JP6642512B2 - Electronic equipment and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a technology for locking an openable cover that covers the inside of the apparatus.

  Electronic devices such as image forming apparatuses include a lever that controls locking / unlocking of the opening and closing operation of the cover to open a cover that covers the inside of the apparatus. By operating the lever, a user can freely open the cover. There are some that can be opened and closed (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). By configuring the cover to be openable in this way, it is possible to allow the user to touch the inside of the device when replacing parts or performing maintenance such as jam clearance. The device can be opened without limitation and the user can touch the inside of the device at any time. In addition, if the cover is opened at an inappropriate timing, unnecessary jamming may occur, or dust may enter the sensor or the printing mechanism, thereby deteriorating the printing performance.

  As a method of solving such a problem, a solenoid that has a self-holding force is used to lock the opening and closing operation of the cover during a period in which the opening and closing of the cover is not permitted (for example, during the execution of the image forming process), and the lever is used to cover It is known to limit the opening and closing of the cover (that is, the operation of opening the cover by the user).

JP 2012-220546 A

  However, to switch the lock / unlock of the cover with a solenoid having a self-holding force, it is necessary to energize the solenoid. Therefore, when the power of the image forming apparatus is cut off while the cover is locked, the cover is locked. Since the locked state is maintained as it is, the user cannot open the cover by operating the lever. As described above, when the user wants to open the cover while the cover is locked by the solenoid, the cover must be forcibly opened with a fear of breakage, which is not preferable. Further, a method of providing a new mechanism for forcibly releasing the lock of the cover in the apparatus can be considered, but the mechanism becomes complicated. Further, a solenoid having a self-holding force is more expensive than a solenoid having no self-holding force, which leads to an increase in cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and compares a mechanism that maintains the cover in a closed state at the timing of restricting the opening and closing of the cover and enables an operation of opening the cover at times other than the timing. It is an object of the present invention to realize a simple mechanism and low cost.

  An electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an openable cover rotatably supported on one surface of an apparatus main body and covering the one surface when closed, an engaging portion provided on the apparatus main body side, An engaged portion rotatably provided inside the cover and having a projection engaged with the engaging portion, and formed integrally with the engaged portion and rotated together with the engaged portion. A first lock that restricts the opening / closing operation of the openable / closable cover and includes a release lever configured to move and rotate the engaged portion in a direction of engaging with the engaging portion and in a direction of releasing the engagement. A mechanism, a regulating member that rotates between a position that regulates the opening / closing operation of the openable / closable cover, and a position that does not regulate the opening / closing cover; Comprising a solenoid having no A second lock mechanism that regulates the opening and closing operation of the closed cover; a movement amount detection unit that detects a movement amount of the release lever; and a control unit that drives and controls the solenoid of the second lock mechanism. A condition that the movement amount detection unit detects a movement of the release lever by a predetermined movement amount or more when the image forming apparatus is in a predetermined state in which opening of the openable cover is not permitted. When the condition is satisfied, the solenoid is energized to move the restricting member to a position for restricting the opening and closing operation of the openable cover, and when the condition is not satisfied, the solenoid is not energized.

  Further, an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, and the electronic device.

  According to the present invention, when the electronic device is in a predetermined state in which opening and closing of the openable cover is not permitted (for example, during operation of the device), when a movement of a release lever by a predetermined amount or more is detected. The solenoid of the second lock mechanism is energized to regulate the opening and closing of the openable cover. In other cases, however, the solenoid is not energized and the opening and closing of the openable cover is not regulated. For this reason, the opening and closing of the openable cover is restricted when the openable cover can be opened at an inappropriate timing without using a solenoid having a self-holding force. A mechanism that enables the opening of the openable cover can be realized at a relatively simple mechanism and at low cost.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating one surface of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein (A) illustrates a perspective view and (B) illustrates a front view. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 1B, showing the first lock mechanism, wherein FIG. Indicates a state in which the release lever 55 is rotated. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line BB shown in FIG. 1B, showing the second lock mechanism, and FIG. 1A is a view in which the openable cover 21 is locked by the second lock mechanism 61. 4B shows a state in which the openable cover 21 is unlocked by the second lock mechanism 61. FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating a main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a configuration for detecting a movement amount of a release lever. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing operation performed by a control unit in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an electronic apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are diagrams schematically illustrating a side portion of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1A is a perspective view, and FIG. 1B is a front view.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, an openable cover 21 is provided on one surface of the apparatus main body 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 (one of the side surfaces in this embodiment). The openable cover 21 is rotatably supported and covers the one surface when closed. The openable cover 21 is provided with a release lever 55 for releasing the lock of the openable cover 21, and the lock is released when the operator rotates the release lever 55. A first lock mechanism (described later) including the release lever 55 and a second lock mechanism (described later), which is a further lock mechanism different from the first lock mechanism, allow the openable cover 21 to move relative to the apparatus main body 11. Locking / unlocking switching is provided.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line AA shown in FIG. 1B, showing the first lock mechanism. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the release lever 55 is at the initial position, and FIG. 2B shows a state in which the release lever 55 is rotated.

  The openable / closable cover 21 is rotatably supported on one surface of the apparatus main body 11 with the shaft 22 as a fulcrum, and covers the one surface when closed.

  The first lock mechanism 51 regulates the opening / closing operation of the openable / closable cover 21. The first lock mechanism 51 has an engagement portion 52A, a hook portion 54, and a release lever 55. Note that the hook portion 54 is an example of the engaged portion in the claims.

  The engagement portion 52A is, for example, a hole formed in a notch shape in the support plate 52 provided on the apparatus main body 11 side.

  The hook portion 54 is provided inside the openable cover 21 so as to be rotatable around the shaft 53 as a fulcrum. The shaft 53 is provided on the openable cover 21 via a bearing. The shaft 53 rotates together with the release lever 55 and the hook 54. The hook portion 54 has a protrusion 541 at the tip, and the protrusion 541 is engaged with the engaging portion 52A. When the protrusion 541 is engaged with the engagement portion 52A, the rotation of the opening / closing cover 21 about the shaft 22 as a fulcrum is restricted. The release lever 55 is formed integrally with the hook portion 54 and has an angle perpendicular to the hook portion 54, for example. The release lever 55 and the hook portion 54 rotate in the direction of arrow A about the shaft 53 as a fulcrum. That is, when the release lever 55 rotates about the shaft 53 as a fulcrum, the hook portion 54 rotates in a direction of engaging with the engaging portion 52A and in a direction of releasing the engagement. Thus, the release lever 55 and the hook portion 54 are rotatable from the position shown in FIG. 2A to the position shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cross section taken along line BB illustrated in FIG. 1B, illustrating the second lock mechanism. FIG. 3A shows a state in which the openable cover 21 is locked by the second lock mechanism 61, and FIG. 3B shows a state in which the openable cover 21 is unlocked by the second lock mechanism 61. .

  The second lock mechanism 61 that regulates the opening / closing operation of the openable / closable cover 21 includes an engaging portion 23A, a hook lever 62, and a solenoid 64. At an end of the openable cover 21 and at a position facing the second lock mechanism 61, an extended plate 23 extending toward the inside of the apparatus is provided as a part of the openable cover 21.

  The engagement portion 23 </ b> A is, for example, a notch-shaped hole formed in the extended plate 23. The hook lever (an example of a regulating member in the claims) 62 is rotatably provided around a shaft 65 provided in the apparatus main body 11 as a fulcrum. The hook lever 62 moves to a position where the hook lever 62 is engaged or disengaged with the engaging portion 23A by rotation about the shaft 65 as a rotation axis. The hook lever 62 includes a hook portion 62A and a lever portion 62B. The hook portion 62A is formed integrally with the lever portion 62B, and rotates around the shaft 65 as a rotation axis between a position where the hook portion 62A is engaged with the engaging portion 23A and a position where the engagement is released. The lever portion 62B is a member extending from the rotation center of the hook lever 62 to a position facing the solenoid 64, and is made of, for example, metal.

  The solenoid 64 has one end in the length direction of the stroke member 641 (the end on the side of the openable cover 21) 6411 attached to the lever portion 62 </ b> B of the hook lever 62. Due to the stroke of the stroke member 641 (parallel movement in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 3A), the solenoid 64 moves the hook lever 62 from the position shown in FIG. Rotate to the position shown in B). The solenoid 64 has a mechanism without self-holding force. Note that the hook lever 62 is an example of a regulating member in the claims.

  When the solenoid 64 is in the off state (the state where power is not supplied), the hook lever 62 does not receive the pressing or retraction action of the solenoid 64 by the stroke member 641 because the solenoid 64 has no self-holding force. 3 (A) around the shaft 65 in a freely rotatable state. For example, when the openable cover 21 is rotated in the direction of arrow C by the user operating the release lever 55 from the state shown in FIG. 23A rotates with the rotation of the openable / closable cover 21. At this time, the inner edge of the engaging portion 23A presses the distal end portion 62A1 of the hook portion 62A, and moves along the slope 6211 of the distal end portion 62A1. The hook lever 62 rotates in the arrow C direction in response to the pressing. As a result, the hook lever 62 changes to the posture shown in FIG. 3B, the engagement between the hook portion 62A and the engaging portion 23A is released, and the opening and closing operation of the openable cover 21 is not restricted. Become.

  When the solenoid 64 is turned on and the stroke member 641 moves in the direction of the arrow E in FIG. 3B, the hook lever 62 rotates together with the stroke member 641 in the direction of the arrow G in FIG. As a result, the state shown in FIG. In this state, as long as the openable cover 21 is at the position shown in FIG. 3A, the hook portion 62A of the hook lever 62 is engaged with the engaging portion 23A. The opening / closing operation of the openable / closable cover 21 is regulated by the self-holding force.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating a main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, an open / close sensor 71, a movement amount sensor 72, a driving unit. 73 and a solenoid 64.

  A case where a document reading operation is performed in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The document reading unit 5 optically reads an image of a document conveyed by the document feeding unit 6 or a document placed on the platen glass, and generates image data. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an unillustrated image memory or the like.

  A case where an image forming operation is performed in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. Based on image data generated by a document reading operation, image data received from a computer as an external device connected to a network, and the like, the image forming unit 12 records the image as a recording medium fed from the sheet feeding unit 14. An image is formed on paper.

  The fixing unit 13 fixes an image on recording paper by thermocompression bonding, and the recording paper on which the fixing process has been performed is discharged to a discharge tray. The paper feed unit 14 includes a paper feed cassette.

  The operation unit 47 receives an instruction such as an image forming operation execution instruction from the operator regarding various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 for displaying operation guidance and the like to the operator. The display unit 473 is a touch panel, and the operator can operate the image forming apparatus 1 by touching buttons and keys displayed on the screen.

  The opening / closing sensor 71 is a sensor that detects opening / closing of the opening / closing cover 21, and is, for example, a switch that is turned on / off mechanically. The open / close sensor 71 is set to be turned on when the openable cover 21 is closed, and to be turned off when the openable cover 21 is open. That is, the open / close sensor 71 detects the opening / closing of the openable cover 21 based on the switch on / off.

  The movement amount sensor 72 is a sensor that detects the movement amount (stroke length) of the release lever 55, and includes, for example, a photo interrupter and a mechanically on / off push switch. FIG. 5 is an example of a configuration for detecting the movement amount of the release lever 55 by employing a photo interrupter. For example, a fan-shaped shielding plate 56 is provided on the shaft 53 that rotates together with the release lever 55 and serves as a rotation axis of the release lever 55. The movement amount sensor 72 is disposed in the apparatus main body 11 so that the shielding plate 56 passes between the light emitting unit 72A and the light receiving unit 72B constituting the photo interrupter (movement amount sensor 72).

  The movement amount sensor 72 is set to be switched on when the shielding plate 56 blocks light from the light emitting unit 72A, and is switched off when the shielding plate 56 does not block light from the light emitting unit 72A. That is, the movement amount sensor 72 detects the position of the shielding plate 56 (the movement amount (stroke length) of the release lever 55) based on the switch ON / OFF.

  When the release lever 55 has moved a predetermined movement amount Q1 in the direction of arrow F shown in FIG. 5, the movement amount sensor 72 is disposed at a position where the switch is turned on, so that the release lever 55 controls the movement amount Q1. Detects whether it has moved. The movement amount Q1 is set to a predetermined movement amount that is larger than the movement amount 0 and smaller than the movement amount until the release lever 55 is fully opened. For example, in the present embodiment, the movement amount Q1 is set to a size that enables detection of a half stroke, which is a half of the stroke when the release lever 55 is fully opened. Note that the movement amount sensor 72 is an example of a movement amount detection unit in the claims.

  The drive unit 73 controls the drive of the motor 731 according to an instruction from a control unit 100 (described later) of the control unit 10. The motor 731 is, for example, a drive source that is disposed in the apparatus main body 11 and moves up and down the intermediate transfer unit 121 covered by the openable cover 21.

  The intermediate transfer unit 121 is a part of the image forming unit 12, and includes an intermediate transfer belt on which a toner image is transferred from a photosensitive drum, a driving roller that drives the intermediate transfer belt endlessly, a driven roller thereof, and a primary transfer roller. It is comprised including. When the image forming process is performed by the image forming unit 12, the control unit 100 controls the operation of the driving unit 73 to drive the motor 731 to raise the intermediate transfer unit, and is disposed above the intermediate transfer unit. Close to the image forming mechanism (photosensitive drum, charging device, developing device, etc.). When the image forming process is not performed by the image forming unit 12, the control unit 100 controls the operation of the driving unit 73 to drive the motor 731, thereby moving the intermediate transfer unit 121 to a position away from the image forming mechanism. .

  Also, when a jam occurs during the execution of the image forming process, the control unit 100 controls the operation of the drive unit 73 and drives the motor 731 to move the intermediate transfer unit 121 away from the image forming mechanism. Move to position.

  The control unit 10 includes a processor, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like. The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100 and an operation receiving unit 101.

  The control unit 10 functions as the control unit 100 and the operation receiving unit 101 by the operation of the processor according to the control program stored in the HDD (not shown). However, the control unit 100 and the like can be configured by a hardware circuit instead of the operation according to the control program by the control unit 10. Hereinafter, the same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

  The control unit 100 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 includes a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, an open / close sensor 71, a movement amount sensor 72, a driving unit 73, and a solenoid 64. And controls the driving of these units. The operation receiving unit 101 receives an operation input from a user via the operation unit 47.

  Next, an example of a processing operation performed by the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. This processing operation is started when the control unit 100 determines that the openable cover 21 is closed based on a signal from the open / close sensor 71.

  In the initial state, when the hook lever 62 is in the state shown in FIG. 3B, the control unit 100 does not energize the solenoid 64 (does not supply an exciting current to the solenoid 64), and 64 is turned off (S1). Subsequently, the control unit 100 monitors the movement amount (stroke length) of the release lever 55 by acquiring a signal from the movement amount sensor 72 (S2), and the movement amount Q of the release lever 55 is determined in advance. It is determined whether or not the moving amount Q1 has reached (ie, whether or not a half stroke of the release lever 55 has been detected) (S3).

  When the movement amount Q of the release lever 55 has reached the movement amount Q1, the signal from the movement amount sensor 72 is an ON signal, and when the movement amount Q of the release lever 55 has not reached the movement amount Q1, the movement amount sensor 72 Is an off signal. Therefore, the control unit 100 can determine whether or not the movement amount Q of the release lever 55 has reached the movement amount Q1 based on the on / off signal from the movement amount sensor 72.

  When the control unit 100 determines that the signal from the movement amount sensor 72 is an ON signal and determines that the release lever 55 has moved half a stroke (YES in S3), the image forming apparatus 1 does not permit the opening and closing of the openable cover 21 in advance. It is determined whether the state is a predetermined state (S4).

  The predetermined state in which the image forming apparatus 1 does not permit the opening of the openable cover 21 is, for example, a state in which the image forming unit 12 is performing image forming processing, or a state in which the driving unit 73 is moving up and down the intermediate transfer unit. There is a certain state. The control unit 100 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 1 is in a predetermined state in which the opening of the openable cover 21 is not permitted, based on the operation states of the image forming unit 12 and the driving unit 73.

  When the control unit 100 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is not in the predetermined state in which the opening of the openable cover 21 is not permitted (NO in S4), there is no need to restrict the opening of the openable cover 21. 64 is left off. Then, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the openable cover 21 has been opened based on a signal from the open / close sensor 71 (S5).

  If the control unit 100 determines that the openable cover 21 has been opened (YES in S5), it ends this processing operation, and if it determines that the openable cover 21 has not been opened (NO in S5), the process proceeds. Returning to S2, the control unit 100 continuously monitors the movement amount (stroke length) of the release lever 55.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is in the predetermined state in which the opening of the openable cover 21 is not permitted (YES in S4), the control unit 100 energizes the solenoid 64 (the excitation current is supplied to the solenoid 64). Then, the solenoid 64 is turned on (S6). As a result, the stroke member 641 moves in the direction of arrow E shown in FIG. 3B, and the hook lever 62 enters the state shown in FIG. 3A. At this time, the distal end portion 62A1 of the hook portion 62A is engaged with the engaging portion 23A.

  Thereafter, the control unit 100 monitors the movement amount (stroke length) of the release lever 55 by acquiring a signal from the movement amount sensor 72 (S7), and the movement amount Q of the release lever 55 is determined in advance. It is again determined whether or not the moved amount Q1 has been reached (whether or not a half stroke of the release lever 55 has been detected) (S8).

  When determining that the half-stroke of the release lever 55 has been detected (YES in S8), the control unit 100 determines whether the operation receiving unit 101 is in a state of receiving a predetermined special operation input (S9). ). The predetermined special operation includes, for example, an operation in which the user keeps pressing a predetermined button among the buttons provided in the operation unit 47. The predetermined special operation is, for example, an operation that is not disclosed to general users and is known only to a maintenance person (service person) who is permitted to perform maintenance work.

  When the control unit 100 determines that the operation receiving unit 101 has received the input of the predetermined special operation (YES in S9), the control unit 100 resets the timer built in the control unit 10 and resets the time. The measurement of T is started (S10), and the operation receiving unit 101 measures the time during which the state of receiving the input of the predetermined special operation is maintained. In the case where S9 is NO, the process returns to S8.

  Then, in a state where the operation receiving unit 101 has received the input of the predetermined special operation (YES in S11), the control unit 100 determines whether the time T measured by the timer has exceeded the predetermined first time T1. If it is determined (S12) that the timer T has exceeded the predetermined first time T1 (YES in S12), the power supply to the solenoid 64 is stopped and the solenoid 64 is turned off. (S13). In this state, when the user operates and pulls the release lever 55 to rotate the opening / closing cover 21 in a further opening direction, the extension plate 23 opens with the rotation of the opening / closing cover 21 and the opening / closing cover 21 opens. When the inner edge of the engaging portion 23A pushes the slope 6211 of the hook portion 62A and the movement of the extending plate 23 proceeds in that direction, the solenoid 64 has no self-holding force. By pressing, the hook lever 62 rotates in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 3A, the engagement between the engaging portion 23A and the hook portion 62A is released, and the hook lever 62 moves to the state shown in FIG. Become. Thereafter, the process ends.

  Until the timer T has passed the predetermined first time T1 (NO in S12), the control unit 100 determines whether the operation reception unit 101 has received the input of the predetermined special operation. (S11) is continued.

  The control unit 100 determines that the state in which the operation receiving unit 101 has received the input of the predetermined special operation is not maintained until the timer T elapses the predetermined first time T1 (NO in S12). If this is done (NO in S11), a warning message such as "cannot permit opening of the cover" is displayed on the display unit 473 (S14). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S7.

  In S9, if the control unit 100 determines that the half stroke of the release lever 55 has not been detected (NO in S8), the user must stop the operation of the release lever 55 and open the openable cover 21. Since it is assumed, the process returns to S1.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is in the predetermined state in which the opening of the openable cover 21 is not permitted (for example, during the execution of the image forming process), and the predetermined movement amount Q1 of the release lever 55 is set. When the condition that the movement of the cover is detected is satisfied, the opening / closing operation of the openable cover 21 is restricted. When this condition is not satisfied, the opening / closing operation of the openable cover 21 is not restricted. That is, if the openable cover 21 is to be opened at an inappropriate timing, the opening of the openable cover 21 is restricted, but otherwise, the opening of the openable cover 21 is not restricted.

  In the case of the above-described embodiment, during the period in which the opening and closing of the openable cover 21 is not permitted, it is necessary to restrict the opening and closing operation of the openable cover 21 by continuously energizing the solenoid as in the related art. Instead, it is sufficient to energize the solenoid 64 only during a period in which the opening and closing of the openable cover 21 is permitted. For this reason, in the present embodiment, unless the openable cover 21 is to be opened, the solenoid 64 is excited even when the image forming process is being executed as well as in the standby state where the image forming process is not being executed. Since there is no need to supply a current, power consumption can be reduced. Further, since there is no need to use a solenoid having a self-holding force, the cost can be reduced.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, even when the image forming apparatus 1 is in a predetermined state in which the opening of the openable cover 21 is not permitted, a special operation that only the service person knows is performed. In this case, the openable cover 21 is unlocked, which is convenient.

  Further, as another embodiment, when the control unit 100 determines that the release lever 55 has moved half a stroke (YES in S3), it turns on the solenoid 64 (YES in S4, S6), and then releases the release lever 55. Is measured, and if it is determined that this state has continued for a predetermined second time T2 longer than the first time T1, the solenoid 64 is turned off. In this way, the openable cover 21 may be opened. Accordingly, when the user desires to open the openable cover 21 without performing the above-mentioned special operation, it is possible to permit the user to open the openable cover 21 under certain conditions, and the user may be damaged. Can be prevented from forcibly opening the openable cover 21.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. Further, in the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus is described as an embodiment of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention. However, this is merely an example, and other image forming apparatuses such as a medical apparatus and a computer may be used. May be.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using FIGS. 1 to 6 are only one embodiment of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the configuration and processing.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming apparatus 11 apparatus main body 12 image forming section 21 openable cover 51 first lock mechanism 54 hook section 55 release lever 61 second lock mechanism 62 hook lever 64 solenoid 72 movement amount sensor 73 drive section 100 control section 101 operation reception section

Claims (5)

An openable / closable cover that is rotatably supported on one surface of the device body and covers the one surface when closed.
An engaging portion provided on the apparatus main body side, an engaged portion rotatably provided inside the openable cover and having a projection engaging with the engaging portion, and integral with the engaged portion And a release lever configured to rotate and move together with the engaged portion and rotate the engaged portion in a direction of engaging with the engaging portion and in a direction of releasing the engagement. A first lock mechanism for regulating the opening and closing operation of the openable cover,
A regulating member that rotates between a position that regulates the opening and closing operation of the openable cover and a position that does not regulate, and a self-holding force that is provided movably with respect to the regulating member and rotationally moves the regulating member. A second lock mechanism configured to include an open solenoid, the second lock mechanism restricting the opening and closing operation of the openable cover,
A movement amount detection unit that detects a movement amount of the release lever;
A control unit for driving and controlling the solenoid of the second lock mechanism,
When the image forming apparatus is in a predetermined state in which the image forming apparatus is not allowed to open the openable cover, the movement amount detection unit detects the movement of the release lever by a predetermined amount or more. When the condition is satisfied, the solenoid is energized to move the regulating member to a position for regulating the opening / closing operation of the openable cover, and when the condition is not satisfied, the electronic device is not energized to the solenoid. . Further comprising an operation receiving unit for receiving a user operation,
The control unit is configured to, when the condition is satisfied, to the solenoid when a predetermined first time has elapsed while the operation reception unit is performing a predetermined special operation. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein energization of the electronic device is stopped.   The control unit is configured such that when the condition is satisfied, the state in which the movement amount detection unit detects the movement of the release lever by a predetermined movement amount or more is a predetermined state longer than the one hour. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply to the solenoid is stopped when the power supply has continued for a second time or more. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: the electronic device according to claim 1. The image forming unit includes:
An image forming mechanism for forming an image,
A toner image is transferred by the image forming mechanism, and an intermediate transfer unit that transfers the toner image to a recording medium;
The image forming apparatus further includes a driving unit that raises and lowers the intermediate transfer unit,
The openable cover covers the intermediate transfer unit,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls the solenoid as the predetermined state in which the opening of the openable cover is not permitted while the intermediate transfer unit is being moved up and down.