JP4919125B2 - Opening / closing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an opening / closing device and an image forming apparatus.

  In Patent Document 1, a plurality of image carriers, a scanner unit for carrying each image carrier, a paper feeding unit disposed below the image carrier, and a downstream side in the transport direction are disclosed. And a transfer belt unit that is in contact with all the image bearing members and conveys the transfer material fed from the paper feeding unit to the fixing paper discharge unit, the transfer belt unit being The transfer belt unit is locked to a cap having an opening in the attaching / detaching direction of the transfer device, and the cap has a rotation fulcrum on the upstream side with respect to the transport direction, and the transfer belt unit is rotated and released to the main device. In addition, it is configured to be detachable at a predetermined position, and the position at which the transfer belt unit is positioned so as to form an image on the transfer material is defined as the first position, jam processing, replacement of consumables, and attachment / detachment of the transfer belt unit. In the multicolor image forming apparatus in which the position at is the second position, when the transfer belt unit moves from the first position to the second position, the moment generated on the rotation support shaft is a torque holding member. When the transfer belt unit moves from the second position to the first position, the moment generated on the rotation support shaft is not transmitted to the torque holding member, and the torque holding mechanism that does not hinder positioning Is arranged on the rotation support shaft of the cap, and a multicolor image forming apparatus is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 2, a plurality of image carriers, a scanner unit disposed on each image carrier, a paper feeding unit disposed below the image carrier, and a downstream side in the transport direction are arranged. An electrostatic transfer belt unit that contacts the fixing unit and all the image carriers and transports the transfer material fed from the paper feeding unit to the fixing unit; A first support position where the electrostatic transfer belt unit can form an image on the transfer material, jam processing, and replacement of consumables. In the multicolor image forming apparatus configured to move between two positions of the second position in various operations, the electrostatic transfer belt unit rotates from the first position to the second position around the rotation support shaft. When the electrostatic transfer belt unit rotates Multi-color image forming apparatus is disclosed which is characterized in that a damper mechanism to counteract the moment generated on the axis on a rotating shaft.

JP 2003-209777 A JP 2003-207978 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an opening / closing device and an image forming apparatus capable of limiting the moving speed of a first member provided in an apparatus main body.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first member provided to be movable with respect to the apparatus main body between an open position and a closed position, and the apparatus is movable with respect to the first member. A second member movably provided with respect to the main body, a limiting means for limiting a moving speed of the first member by contacting the first member and the second member, An urging means for urging the first member and the second member in contact with each other; and formed on the first member or the second member, against the urging force of the urging means. A restricting surface for restricting the position of the second member, and the restricting means includes a protrusion provided on one of the first member and the second member and a surface provided on the other. wherein said surface includes a first surface, Ri followed different said first surface and the shape provided on the first surface, said protrusion Anda larger second surface than the frictional force is the first side of the, when said first member is moved from the closed position to the open position, defined movement of the first member in advance The protrusion is positioned on the first surface when the amount is less than a predetermined amount, and the protrusion is in contact with the second surface when the first member moves more than a predetermined amount. The movement of the first member is limited by the movement, and the frictional force with the protrusion is larger on the second surface than on the first surface, so that the protrusion is on the first surface. The opening / closing device in which the movement of the first member is restricted is when the protrusion moves on the second surface than when the protrusion moves.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first member provided to be movable with respect to the apparatus main body between an open position and a closed position, and the apparatus is movable with respect to the first member. A second member movably provided with respect to the main body, a limiting means for limiting a moving speed of the first member by contacting the first member and the second member, An urging means having an elastic body that urges the first member in contact with the second member; and the urging force of the urging means is formed on the first member or the second member. And a restricting surface that restricts the position of the second member against the protrusion, and the restricting means is provided on one of the first member and the second member and on the other. The first surface and the first surface are different from the first surface and are different in shape from the first surface. And when the movement of the first member is less than a predetermined amount when the first member moves from the closed position to the open position, the protrusion is When the first member is located on the first surface and the first member has moved by a predetermined amount or more, the protrusion moves while contacting the second surface, so that the first member moves. When the protrusion moves on the second surface rather than when the protrusion moves on the first surface due to the limited shape of the first surface and the second surface In this case, the movement of the first member is more restricted when the protrusion moves on the second surface than when the elastic body is compressed and the protrusion moves on the first surface. Opening and closing device.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first member moves so as to rotate about the rotation axis, and the direction in which the urging means urges is substantially orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis. Item 3. The switchgear according to item 1 or 2.

The present invention according to claim 4 is the switchgear according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the first member and the second member rotate around different fulcrums with respect to the device main body.

The present invention according to claim 5, wherein the limiting means, the first member moves in advance in case of less than the amounts specified not restrict movement of the first member according to claim 1 to 4, wherein one of Opening and closing device.

The present invention according to claim 6 is the switchgear according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the protrusion and the surface do not contact when the first member is located at the closed position.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the first member moves from the closed position to the open position, the protrusion portion and the surface come into contact with each other according to the first movement. The switchgear according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein a contact pressure between the surface and the surface increases.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including the opening / closing device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an opening / closing device and an image forming apparatus capable of limiting the moving speed of the first member provided in the apparatus main body.

1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an opening / closing cover used in an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an opening / closing cover and a transfer unit used in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an open / close cover used in the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention and showing a cross section along AA in FIG. 3. FIG. 5A shows an opening / closing cover and a transfer unit used in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5A is an operation explanatory view showing a state in which the transfer unit is moved 15 degrees from a position used for image formation. FIG. 5B is an operation explanatory view showing a state in which the transfer unit is rotated 90 degrees from a position used for image formation. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a pressing mechanism used in an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the limiting plate used for the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the opening / closing cover used for the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 9A shows an opening / closing cover and a transfer unit used in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9A is an explanatory view showing a state where the transfer unit has moved 60 degrees from a position used for image formation. FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the transfer unit is rotated 90 degrees from the position used for image formation. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a paper tray of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is opened.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 12 that is used as the apparatus main body. A sheet feeding device 14 is disposed below the image forming apparatus main body 12, and an upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 12. A paper discharge unit 16 is formed.

  The paper feeding device 14 includes a paper tray 18, and a large number of sheets are stacked on the paper tray 18. A feed roll 20 is disposed on the upper end of the paper tray 18, and a roll 22 is provided facing the feed roll 20. The uppermost sheet on the sheet tray 18 is picked up by the feed roll 20, and the sheet is rolled and conveyed by the cooperation of the feed roll 20 and the separating roll 22.

  The paper transported from the paper tray 18 is temporarily stopped by a registration roll 24, and discharged at a predetermined timing between a photosensitive unit 26 and a transfer unit 28, which will be described later, and through a fixing device 30 by a paper discharge roll 32. 16 is discharged.

  On the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 12, a cover 13 used as a first member and used as an opening / closing cover is provided. The cover 13 is rotatably (movably) attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12 by a shaft 15 used as a support unit, and moves so as to rotate with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 12.

  In the image forming apparatus main body 12, a photosensitive unit 26 used as a third member, a transfer unit 28 used as a second member and used as a unit, a power supply unit 34, and a control unit 36 are arranged. The photoconductor unit 26 is detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus main body 12 and has a photoconductor unit main body 38. For example, four subunits 50 are supported on the photosensitive unit main body 38. Each subunit 50 has a photoreceptor 40, and around the photoreceptor 40, a charging device 42 used as a charging unit provided with a charging roll for uniformly charging the photoreceptor 40, and the photoreceptor 40 A developing device 44 that is used as a developing unit that develops the written latent image with a developer (toner), and a static eliminator that is used as a static eliminating unit that irradiates the photoconductor 40 with light by irradiating the transferred photoconductor 40 with light. 46 and a cleaning device 48 as a developer removing means for removing the developer remaining on the photoreceptor 40 after the transfer is performed.

  The four subunits 50 are for yellow toner image formation, magenta toner image formation, cyan toner image formation, and black toner image formation from the upstream in the sheet conveyance direction, which is below the gravitational direction. A yellow toner image, a magenta toner image, a cyan toner image, and a black toner image are formed on the surface. The four subunits 50 are detachable from the photoreceptor unit main body 38, respectively.

  Each of the optical writing devices 56 is composed of a laser exposure device, and is arranged on the back side of the photoconductor unit 26 at a position corresponding to each photoconductor 40, and irradiates the uniformly charged photoconductor 40 with a laser. Thus, a latent image is formed.

  The transfer unit 28 is disposed on the front side of the photoconductor unit 26 in the vertical direction so as to face the photoconductor unit 26. In the transfer unit 28, a conveyance belt 60 is hung on two support rolls 58 provided in the vertical direction. Further, a transfer roll 62 is provided so as to face each photoconductor 40 with the conveyance belt 60 interposed therebetween.

  Therefore, each photoconductor 40 is uniformly charged by the charging device 42, a latent image is formed by the optical writing device 56, and the latent image is visualized by toner by the developing device 44. The toner images formed on the respective photoconductors 40 are transferred onto the conveyed paper by the transfer roll 62 of the transfer unit 28 in order from below, and are fixed on the paper by the fixing device 30.

  2 to 4 show details of the transfer unit 28 and the cover 13. A shaft 70 is fixed to the lower end side of the transfer unit 28, and the shaft 70 is provided on the image forming apparatus main body 12 side and is rotatably supported by a support member 72 made of, for example, a main body frame. In FIG. 4, only the support member 72 that supports the left end side in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 70 is shown, but the support member 72 is also provided on the right end side of the shaft 70. 72 and 72 are rotatably supported. Therefore, the transfer unit 28 fixed to the shaft 70 is movable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 12 by rotating around the shaft 70.

  The transfer unit 28 rotates about the shaft 70 and moves relative to the image forming apparatus main body 12. On the other hand, the cover 13 rotates about the shaft 15 and moves relative to the image forming apparatus main body 12. Since the shaft 70 of the transfer unit 28 and the shaft 15 of the cover 13 are arranged at different positions, the transfer unit 28 also moves relative to the cover 13 when the cover 13 moves relative to the image forming apparatus main body 12. It is supposed to be.

  On the upper end side of the transfer unit 28, a protrusion 74 used as an engaged portion is provided. The protrusion 74 has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape, and is provided on the right side of the transfer unit 28 in addition to being provided on the left side as shown in FIG.

  Above the protrusion 74, there is provided a pressing mechanism 76 that is used as a pressing means and constitutes a limiting means. Two pressing mechanisms 76 are provided on the left and right, and the pressing mechanisms 76, 76 press the transfer unit 28 against the photosensitive unit 26. When the pressing mechanisms 76 and 76 press the transfer unit 28 against the photosensitive unit 26, the conveyance belt 60 and the photosensitive members 40, 40, 40, and 40 are in good contact (see FIG. 1). Details of the pressing mechanism 76 will be described later.

  The cover 13 is formed with a groove 80 used as an engaging portion. The groove 80 is formed by a space surrounded by a surface 82 formed on the inner side of the cover 13 and a surface 84 facing the surface 82, and has a width slightly larger than the outer diameter of the protrusion 74. Therefore, the protrusion 74 can move in the groove 80. The surface 84 is opposed to the surface 82 of the protrusion 88 formed so as to protrude from the protrusion 86 protruding from the cover 13 toward the inside of the apparatus and further toward the center of the image forming apparatus 10 in parallel with the surface 82. It is the surface on the side to do.

  The groove portion 80 is in a state in which the protruding portion 74 is inserted, and the groove portion 80 and the protruding portion 74 are engaged with each other. Therefore, the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28 are also engaged with each other, and the transfer unit 28 moves in conjunction with the movement of the cover 13.

  A restriction plate 90 that constitutes a restricting means and is used as a restricting member is attached to the surface 82 by a method such as bonding using an adhesive. Details of the limiting plate 90 will be described later. Two grooves 80, one surface 82, one surface 84, one protrusion 86, one protrusion 88, and one limiting plate 90 are provided on each of the left and right sides of the image forming apparatus 10.

  FIG. 5 shows an operation in which the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28 move relative to the image forming apparatus main body 12. In the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above, when the cover 13 is opened by the operator from the state in which the cover 13 is closed (see FIG. 3), the cover 13 starts to rotate around the shaft 15. When the cover 13 is opened to a certain angle, the surface 84 of the protruding portion 88 comes into contact with the protruding portion 74. When the cover 13 is further opened from this state, the projecting portion 74 is pressed by the surface 84, and the transfer unit 28 starts to rotate around the shaft 70. After the transfer unit 28 starts to rotate, the protrusion 74 moves from the entrance side to the back side of the groove 80 so as to be guided by the groove 80.

  FIG. 5A shows a state in which the transfer unit 28 is rotated by 15 degrees from the state used for image formation (see FIG. 3), and FIG. 5B shows the state in which the transfer unit 28 is used for image formation. The state rotated 90 degrees from the state where it is formed is shown.

  FIG. 6 shows details of the pressing mechanism 76 described above. The pressing mechanism 76 has a moving member 94. The moving member 94 includes a contact portion 96, a cylindrical portion 98, and a connecting portion 100 that connects the contact portion 96 and the cylindrical portion 98. The contact portion 96 has, for example, a substantially hemispherical shape, contacts the cover 13, and is pressed from the cover 13. The cylindrical portion 98 has a cylindrical shape that is open on the opposite side to the contact portion 96, and the moving member 94 is assembled to the transfer unit 28 such that the protruding portion 102 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 98. One end of the connecting part 100 is fixed to a spring 108 made of an elastic body, which is used as a pressing member on the surface of the cylindrical part 98 side.

  The protrusion 102 is provided in a recess 104 formed in the main body of the transfer unit 28, and is used as a guide member that guides the movement of the moving member 94. The bottom of the recess 104 is used as a second pressing portion, and the end of the spring 108 opposite to the end fixed to the moving member 94 is fixed. Therefore, the moving member 94 is connected to the transfer unit 28 by the spring 108.

When the transfer unit 28 is used for image formation (see FIG. 2), the contact portion 96 of the moving member 94 is pressed to the left in FIG. When the moving member 94 is pressed to the left side, the spring 108 is pressed to the left side by the moving member 94, and the transfer unit 28 is pressed to the photoconductor unit 26 by pressing the spring 108 to the left side.

  FIG. 7 shows the limiting plate 90. The limiting plate 90 is made of a material having a larger dynamic friction coefficient than the surface 82 of the cover 13. In the limiting plate 90, the width of the one end 90a is a, the width increases linearly up to the position 90b, and the width at the position 90b is b. The width from the position 90b to the other end 90c is the same and is b.

  The limiting plate 90 is attached to the surface 82 of the cover 13 so that the one end 90a side is located on the upper side (see FIGS. 2 and 4). Therefore, when the operator moves the transfer unit 28 with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 12 and the protrusion 74 starts to move in the groove 80, the protrusion occurs when the transfer unit 28 rotates by a certain angle. The part 74 starts to contact one end part 90 a of the limiting plate 90. Then, by further rotating the transfer unit 28, the projecting portion 74 moves downward on the surface of the limiting plate 90 in contact with the limiting plate 90, passes through the position 90 b, and is on the other end 90 c side. Move to.

In the first embodiment, with the transfer unit 28 rotated 15 degrees from a position used for image formation (hereinafter referred to as “first position”) (see FIG. 5A), the protrusion 74 is The attachment position of the restriction plate 90 is determined so that the one end portion 90a is reached and the protrusion 74 starts to contact the restriction plate 90. Then, with the transfer unit 28 rotated 45 degrees from the initial position, the projecting portion 74 reaches the position 90b. Thereafter, when the transfer unit 28 moves from the initial position to a position of 90 degrees, the projecting portion 74 reaches the other end portion 90c.

  The moving speed of the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28 is not limited by the limiting plate 90 until the time when the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28 start moving and the transfer unit 28 reaches the position of 15 degrees from the initial position. After the transfer unit 28 is rotated 15 degrees from the initial position, the protrusion 74 comes into contact with the limiting plate 90 having a higher dynamic friction coefficient than the surface 82, so that the protrusion 74 is larger in the groove 80. Receives frictional force. That is, after the transfer unit 28 has rotated 15 degrees or more, the movement unit of the transfer unit 28 and the cover 13 becomes slow due to the frictional force. For this reason, for example, the impact and damage applied to the movable portion such as the shaft 15, the portion supported by the shaft 15 of the cover 13, the shaft 70, and the portion supported by the shaft 70 of the transfer unit 28 are reduced.

  As the transfer unit 28 rotates from the 15-degree position to the 45-degree position, the protrusion 74 moves from the one end 90 a to the position 90 b in a state where it contacts the limiting plate 90. At this time, since the width of the limiting plate 90 gradually increases, the area where the protruding portion 74 and the limiting plate 90 come into contact gradually increases, and the protruding portion 74 receives a greater frictional force from the limiting plate 90. .

  As described above, the limit plate 90 controls the frictional force applied to the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28 in conjunction with the movement of the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28, thereby limiting the moving speed of the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28. ing. That is, in association with the rotation of the transfer unit to the position of 15 degrees, the frictional force applied to the transfer unit 28 and the cover 13 is increased, and the speed of the transfer unit 28 and the cover 13 is started to be limited. In other words, in conjunction with the rotation of the transfer unit 28 to the 45 degree position, the frictional force received between the transfer unit 28 and the cover 13 is gradually increased so that the speed of the transfer unit 28 and the cover 13 is gradually increased. It is decreasing.

  The limiting plate 90 is made of polyurethane foam, which is a foam material having a substantially foamed state. Here, the foam material refers to a material containing bubbles in the material. By using the foamable material, the limiting plate 90 is appropriately deformed, and the impact when the projecting portion 74 comes into contact can be satisfactorily absorbed. Moreover, the foaming state being substantially single bubbles means that, for example, adjacent bubbles in the material are connected, whereas bubbles in the material are substantially independent. By using a foaming material whose foaming state is substantially a single foam as the material of the limiting plate 90, even if the foaming material 74 is repeatedly pressed against the protrusion 74, the bubbles are not easily crushed and are not easily deformed or sag.

  As a material of the limiting plate 90, for example, polystyrene foam, polyethylene foam, elastomer foam, silicon foam, synthetic rubber foam or the like may be used instead of polyurethane foam. However, since the protrusion 74 moves in contact with the surface of the limiting plate 90, the limiting plate 90 preferably has a two-layer structure including a wear-resistant surface layer.

Further, the density of the polyurethane foam used as the material of the limiting plate 90 is approximately 480 (Kg / m ³ ). This value is a measured value based on JISK6401. The density of the polyurethane foam used as the material of the limiting plate 90 is preferably 240 (Kg / m ³ ) or more and 500 (Kg / m ³ ) or less. When a polyurethane foam having a density of 240 (Kg / m ³ ) or more is used, the protrusion 74 may excessively bite into the restricting plate 90, and the moving speed of the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28 becomes too slow. Or the restriction plate 90 may be prone to sag. On the other hand, if the density is 500 (Kg / m ³ ), the impact at the time when the projecting portion 74 comes into contact may not be sufficiently absorbed. In particular, from the viewpoint of controlling the operations of the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28 satisfactorily, from the viewpoint of easily causing the restriction plate 90 to sag, and from the viewpoint of satisfactorily absorbing impact, 320 (Kg / m ³⁾ It is desirable to use a material of 500 (Kg / m ³ ) or less. Therefore, in this embodiment, the polyurethane foam having a density of about 480 (Kg / m ³ ) is used as the material of the limiting plate 90 as described above.

  In the first embodiment, the restriction plate 90 is provided on the groove 80 side, but a member that controls the frictional force applied to the groove 80 and the protrusion 74 on at least one of the groove 80 and the protrusion 74. In addition to providing the limiting plate 90 on the surface 82 of the groove 80, or in combination with providing the limiting plate 90 on the surface 82, friction applied to the groove 80 and the protruding portion 74 on the protruding portion 74. A member for controlling the force may be provided.

  FIG. 8 shows the transfer unit 28 and the cover 13 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Compared to the first embodiment described above, in the first embodiment, the moving speed of the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28 is limited by controlling the area where the protrusion 74 contacts the limiting plate 90. . In contrast, in the second embodiment, the pressing mechanism 76 and the pressing force control mechanism 120 that controls the pressing force with which the contact portion 96 used as the limiting member is pressed against the cover 13 are used as limiting means. The moving speed of the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28 is limited.

  The pressing force control mechanism 120 has a convex portion 122 provided inside the device of the cover 13. The convex part 122 starts to form a convex part from the upper end part 122a and has a shape gradually increasing to the position 122b, and forms a slope 124 used as the first pressing part between the upper end part 122a and the position 122b. To do. The height from the position 122b to the lower end portion 122c is constant, and a surface 126 used as the first pressing portion is formed between the position 122b and the lower end portion 122c in the same manner as the slope 124. Similar to the pressing mechanism 76, the pressing force control mechanism 120 is provided on both the left and right sides of the image forming apparatus 10. Description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment is omitted.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, when the cover 13 is opened by the operator, the cover 13 starts to rotate around the shaft 15. When the cover 13 is opened to a certain angle, the contact portion 96 of the pressing mechanism 76 comes into contact with the upper end portion 122a side of the convex portion 122, and the contact portion 96 is pressed toward the transfer unit 28 side by the slope 124. Is done. When the contact portion 96 is pressed, the transfer unit 28 is pressed away from the cover 13 by the spring 108 (see FIG. 6), and the protrusion 74 of the transfer unit 28 and the protrusion 88 provided on the cover 13 are pressed. Are in pressure contact with each other, and the moving speed of the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28 is limited.

  When the cover 13 is further opened, the contact portion 96 moves toward the position 122b so as to slide on the slope 124. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the transfer unit 28 moves to a position rotated 60 degrees from the initial position, the contact portion 96 reaches a position 122b. While the cover 13 moves to a position of 60 degrees, the contact portion 96 is gradually pressed by the slope 124 to a position approaching the direction of the transfer unit 28, so that the slope 124 used as the first pressing portion, The distance from the bottom portion (see FIG. 6) of the concave portion 104 used as the pressing portion is gradually shortened, and the pressing force between the protruding portion 74 and the protruding portion 88 due to the elasticity of the spring 108 is gradually increased. Then, when the pressing force between the protrusion 74 and the protrusion 88 is gradually increased, the moving speed of the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28 is controlled to be gradually decreased.

  When the cover 13 is further opened, the contact portion 96 moves toward the lower end portion 122 c of the convex portion 122 so as to slide on the surface 126. FIG. 9B shows a state where the transfer unit 28 has moved to a position rotated 90 degrees from the initial position. While the transfer unit 28 moves from the position shown in FIG. 9A to the position shown in FIG. 9B, the height of the convex portion 122 is constant. A certain amount of pressure is applied.

  In the second embodiment described above, the limiting plate 90 provided in the first embodiment is not provided, but the limiting plate 90 is provided in the second embodiment described above, You may make it restrict | limit the moving speed of the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28 using both the restriction | limiting board 90 and the pressing force control mechanism 120. FIG.

  FIG. 10 shows an image forming apparatus 10 according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the first and second embodiments, the image forming apparatus 10 has the limiting plate 90 or the pressing force control mechanism 120 that limits the moving speed of the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the reversing unit 130 for reversing the sheet is provided, and the limiting plate 90 restricts the moving speed of the reversing unit 130 and the cover 13.

  The reversing unit 130 has a reversing unit main body 132, and transport rolls 134, 134, 134, 134 are disposed in the reversing unit main body 132, image formation is performed on one surface, and the paper discharge roll 32 is reversed. The sheet supplied by the rotation is reversed by the conveying rolls 134, 134, 134, 134 and conveyed again to the registration roll 24. By using the reversing unit 130, it is possible to form an image on both sides of the sheet.

  The reversing unit main body 132 is provided with a protruding portion 74 as in the transfer unit 28 in the first embodiment. Further, the groove 13 is formed in the cover 13 as in the first embodiment, and the limiting plate 90 is attached to the surface 82 that forms the groove 80. As in the first embodiment, the projecting portion 74 comes into contact with the limiting plate 90, so that the moving speed of the cover 13 and the reversing unit 130 is limited. In addition, about the same part as 1st Embodiment, the same number is attached | subjected to FIG. 10, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the third embodiment described above, the moving speed of the cover 13 and the reversing unit 130 is limited using the limiting plate 90 as in the first embodiment. In addition, a pressing force control mechanism 120 may be provided as in the second embodiment, and the moving speed of the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28 may be limited by the pressing force control mechanism 120.

  11 and 12 show an image forming apparatus 10 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 12, and a paper feeding device 14 is disposed on a side portion of the image forming apparatus main body 12. Further, in the image forming apparatus main body 12, a photosensitive member 40, a charging device 42 that uniformly charges the photosensitive member 40, and an optical writing device 56 that performs optical writing on the photosensitive member 40 charged by the charging device 42. The developing device 44 that develops the latent image written by the optical writing device 56, the transfer device 62 that transfers the developer image formed by the developing device 44 to the sheet, and the developer that is transferred to the sheet by the transfer device 62 A fixing device 30 for fixing the image to the sheet is provided.

  The paper feeding device 14 includes a paper tray 18 used as a unit, and a large number of paper sheets can be stacked and placed on the paper tray 18. The paper tray 18 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 12 by a shaft 70, and is stored in the image forming apparatus main body 12 shown in FIG. 11 and the use position shown in FIG. 12. Can move between.

  A feed roll 20 is provided on the left side of the paper tray 18 in FIG. 11, and a facing pad 22 is provided facing the feed roll 20. The uppermost sheet on the sheet tray 18 is picked up by the feed roll 20, and the sheet is rolled and conveyed by the cooperation of the feed roll 20 and the separating pad 22. A registration roll 24 is provided downstream of the feed roll 20 in the paper conveyance direction.

  The image forming apparatus main body 12 is provided with a cover 13 used as a first member and used as an opening / closing cover. The cover 13 is rotatably (movably) attached to the image forming apparatus main body 12 by a shaft 15 used as a support unit.

  In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 includes the limiting plate 90 that limits the moving speed of the cover 13 and the transfer unit 28. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, the limiting plate 90 is used to limit the moving speed of the paper tray 18 and the cover 13. That is, the groove portion 80 is formed in the cover 13 as in the first embodiment. A limiting plate 90 is attached to the surface on which the groove 80 is formed.

  As with the transfer unit 28 in the first embodiment, the paper tray 18 is provided with a protruding portion 74. Then, the projecting portion 74 is inserted into the groove portion 80 and the projecting portion 74 comes into contact with the limiting plate 90, so that the moving speed of the cover 13 and the paper tray 18 is limited.

  In the fourth embodiment described above, the movement speed of the cover 13 and the paper tray 18 is limited using the limiting plate 90 as in the first embodiment. In addition, a pressing force control mechanism 120 may be provided in the same manner as in the second embodiment, and the moving speed of the cover 13 and the paper tray 18 may be limited by the pressing force control mechanism 120. Note that description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment is omitted.

  As described above, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus having a unit movably provided with respect to an image forming apparatus main body such as a transfer unit. Further, the present invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus, and can be used for an opening / closing apparatus having an apparatus main body and a member provided to be movable with respect to the apparatus main body.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Image forming apparatus main body 13 Cover 15 Shaft 18 Paper tray 26 Photosensitive unit 28 Transfer unit 60 Conveying belt 70 Shaft 74 Protruding part 76 Pressing mechanism 80 Groove part 90 Limiting plate 94 Moving member 108 Spring 120 Pressing force control mechanism 122 Convex part 124 Slope 130 Reversing unit

Claims (8)

A first member provided to be movable relative to the apparatus main body between an open position and a closed position;
A second member that is movable with respect to the first member and is movable with respect to the apparatus main body;
Limiting means for limiting the moving speed of the first member by contacting the first member and the second member;
An urging means for urging the first member and the second member in a direction in contact with each other;
A regulating surface formed on the first member or the second member and regulating the position of the second member against the biasing force of the biasing means;
Have
The limiting means includes a protrusion provided on one of the first member and the second member and a surface provided on the other,
The surface is
The first aspect;
And the first following the surface provided varies said first surface and shape, the second surface frictional force is greater than said first surface of said projecting portion,
Have
When the first member moves from the closed position to the open position, if the movement of the first member is less than a predetermined amount, the protrusion is positioned on the first surface;
When the first member moves by a predetermined amount or more, the protrusion is moved while contacting the second surface, so that the movement of the first member is limited,
Because the frictional force with the protrusion is greater on the second surface than on the first surface, the protrusion is less than the second surface than when the protrusion moves on the first surface. An opening / closing device in which movement of the first member is restricted when moving on a surface. A first member provided to be movable relative to the apparatus main body between an open position and a closed position;
A second member that is movable with respect to the first member and is movable with respect to the apparatus main body;
Limiting means for limiting the moving speed of the first member by contacting the first member and the second member;
An urging means having an elastic body that urges the first member and the second member in a direction in contact with each other;
A regulating surface formed on the first member or the second member and regulating the position of the second member against the biasing force of the biasing means;
Have
The limiting means includes a protrusion provided on one of the first member and the second member and a surface provided on the other,
The surface is
The first aspect;
A second surface provided subsequent to the first surface and having a different shape from the first surface;
Have
When the first member moves from the closed position to the open position, if the movement of the first member is less than a predetermined amount, the protrusion is positioned on the first surface;
When the first member moves by a predetermined amount or more, the protrusion is moved while contacting the second surface, so that the movement of the first member is limited,
Due to the difference in shape between the first surface and the second surface, the case where the protrusion moves on the second surface is more than the case where the protrusion moves on the first surface. An opening / closing device in which the movement of the first member is restricted when the elastic body is compressed and the protrusion moves on the second surface, rather than when the protrusion moves on the first surface. . The first member moves so as to rotate about a rotation axis;
The switchgear according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a direction in which the biasing means biases and a direction of the rotation shaft are substantially orthogonal.   The switchgear according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first member and the second member rotate around different fulcrums with respect to the device main body.   The switchgear according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the restricting means does not restrict the movement of the first member when the movement of the first member is less than a predetermined amount.   The switchgear according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the first member is located at a closed position, the protrusion and the surface do not contact each other.   When the first member moves from the closed position to the open position, the contact pressure between the protrusion and the surface increases according to the first movement after the protrusion and the surface come into contact with each other. The switchgear according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   An image forming apparatus comprising the opening / closing device according to claim 1.

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