Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that has a configuration in which a grip part is surely brought into contact with a structural member during transportation to prevent deformation of and damage to the grip part.SOLUTION: As an image forming apparatus comprises an image forming unit inside a housing, the image forming apparatus comprises a grip member that is part of the housing and is formed on a housing side face supported when the housing is lifted up, and a structural member that forms the housing. The grip member has a portion that is recessed inward from the housing side face, and a guide groove in a long hole shape that has a longitudinal dimension in a vertical direction of the housing. The structural member has a guide member that is substantially equal in width dimension to the guide groove. The guide groove and the guide member allow the grip member to move in the vertical direction with respect to the housing. When the grip member moves upward, it comes into contact with the structural member, and the movement is restricted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices that form images on media are known. Various types of image forming devices are known, including one that includes a media storage tray including a media supply unit, an image forming unit, and an output tray including a media output unit, all in a single housing. To facilitate transportation of the image forming device, a resin carrying handle may be formed near the connecting portion between the side and bottom surfaces of the housing to make it easier for the transporter to lift the housing.

[0003] Furthermore, in order to prevent deformation or damage to the carrying handle due to the load during transportation, a structure is known in which the upward deformation or movement of the handle parts, including the carrying handle, is restricted by a highly rigid member such as metal. For example, a structure is known which includes a handle portion formed by recessing the support side surface of the housing inward, and a reinforcing member that covers functional components placed inside the housing, the reinforcing member being provided at a distance between the support side surface and the functional components, and the handle portion being positioned opposite the functional components (see Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 provides a reinforcing member above the resin handle to restrict its upward movement. However, this configuration has the problem that a gap occurs between the handle member and the support member, making it difficult to prevent the handle member from deforming or moving upward.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a structure in which a handle member is always brought into contact with a structural member during transportation, thereby preventing deformation or damage to the handle portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problem, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a printer having an image forming unit inside a housing. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a part of the housing that is supported when the housing is lifted; The device includes a handle member formed on a side surface of a housing and a structural member that forms the housing, and the handle portion The member has a portion recessed inward from the side surface of the housing and a long portion having a longitudinal dimension in the up-down direction of the housing. The structural member has a hole-shaped guide groove, and the width of the structural member is approximately equal to that of the guide groove. The handle member is supported by the guide groove and the guide member. The handle member is movable in the up and down direction relative to the Move to When the structure is moved, it comes into contact with the structural member and its movement is restricted. When the handle member moves downward relative to the structural member, the upper end of the guide groove abuts against the guide member. , characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the handle member is always brought into contact with the structural member during transportation, thereby preventing deformation and damage to the handle portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an overall image of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the handle portion in the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the support side surface in the embodiment as viewed in the Y direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a holding portion of the handle member relative to the structural member in the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a view showing another example of the support side surface in the embodiment as viewed in the Y direction. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are enlarged partial cross-sectional views showing an example of operation of the handle portion in the embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the positional relationship between a support side surface having a handle portion and an adjacent cover member that forms a surface adjacent thereto in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Overall structure] 1 is a perspective view of a printer 1 as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Printer 1 has a configuration similar to that of well-known image forming apparatuses. Specifically, it mainly comprises an image forming unit housed inside a housing 10, a supply tray 12 as a medium storage unit that stores sheet-like media to be supplied to the image forming unit, and an output tray 13 that stacks the media that have images formed in the image forming unit and are ejected. Since these configurations and operations are not directly related to the features of the present invention, detailed explanations and illustrations will be omitted. Instead, the following will describe in detail the parts that constitute the features of the present invention.

[0010] The printer 1 has an overall rectangular parallelepiped shape and multiple sides, as shown in Figure 1. One of the sides is a support side 15, which is formed with a carrying handle for transporting the printer 1 and functions as a housing side for supporting the printer 1 during transport.

[0011] The support side surface 15 corresponds to a part of the side surface or back surface opposite the front surface of the printer 1. A handle portion 150 is formed at the joint between the support side surface 15 and the bottom surface as a handle for carrying. The handle portion 150 corresponds to a cutout portion of a handle member 151 having a structure supported by the support side surface 15 of the printer 1.

[0012] [Configuration of handle portion 150] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the handle portion 150 that constitutes a part of the support side surface 15. As shown in Fig. 2, the handle portion 150 is constituted by a handle member 151 supported by a structural member 110 that is disposed inside the support side surface 15 and serves as a housing that holds the functional components of the printer 1.

[0013] The structural member 110 is disposed inside the printer 1 and is made of a highly rigid material such as metal, and is a member for holding functional parts for controlling the operation of the printer 1 in predetermined positions.

[0014] The handle member 151 is a resin member formed as a configuration for improving safety when transporting the printer 1 and for improving the grip of the casing. The handle member 151 also constitutes part of a protective cover that protects the outside of the structural member 110. The handle member 151 also constitutes a handle section 150 as a cutout portion on which a person carrying the printer 1 places their hand when carrying the printer 1. To prevent the handle member 151 from deforming or being damaged when a load due to the weight of the printer 1 is applied to the handle member 151 during transportation of the printer 1, the structural member 110 is provided with a restricting section that restricts the handle member 151 from deforming or moving upward.

[0015] A hole-shaped guide groove 153 having a longitudinal dimension in the up-down direction (Z direction) is formed in the handle member 151. That is, the shape of the guide groove 153 in a plan view is an elongated hole shape.

[0016] A guide member 111 having a shape that can be caught in the guide groove 153 is fixed to the structural member 110 .

[0017] Figure 3 is a view of the support side surface 15 as viewed in the Y direction. The function and operation of the handle portion 150 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3. The guide member 111 is a member that protrudes from the wall surface of the structural member 110, and is designed to be caught in a guide groove 153 formed in the handle member 151.

[0018] 3, the handle portion 150 is formed with a predetermined length dimension in the center portion of the handle member 151 in the depth direction (X direction), and has a recessed shape toward the inside of the casing of the printer 1 (Y direction). This recessed portion constitutes the handle portion 150.

[0019] The guide groove 153 is formed above (in the Z direction) a position that is offset from the position of the handle portion 150 in the X direction, with a width dimension that is approximately equal to the diameter dimension of the guide member 111.

[0020] The state when the printer 1 is lifted while being supported by the handle portion 150 for transportation will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2(a) illustrates an example of a state in which the printer 1 is not lifted. FIG. 2(b) illustrates an example of a state in which the printer 1 is lifted. As shown in FIG. 2(b), when the handle member 151 is lifted to move the printer 1 that has been installed in a predetermined position, the handle member 151 slides upward relative to the structural member 110. Then, the notched portion (recessed portion) of the handle member 151 abuts against the underside of the structural member 110. This abutment restricts the upward movement of the handle member 151 due to the load during transportation. In other words, when the printer 1 is transported, the handle member 151 abuts against the structural member 110, preventing deformation and damage to the handle portion 150.

[0021] Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion where handle member 151 is slidably held relative to structural member 110. As shown in Fig. 4, a restricting member 1111 is provided at the tip portion of guide member 111. Restricting member 1111 is provided at a position where a minute gap is formed between the restricting member 1111 and the outer surface (outer surface) of handle member 151.

[0022] The restricting member 1111 is a circular member provided at the tip of the guide member 111, and has a diameter dimension larger than the width dimension of the guide groove 153. Therefore, the restricting member 1111 restricts movement of the guide member 111 in the Y direction, and therefore, when the handle member 151 moves in the Z direction (upward) relative to the structural member 110, it is possible to prevent the handle member 151 from falling off the structural member 110.

[0023] 5, guide members 111 each having a guide groove 153 and a restricting member 1111 may be provided near both ends in the X direction of the handle portion 150. As shown in FIG. 5, when pairs of guide members 111 each having a guide groove 153 and a restricting member 1111 are provided at multiple locations on the handle member 151, the handle member 151 can move up and down without falling off the structural member 110.

[0024] 5, by providing pairs of guide grooves 153 and guide members 111 equipped with restricting members 1111 in two locations, the effect of preventing handle member 151 from falling off is improved, but this is not limited to this. Pairs of guide grooves 153 and guide members 111 equipped with restricting members 1111 may be provided in three or more locations. Furthermore, the locations at which the pairs are provided are not limited to the locations exemplified in FIGS. 4 and 5, and can be selected as appropriate, as long as they are locations at which handle member 151 can be prevented from falling off.

[0025] 6, the handle member 151 moves downward due to its own weight, and is restricted by the upper end of the guide groove 153 provided in the handle member 151 coming into contact with the guide member 111 provided in the structural member 110. This state is maintained except when the handle member 151 is being transported.

[0026] 7 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the support side surface 15 equipped with a handle member 151 having a handle portion 150 and an adjacent cover member 120 that constitutes an adjacent surface. As shown in FIG. 7, the distance between the upper end of the guide groove 153 of the handle member 151 and the lower end of the handle member 151 is defined as "A". Also, the distance from the lower end of the adjacent cover member 120 to the position corresponding to the upper end of the guide groove 153 of the handle member 151 is defined as "B". The handle member 151 is configured on the support side surface 15 so that A is approximately the same as B.

[0027] Therefore, except when the printer 1 is being transported, the lower surface of the handle member 151 that constitutes the support side surface 15 is kept in the same position as the lower surface of the adjacent cover member 120 that is adjacent to it. This ensures that the lower ends of the handle member 151 and the adjacent cover member 120 are aligned, so that the appearance quality is not impaired.

[0028] [effect] As explained above, in the printer 1 according to this embodiment, the handle member 151 that constitutes part of the support side surface 15 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction relative to the structural member 110 that protects and holds the internal configuration (functional components) of the printer 1. When the handle section 150 formed by the handle member 151 is lifted to transport the printer 1, the handle member 151 moves upward and comes into contact with the underside of the structural member 110. This prevents deformation and damage to the handle member 151 that may occur when the printer 1 is transported.

[0029] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist thereof. The present invention covers all technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims. The above-described embodiments are preferred examples, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] 1: Printer 10: Housing 12: Supply tray 13: Output tray 15:Support side 110: Structural members 111: Guide member 120: Adjacent cover member 150: Handle 151: Handle member 153: Guide groove 1111: Regulating member [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0031] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-014809

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit inside a housing, a handle member formed on a side surface of the housing, the handle member being a part of the housing and being supported when the housing is lifted; a structural member forming the housing; Equipped with The handle member is a portion recessed inward from the side surface of the housing; a guide groove having a long hole shape with a longitudinal dimension in the up-down direction of the housing; The structural member is a guide member having a width dimension substantially equal to that of the guide groove; the guide groove and the guide member allow the handle member to move in a vertical direction relative to the housing, When the handle member moves upward, it abuts against the structural member and the movement is restricted, and when the handle member moves downward relative to the structural member, the upper end of the guide groove abuts against the guide member. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. the housing includes an adjacent cover member adjacent to the handle member; a distance between an upper end of the guide groove of the handle member and a lower end of the handle member; The distance from the lower end of the adjacent cover member to the position corresponding to the upper end of the guide groove of the handle member is approximately the same. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. An image forming apparatus having an image forming unit inside a housing, a handle member formed on a side surface of the housing, the handle member being a part of the housing and being supported when the housing is lifted; a structural member forming the housing; Equipped with the housing includes an adjacent cover member adjacent to the handle member; The handle member is a portion recessed inward from the side surface of the housing; a guide groove having a long hole shape with a longitudinal dimension in the up-down direction of the housing; The structural member is a guide member having a width dimension substantially equal to that of the guide groove; the guide groove and the guide member allow the handle member to move in a vertical direction relative to the housing, When the handle member moves upward, it abuts against the structural member and the movement is restricted, a distance between an upper end of the guide groove of the handle member and a lower end of the handle member; The distance from the lower end of the adjacent cover member to the position corresponding to the upper end of the guide groove of the handle member is approximately the same. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the guide member includes a regulating member at a tip end thereof with a small gap between the guide member and the handle member.

Images