Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming device reduced in partial misalignment of an exterior.SOLUTION: This image forming device comprises: a housing; a storage 351 that stores a recording medium; a first positioning unit that sets the first position of the storage relative to the housing; an exterior 361 connected to the storage so as to be relatively movable and constituting a part of an exterior wall; and a second positioning unit that sets the second position of the exterior 361 relative to the housing. The second positioning unit includes two sets of engaging parts provided to one of the exterior 361 and the housing and engaged parts 367 provided to the other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices, such as MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals), have a storage tray for storing recording media such as paper, and remove the recording media from the storage tray one by one to form images on the recording media. In this image forming device, when a user wants to replenish the storage tray with recording media, they slide the storage tray toward the front of the device body to remove it from the device body, and after replenishing the recording media, they slide the storage tray backward to store it in the device body. When the storage tray is stored in the device body, the storage tray is positioned relative to the device body so that the device body and the recording media are in a predetermined relative position.

[0003] On the other hand, the front side of the storage tray forms part of the exterior of the device body. Therefore, when the storage tray is positioned relative to the device body, the exterior portion on the front side of the storage tray may be misaligned with other exterior portions. JP 2018-184243 A describes an image forming device in which one end side of the exterior cover in the cassette width direction is rotatably supported on a sheet stacking section, and the other end side of the exterior cover in the width direction is movable relative to the sheet stacking section and abuts on a frame-side abutment portion of the device body, thereby being positioned relative to the device body.

[0004] However, in the image forming apparatus described in JP 2018-184243 A, since the exterior cover is supported rotatably relative to the sheet stacking unit, if the sheet stacking unit positioned relative to the apparatus body is tilted in a plane including the rotation axis of the exterior cover relative to the exterior of the apparatus body, the exterior cover will also tilt together with the sheet stacking unit, which can cause a problem of misalignment between the exterior cover and the exterior of the apparatus body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-184243 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which partial displacement of the exterior is reduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes a housing, a storage unit that stores a recording medium, a first positioning unit that determines a first position of the storage unit relative to the housing, and a positioning member that positions the storage unit relative to the housing. In contrast, in two directions that intersect each other The device comprises an exterior part that is connected so as to be able to move relative to the housing and that forms part of the exterior wall, and a second positioning part that determines a second position of the exterior part relative to the housing, and the second positioning part includes two pairs of an engaging part provided on one of the exterior part and the housing and an engaged part provided on the other.

[0008] According to this aspect, the exterior part is connected to the accommodation part so as to be relatively movable, and the first positioning part determines a first position of the accommodation part relative to the housing, and the second positioning part determines a second position of the exterior part relative to the housing. The second positioning part includes two pairs of an engaging part provided on one of the exterior part and the housing and an engaged part provided on the other. Therefore, since the exterior part is positioned at two points on the housing, it is possible to easily attach the exterior part to the housing. In contrast, in two directions that intersect each other As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with reduced partial displacement of the exterior.

[0009] Preferably, the accommodating portion has a support surface that supports the exterior portion, and the exterior portion has a supported surface that faces the support surface, and further includes a regulating portion that determines the range of movement of the supported surface and the supporting surface in a direction parallel to the support surface.

[0010] According to this aspect, the change in the relative position between the housing part and the exterior part is limited within the movement range, so that the housing part can be moved in conjunction with the movement of the exterior part.

[0011] Preferably, the length of the movement range in a first direction in which the accommodation portion moves relative to the housing is greater than the length in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0012] According to this aspect, the first direction and the second direction can be made different depending on the amount of misalignment between the housing, which is positioned relative to the housing, and the exterior part, which is positioned relative to the housing. Also, since the length in the second direction in which the housing and the exterior part can move relatively is shorter than the length in the first direction, the user can easily position the exterior part relative to the housing.

[0013] Preferably, the accommodating section moves between a first position and an open position in which at least a portion thereof is exposed to the outside of the housing, and further includes a first elastic member that is provided between the accommodating section and the exterior section and that urges the accommodating section in a direction from the open position toward the first position when the exterior section is positioned in the second position.

[0014] According to this aspect, when the exterior portion is positioned at the second position, the first elastic member urges the accommodating portion in a direction from the open position toward the first position, thereby enabling the accommodating portion to be reliably positioned at the first position.

[0015] Preferably, the two sets are arranged side by side in one direction, and further include a second elastic member that biases one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion in a direction toward the other.

[0016] According to this aspect, the two sets are arranged side by side in one direction, and one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion is biased in a direction toward the other by the second elastic member. Therefore, the exterior portion is positioned on the housing so as not to rotate. As a result, the exterior portion can be reliably positioned on the housing.

[0017] Preferably, the one direction is a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the exterior portion.

[0018] According to this aspect, the distance between the two sets can be made as long as possible, and the state in which the exterior part is positioned on the housing can be stabilized.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes a housing, a storage section that stores a recording medium, a first positioning section that determines a first position of the storage section relative to the housing, an exterior section that is connected to the storage section so as to be relatively movable and that forms a part of an exterior wall, and a second positioning section that determines a second position of the exterior section relative to the housing, wherein the second positioning section includes two pairs of an engaging section provided on one of the exterior section and the housing and an engaged section provided on the other, the two pairs being arranged side by side in one direction, and further includes a second elastic member that urges one of the engaging section and the engaged section in a direction toward the other, The exterior part includes a front part and two holding parts extending from the front part toward the housing side, and one of the engaging part and the engaged part is arranged on either the opposing surface where the two side parts face each other or the surface opposite the opposing surface.

[0020] According to this aspect, one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion is disposed on either an opposing surface intersecting the front surface of the exterior portion or on the surface opposite the opposing surface, so that the direction in which the second elastic member biases one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion toward the other can be set to a direction intersecting the direction in which the exterior portion moves. Therefore, when the exterior portion moves in conjunction with the movement of the storage portion from the open position to the first position, the engaged portion can be engaged with the engaging portion. As a result, the user can easily move the storage portion from the open position to the first position.

[0021] Preferably, one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion is disposed on the opposing surface.

[0022] According to this aspect, the two engaged portions receive forces in different directions, so that the state in which the exterior portion is positioned on the housing can be stabilized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the MFP. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the MFP when the paper feed cassette is in the open position. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the paper feed cassette in an exploded state. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a first diagram illustrating the relative movement of the exterior part and the housing part. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating the relative movement between the exterior part and the housing part. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the positioning of the storage unit and the housing of the device main body. [Figure 11] 11 is an enlarged view of a region R2 in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is an enlarged view of a region R3 in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 13] 11 is an enlarged plan view showing a region R4 in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a region R1 in FIG. 3. [Figure 15] 1 is a first cross-sectional view showing an enlarged cross section of an engagement portion and its peripheral members cut along an XY plane. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a second cross-sectional view showing an enlarged cross section of the engagement portion and its peripheral members cut along the XY plane. FIG. [Figure 17] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating the positioning of the housing and the exterior part. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an engaging portion in a first modified example. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating the positioning of the housing and the exterior part in the second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of these components are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0025] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an MFP in one embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1 and certain figures described later, arrows indicating the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions are added to clarify the positional relationships. The X and Y directions are orthogonal to each other in a horizontal plane, and the Z direction corresponds to the vertical direction.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of an MFP. Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 100 is an example of an image forming device, and includes a document reading unit 130 that reads a document, an automatic document feeder 120 that transports the document to document reading unit 130, an image forming unit 140 that forms an image on paper based on image data, a paper feed unit 150 that supplies paper to image forming unit 140, and an operation panel 160 as a user interface.

[0027] Automatic document feeder 120 sorts one or more documents placed on a document tray and conveys them one by one to document reading unit 130. Document reading unit 130 exposes the image of the document set on document glass 11 by automatic document feeder 120 with exposure lamp 13 attached to slider 12 that moves below the document. Light reflected from the document is guided to lens 16 by mirror 14 and two reflecting mirrors 15 and 15A, and forms an image on CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) sensor 18.

[0028] The reflected light that forms an image on the CCD sensor 18 is converted into image data as an electrical signal within the CCD sensor 18. The image data is converted into printing data in cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) and output to the image forming unit 140.

[0029] The image forming unit 140 includes image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. Here, "Y," "M," "C," and "K" represent yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. An image is formed by driving at least one of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. A full-color image is formed by driving all of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. Printing data for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are input to the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, respectively. The image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K differ only in the color of the toner they use. Therefore, the image forming unit 20Y for forming a yellow image will be described here.

[0030] Meanwhile, the intermediate transfer belt 30 is suspended tightly by a drive roller 33 and a driven roller 34. When the drive roller 33 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3, the intermediate transfer belt 30 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing at a predetermined speed. As the intermediate transfer belt 30 rotates, the driven roller 34 rotates counterclockwise.

[0031] As a result, the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K sequentially transfer toner images onto the intermediate transfer belt 30. The timing at which each of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K transfers a toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 30 is adjusted by detecting the reference marks on the intermediate transfer belt 30. As a result, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 30.

[0032] Image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K have the same configuration but differ in the toner they handle. Here, image forming unit 20Y will be described as an example. Image forming unit 20Y includes an exposure device 21Y to which yellow printing data is input, a photosensitive drum 23Y as an image carrier, a charging roller 22Y for uniformly charging the surface of photosensitive drum 23Y, a developing device 24Y, a primary transfer roller 25Y for transferring the toner image formed on photosensitive drum 23Y onto intermediate transfer belt 30 as an image carrier by the action of electric field force, and a drum cleaning blade 27Y for removing residual toner from photosensitive drum 23Y.

[0033] Around the photoreceptor drum 23Y, a charging roller 22Y, an exposure device 21Y, a developing device 24Y, a primary transfer roller 25Y, and a drum cleaning blade 27Y are arranged in this order along the rotational direction of the photoreceptor drum 23Y. The charging roller 22Y is arranged so as to contact the photoreceptor drum 23Y. The photoreceptor drum 23Y is an aluminum cylinder with a photosensitive layer formed on the surface thereof, the photoreceptor drum 23Y being made of a photosensitive material such as an OPC (organic photoconductor). After being charged by the charging roller 22Y, the photoreceptor drum 23Y is irradiated with laser light emitted by the exposure device 21Y. The exposure device 21Y exposes an image-corresponding portion of the surface of the photoreceptor drum 23Y to light to form an electrostatic latent image. This forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 23Y. Next, the developing device 24Y develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 23Y with charged toner.

[0034] The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 23Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 30, which is an image carrier, by the action of electric field force from the primary transfer roller 25Y. Any toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 23Y that has not been transferred is removed from the photosensitive drum 23Y by the drum cleaning blade 27Y.

[0035] The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 30 is transferred to paper by the action of electric field force by the secondary transfer roller 26, which is a transfer member. The paper is transported to a nip portion where the intermediate transfer belt 30, which is transported by a timing roller 31, and the secondary transfer roller 26 come into contact. The paper with the transferred toner image is transported to the fixing roller 32, where it is heated and pressed. This melts the toner and fixes it to the paper. The paper is then ejected to the paper output tray 39.

[0036] A belt cleaning blade 29 is provided upstream of the image forming unit 20Y on the intermediate transfer belt 30. The belt cleaning blade 29 removes toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 30 that has not been transferred to paper.

[0037] When forming a full-color image, the MFP 100 drives all of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. When forming a monochrome image, the MFP 100 drives only one of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. It is also possible to form an image by combining two or more of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. Here, the MFP 100 is described as employing a tandem system with image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K that form four colors of toner on paper. However, a four-cycle system in which the four colors of toner are transferred sequentially onto paper using a single photosensitive drum may also be employed.

[0038] The paper feed cassettes 35, 35A, and 35B each contain paper of different sizes. Each of the paper feed cassettes 35, 35A, and 35B contains multiple sheets of paper of the same size stacked in the same direction. The paper sheets contained in the paper feed cassettes 35, 35A, and 35B are supplied to the transport path by take-out rollers 36, 36A, and 36B provided corresponding to the paper feed cassettes 35, 35A, and 35B, respectively, and are sent to the timing roller 31 by the paper feed roller 37.

[0039] Each of the paper feed cassettes 35, 35A, and 35B can move relative to the device body in the front-to-rear direction (Y direction). The relative position of each of the paper feed cassettes 35, 35A, and 35B with respect to the housing differs between when the device is in operation and when the user is replenishing paper and when the image forming unit 140 is in operation and replenishing paper, respectively. Each of the paper feed cassettes 35, 35A, and 35B is located in a first position that positions it relative to the housing of the device body during operation, and when replenishing paper, it is located in an open position where a portion of the cassette is exposed from the device body. Because the relative positional changes between the paper feed cassettes 35, 35A, and 35B and the device body are the same, the following explanation will be given using the paper feed cassette 35 as an example. When the user pulls the paper feed cassette 35 forward (positive side in the Y direction) from a state in which the paper feed cassette 35 is in the first position, the paper feed cassette 35 slides to the open position. When the sheet cassette 35 is in the open position, the user pushes the sheet cassette 35 rearward (negative side in the Y direction), causing the sheet cassette 35 to slide to the first position.

[0040] 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the MFP when the paper feed cassette 35 is in the open position. Referring to FIG. 3, the state in which the paper feed cassette 35 is in the open position is shown. When the paper feed cassette 35 is in the open position, the storage section 351 that stores paper in the paper feed cassette 35 is exposed from the main body. This allows the user to access the storage section 351 from above, allowing the user to replenish the storage section 351 with paper.

[0041] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of the paper feed cassette. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the paper feed cassette. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 5. With reference to Figs. 4 to 6, paper feed cassette 35 includes a storage section 351 and an exterior section 361. Exterior section 361 is connected to storage section 351 so as to be movable relative to storage section 351.

[0042] The exterior part 361 includes an exterior front part 362, two exterior side parts 364 extending from both ends of the exterior front part 362 in the longitudinal direction toward the housing side (positive side in the Y direction), and an exterior upper part 363 extending from the upper end of the exterior front part 362 toward the housing side (positive side in the Y direction). A grip part 366 to be gripped by a user is formed in the center of the exterior front part 362. A front surface 262A in front of the exterior front part 362 (negative side in the Y direction) forms part of the exterior of the device main body. In each of the two exterior side parts 364, the opposing surface and the opposite surface 364A form part of the exterior of the device main body.

[0043] The storage section 351 has a basic rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open top, and has an upper storage section 352 that forms part of the top surface above the front (negative side in the Y direction). Two recesses 353 are formed in a support surface 352A that is the upper surface of the upper storage section 352. The two recesses 353 are arranged side by side in the X direction that intersects with the direction in which the paper feed cassette 35 moves relative to the device body (the Y direction). The two recesses 353 may be holes that penetrate the upper storage section 352, or may be holes with bottoms.

[0044] The exterior part 361 is combined with the accommodation part 351 so that the supported surface 363A, which is the lower surface of the exterior upper part 363 of the exterior part 361, faces the support surface 352A of the accommodation upper part 352 of the accommodation part 351. The exterior upper part 363 has convex parts 365 extending downward from the supported surface 363A at positions facing each of the two concave parts 353 formed in the accommodation upper part 352. The horizontal size and area of ​​the convex parts 365 are smaller than the horizontal size and area of ​​the concave parts 353. Therefore, when the supported surface 363A abuts against the support surface 352A, the convex parts 365 fit into the concave parts 353. In this state, the lower end of the convex parts 365 is located below the support surface 352A.

[0045] When the distance between supported surface 363A and support surface 352A is shorter than the vertical length of protrusion 365, at least a portion of protrusion 365 fits into recess 353, and the lower end of protrusion 365 is positioned below support surface 352A. Therefore, protrusion 365 and recess 353 define the range of movement of exterior part 361 and accommodating part 351 in a direction parallel to support surface 352A.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. 6. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the exterior portion 361 and the storage portion 351 are connected by a first elastic member 371. The first elastic member 371 may be made of resin or metal. One end of the first elastic member 371 is fixed to a back surface of the exterior front portion 362 of the exterior portion 361, facing the front surface 362A. The other end of the first elastic member 371 is fixed to a front surface of the storage portion 351 in front (negative side in the Y direction). The first elastic member 371 biases the exterior portion 361 and the storage portion 351 in directions away from each other. Therefore, with the exterior portion 361 positioned relative to the housing 51, the storage portion 351 is biased by the first elastic member 371 in a direction from the open position toward the first position (positive side in the Y direction). This allows the storage portion 351 to be reliably positioned relative to the housing 51.

[0047] Engaged portions 367 are formed on opposing surfaces of each of the two exterior side portions 364. Here, the engaged portions 367 are circular recesses. However, the shape of the engaged portions 367 is not limited to this. The two engaged portions 367 formed on each of the two exterior side portions 364 are arranged side by side in one direction (X direction).

[0048] FIG. 8 is a first diagram illustrating the relative movement of the exterior part and the housing part. FIG. 9 is a second diagram illustrating the relative movement of the exterior part and the housing part. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the relative positions of the exterior part 361 and the housing part 351 in the Y direction are the closest, and FIG. 9 shows a state in which the relative positions of the exterior part 361 and the housing part 351 in the Y direction are the furthest. With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, each of the two recesses 353 formed in the housing upper part 352 has a length L1 in the Y direction that is longer than a length L3 in the X direction. Furthermore, each of the two protrusions 365 formed in the exterior upper part 363 has a length L2 in the Y direction that is equal to a length L4 in the X direction.

[0049] The length L1 in the Y direction of the recess 353 is longer than the length L2 in the Y direction of the protrusion 365. The length L3 in the X direction of the recess 353 is longer than the length L4 in the X direction of the protrusion 365. Therefore, the exterior part 361 is movable relative to the accommodation part 351 on the XY plane.

[0050] The difference between the length L1 of the recess 353 in the Y direction and the length L2 of the protrusion 365 in the Y direction is greater than the difference between the length L3 of the recess 353 in the X direction and the length L4 of the protrusion 365 in the X direction. Therefore, the movement distance of the exterior part 361 in the Y direction relative to the housing part 351 is greater than the movement distance in the X direction.

[0051] When a user of the MFP 100 grips the grip portion 366 and pulls out the sheet cassette 35 toward the front side (negative side in the Y direction) of the MFP 100, the convex portion 365 comes into contact with the end of the concave portion 353 on the negative side in the Y direction, and the relative positions in the Y direction between the exterior portion 361 and the storage portion 351 are the furthest apart, as shown in Fig. 9. When a user grips the grip portion 366 and pushes the sheet cassette 35 toward the rear side (positive side in the Y direction) of the MFP 100, the convex portion 365 comes into contact with the end of the concave portion 353 on the positive side in the Y direction, and the relative positions in the Y direction between the exterior portion 361 and the storage portion 351 are the closest, as shown in Fig. 8. The storage portion 351 moves due to the force that the concave portion 353 receives from the convex portion 365, and therefore the storage portion 351 can be moved in a stable state.

[0052] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the positioning of the storage unit 351 and the housing of the device main body. Referring to FIG. 10, the storage unit 351 is slidable in the Y direction in the housing 51 of the device main body. The housing 51 has guide members 53 parallel to the Y direction at positions corresponding to both side surfaces of the storage unit 351. The storage unit 351 is slidably attached to the guide members 53. For example, two rollers aligned in the Y direction may be provided on each of both side surfaces of the storage unit 351. The two rollers come into contact with the guide members 53, causing the storage unit 351 to slide along the guide members 53. Because the storage unit 351 is slidably attached to the guide members 53, the relative position of the storage unit 351 in the Z direction with respect to the housing 51 is determined.

[0053] 11 is an enlarged view of region R2 in FIG. 10. Referring to FIG. 11, positioning hole 55 is formed in the rear portion of housing 51 of the device main body. Accommodating section 351 has rear positioning protrusion 355 extending in the positive Y direction on its rear surface. When accommodating section 351 slides in the positive Y direction along guide member 53, rear positioning protrusion 355 is inserted into hole 55. The size of rear positioning protrusion 355 in the X direction is adjusted to be slightly smaller than the size of hole 55 in the X direction. Therefore, the position of rear positioning protrusion 355 in the X direction is determined.

[0054] 12 is an enlarged view of region R3 in FIG. 10. Referring to FIG. 12, a side surface portion of housing 51 of the device main body has side surface positioning protrusion 57 extending toward the negative side in the Y direction. Housing 351 has side surface position engaging portion 357 on its side surface, which has an opening on the negative side in the Y direction. As housing 351 slides toward the positive side in the Y direction along guide member 53, side surface positioning protrusion 57 is inserted into the opening of side surface position engaging portion 357, and side surface position engaging portion 357 engages with side surface positioning protrusion 57. This determines the position of side surface position engaging portion 357 in the X direction.

[0055] By determining the position of rear positioning protrusion 355 in the X direction and determining the position of side position engaging portion 357 in the X direction, horizontal rotation of storage portion 351 is restricted. Furthermore, the relative position with respect to housing 51 is determined at a position close to the end of the recording medium stored in storage portion 351 on the positive side in the X direction. Therefore, the X direction position of the end of the recording medium stored in storage portion 351 on the positive side in the X direction is determined.

[0056] Fig. 13 is an enlarged plan view of region R4 in Fig. 10. Referring to Fig. 13, a Y-direction positioning member 359 extending in the X-direction is disposed in the accommodation portion 351 so as to penetrate the side surface of the accommodation portion 351. The Y-direction positioning member 359 is attached to the accommodation portion 351 so as to be slidable in the X-direction. The Y-direction positioning member 359 is biased toward the positive side in the X-direction by an elastic member 358 such as a spring.

[0057] A Y-direction positioning protrusion 59 is provided on the inner side of the side of the housing 51. The Y-direction positioning protrusion 59 has an inclined surface that slopes toward the negative X-direction side as it approaches the positive Y-direction side. As the accommodation portion 351 slides along the guide member 53 in the positive Y-direction side, the tip of the Y-direction positioning member 359 abuts against the Y-direction positioning protrusion 59. When the user pushes the accommodation portion 351 in the positive Y-direction side, the tip of the Y-direction positioning member 359 moves along the inclined surface of the Y-direction positioning protrusion 59. At this time, the Y-direction positioning protrusion 59 moves toward the negative X-direction side, overcoming the elastic force of the elastic member 358. As the user further pushes the accommodation portion 351 in the positive Y-direction side, the tip of the Y-direction positioning member 359 overcomes the Y-direction positioning protrusion 59. The elastic force of the elastic member 358 causes the Y-direction positioning member 359 to move in the positive X-direction side, and the tip of the Y-direction positioning member 359 is positioned further toward the positive Y-direction side than the Y-direction positioning protrusion 59. The housing 351 is biased in the negative Y direction by an elastic member (not shown) from the housing 51. Therefore, the tip of the Y direction positioning member 359 is positioned in the Y direction by the Y direction positioning protrusion 59.

[0058] A lever is provided near the grip 366, and when the user operates the lever, the Y-direction positioning member 359 moves to the negative side in the X-direction, whereby the tip of the Y-direction positioning member 359 is released from engagement with the Y-direction positioning protrusion 59, and the accommodation section 351 becomes movable to the negative side in the Y-direction.

[0059] The rear positioning protrusion 355 of the accommodating section 351 is positioned by the hole 55 formed in the housing 51, the side positioning engagement section 357 of the accommodating section 351 is positioned by the side positioning protrusion 57 formed in the housing 51, and the Y-direction positioning member 359 of the accommodating section 351 is positioned by the Y-direction positioning protrusion 59 formed in the housing 51, so that the accommodating section 351 is positioned at a first position relative to the housing 51.

[0060] Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of region R1 in Fig. 3. Referring to Fig. 14, housing 51 of the device main body includes housing front portion 51A and housing side portion 51B. Engagement portion 61 is provided on housing side portion 51B.

[0061] 15 is a first cross-sectional view showing an enlarged cross section of the engagement portion and its peripheral members taken along the XY plane. Referring to FIG. 15, engagement portion 61 includes engagement protrusion 63, support portion 65, and second elastic member 67.

[0062] The support portion 65 passes through a through hole formed in the housing side portion 51B. The support portion 65 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole formed in the housing side portion 51B. The engagement protrusion 63 is connected to one end of the support portion 65. The surface of the engagement protrusion 63 opposite to the surface connected to the support portion 65 is curved. The outer diameter of the surface of the engagement protrusion 63 connected to the support portion 65 is larger than the outer diameter of the support portion 65. The other end of the support portion 65 is formed with a locking portion 66 having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the through hole formed in the housing side portion 51B. A second elastic member 67 is disposed between the engagement protrusion 63 and the housing side portion 51B. The second elastic member 67 is, for example, a spring. The second elastic member 67 biases the engagement protrusion 63 in a direction away from the housing side portion 51B. When the engagement portion 61 is not receiving an external force, the engagement protrusion 63 is biased in the positive X-direction by the second elastic member 67. Therefore, the locking portion 66 of the support portion 65 comes into contact with the housing side portion 51B. In this state, the distance between the engaging projection 63 and the housing side portion 51B is at its maximum.

[0063] FIG. 16 is a second cross-sectional view showing an enlarged cross section of the engaging portion and its surrounding components cut along the XY plane. FIG. 16 illustrates a state in which the engaging portion 61 engages with an engaged portion 367 provided on the exterior side portion 364 of the exterior portion 361. When the paper feed cassette 35 is in the open state, the engaging portion 61 is in the state shown in FIG. 15 and does not contact the exterior side portion 364. When the paper feed cassette 35 moves from the open state to the positive side in the Y direction, the exterior side portion 364 of the exterior portion 361 abuts against the engaging protrusion 63 of the engaging portion 61. When the paper feed cassette 35 further moves in the positive side in the Y direction, the force of the exterior side portion 364 pressing against the engaging protrusion 63 overcomes the elastic force of the second elastic member 67, and the engaging protrusion 63 is pushed toward the negative side in the X direction. Furthermore, when the paper feed cassette 35 moves in the positive Y direction and the engaged portion 367 provided on the exterior side portion 364 reaches the position of the engaging portion 61, the engaging protrusion 63, which is biased by the second elastic member 67, enters the engaged portion 367, and the engaging portion 61 engages with the engaged portion 367.

[0064] Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating the positioning of the housing and the exterior part. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane including two engaged portions 367 provided on the exterior part 361. Referring to Fig. 17, the exterior part 361 and the housing 51 of the device main body are positioned at the second position by engagement between the engaging portions 61 provided on the housing side part 51B and the engaged portions 367 provided on the exterior part 361.

[0065] Each of the two housing side portions 51B has an engaging portion 61 on the opposing surface. The two engaging portions 61 are positioned on the housing side portion 51B at positions corresponding to engaged portions 367 provided on the two housing side portions 364 of the exterior portion 361, respectively. The two engaging portions 61 are arranged side by side in the X direction. Therefore, when the engaging portions 61 and the engaged portions 367 are engaged with each other, the two engaging portions 61 and the two engaged portions 367 are aligned in the X direction. Therefore, the two housing side portions 364 of the exterior portion 361 receive forces from the engaging portions 61 in opposite directions in the X direction at the same position in the YZ plane. Therefore, no couple of forces is generated in the exterior portion 361 due to the forces received from the two engaging portions 61. In this way, the two engaging portions 61 position the exterior portion 361 without rotating the exterior portion 361.

[0066] <First Modification> FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an engaging portion in a first modified example. The engaging portion 61A shown in FIG. 18 is provided on a housing side portion 51B on the positive side in the X direction of the housing 51. Referring to FIG. 18, the engaging portion 61A in the first modified example is integrally formed of a material such as resin. The engaging portion 61A includes a flat support portion 65A, an engaging protrusion 63A, and a second elastic member 67A connecting the engaging protrusion 63A and the support portion 65A. The engaging protrusion 63A has a curved surface opposite to the surface connected to the second elastic member 67A. The second elastic member 67 is plate-shaped and is connected to the support portion 65A so as to incline toward the positive side in the X direction toward the positive side in the Y direction. Therefore, when the second elastic member 67 bends, the engaging protrusion 63A moves in the X direction. When the engaging protrusion 63A receives a force on the negative side in the X direction that is greater than the elastic force of the second elastic member 67, it moves toward the negative side in the X direction. Thereafter, when the force that the engaging protrusion 63A receives in the negative X-direction becomes smaller than the elastic force of the second elastic member 67, the engaging protrusion 63A moves in the positive X-direction.

[0067] <Second Modification> Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating the positioning of the housing and exterior part in the second modified example. Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane including two engaged parts 367 provided on exterior part 361. Referring to Fig. 19, exterior part 361 and housing 51 of the device main body are positioned by engagement between engaging parts 61 provided on housing side part 51B and engaged parts 367 provided on exterior part 361.

[0068] The exterior part 361 includes an exterior front part 362, two exterior side parts 364 extending from each of the longitudinal ends of the exterior front part 362 toward the housing side (positive side in the Y direction), and an exterior middle part 368 extending from between the two exterior side parts 364 of the exterior front part 362 toward the housing side (positive side in the Y direction).

[0069] An engaged portion 367 is formed on the surface of one of the two exterior side portions 364 facing the other. Here, the engaged portion 367 is formed on the surface of the exterior side portion 364 on the negative side in the X direction facing the exterior side portion 364 on the negative side in the X direction. In the exterior intermediate portion 368, the engaged portion 367 is formed on the surface opposite to the surface facing one of the exterior side portions 364. Here, the engaged portion 367 is formed on the surface of the exterior intermediate portion 368 on the positive side in the X direction. The two engaged portions 367 formed on the exterior side portion 364 and the exterior intermediate portion 368, respectively, are arranged side by side in one direction (the X direction).

[0070] The two housing side portions 51B have engaging portions 61 on surfaces facing the exterior side portions 364 and the exterior intermediate portion 368, on which the engaged portions 367 are respectively formed. The engaging portions 61 are positioned on the housing side portions 51B at positions corresponding to the engaged portions 367 provided on the exterior side portions 364 and the exterior intermediate portion 368, respectively. The two engaging portions 61 are arranged side by side in the X direction. Therefore, when the engaging portions 61 and the engaged portions 367 are engaged with each other, the two engaging portions 61 and the two engaged portions 367 are aligned in the X direction. Therefore, each of the two exterior side portions 364 of the exterior portion 361 receives a force in the X direction from the engaging portions 61 at the same position in the YZ plane. Therefore, no couple of forces is generated in the exterior portion 361 due to the forces received from the two engaging portions 61. In this way, the exterior portion 361 is positioned by the two engaging portions 61 without rotating the exterior portion 361.

[0071] <Third Modification> The engaging portion 61 may be provided on the exterior portion 361, and the engaged portion 373 may be provided on the housing 51. In other words, the second elastic member 67 may be provided on the exterior portion 361.

[0072] As described above, MFP 100 in this embodiment functions as an image forming apparatus. MFP 100 includes housing 51, storage unit 351 that stores paper as a recording medium, a first positioning unit that determines a first position of storage unit 351 relative to housing 51, exterior unit 361 that is connected to storage unit 351 so as to be relatively movable and that forms part of an exterior wall, and a second positioning unit that determines a second position of exterior unit 361 relative to housing 51. The first positioning unit includes a pair of rear positioning protrusions 355 of storage unit 351 and holes 55 formed in housing 51, a pair of side positioning engagement portions 357 of storage unit 351 and side positioning protrusions 57 formed in housing 51, and a pair of Y-direction positioning members 359 of storage unit 351 and Y-direction positioning protrusions 59 formed in housing 51. The second positioning portion includes two pairs of an engaging portion 61 provided on the housing 51 and an engaged portion 367 provided on the exterior portion 361.

[0073] Therefore, exterior part 361 is positioned at two points on housing 51, so that exterior part 361 can be positioned so as not to tilt relative to housing 51. Therefore, front surface 362A of exterior part 361, which constitutes part of the exterior of the device main body, can be positioned relative to other exterior parts attached to housing 51. Therefore, the amount of misalignment of front surface 362A relative to other exterior parts attached to housing 51 can be reduced.

[0074] Furthermore, accommodating unit 351 has support surface 352A that supports exterior unit 361, and exterior unit 261 has supported surface 363A facing support surface 352A. MFP 100 has a regulating portion that regulates the movement range of supported surface 363A and supporting surface 352A in a direction parallel to support surface 352A. The regulating portion is composed of convex portion 365 formed on exterior upper portion 363 so as to extend downward from supported surface 363A, and two concave portions 353 formed on support surface 352A of accommodating upper portion 352. Therefore, the change in the relative position between accommodating unit 351 and exterior unit 361 is limited within the movement range, so that accommodating unit 351 can move in conjunction with the movement of exterior unit 361. In particular, when a user of MFP 100 grips grip portion 366 and pulls out or pushes paper feed cassette 35 from MFP 100, exterior unit 361 moves. At this time, the convex portion 365 comes into contact with the end portion on the negative side in the Y direction or the end portion on the positive side in the Y direction of the concave portion 353, and the accommodation portion 351 moves in conjunction with the movement of the exterior portion 361. This allows the accommodation portion 351 to move in a stable state. Note that the convex portion 365 may be formed on the accommodation upper portion 352, and the concave portion 353 may be formed on the exterior upper portion 363.

[0075] Furthermore, the length of the first direction in which the exterior part 361 moves relative to the housing part 351 is greater than the length of the second direction intersecting the first direction. Therefore, the first direction and the second direction can be made different depending on the amount of misalignment between the housing part 351, which is positioned relative to the housing 51, and the exterior part 361, which is positioned relative to the housing 51. In this embodiment, the amount of misalignment between the exterior part 361 and the housing part 351 is greater in the Y direction than in the X direction. Therefore, enough play is ensured to position the exterior part 361, which is connected to the housing part 351, which is positioned relative to the housing 51, relative to the housing 51. This makes it easier for the user to position the exterior part 361 on the housing 51.

[0076] Furthermore, the accommodation portion 351 moves between a first position and an open position, and is provided between the accommodation portion 351 and the exterior portion 361. With the exterior portion 361 positioned at the second position, the accommodation portion 351 is urged in a direction from the open position toward the first position by the first elastic member 371. Therefore, with the exterior portion 361 positioned at the second position, the accommodation portion 351 is urged in a direction from the open position toward the first position (positive side in the Y direction) by the first elastic member 371, so that the accommodation portion 351 is reliably positioned at the first position.

[0077] Furthermore, the pair of engaging portion 61 and engaged portion 367 is arranged side by side in one direction (X direction), and the second elastic member 67 biases the engaging portion in a direction (X direction) toward the engaged portion. Therefore, the exterior portion 361 is positioned in the housing 51 so as not to rotate. Therefore, the state in which the exterior portion 361 is positioned in the housing 51 can be stabilized.

[0078] The longitudinal direction of the exterior part 361 is the X direction. This makes it possible to make the distance between each pair of the engaging part 61 and the engaged part 367 as long as possible. This makes it possible to more stably position the exterior part 361 relative to the housing 51.

[0079] Further, the exterior part 361 includes an exterior front part 362 and two exterior side parts 364 extending from the exterior front part 362 toward the housing 51, and either the engaging part 61 or the engaged part 367 is disposed on the opposing surface where the two exterior side parts 364 face each other. Therefore, the direction in which the second elastic member 67 biases the engaging part 61 toward the engaged part 367 can be set to a direction (X direction) intersecting with the direction in which the exterior part of the exterior part 361 moves (Y direction). Therefore, when the exterior part 361 moves in conjunction with the movement of the storage part 351 in the Y direction, the engaged part 367 can be engaged with the engaging part 61. As a result, the user can easily pull out or push in the paper feed cassette 35 from the MFP 100.

[0080] Furthermore, the engaged portions 367 are arranged on opposing surfaces of the two exterior side portions 364. Therefore, the two exterior side portions 364 receive forces in opposite directions in the X direction, so that the state in which the exterior portion 361 is positioned in the housing 51 can be stabilized.

[0081] The engaged portions 367 may be arranged on the surfaces opposite to the opposing surfaces of the two exterior side portions 364. Furthermore, one of the two exterior side portions 364 may have the engaged portion 367 on the opposing surface, and the other may have the engaged portion 367 on the surface opposite to the opposing surface.

[0082] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 100 MFP, 35, 35A, 35B paper feed cassette, 36, 36A, 36B take-out roller, 51 housing, 51A front part of housing, 51B side part of housing, 53 guide member, 55 hole, 57 side positioning protrusion, 59 Y-direction positioning protrusion, 61, 61A engagement part, 63, 63A engagement protrusion, 65, 65A support part, 66 locking part, 67, 67A second elastic member, 150 paper feed part, 351 storage part, 352 upper storage part, 352A support surface, 353 recess, 355 rear positioning protrusion, 357 side positioning engagement part, 358 elastic member, 359 Y-direction positioning member, 361 exterior part, 362 front part of exterior, 362A front surface, 363 upper part of exterior, 363A supported surface, 364 Exterior side portion, 365 protrusion portion, 366 grip portion, 367 engaged portion, 368 exterior intermediate portion, 371 first elastic member.

Claims

1. The housing and a storage unit for storing a recording medium; a first positioning portion that determines a first position of the accommodation portion relative to the housing; an exterior portion connected to the storage portion so as to be relatively movable in two directions intersecting each other and constituting a part of an exterior wall; a second positioning portion that determines a second position of the exterior portion relative to the housing, the second positioning unit includes two pairs of an engaging unit provided on one of the exterior unit and the housing and an engaged unit provided on the other of the exterior unit and the housing.

2. the housing portion has a support surface that supports the exterior portion, the exterior portion has a supported surface facing the support surface, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a regulating portion that regulates a range of movement of the supported surface and the supporting surface in a direction parallel to the supporting surface.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a length of the movement range in a first direction in which the housing portion moves relative to the housing is greater than a length of the movement range in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

4. the housing portion moves between the first position and an open position in which at least a portion of the housing portion is exposed to the outside of the housing; An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a first elastic member provided between the storage section and the exterior section, which urges the storage section in a direction from the open position toward the first position when the exterior section is positioned at the second position.

5. The two sets are arranged side by side in one direction, 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second elastic member that biases one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion in a direction toward the other.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the one direction is a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction of the exterior portion.

7. A housing, a storage unit for storing a recording medium; a first positioning portion that determines a first position of the accommodation portion relative to the housing; an exterior portion connected to the storage portion so as to be relatively movable and constituting a part of an exterior wall; a second positioning portion that determines a second position of the exterior portion relative to the housing, the second positioning unit includes two pairs of an engaging unit provided on one of the exterior unit and the housing and an engaged unit provided on the other of the exterior unit and the housing; The two sets are arranged side by side in one direction, a second elastic member that biases one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion in a direction toward the other, the exterior portion includes a front surface portion and two holding portions extending from the front surface portion toward the housing, In the image forming apparatus, one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion is disposed on either an opposing surface where the two holding portions face each other or a surface opposite to the opposing surface.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein one of the engaging portion and the engaged portion is disposed on the opposing surface.

Images