Housing structure, optical scanning apparatus, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

By applying heat to the resin parts used for joining, which are exposed through the windows during demolition work, the bonding strength of the resin is reduced, allowing the joints to be separated from the areas where the bonding strength has decreased. [Solution] A housing structure comprising parts (26) joined with a bonding resin (25) interposed between them, wherein a window (33) is provided at the location where the parts (26) are joined to expose the resin (25). The joined parts (26) are a plurality of lid members (21) that close each of a plurality of openings formed in the same outer wall of the housing, and the same outer wall is provided with ribs (34) that form the side walls of the paths connecting the plurality of windows (33) provided for each of the plurality of lid members (21).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing structure, an optical scanning device, and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a housing structure including components joined with an intervening resin for bonding is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a housing structure of this kind, which includes a heating element that generates heat when supplied with electricity or a heat transfer element that transfers supplied heat at a position in contact with a thermoplastic resin to which components are adhered. According to this, it is said that selective heating of the thermoplastic resin on the adhesion surface of the adherent can be realized at low cost in a housing in which components are assembled using the thermoplastic resin.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The selective heating in Patent Document 1 is performed for joining separation for reassembly accompanying the discovery of defects in housing accommodation components in the housing assembly process. In recent years, there has also been a demand to separate the joining parts for the reuse of housing accommodation components and components of the housing itself. However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a heating element or a heat transfer element, which increases the cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is a housing structure including components joined with an intervening resin for bonding, characterized in that a window for exposing the resin is provided at a location where the components are joined or on the components.

Effects of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, a low-cost housing structure in which the joining part can be separated can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of the printer according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram of the optical scanning device of the printer. [Figure 3] A perspective view of the cover of the optical scanning device. [Figure 4] A perspective view of the back of the cover. [Figure 5] The reverse side is shown in plan view. [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the window configuration on the cover. [Figure 7] A magnified view of a portion of the surface of the cover in the example configuration shown in Figure 6(a). [Figure 8] A cross-sectional diagram along line AA in Figure 7. [Figure 9] A close-up view of a portion of the back of the cover. [Figure 10] A cross-sectional diagram along line AA in Figure 9. [Figure 11] A magnified view of a portion of the cover surface of an example configuration shown in Figure 6(b). [Figure 12] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram of the cross-section along line AA. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention applied to the housing of an optical scanning device of an image forming apparatus will be described. First, a schematic configuration of a full-color printer will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. In Figure 1, this color printer has four image forming means 9, 10, 11, and 12, each with the same configuration, except that the corresponding toners are different. For example, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toners are arranged, and a color image is formed with four toners. Each image forming means 9, 10, 11, and 12 has a photoreceptor on a drum which is an image carrier, and a charging member, a developing device, a cleaning device, etc. are arranged around the photoreceptor.

[0008] A rotating photoreceptor is uniformly charged, and laser light is irradiated onto it from the optical scanning device 8. The optical scanning device 8 performs lighting control based on image information and irradiates the photoreceptors of the image forming means 9, 10, 11, and 12 with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor. This electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image by the developing device. Toner is transferred from the image forming means 9, 10, 11, and 12 to an intermediate transfer surface in the intermediate transfer device 13, which is located opposite the image forming means, and a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer surface.

[0009] There is a paper feed cassette 1 for loading recording media, and a paper feed roller 2 picks up the recording media and sends it to the register roller pair 3. From the register roller pair 3, it is sent to the transfer roller 4 opposite the intermediate transfer body, and a full-color toner image is transferred to the recording media. The recording media with the added transfer roller 4 has the toner image fixed in the fuser unit 5. After that, it is guided to the paper output roller 6 and the paper is output to the paper output section 7.

[0010] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the general configuration of the optical scanning device 8. In this example, the optical scanning device 8 is configured with two units that guide lasers to two photoreceptors, and the unit shown is unit 8A that guides laser beams L1 and L2 to the photoreceptors 9a and 10a of the image forming means 9 and 10. The other unit has the same configuration.

[0011] The illustrated unit 8A guides laser beams L1 and L2 to photoreceptors 10a and 10b. The unit includes a polygon scanner 22 that scans the light beam and scanning lenses 23a and 23b that focus the light beam scanned by the polygon scanner. The light beam that has passed through the scanning lenses is reflected by folding mirrors 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d. It then passes through light-transmitting dustproof glass 26a and 26b and reaches the photoreceptors 10a and 10b. The dustproof glass 26a and 26b are, for example, transparent.

[0012] Although not shown in this diagram, a laser light source, along with lenses and apertures to shape the laser beam, are positioned in front of the polygon scanner. Optical elements such as the polygon scanner are placed on the housing 19 that constitutes the enclosure of unit 8A. The top of the housing 19 is open, and a cover 21, which is a lid component, is placed here to ensure that unit 8A is airtight.

[0013] The dustproof glass panels 26a and 26b are positioned to cover the openings in the cover 21 for emitting laser beams L1 and L2, and thus correspond to covering members. Sealing members 25a and 25b, which are bonding resins, are installed between the cover 21 and the dustproof glass panels 26a and 26b, filling the gap between the cover 21 and the dustproof glass panels 26a and 26b and ensuring the airtightness of the unit. These dustproof glass panels 26a and 26b correspond to components that are joined with bonding resins interposed between them. Furthermore, the housing consisting of the housing 19 and the cover 21 corresponds to a housing structure that includes components joined with bonding resins interposed between them.

[0014] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cover 21. The dustproof glass 26 becomes contaminated because it is exposed to dust floating inside the machine. This contaminated glass prevents light rays from passing through the dustproof glass, causing a decrease in light intensity and a change in beam diameter. To remove this contaminated glass, a cleaning member is inserted from outside the unit. Claw-shaped guides 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, and 27e guide the progress of the cleaning member inserted from the direction of the arrow 28. The dirt on the dustproof glass 26 is removed by the cleaning rod inserted from the direction of the arrow 28. A stopper 27f is provided at the rear end in the insertion direction.

[0015] The sealing members 25a and 25b melt when heated, like hot melt adhesives. They are applied to one of the components while molten, and the mating component is then placed on top of it to achieve airtight sealing and component retention. The sealing members are applied to the entire circumference of the transparent component, and then attached to the designated position on the cover component. Hot melt adhesives change properties with temperature, and their adhesive strength decreases above a certain temperature.

[0016] When disassembling a product made of a combination of different materials like the assembly of this cover 21 for reuse as parts or materials, it is necessary to remove the parts. Glass used as a light-transmitting member is easily damaged, and there is also a risk of injury to the operator. Especially for the glass used in this optical scanning device 8, since it has a length of about 300 mm, it is difficult to remove it from the cover 21 when it is adhered with a strong force over the entire surface. Also, since a plurality of light-transmitting members are attached to one cover 21, a process and structure for easily removing them are required.

[0017] Therefore, in the present embodiment, windows are provided at the locations where the dust-proof glasses 26a, 26b in the cover 21 are joined to expose the seal members 25a, 25b. By applying heat to the exposed portions of the seal members 25a, 25b from the windows during disassembly work, the adhesive force of the seal members is reduced, and the dust-proof glasses 26a, 26b can be safely removed from the portions where the adhesive force has been reduced. Different from the present embodiment, windows can also be formed on the side of the dust-proof glass, which is a joining member, rather than on the receiving portion of the seal member of the cover 21, but it is preferable to provide windows on the cover 21 side formed of resin and capable of various shapes.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the back surface of the cover 21, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the same back surface. Line A-A coincides with the position of line A-A in FIG. 3 and is a line passing through the longitudinal center of the guide 27e closest to the fixing portion 27f. Windows 33a, 33b are provided for each of the dust-proof glasses 26a, 26b. The seal members 25a, 25b are exposed in the exposed ranges 35a, 35b of each window.

[0019] If such an exposed portion is provided on the side opposite to the housing of the cover 21 (the outer surface side of the cover), there is a possibility that dust floating inside the machine may accumulate, or it may hinder the movement of a cleaning member for cleaning the dust-proof glasses 26a, 26b from the outside. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the exposed portion on the housing side of the cover 21. In a housing where there is no need to consider dust accumulation, etc., the exposed portion may be provided on the opposite side.

[0020] Furthermore, the back surface of the cover 21 is provided with ribs 34a and 34b that form side walls of the paths connecting the multiple windows 33a and 33b. By placing a heat source at an intermediate point in the path formed between the ribs 34a and 34b, heat can be supplied from a single heat source to the exposed area 35 of the two sealing members 25. This configuration allows the adhesive force of the two sealing members 25a and 25b to be reduced with a single heat source, thereby improving workability during dismantling.

[0021] Figure 6 shows an example configuration of the cover 21 with windows 33a and 33b. Figure 6(a) is a perspective view of one configuration example, and Figure 6(b) is a perspective view of a modified configuration example. In Figure 6(a), the cover 21 has an opening 21b, and a receiving surface 32(32b) that contacts the sealing member 25(25b) extends around its circumference (the same applies to the other opening 21a). The window 33(33b) is provided by cutting out a portion of this receiving surface 32(32b). On the edge of the window 33(33b) opposite to the opening 21b, a resin end surface contact surface 31(31b) is provided that contacts the resin end surface of the sealing member 25 with a thickness equal to the resin thickness. This resin end surface contact surface 31(31b) is perpendicular to the receiving surface 32, and around the resin end surface contact surface 31(31b), the area around the receiving surface 32 is a concave window 33(33b).

[0022] In the modified configuration example shown in Figure 6(b), the height of the receiving surface 32 of the resin end face contact surface 31 (31b) is made relatively high so that it faces the dustproof glass 26a, 26b on the resin layer of the sealing member 25. With this configuration, it can also contact the end faces of the plate-shaped dustproof glass 26a, 26b, which are the same thickness as the glass, and function as a positioning part for the dustproof glass 26a, 26b.

[0023] If the resin end face contact surface 31 is absent, the contact area between the sealing member 25 (25b) and the cover 21 becomes small in the window 33 (33b) which is located in the concave position of the receiving surface 32. As a result, the adhesive strength in this area is low, which reduces the holding performance of the parts and also reduces the airtightness. By providing the resin end face contact surface 31 in this concave region, the contact area between the sealing member 25 (25b) and the cover 21 can be secured in a direction perpendicular to the receiving surface 32, thereby preventing a decrease in adhesive strength and airtightness.

[0024] Figures 7 to 10 are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration when the arrangement in Figure 6(a) is adopted. Figure 7 is a partially enlarged view of the surface of cover 21, Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of the cross-section along line AA in Figure 7, Figure 9 is a partially enlarged view of the back surface of cover 21, and Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram of the cross-section along line AA in Figure 9.

[0025] As is clear from the comparison between Figure 6 and Figure 9, the guide 27e(27e1,27e2)a aligns with the exposed area 35a where the sealing member 25(25a) is exposed, and the longitudinal position of the dustproof glass 26a,26b. By adopting this shape, even for shapes that require molding using a slide like the guide 27, the opening in the exposed area 35(35a) allows for resin molding of the cover 21 using a simple cavity and core mold shape.

[0026] Figures 11 and 12 are explanatory diagrams for the case where the configuration row of Figure 6(b) is adopted. Figure 11 is a magnified view of a part of the surface of the cover 21, and Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram of the cross section along line AA in Figure 11. The dustproof glass 26 (26a) needs to be positioned in a direction parallel to the receiving surface 32 in order to control its position relative to the light rays and control the contact area with the sealing member 25 (25a). The resin end face contact surface 31 (31a), which is perpendicular to the receiving surface 32, is in contact with the sealing member 25 (25a) and also with the dustproof glass 26 (26a). The resin end face contact surface 31 becomes a stopper portion that determines the position of the dustproof glass 26 in a direction parallel to the receiving surface 32.

[0027] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and unless otherwise specifically limited in the above description, various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the spirit of the present invention as described in the claims. For example, the present invention can be applied to housing structures other than optical scanning devices. Furthermore, although an example was given in which a resin whose adhesive strength changes with temperature was used as the bonding resin, the invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in the example in Figure 4 of Patent Document 1, the present invention can also be applied to a bonding structure in which the bonding resin exhibits a bonding function by fitting with the shape of the bonding area due to the shape of the bonding area at room temperature where the hardness of the bonding resin is high, and the bonding resin becomes deformable as the temperature rises, allowing it to be separated from the bonding area.

[0028] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention provides specific effects for each of the following embodiments. In the description of the embodiments, the symbols in parentheses after the component names are examples of corresponding components and are not limited to these examples. (Aspect 1) The housing structure includes a component (26) joined with a bonding resin (25) interposed between them, and a window (33) is provided at the location where the component (26) is joined to expose the resin (25). According to this method, by applying heat to the resin (25) portion used for joining that is exposed through the window (33) during the demolition work, the bonding strength of the resin (25) is reduced, and the joint can be separated from the portion where the bonding strength has been reduced.

[0029] (Aspect 2) In the housing structure described in Embodiment 1, the housing comprises a housing body (19) having one side open and a lid member (21) that closes the opening, the lid member (21) comprising the opening and a covering member (26) that covers the opening, and the joined component is the covering member (26). According to this, the lid member (21) and the cover member (26) can be easily disassembled.

[0030] (Aspect 3) In the housing structure described in Embodiment 2, the covering member is joined so as to cover the opening of the lid member (21) from the side that becomes the outer surface when the opening of the housing body is closed by the lid member (21). According to this, when the window is formed on the lid member side, the window of the lid member is located inside the housing, which prevents external dust from accumulating in the window area compared to when it is located outside.

[0031] (Aspect 4) In the housing structure described in Embodiment 3, the window (33) is provided to communicate with the opening of the lid member (21) by partially cutting out the receiving portion (32) of the covering member (26) at the periphery of the opening of the lid member (21), and the resin (25) is exposed on the side opposite to the outer surface. According to this, when manufacturing the lid component by resin molding, a simple cavity and core mold shape can be used, and the mold configuration can be simplified.

[0032] (Aspect 5) In the housing structure described in any of embodiments 2 to 4, the resin (25) is an adhesive resin (25), and a resin end surface contact surface (31) is provided on the edge of the receiving portion (32) opposite to the opening of the window (33), which is a surface that contacts the resin end surface with a thickness equal to that of the resin (25). According to this, the reduction in the actual bonding area due to the provision of the window (33) can be compensated for by the contact between the resin end surface and the resin end surface by the resin end surface contact surface (31).

[0033] (Aspect 6) In the housing structure described in Embodiment 5, the resin end face contact surface (31) also contacts the end face of the plate-shaped cover member (26) to the extent of its thickness, and serves as a positioning portion for the cover member (26). According to this, the contact surface parallel to the height direction of the exposed portion is used as the positioning portion of the covering member (26). This allows for more precise control of the overlap between the adhesive resin (25) and the lid member (21).

[0034] (Aspect 7) In the housing structure described in any one of embodiments 2 to 4, the covering member (26) is a long, translucent member, and a guide portion (27) for guiding a cleaning tool for the covering member (26) is provided on the opening edge on the outer side of the lid member (21), and the window (33) is positioned such that the longitudinal position of the covering member (26) is the same as at least one of the guide portions (27). According to this, by aligning the shape of the guide member, such as a claw shape, with the shape near the exposed part in this positional relationship, a simple cavity and core mold shape can be created when manufacturing the lid member by resin molding, and the mold configuration can be simplified.

[0035] (Pattern 8) In the housing structure described in any one of embodiments 1 to 7, the joined parts (26) are a plurality of lid members (21) that close each of a plurality of openings formed in the same outer wall portion of the housing, and the same outer wall portion is provided with ribs (34) that form the side walls of the paths connecting the plurality of windows (33) provided for each of the plurality of lid members (21). According to this, by arranging an airflow path (in this case, a rib) connecting opposing exposed parts, hot air can be directed to the two exposed parts, thereby reducing the adhesive strength of multiple sealing members.

[0036] (Aspect 9) An optical scanning device (8) is provided, comprising a deflection means (22) for deflecting and scanning a light beam emitted from a light source in the main scanning direction, and a plurality of optical elements (24) for guiding the light beam deflected by the deflection means to the surface to be scanned, wherein the device uses the housing structure described in any one of embodiments 1 to 8, and resin (25) is used as a sealing member. According to this, the joints in the housing of the optical scanning device can be easily separated when dismantling it.

[0037] (Aspect 10) The invention is characterized by comprising a housing structure described in any one of embodiments 1 to 8 or an optical scanning device described in embodiment 9. According to this, the joints in the housing of the optical scanning device can be easily separated when dismantling it. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 1: Paper feed cassette 2: Paper feed roller 3: Resist Roller vs. 4: Transfer roller 5: Fuser Unit 6: Paper output roller 7: Paper output section 8: Optical scanning device 8A: Unit 9: Image forming means 9a: Photoreceptor 10: Image forming means 10a: Photoreceptor 10b: Photoreceptor 11: Image forming means 12: Image forming means 13: Intermediate Transfer Apparatus 19: Housing 21: Cover 21a:Aperture 21b:Aperture 22: Polygon Scanner 23a: Scanning lens 23b: Scanning lens 24a: Folding mirror 24b: Folding mirror 24c: Fold-over mirror 24d: Folding mirror 25: Sealing material 25a: Sealing member 25b: Sealing member 26: Dustproof glass 27: Guide 27a: Guide 27b: Guide 27c: Guide 27d: Guide 27e: Guide 27f: Stopper 28: Arrow direction 31: Resin end contact surface 32: Receiving surface 33: Window 33a: Window 33b: Window 34a: Rib 34b: Rib 35: Exposure range 35a: Exposure range 35b: Exposure range AA: Line L1: Laser light L2: Laser light [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0039] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-911583

Claims

1. A housing structure comprising parts joined together with a bonding resin interposed therebetween, A housing structure characterized by having a window provided at the location where the aforementioned parts are joined or in the aforementioned parts to expose the resin.

2. In the housing structure described in claim 1, It comprises a housing body with one side open and a lid member that closes the opening, The lid member comprises an opening and a covering member that covers the opening. The housing structure is characterized in that the joined component is the covering member.

3. In the housing structure described in claim 2, The housing structure is characterized in that the covering member is joined so as to cover the opening of the lid member from the side that becomes the outer surface when the opening of the housing body is closed by the lid member.

4. In the housing structure described in claim 3, The housing structure is characterized in that the window is provided so as to communicate with the opening of the lid member by partially cutting out the receiving portion of the covering member at the periphery of the opening of the lid member, and the resin is exposed on the side opposite to the outer surface.

5. In the housing structure described in claim 4, The aforementioned resin is an adhesive resin, A housing structure characterized in that a resin end surface contact surface is provided on the edge of the window in the receiving portion opposite to the opening, which contacts the resin end surface with respect to the thickness of the resin.

6. In the housing structure described in claim 5, The housing structure is characterized in that the resin end face contact surface also contacts the end face of the plate-shaped covering member, which has a thickness equal to the thickness of the covering member, and serves as a positioning portion for the covering member.

7. In the housing structure described in claim 4, The aforementioned covering member is a long, translucent member. A guide portion is provided on the opening edge of the lid member that is on the outer surface, for guiding the cleaning tool of the cover member. The housing structure is characterized in that the position of the window in the longitudinal direction of the covering member is the same as at least one of the guide portions.

8. In the housing structure described in claim 1, The joined components are multiple lid members that close each of the multiple openings formed in the same outer wall portion of the housing, The housing structure is characterized in that the same outer wall portion is provided with ribs that form side walls of paths connecting the multiple windows provided for each of the multiple lid members.

9. Light source and A deflection means for deflecting and scanning the light beam emitted from the light source in the main scanning direction, In an optical scanning device, which houses a plurality of optical elements that guide a light beam deflected by the deflection means to a scanning surface, An optical scanning device characterized by using the housing structure described in any one of claims 1 to 8, and using the resin as a sealing member.

10. An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a housing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or an optical scanning device according to claim 9.

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