JP6673272B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral includes a device that needs to be periodically replaced (hereinafter, a replacement target device). Some of such replacement target devices are detachably provided inside the housing of the image forming apparatus. The housing has an opening formed when the replacement target device is replaced. In addition, an exterior cover that covers the opening is provided on the housing so as to be freely opened and closed. At the time of replacement work, the user opens the outer cover and takes out the device to be replaced from the inside of the housing through the opening. However, the rotation angle of the exterior cover is generally restricted to less than 90 degrees. Therefore, when the size of the device to be replaced is large, the replacement of the device to be replaced cannot be performed only by opening the outer cover, and the outer cover needs to be removed from the housing. That is, when the size of the replacement target device is large, an operation of removing the outer cover is added. Therefore, various techniques have been proposed for reducing the number of steps of the replacement work of the replacement target device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus in which a fixing unit and an exterior cover are integrally configured.

JP 2004-53887 A

  However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, it is not necessary to remove the fixing unit, and the fixing unit must be removed even when the outer cover needs to be opened (for example, when a jam occurs).

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of releasing restriction of an allowable rotation angle indicating a range in which a cover member can rotate.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a housing, a detachable device, a first cover member, a second cover member, and a rotation angle regulating member. The housing has a first opening and a second opening different from the first opening. The attachment / detachment device is detachable from the inside of the housing via the first opening. The first cover member is rotatably supported at a position facing the first opening of the housing and is openable and closable. The second cover member is rotatably supported at a position facing the second opening of the housing and is openable and closable. The rotation angle regulating member regulates an allowable rotation angle indicating a range in which the first cover member can rotate. The rotation angle regulating member is slidably supported by the housing between a first position and a second position different from the first position. The rotation angle regulating member slides between the first position and the second position according to the opening / closing operation of the second cover member. When the rotation angle regulating member is at the first position, the regulation of the allowable rotation angle is released. When the rotation angle regulating member is at the second position, the allowable rotation angle is regulated.

  According to the present invention, the restriction of the allowable rotation angle indicating the range in which the cover member can rotate can be released.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing the appearance of the rear side of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing composition of the 1st cover member concerning an embodiment of the present invention. (A) And (b) is a perspective view showing the composition of the 2nd cover member concerning an embodiment of the present invention. (A) And (b) is a perspective view which shows the structure of the cassette which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing an example of composition of a link member concerning an embodiment of the present invention. (A) And (b) is a perspective view showing an example of composition of a rotation angle control member concerning an embodiment of the present invention. (A) and (b) are enlarged views showing the vicinity of a link member according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the 1st cover member and a rotation angle regulation member in the state where the 2nd cover member concerning an embodiment of the present invention was closed. It is an enlarged view which shows the vicinity of the rotation angle regulating member shown in FIG. It is a figure showing the permissible rotation angle of the 1st cover member in the state where the 2nd cover member concerning an embodiment of the present invention was closed. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of a rotation angle regulating member shown in FIG. 12. It is a figure showing the 1st cover member and the rotation angle regulation member in the state where the 2nd cover member concerning this embodiment was opened. FIG. 15 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of a rotation angle regulating member shown in FIG. 14. It is a figure showing the permissible rotation angle of the 1st cover member in the state where the 2nd cover member concerning the embodiment of the present invention opened. FIG. 17 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the rotation angle regulating member shown in FIG. 16.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions have the same reference characters allotted, and description thereof will not be repeated.

  First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic printer.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a housing 10, an operation panel 2, and a paper feeding device 3. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with the side on which the operation panel 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 is arranged as the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 and the opposite side behind the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the present embodiment will be described with the right side when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front side as the right side of the image forming apparatus 1 and the opposite side as the left side of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 1, the side on which the operation panel 2 is disposed is defined as the upper side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the opposite side is defined as the lower side of the image forming apparatus 1. Will be described.

  The operation panel 2 includes a liquid crystal display 21 and a plurality of operation keys 22. The operation panel 2 receives an instruction from the user to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The paper feeding device 3 is arranged below the housing 10. The paper feeding device 3 includes a cassette 31 which is an example of a sheet storage device. The cassette 31 can store a plurality of sheets. The cassette 31 is detachable from the housing 10. When the cassette 31 is mounted on the housing 10, the front-rear position of the front surface 31 a of the cassette 31 matches the front-rear position of the front surface 10 a of the housing 10.

  Note that the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment further includes a device included in a general printer, for example, a transport device, an image forming unit, a fixing device, and a discharging device. The transport device transports the sheets stored in the cassette 31 from the cassette 31 to a discharge device. The image forming unit forms a toner image on a sheet. The image forming unit includes an exposure device, a charging device, a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a cleaning device, a transfer device, and the like. The fixing device has a pressing member and a heating member. The fixing device fixes the toner image on the sheet. The discharge device discharges the sheet on which the toner image has been fixed to the outside of the housing 10.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, a configuration on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views showing the appearance of the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the housing 10 has a back surface 10b. The image forming apparatus 1 further includes a first cover member 11 and a second cover member 12. The first cover member 11 and the second cover member 12 are disposed on the rear surface 10b side of the housing 10 and are rotatably supported by the housing 10. The first cover member 11 is provided above the second cover member 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the first cover member 11 and the second cover member 12 can be opened simultaneously. In the present embodiment, the first cover member 11 has an upper portion opening downward with the lower portion as a fulcrum, and the second cover member 12 has a lower portion opening upward with the upper portion as a fulcrum. When the first cover member 11 is opened, the first opening 101 of the housing 10 is exposed, and when the second cover member 12 is opened, the second opening 102 of the housing 10 is exposed. In the present embodiment, a fixing device 100 as an example of a detachable device is detachably provided inside the housing 10.

  The first cover member 11 rotates along the first rotation direction R1 or the second rotation direction R2 around the axis X shown in FIG. 2B. Thus, the first opening 101 is exposed or covered by the first cover member 11. In other words, when the first cover member 11 is open, the first opening 101 is exposed, and when the first cover member 11 is closed, the first opening 101 is connected to the first cover member. 11 is covered. In the present embodiment, the first opening 101 is used when mounting the fixing device 100 inside the housing 10 or when removing the fixing device 100 from the inside of the housing 10. The first opening 101 is used when removing a sheet that has caused a jam (sheet jam). In the present embodiment, the axis X extends in the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The second cover member 12 rotates along the third rotation direction R3 or the fourth rotation direction R4 around the axis X shown in FIG. 2B. As a result, the second opening 102 is exposed or covered by the second cover member 12. In other words, when the second cover member 12 is open, the second opening 102 is exposed, and when the second cover member 12 is closed, the second opening 102 is connected to the second cover member. 12 is covered. The second cover member 12 opens and closes according to the position of the cursor 32 of the sheet feeding device 3. Specifically, when the cursor 32 (an example of the sheet regulating member) is located outside the housing 10, the second cover member 12 comes into contact with the cursor 32 and is opened. In the present embodiment, both the first cover member 11 and the second cover member 12 rotate around the axis X as a rotation axis.

The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a rotation angle regulating member. Rotation angle restriction member includes a first cover member 11 is restricted below the first rotation angle θ1 than 0 ° the allowable rotation angle theta _A indicating the range that can be rotated. In other words, if the allowable rotation angle theta _A is restricted, the first cover member 11 can be rotated to a first rotation angle .theta.1. When the first cover member 11 is in the closed state, the rotation angle θ of the first cover member 11 is 0 degree.

By permissible rotation angle theta _A of the first cover member 11 is restricted, even when opening the first cover member 11 and the second cover member 12 at the same time, the first cover member 11 and the second cover member 12 can be prevented from contacting (interfering). In addition, when a jam occurs, the operator opens the first cover member 11 to the first rotation angle θ1 to take out the sheet from the inside of the housing 10 through the first opening 101 and release the jam. can do. The first rotation angle θ1 is, for example, 60 degrees.

  Next, a configuration of the first cover member 11 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the first cover member 11 according to the present embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 3 shows a state where the first cover member 11 is opened and the second cover member 12 is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first cover member 11 has a first cover main body 111. The first cover main body 111 is a flat member that covers the first opening 101. That is, when the first cover main body 111 is closed, the first opening 101 is covered by the first cover main body 111.

The first cover member 11 shown in FIG. 3 has rotated beyond the first rotation angle θ1 to the second rotation angle θ2. In other words, regulation of the permissible rotation angle theta _A by the rotation angle restriction member is released. In the present embodiment, the second rotation angle θ2 is, for example, 90 degrees. By rotating the first cover member 11 to the second rotation angle θ2, the operator can mount the fixing device 100 inside the housing 10 through the first opening 101 or fix the fixing device 100 from inside the housing 10. The device 100 can be removed. Specifically, the worker moves the fixing device 100 along arrow A (the front-back direction of the image forming apparatus 1) shown in FIG. The fixing device 100 can be removed from the inside of the printer. Note that the second rotation angle θ2 is not limited to 90 degrees. The second rotation angle θ2 may be 90 degrees or more.

  Subsequently, the configuration of the second cover member 12 according to the present embodiment will be further described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views illustrating the configuration of the second cover member 12 according to the present embodiment. 4A shows a state where the second cover member 12 is closed, and FIG. 4B shows a state where the second cover member 12 is opened. FIGS. 4A and 4B are views of the right side wall 10r, the first cover member 11, and the second cover member 12 of the housing 10 as viewed from the inside of the housing 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the second cover member 12 has a second cover main body 121. The second cover main body 121 is a flat plate-shaped member that covers the second opening 102 described with reference to FIG. The second cover main body 121 has a right inner surface 121r. The right inner surface 121r stands upright from the front surface 121a of the second cover main body 121.

  The second cover member 12 further has an engagement pin 123. The engagement pin 123 is provided on the right inner surface 121r of the second cover main body 121. Specifically, the engagement pin 123 protrudes from the right inner surface 121r along the surface direction of the front surface 121a of the second cover main body 121.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 further includes a link member 4 and a rotation angle regulating member 5. The link member 4 converts the rotational motion of the second cover member 12 into a reciprocating motion and transmits the reciprocating motion to the rotation angle regulating member 5. Specifically, the link member 4 engages with the engagement pin 123. The rotation angle regulating member 5 is connected to the link member 4. In other words, the rotation angle regulating member 5 is connected to the engaging pin 123 via the link member 4. Note that the link member 4 is an example of a connection mechanism.

  The housing 10 further includes a cassette mounting unit 14. The cassette 31 described with reference to FIG. More specifically, the cassette 31 is mounted on the cassette mounting section 14 along a first movement direction D1 (a direction from the front side to the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1) shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. . Further, the cassette 31 is removed from the cassette mounting section 14 along a second movement direction D2 (a direction from the front side to the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1) shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

  Next, the cassette 31 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views showing the configuration of the cassette 31 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the cassette 31 is a box-shaped member. The cassette 31 has a partially opened back surface 31b in addition to the cursor 32 described with reference to FIG. In a state where the cassette 31 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 14 described with reference to FIG. 4B, the rear surface 31 b of the cassette 31 is located inside the housing 10 (the image forming apparatus 1 Front side).

  The cursor 32 regulates the backward movement of the sheets stored in the cassette 31. The cursor 32 is supported by the cassette 31 so as to be slidable along the first movement direction D1 or the second movement direction D2 (the front-back direction of the image forming apparatus 1) shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The position of the cursor 32 changes according to the size of the sheets stored in the cassette 31. For example, when the cassette 31 stores A4 size sheets, the position of the cursor 32 in the front-rear direction coincides with the back surface 31b of the cassette 31, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the cassette 31 accommodates sheets of a size larger than the A4 size (for example, legal size), the cursor 32 is located behind the back 31b of the cassette 31 as shown in FIG.

  FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views showing the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. More specifically, the cassette 31 in the state shown in FIG. 5A is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. The cassette 31 in the state shown in FIG. 5B is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

  When the cassette 31 in the state shown in FIG. 5A is mounted on the cassette mounting unit 14, the cursor 32 is located forward of the rear surface 10 b of the housing 10. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, the second cover member 12 is in a closed state.

  On the other hand, when the cassette 31 in the state shown in FIG. 5B is mounted on the cassette mounting unit 14, the cursor 32 is located behind the back surface 10 b of the cassette 31. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, the second cover member 12 is opened by being supported by the cursor 32 from below. Specifically, when the cassette 31 in the state shown in FIG. 5B is mounted on the cassette mounting section 14 along the first movement direction D1, the cursor 32 comes into contact with the second cover main body 121. When the cursor 32 comes into contact with the second cover main body 121, a rearward force acts on the second cover main body 121. As a result, the second cover main body 121 rotates about the axis X as the rotation axis along the third rotation direction R3 shown in FIG. 6B. Then, the second cover body 121 is supported by the cursor 32 from below. As a result, the second cover member 12 is opened.

  Subsequently, the configuration of the second cover member 12 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the second cover main body 121 is in a closed state, the second opening 102 is covered by the second cover main body 121. The second cover main body 121 has a protrusion 122 that protrudes upward in the state illustrated in FIG. 6A (the state where the second cover main body 121 is closed). In the present embodiment, the second cover member 12 rotates around the upper end of the projection 122 as the axis X.

  Next, the configuration of the link member 4 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the configuration of the link member 4 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the link member 4 has an arm 41, a first engagement portion 42, and a second engagement portion 43. The first engagement portion 42 is provided at one end of the arm 41. The first engagement portion 42 has a first engagement hole 42a. The first engagement hole 42a engages with the second cover member 12. Specifically, the first engagement hole 42a engages with the engagement pin 123 of the second cover member 12 described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. The engagement pin 123 is slidable with respect to the first engagement hole 42a. The second engagement portion 43 is provided at the other end of the arm 41. The second engagement portion 43 has a second engagement hole 43a. The second engagement hole 43a engages with the rotation angle regulating member 5 described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

  Next, a configuration of the rotation angle regulating member 5 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views illustrating an example of the configuration of the rotation angle regulating member 5 according to the present embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 8B shows a view of the rotation angle regulating member 5 shown in FIG. 8A as viewed from the opposite side.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the rotation angle regulating member 5 has a base 51, a first projecting portion 52, and a second projecting portion 53.

  The base 51 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The base 51 has a first side surface 51a and a second side surface 51b. The first side surface 51a and the second side surface 51b are orthogonal to each other.

  The first protrusion 52 is provided on the first side surface 51a. The first projecting portion 52 has a cylindrical shape and extends in a direction orthogonal to the first side surface 51 a of the base 51. The first protruding portion 52 is slidably fitted into the second engagement hole 43a described with reference to FIG.

  The second projecting portion 53 is provided on the second side surface 51b. The shape of the second projecting portion 53 when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the first side surface 51a and the second side surface 51b is an L-shape. The second projecting portion 53 forms a groove 53a between itself and the second side surface 51b. The groove 53a is slidably supported by a support provided on the housing 10.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the rotation angle regulating member 5 further has a projection 54. The protrusion 54 is provided on the third side surface 51c of the base 51. The third side surface 51c is a surface orthogonal to the first side surface 51a and facing the second side surface 51b. The protrusion 54 protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the first protrusion 52 extends. In the present embodiment, the shape of the protrusion 54 when viewed from the first side surface 51a is substantially trapezoidal.

  Next, a configuration near the link member 4 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B. 9A and 9B are enlarged views showing the vicinity of the link member 4 according to the present embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 9A shows a state in which the second cover member 12 is closed, and FIG. 9B shows a state in which the second cover member 12 is open.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the second cover member 12 has a convex portion right inner surface 122 r that forms the convex portion 122. The convex right inner surface 122r constitutes a part of the right inner surface 121r of the second cover member 12. The convex inner surface 122r has a rotation fulcrum f. The axis X intersects the convex right inner surface 122r at the rotation fulcrum f.

  The engagement pin 123 is provided on the right inner surface 122r of the projection. Specifically, the engagement pin 123 is provided at a position different from the rotation fulcrum f.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, when the second cover member 12 is closed, the upper end of the rotation angle regulating member 5 is located at the regulation release position S1. Hereinafter, the position of the upper end of the rotation angle regulating member 5 will be described as the position of the rotation angle regulating member 5. The restriction release position S1 is an example of a first position.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, when the second cover member 12 transitions from the closed state to the open state, that is, when the second cover member 12 rotates in the third rotation direction R3, The engagement pin 123 (the first engagement portion 42) revolves around the rotation fulcrum f in the third rotation direction R3. Accordingly, the second engagement portion 43 of the link member 4 moves (upwards) in the third movement direction D3. As described with reference to FIG. 8A, the first protrusion 52 of the rotation angle regulating member 5 is slidably fitted into the second engagement hole 43a of the second engagement portion 43. I have. Accordingly, when the second engagement portion 43 of the link member 4 moves along the third movement direction D3 (upward), the rotation angle regulating member 5 moves along the third movement direction D3 (upward). Move). In the present embodiment, the rotation angle regulating member 5 moves to the regulation position S2. Note that the restriction position S2 is an example of a second position.

  On the other hand, when the second cover member 12 transitions from the open state to the closed state, that is, when the second cover member 12 rotates in the fourth rotation direction R4, the engagement pin 123 (the first engagement portion 42) Revolves around the rotation fulcrum f in the fourth rotation direction R4. Thereby, the second engagement portion 43 of the link member 4 moves (downwards) in the fourth movement direction D4. Thereby, the rotation angle regulating member 5 moves (downwards) in the fourth movement direction D4. As a result, the rotation angle regulating member 5 moves to the regulation release position S1.

  Subsequently, the configuration of the first cover member 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the first cover member 11 and the rotation angle regulating member 5 in a state where the second cover member 12 according to the present embodiment is closed. Specifically, FIG. 10 shows a state where the first cover member 11 is closed. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the rotation angle regulating member 5 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the first cover member 11 further has a fulcrum 112 and a support 113.

  The fulcrum 112 is connected to the right side of the support 113. The fulcrum 112 protrudes outward (to the right of the image forming apparatus 1) from the right side of the support 113. The fulcrum portion 112 is rotatably supported by the housing 10 described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the fulcrum portion 112 is slidably fitted to a fitting portion of the housing 10.

  In the present embodiment, the support portion 113 is connected to the right end of the base end of the first cover main body 111. When the first cover main body 111 is closed, the support portion 113 protrudes downward from the base end of the first cover main body 111. The base end of the first cover main body 111 is a lower end when the first cover member 11 is closed. The configuration on the left side of the first cover member 11 is the same as the configuration on the right side.

  The first cover main body 111 is rotatable along the first rotation direction R1 or the second rotation direction R2 with the fulcrum 112 as a fulcrum. When the first cover main body 111 rotates along the first rotation direction R1 or the second rotation direction R2, the first cover member 11 opens and closes.

  The first cover member 11 further has a contact portion 116. In the present embodiment, the contact portion 116 is configured by a tip portion (an end portion opposite to the first cover main body 111) of the fulcrum portion 112. In other words, the contact portion 116 is provided on the opposite side of the fulcrum 112 from the first cover main body 111.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the contact portion 116 has a contact surface 116a. When the first cover member 11 is in the closed state, the contact surface 116a faces the third side surface 51c of the rotation angle regulating member 5 described with reference to FIG.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13, will be described allowable rotation angle theta _A of the first cover member 11 in a state in which the second cover member 12 is closed according to the present embodiment. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an allowable rotation angle theta _A of the first cover member 11 in a state in which the second cover member 12 according to this embodiment is closed. A two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 12 indicates the first cover member 11 in a closed state. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the rotation angle regulating member 5 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the second cover member 12 is in the closed state, the rotation angle regulating member 5 is located at the regulation release position S1.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the rotation angle restriction member 5 is located at the restriction release position S <b> 1, the protrusion 54 is positioned on the rotation locus of the contact portion 116 (contact surface 116 a) of the first cover member 11. Located outside. Therefore, when the first cover member 11 rotates along the first rotation direction R <b> 1, the contact portion 116 rotates without contacting the rotation angle regulating member 5. That is, the first cover member 11, without allowable rotation angle theta _A by the rotation angle restriction member 5 is restricted, it becomes possible to rotate to the second rotation angle .theta.2.

Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17, it will be described allowable rotation angle theta _A of the first cover member 11 in a state in which the second cover member 12 is opened according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the first cover member 11 and the rotation angle regulating member 5 in a state where the second cover member 12 according to the present embodiment is open. Specifically, FIG. 14 shows the first cover member 11 in a closed state. FIG. 15 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the rotation angle regulating member 5 shown in FIG. Figure 16 is a diagram showing an allowable rotation angle theta _A of the first cover member 11 in a state in which the second cover member 12 is opened according to the embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 16 shows the first cover member 11 in an opened state. A two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 16 indicates the first cover member 11 in a closed state. FIG. 17 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the rotation angle regulating member 5 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the second cover member 12 is in an open state, the rotation angle regulating member 5 is located at the regulating position S2.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, when the rotation angle restricting member 5 is located at the restricting position S2, the protrusion 54 is positioned inside the rotation locus of the contact portion 116 (contact surface 116a) of the first cover member 11. Located in. Specifically, the contact portion 116 (the contact surface 116a) contacts the protrusion 54 at a position rotated from the position shown in FIG. 15 (the position where the first cover member 11 is closed) to the first rotation angle θ1. . Therefore, when the first cover member 11 rotates to the first rotation angle θ1 along the first rotation direction R1, the contact portion 116 contacts the protrusion 54 of the rotation angle regulating member 5. As a result, the allowable rotation angle theta _A of the first cover member 11 is restricted to the first rotation angle .theta.1.

The embodiment of the invention has been described. According to the present embodiment, the rotation angle θ of the first cover member 11 can be restricted. Further, the restriction on the rotation angle θ of the first cover member 11 can be released. Specifically, (when the second cover member 12 is open) when the position of the upper end of the rotation angle restriction member 5 is restricting position S2, the allowable rotation angle theta _A first rotary or 0 ° of the first cover member 11 The angle is restricted to θ1 or less. Therefore, damage of the first cover member 11 and / or the second cover member 12 due to interference between the first cover member 11 and the second cover member 12 can be suppressed. On the other hand, when the position of the upper end of the rotation angle regulating member 5 is the regulation release position S1 (the state in which the second cover member 12 is closed), the regulation of the rotation angle θ of the first cover member 11 is released. Therefore, replacement of the fixing device 100 is possible without removing the first cover member 11.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the second cover member 12 is opened by being supported by the cursor 32. In this case, if the first cover member 11 rotates to the second rotation angle θ2, the cursor 32 may be damaged in addition to the second cover member 12. However, according to this embodiment, when the second cover member 12 is opened, the allowable rotation angle theta _A are restricted to the first rotation angle θ1 less than 0 ° of the first cover member 11, the first cover The member 11 does not interfere with the second cover member 12. Therefore, damage to the cursor 32 can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the tip portion of the support portion 113 is used as the contact portion 116. Therefore, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the link member 4 has been described as an example of the link mechanism, but the link mechanism is not limited to the link member 4. The coupling mechanism may be any mechanism that can convert the rotational motion into the reciprocating motion.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the link member 4 and the rotation angle regulating member 5 are provided on the right side of the housing 10 has been described as an example. It may be provided.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the attaching / detaching device is the fixing device 100 has been described as an example, but the attaching / detaching device may be, for example, a photosensitive drum.

  The embodiment of the invention has been described with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 17). However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. Further, the numerical values shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various changes can be made without substantially departing from the effects of the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the image forming apparatus 1 is a printer has been described as an example, but the image forming apparatus 1 may be, for example, a multifunction peripheral or a copy machine.

  The present invention is useful for an image forming apparatus.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming apparatus 4 link member 5 rotation angle regulating member 10 housing 11 first cover member 12 second cover member 100 fixing device 101 first opening 102 second opening

Claims (6)

A housing having a first opening and a second opening different from the first opening;
An attaching / detaching device that is detachable from the housing via the first opening;
A first cover member rotatably supported at a position facing the first opening of the housing and capable of opening and closing;
A second cover member rotatably supported at a position facing the second opening of the housing and capable of opening and closing;
A rotation angle regulating member that regulates an allowable rotation angle indicating a range in which the first cover member can rotate,
The rotation angle regulating member is slidably supported by the housing between a first position and a second position different from the first position,
The rotation angle regulating member slides between the first position and the second position in accordance with an opening / closing operation of the second cover member,
When the rotation angle regulating member is at the first position, the regulation of the allowable rotation angle is released,
When the rotation angle regulating member is at the second position, the allowable rotation angle is regulated ,
The housing further includes a mounting portion to which a sheet storage device that stores a sheet is attached and detached,
The sheet storage device has a sheet regulating member that regulates movement of the sheet,
The sheet regulating member is slidable to the outside of the housing via the second opening,
Wherein the sheet regulating member is slid to the outside way of the casing, ing the state in which the sheet regulating member is the second cover member abuts on the second cover member is opened, the image forming apparatus. When the second cover member is in a closed state, the rotation angle regulating member is at the first position,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the second cover member is in an open state, the rotation angle regulating member is at the second position. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a rotation axis of the second cover member and a sliding direction of the sheet regulating member are orthogonal to each other. The first cover member includes:
A cover body,
A fulcrum that is rotatably supported by the housing,
A contact portion provided on the opposite side of the cover main body with the fulcrum portion interposed therebetween,
When the rotation angle regulating member is at the second position, when the cover body rotates, the contact portion contacts the rotation angle regulating member to regulate the allowable rotation angle of the first cover member. that, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Further comprising a connection mechanism for connecting the second cover member and the rotation angle regulating member,
The coupling mechanism transmits the rotational angle restricting member is converted into a reciprocating motion a rotational motion of the second cover member, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The detachable device includes a fixing device for fixing an image on a sheet, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images