JP3711827B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus using a tandem method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional printer (image forming apparatus). In FIG. 1, a printer apparatus 1 includes a roof 2 which is an upper part of the apparatus main body and a lower part 3 of the apparatus main body. The roof 2 is provided with a paper discharge port 5 for discharging paper on its upper surface and a paper discharge tray 6 on which the discharged paper is stacked. A paper cassette 8 that is detachable from the front cover 7 and the lower part 3 of the apparatus body is disposed, and an MPF tray (multi-paper feed tray) 9 that can be stored in the lower part 3 of the apparatus body is disposed on the right side thereof. An operation display unit 4 for inputting information to the printer device 1 and displaying the status of the printer device 1 is provided.
[0003]
In the printer apparatus 1, the roof 2 is opened in the direction of arrow B around the rotation axis A when performing operations such as jam handling and maintenance. FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional configuration when the above-described printer apparatus 1 is opened, and also shows an internal structure thereof. As shown in the figure, the printer apparatus 1 has a detachable paper cassette 8, a paper feed roll 12 that sequentially feeds the sheets stacked and stored in the paper cassette 8, and temporarily waits for the fed paper. A pair of standby rolls 13 that are sent to the image forming unit 11 at a predetermined timing, a fixing device 14 that fixes the toner image on the paper, and a paper discharge roll pair 18 that discharges the fixed paper to the outside of the apparatus (drive roll 18a and driven roll 18b). ), And the above-described operation display unit 4 for performing various settings and status display on the printer apparatus 1.
[0004]
In the image forming unit 11, the charger 25 charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 23 with a uniform charge, and the print head 26 selectively selects the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 23 based on the print data. Exposure is performed, a low potential portion is formed by the exposure, and an electrostatic latent image composed of the initial charging potential and the exposure low potential portion is recorded on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 23. The developing device 27 transfers the internal toner to the low potential portion of the photosensitive drum 23 via the developing roll 27a, and visualizes (develops) the electrostatic latent image. The transfer device 28 transfers the toner image on the photoconductive drum 23 to the surface of the conveyed paper by an electric field having a reverse polarity.
[0005]
Of the image forming unit 11, the photosensitive drum 23, the charger 25, the developing device 27, the transfer device 28, the cleaner 24, and the like are provided in the lower portion 3 of the apparatus main body, and the print head 26 is a roof that is an upper portion of the apparatus main body. 2 is provided.
[0006]
Here, the roof 2 is configured to be openable and closable in the direction of arrow B with the hinge portion 15 as a fulcrum with respect to the apparatus main body lower portion 3. At this time, the print head 26 and the follower roll 18b described above are opened and closed together with the roof 2. The roof 2 shown by a solid line in the figure shows a closed state, and the roof 2 shown by a dotted line shows an opened state. The lock mechanism 16 for holding the roof 2 in the closed position includes a claw portion 17a provided on the apparatus body lower portion 3 side, and an engagement portion 17b provided on the roof 2 side and engaged with the claw portion 17a. It is comprised by.
[0007]
On the other hand, most of the image forming unit 11 constitutes a cartridge C that is detachable with respect to the lower part 3 of the apparatus main body, which includes a first cartridge C1 in which a photosensitive drum 23, a cleaner 24, and the like are integrated, and a developing unit. The cartridge 7 and the like can be divided and combined with the second cartridge C2 formed by integrating the cartridge 7 and the like, and these cartridges C1 and C2 can be freely attached to and detached from a predetermined mounting portion of the lower part 3 of the apparatus body with the roof 2 opened. For example, maintenance such as maintenance and inspection such as replacement of these cartridges and supply of consumables is performed due to deterioration of the photosensitive member or toner consumption.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional printer (image forming apparatus) has the following problems. That is, today, color printer apparatuses (color image forming apparatuses) are widely used, and various methods are used for color printing. For example, there is a system in which a plurality of developing devices are arranged in the vicinity of the peripheral surface of one photosensitive drum, and toner images are sequentially formed on the drum surface (method (A)). There is also a method using a drum-shaped intermediate transfer medium (method (b)), and a method in which a plurality of image forming units are arranged in a predetermined direction to form a toner image directly on a sheet (so-called tandem method). ) Is also present.
[0009]
Of these, the method (a) requires the use of a photoconductor drum having a large shape, which reduces the printing speed. In the method (b), since an intermediate transfer medium is used, the shape becomes large. Therefore, a tandem color printer that has excellent printing speed and less problems in terms of shape is promising. In this type of printer, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) image forming units are used.
[0010]
However, in the printer apparatus having the structure shown in FIG. 12, the image forming unit is disposed in the lower part 3 of the apparatus main body. Therefore, in the case of a tandem type color printer apparatus, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) image forming units are sequentially arranged in the lower part 3 of the apparatus main body. For this reason, in the maintenance, after the roof 2 is once opened, each image forming unit is taken out from above. For this reason, the maintenance work is complicated.
[0011]
In addition, the conventional tandem type printer device has a configuration in which the roof is opened around the rotation axis, and the roof is opened with one of the fulcrum as a fulcrum, resulting in mechanical distortion and the like. to degrade.
[0012]
In view of the above situation, the object of the present invention is that the upper part of the apparatus main body is isolated substantially in parallel to the lower part of the apparatus main body, and the upper part of the apparatus main body performs the opening drive and the closing drive integrally using the connecting means. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can open and close the upper part of the apparatus main body without mechanical distortion and is excellent in print quality.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which an image forming means is disposed therein, and the apparatus main body is divided into an upper body and a lower body so that the apparatus body can be freely opened and closed. When opening with respect to the fuselage, maintain the posture of the upper fuselage with respect to the installation surface to be substantially the same as the posture at the time of closing, while moving slightly backward to the rear of the device and separating from the lower fuselage at a predetermined interval. A body opening / closing mechanism for linking and connecting both airframes to be opened, the body opening / closing mechanism having one end pivotably connected in the front-rear direction of the upper body and the other end pivotally connected to the lower body; 1, provided on both sides of the device the link member having a second arm, the second arm is connected by a connecting member to each other, the arm length of the first arm, the arm of the second arm Longer than the length, the first arm Can be achieved by providing an image forming apparatus vertical position of the pivot point position of the second arm of the rotation supporting point position is set high.
[0014]
Here, the image forming unit includes magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) image forming units, which are arranged in a predetermined direction in the order, for example. . The image forming unit includes a drum set including, for example, a charger, a print head, and a photosensitive drum, and a toner set that stores a developing roll and toner. Both the drum set and the toner set are disposed in the upper body. ing.
[0015]
In addition, the upper airframe is opened and closed using a link mechanism that uses the first and second arms, and the upper airframe can be isolated substantially horizontally with respect to the lower airframe, and the upper airframe can be opened stably. can do. Further, the second arm is provided a pair on both sides of the device, Ri Oh configuration for connecting the both arm coupling member, it is possible to perform more stable open drive, and closing drive.
The arm length of the first arm is longer than the arm length of the second arm, and the vertical position of the rotation fulcrum position of the second arm is greater than the rotation fulcrum position of the first arm. With this configuration, the lengths of the first and second arms are different, the distance between the upper and lower aircraft can be set appropriately, and the upper aircraft moves. The distance to be saved can be adjusted.
[0016]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the second arm is inoperative in a rotational direction corresponding to the opening of the device, and is in a rotational direction corresponding to the closing of the device. On the other hand, it is a structure which has a speed adjustment means provided with the damper mechanism which controls rotation speed.
[0017]
With this configuration, when the upper aircraft is closed to the lower aircraft, the upper aircraft can be closed smoothly while suppressing the gravity applied to the upper aircraft, and the impact on the device can be suppressed and damage to the device can be prevented. .
[0018]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the first and second rotating members interlocked with the first and second arms in alignment with the rotation fulcrum, And a drive transmission member provided between the first and second rotating members.
[0019]
Here, the drive transmission member is a rotation transmission member such as a belt. With this configuration, the rotation between the first arm and the second arm is interlocked by the drive transmission member, and the smooth upper body is Move up and down.
[0020]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second, or third aspect of the present invention, a biasing means that biases the upper airframe in a direction to open the upper airframe and the upper airframe are closed. And a lock means for fixing and holding the position.
[0021]
Here, the biasing means is, for example, an elastic body such as a spring, and the locking means is a retaining means for the upper body such as a hook. With this configuration, the upper body is opened with a light force, and maintenance work is performed. Reduce the burden of such.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a so-called tandem printer that is an image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. In the figure, a printer apparatus 31 is composed of an apparatus main body upper part 32 and an apparatus main body lower part 33, an operation panel 34 is disposed on the apparatus main body upper part 32, and a print paper discharge section 35 is formed on the upper surface. ing. The operation panel 34 includes a key operation unit 34a having a plurality of keys and a liquid crystal display 34b that performs display based on display information output from a CPU (not shown). Further, a print output created by an image forming unit, which will be described later, is discharged to the paper discharge unit 35 by the rotation of the paper discharge roll 36 and is sequentially stacked on the paper discharge unit 35.
[0025]
Further, a duplex printing conveyance unit and a paper feed cassette, which will be described later, are set in the lower part 33 of the apparatus main body. For example, by opening a lid (not shown) provided on the side surface of the printer device 31, a duplex printing conveyance described later is performed. It is the structure which can attach or detach a unit. Further, the apparatus main body lower portion 33 is provided with a front cover 37 that can be opened and closed on the front surface thereof and a paper feed cassette 38 that is detachable from the apparatus main body lower portion 33. For example, the front cover 37 is opened for jam processing, maintenance, or the like.
[0026]
An MPF (multi-paper feed) tray mounting portion 39 and a cover 40 are provided on the right side surface of the apparatus main body lower portion 33. However, the MPF tray is not attached to the attachment portion 39 in FIG. In addition, the cover 40 is a cover for checking a paper conveyance path, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the cover 40 is opened to perform maintenance such as paper jam.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is an external view of the printer device 31 showing a state in which the front cover 37 and the cover 40 are opened. Further, as described above, the paper feed cassette 38 is housed in the lowermost stage of the printer device 31 of this example. When paper is supplied to the paper feed cassette 38, for example, the paper feed cassette 38 is pulled by pulling the handle 38a toward the front. Can be pulled out in the direction of the arrow.
[0028]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of the printer device 31 having the above-described appearance. In FIG. 1, the printer device 31 includes an image forming unit 41, a duplex printing transport unit 42, and a paper feed unit 43. Here, the image forming unit 41 has a configuration in which four image forming units 44 to 47 are juxtaposed in the direction of the arrow, and magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow ( Y) and black (K) in this order. The magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y) image forming units 44 to 46 are configured to perform color printing by subtractive color mixing, and the black (K) image forming unit 47 is monochrome printing. Used for.
[0029]
Each of the image forming units 44 to 46 includes a drum set C1 and a toner set C2, and has the same configuration except for the developer (color) stored in the developing container. Here, the configuration will be described taking the yellow (Y) image forming unit 46 as an example. The drum set C1 contains a photosensitive drum, a charger, a print head, and a cleaner, and the toner set C2 contains a developing roll and toner. The peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 50 is made of, for example, an organic photoconductive material. In the vicinity of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 50, a charger 51a, a print head 51b, a developing roll 51c, a transfer unit 51d, and a cleaner 51e are provided. They are arranged sequentially. The photosensitive drum 50 rotates in the direction of the arrow, and first, the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 50 is uniformly charged by applying a charge from the charger 51a. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 50 by optical writing based on print information from the print head 51b, and a toner image is formed by development processing by the developing roll 51c. At this time, the toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 50 is made of yellow (Y) toner stored in the developing container 51c. The toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 50 in this way reaches the position of the transfer roll 51d as the photosensitive drum 50 rotates in the arrow direction, and immediately below the photosensitive drum 50 in the arrow direction. Transferred to moving paper.
[0030]
On the other hand, the paper is transported by the paper feed cassette 38, the standby roll 52, the transport belt 53, the drive roll 54, etc. constituting the paper feed unit 43. The unloaded paper is sent to the standby roll 52, and further sent onto the transport belt 53 at a timing coincident with the toner image, and reaches the transfer portion 51d. Then, the toner image is transferred in the transfer unit 51d, and the sheet on which the toner image is transferred moves on the conveyance belt 53 in the direction of the arrow in accordance with the movement of the conveyance belt 53, and a heat fixing process is performed in the fixing unit 56.
[0031]
In addition to the yellow (Y) toner image, not only the yellow (Y) toner image but also the magenta (M) and cyan (C) toner images transferred by the drum set C1 are transferred to the upper surface of the paper, and follow the subtractive color mixture described above. The color is printed.
[0032]
The above-mentioned paper includes not only the paper carried out from the paper feed cassette 38 but also the paper supplied from the MPF tray. In this case, the paper is carried in by the paper feed roller 39a and printed by the above-mentioned route. Is done.
[0033]
The fixing unit 56 includes heat rolls 56a and 56b and a cleaning roll 56c. For example, a plurality of color toner images transferred onto the paper while the paper P is nipped and conveyed between the heat rolls 56a and 56b. Melts and heat-fixes on the paper. The cleaning roll 56c has a function of applying release oil to the surface of the heat roll 56a and removing toner remaining on the heat roll 56a. The sheet on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 56 is conveyed upward or leftward on the sheet surface via the switching plate 61.
[0034]
On the other hand, the duplex printing transport unit 42 is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body, and is a unit to be mounted when duplex printing is performed by the printer device 31 of this example, and a plurality of transport rolls 60a to 60e are disposed therein. Has been. In the case of duplex printing, the sheet is once sent upward by the switching plate 61. For example, when the trailing edge of the sheet reaches the transport roll 62, the transport of the sheet is stopped and the sheet is transported in the opposite direction. By this control, the sheet is conveyed downward on the left side of the switching unit 61 set at the position indicated by the dotted line, is carried into the sheet conveyance path of the duplex printing conveyance unit 42, and is conveyed by the conveyance rolls 60a to 60e. It reaches the standby roll 52 and is sent to the transfer unit at the same timing as the toner image as described above, and the toner image is transferred to the back side of the paper. On the other hand, the opening / closing mechanism of the printer apparatus 31 is a mechanism for opening and closing the apparatus main body upper part 32 substantially horizontally with respect to the apparatus main body lower part 33. FIG. 3 shows a part of the FR frame 65 (65a, 65b). Only the position of is shown. These FR frames 65 (65a, 65b) are provided on the left and right sides of the color printer 31, respectively, and one FR frame 65a is provided in the vicinity of the fixing unit 56 serving as a heat source.
[0035]
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the printer apparatus when the apparatus main body upper part 32 is opened by the opening mechanism. As shown in the drawing, the upper part 32 of the apparatus main body is opened while being kept substantially horizontal with respect to the lower part 33 of the apparatus main body by an opening / closing mechanism 64 provided in the printer device 31.
[0036]
The opening / closing mechanism 64 includes a link frame 66, an F arm 67, an R arm 68, a stay 69, an FR frame 65, and the like on both sides of the printer device 31 as viewed from the front. Further, each member is connected so that one end of each of the F arm 67 and the R arm 68 is rotatably supported with respect to the link frame 66 provided on the upper portion 32 of the apparatus main body. The other end is configured to be rotatably supported by an FR frame 65 provided at the lower part 33 of the apparatus main body, and the other end of the R arm 68 is also rotatably supported by a stay 69 fixed to the FR frame 65. To be configured. With such a configuration, the apparatus main body upper part 32 is opened substantially horizontally with respect to the apparatus main body lower part 33, and gradually moves backward with respect to the apparatus main body lower part 33 and moves.
[0037]
In FIG. 4, for convenience of explanation, only the right side portion of the printer device 31 as viewed from the front is given a number. In the following description, each member number of the link mechanism on the left side of the printer device 31 is denoted by a, and each member number of the link mechanism on the right side is denoted by b. Accordingly, the member numbers of the link mechanism shown in FIG. 4 are 66b for the link frame, 67b for the F arm, 68b for the R arm, 69b for the stay, and 65b for the FR frame.
[0038]
Next, FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic views of the above opening / closing mechanism. FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the left opening / closing mechanism as viewed from the left side, and FIG. 6 is a schematic of the right opening / closing mechanism as viewed from the right side. The figure is shown. 5 and 6, the link frame 66 (66a, 66b), the F arm 67 (67a, 67b), the R arm 68 (68a, 68b), the stay 69 (69a, 69b), and the FR frame 65 (65a, 65b). ) Is a main part of the opening / closing mechanism. FIG. 7 does not show the link frames 66 (66a, 66b).
[0039]
5 and 6, the positions of the F arm 67 (67a, 67b) and the R arm 68 (68a, 68b) indicated by solid lines indicate the open position when the apparatus main body upper part 32 is opened. The upper part 32 is kept substantially horizontal with respect to the lower part 33 of the apparatus body. On the other hand, the positions of the F arm 67 (67a, 67b) and the R arm 68 (68a, 68b) indicated by dotted lines indicate the closed position when the apparatus main body upper part 32 is closed with respect to the apparatus main body lower part 33. is there.
[0040]
Further, the support part 71 (71a, 71b) rotatably supports the F arm 67 (67a, 67b) and the FR frame 65 (65a, 65b), and the support part 72 (72a, 72b) is an R arm 68. (68a, 68b) and stay 69 (69a, 69b) are rotatably supported. The support portions 77 (77a, 77b) rotatably support the F arms 67 (67a, 67b) and the link frames 66 (66a, 66b), and the support portions 78 (78a, 78b) are R arms 68. (68a, 68b) and the link frame 66 (66a, 66b) are rotatably supported.
[0041]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a main part of the opening / closing mechanism of this example. As shown in the figure, a connecting member 83 is provided between the R arms 68a and 68b. The connecting member 83 is attached by a method such as pressure welding or welding. Therefore, with this configuration, the left and right R arms 68a and 68b are interlocked and the left and right link mechanisms can be operated smoothly.
[0042]
FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the drive mechanism of the link structure. The link mechanism is bilaterally symmetric as described above, and in FIG. 8, a drive mechanism having a link structure corresponding to FIG. 5 will be described. Therefore, the right side of the drawing in FIG. As described above, the F arm 67a is rotatably provided on the support portion 71a, and the F arm 67a is fixed to the rotation gear 71a ′. The R arm 68a is rotatably provided on the support portion 72a, and the R arm 68a is fixed to the rotating gear 72a ′. Therefore, the F arm 67a and the rotation gear 71a ′ rotate as a unit, and the R arm 68a and the rotation gear 72a ′ also rotate as a unit.
[0043]
An intermediate pulley 73 is interposed between the rotating gears 71a ′ and 72a ′, and a belt 74 is stretched between the rotating gears 71a ′ and 72a ′ via the intermediate pulley 73. The intermediate pulley 73 applies a predetermined tension to the belt 74.
[0044]
The rotating gear 72a ′ is provided with a rotating body 75 incorporating a damper mechanism. This rotating body 75 has an oil damper built therein, and has a function of suppressing a sudden drop due to gravity when the apparatus main body upper part 32 is lowered, and smoothly lowering. On the other hand, upward force when the apparatus main body upper part 32 is opened is applied by the spring 76. One end of the spring 76 is attached to the housing 33 ′ of the lower part 33 of the apparatus main body, is wound a predetermined number of times in the rotation gear 71 a ′, and the tip (the other end) is formed on the housing 33 ′ (not shown). It is fixed in the hole. Therefore, the urging force of the spring 76 works to rotate the rotating gear 71a ′ in the direction of the arrow a ′, and becomes a rising force of the upper part 32 of the apparatus main body.
[0045]
That is, when the rotating gear 71a ′ rotates in the direction of the arrow a ′, the F arm 67a rotates in the same direction, and simultaneously, the belt 74 rotates in the direction of the arrow a, and the rotating gear 72a ′ rotates in the direction of the arrow a ″. Therefore, the link mechanism works by the above driving, and the F arm 67a and the R arm 68a are rotated according to the two-dot chain line shown in FIG. Move to.
[0046]
In the above configuration, the opening / closing process of the upper part 32 of the printer main body 31 of the printer apparatus 31 according to this embodiment will be described below.
Normally, the printer device 31 is used in the state shown in FIG. When the sheet is insufficient, a sheet supply instruction is displayed on the liquid crystal display 34b of the operation panel 34, and the sheet supply to the sheet feeding cassette 38 is performed. On the other hand, when there is a paper jam, the position is displayed on the liquid crystal display 34b. For example, the cover 40 is opened to perform jam processing.
[0047]
Further, when the paper jam is inside the printer device 31 (when it is not at a position corresponding to the cover 40), when the drum set C1 or the toner set C2 is replaced, or when other maintenance is performed, the front cover 37 is used. Is released. The state in which the front cover 37 is opened is as shown in FIG.
[0048]
Next, in this state, the lock is released to open the upper part 32 of the apparatus main body. When the lock is released, the urging force of the spring 76 described above works to rotate the F arm 67a in the direction of arrow a ′, and simultaneously rotate the belt 74 in the direction of arrow a to rotate the R arm 68a in the same direction. Therefore, the apparatus main body upper part 32 is moved upward by the drive. At this time, in the opening / closing mechanism of this example, as shown in FIG. 7, the left and right R arms 68a and 68b are connected by the connecting member 83, and the apparatus main body upper part 32 can be opened symmetrically and smoothly.
[0049]
FIG. 9 shows a state in which the link mechanism works and the apparatus main body upper part 32 has moved slightly upward. In the figure, only the main part of the link mechanism is shown, and the configuration of the MPF tray 39 ′ and the cover 40 is omitted.
[0050]
Thereafter, the apparatus main body upper part 32 further moves upward, and the apparatus main body upper part 32 is opened to a predetermined position. FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the upper part 32 of the apparatus main body is completely opened. In the figure, only the main part of the link mechanism is shown, and the configuration of the MPF tray 39 ′ and the cover 40 is omitted. In this state, the apparatus main body upper part 32 is opened substantially horizontally with respect to the apparatus main body lower part 33 and maintains a predetermined interval. This interval considers the workability of the following maintenance processing, for example.
[0051]
On the other hand, when the maintenance work is finished and the apparatus main body upper part 32 is closed, the apparatus main body upper part 32 is pushed downward. In this case, the apparatus main body upper part 32 can be closed without applying a strong force due to its own weight. In addition, an oil damper is provided on the above-described rotating body 75, and can be smoothly closed against the urging force of the spring 76. In this case, the belt 74 moves in the direction of the arrow b, the rotating gear 71a ′ rotates in the direction of the arrow b ′, and simultaneously the rotating gear 72a ′ rotates in the direction of the arrow b ″. Close to
[0052]
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, since the R arms 68a and 68b used in the link mechanism are connected by the connecting member 83, the apparatus main body upper part 32 can be opened and closed smoothly. .
[0053]
Further, since the apparatus main body upper part 32 can be opened and closed stably, no distortion or the like occurs in the apparatus main body upper part 32, print position deviation can be eliminated, and print processing with excellent print quality can be performed. .
[0054]
In addition, various materials, such as stainless steel and a reinforced resin, can be used for the material of the connection member 83 used in this embodiment.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the left and right R arms are connected by the connecting member, so that the upper part of the apparatus main body can be opened and closed symmetrically and smoothly, and the lengths of the first and second arms are increased. Since the heights are different, the distance between the upper aircraft and the lower aircraft can be set appropriately, and the distance that the upper aircraft retracts backward can be adjusted.
[0056]
In addition, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of distortion at the upper part of the apparatus main body, eliminate the printing position deviation, and perform printing with excellent printing quality.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a so-called tandem color printer, which is an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an external view of the printer apparatus showing a state in which a front cover or the like is opened.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of the printer apparatus.
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the printer apparatus when the upper part of the apparatus main body is opened by the opening mechanism.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the opening / closing mechanism, and is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the left opening / closing mechanism as viewed from the left side surface;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the opening / closing mechanism, and is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the right opening / closing mechanism as viewed from the right side surface;
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an opening / closing mechanism and a perspective view thereof.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a drive mechanism of a link structure.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the link mechanism works and the upper part of the apparatus main body has moved slightly upward.
FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the upper part of the apparatus main body is completely opened.
FIG. 11 is an overall configuration diagram of a conventional printer apparatus.
FIG. 12 is an internal configuration diagram of a conventional printer apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
31 Printer device 32 Upper device body 33 Lower device body 34 Operation panel 34a Key operation unit 34b Liquid crystal display 35 Paper discharge unit 36 Paper discharge roll 37 Front cover 38 Paper feed cassette 39 MPF tray 40 Cover 41 Image forming unit 42 Transport for double-sided printing Unit 43 Paper feed unit 44 to 47 Image forming unit 50 Photosensitive drum 51a Charger 51b Print head 51c Developing roll 51d Transfer device 51e Cleaner 52 Standby roll 53 Conveying belt 54 Drive roll 55 Paper feed roller 56 Fixing units 56a and 56b Heat roll 56c Cleaning rolls 60a to 60e Conveying roll 61 Switching plate 62 Conveying roll 65 (65a, 65b) FR frame 66 (66a, 66b) Link frame 67 (67a, 67b) F arm 68 (68a, 68b) Arm 69 (69a, 69b) Stay 71 (71a, 71b), 72 (72a, 72b) Support portion 71a ', 71b', 72a ', 72b' Rotating gear 73 Intermediate pulley 74 Belt 75 Rotating body 76 Spring 77, 78 Support Part 83 connecting member

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus in which an image forming unit is disposed, and the apparatus main body is divided into an upper body and a lower body so as to be freely opened and closed.
When opening the upper fuselage with respect to the lower fuselage, the posture of the upper fuselage with respect to the installation surface is maintained substantially the same as the posture at the time of closing, while slightly retracting toward the rear of the device and predetermined from the lower aircraft It is equipped with a fuselage opening and closing mechanism that links the two fuselage to be opened at a distance of
該機opening and closing mechanism, both sides of the device the link member having a first, second arm one end and rotatably connected to the front-rear direction rotatably connected to the other end to each of the lower body of the upper body In preparation for
The second arms are connected to each other by a connecting member, and the arm length of the first arm is longer than the arm length of the second arm and is larger than the rotation fulcrum position of the first arm. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a vertical position of the rotation fulcrum position of the second arm is set high .  The second arm is inoperative with respect to the rotation direction corresponding to the opening of the device, and has a speed adjusting means including a damper mechanism for controlling the rotation speed with respect to the rotation direction corresponding to the closing of the device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.  The first and second rotating members that are interlocked with the first and second arms so that their rotation fulcrums coincide with each other, and a drive transmission member provided between the first and second rotating members. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image forming apparatus.  The urging means for urging the upper airframe in the opening direction with respect to the lower airframe, and the locking means for fixing and holding the upper airframe in the closed position are further provided. Or the image forming apparatus according to 3.

Images