JP2007212528A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which the cover of an image forming section can be closed as an image input section is closed. <P>SOLUTION: When the image input section 20 is turned as shown by an arrow R11 to be closed in a state the image input section 20 and cover 30a are opened, a cover end part 30b abuts on the lower surface 65 of the image input section 20 to be pressed. Consequently, the cover end part 30b slides away from a turning shaft 36c along the lower surface 65 of the image input section 20 and the cover 30a is turned as shown by an arrow 12. Then when the cover end part 30b moves to reach a guide section 32, the cover end part 30b is guided by an abutting surface on the guide section 32 to move along the abutting surface. Then the cover end part 30b further moves, so that the cover 30a enters a nearly closed state. A projection part 31 provided to the lower surface 65 of the image input section 20 presses the cover end part 30b downward. Consequently, the cover 30a is locked by a lock mechanism 34. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an improvement in opening / closing operation of a cover of an image forming unit.

  Conventionally, a printer device having a middle cover that opens and closes with respect to a printer main body and a top cover that opens and closes with respect to the middle cover is known (for example, Patent Document 1). An image forming apparatus that can execute two cover opening operations in conjunction with each other has also been known (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 11-291484 A JP-A-11-272144

  However, the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 2 requires a link mechanism in order to link the opening operations of the two covers. As a result, there arises a problem that the number of parts increases and the manufacturing cost of the apparatus increases. In addition, even when only one cover needs to be opened, there arises a problem that both covers are opened.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of closing the cover of the image forming unit with a closing operation of the image input unit with a simple hardware configuration.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1 is provided in a main body, and is provided above the main body, an image forming unit that records a toner image based on an electrostatic latent image on a recording paper, and An image input unit that is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the main body by rotating about a first rotation axis, and that reads image data from a document, and the image forming unit includes the main body A cover that can be opened and closed by rotating about a second rotation axis that is substantially parallel to the first rotation axis, and a lock mechanism that can lock the cover in a closed state. And the image input unit is provided on a surface facing the image forming unit and in the vicinity of an end on the far side as viewed from the first rotation shaft, and the image forming unit The image input unit and the cover. When the image input unit is pivoted downward and closed in the opened state, the cover end on the far side as viewed from the second pivot shaft is pressed against the opposing surface. The cover is rotated downward by moving to the far side of the first rotation shaft along the opposing surface, and then the end of the cover is pressed downward by the protrusion. Thus, the substantially closed cover is locked by the locking mechanism.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the protrusion is provided at the end of the cover so as to be able to press near the center in the second rotation axis direction. It is characterized by that.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, a photoconductor is provided on the inner side of the image forming unit, and the inner surface of the cover is provided with the photosensitive member. An exposure unit for exposing the body is provided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the image input unit is provided on the facing surface of the image input unit, and A guide portion having a guide surface protruding toward the image forming portion when viewed from the opposite surface, and the cover end moves along the guide surface at a position where the guide portion is provided. It is characterized by that.

  According to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, when the image input unit is closed while the cover of the image forming unit and the image input unit are open, (1) the cover end is image input. The cover is substantially closed by moving along the opposing surface of the part. Subsequently, (2) the cover end is pressed downward by the protrusion, so that the substantially closed cover is locked by the lock mechanism. Is done. Therefore, the cover can be satisfactorily closed with the closing operation of the image input unit without providing a complicated link mechanism.

  Further, the link mechanism is not used, and the opening operation of the image input unit can be executed independently of the opening operation of the cover. That is, even if the image input unit is opened, the cover can be kept closed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cover from being opened at the time of sufficient maintenance only by opening the image input unit, and as a result, it is possible to prevent dust and dust from entering the image forming unit.

  In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the cover in the substantially closed state can be pressed by the protrusion at the cover end and near the center in the second rotation axis direction. Therefore, when the cover is closed in accordance with the closing operation of the image input unit, the cover can be closed and locked in a better state.

  In particular, according to the third aspect of the invention, when the cover is closed along with the closing operation of the image input unit, the cover can be satisfactorily closed and locked. Therefore, when the cover is closed, the distance between the exposure part provided on the inner surface of the cover and the photoconductor provided on the inner side of the image forming part can be made substantially constant, and a good electrostatic latent image can be obtained. Can be formed.

  In particular, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, at the position where the guide portion is provided, the cover end moves along the guide portion, is provided in the image input portion, and faces the image forming portion. Separate from the surface. Therefore, even when an obstacle that hinders the movement of the cover end is provided on the facing surface, the cover end can be prevented from coming into contact with the obstacle, and the cover end can be made smooth. Can be moved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<1. Configuration of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a state in which the image input unit 20 is opened. FIG. 3 is a rear view illustrating an example of a configuration in the vicinity of the cover 30 a of the recording unit 30. In FIG. 1 and the subsequent drawings, coordinate axes indicating the vertical direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction are attached in order to clarify the directional relationship.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is a scanner, a printer, a copier, a facsimile, or a complex machine that combines these functions. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 mainly includes a document pressing unit 10, an image input unit 20, a recording unit 30, a paper feeding unit 40, an operation panel 50, and a control unit 90. Among these, the recording unit 30, the paper feeding unit 40, and the control unit 90 are provided in the main body 5 of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 30 and the control unit 90 are provided in the unit chambers 6 a and 6 b of the main body 5, respectively.

  The document pressing unit 10 is provided above the image input unit 20 and mainly includes a document conveying unit 11 and pressing members 12 and 13 as shown in FIG. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface of the attachment portion 15 provided adjacent to the image input portion 20 and the lower surface of the document pressing portion 10 include a plurality of (two in this embodiment) hinges 16. Are connected by Accordingly, the document pressing unit 10 is provided so as to be able to open and close with respect to the image input unit 20 by rotating about a rotation shaft 16a substantially parallel to the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the document transport unit 11 is provided on the left upper side of the document pressing unit 10 and immediately above the document glass 22. The document transport unit 11 can cause the image input unit 20 to read reflected light reflected on the front surface or the back surface of the document by an automatic document feeder (ADF) method.

  The pressing member 12 is a plate-like member that regulates the distance between the document and the document glass 22 when the document pressing unit 10 is closed. The pressing member 12 is urged downward (in the direction toward the pressing member 12 when viewed from the document conveying section 11) by an elastic member (not shown) such as a coil spring or a leaf spring. As a result, the pressing member 12 can favorably convey the document between the pressing member 12 and the document glass 22, and the image data can be satisfactorily read by the automatic paper feeding method.

  The pressing member 13 is a member that presses the document placed on the document glass 23 when the document pressing unit 10 is closed. Accordingly, the pressing member 13 can satisfactorily adhere the original to the original glass 23, and can satisfactorily read the image data by the flat bed method.

  The image input unit 20 is a scanner unit that reads image data from a document by a flatbed method or an ADF method. As shown in FIG. 1, the image input unit 20 is provided above the main body 5 and includes a lid 21a and a housing 21b. The lid 21a and the housing 21b are box-shaped bodies having a substantially rectangular cross section, and an internal space 25 is formed inside the image input unit 20.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, a hinge 36 is attached between the image input unit 20 and the main body 5, and the image input unit 20 and the main body 5 are connected by the hinge 36. Therefore, the image input unit 20 rotates about a rotation shaft 36 c substantially parallel to the front-rear direction and is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main body 5. For example, when the image input unit 20 is rotated in the direction of arrow R11 about the rotation shaft 36c, the image input unit 20 closes the upper surface 37 of the main body 5.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lid portion 21a is provided with plate-like original glasses 22 and 23. The original glass 22 transmits light reflected by the original conveyed by the original conveying unit 11. The original glass 23 transmits light reflected by the original placed thereon.

  On the other hand, the outer frame of the casing 21b is formed of a flame-retardant resin and is reinforced by a frame body 69 (see FIG. 2) formed of a metal member. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 21 b is mainly provided with carriages 26 a and 26 b, a light receiving unit 27, and an inverter 28.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the frame 69 mainly includes support members 61 and 63 and two sliding members 62, and the support members 61 and 63 are arranged substantially in parallel. The two sliding members 62 are welded. Each of the members 61 to 63 is formed by bending a conductive member, for example, a metal plate such as a sheet metal.

  The light receiving unit 27 is fixed to the housing 21b, and the reflected light 29 from the original is condensed by a lens 27a and imaged on a CCD (line sensor) 27b. Thereby, the reflected light from the document is converted into an electric signal by photoelectric conversion. Further, the inverter 28 performs light emission control of the light source irradiated on the document.

  Each of the carriages 26a and 26b has a mirror (not shown) that reflects light from the document, and the light source (not shown) that illuminates the document is provided on the carriage 26a on the light receiving unit 27 side (right side). It has been.

  The carriages 26a and 26b move in the left-right direction so that the distance from the document to the light receiving unit 27 is constant. That is, the optical path length of the reflected light that is reflected by the original, passes through the original glass 22 or the original glass 23, is reflected by the carriages 26a and 26b, and reaches the light receiving unit 27 is substantially the same regardless of the reflection position on the original. Become. Therefore, the light receiving unit 27 fixed to the housing 21b can acquire the image data of the document satisfactorily.

  Further, a projection 31 and a guide 32 are provided on the lower surface 65 (the surface facing the recording unit 30) 65 of the image input unit 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the protrusion 31 is provided on the lower surface 65 of the image input unit 20 and at the end farther from the rotation shaft 36 c, and protrudes toward the recording unit 30. Therefore, when the image input unit 20 is rotated about the rotation shaft 36c in the direction of the arrow R11 and the projection 31 is moved from the solid line position to the one-dot chain line position, the projection 31 is the end of the cover in the substantially closed state. The part 30b can be pressed downward.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the guide portion 32 is provided on the lower surface 65 of the image input portion 20 at a position on the rotating shaft 36 c side when viewed from the projection portion 31. Further, the guide portion 32 protrudes toward the recording portion 30 when viewed from the lower surface 65, and has a guide surface 32a having a curved surface shape. When the cover 30a is closed, the end 30b of the cover 30a moves along the guide surface 32a instead of the lower surface 65 at the position where the guide portion 32 is provided.

  Here, when an obstacle such as a screw is provided on the lower surface 65 of the image input unit 20, the cover end 30b sliding on the lower surface 65 may be caught by the obstacle. As a result, there may be a problem that the cover end 30b cannot be moved smoothly.

  On the other hand, at the position where the guide portion 32 is provided, the cover end portion 30 b moves along the guide surface 32 a and is separated from the lower surface 65. Therefore, the cover end 30b can move without coming into contact with an obstacle and can be moved smoothly.

  As for the positional relationship between the obstacle and the guide part 32, the guide part 32 is provided on the upstream side of the obstacle, for example, when viewed from the moving direction of the cover end 30b when the cover 30a is closed. Also good. Further, when there are a plurality of obstacles on the lower surface 65 of the image input unit 20, a plurality of guide units 32 may be provided corresponding to these obstacles.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 30 is provided in the unit chamber 6a on the operation panel 50 side of the main body 5, and records a toner image based on the electrostatic latent image on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic method. That is, the recording unit 30 forms an electrostatic latent image based on the image data read by the image input unit 20, visualizes the electrostatic latent image with toner, and transfers the visualized toner image to recording paper. The image forming unit. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the recording unit 30 mainly includes a cover 30a, a lock mechanism 34, an exposure unit 35a, and a photosensitive drum 35b.

  The cover 30 a is provided on the upper surface side of the main body 5 and is connected to the main body 5 by a hinge 33. Therefore, the cover 30 a is provided so as to be able to open and close with respect to the main body 5 by rotating around the rotation shaft 33 a substantially parallel to the rotation shaft 36 c of the image input unit 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the cover 30a is rotated in the direction of arrow R12 about the rotation shaft 33a, the cover 30a moves from the solid line position to the one-dot chain line position, and closes the upper part of the recording unit 30. . In the present embodiment, when the cover 30a is closed, the cover 30a is favorably locked by the lock mechanism 34.

  The photosensitive drum 35 b is a photoconductor provided inside the recording unit 30. A photoconductive film is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 35b, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductive film. The exposure unit 35a forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 35b by irradiating the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 35b with light for exposure. As shown in FIG. 3, the exposure part 35a is provided on the inner surface 30c of the cover 30a.

  Here, when the cover 30a is locked by the lock mechanism 34, the cover 30a is closed in a substantially similar state. Thereby, in the state where the cover 30a is closed, the distance between the exposure unit 35a and the photosensitive drum 35b can be made substantially constant. Therefore, even when the cover 30a is opened and closed, the exposure process is executed under the same conditions, and a good electrostatic latent image is formed.

  The paper feed unit 40 is disposed below the unit chambers 6 a and 6 b and supplies recording paper to the recording unit 30. Here, the paper feed unit 40 has one or a plurality of paper feed cassettes, and recording paper of a type corresponding to the number of cassettes is supplied from the paper feed unit 40 to the recording unit 30.

  The operation panel 50 is provided on the front side of the image input unit 20 and is used as an interface of a user of the image forming apparatus 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as “user”). As shown in FIG. 1, the operation panel 50 mainly includes a display unit 51 and an operation unit 52.

  The display unit 51 is configured by a so-called liquid crystal display, and has a function as a “touch panel” that can designate a position on the screen by touching the screen with a finger or a dedicated pen. Accordingly, the user can cause the image forming apparatus 1 to execute a predetermined operation by giving an instruction using the “touch panel” function of the display unit 51 based on the content displayed on the display unit 51. . Thus, the display unit 51 is also used as an input unit that enables data input to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The operation unit 52 is an input unit having a plurality of operation keys 53. The user can cause the image forming apparatus 1 to perform a predetermined operation by performing an input operation based on the display content of the display unit 51.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 90 is provided in the unit chamber 6 b on the back side (rear side) of the main body 5 when viewed from the operation panel 50. The control unit 90 is electrically connected to the document conveying unit 11, the image input unit 20, the recording unit 30, the paper feeding unit 40, and the operation panel 50 through a plurality of signal lines (not shown). Therefore, the control unit 90 can control the operations of the document conveying unit 11, the image input unit 20, the recording unit 30, and the paper feeding unit 40 at a predetermined timing.

<2. Closing the recording unit cover>
4 to 6 are rear views for explaining the closing operation of the cover of the recording unit 30. FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 can close the cover 30 a as the image input unit 20 is closed. Here, the closing operation of the cover 30a will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the image input unit 20 is rotated and closed in the downward direction (arrow R11 direction) in a state where the image input unit 20 and the cover 30a are opened, the cover end on the far side as viewed from the rotation shaft 33a. 30b contacts the lower surface 65 of the image input unit 20 (that is, the surface facing the recording unit 30) and is pressed by the lower surface 65 (see FIG. 3). Accordingly, the cover end 30b slides to the far side of the rotation shaft 36c along the lower surface 65 of the image input unit 20, and the cover 30a is directed downward (in the direction of arrow R12) about the rotation shaft 33a. Is rotated.

  Next, when the cover end portion 30b moves to reach the guide portion 32, the cover end portion 30b is guided to the contact surface 32a on the guide portion 32 (see FIG. 4). As a result, the cover end 30b moves in a direction along the contact surface.

  Subsequently, when the cover end 30b further moves and the cover 30a is substantially closed, the protrusion 31 provided on the lower surface 65 of the image input unit 20 presses the cover end 30b downward (see FIG. 5). ). Then, when the cover 30a is locked by the lock mechanism 34, the cover 30a closes the upper portion of the recording unit 30 (see FIG. 6).

  Thus, the cover 30a in the opened state rotates in the direction of the arrow R12 in accordance with the closing operation of the image input unit 20, and is locked by the lock mechanism 34. Therefore, the cover 30a is satisfactorily closed and locked with the closing operation of the image input unit 20 without providing a complicated link mechanism.

  Further, the link mechanism is not used, and the opening operation of the image input unit 20 can be executed independently of the opening operation of the cover 30a. That is, even if the image input unit 20 is opened, the cover 30a can be kept closed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cover 30a from being opened during maintenance sufficient to open the image input unit 20, and to prevent dust and dust from entering the recording unit 30.

  Here, the protrusion 31 of the present embodiment is provided on the lower surface 65 of the image input unit 20 so as to be able to press the end 30b of the cover 30a and the vicinity of the center in the direction of the rotation shaft 33a. Therefore, when the cover 30a is closed along with the closing operation of the image input unit 20, the cover 30a can be closed and locked in a better state.

<3. Modification>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

  (1) In the present embodiment, it has been described that there is only one protrusion 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, two or more protrusions 31 may be provided.

  (2) Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the contact surface 32a of the guide part 32 demonstrated that it was a curved surface shape, it is not limited to this, For example, a planar shape may be sufficient.

  (3) Further, in the present embodiment, the guide portion 32 is provided between the rotating shaft 36c and the protruding portion 31, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when there is no need to change the moving direction of the cover end 30b by the guide part 32, the guide part 32 may not be provided.

1 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus in the present embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the state which open | released the image input part. It is a rear view which shows an example of a structure near the cover of a recording part. It is a rear view for explaining the closing operation of the cover of the image forming unit. It is a rear view for demonstrating the closing operation | movement of the cover of an image formation part. It is a rear view for explaining the closing operation of the cover of the image forming unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 5 Main body 10 Document pressing part 20 Image input part 30 Recording part (image forming part)
30a Cover 30b Cover end 30c Inner surface 31 Projection 32 Guide portion 32a Guide surface 33 Hinge 33a Rotating shaft (second rotating shaft)
34 Locking mechanism 35a Exposure unit 35b Photosensitive drum (photoconductor)
36c Rotating shaft (first rotating shaft)
40 Paper Feeder 50 Operation Panel

Claims (4)

(a) an image forming unit that is provided in the main body and records a toner image based on the electrostatic latent image on a recording paper;
(b) an image input unit that is provided above the main body and that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body by rotating about a first rotation shaft, and that reads image data from a document; ,
With
The image forming unit includes:
(a-1) a cover that is provided on the upper surface side of the main body and that can be opened and closed by rotating about a second rotation axis that is substantially parallel to the first rotation axis;
(a-2) a lock mechanism capable of locking the cover in a closed state;
Have
The image input unit
(b-1) A projection that is provided on the surface facing the image forming unit and near the end on the far side when viewed from the first rotation shaft, and projects toward the image forming unit.
Have
When the image input unit and the cover are opened and the image input unit is turned downward and closed,
i) The cover end portion on the far side as viewed from the second rotation shaft is pressed in contact with the facing surface and moves to the far side of the first rotation shaft along the facing surface. The cover is rotated downward, and then
ii) The image forming apparatus, wherein the cover in a substantially closed state is locked by the lock mechanism when the cover end is pressed downward by the protrusion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided to be able to press the vicinity of the center in the second rotation axis direction at the end of the cover. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
A photoconductor is provided inside the image forming unit,
An image forming apparatus, wherein an inner surface of the cover is provided with an exposure unit that exposes the photosensitive member. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image input unit
(b-2) A guide unit that is provided on the opposing surface of the image input unit and has a guide surface that protrudes toward the image forming unit as viewed from the opposing surface;
With
The image forming apparatus, wherein the cover end portion moves along the guide surface at a position where the guide portion is provided.

Images