Apparatus coupling structure, image forming system, and apparatus coupling method

Abstract

To provide a device connection structure capable of reducing manufacturing cost.SOLUTION: The device coupling structure 20 includes a plurality of to-be-coupled devices each having a body frame 3 constructed of a frame member 10 in which a fastening groove 11 having a T-shaped cross section is formed, and an adjusting plate 21 for coupling adjacent to-be-coupled devices to each other. The adjusting plate 21 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a thickness M1 that allows the adjusting plate 21 to be fitted into the fastening groove 11. The long-side length M2 of the adjusting plate 21 corresponds to the distance between the installation surface GL and the bottom of the body frame 3. M3, the adjusting plate 21 is fitted into the fastening groove 11 in a posture in which a short side is laid between the adjacent devices to be connected, and the adjacent devices to be connected are connected with the adjusting plate 21 interposed therebetween.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device connection structure for connecting a plurality of connectable devices, an image forming system, and a device connection method. [Background technology]

[0002] A device connecting member for connecting an image forming device and multiple paper post-processing devices is known (Patent Document 1). In order to connect multiple paper post-processing devices in order, this device connecting member has reference pins and screw holes with different shapes for each device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-281748 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the above-mentioned technology, it is necessary to prepare device connecting members of different shapes for each paper post-processing device, which increases the manufacturing cost.

[0005] In consideration of the above circumstances, the present invention provides an apparatus connection structure, an image forming system, and an apparatus connection method that can reduce manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The device connection structure of the present invention comprises a plurality of connectable devices having a main frame constructed from frame material with a fastening groove having a T-shaped cross section, and an adjustment plate that connects adjacent connectable devices, wherein the adjustment plate is formed in a rectangular shape with a thickness that allows it to fit into the fastening groove, the dimension of the long side of the adjustment plate corresponds to the bottom-up dimension from the installation surface to the bottom of the main frame, and the dimension of the short side of the adjustment plate corresponds to the dimension between devices of adjacent main frame, the adjustment plate fits into the fastening groove in a position where the short side spans between adjacent connectable devices, and the adjacent connectable devices are connected via the adjustment plate.

[0007] The image forming system of the present invention includes the above-described device connection structure, and the plurality of connectable devices includes an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet.

[0008] The present invention is a device connecting method for connecting multiple connectable devices having a main frame constructed from frame material with fastening grooves of a T-shaped cross section using an adjustment plate formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a thickness that can fit into the fastening grooves, and includes a height adjustment process in which the short side of the adjustment plate is brought into contact with the installation surface, the adjustment plate is raised onto the installation surface, and the bottom-up dimension from the installation surface to the bottom of the main frame is adjusted to match the dimension of the long side of the adjustment plate; a horizontal adjustment process in which the adjustment plate is fitted into the fastening grooves and the main frame is made level while referring to a spirit level placed on the adjustment plate; and a connection adjustment process in which the adjustment plate is fitted into the fastening grooves in a position such that the short side spans between adjacent connectable devices, and the adjacent connectable devices are connected across the adjustment plate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing costs of the device connecting structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram (front view) showing an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]1 is a perspective view showing a part of a device connecting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a storage state of an adjustment plate and the like of a device connecting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a device connection method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a height adjustment step of the device connecting method according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a level adjustment step of the device connecting method according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a front view illustrating a connection adjustment step of the device connecting method according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, Fr, Rr, L, R, U, and D indicate front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom. The front-to-back, left-to-right, and top-to-bottom directions are perpendicular to one another. Terms indicating directions and positions are used in this specification, but these terms are used for convenience of explanation and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "upstream," "downstream," and similar terms refer to "upstream" and "downstream" in the paper (medium) transport direction and similar concepts. In each drawing, the dimensions and angles of components are not accurate and are shown schematically for the purpose of explanation.

[0012] An image forming system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram (side view) showing the image forming system 1. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a part of a device connecting structure 20 provided in the image forming system 1.

[0013] 1, the image forming system 1 includes a supply device 2A, an image forming device 2B, a drying device 2C, and a discharge device 2D. The supply device 2A, the image forming device 2B, the drying device 2C, and the discharge device 2D are arranged in a line from the upstream side to the downstream side in this order, and are installed on an installation surface GL (floor surface).

[0014] The image forming apparatus 2B is an inkjet printer that ejects ink from a recording head to form an image on paper. The supplying apparatus 2A is connected adjacent to the upstream side of the image forming apparatus 2B. The supplying apparatus 2A has a paper feed cassette that stores various types of paper and a transport roller that removes the paper stored in the paper feed cassette and transports it toward the image forming apparatus 2B. The paper is transported along a transport path that extends from the supplying apparatus 2A, the image forming apparatus 2B, the drying apparatus 2C, and the discharge apparatus 2D. The drying apparatus 2C is connected adjacent to the downstream side of the image forming apparatus 2B. The drying apparatus 2C has a heater and other devices for drying the image (ink) on the paper sent from the image forming apparatus 2B. The discharge apparatus 2D is connected adjacent to the downstream side of the drying apparatus 2C. The discharge apparatus 2D discharges the paper sent from the drying apparatus 2C onto a paper output tray.

[0015] The supply device 2A, image forming device 2B, drying device 2C, and discharge device 2D each have a main body frame 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D constructed of a frame material 10 (see FIG. 1). For ease of explanation, the supply device 2A, image forming device 2B, drying device 2C, and discharge device 2D will be collectively referred to as the "connected devices 2" and will be denoted with Arabic numerals only. Furthermore, when describing the components included in these devices 2A-2D separately, Arabic numerals and alphabets will be added to the reference numerals, and when describing them collectively, Arabic numerals only will be added to the reference numerals. For ease of explanation, the present specification will mainly focus on the image forming device 2B and the drying device 2C.

[0016] The main body frame 3 includes a bottom plate 4 (4A to 4D) that forms the bottom surface, and a base frame 5 (5A to 5D) that is fixed onto the bottom plate 4 (see also FIG. 3, which will be described later). The bottom plate 4 is a flat plate made of metal such as SECC (Steel Electrolytic Cold Commercial). The base frame 5 is made up of frame members 10 that are assembled in a ladder shape when viewed from above.

[0017] On the underside of the bottom plate 4, multiple (e.g., four to six) level bolts 6 and multiple (e.g., four to six) casters 7 are provided at positions corresponding to the base frame 5 (see also FIG. 3, which will be described later). For example, in the image forming apparatus 2B and the drying apparatus 2C, six level bolts 6 are provided at the four corners of the bottom plate 4 and near the centers of both front and rear sides in the left-right direction. The level bolts 6 have circular, flat legs at the lower ends of the adjustment bolts, and the legs abut against the installation surface GL to adjust the height (bottom-up dimension D2) of the main body frame 3. Specifically, the main body frame 3 is raised and lowered by rotating the adjustment bolts forward and backward around their axes using a tool 8, such as a wrench (see FIG. 3, which will be described later). The casters 7 are provided near the level bolts 6 and include wheels that are rotatably and rollably supported on the lower ends of the adjustment bolts via brackets. The casters 7 are provided so that the main body frame 3 can be raised and lowered by rotating the adjustment bolts forward and backward around their axes using a tool 8, and the wheels can roll on the installation surface GL to move the image forming device 2B and the drying device 2C. Note that the number and positions of the level bolts 6 and the casters 7 are not limited to those described above and may be changed as appropriate.

[0018] The frame material 10 is, for example, a square piece of aluminum alloy timber. As shown in FIG. 2 , fastening grooves 11 with a roughly T-shaped cross section are formed along the longitudinal direction on all four sides of the frame material 10. For example, when two frame materials 10 are cross-secured and fastened together, a nut member 12 is fitted into the fastening groove 11, an angle piece 13 is placed at the corner formed by the intersection of the two frame materials 10, and a bolt member 14 passing through the angle piece 13 is screwed into the nut member 12. In this way, the main frame 3 is formed by fastening a plurality of frame materials 10 together in a cross-secured state via the angle pieces 13.

[0019] [Device connection structure] The supply device 2A, image forming device 2B, drying device 2C, and discharge device 2D are arranged in a row (see FIG. 1), and adjacent connectable devices 2 are connected via an adjustment plate 21. This adjustment plate 21, together with the various connectable devices 2, constitutes a device connection structure 20. The device connection structure 20 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the storage state of the adjustment plate 21 and other components. Note that the bottom-up dimension D2, which is the height from the installation surface GL to the bottom of the main frame 3 (for example, the upper surface of the bottom plate 4), and the inter-device dimension D3, which is the distance between adjacent connectable devices 2, are each determined to a predetermined value when the image forming system 1 is designed.

[0020] <Connection plate> The adjusting plate 21 is formed of a highly rigid material, such as metal or hard synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 2, the adjusting plate 21 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped (thick plate) shape with a thickness M1 that allows it to fit into the fastening groove 11 of the frame material 10. In other words, the thickness M1 of the adjusting plate 21 is slightly smaller than the groove width D1 of the fastening groove 11. The groove width D1 refers to the width of the opening of the fastening groove 11, which has a T-shaped cross section. The dimension of the long side of the adjusting plate 21 (hereinafter referred to as the "long side dimension M2") corresponds to the bottom-up dimension D2 (see FIG. 1) from the installation surface GL to the upper surface of the bottom plate 4. In other words, the long side dimension M2 of the adjusting plate 21 approximately matches the bottom-up dimension D2 and indicates the height of the main frame 3 from the installation surface GL. The dimension of the short side of the adjusting plate 21 (hereinafter referred to as the "short side dimension M3") corresponds to the inter-device dimension D3 (see FIG. 1) between adjacent connected devices 2. In detail, the short side dimension M3 of the adjustment plate 21 is approximately the same as the dimension obtained by adding the device-to-device dimension D3 (see Figure 1) to the depth D4 of the pair of left and right fastening grooves 11 and the distance D5 from the outer surface of the device to the frame material 10 (D3 + D4 × 2 + D5 × 2 (see also Figure 7 described below)), and indicates the spacing between adjacent connected devices 2.

[0021] A pair of storage recesses 22 are recessed at both ends of the long side of the adjusting plate 21. The storage recess 22 is recessed approximately in the center of the short side from one plane surrounded by the pair of long sides and the pair of short sides to approximately half the thickness M1. A storage hole 23 is formed within the storage recess 22, penetrating the adjusting plate 21 in the plate thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 3 , when not in use, the adjusting plate 21 is fixed to a side plate SP constituting a part of the main frame 3 with a male screw (not shown) such as a bolt or a screw that passes through the storage hole 23. Similarly, the tool 8 for turning the level bolt 6 is fixed to the side plate SP with a male screw. The side plate SP is provided inside an exterior (not shown) and has a female screw hole (not shown) into which the male screw is screwed. In other words, when not in use, the adjusting plate 21 and the tool 8 are stored in the housing of the coupled device 2.

[0022] [Device connection method] Next, the operation of the device connecting structure 20, in other words, a device connecting method for connecting various connectable devices 2, will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 7. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the device connecting method. Figure 5 is a front view illustrating the height adjustment step S1 of the device connecting method. Figure 6 is a front view illustrating the horizontal adjustment step S2 of the device connecting method. Figure 7 is a front view illustrating the connection adjustment step S3 of the device connecting method. Continuing, a case where an image forming device 2B and a drying device 2C are connected will be described.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, the device connecting method includes a height adjustment step S1, a level adjustment step S2, and a connection adjustment step S3. In a connected device 2 such as an image forming device 2B in a shipped state, the casters 7 are set so that the connected device 2 is lower than the bottom-up dimension D2. The level bolts 6 are set to be positioned higher than the casters 7 and are movable by the casters 7. The multiple connected devices 2 are assumed to be arranged in approximately predetermined installation positions on the installation surface GL. The adjustment plate 21 and the tool 8 are assumed to be detached from the main frame 3. The device connecting method also uses a spirit level 24 carried by a service technician or the like.

[0024] <Image forming device height adjustment process> As shown in FIG. 5 , in the height adjustment step S1, the image forming apparatus 2B is moved to the installation position using the casters 7. The worker then brings one short side (one of the long-side end faces) of the adjustment plate 21 into contact with the installation surface GL at a position along one of the four sides (front, back, left, right, and front) of the main frame 3, and raises the adjustment plate 21 upright on the installation surface GL. Then, the worker uses the tool 8 to rotate the level bolt 6 to align the bottom-up dimension D2 from the installation surface GL to the top surface of the bottom plate 4 (the bottom of the main frame 3) with the long-side dimension M2 of the adjustment plate 21. That is, the worker rotates the level bolt 6 forward and backward to raise and lower the main frame 3, aligning the top surface of the bottom plate 4 with the top surface (the other short side) of the adjustment plate 21. At this time, the casters 7 are retracted upward from the installation surface GL, and the image forming apparatus 2B is supported on the installation surface GL by the level bolt 6.

[0025] The height adjustment step S1 of the image forming apparatus 2B involves sequentially placing adjustment plates 21 at at least four locations, front, back, left, and right, of the main frame 3 (connected device 2), and is performed for all level bolts 6. The height adjustment step S1 is also performed for all connected devices 2. As a result, the height of the bottom plate 4 of the main frame 3 is adjusted to the bottom-up dimension D2. Note that the installation surface GL has slight irregularities and is not a completely horizontal surface, so even if the height of the main frame 3 is adjusted to the bottom-up dimension D2, the main frame 3 often does not assume a strictly horizontal position.

[0026] <Leveling process for image forming device> As shown in FIG. 6 , in the leveling step S2, the worker fits the adjusting plate 21 into the fastening groove 11 at a position along one of the four sides (front, rear, left, and right) of the main frame 3, and places a level 24 on the adjusting plate 21, which is cantilevered in the fastening groove 11. Then, while referring to the level 24 placed on the adjusting plate 21, the worker uses the tool 8 to slightly rotate the level bolts 6 to level the main frame 3. Note that in the leveling step S2, the main frame 3 is slightly raised and lowered to absorb unevenness in the installation surface GL, so the bottom-up dimension D2 determined in the height adjustment step S1 does not change significantly. Also, in FIG. 6 , one short-side side of the adjusting plate 21 is fitted into the fastening groove 11, but this is not a limitation; one long-side side of the adjusting plate 21 may also be fitted into the fastening groove 11 (not shown).

[0027] As an example, the level adjustment step S2 first involves supporting the adjustment plate 21 along the front side surface of the main frame 3, placing the spirit level 24 on it, and rotating the level bolts 6 to adjust the height of one side in the left-right direction using the height of the other side as a reference to achieve levelness. Next, the adjustment plate 21 is supported on each of the left and right side surfaces of the main frame 3 in turn, and the spirit level 24 is placed on each side, and rotating the level bolts 6 to adjust the height of the rear side using the height of the front side as a reference to achieve levelness. In this way, the main frame 3 is adjusted to a horizontal position. Note that in this specification, "horizontal" does not mean that it requires strict levelness, but rather means that a slight error (tilt) is allowed.

[0028] <Drying device height adjustment process and level adjustment process> The drying device 2C is moved close to the installation position of the image forming device 2B. The height adjustment step S1 and the level adjustment step S2 for the drying device 2C are essentially the same as those for the image forming device 2B. However, since the drying device 2C needs to be moved when connecting to the image forming device 2B after adjustment, the level bolts 6 are not moved from their initial positions, but instead the height of the casters 7 is adjusted. That is, the height adjustment bolts of the casters 7 are rotated using a tool 8 to align the bottom-up dimension D2 from the installation surface GL to the top surface of the bottom plate 4 (the bottom of the main frame 3) with the long-side dimension M2 of the adjustment plate 21. That is, the worker rotates the height adjustment bolts of the casters 7 forward and backward to raise and lower the main frame 3 and align the top surface of the bottom plate 4 with the top surface (the other short side) of the adjustment plate 21.

[0029] Similarly, in the level adjustment step S2, first, the adjustment plate 21 is supported along the front side surface of the main body frame 3, and the spirit level 24 is placed on it, and the adjustment bolts of the casters 7 are rotated to adjust the height of one side using the height of the other side as a reference, and the main body frame 3 is then leveled by supporting the adjustment plate 21 and placing the spirit level 24 on it, and the adjustment bolts of the casters 7 are rotated to adjust the height of the rear side using the height of the front side as a reference, and the main body frame 3 is leveled.

[0030] <Consolidation adjustment process> 7, in the connection adjustment step S3, the worker fits the adjusting plate 21, which is oriented so that its short side spans between the adjacent image forming apparatus 2B and drying apparatus 2C, into the fastening groove 11, thereby connecting the adjacent image forming apparatus 2B and drying apparatus 2C across the adjusting plate 21. Specifically, the worker inserts (fits) one short side (right side) of the adjusting plate 21 into the fastening groove 11 formed on the left side surface of the base frame 5B of the image forming apparatus 2B. Next, the worker moves the drying apparatus 2C so that it is adjacent to the left side of the image forming apparatus 2B, and inserts (fits) the other short side (left side) of the adjusting plate 21, which is cantilevered by the fastening groove 11 of the base frame 5B, into the fastening groove 11 formed on the right side surface of the base frame 5C of the drying apparatus 2C.

[0031] After connecting the drying device 2C to the image forming apparatus 2B by the above-mentioned work, in order to restrict the movement of the drying device 2C, the level bolts 6 of the drying device 2C are rotated to press the legs against the installation surface GL. The force with which the legs are pressed against the installation surface GL is limited to a range in which the casters 7 do not lift off the installation surface GL.

[0032] As a result of the above, the adjusting plate 21 is fitted into the fastening groove 11 with its short side spanning between the adjacent connectable devices 2, and the adjacent image forming device 2B and drying device 2C are connected via the adjusting plate 21. Similarly to the above, the image forming device 2B and the supplying device 2A are also connected via the adjusting plate 21, and the drying device 2C and the discharging device 2D are also connected via the adjusting plate 21. In this way, the various connectable devices 2 are connected, and the image forming system 1 is completed (see FIG. 1).

[0033] In the device connecting method described above, adjacent connectable devices 2 (main frame 3) are connected with one adjusting plate 21 in between, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, two or more adjusting plates 21 may be arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction and fitted into the fastening grooves 11 with their short sides extending between adjacent connectable devices 2 (main frame 3) (not shown). In other words, adjacent connectable devices 2 may be connected with two or more adjusting plates 21 in between.

[0034] In the device coupling structure 20 according to the present embodiment described above, the thickness M1 of the adjusting plate 21 corresponds to the groove width D1 of the fastening groove 11 of the frame material 10, the long-side dimension M2 of the adjusting plate 21 corresponds to the raised dimension D2 of the main frame 3, and the short-side dimension M3 of the adjusting plate 21 corresponds to the inter-device dimension D3 of the adjacent coupled devices 2. In other words, the lengths of the three sides of the adjusting plate 21 each play a role. With this configuration, the height (raised dimension D2) of the main frame 3 can be adjusted to match the long-side dimension M2 of the adjusting plate 21 erected on the installation surface GL (see FIG. 5). A level 24 can be placed on the adjusting plate 21 fitted into the fastening groove 11 to adjust the main frame 3 to a horizontal position (see FIG. 6). Furthermore, by fitting both ends of the short side of the adjusting plate 21 into the fastening groove 11 of the adjacent main frame 3, adjacent coupled devices 2 (main frame 3) can be installed at a predetermined interval (inter-device dimension D3) (see FIG. 7). This allows the bottom-up dimension D2, horizontality, and inter-device dimension D3 of the main frame 3 (various connected devices 2) to be properly set using a single type of adjustment plate 21, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs of the device connection structure 20 compared to when multiple types of parts are prepared.

[0035] Although the image forming system 1 according to this embodiment includes a supplying device 2A, an image forming device 2B, a drying device 2C, and a discharging device 2D, the present invention is not limited to this. At least one of the supplying device 2A and the drying device 2C may be incorporated into the image forming device 2B, or the drying device 2C and the discharging device 2D may be incorporated into the image forming device 2B (neither of these is shown). In other words, the multiple connected devices 2 only need to include the image forming device 2B. For example, the image forming system 1 may include an image forming device 2B incorporating at least one of the supplying device 2A and the drying device 2C, and a discharging device 2D, or an image forming device 2B incorporating the supplying device 2A, the drying device 2C, and the discharging device 2D (neither of these is shown).

[0036] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 2B is a printer that forms images using an inkjet method, but this is not limited to this and it may be, for example, a printer that forms images using an electrophotographic method (not shown). An electrophotographic printer does not require the drying device 2C. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 2B is not limited to a printer and may be, for example, a facsimile machine, a copier, etc.

[0037] The above-described embodiment shows one aspect of the device connection structure, image forming system, and device connection method according to the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The present invention may be variously changed, substituted, or modified within the scope of the technical concept, and the claims include all embodiments that may fall within the scope of the technical concept. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1. Image forming system 2A(2) Supply device (connected device) 2B(2) Image forming device (connected device) 2C(2) Drying device (connected device) 2D(2) Discharge device (connected device) 3A,3B,3C,3D(3) Main frame 10 Frame material 11 Fastening groove 20 Device connection structure 21 Adjustment plate 24 Level D2 Bottom raising dimension D3 Dimension between devices GL installation surface M1 Thickness M2 long side dimension M3 short side dimension S1 Height adjustment process S2 Horizontal adjustment process S3 Consolidation adjustment process

Claims

1. a plurality of connected devices each having a main body frame constructed of a frame material having a T-shaped cross-section fastening groove; an adjusting plate that connects adjacent connected devices; The adjustment plate is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a thickness that allows it to fit into the fastening groove, The dimension of the long side of the adjustment plate corresponds to the bottom-up dimension from the installation surface to the bottom of the main body frame, a dimension of a short side of the adjustment plate corresponds to a dimension between adjacent devices of the main body frames; A device connection structure characterized in that the adjustment plate is fitted into the fastening groove with the short side spanning between adjacent connected devices, and the adjacent connected devices are connected with the adjustment plate in between.

2. The device connection structure according to claim 1, 1. An image forming system, wherein the plurality of connected devices include an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet.

3. A device connecting method for connecting a plurality of connected devices, each having a main frame constructed of a frame material having a T-shaped cross-section formed in a fastening groove, with an adjustment plate formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a thickness that allows it to fit into the fastening groove, a height adjustment process in which a short side of the adjustment plate is brought into contact with an installation surface, the adjustment plate is raised to the installation surface, and a bottom-up dimension from the installation surface to a bottom of the main body frame is adjusted to match a dimension of a long side of the adjustment plate; a leveling step of fitting the adjustment plate into the fastening groove and leveling the main body frame while referring to a level placed on the adjustment plate; A device connecting method characterized by comprising a connection adjustment process in which the adjustment plate, with its short side positioned between adjacent connected devices, is fitted into the fastening groove and the adjacent connected devices are connected via the adjustment plate.

Images