which concern on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. (A) is a top view before connecting the paper feeding cassette unit and apparatus main body which concern on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view.

(First embodiment)
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a multifunction machine 1 as an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus main body 2 and paper feeding as an optional paper conveying apparatus mounted below the apparatus main body 2. A cassette unit 3 and an optional image reading device 4 mounted above the apparatus main body 2 are provided. Note that the vertical, horizontal, and front-back directions are based on the direction viewed from the user who operates the multifunction machine 1.

  The apparatus main body 2 is formed in a box shape, an operation panel unit 5 that is operated when using various settings, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like, a paper feed cassette 6 that can store transfer paper, and a publicly known device The image forming unit (not shown) is stored in a processing unit 7 and a paper discharge tray unit 8 is stored in which transfer paper after image forming processing is stored.

  The paper feed cassette unit 3 is formed in a box shape, and can be detachably installed below the paper feed cassette 6 as an option separately from the paper feed cassette 6 provided in the apparatus body 2. In the embodiment, the upper and lower two-stage sheet feeding cassettes 9 and 10 are provided. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can store transfer sheets of three types (for example, A4, A3, and B5) by using the upper and lower three-stage sheet feeding cassettes 6, 9, and 10. Yes.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the connection surface 3a of the sheet cassette unit 3 to the apparatus main body 2 is provided with a lower connector 11 as a first connection terminal near the rear surface and the lower connector 11 along the rear surface. A pair of left and right positioning pins 12a and 12b are erected on both sides of the sandwich. Of the pair of positioning pins 12a and 12b, the lower connector 11 is separated from the positioning pin 12a arranged on the left side and close to the positioning pin 12b arranged on the right side, and the upper surface where a plurality of terminals are arranged is directed upward. It is arranged in the state. The positioning pins 12a and 12b are formed in a cylindrical shape, and as shown in FIG. 3, the mounting direction of the lower connector 11 and the upper connector 16 provided in the apparatus main body 2 described later (in FIG. 3B). (Indicated by the symbol P). The distal end portions of the positioning pins 12a and 12b are formed so as to become gradually thinner toward the distal end, and the height of the positioning pins 12a and 12b is formed to be higher than the height of the lower connector 11. ing.

  On the other hand, the bottom surface of the apparatus main body 2 is covered with a base member 13, and an insertion opening 14 through which the lower connector 11 is inserted into a connection surface 2 a for the paper feed cassette unit 3 at a position corresponding to the lower connector 11. And circular positioning holes 15a and 15b (15b not shown) into which the positioning pins 12a and 12b are fitted at positions corresponding to the positioning pins 12a and 12b, respectively, are opened through the base member 13. Yes. The size of the insertion opening 14 is sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of the lower connector 11 so that the lower connector 11 is inserted. On the other hand, the inner diameters of the positioning holes 15a and 15b are slightly larger than the outer diameters of the positioning pins 12a and 12b so that the positioning pins 12a and 12b are fitted.

  Further, an upper connector 16 serving as a second connection terminal connected to the lower connector 11, a protective cover 17 facing the bottom surface of the upper connector 16, and a protective cover 17 are mounted inside the base member 13 of the apparatus body 2. A spring 18 as a biasing means that biases in a direction orthogonal to the direction P, and a latch as a locking means for locking the protective cover 17 at a position facing the bottom surface of the upper connector 16 against the biasing force of the spring 18. 19.

  The upper connector 16 is arranged in a state where the bottom surface where a plurality of terminals are arranged faces the insertion opening 14, and the terminal on the bottom surface is connected to the terminal on the upper surface of the lower connector 11 inserted through the insertion opening 14.

  The protective cover 17 is formed in a rectangular plate shape having an outer diameter larger than that of the insertion opening 14, and is arranged so that the plate thickness is oriented along the mounting direction P of the paper feed cassette unit 3. A locking hole 20 (a part of the locking means) is opened at the end of the protective cover 17 near the positioning hole 15a, and a spring 18 is attached to the opposite end. Further, leg portions 17a stand upright on the lower surface slightly inward from both sides in the longitudinal direction of the protective cover 17 near the locking holes 20, respectively, and from the tip of the leg portion 17a, the protective cover 17 is provided. An arm portion 17b extending outward toward the side in the longitudinal direction is formed in parallel with the lower surface of the arm. The distance between the outer surfaces of both leg portions 17 a is set to be slightly smaller than the width of the insertion opening 14. Further, the distance between the lower surface of the protective cover 17 and the facing surface of the arm portion 17 b is set to be larger than the plate thickness of the base member 13.

  On the other hand, at the edge of the insertion opening 14 near the positioning hole 15a, an introduction hole 14a is formed by extending a part of the edge to both sides in the width direction. The leg portion 17a and the arm portion 17b of the protective cover 17 can be inserted through the introduction hole 14a. Further, at the edge portion of the insertion opening 14 facing the edge portion where the introduction hole 14a is formed, the edge portion is extended in the longitudinal direction with a predetermined width on both sides in the width direction, and a locking hole 14b is formed. . The width of the locking hole 14b is set such that the leg portion 17a of the protective cover 17 can freely move.

  When the protective cover 17 is attached to the base member 13, the leg portion 17a and the arm portion 17b are inserted through the introduction hole 14a, and then the spring 18 is connected. The movement of the protective cover 17 in the width direction of the insertion opening 14 is restricted by the leg portion 17a, and is movable only in the longitudinal direction. However, when the leg portion 17a comes into contact with the end portion of the locking hole 14b, further movement in the longitudinal direction is restricted. The arm portion 17b protrudes outward from the lower surface of the base member 13, and restricts the upward movement of the protective cover 17 to a predetermined range. Further, the arm portion 17 b constitutes an operation portion for moving the protective cover 17 to a closed position that closes the insertion opening 14.

  The protective cover 17 formed in this way retreats in a closed state in which the insertion opening 14 is closed at a position facing the bottom surface of the upper connector 16 and in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction P from a position facing the bottom surface of the upper connector 16. Thus, it is configured to be movable to an open state in which the bottom surface of the upper connector 16 is exposed through the insertion opening 14. Therefore, the protective cover 17 protects the bottom surface of the upper connector 16 by moving to the closed state, while allowing the connection of the lower connector 11 to the upper connector 16 through the insertion opening 14 by moving to the open state. To do.

  The spring 18 is attached between the protective cover 17 and the inner wall of the apparatus main body 2 in a state in which the spring 18 can expand and contract in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction P by elastic deformation. When the protective cover 17 extends to a position opposite to the bottom surface of the upper connector 16, the spring 18 is urged in a direction away from the positioning hole 15a by an elastic restoring force, and when returning from the extended state to the contracted state, The protective cover 17 facing the bottom surface of the connector 16 is retracted along the base member 13 in the direction away from the positioning hole 15a, so that the bottom surface of the upper connector 16 is exposed from the insertion opening 14.

  The latch 19 includes a rectangular plate-like arm portion 21 arranged in a fitting path between the positioning pin 12a and the positioning hole 15a, and the arm portion 21 is rotatable by a pressing force from below (the rotation at this time). The root end portion of the arm portion 21 is pivotally attached to the latch shaft 22 in the direction of movement (indicated by reference numeral R in FIG. 4B). A locking claw 23 (a part of the locking means) that protrudes in an L shape toward the base member 13 side and is locked in the locking hole 20 protrudes from the distal end portion of the arm portion 21. . The locking claw 23 is formed so that the support surface 24 on the base side on the latch shaft 22 side is formed in a plane perpendicular to the arm portion 21, and gradually the tip surface 25 on the opposite side toward the tip portion. It is formed in a tapered shape to reduce the thickness. Thereby, the support surface 24 makes it easy to hold the locking claw 23 locked to the locking hole 20, and the front end surface 25 easily allows the locking claw 23 to enter the locking hole 20 of the protective cover 17. It is configured. A torsion spring 26 having both ends pulled out from the outer periphery of the latch shaft 22 is wound around the outer periphery of the latch shaft 22. The torsion spring 26 is arranged such that one end is in contact with the upper portion of the fixing pin 27 provided on the side of the arm portion 21 and the other end is in contact with the base member 13, thereby The downward rotation range of the portion 21 is constrained.

  When the latching claw 23 enters the latching hole 20 of the protective cover 17 at a position opposite to the bottom surface of the upper connector 16, the latch 19 formed in this way latches the protective cover 17 (rotation direction). By urging in the direction opposite to R), the locking claw 23 is locked in the locking hole 20. Further, the latch 19 is configured such that the arm portion 21 is separated from the base member 13 around the latch shaft 22 by the positioning pin 12a coming into contact with the arm portion 21 while the positioning pin 12a and the positioning hole 15a are engaged. By rotating in the rotation direction R, the locking claw 23 is unlocked from the locking hole 20.

  In the configuration as described above, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the protective cover 17 is opposed to the bottom surface of the upper connector 16 and the bottom surface of the upper connector 16 is protected by closing the insertion opening 14 as shown in FIG. The positioning pins 12a and 12b provided in the paper feed cassette unit 3 and the positioning holes 15a and 15b provided in the apparatus main body 2 are brought close to each other. Then, the positioning pins 12a and 12b are fitted into the positioning holes 15a and 15b while the tip portions of the positioning pins 12a and 12b abut against the edges of the positioning holes 15a and 15b and are aligned with each other. Further, when the positioning pins 12a and 12b are inserted into the positioning holes 15a and 15b, the leading end portion of the positioning pin 12a comes into contact with the arm portion 21 of the latch 19, and as shown in FIG. , The locking claw 23 is unlocked from the locking hole 20 of the protective cover 17.

  As a result, when the spring 18 returns to the steady state by the restoring force, the protective cover 17 moves backward in the direction away from the positioning hole 15a (the backward direction at this time is indicated by a symbol M in FIG. 4B). ), The leg portion 17a moves to a position where it abuts against the end portion of the locking hole 14b, and is converted into an open state in which the bottom surface of the upper connector 16 is exposed to the outside through the insertion opening 14. In this state, when the paper feed cassette unit 3 and the apparatus main body 2 are further brought closer, after the lower connector 11 is inserted into the insertion opening 14, the lower connector 11 and the upper connector 16 are connected as shown in FIG. The connection between the apparatus main body 2 and the paper feed cassette unit 3 is completed. The connection surface 3a of the paper cassette unit 3 is formed with a recess or an opening 3b for avoiding interference with the arm 17b of the protective cover 17 converted to the open state.

  As a result, the upper connector 16 is protected by the protective cover 17 before the apparatus main body 2 and the paper feed cassette unit 3 are connected, and during the positioning by the positioning pins 12a and 12b and the positioning holes 15a and 15b at the time of connection. The bottom surface of the upper connector 16 can be exposed through the insertion opening 14. As a result, it is possible to save the trouble of removing the protective cover 17 at the time of connection, and to eliminate the risk of the lower connector 11 and the upper connector 16 being damaged due to forgetting to remove them.

  When the protective cover 17 is converted from the open state to the closed state, when the retracted protective cover 17 is opposed to the bottom surface of the upper connector 16, the end of the protective cover 17 near the positioning hole 15 a is engaged with the latch 19. It abuts on the tip surface 25 of the claw 23. Further, when the protective cover 17 is slid in the direction approaching the positioning hole 15a, the arm portion 19 of the latch 19 rotates in the rotational direction R by the thickness of the protective cover 17 against the urging force of the torsion spring 26. The locking claw 23 enters the locking hole 20 and the locking claw 23 and the locking hole 20 are locked. As a result, the protective cover 17 can be locked at a position to be opposed to the upper connector 16 against the urging force of the spring 18.

  Further, since the locking hole 20 is provided in the protective cover 17 and the locking claw 23 is provided in the latch 19 disposed inside the apparatus main body 2 with respect to the base member 13, the protective cover 17 is closed by inadvertent pressing. Can be suppressed from being converted to an open state. Furthermore, since the latch 19 urges the protective cover 17 in the locking direction, it is difficult to release the locking claw 23 from the locking hole 20 of the protective cover 17.

  In the above embodiment, the protective cover 17 is provided with the locking hole 20 and the latch 19 is provided with the locking claw 23. However, the protective cover 17 is provided with the locking claw 23 and the latch 19 is provided with the locking hole 20. It may be provided.

(Embodiment 2)
By the way, as shown in FIG. 6, the locking means can be configured to include a locking claw 29 that locks the opening edge 28 of the positioning hole 15 a in the protective cover 30. In this case, the locking claw 29 is formed in an arc shape along the inner peripheral surface of the positioning hole 15a with the support surface 31 on the spring 18 side being perpendicular to the protective cover 30 and on the opposite side. The tip surface 32 is formed in a tapered shape that gradually decreases in thickness as it goes toward the tip. As a result, the support surface 31 makes it easy to hold the positioning hole 15a with respect to the opening edge 28, and the tip surface 32 is configured so that the locking claw 29 can easily enter the positioning hole 15a. Therefore, the protective cover 30 can be converted from the closed state to the open state by bringing the positioning pin 12a into contact with the protective cover 30 with a simpler configuration.

1 MFP (image forming device)
2 Device body 3 Paper feed cassette unit (paper transport device)
11 Lower connector (first connection terminal)
12a, 12b Positioning pin 15a, 15b Positioning hole (locking means)
16 Upper connector (second connection terminal)
17 Protective cover 18 Spring (biasing means)
19 Latch (locking means)
20 Locking hole 23 Locking claw 28 Open edge 29 Locking claw 30 Protective cover (locking means)
P Wear direction

Claims (3)

In the image forming apparatus capable of connecting the sheet conveying apparatus provided with the first connection terminal to the lower side of the apparatus main body provided with the second connection terminal connected to the first connection terminal in the vertical direction ,
The connection surface of the paper transport device includes a positioning pin,
The connection surface of the apparatus main body has a positioning hole that fits into the positioning pin, and an opening formed at a position corresponding to the second connection terminal ,
The apparatus main body is opposed to the bottom surface of the second connection terminal and closes the opening, and urges the protection cover in a direction crossing the mounting direction of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal. The urging means is arranged in a fitting path between the positioning pin and the positioning hole, and the protective cover is locked at a position facing the bottom surface of the second connection terminal against the urging force of the urging means. A latch, and
Wherein the middle of fitting the positioning pins and said positioning holes, by the positioning pin is brought into contact with the latch, the image forming apparatus characterized by releasing the locking of the protective cover by the latch. The image according to claim 1 , wherein a locking hole is provided in one of the protective cover and the latch, and a locking claw that locks in the locking hole is provided in the other. Forming equipment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the locking claw is provided on the protective cover .