Installation unit structure and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a mounting portion structure and an image forming apparatus. The mounting portion structure includes: a shaft portion that supports a plate-like member so as to be openable and closable relative to a main body; a torsion spring that is mounted on the shaft portion exposed in the open state and generates a buffering force when the plate-like member is in the open state; a temporary locking groove that extends along the shaft portion and into which one end of the torsion spring mounted on the shaft portion is inserted and temporarily locked to the main body; a clearance portion that is provided in the plate-like member so that the torsion spring can move along the shaft portion in the closed state and the other end of the torsion spring can be inserted into an insertion hole of the plate-like member; and a bracket that is fixed to the main body in the open state and presses one end of the torsion spring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting portion structure and an image forming apparatus. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-050972 discloses a manual paper feeding device. A tray of the manual paper feeding device is rotatably supported by a first arm and a second arm on a unit housing. When the tray is closed, the bottom surface of the tray is received on the same surface as the outer surface of the main apparatus. Further, a torsion spiral spring is wound around and mounted on the shaft of the first arm and functions as a buffer when the tray is opened. The shaft is located at a position where it does not interfere with the paper conveyance path starting from the paper insertion port, and the torsion spiral spring can be disposed inside the unit housing.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-133615 discloses an image forming apparatus in which a manual tray is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to an image forming main body. The image forming apparatus applies a force to overcome the own weight of the manual tray and the like through a lead wire having one end mounted on the manual tray by a clockwork spring provided in the image forming main body, thereby buffering the impact when the manual tray is opened.

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-109781 discloses a sheet loading device having a third discharge tray provided on an opening / closing door that opens and closes with respect to a main body, the sheet loading device including: a stopper portion of the third discharge tray; and a buffer unit that applies a resistance when the opening / closing door opens and closes. The buffer unit is used to reduce the opening speed of the opening / closing door. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a mounting portion structure and an image forming apparatus that can improve the assembly workability as compared with a case where a torsion spring must be mounted in an open state of a plate-like member that opens and closes with respect to a main body.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting portion structure including: a shaft portion that supports a plate-like member so as to be openable and closable with respect to a main body; a torsion spring that is mounted on the shaft portion exposed in an open state and generates a buffering force when the plate-like member is in an open state; a temporary locking groove that extends along the shaft portion and into which one end of the torsion spring mounted on the shaft portion is inserted and temporarily locked to the main body; a clearance portion that is provided in the plate-like member and allows the torsion spring to move along the shaft portion in a closed state so as to insert the other end of the torsion spring into an insertion hole of the plate-like member; and a bracket that is fixed to the main body in the open state and presses one end of the torsion spring.

[0007] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the temporary locking groove has: a longitudinal groove portion into which one end portion extending laterally from the torsion spring is inserted; and a transverse groove portion that extends along the shaft portion from the end portion of the longitudinal groove portion.

[0008] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the mounting portion structure includes a positioning portion for positioning the bracket.

[0009] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the mounting portion structure further includes a guiding portion that guides the other end portion of the torsion spring moving along the shaft portion toward the insertion hole.

[0010] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the guiding portion and the bearing supporting the shaft portion are formed on a frame member fixed to the main body.

[0011] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the mounting portion structure has an inclined surface that causes the other end portion to move in a direction in which the elastic force of the torsion spring increases as the other end portion moves from the initial position to the insertion position between the initial position and the insertion position. The initial position is the position where the other end portion is located before the torsion spring moves along the shaft portion, and the insertion position is the position where the other end portion is inserted into the insertion hole.

[0012] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the inclined surface and the bearing supporting the shaft portion are formed on a frame member fixed to the main body.

[0013] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including the mounting portion structure, wherein the plate-like member is a tray for supplying a medium for forming an image.

[0014] (Effect)

[0015] According to the first aspect, compared with the case where the torsion spring must be installed in the open state of the plate-like member that opens and closes with respect to the main body, the assembly workability can be improved.

[0016] According to the second aspect, compared with the case where it is constituted only by the transverse groove, the insertion of one end portion of the torsion spring can be easily performed.

[0017] According to the third aspect, compared with the case where the bracket is fixed without positioning, the position accuracy of the position where one end portion of the torsion spring is pressed can be improved.

[0018] According to the fourth aspect, compared with the case where the other end portion of the torsion spring is not guided toward the insertion hole, the insertion workability of the other end portion can be improved.

[0019] According to the fifth aspect, compared with the case where the guiding portion and the bearing are formed on different components, the guiding accuracy of the other end of the torsion spring inserted into the insertion hole can be improved.

[0020] According to the sixth aspect, compared with the case where there is no inclined surface, the other end can be inserted into the insertion hole while increasing the elastic force of the torsion spring.

[0021] According to the seventh aspect, compared with the case where the inclined surface and the bearing are formed on different components, the guiding accuracy of the other end of the torsion spring inserted into the insertion hole can be improved.

[0022] According to the eighth aspect, compared with the case where the torsion spring must be installed in the open state of the plate-like component that opens and closes relative to the main body, the assembly workability can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus including the mounting portion structure of the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of the plate-like component of the first embodiment.

[0025] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the mounting portion structure of the first embodiment.

[0026] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the main part of the frame constituent member of the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 5 It is a top view of the frame constituent member of the first embodiment.

[0028] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the shaft portion of the first embodiment.

[0029] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the torsion spring of the first embodiment.

[0030] Figure 8 It is a perspective view of the bracket of the first embodiment.

[0031] Figure 9 It is a perspective view of the mounting step of mounting the plate-like component on the main body of the first embodiment.

[0032] Figure 10 It shows then Figure 9 of the mounting step.

[0033] Figure 11 It shows then Figure 10 of the mounting step.

[0034] Figure 12 is a side view showing the subsequent Figure 11 installation steps.

[0035] Figure 13 is a side view showing the subsequent Figure 12 installation steps.

[0036] Figure 14 is a side view showing the subsequent Figure 13 installation steps.

[0037] Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged Figure 14 main part.

[0038] Figure 16 is a top view showing the subsequent Figure 15 installation steps.

[0039] Figure 17 is a side view showing the subsequent Figure 16 installation steps.

[0040] Figure 18 is a top view showing the subsequent Figure 17 installation steps.

[0041] Figure 19 is a side view showing the subsequent Figure 18 installation steps.

[0042] Figure 20 is an explanatory diagram showing the main part of the opening and closing operation of the plate-like member of the first embodiment. Detailed Embodiment

[0043] (First Embodiment)

[0044] Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the direction indicated by the arrow X in the drawings is set as the device width direction, and the direction indicated by the arrow Y is set as the device height direction. In addition, the device depth direction orthogonal to the device width direction and the device height direction is shown by the arrow Z.

[0045] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus 10 having the mounting portion structure of the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus that forms an image on a medium P, and the main body 12 of the image forming apparatus 10 includes: an image forming unit (not shown) that forms an image on the medium P; and a conveyance unit (not shown) that conveys the medium P to the image forming unit.

[0046] Here, the medium P can also be referred to as a sheet or film for image formation. As the medium P, paper sheets or OHP sheets made of PET resin can be cited.

[0047] The medium P on which an image is to be formed can be supplied not only from the sheet storage unit 14 that stores the sheet in a manner that can be taken out from the front surface 12A of the main body 12, but also from the manual tray unit 13 provided on one side surface of the main body 12.

[0048] That is, a sheet supply port 16 for supplying the medium P is provided on one side surface 12B of the main body 12, and the base end portion 18A of a plate-like member 18 is supported below the sheet supply port 16. The plate-like member 18 is configured to be able to form a closed state CS and an open state OP. In the closed state CS, the plate-like member 18 is arranged along one side surface 12B. In the open state OP, the plate-like member 18 extends laterally from one side surface 12B and is inclined so as to become higher as the end portion faces laterally.

[0049] (Plate-like member)

[0050] The plate-like member 18 is formed of synthetic resin. As Figure 2 shown, the plate-like member 18 has a size capable of placing the medium P. On the upper surface 18B of the plate-like member 18, a pair of width guides 20 are provided so as to be able to slide in the width direction H. The pair of width guides 20 are used to guide the side edges of the placed medium P.

[0051] The plate-like member 18 constitutes a tray for supplying the medium P for image formation. The plate-like member 18 can also be referred to as a tray and can also be referred to as a manual tray for supplying any medium P.

[0052] The base end portion 18A of the plate-like member 18 is covered by a cover 22. On the side of one side portion 24 of the plate-like member 18, the mounting portion structure described later is provided below the cover 22. On the side of the other side portion 26 of the plate-like member 18, a mechanism 28 for conveying the medium P into the main body 12 is provided. By the operation of the mechanism 28, the medium P placed on the plate-like member 18 is supplied into the main body 12 through the sheet supply port 16, and an image is formed on the medium P.

[0053] The plate-like member 18 is provided with an extended tray 18D. In a state where the extended tray 18D is stored on the back side of the plate-like member 18, the gap portion 102 described later is closed.

[0054] As Figure 3 and Figure 20As shown, the arm portion 58 extends from both side portions of the base end portion 18A of the plate-like member 18. A support hole 300 into which a shaft portion 32 described later is inserted and a spring hole 302 into which one extension portion 78 of one end portion 74 constituting a torsion spring 34 is inserted are formed in the arm portion 58.

[0055] [Mounting portion]

[0056] Figure 3 FIG. is a perspective view showing the structure of the mounting portion 30 for mounting the plate-like member 18 to the main body 12, and shows one side portion 24 side of the plate-like member 18 in an open state OP with the cover 22 removed.

[0057] The mounting portion 30 includes: a shaft portion 32 that supports the plate-like member 18 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main body 12; and a torsion spring 34 that is mounted on the shaft portion 32 exposed in the open state OP and generates a buffering force when the plate-like member 18 becomes a closed state CS. In addition, the mounting portion 30 includes a temporary locking groove 100 into which one end portion 80 of the torsion spring 34 mounted on the shaft portion 32 is inserted and temporarily locked to the main body 12, and the temporary locking groove 100 extends along the shaft portion 32.

[0058] In addition, as Figure 12 shown, a clearance portion 102 is formed in the base end portion 18A of the plate-like member 18, and the clearance portion 102 is used to move the torsion spring 34 along the shaft portion 32 in the closed state CS so that the other end portion 74 of the torsion spring 34 can be inserted into the insertion hole 104 of the plate-like member 18 as Figure 15 shown. In addition, in Figure 15 , for the sake of easy explanation, a state in which the torsion spring 34 is viewed from the main body 12 side and the standing wall 52 of the frame constituting member 42 is made transparent is shown.

[0059] And, as Figure 4 shown, the mounting portion 30 includes a bracket 40 that is fixed to the main body 12 in the open state OP and has a bearing portion 36 that supports the shaft portion 32 and a reaction force receiving portion 38 that presses one end portion 80 of the torsion spring 34 and receives the reaction force.

[0060] (Frame constituting member)

[0061] The frame constituting member 42 is formed of synthetic resin. As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the frame constituting member 42 includes a base portion 44 that is fixed to the main body 12 in a state of being arranged along the depth direction Z of the main body 12, and reinforcing flanges 46 are formed on two edges of the base portion 44 that extend in the length direction.

[0062] At one end of the base 44, a cylindrical positioning portion 48 for positioning the bracket 40 and a circular screw hole 50 are formed, and a standing wall 52 is erected at a position on the one-end side IG closer to the positioning portion 48 and the screw hole 50.

[0063] In addition, in the present embodiment, the case where the positioning portion 48 is cylindrical has been described as an example, but it is not limited thereto. The positioning portion 48 may be, for example, a shape that surrounds the bracket 40 from the periphery to position it.

[0064] A bearing 54 into which the shaft portion 32 is inserted is formed on the standing wall 52. The bearing 54 is formed in an oval shape, and the opening edge along the long axis of the bearing 54 is formed in a straight line shape, and a straight portion 54A is formed.

[0065] In addition, an arc hole 56 is formed in the standing wall 52, and the arc hole 56 is formed in an arc shape centered on the bearing 54. The arc hole 56 is arranged at a position closer to the main body 12 than the bearing 54 in a state where the frame constituting member 42 is fixed to the main body 12.

[0066] As Figure 3 shown, the aforementioned temporary locking groove 100 is formed on the reinforcing flange 46 on the main body 12 side in a state of being fixed to the main body 12. The temporary locking groove 100 has: a longitudinal groove portion 106 into which one end portion 80 extending laterally from the torsion spring 34 is inserted; and a transverse groove portion 108 that extends along the shaft portion 32 from the lower end portion of the longitudinal groove portion 106, and the temporary locking groove 100 is formed in an L shape.

[0067] And, as Figure 5 shown, a rectangular concave portion 110 that is long in the longitudinal direction of the base is formed between the positioning portion 48 and the screw hole 50 and the standing wall 52. As Figure 5 and Figure 15 shown, a guiding portion 112 is formed at the bottom of the concave portion 110, and the guiding portion 112 guides the other end portion 74 of the torsion spring 34 that moves along the shaft portion 32 during installation to the insertion hole 104, and the insertion hole 104 is formed on an arm portion 58 extending from the end portion of the plate-like member 18.

[0068] The guiding portion 112 is formed in a triangular prism shape, and the top surface 114 of the guiding portion 112 is formed in a right-angled triangle shape.

[0069] The hypotenuse, i.e., the first side 114A, of the top surface 114 extends along the reinforcing flange 46 of the frame constituting member 42, and the reinforcing flange 46 is arranged in a direction away from the main body 12 in a state where the frame constituting member 42 is installed on the main body 12. The second side 114B of the top surface 114 extends along the standing wall 52 and extends toward the main body 12 side from the first side 114A.

[0070] The third side 114C of the top surface 114 is inclined toward the main body 12 as it moves from the center side in the length direction of the frame component 42 toward one end side IG, and the intersection of the second side 114B and the third side 114C is located near the insertion hole 104 of the plate-like component 18 that is disposed inside the arc hole 56.

[0071] A side surface that extends downward from the third side 114C of the guide portion 112 constitutes an inclined surface 116, and this inclined surface 116 guides the other end portion 74 of the torsion spring 34 toward the insertion hole 104 of the plate-like component 18. The inclined surface 116 is provided between the initial position 118 where the other end portion 74 is located when the torsion spring 34 is installed on the shaft portion 32 of the mounting portion 30 and the insertion position 120 where the other end portion 74 is inserted into the insertion hole 104. In other words, the inclined surface 116 exists between the initial position 118 and the insertion position 120.

[0072] In addition, as the inclined surface 116 guides the other end portion 74 of the torsion spring 34 from the initial position 118 toward the insertion position 120, the other end portion 74 moves in the direction TH in which the elastic force of the torsion spring 34 that supports one end portion 80 in the temporary locking groove 100 increases. In other words, as the inclined surface 116 guides the other end portion 74 of the torsion spring 34 from the initial position 118 toward the insertion position 120, the other end portion 74 rotates in the direction TH in which the elastic force of the torsion spring 34 increases.

[0073] (Shaft portion)

[0074] The shaft portion 32 is formed of synthetic resin. As Figure 3 and Figure 5 shown, a cylindrical insertion portion 60 is formed at one end of the shaft portion, and the insertion portion 60 is rotatably inserted into the arm portion 58 of the plate-like component 18. A cylindrical large-diameter portion 62 having a diameter larger than that of the insertion portion 60 is formed on the other end side of the insertion portion 60.

[0075] An anti-rotation portion 64 having a diameter larger than that of the large-diameter portion 62 is formed on the other end side of the large-diameter portion 62. The anti-rotation portion 64 is formed in an elliptical shape that is inserted into the bearing 54 of the frame component 42, and a flat surface portion 64A that contacts the straight portion 54A of the bearing 54 is formed on the anti-rotation portion 64.

[0076] An axial flange 66 that extends toward the outer peripheral side is formed at the edge of the other end side of the anti-rotation portion 64, and the axial flange 66 is used to restrict the movement of the shaft portion 32 in the insertion direction into the bearing 54. A cylindrical mounting shaft 68 for mounting the torsion spring 34 is formed on the other end side of the axial flange 66. A chamfered portion 68A that has been chamfered is formed at the end of the mounting shaft 68 to facilitate the mounting of the torsion spring 34.

[0077] (Torsion spring)

[0078] AsFigure 3 and Figure 7 As shown in Figure 7 , the torsion spring 34 has a coil portion 72 formed by winding a wire 70 into a spiral shape.

[0079] One end 80 of the wire 70 extends linearly from one end of the coil portion 72 toward the side of the coil portion 72.

[0080] The other end 74 of the wire 70 extends from the other end of the coil portion 72. The other end 74 has: a side extension portion 76 that extends linearly from the coil portion 72 toward the side; and another extension portion 78 that extends linearly from the side extension portion 76 toward the other side. The other extension portion 78 passes through the arc-shaped hole 56 of the frame forming member 42 and is inserted into the insertion hole of the arm portion 58 of the plate-like member 18 (see Figure 3 ).

[0081] It can also be said that the torsion spring 34 is a helical spring that generates elastic force by twisting the other end 74 or one end 80 around the central axis C of the coil portion 72, and can be called a torsion helical spring as an example of a helical spring. In addition, the elastic force generated by the torsion spring 34 is set as the aforementioned buffer force.

[0082] (Bracket)

[0083] As Figure 3 and Figure 8 shown, the bracket 40 is formed by bending a metal plate.

[0084] The bracket 40 has a rectangular fixing portion 82 fixed to the main body 12 via the frame forming member 42, and a rectangular standing portion 84 that stands up from the long side of the fixing portion 82 to form the bearing portion 36. In addition, the bracket 40 has a side edge extension portion 88 that extends from one side edge 86 in the length direction of the standing portion 84 to the side opposite to the fixing portion 82 to form the reaction force receiving portion 38, and the side opposite to the fixing portion 82 is in the thickness direction of the standing portion 84.

[0085] A circular hole is formed on the other side edge 90 side of the standing portion 84, and the bearing portion 36 is formed by this hole. The mounting shaft 68 of the shaft portion 32 is inserted into the bearing portion 36, and the bearing portion 36 supports the mounting shaft 68. The side edge extension portion 88 extends from one side edge 86, and this one side edge 86 is on the side opposite to the other side edge 90 side where the bearing portion 36 is provided.

[0086] Two fixing holes are formed on the fixing portion 82. The fixing holes have: a positioning hole 92 into which the positioning portion 48 of the frame forming member 42 fixed to the main body 12 in the mounted state is inserted; and a screw hole 94 into which a fixing screw N is inserted. The screw hole 94 is arranged in the direction HH farther from the main body 12 than the positioning hole 92.

[0087] (Installation steps)

[0088] When installing the plate-like member 18 on the main body 12, the frame forming member 42 is fixed to the main body 12. The shaft portion 32 is inserted into the bearing 54 of the frame forming member 42 and the rotation preventing portion 64 is inserted into the bearing 54. The insertion portion 60 is inserted into the arm portion 58 of the plate-like member 18, and the plate-like member 18 is supported by the main body 12 in an openable and closable manner (see Figure 3 ).

[0089] Then, the plate-like member 18 is maintained in the open state OP, and the torsion spring 34 is mounted on the shaft portion 32 from the other end side. As Figure 9 shown, one end portion 80 of the torsion spring 34 is pressed with a finger. Thus, as Figure 10 shown, one end portion 80 of the torsion spring 34 is inserted into the longitudinal groove portion 106 of the temporary locking groove 100 of the frame forming member 42.

[0090] In this state, as Figure 11 shown, one end portion 80 of the torsion spring 34 is moved to the transverse groove portion 108 of the temporary locking groove 100 and temporarily locked.

[0091] At this time, the other end portion 74 of the torsion spring 34 abuts against the reinforcing flange 46 of the frame forming member 42 located in the direction away from the main body 12, thereby preventing the rotation of the torsion spring 34. In addition, one end portion 80 of the torsion spring 34 is temporarily locked in the transverse groove portion 108 of the temporary locking groove 100 in a state of being rotated in the winding direction of the coil portion 72, and the torsion spring 34 generates an elastic force.

[0092] In this state, as Figure 12 shown, when the plate-like member 18 is set to the closed state CS, the other end portion 74 of the torsion spring 34 that abuts against the reinforcing flange 46 of the frame forming member 42 rotates in the direction opposite to the winding direction of the coil portion 72, and the elastic force of the torsion spring 34 weakens. In addition, the torsion spring 34 mounted on the shaft portion 32 protrudes from the gap portion 102 of the plate-like member 18.

[0093] In this state, as Figure 13 shown, the coil portion 72 of the torsion spring 34 is pressed with a finger inserted into the gap portion 102, and as Figure 14 shown, the coil portion 72 is moved along the shaft portion 32.

[0094] Here, as Figure 15As shown, a guiding portion 112 is provided on the frame forming member 42. The guiding portion 112 guides the other end portion 74 of the torsion spring 34 that moves along the shaft portion 32 toward the insertion hole 104. The other end portion 74 of the torsion spring 34 is guided by the guiding portion 112 along with this movement, penetrates through the arc-shaped hole 56 of the frame forming member 42, and is inserted into the insertion hole 104 provided on the arm portion 58 of the plate-like member 18.

[0095] In addition, the guiding portion 112 has an inclined surface 116. As the other end portion 74 moves from the initial position before the torsion spring 34 moves along the shaft portion 32 toward the insertion position 120, the inclined surface 116 causes the other end portion 74 to move in the direction TH in which the elastic force of the torsion spring 34 increases. Therefore, in a state where the elastic force of the torsion spring 34 has increased, the other end portion 74 penetrates through the arc-shaped hole 56 of the frame forming member 42 and is inserted into the insertion hole 104 of the plate-like member 18. Thereby, loosening of the torsion spring 34 is suppressed.

[0096] Next, as Figure 16 shown, the plate-like member 18 is in the open state OP. The mounting shaft 68 of the shaft portion 32 is inserted into the bearing portion 36 of the bracket 40, and the bracket 40 is temporarily fixed to the shaft portion 32.

[0097] In this temporarily fixed state, as Figure 17 shown, the plate-like member 18 is in the closed state CS, and the bracket 40 is exposed from the gap portion 102 of the plate-like member 18. Then, the positioning portion 48 of the frame forming member 42 is inserted into the positioning hole 92 of the bracket 40 with a finger inserted from the gap portion 102 to position the bracket 40.

[0098] In this positioned state, as Figure 18 shown, the plate-like member 18 is in the open state OP. At this time, the bracket 40 is positioned at a prescribed position with the positioning portion 48 inserted into the positioning hole 92, and one end portion 80 of the torsion spring 34 is pressed from above by the reaction force receiving portion 38 of the bracket 40.

[0099] In this state, as Figure 19 shown, a screw N inserted into the screw hole 94 of the bracket 40 is screwed into the screw hole 50 of the frame forming member 42 using a screwdriver, and the bracket 40 is fixed to the main body 12 via the frame forming member 42.

[0100] Figure 20 is a view showing the position of the other extension portion 78 of the other end portion 74 of the torsion spring 34 when the plate-like member 18 is opened and closed, showing the initial load position 200 where the other extension portion 78 is located in the closed state CS and the high load position 202 where the other extension portion 78 is located in the open state OP. In addition, Figure 20Shows the free position 204 where the other extension portion 78 is located in the unloaded state of the leaf spring 34 without inserting the leaf spring 34 into the plate-like member 18.

[0101] In this way, when the plate-like member 18 is changed from the closed state CS to the open state OP, the other end portion 74 of the leaf spring 34 rotates around the central axis C of the coil portion 72 in the winding direction of the wire 70, and the elastic force in the direction to make the plate-like member 18 into the closed state CS becomes larger. Then, this elastic force becomes the aforementioned buffering force, and can buffer the impact when the plate-like member 18 performs the opening action.

[0102] (Function and effect)

[0103] Describe the function and effect of the present embodiment.

[0104] The mounting portion 30 of the present embodiment includes a temporary locking groove 100 into which one end portion 80 of the leaf spring 34 mounted on the shaft portion 32 is inserted and temporarily locked to the main body 12. In addition, the mounting portion 30 includes a clearance portion 102 for allowing the leaf spring 34 to move along the shaft portion 32 in the closed state CS so that the other end portion 74 of the leaf spring 34 can be inserted into the insertion hole 104 of the plate-like member 18. In addition, the mounting portion 30 includes a bracket 40 which is fixed to the main body 12 in the open state OP and presses the other end portion 74 of the leaf spring 34.

[0105] Thereby, in the closed state CS with a small elastic force, the other end portion 74 of the leaf spring 34 can be inserted into the insertion hole 104 of the plate-like member 18. In addition, the fixing operation of the bracket 40 in the open state OP with an increased elastic force can be performed in a state where the other end portion 74 of the leaf spring 34 is temporarily locked by the temporary locking groove 100.

[0106] Therefore, compared with the case where the leaf spring 34 must be installed in the open state OP of the plate-like member 18 that opens and closes relative to the main body 12, the reaction force can be reduced, and thus the assembly workability can be improved.

[0107] In addition, the temporary locking groove 100 has a longitudinal groove portion 106 for inserting one end portion 80 extending laterally from the leaf spring 34, and a transverse groove portion 108 extending along the shaft portion 32 from the end of the longitudinal groove portion 106. Thereby, by pressing one end portion 80 extending laterally from the coil portion 72 in the winding direction, the one end portion 80 can be inserted into the temporary locking groove 100 from the longitudinal groove portion 106.

[0108] Therefore, compared with the case where the temporary locking groove 100 is only composed of a transverse groove, the one end portion 80 of the leaf spring 34 can be easily inserted.

[0109] In addition, the mounting portion 30 is provided with a positioning portion 48 for positioning the bracket 40.

[0110] Therefore, compared with the case where the bracket 40 is fixed without positioning, the positional accuracy of the position where one end portion 80 of the torsion spring 34 is pressed can be improved.

[0111] In addition, the mounting portion 30 is further provided with a guiding portion 112 that guides the other end portion 74 of the torsion spring 34 that moves along the shaft portion 32 toward the insertion hole 104.

[0112] Therefore, compared with the case where the other end portion 74 of the torsion spring 34 is not guided toward the insertion hole 104, the insertion workability of the other end portion 74 can be improved.

[0113] In addition, the guiding portion 112 and the bearing 54 that supports the shaft portion 32 are formed on a frame component 42 fixed to the main body 12.

[0114] Therefore, compared with the case where the guiding portion 112 and the bearing are formed on different components, the guiding accuracy of the other end portion 74 of the torsion spring 34 inserted into the insertion hole 104 can be improved.

[0115] And, an inclined surface 116 is provided, and as the other end portion 74 moves from the initial position 118 where the other end portion 74 is located before the torsion spring 34 moves along the shaft portion 32 to the insertion position 120, the other end portion 74 moves in the direction TH in which the elastic force of the torsion spring 34 increases.

[0116] Therefore, compared with the case where the inclined surface 116 is not provided, the other end portion 74 can be inserted into the insertion hole 104 while increasing the elastic force of the torsion spring 34.

[0117] In addition, in the present embodiment, the bracket 40 is made of a metal plate, but it is not limited thereto, and the bracket 40 may also be formed of a synthetic resin. In addition, the case where the plate-like member 18 is supported by the main body 12 in an openable and closable manner is described as an example, but it is not limited thereto. For example, a cover may also be supported by the main body 12 in an openable and closable manner.

Claims

1. An installation part structure, comprising: A shaft part that supports a plate-like member so that it can open and close relative to the main body; A torsion spring that is installed on the shaft part exposed in the open state of the plate-like member and generates a buffering force when the plate-like member becomes in the open state; A temporary locking groove that extends along the shaft part, and an end part of the torsion spring installed on the shaft part is inserted into it in the open state and temporarily locked to the main body; A clearance part that is provided on the plate-like member, and this clearance part enables the torsion spring to move along the shaft part in the closed state of the plate-like member so as to insert the other end part of the torsion spring into the insertion hole of the plate-like member; And A bracket that is fixed to the main body in the open state and presses an end part of the torsion spring, When an end part of the torsion spring is temporarily locked in the temporary locking groove, the torsion spring is moved along the shaft part to insert the other end part of the torsion spring into the insertion hole of the plate-like member.

2. The installation part structure according to claim 1, wherein The temporary locking groove has: A longitudinal groove part into which the end part extending laterally from the torsion spring is inserted; and A transverse groove part that extends along the shaft part from the end of the longitudinal groove part.

3. The installation part structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The installation part structure is provided with a positioning part for positioning the bracket.

4. The installation part structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The installation part structure is further provided with a guiding part that guides the other end part of the torsion spring moving along the shaft part to the insertion hole.

5. The installation part structure according to claim 4, wherein The guiding part and the bearing supporting the shaft part are formed on a frame member fixed to the main body.

6. The installation part structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The installation part structure is provided with an inclined surface, and as the other end part moves from the initial position to the insertion position between the initial position and the insertion position, the other end part moves in a direction in which the elastic force of the torsion spring increases. The initial position is the position where the other end part is located before the torsion spring moves along the shaft part, and the insertion position is the position where the other end part is inserted into the insertion hole.

7. The installation part structure according to claim 6, wherein The inclined surface and the bearing supporting the shaft part are formed on a frame member fixed to the main body.

8. An image forming apparatus, which is provided with the installation part structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein The plate-like member is a tray for supplying a medium for forming an image.

Images