JP5637946B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a plurality of covers provided on a main body casing so as to be freely opened and closed, and a switch that is operated by opening and closing the covers.

  In a conventional image forming apparatus, a door cover can be opened and closed at the upper part and the front part of the apparatus main body in order to perform jam processing, toner replenishment, and the like. However, in a state where the door cover is opened for safety, In order to prevent the operation of the image forming apparatus, an interlock switch mechanism that cuts off power to the image forming apparatus is provided.

  This cover opening / closing detection increases the manufacturing cost if one interlock switch is arranged for each door cover in the upper part and the front part of the apparatus main body. Therefore, the opening / closing detection of a plurality of door covers is performed by one interlock switch. Various techniques for performing the above have been proposed.

  For example, an image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes first and second covers that can be opened and closed, first and second projecting members provided on the first and second covers, and a first cover. A first support member that is pivotally supported by the image forming apparatus main body and pivotally supported by the opening and closing operation of the first projecting member, and a second projecting member that is pivotally supported by the second cover. A second support member that is pivoted by contact and separation and is pivotally supported by the first support member; and a link member that is in contact with or coupled to the second support member. A power ON / OFF function is operated on one switch independently by opening and closing operations of the first and second covers.

  That is, since the above configuration includes the link member, it is possible to change the position of the link member in the two cover open / closed states, and to push and release the interlock switch. It is possible to notify the user of the state by a panel display of the operation unit.

JP 2002-72601 A

  However, when one interlock switch is turned on / off by using the link member as described above in the open / closed state of the two covers, the detection accuracy may be lowered due to the component accuracy, assembly error, and the like of the link member. In addition, since the mechanism for operating the switch is complicated, there is a possibility that the operation accuracy may be lowered if used for a long period of time.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of reliably operating a switch in conjunction with opening and closing of a plurality of covers with a simple mechanism.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a main body casing incorporating an electric circuit, a first cover provided on the main body casing so as to be openable and closable, and a cover different from the first cover. A second cover provided; a switch connected to the electrical circuit; and a shape provided on the first cover so that the switch can be operated when the first cover is in a closed position. It can be moved by opening and closing the operating member and the second cover, and when the second cover is open, it moves to a first position that interferes with the first cover so that the first cover is not closed. , the connecting portion second cover when in a closed position connecting the interference member to move to the second position where it does not interfere with the first cover, and said interference member and the second cover E Bei the door, said interference member protrudes toward the second cover and has an input portion for receiving a force for moving the interference member from the second cover when the second cover is opened and closed, The connection member is a cable that connects the input unit and the second cover. When the second cover is opened, the interference member is connected to the second cover by the cable coupled to the second cover. When the second cover is pulled out to one position and the second cover is closed, the second cover pushes the input portion to return the interference member to the second position (Claim 1).

According to such a configuration, the main body casing is provided with the first cover and the second cover, and when the first cover is in the closed position, the operation member provided on the first cover is disposed inside the main body casing. It is possible to operate a switch connected to the electrical circuit. The interference member can be moved by opening and closing the second cover. When the second cover is open, the interference member moves to a first position where the first cover interferes with the first cover so that the first cover is not closed. When the second cover is in the closed position, the second cover moves to the second position where it does not interfere with the first cover. Thereby, when the second cover is not closed, the interference member interferes with the first cover and the first cover cannot be in the closed position, and thus the operation member cannot operate the switch. Thus, the operation member can operate the switch only when both the plurality of different first covers and second covers are in the closed state, and the operation of the switch can be stabilized. Since a complicated link mechanism for operating the switch is not required, the manufacturing cost can be reduced with a simple configuration.
Moreover, according to said structure, the interference member has an input part which protrudes toward the 2nd cover, and when the 2nd cover opens and closes, the force which moves an interference member from the said 2nd cover is input part It is possible to receive with certainty. In addition, when the second cover is opened, the interference member can be reliably moved to the first position by transmitting a force for opening the second cover to the input unit via the connection member made of a cable. . Specifically, when the second cover is opened, the interference member is pulled out to the first position by the cable connected to the second cover, and when the second cover is closed, the second cover pushes the input unit. It is possible to return the interference member to the second position.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the interference member has a contact portion that protrudes toward the first cover and contacts the first cover when the interference member is in the first position. Item 2).

  According to such a configuration, the interference member has the contact portion that protrudes toward the first cover, and when the interference member is in the first position, the contact portion can reliably contact the first cover. Is possible.

The interference member further includes a convex portion protruding toward the inner surface of the main body casing, and the inner surface of the main body casing moves the convex portion between the first position and the second position. It is preferable that a slit for guiding freely is formed (claim 3 ).

  According to such a configuration, the projecting portion that protrudes toward the inner surface of the main body casing in the interference member is guided movably between the first position and the second position by the slit formed on the inner surface of the main body casing. Therefore, it is possible to move the interference member smoothly and reliably between the first position and the second position.

Further, preferably further includes a regulating member for regulating the opening operation of the second cover when the first cover is closed (Claim 4).

  According to this configuration, when the first cover is closed, the opening operation of the second cover can be reliably restricted by the restriction member.

Further, the regulating member is provided on the first cover preferably has a shape that can engage with an end portion of the second cover (claim 5).

  According to such a configuration, the restriction member is provided on the first cover and has a shape that can be engaged with the end of the second cover. Therefore, the restriction member is closed by closing the first cover after the second cover is closed. Is engaged with the end of the second cover so as to restrict the opening operation of the second cover, and the second cover can be stably held.

The first cover is a top cover provided on an upper surface of the main body casing, preferably the second cover is a front cover provided on the front surface of the main body casing (claim 6).

  According to such a configuration, since the first cover is an upper cover provided on the upper surface of the main body casing and the second cover is a front cover provided on the front surface of the main body casing, both the upper cover and the front cover are provided. By opening, it is possible to easily attach and detach the unit inside the main body casing, and it is possible to easily perform maintenance by removing a paper jam inside the main body casing.

Further, the switch is preferably a interlock switch to shut off the power supply to the unit for image forming of the inside of the main body casing (claim 7).

  According to this configuration, by using an interlock switch that cuts off power to the unit for image formation inside the main casing as the switch, the interference member interferes with the first cover when the second cover is not closed. Thus, the first cover cannot be in the closed position, and therefore the operating member cannot operate the interlock switch. Thereby, it can maintain in the state which interrupted | blocked the electricity supply to the unit for image formation inside a main body casing. On the other hand, when the second cover is closed, the interference member does not interfere with the first cover, so that the first cover can be closed, and the operation member can operate the interlock switch. It is possible to reliably shift to the energized state of the unit for image formation.

  According to the present invention, the switch can be reliably operated in conjunction with opening and closing of the plurality of covers with a simple mechanism. This makes it possible to achieve both a reduction in manufacturing costs and a stable switch operation.

1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a front cover and an upper cover are opened in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion near a rod of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the upper cover of FIG. 1 and the rod are interfering. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the front part cover of FIG. 1 has pushed the rod front-end | tip. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where a rod is in a second position in a state where a front cover and an upper cover in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 are closed. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where a rod is in a first position in a state where a front cover in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 is opened. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of the image forming apparatus in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1, illustrating a state in which an interlock switch is off when a front cover is open.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a monochrome printer as an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or these functions. It may be a multifunction machine or an image forming apparatus that forms a color image.

  The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a main body casing 2, an upper cover 3, a front cover 4, an interlock switch 5, an operation piece 6, a rod 7, a regulating member 8, and a cable. 9 and.

  The main casing 2 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing. Various units such as an image forming unit P and a paper feed unit are accommodated in the space 2 a inside the main casing 2. The image forming unit P performs an image forming process for forming a toner image on a sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit.

  Further, an upper opening 2 b that opens upward is formed on the upper surface 2 d of the main casing 2. Further, a front opening 2 c that opens forward is formed in the front surface 2 e of the main body casing 2.

  Further, a rectangular opening 2 f into which the operation piece 6 can be inserted is formed on the upper surface 2 d of the main casing 2.

  The upper cover 3 is provided so as to be freely opened and closed in the upper opening 2 b of the upper surface 2 d of the main casing 2. The upper cover 3 has a pair of support arms 3a, and can be opened and closed by turning in the vertical direction while being guided by the support arms 3a.

  On the inner surface 3 b of the upper cover 3, a projection 10 that can interfere with a contact portion 7 b (see FIG. 5) of the rod 7 at a first position I described later is provided. In addition, as long as the rod 7 and the upper cover 3 can interfere with each other, a configuration other than the protrusion 10 may be used.

  The front cover 4 is a cover different from the upper cover 3, and is provided so as to be freely opened and closed in a front opening 2 c of the front surface 2 e of the main body casing 2. The front cover 4 has a pair of support portions 4a, and can be opened and closed by turning in the front-rear direction using these support portions 4a as fulcrums.

  The operation piece 6 is a member corresponding to the operation member of the present invention, and is provided to protrude from the inner surface 3 b of the upper cover 3. The operation piece 6 is formed of a rectangular tongue, and when the upper cover 3 is in the closed position, the operation piece 6 passes through the opening 2f on the upper surface 2d of the main casing 2 and the switch lever 5b of the interlock switch 5 (see FIGS. 7 to 8). ) Has a length that can be manipulated.

  The interlock switch 5 is a switch that is connected to an electric circuit inside the main body casing 2 and cuts off the power supply to the image forming unit P and other units for image formation inside the main body casing 2. 7-8, the switch 5 is provided with the switch main body 5a and the switch lever 5b provided in the switch main body 5a upper part so that rocking | fluctuation was possible. The switch lever 5b is always urged in a direction of turning upward by a spring (not shown) provided in the switch body 5a.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the switch lever 5b is pushed downward by the operation piece 6, the interlock switch 5 is in an ON state, and the image forming unit P and other units are energized to form an image. The device 1 becomes operable. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when the switch lever 5b is not pushed down by the operation piece 6 and moves upward, the interlock switch 5 is turned off, and the image forming unit P and other units are moved to. Is turned off and the image forming apparatus 1 becomes inoperable.

  The rod 7 is a member corresponding to the interference member of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 6, the rod 7 of the present embodiment includes a rod-shaped rod main body 7 a, an abutting portion 7 b that protrudes from the rod main body 7 a toward the upper cover 3, and the rod 7 includes the front cover 4. And an input portion 7c protruding toward the front.

  The rod 7 of this embodiment can function as an operation member for connecting and releasing the gear coupling of a photosensitive drum unit (not shown) provided inside the main casing 2.

  The input unit 7c has an opening 7d. One end of the cable 9 is connected to the input portion 7c in a state of being inserted into the opening 7d. The other end of the cable 9 is directly connected to the front cover 4. The cable 9 corresponds to the connecting member of the present invention.

  Pins 12 and 13 are provided at an end portion (left end portion in FIG. 5) opposite to the input portion 7c in the rod body 7a and in the vicinity of the middle. The mounting plate 11 provided inside the main casing 2 is formed with arc-shaped slits 11a and 11b. By inserting the pins 12 and 13 into these arc-shaped slits 11a and 11b, the rod 7 It is attached to the inside of the main body casing 2 so as to be able to reciprocate between a first position I (see FIG. 6) and a second position II (see FIG. 5). Further, the pin 12 is constantly urged in a direction in which the rod 7 returns from the first position I to the second position II by a spring (not shown) inside the main casing 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 6, when the front cover 4 is opened, the rod 7 is pulled out to the first position I by the cable 9 connected to the input portion 7 c. At this time, the abutting portion 7 b can surely abut on the protrusion 10 provided on the upper cover 3.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, when the front cover 4 is closed, the rod 7 can return to the second position II by the input portion 7 c being pushed by the inner surface 4 b of the front cover 4. is there.

  The regulating member 8 is a member that regulates the opening operation of the front cover 4 when the upper cover 3 is closed, as shown in FIGS. The restricting member 8 of the present embodiment is formed of a flange that engages with the upper end portion 4 c of the front cover 4 provided at the outer end of the upper cover 3, and is formed integrally with the upper cover 3.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper cover 3 is opened, and the front cover 4 is opened by the flange-shaped restricting member 8 at the outer end of the upper cover 3. The restriction of the operation is released, and then the front cover 4 is opened to open both the upper opening 2b and the front opening 2c of the main body casing 2, and the maintenance work of the image forming apparatus 1 (of the image forming unit P). Detaching and removing paper jams).

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the front cover 4 is opened, and the rod 7 is pulled out to the first position I by the cable 9 connected to the front cover 4. Since the portion 7b contacts the protrusion 10 of the upper cover 3, the upper cover 3 cannot be closed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the operation piece 6 provided on the upper cover 3 cannot depress the switch lever 5b of the interlock switch 5, so that the interlock switch 5 remains in the OFF state. It has become. Therefore, the power supply to the image forming unit P and other units is cut off, and the image forming apparatus 1 is maintained in an inoperable state.

  Next, when the two covers 3 and 4 are closed, they are closed in the reverse order of the opening operation. First, the front cover 4 is closed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the front cover 4 can push the input portion 7 c at the tip of the rod 7 to return the rod 7 to the second position II shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. Next, when the upper cover 3 is closed, as shown in FIG. 5, the regulating member 8 at the outer end of the upper cover 3 holds the upper end portion 4 c of the front cover 4 and holds the front cover 4. Regulates the opening movement of

  When the upper cover 3 is closed first, and then the front cover 4 is closed, the rod 7 interferes with the upper cover 3 until the front cover 4 is closed first (specifically Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the abutting portion 7b of the rod 7 interferes with the protrusion 10 of the upper cover), so that the upper cover 3 is retracted at a position where it is not reliably closed. Therefore, the user can smoothly perform the operation of closing the upper cover 3 and the front cover 4 without worrying about the closing order.

(Features of this embodiment)
(1)
In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the main casing 2 is provided with an upper cover 3 and a front cover 4, and an operation piece provided on the upper cover 3 when the upper cover 3 is in the closed position. It is possible to operate the interlock switch 5 in which 6 is connected to the electric circuit inside the main casing 2. In addition, when the front cover 4 is open, the rod 7 that is interlocked with the opening and closing of the front cover 4 moves to the first position I that interferes with the upper cover 3 so that the upper cover 3 does not close. When the cover 4 is in the closed position, the cover 4 moves to the second position II where it does not interfere with the upper cover 3. Thereby, when the front cover 4 is not closed, the rod 7 interferes with the upper cover 3 and the upper cover 3 cannot be in the closed position, so that the operation piece 6 cannot operate the interlock switch 5. . Thus, the common interlock switch 5 can be brought into the connected state only when both of the plurality of different upper covers 3 and front covers 4 are closed, and the upper cover 3 and the front cover 4 are opened and closed. Therefore, the operation of the interlock switch 5 can be stabilized. In addition, in the above-described configuration, since the link member that is interlocked with the operation of the two covers as in the related art is not used, the structure is simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

(2)
Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the rod 7 has the contact portion 7b that protrudes toward the upper cover 3, and when the rod 7 is in the first position I, the contact portion 7b is the upper portion. It is possible to reliably contact the protrusion 10 of the cover 3.

(3)
Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the rod 7 has the input portion 7 c that protrudes toward the front cover 4, and when the front cover 4 opens and closes, the rod 7 extends from the front cover 4. Can be reliably received by the input portion 7c.

(4)
Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when opening the front cover 4, by transmitting the force to open the front cover 4 through a connecting member made of the cable 9 to the input unit 7c of the rod 7 The rod 7 can be reliably moved to the first position I. Further, the Rukoto using a cable 9, as compared with the conventional link mechanism, requires in the installation space is small, inexpensive and already free manufacturing cost.

(5)
Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the projecting portions such as the pins 12 and 13 projecting toward the inner surface of the main body casing 2 in the rod 7 are arc-shaped formed on the mounting plate 11 inside the main body casing 2. Since the slits 11a and 11b are guided so as to be movable between the first position I and the second position II, the rod 7 is moved smoothly and reliably between the first position I and the second position II. Is possible.

(6)
Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the opening operation of the front cover 4 can be restricted by the restriction member 8 when the upper cover 3 is closed.

(7)
Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the restriction member 8 is a flange that engages the front cover 4 provided at the outer end of the upper cover 3 so that the front cover 4 is closed. After closing the upper cover 3, the restricting member 8 holds the front cover 4 stably by holding the front cover 4 from the outside so as to restrict the opening operation of the front cover 4. Is possible.

  Further, even when the upper cover 3 is closed first and then the front cover 4 is closed, in this embodiment, the upper cover 3 interferes with the upper cover 3 until the front cover 4 is closed first. Therefore, the upper cover 3 is retracted at a position where it is not closed securely. Thereby, in the closing operation of the upper cover 3 and the front cover 4, it is possible to smoothly perform the opening / closing operation without being confused by the order in which the user closes.

(8)
Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is easy to attach and detach the unit inside the main body casing 2 by opening the upper cover 3 and the front cover 4, and the paper inside the main body casing 2. Maintenance can be easily performed by removing clogs and the like.

(9)
Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, an interlock switch 5 that cuts off the power supply to the unit for image formation inside the main casing 2 is used as an example of the switch of the present invention. Thereby, when the front cover 4 is not closed, the rod 7 interferes with the upper cover 3 so that the upper cover 3 cannot be in the closed position, so that the operation piece 6 operates the interlock switch 5. Therefore, the power supply to the unit for image formation inside the main casing 2 can be maintained in a state where it is cut off. On the other hand, when the front cover 4 is closed, the rod 7 does not interfere with the upper cover 3 so that the upper cover 3 can be closed, and the operation piece 6 can operate the interlock switch 5, thereby It is possible to reliably shift to the energized state of the unit for image formation inside the main body casing 2.

(10)
Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the upper cover 3 has the protrusion 10 capable of interfering with the rod 7 at the first position I. Therefore, the protrusion 10 reliably interferes with the rod 7. It is possible to reliably prohibit the closing operation of the upper cover 3.

(Modification)
(A)
In the above embodiment, the interlock switch is described as an example of the switch operated by the operation member, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the electrical circuit inside the main body casing is not limited thereto. Any switch may be used as long as it is a connected switch. For example, it may be a switch for operating a notification means such as a lamp for notifying that the upper cover is not properly closed.

(B)
In the above embodiment, the rod-like member rod 7 is described as an example of the interference member of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the second cover (front cover 4). When the second cover is open, the first cover (upper cover 3) is moved to a first position that interferes with the first cover so that the second cover is not closed. It is possible to adopt interference members having various shapes and structures as long as they are members that can move to the second position that does not interfere with the first cover when is in the closed position.

(C)
In the above embodiment, the cable 9 is directly connected to the front cover 4, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a cord reel is provided in the front cover 4, and the cable 9 is connected to the cord reel. You may make it wind up the edge part. In that case, when the front cover 4 is closed, the extra length of cable 9 can be taken up by the cord reel.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Main body casing 3 Upper cover (1st cover)
4 Front cover (second cover)
5 Interlock switch (switch)
6 Operation piece (operation member)
7 Rod (interference member)
8 Restriction member 9 Cable

Claims (7)

A body casing containing an electrical circuit;
A first cover provided on the main body casing so as to be freely opened and closed;
A second cover that is different from the first cover and is provided on the body casing so as to be freely opened and closed;
A switch connected to the electrical circuit;
An operating member provided on the first cover and having a shape capable of operating the switch when the first cover is in a closed position;
The second cover can be moved by opening and closing, and when the second cover is open, the second cover moves to a first position that interferes with the first cover so that the first cover does not close, and the second cover An interference member that moves to a second position that does not interfere with the first cover when the cover is in the closed position ;
E Bei the <br/> a connecting member for connecting between said second cover and said interference member,
The interference member has an input part that protrudes toward the second cover and receives a force that moves the interference member from the second cover when the second cover opens and closes;
The connection member is a cable for connecting the input unit and the second cover;
When the second cover is opened, the interference member is pulled out to the first position by the cable connected to the second cover;
The image forming apparatus , wherein when the second cover is closed, the second cover pushes the input unit to return the interference member to the second position . The interference member has a contact portion that protrudes toward the first cover and contacts the first cover when the interference member is in the first position.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The interference member further includes a convex portion protruding toward the inner surface of the main body casing,
On the inner surface of the main body casing, a slit is formed for guiding the convex portion movably between the first position and the second position.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. A regulating member that regulates the opening operation of the second cover when the first cover is closed;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The restricting member is provided on the first cover and has a shape that can be engaged with an end of the second cover.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 . The first cover is an upper cover provided on an upper surface of the main casing;
The second cover is a front cover provided on a front surface of the main casing;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The switch is an interlock switch that cuts off power to a unit for image formation inside the main body casing.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 6.

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