JP2019109296A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can simplify an operation to replace an attachment component.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 comprises an attachment part 4, a housing 1, a cover member 3, and a locking mechanism. The attachment part 4 is attached with a removably attachable attachment component C. The housing 1 accommodates the attachment part 4. The cover member 3 is supported by the housing 1. The locking mechanism switches between a locking state for regulating a movement of the attachment component C in a take-out direction and a lock releasing state for permitting the movement of the attachment component C in the take-out direction. The cover member 3 switches between a first attitude for covering the attachment component 4, and a second attitude and a third attitude for not covering the attachment part 4. The cover member 3 is rotatable in the first attitude and the second attitude. The cover member 3 is slidable in the second attitude and the third attitude. When the cover member 3 is in the first attitude, the locking mechanism is in the locking state, and when the cover member 3 is in the third attitude, the locking mechanism is in the lock releasing state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus provided with a replaceable mounting part. Specifically, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a fixing unit as a mounting component. The fixing unit includes a fixing frame. The fixing frame is divided into a first frame and a second frame. The first frame is attached to a body frame of the image forming apparatus. The second frame is removably attached to the first frame by screws.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 5-446045 gazette

  However, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when replacing the fixing unit, a tool is required to remove the screw, and the replacing operation is not easy.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of simplifying an operation of replacing a mounted part in view of the above-mentioned problems.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a mounting portion, a housing, a cover member, and a lock mechanism. A detachable mounting component is mounted on the mounting portion. The housing accommodates the mounting portion. The cover member is supported by the housing. The lock mechanism is between a locked state for restricting the movement of the mounting part in the removal direction for removing the mounting part from the housing, and a unlocked state for permitting the movement of the mounting part in the removal direction. Switch. The cover member switches between a first position covering the mounting portion and a second position and a third position not covering the mounting portion. The cover member is rotatable in the first attitude and the second attitude. The cover member is slidable in the second posture and the third posture. The lock mechanism is in the locked state when the cover member is in the first posture, and is in the unlocked state when the cover member is in the third posture.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to simplify the work of replacing the mounting parts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a first perspective view showing the rear appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a second perspective view showing the rear appearance of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a third perspective view showing the rear appearance of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the lock mechanism which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the structure of the vicinity. It is a perspective view showing composition of a hook member concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing composition of a lock mechanism concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing composition of a lever member concerning an embodiment of the present invention. (A)-(c) is a figure showing the cover member and lock mechanism concerning the embodiment of the present invention. (A)-(c) is a figure showing the cover member and lock mechanism concerning the embodiment of the present invention. (A)-(c) is a figure showing the cover member and lock mechanism concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the relation between the composition of the cover member concerning the embodiment of the present invention, and the composition of a lock mechanism. It is a figure which shows the other example of the locking mechanism which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows the further another example of the locking mechanism which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.

  First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is a printer.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a housing 1 and an operation panel 2. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in which the side on which the operation panel 2 of the image forming apparatus 100 is disposed is the front side of the image forming apparatus 100 and the opposite side is the rear side of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the present embodiment will be described with the right side when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front side as the right side of the image forming apparatus 100 and the opposite side as the left side of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, in the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 100, the side on which the operation panel 2 is disposed is the upper side of the image forming apparatus 100, and the opposite side is the lower side of the image forming apparatus 100. Explain.

  The operation panel 2 has a liquid crystal display and a plurality of operation keys. Operation panel 2 receives an instruction from image forming apparatus 100 from the user.

  Next, the configuration on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a first perspective view showing the rear appearance of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a second perspective view showing the rear appearance of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a third perspective view showing the rear appearance of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 further includes a cover member 3. The cover member 3 is supported by the housing 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the cover member 3 switches its posture. Specifically, the cover member 3 is rotatable about the axis X in the first rotation direction R1 and the second rotation direction R2. By rotating the cover member 3 in the first rotation direction R1 or the second rotation direction R2 about the axis X, the posture is switched. Hereinafter, the posture of the cover member 3 shown in FIG. 2 will be referred to as “first posture”, and the posture of the cover member 3 shown in FIG. 3 will be referred to as “second posture”.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 1 has a back wall 1 b and two inner walls 1 n. An opening 1 h is formed in the back wall 1 b. The opening 1 h is opened when the cover member 3 is switched from the first posture to the second posture.

  The two inner walls 1 n face each other in the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 100. A support groove 1s is formed in each of the two inner walls 1n. The support groove 1s is formed along the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes the mounting unit 4. The mounting unit 4 is disposed inside the housing 1. Specifically, the mounting portion 4 is provided above the support groove 1s.

  The mounting portion 4 is exposed through the opening 1 h when the cover member 3 is in the second posture. On the other hand, the mounting unit 4 is covered by the cover member 3 when the cover member 3 is in the first posture (see FIG. 2).

  A detachable mounting part C is mounted on the mounting portion 4. In the present embodiment, the mounting component C is a fixing device.

  The mounting component C is removed from the mounting portion 4 through the opening 1 h. Alternatively, the mounting component C is attached to the mounting portion 4 through the opening 1 h. Hereinafter, the direction in which the mounting component C moves when removed from the mounting portion 4 is described as “extraction direction D1”, and the direction in which the mounting component C moves when mounted to the mounting portion 4 is described as “mounting direction D2”. May. In the present embodiment, the takeout direction D1 is a direction from the front to the rear of the image forming apparatus 100. The mounting direction D2 is a direction from the rear to the front of the image forming apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cover member 3 is slidable along the first slide direction S1 or the second slide direction S2 in the second posture. Specifically, the cover member 3 has a supported portion. The supported portions are respectively provided at end portions in the left-right direction of the cover member 3. The supported portion fits into the support groove 1s and moves along the support groove 1s. As the supported portion moves along the support groove 1s, the cover member 3 slides along the first slide direction S1 or the second slide direction S2. The first slide direction S1 is a direction from the front to the rear of the image forming apparatus 100. The second slide direction S2 is a direction from the rear to the front of the image forming apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, the first slide direction S1 coincides with the removal direction D1, and the second slide direction S2 coincides with the attachment direction D2.

  Subsequently, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has a configuration provided in a general printer, for example, further includes a sheet feeding device 20, a sheet conveying device 30, an image forming unit 40, and a discharge tray 1t. . The sheet feeding device 20 accommodates a plurality of sheets S and feeds sheets one by one. The sheet conveying device 30 conveys the sheet S fed by the sheet feeding device 20 to the discharge tray 1 t via the image forming unit 40. The sheet conveying device 30 has a plurality of guide members and a plurality of rollers. Each of the plurality of guide members guides the conveyance of the sheet S. Cover member 3 constitutes a part of a plurality of guide members. Specifically, the cover member 3 has an inner wall 3n. The inner wall 3n has a plurality of ribs and constitutes a part of a plurality of guide members.

  The image forming unit 40 forms an image on the sheet S. In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 40 includes an exposure device, a charging device, a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a cleaning device, a transfer device, and a fixing device (mounted component C). Form an image. The sheet S on which the image is formed is discharged to the discharge tray 1t. The discharge tray 1 t is formed on the top surface of the housing 1.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes the lock mechanism 5. The lock mechanism 5 switches between the locked state and the unlocked state. The lock mechanism 5 restricts the movement of the mounting part C in the removal direction D1 in the locked state. On the other hand, the lock mechanism 5 permits the movement of the mounting component C in the removal direction D1 in the unlocked state.

  Next, the configuration of the lock mechanism 5 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. FIG. 6 is a view showing the configuration of the lock mechanism 5 according to the present embodiment and the vicinity thereof. More specifically, FIG. 6 is a view showing the lock mechanism 5 as viewed from the rear side of the image forming apparatus 100 and the vicinity thereof. The lock mechanism 5 shown in FIG. 6 is in a locked state.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the lock mechanism 5 has a lock base portion 50, a hook member 51, a hook spring 52, and a lever member 53. The hook spring 52 is an example of a first biasing member.

  The lock base 50 is fixed to the inside of the housing 1 described with reference to FIG. Specifically, the lock base portion 50 is disposed between the mounting portion 4 and the support groove 1s.

  The hook member 51 is disposed above the hook spring 52. The hook member 51 is slidable along the third slide direction S3 and the fourth slide direction S4. The third slide direction S3 is a direction from the upper side to the lower side of the image forming apparatus 100. The fourth slide direction S4 is a direction from the lower side to the upper side of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The hook member 51 has a hook base portion 510. The hook base portion 510 is disposed between the hook spring 52 and the mounting part C. The hook base portion 510 has a bottom surface 510 b. The bottom surface 510 b of the hook base portion 510 is connected to the upper end of the hook spring 52.

  The hook spring 52 is disposed between the hook member 51 (hook base 510) and the lock base portion 50. The lower end portion of the hook spring 52 is fixed to the lock base portion 50. The hook spring 52 biases the hook member 51 toward the mounting part C (upper side).

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the hook member 51 according to the present embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 7 shows the hook member 51 as viewed from the front upper right of the image forming apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the hook member 51 further includes a hook protrusion 511. The hook base portion 510 and the hook protrusion portion 511 have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The hook base portion 510 has a hook contact surface 510s. The hook protrusion 511 protrudes upward from the hook contact surface 510s. The hook protrusion 511 has an opposing surface 511s.

  FIG. 8 is a view showing the configuration of the lock mechanism 5 according to the present embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 8 shows the lock mechanism 5 and the cover member 3 as viewed from the left side of the image forming apparatus 100. The lock mechanism 5 shown in FIG. 8 is in a locked state. In FIG. 8, the left side wall of the lock base portion 50 is omitted to facilitate understanding.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the facing surface 511 s of the hook protrusion 511 faces the mounting component C. Hereinafter, the position of the upper surface 511 t of the hook protrusion 511 in the posture in which the facing surface 511 s faces the mounting component C will be referred to as “first position P 1”. Below, "the position of the upper surface 511t of the hook protrusion part 511" is described as "the position of the hook member 51."

  The lever member 53 has a lever base 530, a first lever projection 531, and a second lever projection 532.

  The lever base 530 is supported by the lock base 50. The lever base portion 530 has a substantially circular shape in a side view, and is rotatable along the third rotation direction R3 and the fourth rotation direction R4. The first lever projection 531 and the second lever projection 532 are connected to the lever base 530. Therefore, the first lever projection 531 and the second lever projection 532 integrally rotate around the lever base 530 along the third rotational direction R3 or the fourth rotational direction R4.

  The first lever projecting portion 531 protrudes toward the first projecting direction T1 (a direction from the inner side to the outer side in the radial direction of the lever base portion 530) with the lever base portion 530 as a base end. Specifically, the first lever projection 531 projects downward below the lower surface 50 u of the lock base 50. More specifically, when the cover member 3 slides from the second posture along the second slide direction S2, the first lever projection 531 protrudes to a position in contact with the tip 3a of the cover member 3. In other words, the first lever projection 531 is located on the slide path drawn when the cover member 3 slides.

  The first lever projection 531 has a first lever contact surface 531s. The first lever contact surface 531 s is provided at the tip of the first lever projection 531. When the cover member 3 slides in the second slide direction S2 from the second posture, the leading end 3a of the cover member 3 contacts the first lever contact surface 531s. The cover member 3 further slides in the second slide direction S2 after the front end 3a of the cover member 3 contacts the first lever contact surface 531s, whereby the first lever projection 531 is moved to the front of the image forming apparatus 100. Press it towards. As a result, the first lever projection 531 rotates about the lever base 530 along the third rotational direction R3.

  The second lever projecting portion 532 has a lever base portion 530 as a base end, and a second projecting direction T2 (a direction different from the first projecting direction T1 in the direction from the inner side to the outer side of the radial direction of the lever base portion 530) Protruding towards. Specifically, the second lever projection 532 protrudes in the direction approaching the hook base 510. The hook base portion 510 (hook contact surface 510s) is located on the rotation trajectory of the second lever projection 532.

  The second lever projection 532 has a second lever contact surface 532s. The second lever contact surface 532 s is provided at the tip of the second lever projection 532. The second lever contact surface 532 s faces the hook contact surface 510 s of the hook base portion 510.

  When the first lever projection 531 is rotated about the lever base 530 in the third rotational direction R3, the second lever projection 532 is integrated with the first lever projection 531 and centered on the lever base 530. It rotates in the third rotation direction R3. When the second lever projection 532 is rotated in the third rotational direction R3, the second lever contact surface 532s contacts the hook contact surface 510s of the hook base portion 510. The second lever projection 532 is further rotated in the third rotational direction R3 after the second lever contact surface 532s contacts the hook contact surface 510s of the hook base portion 510, thereby the hook base surface 510 (hook contact surface 510s ) Is pressed downward. Accordingly, the hook member 51 slides from the first position P1 to the second position P2 along the third slide direction S3 against the biasing force of the hook spring 52. The second position P2 indicates a position where the facing surface 511s of the hook member 51 does not face the mounting component C. Hereinafter, the posture of the cover member 3 in the case where the position of the hook member 51 is the second position P2 will be referred to as a "third posture".

  On the other hand, the first lever projection 531 (first lever contact surface 531s) is released from the pressure toward the front of the image forming apparatus 100 by the cover member 3 sliding in the first slide direction S1. When the first lever projection 531 is released from the forward pressure of the image forming apparatus 100, the second lever projection 532 releases the downward pressure on the hook base 510. As a result, the hook base 510 slides from the second position P2 toward the first position P1 by the biasing force of the hook spring 52. As a result, the second lever projection 532 is pressed upward by the hook base 510. As a result, the second lever projection 532 and the first lever projection 531 rotate about the lever base 530 in the fourth rotational direction R4.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lever member 53 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the lever base 530 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The first lever projection 531 protrudes toward the first projection direction T1 with the circumferential surface of the lever base 530 as a base end. The second lever projecting portion 532 protrudes toward the second projecting direction T2 with the circumferential surface of the lever base portion 530 as a base end.

  Then, with reference to Drawing 10 (a)-Drawing 13, composition of cover member 3 concerning this embodiment and lock mechanism 5 is explained.

  First, with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10C, the state of the lock mechanism 5 when the cover member 3 is in the first posture will be described. FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C are views showing the cover member 3 and the lock mechanism 5 according to the present embodiment. 10A shows the lock mechanism 5 and the cover member 3 as viewed from the left side of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 10B is a view showing the lock mechanism 5 shown in FIG. 10A and the vicinity thereof. FIG. 10C is a view showing the lock mechanism 5 as viewed from the rear side of the image forming apparatus 100 and the vicinity thereof. In FIGS. 10A to 10C, the attitude of the cover member 3 is a first attitude. 10 (a) and 10 (b), the side wall on the left side of the lock base 50 is omitted for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, when the cover member 3 is in the first posture, the lock mechanism 5 is in the locked state. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C, the hook member 51 is located at the first position P1, and the opposite surface 511s of the hook protrusion 511 faces the mounting component C. Therefore, the movement of the mounting component C in the removal direction D1 is restricted by the hook projection 511.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 10A and 11A to 11C, the state of the lock mechanism 5 when the cover member 3 is in the second posture will be described. FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C are views showing the cover member 3 and the lock mechanism 5 according to the present embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 11A is a view showing the lock mechanism 5 and the cover member 3 as viewed from the left side of the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 11B is a view showing the lock mechanism 5 shown in FIG. 11A and the vicinity thereof. FIG. 11C is a view showing the lock mechanism 5 as viewed from the rear side of the image forming apparatus 100 and the vicinity thereof. In FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C, the cover member 3 is in the second posture. 11 (a) and 11 (b), the side wall on the left side of the lock base 50 is omitted for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 11A, when the cover member 3 is rotated in the first rotation direction R1, the cover member 3 is switched from the first posture to the second posture. As shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C, when the cover member 3 is in the second posture, the lock mechanism 5 is in the locked state. Specifically, as in FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C, the hook member 51 is located at the first position P1, and the opposing surface 511s of the hook protrusion 511 faces the mounting component C. Therefore, the movement of the mounting component C in the removal direction D1 is restricted by the hook projection 511.

  Subsequently, referring to FIGS. 11 (a), 11 (b) and 12 (a) to 12 (c), the state of the lock mechanism 5 when the cover member 3 is in the third posture explain. 12 (a) to 12 (c) are diagrams showing the cover member 3 and the lock mechanism 5 according to the present embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 12A is a view showing the lock mechanism 5 and the cover member 3 as viewed from the left side of the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 12B is a view showing the lock mechanism 5 shown in FIG. 12A and the vicinity thereof. FIG. 12C is a view showing the lock mechanism 5 as viewed from the rear side of the image forming apparatus 100 and the vicinity thereof. In FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C, the cover member 3 is in the third posture. 12 (a) and 12 (b), the side wall on the left side of the lock base 50 is omitted for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 12 (a), when the cover member 3 slides in the second slide direction S2 along the support groove 1s (see FIG. 3), the cover member 3 is in the second posture. Switch to the third position. As shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C, when the cover member 3 is in the third posture, the lock mechanism 5 is in the unlocked state. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 11 (b) and 12 (b), the tip 3a of the cover member 3 contacts the first lever projection 531 (first lever contact surface 531s), and in the second slide direction S2 When it further slides, the second lever projecting portion 532 and the first lever projecting portion 531 integrally rotate along the third rotation direction R3. Thereby, the hook member 51 slides from the first position P1 to the second position P2. Therefore, the opposing surface 511s of the hook protrusion 511 does not face the mounting component C, and the restriction of the movement of the mounting component C in the removal direction D1 by the hook protrusion 511 is released.

  The lock mechanism 5 switches from the unlocked state to the locked state when the hook member 51 moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1. In the present embodiment, the lock mechanism 5 switches from the unlocked state to the locked state by switching the cover member 3 from the third position to the first position via the second position. Specifically, when the cover member 3 is switched from the third position to the second position, the hook member 51 is moved from the second position P2 to the first position P1. As a result, the lock mechanism 5 switches from the unlocked state to the locked state.

  FIG. 13 is a view showing the relationship between the configuration of the cover member 3 and the configuration of the lock mechanism 5 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the cover member 3 covers the mounting portion 4 in the first posture, and does not cover the mounting portion 4 in the second posture and the third posture. Further, the cover member 3 is rotatable in the first posture. The cover member 3 is rotatable and slidable in the second posture. The cover member 3 is slidable in the third posture. The lock mechanism 5 is in the locked state when the cover member 3 is in the first posture and the second posture, and is in the unlocked state when the cover member 3 is in the third posture.

  The present embodiment has been described above. According to the present embodiment, the worker can switch the lock mechanism 5 to either the locked state or the unlocked state only by switching the posture of the cover member 3. Specifically, the operator switches the lock mechanism 5 from the locked state to the unlocked state by pushing the cover member 3 in the second posture toward the inside of the housing 1 (sliding in the second slide direction S2). be able to. That is, the worker can perform the replacement work of the mounting component C without using a tool. As a result, the work of replacing the mounting component C can be simplified.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the mounting component C can be mounted on the mounting portion 4 without using a fastening member such as a screw. Thereby, for example, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the loss of the fastening member at the time of the replacement work of the mounting component C.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the operator switches the lock mechanism 5 from the locked state to the unlocked state by switching the cover member 3 from the first attitude to the third attitude via the second attitude. be able to. In the present embodiment, the cover member 3 in the first posture covers the opening 1 h of the housing 1, and the cover members 3 in the second posture and the third posture open the opening 1 h of the housing 1. The lock mechanism 5 is in the locked state when the cover member 3 is in the second posture, and is in the unlocked state when the cover member 3 is in the third posture. Therefore, the worker can switch the lock mechanism 5 to either the locked state or the unlocked state while holding the opening 1 h of the housing 1 open. Therefore, the convenience of the worker is improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the lock mechanism 5 is in the unlocked state when the cover member 3 is in the third posture. In the third position, as shown in FIG. 4, a portion of the cover member 3 is accommodated in the housing 1. Therefore, it is suppressed that the cover member 3 interferes with the replacement operation of the mounting component C.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the lock mechanism 5 may further include a lever spring 54. The lever spring 54 is an example of a second biasing member. FIG. 14 is a view showing another example of the lock mechanism 5 according to the present embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 14 shows the lock mechanism 5 as viewed from the left side of the image forming apparatus 100. In FIG. 14, the left side wall of the lock base portion 50 is omitted to facilitate understanding.

  The lever spring 54 is, for example, a coil spring. The lever spring 54 biases the second lever projection 532 in the direction in which the second lever projection 532 approaches the hook member 51 (third rotation direction R3). Thereby, the posture of the second lever projection 532 can be further stabilized.

  The lock mechanism 5 may further include a mounting component urging spring 55, as shown in FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (c). The mounting component urging spring 55 is an example of a third urging member. FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C are views showing still another example of the lock mechanism 5 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 15 (a), the cover member 3 is in the first posture, in FIG. 15 (b), the cover member 3 is in the second posture, and in FIG. 15 (c), the cover member 3 is: It is the third attitude. In FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C, the side wall on the left side of the lock base portion 50 is omitted for easy understanding.

  The mounting component biasing spring 55 biases the mounting component C in the removal direction D1. Thus, when the lock mechanism 5 is in the unlocked state, the mounting component C moves toward the outside of the housing 1 in the removal direction D1 by the biasing force of the mounting component biasing spring 55. Therefore, the work of replacing the mounting part C is further simplified.

  In the embodiment, the case where the lock mechanism 5 is in the locked state is described as an example when the cover member 3 is in the second posture, but in the lock mechanism 5, the cover member 3 is in the second posture. In some cases, it may be unlocked. For example, when the mounting component C is placed on the upper surface 511t (see FIG. 8) of the hook protrusion 511, the lock mechanism 5 is in the unlocked state because the hook member 51 is positioned at the second position P2. .

  Moreover, in the present embodiment, the cover member 3 may further include a protrusion. When the lock mechanism 5 is in the unlocked state, the protrusion regulates the cover member 3 from being in the first position. The projection of the cover member 3 restricts the cover member 3 from being in the first posture, for example, by contacting the hook member 51.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the mounted component C is the fixing device has been described as an example, but the mounted component C may be, for example, a member constituting the image forming unit 40 such as a photosensitive drum.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 15). However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, the configuration and the shape shown in the above embodiment are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various changes can be made without departing from the effects of the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the image forming apparatus 100 is a printer has been described as an example, but the image forming apparatus 100 may be, for example, a copier or a multifunction peripheral.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the present invention is applied to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100 is described as an example, but the present invention is also applicable to, for example, an inkjet type image forming apparatus. .

  The present invention is useful in the field of an image forming apparatus requiring replacement of parts.

Reference Signs List 1 housing 3 cover member 4 mounting unit 5 lock mechanism 100 image forming apparatus

Claims (9)

A mounting unit to which a detachable mounting part is mounted;
A housing that accommodates the mounting portion;
A cover member supported by the housing;
A lock mechanism for switching between the locked state for restricting the movement of the mounting part in the removal direction for removing the mounting part from the housing and the unlocked state for permitting the movement of the mounting part for removal in the removal direction Equipped
The cover member switches between a first posture covering the mounting portion and a second posture and a third posture not covering the mounting portion.
The cover member is rotatable in the first posture and the second posture, and is slidable in the second posture and the third posture.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the lock mechanism is in the locked state when the cover member is in the first posture, and is in the unlocked state when the cover member is in the third posture.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the cover member is in the second posture, the cover member is in the locked state. The lock mechanism is
A lock base portion supported by the housing;
A hook member that slides between the first position to be in the locked state and the second position to be in the unlocked state;
A first biasing member disposed between the lock base portion and the hook member to bias the hook member toward the first position; and a lever member.
The lever member slides the hook member from the first position to the second position when the cover member switches from the first posture to the third posture. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The lever member is
With the lever base,
A first lever projection projecting from the lever base in a first projection direction;
And a second lever projection projecting from the lever base portion in a second projection direction different from the first projection direction,
The first lever projecting portion and the second lever projecting portion integrally rotate around the lever base portion,
The first lever projection is located on a slide track of the cover member when the cover member slides.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the hook member is positioned on a rotation trajectory of the second lever projection. The first lever projection projects outward of the lock base,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cover member slides outward of the lock base portion.   The image according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the lock mechanism further includes a second biasing member that biases the second lever protrusion in a direction in which the second lever protrusion approaches the hook member. Forming device. The hook member is
A hook base portion disposed between the mounting component and the lock base portion;
And a hook protrusion that approaches the mounting component from the hook base portion;
The hook protrusion has an opposing surface facing the mounting component at the first position,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the facing surface does not face the mounting component at the second position.   The lock mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a third biasing member disposed inside the housing to bias the mounting component in the removal direction. Image forming apparatus. An image forming unit disposed inside the housing to form an image on a sheet;
A sheet conveying device for conveying the sheet so as to pass through the image forming unit;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cover member guides conveyance of the sheet by the sheet conveyance device.

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