Hinge assembly and image forming apparatus having the same

• US 9,538,031 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2014
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HP Printing Korea Co., Ltd. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Jung-hoon, Bang, Jung-ho
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLER, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US14/485,126
• Publication Number:
  US 20150067986A1
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 162/98, 162/74, 163/22, 16/72, 16/85, 162/89, 163/21, 399/377, 399/380, 355/75
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 7/0009 Adjustable hinges E05D7/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1261 for counterbalancing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/638 Cams; Ramps
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/608 for machines
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00519 Constructional details not otherwise provided for, e.g. housings, covers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00554 Latches or hinges therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/02495 Constructional details not otherwise provided for, e.g. for ease of assembly, allowing access to the scanning elements, integrated reinforcing members

Abstract

An image forming apparatus including a hinge assembly to mutually hinge-connect a main body and a cover unit of the image forming apparatus and the hinge assembly is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a main body, a cover unit configured to be disposed on an upper side of the main body to press a manuscript, and at least one hinge assembly configured to connect the cover unit to the main body, wherein the hinge assembly includes a first body detachably mounted on the main body, a second body of which a part is fastened to the cover unit and another part is hinge-connected with the first body, a pressing unit accommodated in the first body to press the second body upward, and a pressing force adjuster configured to adjust a hinge force between the first body and the second body.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a main body;

a cover unit configured to be disposed on an upper side of the main body to press a manuscript; and

at least one hinge assembly to connect the cover unit to the main body,

wherein the hinge assembly includes;

a first body detachably mounted on the main body;

a second body of which a part is fastened to the cover unit and another part is hinge-connected with the first body;

a pressing force adjuster configured to adjust a hinge force between the first body and the second body,

wherein the pressing force adjuster comprises a pressing unit accommodated in the first body to keep applying a pressing force to the second body,

wherein the pressing unit comprises a pushing member configured to press the second body,

wherein the second body has a curved surface-shaped cam surface, and wherein a pushing portion, configured to press the cam surface of the second body, is formed to project from an upper surface of the pushing member, and

wherein a plurality of lubricant supply grooves, which are filled with lubricant, are formed on the pushing portion.

2. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressing force adjuster further comprises

an adjustment unit configured to adjust a pressing force of the pressing unit that is applied to the second body.

3. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pressing unit further comprises:

an elastic member configured to elastically support the pushing member in the first body,

wherein the adjustment unit adjusts a compressed degree of the elastic member.

4. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the adjustment unit comprises:

an elastic member support plate to support an end of the elastic member and elevatably accommodated in the first body; and

a height adjustment member mounted on the first body to adjust a height of the elastic member support plate.

5. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the height adjustment member comprises:

a body portion engaged with the elastic member support plate and fastened to the first body; and

a head portion which is integrally formed on the body portion and is exposed outside of the first body.

6. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the body portion comprises:

an engagement portion engaged with the elastic member support plate; and

a fastening portion screw-fastened to the first body and having a support plate seating surface to support the elastic member support plate.

7. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein an insert nut member is mounted on the first body to screw-fasten to the body portion of the height adjustment member.

8. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the adjustment unit further comprises a locking nut member engaged with the body portion of the height adjustment member.

9. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein a height checking opening permits the elastic member support plate to be shown to outside of the first body, and wherein a plurality of height indicating scales, which indicate the height of the elastic member support plate, are formed on the first body.

10. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a main body;

a cover unit configured to be disposed on an upper side of the main body to press a manuscript; and

at least one hinge assembly to connect the cover unit to the main body,

wherein the hinge assembly includes;

a first body detachably mounted on the main body;

a second body of which a part is fastened to the cover unit and another part is hinge-connected with the first body;

a pressing force adjuster configured to adjust a hinge force between the first body and the second body,

wherein the pressing force adjuster comprises;

a pressing unit accommodated in the first body to keep applying a pressing force to the second body; and

an adjustment unit configured to adjust a pressing force of the pressing unit that is applied to the second body,

wherein the pressing unit comprises;

a pushing member configured to press the second body; and

an elastic member configured to elastically support the pushing member in the first body,

wherein the adjustment unit adjusts a compressed degree of the elastic member, and

wherein the adjustment unit is detachably screw-fastened on an outer surface of the first body to support an end of the elastic member.

11. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the adjustment unit comprises:

a side portion on which screw threads for screw engagement with the first body are formed along an inner circumferential surface; and

a bottom portion to support the end of the elastic member.