JP4941608B2 - Opening / closing mechanism of opening / closing part, image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an opening / closing mechanism for an opening / closing part and an image forming apparatus including the opening / closing mechanism.

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus is known in which an opening / closing cover is rotatably provided on an apparatus main body so that the inside of a printer main body can be opened. Some of such image forming apparatuses further include a manual feed tray serving as an opening / closing portion that is rotatably supported by an opening / closing cover (see Patent Document 1).
According to this configuration, paper can be fed from the manual feed tray by opening the manual feed tray.
Japanese Patent No. 3313554

  By the way, in the manual feed tray as described above, for example, an opening angle of the manual feed tray with respect to the open / close cover is regulated by an arm member having one end connected to the manual feed tray and the other end connected to the open / close cover.

  However, when the manual feed tray is opened together with the open / close cover, the arm member is connected between the manual feed tray and the open / close cover, so that the manual feed tray is opened more than necessary with respect to the apparatus body, and the manual feed tray is , It will collide with the device body and things around the device.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described facts, and an object of the present invention is to prevent adverse effects caused by opening and closing the opening part more than necessary.

The opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing part according to claim 1 is rotatably supported by the apparatus body, and is supported by the apparatus body so as to be rotatable, and is supported by the apparatus body. A second opening / closing portion that is opened / closed with respect to the first opening / closing portion and is engageable with the first opening / closing portion in a closed state with respect to the first opening / closing portion; A first restricting means for restricting an opening angle of the second opening / closing portion with respect to the first opening / closing portion, and a second for restricting an opening angle of the second opening / closing portion with respect to the apparatus main body. One end side is connected to the device main body and the other end side is connected to the first opening / closing portion, and the first opening / closing portion is locked to the first opening / closing portion with respect to the first opening / closing portion. 2 When it is opened integrally with the opening / closing part, And a third restricting means for restricting an opening angle of the first opening / closing portion, wherein the second restricting means is configured to open only the second opening / closing portion and to the first opening / closing portion of the second opening / closing portion. When the first opening / closing portion is integrally opened with the second opening / closing portion in the locked state, the opening angle of the second opening / closing portion with respect to the device main body is not restricted, and the first opening / closing portion is not attached to the device main body. When the first opening / closing part is opened with respect to the apparatus main body from the state where the second opening / closing part is opened with respect to the first opening / closing part, the second opening with respect to the apparatus main body is performed. An opening angle of the opening / closing part is restricted, and a manual feed tray for feeding paper to the apparatus main body is provided inside the second opening / closing part, and the opening of the second opening / closing part restricted by the second restricting means is provided. The first opening is regulated by the third regulating means. It is larger than the opening angle of the parts.
The opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing part according to the first aspect includes a turning member that is rotatably supported by the apparatus body, and an opening / closing part that is rotatably supported by the apparatus body and that can be opened and closed with respect to the turning member. A first arm member having one end connected to the rotating member, the other end connected to the opening / closing portion, and restricting an opening angle of the opening / closing portion with respect to the rotating member; In addition to being connected to the apparatus main body, the other end part is connected to the opening / closing part, and when the opening / closing part is opened, the rotation angle of the opening / closing part with respect to the apparatus main body can be changed. And a second arm member to be regulated.

  According to this configuration, the first arm member having one end connected to the rotating member and the other end connected to the opening / closing portion regulates the opening angle of the opening / closing portion with respect to the rotating portion. Thereby, in a state where the rotating part is not rotated with respect to the apparatus main body, the opening / closing part does not open more than a predetermined angle with respect to the apparatus main body.

  When the opening / closing part is opened while turning the turning member, the second arm member regulates the turning angle of the opening / closing part with respect to the apparatus main body.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the adverse effect caused by opening and closing the opening / closing part more than necessary without opening and closing the opening / closing part with respect to the apparatus main body, regardless of whether the turning part is rotated or not.

  In the configuration of the first aspect, the opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing part according to the second aspect is characterized in that the opening angle regulated by the first arm member is smaller than the rotation angle regulated by the second arm member. .

  According to this configuration, in a normal state, that is, in a state where the rotation unit is not rotated with respect to the apparatus main body, when the opening / closing unit is opened, the first arm member receives the load of the opening / closing unit, Since the two-arm member does not receive the load of the opening / closing portion, even when the second arm member having a lower strength than the first arm member is used, the second arm member is not easily damaged.

  The opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing part according to the third aspect is the structure of the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein one end is connected to the rotating member and the other end is connected to the apparatus main body. A third arm member for regulating the rotation angle of the member is provided.

  According to this configuration, the third arm member whose one end is connected to the rotation member and whose other end is connected to the apparatus main body regulates the rotation angle of the rotation member. As a result, it is possible to prevent an adverse effect caused by the rotation part not opening more than a predetermined angle with respect to the apparatus main body and opening the rotation part more than necessary.

  The opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing part according to the fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the configuration of the third aspect, the rotation angle regulated by the third arm member is smaller than the rotation angle regulated by the second arm member. To do.

  According to this configuration, in a state where the opening / closing portion is closed with respect to the rotating portion, when the rotating portion rotates with respect to the apparatus main body, the third arm member receives the load of the opening / closing portion, and Since the two-arm member does not receive the load of the opening / closing portion, even when the second arm member having a lower strength than the first arm member is used, the second arm member is not easily damaged.

  In the opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing part according to the fifth aspect, the rotating member is a body opening / closing part capable of opening the apparatus body.

  The opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing part according to the sixth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the second arm member is smaller than the first arm member.

  According to this configuration, since the second arm member is made smaller than the first arm member, a space for attaching the second arm member can be reduced, and the space of the apparatus can be saved.

  The opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing part according to the seventh aspect is the structure according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the first arm member is opened / closed at a connection position where the second arm member is connected to the opening / closing part. It is characterized in that it is closer to the hinge part side of the opening / closing part than the connection position connected to the part.

  According to this configuration, the connection position at which the second arm member is connected to the opening / closing part is closer to the hinge part side of the opening / closing part than the connection position at which the first arm member is connected to the opening / closing part. The installation space can be small and the space of the device can be saved.

  The open / close mechanism of the open / close section according to the eighth aspect is the structure according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the first arm member is connected to the rotation position when the second arm member is connected to the apparatus main body. It is characterized in that it is closer to the hinge part side of the opening / closing part than the connection position connected to the moving member.

  According to this configuration, the connection position where the second arm member is connected to the apparatus main body is closer to the hinge part side of the opening / closing part than the connection position where the first arm member is connected to the rotating member. The space for attaching the member is small, and the space of the apparatus can be saved.

  An opening / closing mechanism for an opening / closing part according to a ninth aspect is characterized in that, in the configuration of any one of the first to eighth aspects, the second arm member is disposed outside the rotating member.

  According to this structure, since the 2nd arm member is arrange | positioned on the outer side of the rotation member, it does not interfere with the rotation member.

  The opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing part according to the tenth aspect is characterized in that, in the configuration of any one of the first to ninth aspects, the second arm member is disposed outside the first arm member.

  According to this configuration, since the second arm member is disposed outside the first arm member, it does not interfere with the first arm member.

  A manual tray for feeding paper to the apparatus main body may be provided inside the opening / closing unit.

  A paper discharge tray for receiving paper discharged from the apparatus main body may be provided inside the opening / closing unit.

  In the second arm member, a long groove is formed along the longitudinal direction, and the apparatus main body according to the present invention is provided with a guide portion that engages and guides the long groove, and the guide portion abuts on the end portion of the long groove, You may comprise so that the opening angle of an opening-and-closing part may be controlled.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect includes the opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing part according to any one of the first to tenth aspects.

  Since this invention was set as the said structure, the bad effect which arises when an opening-and-closing part opens more than necessary can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment according to an opening / closing mechanism of an opening / closing part of the present invention and an image forming apparatus including the opening / closing mechanism will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes an apparatus main body 12. A sheet (recording medium) P is stacked and stored in a lower part of the apparatus main body 12 in a bundle. A tray 14 is arranged.

  A feed roll 16 is disposed immediately above the front end side (right end side in FIG. 1) of the paper feed tray 14 to send out the paper P from the paper feed tray 14 in pressure contact with the front end side of the upper surface of the paper P.

  Further, the apparatus main body 12 is formed with a first conveyance path 22 that extends from the front end of the paper feed tray 14 and is gently curved and extends substantially vertically upward on the front side of the apparatus (right side in FIG. 1). Has been.

  Along the first transport path 22, a plurality of (for example, two) transport roller pairs 24 that sandwich and transport the paper P in order from the upstream side in the paper transport direction, and electrostatically attract the paper P on which an image is to be formed. An endless transport belt 26 is disposed for transporting.

  The conveyor belt 26 is stretched between a stretching roller 27 disposed above and a stretching roller 29 disposed below, and one of the stretching roller 27 and the stretching roller 29 is in a predetermined direction (see FIG. 1, the conveyance belt 26 is rotated (circulated) in a predetermined direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 1) by being driven to rotate in the clockwise direction.

  On the upstream side of the conveyance belt 26 in the sheet conveyance direction, a charging roll 31 that charges the surface of the conveyance belt 26 and presses the sheet P electrostatically attracted to the conveyance belt 26 against the conveyance belt 26 is attached to the conveyance belt 26. Adjacent to each other.

  A plurality of process cartridges 28Y, 28M, 28C, and 28K corresponding to the respective colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are arranged in the lateral direction facing the conveyance belt 26 with the first conveyance path 22 interposed therebetween. Along the one conveyance path 22, the apparatus main body 12 is arranged in a column in a substantially vertical direction.

  Each process cartridge 28Y, 28M, 28C, 28K is provided with a photosensitive drum 30 that rotates in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 1).

  Around the photosensitive drum 30, the charging roller 32 for charging the photosensitive drum 30 and the charged photosensitive drum 30 are exposed to the photosensitive drum 30 in order from the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 30. An exposure device 34 that forms a latent image thereon and a developing roller 36 that attaches and develops toner of each color to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 are provided.

  The charging roller 32 and the developing roller 36 are provided in each of the process cartridges 28Y, 28M, 28C, and 28K.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the process cartridges 28Y, 28M, 28C, and 28K are detachable in the lateral direction. The process cartridges 28Y, 28M, 28C, and 28K are attached to both ends in the width direction at the time of detachment. A grip 58 for gripping is provided. In FIG. 1, the handle 58 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the toner images formed on the photosensitive drum 30 are respectively transferred to the paper P at a predetermined transfer position in the lateral direction facing the photosensitive drum 30 on the inner peripheral side of the conveying belt 26 as shown in FIG. A transfer device 38 for transferring is provided.

  On the downstream side in the paper transport direction from the transport belt 26, a fixing device 40 that fixes the transferred toner image onto the paper P, a transport roll pair 42 that sandwiches and transports the paper P, and a discharge roll pair that discharges the paper P to the discharge tray 20. 44 are arranged in this order.

  Further, a second conveyance path 46 for inverting the paper P on which an image is formed on one side and returning it to the first conveyance path 22 is formed facing the first conveyance path 22 with the conveyance belt 26 interposed therebetween. Has been.

  A plurality (for example, three) of conveyance roller pairs 48 for nipping and conveying the paper P downward are arranged in the second conveyance path 46, and when an image is formed on both sides, the image is formed on one side. The discharged paper P is switched back by the discharge roll pair 44 and guided to the second conveyance path 46, conveyed downward by the plurality of conveyance roll pairs 48, and sent back to the first conveyance path 22.

  Further, a third conveyance path 47 connected to the second conveyance path 46 is formed. The third transport path 47 is provided with a pair of paper feed rolls 49, and the paper feed rolls 49 feed paper P stacked on a manual feed tray 74 described later to the second transport path 46.

  Next, an image forming operation for forming an image in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, when an image is formed on the paper P, the paper P taken out from the paper feed tray 14 is first transported upward along the transport path 22 by the plurality of transport roll pairs 24 and transported. It is fed to the belt 26. The paper P sent to the transport belt 26 is pressed against the transport belt 26 by the charging roll 31 and is electrostatically attracted to the transport belt 26 to be charged and transported upward. Each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black Are sequentially fed to a predetermined transfer position corresponding to the above.

  On the paper P sent to the predetermined transfer position, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 30 are transferred by the transfer device 38 to form a full color image. Further, the toner image conveyed and transferred to the fixing device 40 is fixed by the fixing device 40.

  Paper P stacked on a manual feed tray 74 described later is sent to the transport belt 26 by the paper feed roll 49 via the second transport path 46, and a full-color image is formed in the same manner as described above.

  When an image is formed only on one side of the paper P, the paper P is discharged to the discharge tray 20 by the discharge roll pair 44 after the toner image is fixed.

  When images are formed on both sides of the sheet P, after the image is formed on one side, the sheet P is switched back by the discharge roll pair 44, reversed, and sent to the second conveyance path 46. Further, the image is again sent from the second conveyance path 46 to the first conveyance path 22, and an image is formed on the opposite surface where no image is recorded in the same manner as described above, and an image is formed on both sides of the paper P. As described above, a series of image forming operations are performed.

  Next, a first opening / closing part (main body opening / closing part) as a rotating member rotatably supported by the apparatus main body, a second opening / closing part supported by the apparatus main body so as to be able to open / close the first opening / closing part, The opening / closing mechanism of the first opening / closing part and the second opening / closing part will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the apparatus main body 12 includes a main body frame 60 made of resin and an exterior member 69 provided on a side surface of the main body frame 60. The main body frame 60 is provided with a hinge portion 62 protruding from the apparatus main body 12 (main body frame 60). A first opening / closing part 50 that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 12 is attached to the hinge part 62. The first opening / closing part 50 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 63 provided in the hinge part 62, and an open position where the first opening / closing part 50 is opened and a closed position where the first opening / closing part 50 is closed. , And is rotatable.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a second opening / closing part 51 that can be opened and closed with respect to the first opening / closing part is attached to the hinge part 62. The second opening / closing part 51 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 63 and is supported coaxially with the first opening / closing part 50. The second opening / closing part 51 is rotatable between a closed position that overlaps the first opening / closing part 50 and covers the outer surface of the first opening / closing part 50 and an open position that is separated from the first opening / closing part 50. .

  In addition, the second opening / closing part 51 can be switched between a locked state in which the second opening / closing part 50 is locked and a unlocked state in which the second opening / closing part 51 is not locked by the first opening / closing part 50.

  Thereby, the second opening / closing part 51 is moved from the apparatus main body 12 side to the apparatus outer side in the unlocked state and the first opening / closing part 50 is closed by the apparatus main body 12 (direction A in FIGS. 2 and 3). Rotating and tilting to the open position opens the outer surface of the first opening / closing part 50 and also opens the paper feed port 72 provided in the apparatus main body 12 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  A manual feed tray 74 that feeds the paper P to the apparatus main body 12 is provided inside the second opening / closing section 51. The first opening / closing section 50 is closed by the apparatus main body 12, and the second opening / closing section 51 is installed. In the opened state, paper can be fed from the manual feed tray 74. In FIG. 2, the manual feed tray 74 is omitted.

  Further, the second opening / closing part 51 is rotated from the state in which the first opening / closing part 50 is opened to the side of the apparatus main body 12 (in the direction B in FIGS. 2 and 3), and vertically stands to the closed position. While closing the 1st opening-and-closing part 50, the paper feed port 72 provided in the apparatus main body 12 is closed (refer FIG. 4).

  On the other hand, the first opening / closing part 50 is integrated with the second opening / closing part 51 from the apparatus main body 12 side to the outside of the apparatus in the locked state where the second opening / closing part 51 is locked (in the direction C in FIGS. 5 and 6). ) The inside of the apparatus main body 12 is opened by rotating and tilting to the open position (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Further, the first opening / closing part 50 is rotated integrally with the second opening / closing part 51 from the state in which the inside of the apparatus is opened to the apparatus main body 12 side (in the direction D in FIGS. 5 and 6) to the closed position. By standing upright, the inside of the apparatus is closed (see FIG. 4).

  Since the inside of the apparatus main body 12 is opened, as shown in FIG. 5, the process cartridges 28Y, 28M, 28C, and 28K can be exchanged by attaching / detaching the process cartridges 28Y, 28M, 28C, and 28K. Further, the first conveyance path 22 is opened, and a jam (paper jam) generated in the first conveyance path 22 can be eliminated.

  In FIG. 6, the process cartridges 28Y, 28M, 28C, 28K and the conveyance belt 26 are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a conveyance belt unit 52 including a conveyance belt 26 is attached to the first opening / closing portion 50 so as to be rotatable by a support shaft 53.

  The transport belt unit 52 is provided with one of the transport roll pair 48, the transfer device 38 and the charging roll 31. One of the conveying roll pair 48 and the stretching rollers 27 and 29 for stretching the conveying belt 26 are pivotally supported by a pair of side plates 67 of the conveying belt unit 52 provided at both ends in the axial direction.

  The transport belt unit 52 opens the second transport path 46 by rotating toward the apparatus main body 12 around the support shaft 53. Thereby, a jam (paper jam) generated in the second transport path 46 can be eliminated.

  Here, a configuration for restricting the opening angle (rotation angle) of the first opening / closing portion 50 and a configuration for restricting the opening angle (rotation angle) of the second opening / closing portion 51 will be described.

  The opening / closing mechanism 11 of the first opening / closing part 50 and the second opening / closing part 51 includes a pair of first arms provided between the first opening / closing part 50 and the second opening / closing part 51 as shown in FIGS. A pair of second arm members 66 provided between the member 64, the apparatus main body 12 and the second opening / closing part 51, and a pair of third arms provided between the first opening / closing part 50 and the apparatus main body 12. And a member 68.

  7 to 10, one of the pair of first arm members 64, the pair of second arm members 66, and the pair of third arm members 68, one first arm member 64 and one second arm member. 66 and one third arm member 68 are shown. 7 to 10 show the exterior member 69 removed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the pair of first arm members 64 has one end in the longitudinal direction connected to the left and right outer surfaces of the first opening / closing portion 50 so as to be rotatable. The other ends in the longitudinal direction of the pair of first arm members 64 are connected to the second opening / closing part 51, respectively.

  A side plate (not shown) in which a long hole 65 is formed is provided inside the second opening / closing part 51, and an engagement shaft provided at a connecting part of the first arm member 64 connected to the second opening / closing part 51. 64 </ b> A can move through the long hole 65.

  When the second opening / closing part 51 is closed by the first opening / closing part 50, the connecting part of the first arm member 64 connected to the first opening / closing part 50 rotates and the first arm member 64 is engaged. The shaft 64A moves along the long hole 65, and the first arm member 64 is accommodated in the second opening / closing part 51 (see FIG. 8).

  When the second opening / closing part 51 is opened, the engagement shaft 64A of the first arm member 64 comes into contact with the terminal end of the elongated hole 65 and the opening angle (rotation) of the second opening / closing part 51 with respect to the first opening / closing part 50 is made. (Movement angle) is regulated (see FIG. 7). The regulated opening angle (rotation angle) θ1 is, for example, 60 degrees.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pair of third arm members 68 have one end in the longitudinal direction connected to the left and right inner surfaces of the first opening / closing portion 50 so as to be rotatable. . The other end in the longitudinal direction of the third arm member 68 is inserted between the main body frame 60 and the exterior member 69.

  A guide groove 71 is formed along the longitudinal direction of the third arm member 68 on the side surface of the third arm member 68 that faces the main body frame 60, and the protrusion provided on the main body frame 60. 73 engages with the guide groove 71 and supports the other end in the longitudinal direction of the third arm member 68 so as to be movable.

  A rack 72 is provided on the third arm member 68 along the longitudinal direction of the third arm member 68 as shown in FIGS. The main body frame 60 is provided with a pinion 74 that meshes with the rack 72 and rotates when the first opening / closing part 50 is opened, at a position above the arm member 64.

  The rotation shaft of the pinion 74 is attached to an oil damper (not shown), and the rotation of the pinion 74 is braked by the action of the oil damper. As a result, the opening speed of the first opening / closing part 50 becomes gentle, and the impact on the first opening / closing part 50 and the apparatus main body 12 generated by the first opening / closing part 50 being suddenly opened is reduced. The pinion 74 is covered with a cover body 76.

  When the first opening / closing part 50 is closed by the apparatus main body 12, the other longitudinal end of the third arm member 68 moves so that the third arm member 68 is interposed between the main body frame 60 and the exterior member 69. Stored (see FIG. 8). When the first opening / closing part 50 is opened, the protrusion 73 provided on the main body frame 60 comes into contact with the terminal end of the guide groove 71 locked to the third arm member 68, so that the The opening angle (rotation angle) of the first opening / closing part 50 is restricted. The regulated opening angle (turning angle) θ3 is, for example, 80 degrees, and is larger than the opening angle (turning angle) θ1 regulated by the first arm member 64.

  In the locked state where the second opening / closing part 51 is locked to the first opening / closing part 50, the second opening / closing part 51 also rotates integrally with the first opening / closing part 50, and the opening angle of the second opening / closing part 51 with respect to the apparatus main body. (Rotation angle) is also restricted to θ3.

  In addition, the pair of second arm members 66 has one end portion in the longitudinal direction connected to the left and right inner surfaces of the second opening / closing portion 51 so as to be rotatable. The connection position where the second arm member 66 is connected to the second opening / closing part 51 is closer to the hinge part side of the second opening / closing part 51 than the connection position where the first arm member 64 is connected to the second opening / closing part 51. ing.

  The other longitudinal ends of the pair of second arm members 66 are connected to the main body frame 60, respectively. The connection position where the second arm member 66 is connected to the main body frame 60 is closer to the hinge part side of the second opening / closing part 51 than the connection position where the first arm member 64 is connected to the first opening / closing part 50. .

  The second arm member 66 is formed with a long groove 66A along the longitudinal direction thereof, and the main body frame 60 is provided with a guide portion 70 that engages with the long groove 66A and guides the second arm member 66. The other end portion side of the second arm member 66 is movable.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the second arm member 66 is smaller and thinner than the first arm member 64 and the third arm member 68, and moreover than the first arm member 64 and the third arm member 68. Even the strength is weakened.

  Further, the second arm member 66 is disposed outside the side surface of the first opening / closing part 50, and is disposed outside the first arm member 64 in the rotational axis direction of the second opening / closing part 51.

  When the second opening / closing part 51 is closed by the first opening / closing part 50 and when the first opening / closing part 50 is closed by the apparatus main body 12, the other end in the longitudinal direction of the second arm member 66 is connected to the guide part 70. And is moved between the main body frame 60 and the exterior member 69 (see FIG. 8).

  When the first opening / closing part 50 is closed by the apparatus main body 12 and the second opening / closing part 51 is opened, the other end in the longitudinal direction of the second arm member 66 is guided by the guide part 70 and moves. However, the guide part 70 is located in the middle part of the long groove 66A, and the opening angle (rotation angle) of the second opening / closing part 51 with respect to the apparatus main body 12 is not restricted (see FIG. 7).

  Similarly, when the first opening / closing part 50 is opened when the second opening / closing part 51 is engaged with the first opening / closing part 50 and the first opening / closing part 50 is opened, the guide part 70 is positioned at the middle part of the long groove 66A. However, the opening angle (rotation angle) of the second opening / closing part 51 with respect to the apparatus main body 12 is not restricted (see FIG. 9).

  When the first opening / closing part 50 and the second opening / closing part 51 are opened, specifically, after the second opening / closing part 51 is opened, the first opening / closing part 50 is opened with the second opening / closing part 51 opened. When opened, the guide portion 70 comes into contact with the end portion of the long groove 66A, and the opening angle (rotation angle) of the second opening / closing portion 51 with respect to the apparatus main body is regulated. The restricted opening angle (turning angle) θ2 is, for example, 85 degrees, the opening angle (turning angle) θ1 regulated by the first arm member 64 and the opening angle (turning) regulated by the third arm member 68. Angle) is larger than θ3. (See FIG. 10).

  Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment, when the second opening / closing part 51 is unlocked and the first opening / closing part 50 is closed by the apparatus main body 12, the second opening / closing part 51 is connected from the apparatus main body 12 side. By rotating outward (in the direction A in FIGS. 2 and 3) and tilting to the open position, the outer surface of the first opening / closing part 50 is opened and the paper feed port 72 provided in the apparatus main body 12 is opened. Open (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  As a result, paper can be fed from the manual feed tray 74 provided inside the second opening / closing part 51.

  At this time, the engagement shaft 64A of the first arm member 64 comes into contact with the terminal end of the long hole 65, and the opening angle (rotation angle) of the second opening / closing part 51 with respect to the first opening / closing part 50 is regulated (see FIG. 7).

  The third arm member 68 is accommodated between the main body frame 60 and the exterior member 69. Further, the guide portion 70 of the main body frame 60 is located in the middle portion of the long groove 66A of the second arm member 66, and the second arm member 66 does not act.

  When the inside of the apparatus main body 12 is opened from the state in which the second opening / closing part 51 is opened, the second opening / closing part 51 is temporarily closed to the first opening / closing part 50, and the second opening / closing part 51 is first opened / closed. The locked state is engaged with the portion 50.

  Then, in the locked state in which the second opening / closing part 51 is locked, the first opening / closing part 50 is moved integrally with the second opening / closing part 51 from the apparatus main body 12 side to the outside of the apparatus (in the direction C in FIGS. 5 and 6). By rotating and tilting to the open position, the inside of the apparatus main body 12 is opened (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, the process cartridges 28Y, 28M, 28C, and 28K can be attached and detached, and the process cartridges 28Y, 28M, 28C, and 28K can be replaced. Further, the first conveyance path 22 is opened, and a jam (paper jam) generated in the first conveyance path 22 can be eliminated.

  At this time, the protrusion 73 provided on the main body frame 60 contacts the terminal end of the guide groove 71 locked to the third arm member 68, and the opening angle (rotation) of the first opening / closing portion 50 with respect to the apparatus main body 12. (Movement angle) is regulated (see FIG. 9).

  The engaging shaft 64 </ b> A of the first arm member 64 moves along the long hole 65, and the first arm member 64 is accommodated in the second opening / closing part 51. Further, the guide portion 70 of the main body frame 60 is located in the middle portion of the long groove 66A of the second arm member 66, and the second arm member 66 does not act.

  If the first opening / closing part 50 is accidentally opened from the state in which only the second opening / closing part 51 is opened, the angle between the first opening / closing part 50 and the second opening / closing part 51 does not change, and the second opening relative to the apparatus main body 12 does not change. Although the opening angle (rotation angle) of the opening / closing portion 51 is increased, the guide portion 70 comes into contact with the terminal end portion of the long groove 66A of the second arm member 66 and the opening angle (rotation) of the second opening / closing portion 51 with respect to the apparatus main body 12 is increased. (Movement angle) is regulated.

  Thus, even if the first opening / closing part 50 and the second opening / closing part 51 are simultaneously opened, the second opening / closing part 51 does not open more than a predetermined angle with respect to the apparatus main body 12. For this reason, the second opening / closing part 51 does not collide with anything in the vicinity of the apparatus, and the lower end part of the second opening / closing part 51 does not collide with the hinge part 62 or the like of the apparatus body 12. And damage to the hinge portion 62 of the apparatus main body can be prevented.

  A configuration in which a notch is provided in the lower end portion of the second opening / closing portion 51 to prevent the second opening / closing portion 51 from escaping from the hinge portion 62 of the apparatus main body 12 to prevent a collision is also conceivable. If you make a notch in the, it will look bad.

  In the state where the first opening / closing part 50 is closed by the apparatus main body 12, when the second opening / closing part 51 is opened, and when the second opening / closing part 51 is locked to the first opening / closing part 50, When the first opening / closing part 50 is opened, the second arm member 66 is not subjected to the loads of the first opening / closing part 50 and the second opening / closing part 51, so the second arm member 66 may be weak in strength, The degree of freedom of the material forming the second arm member 66 is high. Further, the second arm member 66 may be small and can be arranged near the side of the second arm member 66 close to the hinge portion 62. Therefore, the mounting space for the second arm member 66 can be reduced, and the space of the apparatus can be saved. I can plan.

  Further, by disposing the second arm member 66 outside the first opening / closing part 50 and the first arm member 64, the second arm member 66 does not interfere with the first opening / closing part 50 and the first arm member 64. It does not get in the way.

  In the above-described embodiment, the second opening / closing unit 51 is provided with the manual feed tray. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second opening / closing unit 51 is provided with a discharge tray that receives the paper P discharged from the apparatus main body 12. There may be.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which only the second opening / closing part is opened in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which only the second opening / closing portion is opened in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the first opening / closing portion and the second opening / closing portion are closed in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the first opening / closing part is integrally opened with the second opening / closing part when the second opening / closing part according to the present embodiment is in a locked state where the second opening / closing part is locked to the first opening / closing part. . FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first opening / closing part is opened integrally with the second opening / closing part when the second opening / closing part according to the present embodiment is in a locked state where the second opening / closing part is locked to the first opening / closing part. is there. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state of each arm member in a state where only the second opening / closing portion according to the present embodiment is opened. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state of each arm member in a state where the first opening / closing portion and the second opening / closing portion according to the present embodiment are closed. FIG. 9 shows the state of each arm member in a state where the first opening / closing part is integrally opened with the second opening / closing part when the second opening / closing part according to the present embodiment is in a locked state where the second opening / closing part is locked to the first opening / closing part. It is a figure which shows a state. FIG. 10 shows the state of each arm member in a state where the first opening / closing part and the second opening / closing part are opened when the second opening / closing part according to the present embodiment is in an unlocked state where the second opening / closing part is not engaged with the first opening / closing part. It is a figure which shows a state.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Opening / closing mechanism 12 Apparatus main body 50 1st opening / closing part (rotating member, main body opening / closing part)
51 Second opening / closing part (opening / closing part)
64 First arm member 66 Second arm member 66A Long groove 68 Third arm member 70 Guide portion 74 Manual feed tray

Claims (2)

A first opening / closing part rotatably supported by the apparatus body and opened / closed with respect to the apparatus body;
A second opening / closing part that is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body and is opened / closed with respect to the first opening / closing part, and can be locked to the first opening / closing part in a closed state with respect to the first opening / closing part;
A first regulating means having one end connected to the first opening / closing portion and the other end connected to the second opening / closing portion, and restricting an opening angle of the second opening / closing portion with respect to the first opening / closing portion;
A second restricting means for restricting an opening angle of the second opening / closing portion with respect to the apparatus main body;
One end side is connected to the apparatus main body and the other end side is connected to the first opening / closing part, and the first opening / closing part is connected to the second opening / closing part in a locked state of the second opening / closing part with respect to the first opening / closing part. A third restricting means for restricting an opening angle of the first opening / closing portion with respect to the device main body when the device is integrally opened;
With
The second restricting means opens the first opening / closing part integrally with the second opening / closing part when only the second opening / closing part is opened and when the second opening / closing part is locked to the first opening / closing part. In this case, the opening angle of the second opening / closing portion with respect to the device main body is not restricted, the first opening / closing portion is closed with respect to the device main body, and the second opening / closing portion with respect to the first opening / closing portion. When the first opening / closing part is opened with respect to the apparatus main body from the opened state, the opening angle of the second opening / closing part with respect to the apparatus main body is regulated,
A manual feed tray for feeding paper to the apparatus main body is provided inside the second opening / closing unit,
The opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing part, wherein an opening angle of the second opening / closing part restricted by the second restriction means is larger than an opening angle of the first opening / closing part restricted by the third restriction means.   An image forming apparatus comprising the opening / closing mechanism for the opening / closing section according to claim 1.

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