JP2008149619A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize an image formation device while preventing an armor cover from contacting electrical equipment mounting substrate. <P>SOLUTION: The image formation device has a strut 1a provided through holes (43a-43c) bored through a controller substrate 43 and provided by protruding to a left cover 44 side from a processor 50 mounted on the controller substrate 43. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material.

  A conventional example of an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording material using an electrophotographic process will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 10 includes a left side plate 66, a right side plate 68, a center plate 67, a laser exposure device 70, a drive unit 60, a gear cover 69, a drive circuit board 61, a control circuit board 62, A controller board 63, a left cover 64, and a right cover 65 are provided.

  The left side plate 66, the right side plate 68, the center plate 67, and the gear cover 69 are sheet metal parts and constitute a main body frame of the image forming apparatus. The drive circuit board 61 includes a switching power supply circuit unit, a heater drive circuit unit that drives the fixing heater, and a high-voltage power supply circuit unit necessary for the electrophotographic process.

  The control circuit board 62 includes a high voltage circuit control unit necessary for the electrophotographic process, a heater control circuit unit, a laser scanner control circuit unit, a motor drive control circuit unit, and a processor for controlling them.

  The controller board 63 includes a processor that controls ON / OFF of the semiconductor laser and communicates with the engine control circuit based on image data from a host computer (not shown).

  The drive circuit board 61 is fixed to the left side plate 66. The control circuit board 62 is disposed in a plane above the laser exposure device 38. The gear cover 69 is disposed outside the drive unit 60 and is fixed to the right side plate 68.

  The controller board 63 is fixed to the gear cover 69 and is connected to the control circuit board 62. The left cover 64 and the right cover 65 are exterior covers as covering members formed by molding. A left cover 64 is disposed outside the drive circuit board 61 and the left side plate 66.

  Here, when an abnormal impact is applied to the left cover 64 during distribution, the left cover 64 may be deformed and hit the drive circuit board 61. Therefore, a sufficient gap is secured between the left cover 64 and the drive circuit board 61 in order to prevent the electrical components mounted on the drive circuit board 61 and the board itself from being damaged.

  Similarly, a sufficient gap is secured between the controller board 63 fixed to the gear cover 69 and the right cover 65.

As a document disclosing related conventional examples, there is Patent Document 1.
JP 2003-195594 A

  However, in the above-described conventional example, if an abnormal impact is applied to the exterior cover during distribution, the exterior cover may be deformed and the electrical board may be damaged. Therefore, a sufficient gap is secured between the exterior cover and the electrical board. There is a need. For this reason, it is difficult to reduce the size of the apparatus main body.

  Further, in order to narrow the gap between the exterior cover and the electrical board, a configuration in which a caulking shaft that penetrates the electrical board is provided on the main body frame and abuts against the exterior cover is conceivable. When configured in this way, even if there is a variation in parts, it is necessary to provide a sufficiently large hole in the electrical board so that the caulking shaft does not hit the electrical board. There is concern that the degree of freedom in design will be reduced.

  In addition, when a rib that penetrates the electrical board is provided on the exterior cover and abuts against the main body frame, as in the above case, even if there is a variation in the parts, a sufficiently large hole is provided so that the rib does not hit the electrical board. There is a need to. Furthermore, when an abnormal impact is applied during logistics, the exterior cover is easily deformed and the rib position moves greatly, so it is necessary to make a larger hole, not only the area of the electrical board is reduced, but also the electrical design There is concern that the degree of freedom will be reduced.

  In addition, in order to reduce the size of the entire device, it is necessary to reduce the size of the electrical board by densely arranging the mounting parts and circuit patterns, but the large holes for avoiding the caulking shafts and ribs as described above. In order to open the circuit board, it is necessary to enlarge the electrical board. Therefore, there is a concern that the electrical board cannot be miniaturized and thus the apparatus cannot be miniaturized.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the size of an image forming apparatus while preventing a covering member from hitting an electrical substrate.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
In an image forming apparatus comprising: an electrical board on which a mounting member is mounted; a support member that supports the electrical board; and a covering member that covers at least a part of the electrical board.
The electrical circuit board includes an opening, and has a projecting part that projects from the support member side through the opening to the cover member side from a mounting member of the electrical circuit board.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus while preventing the covering member from hitting the electrical board.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be exemplarily described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in this embodiment should be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions. It is not intended to limit the scope to the following embodiments.

  The present invention can be suitably applied to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material (recording medium). Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording material using an electrophotographic image forming system. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser printer, an LED printer, etc.), a factory device, a word processor, and a complex machine thereof (multifunction printer, etc.). .

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a left side plate 46, a right side plate 48, a center plate 47, a laser exposure device 38, a drive unit 40, a gear cover 49, a substrate stay 42, electrical components. A circuit board 41, a controller board 43, a left cover 44, and a right cover 45 are provided.

  The left side plate 46, the right side plate 48, the center plate 47, the gear cover 49, and the substrate stay 42 are sheet metal parts and constitute a main body frame of the image forming apparatus. The substrate stay 42 constitutes a casing of the image forming apparatus as a support member, and the left cover 44 constitutes an exterior cover including the casing of the image forming apparatus as a covering member.

  The electrical circuit board 41 includes a high-voltage power supply circuit unit necessary for the electrophotographic process, a control circuit unit, a controller, and the like, and is fixed to the left side plate 46. The gear cover 49 is disposed outside the drive unit 40 and is fixed to the right side plate 48.

  A controller board 43 as an electrical board is mounted with a processor 50 as a mounting member that controls ON / OFF of a semiconductor laser based on image data from a host computer (not shown) and communicates with an engine control circuit. Yes.

  The controller board 43 is fixed (supported) to the board stay 42 and is connected to the electrical circuit board 41. The left cover 44 and the right cover 45 are exterior covers formed by molding.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 20 denotes an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 20 includes a feeding unit, an image forming unit, and a discharge unit.

  Here, the image forming unit includes a photosensitive drum 21, a charging roller 22, a developing sleeve 25, a toner container 27, a transfer roller 32, a laser exposure device 38, a fixing device 36 including a heating device 9 and a pressure roller 8, and the like. ing.

  The feeding unit includes a feeding tray 33, a feeding roller 34 that feeds the recording material P stored in the feeding tray 33, and a separation pad 35 that separates the recording material P sent by the feeding roller 34. .

  The discharge unit includes a discharge roller pair including a discharge roller 10 and a discharge roller 6.

  In the image forming apparatus 20 configured as shown in FIG. 5, when an image is formed on the recording material P, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is first uniformly applied by a charging roller 22 fed from a high voltage power source (not shown). Is charged.

  Then, after the surface of the photosensitive drum is uniformly charged, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum by irradiating the photosensitive drum 21 from the laser exposure device 38.

Next, the developing sleeve 25 is rotated. Thus, the toner filled in the toner container 27 is appropriately charged with the rotation of the developing sleeve 25, and then the photosensitive drum 21.
Supplied on top. Thereafter, the toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 21, whereby the latent image is developed and visualized as a toner image.

  The feeding roller 34 rotates at a timing to feed out the recording material P stored in the feeding tray 33, and the recording material P sent out in this way is separated one by one by a separation pad 35 pressed against the feeding roller 34. Separated and transported. The surface friction coefficient, the contact angle, and the shape of the separation pad 35 are adjusted so that only one uppermost recording material can be conveyed for each feeding operation.

  Next, the recording material P separated into only one sheet is conveyed at a predetermined timing to a transfer portion constituted by the photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer roller 32, and the photosensitive material visualized by the transfer roller 32 in this transfer portion. The toner image on the drum is transferred.

  The untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum without being transferred to the recording material P is stored in a waste toner container 31 by a cleaning blade (not shown), and the photosensitive drum 21 whose surface has been cleaned in this way repeatedly repeats the next image. Enter the forming process.

  Next, the recording material P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 36 including a heating device 9 and a pressure roller 8.

  The fixing device 36 is a film heating type fixing device, and is heated by being pressed against the heater with a substantially planar heater 14 having a heat generating portion, a fixing film (heat-resistant film member) 16, and the fixing film 16 interposed therebetween. And a pressure roller 8 that forms a nip portion. Then, the recording material P is introduced into the heating nip portion, and the recording material P is heated by the heat of the heater 14 through the fixing film 16.

  The fixing device 36 is of a pressure roller driving type in which a cylindrical film member is used as the fixing film 16 and the fixing film 16 is rotationally driven by a pressure roller 8 as pressure means.

  The heater 14 is a horizontally long and thin plate-like heating element whose longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.

  The pressure roller 8 is rotationally driven by the drive unit 40 during image formation (counterclockwise in FIG. 5). When the pressure roller 8 rotates, a rotational force is generated in the fixing film 16 by a pressure frictional force in a heating nip portion between the pressure roller 8 and the fixing film 16. As a result, the fixing film 16 rotates following the outer periphery of the film guide 15 in the direction of the arrow (clockwise in FIG. 5) while sliding the inner surface thereof in contact with the lower surface of the heater 14.

  After the toner image is permanently fixed on the recording material P by being heated and pressurized by the fixing device 36, the toner image is sandwiched and conveyed by the discharge roller 10 and the discharge roller 6 through the conveyance guide 5, and is stored in the discharge stack tray. It is discharged to the CRG door 12 having a function.

  A discharge sensor 17 and a photo sensor 17a for detecting the passage timing and presence / absence of the recording material P are arranged upstream of the discharge portion, and the fixing device 36 and the discharge portion are caused by a conveyance failure such as skew feeding or double feeding of the recording material. Can be detected when the recording material P stays in the vicinity.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of an electrical component disposed on the left side plate 46. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electrical component disposed on the left side plate 46. FIG. 3 is a perspective view in which the controller board 43 is removed from FIG.

  In FIG. 1, the processor 50 is the tallest of the components mounted on the controller board 43, and therefore, when the left cover 44 is deformed due to an abnormal shock during distribution, the processor 50 is The easiest to hit.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, a protection member 1 for protecting the processor 50 is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the protection member 1 is provided between the left cover 44 and the substrate stay 42, and includes three support columns (ribs) 1a as projecting portions and a flat plate portion 1b as a connecting portion. Has been.

  In the controller board 43, as shown in FIG. 2, three holes are provided around the processor 50 as openings for positioning and holding the pillar 1 a by penetrating the pillar 1 a. The three holes are a fitting hole 43a, an oblong hole 43b, and a relief hole 43c.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the protection member 1 is roughly positioned by fitting (engaging) the three columns 1 a with the three holes of the controller board 43. That is, the three columns 1 a are respectively positioned in the direction substantially parallel to the controller board 43 by fitting into the three holes of the controller board 43. On the other hand, it is provided so as to be movable with respect to the axial direction of the column 1a. As described above, the protection member 1 is held by the controller board 43 without being fixed to the left cover 44 or the board stay 42 by fitting with the three holes of the controller board 43. Here, the flat plate portion 1 b is sandwiched between the substrate stay 42 and the controller substrate 43.

  The substrate stay 42 has four aperture shapes, and the aperture-shaped front end portion is provided with a flat portion for positioning and fixing the controller substrate 43, a positioning barring, and a tap hole inside the barring. . The controller board 43 is fixed to the board stay 42 with screws.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the support column 1a is in the state where the protective member 1 is provided between the substrate stay 42 and the controller substrate 43, particularly when the support column 1a (the flat plate portion 1b) hits the substrate stay 42. It is provided as follows. The support 1a is provided so as to protrude from the processor 50 to the left cover 44 side through the hole in the controller board 43 from the board stay 42 side. In other words, the column 1 a is provided such that the length (distance) with respect to the controller board 43 is longer than that of the processor 50 and does not hit the inner wall of the left cover 44.

  During normal use, the support 1a does not come into contact with the left cover 44. However, when the left cover 44 is deformed to the right with respect to FIG. 1, the left cover 44 hits the support 1a, and the protective member 1 is attached to the substrate stay. It will hit 42. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the left cover 44 from hitting the processor 50.

  The support 1 a is positioned with respect to the controller board 43, but is not fixed to the board stay 42 or the left cover 44. For this reason, even when an abnormal impact is applied during distribution or the like, for example, a force is applied in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1 or in the vertical direction, the column 1a moves together with the controller board 43. Therefore, the support 1a does not apply a force to the controller board 43.

Here, the three holes opened in the controller board 43 are preferably around the processor 50. This is because when the interval between the holes is widened, even if the left cover 44 is deformed and hits the support 1a, the left cover 44 is bent with the three support 1a as fulcrums and is likely to hit the processor 50. Therefore, in this embodiment, the three holes are arranged near the processor 50 and in a place where there is no circuit pattern.

  Further, since the pillar 1a is fitted and positioned in the hole of the controller board 43, the hole to be opened in the controller board 43 may be a minimum size. Therefore, the position of the hole has a degree of freedom, and even if the hole is made, the area of the controller board 43 hardly changes.

  In the conventional example, in order to prevent the left cover 44 from hitting the processor 50, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient gap between the left cover 44 and the processor 50. On the other hand, in this embodiment, by providing the column 1a, the gap between the left cover 44 and the processor 50 can be narrowed, so that the image forming apparatus can be downsized.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the support pillar 1a penetrating the controller board 43 and positioned is provided perpendicular to the controller board 43, and the support pillar 1a is positioned on the controller board 43. Thus, even when the left cover 44 is deformed, the left cover 44 abuts against the substrate stay 42 via the support column 1a, so that the left cover 44 can be prevented from striking the controller substrate 43. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can be reduced in size.

  In this embodiment, the protection member 1 is constituted by the support 1a and the flat plate portion 1b connecting the support 1a. However, even if the protection member is formed by only the support 1a without providing the flat plate portion 1b. The left cover 44 can be prevented from hitting the controller board 43.

  A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to Example 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the protection member 2 (the support column 2 a), the controller board 53 as an electrical board, and the board stay 42. FIG. 7 is a diagram in which the controller board 53 is removed from FIG.

  In this embodiment, a protection member 2 for protecting the processor 50 is provided. As shown in FIG. 7, the protection member 2 includes three support columns (ribs) 2 a as projecting portions and a flat plate portion 2 b as a connecting portion.

  In the controller board 53, three holes are formed around the processor 50 as openings for positioning and holding the columns 2 a. The three holes are two fitting holes 53a and an oblong hole 53b.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the protection member 2 is positioned by fitting the three columns 2 a into the three holes of the controller board 53. As shown in FIG. 6, the three holes of the controller board 53 are composed of two fitting holes 53a and an oblong hole 53b.

  Here, the protection member 2 is when the two support columns 2a are aligned with respect to the fitting hole 53a and the oblong hole 53b, which are two of the three holes of the controller board 53. explain. In this case, the remaining one column 2a (hereinafter referred to as 2a1) is provided so as to be displaced by several mm from the position of the remaining fitting hole 53a (hereinafter referred to as the fitting hole 53a1).

As shown in FIG. 7, the support column 2a1 is disposed at the tip of an elastically deformable arm portion 2c provided in a curved manner in the flat plate portion 2b. When the arm 2c is bent and the support 2a1 is aligned with the remaining fitting holes 53a1, the support 2a1 can be fitted into the fitting holes 53a1 due to the elastic deformation of the arm 2c. Thereby, the protection member 2 can be fitted to the controller board 53.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment.

  When the support 2a is not fitted to the controller board 53 as in the prior art, it is necessary to position and fix the controller board 53 to the board stay 42 while pressing both the support 2a and the controller board 53.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, the support 2a and the controller board 53 are fitted to each other, so that it is not necessary to press the support 2a when positioning and fixing the controller board 53 to the board stay 42, so that the assemblability is further improved. The effect is obtained. Furthermore, the elasticity of the arm portion 2c can prevent the support 2a from rattling with respect to the controller board 53, so that the support and the hole of the electrical board do not rub at the time of distribution, and the parts can be prevented from being scraped. Further, since the parts can be prevented from being scraped, malfunctions and failures due to the shaving powder adhering to the mounted parts and the circuit pattern of the controller board 53 can be prevented.

  A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to Example 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a front view of the electrical component disposed on the left side plate 46. FIG. 9 is a perspective view in which the substrate stay 52 and the controller substrate 43 as support members are removed from FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the protective member 1 for protecting the processor 50 is provided in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and in addition to this, as a mounting member mounted on the electric circuit board 51 as an electric board. A protection member 3 for protecting the transformer 55 is provided. Also in the protection member 3, the same effect as the protection member 1 is acquired.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the protection member 3 includes four support columns (ribs, legs) 3a as projecting portions and a connecting portion 3b that connects the four support columns 3a.

  In the electrical circuit board 51, as shown in FIG. 9, four holes 51a are formed around the transformer 55 mounted on the electrical circuit board 51 as openings for positioning and holding the pillars 3a. .

  Thereby, the support | pillar 3a will be provided in the circumference | surroundings of the transformer 55 so that the transformer 55 may be enclosed. Further, the connecting portion 3b is also provided so as to surround the transformer 55. And the protection member 3 is positioned by the electrical circuit board 51 by the four support | pillars 3a fitting with the four holes 51a of the electrical circuit board 51, respectively.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the protection member 3 is sandwiched between the substrate stay 52 and the left side plate 46 and is roughly positioned in the left-right direction in FIG.

  The protection member 3 is provided so that the position of the support column 3 a or the connecting portion 3 b when the support column 3 a hits the left side plate 46 is positioned between the transformer 55 and the substrate stay 52. It can also be said that the length (distance) with respect to the left side plate 46 is longer than the transformer 55 and does not hit the substrate stay 52.

  During normal use, the protection member 3 does not come into contact with the substrate stay 52, but when the left cover 54 is deformed due to an abnormal impact during distribution, the left cover 54 abuts the substrate stay 52 via the support 1. When the substrate stay 52 is deformed, the substrate stay 52 abuts against the left side plate 46 via the protective member 3 (the column 3a). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the substrate stay 52 from hitting the transformer 55.

  Further, as in the case of the support 1 a, the support 3 a is positioned on the electrical circuit board 51, but is not fixed to the board stay 52 or the left side plate 46. For this reason, even when an abnormal impact is applied at the time of physical distribution or the like, for example, a force is applied in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. Therefore, the protective member 3 does not apply a force to the electric circuit board 51.

  In Example 1, in order to prevent the substrate stay 42 from hitting the transformer, a sufficient gap is secured between the substrate stay 42 and the transformer (see FIG. 1). In contrast, in this embodiment, by providing the protection member 3 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the gap between the substrate stay 52 and the transformer 55 can be narrowed, and thus the image forming apparatus can be further downsized. can do.

  In the first embodiment, the protective member 1 is disposed between the mold part (left cover) and the sheet metal part (left side plate). However, as in the present example, the protective member (support) is placed between the sheet metal parts (left side). You may arrange | position between a board and a board | substrate stay.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an electrical component according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an electrical component according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an electrical component according to the first embodiment. 1 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an electrical component according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an electrical component according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a front view showing an electrical component according to a third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an electrical component according to a third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3 Protection member 1a, 2a, 3a Post 1b, 2b Flat plate part 3b Connecting part 20 Image forming device 41, 51 Electric circuit board 42, 52 Board stay 43, 53 Controller board 43a, 53a Fitting hole 43b, 53b Long round hole 43c Escape hole 44, 54 Left cover 50 Processor 51a Hole 55 Transformer

Claims (5)

In an image forming apparatus comprising: an electrical board on which a mounting member is mounted; a support member that supports the electrical board; and a covering member that covers at least a part of the electrical board.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical board includes an opening, and has a projecting portion that projects from the support member side through the opening to the cover member side from a mounting member of the electrical board.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is held by the electrical substrate.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the protrusions are provided around a mounting member of the electrical board.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an elastically deformable connecting portion that connects the plurality of protruding portions. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support member is a casing that constitutes an apparatus main body, and the covering member is an exterior cover that covers the casing.

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