JP2014066813A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

An image forming apparatus capable of supporting a plurality of units without requiring a frame and without reducing the mechanical strength of the apparatus.
A transfer process unit 62 and a transfer process driving unit extending in a length direction B of a paper feed unit 61 are fixed to the paper feed unit 61, and a transport unit extending in a width direction A of the paper feed unit 61. 64 is fixed to the paper feed unit 61, and the transfer process unit 62, the transfer process drive unit, and the transport unit 64 are fixed orthogonally to each other. The strength of the structure composed of the unit 63 and the transport unit 64 is increased.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a multifunction machine, and a printer.

  Conventionally, in this type of image forming apparatus, a plurality of units having respective functions related to image formation are attached to the main body frame to construct the apparatus, and it is possible to perform maintenance and replacement on a unit basis. Yes.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a photoreceptor driving unit is detachably attached to a main body frame. In Patent Document 2, a drive unit, a paper discharge unit, and the like are attached to the main body frame. Furthermore, in Patent Document 3, a sheet metal frame and a resin frame are combined, and a plurality of units are attached to these frames.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually showing the assembly structure of such an image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 8, a housing-like body frame 101 is provided, a plurality of units 102 are attached to the body frame 101, the body frame 101 and each unit 102 are accommodated in an exterior housing 103, and an optional unit 104 is mounted. The image forming apparatus is constructed by being attached to the exterior casing 103 as necessary.

  On the other hand, although it is not a technique related to the image forming apparatus, in Patent Document 4, the housing is also used as a frame (referred to as a frameless structure), and the unit is supported by a rail inside the housing so that it can be inserted and removed. .

JP 2010-97233 A JP 2007-298666 A JP 2011-95495 A JP-A-11-328479

  However, in the configuration in which the main body frame 101 is provided as shown in FIG. 8, a space occupied by the main body frame 101 is required, and the main body frame 101 hinders downsizing of the image forming apparatus.

  For this reason, it is desirable to omit the main body frame 101, but it is difficult to realize the omission of the main body frame 101 because the mechanical strength of the apparatus is reduced.

  In Patent Document 4, the housing is also used as a frame. However, when various units are attached to the housing, such as an image forming apparatus, the structure of the housing becomes complicated. The body exterior is required, so it cannot be said to be a frameless structure.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an image forming apparatus capable of supporting a plurality of units without requiring a frame and without reducing the mechanical strength of the apparatus. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that records an image on a sheet, and includes a first structure unit and a second structure unit each having a function related to the image formation. The second structural unit extends in a length direction or a width direction of the first structural unit, and the first structural unit and the second structural unit are locked directly or via another member. Yes.

  In such an image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the second structural unit extends in the length direction or the width direction of the first structural unit, the first structural unit and the second structural unit are directly or other members. If it latches via, 1st structural unit and 2nd structural unit will be supported in the state which mutually orthogonally crossed. Thereby, the strength of the structure composed of the first structural unit and the second structural unit is increased, and it becomes possible to support other units fixed to the first structural unit and the second structural unit with high strength. The mechanical strength of the forming apparatus can be sufficiently increased. Further, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus without requiring a casing-like frame.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the other member is a plurality of support members protruding from the first structure unit, and both end portions of the second structure unit are fixed to the support members. ing.

  In this case, the second structural unit functions as a stay for each column member, and the second structural unit and each column member further increase the mechanical strength of the apparatus.

  Furthermore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a drive unit that drives another unit to be driven as the second structural unit.

  In this case, since both ends of the drive unit are fixed to the respective column members, the drive unit functions as a stay for each column member, and the drive unit and each column member further increase the mechanical strength of the apparatus.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the other unit to be driven is a transfer process unit that forms an image on an image carrier and transfers the image from the image carrier to a recording sheet.

  This transfer process unit is a unit in which a process unit for forming an image on an image carrier and a transfer unit for transferring an image from the image carrier to a recording sheet are integrated. Higher mechanical strength. Further, since the mechanical strength of the transfer process unit is high and the drive unit and each support member further increase the mechanical strength of the apparatus, the driving force of the drive unit can be stably transmitted to the transfer process unit.

  Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the second structural unit includes a transport unit that transports the recording paper, and each of the support members includes a drive unit that drives the transport unit. Includes as a component. Alternatively, any of the support members includes a substrate on which a circuit of the image forming apparatus is formed as a component of the support member.

  In this case, since the transport unit and the substrate are also used as support members, the apparatus can be further downsized.

  Thus, in the present invention, since the second structural unit extends in the length direction or the width direction of the first structural unit, the first structural unit and the second structural unit are engaged directly or via other members. When stopped, the first structural unit and the second structural unit are supported in a state of being orthogonal to each other. Thereby, the strength of the structure composed of the first structural unit and the second structural unit is increased, and it becomes possible to support other units fixed to the first structural unit and the second structural unit with high strength. The mechanical strength of the forming apparatus can be sufficiently increased. Further, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus without requiring a casing-like frame.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention as viewed from the side. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image reading device and the document conveying device of FIG. 1 as viewed from the front. It is sectional drawing which shows an image reading apparatus seeing from the side. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows each unit which comprises an image reading apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the state which assembled each unit. It is a perspective view which shows the connection structure of the edge part of a unit. It is a figure which shows notionally the assembly structure of each unit. It is a figure which shows notionally the assembly structure of the conventional image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the side. The image forming apparatus 1 has a copying function of reading a document and printing it on a recording sheet, and includes an image reading device 2, a document conveying device (ADF) 3, a printing unit 4, a paper feed cassette 5, and the like. Yes. The printing unit 4 and the paper feed cassette 5 are built in the main body 6 of the image forming apparatus 1, and the image reading device 2 and the document conveying device 3 are mounted on the upper side of the main body 6.

  The image data handled in the image forming apparatus 1 corresponds to a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), or a single color (for example, black). This corresponds to the monochrome image used. Therefore, in the printing unit 4, the LED head 11, the developing device 12, the photosensitive drum 13, the drum cleaning device 14, the charging device 15, and the like are each four in order to form four types of toner images corresponding to the respective colors. The four image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are configured so as to correspond to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively.

  In each of the image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd, after the residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 is removed and collected by the drum cleaning device 14, the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 is set to a predetermined potential by the charging device 15. The surface is uniformly charged, the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 is exposed by the LED head 11, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface, and the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 is developed by the developing device 12. A toner image is formed on the surface of the body drum 13. As a result, a toner image of each color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 13.

  Subsequently, while the intermediate transfer belt 21 is moved in the direction of the arrow D, the residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is removed and collected by the belt cleaning device 22, and then each color toner image is transferred onto the surface of each photosensitive drum 13. The toner images are sequentially transferred onto the belt 21 and overlapped to form a color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21.

  A nip area is formed between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the transfer roller 23a of the secondary transfer device 23, and the recording sheet conveyed through the S-shaped sheet conveyance path R1 is sandwiched and conveyed in the nip area. At the same time, the color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred onto the recording paper. Then, the recording paper is sandwiched between the heating roller 24 and the pressure roller 25 of the fixing device 17 and heated and pressed to fix the color toner image on the recording paper.

  On the other hand, the recording paper is pulled out from the paper feed cassette 5 by the pick-up roller 31, transported through the paper transport path R 1, passes through the secondary transfer device 23 and the fixing device 17, and is discharged through the paper discharge roller 32. It is carried out to 33. In this paper transport path R1, after the recording paper is temporarily stopped and the leading edges of the recording paper are aligned, the recording paper is fed in accordance with the transfer timing of the toner image in the nip area between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the transfer roller 23a. A registration roller 34 for starting conveyance, a conveyance roller 35 for urging conveyance of the recording paper, and the like are arranged.

  When printing not only on the front side of the recording paper but also on the back side, the recording paper is conveyed in the reverse direction from each paper discharge roller 32 to the reverse path Rr, and the recording paper is turned upside down. The image is guided again to each registration roller 34, and the image is recorded and fixed on the back surface of the recording paper in the same manner as the front surface of the recording paper.

  Next, schematic configurations of the image reading device 2 and the document conveying device 3 mounted on the upper side of the main body 6 of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the image reading device 2 and the document conveying device 3 when viewed from the front. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the image reading device 2 as viewed from the side.

  In FIG. 2, the document conveying device 3 is supported by a hinge (fulcrum, not shown) on one side of the document reading device 2 so as to be openable and closable, and is opened and closed by raising and lowering the front portion thereof. . When the document conveying device 3 is opened, the document reading glass 41 and the document placing glass 42 of the image reading device 2 are opened.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image reading apparatus 2 includes a CIS 43 and a moving mechanism 44 that moves the CIS 43 in the sub-scanning direction Y. The moving mechanism 44 is suspended between a guide rail 45 that guides the CIS 43 in the sub-scanning direction Y and a pair of pulleys 47, and is provided along the guide rail 45 and connected to the CIS 43, and the pulley 47. , And a motor 48 for moving the CIS 43 in the sub-scanning direction Y. While the CIS 43 is moved in the sub-scanning direction Y by the moving mechanism 44, the original placed on the original placing glass 42 is read by the CIS 43 (first mode), the CIS 43 is positioned by the moving mechanism 44, and the original The document is transported by the transport device 3, and the document transported on the document reading glass 41 is read by the CIS 43 (second mode).

  Specifically, in the first mode, the document conveying device 3 is opened, the document is placed on the document placing glass 42 and positioned, and the document conveying device 3 is closed. The CIS 43 is moved below the document placing glass 42, and further moved in the sub-scanning direction Y at a constant speed from the leading edge of the document by a distance corresponding to the document size, and the document is repeatedly main scanned through the document placing glass 42. Each time scanning in the direction X, an analog image signal of one main scanning line is output, and the original is read.

  In the second mode, the original is placed on the original tray 51 of the original conveying device 3 and set. The CIS 43 is moved to a reading position below the original reading glass 41 and positioned. In this state, the document on the document tray 51 is pulled out by the pickup roller 52, the document is transported to the document reading glass 41 through the document transport path 53, the document passes through the document reading glass 41, and the document is further discharged. The paper is discharged from the paper roller 54 to the paper discharge tray 55. The CIS 43 repeatedly scans the document passing over the document reading glass 41 in the main scanning direction X, and outputs an analog image signal of one main scanning line and reads the document each time this scan is performed.

  As described above, in both the first and second modes, the document is read by the CIS 43 and an analog image signal is output from the CIS 43. The analog image signal is A / D converted into a digital image signal, various image processing is performed on the digital image signal, and the digital signal is transmitted to each LED head 11 of the printing unit 4 of the image forming apparatus 1. The printing unit 4 records a document on a recording sheet, and the recording sheet is output as a copy document.

  By the way, in the main body 6 of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, no frame is provided (frameless), and the units having the respective functions relating to image formation are locked to each other directly or via other members. The mechanical strength necessary for the main body 6 of the image forming apparatus 1 is obtained.

  Next, each unit locked to each other and the assembly structure of each unit will be described. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing each unit. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where the units are assembled.

  First, each unit will be described individually. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the main body 6 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a paper feed unit 61, a transfer process unit 62, a transfer process drive unit 63, a transport unit 64, a substrate unit 65, and a transport drive unit. 66 and a paper discharge unit 67 are provided.

  The paper feed unit 61 includes the paper feed cassette 5 in FIG. 1 and a housing-like base portion 61a in which the paper feed cassette 5 can be freely inserted and removed, and the columns 61b, 61c and the like are provided on the base portion 61a. It is attached. The base portion 61a is made of a synthetic resin molded product, and has support angles 61d and 61e at two corners on the rear side. Each of the columns 61b and 61c is made of a sheet metal or a synthetic resin molded product, and protrudes from two corners on the near side of the base portion 61a.

  The transfer process unit 62 includes each LED head 11 corresponding to each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), each developing device 12, each photosensitive drum 13, and each drum cleaning device. 14, each charging device 15, an intermediate transfer belt 21, rollers for suspending the intermediate transfer belt 21, a belt cleaning device 22, a secondary transfer device 23, and side plates 62a and 62b for supporting them. The side plates 62a and 62b are made of sheet metal.

  The transfer process drive unit 63 rotationally drives each of the photosensitive drums 13 of the transfer process unit 62 and each of the rollers that suspend the intermediate transfer belt 21, and includes a drive motor and a gear unit. , A clutch, and a base 63a for supporting them. The base 63a is made of sheet metal.

  The transport unit 64 includes a pickup roller 31 that pulls out the recording paper from the paper feed cassette 5, a registration roller 34 that transports the recording paper after aligning the leading end of the recording paper, a transport roller 35 that transports the recording paper, and a base that supports these. 64a and the like.

  The board unit 65 includes a wiring board (not shown) on which the drive circuit of the image forming apparatus 1 is formed, a chassis 65a that supports the wiring board, and the like.

  The transport drive unit 66 rotationally drives the rollers 31, 34, 35, the paper discharge roller 32, and the like of the transport unit 64, and includes a drive motor, a gear unit, a clutch, a base 66a that supports these, and the like. It has. The base 66a is made of sheet metal.

  The paper discharge unit 67 includes an exterior body 67a, a paper discharge tray 33 formed on the upper surface of the exterior body 67a, and a power source and a control circuit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1 disposed inside the exterior body 67a. I have. The exterior body 67a is a molded product of synthetic resin.

  FIG. 5 shows an opening / closing cover 68 that is supported so as to be freely opened and closed. When the opening / closing cover 68 is opened, the periphery of the transport unit 64 is opened, and the jammed paper can be removed. 4 and 5, the fixing device 17 is not shown, but the fixing device 17 is disposed above the transport unit 64 and is fixed to the transport unit 64 or the paper discharge unit 67.

  Next, the assembly structure of each unit will be described. Both ends of the base 63a of the transfer process driving unit 63 are fixed to a support angle 61d of the base portion 61a of the paper feeding unit 61 and a support 61b protruding from the front side corner of the base portion 61a. The base 63a is bridged between the support angle 61d of the base portion 61a and the support 61b, and functions as a stay. The base 63a increases the strength of the paper feed unit 61, and further increases the strength of the main body 6. .

  Further, the side plates 62 a and 62 b of the transfer process unit 62 are respectively provided and fixed on both sides of the transfer process unit 62. When the transfer process unit 62 is mounted on the base 61a of the paper feeding unit 61, one side plate 62b is arranged in a state of being spanned between the support angle 61e and the column 61c as shown by the dotted line in FIG. The other side plate 62a is disposed between the support angle 61d and the column 61b. As shown in FIG. 4, the transfer process unit 62 is inserted from the right side to the left side (from a position away from the transfer process driving unit 63 to a position approaching) on the base portion 61 a of the sheet feeding unit 61. Guided by the guide of the base portion 61a, both end portions of one side plate 62b abut against the support angle 61e and the column 61c, and the other side plate 62a is disposed between the support angle 61d and the column 61b. At this time, two bosses (not shown) formed in the transfer process drive unit 63 have two bosses (not shown) projecting in the horizontal direction (width direction A) on one side of the transfer process unit 62. Thus, the transfer process unit 62 is positioned and held with respect to the transfer process drive unit 63. Further, both end portions of one side plate 62b are screwed and fixed to the support angle 61e and the column 61c by respective screws. That is, the transfer process unit 62 is inserted from the right side to the left side on the base portion 61 a of the paper feed unit 61, and each boss on one side of the transfer process unit 62 is fitted in each hole of the transfer process drive unit 63. One side portion of the transfer process unit 62 is held, and both end portions of one side plate 62b of the transfer process unit 62 are screwed and fixed to the support angle 61e and the column 61c. With such a structure, the transfer process unit 62 can be attached and detached by removing screws from both ends of one side plate 62b.

  Further, both ends of the base 64 a of the transport unit 64 are fixed to the support angles 61 d and 61 e of the base portion 61 a of the paper feed unit 61. The base 64a is also spanned between the support angles 61d and 61e of the base portion 61a, thereby serving as a stay, increasing the strength of the paper feeding unit 61, and thus increasing the strength of the main body 6.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the base 64a is firmly fixed and accurately positioned with respect to the support angles 61d and 61e by using fitting portions 71 and screws 72 in which the concave portions and the convex portions are fitted to each other. Therefore, the function as a stay can be performed reliably.

  The base 63a may also be firmly fixed and accurately positioned with respect to the support angle 61d and the support post 61b by the fitting portion 71 and the screw 72.

  Here, when the width direction A of the sheet feeding unit 61, the length direction B orthogonal to the width direction A, the width direction A, and the height direction C orthogonal to the length direction B are defined, one side plate of the transfer process unit 62 is defined. 62b extends between the support angle 61e of the base portion 61a and the support 61c projecting at the front side corner of the base portion 61a while extending in the length direction B and standing in the height direction C. Is fixed. Similarly, the base 63a of the transfer process drive unit 63 extends in the length direction B and stands in the height direction C, and projects to the support angle 61d of the base portion 61a and the front side corner of the base portion 61a. It is bridged and fixed to the provided support column 61b. Further, the base 64a of the transport unit 64 is fixed to the support angles 61d and 61e of the base portion 61a in a state of extending in the width direction A and standing in the height direction C. Furthermore, the side plate 62b, the base 63a, and the base 64a are fixed in a state orthogonal to the length direction B and the width direction A via the support angles 61d and 61e of the base portion 61a.

  That is, for the base portion 61a that extends in the width direction A and the length direction B, the side plate 62b and the base 63a that extend in the length direction B and stand in the height direction C directly and each of the columns 61b and 61c. The base 64a extending in the width direction A and standing in the height direction C is directly fixed, and the side plate 62b and the base 63a and the base 64a are orthogonal to the length direction B and the width direction A. In this state, they are connected via the support angles 61d and 61e. As a result, a structure in which the base portion 61a, the side plate 62b, the base 63a, and the base 64a are supported by each other in a state orthogonal to the three directions A, B, and C is constructed, and the strength of the structure is high. Become. As a result, the strength of the main body 6 is sufficiently increased.

  Further, the transfer process unit 62 has the largest size and the highest strength compared to the other units 61 and 63 to 67. Since the transfer process unit 62 is arranged at substantially the center of the main body 6 of the image forming apparatus 1, the central strength of the main body 6 is high.

  Further, since each boss of the transfer process unit 62 is fitted in each hole of the transfer process drive unit 63, the transfer process unit 62 is reliably positioned and held with respect to the transfer process drive unit 63, and the transfer process drive is performed. The driving force of the unit 63 is stably transmitted to the transfer process unit 62.

  Further, the chassis 65a and the wiring board of the board unit 65 are fixed to one support angle 61d of the paper feed unit 61 to increase the strength of the support angle 61d, and support columns that support the transport unit 64 and the like together with the support angle 61d. It functions as a member. The base 66a of the transport drive unit 66 is fixed to the other support angle 61e of the paper feed unit 61 to increase the strength of the support angle 61e, and is a support member that supports the transport unit 64 and the like together with the support angle 61e. Plays a function. Therefore, the chassis 65a of the board unit 65 and the wiring board and the base 66a of the transport drive unit 66 are also used as components of the respective column members.

  Each of the support angles 61d and 61e is a connecting portion of the paper feed unit 61, the transfer process unit 62, the transfer process drive unit 63, and the transport unit 64. Therefore, the chassis 65a of the board unit 65, the wiring board, and the transport drive unit. When the strength of the support angles 61d and 61e is increased by the base 66a of the 66, the connection strength of the units 61 to 64 increases, and the strength of the structure including the units 61 to 64 increases. Further, the connection strength between the transport unit 64 and the transport drive unit 66 is also increased, and the driving force of the transport drive unit 66 is stably transmitted to the transport unit 64.

  Further, the exterior body 67 a of the paper discharge unit 67 is placed on the paper feed unit 61, the transfer process unit 62, the transfer process drive unit 63, the transport unit 64, the substrate unit 65, and the transport drive unit 66. It is fixed to the upper end of each support angle 61d, 61e of the base part 61a and the upper end of each column 61b, 61c projecting at each corner on the near side of the base part 61a. Since the exterior body 67a is a molded product of synthetic resin, it does not have a large strength. However, when the exterior body 67a is fixed to the upper ends of the support angles 61d and 61e and the upper ends of the support columns 61b and 61c, the exterior body 67a and each unit. The strengths of 61 to 66 are complementarily increased.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the side plate 62b, the base 63a, and the base 64a are attached to the support angles 61d and 61e of the base 61a and the columns 61b and 61c that protrude from the front corners of the base 61a. The bridge is used as a stay, and the strength of the base 61a is increased and the strength of the main body 6 is increased. Further, a base portion 61a extending in the width direction A and the length direction B, a side plate 62b and a base 63a extending in the length direction B and standing in the height direction C, and extending in the width direction A and height. By supporting the base 64a standing in the direction C so as to be orthogonal to each other directly and via the columns 61b and 61c, the strength of the structure including the base portion 61a, the side plate 62b, the base 63a, and the base 64a is increased. The strength of the main body 6 is sufficiently high. Further, the transfer process unit 62 having the largest size and the highest strength is arranged at the approximate center of the main body 6 to increase the central strength of the main body 6. Further, the strength of the support angles 61 d and 61 e is increased by the chassis 65 a of the substrate unit 65 and the base 66 a of the transport drive unit 66, so that the paper feed unit 61, the transfer process unit 62, the transfer process drive unit 63, and the transport unit 64. The mutual connection strength is increased, and the strength of the structure composed of the units 61 to 64 is further increased. Further, the exterior body 67a of the paper discharge unit 67 increases the strength of the exterior body 67a and the units 61 to 66 in a complementary manner. Therefore, the strength of the main body 6 can be sufficiently increased without using a housing-like frame as in the prior art, and the image forming apparatus 1 can be reduced in size by omitting the frame.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram conceptually showing the assembly structure of each unit in the main body 6 of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. As is apparent from FIG. 7, the paper feed unit 61 that extends in the width direction A and the length direction B, the transfer process unit 62 and the transfer process drive unit 63 that extend in the length direction B and stand in the height direction C, Since the conveyance unit 64 extending in the width direction A and standing in the height direction C is supported in a state orthogonal to each other, the paper feed unit 61, the transfer process unit 62, the transfer process drive unit 63, and the conveyance unit The strength of the structure composed of 64 is increased. Further, since the transfer process unit 62 having the largest size and the highest strength is arranged at the approximate center of the main body 6, the central strength of the main body 6 is increased. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus 1 without requiring a casing-like frame.

  Further, since the transport driving unit 66 and the substrate unit 65 are integrated with the support angles 61d and 61e (shown in FIG. 4) of the paper feeding unit 61, the space for arranging the transport driving unit 66 and the substrate unit 65 can be reduced. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can be downsized.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image reading apparatus 3 Document conveying apparatus 4 Printing part 5 Paper feed cassette 6 Main body 61 Paper feed unit (1st structure unit)
61b, 61c Post (post member)
61d, 61e Support angle (support member)
62 Transfer process unit (other unit to be driven, second structure unit)
63 Transfer process drive unit (drive unit, second structure unit)
64 Conveyance unit (second structural unit)
65 Substrate unit 66 Transport drive unit (drive unit)
67 Paper discharge unit

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus for recording an image on paper,
A first structural unit and a second structural unit having respective functions relating to the image formation;
The second structural unit extends in a length direction or a width direction of the first structural unit, and the first structural unit and the second structural unit are locked directly or via another member. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The other member is a plurality of support members protruding from the first structural unit, and both end portions of the second structure unit are fixed to the support members. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a drive unit that drives another unit to be driven as the second structural unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The other unit to be driven is a transfer process unit that forms an image on an image carrier and transfers the image from the image carrier to a recording sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
As the second structural unit, a transport unit for transporting recording paper is provided,
Any of the support members includes a drive unit that drives the transport unit as a component of the support member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
Any of the support members includes a substrate on which a circuit of the image forming apparatus is formed as a component of the support member.

Images