Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image formation device which can a detachable electric unit, and can ground the electric unit easily and reliably.SOLUTION: An image formation device 100 comprises a detachable shifter drive unit 200, and further comprises an installation part 250 for installing the shifter drive unit 200, and a helical spring-shaped grounding member 251 which is located at a site interfering with the shifter drive unit 200. The shifter drive unit 200 is rotated so that a part of the shifter drive unit 200 becomes a center of rotation, and is installed on the installation part 250. The grounding member 251 is located so that when installing the shifter drive unit 200 on the installation part 250, the shifter drive unit 200 moves in a vertical direction with respect of a central axis 251a of the grounding member 251 and interferes with the grounding member 251, whereby the grounding member 251 is deformed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a detachable electric unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices such as copiers, facsimile machines, printers, and multifunction devices are configured with multiple removable electrical units. For example, image forming devices include electrical units such as a document reader for reading documents, a fuser equipped with a heater for fixing toner onto paper, and a developing device for forming a toner image on the surface of a photosensitive drum. Furthermore, some image forming devices with a sorting function, which prints multiple copies of a multi-page document in page order, include a shifter drive unit that shifts the ejection position of each copy of paper as it is ejected, in order to distinguish between the copies. This shifter drive unit is also an electrical unit.

[0003] Since these electric units operate by electricity, it is preferable to ground them when they are incorporated into the image forming apparatus in order to prevent malfunctions such as electric leakage, the generation of static electricity, etc. As a method of grounding, for example, a harness for supplying power and inputting and outputting signals is connected to the electric unit by a connector, and one terminal of this connector (harness) is used as an earth wire, and the earth wire is pulled out and fastened to an earth plate or the like provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus to achieve grounding.

[0004] When attaching the electric unit to the image forming apparatus, the connector to which the harness is connected can be attached to a connector provided on the electric unit, thereby easily connecting the electric unit to a board on which a power supply device that supplies electricity, and a control device that inputs and outputs control signals, etc. are mounted. However, since one end of the earth wire is connected by fastening it to an earth plate, etc. with a screw or the like, there is a problem that the connection work is time-consuming and requires a fastener such as a screw, which increases manufacturing costs.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for achieving electrical continuity in an image forming apparatus using a contact member with a coil spring structure having spring properties. Specifically, the coil spring structure is expandable and contractible along its central axis, which allows the contact member to bias and contact a conductive portion, thereby establishing electrical connection. By using such a coil spring structure, it is possible to ground an electric unit without fastening screws or the like. Specifically, when a contact member with this coil spring structure is used to ground an electric unit that is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus, the contact member with this coil spring structure may be configured to contract along the central axis when the electric unit is attached, and contact the electric unit or the like due to the biasing force. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-120311 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, when removing or installing the electrical unit, there is a possibility that force will be applied to the coil spring structure from a direction other than the direction of expansion and contraction of the coil spring structure (such as a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of expansion and contraction of the spring). This may cause plastic deformation in the coil spring structure, potentially resulting in deformation that is difficult to repair. This may impair the function of the contact members or cause damage to the contact members. As such, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 above has the potential for unstable and insufficient grounding, resulting in problems such as electric leakage.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an image forming apparatus that has a detachable electric unit and that can be easily and reliably grounded to the electric unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus equipped with a detachable electric unit, the image forming apparatus comprising: a mounting portion for mounting the electric unit; and a coil spring-shaped grounding member arranged at a location where the electric unit interferes with the electric unit, the electric unit is rotated so that a part of the electric unit becomes the center of rotation and is mounted on the mounting portion, the grounding member is arranged so that when the electric unit is mounted on the mounting portion, the electric unit moves in a direction perpendicular to the center axis of the grounding member and interferes with the grounding member, thereby deforming the grounding member, and the electric unit is A grounding member is provided. the grounded member has an axis that is approximately parallel to the central axis when the electric unit is attached to the attachment portion, extends from a main body of the electric unit in a direction along the axis, and is approximately columnar in shape with one bottom surface exposed, When the electric unit is attached to the attachment portion, the grounding member is bent and contacts the outer periphery of the grounded member. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a detachable electric unit, the image forming apparatus including a mounting portion for mounting the electric unit, and a coil spring-like grounding member arranged at a location where the electric unit interferes with the mounting portion, the electric unit being rotated so that a portion of the electric unit becomes the center of rotation when mounted on the mounting portion, the grounding member being arranged so that when the electric unit is mounted on the mounting portion, the electric unit moves in a direction perpendicular to the center axis of the grounding member and interferes with the grounding member, thereby deforming the grounding member, and the electric unit is a grounded The grounding member has a grounding member and is placed on a support portion formed below the mounting portion, one end of the grounding member which is in the form of a coil spring is fixed to the support portion and the other end is a free end which is movable, and when the electrical unit is mounted on the mounting portion, a part of the other end side of the grounding member which is in the form of a coil spring interferes with the grounded member and moves vertically to the central axis of one end of the grounding member, causing the central axis of one end of the grounding member to misalign with the central axis of the part of the other end side of the grounding member, and the grounded member is pressed by the spring force of the grounding member which is in the form of a coil spring.

[0010] As a result, when the electric unit is attached to the attachment portion, the grounding member interferes with the electric unit, making contact and electrically connecting, thereby grounding the electric unit and suppressing electrical defects such as electric leakage. Furthermore, because the grounding member is a coil spring wound up in the direction of its central axis, it can deform in various directions and move flexibly. Therefore, even if the attachment / detachment direction of the electric unit is not constant, it reliably contacts and deforms with the electric unit, thereby reliably grounding the electric unit. Furthermore, when the electric unit is attached, it is rotated and moves perpendicular to the central axis of the grounding member to be attached to the attachment portion. Therefore, the electric unit moves in a curved line and interferes with the grounding member. However, because the grounding member can deform in various directions and move flexibly, the attachment is not hindered and the electric unit can be reliably grounded.

[0011] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus described above may be provided with a locking portion that locks a locking portion provided at one end of the electric unit, the electric unit being rotatable when the locking portion is locked by the locking portion, the electric unit being attached to the mounting portion by rotating the electric unit when the locking portion is locked by the locking portion, and the grounding member being installed in a position spaced apart from the locking portion of the electric unit when the electric unit is attached to the mounting portion.

[0012] In this way, the electric unit is rotated and attached to the attachment part while the latched portion provided at one end of the electric unit is latched to the latching portion, so the range of movement of the electric unit near the latched portion is smaller than the range of movement of the end opposite the latched portion. Therefore, it is preferable to connect wiring such as a harness near the latched portion. Furthermore, because the grounding member is installed at a position separated from the latched portion, the grounding member and the harness are less likely to come into contact with each other, and problems such as damage to the harness due to contact between the grounding member and the harness are less likely to occur.

[0013] In the image forming apparatus described above, the electric unit may have a substantially columnar driving section, and when the electric unit is attached to the attachment section, the grounding member may bend and come into contact with the outer periphery of the driving section.

[0014] As a result, the grounding member bends and makes contact with the side surfaces, which are the outer periphery of the roughly columnar driving unit, ensuring reliable contact between the driving unit and the grounding member, thereby more reliably grounding the electric unit.

[0015] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus described above, the grounding member may be arranged so that its central axis is near the outside of the outer periphery of the drive unit when the electric unit is attached to the attachment section, and is located near the downstream side of the rotation direction when the electric unit is rotated and attached to the attachment section.

[0016] This prevents the coil spring-shaped grounding member from undergoing plastic deformation that is difficult to repair, and also ensures reliable contact with the electric unit, thereby ensuring reliable grounding of the electric unit.

[0017] In the image forming apparatus described above, the grounding member may be tightly wound.

[0018] In this way, the grounding member is not a compression spring that can freely expand and contract in the direction of the central axis of the coil spring, but is tightly wound so that it is difficult to contract in the direction of the central axis of the coil spring.Therefore, when the electrical unit is attached to the attachment part, the grounding member does not deform in the direction of contraction, but rather bends and comes into contact with the electrical unit, thereby preventing the grounding member from deforming to a degree that is difficult to repair and ensuring that the electrical unit is grounded.

[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a detachable electric unit, the image forming apparatus including a mounting portion for mounting the electric unit, and a coil spring-like grounding member arranged at a location where the electric unit interferes with the electric unit, the electric unit is rotated so that a portion of the electric unit becomes the center of rotation when mounted on the mounting portion, and the grounding member is arranged so that when the electric unit is mounted on the mounting portion, the electric unit moves in a direction perpendicular to the center axis of the grounding member and interferes with the grounding member, thereby deforming the grounding member, and the electric unit is A grounding member is provided. the grounded member has an axis that is approximately parallel to the central axis when the electric unit is attached to the attachment portion, extends from a main body of the electric unit in a direction along the axis, and is approximately columnar in shape with one bottom surface exposed, When the electric unit is attached to the attachment portion, the grounding member contracts and an end of the grounding member comes into contact with the bottom surface of the grounded member, the end of the grounding member that comes into contact with the grounded member is a conical, tightly wound portion, and the rest of the grounding member other than the end that is a conical, tightly wound portion is a compression spring. , characterized in that .

[0020] As a result, when the electric unit is attached to the attachment section, the electric unit interferes with the end of the conical, tightly wound portion of the grounding member, and as the electric unit moves, the compression spring portion of the grounding member contracts in the direction of the central axis, causing the grounding member to sink into the bottom surface of the approximately columnar driving section, so that the end of the conical, tightly wound portion of the grounding member reliably contacts the bottom surface of the driving section without interfering with attachment, thereby ensuring that the electric unit is grounded.

[0021] In addition, in the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, one end of the grounding member may be fixed and the other end may be movable, and a tilt prevention portion may be provided that does not interfere with the electrical unit and is arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer periphery of the grounding member.

[0022] Since the anti-tilt section is provided in this manner, deformation or movement of the portion of the grounding member that is surrounded by the anti-tilt section is restricted, so that the coil spring-shaped grounding member comes into contact with the electric unit with a stable pressure, allowing the electric unit to be grounded stably. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having a detachable electric unit, which can be easily and reliably grounded. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a state in which a shifter drive device is removed in an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] 1 is a first schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a shifter drive device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a second schematic perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the shifter drive device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]2 is a schematic perspective view showing the position of a mounting portion in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a mounting unit in an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a shifter drive device is attached to an attachment portion in an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are first schematic perspective views illustrating a procedure for mounting the shifter drive device in the mounting portion in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10A to 10C are second schematic perspective views illustrating a procedure for mounting the shifter drive device in the mounting portion in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of a connecting member of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the arrangement of a motor and a connecting member in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is an enlarged bottom view illustrating the arrangement position of a connecting member in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of a connecting member of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view illustrating the configuration of a connecting member of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing the arrangement of a motor and a connecting member in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of these components are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0026] (First embodiment) An image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing in perspective the schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Here, coordinates are written in the following figures, and the X-axis direction is the left-right direction (horizontal direction) when viewing image forming apparatus 100 from the front, and the positive X-axis direction and negative X-axis direction represent the left side and right side, respectively. The Y-axis direction is the depth direction (front-to-back direction) perpendicular to the left-to-right X-axis, and the positive Y-axis direction and negative Y-axis direction represent the operating side (front side) and the rear side, which is opposite the operating side, respectively. The Z-axis direction represents the up-down direction, i.e., the vertical direction, and the positive Z-axis direction and negative Z-axis direction represent the upper side and lower side, respectively. Note that when the image forming apparatus 100 is not shown and only the components of image forming apparatus 100 are illustrated, the coordinates show the state in which the components are incorporated into image forming apparatus 100.

[0028] 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction machine having a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and a printer function, and transmits an image of an original G read by an image reading device 102 to an external device. The image forming apparatus 100 also forms an image, in color or monochrome, of the image of the original G read by the image reading device 102 or an image received from an external device, on a sheet P such as paper, which is a recording medium.

[0029] Above the image reading unit 130, there is provided a document feeder 160 (automatic document feeder (ADF)) that is supported so as to be openable and closable relative to the image reading unit 130. The image reading device 102 is equipped with the document feeder 160. The document feeder 160 sequentially transports one or more documents G one by one. The image reading device 102 reads the documents G transported one by one by the document feeder 160. The image reading device 102 is equipped with a document placing table 130a on which the documents G are placed, and a placed document reading function that reads the documents placed on the document placing table 130a. When the document feeding device 160 is opened, the image forming apparatus 100 opens the document placing table 130a above the image reading unit 130, allowing the documents G to be placed manually. Furthermore, the document feeder 160 is equipped with a document placement tray 161 on which documents G are placed, and a document discharge tray 162 on which documents G discharged to the outside are stacked. The image reading device 102 is equipped with a transported document reading function that reads documents G transported by the document feeder 160. The document feeder 160 transports documents G placed on the document placement tray 161 onto the document reading unit 130b in the image reading unit 130. The image reading unit 130 scans the scanning optical system 130c to read a document placed on the document placement table 130a, or reads documents G transported by the document feeder 160, and generates image data.

[0030] The image forming apparatus main body 101 includes an optical scanning device 1, a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a drum cleaning device 4, a charger 5, an intermediate transfer belt device 70, a secondary transfer device 11, a fixing device 12, a sheet transport path S, a paper feed cassette 18, and a sheet discharge tray 141.

[0031] Image forming apparatus 100 handles image data corresponding to color images using black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, or monochrome images using a single color (e.g., black). Image transfer unit 50 of image forming apparatus 100 is provided with four developing devices 2, four photosensitive drums 3, four drum cleaning devices 4, and four chargers 5 for forming four types of toner images, each corresponding to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and constituting four image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd.

[0032] The optical scanning device 1 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to light to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 2 develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to form a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3. The drum cleaning device 4 removes and collects residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3. The charger 5 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. Through the series of operations described above, a toner image of each color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 3.

[0033] The intermediate transfer belt device 70 includes an intermediate transfer roller 6, an endless intermediate transfer belt 71, an intermediate transfer drive roller 72, an intermediate transfer driven roller 73, and a cleaning device 9. Four intermediate transfer rollers 6 are provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 71 so as to form four types of toner images corresponding to each color. The intermediate transfer rollers 6 transfer the toner images of each color formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 onto the intermediate transfer belt 71, which moves around in the circumferential direction C.

[0034] The intermediate transfer belt 71 is stretched over an intermediate transfer drive roller 72 and an intermediate transfer driven roller 73. In the image forming apparatus 100, the toner images of each color formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 3 are sequentially transferred and superimposed to form a color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 71. The cleaning device 9 removes and collects waste toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 71 without being transferred to the sheet P.

[0035] The secondary transfer device 11 forms a transfer nip portion TN between the secondary transfer roller 11a and the intermediate transfer belt 71, and conveys a sheet P conveyed through a sheet conveying path S by sandwiching the sheet P in the transfer nip portion TN. When the sheet P passes through the transfer nip portion TN, the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 71 is transferred to the sheet P, and the sheet P is conveyed to the fixing device 12.

[0036] The fixing device 12 includes a fixing belt 31 and a pressure roller 32 that rotate while sandwiching the sheet P. The fixing device 12 sandwiches the sheet P, onto which the toner image has been transferred, between the fixing belt 31 and the pressure roller 32, and applies heat and pressure to fix the toner image to the sheet P.

[0037] The paper feed cassette 18 is a cassette for storing sheets P to be used for image formation, and is provided below the optical scanning device 1. The sheet P is drawn out of the paper feed cassette 18 by a pickup roller 16 and conveyed to a sheet conveying path S. The sheet P conveyed to the sheet conveying path S passes through a secondary transfer device 11 and a fixing device 12, and is sent to a discharge section 140.

[0038] The discharge section 140 includes a sheet discharge tray 141 onto which the sheet P is discharged, and a shifter drive device 200. The shifter drive device 200 discharges the sheet P onto the sheet discharge tray 141. Furthermore, when a sorting function is used to print multiple copies of a multi-page document in page order for each copy, the shifter drive device 200 has a function of shifting the discharge position of the sheet P alternately toward the operation side and the rear side along the depth direction each time a copy is discharged, in order to distinguish between the copies of the printed document. As a result, the printed documents are stacked one copy at a time on the sheet discharge tray 141, and are discharged stacked alternately in the depth direction, making it easy to separate the copies.

[0039] Details of the shifter driving device 200 will be described later, but the shifter driving device 200 is an electric unit that is detachable from the image forming apparatus 100 and has a motor 202 (see FIG. 3B) that serves as a driving unit. Note that an electric unit refers to a device that operates electrically.

[0040] The sheet P that has passed through the fixing device 12 is conveyed by discharge rollers (not shown) provided in the shifter drive device 200, and is discharged onto a sheet discharge tray 141. In this way, the sheet conveying path S is provided with conveying rollers 13, registration rollers 14, and discharge rollers (shifter drive device 200). The conveying rollers 13 promote the conveyance of the sheet P. The registration rollers 14 temporarily stop the sheet P and align the leading edge of the sheet P. The registration rollers 14 convey the stopped sheet P in accordance with the timing of the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 71. The color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 71 is transferred onto the sheet P at a transfer nip portion TN between the intermediate transfer belt 71 and the secondary transfer roller 11a.

[0041] Although FIG. 1 shows one sheet feed cassette 18, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be provided in which a plurality of sheet feed cassettes 18 are provided, each of which may hold a different type of sheet P.

[0042] Furthermore, when forming an image on the back side of the sheet P in addition to the front side, the image forming apparatus 100 conveys the sheet P in the reverse direction from the discharge rollers (shifter drive device 200) to the sheet inversion path Sr. The image forming apparatus 100 inverts the sheet P conveyed in the reverse direction and guides it again to the registration rollers 14. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on the back side of the sheet P guided to the registration rollers 14 in the same manner as on the front side, and conveys the sheet P to the sheet discharge tray 141.

[0043] The shifter drive device 200 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a state in which the shifter drive device has been removed from an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3A is a first schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the shifter drive device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3B is a second schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the shifter drive device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the shifter drive device 200 is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus 100. When attaching the shifter drive device 200, the exterior panels arranged on the operation side surface (ZX surface) and the left side surface (YZ surface) of the image forming apparatus 100 are removed. The image forming apparatus 100 has a mounting portion 250 on its right side where the shifter drive device 200 is attached. As will be described in detail later, the mounting portion 250 has an opening 250a (see FIG. 4), and the shifter drive device 200 is attached by fitting into the opening 250a of the mounting portion 250. In this manner, the shifter drive device 200 is incorporated into the image forming apparatus 100. After the shifter drive device 200 is attached, the exterior panels are attached.

[0045] 3A and 3B, the shifter drive device 200 includes a shifter drive device main body 210, a cylindrical motor 202 installed on the underside of the shifter drive device main body 210 so as to extend downward, and two latching portions 201 installed on the rear side, which is one end in the longitudinal direction, of the shifter drive device main body 210. The latching portions 201 are claw-shaped and are latched by latching portions 252 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, when the shifter drive device main body 210 is attached to the attachment portion 250. The shifter drive device 200 also includes a paper passing portion 203. As described above, the sheet P that has passed through the fixing device 12 is fed to the shifter drive device 200, and the sheet P fed from the fixing device 12 enters the paper passing portion 203 from the right side of the shifter drive device 200 and is ejected onto the sheet ejection tray 141 from the left side. Although not shown, the shifter driving device 200 includes a discharge roller, and the sheet P passes through the paper passing section 203 as the discharge roller rotates.

[0046] When the sheet P is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 141, if a sorting function is used to discharge multiple copies of the sheet P, the motor 202 operates to adjust the discharge position of the sheet P discharged from the paper passing section 203, and the sheet P is discharged by shifting the position alternately for each copy.

[0047] Next, the mounting unit 250 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the position of the mounting unit in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the mounting unit in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that Fig. 4 is a view from the right front when the shifter drive device 200 is not mounted in the mounting unit 250, and Fig. 5 is a view from the left front. Note that in Figs. 4 and 5, the exterior panel arranged on the right surface (YZ surface) of the image forming apparatus 100 has also been removed.

[0048] 4 and 5, an opening 250a is formed in the mounting portion 250, and the shifter drive device 200 fits into this opening 250a to mount the shifter drive device 200. Two locking portions 252 corresponding to the two locked portions 201 are provided on the back side of the mounting portion 250. The locking portions 252 are shaped so that, when the locked portions 201 are locked, the shifter drive device 200 can rotate around the locking portions 252. More specifically, the claw-shaped locked portions 201 are caught on the rod-shaped locked portions 201, so that the shifter drive device 200 can rotate around the locked portions 201.

[0049] Further, a placing portion 253 is formed below the mounting portion 250, and a grounding member 251 is disposed on the placing portion 253. The shape of the grounding member 251 will be described in detail later; however, the grounding member 251 is a coil spring, and is disposed so that a central axis 251a (see FIG. 9) of the coil spring is oriented in the vertical direction. Although not shown, a conductor is connected to the grounding member 251, and this conductor is connected to a ground plate or the like provided in the image forming apparatus 100 for proper grounding. By properly grounding the electric unit incorporated in the image forming apparatus 100 by the grounding member 251, electrical problems such as electric leakage and static electricity can be suppressed. Specifically, in this embodiment, by mounting the shifter drive device 200 to the mounting portion 250, the outer surface of the motor 202 of the shifter drive device 200 comes into contact with the grounding member 251, and the shifter drive device 200 is properly grounded.

[0050] Next, the procedure for mounting the shifter drive device 200 in the mounting section 250 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which the shifter drive device is mounted in the mounting section in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a first schematic perspective view showing the procedure for mounting the shifter drive device in the mounting section in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a second schematic perspective view showing the procedure for mounting the shifter drive device in the mounting section in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] First, the relationship between the motor 202 and the grounding member 251 when the shifter driving device 200 is mounted on the mounting part 250 will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, the shifter driving device 200 is mounted on the mounting part 250 by fitting into the opening 250a of the mounting part 250. At this time, the outer periphery of the motor 202 of the shifter driving device 200 comes into contact with the grounding member 251. As a result, the motor 202 is grounded.

[0052] To mount the shifter drive device 200 in the mounting portion 250, first, the locked portions 201 are hooked onto the locking portions 252. As described above, by hooking (engaging) the claw-shaped locked portions 201 onto the rod-shaped locking portions 252, the shifter drive device 200 becomes rotatable relative to the image forming apparatus 100 around the locking portions 252 as the center of rotation, as shown in FIG. 7. Specifically, the rear side of the shifter drive device 200 is fixed, and the operating side of the shifter drive device 200 becomes rotatable so as to swing. With the locked portions 201 locked onto the locking portions 252, the operating side of the shifter drive device 200 is rotated and fitted into the opening 250a, and the shifter drive device 200 is mounted in the mounting portion 250 as shown in FIG. 8. In this way, since the shifter drive device 200 is mounted to the mounting portion 250 while rotating, the motor 202 moves in a curved line relative to the ground contact member 251, thereby coming into contact with and interfering with the ground contact member 251. However, the direction of movement of the motor 202 (shifter drive device 200) is along a plane (XY plane) that is perpendicular to the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). Therefore, the motor 202 interferes with the ground contact member 251 while moving in a curved line perpendicular to the central axis 251a of the ground contact member 251.

[0053] Next, the configuration of the grounding member 251 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the connecting member of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing the arrangement of the motor and the connecting member in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 9 , the grounding member 251 is placed on the mounting portion 253. As described above, the grounding member 251 is placed so as to be aligned along the vertical direction of the central axis 251a. One end of the grounding member 251 is fixed to the mounting portion 253, while the other end of the grounding member 251 is a free end. A tilt prevention portion 254 is placed so as to surround the grounding member 251. The height of the tilt prevention portion 254 is set so as not to interfere with the motor 202 when the shifter drive device 200 is mounted on the mounting portion 250. The tilt prevention portion 254 is placed to prevent the grounding member 251 from bending too much (tilting too much) so that the grounding member 251 can stably contact the motor 202 when the shifter drive device 200 is mounted on the mounting portion 250 and the grounding member 251 comes into contact with the motor 202. Therefore, the tilt prevention portion 254 does not need to be formed on the side from which the motor 202 enters. In other words, it is only necessary that the tilt prevention portion 254 is formed on the side where the ground contact member 251 bends due to contact with the motor 202 .

[0055] As shown in Figure 10, when the shifter drive device 200 is mounted on the mounting portion 250, the motor 202 interferes with the grounding member 251, and pressure is applied by the side surface 202a of the motor 202, causing the grounding member 251 to bend. As a result, the grounding member 251 comes into contact with the side surface 202a of the motor 202 and is electrically connected. Therefore, the motor 202 is properly grounded. Note that, depending on the arrangement of the motor 202 and the grounding member 251, the grounding member 251 may come into contact with not only the side surface 202a but also the bottom surface 202c.

[0056] Furthermore, the motor 202 is provided with a connector 204 for supplying power and inputting and outputting control signals. Since an electric wire such as a harness is connected to the connector 204, if the grounding member 251 and the connector 204 are arranged close to each other, there is a possibility that the harness may interfere with the grounding member 251, causing a problem such as a break in the wire, and therefore it is preferable that the connector 204 and the grounding member 251 are arranged apart from each other. For example, it is preferable that the connector 204 and the grounding member 251 are arranged with the motor 202 sandwiched between them.

[0057] As described above, the shifter drive device 200 is rotated and attached to the attachment part 250 with the locked part 201 located on the rear side locked by the locking part 252. Therefore, it is preferable that a harness or the like be connected near the end on the rear side of the shifter drive device 200 where the locked part 201 is provided, as the rotation range is smaller there than on the operating side. For this reason, the connector 204 is arranged near the rear side of the shifter drive device 200. Therefore, it is preferable that the grounding member 251 be arranged on the operating side of the motor 202.

[0058] The installation position of the ground member 251 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 11 is an enlarged bottom view for explaining the arrangement position of the connection member in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a view of the ground member 251 and the motor 202 as seen from below, without illustrating the mounting portion 253, and is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the ground member 251 and the motor 202.

[0059] 11, when the shifter drive device 200 is mounted on the mounting portion 250, it is preferable that the center axis 251a of the ground contact member 251 is disposed near the outside of the side surface 202a of the motor 202. Furthermore, it is preferable that the ground contact member 251 is disposed near the outside of a range 202b on the side surface 202a that is downstream in the approach direction 220 when the shifter drive device 200 is rotated and mounted on the mounting portion 250. In this way, when the shifter drive device 200 is mounted on the ground contact member 251, the ground contact member 251 bends without plastic deformation and reliably comes into contact with the motor 202 over a wider area, thereby ensuring reliable ground contact.

[0060] According to the image forming apparatus 100 described above, the shifter drive device 200 can be easily and reliably grounded simply by mounting the shifter drive device 200 in the mounting portion 250. In addition, the grounding member 251 can reliably ground the electric unit without interfering with the mounting of the shifter drive device 200.

[0061] Although the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, although the ground contact member 251 is a contact spring, it may be a spring other than a contact spring. For example, it may be a compression spring that can compress in the direction of the central axis 251a. When the shifter drive device 200 is attached to the attachment portion 250, the motor 202 interferes with the ground contact member 251, causing contact between the motor 202 and the ground contact member 251. When the shifter drive device 200 is removed from the attachment portion 250, the ground contact member 251 simply returns to its original shape. Note that when a force is applied to the ground contact member 251 in the direction perpendicular to the central axis 251a, a contact spring bends more smoothly and flexibly than a compression spring, making contact with the motor 202 at multiple points. Therefore, a contact spring is preferable because it contacts the motor 202 more reliably.

[0062] (Second embodiment) The image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention differs from the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment in that a grounding member 261 is installed instead of the grounding member 251 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, but otherwise has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the difference, that is, the grounding member 261, will be described using the drawings, and a description of the other configurations will be omitted.

[0063] Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of a connecting member of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13 is an enlarged side view for explaining the configuration of a connecting member of an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14 is an enlarged perspective view showing the arrangement of a motor and a connecting member in an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] 12, the ground member 261 is placed on the mounting portion 253 so that the central axis 261c of the ground member 261 is aligned in the vertical direction. One end of the ground member 261 is fixed to the mounting portion 253, while the other end of the ground member 261 is a free end. In addition, a tilt prevention portion 254 is provided so as to surround the ground member 261.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 13 , the contact portion 261a, which is the free end of the grounding member 261, is a conical contact spring. Meanwhile, the expandable portion 261b, which is the end of the grounding member 261 that is fixed to the mounting portion 253, is a compression spring. The contact portion 261a, which is a contact spring, is conical and its vertical length is short relative to the overall length of the grounding member 261. Therefore, the contact portion 261a not only has difficulty contracting in the direction of the central axis 261c, but also does not easily bend when pressure is applied perpendicular to the central axis 261c. Furthermore, the expandable portion 261b is a compression spring, so it can be contracted in the direction of the central axis 261c. Structurally, the expandable portion 261b will bend when pressure is applied perpendicular to the central axis 261c, but the tilt prevention portion 254 limits this bending.

[0066] When the shifter drive device 200 is rotated to mount it on the mounting portion 250, the motor 202 interferes with the ground contact member 261, causing the motor 202 to move in a direction perpendicular to the central axis 261c. At this time, the motor 202 comes into contact with the side surface of the conical contact portion 261a. However, because the side surface of the contact portion 261a is inclined, as the motor 202 moves, pressure is applied to the ground contact member 261 not only in a direction perpendicular to the central axis 261c but also downward. As described above, both the contact portion 261a and the expandable portion 261b are difficult to bend even when pressure is applied in a direction perpendicular to the central axis 261c, so the expandable portion 261b deforms in a contracting direction. Therefore, the downward pressure causes the contact portion 261a to contract, causing the ground contact member 261 to slide under the motor 202.

[0067] 14, when the shifter drive device 200 is mounted on the mounting portion 250, the grounding member 261 is positioned below the motor 202, and the contact portion 261a of the grounding member 261 comes into contact with the bottom surface 202c of the motor 202, thereby achieving grounding. Therefore, the contact portion 261a (grounding member 261) reliably comes into contact with the motor 202, ensuring reliable grounding.

[0068] In the first embodiment, it is preferable that the central axis 251a of the grounding member 251 is located near the outer side of the side surface 202a of the motor 202, but in the second embodiment, it is preferable that the tip of the contact portion 261a contacts the bottom surface 202c. Therefore, it is preferable that the central axis 261c is located at a lower position of the motor 202.

[0069] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention have been described above, embodiments other than the first and second embodiments may also be used. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the shifter drive device 200 has been used as the electrical unit to be grounded. However, the present invention is not limited to the shifter drive device 200. Any electrical unit that is detachable from the image forming apparatus 100 and for which grounding is desirable can be similarly grounded. Furthermore, although the motor 202 is described as the point to be grounded in the shifter drive device 200, the grounding member 251 may contact a point other than the motor 202 as long as grounding is possible.

[0070] Furthermore, when mounting the shifter drive device 200 to the mounting part 250, the locked part 201 provided at one end of the shifter drive device 200 is locked with the locking part 252, and then the shifter drive device 200 is rotated to mount it to the mounting part 250, but this is not limitative and the shifter drive device 200 may be linearly moved to mount it to the mounting part 250. Furthermore, the locked part 201 has a claw structure and the locking part 252 has a rod-shaped structure, but the locked part 201 and the locking part 252 may have other structures, and the shifter drive device 200 may be rotated to mount it to the mounting part 250.

[0071] In addition, in the above embodiment, the grounding of the detachable shifter drive device 200 in the image forming apparatus 100 was described, but the present invention can also be used for grounding detachable electrical units in electrical equipment other than the image forming apparatus 100.

[0072] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be embodied in various other forms. Therefore, these embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited in any way by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and variations that fall within the equivalent range of the claims are within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1 Optical scanning device 2. Developing device 3 Photosensitive drum 4 Drum cleaning device 5 Charger 6 Intermediate transfer roller 9 Cleaning Device 11 Secondary transfer device 11a Secondary transfer roller 12 Fixing device 13 Conveyor roller 14 Registration roller 16 Pickup roller 18 Paper cassette 31 Fixing belt 32 Pressure roller 50 Image transfer unit 70 Intermediate transfer belt device 71 Intermediate transfer belt 72 Intermediate transfer drive roller 73 Intermediate transfer driven roller 100 Image forming device 101 Image forming apparatus main body 102 Image reader 130 Image reading unit 130a Document stand 130b Document reading unit 130c Scanning Optical System 140 Discharge section 141 Sheet output tray 160 Document feeder 161 Document tray 162 Document output tray 200 Shifter drive unit 201 Locked part 202a side 202b Range 202c bottom 203 Paper passing section 202 Motor 210 Shifter drive unit body 220 Approach direction 250 Mounting part 250a aperture 251, 261 Grounding member 251a, 261c center axis 252 Locking part 253 Placement section 254 Tilt prevention part 261a Contact part 261b Telescopic part G Manuscript P-sheet S Sheet transport path Sr sheet inversion pathway Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd imaging station C circumferential direction TN transfer nip

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus having a detachable electric unit, a mounting portion for mounting the electric unit; a coil spring-shaped grounding member disposed at a location where it interferes with the electric unit, the electric unit is rotated so that a part of the electric unit becomes a center of rotation and is attached to the attachment part; the grounding member is arranged such that, when the electric unit is attached to the attachment portion, the electric unit moves in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the grounding member and interferes with the grounding member, thereby deforming the grounding member; the electric unit has a grounded member; the grounded member has an axis that is approximately parallel to the central axis when the electric unit is attached to the attachment portion, extends from a main body of the electric unit in a direction along the axis, and is approximately columnar in shape with one bottom surface exposed, When the electric unit is attached to the attachment portion, the grounding member bends and contacts the outer periphery of the grounded member.

2. An image forming apparatus equipped with a detachable electric unit, a mounting portion for mounting the electric unit; a coil spring-shaped grounding member disposed at a location where it interferes with the electric unit, the electric unit is rotated so that a part of the electric unit becomes a center of rotation and is attached to the attachment part; the grounding member is arranged such that, when the electric unit is attached to the attachment portion, the electric unit moves in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the grounding member and interferes with the grounding member, thereby deforming the grounding member; the electric unit has a grounded member; the grounding member is placed on a mounting portion formed below the mounting portion, one end of the grounding member having a coil spring shape is fixed to the mounting portion, and the other end is a free end that is movable; An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the electrical unit is attached to the attachment portion, a portion of the other end of the grounding member, which is in the form of a coil spring, interferes with the grounded member and moves perpendicular to the central axis of one end of the grounding member, causing the central axis of one end of the grounding member to misalign with the central axis of a portion of the other end of the grounding member, and causing the grounded member to be pressed by the spring force of the grounding member, which is in the form of a coil spring.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, a locking portion that locks a locked portion provided at one end of the electric unit, the electric unit is rotatable in a state in which the locked portion is locked by the locking portion, The electric unit is attached to the attachment portion by rotating the electric unit while the engaged portion is engaged by the engagement portion, an electric unit mounted on the mounting portion, the grounding member being disposed at a position spaced apart from the latched portion of the electric unit;

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, An image forming apparatus characterized in that the grounding member is arranged so that its central axis is near the outside of the outer periphery of the grounded member when the electric unit is attached to the attachment portion, and is located near the downstream side of the rotation direction when the electric unit is rotated and attached to the attachment portion.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 10. An image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the grounding member is tightly wound.

6. An image forming apparatus having a detachable electric unit, a mounting portion for mounting the electric unit; a coil spring-shaped grounding member disposed at a location where it interferes with the electric unit, the electric unit is rotated so that a part of the electric unit becomes a center of rotation and is attached to the attachment part; the grounding member is arranged such that, when the electric unit is attached to the attachment portion, the electric unit moves in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the grounding member and interferes with the grounding member, thereby deforming the grounding member; the electric unit has a grounded member; the grounded member has an axis that is approximately parallel to the central axis when the electric unit is attached to the attachment portion, extends from a main body of the electric unit in a direction along the axis, and is approximately columnar in shape with one bottom surface exposed, When the electric unit is attached to the attachment portion, the grounding member contracts and an end of the grounding member comes into contact with a bottom surface of the grounded member, The end of the grounding member that contacts the grounded member is tightly wound in a conical shape, an image forming apparatus, characterized in that the grounding member is made of a compression spring other than the end portion of the conical tightly wound member;

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, a locking portion that locks a locked portion provided at one end of the electric unit, the electric unit is rotatable in a state in which the locked portion is locked by the locking portion, The electric unit is attached to the attachment portion by rotating the electric unit while the engaged portion is engaged by the engagement portion, an electric unit mounted on the mounting portion, the grounding member being disposed at a position spaced apart from the latched portion of the electric unit;

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, One end of the grounding member is fixed and the other end is movable; An image forming apparatus comprising: a tilt prevention portion that does not interfere with the electric unit and is arranged to surround at least a portion of the outer periphery of the grounding member.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 10. An image forming apparatus, wherein the grounded member is a drive unit.

Images