Connector connection device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a connector connection device with a simple structure that can reduce connector wear. [Solution] The connector connection device has a main body-side connector 42 provided on the main body housing 41 that is connected to a unit-side connector 62 provided on the unit housing 61. The main body-side connector 42 has a main body-side flange portion 43 and a shaft member (inclined shaft 51) that is inserted through a main body-side insertion hole 43a provided on the main body-side flange portion 43 and fixed to the main body housing 41. The main body-side flange portion 43 slides in the insertion direction S along the shaft member, and when connected to the unit-side connector 62, the main body-side connector 42 swings in a direction different from the insertion direction S.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector connection device and an image forming apparatus in which connectors are connected to each other.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, image forming apparatuses have adopted a configuration having a unit combining some members, and during maintenance work of the unit, the unit can be removed from the apparatus main body. And, the apparatus main body and the unit are provided with cables for supplying power and transmitting signals, and are configured to connect connectors provided on both of them (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A conventional image forming apparatus includes a detachable unit that can be inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body, a unit-side connector provided on the detachable unit, a main body-side connector provided on the apparatus main body and inserted into the unit-side connector in the insertion / removal direction with respect to the apparatus main body, a first member that holds the main body-side connector, and a second member that holds the first member. The main body-side connector is held while being restricted from moving in the insertion / removal direction with respect to the first member, and the first member is held while being restricted from moving in a direction different from the insertion / removal direction with respect to the second member.

[0005] However, in a conventional image forming apparatus, since the main body-side connector is held via a plurality of members, the structure becomes complicated, and there is a problem that a large space area must be secured around the connector.

[0006] This disclosure was made to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a connector connection device and an image forming apparatus that can reduce connector wear with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The connector connection device according to this disclosure is a connector connection device in which a first connector provided on a first substrate is connected to a second connector provided on a second substrate, wherein the first connector has a first flange and a shaft member that is inserted through a first insertion hole provided in the first flange and fixed to the first substrate, wherein the first flange slides in the insertion direction along the shaft member, and the first connector swings in a direction different from the insertion direction when connected to the second connector.

[0008] In the connector connection device according to this disclosure, the shaft member may be configured to have a large-diameter portion having a diameter substantially the same as the first insertion hole and a small-diameter portion having a diameter smaller than the first insertion hole.

[0009] The connector connection device according to this disclosure may be configured to include a biasing member that biases the first flange portion and presses it against the first substrate, and the large-diameter portion may be provided at the end on the first substrate side.

[0010] In the connector connection device according to this disclosure, the second connector has a second flange and a connector holding member that is inserted through a second insertion hole provided in the second flange and fixed to the second base material, and the connector holding member may have a swing-holding portion that has a diameter smaller than the second insertion hole.

[0011] In the connector connection device according to this disclosure, the shaft member has an extended portion that extends to penetrate the first base material, and the second connector has a second flange portion provided with a second through hole, and the second connector may be configured such that, when connected to the first connector, the extended portion of the second connector is inserted through the second through hole.

[0012] In the connector connection device according to this disclosure, the extended portion may be configured to have an extended large-diameter portion having substantially the same diameter as the second insertion hole and an extended small-diameter portion having a smaller diameter than the second insertion hole.

[0013] The image forming apparatus according to this disclosure is characterized by comprising a connector connection device according to this disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to this disclosure, when the connectors are connected to each other, the connectors can be held in a way that allows them to oscillate relative to the substrate, thereby absorbing vibrations and reducing wear on the connectors with a simple structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic side view showing the vicinity of the connector in a detached state. [Figure 3] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the main body-side retaining member in the state shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a magnified view of the vicinity of the unit-side retaining member. [Figure 5] This is a schematic side view showing the vicinity of the connector in its installed state. [Figure 6] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the main body-side retaining member in the state shown in Figure 5. [Figure 7] This is a schematic cross-sectional view (part 1) showing an enlarged example of a modified example of the main body-side retaining member. [Figure 8] This is a schematic cross-sectional view (part 2) showing an enlarged example of a modified example of the main body-side retaining member. [Figure 9] This is a schematic side view showing the vicinity of the connector in a detached state in the second embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the unit-side retaining member in the state shown in Figure 9. [Figure 11]In the second embodiment, it is a schematic side view showing the vicinity of the connector in the attached state. [Figure 12] It is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the unit-side holding member in the state shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] In the third embodiment, it is a schematic side view showing the vicinity of the connector in the removed state. [Figure 14] It is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the integrated holding member in the state shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 15] It is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the integrated holding member in the state where the connector is being connected. [Figure 16] In the third embodiment, it is a schematic side view showing the vicinity of the connector in the attached state. [Figure 17] It is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the integrated holding member in the state shown in FIG. 16.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] The image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction device having a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and a printer function, and can transmit the image of the document read by the image reading device 130 to the outside, or form the image of the document read by the image reading device 130 or the image received from the outside in color or monochrome on a recording medium such as paper.

[0019] An openable and closable document transport device 110 is provided above the image reading device 130. The document transport device 110 transports one or more documents one by one in sequence. The image reading device 130 generates image data by scanning the document placed on the document tray 130a using the scanning optical system 130b, or by reading the document being transported by the document transport device 110.

[0020] The image forming apparatus 100 includes a fixing device 1, a developing unit 2, a photoreceptor drum 3, a drum cleaning device 4, a charger 5, an intermediate transfer belt device 7, a secondary transfer device 11, an exposure unit 12, and a paper feeding unit 18, among others.

[0021] The image forming apparatus 100 handles image data corresponding to color images using black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), or monochrome images using a single color (for example, black). The image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with four developing units 2, four photoreceptor drums 3, four drum cleaning devices 4, and four chargers 5 for forming four types of toner images, each corresponding to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, forming four image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd.

[0022] The charger 5 uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor drum 3 to a predetermined potential. The exposure unit 12 is a light scanning device that exposes the surface of the photoreceptor drum 3 to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing unit 2 develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 3 to form a toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 3. The drum cleaning device 4 removes and recovers residual toner from the surface of the photoreceptor drum 3. Through the above series of operations, toner images of each color are formed on the surface of each photoreceptor drum 3.

[0023] The intermediate transfer belt device 7 comprises intermediate transfer rollers 6, an endless intermediate transfer belt 7a, an intermediate transfer drive roller 7b, an intermediate transfer driven roller 7c, and a cleaning device 9. Four intermediate transfer rollers 6 are provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 7a to form four different toner images corresponding to each color. The intermediate transfer rollers 6 transfer the toner images of each color formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 7a, which moves circulating in the circumferential direction C.

[0024] The intermediate transfer belt 7a is stretched over the intermediate transfer drive roller 7b and the intermediate transfer driven roller 7c. In the image forming apparatus 100, the toner images of each color formed on the surface of each photoreceptor drum 3 are sequentially transferred and superimposed to form a color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7a. The cleaning device 9 removes and collects waste toner that remains on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7a without being transferred to the paper.

[0025] The secondary transfer device 11 traps the paper that has been transported through the paper transport path 21 in the transfer nip section between the secondary transfer roller 11a and the intermediate transfer belt 7a. As the paper passes through the transfer nip section, the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7a is transferred to the paper and it is then transported to the fuser device 1.

[0026] The fixing device 1 includes a fixing belt 31 and a pressure roller 32 that rotate around an axis. The fixing device 1 inserts the paper on which the toner image has been transferred into the nip between the fixing belt 31 and the pressure roller 32, heats and pressurizes it, and fixes the toner image to the paper. Although not shown in Figure 1, the fixing device 1 may also have components other than the fixing belt 31 and the pressure roller 32.

[0027] The paper feeding unit 18 is equipped with a paper feeding cassette for loading recording media (paper) used for image formation and is located below the exposure unit 12. The paper is pulled out of the paper feeding unit 18 by the pickup roller 16 and transported to the paper transport path 21. The paper transported to the paper transport path 21 passes through the secondary transfer device 11 and the fixing device 1, and is then discharged to the output tray 19 by the discharge roller 17.

[0028] The paper transport path 21 is equipped with a transport roller 13, a registration roller 14, and an ejection roller 17. The transport roller 13 facilitates the transport of the paper. The registration roller 14 transports the paper at a speed equal to the process speed at which the image is formed on the paper. This registration roller 14 is located between the paper feed unit 18 and the secondary transfer device 11 and adjusts the timing of the paper transport so that the toner image is transferred to the paper by the secondary transfer device 11. For example, the registration roller 14 holds the paper transported from the paper feed unit 18 and waits (stops temporarily), then starts transporting the paper at a constant speed in synchronization with the secondary transfer device 11.

[0029] When image formation is to be performed on the back side of the paper as well as the front side, the paper transport direction is changed by the discharge roller 17 and the paper is transported to the inversion transport path 22. In the inversion transport path 22, the paper is guided to the registration roller 14 with its front and back sides reversed by the inversion transport roller 15. The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on the back side of the paper guided to the registration roller 14 in the same way as the front side and discharges it to the output tray 19.

[0030] The image forming apparatus 100 is configured to accommodate a cartridge 140 that contains toner, and toner is supplied from the cartridge 140 to the developing unit 2 via a transport member (not shown). In this embodiment, four cartridges 140 are installed, corresponding to each color used, and each cartridge 140 is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus 100. Note that the cartridge 140 is not limited to a configuration that contains only toner, but may also contain a developer containing toner and a carrier. Furthermore, if a cartridge 140 that contains toner is used, the carrier may be pre-filled into the developing unit 2, and the toner and carrier may be mixed in the developing unit 2 to form the developer.

[0031] Figure 1 shows an image forming apparatus 100 in which the toner image is transferred to the paper via an intermediate transfer belt 7a. However, the apparatus is not limited to this configuration, and a configuration in which the toner image is transferred directly from the photoreceptor drum 3 to the paper is also possible.

[0032] In this embodiment, a connector connection device is provided in which a first connector provided on a first substrate is connected to a second connector provided on a second substrate. Specifically, in the image forming apparatus 100, a unit (an example of a second substrate) comprising some components is detachably attached to the apparatus body (an example of a first substrate). Cables for supplying power and transmitting signals are connected to the apparatus body and the unit via connectors provided on each. For the purpose of explanation below, the main body-side connector 42 provided on the apparatus body and the unit-side connector 62 provided on the unit may be simply referred to as connectors.

[0033] Next, the structure near the connector between the main body of the device and the unit will be explained with reference to Figure 2.

[0034] Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing the vicinity of the connector in a detached state. Note that in Figure 2, parts of the main body and unit housings (main body housing 41 and unit housing 61) are hatched for improved readability.

[0035] The main body housing 41 is provided with a main body connector hole 41a through which a main body connector 42 (an example of a first connector) is inserted, and a main body cable 44 extends from the main body connector 42. The main body connector hole 41a is slightly larger than the main body connector 42, and a gap is provided between the outer edge of the main body connector hole 41a and the main body connector 42. The main body connector 42 faces the inner surface of the main body housing 41 and has a main body flange portion 43 that is larger than the main body connector hole 41a. A part of the main body flange portion 43 faces the outer edge of the main body connector hole 41a. Therefore, even if one tries to pull the main body connector 42 out of the main body housing 41 through the main body connector hole 41a, the main body flange portion 43 gets in the way, preventing it from being pulled out any further.

[0036] The main body flange portion 43 is held on the outer edge of the main body connector hole 41a by the main body retaining member 50. In this embodiment, the main body connector 42 has the main body retaining member 50 attached to two locations at both ends of the main body flange portion 43 (upper and lower ends in Figure 2). Details of the main body retaining member 50 will be explained later with reference to Figure 3.

[0037] The unit housing 61 is provided with a unit-side connector hole 61a through which a unit-side connector 62 (an example of a second connector) is inserted, similar to the main housing 41, and a unit-side cable 64 extends from the unit-side connector 62. The unit-side connector hole 61a is slightly larger than the unit-side connector 62, and a gap is provided between the outer edge of the unit-side connector hole 61a and the unit-side connector 62. The unit-side connector 62 faces the inner surface of the unit housing 61 and has a unit-side flange portion 63 that is larger than the unit-side connector hole 61a. Part of the unit-side flange portion 63 faces the outer edge of the unit-side connector hole 61a. Therefore, even if one tries to pull the unit-side connector 62 out of the unit housing 61 through the unit-side connector hole 61a, the unit-side flange portion 63 gets in the way, preventing it from being pulled out any further.

[0038] The unit-side flange portion 63 is held on the outer edge of the unit-side connector hole 61a by the unit-side retaining member. In this embodiment, the unit-side connector 62 has unit-side retaining members attached to both ends of the unit-side flange portion 63 (upper and lower ends in Figure 2). Details of the unit-side retaining member will be explained later with reference to Figure 4.

[0039] Figure 2 shows the unit detached from the main body of the device, with the unit-side connector 62 removed from the main body-side connector 42. For the purposes of this explanation, the direction in which the unit-side connector 62 is inserted into the main body-side connector 42 may be referred to as the insertion direction S.

[0040] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the main body-side retaining member in the state shown in Figure 2. In Figure 3, for the sake of readability, only the main body-side flange portion 43 of the main body-side connector 42 is shown, and other parts are omitted. In subsequent drawings as well, when showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the main body-side retaining member, a part of the main body-side connector 42 may be omitted.

[0041] The main body-side retaining member 50 has an inclined shaft 51 (an example of a shaft member) fixed to the main body housing 41. One end of the inclined shaft 51 (the right end in Figure 3) is fixed to the main body housing 41 by a main body-side first screw 52, ​​and its diameter gradually decreases towards the other end (the left end in Figure 3). A main body-side second screw 53 is attached to the other end of the inclined shaft 51 together with a main body-side plate 54. The main body-side plate 54 is, for example, a flat plate or a washer, and has a larger diameter than the other end of the inclined shaft 51. A main body-side spring 55 (an example of a biasing member) is wrapped around the inclined shaft 51.

[0042] The main body side flange portion 43 is provided with a main body side insertion hole 43a that passes through it, and the inclined shaft 51 is inserted through the main body side insertion hole 43a. The inclined shaft 51 is longer than the thickness of the main body side flange portion 43, and the main body side flange portion 43 is configured to slide in the insertion direction S along the inclined shaft 51. One end of the inclined shaft 51 (corresponding to the large diameter portion) has a diameter approximately the same as the main body side insertion hole 43a, while the other part (corresponding to the small diameter portion) has a diameter smaller than the main body side insertion hole 43a. The main body side spring 55 has one end (right end in Figure 3) in contact with the main body side flange portion 43 and the other end (left end in Figure 3) in contact with the main body side plate 54, biasing the main body side flange portion 43 to press against the main body housing 41 (in the direction of arrow F1 in Figure 3). As shown in Figure 3, when the main body side flange portion 43 is pressed against the main body housing 41, the main body side insertion hole 43a is locked into the large diameter portion of the inclined shaft 51, and the main body side flange portion 43 is held in place so as not to swing.

[0043] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the unit-side retaining member. Note that in Figure 4, for the sake of readability, only the unit-side flange portion 63 of the unit-side connector 62 is shown, with other parts omitted. Similarly, in subsequent drawings, when showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the unit-side retaining member, parts of the unit-side connector 62 may be omitted.

[0044] In this embodiment, a stepped screw 70 fixed to the unit housing 61 is used as the unit-side retaining member (an example of a connector retaining member). The stepped screw 70 has a screw head 71, a screw fixing portion 72 attached to the unit housing 61, and a screw intermediate portion 73 provided between the screw head 71 and the screw fixing portion 72.

[0045] The unit-side flange portion 63 is provided with a unit-side insertion hole 63a that penetrates it, and the intermediate portion 73 of the stepped screw 70 is inserted through the unit-side insertion hole 63a. The intermediate portion 73 is slightly longer than the thickness of the unit-side flange portion 63 and slightly smaller in diameter than the unit-side insertion hole 63a. Therefore, the unit-side flange portion 63 is held by the unit housing 61 so as to swing in various directions within a narrow range around the intermediate portion 73.

[0046] Figure 5 is a schematic side view showing the vicinity of the connector in its installed state. Note that in Figure 5, parts of the main body and unit housings (main body housing 41 and unit housing 61) are hatched for improved readability.

[0047] Figure 5 shows the unit mounted on the main body of the device, with the unit-side connector 62 attached to the main body-side connector 42. In Figure 5, compared to the state shown in Figure 2, the entire unit has moved in the insertion direction S so that it is closer to the main body of the device, and the unit-side connector 62 has been inserted into the main body-side connector 42. When the unit-side connector 62 is inserted, the main body-side connector 42 is pushed further in the insertion direction S than in the state shown in Figure 2, and the main body-side flange portion 43 is separated from the main body housing 41. Next, the positional relationship near the main body-side retaining member 50 in the state shown in Figure 5 will be explained with reference to Figure 6.

[0048] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the main body-side retaining member in the state shown in Figure 5.

[0049] Compared to the state shown in Figure 3, the flange portion 43 on the main body side slides toward the plate 54 on the main body side and moves away from the main body housing 41. As a result, the flange portion 43 on the main body side is held by the small diameter portion of the inclined shaft 51 and swings in various directions within a narrow range around it. The distance that the flange portion 43 on the main body side slides corresponds to the position where the force pressed by the unit-side connector 62 and the biasing force of the main body-side spring 55 are balanced.

[0050] As described above, the main unit-side connector 42 is held so as to swing in a direction different from the insertion direction S while connected to the unit-side connector 62. In this way, when the connectors are connected, vibrations can be absorbed by holding the connectors so as to swing relative to the housing, and wear on the connectors can be reduced with a simple structure.

[0051] Furthermore, the inclined shaft 51 is provided with a large-diameter section and a small-diameter section, and by sliding the flange, it is possible to switch between a state in which the flange is locked to the inclined shaft 51 and a state in which it is not locked. Then, as shown in Figure 3, when connecting a detached connector, the connector can be positioned and connected by pressing the flange against the housing and locking it to the inclined shaft 51.

[0052] Next, modified examples of the main body-side retaining member 50 with different shapes will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0053] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view (1) showing an enlarged modified example of the main body-side retaining member, and Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view (2) showing an enlarged modified example of the main body-side retaining member.

[0054] Figure 7 corresponds to the state in which the unit-side connector 62 is detached from the main body-side connector 42, as shown in Figure 2, and Figure 8 corresponds to the state in which the unit-side connector 62 is attached to the main body-side connector 42, as shown in Figure 5.

[0055] In the modified version, instead of the inclined shaft 51 with a gradually changing diameter, a stepped shaft 56 with sections of different diameters is used. Specifically, the stepped shaft 56 has a large-diameter section 56a at one end on the main housing 41 side, and a small-diameter section 56b at the other end. In the stepped shaft 56, similar to the inclined shaft 51, the large-diameter section 56a (corresponding to the large-diameter section) has approximately the same diameter as the insertion hole 43a on the main body side, while the small-diameter section 56b (corresponding to the small-diameter section) has a smaller diameter than the insertion hole 43a on the main body side. The boundary between the large-diameter section 56a and the small-diameter section 56b has a tapered shape with a gradually changing diameter.

[0056] As shown in Figure 7, when the main body flange 43 is pressed against the main body housing 41, the main body insertion hole 43a is locked to the large-diameter shaft portion 56a, and the main body flange 43 is held in place so as not to swing. When the main body connector 42 and the unit connector 62 are connected, the main body flange 43 slides and is held by the small-diameter shaft portion 56b (see Figure 8), and begins to swing in various directions.

[0057] (Second Embodiment) Next, an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0058] In the second embodiment, the configuration of the unit-side retaining member differs from that of the first embodiment. Since the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, a detailed explanation will be omitted, and only the differences will be described.

[0059] Figure 9 is a schematic side view showing the vicinity of the connector in a detached state in the second embodiment, and Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the unit-side retaining member in the state shown in Figure 9. Note that in Figure 9, parts of the device body and the unit housing (body housing 41 and unit housing 61) are hatched for the sake of readability.

[0060] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it uses a unit holding shaft 80 as the unit-side holding member.

[0061] The unit retaining shaft 80 is fixed to the unit housing 61 at one end (the left end in Figure 10) by a unit-side first screw 82, and at the other end (the right end in Figure 10), a unit-side second screw 83 is attached together with a unit-side plate 84. The unit-side plate 84 is, for example, a flat plate or a washer, and has a larger diameter than the unit retaining shaft 80. A unit-side spring 85 is wrapped around the unit retaining shaft 80.

[0062] The unit retaining shaft 80 is inserted through the unit-side insertion hole 63a and is longer than the thickness of the unit-side flange portion 63, so that the unit-side flange portion 63 slides along the unit retaining shaft 80 in the insertion direction S. The diameter of the unit retaining shaft 80 is smaller than that of the unit-side insertion hole 63a. The unit-side spring 85 has one end (the left end in Figure 10) in contact with the unit-side flange portion 63 and the other end (the right end in Figure 10) in contact with the unit-side plate 84, biasing the unit-side flange portion 63 to press against the unit housing 61 (in the direction of arrow F2 in Figure 10).

[0063] Figure 11 is a schematic side view showing the vicinity of the connector in the installed state in the second embodiment, and Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the unit-side retaining member in the state shown in Figure 11.

[0064] As shown in Figure 11, when the unit-side connector 62 is inserted, the main body-side connector 42 is pushed further in the insertion direction S than in the state shown in Figure 9, and the main body-side flange 43 moves away from the main body housing 41. At this time, the force of the main body-side connector 42 pushing back causes the unit-side connector 62 to also move so that the unit-side flange 63 moves away from the unit housing 61 (see Figure 12). The distance the unit-side flange 63 slides corresponds to the position where the pressing force of the main body-side connector 42 and the biasing force of the unit-side spring 85 are balanced.

[0065] In this embodiment, the unit holding shaft 80 has a shape with a diameter smaller than the unit-side insertion hole 63a, but it is not limited to this, and the end may be the same diameter as the unit-side insertion hole 63a, such as the inclined shaft 51 or the stepped shaft 56.

[0066] (Third embodiment) Next, an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0067] The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that an integrated retaining member 90 is used instead of the main body retaining member 50. Since the third embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the first and second embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 12, a detailed explanation will be omitted, and only the differences will be described.

[0068] Figure 13 is a schematic side view showing the vicinity of the connector in a detached state in the third embodiment, and Figure 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the integrated retaining member in the state shown in Figure 13. Note that in Figure 13, parts of the device body and the unit housing (body housing 41 and unit housing 61) are hatched for the sake of readability.

[0069] The integrated holding member 90 has an extended portion (extended small diameter portion 91d and extended large diameter portion 91e) that extends through the main housing 41, and is configured to hold the unit-side connector 62 with the extended portion. The unit-side connector 62 is also held by a flange clamping member 65 attached to the unit housing 61.

[0070] The integrated holding member 90 has a through shaft 91 fixed so as to pass through the main housing 41. The through shaft 91 has a spring receiving plate 93 and an end screw 92 attached to one end (the left end in Figure 14), and its central part is fixed to the main housing 41 by a fixing bolt 95, with an extended portion provided at the other end (the right end in Figure 14) that extends to the outside of the main housing 41. The through shaft 91 has, in order from one end, a holding small diameter portion 91a, a holding large diameter portion 91b, a housing clamping portion 91c, an extended small diameter portion 91d, and an extended large diameter portion 91e.

[0071] The retaining small-diameter portion 91a and the retaining large-diameter portion 91b are parts provided on the inner surface side of the main body housing 41, corresponding to the shaft small-diameter portion 56b and shaft large-diameter portion 56a of the stepped shaft 56, and are inserted through the main body side insertion hole 43a, around which the biasing spring 94 is wound. The relationship between the retaining small-diameter portion 91a, the retaining large-diameter portion 91b, and the biasing spring 94 and the main body side flange portion 43 is substantially the same as the relationship between the shaft small-diameter portion 56b, the shaft large-diameter portion 56a, and the main body side spring 55 and the main body side flange portion 43, so an explanation is omitted.

[0072] The housing clamping portion 91c has a larger diameter than the surrounding area and contacts the outer surface of the main housing 41. The fixing bolt 95 is installed so as to sandwich the main housing 41 between itself and the housing clamping portion 91c, fixing the through shaft 91 to the main housing 41. The main body side flange portion 43 is pressed against the main housing 41 with the fixing bolt 95 in between. In this embodiment, the through shaft 91 is fixed to the main housing 41 using the fixing bolt 95, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and the through shaft 91 may be fixed to the main housing 41 without using the fixing bolt 95.

[0073] The extended small-diameter portion 91d and the extended large-diameter portion 91e are the parts that are inserted into the unit-side insertion hole 63a when the main body-side connector 42 and the unit-side connector 62 are connected. Therefore, it is desirable that the main body-side insertion hole 43a and the unit-side insertion hole 63a are located on a straight line along the insertion direction S when the main body-side connector 42 and the unit-side connector 62 are connected. The extended large-diameter portion 91e has approximately the same diameter as the unit-side insertion hole 63a, and the extended small-diameter portion 91d has a smaller diameter than the unit-side insertion hole 63a. The tip of the extended large-diameter portion 91e has a tapered shape with a gradually decreasing diameter so that it can be smoothly inserted into the unit-side insertion hole 63a.

[0074] The flange clamping member 65 is fixed to the unit housing 61 at one end by a mounting screw 66, and the other end covers the periphery of the unit-side flange 63 with a gap. In other words, the unit-side flange 63 fits into the narrow space enclosed by the unit housing 61 and the flange clamping member 65, and is held by the unit housing 61 so that it can swing in various directions within a narrow range. The flange clamping member 65 is provided so as not to face the unit-side insertion hole 63a.

[0075] Figure 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a magnified view of the vicinity of the integrated retaining member in the process of connecting the connector.

[0076] In Figure 15, compared to the state shown in Figure 14, the entire unit has moved in the insertion direction S so that it is closer to the main body of the device, and the unit-side connector 62 is in contact with the main body-side connector 42. In the extended portion of the through shaft 91, the extended large-diameter portion 91e provided at the tip is inserted into the unit-side insertion hole 63a. When connecting the connectors, the unit-side insertion hole 63a is locked to the extended large-diameter portion 91e, and the unit-side flange portion 63 is held in place so that it does not swing. This allows the unit-side connector 62 to be positioned relative to the main body-side connector 42 and the two to be connected.

[0077] Figure 16 is a schematic side view showing the vicinity of the connector in the installed state in the third embodiment, and Figure 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the integrated retaining member in the state shown in Figure 16.

[0078] As shown in Figure 16, when the unit-side connector 62 is inserted, the main body-side connector 42 is pushed further in the insertion direction S than in the state shown in Figure 13, and the main body-side flange portion 43 separates from the main body housing 41. The main body-side flange portion 43 slides and is held by the retaining small diameter portion 91a (see Figure 17), and begins to swing in various directions. Similarly, the unit-side connector 62 is also pushed further in the insertion direction S, and the unit-side flange portion 63 slides and is held by the extended small diameter portion 91d, and begins to swing in various directions.

[0079] As described above, when inserting the extension portion into the unit-side insertion hole 63a, the unit-side flange portion 63 can be switched between a state in which it is locked to the extension portion and a state in which it is not locked. When connecting two connectors, the unit-side flange portion 63 is locked to position them, and after the connection is complete, the unit-side flange portion 63 can be left unlocked to hold the unit-side connector 62 in a swinging position.

[0080] For biasing members such as the main body spring 55 and the unit spring 85, a conical spring (not shown) with a narrowed tip may be used, and the contact area with the main body plate 54, etc., may be reduced to suppress vibration.

[0081] Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and do not constitute a limiting interpretation. Accordingly, the technical scope of this disclosure is not to be interpreted solely by the embodiments described above, but is defined based on the claims. This includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalents to the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 41 Main body housing (an example of the first base material) 42 Main unit side connector (an example of the first connector) 43 Main body side flange (an example of the first flange) 43a Insertion hole on the main body side (an example of the first insertion hole) 50 Main body side retaining member 61 Unit housing (an example of a second substrate) 62 Unit-side connector (an example of a second connector) 63. Unit side flange (an example of the second flange) 63a Unit-side insertion hole (an example of a second insertion hole) 100 Image forming apparatus S Insertion direction

Claims

1. A connector connection device in which a first connector provided on a first substrate is connected to a second connector provided on a second substrate, The first connector comprises a first flange and a shaft member that is inserted through a first insertion hole provided in the first flange and fixed to the first base material. The first flange slides in the insertion direction along the shaft member, When connected to the second connector, the first connector swings in a direction different from the insertion direction. A connector connection device characterized by the following.

2. A connector connection device according to claim 1, The shaft member has a large-diameter portion having a diameter approximately the same as the first insertion hole, and a small-diameter portion having a diameter smaller than the first insertion hole. A connector connection device characterized by the following.

3. A connector connection device according to claim 2, The device includes a biasing member that biases the first flange portion and presses it against the first base material, The large-diameter portion is provided at the end on the first base material side. A connector connection device characterized by the following.

4. A connector connection device according to claim 1, The second connector comprises a second flange and a connector holding member that is inserted through a second insertion hole provided in the second flange and fixed to the second base material. The connector holding member has a swing-holding portion with a diameter smaller than the second insertion hole. A connector connection device characterized by the following.

5. A connector connection device according to claim 1, The shaft member has an extended portion that extends so as to penetrate the first base material, The second connector has a second flange portion provided with a second insertion hole, With the first connector connected, the second connector is configured such that the extended portion is inserted into the second insertion hole. A connector connection device characterized by the following.

6. A connector connection device according to claim 5, The extended portion has an extended large-diameter portion having a diameter approximately the same as the second insertion hole, and an extended small-diameter portion having a diameter smaller than the second insertion hole. A connector connection device characterized by the following.

7. An image forming apparatus comprising the connector connection device described in claim 1.

Images