Abstract:
An image forming apparatus including a first circuit substrate, a second circuit substrate, a first supporting member for supporting the first circuit substrate, a second supporting member for supporting the second circuit substrate, a holding member for holding the first supporting member and the second supporting member, and a connector for cablelessly connecting the first circuit substrate and the second circuit substrate together, wherein at least one of the first supporting member and the second supporting member is movable in a direction in which the connection by the connector is released, and the first supporting member and the second supporting member are mountable to and dismountable from the holding member independently of each other.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention relates to the layout design and mounting and dismounting of a circuit substrate in an electronic apparatus such as, for example, a printer or a copying machine.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     In recent years, there have been popularized image forming apparatuses such as printers and copying machines using an electrophotographic process which can output a full-color image.  
         [0005]     Description will hereinafter be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.  FIG. 5  shows an example of the construction of the essential portions of a conventional full-color printer. A photosensitive drum (hereinafter simply referred to as the photosensitive member)  1  as an image bearing member is provided so as to be rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow A by a motor (not shown). Around the photosensitive member  1 , there are disposed a primary charging device  7   a , an exposing apparatus  8 , a developing unit  13 , a transfer roller  10  and a cleaner apparatus  12 .  
         [0006]     The developing unit  13  has four developing apparatuses  13 Y,  13 M,  13 C and  13 K for full-color developing. The developing apparatuses  13 Y,  13 M,  13 C and  13 K develop a latent image on the photosensitive member  1  with yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) toners. When the latent image is to be developed with the toner of each color, the developing unit  13  is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow R by a motor (not shown), and the developing apparatus of that color is positioned so as to come into contact with the photosensitive member  1 .  
         [0007]     The toner images of the respective colors developed on the photosensitive member  1  are successively transferred to a belt  2  as an intermediate transfer member by the transfer roller  10 , and the toner images of the four colors are superimposed one upon another. The belt  2  is stretched over rollers  17 ,  18 ,  19  and  20 . Of these, the roller  17  functions as a drive roller coupled to a drive source (not shown) and driving the belt  2 , and drives the belt  2  in the direction indicated by the arrow B. The roller  19  functions as a tension roller for adjusting the tension of the belt  2 , and the roller  20  functions as a backup roller for a transfer roller  21 .  
         [0008]     A belt cleaner  22  is provided at a location opposed to the roller  17  with the belt  2  interposed therebetween, and any residual toners on the belt  2  are scraped off by a blade.  
         [0009]     A recording sheet drawn out of a recording sheet cassette  23  or  24  to a conveying path by a pickup roller  25   a  or  26   a  and a pair of separating rollers  25   b  or  26   b  is directed to a pair of registration rollers  29  by a pair of rollers  27  or  28 . The recording sheet once stopped at the nip portion of the pair of registration rollers  29  is fed to a secondary transfer nip portion, i.e., the portion of contact between a secondary transfer roller  21  and the belt  2 , in timed relationship with the toner images on the belt  2 . The toner images formed on the belt  2  are transferred onto the recording sheet at this nip portion, and are heat-fixed by a fixing apparatus  5 , and the recording sheet is discharged to a tray  30 .  
         [0010]     In the color printer of the above-described construction, an image is formed in the following manner. First, a voltage is applied to the charging device  7   a  to thereby minus-charge the surface of the photosensitive member  1  uniformly at predetermined charging portion potential. Subsequently, the exposing apparatus  8  including a laser scanner or the like scans the photosensitive member  1  by a laser beam modulated in accordance with an image signal, whereby a latent image corresponding to an image is formed.  
         [0011]     A developing bias preset for each color is applied to the developing roller of the developing apparatus  13 Y or the like, and the latent image formed on the photosensitive member  1  is developed with a toner when it passes the position of the developing roller, and is visualized as a toner image. The toner image is transferred to the belt  2  by the transfer roller  10 , and a toner image of a first color is formed on the belt  2 . This operation is repeated four times (correspondingly to the four colors), whereby toner images of the four colors are formed on the belt  2 . At that time, the transfer roller  21  as a secondary transfer apparatus is spaced apart from the belt  2  by a mechanism (not shown) for moving it toward and away from the belt. The belt cleaner  22  is also spaced apart from the belt  2  by a mechanism (not shown) for moving it toward and away from the belt.  
         [0012]     After the toner images of the four colors have been transferred and immediately before the leading edge of the toner images comes to the position of the roller  20 , the secondary transfer roller  21  is brought into contact with the belt  2  by the mechanism for moving it toward and away from the belt, and the toner images are transferred to the recording sheet at the nip portion thereof. The recording sheet to which the toner images have been transferred is fed to the fixing apparatus  5 , whereby the toner images are fixed as a full-color image. Any toners residual on the photosensitive member  1  are removed and collected by the cleaner apparatus  12  and lastly, the photosensitive member  1  is charge-eliminated uniformly to the vicinity of 0 volt by a charge eliminating apparatus  7   b , and becomes ready for the next image forming cycle.  
         [0013]     In such an image forming apparatus, there are carried a plurality of electric cables for effecting the exchange of electric power and data among various electric circuit substrates for controlling various operations.  
         [0014]     These electric circuit substrates include an AC power source circuit substrate for introducing electric power from a commercially available AC power source, a high voltage source circuit substrate for generating a high voltage for forming a toner image on the image bearing member, a DC power source circuit substrate for driving a motor or the like, and a control circuit substrate for controlling the driving of these circuits. Also, the above-described plurality of circuit substrates are connected together by cables for electrical energization.  
         [0015]     The installation places of the electric circuit substrates exist at all locations in the image forming apparatus from the use and the positional relation or the like with other parts, and along therewith, the cables connecting the substrates together are also installed at all locations in the image forming apparatus.  
         [0016]     In such an electrical arrangement using a plurality of cables, the distance between the AC component cable and the DC component cables is short and therefore, noise may shift from the AC component cable to the DC component cable to thereby give rise to the problem of adversely affecting the formed image or spoiling the stable operation of the apparatus. Also, in the DC component cable, a great deal of noise occurs from the circuit substrate transmitting and receiving data of a high clock.  
         [0017]     At present, as a countermeasure for this, there is used a countermeasure adopting a cableless connecting method of providing a covering material for electrically shielding the surfaces of the cables, or extending the cables at such an arrangement that the distance between the AC cable and the DC cable becomes long, or directly connecting respective connectors installed on the circuit substrates.  
         [0018]     As an example, the invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-238045 achieves a reduction in noise by covering a harness (flat cable) which is a noise causing source with a shield member exclusively therefor.  
         [0019]     Also, in the conventional image forming apparatus, in order to accurately hold a unit concerned in image forming, including these electric members, two pairs of large metal plates are used to form a frame (side plates).  
         [0020]     However, the method of providing a covering material for electrically shielding the surfaces of the cables as in the above-described example of the conventional art leads to a great increase in cost, and the method of extending the cables so that the distance between the AC cable and the DC cable may become long results in the greater lengths of the AC cable and the DC cable or the complication of wiring, thus reducing the maintenance property of other parts.  
         [0021]     Also, the method of directly connecting the respective connectors installed on the circuit substrates has resulted in the aggravation of the working property during assembly because the circuit substrates are connected together, and thereafter are assembled to an apparatus main body.  
         [0022]     Also, as regards supporting plates, metal plates of substantially the same size as that of the image forming apparatus have been used and this has caused the bulkiness (increased cost) of a molding machine and an increase in conveying cost.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]     The present invention has been made in view of such problems and an object thereof is to provide an electronic apparatus provided with electric circuit substrates having a cableless connecting method, which is enhanced in working property and maintenance property, and is low in cost and yet realizes lower noise.  
         [0024]     In order to achieve the above object, as an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus having a first circuit substrate, a second circuit substrate, a first supporting member for supporting the first circuit substrate, a second supporting member for supporting the second circuit substrate, a holding member for holding the first supporting member and the second supporting member, and a connector for cablelessly connecting the first circuit substrate and the second circuit substrate together, wherein at least one of the first supporting member and the second supporting member is movable in a direction in which the connection by the connector is released, and the first supporting member and the second supporting member are detachable from the holding member independently of each other.  
         [0025]     Also, as another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus having a first plate, a second plate, a connecting portion for connecting the first plate and the second plate together, a first cable and a second cable, wherein the connecting portion is a grounded electrically conductive member, and the first cable and the second cable are spaced apart from each other by the connecting portion.  
         [0026]     Also, as another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus having a first plate, a second plate, a fixing member fixed astride the first plate and the second plate, a first cable and a second cable, wherein the fixing member is a grounded electrically conductive member, and the first cable and the second cable are spaced apart from each other with the fixing member interposed therebetween.  
         [0027]     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]      FIG. 1  shows the construction of an image forming apparatus as it is seen from the rear thereof.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows the construction of the image forming apparatus as it is seen from above it.  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows the construction of the image forming apparatus as it is seen from a side thereof.  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a detailed view of a hitching portion and an opening aperture for hitching.  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  shows the construction of a conventional image forming apparatus. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]     Some embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0034]     An embodiment of the present invention will first be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The functionally same portions as those in the example of the conventional art are given the same reference numerals and need not be described.  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3  are schematic views illustrating the present invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 1  shows the construction of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied as it is seen from the rear thereof,  FIG. 2  shows the construction of the image forming apparatus as it is seen from above it, and  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus as it is seen from a side thereof.  
         [0036]     A first supporting member  73  (hereinafter referred to as the controller box) is a member provided on the rear portion of an apparatus main body for supporting a control circuit substrate (controller substrate)  71  for controlling the operation of each circuit, a recording medium (hard disk)  74  in which data necessary when an image is processed is contained, a circuit substrate  75  for effecting the exchange of data with an apparatus outside the image forming apparatus, etc.  
         [0037]     A second supporting member  72  (hereinafter referred to as the drive control box) is a member provided on the rear portion for supporting a circuit substrate  70  for effecting the control of motor drive. The respective circuit substrates are fixed to the supporting members by screws.  
         [0038]     The controller box  73  and the drive control box  72  are arranged side by side and are secured to the apparatus main body by screws. The controller substrate  71  and the circuit substrate  70  are connected together by connectors  82  and  83  disposed on the respective substrates.  
         [0039]     Consequently, a code for electrical energization for connecting the circuit substrates can be abolished and it becomes possible to curtail the cost heretofore required for noise countermeasure.  
         [0040]     The drive control box  72 , the controller box  73  and each circuit substrate are arranged side by side on the rear surface of the apparatus so as to readily permit access thereto during maintenance. A first drive source  76 , a second drive source  77 , etc. for driving the apparatus main body are disposed on the back sides of the first control box  72  and the controller box  73 .  
         [0041]     The controller box  73  is slidable in a direction in which the connectors  82  and  83  are mounted and dismounted (a direction parallel to the surfaces of the circuit substrates), and the controller substrate can be mounted and dismounted with respect to the apparatus main body even if the drive control box  72  is not mounted and dismounted. Also, a space is provided at the end portion of the controller box  73  in the slide direction thereof so that the controller box  73  can slide.  
         [0042]     The drive control box  72  is slidable in the direction in which the connectors  82  and  83  are mounted and dismounted, and the circuit substrate  70  for effecting the control of drive can be mounted and dismounted with respect to the apparatus main body even if the controller box  73  is not mounted and dismounted. Also, a space is provided at the end portion of the drive control box  72  in the slide direction thereof so that the drive control box  72  can slide.  
         [0043]     When the controller box  73  and the drive control box  72  are to be slidden, they are slidden after screws used to mount them on the apparatus main body are removed in advance.  
         [0044]     The controller box  73  and the drive control box  72  are designed so as to be capable of being independently mounted and dismounted (so that one box can be detached without the other box being detached) and therefore, when such maintenance as the interchange or cleaning of a motor disposed in the more inside portion of the main body than the above-described substrates is to be effected, it becomes possible to have access to driving members  76  and  77  installed in the more inside portion of the main body than the circuit substrates without removing all of the circuit substrates connected together by a cableless type connector.  
         [0045]      FIG. 4  shows a detailed view of an opening aperture  81  for hitching provided in the drive control box  72  and a hitching portion  80  provided on the apparatus main body side.  
         [0046]     The controller box  73  and the drive control box  72  are mounted in such a manner that the opening apertures  81  for hitching are hitched on the hitching portions  80  provided on the apparatus main body side. That is, the hitching portions  80  are provided as holding members for holding the controller box  73  and the drive control box  72  on the apparatus main body.  
         [0047]     The opening aperture  81  for hitching in the drive control box  72 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , is of a hook shape (a shape in which a corner of a rectangle is cut out in a rectangular shape), the width (a vertical direction as viewed in  FIG. 4 ) of the left portion of the opening aperture is narrower than the width of the right portion.  
         [0048]     In a state in which the connectors  82  and  83  are connected, the hitching portion  80  is fitted in the narrow portion of the opening aperture  81  for hitching and therefore, the movement of the drive control box  72  is limited to thereby prevent a load from being applied to the connectors from any other direction than the direction in which the connectors are mounted and dismounted.  
         [0049]     Also, in a state in which the connection of the connectors  82  and  83  has been released, the hitching portion  80  is fitted in the wide portion of the opening aperture  81  for hitching and therefore, it becomes possible to dismount the drive control box  72  from the hitching portion  80 . By constructing so, it becomes possible to dismount the drive control box  72  from the apparatus main body.  
         [0050]     The opening aperture for hitching provided on the controller box side is of a substantially line-symmetrical shape with respect to the opening aperture provided on the drive control box side. Therefore, only in a state in which the connectors  82  and  83  on the circuit substrate are separate from each other, it is possible to hitch the opening apertures  81  for hitching in the controller box  73  and the drive control box  72  on the hitching portions  80 .  
         [0051]     Consequently, it becomes possible to avoid the problem that a load is applied from any other direction than the mounting and dismounting direction to the connectors connecting the substrates together to thereby damage the connectors, the circuit substrates, etc. That is, the controller box  73  and the drive control box  72  are of such a construction that they can be dismounted from the apparatus main body only after moved to a position in which the connection of the connectors  82  and  83  is released.  
         [0052]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the plates  30  and  31  of the image forming apparatus are designed to vertically divide the apparatus into two, and a connecting portion  40  is designed such that the portions of a metal plate bent at a right angle overlap each other. This connecting portion  40  is constituted by a grounded electrically conductive member.  
         [0053]     An AC component cable  91  and a DC component cable  90  are installed so as to sandwich the connecting portion  40  of the plates  30  and  31  therebetween. Here, what is above the connecting portion  40  is the DC component cable  90  and what is below the connecting portion  40  is the AC component cable  91 , but a converse arrangement may be adopted.  
         [0054]     Consequently, the AC component cable  91  and the DC component cable  90  are spaced apart from each other by the connecting portion  40  which is a grounded electrically conductive member and therefore, a reduction in noise becomes possible at a low cost without adopting the countermeasure of providing a covering material for electrically shielding the surfaces of the cables.  
         [0055]     A fixing member  35  is fixed to the plates  30  and  31  so as to cover the connecting portion  40  of the plates  30  and  31 , and also has the role of a guide for the DC component cable  90  extending from the plate  31  to the plate  30  to clear the connecting portion  40 .  
         [0056]     The fixing member  35  is located between the AC component cable  91  and the DC component cable  90  so as to space the AC component cable  91  and the DC component cable  90  apart from each other. The fixing member  35  is constituted by a grounded electrically conductive member.  
         [0057]     By adopting such a construction, it becomes possible to avoid the problem that noise shifts from the AC component cable  91  onto the DC component cable  90 .  
         [0058]     Also, it becomes possible to protect the cables from the edge of the connecting portion  40  of the plates  30  and  31  and therefore, a wire saddle and an edge saddle or the like can be omitted, and it becomes possible to curtail the cost.  
         [0059]     While the present invention has been shown with respect to an example in which it is applied to an image forming apparatus, it is applicable to various electronic apparatuses having a plurality of circuit substrates.  
         [0060]     Also, the present invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiment, but various modifications thereof are possible.