JP3620960B2 - Safety device for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a safety device in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a safety device for an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine employs a safety device that includes an outer cover that can be opened and closed and an interlock switch that operates when the outer covers are closed. Has been. The conventional safety device will be described. A photoconductor and other unit members (developing unit, etc.) for image formation are detachably provided in the image forming apparatus main body, and these units are mounted accurately. Failure to do so may cause problems such as damage to the photoconductor or damage to surrounding important members. Therefore, a safety device that can detect an abnormal condition when the outer cover is closed, such as when a unit is installed incorrectly. Is usually provided. This safety device is composed of an interlock switch or the like and operates when the outer cover is closed. Accordingly, when the unit is defectively mounted, the interlock switch does not operate, so that the copying operation is disabled and the safety of the image forming apparatus is ensured.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the case of the safety device for the conventional image forming apparatus as described above, since the interlock switch is arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of outer covers, the configuration of the outer cover becomes complicated, and the interlock switch This is a cause of increased costs due to the need for a plurality. Further, since a plurality of interlock switches are required, there is a problem that the possibility of causing a malfunction of the image forming apparatus due to a contact failure of these interlock switches increases.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the conventional safety device for an image forming apparatus as described above, simplify the configuration of the outer cover, and improve the safety and reliability of the image forming apparatus using an interlock switch. The present invention provides a safety device for an image forming apparatus.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus comprising: an outer cover that can be opened and closed; and an interlock switch that operates when the outer covers are closed. In the safety device, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with an interlock switch that is interlocked only with a specific outer cover that is closed last in a certain order among the plurality of outer covers, and the closing order of the plurality of outer covers is determined. If the regular differ, by placing the closure preventing member for preventing the interlocking closing of the particular outer cover and outer cover other than the specific outer cover, and prevent malfunction of the interlock switch, whereas, except the outer cover If the other outer cover is opened while the interlock switch is improperly operated by abutting the object against the closure prevention member, the object is released and After stopping the such switch operation, as the closing preventing member interlocked with the operation release of the interlock switch associated with the removal of this object, that by returning to the initial position, characterized in that to avoid malfunctioning of the interlock switch It is.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a safety device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a plurality of outer covers that can be opened and closed; and an interlock switch that operates when the plurality of outer covers are closed. Provided with an interlock switch that works only with a specific outer cover that is closed last in a certain order among the outer covers, and when the closing order of the plurality of outer covers is different from a normal one, The interlock switch prevents the interlock switch from malfunctioning by providing a close prevention member that prevents the closure of this specific outer cover, while the interlock switch prevents the interlock switch from returning to its initial position. It is possible to avoid malfunction of the interlock switch by waiting until just before the initial position return of the member interlocked with the release of operation. It is intended to.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. The safety device 2 which is a feature of the present invention is provided on the shaded portion (right side) in FIGS. 1 and 2 so as to operate only when the outer cover 4 of the image forming apparatus such as the copying machine 1 is closed. . The outer covers 3 and 4 are provided so as to be rotatable about a support shaft (not shown) on the main body side of the copying machine 1, and a projection 5 for operating the safety device 2 is provided inside these outer covers 3 and 4. , 6 are fixed. Here, the front plate portion 4 a of the outer cover 4 is formed with an extension plate 7 extending inward from the end surface of the side plate portion 3 a of the outer cover 3. Accordingly, when the outer covers 3 and 4 are closed, the end surface of the side plate portion 5 a and the extension plate 7 come into contact with each other, so that the outer cover 4 is positioned inside the outer cover 3.
[0009]
As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the safety device 2 includes pivot levers 10 and 11 and an interlock switch 25 that are pivotally provided about the support shafts 8 and 9. ing. Coil springs (not shown) are provided on the respective support shafts 8 and 9 of the rotation levers 10 and 11, and the urging force is urged by the coil springs so that the rotation levers 10 and 11 are restored. In this example, a micro switch is used as the interlock switch. The rotary levers 10 and 11 have flange portions 12 and 13 and pressing portions 14 and 15, and the flange portions 12 and 13 are mutually connected before the outer covers 3 and 4 are closed as shown in FIG. Is engaged. Reference numeral 16 denotes a pressing piece for operating (ON / OFF) the interlock switch 25. In the case of such a safety device 2, as shown in FIG. 3B, the outer cover 3 is first closed as a normal outer cover closing order (regular order).
[0010]
As a result, the pressing portion 14 of the rotating lever 10 is pressed by the protruding portion 5 of the outer cover 3 and the rotating lever 10 rotates (counterclockwise in the figure). Is disengaged. Then, as shown in FIG. 3C, since the outer cover 4 is closed this time, the pressing portion 15 of the rotating lever 11 is pressed by the projection 6 of the outer cover 4, so that the pressing piece 16 interlocks. When the pressing lever 18 of the switch 25 is pressed, the interlock switch 25 operates (ON). Only in this state, the closing of the outer cover is completed, and the copying operation of the copying machine 1 becomes possible.
[0011]
Here, for example, even if an attempt is made to close the outer cover 4 before the outer cover 3 in FIG. 3A contrary to the above-described closing order, the flange portions 12 and 13 are engaged with each other. 4 cannot be closed. As a result, since the outer cover 4 becomes the outer cover that is closed at the end, the safety device only needs to be provided with the safety device 2 that is operated by the outer cover 4, so that the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of safety device parts. It becomes.
[0012]
FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, and only the upper surface portion of the collar portion 12 is obliquely cut, but this oblique cut portion 19 is used, for example, as shown in FIG. Thus, even when the pressing portion 15 of the rotating lever 11 is pressed by the bar piece 20 or the like, the flange portion 12 of the rotating lever 10 extends along the oblique cut portion 19 as shown in FIGS. In order to rotate (return), as shown in FIG. 4D, the flanges 12 and 13 are engaged again to return to the initial state. Accordingly, even when the safety device is intentionally operated by the bar piece 20 or the like instead of the outer cover, the interlock switch is prevented from malfunctioning and the reliability of the image forming apparatus such as the copying machine 1 is improved. be able to.
[0013]
FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, except that a pin 21 is provided at the rear end of the pressing portion 15 of the rotating lever 10 on the rear side of the pressing portion 15 of the rotating lever 10. A half-moon shaped rib 22 is provided. For example, when the safety device is intentionally operated not by the outer cover but by the bar piece 20 or the like, the rib 22 of the rotating lever 11 pressed by the bar piece 20 or the like as shown in FIG. Since the pin 21 comes into contact with the pin 21, the engagement with the flanges 12 and 13 is prevented immediately before returning to the initial state, and the apparatus is on standby. Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the rib 22 and the pin 21 are released from contact with each other by the return force of the rotating levers 10 and 11, so that the flange 12 again as shown in FIG. 5 (c). , 13 engage and return to their initial state. Accordingly, even when the safety device is intentionally operated by the bar piece 20 or the like instead of the outer cover as in the second embodiment, the malfunction of the interlock switch is prevented and the image forming apparatus such as the copier 1 is prevented from operating. Reliability can be improved. In particular, in the third embodiment, the contact between the rib 22 and the pin 21 makes the return to the initial state relatively gentle and avoids adverse effects on the safety device.
[0014]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention is as described above, and is a safety device for an image forming apparatus comprising: an outer cover that is divided into a plurality of openable and closable openings; and an interlock switch that operates when the plurality of outer covers are closed. The invention according to claim 1 is provided with an interlock switch that is interlocked only with a specific outer cover that is closed last in a certain order among the plurality of outer covers, and the closing order of the plurality of outer covers is different from the normal order. In addition, an anti-closure member interlocking with an outer cover other than the specific outer cover to prevent the specific outer cover from being closed is arranged, while an object other than the outer cover is brought into contact with the anti-close member to improperly operate the interlock switch. When the other outer cover is opened in the state of operation, the switch is released and the unauthorized switch operation is stopped. Since the closing prevention member linked to the release of the operation is returned to the initial position, it is possible to prevent the interlock switch from malfunctioning and to return the closing prevention member to an appropriate initial state even if it is illegally operated as described above. There is an effect that the safety and reliability of the image forming apparatus can be improved by the interlock switch .
[0016]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a safety device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a plurality of outer covers that can be opened and closed; and an interlock switch that operates when the plurality of outer covers are closed. Provided with an interlock switch that works only with a specific outer cover that is closed last in a certain order among the outer covers, and when the closing order of the plurality of outer covers is different from a normal one, An anti-closing member that interlocks and prevents the closing of this specific outer cover is arranged, while the initial position return of the anti-closure member interlocked with another cover immediately before the initial position return of the member interlocked with the release of the interlock switch operation Tei Runode to wait until, prevents malfunction of the interlock switch, improving safety and reliability of the image forming apparatus according to the interlock switch With attained, return to the initial state becomes relatively gentle, this return operation can be avoided to influence the device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a copying machine to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a closed state of the outer cover.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the safety device before operation, FIG. 3B illustrating the operation in progress, and FIG. 3C illustrating the operation after operation.
4A is a schematic diagram showing the state before operation of the safety device, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C are in the middle of operation, and FIG. 4D is a diagram when returning to the initial state.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing (a) before the operation of the safety device, (b) during operation, and (c) when returning to the initial state, respectively.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier 2 Safety device 3 Outer cover 4 Outer cover 8 Support shaft 9 Support shaft 10 Rotating lever 11 Rotating lever 12 鉤 portion 13 鉤 portion 15 Pressing portion 16 Pressing piece 25 Interlock switch

Claims (2)

In a safety device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an outer cover that is divided into a plurality of openable and closable doors; and an interlock switch that operates when the plurality of outer covers are closed.
Provide an interlock switch that works only with a specific outer cover that is closed last in a certain order among the multiple outer covers, and when the closing order of the multiple outer covers is different from the normal order, By interlocking with the cover and arranging a closing prevention member that prevents the closing of this specific outer cover, malfunction of the interlock switch is prevented ,
On the other hand, if an object other than the outer cover abuts against the closing prevention member and the interlock switch is illegally operated and the other outer cover is opened, the object is released and the unauthorized switch operation is stopped. and then, closing preventing member interlocked with the operation release of the interlock switch associated with the removal of this object, by returning to the initial position, the safety device of the image forming apparatus characterized by avoiding a malfunction of the interlock switch . In a safety device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an outer cover that is divided into a plurality of openable and closable doors; and an interlock switch that operates when the plurality of outer covers are closed.
Provide an interlock switch that works only with a specific outer cover that is closed last in a certain order among the multiple outer covers, and when the closing order of the multiple outer covers is different from the normal order, By interlocking with the cover and arranging a closing prevention member that prevents the closing of this specific outer cover, malfunction of the interlock switch is prevented,
On the other hand, the malfunction of the interlock switch is avoided by waiting for the initial position return of the closing prevention member interlocked with the other cover until immediately before the initial position return of the member interlocked with the release of the operation of the interlock switch. Safety device for image forming devices.

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