Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus with improved operability.SOLUTION: An exterior cover 100 is pivotably coupled with a body frame 200 by an upper hinge 140. The upper hinge 140 includes a shaft member 161, a shaft supporting member 162, a shaft supporting member 163 and a restriction member 164. The shaft supporting member 162 is fixed to the back side of a frame 120 of a front door 100. The shaft supporting member 163 is fixed to the body frame 200. Coupling the shaft supporting member 162 and the shaft supporting member 163 with each other enables holding the front door 100 in a state of being temporarily stationary relative to the body frame 200. When the front door 100 is in a free state, the shaft member 161, the shaft supporting member 162, and the shaft supporting member 163 of the upper hinge 140 are exposed from above. Since the restriction member 164 is attached from above, it is possible to, while maintaining the front door 100 in the free state, attach the restriction member 164 to the shaft supporting member 162 and the shaft supporting member 163.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 27

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printing machine, a copying machine, or a printer for forming an image. [Background technology]

[0002] In the industrial printing industry, operators desire the ability to visually monitor the operating status of image forming equipment. For large-format inkjet printers, image forming equipment is available that allows the ink ejection head to scan. Similarly, image forming equipment with a visible operating status is also available for label printers.

[0003] These image forming devices generally have a body height shorter than a person's height. To allow visual observation of the operating status of these image forming devices, some image forming devices have a recording unit that is not covered by an exterior cover. Other image forming devices have an exterior cover on the front of the device with a transparent window in one area. Some image forming devices also have lighting installed inside to improve visibility (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Even among cut / sheet-fed commercial printing presses, there are some with visible recording sections on the market. These presses are relatively larger than large-format inkjet presses and label presses, with heights of around 2m, and typically have side-opening (double-door) exterior covers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-215522 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As devices become larger, the exterior cover doors tend to become larger as well. However, large doors are heavy, and the installation of the doors is often difficult. Therefore, it is desirable to make the assembly process easier. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming device that can be easily assembled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A typical configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object includes an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet, a transport unit for transporting the sheet in a first direction intersecting a vertical direction, a main body frame for supporting the recording unit and the transport unit, an exterior cover disposed in front of the recording unit in a front-to-rear direction intersecting the vertical direction and the first direction and attached to the main body frame so as to form an exterior of the front surface, and a hinge for connecting the exterior cover to the main body frame, wherein the hinge is The device includes a first shaft support member attached to the main body frame, a second shaft support member attached to the exterior cover, a shaft member supported by the first shaft support member and the second shaft support member, and a regulating member that regulates the position of the shaft member, and the exterior cover opens and closes by rotating around the shaft member, and when the exterior cover is in a free state, the regulating member can be attached to or detached from the first shaft support member and the second shaft support member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can be easily assembled. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Schematic cross-sectional view showing the general configuration of an image forming apparatus [Figure 2] Schematic cross-sectional view of the print module [Figure 3] Schematic diagram of the print module seen from the front with the front door open [Figure 4]Perspective view of the print belt unit [Figure 5] A perspective view of the recording head as seen from the ink ejection surface side. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a retracted position of a recording head; [Figure 7] A perspective view showing the printing position of the recording head [Figure 8] (a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating movement of the recording head to the printing position. [Figure 9] (a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating movement of the recording head to the printing position. [Figure 10] (a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating movement of the recording head to the printing position. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state before a recording head is attached to a head holder. [Figure 12] (a) and (b) are perspective views showing the movement of the scanner unit. [Figure 13] (a) and (b) are perspective views showing the movement of the scanner unit. [Figure 14] Schematic perspective view showing the state in which the recording unit and the maintenance unit are mounted on the main body frame of the print module. [Figure 15] Schematic diagram of the print module main frame viewed from directly above [Figure 16] Left cross-sectional view of the print module [Figure 17] Cross section of print module shown in Figure 16 [Figure 18] (a)(b) Overall schematic diagram of the front door of the print module [Figure 19] Exploded view of the print module's upper front door [Figure 20] (a)(b) The front door of the print module is open upward. [Figure 21] A diagram explaining the hanging cord for the upward-opening front door [Figure 22] Perspective view showing the upper hinge [Figure 23] Perspective view showing the front door and upper hinge [Figure 24] A perspective view showing the main body frame and upper hinge [Figure 25] Perspective view showing the upper hinge [Figure 26] (a) Perspective view and (b) Front view showing the upper hinge [Figure 27] Perspective view showing the upper hinge [Figure 28] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the front door and main body frame of a print module, and a hinge; [Figure 29] A perspective view showing an example of a horizontal hinged door [Figure 30] Perspective view showing the horizontal hinge [Figure 31] Perspective view showing the front door and side hinges [Figure 32] A perspective view showing the main body frame and horizontal hinges [Figure 33] Perspective view showing the horizontal hinge [Figure 34] Perspective view showing the horizontal hinge [Figure 35] Perspective view showing the horizontal hinge [Figure 36] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the front door and main body frame of a print module, and a hinge; [Figure 37] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the front door and main body frame of a print module, and a hinge; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, and relative positions of the components of the image forming apparatus shown below do not limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified. Components with the same reference numerals in the drawings have the same configuration or function, and redundant descriptions will be omitted where appropriate. [Example]

[0011] <Image forming device> The general configuration of an image forming apparatus will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is an example of an inkjet image forming apparatus that forms images using an inkjet method.

[0012] In the image forming apparatus, paper (recording medium) fed from the paper feed module 1000 passes through the print module 2000, drying module 3000, fixing module 4000, cooling module 5000, inverting module 6000, and discharge stacking module 7000, in that order. The print module 2000 forms an image on the paper fed from the paper feed module 1000. The drying module 3000 reduces the liquid content of the ink to improve the fixation of the ink to the paper, and the fixing module 4000 heats the paper to soften the applied ink. The cooling module 5000 cools the fixed paper to solidify the softened ink and suppresses changes in paper temperature downstream of the cooling module. The inverting module 6000 orients the paper in the desired direction. The discharge stacking module 7000 aligns and stacks the printed paper.

[0013] During double-sided printing, the paper is U-turned and transported toward the print module by the cooling module 5000, and the front and back sides of the paper are reversed by the reversing device 4200 provided in the fixing module 4000. The paper then passes through the double-sided transport path of the drying module 3000 and paper feed module 1000 and is transported again to the print module 2000, where the back side is printed.

[0014] As described above, the image forming apparatus includes a print module 2000 as a first module including a recording unit 2300 and a print belt unit 2200. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus includes modules (1000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000) connected to either the left or right side or both sides of the print module 2000 in the left-right direction, each module having a different function from the print module 2000. The left-right direction in this embodiment is the sheet transport direction during image formation. The sheet transport direction may also be referred to as the first direction. That is, in this embodiment, the first direction refers to the left-right direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the right side in the left-right direction corresponds to the upstream side in the transport direction, and the left side in the left-right direction corresponds to the downstream side in the transport direction.

[0015] Here, the image forming apparatus has been illustrated as having modules with different functions connected to both left and right sides of the print module 2000, but the present invention is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus may also have a configuration in which a module with different functions is connected to the left side of the print module 2000 in the left-right direction. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus may have a configuration in which a module with different functions is connected to the right side of the print module 2000 in the left-right direction.

[0016] <Print Module> The configuration of the print module 2000 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the print module 2000.

[0017] The print module 2000 is an image forming unit that performs recording processing on paper (recording medium) as a conveyed sheet from above using a recording head 10 to form an image on the paper. The print module 2000 has a pre-image registration correction unit 2400, a print belt unit 2200 as a conveying unit, a recording unit 2300, a maintenance unit 2600, and a scanner unit 11. The paper is attracted and conveyed by the print belt unit 2200, ensuring clearance with the recording head.

[0018] The paper transported from the paper feed module 1000 has its tilt and position corrected by a pre-imaging registration correction unit 2400 before being transported to the print belt unit 2200. The recording unit 2300 is located opposite the print belt unit 2200 on the transport path. The recording unit 2300 performs recording (printing) on ​​the transported sheet of paper using a recording head 10 from above, forming an image on the paper. The print belt unit 2200 is located to transport the paper by suction and adsorbing it, ensuring stable paper transport behavior directly below the recording head 10. The paper transported on the paper transport surface 24 of the print belt unit 2200 is transported with a clearance maintained between the recording head 10 and the paper. The recording head 10 ejects ink onto the transported paper at a timing that is appropriate for the ejection, forming an image on the paper. The multiple recording heads 10 are aligned along the transport direction. In this example, in addition to the four colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black), there are a total of five line-type recording heads corresponding to the reaction liquids.

[0019] A scanner unit 11 is installed downstream of the recording head 10 in the transport direction. The scanner unit 11 inspects the image immediately after ink application by reading the paper and image on the transport surface 24 of the print belt unit 2200. If it detects an image defect, such as ink not being ejected due to a clogged ink ejection hole, it immediately stops the device to minimize the generation of defective products. The scanner unit 11 is a unit (reading unit) that not only detects the ink ejection status, but also reads the image formed on the paper by the recording unit during printing, detects image misalignment and density, and corrects the printing.

[0020] The maintenance unit 2600 is located to the right of the recording unit 2300. The recording head 10 of the recording unit 2300 can be raised and lowered, and may be moved to a retracted position (see FIG. 6) above in the vertical direction as needed. The maintenance unit 2600 moves directly below the recording head 10 in the retracted position to perform maintenance on the recording unit 2300 (recording head 10).

[0021] The maintenance unit 2600 has a cap tray 18 on which a cap mechanism (not shown) that protects the ink ejection surface of the print head 10 is arranged. The maintenance unit 2600 has a cleaning tray 19 on which a cleaning mechanism (not shown) that restores the ejection performance of the print head 10 is arranged. The maintenance unit 2600 is a unit with a two-layer structure, with the cap tray 18 on the upper level and the cleaning tray 19 on the lower level. The ink ejection surface is the ejection port surface (nozzle surface) on which a plurality of ejection ports that eject ink are arranged in the print head 10.

[0022] During operation stoppage, the cap tray 18 is located directly below the recording unit 2300, and the recording head 10 lands on a cap mechanism (not shown) in the cap tray, capping it and preventing the ink ejection surface of the recording head 10 from drying out. In response to a print start command from a controller (not shown), the recording head 10 first rises to the retracted position and moves away from the cap tray 18, then the cap tray 18 retracts to the retracted position, and then the recording head 10 descends to the print position and performs the printing operation. In response to a print end command, the recording head 10 rises to the retracted position. Thereafter, when the cap tray 18 moves from the retracted position to directly below the recording unit 2300, the recording head 10 descends and lands on the cap tray, capping it, and then comes to a stop.

[0023] Even during printing, a cleaning command is issued from a controller (not shown) when a predetermined continuous operation time is reached. In response to the cleaning command, the recording head 10 rises to the retracted position, and then the cleaning tray 19, located at the bottom of the maintenance unit 2600, moves to directly below the recording unit 2300. The recording head 10 then descends and lands on the cleaning tray 19, where cleaning operations such as wiping and vacuuming are performed. After cleaning is complete, the recording head 10 rises to the retracted position, the cleaning tray 19 moves from directly below the recording unit 2300 to the retracted position, and the recording head 10 descends to the print position to resume printing. If printing is not resumed after cleaning, the recording head 10 rises to the retracted position after cleaning is complete, the cleaning tray 19 moves from directly below the recording unit 2300 to the retracted position, and the cap tray 18 moves from the retracted position to directly below the recording unit 2300. The recording head 10 then descends and lands on the cap tray 18, capping it, and then comes to a stop. Head cleaning during printing can be performed after all the paper circulating in the machine has been printed and the supply of new paper has been stopped, or it can be performed by pausing the machine while paper is still circulating.

[0024] The number of colors and recording heads in the image forming apparatus is not limited to 5. The inkjet method may be a method using a heat element, a method using a piezoelectric element, a method using an electrostatic element, a method using a MEMS element, or the like.

[0025] <Recording unit configuration> Next, the configurations of the recording section 2300 and print belt unit 2200 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 11. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the print module 2000 viewed from the front with the front door (exterior cover) covering the recording section 2300 open. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the print belt unit 2200. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the recording head 10 viewed from the ink ejection surface. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the recording head 10 in the retracted position, and Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the recording head 10 in the printing position. Figures 8 to 10 are diagrams explaining the movement of the recording head 10 to the printing position. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the recording head before it is attached to the head holder.

[0026] In the following description, the upward direction U, downward direction D, rightward direction R, leftward direction L, rearward direction B, and forward direction F are defined as shown in FIG. 3. The side of the main body frame 200 (print module 2000) shown in FIG. 3 where the front door 100 serving as an exterior cover is located is defined as the front side (near side or front side), and the opposite side is defined as the rear side (rear side or back side). Furthermore, when the recording unit 2300 is used as a reference, the side where the scanner unit 11 (see FIG. 2) is located is defined as the left side. When the recording unit 2300 is used as a reference, the side where the maintenance unit 2600 is located is defined as the right side. Furthermore, the upward direction is defined as a direction perpendicular to the front-rear and left-right directions defined here, and the downward direction is defined as a direction perpendicular to the front-rear and left-right directions defined here, and the downward direction is defined as a direction perpendicular to the front-rear and left-right directions defined here. The defined forward direction F, rearward direction B, rightward direction R, leftward direction L, upward direction U, and downward direction D are shown in FIG. 3. The left-right direction is a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction (up-down direction) and is the same as the conveying direction in which paper as a sheet is conveyed. The front-rear direction is a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the left-right direction (first direction).

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the print belt unit 2200 includes a print belt 2201, belt rollers 2202, a suction unit 2203, and a cleaning unit 2210. The print belt 2201 serves as the contact surface that comes into contact with the paper during paper transport, and is provided with multiple suction holes 2201a in the left-right and front-rear directions. The suction holes 2201a are through-holes that penetrate the print belt 2201 in the thickness direction and are distributed inside and outside the area through which the paper passes during paper transport. The belt rollers 2202 maintain a constant tension on the print belt 2201. The suction unit 2203 adsorbs the paper via the suction holes 2201a. The cleaning unit 2210 contacts the print belt 2201 and wipes off mist and paper dust adhering to the surface of the print belt 2201. In this embodiment, the print belt unit 2200 has four suction units 2203, but the number of suction units 2203 is not limited to four.

[0028] The print belt unit 2200 is disposed directly below the recording head 10. In other words, the print belt unit 2200 is disposed at a position facing the recording section 2300 in the vertical direction. The print belt unit 2200 has a height adjustment function that adjusts the height of the paper transport surface (sheet transport surface) to match the thickness of the paper so that a predetermined clearance is maintained between the paper surface and the recording head 10. As described above, the print belt unit 2200 has a suction transport function that transports the paper while keeping it flat by following the surface of the transport belt.

[0029] Positioning members 811 for positioning the recording heads 10 at the printing position (recording position) are provided in the housing 81 of the print belt unit 2200. Specifically, for one recording head 10, one positioning member 811a is provided on the front side (the front side of the device) in the front-to-back direction (paper width direction) across the print belt 2201, and two positioning members 811b and 811c are provided on the back side (the rear side of the device).

[0030] 5, the recording head 10 has a nozzle plate 223 with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink aligned in the longitudinal direction of the recording head (paper width direction, front-to-back direction), and contact portions 221 are provided at both ends of the recording head 10. Specifically, the recording head 10 has a first contact portion 221a formed as a recess with a conical slope on the front side in the longitudinal direction, a second contact portion 221b formed as a groove with two V-shaped flat surfaces on the back side in the longitudinal direction, and a third contact portion 221c formed as a flat surface. Here, a guide shape 221d is provided near the third contact portion 221c formed as a flat surface, and serves to solve the problem of slippage and positional deviation of the recording head (ink ejection head) 10 when the third contact portion 221c and the recording head positioning member 811c come into contact, preventing the ball from entering the positioning portion and making positioning impossible.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the recording head 10 in a retracted position retracted upward relative to the print belt unit 2200. Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the recording head 10 in a printing position (recording position) where an image is printed on paper. The recording head 10 is detachably attached to the head holder 26. The recording head 10 is automatically raised and lowered together with the head holder 26 by a drive mechanism (not shown) along lift rails 29 provided in a recording head lift frame 28 between a printing position close to the paper transport surface 24 and a retracted position when not printing.

[0032] 8, 9, and 10, we will explain how the recording head 10 moves from the retracted position to the printing position and engages with the positioning members 811. In FIGS. 8 to 10, (a) shows the recording head 10 as seen from the rear in the front-to-rear direction. (b) shows the recording head 10 as seen from the front in the front-to-rear direction. The recording head 10 in the retracted position (FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b)) descends together with the head holder 26 and lands on the positioning members 811a to 811c of the print belt unit 2200 (FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b)). Thereafter, the head holder 26 further descends, and the weight of the recording head 10 acts on the positioning members 811a to 811c, causing the spherical shapes of the positioning members 811a to 811c to tightly engage with the conical recessed shapes of the positioning portions 211a to 211c of the recording head 10 (FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b)). This allows the recording head 10 and the print belt unit 2200 to be positioned with high precision. The contact of the recording head 10 with the positioning members 811a to 811c may be caused only by the weight of the recording head 10, or contact pressure may be applied by a separate pressure means (not shown).

[0033] Next, the mounting operation for setting the recording head 10 in the print module 2000 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the state before the recording head 10 is mounted in the print module 2000.

[0034] As shown in Figure 11, when setting the recording head 10 in the print module 2000, the recording head lifting frame 28 is first pulled out from the print module 2000 toward the front in the front-rear direction. The recording unit 2300 has a handle 13 at the front end of the recording head lifting frame 28 in the front-rear direction. The operator holds this handle 13 and pulls the recording head lifting frame 28 out from the print module 2000 toward the front in the front-rear direction. Then, the operator goes around to the left side of the pulled-out recording head lifting frame 28 and faces the left face of the head holder 26 to install the recording head 10. The recording head 10 is held by the head holder 26, which has an automatic lifting function as described above, and is connected to the head holder 26 by pins and the like, which will be described later.

[0035] When attaching the recording head 10 to the head holder 26, first, the first pin 27a provided on the rear side of the recording head 10 is inserted into the first hole 261 of the head holder 26. Then, the second pin 27b provided on the front side of the recording head 10 is guided into the second hole 262 through the second cutout portion 262c of the head holder 26, and the third pin 27c is guided into the third hole 263 through the third cutout portion 263c. Furthermore, the first pin 27a, the second pin 27b, and the third pin 27c are supported by the first groove portion 261a of the first hole 261, the second groove portion 262a of the second hole 262, and the third groove portion 263a of the third hole 263, respectively. In this manner, the recording head 10 can be attached to the head holder 26 with the attitude of the recording head 10 relative to the head holder 26 fixed. 11, the first pin 27a and the first hole 261 are arranged at the rear side in the paper width direction, and the second pin 27b, the third pin 27c, the second hole 262, and the third hole 263 are arranged at the front side in the paper width direction. Therefore, at the rear side far from the operator, it is only necessary to insert the first pin 27a into the first hole 261, and at the front side closer to the operator, the second pin 27b and the third pin 27c are introduced into the second hole 262 and the third hole 263, respectively. This makes it possible to easily set the recording head 10 in the head holder 26.

[0036] As mentioned above, the print belt unit 2200 has a print belt 2201 as a conveyor belt that attracts and conveys paper. The print belt 2201 has a color (dark color) that has a high contrast ratio with the paper (sheet).

[0037] <Configuration of the reading unit> Next, the configuration of scanner unit 11 as a reading unit will be described with reference to Figures 12(a), 12(b), 13(a), and 13(b). Figures 12(a) to 13(b) are perspective views showing the lifting and rotating movements of scanner unit 11 as movement movements.

[0038] The scanner unit 11 is provided so as to be movable between a reading position where an image on a sheet can be read and a separated position which is further away from the print belt 2201 than the reading position. FIG. 12(a) shows the scanner unit 11 at the reading position, and FIG. 12(b) shows the scanner unit 11 at the separated position. As shown in FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b), the scanner unit 11 is moved vertically between the reading position and the separated position by the lifting unit 400 while the reading surface 112 faces vertically downward and faces the print belt 2201. In this embodiment, when the scanner unit 11 is at the reading position or the separated position, the reading surface 112 is in a facing position facing the print belt 2201.

[0039] The lifting unit 400 will be described with reference to Figures 12(a) and 12(b). As shown in Figures 12(a) and 12(b), the lifting unit 400 has a rotating shaft 401, a handle 402, and a pair of lifting sections 403. The rotating shaft 401 extends in a front-to-rear direction (paper width direction) that is perpendicular to the conveying direction in which paper is conveyed and the vertical direction. The handle 402 is fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 401 in the width direction so that a user (operator) can grip the handle 402 to rotate the rotating shaft 401.

[0040] The pair of elevators 403 are disposed opposite each other at both widthwise ends of the rotary shaft 401 and rotatably support the rotary shaft 401. The elevators 403 raise and lower the scanner unit 11 in the vertical direction in accordance with the rotation of the rotary shaft 401. However, each elevator 403 has a holding plate 601 provided vertically below it, which rotatably holds the scanner unit 11. In this embodiment, when the user rotates the handle 402, the holding plate 601 moves vertically together with the elevators 403 and the rotary shaft 401, and the scanner unit 11 held by the holding plate 601 rises and falls accordingly.

[0041] With the above-described lifting unit 400, a user can raise and lower the scanner unit 11 in the vertical direction by operating the handle 402. In this embodiment, when a user wants to clean the reading surface 112 of the scanner unit 11, the user must first move the scanner unit 11 from the reading position (see FIG. 12(a)) to the separated position (see FIG. 12(b)). In this case, the user grasps the handle 402 and operates it to rotate the rotation shaft 401 clockwise. This moves the lifting part 403 upward in the vertical direction, and the scanner unit 11 held by the holding plate 601 moves to the separated position. The separated position is a position farther from the print belt 2201 than the reading position.

[0042] Furthermore, when the scanner unit 11 is in the above-mentioned separated position (see FIG. 12(b)), it is movable in the front-to-rear direction between a facing position where the reading surface 112 faces the print belt 2201 and a non-facing position (hereinafter referred to as the drawn-out position) where the reading surface 112 does not face the print belt 2201. FIG. 13(a) shows the scanner unit 11 in the drawn-out position. As shown in FIG. 13(a), the scanner unit 11 slides in the width direction between the separated position (facing position) and the drawn-out position by the drawer unit 500 with the reading surface 112 facing vertically downward.

[0043] The drawer unit 500 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12(b) and 13(a). Note that FIG. 12(b) shows a state in which the scanner unit 11 is in the separated position, i.e., a state before the scanner unit 11 is drawn to the drawn position. As shown in FIG. 12(b), the drawer unit 500 has a pair of slide rails 501 extending in the width direction with a gap in the transport direction, and a moving frame 502 that holds the lifting unit 400 and is slidably mounted along the slide rails 501 between the separated position and the drawn position. The slide rails 501 are fixed to the housing of the print module 2000. A frame grip 503 is provided at one end of the moving frame 502 in the width direction, which the user can grip to slide the moving frame 502.

[0044] When a user wants to clean the reading surface 112 of the scanner unit 11, the user must first move the scanner unit 11 from the reading position (see Figure 12(a)) to the separated position (see Figure 12(b)), and then move it from the separated position (opposing position) to the pulled-out position (see Figure 13(a)).

[0045] In this case, the handle 402 is manually rotated to raise the scanner unit 11 from the reading position to the separated position (the position shown in FIG. 12(b)). Then, the user grips the frame gripping portion 503 and pulls the moving frame 502 toward the user. This causes the moving frame 502 to slide along the slide rails 501 to the drawn-out position. As a result, the lifting unit 400 also moves to the drawn-out position, and the scanner unit 11 held by the holding plate 601 moves to the drawn-out position. In this embodiment, when the scanner unit 11 is in the drawn-out position, it is drawn out from inside the housing of the print module 2000 to the outside of the housing, toward the user, and the reading surface 112 is exposed outside the housing of the print module 2000.

[0046] Thereafter, to facilitate the wiping operation, the scanner unit 11 is rotated by approximately 90° by holding the rotation operation lever 111 (see FIG. 13(b)), and cleaning is performed while the reading surface 112 is visible. In this embodiment, the lifting function is performed by operating the handle 402, but the scanner unit 11 may be lifted manually or automatically by electrical power.

[0047] The scanner unit 11, which is located downstream of the recording section 2300, has the same positioning configuration as the recording head 10 described above, but the difference is whether the lifting operation is automatic or manual. The scanner unit 11 is lifted and lowered only when cleaning the reading surface 112, so the manual method is adopted since the lifting and lowering operation is infrequent.

[0048] <Maintenance Department Configuration> The configuration of the maintenance unit 2600 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0049] As described above, the maintenance unit 2600 has a cap tray 18 on which a capping mechanism (not shown) is arranged, and a cleaning tray 19 on which a cleaning mechanism (not shown) is arranged. The cap tray 18 and the cleaning tray 19 are configured to be able to move independently in the left-right direction of the print module 2000 along rails (not shown) provided on the print module 2000. The rails are guide mechanisms that support the ends of the cap tray 18 and the cleaning tray 19 in the paper width direction (front-rear direction) and guide their movement in the left-right direction.

[0050] In a recording state in which recording is performed on paper by the recording head 10, the cap tray 18 and the cleaning tray 19 are located upstream (to the right) of the recording unit 2300 in the paper transport direction. In the recording state, the cap tray 18 is located directly above the cleaning tray 19. The positions of the cap tray 18 and the cleaning tray 19 in the recording state are also referred to as standby positions.

[0051] In the capped state where the ink ejection surface of the recording head 10 is capped by the capping mechanism, the cap tray 18 is located directly below the recording head 10 in the recording unit 2300, and the cleaning tray 19 is located upstream in the paper transport direction relative to the recording unit 2300. That is, in the capped state, the cap tray 18 has moved from the standby position along the rail to the cap position downstream in the paper transport direction, and the cleaning tray 19 is located in the standby position.

[0052] In a cleaning state in which the ink ejection surface of the recording head 10 is cleaned by the cleaning mechanism, the cleaning tray 19 is located directly below the recording head 10 in the recording unit 2300, and the cap tray 18 is located upstream in the paper transport direction from the recording unit 2300. That is, in the cleaning state, the cleaning tray 19 has moved from the standby position along the rail to a cleaning position downstream in the paper transport direction, and the cap tray 18 is located in the standby position.

[0053] Each cap mechanism in the cap tray 18 has a plurality of spherical positioning members (not shown) for positioning the recording head 10 relative to the cap mechanism. The positioning members are arranged on both ends of each cap mechanism in the paper width direction (front-rear direction). That is, the positioning members are provided in the same manner as the positioning members 811a to 811c on the print belt unit 2200. The positioning portions 211a to 211c of each recording head 10 engage with the positioning members of the cap mechanism, thereby positioning the recording head 10 and the cap mechanism.

[0054] Similarly to the positioning members of the cap mechanism, the cleaning tray 19 also includes a plurality of spherical positioning members (not shown) for positioning the recording head 10 relative to the cleaning tray 19. That is, the positioning members are provided in the same manner as the positioning members 811a to 811c in the print belt unit 2200. The positioning portions 211a to 211c of each recording head 10 engage with the positioning members of the cleaning tray 19, thereby allowing the recording head 10 and the cleaning tray 19 to be positioned.

[0055] The cleaning tray 19 has a moving mechanism (not shown) that moves a cleaning mechanism (not shown) that restores the ejection performance of the recording head 10 along a wiping direction (front-to-back direction) perpendicular to the paper transport direction. The cleaning mechanism restores the ejection performance of the recording head 10 by removing ink and dust adhering to the ink ejection surface of the recording head 10 while being moved in the wiping direction by the moving mechanism.

[0056] <Main frame configuration> Next, the main body frame 200 of the print module 2000 will be described with reference to Figures 14, 15, 16, and 17. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the state in which the recording unit 2300 and maintenance unit 2600 are mounted on the main body frame 200 of the print module 2000. Figure 15 is a schematic view of the main body frame of the print module as seen from directly above. Figure 16 is a left cross-sectional view of the print module 2000. Figure 17 is a G-G cross-sectional view of the print module 2000 in Figure 16.

[0057] The print module 2000 includes a main body frame 200 that supports a recording section 2300 and a print belt unit 2200. The main body frame 200 includes an upper horizontal column 201, a middle horizontal column 202, a left support column 203, a right support column 204, and the like.

[0058] The main body frame 200 has a left support column 203 and a right support column 204 provided on both sides in the left-right direction. The left support column 203 and the right support column 204 each extend vertically. In other words, the left support column 203 and the right support column 204 are provided opposite each other in the left-right direction of the main body frame 200. The left support column 203 is located on the left front side of the main body frame 200, and the right support column 204 is located on the right front side of the main body frame 200.

[0059] The recording unit 2300, scanner unit 11, and maintenance unit 2600 are supported by the main body frame 200. The recording unit 2300, scanner unit 11, and maintenance unit 2600 are arranged between the left support column 203 and the right support column 204 of the main body frame 200. The scanner unit 11 is arranged on the left side of the recording unit 2300 between the left support column 203 and the right support column 204 of the main body frame 200. In other words, the scanner unit 11 is arranged between the left support column 203 and the recording unit 2300. The maintenance unit 2600 is arranged on the right side of the recording unit 2300 between the left support column 203 and the right support column 204 of the main body frame 200. In other words, the maintenance unit 2600 is arranged between the right support column 204 and the recording unit 2300.

[0060] In the main body frame 200, the upper cross pillar 201 is provided spanning in the left-right direction between the left support pillar 203 and the right support pillar 204 of the main body frame 200. The upper cross pillar 201 is connected to the upper ends of the left support pillar 203 and the right support pillar 204, respectively. The middle cross pillar 202 is provided spanning in the left-right direction between the left support pillar 203 and the right support pillar 204 of the main body frame 200, and is provided below the upper cross pillar 201. The middle cross pillar 202 is connected to the left support pillar 203 and the right support pillar 204, respectively. As shown in FIG. 14 , the upper cross pillar 201 and the middle cross pillar 202 are each arranged to extend in the left-right direction.

[0061] The recording unit 2300, scanner unit 11, and maintenance unit 2600 are disposed below the upper horizontal pillar 201 of the main body frame 200. With respect to the relative relationship with the middle horizontal pillar 202, the recording unit 2300 is disposed above the middle horizontal pillar 202. In other words, the recording unit 2300 is disposed between the upper horizontal pillar 201 and the middle horizontal pillar 202 of the main body frame 200. On the other hand, the scanner unit 11 is disposed below the middle horizontal pillar 202. Furthermore, the maintenance unit 2600 is disposed above and below the middle horizontal pillar 202.

[0062] <Main frame size> Here, the size of the main body frame 200 in the front-rear direction will be described.

[0063] As described above, the recording unit 2300 contains multiple sets of recording heads 10, head holders 26, etc., and is attached to the upper horizontal pillar 201 and the middle horizontal pillar 202 of the main body frame 200. The size of the recording unit 2300 in the front-to-rear direction (front-to-rear dimension) is mainly determined by the following requirements (1) and (2).

[0064] (1) The longitudinal (front-to-back) width of the nozzle plate 223 of the recording head 10 is the maximum size paper width + α (an ink application margin area for absorbing paper misalignment). (2) In the front-rear area of ​​the nozzle plate 223 of the recording head 10, an abutment portion 221 is disposed that engages with a positioning member 811 arranged to allow the recording head 10 to land on the print belt unit 2200. These requirements determine the necessary front-rear (longitudinal) dimension of the recording head 10, and the front-rear dimension of the recording unit 2300 is determined by adding the head holder 26 and the recording head lifting frame 28, which has the function of lifting and lowering the recording head 10.

[0065] The front-rear (longitudinal) dimension of the maintenance part 2600 is determined by the following requirements (1) to (4).

[0066] (1) The front-rear dimension of the landing configuration of the recording head 10, similar to the print belt unit 2200, for landing the recording head 10 relative to the capping mechanism and cleaning mechanism. (2) The front-rear dimension of the cap tray 18 that holds the capping mechanism and head landing configuration. (3) The front-rear dimension of the cleaning tray 19 that holds the cleaning mechanism and head landing configuration. (4) The front-rear dimension of the rail configuration that moves the cap tray 18 and cleaning tray 19 left and right below the recording unit 2300. The front-rear dimension of the maintenance unit 2600 is determined by these requirements.

[0067] The front-to-rear position of the center horizontal pillar 202 in the main body frame 200 is determined by the two structural requirements of the front-to-rear dimension of the recording unit 2300 and the front-to-rear dimension of the maintenance unit 2600. The center horizontal pillar 202 has its connecting portions with the left and right pillars offset toward the rear to utilize the space inside the front door 100, which serves as an exterior cover, as described below.

[0068] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15 , the center cross post 202 has a recess 202L, a protrusion 202C, and a recess 202R. In the left-right direction, the protrusion 202C is located between the recess 202L and the recess 202R. In other words, the center cross post 202 extends in the left-right direction. The recess 202L of the center cross post 202 is connected to the left support post 203. The recess 202R of the center cross post 202 is connected to the right support post 204. In the front-rear direction, the protrusion 202C is offset toward the front from the recesses 202L and 202R. Looking at it from the other way around, the portions on both sides in the left-right direction that face the front door frame 120 of the front door 100 (described later) (i.e., the recesses 202L and 202R) are offset toward the back. The protrusion 202C between the recesses 202L and 202R on both sides of the center horizontal pillar 202 fits into the internal space (area E shown in FIG. 17) surrounded by the front door frame 120 of the front door 100. In other words, the position of at least a part of the protrusion 202C in the front-to-rear direction is the same as the position of the front door frame 120 of the front door 100 in the front-to-rear direction when the front door 100 is closed. In other words, when viewed from the left-to-right direction, the front door frame 120 of the front door 100 and the protrusion 202C at least partially overlap.

[0069] On the front surface of the main body frame 200, the recording unit 2300 is attached to and held by the middle horizontal pillar 202 and the upper horizontal pillar 201. With this configuration, the recording unit 2300 is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. 11 , and can be pulled out toward the front side of the main body frame 200.

[0070] The middle horizontal pillar 202 is disposed between the left support pillar 203 and the right support pillar 204 on the front side of the main body frame 200, and supports internal units such as the recording unit 2300 and the maintenance unit 2600, which moves in the paper transport direction. On the rear side (inside the main body frame) of the middle horizontal pillar 202 in the main body frame 200, there is an internal space 209 in which the recording unit 2300 and the maintenance unit 2600 are disposed. When the recording unit 2300 moves up and down in the vertical direction, it passes through the internal space 209 on the rear side of the middle horizontal pillar 202. When the maintenance unit 2600 moves left and right, it passes through the internal space 209 on the rear side of the middle horizontal pillar 202.

[0071] Generally, it is desirable that the center cross column 202, which has the function of supporting the unit, connects the area between the left and right columns in a straight line in the horizontal cross section from the viewpoint of frame rigidity.

[0072] Here, the entire or partial area of ​​the middle cross pillar 202 where the front door frame 120 of the front door 100 is not present when viewed from the front side protrudes forward beyond the space sandwiched between the left support pillar 203 and the right support pillar 204. In other words, the convex portion 202C between the recesses 202L and 202R on both sides of the middle cross pillar 202 protrudes forward beyond the left support pillar 203 and the right support pillar 204. This makes it possible to ensure a wide internal space 209 on the back side of the middle cross pillar 202, up to the thickness of the front door frame 120 of the front door 100, and the overall size of the main body frame 200 can be kept small.

[0073] Furthermore, because the front door 100, which will be described later, opens upward and is entirely covered by the transparent cover 110, it is possible to provide a wide and uniform protruding area between the left and right support pillars of the front door 100 that is free from the front door frame 120. For example, if the front door 100 does not open upward but opens like a double door, a frame is required at the dividing part of the door, and this area prevents the middle horizontal pillar 202 from protruding forward, making it impossible to provide a uniform protruding area and making it difficult to ensure the rigidity of the middle horizontal pillar 202.

[0074] In this way, the rigidity of the central cross pillar 202 is ensured by having a uniform protruding shape and by ensuring the rigidity of the end region of the central cross pillar 202 that is not included in the drive path of the internal unit.

[0075] <Front door configuration> Next, the front door 100 serving as an exterior cover that forms the exterior of the front of the print module 2000 on the front side of the recording unit 2300 will be described with reference to Figures 16, 17, 18, and 19. Figure 18(a) is a schematic overall view of the front door of the print module. Figure 18(b) is a cross-sectional view of the front door of the print module taken along line XX in Figure 18(a). Figure 19 is an exploded view of the front door of the print module.

[0076] The print module 2000 includes a front door 100 as an exterior cover that forms the exterior of the front of the print module 2000 on the near side of the recording unit 2300 in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the vertical and left-right directions. The front door 100 is provided on the main body frame 200 so as to be able to open and close. The front door 100 has a transparent cover 110 made of a transparent material over the entire front surface. The front door 100 is provided so as to be able to open and close around its upper end in the vertical direction.

[0077] That is, the front door 100 is attached to the front side of the main body frame 200. The front door 100 includes a transparent cover 110 and a front door frame 120 having a certain thickness to maintain the rigidity of the front door 100. The front door frame 120 is arranged around at least a portion of the transparent cover 110. In this embodiment, the front door frame 120 surrounds all four sides of the transparent cover 110. As a modified example, the front door frame 120 may surround only three sides or only two sides of the transparent cover. Alternatively, the front door frame 120 may be provided on only a portion of one side of the transparent cover. The transparent cover 110 is attached to the outside in the thickness direction of the front door frame 120. In other words, the transparent cover 110 is arranged on the front end side of the front door frame 120 in the front-to-rear direction. Here, the front end side refers to the area between the center and the front end of the front door frame 120 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0078] In addition, when the front door 100 is closed, the front door frame 120 is in a position supported by the main body frame 200 when viewed from the front, so that the front door 100 does not intrude into the internal space 209 inside the middle horizontal pillar 202 of the main body frame 200.

[0079] The front door 100 is formed so as to cover the entire area T (see FIG. 16) above the paper transport surface 24 of the print belt 2201 that transports paper. Furthermore, the front door 100 is provided with a transparent cover 110 as shown in FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b), so that the recording unit 2300 and other units inside the device can be seen from outside the device even while printing is in progress. Being able to see inside the device not only makes it possible to see the operating status of the image forming device, but also contributes to determining whether or not the inside of the device needs to be cleaned due to adhesion of ink mist.

[0080] From a design perspective, transparent cover 110 is configured as a single unit (front door unit) from paper transport surface 24 (see FIG. 14) to the upper front door 100 so that not only recording unit 2300 but also as wide an area as possible can be seen. Transparent cover 110 occupies 85% of the area of ​​front door 100 in the longitudinal direction.

[0081] Specifically, the front door frame 120 has a left portion facing the left support pillar 203 and a right portion facing the right support pillar 204. The transparent cover 110 is disposed from the left portion to the right portion. In this way, the front door 100 is formed of the transparent cover 110 from the left support pillar 203 to the right support pillar 204 in the left-right direction of the main body frame 200.

[0082] The front door 100 is formed with a transparent cover 110 from the upper horizontal pillar 201 to the paper transport surface 24 of the print belt unit 2200 in the vertical direction of the main body frame 200. As shown in Figure 14, the paper transport surface 24 of the print belt unit 2200 is located below the middle horizontal pillar 202 of the main body frame 200. Therefore, it can be said that the front door 100 is formed with a transparent cover 110 from the upper horizontal pillar 201 to the middle horizontal pillar 202 in the vertical direction of the main body frame 200.

[0083] With this configuration, the operating status of the print module 2000 can be visually observed through the transparent cover 110 without opening the front door 100. For example, the lifting and lowering operation and position of the recording head 10, the operation and position of the maintenance unit 2600, the position of the scanner unit 11, and the state of paper transport can be visually confirmed. In addition, the state of dirt around the recording unit can be visually confirmed from outside the machine even while the device is in operation, making it possible to determine the need for cleaning.

[0084] Furthermore, a transparent resin plastic material is selected for the transparent cover 110 in consideration of its weight and resistance to breakage, and it is made as thin (=light) as possible without compromising the texture. Because the transparent cover 110 is made of a thin resin plastic material, the front door 100 ensures rigidity by making the thickness of the front door frame 120 in the front-to-rear direction (area E) thicker than the thickness of the transparent cover 110 in the front-to-rear direction. Specifically, the thickness of the transparent cover 110 is 5 mm, and the thickness of the front door frame 120 (area E) is equal to or greater than the thickness of the transparent cover 110 (30 mm or more).

[0085] Here, the front door frame 120 has a thickness of 50 mm in the front-to-rear direction. The transparent cover 110 has a thickness of 5 mm in the front-to-rear direction. The transparent cover 110 is disposed on the front end side of the front door frame 120 in the front-to-rear direction. In other words, the transparent cover 110 is disposed on the large outer surface of the front door 100. Therefore, the front door 100 has an internal space (area E) of 45 mm inside the transparent cover 110.

[0086] 16, the arrangement of the components of the interior of the machine so as to fit into the space (area E) inside the front door 100 contributes to reducing the front-rear dimension of the device. As shown in Fig. 17, when the recording unit 2300 is attached to the middle horizontal pillar 202 of the main body frame 200, the middle horizontal pillar 202 and the recording unit 2300 are contained within the thickness (area E) of the front door frame 120 of the front door 100.

[0087] In other words, of the main body frame 200 described above, the left support pillar 203 and right support pillar 204 and the upper horizontal pillar 201 of the main body frame 200, which face the front door frame 120 of the front door 100 in the front-to-rear direction, are offset toward the rear side from the front end portion of the recording unit 2300 supported by the main body frame 200. This makes the main body frame 200 more compact, and the front end portion of the recording unit 2300 in the front-to-rear direction fits into the internal space corresponding to the thickness (45 mm) of the front door frame 120 of the front door 100 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0088] Specifically, as described above, the recording unit 2300 has the handle 13 at the front end in the front-rear direction of the recording head lifting frame 28. The recording unit 2300 is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction relative to the main body frame 200. The handle 13 is disposed in an internal space (area E) surrounded by the front door frame 120 of the front door 100, forward of the upper horizontal pillar 201 of the main body frame 200. In other words, the position of at least a portion of the handle 13 in the front-rear direction is the same as the position of the front door frame 120 of the front door 100 in the front-rear direction when the front door 100 is closed. In other words, when viewed from the left and right, the front door frame 120 of the front door 100 and the handle 13 at least partially overlap.

[0089] As described above, the scanner unit 11 is provided with a handle 402 at the front end in the front-rear direction of the scanner unit 11. The handle 402 is located in the internal space (area E) surrounded by the front door frame 120 of the front door 100, forward of the upper horizontal pillar 201 of the main body frame 200.

[0090] In this way, by providing the front door frame 120 of the front door 100 with a thickness in the front-rear direction to form an internal space (area E), this contributes to reducing the front-rear dimension of the device.

[0091] The configuration of the front door 100 will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 19. The front door 100 has the transparent cover 110, a front door frame 120 that forms the periphery of the transparent cover 110, a gas spring 130 that assists the opening and closing force, an upper hinge 140, and a hanging cord 150.

[0092] The front door frame 120 of the front door 100 has a design using two paint colors. The front door frame 120 is made up of a first frame 121 and a second frame 122. The first frame 121 is made by welding multiple parts together to form a square shape and then painting it. The second frame 122 is made by welding multiple parts together to form a square shape and then painting it a color different from the first frame 121. The front door frame 120 is made up of the first frame 121 and the second frame 122 fastened together with screws after painting. The reason why the first frame 121 and the second frame 122, which are made up of multiple parts, are painted after welding is to provide rigidity when assembled into a square shape.

[0093] The transparent cover 110 is adhered and fixed with an adhesive to the front end side in the front-rear direction of the front door frame 120. Furthermore, the gas spring 130, the upper hinge 140, and the hanging cord 150 are attached to the front door frame 120 at predetermined positions, respectively.

[0094] <Opening and closing the front door> An upper hinge 140 is attached to the upper end of the front door 100, and the upper hinge 140 is attached to an upper horizontal pillar 201 of the main body frame 200. The front door 100 can be in an open state or a closed state by rotating around the upper hinge 140. In this way, the front door 100 is supported by the main body frame 200 so as to be able to open and close.

[0095] The opening and closing operation of the front door 100 of the print module 2000 will be described with reference to Figures 3, 20, and 21. Figure 20 is a diagram showing the front door of the print module in an upwardly open position. Figure 21 is a diagram explaining the hanging string of the front door in an upwardly open position.

[0096] The front door 100, which covers the recording unit 2300 of the print module 2000, opens upward from the top base point of the print module 2000, as shown in Figure 3. The front door 100 has a lever (not shown) at the center of the bottom edge for releasing the latch. When the lever is grasped to release the latch, the front door 100 opens upward at the upper hinge 140, and is assisted in the opening direction by the gas spring 130 until it hits a stopper (not shown) provided at the open position and is maintained in the open state.

[0097] If the front door 100 were a double door that opened left and right instead of top-opening, it would be difficult for the operator to move around to the left side of the recording unit after pulling the recording unit out from the print module toward the front during the recording head replacement process, as there would not be enough space to do so. Therefore, a top-opening front door 100 is preferable. Furthermore, since the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment is comprised of multiple modules with different functions connected together, if an error or jam occurs and paper becomes stuck inside the main body, it is necessary to access multiple modules consecutively. In such cases, a top-opening front door 100 is preferable because it does not impede lateral movement of the print module to the module next to it.

[0098] That is, by making the front door 100 upward-opening, the open front door does not prevent the print module 2000 from moving laterally to the adjacent module when clearing a jam that spans multiple modules. Also, when replacing the recording head 10, it is easy to access the side of the recording unit 2300 that has been pulled forward, making replacement easy. Furthermore, by providing the transparent cover 110 on the upward-opening front door 100, lighting from the ceiling is let in through the transparent cover 110 even when the front door 100 is open, which has the effect of making it easy to see inside the machine.

[0099] The maximum opening angle α when the front door 100 is opened upward around the upper end is set as follows: When the front door 100 is opened to the maximum opening angle, the vertical height from the installation surface 190 of the image forming apparatus to the free end 100e, which is the lower end of the front door 100, is defined as h. The lower limit of the worker's height is defined as h1 (e.g., 1470 mm), and the upper limit of the worker's height is defined as h3 (e.g., 1970 mm). The predetermined height of the workbench 191 for a worker with the lower limit of the height h1 is defined as h2 (e.g., 320 mm). The height h4 shown in FIG. 20(a) is the height to the eyes (eye height) of a worker with the lower limit of the height h1 standing on the workbench 191, and the height h2 of the workbench 191 is set so that this height h4 becomes a predetermined height (e.g., 1670 mm). The opening angle α of the front door 100 is set to an opening angle α such that the vertical height h to the free end 100e of the front door 100 is higher than the vertical height h3+h2 when a worker with an upper height limit h3 stands on a work platform 191 with a predetermined height h2 for a worker with a lower height limit h1.

[0100] Specifically, the opening angle α of the front door 100 about the upper end thereof is set to 100±10°.

[0101] In order for a short person with a height lower limit h1 to access the maintenance section 2600, they must stand on a work platform 191 with a height of h2 as shown in Figure 20(a). Furthermore, even if a tall person with an upper height limit h3 stands on the work platform 191, their head must not hit the upward-opening front door 100 (Figure 20(b)). The opening angle α of the front door 100, centered on the upper end of the front door 100, is set from the perspective of such human scale.

[0102] However, when the front door 100 is open at an opening angle of 100°, a person of short stature cannot reach the tip (free end 100e) of the front door 100 and cannot close the front door 100. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 21 , the front door 100 has a hanging cord 150 that assists in the closing action of the front door 100. The hanging cord 150 is attached to the inside of the front door 100. In this way, the hanging cord 150 is provided on the inside of the front door 100, and the front door 100 can be closed by first pulling the hanging cord 150 to lower the front door 100 and then placing the other hand on the tip of the front door 100.

[0103] Furthermore, if the hanging cord 150 is too long or if the attachment position of the hanging cord 150 is too far toward the tip of the front door 100, the hanging cord 150 will protrude from the front door 100 when the front door 100 is closed, impairing the appearance quality. On the other hand, if the hanging cord 150 is too short, a short person cannot reach the hanging cord 150 and cannot close the front door 100. Furthermore, if the attachment position of the hanging cord 150 is too far toward the base of the front door 100, the front door 100 may hit the worker when the front door 100 is closed.

[0104] From these perspectives, in the front door 100, which opens upward from the upper end base point of the print module 2000, the hanging cord 150 is attached at a position closer to the free end than the center 100c between the upper end (upper hinge 140), which serves as the fulcrum for opening and closing the front door 100, and the free end 100e.

[0105] Further, the overall length L1 of the hanging cord 150 is set to be shorter than the length L2 from the attachment position 100a of the hanging cord 150 to the front door 100 to the free end 100e of the front door 100.

[0106] Furthermore, when the front door 100 is opened to the maximum opening angle α, the height h5 from the installation surface 190 of the image forming apparatus to the lower end 150e of the hanging cord 150 is equal to or less than the set value that can be reached by an operator with a height lower limit h1.

[0107] Specifically, the upper limit height h5 of the hanging cord 150 is set to 1700 mm, and the attachment position 100a of the hanging cord 150 is set to 360 mm in the front-to-rear direction from the tip (free end 100e) of the front door 100. As a result, when an operator with a lower height limit h1 puts his / her second finger on the hanging cord 150 to close the front door 100, the angle of the arm when the operator with a lower height limit h1 puts his / her second finger on the hanging cord 150 is about 160°, which makes it possible to place the operator with a lower height limit h1 outside the rotation trajectory of the front door 100, and even if the operator with a lower height limit h1 closes the front door 100, the front door 100 can be prevented from hitting the operator.

[0108] The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment is required to have an interlock and a door lock from the viewpoint of safety, and is designed so that when the main body is operating, the latch lever is not released and the front door cannot be opened.

[0109] In this embodiment, the front door 100 provided on the front of the image forming apparatus opens upward, so when opening the front door 100 to perform maintenance work on the image forming apparatus, the limitation on the work space due to the open front door 100 can be reduced. This makes it possible to provide an image forming apparatus with improved operability. However, the front door 100 can open in any direction, and may open to the side or downward.

[0110] As described above, the recording unit, the recording unit handle, the central horizontal pillar, the maintenance unit, the reading unit, the conveyor belt, and the like are visible through the transparent cover 110 when the front door 100 is closed. For each element, only a portion of the element may be visible, or the entire element may be visible. Also, some of the above elements (for example, the reading unit) may be configured to be invisible. The transparent cover 110 is disposed on the front door 100 that opens upward and covers the front of the device. Therefore, compared to a double-door configuration, the range over which the operating status can be visually observed can be made wider. As a result, an image forming device with improved operability can be provided.

[0111] <Upper hinge> The upper hinge 140 used in the front door 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0112] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the upper hinge 140. In order to show the structure of the upper hinge 140, the upper hinge 140 is shown removed from the door 100 and the main body frame 200. As shown in the figure, the upper hinge 140 includes a shaft member 161, a shaft support member 162, a shaft support member 163, and a regulating member 164. The front door 100 is provided with a plurality of upper hinges 140. Each of the plurality of upper hinges 140 similarly has the configuration shown in FIG. 22. Each member will be described below.

[0113] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the front door 100 and a portion of the upper hinge 140 as viewed from the rear. The shaft support member 162 of the upper hinge 140 is fixed to the back side of the frame 120 of the front door 100. The shaft support member 162 is made of sheet metal. A portion of the shaft support member 162 is bent to form an annular portion 162c through which the shaft member 161 is inserted. Specifically, the shaft support member 162 first has a facing portion 162a that forms a surface facing the frame 120. The shaft support member 162 further has a bent portion 162b bent up from the upper end of the facing portion 162a. The tip of the bent portion 162b, i.e., the portion opposite the upper end of the facing portion 162a, is further bent to form the annular portion 162c. One shaft support member 162 has two annular portions 162c. A common shaft member 161 is inserted through the two annular portions 162c. The shaft support member 162 may have only one annular portion 162c.

[0114] The shaft member 161 is made of metal. The shaft member 161 is cylindrical. The shaft member 161 is inserted into the annular portion 162c of the shaft support member 162 so that the shaft member 161 and the shaft support member 162 rotate in response to the rotation of the front door 100. In addition, the load from the front door 100 is applied to the annular portion 162c of the shaft support member 162. Even in this case, the annular portion 162c of the shaft support member 162 has enough strength to prevent the shaft member 161 from coming off the annular portion 162c. Note that high durability can be achieved by forming the shaft support member 162 from a metal such as sheet metal. However, the shaft support member 162 may be made of resin or the like depending on the required strength. The same applies to the other members of the upper hinge 140.

[0115] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the main body frame 200 and a portion of the upper hinge 140, as viewed from the front. The shaft support member 163 of the upper hinge 140 is fixed to the front surface of the main body frame 200. The shaft support member 163 is made of sheet metal. A portion of the shaft support member 163 is bent to form a holding portion 163b that holds the shaft member 161. Specifically, the shaft support member 163 first has a facing portion 163a that forms a surface facing the inner frame 200. The portion bent up from the upper end of the facing portion 163a forms the holding portion 163b. The shaft member 161 is held on the upper surface of the holding portion 163b. The tip of the holding portion 163b, i.e., the portion opposite the facing portion 163a, is further bent. The bent portion provided at the tip of the holding portion 163b constitutes a restricting portion 163c that restricts movement of the shaft member 161 (and therefore the front door 100) toward the front (in the radial direction of the shaft member 161). The upper end of the restricting portion 163c has a convex portion (projection).

[0116] The connection between the shaft support member 162 and the shaft support member 163 will be described using Figures 25 and 26. Figure 25 is a perspective view showing a part of the upper hinge 140. Figure 26(a) is a perspective view, and Figure 26(b) is a view seen from the front. Figure 25 shows the process of connecting the shaft support member 162 and the shaft support member 163. In contrast, Figure 26 shows the state in which the shaft support member 162 and the shaft support member 163 are connected.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 25, an opening 162d is provided in the bent portion 162b of the shaft support member 162. The opening 162d is located between two annular portions 162c. When the shaft member 161 is placed on the upper surface of the holding portion 163b of the shaft support member 163, the restricting portion 163c of the shaft support member 163 is inserted into the opening 162d of the shaft support member 162. With this configuration, the restricting portion 163c restricts movement of the shaft support member 162 (and therefore the front door 100) in the left-right direction (the thrust direction of the shaft member 161). That is, by connecting the shaft support member 162 and the shaft support member 163 as shown in FIG. 26, movement of the front door 100 toward the front and in the left-right direction relative to the main body frame 200 is restricted.

[0118] Figure 27 is a perspective view showing the upper hinge 140. A restricting member 164 is further attached to the connected shaft support members 162 and 163. The restricting member 164 of the upper hinge 140 is fixed to the upper surface of the main body frame 200 (not shown in Figure 27).

[0119] The restricting member 164 is made of sheet metal. A portion of the restricting member 164 is bent to form the shaft cover 164b. Specifically, the restricting member 164 first has a facing portion 164a that forms a surface facing the upper surface of the main body frame 200. The front portion of the facing portion 164a is bent to form the shaft cover 164b. When cut in a cross section including the front-rear and up-down directions, the cross section of the shaft cover portion 163b has a U-shape with an open bottom. That is, when viewed from below, a recess is formed. The shaft member 161 and the restricting portion 163c of the shaft support member 163 are housed in this recess. The length of the shaft cover portion 164b in the left-right direction is equal to or shorter than the distance between the two annular portions 162c of the shaft support member 162. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22, when the restricting member 164 is attached, the shaft cover portion 164b is disposed between the two annular portions 162c.

[0120] 27, the shaft cover 164b is provided with an opening 164c. When the shaft member 161 and the restricting portion 163c of the shaft support member 163 are housed in the recessed portion of the shaft cover 164b, the convex portion at the upper end of the restricting portion 163c is inserted into the opening 164c.

[0121] In this way, by attaching the regulating member 164 to the connected shaft support member 162 and shaft support member 163, the regulating member 164 regulates the upward movement of the shaft member 161 (and therefore the front door 100). As described above, the regulating portion 163c of the shaft support member 163 regulates the movement of the front door 100 in the front direction. That is, the regulating member 164 and the regulating portion 163c of the shaft support member 163 regulate the relative position of the front door 100 with respect to the main body frame 200 in the radial direction of the shaft member 161. In addition, the regulating portion 163c of the shaft support member 163 positions the front door 100 relative to the main body frame 200 in the thrust direction as well.

[0122] With the regulating member 164 attached, the center portion of the shaft portion 161 is located in an area surrounded by (1) the regulating portion 163c of the shaft support member 163, (2) the holding portion 163b of the shaft support member 163, and (3) the shaft cover 164b of the regulating member 164. When the shaft member 161 and the shaft support member 162 rotate in accordance with the rotation of the front door 100, the shaft member 161 rotates relative to the regulating portion 163c, the holding portion 163b, and the shaft cover 164b. The relative position of the front door 100 to the main body frame 200 is regulated in the radial and thrust directions of the shaft member 161. Therefore, the degree of freedom of movement of the front door 100 relative to the main body frame 200 is limited only to the rotational direction around the extension direction of the shaft member 161 as the rotation center. With this configuration, the shaft member 161 , the shaft support member 162 , the shaft support member 163 , and the regulating member 164 realize the function of the upper hinge 140 .

[0123] Next, a description will be given of the state of the front door 100 and the main body frame 200 when attaching the restricting member 164. Figure 28 is a perspective view showing the front door 100, the main body frame 200, and the upper hinge 140.

[0124] 26 , when the shaft support member 162 and the shaft support member 163 are connected, the holding portion 163b of the shaft support member 163 supports the shaft member 161. At this time, if no external force is applied to the front door 100 by an operator, the front door 100 will be closed by its own weight. More precisely, a moment due to the weight of the front door 100 acts on the front door 100 with the shaft member 161 or the holding portion 163a as a fulcrum, and the front door 100 is statically determined at a position where the acting moment is balanced. In this embodiment, the direction of the moment due to the weight of the front door 100 is the direction in which the front door 100 closes. Then, when in the closed position, the front door 100 comes into contact with the main frame 200 and receives a force that balances the moment, so the front door 100 is statically determined in the closed position.

[0125] As explained above, by connecting the shaft support member 162 and the shaft support member 163, the front door 100 can be temporarily held in a stationary state relative to the main body frame 200. In this way, a state in which no force is applied to the front door 100 other than the forces supporting the front door 100 at the connecting parts, contact parts, etc., and gravity applied to the front door 100, is called the front door 100 being in a free state.

[0126] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 28 , when the front door 100 is in a free state, the shaft member 161, the shaft support member 162, and the shaft support member 163 of the upper hinge 140 are exposed upward. That is, the area where the regulating member 164 is attached is exposed to the device information. Also, as shown in FIG. 27 , the regulating member 164 is attached from above. Therefore, the regulating member 164 can be attached to the shaft support member 162 and the shaft support member 163 while the front door 100 is in a free state. Naturally, the regulating member 164 can be removed from the shaft support member 162 and the shaft support member 163 while the front door 100 is in a free state. That is, the regulating member 164 can be attached to and detached from the shaft support member 162 and the shaft support member 163 while the front door 100 is in a free state. This configuration facilitates the work of attaching the front door 100 to the main body frame 200.

[0127] The above has described the configuration of the upper hinge 140 of this embodiment. Below, modified examples of the hinge will be described.

[0128] In the above example, the regulating member 164 serves to regulate the radial position of the shaft member 161. However, the regulating member 164 may regulate the position of the front door 100 relative to the main body frame 200 in any direction (for example, the thrust direction). Furthermore, the regulating member 164 may regulate the position not only in one direction but also in multiple directions.

[0129] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an upper hinge 140 is employed that is attached to the top of the front door 100. However, the hinge of the front door 100 can be attached to any position on the front door 100. For example, the hinge may be attached to the side of the front door 100. In this case, the shaft member 161, the shaft support member 162, and the shaft support member 163 are exposed to the side. Then, the restricting member 164 is attached from the side.

[0130] In addition, the above description has been given of an example in which each member constituting upper hinge 140 is a single part formed by bending a single metal plate. However, each of shaft member 161, shaft support member 162, shaft support member 163, and restricting member 164 may be formed by connecting or welding multiple parts together.

[0131] In this embodiment, the regulating member 164 is a member that forms part of the exterior of the image forming apparatus, but an exterior cover that covers the regulating member 164 may be further added. [Example]

[0132] A second example of this embodiment will be described. In the above-mentioned embodiment, a so-called top hinge configuration in which the hinge portion of the front door is provided at the top has been described. In contrast, in this embodiment, a so-called side hinge configuration in which the hinge portion of the front door is provided at the side will be described.

[0133] The main difference between the image forming apparatus of this embodiment and the image forming apparatus of the above-described embodiment 1 is that in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the hinge portion of the front door is provided on the side of the front door. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 100 of embodiment 1, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0134] <Horizontal hinge> The horizontal hinge 340 used in the front door 300 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0135] 29 is a schematic perspective view of the front door 300 equipped with a horizontal hinge 340. The horizontal hinge 340 is attached to the side of the main body frame 200. The front door 300 is supported on the main body frame 200 via the horizontal hinge 340 so as to be rotatable in the side-opening direction.

[0136] FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing a horizontal hinge. In order to show the structure of the horizontal hinge 340, the figure shows a state in which it has been removed from the front door 300 and the main body frame 200. As shown in the figure, the horizontal hinge 340 includes a shaft member 361, a first shaft support member 362, a second shaft support member 363, and a restricting member 364. The front door 300 is provided with a plurality of horizontal hinges 340. Each of the plurality of horizontal hinges 340 similarly has the configuration shown in FIG. 30. Note that the front door 300 may be provided with only one horizontal hinge 340. Each component will be described below.

[0137] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the front door 300 and a portion of the horizontal hinge 340 as viewed from the inside. The shaft support member 362 of the horizontal hinge 340 is fixed to the back side of the front door 300. The shaft support member 362 is made of sheet metal. A portion of the shaft support member 362 is bent to form an annular portion 362c through which the shaft member 361 is inserted. Specifically, the shaft support member 362 first has a facing portion 362a that forms a surface facing the back side of the front door 300. The shaft support member 362 further has a bent portion 362b bent and raised from the end of the facing portion 362a. The tip of the bent portion 362b is further bent to form an annular portion 362c. One shaft support member 362 has two annular portions 362c. A common shaft member 361 is inserted through the two annular portions 362c. There may be only one annular portion 362c in the shaft support member 362. A lower ridge portion 362d is formed between the bent portion 362b and the annular portion 362c.

[0138] The shaft member 361 is made of metal. The shaft member 361 is cylindrical. The shaft member 361 is inserted into an annular portion 362c of the shaft support member 362 so that the shaft member 361 and the shaft support member 362 rotate in response to the rotation of the front door 300. The load from the front door 300 is applied to a lower ridge portion 362d of the shaft support member 362. Even in this case, the shaft support member 362 has enough strength to prevent damage to the shaft support member 362. Note that high durability can be achieved by forming the shaft support member 362 from a metal such as sheet metal. However, the shaft support member 362 may be made of resin or the like depending on the required strength. The same applies to the other members of the horizontal hinge 340.

[0139] 32 is a perspective view of the main body frame 200 and a portion of the horizontal hinge 340, as viewed from the front. A shaft support member 363 of the horizontal hinge 340 is fixed to the main body frame 200. The shaft support member 363 is made of sheet metal. A portion of the shaft support member 363 is bent to form an upper ridge portion 363c that holds the shaft support member 362. Specifically, the shaft support member 363 first has a facing portion 363a that forms a surface that faces the main body frame 200. The end of the facing portion 363a is bent multiple times to form, in that order, a bent portion 363b, a restricting portion 363d, and a restricting portion 363e, and the ridge portion above these is the upper ridge portion 363c that holds the shaft support member 362. In a state in which the shaft support member 363 holds the shaft support member 362, the restricting portion 363d restricts movement of part of the shaft member 361 (and therefore the front door 300) in the left-right direction (part of the left-right radial direction of the shaft member 361), and the bent portion 363b and the restricting portion 363e restrict movement of the shaft member 361 (and therefore the front door 300) in the front-rear direction (the front-rear radial direction of the shaft member 361). Note that the bent portion at the base of the restricting portion 363e has an opening 363f through which a part of the shape of a restricting member 364, which will be described later, is inserted.

[0140] The connection between the shaft support member 362 and the shaft support member 363 will be described using Figures 33 and 34. Figures 33 and 34 are perspective views showing a part of the horizontal hinge 140. Figure 33 shows the process of connecting the shaft support member 362 and the shaft support member 363. In contrast, Figure 34 shows the state in which the shaft support member 362 and the shaft support member 363 are connected.

[0141] As shown in FIG. 33, an opening 362e is provided in the bent portion 362b of the shaft support member 362. The opening 362e is located between two annular portions 362c. When the shaft support member 362 is placed on the upper surface of the upper ridge portion 363c of the shaft support member 363, the restricting portion 363e of the shaft support member 363 is inserted into the opening 362e of the shaft support member 362. With this configuration, the restricting portion 363c restricts movement of the shaft support member 362 (and therefore the front door 300) in the up-down direction (the thrust direction of the shaft member 361). That is, by connecting the shaft support member 362 and the shaft support member 363 as shown in FIG. 34, movement of the front door 300 in the front-rear direction, up-down direction, and part of the left-right direction relative to the main body frame 200 is restricted.

[0142] Figure 35 is a perspective view showing horizontal hinge 340. A restricting member 364 is further attached to connected shaft support members 362 and 363. The restricting member 364 of horizontal hinge 340 is fixed to the front surface of main body frame 200 (not shown in Figure 35).

[0143] The restricting member 364 is formed from sheet metal and has a first shaft cover portion 364b and a second shaft cover portion 364c. Specifically, the restricting member 364 first has a facing portion 364a that forms a surface facing the front surface of the main body frame 200. The front portion of the facing portion 364a is sequentially bent to form the shaft cover portion 364b and the shaft cover portion 364c. When the restricting member 364 is attached, the shaft cover portion 364c is inserted between the shaft member 361 and the restricting portion 363e. The length of the shaft cover portion 364b in the vertical direction is equal to or shorter than the distance between the two annular portions 362c of the shaft support member 362. 30, when the restricting member 364 is attached, the shaft cover portion 364b is disposed between the two annular portions 362c, and the shaft cover portion 364c restricts movement of the shaft member 361 in the front-rear direction, while the shaft cover portion 364b restricts movement of the shaft member 361 in a partial left-right direction. In other words, when the restricting member 364 is attached, the shaft member 361 is accommodated by being surrounded by the bent portion 363b and restricting portion 363d of the shaft support member 363, and the shaft cover portions 364b and 364c of the restricting member 364.

[0144] 35, the shaft cover portion 364c is provided with a protrusion 364d. When the shaft member 361 is housed in the bent portion 363b of the shaft support member 363, the restricting portion 363d, and the shaft cover portion 364b and shaft cover portion 364c of the restricting member 364, the protrusion 364d is inserted into the opening 363f of the shaft support member 363.

[0145] In this way, by attaching the regulating member 364 to the connected shaft support member 362 and shaft support member 363, the relative position of the front door 300 to the main body frame 200 in the radial direction of the shaft member 361 is regulated by the bent portion 363b and the regulating portion 363d of the shaft support member 363, and the shaft cover portion 364b and the shaft cover portion 364c of the regulating member 364. Furthermore, due to the relative relationship between the lower ridge portion 362d of the shaft support member 362 and the upper ridge portion 363c of the shaft support member 363, the front door 300 is positioned relative to the main body frame 200 also in the thrust direction.

[0146] With the restricting member 364 attached, the center portion of the shaft portion 361 is located in an area surrounded by (1) the bent portion 363b of the shaft support member 363, (2) the restricting portion 363d of the shaft support member 363, (3) the shaft cover portion 364b of the restricting member 364, and (4) the shaft cover portion 364c of the restricting member 364. When the shaft member 361 and the shaft support member 362 rotate in accordance with the rotation of the front door 300, the shaft member 361 rotates relative to the above-mentioned (1) to (4). The relative position of the front door 300 to the main body frame 200 is restricted in the radial and thrust directions of the shaft member 361. Therefore, the degree of freedom of movement of the front door 300 relative to the main body frame 200 is limited only to the rotational direction around the extension direction of the shaft member 361 as the rotation center. With this configuration, the shaft member 361 , the shaft support member 362 , the shaft support member 363 , and the regulating member 364 realize the function of the horizontal hinge 340 .

[0147] Next, the state of the front door 300 and the main body frame 200 when attaching the restricting member 364 will be described. Figure 36 is a perspective view showing the front door 300, the main body frame 200, and the horizontal hinge 340. Figure 37 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 36. Therefore, the description of Figure 36 also applies to Figure 37.

[0148] 34 , in a state in which the shaft support member 362 and the shaft support member 363 are connected, an upper ridge portion 363c of the shaft support member 363 supports the shaft support member 362. At this time, if an external force is not applied to the front door 300 by an operator, the front door 300 will open at any angle relative to the main body frame 200 and be in a statically determined state. More strictly, in consideration of the work position and visibility when an operator connects the shaft support member 362 and the shaft support member 363, the front door 300 is connected at a position where it is opened at an angle of 90 degrees or more relative to the main body frame 200, and if an external force is not applied by the operator after the connection, the front door 300 will be statically determined at that open door angle relative to the main body frame 200.

[0149] As explained above, by connecting the shaft support member 362 and the shaft support member 363, the front door 300 can be temporarily held in a stationary state relative to the main body frame 200. In this way, a state in which no force is applied to the front door 300 other than the forces supporting the front door 300 at the connecting parts, contact parts, etc., and gravity applied to the front door 300, is called the front door 300 being in a free state.

[0150] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 36 , when the front door 300 is in a free state, the shaft member 361, the shaft support member 362, and the shaft support member 363 of the horizontal hinge 340 are partially exposed in the left-right direction. That is, the area where the restricting member 364 is attached is exposed through the interior of the device. Also, as shown in FIG. 35 , the restricting member 364 is attached from a portion in the left-right direction. Therefore, the restricting member 364 can be attached to the shaft support member 362 and the shaft support member 363 while the front door 300 is in a free state. Naturally, the restricting member 364 can also be removed from the shaft support member 362 and the shaft support member 363 while the front door 300 is in a free state (when the front door 300 is open). That is, the restricting member 364 can be attached to and detached from the shaft support member 362 and the shaft support member 363 while the front door 300 is in a free state. This configuration facilitates the work of attaching the front door 300 to the main body frame 200.

[0151] The above has described the configuration of the horizontal hinge 340 of this embodiment. Modified examples of the hinge will now be described.

[0152] In the above example, the regulating member 364 serves to regulate the radial position of the shaft member 361. However, the regulating member 364 may regulate the position of the front door 300 relative to the main body frame 200 in any direction (for example, the thrust direction). Furthermore, the regulating member 364 may regulate the position not only in one direction but also in multiple directions.

[0153] In addition, the above description is of an example in which each member constituting horizontal hinge 340 is a single part formed by bending a single metal plate. However, each of shaft member 361, shaft support member 362, shaft support member 363, and restricting member 364 may be formed by connecting or welding multiple parts together. [Explanation of symbols]

[0154] 10. Recording head 11 Scanner unit 13 Handle 24 Paper transport surface 100 Front door 100a Mounting position 100e free end 110 Transparent Cover 120 frames 130 Gas Spring 140 Upper hinge 150 Hanging cord 161 Shaft member 162 Shaft support member 163 Shaft support member 164 Regulatory Members 200 main frame 201 Upper horizontal column 202 Middle horizontal pillar 202L, 202R recess 203 Left pillar 204 Right Support 209 Interior Space 402 Handle 1000 Paper Feed Module 2000 Print Module 2200 Print Belt Unit 2300 Recording Department 2600 Maintenance Department 3000 Drying Module 4000 Fusing Module 5000 Cooling Module 6000 Reversal Module 7000 Output Stacking Module

Claims

1. an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet; a conveying unit that conveys a sheet in a first direction that intersects with the vertical direction; a main body frame supporting the recording unit and the conveying unit; an exterior cover disposed in front of the image forming unit in a front-rear direction intersecting the vertical direction and the first direction, and attached to the main body frame to form an exterior of the front surface; a hinge that connects the exterior cover and the main body frame, The hinge is a first shaft support member attached to the main body frame; a second shaft support member attached to the exterior cover; a shaft member supported by the first shaft support member and the second shaft support member; a restricting member that restricts the position of the shaft member, The exterior cover is opened and closed by rotating around the shaft member, When the exterior cover is in a free state, the regulating member can be attached to or detached from the first shaft support member and the second shaft support member. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. the exterior cover is opened and closed by rotating around a rotation axis on the upper end side in the vertical direction, A moment due to its own weight acts on the exterior cover in the free state in a direction toward the closed position with the shaft member as a fulcrum, The exterior cover in the free state contacts the main body frame at the closed position and receives a force that balances the moment, thereby being statically determined at the closed position.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

3. the exterior cover is opened and closed by rotating around a rotation axis on the upper end side in the vertical direction, When the exterior cover is in a free state and the restricting member is removed, at least a portion of the first shaft support member and the second shaft support member is exposed upward.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. The exterior cover includes a transparent cover formed of a transparent material and a cover frame disposed around at least a portion of the transparent cover.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. When the exterior cover is closed, at least a part of the image forming unit is visible through the transparent cover.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. the main body frame has a first support column and a second support column disposed on both sides in a first direction and extending in a vertical direction, the image forming unit is disposed between the first support column and the second support column in a first direction, the cover frame has a first cover frame portion facing the first support pillar of the main body frame and a second cover frame portion facing the second support pillar of the main body frame, The transparent cover is provided across the first cover frame portion and the second cover frame portion.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

7. a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the image forming unit; a reading unit that reads an image on the sheet, the maintenance unit is supported by the main body frame so as to be located between the image forming unit and the first support column in a first direction; the reading unit is supported by the main body frame so as to be located between the image forming unit and the second support column in the first direction; 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

8. When the exterior cover is closed, at least a part of the image forming unit, at least a part of the maintenance unit, and at least a part of the reading unit are visible through the transparent cover.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,

9. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a gas spring for assisting the rotation of the exterior cover.

10. the image forming apparatus includes a first module including the image forming unit and the conveying unit, the image forming apparatus further includes a second module connected adjacent to the first module in the first direction and having a function different from that of the first module; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

Images