Image formation device

Abstract

To reduce a space for arranging a circuit board and a support member when viewed in a direction orthogonal to a surface of the circuit board.SOLUTION: An image formation device includes: a circuit board including a first surface and a second surface that is a back side of the first surface in a direction orthogonal to the first surface; a first member which supports the circuit board and covers at least one portion of the first surface of the circuit board; a second member which covers at least one portion of the second surface of the circuit board; and a support member which is connected to the first member and the second member and supports the first member and the second member. The circuit board has a through-hole that penetrates from the first surface to the second surface. The support member passes through the through-hole and is connected to the first member and the second member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material. [Background technology]

[0002] The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a power supply board, a base member covering the front surface of the power supply board, a first shield member covering the back surface of the power supply board, and a second shield member connected to the base member and the first shield member. Various members such as a drive transmission mechanism support plate, a main board, a power supply board, and a fan are supported on the outer surface of the base member. In addition, the outer surface of the base member supports one end of the second shield member, thereby supporting the first shield member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-87685 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the image forming device described in Patent Document 1, the second shield member is outside the periphery of the power supply board when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the power supply board. Therefore, in order to arrange the second shield member and the power supply board on the outer surface of the base member when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the power supply board, a total area is required, which is the sum of the area surrounded by the periphery of the second shield member and the area surrounded by the periphery of the power supply board.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to reduce the space required for arranging the circuit board and the support member when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the circuit board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is as follows.

[0007] a circuit board having a first surface and a second surface on the back side of the first surface in a direction perpendicular to the first surface; a first member that supports the circuit board and covers at least a portion of the first surface of the circuit board; a second member covering at least a portion of the second surface of the circuit board; a support member connected to the first member and the second member and supporting the first member and the second member; having the circuit board has a through hole extending from the first surface to the second surface; The image forming apparatus, wherein the support member passes through the through hole and is connected to the first member and the second member. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the space required for arranging the circuit board and the support member is reduced when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the circuit board. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a frame unit according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a frame and a circuit board according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a support unit attached to a frame according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a frame and a circuit board according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 3A and 3B are plan views of a frame, a circuit board, and a support unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 4A and 4B are plan views of a frame and a circuit board according to the first embodiment and a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Example 1 An image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. In the following description and in each drawing, the vertical direction when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal surface is defined as the Z direction. A direction intersecting the Z direction and perpendicular to a first surface 100f of a circuit board 100 described later is defined as the Y direction. The Y direction is also the axial direction of a photosensitive drum 11 described later. A direction intersecting both the Z direction and the Y direction is defined as the X direction. The X direction and the Y direction are preferably horizontal directions. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are preferably perpendicular to each other. In addition, the directions of the arrows X, Y, and Z shown in each drawing are respectively represented as the +X side, the +Y side, and the +Z side, and the opposite sides are respectively represented as the -X side, the -Y side, and the -Z side, as necessary.

[0012] (Overall configuration of image forming apparatus) First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional configuration of a laser beam printer, which is one aspect of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. As the sheet P, which is the recording material (recording medium), various sheet materials of different sizes and materials can be used, such as paper such as plain paper and cardboard, sheet materials with surface treatments such as plastic film, cloth, and coated paper, and sheet materials of special shapes such as envelopes and index paper.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 1 has a scanner unit 30, a scanner stay 31, and a process cartridge 10. The process cartridge 10 has a photosensitive drum 11, a developing roller (not shown), and toner (not shown). The scanner unit 30 forms an electrostatic latent image based on image data on the photosensitive drum 11. The photosensitive drum 11 is an image carrier that carries the electrostatic latent image. The developing roller develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 with toner. The process cartridge 10 is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus 1. The scanner stay 31 supports the scanner.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 1 has a paper feed tray 83, a pickup roller 81, a feed roller 84, a separation roller 85, and a conveying roller pair 51. The paper feed tray 83 is a tray that stores sheets P. The pickup roller 81 is a roller that feeds the sheets P from the paper feed tray 83. The feed roller 84 and the separation roller 85 are rollers that convey the sheets P while separating them one by one by frictional force. The transfer roller 91 is a roller that transfers an image onto the sheets P.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 1 has a fixing unit 20 and a paper discharge tray 65. The fixing unit 20 heats and presses the sheet P to fix the image transferred by the transfer roller 91. The sheet P that has passed through the fixing unit 20 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 65.

[0016] (Frame unit 2 configuration) Next, the configuration of the frame unit 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the frame unit 2 present inside the image forming apparatus 1. The frame unit 2 is provided on the -Y direction side with respect to the entire image forming apparatus 1.

[0017] The frame unit 2 has a frame 3 (first member), a circuit board 100, a support unit 110 (second member), a controller 6 (not shown), and a communication unit 7 (not shown). The frame 3 is a frame that supports the circuit board 100 and the support unit 110. The circuit board 100 is a board having a high-voltage power supply circuit and a low-voltage power supply circuit. The low-voltage power supply circuit supplies power used by the fixing unit 20 and the like. The high-voltage power supply circuit supplies power used by the process cartridge 10 and the like.

[0018] The frame 3 supports the support unit 110 on a support surface 3a. The circuit board 100 and the support unit 110 are located on the -Y direction side with respect to the frame 3. The circuit board 100 is located between the frame 3 and the support unit 110 in the Y direction. An end portion of the process cartridge 10 (not shown in FIG. 2) on the +Y direction side is fixed to the frame 5, and an end portion on the -Y direction side is fixed to the frame 3. An end portion of the scanner stay 31 on the +Y direction side is fixed to the frame 5, and an end portion on the -Y direction side is fixed to the frame 3.

[0019] The communication unit 7 receives print data from an external device. The controller 6 controls the image forming operation of the image forming means (the developing roller, the photosensitive drum 11, and the transfer roller 91) based on the print data received by the communication unit 7.

[0020] The support unit 110 is formed of sheet metal. The support unit 110 is a unit in which a controller support part 110a (third member) and a communication unit support part 110b (fourth member) are connected. The controller support part 110a and the communication unit support part 110b are each formed of sheet metal. The controller support part 110a has a first support surface 110a1 that supports the controller 6. The communication unit support part 110b has a second support surface 110b1 that supports the communication unit 7. The end part on the +X direction side of the controller support part 110a and the end part on the -X direction side of the communication unit support part 110b are connected by fixing screws 8a and 8b. That is, the support unit 110 has a connecting part 8 to which the end part on the +X direction side of the controller support part 110a and the end part on the -X direction side of the communication unit support part 110b are connected. That is, the controller support part 110a and the communication unit support part 110b are arranged side by side in the X direction.

[0021] The controller 6 is supported on the controller support portion 110a, and the communication portion 7 is supported on the communication portion support portion 110b.

[0022] (Frame 3 configuration) Next, the configuration of the frame 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a front view of the frame 3 as viewed in the Y direction. The frame 3 extends on the XZ plane. The frame 3 is formed of sheet metal. The frame 3 has protrusions 4a, 4b, and 4c that protrude in the -Y direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the circuit board 100 is fixed to the protrusions 4a, 4b, and 4c with fixing screws 21a, 21b, and 21c, respectively. The frame 3 covers at least a portion of a first surface 100f of the circuit board 100, which will be described later.

[0023] (Configuration of circuit board 100) Next, the configuration of the circuit board 100 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 7. Figure 7 is a view of the circuit board 100, frame 3, and support unit 110 as viewed in the Z direction. As shown in Figure 7, the frame 3 has a protruding portion 4d that protrudes in the -Y direction.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 7, the circuit board 100 has a first surface 100f at least a part of which is covered by the frame 3, and a second surface 100b on the back side of the first surface 100f in a direction perpendicular to the first surface 100f. As shown in Fig. 3, the second surface 100b side is a mounting surface on which electrical elements of a high-voltage power supply circuit and a low-voltage power supply circuit are mounted. The circuit board 100 also has a through hole 100a penetrating from the first surface 100f to the second surface 100b. That is, the through hole 100a penetrates the circuit board 100 in the Y direction.

[0025] (Configuration of Support Unit 110) Next, the configuration of the support unit 110 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the support unit 110 is fixed to the frame 3. The fixing screws 15a and 15b are fixing parts that fix the frame 3 and the support unit 110. The fixing screw 15a fixes the end of the support unit 110 on the -X direction side to the frame 3. The fixing screw 15b fixes the end of the support unit 110 on the +Z direction side to the frame 3. The fixing screws 15c and 15d fix the controller support part 110a and the communication unit support part 110b by screwing. In the X direction, the fixing screws 15c and 15d are between the fixing screws 15a and 15b. The support unit 110 covers at least a part of the second surface 100b of the circuit board 100.

[0026] (Configuration of Support Member 120) Next, the configuration of the support member 120 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the support member 120. The support member 120 is formed of sheet metal. The support member 120 has a through portion 120a, a first contact portion 120b, a second contact portion 120c, a limiting portion 120d, and a third contact portion 120e. The through portion 120a extends in the Y direction. An end portion on the -Y direction side of the through portion 120a is connected to an end portion on the -Z direction side of the first contact portion 120b. The first contact portion 120b extends in the Z direction. An end portion on the +Z direction side of the first contact portion 120b is connected to an end portion on the +X direction side of the second contact portion 120c. The second contact portion 120c has a hole 5a penetrating in the Y direction. The limiting portion 120d extends in the Y direction. The end of the limiting portion 120d on the +Y direction side is connected to the first contact portion 120b, and the end of the limiting portion 120d on the -Y direction side is connected to the end of the third contact portion 120e on the -X direction side. The third contact portion 120e has a protrusion extending in the Y direction. The penetrating portion 120a, the first contact portion 120b, the second contact portion 120c, the limiting portion 120d, and the third contact portion 120e will be described later.

[0027] The second contact portion 120c and the through portion 120a will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the circuit board 100 and the frame 3. Figs. 7(a) and 7(b) are views of the frame 3, the support member 120, and the circuit board 100 as viewed in the Z direction. The second contact portion 120c contacts the second surface 100b of the circuit board 100, and the protruding portion 4d contacts the first surface 100f of the circuit board 100, thereby supporting the circuit board 100. As shown in Fig. 5, the second contact portion 120c has a hole 5a. As shown in Fig. 6, a fixing screw is driven into the hole 5a in the +Y direction, and the second contact portion 120c is fixed to the second surface 100b.

[0028] 6, the through-hole 120a passes through the through-hole 100a and is in contact with the frame 3 as shown in FIG.

[0029] When the support unit 110 is fixed to the frame 3 with the fixing screws 15c and 15d, the fixing screws 15c and 15d are driven in the +Y direction, and an external force in the +Y direction is applied to the support unit 110. A first contact portion 120b and a third contact portion 120e of the support member 120 described later are in contact with the surface of the support unit 110 on the +Y direction side. Therefore, when the fixing screws 15c and 15d are driven in the +Y direction, an external force in the +Y direction is also applied to the support member 120. If the through portion 120a is configured not to contact the frame 3, only the second contact portion 120c is in contact with the frame 3, and when the fixing screws 15c and 15d are driven, an external force in the +Y direction is applied to the support member 120, and the support member 120 is easily deformed in the +Y direction. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, since not only the second contact portion 120c but also the through portion 120a contacts the frame 3, the support member 120 is less likely to deform in the +Y direction.

[0030] 6, the support member 120 passes through the through hole 100a. This makes it possible to reduce the space required for arranging the circuit board 100 and the support member 120 when viewed in a direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the first surface 100f.

[0031] The first end 105a (one end) shown in FIG. 6 is an end on the -X direction side of the circuit board 100. The second end 105b (the other end) is an end on the +X direction side of the circuit board 100. The center 101 is a location on the circuit board 100 that is equidistant from the first end 105a and the second end 105b. In the X direction, the distance D1 between the first end 105a and the hole 5a is longer than the distance D2 between the center 101 and the hole 5a. Also, the distance D3 between the second end 105b and the hole 5a is longer than the distance D2 between the center 101 and the hole 5a. In other words, in the X direction, the hole 5a is closer to the center 101 than the first end 105a and the second end 105b, which are both ends of the circuit board 100 in the X direction. 6, the center portion 101 is separated from the fixing screws 21a, 21b, and 21c in the X direction, and the vicinity of the center portion 101 is easily deformed by an impact from the Y direction. However, the circuit board 100 is fixed by the protruding portion 4d and the second contact portion 120c at a position close to the center portion 101 in the X direction, and therefore is less likely to deform by an impact from the Y direction.

[0032] Next, the first contact portion 120b, the limiting portion 120d, and the third contact portion 120e will be described with reference to FIG. 7(b). The third contact portion 120e contacts the contacted portion 9 (first contacted portion) which is a part of the support unit 110, and supports the support unit 110. The contacted portion 9 is on the surface of the support unit 110 on the +Y direction side. The first contact portion 120b contacts the contacted portion 13 (second contacted portion) of the controller support portion 110a, and supports the support unit 110. The contacted portion 13 is on the surface of the support unit 110 on the +Y direction side. When viewed in a direction (first direction) parallel to the first surface 100f among the horizontal directions, the limiting portion 120d faces the controller support portion 110a, and limits the movement of the controller support portion 110a in the first direction (+X direction). The third contact portion 120e contacts the contacted portion 9 of the controller support portion 110a, and supports the support unit 100.

[0033] (Through holes and slits) FIG. 8(a) is a plan view of the circuit board according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 8(b) is a plan view of the circuit board according to a modified example.

[0034] 8(a), the center 102 is located at a position where the distance between the end 108a (one end) on the -X direction side of the circuit board and the center 102 is equal to the distance between the end 108b (the other end) on the +X direction side and the center 102. The through hole 100a is closer to the center 102 than the ends 108a and 108b. This allows the second contact portion 120c to be located closer to the center position 101 in the X direction compared to when the through hole 100 is closer to the ends 108a and 108b.

[0035] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 8(b), a slit 108 can be provided in the circuit board 100. The slit 108 is formed at the end of the circuit board 100 on the -X direction side. If the slit 108 is provided from the end as shown in Fig. 8(b), the circuit board 100 becomes more likely to crack. For this reason, it is preferable to have a through hole 100a without a slit 108 at the end of the circuit board 100 as shown in Fig. 8(a).

[0036] <Modification> In this embodiment, the support unit 110 is formed by connecting two metal plates, the controller support part 110a and the communication part support part 110b, but it may be formed from a single metal plate or from three or more metal plates.

[0037] In addition, in this embodiment, the support unit 110 supports both the controller 6 and the communication unit 7, but it may be configured to support either the controller 6 or the communication unit 7. Also, it may support an object other than the controller 6 and the communication unit 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 3 Frame 100 Circuit Board 100a Through hole 110 Support unit 110 110a Controller support 110b Communication department support part 120 Support member

Claims

1. a circuit board having a first surface and a second surface on a back side of the first surface in a direction perpendicular to the first surface; a first member supporting the circuit board and covering at least a portion of the first surface of the circuit board; a second member covering at least a portion of the second surface of the circuit board; a support member connected to the first member and the second member and supporting the first member and the second member; having the circuit board has a through hole extending from the first surface to the second surface; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support member passes through the through hole and is connected to the first member and the second member.

2. The support member is a through portion that abuts against the first member and passes through the through hole; A first contact portion that contacts the second member; a second contact portion that contacts the second surface of the circuit board; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The support member has a limiting portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the first surface, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the limiting portion faces the second member when viewed in a first direction parallel to the first surface among horizontal directions, and limits movement in the first direction.

4. The second member has a third member and a fourth member, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a connecting portion at which a part of the third member and a part of the fourth member are connected.

5. The support member has a third contact portion, The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the third contact portion supports the second member by contacting with a first contacted portion of the second member.

6. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second member has a second contacted portion that contacts the first contact portion.

7. the circuit board has a center portion; the center portion is a position where a distance between one end of the circuit board and the center portion in the first direction is equal to a distance between the other end of the circuit board and the center portion in a direction along the first surface, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the through hole is closer to the center portion than to one end and the other end in the first direction.

8. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board includes a high-voltage power supply circuit and a low-voltage power supply circuit.

9. 2 . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second member supports at least one of a controller that controls an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus and a communication unit that receives print data from an external device.

10. the third member supports a controller that controls an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus; 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the fourth member supports a communication unit that controls communication between the image forming apparatus and an external device.

11. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first member, the second member, and the support member are each formed of a metal plate.

Images