Mounting structure and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a mounting structure and an image forming apparatus that is easier to adjust misalignment between a support portion cover and an upper cover in the device width direction or depth direction compared to a case where the mounting position of a mounting member to a frame is adjusted and fixed using a single long hole adjustment portion.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus, a mounting structure 10 includes a conveying device provided via a support portion disposed on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body, a support portion cover provided on the outer surface of the support portion, an upper cover provided on the outer surface of the conveying device and arranged side by side above the support portion cover, a bracket 16 that is attached to a mounted portion 18 arranged inside the support portion, has a block portion 16A and a mounting portion 16B, and positions the support portion cover, and an adjustment portion 20 that adjusts the mounting position of the bracket 16 to the mounted portion 18 by fixing the mounting position using any one of a plurality of fixing portions 40 that are arranged so as to be shifted in the device width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting structure and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus having an image reading unit and a position adjustment mechanism for the image reading unit, in which an exterior cover that covers all or part of the adjustment mechanism is fixed to a moving adjustment member provided on the adjustment mechanism, allowing the cover to follow the moving adjustment member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-34958 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention aims to provide an installation structure and an image forming apparatus that facilitates adjustment of misalignment between the support cover and the upper cover in the width or depth directions of the device, compared to a case in which the installation position of the mounting member to the frame is adjusted and fixed using an adjustment part with a single long hole. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The mounting structure of the first embodiment is provided via a support part arranged on top of a recording part that records images, and includes a conveying device that conveys a conveyed object and reads information, a support part cover provided on the outer surface of the support part, an upper cover provided on the outer surface of the conveying device and arranged in line above the support part cover, a mounting member attached to a mounting part arranged inside the support part and positions the support part cover, and an adjustment part that adjusts the mounting position of the mounting member on the mounting part by fixing it using any one of a plurality of fixing parts arranged with a shift in the device width direction or device depth direction.

[0006] The mounting structure of the second aspect is the mounting structure described in the first aspect, wherein the multiple fixing portions are provided on the mounting portion and are multiple holes spaced apart in the depth direction of the device, the multiple holes being offset in the width direction of the device by a distance smaller than the diameter of the holes, and an insertion portion for inserting and fixing the mounting member into one of the multiple holes.

[0007] The mounting structure of the third aspect is the mounting structure described in the first aspect, wherein the multiple fixing portions are multiple through holes provided in the mounting member and spaced apart in the device depth direction, the multiple through holes being offset in the device width direction by a distance smaller than the diameter of the through holes, and an insertion portion that passes through one of the multiple through holes and fixes the mounting member by inserting it into one of a plurality of holes provided in the device depth direction of the mounting portion.

[0008] The mounting structure of the fourth aspect is a mounting structure described in any one of the first to third aspects, in which the support part cover is divided into an outer cover that covers a part of the front surface of the device and the outside in the width direction of the device, and an inner cover that is positioned inside the outer cover in the width direction of the device.

[0009] The mounting structure of the fifth aspect is the mounting structure described in the fourth aspect, in which the inner cover is positioned on the mounting member and the outer cover is positioned on the inner cover, and the rigidity of the inner cover is greater than the rigidity of the outer cover.

[0010] The mounting structure of the sixth aspect is the mounting structure described in the fifth aspect, in which when the upper surface of the support part is covered by the conveying device, the position where the outer cover is fixed to the main body part of the support part is covered by the upper cover.

[0011] The mounting structure of the seventh aspect is the mounting structure described in the fourth aspect, in which the outer cover is positioned on the mounting member, the inner cover is positioned on the outer cover, and the rigidity of the outer cover is greater than the rigidity of the inner cover.

[0012] The mounting structure of the eighth aspect is the mounting structure described in the seventh aspect, in which when the upper surface of the support part is covered by the conveying device, the position where the inner cover is fixed to the main body part of the support part is covered by the upper cover.

[0013] The mounting structure of the 9th aspect is a mounting structure described in any one of the 1st to 8th aspects, wherein at least one of the inner cover and the outer cover of the support part cover has no ribs at least on the rear side of the mounting member in the device depth direction.

[0014] The mounting structure of the 10th aspect is a mounting structure described in any one of the 1st to 9th aspects, in which the lower side of the support part cover is positioned in a frame arranged inside the support part cover.

[0015] An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect has a mounting structure according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, a reading unit that reads information about the transported object transported by the transport device provided in the mounting structure, and an image forming apparatus main body that is provided with a recording unit that records the information read by the reading unit on a recording medium. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the mounting structure of the first aspect, it is easier to adjust the positional misalignment between the support part cover and the upper cover in the width or depth direction of the device, compared to when the mounting position of the mounting member to the frame is adjusted and fixed using an adjustment part with a single long hole.

[0017] According to the mounting structure of the second aspect, when the mounting member is attached to the mounting portion, it is possible to adjust the position to a smaller diameter than the hole, compared to when multiple holes are arranged in the mounting portion along the width direction of the device.

[0018] According to the mounting structure of the third aspect, when the mounting member is attached to the mounting portion, it is possible to adjust the position to be smaller than the diameter of the through hole, compared to when the mounting member has multiple through holes arranged along the width direction of the device.

[0019] According to the mounting structure of the fourth aspect, the positions of the outer cover and the inner cover can be adjusted with greater precision in accordance with the adjusted position of the mounting member, compared to when the support portion cover is integrally formed.

[0020] According to the mounting structure of the fifth aspect, it is easier to adjust the position of the boundary portion between the outer cover and the inner cover, compared to a case in which both the outer cover and the inner cover are positioned on the mounting member.

[0021] According to the mounting structure of the sixth aspect, the position where the outer cover is fixed to the main body can be located in an area where distortion of the outer cover is less visible from the outside, compared to when the position is exposed on the outside of the upper cover.

[0022] According to the mounting structure of the seventh aspect, it is easier to adjust the position of the boundary portion between the outer cover and the inner cover, compared to a case in which both the outer cover and the inner cover are positioned on the mounting member.

[0023] According to the mounting structure of the eighth aspect, the position where the inner cover is fixed to the main body can be located in an area where distortion of the inner cover is less visible from the outside, compared to when the position is exposed to the outside of the upper cover.

[0024] According to the mounting structure of the ninth aspect, the adjustment margin for the position of the mounting member can be increased, compared to a case in which a rib is provided on the rear side of the mounting member in the device depth direction on the inner cover or the outer cover.

[0025] According to the mounting structure of the tenth aspect, the upper side of the support portion cover can be deformed with the lower side of the support portion cover serving as a fulcrum, thereby positioning the support portion cover on the mounting member.

[0026] According to the image forming apparatus of the eleventh aspect, it is easier to adjust the positional misalignment between the support part cover and the upper cover in the width or depth direction of the device, compared to when the mounting position of the mounting member to the frame is adjusted and fixed using an adjustment part with a single long hole. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an image forming apparatus including an attachment structure according to a first embodiment, illustrating a state in which a conveying device is rotated upward relative to an image forming apparatus main body. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an image forming apparatus including an attachment structure according to a first embodiment, illustrating a state in which a conveying device is closed to the image forming apparatus main body side. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of an upper cover and a support portion cover in an image forming apparatus equipped with an attachment structure according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4]1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a bracket arranged inside a support portion cover of the mounting structure according to the first embodiment is fixed to a mounting target portion. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a side view showing a state in which an inner cover upper is positioned on a bracket arranged inside a support portion cover of the mounting structure according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which the mounting position of the bracket to the mounted portion of the mounting structure according to the first embodiment is adjusted. [Figure 7] 1 is a plan view showing a bracket and a mounted portion of the mounting structure according to the first embodiment in a separated state. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a perspective view showing an inner cover upper, an inner cover lower, and an outer cover that configure a support portion cover of the mounting structure according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 1A is a schematic front view showing a positioning position between the inner cover upper and the bracket, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the inner cover upper is positioned on the bracket. [Figure 10] 1A is a schematic front view showing the positioning position between the inner cover upper and the inner cover lower, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the inner cover upper is positioned on the inner cover lower. [Figure 11] FIG. 1A is a schematic front view showing a positioning position between the inner cover lower and the frame, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the inner cover lower is positioned on the frame. [Figure 12] 1A is a schematic front view showing the positioning positions of the outer cover and the inner cover upper, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the outer cover is positioned on the inner cover upper. [Figure 13] FIG. 1A is a schematic front view showing the positioning of the outer cover and the upper part of the inner cover lower, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the outer cover is positioned on the upper part of the inner cover lower. [Figure 14]FIG. 1A is a schematic front view showing the positioning of the outer cover and the lower part of the inner cover lower, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the outer cover is positioned on the lower part of the inner cover lower. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the inner cover upper and the inner cover lower. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a bracket and a mounted portion of the mounting structure according to the second embodiment in a separated state. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a bracket and a mounted portion of the mounting structure according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] 13 is a side view showing a state in which the outer cover is positioned on the bracket arranged inside the support portion cover of the mounting structure according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment for implementing the technology of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, the direction indicated by the arrow X in the drawings as appropriate is the device width direction, and the direction indicated by the arrow Y is the device height direction. In addition, the direction perpendicular to each of the device width direction and the device height direction (arrow Z direction) is the device depth direction.

[0029] [First embodiment] <Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus> 1 and 2 show an example of an image forming apparatus 100 equipped with an attachment structure 10 according to a first embodiment.

[0030] 1 and 2, image forming apparatus 100 includes image forming apparatus main body 102 having a recording unit that records an image on a recording medium, and conveying device 106 disposed via support units 104 and 105 that are disposed on the upper portion of image forming apparatus main body 102. Image forming apparatus 100 also includes reading unit 108 that reads information about a conveyed object (not shown) conveyed by conveying device 106. As an example, reading unit 108 is provided on the upper portion of support units 104 and 105.

[0031] As an example, the support portion 104 is disposed on one side of the upper portion of the image forming device body 102 in the device width direction (arrow X direction) (on the left side in the device width direction when viewed from the front of the device in FIG. 1) along the device depth direction (arrow Z direction). The support portion 104 extends upward from the image forming device body 102 in a columnar shape. The support portion 105 is disposed on the rear side of the upper portion of the image forming device body 102 in the device depth direction (arrow Z direction) along the device width direction (arrow X direction). The support portion 105 extends upward from the image forming device body 102 in a columnar shape. In this embodiment, the support portion 104 and the support portion 105 are connected at the rear side in the device depth direction.

[0032] Although not shown, a recording means for recording an image on a recording medium (not shown) and a transport means for transporting the recording medium on which the image has been recorded by the recording means are provided inside the image forming apparatus main body 102. The configurations of the recording means and the transport means are not particularly limited. For example, the image forming apparatus main body 102 may be configured to record an image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method, or to record an image on a recording medium by an inkjet recording method.

[0033] Between the image forming apparatus main body 102 and the reading unit 108, a discharge unit 110 that discharges a recording medium on which an image is recorded by the image forming apparatus main body 102 is provided on the side of the support unit 104. The image forming apparatus 100 also has an operation unit 112 for performing various operations of the image forming apparatus 100, on the front side of the conveying device 106 in the apparatus depth direction. The image forming apparatus 100 also includes the mounting structure 10 of this embodiment.

[0034] <Overall configuration of mounting structure> 2 and 3, the mounting structure 10 includes a conveying device 106, a support part cover 12 provided on the outer surface of the support part 104, and an upper cover 14 provided on the outer surface of the conveying device 106. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the mounting structure 10 includes a bracket 16 that positions the support part cover 12 inside the support part cover 12, and an adjustment part 20 (see FIG. 6) that adjusts the mounting position of the bracket 16 to the mounted part 18. The bracket 16 is an example of a mounting member. Also, other means may be used as long as they can adjust and fix the position of the support part cover 12.

[0035] (Transportation device) As shown in FIG. 2, in a front view of the image forming apparatus 100, the conveying device 106 is disposed above the support unit 104. As an example, in the image forming apparatus 100, the conveying device 106 is rotatably supported with respect to the reading unit 108 on the upper part of the support unit 104. In this embodiment, the conveying device 106 is rotatably supported by a hinge (not shown) disposed on the rear side of the reading unit 108 in the device depth direction. In other words, the conveying device 106 is configured to rotate with respect to the reading unit 108 on the upper part of the support unit 104 around the axis of the hinge disposed along the device width direction. That is, the conveying device 106 moves from a closed state (see FIG. 2) in which it contacts the reading unit 108 to a rotated state in which the front side in the device depth direction rotates upward with respect to the reading unit 108 (see FIG. 1).

[0036] (Support cover) 2 and 3, the support section cover 12 covers the outer surface of the support section 104. In this embodiment, the support section cover 12 is divided into an outer cover 24 arranged on the outer side in the device width direction, and an inner cover 26 arranged on the inner side in the device width direction of the outer cover 24. Also, in this embodiment, the inner cover 26 is divided into an upper inner cover 28 arranged on the upper side in the device vertical direction (arrow Y direction), and an inner cover lower 30 arranged on the lower side in the device vertical direction of the inner cover 26.

[0037] The outer cover 24 covers a part of the front surface of the support portion 104 and the outer side surface in the device width direction of the support portion 104. The outer cover 24 is disposed along the vertical direction and is integrally formed in the vertical direction.

[0038] The inner cover upper 28 and the inner cover lower 30 constituting the inner cover 26 are disposed along the up-down direction. The inner cover upper 28 and the inner cover lower 30 cover the ejection section 110 side of the support section 104 in the device depth direction.

[0039] The rigidity of the inner cover upper 28 and the inner cover lower 30 constituting the inner cover 26 is configured to be smaller than the rigidity of the upper cover 14. As shown in FIG. 15, a typical support part cover 200 has a rib 202 on the inner surface of the support part cover. In this embodiment, the inner surfaces of the inner cover upper 28 and the inner cover lower 30 around the bracket 16 are flat and have a predetermined uniform thickness. The inner surfaces of the inner cover upper 28 and the inner cover lower 30 at least on the far side of the bracket 16 in the device depth direction do not have a rib. As an example, the inner surfaces of the inner cover upper 28 and the inner cover lower 30 around the bracket 16 do not have a rib (i.e., the rib 202 as shown in FIG. 15 is not provided). As a result, when the attachment position of the bracket 16 to the attachment portion 18 is adjusted in the device width direction (arrow X direction), the upper inner cover 28 and the lower inner cover 30 are slightly deformed to follow the attachment position of the attachment portion 18 of the bracket 16. Note that ribs may be provided on the inner surfaces of the upper inner cover 28 and the lower inner cover 30 on the near side of the bracket 16 in the device depth direction, i.e., on the front side in the device depth direction.

[0040] In this embodiment, the rigidity of the inner cover upper 28 and the inner cover lower 30 constituting the inner cover 26 is configured to be greater than the rigidity of the outer cover 24. For example, by not providing a rib on the side of the inner surface of the outer cover 24 facing the bracket 16, or by making the thickness of the outer cover 24 thinner than the thicknesses of the inner cover upper 28 and the inner cover lower 30, the rigidity of the inner cover upper 28 and the inner cover lower 30 becomes greater than the rigidity of the outer cover 24. Here, "the rigidity of the inner cover upper 28 and the inner cover lower 30 is greater than the rigidity of the outer cover 24" means that the inner cover upper 28 and the inner cover lower 30 are less likely to deform than the outer cover 24, i.e., a greater load is required for deformation. As a result, when the inner cover upper 28 and the inner cover lower 30 are slightly deformed in accordance with the mounting position of the mounting portion 18 of the bracket 16, the outer cover 24 positioned on the inner cover upper 28 and the inner cover lower 30 is easily deformed in conjunction with the inner cover upper 28 and the inner cover lower 30.

[0041] (Upper cover) As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the upper cover 14 covers at least one side of the conveying device 106 in the device width direction (the left side in the device width direction shown in Fig. 2). In a closed state (see Figs. 2 and 3) in which the conveying device 106 contacts the reading unit 108, the upper cover 14 is arranged side by side on the upper side of the support unit cover 12. Here, "arranged side by side" means that the upper cover 14 is directly arranged side by side on the upper side of the support unit cover 12 (i.e., arranged adjacent to each other), as well as the case where the upper cover 14 is indirectly arranged side by side on the upper side of the support unit cover 12 (i.e., another member is interposed between the upper cover 14 and the support unit cover 12). In this embodiment, the upper cover 14 is arranged side by side on the upper side of the support unit cover 12.

[0042] The upper cover 14 includes an outer portion 14A disposed above the outer cover 24 and in line with the outer cover 24, and an inner portion 14B disposed above the inner cover 26 and in line with the inner cover 26. In this embodiment, the outer portion 14A and the inner portion 14B are formed by joining separate members, but the outer portion 14A and the inner portion 14B may be formed as a single unit.

[0043] (bracket) 4 and 5, the bracket 16 is disposed inside the support part cover 12. In this embodiment, the bracket 16 positions the inner cover upper 28 of the support part cover 12. The bracket 16 is attached to an attachment part 18 provided in the middle part in the up-down direction inside the support part 104. For example, the attachment part 18 is configured as a part of a frame provided inside the support part 104. The attachment part 18 has an attachment surface 18A disposed in the horizontal direction.

[0044] The bracket 16 includes a block portion 16A extending in the up-down direction, and plate-shaped mounting portions 16B and 16C arranged along the mounting portion 18 from the lower end of the block portion 16A (see FIG. 6). The bracket 16 is L-shaped in the plan view shown in FIG. 6. The mounting portion 16B extends from the block portion 16A toward the front side in the device depth direction. The mounting portion 16C extends from the block portion 16A toward the outside in the device width direction.

[0045] The mounting portion 16B is provided with a plurality of (three in this embodiment) through holes 34 spaced apart in the device depth direction. As an example, the through holes 34 are elongated holes that are long in the device depth direction. The plurality of through holes 34 are arranged so as not to be misaligned in the device width direction of the mounting portion 16B.

[0046] Further, the mounting portion 16C is provided with a long hole 36 that is long in the device width direction. One long hole 36 is provided. A screw 45 is passed through the long hole 36 and fastened to a screw hole in the mounting target portion 18 (not shown), thereby fixing the mounting portion 16C to the mounting surface 18A of the mounting target portion 18. By providing the long hole 36 in the mounting portion 16C, the mounting portion 16C can be fixed to the mounting target portion 18 even if the position of the bracket 16 is adjusted in the device width direction (arrow X direction). The configuration for attaching the mounting portions 16B and 16C of the bracket 16 to the mounting target portion 18 will be described later.

[0047] 5 and 9(B), a recess 52 for positioning the inner cover upper 28 is provided on the surface on the front side in the device depth direction at the top of the block portion 16A of the bracket 16. A protrusion 53 is provided on the inner surface of the inner cover upper 28, and a boss 54 formed at the tip of the protrusion 53 is inserted into the recess 52, thereby positioning the inner cover upper 28 on the bracket 16. The positioning structure of the inner cover upper 28, inner cover lower 30, and outer cover that configure the support portion cover 12 will be described in detail later.

[0048] (adjustment section) The adjustment unit 20 has a function of adjusting the attachment position of the bracket 16 to the attachment portion 18 in the device width direction (arrow X direction). As shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the adjustment unit 20 has a plurality of fixing portions 40 arranged and shifted in the device width direction. The plurality of fixing portions 40 have a plurality of screw holes 42 (three in this embodiment) provided in the attachment portion 18, and a screw 44 that fixes the bracket 16 by inserting it into one of the plurality of screw holes. The screw hole 42 is an example of a hole, and the screw 44 is an example of an insertion portion.

[0049] The multiple screw holes 42 are disposed at intervals in the device depth direction, and are offset in the device width direction by a distance smaller than the diameter of the screw holes 42. As an example, the multiple screw holes 42 are offset in the device width direction by a distance equal to or greater than the radius of the screw holes 42, and the offset amounts in the device width direction of the multiple screw holes 42 are equal. Note that instead of this configuration, the multiple screw holes 42 may be configured to be offset in the device width direction by a distance smaller than the radius of the screw holes 42.

[0050] As described above, the multiple fixing parts 40 include multiple (three in this embodiment) through holes 34 consisting of elongated holes provided in the mounting part 16B of the bracket 16. The number of screw holes 42 is the same as the number of through holes 34. The multiple through holes 34 are arranged in accordance with the positions of the multiple screw holes 42 in the device depth direction. In this embodiment, the multiple (three in this embodiment) fixing parts 40 are configured by a combination of the multiple screw holes 42 arranged in the device depth direction and the through holes 34 arranged corresponding to the respective screw holes 42.

[0051] The adjustment unit 20 adjusts the mounting position of the bracket 16 to the mounting portion 18 by fixing it using any one of a plurality of fixing parts 40 arranged at different positions in the device width direction. Specifically, the shaft part of a screw 44 (see FIG. 5) is inserted into any one of a plurality of through holes 34 of the bracket 16, and the screw 44 is tightened into one of the screw holes 42 of the mounting portion 18 corresponding to the inserted through hole 34. As a result, the bracket 16 is attached to the mounting portion 18, and the mounting position of the bracket 16 to the mounting portion 18 is adjusted in the device width direction. In this embodiment, three fixing parts 40 are provided, so that the mounting position of the bracket 16 to the mounting portion 18 can be adjusted in three stages.

[0052] (Support cover positioning structure) As shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9(A), the inner cover upper 28 of the support section cover 12 is positioned on the bracket 16 at the first position P1. As shown in Fig. 9(A) and (B), at the first position P1, a circular recess 52 is provided on the surface on the front side in the device depth direction of the upper part of the block part 16A of the bracket 16. A cylindrical boss 54 protruding toward the rear side in the device depth direction is provided on the inner surface of the inner cover upper 28. At the first position P1, the boss 54 of the inner cover upper 28 is inserted into the recess 52 of the bracket 16, so that the inner cover upper 28 is positioned on the bracket 16. As an example, the boss 54 of the inner cover upper 28 is inserted into the recess 52 of the bracket 16 by attaching the inner cover upper 28 to the bracket 16 facing toward the rear side in the device depth direction.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10(A), the inner cover upper 28 of the support portion cover 12 is positioned on the inner cover lower 30 at the second position P2. As shown in FIG. 10(A) and (B), at the second position P2, a U-shaped recess 56 is provided on the surface of the upper part of the inner cover lower 30 on the front side in the device depth direction. A rib 58 protruding toward the back side in the device depth direction is provided on the inner surface of the inner cover upper 28. At the second position P2, the rib 58 of the inner cover upper 28 is inserted into the recess 56 of the inner cover lower 30, thereby preventing the inner cover upper 28 from rotating relative to the inner cover lower 30. There may be a slight gap between the rib 58 and the recess 56. As an example, the inner cover upper 28 is attached to the inner cover lower 30 toward the back side in the device depth direction, so that the rib 58 of the inner cover upper 28 is inserted into the recess 56 of the inner cover lower 30.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 11(A), the lower side of the inner cover lower 30 of the support section cover 12 is positioned in the frame 60 inside the support section 104 at the third position P3. As shown in Figs. 11(A) and (B), at the third position P3, the frame 60 is provided with a circular recess 62 for positioning. A cylindrical boss 64 protruding toward the rear side in the device depth direction is provided on the inner surface of the lower part of the inner cover lower 30. At the third position P3, the boss 64 of the inner cover lower 30 is inserted into the recess 62 of the frame 60, so that the lower side of the inner cover lower 30 is positioned in the frame 60. As an example, the boss 64 of the inner cover lower 30 is inserted into the recess 62 of the frame 60 by attaching the inner cover lower 30 to the frame 60 facing toward the rear side in the device depth direction. Since the position of the recess 62 of the frame 60 is fixed, during assembly, the upper side of the inner cover lower 30 rotates around the boss 64 inserted into the recess 62 of the frame 60 as a fulcrum.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 12(A), the outer cover 24 of the support portion cover 12 is positioned on the inner cover upper 28 at the fourth position P4. As shown in FIG. 12(A) and (B), at the fourth position P4, a circular recess 66 is provided on the surface of the upper part of the inner cover upper 28 on the front side in the device depth direction. A cylindrical boss 68 protruding toward the rear side in the device depth direction is provided on the inner surface of the outer cover 24. At the fourth position P4, the boss 68 of the outer cover 24 is inserted into the recess 66 of the inner cover upper 28, thereby preventing the outer cover 24 from rotating relative to the inner cover upper 28. As an example, the outer cover 24 is attached to the inner cover upper 28 toward the rear side in the device depth direction, so that the boss 68 of the outer cover 24 is inserted into the recess 66 of the inner cover upper 28.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 13(A), the outer cover 24 of the support section cover 12 is positioned on the inner cover lower 30 at the fifth position P5. As shown in FIG. 13(A) and (B), at the fifth position P5, a circular recess 70 is provided on the surface of the inner cover lower 30 on the front side in the device depth direction at the vertical middle part. A cylindrical boss 72 protruding toward the back side in the device depth direction is provided on the inner surface of the outer cover 24. At the fifth position P5, the boss 72 of the outer cover 24 is inserted into the recess 70 of the inner cover lower 30, thereby preventing the outer cover 24 from rotating relatively to the inner cover lower 30. As an example, the outer cover 24 is attached to the inner cover lower 30 toward the back side in the device depth direction, so that the boss 72 of the outer cover 24 is inserted into the recess 70 of the inner cover lower 30.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 14(A), the outer cover 24 of the support section cover 12 is positioned on the inner cover lower 30 at the sixth position P6. As shown in FIG. 14(A) and (B), at the sixth position P6, a circular recess 74 is provided on the surface of the lower side of the inner cover lower 30 on the front side in the device depth direction. A cylindrical boss 76 protruding toward the back side in the device depth direction is provided on the inner surface of the outer cover 24. At the sixth position P6, the boss 76 of the outer cover 24 is inserted into the recess 74 of the inner cover lower 30, so that the outer cover 24 is positioned on the inner cover lower 30. As an example, the boss 76 of the outer cover 24 is inserted into the recess 74 of the inner cover lower 30 by attaching the outer cover 24 to the inner cover lower 30 facing toward the back side in the device depth direction.

[0058] In the positioning structure of the support portion cover 12 as described above, the first position P1 moves in the device width direction by moving the mounting position of the bracket 16 to the mounting portion 18 in the device width direction. Then, the inner cover 26 (the inner cover lower 30 and the inner cover upper 28) and the outer cover 24 move in conjunction with the bracket 16, with the boss 64 of the inner cover lower 30 inserted in the recess 62 of the frame 60 as a fulcrum.

[0059] 8, the top surface 28A of the inner cover upper 28 is fixed to the upper frame (not shown) of the support part 104 by a screw 82 at the rear side in the device depth direction. The top surface 24A of the outer cover 24 is fixed to the upper frame (not shown) of the support part 104 by a screw 84 at the rear side in the device depth direction. The upper frame is an example of a main body. In this embodiment, with the top surface of the support part 104 covered by the transport device 106, the inner cover upper 28 is positioned on the bracket 16, and the position where the outer cover 24 is fixed to the upper frame (not shown) of the support part 104 (i.e., the fixing position of the screw 84) ​​is covered by the upper cover 14.

[0060] <Action and Effects> Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0061] In the mounting structure 10 of this embodiment, a conveying device 106 is provided via a support part 104 arranged on the upper part of an image forming apparatus main body 102 that records an image. A support part cover 12 is provided on the outer surface of the support part 104. An upper cover 14 is provided on the outer surface of the conveying device 106. The upper cover 14 is arranged in a line above the support part cover 12. The mounting structure 10 also includes a bracket 16 attached to a mounting part 18 arranged inside the support part 104, and the bracket 16 positions an inner cover upper 28 constituting the support part cover 12. The mounting structure 10 also includes an adjustment part 20 that adjusts the mounting position of the bracket 16 to the mounting part 18 by fixing it using any one of a plurality of fixing parts 40 arranged to be shifted in the device width direction.

[0062] In general, in a configuration in which the upper cover of the conveying device is arranged side by side above the support cover, the upper cover and the support cover may be relatively misaligned in the device width direction (arrow X direction). For example, in a configuration in which the conveying device is supported to be movable or rotatable relative to the upper part of the support, the upper cover of the conveying device and the support cover are likely to be relatively misaligned in the device width direction due to deformation of the units constituting the conveying device due to load, cumulative crossover of each part constituting the conveying device, or tilting the unit left and right to ensure the scanning performance of the reading unit. In particular, in a configuration in which the front side of the image forming device is arranged at a position far from the connection position where the conveying device is connected to the upper part of the support so as to be movable or rotatable, if the upper cover and the support cover are relatively misaligned in the device width direction at the front side of the image forming device, the design quality of the appearance may be impaired.

[0063] In the mounting structure 10 of this embodiment, the adjustment unit 20 adjusts the mounting position of the bracket 16 to the mounting portion 18 in the device width direction. The adjustment unit 20 adjusts the position of the bracket 16 in the device width direction by aligning one of the multiple through holes 34 (three in this embodiment) of the bracket 16 with a corresponding one of the multiple (three in this embodiment) screw holes 42 in the mounting portion 18. Then, the shank of the screw 44 is passed through the through hole 34 of the bracket 16 and tightened into the screw hole 42 of the mounting portion 18, thereby mounting the bracket 16 to the mounting portion 18. This adjusts the mounting position of the bracket 16 to the mounting portion 18 in the device width direction.

[0064] Furthermore, by positioning the inner cover upper 28 constituting the support unit cover 12 on the bracket 16, the position of the support unit cover 12 in the device width direction can be adjusted to match the upper cover 14 of the transport device 106.

[0065] As described above, in the mounting structure 10, the adjustment part 20 adjusts the mounting position of the bracket 16 to the mounted part 18 by fixing it using one of the multiple fixing parts 40 arranged at different positions in the width direction of the device. Therefore, in the mounting structure 10, the adjustment work for adjusting the positional deviation in the width direction of the device between the support part cover 12 and the upper cover 14 is easier than when the mounting position of the mounting member to the frame is adjusted and fixed using an adjustment part with a single long hole. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation in the width direction of the device between the support part cover 12 and the upper cover 14.

[0066] In the mounting structure 10, the multiple fixing parts 40 include multiple (three in this embodiment) screw holes 42 provided in the mounting portion 18. The multiple screw holes 42 are arranged at intervals in the device depth direction and are offset in the device width direction by a distance smaller than the diameter of the screw holes 42. Then, a screw 44 is inserted into the through hole 34 of the bracket 16 and fastened into one of the multiple screw holes 42, thereby fixing the bracket 16 to one of the screw holes 42. Therefore, in the mounting structure 10, when the bracket 16 is mounted to the mounting portion 18, the position can be adjusted to a position smaller than the diameter of the screw holes 42, compared to a case in which a mounting member has multiple holes arranged along the device width direction.

[0067] In the mounting structure 10, the support section cover 12 is divided into an outer cover 24 that covers part of the front surface of the device and the outside in the device width direction, and an inner cover 26 that is disposed inside the outer cover 24 in the device width direction. As a result, when an inner cover upper 28 that constitutes the inner cover 26 is positioned on the bracket 16, the inner cover 26 and the outer cover 24 move in accordance with the position of the bracket 16 in the device width direction. Therefore, in the mounting structure 10, the positions of the outer cover 24 and the inner cover 26 can be adjusted with higher precision according to the adjusted position of the bracket 16 in the device width direction, compared to when the support section cover is formed integrally.

[0068] In the mounting structure 10, the inner cover upper 28 constituting the inner cover 26 is positioned on the bracket 16, and the outer cover 24 is positioned on the inner cover 26 (the inner cover upper 28 and the inner cover lower 30). Furthermore, the rigidity of the inner cover 26 is configured to be greater than the rigidity of the outer cover 24. As a result, when the inner cover upper 28 constituting the inner cover 26 is positioned on the bracket 16, the inner cover 26 and the outer cover 24 move following the position of the bracket 16 in the device width direction. At this time, since the rigidity of the inner cover 26 is greater than the rigidity of the outer cover 24, the outer cover 24 is more likely to move following the position of the inner cover 26. Therefore, in the mounting structure 10, it is easier to adjust the position of the boundary between the outer cover 24 and the inner cover 26 compared to a case in which both the outer cover and the inner cover are positioned on the mounting member.

[0069] In the mounting structure 10, the inner cover 26 of the support portion cover 12 has no ribs at least on the rear side in the device depth direction of the bracket 16. This makes it easier for the inner cover 26 to move in accordance with the position of the bracket 16 in the device width direction when the inner cover upper 28 constituting the inner cover 26 is positioned on the bracket 16. Therefore, in the mounting structure 10, the adjustment margin for the position of the bracket 16 can be increased compared to when there is a rib on the rear side in the device depth direction of the mounting member in the inner cover.

[0070] In the mounting structure 10, the lower side of the inner cover lower 30 constituting the support part cover 12 is positioned on a frame 60 arranged inside the support part cover 12. In this embodiment, the lower side of the inner cover lower 30 is positioned on the frame 60 by inserting a boss 64 of the inner cover lower 30 into a recess 62 of the frame 60. Therefore, in the mounting structure 10, the upper side of the inner cover 26 of the support part cover 12 can be deformed and positioned on the bracket 16 using the lower side of the inner cover 26 of the support part cover 12 as a fulcrum.

[0071] In the mounting structure 10, with the upper surface of the support portion 104 covered by the conveying device 106, the inner cover upper 28 constituting the inner cover 26 is positioned on the bracket 16, and the position where the outer cover 24 is fixed to the upper frame of the support portion 104 is covered by the upper cover 14. In this embodiment, the position where the upper surface portion 24A of the outer cover 24 is fixed to the upper frame of the support portion 104 by the screw 84 is covered by the upper cover 14. In this embodiment, when the inner cover upper 28 constituting the inner cover 26 is positioned on the bracket 16, the inner cover 26 moves following the position of the bracket 16 in the device width direction, and the outer cover 24 moves according to the position of the inner cover 26, so that the outer cover 24 may be distorted. Therefore, in the mounting structure 10, the position where the outer cover is fixed to the main body portion can be located in an area where the distortion of the outer cover 24 is difficult to see from the outside, compared to when the position is exposed to the outside of the upper cover.

[0072] Moreover, the image forming apparatus 100 includes the mounting structure 10, a reading unit 108 that reads information on the transported object transported by the transport device 106, and an image forming apparatus main body 102 that includes a recording unit that records the information read by the reading unit 108 on a recording medium. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 100, the adjustment work for the misalignment of the support unit cover 12 and the upper cover 14 in the device width direction is easier than when the mounting position of the mounting member to the frame is adjusted and fixed by an adjustment unit with a single long hole. Therefore, deterioration in the design quality of the appearance due to the misalignment of the support unit cover 12 and the upper cover 14 in the device width direction is suppressed.

[0073] Second Embodiment Next, a mounting structure of a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 16, the mounting structure 120 includes an adjustment section 126 instead of the adjustment section 20 of the mounting structure 10 of the first embodiment. The adjustment section 126 adjusts the mounting position of the bracket 122 to the mounting section 124 by fixing the bracket 122 to one of a plurality of fixing sections 128 (three in this embodiment) arranged to be shifted in the device width direction. The plurality of fixing sections 128 include a plurality of through holes 130 (three in this embodiment) provided in the bracket 122. The plurality of through holes 130 are arranged at intervals in the device depth direction and are shifted in the device width direction by a distance smaller than the diameter of the through holes 130 in the short side direction. The through holes 130 are elongated holes that are long in the device depth direction. The bracket 122 is an example of a mounting member.

[0075] The mounting portion 124 is provided with a plurality of (three in this embodiment) screw holes 132 spaced apart in the device depth direction. The screw holes 132 are an example of a hole. A screw (see FIG. 6), an example of an insertion portion, is passed through one of the through holes 130 and tightened into one of the screw holes 132 of the mounting portion 124, thereby fixing the bracket 122 to one of the screw holes 132. Other configurations of the mounting structure 120 are similar to those of the mounting structure 10 of the first embodiment.

[0076] In addition to the effects of the same configuration as the mounting structure 10 of the first embodiment, the mounting structure 120 described above can provide the following actions and effects.

[0077] In the mounting structure 120, the multiple through holes 130 of the bracket 122 are arranged at intervals in the device depth direction and are offset in the device width direction by a distance smaller than the short-side diameter of the through holes 130. A screw (see FIG. 6) is passed through one of the multiple through holes 130 and tightened into one of the multiple screw holes 132 in the mounting portion 124, thereby fixing the bracket 122 to one of the multiple screw holes 132. Therefore, in the mounting structure 120, when the bracket 122 is mounted to the mounting portion 124, the position can be adjusted to a position smaller than the short-side diameter of the through hole 130, compared to a case in which a mounting member has multiple through holes arranged along the device width direction.

[0078] Third Embodiment Next, a mounting structure of a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Note that the same components as those in the first and second embodiments described above are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 17, the mounting structure 140 includes an adjustment section 142 instead of the adjustment section 20 of the mounting structure 10 of the first embodiment. The adjustment section 142 adjusts the mounting position of the bracket 144 to the mounting portion 18 by fixing the bracket 144 using any one of a plurality of fixing sections 40 (three in this embodiment) arranged to be shifted in the device width direction. The plurality of fixing sections 40 include a plurality of screw holes 42 (three in this embodiment) provided in the mounting portion 18. The plurality of screw holes 42 are arranged at intervals in the device depth direction and are shifted in the device width direction by a distance smaller than the diameter of the screw holes 42. The bracket 144 is an example of a mounting member.

[0080] Further, a plurality of recesses 146 corresponding to the positions of the screw holes 42 are provided on an edge portion of the bracket 144 along the device depth direction. As one example, the plurality of recesses 146 are formed in a saw-like shape. A screw (see FIG. 6), as one example of an insertion portion, passes through one of the plurality of recesses 146 and is fastened into one of the plurality of screw holes 42 of the mounting portion 18, thereby fixing the bracket 144 to one of the plurality of screw holes 42. Other configurations of the mounting structure 140 are similar to those of the mounting structure 10 of the first embodiment.

[0081] The mounting structure 140 described above has a similar configuration to the mounting structure 10 of the first embodiment, and therefore can provide similar functions and effects.

[0082] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a mounting structure of a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Note that the same components as those in the first to third embodiments described above are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0083] 18, in the mounting structure 160, the support portion cover 162 is divided into an outer cover 164 and an inner cover 166. The outer cover 164 has a boss 170 at the tip of the protruding portion 53, and the outer cover 164 is positioned on the bracket 172 by inserting the boss 170 into the recessed portion 52 of the bracket 172. The bracket 172 is an example of a mounting member.

[0084] In the mounting structure 160, the inner cover 166 is positioned relative to the outer cover 164. The positioning structure for the inner cover 166 and the outer cover 164 is, for example, a structure obtained by reversing the positioning structure for the inner cover 26 and the outer cover 24 in the first embodiment (see Figs. 9 to 14).

[0085] Further, the rigidity of the outer cover 164 is configured to be greater than that of the inner cover 166. Here, "the rigidity of the outer cover 164 is greater than that of the inner cover 166" means that the outer cover 164 is less likely to deform than the inner cover 166, that is, a greater load is required for deformation. For example, a typical outer cover is provided with a rib 210 extending from the outer cover to the rear side in the device depth direction, but the outer cover 164 of this embodiment is not provided with a rib (rib 210 shown in FIG. 18) at least on the rear side of the device depth of the bracket 172.

[0086] In addition, in the mounting structure 160, with the top surface of the support part 104 covered by the transport device 106 (see FIG. 1), the outer cover 164 is positioned on the bracket 172, and the position where the inner cover 166 is fixed to the upper frame (not shown) of the support part 104 (see the screw 82 shown in FIG. 8) is covered by the upper cover 14. Other configurations of the mounting structure 160 are similar to those of the mounting structure 10 of the first embodiment.

[0087] In addition to the effects of the same configuration as the mounting structure 10 of the first embodiment, the mounting structure 160 described above can provide the following actions and effects.

[0088] In the mounting structure 160, it is easier to adjust the position of the boundary portion between the outer cover 164 and the inner cover 166, compared to a case in which both the outer cover and the inner cover are positioned on the mounting member.

[0089] Furthermore, with mounting structure 160, the position at which the inner cover is fixed to the main body can be located in an area where distortion of inner cover 166 is less visible from the outside, compared to when the position is exposed to the outside of the upper cover.

[0090] 〔others〕 In the first to fourth embodiments, the positioning structure between the inner cover and the outer cover can be modified without departing from the technology of the present disclosure.

[0091] In the first to third embodiments, the mounting portion is provided with a plurality of screw holes and screws to be fastened to the screw holes as the adjustment portion, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, instead of the screw holes, holes may be provided, and the insertion portion may be inserted into the holes and fixed to the holes by engagement or the like. For example, the insertion portion may be a pin, and the pin may be fixed to the holes by engagement or the like. Furthermore, the screw holes or holes in place of the screw holes may include recesses that do not penetrate through the holes, or may include recesses.

[0092] In the first to fourth embodiments, the transport device is supported at the back side in the device depth direction, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the configuration includes a configuration in which the transport device is supported at another position, such as the right side or near the center in the device width direction. In a configuration in which the transport device is supported at another position, such as the right side or near the center in the device width direction, a positional deviation may occur in the depth direction. For this reason, in the above configuration, it is preferable to provide an adjustment unit that adjusts the attachment position of the attachment member to the attachment receiving part by fixing it using one of a plurality of fixing parts arranged with a shift in the device depth direction. As the adjustment unit, for example, a configuration in which the configuration of the plurality of fixing parts shifted in the device width direction in the first to third embodiments is changed to a configuration of the plurality of fixing parts shifted in the device depth direction is used.

[0093] In the first to fourth embodiments, the conveying device is rotatable about an axis arranged along the width direction of the image forming apparatus body, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the conveying device may be fixed to the image forming apparatus body instead of being rotatable.

[0094] In the first to fourth embodiments, the rigidity of the inner cover and the outer cover constituting the support part cover is changed by changing the presence or absence of ribs or the number of ribs, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the rigidity of the inner cover and the outer cover may be changed by changing the thickness of the inner cover and the outer cover or by changing the material of the inner cover and the outer cover (for example, by mixing glass fiber).

[0095] Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to a specific embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 10. Mounting structure 12 Support cover 14 Top cover 16 Bracket (an example of a mounting component) 18 Mounting part 20 Adjustment part 24 Outer cover 26 Inner cover 28 Inner cover upper (example of inner cover) 30 Inner cover lower (example of inner cover) 40 Fixed part 42 Screw hole (example of hole) 44 Screw (an example of an insertion part) 60 frames 100 Image forming device 102 Image forming apparatus main body 104 Support part 106 Transport Equipment 108 Reading unit 120 Mounting structure 122 Bracket (an example of a mounting component) 124 Mounting part 126 Adjustment section 128 Fixed part 130 Through hole 132 Screw hole (example of hole) 140 Mounting structure 142 Adjustment section 144 Bracket (an example of a mounting component) 160 Mounting structure 162 Support cover 164 Outer cover 166 Inner cover 170 Boss 172 Bracket (an example of a mounting component)

Claims

1. a conveying device that is provided via a support unit that is arranged above a recording unit that records an image, and conveys an object to be conveyed and reads information; A support part cover provided on an outer surface of the support part; an upper cover provided on an outer surface of the conveying device and arranged next to the upper side of the support portion cover; an attachment member attached to a mounting portion disposed inside the support portion and for positioning the support portion cover; an adjustment unit that adjusts an attachment position of the attachment member to the attachment receiving portion by fixing the attachment member to one of a plurality of fixing units that are arranged to be shifted in a width direction of the device; A mounting structure having

2. The plurality of fixing portions include a plurality of holes provided in the mounting portion and arranged at intervals in a depth direction of the device, the plurality of holes being offset in a width direction of the device by a distance smaller than a diameter of the holes; an insertion portion for inserting the mounting member into one of the plurality of holes to fix the mounting member; The mounting structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. The plurality of fixing portions include a plurality of through holes provided in the mounting member and arranged at intervals in a depth direction of the device, the plurality of through holes being offset in the width direction of the device by a distance smaller than a diameter of the through holes; an insertion portion that is inserted through one of the plurality of through holes and that inserts and fixes the mounting member into one of a plurality of holes that are provided in the mounting portion in the device depth direction; The mounting structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:

4. The mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support portion cover is divided into an outer cover that covers a portion of the front surface of the device and the outside of the device in the width direction, and an inner cover that is arranged inside the outer cover in the device width direction.

5. the inner cover is positioned on the mounting member, and the outer cover is positioned on the inner cover; 5. The mounting structure according to claim 4, wherein the rigidity of the inner cover is greater than the rigidity of the outer cover.

6. 6. The mounting structure according to claim 5, wherein a position where the outer cover is fixed to the body of the support part is covered by the upper cover when the upper surface of the support part is covered by the transport device.

7. the outer cover is positioned on the mounting member, and the inner cover is positioned on the outer cover; 5. The mounting structure according to claim 4, wherein the rigidity of the outer cover is greater than the rigidity of the inner cover.

8. The mounting structure according to claim 7 , wherein a position where the inner cover is fixed to the main body of the support part is covered by the upper cover when the upper surface of the support part is covered by the transport device.

9. 9. The mounting structure according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the inner cover and the outer cover of the support portion cover has no rib at least on a rear side of the mounting member in the device depth direction.

10. 10. The mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein a lower side of the support portion cover is positioned on a frame arranged inside the support portion cover.

11. The mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a reading unit that reads information about the object transported by the transport device, the reading unit being provided in the mounting structure; an image forming apparatus main body including a recording unit that records the information read by the reading unit on a recording medium; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images