Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that has an improved configuration of a holding member that holds the attitude of an image reading device.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises a holding member 402 that holds a state in which an image reading device rotates with respect to an image forming apparatus body. The holding member 402 has a first shaft member 410, and a second shaft member 411 that is fixed by caulking to a root part of the first shaft member 410.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with an image reading device that reads an image on a document. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, some image forming apparatuses, such as copiers and facsimiles, have an image reading device for reading an image from a document, which is provided on top of the image forming apparatus main body having an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet. A known configuration of such an image forming apparatus is one in which the image reading device provided on top of the image forming apparatus main body can be rotated relative to the image forming apparatus main body for maintenance of the image forming unit inside the image forming apparatus main body (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Furthermore, an image forming apparatus has been proposed in which an image reading device is rotatably attached to the image forming apparatus main body and a holding member is provided to keep the image reading device open relative to the image forming apparatus main body during maintenance of the image forming apparatus main body. Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which one end of a rod-shaped holding member is rotatably attached to the image reading device, and the other end of the holding member is inserted into a hole provided in the top surface of the image forming apparatus main body, thereby keeping the image reading device open relative to the image forming apparatus main body. With this configuration, a worker such as a serviceman can perform maintenance on the image forming means unit inside the image forming apparatus main body while keeping the image reading device open relative to the image forming apparatus main body.

[0004] Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, one end of the holding member is rotatably attached to the image reading device, so that when inserting the other end of the holding member into a hole in the image forming device main body, the operator can move it so that it is inserted into the hole. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-223335 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when the holding member is rotatably attached to the image reading device, the portion of the holding member attached to the image reading device (hereinafter referred to as the base portion) may become large depending on the configuration of the base portion. If the base portion of the holding member is large, space is required to store the holding member between the image reading device and the image forming device main body, which poses a problem of increasing the size of the device.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which the configuration of a holding member for holding the posture of an image reading device is improved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus comprising: an apparatus main body having an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; an image reading device that reads an image of a document and is arranged above the apparatus main body and rotatably supported relative to the apparatus main body; and a holding member having one end rotatably attached to the image reading device and the other end inserted into a hole formed in the top surface of the apparatus main body to hold the image reading device in an open state relative to the apparatus main body, wherein the holding member has a first shaft member and a second shaft member fixed to the one end of the first shaft member by crimping. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which the configuration of a holding member that holds the posture of an image reading device is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image reading device. [Figure 4] 1A is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus with the image reading device closed, and FIG. 1B is a front view of the image forming apparatus with the image reading device closed. [Figure 5] An enlarged view of the mounting member. [Figure 6] 1A is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus with the image reading device open, and FIG. 1B is a front view of the image forming apparatus with the image reading device open. [Figure 7] 1A is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus with the image reading device rotated to the maximum angle, and FIG. 1B is a front view of the image forming apparatus with the image reading device rotated to the maximum angle. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a movement trajectory of a holding member. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus in a state where the holding member holds the image reading apparatus in a rotated position. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image reading device with the main body top panel removed. [Figure 11] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a holding member and an attachment member. [Figure 12] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between a first member and a second member. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between a holding member and a second member. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing a method of fixing a second shaft member to a first shaft member. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples of the retaining portion of the second shaft member. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a base portion of a holding member as a comparative example. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a view showing a first shaft member and a second shaft member according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the first embodiment is merely an example of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0012] [Image forming equipment] First, an image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 as seen from the front.

[0013] 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming apparatus main body 104 and an image reading device 101 provided above the image forming apparatus main body 104. The image forming apparatus 100 forms a toner image on a sheet of paper P in accordance with image data read by the image reading device 101 or an image signal from a host device such as a personal computer communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus 100. Examples of the sheet of paper P that is a recording medium include sheet materials such as plain paper, plastic film, and cloth.

[0014] Inside the housing 104a of the image forming apparatus main body 104 are provided laser scanners 107-110 corresponding to the respective colors of YMCK, which are electrophotographic print engines, image forming units 111-114, and a fixing unit 118. The laser scanners 107-110 irradiate lasers onto the photosensitive elements of the corresponding image forming units 111-114 in accordance with input image signals. The image forming units 111-114 are arranged along an intermediate transfer belt 115.

[0015] In image forming unit 111, a yellow toner image is formed, and the formed yellow toner image is primarily transferred to intermediate transfer belt 115. In image forming unit 112, a magenta toner image is formed, and the formed magenta toner image is primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow toner image transferred to intermediate transfer belt 115. In image forming unit 113, a cyan toner image is formed, and the formed cyan toner image is primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow and magenta toner images transferred to intermediate transfer belt 115. In image forming unit 114, a black toner image is formed, and the formed black toner image is primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images transferred to intermediate transfer belt 115.

[0016] A paper feed cassette 105 is disposed at the bottom of the image forming apparatus main body 104 so that it can be pulled out toward the front. The image forming apparatus 100 uses a pickup roller 106 to feed paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 105 toward a secondary transfer nip portion where an intermediate transfer belt 115 and a secondary transfer unit 116 come into contact. When transporting paper P, the image forming apparatus 100 transports the paper P in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 115. The multiple toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 115 is then transferred onto paper P at the secondary transfer nip portion by the action of a secondary transfer bias voltage applied to the secondary transfer unit 116.

[0017] The paper P onto which the toner image has been secondarily transferred in the secondary transfer section 116 is transported by a transport belt 117 to a fixing unit 118. The paper P is then heated and pressurized by the fixing unit 118 to fix the toner image onto the surface thereof, and is then discharged onto a paper output tray 119.

[0018] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with an electrophotographic image forming means, but the image forming means is not limited to this, and may be other image forming means such as an inkjet type.

[0019] [Image reader] Next, the image reading device 101 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the image reading device 101. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image reading device 101.

[0020] 1, the image reading device 101 is disposed above the image forming apparatus main body 104. The image reading device 101 includes an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 102 as a transport unit, and a reader 103 as a reading unit. The ADF 102 is rotatably supported relative to the reader 103 by a hinge mechanism (not shown).

[0021] The reader 103 has a first reading unit 311 for reading an image of a document, and the first reading unit 311 is provided so as to be movable along a sub-scanning direction 316. The reader 103 can read a document transported by the ADF 102 through a scanning glass 313 (scanning). In the case of scanning, the first reading unit 311 reads the image of the document while being fixed at a scanning position P1. The reader 103 can also read the image of a document placed on a document platen glass 314, which is a transparent member (fixed scanning). In the case of fixed scanning, the first reading unit 311 scans the image of the document while moving along the sub-scanning direction 316 from the scanning position P1 to an end position P2.

[0022] The ADF 102 transports a plurality of sheets of original document D set on the original document tray 200 toward the reader 103. The ADF 102 also has a second reading unit 312, which is capable of reading an image on the back side of the original document D whose image on the front side has been read by the first reading unit 311.

[0023] Original documents D set in original tray 200 are fed by pickup roller 300 and separated into individual sheets by separator 301, which is composed of two rollers. Each original document D separated into individual sheets by separator 301 is transported to flow reading glass 313 by transport rollers 302 to 305. First reading unit 311 then reads the image on the front side of original document D through flow reading glass 313. At this time, original document D is pressed against flow reading glass 313 by first reading roller 306, and is transported stably on flow reading glass 313. After the image on the front side of original document D has been read by first reading unit 311, transport roller 307 transports original document D to back side flow reading glass 315. Then, original document D is transported while being pressed against back side flow reading glass 315 by second reading roller 308, and the image on the back side is read by second reading unit 312. The document D, from which the image on the back side has been read, is conveyed by conveyance rollers 309 and discharged onto discharge tray 201 by discharge rollers 310 .

[0024] It should be noted that the image reading device 101 can also read only the image on the front side of the document D conveyed by the ADF 102. In this case, the document D, from which the image on the front side has been read by the first reading unit 311, is discharged without the image on the back side being read by the second reading unit 312. Furthermore, although the ADF 102 of this embodiment includes the second reading unit 312, the ADF 102 may be configured without including the second reading unit 312. For example, in order to read the image on the back side of the document D, the ADF 102 may include an inversion path for inverting the document.

[0025] [Rotational configuration of image reading device] Next, the rotational configuration of the image reading device 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10. FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, of the image forming device 100 when the image reading device 101 is not rotated relative to the image forming device main body 104. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the mounting member 500. FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, of the image forming device 100 when the image reading device 101 has rotated. FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, of the image forming device 100 when the image reading device 101 has rotated to the maximum angle θ1. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the movement trajectory of the holding member 402. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the image forming device 100 when the holding member 402 holds the rotated posture of the image reading device 101. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the image forming device 100 when the main body top panel 603 is removed. 4 to 10, the image forming apparatus main body 104 is illustrated in a simplified manner. In the following description, the left-right direction when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front (the left-right direction in FIG. 1) is defined as the X direction, and the front-to-rear direction when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front is defined as the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions is defined as the Z direction. In other words, the X and Y directions are directions along the horizontal direction, and the Z direction is a vertical direction.

[0026] The image reading device 101 is rotatable relative to the image forming device main body 104 around a rotation axis 404 provided at the right end in the X direction. When a user uses the image forming device 100, the image reading device 101 is used in a state where it is not rotated (closed) relative to the image forming device main body 104. On the other hand, when an operator such as a serviceman performs maintenance on the image forming means such as laser scanners 107 to 110 housed in the image forming device main body 104, the image reading device 101 can be rotated (opened) relative to the image forming device main body 104. The operation when an operator performs maintenance on the image forming means will be described later.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the image reading device 101 has a handle 400 at its left end, which is located opposite the rotation shaft 404 in the X direction, for the operator to grip when rotating the image reading device 101. A fixing member 401 is also provided for fixing the image reading device 101 to the image forming apparatus main body 104. As shown in FIG. 6, the fixing member 401 is composed of a first fixing member 600 and a second fixing member 601. In the state shown in FIG. 4, the first fixing member 600 and the second fixing member 601 are fixed to each other with screws from above in the Z direction. This allows the fixing member 401 to fix the image reading device 101 to the image forming apparatus main body 104 so that it does not open. When the operator rotates the image reading device 101, the operator first removes the screws from the fixing member 401 and then rotates the image reading device 101. In this way, by configuring the fixing member 401 not as a single component but as two components, the first fixing member 600 and the second fixing member 601, it is possible to prevent the fixing member 401 (second fixing member 601) from protruding above the top surface of the image forming apparatus main body 104 in the Z direction when the image reading device 101 is rotated. This allows the worker to perform maintenance work more smoothly.

[0028] A holding member 402 is attached to the image reading device 101 to maintain the position of the image reading device 101 when the image reading device 101 rotates relative to the image forming device main body 104. As will be described in detail later, the holding member 402 is rotatably attached to the image reading device 101 via an attachment member 500. Hereinafter, the end of the holding member 402 that is attached to the image reading device 101 will be referred to as a base portion 803.

[0029] When the image reading device 101 is closed relative to the image forming device main body 104, the holding member 402 is stored in a storage position 800 in the gap between the image forming device main body 104 and the reader 103. Also, when the image reading device 101 is open, the holding member 402 is held in the storage position 800 by the storage member 403. The storage member 403 is fixed to the attachment member 500, and holds the holding member 402 by sandwiching it from both sides.

[0030] Furthermore, a wire 602, which is a rotation restriction member for restricting rotation of the image reading device 101 beyond a maximum angle θ1, is attached to the left end of the image reading device 101 in the X direction. One end of the wire 602 is fixed to the reader 103 via an attachment member 500, and the other end is fixed to the image forming device main body 104 via a second fixing member 601. As shown in FIG. 7, when the image reading device 101 opens by the maximum angle θ1 relative to the image forming device main body 104, the wire 602 becomes taut, preventing the image reading device 101 from rotating further. In this embodiment, the maximum angle θ1 is 35°.

[0031] There are two reasons for restricting the rotation of the image reading device 101 to the maximum angle θ1. The first is to prevent an operator from accidentally rotating the image reading device 101 more than 90°, which could result in damage to the image reading device 101. The second is to prevent the ADF 102 from opening by itself relative to the reader 103. In this embodiment, in order to reduce the operating force required by the user when opening and closing the ADF 102 relative to the reader 103, a hinge mechanism (not shown) for opening and closing the ADF 102 generates torque in the opening direction of the ADF 102 by a spring, a cam, or the like. When the image reading device 101 is closed relative to the image forming apparatus main body 104, the torque due to the weight of the ADF 102 is greater than this torque. Therefore, the ADF 102 will not open by itself unless the user tries to open it. However, when the image reading device 101 is rotated, the torque in the closing direction due to the weight of the ADF 102 decreases as the rotation angle increases. When the rotation angle of the image reading device 101 exceeds a certain angle, the torque in the closing direction due to the weight of the ADF 102 becomes smaller than the torque of the hinge, causing the ADF 102 to suddenly open. In this embodiment, the angle of the image reading device 101 when the ADF 102 opens on its own is approximately 45°. The rotation of the image reading device 101 is restricted to a maximum angle θ1 (35°) by the wire 602, so it is possible to prevent the ADF 102 from opening on its own relative to the reader 103.

[0032] Next, an operation will be described when an operator such as a serviceman performs maintenance on the image forming means housed in the image forming apparatus main body 104. First, the operator releases the fixing of the fixing member 401. Specifically, the operator removes the screws that fix the first fixing member 600 and the second fixing member 601 together. This makes it possible to rotate the image reading device 101 relative to the image forming apparatus main body 104.

[0033] Next, the worker grasps the handle 400 and lifts the image reading device 101 upward. This places the image reading device 101 in an open position relative to the image forming apparatus main body 104, as shown in FIG. 6. In this state, the worker removes the holding member 402 from the storage member 403. This allows the holding member 402 to rotate around the base portion 803 in the direction of the arrow 805, as shown in FIG.

[0034] Thereafter, the worker moves the holding member 402 from the storage position 800 to the holding position 801. A tip member 804 is provided on the end (hereinafter referred to as the tip) of the holding member 402 opposite to the end attached to the image reading device 101. A hole 802 is formed on the top surface of the image forming apparatus main body 104 in a portion other than the main body top panel 603. The worker can maintain the rotated posture of the image reading device 101 by inserting the tip member 804 of the holding member 402 into the hole 802 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 104. In this embodiment, the rotation angle θ2 of the image reading device 101 when the holding member 402 maintains the rotated posture of the image reading device 101 is 30°.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 9, when the image reading device 101 rotates relative to the image forming device main body 104, a main body top plate 603 on the top surface of the image forming device main body 104 is exposed to the outside. The main body top plate 603 is fixed to the image forming device main body 104 with screws so that it can be removed. As shown in FIG. 10, when the main body top plate 603 is removed, the laser scanners 107 to 110 housed in the image forming device main body 104 are exposed to the outside. An operator can access the laser scanners 107 to 110 by removing the main body top plate 603 while the holding member 402 is holding the image reading device 101 in a rotated position. This allows the operator to perform various maintenance tasks, such as replacing the laser scanners 107 to 110.

[0036] Furthermore, wire 602 is provided on the left side surface in the X direction of image reading device 101, further back in the Y direction than the area of ​​the movement trajectory (arrow 805) of holding member 402. This prevents wire 602 from interfering with the movement of holding member 402 when holding member 402 moves between storage position 800 and holding position 801.

[0037] [Base of holding member] Next, the configuration of the base portion 803 of the holding member 402 will be described. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the base portion 803 of the holding member 402. The holding member 402 is composed of a first shaft member 410, a second shaft member 411 fixed to the base portion 803 of the first shaft member 410, and a tip member 804 fixed to the tip of the first shaft member 410. The first shaft member 410 is a cylindrical member that extends downward from the image reading device 101 when the holding member 402 is in the holding position 801. The second shaft member 411 is a member that extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first shaft member 410 extends. A disk-shaped retaining portion 411a that forms a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the second shaft member 411 extends is provided at the end of the second shaft member 411 opposite to the end fixed to the first shaft member 410. The tip member 804 is a member that is inserted into a hole 802 provided in the image forming device main body 104 when the holding member 402 is in the holding position 801, and abuts against the upper surface of the image forming device main body 104 to support the weight of the image reading device 101.

[0038] Here, with reference to FIG. 15, a method for fixing the second shaft member 411 to the first shaft member 410 will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a method for fixing the second shaft member 411 to the first shaft member 410. The second shaft member 411 is fixed to the first shaft member 410 by caulking. As shown in FIG. 15, a fitting hole 412 into which the second shaft member 411 fits is formed in a base portion 803 of the first shaft member 410. The fitting hole 412 is a through hole having a first hole-shaped portion 412a having a circular hole shape and a second hole-shaped portion 412b having a circular hole shape with a diameter smaller than that of the first hole-shaped portion 412a. In addition, the first shaft member 410 is formed with a first flat portion 410a parallel to the extension direction of the first shaft member 410 and a second flat portion 410b parallel to the first flat portion 410a. In a state in which the second shaft member 411 is fixed to the first shaft member 410, the first flat surface portion 410a and the second flat surface portion 410b are planes perpendicular to the extending direction of the second shaft member 411. The second flat surface portion 410b is formed on the opposite side of the first flat surface portion 410a in the extending direction of the second shaft member 411 and at a position closer to the tip end (other end) than the first flat surface portion 410a.

[0039] The diameter of the first hole-shaped portion 412a corresponds to the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 411b, which is the outer shape of the second shaft member 411. Furthermore, the diameter of the second hole-shaped portion 412b corresponds to the diameter of the crimped portion 411c of the second shaft member 411. With this configuration, it becomes possible to insert the second shaft member 411 into the fitting hole 412 of the first shaft member 410 along the insertion direction (the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b)).

[0040] After the second shaft member 411 is inserted into the fitting hole 412 of the first shaft member 410, the first shaft member 410 and the second shaft member 411 are set on a dedicated mounting table 900, as shown in FIG. 15(c). Thereafter, the crimping portion 411c of the second shaft member 411 protruding from the first flat surface portion 410a is crushed with a crimping tool 901, thereby fixing the second shaft member 411 to the first shaft member 410. Because the fitting hole 412 is formed in the first flat surface portion 410a, crimping can be performed by pressing the crimping tool 901 against the flat surface portion 410a. Then, as a result of the crimping process, the second shaft member 411 is fixed to the first flat surface portion 410a.

[0041] The formation of the second flat portion 410b on the first shaft member 410 makes it possible to stably set the first shaft member 410 on the dedicated stand 900 when performing the crimping process, thereby preventing crimping defects caused by the first shaft member 410 rotating during the crimping process. In this embodiment, the diameter of the crimped portion 411c is 2 mm, and the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 411b is 3 mm. Therefore, when a shear force is applied to the second shaft member 411 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the second shaft member 411, the first cylindrical portion 411b, which has a larger diameter, comes into contact with the first hole-shaped portion 412a, ensuring strength.

[0042] [Mounting configuration of holding member] Next, the mounting configuration of the holding member 402 will be described with reference to Fig. 11 to Fig. 13. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the state in which the holding member 402 and the mounting member 500 are combined. Fig. 12 is a diagram for explaining how to combine the first member 501 and the second member 502. Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining how to combine the holding member 402 and the second member 502.

[0043] As described above, the holding member 402 is rotatably attached to the reader 103 of the image reading device 101 via the attachment member 500. The attachment member 500 is composed of a first member 501 and a second member 502. One end of a wire 602 is fixed to the first member 501.

[0044] The first member 501 has a first flat mounting surface 501a, and a first slit 501b is formed in the first flat mounting surface 501a. The second member 502 has a second flat mounting surface 502a and an inclined surface 502b that forms a surface inclined from the second flat mounting surface 502a. A second slit 502c is formed in the second flat mounting surface 502a and the inclined surface 502b. The second slit 502c is an example of a fitting portion in this embodiment.

[0045] Here, a method of combining the holding member 402 and the mounting member 500 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 13, the second shaft member 411 is fitted into the second slit 502 of the second member 502. Then, with the second shaft member 411 fitted into the second slit 502, the inclined surface 502b is fitted into the first slit 501b of the first member 501, as shown in FIG. 12. At this time, the first flat mounting portion 501a prevents the inclined surface 502b from coming out of the first slit 501b in a direction perpendicular to the first flat mounting portion 501a. As shown in FIG. 11, with the holding member 402 and the mounting member 500 combined, the retaining portion 411a of the second shaft member 411 prevents the second shaft member 411 from coming out in a direction perpendicular to the inclined surface 502b. Furthermore, the first flat mounting portion 501a of the first member 501 prevents the second shaft member 411 from coming off in a direction along the inclined surface portion 502b. In other words, when the holding member 402 and the mounting member 500 are combined, the second shaft member 411 does not come off the mounting member 500.

[0046] With the holding member 402 and the mounting member 500 combined in this manner, the first member 501 and the second member 502 are screwed to the reader 103. In this way, the holding member 402 is attached to the image reading device 101.

[0047] Here, even if an external force is applied to first shaft member 410 and the force is applied to second slit 502c via second shaft member 411, first slit 501b is fitted with inclined surface 502b in the width direction, so that second slit 502c is not deformed. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 13, second mounting member 502 is provided with convex portion 502d formed by drawing sheet metal, which prevents stop portion 411a from interfering with second mounting member 502 when holding member 402 moves.

[0048] The holding member 402 attached in this manner can rotate freely due to the second slit 502c. Furthermore, since the holding member 402 has play (backlash) with respect to the attachment member 500, the holding member 402 can rotate in the X direction by the amount of the backlash. This allows the operator to smoothly insert and remove the tip member 804.

[0049] [Comparison with bending processing] Next, the configuration of this embodiment will be described in comparison with a comparative example using Fig. 17. Fig. 17 shows a holding member 402X as the comparative example.

[0050] Holding member 402X, which is a comparative example, is formed by bending a single rod-shaped member. Holding member 402X in the comparative example has first shaft portion 420, second shaft portion 421, and retaining portion 421a, and can be attached to image reading device 101 by attachment member 500 in the same manner as holding member 402 in this embodiment. Furthermore, the diameter of holding member 402X is the same as that of first shaft member 410 in this embodiment.

[0051] Holding member 402X of the comparative example is made by bending a single rod-shaped member, and therefore has bent portions 422 and 423. Because bent portions 422 and 423 have a curvature, the base portion of holding member 402X becomes larger by the amount of the curvature of bent portions 422 and 423. As described above, when the holding member is not in use, it is stored in the gap between image reading device 101 and image forming apparatus main body 104. Therefore, if the base portion of the holding member becomes larger, it becomes necessary to secure a space to store it, which leads to an increase in the size of the apparatus.

[0052] On the other hand, the holding member 402 in this embodiment has a configuration in which the second shaft member 411 is fixed to the first shaft member 410 by caulking. This eliminates the need to provide a bent portion in the base portion 803, unlike bending processing, and makes it possible to make the base portion 803 of the holding member 402 smaller.

[0053] As described above, the holding member 402 in this embodiment can reduce the size of the base portion 803, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus 100 from becoming large.

[0054] In this embodiment, the retaining portion 411a provided on the second shaft member 411 is disk-shaped, but the retaining portion 411a may have another shape. For example, the retaining portion 411a may be spherical, as shown in Fig. 16. In order to move the holding member 402 smoothly, the shape of the retaining portion 411a is preferably either the disk shape described above or the spherical shape shown in Fig. 16.

[0055] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 18. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the method of fixing the second shaft member 411 to the first shaft member 410, and the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, explanations other than the method of fixing the second shaft member 411 to the first shaft member 410 will be omitted.

[0056] 18, in the second embodiment, an M3 male screw portion 411d is provided at the tip of a second shaft member 411. The second shaft member is then fixed by being screwed into an M3 female screw portion 412c provided on the first shaft member 410. With this configuration, a crimping process using a crimping tool is not required.

[0057] Even with this configuration, unlike bending processing, there is no need to provide a bent portion at base portion 803, and it is possible to reduce base portion 803 of holding member 402. Therefore, it is possible to prevent image forming apparatus 100 from becoming larger. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 100 Image forming device 101 Image reading device 104 Image forming device main body 402 Retaining member 410 1st shaft member 411 2nd shaft member 500 Mounting material

Claims

1. an apparatus main body having an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; an image reading device that is disposed above the device body and is rotatably supported relative to the device body, and that reads an image of a document; a holding member having one end rotatably attached to the image reading device and the other end inserted into a hole formed in the top surface of the device body, for holding the image reading device in an open state relative to the device body; Equipped with The holding member includes a first shaft member and a second shaft member fixed to the one end of the first shaft member by caulking. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. The first shaft member has a cylindrical shape and a first flat portion to which the second shaft member is fixed is formed at the one end.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

3. the first shaft member has a second flat surface portion formed on the other end side of the first flat surface portion and on the opposite side of the first flat surface portion in the extending direction of the second shaft member; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. an apparatus main body having an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; an image reading device that is disposed above the device body and is rotatably supported relative to the device body, and that reads an image of a document; a holding member having one end rotatably attached to the image reading device and the other end inserted into a hole formed in the top surface of the device body to hold the image reading device in an open state relative to the device body; Equipped with The holding member includes a first shaft member having a female screw portion formed at one end thereof, and a second shaft member fixed to the first shaft member by having a male screw portion threaded into the female screw portion. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

5. a mounting member having a fitting portion into which the second shaft member fits, and a mounting member for mounting the holding member to the image reading device by being fixed to the image reading device in a state in which the second shaft member is fitted to the fitting portion; 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

6. The second shaft member has a retaining portion that prevents the second shaft member from coming off the fitting portion.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5,

7. the fitting portion is a slit, The mounting member includes a first member having the slit and a second member that prevents the second shaft member from coming out of the slit.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

8. The image reading device a reading unit having a transparent member on which a document is placed and a reading section that reads an image of the document placed on the transparent member; a transport unit that is rotatably supported relative to the reading unit and transports a document toward the reading unit; Equipped with 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

Images