Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To easily attach and detach a drive unit compared to a configuration in which the drive unit is fixed to a rear side of a rear frame.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 10 comprises: a rear frame 16 that is arranged on the inside and a rear side of a housing 12 allowing an access to a component from a front side; a drive unit 20 that is attached to a front side of the rear frame 16 and drives toner cartridges; and substrates 30 that are arranged on a rear side of the rear frame 16 and connected by a harness 40 to the drive unit 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which, when attaching or detaching a drive unit to or from the device body for maintenance or the like, the harness connector removed from the connector attached to the control board is temporarily held by a temporary holder assembled to the toner supply unit, thereby improving the ease of attaching or detaching the control unit to or from the device body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-211533 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to make it easier to attach and detach the drive unit compared to a configuration in which the drive unit is fixed to the rear side of the rear frame. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The image forming apparatus of the first embodiment comprises a rear frame located on the rear side inside a housing that allows access to components on the front side, a drive unit attached to the front side of the rear frame and that drives a toner cartridge, and circuit boards located on the rear side of the rear frame and connected to the drive unit via a harness.

[0006] The image forming apparatus of the second aspect is the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, in which the harness connected to the drive unit is arranged extending in the vertical direction in a position visible from the front side when the front side components of the drive unit are removed.

[0007] An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, in which a harness connected to the drive unit passes over an upper end of the rear frame and is connected to the circuit boards.

[0008] An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, in which a harness connected to the drive unit is supported by a removable clip at a position visible from the front side.

[0009] An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the drive unit is attached to the rear frame by a fastening member that is detachable from the front side.

[0010] An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the fastening member is removed in a front side direction. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the work of removing the boards to which the harness is connected is reduced, and the drive unit can be easily attached and detached, compared to when the drive unit is accessed from the rear side.

[0012] According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, the position of the harness connected to the drive unit is easier to see than when the harness is arranged to extend in the width direction.

[0013] According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, the position of the harness connected to the drive unit is easier to see than when the harness passes through the rear frame.

[0014] According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the clip that supports the harness can be accessed from the front side and attached / detached.

[0015] According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, the fastening members for attaching the drive unit to the rear frame can be accessed from the front side for attachment and detachment.

[0016] According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, the fastening member can be attached and detached more easily than when the fastening member is attached and detached in the vertical or width direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the drive unit according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a perspective view of a state in which a harness is attached to a drive unit according to the embodiment, as viewed from the front side. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the drive unit according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 2 is a perspective view of a state in which a harness is attached to a drive unit according to the embodiment, as viewed from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the harness according to the embodiment passes over a rear frame. FIG. [Figure 7] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams illustrating a procedure for removing the drive unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams illustrating a procedure for removing the drive unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams illustrating a procedure for removing the drive unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams illustrating a procedure for removing the drive unit according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, an example of an image forming apparatus will be described in which images are formed using toners of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (B). Note that the arrow FR shown appropriately in each figure indicates the front side of the image forming apparatus, the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the image forming apparatus, and the arrow RH indicates the right side of the image forming apparatus.

[0019] [Configuration of image forming apparatus 10] 1, an image forming apparatus 10 includes a housing 12. Inside the housing 12, an image forming section 18, a rear frame 16, a drive unit 20, boards 30, and a harness 40 are housed.

[0020] (Case 12) The housing 12 is formed in a rectangular box shape, and an openable and closable cover 12A is formed on the front side of the housing 12. By opening the cover 12A, a user can access the components installed in the housing 12 from the front side of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0021] An operation panel 14 is provided at the top of the front side of the housing 12, through which a user operates the image forming apparatus 10. A recording medium on which an image has been formed is outputted by the user operating the operation panel 14. Note that a document may also be copied or an authentication printout may also be made by the user operating the operation panel 14.

[0022] (Image forming unit 18) The image forming section 18 includes, for example, a toner cartridge (not shown). The image forming section 18 is configured to be accessible and removable from the front side of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming section 18 may include an image forming unit (not shown) including a photoconductor drum (not shown) and a developing device (not shown).

[0023] (Rear frame 16) 1, the rear frame 16 is disposed on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 10. The rear frame 16 is formed with a vertical plate 16A and an upper plate 16B, and has an L-shaped cross section.

[0024] The vertical plate 16A is formed in a rectangular plate shape with the plate thickness direction being the front-rear direction of the device. As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the vertical plate 16A has an opening 16C that opens in the plate thickness direction.

[0025] 1 and 3, the upper plate 16B is formed in a rectangular plate shape with the plate thickness direction being the vertical direction of the device. A plurality of through holes (not shown) for fastening clips C that support the harness 40 are formed in the vertical plate 16A and the upper plate 16B.

[0026] (Drive unit 20) 1, the drive unit 20 is connected to the image forming unit 18 on the front side of the drive unit 20 to drive the image forming unit 18. The drive unit 20 is, for example, a dispensing unit that drives a toner cartridge to transport toner stored in the toner cartridge (not shown) to a developing device (not shown) of the corresponding color.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the drive unit 20 is attached to a vertical plate 16A of the rear frame 16 via a mounting seat 22 by a screw S, which is an example of a fastening member.

[0028] The mounting seats 22 are provided so as to protrude outward from the outer edge of the drive unit 20. Two mounting seats 22 are formed so as to protrude upward from the upper part of the drive unit 20, and two mounting seats 22 are formed so as to protrude downward from the lower part of the drive unit 20.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, the mounting seat 22 is formed in a rectangular box shape with an open front side. A through hole 22A is formed in a surface of the mounting seat 22 whose plate thickness is in the front-rear direction of the device. A screw S is inserted into the through hole 22A to mount the drive unit 20 to the rear frame 16. The mounting direction of the screw S is toward the rear side, and the removal direction of the screw S is toward the front side. The drive unit 20 is mounted to the rear frame 16 by the screw S that is detachable from the front side. The mounting seat 22 is formed in a rectangular box shape with an open front side, so that it serves as a receiver for the screw S if it falls off.

[0030] A boss 22B extending toward the rear side is formed on a surface of the mounting seat 22 provided on the upper part of the drive unit 20, the surface having a plate thickness in the front-rear direction of the device. The boss 22B is inserted into a through hole provided in the rear frame 16, and the drive unit 20 is positioned with respect to the rear frame 16.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the drive unit 20 includes a drive section 21 that drives the toner cartridge, and a motor section 25 connected to the drive section 21.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the drive section 21 is disposed on the front side of the drive unit 20, and has a first drive section 21A that drives the black (B) toner cartridge, a second drive section 21B that drives the magenta (M) toner cartridge, a third drive section 21C that drives the cyan (C) toner cartridge, and a fourth drive section 21D that drives the yellow (Y) toner cartridge.

[0033] The first driving unit 21A detects the remaining amount of toner in the black (B) toner cartridge. The second driving unit 21B detects the remaining amount of toner in the magenta (M) toner cartridge. The third driving unit 21C detects the remaining amount of toner in the cyan (C) toner cartridge. The fourth driving unit 21D detects the remaining amount of toner in the yellow (Y) toner cartridge.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the motor section 25 is disposed on the rear side of the drive unit 20, and includes a first motor section 25A and a second motor section 25B.

[0035] When the drive unit 20 is attached to the rear frame 16, the motor section 25 protrudes rearward from an opening 16C formed in the rear frame 16.

[0036] (30 circuit boards) 1, the boards 30 are attached to the rear side of the rear frame 16 with screws S. The boards 30 are connected to the drive unit 20 via a harness 40. The boards 30 include a first board 31 and a second board 32 disposed above the first board 31.

[0037] A receptacle 31A is formed on the first board 31 as a connecting member to which a plug of the harness 40 is connected. Although not shown, a receptacle is also formed on the second board 31 as a connecting member to which a plug of the harness 40 is connected.

[0038] (Harness 40) As shown in FIG. 1, the harness 40 includes a communication harness 41 and a power supply harness 42.

[0039] <Communication harness 42> The communication harness 41 is used for communicating information on the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge detected by the driving unit 21 .

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the communication harness 41 includes a first communication harness 41A, a second communication harness 41B, a third communication harness 41C, and a fourth communication harness 41D.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the first communication harness 41A is, for example, a wire cable, and connects the first driving unit 21A and the first board 31. A plug (not shown) on one end of the first communication harness 41A is connected to a receptacle 21AA provided on the first driving unit 21A from the right side of the device. The first communication harness 41A extends to the right of the device along the front side surface of the drive unit 20, then extends upward, and extends to the right of the device along the upper surface of the upper plate 16B, and is then drawn out to the rear side of the rear frame 16. The first communication harness 41A is provided with a plurality of clips C that support the first communication harness 41A. The clips C are provided at positions where the first communication harness 41A changes direction.

[0042] The second communication harness 41B is, for example, a wire cable, and connects the second driving unit 21B and the first board 31. A plug (not shown) on one end of the second communication harness 41B is connected to a receptacle 21BA provided on the second driving unit 21B from the right side of the device. The second communication harness 41B extends to the right of the device along the front side surface of the drive unit 20, then extends upward, and extends to the right of the device along the upper surface of the upper plate 16B, and is then drawn out to the rear side of the rear frame 16. The second communication harness 41B is provided with a plurality of clips C that support the second communication harness 41B. The clips C are provided at positions where the second communication harness 41B changes direction.

[0043] The third communication harness 41C is, for example, a wire cable, and connects the third driving unit 21C and the first board 31. A plug (not shown) on one end of the third communication harness 41C is connected to a receptacle 21CA provided on the third driving unit 21C from the right side of the device. The third communication harness 41C extends to the right of the device along the front side surface of the drive unit 20, then extends upward of the device, and is drawn out to the rear side of the rear frame 16 along the upper surface of the upper plate 16B. The third communication harness 41C is provided with a plurality of clips C that support the third communication harness 41C itself. The clips C are provided at positions where the third communication harness 41C changes direction.

[0044] The fourth communication harness 41D is, for example, a wire cable, and connects the fourth driving unit 21D and the first board 31. A plug (not shown) on one end of the fourth communication harness 41D is connected to a receptacle 21DA provided on the fourth driving unit 21D from the right side of the device. The fourth communication harness 41D extends to the right side of the device along the front side surface of the drive unit 20, then extends upward, and is drawn out to the rear side of the rear frame 16 along the upper surface of the upper plate 16B. The fourth communication harness 41D is provided with a plurality of clips C that support the fourth communication harness 41D. The clips C are provided at positions where the fourth communication harness 41D changes direction.

[0045] <Power supply harness 42> The power supply harness 42 is used to supply power to the motor unit 25 .

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, the power supply harness 42 includes a first power supply harness 42A and a second power supply harness 42B.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the first power supply harness 42A is, for example, a wire cable, and connects the first motor unit 25A and the first board 31. A plug (not shown) at one end of the first power supply harness 42A is connected to a receptacle 25AA provided on the first motor unit 25A from the left side of the device. The first power supply harness 42A extends below the first motor unit 25A along the rear side surface of the drive unit 20, then extends above the device, and is routed to the front side of the vertical plate 16A through an opening 20A formed in the drive unit 20. The first power supply harness 42A extends above the device along the front side surface of the vertical plate 16A, extends to the right side of the device along the upper surface of the upper plate 16B, and is then drawn out to the rear side of the rear frame 16. The first power supply harness 42A is provided with a plurality of clips C for supporting itself.

[0048] The second power supply harness 42B is, for example, a wire cable, and connects the second motor unit 25B and the first board 31. A plug (not shown) at one end of the second power supply harness 42B is connected to a receptacle 25BA provided on the second motor unit 25B from the left side of the device. The second power supply harness 42B curves downward along the rear side of the drive unit 20, then extends upward, and is routed to the front side of the vertical plate 16A through an opening 20A formed in the drive unit 20. The second power supply harness 42B extends upward along the front side of the vertical plate 16A, extends to the right of the device along the upper surface of the upper plate 16B, and is then drawn out to the rear side of the rear frame 16. The second power supply harness 42B is provided with a plurality of clips C for supporting itself.

[0049] The first communication harness 41A, the second communication harness 41B, the third communication harness 41C, the fourth communication harness 41D, the first power supply harness 42A, and the second power supply harness 42B are bundled together in a middle portion in the device width direction on the upper surface of the upper plate 16B, and routed to the rear side of the rear frame 16. The communication harness 41 and the power supply harness 42 climb over the upper end of the rear frame 16 and are connected to the boards 30.

[0050] The communication harness 41 and the power supply harness 42 are disposed extending in the vertical direction at a position visible from the front side with the image forming unit 18 removed. The communication harness 41 is supported by a detachable clip C at a position visible from the front side with the image forming unit 18 removed. The position visible from the front side with the image forming unit 18 removed is preferably the upper side of the device on the rear frame 16.

[0051] The communication harness 41 is connected to the drive unit 21 from the same direction. The power supply harness 42 is connected to the drive unit 21 from the same direction. The direction in which the communication harness 41 is connected to the drive unit 21 is opposite to the direction in which the power supply harness 42 is connected to the drive unit 21.

[0052] [How to remove the drive unit 20] 7, the user opens the cover 12A of the housing 12. Next, the user accesses the inside of the housing 12 from the front side, and pulls out the image forming unit 18 to the front side to remove it.

[0053] Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the user accesses the inside of the housing 12 from the front side and removes the screws S attached to the drive unit 20.

[0054] 9, the user pulls out the drive unit 20 to the front side. At this time, the clip C attached to the harness 40 may be removed. Then, the user removes the communication harness 41 and the power supply harness 42 connected to the drive unit 20 from the drive unit 20.

[0055] 10, the user pulls out the drive unit 20 to the front side and removes the drive unit 20 from the image forming apparatus 10. The communication harness 41 and the power supply harness 42 are in a state of hanging from the upper end of the rear frame 16. In this state, when the user accesses the inside of the housing 12 from the front side, the plug 41A provided at the end of the communication harness 41 and the plug 42A provided at the end of the power supply harness 42 are visible from the front side.

[0056] [Effect] Incidentally, when accessing from the rear side to attach or detach the drive unit 20, it is necessary to remove the circuit boards 30. In this case, it is also necessary to remove the harness 40 connected to the circuit boards 30, which may make the work complicated.

[0057] The image forming apparatus 10 of the embodiment includes a rear frame 16 located on the rear side inside a housing 12 that allows access to components on the front side, a drive unit 20 attached to the front side of the rear frame 16 and driving a toner cartridge, and circuit boards 30 located on the rear side of the rear frame 16 and connected to the drive unit 20 via a harness 40 (see FIG. 1).

[0058] Since the drive unit 20 that drives the toner cartridge is attached to the front side of the rear frame 16, the drive unit 20 can be accessed from the front side for installation and removal. Therefore, compared to the case where the drive unit 20 is accessed from the rear side for installation and removal, the work of removing the boards 30 to which the harness 40 is connected is reduced, and the drive unit 20 can be easily installed and removed.

[0059] In the image forming apparatus 10 of the embodiment, the harness 40 connected to the drive unit 20 is arranged extending in the vertical direction at a position visible from the front side when the front components of the drive unit 20 are removed (see FIG. 2).

[0060] The harness 40 connected to the drive unit 20 is arranged to extend in the vertical direction at a position visible from the front side when the front parts of the drive unit 20 are removed, making the position of the harness 40 easier to see compared to when the harness 40 connected to the drive unit 20 is arranged to extend in the width direction.

[0061] In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment, the harness 40 connected to the drive unit 20 passes over the upper end of the rear frame 16 and is connected to the boards 30 (see FIG. 6).

[0062] The harness 40 connected to the drive unit 20 passes over the upper end of the rear frame 16 and is connected to the boards 30, so that the position of the harness 40 can be visually confirmed from the front side when an operator accesses from the front side to remove the drive unit 20. Therefore, the position of the harness 40 can be more easily visually confirmed compared to when the harness 40 connected to the drive unit 20 passes through the rear frame 16.

[0063] Furthermore, when the drive unit 20 is attached, the harness 40 is in a state of hanging down from the upper end of the rear frame 16. Therefore, the position of the harness 40 is easier to see than when the harness 40 is in a state of hanging down from the middle part of the rear frame 16.

[0064] In the image forming apparatus 10 of the embodiment, the harness 40 connected to the drive unit 20 is supported by a removable clip C in a position visible from the front side when the front components of the drive unit 20 are removed (see FIG. 2).

[0065] The harness 40 connected to the drive unit 20 is supported by a detachable clip C at a position visible from the front side when the front side parts of the drive unit 20 are removed, so that the clip C supporting the harness 40 can be accessed from the front side and detached.

[0066] In the image forming apparatus 10 of the embodiment, the drive unit 20 is attached to the rear frame 16 by screws S that are detachable from the front side (see FIG. 8).

[0067] The drive unit 20 is attached to the rear frame 16 by screws S that can be attached and detached from the front side, so that the screws S that attach the drive unit 20 to the rear frame 16 can be accessed from the front side for attachment and detachment.

[0068] In the image forming apparatus 10 of the embodiment, the removal direction of the screw S is toward the front side (see FIG. 8).

[0069] Since the removal direction of the screw S is toward the front side, a workspace for a tool for attaching and detaching the screw S is secured on the front side of the drive unit 20. Therefore, the screw S can be attached and detached more easily than when the attachment and detachment direction of the screw S is the up-down direction or the width direction.

[0070] As described above, a specific embodiment of the present invention has been described, however, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0071] In the embodiment, the harness 40 is an example in which the harness 40 is a wire harness serving as the communication harness 41 and a wire harness serving as the power supply harness 42. However, the harness is not limited to this embodiment and may be, for example, a flat cable.

[0072] In the embodiment, an example has been shown in which the drive unit 20 is attached to the rear frame 16 by the screws S. However, the drive unit may be attached to the rear frame by other fastening members such as bolts.

[0073] In the embodiment, an example has been shown in which a user can access the components installed in the housing 12 from the front side of the image forming apparatus 10 by opening the cover 12A formed on the housing 12. However, a user may be able to access the components installed in the housing from the front side of the image forming apparatus 10 by removing the housing.

[0074] In the embodiment, an example has been shown in which the image forming apparatus 10 outputs a recording medium on which an image has been formed. However, the image forming apparatus may also include a printer, a copier, a facsimile, a printing machine, or a multifunction machine that combines two or more of these. In addition, the image forming apparatus may have an authentication print function that allows printing to be permitted upon authentication.

[0075] [Note] (((1))) A rear frame is disposed on the rear side of the housing, the rear frame being inside the housing and allowing access to components on the front side; a drive unit attached to a front side of the rear frame and configured to drive a toner cartridge; A board or boards are disposed on a rear side of the rear frame and connected to the drive unit via a harness; An image forming apparatus comprising: (((2))) The harness connected to the drive unit is disposed extending in the vertical direction at a position visible from the front side when the front side components of the drive unit are removed. The image forming apparatus according to (((1))). (((3))) The harness connected to the drive unit passes over the upper end of the rear frame and is connected to the circuit boards. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a (((4))) The harness connected to the drive unit is supported by a removable clip at a position visible from the front side. The image forming apparatus according to (((2))). (((5))) The drive unit is attached to the rear frame by fastening members that are detachable from the front side. 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , (((6))) The fastening member is removed in the front direction. The image forming apparatus according to (((5))).

[0076] According to the image forming apparatus of (((1))), the work of removing the circuit boards to which the harness is connected is reduced, compared to when the drive unit is accessed from the rear side and attached / detached, and the drive unit can be easily attached and detached.

[0077] According to the image forming apparatus of (((2))), the position of the harness connected to the drive unit is easier to see than when the harness is arranged extending in the width direction.

[0078] According to the image forming apparatus of (((3))), the position of the harness connected to the drive unit is easier to see than when the harness passes through the rear frame.

[0079] According to the image forming apparatus of (((4))), the clip that supports the harness can be accessed from the front side and attached / detached.

[0080] According to the image forming apparatus of (((5))), the fastening members for attaching the drive unit to the rear frame can be accessed from the front side for attachment and detachment.

[0081] According to the image forming apparatus of (((6))), the fastening member can be attached and detached more easily than in the vertical or width direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 10 Image forming device 12. Chassis 16 Rear frame 20 Drive unit 30 Circuit Boards 40 Harness C-Clip S screws (an example of a fastening material)

Claims

1. A rear frame is disposed on the rear side of the housing, the rear frame being inside the housing and allowing access to components on the front side; a drive unit attached to a front side of the rear frame and configured to drive a toner cartridge; A board or boards are disposed on a rear side of the rear frame and connected to the drive unit via a harness; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The harness connected to the drive unit is disposed extending in the vertical direction at a position visible from the front side when the front side components of the drive unit are removed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The harness connected to the drive unit passes over the upper end of the rear frame and is connected to the circuit boards. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 .

4. The harness connected to the drive unit is supported by a removable clip at a position visible from the front side. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 .

5. The drive unit is attached to the rear frame by fastening members that are detachable from the front side. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

6. The fastening member is removed in the front direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 .

Images