Image recording device

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can stably hold an LED unit and reduce cost and the size of components.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 has: a housing body 21 that has an opening 21A; an opening and closing cover 22 that can open and close the opening 21A; hinges 23 that rotatably support the opening and closing cover 22 with respect to the housing body 21; a plurality of LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, 59Y that have LED heads 591K, 591C, 591M, 591Y extending in the transverse direction, and are supported on the opening and closing cover 22 while being arranged side by side in a fore-and-aft direction; a first reinforcement member 71 that is attached to an inside surface 223a on the right of the opening and closing cover 22 and extends in the fore-and-aft direction; a second reinforcement member 72 that is attached to an inside surface 223a on the left of the opening and closing cover 22 and extends in the fore-and-aft direction; and a connection member 73 that connects the first reinforcement member 71 and the second reinforcement member 72 at a position farther from the hinges 23 than the LED unit 59K located nearest to the hinges 23 in the fore-and-aft direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, in a tandem type color printer including a housing that houses consumables such as toner and has an opening, a cover that can open and close the opening of the housing, and an LED line head that is an exposure device, the LED line head is configured to be movable together with the cover in order to replace the consumables through the opening of the housing.

[0003] In such a configuration, the cover is rotatable about a hinge provided at one end of the housing, and is configured to hold an LED unit including the LED line head on the inner surface of the cover.

[0004] Also, since the cover also serves as a paper discharge tray, it is formed of resin, and an LED holder frame is attached to the inner surface of the cover for reinforcement of the cover and holding of the LED unit. The LED holder frame is formed of a single sheet of sheet metal and is configured to entirely cover the LED unit supported by the cover.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The LED unit is designed to accommodate four colors, and these four LED units are held together by an LED holder frame formed from a single sheet of metal. Consequently, the LED holder frame requires a large surface area, and the overall sheet thickness must be selected to match the areas where strength is needed, resulting in increased weight. Furthermore, ensuring dimensional accuracy leads to lower yields and a tendency towards higher costs.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can securely hold the LED unit by ensuring the rigidity of the cover, while also achieving cost reduction through miniaturization of components and improvement of component precision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The image forming apparatus that solves the above problems has the following features.

[0009] That is, the image forming apparatus includes a housing having an opening, an opening / closing cover capable of opening and closing the opening, a hinge that rotatably supports the opening / closing cover with respect to the housing, a plurality of LED units having LED heads extending in a first direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the hinge and supported in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction on the opening / closing cover, a first reinforcing member attached to one side in the first direction on the inner surface of the opening / closing cover facing the opening and extending in the second direction, a second reinforcing member attached to the other side of the inner surface of the opening / closing cover opposite to the one side in the first direction and extending in the second direction, and a connecting member that connects the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member at a position further from the hinge than the LED unit closest to the hinge in the second direction.

[0010] In this way, since the connecting member connects the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member at a position further from the hinge than the LED unit located closest to the hinge, the rigidity of the opening / closing cover can be effectively increased, and the material and thickness of the first reinforcing member, the second reinforcing member, and the connecting member can be selected according to the required strength. This allows the first reinforcing member, the second reinforcing member, and the connecting member to be formed from small parts, improving dimensional accuracy, while ensuring the rigidity of the opening / closing cover and the stable holding of the LED unit. Furthermore, by forming the first reinforcing member, the second reinforcing member, and the connecting member from small parts, the cost of each part can be reduced, and the space required for storing parts during the assembly of the opening / closing cover can be reduced.

[0011] Furthermore, the LED unit holder includes a first LED unit holder that holds one end of the LED unit in the first direction and is attached to the first reinforcing member, and a second LED unit holder that holds the other end of the LED unit in the first direction and is attached to the second reinforcing member, wherein the first reinforcing member is attached to the inner surface of the opening / closing cover, sandwiched between the opening / closing cover and the first LED unit holder in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, and the second reinforcing member is attached to the inner surface of the opening / closing cover, sandwiched between the opening / closing cover and the second LED unit holder in a third direction.

[0012] This allows for a more effective increase in the rigidity of the opening and closing cover.

[0013] Furthermore, the system includes a control board for controlling the LED unit, and the control board is attached to the connecting member.

[0014] This allows the control board and the connecting member to be stacked vertically, reducing the space required in the first direction and enabling miniaturization of the image forming apparatus.

[0015] Furthermore, the connecting member has a stepped portion that, when the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member are attached to the opening / closing cover, is located between the opening / closing cover and the LED unit in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, and is located further away from the inner surface of the opening / closing cover than the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member in the third direction.

[0016] In this way, by having a stepped portion in the connecting member, bends are present between the first connecting portion and the stepped portion, and between the second connecting portion and the stepped portion, thereby improving the rigidity of the connecting member.

[0017] Furthermore, the device includes a control board for controlling the LED unit, and the control board is attached to the side of the stepped portion facing the opening / closing cover.

[0018] This allows the control board to be placed in the gap between the first and second reinforcing members and the stepped portion in the third direction, thereby enabling miniaturization of the image forming apparatus.

[0019] Furthermore, the first reinforcing member and the connecting member are fastened together to the first LED unit holder with screws, and the second reinforcing member and the connecting member are fastened together to the second LED unit holder with screws.

[0020] This improves the positional accuracy of the first reinforcing member and connecting member relative to the first LED unit holder, as well as the positional accuracy of the second reinforcing member and connecting member relative to the second LED unit holder, when assembling the first reinforcing member, second reinforcing member, and connecting member to the first LED unit holder and second LED unit holder.

[0021] Further, the LED unit has protrusions protruding in the first direction at both ends in the first direction, the first LED unit holder and the second LED unit holder have holes into which the protrusions can be inserted, and at least one of the first LED unit holder and the second LED unit holder has an extension rib having the same inner diameter radius as the hole and extending from the periphery of the hole toward the LED unit side.

[0022] Thus, even if the first reinforcing member, the second reinforcing member, and the connecting member are bent and the hole moves to the side away from the protrusion, the protrusion can be received by the extension rib, and it is possible to prevent the protrusion of the LED unit from coming out of the hole.

[0023] Further, the extension rib is provided at least at the periphery of the hole corresponding to the LED unit that is located farthest from the connecting member toward the hinge side in the second direction. <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Furthermore, when the image forming apparatus is viewed from a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, the inclined portion overlaps with the LED unit located closest to the hinge in at least the second direction.

[0030] As a result, even if the inclined section and the LED unit overlap, there is no connecting member between the inclined section and the LED unit, which allows for miniaturization of the image forming apparatus.

[0031] Furthermore, the connecting member is located between the LED unit furthest from the hinge in at least the second direction and the opening / closing cover.

[0032] As a result, the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member are connected by a connecting member at least at the position of the LED unit furthest from the hinge, thus preventing twisting of the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member on the side furthest from the hinge when opening and closing the opening / closing cover.

[0033] Furthermore, the opening and closing cover supports an operation panel for operating the image forming apparatus, and the operation panel overlaps with the connecting member in the second direction when the image forming apparatus is viewed from a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.

[0034] As a result, when force is applied to the operating panel supported by the opening / closing cover, the applied force can be received by the first and second reinforcing members connected to the connecting member, thereby suppressing deformation of the opening / closing cover. [Effects of the Invention]

[0035] According to the present invention, the first reinforcing member, the second reinforcing member, and the connecting member can be formed from small parts to improve dimensional accuracy, while also ensuring the rigidity of the opening / closing cover and the stable holding of the LED unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0036] [Figure 1] This is a central cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus with its opening / closing cover in the closed position. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus with its opening / closing cover in the open position. [Figure 4] This is a front view showing the LED unit. [Figure 5] This is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the opening and closing cover. [Figure 6] This is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a first LED unit holder and a second LED unit holder for holding an LED unit, as well as a first reinforcing member, a second reinforcing member, and a connecting member. [Figure 7] This is a front cross-sectional view showing the first LED unit holder and the second LED unit holder attached to the opening / closing cover, as well as the first reinforcing member, the second reinforcing member, and the connecting member. [Figure 8] This is a plan view showing a connecting member to which a control board is attached, and a first reinforcing member and a second reinforcing member connected by the connecting member. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view showing the first reinforcing member, the second reinforcing member, and the connecting member. [Figure 10] This is a front cross-sectional view showing the first reinforcing member and connecting member fastened together with the first LED unit holder, and the second reinforcing member and connecting member fastened together with the second LED unit holder. [Figure 11] (a) is a perspective view showing the first LED unit holder, and (b) is a front cross-sectional view showing the first LED unit holder. [Figure 12] This is a side view showing the first LED unit holder. [Figure 13] (a) is a perspective view showing the second LED unit holder, and (b) is a front cross-sectional view showing the second LED unit holder. [Figure 14] This is a side view showing the second LED unit holder. [Figure 15]This diagram shows how to assemble the first LED unit holder and the second LED unit holder to the LED unit. [Figure 16] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the opening / closing cover and the LED unit supported by the opening / closing cover. [Figure 17] This is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the connecting member and the inclined portion of the paper output tray. [Figure 18] This is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the control panel and the connecting member. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0037] Next, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0038] In the following explanation, the right side of Figure 1 is defined as the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, the left side of Figure 1 is defined as the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1, the front of the page in Figure 1 is defined as the left side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the back of the page in Figure 1 is defined as the right side of the image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, the top and bottom sides of Figure 1 are defined as the top and bottom sides of the image forming apparatus 1, respectively.

[0039] [Image forming apparatus] The image forming apparatus 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and is a color laser printer that forms a multi-color image on a sheet S using an electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus 1 comprises a first housing 2 and a second housing 3.

[0040] The first housing 2 comprises a housing body 21, an opening / closing cover 22, and a hinge 23. The housing body 21 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has an opening 21A on its upper surface. The housing body 21 is an example of a housing with an opening. The opening 21A opens the interior of the housing body 21 upwards. The housing body 21 houses a paper feed tray 10 that supports the sheet S, a sheet transport unit 11 that transports the sheet S, an image forming unit 5 that forms a toner image on the sheet S transported by the sheet transport unit 11, and a fuser 6 that fixes the toner image on the sheet S, etc.

[0041] The opening / closing cover 22 can open and close the opening 21A of the housing body 21. A pair of hinges 23 are provided on the left and right sides of the first housing 2, and they rotatably support the opening / closing cover 22 relative to the housing body 21. The hinge 23 has a rotating shaft 231 fixed to the housing body 21 and extending along the left-right direction, and a support arm 232 fixed to the opening / closing cover 22 and rotatably fitted onto the rotating shaft 231. The rotating shaft 231 is fixed to the rear end of the housing body 21, and the support arm 232 is fixed to the rear end of the opening / closing cover 22. The left-right direction is an example of a first direction parallel to the rotation axis of the hinge.

[0042] The support arm 232 is fitted onto the rotation shaft 231, allowing the opening / closing cover 22 to rotate around the rotation shaft 231. By rotating around the rotation shaft 231, the opening / closing cover 22 can move between a closed position that covers the opening 21A (as shown in Figures 1 and 2) and an open position that opens the opening 21A (as shown in Figure 3).

[0043] The opening / closing cover 22 has a paper output tray 222 from which the sheet S is discharged from inside the housing body 21. The paper output tray 222 has a horizontal portion 222a that extends horizontally and an inclined portion 222b that slopes downward from the front to the rear and recesses toward the inside of the housing body 21. The inclined portion 222b is located at the rear of the paper output tray 222, and the horizontal portion 222a is located in front of the inclined portion 222b.

[0044] The opening / closing cover 22 has support columns 223 that support the second housing 3. A pair of support columns 223 are provided at the left and right ends of the opening / closing cover 22, and the output tray 222 is located between the left support column 223 and the right support column 223.

[0045] The paper feed tray 10 is located at the bottom of the housing body 21, and the sheet transport unit 11 transports the sheet S supported by the paper feed tray 10 to the image forming unit 5. The paper feed tray 10 is configured to slide in the front-rear direction and is movable between a storage position where it is housed in the housing body 21 and a detached position where it is pulled forward from the storage position.

[0046] The sheet transport unit 11 includes a paper feed roller 12, a separation roller 13, a separation pad 13a, a transport roller pair 14, and a registration roller pair 15. Inside the housing body 21, a transport path P for sheets S is configured, which goes from the paper feed tray 10 through the image forming unit 5 to the paper output tray 222.

[0047] The sheets S supported in the paper feed tray 10 are separated one by one by the paper feed roller 12, the separation roller 13, and the separation pad 13a, and then sent to the transport path P. The paper feed roller 12 is a roller that transports the sheets S from the paper feed tray 10 toward the image forming unit 5. The separation roller 13 and the separation pad 13a constitute a separation means that separates the sheets S supported in the paper feed tray 10 one by one.

[0048] The sheet S, which has been sent onto the transport path P, is transported toward the image forming unit 5 by the transport roller pair 14 and the resist roller pair 15. The resist roller pair 15 restricts the movement of the leading edge of the transported sheet S, stopping it temporarily, and then transports the sheet S toward the image forming unit 5 at a predetermined timing.

[0049] The image forming unit 5 is located above the paper feed tray 10 and includes four process cartridges 50K, 50C, 50M, and 50Y arranged in a front-to-back direction. The process cartridges 50K, 50C, 50M, and 50Y are arranged from rear to front in the order of process cartridge 50K, process cartridge 50C, process cartridge 50M, and process cartridge 50Y. The front-to-back direction is an example of a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0050] Processor cartridge 50K corresponds to black, processor cartridge 50C corresponds to cyan, processor cartridge 50M corresponds to magenta, and processor cartridge 50Y corresponds to yellow.

[0051] The process cartridges 50K, 50C, 50M, and 50Y are detachably mounted in the housing 21. Each process cartridge 50K, 50C, 50M, and 50Y is equipped with a photosensitive drum 51K, 51C, 51M, and 51Y, respectively.

[0052] Each process cartridge 50K, 50C, 50M, and 50Y is equipped with a developing roller 52 and a supply roller 53. The process cartridges 50K, 50C, 50M, and 50Y contain toner for forming an image, and the supply roller 53 supplies the toner contained in the process cartridges 50K, 50C, 50M, and 50Y to the developing roller 52.

[0053] The housing body 21 contains an LED unit 59K that exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 51K, an LED unit 59C that exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 51C, an LED unit 59M that exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 51M, and an LED unit 59Y that exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 51Y.

[0054] The LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y are supported by the opening / closing cover 22 in a front-to-back arrangement. The LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y are arranged from rear to front in the order of LED unit 59K, LED unit 59C, LED unit 59M, and LED unit 59Y.

[0055] LED unit 59K is located closest to hinge 23 in the front-to-back direction among LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y. LED unit 59C is located further from hinge 23 in the front-to-back direction than LED unit 59K. LED unit 59M is located further from hinge 23 in the front-to-back direction than LED unit 59C. LED unit 59Y is located further from hinge 23 in the front-to-back direction than LED unit 59M. In other words, LED unit 59Y is located furthest from hinge 23 in the front-to-back direction among LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y.

[0056] In the front-to-back direction, the LED unit 59K located closest to the hinge 23, and the LED unit 59C located second closest to the hinge 23, overlap with the inclined portion 222b of the paper output tray 222 when viewed from the top-to-bottom direction. Also, in the front-to-back direction, the LED unit 59Y located furthest from the hinge 23, and the LED unit 59M located second furthest from the hinge 23, overlap with the horizontal portion 222a of the paper output tray 222 when viewed from the top-to-bottom direction.

[0057] The LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y extend downward from the opening / closing cover 22 and have LED heads 591K, 591C, 591M, and 591Y at their lower ends. When the opening / closing cover 22 is closed, the LED heads 591K, 591C, 591M, and 591Y are located close to the top of the photosensitive drums 51K, 51C, 51M, and 51Y, respectively. The LED heads 591K, 591C, 591M, and 591Y are composed of LED arrays with multiple LED elements arranged in parallel in the left-right direction and extend along the left-right direction.

[0058] Below the transport path P for the photosensitive drums 51K, 51C, 51M, and 51Y, a transfer belt 41 is positioned opposite. The transfer belt 41 is stretched between a drive roller 42 and a driven roller 43 positioned in front of the drive roller 42. The belt device 40 is composed of the transfer belt 41, the drive roller 42, and the driven roller 43. A transfer roller 44 is positioned opposite each photosensitive drum 51, on either side of the transfer belt 41.

[0059] In the image forming unit 5, photosensitive drums 51K, 51C, 51M, and 51Y, which are uniformly charged by a charger (not shown), are selectively exposed by LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y, respectively. This exposure selectively removes charge from the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 51K, 51C, 51M, and 51Y, and forms electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 51K, 51C, 51M, and 51Y.

[0060] The toner contained in the process cartridges 50K, 50C, 50M, and 50Y is positively charged between the supply roller 53 and the developing roller 52 and carried on the surface of the developing roller 52. A developing bias is applied to the developing roller 52, and when the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drums 51K, 51C, 51M, and 51Y faces the developing roller 52, toner is supplied from the developing roller 52 to the electrostatic latent image due to the potential difference between the electrostatic latent image and the developing roller 52. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drums 51K, 51C, 51M, and 51Y.

[0061] When the sheet S, which has been transported toward the image forming unit 5, reaches the transfer belt 41, it is transported by the transfer belt 41 and passes sequentially between the transfer belt 41 and each of the photosensitive drums 51K, 51C, 51M, and 51Y. Then, when the toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 51K, 51C, 51M, and 51Y come into contact with the sheet S, they are transferred to the sheet S by the transfer bias applied to the transfer roller 44.

[0062] In this embodiment, the transfer belt 41 is configured as a transport belt that transports the sheet S to which the toner image is transferred. However, it is also possible to configure it as an intermediate transfer belt to which the toner image is transferred to the belt itself, and the toner image transferred to the belt is further transferred to the sheet S.

[0063] The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fuser unit 6. The fuser unit 6 is equipped with a heating roller 61 and a pressure roller 62 that presses against the heating roller 61. As the sheet S transported to the fuser unit 6 passes between the heating roller 61 and the pressure roller 62, the toner image is heat-fixed.

[0064] The sheet S on which the toner image has been heat-fixed is transported downstream from the fuser 6 in the transport direction, and further transported by the intermediate paper discharge roller pair 64 and the paper discharge roller pair 65 located downstream of the intermediate paper discharge roller pair 64 in the transport direction, and discharged into the paper discharge tray 222.

[0065] The second housing 3 is located above the first housing 2. The second housing 3 includes a document tray 31, a document holder 32, and an operation panel 33. The document tray 31 is located above the opening / closing cover 22 and is supported by the support column 223 of the opening / closing cover 22. The document tray 31 houses an image reading sensor 312 for reading the image of a document placed on its upper surface 311.

[0066] The document holder 32 is located above the document tray 31. The document holder 32 is configured to rotate around a pivot axis 321 located at its rear end, and can move between a pressing position that covers the upper surface 311 of the document tray 31 and an open position that leaves the upper surface 311 of the document tray 31 open.

[0067] The document holder 32, when in the holding position, holds down the document placed on the upper surface 311 of the document tray 31. The document holder 32 has an automatic document feeder 322 that automatically transports the document to the upper surface 311 of the document tray 31. The image reading unit is composed of the document tray 31, the document holder 32, and other components.

[0068] The control panel 33 is connected to the document tray 31 of the second housing 3 and is supported by the opening / closing cover 22. The control panel 33 protrudes forward from the document tray 31. The control panel 33 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped panel, and its upper surface 331 is smaller than the second housing 3 in the left-right direction. The control panel 33 is located to the left of the center of the second housing 3 in the left-right direction.

[0069] The control panel 33 has a display device such as a liquid crystal panel on its upper surface 331, and an operating device such as a touch panel and operation buttons for operating the image forming unit 5 and the image reading unit. The upper surface 331 of the control panel 33 is inclined downwards as it faces forward. This improves operability when the user operates the control panel 33 from the front of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0070] [Protrusions on the LED unit] As shown in Figure 4, the LED unit 59Y has protrusions 592Y and 593Y at both ends in the left-right direction. Protrusion 592Y is a protrusion that extends to the right from the right end of the LED unit 59Y, and protrusion 593Y is a protrusion that extends to the left from the left end of the LED unit 59Y.

[0071] Similarly, LED unit 59M has a projection 592M that protrudes to the right from its right end, and a projection 593M that protrudes to the left from its left end. LED unit 59C has a projection 592C that protrudes to the right from its right end, and a projection 593C that protrudes to the left from its left end. LED unit 59K has a projection 592K that protrudes to the right from its right end, and a projection 593K that protrudes to the left from its left end.

[0072] [Support structure using an opening / closing cover for the LED unit] As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the image forming apparatus 1 has a first LED unit holder 24 that holds the right ends of the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y, and a second LED unit holder 25 that holds the left ends of the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y.

[0073] The LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y are held by a first LED unit holder 24 and a second LED unit holder 25, which are attached to the opening / closing cover 22. In other words, the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y are supported by the opening / closing cover 22 via the first LED unit holder 24 and the second LED unit holder 25.

[0074] The first LED unit holder 24 extends in the front-rear direction on the right side of the first housing 2 and is located below the right support column 223 of the opening / closing cover 22. The second LED unit holder 25 extends in the front-rear direction on the left side of the first housing 2 and is located below the left support column 223 of the opening / closing cover 22. The right side is an example of one side in the first direction, and the left side is an example of the other side in the first direction. The support arm 232 of the right hinge 23 is fixed to the rear end of the first LED unit holder 24, and the support arm 232 of the left hinge 23 is fixed to the rear end of the second LED unit holder 25.

[0075] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a first reinforcing member 71 extending in the front-rear direction on the right side of the first housing 2, a second reinforcing member 72 extending in the front-rear direction on the left side of the first housing 2, and a connecting member 73 positioned between the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72 in the left-right direction, connecting the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72. The first reinforcing member 71, the second reinforcing member 72, and the connecting member 73 are formed from, for example, sheet metal, but may be in the shape of a pipe or a rod, not just a plate.

[0076] The first reinforcing member 71 is located above the first LED unit holder 24, and the first LED unit holder 24 is attached to the first reinforcing member 71 from below. The second reinforcing member 72 is located above the second LED unit holder 25, and the second LED unit holder 25 is attached to the second reinforcing member 72 from below.

[0077] The support columns 223 of the opening / closing cover 22 have inner surfaces 223a that face the opening 21A of the housing body 21. The inner surface 223a of the right support column 223 faces the first reinforcing member 71 above it, and the inner surface 223a of the left support column 223 faces the second reinforcing member 72 above it.

[0078] The first LED unit holder 24 is fixed to the right support column 223 of the opening / closing cover 22. The first reinforcing member 71 is attached to the inner surface 223a of the right support column 223, sandwiched between the right support column 223 of the opening / closing cover 22 and the first LED unit holder 24 in the vertical direction. The vertical direction is an example of a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.

[0079] The second LED unit holder 25 is fixed to the left support column 223 of the opening / closing cover 22. The second reinforcing member 72 is attached to the inner surface 223a of the left support column 223, sandwiched between the left support column 223 of the opening / closing cover 22 and the second LED unit holder 25 in the vertical direction.

[0080] The connecting member 73 connects the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72 at a position further from the hinge 23 than the LED unit 59K, which is the closest to the hinge 23, and the LED unit 59C, which is the second closest to the hinge 23, in the front-rear direction. When viewed from the top-down direction, the connecting member 73 overlaps with the LED units 59M and 59Y, which are located further from the hinge 23 than the LED units 59K and 59C, in the front-rear direction. However, when viewed from the top-down direction, the connecting member 73 does not overlap with the LED units 59K and 59C.

[0081] In this way, by attaching the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72, which are connected by the connecting member 73, to the opening / closing cover 22 together with the first LED unit holder 24 and the second LED unit holder 25, the rigidity of the opening / closing cover 22 that supports the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y is increased.

[0082] In this case, since the connecting member 73 connects the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72 at a position further from the hinge 23 than the LED units 59K and 59C, the rigidity of the opening / closing cover 22 can be effectively increased, and the material and thickness of the first reinforcing member 71, the second reinforcing member 72, and the connecting member 73 can be selected according to the required strength.

[0083] This allows the first reinforcing member 71, the second reinforcing member 72, and the connecting member 73 to be formed from small parts, improving dimensional accuracy, while also ensuring the rigidity of the opening / closing cover 22 and the stable holding of the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y. Furthermore, by forming the first reinforcing member 71, the second reinforcing member 72, and the connecting member 73 from small parts, the cost of each component can be reduced, and the space required for storing parts during the assembly of the opening / closing cover 22 can be reduced.

[0084] Furthermore, by attaching the first reinforcing member 71 to the opening / closing cover 22 while sandwiched between the opening / closing cover 22 and the first LED unit holder 24, and by attaching the second reinforcing member 72 to the opening / closing cover 22 while sandwiched between the opening / closing cover 22 and the second LED unit holder 25, the rigidity of the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72 can be improved, making it possible to more effectively increase the rigidity of the opening / closing cover 22.

[0085] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the first reinforcing member 71 is formed by bending a plate-shaped member in the left-right direction and has a fixing portion 711, a connecting portion 712, and a connecting portion 713. The fixing portion 711 and the connecting portion 712 extend in the front-rear direction, and their plate surfaces face in the up-down direction. The connecting portion 712 is located below the fixing portion 711. The connecting portion 713 connects the fixing portion 711 and the connecting portion 712, and its plate surface faces in the left-right direction.

[0086] The fixing portion 711 is fixed to the first LED unit holder 24, and the connecting portion 712 is connected to the connecting member 73 and is also fixed to the first LED unit holder 24. In the first reinforcing member 71, there are bent portions where a plate-like member is bent along the front-rear direction between the fixing portion 711 and the connecting portion 713, and between the connecting portion 712 and the connecting portion 713. The rigidity of the first reinforcing member 71 is increased by having bent portions between the fixing portion 711 and the connecting portion 712 and the connecting portion 713.

[0087] The second reinforcing member 72 is formed by bending a plate-shaped member in the left-right direction and has a fixing portion 721, a connecting portion 722, and a connecting portion 723. The fixing portion 721 and the connecting portion 722 extend in the front-rear direction, and their plate surfaces face in the up-down direction. The connecting portion 722 is located below the fixing portion 721. The connecting portion 723 connects the fixing portion 721 and the connecting portion 722, and its plate surface faces in the left-right direction.

[0088] The fixing portion 721 is fixed to the second LED unit holder 25, and the connecting portion 722 is connected to the connecting member 73 and is also fixed to the second LED unit holder 25. In the second reinforcing member 72, there are bent portions where a plate-like member is bent along the front-rear direction between the fixing portion 721 and the connecting portion 723, and between the connecting portion 722 and the connecting portion 723. The rigidity of the second reinforcing member 72 is increased by having bent portions between the fixing portion 721 and the connecting portion 722 and the connecting portion 723.

[0089] The connecting member 73 is formed by bending the right and left ends of a plate-shaped member in the left-right direction, and has a first connecting portion 731, a second connecting portion 732, a stepped portion 733, a first connecting portion 734, and a second connecting portion 735. The first connecting portion 731, the second connecting portion 732, and the stepped portion 733 have plate surfaces facing in the vertical direction. The stepped portion 733 is located below the first connecting portion 731 and the second connecting portion 732.

[0090] The first connecting portion 731 is connected to the right end of the stepped portion 733 by the first connecting portion 734, and the second connecting portion 732 is connected to the left end of the stepped portion 733 by the second connecting portion 735. The first connecting portion 734 and the second connecting portion 735 have their plate surfaces facing in the left-right direction.

[0091] In the connecting member 73, there are bent portions where the plate-like member is bent along the front-rear direction between the first connecting portion 731 and the first connecting portion 734, between the first connecting portion 734 and the stepped portion 733, between the second connecting portion 732 and the second connecting portion 735, and between the second connecting portion 735 and the stepped portion 733. In other words, the rigidity of the connecting member 73 is increased because the stepped portion 733 provides bent portions between the first connecting portion 731 and the stepped portion 733, and between the second connecting portion 732 and the stepped portion 733.

[0092] The first connecting portion 731 is connected to the connecting portion 712 of the first reinforcing member 71. The connecting portion 712 of the first reinforcing member 71 has a connecting hole 712a, and the first connecting portion 731 of the connecting member 73 has a connecting hole 731a.

[0093] The connection between the first reinforcing member 71 and the connecting member 73 is performed by stacking the connecting portion 712 of the first reinforcing member 71 and the first connecting portion 731 of the connecting member 73 in the vertical direction (see Figure 9(b)), adjusting their positions with a jig, inserting a screw 74 through the connecting hole 712a of the connecting portion 712 and the connecting hole 731a of the connecting portion 731, and then screwing the screw 74 into the first LED unit holder 24 (see Figure 10). When the first reinforcing member 71 and the connecting member 73 are connected, the first reinforcing member 71 and the connecting member 73 are fastened together to the first LED unit holder 24 by the screw 74.

[0094] The second connecting portion 732 is connected to the connecting portion 722 of the second reinforcing member 72. The connecting portion 722 of the second reinforcing member 72 has a connecting hole 722a, and the second connecting portion 732 of the connecting member 73 has a connecting hole 732a.

[0095] The second reinforcing member 72 and the connecting member 73 are connected by stacking the connecting portion 722 of the second reinforcing member 72 and the second connecting portion 732 of the connecting member 73 in the vertical direction (see Figure 9(b)), adjusting their positions with a jig, inserting a screw 74 through the connecting hole 722a of the connecting portion 722 and the connecting hole 732a of the connecting portion 732, and then screwing the screw 74 into the second LED unit holder 25 (see Figure 10). When the second reinforcing member 72 and the connecting member 73 are connected, the second reinforcing member 72 and the connecting member 73 are fastened together to the second LED unit holder 25 by the screw 74.

[0096] In this way, the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72 and the connecting member 73 are fastened together to the first LED unit holder 24 and the second LED unit holder 25 with screws 74, thereby connecting the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72 and the connecting member 73, and fixing the first reinforcing member 71, the second reinforcing member 72, and the connecting member 73 to the first LED unit holder 24 and the second LED unit holder 25.

[0097] This makes it possible to improve the positional accuracy of the first reinforcing member 71 and the connecting member 73 relative to the first LED unit holder 24, and the positional accuracy of the second reinforcing member 72 and the connecting member 73 relative to the second LED unit holder 25, when assembling the first reinforcing member 71, the second reinforcing member 72, and the connecting member 73 to the first LED unit holder 24 and the second LED unit holder 25.

[0098] As shown in Figure 7, the paper output tray 222 of the opening / closing cover 22 has an inner surface 222c on the side facing the opening 21A of the housing body 21. The connecting member 73 is positioned in the vertical direction between the horizontal portion 222a of the paper output tray 222 of the opening / closing cover 22 and the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y when the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72 are attached to the opening / closing cover 22.

[0099] Furthermore, the stepped portion 733 of the connecting member 73 is located further away from the inner surface 222c of the paper output tray 222 than the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72 in the vertical direction, and a gap is formed between the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72 and the stepped portion 733 in the vertical direction. The stepped portion 733 has an upper surface 733a which is the surface facing the inner surface 222c of the paper output tray 222.

[0100] As shown in Figure 8, the image forming apparatus 1 has a control board 91 that controls the operation of LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y. The control board 91 is attached to the upper surface 733a of the stepped portion 733 of the connecting member 73.

[0101] By attaching the control board 91 to the upper surface 733a of the stepped portion 733, the control board 91 can be positioned in the gap between the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72 and the stepped portion 733 in the vertical direction, thereby enabling miniaturization of the image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, the control board 91 and the connecting member 73 can be stacked vertically, reducing the space required in the horizontal direction, thus further miniaturizing the image forming apparatus 1.

[0102] Furthermore, the connecting member 73 that connects the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72 is located between the LED unit 59Y, which is furthest from the hinge 23 in at least the front-to-back direction, and the opening / closing cover 22. As a result, the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72 are connected by the connecting member 73 at least at the position of the LED unit 59Y on the side furthest from the hinge 23, thereby preventing twisting of the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72 on the side furthest from the hinge 23 when opening and closing the opening / closing cover 22.

[0103] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the first LED unit holder 24 has a main body 241 extending in the front-rear direction and stays 242K, 242C, 242M, and 242Y extending downward from the main body 241. The stays 242K, 242C, 242M, and 242Y are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, and are arranged in the order of stay 242K, stay 242C, stay 242M, and stay 242Y from rear to front.

[0104] Stay 242K has a hole 243K into which the protrusion 592K of the LED unit 59K can be inserted. Stay 242C has a hole 243C into which the protrusion 592C of the LED unit 59C can be inserted. Stay 242M has a hole 243M into which the protrusion 592M of the LED unit 59M can be inserted. Stay 242Y has a hole 243Y into which the protrusion 592Y of the LED unit 59Y can be inserted.

[0105] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the second LED unit holder 25 has a main body 251 extending in the front-rear direction and stays 252K, 252C, 252M, and 252Y extending downward from the main body 251. The stays 252K, 252C, 252M, and 252Y are arranged in a row in the front-rear direction, and are arranged in the order of stay 252K, stay 252C, stay 252M, and stay 252Y from rear to front.

[0106] Stay 252K has a hole 253K into which the protrusion 593K of the LED unit 59K can be inserted. Stay 252C has a hole 253C into which the protrusion 593C of the LED unit 59C can be inserted. Stay 252M has a hole 253M into which the protrusion 593M of the LED unit 59M can be inserted. Stay 252Y has a hole 253Y into which the protrusion 593Y of the LED unit 59Y can be inserted.

[0107] The LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y are supported by the opening / closing cover 22 when the first LED unit holder 24 and the second LED unit holder 25 are attached to the opening / closing cover 22 with the right-side protrusions 592K, 592C, 592M, and 592Y inserted into the holes 243K, 243C, 243M, and 243Y of the first LED unit holder 24, and the left-side protrusions 593K, 593C, 593M, and 593Y inserted into the holes 253K, 253C, 253M, and 253Y of the second LED unit holder 25 inserted into the holes 253K, 253C, 253M, and 253Y of the second LED unit holder 24 and the second LED unit holder 25 inserted into the opening / closing cover 22.

[0108] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the stay 242K of the first LED unit holder 24 has an extension rib 244K that extends from the periphery of the hole 243K toward the left side toward the LED unit 59K. The extension rib 244K is formed in a U-shape with its upper end, which is the end toward the opening / closing cover 22 in the vertical direction, open, and the inner diameter radius of the extension rib 244K is formed to be the same size as the inner diameter radius of the hole 243K.

[0109] The extension rib 244K formed on the periphery of the hole 243K in the stay 242K can support the projection 592K of the LED unit 59K. Therefore, even if the projection 592K of the LED unit 59K inserted into the hole 243K of the first LED unit holder 24 comes out of the hole 243K, the portion of the projection 592K that has come out of the hole 243K can be supported by the extension rib 244K.

[0110] Furthermore, the first LED unit holder 24 and the second LED unit holder 25 are attached to the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72, which are connected by the connecting member 73, respectively, before being attached to the opening / closing cover 22. In other words, before the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y are supported by the opening / closing cover 22, the first reinforcing member 71, the second reinforcing member 72, and the connecting member 73 hold the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y via the first LED unit holder 24 and the second LED unit holder 25.

[0111] Thus, the first reinforcing member 71, the second reinforcing member 72, and the connecting member 73 hold the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y via the first LED unit holder 24 and the second LED unit holder 25. However, when not attached to the opening / closing cover 22, they may bend in the left-right direction, potentially causing the hole 243K to move away from the projection 592K of the LED unit 59K. However, by providing the extension rib 244K, even if the first reinforcing member 71, the second reinforcing member 72, and the connecting member 73 bend in the left-right direction and the hole 243K moves away from the projection 592K, the extension rib 244K can receive the projection, preventing the projection 592K of the LED unit 59K from coming out of the hole 243K.

[0112] In particular, the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72 are prone to deformation at the point furthest from the connecting member 73 in the front-rear direction. However, since the extension rib 244K is provided on the periphery of the hole 243K corresponding to the LED unit 59K located furthest from the connecting member 73 in the front-rear direction, the effect of suppressing the projection 592K from coming out of the hole 243K can be enhanced.

[0113] In this embodiment, an extension rib 244K is provided on the periphery of hole 243K, which is furthest from the connecting member 73 in the front-rear direction. However, extension ribs similar to the extension rib 244K can also be provided on the periphery of holes 243M, 243C, and 243Y, which are located closer to the connecting member 73 than hole 243K. If extension ribs are provided on the periphery of holes 243M, 243C, and 243Y, it is possible to prevent the protrusions 592M, 592C, and 592Y from coming out of holes 243M, 243C, and 243Y.

[0114] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the extension rib 244K is provided on the first LED unit holder 24, but the second LED unit holder 25 can also be provided with an extension rib similar to the extension rib 244K. In this case, the extension rib can be provided on any of the peripheries of holes 253K, 253M, 253C, and 253Y. Moreover, the extension rib can be provided on both the first LED unit holder 24 and the second LED unit holder 25.

[0115] [Method for assembling the first LED unit holder and the second LED unit holder to the LED unit] When assembling the first LED unit holder 24 and the second LED unit holder 25 to the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y, first arrange the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y in an upright position, with the LED heads 591K, 591C, 591M, and 591Y positioned at the lower end, using a jig or the like, and arranging them in a front-to-back direction.

[0116] Next, as shown in Figure 15(a), the first LED unit holder 24 and the second LED unit holder 25 are positioned above the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y. In this case, the second LED unit holder 25 is positioned such that the axes of the holes 253K, 253C, 253M, and 253Y extend along the left-right direction, and the holes 253K, 253C, 253M, and 253Y are positioned slightly to the left of the protrusions 593K, 593C, 593M, and 59Y of the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y.

[0117] Furthermore, the first LED unit holder 24 is positioned such that its lower end is located further outward to the left and right than its upper end, with the axes of the holes 243K, 243C, 243M, and 243Y inclined with respect to the left-right direction, and the holes 243K, 243C, 243M, 243Y and the extension rib 244K are positioned slightly to the right of the protrusions 592K, 592C, 592M, and 592Y of the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y.

[0118] As shown in Figure 15(b), the second LED unit holder 25 is lowered from this state until the holes 253K, 253C, 253M, and 253Y are at the same height as the protrusions 593K, 593C, 593M, and 593Y. Furthermore, the second LED unit holder 25 is moved to the right, which is inward in the left-right direction, to insert the protrusions 593K, 593C, 593M, and 593Y into the holes 253K, 253C, 253M, and 253Y.

[0119] Furthermore, the first LED unit holder 24 is lowered to a position where the holes 243K, 243C, 243M, and 243Y are at the same height as the protrusions 592K, 592C, 592M, and 592Y. In addition, the first LED unit holder 24 is rotated to the left, with the lower end moving inward in the left-right direction around the upper end, so that the protrusions 592K, 592C, 592M, and 592Y are inserted into the holes 243K, 243C, 243M, and 243Y.

[0120] In this way, the protrusions 592K, 592C, 592M, and 592Y of the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y are inserted into the holes 243K, 243C, 243M, and 243Y of the first LED unit holder 24, and the protrusions 593K, 593C, 593M, and 593Y of the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y are inserted into the holes 253K, 253C, 253M, and 253Y of the second LED unit holder 25, thereby assembling the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y with the first LED unit holder 24 and the second LED unit holder 25.

[0121] When assembling the first LED unit holder 24 to the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y, the first LED unit holder 24 has an extension rib 244K that extends from the hole 243K toward the LED unit 59K. Therefore, if the holes 243K, 243C, 243M, and 243Y are simply positioned slightly to the right of the protrusions 592K, 592C, 592M, and 592Y with their axes extending along the left-right direction, there is a risk that the extension rib 244K and the protrusion 592K will interfere with each other when the first LED unit holder 24 is lowered.

[0122] However, as in this embodiment, by arranging the first LED unit holder 24 in an open position such that its lower end is located to the left and right outward from its upper end, and by rotating the lower end to move inward in the left-right direction, the projections 592K, 592C, 592M, and 592Y are inserted into the holes 243K, 243C, 243M, and 243Y, interference between the extension rib 244K and the projection 592K can be suppressed.

[0123] Furthermore, since the extension rib 244K of the first LED unit holder 24 is formed in a U-shape with an open upper end, the upper end of the extension rib 244K does not interfere with the projection 592K when the first LED unit holder 24 is rotated and assembled to the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y. This prevents the projection 592K from coming out of the hole 243K due to the extension rib 244K, while improving the ease of assembly between the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y and the first LED unit holder 24 and the second LED unit holder 25.

[0124] [Positional relationship between the connecting member, LED unit, and the inclined portion of the paper output tray] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the connecting member 73 is located in the front-to-back direction on the side further from the hinge 23 than the inclined portion 222b of the paper output tray 222 of the opening / closing cover 22. The inclined portion 222b of the paper output tray 222 is recessed toward the inside of the housing body 21, but since the connecting member 73 is located on the side further from the hinge 23 than the inclined portion 222b, interference between the connecting member 73 and the inclined portion 222b can be suppressed.

[0125] Furthermore, of the LED units 59K, 59C, 59M, and 59Y, the LED unit 59K, which is closest to the hinge 23, and the LED unit 59C, which is second closest to the hinge 23, overlap with the inclined portion 222b of the paper output tray 222 when viewed from above. However, the connecting member 73 is located further from the hinge 23 than the inclined portion 222b and does not exist between the inclined portion 222b and the LED units 59K and 59C. Therefore, even if the inclined portion 222b and the LED units 59K and 59C overlap, it is still possible to miniaturize the image forming apparatus 1.

[0126] As shown in Figure 12, the distance from the lower end 241a of the body 241 of the first LED unit holder 24 to the hole 243Y is d1Y, the distance from the lower end 241a to the hole 243M is d1M, the distance from the lower end 241a to the hole 243C is d1C, and the distance from the lower end 241a to the hole 243K is d1K.

[0127] Distances d1Y and d1M are the same, distance d1C is greater than distances d1Y and d1M, and distance d1K is greater than distance d1C. In other words, the height of hole 243Y and hole 243M are the same, hole 243C, which is closer to the hinge 23 than holes 243Y and 243M, is at a lower position than holes 243Y and 243M, and hole 243K, which is closer to the hinge 23 than hole 243C, is at a lower position than hole 243C.

[0128] As shown in Figure 14, the distance from the lower end 251a of the body 251 of the second LED unit holder 25 to the hole 253Y is d2Y, the distance from the lower end 251a to the hole 253M is d2M, the distance from the lower end 251a to the hole 253C is d2C, and the distance from the lower end 251a to the hole 253K is d2K.

[0129] Distances d2Y and d2M are the same, distance d2C is greater than distances d2Y and d2M, and distance d2K is greater than distance d2C. In other words, the height of hole 253Y and hole 253M are the same, hole 253C, which is closer to the hinge 23 than holes 253Y and 253M, is at a lower position than holes 253Y and 253M, and hole 253K, which is closer to the hinge 23 than hole 253C, is at a lower position than hole 253C.

[0130] Furthermore, the LED units 59Y held in holes 243Y and 253Y, and the LED units 59M held in holes 243M and 253M, overlap with the connecting member 73 when viewed from the top and bottom. In addition, the LED units 59C held in holes 243C and 253C, and the LED units 59K held in holes 243K and 253K, overlap with the inclined portion 222b of the paper output tray 222 when viewed from the top and bottom.

[0131] Since the LED units 59Y and 59M are located below the horizontal section 222a of the paper output tray 222, they do not interfere with the horizontal section 222a and the connecting member 73, even if the holes 243Y, 253Y and 243M, 253M that hold the LED units 59Y and 59M are at a high position. On the other hand, the LED units 59C and 59K are located in a position that overlaps with the inclined section 222b that recesses inward towards the inside of the housing body 21 as it approaches the hinge 23, but the holes 243C, 253C and 243K, 253K that hold the LED units 59C and 59K are at a lower position than the holes 243Y, 253Y and 243M, 253M, so they do not interfere with the inclined section 222b.

[0132] In particular, the holes 243K and 253K that hold the LED unit 59K, which are located closer to the hinge 23 than the LED unit 59C, are positioned lower than the holes 243M and 253M that hold the LED unit 59C. Therefore, even if the inclination angle of the inclined portion 222b is increased, interference with the inclined portion 222b can be suppressed. As a result, the inclination angle of the inclined portion 222b can be increased, reducing the space required in the front-to-back direction of the paper output tray 222, making it possible to miniaturize the image forming apparatus 1.

[0133] [Positional relationship between the control panel and the connecting member] As shown in Figure 18, the operation panel 33 supported by the opening / closing cover 22 overlaps with the connecting member 73 in the front-to-back direction when viewed from above. This allows the first reinforcing member 71 and the second reinforcing member 72, which are connected to the connecting member 73, to receive the force when a force is applied to the operation panel 33 supported by the opening / closing cover 22, thereby suppressing deformation of the opening / closing cover 22. [Explanation of symbols]

[0134] 1. Image forming apparatus 2. First cabinet 21 Main unit 21A opening 22 Opening / Closing Cover 23 Hinge 24. First LED unit holder 25. Second LED unit holder 33 Control Panel 71 First reinforcing member 72 Second reinforcing member 73 Connecting member 74 screws 91 Control board 59K, 59C, 59M, 59Y LED Units 222 Paper Output Tray 222b Slope 222c, 223a inner surface 231 Rotation axis 232 Support Arm 243K, 243C, 243M, 243Y holes 244K Extended Ribs 253K, 253C, 253M, 253Y holes 591K, 591C, 591M, 591Y LED Head 592K, 592C, 592M, 592Y protrusion 593K, 593C, 593M, 593Y protrusion 733 Step section 733a top side

Claims

1. A housing having an opening, An opening / closing cover that can open and close the aforementioned opening, A hinge that rotatably supports the opening / closing cover with respect to the housing, The LED unit has an LED head extending in a first direction parallel to the rotation axis of the hinge, and is supported by the opening / closing cover in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, A first reinforcing member is attached to one side in the first direction on the inner surface of the opening / closing cover facing the opening, and extends in the second direction, A second reinforcing member is attached to the inner surface of the opening / closing cover on the side opposite to the one side in the first direction, and extends in the second direction, A connecting member connects the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member at a position further from the hinge than the LED unit located closest to the hinge in the second direction, A first LED unit holder that holds one end of the LED unit in the first direction and is attached to the first reinforcing member, The LED unit has a second LED unit holder which holds the other end of the LED unit in the first direction and is attached to the second reinforcing member, The first reinforcing member is attached to the inner surface of the opening / closing cover, sandwiched between the opening / closing cover and the first LED unit holder in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. The second reinforcing member is attached to the inner surface of the opening / closing cover in a state where it is sandwiched between the opening / closing cover and the second LED unit holder in the third direction, in an image forming apparatus.

2. The system further includes a control board for controlling the LED unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control board is attached to the connecting member.

3. The aforementioned connecting member is When the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member are attached to the opening / closing cover, they are positioned between the opening / closing cover and the LED unit in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, having a stepped portion that is located further away from the inner surface of the opening / closing cover than the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member in the third direction.

4. The system further includes a control board for controlling the LED unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control board is attached to the surface of the stepped portion facing the opening / closing cover.

5. The first reinforcing member and the connecting member are fastened together to the first LED unit holder with screws. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second reinforcing member and the connecting member are fastened together to the second LED unit holder by screws.

6. The LED unit has protrusions at both ends in the first direction that project in the first direction, The first LED unit holder and the second LED unit holder have holes into which the projection can be inserted, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first LED unit holder and the second LED unit holder has an extension rib extending from the periphery of the hole toward the LED unit, having the same inner diameter radius as the hole.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the extension rib is provided at least on the periphery of the hole corresponding to the LED unit that is located furthest from the connecting member toward the hinge in the second direction.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the extension rib is formed in a U-shape with the end on the opening / closing cover side in the third direction being open.

9. The opening / closing cover has a paper output tray from which sheets are discharged from inside the housing. The output tray has an inclined portion that is recessed toward the inside of the housing, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is located on the side further from the hinge than the inclined portion in the second direction.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the inclined portion overlaps with the LED unit located closest to the hinge in at least the second direction when the image forming apparatus is viewed from a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.

11. The connecting member is located between the LED unit furthest from the hinge in at least the second direction and the opening / closing cover, as described in claim 1 of the image forming apparatus.

12. The aforementioned opening / closing cover supports the operation panel for operating the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel overlaps with the connecting member in the second direction when the image forming apparatus is viewed from a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.

13. A housing having an opening, An opening / closing cover that can open and close the aforementioned opening, A hinge that rotatably supports the opening / closing cover with respect to the housing, The LED unit has an LED head extending in a first direction parallel to the rotation axis of the hinge, and is supported by the opening / closing cover in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, A first reinforcing member is attached to one side in the first direction on the inner surface of the opening / closing cover facing the opening, and extends in the second direction, A second reinforcing member is attached to the inner surface of the opening / closing cover on the side opposite to the one side in the first direction, and extends in the second direction, A connecting member connects the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member at a position further from the hinge than the LED unit located closest to the hinge in the second direction, The LED unit has a control board that controls the LED unit, The control board is an image forming apparatus attached to the connecting member.

14. A housing having an opening, An opening / closing cover that can open and close the aforementioned opening, A hinge that rotatably supports the opening / closing cover with respect to the housing, The LED unit has an LED head extending in a first direction parallel to the rotation axis of the hinge, and is supported by the opening / closing cover in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, A first reinforcing member is attached to one side in the first direction on the inner surface of the opening / closing cover facing the opening, and extends in the second direction, A second reinforcing member is attached to the inner surface of the opening / closing cover on the side opposite to the one side in the first direction, and extends in the second direction, The first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member are connected by a connecting member that connects them at a position further from the hinge than the LED unit located closest to the hinge in the second direction, The aforementioned connecting member is When the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member are attached to the opening / closing cover, they are positioned between the opening / closing cover and the LED unit in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, An image forming apparatus having a stepped portion that, in the third direction, is located further away from the inner surface of the opening / closing cover than the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member.

Images