Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To improve the ease of attaching and detaching external units. [Solution] An image forming apparatus comprising an apparatus body having an image forming unit and a first connector, and an external unit having a second connector connected to the first connector, wherein the apparatus body and the external unit are configured to be detached or attached by moving them relative to each other along a first direction, the apparatus body includes a protective part that covers the first connector when viewed from a line of sight along the first direction, and has a cover part configured to move in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the external unit has a contact part that abuts against a part of the apparatus body, and in the process of attaching the apparatus body and the external unit, before the first connector and the second connector come into contact, the contact part abuts against a part of the apparatus body, and the force exerted by the contact part in the state of abutting against a part of the apparatus body causes the cover part to move in the second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a connector for electrically connecting a detachable external unit.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an image forming apparatus has been proposed in which an external unit is attached as a retrofittable option device to the image forming apparatus. Examples of the external unit include a sheet storage device that supplies sheets of various sizes and types to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus and the external unit are not only mechanically connected but also electrically connected via a connector (Patent Document 1). [[ID=1十三]]

[0003] In the case of the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, an opening is closed by a connector cover so that the main body side connector provided in the image forming apparatus is not exposed. The opening is opened as the connector cover is slid, and the main body side connector is exposed so as to be fitted with a unit side connector provided in the external unit from the opened opening. Therefore, an operator needs to slide the connector cover to open the opening when attaching the external unit.

[0004] Also, an operator can attach the external unit to the image forming apparatus while checking the positions of the main body side connector and the unit side connector from a window (opening) formed in the exterior cover of the image forming apparatus. A detachable window cover is attached to this window, and the operator removes the window cover when attaching the external unit and attaches the window cover after attaching the external unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] z

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] As mentioned above, in the case of the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, two cover members are provided: a connector cover and a window cover. Therefore, when attaching or detaching an external unit to the image forming apparatus, the operator has to work on both the connector cover and the window cover, making the attachment and detachment of the external unit time-consuming.

[0007] Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to improve the ease of attaching and detaching external units. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A typical configuration of the present invention is an image forming apparatus comprising: an apparatus body having an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet; a first connector; and an external unit having a second connector connected to the first connector, wherein the apparatus body and the external unit are configured to be detached or attached by moving them relatively apart along a first direction, the apparatus body includes a protective portion that covers the first connector when viewed from a line of sight along the first direction, and has a cover portion configured to move in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the external unit has a contact portion that abuts against a part of the apparatus body, and in the process of attaching the apparatus body and the external unit, before the first connector and the second connector come into contact, the contact portion abuts against the part of the apparatus body, and the force exerted on the part of the apparatus body by the contact portion in this state causes the cover portion to move in the second direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the ease of attaching and detaching external units can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the image forming apparatus, seen from the front. [Figure 2] A perspective view of the image forming apparatus, seen from the rear. [Figure 3] A cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] A perspective view showing a magnified view of the connector portion on the main body side of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] A perspective view showing the seat storage device. [Figure 6] (a) Perspective view of the protective unit from above, (b) Perspective view of the protective unit from below. [Figure 7] A perspective view of the operating unit from above. [Figure 8] (a) to (e) Schematic diagrams showing the image forming apparatus and sheet storage apparatus installed in Example 1. [Figure 9] (a) to (d) Schematic diagrams showing the image forming apparatus and sheet storage apparatus in Example 2 when they are installed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described below should be appropriately modified depending on the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and this is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those.

[0012] <Image forming apparatus> The general outline of the image forming apparatus will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus from the front. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus from the rear. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus from the front. Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the connector portion on the main body side of the image forming apparatus body.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 comprises an image forming apparatus body 201 as a main unit and a sheet storage device 300 as an external unit located below the image forming apparatus body 201. The sheet storage device 300 is an example of an external unit and is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus body 201 as an optional device. The sheet storage device 300 can accommodate sheets of various sizes and types inside and supplies these sheets to the image forming apparatus body 201.

[0014] The image forming apparatus main unit 201 comprises a main unit housing 201A, an image forming unit 201B that forms an image on a sheet, and a document reading device 20 that reads image information from a document. The image forming apparatus main unit 201 is a so-called internal discharge type image forming apparatus, and an discharge tray 601 for loading sheets discharged from the main unit housing 201A is formed in the discharge space S between the main unit housing 201A and the document reading device 20. The main unit housing 201A, which is the first housing, is equipped with a display unit capable of displaying various information and an operation unit 30 on its front side that has keys for inputting various information according to user operation.

[0015] In the following explanation, the side on which the user stands when operating the control unit 30 to operate the image forming apparatus main body 201 is defined as "front," and the opposite side is defined as "rear." Also, the left side when viewing the image forming apparatus main body 201 from the front is defined as "left," and the right side when viewing the image forming apparatus main body 201 from the front is defined as "right." Furthermore, in the directions perpendicular to the front-back and left-right directions defined here, the upper vertical side when viewing the image forming apparatus main body 201 from the front is defined as "top," and the lower vertical side is defined as "bottom." The defined front direction F, rear direction B, right direction R, left direction L, upward direction U, and downward direction D are shown in Figure 1, etc.

[0016] The main body side housing 201A includes a front plate provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 201, a rear plate provided on the rear side and supporting each unit together with the front plate, stays connecting the front plate and the rear plate, columns supporting the front plate, a plurality of sheet metal members such as a bottom surface portion, and an exterior cover constituting the appearance of the image forming apparatus main body 201. As the sheet metal member, a bottom frame 150 shown in FIG. 8(a) etc. is disposed on the bottom surface. As the exterior cover, a front cover 110 is disposed on the front, side covers 120 are disposed on both left and right sides, and a rear cover 130 is disposed on the rear. As shown in FIG. 4, the rear cover 130 is disposed in a direction intersecting with the bottom surface portion 140 and continuously with the edge portion 140a of the bottom surface portion 140.

[0017] Next, the schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus main body 201 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows an image forming apparatus 1 with a sheet storage device 300 mounted on the lower side which is one side in the vertical direction of the image forming apparatus main body 201. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus main body 201 includes an image forming unit 201B that forms a toner image on a sheet P. The image forming unit 201B is an intermediate transfer type electrophotographic unit.

[0018] The image forming unit 201B has a laser scanner 210 and four process cartridges PY, PM, PC, PK that form toner images of four colors: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Each of the process cartridges PY to PK is an image forming unit including a photosensitive drum 212, a charger 213, and a developing device 214. Further, the image forming unit 201B includes an intermediate transfer unit 201C disposed above the process cartridges PY to PK and a fixing unit 220. Above the intermediate transfer unit 201C, a toner cartridge 215 for supplying toner to each developing device 214 is mounted.

[0019] The intermediate transfer unit 201C has an intermediate transfer belt 216 wound around a drive roller 216a and a tension roller 216b. Inside the intermediate transfer belt 216, there is a primary transfer roller 219 that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 216 at a position opposite each photosensitive drum 212. The intermediate transfer belt 216 rotates counterclockwise by the drive roller 216a, which is driven by a drive unit (not shown).

[0020] A secondary transfer roller 217 is provided in the intermediate transfer unit 201C at a position opposite the drive roller 216a for transferring the toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 216 to the sheet P. A fixing unit 220 is provided above the secondary transfer roller 217, and above the fixing unit 220 are a first discharge roller pair 225a, a second discharge roller pair 225b, and a double-sided reversal unit 201D. The double-sided reversal unit 201D is provided with a reversible reversible roller pair 222, and a re-transport path 226 for transporting the sheet with an image formed on one side back to the image forming unit 201B.

[0021] The image formation operation of the image forming unit 201B will now be described. The image of the original document is read by the document reading device 20, processed by a control unit (not shown), converted into an electrical signal, and transmitted to the laser scanner 210 of the image forming unit 201B. In the image forming unit 201B, laser light from the laser scanner 210 is shone onto the photosensitive drum 212, whose surface has been uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity potential by the charger 213, and the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 212 is exposed. As a result, electrostatic latent images corresponding to the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black images are formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 212 of each process cartridge PY to PK. These electrostatic latent images are developed and made visible by the respective color toners supplied from the developer 214, and then primary transferred from the photosensitive drum 212 to the intermediate transfer belt 216 by a primary transfer voltage applied to the primary transfer roller 219.

[0022] The image forming apparatus body 201 includes a first feeding unit 231 and a second feeding unit 232. The first feeding unit 231 has a first cassette 241 for containing sheets P, a first feeding roller pair 251 and a first withdrawal roller pair 261 for feeding the sheets P contained in the first cassette 241. The second feeding unit 232 has a second cassette 242 for containing sheets P, a second feeding roller pair 252 and a second withdrawal roller pair 262 for feeding the sheets P contained in the second cassette 242.

[0023] When the sheet storage device 300 is installed, the image forming apparatus body 201 receives sheets P from the sheet storage device 300. The sheet storage device 300, as a storage unit, includes a third feeding unit 233 and a fourth feeding unit 234. The third feeding unit 233 has a third cassette 243 for storing sheets P, a third feeding roller pair 253 and a third withdrawal roller pair 263 for feeding the sheets P stored in the third cassette 243. The fourth feeding unit 234 has a fourth cassette 244 for storing sheets P, a fourth feeding roller pair 254 and a fourth withdrawal roller pair 264 for feeding the sheets P stored in the fourth cassette 244.

[0024] The sheet storage device 300 receives power from a power supply unit 280 located in the main body of the image forming apparatus 201, and receives control signals (hereinafter referred to as control signals) from a control unit located in the main body of the image forming apparatus 201 to supply sheets P to the main body of the image forming apparatus 201. The power supply unit 280 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 201 is electrically connected to an external commercial power supply via a commercial power outlet and power cord (not shown). In addition to supplying power from the commercial power supply to various parts of the main body of the image forming apparatus 201, the power supply unit 280 is also used to supply power to the sheet storage device 300.

[0025] Each cassette 241-244 can be inserted into and removed from the main unit housing 201A. As for the sheet P, ordinary paper and cardboard, plastic film such as overhead projector sheets, cloth, surface-treated sheet materials such as coated paper, and specially shaped recording materials such as envelopes and index paper can be used.

[0026] Each feed roller pair 251-254 includes a feed roller 257 that feeds sheets P from the corresponding cassettes 241-244, and a retard roller 258 that contacts the feed roller 257. The retard roller 258 is driven by a force in the opposite direction to the rotation of the feed roller 257, for example, via a torque limiter. The retard roller 258 separates the sheets P being transported by the feed roller 257 from other sheets by applying frictional force to the sheets P that have entered the separation nip between the feed roller 257 and the retard roller 258. In this way, each feed roller pair 251-254 is configured to feed sheets P from cassettes 241-244 one at a time.

[0027] The sheets P fed from each cassette 241 to 244 by the feed roller pairs 251 to 254 are transported toward the registration roller pair 270 via the pull-out roller pairs 261 to 264, which are transport roller pairs that carry the sheets. At this time, the sheets P fed from cassettes 242 to 244 other than the uppermost one are transported upward toward the registration roller pair 270 by being passed the pull-out roller pairs 261 to 263 corresponding to the uppermost cassette. For example, the sheets P fed from the third feed section 233 of the sheet storage device 300 are fed from the third cassette 243 by the third feed roller pair 253, and are transported toward the registration roller pair 270 via the third pull-out roller pair 263, the second pull-out roller pair 262, and the first pull-out roller pair 261 in that order.

[0028] Furthermore, the main body of the image forming apparatus 201 is provided with a manual feed unit 230 to which the user can set sheets P as needed. Sheets P set in the manual feed tray 240 are transported one by one toward the registration roller pair 270 by the feed roller pair 250.

[0029] After correcting the skewness of the sheet P, the registration roller pair 270 feeds the sheet P toward the secondary transfer section 218 formed between the secondary transfer roller 217 and the intermediate transfer belt 216, based on the start timing of toner image creation by the image forming section 201B. In the secondary transfer section 218, a secondary transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 217, thereby secondary transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 216 to the sheet P. The sheet P with the secondary transferred toner image is transported to the fixing section 220, where heat and pressure are applied to the sheet P by the fixing section 220, thereby fixing the toner image to the sheet P.

[0030] After this, the sheet P is loaded onto the discharge tray 601 located at the bottom of the discharge space S by the first discharge roller pair 225a or the second discharge roller pair 225b located downstream of the fixing unit 220. When forming images on both sides of the sheet P, the sheet P with the image formed on the first side is transported to the re-transport path 226 by the reversing roller pair 222. Then, the sheet P reaches the registration roller pair 270 again by the re-transport roller pairs 224a, 224b, and 224c located in the re-transport path 226, and is transported to the image forming unit 201B by the registration roller pair 270. The sheet P with the image formed on the second side opposite to the first side by the image forming unit 201B is discharged to the discharge tray 601 by the first discharge roller pair 225a or the second discharge roller pair 225b.

[0031] Furthermore, the image forming unit 201B is not limited to the intermediate transfer method described above, but may also be an image forming unit of a direct transfer method, for example, one that directly transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 212 to the sheet P. In addition, it is not limited to such electrophotographic methods, but may also be an image forming unit of an inkjet method or an offset printing method.

[0032] <Explanation of connector function and placement> As described above, the sheet storage device 300 can operate by receiving power from the power supply unit 280 of the image forming apparatus main body 201 and by receiving control signals from the control unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 201. Therefore, the sheet storage device 300 is not only mechanically connected to the image forming apparatus main body 201, but is also electrically connected to receive power from the image forming apparatus main body 201 and to receive control signals. Here, the sheet storage device 300 and the image forming apparatus main body 201 can be electrically connected simply by placing the image forming apparatus main body 201 on the sheet storage device 300 without the operator having to use connecting cables or the like. To achieve this, the main body side housing 201A of the image forming apparatus main body 201 is provided with a main body side connector 281 as a first connector. The sheet storage device 300 is also provided with a unit side connector 351 as a second connector that can be mated with the main body side connector 281.

[0033] The main unit-side connector 281 is located on at least one side of the image forming apparatus main unit 201 in the vertical direction and is electrically connected to the sheet storage device 300. Here, the main unit-side connector 281 is shown as being located on the lower side of the image forming apparatus main unit 201 in the vertical direction, but is not limited to this. The unit-side connector 351 is located on the upper side of the sheet storage device 300 in the vertical direction, opposite to the main unit-side connector, and is electrically connected to the image forming apparatus main unit 201 by connecting to the main unit-side connector 281 along the vertical direction.

[0034] As mentioned above, the main unit of the image forming apparatus, the main body 201, has an image forming section 201B that forms an image on the sheet P. The sheet storage device 300, as an external unit, is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus 201. That is, the main body of the image forming apparatus 201 and the sheet storage device 303 are configured to be detached or attached by moving them relatively apart along a first direction. The sheet storage device 300 is arranged continuously on at least one side in the vertical direction of the main body of the image forming apparatus 201. Here, a configuration in which the sheet storage device 300 as an external unit is arranged continuously on the lower side in the vertical direction of the main body of the image forming apparatus 201 has been illustrated, but the arrangement of the external unit relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. Also, a sheet storage device 300 (storage section) that stores the sheet to be supplied to the main body of the image forming apparatus has been illustrated as an external unit, but the external unit is not limited to this. Also, a configuration in which the external unit is arranged on at least one side in the vertical direction of the main body of the image forming apparatus has been illustrated as an image forming apparatus, but it is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus configuration may include placing the external unit on one side, the other side, or both sides of the main image forming apparatus body in the left-right direction.

[0035] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus body 201 has a body-side connector 281 as a first connector and a protective cover portion 501 as a cover portion. The protective cover portion 501 has a protective portion 507 that covers the body-side connector 281 when viewed from a line of sight along the first direction. The protective cover portion 501 is a cover portion configured to move in a second direction intersecting the first direction in which the sheet storage device 300 is attached to the image forming apparatus body 201. In other words, the protective cover portion 501 is a cover portion that can move between a position that covers and protects the body-side connector 281 (the position shown in Figure 8(a)) and a position that releases the protection (the position shown in Figure 8(e)).

[0036] Here, a protective cover portion 501 is provided as an example of a cover portion, which is configured to slide relative to the main body 201 of the image forming apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, a bottom opening 141 is formed in the bottom portion 140 of the main body housing 201A. The bottom portion 140 is formed continuously up to the lower edge portion 140a of the rear cover 130. The bottom opening 141 is an opening that exposes the main body connector 281 to the unit side connector 351. The bottom opening 141 is closed by a protective portion 507 (see Figure 6(b)) that protects the main body connector 281.

[0038] The sheet storage device 300, which can be attached to the bottom surface 140 of the main body housing 201A, has a unit-side housing 300A, as shown in Figure 5. The unit-side housing 300A includes a unit-side rear cover 302, which serves as a unit-side outer wall, and is provided in a direction intersecting the top surface 301 facing the bottom surface 140 of the main body housing 201A. The unit-side housing 300A, as the second housing, is provided with a third cassette 243 and a fourth cassette 244 that can be pulled out toward the front. A unit-side connector 351 is provided on this sheet storage device 300. The unit-side connector 351 is positioned so as to be electrically connectable to the main body-side connector 281 (see Figure 6(b)) of the image forming apparatus main body 201 when the sheet storage device 300 is placed in a predetermined position on the image forming apparatus main body 201. Here, as an example, the unit-side connector 351 is located on the right rear side of the sheet storage device 300. Furthermore, the unit-side connector 351 is provided such that a portion of it protrudes from the top surface 301 facing the bottom surface 140 (see Figure 4) of the main body-side housing 201A, towards the side that is attached to the main body-side housing 201A.

[0039] <Explanation of connector structure> The main unit connector 281 and the unit-side connector 351 each have electrical contact parts (terminal parts, connection parts). The main unit connector 281 has a convex housing on the side facing the unit-side connector 351 when connected to it. Multiple electrical contact parts are arranged in a row in one direction inside the convex housing. The unit-side connector 351 has a concave housing on the side facing the main unit connector 281 when connected to it. Multiple electrical contact parts are arranged in the same direction as the electrical contact parts of the main unit connector 281 inside the concave housing.

[0040] The main unit-side connector 281 and the unit-side connector 351 are fitted together by interlocking a convex housing and a concave housing, causing their respective electrical contacts to make contact and establish an electrical connection. For example, the main unit-side connector 281 is a male connector with pin-shaped electrical contacts. In contrast, the unit-side connector 351 is a female connector whose electrical contacts are bent at the tip on the main unit-side connector 281 side to provide elasticity, making it easier to contact the electrical contacts of the main unit-side connector 281. The unit-side connector 351 is connected to a power supply line for supplying power from the image forming apparatus main unit 201 to the sheet storage device 300, and to a signal line for sending and receiving control signals. An example of such a main unit-side connector 281 and unit-side connector 351 is a drawer connector.

[0041] <Regarding the positioning of the enclosure>

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, the unit-side housing 300A of the sheet storage device 300 is provided with positioning pins 358. The positioning pins 358 are components used to position the sheet storage device 300 relative to the main body-side housing 201A when attaching the sheet storage device 300 to the main body-side housing 201A of the image forming apparatus body 201. The positioning pins 358 are provided at two locations, separated from the center, one on the front side and the other on the back side. These positioning pins 358 protrude from the top surface 301 towards the side that is attached to the main body-side housing 201A. The positioning pins 358 are inserted into positioning holes 142 provided in the bottom frame 150 of the main body-side housing 201A, thereby positioning the sheet storage device 300 relative to the image forming apparatus body 201. By positioning the image forming apparatus body 201 and the sheet storage device 300, the main body-side connector 281 and the unit-side connector 351 are positioned to face each other with high precision.

[0043] <Example 1> <Explanation of the protective unit> Figures 6(a) and 6(b) show the configuration of a protective unit 500 that closes the bottom opening 141 provided in the main body housing 201A of the image forming apparatus main body 201. Figure 6(a) is a perspective view of the protective unit seen from above, and Figure 6(b) is a perspective view of the protective unit seen from below.

[0044] The protective unit 500 includes a main body connector 281, a protective cover portion 501, and a support frame 502. The support frame 502 is formed of, for example, a metal plate. The support frame 502 supports the main body connector 281 and movably supports the protective cover portion 501. In other words, the protective unit 500 has a structure in which the protective cover portion 501, which surrounds the main body connector 281, is supported by the support frame 502.

[0045] The support frame 502 is provided with an elongated hole 505 and a through hole 503 through which the projection 353 passes. The elongated hole 505 guides the protective cover portion 501 so that it can slide in directions C2 and C3 which are substantially perpendicular to the connection direction C1 between the main body housing 201A and the unit housing 300A. Therefore, the protective cover portion 501 is supported by the elongated hole 505 so that it can move in directions C2 and C3 perpendicular to the connection direction C1 relative to the support frame 502. The through hole 503 is a hole through which the projection 353 of the sheet storage device 300 passes.

[0046] Furthermore, the protective cover portion 501 is provided with a hook portion 504 for attaching one end of a spring SP that biases along the direction C3 of the elongated hole portion 505. Additionally, the support frame 502 is fitted with a hook portion 506 for attaching the other end of the aforementioned spring SP.

[0047] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the protective cover portion 501 is provided with a protective portion 507. The protective portion 507 is a protective portion that covers the terminal portion 282 of the main body side connector 281 when the sheet storage device 300 is not connected to the image forming apparatus main body 201. Accordingly, the protective cover portion 501 is supported so as to be slidable in directions C2 and C3 relative to the support frame 502, and moves in direction C2 against the biasing force of the spring SP, moving the protective portion 507 to a position where it releases the protection of the main body side connector 281. The protective cover portion 501 is also moved in direction C3 by the biasing force (restoring force) of the spring SP, moving the protective portion 507 to a position where it covers and protects the main body side connector 281. In other words, the protective cover portion 501 is biased by the spring SP to return to its original position (protective position).

[0048] Furthermore, the protective cover portion 501 is integrally provided with an inclined portion 508 that can come into contact with the projection portion 353 and a stopper portion 509. The inclined portion 508 surrounds the protective portion 507 and is provided on both end faces 510 thereof.

[0049] The inclined portion 508 has an inclination such that the tip 354 of the projection 353 contacts it, allowing the protective cover portion 501 to move along the elongated hole portion 505. In other words, the inclined portion 508 has an inclination such that the component force of the force moving in the connection direction C1 (first direction) after contacting the projection 353 acts to move the protective cover portion 501 in the direction C2 (second direction).

[0050] The abutment portion 509 determines the position of the protective cover portion 501 when the flat portion 355 of the projection 353 abuts against the inclined portion 508 after the projection 353 has pushed it aside.

[0051] Furthermore, the protective unit 500 is fastened to one end of the bottom frame 150 of the main body housing 201A by fastening means such as screws, and is integrated with the main body housing 201A, which is the main body frame.

[0052] The bottom frame 150 of the first housing, the main body housing 201A, is provided with a positioning hole 142 for inserting a positioning pin 358 provided in the unit housing 300A. The positioning hole 142 is a positioning hole 142 that determines the position of the sheet storage device 300 relative to the unit housing 300A. The positioning hole 142 is positioned opposite the positioning pin 358 provided in the unit housing 300A and is located on the side (lower side) where the main body connector 281 is located in the image forming apparatus main body 201. The positioning pin 358 is inserted into this positioning hole 142 to position the sheet storage device 300 relative to the image forming apparatus main body 201.

[0053] The protective unit 500 is fixed to the main body housing 201A so that it fits inside the bottom opening 141 of the bottom portion 140 in the vertical direction. The protective cover portion 501 functions as a connector cover that closes the bottom opening 141 of the bottom portion 140 of the main body housing 201A, as described in Figure 3, when the sheet storage device 300 is not installed. The protective cover portion 501 prevents foreign matter such as dust from entering the terminal portion 282 of the main body connector 281, thereby preventing electrical contact failure caused by the intrusion of foreign matter.

[0054] <Explanation of the operating unit> Next, using Figure 7, we will describe the operating unit 352, which includes the projection 353 provided on the second housing, the unit-side housing 300A. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the operating unit from above.

[0055] The operating unit 352 includes a unit-side connector 351, a projection 353, and a connector support frame 356. The connector support frame 356 is formed of, for example, a metal plate. The connector support frame 356 supports the unit-side connector 351. The projection 353 is provided to protrude toward the image forming apparatus body 201 so as to contact the protective cover portion 501 (inclined portion 508) before the unit-side connector 351 and the body-side connector 281 come into contact. The projection 353 is provided at both ends of the unit-side connector 351 of the unit-side housing 300A. The projection 353 is fixed to the connector support frame 356 by fastening means such as screws. In other words, the operating unit 352 has a structure that supports the unit-side connector 351 and the projections 353 provided at both ends thereof.

[0056] The tip 354 of the projection 353 has an inclined surface similar to the inclined portion 508 of the protective unit 500.

[0057] The operating unit 352 on the sheet storage device 300 side has a contact portion (tip 354) that abuts against a part of the protective unit 500 on the image forming apparatus body 201 side. The contact portion is provided on a projection 353 that protrudes toward the image forming apparatus body 201. The part of the protective unit 500 that abuts against the contact portion includes an inclined portion 508 provided on the protective cover portion 501. The inclined portion 508 has an inclination such that the component force of the force that the contact portion applies to the part of the protective unit 500 acts to move the protective cover portion 501 in the second direction.

[0058] The contact portion (tip 354) of the operating unit 352 contacts a portion (inclined portion 508) of the protective unit 500 before the main body-side connector 281 and the unit-side connector 351 come into contact during the process of mounting the image forming apparatus main body 201 and the sheet storage device 300. When the contact portion (tip 354) is in contact with the portion (inclined portion 508) of the protective unit 500, the force applied to that portion of the protective unit 500 causes the protective cover portion 501 to move in the second direction.

[0059] Furthermore, the connector support frame 356 is fixed to the top surface 301 of the unit-side housing 300A, as shown in Figure 5. The operating unit 352 is fixed to the top surface 301 of the unit-side housing 300A so as to protrude toward the main body-side housing 201A.

[0060] A positioning pin 358 is provided on the top surface 301 of the sheet storage device 300. The positioning pin 358 can be inserted into the positioning hole 142 to determine the position of the main body side connector 281 and the unit side connector 351. The positioning pin 358 extends toward the main body 201 of the image forming apparatus beyond the projection 353. The positioning pin 358 is inserted into the positioning hole 142 of the main body 201 of the image forming apparatus before the inclined portion 508 and the projection 353 come into contact.

[0061] <Connection between the main unit enclosure and the unit enclosure> Next, using Figures 6(a), 6(b), 7, and 8(a) to 8(e), the process of installing (mounting) the image forming apparatus body 201 onto the sheet storage device 300 from above will be explained. Figures 8(a) to 8(e) are schematic diagrams showing the installation of the image forming apparatus and sheet storage device in Example 1.

[0062] Figure 8(a) shows the initial state when the image forming apparatus body 201 is installed in the sheet storage device 300. During installation, the image forming apparatus body 201 is lifted and carried above the sheet storage device 300, and then lowered in the connection direction C1 (connection direction, first direction), using the sides of the rear covers 130 and the unit-side rear cover 302 as a guide.

[0063] As shown in Figure 8(b), as the image forming apparatus body 201 is lowered, the inclined tip 354 (contact portion) of the projection 353 comes into contact with the inclined portion 508 of the protective cover 501. At this time, the positioning pin 358 of the unit-side housing 300A is already inserted into the positioning hole 142 of the main body-side housing 201A. In other words, the sheet storage device 300 is positioned relative to the image forming apparatus body 201 before the projection 353 comes into contact with the inclined portion 508. As a result, contact between the projection 353 and the inclined portion 508 is ensured, and the connection between the unit-side connector 351 and the main body-side connector 281 is also ensured.

[0064] As the image forming apparatus body 201 is lowered further, as shown in Figure 8(c), the component force of the force that moves the inclined portion 508 and the projection 353 in the connection direction C1 after they come into contact acts to move the protective cover portion 501 in direction C2 through the inclined portion 508. The protective cover portion 501 is pushed in direction C2, perpendicular to the connection direction C1, by the component force of the force that moves the projection 353 in the connection direction C1 after it comes into contact with the inclined portion 508, and slides along the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole portion 505.

[0065] As the image forming apparatus body 201 is lowered further, as shown in Figure 8(d), the tip 354 of the projection 353 presses against the inclined portion 508, and the terminal portion 282 of the body-side connector 281 is exposed toward the connection portion 357 of the unit-side connector 351.

[0066] Next, as shown in Figure 8(e), the protective cover portion 501 is pressed into the inclined tip 354 of the projection portion 353, and its flat portion 355 contacts the abutment portion 509 that positions the protective cover portion 501, thereby determining its position. Then, the main body side connector 281 and the unit side connector 351 are connected. At this time, the flat portion 355 of the projection portion 353 is guided along the abutment portion 509 of the protective cover portion 501 in the connection direction C1, so that the connection between the main body side connector 281 and the unit side connector 351 is securely made.

[0067] The length of the projection 353 in the connection direction C1 is set to a length such that the unit-side connector 351 does not interfere with the protective part 507 of the protective cover part 501 during the process shown in Figures 8(a) to 8(e). In the state shown in Figure 8(e), the tip 354 of the projection 353 penetrates the through hole 503 provided in the support frame 502 and protrudes from the through hole 503.

[0068] Furthermore, although the positioning pin 358 passes through the positioning hole 142 on the main body side, as shown in Figure 8(b), the positions of the main body side housing 201A and the unit side housing 300A are determined before the tip 354 of the projection 353 contacts the inclined portion 508 of the protective cover portion 501. In other words, the positioning pin 358 is provided so as to extend toward the main body 201 of the image forming apparatus in the connection direction C1, beyond the projection 353, that it is inserted into the positioning hole 142 before the projection 353 and the inclined portion 508 come into contact. This relationship ensures that the main body side connector 281 and the unit side connector 351 are properly aligned.

[0069] Furthermore, to disconnect the image forming apparatus body 201 and the sheet storage device 300, the connection can be disconnected in the reverse order of the connection process described above (Figure 8(e) → Figure 8(d) → Figure 8(c) → Figure 8(b) → Figure 8(a)). In this reverse order process, the protective cover portion 501 moves in the opposite direction C3 to direction C2 along the elongated hole portion 505 due to the restoring force of the spring SP, and the protective portion 507 is returned to the position where it protects the terminal portion 282 of the main body side connector 281.

[0070] As described above, this embodiment makes it possible to improve the workability of attaching and detaching the sheet storage device 300 to the image forming apparatus body 201.

[0071] <Example 2> Next, an image forming apparatus according to Example 2 will be described.

[0072] Since the general configuration of the image forming apparatus is almost the same as that of the previously described embodiment, components with equivalent functions are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. The characteristic features of this embodiment will be described below.

[0073] In this embodiment, the configuration of the protective cover portion 501 differs from that of the previously described embodiment. In the previously described embodiment, an example was shown in which the protective cover portion 501 is provided to slide relative to the image forming apparatus body 201 in directions C2 and C3 perpendicular to the connection direction C1. In contrast, in this embodiment, the protective cover portion 512 is provided to rotate relative to the image forming apparatus body 201 around a pivot point.

[0074] Using Figures 9(a) to 9(d), we will first describe the protective unit 500, and then explain the process of installing (mounting) the image forming apparatus body 201 onto the sheet storage device 300 from above. Figures 9(a) to 9(d) are schematic diagrams showing the installation of the image forming apparatus and sheet storage device in Example 2.

[0075] <Explanation of the protective unit> First, let me explain the protective unit 500.

[0076] As shown in Figure 9(a), the first housing, the main body housing 201A, is provided with a protective unit 511. The protective unit 511 includes a main body connector 281, a protective cover portion 512, and a support frame 502.

[0077] The protective cover portion 512 has a protective portion 507 and an inclined portion 508, similar to the embodiment described above. A pivot center C0 is provided at one end of the protective cover portion 512 in this embodiment, so as to be rotatable. The pivot center C0 is provided with a shaft portion (not shown), which is rotatably supported by, for example, a shaft support portion (not shown) provided on the support frame 502. Thus, the protective cover portion 512 in this embodiment is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the image forming apparatus body 201 about the pivot center C0.

[0078] Furthermore, the pivot center C0 of the protective cover portion 512 is positioned above the inclined portion 508 in the connection direction C1 (first direction). Here, the connection direction C1 when the image forming apparatus body 201 and the sheet storage device 300 are mounted is the downward direction. Therefore, the example shown is one in which the pivot center C0 of the protective cover portion 512 is positioned above the inclined portion 508 in the connection direction C1, but the invention is not limited to this configuration.

[0079] The protective unit 511 is fixed to the bottom frame 150 of the main body housing 201A by fastening means such as screws (not shown).

[0080] Furthermore, the protective cover portion 512 is provided with a hook portion 504 for attaching one end of the spring SP. Additionally, the support frame 502 is fitted with a hook portion 506 for attaching the other end of the aforementioned spring SP.

[0081] Furthermore, the protective cover portion 512 is provided with a protective portion 507 that covers and protects the main body-side connector 281, similar to the embodiment described above. The protective portion 507 is a protective portion that covers the terminal portion 282 of the main body-side connector 281 when the sheet storage device 300 is not connected to the image forming apparatus main body 201. Accordingly, the protective cover portion 512 is supported by the support frame 502 so as to be rotatable in directions C4 and C5, and is moved in direction C4 against the biasing force of the spring SP, moving the protective portion 507 to a position where it releases protection from the main body-side connector 281. The protective cover portion 512 is also moved in direction C5 by the biasing force (restoring force) of the spring SP, moving the protective portion 507 to a position where it covers and protects the main body-side connector 281. In other words, the protective cover portion 512 is biased by the spring SP to return to its original position (protective position).

[0082] <Connection between the main unit enclosure and the unit enclosure> Next, we will explain the process of installing (mounting) the image forming apparatus main body 201 onto the sheet storage device 300 from above.

[0083] Figure 9(a) shows the state when the image forming apparatus body 201 is installed in the sheet storage device 300. During installation, the image forming apparatus body 201 is lifted and carried above the sheet storage device 300, and then lowered in the connection direction C1 (connection direction), using the sides of the rear covers 130 and the unit-side rear cover 302 as a guide.

[0084] As shown in Figure 9(b), when the image forming apparatus body 201 is lowered in the connection direction C1, the inclined tip 354 of the projection 353 comes into contact with the inclined portion 508 of the protective cover 512. At this time, as in the embodiment described above, the positioning pin 358 of the unit-side housing 300A is already inserted into the positioning hole 142 of the main body-side housing 201A. In other words, the sheet storage device 300 is positioned relative to the image forming apparatus body 201 before the projection 353 comes into contact with the inclined portion 508. Therefore, contact between the projection 353 and the inclined portion 508 is ensured, and the connection between the unit-side connector 351 and the main body-side connector 281 is also ensured.

[0085] As the image forming apparatus body 201 is further lowered, as shown in Figure 9(c), the component force of the force that moves in the connection direction C1 after the inclined portion 508 and the projection 353 come into contact acts to rotate the protective cover portion 512 in direction C4 through the inclined portion 508. The protective cover portion 512 is pushed in direction C4, which intersects the connection direction C1 with the inclined portion 508, by the component force of the force that moves in the connection direction C1 after the projection 353 comes into contact, and begins to rotate in direction C4 around the rotation center (C0).

[0086] As the image forming apparatus body 201 is lowered further, as shown in Figure 9(c), the tip 354 of the projection 353 presses against the inclined portion 508, and the terminal portion 282 of the body-side connector 281 is exposed toward the connection portion 357 of the unit-side connector 351.

[0087] Then, as shown in Figure 9(d), the protective cover portion 512 is pressed into the inclined tip 354 of the projection 353, and its flat portion 355 contacts the abutment portion 509 that positions the protective cover portion 501, thereby determining its position. Then, the main body side connector 281 and the unit side connector 351 are connected. At this time, as in the embodiment described above, the flat portion 355 of the projection 353 is guided along the abutment portion 509 of the protective cover portion 501 in the connection direction C1, so that the connection between the main body side connector 281 and the unit side connector 351 is securely made.

[0088] The length of the projection 353 in the connection direction C1 is set to a length such that the unit-side connector 351 does not interfere with the protective part 507 of the protective cover part 512 during the process shown in Figures 9(a) to 9(d). In the state shown in Figure 9(d), the tip 354 of the projection 353 penetrates the through hole 503 provided in the support frame 502 and protrudes from the through hole 503.

[0089] Furthermore, although the positioning pin 358 passes through the positioning hole 142 on the main body side, as shown in Figure 9(b), the positions of the main body side housing 201A and the unit side housing 300A are determined before the tip 354 of the projection 353 contacts the inclined portion 508 of the protective cover portion 512. In other words, the positioning pin 358 is provided so as to extend toward the main body 201 of the image forming apparatus in the connection direction C1, beyond the projection 353, that it is inserted into the positioning hole 142 before the projection 353 and the inclined portion 508 come into contact. This relationship ensures that the main body side connector 281 and the unit side connector 351 are properly aligned.

[0090] Furthermore, to disconnect the image forming apparatus body 201 and the sheet storage device 300, the connection can be disconnected in the reverse order of the connection process described above (Figure 9(d) → Figure 9(c) → Figure 9(b) → Figure 9(a)). In this reverse order process, the protective cover portion 512 rotates in the opposite direction C5 to the aforementioned direction C4 due to the restoring force of the spring SP, and the protective portion 507 returns to the position where it protects the terminal portion 282 of the main body side connector 281.

[0091] As described above, this embodiment, like the previously described embodiment, can improve the ease of attaching and detaching the sheet storage device 300 to the image forming apparatus body 201.

[0092] In the embodiment described above, four process cartridges are used, but the number of cartridges used is not limited and can be set as needed.

[0093] Furthermore, although a laser scanner was used as the exposure means in the above-described embodiment, the invention is not limited to this, and an LED array or the like may be used instead.

[0094] Furthermore, although a copier was used as an example of an image forming apparatus in the embodiments described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, other image forming apparatuses such as printers and facsimile machines, or other image forming apparatuses such as multifunction devices that combine these functions, may also be used. In addition, the present invention may be used as an image forming apparatus that uses a recording material carrier and sequentially overlays and transfers toner images of each color onto the recording material carried on the recording material carrier. Similar effects can be obtained by applying the present invention to these image forming apparatuses. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] C0 ... Center of rotation 1 ...Image forming apparatus 130...back cover 140…Bottom part 141…Bottom opening 142 ... Positioning holes 150 ...Bottom frame 201 ...Image forming apparatus main unit 201A ... Main unit casing 201B...Image forming section 281 ... Main unit side connector 282...Terminal section 300 ... Sheet storage device 300A ... Unit side enclosure 351 ...Unit-side connector 352 ... Actuator Unit 353...Protrusion 354 ...tip 355...Flat area 356… Connector support frame 357 ...connection part 358 ... Positioning pin 500, 511 ... Protective Unit 501, 512 ... Protective cover section 502 ... Support frame 503 ... through hole 504, 506 ... hook part 505...Long hole part 507...Protection Department 508...Slope part 509... Assault section 510...end face

Claims

1. The apparatus body includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and a first connector. An image forming apparatus comprising an external unit having a second connector connected to the first connector, The main body of the device and the external unit are configured to be detached or attached by moving them relative to each other along a first direction. The device body includes a protective portion that covers the first connector when viewed along the first direction, and has a cover portion configured to move in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The external unit has a contact portion that contacts a part of the main body of the device, During the process of mounting the main body of the device and the external unit, before the first connector and the second connector come into contact, the contact portion comes into contact with a part of the main body of the device. The force exerted by the contact portion, which is in contact with the part of the device body, on the part of the device body causes the cover portion to move in the second direction. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following:

2. The contact portion is provided on a projection that protrudes toward the main body of the device. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The part of the device body that contacts the contact portion includes an inclined portion provided on the cover portion, The inclined portion has an inclination such that the component force of the force that the contact portion exerts on the part of the device body acts to move the cover portion in the second direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

4. The cover portion is configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the first direction relative to the main body of the device. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

5. The cover portion is configured to rotate around a pivot point relative to the main body of the device. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

6. The external unit includes a positioning pin that is inserted into a positioning hole in the main body of the device. The positioning pin is provided so as to extend toward the main body of the device from the contact portion in the first direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

7. The external unit has a storage section for storing sheets to be supplied to the main body of the device. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

8. The apparatus comprises an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and a first connector, An image forming apparatus in which an external unit having a second connector that is electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus by being connected to the first connector is detachably attached, The device body has a protective portion for protecting the first connector and includes a cover portion that is movable in a second direction intersecting the first direction in which the external unit is mounted on the device body. The cover portion integrally includes an inclined portion that can come into contact with a projection protruding from the external unit. The inclined portion has an inclination such that the component force of the force moving in the first direction after contact with the projection acts to move the cover portion in the second direction. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following:

Images