JP2013246353A - Lock mechanism for opening/closing member, and sheet carrying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely lock an opening/closing member without spoiling user's operability even when large force is needed to close the opening/closing member.SOLUTION: A lock mechanism includes a locking member which is provided to an opening/closing member rotatably around a rotary shaft, a locked member which is provided to a frame body and which the locking member locks, and a contact part which the locking member can contact. The locking member has a striking part which contacts the contact part when the frame body is closed while the locking member does not lock the locked member. When the striking part contacts the contact part, a part of the locking member contacts the locked member to push up an opening/closing part with the rotary shaft, and after the opening/closing member is pushed up, the locking member locks the locked member.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet conveying mechanism that conveys a sheet such as a document or transfer paper in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine using an open / close member locking mechanism and an electrophotographic system using the same. Relates to the device.

  In recent years, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a facsimile, or a scanner apparatus, a sheet conveyance path is configured to improve paper jam (jam) handling in the apparatus or to clean the apparatus from the viewpoint of improving usability. There is a demand for a configuration in which the transport guide plate is arranged to be openable and closable. That is, the jammed sheet is easily removed by opening the conveyance guide plate during jamming. When the conveyance guide plate can be opened and closed in this way, a lock mechanism is required to securely hold the open / close member in the closed state after the jam processing.

  Therefore, in the prior art, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a lock mechanism provided with a plurality of hook members provided on the cover of the image forming apparatus as a technique for preventing the closing of the opening / closing member. Then, the closing timing of the plurality of hook members is shifted to prevent the closing of the opening / closing member.

  Specifically, in the handle member having three hook members corresponding to both ends and the central portion, the timing at which the hook member provided at the center is locked is configured to be slower than the hook members at both ends. . Therefore, when the opening / closing member is closed, the hook members provided at both ends do not lock unless the hook member at the center is closed to the locked position. In this way, only the end portion of the opening / closing member is prevented from being partially closed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a plurality of hook members are provided at both ends of the opening / closing member so as to be rotatable with play on the shaft member, so that the hook member swings within a predetermined range in the vicinity of the position where the hook member engages with the engaging portion. A configuration that can move freely has been proposed. This makes it possible to lock the hook members at both ends even when the locking timing of the hook members provided at both ends of the opening / closing member is shifted.

JP 2000-096881 A JP 2004-123317 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, when the opening / closing member is closed, it is necessary to reliably press the opening / closing member to the closing position. For example, when the conveyance guide plate existing in the apparatus can be opened and closed, the opening and closing member is provided inside the opening and closing member. At this time, it is necessary to urge the inner opening / closing member to a position where it is surely closed by the operation of closing the outer opening / closing member.

  In particular, when the inside of the sheet conveyance path is exposed to remove the jammed sheet, one of the conveyance roller pairs is provided in the apparatus main body, and the other is provided in the opening / closing member. Then, by opening the opening / closing member, the pressing of the conveying roller pair is released, and the jammed sheet can be removed from the sheet conveying path.

  In such a case, when closing the opening / closing member, it is necessary to close the opening / closing member with a force larger than the nip pressure of the conveying roller pair, and there is a problem that the operability of the opening / closing member by the user is impaired.

  Thus, the present invention provides a locking mechanism for an opening / closing member that can securely lock the opening / closing member without impairing operability even when a relatively large force is required when closing the opening / closing member. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve this object, an opening / closing member locking mechanism according to the present invention includes a main body, a frame that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body, and an opening and closing that is held by the frame and can be opened and closed with respect to the frame. A locking mechanism for the opening / closing member having a member, a locking member provided on the opening / closing member, a locked member provided on the frame body for locking the locking member, and the engagement member A contact portion with which the stop member can contact, and the locking member is configured to close the body when the locking member is not locked with the locked member. When the frame is closed in a state where the abutting portion is in contact with the abutting portion, the opening / closing member is pushed up, and the locking member is engaged with the locked member. It is characterized by stopping.

  According to the locking mechanism and the sheet conveying device of the opening / closing member of the present invention, when the frame member is closed in a state where the locking member is not locked with the locked member, the abutting portion contacts the contact portion. The opening / closing member is pushed up, and the locking member is locked by being locked to the locked member. For this reason, even when a large force is required to close the opening / closing member, such as when forming the nip of the conveying roller pair, the opening / closing member can be reliably locked without impairing the operability of the user.

  Further, since the locking member is locked to the locked member by pushing up the opening / closing member, the abutting portion can be separated from the contact portion after locking. For this reason, after the lock, the opening / closing member can be prevented from being affected by the pressure from the contact portion.

It is a perspective view which shows the scanner apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. 1A shows a state in which the sheet conveyance unit is closed, FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a main part showing a state in which the sheet conveyance unit is opened, and FIG. The white plate attached so that opening and closing is possible, and the opening and closing member are opened. It is sectional drawing of the scanner apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. It is the state which closed the opening-and-closing member used for the sheet conveyance unit of the scanner apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. 3A shows a state where the opening / closing member is closed, and FIG. 3B shows a state where the opening / closing member is opened. It is a principal part top view which shows the movement of opening and closing of the hook member used for the scanner apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. 4 (a) shows the open state, FIG. 4 (b) shows the beginning of closing, FIG. 4 (c) shows the semi-closed state, FIG. 4 (d) shows the lock start state, FIG. 4E shows a locked state. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the hook member used for the scanner apparatus which is embodiment of this invention.

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

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The scanner device 1 (main body, sheet conveying device) includes a sheet conveying unit 2 and an image reading unit 3 that convey a sheet from which an image is to be read. FIG. 1A shows a state in which the sheet conveying unit 2 is closed, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a main part showing a state in which the sheet conveying unit 2 is opened. FIG. 1C shows a state where the white plate 22 and the opening / closing member 5 attached to the sheet conveying unit 2 so as to be further opened and closed are opened. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the scanner device 1.

   As shown in FIG. 1B, the sheet conveying unit 2 is attached to the image reading unit 3 so as to be rotatable. In the scanner apparatus 1, a plurality of sheets are separated one by one using a fixed reading method in which an image is read while setting the sheet on the image reading unit 3 and moving the image reading means 19 and the sheet conveying unit 2. There is a flow reading method for reading an image while conveying a sheet.

  In the fixed reading method, a sheet is set on an original table glass 21 (glass plate) arranged on the image reading unit 3 and an image on the sheet is read while moving the image reading means 19. At this time, the white plate 22 provided on the lower surface of the sheet conveying unit 2 presses the sheet to prevent wrinkles and the like generated on the sheet from floating.

  The white plate 22 is attached to the white support plate 23 via an elastic member (not shown) such as a sponge member in order to press the sheet.

  On the other hand, in the flow-reading method, sheets are stacked on the feeding tray 9, the sheets stacked by the pickup roller 10 shown in FIG. 2 are transported toward the sheet transport unit 2, and one by one by the separation unit 11. To separate. The sheet transported into the sheet transport unit 2 is pulled out of the separation unit 11 by the pulling roller 12, and the leading end of the sheet is brought into contact with the resist roller 13 in a stopped state to form a deflection and correct skew.

  The sheet whose skew has been corrected passes through the bending path, is supplied to the reading glass 20 for flow reading by the conveying roller 14, is conveyed on the reading glass 20 by the platen roller 15, and is conveyed by the image reading means 19. An image is read. The sheet that has passed through the image reading unit 19 is conveyed toward the discharge tray 18 by the conveyance roller 16 (first conveyance roller), and is discharged onto the discharge tray 18 by the discharge roller 17.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, when a jam occurs in the sheet conveying unit 2, a part of the conveying path from the conveying roller 16 to the discharge roller 17 can be opened in order to remove the sheet without damaging the sheet. Yes.

<Configuration of lock mechanism>
Next, the lock mechanism of the opening / closing member 5 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the opening / closing member 5. The opening / closing member 5 is provided in the sheet conveying unit 2 so as to be opened and closed. FIG. 3A shows a state where the opening / closing member 5 is closed, and FIG. 3B shows a state where the opening / closing member 5 is opened.

  As shown in these drawings, the opening / closing member 5 is attached to the frame 4 of the sheet conveying unit 2 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 5a. Two hook members 6 (locking members) attached to the opening / closing member 5 so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 6 b with respect to the opening / closing member 5 are attached to the front and rear end portions of the opening / closing member 5. It has been.

  The hook member 6 is applied with an urging force by an elastic member (not shown) so as to rotate in a direction in which the hook member 6 is locked (locked). Two engaging shafts 7 (locked members) that engage with the hook members 6 are attached to the frame body 4 in the front-rear direction of the frame body. In FIG. 3, the hook member 6 on the back side is invisible. The opening / closing member 5 holds a conveyance roller 16a (second conveyance roller) opposed to the conveyance roller 16, and the hook member 6 engages with the engagement shaft 7 to be in the locked state. The conveying force of the roller 16a is generated. When the sheet is conveyed, the conveyance rollers 16 and 16a convey the sheet while sandwiching the sheet.

  Further, the hook member 6 is provided with an interference portion 6a (abutting portion) that can come into contact with the white plate 22, and when the sheet conveying unit 2 is closed, the hook member 6 is placed on the original platen glass 21 (abutting portion). A force for rotating the hook member 6 is applied by abutting against the white plate 22 (contact portion). The interference portion 6a may be directly abutted against the original platen glass 21 instead of the white plate 22.

  When the sheet is jammed in the lower conveyance path in the sheet conveyance unit 2, the sheet conveyance unit 2 is first rotated to the open state with respect to the image reading unit 3 (FIG. 1B). Then, by opening and closing the opening / closing member 5 with respect to the frame 4 of the sheet conveying unit 2 and separating the conveying roller 16a from the conveying roller 16, it is possible to take out a jammed sheet in the sheet conveying unit 2. (FIG. 1 (c)).

  After processing the jammed sheet, the opening / closing member 5 is closed, and the hook member 6 is engaged with the engagement shaft 7 to be in a locked state (FIG. 3A), and then the sheet conveying unit 2 is moved to the image reading unit 3. Needs to be closed. However, it is also assumed that the operation of closing the sheet conveying unit 2 is performed in a state in which the opening / closing member 5 is forgotten to be closed, semi-closed, or partially closed. If the sheet is conveyed while the opening / closing member 5 holding the conveyance roller 16a is in the closed state and is not securely locked, the conveyance force may become unstable, leading to skewing of the sheet and deterioration of the scanned image. . Therefore, even when the sheet conveying unit 2 is closed with the opening / closing member 5 open, the opening / closing member 5 needs to be reliably closed.

  Further, in the scanner device 1, the sheet conveyance unit 2 is operated with respect to the image reading unit 3 in order to secure an operation force for opening / closing operation of the sheet conveyance unit 2 or landing of the sheet conveyance unit 2 with respect to the image reading unit 3. A plurality of abutting portions provided in the sheet conveying unit 2 are set so as to contact the image reading unit 3.

  Note that the lower surface of the sheet conveying unit 2 other than the abutting portion is held so as to obtain a predetermined clearance with respect to the image reading unit 3 for conveying the sheet. Therefore, a predetermined clearance must be secured for the image reading unit 3 when the opening / closing member 5 provided on the lower surface of the sheet conveying unit 2 is closed.

<Opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member>
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating how the opening and closing member 5 and the hook member 6 are opened and closed when the sheet conveying unit 2 is closed with the opening and closing member 5 open.

  FIG. 4A shows a state where the sheet conveying unit 2 is opened and the opening / closing member 5 is opened as shown in FIG. 4B and 4C show a process in which the sheet conveying unit 2 approaches the closed state and the opening / closing member 5 approaches the closed state from the open state, and FIG. FIG. 4C shows a state in which the hook member 6 is semi-closed with respect to the engagement shaft 7. FIG. 4D shows a state where the sheet conveying unit 2 is further closed and the hook member 6 provided on the opening / closing member 5 starts to be locked, and FIG. 4E shows that the sheet conveying unit 2 is further closed. The hook member 6 is completely locked to the engagement shaft 7.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in the open state where the hook member 6 is not locked to the engagement shaft 7, the opening / closing member 5 is rotated downward by gravity and is brought into contact with the white plate 22 to be positioned. It has been decided. When the sheet conveying unit 2 is closed from this state, the sheet conveying unit 2 and the white plate 22 approach each other, and the opening / closing member 5 approaches the engaging shaft 7 fixed to the sheet conveying unit 2 accordingly.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, an inclined surface 6c is formed at the tip of the hook portion of the hook member 6. When the sheet conveying unit 2 is closed, the engaging shaft 7 comes into contact with the inclined surface 6c. And press. By this pressing, the inclined surface 6c of the hook member 6 slides with respect to the engagement shaft 7, and the hook member 6 rotates clockwise. Then, when the hook member 6 rotates clockwise, the interference portion 6 a provided on the hook member 6 comes into contact with the white plate 22. At this time, since the lower surface of the white plate 22 is supported on the platen glass 21, a force that pushes the opening / closing member 5 upward acts with the corresponding contact portion as a fulcrum, and the opening / closing member 5 is against the white plate 22. Pushed up. That is, the engagement shaft 7 presses the inclined surface 6c, the contact point is a force point, the contact point with the white plate 22 of the interference portion 6a is a fulcrum, and the rotation shaft 6b is an action point. A force to lift the upper side is transmitted. When the opening / closing member 5 is lifted, the rotating shaft 6b of the hook member 6 is lifted, and the hook member 6 is further rotated clockwise as shown in FIG. 4C, and the opening / closing member 5 is further lifted.

  When the opening / closing member 5 is lifted as described above and the tip of the hook portion of the hook member 6 is lifted to a position exceeding the central portion of the engagement shaft 7 as shown in FIG. When the hook member 6 is rotated counterclockwise in the locking direction by the force of the urging elastic member (not shown), the opening / closing member 5 is in the closed state shown in FIG. At this time, the tip of the interference portion 6 a is separated from the surface of the white plate 22.

  The force that the inclined surface 6c of the hook member 6 receives from the engagement shaft 7 and the force that the interference portion 6a of the hook member 6 receives from the white plate 22 is the force that causes the hook member 6 to rotate in opposite directions. It is. For this reason, it is necessary to adjust the protrusion amount of the interference part 6a of the hook member 6 according to the rotation amount of the hook.

  That is, if the protruding amount of the interference part 6a is too large, the hook member 6 stops when the inclined surface 6c contacts the engagement shaft 7, and the opening / closing member 5 is not closed any more.

  On the other hand, if the protruding amount of the interference portion 6a is too small, a sufficient force for lifting the opening / closing member 5 cannot be applied to the rotating shaft 6b. For this reason, the protruding amount of the interference portion 6a can lift the opening / closing member 5, and the inclined surface 6c of the hook member 6 slides on the engaging shaft 7 so that the hook member 6 and the engaging shaft 7 can be engaged. It is necessary to adjust to.

  As described above, when the sheet conveying unit 2 is closed in a state where the hook member 6 is not locked, the interference portion 6a of the hook member 6 comes into contact with the white plate 22 supported by the platen glass 21, and the opening / closing member 5 is moved. The hook member 6 is locked to the engagement shaft 7 by being pushed up. For this reason, the opening / closing member 5 can be reliably locked without impairing the operability of the user. Further, since the opening / closing member 5 is pushed up so that the hook member 6 is locked to the engagement shaft 7, the interference portion 6a can be separated from the platen glass or the white plate after locking. For this reason, after the lock, the opening / closing member 5 is secured to the image reading unit 3 with a predetermined clearance.

<Another configuration example of the hook member>
In the scanner apparatus 1, the sheet conveying unit 2 is fixed to the image reading unit 3 by a hinge, and the hinge may have a configuration for adjusting the height of the sheet conveying unit 2 with respect to the image reading unit 3.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the hook member 61 adapted to such a case and the opening / closing member 5 provided with the hook member 61.

  As shown in the figure, by providing elasticity to the interference part 61a of the hook member 61, the opening / closing member 5 is lifted to a predetermined position while absorbing the force generated by the rotation of the hook by the elasticity of the interference part 61a of the hook member 61. Is possible. When the interference part 61a causes the hook member 61 to bend within a predetermined range, the rotation range of the hook member 61 can be expanded.

  Further, the rotating shaft 6b of the hook member 61 is lifted by the restoring force to cancel the deflection of the interference portion 61a, and the opening / closing member 5 can be moved to the lock start position of the hook member 61. Also, in the locking direction of the hook member 61. By assisting the rotation of the hook member 61, the hook member 61 can be locked more reliably.

  Furthermore, since the hook member 61 is rotated by elasticity and is locked to the engagement shaft 7, it is not necessary to be as strict as the adjustment of the protrusion amount of the interference portion 6a described above.

  In the above-described embodiment, the interference portions 6 a and 61 a of the hook members 6 and 61 are configured to interfere with the white plate 22 disposed on the lower surface of the sheet conveying unit 2. In this case, the opening / closing member 5 is closed by the operation of closing the sheet conveyance unit 2 and the operation of closing the white plate 22, and can be configured to lock in this state.

  Note that the interference portions 6 a and 61 a of the hook members 6 and 61 do not interfere with the white plate 22 but directly interfere with the document table glass 21. In this case, the opening / closing member 5 is closed by the operation of closing the sheet conveying unit 2 and can be locked in this state. After the lock, the interference portion is separated from the platen glass 21, so that the hook member is not pressed from the platen glass 21, and the nip force between the conveyance paths and the conveyance roller is stably held. .

   The present invention can be used in a sheet conveying apparatus that conveys a sheet such as a document or transfer paper in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile using an electrophotographic system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Scanner apparatus 2 ... Sheet conveyance unit 3 ... Image reading unit 4 ... Frame body 5 ... Opening / closing member 6 ... Hook member 6a ... Interference part 6b ... Rotary shaft 6c・ Inclined surface 7 ... Engagement shaft 16 ・ ・ Conveying roller 16a ・ Conveying roller 20 ・ ・ Reading glass 21 ・ ・ Original plate glass 22 ・ ・ White plate 61

Claims (10)

An opening / closing member locking mechanism comprising: a main body; a frame body that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body;
A locking member provided on the opening and closing member;
A locked member provided on the frame and for locking the locking member;
A contact portion with which the locking member can contact,
The locking member has a contact portion that contacts the contact portion when the frame body is closed in a state where the locking member is not locked to the locked member,
The opening / closing member is pushed up when the frame is closed in a state where the abutting portion is in contact with the contact portion, and the locking member is locked to the locked member. Lock mechanism.   2. The opening / closing member locking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the abutting portion does not contact the contact portion when the locking member is locked to the locked member.   The locking member is rotatable about a rotation axis and is applied with an urging force in a direction to be locked to the locked member. After the opening / closing member is pushed up, the urging force is applied to the engagement member. The locking mechanism for the opening / closing member according to claim 2, wherein the stopper member rotates in a direction to be locked to the locked member and the abutting portion is separated from the contact portion.   The locking mechanism for an opening / closing member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the abutting portion has elasticity. A sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet,
A frame that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body of the sheet conveying apparatus;
A first conveying roller provided on the frame for conveying the sheet;
An opening and closing member that is held by the frame and can be opened and closed with respect to the frame;
A second transport roller provided on the opening and closing member for sandwiching and transporting the sheet with the first transport roller when the opening and closing member is closed;
A locking member provided on the opening and closing member;
A locked member provided on the frame, for locking the locking member;
A contact portion with which the locking member can contact,
The locking member has a contact portion that contacts the contact portion when the frame body is closed in a state where the locking member is not locked to the locked member,
When the frame body is closed in a state where the abutting portion is in contact with the contact portion, the opening / closing member is pushed up, and the locking member is locked to the locked member. .   The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the abutting portion does not contact the contact portion when the locking member is locked to the locked member.   The locking member is rotatable about a rotation axis and is applied with an urging force in a direction to be locked to the locked member. After the opening / closing member is pushed up, the urging force is applied to the engagement member. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a stop member rotates in a direction of locking with the locked member, and the abutting portion is separated from the contact portion.   The sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the abutting portion has elasticity.   The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the contact portion is a glass plate provided on the main body for placing the sheet.   The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the contact portion is a white plate provided on the frame body so as to be openable and closable.

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