Housing structure and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The housing structure includes a lower housing, an upper housing, and a cover. The upper housing is mounted on the lower housing and includes a concave grip portion on a side surface of the upper housing. The cover covers at least a portion of the concave grip portion of the upper housing. The cover is mounted and fixed to the lower housing from a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the upper housing. The cover includes at least a portion of a temporary fixing structure between the upper housing and the cover. The temporary fixing structure temporarily fixes the cover to the upper housing when the cover is mounted from the direction perpendicular to the side surface of the upper housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to housing structures and image forming apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] A housing structure is known, comprising a lower housing, an upper housing mounted on the lower housing, and a cover for covering at least a portion of a concave handle disposed in the lower housing. For example, PTL 1 discloses an imaging device comprising a main unit as the upper housing and an optional device additionally mounted with the main unit as the lower housing. The imaging device further includes: a handle, which is a recessed handle disposed in the main unit; and a cover that covers the handle disposed in the optional device. The imaging device utilizes the cover to completely cover the handle disposed in the main unit of the imaging device. Therefore, under no circumstances can the user grasp the handle in the main unit of the imaging device. Thus, operability can be further enhanced without causing misunderstanding by the user.

[0003] Citation List

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] [PTL 1]

[0006] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-150151 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] However, there is still room for improvement in the aforementioned imaging devices in terms of simplifying the structure for mounting and securing the cover, as well as improving the operability of mounting and securing the cover.

[0009] Solution to the problem

[0010] In view of the above problems, one object of the present invention is to provide a housing structure including a lower housing, an upper housing, and a cover. The upper housing is mounted on the lower housing and includes a recessed gripping portion on a side surface of the upper housing. The cover covers at least a portion of the recessed gripping portion disposed on the upper housing. The cover is mounted and secured to the lower housing from a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the upper housing. The cover includes at least a portion of a temporary fixing structure between the upper housing and the cover. When the cover is mounted from a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the upper housing, the temporary fixing structure temporarily secures the cover to the upper housing.

[0011] Effects of the present invention

[0012] According to the present invention, a housing structure that allows for easy installation and fixing of the cover can be adopted, thereby improving the operability of installing and fixing the cover. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The accompanying drawings are intended to illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting its scope. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the drawings should not be considered to be drawn to scale. Furthermore, in several views, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar parts.

[0014] [ Figure 1 ]

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] [ Figure 2 ]

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A rough 3D diagram of the printer.

[0018] [ Figure 3 ]

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic perspective view of a printer mounted on an additional paper feeder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing how a recessed grip portion provided on the side surface of the printer and a fixing member serving as a cover are assembled to the recessed grip portion.

[0020] [ Figure 4 ]

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic perspective view of a printer mounted on two additional paper feeders stacked in two levels according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein each of the recessed grips provided on the side surface of the printer is covered by a fixing member serving as a cover.

[0022] [ Figure 5 ]

[0023] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a fixing member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing how the fixing member is mounted to the side surfaces of two additional paper feeders for a printer.

[0024] [ Figure 6 ]

[0025] Figure 6 This is a view from the rear of the fixing member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 Perspective view of the fixed component.

[0026] [ Figure 7 ]

[0027] Figure 7 It is based on the embodiments of this disclosure. Figure 5The side view of the paper feeder connected to the fixed component shows the cross-sectional view of the paper feeder and the fixed component taken along the cutting lines XX, YY and ZZ.

[0028] [ Figure 8 ]

[0029] Figure 8 It is according to the embodiments of this disclosure along Figure 7 The enlarged cross-sectional view of the paper feeder connected by the fixed component, taken by the cutting line XX.

[0030] [ Figure 9 ]

[0031] Figure 9 It is according to the embodiments of this disclosure along Figure 7 The enlarged cross-sectional view of the paper feeder connected by the fixed components, taken by the cutting line YY.

[0032] [ Figure 10 ]

[0033] Figure 10 It is according to the embodiments of this disclosure along Figure 7 The enlarged cross-sectional view of the paper feeder connected by the fixed components, taken by the cutting line ZZ. Specific Implementation

[0034] The terms used herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0035] In describing the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, specific terms have been used for clarity. However, the disclosure of this specification is not intended to be limited to the selected specific terms, and it should be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have similar functions, operate in a similar manner, and achieve similar results.

[0036] As an imaging device having a housing structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electrophotographic printer (hereinafter simply referred to as "printer") that forms an image by an electrophotographic method is described below. First, the printer 100 of an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the printer 100 in this embodiment. Figure 2 This is a schematic perspective view of the printer 100 of this embodiment. The printer 100 includes a main unit housing 1 and an additional paper feeder 50. The main unit housing 1 includes an imaging device 10. The additional paper feeder 50 is installed below the main unit housing 1. The main unit housing 1 is the upper housing of the printer 100. The additional paper feeder 50 serves as the lower housing of the printer 100.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the main unit housing 1, located below the imaging device 10, includes a main unit paper tray 30, a main unit paper roller 11, a main unit paper transport path 21, a main unit transport roller pair 12, and a main unit transport path 18. The additional paper feeder 50 includes an additional paper tray 52 and an additional paper roller 51. The main unit paper tray 30 and the additional paper tray 52 are configured to move from the main unit housing 1 and the housing of the additional paper feeder 50 toward the printer 100, respectively. Figure 1 Pull it out to the right side, i.e., the front side. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the printer 100 includes a main unit tray handle 30a and an additional tray handle 52a for pulling out the main unit paper tray 30 and the additional paper tray 52, respectively. The main unit paper tray 30 and the additional paper feeder 50 inside the main unit housing 1 function as a paper feeder 200.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the main unit feed tray 30 includes a main unit feed tray housing 32, a main unit feed separation roller 34, and a main unit feed guide component 45. The main unit feed tray housing 32 includes a main unit paper stacker 36 on which the first paper bundle P1 is stacked. The main unit feed tray 30 also has a main unit feed tray transport path 33 for paper from the additional feed tray 52 to pass through. The additional feed tray 52 includes an additional feed tray housing 53, an additional feed separation roller 55, an additional feed guide component 47, and an additional transport roller pair 57. The additional feed tray housing 53 includes an additional paper stacker 56 on which the second paper bundle P2 is stacked. The additional feed tray 52 also includes an additional feed tray transport path 54. Another additional feed tray 52 having a substantially similar shape may be added below the above-described additional feed tray 52.

[0039] The main unit housing 1 is located on the front side of the printer 100, i.e. Figure 1 On the right side, there is a bypass paper supply tray 3 and a bypass paper supply cover 3a. When the bypass paper supply cover 3a is along... Figure 1 Rotate and move in the direction indicated by arrow A. Figure 1 When the position is indicated by the dotted line, the bypass paper feed tray 3 and the bypass paper feed outer cover 3a move in conjunction with each other to the position indicated by the dotted line. Figure 1 The location is shown by another dashed line in the diagram. Therefore, a bypass paper feeding unit is formed, in which paper is fed by the bypass paper feeding roller 17.

[0040] The imaging apparatus 10 includes a photoreceptor 2 as a latent image carrier, an imaging unit 7, a transfer roller 14, and a fixing device 5. The imaging unit 7 forms a toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 2. The transfer roller 14 transfers the toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 2 onto paper. The fixing device 5 fixes the transferred toner image onto the paper.

[0041] When the printer 100 forms an image, a latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 2 by the exposure device provided in the imaging unit 7, and the latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 2 is developed by the developing device provided in the imaging unit 7. Therefore, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 2. On the other hand, paper bundles stacked on the main unit paper tray 30, the additional paper tray 52, or the bypass paper tray 3 are fed one by one by the main unit paper feed roller 11, the additional paper feed roller 51, or the bypass paper feed roller 17 to the position where they abut against the alignment roller pair 13.

[0042] The alignment roller pair 13 is driven rotatably to match the arrival time of the toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 2 at the transfer clamping part (the part facing the transfer roller 14), where the toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 2 is transferred onto the paper surface. The toner image is fixed onto the paper with the toner image transferred thereon by heat and pressure in the fixing device 5, and the paper is discharged to the output tray 19 by the discharge roller pair 16.

[0043] Next, the housing structure of the printer 100 with the concave grip portion 60 according to this embodiment will be described. The housing structure of the printer 100 according to this embodiment includes an additional paper feeder 50 as a lower housing, a main unit housing 1 as an upper housing mounted on the lower housing, and a fixing member 70. The main unit housing 1 as the upper housing has a concave grip portion 60 on its side. The fixing member 70 is a basic structure that functions as a cover covering at least a portion of the concave grip portion 60 provided on the lower housing. Figure 3 This is a schematic perspective view of a printer 100 with a concave grip portion 60 according to this embodiment. The main unit housing 1 is mounted on the additional paper feeder 50. The concave grip portion 60 is formed at the lowermost part of the left side of the main unit housing 1. The concave grip portion 60 is a handling handle formed on the outer surface of the main unit housing 1. On the right side of the main unit housing 1, opposite to the left side of the main unit housing 1, a concave grip portion 60 of approximately the same shape is also provided at a position corresponding to the lowermost part of the left side of the main unit housing 1.

[0044] The printer 100, being a desktop unit, has recessed grips 60 near the bottom of the right and left sides of the main unit housing 1. An optional device, typically added to and installed on the printer 100, is provided. Figure 4 As shown, multiple additional paper feeders 50 can be installed in printer 100. Figure 4 An example of installing two additional paper feeders 50 is shown. Each additional paper feeder 50 is secured to the other using a fixing member 70. The upper additional paper feeder 50 and the main unit housing 1 are also secured to each other using the fixing member 70. Figure 4 The fixing member 70 shown has the same characteristics as the reference. Figure 3The structure of the fixing member 70 described is substantially the same. That is, in Figure 4 The two positions shown above use fixing members 70 with approximately the same structure.

[0045] Preferably, the main unit housing 1 and the additional paper feeder 50 are fixed by the fixing member 70, or the additional paper feeder 50 and another additional paper feeder 50 are fixed by the fixing member 70. This configuration, as described above, prevents the main unit housing 1 and the additional paper feeder 50, on which the main unit housing 1 is mounted, from separating and falling off when the printer 100 is installed at an angle or when a load is generated from the side of the printer 100, for example, when a person or object touches the printer 100. According to the above structure, it is also possible to prevent the upper additional paper feeder 50 and the lower additional paper feeder 50 from separating and falling off.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, the fixing member 70 includes an insertion portion 71 and a lower threaded fastening portion 72. The insertion portion 71 is inserted into and covers the concave holding portion 60, and the lower threaded fastening portion 72 is fixed to the fixing member 70 by a screw 73. The fixing member 70 has the function of covering all or part of the concave holding portion 60. Therefore, the fixing member 70 serves as a cover. The fixing member 70 is installed from a direction perpendicular to the side of the printer 100 where the concave holding portion 60 is formed, and is fixed to the paper feeder 50 by a screw 73, which serves as a fastening component. In addition, a recess 61 is formed on the side of the paper feeder 50 for the threaded fastening portion 72 of the fixing member 70 to be inserted. The fixing member 70 can be easily installed from a direction perpendicular to the side of the printer 100 on the outer surface of the printer 100, i.e., the outer component. Therefore, the workability of installing the fixing member 70 is improved. Fixing members 70 having approximately the same shape are used as another fixing member 70 on the printer 100 and Figure 3 The side opposite to the left side shown, i.e. the right side, is mounted and fixed to the concave holding part 60.

[0047] The fixing member 70 of the additional paper feeder 50, which is fixed to the lower housing, includes a connecting portion to perform the aforementioned function of preventing the printer 100 from falling. This connecting portion preferably allows the fixing member 70 to engage with the main unit housing 1, which serves as the upper housing of the printer 100, thereby limiting the relative movement of the upper housing of the printer 100 according to the desired degree of prevention of the printer 100 from falling. By inserting the insertion portion 71 of the fixing member 70 into the concave holding portion 60, the movement of the main unit housing 1, which includes the concave holding portion 60, and the components of the additional paper feeder 50 in the vertical and horizontal directions can be restricted. Regarding movement in the direction perpendicular to the side surface of the printer 100, the movement of the main unit housing 1 and the components of the additional paper feeder 50 including the concave holding portion 60 toward the outer side of the side surface of the printer 100 is restricted. The movement of the main unit housing 1, which includes the concave holding portion 60, and the components of the additional paper feeder 50 toward the inner side of the side surface of the printer 100 is not restricted. However, in a structure where the concave grip portion 60 and the fixing member 70 also have a substantially similar structure on the side opposite to the side where the concave grip portion 60 is provided, the movement of the main unit housing 1 including the concave grip portion 60 and the additional paper feeder 50 from each side toward the outside of the printer 100 is restricted. Therefore, the movement of the main unit housing 1 including the concave grip portion 60 and the additional paper feeder 50 can be restricted in all three directions. Whether the movement of the main unit housing 1 including the concave grip portion 60 and the additional paper feeder 50 is restricted in all directions, and the degree of restriction on movement, depends on the desired level of prevention of falling. Furthermore, in Figure 3 and Figure 4 The fixing member 70 shown can also be, for example, referenced Figure 5 The structure of the connecting portion that engages with the concave holding portion 60 or the fixing member 70 in other embodiments described later.

[0048] In addition to preventing falls, the fixing member 70 also specifies the position for holding the printer 100 by hand. For example, as Figure 4As shown, when each fixing member 70 is installed into a corresponding concave holding portion 60, the outer contour of the fixing member 70 occupies and covers the concave portion of the concave holding portion 60. With this structure, it is possible to prevent gripping of concave holding portions 60 other than the concave holding portion 60 of the lowermost housing, the additional paper feeder 50. Therefore, when transporting the main unit housing 1 and the additional paper feeder 50 while they are fixed together, by keeping the additional paper feeder 50 as the lowermost housing, the possibility of the additional paper feeder 50 falling off during transport can be eliminated. On the other hand, when gripping the concave holding portion 60 located between the main unit housing 1 and the lowermost housing, the additional paper feeder 50 may fall off due to its own weight, damage to the fixing member 70, etc. Therefore, injury or damage to the additional paper feeder 50 may occur. Figure 4 In the middle, the fixing structure of the main unit housing 1 and the upper paper feeder 50, and the fixing structure of the upper paper feeder 50 and the lower paper feeder 50 are roughly the same.

[0049] The gap between the concave grip portion 60 and the fixing member 70, that is, the gap between the opening of the concave grip portion 60 and the outer edge of the fixing member 70, is set to be equal to or less than 5 mm, as specified in Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1459 (UL Safety Telephone Equipment Standard), which stipulates that the gap for testing fingertips should be less than 5 mm. With this structure, children's fingers, such as little fingers, will not enter. Therefore, the fixing member 70 can reliably prevent gripping of, for example, the concave grip portion 60 of the main unit housing 1 or the upper-mounted paper feeder 50. Not only is a gap formed as described above, but the outer surfaces of the main unit housing 1 and the upper-mounted paper feeder 50 form substantially the same surface as the outer surface of the fixing member 70, or the height difference between the outer surfaces of the main unit housing 1 and the upper-mounted paper feeder 50 and the outer surface of the fixing member 70 is equal to or less than 5 mm. Therefore, there is essentially no difference in height between them. Thus, the fixing member 70 can reliably prevent gripping of the concave grip portion 60. Furthermore, when the upper and lower paper feeders 50 are stacked together and fixed to each other, the same structure as described above can be used. Therefore, the fixing member 70 can reliably prevent gripping of the concave handle 60.

[0050] In this embodiment, when the fixing member 70 is installed from a direction perpendicular to its side, at least a portion of a temporary fixing structure for the fixing member 70 is formed between the fixing member 70 and the main unit housing 1. An example of the construction of this temporary fixing structure will be described using a specific example of the structure of the fixing member 70 and the concave holding portion 60 for the fixing member 70, wherein the fixing member 70 includes two screw fastening portions for fixing the fixing member 70 to the lower housing.

[0051] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing how the fixing member 70 according to this embodiment is installed onto the side surfaces of the two additional paper feeders 50. In the fixing member 70, a pair of screw fasteners 72 are provided at symmetrical positions on both sides of the fixing member 70 in the width direction. Figure 5 The example illustrates how a retaining member 70 is installed between two stacked additional paper feeders 50 to secure the two additional paper feeders 50. The insertion portion 71 of the retaining member 70 has a protrusion 74. In the concave holding portion 60 provided on the upper additional paper feeder 50, on the back side portion 63 of the concave holding portion 60 (see reference...) Figure 8 An opening 62 or recess is formed for the protrusion 74 of the fixing member 70 to enter. A paper feeder 50 is added to the lower side, forming a recess 61 and a threaded fastening part 61a. Each screw fastening part 72 enters the corresponding recess 61. The main unit housing 1 and the upper side are added to the paper feeder 50 and are fixed to each other in a similar manner as described above. That is, in Figure 5 The example illustrates a case where the upper and lower paper feeders 50 are fixed together. However, the main unit housing 1 and the upper paper feeder 50 can also be fixed using a substantially similar structure. Figure 5 The image shows a temporary fixing structure on the left side surface of printer 100. A temporary fixing structure is also provided on the right side surface of printer 100 (i.e., the opposite side).

[0052] like Figure 5 As shown, the fixing member 70 is fixed to the lower paper feeder 50 in the following state: the protrusions, i.e., the threaded fastening portions 61a, of the lower paper feeder 50 are inserted into the openings 72a of the screw fastening portions 72 of the fixing member 70 and are temporarily fastened (see reference). Figure 9 ).like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, screws 73 are used to fasten the fixing member 70 to the lower paper feeder 50. Each protrusion 74 of the fixing member 70 is inserted into a corresponding opening 62 formed in the concave holding portion 60 of the upper paper feeder 50 to connect the upper paper feeder 50 to the fixing member 70 (see reference). Figure 8The reason why the opening 62 is used as a connecting part on the back side 63 of the concave grip portion 60 is that a person's finger may enter the concave grip portion 60. If the opening 62 were a protrusion, the protrusion might cause pain or injury when a finger enters the concave grip portion 60. From this point of view, it is preferable to use an opening 62 or a concave shape.

[0053] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the fixing member 70 viewed from the rear side of the fixing member 70 in this embodiment. An elastic piece 75 is formed on the insertion portion 71 of the fixing member 70, capable of moving its front end vertically through elastic deformation. The front end 75a of this elastic piece 75, in its natural state, is positioned higher than the other parts of the insertion portion 71, and functions as a hook for hooking onto the protruding rib 64a of the top 64 of the concave holding portion 60, which will be described later. Furthermore, thin-walled portions 76, thinner than the other parts of the fixing member 70, are formed at both ends, i.e., the peripheral portions, of the insertion portion 71.

[0054] The reason for arranging the thin-walled portion 76 at one or more ends of the fixing member 70 is as follows: After the main unit housing 1 and the additional paper feeder 50 are installed and fixed, when the additional paper feeder 50 is installed or removed from the main unit housing 1 during printer 100 replacement, repair, etc., it is necessary to remove the fixing member 70. As mentioned above, the gap or step difference between the fixing member 70 and the main unit housing 1 or the additional paper feeder 50 is small, making it impossible for a finger to enter the gap. Therefore, the fixing member 70 is difficult to remove. In the above-described configuration where a portion of the fixing member 70 is thinned, the fixing member 70 can be easily removed by inserting a claw or flathead screwdriver into the gap.

[0055] Figure 7 This is a side view of the additional paper feeder 50 connected by the fixing member 70, showing a cross-sectional view of the additional paper feeder 50 and the fixing member 70 taken along the cutting lines XX, YY and ZZ according to this embodiment. Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 The enlarged cross-sectional view of the additional paper feeder 50 connected by the fixed component 70, taken by the cutting line XX. Figure 9 It is along Figure 7 The cross-sectional view of the additional paper feeder 50 connected by the fixed component 70 is taken by the cutting line YY. Figure 10 It is along Figure 7 The cross-sectional view obtained by cutting line ZZ. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the protrusion 74 of the fixing member 70 enters the opening 62 of the back part 63 of the concave holding part 60, which is a wall part on the upper side where the paper feeder 50 is added.

[0056] In this embodiment, the protrusions 74 of the fixing member 70 serve as the portion connecting the additional paper feeder 50 to the upper housing. Each protrusion 74 enters the portion formed in... Figure 8The upper side of the paper feeder 50 has an opening 62 on the back side of the concave grip portion 60. Each protrusion 74 contacts the lower edge of the opening 62 to restrict the upward movement of the upper housing. In addition, the upper part of each protrusion 74 contacts the top 64 of the concave grip portion 60 to restrict the downward movement of the upper housing.

[0057] like Figure 6 As shown, rib 74a is disposed in the middle between protrusions 74 in the width direction of the fixing member 70. Figure 8 As shown, rib 74a abuts against the back surface 63 of the concave grip portion 60, thereby restricting the movement of the upper housing from its side surface toward the outside of the printer 100. Similarly, the concave grip portion 60 and the fixing member 70 on the opposite side surface of the printer 100 restrict the movement of the upper housing from its side surface toward the outside of the printer 100. The concave grip portion 60 and the fixing member 70 on the two side surfaces of the upper housing cooperate to restrict the lateral movement of the upper housing.

[0058] like Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown in the cross-section of the top 64 of the concave grip portion 60, a plurality of protruding ribs 64a extending in the width direction of the concave grip portion 60 are formed. The portion between each protruding rib 64a is recessed relative to the protruding rib 64a. When fingertips are placed on the concave grip portion 60 to handle the printer 100, the protruding ribs 64a act as anti-slip elements. That is, the protruding ribs 64a of the top 64 of the concave grip portion 60 provide an anti-slip function when gripping the main unit housing 1 having the concave grip portion 60 or when an additional paper feeder 50 is provided. Figure 10 As shown, a protruding rib 64a engages with the front end 75a of the elastic sheet 75 of the fixing member 70.

[0059] The front end 75a of the elastic piece 75 of the fixing member 70 functions as a hook. When the fixing member 70 is vertically installed onto the side surface of the upper housing and the additional paper feeder 50, the top 64 of the concave holding portion 60 hooks onto the protruding rib 64a. During the insertion of the fixing member 70 for installation, the front end 75a of the elastic piece 75, acting as a hook, is repeatedly hooked and released. When the insertion of the fixing member 70 is complete, as... Figure 10As shown, the front end 75a of the hook hooks onto a protruding rib 64a on the opposite rear side of the concave grip portion 60. Thus, the fixing member 70 is temporarily fixed. That is, the elastic piece 75 and the protruding rib 64a serve as a temporary fixing structure, which includes a protrusion or recess and a connecting portion. The protrusion or recess is formed on the top 64, which is an inner wall surface orthogonal to the side surface of the concave grip portion 60, and the connecting portion engages with the protrusion or recess formed on the fixing member 70, which serves as a cover. The elastic piece 75 serves as the connecting portion, which is elastically displaceable in a direction orthogonal to the top 64, which is the inner wall surface. The inner wall surface is not limited to the top 64, as long as the inner wall surface is perpendicular to the side surface of the concave grip portion 60. However, in Figure 10 In the example shown, the protrusion used for anti-slip also functions as a protrusion for temporarily fixing the fixing member 70.

[0060] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the main unit housing 1 is mounted on two additional paper feeders 50 stacked in two layers, and each of the two lateral positions of the main unit housing 1 is secured by a concave grip portion 60 and a fixing member 70, both of which have substantially the same structure as the other concave grip portion 60 and the other fixing member 70 disposed on the opposite side surface of the main unit housing 1. In this structure, the lower housing includes concave grip portions 60 disposed on each side surface of the lower housing and is placed on the other housing. The other housing includes a cover that covers at least a portion of the concave grip portions 60 of the lower housing, and the cover has substantially the same structure as the cover disposed on the lower housing. Moreover, in this structure, a temporary fixing structure having substantially the same structure as the aforementioned temporary fixing structure is formed between the cover and the lower housing.

[0061] As described above, according to embodiments of this disclosure, the fixing member 70 includes a front end 75a as a hook. When the fixing member 70 is fixed (before the screw is tightened), the front end 75a of the hook of the fixing member 70 hooks onto one of the protrusions (i.e., ribs 64a) of the concave grip portion 60, and the fixing member 70 can be temporarily fixed. Therefore, the tightening operation can be easily performed. In the above description, the component covering part or all of the opening of the concave grip portion 60 is the fixing member 70 with a connecting portion for connection to the upper housing; however, it may also be a simple cover component without such a connecting portion.

[0062] The above embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the invention. Therefore, many additional modifications and variations are possible based on the above teachings. For example, elements and / or features of different illustrative embodiments can be combined and / or substituted for each other within the scope of the invention.

[0063] This application is based on and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 202-038407, filed with the Japan Patent Office on March 10, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0064] List of reference numerals

[0065] 1: Main unit housing

[0066] 2: Photoreceptor

[0067] 3: Bypass paper supply tray

[0068] 5: Fixing device

[0069] 7: Imaging section

[0070] 10: Imaging device

[0071] 11: Main unit paper feed roller

[0072] 12: Main unit conveyor roller pair

[0073] 13: Alignment roller pair

[0074] 14: Transfer Roller

[0075] 16: Discharge roller pair

[0076] 17: Bypass paper feed roller

[0077] 18: Main unit transport path

[0078] 19: Output tray

[0079] 21: Main unit paper feeding path

[0080] 30: Main unit paper supply tray

[0081] 32: Main unit paper supply tray housing

[0082] 33: Main unit paper tray conveying path

[0083] 34: Main unit paper feeding separation roller

[0084] 36: Main unit paper stacker

[0085] 3a: Bypass paper supply outer cover

[0086] 45: Main unit paper feeding guide component

[0087] 47: Add paper feeding guide component

[0088] 50: Add an extension sheet feeder.

[0089] 51: Add paper feeding rollers

[0090] 52: Add paper supply tray

[0091] 53: Add a paper supply tray housing

[0092] 54: Add paper tray conveyor path

[0093] 55: Add paper feeding separation roller

[0094] 56: Add paper stacker

[0095] 57: Add conveyor roller pairs

[0096] 60: Recessed hand grip

[0097] 61: Concave

[0098] 62: Opening

[0099] 63 Back

[0100] 64: Top

[0101] 70: Fixed components

[0102] 71: Insertion section

[0103] 72 Screw Fastening Part

[0104] 73: Screw

[0105] 74: Protrusion

[0106] 75: Elastic sheet

[0107] 76: Thin-walled section

[0108] 100: Printer

[0109] 200: Paper feeder

[0110] 61a: Threaded fastener

[0111] 64a: Convex rib

[0112] 72a: Opening

[0113] 74a: Rib

[0114] 75a: Frontend

Claims

1. A shell structure, comprising: Lower housing; An upper housing, mounted on the lower housing, and including a recessed gripping portion on a side surface of the upper housing; and A cover is configured to cover at least a portion of the concave grip portion disposed in the upper housing. The cover is configured to be mounted and secured to the lower housing from a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the upper housing. The cover includes at least a portion of a temporary fixing structure between the upper housing and the cover. The temporary fixing structure is configured to temporarily fix the cover to the upper housing when the cover is installed from a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the upper housing. wherein The temporary fixing structure includes: A protrusion or recess is provided on the inner wall surface of the concave gripping portion that is orthogonal to the side surface; and A connecting portion is provided on the cover and engages with the protrusion or the recess. The inner wall surface is the top of the concave gripping portion. The top includes multiple ribs, the multiple ribs including the protrusions or the recesses, and The plurality of ribs are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the upper housing and extend in the width direction of the concave grip portion.

2. The shell structure according to claim 1, wherein The joint can be elastically displaced in a direction perpendicular to the inner wall surface.

3. The shell structure according to claim 1 or 2, The cover has a thinner portion at its periphery than the other parts.

4. The shell structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The cover includes a connecting portion that connects to the upper housing.

5. The shell structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The cover is secured with screws.

6. The shell structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, It further includes another lower housing, wherein The lower housing includes a concave gripping portion disposed on a side surface of the lower housing, and the lower housing is placed on the other lower housing. The other lower housing includes another cover that covers at least a portion of the concave grip portion of the lower housing. The other cover has the same structure as the cover installed to the lower housing. The other cover includes at least a portion of another temporary fixing structure between the other cover and the lower housing, and The other temporary fixing structure has the same structure as the temporary fixing structure.

7. An imaging device comprising a housing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein, The upper housing is the main unit of the imaging device, including the paper feed tray, and The lower housing is an additional paper feed tray.

Images