Functional expansion unit, electronic device, and image forming apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12504710-B2
Application number	US-202418922522-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 22, 2024
Priority date	Oct 23, 2023
Publication date	Dec 23, 2025
Grant date	Dec 23, 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; and a positioning lock member of the electronic device. The positioning lock member includes: a positioning hole into which the positioning shaft is insertable in an attachment direction; and a lock-engageable part engageable with the lock member. The positioning hole is formed integrally with the lock-engageable part in the positioning lock member.

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; and a positioning lock member of the electronic device, the positioning lock member including:
a positioning hole into which the positioning shaft is insertable in an attachment direction; and
a lock-engageable part engageable with the lock member,
wherein the positioning hole is formed integrally with the lock-engageable part in the positioning lock member.

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

3 . The attachment structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a holder holding the lock member movable in a locking direction intersecting the attachment direction and an unlocking direction opposite to the locking 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.

4 . The attachment structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a stopper to restrict movement of the lock member in a locking direction,
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.

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

6 . 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 intersecting the attachment direction and an unlocking direction opposite to the locking 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.

7 . The attachment structure according to claim 6 ,
wherein the wiring member is bent along a wiring path member in a housing of the electronic device.

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

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

10 . An attachment structure comprising:
a positioning shaft of an electronic device; a lock member of the electronic device; and a positioning lock member of a functional expansion unit attachable to the electronic device, the positioning lock member including:
a positioning hole into which the positioning shaft is insertable in an attachment direction; and
a lock-engageable part engageable with the lock member,
wherein the positioning hole is formed integrally with the lock-engageable part in the positioning lock member.

Assignees

• Nieda Hiroaki
• Ricoh Co Ltd

Inventors

• Nieda Hiroaki

Classifications

• G03G21/1652

  Electrical connection means · CPC title

• G03G2221/1654

  Locks and means for positioning or alignment · CPC title

• G03G21/1647 Primary

  Mechanical connection means · CPC title