JP2001242563A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable opening of a reading unit, only where a platen cover is closed in an image forming device provided with two opening and closing members consisting of an openable reading unit and an openable platen cover on a device main body. SOLUTION: The image forming device 1 disposes the reading unit 3 and the platen cover 5 openably and closably on the image forming unit 2. When an oscillation lever 21 formed on the platen cover 5 presses the guide pin 33 of a lateral link 31 provided in the reading unit 3, the engaging state of a main body fixing hook 10 with a guide pin 32 set in an image forming unit 2 is released, and then the reading unit 3 and the platen cover 5 are integrally made openable and closable from the image forming unit 2. When the oscillation lever 21 is disposed as the solid line of the drawing shows, only the platen cover 5 is oscillatable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with an openable and closable reading unit on an image forming unit, and more particularly to an opening and closing operation of both a platen cover which can be opened and closed and a reading unit. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a lock mechanism that can safely perform the operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus in which a reading unit is disposed on an image forming unit so as to be openable and closable and a platen cover is provided on the reading unit so as to be openable and closable is an apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a facsimile machine. It is generally used as In the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus,
Using an apparatus of a method of recording on a recording medium using an electrophotographic method, information of an image of a document read by a reading unit is
The image is transmitted to the image forming unit. When the reading unit is configured as a flatbed scanner, the original set on the platen glass is pressed by the platen cover to correspond to the reading operation, and when replacing the original or performing maintenance of the reading unit. The platen cover is opened at a predetermined angle.

[0003]

When performing maintenance on the image forming unit, the reading unit is opened via a hinge provided on the image forming unit, and maintenance work is performed with the reading unit opened. ing. However, the reading unit may be opened while the platen cover is first opened, and if the reading unit is opened as it is, the platen cover swings greatly and collides with a wall or the like and breaks. Problems occur. In particular, the automatic document feeder (A
In the case where a heavy object such as DF) is disposed, a biasing means such as a spring is disposed at a hinge portion supporting the platen cover to assist in opening the platen cover with a light force. . However, if the reading unit is to be opened while the platen cover is open, the urging means acts to open the platen cover more vigorously, and the ADF may be damaged by colliding with a surrounding fixed object. Problems may occur.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem of the conventional image forming apparatus, and to provide an image forming apparatus provided with a lock mechanism for preventing the reading unit and the platen cover from opening at the same time. It is intended to provide.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with an openable and closable reading unit provided on an image forming apparatus main body, and an openable and closable platen cover provided on the reading unit. According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first lock mechanism for locking a platen cover to a reading unit in a state where the platen cover is closed, and the first lock mechanism.
A second lock mechanism that releases the connection between the reading unit and the apparatus main body in conjunction with the lock mechanism. Therefore, the platen cover is locked to the reading unit when the reading unit is swung to replace the process unit provided in the apparatus main body or to remove the recording paper jam in the recording unit. The platen cover can be prevented from being damaged without being opened by being swung largely.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first lock mechanism is operated to a first position for locking the platen cover to the reading unit and to a second position for operating the second lock mechanism. And Then, by fixing the platen cover, the operation of releasing the lock between the apparatus main body and the reading unit is performed in conjunction with the operation of the first lock mechanism. Therefore, the operation can be easily performed by one operation of the first lock mechanism.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first lock mechanism includes a first lock member rotatably provided on a platen cover, and a lever for rotating the first lock member. Features. In addition, since the first lock mechanism is provided with the lever for the first lock member and the operation member corresponding to the second lock mechanism, the configuration of the mechanism can be simplified.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the second lock mechanism for regulating the first lock mechanism is a link having one end pivotally supported and the other end provided with an engaging portion for engaging the main body engaging portion. When the first lock member abuts on the link, the engagement between the apparatus main body and the reading unit is released. Since the platen cover can be opened only when the reading unit is closed with respect to the apparatus main body, the platen cover can be safely held.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation lever for operating the first lock mechanism to a first position and a second position,
A stopper for stopping the operation lever at the first position after being operated to the second position, wherein the first lock mechanism is rotatably attached to the reading unit in conjunction with the operation of the operation lever. , And an engagement portion that engages with the first lock member of the platen cover. In a state where the recording unit is exposed and the work is being performed, the connection between the reading unit and the platen cover is maintained, and the opening and closing of the platen cover is performed only when the reading unit is accurately fixed to the apparatus main body. Is acceptable.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the second lock mechanism includes a second lock member attached to a reading unit interlocked with the first lock member via a link mechanism, and a second lock member provided on the apparatus main body side. And an engaging member that engages with the lock member. Therefore, the second lock mechanism is operated by the first lock mechanism, and the reading unit can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the reading unit provided at the upper part of the main body of the image forming apparatus is closed, the lever is engaged with a lever stopper for stopping the lever at the first position. A stopper releasing member for releasing is provided. By releasing the lever stopper that locks the operation lever when the reading unit is closed with respect to the apparatus main body, the first lock member at the standby position can be released from the locked state via the interlocking mechanism. , The platen cover can be easily opened and closed.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The structure of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated example. In each of the drawings described below, the image forming apparatus is viewed from the side of the image forming apparatus.
The configuration of each mechanism is described. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 has an image forming unit 2 at a lower portion, a reading unit 3 that can be opened and closed via a hinge 4, and an opening and closing that can be opened and closed with respect to the reading unit 3 via a hinge 6. A platen cover 5. The image forming unit 2 is configured as a device capable of recording on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic method, but may be configured by arranging a copy creation mechanism having an arbitrary configuration. In the reading unit 3, similarly to an image reading device generally used in the related art, a scanning device that is movable along the lower surface of the platen is arranged, and the scanning unit is set on the platen and pressed by the platen cover 5. A flatbed scanner (FBS) for reading images and an ADF (automatic document feeder) can be provided. By providing two types of document reading mechanisms, if the device is heavy, The configuration works effectively. Then, the image information of the original in an arbitrary format obtained by the reading unit 3 is transmitted to the image forming unit 2 and recorded on a recording medium.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which the reading unit 3 and the platen cover 5 are closed with respect to the image forming unit 2. In a state where the reading unit 3 is closed with respect to the image forming unit 2, the reading unit 3 is fixedly held to the image forming unit 2 by the second lock mechanism 30,
Only the platen cover 5 can be opened via the hinge 6 as shown by a virtual line in the figure. Then, by opening and closing the platen cover 5, a document is set on a platen arranged on the upper surface of the reading unit 3, and an image reading operation is performed by a recording unit (not shown) of the image forming unit 2. Record on a recording medium. Also,
Even when the ADF function is used, it is possible to read an image of a document on a sheet using a conventionally known ADF mechanism. The platen cover can be equipped with a cover member for the FBS function and all of the ADF function. In this embodiment, although the weight of the platen cover 5 is increased by the ADF function, particularly, Since the focus is not on the ADF configuration,
The description of the DF is omitted.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the platen cover 5 is fixed to the reading unit 3 by operating the first lock mechanism 20, and the reading unit 3 and the platen cover are connected to the image forming unit 2 via the hinge 4. 5 and 5 can be opened integrally. Opening the reading unit 3 is for performing maintenance of the image forming unit 2 such as replacement of a process cartridge, jamming of recording paper in a recording unit, and the like. When the reading unit 3 is opened,
The platen cover 5 is fixedly held by the reading unit 3. The platen cover 5 is attached to the reading unit 3
The first lock mechanism 20 is used to fix and hold the reading unit 3 from the image forming unit 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, a swing lever 21 as an operation lever of the first lock mechanism is swung by a handle 25 provided on a support shaft 22. Although not shown in the figure, the swing lever 21 is disposed substantially parallel to the swing lever 21. Then, by swinging the handle 25 from the position shown by the solid line in the drawing to the position shown by the chain line, the rocking lever 21 is rocked between the position shown in FIG. 1 and the position shown in FIG. The operation of fixing the platen cover 5 to the image forming unit 3, the operation of fixing the reading unit 3 to the image forming unit 2, and the operation of releasing the locking of the reading unit 3 can be performed.

The structure of the first lock mechanism 20 and the second lock mechanism 30 is configured as shown in FIG. 4, but the main body of the image forming unit 2 is provided with a main body fixing hook 10 corresponding to the lock mechanism. It is provided so as to protrude upward, and the lateral locking groove 11 is formed at a predetermined depth. A locking member 19 with which the rear end portion 18 of the stop lever 15 abuts is arranged corresponding to a predetermined position of the main body fixing hook 10. When the reading unit 3 is closed, when the rear end of the stop lever 15 abuts, the locking member 19 swings counterclockwise about the support shaft 16,
An operation of releasing the locked state of the stop lever 15 with respect to the swing lever 21 and the lateral link 31 and releasing the locked state is performed.

The platen cover 5 that can be opened and closed with respect to the reading unit 3 is provided with a swing lever 21 via a support shaft 22.
Is pivotably arranged, and the handle shown in FIG. 3 is pivoted to swing the swing lever 21 to operate the first lock mechanism 20 and perform the unlocking operation. It is configured to obtain. The swing lever 21 has an arc-shaped pin locking groove 23 centered on a support shaft 22.
Is provided at a predetermined depth, and a pressing surface portion 24 is provided at a lower portion. When operating the first lock mechanism, the pin locking groove 23 is engaged with the main body fixing pin 13 provided on the reading unit 3, and a link pin 33 described later is pressed by the pressing surface portion 24. Then, the horizontal link 31 is moved.

The reading unit 3 has a main body guide groove 1.
A horizontal link 31 provided at one end with a guide pin 32 guided by the second link 2 is provided via a connecting pin 34 with respect to a vertical link 35 supported by a fixed support shaft 36.
The link pin 33 is provided so as to protrude at a predetermined position. A vertical link 35 is attached to the fixed support shaft 36.
A biasing member 37 (shown in FIG. 5) such as a torsion spring that biases clockwise around the center is arranged.
The lateral link 31 is urged by the urging member 37 so as to be moved to the right in the drawing. Thereby, the horizontal link 3
The guide pin 32 provided at one end of the main body fixing guide 10 is guided by the main body guide groove 12.
It is urged in the direction to be locked. When the link pin 33 is not pressed by the swing lever 21, the guide pin 32 enters the locking groove 11 of the main body fixing hook 10, and the reading unit 3 is fixedly held to the image forming unit 2. So that the second
The lock mechanism 30 is set.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, when the swing lever 21 provided on the platen cover 5 is swung from a state shown by a solid line in the figure to a position shown by a virtual line, the reading unit 3
The pin fixing groove 23 of the swing lever 21 is
And the pressing surface 24 presses the link pin 33 of the horizontal link 31 to move the horizontal link 31 to the left side in the figure. Then, the operation of moving the horizontal link 31 causes the vertical link 35 to swing counterclockwise about the fixed support shaft 36, thereby removing the guide pin 32 from the locking groove 11 of the main body fixing hook 10. To release the locked state of the reading unit 3 from the image forming unit 2. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 4, by performing the operation of swinging the swing lever 21 clockwise, the second lock mechanism is operated via the first lock mechanism, and the unlock operation is performed. Like that. The predetermined depth of the pin locking groove 23 is determined by locking the platen cover 5 with respect to the image forming unit 2 of the reading unit 3 and pressing the link pin 33 of the horizontal link 31 to read the reading unit 3.
Of the image forming unit 2 can be released.

When the unlocking operation of the second lock mechanism is performed, the reading unit 3 is fixedly supported on the platen cover 5 by the swing lever 21.
The reading unit 3 can be opened with respect to the image forming unit 2 as shown in FIG. When the reading unit 3 is opened, as shown in FIG. 5, each constituent member is positioned, but with respect to a swing lever 21 for locking and holding the platen cover 5 to the reading unit 3, Pressing surface 2
The front end member 17 of the stop lever 15 is located on the back of 4. Then, the swing lever 21 is prevented from swinging counterclockwise from the position indicated by the imaginary line in the figure, and the locked state can be maintained even when the reading unit 3 is opened and closed.

The stop lever 15 is connected to the support shaft 1.
By attaching a biasing means such as a spring to 6, the lever 15 can be biased clockwise. Therefore, when the reading unit 3 is swung and the rear end 18 is released from the locking member 19,
7 is configured to protrude toward the back surface of the swinging lever 21, the locking operation and the unlocking operation with respect to the swinging lever 21 are automatically performed according to the opening and closing of the reading unit 3. It can be carried out.

In the state shown in FIG. 5, the swinging lever 21 provided on the platen cover 5 presses the link pin 33 of the reading unit 3 to release the engagement state with the image forming unit 2, and the reading unit Even when the swing lever 3 is swung in the opening direction, the state in which the swing lever 21 does not release the lock can be maintained. Further, the tip member 17 of the stop lever 15 may be located with respect to the swing lever 21 so that the lateral link 31 may move within the range of the guide groove 12, but the tip member 17 has the groove 23 disengaged from the pin 13. So that the swing lever 21
Limit swinging. Therefore, the state in which the platen cover 5 is locked and held by the reading unit 3 is released by some force, and the platen cover 5 can be held without being opened unexpectedly.

When the reading unit 3 is closed from the state shown in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG.
The rear end portion 18 abuts on the locking member 19 and swings counterclockwise about the support shaft 16. Accordingly, the swing lever 21 can swing counterclockwise around the support shaft 22 released from the fixed state by the stop lever 15 and the pressing of the link pin 33 of the horizontal link 31 is released. The biasing member 37 (shown in FIG. 5) moves the guide pin 32 of the lateral link 31 to the right side in the figure along the main body guide groove 12. Since the guide pin 32 enters the locking groove 11 of the main body fixing hook 10, the reading unit 3 is held in a state where it cannot be opened and closed with respect to the image forming unit 2. Therefore, the swing lever 21 is released from the fixed state by the stop lever 15 and
, And the swinging lever 21 is rotated so as to be parallel to the platen cover 5 to release the combined state of the platen cover 5 and the reading unit 3.

[0024]

Second Embodiment In addition to the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, in the present invention, a lock mechanism as shown in FIGS. Also in this embodiment, the reading unit 3 is provided to be openable and closable via a hinge 8 with respect to the image forming apparatus main body provided with the image forming unit 2, and the platen cover 5 Is provided so that it can be opened and closed. In the image forming apparatus 1, the reading device 3 is not directly supported by the image forming unit 2, but the upper device is supported via the support frame 7. The upper mechanism is opened and closed by the member 8. The use of the support frame 7 is also applicable to the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
When the upper mechanism combining the reading unit 3 and the platen cover 5 is heavy, as in a reading apparatus configured in combination with the above, the impact on the lower mechanism due to the opening and closing operation of the upper mechanism is reduced, and the lower mechanism is reduced. This is an effective structure to reduce the burden on the user.

In the example shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, FIG. 6 shows a state where the reading unit 3 and the platen cover 5 are combined and opened from the image forming unit 2.
When maintenance work or the like is performed on the imaging unit 2 from above, the upper surface of the imaging unit 2 can be opened. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the reading unit 3 is closed with respect to the image forming unit 2. After the reading unit 3 is closed, as shown in FIG. Is released, the platen cover 5 can be opened, and the reading unit 3 is connected to the image forming unit 2.
To be fixed.

In order to fix and release the image forming unit 2, the reading unit 3, and the platen cover 5, an engagement holding mechanism 40 is provided. A main body fixing hook 41 provided on the
The reading unit 3 includes a plurality of lever mechanisms. The engagement and holding mechanism 40 is provided on a side portion of the image forming apparatus, and each component is provided in a state covered by a cover. It is configured so that it can be positioned at In the example shown in FIG. 1, only the handle is exposed to the side, so that only the space necessary for operating the handle may be provided between an adjacent wall and another member. It is constituted as.

The structure of the engagement and holding mechanism 40 and the operation of each component are shown in FIGS. 9 to 11. First, the engagement and holding mechanism 40 is constructed according to FIG. The members will be described. As described above, the image forming unit 2 includes the main body fixing hook 41 provided with the pin locking groove 42.
Are fixedly arranged, and the engaging pin 8 of the lock lever 80 is provided.
4 is provided as a member for locking. In addition, a release lever 45 swingably supported by a support shaft 46 is provided near the main body fixing hook 41 to constitute a mechanism for unlocking the second lock mechanism. The release lever 45 is configured as a substantially crank-shaped member, and one end of the release lever 45 is rocked by a lock lever 80 having an engaging pin 84 locked in the pin locking groove 42. The push-up portion 48 at the tip of the upward arm portion at the other end performs an operation of swinging the stopper 43 via the support shaft 44. When the stopper 43 is engaged with a lock pin 57 provided on the distal end of the stopper 43 and a locking member 56 provided on the first lever 50, the reading unit 3 is integrated with the platen cover as described below. , And can be opened and closed with respect to the image forming unit 2.

Of the components constituting the engagement holding mechanism 40, the reading unit 3 has a first operating lever as an operation lever.
The first lock mechanism is constituted by the lever member 50, the second lever member 60 interlocked with the movement of the first lever member 50, and the third lever member 70 provided on the platen cover 5. In addition, a second lock mechanism that releases the engagement between the reading unit 3 and the apparatus main body (the image forming unit 2) in conjunction with the first lock mechanism releases the fourth lever 75 pressed by the third lever 70. The lock lever 80 swings around a support shaft 81 and a main body fixing hook 41 that locks a locking pin 84 provided on the lock lever 80 to the image forming unit 2. The first lever member 50 has a handle 51 at the tip of a handle lever 52 protruding below the reading unit 3 toward the front of the image forming apparatus. Then, by pulling the first lever member 50 to the left in the figure, the rack 53 provided on the lever main body is engaged with the pinion 63 of the second lever member 60, and the second lever member 60 swings clockwise. Let it do. Further, the first lever member 50 is provided with a spring 55 via a pin 54 provided at an end portion, and the first lever member 50 is returned from a state where the first lever member 50 is pulled to the left side in the drawing by the spring 55. To

The second lever member 60 interlocking with the first lever member 50 has a main body 62 which is swingably supported by a support shaft 61 and has a shape using a part of a disk. A pinion 63 is provided in the arc portion. The main body 6
2, a key-shaped operating lever portion 64 is provided so as to protrude therefrom, and a lower engaging surface 66 on a lower surface of a bent portion on an upper portion of the operating lever portion 64 is engaged with an engaging shaft 6
7, the upper engaging surface 65 on the upper surface of the bent portion of the operation lever portion 64 is connected to the third lever member 70.
Is provided corresponding to the pressed surface 72. Then, by swinging the second lever member 60, the engagement holding mechanism 40 engages with the operation of locking the platen cover 5 to the reading unit 3 and the operation of locking the platen cover. To release the locking of the reading unit 3 with respect to the image forming unit 2.

The third lever member 70 provided on the platen cover 5 is swingably provided via a support shaft 71, and the third lever member 70 corresponds to the upper engaging surface 65 of the operating lever portion 64 at the left end in the figure. The pressed surface 72 is provided with the pressing portion 73 hanging down from the other side. The pressing portion 73 of the third lever member 70
Are provided corresponding to the pressed surface 78 of the fourth lever member 75, and the fourth lever member 75 is provided as a member that transmits the operation of the third lever member 70 to the lock lever 80. When the pressed surface 72 of the third lever member 70 is pushed up by the operation lever portion 64 of the second lever member 60, the pressing portion 73 that swings clockwise about the support shaft 71 and descends, Fourth lever member 7
5 is pressed. The fourth lever member 75 is supported by a support shaft 76 and is configured to be swingable, so that a locking pin 83 of a lock lever 80 can be moved with respect to an elongated hole 77 provided at a lower portion. I support it.

A lock lever 80 provided in a state in which a locking pin 83 is engaged with the long hole 77 of the fourth lever member 75 is supported so as to be swingable with respect to a support shaft 81 and has a spring 82 is provided so as to oscillate clockwise through the support shaft 81. A locking pin 83 for connecting the fourth lever member 75 and the lock lever 80 is provided.
Is movably supported by a long hole 77 provided in the fourth lever member 75. The moving distance of the locking pin 83 with respect to the long hole 77 is within a range in which the fourth lever member 75 and the lock lever 80 can mutually swing between the support shafts 76 and 81 supporting each member. The size of the long hole 77 is formed.

At the lower end of the lock lever 80, an engagement pin 84 is provided to
Is closed with respect to the image forming unit 2, the lock lever 80 swings clockwise about the support shaft 81. Then, the engaging pin 84 is engaged with the pin locking groove 42 of the main body fixing hook 41, the engagement by the second lock mechanism is performed, and the side surface of the lock lever 80 is the pressed surface of the release lever 45. Press 47. When the release lever 45 is swung clockwise about the support shaft 46, the push-up portion 48 pushes up the stopper 43 to perform an operation of releasing the locking of the first lever member 50 by the stopper 43. To

In the engagement holding mechanism 40 provided with the above-described components, the example shown in FIG.
By moving the first handle 51 to the front side of the apparatus and moving it to the first position, the second lever member 60 is swung to lock the locking shaft 67 of the platen cover 5 and read. The unit 3 and the platen cover 5 are connected. Then, the operation of pulling the handle 51 of the first lever member 50 further toward the front side of the apparatus is performed to move the handle 51 to the second position, and the third lever member 60 is interlocked with the swing of the second lever member 60. 70, the fourth lever member 75, and the lock lever 80 are sequentially interlocked and swung, and the lock lever 8
The engagement state of the lock lever 80 with respect to the image forming unit 2 is released by detaching the engagement pin 84 provided at the lower end of the image forming unit 2 from the engagement groove 42 of the main body fixing hook 41. By operating the engagement holding mechanism 40 as shown in FIG. 9, the reading unit 3 and the platen cover 5 can be opened integrally from the image forming unit 2 as shown in FIG. It can be so.

From the state shown in FIG.
When the operation of closing the image forming unit 2 is performed, FIG.
11 are moved from the state shown in FIG. 11 to the state shown in FIG. 11, the reading unit 3 is fixedly held to the image forming unit 2, and the platen cover 5 can be opened and closed. The example shown in FIG. 10 shows a state in which the reading unit 3 is opened to the image forming unit 2 and is shown corresponding to FIG. In this state, the first lever member 50 at the second position to open the reading unit 3 is pulled and held by the spring 55 and is locked and held at the lock pin 57 by the lever stopper 43. ing. At this time, the platen cover 5 is locked so that it cannot be opened from the reading unit 3. Further, in response to the first lever member 50 moving slightly from the first position to the back side, the second lever member 60 rotates, and the engagement surface 65 of the operation lever portion 64 is moved to the third lever position. The member 70 is not pressed. For this purpose, the lock lever 80 is pulled by the spring 82 and is projected and held perpendicular to the line on the lower surface of the reading unit 2.

As described above, when the lock lever 80 is held substantially perpendicular to the line on the lower surface of the reading unit 3, the operation of closing the reading unit 3 causes the engaging pin 84 of the lock lever 80 to be closed. Is the body fixing hook 41
Is guided along the inclined portion on the upper surface of the lock lever 80.
10 is swung counterclockwise about the support shaft 81,
The lock lever 80 moves down to the position indicated by the virtual line.
Next, when the engaging pin 84 is lowered to the entrance of the groove 42, the lock lever 80 is urged clockwise by the force of the spring 82, and the engaging pin 84 is inserted into the pin fixing groove 42.
Penetrates and presses the pressed surface 47 of the release lever 45 to rotate the release lever 45 clockwise about the support shaft 46. Then, the push-up portion 48 of the release lever 45 acts to push up the stopper 43, and the locking pin 57 of the stopper 43 is released from the locking member 56 of the first lever member 50, and the first lever member 50 is moved by the stopper 43. Release the lock. Therefore, the first lever member 5 locked by the stopper 43
When the first lever member 50 is in the free state, the first lever member 50 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
, The second lever member 60 is rotated counterclockwise about the support shaft 61. The first lever 5
0 and the lock pin 57 provided on the stopper 43 can be members having an arbitrary configuration, the first lever member 50 can be fixedly held at a predetermined position, and the reading unit 3 can be used. What is necessary is just to be able to accurately follow the opening and closing operation.

Therefore, the rotation of the second lever member 60 stops the locking of the operating lever portion 64 to the locking shaft 67 and the pressing action on the third lever member 70. Then, the fourth lever member 75 pressed by the third lever member 70 is released, and the spring 82 of the lock lever 80 allows the lock lever 80 to rotate clockwise about the support shaft 81. Then, the engaging pin 84 is caused to enter the pin groove 42 of the main body fixing hook 41. As described above, by operating each constituent member of the engagement holding mechanism 40 with the reading unit 3 closed with respect to the image forming unit 2, as shown in FIG. The pin 84 is locked to the main body fixing hook 41 so that the two units are fixed, and the platen cover 5 is set so that it can be freely opened and closed. When the engagement holding mechanism 40 is positioned as shown in FIG. 11, the platen cover 5 is placed as shown in FIG.
Is openable and closable as shown by the dashed line in the figure, so that the original of a sheet or a book can be set on a platen glass (not shown) provided on the upper surface of the reading unit so that the original can be read. I have to.

As shown in FIG. 11, the engagement holding mechanism 4
In the state where the components constituting the image forming unit 0 are positioned and the image of the document set on the reading unit 3 is being read, some trouble occurs in the image forming unit 2 and maintenance for the image forming unit 2 is required. 9, the engagement holding mechanism 40 is operated using the first lever member 50 as shown in FIG.
Is released from the main body fixing hook 41 provided on the image forming unit 2 and the reading unit 3 and the platen cover 5 can be opened from the image forming unit 2 as shown in FIG. To

In each of the above embodiments, when the handle 51 of the first lever member 50 is pulled while the platen cover 5 is kept open, the second lever member 60 is rotated, but the third lever member is rotated. Since the lock 70 does not swing in contact with the lever portion 64 of the second lever member, the locked state by the lock lever 80 is not released. Therefore, when the reading unit 3 is to be opened, the platen cover 5 must be in a closed state. In a state where the platen cover 5 is kept open, the reading unit 3 is mounted on the main body provided with the image forming unit 2. Cannot be released. And the engagement holding mechanism 4
By using 0, when the reading unit 3 is opened from the main body 2, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the platen cover 5 is greatly opened, thereby ensuring the safety of the platen cover.

The image forming apparatus 1 equipped with the operation mechanism as shown in each of the above-described embodiments can be constituted as an apparatus in which a copying machine and a facsimile machine are combined, in addition to an electrophotographic copying machine and a facsimile machine. When the image forming apparatus is configured as a multifunction peripheral, image information read by a reading unit is transmitted as a digital signal using a telephone line. Further, when used as an electrophotographic copying machine, the image forming unit 2 uses a digital signal as image information obtained by a reading unit to record on a recording medium, but the image forming unit 2 receives a facsimile. Recording on a recording medium by a signal is the same as that of a conventional general multifunction peripheral. In the present embodiment, the reading unit 3 and the platen cover 5 are described as being openable and closable in the same direction. However, it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0040]

Since the apparatus of the present invention is constructed as described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the platen cover can be locked to the reading unit with the platen cover closed. (1) a lock mechanism and a second lock mechanism for releasing the connection between the reading unit and the apparatus main body in conjunction with the first lock mechanism. Because the platen cover is locked to the reading unit when the reading unit is swung to remove the recording paper jam in, the platen cover does not swing and open so that the platen cover is not damaged. Can be prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first lock mechanism is configured to be operated to a first position for locking the platen cover to the reading unit and to a second position for operating the second lock mechanism. By fixing the platen cover, the first lock mechanism performs the operation of unlocking the reading unit from the apparatus main body in conjunction with each other, so that one operation of the first lock mechanism can be easily performed. It can be carried out.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first lock mechanism is a first lock mechanism rotatably provided on a platen cover.
And a lever for rotating the first lock member.
By providing the lock mechanism with a lever for the first lock member and an operating member corresponding to the second lock mechanism,
The structure of the mechanism can be simplified.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the second lock mechanism for regulating the first lock mechanism has one end pivotally supported,
A link provided with an engagement portion that engages with the main body engagement portion at the other end, and the first lock member abuts on the link to release the engagement between the apparatus main body and the reading unit. Since the platen cover can be opened only when the reading unit is closed with respect to the apparatus main body, the platen cover can be held safely.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the operation lever which can operate the first lock mechanism to the first position and the second position, and the operation lever which has been operated to the second position can be moved to the first position. A stopper for stopping at a position, wherein the first lock mechanism is engaged with a first lock member rotatably attached to the reading unit in conjunction with operation of the operation lever and a first lock member of the platen cover. In the state where the recording unit is exposed and the work is being performed, the connection between the reading unit and the platen cover is maintained, and the reading unit is accurately fixed to the apparatus main body. Only the opening and closing of the platen cover can be permitted.

According to the invention of claim 6, the second lock mechanism includes a second lock member attached to a reading unit interlocked with the first lock member via a link mechanism, and the second lock mechanism is provided on the apparatus main body side. The first lock mechanism operates the second lock mechanism, and the reading unit can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the reading unit provided at the upper portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus is closed, the lever and the lever are stopped at the first position. A stopper release member that releases the engagement with the lever stopper is provided, so that when the reading unit is closed with respect to the apparatus main body, the lever stopper that locks the operation lever is released, and the standby is performed via the interlocking mechanism. The first lock member at the position can be released from the locked state, and the platen cover can be easily set to be openable and closable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a state where a reading unit is opened.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a lock mechanism provided in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a lock mechanism.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a positional relationship of a first lock mechanism when a reading unit is opened.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of another configuration example of the image forming apparatus in a state where an upper mechanism is opened.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a related operation of a lock member in the process of closing an open upper unit in the apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a positional relationship of the engagement holding mechanism in a state where the upper unit can be closed and the platen cover can be opened.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a positional relationship between respective components of the engagement holding mechanism corresponding to FIG. 6;

10 is an explanatory view of the operation of each component of the engagement holding mechanism corresponding to FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a positional relationship between components of the engagement holding mechanism corresponding to FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 image forming apparatus, 2 image forming unit, 3
Reading unit, 4 hinge, 5 platen cover, 6 hinge, 10 body fixing hook, 11
Lock groove, 12 Body guide groove, 13 Body fixing pin, 15 Stop lever, 16 Support shaft, 17 Tip member, 18 Rear end, 19
Locking member, 20 first locking mechanism, 21 swing lever, 22 support shaft, 23 pin locking groove, 24
Pressing surface portion, 30 second lock mechanism, 31 horizontal link, 32 guide pin, 33 link pin,
34 connection pin, 35 vertical link, 36 fixed support shaft, 37 urging member, 40 engagement holding mechanism,
41 body fixing hook, 42 groove, 43 stopper, 44 support shaft, 45 release lever, 4
6 support shaft, 47 pressed surface, 48 push upper part,
50 first lever member, 51 handle, 52
Handle lever, 53 rack, 54 pin, 55 spring, 56 locking member, 57
Lock pin, 60 second lever member, 61
Support shaft, 63 pinion, 64 operating lever,
65 upper engaging surface, 66 lower engaging surface, 67
Locking shaft, 70 third lever member, 71 support shaft,
72 pressed surface, 73 pressing portion, 75 fourth lever member, 76 support shaft, 77 long hole, 78 pressed surface, 80 lock lever, 81 support shaft, 8
2 Spring, 83 locking pin, 84 engagement pin.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an openable and closable reading unit provided on an apparatus main body; and an openable and closable platen cover provided on the reading unit, wherein the platen cover is read with the platen cover closed. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a first lock mechanism that can be locked to a unit; and a second lock mechanism that releases the connection between the reading unit and the apparatus main body in conjunction with the first lock mechanism. A first lock mechanism for locking the platen cover to the reading unit; and a second lock mechanism for locking the platen cover to the reading unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is operated to a second position for operating a lock mechanism. 3. The first lock mechanism includes: a first lock member rotatably provided on a platen cover;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lever configured to rotate the lock member. 4. A second lock mechanism that regulates the first lock mechanism is a link having one end pivotally supported and an other end provided with an engaging portion that engages with a main body engaging portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the engagement between the apparatus main body and the reading unit is released by contact of the first lock member. 5. An operation lever for operating the first lock mechanism to a first position and a second position, and a stopper for stopping the operation lever after operating to the second position at the first position. Wherein the first lock mechanism includes a first lock member rotatably attached to the reading unit in conjunction with an operation of an operation lever, and an engagement portion which engages with the first lock member of the platen cover. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 6. The second lock mechanism includes a second lock member attached to a reading unit interlocked with the first lock member via a link mechanism, and a second lock member on the apparatus main body side. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises a mating engagement member. 7. A stopper releasing member for releasing the engagement between the lever and a lever stopper for stopping the lever at a first position when a reading unit provided on an upper portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus is closed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: