JP2010176104A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce space required for the installation of an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus (U) includes an image forming apparatus body (U2) whose outer surface (U2a) includes an opening (U2a1) and an opening and closing member (Ub) which is one for opening and closing the opening (U2a1) and supported to be movable along the outer surface (U2a) between a normal position where the opening (U2a1) is closed and an open position where the opening (U2a1) is opened to expose the inside of the image forming apparatus body (U2). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

In many image forming apparatuses, the interior is opened when the medium jammed in the conveyance path is removed or when a part or the like is replaced. As a technique for opening the inside of the image forming apparatus, a technique described in Patent Document 1 below is known.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-29271 as Patent Document 1 describes an apparatus main body (1) of an image forming apparatus, and the apparatus main body (1) is vertically arranged on the left side of the apparatus main body (1). A conveyance path (R1) formed along the sheet, an opening / closing cover (13) for removing the sheet of the conveyance path (R1) provided to be openable and closable, and a reversing unit mounted on the outside of the opening / closing cover (13). (15) and a manual feed unit (17) provided below the reversing unit (15).
In Patent Document 1, in the apparatus main body (1), an opening / closing cover (13) and a sheet reversing unit (15) are respectively attached to a support shaft (14) provided in the manual feed unit (17). A technology for supporting the support brackets (20, 21) provided to be openable and closable is described.
In the technique described in Patent Document 1, when a paper jam occurs in the transport path (R1), the paper reversing unit (15) and the opening / closing cover (13) are rotated around the support shaft (14) in this order. The conveyance path (R1) is opened by being inclined obliquely so as to be separated from the apparatus main body (1).

JP 2004-29271 A (“0017” to “0020”, “0027” to “0028”, FIGS. 3 and 4)

  An object of the present invention is to reduce a space necessary for installing an image forming apparatus.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.
An image forming apparatus main body with an opening formed on the outer surface;
An opening / closing member that opens and closes the opening and moves along the outer surface between a normal position for closing the opening and an opening position for opening the opening to expose the inside of the image forming apparatus main body. The opening and closing member supported in a possible manner;
It is provided with.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect,
Consists of a space between the first conveyance guide member and the second conveyance guide member that are arranged to face each other, and a conveyance path through which the medium is conveyed,
The first conveyance guide member supported by the image forming apparatus main body;
The second conveyance guide member that is supported by the opening and closing member and that is separated from the first conveyance guide member and opens the conveyance path as the opening and closing member is opened and closed,
It is provided with.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect,
A pair of conveying members constituted by a first conveying member and a second conveying member arranged to face each other, wherein the first conveying member and the second conveying member are in contact with each other to convey the medium. The conveying member pair
The first conveying member supported by the image forming apparatus main body;
The second conveying member supported by the opening and closing member and separated from the first conveying member as the opening and closing member is opened and closed;
It is provided with.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the space required for installing the image forming apparatus can be reduced as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the conveyance path through which the medium is conveyed can be opened and exposed to the outside.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the wear of the conveying member pair during the opening / closing operation can be reduced as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an overall explanatory view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the side cover of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment has been moved to the open position. 5A and 5B are explanatory views of the side cover of the first embodiment. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus before the side cover is supported, FIG. 5B is an explanatory view of the lower cover guide, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the handle of a cover. 6A and 6B are perspective views of the image forming apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 6A is an explanatory view when the side cover is in a normal position where the opening is closed, and FIG. 6B is an opening where the side cover opens the opening. 6C is an explanatory diagram when the side cover is in an avoidance position close to the image forming apparatus main body with the opening opened. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a cover guide and a guide support member according to the second embodiment, FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of the cover guide, FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the cover guide is supported by the guide support member at a shortened position, and FIG. FIG. 7D is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the cover guide is supported by the guide support member at the extended position, and FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIID-VIID in FIG. 7B. 8A and 8B are perspective views of the image forming apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram when the side cover is in the normal position, and FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram when the side cover is in the open position. 8C is an explanatory diagram of the cover guide. 9 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram when the side cover is in the normal position, and FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram when the side cover is in the open position. 9C is an explanatory view when the side cover is in the open holding position. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a side cover and a cover guide according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the side cover, FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of a main part of the side cover, and an explanatory view of a support arm. It is explanatory drawing of a cover guide. 11A and 11B are perspective views of the image forming apparatus according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram when the side cover is in the normal position. FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram when the upper side cover is in the open position. FIG. 11C is an explanatory view when the lower side cover is in the open position. 12A and 12B are explanatory views of a side cover and a cover guide of Example 5, FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the side cover, FIG. 12B is an explanatory view of the cover guide, and FIG. 12C is an explanatory view of the handle member. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram when the side cover body moves between the open position and the avoidance position.

Next, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as examples) will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus U according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes an automatic document feeder U1 disposed at an upper end portion, and an image forming apparatus body U2 that supports the automatic document feeder U1. And having. A paper discharge tray TRh as an example of a medium discharge unit is provided on the image forming apparatus main body U2. In addition, a plurality of paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 that accommodate sheets S as an example of a medium are detachably mounted as an example of a medium container at the lower part of the image forming apparatus main body U2. Further, a front cover Ua as an example of a front opening / closing member that is opened during maintenance work such as replacement of a member is supported on the upper front surface of the image forming apparatus main body U2. An opening U2a1 is formed on the left outer surface U2a of the image forming apparatus main body U2, and a side cover Ub as an example of an opening / closing member that opens and closes the opening U2a1 is supported.

FIG. 2 is an overall explanatory view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 2, the automatic document feeder U1 includes a document feeder TG1 in which a plurality of documents Gi to be copied are accommodated, and an upper end of the image forming apparatus main body U2 fed from the document feeder TG1. And a document discharge section TG2 from which the document Gi conveyed through the document reading position on the transparent document reading surface PG is discharged.
The image forming apparatus main body U2 includes an operation unit UI through which a user inputs an operation command signal for starting an image forming operation, an exposure optical system A, and the like.

Reflected light from the document Gi conveyed on the document reading surface PG by the automatic document feeder U1 or from the document Gi manually placed on the document reading surface PG passes through the exposure optical system A to obtain a solid-state image sensor. It is converted into electrical signals of red: R, green: G, blue: B by the CCD.
The image information conversion unit IPS converts the RGB electrical signals input from the solid-state imaging device CCD into image information of black: K, yellow: Y, magenta: M, cyan: C and temporarily stores the information. The image information is output to the latent image forming apparatus driving circuit DL as image information for forming a latent image at a predetermined time.
When the original image is a single color image, so-called monochrome, image information of only black is input to the latent image forming device drive circuit DL.
The latent image forming device driving circuit DL has driving circuits for respective colors Y, M, C, and K (not shown), and signals corresponding to input image information are arranged for each color at a predetermined time. Output to the image forming apparatuses LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
Visible image forming devices Uy, Um, Uc, Uk arranged in the center of gravity direction of the image forming device U are devices for forming visible images of Y, M, C, and K, respectively.
The Y, M, C, and K latent image writing lights emitted from the latent image writing light sources of the latent image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk respectively enter the rotating image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk. In the first embodiment, the latent image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk are constituted by so-called LED arrays.
The Y-color visible image forming device Uy includes a rotating image carrier PRy, a charger CRy, a latent image forming device LHy, a developing device Gy, a transfer device T1y, and an image carrier cleaner CLy. In the first exemplary embodiment, the image carrier PRy, the charger CRy, and the image carrier cleaner CLy are configured as an image carrier unit that can be integrally attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body U2.
The visible image forming apparatuses Um, Uc, Uk are all configured in the same manner as the Y-color visible image forming apparatus Uy.

2 and 3, the image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are charged by their respective chargers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk, and then at image writing positions Q1y, Q1m, Q1c, and Q1k. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by the latent image forming devices LHy to LHk. The electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are developed in the developing regions Q2y, Q2m, Q2c, and Q2k as a developer roll as an example of a developer carrier of the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk. A toner image as an example of a visible image is developed with the developer held in R0y, R0m, R0c, and R0k.
The developed toner image is conveyed to primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k that are in contact with an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member. The primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt B in the primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k are supplied with a predetermined value from a power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied.

  The toner images on the image carriers PRy to PRk are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k. Residues and deposits on the surface of the image carrier PRy, PRm, PRc, PRk after the primary transfer are cleaned by the image carrier cleaner CLy, CLm, CLc, CLk. The cleaned surfaces of the image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are recharged by the chargers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk.

  Above the image carriers PRy to PRk, a belt module BM as an example of an intermediate transfer device that can move up and down and can be pulled out forward is disposed. The belt module BM includes the intermediate transfer belt B, a belt drive roll Rd as an example of an intermediate transfer body drive member, a tension roll Rt as an example of an intermediate transfer body stretching member, and a walking roll as an example of a meandering prevention member. Rw, an idler roll Rf as an example of a driven member, a backup roll T2a as an example of a secondary transfer region facing member, and the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k. The intermediate transfer belt B is rotatably supported by a belt support roll Rd + Rt + Rw + Rf + T2a as an example of an intermediate transfer member support member constituted by the rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a.

A secondary transfer roll T2b as an example of a secondary transfer member is disposed facing the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B in contact with the backup roll T2a, and a secondary transfer device T2 is configured by the rolls T2a and T2b. ing. Further, a secondary transfer region Q4 is formed in a region where the secondary transfer roll T2b and the intermediate transfer belt B are opposed to each other.
Single-color or multi-color toner images transferred on the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k in the primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B. Transported to region Q4.

  In FIG. 2, a pair of left and right guide rails GR as an example of a guide member is provided below the visible image forming apparatuses Uy to Uk, and the guide rails GR are provided with paper feed trays TR1 to TR1. TR4 is supported to be able to enter and exit in the front-rear direction. The sheets S accommodated in the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are taken out by a pick-up roll Rp as an example of a medium taking-out member and separated one by one by a separating roll Rs as an example of a medium picking-up member. The sheet S is transported along a sheet transport path SH, which is an example of a transport path, by a plurality of transport rolls Ra as an example of a transport member pair, and is disposed upstream of the secondary transfer region Q4 in the sheet transport direction. The sheet is sent to a registration roll Rr as an example of a conveying member pair and an example of a medium conveying timing adjustment member.

The registration roll Rr conveys the sheet S to the secondary transfer area Q4 in time for the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B to be conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4. When the sheet S passes through the secondary transfer region Q4, the backup roll T2a is grounded, and the secondary transfer roll T2b has a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity from the power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. A next transfer voltage is applied. At this time, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred to the sheet S by the secondary transfer device T2.
The intermediate transfer belt B after the secondary transfer is cleaned by a belt cleaner CLb as an example of an intermediate transfer body cleaner.
In the image forming apparatus U according to the first exemplary embodiment, the transfer device that transfers the toner images on the surfaces of the image carriers PRy to PRk to the sheet S by the primary transfer units T1y to T1k, the intermediate transfer belt B, the secondary transfer unit T2, and the like. T1 + B + T2 is configured.

The sheet S on which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is transferred to a fixing region Q5 which is a pressure contact region of a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating fixing member of the fixing device F and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressure fixing member. It is conveyed and fixed by heating when passing through the fixing area. The heat-fixed sheet S is discharged from a discharge roller Rh as an example of a medium discharge member to a discharge tray TRh as an example of a medium discharge portion.
Note that a release agent for improving the releasability of the sheet S from the heating roll Fh is applied to the surface of the heating roll Fh by a release agent applicator Fa.

  Above the belt module BM is an example of a developer container that contains yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K developers. The developer is supplied to the image forming apparatus U and supplied. Toner cartridges Ky, Km, Kc, and Kk are disposed as an example of developer storage containers. The developers contained in the toner cartridges Ky, Km, Kc, and Kk are supplied from the developer supply path (not shown) to the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk according to the consumption of the developer in the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk. Gm, Gc, Gk are replenished. In Example 1, the developer is composed of a two-component developer including a magnetic carrier and a toner provided with an external additive.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where the side cover of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment is moved to the open position.
5A and 5B are explanatory views of the side cover of the first embodiment. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus before the side cover is supported, FIG. 5B is an explanatory view of the lower cover guide, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the handle member of a cover.
5A and 5B, the image forming apparatus main body U2 is formed with a pair of cover guides 1 and 2 as an example of an opening / closing member guide part at positions corresponding to the upper and lower ends of the opening U2a1. .
The upper cover guide 2 is configured in the same manner as the lower cover guide 1 except that the upper cover guide 2 is arranged symmetrically in the vertical direction.

The cover guides 1 and 2 are formed with a pair of first guide grooves 3 and second guide grooves 4 that extend in parallel in the front-rear direction.
Each of the guide grooves 3, 4 extends from the front end side of the cover guides 1, 2 to the rear and the opening / closing groove portions 3 a, 4 a and the rear end portion of the opening / closing groove portions 3 a, 4 a toward the inside of the image forming apparatus main body U 2. And contact / separation groove portions 3b, 4b extending obliquely rearward.
In front of the first guide groove 3, a roller 6 as an example of an opening / closing auxiliary member is rotatably supported.
The first guide grooves 3 and 4 and the roller 6 constitute cover guides 1 and 2 according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 5A, a first guided protrusion 11 formed corresponding to the first guide groove 3 and a second guide groove 4 are formed on the upper end and lower end of the side cover Ub. A second guided protrusion 12 is provided.
A roller 13 as an example of an opening / closing auxiliary member is rotatably supported behind the second guided protrusion 12 at the upper end and the lower end of the side cover Ub.
The side cover Ub is supported movably along the guide grooves 3 and 4 of the cover guides 1 and 2 in a state where the guided protrusions 11 and 12 are fitted in the guide grooves 3 and 4. ing. That is, the side cover Ub is supported so as to be movable along the outer surface U2a of the image forming apparatus main body U2.

5A and 5C, the handle support portion 16 is located at the front of the left surface of the side cover Ub at a position corresponding to the hole-shaped engagement portion U2b provided in front of the left end of the image forming apparatus main body U2 shown in FIG. 5A. Is formed. A handle support shaft 16 a is supported on the handle support portion 16. As shown in FIG. 5C, a handle member 17 as an example of a U-shaped operation portion is rotatably supported on the handle support shaft 16a.
The handle member 17 includes a main body portion 17a rotatably supported by the handle support shaft 16a, a connection support portion 17b extending leftward from a front end portion of the main body portion 17a, and a left end portion of the connection support portion 17b. And a gripping portion 17c extending rearward.

Further, the handle member 17 is formed with a latch portion 17d as an example of an opening preventing portion that protrudes from the main body portion 17a toward the image forming apparatus main body U2. The latch portion 17d is formed in a flat shape extending left and right, and is formed with a movement restricting surface 17e on the front side that is hooked on the engaging portion U2b and restricts the movement of the side cover U2. The latch portion 17d is formed with a contact portion 17f extending obliquely from the right end of the movement restricting surface 17e toward the rear end of the main body portion 17a.
The handle member 17 is urged by a coil spring 18 as an example of an urging member on the left end side of the connection support portion 17 b, and the coil spring 18 is supported by the handle support portion 16. That is, the handle member 17 is held at the restriction position shown in FIG. 5C by the coil spring 18.

In FIG. 2, the sheet conveyance path SH includes a main body side conveyance guide SHa as an example of a pair of first conveyance guide members disposed opposite to each other, and a cover side conveyance guide as an example of a second conveyance guide member. The main body side transport guide SHa is supported by the image forming apparatus main body U2, and the cover side transport guide SHb is supported by the side cover Ub.
The transport roll Ra includes a drive roll Ra1 as an example of a pair of first transport members disposed opposite to each other, and a driven roll Ra2 as an example of a second transport member, The driving roll Ra1 is supported by the image forming apparatus main body U2, and the driven roll Ra2 is supported by the side cover Ub.

Further, the registration roll Rr is configured by a driving registration roll Rr1 as an example of a pair of first conveyance members disposed opposite to each other, and a driven registration roll Rr2 as an example of a second conveyance member, The driving registration roll Rr1 is supported by the image forming apparatus main body U2, and the driven registration roll Rr2 is supported by the side cover Ub.
In Example 1, the backup roll T2a is supported by the image forming apparatus body U2, and the secondary transfer roll T2b is supported by the side cover Ub.

When the side cover Ub attached to the image forming apparatus main body Ub is in the normal position shown in FIG. 1, the handle member 17 is clamped to the engaging portion U2b of the image forming apparatus main body U2 by the coil spring 18. Held in a latched state. Thereby, the movement of the side cover Ub is restricted.
At this time, the main body side conveyance guide SHa and the cover side conveyance guide SHb are arranged in a state of facing each other with a space having a preset width therebetween, and the sheet conveyance path SH is defined by the space between the conveyance guides SHa and SHb. Composed. At this time, the driving roll Ra1 and the driven roll Ra2 come into contact with each other, and the sheet S on the sheet conveyance path SH can be conveyed. Similarly, at this time, the driving registration roll Rr1 and the driven registration roll Rr2 come into contact with each other, and the sheet S on the sheet conveyance path SH can be conveyed.

Next, in a state where the side cover Ub is in the normal position shown in FIG. 1, if the gripping portion 17 c of the handle member 17 held in the restricting position shown in FIG. In contrast, the handle member 17 rotates about the support shaft 16a, and the latch portion 17d is separated from the engaging portion U2b, and the latched state is released. Accordingly, the side cover Ub can be moved to the open position shown in FIG.
When the side cover Ub starts to move to the open position, the guided protrusions 11 and 12 fitted in the guide grooves 3 and 4 are guided by the contact / separation groove parts 3b and 4b, and the image forming apparatus main body U2 receives them. On the other hand, after moving away from diagonally outward, it moves forward along the open / close groove portions 3a, 4a.

When the side cover Ub is in the open position shown in FIG. 4, the opening U2a1 of the image forming apparatus main body U2 is opened, and the inside of the image forming apparatus main body U2 is exposed to the outside from the opening U2a1.
At this time, the members SHb, Ra2, and Rr2 supported by the side cover Ub are moved together with the side cover Ub, and the sheet conveyance path SH, the conveyance roll Ra, and the registration roll Rr are opened, and the image forming apparatus main body U2 is opened. The supported members Sha, Ra1, Rr1 are exposed to the outside from the opening U2a1.

  Next, when the side cover Ub moves from the open position to the normal position, the contact portion 17f of the latch portion 17d contacts the engagement portion U2b. That is, the latch portion 17d is pushed by the engaging portion U2b, the handle member 17 rotates around the support shaft 16a, and the latch portion 17d moves to the left. When the side cover Ub moves to the normal position, the latch portion 17d moves to the restriction position by the coil spring 18 and is latched by the engagement portion U2b.

(Operation of Example 1)
In the image forming apparatus U according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, the side cover Ub is held in the normal position during the normal time when the image forming operation is performed, and the sheet is fed by the pickup roll Rp and the separation roll Rs. The sheet S fed from the trays TR1 to TR4 is conveyed on the sheet conveyance path SH by the conveyance roll Ra, the registration roll Rr, and the like. Then, the sheet S on which the image is recorded is discharged to the paper discharge tray TRh.

Here, when the sheet S is jammed in the sheet conveyance path SH, or when the maintenance and inspection of the image forming apparatus main body U2 or the replacement of parts, the side cover Ub is moved from the normal position to the open position, and the image forming apparatus main body Open the inside of U2.
That is, in the first embodiment, the handle member 17 of the side cover Ub is operated to release the latched state, and the side cover Ub is moved from the normal position to the open position along the guide grooves 3 and 4. In addition to opening the opening U2a1, the cover-side transport guide SHb, the driven roll Ra2, the driven registration roll Rr2 and the like supported by the side cover Ub are moved to move the main-body-side transport guide Sha supported by the image forming apparatus main body U2 and drive. The roll Ra1, the driven driven roll Rr1, etc. are exposed to the outside from the opening U2a1.

When the inside of the image forming apparatus main body U2 is opened, as in the conventional case, when a cover that rotates around an axis, that is, a so-called hinge type cover rotates, the inside of the image forming apparatus main body U2 is opened. In addition to the size of the image forming apparatus U itself before opening, the image forming apparatus U substantially occupies a space in which the cover rotates around the hinge when opened. That is, when the image forming apparatus U is installed, it is not usually used, but it is necessary to provide a space necessary for exchanging members or removing the jammed sheet S in advance.
Further, instead of the hinge type, the cover moves like the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 that are pulled out or stored with respect to the image forming apparatus main body U2, and the inside of the image forming apparatus main body U2 is opened. In the case of the configuration, in addition to the size of the image forming apparatus U itself before opening, the image forming apparatus U substantially occupies the space from which the cover is pulled out when the image forming apparatus U is opened. It is necessary to install U.

  On the other hand, the side cover Ub of the first embodiment moves forward along the outer surface U2a of the image forming apparatus main body U2 while being guided by the guide grooves 3 and 4 while being kept in an upright state, that is, a slide. However, the user who uses the image forming apparatus U moves to the front of the image forming apparatus where there is a space for work, and the space required for installation is reduced compared to the conventional configuration.

Further, in the hinge type cover, the distance between the cover and the image forming apparatus main body U2 becomes narrower as the hinge portion, that is, the rotation center is closer, so that the sheet S jammed in the conveyance path near the hinge is removed and the members near the hinge are removed. Workability such as replacement deteriorates.
On the other hand, in the first embodiment, when the side cover Ub is moved to the open position, the opening U2a1 is opened as a whole, and the inside of the image forming apparatus main body U2 is exposed from the opening U2a1, and is configured by a hinge type cover. Compared with the above, the deterioration of workability is reduced. In particular, regarding the removal of the sheet S, among the sheet transport path SH through which the sheet S passes, the transport roll Ra, the registration roll Rr, etc., the main body-side transport guide Sha supported on the main body side, the drive roll Ra1, and the drive registration roll Rr1 and the like are exposed to the outside as a whole without being blocked by the hinge portion, and the workability is improved as compared with the case where it is blocked by the hinge portion.

When the side cover Ub of the first embodiment is held at the normal position shown in FIG. 1, the driving roll Ra1 and the driven roll Ra2 that are arranged to face each other, and the driving registration roll Rr1 and the driven registration roll Rr2 are mutually connected. The contact state is maintained.
Therefore, if the guide grooves 3 and 4 are configured only by the opening and closing groove portions 3a and 4a extending rearward from the front end side and the side cover Ub slides only in the front-rear direction, when the side cover Ub slides, The driving roll Ra1 and the driven roll Ra2, and the driving registration roll Rr1 and the driven registration roll Rr2 slide sideways while being in contact with each other, and the worn sheet S or the jammed sheet S is torn off, making it difficult to remove. There is a fear.

On the other hand, the side cover Ub of the first embodiment is guided by the contact / separation groove portions 3b and 4b before being guided by the opening / closing groove portions 3a and 4a, and is directed from the inside to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body U2. After sliding diagonally forward, it slides back and forth.
That is, in the first embodiment, after the contact state or the like of the members Ra1, Ra2, Rr1, Rr2 arranged opposite to each other and in contact with each other is released, the side cover Ub slides in the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. As compared with the case where the contact state is not released, the wear or the like is reduced.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

6A and 6B are perspective views of the image forming apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 6A is an explanatory view when the side cover is in a normal position where the opening is closed, and FIG. 6B is an opening where the side cover opens the opening. 6C is an explanatory diagram when the side cover is in an avoidance position close to the image forming apparatus main body with the opening opened.
In FIG. 6, in the image forming apparatus main body U2 according to the second embodiment, instead of the cover guides 1 and 2 according to the first embodiment, cover guides 1 'and 2' are guide support members 21 and 22 as an example of an expansion / contraction support member. Is supported through.
The upper cover guide 2 ′ and the guide support member 22 are configured in the same manner except that they are arranged vertically symmetrically with the lower cover guide 1 ′ and the guide support member 21. Description is omitted.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a cover guide and a guide support member according to the second embodiment, FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of the cover guide, FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the cover guide is supported by the guide support member at a shortened position, and FIG. FIG. 7D is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the cover guide is supported by the guide support member at the extended position, and FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIID-VIID in FIG. 7B.
7B to 7D, the guide support member 21 includes a main body 21a that is long in the front-rear direction supported by the image forming apparatus main body U2, side walls 21b and 21c that extend upward from the left and right ends of the main body 21a, and And supporting wall portions 21d and 21e extending from the upper ends of the side wall portions 21b and 21c toward the side wall portions 21c and 21b facing each other.

A space that is surrounded by the main body 21a, the side walls 21b and 21c, and the support walls 21d and 21e constitutes a guide accommodation support space 21f.
In the guide accommodation support space 21f, between a shortened position in the state accommodated in the guide accommodation support space 21f and an extended position in a state in which the front end side of the cover guide 1 'protrudes from the guide accommodation support space 21f, The cover guide 1 'is movably supported.

In FIG. 7A, the cover guide 1 ′ is provided with rollers 23 as an example of a plurality of movement assisting members on the left and right.
Further, the cover guide 1 ′ has an arcuate rotation groove portion 3 c centering on the front end of the opening / closing groove portion 4 a of the second guide groove 4 extending from the front end of the opening / closing groove portion 3 a of the first guide groove 3 ′. Is formed.
The opening / closing groove portion 3a, the contact / separation groove portion 3b, and the rotation groove portion 3c constitute the first guide groove 3 'of Example 2, and the protrusions 11 and 12 provided on the side cover Ub are connected to the guide groove 3'. , 4 are guided along.

Here, when the first guided protrusion 11 moves along the rotation groove 3c, the second guided protrusion 12 reaching the front end of the opening and closing groove 4a serves as a rotation center, and the first guided protrusion 11 The guide protrusion 11 moves.
That is, when the first guided protrusion 11 is positioned in the rotation groove 3c and the second guided protrusion 12 is positioned at the front end of the opening / closing groove 4a, the side cover Ub is rotatable with respect to the cover guide 1 '. Supported.

(Operation of Example 2)
In the image forming apparatus U ′ of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the opening U2a1 is opened, the side cover Ub slides forward and moves from the normal position to the open position as in the first embodiment. To do. Then, when the protruding portions 11 and 12 of the side cover Ub moved to the open position come into contact with the front end portions of the opening and closing groove portions 3a and 4a, the cover guides 1 'and 2' are completely moved from the shortened position to the extended position.
The side cover Ub supported by the cover guides 1 ′ and 2 ′ moved to the extended position is rotated and avoided as shown in FIG. 6C when the handle member 17 side of the side cover Ub is pushed toward the image forming apparatus main body U2. Move to position. That is, the side cover Ub according to the second embodiment rotates on the front side of the image forming apparatus U ′ in which a space in which a user works during an image forming operation is normally secured.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus U ′ of the second embodiment, the side cover Ub slides and the opening U2a1 is opened, and the space necessary for installation is reduced as in the first embodiment. When moved to the avoidance position, the side cover Ub is less likely to get in the way when working on the opening U2a1 as compared to the configuration of merely sliding to the open position as in the first embodiment. That is, the occupied space of the image forming apparatus U ′ when the opening U2a1 is opened is reduced as compared with the first embodiment.
When the cover guides 1 'and 2' of the second embodiment return from the open position to the normal position, the protruding portions 11 and 12 of the side cover Ub are connected to the open / close groove portions 3a and 4a and the contact / separation groove portions 3b and 4b. By completely touching, it moves completely from the extended position to the shortened position.

Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first and second embodiments, and the detailed description thereof will be given. Is omitted.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

8A and 8B are perspective views of the image forming apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram when the side cover is in the normal position, and FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram when the side cover is in the open position. 8C is an explanatory diagram of the cover guide.
In FIG. 8, instead of the cover guides 1 and 2 of the first embodiment, cover guides 1 ″ and 2 ″ are supported on the image forming apparatus main body U2 of the third embodiment.
In FIG. 8C, the upper cover guide 2 ″ is configured in the same manner except that it is arranged vertically symmetrically with the lower cover guide 1 ″, and the explanation thereof is omitted.

8C, the cover guides 1 ″ and 2 ″ of the third embodiment include opening / closing groove portions 3a ″ and 4a ″ that are shorter than those of the first embodiment, and contact / separation groove portions 3b and 4b that are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Are formed symmetrically in the longitudinal direction.
Further, a pair of side covers Ub ″ and Ub ″ whose length in the front-rear direction is half that of the side cover Ub of the first embodiment are supported by the cover guides 1 ″ and 2 ″ symmetrically.
In the third embodiment, a plurality of driven rolls Ra2, driven registration rolls Rr2 and the like supported by the side cover Ub are arranged with a space in the front-rear direction and the sheet width direction, and correspond to the positions of the respective positions. Are supported by the side covers Ub ″ and Ub ″. Further, the secondary transfer roll T2b supported by the side cover Ub in the first embodiment is supported on the image forming apparatus main body U2 side in the third embodiment.

(Operation of Example 3)
In the image forming apparatus U ″ of Embodiment 3 having the above-described configuration, the front and rear side covers Ub ″ and Ub ″ move between the normal position and the open position, respectively.
That is, also in Example 3, the side covers Ub ″ and Ub ″ are opened from the normal position shown in FIG. 8A to the open position shown in FIG. 8B along the contact / separation groove portions 3b and 4b and the open / close groove portions 3a ″ and 4a ″, respectively. As in the first embodiment, the space required for installation is reduced.
Further, the size of the side cover Ub ″, Ub ″ in the third embodiment in the moving direction is smaller than that of the side cover Ub in the first embodiment, and even if the side cover Ub ″, Ub ″ is located at the open position, the image is displayed. The size of each of the side covers Ub ″ and Ub ″ projecting from the forming apparatus main body U2 is small, and compared with the first embodiment, the user's work and movement are not easily disturbed.

Next, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first to third embodiments, and the detailed description thereof will be given. Is omitted.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

9 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram when the side cover is in the normal position, and FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram when the side cover is in the open position. 9C is an explanatory view when the side cover is in the open holding position.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a side cover and a cover guide according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the side cover, FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of a main part of the side cover, and an explanatory view of a support arm. It is explanatory drawing of a cover guide.
9 and 10, in the image forming apparatus main body U2 of the fourth embodiment, instead of the cover guides 1 and 2 of the first embodiment, cover guides 41 and 42 extending in the vertical direction along the opening U2a1 are provided on the front and rear sides. A pair is supported.

The cover guides 41 and 42 of the fourth embodiment are formed with opening and closing groove portions 43a and 44a having a length in the vertical direction corresponding to the height of the opening U2a1, and the upper ends of the opening and closing groove portions 43a and 44a have a reverse U shape. Holding groove portions 43c and 44c extending in a letter shape toward the opening U2a1 are formed.
The cover guides 41 and 42 are configured in the same manner as the cover guides 1 and 2 of the first embodiment except that the other points are configured to be supported in the front-rear direction, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.

10A and 10B, a pair of front and rear support arms Ub1a as an example of support arms extending obliquely downward toward the image forming apparatus main body U2 side are supported by the side cover Ub1 of the fourth embodiment.
At the tip of the support arm Ub1a, a first guided protrusion 51 and a second guided protrusion 52 that protrude in the front-rear direction are formed corresponding to the cover guides 41 and 42 extending in the vertical direction. ing. A ball caster 53 as an example of a movement assisting member is provided at the tip of the support arm Ub1a.

The guided protrusions 51 and 52 move along the guide grooves 53 and 54 while being fitted in the guide grooves 43 and 44.
That is, each guided protrusion 51, 52 moves along the contact / separation groove 43b, 44b and the opening / closing groove 43a, 44a, and the side cover Ub1 moves from the normal position where the opening U2a1 shown in FIG. 9A is closed. 9B moves to the open position where the opening U2a1 shown in FIG. 9B is opened. Further, the guided protrusions 51 and 52 move to the front end along the holding grooves 43c and 44c, the side cover Ub1 moves to the open holding position shown in FIG. 9C, and the opening U2a1 is opened. Retained.

(Operation of Example 4)
In the image forming apparatus U01 according to the fourth embodiment having the above-described configuration, the side cover Ub1 moves in the vertical direction between the normal position illustrated in FIG. 9A and the open position illustrated in FIG. 9B. Although the moving direction is different from that of the cover Ub, it slides along the outer surface U2a of the image forming apparatus main body U2 in an upright state. That is, in the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the space necessary for installation is reduced.
When the side cover Ub1 of Example 4 is moved from the open position to the open holding position shown in FIG. 9C, the protruding portions 51 and 52 of the side cover Ub1 are supported by the holding groove portions 43c and 44c, and the side cover Ub1 is self-weighted. Therefore, the opening U2a1 is kept open without moving downward.
At this time, in Example 4, the side cover Ub1 does not pop out in front of or on the side of the image forming apparatus U01 where a user or the like stands, and the side cover Ub1 is unlikely to hinder the work.

Next, the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the fifth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first to fourth embodiments, and the detailed description thereof will be given. Is omitted.
This embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the fourth embodiment in other points.

11A and 11B are perspective views of the image forming apparatus according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram when the side cover is in the normal position. FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram when the upper side cover is in the open position. FIG. 11C is an explanatory diagram when the lower side cover is in the open position.
12A and 12B are explanatory views of a side cover and a cover guide of Example 5, FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the side cover, FIG. 12B is an explanatory view of the cover guide, and FIG. 12C is an explanatory view of the handle member.
11 and 12, a pair of cover guides 41 'and 42' are supported on the front and rear in place of the cover guides 41 and 42 of the fourth embodiment in the image forming apparatus main body U2 of the fifth embodiment.
In the following description, the rear cover guide 42 'is configured in the same manner as the front cover guide 41', and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

In FIG. 12B, a pair of lower first guide grooves 43 ′ and lower second guide grooves 44 ′ extending in parallel in the vertical direction are formed below the center portion of the cover guide 41 ′ according to the fifth embodiment. ing.
The guide grooves 43 ′ and 44 ′ form an image from the lower opening and closing groove portions 43 a ′ and 44 a ′ extending from the lower end side to the center portion of the cover guide 41 ′ and the lower end portions of the lower opening and closing groove portions 43 a ′ and 44 a ′. The lower contact / separation groove portions 43b 'and 44b' extending in the horizontal direction toward the inside of the apparatus main body U2 and the holding groove portions 43c and 44c similar to those of the fourth embodiment extending from the upper ends of the lower opening / closing groove portions 43a 'and 44a'. And have.

Further, a pair of upper first guide groove 43 ″ and upper second guide groove 44 ″ extending in parallel in the vertical direction are formed on the upper side from the center portion of the cover guide 41 ′ of the fifth embodiment.
The guide grooves 43 ″ and 44 ″ are formed on the upper and lower opening / closing groove portions 43a ″ and 44a ″ extending from the upper end side to the center portion of the cover guide 41 ′ and from the upper end portions of the upper opening / closing groove portions 43a ″ and 44a ″. And upper contact / separation groove portions 43b ″ and 44b ″ extending in the horizontal direction toward the inside of U2.

11 and 12A, the cover guides 41 'and 42' have side cover Ub1 according to the fourth embodiment, except that the length in the vertical direction is about half that of the side cover Ub1 according to the fourth embodiment. A pair of side covers Ub1 ′ and Ub1 ′ configured in the same manner as above are supported symmetrically.
In Example 5, the protrusions 51 and 52 move along the contact / separation groove portions 43b ″ and 44b ″ so that the upper side cover Ub1 ′ moves from the normal position shown in FIG. 11A where the opening U2a is closed. Slide and move away from the image forming apparatus main body U2 side. Further, the protrusions 51 and 52 move along the opening / closing groove portions 43a ″ and 44a ″, and the upper side cover Ub1 ′ moves to the open position shown in FIG. 11B where the opening U2a1 is opened.
The lower side cover Ub1 ′ is configured vertically symmetrically with the upper side cover Ub1 ′, and is configured in the same manner except that it is guided by the lower guide grooves 43 ′ and 44 ′. Detailed description is omitted.

A handle support portion 16 is formed above the left surface of the upper cover guide Ub1 ′, and a handle member 17 ″ is swingably supported by the handle support shaft 16a.
The handle member 17 ″ according to the fifth exemplary embodiment includes a gripping portion 17a ″ that extends in the vertical direction, and extends horizontally from the upper end of the gripping portion 17a ″ toward the image forming apparatus main body U2, and is rotatably supported by the support shaft 16a. A main body portion 17b ″ and a latch portion 17c ″ as an example of an upward opening prevention portion formed at the right end portion of the main body portion 17 ″.

On the left side of the latch portion 17c ″, there is formed a movement restricting surface 17e ″ that is caught by an engaging portion U2b ′ provided above the opening U2a1 and restricts the movement of the side cover Ub1 ′. The latch portion 17c ″ is formed with a contact portion 17f ″ that extends obliquely from the upper end of the movement restricting surface 17e ″ toward the right end of the main body portion 17b ″.
The handle member 17 ″ is biased downward by a coil spring 18 supported by the handle support portion 16 on the left end side of the main body portion 17b ″, and is held at the restriction position shown in FIG. 12C.
Accordingly, the side cover Ub1 ′ is restricted from moving away from the image forming apparatus main body U2, that is, from the normal position, by the handle member 17 ″ held at the restriction position. When 17a ″ is gripped, the handle member 17 ″ rotates, the latch portion 17c ″ moves away from the engaging portion U2b ′, and the side cover Ub1 ′ can be moved from the normal position.

(Operation of Example 5)
In the image forming apparatus U01 ′ having the above-described configuration, the upper side cover Ub1 ′ moves up and down between the normal position shown in FIG. 11A and the open position shown in FIG. The cover Ub1 ′ moves up and down between the normal position shown in FIG. 11A and the open position shown in FIG. 11C.
That is, also in the fifth embodiment, the side covers Ub1 ′ and Ub1 ′ slide and move along the contact / separation groove portions 43b ′, 44b ′, 43b ″ and 44b ″ and the open / close groove portions 43a ′, 44a ′, 43a ″ and 44a ″. In the same manner as in the fourth embodiment, the space required for installation is reduced with a configuration that moves in the vertical direction.
Further, the side covers Ub1 ′ and Ub1 ′ of the fifth embodiment are smaller in size than the side cover Ub1 of the fourth embodiment, and the operability when the side cover Ub1 ′ is moved is improved.

Next, the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the sixth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components of the first to fifth embodiments, and the detailed description thereof will be given. Is omitted.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram when the side cover body moves between the open position and the avoidance position.
In FIG. 13, an image forming apparatus main body U01 ″ according to the sixth embodiment includes a slider portion 51 as an example of a quadrangular columnar rear end support portion extending vertically, instead of the side cover Ub according to the first embodiment, and the slider portion. A side cover Ub1 ″ having a side cover main body 52 as an example of an opening / closing member main body supported by the front end of 51 is supported.
Similar to the side cover Ub of the first embodiment, a first guided protrusion 11 and a second guided protrusion 12 are formed on the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the slider 51, and the roller 13 is rotatably supported. Has been.

The side cover main body 52 is avoided by a hinge 53 as an example of a hinge member disposed in the upper, middle, and lower portions with respect to the slider 51, as indicated by a solid line in FIG. It is rotatably supported between the position and the open position indicated by the broken line in FIG.
In the side cover main body portion 52 indicated by the solid line in FIG. 13, the handle member 17 is supported on the right side of the side cover main body portion 52 as in the first embodiment.
The slider 51, the side cover main body 52, the hinge 53, and the like constitute a side cover Ub1 ″ of the sixth embodiment.
On the surface of the side cover Ub1 ″ on the image forming apparatus main body U2 side, cover side conveyance guides SHb, driven rolls Ra2, and driven registration rolls Rr2 corresponding to the respective members SHa, Ra1, Rr1 on the image forming apparatus main body U2 side are supported. ing.
In Example 6, a plurality of driven rolls Ra2 and driven registration rolls Rr2 are arranged with a space in the sheet width direction, which is the front-rear direction, and the slider unit 51 and the side cover are arranged according to the arranged positions. The main body 52 is supported. The secondary transfer roll T2b is supported on the image forming apparatus main body U2 side.

(Operation of Example 6)
In the image forming apparatus U01 ″ of Embodiment 6 having the above-described configuration, the side cover Ub1 ″ slides from the normal position to the open position, and the opening U2a1 is opened, as in Embodiment 1. Then, in the side cover Ub1 ″ moved to the open position shown by the broken line in FIG. 13, when the handle member 17 side of the side cover main body 52 is pushed to the image forming apparatus main body U2 side, as shown by the solid line in FIG. The side cover main body 52 rotates around the hinge 53 and moves to an avoidance position along the front surface of the image forming apparatus main body U2.
That is, in the configuration shown in the second embodiment, the first guided protrusion 11 is guided by the rotation groove 3c around the second guided protrusion 12, and the side cover Ub is rotated. The side cover main body 52 is rotated by the hinge 53.
Therefore, in the image forming apparatus U01 ″ according to the sixth embodiment, the space necessary for installation when the opening U2a1 is opened is reduced as in the first embodiment and the opening U2a1 is opened as in the second embodiment. The space occupied by the image forming apparatus U01 ″ at the time is reduced.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is made in the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. Is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H010) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration of the copying machine is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatuses U to Ub1 ″. However, the configuration is not limited thereto, and the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the present invention is not limited to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and can be applied to an image forming apparatus of an arbitrary image forming system such as an ink jet recording system, a thermal head system, or a lithographic printer. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a multi-color developing image forming apparatus, and may be configured by a monochromatic, so-called monochrome image forming apparatus.

(H02) In each of the above embodiments, the configuration in which the opening U2a1 is opened and the sheet conveyance path SH is exposed by the movement of the side covers Ub to Ub1 ″ is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus body U2 It is also possible to expose the inside of the image forming apparatus main body U2 by applying to the front cover Ua.
(H03) In the pair of transport members Ra and Rr in each of the above embodiments, it is desirable that the transport members Ra2 and Rr2 on the cover side move together with the side covers Ub to Ub1 ″, but the image together with the opposing transport members Ra1 and Rr1. A configuration that is supported by the forming apparatus main body U2 and does not move with the side covers Ub to Ub1 ″ is also possible.

(H04) In each of the embodiments described above, the side covers Ub to Ub1 ″ are preferably moved in the direction away from the image forming apparatus main body U2 by the opening / closing groove and the contact / separation groove and moved from the normal position to the open position. However, it is possible to omit the contact / separation groove portion and move from the normal position to the open position by the opening / closing groove portion.
(H05) In each of the first to fourth and sixth embodiments, the configuration using the roller is illustrated as an example of the movement assisting member. However, the configuration is not limited thereto, and for example, a configuration using a ball caster in which a sphere rotates is also possible.
(H06) In each of the embodiments described above, it is desirable to have a configuration in which a roller or ball caster as an example of a movement assisting member is provided, but this can be omitted.

(H07) In each of the above embodiments, the side cover Ub to Ub1 ″ is moved from the normal position to the open position by the protruding member provided at the end of the side cover Ub to Ub1 ″ being guided by the guide groove of the cover guide. Although the structure which slides was illustrated, it is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to move the side covers Ub to Ub1 ″ along the outer surface U2a of the image forming apparatus U2 by applying any conventionally known slide moving mechanism such as a sliding door, a lifting shelf, and a sliding door of an automobile. .
(H08) In the first, second, and sixth embodiments, the configuration in which the opening U2a1 is opened by the movement of only one side cover Ub, Ub1 ″ is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. A configuration in which each of the divided side covers slides between a normal position and an open position to open the opening U2a1 is also possible.

(H09) In the fifth embodiment, the upper side cover Ub1 ′ slides down to reach the open position, and the lower side cover Ub1 ′ slides up to reach the open position. However, the upper side cover Ub1 ′ can be slid further upward and moved to the upper open position of the image forming apparatus main body U2 as in the fourth embodiment.
(H010) In the sixth embodiment, a plurality of driven rolls Ra2 and driven registration rolls Rr2 supported by the side cover Ub1 ″ are arranged in the front-rear direction and supported by the slider portion 51 and the side cover main body portion 52. Although the configuration is exemplified, the configuration is not limited to this.
For example, the width of the slider portion 51 in the front-rear direction is reduced, and all the driven rolls Ra2 and driven registration rolls Rr2 are supported by the side cover main body 52, and the side cover main body 52 is slid by the slider 51. In addition, a configuration in which the hinge 53 is rotated and moved with respect to the slider 51 is also possible.

Ra, Rr ... conveying member pair, Ra1, Rr1 ... first conveying member, Ra2, Rr2 ... second conveying member, S ... medium, SH ... conveying path, SHa ... first conveying guide member, SHb ... second U, U ', U ", U01, U01', U01" ... image forming apparatus, U2 ... image forming apparatus body, U2a ... outer surface, U2a1 ... opening, Ub, Ub ", Ub1, Ub1 ', Ub1 ″ —Opening / closing member.

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus main body with an opening formed on the outer surface;
An opening / closing member that opens and closes the opening and moves along the outer surface between a normal position for closing the opening and an opening position for opening the opening to expose the inside of the image forming apparatus main body. The opening and closing member supported in a possible manner;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Consists of a space between the first conveyance guide member and the second conveyance guide member that are arranged to face each other, and a conveyance path through which the medium is conveyed,
The first conveyance guide member supported by the image forming apparatus main body;
The second conveyance guide member that is supported by the opening and closing member and that is separated from the first conveyance guide member and opens the conveyance path as the opening and closing member is opened and closed,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A pair of conveying members constituted by a first conveying member and a second conveying member arranged to face each other, wherein the first conveying member and the second conveying member are in contact with each other to convey the medium. The conveying member pair
The first conveying member supported by the image forming apparatus main body;
The second conveying member supported by the opening and closing member and separated from the first conveying member as the opening and closing member is opened and closed;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

Images