Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To facilitate adjustment of an angle between two housings.SOLUTION: A first connector is coupled to a second side face of a first housing. A second connector is overlapped with the first connector, and has a first fitting shaft part fitted into a fitting hole part provided in a sixth side face of a second housing, fitted into a first guide groove provided in the first connector, and guided to move in a first direction by the first guide groove. A third connector is provided on a third side face of the first housing. A fourth connector is overlapped with the third connector, and has a second fitting shaft part fitted into a fitting hole part provided in a seventh side face of the second housing, fitted into a second guide groove provided in the third connector, and guided to move in the first direction by the second guide groove. A first mark is provided on one connector of the first connector and the second connector, and indicates a rough indication for a distance of movement of the second housing in the first direction. A first instruction part is provided on the other connector of the first connector and the second connector, and points to the first mark.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] There are two types of image forming devices: small image forming devices for general consumers or offices, and large image forming devices for offices or commercial printing. In the former, all mechanisms that execute the image formation process are housed in a single housing. In the latter, multiple mechanisms that execute the image formation process are arranged in multiple housings (Patent Document 1). This is because if a large image forming device were realized in a single housing, it would be difficult to transport it from the factory to the customer's site (e.g., loading it into an elevator). By connecting multiple housings at the customer's site, the large image forming device is installed at the customer's site.

[0003] Incidentally, the multiple housings must be accurately positioned and connected in order to transfer sheets. However, even if multiple adjacent housings are accurately positioned, the horizontal angle (angle around the height direction) of the multiple sheet processing units arranged therein may not be the angle assumed in the design. According to Patent Document 2, a mechanism for adjusting the angle of the two housings is proposed in order to make the horizontal angle between the multiple sheet processing units appropriate. Specifically, a hinge provided on the rear side of the two housings and a distance adjustment mechanism provided on the front side of the two housings are proposed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-84035 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7024195 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above-mentioned mechanism is based on the assumption that the floor on which the two housings are placed is level. However, in reality, the floor may not be level. In this case, excessive load is applied to the rotation axis of the hinge, causing the hinge to break or making it impossible to sufficiently adjust the angle between the two housings. This makes it difficult for the worker to adjust the angle around the height axis.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to facilitate the adjustment of the angle between the two housings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to, for example, a first housing having a first side surface having a passage opening through which a sheet passes, a second side surface adjacent to the first side surface, a third side surface adjacent to the first side surface and positioned on the opposite side to the second side surface, and a fourth side surface adjacent to the second side surface and the third side surface; a second housing connected to the first housing, the second housing having a fifth side surface having a passage opening through which the sheet passes, a sixth side surface adjacent to the fifth side surface, a seventh side surface adjacent to the fifth side surface and located on the opposite side to the sixth side surface, and an eighth side surface adjacent to the sixth side surface and the seventh side surface; a first connector coupled to the second side of the first housing; a second connector having a first fitting shaft portion that is overlapped with the first connector and fits into a fitting hole portion provided on the sixth side surface of the second housing and also fits into a first guide groove provided in the first connector, and whose movement in a first direction is guided by the first guide groove; A third connector provided on the third side surface of the first housing; a fourth connector that is overlapped with the third connector, that fits into a fitting hole provided on the seventh side surface of the second housing, and that has a second fitting shaft that fits into a second guide groove provided in the third connector and whose movement in the first direction is guided by the second guide groove; a first mark provided on one of the first connector and the second connector, the first mark indicating a guide for a moving distance of the second housing in the first direction; A first indicator provided on the other of the first connector and the second connector and indicating the first mark; The present invention provides an image forming apparatus having the above structure. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the angle between the two housings can be easily adjusted. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus having two housings. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the front and rear of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart showing a method for adjusting an angle around the Z axis. [Figure 11] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the adjustment process using a connector. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a second embodiment. [Figure 13] 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining an adjustment process in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0011] (1) Image forming device 1 shows an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100. The height direction of the image forming apparatus 100 (direction from the bottom surface to the top surface) is called the Z direction. The horizontal direction of the image forming apparatus 100 is called the X direction. The depth direction of the image forming apparatus 100 (direction from the front surface to the back surface) is called the Y direction. The electrophotographic image forming process includes an exposure process, a development process, a transfer process, and a fixing process.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 100 has a first housing 130 and a second housing 140. The first housing 130 and the second housing 140 are not connected when shipped from the factory, but are connected when installed at a customer's premises. The second housing 140 has a positioning shaft 20. The positioning shaft 20 fits into a positioning hole 19 of the first housing 130.

[0013] The first housing 130 has a first frame 131. A plurality of casters 21 are provided on the bottom surface of the first frame 131. An original reading device 190 and an operation unit 180 are provided above the first housing 130. The original reading device 190 reads an original and generates an image signal. The operation unit 180 has an input device and a display device.

[0014] The first housing 130 is generally box-shaped. The first housing 130 has four side surfaces, a right side surface 50R, a left side surface 50L, a front surface 50F, and a rear surface 50B. Inside the first housing 130, there are an exposure mechanism 170a, an image forming mechanism 170b, a transfer mechanism 170c, a storage 113, a conveying mechanism 170d, and the like. The storage 113 stores a plurality of sheets 110. The conveying mechanism 170d has a plurality of conveying rollers that convey the sheet 110 fed from the storage 113 along a conveying path. The exposure mechanism 170a executes an exposure process. The image forming mechanism 170b executes a development process. The transfer mechanism 170c transfers a toner image to the sheet 110.

[0015] The exposure mechanism 170a and the image forming mechanism 170b are each divided into four image forming stations 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d. The image forming stations 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d form toner images of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), respectively. The image forming stations 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d have a common structure. Therefore, when describing the image forming stations 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d below, the letters a, b, c, and d added to the end of the reference numerals may be omitted.

[0016] The second housing 140 has a second frame 141. A plurality of casters 21 are provided on the bottom surface of the second frame 141. The second housing 140 has a fixing mechanism 170e that performs a fixing process. The second housing 140 has four side surfaces, that is, a right side surface 60R, a left side surface 60L, a front surface 60F, and a rear surface 60B.

[0017] (1-1) Exposure process The exposure mechanism 170a has a laser scanner 107. The laser scanner 107 has a semiconductor laser 108, a reflecting mirror 109, and a rotating polygon mirror (not shown). A primary charger 111 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 105. The semiconductor laser 108 outputs a laser beam corresponding to an image signal. The laser beam is deflected by the rotating polygon mirror. The laser beam further exposes the photosensitive drum 105 via the reflecting mirror 109. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 105.

[0018] (1-2) Development process The developer 112 develops the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image.

[0019] (1-3) Transcription process The primary transfer member 104 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 105 onto the intermediate transfer body 106. The Y image, M image, C image, and K image are transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 106 in a superimposed manner. This forms a full-color image. As the intermediate transfer body 106 rotates, the toner image is transported to a secondary transfer section. In the secondary transfer section, a secondary transfer roller 114 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer body 106 to a sheet 110.

[0020] The conveyor belt 118 conveys the sheet 110 from the first housing 130 to the second housing 140. The conveyor belt 118 is stretched around a downstream roller 119.

[0021] (1-4) Fixing process The fixing mechanism 170e has a fixing device 142 for fixing the toner image transferred to the sheet 110 by heat and pressure. The fixing device 142 has a fixing roller 142a that applies heat to the sheet 110, and a pressure belt 142b that presses the sheet 110 against the fixing roller 142a. A heater is provided inside the fixing roller 142a. By rotating both the fixing roller 142a and the pressure belt 142b, the toner image is fixed to the sheet 110, and the sheet 110 is transported from upstream to downstream.

[0022] A conveying path 144 is provided downstream of the fixing device 142. When an image is formed on only one side of the sheet 110, the sheet 110 is conveyed from the conveying path 144 to a discharge path 150 and stacked on a tray 160. When an image is formed on the back side of the sheet 110, the sheet 110 is guided from the conveying path 144 to a conveying path 146 by a flapper 145. The sheet 110 is further conveyed from the conveying path 146 to a reversing path 148. When a sheet sensor 147 detects the rear end of the sheet 110, the reversing path 148 executes a switchback operation. This reverses the conveying direction of the sheet 110, and the sheet 110 is conveyed to a conveying path 149. The conveying path 149 conveys the sheet 110 again to a secondary transfer roller 114. The secondary transfer roller 114 transfers the toner image from the intermediate transfer body 106 to the back side of the sheet 110. The sheet 110 passes through a fixing unit 142 , a conveying path 144 , and a discharge path 150 and is loaded onto a tray 160 .

[0023] (2) Example 1 (2-1) Transfer of sheets between two adjacent cabinets 1, the conveyor belt 118 is provided downstream of the transfer mechanism 170c. The conveyor belt 118 delivers the sheet 110 carrying an unfixed toner image from the first housing 130 to the guide G of the second housing 140. A part of the conveyor belt 118 protrudes from the first housing 130 toward the second housing 140. This is for the purpose of delivering the sheet 110 stably.

[0024] The pressure belt 142b and the fixing roller 142a form a fixing nip N. The guide G guides the sheet 110, which has been delivered from the conveyor belt 118, to the fixing nip N.

[0025] The guide G is provided between the downstream roller 119 of the conveyor belt 118 and the fixing nip N. The guide G and the downstream roller 119 are arranged so that the sheet conveying surface of the conveyor belt 118 is higher than the start position g of the guide surface of the guide G. The guide G has a guide function for stably guiding the leading edge of the sheet 110 to the fixing nip N. If the leading edge of the sheet 110 is too high relative to the guide G, the sheet 110 is not guided to the fixing nip N in an inappropriate manner. As a result, the sheet 110 may wrinkle, or the unfixed toner image may scatter and soil the sheet 110. If the leading edge of the sheet 110 is too low relative to the guide G, the leading edge of the sheet 110 may come into contact with the guide G, causing a jam.

[0026] Therefore, the error in the height direction between the position of the conveyor belt 118 and the position assumed in the design must be within a range of, for example, about ±0.7 mm. The error in the height direction between the position of the guide G and the position assumed in the design must also be within a range of, for example, about ±0.7 mm. Therefore, the accuracy of the connection position in the height direction between the second housing 140 having the guide G that guides the sheet 110 to the fixing nip N and the first housing 130 having the conveyor belt 118 must be high.

[0027] (2-2) Positioning and connection between two housings Fig. 2(A) is a perspective view of the first frame 131. Fig. 2(B) is a left side view of the first frame 131. Fig. 3(A) is a perspective view of the second frame 141. Fig. 3(B) is a right side view of the second frame 141.

[0028] Fixing device 201 is provided on the bottom surface of first housing 130. Fixing device 201 is fixed to the floor surface by protruding toward the floor surface of the living room. As a result, first housing 130 is fixed to the floor surface.

[0029] Next, the installer positions second housing 140 so that right side surface 60R of second housing 140 faces left side surface 50L of first housing 130, and moves second housing 140 toward first housing 130. As a result, second housing 140 is connected to first housing 130.

[0030] As shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(B), the first frame 131 has a left front support pillar 131a and a left rear support pillar 131b. A passage opening 132 through which the seat 110 passes is provided between the left front support pillar 131a and the left rear support pillar 131b. The left front support pillar 131a has a positioning hole 19a. The left rear support pillar 131b has a positioning hole 19b. The positioning holes 19a and 19b are each an elongated circular hole with a long diameter in the height direction.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3(A) and FIG. 3(B), the second frame 141 has a right front support 141a and a right rear support 141b. Between the right front support 141a and the right rear support 141b, a passage hole 143 through which the seat 110 passes is provided. The right front support 141a has a positioning shaft 20a. The right rear support 141b has a positioning shaft 20b. The positioning shafts 20a and 20b protrude in the normal direction (X direction) of the right side surface 60R. The positioning shaft 20a fits into the positioning hole 19a. The positioning shaft 20b fits into the positioning hole 19b. This positions the second housing 140 relative to the first housing 130. In particular, the second housing 140 is positioned relative to the first housing 130 in the height direction.

[0032] Regarding positioning in the depth direction (Y direction), it is sufficient that either one of the axes 20a or 20b is accurately positioned. Either the positioning hole 19a or the positioning hole 19b of the first frame 131 may be enlarged in the Y direction. For example, the dimension of the positioning hole 19a in the Y direction may be larger than the dimension of the positioning hole 19b in the Y direction.

[0033] Here, the reason why the positioning holes 19a and 19b are elongated holes will be explained. As can be imagined from FIG. 1, the first housing 130 is heavier than the second housing 140. For example, the total weight of the first housing 130 is 700 kg, and the total weight of the second housing 140 is 200 kg. In this case, the floor surface on which the first housing 130 is placed sinks in the -Z direction from the floor surface on which the second housing 140 is placed. As a result, the positions of the positioning holes 19a and 19b may be lower than the positions of the positioning shafts 20a and 20b. Therefore, the shape of the positioning holes 19a and 19b is elongated. As a result, the positioning shafts 20a and 20b do not interfere with the left front support 131a and the left rear support 131b of the first housing 130, and the first housing 130 and the second housing 140 can be coupled to each other.

[0034] In order to properly transfer the seat 110 from the first housing 130 to the second housing 140, the height of the second housing 140 relative to the first housing 130 is adjusted by the casters 21.

[0035] FIG. 4(A) is a perspective view of the caster 21. FIG. 4(B) is a cross-sectional view of the caster 21. The caster 21 has a steel body 21b. The wheel 21a is attached to the body 21b via an axle 21h so as to be freely rotatable. A screw portion 21f is formed on the body 21b. The screw portion 21f is coupled to a screw portion 21g provided on the base portion 21c. Meanwhile, the base portion 21c is fastened to the bottom frame 311 of the second housing 140 by four screws 21d. In order to prevent the screw portion 21f from coming off the base portion 21c, the screw portion 21f is coupled to the base portion 21c by a nut 21e.

[0036] When adjusting the height of the caster 21, first, the nut 21e is loosened. Next, the main body 21b is rotated in the CW direction. This causes the screw portion 21f to move relative to the screw portion 21g, and the wheel 21a to approach the base portion 21c. In other words, the second housing 140 becomes relatively lower than the first housing 130.

[0037] When the main body 21b is rotated in the CCW direction, the second housing 140 becomes relatively higher than the first housing 130. When the first housing 130 is lower than the second housing 140, the first housing 130 and the second housing 140 are aligned in the height direction by rotating the main body 21b in the CCW direction.

[0038] Fig. 5(A) is a front view showing the connected state of the first frame body 131 and the second frame body 141. Fig. 5(B) is a rear view showing the connected state of the first frame body 131 and the second frame body 141. The first housing 130 and the second housing 140 are connected by two connectors Pa and Pb. Specifically, the connector Pa connects the left front support pillar 131a and the right front support pillar 141a. The connector Pb connects the left rear support pillar 131b and the right rear support pillar 141b.

[0039] (2-3) Effect of floor surface when connecting two cabinets When the second housing 140 is joined to the first housing 130 and the height adjustment by the casters 21 is completed, the first housing 130 and the second housing 140 are connected by two connectors Pa and Pb.

[0040] However, if the height is adjusted only by the casters 21, the horizontal angle formed by the second housing 140 with respect to the first housing 130 may deviate from the horizontal angle assumed in the design. For this reason, the connectors Pa and Pb need to have a fine adjustment mechanism.

[0041] 6(A) and 6(B) are diagrams for explaining connectors Pa and Pb of a comparative example. In particular, connector Pb is realized by two hinges. As shown in FIG. 6(A), it is assumed that the floor surface located under the second housing 140 is inclined as shown by the dotted line. In this case, the second housing 140 also inclines along the floor. By adjusting the caster 21, the inclination of the second housing 140 can be reduced to some extent, but it is difficult to arrange the second housing 140 strictly horizontally.

[0042] Furthermore, if the second housing 140 is tilted with respect to the first housing 130, a load F is applied to the connector Pb. As a result, the connector Pb may be damaged. Also, as shown in FIG. 6B, when an operator tries to rotate the second frame body 141 in the CW or CCW direction around the connector Pb, the rotation resistance of the second housing 140 increases due to the load F applied to the connector Pb. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the operator to adjust the angle.

[0043] 7(A) and 7(B) are diagrams for explaining the connection between the first housing 130 and the second housing 140 by two improved connectors P (connectors Pa and Pb). As shown in FIG. 7(B), the two connectors Pa and Pb are parts of the same shape, but are turned upside down and connected to the first housing 130 and the second housing 140. By making the two connectors Pa and Pb the same parts, the manufacturing cost of the two connectors Pa and Pb is reduced. Note that the multiple parts constituting the two connectors Pa and Pb are common parts, and therefore the same reference numerals are given to them.

[0044] The connectors Pa and Pb each have a first connecting part P1a and a second connecting part P2a. The second connecting part P2a has an axis P2d. The axis P2d protrudes in the Y direction and fits into the first connecting part P1a and the second frame 141. A gap da is provided between the first connecting part P1a and the second housing 140 on the front side. A gap db is provided between the first connecting part P1a and the second housing 140 on the rear side.

[0045] 7A, when the floor is inclined, the second housing 140 rotates about the axis P2d. Therefore, the connectors Pa and Pb are not easily subjected to a load. Therefore, the connectors Pa and Pb of the improved embodiment 1 are not easily damaged.

[0046] If the floor surface is not flat, the second housing 140 will tend to rotate around the Y axis. Therefore, the connectors Pa and Pb are provided near the conveyor belt 118, the fixing device 142, and the guide G. That is, the rotation axis around the Y axis is present near the passage openings 132, 142 for the sheet 110. Therefore, the displacement near the conveyor belt 118, the fixing device 142, and the guide G is reduced, and the sheet 110 can be delivered with high accuracy.

[0047] 6(A) and 6(B), the center of rotation around the Z axis of second housing 140 in the comparative example is at the hinge (connector Pb). Therefore, in the comparative example, when the angle of second housing 140 is changed, gap d1 between first housing 130 and second housing 140 also becomes larger.

[0048] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 7(A) and Fig. 7(B), in the first embodiment, the angle adjustment is performed by the connectors Pa and Pb on both the front side and the back side of the second housing 140. Therefore, the gap d2 between the first housing 130 and the second housing 140 is smaller than the gap d1 in the comparative example. In this way, when the gap in the X direction is small, the quality of the external design is maintained even if the angle between the first housing 130 and the second housing 140 is adjusted around the Z axis.

[0049] (2-4) Connection method Fig. 8(A) shows the details of the connector Pa. Fig. 8(B) shows the details of the connector Pb. As shown in Fig. 8(A), the connector Pa connects the front surface 50F of the first housing 130 and the front surface 60F of the second housing 140. As shown in Fig. 8(B), the connector Pa connects the back surface 50B of the first housing 130 and the back surface 60B of the second housing 140.

[0050] First, the first connecting part P1a of the connector Pa is fastened to the left front support 131a of the first frame body 131 by a fastener P1e (e.g., a screw or a bolt). Similarly, the first connecting part P1a of the connector Pb is fastened to the left rear support 131b of the first frame body 131 by a fastener P1e (e.g., a screw or a bolt).

[0051] The second connecting part P2a is fastened to the first connecting part P1a by a fastener P2e (e.g., a screw or a bolt). The connecting part P2a has a shaft P2d formed integrally with the connecting part P2a. The shaft P2d of the connecting tool Pa is fitted into a connecting hole Ha provided in the right front support 141a of the second frame body 141. The shaft P2d of the connecting tool Pb is fitted into a connecting hole Hb provided in the right rear support 141b of the second frame body 141. This positions the second frame body 141 in the X direction relative to the first frame body 131. The connecting holes Ha and Hb are elongated round holes with a long diameter in the height direction for the same reason as the positioning holes 19a and 19b.

[0052] (2-5) Detailed structure of connector 9(A) to 9(D) show the structure of the connectors Pa and Pb of the first embodiment. The second connector part P2a has a mountain-shaped indicator P2c. Meanwhile, the first connector part P1a has a scale P1c corresponding to the indicator P2c. The scale P1c has groove-shaped vertical lines P1e formed at equal intervals. The indicator P2c and the scale P1c will be indicators for adjusting the horizontal angle between the first housing 130 and the second housing 140.

[0053] The second connecting part P2a has an elongated hole P2b. The first connecting part P1a has an embossed part P1b to be inserted or fitted into the elongated hole P2b. The embossed part P1b is a shaft-shaped protrusion. The embossed part P1b moves relatively through the elongated hole P2b, so that the first connecting part P1a and the second connecting part P2a can move relatively in the X direction. In other words, the elongated hole P2b has a major axis in the X direction.

[0054] The second connecting part P2a is joined to and integrated with the shaft part P2d. The shaft part P2d is movable along a guide groove P1d provided in the first connecting part P1a. The guide groove P1d and the long hole part P2b are provided substantially parallel to each other. Therefore, when the embossed part P1b moves along the long hole part P2b, the shaft part P2d moves along the guide groove P1d. This allows the first connecting part P1a and the second connecting part P2a to move in the X direction without rotating.

[0055] 9(D), an indicator P2c provided at one end of the second connecting part P2a indicates the scale P1c provided on the first connecting part P1a. The scale P1c has a plurality of vertical lines P1e formed at 1 mm intervals by, for example, engraving.

[0056] As described above, the first connecting part P1a and the second connecting part P2a can move relatively in the X direction while the embossed part P1b is constrained by the long hole part P2b and the shaft part P2d is constrained by the guide groove P1d. The amount of movement can be adjusted by aligning the indicator part P2c with any of the vertical lines P1e. ​​When the adjustment is completed, the first connecting part P1a and the second connecting part P2a are fixed by the fastener P2e. If the multiple vertical lines P1e are formed at 1 mm intervals, the relative positions of the first connecting part P1a and the second connecting part P2a can also be adjusted at 1 mm intervals. Note that 1 mm is merely an example, and the intervals between the multiple vertical lines P1e may be less than 1 mm or may exceed 1 mm.

[0057] 9(D), the length of the two central lines P1e among the multiple lines P1e may be longer than the length of the six lines P1e arranged at the end. The two central lines P1e represent the initial position (position before the angle adjustment) between the first housing 130 and the second housing 140 assumed in the design.

[0058] (2-6) Adjusting the position between the two housings The procedure for adjusting the angle between the first housing 130 and the second housing 140 around the Z axis will be described below. As described above, the two adjacent housings (the first housing 130 and the second housing 140) are connected with their orientations aligned. However, an appropriate angular relationship may not be established between the sheet processing unit provided in one housing and the sheet processing unit provided in the other housing. For example, when processing a plurality of sheets 110 continuously, the angle between the secondary transfer roller 114 and the fixing unit 142 must be maintained at an appropriate angle. Similarly, the angle between the conveyor belt 118 and the fixing unit 142 must also be maintained at an appropriate angle. These two sheet processing units may be required to be parallel, or may be required to form a predetermined angle. However, even if the orientations of the two housings are simply parallel, a certain angular relationship assumed in the design may not be established. In response to this, it may be possible to mount a mechanism for adjusting the angle of the sheet processing unit in one housing and a mechanism for adjusting the angle of the sheet processing unit in the other housing. However, due to size restrictions of the two housings, it may be difficult to mount these mechanisms on the two housings, and even if the two housings were each equipped with an adjustment mechanism, the adjustments would be extremely cumbersome for an operator.

[0059] If the angle between the two sheet processing sections is not appropriate, the following problems may occur. For example, assume that the angle between the fuser 142 and the conveyor belt 118 is not appropriate. In this case, the sheet 110 is twisted when it enters the fixing nip N. As a result, the sheet 110 may become wrinkled or the toner image on the sheet 110 may become uneven. Alternatively, the alignment between the multiple sheets 110 discharged from the discharge path 150 to the tray 160 or the alignment of the sheets 110 relative to the tray 160 may be reduced.

[0060] 10 shows an adjustment procedure performed by an operator. In step S1001, the operator controls image forming apparatus 100 via operation unit 180 to form an image on sheet 110.

[0061] In S1002, the operator measures the alignment, wrinkles, and image unevenness of sheet 110 output from image forming apparatus 100 to tray 160. For example, the operator may instruct image forming apparatus 100 to stop conveying sheet 110 from operation unit 180 at the timing when the leading edge of sheet 110 is discharged from discharge path 150 to the outside of image forming apparatus 100. The operator measures the amount of misalignment of sheet 110 in the Y direction.

[0062] In S1003, the worker determines whether the measurement result is good. If the measurement result is good, the worker ends the adjustment work. On the other hand, if the measurement result is not good, the worker advances the process to S1004. An example of a case where the measurement result is not good is when the amount of deviation of the sheet 110 in the Y direction falls outside the acceptable range.

[0063] In S1004, the worker adjusts the two connectors Pa and Pb. After that, the worker returns from S1004 to S1001 and forms an image on the next sheet 110. After that, S1002 to S1004 are repeated. S1001 to S1004 are repeated until the amount of misalignment falls within the acceptable range.

[0064] Figures 11(A) to 11(D) show a method of adjusting the connectors Pa and Pb when rotating the second housing 140 around the Z axis relative to the first housing 130. Figures 11(A) and 11(C) show only the connector Pa, but since the connector Pb has the same shape as the connector Pa, the adjustment method of the connector Pb is the same as the adjustment method of the connector Pa. Figure 11(E) shows the angle adjustment of the first housing 130 and the second housing 140 as viewed from the top side.

[0065] The first housing 130 is heavier than the second housing 140. Therefore, once the first housing 130 is fixed to the floor, it is difficult to readjust the first housing 130. Therefore, the worker changes the angle of the second housing 140 relative to the first housing 130 about the Z axis.

[0066] The worker loosens the fastener P2e that fastens the first connecting part P1a of the connector Pa to the right front support 141a of the second housing 140. The worker loosens the fastener P2e that fastens the first connecting part P1a of the connector Pb to the right rear support 141b of the second housing 140.

[0067] The worker moves both the front connector Pa and the rear connector Pb by the same distance in the same direction. For example, as shown in Fig. 11(A) and Fig. 11(B), the worker moves the connecting part P2a by 1 mm in the +X direction relative to the connecting part P1a. In this case, as shown in Fig. 11(E), the second housing 140 rotates in the clockwise direction (CW direction).

[0068] 11(C) and 11(D), the worker moves the connecting part P2a relative to the connecting part P1a in the -X direction by 1 mm at a time. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11(E), the second housing 140 rotates counterclockwise (CCW direction).

[0069] 11(E), the two connectors Pa and Pb are disposed at equal distances from the conveyance center line Cp of the sheet 110. In this case, the second housing 140 can rotate from a point on the conveyance center line Cp as a starting point.

[0070] When the angle adjustment of the second housing 140 relative to the first housing 130 is completed, the worker tightens the fasteners P2e on the rear side and the fasteners P2e on the front side. This fixes the second housing 140 to the first housing 130.

[0071] 11(E), there is a gap da between the connector Pa and the right front support 141a, and there is a gap db between the connector Pb and the right rear support 141b. The gap da prevents the connector Pa from interfering with the right front support 141a when the worker rotates the second housing 140 relative to the first housing 130. The gap dd prevents the connector Pb from interfering with the right rear support 141b when the worker rotates the second housing 140 relative to the first housing 130.

[0072] (3) Example 2 The second embodiment relates to an auxiliary structure that assists the rotation of the second housing 140 relative to the first housing 130. Fig. 12(A) shows the second frame 141 of the second embodiment. Fig. 12(B) shows the support base 20c and the rotation shaft 20d fixed to or integrated with the bottom frame 311. Fig. 12(C) shows the first frame 131 of the second embodiment. Fig. 12(D) shows the recess 19c provided in the bottom frame 1211 of the first frame 131. The position of the recess 19c, the position of the rotation shaft 20d, the size of the guide groove of the recess 19c, and the height and diameter of the rotation shaft 20d are designed so that the rotation shaft 20d fits into the recess 19c.

[0073] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state in which the first housing 130 and the second housing 140 are connected and angle adjustment is being performed.

[0074] 12(A) and 12(B), a support base 20c protruding toward the first frame 131 is provided below the second frame 141. The support base 20c is fixed to the bottom frame 311 of the second frame 141 by a fastener (e.g., a screw), for example. A rotation shaft 20d extending parallel to the Z direction is provided on the support base 20c.

[0075] 13, the position of the rotation shaft 20d in the Y direction coincides with the transport center line Cp. For example, the distance from the back surface 60B of the second housing 140 to the rotation shaft 20d is approximately equal to the distance from the front surface 60F of the second housing 140 to the rotation shaft 20d. Alternatively, the distance from the right rear support 141b to the rotation shaft 20d is approximately equal to the distance from the right front support 141a to the rotation shaft 20d.

[0076] 12C and 12D, a recess 19c for positioning the rotation shaft 20d is formed below the first frame 131. As shown in Fig. 13, the center position of the recess 19c in the Y direction also coincides with the conveyance center line Cp.

[0077] In the process of positioning the second housing 140 with respect to the first housing 130 in the X direction, the rotation shaft 20d is guided and positioned by the recess 19c. The method of adjusting the angle around the Z axis between the first housing 130 and the second housing 140 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. However, when the operator rotates the second housing 140 in the CW direction or CCW direction, the rotation shaft 20d is rotatably held by the recess 19c. In other words, the rotation shaft 20d and the recess 19c form an auxiliary structure that assists in rotating the second housing 140 with respect to the first housing 130.

[0078] (4)Other According to the first and second embodiments, the second housing 140 is rotated approximately around the Z axis with respect to the first housing 130. In particular, by employing the connectors Pa and Pb, the center of rotation of the second housing 140 with respect to the first housing 130 is located near the center of the connection between the first housing 130 and the second housing 140. This allows the image forming apparatus 100 to be flexibly installed with respect to the inclination of the floor surface. In other words, even if the inclination of the floor surface of the first housing 130 and the inclination of the floor surface of the second housing 140 are different, it is possible to appropriately adjust the angle formed between the first housing 130 and the second housing 140.

[0079] Since the rotation center of second housing 140 is located near the center of the connection between first housing 130 and second housing 140, the amount of variation in the gap between first housing 130 and second housing 140 caused by angle adjustment around the Z axis is reduced more than in the past.

[0080] The connectors Pa and Pb are provided with indicators and scales that are useful for adjusting the rotation angle around the Z axis, making it possible to accurately adjust the rotation angle.

[0081] In the first and second embodiments, the first housing 130 has a processing section that executes an exposure process, a development process, and a transfer process, and the second housing 140 has a processing section that executes a fixing process, but this is merely an example. For example, the first housing 130 may be provided with a processing section that executes an exposure process, a development process, a transfer process, and a fixing process, and the second housing 140 may have a processing section that executes post-processing on sheets or a processing section that sorts and discharges sheets. Alternatively, the first housing 130 may have a processing section that feeds sheets, and the second housing 140 may have a processing section that executes an exposure process, a development process, a transfer process, and a fixing process. In this way, the method of distributing a plurality of processing sections involved in image formation to a plurality of housings is free.

[0082] Although the image forming method is an electrophotographic method, this is merely one example, and the image forming method may be another image forming method such as an inkjet recording method or a dye sublimation method.

[0083] (5) Technical ideas derived from the examples [Item 1] a first housing having a first side surface having a passage opening through which a sheet passes, a second side surface adjacent to the first side surface, a third side surface adjacent to the first side surface and positioned on the opposite side to the second side surface, and a fourth side surface adjacent to the second side surface and the third side surface; a second housing connected to the first housing, the second housing having a fifth side surface having a passage opening through which the sheet passes, a sixth side surface adjacent to the fifth side surface, a seventh side surface adjacent to the fifth side surface and located on the opposite side to the sixth side surface, and an eighth side surface adjacent to the sixth side surface and the seventh side surface; a first connector coupled to the second side of the first housing; a second connector having a first fitting shaft portion that is overlapped with the first connector and fits into a fitting hole portion provided on the sixth side surface of the second housing and also fits into a first guide groove provided in the first connector, and whose movement in a first direction is guided by the first guide groove; A third connector provided on the third side surface of the first housing; a fourth connector that is overlapped with the third connector, that fits into a fitting hole provided on the seventh side surface of the second housing, and that has a second fitting shaft that fits into a second guide groove provided in the third connector and whose movement in the first direction is guided by the second guide groove; a first mark provided on one of the first connector and the second connector, the first mark indicating a guide for a moving distance of the second housing in the first direction; A first indicator provided on the other of the first connector and the second connector and indicating the first mark; An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0084] The left side surface 50L of the first housing 130 is an example of a first side surface. The front surface 50F is an example of a second side surface. The back surface 50B is an example of a third side surface. The right side surface 50R is an example of a fourth side surface. The right side surface 60R of the second housing 140 is an example of a fifth side surface. The front surface 60F is an example of a sixth side surface. The back surface 60B is an example of a seventh side surface. The left side surface 60L is an example of an eighth side surface. The connecting part P1a of the connecting part Pa is an example of a first connecting part. The connecting part P2a of the connecting part Pa is an example of a second connecting part. The connecting part P1a of the connecting part Pb is an example of a third connecting part. The connecting part P2a of the connecting part Pb is an example of a fourth connecting part. The scale P1c of the connecting part Pa is an example of a first mark. The indicator portion P2c of the connecting part Pa is an example of a first indicator portion. Thus, according to the invention of item 1, the rotation axis of the second housing relative to the first housing is located approximately near the center of the connecting surface (opposing surface) between the first housing and the second housing. Therefore, the second housing can rotate smoothly relative to the first housing. Also, it is possible to make the gap between the first housing and the second housing narrower than before. Furthermore, since an indication portion and a mark are provided, the operator can accurately grasp the amount of rotation. Therefore, it becomes easy to adjust the angle between the two housings.

[0085] [Item 2] Item 1. The image forming apparatus according to item 1, further comprising: a second mark provided on one of the third connector and the fourth connector and indicating a guide for a moving distance of the second housing in the first direction; A second indicator provided on the other of the third connector and the fourth connector and indicating the second mark; An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0086] The scale P1c of the connector Pb is an example of the second mark. The indicator P2c of the connector Pb is an example of the second indicator. In this way, the third connector and the fourth connector are also provided with marks and indicators, making it easier to adjust the angle between the two housings.

[0087] [Item 3] 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, An image forming apparatus, wherein the fitting hole portion provided on the sixth side surface of the second housing is an elongated hole having a small dimension along the first direction and a large dimension along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 8(A), the oblong hole Ha is an example of a fitting hole. This makes it easier to install the second connector in the second housing even if the height of the second housing differs from the expected height due to the inclination of the floor surface.

[0089] [Item 4] 4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, An image forming apparatus, wherein the fitting hole portion provided on the seventh side surface of the second housing is an elongated hole having a small dimension along the first direction and a large dimension along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0090] As shown in Fig. 8(B), the oblong hole Hb is an example of a fitting hole. This makes it easier to install the fourth connector on the second housing even if the height of the second housing differs from the expected height due to the inclination of the floor surface.

[0091] [Item 5] 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, an image forming apparatus, wherein a distance from the first connector to a center line of transport of the sheet is equal to a distance from the third connector to the center line of transport of the sheet.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 7(B), the conveying center line Cp may be located at a position that is approximately equidistant from the first connecting part P1a of the connecting tool Pa and the first connecting part P1a of the connecting tool Pb. This allows the rotation center of the second housing relative to the first housing to be located approximately in the center near the connecting part when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from above. This makes it easier to rotate the second housing. It also makes it possible to shorten the distance d2 between the opposing connections. This maintains the external design of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0093] [Item 6] 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 5, an image forming apparatus, wherein a distance from the second connector to a center line of transport of the sheet is equal to a distance from the fourth connector to the center line of transport of the sheet.

[0094] As shown in Fig. 7(B), the conveying center line Cp may be located at a position that is approximately equidistant from the second connecting part P2a of the connector Pa and the second connecting part P2a of the connector Pb. This makes it easier to rotate the second housing. In addition, it is possible to shorten the distance d2 between the opposing connectors.

[0095] [Item 7] 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, Further comprising a fastener for fastening the second connector to the first connector; The second connector has a guide hole through which the fastener is inserted and which is parallel to the first guide groove.

[0096] 9(A), 9(B), and 11(B), the second connecting part P2a may have a guide hole p2j through which the fastener P2e is inserted and which is parallel to the guide groove P1d. This will make it easier to move the second housing 140 in the first direction.

[0097] [Item 8] The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7, further comprising: A fitting protrusion provided on the first connector; an image forming apparatus including a guide hole provided in the second connector, through which the fitting projection is inserted and which is parallel to the first guide groove;

[0098] 9(C) and the like, the embossed portion P1b is an example of a fitting protrusion, and the long hole portion P2b is an example of a guide hole. This will make it easier to move the second housing 140 in the first direction.

[0099] [Item 9] 9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 8, Further comprising a fastener for fastening the fourth connector to the third connector; The fourth connector has a guide hole through which the fastener is inserted and which is parallel to the second guide groove.

[0100] As shown in Figs. 9(A), 9(B) and 11(B), the connecting portion Pb may also have such fasteners and guide holes.

[0101] [Item 10] The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 9, further comprising: A fitting protrusion provided on the third connector; the fourth connector has a guide hole through which the fitting protrusion is inserted and which is parallel to the second guide groove.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 11(C) and the like, the connecting portion Pb may also have such a fastener and a guide hole.

[0103] [Item 11] 11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, An image forming apparatus, wherein the first mark has a plurality of lines aligned in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 11(D), by providing a plurality of lines, the operator will be able to easily visually grasp the amount of adjustment in the first direction.

[0105] [Item 12] Item 12. The image forming apparatus according to item 11, An image forming apparatus, wherein a length of a line disposed at a center among the plurality of lines is longer than a length of a line disposed at an end among the plurality of lines.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 11(D), by changing the lengths of a plurality of lines, the operator may easily visually grasp the amount of adjustment in the first direction.

[0107] [Item 13] Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 2, An image forming apparatus, wherein the second mark has a plurality of lines aligned in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 11(D), by providing a plurality of lines on the connector Pb as well, the operator will be able to easily visually grasp the amount of adjustment in the first direction.

[0109] [Item 14] Item 14. The image forming apparatus according to item 13, An image forming apparatus, wherein a length of a line disposed at a center among the plurality of lines is longer than a length of a line disposed at an end among the plurality of lines.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 11(D), by changing the lengths of a plurality of lines provided on the connector Pb, the worker can easily visually grasp the amount of adjustment in the first direction.

[0111] [Item 15] 15. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, The image forming apparatus, wherein the first instruction portion has a mountain shape.

[0112] This will enable workers to immediately grasp the current adjustment amount.

[0113] [Item 16] Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 2, The second indicating portion has a mountain shape.

[0114] This will enable workers to immediately grasp the current adjustment amount.

[0115] [Item 17] 17. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the first housing has a first bottom surface and a third fitting groove formed across the first bottom surface and the first side surface; an image forming apparatus, wherein the second housing has an engagement protrusion that, when connected to the first housing, engages with the third engagement groove provided on the fifth side surface opposite the first side surface of the first housing;

[0116] As shown in Fig. 12(D), the recess 19c is an example of a third fitting groove. As shown in Fig. 12(B), the rotation shaft 20d is an example of a fitting protrusion. This will make it easier to connect the first housing 130 and the second housing 140.

[0117] [Item 18] Item 18. An image forming apparatus according to item 17, The fitting protrusion is disposed on a support portion protruding from the fifth side surface toward the first side surface.

[0118] 12(B), the support base 20c is an example of a support portion, which may make it easier to connect the first housing 130 and the second housing 140 together.

[0119] [Item 19] Item 17 or 18, an image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus, wherein a distance from the fitting protrusion to the sixth side surface is equal to a distance from the fitting protrusion to the seventh side surface.

[0120] This will cause the fitting projection to coincide with the center of rotation, making it even easier to rotate the second housing.

[0121] [Item 20] 20. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19, an image forming unit that is accommodated in the first housing and that forms a toner image on the sheet; The image forming apparatus further includes a fixing unit that is accommodated in the second housing and fixes the toner image onto the sheet.

[0122] [Item 21] 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, a conveying unit that conveys the sheet on which the toner image is formed by the image forming unit to the second housing, a tip end of the conveying means protruding from the passage opening provided in the first housing to the outside of the first housing, When the first housing and the second housing are connected, the second housing receives a tip of the transport means through the passage opening of the second housing.

[0123] 1, the conveyor belt 118 is an example of a conveying means, which makes it possible to stably transfer the sheet carrying the unfixed toner image from the first housing to the second housing.

[0124] [Item 22] 22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 21, the second housing further includes a guide means for guiding the sheet conveyed from the conveying means, an image forming apparatus, wherein the guide means is disposed such that a rear end of the guide means is lower than a front end of the conveying means in a conveying direction of the sheet.

[0125] The conveying guide G is an example of a guiding means. By adopting such an arrangement, it will be possible to transfer the sheet from the first housing to the second housing more stably.

[0126] [Item 23] Item 1. An image forming apparatus according to item 1, The second housing has casters for adjusting a height from a floor on which the second housing is placed to the second housing.

[0127] By adjusting the height of the second housing, the effect of a tilted floor surface will be reduced.

[0128] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 130: first housing, 140: second housing, Pa, Pb: connector, P1a: first connecting part, P2a: second connecting part

Claims

1. a first housing having a first side surface having a passage opening through which a sheet passes, a second side surface adjacent to the first side surface, a third side surface adjacent to the first side surface and positioned on the opposite side of the second side surface, and a fourth side surface adjacent to the second side surface and the third side surface; a second housing connected to the first housing, the second housing having a fifth side surface having a passage opening through which the sheet passes, a sixth side surface adjacent to the fifth side surface, a seventh side surface adjacent to the fifth side surface and located on the opposite side of the sixth side surface, and an eighth side surface adjacent to the sixth side surface and the seventh side surface; a first connector coupled to the second side surface of the first housing and having a first guide groove; a second connector that is overlapped with the first connector, that fits into a fitting hole provided on the sixth side surface of the second housing, that fits into the first guide groove, and that has a first fitting shaft that is guided in movement in a first direction by the first guide groove; a third connector provided on the third side surface of the first housing and having a second guide groove; a fourth connector that is overlapped with the third connector, that fits into a fitting hole provided on the seventh side surface of the second housing, that fits into the second guide groove, and that has a second fitting shaft that is guided in movement in the first direction by the second guide groove; a first scale provided on one of the first connector and the second connector, the first scale indicating a relative movement distance between the first housing and the second housing in the first direction; a first indicator provided on the other of the first connector and the second connector, the first indicator indicating the first scale; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second scale provided on one of the third connector and the fourth connector, the second scale indicating a relative movement distance between the first housing and the second housing in the first direction; a second indicator provided on the other of the third connector and the fourth connector and indicating the second scale; An image forming apparatus comprising:

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, An image forming apparatus, wherein the fitting hole provided on the sixth side surface of the second housing is an elongated hole having a small dimension along the first direction and a large dimension along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, An image forming apparatus, wherein the fitting hole provided on the seventh side surface of the second housing is an elongated hole having a small dimension along the first direction and a large dimension along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

5. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, an image forming apparatus, wherein a distance from the first connector to a center line of conveyance of the sheet is equal to a distance from the third connector to the center line of conveyance of the sheet.

6. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, an image forming apparatus, wherein a distance from the second connector to a center line of conveyance of the sheet is equal to a distance from the fourth connector to the center line of conveyance of the sheet.

7. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, Further, a fastener is provided to fasten the second connector to the first connector, The second connector has a guide hole through which the fastener is inserted and which is parallel to the first guide groove.

8. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A fitting protrusion provided on the first connector; an image forming apparatus having a guide hole provided in the second connector, through which the fitting protrusion is inserted and which is parallel to the first guide groove;

9. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, Further, a fastener is provided to fasten the fourth connector to the third connector, The fourth connector has a guide hole through which the fastener is inserted and which is parallel to the second guide groove.

10. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a fitting protrusion provided on the third connector; an image forming apparatus having a guide hole provided on the fourth connector, through which the fitting protrusion is inserted and which is parallel to the second guide groove;

11. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, An image forming apparatus, wherein the first scale has a plurality of lines along a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

12. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, An image forming apparatus, wherein a length of a line arranged at a center of the plurality of lines is longer than a length of a line arranged at an end of the plurality of lines.

13. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, An image forming apparatus, wherein the second scale has a plurality of lines along a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

14. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, An image forming apparatus, wherein a length of a line arranged at a center of the plurality of lines is longer than a length of a line arranged at an end of the plurality of lines.

15. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus, wherein the first instruction portion has a mountain shape.

16. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, The image forming apparatus, wherein the second indicating portion has a mountain shape.

17. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the first housing has a first bottom surface and a third fitting groove formed across the first bottom surface and the first side surface; an image forming apparatus, wherein the second housing has an engaging protrusion that engages with the third engaging groove provided on the fifth side surface of the first housing opposite the first side surface when the second housing is connected to the first housing;

18. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, The fitting protrusion is disposed on a support portion that protrudes from the fifth side surface toward the first side surface.

19. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, an image forming apparatus, wherein the distance from the fitting protrusion to the sixth side surface is equal to the distance from the fitting protrusion to the seventh side surface;

20. 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, an image forming unit accommodated in the first housing and forming a toner image on the sheet; The image forming apparatus further includes a fixing unit housed in the second housing and configured to fix the toner image onto the sheet.

21. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, a conveying unit configured to convey the sheet on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit to the second housing; a tip end of the conveying means protrudes from the passage opening provided in the first housing to the outside of the first housing, When the first housing and the second housing are connected, the second housing accommodates the tip of the transport means through the passage opening of the second housing.

22. 22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 21, the second housing further includes a guide means for guiding the sheet conveyed from the conveyance means, An image forming apparatus, wherein the guide means is disposed so that a rear end of the guide means is lower than a front end of the conveyance means in a conveyance direction of the sheet.

23. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The second housing has casters for adjusting the height of the second housing from a floor on which the second housing is placed to the second housing.

Images