JP5514704B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming process while a transfer sheet taken out from a paper feeding unit is conveyed in a vertical direction of an image forming apparatus main body.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that performs image forming processing while transferring transfer paper from a paper feeding unit and transporting it in the vertical direction of the image forming apparatus main body is provided to be openable and closable on the side surface of the image forming apparatus main body. It is well known to perform jam processing by opening a cover (hereinafter referred to as “vertical transport cover unit”).

  At this time, in an image forming apparatus having an automatic duplex function, a registration unit that matches the transfer timing of the transfer paper, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image onto the transfer paper, and a fixing unit that fixes the transferred toner image are provided. First transport path arranged in order and double-sided function for transporting the fixed transfer paper upstream of the registration path and feeding it to the first transport path in a state where the transfer paper is reversed for duplex printing And a second transport path used only occasionally.

  In addition, the registration unit and the transfer unit (which may include a fixing unit) are arranged so that the transfer sheet surface (transfer surface) side of the first transport path is the main body of the image forming apparatus in order to perform each process while transferring the transfer sheet to the nip. The transfer paper back surface (non-transfer surface) side of the first transport path is disposed on one surface (front surface) of the transfer transport unit. Similarly, the second transport path for nip transporting the transfer paper during double-sided printing is constituted by the other surface (back surface) of the transfer transport unit and the inner surface of the vertical transport cover unit.

  Therefore, the first transport path and the second transport path facilitate work access to the resist section and the vicinity of the transfer section in order to improve the operability of the jam processing when the transfer paper is jammed in the middle of each transport path. For this purpose, it is preferable to open and close the transfer conveyance unit in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the vertical conveyance cover unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-330067 A

  However, in the above-described image forming apparatus, when the vertical transport cover unit is opened, the lock release levers of the vertical transport cover unit and the transfer transport unit are opened in conjunction with each other, so that a lock mechanism such as a fixed hook is provided. The locked state of is released. Even when the vertical transport cover unit is closed, in order for each lock release lever to lock the lock mechanism, the transfer transport unit is included unless the vertical transport cover unit is closed with a certain amount of momentum. There has been a problem that it is difficult to secure the locked state.

  In particular, when the vertical transport cover unit is gently closed, the locked state of the transfer transport unit may remain incomplete although the vertical transport cover unit is locked.

  Such a so-called half-locked (semi-closed) state is when a roller such as a registration roller, a conveyance roller, or a transfer roller attached to the transfer conveyance unit is spring-biased toward the image forming apparatus main body. In addition, due to the occurrence of bending of the vertical transport cover unit, half-closing tends to occur remarkably, resulting in a problem of transfer paper transport failure (jam generation requirement, etc.).

  Accordingly, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the half-close of the transfer conveyance unit while ensuring the operability at the time of jam processing, and solving the problem of transfer paper conveyance due to the half-close. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is rotatably arranged in the apparatus main body, and forms at least a part of a conveyance path on the upstream side of the transfer unit on the inner side, and a double-sided conveyance path on the outer side. A transfer conveyance unit that constitutes at least a part of the double-sided conveyance path, and is arranged rotatably on the apparatus main body so as to constitute a part of the side wall of the apparatus main body and cooperates with the transfer conveyance unit on the inside. A vertical transport cover unit constituting a part thereof, and the transfer transport unit so that the transfer transport unit and the apparatus main body are disposed at appropriate positions by engaging with the apparatus main body when the image forming process is possible And the vertical conveyance cover so that the vertical conveyance cover unit and the apparatus main body are disposed at appropriate positions by engaging with the apparatus main body when the image forming process is possible. An operation lock lever provided on the unit, and releasing the operation lock lever to rotate the vertical conveyance cover unit to open the double-sided conveyance path and interlock with the rotation operation of the vertical cover unit. Then, in the image forming apparatus in which the transfer conveyance unit can be rotated to open the conveyance path, the vertical conveyance cover unit and the lock lever are arranged so that the transfer is performed when the vertical conveyance cover unit is closed. The conveyance unit and the apparatus main body are provided with contact portions that engage with each other so as to be in a locked state.

  In this case, it is preferable that the abutting portion is disposed above the apparatus main body with respect to the rotation fulcrum of the transfer conveyance unit and the vertical conveyance cover unit.

  Further, it is preferable that the contact portions engage with each other so that the transfer conveyance unit and the apparatus main body are unlocked when the vertical conveyance cover unit is opened.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention can suppress the semi-close of the transfer conveyance unit while ensuring the operability during the jam processing, and can solve the problem of the transfer paper conveyance due to the semi-close.

1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inner surface side of a transfer conveyance unit mounted on the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an outer surface side of a transfer conveyance unit mounted on the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an outer surface side of a vertical transport cover unit mounted on the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an inner surface side of a vertical transport cover unit mounted on the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part in an unlocked state of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a concept at the time of closing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is closed.

  Next, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are preferred specific examples of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and may have various technically preferred limitations. However, the technical scope of the present invention is particularly limited to the present invention. As long as there is no description which limits, it is not limited to these aspects. In addition, the constituent elements in the embodiments shown below can be appropriately replaced with existing constituent elements and the like, and various variations including combinations with other existing constituent elements are possible. Therefore, the description of the embodiment described below does not limit the contents of the invention described in the claims.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a perspective view of the inner surface side of the transfer conveyance unit mounted on the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a transfer mounted on the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an outer surface side of a vertical transport cover unit mounted on an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a lock of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part in a released state, and FIG. 10 is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Sectional view of a main part showing a concept of time closed, FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a main portion during closing of the image forming apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention.

(Overall configuration of multifunction machine 11)
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a multifunction machine as an image forming apparatus having functions of a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a scanner.

  An MFP 11 as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is housed in an apparatus main body 12, a paper feed cassette 13 that can be pulled out from the front surface of the apparatus main body 12 (front side of the paper), and a paper feed cassette 13. In order to be able to use a transfer paper (not shown) different from the transfer paper (not shown), a manual feed tray 14 provided on one side of the apparatus main body 12 so as to be openable and closable, a copying machine, a facsimile, As various functions of the scanner, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 15 used when reading a document and an operation unit 16 for setting and selecting various functions and the like are provided. Note that the shape, configuration, function, and the like of the multifunction machine 11 are not limited to those illustrated.

(Internal configuration of the apparatus body 12)
Further, inside the apparatus main body 12, a paper feed unit 17 that takes out the transfer paper stored in the paper feed cassette 13, and a main conveyance path for conveying the transfer paper toward a paper discharge tray 18 provided in the apparatus main body 12. 19, a registration unit 20 disposed on the upstream side of the conveyance path 19, an image forming unit 21 disposed on the downstream side of the conveyance path 19 with respect to the registration unit 20, and the image forming unit 21 to transfer to the surface of the transfer paper A fixing unit 22 for fixing the toner image formed on the surface of the transfer paper, and a discharge unit 23 that is disposed on the most downstream side of the conveyance path 19 and discharges the transfer paper that has undergone image formation processing toward the paper discharge tray 18. I have.

  Further, a plurality of paths are branched and merged in the conveyance path 19, and in this embodiment, a tray sheet feeding path 24 in which transfer sheets supplied from the manual feed tray 14 merge near the uppermost stream of the conveyance path 19. A branch path 25 disposed on the downstream side of the conveyance path 19 with respect to the fixing section 22, a switchback section 26 that reverses the transfer paper guided to the branch path 25 in the case of duplex printing, and a switchback section 26. And a double-sided conveyance path 27 for returning the transfer paper that has been turned upside down to the conveyance path 19 on the upstream side of the resist unit 20.

(Configuration of resist unit 20)
The registration unit 20 configures the leading end position of the transfer paper and the image forming unit 21 by detecting a transfer sensor leading end of the transfer paper taken out from the paper feed cassette 13 or the manual feed tray 14 with a registration sensor (not shown). The position of the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 28 is synchronized, and in this embodiment, a pair of registration rollers are provided.

(Configuration of the image forming unit 21)
In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 21 includes a replenishing toner storage container 29, a developing unit 30, and a transfer unit 31. The replenishment toner storage container 29 is detachable (replaceable) with respect to the apparatus main body 12, and the replenishment toner storage container 29 can be attached and detached by opening a front cover (not shown) of the apparatus main body 12. Exchange). The developing unit 30 supplies the toner to the photosensitive drum 28 as an image carrier while circulating and moving the toner inside the housing. Further, a toner sensor 32 that detects the toner amount of the developing unit 30 is provided on the outer wall surface of the developing unit 30.

(Configuration of transfer unit 31)
The transfer unit 31 includes a charging device 33 and an exposure device 34 in the order of the image forming process along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 28 (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1) around the photosensitive drum 28 (for example, made of amorphous silicon). A developing roller 35, a transfer roller 36, a cleaning device 37, and a charge eliminating device 38 are provided.

  A charging bias in which an AC voltage (Vac) is superimposed on a DC voltage (Vdc) is applied to the charging device 33.

  The exposure device 34 processes image data included in print data transmitted from a personal computer (not shown), for example, and irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 28 with laser light. In addition to the above-described image data, the print data here includes, for example, data relating to various settings such as the number of image forming processing copies, enlargement / reduction ratio, and image density.

  The developing roller 35 is disposed so that the peripheral surface thereof faces the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 28. Therefore, the toner being conveyed to the developing roller 35 is supplied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 28 via the developing roller 35, so that a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 28. It is formed.

  A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 36, and the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 28 is transferred by the applied voltage while the transfer paper is nipped and conveyed in cooperation with the photosensitive drum 28.

  The cleaning device 37 removes transfer residual toner, transfer paper powder, and the like remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 28 after toner transfer onto the transfer paper.

  For example, an LED light source or the like is used as the charge removal device 38, and the photosensitive drum 28 charged by the charging device 33 is discharged.

(Configuration of the fixing unit 22)
In order to fix the unfixed toner image transferred to the surface of the transfer paper by the image forming unit 21, the fixing unit 22 heats as a heating member disposed on the surface of the transfer paper, that is, on the unfixed toner image side. A roller 39 (or a heating belt) and a pressure roller 40 as a pressure member facing the heating roller 39 across the conveyance path 19 are provided, and the pressure roller 40 is brought into pressure contact with the heating roller 39 to transfer paper. Nipped.

  The unfixed toner image formed on the surface of the transfer paper is melted by directly contacting the heating roller 39, and is melted on the surface of the transfer paper as it is by being pressed by the pressure roller 40 from the back side of the transfer paper. The toner is fixed as a fixed image.

  The surface of the heating roller 39 is subjected to a surface coating process so that the molten toner does not adhere. Further, the molten toner or the like adhering to the surface of the heating roller 39 is removed by a cleaning device or the like (not shown).

(Configuration of each transport path)
The conveyance path 19 nip-transfers the transfer paper taken out by the paper supply unit 17 in the order of the registration unit 20, the photosensitive drum 28, the transfer roller 36, and the fixing unit 22, and then from the discharge unit 23 to the discharge tray 18. The route to reach is formed. At this time, a part of the conveyance path 19 including the registration unit 20 is configured inside the transfer conveyance unit 41.

  The tray paper feed path 24 forms a path for transporting the transfer paper taken out from the manual feed tray 14 toward the paper feed path 19 upstream of the registration unit 20.

  The branch path 25 includes a switching member 42 that can be switched to the downstream side of the fixing section 22 of the transport path 19. By switching the path of the switching member 42, a path for transporting the transfer paper to the switchback section 26 is provided. Forming.

  The switchback unit 26 includes a pair of switchback rollers 43 that are provided above the discharge unit 23 and rotate in the forward and reverse directions. The transfer sheet that is switched back while nip-conveying a part of the transfer sheet is directed toward the duplex conveyance path 27. It forms a route for transportation.

  The duplex conveying path 27 is formed on the upstream side by cooperation of the apparatus main body 12 and the vertical conveyance cover unit 44, and the downstream side is formed by cooperation of the outside of the transfer conveyance unit 41 and the vertical conveyance cover unit 44. Thus, a path for conveying the transfer paper conveyed from the switchback unit 26 toward the conveyance path 19 on the upstream side of the registration unit 20 is formed.

(Configuration of transfer conveyance unit 41)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transfer conveyance unit 41 and the vertical conveyance cover unit 44 rotate with respect to the apparatus body 12 using a lower support shaft 45 (see FIG. 3) as a common rotation fulcrum, The conveyance path 19 and the double-sided conveyance path 27 are opened. At this time, by making the opening angle of the transfer conveyance unit 41 smaller than the opening angle of the vertical conveyance cover unit 44, the transfer paper jammed in the conveyance paths 19 and 27 can be easily removed. Note that the amount of rotation of the transfer conveyance unit 41 and the vertical conveyance cover unit 44 is regulated by an arm, a belt (strap), or the like.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the transfer conveyance unit 41 has a conveyance path 19 from the downstream side of the paper supply unit 17 to the upstream side of the fixing unit 22 inside (on the machine side). 1 side (machine outer side) guides (plates, ribs, etc.), rollers (one roller of the resist unit 20, one roller of the transfer unit 31, etc.) and the like. Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the transfer conveyance unit 41 has a guide (a plate, a rib, etc.) on one side (machine inside) of the double-sided conveyance path 27 on the outside (machine outside). A roller or the like is provided. In addition, the transfer conveyance unit 41 has a pair of locks that engage with fixing hooks 46 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) provided on the apparatus main body 12 on both the front side (front side) and the depth side of the apparatus main body 12. A lever 47 is provided. The transfer conveyance unit 41 is provided with a support portion 48 supported by a support shaft 45 at the lower end thereof.

(Configuration of the vertical transport cover unit 44)
As shown in FIG. 6, the vertical transport cover unit 44 that forms a part of one outer wall surface of the apparatus main body 12 is formed below the outer wall surface side so as to rotatably support the manual feed tray 14 and always. When not in use, it is provided with a concave portion 49 for storing the manual feed tray 14 and an opening operation knob 50 that is rotatably provided above the outer wall surface. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the vertical transport cover unit 44 rotates to the left and right of its upper side (in the front side and the depth side of the apparatus main body 12 in conjunction with the opening operation of the opening operation knob 50 to rotate to the apparatus main body 12. A pair of cover lock levers 52 that are engaged with the provided fixing hooks 51 (see FIG. 2) are provided, and the vertical transport cover unit 44 is provided on the inner side (inner side) of the cover lock lever 52. An operation lock lever 53 that locks / unlocks the lock lever 47 and the fixed hook 46 by moving up and down in conjunction with a dynamic operation is provided.The vertical transport cover unit 44 is also transported on both sides inside. A guide (rib or the like), a roller, or the like on one side (machine outside) of the path 27 and a support portion 54 supported by the support shaft 45 are provided at the lower end thereof.

  The operation lock lever 53 is normally spring-biased on the upper side of the vertical transport cover unit 44, and by this spring bias, the opening operation knob 50 and the cover lock lever 52 are always in the locked position.

(Specific configuration of the lock lever 47 and the operation lock lever 53)
As shown in FIG. 8, the lock lever 47 is rotatably supported by the transfer conveyance unit 41 via a support shaft 45 in the vicinity of the center thereof, and is a lock that engages with the fixed hook 46 inside the apparatus main body 12. A claw 56 is provided. The lock lever 47 is normally urged by a torsion coil spring (not shown) or the like so that the fixed hook 46 and the lock claw 56 are engaged. Further, the lock lever 47 is formed with an engagement groove 57 on the outside of the apparatus main body. Further, the lock lever 47 is formed with a projecting contact portion 58 that is overhanged with respect to the opening of the upper end of the engagement groove 47. Furthermore, the lock lever 47 is locked against the bias of the torsion coil spring when the transfer conveyance unit 41 shifts from the open state to the closed state due to the shape of the lock claw 56, for example. A guide surface (not shown) that rotates from the position to the unlock position is formed. At this time, the guide surface may directly contact the lock lever 47 to rotate the lock lever 47 in the unlocking direction.

The lock lever 47 is provided with a guide claw (not shown) that engages with an arcuate guide groove 59 that is formed in the transfer conveyance unit 41 and restricts the rotation range of the lock lever 47. The lock lever 47 defines a rotation range in the unlocking direction when contacting the protrusion 60 provided on the transfer conveyance unit 41 and opens the transfer conveyance unit 41 having the support shaft 45 as a rotation fulcrum. Rotate in the direction. For this reason, the lock lever 47 and the operation lock lever 53 are provided with contact surfaces 61 and 62 that come into contact with each other while the transfer conveyance unit 41 is opened to the maximum position.

  On the other hand, the operation lock lever 53 is provided with an engagement claw 63 that engages with the engagement groove 57 at all times when the cover is closed. Further, the inner surface of the engaging claw 63 is provided with a contact portion 64 that contacts the contact portion 58 when the vertical transport cover unit 44 is changed from the open state to the closed state.

(Example)
In the above configuration, the respective rotation fulcrums of the transfer conveyance unit 41 and the vertical conveyance cover unit 44 are rotated by the support shaft 45 which is the same fulcrum, and the support shaft 45 is disposed below the apparatus main body 12 so that the upper side of the unit is opened. In addition, by changing the opening angle, the user can easily access the conveyance path 19 and the double-side conveyance path 27 in order to perform jam processing or the like.

  When the transfer conveyance unit 41 is in a normal closed position where image formation processing is possible, the fixing hook 46 of the apparatus main body 12 and the lock claw 56 of the lock lever 47 are engaged. Further, when the vertical transport cover unit 44 is in a normal closed position where image formation processing is possible, the operation lock lever 53 is positioned above the vertical transport cover unit 44 by a spring bias, and the opening operation knob 50 The cover lock lever 52 is in the locked position, and the operation lock lever 53 and the fixed hook 51 are engaged. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 8, the engagement claw 63 of the operation lock lever 53 is engaged with the engagement groove 57 of the lock lever 47.

  When the user pulls the release operation knob 50 (operates to the release side) to perform jam processing or the like, the engagement between the fixed hook 51 and the cover lock lever 52 is released and unlocked, and the vertical transport cover unit 44 is unlocked. Can be opened.

  When the opening operation knob 50 is opened, as shown in FIG. 9, the operation lock lever 53 is displaced from the upper position (dashed line in the drawing) to the lower position against the biasing of the spring, and the lock lever 47 is moved to the spring. The support shaft 45 rotates against the urging force as a rotation fulcrum, and the engagement between the fixing hook 46 of the apparatus main body 12 and the lock claw 56 of the lock lever 47 is released and the unlocked state is established. When the vertical transport cover unit 44 is opened, the contact surface 62 of the lock lever 47 and the contact surface 61 of the operation lock lever 53 come into contact with each other (two-dot chain line in the drawing), and the transfer transport unit 41 is opened. When the vertical transport cover unit 44 is opened, the lock lever 47 may be rotated against the spring bias by engaging the contact portions 58 and 64 with each other.

Further, when the predetermined jam processing or the like is finished and the user closes the vertical transport cover unit 44 and closes it to a predetermined closed position, the guide surface (not shown) guides torsion. Since the lock lever 47 is rotated from the lock position to the unlock position against the bias of the coil spring, the contact portion 58 of the operation lock lever 53 is brought into contact with the contact portion 58 of the lock lever 47 as shown in FIG. Makes contact (bite-in action).

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the lock lever 53 is pushed together with the transfer conveyance unit 41 to the normal position inside the apparatus main body 12 by the contact of the contact portions 58 and 64, and is biased by the torsion coil spring. The lock claw 56 of the lock lever 47 and the fixed hook 46 can be reliably engaged to be in the locked state.

  As described above, the protruding contact portion 58 is provided above the rotation fulcrum of the lock lever 47 of the transfer conveyance unit 41, and the contact portion 64 provided at the lower end of the operation lock lever 53 of the vertical conveyance cover unit 44 abuts. By doing so, the half-opening of the transfer conveyance unit 41 can be suppressed.

  At this time, by directly pushing out the lock lever 47, it is possible to minimize the influence of bending of the transfer conveyance unit 41 and the vertical conveyance cover unit 44 caused by the distance from the contact portion 58 to the lock claw 56 being separated. The half-opening can be further suppressed.

  Further, in order to prevent half-opening, if the amount of biting between the contact portions 58 and 64 between the vertical transport cover unit 44 and the transfer transport unit 41 is set large, the transfer transport unit 41 is opened when the vertical transport cover unit 44 is closed. The lock lever 47 may be fixed. In this case, the position of the transfer / conveyance unit 41 is shifted by the amount of biting minus the deflection of the transfer / conveyance unit 41 and the vertical conveyance cover unit 44. Therefore, the guide position of the transport path 19 is not fixed and may affect the transport performance. Therefore, it is desirable to set the biting amount appropriately in consideration of the size of the vertical cover unit 44 and the like.

  In the above-described embodiment, the contact portion 64 is provided on the operation lock lever 53. However, the contact portion 64 may be directly provided on the vertical transport cover unit 44.

11. Multifunction machine (image forming device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Apparatus main body 41 ... Transfer conveyance unit 44 ... Vertical conveyance cover unit 53 ... Operation lock lever 54 ... Support part 56 ... Lock claw 57 ... Engagement groove 58 ... Contact part 59 ... Guide groove 63 ... Engagement claw 64 ... Contact part

Claims (3)

A transfer conveyance unit that is rotatably arranged in the apparatus main body and constitutes at least a part of a conveyance path on the upstream side of the transfer unit on the inside and at least a part of a double-sided conveyance path on the outside;
A vertical transport cover unit which is rotatably arranged in the apparatus main body so as to constitute a part of the side wall of the apparatus main body and forms a part of the double-sided conveyance path in cooperation with the transfer conveyance unit on the inside;
When the image forming process is possible, the transfer conveyance unit and the apparatus main body are urged in the locking direction by the urging member so that the transfer conveyance unit and the apparatus main body are arranged at appropriate positions. and b Kkureba which provided rotatably, rotated to the unlocked direction against the urging force of the urging member by the guide surface of the apparatus body when said vertical conveyance cover unit by closing manipulation Te,
A cover lock lever provided on the vertical conveyance cover unit so that the vertical conveyance cover unit and the apparatus main body are disposed at appropriate positions by engaging with the apparatus main body when the image forming process is possible; An operation lock lever that is urged in the lock direction by the urging member and is operated in the unlock direction together with the cover lock lever,
The operation lock lever is released together with the cover lock lever to rotate the vertical conveyance cover unit to open the double-sided conveyance path, and the transfer conveyance unit is interlocked with the rotation operation of the vertical conveyance cover unit. In the image forming apparatus that can be rotated to open the conveyance path,
The operation lock lever and the lock lever are arranged in an unlocking direction against the urging force of the urging member by the guide surface in the apparatus body when the vertical transport cover unit is closed. when rotated in a contact portion for rotating said lock lever in the locking direction by the the transfer conveying unit and the apparatus main body engaged with each other so that the locked state, when the release operation of the operation lock lever An image forming apparatus comprising: a contact surface that engages with each other so that the transfer conveyance unit and the apparatus main body are unlocked and rotates the lock lever in an unlocking direction.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is disposed above the main body of the apparatus with respect to a rotation fulcrum of the transfer conveyance unit and the vertical conveyance cover unit. The lock lever, according to claim 2, characterized in that have a shape that rotates in the unlocking direction against the biasing force of the biasing member when the vertical conveying cover unit closed by operating Image forming apparatus.

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