JP2008015052A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for reducing the manufacturing cost for preparing a grasping part. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus 100, provided with the grasping part 10 that is grasped on an apparatus body 110 incorporating an image formation part at transportation, the gasping part 10 has a recess formed toward an inward interior part from the side of the apparatus body 110, and a protrusive wall constituting the side face side of the recess comprises a rib 11c. The rib 11c protrudes to be integrated downward from the lower face of an interior extension part 11a, extending inwardly from the side of an outer cover 112a constituting the side of the apparatus body 110. A plurality of the ribs 11c are arranged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus provided with a carrying grip.

  An image forming apparatus such as a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multi-function machine having a combination of the functions of these devices is heavy and large and difficult to lift and difficult to carry during installation. For this reason, the image forming apparatus is provided with a gripping part for transportation in the apparatus main body.

The gripping portion is a recess formed from the side surface of the apparatus main body toward the inwardly recessed portion so that the carrier's finger is easily caught and does not protrude out of the way. The member constituting the side surface of the apparatus main body is a synthetic resin molded product, and is attached so as to cover the chassis of the apparatus main body. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, a member may be provided by dividing the member into two pieces 901 and 902. Further, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), two slide molds are slid in the direction of arrow S on a one-piece member 903 molded as a whole in the die-cutting direction in the drawing, and locally 2 A grip portion may be provided by forming two concave portions (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-37818 A

  However, in the case shown in FIG. 4 (a), since it is divided into two-piece members 901 and 902, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost becomes high, such as taking time and labor for assembly. In addition, in the case shown in FIG. 4B, it is necessary to create two additional slide molds, which increases the cost of the mold, and it is necessary to slide the two slide molds to increase the molding cost. There was a problem that the manufacturing cost was high.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the manufacturing cost of providing a grip portion.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus in which a gripping part gripped during transportation is provided in an apparatus main body incorporating an image forming part. It is a dent formed from the side surface of the main body toward the inwardly recessed portion, and the protruding wall constituting the side surface side of the dent is made of a rib.

  An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the rib extends downward from the lower surface of the extending portion extending from the side surface of the member constituting the side surface of the apparatus main body. It is characterized by being integrated and protruding.

  An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein a plurality of the ribs are arranged.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a surface roughness of a lower surface of the rib is rougher than a surface roughness of the side surface. .

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 1, the holding portion is a depression formed from a side surface of the apparatus main body toward an inwardly recessed portion, and a protrusion constituting the side surface side of the depression. The wall consists of ribs. Therefore, the grip portion can be an integrally molded product. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost for providing the grip portion as compared to the case where the grip portion is formed from two conventional members. Moreover, the hollow used as the finger hook part forms the hollow in the site | part which became inward from the side surface of the apparatus main body. Therefore, a grip part can be provided by sliding only one slide mold and forming a rib locally. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost for providing the grip portion as compared with the conventional case where the two slide molds are slid to form the two concave portions locally.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, the rib protrudes integrally from the lower surface of the extending portion extending backward from the side surface of the member constituting the side surface of the apparatus main body. Therefore, the grip portion can be formed integrally with a member constituting the side surface of the apparatus main body. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost for providing the grip portion.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, a plurality of ribs are arranged. Therefore, it is possible to improve the strength of the finger hook portion that is a rib. In addition, the degree of freedom of the configuration and shape of the finger hook portion is increased, and the grip function of the grip portion can be improved.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the surface roughness of the lower surface of the rib is rougher than the surface roughness of the side surface. For this reason, the anti-slip function of the finger-hanging portion is increased, and the grip function of the grip portion can be improved.

  As shown in a schematic external perspective view of FIG. 1, a multifunction peripheral 100 that is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus main body 110 having a facsimile function, a copy function, a print function, a scanner function, and the like, A manuscript presser cover 120 pivotably attached to the apparatus main body 110 and an operation panel provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 110 and provided with input keys, a liquid crystal panel, and the like for inputting reading start of the manuscript. 130.

  The apparatus main body 110 includes an image reading unit 111, an image forming unit 112, and an auxiliary paper feeding unit 113 arranged in order from top to bottom. Although not shown, the apparatus main body 110 also includes a transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives image data, a control unit that controls operation processing of the multifunction peripheral 100, and the like.

  The image reading unit 111 is configured as a reading table having a built-in image reading unit in which an image of a document placed on a platen glass (not shown) is read by a flatbed scanner. In addition, an automatic document supply mechanism (ADF) that automatically conveys a document to a reading position is provided in the document pressing cover 120, and an image of a document supplied from the document tray 121 by the automatic document supply mechanism can be read. .

  The image forming unit 112 includes an image forming unit that forms an image on paper using various image forming methods such as an electrophotographic method and an ink jet recording method. Further, the image forming unit 112 includes a main paper feeding cassette, and the paper conveyed from the main paper feeding cassette is conveyed to the image forming unit to form an image, and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 122. . The image forming unit 112 has a metal main body chassis (not shown) that functions as a framework thereof. Various components constituting the main paper feed cassette and the image forming unit are fixed to the main body chassis and arranged at predetermined positions. Further, the image reading unit 111 is fixed to the main body chassis, and is disposed on the upper part of the image forming unit 112. The side surface of the main body chassis is covered with a synthetic resin exterior cover 112a attached using screws, snap fits, or the like. The exterior cover 112 a is a member that forms the side surface of the apparatus main body 110.

  The auxiliary paper feeding unit 113 includes an auxiliary paper feeding cassette that is added as an option as necessary. The paper conveyed from the auxiliary paper feeding cassette is also conveyed to the image forming unit to form an image and discharged. Paper is ejected to the paper tray. When the auxiliary paper feeding cassette is not added as an option, the auxiliary paper feeding unit 113 is replaced with a table having the same height. The auxiliary paper feeding unit 113 has a metal auxiliary paper feeding chassis (not shown) that functions as a framework. Various components such as an auxiliary paper feed cassette are fixed to the auxiliary paper feed chassis and arranged at predetermined positions. The auxiliary paper feeding unit 113 is arranged below the image forming unit 112 with the auxiliary paper feeding chassis fixed to the main body chassis. The side surface of the auxiliary paper feed chassis is covered with a synthetic resin exterior cover 113a attached using screws, snap fits, or the like. The exterior cover 113a is also a member constituting the side surface of the apparatus main body 110.

  In this way, the multifunction peripheral 100 has a scanner function in which the image reading unit reads an image such as a document placed on the platen glass. Further, the image forming unit has a print function in which a sheet is conveyed from the main sheet feeding cassette or the auxiliary sheet feeding cassette to the image forming unit, and the image data received by the transmission / reception unit is formed on the sheet by the image forming unit. Further, the paper is transported from the main paper feeding cassette or the auxiliary paper feeding cassette to the image forming unit, and the image data received by the transmission / reception unit is formed as an image on the paper by the image forming unit, and the image read by the scanner function is displayed. A facsimile function for transmitting image data by a transmission / reception unit is provided. Further, the image forming unit has a copy function in which a sheet is conveyed from the main sheet feeding cassette or the auxiliary sheet feeding cassette to the image forming unit and an image read by the scanner function is formed on the sheet by the image forming unit.

  In such a multifunction machine 100, a gripping unit 10 that is gripped by a carrier by placing a finger on a hand during transportation is provided on a side surface of the apparatus main body 110. A pair of gripping portions 10 is provided at a relatively lower portion of the left and right side surfaces of the apparatus main body 110. Two transporters facing the left and right side surfaces of the apparatus main body 110 grip and lift the grip unit 10 with their left and right hands, respectively, so that the multifunction device 100 is transported.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the grip portion 10 is formed at the lower end of the exterior cover 112 a of the image forming unit 112 that is a member constituting the side surface of the apparatus main body 110. In addition, a gripping corresponding portion 20 corresponding to the gripping portion 10 is formed on the upper end of the exterior cover 113 a of the auxiliary paper feeding unit 113 so as to be positioned below the gripping portion 10. A pair of the gripping unit 10 and the gripping corresponding unit 20 is provided on each of the left and right side surfaces of the apparatus main body 110 with an appropriate interval in the horizontal direction in consideration of handling. The grip portion 10 is formed in a shape that can easily lift the multifunction device 100 by hooking a finger. The gripping corresponding portion 20 is formed in a shape that allows a finger to be easily inserted into the gripping portion 10.

  The grip portion 10 is a recess (concave portion) that is formed from the side surface of the apparatus main body 110 toward an inwardly deepened portion (inner back), and is provided on the exterior cover 112 a of the image forming unit 112. The exterior cover 112a is an integrally molded product made of synthetic resin. Specifically, the grip portion 10 includes a rear edge portion 10a that is bent inwardly (in the center of the apparatus) from a part of the side wall that forms the side surface of the exterior cover 112a and extends substantially horizontally, and a rear edge portion 10a A back wall portion 10b that is bent from the back end and extends downward, and a plurality of ribs 10c that protrude substantially vertically downward from the bottom surface of the back edge portion 10a. With such a configuration, the outer cover 112a is provided with the grip portion 10 which is a recess formed in the rear edge portion 10a sandwiched between the rear wall portion 10b and the rib 10c located in the back. That is, the rib 10c is a protruding wall that constitutes the side surface of the recess. In addition, the back wall part 10b is connected with the lower surface wall of the exterior cover 112a in the lower end.

  The rib 10c functions as a finger hooking portion for hooking a carrier's finger when the multifunction peripheral 100 is transported. Therefore, the rib 10c has a plurality of substantially identical plate shapes facing each other and formed in a portion near the side surface of the back edge portion 10a in order to make it easy to hook a finger. The outer cover 112a has a generally uniform thickness, for example, 2.5 mm to 3.0 mm, in order to prevent the occurrence of sink marks. The thickness of each rib 10c is about the same as the other part of the exterior cover 112a. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the rib 10 c is a substantially rectangular plate-like member whose longitudinal direction is the side surface depth direction of the apparatus main body 110 in a side view, and is substantially parallel to the side surface of the apparatus main body 110. Are installed side by side. The lateral width of the rib 10c is narrower than the lateral width of the back edge portion 10a. And the longitudinal direction both ends of each rib 10c are connected with the longitudinal direction both ends of the other rib 10c over the whole whole height direction. Thereby, the finger hook part which consists of several rib 10c becomes the substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape which the long and slender lower surface center part opened as a whole.

  The exterior cover 112a is an integrally molded product (one-piece product), and is molded in the die cutting direction shown in FIG. 2 as a whole. Each rib 10c has a shape that can be molded only by sliding one slide mold downward in the figure. The exterior cover 112a is provided with a minute draft angle (not shown) in the die-cutting direction. When the transporter lifts the multifunction device 100, the carrier comes into contact with the lower corner portion of the rib 10c. For this reason, the corners of the lower surface of the rib 10c are rounded, and the gripping feeling is good by suppressing biting into the fingers. Further, the stress due to the load of the multi-function device 100 is concentrated at the base of the rib 10c. Therefore, the root of the rib 10c is rounded and widened as necessary to prevent breakage due to stress concentration.

  In addition, the shape of the holding part 10 is not limited to embodiment. Since the gripper 10 only needs to have a shape in which each rib 10c is molded by sliding one slide mold in one direction, the gripper 10 has a high degree of freedom in shape and configuration, and the gripping sensation required of the gripper 10. The shape can be appropriately determined based on the strength and the like. For example, the degree of hooking can be adjusted by changing the height of the rib 10c. The shape of the rib 10c can be changed by changing or modifying only a separate and independent small slide mold, and it is not necessary to modify a large mold for forming the entire exterior cover 112a, and adjustment is easy. . The rib 10c may be formed so as to protrude to such an extent that the fingertip of the carrier is caught when the multifunction device 100 is carried.

  On the other hand, the gripping-corresponding unit 20 is provided on the exterior cover 113a of the auxiliary paper feeding unit 113 so that the space extends below the gripping unit 10. The exterior cover 113a is an integrally molded product made of synthetic resin. Specifically, the gripping part corresponding part 20 is bent from a part of the side wall constituting the side surface of the exterior cover 113a to the inner back and extends substantially horizontally, and from the back end of the back edge part 20a. A rear wall portion 20b that is bent and extends downward. With such a configuration, the gripping corresponding portion 20 formed with a space below the gripping portion 10 is provided on the exterior cover 113a. In addition, the back wall part 20b is connected with the upper surface wall of the exterior cover 113a at the upper end.

  As described above, the multifunction peripheral 100 includes the grip portion 10 that serves as a firm clue, and therefore can be transported stably and safely. Since the finger hook portion is configured by the rib 10c projecting downward at the outer front end portion, the gripping portion 10 is easily gripped by hooking the finger on the rib 10c, the grip function is enhanced, and the rib 10c slips during transportation. Since it functions as a stop, it is possible to improve transport workability. Furthermore, since the grip corresponding part 20 is provided below the grip part 10, it is easy to insert a finger into the grip part 10, and the strength of the grip part 10 is improved.

  Further, since the number of parts is reduced or the number of slide dies is reduced as compared with the conventional case, the manufacturing cost of the multifunction machine 100 can be reduced. Since the finger hook portion formed of the rib 10c is formed at a position deeper inward from the side surface of the apparatus main body 110, it is possible to reduce the complexity of the appearance of the multifunction device 100.

  The surface roughness of the hooked portion of the rib 10c is preferably rougher than the surface roughness of other portions, for example, the side wall of the exterior cover 112a of the image forming unit 112. The transporter inserts a finger inward from an opening located below the rib 10c and hooks the finger on the rib 10c to grip the grip portion 10. Therefore, it is preferable that the surface roughness of the surface portion of the rib 10c where the finger is actually hooked, at least the hook portion including the lower surface of the rib 10c, is rougher than the other portions. Since this hooked portion is difficult to see from the outside and is inconspicuous, there is little need to stick to the aesthetics of the surface. Therefore, by increasing the surface roughness of the hooked portion, the function of preventing the slipping of fingers and the workability of transporting are improved. In addition to roughening the surface roughness of the hook portion of the rib 10c, an anti-slip function may be improved by providing an uneven shape or a corrugated shape. Further, not only the surface of the rib 10c but also the surface roughness of the back edge portion 10a may be roughened.

  Note that the MFP 100 shown in the present embodiment is only one aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. In particular, it goes without saying that the shape, configuration, and the like of the grip 10 and the ribs 10c constituting the finger-hanging portion can be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the multifunction device 100 and the like.

  For example, it does not have to be composed of two substantially flat ribs 10c in which the finger-hanging portions are juxtaposed, and the finger-hanging portion is composed of three or more ribs, or a side surface composed of a gently curved surface. You may comprise from the provided rib. Further, the rib 10c may be connected not only to the other ribs 10c at both ends in the longitudinal direction but also to the other ribs 10c at the intermediate part in the longitudinal direction. Further, the lateral width of the rib 10c does not have to be narrower than the lateral width of the back edge portion 10a, and the side surfaces of the gripping portion 10 may be connected to each other. As a result, it is possible to improve the strength and gripping performance of the finger hook portion.

  Further, the rib 10c does not have to be formed at a position inward from the side wall of the exterior cover 112a, and one of the ribs is integrally formed so as to extend from the side wall. May be. Thereby, it becomes possible to improve the visibility of a finger hook part.

  Furthermore, the gripping part 10 does not have to be provided at a relatively lower part of the apparatus main body 110, and may be provided at an arbitrary part in the vertical direction such as an upper part or a lower end of the apparatus main body 110. Further, as long as it has a sufficient gap for inserting a finger under the rib 10c, the gripping corresponding portion 20 may not be provided. When the grip portion 10 is provided at the lower end of the apparatus main body 110, a finger is inserted through the gap between the rib and the floor surface to grip the grip portion 10. In addition, the gripping units 10 do not have to be provided in pairs on the left and right side surfaces of the apparatus main body 110, but may be provided on the front and rear side surfaces of the apparatus main body 110 or one on each side surface.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment, the aspect in which the image forming apparatus is implemented as the multifunction device 100 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the multifunction device 100, and can be applied to a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, a scanner, and these multifunction devices. .

1 is a schematic external perspective view showing a multifunction peripheral 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a gripping part 10 and a gripping corresponding part 20. FIG. It is the A direction view which shows the holding part 10 and is shown in FIG. (A) And (b) is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the conventional holding part vicinity.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Grip part 10a Back edge part 10b Back wall part 10c Rib 20 Grip corresponding | compatible part 100 Multifunction machine (image forming apparatus)
110 Apparatus Main Body 112 Image Forming Unit 112a Exterior Cover 113 Auxiliary Paper Feed Unit 113a Exterior Cover

Claims (4)

In the image forming apparatus provided with a gripping part that is gripped at the time of transportation to the apparatus main body containing the image forming part,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the gripping portion is a depression formed from a side surface of the apparatus main body toward an inwardly recessed portion, and a protruding wall constituting the side surface of the depression is formed of a rib. .   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rib integrally projects downward from a lower surface of an extended portion extending inward from the side surface of a member constituting the side surface of the apparatus main body.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the ribs are arranged.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a surface roughness of a lower surface of the rib is rougher than a surface roughness of the side surface. 5.

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