JP2003162165A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus constituted so that heat-up air in a fixing means can be efficiently discharged from the opening part of a fixation cover when an opening/closing body is kept closed, and also, small foreign matter can be prevented from entering the fixing means from the opening part when the opening/closing body is kept open. <P>SOLUTION: The fixation cover shutter 14 is made movable while switching a 1st position where the opening amount of a discharge port as the opening part formed in the upper part of the fixing cover 6d becomes equal to or exceeding a prescribed amount and a 2nd position where the opening amount of the discharge port becomes equal to or below the prescribed amount, and the fixation cover shutter 14 is moved cooperatively with the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing cover 13, and the shutter 14 is positioned in the 1st position when the opening/closing cover 13 is kept closed, and in the 2nd position when the opening/closing cover 13 is kept open. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

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 such as an electrophotographic copying machine and a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer, an image is formed so that maintenance of the image forming apparatus main body or an abnormality occurs, and replacement work of a toner cartridge or the like can be performed. An image forming apparatus is known, which is provided with an opening / closing cover that is an opening / closing body that can open and close a part of a casing of the forming apparatus, and can open the inside of the image forming apparatus by opening the opening / closing cover. ing.

FIG. 7 shows a conventional example of such an image forming apparatus.
It will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional example of such an image forming apparatus, and FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining release of heated air from the fixing means in the image forming apparatus of FIG. .

In such an image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), when the opening / closing cover 13, which is an opening / closing body, is closed, the inside of the fixing device 6 provided inside the housing of the image forming apparatus, that is, the fixing cover 6d is directly and externally reduced in size. No foreign material can fall or enter.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, the operator can directly touch the fixing cover 6d when the opening / closing cover 13 is opened and the process cartridge 9 or the like is exchanged or removed. , Is exposed.

The fixing cover 6d has a fixing roller 6a and a pressure roller 6b which are fixing means provided in the fixing device 6 at a very high temperature during the fixing operation of the fixing device 6, whereas the fixing cover 6d has a high temperature immediately after the fixing operation. The opening / closing cover 13 is opened to normally prevent the operator from touching the inside of the fixing device 6 and causing a burn.
And the pressure roller 6b.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the fixing cover 6d, the sheet material P which is a recording material is a fixing roller 6a and a pressure roller 6b.
The sheet material P is sandwiched by the nip portion 6c which is a contact portion with
The heated air generated from the fixing roller 6a when the toner image, which is the unfixed image, is fixed on the sheet material P, and the sheet material P.
A discharge hole, which is an opening for discharging the water vapor generated from, is formed above the fixing roller 6a and the pressure roller 6b. The temperature-raising air Va generated at the time of fixing is vented through the exhaust hole and is exhausted to the outside from the duct 13c.

Here, the operator opens the opening / closing cover 13,
When attempting to remove jammed sheets or replace toner cartridges, the operator can
If a small foreign substance such as a stapler core is accidentally dropped into the discharge hole of the fixing cover 6d and the image forming apparatus is operated without noticing it, the fixing roller 6a and the pressure roller 6b may be removed. There was a risk of damaging it.

In order to avoid these problems, in the fixing cover of the fixing device of the image forming apparatus in the conventional example, the discharge hole is made as small as possible.

[0010]

However, heat is trapped in the fixing device to cause an abnormal temperature rise, and temperature rise air accompanied by water vapor fills the inside of the fixing cover 6d and causes dew condensation inside the fixing cover 6d. When it drops into the fixing device as a drop, there is a problem that the image is deteriorated, and a discharge hole with a sufficient opening is required.

Further, in order to efficiently discharge the heated air accompanied by water vapor, it is advantageous that the discharge hole of the fixing cover 6d is formed above the fixing roller 6a and the pressure roller 6b. However, there is a problem that small falling foreign matter easily reaches the fixing roller 6a and the pressure roller 6b from the discharge hole of the fixing cover.

Therefore, according to the above-mentioned problem, when the open / close cover is closed, the discharge hole of the fixing cover maintains a sufficient opening, and when the open / close cover is open,
It is desirable that the discharge hole of the fixing cover be completely closed.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the temperature-elevated air in the fixing means can be efficiently discharged from the opening of the fixing cover when the opening / closing body is closed, and the opening from the opening to the fixing means is opened when the opening / closing body is open. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the entry of small foreign matter.

[0014]

According to the present application, the above object is an image forming apparatus for recording an image on a recording material by a series of image forming processes, and heating a recording material carrying an unfixed image. A fixing means for fixing the unfixed image to the recording material, and a fixing cover covering the periphery of the fixing means so that the recording material can be introduced into the fixing means in a housing containing the fixing means. In the image forming apparatus, the opening of the fixing cover is provided in the image forming apparatus, which includes an opening / closing member that opens and closes a part of the housing, and the fixing cover has an opening for discharging heated air in the fixing cover. A lid member for varying the opening degree of the opening at or near the opening, and an interlocking member connected to the lid member and the opening / closing body to interlock the opening degree of the lid member and the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body. , The lid member has a predetermined opening degree of the opening. It is movable by switching to either the first position described above or the second position where the opening of the opening is set to a predetermined amount or less, and the interlocking member opens and closes the lid member by opening and closing the lid. This is achieved by the first invention in which the first position is set when the opening / closing body is closed and the second position is set when the opening / closing body is opened in association with the operation.

According to the present application, the above object can also be achieved by the second invention of the first invention, in which the fixing cover has an opening formed in an upper portion of the fixing cover.

Further, according to the present application, the above object is an image forming apparatus for recording an image on a recording material by a series of image forming processes, wherein the undetermined image is formed by heating the recording material carrying an unfixed image. A fixing means for fixing the image formed on the recording material, a fixing cover covering the periphery of the fixing means so that the recording material can be introduced into the fixing means, and a part of a housing containing the fixing cover is opened and closed. In an image forming apparatus in which the fixing cover is provided with two openings for discharging heated air in the fixing cover, the fixing cover is provided at or near the opening of the fixing cover. A lid member that makes the opening of the opening variable, and an interlocking member that is connected to the lid member and the opening / closing body to interlock the opening of the lid member and the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body, and the lid member, The first place where the opening degree of the opening is more than a predetermined amount And a second position where the opening of the opening is set to a predetermined amount or less, the movable member is movable, and the interlocking member includes the lid member for one opening of the opening / closing body. In conjunction with the opening / closing operation, when the opening / closing body is in the closed state, it is set to the first position, and when the opening / closing body is in the open state, the lid member for the other opening is interlocked with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body, It is also achieved by a third invention in which the opening / closing body is set to the first position when the opening / closing body is in the open state, and the second position is set when the opening / closing body is in the closed state.

Further, according to the present application, in the third aspect, the fixing cover has one opening formed in an upper portion of the fixing cover, and the other opening has a side portion of the fixing cover. It is also achieved by the fourth invention of being formed into.

Further, according to the present application, in the above-mentioned object, in any one of the first invention to the fourth invention, the lid member is
It is also achieved by the fifth invention of being attached to the fixing cover.

Further, according to the present invention, in the sixth object of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the opening of the opening of the lid member is 0 at the first position. It is also achieved by the invention of.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 1 and 6.

First, a schematic structure of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of such an image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a view for explaining an open / close state of the opening / closing body in the image forming apparatus of FIG.
This image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic laser printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) that employs a laser scanning method.

In this printer, as shown in FIG. 1, a sheet material P which is a recording material loaded on a paper feed tray 1 is separated and fed one by one by a paper feed roller 2 and a separation pad 3 which is pressed against the paper. It The separated sheet material P is supplied to a later-described image forming unit provided in the conveyance path by the conveyance roller pair 4, and a toner image corresponding to the image information formed here is transferred to the sheet material P by the transfer roller 5. After being transferred, it is conveyed to the fixing device 6 (the fixing device 6 is mainly composed of a fixing roller 6a and a pressure roller 6b as fixing means, a fixing cover 6d, etc.). When the sheet material P is conveyed to the fixing device 6, it is guided by the entrance guide 10a to the nip portion 6c formed by the fixing roller 6a and the pressure roller 6b. A heat heater (not shown) is built in the fixing roller 6a. When the fixing roller 6a is rotated clockwise, the fixing roller 6a is rotated.
The sheet material P is heated by the heat of a and the pressure of the pressure roller 6b.
When the toner passes through the nip portion 6c, the toner transferred to the surface of the sheet material is heated and pressed, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet material. After that, the sheet material P is discharged from the discharge roller pair 7a,
It is discharged to the discharge tray 8 by 7b.

The image forming means is integrally incorporated in the process cartridge 9 together with the photosensitive drum 9a, the charging roller 9b, the developing device 9c, the cleaner 9d, and the like.
As shown in FIG. 2, it is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus body 10.

In the image forming means, the surface of the photosensitive drum 9a as an image carrier having a photosensitive layer on its surface is uniformly charged by the charging roller 9b, and the laser scanner 11 supplies a laser corresponding to the image information. Light is the laser optical path 12
Through the photosensitive drum 9a.
The surface is irradiated and exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 9c and visualized as a toner image. The toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9a after the toner image is transferred onto the sheet material P is removed by the cleaner 9d.

In this printer, as shown in FIG. 1, an opening / closing cover 13, which is an opening / closing body, is rotatable with respect to a casing of the apparatus main body 10 about an opening / closing cover shaft 13a.
As shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing cover 13 is opened to open the apparatus main body 10.
By opening the inside, the process cartridge 9
Can be attached and detached, and the sheet material P can be jammed.

Here, the structure of the fixing cover shutter 14 which is the lid member according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the fixing cover shutter 14, the fixing device 6 and its vicinity in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and FIG. 4 shows the operation of the fixing cover shutter 14 of this embodiment. It is a figure for explaining.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is in a state in which the opening / closing cover 13 is closed and the image can be formed.

In the upper part of the fixing roller 6a and the pressure roller 6b of the fixing cover 6d, there is a discharge hole which is an opening for discharging the temperature rising air generated from the fixing roller 6a and the steam generated from the sheet material P. The temperature-increasing air Va that has been formed and is generated at the time of image fixing is ventilated through the discharge hole,
It is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus.

The fixing cover shutter 14 is slidable in the left-right direction in the figure, and is arranged above the fixing cover 6d. Further, the fixing cover shutter 14 is formed with a vent hole through which the heated air discharged from the fixing cover 6d can be easily ventilated.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the open / close cover 13 is closed, the open / close cover pushing portion 13b is pushing the fixing cover shutter receiving portion 14a, and the fixing cover shutter 14 is lifted from the discharge hole of the fixing cover 6d. The fixing cover shutter 14 moves to a first position where the temperature-raising air Va can be discharged to the outside from the ventilation hole without hindering the discharge of the warm air Va.

When the fixing cover shutter 14 is at the first position, the discharge hole of the fixing cover 6d maintains a sufficient opening so that the temperature-raising air Va in the fixing device can be easily discharged to generate heat from the exhaust heat or paper. The structure is such that it does not hinder the discharge of water vapor, and that the temperature of the heated air does not remain inside the fixing device and that the water vapor condenses on the inside of the fixing cover 6d so that the water drops do not disturb the image.

Next, the fixing cover shutter 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The operation and configuration of No. 4 will be described.

In the image forming apparatus of FIG. 4, the opening / closing cover 13 is open, and the image forming apparatus is in a state of temporarily suspending its operation.

As shown in FIG. 4, the opening / closing cover pushing portion 13
b is away from the fixing cover shutter receiving portion 14a, the fixing cover shutter 14 has the opening / closing cover 13
Interlocking with the opening operation by an interlocking member (not shown),
In FIG. 4, one spring (not shown) slides leftward. Then, the fixing cover shutter 14
Moves to the second position that obstructs the discharge of the heated air Va from the discharge hole of the fixing cover 6d by moving to the left.

As described above, when the fixing cover shutter 14 is at the second position, the discharging hole of the fixing cover 6d is completely closed, and the operator accidentally drops a small foreign object into the discharging hole of the fixing cover 6d. Even if it happens, it can be prevented from entering the fixing device.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. still,
The same components as those of the above-described first embodiment mobile phone are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a lid member, a fixing unit and its vicinity in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the lid member of the present embodiment. It is a figure.

Here, the structures of the fixing cover shutter 14 and the fixing cover second shutter 15, which are the lid members according to the present embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is in a state in which the opening / closing cover 13 is closed and the image can be formed.

Above the fixing roller 6a and the pressure roller 6b of the fixing cover 6d, one opening for discharging the temperature-raising air generated from the fixing roller 6a and the water vapor generated from the sheet P is discharged. The holes are formed, and the temperature-raising air Va generated at the time of image fixing is vented through the discharge holes and is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus. Also, the fixing cover 6
In the sheet d, a discharge hole which is another opening is also formed above the sheet material conveying inlet of the fixing roller 6a and the pressure roller 6b.

The fixing cover shutter 14 is slidable in the left-right direction in the figure, and is arranged above the fixing cover 6d. Fixing cover second shutter 15
Is movable in the vertical direction in FIGS. 5 and 6,
The fixing cover 6d is disposed above the sheet material conveying entrance. Further, both the fixing cover shutter 14 and the fixing cover second shutter 15 are formed with ventilation holes through which the heated air discharged from the fixing cover 6d can be easily ventilated.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the opening / closing cover 13 is closed, the opening / closing cover pressing portion 13b is in a state of pressing the fixing cover shutter receiving portion 14a, and the fixing cover shutter 14 is located above the sheet material conveying entrance of the fixing cover 6d. It moves to the first position where the heated air Va can be discharged to the outside from the ventilation hole of the fixing cover shutter 14 without hindering the discharge of the heated air Va from the discharge hole. However, at this time, the fixing cover second shutter 15 has the fixing cover 6d.
It is in the second position where it blocks the discharge hole above the sheet material feed inlet.

When the fixing cover shutter 14 is at the first position, the fixing cover 6 is provided as in the first embodiment described above.
The upward discharge port of d maintains a sufficient opening to allow the heated air Va in the fixing device to be easily discharged, and does not interfere with the exhaust heat and the discharge of water vapor generated from the paper, and rises into the fixing device. The structure is such that warm air does not get muddy and water vapor condenses on the inside of the fixing cover 6d so that the droplets do not disturb the image.

Further, when the fixing cover second shutter 15 is at the second position, the discharge hole at the upper portion of the sheet material conveyance inlet of the fixing cover 6d is completely closed, and the fixing cover 6d is arranged on the upstream side of the sheet material conveyance path from the fixing device. By preventing the temperature-raising air Va generated from the fixing device from dripping to the installed process cartridge 9 side, the process cartridge 9 is heated by the temperature-raising air Va.
The image quality of the image is not affected by the influence of.

Next, the fixing cover shutter 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
4. The operation and configuration of the fixing cover second shutter 15 will be described.

In the image forming apparatus of FIG. 6, the opening / closing cover 13 is opened, and the image forming apparatus is in a state of temporarily suspending its operation.

As shown in FIG. 6, the opening / closing cover pushing portion 13
b is away from the fixing cover shutter receiving portion 14a, the fixing cover shutter 14 has the opening / closing cover 13
Interlocking with the opening operation by an interlocking member (not shown),
In FIG. 6, it is slid to the left by one spring (not shown). Then, by moving to the left, the fixing cover 6d is moved to a second position that prevents discharge of the heated air Va from the discharge hole in the upper portion.

At the same time, in conjunction with the sliding operation of the fixing cover shutter 14, the second fixing cover shutter 15 slides upward in FIG. 6 by another spring (not shown). Then, the fixing cover second shutter 1
5 moves from the discharge hole in the upper portion of the sheet material conveying inlet of the fixing cover 6d to the first position where the opening degree is maintained so that the heated air Va in the fixing device can be easily discharged.

As described above, when the fixing cover shutter 14 is in the second position, the upper discharge hole of the fixing cover 6d is completely closed, and the operator mistakenly removes small foreign matter from the fixing cover 6d. Even if it is dropped to the inside, it is configured to prevent it from entering the fixing device.

In addition, when the fixing cover second shutter 15 is at the first position, the temperature-raising air Va in the fixing device is discharged from the discharge hole above the sheet material conveying inlet of the fixing cover 6d, so that the image forming apparatus operates. When the operation is temporarily stopped, the temperature rising air Va in the fixing device does not remain, and the water vapor does not condense on the inside of the fixing cover 6d, so that the drop does not disturb the image. Here, since the ventilation hole of the fixing cover second shutter 15 is configured to be a vertical surface, even if a small foreign object falls from above the fixing cover 6d, it cannot directly enter the fixing device.

Therefore, also in the present embodiment, the fixing cover shutter 14 has the discharge hole of the fixing cover 6d completely when the opening / closing cover is opened, such as during jam processing, as in the first embodiment. Even if the operator is accidentally dropped a small foreign object into the discharge hole of the fixing cover 6d, it can be prevented from entering the fixing device.

[0055]

As described above, according to the first invention of the present application, the lid member has the first position where the opening of the opening is equal to or more than the predetermined amount and the opening of the opening. It is movable by switching to one of a second position which is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, and the interlocking member interlocks the lid member with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body, and when the opening / closing body is in the closed position, the first position, Since the second position is set when the opening / closing body is in the open state, when the opening / closing body is in the closed state, the heated air in the fixing means can be efficiently discharged from the opening of the fixing cover, and in the open state of the opening / closing body. It is possible to prevent small foreign matter from entering the fixing unit through the opening.

According to the second invention of the present application,
The lid member can be moved by switching between a first position where the opening of the opening above the fixing cover is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount and a second position where the opening of the opening is equal to or smaller than the predetermined amount. The interlocking member is adapted to interlock the lid member with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body to move it to the first position when the opening / closing body is closed, and to the second position when the opening / closing body is open. When the body is closed, the temperature-raising air in the fixing means can be efficiently discharged from the opening of the fixing cover, and at the time of the open / close state of the opening / closing body, it is possible to prevent small foreign matter from entering the fixing means. .

Further, according to the third invention of the present application, the lid member has a first position where the opening degree of the opening is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, and a first position where the opening degree of the opening is equal to or less than the predetermined amount. It is movable by switching to either of two positions, and the interlocking member interlocks the lid member for one opening with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body, and when the opening / closing body is in the closed state, , The second position when the opening / closing body is in the open state, and the lid member for the other opening is interlocked with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body so that the opening / closing body is in the first position and the opening / closing body is in the closed state. Since it is set to the second position, the temperature-raising air from the fixing means can be efficiently discharged from the opening of the fixing cover when the opening / closing body is closed, and the temperature-raising air is discharged when the opening / closing body is open. At the same time, it is possible to prevent small foreign matter from entering the fixing unit through the opening. .

According to the fourth invention of the present application,
The lid member can be moved by switching between a first position where the opening of the opening above the fixing cover is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount and a second position where the opening of the opening is equal to or smaller than the predetermined amount. The interlocking member interlocks the lid member for one opening with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body so that the opening / closing body is in the first position and the opening / closing body is in the second position. Since the lid member for the other opening is interlocked with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body, the lid member is moved to the first position when the opening / closing body is in the open state and the second position when the opening / closing body is in the closed state. When the body is closed, the temperature-raising air in the fixing means can be efficiently discharged from the opening of the fixing cover, and at the time of the open / close state of the opening / closing body, it is possible to prevent small foreign matter from entering the fixing means. .

Further, according to the fifth invention of the present application, the lid member has a first position where the opening degree of the opening is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, and a first position where the opening degree of the opening is equal to or less than the predetermined amount. It can be moved by switching to either of two positions.The interlocking member interlocks the lid member with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body, and when the opening / closing body is in the closed state, the first position and the opening / closing body are in the opened state. The second position, or the lid member for one of the openings is interlocked with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body so as to be in the first position when the opening / closing body is in the closed state and in the second position when the opening / closing body is in the open state. Since the lid member for the other opening is interlocked with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body, the lid member is set to the first position when the opening / closing body is in the open state, and the second position when the opening / closing body is in the closed state. Efficiently discharge heated air from the fixing unit from the opening of the fixing cover when the opening / closing body is closed. With wear, it is possible to prevent intrusion of small foreign matter into the fixing means from the opening to the open state of the closing member.

According to the sixth invention of the present application,
The lid member is movable by switching to either a first position where the opening of the opening is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount or a second position where the opening of the opening is 0. , The lid member is interlocked with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body to be in the first position when the opening / closing body is in the closed state, and in the second position when the opening / closing body is in the opened state,
Alternatively, by interlocking the lid member for one opening with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body, the first position when the opening / closing body is closed,
When the open / close body is in the open state, it is set to the second position, and the lid member for the other opening is interlocked with the opening / closing operation of the open / close body. Since it can be set to two positions, the temperature-raising air in the fixing means can be efficiently discharged from the opening of the fixing cover when the opening / closing body is closed, and the fixing means can be discharged from the opening when the opening / closing body is open. It is possible to prevent small foreign matter from entering the space.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an open / closed state of the opening / closing body in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a fixing unit and its vicinity in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the operation of the lid member in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a fixing unit and its vicinity according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the operation of the lid member in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the release of temperature-raising air from the fixing unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

6a, 6b Fixing roller, pressure roller (fixing means) 6d fixing cover 13 Open / close cover (open / close body) 14 Fixing cover shutter (lid member) 15 Fixing cover Second shutter (lid member) P sheet material (recording material) Va heated air

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yuza             Kyano 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Within the corporation (72) Inventor Naoki Nakamura             Kyano 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Within the corporation (72) Inventor Yuzuru Tsurumi             Kyano 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Within the corporation F term (reference) 2H027 JA11 JB13 JB26 JB27 JC08                       ZA03                 2H033 AA42 BA06                 2H071 BA14 BA23 DA12

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for recording an image on a recording material by a series of image forming processes, wherein the recording material carrying an unfixed image is heated to fix the unfixed image on the recording material. Means, a fixing cover that covers the periphery of the fixing means to enable the introduction of the recording material into the fixing means in a housing containing the fixing means, and an opening / closing body that can open and close a part of the housing. In the image forming apparatus in which the fixing cover has an opening for discharging the temperature-raising air in the fixing cover, the opening of the fixing cover is variable at or near the opening of the fixing cover. A lid member for
A first interlocking member connected to the lid member and the opening / closing body to interlock the opening degree of the lid member and the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body, wherein the lid member has an opening degree of a predetermined amount or more; It is movable by switching to any one of a position and a second position where the opening of the opening is set to a predetermined amount or less.
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the lid member is interlocked with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body so as to be moved to the first position when the opening / closing body is closed and to the second position when the opening / closing body is opened. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixing cover has an opening formed in an upper portion of the fixing cover. 3. An image forming apparatus for recording an image on a recording material by a series of image forming processes, wherein the unfixed image is fixed on the recording material by heating the recording material carrying the unfixed image. Means, a fixing cover that covers the periphery of the fixing means so that the recording material can be introduced into the fixing means, and an opening / closing body that can open and close a part of a housing containing the fixing cover. In the image forming apparatus in which the cover is provided with two openings for discharging the temperature-elevated air in the fixing cover, a cover for changing the opening of the fixing cover at or near the opening of the fixing cover. A lid member and an interlocking member that is connected to the lid member and the opening / closing member to interlock the opening degree of the lid member and the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member, and the lid member includes:
It is movable by switching to either a first position where the opening of the opening is a predetermined amount or more and a second position where the opening of the opening is a predetermined amount or less. The lid member for one opening is interlocked with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body so as to be set to the first position when the opening / closing body is closed and to the second position when the opening / closing body is open, and for the other opening. An image forming apparatus, wherein the lid member is interlocked with the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing body so as to be set to a first position when the opening / closing body is in an open state and a second position when the opening / closing body is in a closed state. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fixing cover has one opening formed in an upper portion of the fixing cover and the other opening formed in a side portion of the fixing cover. apparatus. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lid member is attached to the fixing cover. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lid member has an opening degree of 0 at the first position.