JP5326704B2 - Hinge device, opening / closing device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hinge device that facilitates maintenance even when installed in various orientations according to user-friendliness, and to provide an opening and closing device, and an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes the opening and closing device 1 which opens and closes an opening of a device body. The opening and closing device 1 includes the hinge device 2. The hinge device 2 includes: a base member 3 which is attached to a body part of the device body; a first turning member 4 which is rotatably connected to the base member 3 via a first hinge 5; a second turning member 6 which is superimposed on the first turning member 4; and a connecting member 7. The connecting member 7 is provided between the first turning member 4 and the second turning member 6, and connected to each of the first turning member 4 and the second turning member 6 via a second hinge 8 crossing the first hinge 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a hinge device for attaching a cover member to an apparatus main body of a developing device such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer so that the cover member can be opened and closed, an opening / closing device provided with the hinge device, and an image forming apparatus.

  In order to maintain the process cartridge of the image forming apparatus and supply toner to the toner container, the image forming apparatus has a position for opening the opening provided in the apparatus main body containing the process cartridge and the toner container. The cover member is provided so as to be freely displaceable over the closing position. In order to make the cover member displaceable with respect to the apparatus main body, various opening / closing devices (see Patent Documents 1 to 3) have been used.

  In the opening / closing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the cover member is divided into a plurality of parts, and the divided cover members and the cover member and the apparatus main body are connected to each other by mutually parallel hinge shafts. The opening / closing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 closes the cover member from the position where the opening is opened by rotating the cover members divided about the hinge shaft and the cover member with respect to the apparatus main body. It is displaced over the position.

  The opening / closing device disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a hinge shaft that rotatably attaches a cover member to the device main body, and a mechanism that smoothens the rotation around the hinge shaft. The opening / closing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 displaces the cover member between a position where the opening is opened and a position where the opening is closed as the cover member rotates with respect to the apparatus main body about the hinge axis. .

  The opening / closing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 3 includes a hinge shaft that rotatably attaches a cover member to the apparatus main body, and a mechanism that improves operability during rotation around the hinge axis. The opening / closing device disclosed in Patent Document 3 displaces the cover member between a position where the opening is opened and a position where the opening is closed as the cover member rotates with respect to the apparatus main body about the hinge axis. .

  Moreover, although it is not the opening / closing device which displaces the cover member mentioned above, in patent document 4, several flat plate members are connected so that it can rotate freely around a mutually parallel hinge axis, and one of these flat plate members is apparatus. An apparatus is shown in which a display device is attached to the main body and a display device is attached to the other, and the direction of the display device can be arbitrarily changed.

  In the opening / closing device described in the above-mentioned patent documents and the like, only one hinge shaft is provided, or even if a plurality of hinge shafts are provided, the plurality of hinge shafts are provided in parallel with each other. By moving the cover member in one specific direction, the cover member is displaced over a position where the above-described opening is opened and a position where it is closed.

  On the other hand, since the above-described image forming apparatus is used by a user together with other image forming apparatuses and various home appliances, the image forming apparatus is installed in various directions according to the installation environment such as the distance from the wall surface of the building and the convenience of use. It is hoped that However, since the opening / closing device of the image forming apparatus described above moves the cover member in one specific direction, if other household appliances are installed in the direction in which the cover is moved, maintenance or toner supply cannot be performed. There was a problem. Furthermore, since the cover member is moved in one specific direction, it is impossible to install other home appliances in the direction in which the cover is moved if sufficient maintenance is performed.

  As described above, in the conventional opening / closing device, the installation environment of the image forming apparatus is limited, or if the image forming apparatus is installed in accordance with the user's convenience, it is difficult to open the cover member and to perform maintenance or the like. There was a problem that occurred.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and a hinge device, an opening / closing device, and a device capable of being easily maintained even when installed in various orientations according to user convenience An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus.

  The hinge device according to claim 1, wherein a base member, a first rotating member rotatably connected to the base member via a first hinge, and a second rotation superimposed on the first rotating member. The first rotation member and the first rotation member via a second hinge that is provided between the movement member, the first rotation member, and the second rotation member and intersects the first hinge. And a connecting member rotatably connected to each of the second rotating members.

  The hinge device according to claim 2 is the hinge device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the connecting members are provided at intervals from each other along a direction orthogonal to the second hinge. Yes.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hinge device for attaching the plate-like cover member to the apparatus main body so as to be displaceable between a position where the opening provided in the apparatus main body is opened and a position where the opening is closed. In the opening / closing apparatus provided, the hinge device according to claim 1 or 2 is provided as the hinge device, and the base member of the hinge device is attached to one of the device main body and the cover member. In addition, the second rotating member is attached to the other.

  The switchgear according to claim 4 is the switchgear according to claim 3, wherein the first base member attached to the apparatus body, the second base member detachably provided on the cover member, Provided between the first base member and the second base member, and connected to each of the first base member and the second base member via a third hinge parallel to the second hinge. And a second hinge device having a second connecting member.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 includes an apparatus main body, a developing device accommodated in the apparatus main body, a position where the opening provided in the apparatus main body is opened, and a position where the opening is closed. An image forming apparatus having at least an opening / closing device for detachably attaching a cover member to the apparatus main body, characterized in that the opening / closing device according to claim 3 or 4 is provided as the opening / closing device.

  According to the hinge device of the first aspect, the base member and the first rotating member are connected via the first hinge, and the first rotating member and the second rotating member are connected to the first hinge. Since the second hinge and the like intersecting with each other are connected, the base member and the second rotating member move relatively around the first hinge or the second hinge.

  For this purpose, the base member is attached to one of the apparatus main body and the cover member, and the second rotating member is attached to the other, so that the apparatus main body and the cover member intersect each other. It can move relatively around. Therefore, by moving the cover member in two directions, the opening of the device main body can be opened and closed, so the cover member can be moved even if the device main body is installed in various directions according to the user's convenience. Thus, the opening of the apparatus main body can be reliably opened, and maintenance can be easily performed.

  Moreover, the 1st rotation member and the 2nd rotation member are mutually connected by the connection member provided between these and connected with these by the 2nd hinge. For this reason, when rotating around the second hinge and relatively moving the first rotating member and the second rotating member, the second rotating member is always parallel to the first rotating member. be able to.

  Therefore, the movement locus of the cover member when rotating around the second hinge can be made smaller than when rotating around the first hinge. Therefore, it becomes possible to install other household appliances in the vicinity, and the degree of freedom of the installation environment is further expanded.

  According to the hinge device of the second aspect, the connecting member connected to each of the first rotating member and the second rotating member via the second hinge is orthogonal to the second hinge. Since a plurality of the first rotating member and the second rotating member are relatively moved along the direction, the rotating members are reliably kept parallel to each other when the first rotating member and the second rotating member are relatively moved. Can do. For this purpose, the movement trajectory of the second rotating member when the first rotating member and the second rotating member are relatively moved by rotating around the second hinge is rotated around the first hinge. It is possible to make it smaller than when making it. Therefore, it becomes possible to install other household appliances in the vicinity, and the degree of freedom of the installation environment is more reliably expanded.

  According to the opening and closing device of the third aspect, since the hinge device described above is provided, even if the device main body is installed in various directions according to the user's convenience, the cover member is moved to open the device main body. The part can be reliably opened, and maintenance can be easily performed.

  According to the opening / closing device of the fourth aspect, in addition to the hinge device described above, the first base member attached to the device main body and the second base member attached to the cover member are provided between them, and these A second hinge device having a second connecting member connected by a third hinge parallel to each of the second hinges is provided. For this reason, when a 1st rotation member and a 2nd rotation member are moved relatively, and an apparatus main body and a cover member displace relatively, these are supported with a hinge apparatus and a 2nd hinge apparatus. It will be. For this reason, in such a case, the cover member can be supported more stably and displaced with respect to the apparatus main body.

  In addition, since the second base member of the second hinge device can be freely engaged with and disengaged from the cover member, the second base member of the second hinge device is rotated when the cover member is rotated around the first hinge of the hinge device. Is detached from the cover member. For this reason, the second hinge device does not hinder the rotation of the cover member around the first hinge of the hinge device.

  Further, since the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 5 includes the opening and closing device described above, the cover member can be moved even if the apparatus main body is installed in various directions according to the user's convenience. Thus, the opening of the apparatus main body can be reliably opened, and maintenance can be easily performed.

It is explanatory drawing which looked at the structure of the image forming apparatus provided with the opening / closing apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention from the front. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which a top cover of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is opened. FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing another state in which the top cover of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is opened. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hinge device of the opening / closing device of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge device shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a base member and a first rotating member are relatively rotated around a first hinge of the hinge device illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connecting member, the first rotating member, and the second rotating member are rotated relative to the second hinge of the hinge device shown in FIG. 5. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of an image forming apparatus including an opening / closing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the 2nd hinge apparatus of the opening / closing apparatus shown by FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the 2nd hinge apparatus shown by FIG.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram viewed from the front of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which a top cover as a cover member of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is opened. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing another state in which the top cover as the cover member of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is opened.

  The image forming apparatus 101 prints an image of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), that is, a color image, on a recording sheet 107 (see FIG. 1). ) To form. The units corresponding to the colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are indicated by adding Y, M, C, and K at the end of the reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 101 includes an apparatus main body 102, a paper feed unit 103, a registration roller pair 110, a transfer unit 104, a fixing unit 105, a laser writing unit 122, and a plurality of process cartridges. 106Y, 106M, 106C, 106K, and opening / closing device 1 (shown in FIG. 3).

  The apparatus main body 102 is formed in a box shape, for example, and is installed on a floor or the like. The apparatus main body 102 accommodates a paper feed unit 103, a registration roller pair 110, a transfer unit 104, a fixing unit 105, a laser writing unit 122, and a plurality of process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K.

  The apparatus main body 102 includes a main body 116 that is installed on a floor or the like, and a top cover 117 as a cover member. The main body 116 is formed in a box shape having an opening 118 at the top. Of course, the opening 118 passes through the outer wall of the main body 116 of the apparatus main body 102 and communicates with the inside and outside of the apparatus main body 102. The top cover 117 is formed in a flat plate shape, and a position (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) where the opening 118 is opened by a hinge device 2 described later of the opening / closing device 1 and a position where the opening 118 is blocked ( (Shown in FIG. 2).

  The paper feed unit 103 is provided in the lower part of the apparatus main body 102. The paper feed unit 103 includes a paper feed cassette 123 that can accommodate the above-described recording paper 107 in a stacked manner and can be taken in and out of the apparatus main body 102, and a paper feed roller 124. The paper feed roller 124 is pressed against the uppermost recording paper 107 in the paper feed cassette 123. The paper feed roller 124 feeds the above-described uppermost recording paper 107 between a transfer belt 129 (described later) of the transfer unit 104 and the entire transfer roller 119.

  The registration roller pair 110 is provided in a conveyance path of the recording paper 107 conveyed from the paper supply unit 103 to the transfer unit 104, and includes a pair of rollers 110a and 110b. The registration roller pair 110 sandwiches the recording paper 107 between the pair of rollers 110a and 110b, and at a timing when the sandwiched recording paper 107 can be superimposed on the toner image, the transfer belt 129 of the transfer unit 104 and the entire transfer roller 119 Send it in between.

  The transfer unit 104 is provided above the paper feed unit 103. The transfer unit 104 includes a driving roller 127, a driven roller 128, a transfer belt 129, transfer rollers 130Y, 130M, 130C, and 130K, and an overall transfer roller 119. The drive roller 127 is disposed on the left side in the drawing and is driven to rotate by a motor as a drive source. The driven roller 128 is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body 102 and is arranged on the right side in the drawing. The transfer belt 129 is formed in an endless annular shape and is stretched over both the driving roller 127 and the driven roller 128 described above. The transfer belt 129 circulates (endlessly travels) around the drive roller 127 and the driven roller 128 described above when the drive roller 127 is rotationally driven.

  The transfer rollers 130Y, 130M, 130C, and 130K sandwich the transfer belt 129 between the photosensitive drums 108 of the process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K, respectively. The entire transfer roller 119 sandwiches the recording paper 107 with the transfer belt 129.

  In the transfer unit 104, the transfer rollers 130Y, 130M, 130C, and 130K sequentially press the transfer belt 129 against the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 108 of each of the process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K. The image is transferred to the outer surface of the transfer belt 129. Further, in the transfer unit 104, the entire transfer roller 119 presses the recording paper 107 against the outer surface of the transfer belt 129, and the toner image on the outer surface of the transfer belt 129 is transferred to the recording paper 107. The transfer unit 104 sends the recording paper 107 onto which the toner image is transferred toward the fixing unit 105.

  The fixing unit 105 is provided downstream of the transfer unit 104 in the conveyance direction of the recording paper 107, and includes a pair of rollers 105a and 105b that sandwich the recording paper 107 therebetween. The fixing unit 105 presses and heats the recording paper 107 sent out from the transfer unit 104 between the pair of rollers 105a and 105b, thereby recording the toner image transferred from the photosensitive drum 108 onto the recording paper 107. Fix to paper 107.

  The laser writing unit 122 is attached to the upper part of the apparatus main body 102. The laser writing unit 122 irradiates the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 108 uniformly charged by a charging roller 109 (described later) of each process cartridge 106Y, 106M, 106C, 106K to form an electrostatic latent image. To do.

  The process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K are provided between the transfer unit 104 and the laser writing unit 122, respectively. The process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K are detachable from the apparatus main body 102 through the opening 118 described above. The process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K are juxtaposed in the horizontal direction in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K include a cartridge case 111, a charging roller 109 as a charging device, a photosensitive drum (also referred to as an image carrier) 108, and a cleaning device as a cleaning device. A blade 112 and a developing device 113 are provided. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 101 includes at least a charging roller 109, a photosensitive drum 108, a cleaning blade 112, and a developing device 113.

  The cartridge case 111 can be inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body 102 through the opening 118 and can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 102. The cartridge case 111 contains a charging roller 109, a photosensitive drum 108, a cleaning blade 112, and a developing device 113. The charging roller 109 uniformly charges the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 108. The photosensitive drum 108 is disposed with a gap from a developing roller 115 (to be described later) of the developing device 113. The photosensitive drum 108 is formed in a columnar shape or a cylindrical shape that is rotatable around an axis. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 108 by the laser writing unit 122. The photosensitive drum 108 is developed by adsorbing toner onto an electrostatic latent image formed and carried on the outer surface, and transfers the toner image thus obtained to the transfer belt 129. The cleaning blade 112 removes the transfer residual toner remaining on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 108 after transferring the toner image to the transfer belt 129.

  The developing device 113 adsorbs toner of a predetermined color on the outer surface of the developing roller 115 and adsorbs the toner on the photosensitive drum 108. In this way, the developing device 113 carries the toner on the developing roller 115 and develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 108 to form a toner image.

  The opening / closing device 1 includes the hinge device 2 shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the hinge device 2 includes a base member 3, a first rotating member 4, a first hinge 5, a second rotating member 6 as a movable member, and a connecting member 7. And a second hinge 8.

  The base member 3 is formed in a flat plate shape having a rectangular planar shape, and a screw hole 9 through which a screw for attaching to the apparatus main body 102 passes is provided at the center. The base member 3 is attached to the apparatus main body 102 by attaching a screw passed through the screw through hole 9 to the apparatus main body 102.

  The first rotating member 4 is formed in a flat plate shape that is substantially the same shape as the base member 3. The first rotating member 4 is superimposed on the base member 3. The longitudinal direction of the base member 3 and the longitudinal direction of the first rotating member 4 are parallel to each other.

  The first hinge 5 includes a base hinge block 10, a first hinge block 11, and a hinge shaft 12. The base hinge block 10 and the first hinge block 11 are each formed in a cylindrical shape. The base hinge block 10 is integrally formed at the center of one outer edge of the base member 3. The axis of the base hinge block 10 is disposed in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the base member 3.

  The first hinge block 11 is integrally formed at both ends of one outer edge of the first rotating member 4. The axis of the first hinge block 11 is disposed in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the first rotating member 4. When the 1st rotation member 4 overlaps with the base member 3, the 1st hinge block 11 positions the base hinge block 10 between each other, and is connected with the base hinge block 10. FIG.

  The hinge shaft 12 is formed in a columnar shape and is passed through the first hinge block 11 and the base hinge block 10, and these hinge blocks 10 and 11, that is, the base member 3 and the first rotating member 4 are attached to each other. . In the first hinge 5, the hinge shaft 12 is passed through the hinge blocks 10 and 11, and these are attached to each other so that the base member 3 and the first rotating member 4 are rotatable around the hinge shaft 12. Allow to be. Thus, the first hinge 5 connects the first rotating member 4 to the base member 3 so as to be freely rotatable. The longitudinal direction of the hinge shaft 12 is a direction along the first hinge 5.

  The second rotating member 6 is formed in a flat plate shape that is substantially the same shape as the base member 3 and the first rotating member 4. The second rotating member 6 is superimposed on the first rotating member 4. The longitudinal direction of the base member 3, the longitudinal direction of the first rotating member 4, and the longitudinal direction of the second rotating member 6 are parallel to each other.

  The second rotating member 6 is provided with a screw through hole 13 through which a screw for attaching to the top cover 117 is passed at the center. The second rotating member 6 is attached to the top cover 117 by attaching a screw passed through the screw through hole 13 to the top cover 117.

  The connecting member 7 is formed in a flat plate shape smaller than the base member 3, the first rotating member 4 and the second rotating member 6. The planar shape of the connecting member 7 is formed in a rectangular shape. In the illustrated example, two (plural) connecting members 7 are provided. The connecting member 7 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the first rotating member 4 and is disposed between the first rotating member 4 and the second rotating member 6. That is, these two connecting members 7 are arranged along a direction orthogonal (crossing) to the longitudinal direction of the second hinge 8.

  The second hinge 8 includes a connection hinge block 14, a first connection piece 15, a second connection piece 16, and a plurality of hinge shafts 17.

  The connecting hinge block 14 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 7. For this reason, in the illustrated example, four connection hinge blocks 14 are provided.

  The first connecting piece 15 is formed in a convex shape from the first rotating member 4 toward the second rotating member 6. In the illustrated example, four first connecting pieces 15 are provided. Two of these four first connecting pieces 15 are provided at the end of the first rotating member 4 in the longitudinal direction in FIG. 6 and two at the center of the first rotating member 4 in the longitudinal direction. Is provided. The two first connecting pieces 15 provided at these end portions and the central portion are provided at both end portions in the width direction of the first rotating member 4. Moreover, the two 1st connection piece 15 provided in each of the edge part mentioned above and the center part positions the connection hinge block 14 provided in the edge part of the back side in FIG.

  The second connecting piece 16 is formed in a convex shape from the second rotating member 6 toward the first rotating member 4. In the illustrated example, four second connection pieces 16 are provided. Two of these four second connecting pieces 16 are provided at the end of the second rotating member 6 in the longitudinal direction in FIG. 6 and two at the center of the second rotating member 6 in the longitudinal direction. Is provided. The two second connecting pieces 16 provided at these end portions and the central portion are provided at both end portions in the width direction of the second rotating member 6. Moreover, the two 2nd connection piece 16 provided in each edge part and center part mentioned above positions the connection hinge block 14 provided in the edge part of FIG. 6 near side of the connection member 7 between each other.

  The first connecting piece 15 and the second connecting piece 16 penetrate the first connecting piece 15 and the second connecting piece 16 along the width direction of the first rotating member 4, and the inside of the connecting hinge block 14. A communicating hinge hole 18 is provided.

  In the illustrated example, four hinge shafts 17 are provided. The hinge shafts 17 are each formed in a cylindrical shape. Two of the four hinge shafts 17 are passed through the hinge through hole 18 of the first connection piece 15 and the connection hinge block 14 provided at the end of the connection member 7 on the back side in FIG. Then, the first connecting piece 15 and the connecting hinge blocks 14, that is, the rotating members 4 and 6 are attached. The other two hinge shafts 17 out of the four hinge shafts 17 are connected to the hinge through hole 18 of the second connection piece 16 and the connection hinge block 14 provided at the front end of the connection member 7 in FIG. The second connecting piece 16 and the connecting hinge blocks 14, that is, the rotating members 4 and 6 are attached. The hinge shaft 17 is arranged in a state orthogonal (crossed) with the hinge shaft 12 of the first hinge 5 by passing through the hinge through hole 18 of the connection pieces 15 and 16 and the connection hinge block 14 described above. .

  In the second hinge 8, the hinge shaft 17 is passed through the hinge through hole 18 of the connecting pieces 15, 16 and the connecting hinge block 14, and these are attached to each other, so that the rotating member 4 around the hinge shaft 17 is attached. 6 to allow the connecting member 7 to rotate freely. In this way, the second hinge 8 rotatably connects the connecting member 7 to each of the rotating members 4 and 6. The longitudinal direction of the hinge shaft 17 is a direction along the second hinge 8.

  In the hinge device 2, that is, the opening / closing device 1 having the above-described configuration, the base member 3 and the first rotation member 4 rotate around the hinge shaft 12 of the first hinge 5, so that the top cover 117 shown in FIG. The top cover 117 is displaceable over a position where the opening 118 of the apparatus main body 102 is closed and a position where the top cover 117 shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 opens the opening 118 of the apparatus main body 102. Further, the hinge device 2 having the above-described configuration, that is, the opening / closing device 1 is configured such that the connecting member 7 rotates with respect to the rotating members 4 and 6 around the hinge shaft 17 of the second hinge 8, whereby the top shown in FIG. The top cover 117 is displaceable between a position where the cover 117 closes the opening 118 of the apparatus main body 102 and a position where the top cover 117 shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 opens the opening 118 of the apparatus main body 102. And As described above, the hinge device 2, that is, the opening / closing device 1 having the above-described configuration includes the first hinge 5 and the second hinge 8, so that the position shown in FIG. 7 and the position shown in FIG. Thus, the opening 118 of the apparatus main body 102 is opened in the top cover 117. In this way, the hinge device 22, that is, the opening / closing device 1 relatively displaces the base member 3 and the second rotating member 6 by the first hinge 5 and the second hinge 8 that intersect each other.

  According to the present embodiment, the base member 3 and the first rotating member 4 are connected via the first hinge 5, and the first rotating member 4 and the second rotating member 6 are connected to the first hinge 5. The base member 3 and the second rotating member 6 rotate around the first hinge 5 and rotate around the second hinge 8. It will move relatively by both the rotation of the connecting member 7 and the like.

  For this purpose, the base member 3 is attached to the apparatus main body 102 and the second rotating member 6 is attached to the top cover 117, so that the apparatus main body 102 and the top cover 117 intersect with each other. It can move relatively by rotation around the hinge 8. Accordingly, the top cover 117 can be moved from the apparatus main body 102 in two directions to open and close the opening 118 of the apparatus main body 102. Therefore, the apparatus main body 102 can be installed in various directions according to the user's convenience. However, the top cover 117 can be moved to reliably open the opening 118 of the apparatus main body 102, and maintenance such as attachment / detachment of the process cartridges 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K can be facilitated. .

  The first rotating member 4 and the second rotating member 6 are connected to each other by a connecting member 7 provided between them and connected to each of them by a second hinge 8. Therefore, when the first rotating member 4 and the second rotating member 6 are relatively moved by rotating around the second hinge 8, the second rotating member 6 is moved to the first rotating member 4. The movement trajectory when the top cover 117 is moved by rotating around the second hinge 8 is made smaller than when the top cover 117 is rotated around the first hinge 5. Can do. Therefore, it becomes possible to install other household appliances in the vicinity, and the degree of freedom of the installation environment is further expanded.

  The connecting members 7 connected to the first rotating member 4 and the second rotating member 6 via the second hinge 8 are spaced apart from each other along a direction orthogonal to the second hinge 8. Since a plurality of the rotating members 4 are provided, the rotating members 4 and 6 can be reliably kept parallel to each other when the first rotating member 4 and the second rotating member 6 are relatively moved. . For this reason, the movement locus of the second rotating member 6 when the connecting member 7 and the like are rotated around the second hinge 8 to relatively move the first rotating member 4 and the second rotating member 6. Can be made smaller than when the first rotating member 4 is rotated around the first hinge 5. Therefore, it becomes possible to install other household appliances in the vicinity, and the degree of freedom of the installation environment is more reliably expanded.

  Since the opening / closing device 1 of the present embodiment includes the hinge device 2 described above, the top cover 117 is moved to move the top cover 117 even if the device main body 102 is installed in various directions according to the user's convenience. The opening 118 can be reliably opened, and maintenance can be easily performed.

  Furthermore, since the image forming apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment includes the opening / closing device 1 described above, the apparatus can be moved by moving the top cover 117 even if the apparatus main body 102 is installed in various directions according to the user's convenience. The opening 118 of the main body 102 can be reliably opened, and maintenance can be easily performed.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the opening / closing device 1 includes a second hinge device 20 in addition to the hinge device 2 as shown in FIG. 9. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment is provided with an engaging / disengaging pin 21 as shown in FIG. The engagement / disengagement pin 21 looks like the above-described opening 118 is closed, and is formed so as to protrude from the top cover 117 toward the second hinge device 20 attached to the apparatus main body, and a second base member 23 described later. The engagement receiving hole 27 can be engaged / disengaged (that is, engaged / disengaged). That is, when the top cover 117 closes the opening 118, the engagement / disengagement pin 21 enters the engagement receiving hole 27 and engages with the engagement receiving hole 27, and the top cover 117 is engaged with the first hinge. When the opening 118 is opened by rotating around 5, it comes out of the engagement receiving hole 27.

  The second hinge device 20 is disposed at a distance from the hinge device 2 and, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a first base member 22, a second base member 23, and a second connecting member 24. The third hinge 25 is provided.

  The first base member 22 is formed in a flat plate shape having a rectangular planar shape, and a screw-through hole 26 through which a screw for attaching to the apparatus main body 102 passes is provided at the center. The first base member 22 is attached to the apparatus main body 102 by attaching a screw passed through the screw through hole 26 to the apparatus main body 102.

  The second base member 23 is formed in a flat plate shape that is substantially the same shape as the first base member 22. The second base member 23 is overlaid on the first base member 22. The longitudinal directions of the base members 22 and 23 are parallel to each other. The second base member 23 is provided with an engagement receiving hole 27 at the center of which the engagement / disengagement pin 21 is detachable. The second base member 23 can be engaged with and disengaged from the top cover 117 by engaging and disengaging the engaging and disengaging pins 21 in the engagement receiving holes 27.

  The second connecting member 24 is formed in a flat plate shape smaller than the base members 22 and 23. The planar shape of the second connecting member 24 is formed in a rectangular shape. In the illustrated example, two (plural) second connecting members 24 are provided. The second connecting members 24 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the first base member 22 and are disposed between the first base member 22 and the second base member 23. That is, these two second connecting members 24 are arranged along a direction orthogonal (crossing) to the longitudinal direction of the third hinge 25. In addition, the length of the 2nd connection member 24 is formed equal to the length of the connection member 7 of the 1st hinge apparatus 2 mentioned above.

  The third hinge 25 includes a connection hinge block 28, a first connection piece 29, a second connection piece 30, and a plurality of hinge shafts 31.

  The connection hinge block 28 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is provided at both ends of the second connection member 24 in the longitudinal direction. For this reason, in the illustrated example, four connection hinge blocks 28 are provided.

  The first connecting piece 29 is formed to protrude from the first base member 22 toward the second base member 23. In the illustrated example, four first connection pieces 29 are provided. Two of these four first connecting pieces 29 are provided at the end of the first base member 22 in the longitudinal direction in FIG. 11, and two are provided at the center of the first base member 22 in the longitudinal direction. ing. The two first connecting pieces 29 provided at these end portions and the central portion are provided at both end portions in the width direction of the first base member 22. Further, the two first connecting pieces 29 provided at the end portion and the central portion described above each include a connecting hinge block 28 provided at an end portion on the back side in FIG. 11 of the second connecting member 24. Position.

  The second connecting piece 30 is formed in a convex shape from the second base member 23 toward the first base member 22. In the illustrated example, four second connection pieces 30 are provided. Two of these four second connecting pieces 30 are provided at the end of the second base member 23 in the longitudinal direction in FIG. 11 and two are provided at the center of the second base member 23 in the longitudinal direction. ing. The two second connecting pieces 30 provided at these end portions and the central portion are provided at both end portions in the width direction of the second base member 23. Further, the two second connecting pieces 30 provided at the end portion and the central portion described above respectively include the connecting hinge block 28 provided at the end portion on the near side in FIG. 11 of the second connecting member 24 therebetween. Position.

  The first connecting piece 29 and the second connecting piece 30 penetrate the first connecting piece 29 and the second connecting piece 30 along the width direction of the first base member 22 and communicate with the inside of the connecting hinge block 28. A hinge through hole 32 is provided.

  In the illustrated example, four hinge shafts 31 are provided. The hinge shafts 31 are each formed in a cylindrical shape. Of the four hinge shafts 31, two hinge shafts 31 are located in the hinge through hole 32 of the first connection piece 29 and in the connection hinge block 28 provided at the end of the second connection member 24 on the back side in FIG. 11. The first connecting piece 29 and the connecting hinge blocks 28, that is, the base members 22 and 23 are attached to each other. The other two hinge shafts 31 among the four hinge shafts 31 are a connecting hinge block 28 provided at the hinge through hole 32 of the second connecting piece 30 and the end of the second connecting member 24 on the front side in FIG. The second connecting piece 29 and the connecting hinge blocks 28, that is, the base members 22 and 23 are attached to each other. The hinge shaft 31 is arranged in a state orthogonal (crossed) with the hinge shaft 12 of the first hinge 5 by passing through the hinge through hole 32 of the connection pieces 29 and 30 and the connection hinge block 28 described above. . That is, the hinge shaft 31 of the third hinge 25 is arranged in parallel with the hinge shaft 17 of the second hinge 8.

  In the third hinge 25, the hinge shaft 31 is passed through the hinge through hole 32 of the connecting pieces 29, 30 and the connecting hinge block 28, and these are attached to each other so that the base members 22, 23 around the hinge shaft 31 are attached. In contrast, the second connecting member 24 is allowed to be rotatable. Thus, the third hinge 25 rotatably connects the second connecting member 24 to each of the base members 22 and 23. The longitudinal direction of the hinge shaft 31 is a direction along the third hinge 25.

  When the base member 3 and the first rotating member 4 of the first hinge device 2 rotate around the hinge shaft 12 of the first hinge 5, the second hinge device 20 having the above-described configuration is the engagement / disengagement pin 21. Allows the top cover 117 to rotate around the hinge shaft 12 of the first hinge 5.

  Further, in the second hinge device 20, when the connecting member 7 of the first hinge device 2 rotates around the hinge shaft 17 of the second hinge 8, the engagement / disengagement pin 21 remains engaged with the engagement receiving hole 27. The second connecting member 2 rotates around the hinge shaft 31 of the third hinge 25.

  According to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment described above, in addition to the hinge device 2 described above, the first base member 22 attached to the device main body 102 and the second base member attached to the top cover 117. 23 includes a second hinge device 20 having a second connecting member 24 provided between them and connected to each of them by a third hinge 25 parallel to the second hinge 8. Therefore, when the first rotating member 4 and the second rotating member 6 are relatively moved to relatively displace the apparatus main body 102 and the top cover, the hinge device 2 and the second hinge device 20 are used. And these will be supported. For this reason, in such a case, the top cover 117 can be supported more stably and displaced with respect to the apparatus main body 102.

  Further, since the second base member 23 of the second hinge device 20 can be freely engaged with and disengaged from the top cover 117, the second hinge is rotated when the top cover 117 is rotated around the first hinge 5 of the hinge device 2. The second base member 23 of the device 20 is detached from the top cover 117. For this reason, the second hinge device 20 does not hinder the rotation of the top cover 117 around the first hinge 5 of the hinge device 2.

  In the embodiment described above, the base member 3 is attached to the apparatus main body 102 and the second rotating member 6 is attached to the top cover 117. However, in the present invention, the base member 3 may be attached to the top cover 117 and the second rotating member 6 may be attached to the apparatus main body 102. Further, in the present invention, the top cover 117 may be freely engaged with and disengaged from the second base member 23 by various configurations other than the engaging and disengaging pin 21 and the engagement receiving hole 27. Of course, the hinge device 2 and the opening / closing device 1 of the present invention are not limited to the image forming apparatus 101 and may be used in various devices.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Opening / closing apparatus 2 Hinge apparatus 3 Base member 4 1st rotation member 5 1st hinge 6 2nd rotation member (movable member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 7 Connection member 8 2nd hinge 20 2nd hinge apparatus 22 1st base member 23 2nd base member 24 2nd connection member 25 3rd hinge 101 Image forming apparatus 102 Apparatus main body 113 Developing apparatus 116 Main body part 117 Top cover ( Cover member)
118 opening

JP-A-5-204197 JP 2008-185635 A JP 2000-128388 A JP 2002-55501 A

Claims (5)

A base member;
A first rotating member rotatably connected to the base member via a first hinge;
A second rotating member overlaid on the first rotating member;
The first rotation member and the second rotation via a second hinge provided between the first rotation member and the second rotation member and intersecting the first hinge. A connecting member rotatably connected to each of the members;
A hinge device comprising:   The hinge device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the connecting members are provided spaced apart from each other along a direction orthogonal to the second hinge. In the opening / closing apparatus provided with a hinge device that is attached to the apparatus main body so as to be displaceable over a position where the opening provided in the apparatus main body is opened and a position where the opening is closed.
The hinge device according to claim 1 or 2 is provided as the hinge device, and the base member of the hinge device is attached to one of the device main body and the cover member and the second rotation is performed. A switchgear characterized in that a member is attached to the other. A first base member attached to the apparatus body;
A second base member detachably provided on the cover member;
Connected to each of the first base member and the second base member via a third hinge provided between the first base member and the second base member and parallel to the second hinge. A second connecting member,
The opening / closing device according to claim 3, further comprising a second hinge device including A cover member is attached to the apparatus body so as to be freely displaceable between an apparatus body, a developing device accommodated in the apparatus body, a position where an opening provided in the apparatus body is opened, and a position where the opening is closed. In an image forming apparatus having at least an opening / closing device,
An image forming apparatus comprising the switchgear according to claim 3 or 4 as the switchgear.

Images