JP2008201100A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an attachment structure of an opening/closing cover in an image formation apparatus such as a home-use ink-jet printer, wherein the structure is simple, is capable of reducing cost, and readily adapts change of biasing force. <P>SOLUTION: The attachment structure of the opening/closing cover includes a pair of arms 11 formed to project in a first direction X from the vicinity of the lower end of an inner surface of the opening/closing cover 10, rotating shafts 12 formed respectively from open second ends 14 of the arms 11, a first abutting surface 15, a second abutting surface 16, a pair of first ribs 21 provided to project inward in the first direction X from an inner peripheral surface 2a of a printer chassis 2 and having bearing holes 22 to which the rotating shafts 12 fit, and a spring member 30 having a first linear part 31 and an abutting portion 32. The first linear portion 31 is formed by a wire for spring and extends along a second direction. The abutting portion 32 abuts either one of the first abutting surface 15 and the second abutting surface 16 formed on the arm 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mounting structure of an opening / closing cover in an image forming apparatus such as an ink jet printer.

  In recent years, home inkjet printers that can directly print images taken with a digital still camera have become widespread. In such an ink jet printer, since the ink cartridge is replaced relatively frequently as compared with other image forming apparatuses such as a laser beam printer, the ink cartridge can be easily replaced. For example, when any of the color ink filled in the ink cartridge is about to run out, the printing operation is prohibited, and the carriage on which the ink cartridge is mounted is returned to a predetermined home position and stopped. In this state, the user opens the opening / closing cover provided in front of the home position of the printer casing, removes the used ink cartridge from the carriage, mounts a new ink cartridge on the carriage, and closes the opening / closing cover. By doing so, the ink is prevented from running out during printing, and a high-quality image is always obtained.

  Incidentally, home image forming apparatuses are required to be easy for the user to operate as described above, and at the same time, are required to be as compact and low-cost as possible. Therefore, for example, in the conventional image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, one spring wire is processed to form two torsion coil springs substantially connected to both ends thereof, and the torsion coil springs are formed. It is fitted to the hinges of the printer housing and the opening / closing cover, and urged in the direction to open the opening / closing cover. According to such a configuration, since the number of parts in the mounting structure of the opening / closing cover is reduced, it seems to contribute to cost reduction at first glance. However, since it is necessary to form two torsion coil springs substantially connected from a single wire, the manufacturing process of the torsion coil springs is complicated and the yield is low. Moreover, since it is necessary to fit the spring member of a special shape to the hinge part, the assembly process may be complicated, or the assembly may take time.

  On the other hand, in order to simplify the manufacturing process of the spring member, improve the yield, and simplify the assembly process, it is conceivable to use a leaf spring to bias the open / close cover. However, when a leaf spring is used, it is necessary to change the thickness of the material or to change the shape of the leaf spring in order to change the biasing force of the spring. However, in the former case, since it is not necessary to change the press die, the design can be easily changed, but fine adjustment is difficult. On the other hand, in the latter case, it is necessary to change the design of the leaf spring and the press die itself, which is costly and difficult to respond quickly.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-74527

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems of the conventional example, and has an open / close cover that has a simple structure, can be reduced in cost, and can easily cope with a change in urging force. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a structure.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1
A recording paper transport mechanism for transporting the recording paper in the first direction;
A carriage, an ink cartridge mounted on the carriage, the ink provided in the carriage or the ink cartridge, droplets of the ink filled in the ink cartridge, and ejected toward the recording paper conveyed in the first direction. An image forming mechanism including an ink jet head that forms an image on the recording paper, and a control unit that controls the ink jet head using image data input from the outside;
The recording paper transport mechanism and the image forming mechanism are housed therein, and the carriage is not in use of the image forming apparatus or when the remaining amount of ink filled in the ink cartridge becomes a predetermined amount or less. A printer housing having an opening formed at a position facing a predetermined home position in the second direction to stop;
An opening / closing cover fitted to the opening of the printer housing so as to be opened and closed;
In the image forming apparatus provided with an open / close cover mounting structure for mounting the open / close cover to the printer housing so as to be openable / closable,
The opening / closing cover mounting structure is:
A pair of substantially U-shaped arms formed to protrude in the first direction from the vicinity of the lower end of the inner surface of the opening / closing cover;
Rotating shafts formed so as to protrude in opposite directions from each other in the second direction from the open end portion of the substantially U-shaped end portion of each arm,
A pair of first members provided so as to protrude inward in the first direction from the inner peripheral surface of the printer housing, and are formed with a bearing hole into which the rotating shaft is fitted and a groove communicated with the bearing hole. Ribs,
A slit that is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the printer casing and protrudes inward in the first direction from an intermediate portion of the pair of first ribs, and communicates with the fitting hole and the whole-period number hole. A formed second rib;
A first linear portion formed of a spring wire and extending along the second direction, and a contact formed in a substantially C shape from both ends of the first linear portion toward the first direction. And a second linear portion formed so as to protrude in opposite directions from each other in the second direction from the end of the contact portion opposite to the first linear upper portion, and the second linear portion A spring member having a retaining portion formed so as to protrude in the first direction from the end opposite to the abutting portion,
The first linear portion is fitted in the fitting hole of the second rib, the second linear portion and the retaining portion are fitted in the bearing hole of the first rib, and further the second linear shape A portion is fitted into the groove, and the contact portion is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the arm,
The end portion of the arm has a first contact surface and a second contact surface formed so that distances from the center of the rotation shaft are substantially equal,
In both the closed and open states of the open / close cover, the contact portion of the spring member is elastically deformed, and the first contact portion or the second contact portion is urged vertically upward, As a result, a load is applied to the open / close cover, and the open / close cover is prevented from being naturally opened and closed by vibration, etc.
When the opening / closing cover is shifted from the closed state to the opened state, or vice versa, the first contact surface or the second contact surface and the contact portion of the spring member from the center of the rotating shaft The distance to the contact point gradually increases, and accordingly, the load by the spring member increases, making it difficult to open and close the open / close cover, and the corners of the first contact surface and the second contact surface are When the spring member comes into contact with the contact portion of the spring member, the load by the spring member is maximized, and a click feeling is generated near the middle point of the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover, and the opening / closing cover is operated carelessly. The opening / closing cover is restored to its original state by the biasing force of the spring member, and the opening / closing cover is inadvertently opened during the printing operation, or the opening / closing cover is inadvertently closed when the ink cartridge is replaced. Characterized in that it prevented.

The invention of claim 2
A recording paper transport mechanism for transporting the recording paper in the first direction;
An image forming mechanism for forming an image on the recording paper conveyed in the first direction;
A printer housing having at least one opening therein and containing the recording paper transport mechanism and the image forming mechanism;
An opening / closing cover fitted to the opening of the printer housing so as to be opened and closed;
In the image forming apparatus provided with an open / close cover mounting structure for mounting the open / close cover to the printer housing so as to be openable / closable,
The opening / closing cover mounting structure is:
A pair of arms formed to protrude in the first direction from the vicinity of the lower end of the inner surface of the opening / closing cover;
Rotating shafts formed so as to protrude in opposite directions from each other in the second direction from the open ends of the arms,
A first abutting surface and a second abutting surface formed at an end of the arm and having substantially the same distance from the center of the rotation axis;
A pair of ribs provided so as to protrude inward in the first direction from the inner peripheral surface of the printer housing, and formed with bearing holes into which the rotating shaft is fitted;
A linear portion formed of a wire for a spring and extending along the second direction, and a first portion formed on the arm, formed to protrude from both ends of the linear portion toward the first direction. And a spring member having an abutting portion that abuts on one of the abutting surface and the second abutting surface.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the linear portion of the spring member is held in a fitting hole or groove formed in the printer casing. .

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the spring member is formed of a spring wire, and extends in the second direction. The first linear portion extends from both ends of the first linear portion toward the first direction. A contact portion formed in a substantially C shape, and a second linear portion formed so as to protrude in opposite directions from each other in the second direction from the end opposite to the first straight line upper portion of the contact portion; Since the spring member having the retaining portion formed so as to protrude in the first direction from the end of the second linear portion opposite to the abutting portion is used, substantially two torsion coils are used. Compared to the conventional example in which the spring is connected, the shape of the spring member 30 is simple, and processing and attachment are easy. Furthermore, the change of the urging force can be dealt with only by changing the wire diameter of the wire using the same mold or jig, the adjustment of the urging force of the spring member 30 is easy, and it can be done quickly. Is possible.

  In addition, the first linear portion of the spring member is fitted into the fitting hole of the second rib, the second linear portion and the retaining portion are fitted into the bearing hole of the first rib, and further the second linear shape. Since the portion is fitted in the groove, the spring member can be fixed to the printer housing without using a fixing member such as a screw, and the assembly process can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  Further, the contact portion of the spring member is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the arm, and the first contact surface and the second contact surface formed so that the distance from the center of the rotation shaft is substantially equal to the end portion of the arm. Since the contact surface is formed, the contact portion of the spring member is elastically deformed in either the closed state or the open state of the open / close cover, and the first contact portion or the second contact portion is made vertical. It is possible to prevent the opening / closing cover from being naturally opened / closed by vibrations or the like by applying a load to the opening / closing cover thereby. In addition, when the opening / closing cover is shifted from the closed state to the opened state, or vice versa, the contact between the first contact surface or the second contact surface and the contact portion of the spring member from the center of the rotating shaft. The distance to the contact is gradually increased, and the load by the spring member is increased accordingly, making it difficult to open and close the open / close cover. Furthermore, when the corners of the first contact surface and the second contact surface are in contact with the contact portion of the spring member, the load due to the spring member is maximized, and a click feeling is generated near the midpoint of the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover. Even if the opening / closing cover is inadvertently operated, it is restored to its original state by the urging force of the spring member, and the opening / closing cover is inadvertently opened during the printing operation or when the ink cartridge is replaced. It is possible to prevent the opening / closing cover from being accidentally closed.

  According to invention of Claim 2, since a spring member can be formed with a simple-shaped wire, the manufacturing process of a spring member can be simplified and a yield can be improved. Moreover, the whole attachment structure of the opening / closing cover including the attachment process of the spring member can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Furthermore, by changing the wire diameter of the wire material, various spring members having different urging forces can be manufactured using the same mold or jig for manufacturing the spring member. Fine adjustment is possible, and design changes can be quickly handled.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the spring member can be attached to the printer housing without using screws or the like, the number of parts can be reduced, and the assembly process can be simplified.

  An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, FIG. 1 shows an external appearance of a home inkjet printer capable of directly printing an image taken with a digital still camera, and FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a printer housing 2, a paper feed tray 3 provided on the back side of the printer housing 2 and loaded with unused recording paper, and a printer housing 2. Is provided on the front side of the printer, and a paper discharge tray 4 on which the recording paper on which the image is formed is discharged; a display 5 provided on the upper surface of the printer housing 2 for displaying an image to be printed; and an image to be printed. An operation panel 6 for selecting, inputting the number of prints, and the like, and a memory card reader 7 loaded with a memory card on which an image photographed by a digital camera is recorded are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, inside the printer housing 2, a recording paper transport mechanism 8 that transports the recording paper P in the first direction (sub-scanning direction) X, and the recording paper P transported in the first direction X. On the other hand, ink jet type image formation in which ink droplets are applied while transporting the carriage 91 in a second direction (main scanning direction: see FIG. 3) Y orthogonal to the first direction to form an image on the recording paper. A mechanism 9 is provided.

  The recording paper transport mechanism 8 picks up the recording paper P1 loaded in the paper feed tray 3 one by one in order from the uppermost one, and transports it to the inside of the printer housing 2; The recording paper P2 transported into the printer housing 2 by the roller 81 is transported to a predetermined printing position in the first direction X, and the recording paper P3 on which the image is formed is discharged from the printer housing 2. A sheet discharge roller 83 that discharges to the tray 4 and a first motor (M1) 84 that drives these rollers are configured.

  The image forming mechanism 9 includes the carriage 91 that reciprocates in the second direction Y, a guide rail 92 that supports the reciprocation of the carriage 91 in the second direction, and a second that reciprocates the carriage 91 in the second direction Y. A motor (M2) 93, an ink cartridge 94 mounted on the carriage 91, an ink-jet head 95 provided on either the carriage 91 or the ink cartridge 94, and image data input from the outside are used for the ink-jet head 95. A control unit 96 that performs control is included. The ink cartridge 94 may be one in which yellow, magenta, cyan (and black if necessary) inks are divided into the same container and filled, or individual ink cartridges are provided for each color. A combination of a plurality of filled ones may be used. The ink jet head 95 drops the ink of one color or a plurality of colors filled in the ink cartridge 94 and ejects the ink toward the recording paper P2.

  The carriage 91 has a predetermined home position in the second direction Y (in FIG. 1) when the image forming apparatus 1 is not used or when the remaining amount of any ink filled in the ink cartridge 94 becomes a predetermined amount or less. Stop at the right end. An opening is formed at a position facing the home position of the printer casing 2, and the opening / closing cover 10 is fitted into the opening via a hinge so as to be opened and closed.

  Details of the mounting structure of the opening / closing cover 10 to the printer housing 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the mounting structure, and FIG. 4 is a view seen from the first direction X. FIG. FIG. 5 is a view of the state in which the opening / closing cover 10 is closed as viewed from the second direction Y. FIG. FIG. 6 is a view of the state in which the opening / closing cover 10 is opened as viewed from the second direction Y. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of substantially U-shaped arms 11 are formed in the vicinity of the lower end of the inner surface of the cover 10 so as to protrude inward (first direction X) of the printer housing 2. . A first end 13 having a substantially U-shape in each arm 11 is integrated with an inner surface of the opening / closing cover 10, and a second end 14 is opened. The rotation shaft 12 is formed so that the second end portion 14 of each arm 11 protrudes in the second direction Y in opposite directions. On the other hand, a pair of first ribs 21 are provided on the inner peripheral surface 2 a of the printer housing 2 so as to protrude inward in the first direction X. Each first rib 21 is formed with a bearing hole 22 into which the rotary shaft 12 is fitted. The rotating shaft 12 and the bearing hole 22 constitute the hinge. As shown in FIG. 4, in the second direction Y, the distance L1 between the inner side surfaces 21b of the pair of first ribs 21 is substantially equal to the distance L2 between the outer side surfaces 11a of the pair of arms 11 and is predetermined. Is set to be larger by a dimensional tolerance (for example, 0.5 to 1.0 mm). With one rotary shaft 12 fitted in advance in the corresponding bearing hole, each arm 11 and / or first rib 21 is elastically deformed while the other rotary shaft 12 is fitted in the corresponding bearing hole 22. As a result, the opening / closing cover 10 is attached to the printer housing 2.

  A groove 23 communicating with the bearing hole 22 is formed in each first rib 21 downward in the vertical direction, for example, and is fitted in the vicinity of both ends of a spring member 30 described later. The width of the groove 23 only needs to be larger than the diameter of the spring wire that is the material of the spring member 30, and may be set to the maximum dimension within a range in which the wire diameter may be changed. The direction of the groove 23 is not particularly limited as long as the spring member 30 can function. On the other hand, a second rib 24 is provided on the inner peripheral surface 2 a of the printer housing 2 and at an intermediate portion of the pair of first ribs 21 so as to protrude inward in the first direction X. The second rib 24 is formed with a substantially circular fitting hole 25 into which the spring member 30 is fitted, and a slit 26 that is communicated with the fitting hole 25 to fit the spring member 30 into the fitting hole 25. Has been. The diameter of the fitting hole 25 may be set to be the same as the width of the groove 23. Further, the width of the slit 26 may be set to be slightly smaller than the minimum dimension in a range in which the wire diameter may be changed as long as the spring member 30 can be prevented from being accidentally dropped off. Furthermore, the direction of the slit 26 is not particularly limited.

  The spring member 30 is formed of a wire for spring as described above, and extends in the first direction X from both ends of the first linear portion 31 extending along the second direction Y and the first linear portion 31. The contact portion 32 formed in a substantially C-shape toward the top and the end portion of the contact portion 32 opposite to the first linear upper portion 31 are formed so as to protrude in opposite directions in the second direction Y. The second linear portion 33 and a retaining portion 34 formed so as to protrude in the first direction X from the end opposite to the contact portion 32 of the second linear portion 33 are provided. The first linear portion 31 is fitted into the fitting hole 25 of the second rib 24. Further, the second linear portion 33 and the retaining portion 34 are fitted into the bearing hole 22 of the first rib 21, and the second linear portion 33 is further fitted into the groove 23.

  In the second direction Y, the length L5 of the first linear portion 31 only needs to be smaller than the distance L2 between the outer surfaces 11a of the pair of arms 11 and larger than the distance L3 between the inner surfaces 11b. Further, the distance L6 between the pair of retaining portions 34 may be set to be substantially equal to the distance L4 between the outer surfaces 21a of the pair of first ribs 21 and to be increased by a predetermined dimensional tolerance. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the contact portion 32 can be brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the arm 11.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the second end portion 14 of the arm 11, the distance D1 from the center of the rotating shaft 12 to the first contact surface 15 and the distance D2 to the second contact surface 16 are substantially equal. It is set to be. Further, the substantially C-shaped diameter D3 constituting the contact portion 32 of the spring member 30 is, for example, the distance D1 (or the distance D4 from the center of the rotating shaft 12, that is, the center of the bearing hole 22 to the bottom of the groove 23). It should be substantially the same as the length obtained by subtracting D2) and slightly larger than that. If the dimensional relationship is set in this way, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the contact portion 32 of the spring member 30 is elastically deformed in both the closed state and the open state of the opening / closing cover 10, and the first The first contact portion 15 or the second contact portion 15 is urged vertically upward. Therefore, a load is applied to the opening / closing cover 10, and the opening / closing cover 10 can be prevented from being naturally opened / closed by vibration or the like. The diameter D3 of the substantially C-shaped contact portion 32 is appropriately set according to the diameter of the wire material, the elastic coefficient, the weight of the opening / closing cover 10, and the like.

  Further, when the opening / closing cover 10 is moved from the closed state shown in FIG. 5 to the open state shown in FIG. 6 or vice versa, the first contact surface 15 or the second contact surface from the center of the rotating shaft 12 is used. The distance between the contact point 16 of the spring member 30 and the contact point 32 of the spring member 30 gradually increases, and the deformation of the contact part 32 gradually increases accordingly. Therefore, since the load by the spring member 30 becomes large, it becomes difficult to open and close the opening / closing cover 10. Further, since the corner portion 17 of the first contact surface 15 and the second contact surface 16 is the longest distance from the center of the rotating shaft 12, when the corner portion 17 contacts the contact portion 32 of the spring member 30. The load by the spring member 30 is maximized. That is, when the opening / closing cover 10 is opened / closed, a click feeling is generated near the midpoint of the opening / closing operation. Therefore, the opening / closing cover 10 cannot be opened / closed unless the user intentionally operates the opening / closing cover 10, and even if the opening / closing cover 10 is inadvertently operated, the urging force of the spring member 30 restores the original state. Thus, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing cover 10 from being inadvertently opened during the printing operation or from being inadvertently closed when the ink cartridge is replaced.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the spring member 30 is formed by processing the spring wire material as in the conventional example. However, the spring member 30 is substantially the same as the conventional example in which two torsion coil springs are connected. In comparison, the shape of the spring member 30 is simple, and processing and attachment are easy. Furthermore, the change of the urging force can be dealt with only by changing the wire diameter of the wire using the same mold or jig, the adjustment of the urging force of the spring member 30 is easy, and it can be done quickly. Is possible.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and at least a recording paper transport mechanism that transports the recording paper in the first direction and an image forming mechanism that forms an image on the recording paper transported in the first direction. A printer casing having at least one opening, an opening / closing cover fitted to the opening of the printer casing, and an opening / closing cover. In the image forming apparatus provided with the opening / closing cover mounting structure that can be opened and closed to the housing, the opening / closing cover mounting structure includes a pair of arms formed to protrude in the first direction from the vicinity of the lower end of the inner surface of the opening / closing cover, A rotation shaft formed so as to protrude in opposite directions from each other in the second direction from the open end of the arm, and a first rotation shaft formed at the end of the arm and having substantially the same distance from the center of the rotation shaft. A pair of ribs provided with a contact hole, a second contact surface, and a bearing hole that is provided so as to protrude inward in the first direction from the inner peripheral surface of the printer housing and into which the rotation shaft is fitted; A linear portion formed of a spring wire and extending in the second direction, and a first abutment formed on the arm so as to protrude from both ends of the linear portion toward the first direction. What is necessary is just to have the spring member which has a contact part contact | abutted to either a surface or a 2nd contact surface. Further, it is preferable that the linear portion of the spring member is held in a fitting hole or groove formed in the printer casing.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, the abutting portion between the spring member 30 and the first abutting surface 15 or the second abutting surface 16 of the arm 11 only needs to be in the vicinity of the vertically lower side of the rotating shaft 12, and the shape of the abutting portion 32 is substantially U. Other shapes such as a letter shape may be used. Furthermore, you may comprise the contact part 32 so that it may have several contact points, such as substantially m shape.

  Furthermore, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the ink jet printer, and can be applied to other image forming apparatuses having an opening / closing cover such as a thermal transfer printer and a laser beam printer.

1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a home inkjet printer that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of the ink jet type image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an opening / closing cover mounting structure of the image forming apparatus. The figure which looked at the above-mentioned opening-and-closing cover attachment structure from the 1st direction (sub-scanning direction). The figure which looked at the said opening / closing cover attachment structure in the state which closed the opening / closing cover from the 2nd direction (main scanning direction). The figure which looked at the said opening-and-closing cover attachment structure in the state which opened the opening-and-closing cover from the 2nd direction (main scanning direction).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Printer housing 8 Recording paper conveyance mechanism 9 Image forming mechanism 10 Opening / closing cover 11 Arm 12 Rotating shaft 13 First end 14 (of arm) Second end 15 (of arm) First contact surface 16 Second contact surface 17 Corner portion 21 First rib 22 Bearing hole 23 Groove 24 Second rib 25 Fitting hole 26 Slit 30 Spring member 31 First linear portion 32 Contact portion 33 Second linear portion 34 Retaining portion 91 Carriage 94 Ink cartridge 95 Inkjet head 96 Controller P, P1, P2, P3 Recording paper

Claims (3)

A recording paper transport mechanism for transporting the recording paper in the first direction;
A carriage, an ink cartridge mounted on the carriage, the ink provided in the carriage or the ink cartridge, droplets of the ink filled in the ink cartridge, and ejected toward the recording paper conveyed in the first direction. An image forming mechanism including an ink jet head that forms an image on the recording paper, and a control unit that controls the ink jet head using image data input from the outside;
The recording paper transport mechanism and the image forming mechanism are housed therein, and the carriage is not in use of the image forming apparatus or when the remaining amount of ink filled in the ink cartridge becomes a predetermined amount or less. A printer housing having an opening formed at a position facing a predetermined home position in the second direction to stop;
An opening / closing cover fitted to the opening of the printer housing so as to be opened and closed;
In the image forming apparatus provided with an open / close cover mounting structure for mounting the open / close cover to the printer housing so as to be openable / closable,
The opening / closing cover mounting structure is:
A pair of substantially U-shaped arms formed to protrude in the first direction from the vicinity of the lower end of the inner surface of the opening / closing cover;
Rotating shafts formed so as to protrude in opposite directions from each other in the second direction from the open end portion of the substantially U-shaped end portion of each arm,
A pair of first members provided so as to protrude inward in the first direction from the inner peripheral surface of the printer housing, and are formed with a bearing hole into which the rotating shaft is fitted and a groove communicated with the bearing hole. Ribs,
A slit that is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the printer casing and protrudes inward in the first direction from an intermediate portion of the pair of first ribs, and communicates with the fitting hole and the whole-period number hole. A formed second rib;
A first linear portion formed of a spring wire and extending along the second direction, and a contact formed in a substantially C shape from both ends of the first linear portion toward the first direction. And a second linear portion formed so as to protrude in opposite directions from each other in the second direction from the end of the contact portion opposite to the first linear upper portion, and the second linear portion A spring member having a retaining portion formed so as to protrude in the first direction from the end opposite to the abutting portion,
The first linear portion is fitted in the fitting hole of the second rib, the second linear portion and the retaining portion are fitted in the bearing hole of the first rib, and further the second linear shape A portion is fitted into the groove, and the contact portion is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the arm,
The end portion of the arm has a first contact surface and a second contact surface formed so that distances from the center of the rotation shaft are substantially equal,
In both the closed and open states of the open / close cover, the contact portion of the spring member is elastically deformed, and the first contact portion or the second contact portion is urged vertically upward, As a result, a load is applied to the open / close cover, and the open / close cover is prevented from being naturally opened and closed by vibration, etc.
When the opening / closing cover is shifted from the closed state to the opened state, or vice versa, the first contact surface or the second contact surface and the contact portion of the spring member from the center of the rotating shaft The distance to the contact point gradually increases, and accordingly, the load by the spring member increases, making it difficult to open and close the open / close cover, and the corners of the first contact surface and the second contact surface are When the spring member comes into contact with the contact portion of the spring member, the load by the spring member is maximized, and a click feeling is generated near the middle point of the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover, and the opening / closing cover is operated carelessly. The opening / closing cover is restored to its original state by the biasing force of the spring member, and the opening / closing cover is inadvertently opened during the printing operation, or the opening / closing cover is inadvertently closed when the ink cartridge is replaced. An image forming apparatus characterized by preventing. A recording paper transport mechanism for transporting the recording paper in the first direction;
An image forming mechanism for forming an image on the recording paper conveyed in the first direction;
A printer housing having at least one opening therein and containing the recording paper transport mechanism and the image forming mechanism;
An opening / closing cover fitted to the opening of the printer housing so as to be opened and closed;
In the image forming apparatus provided with an open / close cover mounting structure for mounting the open / close cover to the printer housing so as to be openable / closable,
The opening / closing cover mounting structure is:
A pair of arms formed to protrude in the first direction from the vicinity of the lower end of the inner surface of the opening / closing cover;
Rotating shafts formed so as to protrude in opposite directions from each other in the second direction from the open ends of the arms,
A first abutting surface and a second abutting surface formed at an end of the arm and having substantially the same distance from the center of the rotation axis;
A pair of ribs provided so as to protrude inward in the first direction from the inner peripheral surface of the printer housing, and formed with bearing holes into which the rotating shaft is fitted;
A linear portion formed of a wire for a spring and extending along the second direction, and a first portion formed on the arm, formed to protrude from both ends of the linear portion toward the first direction. An image forming apparatus comprising: a spring member having a contact portion that contacts one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the linear portion of the spring member is held in a fitting hole or groove formed in the printer casing.

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