JP7358579B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine that has a locking mechanism used when opening and closing doors that open and close in the same direction.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some image forming apparatuses such as printers and copying machines using an electrophotographic method have a plurality of doors on one side of the main body of the image forming apparatus (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, one door is a cartridge door of the apparatus main body, and the other door is a feeding tray door. The feeding tray door can be opened and closed when the cartridge door is opened.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-230621

However, if the feeding tray door can be opened and closed when the cartridge door is opened, the feeding tray door may open during the process of opening the cartridge door, which may confuse the user. Furthermore, if you intend to open only the cartridge door, but the feeding tray door outside it also opens, you will have to close the feeding tray door again in addition to closing the cartridge door.

An object of the present invention is to improve usability by providing a locking mechanism that automatically restricts opening of the feed tray door when the cartridge door is opened.

A typical configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a casing having an opening for attaching and removing a cartridge, a cartridge tray that supports the cartridge, and a cartridge tray that is movable with respect to the casing; A first door movable between a closed position that covers an opening and an open position that exposes the opening, the first door having an abutting member that can come into contact with the casing and interlocking with movement of the abutting member. a first door having a locking member configured to be movable between a locking position and a release position; the first door being rotatable around an axis and having one end and the other end opposite to the one end; , the other end is further away from the axis than the one end, and has a second door having a locked portion at the other end, the locking member is located at the locking position, and the locking member is located at the locking position; When engaged with the locked portion, movement of the second door relative to the first door is restricted so that the second door moves integrally with the first door, and the locking member When the second door is located at the release position and is away from the locked portion, the second door can be opened and closed with respect to the first door, and when the first door is located at the closed position, the second door The member is in contact with the housing, the locking member is located in the release position, and as the first door moves from the closed position to the open position, the contact member is in contact with the housing. When separated from the housing, the locking member moves from the release position to the locking position, and the first door is located in the open position, the cartridge tray is inserted into the housing through the opening. The locking member is movable relative to the abutment member .

With the above configuration, usability of the cartridge door can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the first embodiment when the cartridge door is opened. FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below showing the overall configuration of the locking mechanism of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a top view showing the operation of the locking mechanism of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state of the locking mechanism in which the cartridge door of the first embodiment is in a closed state. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the operation of the locking mechanism of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a top view showing the operation of the locking mechanism of the second embodiment.

[First embodiment]
A locking mechanism according to the first embodiment will be explained. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes four process cartridges 11 (image forming sections). The process cartridges 11 (11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K) shown in FIG. and form a toner image of a corresponding color. Since the internal configuration of each process cartridge 11 (11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K) is the same, the subscripts Y, M, C, and K will be omitted in the following description unless necessary.

(Image forming device)
The image forming apparatus 10 includes four process cartridges 11 as described above. The process cartridge 11 includes a photoreceptor drum 1 (image carrier) and a process means that acts on the photoreceptor drum 1. Examples of the process means include a charging roller 2, a developing roller 4, a primary transfer member 6, a cleaning member 7, and the like. An exposure section 3 that irradiates laser light is arranged above the four process cartridges 11.

The photoreceptor drum 1 is a drum-shaped electrophotographic photoreceptor. The charging roller 2 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 1 to a predetermined polarity and potential. The exposure section 3 irradiates the photoreceptor drum 1 with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 1 . The developing roller 4 is disposed in a developing device that stores toner, and forms a toner image on the photoreceptor drum 1 by supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image. The primary transfer member 6 is arranged to face the photosensitive drum 1 via the intermediate transfer belt 5, and transfers (primary transfer) the toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 5, which will be described later. The cleaning member 7 removes residual toner remaining on the photoreceptor drum 1 without being transferred during the primary transfer from the photoreceptor drum 1 .

The intermediate transfer belt 5 is an endless belt. The intermediate transfer belt 5 is suspended by a plurality of tension members and is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 1 and the primary transfer member 6 (primary transfer section) in the four process cartridges 11.

With the above structure, when forming an image in the process cartridge 11, the photosensitive drum 1 is first uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential by the charging roller 2. Next, the photoreceptor drum 1 is subjected to imagewise exposure by the exposure section 3, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the color component images of the target color image.

Then, toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 1 by the developing roller 4 at a developing position between the photoreceptor drum 1 and the developing roller 4 . As a result, the electrostatic latent image is developed and visualized as a toner image.

The toner image formed on each photoreceptor drum 1 is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 5 while passing through the contact portion between each photoreceptor drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 5 . When the four-color toner images are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 5 in an overlapping manner, a composite color image corresponding to the target color image is obtained on the intermediate transfer belt 5.

Next, the secondary transfer and the structure and operation from feeding to ejection of the transfer material S will be explained.

A secondary transfer roller 12 is disposed at a portion facing a portion of the intermediate transfer belt 5 . The nip portion where the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 12 face each other is called a secondary transfer portion.

Next, the configuration of the transfer material S feeding section will be explained.

A feeding cassette 8 that stores the transfer material S is provided below the intermediate transfer belt 5 . The transfer materials S loaded on the feeding cassette 8 are separated one by one by a feeding roller 13a (feeding member) and fed toward the secondary transfer section.

Further, a manual feed tray 9 is provided on the side of the image forming apparatus 10, and is capable of storing the transfer material S. The feed tray 9 can be opened and closed with respect to the main body of the apparatus by a feed tray door 30 that rotates about a hinge 21. Therefore, when using the feed tray 9, the user opens the feed tray door 30 to make it possible to load the transfer material S (the state shown in FIG. 1). The transfer materials S stacked on the feeding tray 9 are separated one by one by a feeding roller 13b (feeding member) and fed toward the secondary transfer section.

With the above configuration, the transfer material S accommodated in the feeding cassette 8 or the feeding tray 9 is fed. Then, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 is secondarily transferred onto the transfer material S at the timing when the transfer material S approaches the secondary transfer section.

Thereafter, the transfer material S carrying the four-color toner images is introduced into the fixing device 14. In the fixing device 14, the four colors of toner are melted and mixed by heating and pressure, and are fixed to the transfer material S. Through the above operations, a full-color print image is formed on the transfer material S. Finally, the transfer material S is discharged outside the image forming apparatus 10.

(Schematic configuration of opening/closing door)
Next, the structure of the door that opens and closes when performing maintenance on the inside of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the first embodiment when the cartridge door is opened.

When performing maintenance on the process cartridge 11, such as when removing the process cartridge 11 from the device and replacing it, first rotate the cartridge door 20 (first door) on the side of the device about the hinge 21. Let it go and release it.

The cartridge door 20 rotates about a hinge 21 with respect to the image forming apparatus 10 and is attached to the exterior 16 so as to be openable and closable. The cartridge door 20 is closed to the exterior 16 of the apparatus main body during image formation (see FIG. 1). In this state, an engaged portion (not shown) provided on the cartridge door 20 is engaged with an engaging portion (not shown) provided on the image forming apparatus 10 .

A release button (not shown) for releasing the engagement is provided on the surface of the image forming apparatus 10. When opening the cartridge door 20, the user presses this release button (not shown). As a result, the engagement between the engaged portion of the cartridge door 20 (not shown) and the engaging portion of the image forming apparatus 10 is released, and the cartridge door 20 opens slightly.

Next, the user rotates the cartridge door 20 about the hinge 21. Thereby, the user can open the cartridge door 20 relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus 10 by rotating the hinge 21 as shown in FIG.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the four process cartridges 11 are integrally assembled in a cartridge tray 15. Therefore, when the user pulls out the cartridge tray 15 to the outside of the main body with the cartridge door 20 open, the process cartridge 11 can be attached or detached.

When the cartridge door 20 is closed with respect to the image forming apparatus 10 , an engaged portion (not shown) of the cartridge door 20 engages with an engaging portion (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 10 . Thereby, the cartridge door 20 is maintained in a closed state.

Further, the feeding tray door 30 (second door) is attached so as to be rotatable about the hinge 21. As a result, the feeding tray door 30 rotates in the same direction as the image forming apparatus 10 and the cartridge door 20. When feeding the transfer material S from the feeding tray door 30, the feeding operation is performed by the feeding roller 13b.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lock mechanism 40 is provided at the upper end of the cartridge door 20 (the end opposite to the hinge 21). The locking mechanism 40 holds the cartridge door 20 so that the feeding tray door 30 can be freely opened and closed when the cartridge door 20 is closed (see FIG. 1). On the other hand, when the cartridge door 20 is open, the locking mechanism 40 fixes the feeding tray door 30 and the cartridge door 20 so that they can move together (see FIG. 2). In this way, the locking mechanism 40 performs the unlocking operation in conjunction with the opening and closing of the cartridge door 20.

(Explanation of lock mechanism)
Next, the lock mechanism 40 will be explained in detail using FIGS. 3 to 6. FIG. 3 is a perspective view from below showing the overall configuration of the locking mechanism of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a top view showing the operation of the locking mechanism of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state of the locking mechanism in which the cartridge door of the first embodiment is in a closed state.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lock mechanism 40 includes a rotating cam 41 (rotating member), a stopper 42, and a biasing member 43.

The rotary cam 41 has a shaft hole 41a formed at its lower end into which a projection 20a (see FIG. 5) formed at the upper end of the cartridge door 20 is fitted. The shaft hole 41a functions as a rotation shaft for rotating the rotary cam 41. A guide groove 41b for guiding the stopper 42 is formed on opposing side surfaces of the shaft hole 41a.

The stopper 42 is located on the side of the rotating cam 41 that faces the shaft hole 41a by the guide shaft 42b guided by the guide groove 41b of the rotating cam 41, and its tip is located below the rotating cam 41. It is composed of a protruding tip portion 42a. The guide shaft 42b of the stopper 42 enters the guide groove 41b of the rotating cam 41, so that the stopper 42 is assembled to the rotating cam 41.

The biasing member 43 is a spring member that applies a biasing force to the rotating cam 41, and biases the rotating cam 41 to rotate in a fixed direction about the shaft hole 41a.

As shown in FIG. 4, the guide groove 41b formed on the side surface of the rotating cam 41 is cut out diagonally. On the other hand, the guide shaft 42b of the stopper 42 protrudes in a predetermined direction (the direction from the cartridge door 20 toward the feeding tray door 30) regardless of the rotational state of the rotating cam 41. Therefore, when the rotating cam 41 rotates, the guide shaft 42b of the stopper 42 moves up and down along the guide groove 41b of the rotating cam 41. Thereby, the stopper 42 moves between the unlocked position shown in FIG. 4(a) and the locked position shown in FIG. 4(b).

The relationship between the lock mechanism 40 and each part of the main body of the image forming apparatus 10 is as follows.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, the cartridge door 20 is formed with a protrusion 20a projecting from its top surface. When the cartridge door 20 is closed, the stopper 42 of the locking mechanism 40 has a downwardly protruding tip 42a locked in the opening 22 formed in the top surface of the cartridge door 20.

Here, the operation of the locking mechanism 40 and the engagement relationship with the exterior 16 of the image forming apparatus 10, the cartridge door 20, and the feeding tray door 30 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the operation of the locking mechanism of the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, (a) shows a state in which the cartridge door 20 is closed. That is, a state in which the top surface of the cartridge door 20 is in contact with the exterior casing 16 is shown. On the other hand, (b) shows a state in which the cartridge door 20 is opened. That is, a state in which the top surface of the cartridge door 20 is separated from the exterior casing 16 is shown.

When the cartridge door 20 is closed, the side surface of the rotating cam 41 closer to the shaft hole 41a is in contact with the exterior 16, as shown in FIG. 6(a). Therefore, the posture of the lock mechanism 40 is determined.

When the cartridge door 20 is opened, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the rotary cam 41 is separated from the exterior 16, so that it can rotate in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The rotating cam 41 rotates around the shaft hole 41a, which is the center of rotation, by the urging force of the urging member 43.

Then, first, the tip 42a of the stopper 42 comes off the opening 22 of the cartridge door 20, as shown in FIG. 6(b). Next, the guide shaft 42b of the stopper 42 is guided by the guide groove 41b of the rotating cam 41. As a result, the stopper 42 is lowered (see FIG. 4).

Further, as described above, since the stopper 42 protrudes in a predetermined direction, the stopper 42 is pushed out by the rotating cam 41 as the rotating cam 41 rotates. At this time, the stopper 42 is removed from the area of the top surface of the cartridge door 20 and protrudes toward the feeding tray door 30 side, as shown in FIG. 6(b). At the same time, the lowered end portion 42a of the stopper 42 engages with the tray door opening 33 formed in the upper end surface of the feeding tray door 30.

On the other hand, in the process of closing the cartridge door 20, the rotary cam 41 rotates around the shaft hole 41a and returns to its original state. Along with this, the guide shaft 42b of the stopper 42 moves upward along the guide groove 41b of the rotary cam 41. As a result, the stopper 42 rises, and in the process, the tip 42a of the stopper 42 comes off the tray door opening 33 of the feeding tray door 30.

When the cartridge door 20 is completely closed, the side surface of the rotary cam 41 comes into contact with the end of the exterior 16. In this state, the tip 42a of the stopper 42 is locked in the opening 22.

In this way, when the cartridge door 20 is closed, the tip 42a of the stopper 42 is locked in the opening 22 inside the cartridge door 20. Therefore, the feed tray door 30 is not fixed to the cartridge door 20. The feed tray door 30 can then be freely opened and closed.

On the other hand, when the cartridge door 20 is opened while the feeding tray door 30 remains closed, the tip 42a of the stopper 42 enters the tray door opening 33 of the feeding tray door 30 in the process. Then, the feeding tray door 30 becomes fixed with respect to the cartridge door 20. Therefore, the cartridge door 20 is opened and closed integrally with the feeding tray door 30. In this way, the feeding tray door 30 does not open during the process of opening the cartridge door 20.

Then, when the cartridge door 20 is closed with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus 10, the feeding tray door 30 also moves integrally with the cartridge door 20, and is in a closed state with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus 10. In this way, the lock mechanism 40 operates in conjunction with the opening and closing operations of the cartridge door 20. Thereby, opening and closing of the feeding tray door 30 can be controlled.

Note that when opening the cartridge door 20 with the feeding tray door 30 closed, it is preferable to configure a button for opening the cartridge door 20 on the device casing of the image forming apparatus 10 in order to improve operability.

Further, the distal end portion 42a of the stopper 42 has a slope shape with a portion on the feeding tray door 30 side partially cut out. This is due to the following reason.

That is, the feed tray door 30 is already in the open state, and when the cartridge door 20 is subsequently opened, the stopper 42 of the locking mechanism 40 is already in the state of protruding toward the feed tray door 30 side. In this state, when the cartridge door 20 comes into contact with the feeding tray door 30, first, the tip 42a of the stopper 42 of the locking mechanism 40 comes into contact with the feeding tray door 30. Here, if the tip portion 42a is formed in a sloped shape, the end portion of the feeding tray door 30 pushes up the sloped surface, and the tip portion 42a of the stopper 42 can be smoothly guided to the tray door opening 33.

Note that the position of the locking mechanism 40 on the end of the cartridge door 20 is not clearly shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and is not limiting. However, in order to more effectively lock the cartridge door 20 and the feeding tray door 30, it is preferable to install the locking mechanism 40 at the center of the cartridge door 20 in the width direction.

The above configuration shows an example of the present embodiment, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[Second embodiment]
A locking mechanism according to a second embodiment will be explained. Components similar to those described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 7 is a top view showing the operation of the locking mechanism of the second embodiment.

The locking mechanism 40 of the first embodiment is composed of two members: a rotary cam 41 that rotates and a stopper 42 that moves up and down, and a configuration in which the cam portion (guide groove 41b) is provided on the rotary cam 41 side has been described. However, it is not limited to this.

As shown in FIG. 7, the locking mechanism 50 of this embodiment is composed of two members: a rotating member 51 that rotates and a stopper 52 that moves up and down, and a cam portion (guide groove 52b) on the side of the stopper 52 that moves up and down. It has a certain configuration.

The rotating member 51 is a member that rotates around the shaft hole 51a, and a guide shaft 51b is formed on the side surface facing the shaft hole 51a. On the other hand, a diagonally cut guide groove 52b is formed on the side surface of the stopper 52 so as to guide the guide shaft 51b. Therefore, when the rotating member 51 rotates, the guide shaft 51b of the rotating member 51 moves up and down along the guide groove 52b of the stopper 52. As a result of the stopper 52 moving up and down in this manner, the tip portion 52a formed at the lower end of the stopper 52 to protrude downward also moves up and down.

By assembling the locking mechanism 50 to the cartridge door 20 with the above configuration, when the cartridge door 20 is in a closed state with respect to the image forming apparatus 10, the tip portion 52a of the stopper 52 is in a raised state (FIG. 7(a) ) state).

In this state, the tip portion 52a has not entered the feeding tray door 30, so the feeding tray door 30 can freely come into contact with or separate from the cartridge door 20. Therefore, the feeding tray door 30 can be freely opened and closed with respect to the cartridge door 20.

On the other hand, when the rotary member 51 is rotated and the tip 52a of the stopper 52 is lowered (the state shown in FIG. 7(b)), the tip 52a enters the tray door opening 33 formed in the feeding tray door 30. Then, the feeding tray door 30 is integrally fixed to the cartridge door 20.

In this way, the stopper 52 moves between the unlocked position shown in FIG. 7(a) and the locked position shown in FIG. 7(b).

By configuring the feed tray door 30 to be lockable with respect to the cartridge door 20 when the cartridge door 20 is opened, even if the feed tray door 30 is held while opening the cartridge door 20, the cartridge can be removed without any problem. Door 20 can be opened.

Further, the distal end portion 52a of the stopper 52 has a slope shape with a portion facing the feeding tray door 30 being partially cut out. Therefore, for the same reason as in the above embodiment, the tip 52a of the stopper 52 can be smoothly guided to the tray door opening 33.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Image forming apparatus 16... Exterior 20... Cartridge door 21... Hinge 30... Feed tray door 40... Lock mechanism 41a... Shaft hole

Claims (16)

a casing having an opening for attaching and detaching the cartridge;
a cartridge tray that supports the cartridge;
a first door that is movable relative to the casing and is movable between a closed position that covers the opening and an open position that exposes the opening, and an abutting member that can come into contact with the casing; and a locking member configured to be movable between a locking position and a release position in conjunction with movement of the abutting member;
It is rotatable around an axis, and has one end and another end opposite to the one end, the other end being farther from the axis than the one end, and having a locked part at the other end. a second door provided;
has
When the locking member is located at the locking position and engaged with the locked portion, the second door moves integrally with the first door. 2-door movement is regulated,
When the locking member is located at the release position and is separated from the locked portion, the second door can be opened and closed with respect to the first door,
When the first door is in the closed position, the contact member is in contact with the casing, and the locking member is in the release position,
When the first door moves from the closed position to the open position, the abutment member separates from the casing, and the locking member moves from the release position to the locking position,
When the first door is in the open position, the cartridge tray can be pulled out from the housing through the opening ,
The locking member is movable with respect to the abutting member.
An image forming apparatus characterized by: a casing having an opening for attaching and detaching the cartridge;
a cartridge tray that supports the cartridge;
a first door that is movable relative to the casing and is movable between a closed position that covers the opening and an open position that exposes the opening, and an abutting member that can come into contact with the casing; and a locking member configured to be movable between a locking position and a release position in conjunction with movement of the abutting member;
a second door having a locked portion on its upper end surface;
has
When the locking member is located at the locking position and engaged with the locked portion, the second door moves integrally with the first door. 2-door movement is regulated,
When the locking member is located at the release position and is separated from the locked portion, the second door can be opened and closed with respect to the first door,
When the first door is in the closed position, the contact member is in contact with the casing, and the locking member is in the release position,
When the first door moves from the closed position to the open position, the abutment member separates from the casing, and the locking member moves from the release position to the locking position,
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that when the first door is located at the open position, the cartridge tray can be pulled out from the housing through the opening. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the locking member is movable with respect to the abutment member. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is configured to be movable in a linear manner between the locking position and the release position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the locking member moves in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the abutting member as the abutting member moves. Device. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge having a developing roller is removably attachable to the cartridge tray. 7. The cartridge tray is configured to be movable between the inside of the casing and the outside of the casing while supporting a plurality of the cartridges. The image forming apparatus described in . The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a button for opening the first door. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a tip of the locking member has a slope that can come into contact with the second door. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the locking member includes a spring that generates a force in a direction from the release position to the locking position. One of the abutting member and the locking member has a protrusion,
The other of the abutment member and the locking member has an insertion portion into which the protrusion is inserted;
The image according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that movement of the locking member and movement of the abutment member are linked by movement of the insertion portion and the protrusion relative to each other. Forming device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the locking member has the protrusion, and the abutment member has the insertion portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the abutting member has the protrusion, and the locking member has the insertion portion. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the insertion portion is provided obliquely with respect to the moving direction of the locking member. 15. The first door is rotatable relative to the casing, and the second door is rotatable relative to the casing. image forming device. When the first door is in the closed position and the second door is open, a recording material can be supplied into the housing from between the first door and the second door,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a conveyance member that conveys the recording material supplied from between the first door and the second door.

Images