JP2018185469A - Electronic apparatus and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent opening of a cover at an inappropriate timing and allow opening of the cover in cases other than the above case at a relatively low cost.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus comprises: an opening/closing cover 21 that is rotatably supported with respect to one face of an apparatus body with a shaft 22 as the fulcrum and covers the one face when closed; a first locking mechanism that includes a release lever and regulates opening of the opening/closing cover 21; a second locking mechanism 61 that is different from the first locking mechanism and regulates opening of the opening/closing cover 21; a movement amount sensor that detects the amount of movement of the release lever; and a control part that, while the image forming apparatus is in a predetermined state not allowing opening of the opening/closing cover 21, when the movement amount sensor detects a half stroke of the release lever, controls the operation of the second locking mechanism 61 to regulate opening of the opening/closing cover 21, and does not regulate opening of the opening/closing cover 21 in cases other than the above case.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a lock technology for an openable cover that covers the inside of the apparatus.

  Electronic devices such as image forming apparatuses are provided with a lever for controlling the locking / unlocking of the opening / closing operation of the cover to open the cover covering the inside of the apparatus, and the user can freely open the cover by operating the lever. There is one that can be opened and closed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). By configuring the cover to be openable in this way, it is possible to allow the user to touch the inside of the device when replacing parts or performing maintenance such as jam handling. It can be opened without restriction and the user can touch the inside of the device at any time, which causes a failure of the device. Also, if the cover is opened at an inappropriate timing, useless jamming may occur, dust may enter the sensor and the printing mechanism, and printing performance may deteriorate.

  As a method for solving such a problem, a self-holding solenoid is used to lock the cover open / close operation during a period during which the cover open / close is not permitted (for example, during execution of the image forming process). It is known to limit the opening and closing (ie, the operation of the user opening the cover).

JP 2012-220546 A

  However, since the solenoid needs to be energized in order to switch the lock / unlock of the cover with a self-holding solenoid, the cover is locked and the cover is locked and the image forming apparatus is turned off. Since the locked state is maintained as it is, the user cannot open the cover even if the lever is operated. Thus, when the user desires to open the cover when the cover is locked by the solenoid, it is not preferable because the cover must be forcibly opened with a risk of breakage. Although a method of providing a new mechanism for forcibly releasing the cover lock in the apparatus can be considered, the mechanism becomes complicated. Further, a solenoid having a self-holding force is more expensive than a solenoid having no self-holding force, leading to an increase in cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. A mechanism that enables the operation of opening the cover at a timing other than the timing is maintained. The purpose is to realize a simple mechanism and low cost.

  An electronic apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is rotatably supported with respect to one surface of an apparatus main body, and when the cover is closed, an openable cover that covers the one surface, an engagement portion provided on the apparatus main body side, the openable An engaged portion having a protrusion that is rotatably provided inside the cover and engages with the engaging portion, and is integrally formed with the engaged portion and rotates together with the engaged portion. A first lock that regulates an opening / closing operation of the openable cover that includes a release lever that moves and rotates the engaged portion in a direction to engage and disengage the engaged portion. A mechanism, a restricting member that rotates between a position that restricts the opening and closing operation of the openable cover and a position that does not restrict, and a self-holding force that is provided to be movable relative to the restricting member so as to rotate and move the restricting member Comprising the solenoid without A second lock mechanism that restricts an opening / closing operation of the closed cover; a movement amount detection unit that detects a movement amount of the release lever; and a control unit that drives and controls the solenoid of the second lock mechanism. Is a condition that when the image forming apparatus is in a predetermined state that does not permit opening of the openable cover, the movement amount detection unit detects a movement of the release lever that is greater than or equal to a predetermined movement amount. If the condition is satisfied, the solenoid is energized to move the restricting member to a position for restricting the opening / closing operation of the openable cover. If the condition is not satisfied, the solenoid is not energized.

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium and the electronic device.

  In the present invention, when the electronic device is in a predetermined state that does not permit opening / closing of the openable cover (for example, during operation of the apparatus), when the movement of the release lever more than the predetermined movement amount is detected. The solenoid of the second lock mechanism is energized to restrict the opening and closing of the openable cover. In other cases, the solenoid is not energized and the opening and closing of the openable cover is not restricted. For this reason, the opening / closing of the opening / closing cover is restricted when the opening / closing cover is opened at an inappropriate timing without using a self-holding solenoid, and the opening / closing of the opening / closing cover is not restricted in other cases. A mechanism that enables opening of the openable cover can be realized with a relatively simple mechanism and low cost.

1A and 1B are diagrams schematically illustrating one surface of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view and FIG. 1B is a front view. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line AA shown in FIG. 1 (B), showing a first lock mechanism, (A) shows a state where a release lever 55 is in an initial position, and (B) Indicates a state in which the release lever 55 is rotated. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line BB shown in FIG. 1B, showing the second lock mechanism, where (A) shows the openable cover 21 locked by the second lock mechanism 61. (B) shows a state in which the openable cover 21 is unlocked by the second lock mechanism 61. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating a main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is the perspective view which showed an example of the structure which detects the movement amount of a cancellation | release lever. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing operations performed by a control unit in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an electronic apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are diagrams schematically showing a side surface portion of an image forming apparatus according to an electronic apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view and FIG. 1B is a front view.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, an openable cover 21 is provided on one surface (one surface of the side surfaces in this embodiment) of the apparatus main body 11 of the image forming apparatus 1. The openable cover 21 is rotatably supported and covers the one surface when closed. The openable cover 21 is provided with a release lever 55 for releasing the lock of the openable cover 21, and the lock is released when the operator rotates the release lever 55. By means of a first lock mechanism (described later) including the release lever 55 and a second lock mechanism (described later) which is a further lock mechanism different from the first lock mechanism, the openable cover 21 is attached to the apparatus main body 11. The lock / unlock can be switched.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the first locking mechanism and schematically showing a cross section taken along line AA shown in FIG. 2A shows a state where the release lever 55 is in the initial position, and FIG. 2B shows a state where the release lever 55 is rotated.

  The openable cover 21 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to one surface of the apparatus main body 11 with the shaft 22 as a fulcrum, and covers the one surface when closed.

  The first lock mechanism 51 regulates the opening / closing operation of the openable cover 21. The first lock mechanism 51 includes an engaging portion 52A, a hook portion 54, and a release lever 55. The hook portion 54 is an example of an engaged portion in the claims.

  The engaging portion 52A is, for example, a hole formed in a notch shape in the support plate 52 provided on the apparatus main body 11 side.

  The hook portion 54 is provided inside the openable cover 21 so as to be rotatable about the shaft 53 as a fulcrum. The shaft 53 is provided on the openable cover 21 via a bearing. The shaft 53 rotates together with the release lever 55 and the hook portion 54. The hook portion 54 has a protrusion 541 at the tip, and the protrusion 541 engages with the engaging portion 52A. In a state where the protrusion 541 is engaged with the engaging portion 52A, the rotation operation with the shaft 22 of the openable cover 21 as a fulcrum is restricted. The release lever 55 is formed integrally with the hook portion 54, and has an angle orthogonal to the hook portion 54, for example. The release lever 55 and the hook portion 54 rotate in the arrow A direction with the shaft 53 as a fulcrum. That is, when the release lever 55 rotates with the shaft 53 as a fulcrum, the hook portion 54 rotates in the direction in which the engagement portion 52A is engaged and the direction in which the engagement is released. Thereby, the release lever 55 and the hook portion 54 are rotatable from the position shown in FIG. 2A to the position shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the second lock mechanism and schematically showing a cross section taken along line BB shown in FIG. 3A shows a state in which the openable cover 21 is locked by the second lock mechanism 61, and FIG. 3B shows a state in which the openable cover 21 is unlocked by the second lock mechanism 61. .

  The second lock mechanism 61 that restricts the opening / closing operation of the openable cover 21 includes an engaging portion 23 </ b> A, a hook lever 62, and a solenoid 64. An extending plate 23 extending toward the inside of the apparatus is provided as a part of the openable cover 21 at the end of the openable cover 21 and at a position facing the second lock mechanism 61.

  The engaging portion 23 </ b> A is, for example, a hole having a notch shape formed in the extending plate 23. The hook lever (an example of a restricting member in the claims) 62 is rotatably provided with a shaft 65 provided in the apparatus main body 11 as a fulcrum. The hook lever 62 moves to a position where the hook lever 62 is engaged or disengaged with the engaging portion 23 </ b> A by rotation about the shaft 65. The hook lever 62 includes a hook portion 62A and a lever portion 62B. The hook portion 62A is formed integrally with the lever portion 62B, and rotates around the shaft 65 as a rotation axis between a position where it engages with the engaging portion 23A and a position where the engagement is released. The lever portion 62B is a member extending from the rotation center of the hook lever 62 to a position facing the solenoid 64, and is made of, for example, metal.

  One end of the solenoid 64 in the length direction of the stroke member 641 (the end on the side of the openable cover 21) 6411 is attached to the lever portion 62B of the hook lever 62. Due to the stroke of the stroke member 641 (parallel movement in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 3A), the solenoid 64 has the shaft 65 as the rotation axis and the hook lever 62 from the position shown in FIG. Rotate to the position shown in B). As the solenoid 64, a mechanism having no self-holding force is employed. The hook lever 62 is an example of a regulating member in the claims.

  When the solenoid 64 is in an off state (a state where power is not applied), the hook lever 62 does not have a self-holding force, so that the hook lever 62 is not subjected to the action of being pressed or pulled by the stroke member 641 of the solenoid 64. Then, the shaft 65 can be freely rotated in the direction of arrow B in FIG. For example, when the openable cover 21 is rotated in the direction of arrow C by the operation of the release lever 55 by the user from the state shown in FIG. 3A, the extended plate 23 and the hook portion 62A are engaged. The engaging portion 23 </ b> A rotates with the rotation of the openable cover 21. At this time, the inner edge portion of the engaging portion 23A presses the distal end portion 62A1 of the hook portion 62A, and moves along the slope 6211 of the distal end portion 62A1. The hook lever 62 receives the press and rotates in the arrow C direction. As a result, the hook lever 62 changes to the posture shown in FIG. 3B, the engagement between the hook portion 62A and the engaging portion 23A is released, and the opening / closing operation of the openable cover 21 is not restricted. Become.

  When the solenoid 64 is turned on and the stroke member 641 moves in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 3B, the hook lever 62 rotates together with the stroke member 641 in the direction of arrow G in FIG. Thus, the state shown in FIG. In this state, as long as the openable cover 21 is in the position shown in FIG. 3A, the hook portion 62A of the hook lever 62 is engaged with the engaging portion 23A, and is generated by excitation if the solenoid 64 is in the ON state. The opening / closing operation of the openable cover 21 is restricted by the self-holding force to be applied.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a sheet feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, an opening / closing sensor 71, a movement amount sensor 72, and a driving unit. 73 and a solenoid 64.

  A case where a document reading operation is performed in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The document reading unit 5 optically reads an image of the document conveyed by the document feeding unit 6 or the document placed on the platen glass, and generates image data. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an unillustrated image memory or the like.

  A case where an image forming operation is performed in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The image forming unit 12 performs recording as a recording medium fed from the paper feeding unit 14 based on image data generated by the original reading operation, image data received from a computer as an external device connected to the network, or the like. Form an image on paper.

  The fixing unit 13 fixes the image on the recording paper by thermocompression bonding, and the recording paper subjected to the fixing process is discharged to a discharge tray. The paper feed unit 14 includes a paper feed cassette.

  The operation unit 47 receives an instruction such as an image forming operation execution instruction from the operator for various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guidance to the operator. The display unit 473 is a touch panel, and the operator can operate the image forming apparatus 1 by touching buttons and keys displayed on the screen.

  The open / close sensor 71 is a sensor that detects opening and closing of the openable cover 21 and is, for example, a switch that is mechanically turned on and off. The open / close sensor 71 is set to be switched on when the open / close cover 21 is closed, and to be switched off when the open / close cover 21 is open. That is, the open / close sensor 71 detects opening / closing of the openable cover 21 based on the switch on / off.

  The movement amount sensor 72 is a sensor that detects the movement amount (stroke length) of the release lever 55, and examples thereof include a photo interrupter and a mechanically on / off push switch. FIG. 5 is an example of a configuration that detects the amount of movement of the release lever 55 using a photo interrupter. For example, a fan-shaped shielding plate 56 is provided on the shaft 53 that rotates together with the release lever 55 and serves as a rotation axis of the release lever 55. The movement amount sensor 72 is disposed in the apparatus main body 11 so that the shielding plate 56 passes between the light emitting portion 72A and the light receiving portion 72B constituting the photo interrupter (movement amount sensor 72).

  The movement amount sensor 72 is set to be switched on when the shielding plate 56 blocks light from the light emitting portion 72A, and to be switched off when the shielding plate 56 does not block light from the light emitting portion 72A. That is, the movement amount sensor 72 detects the position of the shielding plate 56 (the movement amount (stroke length) of the release lever 55) based on the switch on / off.

  When the release lever 55 moves a predetermined movement amount Q1 in the direction of arrow F shown in FIG. 5, the movement amount sensor 72 is disposed at a position where the switch is turned on, so that the release lever 55 reduces the movement amount Q1. Detect whether it has moved or not. The movement amount Q1 is set to a predetermined movement amount that is larger than the movement amount 0 and smaller than the movement amount until the release lever 55 is fully opened. For example, in the present embodiment, the movement amount Q1 is set to a size that allows detection of a half stroke that is a half stroke with respect to the stroke when the release lever 55 is fully rotated. The movement amount sensor 72 is an example of a movement amount detection unit in the claims.

  The drive unit 73 controls driving of the motor 731 in accordance with an instruction from a control unit 100 (described later) of the control unit 10. The motor 731 is, for example, a drive source that moves up and down the intermediate transfer unit 121 that is disposed in the apparatus main body 11 and covered with the openable cover 21.

  The intermediate transfer unit 121 is a part of the image forming unit 12, and includes an intermediate transfer belt to which a toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum, a driving roller for driving the intermediate transfer belt endlessly, a driven roller thereof, a primary transfer roller, and the like. It is comprised including. When the image forming process by the image forming unit 12 is executed, the control unit 100 controls the operation of the driving unit 73 to drive the motor 731 to raise the intermediate transfer unit and is disposed above the intermediate transfer unit. Image forming mechanism (photosensitive drum, charging device, developing device, etc.). When the image forming process by the image forming unit 12 is not executed, the control unit 100 controls the operation of the driving unit 73 to drive the motor 731 to move the intermediate transfer unit 121 to a position away from the image forming mechanism. .

  Even when a jam occurs during the image forming process, the control unit 100 controls the operation of the driving unit 73 and drives the motor 731 to move the intermediate transfer unit 121 away from the image forming mechanism. Move to position.

  The control unit 10 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a micro processing unit (MPU). The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100 and an operation reception unit 101.

  The control unit 10 functions as the control unit 100 and the operation receiving unit 101 by the operation of the processor according to a control program stored in an HDD (not shown). However, the control unit 100 and the like can be configured by a hardware circuit regardless of the operation of the control unit 10 according to the control program. The same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

  The control unit 100 governs overall operation control of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 includes a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a sheet feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, an opening / closing sensor 71, a movement amount sensor 72, a driving unit 73, and a solenoid 64. Are connected, and drive control and the like of these parts are performed. The operation receiving unit 101 receives an operation input from the user via the operation unit 47.

  Next, an example of the processing operation performed by the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This processing operation is a processing operation that is started when the control unit 100 determines that the openable cover 21 is closed based on a signal from the open / close sensor 71.

  In the initial state, the control unit 100 does not energize the solenoid 64 (no excitation current flows through the solenoid 64) when the hook lever 62 is in the state shown in FIG. 64 is turned off (S1). Subsequently, the control unit 100 acquires a signal from the movement amount sensor 72 to monitor the movement amount (stroke length) of the release lever 55 (S2), and the movement amount Q of the release lever 55 is determined in advance. It is determined whether or not the movement amount Q1 has been reached (whether a half stroke of the release lever 55 has been detected) (S3).

  When the movement amount Q of the release lever 55 reaches the movement amount Q1, the signal from the movement amount sensor 72 is an ON signal, and when the movement amount Q of the release lever 55 does not reach the movement amount Q1, the movement amount sensor 72. The signal from is an off signal. Therefore, the control unit 100 can determine whether or not the movement amount Q of the release lever 55 has reached the movement amount Q1 based on the on / off signal from the movement amount sensor 72.

  When the control unit 100 determines that the signal from the movement amount sensor 72 is an ON signal and the release lever 55 has moved half a stroke (YES in S3), the image forming apparatus 1 does not allow the opening / closing cover 21 to be opened in advance. It is determined whether or not it is in a predetermined state (S4).

  The predetermined state in which the image forming apparatus 1 does not permit the opening / closing of the openable cover 21 is, for example, a state in which the image forming process is being performed by the image forming unit 12, or while the intermediate transfer unit is being lifted or lowered by the driving unit 73. There are certain states. The control unit 100 determines whether the image forming apparatus 1 is in a predetermined state in which the opening of the openable cover 21 is not permitted based on the operation state of the image forming unit 12 and the driving unit 73.

  If the control unit 100 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is not in a predetermined state that does not permit the opening of the openable cover 21 (NO in S4), it is not necessary to restrict the opening of the openable cover 21, so that the solenoid 64 is left off. Then, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the openable cover 21 has been opened based on a signal from the open / close sensor 71 (S5).

  When the control unit 100 determines that the openable cover 21 has been opened (YES in S5), this processing operation ends, and when it is determined that the openable cover 21 has not been opened (NO in S5), the process is as follows. Returning to S2, the control unit 100 continues to monitor the movement amount (stroke length) of the release lever 55.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is in a predetermined state that does not permit the opening of the openable cover 21 (YES in S4), the control unit 100 energizes the solenoid 64 (the excitation current is applied to the solenoid 64). And the solenoid 64 is turned on (S6). Thereby, the stroke member 641 moves in the direction of arrow E shown in FIG. 3B, and the hook lever 62 is in the state shown in FIG. At this time, the tip 62A1 of the hook 62A is engaged with the engaging portion 23A.

  Thereafter, the control unit 100 acquires a signal from the movement amount sensor 72 to monitor the movement amount (stroke length) of the release lever 55 (S7), and the movement amount Q of the release lever 55 is determined in advance. It is determined again whether or not the movement amount Q1 has been reached (whether or not a half stroke of the release lever 55 has been detected) (S8).

  When it is determined that the half stroke of the release lever 55 has been detected (YES in S8), the control unit 100 determines whether the operation reception unit 101 has received a predetermined special operation input (S9). ). Examples of the predetermined special operation include an operation in which the user keeps pressing a predetermined button among the buttons provided in the operation unit 47. The predetermined special operation is, for example, an operation that is not disclosed to general users and is known only to a maintenance person (service person) who is permitted maintenance work.

  When the control unit 100 determines that the operation receiving unit 101 has received a predetermined special operation input (YES in S9), the control unit 100 resets the timer built in the control unit 10 to set the time. The measurement of T is started (S10), and the time during which the operation receiving unit 101 has received a predetermined special operation input is measured. If NO in S9, the process returns to S8.

  Then, in a state where the operation receiving unit 101 has received an input of a predetermined special operation (YES in S11), the control unit 100 has passed the predetermined first time T1 by the timer. If it is determined whether or not the timer T has passed a predetermined first time T1 (YES in S12), the energization of the solenoid 64 is stopped and the solenoid 64 is turned off. (S13). In this state, when the user operates the release lever 55 and pulls it to rotate the opening / closing cover 21 in a direction to further open, the extension plate 23 opens and the opening / closing cover 21 opens as the opening / closing cover 21 rotates. When the inner edge portion of the engaging portion 23A presses the inclined surface 6211 of the hook portion 62A and the movement of the extension plate 23 proceeds in this direction, the solenoid 64 does not have a self-holding force. By the pressing, the hook lever 62 rotates in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 3A, the engagement between the engaging portion 23A and the hook portion 62A is released, and the hook lever 62 is in the state shown in FIG. Become. Thereafter, the process ends.

  In addition, the control unit 100 is in a state in which the operation receiving unit 101 has received an input of a predetermined special operation until the timer T passes a predetermined first time T1 (NO in S12). (S11) is continued.

  The control unit 100 determines that the state in which the operation reception unit 101 has received the input of the predetermined special operation is no longer maintained until the timer T passes the predetermined first time T1 (NO in S12). If so (NO in S11), a warning message such as “cannot permit opening of cover” is displayed on the display unit 473 (S14). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S7.

  If the control unit 100 determines in S9 that the half stroke of the release lever 55 has not been detected (NO in S8), the user must stop operating the release lever 55 and not open the openable cover 21. Since it is assumed, the process returns to S1.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is in a predetermined state that does not permit the opening and closing of the openable cover 21 (for example, during execution of the image forming process), and the predetermined movement amount Q1 of the release lever 55 is set. When the condition that the movement is detected is satisfied, the opening / closing operation of the openable cover 21 is restricted. When this condition is not satisfied, the opening / closing operation of the openable cover 21 is not restricted. That is, if the openable cover 21 is to be opened at an inappropriate timing, the opening of the openable cover 21 is restricted, but at other times, the opening of the openable cover 21 is not restricted.

  In the case of the above embodiment, during the period when the opening / closing of the openable / closable cover 21 is not permitted, the opening / closing operation of the openable / closable cover 21 needs to be regulated by continuously energizing the solenoid as in the prior art. There is no need to energize the solenoid 64 only during a period during which the opening and closing of the openable cover 21 is permitted. For this reason, in this embodiment, if the openable cover 21 is not opened, the solenoid 64 is excited not only when the image forming process is not being performed but also when the image forming process is being performed. Since it is not necessary to flow current, it is possible to reduce power consumption. Further, since it is not necessary to use a solenoid having a self-holding force, cost can be reduced.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, even if the image forming apparatus 1 is in a predetermined state that does not permit opening of the openable cover 21, a special operation that only a service person knows is performed. In this case, since the openable cover 21 is unlocked, it is easy to use.

  As another embodiment, when the control unit 100 determines that the release lever 55 has moved half a stroke (YES in S3), the control unit 100 turns on the solenoid 64 (YES in S4, S6), and then the release lever 55. When the half-stroke state is continued, the solenoid 64 is turned off when it is determined that this state lasts for a predetermined second time T2 longer than the first time T1. Thus, the openable cover 21 may be opened. Accordingly, when the user desires to open the openable cover 21 without performing the special operation, it is possible to permit the user to open the openable cover 21 under certain conditions. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the openable cover 21 from being forcibly opened.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus is described as an embodiment of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention. However, this is only an example, and other image forming apparatuses such as medical devices and computers are used. But you can.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure and process which were shown by the said embodiment using FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 6 are only one Embodiment of this invention, and are not the meaning which limits this invention to the said structure and process.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 11 Apparatus main body 12 Image forming part 21 Open / close-type cover 51 First lock mechanism 54 Hook part 55 Release lever 61 Second lock mechanism 62 Hook lever 64 Solenoid 72 Movement amount sensor 73 Drive part 100 Control part 101 Operation acceptance part

Claims (5)

An openable cover that is rotatably supported with respect to one surface of the apparatus main body and covers the one surface when closed;
An engaging portion provided on the apparatus main body side, an engaged portion having a protrusion that is rotatably provided inside the openable cover and engages with the engaging portion, and integral with the engaged portion And a release lever that rotates and moves together with the engaged portion and rotates the engaged portion in a direction to engage with the engaging portion and a direction to release the engagement. A first locking mechanism for regulating an opening / closing operation of the openable cover;
A restricting member that rotates between a position that restricts the opening / closing operation of the openable cover and a position that is not restricted, and a self-holding force that is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the restricting member and rotate the restricting member A second lock mechanism that includes a solenoid that restricts the opening and closing operation of the openable cover;
A movement amount detector for detecting the movement amount of the release lever;
A control unit that drives and controls the solenoid of the second lock mechanism,
When the image forming apparatus is in a predetermined state in which the opening / closing cover is not permitted to be opened, the movement amount detection unit detects a movement of the release lever that is greater than or equal to a predetermined movement amount. If the condition that the solenoid is to be satisfied is energized, the solenoid is energized to move the restricting member to a position for restricting the opening / closing operation of the openable cover. . An operation receiving unit for receiving user operations is further provided,
When the predetermined first time has passed in a state in which the operation receiving unit is performing a predetermined special operation when the condition is satisfied, the control unit returns to the solenoid. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the energization of is stopped.   When the condition is satisfied, the control unit has a predetermined state in which the movement amount detection unit detects a movement greater than a predetermined movement amount of the release lever that is longer than the one hour. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the energization to the solenoid is stopped when the operation continues for a second time or longer. An image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: the electronic device according to claim 1. The image forming unit includes:
An image forming mechanism for forming an image;
A toner image is transferred by the image forming mechanism, and an intermediate transfer unit that transfers the toner image to a recording medium,
A drive unit for raising and lowering the intermediate transfer unit;
The openable cover covers the intermediate transfer unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls the solenoid on the assumption that the opening / closing cover is not permitted to be opened while the intermediate transfer unit is being lifted and lowered.