JP2006137110A - Opening/closing mechanism of housing and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology of surely engaging an opening/closing section to a housing body when the opening/closing section openably provided to the housing body is held in a condition that the opening/closing section is closed to the housing body. <P>SOLUTION: In this opening/closing mechanism, a discharge unit is openably provided to the apparatus body such that a front latch 44 and a rear latch 45 of the discharge unit are attached to or detached from engagement pins 46, 47. A balance section (a width A) 44a is provided to a roughly central portion of the front latch 44. Consequently, when the engagement pin 46 is positioned on the balance section 44a, the opening/closing action of the discharge unit is governed by the rear latch 45. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a case opening / closing mechanism and an image forming apparatus.

  Image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers have been rapidly developed and spread, and recently, with the digitalization and IT revolution, functions are being improved and functions are being compounded.

  For example, post-processing options that have been set only for high-end machines, such as adding a copy function by installing an image input function in the printer, and job sorting and stapling of discharged sheets, are also set for the low-end model. An example is given.

  Conventionally, efforts have been made to reduce the installation area as much as possible, as represented by the desktop type of small machines. Needless to say, the effect is, on the other hand, when handling face-up discharge or when the discharge option system is expanded and installed at the top of the product, it is also true that the product height will increase and the handling will be negative. It was. An example is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 shows an example in which a multi-bin discharge sorter 421 is optionally mounted on a printer main body 401 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Sheets discharged from the printer main body 401 are appropriately discharged to the discharge trays of the multi-bin sorter, and although there is an advantage that the installation floor area does not increase, the product height becomes high and the discharged sheets are difficult to pick up. There was also.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 15, a discharge unit including a discharge option system is provided in a configuration in which a discharge unit is arranged on the side of the apparatus as in a conventional small copying machine and both the face-up and face-down are discharged to the discharge unit. This is an example in which the height can be maintained at the same position and the handling can be improved. FIG. 14 is an external view thereof, and FIG. 15 is a main sectional view.

  In FIG. 15, 300 is an image forming unit main body, 301 is an image reading unit, 302 is an ADF unit, 303 is a document stacking tray, and 304 is a document stacking glass. In the image forming unit main body, a sheet reversing mechanism is provided in the vicinity of the discharge unit in order to switch to face-down discharge in order to cope with continuous discharge page alignment.

  In the figure, in order to reverse the sheet that has passed through the fixing device, FD / FU switching flapper 351, reverse conveyance roller pairs 352a and 352b, reverse conveyance paths, which appropriately switch between face-up (FU) and face-down (FD) as main components. 353a and 353b, the FU conveyance path 354, the discharge roller pair 355a and 355b, the reverse flapper 356, and the discharge tray 357 are main components.

In the above configuration, when a document placed on the document stacking tray 303 or the document table glass 304 of the ADF 302 is copied, the copied sheet is placed on a discharge tray 357 provided on the side of the main body 300, and a pair of discharge rollers 355a and 355b. It is discharged from face up. Since the discharge unit is on the side, there is no discharge unit at the top of the main body, so that the height of the document stacking unit of the image reading apparatus can be kept low, and handling during jam processing is good.
JP 09-295748 A

  However, in the above-described conventional example, there is a concern that a problem may occur in a half-opened state of the operation unit associated with the opening / closing operation. Such a problem may occur particularly when a click mechanism is provided at two locations such as the left and right and top and bottom of the opening / closing section. This point will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of the configuration in the vicinity of the conventional discharge unit shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 340 denotes a discharge unit serving as an opening / closing unit that is provided to be openable / closable with respect to the apparatus main body (housing main body). The discharge unit 340 integrally includes main components such as the reverse conveyance roller pair 352a and 352b, the reverse conveyance paths 353a and 353b, the FU conveyance path 354, the discharge roller pair 355a and 355b, the reverse flapper 356, and the discharge tray 357. It is attached.

  The discharge unit 340 is provided with two guide rails 360 and 361 (only the guide rail 360 is shown in FIG. 16) on the front and rear of the apparatus main body. The apparatus main body side is provided with guide rollers 366a, 366b, 366c for allowing the guide rail to slide in the lateral direction. The stopper portions 360a, 361a of the guide rails 360, 361 (only the stopper portion 360a is shown in FIG. 16). However, the slide is restricted where it abuts against the guide roller 366c.

  In order to maintain the mounted state of the discharge unit 340, a click-lock type front latch 362 and a rear latch 363 (only the front latch 362 is shown in FIG. 16) are mounted on the front and rear of the unit, and a biasing spring (not shown) is mounted. Is pushed upward (counterclockwise in the figure).

  This latch engages with the engagement pins 364 and 365 (only the engagement pin 364 is shown in FIG. 16) on the apparatus main body side when mounted on the apparatus main body, and on the guide rails 360 and 361 when opened. It contacts the stopper portions 360b and 361b (see FIG. 17).

  Further, an open / close detection sensor 370 for detecting the open / close state of the unit is provided on the front side of the apparatus main body, and detection is performed by a shielding plate 366 on the discharge unit 340 side.

  Here, FIG. 18 shows an example of a half-open state.

  This state is an example in which the discharge unit 340 is obliquely inserted, the front latch 362 is engaged with the engagement pin 364 on the apparatus main body side, and the rear latch 363 is disengaged so-called one-latch state.

  In this case, the open / close detection sensor 370 detects the closed state of the front side of the discharge unit 340 and does not recognize the one-latch state. For this reason, the apparatus cannot normally convey and discharge the sheet, which causes a jam.

  Such a problem is not limited to the discharge unit, but can be applied to all opening / closing operation units using a click lock type latch with an opening / closing detection sensor.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and when opening and closing the opening and closing portion provided in the housing body in the closed state in the housing body, the opening and closing portion in the housing body, It aims at providing the technique which can be engaged more reliably.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
An opening / closing part provided to be openable / closable with respect to the housing body;
At least two engaging portions that are provided in the housing body and the opening / closing portion, respectively, and hold the opening / closing portion in the closed state in the housing body by engaging each other;
In the opening and closing mechanism of the housing with
The first engaging portion of the two engaging portions is provided with a balance portion that contacts each other without the force of opening and closing the opening / closing portion from the housing body acting,
When the housing main body and the opening / closing part are in the balance part in the first engaging part, the opening / closing behavior of the opening / closing part follows the behavior of the second engaging part of the two engaging parts. It is characterized by.

  The image forming apparatus includes the above-described casing opening / closing mechanism and forms an image on a sheet.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the opening / closing part provided in the casing body that can be opened and closed is held in the casing body in the closed state, the opening / closing part is more securely engaged with the casing body. It becomes possible to make it.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be exemplarily described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in this embodiment should be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions. It is not intended to limit the scope to the following embodiments.

  1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is a printer main body (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus main body), 2 is a feeding cassette, 3 is a feeding roller, 4a and 4b are separation / conveying rollers, 5, 6 and 7 are conveying paths, and 8 is a resist. A roller, 9 is an image forming process unit (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge) as an image forming unit, and 10 is an image forming drum as an image carrier. Reference numeral 11 denotes a heat fixing device, 12a denotes a fixing discharge roller, and 12b denotes a fixing discharge roller.

  In this embodiment, a sheet reversing mechanism is provided in the vicinity of the discharge unit in order to switch to face-down discharge in order to cope with the discharge page alignment. The main components of the sheet reversing mechanism are FD (face down) / FU (face up) switching flapper 21, reverse conveying roller pairs 22a and 22b, reverse conveying paths 23, 24 and 25, FU conveying path 26, and discharge roller pair 27a. 27b, a reverse flapper 28, and a discharge tray 29. Reference numeral 30 is an image reading scanner, 31 is an ADF unit, 32 is a document stacking tray, and 33 is a document stacking glass.

  In the above configuration, when a document placed on the document stacking tray 32 or the document table glass 33 of the ADF 31 is copied, the image forming process unit 9 feeds the document based on the image information read by the image reading scanner 30. An image is formed on the sheet conveyed from the cassette 2, and the sheet on which the image has been formed is discharged face down and face up as appropriate to a stacking tray 29 provided on the side of the apparatus main body.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration in the vicinity of the discharge portion of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 40 denotes a discharge unit as an opening / closing section that is provided so as to be openable / closable with respect to the apparatus main body 1 as a housing main body. The discharge unit includes main components of the discharge unit such as the reverse conveyance roller pair 22a, 22b, the reverse conveyance paths 23, 24, 25, the FU conveyance path 26, the discharge roller pair 27a, 27b, the reverse flapper 28, and the discharge tray 29. It is attached integrally.

  Further, the discharge unit 40 is provided with guide rails 41 and 42 at positions corresponding to the front and rear of the apparatus main body 1 (only the guide rail 41 is shown in FIG. 2). Here, the front of the apparatus main body 1 refers to the front side in the drawing, and the direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction on the conveyed sheet is the front-rear direction of the apparatus main body 1.

  The apparatus body 1 side is provided with guide rollers 43a, 43b, 43c for allowing the guide rails 41, 42 to slide in the opening / closing direction (lateral (left / right) direction in the figure). Slide restriction is applied where the portion 41a contacts the guide roller 43c.

  And in order to maintain the state (closed state) with which the discharge unit 40 was mounted | worn with the apparatus main body 1, the engaging part is provided before and behind the unit. In the engaging portion, a click lock type (click mechanism) front latch 44 and rear latch 45 (only the front latch 44 is shown in FIG. 2) are shown as shaft portions 44a and 45a (only the shaft portion 44a is shown in FIG. 2). The latch is pushed upward (counterclockwise in the figure) by urging means (not shown).

  When the latch is attached to the apparatus main body 1 (closed state), the latch engages with the engagement pins 46 and 47 (only the engagement pin 46 is shown in FIG. 2) on the apparatus main body 1 side, and is open ( When in the open state, as shown in FIG. 3, they abut against the stopper portions 41b and 42b of the guide rails 41 and 42 (only the stopper portion 41b is shown in the figure). Here, in the closed state, the front latch 44 and the rear latch 45 are brought into pressure contact with the engaging pins 46 and 47 by being pushed up by the urging means, but the engaging pin depends on the material and shape of the latch. 46 and 47 may be press-contacted.

Here, the front latch 44 and the engagement pin 46 constitute a first engagement portion according to the present invention, and the rear latch 45 and the engagement pin 47 constitute a second engagement portion according to the present invention. ing.
Further, the rear latch 45 constitutes one side engaging member according to the present invention, and the engaging pin 47 constitutes the other side engaging member according to the present invention.

  Further, an open / close detection sensor 48 as an open / close detection means for detecting the open / close state of the discharge unit 40 is provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 1, and the open / close detection is performed by the shielding plate 49 on the discharge unit 40 side.

  As a characteristic configuration of the present embodiment with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the shape of the click lock type front latch 44 and the rear latch 45, and the discharge unit 40 with respect to the apparatus main body 1 (housing main body). The opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the door will be described in detail.

  In general, an opening / closing portion provided to be openable / closable from a housing body has some back and forth or left and right depending on its rigidity. Although this backlash causes a one-sided latch as described in the conventional example, it is difficult to secure sufficient rigidity to eliminate the backlash. Here, as a simpler method capable of preventing the one-latch, FIG. 4 shows a model of the front and rear latch units. 4 to 6, for convenience of explanation, the front latch 44 is shown on the lower side of the figure, the rear latch 45 is shown on the upper side of the figure, and the open / close detection sensor 48 is shown in the vicinity of the latch.

  In the discharge unit 40, an equilibrium section (width A in the opening / closing direction (left-right direction in the drawing)) 44 a is provided as an equilibrium portion near the latch center of the front latch 44. Ideally, A> B, where B is the back-and-forth region of the discharge unit 40 (the length in the opening and closing direction in which the apparatus main body and the discharge unit 40 move relative to each other in the closed state). Further, the slope portion of the latch mountain portion is formed more than half of the front and rear play (B / 2) on both the drawing side (indicated by the width C in FIG. 4) and the pushing side.

  By providing such a balanced section 44a in the front latch 44, even if the engagement pin 46 on the apparatus main body side contacts the balanced section 44a, the force for opening and closing the discharge unit 40 from the apparatus main body (in the drawing, the discharge unit Force to move 40 in the left-right direction) does not act. Further, by setting the balance section 44a to A> B, it is possible to absorb the backlash generated between the apparatus main body 1 and the discharge unit 40.

  Further, the rear latch 45 is provided so as to engage with the engagement pin 47 at a crest having a substantially chevron cross section. When the engagement pin 47 is located on the slope on the discharge unit 40 side at the peak portion of the rear latch 45 (this region constitutes the pull-in region according to the present invention), the discharge unit 40 is attached to the apparatus main body 1. When the pulling-in force is applied and the engaging pin 47 is located on the slope on the apparatus main body 1 side (this area constitutes the extrusion area according to the present invention), the discharge unit 40 is moved out of the apparatus main body 1. The pushing force will act. The apex of the peak portion of the rear latch 45 constitutes a boundary portion according to the present invention.

  FIG. 5 shows a state when the discharge unit 40 starts to be opened with such a configuration.

  In FIG. 5, a case where the front latch 44 is pulled with a backlash in the opening direction is indicated by a dotted line.

  In this case, the open / close detection sensor 48 on the front side of the apparatus main body 1 detects the open state, but the peak portion of the rear latch 45 has not shifted to the open side with respect to the engagement pin 47 (the engagement pin 47 is on the rear side). It is located in the pull-in area of the peak of the latch 45).

  However, in the present embodiment, the front latch 44 side starts to shift to the open side, but in this embodiment, the engaging pin 46 on the front latch 44 side is in the equilibrium section 44a of the front latch 44, and here, the discharge unit 40 is moved in the left-right direction. The power to move to does not work. Therefore, when the operator releases his hand in this state, the behavior of the discharge unit 40 is controlled by the rear latch 45. In this case, since the engaging pin 47 is located on the pull-in side slope (pull-in area) of the latch peak portion of the rear latch 45, a force to move the discharge unit 40 toward the apparatus main body 1 works. Return to the closed state.

  Similarly, FIG. 6 shows a state when the discharge unit 40 starts to be pushed.

  Theoretically, the configuration shown in FIG. 5 is replaced with the push-in side, and the behavior of the discharge unit 40 is governed by the rear latch 45 in a section that can be a conventional single latch. In this case, since the engaging pin 47 is located on the pushing-out side slope (extrusion region) of the latch mountain portion of the rear latch 45, a force to move the discharge unit 40 to the open side with respect to the apparatus main body 1 works. The discharge unit 40 returns to the open state.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if a click lock type latch is used, a one-latch state is not generated, and more reliable opening / closing detection can be performed.

In the present embodiment, the discharge unit 40 is shown as the discharge tray type. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a multi-bin tray unit 50 provided in the apparatus main body 1A as shown in FIG. The opening / closing mechanism described above can also be suitably applied to an after-discharge processing device such as a staple stacker or an opening / closing operation unit using a click lock type latch with an opening / closing detection sensor.

  Further, in the engaging portion, the discharge unit 40 is held by the apparatus main body 1 at two locations, the front latch 44 and the rear latch 45, but this is not restrictive. This embodiment can be suitably applied to a case where it can be a single latch.

  In this embodiment, the open / close detection sensor 48 is provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be provided on the rear side of the apparatus main body 1. According to the present embodiment, the one-latch state is not generated, and therefore the opening / closing detection of the discharge unit 40 can be performed by detecting one of the two engaging portions. That is, even with one sensor, more reliable opening / closing detection can be performed.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus main body) 1B according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the discharge unit 60 is rotated, and the reverse conveyance path 25 is opened. is doing. Since the basic configuration of the image forming apparatus main body of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. The difference of the present embodiment from the first embodiment is that the discharge unit 60 is configured to be rotatable about the shaft portion 60a in the discharge unit.

  In this embodiment, the discharge unit 60 is engaged with the apparatus main body 1B by a click lock type front latch 61 and a rear latch 62 (only 61 is shown in FIG. 8).

  Then, as a characteristic configuration of the second embodiment, details of the front-rear shape of the click lock portion and the opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the discharge unit 60 with respect to the apparatus main body 1B will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, for convenience of explanation, the front latch 61 side is shown on the lower side of the drawing, the rear latch 62 side is shown on the upper side of the drawing, and the open / close detection sensor 48 is shown in the vicinity of the latch.

  As described in the first embodiment, it is difficult to secure sufficient rigidity to eliminate the play of the discharge unit 60. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, a peak portion 63 is provided on the apparatus body 1B side with respect to the front latch 61, and a peak portion 64 is provided on the apparatus body 1B side with respect to the rear latch 62. Yes.

  The characteristic portions of the peaks 63 and 64 are the same as those of the front latch 44 and the rear latch 45 of the first embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, the equilibrium section (width A) 63a is provided in the vicinity of the latch center of the peak portion 63 on the front latch 61 side. Ideally, A> B, where B is the back-and-forth region of the discharge unit 60. Further, the slope portion of the latch mountain portion is formed more than the back and forth backlash B / 2 on both the drawing side and the pushing side.

  Here, the front latch 61 and the peak portion 63 constitute a first engagement portion according to the present invention, and the rear latch 62 and the peak portion 64 constitute a second engagement portion according to the present invention. . Moreover, the peak part 64 comprises the one side engaging member which concerns on this invention, and the back latch 62 comprises the other side engaging member which concerns on this invention.

  With the above configuration, FIG. 11 shows a state when the discharge unit 60 starts to be opened.

  In FIG. 11, a case where the front latch 61 is pulled with a backlash in the opening direction is indicated by a dotted line.

  In this case, the open / close detection sensor 48 on the front side of the apparatus main body 1B detects the open state, but the peak portion 64 of the rear latch 62 has not shifted to the open side (the peak portion 64 is the slope of the peak portion of the rear latch 62). Located in the pull-in area).

  However, the front latch 61 side conventionally starts to shift to the open side, but in this embodiment, the apex of the front latch 61 is in the equilibrium section 63a of the peak portion 63 on the apparatus main body 1B side, and here the discharge unit 60 is moved to the left and right. The force to move in the direction does not work. Therefore, when the operator releases the hand in this state, the behavior of the discharge unit 60 is controlled by the rear latch 62. In this case, since the latch apex of the rear latch 62 is located on the pull-in side slope (pull-in area) of the peak portion 64, a force Fa that moves the discharge unit 60 toward the apparatus main body 1B acts, and the discharge unit 60 is closed. Return to the state.

  Similarly, FIG. 12 shows a state when the discharge unit 60 starts to be pushed.

  Theoretically, the configuration shown in FIG. 11 is replaced with the push-in side, and in the section that can be a conventional single latch, the behavior of the discharge unit is governed by the rear latch, and the discharge unit returns to the open state. In this case, since the latch apex of the rear latch 62 is located on the pushing side inclined surface (extrusion region) of the peak portion 64, the discharge unit 60 is acted by a force Fb that moves to the open side with respect to the apparatus main body 1B. The unit 60 returns to the open state.

  Also in this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration view (mounted state) of the discharge unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration view (open state) of the discharge unit according to the first embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the discharge unit of Example 1. FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the discharge unit of Example 1. FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the discharge unit of Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the discharge unit of Example 1. FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a structure sectional view (open state) of the discharge unit of Example 2. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the discharge unit of Example 2. FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the discharge unit of Example 2. FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the discharge unit of Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the conventional image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the conventional image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the conventional image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a conventional discharge unit (attached state). It is a section view (open state) of the conventional discharge unit. It is a section view (half-open state) of the conventional discharge unit.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1A, 1B (Image forming apparatus) Main body 40, 60 Ejection unit 41, 42 Guide rail 44 Front latch 44a Equilibrium section 45 Rear latch 46, 47 Engagement pin 48 Opening / closing sensor 61 Front latch 62 Rear latch 63, 64 Mountain Part 63a Equilibrium section

Claims (9)

An opening / closing part provided to be openable / closable with respect to the housing body;
At least two engaging portions that are provided in the housing body and the opening / closing portion, respectively, and hold the opening / closing portion in the closed state in the housing body by engaging each other;
In the opening and closing mechanism of the housing with
The first engaging portion of the two engaging portions is provided with a balance portion that contacts each other without the force of opening and closing the opening / closing portion from the housing body acting,
When the housing main body and the opening / closing part are in the balance part in the first engaging part, the opening / closing behavior of the opening / closing part follows the behavior of the second engaging part of the two engaging parts. A mechanism for opening and closing the casing. Based on the positional relationship between the housing body and the opening / closing portion, the second engagement portion is provided with an extrusion region that pushes the opening / closing portion out of the housing body, and a boundary portion with respect to the extrusion region. A pull-in area for drawing the opening / closing part into the housing body,
The said 2nd engaging part exists in the area | region of the said boundary part vicinity, when a housing body and the said opening-and-closing part are in the said balance part in the said 1st engaging part. Opening and closing mechanism of the case.   The length in the opening / closing direction of the balance portion is longer than the length in the opening / closing direction in which the casing body and the opening / closing portion move relative to each other when the housing body is loose in the closed state. Case opening / closing mechanism. The second engagement portion is one of the one-side engagement member having a substantially chevron-shaped cross-section provided in one of the housing body and the opening / closing portion, and the housing body and the opening / closing portion. The other side engaging member that is provided on the other side and that engages with a substantially chevron-shaped section of the one side engaging member, and the one side engaging member and the other side engaging member are in pressure contact with each other. Provided to match,
When the other side engaging member is on the one side inclined surface having a substantially chevron-shaped cross section of the one side engaging member, the second engaging portion is in the retracting region;
When the other side engaging member is on the slope of the other side of the one side engaging member having a substantially chevron cross section, the second engaging portion is in the extrusion region;
The said 2nd engaging part exists in the said boundary part, when the said other side engaging member exists in the vertex of the cross-sectional substantially mountain shape of the said one side engaging member, The said boundary part is characterized by the above-mentioned. Case opening / closing mechanism.   2. An open / close detection means for detecting an open / close state of the open / close member based on an engagement state of either the first engagement portion or the second engagement portion. The opening / closing mechanism of the housing | casing in any one of -4.   The opening / closing mechanism for a casing according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the engaging portions provided in the casing main body and the opening / closing portion is a latch of a click mechanism. .   The casing opening / closing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first and second engaging portions are respectively provided on opposing surfaces provided in the opening / closing portion.   An image forming apparatus comprising the casing opening and closing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein an image is formed on a sheet.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the opening / closing unit is a unit that is provided in the image forming apparatus main body so as to be opened and closed and performs post-processing of a sheet on which an image is formed.

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