Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming device having a frame configuration that ensures stable welding fixation of a stay member for fastening a bottom part and an erect part erected from the bottom part.SOLUTION: An image forming device provided herein comprises image forming means for forming images, and is configured to support the image forming means using a frame comprising a bottom part, an erect part erected from the bottom part, and a stay member vertically fixed to the bottom part by welding and horizontally fixed to the erect part by welding.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0007]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile apparatus, or a multifunction machine having a plurality of these functions.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a frame body that supports an image forming apparatus, in Patent Document 1, in order to increase rigidity and strength and reduce deformation, a throttle portion (deformation portion) formed on at least one of two parts forming the upper and lower surfaces is used to fix the bottom plate of the frame. A proposed method has been proposed.

[0003] Also, as a generally known frame configuration, as shown in FIG. 13, the side surface of the bottom plate and the side surfaces of the front support column and the rear side plate are simultaneously screwed and fastened by a single reinforcing stay with screws 700, thereby increasing the rigidity of the bottom plate and the rigidity in the falling direction of the support column and the rear side plate. There is a method.

[0004] Furthermore, in Patent Document 2, a configuration in which each member of the frame body is positioned with a jig and the fastening portion is welded is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, when adopting a configuration that combines the configurations described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above and a method for increasing the rigidity of the generally known bottom plate and the rigidity in the falling direction of the support column and the side plate, there are the following problems.

[0007] When the base plate is fastened to the front support and rear side plate by welding with reinforcing stays, the front, rear, left, and right positions of the base plate and the front support and rear side plate are determined with respect to welding reference points provided on the bottom and top surfaces of the base plate.

[0008] Therefore, when fastening the side of the base plate to the side of the front support or rear side plate in the same direction as the side of the base plate using reinforcing stays, a gap of approximately 0.8 to 1.5 mm occurs at the fastening point due to the tolerances of the parts and the jigs and fixtures used for positioning during welding. In other words, it is not possible to make the side of the base plate flush with the side of the front support or rear side plate in the same direction as the side of the base plate by the amount of the above tolerance.

[0009] On the other hand, when fastening using laser welding, which has a small effect of heat-induced distortion on the frame, for example, when using electro-galvanized steel sheets with a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm, the spacing between welded parts in the thickness direction must be approximately 0.3 mm or less in order to guarantee the joint strength after welding.

[0010] Therefore, the gap that occurs at the fastening point of the reinforcing stay (approximately 0.8 to 1.5 mm) becomes larger than the allowable gap for laser welding (approximately 0.3 mm), making it impossible to perform stable welding.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an image forming apparatus having a frame structure in which the welding of a stay member that fastens the bottom and an erecting part erected on the bottom is stable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides an image forming means for forming an image, and ,before It comprises a frame that supports the image forming means, The frame includes a bottom, an upright portion erected relative to the bottom, and a stay member positioned outside the bottom and the upright portion, wherein the stay member has a first surface and a second surface intersecting the first surface, formed by bending one side relative to the other, and the first surface is welded to the bottom so that the first surface and the bottom face each other in the vertical direction, and the second surface is welded to the side of the upright portion so that the second surface and the side of the upright portion face each other in the direction of intersection of the vertical direction, or the first surface is welded to the upright portion so that the first surface and the upright portion face each other in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the stay member is welded to the bottom and the upright portion in either state, where the second surface is welded to the side surface of the bottom such that the second surface and the side surface of the bottom face each other in the direction of intersection where they intersect in the vertical direction, or where the first surface is welded to the side surface of the bottom such that the first surface and the side surface of the bottom face each other in the direction of intersection where they intersect in the vertical direction, and the second surface is welded to the side surface of the upright portion such that the second surface and the side surface of the upright portion face each other in the direction of intersection, and the stay member has an engaging portion that engages with the bottom or the upright portion for positioning the stay member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having a frame structure in which welding of a stay member for fastening a bottom portion and a standing portion standing with respect to the bottom portion is stabilized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1] It is a schematic front sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a structure of the printer in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a sectional view of the bottom portion of the structure in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a bottom view of the bottom portion of the structure in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a side view of a reinforcing stay of the structure in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view of a reinforcing stay of the structure in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a side view of a claw portion of a reinforcing stay of the structure in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of a column of the structure in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view of a rear side plate of the structure in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view of a state in which a reinforcing stay is assembled to the structure in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. <00遂に、ユーザは、メッセージを送信することができる。 [Figure 11] It is a perspective view of a jig according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view of a jig and a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] It is a perspective view of a reinforcing stay fastened by screwing. [Figure 14] It is a perspective view of a column when directly welded and fixed to the bottom on the side of the column.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the components described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and various conditions such as the configuration, function, dimensions, material, shape, and relative arrangement of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied can be appropriately modified or changed without departing from the gist of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic front sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(A) shows the schematic configuration of the entire image forming apparatus, and FIG. 1(B) shows the details of the image forming unit in an enlarged manner.

[0017] In FIG. 1(A), a printer 1 as an image forming apparatus includes first to fourth stations S (Y to BK), and forms an image with toner of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK) on respective photosensitive drums D. Since each station S (Y to BK) is substantially the same except for the type of toner that develops the electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive drum D, the first station S (BK) will be described as a representative.

[0018] In FIG. 1(B), a station S (BK) as an image forming unit includes a photosensitive drum D as an image carrier and a corona charger 10 as a charging device for charging the photosensitive drum D. After the photosensitive drum D is charged by the corona charger 10, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum by exposure L from the laser scanner LS shown in FIG. 1(A). The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum D is developed into a toner image by the black toner accommodated in the developing device 20. The toner image developed on the photosensitive drum D is transferred to an intermediate transfer belt ITB as an intermediate transfer member by a transfer roller 30 as a transfer member. The transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum D without being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt ITB is cleaned and removed by a cleaning device 40 provided with a cleaning blade. Note that the image forming unit also includes the corona charger 10, the developing device 20, etc. that are involved in forming the toner image on the photosensitive drum D.

[0019] In Figure 1(A), the toner images transferred in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK) from the photosensitive drums D at each station S(Y~BK) are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt. The superimposed toner images are then transferred to the recording material fed from cassettes C1~3 in the secondary transfer unit ST and transported at the appropriate timing by the registration roller R. Toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt ITB that was not transferred to the recording material in the secondary transfer unit ST is cleaned by a belt cleaner (not shown) and collected in the toner recovery container W.

[0020] The toner image transferred onto the recording material is fixed to the recording material by a fixing device F, which contacts the toner, heats and melts the toner, and fixes it to the recording material. The recording material is then discharged from the machine.

[0021] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the printer 1 shown in Figure 1. In Figure 2, the structure 100 comprises a frame 200 in which the internal configuration of the printer 1 shown in Figure 1 as an image forming means is arranged and supported, and a base 300 that supports the frame 200. The frame 200 is composed of a pair of frame bodies, a front plate 202 and a rear plate 203, which are arranged facing each other, a plurality of various stays 204, and a support column 205 that supports the front plate. The frame 200 thus configured is erected on the base 300 as an upright part.

[0022] Here, the details of the configuration of the bottom section 300 will be explained with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

[0023] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom 300, and Figure 4 is a top view of the bottom 300.

[0024] In Figure 3, the bottom portion 300 is composed of a first bottom plate 301 that forms the upper surface and a second bottom plate 302 that forms the lower surface, and both the first bottom plate 301 and the second bottom plate 302 have their edges 303 and 304 tapered into a trough shape.

[0025] The first bottom plate 301 and the second bottom plate 302 are fitted together, and they are joined and integrated by welding at the side weld portion 305 shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the first bottom plate 301 is fitted on the outside so as to cover the second bottom plate 302, but this relationship may be reversed. The first bottom plate 301 and the second bottom plate 302 may also be fixed by methods other than welding, such as riveting or screwing.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the flat portion 306 of the second base plate 302 is provided with a plurality of cone-shaped cone sections 307. The height of each cone section 307 is set such that its apex 308 abuts against the back side of the flat portion 309 of the first base plate 301.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, casters 310 for moving the main body of the image forming apparatus are attached to each of the four corners of the second base plate 302, and frustoconical shaped diaphragm sections 307 are arranged diagonally toward the casters 310 at the four corners of the second base plate 302, and similar diaphragm sections 307 are also arranged on all four sides of the second base plate 302.

[0028] As described above, since the first bottom plate 301 and the second bottom plate 302 are fixed in the frustoconical constriction portion 307 arranged on the second bottom plate 302, the section modulus of the entire bottom portion 300 can be dramatically increased, thereby significantly improving the rigidity and mechanical strength of the entire bottom portion 300.

[0029] Furthermore, by positioning the frustoconical constriction portion 307 at the aforementioned location on the second base plate 302, the strength of the flat portion 309 of the first base plate 301 is also increased. This prevents distortion even when the support columns 205 and rear plate 203, which are fixed to the front plate 202 that supports the various units and parts necessary for the printer 1, are placed on the first base plate 301.

[0030] When the bottom portion 300 is constructed using only the first bottom plate 301, it is extremely difficult to ensure a high degree of flatness in the bottom portion 300. However, by integrating the first bottom plate 301 and the second bottom plate 302 as described above to construct the bottom portion 300, as in this embodiment, the displacement of the bottom portion 300 becomes extremely small, and a high degree of flatness can be ensured in the bottom portion 300.

[0031] Furthermore, since the mechanical strength of frame 201 is mainly ensured by the strength of the bottom 300, improving the strength of the bottom 300 will also improve the overall strength of frame 200.

[0032] Next, the configuration of the reinforcing stay 400 as a stay member will be explained.

[0033] In Figure 2, the reinforcing stay 400 is fastened to the support column 205, the rear side plate 203, and the bottom 300.

[0034] The positioning method for the reinforcing stay 400 will be explained based on Figures 2, 5, and 6. Figure 5 is a side view of the reinforcing stay 400, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of the reinforcing stay 400.

[0035] In this embodiment, the reinforcing stay 400 on the right side will be described in detail, but the same applies to the reinforcing stay 400 on the left side.

[0036] In Figure 2, the position in the X direction is determined by abutting the reinforcing stay 400 against the side 205a of the support column 205 and the side 203a of the rear plate 203.

[0037] The position in the Z direction is determined by abutting the abutment surface 400b, shown in Figures 5 and 6, which is bent in a direction perpendicular to the positioning surface in the X direction of the reinforcing stay 400 in the Z direction, against the upper surface 300a of the bottom 300.

[0038] The position in the Y direction is determined by the projection 205b shown in Figure 5, which is provided on the support column 205, and the hole 400c in the reinforcing stay 400.

[0039] Next, a detailed explanation of the positioning in the X, Y, and Z directions will be given based on Figures 6 to 10. Figure 7 is a side view of the claw portion of the reinforcing stay 400. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the support column 205, with Figure 8(A) showing the state in which the reinforcing stay 400 is fastened and Figure 8(B) showing the state in which the reinforcing stay 400 is not fastened. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the rear plate 203, with Figure 9(A) showing the state in which the reinforcing stay 400 is fastened and Figure 8(B) showing the state in which the reinforcing stay 400 is not fastened. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the structure 100 of Figure 2 with the reinforcing stay 400 assembled.

[0040] Positioning in the X direction is achieved by inserting the claw portion 400a, which is provided on the reinforcing stay 400 and is shown in detail in Figures 6 and 7, into the hole portion 205c provided on the side surface 205a of the support column 205 shown in Figure 8, and the hole portion 203b provided on the side surface 203a of the rear plate 203 shown in Figure 9. The claw spacing A of the claw portion 400a shown in Figure 7 is approximately the same dimension as the plate thickness t (not shown) of the support column 205 and the rear plate 203, and the tolerance of the claw spacing A is set to approximately ±0.1 mm. For example, when the plate thickness t is 1.6 mm, the claw spacing A is set to 1.7 ± 0.1 mm. By doing so, by inserting the claw portion 400a into the side surface 205a of the support column and the side surface 203a of the rear plate, the gap between the reinforcing stay 400 and the abutting surfaces of the support column 205 and the rear plate 203 can be kept to approximately 0.3 mm or less, which is the allowable gap amount for welding. In this embodiment, the claw portion 400a is provided on the reinforcing stay 400 side, but a hole may be provided on the reinforcing stay 400 side, and the claw portion may be provided on the support column 205 and rear plate 203 side.

[0041] For positioning in the Z direction, the reinforcing stay 400 has two abutment surfaces 400b as shown in Figure 6, with a bend length L of the abutment surfaces 400b being about 10 mm, and a bending angle tolerance of about ±0.5°. By setting the bending angle tolerance to about ±0.5° to 1.0°, the difference between the bend root and the bend tip becomes about 0.1 to 0.2 mm, so the gap between the abutment surface 400b of the reinforcing stay 400 and the upper surface 300a of the bottom 300, as shown in Figure 10, can be kept to a weldable allowable gap of about 0.3 mm or less.

[0042] As described above, in this embodiment, a hole 400c is provided in the reinforcing stay 400 for positioning in the Y direction. However, a projection may be provided on the reinforcing stay 400 side, and a hole may be provided in the support column 205. Also, although the reinforcing stay 400 is positioned in the Y direction relative to the support column 205, it may be positioned relative to the rear plate 203 or the bottom 300.

[0043] Next, the fastening points of the reinforcing stay 400 will be explained using Figures 5 and 10.

[0044] In Figure 5, the reinforcing stay 400 is fastened to the support column 205 by a welded joint 501. The welded joint 501 is located within approximately 50 mm of the claw portion 400a. This configuration is less susceptible to the influence of flatness tolerances on the contact surfaces of the reinforcing stay 400 and the support column 205. In this embodiment, four welded joints 501 are provided, but the number may be increased or decreased depending on the weight of the product and logistics conditions.

[0045] The reinforcing stay 400 is fastened to the rear plate 203 by a weld 502. The weld 502 is located within approximately 50 mm of the claw portion 400a. This configuration is less affected by the flatness tolerance of the contact surfaces of the reinforcing stay 400 and the rear plate 203. In this embodiment, four welds 502 are provided, but the number may be increased or decreased depending on the weight of the product and logistics conditions.

[0046] In Figure 10, the reinforcing stay 400 is fastened to the bottom 300 by welds 503 provided on two abutment surfaces 400b. The width of each abutment surface is approximately 50 mm. In this embodiment, two welds 503 are provided on each side, but the number may be increased or decreased depending on the weight of the product, logistics conditions, etc.

[0047] Next, the configuration of the jig 600, which holds the position of each member when welding the structure 100, will be described with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the jig 600.

[0048] In Figure 11, the jig 600 has a base 601, a front support section 602, and a rear support section 603. Positioning pins 604 are provided on the base 601, the front support section 602, and the rear support section 603. The front support section 602 and the rear support section 603 are configured to slide relative to the base 601. The front support section 602 is slidable in the directions of arrows K1 and K2, and the rear support section 603 is slidable in the directions of arrows K3 and K4.

[0049] The sequence for attaching each component of the structure 100 to the jig 600 will be explained with reference to Figure 12. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the jig 600 and the structure 100.

[0050] First, as shown in Figure 12(A), the base 300 is placed on the base 601. At this time, the position of the base 300 relative to the base 601 is determined by inserting the positioning pin 604 of the base 601 into the positioning hole 300b of the base 300.

[0051] Next, as shown in Figure 12(B), the support column 205 and the rear plate 203 are placed on the front support column support 602 and the rear support column 603. At this time, the positioning pins 604 of the front support column support 602 and the rear support column 603 are inserted into the positioning holes of the support column 205 and the rear plate 203, thereby determining the positions of the support column 205 and the rear plate 203 relative to the jig 600.

[0052] Next, as shown in Figure 12(C), the front support section 602 and the rear support section 603 are slid in the K2 and K4 directions. Additionally, a pressing device (not shown) applies pressure toward the bottom 300 in a direction perpendicular to the sliding directions K2 and K4 of the front support section 602 and the rear support section 603 (the Z direction). As a result, the support column 205 and the rear plate 203 abut against the bottom 300.

[0053] Next, as shown in Figure 12(D), the reinforcing stay 400 is assembled to the support column 205, rear plate 203, and bottom 300 as described above. The position of each member of the structure 100 is determined by the jig 600, and welding of each part is performed in this state. After welding, the front support column support 602 and the rear support 603 slide in the K1 and K3 directions, and the welded structure 100 is removed.

[0054] As described above, according to this embodiment, by fastening the bottom portion 300, the support column 205, and the rear plate 203 by welding them to the reinforcing stay 400, it is possible to maintain a highly accurate position in the screw fastening portion, preventing minute displacement between the fastening material and the fastened material when external forces are applied, such as during product logistics, compared to the conventional configuration in which screws 700 are used for screw fastening as shown in Figure 13.

[0055] To achieve this, according to this embodiment, welding of the reinforcing stay 400 to the support column 205 and the rear plate 203 is performed from the side (X direction), and welding of the reinforcing stay 400 to the bottom 300 is performed from the up and down direction (Z direction), thereby ensuring stable welding fixation of the reinforcing stay 400 to the bottom 300, support column 205 and the rear plate 203. In other words, by doing this, the problem of gaps occurring between the reinforcing stay 400 and the reinforcing stay 400 due to tolerances between the bottom 300 and the support column 205 and the rear plate 203, when welding the reinforcing stay 400 to the bottom 300 from the same side (X direction) as the support column 205 and the rear plate 203, is eliminated, and the welding fixation of the reinforcing stay 400 to the bottom 300 and the support column 205 and the rear plate 203 is ensured.

[0056] In the above embodiment, welding of the reinforcing stay 400 to the support column 205 and the rear plate 203 is performed from the side (X direction), and welding of the reinforcing stay 400 to the bottom 300 is performed from the top and bottom direction (Z direction) to prevent gaps larger than the allowable welding gap from occurring at the welding points of the reinforcing stay 400. However, welding of the reinforcing stay 400 to the support column 205 and the rear plate 203 may be performed from the top and bottom direction (Z direction), and welding of the reinforcing stay 400 to the bottom 300 may be performed from the side (X direction) to prevent gaps wider than the allowable welding gap from occurring at the welding points of the reinforcing stay 400.

[0057] Furthermore, welding of the reinforcing stay 400 to the support column 205 and the rear plate 203 may be performed from a first side (X direction), and welding of the reinforcing stay 400 to the bottom 300 may be performed from a second side perpendicular to the side from which it is welded to the support column 205 and the rear plate 203, in order to prevent a gap wider than the allowable welding gap from occurring at the welding point of the reinforcing stay 400.

[0058] Furthermore, as mentioned above, by fastening the support column 205, rear plate 203, and bottom 300 with the reinforcing stay 400, the effect of preventing the support column 205 and rear plate 203 from tipping over is enhanced compared to a configuration in which the side of the support column 701 is directly fixed to the side 703 of the bottom 702 at welding points 704, as shown in Figure 14. This also increases the rigidity of the bottom 300 in the vertical direction (Z direction). As a result, the thickness of the bottom 300 can be reduced, leading to miniaturization of the product and cost reduction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1…Printer 100...Structure 200...frames 202... Front side panel 203…Rear side plate 203a...Side of the rear side panel 205…post 205a... Side of the support column 205b…Protrusion 205c…hole part 300...bottom 300a... Top surface of the bottom 400... Reinforcement stay 400a...Claw part 400b...buttock surface 400c…hole part 501...Welded section 502... Welded section 503... Welded section 600... Jig 601...Base 602...Front column support part 603...Rear side plate support part 604…Positioning pin H... Nail spacing

Claims

1. Image forming means for forming an image, The image forming means comprises a frame that supports the image forming means, The aforementioned frame body is The bottom and, A vertical portion erected on the bottom, It includes a stay member positioned on the outside of the bottom and the upright portion, The stay member has a first surface formed by bending one side relative to the other, and a second surface that intersects with the first surface. The first surface is welded to the bottom so that the first surface and the bottom face each other in the vertical direction, and the second surface is welded to the side surface of the upright portion so that the second surface and the side surface of the upright portion face each other in the direction of intersection where the vertical direction intersects, or The first surface is welded to the upright portion such that the first surface and the upright portion face each other in the vertical direction, and the second surface is welded to the side surface of the bottom portion such that the second surface and the side surface of the bottom portion face each other in the direction of intersection where the vertical direction intersects, or In either state, the first surface is welded to the side of the bottom so that it faces the first surface and the side of the bottom so that they intersect in the vertical direction, and the second surface is welded to the side of the upright portion so that it faces the second surface and the side of the upright portion so that they intersect in the aforementioned direction, The stay member is welded to the bottom and the upright portion. For positioning the stay member, the stay member has an engaging portion that engages with the bottom portion or the upright portion. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following:

2. The first surface is formed by bending up from the second surface, The stay member is welded to the bottom and the upright portion, with the first surface welded to the bottom so that the first surface and the bottom face each other in the vertical direction, and the second surface welded to the side of the upright portion so that the second surface and the side of the upright portion face each other in the intersecting direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The first surface includes a plurality of portions formed by bending up from the second surface, Each of the aforementioned parts is welded to the bottom so as to face it in the vertical direction. The image forming apparatus according to feature 2.

4. The engaging portion is provided on the stay member and includes a claw portion that is inserted into a hole formed on the side surface of the upright portion, The image forming apparatus according to feature 2.

5. The claw portion has a distance from the other portion of the stay member that is substantially corresponding to the plate thickness of the upright portion. The image forming apparatus according to feature 4.

6. The engaging portion includes a hole provided in the stay member and a claw provided in the upright portion and inserted into the hole, The image forming apparatus according to feature 2.

7. The engaging portion includes a hole provided in the stay member and a projection provided in the upright portion that fits into the hole, The image forming apparatus according to feature 2.

8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the erected portion includes a support column.

9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the upright portion includes a side plate.

Images