Attachment structure, electronic device, and image forming apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12498665-B2
Application number	US-202418923713-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 23, 2024
Priority date	Oct 24, 2023
Publication date	Dec 16, 2025
Grant date	Dec 16, 2025

Abstract

An attachment structure includes a positioning shaft of a functional expansion unit attachable to an electronic device; a lock member of the functional expansion unit; a positioning hole, into which the positioning shaft of the functional expansion unit is insertable in an attachment direction, in the electronic device; a lock-engageable part of the electronic device, the lock-engageable part engageable with the lock member; and a cover to cover the positioning shaft, the positioning hole, the lock member, and lock-engageable part. The cover includes a lock restricting part on an inner face thereof. The lock restricting part restricts movement of the lock member in an unlocking direction.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . An attachment structure comprising:
a positioning shaft of a functional expansion unit attachable to an electronic device; a lock member of the functional expansion unit; a positioning hole, into which the positioning shaft of the functional expansion unit is insertable in an attachment direction, in the electronic device; a lock-engageable part of the electronic device, the lock-engageable part engageable with the lock member; and a cover to cover the positioning shaft, the positioning hole, the lock member, and lock-engageable part, the cover including a lock restricting part on an inner face thereof, the lock restricting part to restrict movement of the lock member in an unlocking direction.

2 . The attachment structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a pair of lock members including the lock member; a pair of holders respectively holding the pair of lock members movable in a locking direction opposite to the unlocking direction and intersecting the attachment direction; and a wiring member electrically connecting the electronic device with the functional expansion unit, wherein the wiring member is disposed between the pair of holders.

3 . The attachment structure according to claim 2 ,
wherein the electronic device includes a wiring path member in a housing of the electronic device, and the wiring member is bent along the wiring path member in the housing of the electronic device.

4 . The attachment structure according to claim 3 ,
wherein the cover covers at least a bent part of the wiring member.

5 . The attachment structure according to claim 1 ,
wherein the lock-engageable part has a groove engageable with the lock member.

6 . The attachment structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a holder holding the lock member movable in the unlocking direction and a locking direction opposite to the unlocking direction and intersecting the attachment direction, the holder having a first shaft insertion hole through which the positioning shaft is inserted; a spring pressing the lock member in the locking direction; and a stopper to restrict movement of the lock member in the locking direction, the stopper having a second shaft insertion hole through which the positioning shaft is inserted, wherein each of the first shaft insertion hole and the second shaft insertion hole has an inner circumferential face to contact an outer circumferential face of the positioning shaft.

7 . The attachment structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a stopper to restrict movement of the lock member in a locking direction opposite to the unlocking direction; and a positioning lock member including the positioning hole and the lock-engageable part, wherein at least one of: a portion where the lock member contacts the positioning lock member; or a portion where the stopper contacts the positioning lock member has a slope inclined with the attachment direction.

8 . The attachment structure according to claim 1 ,
wherein the lock member includes a protruding knob.

9 . The attachment structure according to claim 1 ,
wherein the lock restricting part includes an annular projection protruding from the inner face of the cover.

10 . An electronic device comprising the attachment structure according to claim 1 to allow the functional expansion unit to be attached to the electronic device.

11 . An image forming apparatus comprising the attachment structure according to claim 1 to allow the functional expansion unit to be attached to the electronic device.

12 . An attachment structure comprising:
a positioning shaft of an electronic device; a lock member of the electronic device; a positioning hole into which the positioning shaft of the electronic device is insertable in an attachment direction in a functional expansion unit attachable to an electronic device; a lock-engageable part of the functional expansion unit, the lock-engageable part engageable with the lock member; and a cover to cover the positioning shaft, the positioning hole, the lock member, and lock-engageable part, the cover including a lock restricting part on an inner surface thereof, the lock restricting part to restrict movement of the lock member in an unlocking direction.

Assignees

• Nieda Hiroaki
• Ricoh Co Ltd

Inventors

• Nieda Hiroaki

Classifications

• G03G21/1821

  means for connecting the different parts of the process cartridge, e.g. attachment, positioning of parts with each other, pressure/distance regulation (G03G21/1825 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G03G2221/1654

  Locks and means for positioning or alignment · CPC title

• G03G21/1647 Primary

  Mechanical connection means · CPC title