JP5031699B2 - Opening / closing device and image forming apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides an opening / closing member in which both left and right sides of the apparatus main body are supported so as to be rotatable around a fixed point, and left and right ends of the opening / closing member, respectively, and the opening angle of the opening / closing member is predetermined. The present invention relates to an opening / closing apparatus having a string-like opening degree regulating member of the same length that regulates the angle of the image and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a multifunction machine, a facsimile machine, and the like. It relates to the restriction of the opening of the member.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus is provided with various opening / closing members (a front cover, a manual feed cover, a paper discharge tray, etc.), for removing a jam at an image forming unit, and for exchanging a photosensitive member or a developing device. In addition, in order to receive the paper loaded and the paper discharged, each opening / closing member is opened and used in accordance with each purpose.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, such an image forming apparatus has an opening / closing member (for example, a front side) whose left and right side portions are supported with respect to the apparatus main body 100 so as to be rotatable about rotation fulcrums a11 and a12. Cover) 101 and two opening portions of the same length that are provided at both left and right ends of the opening / closing member 101 (hereinafter referred to as a front cover) and restrict the opening angle of the front cover 101 to a predetermined angle. Restricting members (for example, bands) 102a and 102b are provided, and when the front cover 101 is opened, the front cover 101 is rotated to a position where these opening degree restricting members (hereinafter referred to as bands) 102a and 102b are stretched. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Here, the two bands 102a and 102b on both sides have the same shape and the same length and are commonly used on the left and right sides in order to reduce member costs.

  One end of each of the bands 102a and 102b is fixed to the apparatus main body 100 with screws or the like (fixing points b11 and b12), and the other end is fixed to the left and right ends of the front cover 101 with screws or the like ( Fixed points c11, c12).

  In the above configuration, in order to open and maintain the front cover 101 at a predetermined angle (for example, horizontal), the fixing positions of the fixing points a11, a12, b11, b12 of the two bands 102a, 102b on both sides are as follows: The positions are the same in the height direction and the depth direction with the rotation fulcrums a11 and a12 as base points. That is, the distance T11 in the height direction from the rotation fulcrum a11 of one band 102a to the fixed point b11 and the distance T11 in the height direction from the rotation fulcrum a12 of the other band 102b to the fixed point b12 are the same distance. The distance T12 in the depth direction from the rotation fulcrum a11 to the fixed point c11 of one band 102a and the distance T12 in the depth direction from the rotation fulcrum a12 to the fixed point c12 of the other band 102b are the same distance. It has become.

  FIG. 11 shows a state in which the front cover 101 having the above configuration is closed. By closing the front cover 101, the bands 102a and 102b are bent in two. Even if the front cover 101 is opened again from this state, some bending wrinkles remain in the bent portions of the bands 102a and 102b.

On the other hand, when each image forming unit or component is arranged inside the apparatus main body with the downsizing of the image forming apparatus, from the rotation fulcrum a11 to the fixed point b11 of one band 102a due to the arrangement space. The distance T11 in the height direction and the distance T11 in the height direction from the rotation fulcrum a12 of the other band 102b to the fixed point b12 may not be kept at the same distance. For example, the height position of the fixed point b11 that is the fixed position of one end of the one hand 102a may have to be lowered. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, it is necessary to shift the fixing position of one end of one band 102a (fixing point b11 '). In this case, normally, as shown in FIG. 12B, the fixed point b11 ′ is shifted in the X1 direction along the circumference 96 passing through the fixed point b11 shown in FIG. 10 with the fixed point c11 as the center. That's fine. Accordingly, in design, the fixing position (fixing points c11 and c12) between the front cover 101 and the bands 102a and 10b and the fixing position (fixing points b11 ′ and b12) between the apparatus main body 100 and the bands 102a and 10b. Therefore, when the front cover 101 is opened, the height positions of the left and right sides of the front cover 101 are also the same height position, and the open front end side edge portion of the front cover 101 is substantially horizontal. Should be able to maintain.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-111241

  However, as shown in FIG. 11, when the front cover 101 is opened due to the bending of the bands 102a and 102b when the front cover 101 is closed, the height positions of the left and right sides of the front cover 101 are the same height position. Therefore, the front cover 101 is inclined obliquely.

  The reason why the front cover 101 is inclined obliquely will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  When the front cover 101 is opened, the bands 102a and 102b are pulled by the weight of the front cover 101, but the positions where the bands 102a and 102b are fixed to the apparatus main body 100 are different (fixing points b11 ′, b12), the tension acting on each of the bands 102a and 102b is different. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, if the front cover 101 is subjected to f force downward, one band 102a is subjected to f1, and the other band 102b is subjected to f2 force, The fixed position (fixed point b11 ′) of the band 102a is closer to the rotation fulcrums a11 and a12 in the height direction than the fixed position (fixed point b12) of the other band 102b (that is, the height position is lower: T13 < Therefore, f1 <f2.

  That is, the force that acts to extend the bending folds of the bent portion generated by the two folds differs depending on the bands 102a and 102b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, when the front cover 101 is opened, the bending wrinkle of the other band 102b is eliminated or eliminated to some extent, but the bending wrinkle of one band 102a cannot be eliminated so much, As a result, one side of the front cover 101 (the side of the band 102a) is slightly lifted (fixed point c11 ′) by the bent hook (the bent portion 102a1 of the one band 102a) that remains strongly in the one band 102a. The left and right sides of the front cover 101 are not maintained at the same height. For this reason, the front end edge portion of the front cover 101 is inclined.

  As a result, there is a problem in that the user is given an impression that the installation of the front cover 101 is distorted, that is, a failure.

  The present invention was devised to solve such problems, and its purpose is to maintain the left and right sides of the opening / closing member at the same height by devising the mounting position of the opening degree regulating member (the band). It is an object of the present invention to provide an openable switchgear and an image forming apparatus equipped with the same.

In order to solve the above problems, an opening / closing device according to the present invention is provided with an opening / closing member in which both left and right sides of the device body are supported so as to be rotatable around a fixed point, and both left and right ends of the opening / closing member, respectively. A string-like opening degree regulating member of the same length that regulates the opening angle of the opening and closing member to a predetermined angle, and the opening degree regulating member is bent when the opening and closing member is closed, In the opening / closing apparatus having a structure housed in the apparatus main body, the fixing position of the opening degree regulating member on the apparatus main body side is a first fixing point, and the fixing position of the opening degree regulating member on the opening / closing member side is a second fixing point. When the fixed point of the opening / closing member with respect to the apparatus body is a rotation fulcrum, the distance from the rotation fulcrum to the first fixed point in the height direction of one opening restriction member is the other opening restriction member Rotation in the height direction of Each first fixed point to be shorter than the distance to the first fixing point is provided, et al is from the point, it said in the open state of the closing member, the first from the second fixed point of the one opening regulating member A straight line distance to the fixed point is a radius R1, and the height position of the second fixed point of the one opening restriction member is the same as the height position of the second fixed point of the other opening restriction member. When the circle having the radius R1 is drawn around the shifted position, the first fixing point of the one opening restricting member is positioned on the circumference of the opening / closing member. It is provided by being shifted to the opening direction side. Alternatively, in the open state of the opening / closing member, a linear distance from the second fixed point of the one opening restriction member to the first fixing point is a radius R1, and the first fixing of the one opening restriction member is When a circle with the radius R1 is drawn around a point, the second fixed point of the one opening restriction member is higher than the second fixed point of the other opening restriction member on the circumference. It may be provided so as to be shifted to the rotation fulcrum side so as to be at the same height as the vertical position.

More specifically, the first fixing point of the previous SL one opening regulating member to absorb bending habit portion of the opening regulating member, to a position where the open distal side edge portion of the opening and closing member is horizontal It is shifted to the opening direction side.

  That is, the distance from the rotation fulcrum in the height direction of one opening degree regulating member to the first fixed point is shorter than the distance from the rotation fulcrum in the height direction of the other opening degree regulating member to the first fixed point. When each first fixing point is provided, when the opening / closing member is opened, the force that acts to extend each opening degree regulating member by its own weight varies depending on each opening degree regulating member. As a result, the opening angle of the opening / closing member is different on the left and right. That is, the opening angle of the first opening restriction member having a short distance from the rotation fulcrum to the first fixed point is the opening angle of the second opening restriction member having a long distance from the rotation fulcrum to the first fixing point. Therefore, the side on which the first opening degree restricting member is fixed is pulled upward slightly from the side on which the second opening degree restricting member is fixed, and the opening / closing member is slightly inclined. Will be inclined to. On the other hand, in the present invention, the linear distance from the second fixed point of the one opening restriction member to the first fixed point is the radius R1, and the height position of the second fixed point of the one opening restriction member is Shift to the same height position as the second fixed point of the other opening restricting member, draw a circle with a radius R1 centered on this shifted position, and set the first fixed point of one opening restricting member to Since the second fixed point of one opening degree regulating member is shifted to the rotation fulcrum side from the second fixed point of the other opening degree regulating member. From the obliquely inclined state as described above, the side of the opening / closing member to which the first opening degree regulating member is fixed can be lowered, and as a result, the opening angle on both the left and right sides of the opening / closing member can be made the same. Can do. That is, the left and right sides of the open / close member in the open state can be maintained at substantially the same height, and as a result, the open end edge of the open / close member can be maintained substantially horizontal.

  According to the invention, the opening degree regulating member is formed of a flexible material. More specifically, it is made of polypropylene (PP) material. Further, the opening degree regulating member is formed in a band shape having a predetermined width.

  In the opening / closing device having the above configuration, the opening / closing member can be applied to a front cover or a manual feed tray of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the distance from the rotation fulcrum in the height direction of one opening degree regulating member to the first fixed point is from the rotation fulcrum in the height direction of the other opening degree regulating member to the first fixing point. In a state where each first fixing point is provided so as to be shorter than the distance of the first opening point, the first fixing point of one opening restricting member is shifted to the opening direction side of the opening / closing member, or Since the second fixed point of the opening restricting member is configured to be shifted to the rotation fulcrum side, it is possible to maintain the left and right sides of the opened and closed member at substantially the same height. The open end edge of the opening / closing member can be maintained substantially horizontal. Thus, the user is not given the impression that the attachment of the opening / closing member is distorted, that is, the recognition that it is broken.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus to which an opening / closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. This image forming apparatus includes a document reading unit B that reads an image of a document, and an image forming unit A that records and forms an image of a document read by the document reading unit B or an image received from outside on a recording sheet in color or single color. It has.

  In the document reading section B, when the document is set on the document setting tray 41, the pickup roller 44 is pressed against the surface of the document and rotates, whereby the document is pulled out from the tray 41 and between the next roller 47 and the separation pad 46. After passing through the sheet, the sheets are separated one by one and then transported to the transport path 47.

  In the conveyance path 47, the leading edge of the document contacts the registration roller 49 so that the leading edge of the document is aligned parallel to the registration roller 49, and then the document is transported by the registration roller 49 and between the document guide 51 and the reading glass 52. Pass through. At this time, the light of the light source of the first scanning unit 53 is irradiated on the surface of the document through the reading glass 52, and the reflected light is incident on the first scanning unit 53 through the reading glass 52. Then, the light is reflected by the mirrors of the second scanning units 53 and 54 and guided to the imaging lens 55, and the image of the original is imaged on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 56 by the imaging lens 55. The CCD 56 reads a document image and outputs image data indicating the document image. Further, the document is transported by a transport roller 57 and discharged to a document discharge tray 59 via a discharge roller 58.

  In addition, a document placed on the document table glass 50 can be read. The registration roller 49, the document guide 51, the document discharge tray 59, and the like and the members above them are integrated to form a cover body that is pivotally supported to be opened and closed on the back side of the document reading section B. . When the cover body is opened, the document table glass 50 is released, and a document can be placed on the document table glass 50. When the document is placed and the cover is closed, the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 are moved in the sub-scanning direction, and the document surface on the document table glass 50 is exposed by the first scanning unit 53. Reflected light from the document surface is guided to the imaging lens 55 by the first and second scanning units 53 and 54, and an image of the document is formed on the CCD 56 by the imaging lens 55. At this time, the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 are moved while maintaining a predetermined speed relationship with each other, and reflection of the document surface, the first and second scanning units 53 and 54, the imaging lens 55, and the CCD 56 is performed. The positional relationship between the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 is always maintained so that the length of the optical path of the light does not change, so that the focus of the original image on the CCD 56 is always maintained accurately. It has become.

  The entire original image read in this way is sent and received as image data to the image forming apparatus unit A, and the image forming unit A records the image on a recording sheet.

  On the other hand, the image forming unit A includes an optical scanning device 1, a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a charger 5, a cleaner device 4, an intermediate transfer belt device 8, a fixing device 12, a paper transport device 18, a paper feed tray 10, It comprises a manual feed tray 20, a paper discharge tray 15, and the like.

  The image data handled in the image forming unit A uses data corresponding to a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), or a single color (for example, black). This is in accordance with the monochrome image. Accordingly, the developing device 2 (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), the photosensitive drum 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d), the charger 5 (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d), and the cleaner device 4 (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) are provided to form four types of latent images corresponding to the respective colors, a corresponding to black, b corresponding to cyan, c corresponding to magenta, and d corresponding to yellow. Four image stations are configured.

  The photoconductive drum 3 is disposed substantially at the center of the image forming unit A. The charger 5 is a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. In addition to a contact type roller type or brush type charger, a charger type charger is used. .

  The optical scanning device 1 is a laser scanning unit (LSU) provided with a laser diode and a reflection mirror, and exposes the surface of a charged photosensitive drum 3 according to image data and statically responds to the surface according to the image data. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

  The developing device 2 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 3 with (K, C, M, Y) toner. The cleaner device 4 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after development and image transfer.

  The intermediate transfer belt device 8 disposed above the photosensitive drum 3 includes an intermediate transfer belt 7, an intermediate transfer belt driving roller 21, a driven roller 22, an intermediate transfer roller 6 (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d), and an intermediate transfer belt. A transfer belt cleaning device 9 is provided.

  The intermediate transfer belt drive roller 21, the intermediate transfer roller 6, the driven roller 22, etc. stretch and support the intermediate transfer belt 7, and move the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the direction of arrow C.

  The intermediate transfer roller 6 is rotatably supported in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer belt 7, is pressed against the photosensitive drum 3 via the intermediate transfer belt 7, and transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 7. A transfer bias is applied.

  The intermediate transfer belt 7 is provided so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drums 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d, and the toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 7. Are transferred to form a color toner image (a toner image of each color). This transfer belt is formed in an endless belt shape using a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm.

  The transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 7 is performed by the intermediate transfer roller 6 that is in pressure contact with the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7. A high voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 6 in order to transfer the toner image. The intermediate transfer roller 6 is a roller whose base is a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm and whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, or the like). With this conductive elastic material, a high voltage can be uniformly applied to the recording paper.

  As described above, the toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 7 to form a color toner image indicated by the image data. The toner images of the respective colors stacked in this way are transported together with the intermediate transfer belt 7 and transferred onto the recording paper by the secondary transfer device 11 that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 7.

  The intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 are pressed against each other to form a nip region. Further, the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 has a voltage for transferring the toner image of each color on the intermediate transfer belt 7 onto a recording sheet (high polarity (+) opposite to the toner charge polarity (-)). Voltage) is applied. Further, in order to constantly obtain the nip region, either the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 or the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 21 is made of a hard material (metal or the like), and the other is a soft material such as an elastic roller. (Elastic rubber roller, foaming resin roller, etc.).

  In addition, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 may not be completely transferred onto the recording paper by the secondary transfer device 11, and the toner may remain on the intermediate transfer belt 7. Causes color mixing. Therefore, the residual toner is removed and collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9. The intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9 includes, for example, a cleaning blade that comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 7 as a cleaning member, and the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is supported by a driven roller 22 at a portion where the cleaning blade comes into contact. .

  The paper feed tray 10 is a tray for storing recording paper, and is provided below the image forming unit of the image forming unit A. The paper discharge tray 15 provided on the upper side of the image forming unit is a tray for placing printed recording paper face down. The manual feed tray 20 is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the apparatus main body 70.

  Further, the image forming unit A is provided with a paper transport device 18 for sending the recording paper in the paper feed tray 10 to the paper discharge tray 15 via the secondary transfer device 11 and the fixing device 12. The sheet conveying device 18 has an S-shaped sheet conveying path 25, and along the sheet conveying path 25, pickup rollers 16 a and 16 b, a pre-registration roller 19, a registration roller 14, a fixing device 12, each conveying A roller 13, a paper discharge roller 17, and the like are arranged.

  The pickup roller 16 a is a call-in roller that is provided at the end of the paper feed tray 10 and supplies recording paper from the paper feed tray 10 to the paper transport path 25 one by one. The pickup roller 16 b is a call-in roller that is provided at the end of the manual feed tray 20 and supplies recording paper from the manual feed tray 20 to the paper transport path 25 one by one. Each of the transport rollers 13 and the pre-registration rollers 19 is a small roller for promoting and assisting the transport of the recording paper, and is provided at a plurality of locations along the paper transport path 25.

  The registration roller 14 temporarily stops the recording paper that has been conveyed, aligns the leading edge of the recording paper, and a color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the nip area between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the secondary transfer device 11. The recording paper is conveyed with good timing in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 3 and the intermediate transfer belt 7 so that the toner is transferred onto the recording paper. For example, the registration roller 14 is configured so that the leading edge of the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 matches the leading edge of the image forming range on the recording sheet in the nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the secondary transfer device 11. Transport.

  The fixing device 12 receives the recording sheet on which the toner image is transferred, and conveys the recording sheet by sandwiching the recording sheet between the heat roller 31 and the pressure roller 32. The heat roller 31 is controlled so as to have a predetermined fixing temperature, and the recording paper is thermocompression bonded together with the pressure roller 32 to melt, mix, and press the toner image transferred to the recording paper. It has a function of heat fixing.

  The recording paper after fixing the toner images of the respective colors is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 15 by the discharge rollers 17.

  It is also possible to form a monochrome image using only the image forming station Pa and transfer the monochrome image to the intermediate transfer belt 7 of the intermediate transfer belt device 8. Similarly to the color image, this monochrome image is also transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 7 to the recording paper and fixed on the recording paper.

  When printing on both sides of the recording paper as well as on both sides, after fixing the image on the surface of the recording paper by the fixing device 12, the recording paper is being conveyed by the paper discharge roller 17 in the paper conveyance path 25. Then, the paper discharge roller 17 is stopped and then rotated in the reverse direction, the recording paper is passed through the reversing path Sr, the recording paper is turned upside down, and the recording paper is guided to the registration roller 14 and is the same as the surface of the recording paper. Then, an image is recorded and fixed on the back surface of the recording paper, and the recording paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 15.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the front cover 80 that can be opened and closed is opened on the front surface of the apparatus main body 70 in the image forming apparatus having the above configuration.

  The front cover 80 is supported with respect to the apparatus main body 70 so that the lower end portions on both the left and right sides can be rotated to the front surface (front side in FIG. 2) about the rotation fulcrums a1 and a2. Two bands (opening restriction members) 81a and 81b having the same length for restricting the opening angle of the front cover 80 to a predetermined angle (horizontal 90 degrees in this embodiment) are provided at both left and right ends of ing. When the front cover 80 is opened, the front cover 80 is rotated (rotated horizontally) to a position where the bands 81a and 81b are stretched. In the present embodiment, the two bands 81a and 81b on both sides have the same shape and length in order to reduce the member cost, and are commonly used on the left and right.

  One end portions 81a1 and 81b1 of the bands 81a and 81b are respectively fixed to the left and right side portions of the apparatus main body 70 (fixing points b1 and b2), and the other end portions 81a2 and 81b2 are the left and right side portions of the front cover 80. Are fixed (fixed points c1 and c2). Specifically, round holes for fixing (not shown) are formed at both ends of each of the bands 81a and 81b, and screws (not shown) are passed through the round holes to connect the apparatus main body 70 and the front cover 80 to each other. Both ends of the bands 81a and 81b are connected to the apparatus main body 70 and the front cover 80 by screwing respectively. Each band 81a, 81b is formed of a flexible resin material, and PP (polypropylene) is used in this embodiment. Each band 81a, 81b has a thickness of 1 mm and a width of 10 mm.

  When such bands 81a and 81b are used, the bands 81a and 81b are bent in half by closing the front cover 80 as shown in FIG. Even if the front cover 80 is opened again from this state, some bending wrinkles remain in the bent portions of the bands 81a and 81b.

  As the image forming apparatus is reduced in size, when image forming units and parts are arranged in the apparatus main body 70, the rotation point a1 of the one band 81a is fixed to the fixed point b1 due to the arrangement space. The distance in the height direction up to and the distance in the height direction from the rotation fulcrum a2 of the other band 81b to the fixed point b2 may not be kept at the same distance.

  The opening / closing apparatus according to the present embodiment corresponds to the case where it is applied to an image forming apparatus having such a structure. As shown in FIG. 3, the opening / closing apparatus rotates a fixed point b1, which is a fixed position of one end 81a1 of one hand 81a. The height position (distance T1) from the moving fulcrum a1 is lower than the height position (distance T2) from the rotation fulcrum a2 of the fixed point b2, which is the fixed position of the one end 81b1 of the other band 81b. (T1 <T2). On the other hand, the distances from the rotation fulcrums a1 and a2 of the front cover 80 to the fixing positions (fixing points c1 and c2) of the bands 81a and 81b on the front cover 80 side are the same distance T3.

  In this case, as described in the above prior art, normally, as shown in FIG. 4, the fixing point b1 is the same height as the fixing point b2 which is the fixing position of one end 81b1 of the other band 81b. From the position b1 ′ to the position b1 ″ of the height position T1 with the fixed point c1 as the center, the arc may be shifted in the X1 direction. Thus, in terms of design, the fixing positions (fixing points c1 and c2) between the front cover 80 and the bands 81a and 81b and the fixing positions (fixing points b1 ″ and b2) between the apparatus main body 70 and the bands 81a and 81b. When the front cover 80 is opened, the height positions of the left and right sides of the front cover 80 are also the same height position, and the open front end side edge of the front cover 80 is almost the same. You should be able to keep it level.

  However, in such a support structure (that is, a structure in which one end 81a1 of one band 81a is supported by the fixing point b1 ″), the bending of each band 81a, 81b when the front cover 80 is closed (see FIG. 5), as shown in FIG. 6, when the front cover 80 is opened, the height positions of the left and right sides of the front cover 80 are not maintained at the same height position, and the front cover 80 is inclined obliquely. become. That is, since the height positions at which the bands 81a and 81b are fixed to the apparatus main body 70 are different (fixing points b1 ″ and b2), the tension acting on the bands 81a and 81b is different, so the front cover 80 is opened. When this happens, one side of the front cover 80 (the side of the one band 81a) is slightly lifted by the bent ridge (the bent portion 81a5 of the one band 81a) that remains strongly in the one band 81a. Are not maintained at the same height (fixed points c1 ′ and c2). For this reason, the front end edge of the front cover 80 is inclined (see FIG. 6A).

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the fixing position of one end 81a1 of one band 81a is changed from the position of the fixing point b1 ″ shown in FIG. 6 to the position of the fixing point b1 as shown in FIG. The front cover 80 is provided by being shifted in the opening direction Z1).

  Here, a method of shifting the position of the fixed point b1 ″ to the position of the fixed point b1 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

That is, in a state where the front cover 80 is opened by being pulled to the full extent of the band 81a (a state indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7), the second fixing point c1 ′ of the band 81a at this time is connected to the other band 81b . From the second fixed point c1 ′ of the band 81a to the first fixed point b ″ centered on the position moved downward to the same height as the second fixed point c2 (that is, the fixed point c1 shown in FIG. 7). A circle 91 having a radius of a direct distance R1 is drawn, and the first fixing point b ″ of the band 81a is located on the circumference of the circle 91 in the opening direction Z1 side (that is, horizontal) The position (point) on the circle 91 shifted in this direction is the fixed position (fixed point b1) of one end 81a1 of the band 81a .

  By shifting the position of the fixing point in this manner, as shown in FIG. 3, the opened front cover 80 can be kept horizontal, that is, the open end edge of the front cover 80 can be kept horizontal. It is.

<Other embodiments>
In the above embodiment, the fixing point that is shifted to correct the inclination is the fixing point b1 that is the fixing position of the band 81a on the apparatus main body 70 side, but in this embodiment, the fixing of the band 81a on the front cover 80 side is performed. The position is fixed so that the fixed point c1 is shifted to the rotation fulcrum a1 side.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the height position (distance T1) from the rotation fulcrum a1 of the fixed point b1 which is the fixed position of one end 81a1 of one hand 81a is set to one of the other bands 81b. Lower than the height position (distance T2) of the fixed point b2, which is the fixed position of the end portion 81b1, from the rotation fulcrum a2 (T1 <T2), and from each rotation fulcrum a1, a2 of the front cover 80 to each band 81a. , 81b to the fixing position (fixing points c1, c2) on the front cover 80 side is the same distance T3, normally, as shown in FIG. 4, the fixing point b1 is the same as that of the other band 81b. If the position is shifted in the X1 direction so as to draw a circular arc from the same height position b1 ′ as the fixed point b2 which is the fixed position of the one end portion 81a1 to the position b1 ″ at the height position T1 with the fixed point c1 as the center. Good. Thus, in terms of design, the fixing positions (fixing points c1 and c2) between the front cover 80 and the bands 81a and 81b and the fixing positions (fixing points b1 ″ and b2) between the apparatus main body 70 and the bands 81a and 81b. When the front cover 80 is opened, the height positions of the left and right sides of the front cover 80 are also the same height position, and the open front end side edge of the front cover 80 is almost the same. You should be able to keep it level.

  However, in such a support structure (that is, a structure in which one end 81a1 of one band 81a is supported by the fixing point b1 ″), as shown in FIG. 6, each band when the front cover 80 is closed is used. Due to the bending of 81a and 81b, the height positions of the left and right sides of the front cover 80 when the front cover 80 is opened are not maintained at the same height position, and the front cover 80 is inclined obliquely. That is, since the height positions at which the bands 81a and 81b are fixed to the apparatus main body 70 are different (fixing points b1 ″ and b2), the tension acting on the bands 81a and 81b is different, so the front cover 80 is opened. When this happens, one side of the front cover 80 (the side of the one band 81a) is slightly lifted by the bent ridge (the bent portion 81a5 of the one band 81a) that remains strongly in the one band 81a. Are not maintained at the same height (fixed points c1 ′ and c2). For this reason, the front end edge of the front cover 80 is inclined (see FIG. 6A).

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the fixing position (fixing point b1 ″) of one end 81a1 of one band 81a is left as it is, and the fixing position of the other end 81a2 of one band 81a is shown in FIG. As described above, the position is shifted from the position of the fixed point c1 ′ shown in FIG. 6 to the position of the fixed point c1 (that is, toward the rotation fulcrum a1).

  Here, a method of shifting the position of the fixed point c1 ′ to the position of the fixed point c1 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

That is, in a state where the front cover 80 is opened with the band 81a pulled to the full extent (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7), the band 81a is centered on the first fixing point b1 ″ of the band 81a. A circle 92 having a radius of a linear distance R1 from the second fixed point c1 ′ of 81a to the first fixed point b ″ is drawn, and the second fixed point c1 ′ of the band 81a is moved until the front cover 80 becomes horizontal ( That is, the second fixing point c1 ′ of the band 81a is positioned on the circumference of the circle 92 so as to be at the same height as the second fixing point c2 of the band 81b) . The position (point) on the circle 92 shifted in this direction is the fixed position (fixed point c1) of the other end 81a2 of the band 81a .

  By shifting the position of the fixing point in this way, the opened front cover 80 can be kept horizontal, that is, the open end edge of the front cover 80 can be kept horizontal.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the opening / closing device of the present invention is applied to the front cover has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing device of the present invention can also be applied to the manual feed tray 20. It is.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus to which an opening / closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the front cover provided in the front surface of the apparatus main body so that opening and closing was possible. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which opened the front cover of the switchgear which concerns on embodiment, (a) is a schematic front view, (b) is the left side view, (c) is the right side view. It is explanatory drawing which shows the attachment state of the design front cover when the fixed position of one edge part of one hand is lowered, (a) is a schematic front view, (b) is the left side view, (C) is the right side view. It is explanatory drawing which shows the bending state of a band when a front cover is closed. It is a figure explaining a mode that the front cover of an open state inclines, (a) is a schematic front view, (b) is the left side view, (c) is the right side view. It is a figure explaining the method to shift a fixed point. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which opened the front cover of the switchgear which concerns on other embodiment, (a) is a schematic front view, (b) is the left side view, (c) is the right side view. It is a figure explaining the method to shift a fixed point. In the conventional switchgear when both bands are attached to the same height, it is explanatory drawing which shows the state which opened the front cover, (a) is a schematic front view, (b) is the left view, (c) Is a right side view of the same. It is explanatory drawing which shows the bending state of a band when a front cover is closed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the attachment state of the design front cover when the fixed position of one edge part of one hand is lowered, (a) is a schematic front view, (b) is the left side view, (C) is the right side view. It is explanatory drawing which shows the force which acts on each band. It is explanatory drawing which shows the attachment state of the actual front cover when the fixing position of one edge part of one hand is lowered | hung below, (a) is a schematic front view, (b) is the left view, ( c) is a right side view of the same.

Explanation of symbols

A image forming unit B document reading unit 1 optical scanning device 2 developing device 3 photosensitive drum 4 cleaner device 5 charger 6 intermediate transfer roller 7 intermediate transfer belt 8 intermediate transfer belt device 10 paper feed tray 12 fixing device 15 paper discharge tray DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 Paper conveyance apparatus 20 Manual feed tray 21 Drive roller 22 Followed roller 70 Apparatus main body 80 Front cover (opening-closing member)
81a, 81b band (opening restriction member)
81a1, 81b1 One end 81a2, 81b2 The other end a1, a2 Rotating fulcrum b1, b2 First fixed point c1, c2 Second fixed point

Claims (9)

An opening / closing member whose left and right side portions are supported so as to be rotatable about a fixed point with respect to the apparatus body, and an opening angle of the opening / closing member are regulated to a predetermined angle. A string-like opening restriction member having the same length, and the opening restriction member is folded and housed in the apparatus body when the opening / closing member is in a closed state,
The fixing position of the opening restricting member on the apparatus main body side is a first fixing point, the fixing position of the opening restricting member on the opening and closing member side is a second fixing point, and the fixing point of the opening and closing member with respect to the apparatus main body is rotated. As a dynamic fulcrum,
The distance from the rotation fulcrum in the height direction of one opening degree regulating member to the first fixed point is the distance from the rotation fulcrum in the height direction of the other opening degree regulating member to the first fixed point. each first fixing point is provided, et al is to be more shortened,
In the open state of the opening / closing member, a linear distance from the second fixed point of the one opening restriction member to the first fixing point is a radius R1, and the second fixing point of the one opening restriction member is When the height position is shifted to the same height position as the height position of the second fixed point of the other opening restricting member, and the circle having the radius R1 is drawn around the shifted position, The opening / closing apparatus, wherein the first fixing point of the opening degree regulating member is provided so as to be shifted to the opening direction side of the opening / closing member so as to be positioned on the circumference. An opening / closing member whose left and right side portions are supported so as to be rotatable about a fixed point with respect to the apparatus body, and an opening angle of the opening / closing member are regulated to a predetermined angle. A string-like opening restriction member having the same length, and the opening restriction member is folded and housed in the apparatus body when the opening / closing member is in a closed state,
The fixing position of the opening restricting member on the apparatus main body side is a first fixing point, the fixing position of the opening restricting member on the opening and closing member side is a second fixing point, and the fixing point of the opening and closing member with respect to the apparatus main body is rotated. As a dynamic fulcrum,
The distance from the rotation fulcrum in the height direction of one opening degree regulating member to the first fixed point is the distance from the rotation fulcrum in the height direction of the other opening degree regulating member to the first fixed point. each first fixing point is provided, et al is to be more shortened,
In the open state of the opening / closing member, a linear distance from the second fixed point of the one opening restriction member to the first fixing point is a radius R1, and the first fixing point of the one opening restriction member is When the circle having the radius R1 is drawn as the center, the second fixed point of the one opening restriction member is positioned on the circumference of the second fixed point of the other opening restriction member. An opening and closing device characterized in that the opening and closing device is provided to be shifted to the rotation fulcrum side so as to be at the same height position . The switchgear according to claim 1,
It said first fixing point of the previous SL one opening regulating member, absorbs the bending habit portion of the opening regulating member, shifted in position during an opening direction until the open distal side edge portion is horizontal in the opening and closing member Opening and closing device characterized by that. The switchgear according to claim 2, wherein
The second fixing point of the previous SL one opening regulating member, absorbs the bending habit portion of the opening regulating member, the pivot point side to a position where the open distal side edge portion of the opening and closing member is horizontal An opening and closing device characterized by being shifted. The switchgear according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
The opening / closing device, wherein the opening degree regulating member is made of a flexible material. The switchgear according to claim 5,
The opening / closing apparatus, wherein the opening degree regulating member is made of a material of polypropylene (PP). The switchgear according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The opening / closing device, wherein the opening degree regulating member has a band shape having a predetermined width.   An image forming apparatus comprising the opening / closing device according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the opening / closing member is a front cover or a manual feed tray.

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